bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving high soy feed formulations for the Florida pompano Trachinotus carolinus through newer soy products and carbohydrase supplementation
Authors: Roe Charles M. , To Van P. T. H. , Zhou Yangen , Salze Guillaume , Rhodes Melanie A. , Hanson Terry , Davis D. Allen
Published: November 2018

Florida pompano perform well on soy‐based, low‐animal protein diets. These diets may be improved through the use of enzymes as a feed supplement or as pretreatment of the soy product prior to inclusion. Novel soy products produced through enzyme treatment or fermentation often have higher protein content and lower levels of indigestible carbohydrates. Two trials were conducted to evaluate the potential of enzyme supplements. The first trial evaluated the effects of carbohydrase supplementation to diets based on two different soybean meals (commodity or selectively bred meal). Pompano fed the selected soybean had significantly improved growth rates and feed efficiency, while enzymatic supplementation had no significant effect on fish performance. However, enzyme supplementation increased phosphorus and energy retention when added to diets based on commodity soybean meal. Carbohydrase supplementation improved dry matter digestibility in commodity soy‐based diets but had no significant effect on selected soybean‐based diets. The second growth trial consisted of an increasing inclusion of an enzymatically treated soybean meal product (NutriVance). Results indicate that NutriVance can replace the totality of commodity soybean without impacting fish performance. Digestibility of the commodity soy, NutriVance, and a fermented soybean meal (Pepsoygen) was also evaluated, with no detectable difference in digestibility values.
Deep neural network with high‐order neuron for the prediction of foamed concrete strength
Authors: Nguyen Tuan , Kashani Alireza , Ngo Tuan , Bordas Stéphane
Published: November 2018

The article presents a deep neural network model for the prediction of the compressive strength of foamed concrete. A new, high‐order neuron was developed for the deep neural network model to improve the performance of the model. Moreover, the cross‐entropy cost function and rectified linear unit activation function were employed to enhance the performance of the model. The present model was then applied to predict the compressive strength of foamed concrete through a given data set, and the obtained results were compared with other machine learning methods including conventional artificial neural network (C‐ANN) and second‐order artificial neural network (SO‐ANN). To further validate the proposed model, a new data set from the laboratory and a given data set of high‐performance concrete were used to obtain a higher degree of confidence in the prediction. It is shown that the proposed model obtained a better prediction, compared to other methods. In contrast to C‐ANN and SO‐ANN, the proposed model can genuinely improve its performance when training a deep neural network model with multiple hidden layers. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of the input variables on the compressive strength. The results indicated that the compressive strength of foamed concrete is greatly affected by density, followed by the water‐to‐cement and sand‐to‐cement ratios. By providing a reliable prediction tool, the proposed model can aid researchers and engineers in mixture design optimization of foamed concrete.
Impoverished or rich consciousness outside attentional focus: Recent data tip the balance for Overflow
Authors: Bronfman Zohar Z. , Jacobson Hilla , Usher Marius
Published: November 2018

The question of whether conscious experience is restricted by cognitive access and exhausted by report, or whether it overflows it—comprising more information than can be reported—is hotly debated. Recently, we provided evidence in favor of Overflow, showing that observers discriminated the color‐diversity (CD) of letters in an array, while their working‐memory and attention were dedicated to encoding and reporting a set of cued letters. An alternative interpretation is that CD‐discriminations do not entail conscious experience of the underlying colors. Here we argue, based on conceptual considerations and consistency with neuroscience and phenomenology, in favor of the Overflow interpretation.
“Superabundant Being”: Disambiguating Rilke and Heidegger
Authors: Pfau Thomas
Published: November 2018

Rilke's impact on the generation of writers reshaping philosophy and theology during the interwar years is arguably without parallel. Within this constellation, the case of Heidegger as a reader of Rilke presents unique challenges. For Rilke's poetry neither quite allows for a wholly appropriative reading such as, for better or worse, Heidegger accords Hölderlin's oeuvre; nor can Heidegger quite bring himself to subject Rilke’s poetry to critical appraisal. Instead, Heidegger's analysis of Dasein as worked out in Part I of Being and Time (1927) and in his lectures on The Basic Concepts of Metaphysics (1929) seems haunted by an intellectual and expressive debt to Rilke that he can neither acknowledge nor fully resolve. For to do so would be to confront a possibility of human finitude, so luminously traced in Rilke's Duino Elegies (1922), still defined by moments of transcendence – moments that can be captured in the fleeting plenitude of poetic intuition (Anschauung) and lyric image (Bild). Whereas von Balthasar, in volume 3 of his Apokalypse der deutschen Seele (1939), reads Rilke as fundamentally embracing Heidegger’s notion of strictly immanent and finite Dasein, I argue that the oeuvre of the later Rilke, without being reclaimed for a metaphysical, let alone religious position, nevertheless is shaped, both intellectually and expressively, by insistent, if enigmatic, moments of transcendence.
Optimal Feed‐In Tariff Policies: The Impact of Market Structure and Technology Characteristics
Authors: Goodarzi Shadi , Aflaki Sam , Masini Andrea
Published: November 2018

