bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How the Waltz was Won: Transmutations and the Acquisition of Style in Early English Modern Ballroom Dancing. Part One: Waltzing Under Attack
Authors: Buckland Theresa Jill
Published: May 2018

This two-part article examines the contested transition in London's fashionable ballrooms from the established Victorian rotary waltz to the modern English waltz of the early 1920s. Existing scholarship on the dance culture of this period and locale has tended to focus on issues of national identity, gender, race, class and the institutionalisation of popular dance practices. Although these are of profound significance and are here integrated into the analysis, this fresh study focuses on the waltz's choreological aspects and relationship to its ballroom companions; on the dance backgrounds and agency of the waltz's most influential practitioners and advocates, and on the fruitful nexus between theatre, clubs, pedagogy, the press and competitions in transforming style and practice towards modern English ballroom dancing as both a social and artistic form.

Part One discusses the kinetic problems that waltzing couples encountered in the face of ragtime dances and tango, the impact of World War One on social dance practices in fashionable London and the response of the press and the dance pedagogic profession to the post-war dance craze. Improvisational strategies are considered as contributory factors in the waltz's muted persistence throughout the war while throwing light on how certain social choreomusical practices might lead to the transmutation of dances into newly recognised forms. The persuasive role of London-based leaders such as Philip Richardson, Madame Vandyck and Belle Harding in these early years of modern ballroom dancing is brought to fresh attention. Part One concludes with the dance teachers’ inconclusive attempts during 1920–21 to define and recommend a waltz form compatible with both a discrete choreomusical identity and the stylistic dictates of modern ballroom dancing
A City That She Must Postpone: The Parisian Geography of Kate O'Brien's Bildungsromane
Authors: Reznicek Matthew L.
Published: May 2018

This essay explores the significance of the specific sites that dominate O'Brien's representations of self-development in her novels set in Paris. Building on the central position that critics allocate to Paris, this article asserts that O'Brien's representation of Bakhtinian ‘becoming’ demonstrates a clear relationship between the type of space and the type of development available to the protagonist. Since space determines growth, O'Brien's Parisian novels only achieve the characteristic open growth when they include the geography of the Left Bank. This argument bridges the spatial turn, studies of the Bildungsroman, and O'Brien's European fiction.
Spectacular Nostalgia: Modernism and Dramatic Form in Kate O'Brien's Pray for the Wanderer
Authors: Reynolds Paige
Published: May 2018

This essay draws attention to how the avant-garde undertakings of Irish Revivalism, particularly those of the dramatic movement, influenced Kate O'Brien's writing in the wake of high modernism. Published in 1938, Pray for the Wanderer espouses a nostalgia for the widespread, collective political and cultural activities that suffused Irish public life before the ascension of Éamon de Valera. It metabolizes dramatic form to showcase the limitations of the Free State, interrupting the novel's realist plot with extended monologues celebrating individualism. The novel's awkward form can be read as a considered political and ethical gesture pushing the narrative into the domain of modernist difficulty to impede and productively challenge the reader.
History, Heritage and Sustainable Development: A Position Statement on the Scottish Highlands
Authors: Kehoe S. Karly , Dalglish Chris
Published: May 2018

Evidence of how history and culture have been or should be harnessed to promote sustainability in remote and rural communities is mounting. To be sustainable, development must come from within, it must serve future generations as well as those in the present and it must attend to the vitality of culture, society, the economy and the environment. Historical research has an important contribution to make to sustainability, especially if undertaken collaboratively, by challenging and transcending the boundaries between disciplines and between the professional researchers, communities and organisations which serve and work with them. The Sustainable Development Goals’ motto is ‘leaving no one behind’, and for the 17 Goals to be met, there must be a dramatic reshaping of the ways in which we interact with each other and with the environment. Enquiry into the past is a crucial part of enabling communities, in all their shapes and sizes, to develop in sustainable ways. This article considers the rural world and posits that historical enquiry has the potential to deliver insights into the world in which we live in ways that allow us to overcome the negative legacies of the past and to inform the planning of more positive and progressive futures. It draws upon the work undertaken with the Landscapes and Lifescapes project, a large partnership exploring the historic links between the Scottish Highlands and the Caribbean, to demonstrate how better understandings of the character and consequences of previous development might inform future development in ways that seek to tackle injustices and change unsustainable ways of living. What we show is how taking charge of and reinterpreting the past is intrinsic to allowing the truth (or truths) of the present situation to be brought to the surface and understood, and of providing a more solid platform for overcoming persistent injustices.
RETRACTED: Biodegradation of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Residual Organic Pollutants of Pulp and Paper Mill Effluent by Biostimulation
Authors: Chandra Ram , Sharma Pooja , Yadav Sangeeta , Tripathi Sonam
Published: May 2018

