bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structure and dynamics of the extended‐helix state of alpha‐synuclein: Intrinsic lability of the linker region
Authors: Sung Yoon‐Hui , Eliezer David
Published: April 2018

The Parkinson's protein alpha‐synuclein binds to synaptic vesicles in vivo and adopts a highly extended helical conformation when binding to lipid vesicles in vitro. High‐resolution structural analysis of alpha‐synuclein bound to small lipid or detergent micelles revealed two helices connected by a non‐helical linker, but corresponding studies of the vesicle‐bound extended‐helix state are hampered by the size and heterogeneity of the protein‐vesicle complex. Here we employ fluorinated alcohols (FAs) to induce a highly helical aggregation‐resistant state of alpha‐synuclein in solution that resembles the vesicle‐bound extended‐helix state but is amenable to characterization using high‐resolution solution‐state NMR. Analysis of chemical shift, NOE, coupling constant, PRE and relaxation measurements shows that the lipid‐binding domain of alpha‐synuclein in FA solutions indeed adopts a single continuous helix and that the ends of this helix do not come into detectable proximity to each other. The helix is well ordered in the center, but features an increase in fast internal motions suggestive of helix fraying approaching the termini. The central region of the helix exhibits slower time scale motions that likely result from flexing of the highly anisotropic structure. Importantly, weak or missing short‐ and intermediate‐range NOEs in the region corresponding to the non‐helical linker of micelle‐bound alpha‐synuclein indicate that the helical structure in this region of the protein is intrinsically unstable. This suggests that conversion of alpha‐synuclein from the extended‐helix to the broken‐helix state represents a functionally relevant structural transition.
Concise machinery for monitoring ubiquitination activities using novel artificial RING fingers
Authors: Miyamoto Kazuhide , Saito Kazuki
Published: April 2018

Protein ubiquitination is involved in many cellular processes, such as protein degradation, DNA repair, and signal transduction pathways. Ubiquitin‐conjugating (E2) enzymes of the ubiquitination pathway are associated with various cancers, such as leukemia, lung cancer, and gastric cancer. However, to date, detection of E2 activities is not practicable for capturing the pathological conditions of cancers due to complications related to the enzymatic cascade reaction. To overcome this hurdle, we have recently investigated a novel strategy for measuring E2 activities. Artificial RING fingers (ARFs) were developed to conveniently detect E2 activities during the ubiquitination reaction. ARFs were created by grafting the active sites of ubiquitin‐ligating (E3) enzymes onto amino acid sequences with 38 residues. The grafting design downsized E3s to small molecules (ARFs). Such an ARF is a multifunctional molecule that possesses specific E2‐binding capabilities and ubiquitinates itself without a substrate. In this review, we discuss the major findings from recent investigations on a new molecular design for ARFs and their simplified detection system for E2 activities. The use of the ARF allowed us to monitor E2 activities using acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)‐derived cells following treatment with the anticancer drug bortezomib. The molecular design of ARFs is extremely simple and convenient, and thus, may be a powerful tool for protein engineering. The ARF methodology may reveal a new screening method of E2s that will contribute to diagnostic techniques for cancers.
Thermal Effects on the Hydrogen Passivation of Silicon Wafers During Diode Laser Annealing
Authors: Ahmmed Mohammad Shakil , Song Lihui , Huda Nazmul
Published: April 2018

This paper presents a study of the laser induced thermal effects on the hydrogen passivation of silicon wafers. Thermal treatment, due to laser annealing, can be responsible for the release of atomic hydrogen from the dielectric layers, the diffusion of hydrogen into the silicon wafers and the passivation of defects. The whole process results in a reduction of active defects, and hence an increase of the minority carrier lifetime of the silicon wafers. Understanding of the mechanisms of heat transfer during the laser annealing is essential for obtaining an optimal hydrogenation effect. In this paper, a numerical model for evaluation of temporal and spatial temperature distributions in a silicon wafer during laser annealing is developed. The model is developed using the open‐source C + + framework known as OpenFOAM. A continuous wave (CW) diode laser of 808 nm wavelength is used for laser annealing of the silicon wafers containing dielectric layers of hydrogenated silicon nitride. The simulations are carried out at the experimental conditions and the impact of key laser annealing parameters, such as scanning speeds, laser power densities and substrates initial temperatures, are carefully investigated. The simulated results are then correlated with the experimental results of photoluminescene (PL) imaging and injection level dependent effective lifetime data. Our results show that the localized hydrogen passivation of the silicon wafers using laser annealing depends on the peak temperature and duration of heat. Additionally, it is found that the preheating of the wafer has a substantial effect on the reduction of thermal stress, while leading to a good degree of localized hydrogen passivation of the wafers. A correlation is also developed for the maximum spot temperature which will serve as a guideline for selecting optimum operating conditions.
The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission's scientific achievements and societal contributions: reviewing four years of advanced rain and snow observations
Authors: Skofronick‐Jackson Gail , Kirschbaum Dalia , Petersen Walter , Huffman George , Kidd Chris , Stocker Erich , Kakar Ramesh
Published: April 2018

