bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Demographic Transition in the Past and Projected Five Decades in Sub-Saharan Africa, 1967-2068: Empirical Evidence from Nigeria
Authors: Eririogu H. I. , Okezie C. A. , Ebukiba E. S.
Published: February 2020

Aims: This study assessed the demographic transition in the past and projected five decades in Sub-Saharan Africa, 1967-2068: Empirical evidence from Nigeria.

Study Design: Past and projected time series data (between 1967 and 2068) were used for the study. The 1967-2068 data sets were resorted to due to lack of complete national data.

Place and Duration of Study: Past (between 1967 and 2017) and projected (between 2018 and 2068) five decades in Nigeria.

Methodology: The time series data (1967 to 2068) obtained from the 1950-2099 Interpolated Demographic Data of the United Nations Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, on Births, Deaths and Population levels, were used for the study. The 1967-2068 data sets were resorted to due to lack of complete national data. Data collected were analyzed using birth and death rate indices, demographic transition index, growth rate equation and granger causality statistics. Unit root, co-integration and error correction tests were also carried out.

Results: Results showed that in the past five decades (1967-2017), the mean crude birth and death rates per 1,000 populations were 43.9 and 18.0 respectively; while that of the projected five decades (2018-2068) was 28.9 and 7.9 respectively per 1000 populations. The demographic indices showed that in the past five decades (between 1967 and 2017), Nigeria was at the second stage (stage II) of demographic transition and expected to remain at this stage in the next five decades (between 2018 and 2068). Results also showed that the population growth rate in the past five decades was 2.584 percent, while the growth rate in the next five decades as projected was 2.098 percent. The population growth rate (2.098 percent) in the next five decades (between 2018 and 2068 as projected) is expected to decrease by an average of 0.486 percent. Results also showed that there is a mutual link between demographic transition and population growth.

Conclusion: Nigeria is currently at the second stage of demographic transition and expected to remain at this stage (stage II) in the next five decades. Demographic transition increases the prediction of population growth and vice versa.
Non‐Heme‐Type Ruthenium Catalyzed Chemo‐ and Site‐Selective C−H Oxidation
Authors: Doiuchi Daiki , Nakamura Tatsuya , Hayashi Hiroki , Uchida Tatsuya
Published: February 2020

Herein, we developed a Ru(II)(BPGA) complex that could be used to catalyze chemo‐ and site‐selective C−H oxidation. The described ruthenium complex was designed by replacing one pyridyl group on tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine with an electron‐donating amide ligand that was critical for promoting this type of reaction. More importantly, higher reactivities and better chemo‐, and site‐selectivities were observed for reactions using the cis‐ruthenium complex rather than the trans‐one. This reaction could be used to convert sterically less hindered methyne and/or methylene C−H bonds of a various organic substrates, including natural products, into valuable alcohol or ketone products.
Are Sage‐Grouse Fine‐Scale Specialists or Shrub‐Steppe Generalists?
Authors: Smith Joseph T. , Allred Brady W. , Boyd Chad S. , Carlson John C. , Davies Kirk W. , Hagen Christian A. , Naugle David E. , Olsen Andrew C. , Tack Jason D.
Published: February 2020

Sage‐grouse (Centrocercus spp.) are influencing rapidly evolving land management policy in the western United States. Management objectives for fine‐scale vegetation characteristics (e.g., grass height >18 cm) have been adopted by land management agencies based on resource selection or relationships with fitness proxies reported among numerous habitat studies. Some managers, however, have questioned the appropriateness of these objectives. Moreover, it remains untested whether habitat–fitness relationships documented at fine scales (i.e., among individual nests within a study area) also apply at scales of management units (e.g., pastures or grazing allotments), which are many orders of magnitude larger. We employed meta‐analyses of studies published from 1991 to 2019 to help resolve the role of fine‐scale vegetation structure in nest site selection and nest success across the geographic range of greater sage‐grouse (C. urophasianus) and evaluate the validity of established habitat management objectives. Specifically, we incorporated effects of study design and functional responses to resource availability in meta‐regression models linking vegetation structure to nest site selection, and used a novel meta‐analytic approach to simultaneously model vegetation structure and its relationship to nest success. Our approach tested habitat relationships at a range‐wide extent and a grain size closely matching scales at which agencies make management decisions. We found moderate, but context‐dependent, effects of shrub characteristics and weak effects of herbaceous vegetation on nest site selection. None of the tested vegetation characteristics were related to variation in nest success, suggesting nesting habitat–fitness relationships have been inappropriately extrapolated in developing range‐wide habitat management objectives. Our findings reveal surprising flexibility in habitat use for a species often depicted as having very particular fine‐scale habitat requirements, and cast doubt on the practice of adopting precise management objectives for vegetation structure based on findings of individual small‐scale field studies. © 2020 The Authors. The Journal of Wildlife Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Wildlife Society.
Hospital-to-Home Transition for Older Patients: Using Serious Games to Improve the Motivation for Rehabilitation – a Qualitative Study
Authors: Randriambelonoro Mirana , Perrin Caroline , Blocquet Alexandra , Kozak Dominika , Fernandez Julia Toyas , Marfaing Tiphaine , Bolomey Elisabeth , Benhissen Zineb , Frangos Emilia , Geissbuhler Antoine , Graf Christophe
Published: February 2020

