bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effective pretreatment technologies for fresh foods aimed for use in central kitchen processing
Authors: Luan Chunning , Zhang Min , Fan Kai , Devahastin Sakamon
Published: June 2020

The central kitchen concept is a new trend in the food industry, where centralized preparation and processing of fresh foods and the distribution of finished or semi‐finished products to catering chains or related units take place. Fresh foods processed by a central kitchen mainly include fruit and vegetables, meat, aquatic products, and edible fungi; these foods have high water activities and thermal sensitivities and must be processed with care. Appropriate pretreatments are generally required for these food materials; typical pretreatment processes include cleaning, enzyme inactivation, and disinfection, as well as packaging and coating. To improve the working efficiency of a central kitchen, novel efficient pretreatment technologies are needed. This article systematically reviews various high‐efficiency pretreatment technologies for fresh foods. These include ultrasonic cleaning technologies, physical‐field enzyme inactivation technologies, non‐thermal disinfection technologies, and modified‐atmosphere packagings and coatings. Mechanisms, applications, influencing factors, and advantages and disadvantages of these technologies, which can be used in a central kitchen, are outlined and discussed. Possible solutions to problems related to central‐kitchen food processing are addressed, including low cleaning efficiency and automation feasibility, high nutrition loss, high energy consumption, and short shelf life of products. These should lead us to the next step of fresh food processing for a highly demanding modern society. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Land degradation and climate change: Global impact on wheat yields
Authors: Raimondo Maria , Nazzaro Concetta , Marotta Giuseppe , Caracciolo Francesco
Published: June 2020

This study aims at estimating the wheat yield response to future challenges (land degradation and climate change) through a statistical emulator. Data from Global Agro‐ecological Zones on the overall wheat yields of 254 provinces for nine main wheat‐producing countries and corresponding climate and land suitability information were collected to estimate the statistical relationship between regressors and wheat yields. Once the statistical emulator was calibrated, three scenarios were developed to predict, separately and jointly, the impact of climate change and land degradation on wheat yields and productions in 2050 using the global climate model ECHAM4 information under the B2 scenario with the CO2 fertilization effect. Results showed that under temperature and precipitation projections wheat yield would increase on average by 8% (first scenario); however, the impact of future land suitability (second scenario) on wheat yields would be negative, lowering the average yield (−5%), and overall wheat production (−14%). Combining both effects in the third scenario, future wheat yields would increase by 4.6%, while overall production will decrease by 5.5% since the harvest area will be reduced by 9.7%. Thus, land degradation more than climate change is likely to pose significant challenges for overall wheat production in the future.
The Microbiome and Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Rattan Puru , Minacapelli Carlos D. , Rustgi Vinod
Published: June 2020

The human microbiome is a vast and complex system encompassing all of the microbes and their genes that occupy the environmentally exposed surfaces of the human body. The gut microbiota and its associated microbiome play an integral role in mammalian metabolism and immune tolerance as well as in immunocompetence. Disruptions in the human gut microbiome are associated with a cycle of hepatocyte injury and regeneration characteristic of chronic liver disease. The persistence of this inflammation has been shown to induce the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic changes leading to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, the importance and prognostic influence of the gut microbiome on hepatocarcinogenesis has been increasingly studied in recent years. This review discusses the mechanisms by which imbalances in the gut microbiome disturb the gut‐liver axis to impact hepatocarcinogenesis, including disruption of the intestinal barrier, changes in bile acid metabolism, and reduction in tumor‐suppressing microRNA. Furthermore, this review summarizes recent advances in potential microbiome‐based therapeutic opportunities in HCC.
Registration of presurgical MRI and histopathology images from radical prostatectomy via RAPSODI
Authors: Rusu Mirabela , Shao Wei , Kunder Christian A. , Wang Jeffrey B. , Soerensen Simon J. C. , Teslovich Nikola C. , Sood Rewa R. , Chen Leo C. , Fan Richard E. , Ghanouni Pejman , Brooks James D. , Sonn Geoffrey A.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has great potential to improve prostate cancer diagnosis; however, subtle differences between cancer and confounding conditions render prostate MRI interpretation challenging. The tissue collected from patients who undergo radical prostatectomy provides a unique opportunity to correlate histopathology images of the prostate with preoperative MRI to accurately map the extent of cancer from histopathology images onto MRI. We seek to develop an open‐source, easy‐to‐use platform to align presurgical MRI and histopathology images of resected prostates in patients who underwent radical prostatectomy to create accurate cancer labels on MRI.

Methods

Here, we introduce RAdiology Pathology Spatial Open‐Source multi‐Dimensional Integration (RAPSODI), the first open‐source framework for the registration of radiology and pathology images. RAPSODI relies on three steps. First, it creates a three‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the histopathology specimen as a digital representation of the tissue before gross sectioning. Second, RAPSODI registers corresponding histopathology and MRI slices. Third, the optimized transforms are applied to the cancer regions outlined on the histopathology images to project those labels onto the preoperative MRI.

