bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preliminary study of wet-free CO2 absorption through membrane diffuser
Authors: Wenten I G , Wardani A K , Khoiruddin K , Ariono D
Published: May 2020

Wetting phenomenon is major drawback of membrane contactor in CO2 absorption which limits the performance stability. In this study, hollow fiber membrane diffuser was proposed for providing wet-free gas absorption. The performance of membrane diffuser as function of operating pressure (0.5-3.0 bar), membrane hydrophobicity (hydrophobic and superhydrophobic polypropylene membrane), and membrane type (polypropylene and polysulfone) was investigated. Result shows that CO2 concentration in absorbent increases with operating pressure. Superhydrophobic polypropylene membrane exhibits higher CO2 transfer than the hydrophobic membrane. Meanwhile, the CO2 absorption by PSf membrane is relatively low.
Prediction of student learning outcomes using the Naive Bayesian Algorithm (Case Study of Tama Jagakarsa University)
Authors: Pekuwali Arini Aha
Published: May 2020

Assessment of student learning outcomes is the most important part in the learning process. Student achievement can be determined based on the achievement of final grades in certain subjects. Student final grades can be used to evaluate and predict student achievement in the future. This research was conducted to analyze the Naïve Bayesian Classifier (NBC) algorithm in predicting the final grades of students in the future based on student final grade data in the previous semester. This study is useful for students to improve their grades, according to their predicted weaknesses through this research (wake-up calling). The results of this study indicate that NBC successfully classifies data with an accuracy of 94.2446%.
Simulation and parametric study of the innovated process to purify bioethanol with ethylene oxide hydration as an auxiliary reaction
Authors: Wiratama I G P , Novianty V
Published: May 2020

By the conventional process, to purify bioethanol from fermentation reactor or bioreactor is relatively high cost, since the purity of bioethanol in the bioreactor output is very low (just around 8-14%) and there are azeotropes between bioethanol with water. Therefore, in the conventional process, a combination of distillation-adsorption, distillation-pervaporation, or extractive distillation is needed in order to get bioethanol with purity of 99.6% or above. In this research, an innovative process to purify bioethanol in a reactive distillation column with an auxiliary reaction of ethylene oxide hydration was proposed. The auxiliary reaction broke the water/bioethanol azeotrope. Impacts of the reflux ratio and the bottoms rate were investigated by simulating the process in Aspen Plus software. The results revealed that the innovated bioethanol purifying process theoretically could produce bioethanol with a purity of 99.9%.
Design of surface profile of pairs of friction unit
Authors: Polyakov P A , Litvinov A E , Polyakova E A , Fedotov E S , Tagiev R S
Published: May 2020

To control the processes of friction and wear in the working pairs of the friction unit, it is necessary to study the behavior of the materials of the friction unit during contact interaction, accompanied by the combined action of temperature and dynamic loads. Numerous studies are devoted to the study of the influence of the chemical composition on the friction process of friction units, as well as the creation of new materials for brake units. There are practically no works devoted to the influence of nanogeometry of the surfaces of contact pairs of friction units on contact pressure. In this case, from an uneven distribution of contact pressure over the friction surface, strong heating can occur, which results in the formation of burns, thermal spots and foci of microcracks.
Numerical simulation of pulsed calibration of welded tubular part
Authors: Kurlaev N V , Ryngach N A , Tagoev F M , Ahmed Soliman M E
Published: May 2020

The article presents the analysis of electrodynamic processes during magnetic-pulse “expansion” of thin-walled tubular parts. The authors consider the cases where tubular parts are made by welding. As a result of welding, a deviation from the round shape occurs which requires calibration. Particular attention is paid to the case when the welding zone of a metal thin-walled tube touches the die. For the dynamic analysis of large deformations, the finite element method (FEM) based on the ANSYS software package is used, whose feature is the ability to implement a comprehensive solution to this class of problems. Using numerical calculations and optimization for pulsed metal forming, in particular pressure pulsed magnetic field (PMF), a nomogram was constructed to determine the required technological regimes that take into account the properties of the material and the pressure amplitude of the pulsed magnetic field.
Rebuilding the wheelset flanges of locomotives by surfacing without wheeling out
Authors: Martynov E M , Shkodkin V I , Romanenko E F
Published: May 2020

The most effective method to increase the surface life of wheel tires, the flange wear of which outpaces the growth of tire wear significantly, is surfacing of worn flanges of electric locomotive wheel sets. This method, in comparison with the restoration by turning and forming a profile configuration by reducing the thickness of the tire has undeniable advantages: flange surfacing combined with the shape of female profile minimizes the technological wear of the tire before its retirement; idle time of locomotives caused by the need of intermediate turning is eliminated; the costs of maintaining the machines for turning without removing the wheels and purchasing hard-alloyed cutting tools are decreased; wage savings are achieved. The work presents basic information on wheel sets, theoretical data on surfacing, analyzes previously used surfacing materials and provides metallographic studies of the surfaced material. The technology of flange surfacing without removing the wheels from under the electric locomotive was developed and described, that allows reducing the time spent on repair significantly. The use of alloyed surfacing materials instead of low-carbon ones allows reducing the time of surfacing and increasing the resistance to wear of wheel set flanges of traction vehicles. Efficiency of NP-18H1G1M.01 surfacing wire application for wear-resistant surfacing of tire flanges and increase of the overhaul cycle is shown. Increased wear resistance of electric locomotive wheel flanges surfaced with alloyed wire is confirmed by the production test data.
Procedure for research of process strength of deposited high-speed steel used in cutting tools
Authors: Martynov E M , Barchukov D A , Romanenko E F
Published: May 2020

