bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of photoconductive effect on Bi2Te3 epitaxial film
Authors: Pirralho M. J. P. , Peres M. L. , Fornari C. I. , Holgado D. P. A. , Pena F. S. , Nakamatsu S. , Rappl P. H. O. , Abramof E. , Soares D. A. W.
Published: March 2019

In this work, we present the results of photoconductivity measurements performed in the temperature range of 12 K–300 K on a 150 nm-thick Bi2Te3 film grown by molecular beam epitaxy on a (111) BaF2 substrate. A transition from negative to positive photoconductivity is found to occur around 125 K. Resistivity and Hall data measured under light and dark conditions qualitatively elucidate the observed phenomena. The Arrhenius plot of recombination times obtained from photoconductivity decay curves measured at different temperatures gives the activation energy associated with the bulk trap level. Using this activation energy as the effective trap potential, we calculated the generation and recombination rates as a function of temperature. The analysis provides a quantitative explanation that predicts the transition effect observed in the experiment. No evidence of contribution from surface states is found from the magnetoresistance curves measured at low temperatures.
Sedimentation study of bioink containing living cells
Authors: Xu Heqi , Zhang Zhengyi , Xu Changxue
Published: March 2019

3D bioprinting utilizes a cell-laden bioink to fabricate 3D cellular constructs for a variety of biomedical applications. The printing process typically takes hours to fabricate heterogeneous artificial tissues with multiple types of cells, different types of extracellular matrices, and interconnected vascular networks. During the printing process, the suspended cells sediment within the bioink with time, resulting in inhomogeneous cell concentration, which significantly affects the printing reliability and accuracy. This paper is the first study to quantify the cell sedimentation process in the bioink containing living cells. In this study, the effects of polymer concentration and standing time on the cell sedimentation velocity and cell concentration have been systematically investigated. The main conclusions are (1) the cell sedimentation velocity is almost constant at different standing times, because the cell gravitational force is balanced by the cell buoyant force and the drag force; (2) with the increase of the polymer concentration, the cell sedimentation velocity decreases, while the cell mass density increases due to less water absorbed; (3) with the increase of the standing time, the cell concentration near the bottom of the bioink reservoir increases linearly. With the increase of the polymer concentration, this linear increase of the cell concentration with the standing time significantly slows down due to a significant decrease of the cell sedimentation velocity; and (4) for the bioink with a low sodium alginate concentration, cell concentration near the bottom of the bioink reservoir is not uniform, and cell aggregates are observed.
Very large remanent polarization in ferroelectric Hf1-xZrxO2 grown on Ge substrates by plasma assisted atomic oxygen deposition
Authors: Zacharaki C. , Tsipas P. , Chaitoglou S. , Fragkos S. , Axiotis M. , Lagoyiannis A. , Negrea R. , Pintilie L. , Dimoulas A.
Published: March 2019

Plasma assisted atomic oxygen deposition was used to grow polycrystalline ferroelectric Hf1-xZrxO2 (x = 0.5–0.7) on technologically important (100) Germanium substrates showing sharp crystalline interfaces free of interfacial amorphous layers and strong evidence for the presence of a predominately orthorhombic phase. The electrical properties, evaluated using metal-ferroelectric-semiconductor (MFS) capacitors, show symmetric and robust ferroelectric hysteresis with weak or no wake-up effects. The MFS capacitors with x = 0.58 show very large remanent polarization up to 34.4 μC/cm2 or 30.6 μC/cm2 after correction for leakage and parasitics, combined with good endurance reaching 105 cycles at a cycling field of 2.3 MV/cm. The results show good prospects for the fabrication of Ge ferroelectric field effect transistors (FeFETs) for use in 1 T FeFET embedded nonvolatile memory cells with improved endurance.
Infrared photodissociation spectroscopic and theoretical study of the HC2nO+ (n=3−6) cations
Authors: Li Wei , Jin Jia-ye , Qu Hui , Wang Guan-jun , Zhou Ming-fei
Published: March 2019

The carbon chain cations, HC2nO+ (n=3−6) are produced via a pulsed laser vaporization supersonic expansion ion source in the gas phase. Their infrared spectra are measured via mass-selected infrared photodissociation spectroscopy of the CO “tagged” [HC2nO·CO]+ cation complexes in 1600–3500 cm−1 frequency range. The geometric and electronic structures of the [HC2nO·CO]+ complexes and the core HC2nO+ (n=3−6) cations are determined with the aid of density functional theory calculations. These HC2nO+(n=3−6) ions are identified to be linear carbon chain derivatives terminally capped by hydrogen and oxygen. The triplet ground states are 10−15 kcal/mol lower in energy than the singlet states, indicating cumulene-like carbon chain structures.
Cavity-enhanced saturation spectroscopy of molecules with sub-kHz accuracy
Authors: Hua Tian-peng , Sun Yu Robert , Wang Jin , Hu Chang-le , Tao Lei-gang , Liu An-wen , Hu Shui-ming
Published: March 2019

