bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling Kinetics of Water Adsorption on the Rutile TiO2 (110) Surface: Influence of Exchange‐Correlation Functional
Authors: Nilsson Johan O. , Leetmaa Mikael , Wang Baochang , Žguns Pjotrs A. , Pašti Igor , Sandell Anders , Skorodumova Natalia V.
Published: November 2017

The accuracy of the theoretical description of materials properties in the framework of density functional theory (DFT) inherently depends on the exchange‐correlation (XC) functional used in the calculations. Here we investigate the influence of the choice of a XC functional (PBE, RPBE, PW91, and PBE0) on the kinetics of the adsorption, diffusion and dissociation of water on the rutile TiO2(110) surface using a combined Kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) – DFT approach, where the KMC simulations are based on the barriers for the aforementioned processes calculated with DFT. We also test how the adsorption energy of intact and dissociated water molecules changes when dispersion interactions are included into the calculations. We consider the beginning of the water layer formation varying coverage up to 0.2 monolayer (ML) at temperatures up to 180 K. We demonstrate that the dynamics of the simulated water–titania system is extremely sensitive to the choice of the XC functional.
Measures of clustering and heterogeneity in multilevel Poisson regression analyses of rates/count data
Authors: Austin Peter C. , Stryhn Henrik , Leckie George , Merlo Juan
Published: November 2017

Multilevel data occur frequently in many research areas like health services research and epidemiology. A suitable way to analyze such data is through the use of multilevel regression models. These models incorporate cluster‐specific random effects that allow one to partition the total variation in the outcome into between‐cluster variation and between‐individual variation. The magnitude of the effect of clustering provides a measure of the general contextual effect. When outcomes are binary or time‐to‐event in nature, the general contextual effect can be quantified by measures of heterogeneity like the median odds ratio or the median hazard ratio, respectively, which can be calculated from a multilevel regression model. Outcomes that are integer counts denoting the number of times that an event occurred are common in epidemiological and medical research. The median (incidence) rate ratio in multilevel Poisson regression for counts that corresponds to the median odds ratio or median hazard ratio for binary or time‐to‐event outcomes respectively is relatively unknown and is rarely used. The median rate ratio is the median relative change in the rate of the occurrence of the event when comparing identical subjects from 2 randomly selected different clusters that are ordered by rate. We also describe how the variance partition coefficient, which denotes the proportion of the variation in the outcome that is attributable to between‐cluster differences, can be computed with count outcomes. We illustrate the application and interpretation of these measures in a case study analyzing the rate of hospital readmission in patients discharged from hospital with a diagnosis of heart failure.
Field experimental study on the retrofit of cracked onshore wind turbine foundations using externally prestressed anchor bolts
Authors: He Minjuan , Bai Xue , Ma Renle , Huang Dongpin , Liu Huiqun
Published: November 2017

Inserted rings are considered as a crucial element of onshore wind turbine foundations to resist uplift and compressive forces at the interface of the steel towers and concrete foundations. These inserted rings can be deficient because of the crushing of the concrete and the occurrence of cracks as the result of the vibration of the tower and the shrinkage of the concrete. Therefore, it is very important to develop an efficient retrofitting system in order to restore the lost capacity and/or even outperform it. The objective of this paper is to develop a retrofit strategy for the deficient foundations using external prestressing technique and verify it using field data. A field test was conducted on two onshore wind turbine foundations with almost the same level of cracks. One of them was retrofitted using externally prestressed anchor bolts after the appearance of cracks, and the other was the control foundation. Strain sensors were installed in the foundation and strain signals were recorded in the period of construction, prestressing, and operation. Field test results showed that the prestressing technique can limit the crack width and improve the section stiffness.
Experimental studies and analysis on compressive strength of normal‐weight concrete at low temperatures
Authors: Xie Jian , Yan Jia‐Bao
Published: November 2017

The construction of liquid nitrogen gas storages and engineering structures in cold regions exposed reinforced concrete structures to low temperatures. This paper investigates the compressive strength of normal‐weight concrete under low temperatures to −165°C through a 174‐specimen test program. The key parameters studied in this test program included low temperature T ranging from −165 to +20°C, water/cement ratio ranging from 0.33 to 0.57, and water content Wc ranging from 0 to 6%. Their influences on the compressive strength of the concrete under low temperature were highlighted and analyzed. With the scanning electron microscope (SEM), the influence of these parameters on the microstructures of the concrete under low temperature was observed and presented. These test data and SEM analyses revealed the failure mechanism and provided proofs on the improvements of the compressive strength of the concrete under low temperature. Based on these test data, a mathematical model has developed to describe the relationship between the increasing factor of the compressive strength of the concrete under low temperatures and the influencing parameters of T, w/c ratio, and Wc. Finally, design equations are provided to predict the increasing factor of the compressive strength of the concrete under low temperature.
Generation of diverse cortical inhibitory interneurons
Authors: Sultan Khadeejah T. , Shi Song‐Hai
Published: November 2017

First described by Ramon y Cajal as ‘short‐axon’ cells over a century ago, inhibitory interneurons in the cerebral cortex make up ~20–30% of the neuronal milieu. A key feature of these interneurons is the striking structural and functional diversity, which allows them to modulate neural activity in diverse ways and ultimately endow neural circuits with remarkable computational power. Here, we review our current understanding of the generation of cortical interneurons, with a focus on recent efforts to bridge the gap between progenitor behavior and interneuron production, and how these aspects influence interneuron diversity and organization. WIREs Dev Biol 2018, 7:e306. doi: 10.1002/wdev.306

