bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differential impact of trait sluggish cognitive tempo and ADHD inattention in early childhood on adolescent functioning
Authors: Becker Stephen P. , Burns G. Leonard , Leopold Daniel R. , Olson Richard K. , Willcutt Erik G.
Published: June 2018

Background

Sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) is distinct from attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder inattention (ADHD‐IN) and concurrently associated with a range of impairment domains. However, few longitudinal studies have examined SCT as a longitudinal predictor of adjustment. Studies to date have all used a relatively short longitudinal time span (6 months to 2 years) and only rating scale measures of adjustment. Using a prospective, multi‐method design, this study examined whether SCT and ADHD‐IN were differentially associated with functioning over a 10‐year period between preschool and the end of ninth grade.

Methods

Latent state‐trait modeling determined the trait variance (i.e. consistency across occasions) of SCT and ADHD‐IN across four measurement points (preschool and the end of kindergarten, first grade, and second grade) in a large population‐based longitudinal sample (N = 976). Regression analyses were used to examine trait SCT and ADHD‐IN factors in early childhood as predictors of functioning at the end of ninth grade (i.e. parent ratings of psychopathology and social/academic functioning, reading and mathematics academic achievement scores, processing speed and working memory).

Results

Both SCT and ADHD‐IN contained more trait variance (Ms = 65% and 61%, respectively) than occasion‐specific variance (Ms = 35% and 39%) in early childhood, with trait variance increasing as children progressed from preschool through early elementary school. In regression analyses: (a) SCT significantly predicted greater withdrawal and anxiety/depression whereas ADHD‐IN did not uniquely predict these internalizing domains; (b) ADHD‐IN uniquely predicted more externalizing behaviors whereas SCT uniquely predicted fewer externalizing behaviors; (c) SCT uniquely predicted shyness whereas both SCT and ADHD‐IN uniquely predicted global social difficulties; and (d) ADHD‐IN uniquely predicted poorer math achievement and slower processing speed whereas SCT more consistently predicted poorer reading achievement.

Conclusions

Findings of this study – from the longest prospective sample to date – provide the clearest evidence yet that SCT and ADHD‐IN often differ when it comes to the functional outcomes they predict.
Aerial and aquatic visual acuity of the grey bichir Polypterus senegalus, as estimated by optokinetic response
Authors: Znotinas Katherine R. , Standen Emily M.
Published: June 2018

The present study assessed the aerial and aquatic visual abilities of juvenile grey bichir Polypterus senegalus, fish capable of terrestrial locomotion, by measuring the optokinetic response to stimuli of varying speed and spatial frequency. In water, fish tracked slow‐moving (2° s−1) stimuli moderately well and fast‐moving stimuli very poorly. Spatial acuity was very low compared with many other species, with maximum response observed at 0.05–0.075 stimulus cycles per degree of visual arc; however, it should be noted that adult fish, with their larger eyes, are likely to have somewhat improved spatial acuity. Low spatial acuity and limited stimulus tracking ability might be expected in a nocturnal ambush predator such as P. senegalus, where gaze stabilization may be less crucial and other sensory inputs may have greater importance in perception of the environment. In air, spatial and temporal acuity were both poorer by every measure, but some visual ability persisted. As the eye shows no anatomical specialization for aerial vision, poor vision was expected; however, the large decrease in saccade velocity observed in air trials was unexpected. Stimulus parameters typically have little effect on the characteristics of the saccade, so this finding may suggest that the function of the reflex system itself could be compromised in the aerial vision of some fishes capable of terrestrial locomotion.
Molecular diet analysis reveals predator–prey community dynamics and environmental factors affecting predation of larval lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens in a natural system
Authors: Waraniak Justin M. , Baker Edward A. , Scribner Kim T.
Published: June 2018

This study utilized molecular tools to quantify the prevalence of predation during the vulnerable drifting larval life‐history stage of lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens. How predators, the co‐distributed prey community and abiotic environmental conditions (e.g., stream substrata) affected predation levels was quantified. Nightly D‐frame drift net surveys were used to estimate the biomass of A. fulvescens and co‐distributed prey. Gastrointestinal diet samples (n = 1,140) from 28 species of potential fish predators were collected during electrofishing surveys. Sampling was conducted for 17 days across 2015 and 2016. Based on DNA barcode analysis using sturgeon‐specific mtDNA cytochrome oxidase I primers, A. fulvescens DNA was detected in 73 of 1,140 diet samples (6.40%) from 16 of the 28 predator species examined. A logistic regression model was used to analyse the effects of biotic and abiotic variables associated with the likelihood a predator had consumed larval A. fulvescens. Increasing lunar illumination and biomass of larval A. fulvescens increased predation rates on larval A. fulvescens. Higher discharge and greater biomass and proportions of alternative prey decreased predation rates of larval A. fulvescens. Predation rates were slightly higher in habitats with sand substrata. Most predator species preyed upon larval A. fulvescens at similar rates. The study revealed considerably higher incidence of predation on larval A. fulvescens than previous studies had documented using traditional morphological diet analysis. Co‐distributed prey and abiotic environmental variables that affected the predation rates of a species of regional conservation concern can inform future management actions.
Parasite communities of the white seabream Diplodus sargus sargus in the marine protected area of Medes Islands, north‐west Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Isbert Wolf , Montero Francisco E. , Pérez‐del‐Olmo Ana , López‐Sanz Àngel , Reñones Olga , Orejas Covadonga
Published: June 2018