Saturation spectroscopy is frequently used to obtain sub-Doppler measurement of atomic and molecular transitions. Optical resonant cavities can be used to enhance the effective absorption path length, and the laser power inside the cavity as well to saturate very weak ro-vibrational transitions of molecules. Three different cavity-enhanced methods, cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy, cavity ring-down spectroscopy, and noise-immune cavity enhanced optical heterodyne molecular spectroscopy (NICE-OHMS), were compared by measuring the Lamb dip of a C2H2 line at 1.4 µm using a cavity with a finesse of 120000. The center of the line was determined by different cavity-enhanced methods, each giving a sub-kHz (δν/ν≈10−12) statistical uncertainty. The sensitivity and precision of different methods were analyzed and compared. As demonstrated in this study, the NICE-OHMS method is the most sensitive one, but more investigation on the systematic uncertainty is necessary before its application in metrology studies toward a sub-kHz accuracy.
Quantum state-to-state vacuum ultraviolet photodissociation dynamics of small molecules
Authors: Gao Hong , Ng Cheuk-Yiu
Published: March 2019

The present review focused on selected, recent experimental progress of photodissociation dynamics of small molecules covering the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) range from 6 eV to 20 eV. These advancements come about due to the available laser based VUV light sources, along with the developments of advanced experimental techniques, including the velocity-map imaging (VMI), H-atom Rydberg tagging time-of-flight (HRTOF) techniques, as well as the two-color tunable VUV-VUV laser pump-probe detection method. The applications of these experimental techniques have allowed VUV photodissociation studies of many diatomic and triatomic molecules to quantum state-to-state in detail. To highlight the recent accomplishments, we have summarized the results on several important molecular species, including H2 (D2, HD), CO, N2, NO, O2, H2O (D2O, HOD), CO2, and N2O. The detailed VUV photodissociation studies of these molecules are of astrochemical and atmospheric relevance. Since molecular photodissociation initiated by VUV excitation is complex and is often governed by multiple electronic potential energy surfaces, the unraveling of the complex dissociation dynamics requires state-to-state cross section measurements. The newly constructed Dalian Coherent Light Source (DCLS), which is capable of generating coherent VUV radiation with unprecedented brightness in the range of 50–150 nm, promises to propel the photodissociation experiment to the next level.
Diagnosis and management of halo blight in Australian mungbeans: a review
Authors: Noble Thomas J. , Young Anthony J. , Douglas Colin A. , Williams Brett , Mundree Sagadevan
Published: March 2019

Mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek var. radiata) is an important food crop cultivated on over 6 Mha throughout the world. Its short duration of 55–70 days, capacity to fix atmospheric nitrogen, and exceptional grain nutritional profile makes the crop a staple for smallholder and subsistence farmers. In Australia, mungbean is grown as a high-value export crop and established as a main summer rotation for dryland farmers. A major threat to the integrity of the industry is halo blight, a bacterial disease leading to necrotic lesions surrounded by a chlorotic halo that stunts and ultimately kills the plant. Caused by Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. phaseolicola, this seed-borne disease is extremely difficult to control, resulting in significant yield loss and production volatility. The challenge of managing halo blight is exacerbated by a wide host range that includes many legume and weed species, and the presence of multiple epidemiologically significant strains. Molecular technologies could play a pivotal role in addressing these issues. This review synthesises current and emerging technologies to develop improved management strategies for the control of halo blight in mungbean.
Plant available water in saline soils – revisited
Authors: Grant C. D. , Groenevelt P. H.
Published: March 2019

We revisit a previously published approach, and present a new approach, to calculate the effect of osmotic stress on soil water availability assuming conservation of mass with respect to salt. The two (completely different) approaches allow the water capacity to be attenuated and a plant-sensitivity factor is introduced to enhance flexibility in modelling when new plant-response data arises. The results should be of value in evaluation of different cultivars of important crops being screened in the field for genetic tolerance to salinity in different soils.
A Contrastive Grammar of Brazilian Pomeranian
Authors: Postma Gertjan
Published: March 2019

Pomeranian is the West Germanic language spoken by European emigrants who went from Farther Pomerania (present-day Poland) to Brazil in the period 1857–1887. This language is no longer spoken in cohesive societies in Europe, but the language has survived and is in remarkably good shape on this language island in the tropical state of Espirito Santo. This monograph offers the first synchronic grammar of this language. After a historical introduction, the book offers a systematic description of its phonology, morphology and syntax. The language is contrasted with its European sisters, more particularly High German, Dutch, and Frisian. It highlights various phenomena that will presumably contribute to the ongoing theoretical debate on the Germanic verbal system. It provides new data on cluster V2, do-support, and the two infinitives. As to the infinitival syntax, the language shows remarkable parallels to the system of Frisian. As to the rich Pomeranian system of subtractive morphology, the phonological account that is offered, will be important for the ongoing discussion of the abstractness of phonological representations. Finally, Pomeranian is a welcome addition to the set of languages on which our etymological understanding of West Germanic is based.
Gender stability, gender loss
Authors: Watts Sheila
Published: March 2019

