bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring the probability of a financial crisis
Authors: Engle Robert F. , Ruan Tianyue
Published: August 2019

When financial firms are undercapitalized, they are vulnerable to external shocks. The natural response to such vulnerability is to reduce leverage, and this can endogenously start a financial crisis. Excessive credit growth, the main cause of financial crises, is reflected in the undercapitalization of the financial sector. Market-based measures of systemic risk such as SRISK, which stands for systemic risk, enable monitoring how such weakness emerges and progresses in real time. In this paper, we develop quantitative estimates of the level of systemic risk in the financial sector that precipitates a financial crisis. Common approaches to reduce leverage correspond to specific scaling of systemic risk measures. In an econometric framework that recognizes financial crises represent left tail events for the economy, we estimate the relationship between SRISK and the financial crisis severity for 23 developed countries. We develop a probability of crisis measure and an SRISK capacity measure based on our estimates. Our analysis highlights the important global externality whereby the risk of a crisis in one country is strongly influenced by the undercapitalization of the rest of the world.
Prenatal exposure to organophosphate pesticides and functional neuroimaging in adolescents living in proximity to pesticide application
Authors: Sagiv Sharon K. , Bruno Jennifer L. , Baker Joseph M. , Palzes Vanessa , Kogut Katherine , Rauch Stephen , Gunier Robert , Mora Ana M. , Reiss Allan L. , Eskenazi Brenda
Published: August 2019

Significance

Little is known about the neural dynamics underlying previously reported associations of organophosphate (OP) pesticides with adverse neurodevelopment. We used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to examine cortical brain activation in relation to residential proximity to OP use during pregnancy among 95 adolescents enrolled in a longitudinal birth cohort. We found that prenatal OP exposure was associated with altered brain activation during tasks of executive function. We also found sex differences for OPs and brain activation during a language comprehension task. Use of fNIRS, an inexpensive and easily accessible technology, enhances our efforts to assess the impact of environmental exposures on brain function.
Human pollution exposure correlates with accelerated ultrastructural degradation of hair fibers
Authors: Naudin Gregoire , Bastien Philippe , Mezzache Sakina , Trehu Erwann , Bourokba Nasrine , Appenzeller Brice Marc René , Soeur Jeremie , Bornschlögl Thomas
Published: August 2019

Significance

Air pollution via phototoxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is a major risk factor for human health. While in vitro observations and in vivo correlations suggest a detrimental effect of PAHs at physiological concentrations, in vivo observations of the structural impact of PAHs are scarce. Here, we use transmission electron microscopy on human hair fibers containing known concentrations of 25 biomarkers of PAH exposure. We show an increased structural degradation of the hair fiber over time, when increased PAH concentrations are present. Moreover, we show that exposure to UV radiation explains part of the increased damage in more contaminated fibers. Our results point toward possible detrimental effects in other human tissues at physiological concentrations of PAHs.
Form III RubisCO-mediated transaldolase variant of the Calvin cycle in a chemolithoautotrophic bacterium
Authors: Frolov Evgenii N. , Kublanov Ilya V. , Toshchakov Stepan V. , Lunev Evgenii A. , Pimenov Nikolay V. , Bonch-Osmolovskaya Elizaveta A. , Lebedinsky Alexander V. , Chernyh Nikolay A.
Published: August 2019

The Calvin–Benson–Bassham (CBB) cycle assimilates CO
2
for the primary production of organic matter in all plants and algae, as well as in some autotrophic bacteria. The key enzyme of the CBB cycle, ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO), is a main determinant of de novo organic matter production on Earth. Of the three carboxylating forms of RubisCO, forms I and II participate in autotrophy, and form III so far has been associated only with nucleotide and nucleoside metabolism. Here, we report that form III RubisCO functions in the CBB cycle in the thermophilic chemolithoautotrophic bacterium
Thermodesulfobium acidiphilum,
a phylum-level lineage representative. We further show that autotrophic CO
2
fixation in
T. acidiphilum
is accomplished via the transaldolase variant of the CBB cycle, which has not been previously demonstrated experimentally and has been considered unlikely to occur. Thus, this work reveals a distinct form of the key pathway of CO
2
fixation.
Activity-based ratiometric FRET probe reveals oncogene-driven changes in labile copper pools induced by altered glutathione metabolism
Authors: Chung Clive Yik-Sham , Posimo Jessica M. , Lee Sumin , Tsang Tiffany , Davis Julianne M. , Brady Donita C. , Chang Christopher J.
Published: August 2019

Significance

Copper is a required metal nutrient for life, yet its altered homeostasis is associated with many diseases. Thus, to develop new methods to help decipher copper biology, we present an activity-based ratiometric fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) probe that exploits a biomimetic, copper(I)-dependent cleavage reaction to enable imaging of loosely bound, labile copper pools in cells with metal and oxidation state selectivity and a self-calibrating ratiometric response. Application of this technology to cellular models of cancer reveals that oncogene-driven changes in the metabolism of glutathione, a major cellular redox buffer, leads to a labile copper(I) deficiency. This work establishes the relevance of copper dysregulation to cancer metabolism and presages further opportunities for activity-based sensing in studies of metal biology.
A cell-free DNA metagenomic sequencing assay that integrates the host injury response to infection
Authors: Cheng Alexandre Pellan , Burnham Philip , Lee John Richard , Cheng Matthew Pellan , Suthanthiran Manikkam , Dadhania Darshana , De Vlaminck Iwijn
Published: August 2019

