bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In-field whole plant maize architecture characterized by Latent Space Phenotyping
Authors: Gage Joseph L. , Richards Elliot , Lepak Nicholas , Kaczmar Nicholas , Soman Chinmay , Chowdhary Girish , Gore Michael A. , Buckler Edward S.
Published: September 2019

Collecting useful, interpretable, and biologically relevant phenotypes in a resource-efficient manner is a bottleneck to plant breeding, genetic mapping, and genomic prediction. Autonomous and affordable sub-canopy rovers are an efficient and scalable way to generate sensor-based datasets of in-field crop plants. Rovers equipped with light detection and ranging (LiDar) can produce three-dimensional reconstructions of entire hybrid maize fields. In this study, we collected 2,103 LiDar scans of hybrid maize field plots and extracted phenotypic data from them by Latent Space Phenotyping (LSP). We performed LSP by two methods, principal component analysis (PCA) and a convolutional autoencoder, to extract meaningful, quantitative Latent Space Phenotypes (LSPs) describing whole-plant architecture and biomass distribution. The LSPs had heritabilities of up to 0.44, similar to some manually measured traits, indicating they can be selected on or genetically mapped. Manually measured traits can be successfully predicted by using LSPs as explanatory variables in partial least squares regression, indicating the LSPs contain biologically relevant information about plant architecture. These techniques can be used to assess crop architecture at a reduced cost and in an automated fashion for breeding, research, or extension purposes, as well as to create or inform crop growth models.
Brettanomyces bruxellensis wine isolates show high geographical dispersal and long remanence in cellars
Authors: Cibrario Alice , Avramova Marta , Dimopoulou Maria , Magani Maura , Miot-Sertier Cécile , Mas Albert , Portillo Maria C. , Ballestra Patricia , Albertin Warren , Masneuf-Pomarede Isabelle , Dols-Lafargue Marguerite
Published: September 2019

Brettanomyces bruxellensis is the main wine spoiler yeast all over the world, yet the structuration of the populations associated with winemaking remains elusive. In this work, we considered 1411 wine isolates from 21 countries that were genotyped using twelve microsatellite markers. We confirmed that B. bruxellensis isolates from wine environments show high genetic diversity, with 58 and 42% of triploid and diploid individuals respectively distributed in 5 main genetic groups. The distribution in the genetic groups varied greatly depending on the country and/or the wine-producing region. However, the two wine triploid groups showing sulfite resistance/tolerance were identified in almost all regions/countries. Genetically identical isolates were also identified. The analysis of these clone groups revealed that a given genotype could be isolated repeatedly in the same winery over decades, demonstrating unsuspected remanence ability. Besides cellar residency, a great geographic dispersal was also evidenced, with some genotypes isolated in wines from different continents. Finally, the study of old isolates and/or isolates from old vintages revealed that only the diploid groups were identified prior 1990 vintages. The triploid groups were identified in subsequent vintages, and their proportion has increased steadily these last decades, suggesting adaptation to winemaking practices such as sulfite use. A possible evolutionary scenario explaining these results is discussed.
Visualization and Analysis of the Interaction Network of Proteins Associated with Blood-cell targeting Autoimmune Diseases
Authors: Amanatidou Athina I. , Nastou Katerina C. , Tsitsilonis Ourania E. , Iconomidou Vassiliki A.
Published: September 2019

Blood-cell targeting Autoimmune Diseases (BLADs) are complex diseases that affect blood cell formation or prevent blood cell production. Since these clinical conditions are gathering growing attention, experimental approaches are being used to investigate the mechanisms behind their pathogenesis and to identify proteins associated with them. However, computational approaches have not been utilized extensively in the study of BLADs. This study aims to investigate the interaction network of proteins associated with BLADs (BLAD interactome) and to identify novel associations with other human proteins. The method followed in this study combines information regarding protein-protein interaction network properties and autoimmune disease terms. Proteins with high network scores and statistically significant autoimmune disease term enrichment were obtained and 14 of them were designated as candidate proteins associated with BLADs. Additionally, clustering analysis of the BLAD interactome was used and allowed the detection of 17 proteins that act as “connectors” of different BLADs. We expect our findings to further extend experimental efforts for the investigation of the pathogenesis and the relationships of BLADs.
On the delay in propagation of action potentials
Authors: Xu J. , Xu S. , Wang F. , Xu S.
Published: September 2019

The signal delay during the propagation of action potentials is one of the key issues in understanding the mechanisms of generation and propagation of neural signals. Here we reanalyzed related experimental data to demonstrate that action potentials in the propagation process along a myelinated axon are highly overlapped in the time scale. The shift in time of two successive signals from neighboring nodes, defined as delay time τ in this work, is only tens of microseconds (16.3-87.0 μs), thus is only ~ 0.8-4.4 % of the measured average duration of an action potential, ~ 2 ms. This fact may reveal a huge gap to the commonly accepted picture for propagation of neural signal. We could apply the electromagnetic soliton-like model to well explain this phenomenon, and attribute τ to the waiting time that one signal source (i.e., ion channel cluster at one node) needs to take when it generates an electromagnetic neural pulse with increasing intensity until the intensity is higher than a certain point so as to activate neighboring signal source. This viewpoint may shed some light on a better understanding of the exact physical mechanism of neural signal communication in a variety of biosystems.

