bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fish size selection and diet composition of Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) in salmonid streams: Picky gourmets rather than opportunists?
Authors: Sittenthaler Marcia , Koskoff Lucia , Pinter Kurt , Nopp-Mayr Ursula , Parz-Gollner Rosemarie , Hackländer Klaus
Published: May 2019

Knowledge on predator diet and drivers of prey selection is particularly of interest for an efficient management of predator and prey populations where predators potentially compete with humans for resources. Actual or perceived predation by Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) on fish stocks generates conflicts in many countries. Recently, conflicts are heating up in riverine habitats, where multiple stressors affect stream fish populations. We combined dietary analysis of otter faeces and prey fish availability in three Austrian streams to assess spatial and seasonal differences in diet composition, the extent of (salmonid) fish consumption and the selection for specific salmonid fish sizes relative to their availability. Otters in upper reaches of temperate salmonid streams occupied a narrow trophic niche. Overall, otters fed predominantly on fish with salmonids dominating diet, both in terms of frequency and ingested biomass measures. Within the category of salmonids, otters selected for specific size classes. Concurrently, otters also displayed an opportunistic feeding behaviour, and seasonally and locally non-fish prey and other fish species than salmonids became key resources. Diet composition and salmonid size selection varied significantly within and between streams, which we relate to spatio-temporal variations of prey community composition and stream-specific habitat characteristics affecting prey vulnerability.
Recommending investment opportunities given congestion by adaptive network data envelopment analysis model: Assessing sustainability of supply chains
Authors: Hajaji Hossein , Yousefi Sara , Farzipoor Saen Reza , Hassanzadeh Amir
Published: May 2019

Nowadays, forward-thinking companies move beyond conventional structures of organizations and consider all parties of the supply chain. The objective of this paper is to present an adaptive network data envelopment analysis (DEA) model to evaluate overall and divisional efficiency of sustainable supply chains in the presence of desirable and undesirable outputs. Our adaptive network DEA model can assess overall and divisional efficiency of supply chains given managerial and natural disposability. Also, it suggests new investment opportunity given congestion type. A case study is presented.
Kritik beim Einsatz der medikamentösen Osteoporose-Therapie
Authors: Burckhardt Peter
Published: May 2019

Studien über neue Medikamente für Osteoporose berichteten über die Verhütung von radiologischen Wirbelkörper (WK)-Frakturen, aber meist mit einer zu freien Definition dieser Frakturen. Radiologische Frakturen sind häufiger als die klinischen WK-Frakturen, was die Studien erleichtert, aber sie sind zu einem Drittel asymptomatisch. Die Resultate solcher Studien wurden auch oft verschönert mit der Angabe der relativen Fraktur-Verminderung, und nicht mit der wirklichen Verminderung der Frakturinzidenz. Damit konnte eine wirkliche Frakturinzidenz-Verminderung von nur 1 % als 50 % angegeben werden. Was Hüftfrakturen angeht, ist der NNT (Number Needed to Treat), die Anzahl von Patienten, die behandelt werden müssen um eine Fraktur zu verhüten, sehr oft so hoch, dass ein günstiges Kosten/Nutzen-Verhältnis fraglich wird. Meistens ist er wahrscheinlich auch zu hoch für WK-Frakturen bei Patienten ohne vorgängige WK-Fraktur. Die Erwähnung des NNT wird nicht nur von der Pharma-Industrie vermieden, sondern auch von den meisten Autoren. Weiterhin wird oft nicht das beste und preisgünstigste Medikament verschrieben (orale versus parenterale Bisphosphonate, Calcium mit Vitamin D versus Vitamin D und Calciumreiche Nahrung). Es ist auch bedauerlich, dass Fluor von der Pharma-Industrie nicht unterstützt wurde, und dass das Medikament wegen der toxischen Dosen verurteilt wurde. Die positiven Studien mit kleinen, hoch wirksamen Dosen wurden außer Acht gelassen.
Prospective Evaluation of Semiquantitative Strain Ratio and Quantitative 2D Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) in Association with TIRADS Classification for Thyroid Nodule Characterization
Authors: Cantisani Vito , David Emanuele , Grazhdani Hektor , Rubini Antonello , Radzina Maija , Dietrich Christoph F. , Durante Cosimo , Lamartina Livia , Grani Giorgio , Valeria Ascoli , Bosco Daniela , Di Gioia Cira , Frattaroli Fabrizio Maria , D'Andrea Vito , De Vito Corrado , Fresilli Daniele , D'Ambrosio Ferdinando , Giacomelli Laura , Catalano Carlo
Published: May 2019

Purpose To evaluate the diagnostic performance of strain ratio elastography (SRE) and shear wave elastography (SWE) alone and in combination with Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TIRADS) classification parameters to improve differentiation between benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

Materials and Methods In this prospective study benign (n = 191) and malignant (n = 52) thyroid nodules were examined with high-resolution ultrasound (US) features using the TIRADS lexicon and SRE semiquantitative and SWE quantitative findings using histology or cytology as the gold standard with a 12-month follow-up. Sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp) and the area under the ROC curve (AUROC) were used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of each feature and combinations of the methods.

