bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Much ado about extremes: An experimental test of the shaping effect of prices on preferences
Authors: Beraldo Sergio , Filoso Valerio , Stimolo Marco
Published: November 2018

There is evidence of a shaping effect of market prices on subjects’ evaluations in repeated private value auctions. This evidence has been traditionally interpreted as a pure behavioural phenomenon in contexts where the only available information is the market price. In this paper, we enrich the subjects’ information set by providing in treatment groups additional information on extreme asks. Our main results show a shaping effect both in the control and in the treatments and a stronger effect of the extreme information that more than halves the effect of the market price on subjects’ asks. Differently from the existing literature, we find that the provision of additional information inactivates the well‐documented tendency of the market price to fall at each auction round as a consequence of over‐asking correction. We discuss different possible mechanisms underlying this key finding.
Herman Bavinck’s ‘Yes’ and Karl Barth’s ‘No’: Constructing a Dialectic‐in‐Organic Approach to the Theology of General Revelation
Authors: Xu Ximian
Published: November 2018

By grounding theology in God’s revelation, Herman Bavinck (1854‐1921) and Karl Barth (1886‐1968) take differing attitudes to general revelation, which is widely accepted in the circle of Reformed theology. Bavinck firmly says ‘Yes’ to the existence of the knowledge of God in creation. In contrast with him, Barth holds fast to the Christocentric view of God’s revelation, and thus says ‘No’ to general revelation in the universe. This divergence is primarily due to their different theological thinking and concerns. Bavinck deploys organic thinking in revelation and focuses on God’s creation, which seems to blur the distinction between general and special revelation. By contrast, Barth makes use of dialectical thinking and preoccupies himself with divine‐human reconciliation, which subordinates creation to God’s redemption. To this extent, both bring about disparities within God’s revelation. This essay proposes a dialectic‐in‐organic approach to general revelation, which affirms the disclosure of the knowledge of the Triune God in creation, recognises the independent value of creation, and maintains the diversity‐with‐parity within the revelation of the Triune God.
Bad news: Families’ experiences and feelings surrounding the diagnosis of Zika‐related microcephaly
Authors: Vale Paulo Roberto Lima Falcão do , Cerqueira Sheila , Santos Hudson P. , Black Beth P. , Carvalho Evanilda Souza de Santana
Published: November 2018

The rapidly increasing number of cases of Zika virus and limited understanding of its congenital sequelae (e.g., microcephaly) led to stories of fear and uncertainty across social media and other mass communication networks. In this study, we used techniques generic to netnography, a form of ethnography, using Internet‐based computer‐mediated communications as a source of data to understand the experience and perceptions of families with infants diagnosed with Zika‐related microcephaly. We screened 27 YouTube™ videos published online between October 2015 and July 2016, during which the Zika epidemic started, peaked, and declined. We identified three themes: (a) experiencing the news of a diagnosis of Zika‐associated microcephaly; (b) experiencing feelings and expectations of the ‘imperfect’ child; and (c) seeking to understand microcephaly to care for the child. We found that families experienced distressing feelings of shock, sadness, hopelessness, and pain, while dealing with emerging and sometimes conflicting information being transmitted by news outlets, uncertainty about the child's health, and healthcare providers’ lack of clarity to guide the family members. The ‘unknown’ factor of ZIKA was an additional stressful factor in the experience of the families.
Fiscal Rules and Financial Systems: Complements or Substitutes?
Authors: Fernández Juan Gabriel , Parro Francisco
Published: November 2018

We study the effect of fiscal rules on a country's credit rating and their interaction with financial development. We build a rich set of panel data, which includes a novel index for the strength of fiscal rules. We find a positive and significant effect of fiscal rules on sovereign ratings. We also find that this effect is attenuated in economies with a more developed domestic financial system. Therefore, financial markets act as a substitute for fiscal rules in lowering the default risk assessed by credit rating agencies. This substitution effect between fiscal rules and financial development is mostly triggered through the monitoring and enforcement dimension of fiscal rules.
Parametric Identification of Multiplicative Exponential Heteroscedasticity
Authors: Carlson Alyssa
Published: November 2018

Harvey () first proposed multiplicative exponential heteroscedasticity in the context of linear regression. These days it is more commonly seen in latent variable models such as Probit or Logit where correctly modelling the heteroscedasticity is imperative for consistent parameter estimates (Yatchew and Griliches, ). However, it appears the literature lacks a formal proof of point identification for the parametric model. This paper presents several examples that show the conditions presumed throughout the literature are not sufficient for identification. As a contribution, this paper discusses when identification can and cannot be easily obtained and provides proofs of point identification in common specifications.
Sedation effects of intranasal dexmedetomidine combined with ketamine and risk factors for sedation failure in young children during transthoracic echocardiography
Authors: Liu Jianxia , Du Min , Liu Lu , Cao Fei , Xu Ying
Published: November 2018

Background

Sedation is often required for young children during transthoracic echocardiography. Dexmedetomidine and ketamine are two sedatives that are commonly used in children for procedural sedation, but they have some disadvantages when they are used alone.

Aims

The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the effects and safety of intranasal sedation with a combination of dexmedetomidine and ketamine during transthoracic echocardiography in young children and to analyze risk factors for sedation failure.