This study models a multi‐player environment consisting of a grid operator responsible for meeting electricity demands, a photovoltaic (PV) manufacturer, customers who might install (solar) PV systems, and a regulator who must set an optimal feed‐in tariff (FIT). The grid operator must meet exogenous electricity demand and also buy back all electricity (produced by PV systems) at the FIT set by the regulator. Customers decide whether or not to invest in a PV system. Adoption rates affect the manufacturer and operator by (respectively) establishing the demand for PV systems and determining how much PV electricity is fed into the grid. The PV manufacturer’s decision variable is the sales price per PV unit. The decisions of all players in the model are intertwined in a way that clearly affects their respective welfare. We demonstrate in particular how technology and market characteristics—including PV manufacturing cost and market competition—change the optimal decisions of players and thereby influence the effectiveness of FITs, the number of PV adopters, and the cost to provide the social benefit of on‐demand electricity. Our findings confirm the importance of considering technology manufacturers when devising schemes to incentivize the adoption of PV systems.
Impact of Supply Chain Transparency on Sustainability under NGO Scrutiny
Authors: Chen Shi , Zhang Qinqin , Zhou Yong‐Pin
Published: November 2018

We analyze a brand's disclosure of its supplier list to improve the suppliers’ compliance with social and environmental sustainability standards. We develop a model of a buyer, a supplier, and an NGO; when a violation of the supplier occurs, the buyer and the supplier both incur penalties. Given that the disclosure influences the NGO's perception of the supplier and results in a different level of NGO scrutiny, the buyer decides whether to reveal her supplier. Our model characterizes the buyer's optimal revelation strategy and provides the equilibrium efforts of the supplier and the NGO. The results show that an increase in the penalty for the supplier or an increase in the NGO's auditing efficiency always gives the buyer an incentive to reveal the supplier and has a beneficial effect on supply chain sustainability. However, an increase in the penalty for the buyer acts as a deterrent to the revelation, and thus it often has a detrimental effect on sustainability, except when the increase is modest and the buyer makes an individual effort to monitor her supplier. Moreover, although an increase in the NGO's gain in utility from targeting a revealed supplier acts as a deterrent to the revelation, it can have either a beneficial or detrimental effect on sustainability, depending on the extent of the increase and the efficiency of the NGO's auditing. Last, if the buyer can invest in improving the supplier's capability, the above‐mentioned factors that have beneficial (detrimental) impacts on sustainability also make the investment more (less) worthwhile.
The Narrative Architecture of Political Forgiveness
Authors: Andrews Molly
Published: November 2018

Although there is widespread agreement with the argument that Hannah Arendt made more than half a century ago, that forgiveness is “one of the human faculties that make social change possible” (Misztal, 2011, p. 201), beyond this, there is little consensus of what it means. Applying a narrative structure to this discussion, there is a lack of clarity around questions of who, what, where, when, and why to forgive. This article will explore the politics of forgiveness in East Germany, where these issues have been hotly contested for more than 25 years. The data examined in this article suggest that the fraught process of forgiveness embodies not consensus but contest, as people disagree on key questions such as who has the right to forgive whom, for what, how long the window for the opportunity of forgiveness stays open, and even why these questions matter, not only for individuals but for the whole of society.
Predispositions Matter…But How? Ideology as a Mediator of Personality’s Effects on EU Support in Five Countries
Authors: Curtis K. Amber , Nielsen Julie Hassing
Published: November 2018

Personality’s direct effects on various aspects of political attitudes and behavior have received substantial attention, yet few investigate its indirect effects—even though several studies posit that these may be even more important. We utilize original survey data from five European countries (Denmark, Germany, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom) to provide a comprehensive, cross‐national test of the extent to which personal predispositions have a direct versus indirect impact on public support for the European Union (EU). Knowing that ideology is an important determinant of views towards European integration, we look specifically at the extent to which ideological self‐placement mediates the effect of the Big Five personality traits on EU attitudes. We indeed find evidence of significant mediation—most robustly for the traits of openness, conscientiousness, and emotional stability—particularly in contexts where party‐system complexity is low. These results reiterate that personality matters—both directly and indirectly—for political attitudes and behavior, confirm that ideology is an important mechanism transferring personality effects forward, and suggest that scholars would do well to further evaluate alternative pathways through which personality’s effects travel.
Technology convergence capability and firm innovation in the manufacturing sector: an approach based on patent network analysis
Authors: Kim Keungoui , Jung Sungdo , Hwang Junseok
Published: November 2018

As a consequence of the convergence between manufacturing technology and the foundation technologies of Industry 4.0, it is becoming more important for firms to formulate an innovation strategy for their technological capabilities. In this context, the present study measures firm‐level technology convergence (TC) capability using patent network analysis. A firm’s TC capabilities are measured using three centrality indices pertaining to a patent network, which is constructed based on the relationship between patents and their international patent classification. For the empirical analysis, panel regression is conducted to observe the effect of TC capabilities on innovation for the top 30 firms in four manufacturing industries. We find that the TC degree positively influences the firms’ overall innovation, namely their total number of patents, and negatively influences their convergent innovation, calculated as the ratio between the number of TC patents and the total number of patents, while the effect of TC betweenness is the opposite. These findings imply that while concentrating on similar technologies may promote quick technology application, it could hamper the enhancement of a TC’s potential. To promote TC, a firm should thus develop technologies more likely to be involved in TC.
Innovative protein sources in shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) feeding
Authors: Sánchez‐Muros María José , Renteria Patricio , Vizcaino Antonio , Barroso Fernando G.
Published: November 2018