Precipitation represents a life‐critical energy and hydrologic exchange between the Earth's atmosphere and its surface. As such, knowledge of where, when and how much rain and snow falls is essential for scientific research and societal applications. Building on the 17‐year success of the Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM), the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory (GPM‐CO) is the first US National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) satellite mission specifically designed with sensors to observe the structure and intensities of both rain and falling snow. The GPM‐CO has proved to be a worthy successor to TRMM, extending and improving high‐quality active and passive microwave observations across all times of day. The GPM‐CO launched in early 2014, is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), with sensors that include the NASA‐provided GPM Microwave Imager and the JAXA‐provided Dual‐frequency Precipitation Radar. These sensors were devised with high accuracy standards enabling them to be used as a reference for inter‐calibrating a constellation of partner satellite data. These inter‐calibrated partner satellite retrievals are used with infrared data to produce merged precipitation estimates at temporal scales of 30 min and spatial scales of 0.1° × 0.1°. Precipitation estimates from the GPM‐CO and partner constellation satellites, provided in near real time and later reprocessed with all ancillary data, are an indispensable source of precipitation data for operational and scientific users. Advances have been made using GPM data, primarily in improving sensor calibration, retrieval algorithms, and ground validation measurements, and used to further our understanding of the characteristics of liquid and frozen precipitation and the science of water and hydrological cycles for climate/weather forecasting. These advances have extended to societal benefits related to water resources, operational numerical weather prediction, hurricane monitoring, prediction, and disaster response, extremes, and disease.
Fault‐tolerant fusion‐based MPC with sensor recovery for constrained LPV systems
Authors: McCloy R. , De Doná J. , Seron M.
Published: April 2018

In this paper, we present a robust fault‐tolerant control scheme for constrained multisensor linear parameter‐varying systems, subject to bounded disturbances, that utilises multiple sensor fusion. The closed‐loop scheme consists of a tube model predictive control‐based feedback tracking controller and sensor‐estimate fusion strategy, which allows for the reintegration of previously faulty sensors. The active fault‐tolerant fusion‐based mechanism tracks the healthy‐faulty transitions of suitable residual variables by means of set separation and precomputed transition times. The sensor‐estimate pairings are then reconfigured based on available healthy sensors. Under the proposed scheme, robust preservation of closed‐loop system boundedness is guaranteed for a wide range of sensor fault situations. An example is presented to illustrate the performance of the fault‐tolerant control strategy.
Electrodeposition of poly(acrylic acid) on stainless steel with enhanced adhesion properties
Authors: Meinderink D. , Orive A. G. , Grundmeier G.
Published: April 2018

A facile electrochemical methodology to prepare poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) thin films in mildly acid aqueous solutions onto stainless steel is presented. Together with the PAA, the codeposition of Zn species is observed. The latter can be further removed by rinsing with dilute HCl aqueous solutions. These PAA‐modified steel samples have been characterized by infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy and exhibit good adhesion‐promoting capabilities.
Quantifying rater variation for ordinal data using a rating scale model
Authors: Zhang Shiqi , Petersen Jørgen Holm
Published: April 2018

We present a model‐based approach to the analysis of agreement between different raters in a situation where all raters have supplied ordinal ratings of the same cases in a sample. It is assumed that no “gold standard” is available. The model is an ordinal regression model with random effects—a so‐called rating scale model.

The model includes case‐specific parameters that allow each case his or hers own level (disease severity). It also allows raters to have different propensities to score a given set of individuals more or less positively—the rater level. Based on the model, we suggest quantifying the rater variation using the median odds ratio. This allows expressing the variation on the same scale as the observed ordinal data.

An important example that will serve to motivate and illustrate the proposed model is the study of breast cancer diagnosis based on screening mammograms. The purpose of the assessment is to detect early breast cancer in order to obtain improved cancer survival. In the study, mammograms from 148 women were evaluated by 110 expert radiologists. The experts were asked to rate each mammogram on a 5‐point scale ranging from “normal” to “probably malignant.”
3D FTO/FTO‐Nanocrystal/TiO2 Composite Inverse Opal Photoanode for Efficient Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Wang Zhiwei , Li Xianglin , Ling Han , Tan Chiew Kei , Yeo Loo Pin , Grimsdale Andrew Clive , Tok Alfred Iing Yoong
Published: April 2018

A 3D fluorine‐doped SnO2 (FTO)/FTO‐nanocrystal (NC)/TiO2 inverse opal (IO) structure is designed and fabricated as a new “host and guest” type of composite photoanode for efficient photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. In this novel photoanode design, the highly conductive and porous FTO/FTO‐NC IO acts as the “host” skeleton, which provides direct pathways for faster electron transport, while the conformally coated TiO2 layer acts as the “guest” absorber layer. The unique composite IO structure is fabricated through self‐assembly of colloidal spheres template, a hydrothermal method and atomic layer deposition (ALD). Owing to its large surface area and efficient charge collection, the FTO/FTO‐NC/TiO2 composite IO photoanode shows excellent photocatalytic properties for PEC water splitting. With optimized dimensions of the SnO2 nanocrystals and the thickness of the ALD TiO2 absorber layers, the 3D FTO/FTO‐NC/TiO2 composite IO photoanode yields a photocurrent density of 1.0 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) under AM 1.5 illumination, which is four times higher than that of the FTO/TiO2 IO reference photoanode.
Excellent Surface Passivation Quality on Crystalline Silicon Using Industrial‐Scale Direct‐Plasma TOPCon Deposition Technology
Authors: Steinhauser Bernd , Polzin Jana‐Isabelle , Feldmann Frank , Hermle Martin , Glunz Stefan W.
Published: April 2018

