bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis Method and Investigation of o-, m-, p-Nitrophenylarsonic Acid Properties
Authors: Yambyshev Farid Dgamaletdinovich
Published: December 2019

The importance of studying arylated arsenic derivatives is conditioned by a number of reasons. In particular, as biologically active substances, they attract attention in terms of their fungicidal activity and stimulating effect on cardiac activity. Besides, they serve as an interesting
object for intermolecular interaction study conditioned by the H-bond. Finally, as the main starting products, they are the source of a wide range of arsenic-organic compound synthesis, including aromatic primary, secondary arsinghalides, tertiary asymmetric arsines and their derivatives.
The aim of the present work was to study the possibility of diazonium salt use obtained from weakly basic arylamines in a strongly acidic medium for arylation of arsinic acid sodium salt. This article discusses the methods for the synthesis of arylated arsenic derivatives containing the substituents
in the benzene ring that affect the electronic structure, reactivity, and biological properties of the compounds. They studied the ability of an arsenic atom to transit from a four-coordinate state to a five-coordinate state with the formation of strong monohydrates. They showed the disadvantages
and positive aspects of the already known and used synthesis methods. The most practical version of arylated arsenic compound synthesis has been tested and recommended.
Model of Food Security in the Russian Federation
Authors: Battalova Alina R. , Opokina Nadezhda A.
Published: December 2019

Although sustainable food security is a national and transnational concern, there are still different ways to measure it. The purpose of this study was to determine a conceptual model capable of measuring all aspects of food security in the country. A definite answer to these difficulties
is the development of the theory of food security and the development of new tools to protect the population from the hazards and threats. In this paper, the proposed model of the food sector of economic security, which provides the choice of the optimal solution for the selected criteria,
which is based on the recognition of the multi-subject composition of its participants (the state, its constituent regional entities, enterprises and their integrated entities, households) between them, implemented using the methods of hierarchical coordination and spontaneous order, a combination
of public and private interests. The targets for the functioning of the food sector as the most important component of the system of economic security are: physical and economic accessibility of food for various categories of the population, characterized by the necessary quantity, assortment
and quality with a certain level of solvency of consumers; food supply of the population; protection of domestic producers from import dependence in the markets of final food products and resources for their production.
Development of Technical Diagnostic System for Internal Combustion Engines
Authors: Galiullin Lenar Ajratovich , Valiev Rustam Asgatovich , Galiullin Ilnar Ajratovich
Published: December 2019

This article describes methods of development of technical diagnostic systems for internal combustion engines. The automotive industry plays a leading role in the economy of any state. The history of the development of the global automotive industry is closely linked with the development
of many branches of engineering. So, by the beginning of the 20th century, the automobile industry began to consume half of the steel and iron produced, three-quarters of rubber and leather, a third part of nickel and aluminum, and a seventh part of wood and copper. Autobuilding came in first
place in terms of production among other branches of engineering, began to have a serious impact on the economic life of states. By the beginning of World War I, the car park on the globe was about 2 million. Of these, 1.3 million were in the USA, 245 thousand in England, 100 thousand in France,
57 thousand in Austria-Hungary, 12 thousand—to Italy, 10 thousand—to the Russia.
The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives in Determining Customer Satisfaction in Indonesia: An Employee Perspective
Authors: Somjai Sudawan , Chandarasorn Voradej , Toopgajank Sriparinya
Published: December 2019

Purpose—This research is examining the overall role of corporate social responsibility activities in companies which ultimately determine the customer satisfaction, based upon employee perspective. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the drivers of CSR and performance
outcomes of CSR in the framework of Indonesia. The study uses stakeholder theory, resource based theory, transaction cost economic theory, and signaling theory. Design/Methodology/Approach—The data was collected from 401 employees of different firms and banks in Indonesia, through
online and face to face questionnaire. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) both have been applied to see the overall reliability and validity of measurement and structural model. The structural equation modelling (SEM) is also applied to see the relations
and outcomes of variables. Findings—The findings suggest the regulatory forces have positive impact on the CSR, which construct under stakeholder theory and so does the competitive advantage forces have positive impact on CSR which construct under RBV Theory. Whereas, efficiency
forces negatively impact upon CSR, which construct under TCE Theory. Furthermore, results show that CSR positively influences the customer satisfaction, which describes the role of CSR initiatives from employee perspective is encouraging towards the customer satisfaction. By showing this impact
the presence of signaling theory and stakeholder theory. Therefore, the companies should focus on the factors that are affecting the CSR in good manner which is leading them towards the customer satisfaction, as CSR is a main stream line for it.
Factors Affecting the Entrepreneurial Intentions Among University Students of Thailand
Authors: Tamprateep Polamorn , Tanaboriboon Chayaporn , Rathprasert Borwornpun
Published: December 2019