Traditional physiotherapy is often perceived as repetitive and boring by patients, leading to issues in maintaining their interest and performing the required exercises. This paper investigates older patients’ engagement and motivation for physical activity using a serious game-based rehabilitation compared to a control group using a standard care therapy, during hospitalization. We conducted a randomized clinical trial with 57 geriatric patients and demonstrated that the serious game-based rehabilitation was as efficient as the standard rehabilitation program in terms of improving their functional capacity. In this paper, we mainly focus on reporting qualitative analysis of the patient’s behavior change thorough the intervention. The intervention lasted 3 weeks. Semi-structured interviews, including all the participants, were conducted before and after the intervention. Patients’ attitudes towards rehabilitation process, physical activity and innovation technology were investigated. Motivation to be active following the intervention were explored. Participants admitted feeling bored at the hospital and only following along the care process routine. Enthusiasm towards the progress brought by technological solution was observed. At the end of the hospital stay, the serious game-based rehabilitation received positive feedback. Patients felt more active and observed significant improvement of their general condition. The analysis suggests that patients participating in the gamified rehabilitation are more motivated. Several recommendations on designing serious game for elderly rehabilitation are proposed.
GENERALIZED FINITE POLYLOGARITHMS
Authors: AVITABILE MARINA , MATTAREI SANDRO
Published: February 2020

We introduce a generalization
${\rm{\pounds}}_d^{(\alpha)}(X)$
of the finite polylogarithms
${\rm{\pounds}}_d^{(0)}(X) = {{\rm{\pounds}}_d}(X) = \sum\nolimits_{k = 1}^{p - 1} {X^k}/{k^d}$
, in characteristic p, which depends on a parameter α. The special case
${\rm{\pounds}}_1^{(\alpha)}(X)$
was previously investigated by the authors as the inverse, in an appropriate sense, of a parametrized generalization of the truncated exponential which is instrumental in a grading switching technique for nonassociative algebras. Here, we extend such generalization to
${\rm{\pounds}}_d^{(\alpha)}(X)$
in a natural manner and study some properties satisfied by those polynomials. In particular, we find how the polynomials
${\rm{\pounds}}_d^{(\alpha)}(X)$
are related to the powers of
${\rm{\pounds}}_1^{(\alpha)}(X)$
and derive some consequences.
Afterword: Ghosts of Slavery
Authors: Araujo Ana Lucia
Published: February 2020

This afterword engages with the theme of this Special Issue by discussing the significance of urban slavery in slave societies and societies where chattel slavery existed in Europe, Africa, and the Americas. It discusses how, despite the omnipresence of slavery in cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, New York, and Charleston, the tangible traces of the inhuman institution were gradually erased from the public space. It also emphasizes that, despite this annihilation, over the last three decades, black social actors have made significant interventions to make the slavery past of Atlantic cities visible again.
Two Dimensional Full‐Wave Modeling of Propagation of Low‐Altitude Hiss in the Ionosphere
Authors: Xu Xiang , Zhou Chen , Chen Lunjin , Xia Zhiyang , Liu Xu , Simpson Jamesina J. , Zhang Yuannong
Published: February 2020

We investigate the propagation characteristics of low‐altitude hiss in the ionosphere by numerical simulation with a two‐dimensional full‐wave model. The simulation results demonstrate that linear mode conversion from whistler to H+ band electromagnetic ion cyclotron wave and polarization reversal occur simultaneously where wave frequency matches the H+−He+ crossover frequency. This mode conversion efficiency shows sensitive dependence on wave normal angle and plays a significant role in the propagation of whistler emission near the local proton gyro‐frequency in the ionosphere by redistributing the wave energy below and above the H+−He+ cutoff frequency, which can explain the low‐altitude hiss observed by the Freja and Detection of Electromagnetic Emissions Transmitted from Earthquake Regions satellites, respectively. The energy of whistler‐mode low‐altitude hiss emission can be transferred to reflected left‐hand polarized electromagnetic ion cyclotron through mode conversion and the efficiency reaches a maximum for intermediate incident wave normal angle (of 45°).
Stochastic pulsing of gene expression enables the generation of spatial patterns in Bacillus subtilis biofilms
Authors: Nadezhdin Eugene , Murphy Niall , Dalchau Neil , Phillips Andrew , Locke James C. W.
Published: February 2020

Stochastic pulsing of gene expression can generate phenotypic diversity in a genetically identical population of cells, but it is unclear whether it has a role in the development of multicellular systems. Here, we show how stochastic pulsing of gene expression enables spatial patterns to form in a model multicellular system, Bacillus subtilis bacterial biofilms. We use quantitative microscopy and time-lapse imaging to observe pulses in the activity of the general stress response sigma factor σB in individual cells during biofilm development. Both σB and sporulation activity increase in a gradient, peaking at the top of the biofilm, even though σB represses sporulation. As predicted by a simple mathematical model, increasing σB expression shifts the peak of sporulation to the middle of the biofilm. Our results demonstrate how stochastic pulsing of gene expression can play a key role in pattern formation during biofilm development.
Predicting clinical benefit of immunotherapy by antigenic or functional mutations affecting tumour immunogenicity
Authors: Kim Kwoneel , Kim Hong Sook , Kim Jeong Yeon , Jung Hyunchul , Sun Jong-Mu , Ahn Jin Seok , Ahn Myung-Ju , Park Keunchil , Lee Se-Hoon , Choi Jung Kyoon
Published: February 2020

