bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MEDIA FOR ENUMERATING STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS TREATED WITH HYDROGEN PEROXIDE IN MILK1
Authors: Von Ruden K. L. , Olson N. F.
Published: November 2018

Several media were compared with plate count agar (PCA) for determining numbers of Staphylococcus aureus 196E (ATCC 13565) surviving hydrogen peroxide-catalase treatment in milk at 54.4 C. Time intervals required for 90, 99, 99.9, and. 99.99% destruction of S. aureus were determined from survivor curves obtained with each medium. Statistical analyses were made of the intervals for 90 and 99.9% destruction. The time required for 99.9% destruction was significantly longer when survivors were enumerated on PCA than when enumeration was made on Staphylococcus medium 110 (SM110), Staphylococcus medium 110-Egg Yolk agar (SM110-Ey), tryptic soy agar, or trypticase soy agar (TSA). SM110-Ey was the only medium which inhibited growth of survivors sufficiently to give significantly shorter time for 90% destruction than PCA. Heart infusion agar (HIA) did not differ significantly from PCA in ability to support growth of survivors.
SURVEY OF ABNORMAL MILK PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY STATE REGULATORY AGENCIES1,2
Authors: Randolph H. E. , Conner D. J.
Published: November 2018

Through survey questionnaires, information was obtained about the abnormal milk control programs administered by state regulatory agencies. Responses were received from dairy regulatory officials in 49 states. A majority (67%) of the states did not have a designated abnormal milk regulatory program at the time of this survey, but many were in the process of developing such programs. More concern was evident for the control of abnormal milk in the Grade A supply than for the manufacturing supply.

The tests most widely reported for detecting abnormal milk (in order of prominence) were: microscopic leucocyte count, California mastitis test, modified Whiteside test, catalase test, and Wisconsin mastitis test. Standards based on leucocyte counts of 500,000 or 1,000,000/ml were reported by 13 states. Approximately 70% of the responding states indicated that their programs followed the recommendations of the National Mastitis Council; however, others (30%) indicated further studies would be made before abnormal milk regulations could be promulgated.
Southern California megacity CO2, CH4, and CO flux estimates using ground- and space-based remote sensing and a Lagrangian model
Authors: Hedelius Jacob K. , Liu Junjie , Oda Tomohiro , Maksyutov Shamil , Roehl Coleen M. , Iraci Laura T. , Podolske James R. , Hillyard Patrick W. , Liang Jianming , Gurney Kevin R. , Wunch Debra , Wennberg Paul O.
Published: November 2018

Abstract. We estimate the overall CO2, CH4, and CO
flux from the South Coast Air Basin using an inversion that couples Total
Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON) and Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2
(OCO-2) observations, with the Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated
Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model and the Open-source Data Inventory for
Anthropogenic CO2 (ODIAC). Using TCCON data we estimate the direct
net CO2 flux from the SoCAB to be
104 ± 26 Tg CO2 yr−1 for the study period of
July 2013–August 2016. We obtain a slightly higher estimate of
120 ± 30 Tg CO2 yr−1 using OCO-2 data. These
CO2 emission estimates are on the low end of previous work. Our net
CH4 (360 ± 90 Gg CH4 yr−1) flux estimate is
in agreement with central values from previous top-down studies going back to
2010 (342–440 Gg CH4 yr−1). CO emissions are estimated at
487 ± 122 Gg CO yr−1, much lower than previous top-down
estimates (1440 Gg CO yr−1). Given the decreasing emissions of CO,
this finding is not unexpected. We perform sensitivity tests to estimate how
much errors in the prior, errors in the covariance, different inversion
schemes, or a coarser dynamical model influence the emission estimates.
Overall, the uncertainty is estimated to be 25 %, with the largest
contribution from the dynamical model. Lessons learned here may help in
future inversions of satellite data over urban areas.
AN OPEN SOURCE WEB-GIS BASED PRECISE SATELLITE TRACKING AND VISUALISATION TOOL USING TWO LINE ELEMENT DATA
Authors: Maiti A. , Majumdar S. , Shukla S. , Koti S. R. , Gupta P. K.
Published: November 2018

Abstract. Accurate monitoring of satellites plays a pivotal role in analysing critical mission specific parameters for estimating orbital position uncertainties. An appropriate database management system (DBMS) at the software end, could prove its potential as a convenient solution over the existing file based two line element (TLE) data structure. The current web-based satellite tracking systems, such as n2yo, satview, and satflare, are unable to provide location-based satellite monitoring. Moreover, the users need to zoom into the displayed world map for obtaining information of the satellites that are currently over the respective area. Also, satellite searching is a cumbersome task in these web-based systems. In this research work, a systematic approach has been utilised to develop a generic open-source Web-GIS based tool for addressing the aforementioned issues. This tool incorporates a PostgreSQL database for storing the parsed TLE data which are freely available on the CelesTrak (NORAD) repository. Our choice of selecting PostgreSQL as a backend DB is primarily due to its open source and scalable properties compared to other resource intensive databases. Using suitable python libraries (e.g. Skyfield and Orbit-Predictor), the position and velocity at any point of time can be accurately estimated. For this purpose, the tool has been tested on several cities for displaying location-based satellite tracking that includes different types of space-objects.
HYDRODYNAMIC AND COHESIVE SEDIMENT TRANSPORT MODELING IN CHILIKA LAGOON
Authors: Pradhan S. , Samal R. N. , Choudhury S. B. , Mohanty P. K.
Published: November 2018

