bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphologic variation in the P1 element of Mississippian species of the conodont genus Pseudognathodus
Authors: Sanz-López Javier , Blanco-Ferrera Silvia , Miller C. Giles
Published: January 2019

A revision of the Austin Conodont Collection at the Natural History Museum, London, has revealed a diverse assemblage of P1 elements of Pseudognathodus. Pseudognathodus homopunctatus, Ps. lineatus, Ps. mermaidus and Ps. symmutatus are di?erentiated and a new species, Ps. posadachaconae, is de?ned from material from North Wales. The systematic of these species is updated. A revised diagnosis is provided for the genus Pseudognathodus, as well as for the species Ps. lineatus and Ps. symmutatus. The types of Ps. symmutatus cannot be differentiated from immature specimens of Ps. homopunctatus. The evolutionary relationships of Pseudognathodus species are discussed. Stratigraphic distribution indicates that diversity increased moderately from the upper Tournaisian and lower Viséan to the upper Viséan (Mississippian, Carboniferous). Pseudognathodus homopunctatus and Ps. symmutatus are widely distributed palaeogeographically whereas Ps. lineatus and Ps. posadachaconae sp. nov. are endemic.
Fusulines from the Central Asturian Coal? eld (Pennsylvanian, Cantabrian Zone, Spain) and their signi? cance for biostratigraphic correlation
Authors: Villa Elisa , Merino-Tomé Oscar , Martín-Llaneza Jaime
Published: January 2019

The Central Asturian Coalfield of the Cantabrian Zone (NW Spain) exposes a Moscovian (Middle Pennsylvanian) succession, up to 5000-m thick, which records stratigraphically signi? cant terrestrial and marine fossils such as fossil ? ora and fusulines. The present paper focuses on the fusuline-bearing limestones of this succession, which cover a time span ranging from latest Bashkirian to early Myachkovian. 36 fusuline species are described and illustrated, among them the new species Schubertella luisorum Villa. This study reveals that the composition of the Kashirian to early Myachkovian fusuline assemblages is similar to that of the Beedeina-dominated assemblages of the Donets Basin, which were interpreted by Khodjanyazova et al. (2014) as occurring during early high-stands. In parallel with this, the absence of species representing the Fusulinella-dominated assemblages of the later authors is observed, while their Hemifusulina-dominated assemblages are replaced in the Central Asturian Coalfield by monospecific associations of Hemifusulina. Biostratigraphic data inferred from these microfaunas allowed us to assign an age to several informal stratigraphic intervals known as ‘mining stratal packages’ and to propose a tentative correlation with some relevant horizons of the Donets Basin.
The Phycosiphon record in the Ladrilleros-Juanchaco section (Miocene, Colombian Pacifi c): palaeoecological implications
Authors: Celis Sergio A. , Rodríguez-Tovar Francisco J. , Pardo-Trujillo Andrés
Published: January 2019

Miocene rocks of the Ladrilleros-Juanchaco section, located on the NW margin of South America, contain a high diverse and abundant trace fossil assemblage. The relative abundance of Phycosiphon, together with its morphological variations, provides new insights into the environmental conditions. Detailed outcrop stratigraphic, ichnological, and geochemical analyses carried out in the section focused on the trace fossil assemblages (distribution, relative abundance), ichnofabric index, and, especially, in the general ichnological features of Phycosiphon . In addition, the detailed photographic documentation and the use of the digital image treatment technique facilitate the precise study of particular ichnological properties. Based on the stratigraphic analysis of the section, together with the abundance, size and distribution of the specimens of Phycosiphon , as well as the analysis of total organic carbon, the record of Phycosiphon is proved as related to the food content in the sediment, and then as a proxy in the study of ancient environments.
Phylogenetic analysis of Gondwanan basal eusauropods from the Early-Middle Jurassic of Patagonia, Argentina
Authors: Holwerda Femke M. , Pol Diego
Published: January 2019

Gondwanan Jurassic non-neosauropod eusauropods are key for the understanding of sauropod evolution, although their phylogenetic interrelationships remain poorly understood. However, following the revision of the holotype of a key taxon from the early Middle Jurassic Cañadón Asfalto Formation Patagonia, Argentina, Patagosaurus fariasi, the phylogenetic a ? nities need to be tested with new osteological information gathered during the redescription of the holotype of Patagosaurus. A new phylogeny presented here shows a close a ? liation of Patagosaurus with Cetiosaurus from the Middle Jurassic of the UK. The close relationship of Patagosaurus with Barapasaurus, often found in previous phylogenies, was not recovered here. Instead, Patagosaurus is retrieved as more derived than most Early and Middle Jurassic sauropods, although more basal to Mamenchisaurus, Omeisaurus, turiasaurians, and neosauropods. Another sauropod taxon found together with Patagosaurus, Volkheimeria, is retrieved several nodes more basal than the former, which shows, together with evidence of several other sauropod taxa in the Cañadón Asfalto Formation, that a high evolutionary diversity existed in Southwest Gondwana in the early Middle Jurassic, a pattern which is also seen in fossil groups other than sauropods (e.g., theropods).
Fosildiagénesis del anélido Rotularia spirulaea (Lamarck, 1818) (Polychaeta, Serpulidae) en el Eoceno del dominio pirenaico occidental
Authors: Elorza Javier , Astibia Humberto
Published: January 2019

