bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Balance design for robust foliar nutrient diagnosis of “Prata” banana (Musa spp.)
Authors: de Deus José Aridiano Lima , Neves Júlio César Lima , Corrêa Márcio Cleber de Medeiros , Parent Serge-Étienne , Natale William , Parent Léon Etienne
Published: October 2018

The “Cavendish” and “Prata” subgroups represent respectively 47% and 24% of the world banana production. Compared to world average progressing from 10.6 to 20.6 t ha−1between 1961 and 2016, and despite sustained domestic demand and the introduction of new cultivars, banana yield in Brazil has stagnated around 14.5 t ha−1mainly due to nutrient and water mismanagement. “Prata” is now the dominant subgroup in N-E Brazil and is fertigated at high costs. Nutrient balances computed as isometric log-ratios (ilr) provide a comprehensive understanding of nutrient relationships in the diagnostic leaf at high yield level by combining raw concentration data. Although the most appropriate method for multivariate analysis of compositional balances may be less efficient due to non-normal data distribution and limited nutrient mobility in the plant, robustness of the nutrient balance approach could be improved using Box-Cox exponents assigned to raw foliar concentrations. Our objective was to evaluate the accuracy of nutrient balances to diagnose fertigated “Prata” orchards. The dataset comprised 609 observations on fruit yields and leaf tissue compositions collected from 2010 to 2016 in Ceará state, N-E Brazil. Raw nutrient concentration ranges were ineffective as diagnostic tool due to considerable overlapping of concentration ranges for low- and high-yielding subpopulations at cutoff yield of 40 Mg ha−1. Nutrient concentrations were combined into isometric log-ratios (ilr) and normalized by Box-Cox corrections between 0 and 1 which may also account for restricted nutrient transfer from leaf to fruit. Despite reducedilrskewness, Box-Cox coefficients did not improve model robustness measured as the accuracy of the Cate-Nelson partition between yield and the multivariate distance acrossilrvalues. Sensitivity was 94%, indicating that low yields are attributable primarily to nutrient imbalance. There were 148 false-positive specimens (high yield despite nutrient imbalance) likely due to suboptimal nutrition, contamination, or luxury consumption. The profitability of “Prata” orchards could be enhanced by rebalancing nutrients usingilrstandards with no need for Box-Cox correction.
Versatile chemical handling to confine radioactive cesium as stable inorganic crystal
Authors: Duy Quang Nguyen , Eba Hiromi , Sakurai Kenji
Published: October 2018

The present paper describes an extremely efficient, reproducible and inexpensive chemical handling method for converting the nuclear wastes contaminated by radioactive cesium to stable inorganic crystal, pollucite (CsAlSi2O6), which is promising as a form of the final storage. In this processing, the clays are used as a source for aluminum and silicon, and it is important to get a well-mixed homogenous solution by the aid of some heat and pressure. The present method proposes the use of ethylene glycol as a solvent, rather than water. It has been found that one can obtain crystalline pollucite by heating up to 350 °C in a high-pressure container (~15 MPa), mixed with montmorillonite – an abundant natural clay and ethylene glycol. It has been found that the reduction of the amount of water helps to achieve very high confinement rate in a reasonable time of few~20 h. This will be fairly important in processing contaminated water in the nuclear power plant. The influence of seawater has been also examined.
Robust Enhancement of Lentivirus Production by Promoter Activation
Authors: Suzuki Naoto , Yoshida Takeshi , Takeuchi Hiroaki , Sakuma Ryuta , Sukegawa Sayaka , Yamaoka Shoji
Published: October 2018

Lentiviral vectors are a valuable tool to deliver exogenous genes for stable expression in cells. While much progress has been made in processing lentiviral vector-containing culture medium, it remains to be explored how the production of lentiviral vector from producer cells can be increased. We initially found that co-expression of the SPRY domain-containing SOCS box protein 1 (SPSB1) promotes the production of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and lentiviral vector with increased expression of the Gag and envelope proteins and activation of the HIV-1 LTR and CMV promoter. The presence of AP-1, NF-κB and CREB/ATF recognition sites in these promoters prompted us to utilize human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) Tax for lentiviral vector production because Tax activates all these transcription factors. Co-expression of a small amount of Tax markedly increased both the expression of viral structural proteins in producer cells and release of lentiviral vector particles, resulting in a more than 10-fold enhancement of transduction efficiency. Of note, the Tax protein was not detected in the lentiviral vector particles concentrated by ultracentrifugation, supporting the safety of this preparation. Collectively, these results indicate that promoter activation in producer cells represents a promising approach to preparing high-titer lentiviral vectors.
Higher species richness enhances yield stability in intensively managed grasslands with experimental disturbance
Authors: Haughey Eamon , Suter Matthias , Hofer Daniel , Hoekstra Nyncke J. , McElwain Jennifer C. , Lüscher Andreas , Finn John A.
Published: October 2018