Results TIRADS score showed a sensitivity of 59.6 %, a specificity of 83.8 % with an AUROC of 0.717, a PPV of 50.0 % and an NPV of 88.4 %. SRE yielded the highest performance with a sensitivity of 82.7 %, a specificity of 92.7 % with AUROC of 0.877, a PPV 75.4 % and an NPV of 95.2 %. SWE (kPa) had a sensitivity and specificity of 67.3 % and 82.7 %, respectively, with an AUROC of 0.750, a PPV of 51.5 % and an NPV of 90.3 %. Differences were significant for SRE only but not for SWE.

Conclusion Ultrasound elastography may improve thyroid nodule discrimination. In particular, SRE has a better performance than TIRADS classification, while their combination improves sensitivity.
Frühes nicht kleinzelliges Bronchialkarzinom
Authors: Krome Susanne
Published: May 2019

Seit den 1980er-Jahren diskutieren Experten die Frage, ob Patienten mit einem nicht kleinzelligen Bronchialkarzinom (NSCLC) im Stadium T1N0 überhaupt von einer Lappenresektion profitieren oder ob eine sublobare Tumorentfernung ausreicht. Die Erkenntnis, dass sich NSCLC auch intraalveolär-aerogen – STAS (spread through air spaces) – ausbreiten können, hat die Debatte neu angeheizt. Die Kritiker der nicht anatomischen Operation weiten die Kontroverse aus. Auch andere Lokaltherapien müssten in Zeiten von STAS hinterfragt werden. David et al. diskutierten in einem Editorial die aktuelle Datenlage.
Der Zauberer sind Sie!
Authors: Freitag-Herse Barbara
Published: May 2019

Schon Aristoteles wusste: Das Ganze ist mehr als die Summe seiner Teile. Das gilt auch für Teams. Etwas Unterstützung von Ihnen braucht es allerdings, um aus den Individuen im Team ein WIR zu formen.
Update Mammakarzinom 2019 Teil 2 – Implementierung neuer Diagnostika und Therapien bei Patientinnen mit fortgeschrittenem Brustkrebs in der klinischen Praxis
Authors: Janni Wolfgang , Schneeweiss Andreas , Müller Volkmar , Wöckel Achim , Lux Michael P. , Hartkopf Andreas D. , Nabieva Naiba , Taran Florin-Andrei , Tesch Hans , Overkamp Friedrich , Lüftner Diana , Belleville Erik , Schütz Florian , Fasching Peter A. , Fehm Tanja N. , Kolberg Hans-Christian , Ettl Johannes
Published: May 2019

Die Behandlung von Patientinnen mit fortgeschrittenem Mammakarzinom hat sich in den letzten Jahren weiterentwickelt. Zusätzlich zum Therapiefortschritt in den etablierten Subgruppen (Hormonrezeptor- und HER2-Status) gibt es nun Therapien, die sich an einzelnen molekularen Charakteristika orientieren, wie zum Beispiel die PARP-Inhibitortherapie bei BRCA-mutierten Patientinnen. Zusätzlich dazu sind Tests in der Entwicklung, die innerhalb von Subgruppen weitere Marker etablieren sollen, um die Wirksamkeit einer Therapie vorherzusagen. Die PI3K-Mutationstestung bei HER2-negativen, hormonrezeptorpositiven Tumoren und die PD‑L1-Testung von Immunzellen bei triple-negativen Tumoren werden voraussichtlich in der klinischen Praxis etabliert, um Patientinnen für die jeweiligen Therapien auszuwählen. Mit neuen Therapieansätzen treten auch neue Nebenwirkungen auf. Das Management dieser Nebenwirkungen ebenso wie das der klassischen Therapien (supportive Therapie) ist mit der Einführung neuer Behandlungen essenziell, um die Lebensqualität der Patientinnen zu erhalten. Das Wissen über Maßnahmen zur Erhaltung und Verbesserung der Lebensqualität hat in den letzten Jahren deutlich zugenommen. Lifestyle-Faktoren sollten dabei ebenso Berücksichtigung finden wie moderne Therapieverfahren. Diese Übersichtsarbeit fasst die neuesten Studien und Veröffentlichungen zusammen und bewertet sie in Bezug auf die Relevanz für die klinische Praxis.
Plant Latex, from Ecological Interests to Bioactive Chemical Resources
Authors: Salomé Abarca Luis Francisco , Klinkhamer Peter G. L. , Choi Young Hae
Published: May 2019

