bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The association of mean telomere length with all-cause, cerebrovascular and cardiovascular mortality
Authors: Huang Yu-qing , Lo Kenneth , Feng Ying-qing , Zhang Bin
Published: October 2019

Mean telomere length (MLT) is a marker of cell aging and may associate with age-related diseases. However, the relationship between MLT and mortality risk remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the relationship between MLT and all-cause, cerebrovascular and cardiovascular mortality among adults in United States. We analyzed data were from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 1999–2002) with follow-up data through 31 December 2015. Based on MLT, participants were categorized into low, middle and high groups. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression, subgroup analysis and generalized additive model (GAM) were performed by using hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A total of 7827 participants were included in analysis (48.18% male). After 158.26 months of follow-up on average, there were 1876 (23.97%), 87 (1.11%) and 243 (3.10%) onset of all-cause, cerebrovascular and cardiovascular mortality. After adjustment for potential confounders, using the low group as the reference, HRs for all-cause (0.87 and 0.86), cerebrovascular (0.75 and 0.75) and cardiovascular mortality (1.01 and 0.69) for the middle to high groups were not statistically significant (all P>0.05 for trend). MLT was non-linearly related to all-cause mortality but not to cerebrovascular and cardiovascular mortality. It was the first study to demonstrate the non-linear relationship between MLT and all-cause mortality.
Advanced bioscience and AI: debugging the future of life
Authors: Lawrence David R.
Published: October 2019

Scientific advancements lead us towards a future in which Homo sapiens may no longer be the only sapient being. The societal and legal challenges of this potentiality are immense, and it will require traditionally disparate branches of science to recognise their similarities in order to address them effectively.
Engineering bacteria for cancer therapy
Authors: Harimoto Tetsuhiro , Danino Tal
Published: October 2019

The engineering of living cells and microbes is ushering in a new era of cancer therapy. Due to recent microbiome studies indicating the prevalence of bacteria within the human body and specifically in tumor tissue, bacteria have generated significant interest as potential targets for cancer therapy. Notably, a multitude of empirical studies over the past decades have demonstrated that administered bacteria home and grow in tumors due to reduced immune surveillance of tumor necrotic cores. Given their specificity for tumors, bacteria present a unique opportunity to be engineered as intelligent delivery vehicles for cancer therapy with synthetic biology techniques. In this review, we discuss the history, current state, and future challenges associated with using bacteria as a cancer therapy.
Realistic endoscopic image generation method using virtual‐to‐real image‐domain translation
Authors: Oda Masahiro , Tanaka Kiyohito , Takabatake Hirotsugu , Mori Masaki , Natori Hiroshi , Mori Kensaku
Published: October 2019

A realistic image generation method for visualisation in endoscopic simulation systems is proposed in this study. Endoscopic diagnosis and treatment are performed in many hospitals. To reduce complications related to endoscope insertions, endoscopic simulation systems are used for training or rehearsal of endoscope insertions. However, current simulation systems generate non‐realistic virtual endoscopic images. To improve the value of the simulation systems, improvement of the reality of their generated images is necessary. The authors propose a realistic image generation method for endoscopic simulation systems. Virtual endoscopic images are generated by using a volume rendering method from a CT volume of a patient. They improve the reality of the virtual endoscopic images using a virtual‐to‐real image‐domain translation technique. The image‐domain translator is implemented as a fully convolutional network (FCN). They train the FCN by minimising a cycle consistency loss function. The FCN is trained using unpaired virtual and real endoscopic images. To obtain high‐quality image‐domain translation results, they perform an image cleansing to the real endoscopic image set. They tested to use the shallow U‐Net, U‐Net, deep U‐Net, and U‐Net having residual units as the image‐domain translator. The deep U‐Net and U‐Net having residual units generated quite realistic images.
On the inclinations of the Jupiter Trojans
Authors: Pirani Simona , Johansen Anders , Mustill Alexander J.
Published: October 2019

Jupiter Trojans are a resonant asteroidal population characterised by photometric colours that are compatible with trans-Neptunian objects, high inclinations, and an asymmetric distribution of the number of asteroids between the two swarms. Different models have been proposed to explain the high inclination of the Trojans and to interpret their relation with the Trans-Neptunian objects, but none of these models can also satisfactorily explain the asymmetry ratio between the number of asteroids in the two swarms. It has recently been found that the asymmetry ratio can arise if Jupiter has migrated inwards through the protoplanetary disc by at least a few astronomical units during its growth. The more numerous population of the leading swarm and the dark photometric colours of the Trojans are natural outcomes of this new model, but simulations with massless unperturbed disc particles led to a flat distribution of the Trojan inclinations and a final total mass of the Trojans that was 3–4 orders of magnitude larger than the current mass. We here investigate the possible origin of the peculiar inclination distribution of the Trojans in the scenario where Jupiter migrates inwards. We analyse different possibilities: (a) the secular evolution of an initially flat Trojan population, (b) the presence of planetary embryos among the Trojans, and (c) capture of the Trojans from a pre-stirred planetesimal population in which Jupiter grows and migrates. We find that the secular evolution of the Trojans and secular perturbations from Saturn do not affect the inclination distribution of the Trojans appreciably, nor is there any significant mass depletion over the age of the Solar System. Embryos embedded in the Trojan swarms, in contrast, can stir the Trojans to their current degree of excitation and can also deplete the swarms efficiently, but it is very difficult to remove all of the massive bodies in 4.5 Gyr of evolution. We propose that the disc where Jupiter’s core was forming was already stirred to high inclination values by other planetary embryos competing in the feeding zone of Jupiter’s core. We show that the trapped Trojans preserve their high inclination through the gas phase of the protoplanetary disc and that Saturn’s perturbations are more effective on highly inclined Trojans, leading to a lower capture efficiency and to a substantial depletion of the swarms during 4.5 Gyr of evolution.
Einfache autologe Shuntrevision 2
Authors: Krönung Gerhard
Published: October 2019

