bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CpxR negatively regulates the production of xenocoumacin 1, a dihydroisocoumarin derivative produced by Xenorhabdus nematophila
Authors: Zhang Shujing , Fang Xiangling , Tang Qian , Ge Jing , Wang Yonghong , Zhang Xing
Published: June 2018

Xenocoumacin 1 (Xcn1), a major antimicrobial compound produced by Xenorhabdus nematophila, has great potential for use in agricultural productions. In this study, we evaluated the effects of CpxR, a global response regulator associated with the mutualism and pathogenesis of X. nematophila, on the antimicrobial activity and Xcn1 production. The mutation of cpxR could promote the production of Xcn1 significantly with its level in ΔcpxR mutant being 3.07 times higher than that in the wild type. Additionally, the expression levels of xcnA‐L genes, which are responsible for the production of Xcn1, were increased in ΔcpxR mutant while the expression levels of xcnMN, which are required for the conversion of Xcn1 into Xcn2 was reduced. Noticeably, Xcn2 was also enhanced on account of the conversion of excessive Xcn1 in spite of low expression levels of xcnM and xcnN in ΔcpxR mutant. The transcriptional levels of ompR and lrp, encoding the global response regulators OmpR and Lrp which negatively and positively regulate the production of Xcn1 were concurrently decreased and increased, respectively. Correspondingly, ΔcpxR mutant also exhibited increased antimicrobial activities in vitro and in vivo. Together, these findings suggest that CpxR negatively regulates xcnA‐L genes expression while positively regulating xcnMN expression in X. nematophila YL001, which led to a high yield of Xcn1 in ΔcpxR mutant.
Dynamic behavior of a stochastic SIRS epidemic model with media coverage
Authors: Guo Wenjuan , Zhang Qimin , Li Xining , Wang Weiming
Published: June 2018

The main purpose of this paper is to explore the global behavior of a stochastic SIRS epidemic model with media coverage. The value of this research has 2 aspects: for one thing, we use Markov semigroup theory to prove that the basic reproduction number
can be used to control the dynamics of stochastic system. If
, the stochastic system has a disease‐free equilibrium, which implies the disease will die out with probability one. If
, under the mild extra condition, the stochastic differential equation has an endemic equilibrium, which is globally asymptotically stable. For another, it is known that environment fluctuations can inhibit disease outbreak. Although the disease is persistent when R0 > 1 for the deterministic model, if
, the disease still dies out with probability one for the stochastic model. Finally, numerical simulations were carried out to illustrate our results, and we also show that the media coverage can reduce the peak of infective individuals via numerical simulations.
Some limit analysis of a three dimensional viscous compressible capillary model for plasma
Authors: Li Yeping , Peng Sihao , Wang Shu
Published: June 2018

In this study, we discuss some limit analysis of a viscous capillary model of plasma, which is expressed as a so‐called the compressible Navier‐Stokes‐Poisson‐Korteweg equation. First, the existence of global smooth solutions for the initial value problem to the compressible Navier‐Stokes‐Poisson‐Korteweg equation with a given Debye length λ and a given capillary coefficient κ is obtained. We also show the uniform estimates of global smooth solutions with respect to the Debye length λ and the capillary coefficient κ. Then, from Aubin lemma, we show that the unique smooth solution of the 3‐dimensional Navier‐Stokes‐Poisson‐Korteweg equations converges globally in time to the strong solution of the corresponding limit equations, as λ tends to zero, κ tends to zero, and λ and κ simultaneously tend to zero. Moreover, we also give the convergence rates of these limits for any given positive time one by one.
A projection‐based algorithm for ℓ2‐ℓp Tikhonov regularization
Authors: Borges Leonardo S. , Bazán Fermín S.V. , Bedin Luciano
Published: June 2018

This paper deals with the minimization problem associated with Tikhonov regularization where the penalty term is a ℓp‐norm with p ∈ (1,2). An algorithm based on fixed‐point iterations is proposed, and theoretical convergence results are given. Further, combining projection over the Krylov subspace generated by the Golub‐Kahan bidiagonalization procedure and the proposed iterative algorithm, we derive an iterative procedure that is well suited for large‐scale ℓ2‐ℓp Tikhonov regularization. The performance and efficiency of the proposed algorithms on image restoration problems like 2D tomography and super resolution, as well as on classical discrete ill‐posed problems having solutions with flat and smooth parts or nonsmooth solutions are also illustrated.
An algorithm of partial eigenstructure assignment for high‐order systems
Authors: Zhang Lei , Yu Fei , Wang Xingtao
Published: June 2018

We put forward an algorithm for the issue on the partial eigenstructure assignment in a high‐order system, in which some certain eigenpairs, in a given system, can be assigned without changing others. Then a differential equation could be used to model the given systems, so that a multi‐input state feedback control deal with this assignment. Moreover, the algorithm requests the information of a few of the eigenpairs merely. As well some numerical cases are shown to prove the effect of our algorithm.
Propolis from Different Geographic Origins Decreases Intestinal Inflammation and Bacteroides spp. Populations in a Model of DSS‐Induced Colitis
Authors: Wang Kai , Jin Xiaolu , Li Qiangqiang , Sawaya Alexandra Christine Helena Frankland , Le Leu Richard K. , Conlon Michael A. , Wu Liming , Hu Fuliang
Published: June 2018

Scope

Dietary supplementation with polyphenol‐rich propolis can protect against experimentally induced colitis. We examined whether different polyphenol compositions of Chinese propolis (CP) and Brazilian propolis (BP) influence their ability to protect against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced colitis in rats.

