bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Viability of recalcitrant Araucaria angustifolia seeds in storage and in a soil seed bank
Authors: Gasparin Ezequiel , Faria José M. R. , José Anderson C. , Tonetti Olivia A. O. , de Melo Rodrigo A. , Hilhorst Henk W. M.
Published: June 2019

Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze is a representative species of the Mixed Ombrophilous Forest in the Atlantic Forest Biome of Brazil. The development of a germplasm conservation protocol for long-term seed bank storage is compromised for this species, as it is sensitive to desiccation. Furthermore, in situ establishment of a soil seed bank in its natural habitat may be limited. This study evaluates the storability of two provenances of A. angustifolia seeds and their behavior in an artificial soil seed bank in two forest environments (understory and edge). Results show that both seed provenances may be stored at 5 °C for approximately 12 months, retaining high viability. The subsequent decrease in germination was associated with a reduction and an increase in seed water content, as well as with increased electrical conductivity. In the understory environment, seed viability was above 85% for the first 60 days, and at the end of the experiment (270 days), seedlings emerged. However, at the forest edge, there was a total loss of seed viability after 120 days associated with a reduction in water content and high predation. It is concluded, therefore, that short-term storage of A. angustifolia seeds is possible in a cold room, which is fundamental to supply seed demand outside the production period. Forest cover conservation is important for regeneration and conservation of the species.
Perivascular spaces in the centrum semiovale at the beginning of the 8th decade of life: effect on cognition and associations with mineral deposition
Authors: Valdés Hernández Maria del C. , Ballerini Lucia , Glatz Andreas , Muñoz Maniega Susana , Gow Alan J. , Bastin Mark E. , Starr John M. , Deary Ian J. , Wardlaw Joanna M.
Published: June 2019

Brain iron deposits (IDs) are indicative of microvessel dysfunction which may predispose to small vessel disease (SVD) brain damage and worsen cognition later in life. Visible perivascular spaces in the centrum semiovale (CSO-PVS) are SVD features linked with microvessel dysfunction. We examined possible associations of CSO-PVS volume and count with brain IDs and cognitive abilities in 700 community-dwelling individuals from the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 who underwent detailed cognitive testing and multimodal brain MRI at mean age 72.7 years. Brain IDs were assessed automatically followed by manual editing. PVS were automatically assessed in the centrum semiovale and deep corona radiata supraventricular. General factors of overall cognitive function (g), processing speed (g-speed) and memory (g-memory) were used in the analyses. Median (IQR) volumes of IDs and CSO-PVS expressed as a percentage of intracranial volume were 0.0021 (0.011) and 0.22 (0.13)% respectively. Median count of CSO-PVS was 410 (IQR = 201). Total volumes of CSO-PVS and ID, adjusted for head size, were correlated (Spearman ρ = 0.13, p < 0.001). CSO-PVS volume, despite being correlated with all three cognitive measures, was only associated with g-memory (B = -114.5, SE = 48.35, p = 0.018) in general linear models, adjusting for age, sex, vascular risk factors, childhood intelligence and white matter hyperintensity volume. The interaction of CSO-PVS count with diabetes (B = -0.0019, SE = 0.00093, p = 0.041) and volume with age (B = 1.57, SE = 0.67, p = 0.019) were also associated with g-memory. Linear regression models did not replicate these associations. Therefore, it does not seem that CSO-PVS burden is directly associated with general cognitive ability in older age.
Trait procrastination undermines outcome and efficacy expectancies for achieving health-related possible selves
Authors: Sirois Fuschia M.
Published: June 2019

People often fail at following through with their health behaviour goals. How health goals are cognitively represented holds promise for understanding successful health behaviour change. Health-related possible selves (HPS) reflect cognitive representations of a future self that people may wish to achieve (hoped-for-HPS) or avoid (feared-HPS), that can promote health behaviour change. However, success depends on the strength of the efficacy and outcome expectancies for achieving/avoiding the HPS. Personality traits linked to poor self-regulation are often not considered when assessing the potential self-regulatory functions of HPS. The current study addressed this issue by examining the associations of trait procrastination with efficacy and outcome expectancies for hoped-for-HPS and feared-HPS, and health behaviour change intentions and motivations in a community sample (N = 191) intending to make healthy changes in the next 6 months. Trait procrastination was associated with weaker intentions and motivations for health behaviour change, and lower efficacy and outcome expectancies for hoped-for-HPS, but not feared-HPS. Bootstrapped multiple mediation analysis found significant indirect effects of procrastination on health behaviour intentions, through outcome, but not efficacy, expectancies for hoped-for-HPS. Results suggest that issues in imagining a hoped-for-HPS can be achieved are linked to weak intentions for health behaviour change for those with chronic self-regulation difficulties. Research into interventions that strengthen feeling connected to hoped-for-HPS is recommended.
Updated Clinical Practice Guideline on Use of Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents in Kidney Disease Issued by the Canadian Association of Radiologists
Authors: Schieda Nicola , Maralani Pejman Jabehdar , Hurrell Casey , Tsampalieros Anne K. , Hiremath Swapnil
Published: June 2019

