bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expanding the scope of candidate prognostic marker IGFBP2 in glioblastoma
Authors: Lindström Mikael S.
Published: July 2019

Glioblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in adults. Unfortunately, it has a very poor prognosis and no cure. In a recent paper by Yuan et al. (Bioscience Reports (2019), DOI:10.1042/BSR20190045) RNAscope was used to detect insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) mRNA in glioblastoma biopsies. The study revealed that patients with high levels of IGFBP2 mRNA had shorter survival and that IGFBP2 transcript level was an independent prognostic factor. It is also of value to determine the prognostic effect of IGFBP2 on established biomarkers such as isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH1) mutations or telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutation. In the present study, the combination of having a TERT promoter mutation, and at the same time a high level of IGFBP2 mRNA, was associated with very poor survival rates. It was concluded that IGFBP2 predicts the survival of the patients with TERT promoter mutation. This finding may have important implications for glioblastoma prognosis. IGFBP2 re-emerges as a candidate biomarker and potential therapeutic target in glioma. Further research into its functional roles during glioma progression may provide additional insights into this deadly disease.
The missing link: allostery and catalysis in the anti-viral protein SAMHD1
Authors: Morris Elizabeth R. , Taylor Ian A.
Published: July 2019

Vertebrate protein SAMHD1 (sterile-α-motif and HD domain containing protein 1) regulates the cellular dNTP (2′-deoxynucleoside-5′-triphosphate) pool by catalysing the hydrolysis of dNTP into 2′-deoxynucleoside and triphosphate products. As an important regulator of cell proliferation and a key player in dNTP homeostasis, mutations to SAMHD1 are implicated in hypermutated cancers, and germline mutations are associated with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia and the inflammatory disorder Aicardi–Goutières Syndrome. By limiting the supply of dNTPs for viral DNA synthesis, SAMHD1 also restricts the replication of several retroviruses, such as HIV-1, and some DNA viruses in dendritic and myeloid lineage cells and resting T-cells. SAMHD1 activity is regulated throughout the cell cycle, both at the level of protein expression and post-translationally, through phosphorylation. In addition, allosteric regulation further fine-tunes the catalytic activity of SAMHD1, with a nucleotide-activated homotetramer as the catalytically active form of the protein. In cells, GTP and dATP are the likely physiological activators of two adjacent allosteric sites, AL1 (GTP) and AL2 (dATP), that bridge monomer–monomer interfaces to stabilise the protein homotetramer. This review summarises the extensive X-ray crystallographic, biophysical and molecular dynamics experiments that have elucidated important features of allosteric regulation in SAMHD1. We present a comprehensive mechanism detailing the structural and protein dynamics components of the allosteric coupling between nucleotide-induced tetramerization and the catalysis of dNTP hydrolysis by SAMHD1.
The Effects of Amplification on Listening Self-Efficacy in Adults With Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Authors: Kawaguchi Lauren , Wu Yu-Hsiang , Miller Christi
Published: July 2019

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate listening self-efficacy ratings between aided and unaided conditions in different communication environments and to determine what patient- and device-centered variables were associated with individual differences.

Method

An observational, cross-sectional study design was used to evaluate 165 older adults with mild to moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss who wore hearing aids at least 8 hr per week. Listening self-efficacy for both unaided and aided listening was measured using the Listening Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (LSEQ;
Smith, Pichora-Fuller, Watts, & La More, 2011
), consisting of a global score and subscales of Dialogue in Quiet, Directed Listening, and Complex Listening. Metrics to explain variability in the degree of improvement in LSEQ ratings with aided listening included patient-centered variables of age, pure-tone average, and personality and device-centered variables of hearing aid use, speech intelligibility index, directionality, and noise reduction. The NEO Five-Factor Inventory (
Costa & McCrae, 1985
) was used to measure 5 personality traits (neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness). Associations were evaluated between LSEQ ratings and patient- and device-centered variables using a linear mixed-model analysis.

Results

Statistically significant improvements in LSEQ ratings were found for aided conditions (relative to unaided conditions), easier listening environments, lower pure-tone averages, and lower levels of neuroticism. Furthermore, the improvement in listening self-efficacy with hearing aids did not depend on the listening environment but did alter with severity of hearing loss, length of hearing aid use, and levels of conscientiousness.