The presence of the fossil polychaete Rotularia spirulaea (Lamarck, 1818) in Eocene deposits (middle Lutecian – upper Bartonian and (?) Priabonian) belonging to the western Pyrenean Domain is verified. In this paper, a fossildiagenetic study has been carried out. Fossils from three areas, corresponding to diff erent depositional settings, have been analysed. In area 1, sediments of the Ardanatz Sandstone and Ilundain Marls formations [Pamplona Basin and adjoining areas (Navarre)], were sampled. Here, the specimens of R. spirulaea  were not substantially affected by taphonomic reworking and the original microstructure of the carbonate tube is preserved. The test consists of a thick external shell layer, composed of three zones in succession, and another extremely thin inner shell layer. The lumen of the tube is filled in by fine-grained sediment and/or calcitic cement. In area 2 , which includes the town of Anderatz and several outcrops of the Urbasa mountain range (Navarre), Urbasa-Andia Formation and overlying deposits, as well as in area 3 , located on the upper part of the calciclastic fl ysch of Punta Galea (Biscay), fossils are included in sediments deposited in high-energy environments. In this case, the microstructure of R. spirulaea  tube is not completely recognized due to intense, early diagenetic silicifi cation aff ecting the tests. The lumen is filled in with fragments of foraminifera and calcareous algae, quartz-feldespathic sediment and cemented by calcite. Therefore, in zones 2 and 3 the fossildiagenetic processes are substantially different from those recognized in zone 1.
Integrative biological simulation, neuropsychology, and AI safety
Authors: Sarma Gopal P , Safron Adam , Hay Nick J.
Published: January 2019

We describe a biologically-inspired research agenda with parallel tracks aimed at AI and AI safety. The bottom-up component consists of building a sequence of biophysically realistic simulations of simple organisms such as the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, and the zebrafish Danio rerio to serve as platforms for research into AI algorithms and system architectures. The top-down component consists of an approach to value alignment that grounds AI goal structures in neuropsychology, broadly considered. Our belief is that parallel pursuit of these tracks will inform the development of value-aligned AI systems that have been inspired by embodied organisms with sensorimotor integration. An important set of side benefits is that the research trajectories we describe here are grounded in long-standing intellectual traditions within existing research communities and funding structures. In addition, these research programs overlap with significant contemporary themes in the biological and psychological sciences such as data/model integration and reproducibility.
Avoiding "conflicts of interest'': A computational approach to scheduling parallel conference tracks and its human evaluation
Authors: Manda Prashanti , Hahn Alexander , Lamm Katherine , Provan Scott , Vision Todd J
Published: January 2019

Conferences with contributed talks grouped into multiple concurrent sessions pose an interesting scheduling problem. From an attendee's perspective, choosing which talks to visit when there are many concurrent sessions is challenging since an individual may be interested in topics that are discussed in different sessions simultaneously. The frequency of topically similar talks in different concurrent sessions is, in fact, a common cause for complaint in post-conference surveys. Here, we introduce a practical solution to the conference scheduling problem by heuristic optimization of an objective function that weighs the occurrence of both topically similar talks in one session and topically different talks in concurrent sessions. Rather than clustering talks based on a limited number of preconceived topics, we employ a topic model to allow the topics to naturally emerge from the corpus of contributed talk titles and abstracts. We then measure the topical distance between all pairs of talks. Heuristic optimization of preliminary schedules seeks to balance the topical similarity of talks within a session and the dissimilarity between concurrent sessions. Using an ecology conference as a test case, we find that simulated annealing improves the objective function over an order of magnitude relative to the schedule manually produced by the program committee. Approximate Integer Linear Programming can be used to provide a partially-optimized starting schedule, but the final value of the discrimination ratio (an objective function used to estimate coherence within a session and disparity between concurrent sessions) is surprisingly insensitive to the starting schedule. Furthermore, we show that, in contrast to the manual process, arbitrary scheduling constraints are straightforward to include. We applied our method to a second biology conference with over 1000 contributed talks plus scheduling constraints. In a randomized experiment, biologists responded similarly to a machine-optimized schedule and a highly modified schedule produced by domain experts on the conference program committee.
Genetic variability in a Brazilian apple germplasm collection with low chilling requirements
Authors: Mariano Livia Costa , Zchonski Felipe Liss , da Silva Clandio Medeiros , Da-Silva Paulo Roberto
Published: January 2019

The apple (Malus domestica Borkh) originally evolved to require temperatures below 7.2 °C for the induction of budding and flowering. In Brazil, breeders have overcome the climate barrier and developed the cultivars Anabela, Julieta, Carícia, and Eva, with low chilling requirements and good yield characteristics. These cultivars are grown in many warmer climate countries in South America, Africa, and the Middle East. The apple germplasm collection that originated these cultivars has several genotypes with pedigrees for a low chilling requirement. Knowledge of the variability and genetic relationships among these genotypes may be useful in the development of superior new cultivars. In this work, we first selected the best ISSR (inter-simple sequence repeat) primers for genetic studies in apple, and then we used the selected primers to evaluate the genetic variability of the apple germplasm collection at the Instituto Agronômico do Paraná. The evaluation of 42 ISSR primers in 10 apple genotypes allowed us to select the best nine primers based on the polymorphic information content (PIC) and resolving power (RP) indexes. The primer selection step was robust since the dendrogram obtained with the nine selected primers was the same as the one obtained using all 26 polymorphic primers. Primer selection using PIC and RP indexes allowed us to save about 60% of time and costs in the genetic variability study. The nine ISSR primers showed high levels of genetic variability in the 60 apple genotypes evaluated. The relevance of the primer selection step is discussed from the perspective of saving time and money in germplasm characterization. The high genetic variability and the genetic relationships among the genotypes are discussed from the perspective of the development of new apple cultivars, mainly aiming for a low chilling requirement that can better adapt to current climatic conditions or those that may arise with global warming.
PENGARUH CAUSE RELATED MARKETING DAN BRAND IMAGE TERHADAP BRAND TRUST PADA BIRO TRAVEL ONLINE
Authors: Ani Surra Man Ra
Published: January 2019

