bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Climatological Variables in the Aid of Decision Making for Irrigated Agriculture
Authors: Filgueiras Roberto , Reis Matheus M. , Lopes Érika M. G. , Ribeiro Rayssa B. , Ramos Maria Camila A.
Published: April 2019

The knowledge of the spatial-temporal dynamics of evapotranspiration is of great importance for the accomplishment of agroclimatic zoning and, therefore, for the design of irrigation systems and management of water use in irrigated perimeters. In this context, this study aimed to generate, with the aid of geotechnologies, information that can support irrigation systems planning and design, based on the temporal distribution of daily climatological normals and on evapotranspiration mapping for the irrigated perimeter of Gorutuba/MG. Climatic data were obtained from the meteorological station of the National Institute of Meteorology (INMET) of the municipality of Janaúba/MG in the period from 1985 to 2014. It was verified the non-tendentiousness and the temporal dependence of the climate data using variogram analysis and the temporal dependence index, respectively. For the interpolation, it was used ordinary kriging. The evapotranspiration mapping was conducted from 180 monthly images, from 2000 to 2014, of the MODIS sensor MOD16A product. The results generated for the irrigated perimeter provided relevant information for decision making of the irrigated agriculture management.
Techno-economic Analysis (TEA) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of a Low Temperature Closed-Cycle Grain Drying System
Authors: Ma Mingjun , Rosentrater Kurt A.
Published: April 2019

The aim of this study was to understand the environmental and economic impact of the low temperature closed-cycle grain drying system by using techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA). For TEA, three scales including small (60 bu/batch), medium (600 bu/batch) and large (6000 bu/batch) were chosen for analysis the total annual drying cost and unit drying cost. For LCA, the greenhouse gasses (GHG) emission was the only environmental impact that considered in this study, since the electricity was the only energy source for this drying system. The TEA result shows that the drying costs for one bushel of corn were $0.62, $0.49, $0.46 for the small, medium and large scales of this drying system, respectively, and the drying cost could potentially be lower than grain elevators. The LCA results indicate that greenhouse gas emissions will increase along with the expansion of the drying system since the electricity comes from a local coal-based electricity plant, which potentially makes this drying system’s greenhouse gas emissions higher than other types of drying systems. Farmers can use this method to make decisions when handling their grain.
Urochloa Hybrid Submitted to Biostimulant Application in Grazing Simulation
Authors: Lima Luara Cristina de , Freitas Renato Aurélio Severino de Menezes , Barbero Leandro Martins , Lana Regina Maria Quintão , Basso Fernanda Carvalho , Cardoso Atalita Francis , Camargo Reginaldo de
Published: April 2019

The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of Urochloa hybrid Convert HD364 applied in different doses as a vegetable biostimulant under grazing simulation in intermittent stocking in the city of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais. The treatments consisted of a control (absence of biostimulant) and in 5 doses of biostimulant, 0.25; 0.5; 0.75; 1.0 and 1.25 L ha-1, in a randomized complete block design with 4 replicates. Productive and qualitative parameters were evaluated. The data were submitted to analysis of variance, using for the comparison of means, the Regression test at 5% of significance. The biostimulant promotes an increase in the accumulation of DM and in the rate of accumulation of forage, leaves and stems of Urochloa hybrid and reduction in the percentage of dead material and the L:S ratio of Urochloa hybrid.
Bee Community in Open-Field Tomato Crop and Pollination Effect by Wild Bees on the Fruit Production
Authors: Barbosa Fernando M. , Zanuncio José C. , Campos Lucio Antônio de O.
Published: April 2019

Bees are important components of the pollinator community of most ecosystems, contributing to the production of crops. The knowledge on the bees’fauna associated with crops and the pollination effect performed by bees on the fruit production and quality is important to the design, planning, and execution of projects to conserve pollinator populations in agricultural systems. The objectives of this work were to identify bees visiting tomato flowers, verify the climate variable and the day period on bee forage activity, and to evaluate the fruit production with different pollination types. The study was conducted from July 2015 to September 2017 in the Norte de Minas and Zona da Mata region, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Eleven tomato fields were sampled. Fruit set and fruit quality from different pollination methods was evaluated with the following treatments: single visit (SV), open pollination (OP), mechanical pollination (MP) and control (self-pollination) (C). A total of 1,998 individuals distributed in Andrenidae, Apidae, and Halictidae families were collected, with greater abundance and species richness for Apidae. The tomato fruit mass was higher in the OP than in the SV and MP, which differed from the C. The high abundance of Exomalopsis analis and its occurrence in all fields, allied to its sonication behavior, indicate that this species is an important pollinator of the tomato. The tomato does not depend exclusively on bee pollination, but this improves its yield and quality, especially when performed by individuals of different species.
When do Paper Tigers get Teeth?
Authors: Leeg Tobias
Published: April 2019