Effluent discharged from the pulp and paper industry contains various refractory and androgenic compounds, even after secondary treatment by activated processes. Detailed knowledge is not yet available regarding the properties of organic pollutants and methods for their bioremediation. This study focused on detecting residual organic pollutants of pulp and paper mill effluent after biological treatment and assessing their degradability by biostimulation. The major compounds identified in the effluent were 2,3,6-trimethylphenol, 2-methoxyphenol (guaiacol), 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (syringol), methoxycinnamic acid, pentadecane, octadecanoic acid, trimethylsilyl ester, cyclotetracosane, 5,8-dimethoxy-6-methyl-2,4-bis(phenylmethyl)napthalen-1-ol, and 1,2-benzendicarboxylic acid diisononyl ester. Most of these compounds are classified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals and environmental toxicants. Some compounds are lignin monomers that are metabolic products from secondary treatment of the discharged effluent. This indicated that the existing industrial process could not further degrade the effluent. Supplementation by carbon (glucose 1.0%) and nitrogen (peptone 0.5%) bio-stimulated the degradation process. The degraded sample after biostimulation showed either disappearance or generation of metabolic products under optimized conditions, i.e., a stirring rate of 150 rpm and temperature of 37 ± 1°C after 3 and 6 days of bacterial incubation. Isolated potential autochthonous bacteria were identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae IITRCP04 (KU715839), Enterobacter cloacae strain IITRCP11 (KU715840), Enterobacter cloacae IITRCP14 (KU715841), and Acinetobacter pittii strain IITRCP19 (KU715842). Lactic acid, benzoic acid, and vanillin, resulting from residual chlorolignin compounds, were generated as potential value-added products during the detoxification of effluent in the biostimulation process, supporting the commercial importance of this process.
Existing and Potential Statistical and Computational Approaches for the Analysis of 3D CT Images of Plant Roots
Authors: Xu Zheng , Valdes Camilo , Clarke Jennifer
Published: May 2018

Scanning technologies based on X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) have been widely used in many scientific fields including medicine, nanosciences and materials research. Considerable progress in recent years has been made in agronomic and plant science research thanks to X-ray CT technology. X-ray CT image-based phenotyping methods enable high-throughput and non-destructive measuring and inference of root systems, which makes downstream studies of complex mechanisms of plants during growth feasible. An impressive amount of plant CT scanning data has been collected, but how to analyze these data efficiently and accurately remains a challenge. We review statistical and computational approaches that have been or may be effective for the analysis of 3D CT images of plant roots. We describe and comment on different approaches to aspects of the analysis of plant roots based on images, namely, (1) root segmentation, i.e., the isolation of root from non-root matter; (2) root-system reconstruction; and (3) extraction of higher-level phenotypes. As many of these approaches are novel and have yet to be applied to this context, we limit ourselves to brief descriptions of the methodologies. With the rapid development and growing use of X-ray CT scanning technologies to generate large volumes of data relevant to root structure, it is timely to review existing and potential quantitative and computational approaches to the analysis of such data. Summaries of several computational tools are included in the Appendix.
An AC/DC LED Driver with Unity Power Factor and Soft Switching
Authors: Chang Yong-Nong , Cheng Hung-Liang , Chang Chien-Hsuan , Yen Hau-Chen , Lin Rong-Zong
Published: May 2018

Traditional light-emitting diode (LED) drivers with pulse-width modulation (PWM)-type converters suffer the problem of hard switching, leading to low circuit efficiency and low reliability. LED drivers supplied by alternating current (AC) line source generally require using an additional power-factor correction (PFC) stage to satisfy the regulations on power factor (PF) and total current harmonic distortion (THDi). It results in more circuit losses, especially when the active switch of the PFC stage operates at hard switching. This paper presents an alternating current-to-direct current (AC/DC) converter for driving high-brightness LEDs with the features of soft switching and high PF. The proposed single-stage circuit is formed by integrating a buck–boost converter and a buck converter. By elaborately rearranging the wirings between the circuit components of both converters, the power MOSFETs can be switched on at zero voltage. The operating modes at steady-state are analyzed and the mathematical equations for deriving circuit parameters are conducted. Finally, a prototype circuit for driving 60-W LEDs was built and measured. Based on the experimental results, the feasibility and satisfactory performance of the proposed LED driver are proved.
Varieties of Coarse Spaces
Authors: Protasov Igor
Published: May 2018

A class M of coarse spaces is called a variety if M is closed under the formation of subspaces, coarse images, and products. We classify the varieties of coarse spaces and, in particular, show that if a variety M contains an unbounded metric space then M is the variety of all coarse spaces.
Short-Term Soy Protein Isolate Feeding Prevents Liver Steatosis and Reduces Serum ALT and AST Levels in Obese Female Zucker Rats
Authors: Hakkak Reza , Gauss C. , Bell Andrea , Korourian Soheila
Published: May 2018