Results

We tested RAPSODI in a phantom study where we simulated various conditions, for example, tissue shrinkage during fixation. Our experiments showed that RAPSODI can reliably correct multiple artifacts. We also evaluated RAPSODI in 157 patients from three institutions that underwent radical prostatectomy and have very different pathology processing and scanning. RAPSODI was evaluated in 907 corresponding histpathology‐MRI slices and achieved a Dice coefficient of 0.97 ± 0.01 for the prostate, a Hausdorff distance of 1.99 ± 0.70 mm for the prostate boundary, a urethra deviation of 3.09 ± 1.45 mm, and a landmark deviation of 2.80 ± 0.59 mm between registered histopathology images and MRI.

Conclusion

Our robust framework successfully mapped the extent of cancer from histopathology slices onto MRI providing labels from training machine learning methods to detect cancer on MRI.
Fraction‐variant beam orientation optimization for intensity‐modulated proton therapy
Authors: Gu Wenbo , O'Connor Daniel , Ruan Dan , Zou Wei , Dong Lei , Sheng Ke
Published: June 2020

Purpose

To achieve a superior balance between dosimetry and the delivery efficiency of intensity‐modulated proton therapy (IMPT) using as few beams as possible in a single fraction, we optimally vary beams in different fractions.

Methods

In the optimization, 400~800 feasible noncoplanar beams were included in the candidate pool. For each beam, the doses of all scanning spots covering the target volume and a margin were calculated. The fraction‐variant beam orientation optimization (FVBOO) problem was formulated to include three terms: two quadratic dose fidelity terms to penalize the deviation of planning target volume fractional dose and organs at risk (OAR) cumulative doses from prescription, respectively; an L2,1/2‐norm group sparsity term to control the number of active beams per fraction to between 1 and 4. The Fast Iterative Shrinkage‐Thresholding Algorithm (FISTA) was applied to solve this problem. FVBOO was tested on a patient with base‐of‐skull (BOS) tumor of 5 fractions (5f) and 30 fractions (30f) with an average number of active beams per fraction varying between 4 and 1. In addition, one bilateral head‐and‐neck (H&N) patient, and one esophageal cancer (ESG) patient of 30f were tested with about three active beams per fraction. The results were compared with IMPT plans that use fixed beams in each fraction. The fixed beams were selected using the group sparsity term with a fraction‐invariant BOO (FIBOO) constraint.

Results

Varying beams were chosen in either the 5f or 30f FVBOO plans. While similar number of beams per fraction was selected as the FIBOO plan, the FVBOO plans were able to spare the OARs better, with an average reduction of [Dmean, Dmax] from the FIBOO plans by [0.85, 2.08] Relative Biological Effective Gy (GyRBE) in the 5f plan and [1.87, 4.06] GyRBE in the 30f plans. While reducing the number of beams per fraction in the BOS patient, a three‐beam/fraction 5f FVBOO plan performs comparably as the four‐beam FIBOO plan and a two‐beam/fraction 30f FVBOO plan still provides superior dosimetry.

Conclusion

Fraction‐variant beam orientation optimization allows the utilization of a larger beam solution space for superior dose distribution in IMPT while maintaining a practical number of beams in each fraction.
Evaluation of persons with suspected lumbosacral and cervical radiculopathy: Electrodiagnostic assessment and implications for treatment and outcomes (Part II)
Authors: Dillingham Timothy R. , Annaswamy Thiru M. , Plastaras Christopher T.
Published: June 2020

The electrodiagnostic (EDX) examination with needle electromyography (EMG) is the most important means of testing for radiculopathy. This test has modest sensitivity but high specificity and complements imaging of the spine. In this second of a two‐part review, the implications of electrodiagnostic findings for diagnosis and clinical management of persons with radiculopathy are reviewed. An EMG confirmed lumbosacral radiculopathy is associated with better clinical outcomes for persons undergoing aggressive conservative management. A positive EMG test portends a better clinical response to epidural corticosteroid injections. If a person undergoes spine surgery, a positive pre‐operative EMG for radiculopathy is also associated with better outcomes.
Motor unit number estimation of facial muscles using the M Scan‐Fit method
Authors: Habeych Miguel E. , Trinh Terry , Issar Tushar , Kwai Natalie C.G. , Krishnan Arun V.
Published: June 2020

Introduction

M Scan‐Fit, an automated method for motor unit number estimation (MUNE), was assessed in muscles innervated by the facial nerve.

Methods

Healthy volunteers were recruited. M Scans were recorded twice from nasalis and depressor anguli oris (DAO) muscles, and then fitted to a probabilistic model.

Results

Twenty‐one subjects were evaluated; 38% were females and 62% were males, with a mean age of 34.71 years. The average number of MUs was 38.57 on both testing occasions (t ≤ 0.0001; P = 1.0) for the nasalis. For the DAO, results were 20.62 MUs for the first and 23.48 for the second (t = −2.12; P = .04). Pearson's interrater correlation coefficients were 0.96 (P < .0001) for nasalis and 0.87 (P ≤ .01) for DAO. Intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.88 (P ≤ .01) for nasalis and 0.39 (P = .37) for DAO.