Methods and results

HPLC‐DAD/Q‐TOF‐MS analysis confirmed that polyphenol compositions of CP and BP were dissimilar. Rats were given CP or BP by gavage (300 mg kg−1 body weight) throughout the study, starting 1 week prior to DSS treatment for 1 week followed by 3 d without DSS. CP and BP significantly reduced the colitis disease activity index relative to controls not receiving propolis, prevented significant DSS‐induced colonic tissue damage, and increased resistance to DSS‐induced colonic oxidative stress as shown by reduced malonaldehyde levels and increased T‐AOC levels. CP and BP significantly reduced DSS‐induced colonic apoptosis. Colonic inflammatory markers IL‐1β, IL‐6, and MCP‐1 were suppressed by CP and BP, whereas only BP‐induced expression of TGF‐β. CP, not BP, increased the diversity and richness of gut microbiota populations. Both forms of propolis significantly reduced populations of Bacteroides spp.

Conclusions

Despite the dissimilar polyphenol compositions of CP and BP, their ability to protect against DSS‐induced colitis is similar. Nevertheless, some different physiological impacts were observed.
Adaptation and validation of short scales for assessment of psychological distress in Iran: The Persian K10 and K6
Authors: Hajebi Ahmad , Motevalian Abbas , Amin‐Esmaeili Masoumeh , Rahimi‐Movaghar Afarin , Sharifi Vandad , Hoseini Leila , Shadloo Behrang , Mojtabai Ramin
Published: June 2018

Objectives

The aims of the study were to translate into Persian and culturally adapt the Kessler Psychological Distress Scales, K10 and K6, and to assess their reliability and validity.

Method

The sample was recruited from primary health care (PHC) settings by quota nonprobability sampling, stratified by sex and age. Validity was assessed against the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (v2.1). The psychometric properties of K6 and K10 were also compared with the 12‐item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‐12).

Results

A total of 818 participants completed the questionnaire. Cronbach's alpha were 0.92 and 0.87 for K6 and K10, respectively. Optimal cutoff scores for detecting any mood or anxiety disorder in the past 30 days were 15 for K10 and 10 for K6. At these cutoff points, the measures had sensitivities of 0.77 and 0.73, specificities of 0.74 and 0.78, and positive predictive values of 0.48 and 0.52, respectively. Psychometric properties of K10 and K6 were similar to GHQ‐12.

Conclusion

Persian K10 and K6 have acceptable psychometric properties as screening instruments for common mental health conditions. Given its brevity and similar psychometric properties to the longer instruments, the Persian K6 appears to be a suitable scale for use in PHC settings and, possibly, epidemiologic studies in Iran.
The binding of boronated peptides to low affinity mammalian saccharides
Authors: Kowalczyk Wioleta , Sanchez Julie , Kraaz Phillipe , Hutt Oliver E. , Haylock David N. , Duggan Peter J.
Published: June 2018

A 54‐member library of boronated octapeptides, with all but the boronated residue being proteinogenic, was tested for affinity to a set of saccharides commonly found on the terminus of mammalian glycans. After experimentation with a high‐throughput dye‐displacement assay, attention was focused on isothermal titration calorimetry as a tool to provide reliable affinity data, including enthalpy and entropy of binding. A small number of boronated peptides showed higher affinity and significant selectivity for N‐acetylneuraminic acid over methyl‐α‐d‐galactopyranoside, methyl‐α/β‐l‐fucopyranoside and N‐acetyl‐d‐glucosamine. Thermodynamic data showed that for most of the boronated peptides studied, saccharide binding was associated with a significant increase in entropy, presumably resulting from the displacement of semiordered water molecules from around the sugar and/or peptide.
Strategies towards the control of one‐dimensional polypyrrole nanomorphology and conductivity
Authors: Stejskal Jaroslav
Published: June 2018

Conducting polypyrrole nanotubes rank among the most conducting polymer materials and find applications in organic electronics and energy conversion devices. They are produced by the chemical oxidation of pyrrole in globular form, which converts to nanotubes or nanofibres in the presence of suitable templates and is often accompanied by a pronounced conductivity increase. This is illustrated by the anionic dye, methyl orange, where the template formation is based on azo–hydrazone tautomerism associated with hydrogen atom transfer caused by the acidity change. In other words, the soluble salt of the dye converts to an insoluble acid, and its one‐dimensional aggregates serve as a locus for the adsorption of pyrrole oligomers. This is followed by the growth of polypyrrole chains constituting the nanotube wall. Safranin, a cationic dye, produces a template by a completely different mechanism, the oxidative generation of insoluble safranin oligomers that perform with similar results. Other mechanisms of template formation are also proposed and discussed but mainly organic dyes have a significant potential to support the one‐dimensional growth of polypyrrole. The role of surfactants that affect the morphology of templates, and subsequently also of polypyrrole, is demonstrated. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Mechanically strong shape memory polyurethane for water vapour permeable membranes
Authors: Thakur Suman , Jahid Md Anwar , Hu Jinlian
Published: June 2018