In 2017, the Canadian Association of Radiologists issued a clinical practice guideline (CPG) regarding the use of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI), chronic kidney disease (CKD), or on dialysis due to mounting evidence indicating that nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) occurs with extreme rarity or not at all when using Group II GBCAs or the Group III GBCA gadoxetic acid (compared to first generation Group I linear GBCAs). One of the goals of the work group was to re-evaluate the CPG after 24 months to determine the effect of more liberal use of GBCA on reported cases of NSF in patients with AKI, CKD Stage 4 or 5 (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2), or those that are dialysis-dependent. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted by a subcommittee of the initial CPG panel between the dates of January 1, 2017-December 31, 2018 to identify new unconfounded cases of NSF linked to Group II or Group III GBCAs and an updated CPG developed. To our knowledge, when using a Group II or Group III GBCA between 2017-2018, only a single unconfounded case report of a fibrosing dermopathy has been reported in a patient who received gadobenate dimeglumine with Stage 2 CKD. No other unconfounded cases of NSF have been reported with Group II or III agents in during this timeframe. The subcommittee concluded that the main recommendations from the 2017 CPG should remain unaltered, but agreed that screening for renal disease in the outpatient setting is no longer justifiable, cost-effective or recommended. Patients on hemodialysis (HD) should, however, be identified prior to GBCA administration to arrange timely HD to optimize gadolinium clearance, although there remains no evidence that HD reduces the risk of NSF. When administering Group II or III GBCAs to patients with AKI, on dialysis or with severe CKD, informed consent relating to NSF is also no longer explicitly recommended.
The Role of Network Embeddedness and Psychological Ownership in Consumer Responses to Brand Transgressions
Authors: Kuchmaner Christina A. , Wiggins Jennifer , Grimm Pamela E.
Published: June 2019

Research has recognized that in addition to consumer–brand relationships, consumers are engaged in social networks of consumer-to-consumer interactions, which increasingly take place online through virtual brand communities. However, little attention has been paid to how consumer-to-consumer influence within virtual brand communities plays a role when brands behave badly. This research examines the role of network embeddedness, specifically network centrality and network density, and psychological ownership in consumer responses to a brand transgression. Across three studies of virtual brand communities and one of offline brand communities, we document an inherent conflict for those who occupy a central position within a brand community. Central consumers are more likely to punish the brand for the transgression, but centrality also leads to greater psychological ownership of the brand community and the brand, which makes consumers less likely to punish the brand. Psychological ownership also leads to a higher likelihood of helping the brand recover from the transgression, creating an additional conflict for central consumers. Network density resolves these conflicts by strengthening the negative relationship between psychological ownership and likelihood to punish the brand, but only in online brand communities where punishing and helping behaviors are more visible and more likely to act as reputational signals for the central consumer. This suggests that firms should encourage the formation of dense virtual brand communities and cultivate psychological ownership among central community members in order to protect themselves from negative consequences in the wake of a transgression.
Bioinformatics strategy to advance the interpretation of Alzheimer's disease GWAS discoveries: The roads from association to causation
Authors: Lutz Michael W. , Sprague Daniel , Chiba‐Falek Ornit
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) discovered multiple late‐onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD)‐associated SNPs and inferred the genes based on proximity; however, the actual causal genes are yet to be identified.

Methods

We defined LOAD‐GWAS regions by the most significantly associated SNP ±0.5 Mb and developed a bioinformatics pipeline that uses and integrates chromatin state segmentation track to map active enhancers and virtual 4C software to visualize interactions between active enhancers and gene promoters. We augmented our pipeline with biomedical and functional information.

Results

We applied the bioinformatics pipeline using three ∼1 Mb LOAD‐GWAS loci: BIN1, PICALM, CELF1. These loci contain 10–24 genes, an average of 106 active enhancers and 80 CTCF sites. Our strategy identified all genes corresponding to the promoters that interact with the active enhancer that is closest to the LOAD‐GWAS‐SNP and generated a shorter list of prioritized candidate LOAD genes (5‐14/loci), feasible for post‐GWAS investigations of causality.

Discussion

Interpretation of LOAD‐GWAS discoveries requires the integration of brain‐specific functional genomic data sets and information related to regulatory activity.
Using data science to diagnose and characterize heterogeneity of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Ang Ting F.A. , An Ning , Ding Huitong , Devine Sherral , Auerbach Sanford H. , Massaro Joseph , Joshi Prajakta , Liu Xue , Liu Yulin , Mahon Elizabeth , Au Rhoda , Lin Honghuang
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Despite the availability of age‐ and education‐adjusted standardized scores for most neuropsychological tests, there is a lack of objective rules in how to interpret multiple concurrent neuropsychological test scores that characterize the heterogeneity of Alzheimer's disease.

Methods

Using neuropsychological test scores of 2091 participants from the Framingham Heart Study, we devised an automated algorithm that follows general diagnostic criteria and explores the heterogeneity of Alzheimer's disease.

Results

We developed a series of stepwise diagnosis rules that evaluate information from multiple neuropsychological tests to produce an intuitive and objective Alzheimer's disease dementia diagnosis with more than 80% accuracy.