High-throughput metagenomic sequencing offers an unbiased approach to identify pathogens in clinical samples. Conventional metagenomic sequencing, however, does not integrate information about the host, which is often critical to distinguish infection from infectious disease, and to assess the severity of disease. Here, we explore the utility of high-throughput sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) after bisulfite conversion to map the tissue and cell types of origin of host-derived cfDNA, and to profile the bacterial and viral metagenome. We applied this assay to 51 urinary cfDNA isolates collected from a cohort of kidney transplant recipients with and without bacterial and viral infection of the urinary tract. We find that the cell and tissue types of origin of urinary cfDNA can be derived from its genome-wide profile of methylation marks, and strongly depend on infection status. We find evidence of kidney and bladder tissue damage due to viral and bacterial infection, respectively, and of the recruitment of neutrophils to the urinary tract during infection. Through direct comparison to conventional metagenomic sequencing as well as clinical tests of infection, we find this assay accurately captures the bacterial and viral composition of the sample. The assay presented here is straightforward to implement, offers a systems view into bacterial and viral infections of the urinary tract, and can find future use as a tool for the differential diagnosis of infection.
Efficient genome-wide first-generation phenotypic screening system in mice using the
piggyBac
transposon
Authors: Chang Hao , Pan Yukun , Landrette Sean , Ding Sheng , Yang Dong , Liu Lufang , Tian Lei , Chai Hongyan , Li Peining , Li Da-Ming , Xu Tian
Published: August 2019

Significance

Genome-wide, phenotype-driven mutagenesis in animal models could provide an unbiased way to decode a gene’s functions and its role in diseases. Here we have generated a
piggyBac
(
PB
) transposon-based first-generation (F1) dominant screening system in mice, which provides unprecedented opportunities to conduct a highly efficient and affordable genome-wide phenotypic screen for an individual investigator in a single laboratory. Using this system, we carried out an F1 dominant screen for growth retardation and discovered 5 isolated mutants that carry transposon insertions hitting the genes
Rin2
,
Rbm39
,
Mll
,
Zeb2
, and
Six1/4
. The
Six1/4

PB/+

mutant animals exhibit abnormalities in nipple recognition and milk ingestion during the breastfeeding period and also exhibit cranial nerve defects.
Mosquito bite prevention through graphene barrier layers
Authors: Castilho Cintia J. , Li Dong , Liu Muchun , Liu Yue , Gao Huajian , Hurt Robert H.
Published: August 2019

Significance

The mosquito is the world’s most important vector for transmission of infectious diseases, and chemical agents now used for bite prevention can have environmental or human health side effects. This work explores a nonchemical method for mosquito bite prevention based on graphene, the atomically thin sheet of carbon atoms, as a potential barrier material. We show that multilayer graphene films in the dry state completely inhibit biting by preventing mosquitos from sensing skin- or sweat-associated chemicals used to locate blood meals. In some cases, the graphene films also act as mechanical barriers to the penetration of the mosquito fascicle, its feeding apparatus. The results can guide development of graphene protective technologies on skin or within smart fabrics.
The nuclear receptor REV-ERBα modulates Th17 cell-mediated autoimmune disease
Authors: Chang Christina , Loo Chin-San , Zhao Xuan , Solt Laura A. , Liang Yuqiong , Bapat Sagar P. , Cho Han , Kamenecka Theodore M. , Leblanc Mathias , Atkins Annette R. , Yu Ruth T. , Downes Michael , Burris Thomas P. , Evans Ronald M. , Zheng Ye
Published: August 2019

T helper 17 (Th17) cells produce interleukin-17 (IL-17) cytokines and drive inflammatory responses in autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis. The differentiation of Th17 cells is dependent on the retinoic acid receptor-related orphan nuclear receptor RORγt. Here, we identify REV-ERBα (encoded by
Nr1d1
), a member of the nuclear hormone receptor family, as a transcriptional repressor that antagonizes RORγt function in Th17 cells. REV-ERBα binds to ROR response elements (RORE) in Th17 cells and inhibits the expression of RORγt-dependent genes including
Il17a
and
Il17f
. Furthermore, elevated REV-ERBα expression or treatment with a synthetic REV-ERB agonist significantly delays the onset and impedes the progression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). These results suggest that modulating REV-ERBα activity may be used to manipulate Th17 cells in autoimmune diseases.
Selection on
VPS13A
linked to migration in a songbird
Authors: Toews David P. L. , Taylor Scott A. , Streby Henry M. , Kramer Gunnar R. , Lovette Irby J.
Published: August 2019

