bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shear Wave Elastography to Assess False Vocal Folds in Healthy Adults: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Gao Jing , Zhu Qiang , Xia Chun‐Xia , Shin James , Shih George , Min Robert
Published: March 2018

Objectives

The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility of using ultrasound shear wave elastography to quantify mechanical properties and movement symmetry of false vocal folds positioned in adduction and abduction.

Methods

We prospectively measured the shear wave velocity (SWV) within the bilateral false vocal folds in 10 healthy adults using acoustic radiation force impulse imaging. From a transcutaneous approach at the level of thyroid cartilage, 5 SWV measurements were obtained within each side of the false vocal folds twice in adduction and again in abduction for each participant. Configuration‐related differences in the SWV within false vocal folds were compared between adduction and abduction, in addition to differences between the right and left false vocal folds and between men and women, by a paired t test. We developed an SWV index [(SWVgreater – SWVlesser)/SWVgreater] to assess movement symmetry between the right and left false vocal folds. Intraobserver agreement on repeated measures was examined by the intraclass correlation coefficient.

Results

The 10 participants included 5 men and 5 women. We observed that the SWV within false vocal folds was significantly higher in adduction than in abduction (P < .001). The SWV within false vocal folds in adduction was also significantly higher in women compared to men (P < .001). There was no significant difference in the SWV between the right and left false vocal folds in adduction or in abduction or between men and women in abduction (P > .05). The mean SWV index was 0.05 (range, 0.03–0.07). The intraclass correlation coefficient for intraobserver agreement was 0.89 (P < .001).

Conclusions

Shear wave elastography seems to be feasible to quantify mechanical properties and evaluate the symmetry of false vocal folds in healthy adults.
Survival of cougars caught in non‐target foothold traps and snares
Authors: Andreasen Alyson M. , Stewart Kelley M. , Sedinger James S. , Lackey Carl W. , Beckmann Jon P.
Published: March 2018

Cougars (Puma concolor) occupy mountain ranges throughout the Great Basin, Nevada, USA, where legal trapping of bobcats (Lynx rufus) is common and some non‐target captures of cougars in bobcat traps occur. Such incidental capture of cougars is an undocumented source of mortality because some cougars die from injuries several weeks after release from traps. We examined cause‐specific mortality and the effects of capture of cougars in bobcat traps on annual and overall (7‐year) survival during 2009–2015. We captured 48 cougars, of which we followed 33 until death. We estimated average annual survival rates for adult cougars and assessed the relative effects of sex, season, and long‐term effects of non‐target capture of cougars in foothold traps on estimated survival of adults using a nest survival model in Program MARK. We incorporated a time‐varying covariate to assess the long‐term effect of capture in non‐target foothold traps on survival of adult cougars. Average annual survival of non‐trapped females and males, regardless of trapping history, was significantly greater than females with a history of capture in a non‐target foothold trap; however, once partitioned across age, sex, and capture status, sample sizes were small. Our results suggest that capture in non‐target foothold traps decreases survival of adult female cougars directly by causing injuries that eventually result in mortality, and indirectly by increasing susceptibility to other forms of mortality. Mortality of adult females during the 7 years of our study caused by non‐target trapping was similar to hunting among radio‐marked female cougars, and this potential source of mortality has been unaccounted for in harvest objectives and harvest data for cougars without radio‐collars. Given anthropogenic sources of mortality accounted for 100% of recorded mortality of adult females, mortality from non‐target trapping is likely additive to other sources of mortality in our study area. We recommend regulatory agencies consider the possibility of unintentional take and potential for reduced long‐term survival of females where these large fields are sympatric with bobcats, and trapping of bobcats with foothold traps is a legal activity. Moreover, we suggest wildlife managers record information about the trapping incident, to include trap type, trap size, trap set type, location, number of days since last check, and type and severity of injuries when releasing incidentally captured cougars to inform future management decisions. Addressing other anthropogenic sources of mortality resulting from conflict with humans and road mortalities will be increasingly important as the human population expands into cougar habitat. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Personality influences wildlife responses to aversive conditioning
Authors: Found Rob , St. Clair Colleen Cassady
Published: March 2018

Ungulate species around the world are habituating to humans and human infrastructure, which can cause the loss of migratory behavior, local overpopulation, ecosystem damage, and human‐wildlife interactions. Wildlife managers sometimes attempt to reduce habituation by subjecting ungulates to aversive conditioning, comprised of negative stimuli in association with specific locations or behaviors, but high variability in the responsiveness of animals has limited the utility of this technique. We studied this limitation using 20 wild elk (Cervus canadensis) inhabiting a mountain town by identifying and comparing the responses of individuals categorized along a personality gradient from shy to bold, subjecting animals to aversive conditioning that either isolated animals or let them remain in a group, and then comparing their wariness via flight response distances before, during, and after conditioning. Bolder elk had significantly greater increases in wariness during conditioning and greater decreases in wariness once the conditioning period was complete. Isolation versus group‐based treatment did not affect responsiveness during the conditioning period, but isolated animals retained more wariness after conditioning ended. These results suggest that wildlife managers could increase the efficacy of aversive conditioning by identifying and targeting specific personality types and individuals to modify behavior and mitigate the broader ecological effects of habituated wildlife. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Black‐backed woodpecker abundance in the Black Hills
Authors: Matseur Elizabeth A. , Thompson Frank R. , Dickerson Brian E. , Rumble Mark A. , Millspaugh Joshua J.
Published: March 2018