Neoantigen burden is regarded as a fundamental determinant of response to immunotherapy. However, its predictive value remains in question because some tumours with high neoantigen load show resistance. Here, we investigate our patient cohort together with a public cohort by our algorithms for the modelling of peptide-MHC binding and inter-cohort genomic prediction of therapeutic resistance. We first attempt to predict MHC-binding peptides at high accuracy with convolutional neural networks. Our prediction outperforms previous methods in > 70% of test cases. We then develop a classifier that can predict resistance from functional mutations. The predictive genes are involved in immune response and EGFR signalling, whereas their mutation patterns reflect positive selection. When integrated with our neoantigen profiling, these anti-immunogenic mutations reveal higher predictive power than known resistance factors. Our results suggest that the clinical benefit of immunotherapy can be determined by neoantigens that induce immunity and functional mutations that facilitate immune evasion.
Publisher Correction: Integrated exome and RNA sequencing of dedifferentiated liposarcoma
Authors: Hirata Makoto , Asano Naofumi , Katayama Kotoe , Yoshida Akihiko , Tsuda Yusuke , Sekimizu Masaya , Mitani Sachiyo , Kobayashi Eisuke , Komiyama Motokiyo , Fujimoto Hiroyuki , Goto Takahiro , Iwamoto Yukihide , Naka Norifumi , Iwata Shintaro , Nishida Yoshihiro , Hiruma Toru , Hiraga Hiroaki , Kawano Hirotaka , Motoi Toru , Oda Yoshinao , Matsubara Daisuke , Fujita Masashi , Shibata Tatsuhiro , Nakagawa Hidewaki , Nakayama Robert , Kondo Tadashi , Imoto Seiya , Miyano Satoru , Kawai Akira , Yamaguchi Rui , Ichikawa Hitoshi , Matsuda Koichi
Published: February 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Alterations in promoter interaction landscape and transcriptional network underlying metabolic adaptation to diet
Authors: Qin Yufeng , Grimm Sara A. , Roberts John D. , Chrysovergis Kaliopi , Wade Paul A.
Published: February 2020

Metabolic adaptation to nutritional state requires alterations in gene expression in key tissues. Here, we investigated chromatin interaction dynamics, as well as alterations in cis-regulatory loci and transcriptional network in a mouse model system. Chronic consumption of a diet high in saturated fat, when compared to a diet high in carbohydrate, led to dramatic reprogramming of the liver transcriptional network. Long-range interaction of promoters with distal regulatory loci, monitored by promoter capture Hi-C, was regulated by metabolic status in distinct fashion depending on diet. Adaptation to a lipid-rich diet, mediated largely by nuclear receptors including Hnf4α, relied on activation of preformed enhancer/promoter loops. Adaptation to carbohydrate-rich diet led to activation of preformed loops and to de novo formation of new promoter/enhancer interactions. These results suggest that adaptation to nutritional changes and metabolic stress occurs through both de novo and pre-existing chromatin interactions which respond differently to metabolic signals.
Effect of soybean peptides against hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cellsviaNrf2 signaling
Authors: Yi Guofu , Din Jalal ud , Zhao Fen , Liu Xinqi
Published: February 2020

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of soybean protein hydrolysates against intracellular antioxidant activity.
A mechanistic insight into rhodium-doped gold clusters as a better hydrogenation catalyst
Authors: Sengupta Turbasu , Chung Jin Suk , Kang Sung Gu
Published: February 2020

The reaction pathways of ethylene hydrogenation on pristine (Aun, n = 8 and 20) and rhodium-doped (AunRh) gold clusters are explored by DFT calculations.
YBa2Cu3O7 nano superconducting quantum interference devices on MgO bicrystal substrates
Authors: Lin Jianxin , Müller Benedikt , Linek Julian , Karrer Max , Wenzel Malte , Martínez-Pérez Maria José , Kleiner Reinhold , Koelle Dieter
Published: February 2020

We achieve ultra-low excess noise in nanoSQUIDs from the high-transition temperature cuprate superconductor YBa2Cu3O7 on a low-microwave-loss substrate.
Anionic Ln–MOF with tunable emission for heavy metal ion capture and l-cysteine sensing in serum
Authors: Sun Tiancheng , Fan Ruiqing , Xiao Rui , Xing Tingfeng , Qin Mingyue , Liu Yaqi , Hao Sue , Chen Wei , Yang Yulin
Published: February 2020

Efficient turn-on luminescent probes for l-cysteine sensing in serum are designed and synthesized based on an anionic Ln–K–MOF with tunable emission color and heavy metal ion adsorption capacity.
Aqueous solution behavior of stimulus-responsive poly(methacrylic acid)-poly(2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate) diblock copolymer nanoparticles
Authors: North Shannon M. , Armes Steven P.
Published: February 2020

