bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decentralized Algorithms for Weapon‐Target Assignment in Swarming Combat System
Authors: Zhao Peng , Wang Jianzhong , Kong Lingren
Published: August 2019

Swarming small unmanned aerial or ground vehicles (UAVs or UGVs) have attracted the attention of worldwide military powers as weapons, and the weapon‐target assignment (WTA) problem is extremely significant for swarming combat. The problem involves assigning weapons to targets in a decentralized manner such that the total damage effect of targets is maximized while considering the nonlinear cumulative damage effect. Two improved optimization algorithms are presented in the study. One is the redesigned auction‐based algorithm in which the bidding rules are properly modified such that the auction‐based algorithm is applied for the first time to solve a nonlinear WTA problem. The other one is the improved task swap algorithm that eliminates the restriction in which the weights of the edges on graph G must be positive. Computational results for up to 120 weapons and 110 targets indicate that the redesigned auction‐based algorithm yields an average improvement of 37% over the conventional auction‐based algorithm in terms of solution quality while the additional running time is negligible. The improved task swap algorithm and the other two popular task swap algorithms almost achieve the same optimal value, while the average time‐savings of the proposed algorithm correspond to 53% and 74% when compared to the other two popular task swap algorithms. Furthermore, the hybrid algorithm that combines the above two improved algorithms is examined. Simulations indicate that the hybrid algorithm exhibits superiority in terms of solution quality and time consumption over separately implementing the aforementioned two improved algorithms.
Risk Factors for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer among Latina Women
Authors: Rey-Vargas Laura , Sanabria-Salas María Carolina , Fejerman Laura , Serrano-Gómez Silvia J.
Published: August 2019

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Latina women. Although they have a lower incidence of the disease when compared with other population groups such as non-Hispanic white and African-American women, some studies have shown that Latina women have a higher risk of mortality when compared with non-Hispanic white women. This phenomenon can be explained in part by the higher prevalence of aggressive subtypes in Latina women, particularly the triple negative. Such differences in breast cancer–intrinsic subtype distribution between population groups might be a consequence of a variety of risk factors differentially present among population groups. Here, we provide a full description of risk factors that might be associated with the high prevalence of the triple-negative subtype in Latina women. We assessed demographic (socioeconomic status), modifiable (reproductive patterns, obesity, and physical activity), and nonmodifiable (family history, germline BRCA mutations, and genetic ancestry) risk factors. The observed inconsistencies among different epidemiologic studies in Latinas warrant further research focused on breast cancer subtype–specific risk factors in this population.
Temporal Aspects of Word Initial Single Consonants and Consonants in Clusters in Spanish
Authors: Gibson Mark , Sotiropoulou Stavroula , Tobin Stephen , Gafos Adamantios I.
Published: August 2019

We examined gestural coordination in C1C2 (C1 stop, C2 lateral or tap) word initial clusters using articulatory (electromagnetic articulometry) and acoustic data from six speakers of Standard Peninsular Spanish. We report on patterns of voice onset time (VOT), gestural plateau duration of C1, C2, and their overlap. For VOT, as expected, place of articulation is a major factor, with velars exhibiting longer VOTs than labials. Regarding C1 plateau duration, voice and place effects were found such that voiced consonants are significantly shorter than voiceless consonants, and velars show longer duration than labials. For C2 plateau duration, lateral duration was found to vary as a function of onset complexity (C vs. CC). As for overlap, unlike in French, where articulatory data for clusters have also been examined, clusters where both C1 and C2 are voiced show more overlap than where voicing differs. Further, overlap was affected by the C2 such that clusters where C2 is a tap show less overlap than clusters where C2 is a lateral. We discuss these results in the context of work aiming to uncover phonetic (e.g., articulatory or perceptual) and phonological forces (e.g., syllabic organization) on timing.
Eradicating Otomycosis with Terbinafine Solution: Basic and Clinical Investigation
Authors: Yang Ting-Hua , Young Yi-Ho
Published: August 2019

Background: Otomycosis still remains intractable in clinical practice, likely because topical antifungal agents lack efficacy or are potentially toxic to the inner ear end organs. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate whether terbinafine solution is a potential candidate for treating intractable otomycosis in humans. In addition, the toxic effect on the inner ear was also assessed by animal models treated with terbinafine. Methods: Guinea pigs were instilled with 0.1 mL terbinafine (10 and 25 mg/mL) in the left round window membrane. At 2 weeks after treatment, all animals underwent an inner ear test battery and were then sacrificed for morphological study. Clinically, 20 patients with otomycosis were treated with terbinafine solution at a dosage of 0.4 mg. Results: All terbinafine-treated animals showed intact inner ear function when total dosage of terbinafine was <2.5 mg, which was further confirmed by morphological study. Subsidence of otomycosis was achieved in all 20 patients 1 week after treatment with terbinafine (0.4 mg) without untoward effect. No evidence of recurrence was noted 1 year after treatment. Conclusion: The paucity of inner ear toxicity of terbinafine even at a dosage of 2.5 mg was identified in guinea pig models morphologically and physiologically. Topical application of terbinafine solution at a dosage of 0.4 mg may be a potential treatment for otomycosis in humans.
Rationale and Design of the Emory Healthy Aging and Emory Healthy Brain Studies
Authors: Goetz Margarethe E. , Hanfelt John J. , John Samantha E. , Bergquist Sharon H. , Loring David W. , Quyyumi Arshed , Clifford Gari D. , Vaccarino Viola , Goldstein Felicia , Johnson 2nd Theodore M. , Kuerston Richard , Marcus Michele , Levey Allan I. , Lah James J.
Published: August 2019

