bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of damage theory to structures made from high‐strength steels
Authors: Feldmann Markus , Schaffrath Simon
Published: November 2018

In Memoriam of Prof. Dr. Bernt Johansson

It is a general question as to whether the established rules for predicting ultimate resistance under global tension can also be applied to structures made from HSS, i.e. up to fy = 960 MPa. Apart from the welding issue, for the base material, this question refers to several items, e.g. the plastic flow curve, the yield stress level, the yield ratio, the upper‐shelf ductility and strainability and the lower‐shelf toughness. It reveals that predicting the ductile fracture of steel components can only be an approximation, and neither allows for a deeper understanding of the real ductile crack development up to ultimate load nor leads to a realistic extrapolation if high‐strength steels are used. The research work presented in this paper therefore suggests an innovative extension of the FEM analysis by implementing appropriate GTN ductile damage approaches. After a short introduction to the principles of this methodology, possibilities for its use in structural steel research and design as well as further insights into the structural behaviour of steel components, especially HSS up to S960, are presented – insights that are not possible by traditional testing or simulation.
Innovative high‐strength steel construction using mixed connections
Authors: Spiegler Jennifer , Kuhlmann Ulrike
Published: November 2018

In Memoriam of Prof. Dr. Bernt Johansson

In addition to the common mild steels, nowadays, high‐performance steels with good weldability and high ductility are available for the construction industry. By using steels with higher resistance and better weight of material ratios, savings can be achieved, especially in the case of heavy structures such as bridges, long‐span roofs and high‐rise buildings. However, for the particular situation of joining high‐strength steel (HSS) by fillet welds, in many cases the rules in the design codes such as EN 1993‐1‐8 [1] are inadequate because recent rules and safety margins have traditionally been developed for standard steels and then transferred to high‐strength steels.
Design of high‐strength steel reinforced concrete columns – a Eurocode 4 approach
Authors: Chiew Sing‐Ping , Cai Yan‐Qing
Published: November 2018

In Memoriam of Prof. Dr. Bernt Johansson

The current design codes for steel reinforced concrete (SRC) columns are, in general, only applicable to normal‐strength materials. In Eurocode 4, concrete grades C20/25 to C50/60 and steel grades S235 to S460 are allowed to be used in composite columns, whereas it is possible to use higher‐strength concrete (up to C90/105) in Eurocode 2 and S690 steel in Eurocode 3. In this paper, an analytical method is proposed to predict the ultimate strength of SRC columns, taking into account the effect of strain compatibility and lateral confinement. A finite element model is developed to analyse the behaviour of SRC columns under axial loading using ABAQUS. The parametric studies are conducted by varying the diameter, spacing and volumetric ratio of the lateral reinforcement and the column length. It was found that the full plastic method given in EC4 overestimated the strength of SRC columns with high‐strength steel. Nevertheless, the proposed method can predict the strength of SRC columns with concrete strengths up to 90 N/mm2 and steel strengths up to 690 N/mm2.
Model selection for wild turkey hunter success rates using small‐area estimation methods
Authors: Sheriff Steven L. , Sun Dongchu , He Zhuoqiong , Vangilder Larry D. , Isabelle Jason L.
Published: November 2018

Wildlife management agencies conduct hunter surveys to obtain information useful for making management decisions. Often these surveys are designed to collect data, such as hunter success rates, with reliable precision at statewide or regional scales. However, at finer spatial resolutions, such as at the county level, sample sizes are often small, making estimates either impossible to calculate or unreliable using traditional statistical procedures. We used Bayesian hierarchical modeling methods to overcome this small‐area estimation problem for the 1996 Missouri, USA, spring wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) hunter survey. We explored 8 potential models based on 3 general hypothesized models. These families of general models included a binomial‐beta‐gamma model, 5 variations of spatial dependency models with and without covariates, and 2 variations of models with covariates but without accounting for spatial dependency. We used Bayes factors to select among models. We selected a conditional autoregressive binomial logistic linear mixed model as the most appropriate and used the posterior predictive distributions from this model to assess its fit. This small‐area estimation model provided precise hunter success‐rate estimates at the county level even though this hunter survey was designed to provide reliable estimates at the regional‐scale. This approach provides estimates at smaller scales than are possible using traditional statistical analyses, allowing managers to identify when small‐scale management decisions are warranted. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Quality of life assessment in patients with HNF1A-MODY and GCK-MODY
Authors: Szopa Magdalena , Matejko Bartlomiej , Ucieklak Damian , Uchman Agata , Hohendorff Jerzy , Mrozińska Sandra , Głodzik Wojciech , Zapała Barbara , Płatek Teresa , Solecka Iwona , Sani Cyrus M , Małecki Maciej T.
Published: November 2018

Aim

The impact of maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) on quality of life (QoL) has never been examined. We assessed disease impact on QoL among patients with HNF1A-MODY and GCK mutation carrier status.

Methods

The study included 80 patients with HNF1A-MODY and 89 GCK gene mutation carriers. We also examined 128 type 1 diabetes (T1DM) patients for comparison. Diabetes-specific QoL was assessed using the Audit of Diabetes Dependent Quality of Life questionnaire.

