bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Holistic approach to sustainability of bridges
Authors: Popa Nicoleta , Charlier Marion , Tibolt Mike , Rademacher Dennis , Ryjáček Pavel , Jehlicka Petr , Wald František , Kuhlmann Ulrike , Pascual Ana M. , Martins Nuno , Orcesi André , Rigueiro Constança , Seyoum Lemma Melaku , da Silva Luis Simões
Published: August 2018

Bridges are of vital importance for the European infrastructure network. Due to their significance in the political economy, the requirement for sustainable, meaning highly advanced, cost‐effective, environmentally friendly and long‐lived structures is outstanding. Therefore steel composite road bridges were analysed in the Sustainable Steel‐Composite Bridges in Built Environment RFCS project (SBRI) by means of a holistic approach combining Lifecycle Assessment, Lifecycle Costs and Lifecycle Performance analyses to promote steel in the bridge construction. The partners of the project were the Institute of Structural Design Universität Stuttgart, Universidade Coimbra, Institut français des sciences et technologies des transports, de l'aménagement et des réseaux, BRISA Engenharia e Gestão SA and ArcelorMittal.

The paper presents a holistic approach to steel and concrete composite bridges by combining analyses of their environmental, economic and functional qualities. The idea of sustainable design is implemented by the project SBRI+ to increase the acceptance of this new way of sustainable thinking, especially among bridge owners and planners. The project includes the SBRI tool which provides designers and authorities with a tool for the evaluation and comparison of the sustainability of different bridge types in the early stages of design, implementing a holistic lifecycle analysis methodology. This helps to select the best option by considering the pros and cons of each alternative in the entire lifespan of the bridge (i.e. construction, operation and end‐of‐life stages) as opposed to the simple comparison of initial construction costs.
Loads on and strengths of amusement rides
Authors: Rohde Matthias
Published: August 2018

All over the world the amusement ride industry is growing steady and all manufactures deliver their products all over the world. This requires a harmonized philosophy of the standards. Today most of the rides are designed to the American Standards of ASTM (F2291‐2017) or the European Standard EN 13814. The new revision of EN 13814 passed the formal vote of European members in April 2018. Both committees work close together and the new EN 13814 is in the most important parts harmonized with ASTM F2291.

This article covers the ongoing discussion of passenger weights, wind loads and partial safety factors. Portable rides especially, set up at various locations; need a clear guideline for the design for in‐service and out‐of‐service winds. The study gives proposal wind assumptions, but is necessary to draft guidelines defining when the operator should stop the ride. In mountainous and coastal areas especially, the wind may build up faster than in urban agglomerations, and the ride must be stopped earlier.

Use of the fatigue calculation along with the Eurocode and ASTM philosophy with FKM is already common practice and is now defined as an applicable design basis in both standards.
Avoid Certain Frustration—Or Maybe Not?
Authors: Sesardić Neven ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: August 2018

In the situation known as the cable guy paradox, the expected utility principle and the avoid certain frustration (ACF) principle seem to give contradictory advice aboutwhat one should do.This article tries to resolve the paradox by presenting an example that weakens the grip of ACF: a modified version of the cable guy problem is introduced in which the choice dictated by ACF loses much of its intuitive appeal.
Higher-order QCD corrections to hadronic τ decays from Padé approximants
Authors: Boito Diogo , Masjuan Pere , Oliani Fabio
Published: August 2018

Abstract

Perturbative QCD corrections to hadronic τ decays and e
+
e
− annihilation into hadrons below charm are obtained from the Adler function, which at present is known in the chiral limit to five-loop accuracy. Extractions of the strong coupling, α

s
, from these processes suffer from an ambiguity related to the treatment of unknown higher orders in the perturbative series. In this work, we exploit the method of Padé approximants and its convergence theorems to extract information about higher-order corrections to the Adler function in a systematic way. First, the method is tested in the large-β
0 limit of QCD, where the perturbative series is known to all orders. We devise strategies to accelerate the convergence of the method employing renormalization scheme variations and the so-called D-log Padé approximants. The success of these strategies can be understood in terms of the analytic structure of the series in the Borel plane. We then apply the method to full QCD and obtain reliable model-independent predictions for the higher-order coefficients of the Adler function. For the six-, seven-, and eight-loop coefficients we find c
5,1 = 277 ± 51, c
6,1 = 3460±690, and c
7,1 = (2.02±0.72)×104, respectively, with errors to be understood as lower and upper bounds. Our model-independent reconstruction of the perturbative QCD corrections to the τ hadronic width strongly favours the use of fixed-order perturbation theory (FOPT) for the renormalization-scale setting.
Janus ABJM models with mass deformation
Authors: Kim Kyung Kiu , Kwon O-Kab
Published: August 2018

Abstract

We construct a large class of

$$ \mathcal{N}=3 $$

N
=
3

Janus ABJM models with mass deformation, where the mass depends on a spatial (or lightcone) coordinate. We also show that the resulting Janus model can be identified with an effective action of M2-branes in the presence of a background self-dual 4-form field strength varying along one spatial (or lightcone) coordinate.
Prevalence of pre-stroke depression and its association with post-stroke depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Taylor-Rowan Martin , Momoh Oyiza , Ayerbe Luis , Evans Jonathan J. , Stott David J. , Quinn Terence J.
Published: August 2018

Background

Depression is a common post-stroke complication. Pre-stroke depression may be an important contributor, however the epidemiology of pre-stroke depression is poorly understood. Using systematic review and meta-analysis, we described the prevalence of pre-stroke depression and its association with post-stroke depression.