Discussion

M Scan‐Fit MUNE is an automated, accurate, reliable method of estimating MU number and size from facial muscles.
The CINRG Becker Natural History Study: Baseline characteristics
Authors: Clemens Paula R. , Niizawa Gabriela , Feng Jia , Florence Julaine , DʼAlessandro Andrea Smith , Morgenroth Lauren P. , Gorni Ksenija , Guglieri Michela , Connolly Anne , Wicklund Matthew , Bertorini Tulio , Mah Jean K. , Thangarajh Mathula , Smith Edward , Kuntz Nancy , McDonald Craig M. , Henricson Erik K. , Upadhyayula Saila , Byrne Barry , Manousakis Georgios , Harper Amy , Bravver Elena , Iannaccone Susan , Spurney Christopher , Cnaan Avital , Gordish‐Dressman Heather ,   The CINRG BNHS Investigators
Published: June 2020

We performed an observational, natural history study of males with in‐frame dystrophin gene deletions causing Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD). A prospective natural history study collected longitudinal medical, strength, and timed function assessments. Eighty‐three participants with genetically confirmed BMD were enrolled (age range 5.6–75.4 years). Lower extremity function and the percentage of participants who retained ambulation declined across the age span. The largest single group of participants had in‐frame deletions that corresponded to an out‐of‐frame deletion treated with an exon 45 skip to restore the reading frame. This group of 54 participants showed similarities in baseline motor functional assessments when compared to the group of all others in the study. A prospective natural history cohort with in‐frame dystrophin gene deletions offers the potential to contribute to clinical trial readiness for BMD and to analyze therapeutic benefit of exon skipping for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
An exact bidirectional pulse algorithm for the constrained shortest path
Authors: Cabrera Nicolás , Medaglia Andrés L. , Lozano Leonardo , Duque Daniel
Published: June 2020

A constrained shortest path is a minimum‐cost sequence of arcs on a directed network that satisfies knapsack‐type constraints on the resource consumption over the arcs. We propose an exact method based on a recursive depth‐first search procedure known as the pulse algorithm (PA). One of the key contributions of the proposal lies in a bidirectional search strategy leveraged on parallelism. In addition, we developed a pulse‐based heuristic that quickly finds near‐optimal solutions and shows great potential for column generation (CG) schemes. We present computational experiments over large real‐road networks with up to 6 million nodes and 15 million arcs. We illustrate the use of the bidirectional PA in a CG scheme to solve a multi‐activity shift scheduling problem, where the pricing problem is modeled as a constrained‐shortest path with multiple resource constraints.
A fast boundary element method using the Z‐transform and high‐frequency approximations for large‐scale three‐dimensional transient wave problems
Authors: Mavaleix‐Marchessoux Damien , Bonnet Marc , Chaillat Stéphanie , Leblé Bruno
Published: June 2020

Three‐dimensional (3D) rapid transient acoustic problems are difficult to solve numerically when dealing with large geometries, because numerical methods based on geometry discretization (mesh), such as the boundary element method (BEM) or the finite element method (FEM), often require to solve a linear system (from the spacial discretization) for each time step. We propose a numerical method to efficiently deal with 3D rapid transient acoustic problems set in large exterior domains. Using the ‐transform and the convolution quadrature method, we first present a straightforward way to reframe the problem to the solving of a large amount (the number of time steps, M) of frequency‐domain BEMs. Then, taking advantage of a well‐designed high‐frequency approximation, we drastically reduce the number of frequency‐domain BEMs to be solved, with little loss of accuracy. The complexity of the resulting numerical procedure turns out to be O(1) in regard to the time discretization and for the spacial discretization, the latter being prescribed by the complexity of the used fast BEM solver. Examples of applications are proposed to illustrate the efficiency of the procedure in the case of fluid‐structure interaction: the radiation of an acoustic wave into a fluid by a deformable structure with prescribed velocity and the scattering of an abrupt wave by simple and realistic geometries.
Effect of multivalent cations on membrane‐foulant and foulant‐foulant interactions controlling fouling of nanofiltration membranes
Authors: Mahlangu Oranso T. , Mamba Bhekie B. , Verliefde Arne R. D.
Published: June 2020

Insight was gained into the various factors influencing membrane fouling in the presence of different cations. Membrane‐foulant interaction energies were computed from contact angle measurements following the Lifshitz‐van der Waals/acid‐base approach. A unique approach was used to investigate cake‐enhanced concentration polarization (CECP) effects. Calcium worsened organic fouling through organic‐calcium complexation and increasing foulant affinity for the membrane surface, whereas magnesium and lanthanum had less influence on membrane fouling as they moderately decreased the foulants' affinity for the membrane surface. Fouling was facilitated by permeation drag and reduction in membrane‐foulant electrostatic repulsive interactions due to slight neutralization of foulant and membrane zeta potential. Although cake layers formed in the presence of magnesium and lanthanum had low resistance to water flow, the cake layers resulted in severe CECP effects. Initial membrane fouling rates related well to energies of adhesion, whereas later fouling rates did not show clear correlation to energies of cohesion.
Impact of melphalan dose during reduced‐intensity conditioning on engraftment of cord blood transplantation for chronic Epstein‐Barr virus‐associated T or NK cell lymphoproliferative diseases
Authors: Mayumi Azusa , Sawada Akihisa , Sato Maho , Shimizu Mariko , Ioi Aya , Higuchi Kohei , Yasui Masahiro , Kawa Keisei , Inoue Masami
Published: June 2020