Historically, latex-bearing plants have been regarded as important medicinal resources in many countries due to their characteristic latex ingredients. They have also often been endowed with a social or cultural significance in religious or cult rituals or for hunting. Initial chemical studies focused on the protein or peptide content but recently the interest extended to smaller molecules. Latex has been found to contain a broad range of specialized metabolites such as terpenoids, cardenolides, alkaloids, and phenolics, which are partly responsible for their antibacterial, antifungal, anthelmintic, cytotoxic, and insect-repellent activities. The diversity in biology and chemistry of latexes is supposedly associated to their ecological roles in interactions with exogenous factors. Latexes contain unique compounds that are different to those found in their bearing plants. Exploring the feasibility of plant latex as a new type of bioactive chemical resource, this review paper covers the chemical characterization of plant latexes, extending this to various other plant exudates. Also, the factors influencing this chemical differentiation and the production, transportation, and chemistry of the latex exudates are described, based on ecological and biochemical mechanisms. We also proposed a latex coagulation model involving 4 general conserved steps. Therefore, the inherent defensive origin of latexes is recognized as their most valuable character and encourages one to pay attention to these materials as alternative sources to discover metabolites with insecticidal or antimicrobial activity.
Lung Disease in Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Authors: Maioli Gabriella , Calabrese Giulia , Capsoni Franco , Gerosa Maria , Meroni Pier Luigi , Chighizola Cecilia Beatrice
Published: May 2019

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an acquired prothrombotic condition characterized by vascular thrombosis and/or obstetric complications, in the persistent positivity of circulating antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs). The clinical spectrum of manifestations associated with aPL positivity is progressively expanding, including the description of several lung manifestations. The most common pulmonary involvement related to aPL positivity is pulmonary embolism (PE), which has been reported to occur in 14.1% of APS patients during disease course. PE acknowledges a purely thrombotic etiology and thus might be accounted as a criterion for APS, making imperative to test aPL in young subjects with unprovoked PE. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) can manifest in APS patients, being the second most common lung complication of the syndrome, with a prevalence ranging between 1.8 and 3.5%. aPL-positive patients might present PH following a PE, might develop pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with connective tissue disease, or might present pulmonary venous hypertension due to Libman–Sacks endocarditis. Additional lung manifestations, such as diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and pulmonary fibrosis, are rarely described in APS patients; it is still not clear whether in these settings aPLs exert a pathogenic role or is a mere epiphenomenon. Hereby we discuss impact, clinical presentation, histopathologic findings, etiology, and treatment of each aPL-associated lung manifestation.
Interstitial Pneumonia with Autoimmune Features and Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease
Authors: Chernau Andrea K. , Leone Paolo M. , Swigris Jeffrey J.
Published: May 2019

In 2015, a multidisciplinary task force comprising pulmonologists, rheumatologists, pathologists, and radiologists representing the European Respiratory Society and American Thoracic Society published a diagnostic classification schema for individuals with interstitial lung disease and autoimmune features who did not meet criteria for a defined connective tissue disease. The term interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF) was applied. Classification criteria are often nonspecific, but up to 90% of subjects with IPAF have serological evidence for autoimmunity (particularly (+) antinuclear antibodies). Distinguishing patients with IPAF from idiopathic pulmonary disorders may be difficult. The natural history and appropriate management of IPAF have not been clarified, as data are largely limited to retrospective studies. In this review, we discuss the salient clinical, serologic, histologic, and radiographic features of IPAF and discuss an approach to management.
The Importance of Otoneurological Evaluation in Brazilian Workers Exposed to Pesticides: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Zeigelboim Bianca Simone , Malisky Jéssica Spricigo , Rosa Michéli Rodrigues da , Lacerda Adriana Bender Moreira de , Alcaraz Patrícia de Souza , Fonseca Vinicius Ribas
Published: May 2019

Introduction Agrochemicals, also known as pesticides, are widely used in agriculture and in public health. They are organic and inorganic chemical substances with a high level of toxicity not only for the environment, but also for human health.

Objective To verify findings on labyrinthine assessment in endemic disease control agents, and to recommend the inclusion of the vestibular exam in the set of tests for pesticide-exposed populations.

Methods Descriptive, prospective, cross-sectional study with a sample comprising 15 endemic disease control agents, males, mean age of 51.6 years old (standard deviation [SD] = 5.9). All of the participants were submitted to anamnesis, otorhinolaryngological screening, and vestibular assessment.

Results Regarding the most reported complaints, dizziness (73.4%), headache (60%), and tingling in the extremities (53.4%) were observed. The findings of the vestibular exams were normal in 53.3%, while 46.7% showed peripheral vestibular disorder, of which 26.7% were of deficitary type, and 20% of the irritative type.

Conclusions: Alteration in the vestibular system was verified in 50% of the workers, with a greater prevalence in the caloric testing. Several disorders related to pesticides intoxication are scientifically known. Actions promoting knowledge and qualification of this population for the proper handling of chemicals are suggested, in addition to the elaboration and inclusion of protocols of vestibular assessment in hearing health programs for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of vestibular disorders.
Histology of Pulmonary and Bronchiolar Disorders in Connective Tissue Diseases
Authors: Brambilla Cecilia , Rice Alexandra , Nicholson Andrew G.
Published: May 2019

Connective tissue diseases (CTDs) are a heterogeneous group of disorders, acquired or hereditary, involving an autoimmune-mediated inflammation of connective tissues in the whole body. Lung involvement is common with CTDs, and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Each compartment of the lung may be affected, often simultaneously, depending on the type of CTD. In addition, the lung may show pathological changes related to treatment, such as infection, drug reaction, and neoplasia. A multidisciplinary approach to diagnose these patients is essential and incorporates radiological and clinical as well as pathological data. In this review we describe the patterns of lung disease associated with common CTDs, lung disease in pediatric CTD patients, and newly recognized conditions.
Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Connective Tissue Disease
Authors: Fayed Hossam , Coghlan J. Gerry
Published: May 2019

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is common in most forms of connective tissue disease (CTD); the prevalent type of PH depends on the particular CTD. Thus, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is dominantly associated with scleroderma, while postcapillary PH is most common in rheumatoid arthritis and lung disease-associated PH is typically found in myositis and sarcoidosis.