Marine protected areas are considered a useful tool to preserve and recover the biodiversity of ecosystems. It is suggested that fisheries not only affect populations of target and bycatch species but also their parasite communities. Parasites can indicate fishery effects on host species and also on the whole local community, but the effects of fisheries and protection measures on parasite communities are relatively unknown. This study analyses parasite communities of the white seabream Diplodus sargus sargus in order to assess potential effects exerted by protection measures within and by fisheries outside a reserve in the western Mediterranean Sea. This small scale analysis offered the opportunity to study different degrees of fishery effects on parasite infracommunities, without considering climatic effects as an additional factor. Parasite infracommunities of fishes from the no‐take zone (NTZ) differed in their composition and structure compared with areas completely or partially open to fisheries. The detected spatial differences in the infracommunities derived from generalist parasites and varied slightly between transmission strategies. Monoxenous parasites were richer and more diverse in both fished areas, but more abundant in the no‐take, whereas richness and abundance of heteroxenous parasites were higher for the NTZ. In addition to host body size as one factor explaining these spatial variations, differences within parasite infracommunities between the areas may also be linked to increased host densities and habitat quality since the implementation of the NTZ and its protection measures.
The beach‐spawning California grunion Leuresthes tenuis eats and digests conspecific eggs
Authors: Santos Allison J. , Frederick Alyssa R. , Higgins Benjamin A. , Carrillo Andres , Carter Ariel L. , Dickson Kathryn A. , German Donovan P. , Horn Michael H.
Published: June 2018

Apparent egg cannibalism was investigated in the beach‐spawning California grunion Leuresthes tenuis. Three hypotheses were tested to determine whether L. tenuis regularly consumes and efficiently digests conspecific eggs. First, examination of the gut contents of adults collected at four spawning sites over two seasons showed that the intestines of most fish from all the sites (57–87%, n ≥ 30, each site) contained L. tenuis eggs. The two other hypotheses focused on digestion of the eggs. First, the force required to crush cannibalized eggs was significantly less than that for uncannibalized eggs (fertilized or unfertilized), indicating that ingestion weakens the egg chorions. Second, conspecific eggs fed to fish held in the laboratory visibly degraded as they passed through the gut. The eggs lost c. half of their protein content and about two‐thirds of their lipid content as they passed from proximal to distal regions of the gut, indicating that digestion occurred. Digestive enzyme activities of the gut further confirmed that L. tenuis can break down the contents of ingested eggs. Trypsin activity decreased and aminopeptidase activity increased posteriorly along the gut, whereas amylase and lipase activities exhibited less clear patterns by gut region. As far as is known, this study is the first to show that L. tenuis is an egg cannibal.
Reproductive biology of the tiger pleco Panaqolus tankei (Loricariidae) in a lentic system of the Amazon Basin
Authors: Mendes Yanne A. , Lee James T. , Viana Ivana K.S. , Rocha Rossineide M. , Ferreira Maria A.P.
Published: June 2018

This study presents the first information on the reproduction of the recently described tiger pleco Panaqolus tankei, from Lake Bolonha in the north‐eastern Amazon Basin. This loricariid has a long reproductive period, fractionated spawning and low fecundity (on average, female gonads contained 37 oocytes), a total length (LT) at first maturity of 47.4 mm for females and 54.1 mm LT for males. Correlation of the condition factor and gonado‐somatic index with environmental variables suggests that turbidity favours P. tankei reproduction in this environment.
Heat‐inactivated Mycobacterium bovis protects zebrafish against mycobacteriosis
Authors: López Vladimir , Risalde María Angeles , Contreras Marinela , Mateos‐Hernández Lourdes , Vicente Joaquin , Gortázar Christian , de la Fuente José
Published: June 2018

Control of mycobacterial infection constitutes a priority for human and animal health worldwide. However, effective vaccines are needed for the control of human and animal tuberculosis (TB). Adult zebrafish have become a useful model for studying the pathophysiology of mycobacterial infection and for the development of novel interventions for TB control and prevention. Recently, parenteral and oral immunization with the heat‐inactivated Mycobacterium bovis vaccine (M. bovis IV) protected wild boar against TB. The objectives of this study were to provide additional support for the role of M. bovis IV in TB control using the zebrafish model and to conduct the first trial with this vaccine for the control of fish mycobacteriosis. The results showed that M. bovis IV protected zebrafish against mycobacteriosis caused by low and high infection doses of Mycobacterium marinum and provided evidence suggesting that the protective mechanism elicited by M. bovis IV in zebrafish as in other species is based on the activation of the innate immune response through the C3 pathway, with a role for the regulatory protein Akr2 in this process. These results encourage the use of M. bovis IV for TB control in different species.
Anatomic description of the palmaris longus muscle and report of variant nerve supply in the white‐footed tamarin (Saguinus leucopus Günther, 1876)
Authors: Vélez‐García Juan Fernando , Duque‐Parra Jorge Eduardo , Barco‐Ríos John
Published: June 2018