Methods

After IRB approval, we retrospectively evaluated data on patients who underwent echocardiography between May 2016 and August 2017 utilizing a combination of dexmedetomidine 2 μg/kg and ketamine 1 mg/kg. We collected information including heart rate, pulse oxygen saturation, sedation onset time, exam time, recovery time, and adverse reactions. Stepwise logistic regression analyses were performed to analyze the risk factors for sedation failure.

Results

Sedation was successful in 2212 patients (96%) and took effect in 15.7 (IQR: 10‐23) min, while sedation failed in 92 patients. Cyanotic heart disease, history of sedation failure, history of congenital heart disease surgery, and fever were independent risk factors for sedation failure. Most of the patients in this study had an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade of II to III, but no severe adverse reactions were observed.

Conclusion

Intranasal sedation with a combination of dexmedetomidine and ketamine is effective and appears to have an acceptable safety profile for young children during transthoracic echocardiography.
Isolation of amaranthin synthetase from Chenopodium quinoa and construction of an amaranthin production system using suspension‐cultured tobacco BY‐2 cells
Authors: Imamura Tomohiro , Isozumi Noriyoshi , Higashimura Yasuki , Miyazato Akio , Mizukoshi Hiroharu , Ohki Shinya , Mori Masashi
Published: November 2018

Betalains are plant pigments primarily produced by plants of the order Caryophyllales. Because betalain possesses anti‐inflammatory and anticancer activities, it may be useful as a pharmaceutical agent and dietary supplement. Recent studies have identified the genes involved in the betalain biosynthesis of betanin. Amaranthin and celosianin II are abundant in the quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) hypocotyl, and amaranthin comprises glucuronic acid bound to betanin; therefore, this suggests the existence of a glucuronyltransferase involved in the synthesis of amaranthin in the quinoa hypocotyl. To identify the gene involved in amaranthin biosynthesis, we performed a BLAST analysis and phylogenetic tree analysis based on sequences homologous to flavonoid glycosyltransferase, followed by expression analysis on the quinoa hypocotyl to obtain three candidate proteins. Production of amaranthin in a transient Nicotiana benthamiana expression system was evaluated for these candidates and one was identified as having the ability to produce amaranthin. The gene encoding this protein was quinoa amaranthin synthetase 1 (CqAmaSy1). We also created a transgenic tobacco bright yellow‐2 (BY‐2) cell line wherein four betalain biosynthesis genes were introduced to facilitate amaranthin production. This transgenic cell line produced 13.67 ± 4.13 μm (mean ± SEM) amaranthin and 26.60 ± 1.53 μm betanin, whereas the production of isoamaranthin and isobetanin could not be detected. Tests confirmed the ability of amaranthin and betanin to slightly suppress cancer cell viability. Furthermore, amaranthin was shown to significantly inhibit HIV‐1 protease activity, whereas betanin did not.
On Different Sides: Investigating the Persuasive Effects of Anger Expression in Political News Messages
Authors: Van ’t Riet Jonathan , Schaap Gabi , Kleemans Mariska , Veling Harm , Lecheler Sophie
Published: November 2018

Anger expression is increasingly prevalent in political news messages. However, the persuasive effects of expressing anger in a political context have received scant attention from researchers. We conducted two experiments to investigate the hypothesis that anger expression is detrimental to persuasion because it runs counter to well‐established social norms for the polite expression of opinions. We created political news messages including a persuasive appeal by a politician that was supported either with an expression of anger or with an expression of nonemotional disagreement. The results of Experiment 1 (N = 120) showed that anger messages were perceived as less appropriate than control messages, and that politicians expressing anger were perceived as less likable and less competent than politicians who disagreed in nonemotional terms. In Experiment 2 (N = 1,005), the negative effects of anger expression on perceived likability and competence were replicated. Also in line with Experiment 1, anger messages were perceived as less appropriate, but this time only for those with negative a priori attitudes toward the advocated position. In contrast, those with positive a priori positions toward the advocated position perceived anger messages as more appropriate than the control messages.
Representative Legislatures, Grammars of Political Representation, and the Generality of Statutes
Authors: Tsarapatsanis Dimitris
Published: November 2018

This article explores the claim that representative legislatures should create general legal norms. After distinguishing the requirement that statutes be general from the broader rule‐of‐law idea that law be general, I concentrate on the French constitutional tradition to argue that the plausibility of the claim turns on the elucidation of a set of social norms and understandings about the proper role of representative legislatures mediating between abstract ideals of the common good and local practices. I call these norms grammars. The article then briefly compares the French “Sieyèsian” with the US “Madisonian” grammar of political representation regarding the issue of the generality of statutes and concludes with a plea for an in‐depth comparative investigation into different such grammars.
Preliminary ruling on the compatibility of taxation of superstores with the right to freedom of establishment and State aid law: Case C‐233/16, ANGED
Authors: de Sadeleer Nicolas
Published: November 2018

