bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recognition pest by image‐based transfer learning
Authors: Dawei Wang , Limiao Deng , Jiangong Ni , Jiyue Gao , Hongfei Zhu , Zhongzhi Han
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUND

Plant pests mainly refers to insects and mites that harm crops and products. There are a wide variety of plant pests, with wide distribution, fast reproduction and large quantity, which directly causes serious losses to crops. Therefore, pest recognition is very important for crops to grow healthily, and this in turn affects crop yields and quality. At present, it is a great challenge to realize accurate and reliable pest identification.

RESULTS

In this study, we put forward a diagnostic system based on transfer learning for pest detection and recognition. This method is able to train and test ten types of pests and achieves an accuracy of 93.84%. We compared this transfer learning method with human experts and a traditional neural network model. Experimental results show that the performance of the proposed method is comparable to human experts and the traditional neural network. To verify the general adaptability of this model, we used our model to recognize two types of weeds: Sisymbrium sophia and Procumbent Speedwell, and achieved an accuracy of 98.92%.

CONCLUSION

The proposed method can provide evidence for the control of pests and weeds and the precise spraying of pesticides. Thus, it provides reliable technical support for precision agriculture. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Regional control for a spatially structured malaria model
Authors: Aniţa Sebastian , Capasso Vincenzo , Dimitriu Gabriel
Published: March 2019

A two‐component reaction‐diffusion system to describe the spread of malaria is considered. The model describes the dynamics of the infected mosquitoes and of the infected humans. The spread of the disease is controlled by three actions (controls) implemented in a subdomain of the habitat: killing mosquitoes, treating the infected humans, and reducing the contact rate mosquitoes‐humans. To start with, the problem of the eradicability of the disease is considered, while the cost of the controls is ignored. We prove that it is possible to decrease exponentially both the human and the vector infective population everywhere in the relevant habitat by acting only in a suitable subdomain. Later, the regional control problem of reducing the total cost of the damages produced by the disease, of the controls, and of the intervention in a certain subdomain is treated for the finite time horizon case. An iterative algorithm to decrease the total cost is proposed; apart from the three controls considered above, the logistic structure of the habitat is taken into account. The level set method is used as a key ingredient for describing the subregion of intervention. Some numerical simulations are given to illustrate the applicability of the theoretical results.
A deep learning method for prediction of three‐dimensional dose distribution of helical tomotherapy
Authors: Liu Zhiqiang , Fan Jiawei , Li Minghui , Yan Hui , Hu Zhihui , Huang Peng , Tian Yuan , Miao Junjie , Dai Jianrong
Published: March 2019

Purpose

To develop a deep learning method for prediction of three‐dimensional (3D) voxel‐by‐voxel dose distributions of helical tomotherapy (HT).

Methods

Using previously treated HT plans as training data, a deep learning model named U‐ResNet‐D was trained to predict a 3D dose distribution. First, the contoured structures and dose volumes were converted from plan database to 3D matrix with a program based on a developed visualization toolkit (VTK), then transferred to U‐ResNet‐D for correlating anatomical features and dose distributions at voxel‐level. One hundred and ninety nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) patients treated by HT with multiple planning target volumes (PTVs) in different prescription patterns were studied. The model was typically trained from scratch with weights randomly initialized rather than using transfer‐learning method, and used to predict new patient's 3D dose distributions. The predictive accuracy was evaluated with three methods: (a) The dose difference at the position r, δ(r, r) = Dc(r) − Dp(r), was calculated for each voxel. The mean (μδ(r,r)) and standard deviation (σδ(r,r)) of δ(r, r) were calculated to assess the prediction bias and precision; (b) The mean absolute differences of dosimetric indexes (DIs) including maximum and mean dose, homogeneity index, conformity index, and dose spillage for PTVs and organ at risks (OARs) were calculated and statistically analyzed with the paired‐samples t test; (c) Dice similarity coefficients (DSC) between predicted and clinical isodose volumes were calculated.

Results

The U‐ResNet‐D model predicted 3D dose distribution accurately. For twenty tested patients, the prediction bias ranged from −2.0% to 2.3% and prediction error varied from 1.5% to 4.5% (relative to prescription) for 3D dose differences. The mean absolute dose differences for PTVs and OARs are within 2.0% and 4.2%, and nearly all the DIs for PTVs and OARs had no significant differences. The averaged DSC ranged from 0.95 to 1 for different isodose volumes.

Conclusions

The study developed a new deep learning method for 3D voxel‐by‐voxel dose prediction, and shown to be able to produce accurately dose predictions for nasopharyngeal patients treated by HT. The predicted 3D dose map can be useful for improving radiotherapy planning design, ensuring plan quality and consistency, making clinical technique comparison, and guiding automatic treatment planning.
NMR study of fresh cut salads: Influence of temperature and storage time on leaf structure and water distribution in escarole
Authors: Sorin Clément , Mariette François , Musse Maja
Published: March 2019

