bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic counselors on the frontline of precision health
Authors: Bamshad Michael J. , Magoulas Pilar L. , Dent Karin M.
Published: March 2018

By enabling precise genetic diagnosis and treatment there is great potential for inexpensive, accurate, and widely accessible genomic information to transform health care and improve the general well‐being of virtually every person. To maximize this potential, approaches to genetic counseling and the role of genetic counselors will need to adapt to fit changing clinical and commercial needs worldwide. This will require overcoming multiple challenges including an inadequate workforce; development and implementation of alternate models of service delivery; integration of new technologies to improve, extend, and expand services; and support for equitable education and counseling among all populations. Genetic counselors are aptly poised to take on these challenges. The result will be better informed patients and families more capable of utilizing genetic information appropriately, making autonomous decisions about their care, and modifying their approach to disease risk to actively contribute to their health. The contributors to this issue of Seminars discuss how key areas of genetic counseling need to evolve and how genetic counselors can play a role in shaping the future of precision health.
Marinobufagenin inhibits glioma growth through sodium pump α1 subunit and ERK signaling‐mediated mitochondrial apoptotic pathway
Authors: Lan Yu‐Long , Wang Xun , Lou Jia‐Cheng , Xing Jin‐Shan , Zou Shuang , Yu Zhen‐Long , Ma Xiao‐Chi , Wang Hongjin , Zhang Bo
Published: March 2018

Malignant glioma is one of the most challenging central nervous system diseases to treat and has high rates of recurrence and mortality. Current therapies often fail to control tumor progression or improve patient survival. Marinobufagenin (MBG) is an endogenous mammalian cardiotonic steroid involved in sodium pump inhibition. Currently, various studies have indicated the potential of MBG in cancer treatments; however, the precise mechanisms are poorly understood. The functions of MBG were examined using colony formation, migration, cell cycle, and apoptosis assays in glioma cells. A mitochondrial membrane potential assay was performed to determine the mitochondrial transmembrane potential change, and cytochrome c release from mitochondria was assayed by fluorescence microscopy. An immunofluorescence assay was performed, and the nuclear translocation of NF‐κB in glioma cells was confirmed by confocal microscopy. Western blotting and RT‐qPCR were used to detect the protein and gene expression levels, respectively. In addition, transfection experiment of ATP1A1‐siRNA was further carried out to confirm the role of sodium pump α1 subunit in the anticancer effect of MBG in human glioma. The apoptosis‐promoting and anti‐inflammatory effects of MBG were further investigated, and the sodium pump α1 subunit and the ERK signaling pathway were found to be involved in the anticancer effect of MBG. The in vivo anticancer efficacy of MBG was also tested in xenografts in nude mice. Thus, therapies targeting the ERK signaling‐mediated mitochondrial apoptotic pathways regulated by MBG might represent potential treatments for human glioma, and this study could accelerate the finding of newer therapeutic approaches for malignant glioma treatment.
Iron‐Doped Bismuth Tungstate with an Excellent Photocatalytic Performance
Authors: Hu Tingxia , Li Haiping , Du Na , Hou Wanguo
Published: March 2018

The metal‐doping of Bi‐based oxide photocatalysts to enhance the photocatalytic performance has been a research hotspot in recent years, but the research on the mechanism of doping‐induced photoactivity improvement is still incomplete. To illustrate the mechanism completely and clearly, Fe‐doped Bi2WO6, as an example, was synthesized by a facile hydrothermal route. Fe‐doped Bi2WO6 exhibits a much higher photoactivity than pure Bi2WO6 in the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) and salicylic acid (SA). By replacing W6+, the Fe3+ doping narrows the energy band gap and generates many oxygen vacancies, which can increase the adsorption of both RhB and SA, and the introduced defect and Fe‐doping energy levels in the band gap of Bi2WO6 increase the separation efficiency of photoinduced charge carriers significantly. These lead to the considerable photoactivity enhancement of Fe‐doped Bi2WO6. The photoactivity of Fe‐doped Bi2WO6 is stable and superior to that of most reported modified Bi2WO6 photocatalysts. This work illustrates in detail the mechanism for the photoactivity improvement of Fe‐doped Bi2WO6, which benefits the research of other metal‐doped photocatalysts.
Artificial Photosynthesis of Methanol by Mn:CdS and CdSeTe Quantum Dot Cosensitized Titania Photocathode in Imine‐Based Ionic Liquid Aqueous Solution
Authors: Nie Rong , Ma Wenjie , Dong Yapeng , Xu Yanjie , Wang Jinyuan , Wang Jianguo , Jing Huanwang
Published: March 2018

The artificial photosynthesis (APS) of carbon‐based chemicals from CO2 and water is a promising strategy for solar energy conversion and storage. A new Mn‐doped CdS and CdSeTe quantum dot cosensitized TiO2 photocathode was fabricated and applied to CO2 reduction in an APS cell with modified BiVO4 as the counter electrode. The 3 D structure of the photocathode constructed by Mn:CdS and CdSeTe quantum dots showed a high efficiency for light harvesting and electron transfer in this system to yield methanol at a rate of 90 μm h−1 cm−2 at −0.9 V versus the saturated calomel electrode under 200 mW cm−2 irradiation. Methanol could also be produced by a two‐electrode system under the same conditions. 13CO2‐labeling experiments were performed to show that the carbon‐based products are derived from CO2. A mechanism for CO2 reduction in this new APS cell was proposed based on the experimental results. In addition, headspace GC was used to quantify the products by an external standard method.
Co‐occurrence dynamics of endangered Lower Keys marsh rabbits and free‐ranging domestic cats: Prey responses to an exotic predator removal program
Authors: Cove Michael V. , Gardner Beth , Simons Theodore R. , O'Connell Allan F.
Published: March 2018

The Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) is one of many endangered endemic species of the Florida Keys. The main threats are habitat loss and fragmentation from sea‐level rise, development, and habitat succession. Exotic predators such as free‐ranging domestic cats (Felis catus) pose an additional threat to these endangered small mammals. Management strategies have focused on habitat restoration and exotic predator control. However, the effectiveness of predator removal and the effects of anthropogenic habitat modifications and restoration have not been evaluated. Between 2013 and 2015, we used camera traps to survey marsh rabbits and free‐ranging cats at 84 sites in the National Key Deer Refuge, Big Pine Key, Florida, USA. We used dynamic occupancy models to determine factors associated with marsh rabbit occurrence, colonization, extinction, and the co‐occurrence of marsh rabbits and cats during a period of predator removal. Rabbit occurrence was positively related to freshwater habitat and patch size, but was negatively related to the number of individual cats detected at each site. Furthermore, marsh rabbit colonization was negatively associated with relative increases in the number of individual cats at each site between survey years. Cat occurrence was negatively associated with increasing distance from human developments. The probability of cat site extinction was positively related to a 2‐year trapping effort, indicating that predator removal reduced the cat population. Dynamic co‐occurrence models suggested that cats and marsh rabbits co‐occur less frequently than expected under random conditions, whereas co‐detections were site and survey‐specific. Rabbit site extinction and colonization were not strongly conditional on cat presence, but corresponded with a negative association. Our results suggest that while rabbits can colonize and persist at sites where cats occur, it is the number of individual cats at a site that more strongly influences rabbit occupancy and colonization. These findings indicate that continued predator management would likely benefit endangered small mammals as they recolonize restored habitats.
The effects of food and parasitism on reproductive performance of a wild rodent
Authors: Shaner Pei‐Jen L. , Yu Ai‐Yun , Li Shou‐Hsien , Hou Ching‐Ho
Published: March 2018

Food and parasitism can have complex effects on small mammal reproduction. In this study, we tested the effects of sex, food, and parasitism on reproductive performance of the Taiwan field mouse (Apodemus semotus). In a field experiment, we increased food availability for a portion of the mice in the population by providing sorghum seeds to a set of food stations. We reduced parasite intensity of randomly chosen mice through ivermectin treatment. We determined the number and quality of offspring for the mice using paternity analysis. We quantified seed consumption with stable carbon isotope values of mouse plasma and parasite intensity with fecal egg counts of intestinal nematodes and cestodes (FEC). In a laboratory experiment, we reduced parasite intensity of randomly chosen mice through ivermectin treatment. We quantified their immune functions by total white blood cell count, percent granulocyte count, and percent lymphocyte count through hematological analyses. We measured the FEC and energy intake of the mice. From the field experiment, the number of offspring in A. semotus increased with increasing seed consumption. Due to the trade‐off between number and quality of offspring, the offspring quality decreased with increasing seed consumption for the females. The ivermectin treatment did not affect offspring number or quality. However, the FEC was positively correlated with number of offspring. In the laboratory experiment, the percent lymphocyte/granulocyte count changed with parasite intensity at low energy intake, which was relaxed at high energy intake. This study demonstrated positive effects of food availability and neutral effects of parasitism on A. semotus reproduction. However, the benefits of food availability for the females need to take into account the offspring number–quality trade‐off, and at high infection intensity, parasitism might negatively affect offspring quality for the males. We suggest that food availability could mediate the relationships between parasite intensity and immune responses.
Timely supplemental irrigation changed nitrogen use of wheat by regulating root vertical distribution
Authors: Wu Baojian , Zhang Hongbo , Wang Dong
Published: March 2018

Crop nitrogen (N) uptake depends on the root absorption area and the soil N availability which are closely related to the soil water status. With the increasing water shortages in the North China Plain, supplemental irrigation (SI) to winter wheat is a promising technique. To clarify the relationships between water and nitrogen use, four SI regimes in Tritcum aestivum L. cv. Jimai 22 were set up: no‐irrigation after emergence (T1), SI at jointing and anthesis (T2), SI at sowing, jointing and anthesis (T3), and SI at pre‐wintering, jointing and anthesis (T4). The results indicate that T2 had higher root length density (RLD) and root surface area density (RAD) in the 0–20, 60–80, and 80–100 cm soil layers, as well as higher post‐anthesis N uptake from soil by 23–26% in 2012–2013 and 162–177% in 2013–2014, compared to T3 and T4. The grain yield under T2 was lower than T3 but was not significantly different from T4, whereas its water use efficiency (WUE) was higher relative to both T3 and T4. There were no significant differences among T2, T3, and T4 in N use efficiency (NUE). The N uptake after jointing and WUE were positively correlated with the RLD and RAD in the 0–20 cm soil layer. The NUE was positively correlated with the RLD and RAD in the 20–40 cm soil layer. These results indicate that timely SI at jointing and anthesis was dependent on a suitable water supply at sowing, which increased the soil water content in the upper soil layer after jointing and improved the absorption area of the roots in both the deep and surface soil layers; this further improved the post‐anthesis N uptake from the soil and the WUE. This approach can be a valuable way to maintain high grain yields and NUE in winter wheat while using less irrigation and achieving higher WUE in the North China Plain.
Radiation dose dependence on subject size in abdominal computed tomography: Water phantom and patient model comparison
Authors: Li Xinhua , Yang Kai , Liu Bob
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Development of patient organ dose evaluation method in computed tomography (CT) needs to model the correlation between organ dose and patient size, under various conditions of scan length, tube current lineshape, and organ location. To facilitate this task, this work was to perform a comprehensive study of the relationship between the dose to water phantom and its diameter under various settings of phantom axis, scan length, and the location across or beyond the scanned range.

