bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extraction of Jasmine Essential Oil By Hydrodistillation method and Applications On Formulation of Natural Facial Cleansers
Authors: Dinh Phuc Nguyen , Phuong Thy Le Hoang , Duc Lam Tri , Yen Vo Hoang , Thi Ngoc Lan Nguyen
Published: July 2019

Jasmine essential oil has been studied and widely used for many centuries in many countries throughout the world. However, relatively little is explored about jasmine essential oil application. Here, we produced essential oil of jasmine by hydrodistillation method. The effect of distillation time, distillation temperature, feed size, water-raw material ratio to the yield of the distillation process was analyzed and recorded. With 6 hours, 120°C, grind fresh and ratio of 2:1 the yield was 0.092%. Antibacterial compounds of Jasmine essential oil were determined by measuring Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry equipment. Jasmine essential oils are applied to develop the facial cleanser product that is safe for human. Jasmine facial cleanser will be a new product in Viet Nam’s cosmetic with many potentials.
Synthesis and characterization of the microcellular injection molded PA6/flax and the PA6/graphene nanocomposites
Authors: Shao Ming-Wei , Huang Jung-Jie , Chen Yu-Xuan , Hwang Shyh-Shin
Published: July 2019

Polymer composites combine two materials together to produce a unique property which is not inherent to the individual materials. The most important reason to use composites is the enhancement of the mechanical properties. However, there are several applications that can be used by composites, such as the heavy metal adsorption of waste water by flax. This study has investigated the effects of flax (1, 3, 5 wt%) and graphene loading (0.5, 1, 3 wt%) on the tensile strength, thermal, and heavy metal adsorption properties of the microcellular injection molded PA6 composites. The fillers used, flax and graphene, were micro and nano materials in size, respectively. The results showed that the dispersion with 0.5 wt% of graphene loading, as seen in the TEM pictures, had the best dispersion for the PA6/graphene nanocomposites. This amount of graphene also had the best tensile strength in three different loadings (0.5, 1.0, 3.0 wt%). Tensile strength was related to the filler dispersion in the matrix. Good dispersion resulted in good tensile strength, and the elongation decreased by increasing the flax loading. The 5 wt% flax loading and 3 wt% graphene loading of the composites showed the largest storage modulus for the PA6composites. The 1 wt% of the flax loading showed the highest degradation temperature for the PA6/flax micro-composites, and the 3 wt% for the PA6/graphene nanocomposites. The cell size decreased and the cell density increased with the addition of graphene to the PA6 composites. Heavy metal of the Cr(IV)adsorption test showed that the PA6/GP nanocomposites had a better adsorption than that of the PA6/flax composites.
Performance Exploration of A Radially Layered Cymbal Piezoelectric Energy Harvester under Road Traffic Induced Low Frequency Vibration
Authors: Liu Xinnan , Wang Jianjun
Published: July 2019

A type of radially layered cymbal piezoelectric energy harvester is designed and fabricated. It is made of two cymbal metal caps, two axially polarized piezoceramic rings, one solid metal disk, one common metal ring and one drilled metal ring. The mechanical couplings in radial direction are finished by using extra strong epoxy. The mechanical couplings in axial direction are finished by using screw bolts. Subsequently, the force transferring coefficient of each cymbal metal cap is approximated through both theoretical calculation and experimental calibration. Aiming at matching the road traffic induced vibration frequencies that are predominantly ranging from 5Hz to 25Hz, the approximated analytical model of the harvester is established at frequencies below 30Hz. The model’s predictions agree reasonably with the measured data. Furthermore, the experimental results indicated that the harvester was able to generate a power of about 0.92mW across a 0.8MΩ resistor under the force of 500N at a frequency of 20Hz. The present work provides a new design concept for developing the novel cymbal harvesters used in roadway systems to harvest the traffic induced vibration energy.
Effect of Local Corrosion Caused by Inclusions and Surface Scratches of Steel in High Temperature and Pressure Flue Gas Environment
Authors: Wang Dong , Wang Shuzhong , Yang Jianqiao , Jiang Zhuohang , Zhang Baoquan , Cui Chengchao , Li Jianna
Published: July 2019

By simulating the high temperature and high pressure flue gas environment in heavy oil thermal recovery, the influence of two kinds of surface defects, steel inclusions and surface scratches, on local corrosion of steel was studied. And the mechanism of local corrosion caused by inclusions and surface scratches was analysed steel #20 and 26CrMo4 were used as experimental materials, and reacted in a 9 MPa flue gas environment for 24h. The reaction temperatures were 120 °C and 250 °C. The results show that the non-metallic inclusions in the steel are weak parts of the passivation film on the surface of the sample and are easily corroded by corrosive media. The scratched area is more likely to cause aggregation of corrosive media than other parts of the steel surface, and the iron elements in the metal in this area are more likely to reach the surface and react with the corrosive medium.
Heterogony in Cycloneuroterus (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini) From Rearing Experiments and DNA Barcoding
Authors: Ide Tatsuya , Abe Yoshihisa
Published: July 2019