Results

HNF1A-MODY and GCK-MODY groups had similar mean age (41.7 vs. 38.0 years, respectively) and BMI (24.1 vs. 24.3 kg/m2), whereas T1DM patients were on average younger (34.2 years) with similar BMI (25.0 kg/m2). Less than a third of GCK mutation carriers were on pharmacotherapy (n = 20, 31%), while the majority of HNF1A mutation carriers used oral drugs or insulin (n = 66, 82.5%). While current QoL was similar across the three groups (p = 0.66), two other major indices—the impact of diabetes on QoL and the average weighted impact (AWI)—differed among them (p < 0.001 for both comparisons). The impact of diabetes on patient QoL and AWI observed in both MODY groups was smaller than in T1DM. Etiological diagnosis of diabetes and a diagnosis of retinopathy were the only independent factors influencing the impact of diabetes on QoL and AWI in regression analysis. In HNF1A-MODY, all three major indices of QoL were more heavily influenced for patients on insulin in comparison to other treatment sub-groups.

Conclusion

MODY has a smaller negative impact on QoL compared to T1DM. Mode of treatment further stratifies QoL decline for HNF1A-MODY subjects.
A signature pattern of cortical atrophy in dementia with Lewy bodies: A study on 333 patients from the European DLB consortium
Authors: Oppedal Ketil , Ferreira Daniel , Cavallin Lena , Lemstra Afina W. , ten Kate Mara , Padovani Alessandro , Rektorova Irena , Bonanni Laura , Wahlund Lars‐Olof , Engedal Knut , Nobili Flavio , Kramberger Milica , Taylor John‐Paul , Hort Jakub , Snædal Jon , Blanc Frederic , Walker Zuzana , Antonini Angelo , Westman Eric , Aarsland Dag ,   for the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: November 2018

Introduction

We explored regional brain atrophy patterns and their clinical correlates in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB).

Methods

In this multicentre study, we included a total of 333 patients with DLB, 352 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and 233 normal controls and used medial temporal lobe atrophy, posterior atrophy, and frontal atrophy (GCA‐F) visual rating scales. Patients were classified according to four atrophy patterns.

Results

Patients with DLB had higher scores on all the three atrophy scales than normal controls but had less medial temporal lobe atrophy than those with AD (all P values < .001). A signature hippocampal‐sparing pattern of regional atrophy was observed in DLB. The magnetic resonance imaging measures showed 65% ability to discriminate between DLB and AD and marginally contributed to the discrimination over and above the core clinical features.

Discussion

The most common pattern of atrophy of DLB was hippocampal‐sparing. Future studies should explore whether comorbid AD pathology underlies the atrophy patterns seen in DLB.
Lucretius on the Nature of Parental Love
Authors: McConnell Sean
Published: November 2018

This paper outlines the full details of Lucretius’ treatment of parental love. It shows that Lucretius is faithful to Epicurus’ notorious claim that parental love is not natural: in addition to orthodox Epicurean hedonist concerns, Lucretius asserts that children do not ‘belong to’ their parents by nature; as such, even though parental love is now ubiquitous and indeed a cultural norm, there is no basis for the naturalness of parental love. This model of the relationship between parents and children does not, however, apply in the case of certain animals, who do have natural parental love for their offspring. Focussing on two famous scenes, the sacrifice of Iphigenia and the forlorn heifer seeking her sacrificed calf, the paper argues that, by highlighting the fragility of human parental love in comparison to that of the animals, Lucretius brings to his Roman readers’ attention the relative weakness of the familial ties that bond human beings together. At the same time, he emphasises the need to maintain these ties, if social and political concord, with all its benefits, is to continue. It transpires that unlocking the details of Lucretius’ treatment of parental love brings a key lesson of the poem into clearer focus.
Vitalis or Vitalinis? A Roman Grave-Marker for an Eight-Year-Old Girl
Authors: McWilliam Janette
Published: November 2018

This paper introduces a Latin funerary stele, now in the R. D. Milns Antiquities Museum at the University of Queensland, which does not appear in any of the major epigraphic collections or data bases. In doing so, this paper addresses questions pertaining to its date of manufacture and the name form of the deceased child commemorated on the tombstone. This study suggests that the date originally proposed for the memorial is too early, as it is neither Augustan nor Claudian but instead was produced in the period between the Neronian era and the second centuryad. It also offers a revision regarding the name of the eight-year-old girl commemorated on the memorial. It does this by examining the development and use ofcognominarelated to the name formVitalis,as, to date, no studies have looked at this name form in detail. It demonstrates that from the first centurybcthrough to the fourth and fifth centuriesad,Vitalis, -iswas used as a name form for both males and females. The n-inflectedVitalis, -inisthen developed as a name form for females in the Imperial period. As such, the name form originally given to the girl commemorated on the memorial needs to be corrected: she isVitalis, -inisrather thanVitalinis, -inis.
Modified Visual Magnetic Resonance Rating Scale for Evaluation of Patients with Forgetfulness
Authors: Yalciner Betul Z. , Kandemir Melek , Taskale Sencan , Tepe Savas M. , Unay Devrim
Published: November 2018

Background

As cognitive impairment increases with age, sulcal atrophy (SA) and the enlargement of the ventricles also increase. Considering the measurements on the previously proposed visual scales, a new scale is proposed in this study that allows us to evaluate the atrophy, white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), basal ganglia infarct (BGI), and infratentorial infarct (ITI) together. Our aim of this study is to propose a practical and standardized MRI for the clinicians to be used in daily practice.