RAFT aqueous dispersion polymerization is used to prepare poly(methacrylic acid)-poly(2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate) diblock copolymer nanoparticles, which exhibit stimulus-responsive behaviour on adjusting the solution temperature and/or solution pH.
In situ growth of metal–organic framework-derived CoTe2 nanoparticles@nitrogen-doped porous carbon polyhedral composites as novel cathodes for rechargeable aluminum-ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Bao , Zhang Yu , Li Jianling , Liu Jian , Huo Xiaogeng , Kang Feiyu
Published: February 2020

Rechargeable aluminum-ion batteries (AIBs) have attracted widespread attention due to their high theoretical capacity, abundant aluminum resources, high safety and low cost.
Design of an interconnection and damping assignment‐passivity based control technique for energy management and damping improvement of a DC microgrid
Authors: Samanta Soumya , Barman Saumitra , Mishra Jyoti Prakash , Roy Prasanta , Roy Binoy Krishna
Published: February 2020

In this study, energy management and damping improvement of a DC microgrid are proposed by using an interconnection and damping assignment–passivity‐based control (IDA–PBC) technique. The control technique is applied for (i) the grid connected inverter and (ii) the DC–DC converters connected with fuel cell and battery of the DC microgrid to control the DC bus voltage. The IDA–PBC generates the control laws with the desired energy function for the current controller of the converters based on the generation from the renewable power generators and load demand. In addition, an integral action is added with the IDA–PBC control laws to reduce the steady‐state error in the DC bus voltage. The parameters of the IDA–PBC technique are tuned based on the state of charge of the battery and grid availability for a smooth transition between the operating modes and better energy management. It is proved that the derived energy function satisfies the Lyapunov stability criterion. Simulations are carried out in MATLAB/Simulink to test the performance of the proposed control technique. The results show that the proposed technique provides the desired damping and energy management.
Hybrid control of a multi‐area multi‐machine power system with FACTS devices using non‐linear modelling
Authors: Therattil Jose P. , Jose Jenson , Prasannakumari Praveen Raveendran Nair , Abo‐khalil Ahmed G. , Alghamdi Ali S. , Rajalekshmi Bindu Gopakumar , Sayed Khairy
Published: February 2020

Generally, the mathematical formulation of the dynamics governing multi‐area power systems with Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) is a challenging task owing to the presence of both differential and algebraic sub‐systems. The proposed research work attempts to integrate the two subsystems by replacing the algebraic subsystem with a differential approximant that leads to a non‐linear system of differential equations. Solution of the proposed model with a properly chosen Lyapunov function produce a nonlinear control signal which damps inter‐area oscillations effectively. The non‐linear control signal is realised using the backstepping method. Moreover, the new formulation enables utilisation of the law for uncertain parameters using the standard parametric feedback form, such that the advantage of such a controller is unaffected by these parameters. In addition to this major contribution, full utilisation of UPFC, by using a lone multi‐variable PI controller which eliminates negative interaction between the controllers, is also achieved. Empirical verification of the proposed approach is done by simulating various scenarios with varying degrees of complexity – from dual area power networks to 39 buses New England system. The results of the experiments indicate the efficacy of the method.
Micro‐PMU based on Savitzky–Golay filter
Authors: Aleixo Renato R. , Silva Leandro R. M. , Duque Carlos A. , Lima Marcelo A.A.
Published: February 2020

This study describes a synchrophasor estimation method and its hardware implementation applicable at the distribution level of the power system, under steady‐state or dynamic conditions. The method proposed is based on the discrete Fourier transform and uses the Savitzky–Golay filter in the frequency estimation process. The main goal of this study is to present the signal processing algorithm for phasor estimation and some important issues regarding its implementation in real‐time systems. The performance of the micro‐phasor measurement unit (‐PMU) is validated using a waveform generator and real‐time power system simulator.
Reliability enhancement of electrical power system including impacts of renewable energy sources: a comprehensive review
Authors: Kumar Sachin , Saket R.K. , Dheer Dharmendra Kumar , Holm‐Nielsen Jens Bo , Sanjeevikumar P.
Published: February 2020

This study presents a comprehensive survey on the reliability evaluation of the electrical network system. The impacts of integration of new and renewable energy sources (electric vehicle, energy storage system, solar, and wind) on the reliability of electrical power system (EPS) are discussed. The impacts of these renewable sources have merits/demerits when these sources are integrated with the conventional electric power system. However, the merits are predominant as it includes unlimited, free, and cost‐effective resources. The recent researches depict that the uncertainties of renewable energy resources leads to the probabilistic and reliability analyses of EPS. EPS includes offshore and onshore wind farms, micro‐grid, energy storage system, and other high voltage grids. It also contains the failure‐prone components related to the power systems. For the accomplishment of these aspects, the handling methods of uncertainty parameters in generation, transmission, and distribution systems are discussed. The incorporation of electric vehicles, wind energy system, and energy storage system for reliability assessment is also discussed briefly. This study also presents the scope of a new research area for the researchers on the reliability assessment of renewable energy integrated power system.
Integrated active/reactive power scheduling of interdependent microgrid and EV fleets based on stochastic multi‐objective normalised normal constraint
Authors: Saffari Mohammadali , Kia Mohsen , Vahidinasab Vahid , Mehran Kamyar
Published: February 2020

