bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TQM: The Quality Imperative
Authors: Smitley William , Yanovitch Teri
Published: January 2018

A wide variety of methods, tools, and techniques currently exist to assist companies enhance quality. However, many of them do not bring about substantiative improvement. The reasons are varied but usually begin with a lack of senior executive commitment and leadership. This paper explores the concepts and actions that are needed to change the culture of an organization to one of continuous quality improvement. It provides the outline for successful implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM) in any corporation.

Paper published with permission.
Mass Flow Meters and the Citrus Industry
Authors: Zarikian Avedis N.
Published: January 2018

Units of mass, length, and time constitute the basis of all physical measurement. As a fundamental standard of measurement, mass does not derive its units of measure from any other source. A pound is always a pound and is not affected by changes in temperature, pressure, density, or viscosity. This consistency makes mass an ideal property to measure.

Paper published with permission.
Ammonia Refrigeration and Osha Process Safety Management Programs
Authors: Tyler Steven J.
Published: January 2018

Developing an effective Process Safety Management Program involves the same four elements necessary for developing any other major piece of work. Proper fulfillment of any program relies on proper usage of all four of these elements. These elements are: planning, organizing, implementing and controlling. Planning sets the stage for the process by identifying the current status and establishing how progress will be checked. Organizing defines the resources that will be used in order to establish the program. Implementing is working with the people selected for the program and ensuring that all tasks associated with the program are fulfilled. Controlling is making adjustments to the original plan in order to achieve the desired results. Although identifying objectives is one phase of the planning process, it is necessary to first talk about this regulation and what it means for the ammonia refrigeration industry.

Paper published with permission.
Water Use and Wastewater Flow Reduction in the Citrus Processing Industry
Authors: Jones Richard H. , Keough David A.
Published: January 2018

The Citrus Processing Industry is faced with increased pressures from a number of different sources to reduce water consumption and wastewater discharges. The Florida Water Management Districts are moving toward more restrictive limits on consumptive use permits. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are moving toward zero discharge limits for industry wastewater discharges to surface waters, wherever possible. The cost of water consumption and wastewater treatment and disposal are increasing, therefore, there is a significant cost incentive for industry to reduce water consumption and wastewater discharge. A logical and economical approach to addressing this issue is by reduction of:

• In-plant water use

• Wastewater volume

• Wastewater concentrations

Implementation of a water use and waste reduction program establishes a pro-active environmental image for the corporations and industry as a whole.

Paper published with permission.
Variable Speed Drives
Authors: Snyder Harold T.
Published: January 2018

The 3 C’s Cash - Control - and Coordination based on the use of variable speed drives in the Citrus Industry is covered in this paper. Proper use of variable speed drives results in more money (CASH) from Energy Savings, Reduced Maintenance cost, and Improved Efficiencies. By regulating the speed of pumps and conveyor belts, less problems from mismatched speeds occur (CONTROL). The timing of the material reaching the correct location through proper speeds of equipment means improved COORDINATION. The various types of variable speed drives and their manufacturers are discussed. The type of drives covered range from simple eddy current, with minimum control features, to electronic AC and DC drives with unlimited control functions.

Paper published with permission.
Deregulation in the Electric Power Industry
Authors: Rudolph Steven G.
Published: January 2018

The Electric Power Industry has begun an unprecedented transformation caused by changes in regulation, generation and utilization technology. These changes will forever change the way consumers purchase electricity.

The Electric Power industry is the most capital intensive industry in the world. As such, it has also traditionally been the most regulated industry. Pricing and regulatory pressures have begun a process that will dissect the industry and greatly complicate the relationship between the electric supplier and the electric user.

This paper will endeavor to outline how we got here and where the industry is moving with these changes.

Paper published with permission.
Warehouse Configuration Analysis to Achieve Productivity and Cube Utilization
Authors: Schieler Richard F.
Published: January 2018

There are many factors which influence profitability for a Citrus Industry processor. Demand and raw product quality/availability surely are near the top of the list. The process itself gets a lot of attention relative to cost reduction. One area which does not get a lot of attention, however, is warehousing. The warehouse has historically been a “foster child” so to speak.

If warehousing continues to be considered a necessary evil, its effect on profitability of total operations will obviously be negative. If warehousing is given some much needed attention, the negative effect can be minimized and, in fact, can even help improve profitability. An example might demonstrate this claim: A processing plant is relatively land-locked and needs to expand to meet plan goals. Thirty (30) to forty (40) percent of existing plant area is utilized for warehousing. In many cases, productivity in these existing warehouses is poor, maintenance costs are higher than they might be, and cube utilization can be poor. A land-locked plant which must expand suggests big capital costs or debt service for additional land and buildings. Why not zero in on the relatively unproductive utilization of 30 to 40 percent of existing space. If we can improve cube utilization alone, we might free up enough space to accommodate process expansion on the site. If we can do this with a corresponding productivity increase, we effectively lower operating cost and capital cost or debt service. In the profit equation, lower cost means higher profits.

Product is stored as concentrate in tank farms, as concentrate in drums, in totes in some cases, as frozen single-strength slabs or in the many finished package configurations. There is not much we can do about improving tank farm space utilization, so we will concentrate on storage of unit loads (drums, frozen single-strength slabs or palletized finished unit loads).