Climate models predict increased frequency and severity of drought events. At an Irish and Swiss site, experimental summer droughts were applied over two successive years to grassland plots sown with one, two or four grassland species with contrasting functional traits. Mean yield and plot-to-plot variance of yield were measured across harvests during drought and after a subsequent post-drought recovery period. At both sites, there was a positive relationship between species richness and yield. Under rainfed control conditions, mean yields of four-species communities were 32% (Wexford, Ireland) and 51% (Zürich, Switzerland) higher than in monocultures. This positive relationship was also evident under drought, despite significant average yield reductions (−27% at Wexford; −21% at Zürich). Four-species communities had lower plot-to-plot variance of yield compared to monoculture or two-species communities under both rainfed and drought conditions, which demonstrates higher yield stability in four-species communities. At the Swiss but not the Irish site, a high degree of species asynchrony could be identified as a mechanism underlying increased temporal stability in four-species communities. These results indicate the high potential of multi-species grasslands as an adaptation strategy against drought events and help achieve sustainable intensification under both unperturbed and perturbed environmental conditions.
A frequency reconfigurable dipole antenna with solid-state plasma in silicon
Authors: Kim Da-Jin , Jo Eon-Seok , Cho Young-Kyun , Hur Jae , Kim Choong-Ki , Kim Cheol Ho , Park Bonghyuk , Kim Dongho , Choi Yang-Kyu
Published: October 2018

A frequency reconfigurable dipole antenna based on a silicon radiator is presented. The silicon radiator is activated with the aid of highly dense solid-state plasma by injecting carriers into the intrinsic region of p-i-n diodes. The fabrication and design guideline of the reconfigurable dipole antenna with this plasma radiator are described. When the plasma radiator is activated or deactivated, the length of the dipole arm changes, which means that the operating frequency of the dipole antenna is reconfigurable. When all the channels in the plasma radiator are activated, the operating frequency is tuned from 6.3 GHz to 4.9 GHz. The measured tunable bandwidth of our fabricated dipole antenna is approximately 31%, which is a practical value in comparison to conventional frequency reconfigurable antennas whose tunable bandwidth is in a range from 20% to 50%. To further support the validity of our results, we provide the well-matched simulation results from an antenna simulation. These results demonstrate that silicon with its commercial technology, which has not attracted attention in comparison to a metal antennas, is a promising tunable material for a frequency reconfigurable antenna. This plasma-based reconfigurable antenna has great potential for use in the dynamic communication environment.
Multiplex Biomarker Screening Assay for Urinary Extracellular Vesicles Study: A Targeted Label-Free Proteomic Approach
Authors: Chutipongtanate Somchai , Greis Kenneth D.
Published: October 2018

The recent advance in targeted label-free proteomics, SWATH-MS, can provide consistent protein detection and reproducible protein quantitation, which is a considerable advantage for biomarker study of urinary extracellular vesicles. We developed a SWATH-MS workflow with a curated spectral library of 1,145 targets. Application of the workflow across nine replicates of three sample types (exosome-like vesicles (ELVs), microvesicles (MVs) and urine proteins (UPs)) resulted in the quantitation of 888 proteins at FDR <1%. The median-coefficient of variation of the 888 proteins in the ELV sample was 7.7%, indicating excellent reproducibility. Data analysis showed common exosome markers, (i.e. CD9, CD63, ALIX, TSG101 and HSP70) were enriched in urinary ELVs as compared to MVs and UPs. The use of a multiplex biomarker screening assay focused on ELVs was investigated, and perspectives in future applications are discussed.
Comparison Of Four Dietary Scores As Determinants Of Coronary Heart Disease Mortality
Authors: Menotti Alessandro , Puddu Paolo Emilio
Published: October 2018

We aimed at comparing 2 a-priori -Mediterranean Adequacy Index (MAI), the Median Score (MED) - versus 2 a-posteriori, -Factor Analysis (FA2) and Principal Components analysis (PC2)- dietary scores in 1214 CHD-free men aged 45–64 belonging to the Italian Rural Areas of the Seven Countries Study examined in 1965 and followed-up for mortality during 40 years. CHD death was the end-point. Collection of dietary history allowed to define 17 main food groups expressed in gr/day and to compare dietary scores, each divided into 3 classes. Kaplan-Meier curves showed higher survival for classes 2 and 3 (healthy) versus class 1 (unhealthy), but the log-rank test was not significant for the 2 a-priori scores. Cox proportional hazards models showed similar significant findings comparing class 3 with class 1 in the a-posteriori scores FA2 and PC2, with hazards ratios of 0.48 and 0.43, that became 0.65 and 0.53 respectively after adjusting for six specific risk factors for CHD (age, cigarette smoking, systolic blood pressure, serum cholesterol, body mass index and physical activity). Food intake of class 3 in all 4 scores matched rather well the characteristics of the Mediterranean Diet. The poor performance of a-priori dietary scores was partly explained by the unexpected and direct relationship of fruit intake with CHD deaths. The superiority of a-posteriori dietary patterns could be in turn due to the specificity of the study population. External validations and comparisons of a-priori versus a-posteriori dietary patterns in larger cohorts, using the same 17 food groups explored here, are urgently needed.
An innovative flow cytometry method to screen human scFv-phages selected by in vivo phage-display in an animal model of atherosclerosis
Authors: Hemadou Audrey , Laroche-Traineau Jeanny , Antoine Ségolène , Mondon Philippe , Fontayne Alexandre , Le Priol Yannick , Claverol Stéphane , Sanchez Stéphane , Cerutti Martine , Ottones Florence , Clofent-Sanchez Gisèle , Jacobin-Valat Marie-Josée
Published: October 2018