Statement of Significance

The delay time during the propagation of action potentials is an important term in understanding the mechanisms of generation and propagation of neural signals. In this article we analyzed published experimental data and showed that action potentials from two neighboring Ranvier nodes are highly overlapped in time, with an average shift of tens of microseconds, which occupied only ~ 0.8-4.4 % of the average duration of an action potential (2 ms). The electromagnetic soliton-model seemed the best model to explain this phenomenon.

The viewpoint of this article may shed some light on a better understanding of the exact physical mechanism of neural signal communication, and be tractive to researchers in a variety of fields, such as neuroscience, brain-computer interface, etc..
Genomic Characterization of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in a Large US Military Veteran Sample
Authors: Stein Murray B. , Levey Daniel F. , Cheng Zhongshan , Wendt Frank R. , Harrington Kelly , Cho Kelly , Quaden Rachel , Radhakrishnan Krishnan , Girgenti Matthew J. , Anne Ho Yuk-Lam , Posner Daniel ,   PTSD Working Group of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC),   Traumatic Stress Brain Research Study Group,   VA Million Veteran Program,   VA Cooperative Studies Program, Aslan Mihaela , Duman Ronald S. , Zhao Hongyu , Polimanti Renato , Concato John , Gelernter Joel
Published: September 2019

Individuals vary in their liability to develop Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), the symptoms of which are highly heterogeneous, following exposure to life-threatening trauma. Understanding genetic factors that contribute to the biology of PTSD is critical for refining diagnosis and developing new treatments. Using genetic data from more than 250,000 participants in the Million Veteran Program, genomewide association analyses were conducted using a validated electronic health record-based algorithmically-defined PTSD diagnosis phenotype (48,221 cases and 217,223 controls), and PTSD quantitative symptom phenotypes (212,007 individuals). We identified several genome-wide significant loci in the case-control analyses, and numerous such loci in the quantitative trait analyses, including some (e.g., MAD1L1; TCF4; CRHR1) that were associated with multiple symptom sub-domains and total symptom score, and others that were more specific to certain symptom sub-domains (e.g., CAMKV to re-experiencing; SOX6 to hyperarousal). Genetic correlations between all pairs of symptom sub-domains and their total were very high (rg 0.93 – 0.98) supporting validity of the PTSD diagnostic construct. We also demonstrate strong shared heritability with a range of traits, show that heritability persists when conditioned on other major psychiatric disorders, present independent replication results, provide support for one of the implicated genes in postmortem brain of individuals with PTSD, and use this information to identify potential drug repositioning candidates. These results point to the utility of genetics to inform and validate the biological coherence of the PTSD syndrome despite considerable heterogeneity at the symptom level, and to provide new directions for treatment development.
TIGIT is upregulated by HIV-1 infection and marks a highly functional adaptive and mature subset of natural killer cells
Authors: Vendrame Elena , Seiler Christof , Ranganath Thanmayi , Zhao Nancy Q. , Vergara Rosemary , Alary Michel , Labbé Annie-Claude , Guédou Fernand , Poudrier Johanne , Holmes Susan , Roger Michel , Blish Catherine A.
Published: September 2019

Objective

Our objective was to investigate the mechanisms that govern natural killer (NK) cell responses to HIV, with a focus on specific receptor-ligand interactions involved in HIV recognition by NK cells.

Design and Methods

We first performed a mass cytometry-based screen of NK cell receptor expression patterns in healthy controls and HIV+ individuals. We then focused mechanistic studies on the expression and function of T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT).

Results

The mass cytometry screen revealed that TIGIT is upregulated on NK cells of untreated HIV+ women, but not in antiretroviral-treated women. TIGIT is an inhibitory receptor that is thought to mark exhausted NK cells; however, blocking TIGIT did not improve anti-HIV NK cell responses. In fact, the TIGIT ligands CD112 and CD155 were not upregulated on CD4+ T cells in vitro or in vivo, providing an explanation for the lack of benefit from TIGIT blockade. TIGIT expression marked a unique subset of NK cells that express significantly higher levels of NK cell activating receptors (DNAM-1, NTB-A, 2B4, CD2) and exhibit a mature/adaptive phenotype (CD57hi, NKG2Chi, LILRB1hi, FcRγlo, Syklo). Furthermore, TIGIT+ NK cells had increased responses to mock-infected and HIV-infected autologous CD4+ T cells, and to PMA/ionomycin, cytokine stimulation and the K562 cancer cell line.