Given the time we have to address the topic, we will zero in on drum storage. The principles discussed can be applied on any unit load configuration.

To adequately address warehouse optimization, product storage configuration and method of operation must be evaluated. These two (2) variables cannot be independently developed. To a degree, each is affected by changes in the other.

SORA has developed a systematic approach to the analysis of warehousing operations that recognizes this interrelationship. This analysis in general consists of a series of proprietary computer programs and algorithms that are individually customized to suit the particular needs of a client while at the same time maintaining the inter-linked relationship.

This methodology is further explained and the date collection requirements are defined in this paper. An example is provided which demonstrates the results of proper analysis and provides sufficient budgetary and “rule-of-thumb” data for implementation of preliminary analysis of your own needs.

Paper published with permission.
Deoiling Single-Strength Orange Juice
Authors: Puglia Joseph A. , Harper Douglas P.
Published: January 2018

Deoiling single-strength orange juice extracted from FMC extractors utilizing a centrifugal separator has traditionally been a difficult task. New technology utilizing hermetic separators has proven very successful for this application. Processors are able to use maximum yield recovery settings in the extractors and hold the separator accountable for reducing the oil content and defects in the juice to acceptable levels.

With the demand for Not-From-Concentrate premium orange juice rapidly increasing in the United States, the processor must be able to recover as much juice from the fruit as they can. During certain periods of the production season, the oil in the juice exceeds the USDA grade standards of 0.035%. In order to maintain this high quality juice throughout the processing season, the demand for new technology in oil reduction was required. New technology, utilizing hermetic separators for deoiling, has lead to significant gains in juice yields.

Paper published with permission.
Asset Management Perception for Industrial Compressed Air Systems
Authors: Kemp Henry L.
Published: January 2018

It is widely accepted that industrial and commercial electricity users will continue to be increasingly challenged to reduce costs in order to be more competitive in their local, national and international market place. Today’s forward thinking and effective managers are viewing and managing the industrial compressed air system as an asset, not a necessary evil.

Paper published with permission.
Aseptic Processing and Storage of Citrus Juices
Authors: Raasch Jeffrey B.
Published: January 2018

The citrus industry in general has adapted to tremendous changes in the past 50 years. Consumers’ demand for ready to serve products have challenged processors to adopt new manufacturing techniques and processing skills. The Institute of Food Technologist reported the Top 10 innovations in 1991 as:

10. Ultra high temperature (UHT) short term sterilization of milk and other products

9. Food fortification

8. Understanding of water activity in foods

7. Frozen meals

6. Freeze drying

5. Atmosphere controlled packages for fresh fruits and vegetables

4. Frozen concentrated citrus juices

3. The microwave oven

2. Minimum safe canning processes for vegetables

1. Aseptic processing and packaging

Paper published with permission.
VOC Emissions From Citrus Processing Plants
Authors: Buff David A.
Published: January 2018

The Florida citrus industry currently consists of approximately 25 citrus processing plants located in 12 counties. Historically, peel dryers have been the only regulated sources of air emissions at citrus plants. Particulate matter (PM) and sulfur dioxide (S02) emissions have been historically the only pollutant regulated from peel dryers. These emissions have generally been addressed in permit applications for peel dryers, along with emissions due to fuel combustion, which include carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).

Recently, the question of the magnitude of VOC emissions from citrus peel dryers as well as from citrus processing plants has arisen because federal operating permit regulations and prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) regulations would apply if VOC emissions exceed certain levels. In preparing Title V permit applications, several citrus processors have obtained air emission data from peel dryers, including VOC data. These limited data have indicated that VOC emissions can be significant. The citrus industry is planning to obtain additional VOC data in the upcoming processing season in order to better quantify such emissions.

This paper presents available industry data in regard to VOC emissions from citrus plants and peel dryers. Test data are presented, summarized, and evaluated. Test methods are also identified and discussed in relation to results obtained. Potential VOC emissions based on mass balance are presented. The citrus peel drying process and operation is discussed in relation to the VOC emissions data.

Finally, potential air permitting implications of VOC emissions are discussed. Based on the information gathered in this study, it is concluded that VOC emissions from peel dryers and from citrus processing plants are significant. Most plants would likely be considered as major sources for Title V purposes, and larger plants could be major sources for PSD new source review purposes.

Paper published with permission.
Citrus Plant and Process Ventilation
Authors: Ousley Peter K.
Published: January 2018

Plant Ventilation, by definition, is the change of air within a manufacturing plant utilizing unducted ventilators. It is accomplished by bringing outside air in and exhausting it back outdoors. The degree of air change is based on how many exchanges of air per minute are required to provide an ambient temperature within the plant close to or equal to outside shade conditions. Air changes, within citrus plant operations, will vary in requirement depending on heat load, moisture content, number of workers and the degree of hazardous or noxious fumes. The following outlines various air changes often required in different areas of citrus plant operations.