Animal migration demands an interconnected suite of adaptations for individuals to navigate over long distances. This trait complex is crucial for small birds whose migratory behaviors—such as directionality—are more likely innate, rather than being learned as in many longer-lived birds. Identifying causal genes has been a central goal of migration ecology, and this endeavor has been furthered by genome-scale comparisons. However, even the most successful studies of migration genetics have achieved low-resolution associations, identifying large chromosomal regions that encompass hundreds of genes, one or more of which might be causal. Here we leverage the genomic similarity among golden-winged (
Vermivora chrysoptera
) and blue-winged (
V. cyanoptera
) warblers to identify a single gene—
vacuolar protein sorting 13A
(
VPS13A
)—that is associated with distinct differences in migration to Central American (CA) or South American (SA) wintering areas. We find reduced sequence variation in this gene region for SA wintering birds, and show this is the likely result of natural selection on this locus. In humans, variants of
VPS13A
are linked to the neurodegenerative disorder chorea-acanthocytosis. This association provides one of the strongest gene-level associations with avian migration differences.
Clearance of cerebrospinal fluid from the sacral spine through lymphatic vessels
Authors: Ma Qiaoli , Decker Yann , Müller Andreas , Ineichen Benjamin V. , Proulx Steven T.
Published: August 2019

The pathways of circulation and clearance of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the spine have yet to be elucidated. We have recently shown with dynamic in vivo imaging that routes of outflow of CSF in mice occur along cranial nerves to extracranial lymphatic vessels. Here, we use near-infrared and magnetic resonance imaging to demonstrate the flow of CSF tracers within the spinal column and reveal the major spinal pathways for outflow to lymphatic vessels in mice. We found that after intraventricular injection, a spread of CSF tracers occurs within both the central canal and the spinal subarachnoid space toward the caudal end of the spine. Outflow of CSF tracers from the spinal subarachnoid space occurred predominantly from intravertebral regions of the sacral spine to lymphatic vessels, leading to sacral and iliac LNs. Clearance of CSF from the spine to lymphatic vessels may have significance for many conditions, including multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury.
Superconducting Single-Layer T-Graphene and Novel Synthesis Routes*
Authors: Gu Qinyan , Xing Dingyu , Sun Jian
Published: August 2019

Single-layer superconductors are ideal materials for fabricating superconducting nano devices. However, up to date, very few single-layer elemental superconductors have been predicted and especially no one has been successfully synthesized yet. Here, using crystal structure search techniques and ab initio calculations, we predict that a single-layer planar carbon sheet with 4- and 8-membered rings called T-graphene is a new intrinsic elemental superconductor with superconducting critical temperature (Tc) up to around 20.8 K. More importantly, we propose a synthesis route to obtain such a single-layer T-graphene, that is, a T-graphene potassium intercalation compound (C4K with P4/mmm symmetry) is firstly synthesized at high pressure (>11.5 GPa) and then quenched to ambient condition; and finally, the single-layer T-graphene can be either exfoliated using the electrochemical method from the bulk C4K, or peeled off from bulk T-graphite C4, where C4 can be obtained from C4K by evaporating the K atoms. Interestingly, we find that the calculated Tc of C4K is about 30.4 K at 0 GPa, which sets a new record for layered carbon-based superconductors. The present findings add a new class of carbon-based superconductors. In particular, once the single-layer T-graphene is synthesized, it can pave the way for fabricating superconducting devices together with other 2D materials using the layer-by-layer growth techniques.
Lithium Storage Property of Graphite/AlCuFe Quasicrystal Composites
Authors: Wang Haijuan , Lan Xiao , Huang Yao , Jiang Xunyong
Published: August 2019

Quasicrystals have long-range quasi-periodic translational ordering and non-crystallographic rotational symmetry. Al–Cu–Fe quasicrystals have great potential for lithium storage because of their high Al content and a large number of defects in the structure. In our previous study (J. Alloys Compd. 805 (2019) 942) we showed that Al–Cu–Fe quasicrystals have good initial capacity whereas its cycle stability is poor. In the present study, graphite/AlCuFe is prepared by the mechanical alloying method. The results show that graphite/AlCuFe quasicrystal composites are successfully synthesized by planetary ball milling at 550 rpm for 80 h. The quasicrystal particle size decreases and the amorphous graphite forms onion-like carbon (OLC) when the two phases mix evenly. OLC forms on the surface of the Al–Cu–Fe quasicrystalline powder. Charge and discharge tests show that graphite/AlCuFe quasicrystal composites have high-stability capacity of 480 mAh/g after 20 cycles, which is larger than the sum of capacities of graphite and Al–Cu–Fe quasicrystals.
Modeling of Land Prices in Karang Joang, Balikpapan City
Authors: Fitrianingsih D , Ghozali A
Published: August 2019