This paper investigates the factors which have led to the diachronic stability of gender as a three-way category in German. Old High German and Old English are contrasted to show how phonological, morphological and semantic changes contribute to a reinforcement of gender as a grammatical category in German, while in English it suffers attrition and loss. The early restructuring of the pronominal declension through analogical pattern generalization is shown to combine gender and case marking in ways which allow the three-way distinction to become more salient over time. The resulting cohesion within noun phrases and gender marking on targets, particularly through the interaction of gender and case marking in the high-frequency nominative and accusative cases, gives gender marking a role in communication. As a result the cognitive effort of acquiring gender pays off and the three-way distinction remains stable.
Stability and change in Icelandic weather verbs
Authors: Sigurdardottir Sigridur Saeunn , Eythórsson Thórhallur
Published: March 2019

Contrary to previous claims, weather verbs in Icelandic are not “no-argument” predicates. Both in Old and Modern Icelandic they can appear with an NP either in nominative, accusative or dative case. It can be shown that in Modern Icelandic the NPs are subjects, and this is likely to have been the case in Old Icelandic. Diachronically, in addition to some changes in subject case marking (Nominative Substitution and Impersonalization), the main innovations in weather verbs involve the introduction of the “expletive” elements það and hann. On the whole, however, there is considerable stability in the use of weather verbs in the history of Icelandic. Not only are the lexical items nearly all the same, but a clear continuity in the syntax of weather expressions can be documented.
V1 clauses in Old Catalan
Authors: Pujol i Campeny Afra
Published: March 2019

This paper explores verb initial clauses in Old Catalan, contributing to the debate surrounding Old Romance verb placement. Using data from El Llibre dels Feyts, a 13th century Catalan chronicle, it is established that analyses proposed for V1 clauses for other Old Romance languages do not generally hold for Old Catalan. Instead, V1 clauses from El Llibre dels Feyts behave like Modern Catalan V1 clauses, that is, like V1 clauses of an SVO language. V1 clauses are examined in relation to information structure and predicate types, and systematically compared to their Modern Catalan counterparts. Through this analysis it is established that the uses and structure of Catalan V1 clauses have remained stable through the centuries.
Competition, stability and change in the emergence of Brazilian Portuguese
Authors: Galves Charlotte
Published: March 2019

This chapter discusses morphological variation in Brazilian Portuguese, namely the clitic/tonic pronoun alternation and the variation in the morphological realization of subject-verb agreement. We argue on diachronic and synchronic grounds that while the alternation between the clitic and tonic pronoun in the 3rd person is clearly a case of competition between the conservative European grammar and the innovative Brazilian grammar, the other cases of variation are produced by the latter. Both in the case of 1st and 2nd person clitics and in the case of verbal agreement, conservative forms have innovative uses. This supports the claim that they have been reanalyzed in the new system. Clitic doubling of tonic pronouns without a preposition suggests that there was a functional specialization of the 1st and 2nd person clitic forms. As for subject-verb agreement, the licensing and interpretation of null subjects shows that the inflection is too weak to referentially identify empty categories in subject position, even when person and number are overtly realized on the verb. We conclude that part of the morphological variation due to linguistic contact is indeed integrated to the innovative grammar, with morphological elements of the old grammar surviving in apparent, but not actual, competition with new forms.
Rapid Transition from Methadone to Buprenorphine using Naltrexone-Induced Withdrawal: A Case Report
Authors: Ward Heather Burrell , Barnett Brian S. , Suzuki Joji
Published: March 2019

Background: Patients taking methadone for opioid use disorder may desire transition to buprenorphine for a number of reasons. However, the current recommended approach for this transition generally takes weeks to months as an outpatient, causing considerable discomfort to the patient and a heightened risk of relapse during the transition period. Case: We describe the case of a patient on methadone maintenance who was rapidly transitioned to buprenorphine because of her desire to not return to her methadone clinic. In order to rapidly transition the patient from methadone to buprenorphine, naltrexone was administered to precipitate acute opioid withdrawal, which was followed soon after by buprenorphine induction. Discussion: Rapid transition from methadone maintenance to buprenorphine can be accomplished in inpatients by precipitating acute withdrawal with naltrexone, providing an effective alternative for patients who cannot tolerate the typical protracted methadone taper required prior to buprenorphine induction as an outpatient.
Optimizing Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) Training for Nurses and Social Workers: Testing the Added Effect of Online Patient Simulation
Authors: O'Brien Kimberly H. McManama , Putney Jennifer M. , Collin Cali-Ryan R. , Halmo Rebekah S. , Cadet Tamara J.
Published: March 2019

Background

Social workers and nurses are critical to the amelioration of substance misuse, making their training in evidence-based practices such as screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) particularly pertinent. Online patient simulation (OPS) is one training modality that allows students to develop and practice SBIRT skills that they might not obtain through didactic instruction, but it can be time and resource intensive. The aim of this study was to test the effect of OPS, over and above in-person training, on students’ SBIRT attitudes, knowledge, and perceived skills.