Water vapour permeable polymeric thin films possess significant importance in miscellaneous applications such as packaging, medical devices, controlled‐release systems, electronics and biosensors. In this work, a series of shape memory polyurethanes (SMPUs) were synthesized by a two‐step pre‐polymerization technique with variations in hard to soft segments and molecular weight of macroglycol. DSC, Fourier transform infrared spectra, dynamic TGA and tensile testing were carried out to characterize and evaluate the properties of these synthesized SMPUs. The effect of the soft segment and the molecular weight of macroglycol on the thermal properties, mechanical properties and water vapour permeability of the synthesized SMPUs were investigated to achieve a good water vapour permeable membrane. We found that the synthesized SMPUs demonstrated a good water vapour transmission rate of over 1460 g m−2 day–1 as well as robust mechanical properties with tensile strength 19.8 MPa indicating a promising permeable polymeric thin film for many potential applications, especially as protective clothing. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Dosimetric comparison of fixed‐field intensity‐modulated radiotherapy and volumetric‐modulated arc radiotherapy for preoperative rectal cancer
Authors: Liu Lu , Wang Hao , Yang Ruijie , Wang Junjie
Published: June 2018

Objective

This study aimed to compare the dose distribution and delivery to organs at risk between five‐ and seven‐beam intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric‐modulated arc radiotherapy (VMAT) for preoperative rectal cancer. The characteristics of the rectal cancer target were analyzed, and the outcomes of the different modalities were evaluated. This research could provide a reference for the selection of treatment modalities in rectal cancer radiotherapy.

Methods

Three different treatment plans were used, namely five‐beam IMRT, seven‐beam IMRT, and VMAT, to compare the dose‐volume histograms, conformal index, homogeneity index, and dose delivery to organs at risk.

Results

In terms of conformal index, the VMAT plan was the best, and the seven‐beam plan was better than the five‐beam plan (0.88 vs 0.91 vs 0.92). The homogeneity indexes were 1.08, 1.06, and 1.08, respectively. Fixed‐field IMRT was better than VMAT in terms of homogeneity index (P < 0.05). No significant differences in maximum dose within targets were found among the three treatment plans. As for organs at risk, such as the bowel and femoral head, VMAT increased V10 and V20, but showed lower values for high‐dose volumes, including V30, V40, and V50. The volumes in the low‐ and high‐dose regions were lower when comparing between the VMAT and fixed‐field plans for dose delivery to the bladder. The VMAT plan decreased the volume delivered to >30 Gy, and less than five‐ and seven‐beam plans (14%, 19%, 17%).

Conclusions

For patients undergoing radiotherapy, five‐beam IMRT, seven‐beam IMRT, and VMAT could meet the requirement of clinical treatment. However, the three modalities showed many differences. Apart from the position and volume of the target, other parameters such as the movement and the priority of organs at risk (OAR) are also important. These OARs include the bladder. VMAT could be used to reduce the high‐dose volume and injury of bone marrow such as radioactive bone marrow suppression. IMRT could reduce the probability of suffering from diarrhea and other complications.
Strongly (J,J′)‐lossless rational matrices and ℋ∞ problem
Authors: Stefanovski Jovan D.
Published: June 2018

We strengthen the existing definition of (J,J′)‐lossless rational matrices (RMs) and find an algebraic characterization of the newly defined class of strongly (J,J′)‐lossless RMs. The algebraic characterization is given for possibly improper RMs. A connection is presented to a rational ℋ∞ problem, known as the Leech problem, which is elaborated on with necessary and sufficient conditions, given in terms of the strongly (J,J′)‐lossless property, as an alternative of the Leech conditions, which can be expressed with positivity of a kernel. An algorithm for solving the Leech problem is given and illustrated by examples.
A set‐theoretic investigation into the origins of creation and discovery opportunities
Authors: Smith Adam W. , Moghaddam Kaveh , Lanivich Stephen E.
Published: June 2018

Research Summary: This study employs textual coding techniques to investigate 25 creation and discovery opportunities using entrepreneurs' start‐up interviews. Based on Austrian economics and social constructionism theoretical arguments, we identified four casual conditions: social bonds, social bridges, prior knowledge, and past start‐up experience. These causal conditions are analyzed using qualitative comparative analysis. Results indicate that creation opportunities are associated with social bonds, prior knowledge, and lack of prior entrepreneurial experience. Alternatively, discovery opportunities are associated with prior knowledge, social bonds, and social bridges. Our empirical findings demonstrate the differences in social and human capital configurations associated with forming creation and discovery opportunities.