Environmental protection measures and the rules on the internal market enshrined in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union are likely to be at odds with one another. For instance, the freedom of establishment is likely to limit the regulatory tax sovereignty of Member States. The case under review raises some critical issues regarding the validity of environmental taxes on large retail establishments in light of the freedom of establishment and State aid rules.
Political Rhetoric Through the Lens of Non-Parametric Statistics: are Our Legislators that Different?
Authors: Iliev Iliyan R. , Huang Xin , Gel Yulia R.
Published: November 2018

We present a novel statistical analysis of legislative rhetoric in the US Senate that sheds a light on hidden patterns in the behaviour of Senators as a function of their time in office. Using natural language processing, we create a novel comprehensive data set based on the speeches of all Senators who served on the US Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources in 2001–2011. We develop a new measure of congressional speech, based on Senators’ attitudes towards the dominant energy interests. To evaluate intrinsically dynamic formation of groups among Senators, we adopt a model-free unsupervised space–time data mining algorithm that has been proposed in the context of tracking dynamic clusters in environmental georeferenced data streams. Our approach based on a two-stage hybrid supervised–unsupervised learning methodology is innovative and data driven and transcends conventional disciplinary borders. We discover that legislators become much more alike after the first few years of their term, regardless of their partisanship and campaign promises.
Effect of CTLA4‐Ig (abatacept) treatment on T cells and B cells in peripheral blood of patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis
Authors: Tang Quan , Ramsköld Daniel , Krystufkova Olga , Mann Herman F. , Wick Cecilia , Dastmalchi Maryam , Lakshmikanth Tadepally , Chen Yang , Mikes Jaromir , Alexanderson Helene , Achour Adnane , Brodin Petter , Vencovsky Jiri , Lundberg Ingrid E. , Malmström Vivianne
Published: November 2018

We aimed to evaluate in vivo effects of abatacept on phenotypes of T and B cells in the circulation of myositis patients in a sub‐study of the ARTEMIS trial. Twelve patients with paired frozen PBMCs before and after 6‐month abatacept treatment were included in this sub‐study where mass cytometry (CyTOF) was chosen as a technology to be tested for its utility in a real‐life clinical immune monitoring setting. Using CyTOF, the peripheral T cell phenotypes demonstrated considerable variation over time and between individuals precluding the identification of treatment‐specific changes. We therefore conclude that studies of patient cohorts displaying wide clinical heterogeneity using mass cytometry must be relatively large in order to be suited for discovery research and immune monitoring. Still, we did find some correlations with functional muscle outcome, namely positive correlations between the ratio of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells (CD4/CD8) in peripheral blood samples both at baseline and after treatment with muscle endurance improvement as assessed by the functional index‐2 (FI‐2) test. Our data suggest that the CD4/CD8 ratio in circulation at time of active disease may be a predictor of treatment efficacy in myositis patients.
Incremental clinical utility of continuous performance tests in childhoodADHD– an evidence‐based assessment approach
Authors: Tallberg Pia , Råstam Maria , Wenhov Lena , Eliasson Glen , Gustafsson Peik
Published: November 2018

Despite extensive research on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), there are still uncertainties regarding the clinical utility of differentADHDassessment methods. This study aimed to examine the incremental clinical utility of Conners’ continuous performance test (CPT)IIand QbTest in diagnostic assessments and treatment monitoring of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Retrospective data from child and adolescent psychiatric records of two populations were studied. The diagnostic clinical utility of Conners’CPT IIand QbTest was analysed using receiver operator characteristics (ROC) and post‐test probability in 80 children with and 38 withoutADHD. Dose titrations of central stimulants in 56 children withADHDwere evaluated using QbTest and the Swanson, Nolan, Pelham, versionIV(SNAP‐IV) scale. Conners’CPT II, but not QbTest, had incremental clinical utility in diagnostic assessment of children withADHDwhen teacher and parent ratings were inconclusive. QbTest proved useful in titration of central stimulant treatment when parent ratings were inconclusive. Continuous performance tests were found to be clinically useful when rating scales were inconclusive.
Veteran Preferences for the Caring Contacts Suicide Prevention Intervention
Authors: Reger Mark A. , Gebhardt Heather M. , Lee Jacob M. , Ammerman Brooke A. , Tucker Raymond P. , Matarazzo Bridget B. , Wood Amanda E. , Ruskin David A.
Published: November 2018

Objective

The Caring Contacts intervention has been implemented with a variety of methodologies. The purpose of this study was to examine high‐risk inpatient preferences for the Caring Contacts intervention.

Method

Veteran psychiatric inpatients (N = 154) completed an anonymous patient preferences survey to obtain feedback on Caring Contact methods such as message wording, preferred correspondent, frequency of contact, duration of the intervention, imagery, and mailing modality.