Methods

Social work and nursing students ( N = 308) were recruited from a college in the northeastern United States. Students in the study were randomly assigned to either training as usual (TAU), which included pre-coursework videos, in-person didactic instruction, and role-plays, or the experimental condition (EXP), consisting of TAU plus access to self-paced SBIRT skills practice using OPS by SIMmersion. The SBIRT Attitudes, Self-perception of Skills, and Knowledge (AKS) survey was delivered at baseline, immediately post-training, and at 30-day follow-up (post-30) to assess overall changes as well as changes in the specific domains of SBIRT confidence, importance, and attitudes. Paired t tests were conducted to determine differences in mean scores between time points for the entire sample. Independent-samples t tests were conducted to test differences between EXP and TAU on AKS scores at each time point and to test differences between high and low OPS use.

Results

Results showed a significant difference from pre- to post-training on composite AKS scores. There were no significant differences between TAU and EXP in composite scores or by AKS domain, and no differences within the EXP group for those with high and low use.

Conclusions

Participants in EXP did not have significantly increased AKS scores, demonstrating that access to OPS did not produce an additive effect on the acquisition of self-perceived SBIRT knowledge, attitudes, and skills.
Predicting Cigarette Initiation and Reinitiation among Active Duty United States Air Force Recruits
Authors: Little Melissa A. , Ebbert Jon O. , Krukowski Rebecca A. , Halbert Jennifer P. , Kalpinski Ryan , Patten Christi A. , Boothe Tina L. , Pasker Christin K. , Klesges Robert C. , Talcott Gerald W.
Published: March 2019

Background

The first year of military service in the United States Air Force (USAF) is a high-risk time for tobacco use. Previous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of a tobacco ban during Basic Military Training (BMT). However, no studies have examined the effect of increasing the protracted ban for an additional 4 weeks. Understanding the patterns of initiation and reinitiation following the protracted ban will inform future intervention and policy efforts.

Methods

The current study examines patterns of cigarette smoking among a sample of 2188 USAF personnel at baseline and after their first year of service.

Results

One year after BMT, we observed that 65.0% of USAF enlistees remained never smokers, 9.6% remained abstinence from cigarettes, 9.3% initiated cigarette smoking, and 16.1% reinitiated cigarette smoking. Despite the extended tobacco ban in BMT and Technical Training, 12.6% of individual who never smoked initiated cigarette smoking and 62.6% of individuals who formerly smoked reinitiated. Over half (54.2%) of Airmen who reported smoking cigarettes at follow-up reported initiating or reinitiating during Technical Training.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that although the increased ban prevents additional individuals who smoked cigarettes prior to joining the Air Force from reinitiating, it has no effect on initiation among individuals who report never using prior to military service. Additional research is needed to understand what may be leading to these high rates of initiation and reinitiation in Technical Training following the ban.
On an inverse potential problem for a fractional reaction–diffusion equation
Authors: Kaltenbacher Barbara , Rundell William
Published: March 2019

This paper considers an inverse problem for a reaction diffusion equation from overposed final time data. Specifically, we assume that the reaction term

is known but modified by a space-dependent coefficient

to obtain

. Thus the strength of the reaction can vary with location. The inverse problem is to recover this coefficient. Our technique is to use iterative Newton-type methods although we also use and analyse higher order schemes of Halley type. We show that such schemes are well defined and prove convergence results. Our assumption about the diffusion process is also more general in that we will extend the traditional parabolic equation paradigm to include the subdiffusion case based on non-local fractional order operators in time. The final section of the paper shows numerical reconstructions based on the above methods and compares our methodology to previous work based on the linear model with

as well as to the nonlinear case. We also show the interdependence between effective reconstruction of q and the coupling between the value of the final time of measurement and the subdiffusion parameter.
The Arctic-Boreal vulnerability experiment model benchmarking system
Authors: Stofferahn Eric , Fisher Joshua B , Hayes Daniel J , Schwalm Christopher R , Huntzinger Deborah N , Hantson Wouter , Poulter Benjamin , Zhang Zhen
Published: March 2019

NASA’s Arctic-Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE) integrates field and airborne data into modeling and synthesis activities for understanding Arctic and Boreal ecosystem dynamics. The ABoVE Benchmarking System (ABS) is an operational software package to evaluate terrestrial biosphere models against key indicators of Arctic and Boreal ecosystem dynamics, i.e.: carbon biogeochemistry, vegetation, permafrost, hydrology, and disturbance. The ABS utilizes satellite remote sensing data, airborne data, and field data from ABoVE as well as collaborating research networks in the region, e.g.: the Permafrost Carbon Network, the International Soil Carbon Network, the Northern Circumpolar Soil Carbon Database, AmeriFlux sites, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, the Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2, and the Soil Moisture Active Passive mission. The ABS is designed to be interactive for researchers interested in having their models accurately represent observations of key Arctic indicators: a user submits model results to the system, the system evaluates the model results against a set of Arctic-Boreal benchmarks outlined in the ABoVE Concise Experiment Plan, and the user then receives a quantitative scoring of model strengths and deficiencies through a web interface. This interactivity allows model developers to iteratively improve their model for the Arctic-Boreal Region by evaluating results from successive model versions. We show here, for illustration, the improvement of the Lund–Potsdam–Jena-Wald Schnee und Landschaft (LPJwsl) version model through the ABoVE ABS as a new permafrost module is coupled to the existing model framework. The ABS will continue to incorporate new benchmarks that address indicators of Arctic-Boreal ecosystem dynamics as they become available.
Research on Distribution Network “Low Voltage” Prediction Based on BP Neural Network
Authors: Wang Wenbin , Wang Yongyue , Fan Ruixiang , Li Qiong , Cao Bei , Wang Wenbin
Published: March 2019