Paper published with permission.
Simulation Modeling: Risk Free Evaluation of Performance Alternatives
Authors: Schaffer Dennis A.
Published: January 2018

Computer simulation is not a new technology; it has been used extensively by military, academic, and industrial organizations since the 1950’s for everything from critical strategic planning to validation of black hole and expanding universe theories. Early projects were hampered by excessive cost, cumbersome hardware, and complex programming but recent advances in personal computer power and application software have provided a basis for rapid advancement of simulation as a powerful, cost effective, risk free tool that can be used to analyze and improve any operating system. Computer simulation modeling is now used throughout the world as a primary decision making tool by all major automotive manufactures, can makers, financial institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and food processors.

The Florida citrus industry is faced with a continuous challenge to cut operating costs while improving quality and service, and we are asked to meet the challenge on a severely limited budget with utmost speed. We know changes must be made, and we even have a good idea what they are, but we are not sure which changes should be made first, or if they will really work as well as we think. We also know that trial and error methods of testing changes can be financially risky and disruptive to the existing process. A wrong decision to proceed with trial and error testing can have extreme consequences for both the decision-maker and the business, and many excellent ideas are never implemented due to a justified “fear of failure”.

Simulation allows many ideas to be tested in a greatly compressed time frame without committing capital, wasting time, or disrupting the process. Simulation promotes creative thinking and provides credible data for informed decision-making at all levels of an operation that cannot be obtained by any other method.

Paper published with permission.
Pumped Peel: Five Years Later
Authors: Johnston Robert
Published: January 2018

It was five years ago at this conference that Carlos Odio presented a paper on pumped peel systems in Brazil. This was the first time many of us had heard of the concept.

Paper published with permission.
New Burner Technologies
Authors: Fillmon Doug
Published: January 2018

Most Citrus Concentrate Plants with operating Feed Mills in production today incorporate standard single pass, 180° furnace configuration, parallel flow, direct-fired pulp dryers with either natural gas, or fuel oil fired burners.

Paper published with permission.
Citrus Tank Farm Level Control
Authors: Groh Doug
Published: January 2018

Level control is an increasingly important issue for a variety of industries involved in the production, processing, or packaging of liquids or bulk solids, such as the citrus industry. The growing importance of level control is driven by several factors. First, many companies simply have not had adequate methods of level control, relying on rough measurements of inflow and outflow, or purely manual methods. These companies have been ‘flying blind’ and unable to accurately ascertain their inventory conditions, resulting in a host of operational problems. As these companies invest in automated systems, level is one of many inputs that need to be properly monitored. Second, more companies are seeking to manage and reduce their inventory levels in order to reduce both the capital and tax costs of inventory holding.

Paper published with permission.
Superresolution and pulse-chase imaging reveal the role of vesicle transport in polar growth of fungal cells
Authors: Zhou Lu , Evangelinos Minoas , Wernet Valentin , Eckert Antonia F. , Ishitsuka Yuji , Fischer Reinhard , Nienhaus G. Ulrich , Takeshita Norio
Published: January 2018

Superresolution imaging enables visualization of the process of cell wall synthase transport in polar growth of ascomycete fungi.
Sedimentary sulfur isotopes and Neoarchean ocean oxygenation
Authors: Fakhraee Mojtaba , Crowe Sean A. , Katsev Sergei
Published: January 2018

Neoarchean S isotopes indicate protracted ocean oxygenation and sulfate buildup under anoxic atmosphere.
Soft, smart contact lenses with integrations of wireless circuits, glucose sensors, and displays
Authors: Park Jihun , Kim Joohee , Kim So-Yun , Cheong Woon Hyung , Jang Jiuk , Park Young-Geun , Na Kyungmin , Kim Yun-Tae , Heo Jun Hyuk , Lee Chang Young , Lee Jung Heon , Bien Franklin , Park Jang-Ung
Published: January 2018

This study presents a soft, smart contact lens that provides real-time sensing for diabetes through a wireless display.
Muon's magnetism could point to new physics
Authors: Cho Adrian
Published: January 2018

After a hiatus of nearly 20 years, experimental scrutiny of fleeting particle resumes.
The light fantastic
Authors: Cartlidge Edwin
Published: January 2018

Physicists in China and elsewhere are vying to build lasers so powerful theycould rip apart empty space.
U.S. policy on Cuba obstructs crucial medical breakthroughs
Authors: Jarvis Michaela
Published: January 2018