This article is categorized under:

Nervous System Development > Vertebrates: General Principles
A survey on graphic processing unit computing for large‐scale data mining
Authors: Cano Alberto
Published: November 2017

General purpose computation using Graphic Processing Units (GPUs) is a well‐established research area focusing on high‐performance computing solutions for massively parallelizable and time‐consuming problems. Classical methodologies in machine learning and data mining cannot handle processing of massive and high‐speed volumes of information in the context of the big data era. GPUs have successfully improved the scalability of data mining algorithms to address significantly larger dataset sizes in many application areas. The popularization of distributed computing frameworks for big data mining opens up new opportunities for transformative solutions combining GPUs and distributed frameworks. This survey analyzes current trends in the use of GPU computing for large‐scale data mining, discusses GPU architecture advantages for handling volume and velocity of data, identifies limitation factors hampering the scalability of the problems, and discusses open issues and future directions. WIREs Data Mining Knowl Discov 2018, 8:e1232. doi: 10.1002/widm.1232

This article is categorized under:

Technologies > Computer Architectures for Data Mining

Technologies > Machine Learning

Technologies > Computational Intelligence
Bringing back the dead: Genetic data from avian carcasses
Authors: Koczur Lianne M. , Williford Damon , DeYoung Randy W. , Ballard Bart M.
Published: November 2017

Advances in laboratory methods and DNA sequencing technology have enabled genetic analyses of noninvasive samples, museum specimens, fossil material, and more recently, carcasses. We extracted DNA from decayed avian carcasses that were salvaged from a marine environment in southern Texas, USA, during 2010–2014, at 2 weeks to 3 months postmortem. Extracts of DNA from toepad, bone, and feather yielded usable DNA for molecular sexing and amplification of a 223–base pair portion of the mtDNA control region. Most samples displayed signs of degradation, including small fragment sizes and heteroplasmy in mtDNA sequences consistent with deamination during the decay process. The ability to extract usable DNA from avian carcasses salvaged in a marine environment has implications for the ecology and management of waterbirds, many of which are rare, sexually monomorphic, and poorly understood. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
A comparison of field methods to estimate Canada goose abundance
Authors: McAlister Mark A. , DePerno Christopher S. , Fuller Joseph C. , Howell Douglas L. , Moorman Christopher E.
Published: November 2017

We conducted a 2‐year study (2014–2015) in North Carolina, USA, to compare precision and efficiency between 2 methods used to estimate Canada goose (Branta canadensis) abundance. The first method (i.e., band‐return estimation) used hunter band‐returns and harvest estimates. The second (i.e., plot survey) used surveys of 1‐km2 plots randomly located across potential goose habitat in the state. To quantify efficiency, we recorded all expenses and time dedicated to goose banding and plot surveys. In June 2014, we banded 2,102 adult geese at 44 sites. During the 2014–2015 hunting season, we received 173 direct band recoveries from birds banded as adults. We used the Lincoln–Peterson formula to calculate an abundance estimate of 148,839 (coeff. of variation = 7.9) and determined the band‐return method required US $72,858 and 2,317 person‐hours to complete. We surveyed 300 1‐km2 plots across North Carolina in April 2015, and calculated an abundance estimate of 155,655 Canada geese (coeff. of variation = 308.9). We determined the plot‐survey method required US $80,767 and 2,857 person‐hours to complete. Although population estimates were similar, we recommend the band‐return technique to estimate Canada goose abundance because it provided a more precise estimate with similar overall costs and, if continued for multiple years, will allow calculation of additional population metrics including survival, recovery rates, and harvest distributions. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Poisson-Lie duals of the η deformed symmetric space sigma model
Authors: Hoare Ben , Seibold Fiona K.
Published: November 2017

Abstract

Poisson-Lie dualising the η deformation of the G/H symmetric space sigma model with respect to the simple Lie group G is conjectured to give an analytic continuation of the associated λ deformed model. In this paper we investigate when the η deformed model can be dualised with respect to a subgroup G0 of G. Starting from the first-order action on the complexified group and integrating out the degrees of freedom associated to different subalgebras, we find it is possible to dualise when G0 is associated to a sub-Dynkin diagram. Additional U1 factors built from the remaining Cartan generators can also be included. The resulting construction unifies both the Poisson-Lie dual with respect to G and the complete abelian dual of the η deformation in a single framework, with the integrated algebras unimodular in both cases. We speculate that extending these results to the path integral formalism may provide an explanation for why the η deformed AdS5 × S5 superstring is not one-loop Weyl invariant, that is the couplings do not solve the equations of type IIB supergravity, yet its complete abelian dual and the λ deformed model are.
Erratum to: Hagedorn spectrum and thermodynamics of SU(2) and SU(3) Yang-Mills theories
Authors: Caselle Michele , Nada Alessandro , Panero Marco
Published: November 2017

