bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical Simulation of Heat Transfer between Roll and Slab under Dry Secondary Cooling in Ultrathick Slab Continuous Casting
Authors: Liu Shuang , Ai Songyuan , Long Mujun , Wu Shixin , Xu Pei , Chen Dengfu , Wang Qinzheng
Published: November 2019

A 3D model of heat transfer between the circular‐distributed water channel roll (CDWCR) and slab during ultrathick slab continuous casting process is established, considering the structure of water channels inside CDWCR and rotating contact between the roll and slab. The results show that the contribution of conduction heat transfer in the heating process of the roll is greater than that of radiation heat transfer, and maximum surface temperature of the roll is 460 K, located at the place where it is right out of contact with the slab, and the change of internal temperature of the roll lags behind the change of surface temperature. The temperature decreases gradually from the outside to the inside in the radial direction. The temperature of the CDWCR inside the circle of cooling water channels is no more than 325 K. The yield strength of CDWCR is analyzed, showing that the strength of the roll meets the requirements of using it in the process. In addition, the orthogonal method is used to analyze the influence factors on CDWCR temperature. The results indicate that the orders of factors affecting more are the contact angle, the slab temperature, the casting speed, and the inlet speed of cooling water.
T-dualities and Doubled Geometry of the Principal Chiral Model
Authors: Marotta Vincenzo E. , Pezzella Franco , Vitale Patrizia
Published: November 2019

Abstract

The Principal Chiral Model (PCM) defined on the group manifold of SU(2) is here investigated with the aim of getting a further deepening of its relation with Generalized Geometry and Doubled Geometry. A one-parameter family of equivalent Hamiltonian descriptions is analysed, and cast into the form of Born geometries. Then O(3, 3) duality transformations of the target phase space are performed and we show that the resulting dual models are defined on the group SB(2, ℂ) which is the Poisson-Lie dual of SU(2) in the Iwasawa decomposition of the Drinfel’d double SL(2, ℂ). A parent action with doubled degrees of freedom and configuration space SL(2, ℂ) is then defined that reduces to either one of the dually related models, once suitable constraints are implemented.
An exact quantization of Jackiw-Teitelboim gravity
Authors: Iliesiu Luca V. , Pufu Silviu S. , Verlinde Herman , Wang Yifan
Published: November 2019

Abstract

We propose an exact quantization of two-dimensional Jackiw-Teitelboim (JT) gravity by formulating the JT gravity theory as a 2D gauge theory placed in the presence of a loop defect. The gauge group is a certain central extension of PSL(2,ℝ) by ℝ. We find that the exact partition function of our theory when placed on a Euclidean disk matches precisely the finite temperature partition function of the Schwarzian theory. We show that observables on both sides are also precisely matched: correlation functions of boundary- anchored Wilson lines in the bulk are given by those of bi-local operators in the Schwarzian theory. In the gravitational context, the Wilson lines are shown to be equivalent to the world-lines of massive particles in the metric formulation of JT gravity.
Trends in mathematical modeling of host–pathogen interactions
Authors: Ewald Jan , Sieber Patricia , Garde Ravindra , Lang Stefan N. , Schuster Stefan , Ibrahim Bashar
Published: November 2019

Pathogenic microorganisms entail enormous problems for humans, livestock, and crop plants. A better understanding of the different infection strategies of the pathogens enables us to derive optimal treatments to mitigate infectious diseases or develop vaccinations preventing the occurrence of infections altogether. In this review, we highlight the current trends in mathematical modeling approaches and related methods used for understanding host–pathogen interactions. Since these interactions can be described on vastly different temporal and spatial scales as well as abstraction levels, a variety of computational and mathematical approaches are presented. Particular emphasis is placed on dynamic optimization, game theory, and spatial modeling, as they are attracting more and more interest in systems biology. Furthermore, these approaches are often combined to illuminate the complexities of the interactions between pathogens and their host. We also discuss the phenomena of molecular mimicry and crypsis as well as the interplay between defense and counter defense. As a conclusion, we provide an overview of method characteristics to assist non-experts in their decision for modeling approaches and interdisciplinary understanding.
The rise of the “service economy” in the second half of the twentieth century and its energetic contingencies
Authors: Witt Ulrich , Gross Christian
Published: November 2019

The characteristic of the “service economy” is the rise to dominance of the service sector in terms of employment and value added shares. We track this rise during the second half of the twentieth century for the U.S., more precisely the period from 1970 to 2005. Following seminal work by Baumol (1967) the rise is often attributed to growing productivity differentials between the economic sectors. The causes of the productivity differentials are, however, controversial. Inspired by Georgescu-Roegen’s (1971) evolutionary approach to production theory, the present paper explores whether differences in the energetic features of the sectors’ production technologies contribute to the growing sectorial productivity differentials. For the data for our period of analysis it turns out that a close relationship indeed exists between the sectors’ incentives for substituting relatively cheap energy for ever more expensive labor and their labor productivity gains. In highly energy-dependent sectors an increasing energy/labor ratio has been driving productivity growth while this was not the case in the service sector. The paper closes with a short discussion of what the finding may imply for the future of the service economy.
Atherosclerosis imaging with 18F-sodium fluoride PET: state-of-the-art review
Authors: Høilund-Carlsen Poul F. , Sturek Michael , Alavi Abass , Gerke Oke
Published: November 2019

Purpose

We examined the literature to elucidate the role of 18F-sodium fluoride (NaF)-PET in atherosclerosis.