Methods

We searched multiple cross-disciplinary databases from inception to July 2017 and extracted data on the prevalence of pre-stroke depression and its association with post-stroke depression. We assessed the risk of bias (RoB) using validated tools. We described summary estimates of prevalence and summary odds ratio (OR) for association with post-stroke depression, using random-effects models. We performed subgroup analysis describing the effect of depression assessment method. We used a funnel plot to describe potential publication bias. The strength of evidence presented in this review was summarised via ‘GRADE’.

Results

Of 11 884 studies identified, 29 were included (total participantsn= 164 993). Pre-stroke depression pooled prevalence was 11.6% [95% confidence interval (CI) 9.2–14.7]; range: 0.4–24% (I295.8). Prevalence of pre-stroke depression varied by assessment method (p= 0.02) with clinical interview suggesting greater pre-stroke depression prevalence (~17%) than case-note review (9%) or self-report (11%). Pre-stroke depression was associated with increased odds of post-stroke depression; summary OR 3.0 (95% CI 2.3–4.0). All studies were judged to be at RoB: 59% of included studies had an uncertain RoB in stroke assessment; 83% had high or uncertain RoB for pre-stroke depression assessment. Funnel plot indicated no risk of publication bias. The strength of evidence based on GRADE was ‘very low’.

Conclusions

One in six stroke patients have had pre-stroke depression. Reported rates may be routinely underestimated due to limitations around assessment. Pre-stroke depression significantly increases odds of post-stroke depression.

Protocol identifier

PROSPERO identifier: CRD42017065544
Traumatic event exposure associated with increased food insecurity and eating disorder pathology
Authors: Becker Carolyn Black , Middlemass Keesha , Johnson Clara , Taylor Brigitte , Gomez Francesca , Sutherland Autumn
Published: August 2018

Objective

The primary aim was to investigate the association between food insecurity (FI) and eating disorders, which are nutrition-based public health problems, with traumatic event exposure in a low-income marginalized population. The study also investigated the association between traumatic event exposure, anxiety and weight stigma.

Design

The study used self-report surveys in a cross-sectional design.

Setting

Food pantries affiliated with the local food bank in a major US city.

Subjects

Participants (n 503) consisted of clients presenting to food pantries. Participants were predominantly female (76·5 %), Latino/Hispanic (64·6 %) and low-income (59 % reported earning under $US 10 000 per year).

Results

Results indicated that 55·7 % of participants had directly experienced a traumatic event; this increased to 61·6 % when witnessing was included. Higher levels of FI were associated with greater traumatic event exposure. Increased exposure to traumatic events correlated with worsened overall eating disorder pathology (r=−0·239), weight stigma (r=−0·151) and anxiety (r=−0·210).

Conclusions

The present study is the first to investigate the association of FI, eating disorders and trauma in a low-income marginalized population. Results indicate that exposure to traumatic events is common in this civilian population and that traumatic event exposure is associated with higher levels of FI and eating disorder pathology. Results indicate that further research is warranted given that traumatic event exposure, eating disorder pathology, weight stigma and anxiety may complicate effective delivery of public health interventions in those living with FI.
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans – the impact of radiation therapy: a single institution series
Authors: Sebastian Patricia , Siddique Sharief K. , Varghese Sunitha Susan , Prabhu Anne Jennifer , Titus V. T. K. , Backianathan Selvamani , Nayak Sukriya
Published: August 2018

Background

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a locally aggressive intermediate malignancy.

Objective

The purpose of this retrospective analysis is to determine the efficacy of radiation therapy (RT) in local control of DFSP.

Patients and methods

The recurrence-free survival (RFS) for 45 patients treated for DFSP at our institution was estimated and compared between surgery alone and postoperative RT groups.

Results

Age range of the patients were in the third and fourth decades; males:females=2:1; most common site: anterior abdominal wall; tumours >5 cm in size in 75%; low grade in 77·8%; margins positive in 31·8% and <5 mm margins in 45·5%. Two-thirds of patients had at least one recurrence before presentation to our institution. RT dose was >50 Gy in 88% of patients. The patients treated with postoperative RT had poorer prognostic factors compared with surgery alone: they were males (17 versus 13 patients), and presented with high-grade tumours (5 versus 1 patients), multiple recurrences prior to presentation (25 versus 20 patients) and positive or <5 mm margins (22 versus 12 patients). Median follow-up for surgery alone group was 17 (1–152) months and for postoperative RT group, this was 54 (5–121) months. RFS at 5 years was 77·1% for surgery alone and 87·9% for postoperative RT group but was not statistically significant. The median time to recurrence was 4 years.