Results

Eighty‐five percent of veterans Agreed or Strongly Agreed that they would like to receive Caring Contacts from at least one of the correspondent options, with inpatient or outpatient mental health counselor, or primary care physician most preferred. Example messages based on prior studies were overwhelmingly rated as caring and helpful; 84% believed that Caring Contacts could help suicidal individuals. Letters or postcards sent through postal mail were preferred over e‐mail or text messages. Participants most commonly thought Caring Contacts should be sent monthly for a period of a year.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that most high‐risk veterans would perceive Caring Contacts as helpful and caring. The results provide several practical, helpful tips for programs seeking to establish a Caring Contacts program.
Effects of biochar and slurry application as well as drying and rewetting on soil macro‐aggregate formation in agricultural silty loam soils
Authors: Grunwald D. , Kaiser M. , Piepho H.‐P. , Koch H.‐J. , Rauber R. , Ludwig B.
Published: November 2018

Biochar application in combination with slurry might be an option to increase aggregate formation and organic carbon (OC) sequestration in agricultural soil. However, to assess the value of these management options for improving soil structure more precisely, naturally occurring effects of changing moisture on soil aggregation and feedbacks on organic matter (OM) decomposition need to be addressed. Therefore, we aimed to quantify the effects of biochar or slurry application on the amount of OC associated with macro‐aggregates and OM decomposition under different moisture conditions. Four silty loam sites in Germany were sampled, and the soil macro‐aggregates were crushed. We added biochar (53–250 μm) and slurry individually and in combination at two rates before incubating the samples under changing moisture conditions for 60 days. As well as monitoring CO2 fluxes, samples were analyzed for microbial biomass carbon, macro‐aggregate yields and macro‐aggregate‐associated OC. Biochar application decreased macro‐aggregate yields by 50–70%. However, the macro‐aggregate‐associated OC of treatments with biochar was similar to or greater than in treatments without, indicating biochar incorporation into these fractions. This was especially pronounced for biochar treatments with large volumes of slurry. Thus, slurry seems to promote the formation of biochar–mineral interactions. Drying and rewetting decreased macro‐aggregate yields and associated OC, being most pronounced for samples with biochar and slurry. In contrast to slurry, biochar typically did not increase macro‐aggregate formation. However, the combination with slurry could further enhance the suitability of biochar for carbon sequestration, although this might be less pronounced in soils experiencing frequent drying‐wetting cycles.
Germination characteristics of Sagittaria trifolia
Authors: Ozaki Yufuko , Shimono Yoshiko , Tominaga Tohru
Published: November 2018

Sagittaria trifolia is a noxious paddy weed in East Asia. This weed propagates both sexually and asexually. Information on the role of sexual reproduction in the spread of herbicide‐resistant gene(s) and control of S. trifolia is important. Therefore, effects of oxygen, light, and temperature on the germination; germination percentages of fresh and stored seeds; and seed dormancy cycles were clarified. Seeds of S. trifolia require hypoxia and light with temperatures above 30/20°C for germination. Germination percentages increased after 1 month of storage on the soil surface. Germination percentages at 35/25°C for seeds submerged in the summer (simulating a well‐drained paddy during winter) and year round (simulating a poorly drained paddy) for 5 months and exhumed on April 7 were 84.7 and 94.4%, respectively, and decreased gradually to 41.3 and 40.0%, respectively, on June 2 (7 months burial). Germination percentages increased again and reached 63.7 and 94.0%, respectively, on July 25 (9 months burial). Seeds that form in summer germinate quickly at high temperatures, and the seedlings form tubers before winter. Thus, once herbicide‐resistant individuals emerge, the resistant gene or genes is/are easily distributed and fixed in the next generation. Autumn plowing and/or the spraying of herbicides is/are effective for controlling this weed.
Liquid Fuel Property Effects on Lean Blowout in an Aircraft Relevant Combustor
Authors: Rock Nicholas , Chterev Ianko , Emerson Benjamin , Won Sang Hee , Seitzman Jerry , Lieuwen Tim
Published: November 2018

This paper describes results from an experimental study on influences of liquid fuel properties on lean blowout (LBO) limits in an aero-type combustor. In particular, this work aimed to elucidate the roles of fuel chemical and physical properties on LBO. Fuel chemical properties stem from the fuel chemical structure, thus governing chemical kinetic behaviors of oxidation characteristics (e.g., ignition or extinction time scales) and others (e.g., fuel thermal stability or sooting tendencies). Fuel physical properties affect the spray characteristics (e.g., atomization and evaporation rates). Eighteen different fuels, with a wide range of physical and chemical fuel properties, were tested. Several of these fuels were custom blends, developed to break intercorrelations between various physical and chemical properties. Fuel physical and chemical property effects were further separated by measuring blowout boundaries at three air inlet temperatures between 300 and 550 K, enabling variation in vaporization rates. The condition at 300 K corresponds to a temperature that is less than the flash point for most of the studied fuels and, therefore, forming a flammable mixture was challenging in this regime. The opposite scenario occurred at 550 K, where fuel droplets evaporate quickly, and the temperature actually exceeds the auto-ignition temperatures of some of the fuels. At 300 K, the data suggest that blowout is controlled by fuel physical properties, as a correlation is found between the blowout boundaries and the fuel vaporization temperature. At 450 and 550 K, the blowout boundaries correlated well with the derived cetane number (DCN), related to the global chemical kinetic reactivity.
An Injury Risk Function for the Leg, Foot, and Ankle Exposed to Axial Impact Loading Using Force and Impulse
Authors: Bailey Ann M. , McMurry Timothy L. , Salzar Robert S. , Crandall Jeff R.
Published: November 2018

