bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing One Stop Centre in the Malaysian Planning System
Authors: Marzukhi Marlyana Azyyati , Omar Dasimah , Leh Oliver Ling Hoon , Nasrudin Na’asah , Jaafar Azfarnizam
Published: June 2019

Malaysia has been experiencing rapid development since its independence in 1957, which has transformed its economic base from agriculture to industry. Rapid urbanisation has itself led to the continued rise of economic growth and the need for obtaining permissions from the relevant authorities to ensure an effective and efficient planning system. This effort is evidenced by the improvement of mechanism delivery system of planning and building plan process, known as One Stop Centre (OSC). The Ministry of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government initiated OSC on the 13th April 2007 to improve the planning delivery system and procedures at all local planning authorities by coordinating and shortening the approval process. However, relatively little is known about the effectiveness of OSC and the understanding of its roles among the stakeholders in the local authority. Therefore, a questionnaires survey has been conducted to forty-seven (47) respondents and interviews with the public that involved in the process. The respondents have mostly felt that the ineffectiveness of the planning and building plan approval process was due to the incomplete documents submitted to the OSC, lack of knowledge among the Professional Submitting Person (PSP) and the incapability of staffs in handling development applications. Hence, the findings present a synthesis of results for town planners, architects, developers and government agencies to have a better understanding of OSC. Thus, the knowledge serves as a basis for future strategic planning decisions and guidance in the delivery system in Malaysia.
IAQ in Conference Room whit Surveys
Authors: Gładyszewska-Fiedoruk Katarzyna
Published: June 2019

The work presents three basic air pollutants in the room, degrading the indoor air quality. The only source of pollution in the analysed room are people. The research was carried out in a building located in north-eastern Poland, in a temperate climate, in an area where the outside air is very clean. That is why air exchange is often carried out by opening windows (natural ventilation). That was also the case during the described experiment. In the room during the experiment there were 55 people, all of them doing the same physical activity, sitting work. The temperature and relative humidity of the air, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the room and the sound level were analysed. During the experiment, questionnaire surveys were also conducted. Respondents answered the same set of questions at the beginning and at the end of the meeting. The IAQ was low during measurements. Carbon dioxide concentration ranged from 1700-2000 ppm. The temperature was too low (18-19oC). The smell for the respondents was not perceptible. The noise during measurements ranged within 50 dB. It was a parameter that aroused the greatest dissatisfaction among the surveyed. They didn’t pay attention to a low temperature.
Leaching Behavior of Cadmium through Compacted Granitic Residual Soil Using Column Infiltration Test
Authors: Zarime Nur ‘Aishah , Wan Yaacob Wan Zuhairi
Published: June 2019

This study investigates the physico-chemical properties of granitic residual soils and comparison between two sorption tests; batch and column infiltration tests in evaluating the mobility of Cadmium (Cd) using granitic residual soils. The granitic residual soil has undergone the physical tests (eg: particle size distribution, Atterberg Limits, specific gravity and compaction), chemical tests (eg: pH, organic matter, specific surface area (SSA) and cation exchange capacity (CEC)) and sorption tests. For Batch test, the effect of Cd concentration in single and mixture solutions were studied. The result showed the Kd value of single solution (Kd=0.0062 L/g) was higher compared to mix solution (Kd=0.0022 L/g). For column infiltration test, several factors were studied in this research such as different g-force, different types of solutions and different soil thickness. Results showed that both sorption tests have different effects on mobility of heavy metals through soils. The column infiltration test gave the exact Kd values compared to the batch test since the condition of columns method applied were similar to the natural soil conditions.
Steady flows and unsteady ones in pipes: models link and quasistationarity hypothesis
Authors: Tarasevich Vladimir V.
Published: June 2019

Models of unsteady flows and stationary ones in pipes and the requirements of their joining are considered. In this view, the problem of the description of a friction at a non-stationary flow is considered. So-called “quasi-stationarity hypothesis” is discussed. The formula for a friction coefficient generalized on a non-stationary case is offered. It is concluded that additional losses at the non-stationary mode are caused by energy consumptions for reorganization of speed chart.
Methods of redundant schemes and software for optimization of heat source structure
Authors: Edeleva Olga A. , Barakhtenko Evgeny A. , Sokolov Dmitry V.
Published: June 2019

The optimization of heat sources in populated areas is associated with the optimization of their structure. The optimization problem is of linear discrete nature and is hard to formalize [1]. The aim of the optimization is to identify the types, sites and mix of equipment of the heat sources. Moreover, this optimization problem is closely related to the scheme and parameter optimization since the equipment mix of heat sources and their connection to existing (newly constructed) consumers determine the heat network configuration. The emerging new trends in the technological development of heating systems require a significant correction of stating and solving typical technical and economic problems to design these systems, which, in turn, predetermines the transition to a new level of their methodological support [2]. The paper proposes a mathematical formulation of the problem of optimal development of heat sources and considers a methodological approach to solving it, including effective load distribution between heat sources, and calculation of the optimal heat network configuration, given the minimum environmental impact of heat sources.
Innovative transformations of a model for flow distribution in gas systems and their new properties
Authors: Ilkevich Nikolay I. , Dzyubina Tatyana.V. , Kalinina Zhanna.V.
Published: June 2019