Conclusion

RT delays the time to recurrence in DFSP. RT improves the outcome of DFSP for recurrent tumours and with positive margins.
High-Altitude “Wind Walls” Discovered near Magnetic Poles
Authors: Stanley Sarah
Published: August 2018

Satellite imaging reveals two narrow channels of extreme winds surrounded by gentle opposing flow 140–250 kilometers above sea level.
Peripubertal stress increases play fighting at adolescence and modulates nucleus accumbens CB1 receptor expression and mitochondrial function in the amygdala
Authors: Papilloud Aurélie , Guillot de Suduiraut Isabelle , Zanoletti Olivia , Grosse Jocelyn , Sandi Carmen
Published: August 2018

Play fighting is a highly rewarding behavior that helps individuals to develop social skills. Early-life stress has been shown to alter play fighting in rats and hamsters as well as to increase aggressive behaviors at adulthood. However, it is not known whether individual differences in stress-induced play fighting are related to differential developmental trajectories towards adult aggression. To address this question, we used a rat model of peripubertal stress (PPS)-induced psychopathology that involves increased aggression at adulthood. We report that, indeed, PPS leads to enhanced play fighting at adolescence. Using a stratification approach, we identify individuals with heightened levels of play fighting as the ones that show abnormal forms of aggression at adulthood. These animals showed as well a rapid habituation of their corticosterone responsiveness to repeated stressor exposure at peripuberty. They also showed a striking increase in mitochondrial function in the amygdala—but not nucleus accumbens—when tested ex vivo. Conversely, low, but not high players, displayed increased expression of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor in the nucleus accumbens shell. Our results highlight adolescence as a potential critical period in which aberrant play fighting is linked to the emergence of adult aggression. They also point at brain energy metabolism during adolescence as a possible target to prevent adult aggression.
Distribution of living coccolithophores in eastern Indian Ocean during spring intermonsoon
Authors: Liu Haijiao , Sun Jun , Wang Dongxiao , Zhang Xiaodong , Zhang Cuixia , Song Shuqun , Thangaraj Satheeswaran
Published: August 2018

We studied the biodiversity of autotrophic calcareous coccolithophore assemblages at 30 locations in the Eastern Equatorial Indian Ocean (EEIO) (80°–94°E, 6°N–5°S) and evaluated the importance of regional hydrology. We documented 26 species based on the identification of coccospheres and coccoliths, respectively. The coccolithophore community was dominated byGephyrocapsa oceanica,Emiliania huxleyi,Florisphaera profunda,Umbilicosphaera sibogae, andHelicosphaera carteri. The abundance of coccoliths and coccospheres ranged from 0.2 × 103to 160 × 103coccoliths l−1and 0.2 × 103to 68 × 103cells l−1, averaged 23 × 103coccoliths l−1and 9.4 × 103cells l−1, respectively. Biogenic PIC, POC, and rain ratio mean values were 0.50 μgC l−1, 1.047 μgC l−1, and 0.10 respectively. High abundances of both coccoliths and coccospheres in the surface ocean layer occurred on the north of the equator. Vertically, the great majority of coccoliths and coccospheres were concentrated in water taken from depths of <75 m. The ratios between the number of coccospheres and free coccoliths indicated that coccoliths experience different levels of dissolution when transported to deep water. Abundant coccolithophores mainly occurred at the west of 90°E, which is in accordance with the presence of Wyrtki jets. Patterns of coccolithosphores and of coccoliths have been reflected in hydrological processes.
Limited contribution of health behaviours to expanding income-related chronic disease disparities based on a nationwide cross-sectional study in China
Authors: Wang Qing , Shen Jay J. , Frakes Kaitlyn
Published: August 2018

This study estimated the association of income and prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and hypertension, and then quantified the contribution of health behaviors to the association in China. Using the 2013 survey of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), a logit model was applied to examine income-related health disparities in relation to CVD and hypertension. A four-step regression method was then constructed to measure the role of health behaviors in income-related health disparities. Using indirect effects, mediation by health behaviors was examined. Income-related health disparities in chronic diseases were found to exist in China. Specifically, individuals in the high-income group had a 14% (OR = 0.86; 95% CI 0.73–1.02) and 14% (OR = 0.86; 95% CI 0.76–0.97) lower odds of suffering from CVD and hypertension than those in the low-income group. However, limited evidence shows this association was mediated by health behaviors. The Heaviness of Smoking Index (HSI), heavy drinking, irregular eating, and nap time did not significantly mediate the association of income and prevalence of CVD and hypertension. To curb the rising prevalence of CVD and hypertension in China, policies should focus on the low-income subpopulation. However, healthy behaviors interventions targeting smoking, heavy drinking, unhealthy napping and irregular eating habits among low-income people may be ineffective in reduction of income-related disparities in prevalence of CVD and hypertension.
mRNA-specific translation regulation by a ribosome-associated ncRNA in Haloferax volcanii
Authors: Wyss Leander , Waser Melanie , Gebetsberger Jennifer , Zywicki Marek , Polacek Norbert
Published: August 2018