Spatial Plan of Balikpapan City in 2012-2032 decides Karang Joang Village as a strategic area of economic interest. As a consequence, the development of regional infrastructure was built to support the emergence of new centers of activity, such as State Universities, highways and regional industrial area. Therefore, the price of land in Karang Joang has doubled over the past two years. High land prices tend to be used for commercial activities. On the other hand, zoning activities are needed to ensure the harmony of space and control the growth of land outside of its designation. Land use that is not in accordance with the plan as a result of high land prices can cause many land conflicts such as land speculation, inappropriate land use, and other problems. A land pricing model is needed as a fundamental for zoning of spatial utilization activities to minimize land conflicts. The land price model can also be used by the government to make policies or space planning in accordance with the development of land prices. The Euclidean distance method from GIS was used to identify land characteristics against factors affecting land pricing and regression analysis to construct land prices models. We found that there were nine factors that influence land prices, namely the distance of land to government centers, markets, universities, hospitals, arterial roads, collector roads, industrial areas, availability of electricity services and land use. Among these factors, the availability of electricity services contributed the largest increase of 252,234 IDR and the land that close to the industrial estate tended to decrease by 648 IDR/m2.
Influence Assessment of Built-Up Area Development to The Physical Environment, Social and Economic Aspects in Yogyakarta City Using Spatial-Statistical Analysis
Authors: Fathurrohmah S , Apriani A , Haryatmi S , Danardono
Published: August 2019

The urban physical development in Yogyakarta occurs continuously due to the high intensity of the economic activity in the service provision and trade sector. This physical development is considered to give a negative impact to the physical, social, and economic environment. This study aims to get an overview regarding the effect of the growth of the built area in Yogyakarta to the physical, social, and economic environment. This study utilizes both quantitative and qualitative approach. The land use change is assessed qualitatively by utilizing the spatial analysis method to figure out the expansion of the built area. The spatial analysis is also utilized to figure out the impact of development based on the community perceptions and put the finding of this study on the map. Meanwhile, the quantitative approach is utilized to conduct a statistical analysis in order to examine the level of influence of built-up area development on the physical, social, and economic aspect of each district in Yogyakarta City.
Spatial Analysis of Topography Effect in Eco Driving Level on Corridor VI BRT Semarang
Authors: Rahayu S , Basuki Y , Putri Y N
Published: August 2019

Public transportation is important facilities to service the mobilization of citizen in urban activity. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is one of the modes considered suitable for developing cities such as Semarang. To ensure the sustainability of the BRT, good planning and operation and maintenance are required. In the operation of BRT eco driving behavior is believed to save fuel up to 13% and keep the fleet condition safe and reliable. This research is intended to know the behavior of the driver in operating the BRT. From driver behavior and onboard survey can be classified the level of eco driving the operation of BRT in Semarang. An eco driving level assessment was conducted on a sample of the BRT fleet. The analysis is done by making the level of eco driving using spatial analysis GIS. It divided into several levels that is high, medium and low. In the other hand, the topography is believed caused of the driver behavior. Furthermore, spatial analysis is done to map the areas that have variance slope. From the mapping results can be concluded which areas have low levels of eco driving and the slope characteristic. From these conclusions, recommendations for BRT performance improvement can be formulated.
The Importance of Disaggregated Data in Learning from Gender Mainstreaming Poverty Reduction Program of Sumogawe Village Semarang
Authors: Esariti L , Sabana M R
Published: August 2019

Gender-based poverty alleviation program is important for performing good governance as it is ensuring the achievement of program road map related to development outcomes. It was established that the lives and realities of women and men, girls and boys are often shaped very differently. Therefore, it is necessary to compile, analyse and publish data separately for both sexes. An example of disaggregated data method is poverty alleviation program at Sumogawe village, Semarang which uses the asset based poverty reduction program method. This program looks at observations of human, natural, financial, infrastructure and social livelihood assets. In its implementation, this approach method is able to describe the relationship between the usages of these assets in improving the quality of life of the poor. But there are several pitfalls related to gender-based disaggregated data. One, it has not been clearly identified how the roles, treatment and response of each population based on age and sex in utilizing these assets. Secondly, asset management has not been linked to gender indicators set by Bappenas in 2012, as one of the effectiveness indicators of poverty alleviation program achievements. Third, it has not been identified how an explanation of the relationship between each livelihood asset in the context of the hierarchy of utilization at the level of individuals, households and communities in relation to the role and the ability to perform agency for the poor. In conclusion, this article recommends 4 steps to ensure that gender disaggregated data is really clearly designed and prepared before analysis and evaluation activities are carried out.
Transit Oriented Development (TOD) on the Commuter Train Network
Authors: Ramadhan R A , Pigawati B
Published: August 2019