Conclusions

Results of this study suggest that wearing hearing aids is associated with improved listening self-efficacy in a variety of communication environments. Aural rehabilitation and counseling may focus on improving listening self-efficacy to address the challenges of consistent hearing aid use and reduced quality of life related to hearing loss.
Convolutional neural networks on the HEALPix sphere: a pixel-based algorithm and its application to CMB data analysis
Authors: Krachmalnicoff N. , Tomasi M.
Published: July 2019

We describe a novel method for the application of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to fields defined on the sphere, using the Hierarchical Equal Area Latitude Pixelization scheme (HEALPix). Specifically, we have developed a pixel-based approach to implement convolutional and pooling layers on the spherical surface, similarly to what is commonly done for CNNs applied to Euclidean space. The main advantage of our algorithm is to be fully integrable with existing, highly optimized libraries for NNs (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, etc.). We present two applications of our method: (i) recognition of handwritten digits projected on the sphere; (ii) estimation of cosmological parameter from simulated maps of the cosmic microwave background (CMB). The latter represents the main target of this exploratory work, whose goal is to show the applicability of our CNN to CMB parameter estimation. We have built a simple NN architecture, consisting of four convolutional and pooling layers, and we have used it for all the applications explored herein. Concerning the recognition of handwritten digits, our CNN reaches an accuracy of ∼95%, comparable with other existing spherical CNNs, and this is true regardless of the position and orientation of the image on the sphere. For CMB-related applications, we tested the CNN on the estimation of a mock cosmological parameter, defining the angular scale at which the power spectrum of a Gaussian field projected on the sphere peaks. We estimated the value of this parameter directly from simulated maps, in several cases: temperature and polarization maps, presence of white noise, and partially covered maps. For temperature maps, the NN performances are comparable with those from standard spectrum-based Bayesian methods. For polarization, CNNs perform about a factor four worse than standard algorithms. Nonetheless, our results demonstrate, for the first time, that CNNs are able to extract information from polarization fields, both in full-sky and masked maps, and to distinguish betweenEandB-modes in pixel space. Lastly, we have applied our CNN to the estimation of the Thomson scattering optical depth at reionization (τ) from simulated CMB maps. Even without any specific optimization of the NN architecture, we reach an accuracy comparable with standard Bayesian methods. This work represents a first step towards the exploitation of NNs in CMB parameter estimation and demonstrates the feasibility of our approach.
Error estimates for a partially penalized immersed finite element method for elasticity interface problems
Authors: Guo Ruchi , Lin Tao , Lin Yanping
Published: July 2019

This article is about the error analysis for a partially penalized immersed finite element (PPIFE) method designed to solve linear planar-elasticity problems whose Lamé parameters are piecewise constants with an interface-independent mesh. The bilinear form in this method contains penalties to handle the discontinuity in the global immersed finite element (IFE) functions across interface edges. We establish a stress trace inequality for IFE functions on interface elements, we employ a patch idea to derive an optimal error bound for the stress of the IFE interpolation on interface edges, and we design a suitable energy norm by which the bilinear form in this PPIFE method is coercive. These key ingredients enable us to prove that this PPIFE method converges optimally in both an energy norm and the usualL2norm under the standard piecewiseH2-regularity assumption for the exact solution. Features of the proposed PPIFE method are demonstrated with numerical examples.
Comparison of the value of passive safety coefficients for car crash with lighting column made of aluminum or composite material based on numerical simulation
Authors: Danek Wojciech , Gąsiorek Damian
Published: July 2019

Numerical simulations have become more and more important in recent years for the design of supporting road equipment structures. These structures are important for ensuring the proper level of passive safety for drivers and passengers. These structures also allow the reduction of costs of entry for new products on the market and reduction of the total cost of production. In this paper was shown comparison of passive safety coefficient ASI and THIV for lighting column made of composite material and aluminum based on experimentally verified numerical simulation. FEM was used to carry out the simulation which was implemented in LS Dyna to determine passive safety coefficients, whose algorithm was written in MATLAB. Authors presented parameters of numerical model of the car and lighting column with the ground. The accepted boundary and initial conditions were chosen in order to show the behaviour of the lighting column during a collision with a car.
Dynamic stress intensity factors of interacting branched cracks
Authors: Fedeliński Piotr
Published: July 2019

In the present work the boundary element method (BEM) is applied to analysis of statically and dynamically loaded infinite plates with multiple stationary branched cracks. The material of the plates is linear-elastic, homogenous and isotropic. In the applied BEM approach the displacement and traction boundary integral equations are used simultaneously for nodes on crack surfaces. Contrary to the finite element method (FEM) in the BEM numerical solutions are obtained by discretization of external boundaries and crack surfaces. The dynamic problem is solved by using the Laplace transform method and the solution in the time domain is computed by the Durbin numerical inversion method. Numerical examples of multiple branched cracks in infinite plates subjected to static and dynamic loadings are presented. An influence of orientation, distances between cracks and the number of cracks on static and dynamic stress intensity factors (SIF) is studied.
Experimental verification of the numerical model of a reinforced concrete arch
Authors: Markiewicz Barbara , Piątkowski Grzegorz , Szyszka Łukasz , Ziaja Dominika
Published: July 2019