The gross anatomy of the palmaris longus muscle in 12 specimens of Saguinus leucopus was studied by dissection. This muscle was constant and unipennate, originated in the medial epicondyle of the humerus; inserted onto flexor retinaculum and palmar aponeurosis; and innerved by the median nerve, and in one case, together with the ulnar nerve. This is the first report of double innervation for this muscle in primates.
Effect of inducible nitric oxide synthase and neuropeptide Y in plasma and placentas from intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
Authors: Yue Yongfei , Xu Duo , Wang Yun , Wang Xiaoyan , Xia Fei
Published: June 2018

Aim

To analyze inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) expression in maternal plasma and placentas of human with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).

Methods

The plasma and placentas were collected from 35 women with normal pregnancies and 33 women with ICP. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays were used to investigate maternal plasma iNOS and NPY levels. The mRNA levels and cell‐specific localization of iNOS and NPY were determined by quantitative PCR, Western Blotting and immunohistochemical analysis in placentas.

Results

In human placentas, it revealed iNOS and NPY were mainly localized in syncytiotrophoblast, cytotrophoblastin and vascular endothelium cells using immunohistochemistry analysis. iNOS protein and mRNA expression in ICP maternal plasma and placental tissue were significantly lower than in control groups (P <0.01). In maternal plasma and placentas tissue from ICP patients, a marked up‐regulation of NPY protein and mRNA expression were observed (P <0.01).

Conclusion

iNOS and NPY may play a role in the effect of maternal cholestasis on the placenta. The down‐regulation of iNOS and up‐regulation of NPY in ICP may influence the blood flow of the utero‐placental‐fetal unit, which may play a significant role in poor fetoplacental vascular perfusion, acute hypoxia and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Comparative study of transobturator sling with and without concomitant prolapse surgery for female urodynamic stress incontinence
Authors: Liang Ching‐Chung , Hsieh Wu‐Chiao , Huang Lulu
Published: June 2018

Aim

To demonstrate the clinical and urodynamic outcomes of transobturator sling (TOT) with or without concomitant prolapse surgery for the treatment of urodynamic stress incontinence (USI).

Methods

We recruited 143 consecutive patients diagnosed with USI, who received outside‐in TOT in a university hospital. Preoperative and postoperative examinations were implemented using structured urogynecological questionnaires, pelvic organ prolapse quantification examination and urodynamic testing. Patient demographics, surgical and urodynamic results were compared between TOT with and without concomitant prolapse surgery.

Results

The mean follow‐up was 30.1 months (range 12–57). Postoperative stress urinary incontinence (SUI) occurred in 10 (7%) patients at 3 months and 10 (7%) patients at 12 months postoperatively. There was no significant difference in prevalence of postoperative SUI between groups of TOT only and TOT combined with pelvic surgery. Preoperative urodynamic results demonstrated that TOT only (n = 96) had a higher maximal flow rate and a lower residual urine amount when compared to TOT combined with pelvic surgery (n = 47). A significant decrease in maximal urethral closure pressure (MUCP) was found in 119 patients who received postoperative urodynamic examination. In comparison with preoperative urodynamic data, postoperative urodynamic results showed a significant decrease in MUCP in the TOT combined with prolapse surgery group, but no significant urodynamic changes in the group of TOT only.

Conclusion

Both TOT and TOT combined with prolapse surgery can be effective in correcting SUI in patients with USI 12 months postoperatively, with significant changes in MUCP.
Superselective microcoil embolization of the vasa recta of sigmoid artery for hemorrhaging after laparoscopic adnexectomy for corpus luteum hematoma with severe adhesion
Authors: Iyoshi Shohei , Koike Wataru , Takeda Akihiro
Published: June 2018

A 44‐year‐old multipara woman was referred because of the sudden onset of left lower abdominal pain. Corpus luteum hematoma was suspected and conservatively managed. Two days later, due to worsening of abdominal symptoms, emergency laparoscopic surgery was performed. Severe pelvic adhesion around the left ovary forming corpus luteum hematoma was identified. After adhesiolysis, which was complicated by massive bleeding, left adnexectomy was performed. Hemostasis was achieved by the coagulation of bleeding vessels, followed by spraying fibrin glue with the placement of oxidized cellulose cotton for bleeding oozing from dissected surface. Two hours after surgery, emergency computed tomography performed due to the development of hemodynamic instability demonstrated extravasation from the versa recta of the sigmoid artery. After the confirmation of hemorrhaging, superselective catheterization to the bleeding vessel followed by embolization by platinum microcoils were performed. Hemodynamic stability was immediately achieved, and the postoperative course was uneventful without manifestation of bowel ischemia.
Calcium transport across the basolateral membrane of isolated Malpighian tubules: a survey of several insect orders
Authors: Browne Austin , O'Donnell Michael J.
Published: June 2018