Komplexe Störungen der Shunthämodynamik können oft mit einfachen autologen Techniken korrigiert werden. Entscheidend ist eine differenzierte präoperative morphologisch-funktionelle Diagnostik und eine OP-Strategie mit geplanten Eskalationsmöglichkeiten.
Der soziale Konzern: Modell für eine qualitativ hochwertige Versorgung im Gesundheitswesen
Authors: Dirksen Ralf-Gero C.
Published: October 2019

Zielsetzung Der Aufsatz will aufzeigen, wie die aktuellen Rahmenbedingungen und Entwicklungen der qualitätsorientierten Steuerung im deutschen Gesundheitswesen zur integrierten Gesundheitsversorgung durch große Unternehmensverbünde führen.

Methodik Selektive Literaturrecherche und darauf aufbauende deskriptive Modellbildung.

Ergebnisse Die staatliche Krankenhausplanung der Länder verliert trotz der ihr zur Verfügung gestellten planungsrelevanten Qualitätsindikatoren an Einfluss zugunsten intermediärer Steuerungsinstanzen wie dem G-BA, der den Markt zunehmend reguliert. Es wird zu einem weiteren Strukturwandel der Leistungserbringer-Landschaft durch qualitätsorientierte Versorgungsgestaltung (Zentrumsbildung durch Mindestfallzahlen) kommen.

Schlussfolgerung Die Reduzierung der Versorgungskapazitäten dürfte die staatliche Sicherstellungsproblematik zusätzlich verschärfen. Unternehmensverbünde könnten diese Entwicklung abfedern und zu einer wirtschaftlichen sowie qualitativ hochwertigen Versorgung führen.
Pistacia Genus as a Potential Source of Neuroprotective Natural Products
Authors: Moeini Reihaneh , Memariani Zahra , Asadi Farideh , Bozorgi Mahbubeh , Gorji Narjes
Published: October 2019

Neuroprotective agents are able to defend the central nervous system against acute or chronic neuronal injuries. Even with the progress made over the last decades, most of the medications prescribed for the management of neurodegenerative diseases can only reduce their symptoms and slow down their progression. Based on natural product research, there are potential effective medicinal plants and phytochemicals for modulating neuronal functions and protecting against neurodegeneration. Plants in the genus Pistacia are also among valuable natural resources for neuroprotection research based on experiences in traditional medicine. Studies have supported the value of bioactive compounds of the genus Pistacia for central nervous system disorders such as Alzheimerʼs, Parkinsonʼs, multiple sclerosis, cerebral ischemia, depression, and anxiety. Related literature has also revealed that most of the evidence on neuroprotection in the genus Pistacia is in the form of preliminary studies, mainly including models of behavior, motor function, and memory impairments in animals, neural toxicity, cerebral ischemia and seizure models, evaluation of their effects on antioxidant and inflammatory biomarkers, amyloid β aggregation, and acetylcholinesterase as well as investigations into some cellular pathways. Along with the phytonutrients in kernels such as pistachios, various phytochemicals, mostly terpenes, and phenolic compounds have also been identified in different plant parts, in particular their oleoresins, of species in the genus Pistacia. In this review, the pharmacology of neurological effects and related molecular mechanisms of the plants belonging to the genus Pistacia and its active constituents, as well as pharmacokinetics aspects, are discussed.
The Impact of the New Hypertension Guidelines to Low-Dose Aspirin Prophylaxis Eligibility for the Prevention of Preeclampsia: A Cost-Benefit Analysis
Authors: Putra Manesha , Balasooriya Madagedara Maduka , Boscia Alexander L. , Dalkiran Evrim , Sokol Robert J.
Published: October 2019

Objective American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) published new guidelines which lower the cut-off for hypertension. We sought to evaluate the impact of these guidelines to cost and benefit of various low-dose aspirin prophylaxis approaches.

Study Design Decision tree analysis was created using R software to evaluate four approaches to aspirin prophylaxis in the United States: no aspirin, United States Preventive Service Task Force (USPSTF) with Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC7) hypertension guidelines, USPSTF with ACC/AHA hypertension guidelines, as well as universal aspirin prophylaxis. This model was executed to simulate a hypothetical cohort of 4 million pregnant women in the United States.