In order to solve the problem that the power consumption data of low-voltage users in the distribution network is difficult to obtain, under the premise of using the existing monitoring system to allocate limited data such as outlet voltage and power, the voltage prediction model of low-voltage distribution network is established, and a BP neural network based on BP neural network is proposed. The “low voltage” prediction method of distribution network realizes the “low voltage” prediction of low voltage users in distribution network, and provides an effective and accurate prediction method for “low voltage” management of distribution network.
From Cantor to semi-hyperbolic parameters along external rays
Authors: Chen Yi-Chiuan , Kawahira Tomoki
Published: March 2019

For the quadratic family

f

c

(
z
)
=

z
2

+
c

f_{c}(z) = z^2+c

with

c
c

in the exterior of the Mandelbrot set, it is known that every point in the Julia set moves holomorphically. Let

c
^

\hat {c}

be a semi-hyperbolic parameter in the boundary of the Mandelbrot set. In this paper we prove that for each

z
=
z
(
c
)

z = z(c)

in the Julia set, the derivative

d
z
(
c
)

/

d
c

dz(c)/dc

is uniformly

O
(
1

/

|

c
−

c
^

|

)

O(1/\sqrt {|c-\hat {c}|})

when

c
c

belongs to a parameter ray that lands on

c
^

\hat {c}

. We also characterize the degeneration of the dynamics along the parameter ray.
Obesity and Fat Metabolism in Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Infected Individuals: Immunopathogenic Mechanisms and Clinical Implications
Authors: Godfrey Catherine , Bremer Andrew , Alba Diana , Apovian Caroline , Koethe John R , Koliwad Suneil , Lewis Dorothy , Lo Janet , McComsey Grace A , Eckard Allison , Srinivasa Suman , Trevillyan Janine , Palmer Clovis , Grinspoon Steven
Published: March 2019

Metabolic complications relating to complex effects of viral and immune-mediated mechanisms are now a focus of clinical care among persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV), and obesity is emerging as a critical problem. To address knowledge gaps, the US National Institutes of Health sponsored a symposium in May 2018 entitled “Obesity and Fat Metabolism in HIV-infected Individuals.” Mechanisms relating to adipose dysfunction and fibrosis, immune function, inflammation, and gastrointestinal integrity were highlighted as contributors to obesity among PLHIV. Fibrotic subcutaneous adipose tissue is metabolically dysfunctional and loses its capacity to expand, leading to fat redistribution, including visceral obesity and ectopic fat accumulation, promoting insulin resistance. Viral proteins, including viral protein R and negative regulatory factor, have effects on adipogenic pathways and cellular metabolism in resident macrophages and T cells. HIV also affects immune cell trafficking into the adipose compartments, with effects on adipogenesis, lipolysis, and ectopic fat accumulation. Key cellular metabolic functions are likely to be affected in PLHIV by gut-derived cytokines and altered microbiota. There are limited strategies to reduce obesity specifically in PLHIV. Enhancing our understanding of critical pathogenic mechanisms will enable the development of novel therapeutics that may normalize adipose tissue function and distribution, reduce inflammation, and improve insulin sensitivity in PLHIV.
Future Antibacterial Strategies: From Basic Concepts to Clinical Challenges
Authors: Cattoir Vincent , Felden Brice
Published: March 2019

This review presents potential benefits and limitations of innovative strategies that are currently investigated for the discovery of novel antibacterial agents to prevent or treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms.
Integration of genetic and clinical information to improve imputation of data missing from electronic health records
Authors: Li Ruowang , Chen Yong , Moore Jason H
Published: March 2019

Objective

Clinical data of patients’ measurements and treatment history stored in electronic health record (EHR) systems are starting to be mined for better treatment options and disease associations. A primary challenge associated with utilizing EHR data is the considerable amount of missing data. Failure to address this issue can introduce significant bias in EHR-based research. Currently, imputation methods rely on correlations among the structured phenotype variables in the EHR. However, genetic studies have shown that many EHR-based phenotypes have a heritable component, suggesting that measured genetic variants might be useful for imputing missing data. In this article, we developed a computational model that incorporates patients’ genetic information to perform EHR data imputation.