Shrimps are one of the most important cultures in aquaculture with an estimated production of around 4.5 million MT, that is constantly growing. This fact entails the necessity to increase aquafeed production to meet demand. As in other aquaculture species, fishmeal (FM) is the main protein source used in shrimp feeding. In this context, the current review summarises several innovative protein sources for shrimp nutrition, focusing primarily on those sources that are less commercialised including fishery by‐products, terrestrial animal by‐products, single‐cell proteins, grain legumes, plant protein concentrates and cereal by‐products, with emphasis placed on novel raw materials in experimental phase: algae, insect meal or biofloc. Nutritive values, inclusion levels and constraints are discussed.
Evaluation of in vitro culture systems for goat preantral follicles using reused ovaries from reproductive biotechniques: An alternative to maximize the potential of reproduction
Authors: Panta Amanda Michelle torres , Silva Ana Flávia Bezerra da , Padilha Rodrigo Tenório , Correia Hudson Henrique Vieira , Rondina Davide , Figueiredo José Ricardo , Magalhães Padilha Deborah de Melo
Published: November 2018

Contents

This study aimed to examine the in vitro culture of secondary preantral follicles, using reused ovaries, to compare both the 2D and 3D methods of in vitro culture of preantral follicles, and the system of medium replacement. Twenty‐five pairs of ovaries from mixed‐breed goats were used for the experiment. Follicular puncture of antral follicles was performed for in vitro production. After this procedure, the secondary preantral follicles were submitted to a microdissection procedure. The isolated preantral follicles were randomly divided into three treatments: (a) Two‐dimensional culture with partial replacement of medium during culture (2D PR), (b) Three‐dimensional culture with addition of medium during culture (3D AD) and (c) Three‐dimensional culture with partial replacement of medium (3D PR). The culture period was 18 days. All treatments at the end of the in vitro culture period (18 days) presented a follicular survival rate which ranged from 59% to 70%, demonstrating that it was possible to perform an experiment with preantral follicles using ovaries that had previously been used in another reproductive biotechnique. The 3D AD treatment showed a survival percentage and follicular diameter higher than the 2D PR treatment, however, it did not differ from the 3D PR treatment. In conclusion, experiments employing the use of preantral follicles can be performed with success after the ovaries have been used for experiments with antral follicles. Moreover, the three‐dimensional system with the addition of medium is recommended for in vitro culture of preantral follicles, since this system is more practical and financially feasible.
Leprosy services in primary health care in India: comparative economic cost analysis of two public‐health settings
Authors: Tiwari Anuj , Blok David J. , Suryawanshi Pramilesh , Raikwar Akash , Arif Mohammad , Richardus Jan Hendrik
Published: November 2018

Objectives

The WHO recommends inclusion of post‐exposure chemoprophylaxis with single‐dose rifampicin in national leprosy control programmes. The objective was to estimate the cost of leprosy services at primary care level in two different public‐health settings.

Methods

Ingredient‐based costing was performed in eight primary health centres (PHCs) purposively selected in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli (DNH) and the Umbergaon block of Valsad district, Gujarat, India. All costs were bootstrapped, and to estimate the variation in total cost under uncertainty, a univariate sensitivity analysis was performed.

Results

The mean annual cost of providing leprosy services was USD 29 072 in the DNH PHC (95% CI: 22 125–36 020) and USD 11 082 in Umbergaon (95% CI: 8334–13 830). The single largest cost component was human resources: 79% in DNH and 83% in Umbergaon. The unit cost for screening the contact of a leprosy patient was USD 1 in DNH (95% CI: 0.8–1.2) and USD 0.3 in Umbergaon (95% CI: 0.2–0.4). In DNH, the unit cost of delivering single‐dose of rifampicin (SDR) as chemoprophylaxis for contacts was USD 2.9 (95% CI: 2.5–3.7).

Conclusions

The setting with an enhanced public‐health financing system invests more in leprosy services than a setting with fewer financial resources. In terms of leprosy visits, the enhanced public‐health system is hardly more expensive than the non‐enhanced public‐health system. The unit cost of contact screening is not high, favouring its sustainability in the programme.
Factors associated with a cervical high‐grade lesion on cytology or a positive visual inspection with acetic acid among more than 3300 Tanzanian women
Authors: Baldur‐Felskov Birgitte , Mwaiselage Julius , Faber Mette Tuxen , Kjaerem Myassa , de la Cour Cecilie Dovey , Munk Christian , Kahesa Crispin , Iftner Thomas , Rasch Vibeke , Kjaer Susanne K.
Published: November 2018

Objectives

Cervical cancer screening by visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) is a widely used alternative to cytology in developing countries. This study aimed to evaluate risk factors associated with a positive VIA test and with cervical high‐grade lesions on cytology.