Abstract. Chilika lagoon, one of the largest brackish water lagoons in Asia located along the east coast of India. The rivers draining into the lagoon carry about 13 million tonnes of sediments annually. Because of the cohesiveness properties of the fine sediments, nutrients, heavy metals and other polluted substances tend to bind to the sediment’s surface. Consequently, pollutants can be concentrated in the inlets/estuaries, thus being of great environmental interest. In addition, the mudflats occurring are important biotopes for a large number of micro- and macro-faunal species and act as feeding places for a number of birds. To understand the cohesive sediment dynamics, a numerical model, MIKE 21 Mud Transport (MT) coupled with hydrodynamic (HD) was used. The model simulated the relative bed level height and suspended sediment concentrations. The sediment interchange and accumulation between each sectors and Bay of Bengal were evaluated. The suspended sediment concentration is high in the north-east portion of the lagoon while medium and low suspended loads are observed in the eastern and western portion of the lagoon. Bed thickness is very high in the north-western corner of the lagoon covered with Phragmites Karka which facilitate sediment trap. Total bed thickness change is very much pronounced in the northern sector which receives most of the sediments from the Mahanadi river systems as well along the periphery of the lagoon due to drainage. The eastern lagoon shows a net deposition accumulated fraction (5–15 kg/m2) and hence gives enough indication of the sedimentation processes in the lagoon. Further, the results also warrant immediate attention to check and monitor suspended sediment concentration to find out the net deposition trend in the lagoon environment in order to take decisions in minimizing the sediment load.
ODISHA SPATIAL DATA INFRASTRUCTURE (OSDI) – ITS DATA MODEL, META DATA AND SHARING POLICY
Authors: Parida P. K. , Tripathi S.
Published: November 2018

Abstract. Recognizing the potential utility and importance of a large quantity of spatial data generated using public funds by the Government Departments, organizations and institutions of the State for good governance and taking into consideration that most of such spatial data remains inaccessible to common citizen although most of such data may be unrestricted and not sensitive in nature and also most of such data generated at different State Government Departments do not have compatibility due to lack of common standards and non-interoperability and further taking note of that Government of India framed the “National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy (NDSAP)”, National Map Policy (2005) and “Remote Sensing Data Policy (RSDP- 2001 and 2011)” to spell out sharing principles of information generated using public funds, Government of Odisha has institutionalised “Odisha Spatial Data Infrastructure(OSDI)”, in the line of National Spatial Data Infrastructure(NSDI)”. The Government of Odisha gazetted “Odisha Spatial Data Policy (OSDP)” in 22nd August 2015, in the line of NDSAP, to institute a policy frame work to facilitate sharing of such Government owned data through OSDI, in open format, for supporting sustainable and inclusive governance and effective planning, implementation and monitoring of developmental programmes, managing and mitigating disasters and scientific research aiding informed decisions, for public good. The OSDI has already been operational and made live.This paper highlights the Data Model, Meta Data Standard and Sharing Policy adopted in OSDI, apart from other institutional / operational issues in smooth grounding and operationalisation of the OSDI in a State framework.
PSInSAR Study of Lyngenfjord Norway, using TerraSAR-X Data
Authors: Asopa U. , Kumar S. , Thakur P. K.
Published: November 2018

Abstract. In this research paper, focus is given on exploring the potential of Persistent Scatterer Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PSInSAR) technique for the measurement of landslide, which is the extension of existing DInSAR technique. In PSInSAR technique, the movement is measured by finding the phase shift in the scatterers present in the study area through the course of time. The backscattering of such a scatterer does not change during the study. By using this technique, 32 datasets acquired over a period of time i.e. from 2009 to 2011 over the area of Troms County of Lyngen Fjord, Norway are analysed. The dataset utilised are acquired with TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X pair, in Stripmap mode of acquisition. Coregistration of dataset with subpixel accuracy is done with master images is done to align all the dataset correctly. APS estimation is done in order to remove the phase decorrelation caused by the atmosphere, movement, etc. using algorithms for phase unwrapping which allowed the processing of sparse data and the effect of atmosphere is reduced by doing analysis on temporal basis of the phase shift in interferograms of successive datasets. By this study it has been tried to show the estimation of shift can be done by the temporal analysis of the data acquired by TerraSAR-X. The velocity output is displayed in a map reflecting the velocity of movement. Apart from this, the data properties such as baseline distribution both temporal and spatial are displayed in a chart. Other outputs obtained are the atmospheric Phase Screen, sparse point distribution, reflectivity map of the study area etc. are displayed using a map of terrain. The output velocity obtained of the terrain movement is found to be in the range of −40 mm/yr to −70 mm/yr.
A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF CONVENTIONAL HADOOP WITH PROPOSED CLOUD ENABLED HADOOP FRAMEWORK FOR SPATIAL BIG DATA PROCESSING
Authors: Tripathi A. K. , Agrawal S. , Gupta R. D.
Published: November 2018

