bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient biodegradation of malachite green by a newly isolated Klebsiella pneumoniae strain WA‐1
Authors: Li Chunsheng , Liu Dandan , Yang Xianqing , Chen Shengjun , Deng Jianchao , Rong Hui , Li Chi
Published: August 2019

Biodegradation by microorganisms is a potential treatment technique of malachite green (MG) in aquaculture environments. In this study, a bacterium with high MG decolorization and biodegradation ability was isolated through enrichment culture and color‐decoloration circle method, and was identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae WA‐1 after molecular and biochemical identification. The MG biodegradation characteristics and the factors affecting the MG biodegradation ability of this strain were studied using KBH4 reduction‐high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector (HPLC‐FLD) method. K. pneumoniae WA‐1 could efficiently biodegrade MG in aqueous solution without any nutrients that over 94.0% MG was biodegraded by this strain at 1–20 mg/L within 0.5 hr and 100% MG were biodegraded at 1–10 mg/L within 12 hr. Fairly stable MG biodegradation performance was observed in complex environments, including various pH, temperature, salinity, and metal ions, especially at low MG concentration. Furthermore, the presence of NaCl, Mn2+, Mg2+, or Cu2+ could enhance the MG biodegradation ability of this strain. These results indicate that K. pneumoniae WA‐1 could be used as a potential MG degradation agent in complex aquaculture environments.
A novel method for the estimation of cobalt (II) in practical samples using ammonium pyrollidine dithiocarbamate
Authors: Korai Muhammad A. , Shar Ghulam A. , Soomro Gul A. , Ahmad Aftab , Jalal Fatima , Ashiq Muhammad S. , Husnain Hafiz M. , Shar Nisar A. , Shar Rafique A. , Iqbal Munawar
Published: August 2019

An easy and quick spectrophotometric method was developed and employed for detection and quantification of cobalt using ammonium pyrollidine dithiocarbamate (APDC) in presence of anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate aqueous micellar solution. The cobalt forms bis(ammonium pyrollidine dithiocarbamato) cobalt complex reacting with ammonium pyrollidine dithiocarbamate. The prepared complex was used for the detection of Co(II) ions spectrophotometrically in different types of samples of practical nature and developed methods shows high sensitivity and selectivity toward Co(II) ions and the coefficient of molar absorption (ε) and Sandell's sensitivity were 2.35 × 104 L mol−1 cm−1 and 2.73 ng/cm2 at λmax 322.2 nm, respectively. A linear relationship with concentration was observed in the range of 0.12–4.0 μg/ml and 1:2 metal to ligand ratio was found best for the complex Co–[APDC]2 formation. Using developed material and method, cobalt ions in pharmaceutical, tap water and reference material was recovered up to 99.81, 99.0, and 99.14 (%), respectively. The developed methods has potential for Co(II) estimation and could possibly be used for Co(II) quantification in practical samples.
Study on landfill gas migration in landfilled municipal solid waste based on gas–solid coupling model
Authors: Zeng Gang
Published: August 2019

Gas migration rule is of great significance to the safe disposal of landfill. In this article, a gas–solid coupling model was developed and used to simulate the effects of various factors on gas migration. The simulation results showed that gas pressure in landfill decreased with the increase of extraction pressure, anisotropy ratio, coverage gas permeability, extraction well depth, and coverage thickness. The maximum value of gas pressure could reach 683 Pa. Among these factors, extraction pressure played the largest role in the gas pressure, while coverage thickness played the smallest role in it. The radius of influence (RoI) and gas flow rate increased with the increase of extraction pressure, refuse gas permeability, coverage thickness, and the extraction well depth, but with the decrease of coverage gas permeability. The effect of extraction well depth on RoI and gas flow rate was the most significant. When extraction well depth increased from 0.5 landfill height to 0.9 landfill height, the maximum values of RoI and extraction volume increased by 20 m and 20 m3/hr, respectively. It was suggested that the design of landfill gas (LFG) collection system should consider the influence of various factors in practical engineering.
Graduate Admissions Practices: A Targeted Review of the Literature
Authors: Michel Rochelle S. , Belur Vinetha , Naemi Bobby , Kell Harrison J.
Published: August 2019

This review of the literature covers 5 major areas within the graduate admissions process: (a) the decentralized nature of graduate admissions; (b) the types of materials that are collected as part of the application process, including standardized test scores; (c) the variety of admissions models that are used to make admissions decisions; (d) training and tools used by graduate admissions committees to support the graduate admissions process; and (e) admitting diverse applicants. The literature review concludes with a discussion of the findings and the areas for future research.
Performance analysis of machine learning and deep learning classification methods for indoor localization in Internet of things environment
Authors: Turgut Zeynep , Üstebay Serpil , Ali Aydın Muhammed , Gürkaş Aydın Gülsüm Zeynep , Sertbaş Ahmet
Published: August 2019