AAAS Cuban Biomedical Fellows delayed in obtaining visas for collaborations on Alzheimer's, cancer
Moving in the Anthropocene: Global reductions in terrestrial mammalian movements
Authors: Tucker Marlee A. , Böhning-Gaese Katrin , Fagan William F. , Fryxell John M. , Van Moorter Bram , Alberts Susan C. , Ali Abdullahi H. , Allen Andrew M. , Attias Nina , Avgar Tal , Bartlam-Brooks Hattie , Bayarbaatar Buuveibaatar , Belant Jerrold L. , Bertassoni Alessandra , Beyer Dean , Bidner Laura , van Beest Floris M. , Blake Stephen , Blaum Niels , Bracis Chloe , Brown Danielle , de Bruyn P. J. Nico , Cagnacci Francesca , Calabrese Justin M. , Camilo-Alves Constança , Chamaillé-Jammes Simon , Chiaradia Andre , Davidson Sarah C. , Dennis Todd , DeStefano Stephen , Diefenbach Duane , Douglas-Hamilton Iain , Fennessy Julian , Fichtel Claudia , Fiedler Wolfgang , Fischer Christina , Fischhoff Ilya , Fleming Christen H. , Ford Adam T. , Fritz Susanne A. , Gehr Benedikt , Goheen Jacob R. , Gurarie Eliezer , Hebblewhite Mark , Heurich Marco , Hewison A. J. Mark , Hof Christian , Hurme Edward , Isbell Lynne A. , Janssen René , Jeltsch Florian , Kaczensky Petra , Kane Adam , Kappeler Peter M. , Kauffman Matthew , Kays Roland , Kimuyu Duncan , Koch Flavia , Kranstauber Bart , LaPoint Scott , Leimgruber Peter , Linnell John D. C. , López-López Pascual , Markham A. Catherine , Mattisson Jenny , Medici Emilia Patricia , Mellone Ugo , Merrill Evelyn , de Miranda Mourão Guilherme , Morato Ronaldo G. , Morellet Nicolas , Morrison Thomas A. , Díaz-Muñoz Samuel L. , Mysterud Atle , Nandintsetseg Dejid , Nathan Ran , Niamir Aidin , Odden John , O’Hara Robert B. , Oliveira-Santos Luiz Gustavo R. , Olson Kirk A. , Patterson Bruce D. , Cunha de Paula Rogerio , Pedrotti Luca , Reineking Björn , Rimmler Martin , Rogers Tracey L. , Rolandsen Christer Moe , Rosenberry Christopher S. , Rubenstein Daniel I. , Safi Kamran , Saïd Sonia , Sapir Nir , Sawyer Hall , Schmidt Niels Martin , Selva Nuria , Sergiel Agnieszka , Shiilegdamba Enkhtuvshin , Silva João Paulo , Singh Navinder , Solberg Erling J. , Spiegel Orr , Strand Olav , Sundaresan Siva , Ullmann Wiebke , Voigt Ulrich , Wall Jake , Wattles David , Wikelski Martin , Wilmers Christopher C. , Wilson John W. , Wittemyer George , Zięba Filip , Zwijacz-Kozica Tomasz , Mueller Thomas
Published: January 2018

Restrictions on roaming

Until the past century or so, the movement of wild animals was relatively unrestricted, and their travels contributed substantially to ecological processes. As humans have increasingly altered natural habitats, natural animal movements have been restricted. Tucker
et al.
examined GPS locations for more than 50 species. In general, animal movements were shorter in areas with high human impact, likely owing to changed behaviors and physical limitations. Besides affecting the species themselves, such changes could have wider effects by limiting the movement of nutrients and altering ecological interactions.

Science
, this issue p.
466
Comment on “Precipitation drives global variation in natural selection”
Authors: Myers-Smith Isla H. , Myers Judith H.
Published: January 2018

Siepielski
et al
. (Reports, 3 March 2017, p. 959) claim that “precipitation drives global variation in natural selection.” This conclusion is based on a meta-analysis of the relationship between climate variables and natural selection measured in wild populations of invertebrates, plants, and vertebrates. Three aspects of this analysis cause concern: (i) lack of within-year climate variables, (ii) low and variable estimates of covariance relationships across taxa, and (iii) a lack of mechanistic explanations for the patterns observed; association is not causation.
Response to Comment on “Precipitation drives global variation in natural selection”
Authors: Siepielski Adam M. , Morrissey Michael B. , Buoro Mathieu , Carlson Stephanie M. , Caruso Christina M. , Clegg Sonya M. , Coulson Tim , DiBattista Joseph , Gotanda Kiyoko M. , Francis Clinton D. , Hereford Joe , Kingsolver Joel G. , Augustine Kate E. , Kruuk Loeske E. B. , Martin Ryan A. , Sheldon Ben C. , Sletvold Nina , Svensson Erik I. , Wade Michael J. , MacColl Andrew D. C.
Published: January 2018

The comment by Myers-Smith and Myers focuses on three main points: (i) the lack of a mechanistic explanation for climate-selection relationships, (ii) the appropriateness of the climate data used in our analysis, and (iii) our focus on estimating climate-selection relationships across (rather than within) taxonomic groups. We address these critiques in our response.
The nature of nurture: Effects of parental genotypes
Authors: Kong Augustine , Thorleifsson Gudmar , Frigge Michael L. , Vilhjalmsson Bjarni J. , Young Alexander I. , Thorgeirsson Thorgeir E. , Benonisdottir Stefania , Oddsson Asmundur , Halldorsson Bjarni V. , Masson Gisli , Gudbjartsson Daniel F. , Helgason Agnar , Bjornsdottir Gyda , Thorsteinsdottir Unnur , Stefansson Kari
Published: January 2018

Genetic variants provide a nurturing environment

Genetic variants in parents may affect the fitness of their offspring, even if the child does not carry the allele. This indirect effect is referred to as “genetic nurture.” Kong
et al.
used data from genome-wide association studies of educational attainment to construct polygenic scores for parents that only considered the nontransmitted alleles (see the Perspective by Koellinger and Harden). The findings suggest that genetic nurture is ultimately due to genetic variation in the population and is mediated by the environment that parents create for their children.