Heterogony was confirmed in the cynipid genus Cycloneuroterus Melika and Tang in rearing experiments with DNA barcoding. These experiments involved Cycloneuroterus gilvus Tang and Melika, which was previously only described from the sexual generation adult. The first rearing experiment was conducted using unidentified asexual generation females collected from Quercus gilva Blume, and gall formation by the sexual generation offspring was confirmed on folded or unfolded young leaves of Q. gilva. The second experiment was conducted using sexual generation males and females reared from the leaf galls collected from Q. gilva, and gall formation by the asexual generation offspring was observed on leaves of Q. gilva. Based on the morphological features of the sexual generation adults and galls, this species was identified as C. gilvus. The species identity of wasp specimens of sexual and asexual generations used in the rearing experiments was cross-checked using DNA barcoding with the partial sequences of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) region (658 bp). The asexual generation adult and gall of C. gilvus are described based on these results. The importance of ‘closing the life cycle,’ in this case a demonstration of heterogony, in oak gall wasps (Cynipini) is discussed.
Prokineticin 1 is a new biomarker of human oocyte competence: expression and hormonal regulation throughout late folliculogenesis
Authors: Alfaidy Nadia , Baron Chloé , Antoine Yannick , Reynaud Déborah , Traboulsi Wael , Gueniffey Aurore , Lamotte Anna , Melloul Eve , Dunand Camille , Villaret Laure , Bessonnat Julien , Mauroy Charlotte , Boueihl Thomas , Coutton Charles , Martinez Guillaume , Hamamah Samir , Hoffmann Pascale , Hennebicq Sylviane , Brouillet Sophie
Published: July 2019

Context

Prokineticin 1 (PROK1) quantification in global follicular fluid (FF) has been recently reported as a predictive biomarker of in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome. It is now necessary to evaluate its clinical usefulness in individual follicles.

Objectives

To evaluate the clinical value of PROK1 secretion in individual FF to predict oocyte competence. To determine the impact of follicular size, oocyte maturity, and gonadotropin treatments on PROK1 secretion.

Design and setting

Prospective cohort study from May 2015 to May 2017 at the University Hospital of Grenoble.

Patients

A total of 69 infertile couples underwent IVF.

Intervention(s)

Collection of 298 individual FF from 44 women undergoing IVF; 52 individual cumulus cell (CC) samples and 15 CC primary cultures from 25 women undergoing IVF-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Oocyte competence was defined as the ability to sustain embryo development to the blastocyst stage. Follicular size was measured by 2D-sonography. PROK1 concentration was quantified by ELISA assay.

Results

PROK1 concentration was correlated to follicular size (r = 0.85, P = 2.2 × 10−16). Normalized PROK1 concentration in FF was predictive of subsequent oocyte competence (AUROC curve = 0.76 [95% CI, 0.69–0.83]; P = 1.7 × 10−9), irrespectively of day-2 embryo morphokinetic parameters. The expression and secretion of PROK1 were increased in FF and CC of mature oocytes (P < 0.01). Follicle Stimulating Hormone and hCG up-regulated PROK1 secretion in CC primary cultures (P < 0.01; P < 0.05), probably through the cAMP pathway (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

PROK1 quantification in individual FF could constitute a new predictive biomarker of oocyte competence in addition with embryo morphokinetic parameters.

Trial registration number

none.
Comparative developmental anatomy of ovary and fruit in Brazilian Velloziaceae
Authors: Sousa-Baena Mariane S , De Menezes Nanuza L
Published: July 2019

Morpho-anatomical studies of fruits are scarce in monocotyledons and particularly for the Brazilian species of Velloziaceae, a small family of monocots characteristic of the campo rupestre vegetation of Brazil. The main fruit types found in Velloziaceae are poricidal and loculicidal capsules, but capsule morphology is variable, which has led to discrepancies regarding fruit descriptions and terminology. In this study, we aimed to analyse fruit development in Brazilian Velloziaceae to obtain a better understanding of capsule dehiscence and to elucidate and describe in detail the fruit types occurring in the family. Based on our results, we discuss the terminology used to describe capsules of some species, e.g. capsules of Vellozia minima and V. epidendroides, previously classified as poricidal, should be called apical loculicidal, as they form three slits on the uppermost part of each carpel that are prevented from extending downwards by the precocious lignification of the pericarp. Capsules of Barbacenia purpurea, B. riparia and B. plantaginea have been classified using various terms, but they fit the definition of fissuricidal capsule and should be classified as such. We also propose an improved analysis for the character ‘fruit type’, previously used in phylogenetic reconstructions of Velloziaceae. We changed some states following the fruit reclassification proposed here and added a new state, ‘capsule opening through lateral irregular aperture’, to the character. Additionally, eight new phylogenetic characters derived from ovary and fruit characteristics are suggested.
Topography Impacts Topology: Anatomically Central Areas Exhibit a “High-Level Connector” Profile in the Human Cortex
Authors: Zhang Jiahe , Scholtens Lianne H , Wei Yongbin , van den Heuvel Martijn P , Chanes Lorena , Barrett Lisa Feldman
Published: July 2019