The ability to detect the mobile user's location with high precision in indoor networks is particularly difficult due to the environmental characteristics and high dynamics of the indoor networks. The use of different technologies in the system to be developed to determine the position with high accuracy is important for overcoming the disadvantage(s) of any technology. To design a high‐precision indoor positioning method, it is important create an Internet of things (IoT) environment which uses hybrid technologies. The proposed system has been tested on an IoT environment by using two phases: preproccessing and localization. The corresponding environment is an original IoT environment, which allows to collect a hybrid dataset consists of WiFi, Bluetooth Low Energy, and Earth's magnetic field values. HALICDB dataset is created in the related ecosystem. To make a comparison with HALICDB, RFKONDB is used to create RFKON_HIBRID with similar signal values. The signal values obtained from the datasets are first passed through a particle filter. In the localization phase, a reference signal map is obtained for the detection of the moving objects in the indoor areas that are in the IoT environment using the fingerprint method. In the offline phase, the different machine learning methods are used in fingerprint maps for classification. It is seen that the highest accuracy is received through stacked sparse autoencoder from the deep learning methods due to the overcomplete network structure offered by the IoT environment on both datasets.
TCGMAC: A TDMA‐based MAC protocol with collision alleviation based on slot declaration and game theory in VANETS
Authors: Li Shujing , Liu Yanheng , Wang Jian , Ge Yuming , Deng Lingyue , Deng Weiwen
Published: August 2019

Recently, there has been increasing interest in intelligent transport systems and intelligent connected vehicles. Vehicular ad hoc networks play an important role in these areas. Many time‐division multiple access (TDMA)–based protocols have been proposed to obtain lower transmission delay and packet loss rate. However, transmission collisions occur when nodes that belong to the same two‐hop set use the same time slot in TDMA‐based protocols. Meanwhile, nodes reacquire slots because of the packet loss caused by poor channel conditions, which further lowers the protocol's performance. In this paper, we study TCGMAC, a combined TDMA and carrier‐sense multiple access (CSMA) medium access control (MAC)–layer protocol. Each time frame is divided into two parts: the TDMA period (TP) and the CSMA period (CP). TP is used for application data transmission, and CP is used for the slot requirement. If two or more nodes acquire the same time slot in the CP, game theory is used to improve the slot allocation efficiency. The simulation results demonstrate that TCGMAC performs well in different traffic densities and channel conditions.
Surrogacy in invasion research and management: inferring “impact” from “invasiveness”
Authors: O'Loughlin Luke S , Gooden Ben , Barney Jacob N , Lindenmayer David B
Published: August 2019

Biological invasions are known drivers of biodiversity decline, yet the ecological impacts of invaders remain largely unmeasured in many contexts. Consequently, other measures of a species invasion (eg local abundance) are often used as surrogates (or “proxies”) to infer impact on recipient ecosystems. However, the use of surrogates for impact in invasion science and management is often implicit, and frequently lacks the evaluation and validation that characterize surrogate use in other fields. Although there are practical reasons for this, the risks associated with not testing the accuracy, stability, and certainty of surrogates for invasive species impact must be acknowledged. Recognizing the role of surrogacy in invasion science offers previously unappreciated solutions for increasing the quantitative rigor of invasive species impact assessments that inform management decisions.
A technique of flux reconstruction at the interfaces of nonconforming grids for aeroacoustic simulations
Authors: Le Bras Sophie , Deniau Hugues , Bogey Christophe
Published: August 2019

A flux reconstruction technique is presented to perform aeroacoustic computations using implicit high‐order spatial schemes on multiblock structured grids with nonconforming interfaces. The use of such grids, with mesh spacing discontinuities across the block interfaces, eases local mesh refinements, simplifies the mesh generation process, and thus facilitates the computation of turbulent flows. In this work, the spatial discretization consists of sixth‐order finite‐volume implicit schemes with low‐dispersion and low‐dissipation properties. The flux reconstruction is based on the combination of noncentered schemes with local interpolations to define ghost cells and compute flux values at the grid interfaces. The flow variables in the ghost cells are calculated from the flow field in the grid cells using a meshless interpolation with radial basis functions. In this study, the flux reconstruction is applied to both plane and curved nonconforming interfaces. The performance of the method is first evaluated by performing two‐dimensional simulations of the propagation of an acoustic pulse and of the convection of a vortex on Cartesian and wavy grids. No significant spurious noise is produced at the grid interfaces. The applicability of the flux reconstruction to a three‐dimensional computation is then demonstrated by simulating a jet at a Mach number of 0.9 and a diameter‐based Reynolds number of 4×105 on a Cartesian grid. The nonconforming grid interface located downstream of the jet potential core does not appreciably affect the flow development and the jet sound field, while reducing the number of mesh points by a factor of approximately two.
Cardiorespiratory fitness and hippocampal volume predict faster episodic associative learning in older adults
Authors: Cole Rachel C. , Hazeltine Eliot , Weng Timothy B. , Wharff Conner , DuBose Lyndsey E. , Schmid Phillip , Sigurdsson Gardar , Magnotta Vincent A. , Pierce Gary L. , Voss Michelle W.
Published: August 2019