Most injury risk functions (IRFs) for dynamic axial loading of the leg have been targeted toward automotive applications such as predicting injury caused by intrusion into the occupant compartment from frontal collisions. Recent focus on leg injuries in the military has led to questions about the applicability of these IRFs shorter duration, higher amplitude loading associated with underbody blast (UBB). To investigate these questions, data were collected from seven separate test series that subjected post-mortem human legs to axial impact. A force and impulse-based Weibull survival model was developed from these studies to estimate fracture risk. Specimen age was included as a covariate to reduce variance and improve survival model fit. The injury criterion estimated 50% risk of injury for a leg exposed to 13 N s of impulse at peak force and 8.07 kN of force for force durations less than and greater than half the natural period of the leg, respectively. A supplemental statistical analysis estimated that the proposed IRF improves injury prediction accuracy by more than 9% compared to the predictions from automobile-based risk functions developed for automotive intrusion. The proposed leg IRF not only improves injury prediction for higher rate conditions but also provides a single injury prediction tool for an expanded range of load durations ranging from 5 to 90 ms, which spans both automotive and military loading environments.
Application of Hilbert–Huang Transform With Improved Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition in Nonlinear Flight Dynamic Mode Characteristics Estimation
Authors: Mokhtari S. Abolfazl. , Sabzehparvar Mehdi.
Published: November 2018

Identification of aircraft flight dynamic modes has been implemented by adopting highly nonlinear flight test data. This paper presents a new algorithm for identification of the flight dynamic modes based on Hilbert–Huang transform (HHT) due to its superior potential capabilities in nonlinear and nonstationary signal analysis. Empirical mode decomposition and ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) are the two common methods that apply the HHT transform for decomposition of the complex signals into instantaneous mode frequencies; however, experimentally, the EMD faces the problem of “mode mixing,” and EEMD faces with the signal precise reconstruction, which leads to imprecise results in the estimation of flight dynamic modes. In order to overcome (handle) this deficiency, an improved EEMD (IEEMD) algorithm for processing of the complex signals that originate from flight data record was introduced. This algorithm disturbing the original signal using white Gaussian noise, IEEMD, is capable of making a precise reconstruction of the original signal. The second improvement is that IEEMD performs signal decomposition with fewer number of iterations and less complexity order rather than EEMD. This algorithm has been applied to aircraft spin maneuvers flight test data. The results show that implication of IEEMD algorithm on the test data obtained more precise signal extractions with fewer iterations in comparison to EEMD method. The signal is reconstructed by summing the flight modes with more accuracy respect to the EEMD. The IEEMD requires a smaller ensemble size, which results in saving of a significant computational cost.
Control Analysis of Rucklidge Chaotic System
Authors: Marwan Muhammad , Ahmad Salman , Aqeel Muhammad , Sabir Muhammad
Published: November 2018

In this paper, we designed multiple control inputs for Rucklidge oscillator through sliding, adaptive, and backstepping control techniques. Dynamical stability through Lyapunov theory is discussed to check whether the above‐mentioned nonlinear dynamical system is stable or not for defined controller. Based on error dynamics, adaptive and sliding control techniques are used such that solution approaches to its stable state with time. Furthermore, simulation results of nonlinear Rucklidge system are included in this paper to confirm controlled results and to analyze applied techniques. A brief analysis of these techniques for considered dynamical system is an integral part of the paper.
Tick surveillance of migratory birds during 2010–2011 on Hong and Heuksan Islands, Jeollanam Province, Republic of Korea
Authors: Chong Sung-Tae , Kim Heung Chul , Park Jong-Gil , Choi Chang-Yong , Park Chang-Uk , Klein Terry A. , Robbins Richard George
Published: November 2018

Migratory birds were captured, examined, banded and then released in accordance with a bird banding protocol of the Bird Research Center, National Park Research Institute, Korea National Park Service, from January-December 2010–2011 on Hong and Heuksan Islands, Jeollanam (Jeonnam) Province, in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Concurrently, ticks were collected from captured birds as part of a tick-borne disease surveillance program. A total of 381 ticks belonging to three genera and eight species – Ixodes turdus (297 ticks), Ixodes nipponensis (16), Haemaphysalis flava (46), Haemaphysalis longicornis (9), Haemaphysalis formosensis (5), Haemaphysalis ornithophila (6), Haemaphysalis concinna (1), and Amblyomma testudinarium (1)—were collected from 32 bird species belonging to 3 families. This is the first host report of A. testudinarium (1 nymph) collected from White’s Thrush, Zoothera aurea (Aves: Passeriformes: Turdidae), in the ROK. Most ticks were collected from birds during the months of April (44.1%) and November (54.2%).
Thermal boundary layer limitations on the performance of micromachined microphones
Authors: Kuntzman Michael L. , LoPresti Janice L. , Du Yu , Conklin Wade F. , Naderyan Vahid , Lee Sung B. , Schafer David , Pedersen Michael , Loeppert Peter V.
Published: November 2018