Methods

A total of 97 patients older than 60 years and diagnosed with depression or Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are included. Cranial MRI, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), detailed neuropsychometric tests, and depression scales are applied to all patients. The SA, ventricular atrophy (VA), medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA), periventricular WMH (PWMH), subcortical WMH (SCWMH), BGI, and ITI are scored according to the scale. The total score is also recorded.

Results

The average age of the patients was 74.53, and the mean MMSE score was 22.7 in the degenerative group and 27.8 in the non-degenerative group. Among the patients, 50 were diagnosed with AD. All parameters significantly increased with age. In the degenerative group, SA, VA, MTA, PWMH, SCWMH, and total scores were found to be significantly higher. Sensitivities of VA, PWMH, SCWMH, and total scores, as well as both sensitivity and specificities of MTA score, were observed to be high. When they were combined, sensitivities and specificities were found to be high.

Conclusion

The scale is observed to be predictive in discriminating degenerative and non-degenerative processes. This discrimination is important, particularly in depressive patients complaining of forgetfulness.
Medical Spending for the 2001 Anthrax Letter Attacks
Authors: Zacchia Nicholas A. , Schmitt Ketra
Published: November 2018

Introduction

This paper assesses the total medical costs associated with the US anthrax letter attacks of 2001. This information can be used to inform policies, which may help mitigate the potential economic impacts of similar bioterrorist attacks.

Methods

Journal publications and news reports were reviewed to establish the number of people who were exposed, were potentially exposed, received prophylactics, and became ill. Where available, cost data from the anthrax letter attacks were used. Where data were unavailable, high, low, and best cost estimates were developed from the broader literature to create a cost model and establish economic impacts.

Results

Medical spending totaled approximately $177 million.

Conclusions

The largest expenditures stemmed from self-initiated prophylaxis (worried well): people who sought prophylactic treatment without any indication that they had been exposed to anthrax letters. This highlights an area of focus for mitigating the economic impacts of future disasters. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:539-546)
Anthrax Exposure, Belief in Exposure, and Postanthrax Symptoms Among Survivors of a Bioterrorist Attack on Capitol Hill
Authors: Chiao Stephanie , Kipen Howard , Hallman William K. , Pollio David E. , North Carol S.
Published: November 2018

Background

Following chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear disasters, medically unexplained symptoms have been observed among unexposed persons.

Objectives

This study examined belief in exposure in relation to postdisaster symptoms in a volunteer sample of 137 congressional workers after the 2001 anthrax attacks on Capitol Hill.

Methods

Postdisaster symptoms, belief in exposure, and actual exposure status were obtained through structured diagnostic interviews and self-reported presence in offices officially designated as exposed through environmental sampling. Multivariate models were tested for associations of number of postdisaster symptoms with exposure and belief in exposure, controlling for sex and use of antibiotics.

Results

The sample was divided into 3 main subgroups: exposed, 41%; unexposed but believed they were exposed, 17%; and unexposed and did not believe that they were exposed, 42%. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of the volunteers reported experiencing symptoms after the anthrax attacks. Belief in anthrax exposure was significantly associated with the number of ear/nose/throat, musculoskeletal, and all physical symptoms. No significant associations were found between anthrax exposure and the number of postdisaster symptoms.

Conclusions

Given the high incidence of these symptoms, these data suggest that even in the absence of physical injury or illness, there may be surges in health care utilization. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:555-560)
Methods of Election Manipulation and the Likelihood of Post-Election Protest
Authors: Harvey Cole J. , Mukherjee Paula
Published: November 2018

The risk of popular protest is one of the few deterrents against election manipulation in authoritarian regimes and unconsolidated democracies, but why are some fraudulent elections met with popular protest while others are not? We use data from elections in 108 countries, from 1980 to 2004, to show that the regime’s choice of election manipulation tactics affects the likelihood of post-election protest. Leaders signal their strength and resources by manipulating elections, but some manipulation tactics send stronger signals than others. We find that opposition groups are more likely to protest when relatively cheap administrative fraud is employed, but not when more costly forms of manipulation – extra-legal mobilization and voter intimidation – are used. This study demonstrates the importance of accounting for variation in electoral manipulation tactics, and the information communicated by those tactics, in explaining post-election protest and the stability of electoral authoritarian and newly democratic regimes.
A Comparative Analysis of Black Racial Group Consciousness in the United States and Britain
Authors: Laniyonu Ayobami
Published: November 2018