The paper presents numerical and experimental dynamic analysis of the reinforced concrete arch. The measurement of the accelerations at various points of the structure as a response to the force (single input-multiple output approach) was made. Dynamic response of the concrete arch has been measured by piezoelectric accelerometers and signals have been recorded by multi-channel LMS SCADAS Mobile recorder. As a result of the measurements frequencies and mode shapes have been determined. ADINA program has been used for building of numerical models. The static scheme of the arch (the stiffness of the supports) has been updated using the genetic algorithms (GA) available in MATLAB to obtain the results, which correspond to dynamic testing. Two similarity criteria have been considered: the mean squared error (MSE) between frequencies and the Modal Assurance Criterion (MAC) for forms comparison. In additional example, the Young’s modulus has been also optimized.
Frequency optimisation of composite cylinder using an evolutionary algorithm and neural networks
Authors: Miller Bartosz , Ziemiański Leonard
Published: July 2019

The paper deals with the optimisation of dynamic properties of a composite cantilever cylinder. The optimised parameters are both the fundamental natural frequency f1 as well as the gap in frequency space around a selected external excitation force allowing to avoid the resonance phenomenon. The optimisation is performed using a novel approach combining particle swarm optimisation and artificial neural networks. The evolutionary algorithms are used to solve the optimisation problem with many local minima while neural networks are used to substitute time-consuming finite element calculations of the minimisation problem objective function.
Anomaly detection in the concrete arc girder subjected to fatigue test
Authors: Ziaja Dominika , Nazarko Piotr
Published: July 2019

A steel reinforced concrete arch of a bridge girder has been subjected to static and fatigue tests. The aim of this study is the application of guided waves in non-destructive diagnostics of civil engineering structures and early damage detection. Two piezoelectric transducers were mounted at a distance of 1 m to monitor area of the arch keystone. After every 500 000 cycles the signals of elastic waves have been measured and the girder visual examination was carried out. It turned out that both the load magnitude and the appearance of cracks have affected the signal changes. The obtained signal database has been used to train artificial neural networks and establish a diagnostic system. The results of the conducted tests have showed good sensitivity of anomaly detection and satisfying accuracy of load identification.
Bowel preparation for colonoscopy: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Guideline – Update 2019
Authors: Hassan Cesare , East James , Radaelli Franco , Spada Cristiano , Benamouzig Robert , Bisschops Raf , Bretthauer Michael , Dekker E. , Dinis-Ribeiro Mario , Ferlitsch Monika , Fuccio Lorenzo , Awadie Halim , Gralnek Ian , Jover Rodrigo , Kaminski Michal F. , Pellisé Maria , Triantafyllou Konstantinos , Vanella Giuseppe , Mangas-Sanjuan Carolina , Frazzoni Leonardo , Van Hooft Jeanin E. , Dumonceau Jean-Marc
Published: July 2019

Main Recommendations

ESGE recommends a low fiber diet on the day preceding colonoscopy.

Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.

ESGE recommends the use of enhanced instructions for bowel preparation.

Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.

ESGE suggests adding oral simethicone to bowel preparation.

Weak recommendation, moderate quality evidence.

ESGE recommends split-dose bowel preparation for elective colonoscopy.

Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.

ESGE recommends, for patients undergoing afternoon colonoscopy, a same-day bowel preparation as an acceptable alternative to split dosing.

Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.

ESGE recommends to start the last dose of bowel preparation within 5 hours of colonoscopy, and to complete it at least 2 hours before the beginning of the procedure.

Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.

ESGE recommends the use of high volume or low volume PEG-based regimens as well as that of non-PEG-based agents that have been clinically validated for routine bowel preparation. In patients at risk for hydroelectrolyte disturbances, the choice of laxative should be individualized.Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
Asymmetric Organocatalytic Michael Addition–Cyclisation Cascade of Cyclopentane-1,2-dione with Alkylidene Malononitriles
Authors: Silm Estelle , Kaabel Sandra , Järving Ivar , Kanger Tõnis
Published: July 2019

An asymmetric organocatalytic cascade reaction between cyclopentane-1,2-diones and alkylidene malononitriles affords highly substituted 4H-pyrans in moderate to high enantiomeric excess. The selective reduction of a bridged double bond leads to the formation of cis-substituted cyclopentanone with three contiguous stereogenic centres.
Combination Therapy in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Gleaning a Practical Approach from the Randomized Trials
Authors: Booth David C.
Published: July 2019

In the past decade, combination therapy in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has evolved from something PAH practitioners felt almost compelled to do, notwithstanding the absence of data, to a strategy proven by well-conducted randomized clinical trials. Whereas in the past, PAH treatment was limited to parenteral epoprostenol; today multiple drugs administrable either parenterally, inhaled, or orally have expanded the options for treating PAH patients. The SERIPHIN, AMBITION, and GRIPHON trials and emerging findings in FREEDOM-EV confirm the validity of a combined-therapy approach. Data from these trials in which either combined therapy was planned or an agent was added to background therapy have demonstrated significant reduction in the progression of disease and are on the cusp of demonstrating survival benefit. Combination therapy may be started simultaneously in some cases, but in many cases a stepped approach to initiating a second, or third, agent is better tolerated. Trials of all the specific combinations of drugs may not be possible, but a continuing trend toward treating PAH with multiple agents is likely. Currently, Food and Drug Administration-approved agents are predominantly pulmonary vasodilators acting through different pathways, with minimal impact on progression of the proliferative pulmonary arteriopathy that is the key pathologic finding in PAH. It is to be hoped that treatment strategies that result in halting progression and substantial reversal of pulmonary arteriolar obstruction will soon be discovered and available.
Generation of kinetic Alfvén waves in dayside magnetopause reconnection: A 3-D global-scale hybrid simulation
Authors: Wang Huanyu , Lin Yu , Wang Xueyi , Guo Zhifang
Published: July 2019