Methods

We conducted a large cross‐sectional study among 3339 women from urban and rural Tanzania. Study participants were interviewed about socio‐demographic, reproductive and lifestyle factors. Blood samples were tested for HIV, and a gynaecological examination was performed. Human papillomavirus (HPV) status was determined by Hybrid Capture 2, and HPV genotyping was done using the LiPA Extra test. We used multivariable logistic regression to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

The strongest risk factors for VIA positivity were positivity to HIV (OR = 3.48; 95% CI: 2.34–5.17) or to high‐risk HPV (HrHPV) (OR = 1.97; 95% CI: 1.37–2.85). HrHPV was by far the strongest predictor of high‐grade cytology (OR = 110.1; 95% CI: 50.4–240.4), while there was no significant association with HIV in the multivariable analysis (OR = 1.27; 95% CI: 0.78–2.08). After adjustment for HrHPV, HIV and age, the risk of high‐grade cytology also increased with increasing age, number of births and low body mass index (BMI), while high BMI decreased the risk of VIA positivity.

Conclusions

Infection with HrHPV is a major risk factor for high‐grade cytology, while VIA positivity is associated with HIV and to a lesser extent with HrHPV.
The bZIP transcription factor SPA Heterodimerizing Protein represses glutenin synthesis in Triticum aestivum
Authors: Boudet Julie , Merlino Marielle , Plessis Anne , Gaudin Jean‐Charles , Dardevet Mireille , Perrochon Sibille , Alvarez David , Risacher Thierry , Martre Pierre , Ravel Catherine
Published: November 2018

The quality of wheat grain is mainly determined by the quantity and composition of its grain storage proteins (GSPs). Grain storage proteins consist of low‐ and high‐molecular‐weight glutenins (LMW‐GS and HMW‐GS, respectively) and gliadins. The synthesis of these proteins is essentially regulated at the transcriptional level and by the availability of nitrogen and sulfur. The regulation network has been extensively studied in barley where BLZ1 and BLZ2, members of the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) family, activate the synthesis of hordeins. To date, in wheat, only the ortholog of BLZ2, Storage Protein Activator (SPA), has been identified as playing a major role in the regulation of GSP synthesis. Here, the ortholog of BLZ1, named SPA Heterodimerizing Protein (SHP), was identified and its involvement in the transcriptional regulation of the genes coding for GSPs was analyzed. In gel mobility shift assays, SHP binds cis‐motifs known to bind to bZIP family transcription factors in HMW‐GS and LMW‐GS promoters. Moreover, we showed by transient expression assays in wheat endosperm that SHP acts as a repressor of the activity of these gene promoters. This result was confirmed in transgenic lines overexpressing SHP, which were grown with low and high nitrogen supply. The phenotype of SHP‐overexpressing lines showed a lower quantity of both LMW‐GS and HMW‐GS, while the quantity of gliadin was unchanged, whatever the nitrogen availability. Thus, the gliadin/glutenin ratio was increased, which suggests that gliadin and glutenin genes may be differently regulated.
Comparison of outcome in dogs undergoing single‐incision laparoscopic‐assisted intestinal surgery and open laparotomy for simple small intestinal foreign body removal
Authors: Otomo Aki , Singh Ameet , Valverde Alexander , Beaufrere Hugues , Mrotz Victoria , Kilkenny Jessica , Linden Alex zur
Published: November 2018

Objective

To evaluate and compare outcome in dogs that underwent single‐incision laparoscopic‐assisted intestinal surgery (SILAIS) and open laparotomy (OL) for simple foreign body removal.

Study design

Retrospective study.

Animals

Twenty‐eight client‐owned dogs that underwent SILAIS (n = 13) or OL (n = 15).

Methods

Foreign body removal via SILAIS was performed with a commercially available single‐port device. After laparoscopic evaluation, a wound retraction device (WRD) was inserted. The small intestine was extracorporeally explored, and foreign body removal was performed. The surgeon's hand was inserted through the WRD to palpate portions of the gastrointestinal tract not able to be extracorporeally evaluated. Open laparotomy with foreign body removal was performed via a ventral midline approach. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed, and perioperative data were collected. Follow‐up data were collected with a standardized questionnaire with the referring veterinarian and/or owner via telephone interview.

Results

No postoperative complications were encountered in either the SILAIS or the OL group, and all dogs were successfully discharged from the hospital. Conversion from SILAIS to OL occurred in 3/13 cases. There was no significant difference in duration of hospitalization, duration of time to recovery, or surgical time between surgical approaches (SILAIS vs OL).

Conclusion

Single‐incision laparoscopic‐assisted intestinal surgery for foreign body removal was not significantly different from OL in a variety of outcome measures in this cohort of dogs. Diagnostic imaging including ultrasonography or computed tomography may improve appropriate case selection for SILAIS for simple foreign body removal.

Clinical significance

Single‐incision laparoscopic‐assisted intestinal surgery offers a minimally invasive technique for simple small intestinal foreign body removal. Additional study is required to compare SILAIS with OL.
Use of test weights for breastfeeding infants with congenital heart disease in a cardiac transitional care unit: a best practice implementation project
Authors: Gregory Courtney
Published: November 2018

Objectives:

The goal of this project was to promote breastfeeding among infants with congenital heart disease in a quaternary care academic children's hospital. We aimed to increase the total number of breastfeeding episodes among all patients in the Pediatric Cardiac Transitional Care Unit with implementation of pre- and post-breastfeeding (test) weights.