Methods

Following a systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library included articles underwent subjective quality assessment with categories low, medium, and high. Of 2811 records, 1780 remained after removal of duplicates. Screening by title and abstract left 41 potentially eligible full-text articles, of which 8 (about the aortic valve (n= 1), PET/MRI feasibility (n= 1), aortic aneurysms (n= 1), or quantification methodology (n= 5)) were dismissed, leaving 33 published 2010–2012 (n= 6), 2013–2015 (n= 11), and 2016–2018 (n= 16) for analysis.

Results

They focused on coronary (n= 8), carotid (n= 7), and femoral arteries (n= 1), thoracic aorta (n= 1), and infrarenal aorta (n= 1). The remaining 15 studies examined more than one arterial segment. The literature was heterogeneous: few studies were designed to investigate atherosclerosis, 13 were retrospective, 9 applied both FDG and NaF as tracers, 24 NaF only. Subjective quality was low in one, medium in 13, and high in 19 studies. The literature indicates that NaF is a very specific tracer that mimics active arterial wall microcalcification, which is positively associated with cardiovascular risk. Arterial NaF uptake often presents before CT-calcification, tends to decrease with increasing density of CT-calcification, and appears, rather than FDG-avid foci, to progress to CT-calcification. It is mainly surface localized, increases with age with a wide scatter but without an obvious sex difference. NaF-avid microcalcification can occur in fatty streaks, but the degree of progression to CT-calcification is unknown. It remains unknown whether medical therapy influences microcalcification. The literature held no therapeutic or randomized controlled trials.

Conclusion

The literature was heterogeneous and with few clear cut messages. NaF-PET is a new approach to detect and quantify microcalcification in early-stage atherosclerosis. NaF uptake correlates with cardiovascular risk factors and appears to be a good measure of the body’s atherosclerotic burden, potentially suited also for assessment of anti-atherosclerotic therapy.
The JAX Synteny Browser for mouse-human comparative genomics
Authors: Kolishovski Georgi , Lamoureux Anna , Hale Paul , Richardson Joel E. , Recla Jill M. , Adesanya Omoluyi , Simons Al , Kunde-Ramamoorthy Govindarajan , Bult Carol J.
Published: November 2019

Visualizing regions of conserved synteny between two genomes is supported by numerous software applications. However, none of the current applications allow researchers to select genome features to display or highlight in blocks of synteny based on the annotated biological properties of the features (e.g., type, function, and/or phenotype association). To address this usability gap, we developed an interactive web-based conserved synteny browser, The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) Synteny Browser. The browser allows researchers to highlight or selectively display genome features in the reference and/or the comparison genome according to the biological attributes of the features. Although the current implementation for the browser is limited to the reference genomes for the laboratory mouse and human, the software platform is intentionally genome agnostic. The JAX Synteny Browser software can be deployed for any two genomes where genome coordinates for syntenic blocks are defined and for which biological attributes of the features in one or both genomes are available in widely used standard bioinformatics file formats. The JAX Synteny Browser is available at: http://syntenybrowser.jax.org/. The code base is available from GitHub: https://github.com/TheJacksonLaboratory/syntenybrowser and is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution license (CC BY).
Landesweite Studien aus den Niederlanden und Finnland zur Häufigkeit von Augenverletzungen durch Feuerwerkskörper unter dem Einfluss verschiedener Schutzmaßnahmen
Authors: de Faber Jan Tjeerd , Kivelä Tero T. , Gabel-Pfisterer Ameli
Published: November 2019

Feuerwerksbedingte Augenverletzungen treten weltweit v. a. bei privaten Feuerwerken auf. Zwei Register aus Finnland über 20 Jahre und aus den Niederlanden über 10 Jahre haben die Auswirkungen von Öffentlichkeitsarbeit und gesetzlichen Regelungen untersucht. Die Häufigkeit von Feuerwerksverletzungen in diesen beiden Ländern wurde in den letzten 10 Jahren auf etwa die Hälfte reduziert, indem die Anzahl der zulässigen Stunden für private Feuerwerke und strengere Vorschriften für die Verwendung von Feuerwerkskörpern festgelegt wurden. Zudem wurde die Öffentlichkeitsarbeit verstärkt und die Verwendung von Schutzbrillen empfohlen und erleichtert. Obwohl mit diesen Maßnahmen die Gesamtzahl der Verletzungen zurückgegangen ist, scheint die Schwere der Augenverletzungen in den Niederlanden möglicherweise aufgrund des höheren Gehalts an Schwarzpulver in Feuerwerkskörpern zuzunehmen. Vor allem Jungen und junge Männer sind von Augenverletzungen durch Feuerwerkskörper betroffen, ebenso wie Zuschauer, die von mehr als der Hälfte der Verletzungen betroffen sind. Es ist noch viel zu tun, um Feuerwerke sicherer zu machen – eine Herausforderung für alle länderübergreifenden ophthalmologischen Organisationen wie European Society of Ophthalmology (SOE) und International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) und die nationalen Gesellschaften gleichermaßen. Aber jedes Auge, das vor schweren Verletzungen bewahrt werden kann, ist die Mühe wert.
Classic ataxia-telangiectasia: the phenotype of long-term survivors
Authors: van Os Nienke J. H. , van Deuren Marcel , Weemaes Corry M. R. , van Gaalen Judith , Hijdra Helma , Taylor Alexander M. R. , van de Warrenburg Bart P. C. , Willemsen Michèl A. A. P.
Published: November 2019