Degree centrality is a widely used measure in complex networks. Within the brain, degree relates to other topological features, with high-degree nodes (i.e., hubs) exhibiting high betweenness centrality, participation coefficient, and within-module z-score. However, increasing evidence from neuroanatomical and predictive processing literature suggests that topological properties of a brain network may also be impacted by topography, that is, anatomical (spatial) distribution. More specifically, cortical limbic areas (agranular and dysgranular cortices), which occupy an anatomically central position, have been proposed to be topologically central and well suited to initiate predictions in the cerebral cortex. We estimated anatomical centrality and showed that it positively correlated with betweenness centrality, participation coefficient, and communicability, analogously to degree. In contrast to degree, however, anatomical centrality negatively correlated with within-module z-score. Our data suggest that degree centrality and anatomical centrality reflect distinct contributions to cortical organization. Whereas degree would be more related to the amount of information integration performed by an area, anatomical centrality would be more related to an area’s position in the predictive hierarchy. Highly anatomically central areas may function as “high-level connectors,” integrating already highly integrated information across modules. These results are consistent with a high-level, domain-general limbic workspace, integrated by highly anatomically central cortical areas.
Striatopallidal Pathway Distinctly Modulates Goal-Directed Valuation and Acquisition of Instrumental Behavior via Striatopallidal Output Projections
Authors: He Yan , Li Yan , Pu Zhilan , Chen Mozi , Gao Ying , Chen Li , Ruan Yang , Pan Xinran , Zhou Yuling , Ge Yuanyuan , Zhou Jianhong , Zheng Wu , Huang Zhili , Li Zhihui , Chen Jiang-Fan
Published: July 2019

The striatopallidal pathway is specialized for control of motor and motivational behaviors, but its causal role in striatal control of instrumental learning remains undefined (partly due to the confounding motor effects). Here, we leveraged the transient and “time-locked” optogenetic manipulations with the reward delivery to minimize motor confounding effect, to better define the striatopallidal control of instrumental behaviors. Optogenetic (Arch) silencing of the striatopallidal pathway in the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) and dorsolateral striatum (DLS) promoted goal-directed and habitual behaviors, respectively, without affecting acquisition of instrumental behaviors, indicating striatopallidal pathway suppression of instrumental behaviors under physiological condition. Conversely, striatopallidal pathway activation mainly affected the acquisition of instrumental behaviors with the acquisition suppression achieved by either optogenetic (ChR2) or chemicogenetic (hM3q) activation, by strong (10 mW, but not weak 1 mW) optogenetic activation, by the time-locked (but not random) optogenetic activation with the reward and by the DMS (but not DLS) striatopallidal pathway. Lastly, striatopallidal pathway modulated instrumental behaviors through striatopallidal output projections into the external globus pallidus (GPe) since optogenetic activation of the striatopallidal pathway in the DMS and of the striatopallidal output projections in the GPe similarly suppressed goal-directed behavior. Thus, the striatopallidal pathway confers distinctive and inhibitory controls of animal’s sensitivity to goal-directed valuation and acquisition of instrumental behaviors under normal and over-activation conditions, through the output projections into GPe.
Industrial Policy in China: The Planned Growth of Specialised Towns in Guangdong Province
Authors: Barbieri Elisa , Di Tommaso Marco R , Pollio Chiara , Rubini Lauretta
Published: July 2019

We analyse one of the most important policy experiences for industrial clustering in Southern China—the Specialised Towns programme—that has transformed some Chinese clusters into the backbone of global production chains. We offer a long-term, detailed overview of the policy programme and of Guangdong’s specialised towns, classifying them as endogenous or exogenous according to their features, and investigate their contribution to local growth and rebalancing. This analysis of the Specialised Towns programme contributes to the international debate on revisiting industrial policy and suggests that the discussion should conceive them as articulated processes to reach long-term societal objectives.
Persistent confirmed low-grade dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus is a risk factor for progression to high-grade dysplasia and adenocarcinoma in a US Veterans cohort
Authors: Song K Y , Henn A J , Gravely A A , Mesa H , Sultan S , Shaheen N J , Shaukat A , Hanson B J
Published: July 2019

Patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE) and low-grade dysplasia (LGD) are at increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), although many regress to nondysplastic BE. This has significant clinical importance for patients being considered for endoscopic eradication therapy. Our aim is to determine the risk for progression in patients with confirmed persistent LGD.

We performed a single-center retrospective cohort study of patients with BE and confirmed LGD between 2006 and 2016. Confirmed LGD was defined as LGD diagnosed by consensus conference with an expert GI pathologist or review by an expert GI pathologist and persistence as LGD present on subsequent endoscopic biopsy. The primary outcome was the incidence rate of HGD (high-grade dysplasia)/EAC. Secondary outcomes included risk factors for dysplastic progression. Risk factors for progression were assessed using univariate and multivariate analysis with logistic regression.

Of 69 patients (mean age 65.2 years) with confirmed LGD were included. In total, 16 of 69 patients (23.2%) with LGD developed HGD/EAC during a median follow-up of 3.74 years (IQR, 1.24–5.45). For persistent confirmed LGD, the rate was 6.44 (95% confidence interval (CI), 2.61–13.40) compared to 2.61 cases per 100 patient-years (95% CI, 0.83–6.30) for nonpersistent LGD. Persistent LGD was found in only 29% of patients. Persistent LGD was an independent risk factor for the development of HGD/EAC (OR 4.18; [95% CI, 1.03–17.1]).