The rejection rate in cord blood transplants for chronic Epstein‐Bar virus‐associated T or natural killer cell lymphoproliferative diseases using our standard reduced‐intensity conditioning “LPAM140 regimen,” which includes fludarabine, melphalan (LPAM), etoposide, and antithymocyte globulin, has been high. To ensure better engraftment, we increased the LPAM dose to 210 mg/m2 (“LPAM210 regimen”). Patient data (n = 22; LPAM140, n = 7; LPAM210, n = 15) were analyzed retrospectively. The engraftment rate after the LPAM210 regimen (100.0%) was significantly higher than that after the LPAM140 regimen (57.1%; P = .002). Fludarabine combined with melphalan (210 mg/m2) had a favorable impact on engraftment.
Sulfonated polyoxadiazole synthesis and processing into ion‐conducting films
Authors: Ilyin Sergey O , Yadykova Anastasia Y , Makarova Veronika V , Yashchenko Vladimir S , Matveenko Yury V
Published: June 2020

Sulfonated poly(1,3,4‐oxadiazole‐2,5‐diyl‐1,4‐phenyleneoxy‐1,4‐phenylene), poly(1,3,4‐oxadiazole‐2,5‐diyl‐10,10‐dioxophenoxathiine‐2,8‐diyl) and their copolymers were one‐pot synthesized in fuming sulfuric acid with the use of 4,4′‐oxydibenzoic acid and hydrazine sulfate as initial reagents. These copolymers were non‐fusible and did not dissolve in individual liquids except sulfuric acid. However, it was possible to achieve their unlimited solubility using a mixed solvent that contained dimethyl sulfoxide, formamide and water. In dilute and semi‐dilute solutions, the copolymers behaved like polyelectrolytes, while in concentrated solutions they formed gels; moreover, in the case of high polymer content, the gels were in a liquid crystalline state. The degree of sulfonation, temperature and water content in the mixed solvent influenced the state of copolymer solutions, their viscosity and viscoelasticity. The finding of the mixed solvent made it possible to form polymer films whose strength and heat resistance reached 33 MPa and 470 °C, respectively. The ionic conductivity of the films under direct current conditions was 0.001–0.01 μS cm–1 for sodium cations and 0.3–1 mS cm–1 for protons. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Beneficial effects of Trichoderma secondary metabolites on crops
Authors: Vinale Francesco , Sivasithamparam Krishnapillai
Published: June 2020

Selected microbial strains used as active ingredients of biopesticides for agricultural management practices (e.g., IPM, Integrated Pest Management) are known for their ability to control phytopathogens, promote plant growth, and/or induce disease resistance. Microbes belonging to the Trichoderma genus are considered as an appropriate example of beneficial microbes and are model organisms to study plant–microbe interactions. Several Trichoderma strains are marketed as biocontrol agents and are known to increase plant growth, stress tolerance, and nutrient availability. These effects have sometimes been related to the production of effector metabolites that beneficial microbes produce during the interaction with plant and other microbes. Secondary metabolites (SMs) comprise different classes of natural compounds with low molecular weight and having numerous biological roles, especially in the interactions among organisms. Metabolomic analysis of the interactions between plants, phytopathogens, and beneficial fungi aided in the identification of several bioactive fungal SMs that positively affect plant metabolism. Some of these compounds showed direct activity against phytopathogens, but also increased disease resistance by triggering the plant defence system, and/or enhanced vegetative growth. A new generation of bioformulations based on microbial metabolites and living consortia responsible for the desired beneficial effects on crops may overcome the difficulties associated with the use of a single living microbial strain.
A policy framework for social sustainability: Social cohesion, equity and safety
Authors: Ballet Jerome , Bazin Damien , Mahieu François‐Regis
Published: June 2020

The purpose of our paper is to characterize the social pillar using the three criteria of social cohesion, equity and safety. Alongside this characterization we develop a policy framework to promote social sustainability, which has been the subject of much academic interest in recent years. In addition, we demonstrate that the social sustainability policies we advocate are capable of embracing environmental sustainability. Our work therefore provides a fresh perspective on sustainable development policies by emphasizing the importance of the social pillar to the policy making process.
Impact of green manufacturing on consumer ecological behavior: Stakeholder engagement through green production and innovation
Authors: Waheed Abdul , Zhang Qingyu , Rashid Yasir , Tahir Muhammad Sohail , Zafar Muhammad Wasif
Published: June 2020