Results The new guidelines would expand the aspirin eligibility by 8% (76,953 women) in the USPSTF guidelines. Even with this increased eligibility, the USPSTF guidelines continue to be the approach with the most cost savings ($386.5 million) when compared with universal aspirin and no aspirin prophylaxis. The new hypertension guidelines are projected to increase the cost savings of the USPSTF approach by $9.4 million.

Conclusion Despite the small change in aspirin prophylaxis, using ACC/AHA definition of hypertension still results in an annual cost-saving of $9.4 million in the United States when compared with JNC7.
Cost Analysis of Transfusion Therapy in Coronary Artery Surgery
Authors: Petricevic Mirna , Petricevic Mate , Pasalic Marijan , Cepulic Branka Golubic , Raos Mirela , Dujmic Dora , Kalamar Viktor , Mestrovic Vice , Gasparovic Hrvoje , Vasicek Vesna , Goerlinger Klaus , Biocina Bojan
Published: October 2019

Background In patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), wide variability in transfusion rate (7.8% to 92.8%) raises the question of the amount of unnecessary transfusions. The aim of the study was (1) to identify CABG patients at low risk of bleeding to whom transfusion treatment should be avoided and (2) to calculate the amount of possible cost savings that would be achieved by avoiding transfusion in low bleeding risk patients.

Methods This retrospective observational study enrolled patients undergoing isolated elective CABG from January 2010 to January 2018. Patients were divided with respect to the presence of excessive bleeding and transfusion costs were compared between the two groups. Predictors for postoperative excessive bleeding were defined and multivariable logistic regression analysis and risk modeling were performed. The use of a model to predict patients at low risk of bleeding allowed for the estimation of transfusion cost savings assuming the patients who were found to be at low risk of bleeding should not be transfused.

Results A total of 1,426 patients were enrolled in the analysis. Of those, 28.3% had excessive postoperative bleeding. The multivariate logistic regression analysis model was developed to identify/predict patients without excessive bleeding (receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, area under the curve 72.3%, p < 0.001). When applied to the existing database, the use of the developed model identifying patients at low risk of bleeding may result in a 39.1% reduction of transfusions. Specifically, cost savings would be 48.2% for packed red blood cells, 38.9% for fresh frozen plasma, 10.9% for platelets concentrate, and 17.9% for fibrinogen concentrate.

Conclusion The clinical and economic burdens associated with unnecessary transfusions are significant. Avoiding transfusion in CABG patients found to be at low risk of bleeding may result in significant reduction of transfusion rate and transfusion-associated costs.
The Treatment of Distal Biceps Ruptures: An Overview
Authors: Cerciello Simone , Visonà Enrico , Corona Katia , Ribeiro Filho Paulo Roberto , Carbone Stefano
Published: October 2019

Traumatic lesions of the distal biceps brachii are uncommon. They often result from rapid elbow flexion against resistance. Conservative treatment is only indicated in low-demanding patient and in those who have severe comorbidities. Regarding the surgical approach, two options are available: the single- and the double-incision techniques. The former has been the first to be described and was associated with significant rate of neurologic complications. The second showed less frequent neurologic lesions, but considerable rate of heterotopic ossifications with reduced forearm movement. The choice of fixation device is another important issue. Cortical buttons, transosseous repair, suture anchors, and interference screws have shown satisfactory outcomes. However, cortical buttons have the best mechanical properties. Although a lack of high methodological quality studies emerges in the available literature, three recent systematic reviews and meta-analysis show interesting findings. Surgical reinsertion of the distal biceps brachii yields satisfactory clinical outcomes both with the single- and double-incision techniques. Higher prevalence of nerve injuries is associated with the single-incision techniques, whereas higher prevalence of heterotopic ossification is reported with double-incision techniques. Thus far, there is no sufficient evidence to support one option and the choice is mainly based on surgeon's experience.
A Systematic Review of Controlled Trials of Homeopathy in Adverse Effects of Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy in Cancer
Authors: Shukla Purnima , Nayak Chaturbhuja , Baig Mirza Qaiser , Misra Purak
Published: October 2019

Background The results of several studies indicated that conventional treatment based on surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy is often associated with adverse side effects. Recent studies suggest that patients with cancer (average 31.4%) used complementary therapy at some stage of their illness, and homeopathic medicines might be used to enhance survival and improve quality of life in cancer patients. The aim of this systematic review is to systematically review the literature on homeopathic-controlled clinical studies of adverse effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in carcinoma.

Methods Substantive research articles, conference proceedings and master and doctoral theses published between 1 January 1981 and 31 December 2018 were eligible. Methodology was assessed by Jadad's scoring, internal validity by Cochrane tool and model validity by Mathie's criteria.

Results Eight trials were eligible. Few trials were positive, especially those testing complex formulations. Methodological quality was diverse; five trials had ‘Unclear’ risk of bias. Model validity was compromised. Proof supporting individualised homeopathy remained inconclusive.