Extant scholarship on black politics has demonstrated the mobilizing effect that racial group consciousness can have on African American political participation. Few studies, however, test for or compare the political impact of group consciousness across national contexts. This paper presents an empirical comparison of group consciousness and its relationship with political behavior among black Americans and black Britons. Mobilizing two nationally representative surveys from the United States and Britain and a multi-dimensional measure of group consciousness, the findings presented here suggest that while elements of racial group consciousness are present among blacks in both societies, racial group consciousness is generally more prevalent and politically significant among blacks in the United States. For example, blacks in Britain are less likely to view blacks as occupying a fundamentally marginalized structural position and less likely to endorse race specific interventions that might address that marginalization. Results from regression analysis further suggest that while strong racial (rather than national) group attachment negatively affects the likelihood that blacks will vote in both countries, other elements of group consciousness are more strongly associated with participation among blacks in the United States than in Britain.
Preventive Repression: Two Types of Moral Hazard
Authors: DRAGU TIBERIU , PRZEWORSKI ADAM
Published: November 2018

Authoritarian leaders maintain their grip on power primarily through preventive repression, routinely exercised by specialized security agencies with the aim of preventing any opponents from organizing and threatening their power. We develop a formal model to analyze the moral hazard problems inherent in the principal-agent relationship between rulers and their security agents in charge of preventive repression. The model distinguishes two types of moral hazard: “politics,” through which the security agents can exert political influence to increase their payoff by decreasing the ruler’s rents from power, and “corruption,” through which the agents can increase their payoff by engaging in rent-seeking activities that do not decrease the ruler’s rents from power. The surprising conclusion is that both the ruler and the security agent are better off when the only moral hazard problem available is politics rather than when the agent can choose between politics and corruption. We also show that the equilibrium probability of ruler’s survival in power is higher when politics is the only moral hazard available to the agent. These findings lead to our central conclusion that opportunities for corruption undermine authoritarian rule by distorting the incentives of the security agencies tasked with preventing potential threats to an authoritarian ruler’s grip on power.
Does Private Regulation Preempt Public Regulation?
Authors: MALHOTRA NEIL , MONIN BENOÎT , TOMZ MICHAEL
Published: November 2018

Previous research has emphasized corporate lobbying as a pathway through which businesses influence government policy. This article examines a less-studied mode of influence: private regulation, defined as voluntary efforts by firms to restrain their own behavior. We argue that firms can use modest private regulations as a political strategy to preempt more stringent public regulations. To test this hypothesis, we administered experiments to three groups that demand environmental regulations: voters, activists, and government officials. Our experiments revealed how each group responded to voluntary environmental programs (VEPs) by firms. Relatively modest VEPs dissuaded all three groups from seeking more draconian government regulations, a finding with important implications for social welfare. We observed these effects most strongly when all companies within an industry joined the voluntary effort. Our study documents an understudied source of corporate power, while also exposing the limits of private regulation as a strategy for influencing government policy.
A Paleolithic diet lowers resistant starch intake but does not affect serum trimethylamine-N-oxide concentrations in healthy women
Authors: Genoni Angela , Lo Johnny , Lyons-Wall Philippa , Boyce Mary C. , Christophersen Claus T. , Bird Anthony , Devine Amanda
Published: November 2018

The Paleolithic diet excludes two major sources of fibre, grains and legumes. However, it is not known whether this results in changes to resistant starch (RS) consumption. Serum trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) is produced mainly from colonic fermentation and hepatic conversion of animal protein and is implicated in CVD, but changes in RS intake may alter concentrations. We aimed to determine whether intake of RS and serum concentrations of TMAO varied in response to either the Paleolithic or the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating (AGHE) diets and whether this was related to changes in food group consumption. A total of thirty-nine women (mean age 47 (sd 13) years, BMI 27 (sd 4) kg/m2) were randomised to AGHE (n 17) or Paleolithic diets (n 22) for 4 weeks. Serum TMAO concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography–MS; food groups, fibre and RS intake were estimated from weighed food records. The change in TMAO concentrations between groups (Paleolithic 3·39 μmv. AGHE 1·19 μm, P = 0·654) did not reach significance despite greater red meat and egg consumption in the Paleolithic group (0·65 serves/d; 95 % CI 0·2, 1·1; P <0·01, and 0·22 serves/d; 95 % CI 0·1, 0·4, P <0·05, respectively). RS intake was significantly lower on the Paleolithic diet (P <0·01) and was not associated with TMAO concentrations. However, the limited data for RS and the small sample size may have influenced these findings. While there were no significant changes in TMAO concentrations, increased meat consumption and reduced RS intake warrant further research to examine the markers of gastrointestinal health of Paleolithic diet followers and to update Australian food databases to include additional fibre components.
Conspiracy, Pornography, Democracy: The Recurrent Aesthetics of the American Illuminati
Authors: FRASER GORDON
Published: November 2018

This essay examines reactionary, countersubversive fictions produced in the context of two conspiracy theories in the United States: the Illuminati crisis (1798–1800) and Pizzagate (2016–17). The author suggests that both cases emblematize a pornotropic aesthetic, a racialized sadomasochism that recurs across United States culture. Building on the work of Hortense Spillers, Alexander Weheliye, Jennifer Christine Nash, and others, this essay argues that observers should understand countersubversive political reaction as an aesthetic project, a pornotropic fantasy that distorts underlying conditions of racial subjection. In the context of a resurgent far right that describes its enemies as “cuckolds” and frequently deploys the tropes of highly racialized pornography, this essay suggests that we might find the deep origins of pornographic, reactionary paranoia in the eighteenth century. It suggests, moreover, that understanding and contesting the underlying conditions of racial subjection require that scholars consider the power of pornotropic, countersubversive aesthetics to bring pleasure, to move people, and to order the world.
Gostan Forward: A Lecture Performance
Authors: D'CRUZ MARION , TEH MARK
Published: November 2018