Due to today economic conditions, entrepreneurship is one the emerging source for the economic growth and prosperity. Now the individuals diverting their intentions to entrepreneurship, for this reason this has examined the role of entrepreneurial education, internship quality and elements
of TPB (attitude, social norms, perceived behavioral control) affect the entrepreneurial intentions. Students were considered for data collection who have done internship during their study time period. Data were collected by using convince sampling technique by using questionnaires. Smart-PLS
has been used for the data analysis. The findings of the study show that all variables are significantly and positively associated with entrepreneurial intentions. The result shows that entrepreneurial education, internship quality, attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control
are positively significantly related with entrepreneurial intentions. The findings of the study shows that only financial resources are not enough to start a new business, behavioral factor also affect the entrepreneurial mind set. Among all the variables perceived behavioral control emerge
to be a strongest predictor of entrepreneurial intentions. Whereas subjective norms predicted the entrepreneurial intentions with smallest effect size and explained only 5% variance in entrepreneurial intentions. Practical implications and future directions are provided at the end of the study.
Mathematical Modelling of Wastewater Treatment in Oxidation Pond
Authors: Muhammad Nurul Nadiah , Chuan Ching Dennis Ling , Syah Amir Hamzah Amir Syafiq Syamin
Published: December 2019

Oxidation pond also known as shallow ponds designed to treat wastewater through the interaction of sunlight, bacteria and algae. In this research, wastewater treatment model was developed to study the effect of pH towards, COD, DO and PSB. Using the process rate of breakdown of organic
and inorganic substance, mass transfer and oxygen and the growth of bacteria as conditions, the advection-diffusion-reaction equations are solved using Crank Nicolson method. Comparisons were with existing data to verify the model and the similarity of dynamical behaviour.
Changing Probabilities of Days with Snow and Rain in the Atlantic Sector of the Arctic under the Current Warming Trend
Authors: Łupikasza E. B. , Cielecka-Nowak K.
Published: December 2019

Trends in the probabilities of days with liquid, solid, and mixed precipitation are discussed on annual and intra-annual scales along with their relationship to air temperature in the Atlantic sector of the Arctic. Data on weather phenomena were used to identify precipitation phases. The data cover various periods but all series extend to 2017. Trends in the annual air temperature and probability of precipitation phases for various long-term periods are discussed and differences in the mean air temperature and probability of precipitation phases between 1979–97 (insignificant warming) and 1999–2017 (significant warming) on an intra-annual scale. In the studied region, the precipitation phases were sensitive to warming and atmospheric circulation to various degrees, depending on the phase, mean climate, month, and local conditions. The probability of days with rainfall increased (by +1% to +3% per decade), whereas the probability of days with snowfall decreased (by −1.5% to −2.4% per decade). The increasing trends in the probability of rainy days at all stations and decreasing trends in the probability of snowy days in the southern part of the region were warming induced. The most significant and widespread trends in snowy and rainy days were found in September. The probability of days with mixed precipitation exhibited no trends due to an inverse reaction to warming in the warmer and colder parts of the year. Temporal variability in the probability of precipitation phases was significantly linked to three teleconnection patterns playing a role in various parts of the year.
Investigation of Tipping-Bucket Rain Gauges Using Digital Photographic Technology
Authors: Liao Minhan , Liu Jiufu , Liao Aimin , Cai Zhao , Huang Yixin , Zhuo Peng , Li Xuegang
Published: December 2019

When studying the tipping-bucket rain gauge (TBR), it is rather difficult to make an objective and sophisticated measurement of the duration of bucket rotation. From the perspective of digital photographic technology, however, the problem can be easily solved. The primary interest of this research has been to use digital photographic technology to study the TBR under laboratory conditions. In this study, the interframe difference algorithm and a camera recording device were used. Based on three types of JDZ TBRs, the time variation characteristics of bucket rotation were obtained. The time from the beginning of a tip to the time that the bucket is horizontal T1 and the time for a complete tip T2 were analyzed in detail. The results showed that T1 and T2 were functions of rainfall intensity, and T1 and T2 decrease as the rain intensity increases significantly (P < 0.001). Moreover, excellent evidence shows that the averages of T1 and T2 were positively correlated with bucket mass. It took more time for the bucket to tip as the mass of the bucket increased. Furthermore, the error of each TBR was calculated by the new proposed error calculation formula, and the new method was compared with the traditional method. The results from the two methods were very close, which demonstrates the correctness and feasibility of the new formula. However, the traditional calibration cannot acquire the variation characteristics of the tipping time, but the proposed approach can achieve this.
Sea Level Anomaly Forecasts on a Coastal Waveguide
Authors: Taylor Andy , Brassington Gary B.
Published: December 2019