Introduction:

Infants with congenital heart disease are able to breastfeed, but are often not encouraged to do so by healthcare providers. Fears and concerns relating to the inability to account for exact intake volumes through breastfeeding often prevent providers from supporting breastfeeding in these patients.

Methods:

This project used Joanna Briggs Institute's Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System (JBI PACES) and Getting Research into Practice (GRiP) audit tool for promoting health practice change. A baseline medical record audit was conducted, followed by staff nurse education on breastfeeding test weights and the development of a parent education program. One follow-up audit measured compliance with best practice criteria for using breastfeeding test weights in infants with congenital heart disease.

Results:

Compliance rates for use of breastfeeding test weights and provision of parent education, with baseline rates of 7% and 0%, respectively, rose to 90%. Identification of maternal intent to breastfeed upon admission to the unit increased to 78% compliance from 0%. Eighty-four percent of healthcare staff were educated on breastfeeding test weights.

Conclusions:

The safety of breastfeeding very ill infants was established. Breastfeeding episodes of all patients in the unit significantly increased after implementation of breastfeeding test weights and mothers of the sample patients expressed more confidence in breastfeeding their sick infants. Although barriers to breastfeeding for patients with congenital heart disease still persisted, this project had a positive impact on the culture of breastfeeding within the project unit. Increased healthcare provider education on breastfeeding will be essential to sustaining outcomes of this implementation.
Health professionals’ experiences of grief associated with the death of pediatric patients: a qualitative systematic review protocol
Authors: Barnes Shannon , Jordan Zoe , Broom Margaret
Published: November 2018

Review question:

What are health professionals’ experiences of grief associated with the death of pediatric patients in acute or community healthcare settings?
Use of GRADE in Australian clinical practice guidelines: a methodological review protocol
Authors: Dias Mafalda M. , Munn Zachary , Porritt Kylie , Tufanaru Catalin , Stern Cindy , Aromataris Edoardo , Wiechula Rick , Brennan Sue , Schünemann Holger
Published: November 2018

Research question/objective:

The purpose of this methodological review is to determine whether and to what extent GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) methodology has been and is currently being used in Australian clinical practice guidelines.
Tonpilz-type vector sensor for the estimation of underwater sound wave direction
Authors: Roh Yongrae , Lim Youngsub
Published: November 2018

Typical underwater Tonpilz transducers detect the magnitude of an acoustic pressure, a scalar quantity, by means of piezoceramic rings, and convert this pressure into a proportional electric voltage. The scalar sensor has no directional sensitivity. This paper proposes a new vector sensor based on the Tonpilz transducer that is sensitive to both the magnitude and direction of an incoming acoustic wave. The piezoceramic rings of the new Tonpilz-type vector sensor are divided into four quadrant segments. The direction of an incoming acoustic wave is identified by combining the output voltages of the four piezoceramic segments in a particular manner. The operation frequency range of the vector sensor follows that of conventional Tonpilz transducers. The feasibility of this new structural design has been confirmed through a three-dimensional simulation of the operation of the vector sensor with the finite element method. The validity of the new design is verified by fabricating and characterizing an experimental prototype of the vector sensor.
Preexposure to Isavuconazole Increases the Virulence of
Mucorales
but Not
Aspergillus fumigatus
in a
Drosophila melanogaster
Infection Model
Authors: Wurster Sebastian , Lewis Russell E. , Albert Nathaniel D. , Kontoyiannis Dimitrios P.
Published: November 2018

Breakthrough mucormycosis in patients receiving isavuconazole prophylaxis or therapy has been reported. We compared the impact of isavuconazole and voriconazole exposure on the virulence of clinical isolates of
Aspergillus fumigatus
and different
Mucorales
species in a
Drosophila melanogaster
infection model.
Metabolites Involved in Aerobic Degradation of the A and B Rings of Estrogen
Authors: Wu Kan , Lee Tzong-Huei , Chen Yi-Lung , Wang Yu-Sheng , Wang Po-Hsiang , Yu Chang-Ping , Chu Kung-Hui , Chiang Yin-Ru
Published: November 2018

Estrogens, often detected in surface waters worldwide, have been classified as endocrine disrupting chemicals and carcinogens. Bacterial degradation is crucial for removing natural estrogens from natural and engineered ecosystems; however, current knowledge regarding the biochemical mechanisms and catabolic enzymes involved in estrogen biodegradation is very limited. Our estrogen metabolite profile and genomic analyses on estrone-degrading bacteria enabled us to characterize the aerobic estrogen degradation pathway. The results greatly expand our understanding of microbial steroid degradation. In addition, the characteristic metabolites, dead-end products, and degradation genes can be used as biomarkers to investigate the fate and biodegradation potential of estrogens in the environment.
Toxin B PCR Amplification Cycle Threshold Adds Little to Clinical Variables for Predicting Outcomes in
Clostridium difficile
Infection: a Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Origüen Julia , Orellana María Ángeles , Fernández-Ruiz Mario , Corbella Laura , San Juan Rafael , Ruiz-Ruigómez María , López-Medrano Francisco , Lizasoain Manuel , Ruiz-Merlo Tamara , Maestro-de la Calle Guillermo , Parra Patricia , Villa Jennifer , Delgado Rafael , Aguado José María
Published: November 2018