Gostan Forward is an excavation of pioneering Malaysian contemporary dancer-choreographer Marion D'Cruz's life history. Conceived in 2009 as a solo lecture performance, it traces D'Cruz's growth as a student, dancer, choreographer and educator, revealing her choices, strategies and influences over the span of a forty-five-year dance career. The performance text published here is accompanied by an introduction from D'Cruz's collaborator and director Mark Teh.
FLORA OF NAM KADING NATIONAL PROTECTED AREA VI: DIDYMOCARPUS MIDDLETONII (GESNERIACEAE), A NEW SPECIES FROM LIMESTONE
Authors: Souvannakhoummane K. , Souladeth P. , Tagane S. , Yang C.-J. , Yahara T.
Published: November 2018

Didymocarpus middletonii Souvann., Soulad. & Tagane, a new species of Gesneriaceae from Nam Kading National Protected Area, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to Didymocarpus brevicalyx, D. formosus and D. puhoatensis but distinguished from the three by its fewer-flowered inflorescence, longer pedicel, and urceolate and multicellular eglandular hairy calyx. Based on the latest IUCN criteria, Didymocarpus middletonii is proposed to be Critically Endangered (CR). Our record of Didymocarpus represents a new genus record for the flora of Laos.
Recent Preferential Trade Agreements’ Disciplines for Tackling Regulatory Divergence in Services: How Far beyond GATS?
Authors: Gari Gabriel
Published: November 2018

The paper reviews the disciplines for tackling regulatory divergence in services included in 23 PTAs entered into by China, the EU, Japan, and the USA. It identifies a remarkable expansion in the number and extent of disciplines on regulatory transparency, regulatory coherence, and regulatory cooperation compared with GATS, which, subject to adequate implementation, will allow these agreements to deliver a degree of market integration well beyond what could be achieved simply by removing market access restrictions and discriminatory measures from the rule book. However, the paper calls for some restraint when estimating the potential impact of these disciplines, mainly because of the soft language used for phrasing some of them and the anticipated high implementation costs, particularly for countries with unsophisticated domestic legal systems.
BEYOND ENDOSCOPY VIA THE TRACE FORMULA – III THE STANDARD REPRESENTATION
Authors: Altuğ S. Ali
Published: November 2018

We finalize the analysis of the trace formula initiated in S. A. Altuğ [Beyond endoscopy via the trace formula-I: Poisson summation and isolation of special representations, Compos. Math.151(10) (2015), 1791–1820] and developed in S. A. Altuğ [Beyond endoscopy via the trace formula-II: asymptotic expansions of Fourier transforms and bounds toward the Ramanujan conjecture. Submitted, preprint, 2015, Available at: arXiv:1506.08911.pdf], and calculate the asymptotic expansion of the beyond endoscopic averages for the standard $L$-functions attached to weight $k\geqslant 3$ cusp forms on $\mathit{GL}(2)$ (cf. Theorem 1.1). This, in particular, constitutes the first example of beyond endoscopy executed via the Arthur–Selberg trace formula, as originally proposed in R. P. Langlands [Beyond endoscopy, in Contributions to Automorphic Forms, Geometry, and Number Theory, pp. 611–698 (The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD, 2004), chapter 22]. As an application we also give a new proof of the analytic continuation of the $L$-function attached to Ramanujan’s $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E5}$-function.
FUJITA DECOMPOSITION AND HODGE LOCI
Authors: Frediani Paola , Ghigi Alessandro , Pirola Gian Pietro
Published: November 2018

This paper contains two results on Hodge loci in$\mathsf{M}_{g}$. The first concerns fibrations over curves with a non-trivial flat part in the Fujita decomposition. If local Torelli theorem holds for the fibers and the fibration is non-trivial, an appropriate exterior power of the cohomology of the fiber admits a Hodge substructure. In the case of curves it follows that the moduli image of the fiber is contained in a proper Hodge locus. The second result deals with divisors in$\mathsf{M}_{g}$. It is proved that the image under the period map of a divisor in$\mathsf{M}_{g}$is not contained in a proper totally geodesic subvariety of$\mathsf{A}_{g}$. It follows that a Hodge locus in$\mathsf{M}_{g}$has codimension at least 2.
Plasmaspheric Hiss: Coherent and Intense
Authors: Tsurutani Bruce T. , Park Sang A. , Falkowski Barbara J. , Lakhina Gurbax S. , Pickett Jolene S. , Bortnik Jacob , Hospodarsky George , Santolik Ondrej , Parrot Michel , Henri Pierre , Hajra Rajkumar
Published: November 2018