Understanding the relationships between health and aging is essential for delaying morbidity and maximizing independence in aging populations as life expectancies increase. Loss of cognitive function is a feared age-associated condition and growing public health concern. Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, has no curative therapies. Characterizing the relationships between risk factors, biomarkers, and AD progression is critical for the development of effective disease prediction, clinical intervention, and ultimately, disease prevention. The Emory Healthy Aging Study (EHAS) and the Emory Healthy Brain Study (EHBS), which is nested within EHAS, aim to further the understanding of healthy aging and the pathogenesis of age-related illnesses in well-characterized, community-based prospective cohorts and to identify biomarkers for the earliest manifestations of AD for the facilitation of preventative interventions. The EHAS is an innovative, longitudinal, web-based study enrolling English-speaking adults in the U.S. who agree to be contacted for future studies. Using validated instruments, the annual questionnaire enquires about demographics, socioeconomics, self-reported cognitive function, personal and family medical history, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors. Cognitive assessments are also obtained using an ambulatory device. Nested within EHAS, the EHBS is enrolling up to 2,500 EHAS participants, 50–75 years old, who do not have a diagnosis of AD, mild cognitive impairment, or any other memory disorder. EHBS in-person, biennial study visits, include neuropsychological testing, cardiovascular measures, retinal and brain imaging, biospecimen collection (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, gut microbiome), and other assessments. Since spring 2016, EHAS and EHBS have enrolled 12,500 and 863 participants with completed baseline assessments, respectively. Data and biospecimens from EHBS participants will support a broad range of AD biomarker discovery efforts, and follow-up of EHAS participants will enable assessment of self-reported cognitive trajectories and accumulation of incident cases of a variety of health conditions. The EHAS design supports the interval deployment of new study instruments and targeted sampling for ancillary studies. This project will increase our knowledge about healthy aging, improve our understanding of risk factors for cognitive impairment and dementias, support development of biomarkers, and facilitate studies of age-associated disorders including AD.
Four-Week Omega-3 Supplementation in Carriers of the Prosteatotic PNPLA3 p.I148M Genetic Variant: An Open-Label Study
Authors: Kuttner Clara-Sophie , Mancina Rosellina , Wagenpfeil Gudrun , Lammert Frank , Stokes Caroline S.
Published: August 2019

Background/Aims: The PNPLA3 loss-of-function variant p.I148M is a strong genetic determinant of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The PNPLA3 protein functions as an intracellular lipase in the liver, with a greater activity on unsaturated fatty acids. This study aimed to determine whether short-term supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids impacts hepatic steatosis differently in PNPLA3 p.148I wild-type individuals as compared to homozygous carriers of the PNPLA3 p.148M variant. Methods: Twenty subjects with hepatic steatosis (50% women, age 18–77 years) were included. Ten subjects homozygous for the PNPLA3 148M variant were matched to 10 wild-type individuals. The subjects received 4 g omega-3 fatty acids (1,840 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 1,520 mg docosahexaenoic acid) a day for 4 weeks. Transient elastography with a controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) was used to quantify liver fat before and after the intervention. Body composition, fibrosis, liver function tests, serum free fatty acids (FFA) and glucose markers were compared. Results: Patients homozygous for the PNPLA3 p.148M variant (risk group) demonstrated no significant changes in CAP compared to baseline (284 ± 55 vs. 287 ± 65 dB/m) as did the control group (256 ± 56 vs. 262 ± 55 dB/m). While serum liver enzyme activities remained unchanged in both groups, the risk group displayed significantly (p = 0.02) lower baseline FFA concentrations (334.5 [range 281.0–431.0] vs. 564.5 [range 509.0–682.0] μmol/L), which markedly increased by 9.1% after the intervention. In contrast, FFA concentrations decreased significantly (p = 0.01) by 28.3% in the wild-type group. Conclusions: Short-term omega-3 fatty acid supplementation did not significantly alter hepatic steatosis. The nutrigenomic and metabolic effects of omega-3 fatty acids should be investigated further in carriers of the PNPLA3 148M risk variant.
Identification of Genes and Pathways Associated with Acne Using Integrated Bioinformatics Methods
Authors: Li Xianglan , Jia Yuxi , Wang Shiyi , Meng Tianqi , Zhu Mingji
Published: August 2019