Abstract. The emergence of new tools and technologies to gather the information generate the problem of processing spatial big data. The solution of this problem requires new research, techniques, innovation and development. Spatial big data is categorized by the five V’s: volume, velocity, veracity, variety and value. Hadoop is a most widely used framework which address these problems. But it requires high performance computing resources to store and process such huge data. The emergence of cloud computing has provided, on demand, elastic, scalable and payment based computing resources to users to develop their own computing environment. The main objective of this paper is to develop a cloud enabled hadoop framework which combines cloud technology and high computing resources with the conventional hadoop framework to support the spatial big data solutions. The paper also compares the conventional hadoop framework and proposed cloud enabled hadoop framework. It is observed that the propose cloud enabled hadoop framework is much efficient to spatial big data processing than the current available solutions.
A METHOD FOR BUILT-UP AREA EXTRACTION USING DUAL POLARIMETRIC ALOS PALSAR
Authors: Sinha S. , Santra A. , Mitra S. S.
Published: November 2018

Abstract. Mapping of the built-up area is a task of exigency as the area supports varieties of anthropogenic activities and is important for several ecosystem services. The task becomes more complicated owing to similarities in spectral characteristics with the bare soil. A new radar-based approach is proposed using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) HH/HV dual polarized L-band ALOS PALSAR data. Sigma nought (σ0) values are extracted from the HH and HV polarized data. HH and HV sigma nought images are ratioed and normalized and then equated together in a unique combination to generate an index that is developed, cross-checked and validated over multiple regions, with simultaneous inputs from Ground truth (GT) data. Maps developed using the index is classified into built-up and non built-up areas, where the results show that the proposed method is very effective for built-up area detection. The approach adopted in this study is acceptable due to its high accuracy, simplicity and reliability; and hence easy to replicate.
REMOTE SENSING FOR AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT (RS4AWM) EDUCATIONAL COURSE WITHIN POST-GRADUATE PROGRAM FOR WATER PROFESSIONALS
Authors: Karimi P. , Pareeth S. , Fraiture C. D.
Published: November 2018

Abstract. Geospatial technology has become a core subject in many of the graduate and post-graduate educational curriculum. Last two decades saw substantial development in the field of geospatial science including earth observation and remote sensing and these technologies are widely being used in applications related to land and water resources monitoring, agricultural water management, hydrology, climate science, ecology, environmental science, civil and planning etc. Among these geospatial technologies for agricultural water management is extremely valuable because food and water security are among the biggest challenges that many countries are facing. This is widely recognized in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 and 6. Reliable information at local and regional scales are the building block for identifying effective and sustainable coping strategies. In this context, developing the capacity of the local experts in using these technologies to support informed decision making is important. RS4AWM course aims at contributing toward this goal by training future generation of water and agriculture professional who will be equipped to use geospatial tools and data in addressing future food and water challenges at different scales. In this manuscript, we explain the evolution and structure of this course and how it is designed to cater the water professionals globally.
Determinants and Attitudes of Women on Empowerment through MFIs
Authors: Josephat Peter Kirigiti , Fulment Arnold Kabyemela , Matunga Benta
Published: November 2018

Empowerment is a process, and it does not occur automatically. This has necessitated several studies to have different findings about the evidence for women empowerment. This is because empowerment is a continuous and constantly evolving process. This necessitates investigation of the factors which determine women empowerment in specific areas. This paper examined social factors which determine women empowerment in Kondoa District. Moreover, it establishes the level of attitude towards women empowerment. To determine factors and attitudes towards women empowerment, a survey was done at the household level for both women who are members and those who are not members of Microfinance Institutions in Kondoa District. A purposeful method was used to obtain a sample of 415 women involved in this study whereby 214 were members and 201 were nonmembers of financial institutions. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were utilized to collect and analyse data. Eight factors were analyzed to establish their association with women empowerment. Out of the eight factors, only five factors which include marital status [OR = 1.207], level of education [1.122], number of years lived in the area (residence) [1.018], microfinance membership [2.462] and residence area (urban) [1.008] were positively associated with women empowerment. The women’s attitude towards their empowerment is positive contrary to most men. The study recommends women to work hard with financial support received as they are key players for their success.
Summary of the Research on the Development Model of Military-Civil Integration Based on Industry-University-Research Integration
Authors: Guo Hongfei , Xu Chunyu , Lin Zhixuan , Liang Yuqiao , Zhang Ru , He Zhihui , Lun Yitao , Chen Qiufan , Huang Guoquan
Published: November 2018