Conclusions

TIGIT expression is increased on NK cells from untreated HIV+ individuals. Although TIGIT does not participate directly in NK cell recognition of HIV, it marks a population of mature/adaptive NK cells with increased functional responses.
Expression Profile of Circular RNAs in Epicardial Adipose Tissue in Heart Failure
Authors: Zheng Meili , Zhao Lei , Yang Xinchun
Published: September 2019

Recent studies have reported circular RNA (circRNA) expression profiles in various tissue types; specifically, a recent work showed a detailed circRNA expression landscape in the heart. However, circRNA expression profile in human epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) remains undefined. RNA-sequencing was carried out to compare circRNA expression patterns in EAT specimens from coronary artery disease (CAD) cases between the heart failure (HF) and non-HF groups. The top highly expressed EAT circRNAs corresponded to genes involved in cell proliferation and inflammatory response, including KIAA0182, RHOBTB3, HIPK3, UBXN7, PCMTD1, N4BP2L2, CFLAR, EPB41L2, FCHO2, FNDC3B and SPECC1. Among the 141 circRNAs substantially different between the HF and non-HF groups (P<0.05;fold change>2), hsa_circ_0005565 stood out, and was mostly associated with positive regulation of metabolic processes and insulin resistancein GO and KEGG pathway analyses, respectively. These data indicate EAT circRNAs contribute to the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders causing HF.
On the mechanism of bilayer separation by extrusion; or, why your large unilamellar vesicles are not really unilamellar
Authors: Scott Haden L. , Skinkle Allison , Kelley Elizabeth G. , Waxham M. Neal , Levental Ilya , Heberle Frederick A.
Published: September 2019

Extrusion through porous filters is a widely used method for preparing biomimetic model membranes. Of primary importance in this approach is the efficient production of single bilayer (unilamellar) vesicles that eliminate the influence of interlamellar interactions and strictly define the bilayer surface area available to external reagents such as proteins. Sub-microscopic vesicles produced using extrusion are widely assumed to be unilamellar, and large deviations from this assumption would dramatically impact interpretations from many model membrane experiments. Using three probe-free methods—small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering (SAXS and SANS) and cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM)—we report unambiguous evidence of extensive multilamellarity in extruded vesicles composed of neutral phosphatidylcholine lipids, including for the common case of neutral lipids dispersed in physiological buffer and extruded through 100 nm diameter pores. In such preparations, only ~35% of lipids are externally accessible, and this fraction is highly dependent on preparation conditions. Charged lipids promote unilamellarity, as does decreasing solvent ionic strength, indicating the importance of electrostatic interactions in determining the lamellarity of extruded vesicles. Smaller extrusion pore sizes also robustly increase the fraction of unilamellar vesicles, suggesting a role for membrane bending. Taken together, these observations suggest a mechanistic model for extrusion, wherein formation of unilamellar vesicles involves competition between bilayer bending and adhesion energies. The findings presented here have wide-ranging implications for the design and interpretation of model membrane studies, especially ensemble-averaged observations relying on the assumption of unilamellarity.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Extruded vesicles are a ubiquitous tool in membrane research. It is widely presumed that extrusion produces unilamellar (i.e., single bilayer) vesicles, an assumption that is often crucial for data analysis and interpretation. Using X-ray and neutron scattering and cryogenic electron microscopy, we show that a substantial amount of lipid remains inaccessible after extrusion due to an abundance of multilamellar vesicles (MLVs). While this is a general phenomenon for neutral lipids, MLV contamination can be reduced by several complementary approaches such as including charged lipids in the mixture, reducing the ionic strength of the aqueous medium, and reducing the extrusion pore size. These observations together suggest a mechanism by which extrusion strips MLVs of their layers.
Memorize-Generalize: An online algorithm for learning higher-order sequential structure with cloned Hidden Markov Models
Authors: Rikhye Rajeev V. , Guntupalli J. Swaroop , Gothoskar Nishad , Lázaro-Gredilla Miguel , George Dileep
Published: September 2019

Sequence learning is a vital cognitive function and has been observed in numerous brain areas. Discovering the algorithms underlying sequence learning has been a major endeavour in both neuroscience and machine learning. In earlier work we showed that by constraining the sparsity of the emission matrix of a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) in a biologically-plausible manner we are able to efficiently learn higher-order temporal dependencies and recognize contexts in noisy signals. The central basis of our model, referred to as the Cloned HMM (CHMM), is the observation that cortical neurons sharing the same receptive field properties can learn to represent unique incidences of bottom-up information within different temporal contexts. CHMMs can efficiently learn higher-order temporal dependencies, recognize long-range contexts and, unlike recurrent neural networks, are able to natively handle uncertainty. In this paper we introduce a biologically plausible CHMM learning algorithm, memorize-generalize, that can rapidly memorize sequences as they are encountered, and gradually generalize as more data is accumulated. We demonstrate that CHMMs trained with the memorize-generalize algorithm can model long-range structure in bird songs with only a slight degradation in performance compared to expectation-maximization, while still outperforming other representations.
Pristine and hydrated fluoroapatite (0001)
Authors: Torrelles Xavier , Nadeem Immad M. , Kupka Anna , Crespo-Villanueva Adrián , Meis Sandrina , Gies Hermann , Bikondoa Oier
Published: September 2019