Regulation of gene expression at the translational level allows rapid adaptation of cellular proteomes to quickly changing environmental conditions and is thus central for prokaryotic organisms. Small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) have been reported to effectively orchestrate translation control in bacteria and archaea mainly by targeting mRNAs by partial base complementarity. Here we report an unprecedented mechanism how sRNAs are capable of modulating protein biosynthesis in the halophilic archaeon Haloferax volcanii. By analyzing the ribosome-associated ncRNAs (rancRNAs) under different stress conditions we identified an intergenic sRNA, termed rancRNA_s194, that is primarily expressed during exponential growth under all tested conditions. By interaction with the ribosome rancRNA_s194 inhibits peptide bond formation and protein synthesis in vitro but appears to target a specific mRNA in vivo. The respective knock-out strain shows a reduced lag phase in media containing xylose as sole carbon source and outcompetes the wildtype cells under these conditions. Mass spectrometry, polysome profiling and mRNA binding competition experiments suggest that rancRNA_s194 prevents the cstA mRNA from being efficiently translated by H. volcanii ribosomes. These findings enlarge the regulatory repertoire of archaeal sRNAs in modulating post-transcriptional gene expression.
Sexual dimorphism in Drosophila melanogaster survival of Beauveria bassiana infection depends on core immune signaling
Authors: Shahrestani Parvin , Chambers Moria , Vandenberg John , Garcia Kelly , Malaret Glen , Chowdhury Pratik , Estrella Yonathan , Zhu Ming , Lazzaro Brian P.
Published: August 2018

In many animal species, females and males differ in physiology, lifespan, and immune function. The magnitude and direction of the sexual dimorphism in immune function varies greatly and the genetic and mechanistic bases for this dimorphism are often unknown. Here we show that Drosophila melanogaster females are more likely than males to die from infection with several strains of the fungal entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana. The sexual dimorphism is not exclusively due to barrier defenses and persists when flies are inoculated by injection as well as by surface exposure. Loss of function mutations of Toll pathway genes remove the dimorphism in survivorship. Surprisingly, loss of function mutation of relish, a gene in the Imd pathway, also removes the dimorphism, but the dimorphism persists in flies carrying other Imd pathway mutations. The robust sexual dimorphism in D. melanogaster survival to B. bassiana presents opportunities to further dissect its mechanistic details, with applications for biological control of insect vectors of human disease and insect crop pests.
Visuomotor Prediction Errors Modulate EEG Activity Over Parietal Cortex
Authors: Savoie F.-A. , Thénault F. , Whittingstall K. , Bernier P.-M.
Published: August 2018

The parietal cortex is thought to be involved in visuomotor adaptation, yet it remains unclear whether it is specifically modulated by visuomotor prediction errors (i.e. PEs; mismatch between the predicted and actual visual consequences of the movement). One reason for this is that PEs tend to be associated with task errors, as well as changes in motor output and visual input, making them difficult to isolate. Here this issue is addressed using electroencephalography. A strategy (STR) condition, in which participants were instructed on how to counter a 45° visuomotor rotation, was compared to a condition in which participants had adapted to the rotation (POST). Both conditions were matched for task errors and movement kinematics, with the only difference being the presence of PEs in STR. Results revealed strong parietal modulations in current source density and low theta (2–4 Hz) power shortly after movement onset in STRvs. POST, followed by increased alpha/low beta (8–18 Hz) power during much of the post-movement period. Given recent evidence showing that feedforward and feedback information is respectively carried by theta and alpha/beta oscillations, the observed power modulations may reflect the bottom-up propagation of PEs and the top-down revision of predictions.
Emergence of different crystal morphologies using the coffee ring effect
Authors: Morinaga Kouki , Oikawa Noriko , Kurita Rei
Published: August 2018

Macroscopic patterns in nature formed during crystal growth e.g. snow crystals have a significant influence on many material properties, such as macroscopic heat conduction, electrical conduction, and mechanical properties, even with the same microscopic crystal structure. Although crystal morphology has been extensively studied in bulk, the formation of patterns induced by re-crystallization during evaporation is still unclear. Here, we find a way to obtain concentric circles, a dendritic pattern, and a lattice pattern by pinning the edge of droplets using the coffee ring effect; only aggregates of crystallites are seen in the absence of pinning. Our systematic study shows that the macroscopic patterns depend both on initial concentration and evaporation rate. In addition, our qualitative analysis suggests that the local concentration of solute at the center of the pattern is related to the macroscopic patterns.
Multipolar passive cloaking by nonradiating anapole excitation
Authors: Ospanova Anar K. , Labate Giuseppe , Matekovits Ladislau , Basharin Alexey A.
Published: August 2018