Passivating contacts based on a thin SiOx layer and a doped Si layer (TOPCon) are an appealing choice for pushing the efficiency of Si solar cells. One way to deposit the doped Si layer is to utilize radio‐frequency direct plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition as commonly used in industry for the deposition of silicon nitride. However, due to the low operating frequency in the kHz range, there are concerns that ion bombardment might damage the thin SiOx layer and thus prevent suitable surface passivation. We demonstrate that this is not the case. Instead, the application of these layers on c‐Si results in excellent surface passivation. Minority carrier lifetimes exceeding the intrinsic bulk limit predicted by current models on 1 Ω cm n‐type were observed, out‐performing the reference layers. The excellent surface passivation results in an implied VOC of above 735 mV and an implied FF of almost 88% on 200 µm thick n‐type c‐Si. Furthermore, a lifetime test on 100 Ω cm n‐type c‐Si revealed an extraordinary lifetime of 190 ms (Δn = 1 × 1014 cm−3).
Addressing the epistemic elephant in the room: Epistemic agency and the next generation science standards
Authors: Miller Emily , Manz Eve , Russ Rosemary , Stroupe David , Berland Leema
Published: April 2018

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) [Achieve, Inc. []] represent a broad consensus that teaching and learning expectations must change. Rather than memorizing and reciting information, students are now expected to engage in science practices to develop a deep understanding of core science ideas. While we want to share in the optimism about NGSS, the standards are not a silver bullet for transforming science classrooms. They are, instead, another reform document designed to suggest opportunities for students to actively engage in knowledge construction themselves—to be doers of science, rather than receivers of facts. A foundational contradiction underlies these efforts—while we want students to do science, we seem to mean that students should mimic practices others have selected as important to learn, and content others have selected as foundational. As a result, students are rarely positioned with epistemic agency: the power to shape the knowledge production and practices of a community [Stroupe [] Science Education 98:487–516]. We argue that unless the field tackles significant questions around precisely how students can be active agents in knowledge construction, we will likely continue to implement learning environments that position students as receivers of scientific facts and practices, even as classrooms adopt NGSS. In this conceptual analysis article, we unpack the construct of “epistemic agency” and its relationship to the NGSS, using a vignette to illustrate how students are typically positioned in researcher‐developed curricula. The vignette, which describes a seventh‐grade class exploring which of two lakes is more at risk for invasion by the spiny water flea, provides an exemplar of what we take to be a loose consensus about learning environments consistent with the NGSS. However, when we look beneath the surface of the consensus, the vignette reveals contradictions and unresolved issues around epistemic agency.
Multi‐view face detection using frontal face detector
Authors: You Mengbo , Akashi Takuya
Published: April 2018

The development of frontal face detection has matured for application to everyday life. However, various profile face views are still difficult to deal with practically. A common solution is to build different detectors organized by a decision tree and ensure that each detector handles a single view or a few views. However, collecting the training images for each face view is time consuming and laborious. Moreover, many profile face detectors cannot perform as well as the frontal face detector because of insufficient training images. The management of many detectors also leads to too complex a logic structure to classify a face into its corresponding view. In this paper,we propose a novel method to reuse a frontal face detector to detect multi‐view faces, which do not need any data collection or training processes for various profile views. We focus on exploiting the potential of a general frontal face detector and aim to extend its application to multi‐view faces. We conduct a theoretical analysis to explain why our methodology works from different perspectives, and implement the proposed method based on the sliding window strategy. Furthermore, the searching process is optimized by a genetic algorithm with an original fitness function. Experimental results verify that our method can successfully detect human faces in almost all head poses in the dataset containing a complete collection of head poses in yaw and pitch axes. © 2018 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Early education and its effect on students who desire to research their own topics before joining laboratories
Authors: Yamauchi Masayuki , Tanioka Tomomi , Masui Yoshihiro , Araki Tomoyuki , Taniguchi Tetsuji , Toyota Hiroshi , Koike Masaki , Maeda Shunji , Ozaki Toru , Tanaka Takeshi
Published: April 2018

This paper examines a new approach to help students select areas of interest in electrical and computer engineering at Hiroshima Institute of Technology. Students are usually expected to select areas of interest after completing 2.5 years of courses covering engineering fundamentals and liberal arts. Many students desire to have opportunities to investigate research topics and potential areas of specialization earlier than this. To support these students, 2 years ago we created two programs: Tech‐ners Jr. and Techno‐club. In this paper, we report on the outline and significance of the first generation of students in Techno‐club by analyzing their final data and questionnaire results. © 2018 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Entwicklung der Quadrupol‐Massenspektrometer in den letzten 30 Jahren
Authors: Walther Patrick
Published: April 2018