In this paper, we perform a three-dimensional (3-D) global-scale hybrid simulation to investigate the generation of kinetic Alfvén waves (KAWs) in reconnection at the dayside magnetopause. In the simulation, the magnetopause reconnection takes place due to a self-consistent interaction between the solar wind and Earth's magnetosphere, in which the solar wind is assumed to carry a southward interplanetary magnetic field. As multiple X-line reconnection occurs, shear Alfvénic perturbations are generated from reconnection, which propagate toward polar regions along the magnetic field lines. Our detailed analysis of the electromagnetic characteristics reveals the existence of kinetic Alfvén waves on the ion kinetic scales in these perturbations, in which the parallel electric field is generated. The 3-D structures and the Poynting fluxes in the shear Alfvén waves/KAWs in the global magnetopause are presented. It is shown that these KAWs carry electromagnetic energy into the cusp, which may lead to aurora brightening.
Double-wave reentry in excitable media
Authors: Cytrynbaum Eric N. , MacKay Vincent , Nahman-Lévesque Olivier , Dobbs Matt , Bub Gil , Shrier Alvin , Glass Leon
Published: July 2019

A monolayer of chick embryo cardiac cells grown in an annular geometry supports two simultaneous reentrant excitation waves that circulate as a doublet. We propose a mechanism that can lead to such behavior. The velocity restitution gives the instantaneous velocity of a wave as a function of the time since the passage of the previous wave at a given point in space. Nonmonotonic restitution relationships will lead to situations in which various spacings between circulating waves are possible. In cardiology, the situation in which two waves travel in an anatomically defined circuit is referred to as double-wave reentry. Since double-wave reentry may arise as a consequence of pacing during cardiac arrhythmias, understanding the dynamic features of double-wave reentry may be helpful in understanding the physiological properties of cardiac tissue and in the design of therapy.
A beam profile monitor for picoampere low-energy ion beams
Authors: Li Xiaoxiao , Liu Junliang , Yu Deyang , Li Xin , Yang Liping , Song Xiaoxun , Hui Xinfei , Li Jun , Zhang Tongmin , Liu Huiping , Kang Long , Li Jinyu , Fang Xing , Zhu Xiaolong
Published: July 2019

A beam-profile monitor has been constructed based on a two-dimensional cross-connected-pixels anode and a 128-channel picoammeter system. It can provide the total beam current, as well as the current projections in the x- and y-directions with a spatial resolution of ∼1 mm. It is suitable for diagnosis of low-energy charged-particle beams ranging from subpicoamperes to nanoamperes, e.g., the ion beams extracted from an electron beam ion source.
Nonlocal control of plasma conductivity
Authors: Yao Jingfeng , Yuan Chengxun , Yu Zhi , Kurlyandskaya I. P. , Demidov V. I. , Kudryavtsev A. A. , Rudakova T. V. , Zhou Zhongxiang
Published: July 2019

A study of the influence of the chemoionization processes on nonstationary gas-discharge conductivity has been performed. Due to energetic, suprathermal electrons, which appear in the chemoionization reactions, the highly nonequilibrium and time dependent nonlocal electron distribution function is formed. In such gas-discharge plasma, thermal electrons always have positive conductivity, while suprathermal, energetic electrons may have negative conductivity in heavy (argon, krypton, and xenon) noble gases dependent on conditions, which may lead to the nonmonotonic temporal behavior of gas-discharge plasma conductivity and potentially may create the absolute negative conductivity.
Generalized hydrodynamics of the classical Toda system
Authors: Doyon Benjamin
Published: July 2019

We obtain the exact generalized hydrodynamics for the integrable Toda system. The Toda system can be seen in a dual way, both as a gas and as a chain. In the gas point of view, using the elastic and factorized scattering of Toda particles, we obtain the generalized free energy and exact average currents and write down the Euler hydrodynamic equations. This is written both as a continuity equation for the density of asymptotic momenta and in terms of normal modes. This is based on the classical thermodynamic Bethe ansatz (TBA), with a single quasiparticle type of Boltzmann statistics. By explicitly connecting chain and gas conserved densities and currents, we then derive the thermodynamics and hydrodynamics of the chain. As the gas and chain have different notions of length, they have different hydrodynamics, and, in particular, the velocities of normal modes differ. We also give a derivation of the classical TBA equations for the gas thermodynamics from the factorized scattering of Toda particles.
Experimental investigation of Z-pinch radiation source for indirect drive inertial confinement fusion
Authors: Li Zhenghong , Wang Zhen , Xu Rongkun , Yang Jianlun , Ye Fan , Chu Yanyun , Xu Zeping , Chen Faxin , Meng Shijian , Qi Jianmin , Hu Qinyuan , Qin Yi , Ning Jiaming , Huang Zhanchang , Li Linbo , Jiang Shuqing
Published: July 2019

