bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Note on Noisy Chaos
Authors: Chan K. S. , Tong H.
Published: December 2018

We prove that, under appropriate conditions, in a noisy environment an embedded deterministic dynamical system which admits a compact attractor can give rise to an ergodic stochastic system. This observation justifies the stochastic set-up in the study of deterministic chaos. We also clarify a folklore concerning polynomial autoregression.
Estimation of Finite Mixture Distributions Through Bayesian Sampling
Authors: Diebolt Jean , Robert Christian P.
Published: December 2018

A formal Bayesian analysis of a mixture model usually leads to intractable calculations, since the posterior distribution takes into account all the partitions of the sample. We present approximation methods which evaluate the posterior distribution and Bayes estimators by Gibbs sampling, relying on the missing data structure of the mixture model. The data augmentation method is shown to converge geometrically, since a duality principle transfers properties from the discrete missing data chain to the parameters. The fully conditional Gibbs alternative is shown to be ergodic and geometric convergence is established in the normal case. We also consider non-informative approximations associated with improper priors, assuming that the sample corresponds exactly to a k-component mixture.
A Modification of a Method for the Detection of Outliers in Multivariate Samples
Authors: Hadi Ali S.
Published: December 2018

We modify a method for identifying outliers in multivariate samples proposed by Hadi. A simulation study shows that this modification controls the size of the test, leads to substantially improved power and is more effective in dealing with the masking and swamping problems.
Mixture Designs for Q Components in Orthogonal Blocks
Authors: Lewis S. M. , Draper N. R. , Dean A. M. , Prescott P.
Published: December 2018

In industrial experimentation designs are needed to estimate the effects of mixture components independently of process variables. This paper gives general methods of constructing designs for q ≥ 3 mixture components in two or more orthogonal blocks. The designs are built from Latin squares with specific properties and are generalizations of those for four and five components given by Draper and co-workers and Prescott and co-workers respectively.
Reinforced Lattices
Authors: Pearce S. C.
Published: December 2018

Reinforcement is here meant the addition of plots of standard treatments to the blocks of a non-orthogonal design to improve it. The purpose could be either to aid a comparison of the existing treatments or to facilitate their comparison with the standards. The position is examined for both square and rectangular lattices in block designs and for rectangular lattices in row-and-column designs. It is concluded that the method could be useful in practice.
The Inadmissibility of Certain Bayes Decision Rules Under Vague Priors in Location Problems
Authors: Smith J. Q.
Published: December 2018

It is shown that, when improper, translation invariant priors distributions are used in the Bayesian analysis of a single location parameter, the related Bayes decision rules associated with a wide class of loss functions are inadmissible. It is concluded that the routine use of improper distributions, even in translation problems, can be misleading.
Fractional Bayes Factors for Model Comparison
Authors: O'Hagan Anthony
Published: December 2018

Bayesian comparison of models is achieved simply by calculation of posterior probabilities of the models themselves. However, there are difficulties with this approach when prior information about the parameters of the various models is weak. Partial Bayes factors offer a resolution of the problem by setting aside part of the data as a training sample. The training sample is used to obtain an initial informative posterior distribution of the parameters in each model. Model comparison is then based on a Bayes factor calculated from the remaining data. Properties of partial Bayes factors are discussed, particularly in the context of weak prior information, and they are found to have advantages over other proposed methods of model comparison. A new variant of the partial Bayes factor, the fractional Bayes factor, is advocated on grounds of consistency, simplicity, robustness and coherence.
Majorization and D-Optimality for Complete Block Designs Under Correlations
Authors: Bhaumik Dulal K.
Published: December 2018

D-optimal designs are derived in the complete block design set-up for comparing treatments using ordinary least squares estimators when the experimental errors are correlated. It is shown that the D-optimal design is different from the weakly universally optimal design of Morgan and Chakravarti, and Kiefer and Wynn.
Bayesian Model Choice Via Markov Chain Monte Carlo Methods
Authors: Carlin Bradley P. , Chib Siddhartha
Published: December 2018

Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) integration methods enable the fitting of models of virtually unlimited complexity, and as such have revolutionized the practice of Bayesian data analysis. However, comparison across models may not proceed in a completely analogous fashion, owing to violations of the conditions sufficient to ensure convergence of the Markov chain. In this paper we present a framework for Bayesian model choice, along with an MCMC algorithm that does not suffer from convergence difficulties. Our algorithm applies equally well to problems where only one model is contemplated but its proper size is not known at the outset, such as problems involving integer-valued parameters, multiple changepoints or finite mixture distributions. We illustrate our approach with two published examples.
Nonparametric Transformations for Both Sides of a Regression Model
Authors: Nychka Douglas , Ruppert David
Published: December 2018

One way to model heteroscedasticity and skewness of the error distribution in regression is to transform both sides of the regression equation. If it is possible to transform the regression equation to result in normally distributed errors, then we can obtain more efficient parameter estimates and valid prediction intervals. One problem with this approach is that the choice of transformation is usually restricted to the power or shifted power family. Often there is no scientific basis for this model and the limited flexibility of this parametric family may miss important features of the distribution. A more comprehensive approach is to estimate the transformation by using nonparametric methods based on maximizing a penalized likelihood function. This maximization problem leads naturally to a spline estimate for the log-derivative of the transformation. An algorithm for computing the estimate is given along with results on the existence and uniqueness of the estimate. This nonparametric method is illustrated by using a non-normally distributed fisheries data set.
Incorporating Parametric Effects into Functional Principal Components Analysis
Authors: Silverman B. W.
Published: December 2018