Discussion The trials were positive (evidence level A), but inconsistent and suffered from methodological heterogeneity, incomplete study reporting, inadequacy of independent replications and small sample sizes. Further trials are warranted.
Review of the relativistic magnetron
Authors: Andreev Dmitrii , Kuskov Artem , Schamiloglu Edl
Published: October 2019

The cavity magnetron is the most compact, efficient source of high-power microwave (HPM) radiation. The imprint that the magnetron has had on the world is comparable to the invention of the nuclear bomb. High- and low-power magnetrons are used in many applications, such as radar systems, plasma generation for semiconductor processing, and—the most common—microwave ovens for personal and industrial use. Since the invention of the magnetron in 1921 by Hull, scientists and engineers have improved and optimized magnetron technology by altering the geometry, materials, and operating conditions, as well as by identifying applications. A major step in advancing magnetrons was the relativistic magnetron introduced by Bekefi and Orzechowski at MIT (USA, 1976), followed by the invention of the relativistic magnetron with diffraction output (MDO) by Kovalev and Fuks at the Institute of Applied Physics (Soviet Union, 1977). The performance of relativistic magnetrons did not advance significantly thereafter until researchers at the University of Michigan and University of New Mexico (UNM) independently introduced new priming techniques and new cathode topologies in the 2000s, and researchers in Japan identified a flaw in the original Soviet MDO design. Recently, the efficiency of the MDO has reached 92% with the introduction of a virtual cathode and magnetic mirror, proposed by Fuks and Schamiloglu at UNM (2018). This article presents a historical review of the progression of the magnetron from a device intended to operate as a high-voltage switch controlled by the magnetic field that Hull published in 1921, to the most compact and efficient HPM source in the twenty-first century.
Distributed optical fiber sensing: Review and perspective
Authors: Lu Ping , Lalam Nageswara , Badar Mudabbir , Liu Bo , Chorpening Benjamin T. , Buric Michael P. , Ohodnicki Paul R.
Published: October 2019

Over the past few decades, optical fibers have been widely deployed to implement various applications in high-speed long-distance telecommunication, optical imaging, ultrafast lasers, and optical sensors. Distributed optical fiber sensors characterized by spatially resolved measurements along a single continuous strand of optical fiber have undergone significant improvements in underlying technologies and application scenarios, representing the highest state of the art in optical sensing. This work is focused on a review of three types of distributed optical fiber sensors which are based on Rayleigh, Brillouin, and Raman scattering, and use various demodulation schemes, including optical time-domain reflectometry, optical frequency-domain reflectometry, and related schemes. Recent developments of various distributed optical fiber sensors to provide simultaneous measurements of multiple parameters are analyzed based on their sensing performance, revealing an inherent trade-off between performance parameters such as sensing range, spatial resolution, and sensing resolution. This review highlights the latest progress in distributed optical fiber sensors with an emphasis on energy applications such as energy infrastructure monitoring, power generation system monitoring, oil and gas pipeline monitoring, and geothermal process monitoring. This review aims to clarify challenges and limitations of distributed optical fiber sensors with the goal of providing a pathway to push the limits in distributed optical fiber sensing for practical applications.
Study of ultrasonic-hydration compound polishing for sapphire optical channel
Authors: Liu Qiang , Wang Hongde , Feng Jun , Zhou Xiaoqin , Wang Rongqi , Xu Pengzi
Published: October 2019

In many significant fields like chemical, biological, medical and optical, many kinds of micro-components are three-dimensionally integrated in the microchips of sapphire. Abrasive flow machining technology can effectively improve the inner surface quality of sapphire microchips and improve their overall performance compared to conventional machining methods. In this paper, a green machining method is proposed for sapphire micro-channel which the modified sapphire layer produced by reacting with high temperature water vapor is removed by ultrasonic vibration abrasives. In this process, a reasonable frequency of 28 kHz and amplitude of 10 um is provided to the workpiece by externally using an ultrasound generator. In order to optimize the critical parameters for the abrasive flow processing, the Taguchi method with four levels L9 orthogonal array is employed to perform the abrasive flow machining orthogonal experiments. The quantitative evaluation on the explicit relationships between surface roughness and processing parameters is analyzed. Finally, the resulted analysis indicates that the machining precision of workpiece is co-determined by the interactive influence of ultrasonic power, machining time and abrasive particle size. The study results can also provide the necessary technical support for the development of ultrasonic abrasive-assisted hydration polishing theory.
Sensor for measuring the liquid film thickness on the inner wall of a cylindrical cavity
Authors: Zhang Shu-e , Li Shuai , Yu Xingyuan
Published: October 2019

To measure the steam wetness in a steam turbine accurately, the measurement error caused by the deposited water film on the inner wall of the wetness sensor should be deducted. A hyperbolic slot-shaped resonant cavity sensor for measuring the thickness of the liquid film on the inner wall of a cylindrical cavity is designed in this paper. We establish the relationship between the liquid film thickness and resonant frequency theoretically by the medium perturbation method and verify the feasibility of measuring the liquid film thickness in the TE111 mode. The mathematical model of the current density distribution line at the end of the cavity in the TE111 mode is deduced by the method of the vector field equation. Based on the mathematical model, the sensor is designed by Full-wave simulation software. The simulation results show that the electromagnetic leakage rate of the sensor is basically 0% and the sampling error is no more than -1.3%. The liquid film thickness has a linear relationship with the frequency offsets. The experimental results show that it is feasible to accurately measure the liquid film thickness on the inner wall of a cylindrical cavity by measuring the resonant frequency of the resonator. When the thicknesses of the liquid film are within 100 um, the measuring error does not exceed 0.245, which is about 50% lower than the conductivity method.
Surface-enhanced ZnS:Ag quantum dots scintillator
Authors: Sun Hao , Wang Xiaoxin , Xia Yan , Zhang Zhengjun , Ling Yunhan , Zhou Qin
Published: October 2019