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a common liver disorder worldwide and is associated with obesity. We investigated effects of obesity and short-term intake of soy protein with isoflavones (SPI) on body weight change, energy intake, liver steatosis, and serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and leptin levels. Seventeen lean and seventeen obese (fa/fa) female Zucker rats were randomly assigned to either casein or SPI diet for 8 weeks. Body weight was recorded twice weekly; feed intake was measured weekly. Livers were examined histologically, and serum AST, ALT, and leptin levels were measured. Obese soy-fed (OS) rats gained more weight but had lower liver steatosis than obese casein-fed (OC) rats. Energy intake for OS versus OC rats were only different at weeks 2 and 3. Serum AST and ALT levels were lower in OS versus OC rats. Obesity increased serum leptin levels for both diets. In summary, short-term SPI intake reduced liver steatosis, and the only time points at which the mean energy intakes of OS and OC rats differed were at weeks 2 and 3, where OS rats had a higher mean energy intake, which may have accounted for the increased body weight in OS rats.
Frameless Stereotaxis for Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation: An Innovative Method for the Direct Visualization of Electrode Implantation by Intraoperative X-ray Control
Authors: Mazzone Paolo , Stefani Alessandro , Viselli Fabio , Scarnati Eugenio
Published: May 2018

The recent introduction of frameless devices has enabled stereotactic neurosurgery to reach a level of accuracy that is comparable to traditional frame-based methodologies. Among frameless devices, the Nexframe appears to be very useful in implanting electrodes into the subthalamic nucleus or other structures for deep brain stimulation in Parkinson’s disease. However, frameless devices, including the Nexframe, limit the possibility of intraoperative visual control of the placement of electrodes in the brain. Utilizing intraoperative O-arm Computed tomography (CT) scan or high-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) could overcome this limitation, but their high cost restricts their use. Thus, in this paper we propose an innovation in Nexframe surgical planning that allows the intraoperative use of a C-arm X-ray apparatus to establish: (1) the progression of the electrode guide tube and the electrode in the brain; (2) the accuracy of the electrode trajectory; and (3) the correct attainment of the target. The proposed frameless technique using the Nexframe has been developed and successfully applied in our practice. It was shown to be helpful in overcoming the major issues that are usually encountered when electrodes are placed in the brain with frameless neurosurgery and reduced the risk of having to re-operate on patients to reposition the electrodes.
DICER1 Syndrome: DICER1 Mutations in Rare Cancers
Authors: Robertson Jake , Jorcyk Cheryl , Oxford Julia
Published: May 2018

DICER1 syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that predisposes individuals to multiple cancer types. Through mutations of the gene encoding the endoribonuclease, Dicer, DICER1 syndrome disrupts the biogenesis and processing of miRNAs with subsequent disruption in control of gene expression. Since the first description of DICER1 syndrome, case reports have documented novel germline mutations of the DICER1 gene in patients with cancers as well as second site mutations that alter the function of the Dicer protein expressed. Here, we present a review of mutations in the DICER1 gene, the respective protein sequence changes, and clinical manifestations of DICER1 syndrome. Directions for future research are discussed.
Cross-Linked Enzyme Aggregates of Feruloyl Esterase Preparations from Thermothelomyces thermophila and Talaromyces wortmannii
Authors: Zerva Anastasia , Antonopoulou Io , Enman Josefine , Iancu Laura , Rova Ulrika , Christakopoulos Paul
Published: May 2018

Cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEA®) technology is a well-established method in the current literature for the low-cost and effective immobilization of several enzymes. The main advantage of this particular method is the simplicity of the process, since it consists of only two steps. However, CLEA immobilization must be carefully designed for each desired enzyme, since the optimum conditions for enzymes can vary significantly, according to their physicochemical properties. In the present study, an investigation of the optimum CLEA immobilization conditions was carried out for eight feruloyl esterase preparations. Feruloyl esterases are a very important enzyme group in the valorization of lignocellulosic biomass, since they act in a synergistic way with other enzymes for the breakdown of plant biomass. Specifically, we investigated the type and concentration of precipitant and the crosslinker concentration, for retaining optimal activity. FAE68 was found to be the most promising enzyme for CLEA immobilization, since in this case, the maximum retained activity, over 98%, was observed. Subsequently, we examined the operational stability and the stability in organic solvents for the obtained CLEA preparations, as well as their structure. Overall, our results support that the maximum activity retaining and the stability properties of the final CLEAs can vary greatly in different FAE preparations. Nevertheless, some of the examined FAEs show a significant potential for further applications in harsh industrial conditions.
Effect of Climate Change on the Yield of Cereal Crops: A Review
Authors: Wang Jin , Vanga Sai , Saxena Rachit , Orsat Valérie , Raghavan Vijaya
Published: May 2018

By the end of this century, the average global temperature is predicted to rise due to the increasing release of greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere. This change in climate can reduce agricultural yields, resulting in food insecurity. However, agricultural activities are one of the major contributors of GHGs and lower yields can trigger increased activity to meet the demand for food, resulting in higher quantities of GHGs released into the atmosphere. In this paper, we discuss the growth requirements and greenhouse gas release potential of staple cereal crops and assess the impact of climate change on their yields. Potential solutions for minimizing the influence of climate change on crop productivity are discussed. These include breeding to obtain cereals that are more tolerant to conditions caused by climate change, increased production of these new cultivars, improved irrigation, and more effective use of fertilizers. Furthermore, different predictive models inferred that climate change would reduce production of major cereal crops, except for millets due to their ability to grow in variable climatic conditions, and in dry areas due to a strong root system. Moreover, millets are not resource-intensive crops and release fewer greenhouse gases compared to other cereals. Therefore, in addition to addressing food security, millets have an enormous potential use for reducing the impact of agriculture on global warming and should be grown on a global scale as an alternative to major cereals and grains.
Recent Developments in Macro-Econometric Modeling: Theory and Applications
Authors: Dufrénot Gilles , Jawadi Fredj , Mihailov Alexander
Published: May 2018