Considerable expertise is required to identify, diagnose, and manage CTD-PH, as the primary physicians providing the majority of care for this population, rheumatologists, need a good working knowledge of CTD-PH, its rather subtle presentation, and how to access the necessary investigations to screen for and identify patients with PH. The role of the rheumatologist does not stop at diagnosis; in some conditions such as lupus, optimizing immunosuppression is key to the management of PH, and unlike simple idiopathic PAH, the natural history of CTD-PH is often punctuated by complications of the CTD rather than just events due to progression of PH or therapy-related adverse events.

The aim of this article is to provide an overview of all forms of CTD-PH, and to provide an easy reference source on current best practice.
A Biomechanical Comparison of Four Hip Arthroplasty Designs in a Canine Model
Authors: Ordway Nathaniel R. , Ash Kristian J. , Miller Mark A. , Mann Kenneth A. , Hayashi Kei
Published: May 2019

Objective The aim of this study was to develop an in vitro biomechanical protocol for canine cementless hip arthroplasty that represents physiological gait loading (compression and torsion) and to evaluate if three alternative implant designs improve fixation compared with the traditional collarless, tapered stem in the clinically challenging case of moderate canal flare index.

Study Design Twenty-four (six/group) laboratory-prepared canine constructs were tested using a simulated gait and overload (failure) protocol. Construct stiffness, failure load/displacement and migration were measured as outcome variables.

Results Simulated gait loading did not show any significant differences between implant types for peak displacement, peak rotation, torsional stiffness, subsidence or inducible displacement. The collared and collarless stem groups were stiffer in compression compared with the collarless with a lateral bolt and short-stem groups. Increasing the loading above simulated gait showed significant reductions in compressive and torsional stiffness for all implant constructs. Despite the reductions, the short-stem group showed significantly higher stiffness compared with the other three groups.

Conclusion Peak failure loads (compressive and torsional) in this study were approximately four to seven times the simulated gait loading (430 N, 1.6 Nm) regardless of implant type and highlight the importance of limiting activity level (trotting, jumping) following hip replacement in the postoperative period and during the osseointegration of the implant.
Turbulence energetics in an axisymmetric impinging jet flow
Authors: Shekhar Chandra , Nishino Koichi
Published: May 2019

Turbulence energetics is investigated in the impingement and wall jet regions of an axisymmetric impinging jet flow, by using the two-dimensional particle-image velocimetry measurement technique. The inlet-based Reynolds number is equal to 5200, and the height to the diameter ratio is equal to 5.95. This study shows that turbulence kinetic energy balances in outer, middle, and inner layers of the impingement region differ greatly from each other. The balances in near-field and far-field wall jet regions differ, as well. This study also provides various useful insights into the directional characteristics of the energy transports. For example, it has revealed that the turbulence diffusion process transports energy in the upstream direction in the jet core, but obliquely in the mixing layers. The balance terms are decomposed into physically meaningful spatial components, which, among various other insights, show that the negative production rate that is earlier reported in the stagnation region is caused by the negative work contributions of the radial and the tangential Reynolds stresses. This study, overall, lets us have a thorough understanding of the turbulence production, the convection, the turbulence diffusion, and the viscous diffusion processes, while the turbulence dissipation and the pressure diffusion terms are clubbed together and obtained as the residual of the energy balance equation. Information that is extracted from the residual has demonstrated the failure of Lumley’s model to estimate the pressure diffusion rate near the impingement surface.
Accessing fatigue information by means of dynamic nanoindentation
Authors: Diehl Katharina , Staedler Thorsten , Jiang Xin
Published: May 2019

Despite its relevance, fatigue is a phenomenon hardly investigated on the micro- and nano-scale. Recent developments in nanoindentation instrumentation have opened up new opportunities to study the behavior of materials dynamically probed on a small scale. Based on the experimental work on a single crystal copper sample as well as on polycrystalline copper, we show the possibility to sample fatigue information on the nanoscale, which corresponds well with existing literature. Consequently, the method introduced here provides a unique opportunity to explore the fatigue behavior and associated phenomena of surfaces or materials available only in small volumes.
Nuclear quantum effects in graphene bilayers
Authors: Herrero Carlos P. , Ramírez Rafael
Published: May 2019