Both US and EU Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) nowadays consistently contain social standards to protect workers and the environment. But while the US pursues a sanction-based approach, the EU solely relies on dialogue and cooperation mechanisms.
This book attempts to explain what has led the US and the EU to pursue such diverging approaches.
In a structured comparison, this study analyses the US’ and the EU’s PTA negotiations with Central America, Peru and Colombia, and South Korea. Empirical findings suggest that the constellation of societal preferences was fairly similar in the US and Europe. However, the different institutional frameworks in the US and the EU translated these societal demands into different policy outcomes. In short, the features of the US’ domestic political processes were much more favourable to the formation of sanction-based social standards than the consensus-oriented style of policymaking in the EU.
The Three Kings Celebration in Vilnius: Its Origin and Evolution in the Twentieth and the Early Twenty-first Centuries
Authors: Mardosa Jonas
Published: April 2019

The article sets out to analyse the feast of Epiphany (Three Kings’ Day) held on 6 January in Vilnius in the twentieth century and the early twenty-first century. In many parts of the world, the first holiday after the celebration of the New Year is Epiphany celebrated on 6 January. The Catholics call this celebration the Feast of the Three Kings, and it goes back to the roots of the New Testament texts. The solemn commemoration of the celebration of Epiphany in Lithuania came from medieval European cities. The mummers of the first decades of the twentieth century were present in the context of Polish religious culture in Vilnius. Due to the ethnic composition of the urban population, Lithuanian groups were rare. According to Maria Znamierowska-Prüfferowa, groups of young people dressed as Kings moved from the suburbs of Vilnius to the centre on the eve of the Feast of the Three Kings. During the Soviet period of 1940 to 1990, church activities outside the territories of churches were banned. The reborn processions of the Three Kings in the city represent a new turn in the development of this feast in post-Soviet times. After the collapse of the Soviet system, the procession of the Three Kings was organised by the actors of the Old Town Theatre in Vilnius, whose activities were linked to the Old Town. The renewed Three Kings’ Day concentrates on an afternoon walk of the Kings in the central street of the former historic Old Town from the Gates of Dawn to Vilnius Cathedral. In the procession, the Three Kings are accompanied by an angel carrying the star at the front of the procession, other angels, and mummers of livestock walking along. Thus, the procession itself preserves the Biblical image of the characters and the content of the rites. At the end of twentieth century, transformations of the Christmas season customs took place so the sense of undressing Christmas trees and the symbolic farewell to them became part of the Feast of the Three Kings as the end of the Christmas season. Thus, city processions as a symbol of the end of the Christmas season in modern-day Vilnius life were revived during post-Soviet times.
ERGONOMIC RISK FACTORS ANALYSIS WITH MULTI-METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH: ASSESSING WORKERS’ ACTIVITIES IN BUILDINGS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Authors: ZORRILLA MUÑOZ VANESA , PETZ MARC , AGULLO  THOMAS MARIA SILVERIA
Published: April 2019

The aim of this article is to determinate a biomechanical risk analysis method based on a multi-methodological study for high-buildings under construction. This aim bases on the discussion related to the discrepancies about the risk analysis technique applied due to the differences in terms of risk types and levels of risk that different methods provide. The research analyzes the known musculoskeletal disorders, injuries, damages and the biomechanical risk factors of workers in high-buildings under construction. The data collected covers a sample of 150 workers in a high building under construction in Spain over a 12-months period.
The research strategy consists in the following five stages: Firstly, tasks and task groups were identified and classified in five working groups of activities. Secondly, the study applies techniques of direct observation to calculate the level of biomechanical risk. Thirdly, the semi-structured interview conveyed approaches to obtain specific data about signs of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs). Fourthly, the study discusses the occupational registered injuries by analysis of medical diagnoses. Fifthly, the software tools tested provide more details of direct observation techniques as the traditional forms to calculate the levels of biomechanical risk.
The results of the multi-methodological research design illustrate a phased approach may be contrasted between the stages and it allows a more complete analysis in order to compare the results. The research findings indicate that activities in buildings have a strong need to improve the analysis of designing processes in order to determinate tailored tasks and lessening bodily injuries and damages.

Keywords: Ergonomics, methodology, Work-related musculoskeletal disorders, activities in buildings
ANALYSIS OF TECHNOLOGICAL ARCHITECTURES FOR THE NEW PARADIGM OF THE INDUSTRY 4.0
Authors: LARRINAGA BARRENECHEA FELIX , ALDALUR CEBERIO IÑIGO , ILLARRAMENDI REZABAL MIREN , ITURBE URRETXA MIKEL , PEREZ  LAZARE TXEMA , UNAMUNO EGUREN GORKA , SALVIDEA CAMPUZANO JON , LAZKANOITURBURU INAXIO
Published: April 2019

The present work defines an interoperable and scalable architecture that will allow the servitization of the machine tool sector. ICT and the Internet of Things make possible to interconnect different devices and controllers, offering value-added services. One of the problems to be solved is the interoperability between the different IoT devices. Several platforms enable interoperability between devices. Our work uses Arrowhead with that purpose. In addition, with the aim of offering solutions in an agile and flexible way, we have chosen to use containers (Docker technology). Thus, the interoperability platform is managed within these containers making configuration and operation more agile and flexible. A use case is presented where a Danobat machine tool can offer value-added maintenance and efficiency services. For this purpose, data is acquired from the machine itself but data is also acquired from third-party devices such as ULMA's device. The interconnection of all this data is done in a transparent way for the user and through the interoperable Arrowhead platform. All this work has been carried out within the framework of the Productive 4.0 project.