Declining episodic memory is common among otherwise healthy older adults, in part due to negative effects of aging on hippocampal circuits. However, there is significant variability between individuals in severity of aging effects on the hippocampus and subsequent memory decline. Importantly, variability may be influenced by modifiable protective physiological factors such as cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). More research is needed to better understand which aspects of cognition that decline with aging benefit most from CRF. The current study evaluated the relation of CRF with learning rate on the episodic associative learning (EAL) task, a task designed specifically to target hippocampal‐dependent relational binding and to evaluate learning with repeated occurrences. Results show higher CRF was associated with faster learning rate. Larger hippocampal volume was also associated with faster learning rate, though hippocampal volume did not mediate the relationship between CRF and learning rate. Furthermore, to support the distinction between learning item relations and learning higher‐order sequences, which declines with aging but is largely reliant on extra‐hippocampal learning systems, we found learning rate on the EAL task was not related to motor sequence learning on the alternating serial reaction time task. Motor sequence learning was also not correlated with hippocampal volume. Thus, for the first time, we show that both higher CRF and larger hippocampal volume in healthy older adults are related to enhanced rate of relational memory acquisition.
Training group diversity and training transfer: A psychological safety perspective
Authors: Creon Laura Elisabeth , Schermuly Carsten Christoph
Published: August 2019

Effective training transfer continues to be a challenge in human resource development (HRD). In this study, we examined the diversity of the training group as a predictor for training transfer because it has been shown to predict team performance in the work context. We compared objective and subjective diversity measures (diversity faultlines and perceived subgroups) and examined the process by looking at psychological safety and team learning behavior. A sample of 364 training participants in 58 training groups participated at two different times, at the end of each training and 2 months later. Multilevel structural equation modeling revealed a negative serial indirect relationship between perceived subgroups and training transfer via psychological safety and team learning behavior. No relationships were found with diversity faultlines. These results indicate that training transfer decreases the more the participants perceive their group to be split into subgroups, which can be explained with less psychological safety and team learning behavior. We encourage HRD professionals to consider in advance how to avoid in‐training subgroup perceptions and support psychological safety to enhance training transfer.
Estimation of the Budyko model parameter for small basins in China
Authors: Bai Peng , Liu Xiaomang , Zhang Dan , Liu Changming
Published: August 2019

At the mean annual scale, water availability of a basin is substantially determined by how much precipitation will be partitioned into evapotranspiration and run‐off. The Budyko framework provides a simple but efficient tool to estimate precipitation partitioning at the basin scale. As one form of the Budyko framework, Fu's equation has been widely used to model long‐term basin‐scale water balance. The major difficulty in applications of Fu's equation is determining how to estimate the curve shape parameter ω efficiently. Previous studies have suggested that the parameter ω is closely related to the long‐term vegetation coverage on large river basins globally. However, on small basins, the parameter ω is difficult to estimate due to the diversity of controlling factors. Here, we focused on the estimation of ω for small basins in China. We identified the major factors controlling the basin‐specific (calibrated) ω from nine catchment attributes based on a dataset from 206 small basins (≤50,000 km2) across China. Next, we related the calibrated ω to the major factors controlling ω using two statistical models, that is, the multiple linear regression (MLR) model and artificial neural network (ANN) model. We compared and validated the two statistical models using an independent dataset of 80 small basins. The results indicated that in addition to vegetation, other landscape factors (e.g., topography and human activity) need to be considered to capture the variability of ω on small basins better. Contrary to previous findings reached on large basins worldwide, the basin‐specific ω and remote sensing‐based vegetation greenness index exhibit a significant negative correlation. Compared with the default ω value of 2.6 used in the Budyko curve method, the two statistical models significantly improved the mean annual ET simulations on validation basins by reducing the root mean square error from 114 mm/year to 74.5 mm/year for the MLR model and 70 mm/year for the ANN model. In comparison, the ANN model can provide a better ω estimation than the MLR model.
Mentoring in Transformative Hybrid Spaces: Preservice Teacher Preparation and Literacy Learning in Moçambique
Authors: Sailors Misty , Hoffman James V.
Published: August 2019

The work of the authors as teacher educators spans contexts (in the United States and Southern Africa) that share both similarities and differences. In both contexts, the authors, as a team of teacher educators, seek out ways to improve the experiences that they offer beginning teachers in programs. In this commentary, the authors review the importance of field experiences for preservice teachers, especially experiences that operate in hybrid spaces. The authors provide an overview of what one such hybrid space looks like in the context of the Chitima Institutos de Formação de Professores (teacher training institute), located in a rural village in Mozambique. It is through their shared work that the authors hope to disrupt traditional notions of teacher education and literacy learning and teaching for the beginning teachers at the institute, as well as programs in other contexts.
Retracted: MALAT1 rs619586 polymorphism functions as a prognostic biomarker in the management of differentiated thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Wang Meng‐li , Liu Jun‐xiao
Published: August 2019