Methods

A dose calculation algorithm and the published data by Li et al. [Med. Phys. 39, 5347–5352 (2012); 40, 031903 (2013); 43, 5878–5888 (2016)] were used to calculate longitudinal dose distribution DL(z) in 10‐ to 50‐cm diameter water phantoms undergoing constant tube current scans. The relationship between dose and phantom diameter was examined on three phantom axes (center, cross‐sectional average, periphery), at seven scan lengths from 15 to 70 cm, and at eight longitudinal locations within or beyond each scan range. The water phantom results were compared to those of patient models of eight previous studies.

Results

For the water phantoms matching the abdominal perimeters (36.3–124.5 cm) of the GSF family of voxelized phantoms, the median and range of DL(z)(water) across scan range were consistent with those of the organ doses from the GSF phantom abdominal scans of a previous study. In 41 water phantoms (diameters 10–50 cm), DL(z)(water) at locations inside scan range decreased with increasing phantom diameters. Exponential regression analysis of the above trend yielded regression parameters approximately consistent with those of phantom or patient models of eight previous studies. However, the usual exponential function might not be optimal for modeling the dose dependence on subject size. Inside scan range, the log(dose) vs diameter curve was non‐linear on a semilogarithmic graph. Outside of scan range, dose might increase with larger subject sizes, contradicting to the exponential attenuation law. In the CT examinations of a patient population, direct modeling of organ dose dependence on patient size would be more challenging due to varying scan lengths and changing organ distances to the scan range centers.

Conclusion

An efficient approach to take into account the abdominal organ dose dependences on other factors is to calculate DL(z)(water) with the water equivalent diameter, scan length, and tube current lineshape from the patient examinations, and to evaluate the organ dose to DL (z)(water) ratio, where z is at the organ's longitudinal location. The ratio may be used for abdominal organ dose evaluation in the patient examinations. How to make use of DL(z)(water) for organ dose evaluation in other body regions may be explored in the future.
A preclinical Talbot–Lau prototype for x‐ray dark‐field imaging of human‐sized objects
Authors: Hauke C. , Bartl P. , Leghissa M. , Ritschl L. , Sutter S. M. , Weber T. , Zeidler J. , Freudenberger J. , Mertelmeier T. , Radicke M. , Michel T. , Anton G. , Meinel F. G. , Baehr A. , Auweter S. , Bondesson D. , Gaass T. , Dinkel J. , Reiser M. , Hellbach K.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Talbot–Lau x‐ray interferometry provides information about the scattering and refractive properties of an object — in addition to the object's attenuation features. Until recently, this method was ineligible for imaging human‐sized objects as it is challenging to adapt Talbot–Lau interferometers (TLIs) to the relevant x‐ray energy ranges. In this work, we present a preclinical Talbot–Lau prototype capable of imaging human‐sized objects with proper image quality at clinically acceptable dose levels.

Methods

The TLI is designed to match a setup of clinical relevance as closely as possible. The system provides a scan range of 120 × 30 cm2 by using a scanning beam geometry. Its ultimate load is 100 kg. High aspect ratios and fine grid periods of the gratings ensure a reasonable setup length and clinically relevant image quality. The system is installed in a university hospital and is, therefore, exposed to the external influences of a clinical environment.

To demonstrate the system's capabilities, a full‐body scan of a euthanized pig was performed. In addition, freshly excised porcine lungs with an extrinsically provoked pneumothorax were mounted into a human thorax phantom and examined with the prototype.

Results

Both examination sequences resulted in clinically relevant image quality — even in the case of a skin entrance air kerma of only 0.3 mGy which is in the range of human thoracic imaging. The presented case of a pneumothorax and a reader study showed that the prototype's dark‐field images provide added value for pulmonary diagnosis.

Conclusion

We demonstrated that a dedicated design of a Talbot–Lau interferometer can be applied to medical imaging by constructing a preclinical Talbot–Lau prototype. We experienced that the system is feasible for imaging human‐sized objects and the phase‐stepping approach is suitable for clinical practice.