Materials and Methods

We used the individual single nucleotide polymorphism’s association with phenotype variables in the EHR as input to construct a genetic risk score that quantifies the genetic contribution to the phenotype. Multiple approaches to constructing the genetic risk score were evaluated for optimal performance. The genetic score, along with phenotype correlation, is then used as a predictor to impute the missing values.

Results

To demonstrate the method performance, we applied our model to impute missing cardiovascular related measurements including low-density lipoprotein, heart failure, and aortic aneurysm disease in the electronic Medical Records and Genomics data. The integration method improved imputation's area-under-the-curve for binary phenotypes and decreased root-mean-square error for continuous phenotypes.

Conclusion

Compared with standard imputation approaches, incorporating genetic information offers a novel approach that can utilize more of the EHR data for better performance in missing data imputation.
Effects of Pheromone Dose and Trap Height on Capture of a Bast Scale of Pine, Matsucoccus thunbergianae (Hemiptera: Margarodidae) and Development of a New Synthesis Method
Authors: Lee Sung-Chan , Kwon Jun Hyeong , Cha Deok Jea , Kim Dong-Soo , Lee Dong Ha , Seo Seon-Mi , Lee Hyo-Rim , Huh Min-Jung , Jung Myunghee , Park Il-Kwon
Published: March 2019

Matsuone is a well-known sex pheromone of the genus Matsucoccus (Hemiptera: Margarodidae), including species Matsucoccus matsumurae (Kuwana), Matsucoccus resinosae Bean & Goldwin, and Matsucoccus thunbergianae Miller & Park. In this study, we investigated the effects of matsuone dose and trap height on the capture of M. thunbergianae and developed an alternative synthesis of racemic matsuone. In field trapping experiments, M. thunbergianae males showed dose-dependent attraction to (6R,10R/S)-matsuone from 100 μg up to an approximate saturation level of 1,600 μg per rubber septum lure. Traps baited with (6R,10R/S)-matsuone and installed 50 cm above ground level attracted more males than traps 100 and 150 cm above ground level. To reduce synthesis procedures, time, and labor, we developed a new synthetic route to racemic matsuone and conducted field experiments with the product. Although traps baited with the racemic matsuone were less attractive than traps baited with (6R,10R/S)-matsuone synthesized by a previously reported method, the new synthetic route could be an economically favorable alternative to the previous method used in production of lures for field application.
Laboratory Hybridization Between the Green Lacewings Chrysoperla comanche (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and Chrysoperla rufilabris, Predators of the Asian Citrus Psyllid
Authors: Gebiola Marco , Stouthamer Richard
Published: March 2019

Chrysoperla comanche (Banks) and its sibling species Chrysoperla rufilabris (Burmeister) are voracious predators of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), an invasive pest that vectors a bacterium responsible for the lethal and incurable citrus greening disease. The Comanche lacewing naturally occurs in Southern California, whereas C. rufilabris is currently one of only two commercially available green lacewing in the United States. These sister species can be separated by larval morphological traits, by differences in courtship songs, and possibly by three nuclear genes wingless, PepCK, ATPase, yet they are not distinguishable based on the mitochondrial barcode gene (COI). Releasing in a new area a biological control agent capable of hybridizing with a resident species may pose risks that range from local displacement to irreversible loss of genetic identity. Therefore, we performed no-choice laboratory crosses to assess pre- and postzygotic isolation. We show that fertile and viable hybrid progeny could be readily obtained in interspecific crosses and backcrosses and, although there is a trend toward lower hybrid fitness, postzygotic isolation is overall weak and might not prevent loss of genetic identity under natural conditions. It remains to be determined if differences in courtship songs will prevent hybridization in the wild, as shown for other green lacewings. We also report a low prevalence of Rickettsia infection in both species.
Propositional quantifiers in labelled natural deduction for normal modal logic
Authors: Pascucci Matteo
Published: March 2019

This article concerns the treatment of propositional quantification in a framework of labelled natural deduction for modal logic developed by Basin, Matthews and Viganò. We provide a detailed analysis of a basic calculus that can be used for a proof-theoretic rendering of minimal normal multimodal systems with quantification over stable domains of propositions. Furthermore, we consider variations of the basic calculus obtained via relational theories and domain theories allowing for quantification over possibly unstable domains of propositions. The main result of the article is that fragments of the labelled calculi not exploiting reductio ad absurdum enjoy the Church–Rosser property and the strong normalization property; such result is obtained by combining Girard’s method of reducibility candidates and labelled languages of lambda calculus codifying the structure of modal proofs.
Population Genetic Structure and Breeding Pattern of Cimex hemipterus (F.) (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) in Malaysia
Authors: Seri Masran Siti Nor Ain , Ab Majid Abdul Hafiz
Published: March 2019