The surface structure of fluoroapatite (0001) (FAp0001) under quasi-dry and humid conditions has been probed with surface X-ray diffraction (SXRD). Lateral and perpendicular atomic relaxations corresponding to the FAp0001 termination before and after H2O exposure and the location of the adsorbed water molecules have been determined from experimental analysis of the crystal truncation rod (CTR) intensities. The surface under dry conditions exhibits a bulk termination with relaxations in the outermost atomic layers. The hydrated surface is formed by a disordered partially occupied H2O layer containing one water molecule (33% surface coverage) adsorbed at each of the three surface Ca atoms, and is coupled with one OH group randomly bonded to each of the three topmost P atoms with a 33% surface coverage.
Crystal structure of catena-poly[[[bis(3-oxo-1,3-diphenylprop-1-enolato-κ2
O,O′)zinc(II)]-μ2-tris[4-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl]amine-κ2
N:N′] tetrahydrofuran monosolvate]
Authors: Kashiwagi Yukiyasu , Kubono Koji , Tamai Toshiyuki
Published: September 2019

The reaction of bis(3-oxo-1,3-diphenylprop-1-enolato-κ2
O,O′)zinc(II), [Zn(dbm)2], with tris[4-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl]amine (T3PyA) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) afforded the title crystalline coordination polymer, {[Zn(C15H11O2)2(C33H24N4)]·C4H8O}
n
. The asymmetric unit contains two independent halves of Zn(dbm)2, one T3PyA and one THF. Each ZnII atom is located on an inversion centre and adopts an elongated octahedral coordination geometry, ligated by four O atoms of two dbm ligands in equatorial positions and by two N atoms of pyridine moieties from two different bridging T3PyA ligands in axial positions. The crystal packing shows a one-dimensional polymer chain in which the two pyridyl groups of the T3PyA ligand bridge two independent Zn atoms of Zn(dbm)2. In the crystal, the coordination polymer chains are linked via C—H...π interactions into a sheet structure parallel to (010). The sheets are cross-linked via further C—H...π interactions into a three-dimensional network. The solvate THF molecule shows disorder over two sets of atomic sites having occupancies of 0.631 (7) and 0.369 (7).
Cryogenic auxiliary drilling of printed circuit boards
Authors: Lin Dantian , Wang Chengyong , Fu Lianyu , Ke Yong , He Yuxing , Fang Gexian , Yao Junxiong , Huang Xin , Zheng Lijuan
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Large capacity current carrier printed circuit board (PCB) imposes strict control requirements on the hole wall roughness. The key factors are chip removal, drilling temperature and tool wear. This paper aims to find out a cryogenic drilling process to control the chip removal, chip morphology, tool wear and finally reduce the hole wall roughness.

Design/methodology/approach

The chip removal process, chip morphology, tool wear and hole wall roughness of glass fiber epoxy resin copper clad laminate (FR-4) drilling were observed and analyzed. The influence of cold air on the chip removal process, chip morphology, tool wear and hole wall roughness was also investigated. An optimization process of cold air auxiliary drilling was proposed to control the hole wall roughness of FR-4.

Findings

The results showed that the discharge time of copper foil chips with obvious characteristics can be used as the evaluation criterion for the smoothness of chip removal. The cold air can promote chip removal and reduce tool wear. In addition, the chip removal and cooling performance will be the best when using −4.7 °C cold air with the injection angle consisted with the angle of helical flute of the drill. The hole wall roughness of FR-4 could be controlled by drilling with −4.7°C cold air.

Originality/value

This paper was the first study of the effect of three kinds of cold air on PCB drilling. This provided a reference for the possibility that the cryogenic drilling methods apply to PCB drilling. A new cold air auxiliary drilling process was developed for large capacity current carrier FR-4 manufacturing.
Effect of piston clearance on the lubrication performance in axial piston pump
Authors: Lee Bora , Yu Yonghun , Cho Yong-Joo
Published: September 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a reliable and efficient numerical piston–cylinder design method and assess the effect of clearance on the piston-cylinder lubrication.

Design/methodology/approach

Numerical analyses of lubrication characteristics were performed for the piston–cylinder interface. The axial piston was numerically modeled, and the film pressure was calculated using the unsteady two-dimensional Reynolds equation. The behavior of the piston was analyzed by calculating the eccentricity satisfying the force and moment balance.

Findings

The secondary motion of the piston included numerically simulated several cycles until the piston behavior converged, and contact with the inner wall of the cylinder and friction region was estimated. Results showed that the piston–cylinder clearance affected the contact force, length of the contact region and leakage flow rate.

Originality/value

This result improves the understanding of the piston–cylinder lubrication and suggests considerations in terms of lubrication in clearance design.
The role of social media in negotiating identity during the process of acculturation
Authors: Yau Amy , Marder Ben , O’Donohoe Stephanie
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to an understanding of the role of social media in negotiating and managing identity for transient migrants relating to the home and host culture during the acculturation process.

Design/methodology/approach

Focussing on international students in the UK, this paper reports on findings from a qualitative study involving interviews with 27 transient migrants about their social media use and the negotiation of their identity online.

Findings

This paper highlights the multifaceted role that social media plays in the identity negotiations of transient migrants and it offers three theoretical contributions. First, the authors show that social media serves as a medium, consequence and determinant of identity. Second, provide four strategies for identity management are provided: boundary management, access management, online content management and offline content management. Third, contextualised support is provided for a reciprocal relationship between the different identity-related roles played by social media.