An approach to reduce forecast data to coastal waveguide coordinates is described and demonstrated, informed by the literature on coastally trapped waves (CTWs). All discussion is limited to the Australian mainland but the approach is generally relevant to regions where CTWs influence sea level, including the Americas and Africa. The approach does not produce new forecasts, but aims to focus forecaster attention on aspects of sea level forecasts prominent on the long Australian coast. The approach also explicitly addresses spatial issues associated with measuring coastal paths. Coastal paths are scale dependent and forecast models discretize the coastal boundary differently. A well-defined coastal path is required for the quantitative application of CTW concepts such as propagation distance and offshore direction. The relevance of coastally trapped signals and remote forcing is documented in the oceanographic literature, but is effectively unknown to the general public and rarely mentioned in press reports of sea level events such as nuisance flooding. Routine presentation of forecast guidance in waveguide coordinates could contribute to the transfer of oceanographic research understanding into forecast narratives. In addition, the approach can facilitate quantitative forecast evaluations that target CTW properties. Two ocean forecast systems are contrasted in this framework for the Australian mainland. One year of daily forecasts are compared, with indications that model baroclinicity is of practical relevance.
Rheological and mechanical properties of tape-casted zirconia-toughened alumina composite thick films reinforced with multiwalled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Mussavi Rizi SH , Ghatee M
Published: December 2019

This paper reports the effects of adding carbon nanotubes on the mechanical properties of zirconia-toughened alumina thick films prepared by tape casting. Polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, and glycerin were used as dispersant, binder, and plasticizer, respectively. The microstructure and phase content of the samples were studied using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction methods, respectively. Mechanical properties of thick composite films were investigated by microhardness and nanoindentation methods. It was determined that polyvinylpyrrolidone can be used as a dispersant for carbon nanotube, alumina, and zirconia particles; tape casting can produce thick films with homogeneous phase distribution, and that adding up to 0.01 wt.% carbon nanotube enhanced the zirconia-toughened alumina hardness by more than 30%, and fracture toughness about 40%. Increasing carbon nanotube content over 0.01 wt.% up to 0.1 wt.% increases microhardness and nanohardness but does not affect fracture toughness significantly.
Examining the Social Organization Practices of Cybercriminals in the Netherlands Online and Offline
Authors: Leukfeldt E. R. , Holt Thomas J.
Published: December 2019

This study focuses on the organization practices of networks of cybercriminals engaged in serious financial offenses, through a qualitative analysis of the Best and Luckenbill’s sociological framework. The study utilized data collected regarding 18 separate criminals investigations from the Netherlands. The results demonstrate that the participants within these networks operated at various stages of deviant sophistication. Surprisingly, the majority of networks exhibit organizational sophistication based on their division of labor and extended duration over time. In fact, most of this sample could be classified as “teams” or “formal organizations.” Furthermore, in contrast with prior studies, no loners were present and only a few networks could be classified as “colleagues” or “peers.”
Letting judges breathe: Queer survivance in the book of Judges and Gad Beck’s An Underground Life: Memoirs of a Gay Jew in Nazi Berlin
Authors: Emanuel Sarah
Published: December 2019

Scholars typically describe the book of Judges as encompassing a cyclical transgress–suffer–prosper–transgress–again trope. Although Israelite peace and autonomy are maintained at various moments throughout the text, hardship inevitably ensues, leading exegetes to focus on the Israelites’ repeated demise as opposed to their continual triumphs. As David Gunn notes, ‘reward and punishment is often viewed as the book’s dominant theme’. Or, in the words of Danna Nolan Fewell, the stories within Judges are frequently read as a collective ‘downward spiral for Israel and its leaders’. I question, however, whether such thematic analysis might prove insufficient when engaging a hermeneutic of trauma and survival—or queer survivance, as we will see. Interestingly, of the 400-year period covered in the book of Judges, only 111 of them are spent in subjugation. Nearly three-fourths of the time period covered by the book, in other words, recounts times of judgeship and autonomy. Might this story be less about cultural transgression and more about the creative ways in which the Israelites managed to endure? In this article, I will provide an intertextual comparison of the Judges cycle with the memoir of Holocaust survivor, Gad Beck. In doing so, I will suggest that Judges offers us a literary representation of an ancient culture’s fight to persist. Rather than guide readers through the entirety of the Judges narrative, however, I will focus on Judges 3 and 4, as the stories of and events surrounding Ehud and Jael offer a more concentrated instance of the aforementioned cyclical trope. From a stance of hetero-suspicion and with a theoretical view to intertextuality and queer survivance, I will argue that, like Beck, Ehud and Jael subvert oppressive power structures through gender-bending performances and the embodiment of ambivalent, and even comedic, identity markers. Taking such similarities into consideration, I will then suggest that Ehud’s and Jael’s queer-comic consciousness becomes another thematic trope within the book of Judges as a whole. Yet instead of focusing on the repetition of the Israelites’ self-fulfilling demise, this trope spotlights the creative ways in which the Judges narrative becomes one of survival and reflects an ancient culture’s will to resist, persist, and indeed, live.
From the Triangle to the Rhombus: Exploration, Systematization, and Material for a Genealogical Theory
Authors: Alfano Vincenzo
Published: December 2019