The surge in tropical bed bug Cimex hemipterus (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) infestations has led to an increase in genomic studies. In this study, the population genetics and breeding patterns of 22 Malaysian populations were analyzed, including genetic differentiation and genetic distance. For seven microsatellite loci, the number of alleles varied from 6 to 14. The allelels per loci contrasted sharply between the overall population and within the populations. The average observed and expected heterozygosity was 0.280 and 0.828 for the overall population and 0.281 and 0.657 among the populations, respectively. Based on polymorphic information criteria, the markers with a value >0.5 were highly polymorphic. In the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, the loci of Ch 09ttn, Ch 01dn, and Ch 13dn of the overall population showed signs of a null allele. The stutter peaks caused no scoring errors; large allele dropouts were not detected for any loci; and a correlation imbalance was not indicated. The genetic differentiation among populations was moderate, with a coefficient of genetic differentiation (FST) of 0.144. The bed bug populations showed strong inbreeding, with highly positive coefficients of inbreeding (FIS). The molecular variation attributed to inbreeding was 83% within the populations, compared with 17% among the populations. The admixture individuals in STRUCTURE and neighbor-joining phylogenetic trees also indicated weak genetic structure in the geographical populations, suggesting moderate gene flows between populations. Thus, moderately active dispersion and human-mediated transport shaped the genetic structure of C. hemipterus populations in Malaysia.
Increased Biting Rate of Insecticide-Resistant Culex Mosquitoes and Community Adherence to IRS for Malaria Control in Urban Malabo, Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea
Authors: Fuseini Godwin , Nguema Raul Ncogo , Phiri Wonder P , Donfack Olivier Tresor , Cortes Carlos , Von Fricken Michael E , Meyers Jacob I , Kleinschmidt Immo , Garcia Guillermo A , Maas Carl , Schwabe Christopher , Slotman Michel A
Published: March 2019

Sustaining high levels of indoor residual spraying (IRS) coverage (≥85%) for community protection against malaria remains a challenge for IRS campaigns. We examined biting rates and insecticide resistance in Culex species and Anopheles gambiae s.l., and their potential effect on community adherence to IRS. The average IRS coverage in urban Malabo between 2015 and 2017 remained at 80%. Culex biting rate increased 6.0-fold (P < 0.001) between 2014 and 2017, reaching 8.08 bites per person per night, whereas that of An. gambiae s.l. remained steady at around 0.68. Although An. gambiae s.l. was susceptible to carbamates and organophosphates insecticides, Culex spp. were phenotypically resistant to all four main classes of WHO-recommended IRS insecticides. Similarly, the residual activity of the organophosphate insecticide used since 2017, ACTELLIC 300CS, was 8 mo for An. gambiae s.l., but was almost absent against Culex for 2 mo post-spray. A survey conducted in 2018 within urban Malabo indicated that 77.0% of respondents related IRS as means of protection against mosquito bites, but only 3.2% knew that only Anopheles mosquitoes transmit malaria. Therefore, the increasing biting rates of culicines in urban Malabo, and their resistance to all IRS insecticides, is raising concern that a growing number of people may refuse to participate in IRS as result of its perceived failure in controlling mosquitoes. Although this is not yet the case on Bioko Island, communication strategies need refining to sensitize communities about the effectiveness of IRS in controlling malaria vectors in the midst of insecticide resistance in nonmalaria vector mosquitoes.
Impact of Tobacco Dependence in Risk Prediction Models for Lung Cancer Diagnoses and Deaths
Authors: Ward Ralph C , Tanner Nichole T , Silvestri Gerard A , Gebregziabher Mulugeta
Published: March 2019

Background

Stronger nicotine dependence is associated with greater lung cancer incidence and lung cancer death. This study investigates whether including nicotine dependence in risk prediction models for lung cancer incidence and mortality provides any important clinical benefits.

Methods

Smoking data were used from 14 123 participants in the American College of Radiology Imaging Network arm of the National Lung Screening trial. We added nicotine dependence as the primary exposure in two published lung cancer risk prediction models (Katki-Gu or PLCO-m2012) and compared four results: with no tobacco-dependence measure, with time to first cigarette, with heaviness of smoking index, and with Fagestrom test for nicotine dependence. We used a cross-validation method based on leave-one-out and compared performance using likelihood ratio tests (LRT), area under the curve, concordance, sensitivity and specificity for 1% and 2% risk thresholds, and net benefit statistics. Statistical tests were two-sided.

Results

All LRT results were statistically significant (P ≤ .0001), whereas other tests were not, except that specificity statistically significantly improved (P < .0001). Because the LRT is asymptotically more powerful for testing for prediction gain, we conclude that both models were improved on a statistical level by adding dependence measures. The other performance statistics generally indicated that such gains were likely very small. Net benefit analysis confirmed there was no apparent clinical benefit for including dependence measures.