The quest to determine the composition of gas

This article examines developments in quadrupole mass spectrometers over the past 30 years. It looks into the changing footprint of devices as well as at software and communication interfaces. It also introduces the advantages of modern compact devices, such as improved detection limits, integrated total pressure measurement and multiple interfaces. The outlook discusses the potential further development of operating software that may be replaced by a web application and the continuing miniaturization of devices.
Vakuumtechnologie für die chemische Verfahrenstechnik
Authors: Merkle Uli
Published: April 2018

Vacuum technology for the chemical industry process engineering – New developments – established principles

Vacuum technology in chemical process engineering has evolved constantly over the past decades. In the beginning, liquid ring vacuum pumps were used in almost all chemical processes. But this all changed in the 1960s with the introduction of the once‐through oil‐lubricated rotary vane vacuum pump. The development of the dry screw vacuum pump in the 1990s represented another milestone. These are the three main types of technology available to chemical engineers today. They therefore have the choice between the traditional but proven technology of the liquid ring vacuum pump, the once‐through oil‐lubricated rotary vane vacuum pump and the modern screw vacuum pump that requires no operating fluids whatsoever. The decision as to which type is the right choice should be left to a proven vacuum specialist. Each and every critical parameter – from the process conditions, process gases and integration into process control right through to assessing the economic efficiency, safety and reliability of the future vacuum generation – must be taken into consideration.
Robustness of hydroclimate metrics for climate change impact research
Authors: Ekström Marie , Gutmann Ethan D. , Wilby Robert L. , Tye Mari R. , Kirono Dewi G.C.
Published: April 2018

Metrics based on streamflow and/or climate variables are used in water management for monitoring and evaluating available resources. To reflect future change in the hydrological regime, metrics are estimated using climate change information from Global Climate Models or from stochastic time series representing future climates. Whilst often simple to calculate, many metrics implicitly represent complex physical process. We evaluate the scientific validity of metrics used in a climate change context, demonstrating their use to reflect aspects of timing, magnitude, extreme values, variability, duration, state, system services, and performance. We raise awareness about the following generic issues (a) formulation: metrics often assume stationarity of the input data, which is invalid under climate change; and do not always consider potential changes to seasonality and the relevance of the temporal window used for analysis; (b) climate change input data: how well are the physical processes relevant to the metric represented in the climate change input data; what is the impact of bias correction on relevant spatial and temporal scale dependencies and relevant intervariable dependencies; how realistic are the data in representing sequencing of events and natural variability in large‐scale ocean–atmosphere systems; and (c) decision‐making context: are rules and values that frame the decision‐making process likely to remain constant or change in a future world.

If critical climate or hydrological processes are not well represented by the metric constituents, these indices can be misleading about plausible future change. However, knowledge of how to construct a robust metric can safeguard against misleading interpretations about future change.

This article is categorized under:

Science of Water > Methods

Science of Water > Water and Environmental Change

Science of Water > Water Extremes
Cascade Mi (i = 1–5) subshell X‐ray emission at incident photon energies across the Lj (j = 1–3) subshell absorption edges of 66Dy
Authors: Kaur Rajnish , Kumar Anil , Czyzycki Mateusz , Migliori Alessandro , Karydas Andreas G. , Puri Sanjiv
Published: April 2018

The total M shell and the Mk (k = ξ, αβ, γ, m) X‐ray production cross sections for 66Dy have been measured at incident photon energies across its Lj (j = 1–3) subshell absorption edge energies, ranging 7.8–9.2 keV. This study aims to investigate the evolution of the probability for cascade decay of Lj subshell vacancies as the tunable incident energy ionizes progressively different 66Dy Lj subshells. The experimental X‐ray production cross sections have been compared with theoretical ones calculated using the nonrelativistic Hartree–Fock–Slater (HFS) model‐based photoionization cross sections; three sets of the X‐ray emission rates, fluorescence and Coster–Kronig yield based on the nonrelativistic Hartree–Slater (NRHS) model, Dirac–Hartree–Slater (DHS) model and Dirac–Fock (DF) model; the Lj (j = 1–3) subshell to the Mi (i = 1–5) subshell vacancy transfer probabilities evaluated in the present work. Presently measured total M shell and the Mαβ X‐ray production cross sections are found to be significantly lower than the theoretical ones evaluated using physical parameters based on the relativistic Dirac–Fock/Dirac–Hartree–Slater model calculations, whereas a much better agreement is observed with respect to the NRHS model‐based calculations; however, the measured X‐ray production cross sections are still systematically lower than the NRHS values.
Geometric engineering on flops of length two
Authors: Collinucci Andrés , Fazzi Marco , Valandro Roberto
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Type IIA on the conifold is a prototype example for engineering QED with one charged hypermultiplet. The geometry admits a flop of length one. In this paper, we study the next generation of geometric engineering on singular geometries, namely flops of length two such as Laufer’s example, which we affectionately think of as the conifold 2.0. Type IIA on the latter geometry gives QED with higher-charge states. In type IIB, even a single D3-probe gives rise to a nonabelian quiver gauge theory. We study this class of geometries explicitly by leveraging their quiver description, showing how to parametrize the exceptional curve, how to see the flop transition, and how to find the noncompact divisors intersecting the curve. With a view towards F-theory applications, we show how these divisors contribute to the enhancement of the Mordell-Weil group of the local elliptic fibration defined by Laufer’s example.
Predictors of outcome in patients with hematologic malignancies admitted to the intensive care unit
Authors: Al-Zubaidi Nassar , Shehada Emad , Alshabani Khaled , ZazaDitYafawi Jihane , Kingah Pascal , Soubani Ayman O.
Published: April 2018

Purpose:

Several studies showed conflicting results about prognosis and predictors of outcome of critically ill patients with hematological malignancies (HM). The aim of this study is to determine the hospital outcome of critically ill patients with HM and the factors predicting the outcome.