Z-pinch dynamic hohlraums (ZPDHs) could potentially be used to drive inertial confinement fusion targets. Double- or multishell capsules using the technique of volume ignition could exploit the advantages of ZPDHs while tolerating their radiation asymmetry, which would be unacceptable for a central ignition target. In this paper, we review research on Z-pinch implosions and ZPDHs for indirect drive targets at the Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics. The characteristics of double-shell targets and the associated technical requirements are analyzed through a one-dimensional computer code developed from MULTI-IFE. Some key issues regarding the establishment of suitable sources for dynamic hohlraums are introduced, such as soft X-ray power optimization, novel methods for plasma profile modulation, and the use of thin-shell liner implosions to inhibit the generation of prior-stagnated plasma. Finally, shock propagation and radiation characteristics in a ZPDH are presented and discussed, together with some plans for future work.
A simple high-precision wide-spectrum interferometric system
Authors: Lu Qi , Liu Shijie , Shao Jianda , Zhou You , Xu Tianzhu , Pan Jingyu , Wang Shenghao , Bai Yunbo , Xu Xueke
Published: July 2019

This paper presents a simple system capable of detecting wavefront information in the wavelength range of 488–1064 nm based on an interferometric system consisting of a ball lens and an aspheric collimator. The design is conducive to short-distance Gaussian beam expansion and collimation at multiple wavelengths. The design principles and performance of the system are described in detail; the measurement precision of the system is verified experimentally by measuring the surface profile of a piece of uncoated N-BK7 glass at various test wavelengths with the proposed setup and with a digital 4D FizCam 2000 interferometer. The highly consistent measurement results of the two methods reveal that the proposed system operates precisely and effectively at various wavelengths. Subsequently, the system is applied to measure the transmitted-wavefront error of a solar filter at a wavelength of 808.0 nm; the measurement results show superb repeatability. The proposed technique avoids the shortcomings of conventional single-working-wavelength interferometric systems, which can neither work in a wide spectrum with high precision nor measure the wavefront properties of many optical bandpass elements in one device; this technique also provides technical support for future applications of high-precision and low-cost wavelength-switchable laser interferometers.
The development and performance of a perforated plate burner to produce vitiated flow with negligible swirl under engine-relevant gas turbine conditions
Authors: Rodrigues Neil S. , Busari Oluwatobi , Senior William C. B. , McDonald Colin T. , North Andrew J. , Chen YunTao , Laster W. Ray , Meyer Scott E. , Lucht Robert P.
Published: July 2019

The development and performance of a perforated plate burner (PPB) operating using premixed natural gas and air at engine-relevant inlet temperatures and combustor pressures with thermal powers up to 1 MW is discussed. A significant benefit of using burners with simplified flow fields, such as the PPB, for experimental studies in the laboratory is the potential for decoupling the complex fluid dynamics in typical combustors from the chemical kinetics. The primary motivation for developing this burner was to use it as a source of vitiated flow with negligible swirl for reacting jet in vitiated crossflow experiments. The design methodology for the PPB is described, including plate geometry selection and flashback mitigation features. The stable operation of the PPB within a high-pressure test rig was validated: successful ignition, effective use of red-lines for flashback mitigation, and long duration steady-state operation in both piloted and nonpiloted modes were all observed. Exhaust gas emissions measured using a Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer showed very good performance of the PPB in terms of the combustion efficiency (based on measured CO and UHC), and a stability diagram of the PPB was developed as a function of the equivalence ratio and the PPB hole velocity. FTIR measurements also showed very low levels of NOX in nonpiloted operation that were generally within 3 ppm (reported dry and referenced to 15% O2). The capability for steady-state operation, high combustion efficiency, and low levels of NOX makes this PPB an excellent burner candidate for combustion experiments in the laboratory.
Value of seasonal climate forecasts in reducing economic losses for grazing enterprises: Charters Towers case study
Authors: An-Vo Duc-Anh , Reardon-Smith Kate , Mushtaq Shahbaz , Cobon David , Kodur Shreevatsa , Stone Roger
Published: July 2019