Graphene bilayers display peculiar electronic and mechanical characteristics associated with their two-dimensional character and relative disposition of the sheets. Here, we study nuclear quantum effects in graphene bilayers by using path-integral molecular dynamics simulations, which allow us to consider quantization of vibrational modes and study the effect of anharmonicity on physical variables. Finite-temperature properties are analyzed in the range from 12 to 2000 K. Our results for graphene bilayers are compared with those found for graphene monolayers and graphite. Nuclear quantum effects turn out to be appreciable in the layer area and interlayer distance at finite temperatures. Differences in the behavior of in-plane and real areas of the graphene sheets are discussed. The interlayer spacing has a zero-point expansion of 1.5 × 10−2 Å with respect to the classical minimum. The compressibility of graphene bilayers in the out-of-plane direction is found to be similar to that of graphite at low temperatures and increases faster as the temperature is raised. The low-temperature compressibility increases by 6% due to zero-point motion. Special emphasis is placed on atomic vibrations in the out-of-plane direction. Quantum effects are present in these vibrational modes, but classical thermal motion becomes dominant over quantum delocalization for large system size. The significance of anharmonicities in this atomic motion is estimated by comparing with a harmonic approximation for the vibrational modes in graphene bilayers.
Calculation and tabulation of efficiencies for tungsten foil positron moderators
Authors: Alsulami Raed , Albarqi Mubarak , Jaradat Safwan , Usman Shoaib , Graham Joseph
Published: May 2019

Monte Carlo radiation transport simulations were used to calculate the positron stopping profiles in tungsten positron moderator foils. Stopping profiles were numerically integrated with efficiency kernels derived from Green's function solutions of the 3D diffusion equation to determine the moderation efficiency in both the backscattering and transmission geometries. Stopping profiles and efficiencies were calculated for positron energies from 10 keV to 10 MeV and incident angles from 0° to 75°. The resulting efficiencies agreed with other calculated and measured values in the literature, especially when similar values of the positron diffusion length and surface emission branching ratio were used. Large discrepancies with some of the values reported in the literature are mainly attributed to differences in foil manufacture and surface condition—factors which are known to greatly influence the diffusion length—as well as work function and branching ratios. This work provides tabulated efficiencies for tungsten foil moderators that can be interpolated and integrated with a positron flux having arbitrary energy and angular distributions.
Site-dependent TERS study of a porphyrin molecule on Ag(100) at 7 K
Authors: Ghafoor Atif , Yang Ben , Yu Yun-jie , Zhang Yu-fan , Zhang Xian-biao , Chen Gong , Zhang Yao , Zhang Yang , Dong Zhen-chao
Published: May 2019

Single-molecule tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) has emerged as an important technique for structural analysis at sub-molecular scale. Here in this work, we report a TERS study of an isolated free-base porphyrin molecule adsorbed on the Ag(100) surface at cryogenic temperature (~7 K). Site-dependent TERS spectra reveal distinct local vibrational information for the chemical constituents within a single molecule. Moreover, distinct spatial features among different Raman peaks can be resolved from the TERS mapping images. These images are found to associate with related vibrational modes, enabling to resolve the mode associated with N–H bonds at the sub-nanometer level. This study will provide deep insights into the symmetry of adsorption configurations and local vibrational information within a single molecule.
Fabrication of Ni nanoclusters-modified brookite TiO2 quasi nanocubes and its photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance
Authors: Zeng Peng , Liu Jin-yan , Wang Jin-ming , Peng Tian-you
Published: May 2019

The development of low-cost, earth-abundant and highly-efficient cocatalysts is still important to promote the photocatalytic H2 evolution reaction over semiconductors. Herein, a series of Ni nanoclusters (NCs) modified brookite TiO2 quasi nanocubes (BTN) (marked as Ni/BTN) are fabricated via a chemical reduction process. It is found that the loading content and oxidation state of Ni NCs can significantly influence the optical absorption, photocatalytic activity, and stability of Ni/BTN composites. Among the resultant Ni NCs-loaded products, 0.1%Ni/BTN composite delivers the best H2 evolution activity (156 µmol/h), which is 4.3 times higher than that of the BTN alone (36 µmol/h). Furthermore, the Ni NCs with ultrafine size (~2 nm) and high dispersity enable shorter charge transfer distance by quickly capturing the photoexcited electrons of BTN, and thus result in the improved activity even though the oxidization of some Ni NCs on BTN is harmful to the activity for H2 evolution due to the much lower electron capturing capability of NiO than metallic Ni. This study not only clarifies that brookite TiO2 would be a promising high-efficient photo-catalyst for H2 evolution, but also reveals vital clues for further improving its photocatalytic performance using low-cost Ni-based cocatalyst.
Improving the uncertainty assessment of economic losses from large destructive wildfires
Authors: Guillaume Bruno , Porterie Bernard , Batista Antonio , Cottle Phil , Albergel Armand
Published: May 2019