Methods and materials:

All patients with HM admitted to MICU at a tertiary academic medical center were enrolled. Clinical data upon admission and during ICU stay were collected. Hospital, ICU, and 6 months outcomes were documented.

Results:

There were 130 HM patients during the study period. Acute Leukemia was the most common malignancy (31.5%) followed by Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (28.5%). About 12.5% patients had autologous HSCT and 51.5% had allogeneic HSCT. Sepsis was the most common ICU diagnosis (25.9%). ICU mortality and hospital mortality were 24.8% and 45.3%, respectively. Six months mortality (available on 80% of patients) was 56.7%. Hospital mortality was higher among mechanically ventilated patients (75%). Using multivariate analysis, only mechanical ventilation (OR of 19.0, CI: 3.1–117.4, P: 0.001) and allogeneic HSCT (OR of 10.9, CI: 1.8–66.9, P: 0.01) predicted hospital mortality.

Conclusion:

Overall hospital outcome of critically ill patients with HM is improving. However those who require mechanical ventilation or underwent allogeneic HSCT continue to have poor outcome.
The relation between protein Z polymorphism and the risk of thrombosis in Egyptian patients with antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Eissa Yomna K. , Ellithy Hend N. , Yousry Sherif M. , Ismail Zakaria
Published: April 2018

Background:

The genetic background plays an important role in thrombosis and pregnancy morbidities. Low levels of protein Z is associated with increased risk of thrombosis. The G79A polymorphism in the protein Z gene may be a genetic risk factor for thrombosis.

Aim of the study:

To investigate the prevalence and clinical significance of the protein Z-79 G/A gene polymorphism in Egyptian patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).

Methods:

We genotyped 60 APS patients and 41 controls, for protein Z-79 G/A gene polymorphism using the PCR-restriction fragment length. The polymorphism was then analyzed in relation to thrombosis and pregnancy morbidities in APS patients.

Results:

We observed a higher prevalence of the A allele in the controls when compared to the APS patients (P Value = <0.001). In our studied sample, the G79A polymorphism, as well as its minor A allele, were not associated with an increased risk of thrombosis or pregnancy morbidities in APS.

Conclusion:

Protein Z-79 G/A gene polymorphism may be of a protective value against thrombosis in APS. The G79A polymorphism of protein Z was not found to be an independent risk factor of thrombosis in APS.
Seasonal evolution of supraglacial lakes on a floating ice tongue, Petermann Glacier, Greenland
Authors: Macdonald Grant J. , Banwell Alison F. , MacAyeal Douglas R.
Published: April 2018

Supraglacial lakes are known to trigger Antarctic ice-shelf instability and break-up. However, to date, no study has focused on lakes on Greenland's floating termini. Here, we apply lake boundary/area and depth algorithms to Landsat 8 imagery to analyse the inter- and intraseasonal evolution of supraglacial lakes across Petermann Glacier's (81°N) floating tongue from 2014 to 2016, while also comparing these lakes to those on the grounded ice. Lakes start to fill in June and quickly peak in total number, volume and area in late June/early July in response to increases in air temperatures. However, through July and August, total lake number, volume and area all decline, despite sustained high temperatures. These observations may be explained by the transportation of meltwater into the ocean by a river, and by lake drainage events on the floating tongue. Further, as mean lake depth remains relatively constant during this time, we suggest that a large proportion of the lakes that drain, do so completely, likely by rapid hydrofracture. The mean areas of lakes on the tongue are only ~20% of those on the grounded ice and exhibit lower variability in maximum and mean depth, differences likely attributable to the contrasting formation processes of lakes in each environment.
The Residential Status of Working Age Adults Following Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Braaf Sandra , Beck Ben , Callaway Libby , Ponsford Jennie , Gabbe Belinda J.
Published: April 2018

Objective: To describe place of residence and examine factors associated with place of residence following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in working age adults.

Setting, participants, design: Retrospective cohort study (1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013) of adults (16–64 years) with severe TBI who survived to hospital discharge in Victoria, Australia.

Main measures: Place of residence (dichotomised as ‘private residence’ and ‘other destination’) at 6, 12 and 24 months post injury. A modified Poisson model was fitted with a random effect for the participant.

Results: There were 684 cases that were followed-up at one or more time points. At 24 months post injury, 87% (n = 537) adults with TBI were living at a private residence, of whom 66% did not require additional support. Cases were more likely to be living at a private residence at 24 months post injury compared to 6 months (adjusted relative risk = 1.08, 95% Confidence Interval, 1.04–1.11, p < .001). At 24 months post injury, 5% (n = 29) remained in rehabilitation and 4% (n = 23) lived in a nursing home.

