bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multilocus phylogenetics in a widespread African anuran lineage (Brevicipitidae: Breviceps) reveals patterns of diversity reflecting geoclimatic change
Authors: Nielsen Stuart V. , Daniels Savel R. , Conradie Werner , Heinicke Matthew P. , Noonan Brice P.
Published: July 2018

Aim

To investigate models assessing the influence of geomorphology and climatic shifts on species diversification in sub‐Saharan Africa by reconstructing the pattern and timing of phylogenetic relationships of rain frogs (Brevicipitidae: Breviceps).

Location

Sub‐Saharan Africa, south of the Congo Basin.

Methods

Multilocus sequence data were generated for near complete species‐level sampling of the genus Breviceps. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred via Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses on both concatenated and single‐gene datasets. Network analyses identified locus‐specific reticulate relationships among taxa. Bayesian methods were used to infer dates of divergence among Breviceps lineages, and niche modelling was used to identify possible adaptive divergence.

Results

Breviceps is monophyletic and comprised of two major, largely allopatric subclades. Diversity within each subclade is concentrated in two areas with contrasting geologic and climatic histories: the arid/semiarid winter rainfall zone in the south‐western (SW) Cape, and the semitropical East Coast that receives predominantly summer rainfall. Recognized species diversity in the SW Cape based on phenotypic variation is consistent with observed genetic patterns whereas the East Coast is shown to harbour unexpectedly high genetic diversity and up to seven putative, cryptic species. Niche models show significant overlap between closely related species.

Main conclusions

Dating analyses indicate that diversification of Breviceps occurred rapidly within the Miocene, with only a moderate decline over the Plio‐Pleistocene, suggesting that this process might be slowed but ongoing. Our findings suggest that a combination of two models, a landscape barrier model and climate fluctuation model, can explain patterns of diversification in Breviceps. This demonstrates that Miocene epeirogenic events and climatic shifts may have had a considerable influence on contemporary patterns of biodiversity. Topographic complexity and relative geoclimatic stability in the East have promoted cryptic diversification in allopatry, and this area clearly harbours numerous undescribed taxa and is in need of detailed biotic investigation.
Integrating behavioral health in the pediatric medical home
Authors: Lauerer Joy A. , Marenakos Kimbi G. , Gaffney Kathy , Ketron Christina , Huncik Kara
Published: July 2018

Topic

Behavioral health disorders (psychiatric illness and substance abuse disorders) represent a significant burden across the nation's health care system. The number of children and adolescents requiring behavioral health care has increased while at the same time the behavioral health workforce continues to experience a shortage of providers. The current model of care is failing to meet the behavioral health needs of children and adolescents. Initiatives are underway that call for improved integration of behavioral health services into primary care. Patients and families often seek behavioral health care in the primary care setting.

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to describe how one large urban pediatric practice began to integrate behavioral health services. Opportunities and challenges are discussed along with a review of three integrated care delivery models.

Sources used

Literature search was performed using PubMed and CINAHL; we also used Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines, which describe the need for integration of behavioral/mental health into pediatric primary care.
Differentiating typical from atypical perpetration of sibling‐directed aggression during the preschool years
Authors: Dirks Melanie A. , Recchia Holly E. , Estabrook Ryne , Howe Nina , Petitclerc Amelie , Burns James L. , Briggs‐Gowan Margaret J. , Wakschlag Lauren S.
Published: July 2018

Background

Sibling aggression is common and often viewed as benign. Although sibling aggression can be harmful for the victims, it may also be a marker of clinical risk for the aggressor. We differentiated typical from atypical levels of perpetration of sibling‐directed aggression among preschoolers, a developmental period in which aggression is a normative misbehavior, by (a) identifying how frequently aggressive behaviors targeted at a sibling must occur to be psychometrically atypical; (b) mapping the dimensional spectrum of sibling‐directed aggression from typical, more commonly occurring behaviors to rarer, more atypical, actions; and (c) comparing the psychometric atypicality and typical‐to‐atypical spectrum of sibling‐directed aggression and peer‐directed aggression.

Methods

Parents (N = 1,524) of 3‐ (39.2%), 4‐(36.7%), and 5‐(24.1%) year‐olds (51.9% girls, 41.1% African‐American, 31.9% Hispanic; 44.0% below the federal poverty line) completed the MAP‐DB, which assesses how often children engage in aggressive behaviors. We used item‐response theory (IRT) to address our objectives.

Results

Most aggressive behaviors toward siblings were psychometrically atypical when they occurred ‘most days’ or more; in contrast, most behaviors targeted at peers were atypical when they occurred ‘some days’ or more. With siblings, relational aggression was more atypical than verbal aggression, whereas with peers, both relational and physical aggression were more atypical than verbal aggression. In both relationships, the most typical behavior was a verbally aggressive action. Results were broadly replicated in a second, independent sample.