Persistent confirmed LGD, present in only 1/3 of patients, was an independent risk factor for the development of HGD/EAC. Persistence LGD may be useful in decision making regarding the management of BE.
The Effect of Seasonal Humidity on Survival and Duration of Dormancy on Diverging Mexican Rhagoletis pomonella (Diptera: Tephritidae) Populations Inhabiting Different Environments
Authors: Rull Juan , Lasa Rodrigo , Aluja Martin
Published: July 2019

Phytophagous insects synchronize emergence with plant phenology by engaging in dormancy during periods of host scarcity and environmental stress. Regulation of dormancy is achieved through response to seasonal cues. While temperature and photoperiod are important cues in temperate latitudes, seasonal humidity, such as the onset of rains, can be a reliable cue to for synchronization of emergence and affects survival of overwintering insects. We compared response of Mexican Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh) (Diptera: Tephritidae) populations inhabiting subtropical environments differing in humidity patterns, to seasonal humidity regimes. Both populations emerged as adults in high proportions and suffered lower mortality under humidity regimes ending with a humid summer, but the effect was more pronounced for the Eje Volcanico Trans Mexicano (EVTM) population, which inhabits a dryer environment and undergoes longer dormancy. While there were no differences among pupae from the Sierra Madre Oriental (SMO) in percent of non-emerged pupae surviving and engaging in prolonged dormancy after a year, EVTM pupae exposed to an initial humid period engaged in prolonged dormancy in higher proportions than those exposed to other regimes. Seasonal humidity had little effect on the duration of dormancy, but EVTM pupae exposed to consecutive dry periods took longer to emerge than those exposed to other regimes. Our results suggest that rather than being used as a token stimulus, humidity affected survival of overwintering R. pomonella, especially at the end of dormancy when energy reserves are depleted and there is an increase in metabolic rate that renders EVTM pupae more susceptible to desiccation.
A case series: alternative access for refractory shock during cardiac arrest
Authors: Cui Charles Q , Cook Bryon S , Cauchi Matthew P , Foerst Jason R
Published: July 2019

Background

In patients with iliofemoral arterial disease, transcaval and percutaneous axillary artery access are safe alternatives for delivery of transcatheter aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis. In the setting of cardiac arrest, arterial access is crucial for delivery of mechanical circulatory support devices such as an Impella CP® or cannulation for extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECMO). We report the use of transcaval and axillary artery access in three cases of cardiac arrest in which the emergent placement of an Impella CP® (Abiomed, Danvers, MA, USA) or cannulation for ECMO was instrumental in resuscitation from refractory cardiac arrest.

Case summary

The first patient is a 59-year-old woman who developed ventricular fibrillation arrest after percutaneous intervention with emergent placement of a transcaval Impella CP®. In the second case, a 67-year-old man with coronary vasospasm developed cardiac arrest with an axillary artery Impella CP® placed. The third case highlights a 67-year-old man who developed cardiac arrest 1 day after unsuccessful chronic total occlusion repair requiring ECMO cannulation to his axillary artery. All three patients achieved spontaneous circulation after placement of assist devices.

Discussion

To our knowledge, a case report of transcaval or percutaneous axillary artery access for Impella CP® during cardiac arrest has not been published. While the long-term prognosis following cardiac arrest is poor, younger patients deserve every chance for survival with rapid cardiopulmonary support by alternative access if necessary. Advanced large bore alternative access techniques should be learned by all interventional operators.
Diversity of tryptophan halogenases in sponges of the genus Aplysina
Authors: Gutleben Johanna , Koehorst Jasper J , McPherson Kyle , Pomponi Shirley , Wijffels René H , Smidt Hauke , Sipkema Detmer
Published: July 2019

Marine sponges are a prolific source of novel enzymes with promising biotechnological potential. Especially halogenases, which are key enzymes in the biosynthesis of brominated and chlorinated secondary metabolites, possess interesting properties towards the production of pharmaceuticals that are often halogenated. In this study we used a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based screening to simultaneously examine and compare the richness and diversity of putative tryptophan halogenase protein sequences and bacterial community structures of six Aplysina species from the Mediterranean and Caribbean seas. At the phylum level, bacterial community composition was similar amongst all investigated species and predominated by Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Cyanobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, and Proteobacteria. We detected four phylogenetically diverse clades of putative tryptophan halogenase protein sequences, which were only distantly related to previously reported halogenases. The Mediterranean species Aplysina aerophoba harbored unique halogenase sequences, of which the most predominant was related to a sponge-associated Psychrobacter-derived sequence. In contrast, the Caribbean species shared numerous novel halogenase sequence variants and exhibited a highly similar bacterial community composition at the operational taxonomic unit (OTU) level. Correlations of relative abundances of halogenases with those of bacterial taxa suggest that prominent sponge symbiotic bacteria, including Chloroflexi and Actinobacteria, are putative producers of the detected enzymes and may thus contribute to the chemical defense of their host.
Differential Effects of Rapamycin on Glucose Metabolism in Nine Inbred Strains
Authors: Reifsnyder Peter C , Te Austen , Harrison David E
Published: July 2019