There is a mistake in the discussion of eq. (3.1): the fit was carried out using β0 = 2.4, instead of β0 = 2.35. We thank Etsuko Itou for calling our attention to this misprint.
A combined analysis of PandaX, LUX, and XENON1T experiments within the framework of dark matter effective theory
Authors: Liu Zuowei , Su Yushan , Sming Tsai Yue-Lin , Yu Bingrong , Yuan Qiang
Published: November 2017

Abstract

Weakly interacting massive particles are a widely well-probed dark matter candidate by the dark matter direct detection experiments. Theoretically, there are a large number of ultraviolet completed models that consist of a weakly interacting massive particle dark matter. The variety of models makes the comparison with the direct detection data complicated and often non-trivial. To overcome this, in the non-relativistic limit, the effective theory was developed in the literature which works very well to significantly reduce the complexity of dark matter-nucleon interactions and to better study the nuclear response functions. In the effective theory framework for a spin-1/2 dark matter, we combine three independent likelihood functions from the latest PandaX, LUX, and XENON1T data, and give a joint limit on each effective coupling. The astrophysical uncertainties of the dark matter distribution are also included in the likelihood. We further discuss the isospin violating cases of the interactions. Finally, for both dimension-five and dimension-six effective theories above the electroweak scale, we give updated limits of the new physics mass scales.
N =1 supergravitational heterotic galileons
Authors: Deen Rehan , Ovrut Burt
Published: November 2017

Abstract

Heterotic M -theory consists of a five-dimensional manifold of the form S
1
/
Z
2 × M
4. It has been shown that one of the two orbifold planes, the “observable” sector, can have a low energy particle spectrum which is precisely the N = 1 super-symmetric standard model with three right-handed neutrino chiral supermultiplets. The other orbifold plane constitutes a “hidden” sector which, since its communication with the observable sector is suppressed, will be ignored in this paper. However, the finite fifth-dimension allows for the existence of three-brane solitons which, in order to render the vacuum anomaly free, must appear. That is, heterotic M -theory provides a natural framework for brane-world cosmological scenarios coupled to realistic particle physics. The complete worldvolume action of such three-branes is unknown. Here, treating these solitons as probe branes, we construct their scalar worldvolume Lagrangian as a derivative expansion of the heterotic DBI action. In analogy with similar calculations in the M
5 and AdS
5 context, this leads to the construction of “heterotic Galileons”. However, realistic vacua of heterotic M -theory are necessarily N = 1 supersymmetric in four dimensions. Hence, we proceed to supersymmetrize the three-brane worldvolume action, first in flat superspace and then extend the results to N = 1 supergravity. Such a worldvolume action may lead to interesting cosmology, such as “bouncing” universe models, by allowing for the violation of the Null Energy Condition (NEC).
Skeletal muscle and performance adaptations to high-intensity training in elite male soccer players: speed endurance runs versus small-sided game training
Authors: Fransson Dan , Nielsen Tobias Schmidt , Olsson Karl , Christensson Tobias , Bradley Paul S. , Fatouros Ioannis G. , Krustrup Peter , Nordsborg Nikolai Baastrup , Mohr Magni
Published: November 2017

Purpose

To examine the skeletal muscle and performance responses across two different exercise training modalities which are highly applied in soccer training.

Methods

Using an RCT design, 39 well-trained male soccer players were randomized into either a speed endurance training (SET; n = 21) or a small-sided game group (SSG; n = 18). Over 4 weeks, thrice weekly, SET performed 6–10 × 30-s all-out runs with 3-min recovery, while SSG completed 2 × 7–9-min small-sided games with 2-min recovery. Muscle biopsies were obtained from m. vastus lateralis pre and post intervention and were subsequently analysed for metabolic enzyme activity and muscle protein expression. Moreover, the Yo–Yo Intermittent Recovery level 2 test (Yo–Yo IR2) was performed.

Results

Muscle CS maximal activity increased (P < 0.05) by 18% in SET only, demonstrating larger (P < 0.05) improvement than SSG, while HAD activity increased (P < 0.05) by 24% in both groups. Na+–K+ ATPase α1 subunit protein expression increased (P < 0.05) in SET and SSG (19 and 37%, respectively), while MCT4 protein expression rose (P < 0.05) by 30 and 61% in SET and SSG, respectively. SOD2 protein expression increased (P < 0.05) by 28 and 37% in SET and SSG, respectively, while GLUT-4 protein expression increased (P < 0.05) by 40% in SSG only. Finally, SET displayed 39% greater improvement (P < 0.05) in Yo–Yo IR2 performance than SSG.

Conclusion

Speed endurance training improved muscle oxidative capacity and exercise performance more pronouncedly than small-sided game training, but comparable responses were in muscle ion transporters and antioxidative capacity in well-trained male soccer players.
Decomposing Immigrants’ Religious Mobility: Structural Shifts and Inter-religion Exchanges among Chinese Overseas Students
Authors: Yang X. Yousef , Hu Anning , Yang Fenggang
Published: November 2017