Science
, this issue p.
424
; see also p.
386
Learning and attention reveal a general relationship between population activity and behavior
Authors: Ni A. M. , Ruff D. A. , Alberts J. J. , Symmonds J. , Cohen M. R.
Published: January 2018

The neuronal population is the key unit

The responses of pairs of neurons to repeated presentations of the same stimulus are typically correlated, and an identical neuronal population can perform many functions. This suggests that the relevant units of computation are not single neurons but subspaces of the complete population activity. To test this idea, Ni
et al.
measured the relationship between neuronal population activity and performance in monkeys. They investigated attention, which improves perception of attended stimuli, and perceptual learning, which improves perception of well-practiced stimuli. These two processes operate on different time scales and are usually studied using different perceptual tasks. Manipulation of attention and learning in the same behavioral trials and the same neuronal populations revealed the dimensions of population activity that matter most for behavior.

Science
, this issue p.
463
Defining the earliest step of cardiovascular lineage segregation by single-cell RNA-seq
Authors: Lescroart Fabienne , Wang Xiaonan , Lin Xionghui , Swedlund Benjamin , Gargouri Souhir , Sànchez-Dànes Adriana , Moignard Victoria , Dubois Christine , Paulissen Catherine , Kinston Sarah , Göttgens Berthold , Blanpain Cédric
Published: January 2018

Committing the heart

The heart is a complex organ composed of multiple cell types such as cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells. Cardiovascular cells arise from
Mesp1
-expressing progenitor cells. Lescroart
et al.
performed single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis of mouse wild-type and
Mesp1
-deficient cardiovascular progenitor cells at early gastrulation (see the Perspective by Kelly and Sperling). When
Mesp1
was eliminated, embryonic cells remained pluripotent and could not differentiate into cardiovascular progenitors. During gastrulation, the different
Mesp1
progenitors rapidly became committed to a particular cell fate and heart region.
Notch1
expression marked the earliest step of cardiovascular lineage segregation.

Science
, this issue p.
1177
; see also p.
1098
The earliest modern humans outside Africa
Authors: Hershkovitz Israel , Weber Gerhard W. , Quam Rolf , Duval Mathieu , Grün Rainer , Kinsley Leslie , Ayalon Avner , Bar-Matthews Miryam , Valladas Helene , Mercier Norbert , Arsuaga Juan Luis , Martinón-Torres María , Bermúdez de Castro José María , Fornai Cinzia , Martín-Francés Laura , Sarig Rachel , May Hila , Krenn Viktoria A. , Slon Viviane , Rodríguez Laura , García Rebeca , Lorenzo Carlos , Carretero Jose Miguel , Frumkin Amos , Shahack-Gross Ruth , Bar-Yosef Mayer Daniella E. , Cui Yaming , Wu Xinzhi , Peled Natan , Groman-Yaroslavski Iris , Weissbrod Lior , Yeshurun Reuven , Tsatskin Alexander , Zaidner Yossi , Weinstein-Evron Mina
Published: January 2018

Earliest modern humans out of Africa

Recent paleoanthropological studies have suggested that modern humans migrated from Africa as early as the beginning of the Late Pleistocene, 120,000 years ago. Hershkovitz
et al.
now suggest that early modern humans were already present outside of Africa more than 55,000 years earlier (see the Perspective by Stringer and Galway-Witham). During excavations of sediments at Mount Carmel, Israel, they found a fossil of a mouth part, a left hemimaxilla, with almost complete dentition.

The sediments contain a series of well-defined hearths and a rich stone-based industry, as well as abundant animal remains. Analysis of the human remains, and dating of the site and the fossil itself, indicate a likely age of at least 177,000 years for the fossil—making it the oldest member of the
Homo sapiens
clade found outside Africa.

Science
, this issue p.
456
; see also p.
389
Mechanistic origin and prediction of enhanced ductility in magnesium alloys
Authors: Wu Zhaoxuan , Ahmad Rasool , Yin Binglun , Sandlöbes Stefanie , Curtin W. A.
Published: January 2018

A framework for more ductile magnesium

Development of ductile magnesium alloys is key to their use in reducing the weight of vehicles and other applications. Wu
et al.
tackle this issue by determining the underlying mechanisms in unprocessed magnesium alloys. Dilute amounts of solutes enhanced certain ductility-improving mechanisms over ones that cause brittle fracture. From this, the authors developed a theory that may be helpful for screening the large number of potential magnesium alloy compositions.

Science
, this issue p.
447
A platform for automated nanomole-scale reaction screening and micromole-scale synthesis in flow
Authors: Perera Damith , Tucker Joseph W. , Brahmbhatt Shalini , Helal Christopher J. , Chong Ashley , Farrell William , Richardson Paul , Sach Neal W.
Published: January 2018

A reaction screen in flowing solvent

Chemists charged with manufacturing pharmaceuticals have recently been exploring the efficiency advantages of continuous flow techniques. Perera
et al.
now show that a flow apparatus can also accelerate reaction optimization earlier in the drug discovery process. They modified a high-performance liquid chromatography system to screen a wide variety of solvent, ligand, and base combinations to optimize carbon-carbon bond formation. Injecting stock solution aliquots of the catalyst and reactants into a carrier solvent stream let the authors vary the main solvent efficiently and scale up the optimal conditions for product isolation.