Studies in mice suggest that rapamycin has a negative impact on glucose homeostasis by inducing insulin resistance. However, results have been inconsistent and difficult to assess because the strains, methods of treatment, and analysis vary among studies. Using a consistent protocol, we surveyed nine inbred strains of mice for the effect of rapamycin on various aspects of glucose metabolism. Across all strains, rapamycin significantly delayed glucose clearance after challenge. However, rapamycin showed no main effect on systemic insulin sensitivity. Analysis of individual strains shows that rapamycin induced higher glucose values at 15 minutes post-challenge in 7/9 strains. However, only three strains show rapamycin-induced reduction in glucose clearance from 15 to 120 minutes. Although pancreatic insulin content was reduced by rapamycin in seven strains, none showed reduced serum insulin values. Although one strain showed no effects of rapamycin on glucose metabolism (129), another showed increased systemic insulin sensitivity (B6). We suggest that rapamycin likely inhibits insulin production and secretion in most strains while having strain-specific effects on glucose clearance without altering systemic insulin sensitivity. This strain survey indicates that genetic differences greatly influence the metabolic response to rapamycin.
Are We Approaching a Biological Limit to Human Longevity?
Authors: Gavrilova Natalia S , Gavrilov Leonid A
Published: July 2019

Until recently human longevity records continued to grow in history, with no indication of approaching a hypothetical longevity limit. Also, earlier studies found that age-specific death rates cease to increase at advanced ages (mortality plateau) suggesting the absence of fixed limit to longevity too. In this study, we reexamine both claims with more recent and reliable data on supercentenarians (persons aged 110 years and older). We found that despite a dramatic historical increase in the number of supercentenarians, further growth of human longevity records in subsequent birth cohorts slowed down significantly and almost stopped for those born after 1879. We also found an exponential acceleration of age-specific death rates for persons older than 113 years in more recent data. Slowing down the historical progress in maximum reported age at death and accelerated growth of age-specific death rates after age 113 years in recent birth cohorts may indicate the need for more conservative estimates for future longevity records unless a scientific breakthrough in delaying aging would happen. The hypothesis of approaching a biological limit to human longevity has received some empirical support and it deserves further study and testing.
Ambient noise tomography of the southern sector of the Cantabrian Mountains, NW Spain
Authors: Acevedo Jorge , Fernández-Viejo Gabriela , Llana-Fúnez Sergio , López-Fernández Carlos , Olona Javier
Published: July 2019

This study presents the first detailed analysis of ambient noise tomography in an area of the continental upper crust in the Cantabrian Mountains (NW Spain), where a confluence of crustal scale faults occurs at depth. Ambient noise data from two different seismic networks have been analysed. In one side, a 10-short-period station network was set recording continuously for 19 months. A second set of data from 13 broad-band stations was used to extend at depth the models. The phase cross-correlation processing technique was used to compute in total more than 34 000 cross-correlations from 123 station pairs. The empirical Green's functions were obtained by applying the time–frequency, phase-weighted stacking methodology and provided the emergence of Rayleigh waves. After measuring group velocities, Rayleigh-wave group velocity tomographic maps were computed at different periods and then they were inverted in order to calculate S-wave velocities as a function of depth, reaching the first 12 km of the crust.

The results show that shallow velocity patterns are dominated by geological features that can be observed at the surface, particularly bedding and/or lithology and fracturing associated with faults. In contrast, velocity patterns below 4 km depth seem to be segmented by large structures, which show a velocity reduction along fault zones. The best example is the visualization in the tomography of the frontal thrust of the Cantabrian Mountains at depth, which places higher velocity Palaeozoic rocks over Cenozoic sediments of the foreland Duero basin. One of the major findings in the tomographic images is the reduction of seismic velocities above the area in the crust where one seismicity cluster is nucleated within the otherwise quiet seismic area of the range. The noise tomography reveals itself as a valuable technique to identify shear zones associated with crustal scale fractures and hence, lower strain areas favourable to seismicity.
Comparison of α2,6-sialyltransferases for sialylation of therapeutic proteins
Authors: Janesch Bettina , Saxena Hirak , Sim Lyann , Wakarchuk Warren W
Published: July 2019

The development of therapeutic proteins for the treatment of numerous diseases is one of the fastest growing areas of biotechnology. Therapeutic efficacy and serum half-life are particularly important, and these properties rely heavily on the glycosylation state of the protein. Expression systems to produce authentically fully glycosylated therapeutic proteins with appropriate terminal sialic acids are not yet perfected. The in vitro modification of therapeutic proteins by recombinant sialyltransferases offers a promising and elegant strategy to overcome this problem. Thus, the detailed expression and characterization of sialyltransferases for completion of the glycan chains is of great interest to the community. We identified a novel α2,6-sialyltransferase from Helicobacter cetorum and compared it to the human ST6Gal1 and a Photobacterium sp. sialyltransferase using glycoprotein substrates in a 96-well microtiter-plate-based assay. We demonstrated that the recombinant α2,6-sialyltransferase from H. cetorum is an excellent catalyst for modification of N-linked glycans of different therapeutic proteins.
Eliminating Meningococcal Epidemics From the African Meningitis Belt: The Case for Advanced Prevention and Control Using Next-Generation Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccines
Authors: Alderson Mark R , LaForce F Marc , Sobanjo-ter Meulen Ajoke , Hwang Angela , Preziosi Marie-Pierre , Klugman Keith P
Published: July 2019