The religious mobility of immigrants has rarely received a systematic investigation that separates the two mutually exclusive mechanisms: the structural shift that occurs due to an overall environment favorable to certain religions, and the exchange effect that occurs when people voluntarily flow between any pair of two religions. Chinese overseas students constitute the largest foreign student body in the US whose religious mobility pattern remains unexplored and may differ significantly from other types of immigrants in earlier generations, especially regarding the assumed growth of Christianity and changes within other religions and non-religions. Applying quasi-symmetry log-linear model to the pre- and post-immigration religious identifications in a new sample of Chinese oversea students collected from the Midwest in 2016 (n = 916), this study shows that (1) Abrahamic religions including Christianity and Islam have the biggest structural advantage; (2) Eastern religions including Buddhism, Chinese folk religions, and generic polytheism have suffered from structural disadvantages; (3) religious nones (i.e. atheists and agnostics) have remained relatively stable with little structural variation; (4) net of the structural effects, there is a higher level of mutual exchange of members between Buddhism and polytheism, between atheism and agnostic, and between Christianity and atheism.
Prevalence and factors associated with preoperative anxiety among elective surgical patients at University of Gondar Hospital. Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia, 2017. A cross-sectional study
Authors: Y.B. Woldegerima , G.L. Fitwi , H.T. Yimer , A.G. Hailekiros
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT

Background:

Anxiety is defined as an overwhelming experience of fear, worry and nervousness. It is one of the commonest events that can happen to patients waiting for surgical operations. It has multiple psychophysiological adverse effects. Even though, it has variety of unwanted consequences, in clinical practice, preoperative anxiety is commonly neglected by clinicians. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with preoperative anxiety among elective surgical patients at the University of Gondar Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2017.

Method:

Institution-based, cross-sectional study was conducted from March to June, 2017 in University of Gondar Hospital. After obtaining ethical approval from institutional review board, 178 willing adult patients scheduled for elective surgical operations were included in the. Level of anxiety was measured by State and Trait Anxiety Inventory. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS statistical package version 20. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabs and binary logistic regression analysis were performed to identify predictors of preoperative anxiety. The strength of the association was presented using AOR with 95% confidence interval and p-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results:

A total of 178 patients (98 female and 80 male) enrolled with 98.34% response rate. We observed preoperative anxiety in 59.6% patients. The mean (± SD) of STAI score was 48.63 ± 17.56. High preoperative anxiety was associated with age 18–30 years (AOR = 6.92, 95% CI = 1.39–33.82), age 31–45 years (AOR = 5.72, 95% CI = 1.61–20.28), no income (AOR = 3.21, 95% CI = 1.01–10.27), low income (AOR = 3.06, 95% CI = 1.18–7.93). Rural residency (AOR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.16–0.89) was associated with lower risk for preoperative anxiety. Fear of being unable to recover from anesthesia (53.9%), postoperative pain (51.7%), family concerns (43.3%) were leading sources of preoperative anxiety. Significant association with preoperative anxiety found in fear of death (AOR = 2.40, 95% CI = 1.08–5.32), family concern (AOR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.03–4.50), fear of dependency (AOR = 2.75, 95% CI = 1.57–7.20) and fear of disability (AOR = 2.75, 95% CI = 1.22–6.21).

Conclusions:

Preoperative anxiety was high in University of Gondar Hospital. Young age, no/low income, urban residence, fear of death, dependency, disability and family concerns were predictors of preoperative anxiety. Patients need to be assessed regularly for anxiety during the preoperative visit and appropriate anxiety reducing methods should be introduced in our Hospital.

Highlights:
Control of a supersonic elliptical jet
Authors: Bajpai A. , Rathakrishnan E.
Published: November 2017

Mach 2 jet from a convergent-divergent elliptical nozzle, of aspect ratio 2, has been controlled with limiting flat and arc tabs. The mixing promoting capability of the flat and arc tabs were studied in the presence of different levels of pressure gradient, at the nozzle exit, corresponding to nozzle pressure ratios of 4 to 8, in steps of one. The geometrical blockage of both the tabs is 5% of nozzle exit area. For the flat tab along the minor axis, the waves in the core become weaker and the core length becomes shorter than the uncontrolled jet, at all the NPRs studied. But the flat tab along the major axis promotes mixing only for some NPRs and retards the mixing for the rest of the NPRs studied. At NPR 5, the flat tab along the minor axis causes the largest core length reduction of 86%. For circular arc tab, along the minor axis, the maximum core length reduction is 55% at NPR 6. Arc tab along the major axis protects the core length for the entire range of the nozzle pressure ratios tested and maximum extension in core length is found at NPR 4, which is 40%.
Breaking from and building on the past: Helsinki and Dublin after independence
Authors: Niemi Marjaana
Published: November 2017

Capital cities play a significant role in interpreting a country’s past and charting its future. In the aftermath of the First World War nine new European states, Finland and Ireland among them, were confronted with the question of how to create a capital city befitting their new status and national identity. Instead of designing and constructing an entirely new capital city which would have marked a clean break from the past, all these states chose an existing city as the capital. This article will examine processes through which two capitals, Helsinki and Dublin, were renewed physically and symbolically to make the political change ‘real’ to people, but also to reinterpret the past and create a ‘teleology for the present’. The aim is to discuss the ways in which the changes, planned and implemented, both reflected and reinforced new interpretations of the history of the city and the nation, and the continuities and discontinuities the changes created between the past and the present. Some elements and versions of the past were chosen over others, preserved and reinvented in the cityscape, while others were ignored, hidden or denied.
Thermal delay of drop coalescence
Authors: Geri Michela , Keshavarz Bavand , McKinley Gareth H. , Bush John W. M.
Published: November 2017