Conclusions

These findings are a first step toward specifying features of sibling aggression that are markers of clinical risk and belie the notion that sibling aggression is inherently normative.
Rosacea‐like demodicosis and papulopustular rosacea may be two phenotypes of the same disease, and pityriasis folliculorum may be their precursor: response to the comment of Tatu
Authors: Forton F. , De Maertelaer V.
Published: July 2018

Linked article: This article is commented on by A.L. Tatu et al., pp. e46–e47 in this issue. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.15166
Political contestability and public contract rigidity: An analysis of procurement contracts
Authors: Beuve Jean , Moszoro Marian W. , Saussier Stéphane
Published: July 2018

Are public contracts less adaptable than private contracts? Using a comprehensive set of contracts for a standard product, we compare procurement contracts in which the procurer is either a public administration or a private corporation. We find that public‐to‐private contracts feature more rigidity clauses than private‐to‐private contracts and that the use of rigidity clauses in public contracts rises when political risks are more salient. We argue that a significant part of the increased rigidity of public contracts is a contractual adaptation to limit political hazards from political opponents and interested third parties.
Abundance of natural enemies of Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) on three cultivars of sweet alyssum
Authors: Haseeb Muhammad , Gordon Tavia L. , Kanga Lambert H. B. , Legaspi Jesusa C.
Published: July 2018

The southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula is one of the most serious pests of tomatoes in Florida. During 2014 and 2015 tomato cropping seasons, three cultivars of sweet alyssum, Lobularia maritima (Brassicales: Brassicaceae) were evaluated in north Florida to determine their effectiveness in conserving the natural enemies of the southern green stink bug in open field conditions. The experimental refuge crops were cultivated on two outer rows and one center row of the tomato crop. Each section of the rows of trap crops and refuge crops was 20 × 3 ft. (6 × 0.91 m) in size. Pest insects and their natural enemies were collected weekly and identified. On refuge crops, big‐eyed bug, Geocoris punctipes (Hemiptera: Geocoridae); minute pirate bug, Orius insidiosus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinelidae), assassin bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), damsel bugs (Hemiptera: Nabidae), hover flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) and spiders (Arachnida) were collected. All cultivars of L. maritima attracted the natural enemies of the southern green stink bug; however ‘carpet of snow’ was the most effective cultivar followed by ‘tall white’ in attracting G. punctipes in the tomato crop. N. viridula population first peaked in July and declined in week 11 and then had a sharp increase in weeks 12 and 13 when G. punctipes population was comparatively high. Data on the availability of suitable refuge crops which provide nectar and shelter to natural enemies are useful for integrated pest management of the southern green stinkbug, because these plants provide necessary resources to conserve beneficial species.
Encouraging interprofessional collaboration: The effects of clinical protocols
Authors: Barrow Mark J , Gasquoine Susan E
Published: July 2018

Aims and objectives

To consider the characteristics of protocol documents themselves as a factor influencing the nature of care delivery and their potential to facilitate greater interprofessional collaboration.

Background

Healthcare guidelines and clinical protocols provide important guidance and direction to health professionals in their delivery of care. By detailing requirements and actions to be taken in specified circumstances or contexts, these documents may facilitate a broadening of the pool of people able to deliver care.

Design

Critical reading of four clinical protocols representing the range of protocol types in use was carried out to consider the extent to which the documentation of guidelines and protocols and the documents themselves might be considered as vehicles for increased collaboration in health care.

Methods

A “close reading” rubric was developed directing the researcher to look for evidence in each protocol of the following: authorship, person or group responsible for the protocol's development; stated document purpose; target readers, either stated or implied; the particular subjects, the document names and the objects created by them such as care pathways; the use of specific terminology and imagery, the documents’ form and structure; and evidence of intertextuality referring to other documents, for example legislation or policy statements. Tabulation of the coding analysis is presented.

Results

Nurses were the only professional group named in the documents as assignees or subjects. “Patients” and “care” are the objects created, and the scientific–biomedical discourse with its associated procedural language was dominant.

Conclusions

Many protocols have been developed to standardise practice and increase the effectiveness of teamwork. They may, however, constrain collaboration in healthcare settings because they diminish a nursing “voice” and create the expectation that nurses alone work across the spectrum of protocols.

Relevance to clinical practice

An unintended consequence of the global use of clinical protocols and guidelines to support safe and efficient healthcare delivery may be to reduce interprofessional collaboration.
In search of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of fatigue in multiple sclerosis: A proteomics study
Authors: Valko Philipp O. , Roschitzki Bernd , Faigle Wolfgang , Grossmann Jonas , Panse Christian , Biro Peter , Dambach Micha , Spahn Donat R. , Weller Michael , Martin Roland , Baumann Christian R.
Published: July 2018