Developments in macro-econometrics have been evolving since the aftermath of the Second World War.[...]
Evaluating Land Eligibility Constraints of Renewable Energy Sources in Europe
Authors: Ryberg David , Robinius Martin , Stolten Detlef
Published: May 2018

The amount and distribution of land which is eligible for renewable energy sources (RES) is fundamental to the role these technologies will play in future energy systems. Unfortunately, land eligibility (LE) investigations in the literature are plagued by many inconsistencies between studies, impeding the work of researchers and policy makers interested in energy system development planning. As one factor contributing to this, the criteria used to construct land exclusion constraints have not been the focus of scientific investigation on a large scale, and as such their interactions are not well known.Therefore, an open source LE framework was used to perform evaluations in the European context of 36 commonly used constraints. After direct visualization, three measures by which these constraints are valuable to an LE analysis were computed: independence, exclusivity, and overlap. Results show extensive spatial sensitivity to constrain influence. Furthermore, some constraints, such as proximity to agriculture and woodland areas, rank high in all three measures; others, such as distance from airports and camping sites, consistently rank low; and still others, such as elevation, score highly in one measure but not the others. With these results, LE researchers can better understand the contributions of the constraints used in their analyses.
Study on Fuel Distribution of Wall-Impinging Diesel Spray under Different Wall Temperatures by Laser-Induced Exciplex Fluorescence (LIEF)
Authors: Liu Haifeng , Chen Beiling , Feng Lei , Wang Yu , Yi Wentao , Yao Mingfa
Published: May 2018

Spray wall-impingement has large effects on the pollutant emissions and thermal efficiency of engines. Different wall temperatures can affect the gas–liquid phase transition of the spray, and the temperature gradient from the ambient to the wall will cause a different mixture process in the region nearby the wall. However, there are few studies on spray wall-impingement with different wall temperatures, particularly on the liquid–gas phase transition of the spray. Therefore, in this paper, the effects of different wall temperatures on spray-impingement have been investigated in a high-temperature, high-pressure constant volume combustion vessel. Cooling equipment was used to adjust the temperature difference between the wall and the ambient gas. n-Dodecane was chosen as the diesel surrogate to study the spray process. The spray wall-impingement was tested by changing the injection pressures (Pi) and wall temperatures (Tw). The ambient temperature (Ta) and ambient pressure (Pa) were kept constant at 773 K and 4 MPa, and the distance (L) between wall and injector was set to 35 mm to mimic the radius of the combustion chamber in heavy-duty diesel engines. A laser-induced exciplex fluorescence (LIEF) technique was used to probe the vapor and liquid phases of the injected fuel. Results show that the liquid phases of the spray do not reach the wall except in the condition of low wall temperature and high injection pressure. The liquid penetration develops and then becomes constant after 1 ms from the start of injection. With the increase of injection pressures (600–1600 bar), the liquid concentration of the spray decreases; however the liquid penetration decreases insignificantly. The wall temperature and the injection pressure have little influence on the liquid interpenetration process. For the vapor phase of the spray, the high concentration regions (equivalence ratio (φ) > 1) mainly distribute in the area of 10 mm away from the impact point on the wall. With the decrease of wall temperatures, the high-concentration regions are enlarged at the near wall regions. However, at the injection pressure of 1600 bar, the influence of wall temperatures on the equivalence ratio is small. The decreasing wall temperature deteriorates the mixing process of the fuel and ambient gas, but the effect is weakened with the increase of injection pressure.
Internet of Things for Modern Energy Systems: State-of-the-Art, Challenges, and Open Issues
Authors: Shakerighadi Bahram , Anvari-Moghaddam Amjad , Vasquez Juan , Guerrero Josep
Published: May 2018

The Internet of Things (IoT) is beginning to shape the future of many industries and emerging markets. One of the target markets for IoT is the energy systems. IoT is a matter of producing, transferring, and processing information, therefore all parts of the system including software and hardware parts should be considered as a whole. In this paper, a state-of-the-art of the IoT-based energy systems is presented to review the recent activities on every component of IoT in energy systems. Challenges in this subject area are discussed, and some solutions are presented thereafter.
Short-Term Load Forecasting for Electric Vehicle Charging Station Based on Niche Immunity Lion Algorithm and Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Li Yunyan , Huang Yuansheng , Zhang Meimei
Published: May 2018