Background: Acne is the most common skin inflammatory condition. The pathogenesis of acne is not fully understood. Aims: We performed weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to select acne-associated genes and pathways. Methods: GSE53795 and GSE6475 datasets including data from lesional and nonlesional skin of acne patients were downloaded from the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in lesions were identified following a false discovery rate <0.05 and | log2 fold change | ≥0.5. DEG-associated biological processes and pathways were identified. WGCNA analysis was performed to identify acne-associated modules. DEGs in the acne-associated modules were used for protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). Acne-associated candidate DEGs and pathways were identified together with items in the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD). Results: A total of 2,140 and 1,190 DEGs were identified in GSE53795 and GSE6475 datasets, respectively, including 716 overlapping DEGs with similar expression profiles in the two datasets, which were clustered into 10 consensus modules. Two modules (brown and turquoise, 359 genes) were associated with acne phenotype. Of these 359 DEGs, 254 were enrolled in the PPI network. GSEA showed that these DEGs were associated with chemokine signaling pathway, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity. After identification in CTD, one pathway Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and 24 acne-associated DEGs, including IL1R1, CXCL1, CXCR4, CCR1, CXCL2 and IL1β, were identified as candidates associated with acne. Conclusion: Our results highlight the important roles of the proinflammatory cytokines including IL1β, CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCR4, and CCR1 in acne pathogenesis or therapeutic management.
Effect of A Randomized trial of Unruptured Brain Arteriovenous Malformation on Interventional Treatment Rates for Unruptured Arteriovenous Malformations
Authors: Reynolds Alexandra S. , Chen Monica L. , Merkler Alexander E. , Chatterjee Abhinaba , Díaz Iván , Navi Babak B. , Kamel Hooman
Published: August 2019

Background: In 2013, investigators from A Randomized Trial of Unruptured Brain Arteriovenous Malformations (AVM; ARUBA) reported that interventions to obliterate unruptured AVMs caused more morbidity and mortality than medical management. Objective: We sought to determine whether interventions for unruptured AVM decreased after publication of ARUBA results. Methods: We used the Nationwide Readmissions Database to assess trends in interventional AVM management in patients ≥18 years of age from 2010 through 2015. Unruptured brain AVMs were identified using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) code 747.81 and excluding any patient with a diagnosis of intracranial hemorrhage. Our primary outcome was interventional AVM treatment, identified using ICD-9-CM procedure codes for surgical resection, endovascular therapy, and stereotactic radiosurgery. Join-point regression was used to assess trends in the incidence of interventional AVM management among adults from 2010 through 2015. Results: There was no significant U.S. population level change in unruptured brain AVM intervention rates before versus after ARUBA (p = 0.59), with the incidence of AVM intervention ranging from 8.0 to 9.2 per 10 million U.S. residents before the trial publication to 7.7–8.3 per 10 million afterwards. Conclusions: In a nationally representative sample, we found no change in rates of interventional unruptured AVM management after publication of the ARUBA trial results.
Selenium and Other Trace Elements in the Etiology of Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Case-Control Studies
Authors: Adani Giorgia , Filippini Tommaso , Michalke Bernhard , Vinceti Marco
Published: August 2019

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s dementia. Whereas the exact etiology of PD remains unknown, risk of developing PD seems to be related to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. This also includes abnormal exposure to trace elements of nutritional and toxicological interest. Objectives: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we summarized the results of case–control studies comparing levels of selenium, copper, iron, and zinc in PD patients and controls in either blood (whole blood, serum/plasma) or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Methods: We performed a systematic PubMed search selecting studies reporting trace element levels in different specimens of patients and controls. We performed a meta-analysis using a random-effect model to compute the weighted mean differences (WMD) and corresponding 95% CI of selenium, copper, iron, and zinc levels in the blood or CSF of patients and their matched controls. Results: We retrieved 56 papers reporting data for selenium (cases/controls: 588/721), copper (2,190/2,522), iron (2,956/3,469), and zinc (1,798/1,913) contents in CSF and blood. Cases showed considerably higher levels of selenium in CSF compared with controls (+51.6%; WMD 5.49; 95% CI 2.82 to 8.15), while levels in serum were similar (–0.2%; WMD –0.22; 95% CI –8.05 to 7.62). For copper, cases showed slightly higher levels in CSF and slightly lower concentrations in serum (+4.5%; WMD 1.87; 95% CI –3.59 to 7.33, and –4.5%; WMD –42.79; 95% CI –134.35 to 48.76, respectively). A slight increase was also found for CSF iron ­levels (+9.5%; WMD 9.92; 1.23 to 18.61), while levels were ­decreased in serum/plasma (–5.7%; WMD –58.19; 95% CI –106.49 to –9.89) and whole blood (–10.8%; WMD –95.69; 95% CI –157.73 to –33.65). Conversely, for zinc cases exhibited lower levels both in CSF (–10.8%; WMD –7.34; 95% CI –14.82 to 0.14) and serum/plasma (–7.5%; WMD –79.93; 95% CI –143.80 to –16.06). A longer duration of the disease tends to be associated with overall lower trace element levels in either CSF or blood. Conclusions: Due to the study findings and the greater relevance of the CSF compartment compared with the circulating peripheral ones, this meta-analysis suggests that overexposure in the central nervous system to selenium, and possibly to copper and iron, may be a risk factor of the disease, while zinc might have a protective ­effect.
As experiências diaspóricas de mulheres haitianas estudantes da Universidade Federal da Integração Latino-Americana
Authors: Schiavini Karina , Souza Angela Maria de
Published: August 2019