Science
, this issue p.
429
Plastic waste associated with disease on coral reefs
Authors: Lamb Joleah B. , Willis Bette L. , Fiorenza Evan A. , Couch Courtney S. , Howard Robert , Rader Douglas N. , True James D. , Kelly Lisa A. , Ahmad Awaludinnoer , Jompa Jamaluddin , Harvell C. Drew
Published: January 2018

Corals wrapped in plastic

Coral reefs provide vital fisheries and coastal defense, and they urgently need protection from the damaging effects of plastic waste. Lamb
et al.
surveyed 159 coral reefs in the Asia-Pacific region. Billions of plastic items were entangled in the reefs. The more spikey the coral species, the more likely they were to snag plastic. Disease likelihood increased 20-fold once a coral was draped in plastic. Plastic debris stresses coral through light deprivation, toxin release, and anoxia, giving pathogens a foothold for invasion.

Science
, this issue p.
460
Strong spin-photon coupling in silicon
Authors: Samkharadze N. , Zheng G. , Kalhor N. , Brousse D. , Sammak A. , Mendes U. C. , Blais A. , Scappucci G. , Vandersypen L. M. K.
Published: January 2018

Coupling light to single spins

To help develop quantum circuits, much effort has been directed toward achieving the strong-coupling regime by using gate-defined semiconductor quantum dots. Potentially, the magnetic dipole, or spin, of a single electron for use as a qubit has advantages over charge-photon coupling owing to its longer lifetime. Samkharadze
et al.
hybridized the electron spin with the electron charge in a double silicon quantum dot. This approach yielded strong coupling between the single electron spin and a single microwave photon, providing a route to scalable quantum circuits with spin qubits.

Science
, this issue p.
1123
Systematic discovery of antiphage defense systems in the microbial pangenome
Authors: Doron Shany , Melamed Sarah , Ofir Gal , Leavitt Azita , Lopatina Anna , Keren Mai , Amitai Gil , Sorek Rotem
Published: January 2018

Maps of defense arsenals in microbial genomes

To survive the attack of foreign invaders such as viruses and plasmids, bacteria and archaea fight back with immune systems that are usually clustered in “defense islands” in their genomes. Doron
et al.
took advantage of this property to map microbial defense systems systematically (see the Perspective by Kim). Candidate immune systems were then experimentally validated for their activities. Like well-known defense arsenals such as restriction-modification and CRISPR systems, these additional immune systems now require mechanistic investigation and could potentially be engineered into useful molecular tools in the future.

Science
, this issue p.
eaar4120
; see also p.
993
Investigating the afterlife
Heavens on Earth
Michael Shermer
Henry Holt, 2018. 320 pp.
Authors: Quinon Paula
Published: January 2018

Faulty religious reasoning and sloppy secular arguments earn a skeptic's side-eye
Perovskite solar cells must come of age
Authors: Saliba Michael
Published: January 2018

Developing aging standards is required for industrialization
Complexity in targeting membrane proteins
Authors: Fry Michelle Y. , Clemons William M.
Published: January 2018

Discovery of a new pathway provides a role for a conserved membrane protein complex
Fate of the Urinary Tract Virus BK Human Polyomavirus in Source-Separated Urine
Authors: Goetsch Heather E. , Zhao Linbo , Gnegy Mariah , Imperiale Michael J. , Love Nancy G. , Wigginton Krista R.
Published: January 2018

Human polyomaviruses are emerging pathogens that infect a large percentage of the human population and are excreted in urine. Consequently, urine that is collected for fertilizer production often has high concentrations of polyomavirus genes. We studied the fate of infectious double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) BK human polyomavirus (BKPyV) in hydrolyzed source-separated urine with infectivity assays and quantitative PCR (qPCR). Although BKPyV genomes persisted in the hydrolyzed urine for long periods of time (
T
90
[time required for 90% reduction in infectivity or gene copies] of >3 weeks), the viruses were rapidly inactivated (
T
90
of 1.1 to 11 h) in most of the tested urine samples. Interestingly, the infectivity of dsDNA bacteriophage surrogate T3 (
T
90
of 24 to 46 days) was much more persistent than that of BKPyV, highlighting a major shortcoming of using bacteriophages as human virus surrogates. Pasteurization and filtration experiments suggest that BKPyV virus inactivation was due to microorganism activity in the source-separated urine, and SDS-PAGE Western blots showed that BKPyV protein capsid disassembly is concurrent with inactivation. Our results imply that stored urine does not pose a substantial risk of BKPyV transmission, that qPCR and infectivity of the dsDNA surrogate do not accurately depict BKPyV fate, and that microbial inactivation is driven by structural elements of the BKPyV capsid.

