bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photomorphogenesis for robot self-assembly: adaptivity, collective decision-making, and self-repair
Authors: Divband Soorati Mohammad , Heinrich Mary Katherine , Ghofrani Javad , Zahadat Payam , Hamann Heiko
Published: July 2019

Self-assembly in biology is an inspiration for engineered large-scale multi-modular systems with desirable characteristics, such as robustness, scalability, and adaptivity. Previous works have shown that simple mobile robots can be used to emulate and study self-assembly behaviors. However, many of these studies were restricted to rather static and inflexible aggregations in predefined shapes, and were limited in adaptivity compared to that observed in nature. We propose a photomorphogenesis approach for robots using our vascular morphogenesis model—a light-stimuli directed method for multi-robot self-assembly inspired by the tissue growth of trees. Robots in the role of ‘leaves’ collect a virtual resource that is proportional to a real, sensed environmental feature. This is then used to build a virtual underlying network that shares a common resource throughout the whole robot aggregate and determines where it grows or shrinks as a reaction to the dynamic environment. In our approach the robots use supplemental bioinspired models to collectively select a leading robot to decide who starts to self-assemble (and where), or to assemble static aggregations. The robots then use our vascular morphogenesis model to aggregate in a directed way preferring bright areas, hence resembling natural phototropism (growth towards light). Our main result is that the assembled robots are adaptive and able to react to dynamic environments by collectively and autonomously rearranging the aggregate, discarding outdated parts, and growing new ones. In representative experiments, the self-assembling robots collectively make rational decisions on where to grow. Cutting off parts of the aggregate triggers a self-organizing repair process in the robots, and the parts regrow. All these capabilities of adaptivity, collective decision-making, and self-repair in our robot self-assembly originate directly from self-organized behavior of the vascular morphogenesis model. Our approach opens up opportunities for self-assembly with reconfiguration on short time-scales with high adaptivity of dynamic forms and structures.
Quantifying human contributions to past and future ocean warming and thermosteric sea level rise
Authors: Tokarska Katarzyna B , Hegerl Gabriele C , Schurer Andrew P , Ribes Aurélien , Fasullo John T
Published: July 2019

More than 90% of the Earth’s energy imbalance is stored by the ocean. While previous studies have shown that changes in the ocean warming are detectable and distinct from internal variability of the climate system, an estimate of separate contributions by natural and individual anthropogenic forcings (such as greenhouse gases and aerosols) remains outstanding. Here we investigate anthropogenic and greenhouse-gas contributions to past ocean warming, and estimate their contributions to future sea level rise by the year 2100. By applying detection and attribution framework (regularized optimal fingerprinting), we show that ocean warming in the historical period is detectable and attributable to contributions from the aggregate anthropogenic forcing as well as greenhouse gas forcing alone. We also discuss the role of natural forcing on the ocean volume-averaged temperature and examine the impact of volcanic activity from the three main volcanoes occurring in the historical period 1955–2012. Our results suggest that estimated anthropogenic and greenhouse-gas contributions to ocean warming are consistent with observations, and observationally-constrained future thermosteric sea level rise projections support the central and lower part of the multi-model mean projection range distribution.
A Decentralized Strategy for Frequency-based Load as Regulation
Authors: Li Yaping , Huang Mingyu , Mao Wenbo , Yin Liang
Published: July 2019

In order to keep frequency stable after UHV DC block fault, demand side resources are needed. Among these, frequency-based load can automatically monitor the frequency change without affecting the user’s power consumption experience and can quickly adjust the operating parameters to reduce its own power consumption. Thus, frequency-based load can play a role similar to the primary frequency regulation. In this paper, several physical models of typical frequency-based loads were established and the frequency regulation characteristics are analyzed. Based on this, a decentralized strategy of frequency-based load was proposed. The simulation results show that the grouping decentralized strategy can effectively avoid the “over-control” or “under-control” phenomenon, which helps to quickly maintain the power balance and frequency stability of the grid.
DeepSVM-fold: protein fold recognition by combining support vector machines and pairwise sequence similarity scores generated by deep learning networks
Authors: Liu Bin , Li Chen-Chen , Yan Ke
Published: July 2019

Protein fold recognition is critical for studying the structures and functions of proteins. The existing protein fold recognition approaches failed to efficiently calculate the pairwise sequence similarity scores of the proteins in the same fold sharing low sequence similarities. Furthermore, the existing feature vectorization strategies are not able to measure the global relationships among proteins from different protein folds. In this article, we proposed a new computational predictor called DeepSVM-fold for protein fold recognition by introducing a new feature vector based on the pairwise sequence similarity scores calculated from the fold-specific features extracted by deep learning networks. The feature vectors are then fed into a support vector machine to construct the predictor. Experimental results on the benchmark dataset (LE) show that DeepSVM-fold obviously outperforms all the other competing methods.
Colonization time on island settings: lessons from the Hawaiian and Canary Island floras
Authors: García-Verdugo C , Caujapé-Castells J , Sanmartín I
Published: July 2019