This work examines the extent to which thermal boundary layer effects limit the performance of micromachined microphones. The acoustic impedance of the cavity formed by the microphone enclosure is calculated using both analytical and finite-element methods. A thermal correction to the cavity impedance is included to account for the transition of compression and expansion within the enclosure from adiabatic to isothermal when the thermal boundary layer that forms at the walls of the enclosure becomes large compared to the enclosure dimensions. The thermal correction to the cavity impedance contains a resistive term that results from thermal relaxation losses and contributes thermal-acoustic noise to the system. A lumped-element network model for the microphone response which includes the thermally corrected enclosure impedance is presented and compared to measured results for a case study device. The relative noise power contribution of each noise source considered in the model is calculated. It is shown that the noise due to the resistive term of the enclosure cavity impedance becomes significant when the enclosure volume is small. This sets a theoretical limit on the noise floor that can be achieved by a micromachined microphone with given enclosure dimensions.
Athena: Box Office Bomb and Bodybuilding Breakthrough
Authors: Fair John D.
Published: November 2018

One could easily dismiss MGM’s 1954 production of Athena as a light-hearted, romantic, musical romp, devoid of intellectual, artistic, or social value. Although it was scripted by William Ludwig and featured several accomplished stars, it never lived up to box office expectations or critical acclaim. Much fault can be found in this film. The script seems whacky and simplistic, the acting wooden, and the songs unmemorable. Furthermore, Athena does nothing to remove existing stereotypes at a time when bodybuilders were often stigmatized as muscle-bound, narcissistic, and homosexual and health food aficionados viewed as kooks. Its legacy, however, was different. It inspired many other peplum films of the 1950s and early 1960s featuring bodybuilders, laying the groundwork of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Pumping Iron, and the fitness craze that swept America and the world in the 1970s.
Novel Cholera Toxin Variant and ToxT Regulon in Environmental
Vibrio mimicus
Isolates: Potential Resources for the Evolution of
Vibrio cholerae
Hybrid Strains
Authors: Neogi Sucharit Basu , Chowdhury Nityananda , Awasthi Sharda Prasad , Asakura Masahiro , Okuno Kentaro , Mahmud Zahid Hayat , Islam Mohammad Sirajul , Hinenoya Atsushi , Nair Gopinath Balakrish , Yamasaki Shinji
Published: November 2018

Natural diversification of CTXФ and
ctxAB
genes certainly influences disease severity and shifting patterns in major etiological agents of cholera, e.g., the overwhelming emergence of hybrid El Tor variants, replacing the prototype El Tor strains of
V. cholerae
. This report, showing the occurrence of CTX
ET
comprising a novel variant of
ctxAB
in
V. mimicus
, points out a previously unnoticed evolutionary event that is independent of the evolutionary event associated with the El Tor strains of
V. cholerae
. Identification and cluster analysis of the newly discovered alleles of
tcpA
and
toxT
suggest their horizontal transfer from an uncommon clone of
V. cholerae
. The genomic contents of ToxT regulon and of tandemly arranged multiple pre-CTXФ
Env
and of a CTXФ
ET
in
V. mimicus
probably act as salient raw materials that induce natural recombination among the hallmark virulence genes of hybrid
V. cholerae
strains. This report provides valuable information to enrich our knowledge on the evolution of new variant CT and ToxT regulons.
Metal Reduction and Protein Secretion Genes Required for Iodate Reduction by Shewanella oneidensis
Authors: Toporek Yael J. , Mok Jung Kee , Shin Hyun Dong , Lee Brady D. , Lee M. Hope , DiChristina Thomas J.
Published: November 2018

Microbial iodate (IO3−) reduction is a major component in the biogeochemical cycling of iodine and the bioremediation of iodine-contaminated environments; however, the molecular mechanism of microbial IO3−reduction is poorly understood. Results of the present study indicate that outer membrane (type II) protein secretion and metal reduction genes encoding the outer membrane MtrAB module of the extracellular electron conduit MtrCAB are required for IO3−reduction byS. oneidensis. On the other hand, the metal-reducingc-type cytochrome MtrC of the extracellular electron conduit is not required for IO3−reduction byS. oneidensis. These findings indicate that the IO3−electron transport pathway terminates with an as yet unidentified IO3−reductase that associates with the outer membrane MtrAB module to deliver electrons extracellularly to IO3−.
The Capsule Regulatory Network of
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Defined by density-TraDISort
Authors: Dorman Matthew J. , Feltwell Theresa , Goulding David A. , Parkhill Julian , Short Francesca L.
Published: November 2018

Capsule production is essential for
K. pneumoniae
to cause infections, but its regulation and mechanism of synthesis are not fully understood in this organism. We have developed and applied a new method for genome-wide identification of capsule regulators. Using this method, many genes that positively or negatively affect capsule production in
K. pneumoniae
were identified, and we use these data to propose an integrated model for capsule regulation in this species. Several of the genes and biological processes identified have not previously been linked to capsule synthesis. We also show that the methods presented here can be applied to other species of capsulated bacteria, providing the opportunity to explore and compare capsule regulatory networks in other bacterial strains and species.
Differentially Detectable Mycobacterium tuberculosis Cells in Sputum from Treatment-Naive Subjects in Haiti and Their Proportionate Increase after Initiation of Treatment
Authors: McAulay Kathrine , Saito Kohta , Warrier Thulasi , Walsh Kathleen Frances , Mathurin Laurent Daniel , Royal-Mardi Gertrude , Lee Myung Hee , Ocheretina Oksana , Pape Jean William , Fitzgerald Daniel W. , Nathan Carl F.
Published: November 2018