The rapid development of Semarang City has formed a metropolitan city pattern. The city of Semarang is as the core city, while the surrounding cities are as periphery. The high intensity of movement of the population from the periphery area to the core city during rush hour causes congestion at several regional liaison points. The implementation of the concept of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is expected to solve these problems. The development of TOD-based areas in Kedungsepur has been demonstrated by the existence of commuter trains in early 2014 serving the Semarang City, Demak District, and Grobogan District, but has not provided maximum results. The purpose of this study was to examine the suitability of the application of TOD in 8 (eight) locations around the station passed by Kedungsepur commuter train by using descriptive quantitative approach and spatial analysis. The spatial analysis carried out was the analysis of variable density, and diversity. Design variable analysis was done based on observation. The results show that 8 (eight) station areas have the potential to form a TOD area. Based on the density variables, the Alasatua, Brumbung, Gubug, Karangjati, Sedadi and Ngrombo areas were in the high category, while Poncol and Tawang areas were in the low category. Based on diversity variables, only the Tawang and Alastua regions met the requirements, while other station areas did not meet the requirements. Based on the design variable, the feeder is available in all station areas. Connectivity between stations with feeders in 8 (eight) locations is also good enough but needs to be supported by adequate pedestrian infrastructure.
A Game Theory Approach to The Preference of The Street Development in Semarang Chinatown
Authors: Bramiana C N , Widiastuti R , Jamaluddin R , Firmandhani S W
Published: August 2019

The Chinatown of Semarang consists of many historical streets along with their heritage temples where a few informal social and physical urban developments occurred in those streets. This calls for a systematic urban redevelopment decision-making process. Using spatial data to demonstrate the current and future situations of street development, this paper aims at investigating the best scenario to develop Semarang Chinatown and also the advantages as well as the limitations of game theoretical models for the development of Semarang Chinatown. Therefore, we have developed game model based on Nash game theory, in which a certain action results in a certain payoff, for the case study. Our study demonstrates that game theory can provide key strategic decision of Chinatown development by showing the different payoffs of choosing main streets that are more urgent to be developed and selecting the equilibrium in which involved important stakeholders best interests. We also found limitations on using game theory in our case study especially regarding the assumption of preferred historical streets in the area.
Comparative Analysis of Accuracy to the Establishment of Three Dimensional Models from Diponegoro Prince Statue Using Close Range Photogrammetry Method in Non Metric Camera and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Technology
Authors: Prasetyo Y , Yuwono B D , Barus B R
Published: August 2019

Diponegoro Prince Statue is one of the important icons in the campus area of Diponegoro University. Because the new statue is in the area of Widya Puraya. Therefore many people visit the statue. Diponegoro statue also experienced erosion by nature (wind, rain water, etc.). Therefore, it is necessary to preserve the Diponegoro statue so that it is not damaged and lost its existence by the times. In this research, two type of surveying instruments will be tested for their accuracy in the Diponegoro statue, namely non-metric cameras (NMC) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The method used in this research is Close Range Photogrametry by comparing the results of the visualization of the model and testing the accuracy of the three-dimensional model with a comparison of the distance of the field measurements of the Total Station. From the results of visualization and accuracy of the three-dimensional model, it will be obtained which results are better between non-metric cameras and UAVs. The final results of this study indicate that UAV has a higher level of geometric accuracy compared to non-metric cameras. This is indicated by the results of the accuracy of the the UAV obtained a fairly good level of accuracy compared to the camera that is equal to 0.0162 ± 0.0133 meters for the statue of Prince Diponegoro. Whereas in non-metric cameras, the results of lower accuracy were 0.1615 ± 0.0593 meters in the statue of Prince Diponegoro. Based on the visualization of the three-dimensional model between the camera, UAV and NMC, it was found that UAV produced a better model compared to the three-dimensional model produced by NMC. With the results of the analysis in this study it is expected that the results of 3D modeling with cameras and UAVs can be used as an effort to preserve the Diponegoro statue.
Analysis of Kaligarang Fault Deformation with GNSS Survey in 2016-2018
Authors: Awaluddin M , Sabri L M , Amarrohman F J , Yuwono B D , Nugraha A L , Immanuel L
Published: August 2019

The GNSS Survey has been conducted for the deformation of Kaligarang Fault in 2016 and 2018. Active fault activity can be shown by the value of slip rate and locking depth. The magnitude of the slip rate cannot be measured directly, but the displacement on the surface of the earth data could be obtained from GNSS measurements. Then the slip rate could be calculated by inversion techniques from the displacement data form GNSS survey. We have done the slip rate modeling using the displacement data using the value of locking depth 5, 10, 15 and 15 km. But the position of the observation station point cannot converge to a single slip rate line at all locking depth values. Therefore this research has not been able to infer the optimal slip rate for Kaligarang fault.
Identification of Rainfall Variability Using TRMM Data Analysis
Authors: Nucifera F , Riasasi W , Permatasari A L
Published: August 2019

Indonesian climate is characterized with abundant rainfall throughout the year. Differences the amount of rainfall are seen significantly in areas with monsoonal patterns in the event of extreme climates, both El-Nino and La-Nina. Rainfall pattern dynamic that occurs in Indonesia, even worldwide, is reflected by meteorological extrem events in several regions, i.e. extreme rainfall, season change, sea level rise, drought, and flood. Lombok Island is one small island in Indonesia with high levels of vulnerability to climate change. Regarding to the meteorological events occurred in Lombok, this research aims to identify spatiotemporal distribution of rainfall pattern changes in Lombok island during 1999-2014. TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission) data precipitation was used as the main data due to limitation of available precipitation data. Results show annual rainfall trend was decreased and most of monthly rainfall were increased. There was an anomaly during 2009-2010 when consecutive El Nino and La Nina hit Lombok. El Nino and La Nina strongly effected on rainfall amount in Lombok Island. Western part of Lombok island is wetter than the eastern part because the monsoon starts earlier in the west. The northern part has more intense rainfall due to the orographic factor.
Challenges of the Export for Natural Rubber Latex in the ASEAN Market
Authors: Khin Aye Aye , Bin Raymond Ling Leh , Kai Sia Bik , Teng Kevin Low Lock , Chiun Fong Yi
Published: August 2019