Currently, as fire risk is considered a high-frequency and low-severity risk, actuarial and underwriting pricing and risk management methods have stuck to methods based purely on historical loss data. In the global context of both increasing fire severity with climate change and increasing wildland–urban interface area, the use of environmental-based dynamical modelling tools offers a good alternative to better evaluate fire risk. A new method is presented here that combines the raster-based fire spread model SWIFFT and a stochastic approach for generating the spatial and temporal distribution of ignition points. Monte Carlo simulations are conducted, and the uncertainties of hazard and losses are evaluated. Adapted and applied to the landscape conditions of a Brazilian plantation, it is shown to be well suited for a precise reconstruction of the fire burnt area. Finally, the uncertainty assessment of losses for this study zone is presented. We conclude by discussing this new method, which has a high level of traceable uncertainty and how fire risk insurance can deal with it, as well as the progress of future research that will benefit from this method.
Individual differences in visual salience vary along semantic dimensions
Authors: de Haas Benjamin , Iakovidis Alexios L. , Schwarzkopf D. Samuel , Gegenfurtner Karl R.
Published: May 2019

What determines where we look? Theories of attentional guidance hold that image features and task demands govern fixation behavior, while differences between observers are interpreted as a “noise-ceiling” that strictly limits predictability of fixations. However, recent twin studies suggest a genetic basis of gaze-trace similarity for a given stimulus. This leads to the question of how individuals differ in their gaze behavior and what may explain these differences. Here, we investigated the fixations of >100 human adults freely viewing a large set of complex scenes containing thousands of semantically annotated objects. We found systematic individual differences in fixation frequencies along six semantic stimulus dimensions. These differences were large (>twofold) and highly stable across images and time. Surprisingly, they also held for first fixations directed toward each image, commonly interpreted as “bottom-up” visual salience. Their perceptual relevance was documented by a correlation between individual face salience and face recognition skills. The set of reliable individual salience dimensions and their covariance pattern replicated across samples from three different countries, suggesting they reflect fundamental biological mechanisms of attention. Our findings show stable individual differences in salience along a set of fundamental semantic dimensions and that these differences have meaningful perceptual implications. Visual salience reflects features of the observer as well as the image.
SCF
FBXO22
targets HDM2 for degradation and modulates breast cancer cell invasion and metastasis
Authors: Bai Jin , Wu Kenneth , Cao Meng-Han , Yang Yingying , Pan Yu , Liu Hui , He Yizhou , Itahana Yoko , Huang Lan , Zheng Jun-Nian , Pan Zhen-Qiang
Published: May 2019

Significance

Overexpression of human homologue of mouse double minute 2 (HDM2) is associated with aggressive cancer malignancy. It is therefore critical to understand cellular mechanisms for the control of HDM2 abundance. By identifying
S
kp1-
C
ullin 1-
F
BXO22-ROC1 (SCF
FBXO22
) as an E3 ubiquitin ligase for HDM2, our work has significantly improved knowledge of the cellular regulatory network required for the maintenance of HDM2 protein stability. The results of tumor cell invasion, mouse 4T1 breast tumor model study, and human breast cancer tissue expression analyses suggest a role for SCF
FBXO22
in the inhibition of breast cancer metastasis by down-regulating HDM2.
Mechanistic evidence for tracking the seasonality of photosynthesis with solar-induced fluorescence
Authors: Magney Troy S. , Bowling David R. , Logan Barry A. , Grossmann Katja , Stutz Jochen , Blanken Peter D. , Burns Sean P. , Cheng Rui , Garcia Maria A. , Kӧhler Philipp , Lopez Sophia , Parazoo Nicholas C. , Raczka Brett , Schimel David , Frankenberg Christian
Published: May 2019

Northern hemisphere evergreen forests assimilate a significant fraction of global atmospheric CO
2
but monitoring large-scale changes in gross primary production (GPP) in these systems is challenging. Recent advances in remote sensing allow the detection of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) emission from vegetation, which has been empirically linked to GPP at large spatial scales. This is particularly important in evergreen forests, where traditional remote-sensing techniques and terrestrial biosphere models fail to reproduce the seasonality of GPP. Here, we examined the mechanistic relationship between SIF retrieved from a canopy spectrometer system and GPP at a winter-dormant conifer forest, which has little seasonal variation in canopy structure, needle chlorophyll content, and absorbed light. Both SIF and GPP track each other in a consistent, dynamic fashion in response to environmental conditions. SIF and GPP are well correlated (
R
2
= 0.62–0.92) with an invariant slope over hourly to weekly timescales. Large seasonal variations in SIF yield capture changes in photoprotective pigments and photosystem II operating efficiency associated with winter acclimation, highlighting its unique ability to precisely track the seasonality of photosynthesis. Our results underscore the potential of new satellite-based SIF products (TROPOMI, OCO-2) as proxies for the timing and magnitude of GPP in evergreen forests at an unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution.
Humboldt’sTableau Physiquerevisited
Authors: Moret Pierre , Muriel Priscilla , Jaramillo Ricardo , Dangles Olivier
Published: May 2019