To pursuit sustainability in all business operations is a notable challenge for firms to survive in today's competitive environment. Customers are the important stakeholders who are becoming mindful regarding the environment‐friendly actions of the organizations. This study investigates the impact of green manufacturing practices (GMP) within two streams—pollution prevention practices (PPP) and product stewardship practices (PSP)—on ecological conscious consumer behavior (ECCB) along with the mediation influence of green product innovation (GPI). Data were gathered from Chinese consumers from those who prefer environment‐friendly products. The findings affirmed the positive nexus between GMP and ECCB. Second, a positive mediation influence of GPI was observed between GMP and ECCB. The multidimensional analysis revealed the positive relationships of PPP and PSP on ECCB, respectively. The findings furnish implications for green production on how organizations can accomplish stakeholder engagement incorporating green practices—GMP, PPP, PSP, and GPI— in their manufacturing operations. This study further suggests future avenues for academicians and practitioners.
Using electronic health records to identify candidates for human immunodeficiency virus pre‐exposure prophylaxis: An application of super learning to risk prediction when the outcome is rare
Authors: Gruber Susan , Krakower Douglas , Menchaca John T. , Hsu Katherine , Hawrusik Rebecca , Maro Judith C. , Cocoros Noelle M. , Kruskal Benjamin A. , Wilson Ira B. , Mayer Kenneth H. , Klompas Michael
Published: June 2020

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) protects high risk patients from becoming infected with HIV. Clinicians need help to identify candidates for PrEP based on information routinely collected in electronic health records (EHRs). The greatest statistical challenge in developing a risk prediction model is that acquisition is extremely rare. Methods: Data consisted of 180 covariates (demographic, diagnoses, treatments, prescriptions) extracted from records on 399 385 patient (150 cases) seen at Atrius Health (2007‐2015), a clinical network in Massachusetts. Super learner is an ensemble machine learning algorithm that uses k‐fold cross validation to evaluate and combine predictions from a collection of algorithms. We trained 42 variants of sophisticated algorithms, using different sampling schemes that more evenly balanced the ratio of cases to controls. We compared super learner's cross validated area under the receiver operating curve (cv‐AUC) with that of each individual algorithm. Results: The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (lasso) using a 1:20 class ratio outperformed the super learner (cv‐AUC = 0.86 vs 0.84). A traditional logistic regression model restricted to 23 clinician‐selected main terms was slightly inferior (cv‐AUC = 0.81). Conclusion: Machine learning was successful at developing a model to predict 1‐year risk of acquiring HIV based on a physician‐curated set of predictors extracted from
EHRs.
Solar‐Driven Carbon Nanoreactor Coupling Gold and Platinum Nanocatalysts for Alcohol Oxidations
Authors: Yang Wenjie , Zhao Jinhui , Tian Hao , Wang Lizhuo , Wang Xinyao , Ye Sheng , Liu Jian , Huang Jun
Published: June 2020

This research reports gold (Au) and platinum (Pt) nanocatalysts spatially confined in a porous carbon nanosphere as a new solar‐driven carbon nanoreactor (CNR). The CNRs have confined size (≈100 nm), high specific surface area, and high thermal and electrical conductivity. The black color of CNR can improve the energy harvest efficiency of the solar irradiation to thermal energy within each nanoreactor. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) on Au nanocatalysts‐induced electron oscillation causes the localized heating effect inside each CNR. Therefore, the heat will be accumulated in the confined space of CNR and transferred to reaction energy to drive the alcohol oxidation on uniformly dispersed Au and Pt nanoparticles inside the nanoreactor. The energetic electrons induced by LSPR effect on the surface of Au nanoparticles are transferred to the nearby and more active Pt surface via the conductive CNR, which strongly enhances the conversion of cinnamyl alcohol from 14% on Pt‐CNR up to 100% on AuPt‐CNR after a 3 h reaction. Therefore, the cooperative effect of Au and Pt nanoparticles confined in the CNRs utilized in this work can largely increase the efficiency of harvesting solar energy to drive the important chemical processes.
Smart factory in Industry 4.0
Authors: Shi Zhan , Xie Yongping , Xue Wei , Chen Yong , Fu Liuliu , Xu Xiaobo
Published: June 2020

The transformation from traditional manufacturing to intelligent manufacturing intrigues the profound and lasting effect on the future manufacturing worldwide. Industry 4.0 was proposed for advancing manufacturing to realize short product life cycles and extreme mass customization in a cost‐efficient way. As the heart of Industry 4.0, smart factory integrates physical technologies and cyber technologies and makes the involved technologies more complex and precise in order to improve performance, quality, controllability, management, and transparency of manufacturing processes. So far, leading manufacturers have begun the journey toward implementing smart factory. However, most firms still lack insight into the challenges and resources for implementing smart factory. As such, this paper identifies the requirements and key challenges, investigates available new technologies, reviews existing studies that have been done for smart factory, and further provides guidance for manufacturers to implementing smart factory in the context of Industry 4.0.
Long‐Term Population Dynamics and Habitat Association of the Federally Threatened Spotfin Chub in the Little Tennessee River
Authors: Doll Jason C. , Etchison Luke , Russ William T. , Fraley Stephen J.
Published: June 2020

