bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Slowly, slowly in the wind
Authors: Saladino M. I. , Pols O. R. , Abate C.
Published: May 2019

Wind mass transfer in binary systems with asymptotic giant branch (AGB) donor stars plays a fundamental role in the formation of a variety of objects, including barium stars and carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) stars. In an attempt to better understand the properties of these systems, we carry out a comprehensive set of smoothed-particle hydrodynamics (SPH) simulations of wind-losing AGB stars in binaries for a variety of binary mass ratios, orbital separations, initial wind velocities, and rotation rates of the donor star. The initial parameters of the simulated systems are chosen to match the expected progenitors of CEMP stars. We find that the strength of interaction between the wind and the stars depends on the ratio of wind velocity to orbital velocity (v∞/vorb) and on the binary mass ratio. Strong interaction occurs for close systems and comparable mass ratios, and gives rise to a complex morphology of the outflow and substantial angular-momentum loss, which leads to a shrinking of the orbit. As the orbital separation increases and the mass of the companion star decreases, the morphology of the outflow and the angular-momentum loss become more similar to the spherically symmetric wind case. We also explore the effects of tidal interaction and find that for orbital separations up to 7−10 AU, depending on mass ratio, spin-orbit coupling of the donor star occurs at some point during the AGB phase. If the initial wind velocity is relatively low, we find that corotation of the donor star results in a modified outflow morphology that resembles wind Roche-lobe overflow. In this case the mass-accretion efficiency and angular-momentum loss differ from those found for a non-rotating donor. Finally, we provide relations for the mass-accretion efficiency and angular-momentum loss as a function of v∞/vorb and the binary mass ratio that can be easily implemented in a population synthesis code to study populations of barium stars, CEMP stars, and other products of interaction in AGB binaries, such as cataclysmic binaries and type Ia supernovae.
Establishment of age-specific reference levels and achievable doses for children and adults undergoing nuclear medicine exams
Authors: Shahzad A. , Bashir S. , Anwar A.
Published: May 2019

Reference levels (RLs) and achievable doses (ADs) have been investigated for routine nuclear medicine and molecular imaging procedures across various hospitals. The RLs and ADs were then set at 75th and 50th percentile of the data collected respectively. The minimum and maximum administered activities (in MBq) were asked for 99mTc-DTPA, 99mTc-DMSA, 99mTc-HIDA, 99mTc-MDP, 99mTc-Pertechnetate (for thyroid imaging) and 18F-FDG (whole body imaging), 99mTc-Sestamibi cardiac scan (rest and stress) 2-day protocols, 99mTc-parathyroid and 99mTc-labeled GI bleeding. The pediatrics were divided into three age groups of (> 1–5), (> 5–10) and (> 10–15) years. The observations show that, in most of cases, children are administered higher quantities of radiopharmaceuticals than recommended by guidelines. However, the adults are given right amount of does in most of the imaging procedures. It is shown that findings of the study can enable facilities to compare their radiation doses to the international guidelines and adjust them according to patient body size and weight to get image quality corresponding to right radiation dose.
Scientific Backgrounds for the Timing of Acute Care Surgery
Authors: Eschmann David , Köck Manuela , Bludau Frederic , Obertacke Udo
Published: May 2019

The correct timing of urgent surgery in the field of orthopedic and trauma surgery is under constant discussion. The authors of this review like to present a scientific based recommendation for the timing of acute care surgery using the TACS-classification for the description of urgency. The timing and priority of the indicated procedure is deduced only from the expected mortality and disability caused by a potential delay. A proposal for a nomenclature is given to be integrated in the clinical practice and to be completed.
Fibroid Expulsion after Uterine Artery Embolization
Authors: Ochmanek Emily , Brown Matthew A. , Rochon Paul J.
Published: May 2019

Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is a ubiquitous procedure, and a broadly recognized alternative to surgical interventions for symptomatic leiomyomata when uterine preservation is desired. Aside from postembolization syndrome (typically considered an expected feature of recovery), the most frequently described complications are temporary or permanent amenorrhea and lingering vaginal discharge. Less frequently described complications include fibroid expulsion (FE), protracted or refractory pain, infection, urinary retention, and access-related injuries. Reported rates of transcervical FE vary in the literature from 3 to 50% but are most often quoted to be around 5 to 15%. Certain features predispose a patient to FE, including size and location of the tumor, with pedunculated submucosal, submucosal, and transmural lesions considered to be “high risk.” While the optimal management of FE has not been definitively determined, high rates of nonoperative management of FE are noted in the literature. This article describes a case in which a fibroid was expulsed following UAE, as well as the management of the complication. A literature review and recommendations for the management of FE is also given.
A Health Informatics Reporting System for Technology Illiterate Workforce Using Mobile Phone
Authors: Durrani Muhammad Imran Afzal , Qureshi Noman Sohaib , Ahmad Nadeem , Naz Tabbasum , Amelio Alessia
Published: May 2019

Background The reduction and control over neonatal, infant, and maternal mortality is a collective mission of the World Health Organization under United Nations.