Accurate and stable prediction of short-term load for electric vehicle charging stations is of great significance in ensuring economical and safe operation of electric vehicle charging stations and power grids. In order to improve the accuracy and stability of short-term load forecasting for electric vehicle charging stations, an innovative prediction model based on a convolutional neural network and lion algorithm, improved by niche immunity, is proposed. Firstly, niche immunity is utilized to restrict over duplication of similar individuals, so as to ensure population diversity of lion algorithm, which improves the optimization performance of the lion algorithm significantly. The lion algorithm is then employed to search the optimal weights and thresholds of the convolutional neural network. Finally, a proposed short-term load forecasting method is established. After analyzing the load characteristics of the electric vehicle charging station, two cases in different locations and different months are selected to validate the proposed model. The results indicate that the new hybrid proposed model offers better accuracy, robustness, and generality in short-term load forecasting for electric vehicle charging stations.
A Design of Ambient RF Energy Harvester with Sensitivity of −21 dBm and Power Efficiency of a 39.3% Using Internal Threshold Voltage Compensation
Authors: Khan Danial , Abbasizadeh Hamed , Kim Sang-Yun , Khan Zaffar Hayat Nawaz , Shah Syed Adil Ali , Pu Young Gun , Hwang Keum Cheol , Yang Youngoo , Lee Minjae , Lee Kang-Yoon
Published: May 2018

In this paper, a low-power reconfigurable ambient Radio Frequency to Direct Current power (RF–DC) converter using an internal threshold voltage cancellation (IVC) scheme with an auxiliary transistors block is presented. A maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm is implemented in order to maintain the high efficiency by automatically selecting the number of stages. The proposed reconfigurable converter efficiently converts the RF signals to DC voltage by dynamically controlling the threshold voltage of the forward and reversed-biased transistors in the primary rectification body. During positive half-cycle, the proposed RF–DC converter reduces the voltage drop across the forward-biased transistors, which results in increased harvested power and output DC voltage. During negative half cycle, the proposed rectifier minimizes the reverse leakage current and prevents the loss of energy stored in the prior stages. A five-stage internal threshold compensated power converter is designed in 0.18 µm Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) technology with an active die area of 360 µm × 160 µm, while the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) occupies an active die area of 730 µm × 280 µm. The proposed scheme obtains maximum post-simulated power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 39.3% when input power level is −15 dBm and produces an output voltage of 3.3 V for a load of 1 MΩ and at a frequency of 900 MHz. The proposed scheme achieves a voltage sensitivity of 1V at a remarkably low input power of −21 dBm for a 1 MΩ load.
Machine Learning Approaches for Estimating Forest Stand Height Using Plot-Based Observations and Airborne LiDAR Data
Authors: Lee Junghee , Im Jungho , Kim Kyungmin , Quackenbush Lindi
Published: May 2018

Effective sustainable forest management for broad areas needs consistent country-wide forest inventory data. A stand-level inventory is appropriate as a minimum unit for local and regional forest management. South Korea currently produces a forest type map that contains only four categorical parameters. Stand height is a crucial forest attribute for understanding forest ecosystems that is currently missing and should be included in future forest type maps. Estimation of forest stand height is challenging in South Korea because stands exist in small and irregular patches on highly rugged terrain. In this study, we proposed stand height estimation models suitable for rugged terrain with highly mixed tree species. An arithmetic mean height was used as a target variable. Plot-level height estimation models were first developed using 20 descriptive statistics from airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data and three machine learning approaches—support vector regression (SVR), modified regression trees (RT) and random forest (RF). Two schemes (i.e., central plot-based (Scheme 1) and stand-based (Scheme 2)) for expanding from the plot level to the stand level were then investigated. The results showed varied performance metrics (i.e., coefficient of determination, root mean square error, and mean bias) by model for forest height estimation at the plot level. There was no statistically significant difference among the three mean plot height models (i.e., SVR, RT and RF) in terms of estimated heights and bias (p-values > 0.05). The stand-level validation based on all tree measurements for three selected stands produced varied results by scheme and machine learning used. It implies that additional reference data should be used for a more thorough stand-level validation to identify statistically robust approaches in the future. Nonetheless, the research findings from this study can be used as a guide for estimating stand heights for forests in rugged terrain and with complex composition of tree species.
Constraints on the Distribution of Gas and Young Stars in the Galactic Centre in the Context of Interpreting Gamma Ray Emission Features
Authors: Longmore Steven , Kruijssen J.
Published: May 2018

Gamma ray observations have found evidence of an extremely energetic outflow emanating from the Galactic Centre, and an ‘excess’ of emission at GeV energies towards the Galactic Centre over that expected from current models. Determining whether the outflow is AGN- or star formation-driven, and whether the ‘excess’ is astrophysical in origin or requires new physics (e.g., self-annihilation of dark matter), requires the accurate modelling of the expected energy injection from astrophysical sources and the subsequent interaction with the surrounding environment. We briefly summarise current constraints on the distribution of gas and young stars in the inner few hundred parsecs of the Galaxy that can be included in future 2D and 3D modelling of the astrophysical gamma ray emission. The key points to highlight with respect to predominantly axisymmetric models currently in use are: (i) the distribution of dense gas, young stars and interstellar radiation field is highly asymmetric around the Galactic Centre; (ii) star formation is almost exclusively constrained to a Galactocentric radius of ∼100 pc; and (iii) the star formation rate in this region has been constant at ≲0.1 M ⊙ yr − 1 to within a factor of 2 over the last ∼5 Myr.
Erratum: Dan Li et al.; Transcription Factor and lncRNA Regulatory Networks Identify Key Elements in Lung Adenocarcinoma. Genes 2018, 9, 12
Authors: Li Dan , Yang William , Zhang Jialing , Yang Jack , Guan Renchu , Yang Mary
Published: May 2018