We present the results of a combined experimental and theoretical study of drop coalescence in the presence of an initial temperature difference $\unicode[STIX]{x0394}T_{0}$ between a drop and a bath of the same liquid. We characterize experimentally the dependence of the residence time before coalescence on $\unicode[STIX]{x0394}T_{0}$ for silicone oils with different viscosities. Delayed coalescence arises above a critical temperature difference $\unicode[STIX]{x0394}T_{c}$ that depends on the fluid viscosity: for $\unicode[STIX]{x0394}T_{0}>\unicode[STIX]{x0394}T_{c}$, the delay time increases as $\unicode[STIX]{x0394}T_{0}^{2/3}$ for all liquids examined. This observed dependence is rationalized theoretically through consideration of the thermocapillary flows generated within the drop, the bath and the intervening air layer.
Basal dynamics of Kronebreen, a fast-flowing tidewater glacier in Svalbard: non-local spatio-temporal response to water input
Authors: VALLOT DOROTHÉE , PETTERSSON RICKARD , LUCKMAN ADRIAN , BENN DOUGLAS I. , ZWINGER THOMAS , VAN PELT WARD J. J. , KOHLER JACK , SCHÄFER MARTINA , CLAREMAR BJÖRN , HULTON NICHOLAS R. J.
Published: November 2017

We evaluate the variability in basal friction for Kronebreen, Svalbard, a fast-flowing tidewater glacier. We invert 3 years (2013–15) of surface velocities at high temporal resolution (generally 11 days), to estimate the changing basal properties of the glacier. Our results suggest that sliding behaviour of Kronebreen within a year is primarily influenced by changes in water input patterns during the meltwater season and basal friction is highly variable from a year to another. At present, models usually employ parameterisations to encompass the complex physics of glacier sliding by mathematically simulate their net effect. For such ice masses with strong seasonal variations of surface melt, the spatio-temporal patterns of basal friction imply that it is neither possible nor appropriate to use a parameterisation for bed friction that is fixed in space and/or time, at least in a timescale of a few years. Basal sliding may not only be governed by local processes such as basal topography or summer melt, but also be mediated by factors that vary over a larger distance and over a longer time period such as subglacial hydrology organisation, ice-thickness changes or calving front geometry.
Molecular characterization and diagnostic potential of serine proteinase inhibitors from Taenia solium
Authors: Liu Guangxue , Liang Panhong , Mao Li , Zhang Shaohua , Wang Lijie , Zheng Yadong , Guo Aijiang , Hou Junling , Luo Xuenong
Published: November 2017

Serine protease inhibitors (serpins) play essential physiological roles in a wide range of biological processes. Serpins are researched limited inTaenia solium, although some are considered to participate in host immune responses. Tsserpins were identified as typical serpins due to the primary structure of characteristic features: the serpin motif, serpin signature and reaction centre loop (RCL). RCLs of four serpin genes (TsB6, Ts4848, Ts12383 and Ts570) contained the conserved sequences of inhibitory serpins, which may involve in immune regulation. TsEP45 differed greatly from the patterns of representative serpins, suggesting that TsEP45 may be non-inhibitory. The bioinformatic analyses were supposed that Tsserpins might be a potential antigen for diagnosis. The five recombinant Tsserpin proteins were expressed and identified reacting withCysticercus cellulosae-positive serum samples. The indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISAs) based on Tsserpins were developed and validated, one of the five Tsserpins, TsEP45, showed excellent diagnostic results with 93·33% sensitivity and 94·12% specificity, respectively. This performance was in perfect accordance with the results of the bioinformatic analysis. This study provided a comprehensive demonstration of sequences and structural-based analysis of Tsserpins. The iELISAs based on five Tsserpins were developed and compared.TsEP45 was the potential species-specific antigen for developing iELISA to detect porcine cysticercosis.
A New Sample Preparation System for Micro-14C Dating of Glacier Ice with a First Application to a High Alpine Ice Core from Colle Gnifetti (Switzerland)
Authors: Hoffmann Helene , Preunkert Susanne , Legrand Michel , Leinfelder David , Bohleber Pascal , Friedrich Ronny , Wagenbach Dietmar
Published: November 2017

Radiometric dating of glacier ice is an essential tool where stratigraphic dating methods cannot be applied. This study focuses on Alpine glacier ice and presents a new sample preparation system for dating of glacier ice samples via radiocarbon (14C) dating of the microscopic particulate organic carbon (POC) fraction incorporated in the ice matrix. An adaptable, low-cost inline filtration-oxidation-unit (REFILOX) has been developed, which for the first time unifies all sample preparation steps from ice filtration to CO2quantification in one closed setup. A systematic14C investigation of modern European aerosol samples revealed that a POC combustion temperature of 340°C provides the best representation of the real sample age. A very low process blank of maximally 0.3±0.1 µgC now enables14C dating of high Alpine ice samples, where POC concentrations are generally low (typically 10–50 µgC/kg), in an ice sample mass range of 300–500 g. In a first successful application, the method was used to obtain age constraints for an ice core from the cold, high Alpine firn saddle Colle Gnifetti (Switzerland). Analysis of the bottom ice core sections revealed a basal age of 4171–3923 cal yr BP but also a so far enigmatic discontinuity in the age-depth relationship.
Barleyβ-glucan reduces blood cholesterol levels via interrupting bile acid metabolism
Authors: Wang Yanan , Harding Scott V. , Thandapilly Sijo J. , Tosh Susan M. , Jones Peter J. H. , Ames Nancy P.
Published: November 2017