Penggunaan media online yang semakin meningkat membuat biro travel beralih menjadi biro travel online dengan menggunakan media online sebagai media pemasaran. Salah satu biro travel online yang diteliti dalam penelitian ini adalah biro travel online ranijourney.com yang menggunakan cause related marketing sebagai metode pemasaran paket wisata yang ditawarkan. Tujuan dari penelitian untuk mengetahui pengaruh cause related marketing terhadap brand image dan brand trust pada biro travel online ranijourney.com. Teori yang digunakan adalah Social Judgement Theory dengan konsep Cause Related Marketing, Brand, Brand Image dan Brand Trust. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode kuantitatif dengan teknik analisis data regresi dan analisis jalur. Sampel dalam penelitian ini sebanyak 99 orang yang telah mengikuti program “Journey For The Hope” ranijourney.com tahun 2017. Hasil penelitian menunjukan terdapat pengaruh cause related marketing terhadap brand image, cause related marketing terhadap brand trust, brand image terhadap brand trust dan cause related marketing terhadap brand trust melalui brand image pada sebuah biro travel online
Translational cancer research – a coherent cancer research continuum
Authors: Ringborg Ulrik
Published: January 2019

The main components of the cancer research continuum are basic/preclinical research, early and late clinical research and, after the adoption of an innovation by the healthcare or health organisations, outcomes research. Translational cancer research, defined as a coherent cancer research continuum, is mandatory to address the increasing burden of cancer effectively. The growing cancer problem can only be significantly modified by concerted action involving prevention to decrease incidence, early detection and treatment to increase the cure rate, and personalised/precision cancer medicine to adapt early detection and treatment to the biology of a tumour with the aim of increasing the cure rate, prolonging survival and improving health‐related quality of life. By definition, translational cancer research for therapeutics has a focus on patients’ needs and for prevention for individuals at‐risk. Consequently, to increase the effectiveness of translational research, the different components of the cancer research continuum need to be better connected to the fundamental aim of a mission‐oriented approach to cancer (Celis and Pavalkis, ).
Towards a mission‐oriented approach to cancer in Europe: an unmet need in cancer research policy
Authors: Celis Julio E. , Heitor Manuel
Published: January 2019

Today, cancer is a significant challenge for society, healthcare systems and the growing number of affected patients and their families. This article argues that new paradigms and conditions for responsible science and innovation policy across the European Union (EU) require (i) the collective action of Research & Development institutions, (ii) a system approach to health systems, higher education and patient organizations, and (iii) new initiatives to encourage international cooperation across an enlarged Europe; no single country can successfully fight the disease(s) on its own. Recently, a cancer mission was proposed (Celis and Pavalski, ), the origins of which are rooted in the continuous efforts of the research community, cancer patient organizations, member states and the European Commission during nearly two decades to address the fragmentation and lack of coordination of European cancer research; these efforts led to the creation of Cancer Core Europe and Cancer Prevention Europe, consortia aimed at linking therapeutic and prevention geometries. Ultimately, the platform/infrastructure will be composed of networks of Comprehensive Cancer Centres and cancer research centres across Europe to reach the critical mass of expertise, patients and collaborative portfolio of projects that are necessary to promote science‐driven and social innovations in the era of personalized (precision) cancer medicine. Employing a mission‐oriented approach to achieve the goal of ensuring a long life expectancy for three out of four cancer patients by 2030 is likely to have a particularly positive impact on the way European citizens’ value science and knowledge. It will change the lives of many families across Europe and beyond and should be oriented to ensure that Europe is at the forefront when it comes to quality of life. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that not a single person or region in Europe is left behind.
Thermally Conducting Microcellular Carbon Foams as a Superior Host for Wax‐Based Phase Change Materials
Authors: Wilson Praveen , Vijayan Sujith , Prabhakaran Kuttan
Published: January 2019

Thermally conducting microcellular carbon foams are prepared from sucrose with graphite as a filler using an economical, scalable, and sustainable NaCl particle templating technique. The effect of graphite filler and NaCl template loading on density, porosity, thermal conductivity, and microstructure are carefully investigated. Conducting carbon foams (CCF) exhibit high porosity (76.1 to 93.4%) and adequate compressive strength (0.225 to 14.96 MPa). The high thermal conductivity (0.282 to 5.23 W m−1 K−1), interconnected microcellular structure (cell size 2–12 μm), and hydrophobic nature make the foams ideal for hosting wax‐based phase change materials for thermal energy storage and management applications. Composites of conducting carbon foam and paraffin wax (PW) are prepared with various wax loadings (50.5 to 82.6 wt%), which exhibit thermal conductivities in the range of 0.65–7.72 W m−1 K−1. The melting and freezing characteristics and form stability of the composites are also studied. It is established that the microcellular structure is advantageous for easy wax‐impregnation and retention during thermal cycling compared to macrocellular (cell size of 600 μm) foams of the similar composition due to the enhanced capillary forces. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) study of PW/CCF composites shows the highest melting enthalpy of 110.9 J g−1.
Hollow Multishelled Structure of Heterogeneous Co3O4–CeO2−x Nanocomposite for CO Catalytic Oxidation
Authors: Wang Huan , Mao Dan , Qi Jian , Zhang Qinghua , Ma Xiaohong , Song Shuyan , Gu Lin , Yu Ranbo , Wang Dan
Published: January 2019