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the value of the PCR cycle threshold (

C
T

) for predicting the recurrence/severity of infection compared to that of toxin detection plus clinical variables. First episodes of
Clostridium difficile
infection (CDI) diagnosed during 2015 at our institution were included.
Existing Host Range Mutations Constrain Further Emergence of RNA Viruses
Authors: Zhao Lele , Seth-Pasricha Mansha , Stemate Dragoş , Crespo-Bellido Alvin , Gagnon Jacqueline , Draghi Jeremy , Duffy Siobain
Published: November 2018

RNA viruses mutate rapidly and frequently expand their host ranges to infect novel hosts, leading to serial host shifts. Using an RNA bacteriophage model system (
Pseudomonas
phage φ6), we studied the impact of preexisting host range mutations on another host range expansion. Results from both clonal Sanger and Illumina sequencing show that extant host range mutations dramatically narrow the neighborhood of potential host range mutations compared to that of wild-type φ6. This research suggests that serial host-shifting viruses may follow a small number of molecular paths to enter additional novel hosts. We also identified new genes involved in φ6 host range expansion, expanding our knowledge of this important model system in experimental evolution.
Genetic Compatibility of Reassortants between Avian H5N1 and H9N2 Influenza Viruses with Higher Pathogenicity in Mammals
Authors: Arai Yasuha , Ibrahim Madiha S. , Elgendy Emad M. , Daidoji Tomo , Ono Takao , Suzuki Yasuo , Nakaya Takaaki , Matsumoto Kazuhiko , Watanabe Yohei
Published: November 2018

Close interaction between avian influenza (AI) viruses and humans in Egypt appears to have resulted in many of the worldwide cases of human infections by both H5N1 and H9N2 AI viruses. Egypt is regarded as a hot spot of AI virus evolution. Although no natural reassortant of H5N1 and H9N2 AI viruses has been reported so far, their cocirculation in Egypt may allow emergence of reassortants that may present a significant public health risk. Using reverse genetics, we report here the first comprehensive data showing that H5N1-N9N2 reassortants have fairly high genetic compatibility and possibly higher pathogenicity in mammals, including humans, than the parental viruses. Our results provide insight into the emergence potential of avian H5N1-H9N2 reassortants that may pose a high public health risk.
Factors associated with place of death for children in South Yorkshire: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Renton Kate , Mayer Anton-Paul Thomas , Alison Lilias , Yeomanson Daniel
Published: November 2018

Objectives

Place of death (POD) is considered a key quality indicator for adult end of-life care, but paediatric evidence is limited. Data from Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP) databases provides an opportunity to describe trends in POD as regional paediatric palliative medicine (PPM) options have increased. Aims were to identify and describe trends in POD for children in South Yorkshire.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study. Anonymised data extracted from five CDOP databases 2008–2015. Data included age, gender, ethnicity, postcode (outward code only), POD, classification and category of death. Descriptive statistical analysis using χ2test was used to assess intergroup differences.

Results

748 deaths were notified from 2008 to 2015. Neonatal deaths were excluded, 46% (n=345). Of non-neonatal deaths (n=403), 58% (n=232) were ‘expected’. Of expected deaths (n=232), 19% (n=45) died in home, 19% (n=45) died in hospice and 61% (n=141) died in hospital. This was significantly different from comparable national data which showed considerably more hospital deaths. There was no significant change in POD over time.

Conclusion

Hospital remains the POD for most children, whether deaths are ‘expected’ or not, suggesting specialised PPM should be expanded into the hospital setting. More research is needed regarding preference for POD. This study may help inform future service planning for PPM and hospice development.
Elaine Christine Hawkins
Authors: Eastwood Jane
Published: November 2018

A brave vet who threw her energy into dealing positively with everything that was placed in her way.
Higher energy and carbohydrate demand of interval training at a given average velocity on track versus treadmill
Authors: Niemeyer Max , Weber Tobias Gregor Josef , Beneke Ralph
Published: November 2018

We tested the hypothesis that because of acceleration and deceleration, the energy and carbohydrate demand are higher in interval training on a track than on a treadmill. Ten male subjects performed the same interval training on a treadmill and an outdoor track. A higher energy and carbohydrate demand on the track emphasizes that treadmill interval studies analyzing high numbers of short-lasting interval bouts are not transferable to interval running on a track.
Effect of cobalt doping on microstructures and dielectric properties of ZnO
Authors: Zhao Ye , Tong Fan , Wang Mao Hua
Published: November 2018