Research limitations/implications

The paper highlights the complex role of social media for identity within the acculturation process for transient migrants. Identity contestation may be salient for young student migrants, especially where there is a large cultural distance between the home and host culture. Identity negotiations and struggles may not be salient with older migrants or migrants who have migrated for different reasons or where there is a small cultural distance between the home and host culture.

Practical implications

This paper offers recommendations for social media site designers for enhancing the users experience during acculturation by guiding the navigation with identity management strategies as well as to highlight the possible predicaments of not managing their identity online.

Originality/value

Based on qualitative research with transient migrants using social media during acculturation, the paper provides a theoretical model of the role and reciprocal relationship of social media for identity, serving the role as a medium, consequence and determinant. The paper incorporates four identity management strategies that migrants can use on social media.
‘The Russian Revolution has not yet taken place’: British views of the Soviet economy between the nineteen-fifties and nineteen-seventies
Authors: O'Hara Glen
Published: September 2019

This article examines British officials' and ministers' attitudes towards the Soviet Union's economy in the post-Second World War era. In the nineteen-fifties and early nineteen-sixties, public and some expert commentary posited Soviet economic ‘success’ based on the country's increasingly rapid growth rate, its potential for consumerization, the promise of economic reform, and the Soviet state's emphasis on education, science and the application of computer technology. New evidence from British official archives, presented here, makes clear that Westminster and Whitehall were never persuaded of this view, and always believed that political meddling and microeconomic inefficiencies would ultimately restrain and undermine Soviet growth.
The presence of fragmented QRS may predict the recurrence of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation after successful electrical cardioversion
Authors: Eren Hayati , Kaya Ülker , Öcal Lütfi , Şenbaş Ahmet , Kalçık Macit
Published: September 2019

Objective

Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common cardiac rhythm disorder, affects approximately 2% of the general population and is associated with increased risk of stroke and mortality as well as reduced exercise capacity and quality of life. After restoring normal sinus rhythm, a portion of these patients develops recurrent AF despite optimal medical treatment. In this study, we aimed to assess the relationship between the presence of fragmented QRS (fQRS) and AF recurrence following successful electrical cardioversion (ECV).

Material and Methods

A total of 306 patients with nonvalvular persistent AF achieving restoration of the sinus rhythm after successful ECV were included in this study. After ECV, patients were monitored at least 6 months for recurrence. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of fQRS and compared for AF recurrence during follow‐up.

Results

Patients were followed up for a mean time of 220 ± 113 days. AF recurred in 119 patients, corresponding to a recurrence rate of 38.8%. AF recurrence was found to be significantly increased in patients with fQRS as compared to those without fQRS (76.4% vs. 23.5%, p < .001). Furthermore, the presence of fQRS was higher in patients with recurrent AF as compared to others (57.1% vs. 11.2%, p < .001). In multiple regression analyses, the presence of fQRS was one of the independent predictors of AF recurrence (hazard ratio: 9.670, 95% CI: 4.714–19.837, p < .001).

Conclusion

The presence of fQRS may be associated with the recurrence of AF after successful ECV in persistent nonvalvular AF patients.
Diffusion tensor imaging is associated with motor outcomes of very preterm born children at 11 years of age
Authors: Lahti Katri , Saunavaara Virva , Munck Petriina , Uusitalo Karoliina , Koivisto Mari , Parkkola Riitta , Haataja Leena ,   the PIPARI Study Group
Published: September 2019

Aim

Very preterm children born <32 weeks of gestation are at risk for motor difficulties such as cerebral palsy and developmental coordination disorder. This study explores the association between diffusion tensor imaging metrics at term and motor outcomes at 11 years of age.

Methods

A cohort of 37 very preterm infants (mean gestational age 29 4/7, SD 2 0/7) born in 2004‐2006 in Turku University Hospital underwent diffusion tensor imaging at term. A region of interest analysis of fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity was performed. Motor outcomes at 11 years of age were measured with the Movement Assessment Battery for Children – Second Edition.

Results

The diffusion metrics of the corpus callosum (genu P = .005, splenium P = .049), the left corona radiata (P = .035) and the right optic radiation (P = .017) were related to later motor performance. Mean diffusivity decreased and fractional anisotropy increased in proportion to the improving performance.

Conclusion

The diffusion metrics of the genu and splenium of the corpus callosum, the left corona radiata and the right optic radiation at term were associated with motor skills at 11 years of age. Diffusion tensor imaging should be further studied as a potential tool in recognising children at risk for motor impairment.
Systematic review with network meta‐analysis: endoscopic techniques for dysplasia surveillance in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Iannone Andrea , Ruospo Marinella , Palmer Suetonia C. , Principi Mariabeatrice , Barone Michele , Di Leo Alfredo , Strippoli Giovanni F. M.
Published: September 2019

Background

International guidelines recommend dysplasia surveillance in IBD.

Aim

To compare endoscopic techniques for dysplasia surveillance

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL for randomised trials through May 2019. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) for binary and mean differences (MDs) for continuous outcomes, using frequentist random‐effects network meta‐analysis. We assessed study risk of bias and appraised evidence certainty using GRADE.