Fatigue in multiple sclerosis is a very common and cumbersome symptom, but its aetiology is poorly understood. Proteomics is increasingly implemented in multiple sclerosis research, but has not yet been used to study the neurobiological basis of fatigue in multiple sclerosis. To identify potential cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of fatigue in multiple sclerosis, we collected cerebrospinal fluid of 20 patients with multiple sclerosis with fatigue (MS+), 20 patients with multiple sclerosis without fatigue (MS−), and 20 control subjects without multiple sclerosis and without fatigue (HC). We used a shotgun proteomics approach and label‐free quantitative proteomics to analyse the protein content in cerebrospinal fluid. Selected proteins with differential abundance were further validated by immunoblotting. Out of 591 detected cerebrospinal fluid proteins, the abundance of nine proteins differed between the three groups, and seven additional proteins differed between MS+ and MS− patients. Using immunoblot or slot‐blot techniques, we confirmed decreased levels of protein kinase C‐binding protein NELL2, neural cell adhesion molecule L1‐like protein, and reelin in MS+ patients. In conclusion, cerebrospinal fluid proteomics may provide insight into the neurobiological basis of fatigue in multiple sclerosis. The proteins identified to be decreased in MS+ are involved in synaptic plasticity and energy homeostasis, and thus appear as plausible biomarkers of this common symptom.
Can antenatal diet and lifestyle interventions influence childhood obesity? A systematic review
Authors: Dalrymple Kathryn V. , Martyni‐Orenowicz Julia , Flynn Angela C. , Poston Lucilla , O'Keeffe Majella
Published: July 2018

Evidence suggests that adverse nutritional exposures during in utero development may contribute to heightened risk of obesity in childhood. Pregnancy offers the opportunity to modify the intrauterine environment by manipulation of diet and/or physical activity, which may result in favourable health benefits for the child. The objective of this systematic review was to determine whether antenatal lifestyle interventions in pregnant women, aimed at modifying diet and/or physical activity, and lead to a reduction in measures of offspring obesity in early childhood. Three electronic databases were searched from January 1990 to July 2017 for antenatal interventions with subsequent offspring follow‐up publications. Eight trials were identified. Five trials included women from all body mass index categories, and 3 trials included obese women only. Children in the offspring follow‐up studies were aged 6 months to 7 years. Measures of adiposity in the offspring (n = 1989) included weight, body mass index, z‐scores, circumferences, and skinfold thicknesses. Two studies, focusing on obese women only, reported reduced measures of adiposity (subscapular skinfold thickness and weight‐for‐age z‐score) at 6 and 12 months, respectively. The remaining 6 studies, two from infancy and 4 in early childhood found no effect on measures of adiposity. Measures of obesity up to 12 months of age have been shown to be reduced by antenatal lifestyle interventions during pregnancy in obese women. Due to the heterogeneity of the methodology of the antenatal interventions and the reported offspring outcomes we were unable to draw any conclusion on the influence of antenatal interventions on measures of obesity in early childhood.
Ecological genomics of variation in bud‐break phenology and mechanisms of response to climate warming in Populus trichocarpa
Authors: McKown Athena D. , Klápště Jaroslav , Guy Robert D. , El‐Kassaby Yousry A. , Mansfield Shawn D.
Published: July 2018

Spring bud‐break phenology is a critical adaptive feature common to temperate perennial woody plants. Understanding the molecular underpinnings of variation in bud‐break is important for elucidating adaptive evolution and predicting outcomes relating to climate change.

Field and controlled growth chamber tests were used to assess population‐wide patterns in bud‐break from wild‐sourced black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) genotypes. We conducted a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) derived from whole genome sequencing to test for loci underlying variation in bud‐break.

Bud‐break had a quadratic relationship with latitude, where southern‐ and northern‐most provenances generally broke bud earlier than those from central parts of the species’ range. Reduced winter chilling increased population‐wide variation in bud‐break, whereas greater chilling decreased variation. GWAS uncovered 16 loci associated with bud‐break. Phenotypic changes connected with allelic variation were replicated in an independent set of P. trichocarpa trees. Despite phenotypic similarities, genetic profiles between southern‐ and northern‐most genotypes were dissimilar based on our GWAS‐identified SNPs.

We propose that the GWAS‐identified loci underpin the geographical pattern in P. trichocarpa and that variation in bud‐break reflects different selection for winter chilling and heat sum accumulation, both of which can be affected by climate warming.
Interrogation of spatial metabolome of Ginkgo biloba with high‐resolution matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization and laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging
Authors: Li Bin , Neumann Elizabeth K. , Ge Junyue , Gao Wen , Yang Hua , Li Ping , Sweedler Jonathan V.
Published: July 2018

Ginkgo biloba is one of the oldest extant seed plants and has a number of unique properties and uses. Numerous efforts have characterized metabolites within the ginkgo plant and their corresponding biosynthesis pathways, but spatio‐chemical information on ginkgo metabolites is lacking. Mass spectrometry (MS) imaging was used to interrogate the spatio‐chemical localization of metabolites with matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization and laser desorption/ionization Fourier‐transform ion cyclotron resonance MS across the ginkgo leaf. Flavonoids, particularly unexpected and rare flavonoid cyclodimers, were detected predominately from leaf epidermis; ginkgolic acids and cardanols were observed exclusively in the secretory cavities. A non‐uniform distribution of flavonoids observed between the upper and lower leaf epidermis was verified by liquid chromatography–MS analyses. Other metabolites, such as saccharides, phospholipids, and chlorophylls, occurred mainly in mesophyll cells. Furthermore, organ‐ and tissue‐specific distributions of ginkgolides were revealed in the ginkgo root, young stem, and leaf. The acquired ion images provide important information regarding biosynthesis, transportation, and accumulation of metabolites throughout the ginkgo plant and should help us to understand the physiological roles of several plant secondary metabolites.
Anogenital warts in children: Analysis of a cohort of 34 prepubertal children
Authors: Costa‐Silva Miguel , Azevedo Filomena , Lisboa Carmen
Published: July 2018