The methods of network analysis are widely used in mathematical modelling of optimal gas flows to solve the problems of long-term planning and development of gas systems. However, the modern development of gas systems, their renovation and modernization require that the new trends in innovative transformation should be taken into account in the mathematical models for their research as well. This paper is focused on the proposals for considering the new properties of gas system in the mathematical flow distribution model as compared to the traditional formulation. Case study involves the calculation of gas flows for an aggregated unified gas supply system for the period up to 2030. This calculation allows for the edge coefficients and a gain in the transmission capacities of the edges.
Development of analysis methods for ensuring the reliability of gas distribution systems in the problems of complex energy supply
Authors: Ilkevich Nikolay I. , Dzyubina Tatyana.V. , Kalinina Zhanna.V.
Published: June 2019

The paper deals with the issues devoted to reliability studies of gas distribution systems for complex energy supply of large industrialized areas. Given is a brief review of the reliability assessment methods, existing models for reliability assessment of the main pipelines, and their implementation. Special attention is paid to such reliability-specific properties as failure-free operation and maintainability of the elements constituting the gas distribution systems (linear sections and booster stations). These properties depend on the failure and recovery rates. Consideration is given to potentials of studying the impact of failure and recovery rates on integral indicators of gas distribution systems reliability. For that purpose mathematical models are proposed to be used for gas distribution systems reliability assessment using the analytical method of a ‘loss multiplication’ scheme. Reliability assessment of a conventional gas distribution system was taken as an example.
Identification of gas pipelines hydraulic efficiency coefficients
Authors: Belevitin Andrey A. , Ryzhkova Victoria G.
Published: June 2019

This study investigates the identification of non-measureable parameters of the gas transmission system (gas pipelines hydraulic efficiency coefficients). The problem statement and solution procedure are presented. The original problem is divided into two interrelated components: the nonlinear optimization problem and the temperature calculation. The nonlinear optimization problem is solved using the Successive Linear Programming (SLP) method. The problems of insufficiency of measurements and multiplicity of solutions are described, and appropriate approaches are proposed (introduction of additional subcriteria and uniting gas pipelines into groups). Identification of gas pipelines hydraulic efficiency coefficients for gas transmission systems of various complexity has been performed using the given algorithm.
Optimization of hydraulic modes of single-source tree-like heat networks
Authors: Lutsenko Alexander V. , Novitsky Nikolay N.
Published: June 2019

The article deals with the problem of optimizing the hydraulic modes of radial heat supply systems with a single heat source and pumping stations. The features of the problem under consideration are the presence of several target functions and a fixed flow distribution. The topology of the networks under consideration allows using the equivalent branching methods of branches connected in parallel and in series to reduce the design schemes to single equivalent branches. To solve this problem, the original method proposed by the authors earlier is adapted. The proposed method was tested on an aggregated scheme of a real heat supply system. Computational experiments have shown the performance and computational efficiency compared with the methods proposed earlier.
Development of operating conditions of district heating systems with quality regulation
Authors: Tokarev Vyacheslav V. , Shalaginova Zoya I.
Published: June 2019

District heating systems (DHS) have developed as large-scale and very complex engineering structures. In different countries of the world, are used various strategies of their regulation: by quality, by quantity, by combining of quality and quantity. The purpose of the operating conditions development is to find such conditions under which the supply of consumers with the required amount of heat by given quality while observing all the technical and technological requirements. The task of calculating the DHS conditions is to find the distribution of flows, pressures and temperatures across all elements of the design scheme for a given topology, hydraulic and thermal characteristics of its elements and boundary conditions. There are two types of calculation of DHS conditions: adjustment and verification. In article presented DHS operating regime development technology. The “Angara-HN” software can perform the whole complex of calculations.
Occurrence and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in slaughtered domestic rabbits in central China
Authors: Qian Weifeng , Yan Wenchao , Lv Chaochao , Bai Rongzhen , Wang Tianqi
Published: June 2019

Currently, information on the occurrence and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in tissues of rabbits in China is lacking. In this study, brain and heart samples from 470 slaughtered domestic rabbits were collected in Henan Province, Central China. The occurrence rate of T. gondii and N. caninum DNA detected by nested PCR was 2.8% and 2.1%, respectively. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the frequency of the two parasite infections in relation to sex, breed, and region. Three out of 13 T. gondii-positive samples were completely or partially genotyped at 11 genetic markers using PCR-RFLP, and one was identified as ToxoDB genotype #9. For N. caninum, three different sequences at the ITS1 region and two genotypes at the MS5 microsatellite locus were identified. To our knowledge, this is the first genetic characterization of N. caninum isolates from rabbits.
Überarbeitung der S2k-Leitlinie „Bakterielle Infektionen des Neugeborenen“ (AWMF-Register-Nr. 024–008) – aus dem Nähkästchen geplaudert
Authors: Zemlin Michael
Published: June 2019