Results

Eighteen trials (2638 participants) were included. Standard definition white‐light endoscopy (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.26‐0.73; high certainty) and i‐SCAN (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.25‐0.90; moderate certainty) had lower odds of detecting neoplasia than chromoendoscopy. Fujinon intelligent colour enhancement (FICE), standard definition white‐light endoscopy and i‐SCAN had lower odds for this outcome than full spectrum high definition white‐light endoscopy (ORs 0.02 to 0.15; low certainty). Standard definition white‐light endoscopy had lower odds of detecting nonpolypoid neoplasia than full spectrum high definition white‐light endoscopy, narrow band imaging, chromoendoscopy and high definition white‐light endoscopy (ORs 0.01‐0.14; moderate certainty). Full spectrum high definition white‐light endoscopy ranked as the best technique for both outcomes (moderate certainty). Standard definition white‐light endoscopy had lower odds of detecting neoplasia by target biopsy (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.08‐0.91) and had shorter procedure time (MD −14.81 minutes, 95% CI −25.03, −4.06) than chromoendoscopy (moderate certainty).

Conclusions

Chromoendoscopy, high definition white‐light endoscopy, narrow band imaging, autofluorescence, FICE and full spectrum high definition white‐light endoscopy may be comparable for dysplasia surveillance. Standard definition white‐light endoscopy and i‐SCAN probably provide lower yields for neoplasia identification. Full spectrum high definition white‐light endoscopy may represent the first‐line approach.
Evaluation of effects of the dry‐heat‐processed sweet potato waste as broiler feed
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxiao , Zhang Yukun , Ijiri Daichi , Ohtsuka Akira
Published: September 2019

This study was conducted to examine the effects of feeding dry‐processed sweet potato waste on the growth of broilers. Sweet potato waste was air‐dried (A‐SPW) or heat‐dried (D‐SPW). Twenty‐four 14‐d‐old chicks were assigned to the following groups (14–28 days): control, fed a corn‐soybean meal‐based diet; A‐SPW, fed the basal diet with 55% of the corn replaced with A‐SPW meal; D‐SPW, fed the basal diet with 50% of the corn replaced with D‐SPW meal. The feed conversion ratio (feed/gain) of the D‐SPW group was greater than that of the A‐SPW group. The relative weight of abdominal fat and the muscle lipid content of the D‐SPW group were increased compared with those of the A‐SPW group. The metabolizabilities of crude protein and gross energy of the D‐SPW group were increased compared with those of the A‐SPW group. The plasma α‐tocopherol concentrations of the A‐SPW and D‐SPW groups were greater than that of the control group. Plasma malondialdehyde was decreased in the A‐SPW and D‐SPW groups, and muscle malondialdehyde was decreased in the D‐SPW group, compared with the control group. Our results demonstrate that dry‐heat processing improves the nutrient metabolizability of sweet potato waste and makes it into available feed for broilers.
New optimization method based on energy management in microgrids based on energy storage systems and combined heat and power
Authors: Zeng Xiangyu , Berti Stephen
Published: September 2019

Microgrids can be assumed as a solution model for green energy sources, energy storage systems, and combined heat and power (CHP) systems. In this work, the cost and emission minimization based on a demand response (DR) program is considered an optimization problem. To solve the mentioned problem a new multiobjective optimization algorithm (improved particle swarm optimization) is proposed based on a fuzzy mechanism to select the optimal value. The microgrid system includes two CHP units, fuel cell and battery systems, and the heat buffer tank. In this problem, two different feasible operating regions have been assumed in CHPs. Accordingly, to decrease the operational cost, time‐of‐use, and real‐time pricing DR programs have been simulated, and the impacts of the mentioned models are evaluated overload profiles. The effectiveness of proposed models has been applied on different cases studies by different scenarios. The proposed model solved the DR program, time of use‐DR and real‐time pricing‐DR problems. The proposed model could reduce the cost about 10%.
A lower left atrial appendage peak emptying velocity in the acute phase of cryptogenic stroke predicts atrial fibrillation occurrence during follow‐up
Authors: Farinha José Maria , Parreira Leonor , Marinheiro Rita , Fonseca Marta , Mesquita Dinis , Gonçalves Sara , Miranda Carla , Silvestre Isabel , Caria Rui
Published: September 2019

Background

Silent atrial fibrillation is a frequent etiology of cryptogenic stroke. Spontaneous conversion of atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm results in atrial stunning.

Objective

To evaluate if the presence of a lower left atrial appendage peak emptying velocity (LAAV) after a cryptogenic stroke is associated with the occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods

We retrospectively selected consecutive patients with an acute ischemic stroke that had a transoesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) performed in the first 30 days of the acute event. Documented AF or potential cardioembolic sources in the TEE were considered exclusion criteria. We assessed the LAAV. During follow‐up, we evaluated the occurrence of new‐onset AF and the combined endpoint of death or new ischemic stroke.

Results

We studied 73 consecutive patients, during a mean follow‐up period of 54.9 ± 19.3 months. Seven developed AF, and 13 had the combined endpoint. LAAV was independently associated with AF occurrence (HR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.88–0.99; P = .016). Patients with a LAAV ≤ 46.5 cm/s (AUC: 0.766, 95% CI: 0.579–0.954; P = .021) had a lower survival rate free from AF occurrence (Log‐rank, P < .001) and free from the combined endpoint of death or ischemic stroke (Log‐rank, P = .010).