Anogenital warts are caused by infection with the human papillomavirus. We reviewed the clinical data of 34 children younger than 13 with anogenital warts referred to the department of dermatovenereology of a tertiary care hospital. Suspicion of sexual abuse was raised in 11 (32.4%). Human papilloma virus testing and genotyping was performed in 19 (55.9%) children, and human papilloma virus type 16 was found in 4, which raises the question regarding what type of follow‐up is required for children infected with high‐risk oncogenic HPV types. Although the diagnosis of anogenital warts in children raises concerns regarding sexual abuse, our study supports that pediatric anogenital warts can be associated with nonsexual transmission.
Dermoscopic features of idiopathic facial aseptic granuloma
Authors: Lobato‐Berezo Alejandro , Montoro‐Romero Soledad , Pujol Ramón M. , Segura Sonia
Published: July 2018

Idiopathic facial aseptic granuloma is a recently described condition with defined clinical features, natural history, and underlying histopathologic findings. Several reports have recently described the potential diagnostic usefulness of ultrasound findings in idiopathic facial aseptic granuloma. We describe herein the dermoscopic features of idiopathic facial aseptic granuloma.
New Magnetically Recyclable Reduced Graphene Oxide rGO/MFe2O4 (M= Ca, Mg)/Ag3PO4 Nanocomposites With Remarkably Enhanced Visible‐light Photocatalytic Activity and Stability
Authors: Bagherzadeh Mojtaba , Kaveh Reyhaneh
Published: July 2018

New magnetically separable CaFe2O4/Ag3PO4, MgFe2O4/Ag3PO4, rGO/CaFe2O4/Ag3PO4 and rGO/MgFe2O4/Ag3PO4 photocatalysts were synthesized by the hydrothermal and ion‐exchange deposition method. These four types of photocatalyst were used for degradation of Methylene blue (MB), Methyl orange (MO) and 4‐chlorophenol (4‐CP) in aqueous solution under visible‐light illumination. The optimized photocatalyst, i.e. rGO/CaFe2O4/Ag3PO4 with a mass ratio of (1:3:9) composite not only shows the highest photocatalytic performance for the degradation of MB, MO and 4‐CP under visible light irradiation among the other synthesized photocatalysts but also exhibits high reusability and stability for at least five cycles. It was found that the impressive separation of electron–hole pairs as well as presence of rGO sheets which act as a high speed charge transfer were responsible for increasing photocatalytic activity over the optimized photocatalyst under visible‐light irradiation. A possible mechanism for the increased photocatalytic activity of the rGO/CaFe2O4/Ag3PO4 with a mass ratio of (1:3:9) composite was discussed in detail.
Constructing content validity of clinical nurse specialist core competencies: exploratory sequential mixed‐method study
Authors: Jokiniemi Krista , Meretoja Riitta , Pietilä Anna‐Maija
Published: July 2018

Rational

The demand to increase nursing competence is brought on by the requirement of safe, accessible and more effective use of healthcare provider expertise. Clinical nurse specialist competency development dates back to the late 20th century; however, an examination of the literature reveals a lack of research and discussion to support the competency development.

Objectives

To describe the formulation and validation process of the clinical nurse specialist core competencies.

Design

Exploratory sequential mixed‐method design.

Methods

This mixed‐method study, conducted between 2013 and 2017 in Finland, involved four phases: I) a Policy Delphi study (n = 25, n = 22, n = 19);II) cross‐mapping of preliminary competency criteria against international competency sets;III) content validity study of expanded competency criteria (n = 7, n = 10); andIV) verification of competency criteria with practicingCNSs (n = 16). Data were analysed by both qualitative and quantitative analysis methods.

Results

Seventy‐four preliminary clinical nurse competency criteria were formulated in the first phase of the study. Through cross‐mapping the competencies against theUSand Canadian clinical nurse specialist competency sets, they were further concised to 61 criteria. The examination of Content Validity Indexes and experts’ comments led to the clarification and consequent inclusion of 50 criteria to the final scale, with Scale Content Validity Index Average of 0.94. The competency criteria were evaluated to be a solid set with potential to clarify and uniform the clinical nurse specialist roles.

Conclusions

Through a rigorous research process, validated clinical nurse specialist competency criteria were formed with a high Scale Content Validity Index Average. The results allude to the potential of formulating international competency criteria to support global role clarity and understanding. However, further research is needed to validate the content and construct of the formulated competencies with a larger population across countries.
Desali‐nation: Techno‐diplomacy and hydraulic state restructuring through reverse osmosis membranes in Singapore
Authors: Usher Mark
Published: July 2018