The ideas of functional principal component analysis are extended to deal with data that are hybrids of ‘functional’ and ‘parametric’ effects. The parametric effects may be more general than just the addition of a multiple of a given function. A detailed development is given in the case of shifts of the time axis for functions observed on a periodic interval, and some remarks are made for the extension to a far more general case. Given data, a Procrustes fitting method can be used to estimate the parametric effects. Several possible ways of treating the estimated parameter values are discussed. The methods are illustrated by reference to temperature data at 35 Canadian weather-stations.
On Perturbed Ellipsoidal and Highest Posterior Density Regions with Approximate Frequentist Validity
Authors: Ghosh J. K. , Mukerjee Rahul
Published: December 2018

This paper considers, in the multiparameter case, perturbed ellipsoidal and highest posterior density regions with both Bayesian and frequentist validity up to o(n  −1).
The Exact and Asymptotic Distributions of Cramér-Von Mises Statistics
Authors: CSöRgő Sándor , Faraway Julian J.
Published: December 2018

It is shown that an asymptotically precise one-term correction to the asymptotic distribution function of the classical Cramér-von Mises statistic approximates the exact distribution function remarkably closely for sample sizes as small as 7 or even smaller. This correction can be quickly evaluated, and hence it is suitable for the computation of practically exact p-values when testing simple goodness of fit. Similar findings hold for Watson's rotationally invariant modification, where a sample size of 4 appears to suffice.
Quasi-Linear Bayes Estimation in Stratified Finite Populations
Authors: Cocchi Daniela , Mouchart Michel
Published: December 2018

In this paper a Bayesian least squares approximation is proposed for descriptive inference in a finite population when a categorical auxiliary variable is known. A hierarchical model II analysis of variance is assumed. The solution consists of a projection on the vector of group totals and on the between and within sums of squares. The approximation can be seen as a normal approximation of the joint distribution of the statistic and of the parameter of interest, conditional on two discrete variables: these denote attribution to one group and selection in the sample. The main consequence of the conditioning is that conjectures about non-normality can be taken into account. The solution is compared with others that have been published.
Variance Estimation for Statistics Computed from Spatial Lattice Data
Authors: Sherman Michael
Published: December 2018

A statistic s() is computed on spatially indexed data {X  i: i ∈ D), where D is a finite subset of the integer lattice Z2. We propose a method for estimating the variance (and other moments) of s() by using only the data. The set D may be irregularly shaped, the statistic s() may be arbitrarily complicated and no distributional assumptions (marginal or joint) are necessary. The method uses the statistic computed on overlapping 'subshapes' of D as replicates of s(). The estimator is simply the sample variance of the (standardized) replicates. We demonstrate L  2-consistency of the estimator (under mild conditions on s() and the strength of spatial dependence). A rate of convergence is also given, giving guidance into the appropriate choice of subshape size, and the estimator is illustrated in two data examples.
Asymptotic Efficiency of the Sample Mean in Markov Chain Monte Carlo Schemes
Authors: Yue Huibin , Chan K. S.
Published: December 2018

In many cases, a univariate time series derived from a time reversible stationary Markov chain has the property that there is a distribution function on [–1, 1] ([0, 1]) such that, for all non-negative integers l, its lth moment is the lth lag autocorrelation of the time series. We discuss some consequences of this property. Effects of the asymptotic efficiency of the sample mean on the efficiency of subsampling a stationary Markov chain are discussed. The stationarity assumption is then relaxed. We show that under certain regularity conditions the sample mean of a strongly asymptotically stationary process is asymptotically efficient in that it has the smallest mean-square error asymptotically in a broad class of linear estimators.
Continuum Regression is Not Always Continuous
Authors: Björkström Anders , Sundberg Rolf
Published: December 2018

Continuum regression (CR) is regression of a response y on that linear combination t  γ of explanatory variables which maximizes r  2(y, t) var(t)γ, where γ is chosen from a continuum of candidates. CR includes several common methods as special cases: ordinary least squares, principal component regression, partial least squares and a modified ridge regression. We demonstrate that CR, despite its name, can yield a predictor that is a discontinuous function of γ and of the calibration data. We illustrate this with a set of real data. The relationship between CR and ridge regression is the key to understanding this phenomenon.
On the Asymptotic Behaviour of the Pseudolikelihood Ratio Test Statistic
Authors: Liang Kung-Yee , Self Steven G.
Published: December 2018

This paper concerns the asymptotic distribution of the likelihood ratio statistic T for testing H  0: θ = θ  0 based on the pseudolikelihood L(θ,ϕ^), where ϕ^ is a simple estimator of ϕ. We show that the asymptotic distribution of T under H  0 is a weighted sum of independent χ  1  2-variables where the weights involve the asymptotic joint covariance matrix of ϕ^ and the score function for θ. Some sufficient conditions are provided for the limiting distribution to be χ  2. The result is extended to allow θ  0 to be a boundary value of the θ parameter space, and ϕ to be misspecified in L(θ, ϕ). We also examine the issue of power loss when ϕ is misspecified in L(θ, ϕ). Several examples including variance component models, multivariate survival models, genetic linkage analysis and the Behrens–Fisher problem are presented to demonstrate the scope of the problems considered and to illustrate the results.
Eclipsing Atlantis: Trans‐Atlantic Multilateralism in Trade and Monetary Affairs as a Pre‐History to the Genesis of Social Market Europe (1942–1950)
Authors: Segers Mathieu
Published: December 2018