In this work, we aim to systematize the so-called diamond theory into a well-designed and explicated theory, that we will name “of rhombus”. After introducing the problem of the number of ancestors, and offering a solution to the paradox the usual mathematical solution creates, I offer an equation that finds the number of ancestors lost for coalescence events. We discuss the main reasons for coalescence and its implications. We also apply this equation (to the best of our knowledge never before found in the relevant literature) to two specific cases: the point at which the number of theoretical ancestors becomes greater than the living population and the Toba catastrophe theory, which states that at some point the number of living human beings shrank to 6,500.
Immigration and Labor Market Outcomes in U.S. Metropolitan Areas
Authors: Hyde Allen , Wallace Michael
Published: December 2019

Two broad orientations have motivated scholarship on the relationship between immigration and labor market outcomes in the United States. The first, the supply-side perspective, often focuses on how immigration affects a variety of outcomes such as unemployment, casualization, and earnings inequality. The second, the demand-side perspective, generally contends that these labor market outcomes result mainly from economic restructuring that subsequently attracts immigrants to labor markets. Previous studies have often reached divergent conclusions due to differing assumptions about the direction of causality in these relationships. In this paper, we use three-stage least squares regression, a technique that allows for nonrecursive relationships, to adjudicate the direction of causality between immigration and labor market outcomes. Using 2010 data for 366 U.S. metropolitan statistical areas, we find support for the demand-side perspective, or that economic restructuring results in higher unemployment, casualization, and earnings inequality, which subsequently increases levels of immigration in metropolitan labor markets.
Effects of olive oil on physical and mechanical properties of ceramic waste-based geopolymer foam
Authors: Lertcumfu Narumon , Kaewapai Kannikar , Jaita Pharatree , Tunkasiri Tawee , Sirisoonthorn Somnuk , Rujijanagul Gobwute
Published: December 2019

The present study concentrated on porous geopolymer composites (between calcined clay and metakaolin) using hydrogen peroxide as a pore generation agent. To reduce as well as recycle the waste from a factory, calcined clay waste was used as starting material. The geopolymer was synthesized via a geopolymerization method by a reaction with an alkaline solution, using the ceramic waste and metakaolin as raw materials. Different amount of olive oil (0–15 wt%) were added to the samples. The olive oil affected the pore formation of the geopolymers. The effects of olive oil, a surfactant, on the properties of the geopolymer composites were investigated. Apparent density and compressive strength of the samples tended to decrease with the additive, while water absorption and total porosity had the opposite effect. However, a variation in the apparent density and water absorption values was observed, due to the formation of closed pores in the samples. The trend of compressive strength value was related with total porosity. A model for pore formation was proposed in this work. The results suggest that this material can be used as a geopolymer foam.
Habitat-Specific Clock Variation and Its Consequence on Reproductive Fitness
Authors: Koritala Bala S. C. , Wager Craig , Waters Joshua C. , Pachucki Ryan , Piccoli Benedetto , Feng Yaping , Scheinfeldt Laura B. , Shende Sunil M. , Park Sohyun , Hozier James I. , Lalakia Parth , Kumar Dibyendu , Lee Kwangwon
Published: December 2019

The circadian clock controls daily activities at the cellular and organismic level, allowing an organism to anticipate incoming stresses and to use resources accordingly. The circadian clock has therefore been considered a fitness trait in multiple organisms. However, the mechanism of how circadian clock variation influences organismal reproductive fitness is still not well understood. Here we describe habitat-specific clock variation (HSCV) of asexual reproduction in Neurospora discreta, a species that is adapted to 2 different habitats, under or above tree bark. African (AF) N. discreta strains, whose habitat is above the tree bark in light-dark (LD) conditions, display a higher rhythmicity index compared with North American (NA) strains, whose habitat is under the tree bark in constant dark (DD). Although AF-type strains demonstrated an overall fitness advantage under LD and DD conditions, NA-type strains exhibit a habitat-specific fitness advantage in DD over the LD condition. In addition, we show that allelic variation of the clock-controlled gene, Ubiquinol cytochrome c oxidoreductase (NEUDI_158280), plays a role in HSCV by modulating cellular reactive oxygen species levels. Our results demonstrate a mechanism by which local adaptation involving circadian clock regulation influences reproductive fitness.
Understanding International Space Law and the Liability Mechanism for Commercial Outer Space Activities—Unravelling the Sources
Authors: Gupta Biswanath , Raju KD
Published: December 2019

The status and liability of non-governmental entities for commercial use of outer space activities on behalf of space launching states are not very clear under the existing space law regimes. Non-governmental entities are those who carry private space activities such as commercial launching, supplying different equipment or parts to space agencies and manufacturing spacecraft and satellite. The possible litigation relating to the commercial activities are mainly the financial consequence of damage caused and also the technical complications that private entities face in case of supply of defaulted parts to the space agencies. According to Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty 1967 and Articles II and III of Liability Convention 1972, launching country is liable for any activities in outer space. Even in the case of non-governmental activities, the launching state is liable. Therefore, in the event of any commercial activity from any sovereign states, the state is liable for any accidents and consequential damages.