As experiências migratórias femininas, por ocorrerem em menor contingente, foram historicamente silenciadas. Também foram atribuídas a elas, de forma homogeneizante, a vinda para cá com o objetivo da reunião familiar – colocando-as de forma passiva diante desse fenômeno e invisibilizando a multiplicidade de suas vivências. Fundamentado na importância da perspectiva de gênero nas pesquisas sobre migrações, este trabalho propõe analisar a experiência diaspórica a partir do relato de seis mulheres haitianas estudantes da Universidade Federal da Integração Latino-Americana (Unila), cujos ingressos se deram principalmente por meio do Programa Pró- Haiti, e, da exploração do diário de campo, em que foram registradas vivências compartilhadas com a comunidade haitiana durante os anos de 2016 e 2017. Além de abordar a trajetória de migração dessas mulheres, também pretende-se explorar suas atuações dentro desse espaço e a integração de saberes diversos com estudantes advindas/os de outros países, assim como suas pretensões futuras.
HOLLOWAY, John. Fissurar o capitalismo. Traduzido por Daniel Cunha. São Paulo: Publisher Brasil, 2013. 272 p.; 23 cm.
Authors: Silva Suana Medeiros
Published: August 2019

Fissurar o Capitalismo é um livro constituído de um argumento-proposta, onde o autor Jonh Holloway, faz uma leitura da insatisfação e da inconformidade com o capitalismo por parte de inúmeras pessoas e grupos da sociedade global. Ao identificar, citar exemplos de inconformismos e revoltas, ao mesmo tempo dialoga com leitoras e leitores sobre suas revoltas. Adentrando nessa condição comum a muitos indivíduos e grupos, o autor desenvolve um debate sobre formas de romper com o capitalismo, fundamentado na teoria marxista – apesar de incluir uma forte crítica à teoria clássica.
As disputas possessórias nos conflitos interétnicos: aspectos constitucionais e processuais
Authors: Holliday Pedro Alberto Calmon
Published: August 2019

As terras indígenas já demarcadas no Brasil ocupam mais de cem milhões de hectares, o que representa 13,28% do território nacional. Os procedimentos demarcatórios são sempre precedidos de intensas disputas interétnicas de natureza possessória, a serem solucionadas pelo Poder Judiciário. Em razão da especificidade do assunto, os atores do processo judicial (juízes, Ministério Público, advogados) nem sempre estão devidamente preparados para a condução de demandas dessa natureza, em que a posse regulada pelo Direito civil é contraposta à posse derivada do indigenato. Conquanto as minorias indígenas mereçam especial atenção na delimitação das terras de ocupação tradicional, não se pode descurar do direito fundamental à ampla defesa no procedimento de desintrusão dos terceiros ocupantes. O propósito deste trabalho é evidenciar as nuances jurídicas em torno das demandas possessórias em sede de conflito de direitos indígenas sobre a terra, identificando critérios técnicos jurídicos necessários à harmonização do entrechoque de direitos fundamentais entre índios e não-índios. A uniformização de procedimentos e institutos jurídicos que envolvem a matéria é essencial para dirimir conflitos desta natureza, implementando justiça social no campo de forma célere e efetiva.
Palynological analysis of faecal matter in African Forest Elephants Loxodonta cyclotis (Mammalia: Proboscidea: Elephantidae) at Omo Forest Reserve, Nigeria
Authors: Walter Okwong John , Adekanmbi Olusola Helen , Clifford Omonu
Published: August 2019

The factors affecting African Forest Elephants include food availability, demand for ivory and changes in land-use. In order to survive, they tend to traverse considerable distances in search of food; on such occasions they are trapped and killed for their ivory.  This present study is aimed at assessing the faecal matter of elephants, and at providing information on the season of ingestion and foraging preferences of these elephants.  Faecal matter was collected at nine different locations for one year before being processed and subjected to standard palynological laboratory procedures.  The analyses showed that the samples had moderately abundant and diversified palynomorphs.  A total of 27 palynomorphs belonging to 22 families with a total count of 2,895 accounting for 94.34% were found to be eaten, while other plant fragments (epidermal cells, xylem vessel elements, and seeds) accounted for 5.66%.  The wet and dry seasons accounted for 73.26% and 26.74% respectively.  Epidermal cells and xylem vessel elements recorded (70.76%) and (29.2%) during the dry and wet seasons, respectively.  In the palynological analysis, pollen of Balanites wilsoniana, Desplatsia subericarpa, Chrysophyllum albidum, among others were recovered in the faecal matter.  Pollen analysis of faecal matters provided no information about the quantitative composition of the natural vegetation of elephants, but rather valuable information about their diet. It is recommended that these preferentially foraged parent plants should be cultivated on a large scale.  This would potentially reduce competition for food and movement of these animals to other greener areas, consequently leading to poaching.
Aquilaria malaccensis (Malvales: Thymelaeaceae): a new host plant record for Deudorix epijarbas cinnabarus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) in Malaysia
Authors: Lau Kah Hoo , Ong Su Ping
Published: August 2019