A sea change has occurred in global water management over the last two decades as previously unconventional technologies such as reverse osmosis membranes have been integrated into national supply networks. State‐led, highly politicised programmes of water resources development, characterised by large‐scale hydraulic infrastructure, centralised monopoly control and diplomatic negotiations, have been transformed in many regions by integrated systems supported by private engineering companies, constituting a new “technopolitical regime.” Desalination in particular has become an expedient solution not only to the chronic problem of water scarcity but protracted geopolitical disputes over shared infrastructure. Engaging with literature on geopolitical materialism, technopolitics and the hydraulic state, this paper will examine how desalination has been developed in Singapore to depoliticise the water supply network, bringing into relation a different constellation of actors and enabling an alternative form of techno‐diplomacy. In the 1990s, imported water from Malaysia became increasingly vulnerable due to a worsening of diplomatic relations, therefore Singapore began to leverage on reverse osmosis to circumvent antagonistic, politically charged negotiations. The water authority was subsequently plugged into global industry networks, technologically and institutionally reconfiguring the state through integrated management, corporate intermediaries and strategic nodality. By 2060, reverse osmosis technology is expected to provide 85% of water supply, co‐producing, it is argued, an alternative state ontology.
Prognostic significance of histopathology in canine anal sac gland adenocarcinomas: Preliminary results in a retrospective study of 39 cases
Authors: Pradel J. , Berlato D. , Dobromylskyj M. , Rasotto R.
Published: July 2018

Metastatic rates and survival times of canine anal sac gland adenocarcinomas (ASGACs) vary among studies, making prognostication difficult. Little is known about the prognostic significance of histopathology of ASGACs. This retrospective study investigated associations between histological features, clinical presentation and outcome for 39 ASGACs. Most tumours were incompletely excised (62%) and had moderate to marked peripheral infiltration (74%). The predominant growth pattern was solid, tubules/rosettes/pseudorosettes and papillary in 49%, 46% and 5% of the cases, respectively. Nuclear pleomorphism was either moderate (77%) or mild (23%). Necrosis and lymphovascular invasion were present in 54% and 10% of the cases, respectively. All histological features except mitotic count and necrosis were associated with nodal metastasis at presentation. A statistically significant poorer outcome was identified for tumours with a solid growth pattern, moderate or marked peripheral infiltration, necrosis and lymphovascular invasion. These results need further validation in a larger cohort of dogs.
Hybrid Analog/Digital Control of Bilateral Teleoperation Systems
Authors: Yang Ting , Hu Junfeng , Geng Wei , Wang Dan , Fu Yili , Tavakoli Mahdi
Published: July 2018

Hybrid analog/digital control of bilateral teleoperation systems can lead to superior performance (transparency) while maintaining stability compared to pure analog or digital control methods. Such hybrid control is preferable over pure analog control, which is inflexible and not ideal for realizing complex teleoperation control algorithms, and pure digital control, which restricts teleoperation performance due to a well-known stability-imposed upper bound on the product of the digital controller's proportional gain and the sampling period. In this paper, a hybrid controller combining a Field programmable analog array (FPAA) based analog controller and a personal computer-based digital controller is compared in terms of performance and stability to its analog and digital counterparts. A stability analysis indicates that the addition of analog derivative term widens the range of teleoperation controls gains that satisfy the stability conditions, paving the way for improving the teleoperation performance. We also show how the hybrid controller leads to better teleoperation performance. To this end, we study the human's performance of a switch flipping task and a stiffness discrimination task in the teleoperation mode. In both tasks, the hybrid analog/digital controller allows the human operators to achieve the highest task success rates.
Prevalence and Genetic Analysis of
mcr-3
-Positive Aeromonas Species from Humans, Retail Meat, and Environmental Water Samples
Authors: Shen Yingbo , Xu Chunyan , Sun Qiaoling , Schwarz Stefan , Ou Yanran , Yang Lu , Huang Zixian , Eichhorn Inga , Walsh Timothy R. , Wang Yang , Zhang Rong , Shen Jianzhong
Published: July 2018

The mobile colistin resistance gene
mcr-3
is globally disseminated in both
Enterobacteriaceae
and
Aeromonas
species, with the latter potentially serving as a reservoir for this gene. Here, we investigated the prevalence of
mcr-3
in rectal swabs from humans, in food-producing animals and their products, and in the aquatic environment, and we investigated the genetic relationships between the
mcr-3
-positive isolates.
Azithromycin in Combination with Ceftriaxone Reduces Systemic Inflammation and Provides Survival Benefit in a Murine Model of Polymicrobial Sepsis
Authors: Patel Anasuya , Joseph Jiji , Periasamy Hariharan , Mokale Santosh
Published: July 2018

Sepsis is a life-threatening systemic inflammatory condition triggered as a result of an excessive host immune response to infection. In the past, immunomodulators have demonstrated a protective effect in sepsis.
“Candidatus Nitrosotenuis aquarius,” an Ammonia-Oxidizing Archaeon from a Freshwater Aquarium Biofilter
Authors: Sauder Laura A. , Engel Katja , Lo Chien-Chi , Chain Patrick , Neufeld Josh D.
Published: July 2018

Nitrification is a critical process for preventing ammonia toxicity in engineered biofilter environments. This work describes the cultivation and complete genome sequence of a novel AOA representative enriched from a freshwater aquarium biofilter. In addition, despite the common belief in the aquarium industry that AOB mediate ammonia oxidation, the present study suggests an
in situ
role for “
Ca
. Nitrosotenuis aquarius”-like AOA in freshwater aquarium biofilters.
Vertical distribution of major ore-forming elements and the speciation in the semiarid system above the concealed Baiyinnuoer Pb-Zn deposit in inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Yang Fan , Xie Shuyun , Carranza Emmanuel John M. , Yao Lingyang , Tian Huan , Chen Zhijun
Published: July 2018