In this paper, we demonstrate the relation between cloaking effect and its nonradiating state by considering the destructive multipolar interaction between near-field scattering by bare object and surrounding coating located in its proximity. This cloaking effect is underpinned by anapole mode excitation and it occurs as destructive interference between the electric dipole moment, generated by a bare object (here a central metallic scatterer) and the toroidal moment, formed inside the cloak (a surrounding cluster of dielectric cylinders). Numerical results show how a cloaking effect based on the formation of the anapole mode can lead to an overall nonradiating metamolecule with all-dielectric materials in the coating region.
Perceptual Expectations of Object Stimuli Modulate Repetition Suppression in a Delayed Repetition Design
Authors: Kronbichler Lisa , Said-Yürekli Sarah , Kronbichler Martin
Published: August 2018

Several fMRI and EEG/MEG studies show that repetition suppression (RS) effects are stronger when a stimulus repetition is expected compared to when a stimulus repetition is less expected. To date, the prevalent way to assess the influence of expectations on RS is via immediate stimulus repetition designs, that is, no intervening stimuli appear between the initial and repeated presentation of a stimulus. Since there is evidence that repetition lag may alter RS effects in a qualitative manner, the current study investigated how perceptual expectations modify RS effects on object stimuli when repetition lag is relatively long. Region of interest analyses in the left occipital cortex revealed a similar activation pattern as identified in previous studies on immediate lag: RS effects were strongest when repetitions were expected compared to decreased RS effects when repetitions were less expected. Therefore, the current study expands previous research in two ways: First, we replicate prior studies showing that perceptual expectation effects can be observed in object-sensitive occipital areas. Second, the finding that expectation effects can be found even for several-minute lags proposes that Bayesian inference processes are a relatively robust component in visual stimulus processing.
Transforming Psychiatry into Data-Driven Medicine with Digital Measurement Tools
Authors: Hsin Honor , Fromer Menachem , Peterson Bret , Walter Collin , Fleck Mathias , Campbell Andrew , Varghese Paul , Califf Robert
Published: August 2018

Psychiatry has been limited by historically rooted practices centered primarily on subjective observation. Fields such as oncology have progressed toward data-driven clinical decision-making that combines subjective clinical assessment of symptoms and preferences with biological measures such as genetics, biomarkers, imaging, and integrative physiology to derive quantitative risk scores and decision support. In contrast, psychiatry has just begun to scratch the surface of measurement-based care with validated clinical questionnaires. An opportunity exists to improve modern psychiatric care with novel data streams from digital sensors combined with clinical observation and subjective self-report. The prospect of integrating this complex information with modern computational and analytical methods could advance the field, both in research and clinical practice. Here we discuss this possibility and propose some key priorities to enable these innovations toward improving clinical outcomes in the future.
Palladium-mediated radical homocoupling reactions: a surface catalytic insight
Authors: Favier Isabelle , Toro Marie-Lou , Lecante Pierre , Pla Daniel , Gómez Montserrat
Published: August 2018

In this work, we report a palladium nanoparticle-promoted reductive homocoupling of haloarenes, exhibiting a broad functional group tolerance. A mechanistic study was carried out, suggesting single-electron transfer processes on the metal surface.
Enhanced plasmonic photocatalytic disinfection on noble-metal-free bismuth nanospheres/graphene nanocomposites
Authors: Li Kanglu , Chen Peng , Li Jieyuan , Sun Yanjuan , Chu Yinghao , Dong Fan
Published: August 2018

Enhanced plasmonic photocatalytic disinfection has been achieved for the first time on noble-metal-free bismuth nanospheres/graphene nanocomposites prepared by a facile method.
Lewis and Brønsted basicity of phosphine-diazomethane derivatives
Authors: Schneider Carolin , LaFortune James H. W. , Melen Rebecca L. , Stephan Douglas W.
Published: August 2018

The compounds EtOC(O)CHNN(PR3) (R = Ph 1, Cy 2, tBu 3) were prepared via the reactions of the diazomethane and a phosphine and their reactivity has been explored.
On the inhibition of capsaicin response in dorsal root ganglion neurons by nobilamide B and analogues: a structure–activity relationship study
Authors: Belleza Oliver John V. , Tun Jortan O. , Concepcion Gisela P. , Villaraza Aaron Joseph L.
Published: August 2018

Nobilamide B, a TRPV1 antagonist, and a series of Ala-substituted analogues were synthesized and their neuroactivity was assessed in a primary culture of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons.
A self-supported nanoporous PtGa film as an efficient multifunctional electrocatalyst for energy conversion
Authors: Wang Ying , Wang Zhenbin , Zhang Jie , Zhang Chi , Gao Hui , Niu Jiazheng , Zhang Zhonghua
Published: August 2018

A self-supported nanoporous PtGa film fabricatedviaa liquid Ga-assisted dealloying strategy served as an efficient multifunctional electrocatalyst for energy conversion.
Theory of polymer-electrolyte-composite electroactuator sensors with flat or volume-filling electrodes
Authors: Goodwin Zachary A. H. , Kornyshev Alexei A.
Published: August 2018