Herein, hollow multishelled structure (HoMS) of Co3O4–CeO2−x nanocomposites with controllable molar ratio of Co and Ce elements is synthesized by a general strategy sequential templating approach (STA) with a facile and efficient electrostatic spray process. As a catalyst of carbon monoxide (CO) catalytic oxidation, Co3O4–CeO2−x (Co/Ce = 4/1) HoMS achieves good catalytic activity (complete conversion temperature is 166.9 °C) and stability (100 h). This performance is attributed to synergistic effects between the two components. The combination of Co3O4 and CeO2 not only generates more interfaces of Co3O4–CeO2−x, which is more favorable for the activation of oxygen, but also improves the oxidizability of Co3O4 as well as the capacity of oxygen storage of CeO2. In addition, the relatively larger effective specific surface area of the HoMS can provide more active sites, while the unique structure of HoMS can facilitate gas diffusion and maintain structural stability.
Ultrasensitive Detection of VOCs Using a High‐Resolution CuO/Cu2O/Ag Nanopattern Sensor
Authors: Choi Yoon Mi , Cho Soo‐Yeon , Jang Doohyung , Koh Hyung‐Jun , Choi Junghoon , Kim Chong‐Hyeak , Jung Hee‐Tae
Published: January 2019

The p‐type semiconducting copper oxides (CuO and Cu2O) are promising materials for gas sensors, owing to their characteristic oxygen adsorption properties and low operation temperature. In this study, the sensing performance of a CuO‐based chemiresistor is significantly enhanced by incorporating Ag nanoparticles on high‐resolution p‐type CuO/Cu2O nanopattern channels. The high‐resolution CuO/Cu2O/Ag nanochannel is fabricated using a unique top‐down nanolithographic approach. The gas response (ΔR/Ra) of the CuO/Cu2O/Ag gas sensor increases by a maximum factor of 7.3 for various volatile organic compounds compared with a pristine CuO/Cu2O gas sensor. The sensors exhibit remarkable sensitivity (ΔR/Ra = 8.04) at 125 parts per billion (ppb) for acetone analytes. As far as it is known, this is the highest sensitivity achieved for p‐type metal oxide semiconductor (MOS)‐based gas sensors compared to previous studies. Furthermore, the outstanding gas responses observed in this study are superior to the most of n‐type MOS‐based gas sensors. The high sensitivity of the sensor is attributed to i) the high resolution (≈30 nm), high aspect ratio (≈12), and ultrasmall grain boundaries (≈10 nm) of the CuO/Cu2O nanopatterns and ii) the electronic sensitization and chemical sensitization effects induced by incorporating Ag nanoparticles on the CuO/Cu2O channels.
Mechano‐Plastic Pyrolysis of Dynamic Covalent Polymer Network toward Hierarchical 3D Ceramics
Authors: Zheng Ning , Hou Jingjing , Zhao Hangbo , Wu Jingjun , Luo Yingwu , Bai Hao , Rogers John A. , Zhao Qian , Xie Tao
Published: January 2019

Shaping ceramics into complex 3D geometries is desirable yet challenging, particularly those with structural hierarchy spanning different length scales. A mechano‐plastic pyrolysis process that overcomes this limitation is reported. In addition to taking advantage of the moldability of organic polymers, the process uniquely incorporates mechano‐plasticity via dynamic covalent bond exchange for reconfiguring the shape of a preceramic polymer. The combined steps result in simultaneous shape control at both micro‐ and macro‐scales. Further pyrolysis leads to complex ceramic structures that are otherwise difficult to produce. To enable this process, rational design of the polymer network is required to satisfy an unusual combination of mechano‐plasticity and pyrolysis. Overall, the process offers an avenue for efficient fabrication of hierarchical 3D ceramic structures suitable for engineering applications.
Mapping Polymer Molecular Order in the SEM with Secondary Electron Hyperspectral Imaging
Authors: Masters Robert C. , Stehling Nicola , Abrams Kerry J. , Kumar Vikas , Azzolini Martina , Pugno Nicola M. , Dapor Maurizio , Huber Andreas , Schäfer Philip , Lidzey David G. , Rodenburg Cornelia
Published: January 2019

Understanding nanoscale molecular order within organic electronic materials is a crucial factor in building better organic electronic devices. At present, techniques capable of imaging molecular order within a polymer are limited in resolution, accuracy, and accessibility. In this work, presented are secondary electron (SE) spectroscopy and secondary electron hyperspectral imaging, which make an exciting alternative approach to probing molecular ordering in poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) with scanning electron microscope‐enabled resolution. It is demonstrated that the crystalline content of a P3HT film is reflected by its SE energy spectrum, both empirically and through correlation with nano‐Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, an innovative technique for exploring nanoscale chemistry. The origin of SE spectral features is investigated using both experimental and modeling approaches, and it is found that the different electronic properties of amorphous and crystalline P3HT result in SE emission with different energy distributions. This effect is exploited by acquiring hyperspectral SE images of different P3HT films to explore localized molecular orientation. Machine learning techniques are used to accurately identify and map the crystalline content of the film, demonstrating the power of an exciting characterization technique.
Time to delivery based on sonographic assessment prior to forceps and vacuum
Authors: Usman Sana , Kahrs Birgitte , Barton Helen , Salvesen Kjell , Moe Eggebo Torbjorn , Lees Christoph
Published: January 2019

Introduction

To compare the duration of vacuum and forceps delivery in relation to ultrasound assessment of fetal head position and station.