Seasonal climate forecasts (SCFs) have the potential to improve productivity and profitability in agricultural industries, but are often underutilised due to insufficient evidence of the economic value of forecasts and uncertainty about their reliability. In this study we developed a bio-economic model of forecast use, explicitly incorporating forecast uncertainty. Using agricultural systems (ag-systems) production simulation software calibrated with case study information, we simulated pasture growth, herd dynamics and annual economic returns under different climatic conditions. We then employed a regret and value function approach to quantify the potential economic value of using SCFs (at both current and improved accuracy levels) in decision making for a grazing enterprise in north-eastern Queensland, Australia – a region subject to significant seasonal and intra-decadal climate variability. Applying an expected utility economic modelling approach, we show that skilled SCF systems can contribute considerable value to farm level decision making. At the current SCF skill of 62% (derived by correlating the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) signal and historical climate data) at Charters Towers, an average annual forecast value of AU$4420 (4.25%) was realised for the case study average annual net profit of AU$104000, while a perfect (no regret) forecast system could result in an increased return of AU$13475 per annum (13% of the case study average annual net profit). Continued improvements in the skill and reliability of SCFs is likely to both increase the value of SCFs to agriculture and drive wider uptake of climate forecasts in on-farm decision making. We also anticipate that an integrated framework, such as that developed in this study, may provide a pathway for better communication with end users to support improved understanding and use of forecasts in agricultural decision making and enhanced sustainability of agricultural enterprises.
Antibody-dependent enhancement of influenza disease promoted by increase in hemagglutinin stem flexibility and virus fusion kinetics
Authors: Winarski Katie L. , Tang Juanjie , Klenow Laura , Lee Jeehyun , Coyle Elizabeth M. , Manischewitz Jody , Turner Hannah L. , Takeda Kazuyo , Ward Andrew B. , Golding Hana , Khurana Surender
Published: July 2019

Significance

Next-generation influenza vaccines and broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) are in clinical development. Some of these do not block virus–receptor interactions and thus are predicted to provide protection via alternative mechanisms at the postentry stage or use Fc-dependent mechanisms. Nonneutralizing antibodies have the potential to mediate enhancement of respiratory disease (ERD). Our study describes ADE with two different functional MAbs that destabilized HA stem domain, increased influenza virus fusion kinetics, and led to enhanced lung pathology and ERD in a dose-dependent manner in a mice model. This study underlines careful preclinical evaluation of next-generation influenza vaccines or antibody-based therapeutics that do not block influenza virus receptor binding.
Catalytic deficiency of O-GlcNAc transferase leads to X-linked intellectual disability
Authors: Pravata Veronica M. , Muha Villo , Gundogdu Mehmet , Ferenbach Andrew T. , Kakade Poonam S. , Vandadi Vasudha , Wilmes Ariane C. , Borodkin Vladimir S. , Joss Shelagh , Stavridis Marios P. , van Aalten Daan M. F.
Published: July 2019

O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) is an X-linked gene product that is essential for normal development of the vertebrate embryo. It catalyses the O-GlcNAc posttranslational modification of nucleocytoplasmic proteins and proteolytic maturation of the transcriptional coregulator Host cell factor 1 (HCF1). Recent studies have suggested that conservative missense mutations distal to the OGT catalytic domain lead to X-linked intellectual disability in boys, but it is not clear if this is through changes in the O-GlcNAc proteome, loss of protein–protein interactions, or misprocessing of HCF1. Here, we report an OGT catalytic domain missense mutation in monozygotic female twins (c. X:70779215 T > A, p. N567K) with intellectual disability that allows dissection of these effects. The patients show limited IQ with developmental delay and skewed X-inactivation. Molecular analyses revealed decreased OGT stability and disruption of the substrate binding site, resulting in loss of catalytic activity. Editing this mutation into the
Drosophila
genome results in global changes in the O-GlcNAc proteome, while in mouse embryonic stem cells it leads to loss of O-GlcNAcase and delayed differentiation down the neuronal lineage. These data imply that catalytic deficiency of OGT could contribute to X-linked intellectual disability.
Meaning hides in the confusion of the construction
Authors: Szcześniak Konrad
Published: July 2019

This study revisits constructionist (CxG) views concerning detailed and often unusual semantics of schematic constructions, especially those located toward the closed-class end of the lexicon-grammar continuum. The discussion is based mainly on a previously unstudied grammatical construction with interesting semantic properties, and it is shown that although clear semantic patterns can be observed in its most common uses, the construction is capable of expressing meanings that go beyond a preliminary characterization suggested by typical attestations. It is hypothesized that two kinds of meanings can be observed in grammatical constructions. One is the typically grammatical, relatively general meaning known to be conveyed by closed-class forms. The other includes highly detailed readings found in clearly productive patterns, which function within a construction; these relatively rich meanings are not necessarily the content of a construction. Based on uses of a number of constructions discussed here, it is suggested that many characterizations of the semantic content of schematic constructions proposed in the literature may be too detailed. The study concludes in proposing a correlation, under which the degree of specificity of a construction’s meaning depends on the amount of fixed lexical material found in it.
Language as a ‘game changer’ for spontaneous trait inference
Authors: Marcelo Daniel , Garcia-Marques Leonel , Duarte Inês
Published: July 2019