Measurement of the reduction in CFU in sputum of patients with TB up to 2 weeks after the initiation of treatment is the gateway test for a new TB treatment. Reports have suggested that CFU assays fail to detect the majority of viable
M. tuberculosis
cells in sputum samples from the majority of patients when the number of
M. tuberculosis
is estimated by limiting dilution (LD). In an effort to avoid potential methodologic confounders, we applied a modified version of the LD assay in a study of a geographically distinct population. We confirmed that differentially detectable (DD)
M. tuberculosis
is often found before treatment, albeit at lower proportionate levels than in earlier reports. Strikingly, the prevalence and proportionate representation of DD
M. tuberculosis
increased during standard treatment. Sublethal exposure to certain antibiotics may help generate DD
M. tuberculosis
cells or enrich their representation among the surviving bacteria, and this may contribute to the need for prolonged treatment with those agents in order to achieve durable cures.
A Distinct, Non-Virion Plant Virus Movement Protein Encoded by a Crinivirus Essential for Systemic Infection
Authors: Qiao Wenjie , Medina Vicente , Kuo Yen-Wen , Falk Bryce W.
Published: November 2018

Plant viruses encode specific proteins that facilitate their ability to establish multicellular/systemic infections in their host plants. Relatively little is known of the transport mechanisms for plant viruses whose infections are phloem limited, including those of the family
Closteroviridae.
These viruses have complex, long filamentous virions that spread through the phloem.
Lettuce infectious yellows virus
(LIYV) encodes a non-virion protein, P26, which forms plasmalemma deposits over plasmodesmata pit fields, and LIYV virions are consistently found attached to those deposits. Here we demonstrate that P26 is a unique movement protein required for LIYV systemic infection in plants. LIYV P26 shows no sequence similarities to other proteins, but other criniviruses encode P26 orthologs. However, these failed to complement movement of LIYV P26 mutants.
Diagnostic Potential and Interactive Dynamics of the Colorectal Cancer Virome
Authors: Hannigan Geoffrey D. , Duhaime Melissa B. , Ruffin Mack T. , Koumpouras Charlie C. , Schloss Patrick D.
Published: November 2018

Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States and worldwide. Its risk and severity have been linked to colonic bacterial community composition. Although human-specific viruses have been linked to other cancers and diseases, little is known about colorectal cancer virus communities. We addressed this knowledge gap by identifying differences in colonic virus communities in the stool of colorectal cancer patients and how they compared to bacterial community differences. The results suggested an indirect role for the virome in impacting colorectal cancer by modulating the associated bacterial community. These findings both support the idea of a biological role for viruses in colorectal cancer and provide a new understanding of basic colorectal cancer etiology.
Qualitative and Quantitative DNA- and RNA-Based Analysis of the Bacterial Stomach Microbiota in Humans, Mice, and Gerbils
Authors: Wurm Philipp , Dörner Elisabeth , Kremer Christina , Spranger Julia , Maddox Cynthia , Halwachs Bettina , Harrison Ute , Blanchard Thomas , Haas Rainer , Högenauer Christoph , Gorkiewicz Gregor , Fricke W. Florian
Published: November 2018

Clinical stomach interventions, such as acid inhibition or bypass surgery, have been linked to fecal microbiota alterations. We demonstrate that the stomach microbiota largely overlaps those of adjacent gastrointestinal locations and identify gradual decreases and increases in the relative abundances of specific bacteria within the stomach, suggesting selective enrichment and depletion. Moreover, similarities between stomach and esophagus samples are proportional to the concentrations of
Streptococcus
(
Firmicutes
) in the stomach. The relative abundance of
Firmicutes
in the stomach, compared to that of
Bacteroidetes
, is increased in RNA relative to DNA, indicating higher transcriptional activity. Moreover, increased absolute bacterial loads are associated with decreased relative abundance of
Firmicutes
and higher relative abundance of
Bacteroidetes
. Our findings characterize the stomach microbiota as influenced by
Bacteroidetes
influx against a background of transcriptionally more active
Firmicutes.
Human, mouse, and gerbil stomach microbiotas differ at lower taxonomic levels, which might affect the utility of these model organisms.
Continuous Low-Dose Everolimus Shrinkage Tuberous Sclerosis Complex-Associated Renal Angiomyolipoma: A 48-Month Follow-up Study
Authors: Wei Chang-Ching , Tsai Jeng-Daw , Sheu Ji-Nan , Chen Sung-Lang , Tsao Teng-Fu , Yang Sheng-Hui , Tsai Jeng-Dau
Published: November 2018