The Black Hills population of black‐backed woodpeckers (Picoides arcticus) was petitioned, but deemed not warranted, to be listed as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act and more information on their population size in the region is needed. Our objective was to map abundance and provide a population estimate of black‐backed woodpeckers in the Black Hills and Bear Lodge Mountains of South Dakota and Wyoming, USA. We conducted 3,666 and 3,384 5‐minute point count surveys from late‐March to late‐June in 2015 and 2016, respectively. We characterized vegetation around each point using geographic information system‐derived landscape variables and fit 3‐level hierarchical time‐removal models in R package unmarked using gmultmix. The global abundance model received the most support and included year, latitude, and percent area of green trees, beetle‐killed trees, dead trees, 1‐ to 2‐year‐old wildfire, 3‐year‐old wildfire, and 4‐ to 5‐year‐old wildfire. Points with high percent cover of beetle‐killed trees had the greatest density of black‐backed woodpeckers, followed by 1‐ to 2‐year‐old wildfires. After 4 years, areas burned by wildfire supported lower densities of black‐backed woodpeckers than undisturbed forests. Mean density was 0.528 birds/km2in 2015 and 0.626 birds/km2in 2016. There were an estimated 2,920 and 3,439 black‐backed woodpeckers in the Black Hills and Bear Lodge Mountains in 2015 and 2016, respectively. We suggest areas with high percent cover of beetle‐killed trees may support high densities of black‐backed woodpeckers and are important to sustaining populations when the availability of recent (<4 years old) wildfire is declining or scarce. Published 2018. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Molecular population structure for feral swine in the United States
Authors: McCann Blake E. , Smyser Timothy J. , Schmit Brandon S. , Newman Robert A. , Piaggio Antoinette J. , Malek Mathew J. , Swafford Seth R. , Sweitzer Richard A. , Simmons Rebecca B.
Published: March 2018

Feral swine (Sus scrofa) have invaded most of the United States and continue to expand throughout North America. Given the ecological and economic threats posed by increasing feral swine abundance, it is imperative to develop an understanding of their patterns of natural range expansion and human‐mediated introductions. Towards this goal, we used molecular markers to elucidate the genetic structure of feral swine populations throughout the United States and evaluated the association between historical introductions and contemporary patterns of genetic organization. We used STRUCTURE and discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) to delineate genetic clusters for 959 individuals genotyped at 88 single nucleotide polymorphism loci. We identified 10 and 12 genetic clusters for the 2 clustering approaches, respectively. We observed strong agreement in clusters across approaches, with both describing clusters having strong geographic association at regional levels reflecting past introduction and range expansion patterns. In addition, we evaluated patterns of isolation by distance to test for and estimate spatial scaling of population structure within western, central, and eastern regions of North America. We found contrasting spatial patterns of genetic relatedness among regions, suggesting differences in the invasion process, likely as a result of regional variation in landscape heterogeneity and the influence of human‐mediated introductions. Our results indicate that molecular analyses of population genetic structure can provide reliable insights into the invasion processes of feral swine, thus providing a useful basis for management focused on minimizing continued range expansion by this problematic species. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
A new method for selecting auricle positions in skull base reconstruction for temporal bone cancer
Authors: Tanaka Kentaro , Yano Tomoyuki , Homma Tsutomu , Tsunoda Atsunobu , Aoyagi Masaru , Kishimoto Seiji , Okazaki Mutsumi
Published: March 2018

Objective

In advanced temporal bone carcinoma cases, we attempted to preserve as much of the auricle as possible from a cosmetic and functional perspective. Difficulties are associated with selecting an adequate position for reconstructed auricles intraoperatively. We improved the surgical procedure to achieve a good postoperative auricle position.

Methods

Nine patients were included in this study. All patients underwent subtotal removal of the temporal bone and resection of the external auditory canal while preserving most of the external ear, and lateral skull base reconstruction was performed with anterolateral thigh flaps. We invented a new device, the auricle localizer, to select the correct position for the replaced external ear. The head skin incision line and two points of three‐point pin fixation were used as criteria, and a Kirschner wire was shaped as a basic line to match these criteria. Another Kirschner wire was shaped by wrapping it around the inferior edge of the external ear as the positioning line, and these two lines were then combined. To evaluate the postoperative auricle position, the auricle inclination angle was measured using head frontal cephalogram imaging.

Results

The external ear on the affected side clearly drooped postoperatively in nonlocalizer cases, whereas this was not obvious in localizer cases. Auricle inclination angles 1 year after surgery significantly differed between these two cases (P = 0.018).