This paper provides a summary of the project regarding language and spontaneous trait inference (STI) interaction. For 40 years, different methodologies had been used to study STI. However, these methodologies used sentences to elicit the inference, but they were never controlled from a linguistic point of view. We studied STI behavior when sentences were modified by adverbs of manner and checked linguistic parameters to verify which had more importance when the inference occurred. Results show that not only these adverbs modify the strength for STI, but they sometimes also change which trait is preferably inferred by the participants, adding new traits which were not available if the adverbs were not inferred.
Friends and Relatives as Sources of Prescription Opioids for Misuse among Young Adults: The Significance of Physician Source and Race/Ethnic Differences
Authors: Ford Jason A. , Pomykacz Corey , Szalewski Alec , Esteban McCabe Sean , Schepis Ty S.
Published: July 2019

Background

Given the public health issues associated with prescription opioid misuse, there is surprisingly little research on sources of prescription opioids for misuse. We know that free from friends/relatives is the most common source, that source is associated with patterns of misuse, and that sources vary based on the sociodemographic characteristics. The current research assesses how friends/relatives obtain the prescription opioids they freely share with others.

Methods

Data were from the 2009–2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health and focused on respondents aged 18 to 25 ( N = 106,845), as they report the highest prevalence of opioid misuse and are also more likely to obtain prescription opioids free from friends/relatives. Analyses used weighted cross-tabulations and design-based logistic regression to examine the relationships between sources of prescription opioids shared by friends/relatives and sociodemographic characteristics, substance use disorders, and risk behavior.

Results

The most common source was from one physician (68.8%), and 18.4% of respondents reported multiple sources of opioids. We also found significant differences in friend/relative sources based on school enrollment, sex, and race/ethnicity of the person obtaining the opioids. Notably, white respondents were more likely to report theft/fake prescription, purchases, and multiple sources. Finally, friend/relative sources were significantly associated with substance use disorders and other risk behaviors.

Conclusions

The current research assesses the sharing of prescription opioids between friends/relatives, highlights physicians as a major source, and identifies whites as a vulnerable group. Policy implications associated with the sharing of prescription opioids among friends/relatives are discussed.
Adoption of the 275-Patient Buprenorphine Treatment Waiver for Treating Opioid Use Disorder: A State-Level Longitudinal Analysis
Authors: Knudsen Hannah K. , Lin Lewei (Allison) , Lofwall Michelle R.
Published: July 2019

Background: Increasing access to buprenorphine treatment is a critical tool for addressing the opioid epidemic in the United States. In 2016, a federal policy change allowed physicians who meet specific requirements to treat up to 275 concurrent buprenorphine patients. This study examines state-level measures of buprenorphine treatment supply over 21 months since this policy change and estimates associations between the supply of 275-patient waivers and state characteristics.

Methods: Monthly state-level measures of the number of physicians holding the 275-patient waiver per 100,000 residents were constructed from September 2016 to May 2018 using the Drug Enforcement Agency's Controlled Substance Act database. State characteristics were obtained from publicly available sources. Mixed-effects regression models were estimated to examine change over time.

Results: During the 21-month period, the number of physicians waivered to treat 275 patients increased from 153 to 4009 physicians. The mean supply of 275-patient physicians per 100,000 state residents significantly increased from 0.07 (SD = 0.21) in September 2016 to 1.43 (SD = 1.08) in May 2018 ( t = −9.84, df = 50, P < .001). The final mixed-effects regression model indicated that Census division and the preexisting supply of 100-patient waivered physicians were correlated with the rate of growth in 275-patient waivers over the study period.

Conclusions: Although uptake of the 275-patient waiver has exceeded initial projections, growth is uneven across the United States. Unequal patterns of growth pose a challenge to efforts to increase treatment availability as a means of addressing the opioid epidemic.
The Influence of Home-State Reputation and Public Opinion on Federal Circuit Court Judges
Authors: Owens Ryan J. , Wohlfarth Patrick C.
Published: July 2019

At least four observationally equivalent theories argue that federal judges follow public opinion when they decide cases. Yet there is mixed empirical support for these theories. Using recently released data on public opinion, we discover that state public opinion exerts a meaningful impact on the votes of federal circuit court judges. Perhaps more important, we leverage a number of different empirical approaches to identify which theory the data support. The data suggest that circuit court judges may change along with society but also that they follow public opinion because they care about their reputations in their home states.
Final report on COOMET key comparison of power (COOMET.EM-K5)
Authors: Velychko Oleh , Karpenko Stanislav
Published: July 2019

An intercomparison for electrical standards of low-frequency 50 Hz/60 Hz power has taken place within the framework of COOMET. The intercomparison, piloted by State Enterprise 'Ukrmetrteststandard'-UMTS (Ukraine), has involved thirteen laboratories, including one who is a member of another regional metrological organization: EURAMET, APMP, GULFMET, and AFRIMETS. NIM (China) and VNIIM (Russia) are linking NMIs as far as they participated in CCEM-K5. The results presented in this report appear to show that there are significant differences between some laboratories' representations of the watt. However, the agreement demonstrated by the intercomparison provides confidence in maintaining traceability for the power at 50 Hz and 53 Hz for 1.0, 0.5 Lag, 0.5 Lead, 0.0 Lag, 0.0 Lead power factors.