Hence, we conclude that Talbot–Lau x‐ray imaging has potential for clinical use and enhances the diagnostic power of medical x‐ray imaging.
Refinement of Banded Structure via Thermal Cycling and Its Effects on Mechanical Properties of Dual Phase Steel
Authors: Ghaemifar Sajad , Mirzadeh Hamed
Published: March 2018

The microstructural refinement by thermal cycling and its effects on the enhancement of mechanical properties and work‐hardening response of a typical C–Mn dual phase (DP) steel having the banded ferritic‐martensitic morphology is evaluated. It is revealed that the band spacing is reduced by decreasing austenitization temperature and applying thermal cycles to intercritical region, where a saturated spacing will be reached. This results in the enhancement of work‐hardening capacity of DP steels as demonstrated based on the instantaneous (incremental) work‐hardening rate exponents, modified Crussard‐Jaoul analysis, and evaluating the yield ratio after tensile tests. These observations justify the potential of this simple heat treatment route for microstructural control of DP steels.
Making the Discovery: The Creativity of Selecting Fiction Manuscripts from the Slush Pile
Authors: Fürst Henrik
Published: March 2018

Gatekeeping appears central to creative industries. To better understand gatekeeping, this article introduces a distinction between discovering and justifying the selection of cultural goods. Most research deals with legitimation and justifications for selecting cultural goods. This article draws on American pragmatism to elucidate gatekeepers' discovery of cultural goods under conditions of uncertainty and abundance. The article focuses on the discovery of publishable unsolicited manuscripts. Publishers learn to act upon particular kinds of experiences associated with publishable manuscripts. Gatekeepers learn to abandon preformed ideas of what to look for and instead use either an aesthetic or an efferent reading strategy. In aesthetic reading, a reading flow experience becomes the means to discover manuscripts. Through efferent reading, gatekeepers identify manuscripts as participating in a literary convention and view them either as exceptional within that convention or as adding something to the convention. The qualities of these experiences create the realization of a publishable manuscript; acting on this realization moves the process to the next phase, in which gatekeepers make justifications for selecting or rejecting the manuscript. Gatekeepers discover cultural goods when they have been professionalized and sensitized to produce the “right” type of experiences and creatively act on the qualities of these experiences.
On the on-shell: the action of AdS4 black holes
Authors: Halmagyi Nick , Lal Shailesh
Published: March 2018

Abstract

We compute the on-shell action of static, BPS black holes in AdS4 from

$$ \mathcal{N}=2 $$

N
=
2

gauged supergravity coupled to vector multiplets and show that for a certain class it is equal to minus the entropy of the black hole. Holographic renormalization is used to demonstrate that with Neumann boundary conditions on the scalar fields, the divergent and finite contributions from the asymptotic boundary vanish. The entropy arises from the extrinsic curvature on Σ
g
× S
1 evaluated at the horizon, where Σ
g
may have any genus g ≥ 0. This provides a clarification of the equivalence between the partition function of the twisted ABJM theory on Σ
g
× S
1 and the entropy of the dual black hole solutions. It also demonstrates that the complete entropy resides on the AdS2 × Σ
g
horizon geometry, implying the absence of hair for these gravity solutions.
Extremal bootstrapping: go with the flow
Authors: El-Showk Sheer , Paulos Miguel F.
Published: March 2018

Abstract

The extremal functional method determines approximate solutions to the constraints of crossing symmetry, which saturate bounds on the space of unitary CFTs. We show that such solutions are characterized by extremality conditions, which may be used to flow continuously along the boundaries of parameter space. Along the flow there is generically no further need for optimization, which dramatically reduces computational requirements, bringing calculations from the realm of computing clusters to laptops. Conceptually, extremality sheds light on possible ways to bootstrap without positivity, extending the method to non-unitary theories, and implies that theories saturating bounds, and especially those sitting at kinks, have unusually sparse spectra. We discuss several applications, including the first high-precision bootstrap of a non-unitary CFT.
Implantation of platelet rich fibrin and allogenic mesenchymal stem cells facilitate the healing of muscle injury: An experimental study on animal
Authors: Utomo Dwikora N. , Mahyudin Ferdiansyah , Hernugrahanto Kukuh D. , Suroto Heri , Chilmi Muhammad Zaim , Rantam Fedik Abdul
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Muscle injury has caused adverse impacts on athletes' performance. Muscle injury treatments are based on the degree of severity. Unfortunately, in extensive injuries, surgical treatments are often unsatisfactory especially in athletes with high functional demand. More effort is needed to achieve a better result in muscle injury healing. The use of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) would provide all the necessary factors to achieve good tissue healing: cells, growth factors, and scaffold. The study aims to evaluate the role of PRF and MSC in facilitating the healing of muscle injury on animal models.

Methods:

A model defect was created in the gastrocnemius muscle of each hind leg of twenty New Zealand white rabbits. All legs were randomly divided into four groups: (1) control; (2) PRF-only; (3) MSC-only, and (4) PRF-and-MSC group. After two and four weeks, the muscle was retrieved and sent for immunohistochemistry examination to evaluate the expression of Pax7 and MyoD protein.

Results:

The mean score of all treated group was higher compared to the control group. The group that received both PRF and MSC showed the highest score.

Conclusion:

Considering the promising result, application of PRF and MSC could be an option for the treatment of muscle injury as this would provide all necessary elements of tissue engineering to facilitate the healing process of muscle: the cells, the scaffold, and the growth factors.