Methods This article summarizes the automation of verbal autopsy reporting for neonatal, infant, and maternal mortality with primary focus on user-centered design for technologically illiterate workforce with minimum available resources. The diminution in neonatal, infant, and maternal deaths is not possible until grassroot level quality data are available for mortality. The estimated data are less effective for developing countries like Pakistan because it has heterogeneous demographic pockets with respect to mortality causes. The Neonatal, Infant, and Maternal Death E-surveillance System is a project in which a real-time reporting system is innovated that is useful in detecting the causes of mortality and effective in adopting appropriate countermeasure policies. In a pilot study, the system was implemented initially in nine districts of Punjab, Pakistan. The initial system was refined after getting detailed feedback from district management staff including Lady Health Workers and Lady Health Supervisors. The refined surveillance system was finally implemented in all 36 districts of Punjab, Pakistan.

Results The results exhibited 31% improvement in infant data collection and 6% improvement in maternal data collection regarding mortality.

Conclusion This research will be helpful in achieving the milestone of gathering real-time mortality data from grassroot level using user-centered design methodology.
Glassy dynamics in dense systems of active particles
Authors: Berthier Ludovic , Flenner Elijah , Szamel Grzegorz
Published: May 2019

Despite the diversity of materials designated as active matter, virtually all active systems undergo a form of dynamic arrest when crowding and activity compete, reminiscent of the dynamic arrest observed in colloidal and molecular fluids undergoing a glass transition. We present a short perspective on recent and ongoing efforts to understand how activity competes with other physical interactions in dense systems. We review recent experimental work on active materials that uncovered both classic signatures of glassy dynamics and intriguing novel phenomena at large density. We discuss a minimal model of self-propelled particles where the competition between interparticle interactions, crowding, and self-propulsion can be studied in great detail. We present more complex models that include some additional, material-specific ingredients. We provide some general perspectives on dense active materials, suggesting directions for future research, in particular, for theoretical work.
Gallium antimonide infrared photodetector grown directly on silicon for first time
Authors: Liebendorfer Adam
Published: May 2019

Researchers report new manufacturing strategy that includes molecular beam epitaxy for producing larger and more cost-effective next-generation infrared photodetectors.
Land use alters soil propagule banks of wetlands down the soil-depth profile
Authors: Dawson Samantha K. , Catford Jane A. , Berney Peter , Kingsford Richard T. , Capon Samantha
Published: May 2019

Many studies have investigated the effects of human disturbances on floodplain propagule banks, but few have examined how these propagule banks change down the soil depth profile. Changes in soil propagule banks with depth can indicate the state of past vegetation and potentially demonstrate the effects of different land uses on the soil profile. Here, we examined changes in soil propagule banks down the soil-depth profile in an Australian floodplain wetland with five different land-use histories, ranging from a, in this case, relatively minor disturbance (clearing) through to more major disturbance (continuous cultivation). Land use had a larger influence than floodplain geomorphology on the propagule distribution of wetland plant-group numbers. An observed decrease in individuals over the depth profile also altered terrestrial plant groups in fields with longer land-use histories. Overall, soil-propagule profiles for terrestrial plants were not as affected by land use as were those of wetland plants. The geomorphological position on the floodplain also altered the soil propagule bank, with areas subject to the most flooding having the highest number of wetland species and retaining more of these species with greater depths. In conclusion, land-use impacts alter soil-propagule banks down the profile, despite most studies focussing on the top few centimetres.
Distribution of batoid demersal assemblages on the continental shelf of the Gulf of Tehuantepec
Authors: Torres-Huerta Ana María , López-Pérez Ramón Andrés , Tapia-García Margarito , Gracía Adolfo
Published: May 2019

Information on the relationship between batoid demersal assemblages and environmental factors is scarce. We captured a total of 23414 batoids belonging to 16 species with bottom trawls at 243 sampling stations in the Gulf of Tehuantepec, Mexico. The species Urotrygon rogersi, Urotrygon chilensis and Narcine vermiculatus represented 70.1% of the abundance and 46.3% of the biomass. Five batoid assemblages were identified using hierarchical cluster and similarity profile analyses. Four assemblages were located at depths less than 40m and one assemblage was located at depths between 40 and 62m. The main batoid group was located in front of the most important lagoon complexes. The abundance biomass comparison method indicated that small species were dominant in terms of abundance in most assemblages. The set of environmental conditions and habitat characteristics (longitude, depth and sea surface temperature) present in the Gulf of Tehuantepec predicted important changes in the batoid community and affected its spatiotemporal distribution pattern.
Process control maps to design an ultra-high strength-ductile steel
Authors: Forouzan Farnoosh , Borasi Luciano , Vuorinen Esa , Mücklich Frank
Published: May 2019

Steel with 2.4–2.5 GPa tensile strength and elongation to fracture of 4.8–5.7%, is produced by designing a novel heat treatment identical to quenching and tempering, in less than a few minutes. Since addition of Si to Fe–Mn steel promotes the austenite stabilisation by carbon enrichment, the elongation to fracture of 0.6C–1.6Si–1.2Mn (wt-%) steel treated by different quenching and partitioning (Q&P) routes is improved. Results demonstrated by process control maps give a good overview of the final microconstituents. By using higher partitioning temperatures, the tempering of martensite, stabilisation of austenite and improvement of the mechanical properties, could effectively be accelerated. This approach results in significant time and cost reduction which makes this heat treatment attractive for industries.
On the stable estimation of flow geometry and wall shear stress from magnetic resonance images
Authors: Egger H , Teschner G
Published: May 2019