This study aimed to explore the roles of miR‐214 and MALAT1 rs619586 polymorphism in the control and survival of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) via Cox regression analyses. The levels of MALAT1, miR‐214, and CTNNB1 in different experimental groups were compared to study the interaction among MALAT1, miR‐214, and CTNNB1. MTT and colony assays were used to investigate the role of rs619586 polymorphism in cell growth. The G allele of rs619586 polymorphism obviously decreased the 5‐year survival of patients with DTC. Additionally, compared with AA‐genotyped patients, patients carrying the AG/GG genotypes of MALAT1 rs619586 polymorphism showed much higher levels of DTC grade and CTNNB1 expression, along with lower levels of MALAT1 and miR‐214 expression. Furthermore, the transcription activity of MALAT1 was significantly lowered by the rs619586G allele or miR‐214 mimic, while the miR‐214 inhibitor upregulated the luciferase activity of MALAT1. Additionally, miR‐214 inhibited CTNNB1 expression by targeting CTNNB1 3'‐untranslated region. Finally, the G allele of MALAT1 rs619586 polymorphism apparently promoted cell proliferation. Our study indicated that miR‐214 inhibited MALAT1 expression by directly binding to the G allele of MALAT1 rs619586 polymorphism, thus inhibiting CTNNB1 expression and promoting cell proliferation in the pathogenesis of DTC. Therefore, MALAT1 rs619586 polymorphism could be used to predict the prognosis of DTC.
A surface‐enhanced Raman‐spectroscopic study: Verification of the interparticle gap dependence of field enhancement by triangulation of spherical gold nanoparticle trimers
Authors: Dort Katharina , Kroth Kathrin , Klar Peter J.
Published: August 2019

Strong electric field enhancement in the interparticle gap of resonators formed by two spherical Au nanoparticles occurs for polarization of the incoming light parallel to the dimer axis. This enhancement exhibits a strong dependence on gap width and is the basis of surface‐enhanced Raman scattering or tip‐enhanced Raman scattering. The enhancement factor as a function of gap width can be readily calculated solving Maxwellapos;s equations. However, the derived dependence is difficult to verify experimentally, in particular, because of the large uncertainty in determining the interparticle gap value, which is typically one or two orders of magnitude smaller than the diameters of the Au spherical nanoparticles forming the resonator. We demonstrate that a much more reliable verification of the predicted interparticle gap dependence of the electric field enhancement is possible using an approach analogous to triangulation in surveying and mapping.
The rural creative class: An analysis of in‐migration tourism entrepreneurship
Authors: Xiong Yu , Zhang Yang , Lee Timothy J.
Published: August 2019

This study examines the creative class group in Chinese tourism destinations made up of in‐migration tourism entrepreneurs confronting the need to diversify away from city life. Based on a questionnaire survey of those rural tourism entrepreneurs who have set up business in the two townships of Huanglongxi and Luodai, and drawing upon social practice theory, the study explores concepts of entrepreneurship, organizational innovation, and sustainable competitive advantage. It shows how the entrepreneurship of the in‐migration creative class has played a crucial role in organizational innovation in the tourism industry and how they have made significant contributions to sustainable competitive advantage.
Depression Suppresses Treatment Response for Traumatic Loss–Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Active Duty Military Personnel
Authors: Jacoby Vanessa M. , Hale Willie , Dillon Kirsten , Dondanville Katherine A. , Wachen Jennifer Schuster , Yarvis Jeffrey S. , Litz Brett T. , Mintz Jim , Young‐McCaughan Stacey , Peterson Alan L. , Resick Patricia A. ,   for the STRONG STAR Consortium
Published: August 2019

There are multiple well‐established evidence‐based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, recent clinical trials have shown that combat‐related PTSD in military populations is less responsive to evidence‐based treatments than PTSD in most civilian populations. Traumatic death of a close friend or colleague is a common deployment‐related experience for active duty military personnel. When compared with research on trauma and PTSD in general, research on traumatic loss suggests that it is related to higher prevalence and severity of PTSD symptoms. Experiencing a traumatic loss is also related to the development of prolonged grief disorder, which is highly comorbid with depression. This study examined the association between having traumatic loss–related PTSD and treatment response to cognitive processing therapy in active duty military personnel. Participants included 213 active duty service members recruited across two randomized clinical trials. Results showed that service members with primary traumatic loss–related PTSD (n = 44) recovered less from depressive symptoms than those who reported different primary traumatic events (n = 169), B = −4.40. Tests of mediation found that less depression recovery suppressed recovery from PTSD symptoms in individuals with traumatic loss–related PTSD, B = 3.75. These findings suggest that evidence‐based treatments for PTSD should better accommodate loss and grief in military populations.
Ectopic cervical thymus in children: Clinical and radiographic features
Authors: Purcell Patricia L. , Marquez Garcia Juan , Zawawi Faisal , Propst Evan J. , Papsin Blake C. , Blaser Susan I. , Wolter Nikolaus E.
Published: August 2019

Objectives

Ectopic thymus is rare and can be a diagnostic challenge. This study evaluated the management of children radiographically diagnosed with ectopic cervical thymus.

Methods

A retrospective review of 100 patients was performed. Data related to clinical presentation, radiological imaging, pathology, and management were collected. Changes in lesion volume were tracked over time. Clinical characteristics were compared based on lesion location in the neck using analysis of variance modelling.