The Malpighian tubules play a major role in haemolymph calcium homeostasis in insects by sequestering excess Ca2+within the biomineralized granules that often accumulate in the tubule cells and/or lumen. Using the scanning ion‐selective microelectrode technique, measurements of basolateral Ca2+transport are determined at several sites along the length of the Malpighian tubules isolated from the eight insects representing seven orders:Drosophila melanogaster(Diptera),Aedes aegypti(Diptera),Tenebrio molitor(Coleoptera),Acheta domesticus(Orthoptera),Trichoplusia ni(Lepidoptera),Periplaneta americana(Blattodea),Halyomorpha halys(Hemiptera) andPogonomyrmex occidentalis(Hymenoptera). Ca2+transport is specific to tubule segments containing Ca‐rich granules inD. melanogasterandA. aegypti, whereas Ca2+transport is relatively uniform along the length of whole tubules in the remaining species. Generally, manipulation of second messenger pathways using cAMP and thapsigargin has little effect on rates of basolateral Ca2+transport, suggesting that previous effects observed across midtubules ofA. domesticusare unique to this species. In addition, the present study is the first to provide measurements of basolateral Ca2+across single principal and secondary tubule cells, where Ca2+uptake occurs only across principal cells. Estimated times for all tubules to eliminate the entire haemolymph Ca2+content in each insect range from 6 min (D. melanogaster) to 19 h (H. halys) or more, indicating that rates of Ca2+uptake by the Malpighian tubules are not always rapid. The results of the present study suggest that the principal cells of the Malpighian tubules contribute to haemolymph calcium homeostasis by sequestering excess Ca2+, often within specific tubule segments.
Growth stage‐dependent resistance to the potyviruses lettuce Italian necrotic virus and Lettuce mosaic virus displayed by Lactuca sativa introgression lines carrying the Mo3 locus from L. virosa
Authors: Maisonneuve B. , Pitrat M. , Gognalons P. , Moury B.
Published: June 2018

The single dominant gene Mo3 from accession PIVT1398 of Lactuca virosa was shown previously to confer resistance to all tested isolates of Lettuce mosaic virus (LMV; genus Potyvirus), including mo1‐resistance‐breaking isolates. Because accession PIVT1398 is also resistant to the recently described potyvirus lettuce Italian necrotic virus (LINV), this study checked whether the Mo3 resistance locus could be involved in resistance to LINV. Introgression lines of Mo3 into two different L. sativa genetic backgrounds (Girelle and Mantilia) were resistant to isolates LMV‐9, LMV‐13 and LINV‐Fr (a French isolate of LINV), whereas Girelle and Mantilia were susceptible to these virus isolates. The resistance reaction in inoculated leaves of the introgression lines varied from absence of symptoms and absence of virus detection for LMV‐9, to hypersensitive‐like necrotic lesions and low virus titres for LINV‐Fr and large necrotic lesions and relatively abundant virus detection for LMV‐13. At the systemic level, the resistance phenotype was growth stage‐dependent for LINV‐Fr and LMV‐13. Inoculation of ≥28‐days‐old plants led to absence of symptoms and no virus with the three tested potyvirus isolates in almost all plants. Inoculation of younger plants (≤22‐days‐old) led to chlorotic/necrotic lesions on some apical leaves with low virus titre in a varying proportion of plants with LINV‐Fr and on all plants with efficient virus detection with LMV‐13. These results show that the Mo3 gene, or a tightly linked locus, in L. virosa PIVT1398 controls resistance to LINV in addition to LMV and could be used to breed L. sativa cultivars with broad‐spectrum potyvirus resistance.
Developmental competence of eggs produced by rainbow trout Doubled Haploids (DHs) and generation of the clonal lines
Authors: Jagiełło Krzysztof , Dobosz Stefan , Zalewski Tomasz , Polonis Marcin , Ocalewicz Konrad
Published: June 2018

Poor quality eggs produced by the fully homozygous doubled haploids (DHs) may impair generation of clonal lines in fish species. In the present research, gynogenetic development of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was induced in eggs originated from the DH females. Eggs were activated with the UV‐irradiated grayling (Thymallus thymallus) spermatozoa and subjected to the high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) shock to provide diploid clonal individuals. Only two of four DH females produced eggs that were successfully activated by the irradiated spermatozoa and subsequently developed into the gynogenetic embryos. Survival rates of rainbow trout from the clonal lines equalled 21.5% and 19.8% during embryogenesis and decreased after hatching to 18.6% and 14.9%, respectively. Some of the dead rainbow trout clones collected between hatching and swim‐up stage were emaciated and exhibited spinal deformities including scoliosis. Provided results confirmed limited developmental competences of eggs produced by rainbow trout DH females. Clonal rainbow trout developing in such eggs exhibited reduced survival and increased frequency of the body abnormalities.
Burnout‐depression overlap: Nomological network examination and factor‐analytic approach
Authors: Bianchi Renzo , Schonfeld Irvin Sam
Published: June 2018