Ganze 12 Jahre hat es gedauert, bis die AWMF-Leitlinie 024–008 in der Neufassung erschienen ist 1. In dieser Zeit sind laut PubMed 6219 Publikationen zu den Suchworten „neonate AND sepsis“ erschienen. Da wirkt es fast sparsam, dass der Umfang der Leitlinie „nur“ von 7 auf 28 Seiten zugenommen hat. Allerdings führt der Fortschritt der Wissenschaften auch oft dazu, dass vermeintliche sichere Erkenntnisse widerlegt werden. Was früher noch als Behandlungsfehler angesehen wurde und zu emotionalen Erlebnissen bei der (Chef-)Visite führen konnte, ist möglicher Weise heute überholt.
Surgical Studies of Reconstructive Breast Surgery – An Overview of the Topics at the 2019 Annual Meeting of the Working Group for Reconstructive Surgery in Oncology-Gynecology
Authors: Paepke Stefan , Kiechle Marion , Ankel Christine , Weyrich Joy , Klein Evelyn , Schneider Anna , Johannigmann-Malek Navid , Dietrich Anna-Sophia , Ohlinger Ralf , Thill Marc
Published: June 2019

This yearʼs annual AWOgyn meeting focused on studies of reconstructive breast surgery. As the majority of breast reconstructions are implant-based, most studies also focused on implant-based reconstruction. Since 2011, the guidelines have recommended using interposed mesh materials as support. The basic idea behind every type of material is to provide coverage and stabilization for the implant by constructing an “internal bra” which will create the appropriate implant shape and maintain the position, stability and flexibility of the implant. The Working Group for Reconstructive Surgery in Oncology-Gynecology (AWOgyn) has undertaken to analyze different materials with regard to indications, success rates and side effects as documented in registers, clinical assessments and study protocols. This has increased application safety and is expected to improve it even further in future. Prospective studies are being carried out to investigate issues such as the optimal material, optimal implant site and best cosmetic results. The first results for porcine and human acellular matrices and for partially resorbable titanium-coated synthetic polypropylene meshes are now available. In 2019, the AWOgyn working group will be launching further studies to evaluate a perforated acellular dermal matrix (Fortiva®), a titanium-coated implant pocket (TiLOOP® Bra Pocket) and a fully resorbable synthetic mesh (TIGR®mesh).
Psychosoziale Arbeitsbelastungen als Gesundheitsrisiken?
Authors: Siegrist Prof. Dr. Johannes
Published: June 2019

Zum Einfluss gesundheitsgefährdender Einflüsse der modernen Arbeitswelt auf das Risiko, stressassoziierte Erkrankungen zu erleiden, liegen heute umfangreiche neue Erkenntnisse aus internationalen Studien vor. Der Artikel gibt einen kurzen Überblick über wesentliche Befunde und diskutiert praktische Folgerungen aus vorliegender Evidenz für gezielte Bemühungen um die Sicherung und Weiterentwicklung gesundheitsförderlicher Arbeit und Beschäftigung.
Articulated Joint Distraction in a Cadaveric Model of the Canine Elbow
Authors: Garofolo Stephen Q. , Conzemius Michael G.
Published: June 2019

Objective The aim of this study was to determine if articulated joint distraction in the canine elbow can effectively maintain a distraction gap between the articular surfaces of the canine elbow under a weight-bearing load.

Study Design An articulated external skeletal fixator with turnbuckles was applied to seven canine cadaveric elbow specimens. Specimens were potted and mechanically tested at 135° of flexion, while joint contact pressure was recorded at three locations within the elbow. Joint distraction was sequentially increased, and loads of 5 N, 90 N and 180 N were incrementally applied. This process was repeated until no pressure was recorded at each of the three locations within the elbow under 180 N of applied load.

Results To achieve 0 N of joint contact force with 180 N of axial load, the average amount of distraction needed was 2.3 ± 0.71 mm (range, 1.8–3.6 mm) at the distal turnbuckles and 1.67 ± 1.10 mm (range, 1.8–2.7 mm) at the proximal turnbuckles.

Conclusion Results suggest that joint distraction can effectively decrease articular pressure within the canine elbow joint. A maximum of 3.6 mm of distraction between the fixator turnbuckles was necessary to eliminate joint contact for the construct tested. Clinical investigation is necessary to establish if articulated elbow joint distraction is a safe and effective for the treatment of canine elbow osteoarthritis.
Aberration-insensitive microscopy using optical field-correlation imaging
Authors: Ilina E. , Nyman M. , Švagždytė I. , Chekurov N. , Kaivola M. , Setälä T. , Shevchenko A.
Published: June 2019

The possibility to reduce the effect of optical aberrations has been proposed in several publications on classical ghost imaging. The two-armed ghost-imaging systems make use of spatially incoherent illumination and point-by-point scanned intensity-correlation measurements in the arms. In this work, we introduce a novel ghostlike imaging method that uses a Mach-Zehnder interferometer and is based on optical-field interference instead of intensity correlations. The method allows us to obtain sharp images of microscopic objects even in the presence of severe aberrations that completely destroy the intensity-based image. Furthermore, pure phase objects can be imaged with micrometer-scale resolution in the presence of strong aberrations, which has not been demonstrated previously with a correlation-based imaging technique. In the setup, we use a light-emitting diode source and an ordinary camera as the only light detector. The imaging approach that we put forward in this work may find significant applications in advanced optical microscopy, optical coherence tomography, and a variety of interferometric sensors and detectors.
Influence of nozzle-fluid velocity on morphology and wear resistance of jet flow electrodeposited Ni-doped SiC composites
Authors: Xia Fafeng , Zhao Xudong , Jiang Minzheng , Ma Chunyang
Published: June 2019