In reverse actuation, a voltage/electrical-current signal can be generated from applying a mechanical force to an electroactuator.
Carboxylate substitution position influencing polymer properties and enabling non-fullerene organic solar cells with high open circuit voltage and low voltage loss
Authors: Liu Jing , Ma Lik-Kuen , Sheong Fu Kit , Zhang Lin , Hu Huawei , Zhang Jing-Xuan , Zhang Jianquan , Li Zhengke , Ma Chao , Han Xu , Pan Ding , Ade Harald , Ma Wei , Yan He
Published: August 2018

A novel polymer P3TAE enables a high VOC of 1.20 V and a PCE of 8.10% for non-fullerene OSCs.
Covalently linked metal–organic framework (MOF)-polymer all-solid-state electrolyte membranes for room temperature high performance lithium batteries
Authors: Wang Zhinan , Wang Shi , Wang Ailian , Liu Xu , Chen Jie , Zeng Qinghui , Zhang Lei , Liu Wei , Zhang Liaoyun
Published: August 2018

A MOF covalently linked by polymer chains is prepared and used as an all-solid-state polymer electrolyte for LIBs, which shows superior performance.
Students’ Understanding of Quantum Numbers: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Temel Senar , Özcan Özgür
Published: August 2018

Quantum physics involves counterintuitive abstract concepts and complex mathematical procedures that are difficult to understand by physics and chemistry students at university level. This study employs case study- one of the methods of qualitative study- and it aims to determine the difficulties prospective chemistry and physics teachers encounter in understanding quantum numbers. 17 students in total were included in the study. The data were collected via a test of three open-ended questions developed by the researchers. The collected data were then analysed by using the content analysis method. It was found accordingly that both prospective chemistry teachers and prospective physics teachers had difficulties in understanding quantum numbers. The findings obtained in this study were compared with the ones obtained in similar studies and were discussed accordingly.
Adaptation algorithms of mathematical educational content in e-learning courses
Authors: Vainshteina Yulia , Shershneva Victoria , Esin Roman , Tsibulsky Gennady , Safonov Konstantin
Published: August 2018

This article is devoted to the development of algorithms for the adaptation of mathematical educational content and their implementation in the e-learning system. The adaptation of a mathematical content consists in the selection of an optimal edition of the material that best suits the individual characteristics of the student. The novelty of the work is the organization of the adaptation algorithms of the educational content in a three-level system: "introductory content adaptation" (an adaptation of the content of introductory materials of the discipline based on the initial level of students) - "current adaptation of the content" (an adaptation of the mathematical content based on current effective actions of students in the electronic course) - "appraisal-correcting adaptation" (an adaptation of normative parameters of the level of assimilation of materials, taking into account the results achieved by students). The introduction of the proposed three-stage system makes it possible to implement in individual educational trajectories and to form for each student a personal space of mathematical educational content that adapts to its level of mastering the material, which helps to improve the quality of instruction in mathematical disciplines. An approbation of the proposed algorithms was carried out in the adaptive e-course in discrete mathematics, implemented at Siberian Federal University in Russia.
Research on the impact of recreational activities on the patients of schizophrenia
Authors: Erdogan Yazgi , Yamaner Faruk , Karadere Emrah
Published: August 2018

This research was done for finding out the impacts of Recreational Activities on the Schizophrenic Patients. 30 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia registered in Hitit University Education and Research Hospital’s Community Mental Health Centerwere included in the research. The patients were applied with educational games and folk dances as recreational activities three days a week for 12 weeks. In the research, Scale for the Assessment of the Negative Symptoms (SANS), Scale for the Assessment of the positive Symptoms (SAPS), Global Assessment of the Functioning (GAF) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scales were used as data collection tools at the beginning and the end of 12 weeks. In addition, body lipid percentages, body weights and body mass indexes (BMI) of the patients were calculated at the beginning and the end of the research by using TANITA device. According to the results of statistical analyses, the difference between start and end SANS (p=0,471), GAF (p=0,004), CGI (p=0,003) values and body lipid percentages (p=0,019) of the participants was statistically significant. However, the difference between start and end weight (p=0,406), BMI (p=0,471) and SAPS (p=0,081) rates was not statistically significant.
Improving the Physical Education and Sport Faculty students’ speed manifestation indices by means of the practical activities from the first year of study curriculum – bachelor’s degree studies
Authors: Iconomescu Teodora-Mihaela , Mocanu George-Danut , Talaghir Laurentiu-Gabriel
Published: August 2018