The common understanding of the history of European integration obfuscates much of the strong bonds between European integration and its pre‐history in western multilateral co‐operation This western co‐operation centred around the inter‐connected policy fields of monetary management, trade and social policies during the pre‐phase of European integration. This contribution reconstructs the trans‐Atlantic institutional framework, within which a unique multilateralism in post‐war Western Europe, could emerge. The analysis suggests new explanations for the specific design, which characterizes this European variant of post‐war multilateralism: a regionally oriented ‘social market’ pursued through a process of European integration.
The effect of light stimuli on dark‐adapted visual sensitivity in invasive silver carpHypophthalmichthys molitrixand bighead carpH. nobilis
Authors: Vetter Brooke J. , Rogers Loranzie S. , Mensinger Allen F.
Published: December 2018

Non‐physical barriers, including the use of underwater strobe lights alone or paired with sound or bubbles, are being considered as a means to prevent the upstream migration of invasive silver carpHypophthalmichthys molitrixand bighead carpH. nobilis. To optimize potential optical deterrents, it is necessary to understand the visual sensitivity of the fishes. Dark‐adaptedH. molitrixandH. nobiliswere found to possess broad visual sensitivity between 470 to 620 nm with peak spectral sensitivity at 540 nm forH. molitrixand 560 nm inH. nobilis. To assess the effect of a strobe light on vision, dark‐adaptedH. molitrix,H. nobilis andcommon carpCyprinus carpio, were exposed to three different 5 s trains (100, 200, or 500 ms on–off flashes) of white light and the recovery of visual sensitivity was determined by measuring the b‐wave amplitude of the electroretinogram (ERG). For all species, the longest recoveries were observed in response to the 500 ms flash trains (H. molitrixmean ± SE = 702.0 ± 89.8 s;H. nobilis648.0 ± 116.0 s;C. carpio480 ± 180.0 s). The results suggest that strobe lights can temporarily depress visual sensitivity, which may render optical barriers less effective.
New active package based on titania coated on cardboard for storage of fresh prepared orange juice
Authors: Peter Anca , Nicula Camelia , Mihaly‐Cozmuta Leonard , Mihaly‐Cozmuta Anca
Published: December 2018

An active package from cardboard coated with titanium dioxide was designed for storage of fresh prepared orange juice. The organoleptical changes of the orange juice were statistically significant and revealed the preservation role of the active cardboard at 4 °C. Statistically significant positive effect on the reducing the rate of ascorbic acid degradation and on the increasing the catalase activity, respectively, was generated by coating TiO2, revealing that the semiconductor favors the preservation of the orange juice during storage. FTIR spectra revealed new compounds in the juice stored in the active package at 4 °C, but these substances has no significantly affected the characteristics of the juice. This study reveals that the TiO2‐cardboard is a promising solution to package fresh prepared orange juice and to store it in safety conditions at 4 °C for 7 days. The mechanism that ensure the preservation of juice as a result of TiO2 particles photoactivity was discussed.

Practical applications

The study report about a new type of active package made from cardboard coated with TiO2 designed for storage of fresh prepared orange juice. The results showed the statistically significant and positive influence of TiO2 on preserving the organoleptical parameters, ascorbic acid content and catalase activity of the orange juice during storage for 9 days. This study reveals that the TiO2‐cardboard is a promising solution to package fresh prepared orange juice and to store it in safety conditions at 4 °C for 7 days.
A new anatomic approach of the ventricular septal defect in the interruption of the aortic arch
Authors: Mostefa Kara Meriem , Houyel Lucile , Bonnet Damien
Published: December 2018

The aim of this study was to analyse the anatomy of the ventricular septal defect (VSD) in heart specimens with interruption of the aortic arch (IAA) in order to explore the hypothesis of different embryologic mechanisms for the different anatomic types of IAA. We examined 42 human heart specimens, 25 with IAA as the main disease with concordant atrioventricular and ventriculo‐arterial connections and two distinct great arteries, and 17 hearts with IAA associated with other malformations [six common arterial trunk (CAT), five double‐outlet right ventricle (DORV), three transposition of the great arteries (TGA), three atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD)]. The interruption was classified according to Celoria and Patton. We focused on the anatomy of the VSD viewed from the right ventricular side. There were 15 IAA type A, 27 type B, no type C. The VSD in IAA type B was always an outlet VSD, located between the two limbs of the septal band, with posterior malalignment of the outlet septum in hearts with concordant ventriculo‐arterial connections, without any fibrous tricuspid‐aortic continuity. In addition, the aortic arch was always completely absent. Conversely, the VSD in IAA type A could be of any type (outlet in six, muscular in four, central perimembranous in two, inlet in three) and the aortic arch was either atretic or absent. In addition, IAA type B, when found in the setting of another anomaly, was always associated with neural crest‐related anomalies (CAT and DORV), whereas IAA type A was found in association with anomalies not related to the neural crest (TGA and AVSD). These results reinforce the hypothesis that different pathogenic mechanisms are responsible for the two types of IAA, and the inclusion of IAA type B in the group of neural crest defects. Conversely, IAA type A could be due to overlapping mechanisms: flow‐related defect (coarctation‐like) and neural crest contribution.
Abstractions on steroids: A critical realist approach to computer simulations
Authors: Törnberg Anton
Published: December 2018