Consumption of fresh‐cut vegetables has rapidly increased over the past decades. Among salads, escarole is one of the most popular varieties. Specific packaging limits gas exchange and consequently water loss and bacterial respiration, increasing the shelf life of salads. Although the major cause of quality loss for minimally processed salads is the leaf textural changes, this aspect has rarely been investigated. Therefore, investigating structural changes of leaves during storage is important in order to understand and minimize quality loss of salads. In this study, we focused on the impact of storage duration and temperature on the escarole leaf structure. The complex leaf structure was investigated by relaxation NMR, via transverse relaxation times, which allows the specific description of vacuolar water compartment of the cell. The storage duration (maximum 12 days) and temperatures (4°C, 7°C, 10°C, and 12°C) have been chosen in order to represent the conditions registered in factory. The results showed that the temperature did not have significant impact on the salad structure during the first week. During the second week, changes in the water distribution and changes in the relaxation time T2 have been observed. The changes in transverse relaxation times associated with vacuolar water are related to lost of cell membrane and wall integrity. The NMR results confirmed the effect of storage temperature on the degradation process of the cell before visual detection of the salad leaf degradation. The present study confirmed the sensibility of NMR relaxometry for monitoring water changes in the leaf.
Enhanced dielectric performance and energy storage of PVDF‐HFP‐based composites induced by surface charged Al2O3
Authors: Li Jialong , Yin Jinghua , Yang Chen , Li Na , Feng Yu , Liu Yuanyuan , Zhao He , Li Yanpeng , Zhu Congcong , Yue Dong , Su Bo , Liu Xiaoxu
Published: March 2019

In order to enhance dielectric properties and energy storage density of poly(vinylidene fluoride‐hexafluoro propylene) (PVDF‐HFP), surface charged gas‐phase Al2O3 nanoparticles (GP‐Al2O3, with positive surface charges, ε’ ≈ 10) are selected as fillers to fabricate PVDF‐HFP‐based composites via simple physical blending and hot‐molding techniques. The results show that GP‐Al2O3 are dispersed homogeneously in the PVDF‐HFP matrix and the existence of nanoscale interface layer (matrix‐filler) is investigated by SAXS. The dielectric constant of the composites filled with 10 wt % GP‐Al2O3 is 100.5 at 1 Hz, which is 5.6 times higher than that of pure PVDF‐HFP. The maximum energy storage density of the composite is 4.06 J cm−3 at an electrical field of 900 kV mm−1 with GP‐Al2O3 content of 1 wt %. Experimental results show that GP‐Al2O3 could induce uniform fillers’ distribution and increase the concentration of electroactive β‐phase as well as enhance interfacial polarization in the matrix, which resulted in enhancements of dielectric constant and energy storage density of the PVDF‐HFP composites. This work demonstrates that surface charged inorganic‐oxide nanoparticles exhibit promising potential in fabricating ferroelectric polymer composites with relatively high dielectric constant and energy storage. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019, 57, 574–583
Population genetic structure and demographic history of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): implications for insect resistance management programs
Authors: Arias Osmar , Cordeiro Erick , Corrêa Alberto S , Domingues Felipe A , Guidolin Aline S , Omoto Celso
Published: March 2019

Background

Spodoptera frugiperda is a destructive pest that often imposes difficult management due to its high polyphagy and rapid insecticide resistance evolution. Knowledge of species diversification, population structure, and host preference can aid efforts to manage pest populations. Here, we investigated the patterns of hybridization, genetic structure, and gene flow in S. frugiperda populations, discussing how we can apply this knowledge to insect resistance management programs in South America.

Results

The corn‐strain CS‐h2 of S. frugiperda was the most frequent haplotype in all sampled populations. Spodoptera frugiperda populations are experiencing demographic expansion, and the ecoregions partially explain the genetic structure and not strains. We did not find a correlation between gene flow and susceptibility levels to flubendiamide and lufenuron insecticides, but populations with high LC50 sent a great number of migrants to all other locations, maintaining resistance alleles in the geographic range.

Conclusion

High levels of population admixture, including between corn‐ and rice‐strains, were found in sampled populations. We showed that S. frugiperda immigrants will not necessarily cause an increase in LC50 upon arrival in a new location but will assure the constant presence of resistance alleles in the area. Increases in LC50 largely depend on the local pesticide management adopted in the areas. Our results indicate that pesticide resistance management must be adopted on a local or small regional scale. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Thermoelectric Efficiency Enhanced by Fano Interference in a Quantum Anomalous Hall Insulator Quantum Dot
Authors: Zhang Shu‐Feng , Zhang Chang‐Wen , Wang Pei‐Ji , Gong Wei‐Jiang
Published: March 2019

Thermoelectric properties of a quantum dot (QD) connected to two metal leads are studied, where the QD is fabricated by the quantum anomalous Hall insulator. Surface states emerge at the edge of the QD due to the bulk‐boundary correspondence, while bulk states spread over the whole QD. Fano interference will occur between tunneling via surface and bulk states, which leads to asymmetric lineshape and minimum in the transmission and electric conductance spectrums. Both Seebeck coefficient and thermoelectric figure of merit are enhanced greatly in the energy regime of Fano interference. In addition, it is shown that Fano interference and thermoelectric properties can be well tuned by magnetic field.
Urea-De-Epithelialized Human Amniotic Membrane for Ocular Surface Reconstruction
Authors: Bandeira Francisco , Yam Gary Hin-Fai , Fuest Matthias , Ong Hon Shing , Liu Yu-Chi , Seah Xin-Yi , Shen Sunny Y. , Mehta Jodhbir S.
Published: March 2019