Conclusion

A lower LAAV was associated with AF occurrence and the combined endpoint of death or ischemic stroke after an initial episode of cryptogenic stroke. Patients with this finding could eventually benefit from long‐term cardiac rhythm monitoring.
Lack of prey switching and strong preference for mosquito prey by a temporary pond specialist predator
Authors: Cuthbert Ross N. , Dalu Tatenda , Wasserman Ryan J. , Weyl Olaf L. F. , Froneman P. William , Callaghan Amanda , Dick Jaimie T. A.
Published: September 2019

1. The strengths of trophic interactions within ecosystems can be mediated by complex mechanisms that require elucidation if researchers are to understand and predict population‐ and community‐level stabilities. Where multiple prey types co‐occur, prey switching (i.e. frequency‐dependent predation) by predators may facilitate low‐density prey refuge effects which promote coexistence. On the other hand, lack of switching and strong preferences by predators can strongly suppress prey populations, which is especially important considering vector species such as mosquitoes.

2. The present study quantifies prey switching and preference patterns of the temporary pond specialist copepod Lovenula raynerae towards larvae of the medically important Culex pipiens mosquito complex in the presence of different proportions of alternative Daphnia pulex prey. Further, it examines whether prey switching and preferences are contingent on the sex of the predator.

3. Lovenula raynerae exhibited a lack of prey switching and strong preference for larval mosquito prey overall, irrespective of predator sex. Also, when larval mosquitoes were available in higher proportions over daphniids, the strength of this positive selectivity increased. There was very little low‐density refuge for mosquitoes where they were rare.

4. Lack of prey switching and strong preferences towards mosquitoes by predatory paradiaptomid copepods may enhance population‐level regulation of disease vector mosquitoes that exploit temporary pond‐style habitats. Accordingly, the conservation and promotion of these predators might enable better management of medically important species across landscapes.
A national surveillance study of childhood epilepsy mortality in the UK and Ireland
Authors: Abdel‐Mannan O. , Sutcliffe A. G.
Published: September 2019

Background and purpose

Patients with epilepsy are significantly more likely to die prematurely than the general population, with causes ranging from associated comorbidities to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). The aim was to estimate the UK and Ireland incidence of childhood epilepsy deaths and to describe case demographics and clinical characteristics.

Methods

This was a prospective, population‐based surveillance study using established active surveillance methodology designed by the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit.

Results

Eighty‐eight confirmed cases were reported with an overall annual incidence of 0.65 per 100 000 children aged <16 years (95% confidence interval 0.52–0.81). More cases were male (65%) and cases fell across all age groups, with more deaths reported in older children. Twenty‐five per cent of deaths were epilepsy‐related (including SUDEP); 75% of deaths were non‐epilepsy‐related. SUDEP was the most common cause of seizure‐related deaths, accounting for 13 out of 17 children (76%). An underlying epilepsy syndrome was present in 36% of deaths, and 88% had global developmental delay. In addition, 90% of the children had comorbid conditions in addition to epilepsy.

Conclusions

In this study, it has been demonstrated that death in children diagnosed with epilepsy occurs mainly in ‘complicated epilepsy’ secondary to factors associated with neurodisability, consolidating previous data. SUDEP is also a significant cause of paediatric epilepsy mortality that needs further attention. There is a clear need to better understand and reduce the number of epilepsy deaths in children in the UK, and national surveillance of SUDEP is warranted to better understand this entity in paediatric populations.
Winter monsoon promotes the transport of Japanese temperate bass Lateolabrax japonicus eggs and larvae toward the innermost part of Tango Bay, the Sea of Japan
Authors: Suzuki Keita W. , Fuji Taiki , Kasai Akihide , Itoh Sachihiko , Kimura Shingo , Yamashita Yoh
Published: September 2019

Northwesterly cold winds characteristic of the East Asian Winter Monsoon (EAWM) dictate winter climatic conditions over the Japanese Archipelago. Japanese temperate bass Lateolabrax japonicus is a commercially important coastal fish that spawns offshore in winter and uses shallow waters as nursery habitats. To investigate the effects of EAWM on the planktonic period of L. japonicus, eggs, larvae, and juveniles were quantitatively collected in Tango Bay on the Sea of Japan side in winter and spring from 2007 to 2017. Although eggs occurred close to the mouth of the bay, planktonic larvae occurred further inside as they developed. The horizontal distribution of planktonic larvae, combined with water velocity data obtained from mooring observations, indicated that planktonic larvae are transported south‐ to westward through Ekman current and an anticyclonic circulation, which are driven by northwesterly winds. To evaluate survival during the planktonic period in each year class, the abundance of benthic larvae/juveniles was divided by winter total landings of Lateolabrax spp. (proxy of the spawning stock size). This survival index exhibited a positive correlation with the northwesterly component of winter winds, and a negative correlation with winter air temperature (average from December to February, Spearman's correlation, p < .05). There was, however, no significant correlation with winter water temperature or winter freshwater discharge in the bay. We conclude that northwesterly cold winds of EAWM play a critical role in transporting L. japonicus eggs and larvae toward nursery habitats, specifically beaches and estuaries fringing the innermost part of Tango Bay.
Effects of climate warming on Sphagnum photosynthesis in peatlands depend on peat moisture and species‐specific anatomical traits
Authors: Jassey Vincent E. J. , Signarbieux Constant
Published: September 2019