Part of motor fitness, speed is an extremely important motor skill, which ensures the success and efficiency of the performed activities, being nevertheless dependent on the genetic component. Thus, this skill is difficult to train as compared to other motor skills. The experimental study included 31 girls and 59 boys, first year students at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport from Galați, who were involved in the practical activities corresponding to the curriculum, comprising 7 subjects per semester and a number of 196 hours during 2015 – 2016 university year. The difference between the averages obtained in the initial and final tests and the statistical processing of these results allowed us to determine both those speed manifestation forms for which progress is achievable and the situations in which the statistically significant progress is limited, regardless of the effort put in the activities and of the diversity of the stimuli used. The practical activities in which students were involved were varied and focused on different types of speed and its combination with other skills, the level of student involvement being high. The fact that the two groups obtained significant progress and similar correlation indices in most tests allowed us to draw some general conclusions. Nonetheless, for the studied groups, there were also some situations in which certain specific features had to be taken into account such as the sex or the level of motor skills, which influenced the final results. Students’ progress in most tests highlight the optimization possibilities of the fitness level regarding speed and its combinations at a biological and chronological age for which the effort potential and the motor performance should be at an extremely high level.
A Comparison on illustration of story and narration of illustration
Authors: Korkmaz Selma
Published: August 2018

The purpose of Turkish classes is to equip students with the ability of comprehension and narration. Everyone knows that stories covered in Turkish courses are offered with visuals, meaning pictures, so that they could be more easily understood. Illustration of a read story and narration of a picture shown can help explore the extent to which the topic is comprehended and how it is narrated, meaning visual presentation and visual reading skills. The purpose of this study is to compare whether attention is paid to several elements such as event, time, place, persons, language and narration/visual language during the illustration of a story and narration of a picture shown, meaning whether a connection is established between the narrated story and drawn picture as well as between the shown picture and the narrated story. Study group consists of 35 pre-service teachers who are junior students at Turkish language teaching department of Atatürk Education Faculty at Near East University. Document analysis, which is a qualitative research method, was employed and several stories and pictures were used as data collection tools. Descriptive analysis, percentage and frequency were used in the analysis of data. Based on the obtained findings, we can claim that pre-service teachers are more skilled in narration of picture compared to illustration of stories, meaning that their visual reading skills are superior to their visual presentation skills.
An analysis of values in children’s picture books in Turkish for 5-6 year-old children
Authors: Gül Mine Kazancı , Atay Mesude
Published: August 2018

This study aims to examine the values of wisdom, tolerance, benevolence, happiness, courtesy, respect, love and responsibility in the children’s books published in the years between 2000 and 2007 and in 2014 written in Turkish for 5-6 year old children. It is designed in content analysis pattern of qualitative research. A descriptive model of quantitative research methods was used to determine the frequency of values in picture books. The sample of the study consists of 40 children’s picture books which are translated into Turkish and written in Turkish for the 5-6 age group determined by the criterion sampling strategy. The researcher developed a checklist as a data collection tool which is values checklist. As a result of the research, there are 46.80% values in the children’s picture books published between 2000 and 2007; 53.20% values published in 2014, in analyzed picture books. It is found that children’s picture books, those translated into Turkish and those written in Turkish differ in terms of inclusion of values. Regarding results of the study, it is necessary to give more importance to the value of wisdom and tolerance in the children’s picture books and to transfer the values through positive examples toward proper behavior.
N-glycan microheterogeneity regulates interactions of plasma proteins
Authors: Wu Di , Struwe Weston B. , Harvey David J. , Ferguson Michael A. J. , Robinson Carol V.
Published: August 2018

Significance

Glycosylation is one of the most common and complex posttranslation modifications that significantly influences protein structure and function. However, linking individual glycan structures to protein interactions remains challenging and typically requires multiple techniques. Here, we establish a mass-spectrometric approach to systematically dissect the microheterogeneity of two important serum proteins, α1-acid glycoprotein and haptoglobin, and relate glycan features to drug and protein-binding interaction kinetics. We found that the degree of N-glycan branching and extent of terminal fucosylation can attenuate or enhance these interactions, providing important insight into drug transport in plasma. Our study demonstrates an approach capable of investigating how protein glycosylation fine-tunes protein–drug interactions at the glycan-specific level and will prove universally useful for studying glycoprotein interactions.
Mouse models in the era of large human tumour sequencing studies
Authors: de Ruiter J. R. , Wessels L. F. A. , Jonkers J.
Published: August 2018

Cancer is a complex disease in which cells progressively accumulate mutations disrupting their cellular processes. A fraction of these mutations drive tumourigenesis by affecting oncogenes or tumour suppressor genes, but many mutations are passengers with no clear contribution to tumour development. The advancement of DNA and RNA sequencing technologies has enabled in-depth analysis of thousands of human tumours from various tissues to perform systematic characterization of their (epi)genomes and transcriptomes in order to identify (epi)genetic changes associated with cancer. Combined with considerable progress in algorithmic development, this expansion in scale has resulted in the identification of many cancer-associated mutations, genes and pathways that are considered to be potential drivers of tumour development. However, it remains challenging to systematically identify drivers affected by complex genomic rearrangements and drivers residing in non-coding regions of the genome or in complex amplicons or deletions of copy-number driven tumours. Furthermore, functional characterization is challenging in the human context due to the lack of genetically tractable experimental model systems in which the effects of mutations can be studied in the context of their tumour microenvironment. In this respect, mouse models of human cancer provide unique opportunities for pinpointing novel driver genes and their detailed characterization. In this review, we provide an overview of approaches for complementing human studies with data from mouse models. We also discuss state-of-the-art technological developments for cancer gene discovery and validation in mice.
Before platelets: the production of platelet-activating factor during growth and stress in a basal marine organism
Authors: Galtier d'Auriac Ines , Quinn Robert A. , Maughan Heather , Nothias Louis-Felix , Little Mark , Kapono Clifford A. , Cobian Ana , Reyes Brandon T. , Green Kevin , Quistad Steven D. , Leray Matthieu , Smith Jennifer E. , Dorrestein Pieter C. , Rohwer Forest , Deheyn Dimitri D. , Hartmann Aaron C.
Published: August 2018