The authors wish to make the following change to their paper [...]
Investigating the Epigenetic Discrimination of Identical Twins Using Buccal Swabs, Saliva, and Cigarette Butts in the Forensic Setting
Authors: Vidaki Athina , Kalamara Vivian , Carnero-Montoro Elena , Spector Timothy D. , Bell Jordana T. , Kayser Manfred
Published: May 2018

Monozygotic (MZ) twins are typically indistinguishable via forensic DNA profiling. Recently, we demonstrated that epigenetic differentiation of MZ twins is feasible; however, proportions of twin differentially methylated CpG sites (tDMSs) identified in reference-type blood DNA were not replicated in trace-type blood DNA. Here we investigated buccal swabs as typical forensic reference material, and saliva and cigarette butts as commonly encountered forensic trace materials. As an analog to a forensic case, we analyzed one MZ twin pair. Epigenome-wide microarray analysis in reference-type buccal DNA revealed 25 candidate tDMSs with >0.5 twin-to-twin differences. MethyLight quantitative PCR (qPCR) of 22 selected tDMSs in trace-type DNA revealed in saliva DNA that six tDMSs (27.3%) had >0.1 twin-to-twin differences, seven (31.8%) had smaller (<0.1) but robustly detected differences, whereas for nine (40.9%) the differences were in the opposite direction relative to the microarray data; for cigarette butt DNA, results were 50%, 22.7%, and 27.3%, respectively. The discrepancies between reference-type and trace-type DNA outcomes can be explained by cell composition differences, method-to-method variation, and other technical reasons including bisulfite conversion inefficiency. Our study highlights the importance of the DNA source and that careful characterization of biological and technical effects is needed before epigenetic MZ twin differentiation is applicable in forensic casework.
Hazard Assessment of Storm Events for the Portuguese Northern Coast
Authors: Gomes Mariana , Santos Lara , Pinho José , Antunes do Carmo José
Published: May 2018

Coastal zones currently face severe weaknesses and are subject to high-risk situations. Tropical storm events can contribute to the occurrence of these high-risk situations by causing storm surges with high water levels and, consequently, episodes of wave-overtopping and coastal flooding. This work considers a series of storm scenarios and analyzes their impacts through numerical modeling. Firstly, historical storm tracks and intensities are characterized for the Portuguese northern coast in terms of probability of occurrence. Secondly, several storm events with a high potential of occurrence are generated using a specific tool of the DelftDashboard interface for Delft3D software. Hydrodynamic models are then used to generate an ensemble of simulations to assess the storms’ effects on coastal water levels. Based on the statistical data of the numerical modeling results, a synthesis of the coastal storms’ impacts at different locations within the study area is performed. Depending on the storm category, surge heights can reach 1.10 m above tide levels under simulated conditions on the Portuguese northwestern coast.
From Deterministic to Probabilistic Forecasts: The ‘Shift-Target’ Approach in the Milan Urban Area (Northern Italy)
Authors: Lombardi Gabriele , Ceppi Alessandro , Ravazzani Giovanni , Davolio Silvio , Mancini Marco
Published: May 2018

The number of natural catastrophes that affect people worldwide is increasing; among these, the hydro-meteorological events represent the worst scenario due to the thousands of deaths and huge damages to private and state ownership they can cause. To prevent this, besides various structural measures, many non-structural solutions, such as the implementation of flood warning systems, have been proposed in recent years. In this study, we suggest a low computational cost method to produce a probabilistic flood prediction system using a single forecast precipitation scenario perturbed via a spatial shift. In fact, it is well-known that accurate forecasts of heavy precipitation, especially associated with deep moist convection, are challenging due to uncertainties arising from the numerical weather prediction (NWP), and high sensitivity to misrepresentation of the initial atmospheric state. Inaccuracies in precipitation forecasts are partially due to spatial misplacing. To produce hydro-meteorological simulations and forecasts, we use a flood forecasting system which comprises the physically-based rainfall-runoff hydrological model FEST-WB developed by the Politecnico di Milano, and the MOLOCH meteorological model provided by the Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate (CNR-ISAC). The areas of study are the hydrological basins of the rivers Seveso, Olona, and Lambro located in the northern part of Milan city (northern Italy) where this system works every day in real-time. In this paper, we show the performance of reforecasts carried out between the years 2012 and 2015: in particular, we explore the ‘Shift-Target’ (ST) approach in order to obtain 40 ensemble members, which we assume equally likely, derived from the available deterministic precipitation forecast. Performances are shown through statistical indexes based on exceeding the threshold for different gauge stations over the three hydrological basins. Results highlight how the Shift-Target approach complements the deterministic MOLOCH-based flood forecast for warning purposes.
Determinants and Temporal Trends of Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Pregnant Women: The Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children’s Health
Authors: Tsai Meng-Shan , Miyashita Chihiro , Araki Atsuko , Itoh Sachiko , Bamai Yu , Goudarzi Houman , Okada Emiko , Kashino Ikuko , Matsuura Hideyuki , Kishi Reiko
Published: May 2018