As a hot topic in the current academic and national application research, the cooperation of Industry- University-Research and Military-Civilian Integration play an extremely important role in the policy of wealth the country and strengthening the military. This paper summarizes the development history of Military-Civilian Integration based on “Industry-University-Research”, Military-Civilian Integration and “Industry-University-Research”, and sums up the research status of the Military-Civilian Integration development model based on “Industry-University-Research” in the academic world. Basing on it, this paper carries out literature review to provide further guidance for the in-depth study of Military-Civilian Integration of “Industry-University-Research”.
An Enhanced Approach for Automation the Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency Anemia Based on Quantitative Analysis of Red Blood Cells in Intestine Villi Tissue
Authors: Al-Sayyed Manar Rizik , Hamad Faten , Al-Sayyed Rizik , Fakhouri Hussam N.
Published: November 2018

Recent years have witnessed a huge revolution in developing automated diagnosis for different diseases such as cancer using medical image processing. Many researchers have been conducted in this field. Analyzing medical microscopic images provide pathology medical track with large information about the status of the patients and the progress of the diseases and help in detecting any pathological changes in tissues. Automation of the diagnosis of these images will lead to a better, faster and enhanced diagnosis for different hematological and histological images. This paper proposes an automated approach for analyzing blood smear microscopic images to help in diagnosing anemia using quantitative analysis of red blood cells in intestine villi tissue. The diagnoses depends on counting the number of blue and red stained blood cells that contain iron in each villi separately, then, it calculates the percentage of blue cells and red cells in the experimented image. The experimental results have shown that using digital image processing techniques through processing the image into different stages as including noise removal, image sharpening, enhancing contrast, find region of interest, isolating color, removing edges, and counting cells leads to a successful outcome and the diagnose of anemia.
Plain Language
Authors: Lam Kally K.L.
Published: November 2018

Plain Language: A Promising Tool for Quality Legislation

The hypothesis of this article is that plain language drafting with innovative drafting techniques can improve the quality of legislation. Further to this, the article tries to prove that quality legislation can also make the law more accessible to its general audience. With regard to quality, the article assesses plain language drafting with innovative drafting techniques using Helen Xanthaki’s criteria of quality in legislation, i.e. that it should be clear, precise and unambiguous. With regard to accessibility, it is defined broadly as to include readability. I will first assess whether plain language drafting with innovative drafting techniques can meet the expectations of its general audience and second discuss whether legislation drafted in plain language with innovative techniques passes the usability tests.
Calidad de vida y acceso inequitativo al espacio público en Bogotá
Authors: Mayorga Henao José Mario , García García Diva M.
Published: November 2018

La inequidad en la distribución de los espacios públicos tiene repercusiones sobre las posibilidades de integración de los grupos sociales coexistentes en el territorio. A partir de esta idea, el artículo explora la relación entre la distribución territorial de la población según su estatus socioeconómico y la accesibilidad al espacio público en Bogotá. Para ello, anteriormente se construyó un indicador de calidad de vida en la escala micro y un indicador de accesibilidad de espacio público que produjo como resultado la cantidad de metros cuadrados a los que accedería una persona desde su vivienda en un recorrido peatonal corto. Se realizó una regresión geográficamente ponderada entre los dos indicadores y se obtuvo como resultado una fuerte relación entre las altas condiciones de vida y la mayor accesibilidad al espacio público, lo cual puso de manifiesto condiciones estructurales de segregación social.
Hospice – A “haven” for terminally ill children. Model premises and practice in Poland and Ukraine .
Authors: Drozd Iryna
Published: November 2018

A children’s hospice is regarded not only as a specific place but as a multi-faceted program of care for terminally ill children and their families. Hospices take care of people in need, taking into consideration their physical, emotional, social, and also spiritual needs. Hospice workers deal with treating the painful symptoms of the disease, bringing relief and respite to families as well as support during both the time of dying and the period of mourning. The main aim of these institutions is to improve the quality of the last days of patients’ lives by providing not only professional and attentive medical care but also psychological, pastoral, spiritual, and social support. The article presents the premises of hospice work and compares the situation in this respect in Poland and Ukraine.
Development opportunities for adolescents growing up in migratory families in the context of hope of success
Authors: Doiczman-Łoboda Natasza
Published: November 2018

The article addresses the problem of hope for success among adolescents growing up in migrant families. This issue is related to the problems of social work, family sociology, and psychology of human development. The knowledge of development opportunities for young people from migrant families may be of particular cognitive value for social workers who face the protective potential of the migrant family in practice. Parents’ departure leads to children becoming independent rapidly, and to family influence on the individual’s life becoming shorter. Many researchers deal with the problem of the negative consequences of migration separation for child development. Few works show the development opportunities and potential of people growing up in families that are spatially separated due to migration. The article describes a fragment of youth’s functioning who had to undertake new duties because of their parents’ departure, such as: taking over the care of their siblings, running their household, and looking after their grandparents with whom they live in the absence of their parents. To determine the level of hope for success among those young people, the Hope for Success Questionnaire by Mariola Łaguna, Jerzy Trzebiński, and Mariusz Zięba was used. The study covered 87 teenagers attending upper-secondary schools in Kujawy-Pomerania Province. The control group consisted of young people whose parents did not migrate abroad for economic reasons, while the criterion group consisted of adolescents growing up in disconnected families.
Social workers’ activities include providing help to families. The knowledge of the specific functioning of migration families can help to better support such families. The article aims to discuss the issue of adolescents growing up in migrant families who, because of their parents’ economic migration, must face new responsibilities, often typical of an adult and inadequate for their developmental level.
Asymetryczność relacji „Ja – Inny”, jako radykalna strategia polityczna i edukacyjna
Authors: Rejman Konrad
Published: November 2018