Intense ~300‐Hz to 1.0‐kHz plasmaspheric hiss was studied using Polar plasma wave data. It is found that the waves are coherent in all local time sectors with the wave coherency occurring in approximately three‐ to five‐wave cycle packets. The plasmaspheric hiss in the dawn and local noon time sector are found to be substorm (AE*) and storm (SYM‐H*) dependent. The local noon sector is also solar wind pressure dependent. It is suggested that coherent chorus monochromatic subelements enter the plasmasphere (as previously suggested by ray tracing models) to explain these plasmaspheric hiss features. The presence of intense, coherent plasmaspheric hiss in the local dusk and local midnight time sectors is surprising and more difficult to explain. For the dusk sector waves, either local in situ plasmaspheric wave generation or propagation from the dayside plasmasphere is possible. There is little evidence to support substorm generation of the midnight sector plasmaspheric hiss found in this study. One possible explanation is propagation from the local noon sector. The combination of high wave intensity and coherency at all local times strengthens the suggestion that the electron slot is formed during substorm intervals instead of during geomagnetic quiet (by incoherent waves). Plasmaspheric hiss is found to propagate at all angles relative to the ambient magnetic field, θkB. Circular, elliptical, and linear polarized plasmaspheric hiss have been detected. No obvious, strong relationship between the wave polarization and θkB was found. This information of hiss properties should be useful in modeling wave‐particle interactions within the plasmasphere.
Skillful Subseasonal Forecasts of Weekly Tornado and Hail Activity Using the Madden‐Julian Oscillation
Authors: Baggett Cory F. , Nardi Kyle M. , Childs Samuel J. , Zito Samantha N. , Barnes Elizabeth A. , Maloney Eric D.
Published: November 2018

In the United States, severe weather poses a threat to society, producing tornadoes and hail that can result in hundreds of casualties and billions of dollars in damages. Fortunately, skillful predictions of severe weather for short lead times of 0–8 days and longer lead times exceeding 1 month have been realized. However, this leaves a forecast gap at subseasonal to seasonal lead times of 2–5 weeks, when early‐action decision making by stakeholders is typically made. Here we develop an empirical prediction model that fills this gap during March–June when severe weather is most prevalent across the United States. We demonstrate skillful weekly forecasts of opportunity with lead times of 2–5 weeks of environmental parameters favorable to severe weather, as well as actual tornado and hail activity. To attain this skill, we use as a predictor the current state of active phases of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation, known to have physical teleconnections with future weather over the United States. The model has significant skill in regions such as the Plains and the Southeast, providing stakeholders with valuable extended forewarning.
Thermal Attenuation and Lag Time in Fractured Rock: Theory and Field Measurements From Joint Heat and Solute Tracer Tests
Authors: de La Bernardie J. , Bour O. , Le Borgne T. , Guihéneuf N. , Chatton E. , Labasque T. , Le Lay H. , Gerard M.‐F.
Published: November 2018

The modeling and prediction of heat transfer in fractured media is particularly challenging as hydraulic and transport properties depend on a multiscale structure that is difficult to resolve. In addition to advection and dispersion, heat transfer is also impacted by thermal attenuation and lag time, which results from fracture‐matrix thermal exchanges. Here we derive analytical expressions for thermal lag time and attenuation coefficient in fractured media, which quantify the effect of fracture geometry on these key factors. We use the developed expressions to interpret the results of single‐well thermal and solute tracer tests performed in a crystalline rock aquifer at the experimental site of Ploemeur (H+ observatory network). Thermal breakthrough was monitored with fiber‐optic distributed temperature sensing (FO‐DTS), which allows temperature monitoring at high spatial and temporal resolution. The observed thermal response departs from the conventional parallel plate fracture model but is consistent with a channel model representing highly channelized fracture flow. These findings, which point to a strong reduction of fracture‐matrix exchange by flow channeling, show the impact of fracture geometry on heat recovery in geothermal systems. This study also highlights the advantages to conduct both thermal and solute tracer tests to infer fracture aperture and geometry.
Aberrant ARID5B expression and its association with Ikaros dysfunction in acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Ge Zheng , Han Qi , Gu Yan , Ge Qinyu , Ma Jinlong , Sloane Justin , Gao Guofeng , Payne Kimberly J. , Szekely Laszlo , Song Chunhua , Dovat Sinisa
Published: November 2018

Mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms of AT-rich interactive domain-containing protein 5B (ARID5B) are involved in the oncogenesis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and treatment outcomes. However, ARID5B expression and clinical significance in ALL remain unclear. We foundARID5Bis significantly down-regulated in ALL compared to healthy bone marrow controls. ARID5B also interacts with PHD finger protein 2 (PHF2). Low expression ofARID5B(ARID5Blow) orARID5BandPHF2(ARID5BlowPHF2low) is correlated with the markers of cell proliferation and poor prognosis in ALL patients. Ikaros directly regulates ARID5B expression in ALL. Restoring Ikaros function by Casein Kinase II inhibition also promotes ARID5B expression through recruitment of trimethylation of lysine 4 on histone H3 (H3K4me3) at its promoter region. In summary, our data show that aberrant expression of ARID5B and PHF2 is related to leukemic cell proliferation and several poor prognostic markers. Our data indicate ARID5Blowexpression, particularly ARID5BlowPHF2lowexpression, is linked to Ikaros dysfunction and involved in the oncogenic effect of high-risk ALL, which may represent a high-risk subgroup of ALL.
Demographic histories and genetic diversity across pinnipeds are shaped by human exploitation, ecology and life-history
Authors: Stoffel M. A. , Humble E. , Paijmans A. J. , Acevedo-Whitehouse K. , Chilvers B. L. , Dickerson B. , Galimberti F. , Gemmell N. J. , Goldsworthy S. D. , Nichols H. J. , Krüger O. , Negro S. , Osborne A. , Pastor T. , Robertson B. C. , Sanvito S. , Schultz J. K. , Shafer A. B. A. , Wolf J. B. W. , Hoffman J. I.
Published: November 2018