Methods

A prospective single‐centre cohort study in nulliparous women at term with prolonged second stage of labour. Fetal head position was determined using transabdominal ultrasound and station as head‐perineum distance (HPD) from transperineal ultrasound prior to an instrument. The primary outcome was duration of vacuum and forceps to vaginal delivery and was analysed as survival expressed by hazard ratio (HR). Secondary outcomes were delivery mode and immediate neonatal outcome.

Results

In the study population of 54 women, the primary instrument was vacuum for 36 and forceps for 18. Four women were delivered by Caesarean section. Estimated median duration for forceps deliveries was 5 min (95% CI 4.0–6.0) vs. 9 min (95% CI 7.3–10.6) for vacuum deliveries (P = 0.17; Log‐rank test). The HR for vaginal delivery was 2.02 (95% CI 1.04–3.91, P = 0.038) after adjusting for HPD, maternal age and BMI. OP position had minor influence on the primary outcome (HR changed from 2.02 to 2.08). The first instrument failed in 11/31 (35.5%) where HPD > 35 mm vs. 2/21 (9.5%) where HPD ≤ 35 mm (P < 0.05). There were no cases of Apgar score <7 at 5 min or umbilical artery pH < 7.1.

Conclusion

In prolonged second stage, delivery with forceps was achieved more quickly than by vacuum when matched for ultrasound determined head station. Irrespective of which was the primary instrument, the failure rate was greater at higher head stations.
Genetic structure, origin, and connectivity between nesting and foraging areas of hawksbill turtles of the Yucatan Peninsula: A study for conservation and management
Authors: Labastida‐Estrada Elizabeth , Machkour‐M'Rabet Salima , Díaz‐Jaimes Píndaro , Cedeño‐Vázquez J. Rogelio , Hénaut Yann
Published: January 2019

Anthropogenic activities have resulted in declines in many marine turtle populations. Their complex life cycle (e.g. female philopatry, hatchling migration, adult movements between breeding and foraging areas) makes it difficult to fully understand some of the biological implications of human impacts on their populations, but genetic tools can play a major role in understanding population dynamics and thus improve conservation and management strategies.

Using the mitochondrial DNA control region, this study examines the composition, population structure, and connectivity between rookeries and foraging aggregations, in addition to their relationship with Atlantic rookeries and foraging areas of the hawksbill turtle in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Haplotype composition of rookeries showed EiA22, EiA39, and EiA41 as endemic haplotypes and revealed a segregation between the Gulf of Mexico and the Yucatan and Quintana Roo rookeries, defining two management units. Foraging aggregations present 15 haplotypes, some common for Atlantic and others for Mexican rookeries. Considering the Gulf of Mexico versus the Mexican Caribbean, significant population genetic structure was revealed, inferring a differential recruitment of hawksbill turtles.

Rookery‐centric mixed‐stock analysis reveals a high contribution of Mexican turtles to local foraging aggregations, principally in the Gulf of Mexico. Foraging‐ground‐centric mixed‐stock analysis showed that the Gulf of Mexico foraging aggregation is predominantly composed of individuals from local rookeries, whereas Mexican Caribbean foraging groups have a mixed composition with individuals from Barbados, Brazil, and Puerto Rico rookeries. The connectivity between rookeries and foraging aggregations suggests that the ocean currents and swimming behaviour influence the distribution of hawksbill turtles.

Our results highlighted the importance in identifying management units in nesting and foraging areas to develop monitoring and management programmes at appropriate geographic scales. In addition, understanding turtle habitat connectivity will allow for prioritized conservation actions considering particular threats, emphasizing the need for both national and international collaboration for conservation of this endangered species.
Analysis of the Gynaephora qinghaiensis pupae immune transcriptome in response to parasitization by Thektogaster sp
Authors: Wang Hai‐Zhen , Zhong Xin , Gu Li , Li Shao‐Song , Zhang Gu‐Ren , Liu Xin
Published: January 2019

As a pest on the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, Gynaephora qinghaiensis causes severe damage to grassland vegetation and its pupae are also natural hosts of
Thektogaster sp. To successfully parasitize, endoparasitoids generally introduce or secrete multiple parasitic factors into the host body during the spawning stage to suppress the host immune response. To study the parasitic effects of
Thektogaster sp. on
G. qinghaiensis, a transcriptome analysis of immune‐related genes in parasitized and nonparasitized
G. qinghaiensis pupae was performed. A total of 371,260,704 clean reads were assembled into 118,144 unigenes with an average length of 884.33 base pairs. Of these, 23,660 unigenes were annotated in at least one database and 94,484 unigenes were not annotated in any databases. These findings indicated that the majority of the genetic resources (79.97% of all unigenes) in
Gynaephora should be further explored. Parasitization significantly affected the transcriptional profile of
G. qinghaiensis pupae. The present study identified 12,322 differentially expressed genes and 57 immune‐related genes were identified in parasitized
G. qinghaiensis pupae. Most immune‐related genes were downregulated, potentially resulting from the inhibitory effect of
Thektogaster sp. on
G. qinghaiensis pupae after parasitization. Overall, the transcriptome analysis sheds valuable light on the molecular mechanisms of
G. qinghaiensis parasitization by
Thektogaster sp. and promotes the development of novel biocontrol strategies for
Gynaephora based on immune defense.
High order sliding mode observer‐based backstepping fault‐tolerant control for induction motor
Authors: Guezmil Amal , Berriri Hanen , Pusca Remus , Sakly Anis , Romary Raphael , Mimouni Mohamed Faouzi
Published: January 2019