Objective

Patients with classic ataxia–telangiectasia (A–T) generally die in the second or third decade of life. Clinical descriptions of A–T tend to focus on the symptoms at presentation. However, during the course of the disease, other symptoms and complications emerge. As long-term survivors with classic A–T develop a complex multisystem disorder with a largely unknown extent and severity, we aimed to comprehensively assess their full clinical picture.

Methods

Data from Dutch patients with classic A–T above the age of 30 years were retrospectively collected. In addition, we searched the literature for descriptions of classic A–T patients who survived beyond the age of 30 years.

Results

In the Dutch cohort, seven classic A–T patients survived beyond 30 years of age. Fourteen additional patients were retrieved by the literature search. Common problems in older patients with classic A–T were linked to ageing. Most patients had pulmonary, endocrine, cardiovascular, and gastro-intestinal problems. All patients had a tetraparesis with contractures. This led to immobilization and frequent hospital admissions. Most patients expressed the wish to no longer undergo intensive medical treatments, and waived follow-up programs.

Conclusions

Paucity of descriptions in the literature, and withdrawal from medical care complicate the acquisition of follow-up data on the natural history of long-term survivors. Irrespective of these limitations, we have obtained impression of the many problems that these patients face when surviving beyond 30 years of age. Awareness of these problems is needed to guide follow-up, counselling, and (palliative) care; decisions about life-prolonging treatments should be well considered.
How diverse is your reading list? Exploring issues of representation and decolonisation in the UK
Authors: Schucan Bird K. , Pitman Lesley
Published: November 2019

There is a growing impetus, from university students and administrations, to decolonise the curriculum and develop diverse reading lists. Yet, there is limited theoretical or empirical analysis of the authorship of current reading lists to justify this imperative. The present study developed and applied a method for auditing the authorship on reading lists of two modules, one from science and one from social science, in a research-intensive British university. The paper explores whether these reading lists can be considered descriptively representative of the student body or scholarly community. The analysis of reading lists found empirical basis for concerns that university curricula are dominated by white, male and Eurocentric authors, with some exceptions. The reading lists did not represent the diverse local student body but came closer to representing the demographic profile of academic staff. To interpret these findings, the paper argues that reading lists have a role to play in decolonising our universities, and offer opportunities to critique and deconstruct disciplinary boundaries. Further research is required to explore student and staff views of reading lists and the meaning of diversity, to evaluate existing tools, and address barriers to decolonising our curricula on a global scale.
Non-commutative Calculus, Optimal Transport and Functional Inequalities in Dissipative Quantum Systems
Authors: Carlen Eric A. , Maas Jan
Published: November 2019

We study dynamical optimal transport metrics between density matrices associated to symmetric Dirichlet forms on finite-dimensional $$C^*$$

C
∗

-algebras. Our setting covers arbitrary skew-derivations and it provides a unified framework that simultaneously generalizes recently constructed transport metrics for Markov chains, Lindblad equations, and the Fermi Ornstein–Uhlenbeck semigroup. We develop a non-nommutative differential calculus that allows us to obtain non-commutative Ricci curvature bounds, logarithmic Sobolev inequalities, transport-entropy inequalities, and spectral gap estimates.
Older adults demonstrate interlimb transfer of reactive gait adaptations to repeated unpredictable gait perturbations
Authors: McCrum Christopher , Karamanidis Kiros , Grevendonk Lotte , Zijlstra Wiebren , Meijer Kenneth
Published: November 2019

The ability to rapidly adjust gait to cope with unexpected mechanical perturbations declines with ageing. Previous studies, however, have not ensured that gait stability pre-perturbation was equivalent across participants or age groups which may have influenced the outcomes. In this study, we investigate if age-related differences in stability following gait perturbations remain when all participants walk with equivalent stability. We also examine if interlimb transfer of gait adaptations are observed in healthy older adults, by examining if adaptation to repeated perturbations of one leg can benefit stability recovery when the other leg is perturbed. During walking at their stability-normalised walking speeds (young: 1.32 ± 0.07 m/s; older: 1.31 ± 0.13 m/s; normalised to an average margin of stability of 0.05 m), 30 young and 28 older healthy adults experienced ten unpredictable treadmill belt accelerations (the first and last applied to the right leg, the others to the left leg). Using kinematic data, we assessed the margins of stability during unperturbed walking and the first eight post-perturbation recovery steps. Older adults required three more steps to recover during the first perturbation to each leg than the young adults. Yet, after repeated perturbations of the left leg, older adults required only one more step to recover. Interestingly, for the untrained right leg, the older adults could regain stability with three fewer steps, indicating interlimb transfer of the improvements. Age differences in reactive gait stability remain even when participants’ walk with equivalent stability. Furthermore, we show that healthy older adults can transfer improvements in balance recovery made during repeated perturbations to one limb to their recovery following a perturbation to the untrained limb.
Age- and sex-specific effects in paravertebral surface electromyographic back extensor muscle fatigue in chronic low back pain
Authors: Ebenbichler Gerold , Habenicht Richard , Ziegelbecker Sara , Kollmitzer Josef , Mair Patrick , Kienbacher Thomas
Published: November 2019