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare disease that causes multisystem benign neoplasm, induced by dysregulation of the mammalian target of the rapamycin pathway (mTOR). This study aimed to examine the effects of continuous low-dose everolimus, a potent and selective inhibitor of mTOR, on the treatment of TSC-associated renal angiomyolipoma (AML). Between July 2013 and August 2017, 11 patients with TSC-AML were enrolled for an everolimus therapy protocol. An oral everolimus dose starting at 2.5 mg daily was gradually increased to 5.0 mg daily. All patients were evaluated using MRI or CT scanning at baseline, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months after the start of treatment for measuring changes of renal AML mass volume. Everolimus therapy resulted in significant shrinkage of TSC-AML volume after 48 months follow-up. Serum levels of everolimus were subdivided into group I (<8 ng/mL, n=6) and group II (>8 ng/mL, n=5). The volume reduction rates were 10.6%–65.2% in group I and 42.5%–70.6% in group II. To evaluate the response to treatment, three of six (50%) were responders in group I, and all the patients in group II (5/5, 100%) were responders. The differences in AML volume reduction between the groups were statistically significant at 12 months (p=0.011), 24 months (p=0006), 36 months (p=0.014) and 48 months (p=0.05). These results suggest that continuous low-dose everolimus therapy (2.5–5 mg daily) might be effective in shrinking TSC-AML volume and minimizes adverse effects and subsequent reducing medical costs.
Bursting Oscillations and the Mechanism with Sliding Bifurcations in a Filippov Dynamical System
Authors: Qu Rui , Wang Yu , Wu Guoqing , Zhang Zhengdi , Bi Qinsheng
Published: November 2018

The main purpose of the paper is to investigate the effect of multiple scales in frequency domain on the complicated oscillations of Filippov system with discontinuous right-hand side. A relatively simple model based on the Chua’s circuit with periodic excitation is introduced as an example. When the exciting frequency is far less than the natural frequency, implying that an order gap between the exciting frequency and the natural frequency exists, the whole exciting term can be considered as a slow-varying parameter, based on which the bifurcations of the two subsystems in different regions divided by the nonsmooth boundary are presented. Two typical cases are considered, which correspond to different distributions of equilibrium branches as well as the related bifurcations. In the first case, periodic symmetric Hopf/Hopf-fold-sliding bursting oscillations can be obtained, in which Hopf bifurcations may cause the alternations between the quiescent states and the spiking states, while fold bifurcations connect the two quiescent states moving along the stable equilibrium branches and sliding along the nonsmooth boundary, respectively. While the second case is the periodic symmetric fold/fold-fold-sliding bursting, where the fold bifurcations not only lead to the alternations between the quiescent states and the spiking states, but also connect the two quiescent states moving along the stable equilibrium branches and sliding along the nonsmooth boundary, respectively. It is pointed out that, different from the bursting oscillations in smooth dynamical systems in which the bifurcations may cause the alternations between quiescent states and spiking states, in the nonsmooth system, bifurcations may not only lead to the alternations, but also connect different forms of quiescent states. Furthermore, in the Filippov system, sliding movement along the nonsmooth boundary can be observed, the mechanism of which is presented based on the analysis of the two subsystems in different regions.
Periodic Solution Bifurcation and Spiking Dynamics of Impacting Predator–Prey Dynamical Model
Authors: Tang Sanyi , Tan Xuewen , Yang Jin , Liang Juhua
Published: November 2018

A planar predator–prey impacting system model with a nonmonotonic functional response function is proposed and analyzed. The existence and stability of a boundary order-1 periodic solution were investigated and the threshold conditions for a transcritical bifurcation and stable switching were obtained, and also the definition and properties of the Poincaré map are discussed. The main results indicate that multiple discontinuous points of the Poincaré map could induce the coexistence of multiple order-1 periodic solutions. Numerical analyses reveal the complex dynamics of the model including periodic adding and halving bifurcations, which could result in multiple active phases, among them rapid spiking and quiescence phases which can switch from one to another and consequently create complex bursting patterns. The main results reveal that it is beneficial to restore the stability and balance of a ecosystem for species with group defence by moderately reducing population densities and the group defence capacity.
The Impact of Global Financial Crisis on IPO Underpricing in Malaysian Stock Market
Authors: Leow Hon-Wei , Lau Wee-Yeap
Published: November 2018

This study examines the impact of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) on Initial Public Offering (IPO) underpricing in the context of an emerging market from January 2006 to December 2011. Models consist of hierarchical and dummy variable regressions have been evaluated. Our results show, firstly, by comparison between the pre-GFC, GFC and post-GFC periods, it can be observed that IPOs initial returns (offer-to-close) are generally lower due to the crisis. Secondly, IPO underpricing provides an average of 17–25% of initial returns in the pre-GFC period, 1–3% during GFC period, and 3–7% in the post-GFC period. Thirdly, the financial crisis does not act as a moderator that worsens the relationship between underpricing of IPO and oversubscription ratio. Lastly, this study dispels the notion that investors should totally shun IPO during crisis period as there are still positive initial returns among the new issues. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study on the impact of the GFC on IPO underpricing in Malaysia.
N-intertwined SIS epidemic model with Markovian switching
Authors: Cao Xiaochun , Jin Zhen
Published: November 2018

Epidemic dynamics is often subject to environmental noise and uncertainty. In this paper, we investigate the effect of color noise on the spread of epidemic in complex networks, which is modeled by stochastic switched differential equations based on the [Formula: see text]-intertwined SIS model using a continuous time finite-state Markov chain. Applying Lyapunov functions, we prove that the model has a unique global positive solution and establish sufficient conditions for stochastic extinction and permanence of the epidemic. We also show that the solution is stochastically ultimately bounded and the variance of the solution is bounded too. Furthermore, we discuss the limit of the time average of the solution. Finally, numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate our theoretical results.