In this account, Ni-doped SiC composites were deposited through jet flow electrodeposition technique, in which nozzle-fluid velocity of the plating solution was simulated by ANSYS software. The influence of nozzle-fluid velocity on morphologies and wear-resistance properties of Ni-doped SiC composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), triboindentry, and wear testing. The nozzle-fluid velocity was found to greatly affect the surface morphologies and microstructures of Ni-doped SiC composites. At nozzle-fluid velocity of 3 m/s, Ni-doped SiC composites with smooth and fine morphologies were detected in the micro-regions, with average nickel grains size estimated to 44.5 nm. The nanohardness of Ni-doped SiC composites reached maximum at 3 m/s with average nanohardness estimated to ∼33.8 GPa. In addition, Ni-doped SiC composites deposited at 3 m/s possessed low weight losses (∼34.2 mg) and outstanding wear resistances. On the other hand, only slight scratches occurred on their surfaces, demonstrating excellent wear resistances.
Expanded normal weight obesity and blood pressure in Chinese adults: a community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: He Huijing , Pan Li , Liu Feng , Ma Jingang , Hu Zhiping , Wang Li , Li Yajun , Shan Guangliang
Published: June 2019

The study aimed to explore the independent association between expanded normal weight obesity categories and blood pressure among adults aged 20–80 years in China. By cross-sectional design, a total of 4279 adults living in Shaanxi Province, China, were selected from communities via multi-stage stratified cluster sampling in 2014. Information on anthropometric, body composition and blood pressure was collected and analysed. Expanded normal weight obesity (ENWO) categories were used to identify the level of bodyweight based on the combination of body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (BFP) categories. The age- and sex-standardised prevalence of hypertension increased within ENWO groups, from 10.12% in the underweight-low body fat group to 45.92% in the obesity-high body fat group. In under or normal weight participants, body fat percentage was found independently associated with hypertension in men, with an adjusted odds ratio of 3.69 in the fourth quartile of BFP compared with the first one. However, this effect was not observed in women. BFP was independently associated with increased risk of hypertension, especially in men. People with normal BMI should be re-identified as a high-risk population based on BFP level when it comes to hypertension prevention in primary healthcare settings.
The unexpected, recent history of horsetails in Australia
Authors: Rozefelds Andrew C. , Dettmann Mary E. , Milroy Anita K. , Hammond Andrew , Clifford H. Trevor , Ekins Merrick
Published: June 2019

A new fossil flora from central Queensland, of late Eocene or early Oligocene age, has yielded a diverse assemblage of flowering plants and ferns, including the first evidence of horsetails (Equisetum L.) from the Cenozoic of Australia. The fossils assigned to Equisetum are based on a stem fragment, 2–3mm in diameter, and spreading leaf sheath and diaphragm. The leaf sheath is interpreted to consist of ~24–30 leaves. The spatial arrangement of regularly arranged depressions in a section of the outer cortex is interpreted as evidence of the leaf vascular traces, and indicates a similar number of vascular traces. This specimen provides the youngest evidence of the genus from Australia and indicates that Equisetum survived for at least another 50 million years after it was thought to be extinct in Australia. Whereas molecular data for extant species of Equisetum collectively suggest a comparatively recent origin and radiation, the fossil record of the genus indicates a significantly longer and more complex history. Fossils, such as the new specimen from Makowata, Queensland, will, therefore, play a key role in understanding the history and past distribution of Equisetum in Australia. A key challenge is to assemble and characterise the morphological traits of these living and fossil plants to better understand the origins, history and radiation of this remarkable group of euphyllophytes.
彝語諾蘇話雙及物及其他三個論元結構
Authors: Hu Suhua , Zhao Jing
Published: June 2019

抽象

跨語言研究中的雙及物結構是一個句法－語義概念，由雙及物動詞及其三個論元——施事(A)、與事(R)和客體(T)組成，句法上可以有多種編碼方式，語義基礎為物品轉移義，其原型動詞是「給」。彝語諾蘇話「給」和其他的三個論元結構有一致性，可以將其公式化為：「N1:A-N2:T-ka³³-N3:R/L-V」或「N2:T-N1:A-ka³³-N3:R/L-V」，其語義基礎為處置義，ka³³是表示處置的輔動詞，支配客體T(heme)即N2；N3或為接受者R(ecipient)，或為處所L(ocation)；N1為施事者A(gent)。彝語諾蘇話沒有真正句法意義上的「雙及物」結構，而是通過兩個「單及物」結構，即連動結構來表示跨語言中的雙及物義。其中，第一個動詞為泛義的處置輔動詞ka³³，它也可以被表示具體的處置方式的實義動詞如「送」、「餵」、「賣」等替換，這些動詞與位於句末的第二個動詞「給」構成連動結構，此處的「給」有語義虛化的條件，但由於句法限制，不會在此結構中語法化為與格標記，因為彝語是動詞居末型語言。若兩個動詞都為實義動詞，則連動結構也不會出現動詞語法化的現象，如使動詞結構「T+『煮』+R+『吃』（使動）」中兩個動詞都不會產生語法化。簡言之，彝語諾蘇話中的這三類三個論元的句法結構表現都一致，用連動結構表達，它沒有真正意義上的雙及物結構，甚至沒有真正的三價動詞。「客體處置」義是這些結構共同的語義基礎。這一特點產生的原因是彝語諾蘇話核心論元的格標記不發達，語序是其論元組配的主要手段，連動結構是其表達策略。很顯然連動結構在彝語諾蘇話中具有能產、顯赫、多功能的特點。這是首次對彝語諾蘇話雙及物結構和其他相關結構進行詳細的描寫，為語言類型學研究提供了可資借鑒的語料，研究結論也對類型學的理論研究也有一定的啟示。
Variation in the tonal space of Yangliu Lalo, an endangered language of Yunnan, China
Authors: Yang Cathryn , Stanford James N. , Liu Yang , Jiang Jinjing , Tang Liufang
Published: June 2019