The impact of aging on the back muscles is not well understood, yet may hold clues to both normal aging and chronic low back pain (cLBP). This study sought to investigate whether the median frequency (MF) surface electromyographic (SEMG) back muscle fatigue method—a proxy for glycolytic muscle metabolism—would be able to detect age- and sex-specific differences in neuromuscular and muscle metabolic functions in individuals with cLBP in a reliable way, and whether it would be as sensitive as when used on healthy individuals. With participants seated on a dynamometer (20° trunk anteflexion), paraspinal SEMG activity was recorded bilaterally from the multifidus (L5), longissimus (L2), and iliolumbalis (L1) muscles during isometric, sustained back extensions loaded at 80% of maximum from 117 younger (58 females) and 112 older (56 female) cLBP individuals. Tests were repeated after 1–2 days and 6 weeks. Median frequency, the SEMG variable indicating neuromuscular fatigue, was analyzed. Maximum back extensor strength was comparable between younger and older participants. Significantly less MF-SEMG back muscle fatigue was observed in older as compared to younger, and in older female as compared to older male cLBP individuals. Relative reliability was excellent, but absolute reliability appeared large for this SEMG-fatigue measure. Findings suggest that cLBP likely does not mask the age-specific diagnostic potential of the MF-SEMG back extensor fatigue method. Thus, this method possesses a great potential to be further developed into a valuable biomarker capable of detecting back muscle function at risk of sarcopenia at very early stages.
Correction to: Cancer survivors who fully participate in the PROFILES registry have better health-related quality of life than those who drop out
Authors: Ramsey Imogen , de Rooij Belle H. , Mols Floortje , Corsini Nadia , Horevoorts Nicole J. E. , Eckert Marion , van de Poll-Franse Lonneke V.
Published: November 2019

The original version of the article contains a mistake in figure 2 labeling.
Grading Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) of the Breast – What’s Wrong with It?
Authors: Cserni Gábor , Sejben Anita
Published: November 2019

Ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast is a non-obligate precursor of invasive breast cancer, and at its lower risk end might not need treatment, a hypothesis tested in several currently running randomized clinical trials. This review describes the heterogeneity of grading ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). First it considers differences between low and high grade DCIS, and then it looks at several grading schemes and highlights how different these are, not only in the features considered for defining a given grade but also in their wording of a given variable seen in the grade in question. Rather than being fully comprehensive, the review aims to illustrate the inconsistencies. Reproducibility studies on grading mostly suggestive of moderate agreement on DCIS differentiation are also illustrated. The need for a well structured, more uniform and widely accepted language for grading DCIS is urged to avoid misunderstanding based misclassifications and improper treatment selection.
Models and hierarchical methodologies for evaluating solar energy availability under different sky conditions toward enhancing concentrating solar collectors use: Texas as a case study
Authors: Al-Aboosi Fadhil Y.
Published: November 2019

The precise estimation of solar radiation data is substantial in the long-term evaluation for the techno-economic performance of solar energy conversion systems (e.g., concentrated solar thermal collectors and photovoltaic plants) for each site around the world, particularly, direct normal irradiance which is utilized commonly in designing solar concentrated collectors. However, the lack of direct normal irradiance data comparing to global and diffuse horizontal irradiance data and the high cost of measurement equipment represent significant challenges for exploiting and managing solar energy. Consequently, this study was performed to develop two hierarchical methodologies by using various models, empirical correlations and regression equations to estimate hourly solar irradiance data for various worldwide locations (using new correlation coefficients) and different sky conditions (using cloud cover range). Additionally, the preliminary assessment for the potential of solar energy in the selected region was carried out by developing a comprehensive analysis for the solar irradiance data and the clearness index to make a proper decision for the capability of utilizing solar energy technologies. A case study for the San Antonio region in Texas was selected to demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed methodologies for estimating hourly direct normal irradiance and monthly average hourly direct normal irradiance data at this region. The estimated data show a good accuracy comparing with measured solar data by using locally adjusted coefficients and different statistical indicators. Furthermore, the obtained results show that the selected region is unequivocally amenable to harnessing solar energy as the prime source of energy by utilizing concentrating and non-concentrating solar energy systems.
Association between alcohol consumption and Alzheimer's disease: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Andrews Shea J. , Goate Alison , Anstey Kaarin J.
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Observational studies have suggested that light‐to‐moderate alcohol consumption decreases the risk of Alzheimer's disease, but it is unclear if this association is causal.