Highlights:
Everyone has something worthwhile to say: an introduction to Salford Zine Library
Authors: Carlton Steve , Francis Ingrid
Published: March 2018

Salford Zine Library is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collection of approximately 2,000 zines and other self-published materials housed at Nexus Art Café in Manchester. The makeup of the collection, the way it has been built and its comparatively less restrictive access arrangements make it a unique resource in the UK. Over the last seven years the zine library has grown from a small personal collection to a place that attracts zine enthusiasts from around the UK and beyond.
New Paradigms for the Old Question: Challenging the Expectation Rule Held by Risky Decision-Making Theories
Authors: Zhou Lei , Zhang Yang-Yang , Li Shu , Liang Zhu-Yuan
Published: March 2018

In risky decision making, whether decision makers follow an expectation rule as hypothesised by mainstream theories is a compelling question. To tackle this question and enrich our knowledge of the underlying mechanism of risky decision making, we developed a series of new experimental paradigms that directly examined the computation processes to systematically investigate the process of risky decision making and explore the boundary condition of expectation rule over the course of a decade. In this article, we introduce these methods and review behavioural, eye-tracking, event-related potential, and functional magnetic resonance imaging studies that employed these methods. Results of these studies consistently showed that decision makers in the single-application condition did not perform the weighting and summing process assumed by the expectation rule. Moreover, decision makers were inclined to adopt a non-compensatory strategy, such as a heuristic one, in risky decision making. Furthermore, results indicated that the expectation rule was only applicable for conditions that involved decisions applied to numerous events (multiple applications) or to people (everyone). The findings indicated that using an index based on expected value to prescribe human risk preferences appears to be an artificial or false index of risk preference, and emphasised a new methodological direction for risky decision-making research.
Generalizing from Survey Experiments Conducted on Mechanical Turk: A Replication Approach
Authors: Coppock Alexander
Published: March 2018

To what extent do survey experimental treatment effect estimates generalize to other populations and contexts? Survey experiments conducted on convenience samples have often been criticized on the grounds that subjects are sufficiently different from the public at large to render the results of such experiments uninformative more broadly. In the presence of moderate treatment effect heterogeneity, however, such concerns may be allayed. I provide evidence from a series of 15 replication experiments that results derived from convenience samples like Amazon’s Mechanical Turk are similar to those obtained from national samples. Either the treatments deployed in these experiments cause similar responses for many subject types or convenience and national samples do not differ much with respect to treatment effect moderators. Using evidence of limited within-experiment heterogeneity, I show that the former is likely to be the case. Despite a wide diversity of background characteristics across samples, the effects uncovered in these experiments appear to be relatively homogeneous.
Martyrologists without Boundaries: The Collaboration of John Foxe and Heinrich Pantaleon
Authors: FREEMAN THOMAS S. , GEHRING DAVID SCOTT
Published: March 2018

Amid the great Protestant martyrologies of the mid-sixteenth century, Heinrich Pantaleon's Martyrvm historia (1563) has been comparatively overlooked. This article argues that Pantaleon's martyrology acted as a capstone to the narrative framework of Protestant suffering and resistance. Pantaleon's command of vernacular languages gave him access to a wider range of material than other martyrologists, material which his Latin text made accessible to learned readers across Europe. This article also examines the collaboration between Pantaleon and John Foxe, which directly inspired Pantaleon's martyrology and enabled Foxe to give a cohesive, trans-European account of Protestant martyrs in his Acts and monuments.
Kernel Design and Distributed, Self-Triggered Control for Coordination of Autonomous Multi-Agent Configurations
Authors: DeVries Levi , Sims Aaron , Kutzer Michael D. M.
Published: March 2018

Autonomous multi-agent systems show promise in countless applications, but can be hindered in environments where inter-agent communication is limited. In such cases, this paper considers a scenario where agents communicate intermittently through a cloud server. We derive a graph transformation mapping the kernel of a graph's Laplacian to a desired configuration vector while retaining graph topology characteristics. The transformation facilitates derivation of a self-triggered controller driving agents to prescribed configurations while regulating instances of inter-agent communication. Experimental validation of the theoretical results shows the self-triggered approach drives agents to a desired configuration using fewer control updates than traditional periodic implementations.
BEWLEY–HUGGETT–AIYAGARI MODELS: COMPUTATION, SIMULATION, AND UNIQUENESS OF GENERAL EQUILIBRIUM
Authors: Kirkby Robert
Published: March 2018

This paper provides conditions under which an algorithm for the computation and simulation of Bewley–Huggett–Aiyagari models, based on state-space discretization, will converge to all true solutions. These conditions are shown to be satisfied in two standard examples: the Aiyagari model and its extension to endogenous labor. Bewley–Huggett– Aiyagari models are general equilibrium models with incomplete markets and idiosyncratic, but no aggregate, shocks. The algorithm itself is based on discretization, while the theory importantly allows for making simulations using the approximate computational solution of the value function problem rather than the true model solution. The numerical results of applying the algorithm to both models are provided and investigated in terms of replication, revealing that the Aiyagari model overestimates the degree of precautionary savings in the high-risk-and-high-risk-aversion case. The results also show that both models almost certainly have a unique general equilibrium. Theoretically, the existence of equilibria was known, but uniqueness remained an open question.
A definition of free sugars for the UK
Authors: Swan Gillian E , Powell Natasha A , Knowles Bethany L , Bush Mark T , Levy Louis B
Published: March 2018

Public Health England has set a definition for free sugars in the UK in order to estimate intakes of free sugars in the National Diet and Nutrition Survey. This follows the recommendation from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition in its 2015 report on Carbohydrates and Health that a definition of free sugars should be adopted. The definition of free sugars includes: all added sugars in any form; all sugars naturally present in fruit and vegetable juices, purées and pastes and similar products in which the structure has been broken down; all sugars in drinks (except for dairy-based drinks); and lactose and galactose added as ingredients. The sugars naturally present in milk and dairy products, fresh and most types of processed fruit and vegetables and in cereal grains, nuts and seeds are excluded from the definition.
Is It Simply Gender? Content, Format, and Time in Political Knowledge Measures
Authors: Ferrin Monica , Fraile Marta , García-Albacete Gema
Published: March 2018