Endangered tone languages are not often studied within quantitative variationist approaches, but such approaches can provide valuable insights for language description and documentation in the Tibeto-Burman area. This study examines tone variation within Yangliu Lalo (Central Ngwi), a minority language community in China that is currently shifting to Southwestern Mandarin. Yangliu Lalo’s Tone 4, the rising-falling High tone, is lowering and flattening among young people, especially females, who also tend to use Lalo less frequently. Tonal range in elicited speech is shown to be decreasing as use of Lalo decreases. Concurrently, the standard deviation of the pitch of individual tones also decreases, while at the same time speakers with a narrow tonal range also show greater articulatory precision for each tone. Tonal range and standard deviation of pitch are both parameters of tonal space, the arrangement of, and relationship between, tones within the tonal system. The results from our apparent-time study suggest that tonal space provides a new avenue of sociolinguistic inquiry for tone languages.
Lisinopril Preserves Physical Resilience and Extends Life Span in a Genotype-Specific Manner in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Gabrawy Mariann M , Campbell Sarah , Carbone Mary Anna , Morozova Tatiana V , Arya Gunjan H , Turlapati Lavanya B , Walston Jeremy D , Starz-Gaiano Michelle , Everett Logan , Mackay Trudy F C , Leips Jeff , Abadir Peter M
Published: June 2019

Physical resiliency declines with age and comorbid conditions. In humans, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) has been associated with attenuation of the decline in physical performance with age. ACE-inhibitor compounds, commonly prescribed for hypertension, often have beneficial effects on physical performance however the generality of these effects are unclear. Here, we tested the effects of the ACE-inhibitor Lisinopril on life span, and age-specific speed, endurance, and strength using three genotypes of the Drosophila melanogaster Genetic Reference Panel. We show that age-related decline in physical performance and survivorship varies with genetic background. Lisinopril treatment increased mean life span in all Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel lines, but its effects on life span, speed, endurance, and strength depended on genotype. We show that genotypes with increased physical performance on Lisinopril treatment experienced reduced age-related protein aggregation in muscle. Knockdown of skeletal muscle-specific Ance, the Drosophila ortholog of ACE, abolished the effects of Lisinopril on life span, implying a role for skeletal muscle Ance in survivorship. Using transcriptome profiling, we identified genes involved in stress response that showed expression changes associated with genotype and age-dependent responsiveness to Lisinopril. Our results demonstrate that Ance is involved in physical decline and demonstrate genetic variation in phenotypic responses to an ACE inhibitor.
Beyond Suction-Feeding Fishes: Identifying New Approaches to Performance Integration During Prey Capture in Aquatic Vertebrates
Authors: Kane Emily A , Cohen Hannah E , Hicks William R , Mahoney Emily R , Marshall Christopher D
Published: June 2019

Organisms are composed of hierarchically arranged component parts that must work together to successfully achieve whole organism functions. In addition to integration among individual parts, some ecological demands require functional systems to work together in a type of inter-system performance integration. While performance can be measured by the ability to successfully accomplish ecologically relevant tasks, integration across performance traits can provide a deeper understanding of how these traits allow an organism to survive. The ability to move and the ability to consume food are essential to life, but during prey capture these two functions are typically integrated. Suction-feeding fishes have been used as a model of these interactions, but it is unclear how other ecologically relevant scenarios might reduce or change integration. To stimulate further research into these ideas, we highlight three contexts with the potential to result in changes in integration and underlying performance traits: (1) behavioral flexibility in aquatic feeding modes for capturing alternative prey types, (2) changes in the physical demands imposed by prey capture across environments, and (3) secondary adaptation for suction prey capture behaviors. These examples provide a broad scope of potential drivers of integration that are relevant to selection pressures experienced across vertebrate evolution. To demonstrate how these ideas can be applied and stimulate hypotheses, we provide observations from preliminary analyses of locally adapted populations of Trinidadian guppies (Poecilia reticulata) capturing prey using suction and biting feeding strategies and an Atlantic mudskipper (Periophthalmus barbarus) capturing prey above and below water. We also include a re-analysis of published data from two species of secondarily aquatic cetaceans, beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) and Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), to examine the potential for secondary adaptation to affect integration in suction prey capture behaviors. Each of these examples support the broad importance of integration between locomotor and feeding performance but outline new ways that these relationships can be important when suction demands are reduced or altered. Future work in these areas will yield promising insights into vertebrate evolution and we hope to encourage further discussion on possible avenues of research on functional integration during prey capture.
Use of UPLC-HRMS/MS for In Vitro and In Vivo Metabolite Identification of Three Methylphenidate-derived New Psychoactive Substances
Authors: Manier Sascha K , Niedermeier Sophia , Schäper Jan , Meyer Markus R
Published: June 2019