Methods

Two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was used to examine whether alcohol consumption, alcohol dependence, or Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) scores were causally associated with the risk of Late‐Onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) or Alzheimer's disease age of onset survival (AAOS). Additionally, γ‐glutamyltransferase levels were included as a positive control.

Results

There was no evidence of a causal association between alcohol consumption, alcohol dependence, or AUDIT, and LOAD. Alcohol consumption was associated with an earlier AAOS and increased γ‐glutamyltransferase blood concentrations. Alcohol dependence was associated with a delayed AAOS.

Discussion

MR found robust evidence of a causal association between alcohol consumption and an earlier AAOS, but not alcohol intake and LOAD risk. The protective effect of alcohol dependence is potentially due to survivor bias.
Real‐world evidence in Alzheimer's disease: The ROADMAP Data Cube
Authors: Janssen Olin , Vos Stephanie J. B. , García‐Negredo Glòria , Tochel Claire , Gustavsson Anders , Smith Michael , Ly Amanda , Nelson Mia , Baldwin Helen , Sudlow Catherine , Bexelius Christin , Jindra Christoph , Vaci Nemanja , Bauermeister Sarah , Gallacher John , Ponjoan Anna , Dufouil Carole , Garre Olmo Josep , Pedersen Lars , Skoog Ingmar , Hottgenroth Antje , Visser Pieter Jelle , van der Lei Johan , Diaz Carlos
Published: November 2019

Introduction

The ROADMAP project aimed to provide an integrated overview of European real‐world data on Alzheimer's disease (AD) across the disease spectrum.

Methods

Metadata were identified from data sources in catalogs of European AD projects. Priority outcomes for different stakeholders were identified through systematic literature review, patient and public consultations, and stakeholder surveys.

Results

Information about 66 data sources and 13 outcome domains were integrated into a Data Cube. Gap analysis identified cognitive ability, functional ability/independence, behavioral/neuropsychiatric symptoms, treatment, comorbidities, and mortality as the outcomes collected most. Data were most lacking in caregiver‐related outcomes. In general, electronic health records covered a broader, less detailed data spectrum than research cohorts.

Discussion

This integrated real‐world AD data overview provides an intuitive visual model that facilitates initial assessment and identification of gaps in relevant outcomes data to inform future prospective data collection and matching of data sources and outcomes against research protocols.
Black Sun Rising: Political Opportunity Structure Perceptions and Institutionalization of the Azov Movement in Post-Euromaidan Ukraine
Authors: Gomza Ivan , Zajaczkowski Johann
Published: November 2019

This article explores the rise of the Azov movement and explains the process through the political opportunity structure theory. We argue that a loosely coherent winning coalition of the post-Euromaidan ruling elites enabled Azov’s participation in conventional politics. As a result, Azov launched the ongoing institutionalization process which is largely responsible for Azov’s success as compared to other far-right movements. We show that two movement entrepreneurs’ profiles, namelypolitical activistandradical, dominated the Azov leadership structure and managed to promote their strategic vision on cooperation with state officials effectively combined with contentious action. We find thatpolitical activistentrepreneurs tend to push institutionalization alongside particular institutionalization axes, namely adaptability, reification, and systemness, whereasradicalentrepreneurs are responsible for Azov’s transformation into an intense policy demander.
Intra-individual and inter-individual variations in iodine intake and excretion in adult women: implications for sampling
Authors: Chen Wen , Gao Shu , Guo Wenxing , Tan Long , Pan Ziyun , Dong Shuyao , Jin Ya , Zhang Ying , Zhang Wanqi , Shen Jun
Published: November 2019

Iodine intake and excretion vary widely; however, these variations remain a large source of geometric uncertainty. The present study aims to analyse variations in iodine intake and excretion and provide implications for sampling in studies of individuals or populations. Twenty-four healthy women volunteers were recruited for a 12-d sampling period during the 4-week experiment. The duplicate-portion technique was used to measure iodine intake, while 24-h urine was collected to estimate iodine excretion. The mean intra-individual variations in iodine intake, 24-h UIE (24-h urinary iodine excretion) and 24-h UIC (24-h urinary iodine concentration) were 63, 48 and 55 %, respectively, while the inter-individual variations for these parameters were 14, 24 and 32 %, respectively. For 95 % confidence, approximately 500 diet samples or 24-h urine samples should be taken from an individual to estimate their iodine intake or iodine status at a precision range of ±5%. Obtaining a precision range of ±5% in a population would require twenty-five diet samples or 150 24-h urine samples. The intra-individual variations in iodine intake and excretion were higher than the inter-individual variations, which indicates the need for more samples in a study on individual participants.
Making interaction with virtual reality accessible: rendering and guiding methods for subtitles
Authors: Agulló Belén , Montagud Mario , Fraile Isaac
Published: November 2019