Molecular dating offers a tool for inferring the time of divergence between two lineages. In this study, we discuss how dated molecular reconstructions are informative of two different, albeit often intermingled, time estimates with regard to a fundamental process in island biogeography: the time of island colonization (TIC). We illustrate how stem age estimates provide information on the divergence between the extant island lineage and their closest relatives (i.e. the onset of lineage differentiation). Such estimates, however, are typically poor TIC predictors, as they are strongly affected by spatial and temporal uncertainty, particularly in cases of deep stem ages. Crown ages of endemic island lineages, in contrast, provide information on the temporal onset of island in situ diversification, and may represent a better proxy for TIC when the associated uncertainty is taken into account. Thus, the geographic and temporal distance separating the island and mainland lineages in phylogenetic/phylogeographic reconstructions are key factors for determining the reliability of these two estimates as proxies of TIC. We show how divergence times can be used to investigate the biogeographic patterns of two well-studied oceanic archipelagos: Hawaii and the Canary Islands. A compilation of molecular age estimates for nearly one-third of the endemic plant lineages in each archipelago reveals that Canarian plant lineages exhibit significantly younger mean crown ages (2.1 ± 2.4 Myr) than Hawaiian lineages (3.5 ± 2.9 Myr), despite island substrates being much older in the Canarian archipelago. We postulate that this pattern suggests: (1) a more important role of submerged islands during plant colonization in Hawaii, and (2) higher taxon turnover in the Canaries, mediated by relatively young (Mediterranean) lineages, and probably facilitated by the combination of the high incidence of extinction for the last 5 Myr and the close proximity of mainland source areas as compared to Hawaii.
Multilocus approach reveals a complex evolutionary history of the invasive mile-a-minute plant, Mikania micrantha (Asteraceae), in its natural habitat
Authors: De Godoy Sara Mataroli , Da Silva João Fernando Marques , Ruas Paulo Maurício , Ritter Mara Rejane , De Paula Gabriela Barbosa Navarro , Maffei Eliane Mariza Dortas , Góes Bruna Delgado , De Fátima Ruas Claudete
Published: July 2019

Mikania micrantha is native to Central and South America and exhibits morphological and cytological polymorphism, and evidence of a non-monophyletic origin. In Brazil, the species is widely distributed in the Atlantic Forest, one of the most threatened biomes in the world. AFLP, ITS, ETS and rps16 markers were employed to estimate the genetic diversity and the existence of independent evolutionary lineages in the species, and chromosomes were counted to determine ploidy of 11 populations of M. micrantha. Molecular markers showed relatively high genetic diversity and absence of genetic structure, and chromosome counts revealed pure diploid and tetraploid populations and mixed-cytotype populations in M. micrantha. There was no significant genetic difference between cytotypes, suggesting an autopolyploid origin for tetraploids. However, analyses of species delimitation showed that two highly divergent genetic clusters, constituted of samples from different populations, consisted of two independent evolutionary lineages, demonstrating putative cryptic species in M. micrantha. Our data highlight the need for more genetic studies in M. micrantha to ensure effective conservation actions in its natural area of occurrence and the correct management of the species in introduced areas, where it causes severe damage to forests and plantations.
Application of carbon nanotubes prepared from CH4/CO2 over Ni/MgO catalysts in CO2 capture using a BEA–AMP bi-solvent blend
Authors: Natewong Paweesuda , Prasongthum Natthawan , Reubroycharoena Prasert , Idem Raphael
Published: July 2019

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized by the chemical vapour deposition of methane and carbon dioxide over a Ni/MgO catalyst. The synthesized CNTs were then mixed with K/MgO catalyst at different ratios and used as the catalyst for CO2 absorption in butylethanolamine-2-amino-2-methyl-l-propanol bi-solvent blend. The catalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, butylethanolamine, thermal gravimetric analysis and temperature-programmed desorption of carbon dioxide in order to determine the characteristics responsible for good CO2-absorption performance. The results showed that, with the addition of a catalyst into the amine solution, the amine reached equilibrium CO2 loading faster than without a catalyst. Also, the increase in the CNT content of the KMgO/CNTs catalyst made the CO2 absorption reach equilibrium much more quickly compared with just KMgO alone and without a catalyst. The KMgO/CNTs at a ratio of 1:4 yielded the fastest time to reach CO2-loading equilibrium at 240 min, which was mainly due to the increase in strong basic sites as well as the highest total basic sites with an increase in CNT content. In addition, because of the extremely large specific surface area and pore volume generated due to the CNT, the number of exposed active centres per unit mass increased tremendously, leading to a corresponding tremendous increase in CO2 absorption.
Study on critical technologies and development routes of coal-based hydrogen energy
Authors: Liu Zhen , Li Ye
Published: July 2019