This paper presents a robust fault tolerant control for an induction motor in presence of inter‐turn short‐circuit fault. The control strategy is based on Backstepping approach and high order sliding mode observer. That ensures a high‐performance control and a good dynamic in presence of inter‐turn short‐circuit fault. The stability of the Backstepping control is proved by Lyapunov theory. A high order sliding mode observer is used for rotor flux estimation. The performances of the fault tolerant control scheme will be examined via numerical simulation and validated through hardware implementation using MATLAB/Simulink with dSpace signal card. The analysis' results show the robustness of the proposed method for the tolerance of the inter‐turn short‐circuit fault.
Production and characterization of PHB‐HV copolymer by Bacillus thuringiensis isolated from Eisenia foetida
Authors: Ponnusamy Suguna , Viswanathan Saranya , Periyasamy Abirami , Rajaiah Shenbagarathai
Published: January 2019

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are one of the most important biopolyesters produced by vast number of microorganisms that exist in the environment. PHAs gained much attention due to its inherent biodegradable and biocompatible ability along with its physicochemical properties, which are similar to those of conventional petroleum‐based plastics. In the present study, PHA producing bacterial strains was isolated from earthworm. Initially, four bacterial strains were selected based on the intensity of fluorescence from 80 non‐clonal isolates. Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) E101 was identified as the bacterium producing highest yield of PHA (3.6 ± 0.04 g L−1) through biochemical and molecular techniques such as 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Growth parameters such as carbon, nitrogen sources, and incubation time were optimized with respect to higher PHA production. Both qualitative (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance) and quantitative (GC–MS) characterizations revealed that the polymer produced by B.t.E101 contains the characteristic peaks for poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) copolymer. This is the first report for the occurrence, successful isolation, and characterization of PHA producing Bacillus sp. from earthworm.
No association between polymorphisms in the promoter region of dopamine receptor D2 gene and schizophrenia in the northern Chinese Han population: A case–control study
Authors: Zhang Xi‐cen , Ding Mei , Adnan Atif , Liu Yi , Liu Yong‐ping , Xing Jia‐xin , Xuan Jin‐feng , Xia Xi , Yao Jun , Wang Bao‐jie
Published: January 2019

Background

Epidemiological studies found that genetic factors are among the causes of schizophrenia, exclusively the genes involved in the dopamine system. Prior to this, the role of dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) gene promoter polymorphisms and schizophrenia has been studied extensively, but there are still some uncertainties about these associations. The present study is focusing on the association between the DRD2 gene promoter region polymorphisms and schizophrenia in the northern Chinese Han population.

Methods

We sequenced 2,111‐bp fragment of DRD2 gene promoter region in 306 schizophrenic patients and 324 healthy controls to find association between DRD2 and schizophrenia. SPSS version 18 0.0 was used to calculate odds ratios (OR), 95% confidence intervals (CIs).The Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium test and the confirmation of haplotypes were calculated using Haploview version 4.1. The association of schizophrenic risk of DRD2 genotypes, alleles, and haplotypes between case and control groups was calculated using the chi‐squared test. PS program was used to calculate the Power analysis.

Results

The genotype frequencies of rs7116768 (p = 0.025) and rs1799732 (p = 0.042) were associated meagerly. After Bonferroni correction, there was no association found between DRD2 gene promoter region with schizophrenia risk in the northern Chinese Han population.

Conclusions

In this study, we did not find any significant difference between schizophrenia and the polymorphisms of DRD2 gene promoter region. A more forceful conclusion remains to be verified by further confirmatory experiments.
Electroconvulsive treatment prevents chronic restraint stress‐induced atrophy of the hippocampal formation—A stereological study
Authors: Alemu Johanne L. , Elberling Frederik , Azam Bushra , Pakkenberg Bente , Olesen Mikkel V.
Published: January 2019

Introduction

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the most efficient treatments of major depressive disorder (MDD), although the underlying neurobiology remains poorly understood. There is evidence that ECT and MDD exert opposing effects on the hippocampal formation with respect to volume and number of neurons. However, there has been a paucity of quantitative data in experimental models of ECT and MDD.

Methods

Using design‐based stereology, we have measured the effects of a stress‐induced depression model (chronic restraint stress, CRS) and ECS on the morphology of the hippocampus by estimating the volume and total number of neurons in the hilus, CA1, and CA2/3, as well as in the entire hippocampus.