Results

There were 115 lesions with radiographic features of ectopic cervical thymus (15 children had bilateral lesions). Diagnosis was based on ultrasound in 98% of patients, magnetic resonance imaging in 18%, and computed tomography in 11%. Mean (SD) follow‐up duration was 2 (2.2) years. Forty‐four percent (51/115) of lesions involved the thyroid gland, 29% (33/115) were in the central neck but separate from the thyroid, 18% (21/115) had mediastinal extension, and 8% (9/115) involved the submandibular region. Location was unclear for two patients. Submandibular lesions were on average 12.4 cm3 larger (95% CI, 8.2, 16.6) than mediastinal lesions at diagnosis, P ≤ .001. Volume of thymic tissue decreased over time, from a mean (standard deviation [SD]) volume of 4.3 cm3 (9.2) at initial ultrasound to 2.7 cm3 (6.1) at final ultrasound (paired t‐test, P = .008). Only two patients required surgery: one for compressive symptoms, and the other to rule out malignancy.

Conclusion

Ninety‐eight percent of children with ectopic cervical thymus were managed conservatively without issues. We propose a classification system based on location to ease communication among clinicians and to help follow these lesions over time.

Level of Evidence

4, case series Laryngoscope, 130:1577–1582, 2020
A multiobjective optimization approach to compute the efficient frontier in data envelopment analysis
Authors: Ehrgott Matthias , Hasannasab Maryam , Raith Andrea
Published: August 2019

Data envelopment analysis is a linear programming‐based operations research technique for performance measurement of decision‐making units. In this paper, we investigate data envelopment analysis from a multiobjective point of view to compute both the efficient extreme points and the efficient facets of the technology set simultaneously. We introduce a dual multiobjective linear programming formulation of data envelopment analysis in terms of input and output prices and propose a procedure based on objective space algorithms for multiobjective linear programmes to compute the efficient frontier. We show that using our algorithm, the efficient extreme points and facets of the technology set can be computed without solving any optimization problems. We conduct computational experiments to demonstrate that the algorithm can compute the efficient frontier within seconds to a few minutes of computation time for real‐world data envelopment analysis instances. For large‐scale artificial data sets, our algorithm is faster than computing the efficiency scores of all decision‐making units via linear programming.
Stochastic system for generalized polytropic filtration
Authors: Zakaria Ali
Published: August 2019

In this paper, we study a certain class of stochastic quasilinear parabolic equations describing a generalized polytropic elastic filtration in the framework of variable exponents Lebesgue and Sobolev spaces. We establish an existence result in the infinite dimensional framework of weak probabilistic solutions when the forcing terms do not satisfy Lipschitz conditions, and the governing equations are subjected to cylindrical Wiener processes. We use a Galerkin method, derive crucial a priori estimates for the approximate solutions, and combine profound analytic and probabilistic compactness results in order to pass to the limit. Several difficulties arise in obtaining these uniform bounds and passing to the limit since the nonlinear elliptic part of the leading operator admits nonstandard growth. Apart from adapting the above essential tools, we extend classical methods of monotonicity to the present situation.
High‐resolution creatine mapping of mouse brain at 11.7 T using non‐steady‐state chemical exchange saturation transfer
Authors: Chen Lin , Wei Zhiliang , Cai Shuhui , Li Yuguo , Liu Guanshu , Lu Hanzhang , Weiss Robert G. , van Zijl Peter C.M. , Xu Jiadi
Published: August 2019

The current study aims to optimize the acquisition scheme for the creatine chemical exchange saturation transfer weighted (CrCESTw) signal on mouse brain at 11.7 T, in which a strong magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) is present, and to further develop the polynomial and Lorentzian line‐shape fitting (PLOF) method for quantifying CrCESTw signal with a non‐steady‐state (NSS) acquisition scheme. Studies on a Cr phantom with cross‐linked bovine serum albumin (BSA) as well as on mouse brain demonstrated that the maximum CrCESTw signal was reached with a short saturation time determined by the rotating frame relaxation time of the MTC pool instead of the steady‐state saturation. The saturation power for the maximal signal was around 1–1.5 μT for Cr with 20% cross‐linked BSA and in vivo applications, but 2 μT was found to be most practical for signal stability. For the CrCEST acquisition with strong MTC interference, the optimal saturation power and length are completely different from those on Cr solution alone. This observation could be explained well using R1ρ theory by incorporating the strong MTC pool. Finally, a high‐resolution Cr map was obtained on mouse brain using the PLOF method with the NSS CEST acquisition and a cryogenic coil. The Cr map obtained by CEST showed homogenous intensity across the mouse brain except for regions with cerebrospinal fluid.
Parameterized algorithms and data reduction for the short secluded s‐t‐path problem
Authors: van Bevern René , Fluschnik Till , Tsidulko Oxana Yu.
Published: August 2019

Given a graph G = (V, E), two vertices s, t ∈ V, and two integers k, ℓ, the Short Secluded Path problem is to find a simple s‐t‐path with at most k vertices and ℓ neighbors. We study the parameterized complexity of the problem with respect to four structural graph parameters: the vertex cover number, treewidth, feedback vertex number, and feedback edge number. In particular, we completely settle the question of the existence of problem kernels with size polynomial in these parameters and their combinations with k and ℓ. We also obtain a 2O(tw) · ℓ2 · n‐time algorithm for n‐vertex graphs of treewidth tw, which yields subexponential‐time algorithms in several graph classes.
Corruption and electoral campaigns in Mexico: A case study of the federal electoral process in 2018
Authors: Valdez Zepeda Andrés
Published: August 2019