Atherosclerosis is a chronic, progressive inflammatory disease that may develop into vulnerable lesions leading to thrombosis. This pathology is characterized by the deposition of lipids within the arterial wall and infiltration of immune cells leading to amplification of inflammation. Nowadays there is a rising interest to assess directly the molecular and cellular components that underlie the clinical condition of stroke and myocardial infarction. Single chain fragment variable (scFv)-phages issuing from a human combinatorial library were selected on the lesions induced in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis after three rounds of in vivo phage display. We further implemented a high-throughput flow cytometry method on rabbit protein extracts to individually test one thousand of scFv-phages. Two hundred and nine clones were retrieved on the basis of their specificity for atherosclerotic proteins. Immunohistochemistry assays confirmed the robustness of the designed cytometry protocol. Sequencing of candidates demonstrated their high diversity in VH and VL germline usage. The large number of candidates and their diversity open the way in the discovery of new biomarkers. Here, we successfully showed the capacity of combining in vivo phage display and high-throughput cytometry strategies to give new insights in in vivo targetable up-regulated biomarkers in atherosclerosis.
Efficient and Sensitive Electrically Small Rectenna for Ultra-Low Power RF Energy Harvesting
Authors: Assimonis Stylianos D. , Fusco Vincent , Georgiadis Apostolos , Samaras Theodoros
Published: October 2018

A new electrically small antenna with size ka = 0.415 is presented, fabricated and measured in this work. This is intrinsically matched to 50 Ω, has omni-directional and linear-polarized radiation pattern in the horizontal plane with maximum directivity of 1.75 dBi and simulated radiation efficiency of 93%. The antenna in combination with a low-complex and co-planar rectifier with one single diode forms a high efficient and sensitive electrically small rectenna with ka = 0.53 at 868 MHz (UHF RFID-band in Europe). The latter has measured efficiency 22.5% for −19 dBm power input and sensitivity of −44 dBm (or equivalently 0.00028 μW/cm2 power density), while at 2.25 μW/cm2 is able to supply continuously, i.e., without a boost converter or use of any energy tank, a small electrical device with 118 μW. In order to increase the dc output voltage and the delivered dc power to the load for lower power density levels, rectenna-array configuration is exploited. Application to batteryless, backscatter wireless sensor node powering is discussed. Specifically, for a power density of 0.1237 μW/cm2 the RF energy harvesting system delivers 172 μW at 2.85 V every 22.5 s.
Structural Rearrangements Maintain the Glycan Shield of an HIV-1 Envelope Trimer After the Loss of a Glycan
Authors: Ferreira Roux-Cil , Grant Oliver C. , Moyo Thandeka , Dorfman Jeffrey R. , Woods Robert J. , Travers Simon A. , Wood Natasha T.
Published: October 2018

The HIV-1 envelope (Env) glycoprotein is the primary target of the humoral immune response and a critical vaccine candidate. However, Env is densely glycosylated and thereby substantially protected from neutralisation. Importantly, glycan N301 shields V3 loop and CD4 binding site epitopes from neutralising antibodies. Here, we use molecular dynamics techniques to evaluate the structural rearrangements that maintain the protective qualities of the glycan shield after the loss of glycan N301. We examined a naturally occurring subtype C isolate and its N301A mutant; the mutant not only remained protected against neutralising antibodies targeting underlying epitopes, but also exhibited an increased resistance to the VRC01 class of broadly neutralising antibodies. Analysis of this mutant revealed several glycans that were responsible, independently or through synergy, for the neutralisation resistance of the mutant. These data provide detailed insight into the glycan shield’s ability to compensate for the loss of a glycan, as well as the cascade of glycan movements on a protomer, starting at the point mutation, that affects the integrity of an antibody epitope located at the edge of the diminishing effect. These results present key, previously overlooked, considerations for HIV-1 Env glycan research and related vaccine studies.
Raman spectroscopic detection of high-grade cervical cytology: Using morphologically normal appearing cells
Authors: Duraipandian Shiyamala , Traynor Damien , Kearney Padraig , Martin Cara , O’Leary John J. , Lyng Fiona M.
Published: October 2018

This study aims to detect high grade squamous intraepithelial cells (HSIL) by investigating HSIL associated biochemical changes in morphologically normal appearing intermediate and superficial cells using Raman spectroscopy. Raman spectra (n = 755) were measured from intermediate and superficial cells from negative cytology ThinPrep specimens (n = 18) and from morphologically normal appearing intermediate and superficial cells from HSIL cytology ThinPrep specimens (n = 17). The Raman data was subjected to multivariate algorithms including the standard principal component analysis (PCA)-linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) together with random subsets cross-validation for discriminating negative cytology from HSIL. The PCA-LDA method yielded sensitivities of 74.9%, 72.8%, and 75.6% and specificities of 89.9%, 81.9%, and 84.5%, for HSIL diagnosis based on the dataset obtained from intermediate, superficial and mixed intermediate/superficial cells, respectively. The PLS-DA method provided improved sensitivities of 95.5%, 95.2% and 96.1% and specificities of 92.7%, 94.7% and 93.5% compared to the PCA-LDA method. The results demonstrate that the biochemical signatures of morphologically normal appearing cells can be used to discriminate between negative and HSIL cytology. In addition, it was found that mixed intermediate and superficial cells could be used for HSIL diagnosis as the biochemical differences between negative and HSIL cytology were greater than the biochemical differences between intermediate and superficial cell types.
A sensitive and low background fluorescent sensing strategy based on g-C3N4–MnO2 sandwich nanocomposite and liposome amplification for ricin detection
Authors: Men Chen , Li Chun Hong , Wei Xue Mei , Liu Jia Jun , Liu Yu Xin , Huang Cheng Zhi , Zhen Shu Jun
Published: September 2018