This article focusses on specific issues such as liability for commercial outer space activities of nongovernmental entities in the existing international space law regimes. It explores the applicable principle of space law and international law in outer space activities. The work also focusses on the impact on space liability regime as well as on the legal efficiency of the links between private entities and state liability. This exercise is important in the background of the increasing number of private spacecrafts scheduled for launching in the future.
Maintenance of Correction of the Modified Lapidus Procedure With a First Metatarsal to Intermediate Cuneiform Cross-Screw Technique
Authors: Langan Travis M. , Greschner Joseph M. , Brandão Roberto A. , Goss David A. , Smith Clair N. , Hyer Christopher F.
Published: December 2019

Background:

Recurrence of deformity remains a concern when fusing the first tarsometatarsal joint for correction of hallux valgus (HV). A recently described construct adds an additional point of fixation from the plantar medial first metatarsal to the intermediate cuneiform. The purpose of this study was to determine the maintenance of correction of the first and second intermetatarsal angle, hallux valgus angle, and tibial sesamoid position after undergoing a first tarsometatarsal joint arthrodesis using the proposed construct.

Methods:

A radiographic review was performed of patients with HV treated with a first tarsometatarsal joint arthrodesis with the addition of a cross-screw intermediate cuneiform construct. Three observers reviewed radiographic data, including preoperative weightbearing, first weightbearing, and final weightbearing plain-film radiographs. Initial improvement and maintenance of intermetatarsal angle, hallux valgus angle (HVA), and tibial sesamoid position were evaluated radiographically. A total of 62 patients met inclusion criteria and were included in the study. Mean follow-up time was 9.3 months (SD 6.7).

Results:

Bony union was achieved in 60 of 62 patients (96.7%). Two of 62 patients required revision surgery as a result of recurrence (3.3%). Final mean improvement of the intermetatarsal angle (IMA) was 6.8 degrees (±2.9 degrees), HVA was 14.8 degrees (±7.5 degrees), and tibial sesamoid position was 2.4 (±1.4) positions. Mean loss of IMA correction was 1.5 degrees (±1.6), HVA was 2.9 degrees (±4.8 degrees), and tibial sesamoid position was 0.8 (±0.8).

Conclusion:

This study showed that the cross-screw intermediate cuneiform construct for first tarsometatarsal joint arthrodesis had a good union rate, a low complication rate, and maintained radiographic correction.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, retrospective case series.
Influence of bearing surface irregularities on hybrid slot-entry journal bearing with electrically conducting lubricant
Authors: Sahu Krishnkant , Sharma Satish C
Published: December 2019

This study concerns with the numerical simulation of a hybrid slot entry journal bearing lubricated with electrically conducting lubricant under the influence of magnetic field for both thermal and isothermal conditions. The Navier–Stokes equation has been used to formulate the flow of electrically conducting lubricant through slot restrictor and combining the Lorentz force in the equations of motion, together with the Ohm’s law and Maxwell equations. Further, the effect of surface irregularities on bearing surface is considered to analyse the performance of the slot-entry bearing. The surface irregularities asperity profile has been modelled in both axial as well as circumferential directions. Finite element method is used to solve the Modified MHD Reynolds equation. To compute the bearing performance characteristic parameters, a MATLAB source code based on Gauss–Seidel iteration method has been developed. A comparative numerical analysis has been carried out for an electrically conducting lubricant, Newtonian lubricant, bearing surface having irregularities and bearing with smooth surface. The numerically simulated results indicate that considering the bearing surface irregularities and MHD effects enhances the value of fluid film damping coefficients [Formula: see text] and the value of minimum fluid film thickness [Formula: see text].
Combustion development in a gasoline-fueled spark ignition–controlled auto-ignition engine operated at different spark timings and intake air temperatures
Authors: Yıldız Melih , Albayrak Çeper Bilge
Published: December 2019