The article analyzes the relationship that exists between electoral campaigns and corruption, studying the case of Mexico. The most common ways and means of practicing and presenting corruption during these electoral processes are described. In addition, the circle of corruption that begins during the electoral processes and continues once in the government is described. In the same sense, the results of an opinion survey in the Metropolitan Zone of Guadalajara (ZMG) on corruption during electoral campaigns are presented. It is concluded that, many times, corruption in the government begins during the electoral stage, so it is important to articulate various strategies and legal instruments to inhibit it from the electoral stage.
Prenatal detection of interstitial 18p11.31‐p11.22 microduplications: Phenotypic diversity and literature review
Authors: Wang Ruixue , Zhang Hongguo , Li Leilei , Yue Fagui , Jiang Yuting , Li Shibo , Liu Ruizhi
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Pure duplication of chromosome 18p is rare, with clinical phenotypes ranging from normal or slight abnormalities to various degrees of mental retardation. It remains difficult to establish a clear genotype‐phenotype correlation.

Methods

Chromosomal karyotyping analysis was performed on cultured amniotic fluid cells from three cases. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array analysis was carried out using the Illumina Human CytoSNP‐12 BeadChip. We also carried out a review of the literature regarding 18p11 microduplication.

Results

G‐banding analysis showed that the three cases had normal karyotypes. SNP array results showed 0.48‐ to 1.6‐Mb microduplications of 18p11.31‐p11.22 (chr18: 6995739‐8713088) in these cases, encompassing different degrees of LAMA1 duplication. Follow‐up analysis showed that the parents of both cases 1 and 2 chose termination of pregnancy. Case 3 presented with normal growth and physical development. Currently, there is not enough evidence supporting the pathogenicity of LAMA1 triplosensitivity.

Conclusion

We described three prenatal cases with 18p11.31‐p11.22 microduplications involving part of the LAMA1 locus. There might be phenotypic diversity associated with 18p11.31‐p11.22 microduplications. To avoid unnecessary abortions for pregnancies such as these, comprehensive genetic counseling should be offered.
Short‐ and long‐term respiratory outcomes in neonates with ventilator‐associated pneumonia
Authors: Dell’Orto Valentina , Raschetti Roberto , Centorrino Roberta , Montane Amelie , Tissieres Pierre , Yousef Nadya , De Luca Daniele
Published: August 2019

Background and Objective

Ventilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common nosocomial infection in critical care settings and might have important long‐term consequences in neonates. Our aim is to clarify the short‐ and long‐term respiratory outcomes of neonates affected by VAP.

Methods

Prospective, population‐based, cohort study with 12 months follow‐up based on clinical examinations and diary‐based respiratory morbidity score, conducted in an academic tertiary referral neonatal unit with dedicated follow‐up program.

Results

A total of 199 inborn neonates consecutively ventilated for at least 48 hours were eligible for the study. One hundred fifty‐one were finally enrolled and classified as “exposed” or “unexposed” to VAP, if they fulfilled (or not) VAP criteria once during their stay. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) incidence was significantly higher in exposed (75%) than in unexposed babies (26.8%; relative risk [RR]: 2.8 [1.9‐4.0]; AdjRR: 3.5 [1.002‐12.7]; P = .049; number needed to harm = 2.07), although the composite BPD/mortality did not differ. Exposed patients showed longer intensive care unit stay (87 [43‐116] vs 14 [8‐52] days; St.β = 0.24; P < .0001) and duration of ventilation (15 [10‐25] vs 5 [4‐8] days; St.β = 0.29; P < .0001) than unexposed neonates. Exposed patients also showed less ventilator‐free days (11 [5‐17.7] vs 22 [14‐24] days; St.β = −0.15; P = .05) compared to unexposed. Respiratory infections, use of drugs, rehospitalization for respiratory reasons, home oxygen therapy, their composite outcome, and diary‐based clinical respiratory morbidity score were similar between the cohorts.

Conclusion

Neonatal VAP seems associated to higher incidence of BPD, longer ventilation, and intensive care stay but it does not affect long‐term respiratory morbidity.
Mutation of Bdpaired induces embryo lethality in the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis
Authors: Wang Yaohui , Gao Bingli , Zhang Guijian , Qi Xuewei , Cao Shuai , Akami Mazarin , Huang Yongping , Niu Changying
Published: August 2019

BACKGROUND

Pair‐rule genes were identified and named for their role in segmentation in animal embryos. Paired, a homolog of mammalian PAX3, acts as one of several pair‐rule genes and is key in defining the boundaries of future parasegments and segments during insect embryogenesis.