We consider the stable reconstruction of flow geometry and wall shear stress from measurements obtained by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). As noted in a review article by Petersson, most approaches considered so far in the literature seem to not be satisfactory. We therefore propose a systematic reconstruction procedure that allows us to obtain stable estimates of flow geometry and wall shear stress and we are able to quantify the reconstruction errors in terms of bounds for the measurement errors under reasonable smoothness assumptions. A complete analysis of our approach is given in the framework of regularization methods. In addition, we briefly discuss the implementation of our method and we demonstrate its viability, accuracy, and regularizing properties for experimental data.
Calibration of Aircraft Airdata Systems Using Adaptive Filtering Algorithm
Authors: Mohamed Majeed , Joy Nidhin , Kumar Asok
Published: May 2019

This paper focuses on the calibration of aircraft airdata system to obtain online accurate Angle of Attack(AOA) and Angle of Sideslip (AOSS) from measured quantities contain error. For this purpose, an adaptive version of the extended Kalman filter (EKF) is employed to estimate accurately flight path trajectories of an aircraft. The investigations are made with flight simulated data with turbulence effects. Results are analyzed and found that adaptive EKF provides more accurate results over EKF.
A Piece-Wise Linearization PID Control of Aero-engine Software Defined Control System
Authors: Ji Xiaoxiang , Li Jianghong , Ren Jiao , Wu Yafeng
Published: May 2019

A scheme of piece-wise linearization PID control of aero-engine software defined control system based on wireless network is proposed in this paper. The characteristic of the system is that the PID controller is separated and distributed among the nodes of the wireless network, each node has the function of computing, memory and wireless communication, no core control unit in the system and the whole wireless network acts as a distributed PID controller. The linearization model and corresponding tuning parameters at different working points in flight envelope of the aero-engine are established offline using the memory resource of each node to make the node task parameters switch when the aero-engine working at different points. Finally, MATLAB/Simulink software tool is used to conduct the digital simulation analysis, the result shows that the proposed scheme achieves good dynamic and steady-state performance, and achieves good control effect.
Antlion Optimization for Bending of Arrow Honeycomb
Authors: Jiang Hengkun , Fang Houfei , Hou Yangqing , Wu Ke
Published: May 2019

In view of the single curved deformation characteristics of zero Poisson’s ratio (ZPR) honeycomb, Arrow honeycomb with ZPR is applied to the reflecting surface of the spatial parabolic cylinder antenna in this paper. First of all, the loading method for cylinder formation of honeycomb with ZPR is analysed. Then, Abaqus analysis, surface fitting and precision calculation are integrated into the objective function. Antlion Optimization (ALO) algorithm is used to optimize the RMS error of the deformed surface. The analysis results show that it is feasible to apply the honeycomb with ZPR to the reflector of cylindrical antenna, and the accuracy of deformed profile is improved by 45.5% through the ALO algorithm, which proves the effectiveness and efficiency of the ALO algorithm to solve the problem with unknown initial value. The research results are certainly significant for the optimization design of honeycomb with ZPR and the application of ALO algorithm.
Approach and Application of Semi-Blind Source Separation for Aero-Engine Vibration Signals Using ICA-R
Authors: Shi Lujie , Wang Yankai , Liao Mingfu , Jiang Yunfan
Published: May 2019

In this paper, the approach and application of semi-blind source separation (SBSS) in aero-engine vibration signal is studied. Firstly, the features of aero-engine vibration signal and difficulties for blind source separation (BSS) are summarized, and the SBSS incorporated the available prior knowledge is match to the goal of signal processing. Then, the ICA with reference (ICA-R) algorithm based on classical FastICA is introduced, with Newton iteration and gradient descent iteration approach to obtain optimal solution. The unique parameters in ICA-R for aero-engine vibration signal are also provided. Finally, the efficacy and the accuracy of the ICA-R algorithm are verified by numerical simulations and real engine vibration signals. The approach of SBSS in this paper perfectly suited to handle aero-engine vibration source separation and it lead to efficient implementation in fault diagnosis.
Study of the Possibility of Using the Mechanics of Inflatable Braking Devices to Remove the Spacecraft
Authors: Koryanov Vsevolod V. , Toporkov Alexey G. , Kazakovtsev Victor P. , Nedogarok Anton A.
Published: May 2019

The problem of accumulation of space debris in near-Earth space is very relevant now. More than 15,000 debris have been recorded, and this represents a danger for current and future missions to space. A solution to this issue is to remove these spacecrafts from orbit. One of the ways to do it is to use inflatable device. These inflatable braking device can be installed on the landing vehicles on Earth, before their launch, or after they have been labelled as space debris. Studies have already been conducted about inflatable device. Using inflatable device instead of rigid device has advantages, such as a small mass and a great compacity, which is convenient to respect the required launching volume. This paper is dedicated to use of various inflatable brake devices and they are compared with each other.
Numerical Study of Fillet Surface Effect on the Ducted Performance Using OpenFOAM
Authors: Bahatmaka Aldias , kim Dong Joon , Pranggono Hadi
Published: May 2019