Significance

Over the last decades, historical data have made significant contributions to assess the ecological effects of global warming. Alexander von Humboldt’sTableau Physique(1807) is by far the oldest existing dataset on altitudinal ranges of tropical mountain vegetation and represents a unique data source to assess vegetation shift in response to climate change. Yet, we show here that this exercise is not straightforward, and that partnerships between historians and ecologists are needed to tease out the intermeshing and discrepancies of past and present biodiversity records. Our findings reveal a generalized misinterpretation of Humboldt’s most iconic work; provide new estimates of vegetation shifts for the tropical alpine Andes; and profoundly renew our understanding of Humboldt’s scientific thinking, methods, and modern relevance.
Syntactic processing in sight translation by professional and trainee interpreters
Authors: Chmiel Agnieszka , Lijewska Agnieszka
Published: May 2019

The study examines how professional and trainee interpreters process syntax in sight translation. We asked 24 professionals and 15 trainees to sight translate sentences with subject-relative clauses and more difficult object-relative clauses while measuring translation accuracy, eye movements and translation durations. We found that trainees took longer to achieve similar translation accuracy as professionals and viewed the source text less than professionals to avoid interference, especially when reading more difficult object-relative sentences. Syntactic manipulation modulated translation and viewing times: participants took longer to translate object-relative sentences but viewed them less in order to avoid interference in target language reformulations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to show that reading measures in sight translation should be analysed together with translation times to explain complex reading patterns. It also proposes a new measure, percentage of dwell time, as an index of interference avoidance.
Quantum secrecy in thermal states
Authors: Newton Elizabeth , Ghesquière Anne , Wilson Freya L , Varcoe Benjamin T H , Moseley Martin
Published: May 2019

We propose to perform quantum key distribution using quantum correlations occurring within thermal states produced by low power sources such as LEDs. These correlations are exploited through the Hanbury Brown and Twiss effect. We build an optical central broadcast protocol using a superluminescent diode which allows switching between laser and thermal regimes, enabling us to provide comparable experimental key rates in both regimes. We provide a theoretical analysis and show that quantum secrecy is possible, even in high noise situations.
Stability of spatial patterns in water chemistry across temperate ecoregions
Authors: Dupas Rémi , Minaudo Camille , Abbott Benjamin W
Published: May 2019

Human activity has polluted freshwater ecosystems across the planet, harming biodiversity, human health, and the economy. Improving water quality depends on identifying pollutant sources in river networks, but pollutant concentrations fluctuate in time. Continuous monitoring of many points in river networks is expensive, impeding progress in developing countries where water quality is degrading fastest. In this study, we analyzed 4523 water chemistry time series of ten parameters (

NO

3

−

,

PO

4

3
−

,

TP, DOC,

SO

4

2
−

,

Cl−, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+) across four temperate ecoregions in France (ca. 560 000 km2). We quantified the spatial stability of water chemistry across the monitoring stations using rank correlations between instantaneous concentrations and water quality metrics derived from 6-year time series (2010–2015). The strength of this rank correlation represents how well a water quality evaluation metric can be characterized with a single sampling for a given water quality parameter. Results show that a single sampling captured a mean of 88% of the spatial variability of these parameters, across ecoregions with different climate and land-use conditions. The spatial stability resulted both from high spatial variability among sites and high temporal synchrony among time series. These findings demonstrate that infrequent but spatially dense water sampling can achieve two of the major goals of water quality monitoring: identify pollutant sources and inform ideal locations for conservation and restoration interventions.
Software-Defined Optical Network (SDON), new generation networks
Authors: Leytón G V
Published: May 2019

At the time of establishing communications, the configuration of network resources, storage and computer systems worked independently. With the innovation and the new communication alternatives, the management was initiated so that all the parts mentioned above work together. This is how the idea of virtualization emerged, a process by which virtual versions of computers, operating systems and applications are created. For all network devices and servers to communicate with each other and function correctly there must be a centrally functioning controller, this is when a promising SDN paradigm emerges; networks defined by software considered as a promising method to rebuild the Internet architecture and improve the implementation and distribution of applications in communication networks. In addition, we will discuss how SDN networks perform their inclusion in optical networks, study these advanced architectures, in order to facilitate flexibility and resource optimization in optical transport.
Design of a WSN to determine the levels of CO and noise emitted in the parking of the CORPORACIÓN UNIVERSITARIA ANTONIO JOSÉ DE SUCRE of the city of Sincelejo-Sucre
Authors: Barrios-Ulloa A , Martinez-Diaz E , Medina Medina A , Sánchez Hernández D , Mercado Montes C , Arrieta Hernadez A , Julio Jiménez J , Serpa Serpa J
Published: May 2019

Wireless sensor networks (WSN) have gained great importance in recent years in different investigations and different fields, due to its wide deployment, cost and utility advantages. The constant exposure to different gases produced by combustion engines and excessive levels of noise can cause alterations in human health, especially in medium and large cities in which the vehicle fleet increases year by year. In this project a real-time contamination monitoring system is developed using wireless sensor networks for the monitoring of carbon monoxide (CO) and noise pollution in the parking of the headquarters of the Corporación Universitaria Antonio José de Sucre (CORPOSUCRE) in Sincelejo, Sucre. The data collected by the sensor nodes are sent to a computer where they can be viewed on the Serial Plotter platform. The design of the system was carried out through a site study in order to obtain the data of the variables used to get the results of the present study. The monitoring system is based on the Arduinos and XBee modules, which results in a simple design and low cost due to the characteristics of the elements used. The data obtained will allow to determine if the CO emissions and the noise levels in the parking of CORPOSUCRE exceed or not the maximum limits allowed.
Low-cost automatic device for obtaining the coefficient of static friction
Authors: Rodriguez-Arias H A
Published: May 2019