Theories of democracy commonly assume that citizens must have a certain degree of information and factual knowledge to be able to understand the functioning of institutions, the performance of the incumbent government, and the actions of the main political actors. Political knowledge helps people to better assess their interest as individuals and as members of groups (Delli Carpini and Keeter 1996). Moreover, governments have more incentives to be responsive when they can be held accountable, but citizens are able to hold governments accountable for their actions only when they know what governments are actually doing.
In-between the Constitution and the European Court of Human Rights: Mobilizations Around Religion and Education in Greece
Authors: Markoviti Margarita
Published: March 2018

This paper examines the impact of European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) decisions on the field of religion and education in Greece around the issues of the content and objectives of religious education, the exemption thereof, and religious symbols in school. The findings indicate that despite the relevance of ECtHR case law with the specific field in Greece, the Court's role in influencing such national debates is minimal. Drawing on empirical research and discourse analysis, the paper argues that this is due to the doctrine of the margin of appreciation, apparently linked to strategic references to and varying interpretations of the Court's judgments; the unwillingness of actors to litigate in a potentially sensitive, lengthy, and costly procedure; and to a shared belief in the perceived primacy of constitutional provisions on religion and education that precludes the formation of structured mobilizations.
Intensity-Specific Differential Leukocyte DNA Methylation in Physical (In)Activity: An Exploratory Approach
Authors: Caspers Maarten , Blocquiaux Sara , Charlier Ruben , Knaeps Sara , Lefevre Johan , De Bock Katrien , Thomis Martine
Published: March 2018

The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate how sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) influence DNA methylation at a global, gene-specific, and health-related pathway level. SB, light PA (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) were assessed objectively for 41 Flemish men using the SenseWear Pro 3 Armband. CpG site-specific methylation in leukocytes was determined using the Illumina HumanMethylation 450 BeadChip. Correlations were calculated between time spent on the three PA intensity levels and global DNA methylation, using a z-score-based method to determine global DNA methylation levels. To determine whether CpG site-specific methylation can be predicted by these three PA intensity levels, linear regression analyses were performed. Based on the significantly associated CpG sites at α = 0.005, lists were created including all genes with a promoter region overlapping these CpG sites. A biological pathway analysis determined to what extent these genes are overrepresented within several pathways. No significant associations were observed between global DNA methylation and SB (r = 0.084), LPA (r = -0.168), or MVPA (r = -0.125), although the direction of the correlation coefficients is opposite to what is generally reported in literature. SB has a different impact on global and gene-specific methylation than PA, but also LPA and MVPA affect separate genes and pathways. Furthermore, the function of a pathway seems to determine its association with SB, LPA, or MVPA. Multiple PA intensity levels, including SB, should be taken into account in future studies investigating the effect of physical (in)activity on human health through epigenetic mechanisms.
Zukunft der Neurorehabilitation
Authors: Klamroth-Marganska Verena , Riener Robert
Published: March 2018

Zusammenfassung. Die neurorehabilitative Forschung untersucht optimierte Lernstrategien, die die Neuroplastizität fördern und die motorische Funktion bei neurologischen Erkrankungen verbessern. Zur Optimierung dieser Art des funktionellen Trainings werden zunehmend Roboter eingesetzt. Zudem werden erste klinische Studien an Menschen durchgeführt, bei denen die Regeneration des zentralen Nervensystems mittels biologischer Faktoren induziert wird. Bevor eine Kombination dieser neuartigen Therapieformen aus den verschiedenen Fachgebieten breite klinische Anwendung finden kann, bedarf es jedoch weiterer Untersuchungen zu Sicherheit, Anwendbarkeit und Wirkung.
Federal Spending Act Boosts Funding for Many Science Agencies
Authors: Showstack Randy , Cartier Kimberly
Published: March 2018

Congressional priorities reflected in the legislation differed sharply from the administration’s.
A Mediterranean coastal database for assessing the impacts of sea-level rise and associated hazards
Authors: Wolff Claudia , Vafeidis Athanasios T. , Muis Sanne , Lincke Daniel , Satta Alessio , Lionello Piero , Jimenez Jose A. , Conte Dario , Hinkel Jochen
Published: March 2018

We have developed a new coastal database for the Mediterranean basin that is intended for coastal impact and adaptation assessment to sea-level rise and associated hazards on a regional scale. The data structure of the database relies on a linear representation of the coast with associated spatial assessment units. Using information on coastal morphology, human settlements and administrative boundaries, we have divided the Mediterranean coast into 13 900 coastal assessment units. To these units we have spatially attributed 160 parameters on the characteristics of the natural and socio-economic subsystems, such as extreme sea levels, vertical land movement and number of people exposed to sea-level rise and extreme sea levels. The database contains information on current conditions and on plausible future changes that are essential drivers for future impacts, such as sea-level rise rates and socio-economic development. Besides its intended use in risk and impact assessment, we anticipate that the Mediterranean Coastal Database (MCD) constitutes a useful source of information for a wide range of coastal applications.
FLO1K, global maps of mean, maximum and minimum annual streamflow at 1 km resolution from 1960 through 2015
Authors: Barbarossa Valerio , Huijbregts Mark A.J. , Beusen Arthur H.W. , Beck Hylke E. , King Henry , Schipper Aafke M.
Published: March 2018