Keywords: Interoperability, Industry 4.0, Containers, Productive 4.0, Arrowhead, Servitization, IoT
SUCCESS FACTORS FOR FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS IN ENGINEERING DEGREES. PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVING THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
Authors: NUÑEZ  HERNANDEZ FERNANDO , ARCOS VARGAS ANGEL , USABIAGA CARLOS
Published: April 2019

The aim of this paper is to analyse the main determinants of the academic results obtained by first-year undergraduate students enrolled at the School of Engineering (ETSI) of the University of Seville in the 2015/16 academic year. By conducting a survey of students, and after the corresponding statistical treatment of the information obtained, it is possible to identify and quantify the vector of characteristics that contributes to the academic success of an ETSI student.
The proposed methodology consists of two stages: (1) Determining the individual efficiency of each student using the Data Envelope Analysis (DEA) technique. The efficient student will be the one who obtains the best results (qualification-learning) from the resources used: fundamentally, study and class attendance. The DEA technique will make it possible to identify the group of efficient students and the necessary improvements in the case of non-efficient students. (2) Measuring the effect on academic performance of each student's intrinsic characteristics (personal and environmental). A multiple regression analysis identifies the determinants of academic success, either in terms of input-output efficiency or in terms of marks obtained.
The determination of efficient students in the management of academic resources allows the creation of study groups of students located in similar areas of the "efficiency frontier", which encourages, among other aspects, proactive and collaborative learning, the variation of behaviour in an efficient way and the development of the necessary competences. In addition, the analysis of the factors determining academic success may constitute, for ETSI's Board, a tool for reflection (which can be updated each year) on the teaching activity at the Centre; a tool aimed at proposing recommendations (to students and lecturers) that have been empirically tested.

Keywords: teaching innovation, academic performance, DEA, linear regression, success factors, students in Engineering degrees.
MODELING OF INFORMATION FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURE
Authors: GARTZIA GONZALEZ ROLANDO
Published: April 2019

Nowadays any company that manages some technology needs to manage the information that has to take to make the decisions that mark its future. Processes, organizational models, and any processes that involve certain information and which are going to lead to some or other decisions must be properly managed.
The same organization of the company is subject to a series of information and / or qualities that it is convenient to organize. In the same way that "organizations" need to be organized, the information that is handled to manufacture a physical product (object) must also be properly organized. In this are the information systems, intelligent systems, concurrent engineering, knowledge engineering, etc.
So that the information of a company can be used by other collaborating companies have been created some standards that allow the communication. ISO 10303, better known as STEP, is the international standard that is fulfilling this goal of normalizing methods that allow what is called "interoperability".
This is a very broad rule with many sections and applications. One of the parts of the standard is the Action Protocols, each designed with a general objective of meeting the needs of one or several sectors. Among these protocols of action there is one that fits perfectly in the objective of this thesis, is the AP242.
The purpose of this research is to develop a proposal that incorporates the standard AP242 (ISO 10303) into the information model for a manufacturing technique that is growing at high speed, known as "Additive Manufacturing", using the feasible project methodology.
Throughout the investigation, but especially in the final section shows how the AP 242 fits almost perfectly in the needs of Additive Manufacturing.
As conclusions, the importance of the adoption of adequate international standards for new manufacturing technologies for the design and implementation of interoperable and scalable information systems to guarantee the productivity and growth of the industry is highlighted.

Keywords: modelling, information systems, ISO 10303, performance protocols, Additive Manufacturing.
Complicated Withdrawal Phenomena During Benzodiazepine Cessation in Older Adults
Authors: Reeves Roy R. , Kamal Arif
Published: April 2019

The cause of prolonged or recurrent symptoms following the cessation of long-term benzodiazepine use is proposed to be related to downregulation and allosteric decoupling of the γ-aminobutyric acid/benzodiazepine receptor complex. This case series describes 2 patients with prolonged (>2 weeks) recurrent complications during attempted tapering of benzodiazepine doses after long-term treatment. Excited catatonia developed in a 90-year-old woman, and prolonged delirium developed in a 69-year-old woman. Both patients showed improvement of symptoms after resumption of higher doses of benzodiazepine treatment and recurrence of symptoms when the dose was again lowered. Caution should be exercised regarding the long-term use of benzodiazepines in older adults (aged ≥65 years). Tapering of benzodiazepines in older patients after long-term treatment may require slow decreases in dose over long periods. Psychotherapeutic interventions, such as brief cognitive therapy with psychoeducation and motivational enhancement, and osteopathic manipulative treatment to decrease paravertebral muscle tension may be beneficial during the tapering process.
Genetic differentiation in the southern population of the Fathead MinnowPimephales promelasRafinesque (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae)
Authors: Ballesteros-Nova Nayarit E. , Pérez-Rodríguez Rodolfo , Beltrán-López Rosa G. , Domínguez-Domínguez Omar
Published: April 2019