This article presents reflections on the category of asymmetry, which has its origins in the philosophy of Emanuel Levinas. Asymmetry, however, turns out to be not only a theoretical philosophical issue, but is radically manifest in education and politics. In the public sphere, it is related to the category of the enemy – politically useful – against which anger and hatred are measured. In education, and more specifically in the education system, asymmetry occurs in the form of discrimination that students and teachers experience. Both of its forms lead to the depreciation of an enemy / Other. This depreciation can lead directly to the disintegration of life into worthy and unworthy of surviving, which is a challenge for politics, education and ethics.
Kształcenie w perspektywie filozofii obcości Bernharda Waldenfelsa
Authors: Sochaczewska Antonia
Published: November 2018

The paper considers the question of relationship between Bernhard Waldenfels’s phenomenology
of the alien and education. In the first part it presents the character of the experience of
the alien developed by the German thinker, underlining its double structure – the stage of shock
and surprise with the alien and the moment of response to its “demand”, which philosopher
relates to a certain sort of ethics. In the second part, the article establishes the relationship
between the Waldenfels’s experience of the alien and a transformative mode of learning
understood as the one that makes a place for categories of unexpected and desired in education,
allows for subjectivity formation and strengthens critical thinking. The last part of the text
addresses a question of the place of transformative Bildung based on Waldenfels’s phenomenological
analysis of the alien in the contemporary neoliberal landscape with its shift towards
functional, instrumentalist and consumer-based modes of teaching.
Społeczne reprezentacje współpracy, zaufania i sprawiedliwości w edukacji szkolnej
Authors: Krasuska-Betiuk Marta
Published: November 2018

The purpose of the text is to present ways of perceiving values relevant for interpersonal relationships taking place in the school space. The main thesis is the inconsistency of systems of representations of ideas, values, beliefs shared by school community actors. The paradigm that guided the problem in question is derived from the constructivist trend of social psychology, called the theory of social representation (SRT), in the version formulated by Serge Moscovici. The first part of the paper presents the theoretical assumptions of the value proposition in school education and the methods of their investigation, then the author collates the scientific content of social concepts and the ways of their social perception. The subjects of social representation have been the relationships between teachers and parents and representations of the category of trust and justice in education. Theoretical considerations were supported by empirical examples from selected national and international studies.
Slang młodzieżowy jako element budowania wspólnoty w komunikacji szkolnej
Authors: Dąbrowska Anna
Published: November 2018

Youth slang as a sociolect serves to integrate and distinguish a particular group and to identify
its members. As a rule, it is used as a community-building tool by those who aspire or actually
belong to a group. In the article, the author attempts to answer the following questions: Who
uses youth slang and in what communicative situations it is used at school? What is the context
for using slang expressions? In what functions are they used? How are they received? Answers
to these detailed questions will provide the basis for answering the main one: What is the
significance of youth slang used in school communication for building a community? On
the basis of studies carried out among school students, it may be concluded that the correct
use of youth slang is closely related to the communicative situation. Deliberate and relevant use
of the sociolect may become one of the elements of building a social community at school.
O informacji zwrotnej i jej relacjach z uczeniem się. Ku dydaktycznej refleksji nad perspektywą zmiany w kształceniu akademickim w Polsce
Authors: Szyling Grażyna
Published: November 2018

In the considerations undertaken in the text I focus on the popular model of feedback, which is assigned the power of transforming teaching into effective learning. I assume that feedback – similarly to each didactic activity or means – is a social and cultural construct, and this is why in the analyses I refer to the multiplicity of theoretical educational concepts and the practical dimension and social context of tertiary education. This embeds the approach taken in the interpretative reasoning on didactics and the critical view on the considerations implemented. Results from the analyses problematise many didactic issues related to feedback, particularly the fact that they reflect its complex relationships with the establishment of educational objectives and limitations in it being associated with the creation of students’ cognitive autonomy. I do not determine the direction of changes that might occur in the Polish tertiary education, yet I draw attention to it being strongly rooted in normative didactics, solidified by adopted system solutions.
Gastrointestinal Presentations of Common Variable Immunodeficiency: Hiding in Plain Sight
Authors: Odetola Oluwatobi , Ananthanarayanan Vijayalakshmi
Published: November 2018

Primary immunodeficiency disorders typically have an onset in childhood. The suspicion for these conditions usually arises from a history of recurrent respiratory, gastrointestinal, or cutaneous infections with a history often dating back to infancy or early childhood. However, adults can also be affected. Common variable immunodeficiency, which usually has an onset/diagnosis in adulthood, is the most common symptomatic primary immunodeficiency. However, as its presentation could be manifold, its diagnosis is often delayed. The gastrointestinal tract is the second most affected system after the respiratory tract; symptoms associated with the gastrointestinal tract are often intractable. As patients with common variable immunodeficiency are often misdiagnosed, a high index of suspicion and clinical correlation is required for the appropriate diagnosis of this potentially debilitating condition.
Soil moisture dynamics under two rainfall frequency treatments drive early spring CO2gas exchange of lichen-dominated biocrusts in central Spain
Authors: Baldauf Selina , Ladrón de Guevara Mónica , Maestre Fernando T. , Tietjen Britta
Published: November 2018