The concealed (>80 m) Baiyinnuoer Pb-Zn deposit in Inner Mongolia is a typical skarn deposit in North China and has been studied to improve geochemical exploration within the area. Two vertical soil profiles were studied in order to evaluate the vertical geochemical distribution patterns within the residual soil associated with this deposit. Soil Profile #6 is located above the Pb-Zn orebody whereas Profile #8 is located away from this deposit. To determine the dynamics of the vertical geochemical distribution patterns, concentrations and species of nine elements in samples of six different size fractions were used. The distribution patterns of all the nine elements along Profile #6 display a similar trend of lower concentrations in both the topsoil and moderately-weathered bedrock layers but higher concentrations in the residual subsoil layer, showing an inverted ‘C-shape’. The normalized concentrations (using Fe) of elements and the normalized enrichment factors also follow the same distribution patterns. A sequential extraction study of the soil showed that ore-forming and pathfinder elements were dominantly related to humic acid, Fe-Mn oxides and residual fractions. Based on the results, the recommended soil sampling depth for detecting surficial geochemical anomalies in this and similar semi-arid and thickly covered area is 2–3 m. Furthermore, Hg, Sb, As, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn and Bi appear to be important indicators for geochemical exploration of Pb-Zn deposits. The research approach and results of this study are useful for evaluating mineral resources in similar covered areas through surface geochemical soil surveys as well as for providing insights to the dynamics of vertical geochemical patterns in soil from concealed Pb-Zn deposits.
Metallogenic efficiencies of ore-forming elements in the Shizhuyuan ore-field, Hunan Province, SE China: implications for ore-generating potential and mineral prospecting
Authors: Liao Yuzhong , Zhao Bo , Zhang Dehui , Zhang Tao , Liu Xiangchong
Published: July 2018

Metallogenic efficiency (ME), is the ratio of reserves of a metal to its total amount in both the deposits and alteration zones. We present a new method for calculating ME on a regional scale, based on stream sediment geochemical anomalies. Given a study area, the MEs of ore-forming elements should be weighted by their concentration factors, in order to quantitatively assess the potential of these elements for generating economic deposits. Taking Shizhuyuan ore-field as a case study, ore-forming elements with greater MEs exhibit greater ore-generating potentials. Accordingly, regions with geochemical anomalies of several elements with high-ranking WMEs (weighted metallogenic efficiencies) are favorable sites for exploration of polymetallic deposits. Moreover, in terms of elements such as W or Sn, the WME in the Shizhuyuan ore-field was greater than in the Wangxianling ore-field, consistent with the greater tonnage of mineral reserves in the former. Given a certain ore-forming element, therefore, its ore-generating potentials in different regions are quantitatively comparable to its WMEs. In summary, WME is an important parameter for quantitative evaluation of resource potentiality and resource prospection.
"Linked data entity summarization" by Andreas Thalhammer with Pateek Jain as coordinator
Authors: Thalhammer Andreas
Published: July 2018

Andreas Thalhammer performed his doctoral research at the Institute for Applied Informatics and Formal Description Methods of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology under the supervision of Rudi Studer. His thesis was focused on Linked Data entities and their concise presentation to end users in a semantic search context. Further, his research was applied in several national and EU-funded research projects with various academic and industrial partners. With their contributions, Andreas and his colleagues received several awards, including the Ted Nelson Newcomer Award for their work "Entity-centric Data Fusion on the Web" (ACM Hypertext 2017). Since January 2017, Andreas has been working for Roche where he is involved in projects related to semantic terminology management, digital biomarkers, medical imaging, and further data analysis and integration activities.
Electrodeposited Inconel and Stellite like Coatings for Improved Corrosion Resistance in Biocombustors
Authors: Hall Tim , Vijapur Santosh , Taylor Jennings E. , Xu Jing , Inman Maria
Published: July 2018