In the present study, the effect of fillet surface on the performance of the ducted propeller using Reynolds-Average Navier Stokes (RANS) method is applied. The numerical simulations compare the propeller model with fillet on the surface and without fillet. OpenFOAM is used to simulate the performances and solve the problems in the open water propeller simulation. MRF approach is applied for this simulation. Kaplan model with the 19A nozzle is investigated by comparing the results with experimental data. The effect of fillet surface on the ducted propeller are presented and discussed in this study.
Research on the Application of Supportability Analysis Technology in Ejection Seat
Authors: Wang Wensheng , Jin Liying , Liu Jing , Sun Xi
Published: May 2019

Ejection seat is a complex system that can be both one-time-used and continuous-used, in which the supportability analysis technology plays an essential role. Supportability analysis includes Reliability-Centered Maintenance Analysis (RCMA, for short), Corrective Maintenance Analysis, Level of Repair Analysis (LORA, for short), Operation and Maintenance Task Analysis (O&MTA, for short), Support Equipment Requirement Analysis and Spare Parts Requirement Analysis (shortened as “6A”). Firstly, in this paper, the concept of “6A” technology and their relationship are introduced. The general “6A” working process of a certain type of ejection seat is then studied. In the end, the “6A” work is carried out on a certain type of ejection seat according to the analytical steps and requirements to “6A”.
The Effect of Sealing Ring Gap on Hydrogen Peroxide Electric Pump
Authors: Yuanbo He , Hongliang Pan , Yang Liu , Fei Qin , Bin He
Published: May 2019

Chained decomposition will take place in terms of overheat of high concentration hydrogen peroxide, which will further cause explosion, in the electric pump pressurized liquid propellant rocket engine, which takes hydrogen peroxide of high concentration as oxidizing agent, the design of oxidant pump should consider safety factor for temperature rising of hydrogen peroxide and the influence of pump efficiency on quality control of motor system simultaneously. It’s very important to know the effect of sealing ring gap at the bottom of impeller on temperature rising of bearing chamber and pump efficiency. So, this paper firstly establishes mathematical modal about the effect of sealing ring gap on temperature rising of bearing chamber and pump efficiency loss, to gain influencing curve, and then it analyzes parameters of cooling flow and mechanism of temperature rising, and give reasonable gap values, which take both safety and efficiency into account. Finally, 3D simulation calculation is carried out through pumplinx to verify the accuracy of this influence model.
WDR92 is required for axonemal dynein heavy chain stability in cytoplasm
Authors: Patel-King Ramila S. , Sakato-Antoku Miho , Yankova Maya , King Stephen M.
Published: May 2019

WDR92 associates with a prefoldin-like cochaperone complex and known dynein assembly factors. WDR92 has been very highly conserved and has a phylogenetic signature consistent with it playing a role in motile ciliary assembly or activity. Knockdown of WDR92 expression in planaria resulted in ciliary loss, reduced beat frequency and dyskinetic motion of the remaining ventral cilia. We have now identified a Chlamydomonas wdr92 mutant that encodes a protein missing the last four WD repeats. The wdr92-1 mutant builds only ∼0.7-μm cilia lacking both inner and outer dynein arms, but with intact doublet microtubules and central pair. When cytoplasmic extracts prepared by freeze/thaw from a control strain were fractionated by gel filtration, outer arm dynein components were present in several distinct high molecular weight complexes. In contrast, wdr92-1 extracts almost completely lacked all three outer arm heavy chains, while the IFT dynein heavy chain was present in normal amounts. A wdr92-1 tpg1-2 double mutant builds ∼7-μm immotile flaccid cilia that completely lack dynein arms. These data indicate that WDR92 is a key assembly factor specifically required for the stability of axonemal dynein heavy chains in cytoplasm and suggest that cytoplasmic/IFT dynein heavy chains use a distinct folding pathway.
Real Men Don’t Cry: Skill Expressing Discrete Emotions Differentially Predicts Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Men and Women
Authors: Thompson Laura M , Tuck Natalie L , Pressman Sarah D , Consedine Nathan S
Published: May 2019

Background

Expressing emotions effectively is central to social functioning and has links to health and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Previous work has linked the ability to smile to lower CVD risk in men but has not studied other expressions or considered the context of these skills.

Purpose

To test whether the ability to express fear, anger, sadness, happiness, and disgust cross-sectionally predict CVD risk in both genders and whether links are moderated by the ability to decode others’ emotional signals.

Methods

A community sample of 125 men and women (30–75 years) provided trait emotion data before a laboratory visit where blood was drawn and performance-based assessments of the ability to signal and decode emotions were administered. Expressive accuracy was scored using FaceReader software. Projected CVD risk was calculated using Framingham, a New Zealand (NZ) specific, and Atherosclerosis CVD (ASCVD) risk algorithms.