Burnout has been defined as a condition in which individuals are left exhausted by a long‐term confrontation with unmanageable job stressors. The question of whether burnout reflects anything other than depressive responses to unresolvable stress remains an object of debate. In this 911‐participant study (83% female; mean age: 42.36), we further addressed the issue of burnout‐depression overlap. Burnout was assessed with the exhaustion subscale of the Maslach Burnout Inventory‐General Survey (MBI‐GS) and depression with the PHQ‐8. The relationships of burnout and depression with three job‐related variables – illegitimate work tasks, work‐nonwork interference, and job satisfaction – and three “context‐free” variables – social support, general health status, and trait anxiety – were examined. Burnout and depression were found to be strongly correlated, to cluster together, and to exhibit overlapping nomological networks. Remarkably, the average correlations of burnout and depression with job‐related variables were almost identical. A principal component analysis and a principal axis factor analysis both showed that the items of the MBI‐GS and of the PHQ‐8 loaded on a single dimension. All in all, our findings are consistent with the view that burnout is a depressive condition. The distinction between burnout and depression may be an instance of the jangle fallacy.
A Method to Generate the Spiral Flutes of an Hourglass Worm Gear Hob
Authors: Yang Jie , Li Haitao , Rui Chengjie , Wei Wenjun , Dong Xuezhu
Published: June 2018

All of the cutting edges on an hourglass worm gear hob have different shapes and spiral angles. If the spiral angles are small, straight flutes are typically adopted. However, for hobs with multiple threads, the absolute values of the negative rake angles on one side of the cutting teeth will greatly affect the cutting performance of the hob if straight flutes are still used. Therefore, spiral flutes are typically adopted to solve this problem. However, no method to determine the spiral flute of an hourglass worm gear hob has been proposed until now. Based on the curved surface generating theory and the hourglass worm forming principle, a method for generating the spiral flute of the planar double enveloping hourglass worm gear hob is proposed in this paper. A mathematical model was built to generate the spiral flute. The rake angles of all cutting teeth of the hob are calculated. The laws of the rake angles of the cutting teeth for four hobs with different threads from one to four threads were analyzed when straight flutes and spiral flutes are adopted. The laws between the value of the negative rake angles of the hob with four threads and the transmission ratio were studied. The most appropriate transmission ratio for generating the spiral flute was obtained. The machining of the spiral flutes was simulated using a virtual manufacturing system, and the results verify the correctness of the method.
Iterative algorithm for solving acoustic source characterization problems under block sparsity constraints
Authors: Bai Mingsian R. , Chung Chun , Lan Shih-Syuan
Published: June 2018

In this paper, an iterative Compressive Sensing (CS) algorithm is proposed for acoustical source characterization problems with block sparsity constraints. Source localization and signal separation are accomplished in a unified CS framework. The inverse problem is formulated with the Equivalent Source Method as a linear underdetermined system of equations. As conventional approaches based on convex optimization can be computationally expensive and fail to deal with continuously distributed sources, the proposed approach that is adapted from the Newton's method and is augmented with a special pruning procedure is capable of solving the inverse problem far more efficiently with comparable accuracy. The pruning procedure employs a binary mask that admits sparsity constraints of two-dimensional block sources. The binary mask is heuristic in that it tends to promote nonzero positive source magnitudes. In each iteration, the source amplitude vector is on one hand updated by the Newton's method and on the other hand pruned with the binary mask. With the pruning procedure, the source magnitudes become increasingly sparse and clustered such that the block characteristics are enhanced. In the post-processing phase, particle velocity is calculated on the basis of the equivalent source amplitudes. Numerical and experimental investigations are conducted to validate the proposed technique. The results have demonstrated the efficacy of the proposed Compressive Newton's method in imaging block sources and extracting signal waveforms with little computational cost, as compared to a convex optimization package.
Local compressed convex spectral embedding for bird species identification
Authors: Thakur Anshul , Abrol Vinayak , Sharma Pulkit , Rajan Padmanabhan
Published: June 2018

This paper proposes a multi-layer alternating sparse−dense framework for bird species identification. The framework takes audio recordings of bird vocalizations and produces compressed convex spectral embeddings (CCSE). Temporal and frequency modulations in bird vocalizations are ensnared by concatenating frames of the spectrogram, resulting in a high dimensional and highly sparse super-frame-based representation. Random projections are then used to compress these super-frames. Class-specific archetypal analysis is employed on the compressed super-frames for acoustic modeling, obtaining the convex-sparse CCSE representation. This representation efficiently captures species-specific discriminative information. However, many bird species exhibit high intra-species variations in their vocalizations, making it hard to appropriately model the whole repertoire of vocalizations using only one dictionary of archetypes. To overcome this, each class is clustered using Gaussian mixture models (GMM), and for each cluster, one dictionary of archetypes is learned. To calculate CCSE for any compressed super-frame, one dictionary from each class is chosen using the responsibilities of individual GMM components. The CCSE obtained using this GMM-archetypal analysis framework is referred to as local CCSE. Experimental results corroborate that local CCSE either outperforms or exhibits comparable performances to existing methods including support vector machine powered by dynamic kernels and deep neural networks.
Permselectivity limits of biomimetic desalination membranes
Authors: Werber Jay R. , Elimelech Menachem
Published: June 2018