The North American cyprinidPimephales promelasis a species with a wide distribution range, occurring in distinct hydrographic basins in Mexico, Canada, and the United States. Previous morphological and meristic analyses ofP. promelasconcluded that at least three subspecies exist in the midwestern and northeast region of the United States. No studies have been carried out on the Mexican population ofP. promelas, but the findings of cryptic diversity in United States populations of this species, as well as in other codistributed fish species in Mexico could be an indication that Mexican populations ofP. promelasconsist of cryptic species. Using the mitochondrial gene cytband the first intron of theS7ribosomal protein-coding nuclear gene we carried out phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses of populations ofP. promelasacross its distribution range in northwestern Mexico. Using this information were analyzed the structure and differentiation level between populations ofP. promelasfrom distinct river basins in the region in identifying cryptic diversity. Twenty-four sequences were obtained for cytb, and 30 forS7,which included the two heterozygous alleles. The results revealed the existence of four well-differentiated lineages: (1) Yaqui in the Pacific slope; (2) Santa Maria, and (3) Casas Grandes in the Guzman Basin; and (4) Nazas+Conchos in Chihuahua state. This challenges the current taxonomy ofP. promelas. Differences in the relationships between markers and the small sample size for the Santa Maria population (n = 1), indicate that our results must be corroborated with more data and morphological analyses. Biogeographic analysis of these findings suggest that the evolutionary history ofP. promelasis associated with the fragmentation of the ancestral Rio Grande river system since Miocene in northwestern Mexico consistent with findings for codistributed fish species.
Integrated analysis reveals five potential ceRNA biomarkers in human lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Liu Yu , Xie Deyao , He Zhifeng , Zheng Liangcheng
Published: April 2019

Background

Competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) are a newly identified type of regulatory RNA. Accumulating evidence suggests that ceRNAs play an important role in the pathogenesis of diseases such as cancer. Thus, ceRNA dysregulation may represent an important molecular mechanism underlying cancer progression and poor prognosis. In this study, we aimed to identify ceRNAs that may serve as potential biomarkers for early diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD).

Methods

We performed differential gene expression analysis on TCGA-LUAD datasets to identify differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs, lncRNAs, and miRNAs at different tumor stages. Based on the ceRNA hypothesis and considering the synergistic or feedback regulation of ceRNAs, a lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA network was constructed. Functional analysis was performed using gene ontology term and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis and KOBAS 2.0 software. Transcription factor (TF) analysis was carried out to identify direct targets of the TFs associated with LUAD prognosis. Identified DE genes were validated using gene expression omnibus (GEO) datasets.

Results

Based on analysis of TCGA-LUAD datasets, we obtained 2,610 DE mRNAs, 915 lncRNAs, and 125 miRNAs that were common to different tumor stages (|log2(Fold change)| ≥ 1, false discovery rate < 0.01), respectively. Functional analysis showed that the aberrantly expressed mRNAs were closely related to tumor development. Survival analyses of the constructed ceRNA network modules demonstrated that five of them exhibit prognostic significance. The five ceRNA interaction modules contained one lncRNA (FENDRR), three mRNAs (EPAS1, FOXF1, and EDNRB), and four miRNAs (hsa-miR-148a, hsa-miR-195, hsa-miR-196b, and hsa-miR-301b). The aberrant expression of one lncRNA and three mRNAs was verified in the LUAD GEO dataset. Transcription factor analysis demonstrated that EPAS1 directly targeted 13 DE mRNAs.

Conclusion

Our observations indicate that lncRNA-related ceRNAs and TFs play an important role in LUAD. The present study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying LUAD pathogenesis. Furthermore, our study facilitates the identification of potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis and prognosis of LUAD and therapeutic targets for its treatment.
Prolonged pituitary down-regulation with full-dose of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist in different menstrual cycles: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ying Yingfen , Yang Tanchu , Zhang Huina , Liu Chang , Zhao Junzhao
Published: April 2019

Background

The efficiency of prolonged down-regulation caused by a full-dose of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) injected during different menstrual phases has not yet been researched. Our goal was to evaluate the effects of GnRH-a, which was used in different phases of the menstrual cycle in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 320 patients received a prolonged pituitary down-regulated full-dose (3.75 mg) of triptorelin in the early follicular phase, and 160 patients received the same full-dose of triptorelin during the mid-luteal phase. Clinical and laboratory outcomes were compared between the two groups.

Results

The basic characteristics of the two groups were comparable. The mean number of retrieved oocytes, fertilized oocytes, cleavage oocytes and good quality embryos were comparable between the two groups. Although there was a higher antral follicle count, cyst formation rate, fertilization rate and cleavage rate in the follicular phase group, no statistically significant effects were seen on implantation rate (41.15% vs. 45.91%), clinical pregnancy rate (60.38% vs. 61.36%), ongoing pregnancy rate (57.74% vs. 57.58%), live birth rate (56.23% vs. 57.58%) or early abortion rate (2.64% vs. 3.79%) per fresh transfer cycle. Moreover, severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome rates at the early stage (1.89% vs. 2.27%) were low in both groups.