Streamflow data is highly relevant for a variety of socio-economic as well as ecological analyses or applications, but a high-resolution global streamflow dataset is yet lacking. We created FLO1K, a consistent streamflow dataset at a resolution of 30 arc seconds (~1 km) and global coverage. FLO1K comprises mean, maximum and minimum annual flow for each year in the period 1960–2015, provided as spatially continuous gridded layers. We mapped streamflow by means of artificial neural networks (ANNs) regression. An ensemble of ANNs were fitted on monthly streamflow observations from 6600 monitoring stations worldwide, i.e., minimum and maximum annual flows represent the lowest and highest mean monthly flows for a given year. As covariates we used the upstream-catchment physiography (area, surface slope, elevation) and year-specific climatic variables (precipitation, temperature, potential evapotranspiration, aridity index and seasonality indices). Confronting the maps with independent data indicated good agreement (R2values up to 91%). FLO1K delivers essential data for freshwater ecology and water resources analyses at a global scale and yet high spatial resolution.
Effects of operating and design parameters on ion exchange columns for nutrient recovery from urine
Authors: Tarpeh William A. , Wald Ileana , Wiprächtiger Maja , Nelson Kara L.
Published: March 2018

Ion exchange is a promising option for recovering nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) from source-separated urine.
Stable and oxidant responsive zwitterionic nanoclusters
Authors: Huo Shuaidong , Jiang Ying , Jiang Ziwen , Landis Ryan F. , Liang Xing-Jie , Rotello Vincent M.
Published: March 2018

Stable and oxidant responsive zwitterionic nanoclusters for quantitative and selective sensing of antioxidants in real time.
Probing the origin of estrogen receptor alpha inhibitionvialarge-scale QSAR study
Authors: Suvannang Naravut , Preeyanon Likit , Malik Aijaz Ahmad , Schaduangrat Nalini , Shoombuatong Watshara , Worachartcheewan Apilak , Tantimongcolwat Tanawut , Nantasenamat Chanin
Published: March 2018

This study compiles a large, non-redundant set of compounds tested for ERα inhibitory activity and applies QSAR modeling for unveiling the privileged substructures governing the activity.
Magnetic carbon nanotubes for self-regulating temperature hyperthermia
Authors: Zuo Xudong , Wu Chengwei , Zhang Wei , Gao Wei
Published: March 2018

Magnetic carbon nanotubes with low Curie temperature are synthesized for self-regulating temperature in hyperthermia.
From vapour to gas: optimising cellulose degradation with gaseous HCl
Authors: Pääkkönen Timo , Spiliopoulos Panagiotis , Knuts Aaro , Nieminen Kaarlo , Johansson Leena-Sisko , Enqvist Eric , Kontturi Eero
Published: March 2018

A cellulose degradation technique utilizing a pressurized HCl gas (up to 100 kPa) device is introduced.
High-performance nanofibrous LaCoO3 perovskite cathode for solid oxide fuel cells fabricated via chemically assisted electrodeposition
Authors: Rehman Saeed Ur , Song Rak-Hyun , Lim Tak-Hyoung , Park Seok-Joo , Hong Jong-Eun , Lee Jong-Won , Lee Seung-Bok
Published: March 2018

In this study, a new method is developed for the fabrication of nanofibrous LaCoO3 (LCO) perovskites as cathodes (oxygen electrodes) for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs).
Antimicrobial susceptibility testing by using virulent phages to evaluate bacterial viability
Authors: He Yong , Fan Enci , Wang Mengyao , Lu Shuguang , Fu Zhifeng
Published: March 2018

A protocol for antibiotic phenotypic resistance testing was developed by using virulent phages to evaluate bacterial viability after antibiotic exposure.
A sensitive fluorescence method for the detection of streptavidin based on target-induced DNA machine amplification
Authors: Chen Mingjian , Deng Zhiyi , Ma Changbei , Zhao Han , Wu Kefeng , Wang Kemin
Published: March 2018

Recently, small molecule and targeted protein interactions have been applied frequently in quantitative detection, with the streptavidin (SA)–biotin model attracting most attention.
Selective voltammetric sensors based on composites of chitosan polyelectrolyte complexes with cyclodextrins for the recognition and determination of atenolol enantiomers
Authors: Zilberg R. A. , Maistrenko V. N. , Kabirova L. R. , Dubrovsky D. I.
Published: March 2018

Composites of chitosan polyelectrolyte complexes with cyclodextrins were used for selective recognition of atenolol enantiomers in pharmaceuticals and human urine.
Effects of room airflow on accurate determination of PUF-PAS sampling rates in the indoor environment
Authors: Herkert Nicholas J. , Hornbuckle Keri C.
Published: March 2018

Accurate and precise interpretation of concentrations from polyurethane passive samplers (PUF-PAS) is important as more studies show elevated concentrations of PCBs and other semivolatile air toxics in indoor air of schools and homes.
Calycosin directly improves perivascular adipose tissue dysfunction by upregulating the adiponectin/AMPK/eNOS pathway in obese mice
Authors: Han Fang , Li Kai , Pan Ruiyan , Xu Wenjie , Han Xue , Hou Ningning , Sun Xiaodong
Published: March 2018