Background

Biocrusts, communities dominated by mosses, lichens, cyanobacteria, and other microorganisms, largely affect the carbon cycle of drylands. As poikilohydric organisms, their activity time is often limited to short hydration events. The photosynthetic and respiratory response of biocrusts to hydration events is not only determined by the overall amount of available water, but also by the frequency and size of individual rainfall pulses.

Methods

We experimentally assessed the carbon exchange of a biocrust community dominated by the lichenDiploschistes diacapsisin central Spain. We compared the effect of two simulated precipitation patterns providing the same overall amount of water, but with different pulse sizes and frequency (high frequency: five mm/day vs. low frequency: 15 mm/3 days), on net/gross photosynthesis and dark respiration.

Results

Radiation and soil temperature, together with the watering treatment, affected the rates of net and gross photosynthesis, as well as dark respiration. On average, the low frequency treatment showed a 46% ± 3% (mean ± 1 SE) lower rate of net photosynthesis, a 13% ± 7% lower rate of dark respiration, and a 24% ± 8% lower rate of gross photosynthesis. However, on the days when samples of both treatments were watered, no differences between their carbon fluxes were observed. The carbon flux response ofD. diacapsiswas modulated by the environmental conditions and was particularly dependent on the antecedent soil moisture.

Discussion

In line with other studies, we found a synergetic effect of individual pulse size, frequency, environmental conditions, and antecedent moisture on the carbon exchange fluxes of biocrusts. However, most studies on this subject were conducted in summer and they obtained results different from ours, so we conclude that there is a need for long-term experiments of manipulated precipitation impacts on the carbon exchange of biocrusts. This will enable a more complete assessment of the impacts of climate change-induced alterations in precipitation patterns on biocrust communities.
SIRT5‐mediated deacetylation of LDHB promotes autophagy and tumorigenesis in colorectal cancer
Authors: Shi Liang , Yan Hui , An Shuxian , Shen Mengqin , Jia Wenzhi , Zhang Ruixue , Zhao Li , Huang Gang , Liu Jianjun
Published: November 2018

Lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB) is a glycolytic enzyme that catalyses the conversion of lactate and NAD+ to pyruvate, NADH and H+. Protons (H+) generated by LDHB promote lysosomal acidification and autophagy in cancer, but how this role is regulated has not been defined. In this study, we identified an important post‐translational mechanism by which LDHB is regulated during autophagy in cancer cells. Mass spectrometry revealed that protein sirtuin 5 (SIRT5) is a binding partner of LDHB that deacetylated LDHB at lysine‐329, thereby promoting its enzymatic activity. Deacetylated LDHB increased autophagy and accelerated the growth of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. Notably, SIRT5 knockout or inhibition by GW5074 increased LDHB acetylation at K329 and inhibited LDHB activity, which downregulated autophagy and CRC cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Clinically, the LDHB‐Ac‐K329 staining score in CRC tissues was lower than that in corresponding peritumour tissues. Low LDHB‐Ac‐K329 status was associated with malignant progression of human CRC and served as a potential prognostic indicator for patients with CRC. Altogether, we conclude that SIRT5‐induced deacetylation of LDHB triggers hyperactivation of autophagy, a key event in tumorigenesis. Thus, the SIRT5/LDHB pathway may represent a novel target for treating CRC.
Albinism: Genetics
Authors: Oetting William S , Adams David
Published: November 2018

Albinism is a reduction of pigment production in the skin, hair and eyes, plus a variable but characteristic change in eye development. Pigmentation research has shown that albinism is a complex genetic disorder, involving many genes with an array of functions, producing a wide phenotypic spectrum amongst affected individuals. There are currently 24 genetic disorders that have albinism included with the phenotype, including as many as 7 nonsyndromic forms of oculocutaneous albinism (reduced pigment affects skin, hair and eyes), 1 nonsyndromic form of ocular albinism (reduced pigment affects eyes only) and 16 syndromic disorders. The gene functions of the nonsyndromic forms are thought to be involved in melanin biosynthesis and many of the genes associated with the syndromic forms are involved in protein trafficking and vesicular function. Common genetic variants within some of these genes are also associated with normal variation in eye, hair and skin colouration.

Key Concepts

All animals make melanin as the chief form of colouration.

Melanin is made in specific cells called melanocytes.

Albinism is caused by a reduction or absence of melanin biosynthesis resulting in several clinical features.

There are many different types of albinism.

There are several genes associated with albinism.

The molecular pathology of albinism is complex and involves different pathways and different types of mutations.

Variation in skin pigmentation involves common polymorphisms in some albinism related genes.