Managerial Summary: In an effort to better understand how creation and discovery opportunities arise, we investigated and compared likely factors including: close relationships, distant relationships, prior knowledge about related markets and industries, and past start‐up experience. Results show that creation opportunities are associated with close relationships, prior knowledge about related markets and industries, and lack of prior entrepreneurial experience. Discovery opportunities are associated with prior knowledge about related markets and industries, close relationships, and distant relationships. Our findings begin to describe how different types of opportunities are realized. Specifically, particular forms of human and social capital may be needed for generating differing types of opportunities.
Incorporating baseline measurements into the analysis of crossover trials with time‐to‐event endpoints
Authors: Xu Rengyi , Mehrotra Devan V. , Shaw Pamela A.
Published: June 2018

Two‐period two‐treatment (2×2) crossover designs are commonly used in clinical trials. For continuous endpoints, it has been shown that baseline (pretreatment) measurements collected before the start of each treatment period can be useful in improving the power of the analysis. Methods to achieve a corresponding gain for censored time‐to‐event endpoints have not been adequately studied. We propose a method in which censored values are treated as missing data and multiply imputed using prespecified parametric event time models. The event times in each imputed data set are then log‐transformed and analyzed using a linear model suitable for a 2×2 crossover design with continuous endpoints, with the difference in period‐specific baselines included as a covariate. Results obtained from the imputed data sets are synthesized for point and confidence interval estimation of the treatment ratio of geometric mean event times using model averaging in conjunction with Rubin's combination rule. We use simulations to illustrate the favorable operating characteristics of our method relative to two other methods for crossover trials with censored time‐to‐event data, ie, a hierarchical rank test that ignores the baselines and a stratified Cox model that uses each study subject as a stratum and includes period‐specific baselines as a covariate. Application to a real data example is provided.
Moderne Grobblechlösungen im Brückenbau für nachhaltige, effiziente Konstruktionen
Authors: Lehnert Tobias
Published: June 2018

In vielen europäischen Ländern ist die Infrastruktur – sowohl bei Straßen‐ als auch bei Eisenbahnbrücken – in die Jahre gekommen und benötigt deutliche Investitionen, um dem stetig wachsenden Bedarf an Mobilität und Güterverkehr gerecht zu werden. Stahl‐ bzw. Stahlverbundbrücken bieten in diesem Zusammenhang eine effiziente und sehr nachhaltige Lösung. So ist Stahl, aufgrund seiner unbegrenzten Recyclefähigkeit im Allgemeinen, bereits der ideale Werkstoff für nachhaltige Konstruktionen, aber besonders wenn der Konstrukteur oder Fertiger die Potentiale, die sich heute aufgrund intelligenter Produktentwicklungen bei der Stahlherstellung bieten, konsequent ausschöpft, können sehr wirtschaftliche und außergewöhnliche Bauwerke realisiert werden. Es zahlt sich daher aus, bereits in der Planungsphase auf moderne Stahlgüten und Qualitätsstähle zu setzen, wie z. B. verbesserte Längsprofilbleche oder höherfeste thermomechanisch gewalzte bzw. vergütete Stähle. Neben einer hocheffizienten, kostenoptimierten Fertigung erlaubt dies häufig auch eine schlankere, ansprechendere Ästhetik in der Architektur. Dieser Beitrag wird einige dieser Möglichkeiten der Grobblechherstellung zur Unterstützung des Stahlbaus hervorheben.
Modeling of chloride ions penetration in cracked concrete structures exposed to marine environments
Authors: Ramezanianpour Ali Akbar , Ghoreishian Seyed Amir Hossein , Ahmadi Babak , Balapour Mohammad , Ramezanianpour Amir Mohammad
Published: June 2018

The degradation caused by corrosion of rebar in concrete structures is one of the most important issues to attract the attention of researchers focused on concrete durability. Penetration of chloride ions into concrete is one of the factors that can contribute to corrosion of rebar and consequently the strength of concrete structures as well as serviceability reduction. In this study, an experimental model was proposed to predict penetration of chloride ions into cracked concrete by performing non‐destructive tests. Tests were performed after 48‐months exposure of all samples to a harsh marine environment. For studying the influence of load‐induced cracks on the rebar corrosion, cracked and uncracked beams were tested. Results of this study demonstrated that by the increment of the crack width, corrosion of reinforcement increased and as a result, the probability of degradation of reinforced concrete beams increased accordingly. Furthermore, by the increment of crack width, their depth also increased which caused enhancement of crack depth on the rebar and easier access of chloride ions to the rebar.
High throughput sequencing revolution reveals conserved fundamentals of U‐indel editing
Authors: Zimmer Sara L. , Simpson Rachel M. , Read Laurie K.
Published: June 2018

Among Euglenozoans, mitochondrial RNA editing occurs in the diplonemids and in the kinetoplastids that include parasitic trypanosomes. Yet U‐indel editing, in which open reading frames (ORFs) on mRNAs are generated by insertion and deletion of uridylates in locations dictated by guide RNAs, appears confined to kinetoplastids. The nature of guide RNA and edited mRNA populations has been cursorily explored in a surprisingly extensive number of species over the years, although complete sets of fully edited mRNAs for most kinetoplast genomes are largely missing. Now, however, high throughput sequencing technologies have had an enormous impact on what we know and will learn about the mechanisms, benefits, and final edited products of U‐indel editing. Tools including PARERS, TREAT, and T‐Aligner function to organize and make sense of U‐indel mRNA transcriptomes, which are comprised of mRNAs harboring uridylate indels both consistent and inconsistent with translatable products. From high throughput sequencing data come arguments that partially edited mRNAs containing “junction regions” of noncanonical editing are editing intermediates, and conversely, arguments that they are dead‐end products. These data have also revealed that the percent of a given transcript population that is fully or partially edited varies dramatically between transcripts and organisms. Outstanding questions that are being addressed include the prevalence of sequences that apparently encode alternative ORFs, diversity of editing events in ORF termini and 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions, and the differences that exist in this byzantine process between species. High throughput sequencing technologies will also undoubtedly be harnessed to probe U‐indel editing's evolutionary origins.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Processing > RNA Editing and Modification