Computer simulations are increasingly used within various fields of the social sciences, including analytical sociology and computational social science. However, the method has yet to fully find its place within critical realism, generally regarded as reductionist and methodological individualist and thus inadequate to the task of grasping the full and enigmatic complexity of social life. This article contributes to the discussion by suggesting an alternative approach to computer simulations in the social realm. Instead of representing reality, simulations are seen as a way of boosting abstraction by enabling us to isolate and study the effects of emergent mechanisms. The need for such tools is growing more urgent in an age characterized by rapid change and global networks of causal interrelation. Hence there is a need not only for new tools to deal with causal complexity within critical realism, but also for a critical realist perspective to fill the meta‐theoretical vacuum on which the simulation approach is largely based. The approach developed here provides a challenge to the predominant ways in which simulations are utilized today, with increasingly sophisticated models aiming towards realistic representation on the basis of empirical data.
Evolution of tendon shape in an anuran clade and its relation to size, phylogeny and locomotion
Authors: Fratani J. , Ponssa M. L. , Abdala V.
Published: December 2018

Most anatomical specializations related to anuran jumping have been observed in pelvic girdle and hindlimbs, which are characterized by its fused caudal vertebrae and elongated hindlimbs. Still, despite of a greatly specialized body plan, locomotor variation in anurans goes beyond jumping, including specializations for swimming, burrowing, and climbing. Herein, we test for morphological adaptation in three tendinous elements associated with the urostyle and hindlimb joints: the tendon of the longissimus dorsi which inserts on the urostyle and rotates it dorsally; the patellar tendon which goes over the knee joint and connects the larger thigh extensor muscles; and the Achilles tendon which passes over the ankle joint and participates in the catapult‐like mechanism of jumping species. We make an incursion in tendon variation using geometric morphometrics and test if tendon shape is related to size, phylogeny and locomotion in leptodactylid species. Also, we hypothesize that tarsal bone elongation in anura alters the heel into a more ‘knee‐like’ joint affecting tendon shape, and test for patellar and Achilles similarity. We found that a combination of factors drives Leptodactylidae tendon morphological diversity. Allometry, phylogeny and function take part in the longissimus dorsi tendon variation, with significant difference between hopping and all jumping species. The patellar tendon shape scales isometrically with size, with significant shape difference between jumping and jumping‐swimming species. Achilles tendon shape is mainly affected by allometry. Optimization showed a shift for a broader longissimus dorsi tendon shape in the ancestor of Leptodactylus. Finally, and contrary to our prediction, patellar and Achilles tendon shapes are significantly different. Once again, evidence points to a combination of factors explaining shape, rather than a direct and evident functional‐anatomic relation.
On hormonal regulation of the dynamic apical hook development
Authors: Wang Yichuan , Guo Hongwei
Published: December 2018

To deal with the ever‐changing environment, sessile plants adapt diverse and plastic organ structures during postembryonic development. Among these, the apical hook forms shortly after seed germination of most dicots, and protects the delicate shoot meristem from mechanical damage during soil emergence. For decades, this structure has been taken as an excellent model for the investigation of the mechanisms underlying the differential growth of plant tissues. Here, we summarize recent advances in the investigation of the hormonal regulation of apical hook development, focusing on the convergence to auxin and a central regulator HOOKLESS1 (HLS1). We propose the revisitation of hook curvature kinematics at suborgan and single‐cell resolution, and further pursuance of the mechanistics of apical hook development through combinatorial approaches of automated imaging and multidimensional modeling.
Homologous shell microstructures in Cambrian hyoliths and molluscs
Authors: Li Luoyang , Zhang Xingliang , Skovsted Christian B. , Yun Hao , Pan Bing , Li Guoxiang
Published: December 2018

Hyoliths were among the earliest biomineralizing metazoans in Palaeozoic marine environments. They have been known for two centuries and widely assigned to lophotrochozoans. However, their origin and relationships with modern lophotrochozoan clades have been a longstanding palaeontological controversy. Here, we provide broad microstructural data from hyolith conchs and opercula from the lower Cambrian Xinji Formation of North China, including two hyolithid genera and four orthothecid genera as well as unidentified opercula. Results show that most hyolith conchs contain a distinct aragonitic lamellar layer that is composed of foliated aragonite, except in the orthothecid New taxon 1 that has a crossed foliated lamellar microstructure. Opercula are mostly composed of foliated aragonite and occasionally foliated calcite. These blade or lath‐like microstructural fabrics coincide well with biomineralization of Cambrian molluscs rather than lophophorates, as exemplified by the Cambrian members of the tommotiid‐brachiopod linage. Accordingly, we propose that hyoliths and molluscs might have inherited their biomineralized skeletons from a non‐mineralized or weakly mineralized common ancestor rather than as a result of convergence. Consequently, from the view of biomineralization, the homologous shell microstructures in Cambrian hyoliths and molluscs strongly strengthen the phylogenetic links between the two groups.
Bundle sheath extensions affect leaf structural and physiological plasticity in response to irradiance
Authors: Barbosa Maria Antonia M. , Chitwood Daniel H. , Azevedo Aristéa A. , Araújo Wagner L. , Ribeiro Dimas M. , Peres Lázaro E.P. , Martins Samuel C.V. , Zsögön Agustin
Published: December 2018