Conclusion

The surgical device, the auricle localizer, is useful for selecting intraoperative accurate auricle positions. The assessment index, the auricle inclination angle, is useful for quantitatively evaluating postoperative results.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 2605–2610, 2018
Stakeholders' perception of the relevance of water and sediment connectivity in water and land management
Authors: Smetanová Anna , Paton Eva Nora , Maynard Carly , Tindale Sophie , Fernández‐Getino Ana Patricia , Marqéus Pérez María José , Bracken Louise , Le Bissonnais Yves , Keesstra Saskia D.
Published: March 2018

Using concepts of connectivity in challenges regarding land and water management (flooding, erosion, nutrient leaching, landslides) can only be fully harnessed if knowledge is communicated well between scientists and stakeholders. Proper communication requires prior understanding of end‐users' perception of connectivity as a useful framework. Therefore, we analysed (a) perceptions of ‘connectivity’ for stakeholders involved in water and land management across Europe, (b) potential for stakeholders to apply connectivity‐related measures in their management decisions, (c) stakeholders' biggest challenges in water and land management, and (d) stakeholders' expectations for future connectivity research agendas. We studied 85 questionnaires from 19 countries using a grounded theory approach. One third of stakeholders understood connectivity in its scientific context, whereas 39% perceived connectivity indirectly through their personal experiences (e.g., water and sediment fluxes and erosion). Half of stakeholders' perceived links and challenges were related to availability of data and methods, communication, and institutions or policy, whereas others believed they were related to water quality and quantity, soil erosion and quality, and climate change. Half of the stakeholders considered connectivity management important, and one third showed high interest in managing connectivity. Adopting connectivity into management is hindered by institutional‐ and policy‐based management limitations, insufficient data and methods, and ineffective knowledge transfer. Explicitly considering heterogeneity of stakeholder perceptions is required for projects regarding management of connectivity at European, national, and local scales.
Deregulation of secondary metabolism in a histone deacetylase mutant of Penicillium chrysogenum
Authors: Guzman‐Chavez Fernando , Salo Oleksandr , Samol Marta , Ries Marco , Kuipers Jeroen , Bovenberg Roel A. L. , Vreeken Rob J. , Driessen Arnold J. M.
Published: March 2018

The Pc21 g14570 gene of Penicillium chrysogenum encodes an ortholog of a class 2 histone deacetylase termed HdaA which may play a role in epigenetic regulation of secondary metabolism. Deletion of the hdaA gene induces a significant pleiotropic effect on the expression of a set of polyketide synthase (PKS) and nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS)‐encoding genes. The deletion mutant exhibits a decreased conidial pigmentation that is related to a reduced expression of the PKS gene Pc21 g16000 (pks17) responsible for the production of the pigment precursor naphtha‐γ‐pyrone. Moreover, the hdaA deletion caused decreased levels of the yellow pigment chrysogine that is associated with the downregulation of the NRPS‐encoding gene Pc21 g12630 and associated biosynthetic gene cluster. In contrast, transcriptional activation of the sorbicillinoids biosynthetic gene cluster occurred concomitantly with the overproduction of associated compounds . A new compound was detected in the deletion strain that was observed only under conditions of sorbicillinoids production, suggesting crosstalk between biosynthetic gene clusters. Our present results show that an epigenomic approach can be successfully applied for the activation of secondary metabolism in industrial strains of P. chrysogenum.
A Proposed Circuit Computation in Basal Ganglia: History‐Dependent Gain
Authors: Yttri Eric Allen , Dudman Joshua Tate
Published: March 2018

In this Scientific Perspectives we first review the recent advances in our understanding of the functional architecture of basal ganglia circuits. Then we argue that these data can best be explained by a model in which basal ganglia act to control the gain of movement kinematics to shape performance based on prior experience, which we refer to as a history‐dependent gain computation. Finally, we discuss how insights from the history‐dependent gain model might translate from the bench to the bedside, primarily the implications for the design of adaptive deep brain stimulation. Thus, we explicate the key empirical and conceptual support for a normative, computational model with substantial explanatory power for the broad role of basal ganglia circuits in health and disease. © 2018 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Strengths and challenges in conducting clinical trials in Parkinson's disease mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Litvan Irene , Kieburtz Karl , Tröster Alexander I. , Aarsland Dag
Published: March 2018

Treatments to slow the progression of cognitive dysfunction to dementia and improve the quality of life of persons with Parkinson's disease (PD) are desperately needed. Because PD mild cognitive impairment is considered a transitional stage before dementia, it opens a window to timely intervention. This article critically reviews the strengths and challenges of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic clinical therapeutic trials in PD mild cognitive impairment conducted during the past 5 years, including ongoing trials. Relatively few high‐quality trials have been conducted, and some important factors in designing future clinical trials are discussed. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
On the similarity solutions and conservation laws of the Cooper‐Shepard‐Sodano equation
Authors: Bruzón M. S. , Recio E. , Garrido T. M. , Márquez A. P. , de la Rosa R.
Published: March 2018