Spark ignition–controlled auto-ignition is a combustion strategy to overcome the challenges in a homogeneous charge compression ignition or controlled auto-ignition combustion which has a limited operation region and does not have any direct control of the combustion timing. However, the spark ignition–controlled auto-ignition combustion can result in a large cyclic variability due to two main distinctive combustion phases developing initially by flame propagation and following controlled auto-ignition combustion throughout an engine cycle. Characterization of combustion development is, therefore, required to maintain a stable engine operation under spark ignition–controlled auto-ignition combustion. In this research, experimental studies were carried out to investigate spark ignition–controlled auto-ignition combustion development at different spark advances and intake air temperatures. Combustion analyses were performed employing pressure-based heat release and mass fraction burn curve to determine the main combustion parameters along with transition points (corresponding to crank angles) to controlled auto-ignition and mass fraction burnt by flame propagation. The results reveal that transition point has a strong correlation with crank angle position where 10% of fuel mass consumed combustion phasing rather than mass fraction burnt by flame propagation at the same intake air temperature. The cycles with a higher mass fraction burnt by flame propagation can result from early flame development at the advanced spark timings (at −30 and −40 °CA) while the slow flame development at a spark timing of −20 °CA due to late transition point corresponding to crank angle occurred. Besides, it is also found that flame propagation phase more contributes to the cyclic variation in the whole combustion process.
Graduate Nurses’ Perception of the Effect of Simulation on Reducing the Theory-Practice Gap
Authors: Brown Joset E.
Published: December 2019

Graduate nurses employed in high-acuity areas can experience a deficit in integrating theoretical concepts in the clinical environment, which is known as the theory-practice gap; this may result in a risk to patient safety with the potential for negative outcomes. Most existing literature address the existence of the theory-practice gap and the benefit of simulation from a faculty perspective. The purpose of this study was to explore the theory-practice gap from the perspectives of graduate nurses based on their experiences and to determine their perceptions of simulation in prelicensure programs as a strategy to address and reduce the gap prior to entry to practice. Cognitive constructivism was the conceptual framework that guided this study. A qualitative phenomenological design was used to explore the lived experiences of 13 graduate nurses with 2 years of less clinical experience by engaging in semistructured interviews. Data analysis revealed that all the graduates experienced the theory-practice gap on their transition to independent clinical practice with variations in degree. In addition, the graduates voiced aspects of their programs which contributed to reducing the challenges experienced during the transition period. The crucial finding was graduate nurses perceived the theory-practice gap could be reduced through the use of high-fidelity simulation utilizing scenario-based learning exercises in prelicensure programs prior to entry to practice.
Assessing geographical representativeness of crowdsourced urban mobility data: An empirical investigation of Australian bicycling
Authors: Lieske Scott N , Leao Simone Z , Conrow Lindsey , Pettit Chris
Published: December 2019

In an era of data-driven smart cities, the possibility of using crowdsourced big data to support evidence-based planning and decision-making remains a challenge. Along with the increased availability and potential utility of crowdsourced data, there is a clear need to assess the validity of these data in order to determine their appropriate use for planning and management. Moreover, with growth and rapid urbanization in many cities, there are increasing challenges associated with urban mobility. The goal of this research is to develop an understanding of the geographical representativeness of crowdsourced data in the context of urban mobility through investigation of bicycling in Australian cities. In order to leverage both the geographic distribution and high volume of crowdsourced data for validity assessment, we present a two-stage statistical approach. First, we evaluate flow data through correlation between spatial interaction matrices in the presence of spatial autocorrelation. The second stage evaluates the quantity of information available within the interaction matrices. The approach is demonstrated with crowdsourced bicycling commuting routes recorded by the RiderLog app from 2010 to 2014 that are then correlated with census bicycling journey to work data. Data are from four of Australia’s state capital cities: Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth. These methods assess the representativeness of individual bicycle routes that address the full pattern of flows within multiorigin multidestination systems and incorporate spatial autocorrelation. Results indicate that these crowdsourced data are geographically representative of regional travel where there are higher data volumes, generally in central business districts and occasionally in outlying areas. This research provides insights into both methods for statistical comparison of flow data and the use of crowdsourced bicycling routes for urban planning and management.
Identifying miRNA synergism using multiple-intervention causal inference
Authors: Zhang Junpeng , Pham Vu Viet Hoang , Liu Lin , Xu Taosheng , Truong Buu , Li Jiuyong , Rao Nini , Le Thuc Duy
Published: December 2019

Background

Studying multiple microRNAs (miRNAs) synergism in gene regulation could help to understand the regulatory mechanisms of complicated human diseases caused by miRNAs. Several existing methods have been presented to infer miRNA synergism. Most of the current methods assume that miRNAs with shared targets at the sequence level are working synergistically. However, it is unclear if miRNAs with shared targets are working in concert to regulate the targets or they individually regulate the targets at different time points or different biological processes. A standard method to test the synergistic activities is to knock-down multiple miRNAs at the same time and measure the changes in the target genes. However, this approach may not be practical as we would have too many sets of miRNAs to test.

Results

n this paper, we present a novel framework called miRsyn for inferring miRNA synergism by using a causal inference method that mimics the multiple-intervention experiments, e.g. knocking-down multiple miRNAs, with observational data. Our results show that several miRNA-miRNA pairs that have shared targets at the sequence level are not working synergistically at the expression level. Moreover, the identified miRNA synergistic network is small-world and biologically meaningful, and a number of miRNA synergistic modules are significantly enriched in breast cancer. Our further analyses also reveal that most of synergistic miRNA-miRNA pairs show the same expression patterns. The comparison results indicate that the proposed multiple-intervention causal inference method performs better than the single-intervention causal inference method in identifying miRNA synergistic network.