Hydrogen is considered a secondary source of energy, commonly referred to as an energy carrier. It has the highest energy content when compared to other common fuels by weight, having great potential for further development. Hydrogen can be produced from various domestic resources but, based on the fossil resource conditions in China, coal-based hydrogen energy is considered to be the most valuable, because it is not only an effective way to develop clean energy, but also a proactive exploration of the clean usage of traditional coal resources. In this article, the sorption-enhanced water–gas shift technology in the coal-to-hydrogen section and the hydrogen-storage and transport technology with liquid aromatics are introduced and basic mechanisms, technical advantages, latest progress and future R&D focuses of hydrogen-production and storage processes are listed and discussed. As a conclusion, after considering the development frame and the business characteristics of CHN Energy Group, a conceptual architecture for developing coal-based hydrogen energy and the corresponding supply chain, is proposed.
Blackwater Fever in Ugandan Children With Severe Anemia is Associated With Poor Postdischarge Outcomes: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Opoka Robert O , Waiswa Ali , Harriet Nambuya , John Chandy C , Tumwine James K , Karamagi Charles
Published: July 2019

Background

Blackwater fever (BWF), one of the complications of severe malaria, has recently re-emerged as a cause of severe anemia (SA) in African children. However, postdischarge morbidity in children with BWF has previously not been described.

Methods

This was a descriptive cohort study in which children, aged 0–5 years, admitted to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital with acute episodes of SA (hemoglobin ≤5.0 g/dL) were followed up for 6 months after hospitalization. Incidence of readmissions or deaths during the follow-up period was compared between SA children with BWF and those without BWF.

Results

A total of 279 children with SA including those with BWF (n = 92) and no BWF (n = 187) were followed for the duration of the study. Overall, 128 (45.9%) of the study participants were readmitted at least once while 22 (7.9%) died during the follow-up period. After adjusting for age, sex, nutritional status, and parasitemia, SA children with BWF had higher risk of readmissions (hazard ratio [HR], 1.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1–2.5) and a greater risk of death (HR. 3.37; 95% CI, 1.3–8.5) compared with those without BWF. Malaria and recurrence of SA were the most common reasons for readmissions.

Conclusions

There is a high rate of readmissions and deaths in the immediate 6 months after initial hospitalization among SA children in the Jinja hospital. SA children with BWF had increased risk of readmissions and deaths in the postdischarge period. Postdischarge malaria chemoprophylaxis should be considered for SA children living in malaria endemic areas.
BLP-2LASSO for aggregate discrete choice models with rich covariates
Authors: Gillen Benjamin J , Montero Sergio , Moon Hyungsik Roger , Shum Matthew
Published: July 2019

We introduce the BLP-2LASSO model, which augments the classic BLP (Berry, Levinsohn, and Pakes, 1995) random-coefficients logit model to allow for data-driven selection among a high-dimensional set of control variables using the 'double-LASSO' procedure proposed by Belloni, Chernozhukov, and Hansen (2013). Economists often study consumers’ aggregate behaviour across markets choosing from a menu of differentiated products. In this analysis, local demographic characteristics can serve as controls for market-specific preference heterogeneity. Given rich demographic data, implementing these models requires specifying which variables to include in the analysis, an ad hoc process typically guided primarily by a researcher’s intuition. We propose a data-driven approach to estimate these models, applying penalized estimation algorithms from the recent literature in high-dimensional econometrics. Our application explores the effect of campaign spending on vote shares in data from Mexican elections.
Dietary butyrate suppresses inflammation through modulating gut microbiota in high-fat diet-fed mice
Authors: Zhai Shixiang , Qin Song , Li Lili , Zhu Limeng , Zou Zhiqiang , Wang Li
Published: July 2019

Butyrate, a key metabolite fermented by gut microbiota mainly from undigested carbohydrates such as dietary fibers is widely used as feed additive. However, mechanisms of its contributions in maintaining host health are relatively poorly revealed. The aim of this study was to investigate how butyrate impacts gut microbiota and immunity response in high-fat diet-fed mice. Gut microbial analysis exhibited that butyrate intervention increased short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing bacteria and decreased pathogenic bacteria, such as endotoxin-secreting bacteria. Our result also demonstrated that butyrate intervention enhanced fecal SCFAs concentrations, and inhibited endotoxin levels in feces and serum. Correlation analysis indicated positive relation between endotoxin level and Desulfovibrionaceae abundance. Furthermore, butyrate intervention inhibited expressions of IL-1β, IL-6 and MCP1/CCL2 in liver, as well as TLR4 in adipose tissue. Apart from inhibiting expressions of proinflammatory cytokines, butyrate exerted anti-inflammation effect through selectively modulating gut microbiota, such as increasing SCFAs-producing bacteria and decreasing endotoxin-secreting bacteria, as well as via regulating levels of microbiota-dependent metabolites and components, such as SCFAs and endotoxin.
Female Prisoners in Spain: Adverse Childhood Experiences, Negative Emotional States, and Social Support
Authors: Caravaca-Sánchez Francisco , Fearn Noelle E , Vidovic Kristina R , Vaughn Michael G
Published: July 2019