The distribution of so-called new psychoactive substances (NPS) as substitute for common drug of abuse was steadily increasing in the last years, but knowledge about their toxicodynamic and toxicokinetic properties is lacking. However, a comprehensive knowledge of their toxicokinetics, particularly their metabolism, is crucial for developing reliable screening procedures and to verify their intake, e.g., in case of intoxications. The aim of this study was therefore to tentatively identify the metabolites of the methylphenidate-derived NPS isopropylphenidate (isopropyl 2-phenyl-2-(2-piperidyl) acetate, IPH), 4-fluoromethylphenidate (methyl 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(piperidin-2-yl) acetate, 4-FMPH) and 3,4-dichloromethylphenidate (methyl 2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(piperidin-2-yl) acetate, 3,4-CTMP) using different in vivo and in vitro techniques and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS). Urine samples of male rats were analyzed, and the transfer to human metabolism was done by using pooled human S9 fraction (pS9), which contains the microsomal fraction of liver homogenisate as well as its cytosol. UHPLC-HRMS/MS analysis of rat urine revealed 17 metabolites for IPH (14 phase I and 3 phase II metabolites), 13 metabolites were found for 4-FMPH (12 phase I metabolites and 1 phase II metabolite) and 7 phase I metabolites and no phase II metabolites were found for 3,4-CTMP. pS9 incubations additionally indicated that all investigated substances were primarily hydrolyzed, resulting in the corresponding carboxy metabolites. Finally, these carboxy metabolites should be used as additional analytical targets besides the parent compounds for comprehensive mass spectrometry–based screening procedures.
Burn Injuries Resulting From Methamphetamine and Honey Oil Explosions: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Neeki Michael M , Dong Fanglong , Youssef Dania , Liu Benfie , Lee Carol , Burgett-Moreno Michelle , Rippe Edward , Wong David , Borger Rodney
Published: June 2019

A high incidence of honey oil and methamphetamine production has led to an increase in burn victims presenting to this regional burn center in California. This study aims to compare patient outcomes resulting from burn injuries associated with honey oil and methamphetamine production. This is a retrospective cohort study using the regional burn registry to identify patients with burn injuries related to honey oil production or methamphetamine purification explosions from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2017. Patient demographics and clinical outcomes data were abstracted from the burn registry and medical records. A total of 91 patients were included in the final analysis and 59.3% (n = 54) were related to honey oil injury. There was no statistically significant difference between honey oil and methamphetamine burn injuries in regard to clinical outcomes, including mortality (1.9% vs 8.1%, P = .1588), third-degree burn (47.2% vs 59.5%, P = .2508), mechanical ventilator usage (50% vs 69.4%, P = .0714), median hospital length of stay (LOS; 10 vs 11 days, P = .5308), ICU LOS (10 vs 11 days, P = .1903), total burn surface area (26.5% vs 28.3%, P = .8313), and hospital charge (median of US$85,561 vs US$139,028, P = .7215). Honey oil burn injuries are associated with similar hospital LOS, similar ICU LOS, similar total burn surface area, and present a costly public health concern. With the recent legalization of marijuana in California, commercial production of honey oil in addition to increasing education about the risks of illicit honey oil production may alleviate associated risks.
Global Patterns of Resistance to Bt Crops Highlighting Pink Bollworm in the United States, China, and India
Authors: Tabashnik Bruce E , Carrière Yves
Published: June 2019

Crops genetically engineered to produce insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have advanced pest control, but their benefits have been reduced by evolution of resistance in pests. The global monitoring data reviewed here reveal 19 cases of practical resistance to Bt crops, which is field-evolved resistance that reduces Bt crop efficacy and has practical consequences for pest control. Each case represents the responses of one pest species in one country to one Bt toxin. The results with pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella) and Bt cotton differ strikingly among the world’s three leading cotton-producing nations. In the southwestern United States, farmers delayed resistance by planting non-Bt cotton refuges from 1996 to 2005, then cooperated in a program that used Bt cotton, mass releases of sterile moths, and other tactics to eradicate this pest from the region. In China, farmers reversed low levels of pink bollworm resistance to Bt cotton by planting second-generation hybrid seeds from crosses between Bt and non-Bt cotton. This approach yields a refuge of 25% non-Bt cotton plants randomly interspersed within fields of Bt cotton. Farmers adopted this tactic voluntarily and unknowingly, not to manage resistance, but apparently because of its perceived short-term agronomic and economic benefits. In India, where non-Bt cotton refuges have been scarce and pink bollworm resistance to pyramided Bt cotton producing Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab toxins is widespread, integrated pest management emphasizing shortening of the cotton season, destruction of crop residues, and other tactics is now essential.
Differences in physiological integration between invasive and noninvasive introduced clonal species of Carpobrotus
Authors: Roiloa Sergio R , Alpert Peter , Barreiro Rodolfo
Published: June 2019

Aims

Clonal growth is associated with invasiveness in introduced plant species, but few studies have compared invasive and noninvasive introduced clonal species to investigate which clonal traits may underlie invasiveness. To test the hypothesis that greater capacity to increase clonal growth via physiological integration of connected ramets increases invasiveness in clonal plants, we compared the effects of severing connections on accumulation of mass in the two species of the creeping, succulent, perennial, herbaceous genus Carpobrotus that have been introduced on sand dunes along the Pacific Coast of northern California, the highly invasive species Carpobrotus edulis and the co-occurring, noninvasive species Carpobrotus chilensis.