Pure and cobalt-doped ZnO nanoparticles (2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 atom % Co) are synthesized by sol–gel method. The as-synthesized nanoparticles are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) analysis. The nanoparticles of 0, 2.5, and 5 atom % Co-doped ZnO exhibited hexagonal wurtzite structure and have no other phases. Moreover, the (101) diffraction peaks position of Co-doped ZnO shift toward a smaller value of diffraction angle compared with pure ZnO powders. The results confirm that Co ions were well incorporated into ZnO crystal lattice. Simultaneously, Co doping also inhibited the growth of particles, and the crystallite size decreased from 43.11 nm to 36.63 nm with the increase in doping concentration from 0 to 10 atom %. The values of the optical band gap of all Co-doped ZnO nanoparticles gradually decreased from 3.09 eV to 2.66 eV with increasing Co content. Particular, the dielectric constant of all Co-doped ZnO ceramics gradually increased from 1.62 × 103 to 20.52 × 103, and the dielectric loss decreased from 2.36 to 1.28 when Co content increased from 0 to 10 atom %.
Alternative reproductive tactics, an overlooked source of life history variation in the invasive round goby
Authors: McCallum Erin S. , Bose Aneesh P.H. , Lobban Naylor , Marentette Julie R. , Pettitt-Wade Harri , Koops Marten A. , Fisk Aaron T. , Balshine Sigal
Published: November 2018

Alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs) can generate considerable within-species life history variation but are often overlooked. Here, we use the invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) to address a number of ecological and evolutionary questions about ARTs. Making use of a 12-year, multisite Laurentian Great Lakes data set, we show that the guarder male tactic was twice as common as the sneaker male tactic but that nonreproductive males were the most common morph. The ratio of guarder to sneaker males did not vary spatially despite a wide range of resource densities across sites. Guarders and sneakers spanned similar age ranges, suggesting that the ARTs are nonsequentially expressed. Based on short-term (gut contents) diet analyses, both reproductive tactics consumed fewer types of food and tended to consume fewer items overall when compared with nonreproductive males. Long-term (isotope) diet analyses showed that guarder males fed at a higher trophic level (higher δ15N) and had a broader isotopic niche. Our results show that ARTs are an important aspect of this invasive species’ breeding system and should be accounted for when assessing and managing populations.
Experimental study on mechanical properties of anti-seepage slurry in landfill
Authors: Dai Guozhong , Sheng Yanmin , Li Shujin , Zhang Yaxing
Published: November 2018

Municipal solid waste has increased with the development of urbanization which sets a high request to the stability of landfill. The strength of anti-seepage slurry plays a crucial role in the stabilization of landfill. The ratio of each component was changed to test the slurry strength of different ages. Results show that the slurry strength increased with the raise of cement paste because the strength was mainly determined by the skeleton structure. In contrast, the excessive bentonite reduced the strength of slurry, for the excessive bentonite may package the skeleton structure of cement-fly ash instead of filling in. The dosage of Na2CO3 and PVA increasing to 3.0 g also reduced the strength of the slurry, because the water absorbability and expansibility of bentonite were inhibited and the effect of reinforcement on cement-fly ash structure was weaken.
Study on mesoporous layer of flexible solar cell based on perovskite structure
Authors: Liu Rui , Yuan Yanyan
Published: November 2018

Flexible solar cells have drawn wide attention because of their high photoelectric conversion efficiency, convenient preparation, excellent bendability and lower cost advantages. This paper introduces the effect of mesoporous layer on the morphology of CH3NH3PbI3 films. The uniformity and optical transmittance of the different films were also studied in detail. By adjusting the ratio of TiO2 and ZrO2, mesoporous structure of CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells were prepared by two-step spin coating. The fabricated films were investigated by XRD, SEM and spectrophotometer. The results indicate that perovskite layers have good surface morphology, density and coverage with TiO2 and ZrO2 composition ratio of 1:1. These well-structured thin films lay a good foundation for the preparation of high performance flexible perovskite solar cells.
Sol–gel-based chemical synthesis of NdFeB hard magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Zhang Jinshan , Wu Wei , Meng Fangshi , Ding Hao , Dong Jiling
Published: November 2018

NdFeB nanoparticles were synthesized by a sol–gel method. Firstly, NdFeB gel was prepared by using citric acid and glycol as the gel, and the corresponding salts of Nd, Fe and boric acid. The gel was subsequently annealed under a high temperature condition to obtain NdFeB-oxide phases. Then NdFeB nanoparticles were yielded by reductive annealing of precursors. Microstructure, phase composition and magnetic properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and also differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis was performed to determine the annealing temperature. At 400[Formula: see text]C, intermediate phases of Fe3BO5 and NdBO3 were formed and stable up to 600[Formula: see text]C; while at 800[Formula: see text]C, they would reacted in presence of oxygen to form NdFeO3 and B2O3. Nd2O3 and Fe2O3 were also formed at this temperature. SEM micrographs of reduced powders after washing process showed an average particle size below 100 nm in all the samples. VSM results showed the oxide powder formed at 800[Formula: see text]C had a coercivity of 1.55 kOe and a saturation magnetization of 1.08 emu/g. The powder synthesized by reduction of oxide powders at 800[Formula: see text]C had a coercivity of 1.02 kOe and a saturation magnetization of 14.17 emu/g.
A study of azimuthal electromagnetic wave LWD based on self-adaptive hp finite element method
Authors: Li Hui , Jiang Yi-Bo , Cai Jian-Wen
Published: November 2018