IMPORTANCE
We demonstrate that a common urinary tract virus has a high susceptibility to the conditions in hydrolyzed urine and consequently would not be a substantial exposure route to humans using urine-derived fertilizers. The results have significant implications for understanding virus fate. First, by demonstrating that the dsDNA (double-stranded DNA) genome of the polyomavirus lasts for weeks despite infectivity lasting for hours to days, our work highlights the shortcomings of using qPCR to estimate risks from unculturable viruses. Second, commonly used dsDNA surrogate viruses survived for weeks under the same conditions that BK polyomavirus survived for only hours, highlighting issues with using virus surrogates to predict how human viruses will behave in the environment. Finally, our mechanistic inactivation analysis provides strong evidence that microbial activity drives rapid virus inactivation, likely through capsid disassembly. Overall, our work underlines how subtle structural differences between viruses can greatly impact their environmental fate.
Purification of Intracellular Bacterial Communities during Experimental Urinary Tract Infection Reveals an Abundant and Viable Bacterial Reservoir
Authors: Duraiswamy Suhanya , Chee Jacqueline L. Y. , Chen Siyi , Yang Enjun , Lees Kristin , Chen Swaine L.
Published: January 2018

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a major infection of humans, particularly affecting women. Recurrent UTIs can cause significant discomfort and expose patients to high levels of antibiotic use, which in turn contributes to the development of higher antibiotic resistance rates. Most UTIs are caused by uropathogenic
Escherichia coli
, which is able to form intracellular collections (termed intracellular bacterial communities [IBCs]) within the epithelial cells lining the bladder lumen. IBCs are seen in both infected mice and humans and are a potential cause of recurrent UTI. Genetic and molecular studies of IBCs have been hampered both by the low number of bacteria in IBCs relative to the number extracellular bacteria and by population bottlenecks that occur during IBC formation. We now report the development of a simple and rapid technique for isolating pure IBCs from experimentally infected mice. We verified the specificity and purity of the isolated IBCs via microscopy, gene expression, and culture-based methods. Our results further demonstrated that our isolation technique practically enables specific molecular studies of IBCs. In the first such direct measurement, we determined that a single epithelial cell containing an early IBC typically contains 10
3
viable bacteria. Our isolation technique complements recent progress in low-input, single-cell genomics to enable future genomic studies of the formation of IBCs and their activation pathways during recurrent UTI, which may lead to novel strategies to eliminate them from the bladder.
Role of the Inducible Adhesin CpAls7 in Binding of Candida parapsilosis to the Extracellular Matrix under Fluid Shear
Authors: Neale Matthew N. , Glass Kyle A. , Longley Sarah J. , Kim Denny J. , Laforce-Nesbitt Sonia S. , Wortzel Jeremy D. , Shaw Sunil K. , Bliss Joseph M.
Published: January 2018

The yeast
Candida parapsilosis
is an increasingly common cause of systemic fungal infections among immunocompromised individuals, including premature infants. Adhesion to host surfaces is an important step in pathogenesis, but this process has not been extensively studied in this organism. A microfluidics assay was developed to test the ability of
C. parapsilosis
to adhere to immobilized host extracellular matrix proteins under physiological fluid shear conditions. Growth in mammalian tissue culture medium at 37°C for 3 to 6 h led to the induction of an adhesive phenotype at shear forces of 1 to 5 dynes/cm
2
in some isolates of
C. parapsilosis
. Glutamic acid, proline, and calcium appeared to be the minimally necessary requirements for increased adhesion in these assays. To determine whether genes homologous to the
ALS
gene family of
C. albicans
were important for the adhesive phenotype, the expression levels of 5 homologous
C. parapsilosis
genes were quantified by using quantitative PCR (qPCR) under conditions leading to increased adhesion.
CPAR2_404800
(
CpALS7
) and
CPAR2_404780
showed increased expression levels compared to those in control yeast. The extent of adhesion was variable among different isolates, and linear regression identified the expression of
CpALS7
but not
CPAR2_404780
as having a strong positive correlation with adhesion. A homozygous
CpALS7
deletion strain was deficient in adhesion, whereas the expression of
CpALS7
in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
resulted in increased adhesion. Together, these data provide strong evidence that CpAls7 aids in the adherence of
C. parapsilosis
to the extracellular matrix under shear forces and support its previously reported role in virulence.
Characterisation of the aortic pulse profile of a radial artery applanation tonometry device in patients with aortic stenosis
Authors: Ngiam Nicholas , Shen Xiayan , Tan Benjamin Yong-Qiang , Oinuma Sachiko , Lee Glenn KM , Kong William KF , Poh Kian-Keong
Published: January 2018

Background

Aortic stenosis (AS) is commonly associated with myocardial and systemic arterial dysfunction. We use a radial artery applanation tonometry (B-Pro) device to characterise the arterial pulse profile of patients with AS and compare them against controls.

Methods

The B-Pro device was applied on the left radial artery of 117 consecutive patients, where 21 patients had AS. Baseline clinical and echocardiographic characteristics were compared. Differences in arterial pulse pressure profile were quantified by means of univariate and multivariable analyses.

Results

The group with AS was older (74±14 vs 62±14 years, P<0.001) and had fewer males (38% vs 65%, P=0.025), while other baseline comorbidities were similar. From the arterial pulse profile, a higher systolic peak time (202±45 vs 152±49 ms, P<0.001), lower systolic upstroke gradient (0.35±0.10 vs 0.42±0.14 mm Hg/ms, P=0.022) and longer systolic component of the cardiac cycle (43%±7% vs 39%±5%, P=0.001) were independently associated with AS.