Conclusion: While the majority of cases were living at a private residence at 2 years post injury, 13% were residing in rehabilitation, a nursing home or other supported living. Longer follow-up is needed to understand if a transition to a private residence is possible for these groups.
The Path of Emotional Least Resistance: Developing Theory Based on the Self-Reported Strengths of Happy and Distressed Couples in the Marriage Checkup
Authors: Gray Tatiana D. , Cordova James V. , Hawrilenko Matt , Dovala Taylor , Sollenberger Julia W.
Published: April 2018

This study examined the qualitative differences between the types of strengths identified by satisfied versus distressed couples seeking a Marriage Checkup. We hypothesised that distressed couples would nominate less intimate strengths, while satisfied couples would nominate more intimate strengths. We found that distressed partners were significantly more likely to nominate items from a Parallel Support category, whereas satisfied women, but not men, were significantly more likely to nominate items from an Intimate/Affectionate category. These findings suggest that an indicator of developing couple distress is the point where couples begin to focus their attention on less emotionally vulnerable relationship aspects.
Cabinet Leadership: Does It Mirror Democratic Change in Mexico?
Authors: Camp Roderic Ai
Published: April 2018

An exploration of cabinet leadership in Mexico has always provided insights into political recruitment trends for leading policymakers. An examination of the present cabinet from 2012 through 2016 is valuable for four reasons. First, to what extent does the current leadership reflect changes in compositional patterns of the most influential policymakers as a result of a democratic electoral process dating from 2000? Second, does the return of the PRI reflect traditional patterns established by the last two PRI presidential administrations, or has the present cabinet taken on features that can be attributed to the two previous PAN administrations? Third, have significant patterns emerged, reflected in recent appointments, that suggest influential characteristics exercising broader influences in the future? Fourth, will the most influential cabinet figures under the PRI presidency reestablish their dominance as leading contenders for their party’s presidential election in 2018?
From Friendship to Family:Jiangyiqiand Strong Interpersonal Relationship Development in Chinese Organizations
Authors: Liang Xin , Wu Sibin , Zhang Shujuan
Published: April 2018

Moral obligation, reciprocity, and affection contribute to the development of strong interpersonal relationships. An indigenous notion in Chinese culture,jiangyiqi, captures these three component principles of strong relationship development in one concept.Jiangyiqihas been held anecdotally as a common code of conduct for building strong, trustworthy relationships in China. We explore the possible integration of these three components of interpersonal relationships in Chinese society in our introduction of the construct ofjiangyiqi, based upon Confucian ethics and the circles of relationships delineated in past literature on Chinese societies. Drawing from social exchange theory as well as the perspective of reciprocal altruism in evolutionary biology, we propose thatjiangyiqimakes an individual a good candidate for developing strong non-kin relationships. We discuss the managerial implications ofjiangyiqifor relationship building in a Chinese cultural context.
Maximal Subgroups and Irreducible Representations of Generalized Multi-Edge Spinal Groups
Authors: Klopsch Benjamin , Thillaisundaram Anitha
Published: April 2018

Let p ≥ 3 be a prime. A generalized multi-edge spinal group
$$G = \langle \{ a\} \cup \{ b_i^{(j)} {\rm \mid }1 \le j \le p,\, 1 \le i \le r_j\} \rangle \le {\rm Aut}(T)$$
is a subgroup of the automorphism group of a regular p-adic rooted tree T that is generated by one rooted automorphism a and p families $b^{(j)}_{1}, \ldots, b^{(j)}_{r_{j}}$ of directed automorphisms, each family sharing a common directed path disjoint from the paths of the other families. This notion generalizes the concepts of multi-edge spinal groups, including the widely studied GGS groups (named after Grigorchuk, Gupta and Sidki), and extended Gupta–Sidki groups that were introduced by Pervova [‘Profinite completions of some groups acting on trees, J. Algebra310 (2007), 858–879’]. Extending techniques that were developed in these more special cases, we prove: generalized multi-edge spinal groups that are torsion have no maximal subgroups of infinite index. Furthermore, we use tree enveloping algebras, which were introduced by Sidki [‘A primitive ring associated to a Burnside 3-group, J. London Math. Soc.55 (1997), 55–64’] and Bartholdi [‘Branch rings, thinned rings, tree enveloping rings, Israel J. Math.154 (2006), 93–139’], to show that certain generalized multi-edge spinal groups admit faithful infinite-dimensional irreducible representations over the prime field ℤ/pℤ.
Characterization of PolishSteinernema silvaticumisolates (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) using morphological and molecular data
Authors: Lis M. , Sajnaga E. , Kreft A. , Skrzypek T. , Kazimierczak W.
Published: April 2018