Accessibility in immersive media is a relevant research topic, still in its infancy. This article explores the appropriateness of two rendering modes (fixed-positioned and always-visible) and two guiding methods (arrows and auto-positioning) for subtitles in 360° video. All considered conditions have been implemented and integrated in an end-to-end platform (from production to consumption) for their validation and evaluation. A pilot study with end users has been conducted with the goals of determining the preferred options by users, the options that result in a higher presence, and of gathering extra valuable feedback from the end users. The obtained results reflect that, for the considered 360° content types, always-visible subtitles were more preferred by end users and received better results in the presence questionnaire than the fixed-positioned subtitles. Regarding guiding methods, participants preferred arrows over auto-positioning because arrows were considered more intuitive and easier to follow and reported better results in the presence questionnaire.
Darkening and vocalisation of /l/ in English: an Element Theory account
Authors: POLGÁRDI KRISZTINA
Published: November 2019

The lateral approximant in General British English (GB) is realised as light when occurring in the onset (leaf), and as dark in the rhyme (help,feel,google). Non-prevocalic positions are typical contexts for lenition, analysed in Element Theory as decomposition in weak positions. However, it is unclear how velarisation can be characterised as element loss if light [l] is represented as |A I|, while dark [ɫ] is represented as |A U|. Therefore, I propose that laterals in GB contain both the coronal |I| and the velar |U| element underlyingly (in addition to |A|), but because these cannot combine in a compound segment in English, they are both floating. Their association at the phrase level is determined by the apophonic chain (Guerssel & Lowenstamm 1996), mapped onto the structure of the syllable: |I| is attracted to the prevocalic position, |A| to the vocalic position and |U| to the postvocalic position. Darkening thus does not involve lenition of /l/, but partial interpretation in all positions. In contrast, I analyse vocalisation of dark [ɫ] as lenition, involving loss of |A| in weak positions. I integrate the lateral into the system of glides in English, and establish a typology of its behaviour across different accents.
Comprehension and acceptance of the Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy with a Puerto Rican patient diagnosed with advanced cancer: A case study
Authors: Torres-Blasco Normarie , Castro Eida , Crespo-Martín Iris , Gonzalez Karina , Ramirez Emely Perez , Garduño Olga , Costas-Muñiz Rosario
Published: November 2019

Background

Meaning-centered psychotherapy (MCP) is a structured psychotherapeutic intervention that aims to improve existential and spiritual well-being in patients with advanced cancer. To validate it, several efficacy studies with predominantly non-Hispanic white patients have been done. Puerto Ricans residing on the island are a largely overlooked segment of the US Latinx population. They have a strong national identity and are embedded in a collectivist culture which shares the Spanish language, cultural traditions, and an emphasis on familism, a cultural factor that values the role of the family in ensuring the well-being of its members.

Objective

The purpose of this study is to present a case study focused on a Puerto Rican advanced cancer patient who underwent MCP to assess the comprehension and acceptance of the MCP intervention.

Method

We used a mixed-methods study design that included the taking of ethnographic notes, and pre- and post-test assessments of the scores the patient received on all the measures (using validated scales). The ethnographic notes were analyzed to determine the participant's comprehension and acceptance of the MCP intervention. Content analysis was performed on the ethnographic notes by three independent coders using a deductive coding approach. Pre- and post-interview assessments were conducted to explore changes in distress, spiritual well-being, and self-perceived quality of life.

Results

A Latino patient with stage III cancer, low income, and low literacy skills showed low comprehension of the concepts of meaning, the finite, legacy, and moderate comprehension and acceptance of the concepts of the search for hope, purpose in life, connecting with life, courage, life's limitations, and sources of meaning. However, the patient showed high comprehension of death and dying (i.e., meaningful death). The patient showed low acceptance of death and dying concepts and high acceptance of the integration of family members into the therapy.

Significance of Results

Additional studies are needed to address cultural themes and to improve the comprehensibility and acceptance of the manual's content and the central MCP concepts. The findings suggest that MCP has the potential of being a feasible form of psychotherapy for Latinx patients suffering from distress, low spiritual well-being, and low self-perceived QOL.
Sheet Music Round-up
Authors: Cawelti Andrea
Published: November 2019

We are living in a great age for sheet music research. After a long period of scholarly apathy, in the last few decades the world has awoken at last to the great historical value that sheet music holds, from its topical texts, to its extraordinary illustrations. Researchers today can discover online sheet music-based exhibits on a huge variety of subjects, from the blockbuster Music for the Nation exhibits and digital collections on the Library of Congress website, which embed detailed articles and essays into curated collections of sheet music resources, to exhibits created by specialized institutions like the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, which brings together songs from the North and South concerning enslaved persons, pacifists and carpetbaggers, complete with historical context and analysis. Many blogs tie sheet music illustrations in with current events: McGill's Marvin Duchow Music Library current exhibit, for instance, Women, Work, and Song, in Nineteenth-Century France (Fig. 1), provides impressive historical context and brief essays in both English and French. Accessed entirely through the lens of sheet music, the McGill exhibit neatly demonstrates the power of the Wayback Machine that sheet music can provide us. All things ‘culture’ can be explored: the economy, religion, gender, LGBTQ issues, consumerism, elements of popular culture such as the figure of the diva, sociological topics, and so on. Sheet music is invaluable for research of all kinds, as it documents trends as they happen in a specific time and place. McGill's music library curators have harnessed just this type of documentary evidence to build an excellent exhibit. But how do researchers find the music for this kind of detailed analysis? This round-up will explore the current landscape of historical sheet music, centred around how we access it online, news about the Sheet Music Consortium (where it has been, and where it is going) and, finally, a brief listing of digitized sheet music collections which are not included in the Consortium.
Using Garnets to Explore Arc Magma Oxidation
Authors: Crowell Rachel
Published: November 2019