Albinism can affect interactions between individuals and society.
The Rust Fungi
Authors: Kolmer James A , Ordoñez Maria E , Groth James V
Published: November 2018

The rust fungi are a monophyletic group of approximately 7000 species in the Basidiomycota and are highly specialised obligate parasites of plants. The life cycle of rusts can be complex. Some rusts have up to five spore stages that alternate between haploid and dikaryotic nuclear conditions and that can occur on two taxonomically unrelated host plants. The rusts have evolved specialised structures that allow them to penetrate and obtain nutrients from living host cells. Biologic forms of a single rust species may differ in ability to attack different genera of host plants. Furthermore, within a single rust species they can be highly variable in ability to attack different genotypes of one host species. At the species level, genes that condition avirulence/virulence in rusts interact in a specific relationship with rust resistance genes in plants. Many of the most important plant diseases in the world are caused by rust fungi.

Key Concepts

The rust fungi are a monophyletic group of approximately 7000 species within the Basidiomycota, the group of fungi that includes mushrooms and shelf fungi.

Rust fungi have complex life cycles with up to five spore stages that alternate between haploid and dikaryotic nuclear condition on two unrelated host plants.

The rust fungi are obligate parasites of plants and have evolved specialised structures to infect and obtain nutrients from plants.

Rusts have a highly specific host range. Genes in rust that express avirulence or virulence interact with rust resistance genes in host plants to condition a compatible or incompatible interaction. Some rust species are highly variable for biologic forms that vary in their ability to attack host genotypes with different rust resistance genes.

Many of the most important plant diseases worldwide are caused by rust fungi.
Interleukin‐4
Authors: Yang Wei‐Cheng , Hwang Yih‐Shiou , Shen Chia‐Rui
Published: November 2018

IL‐4 is a pleiotropic cytokine and has broad effects on a variety of cells, tissues, organs and their biological activities. It is also a well‐known ‘regulatory’ cytokine to the immune system produced mainly by activated Th2 cells and some other cells. Despite its influences on different organs and metabolic activities, IL‐4 possesses important roles in the immune system and immune responses. Understanding of these specific features of IL‐4 will help the design and development of potential therapeutic strategies against many diseases, including allergy, autoimmune and infectious diseases.

Key Concepts

Interleukin‐4 is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in a variety of bio‐physiological activities.

Interleukin‐4 is considered as a regulatory cytokine and contributes to the treatment of autoimmune diseases by shifting the Th1/Th2 paradigm as well as inducing other modulatory mechanisms.

The time and the amount, as well as the producers and responders of interleukine‐4, determine its effects on the immune reactions.

An excessive amount of interleukin‐4 deteriorates Treg‐mediated immune suppression through the enhancement of responder T‐cell survival.

The presence of interleukin‐4 at a physiological relevant concentration is beneficial to the suppressive immune responses elicited by regulatory T‐cells.
Circadian Regulation of Plant Growth
Authors: Henriques Rossana , Papdi Csaba , Ahmad Zaki , Bögre László
Published: November 2018

Circadian clocks generate 24 h biological rhythms that provide an adaptive advantage to organisms from all kingdoms. A simplified clock model comprises three main components: an input (e.g. light and temperature) that resets the oscillation daily; a central oscillator where several loops are connected by the intertwining of chromatin remodelling, transcriptional, and post‐translational mechanisms; and outputs including oscillating transcripts and/or proteins able to translate waving patterns into specific biological processes. Therefore, the clock maintains an anticipation mechanism controlling different aspects of the plant life cycle. From hypocotyl elongation (when seedlings grow through the soil reaching for light) to photosynthesis, stress responses and metabolism, the clock promotes plant fitness and an increase in biomass. Major developmental transitions are also under circadian regulation. Here, we will assess the impact of the circadian clock on plant growth (considering both elongation/expansion and biomass‐driven growth). We will address the regulation of cell growth and proliferation, starch metabolism, and protein translation, focusing especially in plants but providing some insights in other organisms. We expect that these findings will allow a broader understanding of the relevance of circadian‐regulated processes in providing organisms with the ability to adjust their growth and development to specific environmental conditions.
Fully‐Enclosed Metal Electrode‐Free Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Scavenging Vibrational Energy and Alternatively Powering Personal Electronics
Authors: Cao Shengli , Zhang Hulin , Cui Xiaojing , Yuan Zhongyun , Ding Jie , Sang Shengbo
Published: November 2018

Harvesting environmental energy is an effective and sustainable route for realizing self‐powered electronics. Here, a fully‐enclosed metal electrode‐free self‐adaptive triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) based on liquid–solid triboelectrification by using a PTFE cylinder partly full of water is reported by authors. The water‐based TENG delivers an open‐circuit voltage of 15 V and short‐circuit current of 0.3 μA, respectively, when being waggled airily. The output performances of the TENG under different liquid portions, water volumes, and shaking frequencies are investigated by coupling of simulations. With advantages of simplicity and adaptability, the TENG is worn on the human body readily. Under a casual walking and running, a water‐based TENG made of a mineral water bottle gets both output voltages of more than 5 V. Further, it is proved that our TENG serves as a sustainable power source to drive personal electronics by integrating with a capacitor. Given its desirable output performance and excellent adaptability, the water‐PTFE metal electrode‐free TENG provides a promising and feasible approach for harvesting diverse vibrational energies in a harsh environment and serve as an alternative power source for driving small electronics.
Polyelectrolyte Dielectrics for Flexible Low‐Voltage Organic Thin‐Film Transistors in Highly Sensitive Pressure Sensing
Authors: Liu Ziyang , Yin Zhigang , Wang Jianbin , Zheng Qingdong
Published: November 2018