In this paper, for the Cooper‐Shepard‐Sodano equation, some conservation laws are obtained by applying the multiplier method. Furthermore, we study this equation from the point of view of Lie symmetries. We perform an analysis of the symmetry reductions taking into account the similarity variables and the similarity solutions, which allow us to transform our equation into ordinary differential equations.
Poisson semigroup characterization and the trace theorem of a class of fractional mean oscillation spaces
Authors: Li Pengtao , Peng Lizhong
Published: March 2018

In this paper, we use regular wavelets to study the Poisson extension of the fractional mean oscillation spaces
. Via a distributional trace operator πφ, we establish a relation between
and a class of harmonic function spaces
.
Inframonogenic functions and their applications in 3‐dimensional elasticity theory
Authors: Moreno García Arsenio , Moreno García Tania , Abreu Blaya Ricardo , Bory Reyes Juan
Published: March 2018

Solutions of the sandwich equation
, where
stands for the first‐order differential operator (called Dirac operator) in the Euclidean space
, are known as inframonogenic functions. These functions generalize in a natural way the theory of kernels associated with
, the nowadays well‐known monogenic functions, and can be viewed also as a refinement of the biharmonic ones. In this paper we deepen study the connections between inframonogenic functions and the solutions of the homogeneous Lamé‐Navier system in
. Our findings allow to shed some new light on the structure of the solutions of this fundamental system in 3‐dimensional elasticity theory.
Simultaneous measurement of glutamate, glutamine, GABA, and glutathione by spectral editing without subtraction
Authors: An Li , Araneta Maria Ferraris , Johnson Christopher , Shen Jun
Published: March 2018

Purpose

To simultaneously measure glutamate, glutamine, γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA), and glutathione using spectral editing without subtraction at 7T.

Methods

A novel spectral editing approach was proposed to simultaneously measure glutamate, glutamine, GABA, and glutathione using a TE of 56 ms at 7T. By numerical optimization of sequence timing in the presence of an editing pulse, the 4 metabolites all form relatively intense pseudo singlets with maximized peak amplitudes and minimized peak linewidths in 1 of the 3 interleaved spectra. For measuring glutamate, glutamine, and glutathione, the editing pulse targets the H3 protons of these metabolites near 2.12 parts per million. Both GABA H2 and H4 resonances are fully utilized in spectral fitting.

Results

Concentration levels (/[total creatine]) of glutamate, glutamine, GABA, and glutathione from an 8 mL voxel in the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex of 5 healthy volunteers were found to be 1.26 ± 0.13, 0.33 ± 0.06, 0.13 ± 0.03, and 0.27 ± 0.03, respectively, with within‐subject coefficient of variation at 3.2%, 8.2%, 7.1%, and 10.2%, respectively. The total scan time was less than 4.5 min.

Conclusions

The proposed new technique does not require data subtraction. The 3 major metabolites of the glutamatergic and GABAergic systems and the oxidative stress marker glutathione were all measured in 1 short scan with high precision.
Food Restriction is Required to Preserve the Antisteatotic Effects of Central Leptin in the Liver of Middle‐Aged Rats
Authors: López Virginia , Bonzón‐Kulichenko Elena , Moltó Eduardo , Fernández‐Agulló Teresa , Arribas Carmen , Andrés Antonio , Gallardo Nilda
Published: March 2018

Objective

Aging is a significant risk factor for the development of obesity and hepatic steatosis associated with insulin and leptin resistance. Food restriction (FR) is commonly used for reducing body weight (BW), adiposity, and liver steatosis. Thus, this study aimed to determine whether FR in middle‐aged rats can recover the central leptin antisteatotic effects observed in the liver in young animals.

Methods

Two groups of 4‐month‐old Wistar rats were fed ad libitum (AL) or were on FR for 3 months. At 7 months of age, both groups were centrally treated with rat leptin (0.2 μg/d, 7 days) or saline.

Results

Central leptin reduced food intake and BW, but not the hepatic triglyceride content, in 7‐month‐old rats fed AL. However, in 7‐month‐old FR rats, leptin did not affect BW but markedly reduced serum leptin, serum and hepatic triglyceride levels, and the expression of hepatic lipogenic genes. In addition, central leptin decreased serum and hepatic endogenous norepinephrine levels of FR rats, exerting a homeostatic effect beyond its antisteatotic actions.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that in middle‐aged rats, moderate FR is required for both preserving the antisteatotic actions of central leptin and avoiding excessive weight loss.
Deep surface Cu depletion induced by K in high‐efficiency Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cell absorbers
Authors: Donzel‐Gargand Olivier , Thersleff Thomas , Keller Jan , Törndahl Tobias , Larsson Fredrik , Wallin Erik , Stolt Lars , Edoff Marika
Published: March 2018