There are approximately 90% of the world natural rubber (NR) supplies are produced by the top 4 NR exporting countries, particularly Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. The export challenges and uncertainties of the NR latex in the ASEAN market are influenced by many factors. All these issues have driven the motivation of this study that aims to investigate the factors affecting the export of the NR latex, to analyse the relationship among the export price, production and exchange rate with the export, and to predict the export of the NR latex of the four countries. The data from 1999 to 2016 are utilized as the panel data analysis and granger homogeneously causality test for estimations. Estimation reveals that the independent variables, namely export price and production are exhibiting significant positively and the exchange rate shows a negative relationship with export. To conclude, Indonesia and Malaysia are estimated to have decreasing trends of NR latex export. Inversely, Thailand and Vietnam are predicted to exhibit increasing trends of NR latex export. The novelty of this study concerns effectively on the enhancement and stability of NR production in the ASEAN markets despite of the challenges arising from the global market integration.
One Real-time Micro-thrust Measurement System Based on Barkhausen Effect
Authors: Du Xinru , Wu Jianjun , Ou Yang , Li Jian , Wu Biqi
Published: August 2019

The thrust of the electric thruster for micro-nano satellites is very small, so it is very difficult to accurately measure the real-time variation of micro-thrust. In order to solve this problem, a real-time micro-thrust measurement system based on Barkhausen effect is proposed. Buckhausen effect is that under the action of external stress, the change of internal stress or strain of ferromagnetic material will cause the change of permeability, reluctance and flux of ferromagnetic material, which will result in Barkhausen noise under the external alternating magnetic field. Therefore, the change of stress or strain in ferromagnetic materials can be obtained by measuring Barkhausen noise. The micro-thrust measurement system based on Barkhausen effect proposed exactly in this paper transforms the change of thrust into the change of internal stress of the magnetoelastic element [1], which can realize real-time and high-precision measurement of instantaneous micro-thrust with the advantages of simple structure, easy operation and high reliability.
In-orbit Failure Analysis and Verification for Thermistors outside Satellites
Authors: Zhang Bin , Wang Dongmei , Fan Yufeng , Liu Li , Zhao Peirong
Published: August 2019

Satellite thermistor is used to measure the in-orbit temperature to support thermal control so that the on-board equipment can work in the appropriate temperature to get higer reliability and more life-time. In recent years, there have been several in-orbit failure events of thermistors outside the satellite, which have brought troubles to the thermal control of the whole satellite. In this paper, failure modes of in-orbit thermal resistors outside cabin are analyzed by fault tree, and ground simulation experiment is carried out by high-low temperature impact test. Fault cause is given according to test result and analysis.
Preliminary Discussion on the Spacecraft Electrostatic Discharge and Standards
Authors: Jia R J , Li B , Shen Z C
Published: August 2019

The antistatic design of spacecraft is an important measure to improve the life and reliability of spacecraft in orbit. The standard and specification of spacecraft electrostatic discharge is an important guarantee for improving the reliability and long life of spacecraft. Analyzes the mechanism of electrostatic discharge effect of spacecraft, introduces the current status of electrostatic discharge test standards and specifications at home and abroad, and looks forward to the development direction of China’s spacecraft electrostatic discharge standard, in order to improve the standards and specifications of spacecraft electrostatic discharge.
Local Information based Organization of Distributed Spacecraft Swarm Using Artificial Potential Field
Authors: Feng Wen , Wang Shuquan , Zhong Hongen
Published: August 2019

This paper investigates the problem of distributed organization of spacecraft swarm where each spacecraft is an independent agent that can interact with neighbouring members within a certain distance. According to the global objective of the organization, each agent makes decisions on its behaviour based on its own status and adjacent members within a certain distance. By a carefully designed strategy and under certain conditions, the swarm can accomplish the global objective. In the configuration reconstruction mission, only the expected global configuration is specified. The target position of each spacecraft is uncertain and not fixed. At the beginning of the reconstruction, every spacecraft can only determine the initial target point according to certain rules. It is possible to have conflicts of destination point selections since all spacecraft can only get local information. Each spacecraft constantly adjust their target point according to the local information in the process of accomplishing this task, until the group converges into the specified global configurations. In this paper, three different target allocation strategies are designed, so that each spacecraft can do continuous selection and optimization, and finally determine a non-conflict target matching to complete the formation reconstruction task. The artificial potential field method is utilized to control each spacecraft and complete the path planning, while ensuring that the spacecraft swarm to achieve collision avoidance and other requirements. In addition, the time and fuel consumption are compared. The numerical simulations show that these three strategies make obvious optimization effects.
The Measurement of Wood in Construction Dust Samples: A Furnace Based Thermal Gravimetric Approach
Authors: Stacey Peter , Simpson Andrew , Hambling Susan
Published: August 2019