Surface-enhanced ZnS: Ag quantum dots scintillator has been manufactured by coupling quantum dots and dendritic silver surface-enhanced substrates. Four-fold enhancement of the fluorescence intensity was achieved compare to the undoped quantum dots without surface-enhanced substrates. Two silicon layers of certain thickness were used to prevent quenching of the fluorescence by monitoring the distance between quantum dots and surface-enhanced substrates. The enhancement results show consistence with theories, and larger enhancement factor is possible to be obtained with optimal preparation procedure. This study suggests a new method to achieve high performance quantum dots scintillator beneficial to radiation detection applications.
Effect of admixing graphene oxide on abrasion resistance of ordinary portland cement concrete
Authors: Du Sen , Tang Zhuo , Zhong Jing , Ge Yong , Shi Xianming
Published: October 2019

Tribology, as a classical physical science, plays a key role in the understanding of long-term performance of pavements, especially that of hydraulic cement concrete pavement. Recent studies have indicated that graphene oxide (GO) can be used as a promising nano-sized additive to improve the mechanical properties and durability performances of cement composites. However, the effects of admixing GO on the tribological properties of ordinary portland cement (OPC) concrete and related mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, we tested the compressive strength and scratch properties of OPC mixtures to investigate their possible correlations with the abrasion resistance. Results reveal that the addition of GO (up to 0.1% by weight of cement) can increase the compressive strength at the macro level and scratch depth at the micro level, both of which could be related to the abrasion resistance of OPC concrete. XRD and SEM/EDS analyses were also conducted to help explain the beneficial effects of GO in OPC concrete. The mechanisms underlying the improved performance are mainly through accelerated hydration of cement and nano-reinforcements induced by the admixed GO. GO can provide nucleation sites for hydration, which facilitates the consumption of cement clinker and production of hydration products. This work helps achieve a mechanistic understanding of the tribology of concrete containing GO, at both macro and micro levels.
Lethal and sublethal effects of simultaneous exposure to hypoxia and aluminium on juvenile eastern school prawn
Authors: McLuckie Catherine , Moltschaniwskyj Natalie , Gaston Troy , Dunstan R. Hugh , Crompton Marcus , Taylor Matthew D.
Published: October 2019

Estuarine waters are heavily influenced by catchment land use and run-off, and acid sulfate soils directly affect both dissolved oxygen (DO) and aluminium concentrations. This can affect harvested species (including benthic crustaceans) and can have concomitant effects on their productivity. In this study we evaluated the effects of hypoxia (DO concentrations <2mgL–1) on eastern school prawn (Metapenaeus macleayi) under enhanced and ambient aluminium concentrations (mean±s.d., 0.112±0.009 and 0.015±0.002mgL–1 respectively). There was a significant increase in survival with increasing DO and LC50 was ~0.9mgL–1, although survival decreased at higher DO concentrations in the presence of enhanced aluminium concentrations. Total fatty acid and amino acid concentrations were significantly greater in prawns subjected to hypoxia, regardless of aluminium exposure. Docosahexaenoic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid and behenic acid (fatty acids) and leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine and asparagine (amino acids) contributed to differences in fatty and amino acid profiles among treatments. Hypoxia and aluminium concentrations in nursery habitats of south-eastern Australian estuaries can exceed the conditions evaluated, and could thus affect survival of M. macleayi. More generally, these results have implications for other crustacean species in estuaries that drain coastal flood plains, and the fisheries that rely on them.
An evaluation of remotely sensed indices for quantifying burn severity in arid ecoregions
Authors: Klinger Rob , McKinley Randy , Brooks Matt
Published: October 2019

It is sometimes assumed the sparse and low statured vegetation in arid systems would limit the effectiveness of two remote-sensing derived indices of burn severity: the difference Normalised Burn Ratio (dNBR) and relativised difference Normalised Burn Ratio (RdNBR). We compared the relationship that dNBR, RdNBR and a ground-based index of burn severity (the Composite Burn Index, CBI) had with woody cover and woody density 1 year after burning in five fires that occurred in the Mojave Desert during 2005. Data were collected within 437 plots spanning geographic and elevation gradients representative of vegetation associations in low- (<1200m), mid- (1200 to 1700m) and high-elevation (>1700m) zones. Statistically, dNBR and RdNBR were both effective measures of severity in all three elevation zones; woody cover and density had steep exponential declines as the values of each remote-sensing index increased. We found though that dNBR was more ecologically interpretable than RdNBR and will likely be of most relevance in the Mojave Desert. It will be necessary though to test these, as well as other remote-sensing burn-severity indices, across more desert regions before inferences can be made of the generality of the patterns we observed.
Agrobacteria reprogram virulence gene expression by controlled release of host-conjugated signals
Authors: Wang Chao , Ye Fuzhou , Chang Changqing , Liu Xiaoling , Wang Jianhe , Wang Jinpei , Yan Xin-Fu , Fu Qinqin , Zhou Jianuan , Chen Shaohua , Gao Yong-Gui , Zhang Lian-Hui
Published: October 2019