RNA Evolution and Genomics > Computational Analyses of RNA
BIM adoption across the Chinese AEC industries: An extended BIM adoption model
Authors: Herr Christiane M. , Fischer Thomas
Published: June 2018

Despite strong encouragement by government guidelines and promoting efforts by the software industry, BIM is adopted at relatively slow speeds in construction industries across the world. The study presented in this paper examines the challenges to BIM adoption faced specifically in the Chinese construction industry across architecture, engineering and construction. We review recent literature addressing BIM adoption in the international context and develop a critique of common approaches to describe processes of BIM adoption. Substantiated with the analysis of detailed survey data obtained from AEC professionals in the greater Shanghai area, we propose a new, extended model to describe and assess processes of BIM adoption. Utilising this model, we evaluate temporal and collaborative dimensions of BIM adoption, and present results from detailed survey data. We further discuss how current Chinese BIM adoption in practice diverges from overseas BIM adoption strategies and examine how the extended BIM adoption model can provide a more accurate representation of BIM adoption processes observed in practice in and beyond the context of the Chinese AEC industries.

Highlights BIM adoption across the Chinese AEC industries is still uneven and over reported. Chinese AEC industries' BIM adoption differs from overseas models. An extended BIM adoption model allows charting BIM adoption along AEC workflows. BIM is adapted for linear Chinese workflows rather than collaborative work.
Supplementation of Buttiauxella sp. 6-phytase to commercial laying hen diets with reduced nutrient density on productive performance and egg quality
Authors: Dersjant-Li Yueming , Millán Carlos , Casabuena Oscar , Quiles Alberto , Romero Luis F. , Gracia Marta I.
Published: June 2018

A study was conducted to evaluate productive performance in laying hens fed diets with reduced nutrient density based on the nutritional contribution of a Buttiauxella phytase in laying-hen diets from 21-57 weeks of age. A commercial laying hen diet was offered ad libitum to the 480 ISA Brown laying hens from 18-21 weeks of age. From 21 weeks onwards, the hens received one of four dietary treatments: a positive control (PC) diet, a down specified diet (DS1) + phytase at 300 FTU/kg, a second down-specified diet (DS2) + phytase at 600 FTU/kg and a third test diet formulated as per DS1 + phytase at 1,200 FTU/kg feed. The PC was formulated based on ISA breeder recommendations. DS1 was formulated with reduction of 0.149% available P, 0.134% Ca, 55 kcal/kg AME, 0.33% CP, digestible amino acids (up to 0.015%) and 0.013% Na based on the contribution of Buttiauxella phytase at 300 FTU/kg. DS2 was formulated with reduction of 0.177% available P, 0.159% Ca, 60 kcal/kg AME, 0.61% CP, digestible amino acids (up to 0.028%) and 0.02% Na based on the contribution of Buttiauxella phytase at 600 FTU/kg. Every dietary treatment was fed to 12 cages containing 10 hens each. The trial treatments did not include a full, DS negative control, as ethical considerations regarding birds' welfare when feeding such diets over such an extended period of time did not permit this. No significant differences were seen in hen-day egg production, feed intake, egg weight, feed to egg mass ratio, shell, yolk or albumen proportion, unsaleable eggs or shell breaking strength in laying hens fed the PC diet or the DS diets with added phytase. Yolk colour increased significantly with phytase supplementation. Supplementing the DS1 diet with 300 FTU and the DS2 diet with 600 FTU resulted in non-significant differences in tibia ash, Ca and P, compared to the PC diet. The data from this study indicated that applying the nutrient contributions for Buttiauxella phytase at 300 and 600 FTU/kg maintained the egg production, BW and egg quality parameters compared to PC. The best economic efficiency value during the whole experimental period was recorded with phytase at 600 FTU/kg when full matrix values are used. When commercial diets are formulated based on ISA breeder recommendations, lowering diet nutrient density while supplementing with phytase reduced the overall diet cost, which should contribute to the profitability of egg production.
Spatial distribution of pressure resonance in compressible cavity flow
Authors: Casper Katya M. , Wagner Justin L. , Beresh Steven J. , Spillers Russell W. , Henfling John F. , Dechant Lawrence J.
Published: June 2018

The development of the unsteady pressure field on the floor of a rectangular cavity was studied at Mach 0.9 using high-frequency pressure-sensitive paint. Power spectral amplitudes at each cavity resonance exhibit a spatial distribution with a streamwise-oscillatory pattern; additional maxima and minima appear as the mode number is increased. This spatial distribution also appears in the propagation velocity of modal pressure disturbances. This behaviour was tied to the superposition of a downstream-propagating shear-layer disturbance and an upstream-propagating acoustic wave of different amplitudes and convection velocities, consistent with the classical Rossiter model. The summation of these waves generates a net downstream-travelling wave whose amplitude and phase velocity are modulated by a fixed envelope within the cavity. This travelling-wave interpretation of the Rossiter model correctly predicts the instantaneous modal pressure behaviour in the cavity. Subtle spanwise variations in the modal pressure behaviour were also observed, which could be attributed to a shift in the resonance pattern as a result of spillage effects at the edges of the finite-width cavity.
Children in the London: Inpatient Care in a Voluntary General Hospital
Authors: Mant Madeleine
Published: June 2018