In this work, we used K‐rich glass substrates to provide potassium during the coevaporation of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) absorber layers. Subsequently, we applied a postdeposition treatment (PDT) using KF or RbF to some of the grown absorbers. It was found that the presence of K during the growth of the CIGS layer led to cell efficiencies beyond 17%, and the addition of a PDT pushed it beyond 18%. The major finding of this work is the observation of discontinuous 100‐ to 200‐nm‐deep Cu‐depleted patches in the vicinity of the CdS buffer layer, correlated with the presence of K during the growth of the absorber layer. The PDT had no influence on the formation of these patches. A second finding concerns the composition of the Cu‐depleted areas, where an anticorrelation between Cu and both In and K was measured using scanning transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, a steeper Ga/(In+Ga) ratio gradient was measured for the absorbers grown with the presence of K, suggesting that K hinders the group III element interdiffusion. Finally, no Cd in‐diffusion to the CIGS layer could be detected. This indicates that if CdCu substitution occurs, either their concentration is below our instrumental detection limit or its presence is contained within the first 6 nm from the CdS/CIGS interface.
Membrane‐Based SDS Depletion Ahead of Peptide and Protein Analysis by Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Unterlander Nicole , Doucette Alan A.
Published: March 2018

SDS interferes with both bottom‐up and top‐down MS analysis, requiring removal prior to detection. Filter‐aided sample preparation (FASP) is favored for bottom‐up proteomics (BUP) while acetone precipitation is popular for top‐down proteomics (TDP). We recently demonstrated acetone precipitation in a membrane filter cartridge. Alternatively, our automated electrophoretic device, termed transmembrane electrophoresis (TME), depletes SDS for both TDP and BUP studies. Here TME is compared to these two alternative methods of SDS depletion in both BUP and TDP workflows. To do so, a modified FASP method is described applicable to the SDS purification and recovery of intact proteins, suitable for LC/MS. All three methods reliably deplete >99.8% SDS. TME provide higher sample yields (average 90%) than FASP (55%) or acetone precipitation (57%), translating into higher total protein identifications (973 vs 877 FASP or 890 acetone) and higher spectral matches (2.5 times) per protein. In a top down workflow, each SDS‐depletion method yields high‐quality MS spectra for intact proteins. These results show each of these membrane‐based strategies is capable of depleting SDS with high sample recovery and high spectra quality for both BUP and TDP studies.
Modifications generated by fast photochemical oxidation of proteins reflect the native conformations of proteins
Authors: Chea Emily E. , Jones Lisa M.
Published: March 2018

Hydroxyl radical footprinting (HRF) is a nonspecific protein footprinting method that has been increasingly used in recent years to analyze protein structure. The method oxidatively modifies solvent accessible sites in proteins, which changes upon alterations in the protein, such as ligand binding or a change in conformation. For HRF to provide accurate structural information, the method must probe the native structure of proteins. This requires careful experimental controls since an abundance of oxidative modifications can induce protein unfolding. Fast photochemical oxidation of proteins (FPOP) is a HRF method that generates hydroxyl radicals via photo‐dissociation of hydrogen peroxide using an excimer laser. The addition of a radical scavenger to the FPOP reaction reduces the lifetime of the radical, limiting the levels of protein oxidation. A direct assay is needed to ensure FPOP is probing the native conformation of the protein. Here, we report using enzymatic activity as a direct assay to validate that FPOP is probing the native structure of proteins. By measuring the catalytic activity of lysozyme and invertase after FPOP modification, we demonstrate that FPOP does not induce protein unfolding.
Arginine side chain stacking with peptide plane stabilizes the protein helix conformation in a cooperative way
Authors: Wang Jia , Chen Jingfei , Li Jingwen , An Liaoyuan , Wang Yefei , Huang Qingshan , Yao Lishan
Published: March 2018

A combined experimental and computational study is performed for arginine side chain stacking with the protein α‐helix. Theremostability measurements of Aristaless homeodomain, a helical protein, suggest that mutating the arginine residue R106, R137 or R141, which has the guanidino side chain stacking with the peptide plane, to alanine, destabilizes the protein. The R‐PP stacking has an energy of ∼0.2‐0.4 kcal/mol. This stacking interaction mainly comes from dispersion and electrostatics, based on MP2 calculations with the energy decomposition analysis. The calculations also suggest that the stacking stabilizes 2 backbone‐backbone h‐bonds (i→i‐4 and i‐3→i‐7) in a cooperative way. Desolvation and electrostatic polarization are responsible for cooperativity with the i→i‐4 and i‐3→i‐7 h‐bonds, respectively. This cooperativity is supported by a protein α‐helices h‐bond survey in the pdb databank where stacking shortens the corresponding h‐bond distances.
Hydrogen jet vapor cloud explosion: A model for predicting blast size and application to risk assessment
Authors: Jallais Simon , Vyazmina Elena , Miller Derek , Thomas J. Kelly
Published: March 2018

Releases of hydrogen at elevated pressures form turbulent jets in unconfined & uncongested regions may trigger vapor cloud explosion (VCE) as well as jet fire hazards. In the case of a delayed ignition of an unconfined & uncongested jet the turbulence induced by the jet release can lead to flame speeds sufficient to produce damaging blast loads, even in the absence of confinement or congestion. The VCE hazard posed by such high‐pressure hydrogen releases is not well‐recognized.