A furnace-based thermal gravimetric method was developed to measure wood in inhalable construction dust. The application of this method showed that reliance on the inhalable concentrations alone may substantially overestimate carpenters’ exposures to wood dust at construction worksites. Test samples were prepared by collecting aerosols of gypsum, calcite, quartz, concrete, and wood dust onto quartz fibre filters using the Button inhalable sampler. The average difference between the measured and loaded mass of wood is 2% over the whole analytical range. Ninety percent of thermogravimetric measurements on all test samples (n = 35) were 13% or less. The limit of detection was measured as 0.065 mg. The thermal gravimetric method was applied to samples collected from four new build construction sites and one shop fitting worksite. The workplace inhalable wood dust results ranged from 15% to 104% of the total inhalable dust values. In addition, an x-ray diffraction (XRD) Rietveld method was applied as a complimentary approach to explain the composition of the remaining inhalable dust. Most combined thermal gravimetric and XRD measurements were within 10% of the total inhalable dust mass values, determined gravimetrically. Ninety-five percent were within 26%. The median proportion of mineral dust containing gypsum, calcite, quartz, dolomite, or rutile was 30%. The proportion of mineral dust on individual filters varied considerably.
Constructing functional cuticles: analysis of relationships between cuticle lipid composition, ultrastructure and water barrier function in developing adult maize leaves
Authors: Bourgault Richard , Matschi Susanne , Vasquez Miguel , Qiao Pengfei , Sonntag Annika , Charlebois Caleb , Mohammadi Marc , Scanlon Michael J , Smith Laurie G , Molina Isabel
Published: August 2019

Background and Aims

Prior work has examined cuticle function, composition and ultrastructure in many plant species, but much remains to be learned about how these features are related. This study aims to elucidate relationships between these features via analysis of cuticle development in adult maize (Zea mays L.) leaves, while also providing the most comprehensive investigation to date of the composition and ultrastructure of adult leaf cuticles in this important crop plant.

Methods

We examined water permeability, wax and cutin composition via gas chromatography, and ultrastructure via transmission electron microscopy, along the developmental gradient of partially expanded adult maize leaves, and analysed the relationships between these features.

Key Results

The water barrier property of the adult maize leaf cuticle is acquired at the cessation of cell expansion. Wax types and chain lengths accumulate asynchronously over the course of development, while overall wax load does not vary. Cutin begins to accumulate prior to establishment of the water barrier and continues thereafter. Ultrastructurally, pavement cell cuticles consist of an epicuticular layer, and a thin cuticle proper that acquires an inner, osmiophilic layer during development.

Conclusions

Cuticular waxes of the adult maize leaf are dominated by alkanes and alkyl esters. Unexpectedly, these are localized mainly in the epicuticular layer. Establishment of the water barrier during development coincides with a switch from alkanes to esters as the major wax type, and the emergence of an osmiophilic (likely cutin-rich) layer of the cuticle proper. Thus, alkyl esters and the deposition of the cutin polyester are implicated as key components of the water barrier property of adult maize leaf cuticles.
Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Induced by Epinephrine Infiltration for Liposuction: Broken Heart Syndrome
Authors: Maes Sebastiaan , Dhooghe Nicolas Simon James Jeremy , Schotte Henri , Cattoir Steffi , Jacobs Tom Frans , Van Landuyt Koenraad
Published: August 2019

Broken heart syndrome, more commonly known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM), is an acute cardiac condition. It is characterized by regional cardiac wall motion abnormalities triggered by physical or emotional stress or administration of catecholamines such as epinephrine. The initial clinical presentation is similar to an acute coronary syndrome and must be ruled out. Visualization of the characteristic wall motion will trigger the diagnosis of TCM. In this case report, we present a 50-year-old woman with additional liposuction and fat grafting after autologous breast reconstruction. Shortly after infiltration with a solution containing epinephrine to achieve vasoconstriction, hypotension and bradycardia was noticed. This escalated into full asystole for which cardiac resuscitation was required. ST-elevations and a decrease in systolic function were clear indicators for urgent coronarography and ventriculography. These confirmed the diagnosis of TCM. Infiltration with epinephrine-containing products to achieve local vasoconstriction is used routinely. Medical professionals should be aware that this can trigger a TCM with an estimated mortality rate of 5%. No evidence of a specific preventive measure currently exists. We know that women with a neurologic or psychiatric comorbidity and high levels of stress are more at risk. Reducing stress and anxiolytic medication prior to surgery could be useful. We also know that the cardiac wall motion abnormality is mainly related to β-adrenoreceptors. The use of a selective α-adrenoreceptor agonist could be considered. Further research in the pathophysiology and incidence of TCM could improve identification of patients at risk and lead to more effective prevention and treatment.