A novel liposome amplification strategy is developed for ricin B-chain (RTB) detection by using g-C3N4-MnO2 sandwich nanocomposite as a low background signal platform.
Effect of bamboo charcoal amendment on an AnMBR in the aspect of anaerobic habitat and membrane fouling
Authors: Ye Lu , Xia Tian , Chen Hui , Ling Liangliang , Xu Xiangyang , Alvarez Pedro J. J. , Zhu Liang
Published: October 2018

The effect of bamboo charcoal (BC) amendment on the anaerobic habitat such as alkalinity and membrane fouling in an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) was investigated in this study.
Fluorogenic “photoclick” labelling of DNA using a Cy3 dye
Authors: Lehmann Benjamin , Wagenknecht Hans-Achim
Published: October 2018

Two 2′-deoxyuridines as new building blocks for automated DNA synthesis carry a small aryltetrazole as a “photoclickable” group at their 5-positions.
The potential of paper-based diagnostics to meet the ASSURED criteria
Authors: Smith Suzanne , Korvink Jan G. , Mager Dario , Land Kevin
Published: October 2018

A review of printed functionalities towards integrated paper-based diagnostics that fully meet the ASSURED principles.
Pure phase synthesis of Cu3PS4 and Cu6PS5Cl for semiconductor applications
Authors: Graeser Brian , Agrawal Rakesh
Published: October 2018

We have achieved the first reported pure phase synthesis of two new nanoparticle materials, Cu3PS4 and Cu6PS5Cl.
Synthesis of a one-dimensional atomic crystal of vanadium selenide (V2Se9)
Authors: Oh Seungbae , Chae Sudong , Kim Bum Jun , Choi Kyung Hwan , Jang Woo-Sung , Jang Jimin , Hussain Yasmin , Lee Dong Kyu , Kim Young-Min , Yu Hak Ki , Choi Jae-Young
Published: October 2018

The synthesis and dispersion of a new one-dimensional (1D) material, V2Se9, in which chain-shaped molecular units with strong covalent bonds are assembled in a crystal structure via weak van der Waals attraction between chains, were carried out.
The deactivation of a ZnO doped ZrO2–SiO2catalyst in the conversion of ethanol/acetaldehyde to 1,3-butadiene
Authors: Zhang Minhua , Tan Xuechao , Zhang Tong , Han Zheng , Jiang Haoxi
Published: October 2018

Deactivation study on the ethanol/acetaldehyde conversion to 1,3-butadiene over a ZnO–ZrO2–SiO2catalyst.
Hybrid segmentation method based on multi‐scale Gaussian kernel fuzzy clustering with spatial bias correction and region‐scalable fitting for breast US images
Authors: Panigrahi Lipismita , Verma Kesari , Singh Bikesh Kumar
Published: October 2018

Automated segmentation of tumors in breast ultrasound (US) images is challenging due to poor image quality, presence of speckle noise, shadowing effects and acoustic enhancement. This paper improves the multi‐scale Gaussian kernel induced fuzzy C‐means clustering method with spatial bias correction (MsGKFCM_S). Furthermore, it presents a hybrid segmentation method, using both the features of the MsGKFCM_S clustering and active contour driven by a region‐scalable fitting energy function. The result obtained from the MsGKFCM_S method is utilised to initialise the contour that spreads to identify the estimated regions. It also helps to estimate the several controlling parameters of the curve evolution process. The proposed approach is evaluated on a database of 127 breast US images consisting of 75 malignant and 52 solid benign cases. The performance of proposed approach is compared with other related techniques, using performance measures such as Jaccard Index, dice similarity, shape similarity, Hausdroff difference, area difference, accuracy and F‐measure. Results indicate that the proposed approach can successfully detect lesions in breast US images, with high accuracy of 97.889 and 97.513%. Moreover, the proposed approach has the capability of handling shadowing effects, acoustic enhancement and multiple lesions.
Pre‐processing approach for de‐noising on‐line oil chromatography data based on self‐adapting wavelet analysis
Authors: Gong Chunyan , Hu Wei , Wu Xiaohong , Lu Bing , Zheng Yiming
Published: October 2018