The presence of children in English voluntary hospitals during the eighteenth century has only recently come under academic scrutiny. This research examines the surviving admission records of the London Hospital, which consistently record inpatient ages, to illuminate the hospital stays of infant and child patients and examine the morbidity of children during the long eighteenth century. Traumatic cases were the most common category of admission. The proportion of trauma cases admitted to the London Hospital was higher than in provincial English child patient cohorts, potentially reflecting the differential risks faced by rural and urban children. In most cases of traumatic injury the inpatients stayed in hospital long enough for significant fracture healing to have occurred. Understanding the conditions surrounding children’s admission to hospital, their length of stay, the result of their stay, and which medical issues drove their parents or guardians to seek medical attention for them are critical to illuminating the morbidity of children during the long eighteenth century.
Cordons Sanitaires and the Rationalisation Process in Southern Europe (Nineteenth-Century Majorca)
Authors: Salas-Vives Pere , Pujadas-Mora Joana-Maria
Published: June 2018

Never before the nineteenth century had Europeans, especially in the south, adopted cordons sanitaires in such great numbers or at such a fast rate. This article aims to analyse the process of the rationalisation and militarisation of the cordons sanitaires imposed in the fight against epidemics during the nineteenth century on the Mediterranean island of Majorca (Spain). These cordons should be understood as a declaration of war by the authorities on emerging epidemics. Epidemics could generate sudden and intolerably high rises in mortality that the new liberal citizenship found unacceptable. Toleration of this type of measure was the result of a general consensus, with hardly any opposition, which not only obtained the support of scientists (especially in the field of medicine) but also of most of the local and provincial political elite, and even of the population at large.
Gender, Incumbency and Party List Nominations
Authors: Meserve Stephen A. , Pemstein Daniel , Bernhard William T.
Published: June 2018

This study assesses how political parties’ candidate selection strategies influence women’s descriptive parliamentary representation. Focusing on proportional elections, it explores what determines whether parties place women in viable list positions. Evaluating party rankings at the individual level, it directly examines a mechanism – party nomination – central to prevailing explanations of empirical patterns in women’s representation. Moreover, it jointly evaluates how incumbency and gender affect nomination. This study uses European Parliament elections to compare a plethora of parties, operating under numerous institutions, in the context of a single legislature. It finds that gender differences in candidate selection are largely explained by incumbency bias, although party ideology and female labor force participation help explain which parties prioritize the placement of novice women.
Correlation of human papillomavirus infection and clinical parameters with five-year survival in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Adnan Ali S M , Awan M S , Atif S , Ali N , Mirza Y
Published: June 2018

Objective

This study associated Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection and other clinical parameters with five-year survival of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods

A total of 140 patients diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma were enlisted. HPV status and subtypes were established through polymerase chain reaction performed in a previously published study. Clinical data including five-year survival were obtained through institutional medical records.

Results

Ninety-five patients (67.9 per cent) were positive for HPV. Of these, 85 patients were HPV 16 positive while 2 patients were HPV 18 positive. The mean survival time for HPV positive patients was 44.3 months, whereas survival time for HPV negative patients was 46.9 months. Univariate analysis showed that HPV status in oral squamous cell carcinoma was not a statistically significant factor in determining five-year survival rate (p= 0.386).

Conclusion

There is a high prevalence of HPV positive oral squamous cell carcinoma in Pakistan; however, there is no difference in the five-year survival rate when compared to HPV negative oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Living with the dead in the killing fields of Cambodia
Authors: Bennett Caroline
Published: June 2018

This article traces the changing relationships between the living and the dead in post-Khmer Rouge Cambodia. Fuelled with fear, confusion, and massive displacement, these relationships initially consisted of distrustful interactions. Over time, however, reciprocal relations of support were established, enabling a transformation of the dead from frightened and frightening beings, to benevolent allies in the reconstruction of post-Khmer Rouge Cambodia. These relationships allowed both the living and the dead to be brought in from the ‘forest’, thus showing how managing the dead was an integral aspect of post-conflict security. By comparing such relationships at Choeung Ek Genocidal Center (a national memorial site) and Koh Sap (an island in the Bassac River) this article shows how the dead replicate the locally situated politics of the living in these encounters.
An Anatolian-Persian tomb relief from Gökçeler in Lydia
Authors: Çevirici-Coşkun Figen
Published: June 2018

The relief block at the centre of this study was found in 2004 in a ploughed field in the northern region of Lydia near the village of Gökçeler in the district of Akhisar, in what is today the Manisa province. A standing male figure is depicted on the block, which probably belonged to a chamber tomb. Holding a cock and a bud in his hands, stylistically the figure points to a date between the late sixth century BC and the early fifth century BC. He has short, spiral curls and wears a long-sleeved, tight-fitting garment that appears to be influenced by the Persian style. Within the scope of Anatolian-Persian funerary reliefs, this example is particularly significant due to its typological and iconographical elements. Specifically, following comparisons with other works of the Persian period, it is possible to suggest that the figure on the Gökçeler relief is an African who is offering a gift to the tomb owner; the latter may have been Persian or have served a Persian. Thus, this relief has particular significance since it is the only known work of Anatolian-Persian sculpture which indicates that individuals of African origin lived in the Anatolian region under Persian rule.
On coefficient ideals
Authors: CALLEJAS-BEDREGAL R. , PÉREZ V. H. JORGE , FERRARI M. DUARTE
Published: June 2018