Underlying mechanisms responsible for the cholesterol-lowering effect ofβ-glucan have been proposed, yet have not been fully demonstrated. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether the consumption of barleyβ-glucan lowers cholesterol by affecting the cholesterol absorption, cholesterol synthesis or bile acid synthesis. In addition, this study was aimed to assess whether the underlying mechanisms are related to cholesterol 7αhydroxylase (CYP7A1) SNP rs3808607 as proposed by us earlier. In a controlled, randomised, cross-over study, participants with mild hypercholesterolaemia (n30) were randomly assigned to receive breakfast containing 3 g high-molecular weight (HMW), 5 g low-molecular weight (LMW), 3 g LMW barleyβ-glucan or a control diet, each for 5 weeks. Cholesterol absorption was determined by assessing the enrichment of circulating13C-cholesterol over 96 h following oral administration; fractional rate of synthesis for cholesterol was assessed by measuring the incorporation rate of2H derived from deuterium oxide within the body water pool into the erythrocyte cholesterol pool over 24 h; bile acid synthesis was determined by measuring serum 7α-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one concentrations. Consumption of 3 g HMWβ-glucan decreased total cholesterol (TC) levels (P=0·029), but did not affect cholesterol absorption (P=0·25) or cholesterol synthesis (P=0·14). Increased bile acid synthesis after consumption of 3 g HMWβ-glucan was observed in all participants (P=0·049), and more pronounced in individuals carrying homozygous G of rs3808607 (P=0·033). In addition, a linear relationship between log (viscosity) ofβ-glucan and serum 7α-HC concentration was observed in homozygous G allele carriers. Results indicate that increased bile acid synthesis rather than inhibition of cholesterol absorption or synthesis may be responsible for the cholesterol-lowering effect of barleyβ-glucan. The pronounced TC reduction in G allele carriers of rs3808607 observed in the previous study may be due to enhanced bile acid synthesis in response to high-viscosityβ-glucan consumption in those individuals.
The helminth community of a population ofRattus norvegicusfrom an urban Brazilian slum and the threat of zoonotic diseases
Authors: Carvalho-Pereira Ticiana , Souza Fábio N. , Santos Luana R. N. , Walker Ruth , Pertile Arsinoê C. , de Oliveira Daiana S. , Pedra Gabriel G. , Minter Amanda , Rodrigues Maria Gorete , Bahiense Thiago C. , Reis Mitermayer G. , Diggle Peter J. , Ko Albert I. , Childs James E. , da Silva Eduardo M. , Begon Mike , Costa Federico
Published: November 2017

Urban slums provide suitable conditions for infestation by rats, which harbour and shed a wide diversity of zoonotic pathogens including helminths. We aimed to identify risk factors associated with the probability and intensity of infection of helminths of the digestive tract in an urban slum population ofRattus norvegicus. Among 299 rats, eleven species/groups of helminths were identified, of whichStrongyloidessp.,Nippostrongylus brasiliensisand, the human pathogen,Angiostrongylus cantonensiswere the most frequent (97, 41 and 39%, respectively). Sex interactions highlighted behavioural differences between males and females, as eg males were more likely to be infected withN. brasiliensiswhere rat signs were present, and males presented more intense infections ofStrongyloidessp. Moreover, rats in poor body condition had higher intensities ofN. brasiliensis. We describe a high global richness of parasites inR. norvegicus, including five species known to cause disease in humans. Among these,A. cantonensiswas found in high prevalence and it was ubiquitous in the study area – knowledge which is of public health importance. A variety of environmental, demographic and body condition variables were associated with helminth species infection of rats, suggesting a comparable variety of risk factors for humans.
Molecular detection ofCyclospora cayetanensisin human stool specimens using UNEX-based DNA extraction and real-time PCR
Authors: Qvarnstrom Yvonne , Benedict Theresa , Marcet Paula L. , Wiegand Ryan E. , Herwaldt Barbara L. , da Silva Alexandre J.
Published: November 2017

Cyclospora cayetanensisis a coccidian parasite associated with diarrheal illness. In the USA, foodborne outbreaks of cyclosporiasis have been documented almost every year since the mid-1990s. The typical approach used to identify this parasite in human stools is an examination of acid-fast-stained smears under bright-field microscopy. UV fluorescence microscopy of wet mounts is more sensitive and specific than acid-fast staining but requires a fluorescence microscope with a special filter not commonly available in diagnostic laboratories. In this study, we evaluated a new DNA extraction method based on the Universal Nucleic Acid Extraction (UNEX) buffer and compared the performances of four published real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for the specific detection ofC. cayetanensisin stool. The UNEX-based method had an improved capability to recover DNA from oocysts compared with the FastDNA stool extraction method. The best-performing real-time PCR assay was aC. cayetanensis-specific TaqMan PCR that targets the 18S ribosomal RNA gene. This new testing algorithm should be useful for detection ofC. cayetanensisin human stool samples.
Homer’s Vividness: An Enactive Approach
Authors: Grethlein Jonas , Huitink Luuk
Published: November 2017