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCEM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Switching performance of bistable membranes activated with integrated piezoelectric thin film transducers
Authors: Dorfmeister M , Kössl B , Schneider M , Pfusterschmied G , Schmid U
Published: July 2019

In this paper we report on the fabrication of bistable micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) membranes, which have diameters in the range of 600–800 µm, a total thickness of 3.13 µm and feature integrated low power piezoelectric transducers based on aluminium nitride. To estimate the impact of the membrane asymmetry due to the integrated piezoelectric transducers, an asymmetric constant in the potential energy calculation of the bistable system is introduced, thus enabling a proper theoretical prediction of the membrane behaviour. To switch between the two bistable ground states, rectangular pulses with frequencies in the range of 50–100 kHz and a peak-to-peak voltage of 30 V
pp are applied. Two different actuation schemes were investigated, whereas one shows positive and the other negative pulse amplitudes. With a Laser-Doppler Vibrometer the velocity of the membranes during the bistable switching process is measured and integrated over time to calculate the membrane displacement in the centre. FFT (fast Fourier transform) spectra of an applied broadband white noise signal were determined in both ground states and showed a strongly decreased dominant resonance frequency in the lower ground state. The results also showed, that the asymmetry of the system causes different switching behaviours for each bistable ground state, whereas it requires less energy to switch from the lower to the upper ground state. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that a minimum of two pulses are needed for switching when using positive rectangular pulses of 30 V
pp in contrast to four when applying negative pulses. The pulse frequency causing switching was in the range of 60–110 kHz, strongly depending on the geometry and applied signal scheme. Additionally, a positive voltage offset applied to the pulse signal characteristics resulted in both a wider range of frequencies suitable for switching and in a decrease of the dominant resonance frequency, which is also beneficial for the switching process and indicates the potential for efficient switching of bistable MEMS membranes.
The application of co-integration theory in ensemble pulsar timescale algorithm
Authors: Gao Feng , Tong Ming-Lei , Gao Yu-Ping , Yang Ting-Gao , Zhao Cheng-Shi
Published: July 2019

Employing multiple pulsars and using an appropriate algorithm to establish ensemble pulsar timescale can reduce the influences of various noises on the long-term stability of pulsar timescale, compared to a single pulsar. However, due to the low timing precision and significant red noises of some pulsars, their participation in the construction of ensemble pulsar timescale is often limited. Inspired by the principle of solving non-stationary sequence modeling using co-integration theory, we put forward an algorithm based on co-integration theory to establish an ensemble pulsar timescale. It is found that this algorithm can effectively suppress some noise sources if a co-integration relationship between different pulsar data exists. Different from the classical weighted average algorithm, the co-integration method provides the chance for a pulsar with significant red noises to be included in the establishment of an ensemble pulsar timescale. Based on data from the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav), we found that the co-integration algorithm can successfully reduce several timing noises and improve the long-term stability of the ensemble pulsar timescale.
Coherent structures and spectral shapes of kinetic Alfvén wave turbulence in solar wind at 1 AU
Authors: Singh Hemam Dinesh , Jatav Bheem Singh
Published: July 2019

This paper presents the generation of kinetic Alfvén wave (KAW) coherent structures of magnetic filaments applicable to solar wind at 1AU, when the background plasma density is modified by parallel ponderomotive force and Joule heating. The inhomogeneity in the magnetic field, which was included as a perturbation in the transverse direction of the magnetic field, takes energy from the main pump KAWs and generates the filamentary structures.When the intensity is high enough, the filaments are broken down and the energy initially confined to low wavenumbers is redistributed to higher wavenumbers, leading to cascades of energy at small scales less than the ion acoustic gyroradius or comparable to electron gyroradius. The magnetic field spectral profile is generated from the numerical simulation results, and its dependence on different directions of the wavevector and initial conditions of the simulation representing the transverse magnetic field inhomogeneity is studied. The relevance of these results with other spacecraft observations and measurements is also pointed out.
Photometric investigation of the eclipsing binary TX Herculis observed by LUT
Authors: Zhu Li-Ying , Tian Xiao-Man , Zhou Xiao , Li Lin-Jia , Wang Zhi-Hua
Published: July 2019

The lander of China’s Chang’E-3 spacecraft is equippedwith a 15-cmtelescope that is very useful for monitoring celestial objects in the ultraviolet (UV) band (245–340 nm). The Lunar-based Ultraviolet Telescope (LUT) is the first long-term lunar-based astronomical observatory, that can make uninterrupted observations of a target from the Moon. Here we present the continuous complete UV light curve of the eclipsing binary TX Herculis (TX Her). The analysis of the light curve suggests that TX Her is a detached binary. The dip in the light curve was explained by the emergence of a stellar dark spot on the less massive F0 type component. The cyclic change of arrival eclipse times for the system reveals that it contains an additional stellar companion with a minimal mass of 0.35 M
⊙ and a period of 48.92 yr, which is supported by the detected light contribution of the third body from light curve analysis. This third body may play an important role in the formation of the present short-period system TX Her.