Results

Accuracy expressing happiness predicted lower projected risk, whereas greater accuracy expressing fear and sadness predicted higher risk. Gender frequently moderated these links; greater accuracy expressing happiness predicted lower risk in men but not women. Conversely, greater accuracy expressing fear predicted higher risk in men, whereas greater accuracy expressing sadness predicted lower risk in women but, again, higher risk in men. The ability to accurately decode others’ emotions moderated some links.

Conclusions

The ability to signal emotion has complex links to health parameters. The ability to flexibly regulate expressions in accordance with gender norms may be one useful way of thinking about adaptive expressive regulation.
Natural history of spinal cord arteriovenous shunts: an observational study
Authors: Yu Jia-Xing , Hong Tao , Krings Timo , He Chuan , Ye Ming , Sun Li-Yong , Zhai Xiao-Dong , Xiang Si-Shi , Ma Yong-Jie , Bian Li-Song , Ren Jian , Tao Peng-Yu , Li Jing-Wei , Yang Fan , Li Gui-Lin , Ling Feng , Zhang Hong-Qi
Published: May 2019

The natural history of intradural spinal cord arteriovenous shunts is unknown. We performed an observational study in a consecutive patient cohort with symptomatic intradural spinal cord arteriovenous shunts who were admitted to three institutes to investigate the clinical course of this complex disease, which would provide valuable evidence to inform clinical decision-making. The clinical course of patients with symptomatic intradural spinal cord arteriovenous shunts from initial presentation to occurrence of clinical deterioration, initiation of treatment, or last follow-up was analysed. Patients with at least 1 month of observation were included in this study. Clinical onset and deterioration patterns were divided into acute and gradual. Annual and cumulative rates of clinical deterioration as well as their risk factors were analysed using Kaplan-Meier life table analysis and Cox proportional hazards model. To assess risks and benefits of treatment, post-treatment clinical courses were further assessed. Four hundred and sixty-six patients with a mean observational period of 36.9 ± 58.8 months were included; 56.7% of patients presented with acute onset, of whom 77.3% experienced spontaneous recovery. Age of onset older than 28 years, initial modified Aminoff and Logue scale of >3, mid-thoracic lesions and non-ventral lesions were independent predictors of failure for spontaneous recovery. The annual risk of general, acute and gradual clinical deterioration after onset was 30.7%, 9.9% and 17.7%, respectively. Risk of deterioration was highest in the early period after initial onset. Acute onset was the only independent risk factor [hazard ratio 1.957 (95% confidence interval, CI 1.324–2.894); P = 0.0008] of acute deterioration and gradual onset was the strongest predictor [hazard ratio 2.350 (95% CI 1.711–3.229); P < 0.0001] of the gradual deterioration among all the stratifying factors. After invasive treatment, complete obliteration was achieved in 37.9% of patients (138 of 364) and improved or stable clinical status was noted in 80.8% of patients. Forty-two patients (11.5%) experienced permanent complications. Overall post-treatment deterioration rate was 8.4%/year, and 5.3%/year if permanent complications were excluded. The natural history of symptomatic spinal cord arteriovenous shunts is poor, especially in the early period after onset, and early intervention is thus recommended. Initial onset pattern significantly affects the natural history of the lesion, which prompts a differentiated treatment strategy.
Dendritic Spine Density and Dynamics of Layer 5 Pyramidal Neurons of the Primary Motor Cortex Are Elevated With Aging
Authors: Davidson A M , Mejía-Gómez H , Jacobowitz M , Mostany R
Published: May 2019

It is well established that motor impairment often occurs alongside healthy aging, leading to problems with fine motor skills and coordination. Although previously thought to be caused by neuronal death accumulating across the lifespan, it is now believed that the source of this impairment instead stems from more subtle changes in neural connectivity. The dendritic spine is a prime target for exploration of this problem because it is the postsynaptic partner of most excitatory synapses received by the pyramidal neuron, a cortical cell that carries much of the information processing load in the cerebral cortex. We repeatedly imaged the same dendrites in young adult and aged mouse motor cortex over the course of 1 month to look for differences in the baseline state of the dendritic spine population. These experiments reveal increased dendritic spine density, without obvious changes in spine clustering, occurring at the aged dendrite. Additionally, aged dendrites exhibit elevated spine turnover and stabilization alongside decreased long-term spine survival. These results suggest that at baseline the aged motor cortex may exist in a perpetual state of relative instability and attempts at compensation. This phenotype of aging may provide clues for future targets of aging-related motor impairment remediation.
The Effect of Changing Financial Incentives on Repartnering*
Authors: Fisher Hayley , Zhu Anna
Published: May 2019

This article examines how a reduction in the financial resources available to lone parents affects repartnering. We exploit an Australian natural experiment that reduced the financial resources available to a subset of separating parents. Using biweekly administrative data capturing separations occurring among low- and middle- income couples, we show that the policy reform significantly increased the speed of repartnering for affected separating mothers. The results demonstrate that one way that lone mothers respond to a reduction in financial resources available at the time of relationship breakdown is by repartnering more quickly.
Who is in and who is out? A qualitative analysis of stakeholder participation in priority setting for health in three districts in Uganda
Authors: Razavi S Donya , Kapiriri Lydia , Abelson Julia , Wilson Michael
Published: May 2019