This study proposes an integrated framework for coordinated optimisation of the interdependent microgrid (MG) and electric vehicle (EV) fleet entities using the normalised normal constraint approach. By considering the active/reactive power management option of the bidirectional charger enabled EVs in the proposed model, the authors investigate the effectiveness of EV's integration in the presence of the techno‐economical objective functions. This work concentrates on the trade‐off analysis of two conflicting objectives, including the economic objective of the MG's operation cost minimisation and the technical objective of the MG's voltage deviation. Besides, they consider several uncertainty sources, e.g. wind, EV and solar panel (PV) power provision, as well as market price fluctuations in the proposed model affecting the aforementioned techno‐economic trade‐off solution. The proposed model is a stochastic multi‐objective mixed‐integer non‐linear programming problem where the authors apply the designed integrated framework on a modified IEEE 18‐bus test case in GAMS software. Through numerical results, they demonstrate MG optimal operation changes due to different MGO priorities and study the positive effects of EVs integrated energy management on the bi‐objective operation.
Gaussian learning‐based fuzzy predictive cruise control for improving safety and economy of connected vehicles
Authors: He Defeng , Peng Binbin
Published: February 2020

This study considers an adaptive cruise control problem of connected vehicles in the vehicular ad‐hoc network and proposes a Gaussian learning‐based fuzzy predictive cruise control approach to enhance the fuel efficiency and safety of the connected vehicles in a vehicle‐following scenario. First, a Gaussian process regression model is introduced and trained with real data to estimate the future acceleration of the preceding vehicle over the prediction horizon. Moreover, with assessing traffic scenarios, the weights characterising the importance of individual performance are adjusted by a fuzzy decision method in real time. Then a fuzzy predictive cruise controller is obtained by online solving a constrained receding horizon optimal control problem with a changing cost function and acceleration prediction of the preceding vehicle. Finally, through CarSim/Simulink co‐simulation, it is shown that the proposed approach has an improvement in fuel economy and safety compared with conventional predictive cruise control algorithms.
Enhancement of UV emission and optical bandgap of ZnO nanowires via doping and post-growth annealing
Authors: Ghosh Hrilina , Sadeghimakki Bahareh , Sivoththaman Siva
Published: February 2020

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires (NWs) are gaining importance in optoelectronics because of their excellent electrical and optical properties. However, defects in the NW structure leads to suppression of the near-band-edge (NBE) ultraviolet (UV) emission, limiting their full potential for applications in optoelectronic devices. In this work, we present enhancement in NBE emission and bandgap modulation in ZnO NWs hydrothermally grown on sputtered Al-ZnO (AZO) films. Al dopant incorporation and post-synthesis thermal annealing are found to increase the NBE emission. Compared to Al-doping, the post-growth annealing produces a more significant enhancement in the NBE emission and a substantial increase of 34.5 meV in the optical bandgap, along with suppression of defect-related deep level emissions caused by oxygen vacancies and interstitials. This further improves the applicability of the ZnO NWs in stable, room temperature emission devices.
Effect of target power on the structure and tribological Properties of La-Ti/WS2 composite films prepared by unbalanced magnetron sputtering
Authors: Cai Haichao , Xue Yujun , He Jiangtao , Yang Fang , Ma Xiqiang
Published: February 2020

The properties of Physical Vacuum Deposit (PVD) films could be improved by doping rare earth elements and other metal elements. In this paper, La-Ti/WS2 composite films were prepared by unbalanced magnetron sputtering. The effect of target power on the structure and properties of La-Ti/WS2 composite films was studied. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to analyze the micro morphology, composition and crystal structure of the film. The hardness and friction and wear properties of the film were tested by nano-indentation and friction and wear testing machine. The results show that the structure and composition of La-Ti/WS2 composite films prepared by magnetron sputtering are affected by the target power. With the increase of the target power, the diffraction peak of WS2 (002) was shifted to the low θ value, the crystal surface spacing was decreased, the crystal lattice shrinked, the porous structure of La-Ti/WS2 composite films was decreased significantly, the coarse columnar crystal was refined significantly, and the film density was improved effectively. When the target power is 20 W, the sliding surface of La-Ti/WS2 composite film (002) is parallel to the surface, showing lower friction coefficient and better wear resistance; when the target power is 50 W, La-Ti/WS2 composite film has higher hardness, higher wear rate and poor wear resistance. The density and friction and wear properties of La-Ti/WS2 composite films can be improved by suitable La-Ti content.
A structured model for immune exposures
Authors: Vita Randi , Overton James A , Dunn Patrick , Cheung Kei-Hoi , Kleinstein Steven H , Sette Alessandro , Peters Bjoern
Published: February 2020