Results

We find that CRS induces a significant decrease in volume exclusively of the hilus and that ECS (CRS + ECS) blocks this reduction. Furthermore, ECS alone does not change the volume or total number of neurons in the entire hippocampus or any hippocampal subdivision in our rat model.
MicroRNA‐372 enhances radiosensitivity while inhibiting cell invasion and metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma through activating the PBK‐dependent p53 signaling pathway
Authors: Wang Zhe , Mao Ji‐Wei , Liu Guang‐Yan , Wang Fu‐Guang , Ju Zai‐Shuang , Zhou Dong , Wang Ruo‐Yu
Published: January 2019

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common cancer found in the nasopharynx, which plagues countless NPC patients. MicroRNA‐372 (miR‐372) has been reported to be involved in various tumors. Here, we explored the important role of miR‐372 in radiosensitivity, invasion, and metastasis of NPC. Microarray analysis was conducted to search the NPC‐related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and predict the miRs regulating PBK, which suggested that miR‐372 could influence the development of NPC via PBK and the p53 signaling pathway. Importantly, miR‐372 was observed to target PBK, thus down‐regulating its expression. Then, NPC 5‐8F and C666‐1 cells were selected, and treated with ionization radiation and alteration of miR‐372 and PBK expression to explore the functional role of miR‐372 in NPC. The expression of miR‐372, PBK, Bcl‐2, p53, and Bax as well as the extent of Akt phosphorylation were measured. In addition, cell colony formation, cell cycle, proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were detected. At last, tumor growth and the effect of miR‐372 on radiosensitivity of NPC were evaluated. Besides, over‐expressed miR‐372 down‐regulated Bcl‐2 and PBK expression and the extent of Akt phosphorylation while up‐regulated the expression of p53 and Bax. Additionally, miR‐372 over‐expression and radiotherapy inhibited cell clone formation, proliferation, tumor growth, migration, invasion, and cell cycle entry, but promoted cell apoptosis. However, the restoration of PBK in NPC cells expressing miR‐372 reversed the anti‐tumor effect of miR‐372 and activation of the p53 signaling pathway. In conclusion, the study shows that up‐regulated miR‐372 promotes radiosensitivity by activating the p53 signaling pathway via inhibition of PBK.
The use of a combined sliding skin graft and a free labial mucocutaneous graft for reconstruction of the equine upper eyelid after full‐thickness excision of a melanoma
Authors: Steinmetz Andrea , Gittel Claudia , Böttcher Denny , Lapko Liv , Offhaus Julia
Published: January 2019

Key Clinical Message

A melanoma of the upper eyelid was resected in a gray warmblood gelding. A full functional eyelid could be obtained by completion a sliding skin graft with a free labial mucocutaneous graft transplantation to restore the mucocutaneous junction and to decrease the risk of postoperative trichiasis.
Population Balance Model Simulation of the Particle Effect on Flow Hydrodynamics in Slurry Beds
Authors: Su Wu , Shi Xiaogang , Wu Yingya , Gao Jinsen , Lan Xingying
Published: January 2019

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation can provide in‐depth knowledge on hydrodynamics in slurry‐bed reactors. The accuracy of CFD simulation is highly depending on the description of the interactions between gas phase and slurry phase with the drag model. Conventional drag models were usually developed for gas‐liquid systems without considering the presence of particles in slurry‐bed reactors. A modified drag model is proposed by taking into account the effect of particles. Simulation results proved the accuracy of the model in predicting hydrodynamics in the slurry bed. A higher particle concentration can increase the gas velocity and decrease the gas holdup due to the lower drag force between gas phase and slurry phase. The bubble size is predicted to be larger at higher particle concentrations due to the increased liquid eddy length scale. Considering the particle effect is critical for accurately simulating slurry‐bed reactors.
Site‐selective Synthesis of β‐[70]PCBM‐like Fullerenes: Efficient Application in Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Vidal Sara , Izquierdo Marta , Filippone Salvatore , Fernández Israel , Akin Seckin , Seo Ji‐Youn , Zakeeruddin Shaik M. , Grätzel Michael , Martín Nazario
Published: January 2019

We report on the site‐selective synthesis of PCBM‐like [70]fullerene site‐isomers, where the elusive β‐site‐isomers are, for the first time, the major product in a (cyclo)addition chemical reaction involving [70]fullerene. The reaction involves an straightforward cyclopropanation of [70]fullerene from sulfonium salts, affording a mixture of α and β site‐isomers in good yields. Amazingly, the preference for the α‐ or β‐site‐isomer can be efficiently controlled by means of the solvent polarity! DFT theoretical calculations (DMF and toluene) nicely predict that, although the formation of the α‐adduct is, as expected, thermodynamically favored, the selectivity of the process is determined by the energy difference of the respective transition states. Furthermore, the employ of α or/and β site‐isomers, as pure materials or as a mixture of them, used as templating agent, has been evaluated in perovskite solar cells. The positive influence of the [70]fullerenes by passivating the voids/pin‐holes and/or deep slits, is reflected in highly efficient and stable bulk heterojunction perovskite solar cells, whose performance (around 20 %) is slightly but consistently depending on the isomeric fullerene composition. These experimental findings pave the way to investigate a new reactivity on C70 and to explore the properties of the less‐known β‐derivatives.
Comparing the Self‐Assembly of Sexiphenyl‐Dicarbonitrile on Graphite and Graphene on Cu(111)
Authors: Schmidt Nico , Li Jun , Gottardi Stefano , Moreno‐Lopez Juan Carlos , Enache Mihaela , Monjas Leticia , van der Vlag Ramon , Havenith Remco W. A. , Hirsch Anna K. H. , Stöhr Meike
Published: January 2019