Samples collected from Greece help researchers piece together a scientific puzzle.
A New Engineering Model of Lightning M Component That Reproduces Its Electric Field Waveforms at Both Close and Far Distances
Authors: Azadifar Mohammad , Rubinstein Marcos , Li Quanxin , Rachidi Farhad , Rakov Vladimir
Published: November 2019

We present a new engineering model for the M component mode of charge transfer to ground that can predict the observed electric field signatures associated with this process at various distances, including (a) the microsecond‐scale pulse thought to be due to the junction of in‐cloud leaders and the grounded, current‐carrying channel and (b) the ensuing slow, millisecond‐scale pulse due to the M component proper occurring below the junction point. We examine the features of 13 microsecond‐scale, fast electric field pulses associated with M component processes in upward negative lightning initiated from the Säntis Tower and recorded 14.7 km from it. Eleven out of the 13 pulses were found to be unipolar with pulse widths in the range of 9.8 to 35 μs, and the other two were bipolar. To model the process that gives rise to microsecond‐scale pulses, we hypothesize that the current pulses propagating away from the junction point along the main lightning channel (below the junction point) and along the feeding in‐cloud leader channel (branch) carry the same amount of charge. We further assume that the pulse traversing the branch is similar to a subsequent return‐stroke (RS) pulse. In the model, the RS‐like process is represented by the MTLE model. The millisecond‐scale field signature that follows the initial fast pulse in M components at close distances is simulated in our model using the guided‐wave M component model. The proposed model successfully reproduces the vertical electric field waveforms associated with M‐component processes in upward lightning flashes initiated from the Säntis Tower at 14.7‐km distance from the lightning channel, in which both the fast, microsecond‐scale and the following slower, millisecond‐scale pulses were observed. The model also reasonably reproduces the known features of electric field signatures at close distances (up to 5 km), where the amplitude of the millisecond‐scale hook‐like pulse is much larger than that of the microsecond‐scale pulse, and at far distances (of the order of 100 km), where the microsecond‐scale pulses are dominant.
Coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor mediates the responses of endothelial cells to fluid shear stress
Authors: Chung Jihwa , Kim Kyoung Hwa , An Shung Hyun , Lee Sunmi , Lim Byung-Kwan , Kang Sang Won , Kwon Kihwan
Published: November 2019

Endothelial mechanotransduction by fluid shear stress (FSS) modulates endothelial function and vascular pathophysiology through mechanosensors on the cell membrane. The coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR) is not only a viral receptor but also a component of tight junctions and plays an important role in tissue homeostasis. Here, we demonstrate the expression, regulatory mechanism, and role of CAR in vascular endothelial cells (ECs) under FSS conditions. Disturbed flow increased, whereas unidirectional laminar shear stress (LSS) decreased, CAR expression in ECs through the Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2)/activator protein 1 (AP-1) axis. Deletion of CAR reduced the expression of proinflammatory genes and endothelial inflammation induced by disturbed flow via the suppression of NF-κB activation. Consistently, disturbed flow-induced atherosclerosis was reduced in EC-specific CAR KO mice. CAR was found to be involved in endothelial mechanotransduction through the regulation of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1) phosphorylation. Our results demonstrate that endothelial CAR is regulated by FSS and that this regulated CAR acts as an important modulator of endothelial mechanotransduction by FSS.
A cell-free biosynthesis platform for modular construction of protein glycosylation pathways
Authors: Kightlinger Weston , Duncker Katherine E. , Ramesh Ashvita , Thames Ariel H. , Natarajan Aravind , Stark Jessica C. , Yang Allen , Lin Liang , Mrksich Milan , DeLisa Matthew P. , Jewett Michael C.
Published: November 2019

Glycosylation plays important roles in cellular function and endows protein therapeutics with beneficial properties. However, constructing biosynthetic pathways to study and engineer precise glycan structures on proteins remains a bottleneck. Here, we report a modular, versatile cell-free platform for glycosylation pathway assembly by rapid in vitro mixing and expression (GlycoPRIME). In GlycoPRIME, glycosylation pathways are assembled by mixing-and-matching cell-free synthesized glycosyltransferases that can elaborate a glucose primer installed onto protein targets by an N-glycosyltransferase. We demonstrate GlycoPRIME by constructing 37 putative protein glycosylation pathways, creating 23 unique glycan motifs, 18 of which have not yet been synthesized on proteins. We use selected pathways to synthesize a protein vaccine candidate with an α-galactose adjuvant motif in a one-pot cell-free system and human antibody constant regions with minimal sialic acid motifs in glycoengineered Escherichia coli. We anticipate that these methods and pathways will facilitate glycoscience and make possible new glycoengineering applications.
Thyroid hormone induces progression and invasiveness of squamous cell carcinomas by promoting a ZEB-1/E-cadherin switch
Authors: Miro Caterina , Di Cicco Emery , Ambrosio Raffaele , Mancino Giuseppina , Di Girolamo Daniela , Cicatiello Annunziata Gaetana , Sagliocchi Serena , Nappi Annarita , De Stefano Maria Angela , Luongo Cristina , Antonini Dario , Visconte Feliciano , Varricchio Silvia , Ilardi Gennaro , Del Vecchio Luigi , Staibano Stefania , Boelen Anita , Blanpain Cedric , Missero Caterina , Salvatore Domenico , Dentice Monica
Published: November 2019