The conjunctiva is a clear tissue covering the white part of the eye and lines the back of the eyelids. Conjunctival diseases, such as symblepharon, cause inflammation, discharges, and photophobia. The treatment often requires excision of large parts of conjunctiva. Tissue engineering of conjunctival cells using human amniotic membrane (HAM) denuded of its epithelium as a basement membrane scaffold has been shown to be effective for covering conjunctival defects. However, most epithelial denudation protocols are time-consuming and expensive or compromise HAM’s basement membrane structure and matrix components. We have previously described a method to de-epithelialize HAM using ice-cold urea (uHAM). In this report, we used this method to provide tissue-engineered constructs with cultivated conjunctival epithelial cells on uHAM in two patients, one with a giant conjunctival nevus and the other with a large symblepharon. Autologous conjunctival epithelial cells harvested from incisional biopsies of these two patients were cultured on the uHAM scaffold. The transplantation of tissue-engineered constructs to patients’ ocular surface immediately after the removal of lesions showed successful reconstruction of the ocular surface. Postoperatively, there were neither recurrence of lesions nor epithelial defects throughout the follow-up (up to 7 and 19 months, respectively). This report highlights the translational potential of an efficient and inexpensive method to prepare de-epithelialized HAM as a basement membrane scaffold for cell-based tissue-engineered treatments of ocular surface disorders. Stem Cells Translational Medicine  2019;8:620&626
A new Cathaysiorthis (Brachiopoda) fauna from the lower Llandovery of eastern Qinling, China
Authors: Huang Bing , Harper David A. T. , Zhou Hang‐Hang , Zhan Ren‐Bin , Wang Yi , Tang Peng , Ma Jun‐Ye , Wang Guang‐Xu , Chen Di , Zhang Yu‐Chen , Luan Xiao‐Cong , Rong Jia‐Yu
Published: March 2019

Following the end Ordovician mass extinction, brachiopod faunas were commonly of low diversity, generally rare in abundance, and restricted to shallow‐water environments in many places. The Cathaysiorthis fauna, first described from South East China, is the most diverse brachiopod fauna in the world succeeding the Hirnantia fauna, and has modified our previous views on the recovery of shelly benthos after the extinctions. Here, we report a newly‐discovered fauna with abundant Cathaysiorthis from the lower Zhangwan Formation (lower–middle Rhuddanian, lower Llandovery) in Qinling, Xichuan County, Henan Province, China. This fauna is slightly younger than that previously documented from South East China, and the evolution of Cathaysiorthis fauna, in terms of its composition, is discussed. The Qinling Cathaysiorthis fauna has a narrower bathymetric range (Benthic Assemblage Zone 3) than that of the fauna from South East China (BA 2–5) and occurred on the Qinling–Dabie Microplate located on the northwest margin of the South China Plate. The migration of the Cathaysiorthis fauna from the South China plate to Qinling–Dabie was achieved by larvae that used ambient ocean currents and possibly drifted from the Jiangnan Region of South East China to Qinling. The Qinling Cathaysiorthis fauna includes 13 species belonging to 12 genera. Two new species, Cathaysiorthis xichuanensis sp. nov. and Aegiria apta sp. nov. are established and described herein, and ten other species are discussed.
Drowsiness Level Modeling Based on Facial Skin Temperature Distribution Using a Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Adachi Hiroko , Oiwa Kosuke , Nozawa Akio
Published: March 2019

Several drowsiness detection technologies have been developed to combat traffic accidents. Drowsiness evaluation has been attempted using the time‐series changes in nasal skin temperature. However, constructing a detection model based on this has been difficult because recent studies have reported an individual difference in skin temperature behaviors. In this study, the conventional method of extracting features was revised. The model of the level of drowsiness was constructed based on facial skin temperature distribution using a convolutional neural network (CNN). The drowsiness level was developed by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization as an objective drowsiness evaluation index based on facial expressions. With CNNs, features related to learning can be observed as feature quantity distributions. As a result, a general model created has a lack of generality and it is thought that not only the response to drowsiness, but also face shape, exhibit individual differences. Consequently, different features were found in each subject. Through feature maps in individual models, it is believed that skin temperature changes have both reproducible and individual response characteristics to drowsiness, due to the asymmetric left–right change in feature quantity distribution depending on the observed drowsiness level. This method was compared with the conventional method of extracting other features related to drowsiness. It suggested that the skin temperature of not only the nasal region but also the entire face changes as drowsiness increases. Consequently, each discrimination rate calculated by the CNN was at least 20% higher than that obtained via conventional methods. © 2019 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Concepts, Conceptions and Self-Knowledge
Authors: Sawyer Sarah
Published: March 2019

Content externalism implies first, that there is a distinction between concepts and conceptions, and second, that there is a distinction between thoughts and states of mind. The implications require us to rethink the nature of self-knowledge. In this paper, I argue for the partial-representation theory of self-knowledge, according to which the self-ascription of a thought is authoritative when it is based on a conscious, occurrent thought in virtue of which it partially represents an underlying state of mind. The model of self-knowledge I provide accommodates the distinction between concepts and conceptions and the distinction between thoughts and states of mind, and it also offers a middle path between absolute epistemic security on the one hand, and scepticism about first-personal self-knowledge on the other.
Critical assessment of the surgical treatment of low rectal adenocarcinoma in a reference hospital in Recife
Authors: Marques Thiago Alexandre Martins , Lucena Maurilio Toscano de , Silva Mauricio Jose de Matos e , Carvalho Joaquim Herbenio Costa , Carvalho Ana Rita Marinho Ribeiro , Barros Juscielle de Souza
Published: March 2019

Objectives To evaluate the rates of abdominoperineal resection in patients with low rectal adenocarcinoma at the Hospital Barão de Lucena – SES/PE.