Organic thin‐film transistors (OTFTs) can provide an effective platform to develop flexible pressure sensors in wearable electronics due to their good signal amplification function. However, it is particularly difficult to realize OTFT‐based pressure sensors with both low‐voltage operation and high sensitivity. Here, controllable polyelectrolyte composites based on poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) are developed as a type of high‐capacitance dielectrics for flexible OTFTs and ultrasensitive pressure sensors with sub‐1 V operation. Flexible OTFTs using the PAA:PEG dielectrics show good universality and greatly enhanced electrical performance under a much smaller operating voltage of −0.7 V than those with a pristine PAA dielectric. The low‐voltage OTFTs also exhibit excellent flexibility and bending stability under various bending radii and long cycles. Flexible OTFT‐based pressure sensors with low‐voltage operation and superhigh sensitivity are demonstrated by using a suspended semiconductor/dielectric/gate structure in combination with the PAA:PEG dielectric. The sensors deliver a record high sensitivity of 452.7 kPa−1 under a low‐voltage of −0.7 V, and excellent operating stability over 5000 cycles. The OTFT sensors can be built into a wearable sensor array for spatial pressure mapping, which shows a bright potential in flexible electronics such as wearable devices and smart skins.
Hybrid Titanium Oxide/Polymer Amphiphilic Nanomaterials with Controlled Size for Drug Encapsulation and Delivery
Authors: Kushnirov Melnitzer Vladislav , Sosnik Alejandro
Published: November 2018

This work describes for the first time the synthesis of hybrid drug‐loaded TiO2/polymer amphiphilic nanoparticles of finely controlled size utilizing a simple and reproducible sol–gel process that comprises the formation of a titanium(IV)/acetone oxo‐organo complex followed by its blending with an amphiphilic poly(ethylene oxide)‐b‐poly(propylene oxide) block copolymer in acetone and its aqueous‐phase nanoprecipitation. The size of the hybrid nanoparticles is governed by the complex aging, e.g., hybrid nanoparticles display diameter between 228 and 53 nm for aging of 1 and 36 days, respectively (dynamic light scattering). In addition, they show excellent physical stability in water owing to the coating of the surface with poly(ethylene oxide) blocks of the copolymer. Conversely, polymer‐free TiO2 particles are large and precipitate fast. Incorporation of a model hydrophobic drug, nitazoxanide, to the precursor solution results in hybrid nanoparticles containing 12.9% w/w cargo that is released following a bimodal profile. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (Titan Cubed Themis G2 300) analysis reveals the porous amorphous nanostructure of these novel hybrids and colocalization of drug and copolymer in the nanoparticle bulk. Finally, upon ultrasonication, our hybrid nanoparticles produce reactive oxygen species in vitro which paves the way for their use in sonodynamic and drug release therapies.
Design for Highly Piezoelectric and Visible/Near‐Infrared Photoresponsive Perovskite Oxides
Authors: Xiao Hongyuan , Dong Wen , Guo Yiping , Wang Yufeng , Zhong Haoyin , Li Qian , Yang Ming‐Min
Published: November 2018

Defect‐engineered perovskite oxides that exhibit ferroelectric and photovoltaic properties are promising multifunctional materials. Though introducing gap states by transition metal doping on the perovskite B‐site can obtain low bandgap (i.e., 1.1–3.8 eV), the electrically leaky perovskite oxides generally lose piezoelectricity mainly due to oxygen vacancies. Therefore, the development of highly piezoelectric ferroelectric semiconductor remains challenging. Here, inspired by point‐defect‐mediated large piezoelectricity in ferroelectrics especially at the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) region, an efficient strategy is proposed by judiciously introducing the gap states at the MPB where defect‐induced local polar heterogeneities are thermodynamically coupled with the host polarization to simultaneously achieve high piezoelectricity and low bandgap. A concrete example, Ni2+‐mediated (1–x)Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3‐xBa(Ti0.5Ni0.5)O3–δ (x = 0.02–0.08) composition is presented, which can show excellent piezoelectricity and unprecedented visible/near‐infrared light absorption with a lowest ever bandgap ≈0.9 eV at room temperature. In particular, the MPB composition x = 0.05 shows the best ferroelectricity/piezoelectricity (d33 = 151 pC N–1, Pr = 31.2 μC cm–2) and a largely enhanced photocurrent density approximately two orders of magnitude higher compared with classic ferroelectric (Pb,La)(Zr,Ti)O3. This research provides a new paradigm for designing highly piezoelectric and visible/near‐infrared photoresponsive perovskite oxides for solar energy conversion, near‐infrared detection, and other multifunctional applications.