It is highly intriguing how bacterial pathogens can quickly shut down energy-costly infection machinery once successful infection is established. This study depicts that mutation of repressor SghR increases the expression of hydrolase SghA in
Agrobacterium tumefaciens
, which releases plant defense signal salicylic acid (SA) from its storage form SA β-glucoside (SAG). Addition of SA substantially reduces gene expression of bacterial virulence. Bacterial
vir
genes and
sghA
are differentially transcribed at early and later infection stages, respectively. Plant metabolite sucrose is a signal ligand that inactivates SghR and consequently induces
sghA
expression. Disruption of
sghA
leads to increased
vir
expression
in planta
and enhances tumor formation whereas mutation of
sghR
decreases
vir
expression and tumor formation. These results depict a remarkable mechanism by which
A. tumefaciens
taps on the reserved pool of plant signal SA to reprogram its virulence upon establishment of infection.
Basics of Fluid Construction Grammar
Authors: Steels Luc
Published: October 2019

Fluid Construction Grammar (FCG) is a fully operational computational platform
for developing grammars from a constructional perspective. It contains
mechanisms for representing grammars and for using them in computational
experiments and applications in language understanding, production and learning.
FCG can be used by grammar writers who want to test whether their grammar
fragments are complete and coherent for the domain they are investigating (for
example verb phrases) or who are working in a team and have to share grammar
fragments with others. It can be used by computational linguists implementing
practical language processing systems or exploring how machine learning
algorithms can acquire grammars. This paper introduces some of the basic
mechanisms of FCG, illustrated with examples.
Robust processing of the Dutch verb phrase
Authors: Van Eecke Paul
Published: October 2019

The Dutch verb phrase (VP) is notorious for its syntactic intricacies. There are
three main reasons why it is difficult to robustly handle its complexity in a
processing model. First of all, a single VP can contain multiple modal
auxiliaries (‘modal stacking’). Second, perfect auxiliaries can not only take a
past participle as their argument but also a modal auxiliary in the infinitive
form. Finally, there are various word orders in which the verb forms can appear.
The first part of this paper presents a fully operational precision processing
model of the Dutch VP in Fluid Construction Grammar. The model shows that the
aforementioned challenges can be overcome by carefully managing the hierarchical
relations between the elements of the VP. The second part introduces a robust
comprehension method, which can process VPs containing morphological and word
order errors. This method allows in many cases to recover the intended meaning
of an erroneous VP, as well as to correct its form, using a strategy that
exploits the deep semantic analyses and the bidirectional nature of the
model.
An open-ended computational construction grammar for Spanish verb conjugation
Authors: Beuls Katrien
Published: October 2019

The Spanish verb phrase can take on many forms, depending on the temporal,
aspectual and modal interpretation that a speaker wants to convey. At least half
a dozen constructions work together to build or analyze even the simplest verb
form such as hablo ‘I speak’. This paper documents how the
complete Spanish verb conjugation system can be operationalized in a
computational construction grammar formalism, namely Fluid Construction Grammar.
Moreover, it shows how starting from a seed grammar that handles regular
morphology and grammar one can create a productive grammar that captures
systematicity in Spanish verb conjugation and can expand its construction
inventory when new verbs are encountered.
Against V2 as a general property of Old Romance languages
Authors: Martins Ana Maria
Published: October 2019

This paper revisits the hypothesis that the
verb-second property was a shared feature of the Old Romance
languages by investigating Old Portuguese. It demonstrates, on the
basis of positive empirical evidence, that Old Portuguese allowed
clausal configurations that could not have been derived by a
verb-second system. It is shown that clitic placement offers the
means to pinpoint items that are categorically excluded from
left-peripheral topic positions (non topic items –
NTIs). Once NTIs are identified, the distinction between verb-third
orders that can be accommodated within a verb-second system and
those that cannot becomes clear-cut. It is shown that the test
devised to recognize ‘true’ verb-third orders in Old Portuguese
produces similar results when applied to other Old Iberorromance
languages.
Historical pragmatics, explicit activation and wh in
situ in French
Authors: Larrivée Pierre
Published: October 2019

The purpose of this paper is to further the
understanding of the syntax/pragmatics interface with reference to
rare grammatical variables. The usage-based assessment of the
pragmatic value of wh in situ in French shows that
contrary to claims in the literature, the variable does not have a
categorical pragmatic value in the contemporary period. It does
historically have a categorically discourse-old, explicitly
activated status, when it emerges as a new variable representing
less than 1% of partial questions. Converging with current studies,
an activation condition is proposed: rare emerging grammatical
variables representing less than 1% of occurrences in the relevant
category enter the grammatical system with an explicit activation
value.
Intonation of alternative constructions in French
Authors: Delais-Roussarie Elisabeth , Turco Giuseppina
Published: October 2019