Methodology This is a study based on the analysis of medical records of patients with low rectal adenocarcinoma submitted to surgical treatment at the Hospital Barão de Lucena Coloproctology Service between 2013 and 2016.

Results It was observed that 77.5% of patients underwent abdominoperineal resection and 22.5% underwent anal sparing surgery. Most of the patients were male (62.5%), were under 70 years old (72.5%), presented a BMI less than 30 kg/m2 (87.5%), presented American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score I and III (82.5%), Rullier classification from I to III (95%) and TNM different from T1–T3 (95%). In 92.5% of medical records, there was no record of fecal continence before surgery. The most frequent period between the end of the radiotherapy and the surgery was over 11 weeks (57.5%); the most common distance from the tumor to the anal margin was between 3.1 and 4.0 cm (35% of patients).

Conclusion There was a high rate of non-sparing anal sphincter surgeries. The only predictive factor for abdominoperineal resection was the presence of tumors classified as Rullier type III and IV.
Inequality and Optimal Redistribution
Authors: Tanninen Hannu , Tuomala Matti , Tuominen Elina
Published: March 2019

From the 1980s onward, income inequality increased in many advanced countries. It is very difficult to account for the rise in income inequality using the standard labour supply/demand explanation. Fiscal redistribution has become less effective in compensating increasing inequalities since the 1990s. Some of the basic features of redistribution can be explained through the optimal tax framework developed by J. A. Mirrlees in 1971. This Element surveys some of the earlier results in linear and nonlinear taxation and produces some new numerical results. Given the key role of capital income in the overall income inequality, it also considers the optimal taxation of capital income. It examines empirically the relationship between the extent of redistribution and the components of the Mirrlees framework. The redistributive role of factors such as publicly provided private goods, public employment, endogenous wages in the overlapping generations model and income uncertainty are analysed.
Impact of optimised trajectories on air traffic flow management
Authors: Rosenow J. , Fricke H. , Luchkova T. , Schultz M.
Published: March 2019

Multicriteria trajectory optimisation is expected to increase aviation safety, efficiency and environmental compatibility, although neither the theoretical calculation of such optimised trajectories nor their implementation into today’s already safe and efficient air traffic flow management reaches a satisfying level of fidelity. The calibration of the underlying objective functions leading to the virtually best available solution is complicated and hard to identify, since the participating stakeholders are very competitive. Furthermore, operational uncertainties hamper the robust identification of an optimised trajectory. These uncertainties may arise from severe weather conditions or operational changes in the airport management. In this study, the impact of multicriteria optimised free route trajectories on the air traffic flow management is analysed and compared with a validated reference scenario which consists of real flown trajectories during a peak hour of Europe’s complete air traffic in the upper airspace. Therefore, the TOolchain for Multicriteria Aircraft Trajectory Optimisation (TOMATO) is used for both the multicriteria optimisation of txrajectories and the calculation of the reference scenario. First, this paper gives evidence for the validity of the simulation environment TOMATO, by comparison of the integrated reference results with those of the commercial fast-time air traffic optimiser (AirTOp). Second, TOMATO is used for the multicriteria trajectory optimisation, the assessment of the trajectories and the calculation of their integrated impact on the air traffic flow management, which in turn is compared with the reference scenario. Thereby, significant differences between the reference scenario and the optimised scenario can be identified, especially considering the taskload due to frequent altitude changes and rescinded constraints given by waypoints in the reference scenario. The latter and the strong impact of wind direction and wind speed cause wide differences in the patterns of the lateral trajectories in the airspace with significant influence on the airspace capacity and controller’s taskload. With this study, the possibility of a successful 4D free route implementation into Europe’s upper airspace is proven even over central Europe during peak hours, when capacity constraints are already reaching their limits.
Do environmental preferences in wealthy nations persist in times of crisis? The European environmental attitudes (2008-2017)
Authors: Benedetta Cotta , Vincenzo Memoli
Published: March 2019

How do economic recessions affect European citizens’ attitudes towards environmental policies? In this article we investigate the attitudes of European citizens towards environmental protection considering its importance both at individual and country levels and adopting a longitudinal view. In light of the existing research on the link between pro-environmental attitudes and economic affluence of societies, including Ronald Inglehart’s theory of post-materialism, we hypothesise that levels of economic well-being as well as trust in political institutions are important drivers of Europeans’ attitudes towards environmental protection. Taking into consideration some macroeconomic indicators and the environmental attitude of public opinion, our main results show that even in time of crises, citizens’ pro-environmental attitudes persist in terms of importance, both at country and individual levels.
ON A QUESTION OF KRAJEWSKI’S
Authors: PAKHOMOV FEDOR , VISSER ALBERT
Published: March 2019

In this paper, we study finitely axiomatizable conservative extensions of a theoryUin the case whereUis recursively enumerable and not finitely axiomatizable. Stanisław Krajewski posed the question whether there are minimal conservative extensions of this sort. We answer this question negatively.