Understanding the population dynamics of rare and endangered species can be difficult, particularly when a species has a narrow geographic range. The Spotfin Chub Erimonax monachus is both federally and state (North Carolina) listed as threated and is endemic to the Tennessee River basin in the southeastern United States. The Spotfin Chub was once found throughout the Tennessee River basin, but its range has been reduced to four river systems. The Little Tennessee River contains the only known population of Spotfin Chubs in North Carolina. However, current efforts are ongoing to restore populations in the Cheoah River (Little Tennessee River basin). The goal of this study was to evaluate the status of Spotfin Chubs in the Little Tennessee River and to determine potential information gaps to guide future studies. Specifically, we evaluated temporal trends of the Spotfin Chub in the river using a state–space model that incorporated multiple data sources. We additionally evaluated current habitat availability to better understand how habitat could be driving site‐level variation in abundance. We found an overall increasing trend in Spotfin Chub abundance over time, but there was substantial variation across years. By linking abundance trends to current habitat availability, we found that sites with generally more bedrock also had the highest estimated abundance. The Spotfin Chub population appears to be stable; however, determining more specific population demographics (e.g., recruitment and mortality) would improve our understanding of this threatened species.
Gravity prior in human behaviour: a perceptual or semantic phenomenon?
Authors: Gallagher Maria , Torok Agoston , Klaas Johanna , Ferrè Elisa Raffaella
Published: June 2020

Humans show a gravitational advantage in perception: we are more precise at judging the speed of downwards-moving than upwards-moving objects, indicating that gravitational acceleration is an internalised prior. However, it is unclear whether this gravity prior is based on purely perceptual cues or whether it can incorporate semantic knowledge. Previous research has used only objects which are known to comply with gravity, possibly confounding semantic and perceptual cues. Here we have addressed this question by asking participants to judge the speed of objects that typically move coherently with gravity (ball) or against it (rocket). Our results showed a perceptual advantage for falling stimuli, irrespective of object identity, suggesting the gravity prior is based on perceptual cues.
Cell extract gels as an example of active matter
Authors: Wisniewska Agnieszka , Kalwarczyk Tomasz , Szymanski Jedrzej , Kryszczuk Katarzyna , Matula Kinga , Holyst Robert
Published: June 2020

Cell lysates (cellular extracts) constitute a perfect imitation of the intracellular environment that can provide insight into cellular response to external stimuli. However, most of the presented results are performed for diluted lysates that do not reflect the actual properties of a crowded cellular environment. Here, we report for the first time the measurement of the viscosity and shear storage modulus of highly concentrated Escherichia coli (E. coli) lysates with and without adenosine triphosphate (ATP). By cleavage of DNA content, we showed the value of shear storage modulus $G^{\prime }$

G

′

decreases by 19–31% in comparison to control samples. The addition of molecules that provides energy (ATP) allowed to rebuild the structure of the lysate by reversibly increasing viscous properties over elastic ones. When the energy delivered in the form of ATP is consumed by the unliving bacterial lysate, the system returns to its initial state.
Deep reinforcement learning for drone navigation using sensor data
Authors: Hodge Victoria J. , Hawkins Richard , Alexander Rob
Published: June 2020

Mobile robots such as unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) can be used for surveillance, monitoring and data collection in buildings, infrastructure and environments. The importance of accurate and multifaceted monitoring is well known to identify problems early and prevent them escalating. This motivates the need for flexible, autonomous and powerful decision-making mobile robots. These systems need to be able to learn through fusing data from multiple sources. Until very recently, they have been task specific. In this paper, we describe a generic navigation algorithm that uses data from sensors on-board the drone to guide the drone to the site of the problem. In hazardous and safety-critical situations, locating problems accurately and rapidly is vital. We use the proximal policy optimisation deep reinforcement learning algorithm coupled with incremental curriculum learning and long short-term memory neural networks to implement our generic and adaptable navigation algorithm. We evaluate different configurations against a heuristic technique to demonstrate its accuracy and efficiency. Finally, we consider how safety of the drone could be assured by assessing how safely the drone would perform using our navigation algorithm in real-world scenarios.
Local regularity for an anisotropic elliptic equation
Authors: Liao Naian , Skrypnik Igor I. , Vespri Vincenzo
Published: June 2020

We establish the interior Hölder continuity for locally bounded solutions, and the Harnack inequality for non-negative continuous solutions to a class of anisotropic elliptic equations with bounded and measurable coefficients, whose prototype equation is $$\begin{aligned} u_{xx}+\varDelta _{q,y} u=0\quad {\text { locally in }}{\mathbb {R}}\times {\mathbb {R}}^{N-1},\quad {\text {for }}q<2, \end{aligned}$$

u

xx

+

Δ

q
,
y

u
=
0

locally in

R
×

R

N
-
1

,

for

q
<
2
,

via ideas and tools originating from the regularity theory for degenerate and singular parabolic equations.
Exploring transformational outcomes from donor investments in agroforestry research for development
Authors: Bartlett Anthony G.
Published: June 2020