A growing body of literature on correctional populations from the past two decades indicates that a significant proportion of prison inmates report experiencing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) during childhood. Extant literature also suggests that women suffer disproportionate victimization at all life stages. The current study examines the prevalence and magnitude of the associations between ACEs, social support, and negative emotional states (that is, anxiety, depression, and stress) among a sample of incarcerated women—a small but growing correctional population. Data were obtained from a survey of women incarcerated in two prisons in Spain (N = 174); survey questions elicited information on these women’s emotional, physical, and sexual victimization during childhood in addition to their self-reported levels of social support and mental health. A series of analyses indicated that female inmates who reported ACEs similarly reported lower levels of social support and higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress as compared with nonvictimized women inmates. The findings reported here underscore the importance of attaining a fuller understanding of female inmates’ histories of ACEs so that we can more accurately identify and, ideally, provide necessary services to those women at highest risk of mental health–related problems during incarceration.
Risk of hospitalization for early onset of cardiovascular disease among infertile women: a register-based cohort study
Authors: Bungum Ane Berger , Glazer Clara Helene , Arendt Linn Håkonsen , Schmidt Lone , Pinborg Anja , Bonde Jens Peter , Tøttenborg Sandra Søgaard
Published: July 2019

STUDY QUESTION

Is female infertility predictive of a woman’s future risk of early cardiovascular disease (CVD)?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Female infertility does not seem to be predictive of early CVD during a mean follow-up of 9 years.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Associations between infertility and comorbidity have been found in several studies, but data on the association between female infertility and risk of CVD are scarce and inconclusive.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

In this nationwide cohort study, we included 87 221 women registered in the Danish National IVF register, undergoing medically assisted reproduction (MAR) between 1st of January 1994 and 31st of December 2015. The cohort was followed for incident hospitalization due to CVD in the Danish National Patient Register from enrollment to 31 December 2015. Women with a history of CVD prior to enrollment were excluded. Cox proportional hazard models with age as the underlying time scale were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) with 95% CI of CVD among women with an infertility diagnosis, compared to women without an infertility diagnosis. All analyses were adjusted for educational attainment.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Female infertility and the reason for infertility was diagnosed and registered in the IVF register by specialists in Danish public and private fertility clinics since 1st of January 1994. In our cohort, 53 806 women (61.7%) were diagnosed with female factor infertility, while 33 415 (38.3%) did not have a female factor infertility diagnosis and made up the reference group.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

A total of 686 (1.3%) infertile women were hospitalized for CVD compared to 250 (0.7%) among women without an infertility diagnosis during a mean follow-up time of 9 years. We found no increased risk of early CVD in our analyses (adjusted HR 0.98, 95% CI: 0.85;1.14). Likewise, analyses stratified by specific infertility diagnosis, showed no risk difference.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

We were unable to adjust for confounding parameters such as body mass index, cigarette smoking or alcohol consumption. These results may not be generalizable to infertile women who do not seek out fertility treatment, or infertile women with other lifestyle characteristics than Danish women.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Diagnosing female infertility or the time of MAR does not seem to be a window of opportunity where early screening for cardiovascular disease risk factors can have a prophylactic potential.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This study is part of the ReproUnion collaborative study, co-financed by the European Union, Interreg V ÖKS. None of the authors declare any conflict of interest.
Patients Perception of Risks and Benefits of Biologic Therapy
Authors: De Felice Kara Mari
Published: July 2019

Biologic therapy continues to be underutilized despite its efficacy and overall favorable side effect profile when compared with corticosteroids. Siegel et al found in a well-done, cross-sectional study that patients perceived that corticosteroids were more beneficial, more familiar, and less dreadful than biologics despite perceiving that corticosteroids are more risky. They also found that perception of risk may be influenced by a patient’s personality trait. Patients who believe that their health is influenced by their own choices or behaviors perceived biologic therapy less scary compared with patients who believed their health is influenced by chance. Physicians and patients disagree about how much medication-related risk is tolerable for improvements on efficacy. However, they are both willing to accept risks for therapies that offer significant therapeutic benefit. Physicians are tasked to translate complex evidenced-based data accurately and should take into account a patient’s personality trait in order to provide individualized care and help guide shared decision-making. Future research should assess physician’s personality traits, treatment experiences, and perception of risks, benefits, and dread of IBD medications and how it influences shared-decision making.
Detection of regime shifts in the environment: testing “STARS” using synthetic and observed time series
Authors: Stirnimann Luca , Conversi Alessandra , Marini Simone
Published: July 2019

While marine populations change all the time, sometimes regime shifts involve an entire ecosystem, resulting in crucial and sometimes permanent alterations in the ecosystem trophic web and services. A commonly used method to detect shifts in marine systems is the Sequential t-test Analysis of Regime Shifts (STARS). In this work, we chose to analyse the limits and performance of STARS because of its free open-source software and wide use. For the first time, we tested the STARS algorithm using synthetic time series and autoregressive integrated moving average time series, designed to resemble natural observations. We then applied the information obtained from these tests to investigate the STARS detections on an observed time series, that of Calanus finmarchicus in the North Sea. Our tests indicated that in no experiments did STARS detect 100% of the artificial change points at the exact time of the shift. In most cases, STARS tended to anticipate the shift by a few time units. Overall, we determined STARS to be a good method to detect shifts in observed natural time series, so long as the exact time of the shift is not necessary and the possibility of false positives is taken into account.
Quality of antimalarials in Kinshasa peri-urban areas with regard to local pharmaceutical legislation and regulation
Authors: Mavungu Landu Don Jethro , Frédérich Michel , Manzambi Kuwekita Joseph , Bongo-Pasi Nswe Christian , Mbinze J K , Liégeois Sophie , Kalenda Tshilombo Nicodème , Kwete Minga Mineze , Ciza Hamuli Patient , Hubert Philippe , Marini Djang’eing’a Roland
Published: July 2019

Background

In the context of old pharmaceutical legislation and regulations not adapted to current realities, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the existing pharmaceutical system in peri-urban areas of Kinshasa.