Coordination between structural and physiological traits is key to plants' responses to environmental fluctuations. In heterobaric leaves, bundle sheath extensions (BSEs) increase photosynthetic performance (light‐saturated rates of photosynthesis, Amax) and water transport capacity (leaf hydraulic conductance, Kleaf). However, it is not clear how BSEs affect these and other leaf developmental and physiological parameters in response to environmental conditions. The obscuravenosa (obv) mutation, found in many commercial tomato varieties, leads to absence of BSEs. We examined structural and physiological traits of tomato heterobaric and homobaric (obv) near‐isogenic lines grown at two different irradiance levels. Kleaf, minor vein density, and stomatal pore area index decreased with shading in heterobaric but not in homobaric leaves, which show similarly lower values in both conditions. Homobaric plants, on the other hand, showed increased Amax, leaf intercellular air spaces, and mesophyll surface area exposed to intercellular airspace (Smes) in comparison with heterobaric plants when both were grown in the shade. BSEs further affected carbon isotope discrimination, a proxy for long‐term water‐use efficiency. BSEs confer plasticity in traits related to leaf structure and function in response to irradiance levels and might act as a hub integrating leaf structure, photosynthetic function, and water supply and demand.
Local genomic features predict the distinct and overlapping binding patterns of the bHLH‐Zip family oncoproteins MITF and MYC‐MAX
Authors: Hejna Miroslav , Moon Wooyoung M. , Cheng Jeffrey , Kawakami Akinori , Fisher David E. , Song Jun S.
Published: December 2018

MITF and MYC are well‐known oncoproteins and members of the basic helix–loop–helix leucine zipper (bHLH‐Zip) family of transcription factors (TFs) recognizing hexamer E‐box motifs. MITF and MYC not only share the core binding motif, but are also the two most highly expressed bHLH‐Zip transcription factors in melanocytes, raising the possibility that they may compete for the same binding sites in select oncogenic targets. Mechanisms determining the distinct and potentially overlapping binding modes of these critical oncoproteins remain uncharacterized. We introduce computational predictive models using local sequence features, including a boosted convolutional decision tree framework, to distinguish MITF versus MYC‐MAX binding sites with up to 80% accuracy genomewide. Select E‐box locations that can be bound by both MITF and MYC‐MAX form a separate class of MITF binding sites characterized by differential sequence content in the flanking region, diminished interaction with SOX10, higher evolutionary conservation, and less tissue‐specific chromatin organization.
Warming and water deficit impact leaf photosynthesis and decrease forage quality and digestibility of a C4 tropical grass
Authors: Habermann Eduardo , Dias de Oliveira Eduardo Augusto , Contin Daniele Ribeiro , Delvecchio Gustavo , Viciedo Dilier Olivera , de Moraes Marcela Aparecida , de Mello Prado Renato , de Pinho Costa Kátia Aparecida , Braga Marcia Regina , Martinez Carlos Alberto
Published: December 2018

Global warming is predicted to cause more intense extreme events such as heat waves, flooding and severe droughts, producing significant effects on agriculture. In tropics, climate change will severely impact livestock production affecting water availability, forage quality and food for cattle. We investigated the isolated and combined effects of soil water deficit (wS) and + 2°C increase in canopy temperature (eT) on leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, carbohydrate content, forage quality and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of a field‐grown C4 tropical forage grassPanicum maximumJacq. using a temperature‐free air‐controlled enhancement (T‐FACE) system. ThewSandeTtreatments showed no effects on photosystem II photochemistry. However,wSunder ambient temperature decreased net photosynthesis rate (A), stomatal conductance (gs) and maximum rate of carboxylation of Rubisco (Vcmax), leading to a reduced starch content in leaves. A 16% reduction in leaf dry mass (LDM) and reduction in forage quality by increasing fibers, reducing crude protein (CP) and decreasing the IVDMD was also observed by effect ofwS. Warming under adequate soil moisture (eT) significantly increased LDM by 25% but reduced the forage quality, increasing the lignin content and reducing starch, CP and digestibility. The combinedwSeTtreatment reducedA,gs,Vcmaxand the forage quality. When compared to control, the lignin content in leaves increased by 43, 28 and 17% inwS,eTandwSeT, respectively, causing a significant reduction in IVDMD. We concluded that despite physiological mechanisms to acclimate to warming, both warming and water deficit will impair the quality and digestibility of C4 tropical pastures.
Optical and radar remote sensing data for forest cover mapping in Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Mohd Najib Nazarin Ezzaty , Kanniah Kasturi Devi
Published: December 2018