While many agroforestry research projects contribute to improving food security, livelihoods and management of natural resources, few have had a significant role in achieving transformational development outcomes. Evaluating the achievements and impacts of multiple research for development (R4D) projects improves understanding of how and why different development interventions work or don’t work. This paper evaluates the relative success of 15 completed agroforestry R4D projects, funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, and analyses key success factors and other aspects that have contributed to differential project success. The evaluation found that six projects had achieved both high achievement of planned activities and had high impacts. The two key success factors considered by project scientists to have the greatest influence on project success were “good leadership and project management” and “collaborative scoping and design”, but the factor “links to impact pathways and user benefits” was also found to be a determinant of high achievement-high impact projects. The paper examines aspects of three most successful agroforestry projects, implemented in Eastern Africa, Vietnam and Papua New Guinea, that have enabled these projects to contribute to transformational development outcomes. These aspects included the development of simple farmer-friendly, locally-appropriate agroforestry technologies, the existence of supportive government policies and programs including effective mechanisms for dissemination of germplasm and tree-growing knowledge to farmers, the engagement of non-government organisations and private sector entities, and the willingness of the donor to invest in value-added product development, effective value-chains and market research.
Caulifigura coniformis gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family Planctomycetaceae isolated from a red biofilm sampled in a hydrothermal area
Authors: Kallscheuer Nicolai , Wiegand Sandra , Boedeker Christian , Peeters Stijn H. , Jogler Mareike , Heuer Anja , Jetten Mike S. M. , Rohde Manfred , Jogler Christian
Published: June 2020

Pan44T, a novel strain belonging to the phylum Planctomycetes, was isolated from a red biofilm in a hydrothermal area close to the island Panarea in the Tyrrhenian Sea north of Sicily, Italy. The strain forms white colonies on solid medium and displays the following characteristics: cell division by budding, formation of rosettes, presence of matrix or fimbriae and long stalks. The cell surface has an interesting and characteristic texture made up of triangles and rectangles, which leads to a pine cone-like morphology of the strain. Strain Pan44T is mesophilic (temperature optimum 26 °C), slightly alkaliphilic (pH optimum 8.0), aerobic and heterotrophic. The strain has a genome size of 6.76 Mb with a G + C content of 63.2%. Phylogenetically, the strain is a member of the family Planctomycetaceae, order Planctomycetales, class Planctomycetia. Our analysis supports delineation of strain Pan44T from all known genera in this family, hence, we propose to assign it to a novel species within a novel genus, for which we propose the name Caulifigura coniformis gen. nov., sp. nov., represented by Pan44T (DSM 29405T = LMG 29788T) as the type strain.
Maternal Sociodemographic Factors Are Associated with Methylphenidate Initiation in Children in the Netherlands: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Cheung K. , El Marroun H. , Dierckx B. , Visser L. E. , Stricker B. H.
Published: June 2020

Multiple factors may contribute to the decision to initiate methylphenidate treatment in children such as maternal sociodemographic factors of which relatively little is known. The objective was to investigate the association between these factors and methylphenidate initiation. The study population included 4243 children from the Generation R Study in the Netherlands. Maternal sociodemographic characteristics were tested as determinants of methylphenidate initiation through a time-dependent Cox regression analysis. Subsequently, we stratified by mother-reported ADHD symptoms (present in 4.2% of the study population). When ADHD symptoms were absent, we found that girls (adjusted HR 0.25, 95%CI 0.16–0.39) and children born to a mother with a non-western ethnicity (compared to Dutch-Caucasian) (adjusted HR 0.42, 95%CI 015–0.68) were less likely to receive methylphenidate. They were more likely to receive methylphenidate when their mother completed a low (adjusted HR 2.29, 95%CI 1.10–4.77) or secondary (adjusted HR 1.71, 95%CI 1.16–2.54) education. In conclusion, boys and children born to a mother of Dutch-Caucasian ethnicity were more likely to receive methylphenidate, irrespective of the presence of ADHD symptoms.
Modelling the Asymmetrical Relationships between Digitalisation and Sustainable Competitiveness: A Cross-Country Configurational Analysis
Authors: Delgosha Mohammad Soltani , Saheb Tahereh , Hajiheydari Nastaran
Published: June 2020

Sustainable competitiveness (SC) encourages nations not only to meet the needs of the current generation but also to sustain or even expand national wealth in the future without depleting natural and social capital. Drawing on complexity theory, we used a configurational approach to identify under what necessary and sufficient conditions, digitalisation contributes to achieve higher SC. Shifting attention from net effects to configuration analysis improves our understanding of cross-national differences in sustainability by exploring how the digitalisation factors combine to strengthen SC power across countries. To address the complexity of this configuration, we have incorporated fsQCA and NCA techniques in the modelling of high and low levels of sustainable competitiveness recipes. Analysis of data from 127 countries advanced our perception of how access to ICT infrastructures and capabilities, combined with the adoption and usage of ICT could result in different degrees of sustainable competitiveness. Theoretically, this study contributes to the literature on digitalisation and national sustainability; and it can practically act as a guideline for policymakers to understand the complex interactions and causal configurations of digitalisation factors on sustainability.
A prediction model for vertical-to-horizontal spectral ratios of ground motions on the seafloor for moderate magnitude events for the Sagami Bay region in Japan
Authors: Tan Jingyang , Hu Jinjun
Published: June 2020