Conclusions

Prolonged pituitary down-regulation achieved by utilizing a full-dose of GnRH-a administrated in either phase of the menstrual cycle can have a positive effect on ongoing pregnancy rate and live-birth rate per fresh embryo transfer cycle. Ovarian cyst formation rate was higher in the follicular phase group, but this did not have any adverse impact on clinical results.
Effects of thermal stress on amount, composition, and antibacterial properties of coral mucus
Authors: Wright Rachel M. , Strader Marie E. , Genuise Heather M. , Matz Mikhail
Published: April 2019

The surface mucus layer of reef-building corals supports feeding, sediment clearing, and protection from pathogenic invaders. As much as half of the fixed carbon supplied by the corals’ photosynthetic symbionts is incorporated into expelled mucus. It is therefore reasonable to expect that coral bleaching (disruption of the coral–algal symbiosis) would affect mucus production. Since coral mucus serves as an important nutrient source for the entire reef community, this could have substantial ecosystem-wide consequences. In this study, we examined the effects of heat stress-induced coral bleaching on the composition and antibacterial properties of coral mucus. In a controlled laboratory thermal challenge, stressed corals produced mucus with higher protein (β = 2.1, p < 0.001) and lipid content (β = 15.7, p = 0.02) and increased antibacterial activity (likelihood ratio = 100, p < 0.001) relative to clonal controls. These results are likely explained by the expelled symbionts in the mucus of bleached individuals. Our study suggests that coral bleaching could immediately impact the nutrient flux in the coral reef ecosystem via its effect on coral mucus.
Effects of Soil Type in Nutrient Amount in Eucalyptus urograndis: Macronutrients
Authors: Salvador Simoni Martini , Schumacher Mauro Valdir , Stahl James , Ludvichak Aline Aparecida , Momolli Dione Richer , Consensa Catarine Barcelos
Published: April 2019

The aim of the present study was to quantify macronutrient stock in the hybrid Eucalyptus urograndis, for different soil types in Telemaco Borba, Parana, Brazil. Sandy texture (Cambisols Inceptisols), and clayey texture (Ferralsols Oxisols) soils were selected for the study. Based on the diameter at breast height (DBH) survey of all the trees comprising each plot, 12 trees were selected per soil type for biomass sampling. The trees were sectioned at soil level and separated into: leaves, branches, stembark, stemwood, tree tops wood, tree tops bark and roots, and a representative sample of each component was collected and grounded in a Wiley-type mill for analytical determination of the macronutrients. The analyses of the experiment were performed considering a completely randomized design. The concentrations of the macronutrients in the different biomass components were significantly different in both types of soil. With the exception of calcium, in the sandy soil and calcium and magnesium in the clayey soil, which were more present in the stembark component, the other components present the highest concentration values in the leaves component. The lowest concentration values of macronutrients, both for the sandy soil and for the clayey soil, were found in the stemwood and roots components. Total nutrient stock found in the biomass, in the sandy soil was 1.65 Mg ha-1, distributed in the following order of magnitude: stemwood > root > stembark > leaves > branches > tree tops wood > tree tops bark. For the clayey soil the order was: stemwood > stembark > root > branches > leaves > tree tops wood > tree tops bark, presenting a total stock of 2.41 Mg ha-1. The highest amount of macronutrients in the biomass was found in soil with a clayey texture.
Computational Analysis for Good Thermal Exchange and Low Pressure Drop in Regenerative Air Preheaters
Authors: Mioralli P. C. , Silva M. A. B. Da , Avallone E. , Palota P. H. , Natividade P. S. G.
Published: April 2019

A computational analysis in a rotary regenerative air preheater subject to pre-established mass flow rate is performed. The heat transfer rate, the pressure drop and the outlet temperatures of gas streams are calculated from different matrix porosity values. The fluid flow and the convective heat transfer coefficient are determined from correlations. The total heat transfer is obtained using the Effectiveness-NTU method specific to regenerative air preheaters. Three typical regenerative air preheaters with both streams under the laminar flow regime are investigated. A range of porosity values that provide good thermal exchange and low pressure drop in the equipment is chosen for each examined air preheater. The behavior of the outlet temperatures of each gas stream as function of porosity is also analyzed. The results show that the porosity ranges shorten when the typical pressured drop values for each regenerative air preheater are introduced in the analysis. In addition, the behavior of the outlet temperatures is compatible with the behavior of the heat transfer rate as the porosity changes.
Catalytically inactive carbonic anhydrase‐related proteins enhance transport of lactate by MCT1
Authors: Aspatwar Ashok , Tolvanen Martti E. E. , Schneider Hans‐Peter , Becker Holger M. , Narkilahti Susanna , Parkkila Seppo , Deitmer Joachim W.
Published: April 2019