The authors have previously presented test data and computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modeling analyses which characterize high pressure hydrogen releases and the associated VCE hazard in unconfined & uncongested regions. The current paper provides an overview of this VCE hazard. It presents both CFD simulations and a new simplified method. The new method determines the blast strength based on a blast curve method (i.e., TNO multienergy or BST) with the strength index correlated to the mass flow rate of the accidental release. The paper discusses also the implications of such events for building siting analyses and risk assessments. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Process Saf Prog 37:397–410, 2018
Phylogeography of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) and its primary endosymbiont, ‘Candidatus Carsonella ruddii’: an evolutionary approach to host–endosymbiont interaction
Authors: Wang Yanjing , Lu Jinming , Beattie George AC , Islam Mohammad R , Om Namgay , Dao Hang T , Van Nguyen Liem , Zaka Syed M , Guo Jun , Tian Mingyi , Deng Xiaoling , Tan Shunyun , Holford Paul , He Yurong , Cen Yijing
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

In insects, little is known about the co‐evolution between their primary endosymbionts and hosts at the intraspecific level. This study examined co‐diversification between the notorious agricultural pest Diaphorina citri and its primary endosymbionts (P‐endosymbiont), ‘Candidatus Carsonella ruddii’ at the population level.

RESULTS

Maximum likelihood, haplotype network, principal components and Bayesian clustering identified three lineages for D. citri and its P‐endosymbiont: a Western clade containing individuals from Pakistan, Bhutan (Phuentsholing), Vietnam (Son La), USA, Myanmar and China (Ruili, Yunnan); a Central clade, with accessions originating from Southwest China, Bhutan (Tsirang) and Bangladesh; and an Eastern clade containing individuals from Southeast Asia, and East and South China. A more diverse genetic structure was apparent in the host mitochondrial DNA than their P‐endosymbionts; however, the two sets of data were strongly congruent.

CONCLUSION

This study provides evidence for the co‐diversification of D. citri and its P‐endosymbiont during the migration from South Asia to East and Southeast Asia. We also suggest that the P‐endosymbiont may facilitate investigations into the genealogy and migration history of the host. The biogeography of D. citri and its P‐endosymbiont indicated that D. citri colonized and underwent a secondary dispersal from South Asia to East and Southeast Asia. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Assessment of acute toxicity tests and rhizotron experiments to characterize lethal and sublethal control of soil‐based pests
Authors: Agatz Annika , Schumann Mario M , French Bryan W , Brown Colin D , Vidal Stefan
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

Characterizing lethal and sublethal control of soil‐based pests with plant protection products is particularly challenging due to the complex and dynamic interplay of the system components. Here, we present two types of studies: acute toxcity experiments (homogenous exposure of individuals in soil) and rhizotron experiments (heterogeneous exposure of individuals in soil) to investigate their ability to strengthen our understanding of mechanisms driving the effectivness of the plant protection product. Experiments were conducted using larvae of the western corn rootworm Diabrotica virgifera LeConte and three pesticide active ingredients: clothianidin (neonicotinoid), chlorpyrifos (organophosphate) and tefluthrin (pyrethroid).

RESULTS

The order of compound concentrations needed to invoke a specific effect intensity (EC50 values) within the acute toxicity tests was chlorpyrifos > tefluthrin > clothianidin. This order changed for the rhizotron experiments because application type, fate and transport of the compounds in the soil profile, and sublethal effects on larvae also influence their effectiveness in controlling larval feeding on corn roots.

CONCLUSION

Beyond the pure measurement of efficacy through observing relative changes in plant injury to control plants, the tests generate mechanistic understanding for drivers of efficacy apart from acute toxicity. The experiments have the potential to enhance efficacy testing and product development, and might be useful tools for assessing resistance development in the future. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Improvement of Ohmic Contact for InAlGaN/AlN/GaN HEMTs with Recess Etching
Authors: Riedmüller Sandra , Steinmann Claudia , Grünenpütt Jan , Scholz Ferdinand , Blanck Hervé
Published: March 2018

In this paper, the influence of a recess etching process on the contact resistance and the relevant electrical properties of In0.12Al0.8Ga0.08N/AlN/GaN HEMTs is presented. Without etching, the contact resistance is typically 0.9 Ω mm. By recess etching Rcont is reduced to 0.2 Ω–mm. A strong correlation of Rcont to the maximum drain saturation current (IDS+) and to the maximum transconductance (GmMax) is observed. Devices with Rcont of 0.2 Ω mm show IDS+ of 1.7 A mm−1 and GmMax of 620 mS mm−1, respectively.
Effects of alkaloids from Sophora flavescens on osteoblasts infected with Staphylococcus aureus and osteoclasts
Authors: Wang Xuping , Zheng Rongzong , Huang Xiaowen , Mao Zhujun , Wang Nani , Li Hongyu , Wen Chengping , Shou Dan
Published: March 2018