Methods

Pairs of ramets from four mixed populations of the species from California were grown in a common garden for 3 months with and without severing the stem connecting the ramets. To simulate the effect of clones on soils in natural populations, the older ramet was grown in sand amended with potting compost and the younger in sand alone.

Important Findings

Severance decreased net growth in mass by ~60% in C. edulis and ~100% in C. chilensis, due mainly to the negative effect of severance on the shoot mass of the younger ramet within a pair. Contrary to the hypothesis, this suggests that physiological integration increases growth more in the less invasive species. However, severance also decreased allocation of mass to roots in the older ramet and increased it in the younger ramet in a pair, and the effect on the younger ramet was about twice as great in C. edulis as in C. chilensis. This indicates that the more invasive species shows greater phenotypic plasticity in response to physiological integration, in particular greater capacity for division of labor. This could contribute to greater long-term growth and suggests that the division of labor may be a trait that underlies the association between clonal growth and invasiveness in plants.
First case report of post-operative infection due to Francisella tularensis after cardiac surgery
Authors: Ali Arif Maqsood , Noor ul Amin Muhammad , Arif Shazia
Published: June 2019

Background.

Francisella tularensis

is a rare zoonotic bacterium that spreads sporadically by various routes, including infected arthropod bites, ingestion of contaminated water and inhalation of contaminated dust. However, its occurrence in postoperative chest infection has never been reported. Pathogen isolation, serology and molecular detection methods are commonly used for the diagnosis of tularaemia.

Case presentation. We present the first case report of the isolation of

F. tularensis

from a patient with a chest infection (a boy in his teens) following cardiac surgery for closure of a ventral septal defect. It was isolated on blood and chocolate agar on the third day after the subculture of drain fluid collected in a blood culture bottle incubated in Bact T/Alert 3-D (bioMerieux, France). The organism was identified as

F. tularensis

by Vitek GN ID Cards (Vitek 2 Compact, bioMerieux, France). The patient made a smooth recovery with antibiotic therapy.

Conclusion.

F. tularensis

can cause post-operative infection, especially in patients with a rural background.
Sleep cycle of a fin whale based on reprocessing of old satellite observations
Authors: Viale Denise , Koechlin Laurent , Viale Carli
Published: June 2019

Reprocessing of old data from the satellite tracking of a fin whale in 1991 allowed us to detect new loops on its path and to show the significance of these loops. Originally, five loops on five consecutive days had been detected. The reprocessed data reveals at least 21 loops, plus many other phases of inertia, together with additional information on the whale’s position at the surface during these phases of inertia. Based on these new interpretations, we deduce a sleep cycle for this animal.

Mise en évidence à partir d’un suivi satellitaire d’une phase de sommeil quotidienne chez un baleinoptère.

La fixation d’une balise Argos sur un rorqual (Balaenoptera physalus) donna lieu à un suivi satellitaire de septembre à novembre 1991, qui visait à démontrer notre hypothèse sur leurs déplacements migratoires. Notre suivi n’avait pas été assez long pour déterminer si le baleinoptère marqué sortait de Mediterranee mais il avait permis de mettre en évidence quelques phases d’inertie dans la vie de la baleine, identiques à celles observées dans les trajectoires de bouées dérivantes utilisées en océanographie physique.

Nous avons repris ces anciennes données avec de nouveaux traitements. Outre la mise en évidence de l’adéquation de la trajectoire et du comportement de l’animal avec les caractéristiques hydrologiques et trophiques de chaque localisation, cela a permis de détecter une vingtaine de nouvelles boucles et des phases d’inertie dans la trajectoire de la baleine, et de les apparenter à des phases de sommeil. Pour cela il fallait démontrer quélles se répétaient chaque jour.
PIWI proteins as prognostic markers in cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mentis Alexios-Fotios A. , Dardiotis Efthimios , Papavassiliou Athanassios G.
Published: June 2019

Background

PIWI proteins, which interact with piRNAs, are implicated in stem cell and germ cell regulation, but have been detected in various cancers, as well.

Objectives

In this systematic review, we explored, for the first time in the literature (to our knowledge), the association between prognosis in patients with cancer and intratumoral expression of PIWI proteins.

Data sources

PubMed, Embase and Web of Knowledge databases were searched for the relevant cohort studies.

Study eligibility criteria

Prospective or retrospective cohort studies investigating the association of intratumoral mRNA or protein expression of different types of PIWI proteins with survival, metastasis or recurrence of various types of cancers in the systematic review. Exclusion of cross-sectional studies, of studies on the prognostic value of genetic polymorphism of PIWI genes, of studies re-analyzed previously published databases, and of conference abstracts and non-English articles.