Consider a finite expansion of the signature ofUthat contains at least one predicate symbol of arity ≥ 2. We show that, for any finite extensionαofUin the expanded language that is conservative overU, there is a conservative extensionβofUin the expanded language, such that$\alpha \vdash \beta$and$\beta \not \vdash \alpha$. The result is preserved when we consider eitherextensionsormodel-conservative extensionsofUinstead ofconservative extensions. Moreover, the result is preserved when we replace$\dashv$as ordering on the finitely axiomatized extensions in the expanded language by a relevant kind of interpretability, to witinterpretability that identically translates the symbols of the U-language.

We show that the result fails when we consider an expansion with only unary predicate symbols for conservative extensions ofUordered by interpretability that preserves the symbols ofU.
Decreased percentage of CD4+ lymphocytes expressing chemokine receptors in bipolar disorder
Authors: Barbosa Izabela G. , Rocha Natalia P. , Vieira Erica L. , Camkurt Mehmet A. , Huguet Rodrigo B. , Guimarães Fabio T. L. , de Brito-Melo Gustavo E. , Mendonça Vanessa A. , Bauer Moises E. , Teixeira Antonio L.
Published: March 2019

Objective:

Although accumulating evidence supports the hypothesis that immune/inflammatory mechanisms are associated with the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder (BD), data about the profile of chemokines (chemotactic cytokines) and chemokine receptors are still scarce. The current study was designed to evaluate the expression of chemokine receptors on lymphocytes of patients with BD in comparison with controls.

Methods:

Thirty-three patients with type I BD (N= 21 in euthymia;N= 6 in mania/hypomania;N= 6 in depression) and 22 age- and sex-matched controls were subjected to clinical evaluation and peripheral blood draw. The expression of chemokine receptors CCR3, CCR5, CXCR4, and CXCR3 on CD4+and CD8+lymphocytes was assessed by flow cytometry.

Results:

Patients with BD had decreased percentage of CD4+CXCR3+(p= 0.024), CD4+CCR3+(p= 0.042), and CD4+CCR5+(0.013) lymphocytes in comparison with controls. The percentage of both CD4+and CD8+lymphocytes expressing the chemokine receptor CXCR4 was similar in patients with BD and controls. Likewise, the percentages of CD8+CXCR3+, CD8+CCR3+, and CD8+CCR5+lymphocytes were similar in patients with BD and controls.

Conclusion:

Our findings reinforce the hypothesis that immune pathways, especially involving CD4+lymphocytes, are involved in the physiopathology of BD.
The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on White Matter Hyperintensity Progression May Vary by Sex
Authors: Dao Elizabeth , Barha Cindy K. , Best John R. , Hsiung Ging-Yuek , Tam Roger , Liu-Ambrose Teresa
Published: March 2019

Cette étude a exploré l’efficacité de l’entraînement aérobie (EA) pour atténuer la progression de l’hyperintensité de la matière blanche (HMB) et les différences liées au sexe pour cette intervention. Un essai contrôlé randomisé a été mené pour évaluer l’effet de l’EA sur la cognition de personnes ayant un déficit cognitif d’origine vasculaire. Les participants ont été répartis aléatoirement entre deux groupes : 6 mois d’EA ou soins standards (groupe contrôle). Dans un sous-groupe de participants, l’imagerie par résonance magnétique a été utilisée pour quantifier le volume affecté par la HMB. Un modèle d’analyse de la covariance a permis de mettre en évidence une interaction sexe x groupe significative (p = 0,03). En effet, les femmes du groupe EA ont démontré une plus grande progression de l’hyperintensité de la matière blanche que les femmes du groupe contrôle (p = 0,05) pendant la durée de cette étude (6 mois). Chez les hommes, aucune différence n’a été observée entre les deux groupes (p = 0,31). Dans le groupe EA, les hommes ont montré une progression significativement moindre de la HMB, comparativement aux femmes (p = 0,01) après 6 mois. Ainsi, les effets de l’EA sur la progression de la HMB pourraient varier selon le sexe, et l’EA pourrait freiner la progression de la HMB chez les hommes, mais non chez les femmes.
Translating the BDI and BDI-II into the HAMD and vice versa with equipercentile linking
Authors: Furukawa Toshi A. , Reijnders Mirjam , Kishimoto Sanae , Sakata Masatsugu , DeRubeis Robert J. , Dimidjian Sona , Dozois David J.A. , Hegerl Ulrich , Hollon Steven D. , Jarrett Robin B. , Lespérance François , Segal Zindel V. , Mohr David C. , Simons Anne D. , Quilty Lena C. , Reynolds Charles F. , Gentili Claudio , Leucht Stefan , Engel Rolf R. , Cuijpers Pim
Published: March 2019

Aims

The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) are the most frequently used observer-rated and self-report scales of depression, respectively. It is important to know what a given total score or a change score from baseline on one scale means in relation to the other scale.

Methods

We obtained individual participant data from the randomised controlled trials of psychological and pharmacological treatments for major depressive disorders. We then identified corresponding scores of the HAMD and the BDI (369 patients from seven trials) or the BDI-II (683 patients from another seven trials) using the equipercentile linking method.

Results

The HAMD total scores of 10, 20 and 30 corresponded approximately with the BDI scores of 10, 27 and 42 or with the BDI-II scores of 13, 32 and 50. The HAMD change scores of −20 and −10 with the BDI of −29 and −15 and with the BDI-II of −35 and −16.