A prediction model for offshore vertical-to-horizontal (V/H) spectral ratios of peak ground acceleration (PGA) and 5%-damped elastic response spectra for periods ranging from 0.01 to 10 s for an offshore area off Sagami Bay was developed. To compare differences between offshore and onshore ground motions in theV/Hspectral ratios, an onshoreV/Hprediction model was derived for onshore stations adjacent to the studied offshore sites. The offshore dataset includes 738 three-component records, and the onshore dataset includes 2219 records; both datasets are derived from the same set of 233 earthquakes selected for this study. The moment magnitude, hypocentral distance, focal depth, tectonic source type, and individual site correction term are used as independent variables in theV/Hmodels. A comparison drawn between the offshore and onshore models shows that theV/Hspectral ratios of offshore ground motions are obviously smaller than those of the onshore motions over short periods (< 1.0 s) but are comparable for periods of longer than 1.0 s. Water layer reduces vertical ground motions, especially over short periods, and as the periods increase, the effect of water layer decreases. The effect of the moment magnitude on offshoreV/Hratios is stronger than that of onshore ratios, especially for long periods; the effect of hypocentral distance and focal depth is considerable for long periods for offshoreV/Hratios, and theV/Hratios between offshore sites are very different due to complex local site geologies beneath the offshore stations.
Delayed Capital Injections for a Risk Process with Markovian Arrivals
Authors: Dibu A. S. , Jacob M. J. , Papaioannou Apostolos D. , Ramsden Lewis
Published: June 2020

In this paper we propose a generalisation to the Markov Arrival Process (MAP) risk model, by allowing for a delayed receipt of required capital injections whenever the surplus of an insurance firm is negative. Delayed capital injections often appear in practice due to the time taken for administrative and processing purposes of the funds from a third party or the shareholders of a firm. We introduce a MAP risk model that allows for capital injections to be received instantaneously, or with a random delay, depending on the amount of deficit experienced by the firm. For this model, we derive a system of Fredholm integral equations of the second kind for the Gerber-Shiu function and obtain an explicit expression (in matrix form) in terms of the Gerber-Shiu function of the MAP risk model without capital injections. In addition, we show that the expected discounted accumulated capital injections and the expected discounted overall time in red, up to the time of ruin, satisfy a similar integral equation, which can also be solved explicitly. Finally, to illustrate the applicability of our results, numerical examples are given.
Better in theory than in practise? Challenges when applying the luck egalitarian ethos in health care policy
Authors: Björk Joar , Helgesson Gert , Juth Niklas
Published: June 2020

Luck egalitarianism, a theory of distributive justice, holds that inequalities which arise due to individuals’ imprudent choices must not, as a matter of justice, be neutralized. This article deals with the possible application of luck egalitarianism to the area of health care. It seeks to investigate whether the ethos of luck egalitarianism can be operationalized to the point of informing health care policy without straying from its own ideals. In the transition from theory to practise, luck egalitarianism encounters several difficulties. We argue that the charge of moral arbitrariness can, at least in part, be countered by our provided definition of “imprudent actions” in the health area. We discuss the choice for luck egalitarianism in health care between ex ante and ex post policy approaches, and show how both approaches are flawed by luck egalitarianism’s own standards. We also examine the problem of threshold setting when luck egalitarianism is set to practise in health care. We argue that wherever policy thresholds are set, luck egalitarianism in health care risks pampering the imprudent, abandoning the prudent or, at worst, both. Furthermore, we claim that moves to mitigate these risks in turn diminish the normative importance of the ethos of luck egalitarianism to policy. All in all, our conclusion is that luck egalitarianism cannot be consistently applied as a convincing and relevant normative principle in health care policy.
Biochar from cookstoves reduces greenhouse gas emissions from smallholder farms in Africa
Authors: Sundberg Cecilia , Karltun Erik , Gitau James K. , Kätterer Thomas , Kimutai Geoffrey M. , Mahmoud Yahia , Njenga Mary , Nyberg Gert , Roing de Nowina Kristina , Roobroeck Dries , Sieber Petra
Published: June 2020

Biochar produced in cookstoves has the potential to contribute to negative carbon emissions through sequestration of biomass carbon while also providing other benefits for sustainable development, including provision of clean renewable energy and increased yields in tropical agriculture. The aim of the reported research was to estimate effects on food production, household energy access and life cycle climate impact from introduction of biochar-producing cookstoves on smallholder farms in Kenya. Participatory research on biochar production and use was undertaken with 150 Kenyan smallholder farming households. Gasifier cookstove functionality, fuel efficiency and emissions were measured, as well as biochar effects on agricultural yields after application to soil. Cookstoves provided benefits through reduced smoke, fuel wood savings and char production, but challenges were found related to labour for fuel preparation, lighting and refilling. On-farm trials with varying rates of biochar inputs, in combination with and without mineral fertilizers, have led to a sustained increase of maize yields following one-time application. The climate impact in a life cycle perspective was considerably lower for the system with cookstove production of biochar and use of biochar in agriculture than for current cooking practices. Climate benefits from biochar production and use are thus possible on smallholder farms in sub-Saharan Africa, through reduced use of biomass in cooking, reduced emissions of products of incomplete combustion and sequestration of stable biochar carbon in soils. Biochar-producing cookstoves can be implemented as a climate change mitigation method in rural sub-Saharan Africa. Successful implementation will require changes in cooking systems including fuel supply, as well as farming systems, which, in turn, requires an understanding of local socio-cultural conditions, including power relations and gender aspects.