Methods

A prospective study was carried out during the period 2016–2018. The most used antimalarial medicines were identified through household and pharmaceutical establishment surveys. The samples of the obtained medicines were assayed with generic separation methods using the high-performance liquid chromatography technique coupled to a diode array detector. The registration status was checked for 126 antimalarial brand names. A characterization was carried out in 196 pharmaceutical establishments on the basis of standards set out by the Ministry of Health.

Results

Of the 75 samples assayed, 19% (14/75) were non-compliant. Of the 124 brand names, 46.0% (57/124) were unlicensed and 14.5% (18/124) had an expired licence. Of the 196 pharmaceutical establishments, only 2 (1.0%) had an authorization to practice, none met all the Ministry of Health minimum standards and 24.5% (48/196) met the World Health Organization Guidelines for the Storage of Essential Medicines and Other Health Commodities.

Conclusions

More resources should be mobilized to apply regulator sanctions.
Updating the Militarized Interstate Dispute Data: A Response to Gibler, Miller, and Little
Authors: Palmer Glenn , D'Orazio Vito , Kenwick Michael R , McManus Roseanne W
Published: July 2019

In a recent article, Gibler, Miller, and Little (2016) (GML) conduct an extensive review of the Militarized Interstate Dispute (MID) data between the years 1816 and 2001, highlighting possible inaccuracies and recommending a substantial number of changes to the data. They contend that, in several instances, analyses with their revised data lead to substantively different inferences. Here, we review GML's MID drop and merge recommendations and reevaluate the substantive impact of their changes. We are in agreement with about 76 percent of the recommended drops and merges. However, we find that some of the purported overturned findings in GML's replications are not due to their data, but rather to the strategies they employ for replication. We reexamine these findings and conclude that the remaining differences in inference stemming from the variations in the MID data are rare and modest in scope.
User-Centered Gamification for E-Learning Systems: A Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis of its Application
Authors: Klock Ana Carolina Tomé , Gasparini Isabela , Pimenta Marcelo Soares
Published: July 2019

Gamification applies game elements in non-game contexts to improve users’ experience. One of the contexts that have mostly taken advantage of gamification is the educational one. However, the students’ experience is unique, since it varies according to their profile. Therefore, the individualities of each student must be considered to improve the students’ experience. This paper aims to explore the gamification properties and analyze the results of the user-centered application. For this, we proposed a framework focused on the user-centered gamification in the educational context, taking into account personal, functional, psychological, temporal, playful, implementable and evaluative properties. After applying the framework in the e-learning system, the controlled experiment with 139 students revealed an increase in students’ interaction, engagement and satisfaction. Thus, our main contributions are the improvement of the students’ experience with the user-centered gamification and the definition of a framework to assist in its application.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

This paper proposes a user-centered gamification framework for educational context It has been applied in an e-learning system and a controlled experiment was conducted A total of 139 students enrolled for an online course, and half of them used the gamified version Results indicate an increase in the students’ interaction, engagement and satisfaction
Effects of ORAI calcium release-activated calcium modulator 1 (ORAI1) on neutrophil activity in dairy cows with subclinical hypocalcemia1
Authors: Zhang Bingbing , Guo Han , Yang Wei , Li Ming , Zou Ying , Loor Juan J , Xia Cheng , Xu Chuang
Published: July 2019

Hypocalcemia in dairy cows is often associated with inflammation-related disorders such as metritis and mastitis. The protein encoded by the Ca2+ release-activated calcium modulator 1 (ORAI1) gene is a membrane Ca2+ channel subunit that is activated when Ca2+ stores are depleted. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNL) have a crucial role in the defense against infection through migration, adhesion, chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in response to pathogens. Whether hypocalcemia affects the activity of PMNL and if ORAI1 is involved remains unknown. To address this, PMNL were isolated at 3 d of calving from dairy cows diagnosed as clinically healthy (n = 20, CONTROL) or with plasma concentration of calcium < 2.0 mmol/L as a criterion for diagnosis of subclinical hypocalcemia (n = 20, HYPOCAL). PMNL isolated from both groups of cows were treated with or without the sarcoendoplasmic Ca2+ ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin, Ca2+ ionophore Ionomycin, and ORAI1 blocker 2APB. The intracellular Ca2+ concentration, ORAI1 abundance, ROS, phagocytosis rate, migration, and adhering capacity of treated PMNL were evaluated. Some of the in vitro assays also included use of small interfering ORAI1 RNA (siORAI1), 100 nM 1,25(OH)2D3, or 100 nM parathyroid hormone (PTH). Intracellular Ca2+ concentration was markedly lower in HYPOCAL. In addition, ORAI1 was detected in PMNL plasma membrane via FACS and was markedly lower in cows with HYPOCAL. Migration, adhesion capacity, and phagocytosis rate of PMNL were lower in response to HYPOCAL. Furthermore, plasma and PMNL concentration of nucleosome assembly protein (NAP2) and pro-platelet basic protein (CXCL7) was markedly lower with HYPOCAL. All these changes were associated with lower ROS production by PMNL. Thapsigargin and ionomycin treatment in vitro increased ORAI1 expression, migration of PMNL, adhering capacity, phagocytosis rate, and ROS production; conversely, those effects were abrogated by siORAI1 and ORAI1 inhibitor 2APB treatment. Also cytosolic Ca2+ concentration and ORAI1 abundance were increased by 1,25(OH)2D3 and PTH supplementation. Overall, the data indicate that failure of PMNL to uptake Ca2+ due to downregulation of ORAI1 during subclinical hypocalcemia is a factor contributing to impaired PMNL function. In addition, plasma PTH or 1,25(OH)2D3 could regulate ORAI1 and also participate in the regulation of PMNL activity.
Effect of phytase on intestinal phytate breakdown, plasma inositol concentrations, and glucose transporter type 4 abundance in muscle membranes of weanling pigs1
Authors: Lu Hang , Kühn Imke , Bedford Mike R , Whitfield Hayley , Brearley Charles , Adeola Olayiwola , Ajuwon Kolapo M
Published: July 2019