Conclusion

The B-Pro device allows for real-time microscopic arterial pulse waveform analysis. There are significant differences between the pulse profiles of patients with AS and controls. The prognostic implications of these differences warrant further study.
Social participation and risk of influenza infection in older adults: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Shobugawa Yugo , Fujiwara Takeo , Tashiro Atsushi , Saito Reiko , Kondo Katsunori
Published: January 2018

Objectives

Influenza infection can cause severe pneumonia, which is sometimes fatal, particularly in older adults. Influenza results in 3–5 million cases of severe illness and about 250 000 to 500 000 deaths annually worldwide. Social participation in the context of influenza infection is controversial because, although social participation is beneficial in maintaining physical function and mental health, it also increases the risk of contact with infected people. This study examined the association between social participation and influenza infection in Japanese adults aged 65 years or older.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Japanese functionally independent adults aged 65 years or older.

Participants

Among the respondents to the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES) 2013 survey, which took place during the period from October to December 2013, 12 231 men and 14 091 women responded to questions on influenza vaccination and influenza infection.

Outcome measures

Using JAGES data for 12 231 men and 14 091 women aged ≥65 years, we examined the association between social participation and influenza infection. The association between influenza infection and number of groups in which respondents participated was investigated among adults aged≥65 years, stratified by vaccination status and sex.

Results

Unvaccinated women who participated in two or more social activities were 2.20 times (95% CI 1.47 to 3.29) as likely to report an influenza infection as those who reported no social participation. In contrast, vaccinated women who participated in two or more social groups had no additional risk of influenza infection as compared with female elders with no social participation. Among men, participation in social activities was not significantly associated with influenza infection, regardless of vaccination status.

Conclusions

Social participation was associated with a higher risk of influenza infection among unvaccinated older women, which suggests a need for further efforts to promote influenza vaccination, particularly among socially active elderly women.
Disease and age pattern of hospitalisation and associated costs in India: 1995–2014
Authors: Kastor Anshul , Mohanty Sanjay K
Published: January 2018

Objectives

The prime objective of this study is to examine the trends of disease and age pattern of hospitalisation and associated costs in India during 1995–2014.

Design

Present study used nationally representative data on morbidity and healthcare from the 52nd (1995) and 71st (2014) rounds of the National Sample Survey.

Settings

A total of 120 942 and 65 932 households were surveyed in 1995 and 2014, respectively.

Measures

Descriptive statistics, logistic regression analyses and decomposition analyses were used in examining the changes in patterns of hospitalisation and associated costs. Hospitalisation rates and costs per hospitalisation (out-of-pocket expenditure) were estimated for selected diseases and in four broad categories: communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), injuries and others. All the costs are presented at 2014 prices in US$.

Results

Hospitalisation rate in India has increased from 1661 in 1995 to 3699 in 2014 (per 100 000 population). It has more than doubled across all age groups. Hospitalisation among children was primarily because of communicable diseases, while NCDs were the leading cause of hospitalisation for the 40+ population. Costs per hospitalisation have increased from US$177 in 1995 to US$316 in 2014 (an increase of 79%). Costs per hospitalisation for NCDs in 2014 were US$471 compared with US$175 for communicable diseases. It was highest for cancer inpatients (US$942) followed by heart diseases (US$674). Age is the significant predictor of hospitalisation for all the selected diseases. Decomposition results showed that about three-fifth of the increase in unconditional costs per hospitalisation was due to increase in mean hospital costs, and the other two-fifth was due to increase in hospitalisation rates.

Conclusion

There has been more than twofold increase in hospitalisation rates in India during the last two decades, and significantly higher rates were observed among infants and older adults. Increasing hospitalisation rates and costs per hospitalisation are contributing substantially to the rising healthcare costs in India.
Electroacupuncture as an adjunctive therapy for motor dysfunction in acute stroke survivors: a systematic review and meta-analyses
Authors: Zhan Jie , Pan Ruihuan , Zhou Mingchao , Tan Feng , Huang Zhen , Dong Jing , Wen Zehuai
Published: January 2018

Objectives

To assess the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with rehabilitation therapy (RT) and/or conventional drugs (CD) for improving poststroke motor dysfunction (PSMD).

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

The China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biological Medicine Database, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, Cochrane Library, Medline and Embase were electronically searched from inception to December 2016. The methodological quality of the included trials was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. Statistical analyses were performed by RevMan V.5.3 and Stata SE V.11.0.

Results

Nineteen trials with 1434 participants were included for qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis. The methodological quality of the included trials was generally poor. The meta-analysis indicated that the EA group might be benefiting more than the non-EA group in terms of the changes in the Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale (FMA) (weighted mean difference (WMD): 10.79, 95% CI 6.39 to 15.20, P<0.001), FMA for lower extremity (WMD: 5.16, 95% CI 3.78 to 6.54, P<0.001) and activities of daily living (standardised mean difference: 1.37, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.96, P<0.001). However, there was no difference between EA and non-EA groups in terms of the effective rate (relative risk: 1.13, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.27, P=0.050). Moreover, there were not any reports of side effects due to EA combined with RT and/or CD in the included trials.

Conclusions

This review provides new evidence for the effectiveness and safety of EA combined with RT and/or CD for PSMD. However, the results should be interpreted cautiously because of methodological weakness and publication bias. Further clinical trials with a rigorous design and large sample sizes are warranted.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42016037597.