RESULTS

We cloned the paired gene from the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, and then applied CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated genome editing to investigate its physiological function in the embryonic stage of this pest. We identified one transcript for a paired homolog in B. dorsalis, which encodes a protein containing a Paired Box domain and a Homeobox domain. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the paired gene is highly conserved and the gene was highly expressed at the 12–14 h‐old embryonic stage. Knock‐out of Bdpaired led to lack of segment boundaries, cuticular deficiency, and embryonic lethality. Sequence analysis of the CRISPR/Cas9 mutants exhibited different insertion and deletions in the Bdpaired locus. In addition, the relative expression of Wingless (Wg) and Abdominal A (Abd‐A) genes were significantly down‐regulated in the Bdpaired mutant embryos.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that Bdpaired gene is critical for the embryonic development of B. dorsalis, and could be a novel molecular target for genetic‐based pest management practices to combat this serious invasive pest. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Integrating phase 2 into phase 3 based on an intermediate endpoint while accounting for a cure proportion—With an application to the design of a clinical trial in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Rufibach Kaspar , Heinzmann Dominik , Monnet Annabelle
Published: August 2019

For a trial with primary endpoint overall survival for a molecule with curative potential, statistical methods that rely on the proportional hazards assumption may underestimate the power and the time to final analysis. We show how a cure proportion model can be used to get the necessary number of events and appropriate timing via simulation. If phase 1 results for the new drug are exceptional and/or the medical need in the target population is high, a phase 3 trial might be initiated after phase 1. Building in a futility interim analysis into such a pivotal trial may mitigate the uncertainty of moving directly to phase 3. However, if cure is possible, overall survival might not be mature enough at the interim to support a futility decision. We propose to base this decision on an intermediate endpoint that is sufficiently associated with survival. Planning for such an interim can be interpreted as making a randomized phase 2 trial a part of the pivotal trial: If stopped at the interim, the trial data would be analyzed, and a decision on a subsequent phase 3 trial would be made. If the trial continues at the interim, then the phase 3 trial is already underway. To select a futility boundary, a mechanistic simulation model that connects the intermediate endpoint and survival is proposed. We illustrate how this approach was used to design a pivotal randomized trial in acute myeloid leukemia and discuss historical data that informed the simulation model and operational challenges when implementing it.
Theoretical studies of photovoltaic properties of five new silol dithiophene based D2‐A‐D1‐A‐D2 donors
Authors: Xiang Yunjie , Peng Suoping , Zheng Shaohui
Published: August 2019

Organic solar cell of silol dithiophene based D2‐A‐D1‐A‐D2/PC71BM (D: donor part; A: acceptor part; 1 and 2 denote different units) possesses promising power conversion efficiency. Researchers have studied D2‐A‐D1‐A‐D2 molecules carefully, including the effects of the different number of terminal thiophenes, the different central moiety (D1), and the length of the alkyl chain. However, there are few investigations, especially theoretical studies, on the influences of different A (acceptor) units on the properties of D2‐A‐D1‐A‐D2 molecule. In the present work, we have designed and modeled five new D2‐A‐D1‐A‐D2 (D2 = bithiophene and D1 = silol dithiophene) donors by changing A units (A = diketopyrrolopyrrole, naphtho[1,2‐c:5,6‐c′]bis[1,2,5]thiadiazole, 5‐fluoro‐2,1,3‐benzoselenadiazole, benzobisthiadiazole, and thiazolo[5,4‐d]thiazole). We have applied density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent DFT to predict their ground‐state electronic structures and the UV–vis spectra, and the open circuit voltages (Vocs) of organic solar cells of D2‐A‐D1‐A‐D2/PC71BM. Based on the calculated results, we find that bithiophene thiazolo[5,4‐d]thiazole siloldithiophene (BTTS) (D2 = bithiophene, A = thiazolo[5,4‐d]thiazole, D1 = silol dithiophene) possesses the highest lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (−2.60 eV) and the lowest highest occupied molecular orbital (−5.33 eV) energies, and the strongest absorption in the visible region. Besides, the solar cell of BTTS/PC71BM has the highest Voc of 1.02 V. These results indicate that it may be a promising donor. In contrast, bithiophene benzobisthiadiazole siloldithiophene (BBBS) (A = benzobisthiadiazole) has low absorption strength in the visible region, which indicates that it may not be a suitable donor material.
Analysing the factors affecting the incorporation of sustainable development into European Higher Education Institutions' curricula
Authors: Lozano Rodrigo , Barreiro‐Gen Maria
Published: August 2019

There has been an increase in sustainable development (SD) integration into Higher Education Institutions' (HEIs) curricula. Several tools have been developed to assess SD in HEIs; however, only a few have focussed on curricula assessment, such as the “Sustainability Tool for Assessing UNiversities' Curricula Holistically.” Curricula assessment can provide an overview on how courses and programmes incorporate SD. This paper analyses the factors affecting the incorporation of SD in curricula using a survey sent to a database of 4,099 European contacts, with a response rate of 9.85%. The responses were analysed using descriptive statistics, t test, ANOVA, and correlations. The analyses showed that (a) teaching in European courses covers many issues of sustainability in a fairly good balance, with the exception of social issues that are the least addressed; (b) there are correlations between the economic, environmental, social, and cross‐cutting themes; (c) females tend to teach SD in a more balanced way than men; (d) the HEIs types have no influence on how SD is being taught, but the education level has; and (e) some countries, in the case of this research, Italy and Spain, may show more interest, yet the average results tended to be lower than those others, in this research, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Curricula assessment provides a diagnostic of SD incorporation and the factors that affect it. This can help educators improve their courses and provide students with better SD skills and insights.
Où vivre sans boire revisited: Water and political‐economic change among Mikea hunter‐gatherers of southwestern Madagascar
Authors: Tucker Bram
Published: August 2019