The introduction and rollout of a meningococcal serogroup A conjugate vaccine, MenAfriVac, in the African meningitis belt has eliminated serogroup A meningococcal infections for >300 million Africans. However, serogroup C, W, and X meningococci continue to circulate and have been responsible for focal epidemics in meningitis belt countries. Affordable multivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccines are being developed to prevent these non-A epidemics. This article describes the current epidemiologic situation and status of vaccine development and highlights questions to be addressed to most efficiently use these new vaccines.
Medical knowledge infused convolutional neural networks for cohort selection in clinical trials
Authors: Chen Chi-Jen , Warikoo Neha , Chang Yung-Chun , Chen Jin-Hua , Hsu Wen-Lian
Published: July 2019

Objective

In this era of digitized health records, there has been a marked interest in using de-identified patient records for conducting various health related surveys. To assist in this research effort, we developed a novel clinical data representation model entitled medical knowledge-infused convolutional neural network (MKCNN), which is used for learning the clinical trial criteria eligibility status of patients to participate in cohort studies.

Materials and Methods

In this study, we propose a clinical text representation infused with medical knowledge (MK). First, we isolate the noise from the relevant data using a medically relevant description extractor; then we utilize log-likelihood ratio based weights from selected sentences to highlight “met” and “not-met” knowledge-infused representations in bichannel setting for each instance. The combined medical knowledge-infused representation (MK) from these modules helps identify significant clinical criteria semantics, which in turn renders effective learning when used with a convolutional neural network architecture.

Results

MKCNN outperforms other Medical Knowledge (MK) relevant learning architectures by approximately 3%; notably SVM and XGBoost implementations developed in this study. MKCNN scored 86.1% on F1metric, a gain of 6% above the average performance assessed from the submissions for n2c2 task. Although pattern/rule-based methods show a higher average performance for the n2c2 clinical data set, MKCNN significantly improves performance of machine learning implementations for clinical datasets.

Conclusion

MKCNN scored 86.1% on the F1 score metric. In contrast to many of the rule-based systems introduced during the n2c2 challenge workshop, our system presents a model that heavily draws on machine-based learning. In addition, the MK representations add more value to clinical comprehension and interpretation of natural texts.
Gender and Embodied War Knowledge
Authors: Waldron Thea , Baines Erin
Published: July 2019

UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (adopted in 2000) seeks to protect women’s bodily integrity in war and promote women’s rights to participate in decisions affecting them in the realm of peace and security. Its normative framework offers potential to transform how peace and security is framed in the UN Security Council. At the same time, critics charge that the Women, Peace and Security agenda reproduces problematic categories, including women as a static, homogeneous social group, binaries such as peace and war as clearly delineated events, and victims and perpetrators as gendered, oppositional groups. In this article, we strive to think critically about gender and human rights through the rubric of the Women, Peace and Security agenda and problematic categories that underpin its design. We do so by exploring gender and embodied knowledge in war.
Inter-alpha Inhibitor Proteins Modulate Neuroinflammatory Biomarkers After Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neonatal Rats
Authors: Barrios-Anderson Adriel , Chen Xiaodi , Nakada Sakura , Chen Ray , Lim Yow-Pin , Stonestreet Barbara S
Published: July 2019

Neuroinflammation contributes to hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury. Inter-alpha inhibitor proteins (IAIPs) have important immunomodulatory properties. Human (h) plasma-derived IAIPs reduce brain injury and improve neurobehavioral outcomes after HI. However, the effects of hIAIPs on neuroinflammatory biomarkers after HI have not been examined. We determined whether hIAIPs attenuated HI-related neuroinflammation. Postnatal day-7 rats exposed to sham-placebo, or right carotid ligation and 8% oxygen for 90 minutes with placebo, and hIAIP treatment were studied. hIAIPs (30 mg/kg) or PL was injected intraperitoneally immediately, 24, and 48 hours after HI. Rat complete blood counts and sex were determined. Brain tissue and peripheral blood were prepared for analysis 72 hours after HI. The effects of hIAIPs on HI-induced neuroinflammation were quantified by image analysis of positively stained astrocytic (glial fibrillary acid protein [GFAP]), microglial (ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule-1 [Iba-1]), neutrophilic (myeloperoxidase [MPO]), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9), and MMP9-MPO cellular markers in brain regions. hIAIPs reduced quantities of cortical GFAP, hippocampal Iba-1-positive microglia, corpus callosum MPO, and cortical MMP9-MPO cells and the percent of neutrophils in peripheral blood after HI in male, but not female rats. hIAIPs modulate neuroinflammatory biomarkers in the neonatal brain after HI and may exhibit sex-related differential effects.
Bias and robustness of eccentricity estimates from radial velocity data
Authors: Hara Nathan C , Boué G , Laskar J , Delisle J-B , Unger N
Published: July 2019