The objective of this present study was to determine the effects of phytase dosing on growth performance, mineral digestibility, phytate breakdown, and the level of glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) in muscle plasma membranes of weanling pigs. A total of 160 barrows were used in a randomized completely block design and assigned to 4 treatments for a 7-wk study. Depending on the feeding phase, diets differed in dietary calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) levels (positive control [PC]: 8 to 6.8g/kg Ca; 7.3 to 6.3 g/kg P; negative control [NC]: 5.5 to 5.2 g/kg Ca; 5.4 to 4.7 g/kg P). NC diets were supplemented with phytase at 0 (NC); 500 (NC + 500 FTU); or 2,000 FTU/kg (NC + 2,000 FTU) phytase units/kg. Blood was collected after fasting (day 48) or feeding (day 49) for measurement of plasma inositol concentrations. On day 49, 2 pigs per pen were euthanized, and duodenal and ileal digesta samples were collected to determine inositol phosphates (InsP6-2) concentrations. High phytase supplementation increased BW on days 21, 35, and 49 (P < 0.05). Over the entire feeding period, ADG, ADFI, and feed efficiency were increased by NC + 2,000 FTU compared with the other treatments (P < 0.05). Postprandial plasma inositol concentration was increased in NC + 2,000 (P < 0.01), but there was only a tendency (P = 0.06) of a higher fasting plasma inositol concentration in this group. Inositol concentrations in the portal vein plasma (day 49) were not different among treatments. Duodenal digesta InsP5 and InsP6 concentrations were similar in PC and NC, but higher in these 2 treatments (P < 0.05) than those supplemented with phytase. Phytase supplementation decreased InsP6-4, resulting in increased InsP3-2 and myo-inositol concentrations. Similar effects were found in ileal contents. Compared with NC, phytase supplementation resulted in greater cumulative InsP6-2 disappearance (93.6% vs. 72.8% vs. 25.0%, for NC + 2,000 FTU, NC + 500 FTU and NC, respectively, P < 0.01) till the distal ileum. Longissimus dorsi muscle plasma membrane GLUT4 concentration was increased by NC + 2,000 FTU (P < 0.01) compared with NC. In summary, high phytase supplementation increased growth performance of nursery pigs. The higher myo-inositol release from phytate could contribute to the increased expression of GLUT4 in muscle plasma membranes. Further investigation is needed to determine whether this is associated with enhanced cellular glucose uptake and utilization.
Validation of an LC-MS/MS Method for the Quantification of 13 Designer Benzodiazepines in Blood
Authors: Mei Victoria , Concheiro Marta , Pardi Justine , Cooper Gail
Published: July 2019

The misuse of designer benzodiazepines, as an alternative to prescription benzodiazepines and for drug-facilitated sexual assaults, has emerged as a growing threat, due in part to the ease of purchasing these drugs on the internet at low prices. Causing concern for safety is the lack of dosage information resulting in users self-medicating, often leading to unintended overdoses, coma or death at higher doses. With limited published data regarding the quantification of designer benzodiazepines in forensic cases, a method was validated for the determination of 13 designer benzodiazepines in postmortem blood, to add to the in-house method that already included a limited number of common designer benzodiazepines. The developed method included 3-hydroxyphenazepam, clobazam, clonazolam, delorazepam, deschloroetizolam, diclazepam, flualprazolam, flubromazepam, flubromazolam, flunitrazolam, meclonazepam, nifoxipam and pyrazolam in 0.5 mL postmortem blood using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The analytes were treated with solid phase extraction before undergoing separation on a C18 column and analyzed on the mass spectrometer in electrospray positive mode using multiple reaction monitoring. The linear range of the calibration curve was 1–200 ng/mL and up to 500 ng/mL for 3-hydroxyphenazepam, clobazam, flubromazepam and pyrazolam. The limits of detection and quantitation were 0.5 ng/mL (signal-to-noise ratio >3) and 1 ng/mL, respectively. The calculated bias, intra-day imprecision, relative standard deviation (RSD) and inter-day imprecision RSD were ±12%, 3–20% and 4–21%. Matrix effects ranged from −52% to 33% with RSD values ranging from 3–20%, indicating consistent effects throughout multiple sources. Recovery ranged from 35 to 90%, where only two compounds were <50%. Other parameters tested included carryover, stability, interference and dilution integrity, which all yielded acceptable results. With the application of this method to blood specimens from the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, this validated method proved to be simple, reproducible, sensitive and robust.
Evidence that mud seafloor serves as recruitment habitat for settling and early benthic phase of the American lobster Homarus americanus H. Milne Edwards, 1837 (Decapoda: Astacidea: Nephropidae)
Authors: Dinning Kristin M , Rochette Rémy
Published: July 2019