The vividness of Homeric poetry has been admired since antiquity, but has been difficult to pin down with precision. It is usually thought to come about because readers are prompted to visualize the storyworld in the form of mental images seen with the mind's eye. But this cannot be right, both because there are serious scientific problems with the concept of ‘pictures in the head’ and because Homer does not offer many detailed descriptions, which are a prerequisite for eliciting detailed mental images. This article presents a different, and cognitively more realistic, take on the imageability of Homeric epic, which is based on recent reader-response studies inspired by the enactivist theory of cognition. These studies make a compelling case for readerly visualization as an embodied response, which does not depend on bright or detailed mental images. An analysis of the chariot race in Iliad 23 identifies specific features of what may be called an ‘enactive style’, notably the description of simple bodily actions. The final part of the article demonstrates that an enactivist take on Homer's vividness is not incompatible with the ancient concept of enargeia, the chief rhetorical term with which Homer's vividness is characterized in ancient criticism.
Risk factors for hospital-associated venous thromboembolism in critically ill children following cardiothoracic surgery or therapeutic cardiac catheterisation
Authors: Atchison Christie M. , Amankwah Ernest , Wilhelm Jean , Arlikar Shilpa , Branchford Brian R. , Stock Arabela , Streiff Michael , Takemoto Clifford , Ayala Irmel , Everett Allen , Stapleton Gary , Jacobs Marshall L. , Jacobs Jeffrey P. , Goldenberg Neil A.
Published: November 2017

Background

Paediatric hospital-associated venous thromboembolism is a leading quality and safety concern at children’s hospitals.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine risk factors for hospital-associated venous thromboembolism in critically ill children following cardiothoracic surgery or therapeutic cardiac catheterisation.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective, case–control study of children admitted to the cardiovascular intensive care unit at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital (St. Petersburg, Florida, United States of America) from 2006 to 2013. Hospital-associated venous thromboembolism cases were identified based on ICD-9 discharge codes and validated using radiological record review. We randomly selected two contemporaneous cardiovascular intensive care unit controls without hospital-associated venous thromboembolism for each hospital-associated venous thromboembolism case, and limited the study population to patients who had undergone cardiothoracic surgery or therapeutic cardiac catheterisation. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for associations between putative risk factors and hospital-associated venous thromboembolism were determined using univariate and multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Among 2718 admissions to the cardiovascular intensive care unit during the study period, 65 met the criteria for hospital-associated venous thromboembolism (occurrence rate, 2%). Restriction to cases and controls having undergone the procedures of interest yielded a final study population of 57 hospital-associated venous thromboembolism cases and 76 controls. In a multiple logistic regression model, major infection (odds ratio=5.77, 95% confidence interval=1.06–31.4), age ⩽1 year (odds ratio=6.75, 95% confidence interval=1.13–160), and central venous catheterisation (odds ratio=7.36, 95% confidence interval=1.13–47.8) were found to be statistically significant independent risk factors for hospital-associated venous thromboembolism in these children. Patients with all three factors had a markedly increased post-test probability of having hospital-associated venous thromboembolism.

Conclusion

Major infection, infancy, and central venous catheterisation are independent risk factors for hospital-associated venous thromboembolism in critically ill children following cardiothoracic surgery or cardiac catheter-based intervention, which, in combination, define a high-risk group for hospital-associated venous thromboembolism.
H. G. WELLS, GEOLOGY, AND THE RUINS OF TIME
Authors: Shackleton David
Published: November 2017

H. G. Wells'sThe Time Machine(1895) has hitherto been read in two principal scientific contexts: those of evolutionary biology and thermodynamic physics. Numerous critics have situated the romance in the context of evolutionary biology and contemporary discourses of degeneration (McLean 11–40; Greenslade 32–41). Others have discussed it in the context of thermodynamic physics. For instance, Bruce Clarke has readThe Time Machineas “a virtual allegory of classical thermodynamics,” and shows that its combination of physical and social entropy reflects a wider transfer within the period of concepts and metaphors from physical science to social discourses of degeneration (121–26). Neatly linking these scientific contexts with issues of form, Michael Sayeau has argued that the social and physical entropy that are themes of the romance are reflected in its narrative structure, which manifests a type of narrative entropy, and thereby raises the spectre of the end of fiction (109–46).
Design/Entwurf: Observations
Authors: Hauser Susanne
Published: November 2017

Translating the German expressions Entwurf or Entwerfen into English seems to be an easy task: ‘design’ or ‘designing’ are the common choices recommended by dictionaries whenever a translation of Entwerfen or Entwurf is intended. The mutual translatability is evident since both ‘designing’ and Entwerfen refer to the same phase of an architectural process. Similarly, Entwurf and ‘design’ refer to the outcome of the architectural process as well. This confirms their exchangeability. It is notable that there are no similarly convincing alternative translations available, at least not in the form of single words or short expressions.