Calycosin improves perivascular adipose tissue dysfunction.
Tuning antimicrobial properties of biomimetic nanopatterned surfaces
Authors: Michalska Martyna , Gambacorta Francesca , Divan Ralu , Aranson Igor S. , Sokolov Andrey , Noirot Philippe , Laible Philip D.
Published: March 2018

New forms of hydrophilic black silicon with superior bactericidal properties that can be tailored to selectively kill specific species.
Maximizing the symbiosis of static and dynamic bonds in self-healing boronic ester networks
Authors: Cash Jessica J. , Kubo Tomohiro , Dobbins Daniel J. , Sumerlin Brent S.
Published: March 2018

Networks that contain boronic ester crosslinks undergo dynamic bond exchange that enables self-healing behavior and reprocessing.
Functionalized chalcogenide hybrid inorganic/organic polymers (CHIPs) via inverse vulcanization of elemental sulfur and vinylanilines
Authors: Zhang Yueyan , Kleine Tristan S. , Carothers Kyle J. , Phan David D. , Glass Richard S. , Mackay Michael E. , Char Kookheon , Pyun Jeffrey
Published: March 2018

The first example of a sulfur copolymer with amine groups poly(sulfur-random-vinylaniline) was synthesized and successfully post-functionalized to improve the thermomechanical properties of these materials.
Inorganic open framework based on lanthanide ions and polyoxometalates with high proton conductivity
Authors: Wang Jia-Xuan , Wang Yi-Di , Wei Mei-Jie , Tan Hua-Qiao , Wang Yong-Hui , Zang Hong-Ying , Li Yang-Guang
Published: March 2018

The development of new proton-conducting materials that are cost effective and have high proton conductivity and water stability is very important in fuel cell technology.
Synthesis of cobalt-doped nickel sulfide nanomaterials with rich edge sites as high-performance supercapacitor electrode materials
Authors: Xie Shengli , Gou Jianxia , Liu Bin , Liu Chenguang
Published: March 2018

Edge site enrichment enhanced the electrochemical performance of Ni0.75Co0.25S2 for supercapacitor application.
Generating a three-dimensional non-fullerene electron acceptor by combining inexpensive spiro[fluorene-9,9′-xanthene] and cyanopyridone functionalities
Authors: Kadam Gajanan , Anuradha Anuradha , Agarwal Anubha , Puyad Avinash , La Duong Duc , Evans Richard A. , Li Jingliang , Gupta Akhil , Bhosale Sheshanath V.
Published: March 2018

A spiro[fluorene-9,9′-xanthene]-functionalized non-fullerene acceptor A1 [D : A1 = 1 : 1.2; P3HT(D) = 5.84%, PTB7(D) = 7.21%].
One-pot regioselective synthesis of 2,4-disubstituted quinolines via copper(ii)-catalyzed cascade annulation
Authors: Wu Wenhao , Guo Yujuan , Xu Xuefeng , Zhou Zhi , Zhang Xu , Wu Bo , Yi Wei
Published: March 2018

A copper(ii)-catalyzed cascade annulation for the one-pot synthesis of 2,4-disubstituted quinolines has been disclosed.
I2-Catalyzed intramolecular dehydrogenative aminooxygenation of alkynes to acylated imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and indolizines
Authors: He Yimiao , Yin Wenqing , Wang Jian , Huang Jianrong , Pang Xinru , Gan Chunfang , Yang Fang , Huang Chusheng
Published: March 2018

An efficient and green protocol for the construction of acylated imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and indolizines via intramolecular dehydrogenative aminooxygenation of alkynes has been developed.
Catalytic enantioselective synthesis of α-chiral azides
Authors: Ding Pei-Gang , Hu Xiao-Si , Zhou Feng , Zhou Jian
Published: March 2018

The catalytic asymmetric synthesis of α-chiral azides is of current interest and three synthetic strategies have been developed. This review summarizes the recent progress in this research area, discusses the advantages and limitations of each strategy, and outlines synthetic opportunities for future research.
The structural and the photoelectrochemical properties of ZnO–ZnS/ITO 1D hetero-junctions prepared by tandem electrodeposition and surface sulfidation: on the material processing limits
Authors: Brayek A. , Chaguetmi S. , Ghoul M. , Ben Assaker I. , Chtourou R. , Decorse P. , Beaunier P. , Nowak S. , Mammeri F. , Ammar S.
Published: March 2018

ZnO nanorods were electrodeposited on ITO and immersed in a Na2S solution for a variable time. As a function of this experimental parameter, different ZnS surface growth mechanisms take place, leading to specific microstructures.
Morphology- and pH-dependent peroxidase mimetic activity of nanoceria
Authors: Wei Xiaoshu , Li Xiaofeng , Feng Yuqian , Yang Sen
Published: March 2018

The peroxidase mimetic properties of nanoceria have attracted extensive attention in recent years.
Tune the chemical activity of graphene via the transition metal substrate
Authors: Ma Yuan , Gao Lei , Yan Yu , Su Yanjing , Qiao Lijie
Published: March 2018

The chemical activity of graphene can be tuned by the transition metal substrate.
Design and synthesis of graphene/SnO2/polyacrylamide nanocomposites as anode material for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Wan Yuanxin , Wang Tianyi , Lu Hongyan , Xu Xiaoqian , Zuo Chen , Wang Yong , Teng Chao
Published: March 2018

Tin dioxide (SnO2) is a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries owing to its large theoretical capacity (1494 mA h g−1).