Let (R, 𝔪) be a Noetherian local ring and I an arbitrary ideal of R with analytic spread s. In [3] the authors proved the existence of a chain of ideals I ⊆ I[s] ⊆ ⋅⋅⋅ ⊆ I[1] such that deg(PI[k]/I) < s − k. In this article we obtain a structure theorem for this ideals which is similar to that of K. Shah in [10] for 𝔪-primary ideals.
British War Crimes Trials in Europe and Asia, 1945–1949: A Comparative Study
Authors: CHEAH W.L. , VORMBAUM MORITZ
Published: June 2018

Between 1945 and 1949, the British military conducted a large number of war crimes trials in Europe and Asia. Based on historical archival records, among other sources, this article evaluates and compares the British authorities’ implementation of the 1945 Royal Warrant and war crimes trials in Europe and Asia, with a specific focus on trials organized in Germany and Singapore. By examining the British war crimes trial experience in those two jurisdictions, the article analyzes factors shaping the evolution of the Royal Warrant's legal framework and trial model in different contexts. It therefore contributes to the growing historical work on post-Second World War trials and current debates among scholars of transitional justice and international criminal law on the contextual factors that impact on war crimes trials.
Impacts of Shifts in Phytoplankton Community on Clouds and Climate via the Sulfur Cycle
Authors: Wang Shanlin , Maltrud Mathew E. , Burrows Susannah M. , Elliott Scott M. , Cameron‐Smith Philip
Published: June 2018

Dimethyl sulfide (DMS), primarily produced by marine organisms, contributes significantly to sulfate aerosol loading over the ocean after being oxidized in the atmosphere. In addition to exerting a direct radiative effect, the resulting aerosol particles act as cloud condensation nuclei, modulating cloud properties and extent, with impacts on atmospheric radiative transfer and climate. Thus, changes in pelagic ecosystems, such as phytoplankton physiology and community structure, may influence organosulfur production, and subsequently affect climate via the sulfur cycle. A fully coupled Earth system model, including explicit marine ecosystems and the sulfur cycle, is used here to investigate the impacts of changes associated with individual phytoplankton groups on DMS emissions and climate. Simulations show that changes in phytoplankton community structure, DMS production efficiency, and interactions of multielement biogeochemical cycles can all lead to significant differences in DMS transfer to the atmosphere. Subsequent changes in sulfate aerosol burden, cloud condensation nuclei number, and radiative effect are examined. We find the global annual mean cloud radiative effect shifts up to 0.21 W/m2, and the mean surface temperature increases up to 0.1 °C due to DMS production changes associated with individual phytoplankton group in simulations with radiative effects at the 2,100 levels under an 8.5 scenario. However, changes in DMS emissions, radiative effect, and surface temperature are more intensive on regional scales. Hence, we speculate that major uncertainties associated with future marine sulfur cycling will involve strong region‐to‐region climate shifts. Further understanding of marine ecosystems and the relevant phytoplankton‐aerosol‐climate linkage are needed for improving climate projections.
Evolving Environmental and Geometric Controls on Columbia Glacier's Continued Retreat
Authors: Enderlin Ellyn M. , O'Neel Shad , Bartholomaus Timothy C. , Joughin Ian
Published: June 2018

Geometry strongly controls the dynamic behavior of marine‐terminating (tidewater) glaciers, significantly influencing advance and retreat cycles independent of climate. Yet the recent, nearly ubiquitous retreat of tidewater glaciers suggests that changes in atmospheric and oceanic forcing may also drive dynamic change. To isolate the influence of geometry on tidewater glacier dynamics, we analyzed detailed observational time series from 2012 to 2016 for two tidewater glaciers with shared dynamic histories and environmental forcing: Columbia Glacier and its former tributary (Post Glacier) in southcentral Alaska. We find that although terminus retreat has driven decadal‐scale changes in dynamics of the Columbia‐Post system, environmental factors contribute to short‐term (i.e., seasonal) dynamic variability. In particular, analysis of force balance time series indicates that observed variations in speed result from seasonal changes to the subglacial hydrologic system and associated changes in basal drag. Variations in terminus position only drive noticeable speed change when the terminus retreats from regions of relatively high basal drag. In agreement with long‐term analyses of Columbia Glacier, we find that terminus geometry can perturb the timing of seasonal ice flow patterns. Specifically, our data support the idea that retreat of a glacier terminus into deeper water is accompanied by a shift in the primary control on frontal ablation. Although our analysis focuses on two Alaskan glaciers, our data suggest that changes in the relative importance of surface meltwater and buoyancy effects on submarine melting and/or calving may manifest as a shift in terminus change seasonality and offer a mechanism to identify frontal ablation controls.
Dependence of Present and Future European Temperature Extremes on the Location of Atmospheric Blocking
Authors: Brunner Lukas , Schaller Nathalie , Anstey James , Sillmann Jana , Steiner Andrea K.
Published: June 2018