Four strains of entomopathogenic nematodes were isolated with a live trap method in southern Poland. The isolates were identified asSteinernema silvaticumbased on morphological, morphometric and molecular data. Infective juveniles of PolishS. silvaticumisolates differ in body length fromS. weiseri(951 vs 740 μm, respectively), and in the hyaline tail portion fromS. kraussei(48 vs 38%, respectively). First-generation males ofS. silvaticumare longer than those ofS. kraussei,S. weiseriandS. ichnusae(1829 vs 1400, 1180 and 1341 μm, respectively). Males ofS. silvaticumand a sister speciesS. krausseican be distinguished by the distance from the anterior end to the nerve ring (142 vs 105 μm), spicule (66 vs 49 μm) and gubernaculum length (45 vs 33 μm), and the presence of a mucron. The analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS), D2-D3 andcox1sequences of the tested nematodes revealed differences of 3–5%, 3% and 12–13%, respectively, fromS. krausseistrains. The phylogeny of both nuclear and mitochondrial genes indicated close relationships of the PolishS. silvaticumisolates withS. kraussei,S. oregonenseandS. cholashanense. The reproductive isolation of the studied isolates was confirmed by hybridization tests with other Europeanfeltiae–krausseigroup representatives. This study has supplemented the original description ofS. silvaticumwith morphological and morphometric characterization of the first-generation males and females. This is also the first molecular study of this species based on a multi-gene approach.
Genetic diversity and phylogeography of the elusive, but epidemiologically importantEchinococcus granulosussensu stricto genotype G3
Authors: Kinkar Liina , Laurimäe Teivi , Balkaya Ibrahim , Casulli Adriano , Zait Houria , Irshadullah Malik , Sharbatkhori Mitra , Mirhendi Hossein , Rostami-Nejad Mohammad , Ponce-Gordo Francisco , Rehbein Steffen , Kia Eshrat Beigom , Simsek Sami , Šnábel Viliam , Umhang Gérald , Varcasia Antonio , Saarma Urmas
Published: April 2018

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a severe parasitic disease caused by the species complexEchinococcus granulosussensu lato. Human infections are most commonly associated withE. granulosussensu stricto (s.s.), comprising genotypes G1 and G3. The objective of the current study was to provide first insight into the genetic diversity and phylogeography of genotype G3. Despite the epidemiological importance of the genotype, it has remained poorly explored due to the ambiguity in the definition of the genotype. However, it was recently demonstrated that long sequences of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) provide a reliable method to discriminate G1 and G3 from each other. Therefore, we sequenced near-complete mtDNA of 39 G3 samples, covering most of the known distribution range and host spectra of the genotype. The phylogenetic network revealed high genetic variation withinE. granulosus s.s.G3 and while G3 is significantly less prevalent worldwide than G1, the genetic diversity of both of the genotypes is equally high. We also present the results of the Bayesian phylogeographic analysis, which yielded several well-supported diffusion routes of genotype G3 originating from Turkey and Iran, suggesting the Middle East as the origin of the genotype.
Comparison of parasite loads in serum and blood samples from patients in acute and chronic phases of Chagas disease
Authors: Hernández Carolina , Teherán Aníbal , Flórez Carolina , Ramírez Juan David
Published: April 2018

Molecular methods have been developed for the detection and quantification ofTrypanosoma cruziDNA in blood samples from patients with Chagas disease. However, aspects of sample processing necessary for quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), such as the addition of guanidine hydrochloride to whole blood samples, may limit timely access to molecular diagnosis. We analysed 169 samples from serum and guanidine-EDTA blood (GEB) obtained from patients in acute and chronic phases of Chagas disease. We applied qPCR targeted to the satellite DNA region. Finally, we compared the parasite loads and cycle of threshold values of the qPCR. The results confirmed the usefulness of serum samples for the detection and quantification of parasite DNA in patients with Chagas disease, especially in the acute phase. However, the parasite loads detected in serum samples from patients in the chronic phase were lower than those detected in GEB samples. The epidemiological implications of the findings are herein discussed.
The Trinity is unconstitutional
Authors: LEFTOW BRIAN
Published: April 2018

Some marble, appropriately worked, comes to constitute a statue: constitution is the relation between the resulting statue and the marble it is made of. Some recent authors use the concept of constitution to explicate or at least provide an analogy for the doctrine of the Trinity. I argue that this won't do, because there is no viable candidate for the role the marble plays in the statue's case.
The critical period hypothesis: A diamond in the rough
Authors: DEKEYSER ROBERT
Published: April 2018

For several decades now, research on the acquisition of ASL and other signed languages has contributed to our understanding of language acquisition and of age effects in particular. A strong decline in learning capacity with age has been shown in numerous studies with ASL as L1, and the age range for this critical period phenomenon appears to be very similar to what has been observed in even more studies in L2 (for both spoken and signed languages). Mayberry and Kluender (Mayberry & Kluender) argue that the two phenomena are quite different, however, to such an extent that the concept of a critical period is not applicable to L2. Their two main arguments are that L2 learners are less affected by late acquisition than L1 learners and that some L2 studies have not shown the kind of discontinuity in the age-proficiency function that is predicted by the concept of a critical period. As space is very limited, I will limit my comments to these two issues.
The Disadvantage of Membership: How Joining the GATT/WTO Undermines GSP
Authors: TOBIN JENNIFER L. , BUSCH MARC L.
Published: April 2018