Stakeholder participation is relevant in strengthening priority setting processes for health worldwide, since it allows for inclusion of alternative perspectives and values that can enhance the fairness, legitimacy and acceptability of decisions. Low-income countries operating within decentralized systems recognize the role played by sub-national administrative levels (such as districts) in healthcare priority setting. In Uganda, decentralization is a vehicle for facilitating stakeholder participation. Our objective was to examine district-level decision-makers’ perspectives on the participation of different stakeholders, including challenges related to their participation. We further sought to understand the leverages that allow these stakeholders to influence priority setting processes. We used an interpretive description methodology involving qualitative interviews. A total of 27 district-level decision-makers from three districts in Uganda were interviewed. Respondents identified the following stakeholder groups: politicians, technical experts, donors, non-governmental organizations (NGO)/civil society organizations (CSO), cultural and traditional leaders, and the public. Politicians, technical experts and donors are the principal contributors to district-level priority setting and the public is largely excluded. The main leverages for politicians were control over the district budget and support of their electorate. Expertise was a cross-cutting leverage for technical experts, donors and NGO/CSOs, while financial and technical resources were leverages for donors and NGO/CSOs. Cultural and traditional leaders’ leverages were cultural knowledge and influence over their followers. The public’s leverage was indirect and exerted through electoral power. Respondents made no mention of participation for vulnerable groups. The public, particularly vulnerable groups, are left out of the priority setting process for health at the district. Conflicting priorities, interests and values are the main challenges facing stakeholders engaged in district-level priority setting. Our findings have important implications for understanding how different stakeholder groups shape the prioritization process and whether representation can be an effective mechanism for participation in health-system priority setting.
Entrepreneurial dynamism and the built environment in the evolution of university entrepreneurial ecosystems
Authors: Johnson David , Bock Adam J , George Gerard
Published: May 2019

University-centered entrepreneurial ecosystems (UCEEs) are complex webs of entrepreneurs, researchers, institutional support structures, and the built environment. We study the relationship between the built environment and the dynamism of the behavior of ecosystem agents in the evolution of UCEEs. Drawing upon data from interviews with ecosystem agents, as well as documents associated with the planning and development of purpose-built facilities (the built environment), we show how planned ecosystem evolution strategies differ from realized strategies. In particular, we develop a model of emergent response mechanisms to ecosystem dynamism and munificence, which include coping, learning, and adapting. We discuss UCEE evolution within a connectionist framework to better address the dynamic interaction of agents, institutions, and the environment.
Emergence of plasmid-mediated oxazolidinone resistance gene poxtA from CC17 Enterococcus faecium of pig origin
Authors: Huang Jinhu , Wang Mengli , Gao Yi , Chen Li , Wang Liping
Published: May 2019

Objectives

To characterize the oxazolidinone resistance gene poxtA on broad-host-range Inc18 plasmids from CC17 Enterococcus faecium of pig origin.

Methods

Oxazolidinone-resistant E. faecium isolates were screened for the presence of poxtA. The poxtA-carrying isolates were characterized by antimicrobial susceptibility testing, conjugation, S1-PFGE and hybridization. The poxtA-carrying plasmids were completely sequenced and their instability was verified.

Results

Two individual CC17 E. faecium strains were positive for poxtA. S1-PFGE and hybridization revealed the presence of a poxtA-carrying plasmid of ∼62 kb in both WZ27-2 and the transconjugant, while poxtA-carrying plasmids of different sizes were observed in QF25-1 and the transconjugant. The two poxtA-carrying plasmids, pC25-1 and pC27-2, belonged to the broad-host-range plasmids of the Inc18 family and carried dfrG, aadE, Δsat4, aph(3′)-III, erm(B), tet(M), tet(L) and fexB. Plasmid pC27-2 was virtually identical to pC25-1, with minor differences. The calculated transfer frequency was ∼0.87 × 10−8 and ∼1.03 × 10−7 per recipient to plasmids pC25-1 and pC27-2, respectively. Instability assays of the region with four adjacent IS1216Es, which forms three IS1216E translocatable units, revealed the formation of a series of mosaic circular intermediates.

Conclusions

We report the emergence of the plasmid-mediated oxazolidinone resistance gene poxtA in E. faecium from different farms in China. Comparison of the poxtA genetic context suggests that IS1216E elements play an important role in the dissemination of poxtA. The co-occurrence of poxtA with other antimicrobial and heavy metal resistance genes on the broad-host-range plasmids of the Inc18 family may lead to the co-selection of poxtA, contributing to its persistence and accelerating its dissemination.
Collections to think with
Authors: Hase Jackson , Darley Rebecca
Published: May 2019

Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery has a nationally significant coin collection, thanks mainly to two bequests in the early twentieth century. The donation by R. E. Hart, a local industrialist, was made along with all his accompanying notes and books. This collection offers unique insights into the habits and aims of Hart as a numismatist, his wider network and the intellectual community of collecting. Understanding Hart’s processes of acquisition, and his role as a learned society member and customer of major auction houses supplies the outlines of a shared endeavour that, in the early twentieth century, shaped social and personal, as well as economic and cultural identities. Collections and collecting like Hart’s were also fundamental in creating the resources and structures for numismatic study today, offering a reminder of the importance of preserving and understanding inclusive environments of knowledge curation, as well as context for the collections underpinning much current research.
Traces of Mysticism in Ibn al-Jawzī’s Thought; an Examination of His Baḥr al-Dumūʿ
Authors: Held Pascal
Published: May 2019