Considering that the coefficient of friction between materials is one of the important characteristics in the design, either by wear or by requiring friction for power transmission, and this value is usually achieved in tables and these values come out of experimentation or results with tests using devices. Furthermore, these devices are not often found in the laboratories of the universities. For this reason, it was decided to adopt one of the methods of calculation, in this case the inclined plane. This consists of finding the angle of inclination in which one material begins to slide on another, since calculating the tangent of this angle determines the coefficient of friction. To this end, a device was built, consisting of a platform that by means of a mechanism is tilted little by little, until the object under study begins to move. In addition, to exclude human error, the device has sensors and an adequate control, in such a way that the process is completely automatic. Finally, the device is based on open technology, such as Arduino, managing to build a device to obtain the coefficient of friction at low cost. Its development and the results obtained are shown in this paper.
Development of prototype educational software for children with hearing disabilities for kids
Authors: Polo-Amador L J , Tello-Rios A , Tavera-Castillo N , Castrillon-Gomez J D , Gomez-Sanchez W
Published: May 2019

At present, there are different factors that lead to creating this auditory difficulty as a medical diagnosis. Becoming an impediment to the integral development of the people since a greater effort must be made for their formation and communication in the daily life. In this way, that in the process of academic training for these people, who have this type of difficulty should be based on the use of new methodological strategies, generating new learning scenarios for the best class development. It will contribute in that space given that its condition of absolute deficiency of listening makes it difficult to understand a specific context, in this case in Spanish, this fundamental matter being a communication mechanism in their daily lives and in the framework of interpretive and argumentative competences. For this subject and given the condition of the student, is considered important to accompany the learning with ICT tools that allow the process to be more dynamic, from the virtual context where the student will directly interact with a learning content in a didactic way understanding in a better context this information that is taught in a classroom with a traditional methodology. Among the main advantages of using these computing resources in class is: having a homogeneous group with respect to the knowledge that corresponds to the degree they are studying and improving their lexicon ability for communication in their daily lives as they go to enrich their vocabulary and understand some words they did not understand. One of the many reasons of the distractions today, are the new technologies, the mobile devices like cellphones, videogames, audio and video players, among other things which don’t allow keep the needed focus in class.

Through the use of the developed web application it will dynamically offer a virtual space to interact with the contents of the Spanish subject to the student improving their communication and understanding the context where they live in their daily lives. Applying technological tools searching to solve this problem. The development of this research starts by generating a tool in this case a web application that, in a dynamic way, provides spaces and training activities in the basic contents of primary in Spanish, offering the student a variety of levels in those who can improve knowledge and apply the acquired notions in their training process. Additionally, you can keep track of your progress and score in the levels you are surpassing. By De la Torre S [1].
Architecture of a Technology Platform for sustainable tourism management under the NTS-TS 002 standard
Authors: García Ramírez F , Puello Beltrán J
Published: May 2019

The importance of the tourism sector in Colombia has focused on aspects related to competitiveness and sustainability given the impact of tourism activity in the different destinations where it is developed. In order to maintain this advantage, it is essential to strengthen the management of sustainable tourism, optimizing the benefits for users, the destination and the local economy, while minimizing impacts on the environment. In this sense, the governmental demands oriented towards the implementation of these policies in the sector, as indicated by the Sectorial Technical Norms (NTS), specifically, the NTS-TS 002, requires the support of a technological management tool that allows the controlled development of the activities and indicators established by the regulations.

Based on this need in the tourism sector, a research project was developed based on the proposal of a management model of the NTS-TS 002 standard, was articulated with a software architecture that later will be specified in a web application to support the diagnostic process, monitoring of the indicators included in the standard and which allow accommodation and lodging establishments to be subsequently certified.
Design and Simulation of a Slot Waveguide Array Antenna (SWAA) for Satellite Communications
Authors: Ripoll L , Valdez L
Published: May 2019

One of the most used antennas today, is that of slots in waveguides. These antennas are an important type within the microwave range with various applications in electronic communications systems, radar, and satellite applications, due to its high power capacity, high efficiency, low weight, compact structure and few lateral lobes, all added together to its proven resistance to radiation, high temperatures and vibration, characteristics without which they can not be used in aerospace applications. The following lines show the design and simulation of a Slot Waveguide Array Antenna (SWAA) for satellite communications in the 30 GHz band. The antenna will be approximately 170x170 mm, constituted by 24x24 slots. It will be fed by waveguides in a lower layer connected to the radiating guides through slots. The modeling and design of the different elements that make up the power grid as T-junctions and elbows in the E and H planes were carried out.