Conclusions

Although inclusion of dependence measures may not provide a clinical benefit when added to risk prediction models, nicotine-dependence measures should nonetheless be an integral tool for patient counseling and for encouraging tobacco cessation.
Children with Disabilities
Authors: Bantekas Ilias
Published: March 2019

This chapter examines Article 7 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The first instrument to specifically address the rights of children with disabilities was the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).The CRC recognizes four key guiding principles that permeate our understanding and construction of all pertinent rights related to children. These principles are: a) the best interests of the child (Article 3 CRC); b) respect for the views of the child (Article 12 CRC); c) the right to life, survival, and development (Article 6 CRC); and d) non-discrimination (Article 2 CRC). The CRC was also the first instrument specifically to address the rights of children with disabilities, particularly in Article 2(1) (non-discrimination) and Article 23 (general welfare for disabled children). However, Article 7 CRPD and other children-related rights in the CRPD (eg Article 23) constitute a significant improvement to Article 23 CRC.
Access to Justice
Authors: Flynn Eilionóir
Published: March 2019

This chapter examines Article 13 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which represents the first expression of a stand-alone right to access justice in international human rights law. It explores how the drafters drew on concepts like the right to an effective remedy and the right to a fair hearing in other UN human rights treaties, to develop a unique treaty provision on access to justice for persons with disabilities in the CRPD. It further considers how this right has been interpreted by the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in its Concluding Observations to date. Further, the chapter explores the extent to which the article has been interpreted and applied in domestic and regional courts. Finally, it highlights individual complaints made under the Optional Protocol concerning the interpretation of Article 13 and any references to this provision by other treaty bodies and independent mechanisms within the UN system.
Freedom from Exploitation, Violence, and Abuse
Authors: Keeling Amanda
Published: March 2019

This chapter examines Article 16 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). That disabled people experience higher rates of exploitation, violence, and abuse is an undisputed fact. Indeed, it is a significant problem globally which requires immediate redress and, on this basis, the framing of the issue as a specific human right with detailed attendant obligations is important. Article 16 calls for an awareness that measures put in place to care for or protect disabled people can be a significant cause of the harm that they experience, and that segregation and isolation from the community allow for abuses of power by those who are supposed to be caring for disabled people. Article 16 also extends state obligations beyond the narrow purview of institutions and into a wider variety of arenas, including family relationships and private homes.
Protecting the Integrity of the Person
Authors: Seatzu Francesco
Published: March 2019

This chapter examines Article 17 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The notion of personal integrity has attracted notable attention in international human rights law debates in recent times. It has been viewed as strategic for the realization of fundamental freedoms and rights of marginalized segments of the society, including disabled persons. The chapter considers how an ad hoc right to personal integrity has arisen from the negotiations of the CRPD, and the scope of application of the right, based on the practice of the CRPD Committee and scholarly works in the field. It examines the inter-relationship between Article 17 and other CRPD provisions to understand how the interpretation and application of this right might change in the future based on the case-law of the CRPD Committee and on academic works in this field.
Health
Authors: Weller Penelope
Published: March 2019

This chapter examines Article 25 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which requires states to provide persons with disabilities access to health services. It includes an analysis of the interaction between Articles 25 and 12 CRPD. Article 12 is engaged by the obligation in Article 25(d) CRPD to provide medical services on the basis of free and informed consent. The principle of free and informed consent has featured in the jurisprudence of the CRPD Committee with respect to psychiatric treatment under Article 14 (liberty and security of person), Article 15 (freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment) and Article 17 (physical and mental integrity). The conceptualization of informed consent in the disability context is important because voluntariness is a critical component of human interactions that might otherwise be regarded as a violation of human rights.
Adequate Standard of Living and Social Protection
Authors: Cremin Kevin
Published: March 2019

This chapter examines Article 28 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which deals with the rights that persons with disabilities have to an adequate standard of living and to social protection. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights both recognize the right to an adequate standard of living. Similarly, Article 23 of the UDHR recognizes ‘the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection’. Evidence indicates, however, that these rights have not been effectively implemented for persons with disabilities. Article 28 aims to combat this injustice.
International Cooperation
Authors: Lord Janet E , Stein Michael Ashley
Published: March 2019

This chapter examines Article 32 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which deals with the issue of international cooperation. The provision on international cooperation in the CRPD sprang from framework conventions in the international criminal and environmental law spheres, where such provisions are ubiquitous, rather than from prior human rights treaty practice. Article 32 was thus a highly contentious text to negotiate due to the far more limited meaning ascribed to the term ‘international cooperation’ in other international human rights instruments. Article 32 sits holistically within the CRPD framework, and is thus informed by its principles and general obligations, and should be read in conjunction with the specific, substantive rights of the remainder of the treaty. Rights and duties in the CRPD hang together; discerning the meaning of disability inclusive development cannot be achieved by examining any one provision in isolation.
Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Authors: Guernsey Katherine
Published: March 2019

This chapter examines Article 34 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which addresses the establishment of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the treaty monitoring body for the CRPD. Specifically, Article 34 sets forth parameters related to the general functioning of the Committee, including selection of members, the size of the Committee, terms of members, and certain of the logistical aspects of the Committee’s operations, such as adoption of rules of procedure, staffing, and facilities, as well as the status of the Committee’s members. The chapter provides an overview of the drafting history of Article 34, with analysis of the article’s specific provisions. It begins by considering the Committee’s place in the larger UN human rights system.