Discussion

A data‐driven stepwise diagnosis system is useful for diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease from neuropsychological tests. It demonstrated better performance than the traditional dichotomization of individuals' performance into satisfactory and unsatisfactory outcomes, making it more reflective of dementia as a spectrum disorder. This algorithm can be applied to both within clinic and outside‐of‐clinic settings.
In-Field Digital Photography and the Curation of Associated Records: Not All Prints Are Created Equal
Authors: Knoll Michelle K. , Carver-Kubik A.
Published: June 2019

With the advent of commercially available digital cameras in the late 1990s resulting in the near-exclusion of analog photographic prints today, most archaeological repositories around the world have a mix of analog and digital photographic prints. That ratio is increasingly moving toward digital print processes, of which there are several types. To minimize the loss of image quality, collection managers must become familiar with the unique curation challenges of photographic prints from digitally created images. Likewise, creators of digital content must be aware that choices made when selecting a print process for reposit will have a direct effect on image and print permanence. Site photographs are critical evidence of archaeological activity, and so the preservation of digital prints is in the interest, and is the responsibility, of collection managers and archaeologists alike.
Enhancement of the surface emission at the fundamental frequency and the transmitted high-order harmonics by pre-structured targets
Authors: Pan K. Q. , Yang D. , Guo L. , Li Z. C. , Li S. W. , Zheng C. Y. , Jiang S. E. , Zhang B. H. , He X. T.
Published: June 2019

Laser interaction with an ultra-thin pre-structured target is investigated with the help of both two-dimensional and three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. With the existence of a periodic structure on the target surface, the laser seems to penetrate through the target at its fundamental frequency even if the plasma density of the target is much higher than the laser’s relativistically critical density. The particle-in-cell simulations show that the transmitted laser energy behind the pre-structured target is increased by about two orders of magnitude compared to that behind the flat target. Theoretical analyses show that the transmitted energy behind the pre-structured target is actually re-emitted by electron ‘islands’ formed by the surface plasma waves on the target surfaces. In other words, the radiation with the fundamental frequency is actually ‘surface emission’ on the target rear surface. Besides the intensity of the component with the fundamental frequency, the intensity of the high-order harmonics behind the pre-structured target is also much enhanced compared to that behind the flat target. The enhancement of the high-order harmonics is also related to the surface plasma waves generated on the target surfaces.
Predictors of successful weight loss with relative maintenance of fat-free mass in individuals with overweight and obesity on an 8-week low-energy diet
Authors: Hansen Thea Toft , Hjorth Mads Fiil , Sandby Karoline , Andersen Sarah Vold , Astrup Arne , Ritz Christian , Bulló Mònica , Camacho-Barcía Maria Lucia , García-Gavilán Jesús Francisco , Salas-Salvadó Jordi , Harrold Joanne A. , Halford Jason C.G. , Sjödin Anders
Published: June 2019

A low-energy diet (LED) is an effective approach to induce a rapid weight loss in individuals with overweight. However, reported disproportionally large losses of fat-free mass (FFM) after an LED trigger the question of adequate protein content. Additionally, not all individuals have the same degree of weight loss success. After an 8-week LED providing 5020 kJ/d for men and 4184 kJ/d for women (84/70 g protein/d) among overweight and obese adults, we aimed to investigate the relationship between protein intake relative to initial FFM and proportion of weight lost as FFM as well as the individual characteristics associated with weight loss success. We assessed all outcomes baseline and after the LED. A total of 286 participants (sixty-four men and 222 women) initiated the LED of which 82 % completed and 70 % achieved a substantial weight loss (defined as ≥8 %). Protein intake in the range 1·0–1·6 g protein/d per kg FFM at baseline for men and 1·1–2·2 g protein/d per kg FFM at baseline for women was not associated with loss of FFM (P = 0·632). Higher Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ) hunger at baseline and reductions in TFEQ disinhibition and hunger during the LED were associated with larger weight loss (all P ≤ 0·020); whereas lower sleep quality at baseline predicted less successful weight loss using intention to treat analysis (P = 0·021), possibly driven by those dropping out (n 81, P = 0·067 v. completers: n 198, P = 0·659). Thus, the protein intakes relative to initial FFM were sufficient for maintenance of FFM and specific eating behaviour characteristics were associated with weight loss success.
Conscription by Capture in the Wa State of Myanmar: Acquaintances, Anonymity, Patronage, and the Rejection of Mutuality
Authors: Steinmüller Hans
Published: June 2019

Capturing people, sometimes by taking relatives hostage, is a common practice for purposes of conscription and law enforcement in the Wa State of Myanmar. Given the unreliability of the local census, as well as the relative weakness of civil government, and registration in a de facto state governed by an insurgent army, the personal politics of capture provides a functional equivalent to state legibility. This personal politics operates based on the reorganization of personal networks between representatives of the military state and ordinary people: first, circles of acquaintances within the military state that provide access to local knowledge, and second, relationships of patronage formed on the basis of those new acquaintanceships, as well as connections of kinship and co-residence. Conscription by capture, however, also requires anonymity; that is, the passive non-recognition of mutuality with strangers and the active refusal of mutuality with acquaintances. This article describes the historical emergence of networks of acquaintances and relationships of patronage as a combination of Maoist state-building and local institutions of war capture and adoption. It demonstrates how conscription by capture relies on relationships of acquaintances and non-recognition, as well as on patronage and the refusal of mutuality. The politics of conscription by capture are contrasted with conscription in imperial states and contemporary nation-states.
Ethical Challenges Related to Patient Involvement in Health Technology Assessment
Authors: Vanstone Meredith , Abelson Julia , Bidonde Julia , Bond Kenneth , Burgess Raquel , Canfield Carolyn , Schwartz Lisa , Tripp Laura
Published: June 2019