Alternative questions in French are described as
ending by a falling contour, while a rising contour occurs on the
non-final conjuncts. This configuration is very similar to the one
observed in statements with a disjunction. The similarity at the
phonological level raises the following questions: Are intonational
contours equally implemented at a phonetic level in questions and
statements? If not, what are the acoustic cues that allow for
distinguishing the two sentence types? The aim of this study is to
show that the phonetic implementation of the intonation contours at
the end of both sentence-medial and sentence-final conjuncts differ
in alternative questions and statements with a disjunction in
French. This finding may deepen our understanding on the relation
between intonation and meaning.
Postverbal subject positions in ‘semi-finite’ clauses in Southern
Italo-Romance and Sardinian
Authors: Groothuis Kim A.
Published: October 2019

Both Sardinian inflected infinitives on the one
hand and Southern Calabrese and Salentino subjunctive complement
clauses on the other can be considered semi-finite since, among
other things, they are marked for person and number agreement with
the subject, as finite clauses, but lack tense marking, on a par
with non-finite clauses. These clauses all present VOS as the
unmarked word order and allow VSO under specific pragmatic
conditions. On the basis of a series of syntactic tests, this paper
shows that these orders are derived via remnant VP-movement rather
than object shift. Furthermore, it is argued that these varieties,
although they allow for VSO, do not form an exception to Gallego’s (2013)
generalization on VOS/VSO in Romance.
Teasing apart 3rd person null subjects in Brazilian
Portuguese
Authors: Carvalho Janayna
Published: October 2019

We discuss null impersonals in Brazilian
Portuguese against the background of previous work by Holmberg
(2005, et seq.), in
which the properties of null impersonals play a role in the
characterization of partial pro-drop languages. We show that
although apparently similar, null impersonals in Finnish and BP
cannot receive the same analysis. In Finnish, there is only one type
of null impersonal. By contrast, there are two types of null
impersonals in BP, each one employing dedicated null impersonal
pronouns, i.e. pronouns that cannot receive a referential reading.
We take the properties of null impersonals in BP to showcase that
the different specifications of T in partial pro-drop languages can
have an overall effect in the grammar of their constructions.
De-prefixed spatial Ps in medieval
French
Authors: Rainsford Thomas M.
Published: October 2019

We examine a series of medieval French spatial
Ps with de- prefixes (de-forms;
e.g. dessus, dedans), showing that they display a
combination of preposition-, adverb- and noun-like syntactic
properties which distinguish them from their corresponding base
forms (e.g. sus, ens). We argue that these
properties can best be accounted for by considering
de-forms to be modifiers of a null PLACE noun.
Finally, we suggest that during the medieval period,
de-forms are reanalysed as nouns, which causes
wide-ranging changes in their distribution, including the
development of complex prepositions such as au-dessus
de.
Using big data to support meaning hypotheses for some and any
Authors: Sabar Nadav
Published: October 2019

This paper offers an original treatment of the grammatical forms some and
any. Rather than seeing them as logical quantifiers, each sign constitutes an expressive
device whose invariant meaning fully accounts for its distribution in English texts. A unique methodology that
relies on qualitative analyses to produce large-scale quantitative predictions is laid out in detail. First,
qualitative analyses of attested examples are shown to feature – alongside some or
any – particular other forms that, by hypothesis, contribute to a similar element in the
message as contributed by the sign under analysis. Then, quantitative predictions regarding the regularity of
these co-occurrences are tested in the Corpus of Contemporary American English. This methodology
has led to the discovery of numerous distributional peculiarities that are noted here – and explained – for the
first time.
Semantics of Vietnamese đã
Authors: Trung Nguyễn Hoàng
Published: October 2019

The analysis of đã has always been a highly controversial topic among Vietnamese linguists. Several accounts of the semantics of đã centre around the questions of whether it is used to locate a situation in the past (Bùi Đức Tịnh 1967, Lo-Cicero 2001) or to express an aspectual distinction (Nguyen 2006) – or both: see Trinh (2005), Phan (2013), and Phan & Duffield (this volume). In this article, it is claimed that đã does not function as tense marker, but that it is used instead to express a modal meaning which the speaker intends to provide for the situation she is communicating. Furthermore, contra those who assume that this marker is aspectual, it is claimed that the aspectual meaning is only derived from the interaction between đã and the semantics of the following predicate.
Electrostatic interactions at the interface of two enzymes are essential for two-step alkane biosynthesis in cyanobacteria
Authors: Chang Mari , Shimba Keigo , Hayashi Yuuki , Arai Munehito
Published: October 2019

Cyanobacterial alkane biosynthesis is catalyzed by acyl-(acyl carrier protein (ACP)) reductase (AAR) and aldehyde-deformylating oxygenase (ADO) in a two-step reaction. AAR reduces acyl-ACPs to fatty aldehydes, which are then converted by ADO to alkanes, the main components of diesel fuel. Interaction between AAR and ADO allows AAR to efficiently deliver the aldehyde to ADO. However, this interaction is poorly understood. Here, using analytical size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), we show that electrostatic interactions play an important role in the binding of the two enzymes. Alanine-scanning mutagenesis at charged residues around the substrate entry site of ADO revealed that E201A mutation greatly reduced hydrocarbon production. SEC measurement of the mutant demonstrated that E201 of ADO is essential for the AAR–ADO interaction. Our results suggest that AAR binds to the substrate entrance gate of ADO and thereby facilitates the insertion of the reactive and relatively insoluble aldehyde into the hydrophobic channel of ADO.