Climate change will influence plant photosynthesis by altering patterns of temperature and precipitation, including their variability and seasonality. Both effects may be important for peatlands as the carbon (C) sink potential of these ecosystems depends on the balance between plant C uptake through photosynthesis and microbial decomposition. Here, we show that the effect of climate warming on Sphagnum community photosynthesis toggles from positive to negative as the peatland goes from rainy to dry periods during summer. More particularly, we show that mechanisms of compensation among the dominant Sphagnum species (Sphagnum fallax and Sphagnum medium) stabilize the average photosynthesis and productivity of the Sphagnum community during summer despite rising temperatures and frequent droughts. While warming had a negligible effect on S. medium photosynthetic capacity (Amax) during rainy periods, Amax of S. fallax increased by 40%. On the opposite, warming exacerbated the negative effects of droughts on S. fallax with an even sharper decrease of its Amax while S. medium Amax remained unchanged. S. medium showed a remarkable resistance to droughts due to anatomical traits favouring its water holding capacity. Our results show that different phenotypic plasticity among dominant Sphagnum species allow the community to cope with rising temperatures and repeated droughts, maintaining similar photosynthesis and productivity over summer in warmed and control conditions. These results are important because they provide information on how soil water content may modulate the effects of climate warming on Sphagnum productivity in boreal peatlands. It further confirms the transitory nature of warming‐induced photosynthesis benefits in boreal systems and highlights the vulnerability of the ecosystem to excess warming and drying.
Sustainable intensification of crop residue exploitation for bioenergy: Opportunities and challenges
Authors: Mouratiadou Ioanna , Stella Tommaso , Gaiser Thomas , Wicke Birka , Nendel Claas , Ewert Frank , van der Hilst Floor
Published: September 2019

Crop residue exploitation for bioenergy can play an important role in climate change mitigation without jeopardizing food security, but it may be constrained by impacts on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, and market, logistic and conversion challenges. We explore opportunities to increase bioenergy potentials from residues while reducing environmental impacts, in line with sustainable intensification. Using the case study of North Rhine‐Westphalia in Germany, we employ a spatiotemporally explicit approach combined with stakeholder interviews. First, the interviews identify agronomic and environmental impacts due to the potential reduction in SOC as the most critical challenge associated with enhanced crop residue exploitation. Market and technological challenges and competition with other residue uses are also identified as significant barriers. Second, with the use of agroecosystem modelling and estimations of bioenergy potentials and greenhouse gas emissions till mid‐century, we evaluate the ability of agricultural management to tackle the identified agronomic and environmental challenges. Integrated site‐specific management based on (a) humus balancing, (b) optimized fertilization and (c) winter soil cover performs better than our reference scenario with respect to all investigated variables. At the regional level, we estimate (a) a 5% increase in technical residue potentials and displaced emissions from substituting fossil fuels by bioethanol, (b) an 8% decrease in SOC losses and associated emissions, (c) an 18% decrease in nitrous oxide emissions, (d) a 37% decrease in mineral fertilizer requirements and emissions from their production and (e) a 16% decrease in nitrate leaching. Results are spatially variable and, despite improvements induced by management, limited amounts of crop residues are exploitable for bioenergy in areas prone to SOC decline. In order to sustainably intensify crop residue exploitation for bioenergy and reconcile climate change mitigation with other sustainability objectives, such as those on soil and water quality, residue management needs to be designed in an integrated and site‐specific manner.
The digital economy and the future of European welfare states
Authors: Greve Bent
Published: September 2019

As a consequence of new technology, labour markets are changing. This article’s central aim is to discuss variations among welfare states in Europe to adjust to changing labour markets. These variations in adjustment suggest that some welfare states are more prepared than others, including their capacity to ensure their sustainable financing. In the years to come, the predicted impact of technological development on labour markets will be huge. Impacts will include stronger “dualization” and new cleavages between “insiders” and “outsiders”. Fewer industrial jobs are to be expected, and service‐sector employment faces a risk of decline due to automation. While the creation of new jobs is likely, it remains to be seen whether these will replace the number of jobs destroyed, leaving the risk that many people whose skills become obsolete will become unemployed in the short as well as the longer term. Furthermore, even if the same number of jobs are eventually created, there will be a period of transition. In the light of this, welfare states will be challenged, not only in how they can finance their activities but also in terms of the threat posed to social cohesion by emerging labour market “winners” and “losers”, with an accompanying higher risk of increasing inequality. The article offers suggestions as to how welfare states may cope with the changes related to the financing of welfare states, and how active labour market policy can be part of the response to help alleviate the expected dramatic changes. Also required is a discussion on the annual average number of hours people will work and how this might be a factor in lower future levels of unemployment.