Conclusions

Taken together, the results imply that miRsyn is a promising framework for identifying miRNA synergism, and it could enhance the understanding of miRNA synergism in breast cancer.
DeepMF: deciphering the latent patterns in omics profiles with a deep learning method
Authors: Chen Lingxi , Xu Jiao , Li Shuai Cheng
Published: December 2019

Background

With recent advances in high-throughput technologies, matrix factorization techniques are increasingly being utilized for mapping quantitative omics profiling matrix data into low-dimensional embedding space, in the hope of uncovering insights in the underlying biological processes. Nevertheless, current matrix factorization tools fall short in handling noisy data and missing entries, both deficiencies that are often found in real-life data.

Results

Here, we propose DeepMF, a deep neural network-based factorization model. DeepMF disentangles the association between molecular feature-associated and sample-associated latent matrices, and is tolerant to noisy and missing values. It exhibited feasible cancer subtype discovery efficacy on mRNA, miRNA, and protein profiles of medulloblastoma cancer, leukemia cancer, breast cancer, and small-blue-round-cell cancer, achieving the highest clustering accuracy of 76%, 100%, 92%, and 100% respectively. When analyzing data sets with 70% missing entries, DeepMF gave the best recovery capacity with silhouette values of 0.47, 0.6, 0.28, and 0.44, outperforming other state-of-the-art MF tools on the cancer data sets Medulloblastoma, Leukemia, TCGA BRCA, and SRBCT. Its embedding strength as measured by clustering accuracy is 88%, 100%, 84%, and 96% on these data sets, which improves on the current best methods 76%, 100%, 78%, and 87%.

Conclusion

DeepMF demonstrated robust denoising, imputation, and embedding ability. It offers insights to uncover the underlying biological processes such as cancer subtype discovery. Our implementation of DeepMF can be found at https://github.com/paprikachan/DeepMF.
LEMON: a method to construct the local strains at horizontal gene transfer sites in gut metagenomics
Authors: Li Chen , Jiang Yiqi , Li Shuaicheng
Published: December 2019

Background

Horizontal Gene Transfer (HGT) refers to the transfer of genetic materials between organisms through mechanisms other than parent-offspring inheritance. HGTs may affect human health through a large number of microorganisms, especially the gut microbiomes which the human body harbors. The transferred segments may lead to complicated local genome structural variations. Details of the local genome structure can elucidate the effects of the HGTs.

Results

In this work, we propose a graph-based method to reconstruct the local strains from the gut metagenomics data at the HGT sites. The method is implemented in a package named LEMON. The simulated results indicate that the method can identify transferred segments accurately on reference sequences of the microbiome. Simulation results illustrate that LEMON could recover local strains with complicated structure variation. Furthermore, the gene fusion points detected in real data near HGT breakpoints validate the accuracy of LEMON. Some strains reconstructed by LEMON have a replication time profile with lower standard error, which demonstrates HGT events recovered by LEMON is reliable.

Conclusions

Through LEMON we could reconstruct the sequence structure of bacteria, which harbors HGT events. This helps us to study gene flow among different microbial species.
Venn-diaNet : venn diagram based network propagation analysis framework for comparing multiple biological experiments
Authors: Hur Benjamin , Kang Dongwon , Lee Sangseon , Moon Ji Hwan , Lee Gung , Kim Sun
Published: December 2019

Background

The main research topic in this paper is how to compare multiple biological experiments using transcriptome data, where each experiment is measured and designed to compare control and treated samples. Comparison of multiple biological experiments is usually performed in terms of the number of DEGs in an arbitrary combination of biological experiments. This process is usually facilitated with Venn diagram but there are several issues when Venn diagram is used to compare and analyze multiple experiments in terms of DEGs. First, current Venn diagram tools do not provide systematic analysis to prioritize genes. Because that current tools generally do not fully focus to prioritize genes, genes that are located in the segments in the Venn diagram (especially, intersection) is usually difficult to rank. Second, elucidating the phenotypic difference only with the lists of DEGs and expression values is challenging when the experimental designs have the combination of treatments. Experiment designs that aim to find the synergistic effect of the combination of treatments are very difficult to find without an informative system.

Results

We introduce Venn-diaNet, a Venn diagram based analysis framework that uses network propagation upon protein-protein interaction network to prioritizes genes from experiments that have multiple DEG lists. We suggest that the two issues can be effectively handled by ranking or prioritizing genes with segments of a Venn diagram. The user can easily compare multiple DEG lists with gene rankings, which is easy to understand and also can be coupled with additional analysis for their purposes. Our system provides a web-based interface to select seed genes in any of areas in a Venn diagram and then perform network propagation analysis to measure the influence of the selected seed genes in terms of ranked list of DEGs.