Due to the influence of the external environment and the performance of measuring equipment, the on‐line oil chromatography data contains obvious noise which makes the signal to oscillate. The monitoring data is difficult to be directly applied to the equipment state analysis. A novel wavelet‐based de‐noising method is proposed for pre‐processing the on‐line oil chromatography data. By analysing the characteristics of on‐line oil chromatography data, the method of determining the decomposition layer number based on the probability distribution of wavelet coefficients and the method of determining the threshold value based on outliers conservation are proposed. The improved wavelet de‐noising method is applied to analysing the on‐line oil chromatography data of a defective ultra‐high voltage (UHV) reactor. The results show that the proposed method is feasible and effective.
Analysis of application effect of 220 kV UPFC demonstration project in Shanghai grid
Authors: Cui Yong , Yu Yinghui , Bao Wei , Feng Yuyao , Guo Qiang , Xie Wei , Jin Minjie
Published: October 2018

The feasibility study of unified power flow controller (UPFC) application in 220 kV Shanghai Grid is conducted based on the analysis of the practical operation of the grid. The location selection method and scheme are proposed for the application of 220 kV UPFC demonstration project. The application effect of the demonstration project of UPFC is evaluated from various perspectives including enhancement of interface transfer capability, improvement of voltage stability performance of the grid and contribution to balancing of reactive power in 220 kV sectionalised systems.
Fault section locating method and recovery strategy of pole‐to‐ground fault for medium voltage direct current (MVDC) distribution network
Authors: He Shan , Zou Guibin , Sun Chenjun , Liu Shiming
Published: October 2018

High‐resistance clamping grounding is a common grounding mode of modular multilevel converter (MMC) based DC distribution network. Due to the current limiting function of grounding resistor, pole‐to‐ground fault can only cause limited steady‐state fault current. Consequently, it is very difficult to locate fault section. Besides, there are a few research works on pole‐to‐ground fault recovery strategy of a DC distribution system. This study purposes a fault criterion based on DC pole‐to‐ground voltage amplitude and changing rate. Then, by extracting polarities of a DC feeder current travelling wave using the method of wavelet transform modulus maximum, a rapid fault section locating method is presented. Furthermore, a feasible pole‐to‐ground fault recovery strategy is introduced, which can reduce outage range and time on the premise of guaranteeing system stability. The performances of the proposed methodologies were validated by numerical simulation.
Development of online monitor for substation 10 kV MOA
Authors: Song Xinming , Xia Yunfeng , He Jianzong , Jia Zhidong , Wang Xilin
Published: October 2018

Metal oxide arresters (MOA) are widely used for over‐voltage protection of power facilities in 10 kV distribution networks, and it is hard to determine the failure ones. This study presented an online monitor for 10 kV MOA used in substation. Firstly, with simulation on electromagnetic transient program (EMTP), the authors found that the resistive component of leakage current flowing through the MOA could reflect its health status. Then the principle of detecting the resistive leakage current flowing MOA by the harmonic analysis method is introduced. Finally, a remote monitoring system for MOA based on wireless communication technology is built and testing experiments of monitoring the health status of MOA has been done.
Detection of a high-mass prestellar core candidate in W43-MM1
Authors: Nony T. , Louvet F. , Motte F. , Molet J. , Marsh K. , Chapillon E. , Gusdorf A. , Brouillet N. , Bontemps S. , Csengeri T. , Despois D. , Nguyen Luong Q. , Duarte-Cabral A. , Maury A.
Published: October 2018

Aims. To constrain the physical processes that lead to the birth of high-mass stars it is mandatory to study the very first stages of their formation. We search for high-mass analogs of low-mass prestellar cores in W43-MM1.

Methods. We conducted a 1.3 mm ALMA mosaic of the complete W43-MM1 cloud, which has revealed numerous cores with ~2000 au FWHM sizes. We investigated the nature of cores located at the tip of the main filament, where the clustering is minimum. We used the continuum emission to measure the core masses and the 13CS(5-4) line emission to estimate their turbulence level. We also investigated the prestellar or protostellar nature of these cores by searching for outflow signatures traced by CO(2-1) and SiO(5-4) line emission, and for molecular complexity typical of embedded hot cores.

Results. Two high-mass cores of ~1300 au diameter and ~60 M⊙ mass are observed to be turbulent but gravitationally bound. One drives outflows and is associated with a hot core. The other core, W43-MM1#6, does not yet reveal any star formation activity and thus is an excellent high-mass prestellar core candidate.
Tectonics-mineralisation relationships within weak continental lithospheres: a new structural framework for Precambrian cratons
Authors: Gapais Denis
Published: October 2018

Many Archaean and Paleoproterozoic cratons show deformation patterns that differ from those observed in modern orogens. On the other hand, they constitute an important part of present-day emerged continents and contain a large part of continental mineral resources known to date. On the basis of a summary of structural data from some typical field examples and of results of analogue modelling, we emphasize that pop-down tectonics marked by vertical burial of supracrustals within an underlying hot and weak crust may be the most suitable model to account for deformation patterns of many ancient deformation zones. An overview of relationships between structural patterns and mineralisation in several ancient deformation zones further emphasizes that pop-down tectonics provides a very promising structural framework for mining exploration in Precambrian cratons.
Assessment and Management of Over-Activity and Sleep Disorder in Mucopolysaccharidoses
Authors: Hare Dougal , Mahon Louise , Rust Stewart
Published: October 2018