Corals and humans represent two extremely disparate metazoan lineages and are therefore useful for comparative evolutionary studies. Two lipid-based molecules that are central to human immunity, platelet-activating factor (PAF) and Lyso-PAF were recently identified in scleractinian corals. To identify processes in corals that involve these molecules, PAF and Lyso-PAF biosynthesis was quantified in conditions known to stimulate PAF production in mammals (tissue growth and exposure to elevated levels of ultraviolet light) and in conditions unique to corals (competing with neighbouring colonies over benthic space). Similar to observations in mammals, PAF production was higher in regions of active tissue growth and increased when corals were exposed to elevated levels of ultraviolet light. PAF production also increased when corals were attacked by the stinging cells of a neighbouring colony, though only the attacked coral exhibited an increase in PAF. This reaction was observed in adjacent areas of the colony, indicating that this response is coordinated across multiple polyps including those not directly subject to the stress. PAF and Lyso-PAF are involved in coral stress responses that are both shared with mammals and unique to the ecology of cnidarians.
Discrepancies between observed data and predictions from mathematical modelling of the impact of screening interventions onChlamydia trachomatisprevalence
Authors: Smid Joost , Althaus Christian L. , Low Nicola
Published: August 2018

Mathematical modelling studies ofC. trachomatistransmission predict that interventions to screen and treat chlamydia infection will reduce prevalence to a greater degree than that observed in empirical population-based studies. We investigated two factors that might explain this discrepancy: partial immunity after natural infection clearance and differential screening coverage according to infection risk. We used four variants of a compartmental model for heterosexualC. trachomatistransmission, parameterized using data from England about sexual behaviour andC. trachomatistesting, diagnosis and prevalence, and Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods for statistical inference. A model in which partial immunity follows natural infection clearance and the proportion of tests done in chlamydia-infected people decreases over time fitted the data best. The model predicts that partial immunity reduced susceptibility to reinfection by 72% (95% Bayesian credible interval 57-86%). The estimated screening rate was 4.6 (2.6-6.5) times higher for infected than for uninfected women in 2000; this decreased to 2.1 (1.4-2.9) in 2011. Other factors not included in the model could have further reduced the expected impact of screening. Future mathematical modelling studies investigating the effects of screening interventions onC. trachomatistransmission should incorporate host immunity and changes over time in the targeting of screening.
Co-invasion of the ladybird Harmonia axyridis and its parasites Hesperomyces virescens fungus and Parasitylenchus bifurcatus nematode to the Caucasus
Authors: Orlova-Bienkowskaja Marina J. , Spiridonov Sergei E. , Butorina Natalia N. , Bieńkowski Andrzej O.
Published: August 2018

Study of parasites in recently established populations of invasive species can shed lite on sources of invasion and possible indirect interactions of the alien species with native ones. We studied parasites of the global invader Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in the Caucasus. In 2012 the first established population of H. axyridis was recorded in the Caucasus in Sochi (south of European Russia, Black sea coast). By 2018 the ladybird has spread to the vast territory: Armenia, Georgia and south Russia: Adygea, Krasnodar territory, Stavropol territory, Dagestan, Kabardino-Balkaria and North Ossetia. Examination of 213 adults collected in Sochi in 2018 have shown that 53% of them are infested with Hesperomyces virescens fungi (Ascomycota: Laboulbeniales) and 8% with Parasitylenchus bifurcatus nematodes (Nematoda: Tylenchida, Allantonematidae). Examined H. axyridis specimens were free of parasitic mite Coccipolipus hippodamiae. An analysis of the phylogenetic relationships of Parasitylenchus bifurcatus based on 18S rDNA confirmed the morphological identification of this species. Hesperomyces virescens and Parasitylenchus bifurcatus are firstly recorded from the Caucasus and Russia, though widespread in Europe. It probably indicates that they appeared as a result of co-invasion with their host. Harmonia axyridis was released in the region for pest control, but laboratory cultures are always free of H. virescens and P. bifurcatus. Therefore, detection of H. virescens and P. bifurcatus indicates that population of H. axyridis in the Caucasus cannot derive exclusively from released specimens. We did not find H. virescens on 400 specimens of 31 other ladybird species collected in the same localities with H. axyridis in the Caucasus. No reliable correlation between infestation by H. virescens and P. bifurcatus has been found. Besides these two parasites an unidentified species of the order Mermithida is recorded. It is the first documented case of H. axyridis infestation by a parasitic nematode of this order in nature.