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent bio-accumulative chemicals that impact the health of pregnant women and their children. PFAS derive from environmental and consumer products, which depend on human lifestyle, socioeconomic characteristics, and time variation. Here, we aimed to explore the temporal trends of PFAS in pregnant women and the characteristics related to maternal PFAS concentration. Our study is part of the Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children’s Health, the Hokkaido large-scale cohort that recruited pregnant women between 2003 and 2011. Blood samples were acquired from pregnant women during the third trimester to measure PFAS and cotinine concentrations. Maternal basic information was collected with a baseline structured questionnaire. Eleven PFAS were measured from 2123 samples with ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry. Eight PFAS were above 80% detection rate and were included in the final analysis. We used multivariable linear regression to analyze the association of pregnant women characteristics with the levels of eight PFAS. The temporal trend of PFAS was observed in two periods (August 2003 to January 2006 and February 2006 to July 2012). The concentration of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) significantly decreased from August 2003 to January 2006 and from February 2006 to July 2012. The concentrations of perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), and perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA) increased significantly between August 2003 and January 2006, whereas they decreased significantly between February 2006 and July 2012. Women with pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m2 had lower PFUnDA, PFDoDA, and PFTrDA levels than did those with normal BMI (18.5–24.9 kg/m2). Pregnant women, who were active smokers (cotinine > 11.49 ng/mL), had higher PFOS than the non-smokers (cotinine < 0.22 ng/mL). Lower levels of PFHxS, PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, and PFDA were observed in women, who had given birth to more than one child. There were also significant positive associations between PFAS levels and annual income or maternal education. PFAS levels varied in women with higher pre-pregnancy BMI, active smoking status, higher education level and annual income. The causes of the individual PFAS differences should be explored in an independent study.
The Mediating Effect of Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy on the Association between Self-Esteem and School Bullying in Middle School Students: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Wang Xiaoqin , Zhang Yue , Hui Zhaozhao , Bai Wanyue , Terry Paul , Ma Mei , Li Yang , Cheng Li , Gu Wei , Wang Mingxu
Published: May 2018

School bullying is negatively associated with self-esteem, but psychological mediators of bullying have yet to be clarified. We examined regulatory emotional self-efficacy (RESE) as a possible mediator in the association between self-esteem and school bullying. A cross-sectional study of 995 adolescents was conducted in two middle schools of Xi’an. All of the participants completed the Chinese version of the School Bullying Experience Questionnaire (C-SBEQ), Self-Esteem Scale (SES), and Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy Scale (RESE). Descriptive statistics analysis, the bias corrected percentile Bootstrap CI method, and structural equation modelling were used to analyze the data. The results showed that 418 students (42.0%) reported that they were involved in school bullying in the past year. Self-esteem was negatively associated with school bullying (total effect: β = −0.275, 95% CI = −0.381–−0.034), and RESE mediated the association between self-esteem and school bullying (indirect effect: β = −0.136, 95% CI = −0.245–−0.037). Furthermore, self-esteem had an indirect effect through perceived self-efficacy in managing negative affect, while self-esteem had no indirect effect through self-efficacy in the expression of positive affect. The present study suggests that school authorities and the related education departments should not only focus on improving students’ self-esteem, but should also pay more attention to students’ RESE, in order to mitigate, and potentially reduce, the occurrence of bullying.
Condom and Substance Use at Last Sex: Differences between MSMO and MSWO High School Youth
Authors: Phillips Gregory , Kalmin Mariah , Turner Blair , Felt Dylan , Marro Rachel , Salamanca Paul , Beach Lauren
Published: May 2018

HIV disproportionately impacts youth, particularly young men who have sex with men (YMSM), a population that includes subgroups of young men who have sex with men only (YMSMO) and young men who have sex with men and women (YMSMW). In 2015, among male youth, 92% of new HIV diagnoses were among YMSM. The reasons why YMSM are disproportionately at risk for HIV acquisition, however, remain incompletely explored. We performed event-level analyses to compare how the frequency of condom use, drug and/or alcohol use at last sex differed among YMSMO and YMSWO (young men who have sex with women only) over a ten-year period from 2005–2015 within the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). YMSMO were less likely to use condoms at last sex compared to YMSWO. However, no substance use differences at last sexual encounter were detected. From 2005–2015, reported condom use at last sex significantly declined for both YMSMO and YMSWO, though the decline for YMSMO was more notable. While there were no significant differences in alcohol and substance use at last sex over the same ten-year period for YMSMO, YMSWO experienced a slight but significant decrease in reported alcohol and substance use. These event-level analyses provide evidence that YMSMO, similar to adult MSMO, may engage in riskier sexual behaviors compared to YMSWO, findings which may partially explain the increased burden of HIV in this population. Future work should investigate how different patterns of event-level HIV risk behaviors vary over time among YMSMO, YMSWO, and YMSMW, and are tied to HIV incidence among these groups.
The Long Non-Coding RNA MIR503HG Enhances Proliferation of Human ALK-Negative Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Huang Po-Shuan , Chung I-Hsiao , Lin Yang-Hsiang , Lin Tzu-Kang , Chen Wei-Jan , Lin Kwang-Huei
Published: May 2018