An Immune Exposure is the process by which components of the immune system first encounter a potential trigger. The ability to describe consistently the details of the Immune Exposure process was needed for data resources responsible for housing scientific data related to the immune response. This need was met through the development of a structured model for Immune Exposures. This model was created during curation of the immunology literature, resulting in a robust model capable of meeting the requirements of such data. We present this model with the hope that overlapping projects will adopt and or contribute to this work.
Digital Dead Body Management (DDBM): Time to Think it Through
Authors: Sandvik Kristin Bergtora
Published: February 2020

Effective, safe and dignified dead body management (DBM) in the context of disasters, atrocities and wars has long been an important task—primarily for the humanitarian sector, but also for the human rights and international criminal justice community. How will the digitization of the human rights field and the adjacent spheres of humanitarian action and international criminal justice reshape ideas about death and the practices of care and control of the dead in the international space? To approach that question, the article coins the term ‘digital dead body management’ (DDBM) and offers an initial framing of this concept and some tentative pointers for a human rights research agenda. It focuses on the concept of ‘digital bodies’. Noting that the management of digital identities after death is becoming a significant governance challenge for the global technology sector, with thousands of ghost-accounts appearing every day, the article discusses the structural difference between how ‘digital deaths’ are dealt with in emergencies and in the marketplace, with a focus on DDBM as a problem of global equality. The article contributes to the critical conceptualization of DDBM by mapping a set of the tensions existing between the norms, objectives and operational approaches of humanitarian, human rights and international criminal justice practices and reflecting on where normative perils might arise in the context of digitization.
Infectious Diseases Consultation Is Associated With Decreased Mortality in Enterococcal Bloodstream Infections
Authors: Lee Rachael A , Vo Daniel T , Zurko Joanna C , Griffin Russell L , Rodriguez J Martin , Camins Bernard C
Published: February 2020

Background

Enterococcus species frequently cause health care–associated bacteremia, with high attributable mortality. The benefit of consultation with infectious disease (ID) specialists has been previously illustrated with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. Whether ID consultation (IDC) improves mortality in enterococcal bacteremia is unknown.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort single-center study from January 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016, that included all patients >18 years of age admitted with a first episode of Enterococcus bacteremia. Patients were excluded if death or transfer to palliative care occurred within 2 days of positive blood culture.

Results

Two hundred five patients were included in the study, of whom 64% received IDC. Participants who received IDC were more likely to undergo repeat cultures to ensure clearance (99% vs 74%; P < .001), echocardiography (79% vs 45%; P < .001), surgical intervention (20% vs 7%; P = 0.01), and have appropriate antibiotic duration (90% vs 46%; P < .001). Thirty-day mortality was significantly higher in the no-IDC group (27 % vs 12 %; P < .007). In multivariate analysis, 30-day in-hospital mortality was associated with both E. faecium bacteremia (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09–5.23) and IDC (aOR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.16–0.76).

Conclusions

Patients who received IDC for Enterococcus bacteremia had significantly lower 30-day mortality. Further prospective studies are necessary to determine if these outcomes can be validated in other institutions for patients who receive IDC with Enterococcus bacteremia.
PCSK9 Inhibitors in Secondary Prevention—An Opportunity for Personalized Therapy
Authors: Board Chase , Kelly Michael S. , Shapiro Michael D. , Dixon Dave L.
Published: February 2020

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is the primary cause of ASCVD and reducing LDL-C levels with statin therapy significantly reduces ASCVD risk; however, significant residual risk remains. Two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), alirocumab and evolocumab, that target proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin-type 9 (PCSK9), reduce LDL-C levels by up to 60% when used in combination with statins and significantly reduce the risk of recurrent ASCVD events in both stable secondary prevention and acute coronary syndrome populations. Prespecified analyses of recent randomized controlled trials have shed light on how best to prioritize these therapies to maximize their value in select high-risk groups. These data have also informed recent clinical practice guidelines and scientific statements resulting in an expanded role for PCSK9-mAbs compared with previous guidelines, albeit there are notable differences between these recommendations. Ongoing research is exploring the long-term safety of PCSK9-mAbs and their role in the acute setting and patients without prior myocardial infarction or stroke. Novel therapies that inhibit PCSK9 synthesis via small interfering RNA, such as inclisiran, are also in development and may reduce LDL-C levels similar to PCSK9-mAbs, but with less frequent administration. Nonetheless, the PCSK9-mAbs are a breakthrough therapy and warrant consideration in very high-risk patients who are most likely to benefit. Such a personalized approach can help to ensure cost-effectiveness and maximize their value.
A detailed analysis of the current status of intestinal transplantation in the middle east
Authors: Nikeghbalian Saman , Arasteh Peyman , Nikoupour Hamed
Published: February 2020

Purpose of review

Intestinal transplantations are among the most complex transplantations, which are performed in few centers in the world. When patients develop intestinal failure, different treatment modalities including parenteral nutrition, autologous gastrointestinal tract reconstructive surgery, and intestinal transplantations are considered. The Middle East is a region where reports on intestinal failures and intestinal transplantations are mainly lacking. In the present review, we highlighted the status of intestinal transplantations in the Middle East and focused on existing reports from this region.