Eccentricity is a parameter of particular interest as it is an informative indicator of the past of planetary systems. It is however not always clear whether the eccentricity fitted on radial velocity data is real or if it is an artefact of an inappropriate modelling. In this work, we address this question in two steps: we first assume that the model used for inference is correct and present interesting features of classical estimators. Secondly, we study whether the eccentricity estimates are to be trusted when the data contain incorrectly modelled signals, such as missed planetary companions, non-Gaussian noises, correlated noises with unknown covariance, etc. Our main conclusion is that data analysis via posterior distributions, with a model including a free error term gives reliable results provided two conditions. First, convergence of the numerical methods needs to be ascertained. Secondly, the noise power spectrum should not have a particularly strong peak at the semiperiod of the planet of interest. As a consequence, it is difficult to determine if the signal of an apparently eccentric planet might be due to another inner companion in 2:1 mean motion resonance. We study the use of Bayes factors to disentangle these cases. Finally, we suggest methods to check if there are hints of an incorrect model in the residuals. We show on simulated data the performance of our methods and comment on the eccentricities of Proxima b and 55 Cnc f.
Multiphase gas in the circumgalactic medium: relative role of tcool/tff and density fluctuations
Authors: Pal Choudhury Prakriti , Sharma Prateek , Quataert Eliot
Published: July 2019

We perform a suite of simulations with realistic gravity and thermal balance in shells to quantify the role of the ratio of cooling time to the free-fall time (tcool/tff) and the amplitude of density perturbations (δρ/ρ) in the production of multiphase gas in the circumgalactic medium (CGM). Previous idealized simulations, focusing on small amplitude perturbations in the intracluster medium (ICM), found that cold gas can condense out of the hot ICM in global thermal balance when the background tcool/tff ≲ 10. Recent observations suggest the presence of cold gas even when the background profiles have somewhat large values of tcool/tff. This partly motivates a better understanding of additional factors such as large density perturbations that can enhance the propensity for cooling and condensation even when the background tcool/tff is high. Such large density contrasts can be seeded by galaxy wakes or dense cosmological filaments. From our simulations, we introduce a condensation curve in the (δρ/ρ) – min(tcool/tff) space, which defines the threshold for condensation of multiphase gas in the CGM. We show that this condensation curve corresponds to (tcool/tff)blob ≲ 10 applied to the overdense blob instead of the background for which tcool/tff can be higher. We also study the modification in the condensation curve by varying entropy stratification. Steeper (positive) entropy gradients shift the condensation curve to higher amplitudes of perturbations (i.e. make condensation difficult). A constant entropy core, applicable to the CGM in smaller haloes, shows condensation over a larger range of radii as compared to the steeper entropy profiles in the ICM.
Are the observed gaps in protoplanetary discs caused by growing planets?
Authors: Ndugu N , Bitsch B , Jurua E
Published: July 2019

Recent detailed observations of protoplanetary discs revealed a lot of substructures that are mostly ring like. One interpretation is that these rings are caused by growing planets. These potential planets are not yet opening very deep gaps in their discs. These planets instead form small gaps in the discs to generate small pressure bumps exterior to their orbits that stop the inflow of the largest dust particles. In the pebble accretion paradigm, this planetary mass corresponds to the pebble isolation mass, where pebble accretion stops and efficient gas accretion starts. We perform planet population synthesis via pebble and gas accretion including type-I and type-II migration. In the first stage of our simulations, we investigate the conditions necessary for planets to reach the pebble isolation mass and compare their position to the observed gaps. We find that in order to match the gap structures 2000ME in pebbles is needed, which would be only available for the most metal-rich stars. We then follow the evolution of these planets for a few Myr to compare the resulting population with the observed exoplanet populations. Planet formation in discs with these large amounts of pebbles results in mostly forming gas giants and only very little super-Earths, contradicting observations. This leads to the conclusions that either (i) the observed discs are exceptions, (ii) not all gaps in observed discs are caused by planets, or (iii) that we miss some important ingredients in planet formation related to gas accretion and/or planet migration.
Optimizing sparse RFI prediction using deep learning
Authors: Kerrigan Joshua , Plante Paul La , Kohn Saul , Pober Jonathan C , Aguirre James , Abdurashidova Zara , Alexander Paul , Ali Zaki S , Balfour Yanga , Beardsley Adam P , Bernardi Gianni , Bowman Judd D , Bradley Richard F , Burba Jacob , Carilli Chris L , Cheng Carina , DeBoer David R , Dexter Matt , Acedo Eloy de Lera , Dillon Joshua S , Estrada Julia , Ewall-Wice Aaron , Fagnoni Nicolas , Fritz Randall , Furlanetto Steve R , Glendenning Brian , Greig Bradley , Grobbelaar Jasper , Gorthi Deepthi , Halday Ziyaad , Hazelton Bryna J , Hickish Jack , Jacobs Daniel C , Julius Austin , Kern Nicholas S , Kittiwisit Piyanat , Kolopanis Matthew , Lanman Adam , Lekalake Telalo , Liu Adrian , MacMahon David , Malan Lourence , Malgas Cresshim , Maree Matthys , Martinot Zachary E , Matsetela Eunice , Mesinger Andrei , Molewa Mathakane , Morales Miguel F , Mosiane Tshegofalang , Neben Abraham R , Parsons Aaron R , Patra Nipanjana , Pieterse Samantha , Razavi-Ghods Nima , Ringuette Jon , Robnett James , Rosie Kathryn , Sims Peter , Smith Craig , Syce Angelo , Thyagarajan Nithyanandan , Williams Peter K G , Zheng Haoxuan
Published: July 2019