Structurally complex cobble seafloor protects against predators, and is generally assumed to be the only meaningful habitat for settlement and benthic recruitment of American lobsters (Homarus americanus H. Milne Edwards, 1837). Accordingly, historical surveys on featureless substrates such as mud have found few and only older juveniles. Mud, however, is far more common than cobble across the lobster’s range, and may be of increasing importance in regions where the lobster population has been growing over the past few decades. As a first step to determining whether mud seafloor serves as meaningful recruitment habitat for juvenile lobsters, we deployed artificial habitats (bio-collectors) at five locations varying from 100% mud to mostly cobble, in Maces Bay, Bay of Fundy, NB, Canada, to capture young lobsters. A broad size range of lobsters, from new settlers up to adolescents, colonized bio-collectors in all locations, suggesting that lobsters settle and spend at least some of their juvenile life on mud. Differences in body condition (length-standardized mass) of lobsters sampled from the different locations suggest that some individuals must reside on mud for at least months to years, long enough to show differential growth between habitats. The greater relative abundance of adolescents in bio-collectors on mud also suggests their net movement from densely populated cobble beds into mud habitat. We propose that mud seafloor may be a more important habitat for settlement and early survival of American lobsters than is currently appreciated, especially given the current potential saturation of scarce cobble nursery habitat by growing lobster populations and, in some regions, reduced predation on mud seafloor due to overfishing of groundfish.
Development in culture of larval spotted spiny lobster Panulirus guttatus (Latreille, 1804) (Decapoda: Achelata: Palinuridae)
Authors: Goldstein Jason S , Matsuda Hirokazu , Matthews Thomas R , Abe Fumihiko , Yamakawa Takashi
Published: July 2019

There is little information on the early life history of the spotted spiny lobster Panulirus guttatus (Latreille, 1804), an obligate reef resident, despite its growing importance as a fishery resource in the Caribbean and as a significant predator. We cultured newly-hatched P. guttatus larvae (phyllosomata) in the laboratory for the first time, and the growth, survival, and morphological descriptions are reported through 324 days after hatch (DAH). Phyllosomata were cultured at 25 °C in a flow-through seawater system within a series of custom 80 l plankton-kreisel tanks and provided with ongrown Artemia and mussel gonad. Mean body length (BL) of phyllosomata was 1.70 mm (N = 10) at hatch and increased linearly to 22.20 mm at 226 DAH (N = 3). Morphological characters from a total of 164 sampled phyllosomata were ascribed to nine distinct developmental stages (stages I-IX), and described and illustrated. Although no final stage phyllosomata (stage X) were obtained, the BL in the final stage was extrapolated at 39.6 mm using a Gompertz function, expressing the relationship between phyllosoma stages and BL. The total duration of phyllosomata for P. guttatus was estimated at 410 d, with the 5th and 95th percentiles at 334 and 526 d, respectively. Our data suggest that P. guttatus has a larger body size in the final larval stage and a substantial pelagic larval duration compared with other related panulirid lobsters in its geographic range. The described morphological and biological attributes associated with the early-life history for this species can inform future studies, and add value to models of distribution and population connectivity.
The Influence of Product Anthropomorphism on Comparative Judgment
Authors: Huang Feifei , Wong Vincent Chi , Wan Echo Wen
Published: July 2019

The present research proposes a new perspective to investigate the effect of product anthropomorphism on consumers’ comparative judgment strategy in comparing two anthropomorphized (vs. two nonanthropomorphized) product options in a consideration set. Six experiments show that anthropomorphism increases consumers’ use of an absolute judgment strategy (vs. a dimension-by-dimension strategy) in comparative judgment, leading to increased preference for the option with a more favorable overall evaluation over the option with a greater number of superior dimensions. The effect is mediated by consumers’ perception of each anthropomorphized product alternative as an integrated entity rather than a bundle of separate attributes. The authors find the effect to be robust by directly tracing the process of participants’ information processing using MouseLab software and eye-tracking techniques, and by self-reported preferences and real consumption choices. Moreover, the effect is moderated by the motivation to seek maximized accuracy or ease. These studies have important implications for theories about anthropomorphism and comparative judgment as well as marketing practice.
Mechanical behavior and AE and EMR characteristics of natural and saturated coal samples in the indirect tensile process
Authors: Shen Rongxi , Li Hongru , Wang Enyuan , Li Dexing , Hou Zhenhai , Zhang Xuan , Han Xu
Published: July 2019