The impact of atmospheric blocking on European heat waves (HWs) and cold spells (CSs) is investigated for present and future conditions . A 50‐member ensemble of the second generation Canadian Earth System Model is used to quantify the role of internal variability in the response to blocking. We find that the present blocking‐extreme temperature link is well represented compared to ERA‐Interim, despite a significant underestimation of blocking frequency in most ensemble members. Our results show a strong correlation of blocking with northern European HWs in summer, spring, and fall. However, we also find a strong anticorrelation between blocking and HW occurrence in southern Europe in all seasons. Blocking increases the CS frequency particularly in southern Europe in fall, winter, and spring but reduces it in summer. For the future we find that blocking will continue to play an important role in the development of both CSs and HWs in all seasons.
Genetics of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Faraone Stephen V. , Larsson Henrik
Published: June 2018

Decades of research show that genes play an vital role in the etiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and its comorbidity with other disorders. Family, twin, and adoption studies show that ADHD runs in families. ADHD’s high heritability of 74% motivated the search for ADHD susceptibility genes. Genetic linkage studies show that the effects of DNA risk variants on ADHD must, individually, be very small. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have implicated several genetic loci at the genome-wide level of statistical significance. These studies also show that about a third of ADHD’s heritability is due to a polygenic component comprising many common variants each having small effects. From studies of copy number variants we have also learned that the rare insertions or deletions account for part of ADHD’s heritability. These findings have implicated new biological pathways that may eventually have implications for treatment development.
Update in myopia and treatment strategy of atropine use in myopia control
Authors: Wu Pei-Chang , Chuang Meng-Ni , Choi Jessy , Chen Huan , Wu Grace , Ohno-Matsui Kyoko , Jonas Jost B , Cheung Chui Ming Gemmy
Published: June 2018

The prevalence of myopia is increasing globally. Complications of myopia are associated with huge economic and social costs. It is believed that high myopia in adulthood can be traced back to school age onset myopia. Therefore, it is crucial and urgent to implement effective measures of myopia control, which may include preventing myopia onset as well as retarding myopia progression in school age children. The mechanism of myopia is still poorly understood. There are some evidences to suggest excessive expansion of Bruch’s membrane, possibly in response to peripheral hyperopic defocus, and it may be one of the mechanisms leading to the uncontrolled axial elongation of the globe. Atropine is currently the most effective therapy for myopia control. Recent clinical trials demonstrated low-dose atropine eye drops such as 0.01% resulted in retardation of myopia progression, with significantly less side effects compared to higher concentration preparation. However, there remain a proportion of patients who are poor responders, in whom the optimal management remains unclear. Proposed strategies include stepwise increase of atropine dosing, and a combination of low-dose atropine with increase outdoor time. This review will focus on the current understanding of epidemiology, pathophysiology in myopia and highlight recent clinical trials using atropine in the school-aged children, as well as the treatment strategy in clinical implementation in hyperopic, pre-myopic and myopic children.
Nanoscale metal-organic frameworks enhance radiotherapy to potentiate checkpoint blockade immunotherapy
Authors: Ni Kaiyuan , Lan Guangxu , Chan Christina , Quigley Bryan , Lu Kuangda , Aung Theint , Guo Nining , La Riviere Patrick , Weichselbaum Ralph R. , Lin Wenbin
Published: June 2018

Checkpoint blockade immunotherapy enhances systemic antitumor immune response by targeting T cell inhibitory pathways; however, inadequate T cell infiltration has limited its anticancer efficacy. Radiotherapy (RT) has local immunomodulatory effects that can alter the microenvironment of irradiated tumors to synergize with immune checkpoint blockade. However, even with high doses of radiation, RT has rarely elicited systemic immune responses. Herein, we report the design of two porous Hf-based nanoscale metal-organic frameworks (nMOFs) as highly effective radioenhancers that significantly outperform HfO2, a clinically investigated radioenhancer in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, the combination of nMOF-mediated low-dose RT with an anti-programmed death-ligand 1 antibody effectively extends the local therapeutic effects of RT to distant tumors via abscopal effects. Our work establishes the feasibility of combining nMOF-mediated RT with immune checkpoint blockade to elicit systemic antitumor immunity in non-T cell-inflamed tumor phenotypes without normal tissue toxicity, promising to broaden the application of checkpoint blockade immunotherapy.
When optimization for governing human-environment tipping elements is neither sustainable nor safe
Authors: Barfuss Wolfram , Donges Jonathan F. , Lade Steven J. , Kurths Jürgen
Published: June 2018

Optimizing economic welfare in environmental governance has been criticized for delivering short-term gains at the expense of long-term environmental degradation. Different from economic optimization, the concepts of sustainability and the more recent safe operating space have been used to derive policies in environmental governance. However, a formal comparison between these three policy paradigms is still missing, leaving policy makers uncertain which paradigm to apply. Here, we develop a better understanding of their interrelationships, using a stylized model of human-environment tipping elements. We find that no paradigm guarantees fulfilling requirements imposed by another paradigm and derive simple heuristics for the conditions under which these trade-offs occur. We show that the absence of such a master paradigm is of special relevance for governing real-world tipping systems such as climate, fisheries, and farming, which may reside in a parameter regime where economic optimization is neither sustainable nor safe.