Scholars and policymakers have long debated whether the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) enhances development through increased trade – i.e., whether the program is effective as a form of ‘trade-as-aid’. We argue that, by itself, GSP increases poor-country exports, but that when recipients join the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) or its successor, the World Trade Organization (WTO), they realizefewerimports, and less gains in total trade, than GSP recipients that do not join the multilateral trading system. The logic is that GATT/WTO membership makes GSP more predictable by making it non-discriminatory, in the sense that exporters in recipient countries are less vulnerable to the program's ad hoc conditionality. This leads these exporters to lobby less against domestic protectionism, yielding higher trade barriers at home, and thus fewer imports. We test this hypothesis using a gravity model of trade, and data on all GSP programs, and find strong support for the argument that the GATT/WTO's interaction with GSP undermines trade.
Why Do I Need a Will Anyway? Assessing the Impact of a Public Legal Education Intervention Embedded in a Longitudinal Survey
Authors: Pleasence Pascoe , Balmer Nigel J. , Denvir Catrina
Published: April 2018

In England and Wales less than half of the adult population report that they have a will, with similarly low numbers found in other jurisdictions. Dying intestate can have profound implications on the family relationships, housing security, finances, employment, health and welfare of those who are left behind. Social policy initiatives designed to educate the public on the implications of intestacy offer a potential solution but remain difficult to evaluate. This article explores the results of a public legal education experiment embedded in a longitudinal panel survey. The experiment was designed to explore: (1) the impact of information provision on will creation; and, (2) how ‘opportunistic experiments’ embedded in longitudinal surveys might support public legal education (PLE) evaluation. Whilst the impact of the information intervention in this study was not found to be statistically significant, the methodology points to the possibility of testing more bespoke and substantial initiatives in the future.
Liver metabolism in adult male mice offspring: consequences of a maternal, paternal or both maternal and paternal high-fructose diet
Authors: Carapeto P. V. , Ornellas F. , Mandarim-de-Lacerda C. A. , Aguila M. B.
Published: April 2018

The study aimed to evaluate the consequences of the consumption of a high-fructose diet (HFR; fructose was responsible for 45% of the energy from carbohydrates) by the mother, the father, or both on C57BL/6 adult male offspring. Non-consanguineous parents received the diet (HFR or control, C) from 8 weeks before mating until weaning (n=10 fathers and n=10 mothers on each diet). After weaning, only the C diet was offered to offspring. The groups were formed by one male randomly taken from each litter. The offspring groups were identified according to the mother’s diet (the first letter), then the father’s diet (the second letter), that is, C/C, C/HFR, HFR/C, HFR/HFR (n=10 per group). The parents exhibited the following characteristics: compared with those of the C group, the HFR parents had higher blood pressure (BP), enlarged liver, increased hepatic triacylglycerol content, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, high plasma leptin and low adiponectin. The offspring exhibited the following characteristics: compared with the C/C group, the HFR/HFR group had high BP. The C/HFR, HFR/C and HFR/HFR showed elevated uric acid and leptin levels and diminished adiponectin. The HFR/HFR group showed liver inflammation (increased NFκB, SOCS3, JNK, TNF-α, IL1-β and IL6 levels). Likewise, SREBP-1c and FAS were upregulated. In conclusion, the consumption of a HFR by the mother and/or father is associated with adverse effects on liver metabolism in adult male offspring. When both mother and father are fed a HFR, the adverse effects on the offspring are more severe.
Deep Hydrography of the South China Sea and Deep Water Circulation in the Pacific Since the Last Glacial Maximum
Authors: Wan Sui , Jian Zhimin , Dang Haowen
Published: April 2018

The oxygen (δ18O) and carbon (δ13C) isotopic compositions of benthic foraminifer Cibicidoides wuellerstorfi as reliable proxies of deep water properties were compiled from 50 core‐top and down‐core sites in the South China Sea (SCS) for two time slices of the late Holocene and Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) to reconstruct the glacial deep hydrographic structure. The bathymetric profiles of both δ18O and δ13C in the SCS show similar trends between the LGM and the late Holocene, but the δ18O gradients between intermediate (∼500–1,000 m) and deep (>1,500 m) waters obviously increased during the LGM, indicating an intensified bathyal stratification and weakened vertical mixing between intermediate and deep waters in the SCS during the glacial period. A spatial comparison of bathymetric δ18O and δ13C profiles was also made for the Southern Ocean (Indo‐Pacific sector) and southwest Pacific, western equatorial Pacific (i.e., Ontong Java Plateau), off‐Japan margin as well as the SCS. The meridional δ13C profiles indicate a decreasing trend of δ13C (“aging effect”) in the deep layer (∼1,200–2,600 m) from south to north, reflecting a northward flow pathway of deep waters from the southwest Pacific (upstream) to the low‐latitude northwest Pacific and the SCS (downstream) during the LGM. The gradients of deep water δ18O (∼1,200–2,600 m) between these upstream and downstream regions were higher during the LGM relative to the Holocene, implying that a greater contribution of the northern‐sourced North Pacific Intermediate Water (NPIW) with a relatively low δ18O signature to the deep waters in the low‐latitude Pacific during the LGM.