Epithelial tumor progression often involves epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We report that increased intracellular levels of thyroid hormone (TH) promote the EMT and malignant evolution of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells. TH induces the EMT by transcriptionally up-regulating ZEB-1, mesenchymal genes and metalloproteases and suppresses E-cadherin expression. Accordingly, in human SCC, elevated D2 (the T3-producing enzyme) correlates with tumor grade and is associated with an increased risk of postsurgical relapse and shorter disease-free survival. These data provide the first in vivo demonstration that TH and its activating enzyme, D2, play an effective role not only in the EMT but also in the entire neoplastic cascade starting from tumor formation up to metastatic transformation, and supports the concept that TH is an EMT promoter. Our studies indicate that tumor progression relies on precise T3 availability, suggesting that pharmacological inactivation of D2 and TH signaling may suppress the metastatic proclivity of SCC.
Analysis of polarimetric satellite measurements suggests stronger cooling due to aerosol-cloud interactions
Authors: Hasekamp Otto P. , Gryspeerdt Edward , Quaas Johannes
Published: November 2019

Anthropogenic aerosol emissions lead to an increase in the amount of cloud condensation nuclei and consequently an increase in cloud droplet number concentration and cloud albedo. The corresponding negative radiative forcing due to aerosol cloud interactions (RF$${}_{{\rm{aci}}}$$aci) is one of the most uncertain radiative forcing terms as reported in the 5th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Here we show that previous observation-based studies underestimate aerosol-cloud interactions because they used measurements of aerosol optical properties that are not directly related to cloud formation and are hampered by measurement uncertainties. We have overcome this problem by the use of new polarimetric satellite retrievals of the relevant aerosol properties (aerosol number, size, shape). The resulting estimate of RF$${}_{{\rm{aci}}}$$aci = −1.14 Wm$${}^{{\rm{-2}}}$$-2 (range between −0.84 and −1.72 Wm$${}^{{\rm{-2}}}$$-2) is more than a factor 2 stronger than the IPCC estimate that includes also other aerosol induced changes in cloud properties.
Unraveling cis and trans regulatory evolution during cotton domestication
Authors: Bao Ying , Hu Guanjing , Grover Corrinne E. , Conover Justin , Yuan Daojun , Wendel Jonathan F.
Published: November 2019

Cisandtransregulatory divergence underlies phenotypic and evolutionary diversification. Relatively little is understood about the complexity of regulatory evolution accompanying crop domestication, particularly for polyploid plants. Here, we compare the fiber transcriptomes between wild and domesticated cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and their reciprocal F1hybrids, revealing genome-wide (~15%) and often compensatorycisandtransregulatory changes under divergence and domestication. The high level oftransevolution (54%–64%) observed is likely enabled by genomic redundancy following polyploidy. Our results reveal that regulatory variation is significantly associated with sequence evolution, inheritance of parental expression patterns, co-expression gene network properties, and genomic loci responsible for domestication traits. With respect to regulatory evolution, the two subgenomes of allotetraploid cotton are often uncoupled. Overall, our work underscores the complexity of regulatory evolution during fiber domestication and may facilitate new approaches for improving cotton and other polyploid plants.
RNA secondary structure prediction using an ensemble of two-dimensional deep neural networks and transfer learning
Authors: Singh Jaswinder , Hanson Jack , Paliwal Kuldip , Zhou Yaoqi
Published: November 2019

The majority of our human genome transcribes into noncoding RNAs with unknown structures and functions. Obtaining functional clues for noncoding RNAs requires accurate base-pairing or secondary-structure prediction. However, the performance of such predictions by current folding-based algorithms has been stagnated for more than a decade. Here, we propose the use of deep contextual learning for base-pair prediction including those noncanonical and non-nested (pseudoknot) base pairs stabilized by tertiary interactions. Since only$$<$$<250 nonredundant, high-resolution RNA structures are available for model training, we utilize transfer learning from a model initially trained with a recent high-quality bpRNA dataset of$$> $$>10,000 nonredundant RNAs made available through comparative analysis. The resulting method achieves large, statistically significant improvement in predicting all base pairs, noncanonical and non-nested base pairs in particular. The proposed method (SPOT-RNA), with a freely available server and standalone software, should be useful for improving RNA structure modeling, sequence alignment, and functional annotations.