There is a growing awareness, based on both research and clinical studies, that abnormal sleep and circadian functioning are associated with the various forms of mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS), with sleep respiratory problems seemingly common in many forms of MPS. In the case of MPS III, there is evidence of syndrome-specific sleep disturbance related to an abnormal and possibly unique circadian rhythm. The presence of such patterns of sleep and activity has detrimental consequences for both the person with MPS and also invariably for her/his family and carers. On the basis of current evidence, routine assessment of sleep functioning is clearly warranted for all children with MPS III together with appropriate medical and behavioral interventions as required.
Risk of Cesarean Delivery among Nulliparous Asian-Indian Women with Term Singleton Pregnancies
Authors: Melamed Alexander , Bryant Allison , Prabhu Malavika
Published: October 2018

Objective Asian-Indian women are a growing population in the United States, but little data exist about their risk of cesarean delivery (CD). We characterize the odds of CD among Asian-Indian women and determine whether neonatal birth weight modifies this relationship.

Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study using an administrative perinatal database from California. We identified 1,029,940 nulliparous women with live, singleton, nonanomalous deliveries between 37 and 42 completed weeks of gestation. We performed multivariable logistic regression analyses to determine if Asian-Indian women were more likely to deliver by CD, compared with white non-Hispanic women, adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical variables. We explored if birth weight was an effect modifier, testing the interaction term's significance using Wald's test, and performed multivariable logistic regressions stratified by birth weight category.

Results Asian-Indian women comprised 2.0% of the cohort. Compared with white non-Hispanic women, Asian-Indian women had an adjusted odds of 1.41 (95% confidence interval: 1.36–1.46) for CD. However, we noted effect modification of birth weight on the odds of CD by race/ethnicity (p < 0.001). Among all birth weight categories exceeding 3,000 g, Asian-Indian women had higher odds of CD than white non-Hispanic women.

Conclusion Asian-Indian women are at greater risk of CD than white non-Hispanic women when birthweight exceeds 3,000 g.
Onlay Reconstruction of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament: Biomechanical Comparison of Unicortical and Bicortical Tibial Fixation
Authors: Albuquerque II João Bourbon de , Pfeiffer Ferris , Stannard James P. , Cook James L. , Kfuri Mauricio
Published: October 2018

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries are generally associated with high-energy trauma. There are many controversies regarding optimal surgical technique in regard to graft selection and fixation methods. The recently described onlay technique allows for direct fixation of a hamstring autograft to the posterior aspect of the tibia with cancellous screw and spiked washer, while protecting the neurovascular structures and avoiding the so-called “killer turn.” The objective of this study was to compare immediate postimplantation biomechanics of unicortical versus bicortical tibial fixation of onlay PCL grafts. Eight knees were randomly assigned to one of two onlay PCL techniques (n = 4 knees/technique), performed by a single experienced surgeon. Testing consisted of a posterior-directed force at four knee flexion angles, 10, 30, 60, and 90 degrees, to measure load to 5 mm of posterior displacement, maximum displacement (at 100 N load), and stiffness. For statistical analyses, data for each knee were normalized to the native PCL-intact knee and were then grouped into unicortical or bicortical groups accordingly. Data for load to 5 mm (strength), displacement at 100 N, and stiffness were compared among PCL-intact, PCL-deficient, unicortical fixation, and bicortical fixation categories using one-way analysis of variance to assess for statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences. When compared with PCL-deficient knees, both fixation techniques had less laxity. When compared with PCL-intact knees, unicortical had more laxity at all angles, and bicortical had more laxity only at 90 degrees (p < 0.001). For relative graft strength, intact knees required significantly higher loads than both treatment groups. Bicortical, however, outperformed unicortical at all angles (p < 0.001) for relative strength. Regarding stiffness, there were no significant differences between unicortical and bicortical, and both were superior to PCL-deficient and inferior to PCL-intact knees. Based on cadaveric biomechanical testing, none of the reconstructed PCL knees was able to replicate the intact native PCL, but both techniques were superior to PCL-deficient knees. The bicortical tibial fixation technique appears to have biomechanical advantages when opting for onlay PCL reconstruction.
Observation of size dependent orbital magnetism of single Fe impurity in nanocrystalline Pb hosts
Authors: Mishra S. N. , Mohanta S. K. , Sarkar Subhrangsu , Ayyub Pushan
Published: October 2018

Employing the time differential perturbed angular distribution (TDPAD) technique we have investigated the local magnetism of single Fe impurity in nanocrystalline Pb matrices, by measuring the local susceptibility and spin relaxation rate of 54Fe nuclei. Compared to the nonmagnetic behavior of Fe in bulk Pb host, characterized by independent local susceptibility χloc(T), the magnetic response of Fe in the nanocrystalline samples with particle size of 10 nm and below exhibit Curie-Weiss like χloc(T) with positive slope, indicating the presence of large orbital magnetic moment on the Fe impurity. The orbital moment of Fe has been estimated to be ∼ 1 µB for 6 nm nano-Pb. Further investigations are being carried out to understand the emergence of orbital magnetism of Fe in nano-Pb.
Insight into the physical mechanism of AlxGa1−xN electron blocking layer in GaN-based light emitting diodes
Authors: Zhao Juanli , Xiong Zhihua , Wu Ning
Published: October 2018