Biomass embodies tremendous potential as a renewable energy resource. According to the biomass thermal Energy Council (BTEC), biomass energy is renewable, carbon neutral, domestic and technologically mature. In addition, the low cost per BTU of wood chips and pellets relative to fossil fuels makes biomass an attractive thermal energy source. Furthermore, ~7% of global energy consumption comprises small-scale biomass combustion, representing a tremendous market for technologies that facilitate enhanced biomass utilization. However, a major challenge associated with utilization of biomass is its combustion behavior. The moisture content, chemical composition, and combustion efficiency varies depending on the source of biomass. Small scale biomass combustors, which for cost reasons are often constructed of mild or low-alloy steels, during operation are subjected to corrosive environments that include alkali halides (borne, e.g., by fly ash particulates), mineral/halogen acids and water; as well as various others such as sulfur and nitrogen oxides. There is a need to create more efficient, longer lasting, cleaner, and cost effective cookstoves for use in burning biomaterials. The materials used for cookstoves must improve burning efficiency, must be able operate at higher temperatures, and should be low cost material systems to durably perform in the corrosive environments. Within this context, Faraday Technology is working on developing low cost and high value corrosion-resistant alloy coatings for existing bio-combustors or lower cost steels with the goal of increasing their functional lifetime, while reducing the component cost. The manufacturing process involves electrodeposition of binary/ternary/quaternary alloys consisting of [Ni/Co]-Cr-[Mo/Fe] onto a low cost substrate and subsequent accelerated high temperature corrosion evaluation. A wide array of electrolytes and processing parameters were evaluated in order to understand these effects on the deposit composition, structure, and high-temperature corrosion resistance properties towards the goal of developing an ideal alloy coating. Specifically, 60 wt% Ni – 40 wt% Cr (NiCr) binary and 25 wt% Ni – 20 wt% Cr – 55 wt% Co (NiCoCr) ternary alloy coatings demonstrated enhanced corrosion resistance when exposed to an aggressive environment (~700°C, 1000 hr, coating surface salted with ~3 mg/cm2 every 100 hours). When compared to the SS base material the NiCr and NiCoCr alloy coatings exhibited a 70% lower weight loss and 3.4 times lifetime improvement over its base material.
Next Generation Water Recovery for a Sustainable Closed Loop Living _ Faraday Technology Inc.
Authors: WANG DAN , Vijapur Santosh , Hall Tim , Taylor Jennings E. , Snyder Stephen , Cabrera Carlos R.
Published: July 2018

In order to facilitate human space travel, solutions and innovations are required for supporting the efficient maintenance of water, closed air, and waste systems in spacecraft habitats that operate on planetary environments. As missions are foreseen to be extended with limited earth resupply available there is need to develop durable and sustainable closed loop living systems. Waste water treatment and recovery system that is managed by Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) on board the International space station (ISS) is one such system that has lifetime/durability limitations and would benefit from improvements to increase its lifetime efficiency. Current systems typically recover about 85% of the water with a marked process efficiency decrease throughout the lifetime of the systems use due to incoming process contaminants. Typical water contaminants commonly enter the ECLSS through the waste water from the onboard team members and contain complex molecules that tend to foul and reduce the efficiency of the reverse osmosis (RO) systems. Therefore, in order for manned deep space missions to be practical it is critical to create state of the art durable and efficient processes to reduce the impact of contaminants on the waste water system efficiency. Within this context, Faraday Technology Inc. and the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) are working on developing a technology to eliminate many of the contaminants that commonly foul the RO system and produce a more durable closed loop wastewater treatment and water recovery system. At Faraday Technology Inc., we develop a custom bench-scale ammonia electrolyzer with Pt coated electrodes fabricated by the FARADAYIC® Process. The developed catalysts and electrolyzer are used to evaluate ammonia oxidation for wastewater treatment as following reactions: The influent ammonia from waste water can be oxidized in an electrolyzer according to the reaction: 2NH3 + 6OH- → N2 + 6H2O + 6e- (1)while water is simultaneously reduced according to the following reaction: 6H2O + 6e- → 3H2 + 6OH- (2)The developed technology has the potential to be compatible with existing ECLSS systems and be an integral part of the closed loop living systems required for long term life support on NASA’s manned space missions.
Nonlinear electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of lithium-ion batteries: Experimental approach, analysis, and initial findings
Authors: Murbach Matthew D. , Hu Victor , Schwartz Daniel T.
Published: July 2018

Nonlinear electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (NLEIS) is a moderate-amplitude extension to linear EIS that provides a sensitive and complementary whole-battery diagnostic for charge transfer kinetics, mass transport, and thermodynamics. We present the first full-frequency, second harmonic NLEIS spectra for lithium-ion batteries using commercially available, 1.5 Ah LiNMC|C cells. The mathematical framework for NLEIS shows, and experiments confirm, that moderate-amplitude input modulations can generate a second harmonic output that does not intrinsically corrupt the linear EIS response. Experimental measurements at varied states-of-charge (SoC) and states-of-health (SoH) are used to illustrate and compare NLEIS and EIS data. At low frequencies, the second harmonic NLEIS spectrum is shown to produce a much more distinct response to SoC dependent thermodynamic and diffusion processes than linear EIS. By combining NLEIS and EIS, we are able to characterize degradation in early cell cycling (where cells lost less than 1% of initial capacity). We also show that NLEIS complements the characterization of charge transfer kinetics of linear EIS through the second harmonic sensitivity to symmetry. For example, NLEIS shows that fresh cells have high symmetry charge transfer (α_a = α_c = 0.5) on both electrodes, whereas early in the cycling there is a shift toward kinetics that favor oxidation on the positive electrode (α_(a,pos) greater than 0.5, α_(c,pos) less than 0.5). Combined analysis of EIS and NLEIS spectra shows promise for improved parameter estimation and model validation. All experimental data and analysis code for this manuscript can be found on ECSarXiv.
A Novel Path Control Algorithm for Networked Underwater Robot
Authors: She Minghong , Tian Liyu
Published: July 2018