Recent findings

Very few countries in the Middle East have the facilities for home parenteral nutrition and only two countries including Iran and Turkey perform intestinal transplantations in the region. With advances in intestinal rehabilitation units and development of autologous gastrointestinal tract reconstructive surgery, some centers have been able to reduce the number of patients in need of intestinal transplantations.

An overview of the condition of intestinal transplantations in the Middle East shows that the issue of intestinal failure and the treatment facilities still remain an unsolved problem. Although there exists a high need for intestinal transplantation, advances in reconstructive surgeries and the development of parenteral nutrition in this region can significantly reduce the need for intestinal transplantations among patients with intestinal failure.
Early warning of some notifiable infectious diseases in China by the artificial neural network
Authors: Guo Zuiyuan , He Kevin , Xiao Dan
Published: February 2020

In order to accurately grasp the timing for the prevention and control of diseases, we established an artificial neural network model to issue early warning signals. The real-time recurrent learning (RTRL) and extended Kalman filter (EKF) methods were performed to analyse four types of respiratory infectious diseases and four types of digestive tract infectious diseases in China to comprehensively determine the epidemic intensities and whether to issue early warning signals. The numbers of new confirmed cases per month between January 2004 and December 2017 were used as the training set; the data from 2018 were used as the test set. The results of RTRL showed that the number of new confirmed cases of respiratory infectious diseases in September 2018 increased abnormally. The results of the EKF showed that the number of new confirmed cases of respiratory infectious diseases increased abnormally in January and February of 2018. The results of these two algorithms showed that the number of new confirmed cases of digestive tract infectious diseases in the test set did not have any abnormal increases. The neural network and machine learning can further enrich and develop the early warning theory.
Transmural impedance detects graded changes of inflammation in experimental colitis
Authors: Payne Sophie C. , Alexandrovics Jack , Thomas Ross , Shepherd Robert K. , Furness John B. , Fallon James B.
Published: February 2020

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease in which the mucosa of the colon or rectum becomes inflamed. An objective biomarker of inflammation will provide quantitative measures to support qualitative assessment during an endoscopic examination. Previous studies show that transmural electrical impedance is a quantifiable biomarker of inflammation. Here, we hypothesize that impedance detects spatially restricted areas of inflammation, thereby allowing the distinction between regions that differ in their severity of inflammation. A platinum ball electrode was placed into minimally inflamed (i.e. normal) or 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS)-inflamed colonic regions of rats and impedance measurements obtained by passing current between the intraluminal and subcutaneous return electrode. Histology of the colon was correlated with impedance measurements. The impedance of minimally inflamed (normal) tissue was 1.5–1.9 kΩ. Following TNBS injection, impedance significantly decreased within the inflammatory penumbra (
p
< 0.05), and decreased more in the inflammatory epicentre (
p
= 0.02). Histological damage correlated with impedance values (
p
< 0.05). Thus, impedance values of 1.5–1.9, 1.3–1.4 and 0.9–1.1 kΩ corresponded to minimally inflamed, mildly inflamed and moderately inflamed tissue, respectively. In conclusion, transmural impedance is an objective, spatially localized biomarker of mucosal integrity, and distinguishes between severities of intestinal inflammation.
Evaluation of host effects on ectomycorrhizal fungal community compositions in a forested landscape in northern Japan
Authors: Matsuoka Shunsuke , Sugiyama Yoriko , Tateno Ryunosuke , Imamura Shihomi , Kawaguchi Eri , Osono Takashi
Published: February 2020

Community compositions of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi are similar within the same host taxa. However, careful interpretation is required to determine whether the combination of ECM fungi and plants is explained by the host preference for ECM fungi, or by the influence of neighbouring heterospecific hosts. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of host species on the ECM community compositions in a forested landscape (approx. 10 km) where monodominant forest stands of six ECM host species belonging to three families were patchily distributed. A total of 180 ECM operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were detected with DNA metabarcoding. Quantitative multivariate analyses revealed that the ECM community compositions were primarily structured by host species and families, regardless of the soil environments and spatial arrangements of the sampling plots. In addition, 38 ECM OTUs were only detected from particular host tree species. Furthermore, the neighbouring plots harboured similar fungal compositions, although the host species were different. The relative effect of the spatial factors on the ECM compositions was weaker than that of host species. Our results suggest that the host preference for ECM fungi is the primary determinant of ECM fungal compositions in the forested landscape.
Effects of niche overlap on coexistence, fixation and invasion in a population of two interacting species
Authors: Badali Matthew , Zilman Anton
Published: February 2020

Synergistic and antagonistic interactions in multi-species populations—such as resource sharing and competition—result in remarkably diverse behaviours in populations of interacting cells, such as in soil or human microbiomes, or clonal competition in cancer. The degree of inter- and intra-specific interaction can often be quantified through the notion of an ecological ‘niche’. Typically, weakly interacting species that occupy largely distinct niches result in stable mixed populations, while strong interactions and competition for the same niche result in rapid extinctions of some species and fixations of others. We investigate the transition of a deterministically stable mixed population to a stochasticity-induced fixation as a function of the niche overlap between the two species. We also investigate the effect of the niche overlap on the population stability with respect to external invasions. Our results have important implications for a number of experimental systems.
Genomic and biochemical evidence of dietary adaptation in a marine herbivorous fish
Authors: Heras Joseph , Chakraborty Mahul , Emerson J. J. , German Donovan P.
Published: February 2020