Chronic osteomyelitis is primarily caused by infection with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Antibiotics are commonly administered; however, it is a challenge to promote bone healing. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro effects of alkaloids from the herbal remedy Sophora flavescens (ASF) on rat calvarial osteoblasts (ROBs) infected with S. aureus and healthy osteoclasts. Cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase, interleukin‐6, and tumour necrosis factor‐α activity was measured in infected ROBs; tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase was evaluated in osteoclasts via enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The mRNA and protein expression levels of bone morphogenetic protein 2, runt‐related transcription factor 2, osteoprotegerin, and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa‐B ligand were assessed in infected ROBs through reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and western blotting analysis, respectively. Results indicated that ASF increased the viability of uninfected ROBs and infected ROBs treated with vancomycin via regulation of bone morphogenetic protein 2, runt‐related transcription factor, osteoprotegerin, and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa‐B ligand mRNA and protein expression levels. In addition, the secretion of the inflammatory factor tumour necrosis factor‐α was decreased and alkaline phosphatase activity was increased, inhibiting the viability of osteoclasts and tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase activity. Therefore, the herbal remedy ASF has potential as a new treatment for chronic osteomyelitis.
Guaranteed in‐control performance of the synthetic chart with estimated parameters
Authors: Hu XueLong , Castagliola Philippe , Ma YiZhong , Huang Weidong
Published: March 2018

Control charts are usually investigated under the assumption of known process parameters. In practice, however, the process parameters are rarely known and they have to be estimated from different Phase I data sets. The properties of control charts with estimated parameters are usually investigated with the unconditional average of the average run length. Control chart's performance is known to vary among practitioners because of the use of different Phase I data sets. Considering the between‐practitioners variability in control chart's performance, the standard deviation of the average run length is developed to reevaluate the properties of the synthetic
chart with estimated parameters. Because of the limited amount of Phase I data in practice, the bootstrap method is used as a good adjustment technique for the synthetic
chart's parameters.
A method of human reliability analysis and quantification for space missions based on a Bayesian network and the cognitive reliability and error analysis method
Authors: Chen Jiayu , Zhou Dong , Lyu Chuan , Zhu Xinv
Published: March 2018

Analyses of human reliability during manned spaceflight are crucial because human error can easily arise in the extreme environment of space and may pose a great potential risk to the mission. Although various approaches exist for human reliability analysis (HRA), all these approaches are based on human behavior on the ground. Thus, to appropriately analyze human reliability during spaceflight, this paper proposes a space‐based HRA method of quantifying the human error probability (HEP) for space missions. Instead of ground‐based performance shaping factors (PSFs), this study addresses PSFs specific to the space environment, and a corresponding evaluation system is integrated into the proposed approach to fully consider space mission characteristics. A Bayesian network is constructed based on the cognitive reliability and error analysis method (CREAM) to model these space‐based PSFs and their dependencies. By incorporating the Bayesian network, the proposed approach transforms the HEP estimation procedure into a probabilistic calculation, thereby overcoming the shortcomings of traditional HRA methods in addressing the uncertainty of the complex space environment. More importantly, by acquiring more information, the HEP estimates can be dynamically updated by means of this probabilistic calculation. By studying 2 examples and evaluating the HEPs for an International Space Station ingress procedure, the feasibility and superiority of the developed approach are validated both mathematically and in a practical scenario.
Liquid chromatography/isotope ratio mass spectrometry analysis of halogenated benzoates for characterization of the underlying degradation reaction in Thauera chlorobenzoica CB‐1T
Authors: Franke Steffi , Kümmel Steffen , Nijenhuis Ivonne
Published: March 2018

Rationale

Halogenated benzoic acids occur in the environment due to their widespread agricultural and pharmaceutical use. Compound‐specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA) has developed over the last decades for investigation of in situ transformation and reaction mechanisms of environmental pollutants amenable by gas chromatography (GC). As polar compounds are unsuitable for GC analysis we developed a method to perform liquid chromatography (LC)/CSIA for halogenated benzoates.

Methods

LC/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) utilizing a LC‐Surveyor pump coupled to a MAT 253 isotope ratio mass spectrometer via a LC‐Isolink interface was applied. For chromatographic separation a YMC‐Triart C18 column and a potassium hydrogen phosphate buffer (150 mM, pH 7.0, 40°C, 200 μL mL−1) were used, followed by wet oxidation deploying 1.5 mol L−1 ortho‐phosphoric acid and 200 g L−1 sodium peroxodisulfate at 75 μL mL−1.

Results

Separation of benzoate and halogenated benzoates could be achieved in less than 40 min over a concentration range of 2 orders of magnitude. Under these conditions the dehalogenation reaction of Thauera chlorobenzoica 3CB‐1T using 3‐chloro‐, 3‐bromo‐ and 4‐chlorobenzoic acid was investigated resulting in inverse carbon isotope fractionation for meta‐substituted benzoic acids and minor normal fractionation for para‐substituted benzoic acids. Together with the respective growth rates this led to the assumption that dehalogenation of para‐halobenzoic acids follows a different mechanism from that of meta‐halobenzoic acids.