Including information and values from patients in HTA has the potential to improve both the process and outcomes of health technology policy decisions. Accordingly, funding and structural incentives to include patients in HTA activities have increased over the past several years. Unfortunately, these incentives have not yet been accompanied by a corresponding increase in resources, time, or commitment to responsiveness. In this Perspectives piece, we reflect on our collective experiences participating in, conducting, and overseeing patient engagement activities within HTA to highlight the ethical challenges associated with this area of activity. While we remain committed to the idea that patient engagement activities strengthen the findings, relevance, and legitimacy of health technology policy, we are deeply concerned about the potential for these activities to do ethical harm. We use this analysis to call for action to introduce strong protections against ethical violations that may harm patients participating in HTA engagement activities.
Let’s Get Real about Person- and Family-Centred Geriatric Home Care: A Realist Synthesis
Authors: Giosa Justine L. , Holyoke Paul , Stolee Paul
Published: June 2019

Cette étude a examiné les mécanismes complexes intervenant lors de la prestation de soins axés sur la personne et la famille (SAPF) par des équipes de soins gériatriques à domicile. Une approche par synthèse réaliste a été utilisée pour élaborer un cadre d’évaluation qui a inclus 159 références provenant de la littérature scientifique, des consultations d’experts canadiens en SAPF, des recherches ciblées dans les bases PubMed/MEDLINE® et CINAHL, et des recensions de la littérature grise canadienne. Les références ont été sélectionnées par deux personnes, selon une approche consensuelle avec évaluation de la qualité. Les données ont été extraites et synthétisées en tenant compte du contexte, des mécanismes et des configurations des résultats dans un cadre théorique de SAPF d’équipe pour les soins gériatriques à domicile. Le cadre présente les contributions spécifiques prédominantes des infirmières, des ergothérapeutes et des physiothérapeutes, leurs apports collectifs impliquant des communications pour des équipes virtuelles, ainsi que le soutien du système nécessité pour la prestation de SAPF d’équipe complets. Les résultats de cette étude pourraient contribuer à l’amélioration de l’éducation sur les SAPF et des lignes directrices sur les pratiques exemplaires, en vue d’assurer une prestation plus intégrée des SAPF dans les soins gériatriques offerts à domicile ou dans d’autres milieux comportant des équipes de soins.
Intravoxel incoherent motion imaging has the possibility to detect liver abnormalities in young Fontan patients with good hemodynamics
Authors: Shiraga Kazuhiro , Ono Kojiro , Inuzuka Ryo , Asakai Hiroko , Ookubo Takumi , Shirayama Akira , Higashi Kouji , Nakajima Hiromichi
Published: June 2019

Introduction:

Liver fibrosis and cirrhosis are one of the critical complications in Fontan patients. However, there are no well-established non-invasive and quantitative techniques for evaluating liver abnormalities in Fontan patients. Intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging with MRI is a non-invasive and quantitative method to evaluate capillary network perfusion and molecular diffusion. The objective of this study is to assess the feasibility of intravoxel incoherent motion imaging in evaluating liver abnormalities in Fontan children.

Materials and Methods:

Five consecutive Fontan patients and four age-matched healthy volunteers were included. Fontan patients were 12.8 ± 1.5 years old at the time of MRI scan. Intravoxel incoherent motion imaging parameters (D, D*, and f values) within the right hepatic lobe were compared. Laboratory test, ultrasonography, and cardiac MRI were also conducted in the Fontan patients. Results of cardiac catheterization conducted within one year of the intravoxel incoherent motion imaging were also examined.

Results:

In Fontan patients, laboratory test and liver ultrasonography showed almost normal liver condition. Cardiac catheter and MRI showed good Fontan circulation. Cardiac index was 2.61 ± 0.23 L/min/m2. Intravoxel incoherent motion imaging parameters D, D*, and f values were lower in Fontan patients compared with controls (D: 1.1 ± 0.0 versus 1.3 ± 0.2 × 10−3 mm2/second (p = 0.04), D*: 30.8 ± 24.8 versus 113.2 ± 25.6 × 10−3 mm2/second (p < 0.01), and f: 13.2 ± 3.1 versus 22.4 ± 2.4% (p < 0.01), respectively).