Carbonic anhydrases (CA) catalyze the reversible hydration of CO2 to protons and bicarbonate and thereby play a fundamental role in the epithelial acid/base transport mechanisms serving fluid secretion and absorption for whole‐body acid/base regulation. The three carbonic anhydrase‐related proteins (CARPs) VIII, X, and XI, however, are catalytically inactive. Previous work has shown that some CA isoforms noncatalytically enhance lactate transport through various monocarboxylate transporters (MCT). Therefore, we examined whether the catalytically inactive CARPs play a role in lactate transport. Here, we report that CARP VIII, X, and XI enhance transport activity of the MCT MCT1 when coexpressed in Xenopus oocytes, as evidenced by the rate of rise in intracellular H+ concentration detected using ion‐sensitive microelectrodes. Based on previous studies, we suggest that CARPs may function as a ‘proton antenna’ for MCT1, to drive proton‐coupled lactate transport across the cell membrane.
Infotainment
Authors: Boukes Mark
Published: April 2019

Infotainment is the umbrella term that covers the fusion of entertainment and journalism within different media genres. Concretely, infotainment can be understood as two related developments: (a) news becoming more entertaining, and (b) entertainment taking on political topics. This entry describes the reasons behind the increasing prominence and popularity of infotainment. Infotainment is
not
a genre in itself, but a construct that encompasses various underlying genres that represent entertaining formats of political information. Five of these infotainment genres are described in more detail: soft news, opinionated news, political satire, entertainment talk shows, and political fiction. By investigating infotainment, scholars help to tear down the artificial hierarchy in political information sources that still exists and acknowledge the role that infotainment plays in today's democracy. Concrete recommendations are offered for future research.
Effect of Group‐Based Outpatient Physical Therapy on Function After Total Knee Replacement: Results From a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Lenguerrand Erik , Artz Neil , Marques Elsa , Sanderson Emily , Lewis Kristina , Murray James , Parwez Tarique , Bertram Wendy , Beswick Andrew D. , Burston Amanda , Gooberman‐Hill Rachael , Blom Ashley W. , Wylde Vikki
Published: April 2019

Objective

To evaluate the long‐term clinical effectiveness of a novel group‐based outpatient physical therapy (PT) following total knee replacement (TKR).

Methods

In this 2‐center, unblinded, superiority, randomized controlled trial, 180 patients on a waiting list for primary TKR due to osteoarthritis were randomized to a 6 session group‐based outpatient PT intervention and usual care (n = 89) or usual care alone (n = 91). The primary outcome was patient‐reported functional ability measured by the Lower Extremity Functional Scale at 12 months postoperative. Secondary outcomes included knee symptoms, depression, anxiety, and satisfaction. Questionnaires were completed preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.

Results

The mean difference in function between groups was 4.47 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.20, 8.75; P = 0.04) at 12 months postoperative, favoring the intervention. The mean difference in function between groups decreased over time, from 8.1 points at 3 months (95% CI 3.8, 12.4; P < 0.001) to 5.4 (95% CI 1.1, 9.8; P = 0.015) at 6 months postoperative. There were no clinically relevant differences in any secondary outcomes between groups, although patients in the intervention group were more likely to be satisfied with their PT. No serious adverse events related to the intervention were reported.

Conclusion

Supplementing usual care with this group‐based outpatient PT intervention led to improvements in function at 12 months after TKR, although the magnitude of the difference was below the minimum clinically important difference of 9 points. However, patient satisfaction was higher in the intervention group, and there was some evidence of clinically relevant improvements in function at 3 months.
Microfluidic Multitissue Platform for Advanced Embryotoxicity Testing In Vitro
Authors: Boos Julia Alicia , Misun Patrick Mark , Michlmayr Astrid , Hierlemann Andreas , Frey Olivier
Published: April 2019

The integration of metabolic competence in developmental toxicity assays in vitro is of fundamental importance to better predict adverse drug effects. Here, a microfluidic hanging‐drop platform is presented that seamlessly integrates liver metabolism into the embryonic stem cell test (EST). Primary human liver microtissues (hLiMTs) and embryoid bodies (EBs) are combined in the same fluidic network, so that hLiMT‐generated metabolites are directly transported to the EBs. Gravity‐driven flow through the network enables continuous intertissue communication, constant medium turnover, and, most importantly, immediate exchange of metabolites. As a proof of concept, the prodrug cyclophosphamide is investigated and a fourfold lower ID50 concentration (50% inhibition of EB differentiation) is found after biotransformation, which demonstrates the potentially adverse effects of metabolites on embryotoxicity. The metaEST platform provides a promising tool to increase the predictive power of the current EST assay by more comprehensively including and better reflecting physiological processes in in vitro tests.
Clinical analysis of preoperative deep vein thrombosis risk factors in patients with colorectal cancer: Retrospective observational study
Authors: Nakagawa Kazuya , Watanabe Jun , Suwa Yusuke , Suzuki Shinsuke , Ishibe Atsushi , Ota Mitsuyoshi , Kunisaki Chikara , Endo Itaru
Published: April 2019

Aim

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a major complication of cancer. The postoperative prevalence of DVT in colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery is high, but the preoperative prevalence and the risk factors have not been clarified in detail. The objective of this retrospective study was to investigate the preoperative prevalence and risk factors of DVT in patients admitted to hospital for CRC surgery.