Adopting a new diet is a significant evolutionary change, and can profoundly affect an animal's physiology, biochemistry, ecology and genome. To study this evolutionary transition, we investigated the physiology and genomics of digestion of a derived herbivorous fish,
Cebidichthys violaceus
. We sequenced and assembled its genome (N50 = 6.7 Mb) and digestive transcriptome, and revealed the molecular changes related to digestive enzymes (carbohydrases, proteases and lipases), finding abundant evidence of molecular adaptation. Specifically, two gene families experienced expansion in copy number and adaptive amino acid substitutions: amylase and carboxyl ester lipase (
cel
), which are involved in the digestion of carbohydrates and lipids, respectively. Both show elevated levels of gene expression and increased enzyme activity. Because carbohydrates are abundant in the prickleback's diet and lipids are rare, these findings suggest that such dietary specialization involves both exploiting abundant resources and scavenging rare ones, especially essential nutrients, like essential fatty acids.
Winter associations predict social and extra-pair mating patterns in a wild songbird
Authors: Beck Kristina B. , Farine Damien R. , Kempenaers Bart
Published: February 2020

Despite decades of research, our understanding of the underlying causes of within-population variation in patterns of extra-pair paternity (EPP) remains limited. Previous studies have shown that extra-pair mating decisions are linked to both individual traits and ecological factors. Here, we examine whether social associations among individuals prior to breeding also shape mating patterns, specifically the occurrence of EPP, in a small songbird, the blue tit. We test whether associations during the non-breeding period predict (1) future social pairs, (2) breeding proximity (i.e. the distance between breeding individuals) and (3) the likelihood that individuals have extra-pair young together. Individuals that were more strongly associated (those that foraged more often together) during winter tended to nest closer together. This, by itself, predicts EPP patterns, because most extra-pair sires are close neighbours. However, even after controlling for spatial effects, female–male dyads with stronger social associations prior to breeding were more likely to have extra-pair young. Our findings reveal a carry-over from social associations into future mating decisions. Quantifying the long-term social environment of individuals and studying its dynamics is a promising approach to enhance our understanding of the process of (extra-)pair formation.
No genetic contribution to variation in human offspring sex ratio: a total population study of 4.7 million births
Authors: Zietsch Brendan P. , Walum Hasse , Lichtenstein Paul , Verweij Karin J. H. , Kuja-Halkola Ralf
Published: February 2020

The ratio of males to females among an individual's offspring at birth (offspring sex ratio) has long been of great interest to evolutionary biologists. The human offspring sex ratio is around 1 : 1 and is understood primarily in terms of Fisher's principle (R. A. Fisher,The genetical theory of natural selection, 1930), which is based on the insight that in a population with an unequal sex ratio, each individual of the rarer sex will on average have greater reproductive value than each individual of the more common sex. Accordingly, individuals genetically predisposed to produce the rarer sex will tend to have greater fitness and thus genes predisposing to bearing that sex will increase in frequency until the population sex ratio approaches 1 : 1. An assumption of this perspective is that individuals' offspring sex ratio is heritable. However, the heritability in humans remains remarkably uncertain, with inconsistent findings and important power limitations of existing studies. To address this persistent uncertainty, we used data from the entire Swedish-born population born 1932 or later, including 3 543 243 individuals and their 4 753 269 children. To investigate whether offspring sex ratio is influenced by genetic variation, we tested the association between individuals' offspring's sex and their siblings' offspring's sex (npairs = 14 015 421). We estimated that the heritability for offspring sex ratio was zero, with an upper 95% confidence interval of 0.002, rendering Fisher's principle and several other existing hypotheses untenable as frameworks for understanding human offspring sex ratio.
How biomechanics, path planning and sensing enable gliding flight in a natural environment
Authors: Khandelwal Pranav C. , Hedrick Tyson L.
Published: February 2020

Gliding animals traverse cluttered aerial environments when performing ecologically relevant behaviours. However, it is unknown how gliders execute collision-free flight over varying distances to reach their intended target. We quantified complete glide trajectories amid obstacles in a naturally behaving population of gliding lizards inhabiting a rainforest reserve. In this cluttered habitat, the lizards used glide paths with fewer obstacles than alternatives of similar distance. Their takeoff direction oriented them away from obstacles in their path and they subsequently made mid-air turns with accelerations of up to 0.5 g to reorient towards the target tree. These manoeuvres agreed well with a vision-based steering model which maximized their bearing angle with the obstacle while minimizing it with the target tree. Nonetheless, negotiating obstacles reduced mid-glide shallowing rates, implying greater loss of altitude. Finally, the lizards initiated a pitch-up landing manoeuvre consistent with a visual trigger model, suggesting that the landing decision was based on the optical size and speed of the target. They subsequently followed a controlled-collision approach towards the target, ending with variable impact speeds. Overall, the visually guided path planning strategy that enabled collision-free gliding required continuous changes in the gliding kinematics such that the lizards never attained theoretically ideal steady-state glide dynamics.