A comparative study on the self‐assembly of sexiphenyl‐dicarbonitrile on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite and single‐layer graphene on Cu(111) is presented. Despite an overall low molecule–substrate interaction, the close‐packed structures exhibit a peculiar shift repeating every four to five molecules. This shift has hitherto not been reported for similar systems and is hence a unique feature induced by the graphitic substrates.
The palaeoenvironmental context of the Trezona anomaly in South Australia: Do carbon isotope values record a global or regional signal?
Authors: Klaebe Robert , Kennedy Martin
Published: January 2019

The composite δ13C record of Neoproterozoic carbonates is characterized by large magnitude (<18‰ Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite) swings that have been interpreted to record (a) changes in dissolved inorganic carbon in sea water driven by a carbon cycle with different boundary conditions, (b) pervasive diagenetic alteration or (c) local controls similar to those active in Cenozoic platformal successions. A sedimentological study of the Trezona Formation in the Flinders Ranges of South Australia was conducted to determine the palaeoenvironmental context of the Trezona anomaly, one of the most widely recognized examples of a Neoproterozoic mega‐excursion that occurs beneath glaciogenic sediments of the Marinoan ice age (ca 635 Ma). Stratigraphic mapping identified an unconformity at its base separating it from the shelf deposits of the underlying Enorama Shale. The lower Trezona Formation is dominantly calcareous mudstone with mudcracks, channels, and mud chip and algal flake breccias interpreted to record exposure and desiccation on mudflats, shallow pools and lagoons. A marked increase in microbial carbonate and oolites in the upper Trezona Formation records a relative decline of mud input that terminates with karst. The Trezona Formation is thus interpreted to have been deposited in shallow, localized, salt withdrawal basins on the exposed shelf creating a mosaic of poorly connected lagoons and (alkaline) lakes that were intermittently restricted or isolated from the sea. Variations in δ13C and δ18O correspond with facies changes and reflect locally evolving depositional conditions influenced by sills and channels that shifted the sea water to freshwater balance. This restricted setting and range of δ13C values is more similar to Cenozoic platformal deposits (ca 12‰) than the muted (ca 3‰) global sea water variation recorded in pelagic sediments. The anomalous δ13C values in the Trezona Formation may instead provide constraints on the changing terrestrial biosphere directly preceding the evolution and rapid expansion of metazoan life.
The association between fasting plasma glucose and all‐cause and cause‐specific mortality by gender: The rural Chinese cohort study
Authors: Liu Leilei , Chen Xu , Liu Yu , Sun Xizhuo , Yin Zhaoxia , Li Honghui , Zhang Ming , Wang Bingyuan , Ren Yongcheng , Zhao Yang , Liu Dechen , Zhou Junmei , Liu Xuejiao , Zhang Dongdong , Cheng Cheng , Liu Feiyan , Zhou Qionggui , Xu Qihuan , Xiong Yihan , Liu Jiali , You Ziyang , Hong Shihao , Wang Chongjian , Hu Dongsheng
Published: January 2019

Background

To evaluate the association between fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and mortality by gender.

Methods

A total of 17 248 eligible participants from a rural Chinese prospective cohort population were included. The same questionnaire interview and anthropometric and laboratory measurements were performed at both baseline (2007‐2008) and follow‐up (2013‐2014). Participants were classified according to baseline FPG and diabetic status by sex. Restricted cubic splines and Cox proportional‐hazards regression models, estimating hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI), were used to assess the FPG‐mortality relation.

Results

During the 6‐year follow‐up, 618 men and 489 women died. The FPG‐mortality relation was J shaped for both sexes. For men, risk of all‐cause and noncardiovascular disease (CVD)/noncancer mortality was greater with low fasting glucose (LFG) than with normal fasting glucose (adjusted HR [aHR] 1.60; 95% CI, 1.05‐2.43; and aHR 2.16; 95% CI, 1.15‐4.05). Men with diabetes mellitus (DM) showed increased risk of all‐cause (aHR 2.04; 95% CI, 1.60‐2.60), CVD (aHR 1.98; 95% CI, 1.36‐2.89), and non‐CVD/noncancer mortality (aHR 2.62; 95% CI, 1.76‐3.91). Men with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) had borderline risk of CVD mortality (aHR 1.34; 95% CI, 1.00‐1.79). Women with LFG had increased risk of non‐CVD/noncancer mortality (aHR 2.27; 95% CI, 1.04‐4.95), and women with DM had increased risk of all‐cause (aHR 1.73; 95% CI, 1.35‐2.23), CVD (aHR 1.76; 95% CI, 1.24‐2.50), and non‐CVD/noncancer mortality (aHR 1.97; 95% CI, 1.27‐3.08).

Conclusions

LFG is positively associated with all‐cause mortality risk in rural Chinese men but not in women.
A review of capacitive MEMS hydrogen sensor using Pd‐based metallic glass with fast response and low power consumption
Authors: Yamazaki Hiroaki , Hayashi Yumi , Masunishi Kei , Ono Daiki , Ikehashi Tamio
Published: January 2019

This paper reports on a capacitive MEMS hydrogen sensor using Pd‐based metallic glass (MG) for future hydrogen society. First, we investigate PdCuSi as a Pd‐based MG and show that this material is promising for capacitive MEMS hydrogen sensor. Second, we employ the Pd‐based MG in a hydrogen sensor that has an inverted T‐shaped electrode. The sensor is fabricated by a surface micromachining process. We show that the fabricated hydrogen sensor exhibits hysteresis‐free and fast response properties at room temperature.