Aquilaria malaccensis Lam., a highly threatened and one of the most sought-after agarwood producing species listed in the Appendix II of CITES, is reported here as the new host plant for Deudorix epijarbas cinnabarus in Malaysia.
Two new locations for the Vulnerable Black-necked Crane Grus nigricollis (Przhevalsky, 1876) (Aves: Gruiformes: Gruidae) in Arunachal Pradesh, India
Authors: Menzies Rohan Krish , Rao Megha , Kumar Abhinav
Published: August 2019

The Vulnerable Black-necked Crane Grus nigricollis is a known migrant to various locations in India. Here, we report two new locations in Arunachal Pradesh, north-east India, where one is a possible wintering location and the other a possible stopover en route their migration. One new location in Shergaon (western Arunachal Pradesh) is relatively close to previous locations; however, the one in Mechuka (central Arunachal Pradesh) is some distance away from previous records which is highly intriguing. These records of this threatened species will hopefully assist with local conservation measures, bring about more rigorous monitoring, and more surveys for these rare species in the region.
Does Large Vessel Size Justify Use of Bare-Metal Stents in Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention?
Authors: Costa Francesco , Brugaletta Salvatore , Pernigotti Alberto , Flores-Ulmanzor Eduardo , Ortega-Paz Luis , Cequier Angel , Iniguez Andres , Serra Antoni , Jiménez-Quevedo Pilar , Mainar Vicente , Campo Gianluca , Tespili Maurizio , den Heijer Peter , Bethencourt Armando , Vazquez Nicolás , van Es Gerrit Anne , Backx Bianca , Valgimigli Marco , Serruys Patrick , Sabaté Manel
Published: August 2019

Background:

Drug-eluting stents (DES) showed improved efficacy and safety compared with bare-metal stents (BMS), and international guidelines recommend their use as first line treatment. Yet, BMS are still widely used in practice, especially in large coronary vessels. We aimed to compare efficacy and safety of second-generation DES over BMS in large coronary culprit ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction lesions.

Methods:

We evaluated impact of large coronary stents (maximum size ≥3.50 mm) or smaller stents (<3.50 mm), among 1498 patients with ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention, randomly allocated to everolimus-eluting DES or to an equivalent BMS platform in the EXAMINATION trial (Clinical Evaluation of the Xience-V Stent in Acute Myocardial Infarction Trial). Clinical events up to 5 years of follow-up were evaluated.

Results:

Large coronary stents were used in 683 patients (45.9%). At 5-year follow-up, the crude rate of the primary end point, a composite of all-cause death, any myocardial infarction, or any revascularization, was similar among patients treated with large or smaller coronary stents. The impact of DES versus BMS implantation was consistent irrespective of the stent size both for the primary end point (
P
int
=0.82) and other secondary ischemic end points. Within patients treated with bigger stents, DES implantation was associated to a trend toward a reduction of target lesion (hazard ratio, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.27–1.02;
P
=0.05) and target vessel revascularization (hazard ratio, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.34–1.03;
P
=0.066).

Conclusions:

Our results do not support the preferential use of BMS for patients with large coronary vessels. DES may warrant improved efficacy irrespective of stent size among patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00828087.
Acid-Sensing Ion Channels
Authors: Faraci Frank M. , Taugher Rebecca J. , Lynch Cynthia , Fan Rong , Gupta Subhash , Wemmie John A.
Published: August 2019

Rationale:

Precise regulation of cerebral blood flow is critical for normal brain function. Insufficient cerebral blood flow contributes to brain dysfunction and neurodegeneration. Carbon dioxide (CO
2
), via effects on local acidosis, is one of the most potent regulators of cerebral blood flow. Although a role for nitric oxide in intermediate signaling has been implicated, mechanisms that initiate CO
2
-induced vasodilation remain unclear.

Objective:

Acid-sensing ion channel-1A (ASIC1A) is a proton-gated cation channel that is activated by extracellular acidosis. Based on work that implicated ASIC1A in the amygdala and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in CO
2
-evoked and acid-evoked behaviors, we hypothesized that ASIC1A might also mediate microvascular responses to CO
2
.

Methods and Results:

To test this hypothesis, we genetically and pharmacologically manipulated ASIC1A and assessed effects on CO
2
-induced dilation of cerebral arterioles in vivo. Effects of inhalation of 5% or 10% CO
2
on arteriolar diameter were greatly attenuated in mice with global deficiency in ASIC1A (
Asic1a
−/−
) or by local treatment with the ASIC inhibitor, psalmotoxin. Vasodilator effects of acetylcholine, which acts via endothelial nitric oxide synthase were unaffected, suggesting a nonvascular source of nitric oxide may be key for CO
2
responses. Thus, we tested whether neurons may be the cell type through which ASIC1A influences microvessels. Using mice in which
Asic1a
was specifically disrupted in neurons, we found effects of CO
2
on arteriolar diameter were also attenuated.