Under the network environment, the traditional control method of underwater Robot path has the disadvantages of low control accuracy, large error, and inefficiency. This paper proposes a novel path control method for underwater Robots based on the NURBS (nonuniform rational B-spline, NURBS) curve fitting method, which utilizes a sensor or camera to detect the static and dynamic obstacles, establishes the kinematics model of underwater Robots, gets the target function of rob shortest path, and analyzes underwater Robot constraints. According to the basic fluid mechanics, the resistance of the underwater Robot is determined. The filter function is used to smooth the process, and the NURBS curve fitting method is applied to control the path of the underwater Robot. Experimental results show that the improved method that proved to be practical is superior to the traditional one in the aspect of control time and accuracy.
Steatohepatitis Is Not Associated with an Increased Risk for Fibrosis Progression in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Hagström Hannes , Elfwén Olof , Hultcrantz Rolf , Stål Per
Published: July 2018

Introduction. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease globally. The majority of NAFLD patients have fatty liver without inflammation (nonalcoholic fatty liver, NAFL), whereas a minority develop steatohepatitis (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, NASH). Only NASH and not NAFL has been considered to increase the risk for fibrosis progression. The present study investigates risk factors for fibrosis progression in patients with NAFLD, and if fibrosis progression associates with subsequent mortality. Material and Methods. All patients with at least two liver biopsies more than a year apart at our hospital between 1971 and 2016 were identified. Data on plausible risk factors for fibrosis progression were collected. Biopsies were scored for the presence of NASH and fibrosis stage. Regression models were used to investigate the association between baseline NASH and fibrosis progression and fibrosis progression with future mortality. Results. 60 patients had undergone serial biopsies (median interval between biopsies 8.4 years, range 1–33 years), with 26 patients (43%) having fibrosis progression. We found no significant risk factors for progression of fibrosis except time between biopsies. Among patients with fibrosis progression, 54% had NAFL and 46% had NASH at baseline. There was a trend for an association between fibrosis progression per se and increased mortality (hazard ratio 2.83, 95% CI 1.0–8.1, p=0.05). Conclusions. In this study on NAFLD, baseline steatohepatitis was not associated with an increased risk for fibrosis progression. NAFLD patients without steatohepatitis may develop progressive fibrosis, and those with progressive fibrosis appear to have a higher mortality risk irrespective of baseline NASH status.
Atrial Fibrillation Beat Identification Using the Combination of Modified Frequency Slice Wavelet Transform and Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Xu Xiaoyan , Wei Shoushui , Ma Caiyun , Luo Kan , Zhang Li , Liu Chengyu
Published: July 2018

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a serious cardiovascular disease with the phenomenon of beating irregularly. It is the major cause of variety of heart diseases, such as myocardial infarction. Automatic AF beat detection is still a challenging task which needs further exploration. A new framework, which combines modified frequency slice wavelet transform (MFSWT) and convolutional neural networks (CNNs), was proposed for automatic AF beat identification. MFSWT was used to transform 1 s electrocardiogram (ECG) segments to time-frequency images, and then, the images were fed into a 12-layer CNN for feature extraction and AF/non-AF beat classification. The results on the MIT-BIH Atrial Fibrillation Database showed that a mean accuracy (Acc) of 81.07% from 5-fold cross validation is achieved for the test data. The corresponding sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) results are 74.96%, 86.41%, and 0.88, respectively. When excluding an extremely poor signal quality ECG recording in the test data, a mean Acc of 84.85% is achieved, with the corresponding Se, Sp, and AUC values of 79.05%, 89.99%, and 0.92. This study indicates that it is possible to accurately identify AF or non-AF ECGs from a short-term signal episode.
Use of 18F-FDG-PET/CT for Retroperitoneal/Intra-Abdominal Soft Tissue Sarcomas
Authors: Liu Dao-ning , Li Zhong-wu , Wang Hai-yue , Zhao Min , Zhao Wei , Hao Chun-yi
Published: July 2018

Rationale. To assess the diagnostic value of 18F-FDG-PET/CT for different retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcomas (STS) and other similar tumors. To analyze the predictive value of 18F-FDG-PET/CT for histological grade and main prognostic factors.Methods. 195 patients with 44 different diseases have been included. Relationship between SUVmax, Clinical, pathological, and prognostic information has been analyzed.Results. Malignant tumors do not show higher SUVmax than benign ones (P=0.443). We divided all 44 different diseases into two groups; SUVmax of group 1 is significantly higher than group 2 (P≤0.001). The ROC curve suggests 4.35 is the cutoff value to distinguish groups 1 and 2 (sensitivity = 0.789; specificity = 0.736). SUVmax correlates with Ki-67 index, mitotic count, vascular resection, histological grade, and recurrent STS without considering pathological diagnosis (P=0.001,  P=0.012,  P=0.002,P≤0.001,  and  P=0.037, resp.).Conclusion.18F-FDG-PET/CT cannot simply distinguish malignant and benign tumors in retroperitoneal/intra-abdominal cavity; however, the SUVmax of malignant tumors, inflammatory pseudotumor, and PPGL group is higher than the SUVmax of benign tumors, lymph node metastasis, hematoma, and low malignant STS group. Guidance of “SUVmax location” may be helpful for biopsy and pathology dissection.