Participants

Twenty-six studies with 4,299 participants were included in the systematic review.

Interventions

Pooled Hazard Ratios (HRs) and their 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) were calculated for different PIWI proteins separately, by pooling of log of the calculated HRs using the random-effects model.

Study appraisal and synthesis methods

Data extraction was performed using a pre-designed form and quality of the studies was assessed using REMARK criteria. Heterogeneity assessed using the I2 index and the Cochran Q test. Publication bias assessed using funnel plots and Egger’s regression.

Results

The pooled HR of mortality in high compared to low expression of HIWI, HILI and PIWIL4 was 1.87 (CI95%: 1.31-2.66, p < 0.05), 1.09 (CI95%: 0.58-2.07, p = 0.79) and 0.44 (CI95%: 0.25-0.76, p < 0.05), respectively. The pooled HR of recurrence in in high compared to low expression of HIWI and HILI was 1.72 (CI95%: 1.20-2.49, p < 0.05) and 1.98 (CI95%: 0.65-5.98, p = 0.23), respectively.

Limitations

Exclusion of studies not in English; Discrepancy between mRNA and protein levels, and the respective analytical methods; Only one cancer site – PIWI protein pair investigated in three or more studies.

Conclusions and Implications of Key Findings

The prognosis of cancer patients is worse with higher HIWI and lower PIWIL4 expression, although the results are highly variable for different cancers. The expression of these proteins can be used for personalized prognostication and treatment of individual patients.

Systematic review registration number

Not registered.
TCR convergence in individuals treated with immune checkpoint inhibition for cancer
Authors: Looney Timothy , Topacio-Hall Denise , Lowman Geoffrey , Conroy Jeffrey , Morrison Carl , Oh David , Fong Lawrence , Zhang Li
Published: June 2019

Tumor antigen-driven selection may expand T cells having T cell receptors (TCRs) of shared antigen specificity but different amino acid or nucleotide sequence in a process known as TCR convergence. Substitution sequencing errors introduced by TCRβ (TCRB) repertoire sequencing may create artifacts resembling TCR convergence. Given the anticipated differences in substitution error rates across different next-generation sequencing platforms, the choice of platform could be consequential. To test this, we performed TCRB sequencing on the same peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from individuals with cancer receiving anti-CTLA-4 or anti-PD-1 using an Illumina-based approach and an Ion Torrent-based approach. While both approaches found similar TCR diversity, clonality, and clonal overlap, we found that Illumina-based sequencing resulted in higher TCR convergence than with the Ion Torrent approach. Using the latter approach, we found that clonality and convergence independently predicted response and could be combined to improve the accuracy of a logistic regression classifier. These results demonstrate the importance of the sequencing platform in assessing TCRB convergence.
An S-cone circuit for edge detection in the primate retina
Authors: Patterson Sara S. , Kuchenbecker James A. , Anderson James R. , Bordt Andrea S. , Marshak David W. , Neitz Maureen , Neitz Jay
Published: June 2019

Midget retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are the most common RGC type in the primate retina. Their responses mediate both color and spatial vision, yet the specific links between midget RGC responses and visual perception are unclear. Previous research on the dual roles of midget RGCs has focused on those comparing long (L) vs. middle (M) wavelength sensitive cones. However, there is evidence for several other rare midget RGC subtypes receiving S-cone input, but their role in color and spatial vision is uncertain. Here, we confirm the existence of the single S-cone center OFF midget RGC circuit in the central retina of macaque monkey both structurally and functionally, by combining single cell electrophysiology with 3D electron microscopy reconstructions of the upstream circuitry. Like the well-studied L vs. M midget RGCs, the S-OFF midget RGCs have a center-surround receptive field consistent with a role in spatial vision. While spectral opponency in a primate RGC is classically assumed to contribute to hue perception, a role supporting edge detection is more consistent with the S-OFF midget RGC receptive field structure and studies of hue perception.
Cytological and genetic consequences for the progeny of a mitotic catastrophe provoked by Topoisomerase II deficiency
Authors: Ramos-Pérez Cristina , Dominska Margaret , Anaissi-Afonso Laura , Cazorla-Rivero Sara , Quevedo Oliver , Lorenzo-Castrillejo Isabel , Petes Thomas D , Machín Félix
Published: June 2019

Topoisomerase II (Top2) removes topological linkages between replicated chromosomes. Top2 inhibition leads to mitotic catastrophe (MC) when cells unsuccessfully try to split their genetic material between the two daughter cells. Herein, we have characterized the fate of these daughter cells in the budding yeast. Clonogenic and microcolony experiments, in combination with vital and apoptotic stains, showed that 75% of daughter cells become senescent in the short term; they are unable to divide but remain alive. Decline in cell vitality then occurred, yet slowly, uncoordinatedly when comparing pairs of daughters, and independently of the cell death mediator Mca1/Yca1. Furthermore, we showed that senescence can be modulated by ploidy, suggesting that gross chromosome imbalances during segregation may account for this phenotype. Indeed, we found that diploid long-term survivors of the MC are prone to genomic imbalances such as trisomies, uniparental disomies and terminal loss of heterozygosity (LOH), the latter affecting the longest chromosome arms.