This study aims to map forest cover in Peninsular Malaysia using satellite images as deforestation is of concern in the recent decades, and is an important environmental issue for the future too. The Carnegie Landsat Analysis System‐Lite (CLASlite) program was used in this study to detect forest cover in Peninsular Malaysia using Landsat satellite data. The results of the study show that CLASlite algorithm misclassified some oil palm, rubber and urban areas as forest vegetation. A reliable forest cover map was produced by first combining Landsat and ALOS PALSAR images to identify oil palm, rubber and urban areas, and then subsequently removing them. The HH and HV polarization data of ALOS PALSAR (threshold method) could detect oil palm plantations with 85.26 per cent of overall accuracy. For urban area detection, Enhance Build up Index (EBBI) using spectral bands from Landsat provided higher overall accuracy of 94 per cent. These methods produced a forest cover reading of 5 914 421 ha with an overall classification accuracy of 94.5 per cent. The forest cover (including rubber areas) detected in this study is 0.38 per cent higher than the percentage of 2010 forest cover detected by the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia. The technique described in this paper presents an alternative and viable approach for updating forest cover maps in Malaysia.
Red blood cell transfusion in southern Finland from 2011 to 2016: a quality audit
Authors: Laurén E. , Vikatmaa L. , Kerkelä E. , Kivipuro T. , Krusius T. , Syrjälä M. , Ihalainen J. , Pettilä V.
Published: December 2018

Objectives

The current trends in RBC use and pre‐ and post‐transfusion Hb levels were analysed to improve practice and to provide international comparison.

Background

Indications for RBC transfusion have changed with growing scientific evidence. The lowest acceptable haemoglobin (Hb) level has decreased, and transfusing single units instead of pairs has become the new standard. Evidence‐based guidelines and patient blood management (PBM) programmes increase clinician awareness of rational RBC use. In Finland, however, no formal PBM programme has been established to date.

Methods

The study was registry‐based, retrospective and observational. All RBC transfusions for adult patients from 2011 to 2016 in the southern region of Finland were analysed.

Results

RBC usage decreased from 34·9 to 27·5 units per 1000 population (P < 0·001). The percentage of single‐unit transfusions increased from 57·9 to 66·7%, and the median pre‐ and post‐transfusion Hb levels decreased from 8·4 to 8·2 g dL−1 (P < 0·001) and 9·9 to 9·6 g dL−1 (P < 0·001), respectively. The proportion of transfusions with pre‐transfusion Hb ≥ 9·0 g dL−1 decreased during the study period but remained high, being 29·5% in 2011 and still 25·2% in 2016.

Conclusions

Consumption of RBCs has decreased despite aging population and increasing healthcare performance demands. The results indicate more rational and evidence‐based RBC use. Nevertheless, the transfusion rate and pre‐ and post‐transfusion Hb are still sufficiently high to enable more restrictive transfusion practice.
Progress of polio eradication and containment requirements after eradication
Authors: Oberste M. Steven
Published: December 2018

Wild poliovirus (WPV) is nearing eradication, and only three countries have never interrupted WPV transmission (Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nigeria). WPV2 was last detected in 1999, and it was declared eradicated in 2015. WPV3 has not been detected since 2012. Since 2016, WPV1 has been detected in only two countries (Afghanistan and Pakistan), with only 22 cases reported in 2017 and 12 cases reported in 2018 (as of July 10). Because of WPV2 eradication and the risk of emergence of type 2 vaccine–derived polioviruses from continued use of trivalent oral polio vaccine (OPV), trivalent OPV was replaced by bivalent OPV (types 1 and 3) in a globally coordinated effort in 2016. WPV2 eradication and trivalent OPV cessation also mean that breach of containment in a facility working with type 2 poliovirus is now a major risk to reseed type 2 circulation in the community. As a result, the World Health Organization has developed a “Global Action Plan to minimize poliovirus facility‐associated risk after type‐specific eradication of wild polioviruses and sequential cessation of oral polio vaccine use.” Because poliovirus has long been used as a standard for qualification of intravenous immunoglobulin, disinfectant products, and sanitation methods, poliovirus containment has implications far beyond poliovirus laboratories.
Measures of movement and mobility used in clinical practice and research: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Moulton Elizabeth , Wilson Rosemary , Edge Dana S. , VanDenKerkhof Elizabeth , Deluzio Kevin , Ross-White Amanda
Published: December 2018

Review question:

The first objective of this scoping review is to identify all tools designed to measure movement or mobility in adults. The second objective is to compare the tools to the conceptual definitions of movement and mobility by mapping them against the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

The specific questions that will be answered for each tool by the mapping are:
A multi-tone active noise control system with a simplified local on-line secondary-path modeling
Authors: Wang Han , Sun Hongling , Sun Yunping , Wu Ming , Yang Jun , Li Xiaodong
Published: December 2018

Multi-tone active noise control (multi-tone ANC) technology has been widely studied to reduce the tonal noise with low frequencies. In the case of an ANC system with a time-varying secondary path, an on-line modeling method is necessary. In this work, a multi-tone ANC system with a simplified local on-line secondary-path modeling method is presented. A two-tone signal with small amplitude is added at the sideband of each noise tone to conduct the local modeling. The least mean square algorithm is used as the modeling algorithm which provides tracking for a time-varying secondary path. Notch filters and bandpass filters are adopted to separate the primary tones and the additive tones. Simulations and experimental results show that the proposed algorithm has good performance.
Ground-based detection of an extended helium atmosphere in the Saturn-mass exoplanet WASP-69b
Authors: Nortmann Lisa , Pallé Enric , Salz Michael , Sanz-Forcada Jorge , Nagel Evangelos , Alonso-Floriano F. Javier , Czesla Stefan , Yan Fei , Chen Guo , Snellen Ignas A. G. , Zechmeister Mathias , Schmitt Jürgen H. M. M. , López-Puertas Manuel , Casasayas-Barris Núria , Bauer Florian F. , Amado Pedro J. , Caballero José A. , Dreizler Stefan , Henning Thomas , Lampón Manuel , Montes David , Molaverdikhani Karan , Quirrenbach Andreas , Reiners Ansgar , Ribas Ignasi , Sánchez-López Alejandro , Schneider P. Christian , Zapatero Osorio María R.
Published: December 2018