This study attempts to show that the well-known Ḥanbalī scholar Ibn al-Jawzī (d. 1201) was not, as commonly assumed, intrinsically opposed to mystical endeavours, but in fact himself had mystical inclinations. The basis for this argument is the previously unstudied Baḥr al-dumūʿ. A detailed examination of selected sections of this work reveals a relatively comprehensive, developed idea of the mystical path. This path sees man, upon being inspired by divine love, as desiring and later encountering God, leading to intoxication and intimacy with Him and, by extension, to mutual love between man and God. Baḥr al-dumūʿ often relies on the metaphors of monasteries and wine to illustrate this journey through which man takes on a new perspective focused on God’s unveiled countenance. This perspective enables him to decipher God’s subtle speech, which gives him a keen understanding of His actions and a spiritual cognizance of Him. Hence, man recognizes God alone as True Being, surrendering all to Him and passing from his own created existence to become a witness on His behalf. While Baḥr al-dumūʿ reveals mystical elements in Ibn al-Jawzī thought, this article nevertheless argues against identifying him on this basis as a Sufi.
40 Years of Change in Age- and Stage-Specific Cancer Incidence Rates in US Women and Men
Authors: Kehm Rebecca D , Yang Wan , Tehranifar Parisa , Terry Mary Beth
Published: May 2019

Background

Studies have documented a temporal increase in incidence for several cancers in US young adults aged 25 to 39-years, including noncardia gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, and distant-stage breast cancer. To further characterize trends in young adults, we assessed age-specific and stage-specific incidence trends from 1975 to 2015, overall (all malignant cancers combined), and for 18 and 16 cancer sites in women and men, respectively.

Methods

We used US population-based data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program to obtain overall and site-specific cancer incidence rates by sex and age group. We individually analyzed cancer sites with an incidence rate of at least 5 per 100 000 in 2015, accounting for greater than 90% of all cancer diagnoses. We estimated annual percent changes (APCs) using segment log-linear regression performed with joinpoint software; multiple permutation testing was used to identify inflection points. We forecasted overall cancer incidence through 2030 using age-period-cohort regression models.

Results

Based on trends occurring after the most recent joinpoint inflection point, overall cancer incidence increased by 1.15% (95% CI = 1.01% to 1.28%) per year in 25- to 39-year-old women and by 0.46% (95% CI = 0.17% to 0.75%) per year in 25- to 39-year-old men; APCs were of much lower magnitude in the older age groups (eg, 70- to 84-year-old women APC = −0.31%, 95% CI = −0.42% to −0.20%). We forecasted that overall cancer incidence will increase by an additional 11% by 2030 in 25- to 39-year-old women, and by an additional 12% in 25- to 39-year-old men. Ten of the 18 cancers assessed in 25- to 39-year-old women and 7 of the 16 cancers in 25- to 39-year-old men have been statistically significantly increasing over time. We found that the increase in incidence for young adults is stage specific for some cancers (eg, only nonlocalized breast cancer has increased in 25- to 39-year-old women).

Conclusion

Cancer incidence is increasing in young adults, particularly in young women.
Formal description of plant morphogenesis
Authors: Pałubicki Wojtek , Kokosza Andrzej , Burian Agata
Published: May 2019

Plant morphogenesis may be characterized by complex feedback mechanisms between signals specifying growth and by the growth of the plant body itself. Comprehension of such feedback mechanisms is an ongoing research task and can be aided with formal descriptions of morphogenesis. In this review, we present a number of established mathematical paradigms that are useful to the formal representation of plant shape, and of biomechanical and biochemical signaling. Specifically, we discuss work from a range of research areas including plant biology, material sciences, fluid dynamics, and computer graphics. Treating plants as organized systems of information processing allows us to compare these different mathematical methods in terms of their expressive power of biological hypotheses. This is an attempt to bring together a large number of computational modeling concepts and make them accessible to the analytical as well as empirical student of plant morphogenesis.
Genetic insights into the modification of the pre-fertilization mechanisms during plant domestication
Authors: Manrique Silvia , Friel James , Gramazio Pietro , Hasing Tomas , Ezquer Ignacio , Bombarely Aureliano
Published: May 2019