The effect of AlxGa1−xN electron blocking layer (EBL) on suppressing electron leakage from the multiple quantum wells (MQWs) active region has been systematically investigated by conducting the first-principles calculations. Our results revealed that the Al concentration in EBL plays a dominant role in modulating the band offsets of AlxGa1−xN/GaN(0001) (0 < x ≤ 1) heterointerfaces. The existence of charge accumulation and band bending at these heterointerfaces can be attributed to the strong polarization electric field with the order of MV/cm. We further demonstrated that the EBL can suppress electron leakage from the active region as well as prevent the hole injection from the p-GaN region. Lastly, to boost the quantum efficiency of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), we proposed a “synergistic effect” of Al concentration in EBL and In-content in MQWs. These results provided a fundamental insight into the physical mechanism of the AlxGa1−xN EBL to reduce the efficiency droop in GaN-based LEDs.
Environment and Sporulation in Phytopathogenic Fungi IV. The Effect of Light on the- Formation of Conidia of Peronospora Tabacina Adam
Authors: Cruickshank IAM
Published: October 2018

Using a leaf�disk technique, an analysis of the effect of light on the sporulation intensity of P. tabacina was carried out. The following points were demonstrated: (I) Under conditions of continuous light, sporulation of P. tabacina is sensitive to very low light intensities. ED5!1 for inhibition of sporulation was 16 ftvV cm- 2 for incandescent light (4 f,c.), and 0�58 p.W cm-2 for a monochromatic light source (469 mpo) in the region of maximum effectiveness. (2) Dark treatments induced sporulation under otherwise continuous light conditions. The response was directly proportional to the length of the exposure to darkness over the period 1�5-7 hr. (3) The time of day at which sporulation occurred could be modified by adjustment of the time of day at which darkness was initiated. (4) Within the visible spectrum, the region exerting maximal inhibition on sporulation occurred at 450-525 mJL.
Catching up with catch-up: a policy analysis of immunisation for refugees and asylum seekers in Victoria
Authors: Paxton Georgia A. , Spink Pete C. G. , Danchin Margaret H. , Tyrrell Lauren , Taylor Chelsea L. , Casey Susan , Graham Hamish R.
Published: October 2018

This study examines catch-up immunisation for people of refugee-like background in Victoria, exploring effective models of service delivery to complete catch-up vaccinations. The analysis is based on: (i) review of the medical literature, Commonwealth and Victorian government immunisation policy and immunisation patient information; (ii) review of vaccination coverage and service delivery data; and (iii) stakeholder interviews completed in 2014 with 45 people from 34 agencies, including 9 local government areas in Victoria. Although refugees and asylum seekers all need catch-up vaccinations on arrival, they face significant barriers to completing immunisation in Australia. Analysis suggests missed opportunities by service providers and perceptions that catch-up vaccination is time-consuming, difficult and resource-intensive. Service delivery is fragmented across primary care and local government, and pathways depend on age, location and healthcare access. There are strengths, but also limitations in all current service delivery models. Gaps in vaccine funding for refugee-like populations have now been addressed through Commonwealth initiatives, however migration is still not well considered in immunisation policy, and existing systems for notification payments do not capture catch-up vaccination for these groups. Providers identify areas for improvement in professional development and support, patient information, patient-held records and immunisation surveillance data.
Private provision of public goods by environmental groups
Authors: Grant Laura , Langpap Christian
Published: October 2018

Many environmental nonprofit groups are assumed to provide public goods. While an extensive literature examines why donors join and give to nonprofits, none directly tests whether donations actually provide public goods. We seek such a test by using a common form of environmental organization: watershed groups. We find their increased presence resulted in lower dissolved oxygen deficiency and higher proportions of swimmable and fishable water bodies. Increased donations to and expenditures by the groups also improved water quality. Thus, private groups likely played a role in mitigating environmental problems. Overall, our results indicate private provision of a public good by nonprofit organizations.
Oscillatory fluid flow drives scaling of contraction wave with system size
Authors: Julien Jean-Daniel , Alim Karen
Published: October 2018

Significance

Long-range fluid flows are crucial for the functioning of many organisms, as they provide forcing for migration and development and spread resources and signals. How flows can span vastly different scales is unclear. Here, we develop a minimal, two-component model, coupling the mechanics of a cell’s cortex to a contraction-triggering chemical. The chemical itself is spread with the fluid flows that arise due to the cortex contractions. Through theoretical and numerical analysis, we find that the oscillatory component of the flows can give rise to robust scaling of contraction waves with system size—much beyond predicted length scales. This mechanism is likely to work in a broad class of systems.
Action explanation and its presuppositions
Authors: O’Brien Lilian
Published: October 2018

In debates about rationalizing action explanation causalists assume that the psychological states that explain an intentional action have both causal and rational features. I scrutinize the presuppositions of those who seek and offer rationalizing action explanations. This scrutiny shows, I argue, that where rational features play an explanatory role in these contexts, causal features play only a presuppositional role. But causal features would have to play an explanatory role if rationalizing action explanation were a species of causal explanation. Consequently, it is not a species of causal explanation.
Anticipating surprise: the case of the early warning system of Rijkswaterstaat in the Netherlands
Authors: Van Der Steen Martijn , Scherpenisse Jorren , Van Twist Mark
Published: September 2018