Helium escaping from hot gas giants

Many gas giant exoplanets orbit so close to their host star that they are heated to high temperatures, causing atmospheric gases to escape. Gas giant atmospheres are mostly hydrogen and helium, which are difficult to observe. Two papers have now observed escaping helium in the near-infrared (see the Perspective by Brogi). Allart
et al.
observed helium in a Neptune-mass exoplanet and performed detailed simulations of its atmosphere, which put constraints on the escape rate. Nortmann
et al.
found that helium is escaping a Saturn-mass planet, trailing behind it in its orbit. They combined this with observations of several other exoplanets to show that atmospheres are being lost more quickly by exoplanets that are more strongly heated.

Science
, this issue p.
1384
, p.
1388
; see also p.
1360
Commensal-specific T cell plasticity promotes rapid tissue adaptation to injury
Authors: Harrison Oliver J. , Linehan Jonathan L. , Shih Han-Yu , Bouladoux Nicolas , Han Seong-Ji , Smelkinson Margery , Sen Shurjo K. , Byrd Allyson L. , Enamorado Michel , Yao Chen , Tamoutounour Samira , Van Laethem Francois , Hurabielle Charlotte , Collins Nicholas , Paun Andrea , Salcedo Rosalba , O’Shea John J. , Belkaid Yasmine
Published: December 2018

Commensal-specific T cells are flexible

Barrier tissues, like the skin, are sites where noninvasive commensal microbes constantly interact with resident T cells. These encounters can result in commensal-specific T cell responses that promote, for example, host defense and tissue repair. Harrison
et al.
show that subsets of skin-resident commensal-specific interleukin-17A–producing CD4
+
and CD8
+
T cells have a dual nature: They coexpress transcription factors that direct antagonistic antimicrobial (type 17) and antiparasite and pro–tissue repair (type 2) programs. When skin is damaged, epithelial cell alarmins license type 17 T cells to turn on type 2 cytokines. Thus, commensal-specific type 17 T cells can direct antimicrobial activity under homeostatic conditions but rapidly turn on tissue repair in the context of injury.

Science
, this issue p.
eaat6280
Open-source discovery of chemical leads for next-generation chemoprotective antimalarials
Authors: Antonova-Koch Yevgeniya , Meister Stephan , Abraham Matthew , Luth Madeline R. , Ottilie Sabine , Lukens Amanda K. , Sakata-Kato Tomoyo , Vanaerschot Manu , Owen Edward , Jado Juan Carlos , Maher Steven P. , Calla Jaeson , Plouffe David , Zhong Yang , Chen Kaisheng , Chaumeau Victor , Conway Amy J. , McNamara Case W. , Ibanez Maureen , Gagaring Kerstin , Serrano Fernando Neria , Eribez Korina , Taggard Cullin McLean , Cheung Andrea L. , Lincoln Christie , Ambachew Biniam , Rouillier Melanie , Siegel Dionicio , Nosten François , Kyle Dennis E. , Gamo Francisco-Javier , Zhou Yingyao , Llinás Manuel , Fidock David A. , Wirth Dyann F. , Burrows Jeremy , Campo Brice , Winzeler Elizabeth A.
Published: December 2018

A path to tackle liver-stage parasites

Malaria parasites are evolutionarily prepared to resist drug attack. Resistance is emerging to even the latest frontline combination therapies, which target the blood stages of the
Plasmodium
parasite. As an alternative strategy, Antonova-Koch
et al.
investigated the possibilities of drugs against liver-stage parasites (see the Perspective by Phillips and Goldberg). To do so, they devised a luciferase-reporter drug screen for the rodent parasite
Plasmodium berghei.
Three rounds of increasingly stringent screening were used. From this regime, several chemotypes that inhibit
Plasmodium
mitochondrial electron transport were identified. Excitingly, several new scaffolds, with as-yet-unknown modes of action but solely targeting the parasites' liver stages, emerged as promising drug leads for further development.