Level of Evidence: 5
An omics perspective on drug target discovery platforms
Authors: Paananen Jussi , Fortino Vittorio
Published: August 2019

The drug discovery process starts with identification of a disease-modifying target. This critical step traditionally begins with manual investigation of scientific literature and biomedical databases to gather evidence linking molecular target to disease, and to evaluate the efficacy, safety and commercial potential of the target. The high-throughput and affordability of current omics technologies, allowing quantitative measurements of many putative targets (e.g. DNA, RNA, protein, metabolite), has exponentially increased the volume of scientific data available for this arduous task. Therefore, computational platforms identifying and ranking disease-relevant targets from existing biomedical data sources, including omics databases, are needed. To date, more than 30 drug target discovery (DTD) platforms exist. They provide information-rich databases and graphical user interfaces to help scientists identify putative targets and pre-evaluate their therapeutic efficacy and potential side effects. Here we survey and compare a set of popular DTD platforms that utilize multiple data sources and omics-driven knowledge bases (either directly or indirectly) for identifying drug targets. We also provide a description of omics technologies and related data repositories which are important for DTD tasks.
CROSSalive: a web server for predicting thein vivostructure of RNA molecules
Authors: Ponti Riccardo Delli , Armaos Alexandros , Vandelli Andrea , Tartaglia Gian Gaetano
Published: August 2019

Motivation

RNA structure is difficult to predict in vivo due to interactions with enzymes and other molecules. Here we introduce CROSSalive, an algorithm to predict the single- and double-stranded regions of RNAs in vivo using predictions of protein interactions.

Results

Trained on icSHAPE data in presence (m6a+) and absence of N6 methyladenosine modification (m6a-), CROSSalive achieves cross-validation accuracies between 0.70 and 0.88 in identifying high-confidence single- and double-stranded regions. The algorithm was applied to the long non-coding RNA Xist (17 900 nt, not present in the training) and shows an Area under the ROC curve of 0.83 in predicting structured regions.

Availability and implementation

CROSSalive webserver is freely accessible at http://service.tartaglialab.com/new_submission/crossalive

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Adaptive empirical pattern transformation (ADEPT) with application to walking stride segmentation
Authors: Karas Marta , Stra̧czkiewicz Marcin , Fadel William , Harezlak Jaroslaw , Crainiceanu Ciprian M , Urbanek Jacek K
Published: August 2019

Quantifying gait parameters and ambulatory monitoring of changes in these parameters have become increasingly important in epidemiological and clinical studies. Using high-density accelerometry measurements, we propose adaptive empirical pattern transformation (ADEPT), a fast, scalable, and accurate method for segmentation of individual walking strides. ADEPT computes the covariance between a scaled and translated pattern function and the data, an idea similar to the continuous wavelet transform. The difference is that ADEPT uses a data-based pattern function, allows multiple pattern functions, can use other distances instead of the covariance, and the pattern function is not required to satisfy the wavelet admissibility condition. Compared to many existing approaches, ADEPT is designed to work with data collected at various body locations and is invariant to the direction of accelerometer axes relative to body orientation. The method is applied to and validated on accelerometry data collected during a $450$-m outdoor walk of $32$ study participants wearing accelerometers on the wrist, hip, and both ankles. Additionally, all scripts and data needed to reproduce presented results are included in supplementary material available at Biostatistics online.
Abstract goal representation in visual search by neurons in the human pre-supplementary motor area
Authors: Wang Shuo , Mamelak Adam N , Adolphs Ralph , Rutishauser Ueli
Published: August 2019

The medial frontal cortex is important for goal-directed behaviours such as visual search. The pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA) plays a critical role in linking higher-level goals to actions, but little is known about the responses of individual cells in this area in humans. Pre-SMA dysfunction is thought to be a critical factor in the cognitive deficits that are observed in diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and schizophrenia, making it important to develop a better mechanistic understanding of the pre-SMA’s role in cognition. We simultaneously recorded single neurons in the human pre-SMA and eye movements while subjects performed goal-directed visual search tasks. We characterized two groups of neurons in the pre-SMA. First, 40% of neurons changed their firing rate whenever a fixation landed on the search target. These neurons responded to targets in an abstract manner across several conditions and tasks. Responses were invariant to motor output (i.e. button press or not), and to different ways of defining the search target (by instruction or pop-out). Second, ∼50% of neurons changed their response as a function of fixation order. Together, our results show that human pre-SMA neurons carry abstract signals during visual search that indicate whether a goal was reached in an action- and cue-independent manner. This suggests that the pre-SMA contributes to goal-directed behaviour by flexibly signalling goal detection and time elapsed since start of the search, and this process occurs regardless of task. These observations provide insights into how pre-SMA dysfunction might impact cognitive function.
Grey Matter 150th anniversary of Charcot’s description of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Corcia Philippe , Meininger Vincent
Published: August 2019

Charcot was the most prominent French neurologist of the 19th century, and his name will forever be associated with ALS. Corcia and Meininger examine how Charcot’s quest to uncover the anatomical basis of hysteria led him ultimately to characterize ALS, and highlight the contributions made by others along the way.