Biomimetic desalination membranes could achieve ultraselectivity for water over ions, but not over neutral solutes.
A general printing approach for scalable growth of perovskite single-crystal films
Authors: Gu Zhenkun , Huang Zhandong , Li Chang , Li Mingzhu , Song Yanlin
Published: June 2018

A seed printing method is developed for controllably producing perovskite single-crystal films with high yield.
Microscopy with a single-molecule scanning electrometer
Authors: Lee Joonhee , Tallarida Nicholas , Chen Xing , Jensen Lasse , Apkarian V. Ara
Published: June 2018

The single-molecule limit in electromechanical sensing is realized through TERS-relayed molecular force microscopy.
Rapid Antibiotic Combination Testing for Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria within Six Hours Using ATP Bioluminescence
Authors: Cai Yiying , Seah Celene L. , Leck Hui , Lim Tze-Peng , Teo Jocelyn Q. , Lee Winnie , Tan Thuan-Tong , Koh Tse-Hsien , Ee Pui Lai Rachel , Kwa Andrea L.
Published: June 2018

To guide the timely selection of antibiotic combinations against carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (CR-GNB), an
in vitro
test with a short turnaround time is essential. We developed an
in vitro
ATP bioluminescence assay to determine effective antibiotic combinations against CR-GNB within 6 h.
Pharmacodynamic Target Attainment for Cefepime, Meropenem, and Piperacillin-Tazobactam Using a Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic-Based Dosing Calculator in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Heil Emily L. , Nicolau David P. , Farkas Andras , Roberts Jason A. , Thom Kerri A.
Published: June 2018

This was a prospective study to determine if pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD)-based antibiotic dosing software aids in achieving concentration targets in critically ill patients receiving cefepime (
n
= 10), meropenem (
n
= 20), or piperacillin-tazobactam (
n
= 19). Antibiotic calculator doses targeting a >90% probability of target attainment (PTA) differed from package insert doses for 22.4% (11/49) of patients.
Formation of Sublethally Injured Yersinia enterocolitica, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis Cells after Neutral Electrolyzed Oxidizing Water Treatments
Authors: Han Dong , Hung Yen-Con , Bratcher Christy L. , Monu Emefa A. , Wang Yifen , Wang Luxin
Published: June 2018

Neutral electrolyzed oxidizing (NEO) water is a nonthermal and less corrosive antimicrobial treatment that has been demonstrated to have efficacy in reducing microbial contamination in food, including meat, fresh fruit, and vegetables. However, NEO water treatments can cause sublethal injury to pathogenic cells, resulting in cells that retain their viability. Consequently, these sublethally injured pathogenic cells become a serious food safety concern. This study evaluated the formation of sublethally injured
Yersinia enterocolitica
,
Escherichia coli
O157:H7, and
Salmonella enterica
serovar Enteritidis cells by NEO water treatments and the potential cross protection against heat, pH, NaCl, or bile salt stresses that it may generate. No cross protection was observed. By combining NEO water treatments with sublethal levels of additional stresses, significant synergistic antimicrobial outcomes were achieved. These results indicate that mild processing treatments, when combined, can effectively reduce pathogen populations while minimizing the negative impacts on food quality.
ATAD2 silencing decreases VEGFA secretion through targeting has-miR-520a to inhibit angiogenesis in colorectal cancer
Authors: Hong Sen , Chen Si , Wang Xu , Sun Di , Yan Zhenkun , Tai Jiandong , Bi Miaomiao
Published: June 2018

ATPase family AAA domain-containing protein 2 (ATAD2) is involved in various types of cancers, including colorectal cancer. This study aimed to determine the role of ATAD2 in angiogenesis in colorectal cancer. Here, we downregulated ATAD2 expression in HCT116 and SW480 cells, and collected the conditioned medium (CM) from control and ATAD2-silenced cells. The effect of CM on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) was evaluated by using CCK-8, wound healing, tube formation, Western blot, and dual-luciferase reporter assays. Our results showed that the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of HUVEC were reduced in presence of ATAD2-silenced CM, and the levels of phosphorylated vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (P-VEGFR2), CD31, and CD34 were downregulated. Mechanism studies showed that ATAD2 silencing regulated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and miR-520a. Moreover, we found that miR-520a could bind to ATAD2, and its inhibitor partly reversed the alterations in HUVEC induced by CM from ATAD2-silenced cells. In addition, we demonstrated that miR-520a directly bound to 3′-UTR of VEGFA and inhibited its expression. Collectively, our results indicate that ATAD2 inhibition suppresses VEGFA secretion by increasing miR-520a levels. Our study suggests ATAD2 as a potential therapeutic target for angiogenesis in colorectal cancer.
Multiple challenges confront a high-effort inland recreational fishery in decline
Authors: Cahill Christopher L. , Mogensen Stephanie , Wilson Kyle L. , Cantin Ariane , Sinnatamby R. Nilo , Paul Andrew J. , Christensen Paul , Reilly Jessica R. , Winkel Linda , Farineau Anne , Post John R.
Published: June 2018