The differences between mechanical properties and acoustic emission (AE) and electromagnetic radiation (EMR) characteristics of natural coal samples and saturated coal samples were analyzed by performing indirect tensile experiments. The experimental results show that coal samples go through four stages: compaction, elastic deformation, plastic deformation and failure. There is good correspondence between AE and EMR signals and the damage to coal samples. Under the action of water, tension strength of samples is reduced, while the plasticity is enhanced; also, the softening coefficient of tensile strength becomes 0.65. The saturated coal samples have a longer plastic stage and a more obvious AE quiet period. The damage to natural coal samples is tension damage, while that of saturated coal samples is due to tension and shear damage, which is more sufficient and irregular. EMR is still remarkable when AE is in a quiet period, and EMR is better for the precursor of rupture. Water weakens the generation and propagation of AE and EMR signals, especially in the earlier stage. AE and EMR damage factor D, defined by AE and EMR counts, has a better description of the damage degree in the indirect tensile process. This study is of great significance for research on the damage mechanism of water-bearing coal, the stability monitoring of water-bearing coals in the actual engineering process and the effect evaluation of hydraulic flushing.
Description of a New Species of Forcipomyia (Forcipomyia) (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) and a Key to Species of the Subgenus From the Chinese Mainland
Authors: Duan Chen , Jiang Xiao Hong , Han Xiao Jing , Hou Xiao Hui
Published: July 2019

Forcipomyia (Forcipomyia) makanensis Hou sp. n. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) is described and illustrated based on male and female specimens from China. It is characterized by the male aedeagus triangular, with large cone-shaped process at apex, basal arch high, basal arm slender and curved, parameres separate narrower distance at base, cone-shaped apically, and the female subgenital plate pliers-shaped, without lateral process, with two spermathecae, oval, nearly equal. The new species is compared with the similar congener F. (Forcipomyia) lochmocola Zou and Yu, 1991. We provide separate keys for identification of the males and females of the species of subgenus F. (Forcipomyia) Meigen in China.
Material
Authors: Friedman Jeffrey D. , Mosser Scott W. , Ruff Eric
Published: July 2019

A variety of materials are available for the operative closure of open surgical wounds. A working knowledge of the various properties and characteristics of the various suture materials is essential to the decision-making process for use of these materials. Such consideration includes whether the suture is monofilament or braided, permanent or dissolvable; the inherent tensile strength of the chosen material; and the wound environment in which the material will be placed. Recent modifications of these materials include the advent of barbed, locking sutures and the availability of a number of newer tissue adhesives and have contributed to the surgeon’s armamentarium of materials available to adequately close the variety of challenging wounds that are seen in surgical practice.
Costal Cartilage Grafts
Authors: Gheradini Guilio , Gruber Ronald P.
Published: July 2019

Cartilage grafts are used for many purposes. In assessing the defect to be filled with costal cartilage, some factors must be taken into account. The length of the defect can extend up to 6–7 cm; a larger defect would require multiple grafts or bone grafts (usually vascularized). Large costal cartilage grafts are also difficult to harvest and have increased morbidity at the donor and recipient sites. The rigidity and firmness of costal cartilage can be used for structural augmentation (i.e., correction of saddle-nose deformities or to provide structural rigidity to the trachea and eyelid). However, costal cartilage cannot be considered a substitute for bone grafts when significant structural support is needed. Costal cartilage grafts can be used as onlay-type grafts to correct traumatic, congenital, or surgically induced facial deformities and as spacers to maintain mobility of the temporomandibular joint.
Alveolar Bone Grafting
Authors: Vyas Raj M. , Mattison Gennaya L.
Published: July 2019

Alveolar bone grafting plays a crucial role in cleft reconstruction. When neonatal presurgical orthodontia is successful in aligning the cleft segments, alveolar reconstruction can be initiated as a gingivoperiosteoplasty during primary cleft lip repair. In children with cleft palate, alveolar bone grafting is usually done after transverse maxillary expansion with a palatal expander. Exact timing of bone grafting is controversial; most centers initiate orthodontic evaluation/expansion between ages 7 and 8 years (beginning of mixed dentition) with an aim to bone graft before age 10 in order to allow osteogenic incorporation prior to eruption of the permanent canine teeth.
Lasers and Energy-Based Devices
Authors: Griffin Thomas , Saedi Nazanin , Zachary Christopher B.
Published: July 2019

Laser- and energy-based devices have offered significant advances in aesthetic surgery in the past several decades. They are now a mainstay of treatment for a host of medical and surgical conditions. Aesthetic laser therapy is a rapidly expanding field with new technological advances being made on a regular basis. Laser surgeons need to accurately identify the target, select the appropriate device, and then tailor the specific treatment parameters. Laser-, light-, and energy-based devices can be used for a host of applications including vascular lesions, treating pigmentation, laser hair removal, and skin resurfacing.