A central paradigm in conservation biology is that population bottlenecks reduce genetic diversity and population viability. In an era of biodiversity loss and climate change, understanding the determinants and consequences of bottlenecks is therefore an important challenge. However, as most studies focus on single species, the multitude of potential drivers and the consequences of bottlenecks remain elusive. Here, we combined genetic data from over 11,000 individuals of 30 pinniped species with demographic, ecological and life history data to evaluate the consequences of commercial exploitation by 18th and 19th century sealers. We show that around one third of these species exhibit strong signatures of recent population declines. Bottleneck strength is associated with breeding habitat and mating system variation, and together with global abundance explains much of the variation in genetic diversity across species. Overall, bottleneck intensity is unrelated to IUCN status, although the three most heavily bottlenecked species are endangered. Our study reveals an unforeseen interplay between human exploitation, animal biology, demographic declines and genetic diversity.
A hPSC-based platform to discover gene-environment interactions that impact human β-cell and dopamine neuron survival
Authors: Zhou Ting , Kim Tae Wan , Chong Chi Nok , Tan Lei , Amin Sadaf , Sadat Badieyan Zohreh , Mukherjee Suranjit , Ghazizadeh Zaniar , Zeng Hui , Guo Min , Crespo Miguel , Zhang Tuo , Kenyon Reyn , Robinson Christopher L. , Apostolou Effie , Wang Hui , Xiang Jenny Zhaoying , Evans Todd , Studer Lorenz , Chen Shuibing
Published: November 2018

Common disorders, including diabetes and Parkinson’s disease, are caused by a combination of environmental factors and genetic susceptibility. However, defining the mechanisms underlying gene-environment interactions has been challenging due to the lack of a suitable experimental platform. Using pancreatic β-like cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), we discovered that a commonly used pesticide, propargite, induces pancreatic β-cell death, a pathological hallmark of diabetes. Screening a panel of diverse hPSC-derived cell types we extended this observation to a similar susceptibility in midbrain dopamine neurons, a cell type affected in Parkinson’s disease. We assessed gene-environment interactions using isogenic hPSC lines for genetic variants associated with diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. We found GSTT1−/− pancreatic β-like cells and dopamine neurons were both hypersensitive to propargite-induced cell death. Our study identifies an environmental chemical that contributes to human β-cell and dopamine neuron loss and validates a novel hPSC-based platform for determining gene-environment interactions.
Optogenetic dissection of Rac1 and Cdc42 gradient shaping
Authors: de Beco S. , Vaidžiulytė K. , Manzi J. , Dalier F. , di Federico F. , Cornilleau G. , Dahan M. , Coppey M.
Published: November 2018

During cell migration, Rho GTPases spontaneously form spatial gradients that define the front and back of cells. At the front, active Cdc42 forms a steep gradient whereas active Rac1 forms a more extended pattern peaking a few microns away. What are the mechanisms shaping these gradients, and what is the functional role of the shape of these gradients? Here we report, using a combination of optogenetics and micropatterning, that Cdc42 and Rac1 gradients are set by spatial patterns of activators and deactivators and not directly by transport mechanisms. Cdc42 simply follows the distribution of Guanine nucleotide Exchange Factors, whereas Rac1 shaping requires the activity of a GTPase-Activating Protein, β2-chimaerin, which is sharply localized at the tip of the cell through feedbacks from Cdc42 and Rac1. Functionally, the spatial extent of Rho GTPases gradients governs cell migration, a sharp Cdc42 gradient maximizes directionality while an extended Rac1 gradient controls the speed.
Serotonin signals through a gut-liver axis to regulate hepatic steatosis
Authors: Choi Wonsuk , Namkung Jun , Hwang Inseon , Kim Hyeongseok , Lim Ajin , Park Hye Jung , Lee Hye Won , Han Kwang-Hyub , Park Seongyeol , Jeong Ji-Seon , Bang Geul , Kim Young Hwan , Yadav Vijay K. , Karsenty Gerard , Ju Young Seok , Choi Chan , Suh Jae Myoung , Park Jun Yong , Park Sangkyu , Kim Hail
Published: November 2018