Plant domestication is the process of adapting plants to human use by selecting specific traits. The selection process often involves the modification of some components of the plant reproductive mechanisms. Allelic variants of genes associated with flowering time, vernalization, and the circadian clock are responsible for the adaptation of crops, such as rice, maize, barley, wheat, and tomato, to non-native latitudes. Modifications in the plant architecture and branching have been selected for higher yields and easier harvests. These phenotypes are often produced by alterations in the regulation of the transition of shoot apical meristems to inflorescences, and then to floral meristems. Floral homeotic mutants are responsible for popular double-flower phenotypes in Japanese cherries, roses, camellias, and lilies. The rise of peloric flowers in ornamentals such as snapdragon and florists’ gloxinia is associated with non-functional alleles that control the relative expansion of lateral and ventral petals. Mechanisms to force outcrossing such as self-incompatibility have been removed in some tree crops cultivars such as almonds and peaches. In this review, we revisit some of these important concepts from the plant domestication perspective, focusing on four topics related to the pre-fertilization mechanisms: flowering time, inflorescence architecture, flower development, and pre-fertilization self-incompatibility mechanisms.
Unraveling the genetic architecture of grain size in einkorn wheat through linkage and homology mapping and transcriptomic profiling
Authors: Yu Kang , Liu Dongcheng , Chen Yong , Wang Dongzhi , Yang Wenlong , Yang Wei , Yin Lixin , Zhang Chi , Zhao Shancen , Sun Jiazhu , Liu Chunming , Zhang Aimin
Published: May 2019

Genome-wide linkage and homology mapping revealed 17 genomic regions harboring 42 QTLs affecting grain size in einkorn wheat. Transcriptomic analysis identified 20 genes involved in grain development and starch biosynthesis with differential expression between two parental lines.
Source–sink relationships during early crop development influence earliness of sugar accumulation in sugarcane
Authors: Saez Julio V , Mariotti Jorge A , Vega Claudia R C
Published: May 2019

The dynamics of tiller production and senescence modify early source–sink relationships in sugarcane and the thermal time from crop emergence to the end of the tiller mortality phase appears to be a key trait in identifying earliness of sucrose accumulation.
Mathematical principles and models of plant growth mechanics: from cell wall dynamics to tissue morphogenesis
Authors: Smithers Euan T , Luo Jingxi , Dyson Rosemary J
Published: May 2019

Plant growth research produces a catalogue of complex open questions. We argue that plant growth is a highly mechanical process, and that mathematics gives an underlying framework with which to probe its fundamental unrevealed mechanisms. This review serves to illustrate the biological insights afforded by mathematical modelling and demonstrate the breadth of mathematically rich problems available within plant sciences, thereby promoting a mutual appreciation across the disciplines. On the one hand, we explain the general mathematical principles behind mechanical growth models; on the other, we describe how modelling addresses specific problems in microscale cell wall mechanics, tip growth, morphogenesis, and stress feedback. We conclude by identifying possible future directions for both biologists and mathematicians, including as yet unanswered questions within various topics, stressing that interdisciplinary collaboration is vital for tackling the challenge of understanding plant growth mechanics.
Universal expansion with spatially varying G
Authors: Christodoulou Dimitris M , Kazanas Demosthenes
Published: May 2019

We calculate the expansion of the Universe under the assumptions that G varies in space and the radial size r of the Universe is very large (we call this the MOND regime of varying-G gravity). The inferred asymptotic behaviour turns out to be different from that found by McCrea & Milne in 1934 and our equations bear no resemblance to those of the relativistic case. In this cosmology, the scale factor R(t) increases linearly with time t, the radial velocity is driven by inertia, and gravity is incapable of hindering the expansion. Yet, Hubble’s law is borne out without any additional assumptions. When we include a repulsive acceleration ade due to dark energy, the resulting universal expansion is then driven totally by this new term and the solutions for ade → 0 do not reduce to those of the ade ≡ 0 case. This is a realization of a new Thom catastrophe: The inclusion of the new term alters the conservation of energy and the dark energy solutions are not reducible to those in the case without dark energy.
The Birth and Death of Toxins with Distinct Functions: A Case Study in the Sea Anemone Nematostella
Authors: Sachkova Maria Y , Singer Shir A , Macrander Jason , Reitzel Adam M , Peigneur Steve , Tytgat Jan , Moran Yehu
Published: May 2019

The cnidarian Nematostella vectensis has become an established lab model, providing unique opportunities for venom evolution research. The Nematostella venom system is multimodal: involving both nematocytes and ectodermal gland cells, which produce a toxin mixture whose composition changes throughout the life cycle. Additionally, their modes of interaction with predators and prey vary between eggs, larvae, and adults, which is likely shaped by the dynamics of the venom system.

Nv1 is a major component of adult venom, with activity against arthropods (through specific inhibition of sodium channel inactivation) and fish. Nv1 is encoded by a cluster of at least 12 nearly identical genes that were proposed to be undergoing concerted evolution. Surprisingly, we found that Nematostella venom includes several Nv1 paralogs escaping a pattern of general concerted evolution, despite belonging to the Nv1-like family. Here, we show two of these new toxins, Nv4 and Nv5, are lethal for zebrafish larvae but harmless to arthropods, unlike Nv1. Furthermore, unlike Nv1, the newly identified toxins are expressed in early life stages. Using transgenesis and immunostaining, we demonstrate that Nv4 and Nv5 are localized to ectodermal gland cells in larvae.

The evolution of Nv4 and Nv5 can be described either as neofunctionalization or as subfunctionalization. Additionally, the Nv1-like family includes several pseudogenes being an example of nonfunctionalization and venom evolution through birth-and-death mechanism. Our findings reveal the evolutionary history for a toxin radiation and point toward the ecological function of the novel toxins constituting a complex cnidarian venom.