Abbreviations: AAR: acyl-ACP reductase; ACP: acyl carrier protein; ADO: aldehyde-deformylating oxygenase; ASA: solvent accessible surface area; BSA: bovine serum albumin; CD: circular dichroism; DMSO: dimethyl sulfoxide; DTT: dithiothreitol; GC-MS: gas chromatography-mass spectrometer; HPLC: high-performance liquid chromatography; IPTG: isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactoside; MRE: mean residue ellipticity; NpAAR: AAR from Nostoc punctiforme PCC 73102; NpADO: ADO from Nostoc punctiforme PCC 73102; PmADO: ADO from Prochlorococcus marinus MIT 9313; SDS-PAGE: sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; SeAAR: AAR from Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942; SeADO: ADO from Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942; SEC: size-exclusion chromatography; TeAAR: AAR from Thermosynechococcus elongatus BP-1; TeADO: ADO from Thermosynechococcus elongatus BP-1; UV: ultraviolet
Modelling the impact of ground temperature and ground insulation on cooling energy use in a tropical house constructed to the Passivhaus Standard
Authors: Sigalingging R C , Chow D , Sharples S
Published: October 2019

In tropical climates ventilation introduces high levels of moisture into dwellings, leading to raised values of indoor relative humidity and air temperatures, creating occupant thermal discomfort. The Passivhaus standard, by creating a super insulated and air-tight envelope, reduces heat losses and provides low energy comfort. This approach in tropical housing might be effective but could potentially increase mechanical cooling demand. This research investigated the effect of ground temperatures on thermal comfort and energy-saving in a tropical dwelling. Terraced houses in Jakarta, Indonesia were chosen as this a popular house type. IES VE software was used to study building energy use, and the Passivhaus software PHPP examined the application of Passivhaus criteria. Field measurements of air temperature and relative humidity were used to validate the software model. Analysis revealed that the building’s predicted air temperatures were affected by the assumed ground temperature models in IES. Good agreement between the measured and modelled values was achieved only when a particular ground model was chosen. Having validated the IES model, dwelling insulation and air-tightness levels were incrementally changed until they met the Passivhaus standard. Finally, the feasibility of meeting the Passivhaus energy standard for cooling in the modified tropical house was tested.
Strategies for Urban Residual Areas as a Planning Tool: Towards Achieving Sustainable Built Environment by Connecting Neighbourhoods
Authors: Kader Alexander , Mahmoud Randa A
Published: October 2019

In large parts of the Gulf countries, neighbourhoods’ mono-functional structures with their low density and their lack of social functions, lively public spaces, public transportation and climate responsive design features have catered for an environmentally unfriendly development pattern. Borders between neighbourhoods are mostly socially repulsive as they usually host large residual and underutilized spaces such as oversized main roads and other infrastructure elements. Consequently, these residual areas constitute large breaks in the neighbourhoods’ building pattern and physical barriers for the inhabitants. Since we see a great potential in these residual areas, we have elaborated a planning tool which is generally applicable for sustainable development of transitional spaces between neighbourhoods. This study demonstrates different strategies on how these urban thresholds between neighbourhoods can be transformed into central active mixed-use public spaces that will be reachable for all residents by walking. Accordingly, they can promote for social interaction between different neighbourhoods and thus social sustainability. Within this paper, at first, the thresholds between different residential neighbourhoods’ structures are examined to better understand their qualities and deficits. Secondly, various sustainable development options for the threshold areas are demonstrated. An exemplary site in the Capital Area of Muscat, Oman serves as a case study. The third part consists of an evaluation of the elaborated proposals according to their ecological, social and economical efficiency in order to create adequate implementation strategies. Finally, we propose that the ecological solutions for residual areas as developed in this paper for the GCC region can be expanded to other hot-climate countries as a planning tool to achieve sustainable built environments by connecting different neighbourhoods.
Performance of advanced composite solid rocket propellants based on novel oxidizers
Authors: Abd-Elghany Mohamed , Elbeih Ahmed , Klapötke Thomas M. , Abdelhafiz Mahmoud
Published: October 2019

Three novel high energy dense oxidizers (HEDO), Bis(2,2,2-trinitroethyl)oxalate (BTNEOx), 2,2,2-Trinitroethyl-nitrocarbamate (TNENC), 2,2,2-Trinitroethyl-formate (TNEF) have been prepared and studied as oxidizers in composite solid rocket propellants (CSRPs). For comparison, traditional CSRP containing ammonium perchlorate (AP) bonded by hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) binder system was studied. The optimum oxidizer percentage with respect to the specific impulse was determined using the thermodynamic code (EXPLO5_V6.03). In addition, the optimum oxidizer mixture based on the novel oxidizers with AP was studied. The combustion properties and gaseous products of the optimum propellant compositions were calculated. A selected composition was prepared in the lab. scale and the burning rate was measured by the strand burner method. It was concluded that TNEF based propellant possess the maximum specific impulse of all the studied compositions. In addition, TNEF based propellant has a higher burning rate than the traditional CSRP composition.