‘both “designing” and Entwerfen refer to the same phase of an architectural process [and…] to the outcome of the architectural process‘

But there is no doubt that the expressions ‘design’ and Entwurf refer to different practices and media. They stress different aspects of the process of developing new concepts, ideas or objects, and different aspects of the result. This is why the common translation becomes dubious. Translating proves to be a challenge. The term ‘design’ offers characteristic and conceptually important qualities, as does the German word Entwurf, and the implications of each are so different that there is some doubt that ‘design(ing)’ can function as the adequate translation of Entwerfen.
Low-latency teleoperations, planetary protection, and astrobiology
Authors: Lupisella Mark L. , Race Margaret S.
Published: November 2017

The remote operation of an asset with time-delays short enough to allow for ‘real-time’ or near real-time control – often referred to as low-latency teleoperations (LLT) – has important potential to address planetary protection concerns and to enhance astrobiology exploration. Not only can LLT assist with the search for extraterrestrial life and help mitigate planetary protection concerns as required by international treaty, but it can also aid in the real-time exploration of hazardous areas, robotically manipulate samples in real-time, and engage in precise measurements and experiments without the presence of crew in the immediate area. Furthermore, LLT can be particularly effective for studying ‘Special Regions’ – areas of astrobiological interest that might be adversely affected by forward contamination from humans or spacecraft contaminants during activities on Mars. LLT can also aid human exploration by addressing concerns about backward contamination that could impact mission details for returning Martian samples and crew back to Earth.This paper provides an overview of LLT operational considerations and findings from recent NASA analyses and workshops related to planetary protection and human missions beyond Earth orbit. The paper focuses primarily on three interrelated areas of Mars operations that are particularly relevant to the planetary protection and the search for life: Mars orbit-to-surface LLT activities; Crew-on-surface and drilling LLT; and Mars surface science laboratory LLT. The paper also discusses several additional mission implementation considerations and closes with information on key knowledge gaps identified as necessary for the advance of LLT for planetary protection and astrobiology purposes on future human missions to Mars.
Erfassung früher Schriftsprachkompetenz mit „Concepts about Print“ (CaP)
Authors: Korntheuer Petra
Published: November 2017

Zusammenfassung. Gängige Diagnostikverfahren zur Prävention von Lese- Rechtschreibschwierigkeiten erfassen typischerweise sprachliche und metasprachliche Kompetenzen der Kinder. Bedeutsam für die spätere Lesekompetenz sind jedoch auch die, in der literalen Praxis mit Büchern erworbenen, schrift- bzw. buchbezogenen Kenntnisse, die sog. „concepts about print“ (cap). Für sie steht bislang kein standardisiertes deutschsprachiges Verfahren zur Verfügung. Daher wurde das gleichnamige englischsprachige Verfahren CaP von Clay (2000a) adaptiert und in einer Pilotstudie an n = 30 einsprachig deutschen Vorschulkindern erprobt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Aufgaben zu konzeptionellen Aspekten der Schriftsprache wie Leserichtung, deutlich geringere Schwierigkeitsindizes aufweisen als Aufgaben zu medialen Aspekten wie Wort für Wort lesen. Zudem ergeben sich teils nur geringe Zusammenhänge zwischen den CaP-Werten und der literalen Praxis in Kita oder Familie. Der erwartungsgemäß hohe Zusammenhang mit dem Untertest zur visuellen Aufmerksamkeit aus dem BISC dagegen liefert einen ersten Hinweis auf konvergente Validität des CaP. Anwendungsbereich, Grenzen und Verbesserungsbedarf des Verfahrens werden diskutiert.
Erwerb früher Literalität im Übergang von der Kita in die Grundschule
Authors: Liebers Katrin , Heger Beate
Published: November 2017

Zusammenfassung. Frühe Literalität stellt einen ersten wichtigen Schritt auf dem Weg zur Schriftkultur einer Gesellschaft dar und wird lange vor dem Schulanfang erworben. Anhand einer Längsschnittstudie mit drei Messzeitpunkten (nconst= 430) werden Aspekte des multidimensionalen Konstrukts früher Literalität, wie das konzeptuelle Wissen über Schrift, das prozedurale Wissen sowie das erste Lesen und Schreiben vom Beginn des letzten Kindergartenjahres an bis in das erste Schuljahr hinein deskriptiv erfasst. Dabei zeigen sich zu Beginn des letzten Kindergartenjahres ein umfangreiches konzeptuelles Wissen sowie ein beginnendes prozedurales Wissen, das sich bis zum Schulanfang rasch weiterentwickelt. In Messwiederholungsmodellen werden Interaktionen von Wissenszuwachs über die Zeit und Geschlecht untersucht. Der spätere schulische Vorteil der Mädchen im Lesen ( Valtin, Wagner & Schwippert, 2005 ) deutet sich nach dem Schulanfang bereits an, ist aber noch nicht substanziell ausgeprägt. Die Befunde sprechen dafür, gendersensitive Angebote für den Elementar- und Primarbereich zu konzipieren und evaluieren.
Einpassung literater Strukturen
Authors: Müller-Brauers Claudia , Stark Linda , von Lehmden Friederike
Published: November 2017

Zusammenfassung. Vorlesesituationen gelten als zentraler Erwerbskontext literater Strukturen. Anhand einer Analyse von zwei kindlichen Geschichtenwiedergaben, die unmittelbar auf ein vorangegangenes Vorlesegespräch folgten, wollen wir zeigen, dass Kinder literate Strukturen aus zuvor gehörten Bilderbuchgeschichten auf unterschiedlichen sprachlichen Ebenen in ihre Sprachproduktion einpassen können. Wir diskutieren zudem, unter welchen potentiellen Kontextbedingungen Einpassungsprozesse wahrscheinlich werden.