Conclusions

The results can help clinicians interpret the HAMD or BDI scores of their patients in a more versatile manner and also help clinicians and researchers evaluate such scores reported in the literature or the database, when scores on only one of these scales are provided. We present a conversion table for future research.
Survey of glyphosate-, atrazine- and lactofen-resistance mechanisms in Ohio waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus) populations
Authors: Murphy Brent P. , Larran Alvaro S. , Ackley Bruce , Loux Mark M. , Tranel Patrick J.
Published: March 2019

Herbicide resistance within key driver weeds, such as common waterhemp [Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) Sauer var. rudis (Sauer) Costea and Tardif ], constrains available management options for crop production. Routine surveillance for herbicide resistance provides a mechanism to monitor the development and spread of resistant populations over time. Furthermore, the identification and quantification of resistance mechanisms at the population level can provide information that helps growers develop effective management plans. Populations of Amaranthus spp., including A. tuberculatus, redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.), and Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson), were collected from 51 fields in Ohio during the 2016 growing season. Twenty-four A. tuberculatus populations were screened for resistance to the herbicides lactofen, atrazine, and glyphosate. Phenotypically resistant plants were further investigated to determine the frequency of known resistance mechanisms. Resistance to lactofen was infrequently observed throughout the populations, with 8 of 22 populations exhibiting resistant plants. Within those eight resistant populations, the ΔG210 resistance mechanism was observed in 17 of 30 phenotypically resistant plants, and the remainder lacked all known resistance mechanisms. Resistance to atrazine was observed in 12 of 15 populations; however, a target-site resistance mechanism was not observed in these populations. Resistance to glyphosate was observed in all populations. Gene amplification was the predominant glyphosate-resistance mechanism (147 of 322 plants) in the evaluated populations. The Pro-106-Ser mutation was identified in 24 plants, half of which also possessed gene amplification. In this study, molecular screening generally underestimated the phenotypically observed resistance. Continued mechanism discovery and marker development is required for improved detection of herbicide resistance through molecular assays.
Tabakabhängigkeit, Rauchverhalten und Depressivität bei COPD- Patienten: Teilergebnisse einer naturalistischen Studie zur krankheitsspezifischen Tabak- entwöhnung in pneumologischen Facharztpraxen (ATEMM-Studie)
Authors: Gudula Loth Franziska , Zeschke Martin , Bickhardt Jakob , Heindl Thomas , Mühlig Stephan
Published: March 2019

Zusammenfassung. Zielsetzung: Die chronisch-obstruktive Lungenerkrankung COPD wird hauptsächlich durch Tabakrauchen verursacht. Die Quote aktiver Raucher liegt in dieser Patientengruppe bei 33–50 %. Zugleich weisen COPD-Patienten eine im Bevölkerungsvergleich überdurchschnittliche psychische Komorbidität auf. Mögliche Zusammenhänge zwischen Depressivität, Tabakrauchen und Abstinenzerfolg werden im prospektiven Kohortendesign nach einer komplexen Tabakentwöhnungsintervention bei COPD untersucht. Methode: Anhand einer Teilstichprobe (N = 209) der ATEMM-Studie (AOK PLUS-Studie zur strukturierten Tabakentwöhnung durch pneumologische Facharztpraxen und Psychotherapeuten in Sachsen und Thüringen mit Minimalintervention vs. Maximalintervention) wurde überprüft, inwieweit Patienten mit depressiver Komorbidität zu ausgeprägterem Tabakkonsum und Rauchverhalten sowie einer höheren Tabakabhängigkeit und Misserfolgsquote neigen als psychisch unauffällige Patienten. Ergebnisse: Patienten mit Verdacht auf ein depressives Syndrom (PHQ-D) weisen eine hohe Rauchchronizität auf (96 % ≥ 20 Packungsjahre), bei psychisch unauffälligen Personen ist der Anteil signifikant niedriger (74 %, p = .045). Depressivität ist assoziiert mit höherer Tabakabhängigkeit. Zwischen depressiver Symptomatik und 12-Monatstabakabstinenz besteht kein signifikanter Zusammenhang. Diskussion: Der hypothetische Zusammenhang zwischen depressiver Komorbidität, Tabakabhängigkeit und Rauchintensität bzw. Entwöhnungserfolg wird im Wesentlichen gestützt. Depressiv komorbide Patienten rauchen besonders stark und mit hoher Abhängigkeit. Die Misserfolgsquote (Rückfälligkeit bzw. keine anhaltende Abstinenz) ist nur bei schwerer Depressionsausprägung überdurchschnittlich. Eine konsequente psychologische Begleitbehandlung könnte den Entwöhnungserfolg erhöhen.
Moho Depths of Antarctica: Comparison of Seismic, Gravity, and Isostatic Results
Authors: Pappa F. , Ebbing J. , Ferraccioli F.
Published: March 2019