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing in worldwide prevalence, closely tracking the obesity epidemic, but specific pharmaceutical treatments for NAFLD are lacking. Defining the key molecular pathways underlying the pathogenesis of NAFLD is essential for developing new drugs. Here we demonstrate that inhibition of gut-derived serotonin synthesis ameliorates hepatic steatosis through a reduction in liver serotonin receptor 2A (HTR2A) signaling. Local serotonin concentrations in the portal blood, which can directly travel to and affect the liver, are selectively increased by high-fat diet (HFD) feeding in mice. Both gut-specific Tph1 knockout mice and liver-specific Htr2a knockout mice are resistant to HFD-induced hepatic steatosis, without affecting systemic energy homeostasis. Moreover, selective HTR2A antagonist treatment prevents HFD-induced hepatic steatosis. Thus, the gut TPH1-liver HTR2A axis shows promise as a drug target to ameliorate NAFLD with minimal systemic metabolic effects.
Systematic review of association between critical errors in inhalation and health outcomes in asthma and COPD
Authors: Kocks Janwillem W. H. , Chrystyn Henry , van der Palen Job , Thomas Mike , Yates Louisa , Landis Sarah H. , Driessen Maurice T. , Gokhale Mugdha , Sharma Raj , Molimard Mathieu
Published: November 2018

Inhaled medications are the cornerstone of treatment and management of asthma and COPD. However, inhaler device errors are common among patients and have been linked with reduced symptom control, an increased risk of exacerbations, and increased healthcare utilisation. These observations have prompted GINA (Global INitiative for Asthma) and GOLD (Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) to recommend regular assessment of inhaler technique in a bid to improve therapeutic outcomes. To better define the relationship between device errors and health outcomes (clinical outcomes, quality of life, and healthcare utilisation) in asthma and COPD, we conducted a systematic review of the literature, with a particular focus on the methods used to assess the relationship between device errors and outcomes. Sixteen studies were identified (12 in patients with asthma, one in patients with COPD, and three in both asthma and COPD) with varying study designs, endpoints, and patient populations. Most of the studies reported that inhalation errors were associated with worse disease outcomes in patients with asthma or COPD. Patients who had a reduction in errors over time had improved outcomes. These findings suggest that time invested by healthcare professionals is vital to improving inhalation technique in asthma and COPD patients to improve health outcomes.
Computational Imaging Prediction of Starburst-Effect Diffraction Spikes
Authors: Lendermann Markus , Tan Joel Shi Quan , Koh Jin Ming , Cheong Kang Hao
Published: November 2018

When imaging bright light sources, rays of light emanating from their centres are commonly observed; this ubiquitous phenomenon is known as the starburst effect. The prediction and characterization of starburst patterns formed by extended sources have been neglected to date. In the present study, we propose a novel trichromatic computational framework to calculate the image of a scene viewed through an imaging system with arbitrary focus and aperture geometry. Diffractive light transport, imaging sensor behaviour, and implicit image adjustments typical in modern imaging equipment are modelled. Characterization methods for key optical parameters of imaging systems are also examined. Extensive comparisons between theoretical and experimental results reveal excellent prediction quality for both focused and defocused systems.
Skyrmionium – high velocity without the skyrmion Hall effect
Authors: Kolesnikov Alexander G. , Stebliy Maksim E. , Samardak Alexander S. , Ognev Alexey V.
Published: November 2018

The lateral motion of a magnetic skyrmion, arising because of the skyrmion Hall effect, imposes a number of restrictions on the use of this spin state in the racetrack memory. A skyrmionium is a more promising spin texture for memory applications, since it has zero total topological charge and propagates strictly along a nanotrack. Here, the stability of the skyrmionium, as well as the dependence of its size on the magnetic parameters, such as the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, are studied by means of micromagnetic simulations. We propose an advanced method for the skyrmionium nucleation due to a local enhancement of the spin Hall effect. The stability of the skyrmionium being in motion under the action of the spin polarized current is analyzed.
Surface mechanomyography and electromyography provide non-invasive indices of inspiratory muscle force and activation in healthy subjects
Authors: Lozano-García Manuel , Sarlabous Leonardo , Moxham John , Rafferty Gerrard F. , Torres Abel , Jané Raimon , Jolley Caroline J.
Published: November 2018

The current gold standard assessment of human inspiratory muscle function involves using invasive measures of transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) or crural diaphragm electromyography (oesEMGdi). Mechanomyography is a non-invasive measure of muscle vibration associated with muscle contraction. Surface electromyogram and mechanomyogram, recorded transcutaneously using sensors placed over the lower intercostal spaces (sEMGlic and sMMGlic respectively), have been proposed to provide non-invasive indices of inspiratory muscle activation, but have not been directly compared to gold standard Pdi and oesEMGdi measures during voluntary respiratory manoeuvres. To validate the non-invasive techniques, the relationships between Pdi and sMMGlic, and between oesEMGdi and sEMGlic were measured simultaneously in 12 healthy subjects during an incremental inspiratory threshold loading protocol. Myographic signals were analysed using fixed sample entropy (fSampEn), which is less influenced by cardiac artefacts than conventional root mean square. Strong correlations were observed between: mean Pdi and mean fSampEn |sMMGlic| (left, 0.76; right, 0.81), the time-integrals of the Pdi and fSampEn |sMMGlic| (left, 0.78; right, 0.83), and mean fSampEn oesEMGdi and mean fSampEn sEMGlic (left, 0.84; right, 0.83). These findings suggest that sMMGlic and sEMGlic could provide useful non-invasive alternatives to Pdi and oesEMGdi for the assessment of inspiratory muscle function in health and disease.