Conclusions:

Intravoxel incoherent motion imaging is feasible for evaluating liver abnormalities in children with Fontan circulation.
A test of the feasibility of a visualization method to show the depth and duration of awareness during Method of Levels therapy
Authors: Grzegrzolka Jakub , Mansell Warren
Published: June 2019

Many psychological therapies help clients to direct and sustain their awareness onto specific aspects of their problems to promote change. Yet, no theory-driven measure exists that can code moment-by-moment changes in awareness during a therapy session. It is known that awareness plays a crucial role in the process of change, but little is known about the underlying core processes. Perceptual Control Theory (PCT) offers a scientific explanation of psychological distress as loss of control and describes the role of awareness in processes responsible for restoring control by resolving any internal conflict. The Depth and Duration of Awareness Coding Scheme (D-DACS) was previously developed to capture the person’s current focus of awareness and its duration on the areas that from a PCT point of view are desirable in order to facilitate effective psychological change. The current research applies D-DACS to code three publicly available Method of Levels (MOL) therapy sessions delivered by an expert therapist and presents a visual representation of the client’s presumed attention in these sessions. The results showed that an average of 61.65% of the client’s attention was focused on the D-DACS areas, which is higher than the previous studies involving novel therapists. The produced visual representation of the clients’ presumed attention helps to examine the utility of this new coding scheme and further examine the validity of the underlying theory. Such work might help in examining effectiveness of therapy in meeting the underlying theoretical foundations of change. However, limitations and areas for improvement are also evident.

Key learning aims

(1)

To provide a rationale for the use of observer-rated measures of within-session processes involved in therapeutic change.

(2)

To describe the desired focus of the client’s awareness in order to facilitate effective psychological change as described by Perceptual Control Theory.

(3)

To use an earlier validated scheme to code the depth and duration of awareness of three clients in best practice videos of Method of Levels psychotherapy.

(4)

To present and test the feasibility of a visual representation of moment-to-moment changes in a client’s awareness in a therapy session.
Wintertime Large Temperature Inversions in the Yellow Sea Associated With the Cheju and Yellow Sea Warm Currents
Authors: Lie Heung‐Jae , Oh Kyung‐Hee , Cho Cheol‐Ho , Moon Jae‐Hong
Published: June 2019

Large temperature inversions in the Yellow Sea during winter were investigated by analyzing conductivity‐temperature‐depth data collected in January and February 1986, April 1996, and February 1997. Large inversions with temperature differences across inversion layers greater than 2 °C were observed at three places: southwest of Korea, southeast of the Shantung Peninsula, and on the northeastern flank of the Changjiang Banks. Pronounced thermohaline fronts were commonly established where warm offshore waters with high salinity were found below cold coastal waters with low salinity. In the southwestern area of Korea, where the front develops in an east‐to‐west direction, the Cheju Warm Current water flows eastward to the south of the front, while north of the front, cold Korean coastal water flows westward. In the southeastern area of Shantung Peninsula, where the front forms in northeast to southwest, the Yellow Sea Warm Current flows northeastward on the offshore side, while cold Chinese coastal water flows southwestward. Moderate temperature inversions were observed midwest of Korea and on Changjiang Banks when warm offshore waters extended into cold coastal areas. In the inversion areas, warm waters are heavier than cold waters, reflecting a stronger contribution of salinity to density than that of temperature. Consequently, isotherms and isohalines in the inversion areas commonly decline downward toward cold water areas. We concluded that the occurrence of large inversions is closely related to the advection of the Cheju Warm Current and Yellow Sea Warm Current waters to the thermohaline frontal zones where the warm offshore waters underlay lighter cold coastal waters.
The protein secretion modulator TMED9 drives CNIH4/TGFα/GLI signaling opposing TMED3-WNT-TCF to promote colon cancer metastases
Authors: Mishra Sonakshi , Bernal Carolina , Silvano Marianna , Anand Santosh , Ruiz i Altaba Ariel
Published: June 2019

How cells in primary tumors initially become pro-metastatic is not understood. A previous genome-wide RNAi screen uncovered colon cancer metastatic suppressor and WNT promoting functions of TMED3, a member of the p24 ER-to-Golgi protein secretion family. Repression of canonical WNT signaling upon knockdown (kd) of TMED3 might thus be sufficient to drive metastases. However, searching for transcriptional influences on other family members here we find that TMED3 kd leads to enhanced TMED9, that TMED9 acts downstream of TMED3 and that TMED9 kd compromises metastasis. Importantly, TMED9 pro-metastatic function is linked to but distinct from the repression of TMED3-WNT-TCF signaling. Functional rescue of the migratory deficiency of TMED9 kd cells identifies TGFα as a mediator of TMED9 pro-metastatic activity. Moreover, TMED9 kd compromises the biogenesis, and thus function, of TGFα. Analyses in three colon cancer cell types highlight a TMED9-dependent gene set that includes CNIH4, a member of the CORNICHON family of TGFα exporters. Our data indicate that TGFA and CNIH4, which display predictive value for disease-free survival, promote colon cancer cell metastatic behavior, and suggest that TMED9 pro-metastatic function involves the modulation of the secretion of TGFα ligand. Finally, TMED9/TMED3 antagonism impacts WNT-TCF and GLI signaling, where TMED9 primacy over TMED3 leads to the establishment of a positive feedback loop together with CNIH4, TGFα, and GLI1 that enhances metastases. We propose that primary colon cancer cells can transition between two states characterized by secretion-transcription regulatory loops gated by TMED3 and TMED9 that modulate their metastatic proclivities.
How sample heterogeneity can obscure the signal of microbial interactions
Authors: Armitage David W , Jones Stuart E
Published: June 2019