Science
, this issue p.
eaat9446
; see also p.
1112
Nemaline myopathy diagnosed in two young Border collies in formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded muscle samples using conventional stains
Authors: Dettwiler Martina , Sydler Titus , Klausmann Stefanie , Beckmann Katrin , Hilbe Monika
Published: December 2018

Nemaline myopathy (NM) is a congenital neuromuscular disorder with heterogeneous clinical signs such as muscle weakness, affecting humans, seldom dogs and cats. For human NM, several causative gene mutations have been identified. The hallmark of this disease is the presence of sarcoplasmic inclusions (nemaline rods) in skeletal muscle fibres, which can be visualised in sections of muscle specimens. Ultrastructurally, an enlargement and streaming of the Z lines can be detected. Here, the case of two 10‐week‐old female Border collie littermates with progressive gait dysfunction, muscle stiffness and exercise intolerance, which were euthanased because of poor prognosis, is described. Histology of formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded muscle samples revealed sarcoplasmic rods visible in tissue sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin, the Gomori trichrome and the phosphotungstic acid haematoxylin stain. In electron microscopy, the rods were confirmed as streaming of the Z lines. Therefore, a congenital NM was diagnosed.
Mapping the teaching of aquatic animal veterinary medicine in the European Union and European Free Trade Area
Authors: Iatridou Despoina , Pohl Laura , De Briyne Nancy , Palić Dušan , Saunders Jimmy H , Bravo Ana
Published: December 2018

Aquatic animal production is the fastest growing food sector globally. Aquaculture and fisheries are very dynamic sectors in the EU and the number of ornamental aquarium pets is increasing. Veterinarians have a fundamental role to play by ensuring health and welfare of aquatic species, productivity and profitability of fish farming, public health and ecosystem conservation. This study investigates how the undergraduate curriculum prepares future veterinarians for such roles by analysing data from the 77 European veterinary education establishments based in EU and the European Free Trade Area. Over 95 per cent of these establishments incorporate teaching in aquatic animal veterinary medicine in their curriculum, while the great majority do so within the core curriculum. Almost half of the establishments provide teaching in aquatic animal veterinary medicine as separate subjects. Many establishments (>40 per cent) provide such training as elective option in their undergraduate curricula or as postgraduate opportunities to enhance Day One Competences. The veterinary education establishments integrating adequately aquatic animal veterinary medicine in their curriculum are evenly distributed in all regions of Europe. Veterinarians are trained and empowered by legislation to assess health of aquatic animals, to diagnose, to prescribe medicines, to notify for diseases and to ensure safe food for the consumers. Veterinary education establishments should encourage training of veterinarians to follow a career in aquatic animal veterinary medicine.
Seasonal depth and temperature use, and diel movements of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in a subarctic lake
Authors: Gallagher Colin P. , Guzzo Matthew M. , Dick Terry A.
Published: December 2018

We conducted a multi-year acoustic telemetry study of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush (Walbaum, 1792)) in a small subarctic lake to investigate depth and temperature occupancy, and vertical activity across seasons (summer, fall, and winter), diel periods (day, twilight, and night), and during summer periods of 24 h light (day and twilight). Analyses using generalized additive mixed models revealed a high degree of individual variation in depth occupancy independent of the factors hour of day, season, and diel period, whereas temperature occupancy and vertical activity were explained using the three combined factors. Habitats occupied were typically 9–20 m and 6–9.5 °C in summer, 1–3 m and 2–15 °C in fall during presumed spawning, and ≤6 m and <3 °C in winter. Lake trout exhibited partial diel migration where individuals displayed a variety of vertical migratory directions within and among seasons or diel period, including during periods of 24 h light. Fish were most vertically active during periods of daylight and in fall. During 24 h light, some lake trout performed crepuscular movements, whereas individual behaviour best explained modelled depth and temperature occupancy and vertical activity. The variety of vertical patterns among individuals and seasons suggests multifactor proximate causes of partial diel migration and crepuscular movements.
Gauge properties of hadronic structure of nucleon in neutron radiative beta decay to order O(α/π) in standard V − A effective theory with QED and linear sigma model of strong low-energy interactions
Authors: Ivanov A. N. , Höllwieser R. , Troitskaya N. I. , Wellenzohn M. , Berdnikov Ya. A.
Published: December 2018

Within the standard [Formula: see text] theory of weak interactions, Quantum electrodynamics (QED) and the linear [Formula: see text]-model (L[Formula: see text]M) of strong low-energy hadronic interactions, we analyze gauge properties of hadronic structure of the neutron and proton in the neutron radiative [Formula: see text]-decay. We show that the Feynman diagrams, describing contributions of hadronic structure to the amplitude of the neutron radiative [Formula: see text]-decay in the tree-approximation for strong low-energy interactions in the L[Formula: see text]M, are gauge invariant. In turn, the complete set of Feynman diagrams, describing the contributions of hadron–photon interactions in the one-hadron-loop approximation, is not gauge invariant. In the infinite limit of the scalar [Formula: see text]-meson, reproducing the current algebra results (S. Weinberg, Phys. Rev. Lett. 18, 188 (1967)), and to leading order in the large nucleon mass expansion the Feynman diagrams, violating gauge invariance, do not contribute to the amplitude of the neutron radiative [Formula: see text]-decay in agreement with Sirlin’s analysis of strong low-energy interactions in neutron [Formula: see text] decays. We assert that the problem of appearance of gauge noninvariant Feynman diagrams of hadronic structure of the neutron and proton is related to the following. The vertex of the effective [Formula: see text] weak interactions does not belong to the combined quantum field theory including the L[Formula: see text]M and QED. We argue that gauge invariant set of Feynman diagrams of hadrons, coupled to real and virtual photons in neutron [Formula: see text] decays, can be obtained within the combined quantum field theory including the Standard Electroweak Model (SEM) and the L[Formula: see text]M, where the effective [Formula: see text] vertex of weak interactions is a result of the [Formula: see text]-electroweak boson exchange.