Catch-and-release regulations designed to protect fisheries may fail to halt population declines, particularly in situations where fishing effort is high and when multiple stressors threaten a population. We demonstrate this claim using Alberta’s Bow River, which supports a high-effort rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fishery where anglers voluntarily release >99% of their catch. We examined the population trend of adult trout, which were tagged and recaptured using electrofishing surveys conducted intermittently during 2003–2013. We constructed Bayesian multisession capture–recapture models in Stan to obtain abundance estimates for trout and regressed trend during two periods to account for variation in sampling locations. General patterns from all models indicated the population declined throughout the study. Potential stressors to this system that may have contributed to the decline include whirling disease (Myxobolus cerebralis), which was detected for the first time in 2016, notable floods, and release mortality. Because disease and floods are largely uncontrollable from a management perspective, we suggest that stringent tactics such as angler effort restrictions may be necessary to maintain similar fisheries.
Online Minimum Spanning Tree with Advice
Authors: Bianchi Maria Paola , Böckenhauer Hans-Joachim , Brülisauer Tatjana , Komm Dennis , Palano Beatrice
Published: June 2018

In the online minimum spanning tree problem, a graph is revealed vertex by vertex; together with every vertex, all edges to vertices that are already known are given, and an online algorithm must irrevocably choose a subset of them as a part of its solution. The advice complexity of an online problem is a means to quantify the information that needs to be extracted from the input to achieve good results. For a graph of size [Formula: see text], we show an asymptotically tight bound of [Formula: see text] on the number of advice bits to produce an optimal solution for any given graph. For particular graph classes, e.g., with bounded degree or a restricted edge weight function, we prove that the upper bound can be drastically reduced; e.g., [Formula: see text] advice bits allow to compute an optimal result if the weight function equals the Euclidean distance; if the graph is complete and has two different edge weights, even a logarithmic number suffices. Some of these results make use of the optimality of Kruskal’s algorithm for the offline setting. We also study the trade-off between the number of advice bits and the achievable competitive ratio. To this end, we perform a reduction from another online problem to obtain a linear lower bound on the advice complexity for any near-optimal solution. Using our results finally allows us to give a lower bound on the expected competitive ratio of any randomized online algorithm for the problem, even on graphs with three different edge weights.
Cooking Your Own Parity Game Preorders Through Matching Plays
Authors: Gazda M. W. , Willemse T. A. C.
Published: June 2018

Parity games can be used to solve satisfiability, verification and controller synthesis problems. As part of an effort to better understand their nature, or the nature of the problems they solve, preorders on parity games have been studied. Defining these relations, and in particular proving their transitivity, has proven quite difficult on occasion. We propose a uniform way of lifting certain preorders on Kripke structures to parity games and study the resulting preorders. We explore their relation with parity game preorders from the literature and we study new relations. Finally, we investigate whether these preorders can also be obtained via modal characterisations.
Nondeterministic Ordered Restarting Automata
Authors: Kwee Kent , Otto Friedrich
Published: June 2018

While (stateless) deterministic ordered restarting automata accept exactly the regular languages, it has been observed that nondeterministic ordered restarting automata (ORWW-automata for short) are more expressive. Here we show that the class of languages accepted by the latter automata is an abstract family of languages that is incomparable to the linear, the context-free, and the growing context-sensitive languages with respect to inclusion, and that the emptiness problem is decidable for these languages. In addition, we give a construction that turns a stateless ORWW-automaton into a nondeterministic finite-state acceptor for the same language.
A version of Cartan’s Theorem A for coherent sheaves on real affine varieties
Authors: Kowalczyk Tomasz
Published: June 2018

We give a version of Cartan’s Theorem [Formula: see text] for nonsingular real affine varieties after blowing up.
Heat controlling in the mass-graded harmonic lattices with double-well on-site potential
Authors: Kong Peng , Wei Zhengzheng , Hu Tao , Tang Yi
Published: June 2018

Using nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations, we investigate thermal rectification in mass-graded lattices with a new type on-site potential which has a physical picture of the double-well. By adjusting the ratio of harmonic on-site potential and anharmonic on-site potential, we could obtain the optimal heat transport and the best thermal rectification. In addition, we observe the reversal thermal rectification by changing the ratio of on-site potential and analyzes the mechanism of thermal rectification through the power spectrum. At last, we also study the heat flux and thermal rectification in a different case of average temperature and mass gradient.
Local quantum uncertainty and trace distance discord dynamics for two-qubit X states embedded in non-Markovian environment
Authors: Khedif Youssef , Daoud Mohammed
Published: June 2018

We investigate the behavior of quantum correlations in some specific Werner-like two-qubit states, where the qubit interacts individually with non-Markovian environment. We employ the local quantum uncertainty and trace distance discord to quantify the amount of quantum correlations between the evolved qubits and the corresponding analytical expressions are derived. For specific values of the parameters characterizing the whole system, the dynamics of quantum correlations exhibits collapse and revival phenomena. The influence of the non-Markovianity is also investigated to analyze the monotonic decay of quantum correlations in the limiting case of Markovian regime. Furthermore, we show that trace distance discord captures quantum correlations that cannot be revealed by local quantum uncertainty in some particular situations.
Effect of Cr doping on the mechanical properties and electronic structure of WCoB ternary boride by first-principles calculations
Authors: Zhang Tong , Yin Haiqing , Zhang Cong , Qu Xuanhui , Zheng Qingjun
Published: June 2018