Microbial community data are commonly subjected to computational tools such as correlation networks, null models, and dynamic models, with the goal of identifying the ecological processes structuring microbial communities. A major assumption of these methods is that the signs and magnitudes of species interactions and vital rates can be reliably parsed from observational data on species’ (relative) abundances. However, we contend that this assumption is violated when sample units contain any underlying spatial structure. Here, we show how three phenomena—Simpson’s paradox, context-dependence, and nonlinear averaging—can lead to erroneous conclusions about population parameters and species interactions when samples contain heterogeneous mixtures of populations or communities. At the root of this issue is the fundamental mismatch between the spatial scales of species interactions (micrometers) and those of typical microbial community samples (millimeters to centimetres). These issues can be overcome by measuring and accounting for spatial heterogeneity at very small scales, which will lead to more reliable inference of the ecological mechanisms structuring natural microbial communities.
Controllable two-dimensional movement and redistribution of lithium ions in metal oxides
Authors: Tang Xiufeng , Chen Guoxin , Mo Zhaopeng , Ma Dingbang , Wang Siyuan , Wen Jinxiu , Gong Li , Zhao Lite , Huang Jingcheng , Huang Tengcheng , Luo Jianyi
Published: June 2019

Rechargeable lithium batteries are the most practical and widely used power sources for portable and mobile devices in modern society. Manipulation of the electronic and ionic charge transport and accumulation in solid materials has always been crucial for rechargeable lithium batteries. The transport and accumulation of lithium ions in electrode materials, which is a diffusion process, is determined by the concentration distribution of lithium ions and the intrinsic structure of the electrode material and thus far has not been manipulated by an external force. Here, we report the realization of controllable two-dimensional movement and redistribution of lithium ions in metal oxides. This achievement is one kind of centimeter-scale control and is achieved by a magnetic field based on the ‘current-driving model’. This work provides additional insight for building safe and high-capacity rechargeable lithium batteries.
Synthetic scaffolds for musculoskeletal tissue engineering: cellular responses to fiber parameters
Authors: Jenkins Thomas Lee , Little Dianne
Published: June 2019

Tissue engineering often uses synthetic scaffolds to direct cell responses during engineered tissue development. Since cells reside within specific niches of the extracellular matrix, it is important to understand how the matrix guides cell response and then incorporate this knowledge into scaffold design. The goal of this review is to review elements of cell–matrix interactions that are critical to informing and evaluating cellular response on synthetic scaffolds. Therefore, this review examines fibrous proteins of the extracellular matrix and their effects on cell behavior, followed by a discussion of the cellular responses elicited by fiber diameter, alignment, and scaffold porosity of two dimensional (2D) and three dimensional (3D) synthetic scaffolds. Variations in fiber diameter, alignment, and scaffold porosity guide stem cells toward different lineages. Cells generally exhibit rounded morphology on nanofibers, randomly oriented fibers, and low-porosity scaffolds. Conversely, cells exhibit elongated, spindle-shaped morphology on microfibers, aligned fibers, and high-porosity scaffolds. Cells migrate with higher velocities on nanofibers, aligned fibers, and high-porosity scaffolds but migrate greater distances on microfibers, aligned fibers, and highly porous scaffolds. Incorporating relevant biomimetic factors into synthetic scaffolds destined for specific tissue application could take advantage of and further enhance these responses.
Classes of low-frequency earthquakes based on inter-time distribution reveal a precursor event for the 2011 Great Tohoku Earthquake
Authors: Tokuda Tomoki , Shimada Hirohiko
Published: June 2019

Recently, slow earthquakes (slow EQ) have received much attention relative to understanding the mechanisms underlying large earthquakes and to detecting their precursors. Low-frequency earthquakes (LFE) are a specific type of slow EQ. In the present paper, we reveal the relevance of LFEs to the 11 March 2011 Great Tohoku Earthquake (Tohoku-oki EQ) by means of cluster analysis. We classified LFEs in northern Japan in a data-driven manner, based on inter-time, the time interval between neighboring LFEs occurring within 10 km. We found that there are four classes of LFE that are characterized by median inter-times of 24 seconds, 27 minutes, 2.0 days, and 35 days, respectively. Remarkably, in examining the relevance of these classes to the Tohoku-oki EQ, we found that activity in the shortest inter-time class (median 24 seconds) diminished significantly at least three months before the Tohoku-oki EQ, and became completely quiescent 30 days before the event (p-value = 0.00014). Further statistical analysis implies that this class, together with a similar class of volcanic tremor, may have served as a precursor of the Tohoku-oki EQ. We discuss a generative model for these classes of LFE, in which the shortest inter-time class is characterized by a generalized gamma distribution with the product of shape parameters vκ = 1:54 in the domain of inter-time close to zero. We give a possible geodetic interpretation for the relevance of LFE to the Tohoku-oki EQ.
Endangered island endemic plants have vulnerable genomes
Authors: Hamabata Tomoko , Kinoshita Gohta , Kurita Kazuki , Cao Ping-Lin , Ito Motomi , Murata Jin , Komaki Yoshiteru , Isagi Yuji , Makino Takashi
Published: June 2019