Methods

From January 2013 to March 2017, 1006 patients admitted for CRC surgery were deemed eligible for this retrospective study. Diagnosis of preoperative DVT was confirmed by compression ultrasonography. Prevalence of silent DVT in lower limbs in patients before CRC surgery was assessed, and the risk factors for preoperative DVT were investigated regarding the correlation of DVT with the patient's background.

Results

Preoperative DVT and asymptomatic pulmonary thromboembolism were diagnosed in 136 (13.5%) and in 10 (1.0%) of 1006 patients overall, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that increased age (≥75 years), female gender, and an elevated d‐dimer level (>1.0 μg/mL) were independent risk factors for preoperative DVT in this study. Notably, the prevalence of preoperative DVT exceeded 50% in patients with all three predictors.

Conclusions

A high prevalence (13.5%) of preoperative DVT was found in patients admitted to the hospital for CRC surgery. The present results suggest that instrumental screening should be encouraged, at least in subgroups at a higher risk of preoperative DVT.
Nomadic pastoralists and sedentary farmers of the Sahel/Savannah Belt of Africa in the light of geometric morphometrics based on facial portraits
Authors: Kleisner Karel , Pokorný Šimon , Čížková Martina , Froment Alain , Černý Viktor
Published: April 2019

Objectives

The Sahel/Savannah belt is a region where two sympatric human subsistence strategies—nomadic pastoralism and sedentary farming—have been coexisting for millennia. While earlier studies focused on estimating population differentiation and genetic structure of this ecologically remarkable region's inhabitants, less effort has been expended on understanding the morphological variation among local populations.

Materials and methods

To fill this gap, we used geometric morphometrics to analyze the facial features of three groups of pastoralists and three groups of sedentary farmers belonging to three language families (Niger‐Congo, Nilo‐Saharan, and Afro‐Asiatic) whose mitochondrial DNA sequences have been published previously.

Results

Our results show that pastoralists differ from farmers with several facial features. We also found that individuals who bear maternally inherited haplotypes of Eurasian ancestry do not significantly morphologically differ from individuals whose maternal ancestry is sub‐Saharan.

Conclusions

Our study follows up and builds upon population genetic and phylogeographic studies of Eurasian haplogroups in the Fulani pastoralists and sub‐Saharan haplogroups in the Arab pastoralists, as well as studies on the spread of lactase persistence mutations and other genetic markers. Our results suggest that recent gene flows across the Sahel/Savannah belt were not strong enough to erase a genetic structure established by Paleolithic foragers and further shaped by the adoption of agropastoral food‐producing strategies.
Effect of nanoscale confinement on molecular mobility and drug release properties of cellulose acetate/sulindac nanofibers
Authors: Chung Junho , Kwak Seung‐Yeop
Published: April 2019

Polymers confined in the nanoscale exhibit various unusual properties that are not seen in bulk polymers. Here, the effect of nanoscale confinement on the drug release properties of polymer nanofibers is investigated by analyzing the molecular mobility and drug release kinetics of cellulose acetate/sulindac nanofibers (CNs). It is observed that the activation energy, Ea, for molecular motion of both the main chain and side chain tended to increase as the diameter of the CNs decreased from 850 to 260 nm. The increased Ea indicates that the chains confined in ultrathin CNs are closely packed, resulting in a low molecular mobility. With decreasing diameter from 620 to 260 nm, the diffusion coefficient of drug is significantly decreased from 85.3 to 10.3 nm2 min−1. Such correlation between Ea and drug diffusion rate indicates that the confinement‐induced suppression of the molecular motion could significantly affect the drug release properties of polymer nanofibers. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47863.
Differential effects on neurodevelopment of FTO variants in obesity and bipolar disorder suggested by in silico prediction of functional impact: An analysis in Mexican population
Authors: Saucedo‐Uribe Erasmo , Genis‐Mendoza Alma Delia , Díaz‐Anzaldúa Adriana , Martínez‐Magaña José Jaime , Tovilla‐Zarate Carlos Alfonso , Juárez‐Rojop Isela , Lanzagorta Nuria , Escamilla Michael , González‐Castro Thelma Beatriz , López Narvaez María Lilia , Hernández‐Díaz Yazmín , Nicolini Humberto
Published: April 2019

Introduction

Several studies indicate that polygenic obesity is linked to fat‐mass and obesity‐associated (FTO) genetic variants. Nevertheless, the link between variants in FTO and mental disorders has been barely explored. The present work aims to determine whether FTO genetic variants are associated with bipolar disorder and obesity, and to perform an in silico prediction of variant‐dependent functional impact on the developing brain transcriptome.

Methods

Four hundred and forty‐six Mexican mestizos were included in a genetic association analysis. SNP‐sequence kernel association test and linear mixed models were implemented for genetic association assessment. For functional impact prediction, we analyzed the mapping of regulatory elements, the modification of binding sites of transcription factors and the expression of transcription factors in the brain developing transcriptome, searching on different databases.