The lattice parameters, structural stability, mechanical properties, hardness and electronic structure of WCoB with Cr alloying were investigated by using first-principles calculations. The Cr atom was selected to replace 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 Co atoms in WCoB crystal and 0, 1, 2 Co atoms in W2CoB2 crystal. The calculated cohesive energy and formation enthalpy showed that all structures can retain good structural stability with different Cr doping content. The calculated mechanical properties showed Cr doping will decrease the shear modulus, Young’s modulus, bulk modulus and hardness, but increase the ductility. The larger number of valence electrons of Cr led to the increasing of bond covalence and population. According to the electronic structures analysis, the nonmetal–metal hybridization and metal–metal interactions contributed to relatively high toughness.
Do Weak Internal Controls Affect Institutional Ownership Decisions?
Authors: Chen Ching-Lung , Chen Chung-Yu
Published: June 2018

Weak internal controls should increase risk perception among various contracting parties, e.g., institutional investors. This study examines whether the penalty firms pay for weak internal controls is associated with ownership decisions made by institutional investors in Taiwan and whether such decisions differ from those made by qualified foreign institutional investors (denoted as QFIIs) and local institutional investors. Empirical results indicate that weak internal controls are negatively associated with changes to institutional investor ownership, particularly for QFIIs. Further evidence shows that this negative association is more pronounced for firms with high divergence of control and cash-flow rights. This suggests that, faced with weak internal controls, institutions passively vote with their feet rather than actively monitor their portfolio firms. We demonstrate several diagnostic tests and show that the results are robust in various specifications.
Averaging principle for SDEs of neutral type driven by G-Brownian motion
Authors: He Xiaoying , Han Song , Tao Jin
Published: June 2018

In this paper, we investigate the averaging principle for SDEs of neutral type driven by [Formula: see text]-Brownian motion. The solutions of convergence in the sense of [Formula: see text]th moment and convergence in capacity between standard form and the corresponding averaged form are considered. Two examples are presented to demonstrate the applications of the averaging principle.
Performance Analysis of Refrigerants R1234yf, R1234ze and R134a in Ejector-Based Refrigeration Cycle
Authors: Yadav Ajay Kumar , Neeraj
Published: June 2018

Performance enhancement of refrigeration and heat pump systems by cycle modification is an emerging research topic now-a-days to reduce the electricity consumption leading to mitigate the problems related to the environmental pollution by utility power plants. Due to no moving parts, low cost, simple structure and low maintenance requirements, the use of two-phase ejector has become a promising cycle modification recently. Use of ejector as an expansion device by replacing the throttle valve in the vapor compression refrigeration cycle seems to be one of the efficient ways to reduce the throttling losses or the expansion irreversibility in the refrigeration/heat pump cycle. Ejector also reduces the compressor work by raising the suction pressure to a level higher than that in the evaporator leading to the improvement of COP. The present work aims to evaluate the performance of an ejector based vapor compression refrigeration cycle under a wide range of operating conditions. Two newly proposed refrigerants i.e., R1234yf and R1234ze, and commonly used refrigerant R134a are considered for simulation and a comparative study has been carried out. A numerical model is developed and a parametric study of important parameters such as entrainment ratio, high side pressure (condenser pressure) and evaporator temperature are analyzed for the improvement of COP of the system. Results show that the COP of the R1234ze is highest compared to R1234yf and R134a for the given evaporating and condensing temperature.
Shortfall risk through Fenchel duality
Authors: Cui Zhenyu , Deng Jun
Published: June 2018

In this paper, we propose a Fenchel duality approach to study the minimization problem of the shortfall risk. We consider a general increasing and strictly convex loss function, which may be more general than the situation of convex risk measures usually assumed in the literature. We first translate the associated stochastic optimization problem to an equivalent static optimization problem, and then obtain the explicit structure of the optimal randomized test for both complete and incomplete markets. For the incomplete market case, to the best of our knowledge, we obtain for the first time the explicit randomized test, while previous literature only established the existence through the supermartingale optional decomposition approach. We also solve the shortfall risk minimization problem for an insider through the enlargement of filtrations approach.
The Changing Face of Bacterial Soft-Rot Diseases
Authors: Charkowski Amy O.
Published: June 2018

Bacterial soft rot is a disease complex caused by multiple genera of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, with Dickeya and Pectobacterium being the most widely studied soft-rot bacterial pathogens. In addition to soft rot, these bacteria also cause blackleg of potato, foot rot of rice, and bleeding canker of pear. Multiple Dickeya and Pectobacterium species cause the same symptoms on potato, complicating epidemiology and disease resistance studies. The primary pathogen species present in potato-growing regions differs over time and space, further complicating disease management. Genomics technologies are providing new management possibilities, including improved detection and biocontrol methods that may finally allow effective disease management. The recent development of inbred diploid potato lines is also having a major impact on studying soft-rot pathogens because it is now possible to study soft-rot disease in model plant species that produce starchy vegetative storage organs. Together, these new discoveries have changed how we face diseases caused by these pathogens.