Loss of genetic diversity is known to decrease the fitness of species and is a critical factor that increases extinction risk. However, there is little evidence for higher vulnerability and extinction risk in endangered species based on genomic differences between endangered and non-endangered species. This is true even in the case of functional loci, which are more likely to relate to the fitness of species than neutral loci. Here, we compared the genome-wide genetic diversity, proportion of duplicated genes (PD), and accumulation of deleterious variations of endangered island endemic (EIE) plants from four genera with those of their non-endangered (NE) widespread congeners. We focused on exhaustive sequences of expressed genes obtained by RNA sequencing. Most EIE species exhibited significantly lower genetic diversity and PD than NE species. Additionally, all endangered species accumulated deleterious variations. Our findings provide new insights into the genomic traits of EIE species.
Advances in Catalysis for More Sustainable Synthesis of Phenolics
Authors: Tabanelli T. , Cavani F.
Published: June 2019

In this chapter, we examine the synthesis of phenolic compounds via catalytic reactions and processes, with a special focus on sustainability issues. In recent years, considerable steps forward have been made with the aim of developing greener routes for the functionalisation of phenol and diphenols. Examples of these include: (a) the use of methanol instead of methylchloride or dimethylsulphate for the synthesis of ethers, such as anisole, guaiacol and veratrol, which are key intermediates for the synthesis of a plethora of fine chemicals and specialties; (b) the use of alkylcarbonates for the synthesis of alcohol-ethers (e.g. phenoxyethanol), cresols, and ethers; and (c) the use of aldehydes instead of halogenated alkanes for the hydroxyalkylation of phenolics to alcohols, such as piperonyl alcohol. Indeed, many of these reactions were inspired by the successful industrial application of methanol as an electrophile for the synthesis of o-cresol and 2,6-xylenol. The latter reaction may be considered the very first ‘green’ process for the functionalisation of phenol; surprisingly, despite its industrial use for several decades, only in recent years has the mechanism of this reaction been elucidated. Some emblematic examples of the more sustainable synthesis of phenolic compounds, briefly discussed here, are 2,6-xylenol, guaiacol, vanillin, methylendioxobenzene, phenoxyethanol, hydroxytyrosol and piperonal.
Synthesis and reactivity of an osmium(iii) aminoguanidine complex
Authors: Xiang Jing , Su Qian-Qian , Luo Li-Juan , Lau Tai-Chu
Published: June 2019

An osmium(iii) aminoguanidine complex (OsGNH2) has been synthesized, which possesses rich redox chemistry.
A dual borohydride (Li and Na borohydride) catalyst/additive together with intermetallic FeTi for the optimization of the hydrogen sorption characteristics of Mg(NH2)2/2LiH
Authors: Shukla Vivek , Bhatnagar Ashish , Singh Sweta , Soni Pawan K. , Verma Satish K. , Yadav T. P. , Shaz M. A. , Srivastava O. N.
Published: June 2019

The present study deals with the material tailoring of Mg(NH2)2–2LiH through dual borohydrides: the reactive LiBH4 and the non-reactive NaBH4.
Retracted Article: A bio-based piezoelectric nanogenerator for mechanical energy harvesting using nanohybrid of poly(vinylidene fluoride)
Authors: Gaur Anupama , Tiwari Shivam , Kumar Chandan , Maiti Pralay
Published: June 2019

A bio-based nanogenerator for energy harvesting from waste mechanical energy using a nanohybrid of egg shell membrane and polymer.
Supercritical water assisted preparation of recyclable gold nanoparticles and their catalytic utility in cross-coupling reactions under sustainable conditions
Authors: Raheem Abbasriyaludeen Abdul , Thangasamy Pitchai , Sathish Marappan , Praveen Chandrasekar
Published: June 2019

Preparation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in environmentally friendly water without using any reducing agents under supercritical conditions is demonstrated and their catalytic application in cross-coupling chemistry was showcased.
Engineering mesoporous silica microspheres as hyper-activation supports for continuous enzymatic biodiesel production
Authors: Kalantari Mohammad , Yu Meihua , Liu Yang , Huang Xiaodan , Yu Chengzhong
Published: June 2019

Engineered mesoporous silica materials shows promising potential for continuous biodiesel production.
Freestanding organogels by molecular velcro of unsaturated amphiphiles
Authors: Balachandran Vijai Shankar , Divya Kizhmuri P. , Samateh Malick , Sagiri Sai S. , Satapathy Sitakanta , Pradhan Padmanava , Raghavan Srinivasa R. , Rakesh Leela , Sellers Michael S. , Karna Shashi P. , John George
Published: June 2019

Gelation of amphiphiles due to the formation of networks of cylindrical chains of reverse micelles is observed.
Wideband DOA estimation with deficient snapshots using low rank Toeplitz structure
Authors: Shi Juan , Zhang Qunfei , Shi Wen Tao
Published: June 2019

In array signal processing, most existing direction‐of‐arrival (DOA) estimation methods fail to work given deficient snapshots. To solve this problem, this Letter proposes a novel wideband DOA estimation technique by utilising the sparse representation in terms of the low rank Toeplitz structure presented in uniform array geometries, followed by an enhanced MUSIC method. Specifically, each sub‐band segment is first focused into the reference frequency band to collect the coherent covariance matrix even in the lack of sufficient samples. Then, the covariance matrix is denoised through a structure‐based sparse reconstruction, which exploits the low rank Toeplitz structure. Finally, the DOAs is efficiently estimated via an enhanced MUSIC method. Simulation result confirms the efficacy of the proposed method that works well in MIMO and radar applications.
Deterministic construction of array QC CS measurement matrices based on Singer perfect difference sets
Authors: Torshizi Ehsan Olyaei , Tinati Mohammad Ali , Meshgini Saeed
Published: June 2019