Results

In the set‐based analysis, we found different associated regions to BD (bipolar disorder) and obesity. The promoter flanking region of FTO intron 1 was associated with differential effects on BMI, while intron 2 of RPGRIP1L and FTO upstream regions were associated with BD. The prediction analysis showed that FTO BD‐associated variants disturb binding sites of SP1 and SP2; obesity‐associated variants, on the other hand, disturb binding sites of FOXP1, which are transcription factors highly expressed during prenatal development stages of the brain.

Conclusion

Our results suggest a possible effect of FTO variants on neurodevelopment in obesity and bipolar disorder, which gives new insights into the molecular mechanism underlying this association.
“You cannot forgive and you cannot forget”: The Serbian refugee settlement experience in Australia
Authors: Bendjo Slobodan , Karnilowicz Wally , Gill Peter Richard
Published: April 2019

Currently, there is limited research on the settlement experiences of refugees from the Balkan regions and in particular Serbia. There is also a need to provide a contextual understanding of the refugee settlement experience. The current study explored the refugee experience of 12 male Serbian refugees (aged 30 to 65), who migrated to Australia following the Yugoslav Civil War (1991–2001). A qualitative, phenomenological methodology explored the experiences of the refugees from their own perspective. Thematic coding of the interview data revealed the two major themes of settlement and traumatic experiences, as central to the experiences of this group of refugees. Language difficulties, discrimination, stigmatization of Serbian identity, multiple losses and grief, and failing of the justice system to establish accountability and provide reparation to the victims were all significant obstacles to successful settlement. Most salient, however, were the experiences of torture and trauma. Participants were still trying to negotiate these memories years after the events. Nevertheless, some participants showed strong resilience and the belief that they became stronger as a consequence of their experiences. We encourage those working with Serbian refugees to help them search for meaning in their stories of trauma.
Serial invasive imaging follow‐up of the first clinical experience with the Magmaris magnesium bioresorbable scaffold
Authors: Tovar Forero Maria Natalia , van Zandvoort Laurens , Masdjedi Kaneshka , Diletti Roberto , Wilschut Jeroen , de Jaegere Peter P. , Zijlstra Felix , Van Mieghem Nicolas M. , Daemen Joost
Published: April 2019

Objectives

To assess the performance of the commercially available Magmaris sirolimus‐eluting bioresorbable scaffold (BRS) with invasive imaging at different time points.

Background

Coronary BRS with a magnesium backbone have been recently studied as an alternative to polymeric scaffolds, providing enhanced vessel support and a faster resorption rate. We aimed to assess the performance of the commercially available Magmaris sirolimus‐eluting BRS at different time points.

Methods

A prospective, single‐center, nonrandomized study was performed at the Thoraxcenter, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Six patients with stable de novo coronary artery lesions underwent single‐vessel revascularization with the Magmaris sirolimus‐eluting BRS. Invasive follow‐up including intravascular imaging using optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed at different time points.

Results

At a median of 8 months (range 4–12 months) target lesion failure occurred in one patient. Angiography revealed a late lumen loss of 0.59 ± 0.39 mm, a percentage diameter stenosis of 39.65 ± 15.81%, and a binary restenosis rate of 33.3%. OCT showed a significant reduction in both minimal lumen area (MLA) and scaffold area at the site of the MLA by 43.44 ± 28.62 and 38.20 ± 25.74%, respectively. A fast and heterogeneous scaffold degradation process was found with a significant reduction of patent struts at 4–5 months.

Conclusions

Our findings show that the latest iteration of magnesium BRS suffers from premature dismantling, resulting in a higher than expected decrease in MLA.
PAGCM: A scalable parallel spectral‐based atmospheric general circulation model
Authors: Ren Xiaoli , Zhao Juan , Li Xiaoyong , Ren Kaijun , Song Junqiang , Sun Difu
Published: April 2019

The Atmospheric General Circulation Model (AGCM) as one of the most important components of Climate System Model (CSM), has been proved to be an effective way for weather forecasting and climate prediction. Although lots of efforts have been conducted to improve the computing efficiency of AGCMs, such as exploit parallel algorithms, migrating codes, and even redesigning systems to adapt to the emerging computer architectures, it is not enough to match the real requirement, due to the limited scalability of the parallel algorithms themselves. Therefore, we design and implement a scalable parallel spectral‐based atmospheric circulation mode called PAGCM in this paper. Specifically, we first analyze the data dependencies of the dimensions in different spaces according to the calculation characteristics of spectral models, and based on which we propose a two‐dimensional decomposition algorithm in PAGCM to effectively increase the involving cores for the parallel computing, and thus reduce the overall computing time. Furthermore, to adapt to the novel data decomposition in each computing stage of dynamic framework, we propose three‐dimensional data transposition algorithms and data collection algorithms correspondingly, by considering of load balancing and communication optimization. Extensive experiments are conducted on Tianhe‐2 to validate the effectiveness and scalability of our proposals.