Radio frequency interference (RFI) is an ever-present limiting factor among radio telescopes even in the most remote observing locations. When looking to retain the maximum amount of sensitivity and reduce contamination for Epoch of Reionization studies, the identification and removal of RFI is especially important. In addition to improved RFI identification, we must also take into account computational efficiency of the RFI-Identification algorithm as radio interferometer arrays such as the Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array (HERA) grow larger in number of receivers. To address this, we present a deep fully convolutional neural network (DFCN) that is comprehensive in its use of interferometric data, where both amplitude and phase information are used jointly for identifying RFI. We train the network using simulated HERA visibilities containing mock RFI, yielding a known ‘ground truth’ data set for evaluating the accuracy of various RFI algorithms. Evaluation of the DFCN model is performed on observations from the 67 dish build-out, HERA-67, and achieves a data throughput of 1.6 × 105 HERA time-ordered 1024 channelled visibilities per hour per GPU. We determine that relative to an amplitude only network including visibility phase adds important adjacent time–frequency context which increases discrimination between RFI and non-RFI. The inclusion of phase when predicting achieves a recall of 0.81, precision of 0.58, and F2 score of 0.75 as applied to our HERA-67 observations.
Sunspot observations by Charles Malapert during the period 1618–1626: a key data set to understand solar activity before the Maunder minimum
Authors: Carrasco V M S , Gallego M C , Villalba Álvarez J , Vaquero J M
Published: July 2019

A revision is presented of the sunspot observations made by Charles Malapert from 1618 to 1626, studying several documentary sources that include those observations. The revised accounting of the group numbers recorded by Malapert for that period shows new information unavailable in the current sunspot group data base. The average solar activity level calculated from these revised records of Malapert is by almost one-third greater than that calculated from his records included in the current group data base. Comparison of the sunspot observations made by Malapert and by other astronomers of that time with regard to the number of recorded groups and sunspot positions on the solar disc shows good agreement. Malapert reported that he only recorded one sunspot group in each sunspot drawing presented in Austriaca Sidera Heliocyclia (the documentary source that includes most of the sunspot records made by Malapert), although he sometimes observed several groups. Therefore, the sunspot counts obtained in this work on Malapert's sunspot observations represent the lower limit of the solar activity level corresponding to those records.
Ambipolar diffusion and the molecular abundances in pre-stellar cores
Authors: Priestley Felix D , Wurster James , Viti Serena
Published: July 2019

We investigate differences in the molecular abundances between magnetically super- and subcritical pre-stellar cores, performing three-dimensional non-ideal magnetohydrodynamical (MHD) simulations with varying densities and magnetic field strengths, and post-processing the results with a time-dependent gas–grain chemical code. Most molecular species show significantly more central depletion in subcritical models, due to the longer duration of collapse. However, the directly observable quantities – the molecule to hydrogen column density ratios – are generally too similar for observational data to discriminate between models. The profiles of N2H+ and HCO+ show qualitative differences between supercritical and subcritical models on scales of $0.01 \, {\rm pc}$, which may allow the two cases to be distinguished. However, this requires knowledge of the hydrogen column density, which is not directly measureable, and predicted line intensity profiles from radiative transfer modelling are similar for these molecules. Other commonly observed species, such as HCN and CH3OH, have line intensity profiles that differ more strongly between models, and so are more promising as tracers of the mechanism of cloud collapse.
Envelopes of embedded super-Earths – II. Three-dimensional isothermal simulations
Authors: Béthune William , Rafikov Roman R
Published: July 2019

Massive planetary cores embedded in protoplanetary discs are believed to accrete extended atmospheres, providing a pathway to forming gas giants and gas-rich super-Earths. The properties of these atmospheres strongly depend on the nature of the coupling between the atmosphere and the surrounding disc. We examine the formation of gaseous envelopes around massive planetary cores via three-dimensional inviscid and isothermal hydrodynamic simulations. We focus the changes in the envelope properties as the core mass varies from low (subthermal) to high (superthermal) values, a regime relevant to close-in super-Earths. We show that global envelope properties such as the amount of rotational support or turbulent mixing are mostly sensitive to the ratio of the Bondi radius of the core to its physical size. High-mass cores are fed by supersonic inflows arriving along the polar axis and shocking on the densest parts of the envelope, driving turbulence, and mass accretion. Gas flows out of the core’s Hill sphere in the equatorial plane, describing a global mass circulation through the envelope. The shell of shocked gas atop the core surface delimits regions of slow (inside) and fast (outside) material recycling by gas from the surrounding disc. While recycling hinders the runaway growth towards gas giants, the inner regions of protoplanetary atmospheres, more immune to mixing, may remain bound to the planet.