Low‐density parity‐check (LDPC) codes and compressed sensing (CS) share many common environments. In this study, a novel approach for constructing a new class of deterministic sparse sensing matrices based on array quasi‐cyclic (QC) LDPC codes via Singer perfect difference sets is proposed. In contrast to random and the other deterministic matrices, the proposed framework would be highly desirable as it is generated based on circulant permutation matrices, which requires less memory for storage and lower computational cost for sensing. Since the restricted isometric property is very difficult to verify, then the mutual coherence and the girth are two computationally tractable criteria that the authors used to assess the CS recovery capabilities of sensing matrices. In addition, inspired by LDPC codes, they extract a necessary condition for the proposed measurement matrix to have effective values for girth as large as . Comprehensive one‐dimensional (1D) and 2D simulations verify that their proposed sensing matrix has minimum coherence and superior CS recovery abilities in comparison with the corresponding random Gaussian, Bernoulli, and the other deterministically generated matrices. Furthermore, the required physical storage space and the complexity of the hardware implementation are greatly reduced due to being sparse and QC in structure.
Performance analysis of a wireless energy‐harvesting cooperative system with precoding spatial modulation
Authors: Jin Xiaoping , Yang Lingling , Jin Ning , Chen Dongxiao
Published: June 2019

An energy‐harvesting decode‐and‐forward cooperative system over correlated Rayleigh fading channels is investigated. Simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) technology is employed at the relay to improve energy efficiency. To overcome the spatial correlation among the transmit antennas, precoding spatial modulation (PSM) is formulated. The average bit‐error probability (ABEP) upper bound is derived and it matches closely with the Monte Carlo simulation results. The influence of the parameters, such as the power‐splitting factor and transmit correlation coefficient, on system performance is studied. The results show that the proposed PSM‐SWIPT system can achieve better ABEP performance than SM‐SWIPT, space shift keying‐SWIPT and multiple‐input–multiple‐output‐SWIPT systems under the same spectral efficiency.
Second‐order controllability of two‐time‐Scale discrete‐time multi‐agent systems
Authors: Long Mingkang , Su Housheng , Liu Bo
Published: June 2019

In this study, the controllability of multi‐agent systems with second‐order dynamic under discrete‐time model, which evolve on two time scales. The authors first characterise the systems by difference equations with a singular perturbation parameter. Then, in order to get rid of the singular perturbation parameter, they split the systems into a slow subsystem and fast subsystem based on the iterative method and approximate approach. Moreover, according to matrix theory, they deduce a lot of necessary and/or sufficient controllability criteria of the systems. In particular, a second‐order controllability criterion only depending on the eigenvalues of matrices is proposed, which is more easy‐to‐use and efficient. A simulation example is lastly given to clarify the validity of all theoretical results.
Turn‐to‐turn short circuit of motor stator fault diagnosis in continuous state based on deep auto‐encoder
Authors: Wang Botao , Shen Chuanwen , Xu Kexing , Zheng Tingting
Published: June 2019

In this study, a turn‐to‐turn short circuit of motor stator fault diagnosis system based on deep auto‐encoder and soft‐max classifier is proposed. It is also considered in the proposed system that an unbalanced power supply has similar current characteristics and is possible to be misidentified. The determination of neural network parameters and their effect in training are given systematically, which improves the performance compared with traditional auto‐encoder. The proposed fault diagnosis system can map the preprocessed three‐phase motor current signals to a two‐dimensional vector, corresponding to certain area of the feature plane to identify different fault types. The proposed system is verified via simulation experiment using MATLAB and physical experiment using a motor in laboratory. The conclusion illustrates that when signals originating from discrete motor speed, load, and fault severity are used in training, the fault diagnosis is still effective in continuous state. The accuracy is 89% for speed verification and 95% for load verification in simulation and is above 99% in the physical experiment.
Residual mechanical strength evaluation of crimping assembled composite insulators with service time of 10–14 years
Authors: Xiao Xiong , Wang Jianguo , Tong Yao , Chen Lincong , Cai Li , Fan Yadong
Published: June 2019

Sixteen composite insulators with service time between 10 and 14 years were sampled to conduct the specified mechanical load (SML) verification test in order to investigate whether their mechanical strength meet the criterion for continued running. Test results show that 15 out of the 16 samples pass the SML verification test. They show their failing load exceeding 1.4 times of SML, conforming to the calculation according to the mechanical strength model in the IEC 61109 standard. However, the remaining one fails to pass the test and its failing load is only 70% of SML. There are four kinds of failing modes, namely socket pulled out, ball pulled out, ball fractured and rod fractured, where socket pulled out is the most common failure mode and rod fracture mode only happens on X08 sample. The fact that X08 does not pass the test should be paid much attention since fracture of any one in the transmission lines can lead to severe transmission line accidents. Moreover, its appearance has some characteristics similar to some decay‐like fracture insulators which is, inferred that the mechanical strength of composite insulators in service can be affected by the environmental stresses. In addition, it is suggested to conduct sampling test periodically for the composite insulators which have been in service more than 10 years.