Conclusions

A new LC/IRMS method for the quantitative determination of halogenated benzoates was developed and used to investigate the in vivo transformation pathways of these compounds, providing some insights into degradation and removal of these widespread compounds by T. chlorobenzoica 3CB‐1T.
Inquiry‐based learning put to the test: Medium‐term effects of a science and technology for children programme
Authors: Mellander Erik , Svärdh Joakim
Published: March 2018

We evaluate the effects of participation in the Swedish version of the Science and Technology for Children Program on content and process skills in sciences, in grade 9. The Swedish version, called Natural Sciences and Technology for All (NTA), is predominantly employed in grades 1–6. Our outcome measures are scores and grades on nationwide standardised tests, and course grades, in biology, chemistry and physics, for the years 2009 and 2010. A nationally representative random sample of almost 16,000 test‐taking students is coupled with multi‐level information about the NTA, and background factors. Non‐random selection into the programme is addressed by propensity score analysis. The matched sample has almost maximum common support and is well behaved in terms of propensity scores. Accounting for selection is shown to be very important. We find significantly positive effects on national test scores (effect size 0.24) and national test grades for physics, but not for biology and chemistry. With respect to course grades, we find no significant effects at all. We consider explanations for the differences in the estimated effects across science subjects and between types of outcome variables, i.e. national standardised tests versus course grades.
Context and Implications Document for: Inquiry‐based learning put to the test: Medium‐term effects of a science and technology for children programme
Authors: Mellander Erik , Svärdh Joakim
Published: March 2018

This guide accompanies the following article: Mellander, E. & Svärdh, J. 2018 Inquiry‐based learning put to the test: Medium‐term effects of a science and technology for children programme. Review of Education, https://doi.org/10.1002/rev3.3109
Using partial least square discriminant analysis to distinguish between Islamic and conventional banks in the MENA region
Authors: Sghaier Asma , Ben Jabeur Sami , Bannour Boutheina
Published: March 2018

The deterioration of bank profitability poses a threat not only to the interests of consumers and internal staff members but also affects investors who may equally suffer from significant financial losses. It is important to establish an effective system which assists investors in their investment choices. In prior literature, traditional models have been developed, but achieved short‐term performances such as logistic regression and discriminant analysis. This paper applies a partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) to distinguish between conventional and Islamic banks in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region based on the financial information for the period 2005–2011. This method can successfully identify the non‐linearity and correlations between financial indicators. The results demonstrate superior performance of the proposed method. On one hand, our model can select all financial ratios to distinguish between banks and at the same time identify the most important variables in the distinction process. On the other hand, the proposed model has high levels in terms of accuracy and stability.
Adaptive frequency‐hopping schemes for CR‐based multi‐link satellite networks
Authors: Aykin Irmak , Krunz Marwan , Xiao Yong
Published: March 2018

In this paper, we study two dynamic frequency hopping (DFH)–based interference mitigation approaches for satellite communications. These techniques exploit the sensing capabilities of a cognitive radio to predict future interference on the upcoming frequency hops. We consider a topology where multiple low Earth orbit satellites transmit packets to a common geostationary equatorial orbit satellite. The FH sequence of each low Earth orbit–geostationary equatorial orbit link is adjusted according to the outcome of out‐of‐band proactive sensing scheme, performed by a cognitive radio module in the geostationary equatorial orbit satellite. On the basis of sensing results, new frequency assignments are made for the upcoming slots, taking into account the transmit powers, achievable rates, and overhead of modifying the FH sequences. In addition, we ensure that all satellite links are assigned channels such that their minimum signal‐to‐interference‐plus‐noise ratio requirements are met, if such an assignment is possible. We formulate two multi‐objective optimization problems: DFH‐Power and DFH‐Rate. Discrete‐time Markov chain analysis is used to predict future channel conditions, where the number of states are inferred using k‐means clustering, and the state transition probabilities are computed using maximum likelihood estimation. Finally, simulation results are presented to evaluate the effects of different system parameters on the performance of the proposed designs.
Random‐effects meta‐analysis of the clinical utility of tests and prediction models
Authors: Wynants L. , Riley R.D. , Timmerman D. , Van Calster B.
Published: March 2018

The use of data from multiple studies or centers for the validation of a clinical test or a multivariable prediction model allows researchers to investigate the test's/model's performance in multiple settings and populations. Recently, meta‐analytic techniques have been proposed to summarize discrimination and calibration across study populations. Here, we rather consider performance in terms of net benefit, which is a measure of clinical utility that weighs the benefits of true positive classifications against the harms of false positives. We posit that it is important to examine clinical utility across multiple settings of interest. This requires a suitable meta‐analysis method, and we propose a Bayesian trivariate random‐effects meta‐analysis of sensitivity, specificity, and prevalence. Across a range of chosen harm‐to‐benefit ratios, this provides a summary measure of net benefit, a prediction interval, and an estimate of the probability that the test/model is clinically useful in a new setting. In addition, the prediction interval and probability of usefulness can be calculated conditional on the known prevalence in a new setting. The proposed methods are illustrated by 2 case studies: one on the meta‐analysis of published studies on ear thermometry to diagnose fever in children and one on the validation of a multivariable clinical risk prediction model for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer in a multicenter dataset. Crucially, in both case studies the clinical utility of the test/model was heterogeneous across settings, limiting its usefulness in practice. This emphasizes that heterogeneity in clinical utility should be assessed before a test/model is routinely implemented.