Azimuthal electromagnetic wave logging-while-drilling (LWD) technology can detect weak electromagnetic wave signal and realize real-time resistivity imaging. It has great values to reduce drilling cost and increase drilling rate. In this paper, self-adaptive hp finite element method (FEM) has been used to study the azimuthal resistivity LWD responses in different conditions. Numerical simulation results show that amplitude attenuation and phase shift of directional electromagnetic wave signals are closely related to induced magnetic field and azimuthal angle. The peak value and polarity of geological guidance signals can be used to distinguish reservoir interface and achieve real-time geosteering drilling. Numerical simulation results also show the accuracy of the self-adaptive hp FEM and provide physical interpretation of peak value and polarity of the geological guidance signals.
The application of compound proportional resonant control strategy in multiple PV inverters system
Authors: Li Yuan , Shen Huifang , Xiong Chao , Han Yaofei , He Guofeng
Published: November 2018

In order to eliminate the effect on the grid current caused by the background harmonic voltage and the reference signal on the grid connected multi-inverter, this paper adopts the double closed-loop feed-forward control strategy. This strategy is based on the inductor voltage and the grid-connected current, and the integrated control strategy of quasi-proportional resonance loop parallel to a specific harmonic compensation loop. Based on the closed-loop model of multiple inverters, the change curves of the transfer function of the two control strategies are compared with the feed-forward control and the composite proportional resonance. The two corresponding control methods are used to analyze the current quality of the multi-inverter impact. Finally, the MATLAB/Simulink simulation model is set up to verify the proposed control strategies. The simulation results show that the proposed method can achieve better tracking of the sinusoidal command signal at the fundamental frequency, and enhance the anti-interference ability of the system at the 3rd, 5th, and 7th harmonic frequency.
The Location of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations based on FRLM with Robust Optimization
Authors: Wang Jing-min , Liu Yan , Yang Yi-fei , Cai Wei , Wang Dong-xuan , Jia Zhao-wei
Published: November 2018

It is very important for the application of artificial intelligence to accurately and quickly help the electric vehicles to find matching charging facilities. The site selection for electric vehicle charging station (EVCS) is a new field of artificial intelligence application, using artificial intelligence to analyze the current complex urban electric vehicle driving path, and then determining the location of charging stations. This paper proposes a novel hybrid model to decide the location of EVCS. First of all, this paper carries out the flow-refueling location model (FRLM) based on path requirement to determine the site selection of EVCS. Secondly, robust optimization algorithm is used to resolve the location model considering the uncertainty of charging demand. Then, queuing theory, which takes the charging load as a constraint in the location model, is integrated into the model. Last, but not the least, a case is conducted to verify the validity of the proposed model when dealing with location problem. As a result of the above analysis, it is effective to apply robust optimization algorithm and to determine the location of EVCSs effectively when charging demand generated on the path is uncertain. At the same time, queuing theory can help to determine the optimal number of EVCSs effectively, and reduce the cost of building EVCSs.
Walking in a Planar Poisson–Delaunay Triangulation: Shortcuts in the Voronoi Path
Authors: Devillers Olivier , Noizet Louis
Published: November 2018

Let [Formula: see text] be a planar Poisson point process of intensity [Formula: see text]. We give a new proof that the expected length of the Voronoi path between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] in the Delaunay triangulation associated with [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text] when [Formula: see text] goes to infinity; and we also prove that the variance of this length is [Formula: see text]. We investigate the length of possible shortcuts in this path, and define a shortened Voronoi path whose expected length can be expressed as an integral that is numerically evaluated to [Formula: see text]. The shortened Voronoi path has the property to be locally defined; and is shorter than the previously known locally defined paths in Delaunay triangulation such as the upper path whose expected length is [Formula: see text].
High correlation-based banknote gradient assessment of ensemble classifier
Authors: Dittimi Tamarafinide Victory , Suen Ching Yee
Published: November 2018

This research presents a client and server-based mobile application for recognition and authentication of banknotes; the system extracted the shape context (SC), Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT), gradient location and orientation histogram (GLOH), and Histogram of Gradient (HOG). It then reduces the feature set using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Bag of Words and proposed two-dimension reduction approach based on low variance and high correlation filter. The classification was done using a 2-fold Weighted Majority Average (WMA) Ensemble technique with MPLNN and MCSVM as base classifiers. The application was built using Unity 3D; it was tested on Naira, USD, CAD and Euro banknotes and the experimental results proved that the implemented feature vector and the proposed feature reduction and classification technique presented the best results and with promising recognition accuracy, detection rate, and processing time.
Frames, biorthogonal dual and other properties associated with wavelet system on ℝ
Authors: Arati S. , Radha R.
Published: November 2018

It is well known that the system of translates in [Formula: see text] has been characterized as Bessel sequences, frames and Riesz bases in terms of the Fourier transform. The aim of this paper is to obtain similar types of characterization for the wavelet system emerging out of integer translations and dyadic dilations. The existence of the biorthogonal dual system and nonredundancy properties of the wavelet system are also investigated here.