In this article, I present a political‐ecological history of the Mikea Forest of southwestern Madagascar, and of the Mikea people, anchored in four water‐themed moments: 1966, with the publication of one of the first ethnographic descriptions of Mikea, Où vivre sans boire, “where they live without drinking”; 1998, when Mikea combined foraging with swidden maize agriculture and traveled long distances to get their water; 2003, when a Joint Commission of organizations, working to halt deforestation, considered plans for canals to irrigate potential farmland; and 2018, when Mikea living on the edge of a new national park desperately waited for rain. I offer “hydrosocial moments” as a way to extend Boelens and colleagues' “hydrosocial territories” through time. Water facts and truths change through a dialectical process of truth assertion and contradiction. In the Mikea case, one changing truth was who Mikea are: exotic desert hunter‐gatherers, victimized indigenous peoples losing forest to rapacious farmers, or poor people in need of development. Interveners borrowed truths from neighboring hydrosocial territories. The concepts of hydrosocial territories and moments are significant because they have real effects, in this case, poverty.
Overdispersion models for correlated multinomial data: Applications to blinding assessment
Authors: Landsman V. , Landsman D. , Li C.S. , Bang H.
Published: August 2019

Overdispersion models have been extensively studied for correlated normal and binomial data but much less so for correlated multinomial data. In this work, we describe a multinomial overdispersion model that leads to the specification of the first two moments of the outcome and allows the estimation of the global parameters using generalized estimating equations (GEE). We introduce a Global Blinding Index as a target parameter and illustrate the application of the GEE method to its estimation from (1) a clinical trial with clustering by practitioner and (2) a meta‐analysis on psychiatric disorders. We examine the impact of a small number of clusters, high variability in cluster sizes, and the magnitude of the intraclass correlation on the performance of the GEE estimators of the Global Blinding Index using the data simulated from different models. We compare these estimators with the inverse‐variance weighted estimators and a maximum‐likelihood estimator, derived under the Dirichlet‐multinomial model. Our results indicate that the performance of the GEE estimators was satisfactory even in situations with a small number of clusters, whereas the inverse‐variance weighted estimators performed poorly, especially for larger values of the intraclass correlation coefficient. Our findings and illustrations may be instrumental for practitioners who analyze clustered multinomial data from clinical trials and/or meta‐analysis.
Simple Determination of Silver Nanoparticles Concentration as Ag+ by Using ISE as Potential Alternative to ICP Optical Emission Spectrometry
Authors: Gasbarri Carla , Ruggieri Fabrizio , Foschi Martina , Aceto Antonio , Scotti Luca , Angelini Guido
Published: August 2019

The inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES) is a high resolution spectroscopic technique based on the emission intensity at specific wavelengths of a given element within the sample to obtain both qualitative and quantitative information about ions concentration in aqueous solution. The concentration of Ag+ in aqueous solution from negatively charged silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has been determined by ion selective electrode (ISE) analysis at room temperature. The tested AgNPs solutions have been electrochemically prepared without using any coating agent. The obtained data have been compared to those obtained from the same samples by using ICP‐OES. The good correlation between the two techniques highlights that ISE could be successfully applied as valid alternative to ICP‐OES to determine the silver ion concentration in the investigated conditions. High level of reproducibility, accurate measurements and affordability represent the main advantages of the method described herein.
Delta Challenges and Trade-Offs from the Holocene to the Anthropocene
Authors: Nicholls Robert J. , Adger W. Neil , Hutton Craig W. , Hanson Susan E.
Published: August 2019

Deltas are microcosms of the global dilemmas of living sustainably within environmental systems that affect human life and well-being. Deltas have become increasingly human-dominated systems over the past century, reflecting a range of changes at global, catchment and delta scales. An integrated perspective of deltas as multiple interacting systems highlights the real potential for indirect and unintended consequences of human action at one scale to cascade through other sectors spatially and temporally. This chapter reviews Anthropocene trends and highlights how integrated scientific assessment in three illustrative deltas, the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna, the Mahanadi and the Volta, illuminates Anthropocene challenges and trade-offs. Modelling and observations of biophysical and social processes including migration and economic dynamics, and direct analysis of adaptation, demonstrate where these challenges have potentially sustainable solutions.
Delta Economics and Sustainability
Authors: Arto Iñaki , Cazcarro Ignacio , Markandya Anil , Hazra Somnath , Bhattacharya Rabindra N. , Adjei Prince Osei-Wusu
Published: August 2019

Environmental change constitutes a risk to the sustainability of economic activities, within deltas and the wider regions and economies within which they sit. Slow acting environmental change and shocks from extreme events can affect economic activities. Using multiregional input-output tables, extended to include environmental dimensions and combined with Computable General Equilibrium models, flows of economic activities and ecosystem services across supply chains are assessed. Results show that climate change has the potential to significantly reduce GDP per capita between 9 and 19.5% in the deltas considered through impacts on infrastructures, agriculture and fisheries. Identifying the cause and nature of economic change using such analysis supports development and implementation of policy options to reduce economic vulnerability and promote sustainability.