Policy often has to perform amidst uncertain and rapidly changing conditions. Robustness is the ability to perform and achieve intended effects under unknown conditions. Robust design can benefit from the capacity to anticipate developments early. A system of early warning is a method to anticipate change early and help policy design to be more robust. Early warning can enable moment of ‘consecration’, moments where reflection on assumptions and biased of policy design can be challenged and changed; this can be an important addition to the robustness of policy design. However, early warning is not unproblematic; it is an organizational practice that inherently invokes issues of habituation, organizational bias, as it challenges the status quo. In this paper, we study how policy makers who ‘do’ early warning in the context of robust policy engage with these issues and how they managed to improve the robustness of policy design. We do so by studying an empirical case of an early warning system in The Netherlands. We analyze how the system was build, how it worked, how it was further professionalized, and what the system did to the capacity of the organization to design and deliver robust policy.
Inclusive Fitness as a Measure of Biological Utility
Authors: Martens Johannes
Published: October 2018

This article is about the analogy between inclusive fitness and utility. In behavioral ecology, it is often assumed that individual organisms behave as if they were “striving” to maximize their inclusive fitness—a measure analogue to the kind of utility function that is used to represent the preferences of rational agents. Here, I explore some conceptual puzzles related to this view and question whether the kind of biological utility posited by the advocates of the “maximizing agent analogy” can be adequately interpreted in inclusive fitness terms.
Network Modularity as a Foundation for Neural Reuse
Authors: Stanley Matthew L. , Gessell Bryce , De Brigard Felipe
Published: October 2018

The neural reuse framework developed primarily by Michael Anderson proposes that brain regions are involved in multiple and diverse cognitive tasks and that brain regions flexibly and dynamically interact in different combinations to carry out cognitive functioning. We argue that the evidence cited by Anderson and others falls short of supporting the fundamental principles of neural reuse. We map out this problem and provide solutions by drawing on recent advances in network neuroscience, and we argue that methods employed in network neuroscience provide the means to fully engage in a research program operating under the principles of neural reuse.
Microphonic detuning induced coupler kick variation at LCLS-II
Authors: Hellert Thorsten , Ackermann Wolfgang , Adolphsen Chris , De Gersem Herbert , Li Zenghai , Mayes Chris
Published: October 2018

The LCLS-II free-electron laser will be an upgrade of the existing Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), including a 4GeV CW superconducting linac based on the TESLA technology. The high quality factor of the cavity makes it very sensitive to vibrations. The shift of its eigenfrequency (i.e., detuning) will be compensated by the power source in order to assure a constant accelerating voltage. Significant variations of the forward power are expected which result in coupler kick variations induced by the fundamental power coupler. In this work we estimate the magnitude of trajectory jitter caused by these variations. High precision 3D field maps including standing and traveling-wave components for a cavity with the LCLS-II coupler design are presented.
Propagation dynamics of a time periodic and delayed reaction-diffusion model without quasi-monotonicity
Authors: Zhang Liang , Wang Zhi-Cheng , Zhao Xiao-Qiang
Published: October 2018

In this paper, we consider a time periodic non-monotone and nonlocal delayed reaction-diffusion population model with stage structure. We first prove the existence of the asymptotic speed

c
∗

c^*

of spread by virtue of two auxiliary equations and comparison arguments. By the method of super- and sub-solutions and the fixed point theorem, as applied to the truncated problem on a finite interval, and the limiting arguments, we then establish the existence of time periodic traveling wave solutions of the model system with wave speed

c
>

c
∗

c>c^*

. We further use the results of the asymptotic speed of spread to obtain the non-existence of traveling wave solutions for wave speed

c
>

c
∗

c>c^*

. Finally, we prove the existence of the critical periodic traveling wave with wave speed

c
=

c
∗

c=c^*

. It turns out that the asymptotic speed of spread coincides with the minimal wave speed for positive periodic traveling waves. These results are also applied to the model system with two prototypical birth functions.
Transfection of choanoflagellates illuminates their cell biology and the ancestry of animal septins
Authors: Booth David S. , Szmidt-Middleton Heather , King Nicole
Published: October 2018

As the closest living relatives of animals, choanoflagellates offer unique insights into animal origins and core mechanisms underlying animal cell biology. However, unlike traditional model organisms, such as yeast, flies, and worms, choanoflagellates have been refractory to DNA delivery methods for expressing foreign genes. Here we report a robust method for expressing transgenes in the choanoflagellate Salpingoeca rosetta, overcoming barriers that have previously hampered DNA delivery and expression. To demonstrate how this method accelerates the study of S. rosetta cell biology, we engineered a panel of fluorescent protein markers that illuminate key features of choanoflagellate cells. We then investigated the localization of choanoflagellate septins, a family of GTP-binding cytoskeletal proteins that are hypothesized to regulate multicellular rosette development in S. rosetta. Fluorescently tagged septins localized to the basal poles of S. rosetta single cells and rosettes in a pattern resembling septin localization in animal epithelia. The establishment of transfection in S. rosetta and its application to the study of septins represent critical advances in the use of S. rosetta as an experimental model for investigating choanoflagellate cell biology, core mechanisms underlying animal cell biology, and the origin of animals.