The lithospheric structure of Antarctica is still underexplored. Moho depth estimate studies are in disagreement by more than 10 km in several regions, including, for example, the hinterland of the Transantarctic Mountains. Taking account the sparseness of seismological stations and the nonuniqueness of potential field methods, inversions of Moho depth are performed here based on satellite gravity data in combination with currently available seismically constrained Moho depth estimates. Our results confirm that a lower density contrast at the Moho is present under East Antarctica than beneath West Antarctica. A comparison between the Moho depth derived from our inversion and an Airy‐isostatic Moho model also reveals a spatially variable buoyancy contribution from the lithospheric mantle beneath contrasting sectors of East Antarctica. Finally, to test the plausibility of different Moho depths scenarios for the Transantarctic Mountains‐Wilkes Subglacial Basin system, we present 2‐D lithospheric models along the Trans‐Antarctic Mountain Seismic Experiment/Gamburtsev Mountain Seismic experiment seismic profile. Our models show that if a moderately depleted lithospheric mantle of inferred Proterozoic age underlies the region, then a shallower Moho is more likely beneath the Wilkes Subglacial Basin. If however, refertilization processes occurred in the upper mantle, for example, in response to Ross‐age subduction, then a deeper Moho scenario is preferred. We conclude that 3‐D lithospheric modeling, coupled with the availability of new seismic information in the hinterland of the Transantarctic Mountains, is required to help resolve this controversy, thereby also reducing the ambiguities in geothermal heat flux estimation beneath this key part of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet.
CUL4B promotes prostate cancer progression by forming positive feedback loop with SOX4
Authors: Qi Mei , Hu Jing , Cui Yanyi , Jiao Meng , Feng Tingting , Li Xinjun , Pang Yu , Chen Xinyi , Qin Ruixi , Su Peng , Zhang Hui , Wang Yan , Gong Yaoqin , Han Bo
Published: March 2019

How to distinguish indolent from aggressive disease remains a great challenge in prostate cancer (PCa) management. Cullin 4B (CUL4B) is a scaffold protein and exhibits oncogenic activity in a variety of human malignancies. In this study, we utilized PCa tissue specimens, cell lines and xenograft models to determine whether CUL4B contributes to PCa progression and metastasis. Here, we show that CUL4B expression highly correlates with the aggressiveness of PCa. CUL4B expression promotes proliferation, epithelial−mesenchymal transition, and metastatic potential of PCa cells, whereas CUL4B knockdown inhibits. Mechanically, CUL4B positively regulates SOX4, a key regulator in PCa, through epigenetic silencing of miR-204. In turn, SOX4 upregulates CUL4B expression through transcriptional activation, thereby fulfilling a positive feedback loop. Clinically, CUL4B+/SOX4+ defines a subset of PCa patients with poor prognosis. Bioinformatics analysis further reveals that Wnt/ß-catenin activation signature is enriched in CUL4B+/SOX4+ patient subgroup. Intriguingly, Wnt inhibitors significantly attenuates oncogenic capacities of CUL4B in vitro and in vivo. Together, our study identifies CUL4B as a key modulator of aggressive PCa by a positive feedback loop that interacts with SOX4. This regulatory circuit may have a crucial role in PCa progression.
PEST-containing nuclear protein regulates cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wang Da-Yong , Hong Ya , Chen Ya-Ge , Dong Peng-Zhen , Liu Shi-Yu , Gao Ying-Ran , Lu Dan , Li Hui-Min , Li Tao , Guo Jian-Cheng , He Fei , Ren Xue-Qun , Sun Shi-Yong , Wu Dong-Dong , Duan Shao-Feng , Ji Xin-Ying
Published: March 2019

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. PEST-containing nuclear protein (PCNP) has been found in the nucleus of cancer cells. Whether PCNP plays a role in the growth of lung adenocarcinoma is still unknown. In the present study, the results indicated that the level of PCNP in lung adenocarcinoma tissue was significantly higher than that in corresponding adjacent non-tumor tissue. Over-expression of PCNP promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells, while down-regulation of PCNP exhibited opposite effects. PCNP over-expression decreased apoptosis through up-regulating the expression levels of phospho (p)-signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) 3 and p-STAT5 in lung adenocarcinoma cells, whereas PCNP knockdown showed opposite trends. PCNP overexpression enhanced autophagy by increasing the expression levels of p-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), p-Akt, and p-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in lung adenocarcinoma cells, however an opposite trend was observed in the sh-PCNP group. In addition, overexpression of PCNP showed the tumor-promoting effect on xenografted lung adenocarcinoma, while PCNP knockdown reduced the growth of lung adenocarcinoma via regulating angiogenesis. Our study elucidates that PCNP can regulate the procession of human lung adenocarcinoma cells via STAT3/5 and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. PCNP may be considered as a promising biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Furthermore, PCNP can be a novel therapeutic target and potent PCNP inhibitors can be designed and developed in the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma.
Volatile organic compounds influence the interaction of the Eurasian spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) with its fungal symbionts
Authors: Kandasamy Dineshkumar , Gershenzon Jonathan , Andersson Martin N , Hammerbacher Almuth
Published: March 2019