Conclusions:

Together, these data are consistent with a model wherein activation of ASIC1A, particularly in neurons, is critical for CO
2
-induced nitric oxide production and vasodilation. With these findings, ASIC1A emerges as major regulator of microvascular tone.
Is Plato an Innatist in the Meno?
Authors: Bronstein David , Schwab Whitney
Published: August 2019

Plato in the Meno is standardly interpreted as committed to condition innatism: human beings are born with latent innate states of knowledge. Against this view, Gail Fine has argued for prenatalism: human souls possess knowledge in a disembodied state but lose it upon being embodied. We argue against both views and in favor of content innatism: human beings are born with innate cognitive contents that can be, but do not exist innately in the soul as, the contents of states of knowledge. Content innatism has strong textual support and constitutes a philosophically interesting theory.
Bulgaria’s Foreign Policy and EU Sanctions against Russia
Authors: Crombois Jean
Published: August 2019

The adoption of the EU sanctions on Russia provides a good case study to assess Bulgarian foreign policy under the conditions imposed by EU membership. This paper emphasizes the limits of both the foreign policy and Europeanization approaches when looking at national foreign policy and EU membership. It underlines the need to develop alternative approaches. These alternative approaches relate, in the first area, to the use of the concept of politicization of EU foreign policy; and in the second, to the conduct of a small country’s foreign policy within the EU framework. Although each of these approaches taken separately accounts poorly for the understanding of how EU membership affects the conduct of national foreign policy, each of them offers potentially interesting insights, without however being entirely conclusive.
Olive tree survival and adaptation to the harsh growing conditions in the arid desert environment of the Negev Highlands, Southern Israel
Authors: Ashkenazi Eli , Chen Yona , Avni Yoav
Published: August 2019

Twenty-three olive trees were found to grow in traditional orchard sites in the Negev Highlands desert, southern Israel. Their location was marked on maps, and their growth, morphology, biology, preservation and survival was monitored. Some of them are presently maintained by the Bedouin population of the Negev, whereas others seemed to have survived from earlier periods. The average annual rainfall in this region is 90–130 mm. Most of the orchards were deliberately planted in pre-existing agricultural plots, built during the Byzantine and Early Muslim era (3rd–8th centuries CE). They were irrigated by harvesting runoff water. The Byzantine era was the most populated period in the Negev Highlands, when wine and olive oil were the main horticultural products. A variety of domesticated fruit trees are found in the present abandoned orchards: olive, fig, grapevine, pomegranate, almond, date palm, carob, pistachio and bitter orange. The trees have not been artificially irrigated for at least seven decades. Nevertheless, most of them continue to flourish and bear fruit. We focused on understanding the abandoned olive trees’ survival and adaptation mechanisms. Olive trees growing was a favorite crop to Byzantine farmers due to the significant economic value of olive oil and good adaptation to the environmental conditions in the Negev Highlands.
New insights into the range, morphology, and natural hybridization of wild Lactuca aculeata in Israel
Authors: Beharav Alex , Khalifa Souad , Nevo Eviatar
Published: August 2019

In recent years we initiated extensive studies on the characterization of the population structure of wild Lactuca relatives (WLRs) originating from their center of origin and diversity in Southwest Asia. The objectives of our research program are related to the identification, collection, distribution, conservation and sustainable use of these unique plant genetic resources (PGR) for breeding. Natural populations of Lactuca aculeata Boiss., a wild lettuce, closely related and fully inter-fertile with cultivated lettuce, sativa L., were identified throughout northeastern Israel. The collection includes 485 seed samples, which is likely the largest and most diverse collection of this important WLR. Seeds were collected from 46 locations, representing its ecogeographic distribution in northeastern Israel. Together with 14 additional observed localities, we recorded our observations from a total of 60 native locations of L. aculeata. Thus, we assume that northeastern Israel is an ecological domain where natural L. aculeata populations can be found. The analyzed data allowed us to specify the borders of the growing area in the region, as well as to describe the ecological features of the habitats and altitude distribution of natural L. aculeata within the studied area. Notably, our data included new findings of native locations of L. aculeata on the western side of the watershed in Israel. Selected morphological characteristics, from the regeneration of 185 samples, verified the identity of all except one as L. aculeata. Some progenies (0.27%) of the original collected plants were identified as hybrids of L. aculeata x L. serriola.
Phenotypic diversity and heritability in Eragrostis tef under irrigated Mediterranean conditions
Authors: Ben-Zeev Shiran , Bimro Jajaw , Barak Vered , Saranga Yehoshua
Published: August 2019

Tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) is a C4 annual cereal, common in Ethiopia, where it was presumably domesticated. Worldwide interest in tef cultivation and consumption has considerably increased in the last few decades because it is a gluten-free grain with high nutritional value. Here we report on the genetic diversity and heritability in a tef germplasm collection characterized in Israel. A total of 408 accessions of tef held in the Israel Gene Bank were grown in 2015 under common garden (screen-house) conditions for propagation and initial phenotyping. A diversity panel, consisting of 273 accessions representing the entire collection's range of phenotypic diversity, was assembled and evaluated in small field plots in 2016. Further evaluation was conducted in 2017, in single-plant field plots (to eliminate admixtures). A representative plant (plot) was selected from each accession grown in 2017 and its single seed descent progenies where grown in 2018 in single-plant plots. The collection exhibited a wide diversity for each of the measured phenotypic traits, across all four environments. High grain yield was associated in most cases with early flowering time, whereas higher biomass was associated with late flowering. Heritability estimates, calculated based on the 2017, 2018 data, varied between 0.11 for plant biomass and 0.75 for 1000 grain weight. This study shows that tef can successfully grow and produce under irrigated Mediterranean conditions. The wide diversity available in our germplasm collection can provide the foundations for breeding new tef cultivars that are better adapted to these conditions.
Estrogen administration to the edible sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816)*

Authors: MERCURIO SILVIA , SUGNI MICHELA , FERNANDES DENISE , PORTE CINTA , CARNEVALI MARIA DANIELA CANDIA
Published: August 2019

Despite the extensive use of sea urchins in embryology, the hormonal mechanisms regulating echinoid reproductive pro­cesses are scarcely known. This research is focused on the role of estradiol (E2), whose presence and seasonal variations in different echinoderm tissues have been previously reported. Three different concentrations of E2 were administered (via peristomial injection, 2/week) to adult specimens of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus for 2 and 12 weeks. The lowest concentration was close to physiological values, previously measured in field specimens. Despite the increase of circulating E2 in the coelomic fluids, neither short- nor long-term hormonal treatment induced marked variations in the considered reproductive parameters. The Gonad Index appeared to be more influenced by the feed intake than by E2. Similarly, the maturation stage of the gonads was not markedly affected by E2 injection, although some sex-specific dif­ferences could be observed: treated females never reached the maximum maturation stage compared to controls, although this was observed in males injected with the lowest E2 concentration. Although further research is needed to confirm our observations, according to the present study E2 does not markedly influence echinoid reproduction and, particularly, it does not promote female maturation, as reported for vertebrates and suggested for asteroid echinoderms.
Climatological Features of the Weakly and Very Stably Stratified Nocturnal Boundary Layers. Part II: Regime Occupation and Transition Statistics and the Influence of External Drivers
Authors: Abraham Carsten , Monahan Adam H.
Published: August 2019

In a companion paper hidden Markov model (HMM) analyses have been conducted to classify the nocturnal stably stratified boundary layer (SBL) into weakly stable (wSBL) and very stable (vSBL) conditions at different tower sites on the basis of long-term Reynolds-averaged mean data. The resulting HMM regime sequences allow analysis of long-term (climatological) SBL regime statistics. In particular, statistical features of very persistent wSBL and vSBL nights, in which a single regime lasts for the entire night, are contrasted with those of nights with SBL regime transitions. The occurrence of very persistent nights is seasonally dependent and more likely in homogeneous surroundings than in regions with complex terrain. When transitions occur, their timing is not seasonally dependent, but transitions are enhanced close to sunset (for land-based sites). The regime event durations depict remarkably similar distributions across all stations with peaks in transition likelihood approximately 1–2 h after a preceding transition. At Cabauw in the Netherlands, very persistent wSBL and vSBL nights are usually accompanied by overcast conditions with strong geostrophic winds Ugeo or clear-sky conditions with weak Ugeo, respectively. In contrast, SBL regime transitions can neither be linked to magnitudes in Ugeo and cloud coverage nor to specific tendencies in Ugeo. However, regime transitions can be initiated by changes in low-level cloud cover.
Swell Propagation through Submesoscale Turbulence
Authors: Smit Pieter B. , Janssen Tim T.
Published: August 2019

The propagation of ocean swells from generating regions to remote coastlines is affected by submesoscale turbulence in the surface flow field. The presence of submesoscale velocity variations results in random scattering of wave rays. While the interactions with these flow fields are weak, cumulative effects over oceanic scales are significant and result in observable changes in the wave field. Using geometrical optics and statistical mechanics we derive a framework to express these scattering effects on the mean wave statistics directly in terms of the variance spectrum of the submesoscale current field. The theoretical results are presented in Lagrangian and Eulerian forms, where the latter takes the form of a radiative transport equation augmented with a diffusive term in directional space. The theoretical results are verified through Monte Carlo simulations with a geometrical optics model. We show that including submesoscale scattering on ocean wave evolution can explain observed delays in swell arrivals, accelerated wave height decay, and much larger directional spreading of the wave field than predicted by geometrical spreading alone.
Climatology of Flood-Producing Storms and Their Associated Rainfall Characteristics in the United States
Authors: Dougherty Erin , Rasmussen Kristen L.
Published: August 2019