Conclusions

We suggest that our system can logically guide to select seed genes without additional prior knowledge that makes us free from the seed selection of network propagation issues. We showed that Venn-diaNet can reproduce the research findings reported in the original papers that have experiments that compare two, three and eight experiments. Venn-diaNet is freely available at: http://biohealth.snu.ac.kr/software/venndianet
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Evaluation of PAX8 expression promotes the proliferation of stomach Cancer cells
Authors: Bie Liang-Yu , Li Ning , Deng Wen-Ying , Lu Xiao-Yu , Guo Ping , Luo Su-Xia
Published: December 2019

Background

PAX8 was not only a mitotic factor, but identified as a transcription factor involved in the prognosis of human tumor patients. Elucidating the function of PAX8 on the pathology of stomach cancer was meaningful.

Results

PAX8 was found to be upregulated in primary stomach cancer tissue and the TCGA stomach cancer dataset. Interestingly, SOX13 and PAX8 showed consistent expression patterns, and the combined high PAX8 and SOX18 expression induced a worse prognosis of stomach cancer patients. SOX13 was further identified as a transcription factor of PAX8, and further affect Aurora B and Cyclin B1 expression, two cell cycle related factors of the downstream of PAX8, including. Furthermore, PAX8 depletion inducted G1-phase arrest and the decrease of EdU incorporation, cell viability and colony formation can be rescued by SOX13 overexpression.

Conclusions

SOX13 participated in the elevated expression of PAX8, which promote the proliferation of stomach cancer cells. Therefore, SOX13 mediated PAX8 expression was recognized as a tumor-promoting role in stomach cancer.
A computational method to predict topologically associating domain boundaries combining histone Marks and sequence information
Authors: Gan Wei , Luo Juan , Li Yi Zhou , Guo Jia Li , Zhu Min , Li Meng Long
Published: December 2019

Background

The three-dimensional (3D) structure of chromatins plays significant roles during cell differentiation and development. Hi-C and other 3C-based technologies allow us to look deep into the chromatin architectures. Many studies have suggested that topologically associating domains (TAD), as the structure and functional unit, are conserved across different organs. However, our understanding about the underlying mechanism of the TAD boundary formation is still limited.

Results

We developed a computational method, TAD–Lactuca, to infer this structure by taking the contextual information of the epigenetic modification signals and the primary DNA sequence information on the genome. TAD–Lactuca is found stable in the case of multi-resolutions and different datasets. It could achieve high accuracy and even outperforms the state-of-art methods when the sequence patterns were incorporated. Moreover, several transcript factor binding motifs, besides the well-known CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) motif, were found significantly enriched on the boundaries.

Conclusions

We provided a low cost, effective method to predict TAD boundaries. Above results suggested the incorporation of sequence features could significantly improve the performance. The sequence motif enrichment analysis indicates several gene regulation motifs around the boundaries, which is consistent with TADs may serve as the functional units of gene regulation and implies the sequence patterns would be important in chromatin folding.
Full-length transcriptome sequences of Agropyron cristatum facilitate the prediction of putative genes for thousand-grain weight in a wheat-A. cristatum translocation line
Authors: Zhou Shenghui , Zhang Jinpeng , Han Haiming , Zhang Jing , Ma Huihui , Zhang Zhi , Lu Yuqing , Liu Weihua , Yang Xinming , Li Xiuquan , Li Lihui
Published: December 2019

Background

Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. (2n = 4x = 28; genomes PPPP) is a wild relative of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and provides many desirable genetic resources for wheat improvement. However, there is still a lack of reference genome and transcriptome information for A. cristatum, which severely impedes functional and molecular breeding studies.

Results

Single-molecule long-read sequencing technology from Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) was used to sequence full-length cDNA from a mixture of leaves, roots, stems and caryopses and constructed the first full-length transcriptome dataset of A. cristatum, which comprised 44,372 transcripts. As expected, the PacBio transcripts were generally longer and more complete than the transcripts assembled via the Illumina sequencing platform in previous studies. By analyzing RNA-Seq data, we identified tissue-enriched transcripts and assessed their GO term enrichment; the results indicated that tissue-enriched transcripts were enriched for particular molecular functions that varied by tissue. We identified 3398 novel and 1352 A. cristatum-specific transcripts compared with the wheat gene model set. To better apply this A. cristatum transcriptome, the A. cristatum transcripts were integrated with the wheat genome as a reference sequence to try to identify candidate A. cristatum transcripts associated with thousand-grain weight in a wheat-A. cristatum translocation line, Pubing 3035.

Conclusions

Full-length transcriptome sequences were used in our study. The present study not only provides comprehensive transcriptomic insights and information for A. cristatum but also proposes a new method for exploring the functional genes of wheat relatives under a wheat genetic background. The sequence data have been deposited in the NCBI under BioProject accession number PRJNA534411.