Insects have mutualistic symbioses with a variety of microorganisms. However, the chemical signals that maintain these insect−microbe relationships are poorly known compared to those from insect−plant symbioses. The spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus, the most destructive forest pest in Europe, has a symbiotic relationship with several fungi that are believed to contribute to its successful invasion of Norway spruce. Here we tested the hypothesis that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from fungal symbionts could be cues for bark beetles to recognize and distinguish among members of its microbial community. Behavioral experiments with fungi showed that immature adults of I. typographus are attracted to food sources colonized by their fungal symbionts but not to saprophytic fungi and that this attraction is mediated by volatile cues. GC-MS measurements revealed that the symbionts emitted VOCs. Testing the activity of these compounds on beetle antennae using single sensillum recordings showed that beetles detect many fungal volatiles and possess olfactory sensory neurons specialized for these compounds. Finally, synthetic blends of fungal volatiles attracted beetles in olfactometer experiments. These findings indicate that volatile compounds produced by fungi may act as recognition signals for bark beetles to maintain specific microbial communities that might have impact on their fitness.
Social networks and risk of delayed hospital arrival after acute stroke
Authors: Dhand Amar , Luke Douglas , Lang Catherine , Tsiaklides Michael , Feske Steven , Lee Jin-Moo
Published: March 2019

Arriving rapidly to the hospital after a heart attack or stroke is critical for patients to be within time windows for treatment. Prior research in heart attacks has suggested a paradoxical role of the social environment: those who arrive early are surrounded by nonrelatives, while those who arrive late are surrounded by spouses or family members. Here, we used network methods to more deeply examine the influence of social context in stroke. We examined the relationship of personal social networks and arrival time in 175 stroke patients. Our results confirmed the paradox by showing that small and close-knit personal networks of highly familiar contacts, independent of demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic factors, were related to delay. The closed network structure led to constricted information flow in which patients and close confidants, absent outside perspectives, elected to watch-and-wait. Targeting patients with small, close-knit networks may be one strategy to improve response times.
Dynamic viability of the 2016 Mw 7.8 Kaikōura earthquake cascade on weak crustal faults
Authors: Ulrich Thomas , Gabriel Alice-Agnes , Ampuero Jean-Paul , Xu Wenbin
Published: March 2019

We present a dynamic rupture model of the 2016 Mw 7.8 Kaikōura earthquake to unravel the event’s riddles in a physics-based manner and provide insight on the mechanical viability of competing hypotheses proposed to explain them. Our model reproduces key characteristics of the event and constraints puzzling features inferred from high-quality observations including a large gap separating surface rupture traces, the possibility of significant slip on the subduction interface, the non-rupture of the Hope fault, and slow apparent rupture speed. We show that the observed rupture cascade is dynamically consistent with regional stress estimates and a crustal fault network geometry inferred from seismic and geodetic data. We propose that the complex fault system operates at low apparent friction thanks to the combined effects of overpressurized fluids, low dynamic friction and stress concentrations induced by deep fault creep.
Hip load capacity cut-points for Astronaut Skeletal Health NASA Finite Element Strength Task Group Recommendations
Authors: Michalski Andrew S. , Amin Shreyasee , Cheung Angela M. , Cody Dianna D. , Keyak Joyce H. , Lang Thomas F. , Nicolella Daniel P. , Orwoll Eric S. , Boyd Steven K. , Sibonga Jean D.
Published: March 2019

Concerns raised at a 2010 Bone Summit held for National Aeronautics and Space Administration Johnson Space Center led experts in finite element (FE) modeling for hip fracture prediction to propose including hip load capacity in the standards for astronaut skeletal health. The current standards for bone are based upon areal bone mineral density (aBMD) measurements by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and an adaptation of aBMD cut-points for fragility fractures. Task Group members recommended (i) a minimum permissible outcome limit (POL) for post-mission hip bone load capacity, (ii) use of FE hip load capacity to further screen applicants to astronaut corps, (iii) a minimum pre-flight standard for a second long-duration mission, and (iv) a method for assessing which post-mission physical activities might increase an astronaut’s risk for fracture after return. QCT-FE models of eight astronaut were analyzed using nonlinear single-limb stance (NLS) and posterolateral fall (NLF) loading configurations. QCT data from the Age Gene/Environment Susceptibility (AGES) Reykjavik cohort and the Rochester Epidemiology Project were analyzed using identical modeling procedures. The 75th percentile of NLS hip load capacity for fractured elderly males of the AGES cohort (9537N) was selected as a post-mission POL. The NLF model, in combination with a Probabilistic Risk Assessment tool, was used to assess the likelihood of exceeding the hip load capacity during post-flight activities. There was no recommendation to replace the current DXA-based standards. However, FE estimation of hip load capacity appeared more meaningful for younger, physically active astronauts and was recommended to supplement aBMD cut-points.
The first complete genomic sequences of African swine fever virus isolated in Poland
Authors: Mazur-Panasiuk Natalia , Woźniakowski Grzegorz , Niemczuk Krzysztof
Published: March 2019

African swine fever (ASF) is a contagious, notifiable viral disease, which is considered a significant threat not only for European, but also for worldwide pork production, since recently the virus emerged within numerous Chinese pig herds. The disease was introduced in Poland in 2014 and up to the end of 2018,  213 outbreaks in pigs and 3347 cases in wild boars have been reported. The presented study describes the whole genome sequencing of seven Polish isolates, collected between 2016 and 2017, using next generation sequencing (NGS) technology. The complete, genomic sequences of these isolates were compared against five other closely related ASFV genomes, annotated in the NCBI database. The obtained sequences were from 189.393 to 189.405 bp long and encoded 187–190 open reading frames (ORFs). The isolates were grouped within genotype II and showed 99.941 to 99.956% nucleotide identity to the Georgia 2007/1 reference strain.