Floods are one of the deadliest weather-related natural disasters in the continental United States (CONUS). Given that rainfall intensity and the amount of CONUS population exposed to floods is expected to increase in the future, it is critical to understand flood characteristics across the CONUS. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop a flood-producing storm climatology over the CONUS from 2002 to 2013 to better understand rainfall characteristics of these storms and spatiotemporal differences across the country. Flood reports from the NCEI Storm Events Database are grouped by causative meteorological event and are merged with a database of stream-gauge-indicated floods to provide a robust indication of significant hydrologic events with a meteorological linkage. High-resolution Stage IV rainfall data were matched to 5559 flood episodes across the CONUS to identify rainfall characteristics of flood-producing storms in a variety of environments. This storm climatology indicates that flash flood–producing storms frequently occur with high rainfall accumulations in the summer east of the Rockies. Slow-rise flood-producing storms frequently occur in the spring–early summer (winter), with high rainfall accumulations over the northern and central CONUS (Pacific Northwest) due to rain-on-snowmelt, synoptic systems, and mesoscale convective systems (atmospheric rivers). Hybrid flood-producing storms, sharing characteristics of flash and slow-rise floods, frequently occur in spring–summer and have high rainfall accumulations in the central CONUS, Northeast, and mid-Atlantic. Results from this climatology may provide useful for emergency managers, city planners, and policy makers seeking efforts to protect their communities against risks associated with flood-producing storms.
Geostationary Lightning Mapper Flash Characteristics of Electrified Snowfall Events
Authors: Harkema Sebastian S. , Schultz Christopher J. , Berndt Emily B. , Bitzer Phillip M.
Published: August 2019

This study examines characteristics of lightning in snowfall events (i.e., thundersnow, TSSN) from the perspective of the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) and the National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service (NESDIS) merged Snowfall Rate (mSFR) product. A thundersnow detection algorithm (TDA) was derived from the GLM and mSFR that resulted in a probability of detection (POD) of 66.7% when compared to the aviation routine weather report (METAR) reports of TSSN. However, using the TDA an additional 2175 lightning flashes within detected snowfall were identified that were not observed by the METAR reports, indicating that TSSN has been under reported in previous literature. TSSN flashes observed by GLM have mean flash areas, durations, and total optical energy outputs of 754 km2, 402 ms, and 1342 fJ, which are between the 50th and 99th percentile values for all flashes within the GLM field of view. A comparison with data from the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) indicated that the NLDN had at least one cloud or ground flash detection in 1709 of the 2214 flashes observed by GLM in snowfall. An average of 5.85 NLDN flashes was assigned to a single GLM flash when the NLDN flash data were constrained by the GLM flash duration and spatial footprint. Statistically significant (p < 0.01) differences in flash area and flash energy were found between flashes that were observed by the NLDN and those that were not. Additionally, when GLM was combined with the NLDN, at least 11.1% of flashes involved a tall human-made object like an antenna or wind turbine.
Introduction to a Special Issue on Entrepreneurship and Employment: Connecting Labor Market Institutions, Corporate Demography, and Human Resource Management Practices
Authors: Burton M. Diane , Fairlie Robert W. , Siegel Donald
Published: August 2019

With the growing attention to entrepreneurship as an engine of job creation and economic development, it is important for social scientists who are broadly interested in labor market and employment topics to focus attention on new firms and the policies and practices that surround them. The authors argue that the next generation of scholarship should pay particular attention to labor market institutions, the ecosystem of existing employers, and the human resource management practices that provide the strategic context for entrepreneurs and shape the career opportunities for workers. Remarkable variation occurs across space and time in the prevalence and performance of entrepreneurs. There are also many open questions as to the antecedents and consequences of entrepreneurship, for entrepreneurs, their communities, and their employees. The availability of new administrative data across many countries will allow for comparative cross-national studies and will provide opportunities to bring qualitative and mixed-method approaches to entrepreneurial labor market studies. This introduction and the articles in this special issue offer a path forward.
Undergraduate Prescription Stimulant Misuse and Academic Strain: The Role of College Major and Graduate School Plans
Authors: Norman Lauren B. , Ford Jason A.
Published: August 2019

The literature has shown that undergraduates engage in the misuse of prescription stimulants in large part to meet academic demands and as an attempt to alleviate academic stress. The current study examined the relationship between misusing prescription stimulants for academic purposes and academic strains (academic stress, grade strain, and academic impediments) to determine whether prescription stimulant misuse (PSM) and the types of academic strains experienced by undergraduates differed based on their college major and postgraduate education plans. We utilized survey data that had been collected from 924 students at a large southeastern university in 2014, which specifically assessed for PSM. Results indicated significant differences in the misuse of prescription stimulants based on the types of academic strains experienced, college major, and postgraduate education plans. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Navigating need: Mark 6:30–44
Authors: Weaks Dawn Darwin
Published: August 2019

In society’s 24/7 news cycle, caring people can easily become overwhelmed with the needs of this world, in addition to the needs of family, friends, and self. This sermon explores one of the most-told stories of the New Testament, the miraculous feeding of thousands, specifically the account in Mark 6:30–44. It outlines three potential responses to meeting needs: engorging, exhausting oneself, and engaging. The sermon celebrates the radically alternative way of Jesus to meet needs miraculously, as it offers a hopeful word about how Christians can navigate need faithfully, responsively, and expectantly.