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-negative anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a rare type of highly malignant, non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Currently, only a few gene rearrangements have been linked to ALK-negative ALCL progression. However, the specific molecular mechanisms underlying the growth of ALK-negative ALCL tumors remain unclear. Here, we investigated aberrantly expressed, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in ALK-negative ALCL and assessed their potential biological function. MIR503HG (miR-503 host gene) was highly expressed in ALK-negative cell lines and was significantly upregulated in tumors in mice formed from ALK-negative ALCL cell lines. Depletion of MIR503HG suppressed tumor cell proliferation in vivo and in vitro; conversely, its overexpression enhanced tumor cell growth. MIR503HG-induced proliferation was mediated by the induction of microRNA-503 (miR-503) and suppression of Smurf2, resulting in stabilization of the tumor growth factor-β receptor (TGFBR) and enhanced tumor cell growth. Collectively, these findings support a potential role for MIR503HG in cancer cell proliferation through the miR-503/Smurf2/TGFBR axis and indicate that MIR503HG is a potential marker in ALK-negative ALCL.
Spatiotemporal Labeling of Melanocytes in Mice
Authors: Preston Sarah , Aras Shweta , Zaidi M.
Published: May 2018

Melanocytes are pigment producing cells in the skin that give rise to cutaneous malignant melanoma, which is a highly aggressive and the deadliest form of skin cancer. Studying melanocytes in vivo is often difficult due to their small proportion in the skin and the lack of specific cell surface markers. Several genetically-engineered mouse models (GEMMs) have been created to specifically label the melanocyte compartment. These models give both spatial and temporal control over the expression of a cellular ‘beacon’ that has an added benefit of inducible expression that can be activated on demand. Two powerful models that are discussed in this review include the melanocyte-specific, tetracycline-inducible green fluorescent protein expression system (iDct-GFP), and the fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator (FUCCI) model that allows for the monitoring of the cell-cycle. These two systems are powerful tools in studying melanocyte and melanoma biology. We discuss their current uses and how they could be employed to help answer unresolved questions in the fields of melanocyte and melanoma biology.
The Role of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors and Their Transcriptional Coactivators Gene Variations in Human Trainability: A Systematic Review
Authors: Petr Miroslav , Stastny Petr , Zajac Adam , Tufano James , Maciejewska-Skrendo Agnieszka
Published: May 2018

Background: The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARA, PPARG, PPARD) and their transcriptional coactivators’ (PPARGC1A, PPARGC1B) gene polymorphisms have been associated with muscle morphology, oxygen uptake, power output and endurance performance. The purpose of this review is to determine whether the PPARs and/or their coactivators’ polymorphisms can predict the training response to specific training stimuli. Methods: In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses, a literature review has been run for a combination of PPARs and physical activity key words. Results: All ten of the included studies were performed using aerobic training in general, sedentary or elderly populations from 21 to 75 years of age. The non-responders for aerobic training (VO2peak increase, slow muscle fiber increase and low-density lipoprotein decrease) are the carriers of PPARGC1A rs8192678 Ser/Ser. The negative responders for aerobic training (decrease in VO2peak) are carriers of the PPARD rs2267668 G allele. The negative responders for aerobic training (decreased glucose tolerance and insulin response) are subjects with the PPARG rs1801282 Pro/Pro genotype. The best responders to aerobic training are PPARGC1A rs8192678 Gly/Gly, PPARD rs1053049 TT, PPARD rs2267668 AA and PPARG rs1801282 Ala carriers. Conclusions: The human response for aerobic training is significantly influenced by PPARs’ gene polymorphism and their coactivators, where aerobic training can negatively influence glucose metabolism and VO2peak in some genetically-predisposed individuals.
The Potential of Cognitive Neuroimaging: A Way Forward to the Mind-Machine Interface
Authors: Pandarinathan Ganesh , Mishra Sachin , Nedumaran Anu , Padmanabhan Parasuraman , Gulyás Balázs
Published: May 2018

Bridging the human mind with an external system implicitly or explicitly has been the aspiration of researchers working in the field of cognitive neuroimaging. Identifying the potential of various imaging techniques in identifying and mapping different regions of the brain in relation to their functions is the key to eliminating the difficulties in developing a mind-machine interface (MMI). Communication technology has flourished to the extent that wireless MMI applications can be designed to virtually control machines like wheelchairs, artificial limbs, etc. A cornucopia of diversified works on cognitive imaging is required to move the preliminary MMI models forward, thus engendering a technologically advanced system which can be operated directly by the brain. This article provides an overview of various aspects of cognitive neuroimaging and its potential applications in the development of a mind-machine interface.