The article considers the existing research techniques applied to metal process strength. The author describes his own procedure for the research of process strength of deposited high-speed steel, taking full account of operating principal of trial plant. A quantitative criterion of the process strength of the deposited metal is proposed.
Study on structure and mechanical properties of 20X13 steel welding joints
Authors: Argirov Y B , Mechkarova T M , Stoyanova A M , Atanasov N M , Konsulova-Bakalova M I
Published: May 2020

The article deals with the problem related to the methods of control of the structure and mechanical properties of welding joints formed during the recovery of riveted joints on turbine blades made of 20X13 steel (AISI, 420J2). For the purposes of the study, the methodologies used are for microstructural analysis, micro- and macro-hardness of two types of samples: one without further heat treatment and the other with heat treatment after the process of welding
Possibilities for regulation of distribution of oscillation amplitudes points of working bodies of technological machines
Authors: Eliseev A V , Kuznetsov N K , Eliseev S V , Vuong Q T
Published: May 2020

Ensuring the reliability of technological equipment is determined by the dynamic characteristics of operating modes. For objects in the form of extended solids that perform flat or spatial movements, the distribution of oscillation amplitudes at the points of the working body is essential. The problem of adjusting the vibration field of a technological machine is considered. The solution uses methods of structural mathematical modeling, when a mechanical oscillatory system, considered as a computational scheme of a technical object, is compared to a structural mathematical model in the form of the structural diagram of a dynamically equivalent automatic control system. A method for forming certain structures of the vibration field of technological machines is offered. The method is based on the use of additional links implemented by special devices for converting movement. Selection of parameters of a vibrating technological machine by using the effects of changing the reduced mass of devices for converting motion, made in the form of screw non-self-braking mechanisms. The developed mathematical models reflect the vibration field of a homogeneous structure created by “zeroing” angular oscillatory movements. The proposed method for setting the vibration stand parameters is illustrated by computational modeling on the example of a model problem.
Applications of Discrete Element Method (DEM) in modeling the impact of dynamic and technological parameters on the material movement on the vibrating screen surface
Authors: Xo Nguyen Van , Linh Nguyen Khac
Published: May 2020

A vibrating screen is a device for sorting materials, which is widely used in screening plants [1-3]. The availability of a vibrating screen relies on various parameters, such as dynamic parameters, technological parameters, and so forth [4-8]. When using the traditional method to calculate the design and determine the reasonable parameters for the machine to work efficiently, it would be rather challenging, and the accuracy is high. Also, this process would likely take a lot of time, as well as an increasing cost. This study aims to apply the Discrete Element Method (DEM) to simulate the influence of dynamic parameters and technological parameters on the operating capability of the machine. The results of the paper are graphs showing the importance of the oscillation frequency, the amplitude, the incline angle of the screening surface, the angle of oscillation on material velocity, and material elevation on the sieve. These are essential parameters that significantly affect the performance and productivity of the screen. The findings of the study may be useful for scientists to design parameters for vibrating screen reliability.
Quality control of electrical energy production
Authors: Lvovich I Ya , Lvovich Ya E , Preobrazhenskiy A P , Preobrazhenskiy Yu P , Choporov O N
Published: May 2020

The problems associated with the control of electricity production from the point of view of the system approach are considered. The analysis of technological process of production of electric energy as object of control is given. The target function of technological process of production of electric energy is shown. The algorithm of allocation of the main criterion of quality of technological process of production of electric energy is given. Modelling of control of technological process of production of electrical energy with the tuning of the model is carried out. The results show the possibility of reducing the influence of uncontrolled parameters in the systems of electricity production.
Group-theoretic generalisations of vertex and edge connectivities
Authors: Li Yinan , Qiao Youming
Published: May 2020

Let

p
p

be an odd prime. Let

P
P

be a finite

p
p

-group of class

2
2

and exponent

p
p

, whose commutator quotient

P

/

[
P
,
P
]

P/[P,P]

is of order

p
n

p^n

. We define two parameters for

P
P

related to central decompositions. The first parameter,

κ
(
P
)

\kappa (P)

, is the smallest integer

s
s

for the existence of a subgroup

S
S

of

P
P

satisfying (1)

S
∩
[
P
,
P
]
=
[
S
,
S
]

S\cap [P,P]=[S,S]

, (2)

|

S

/

[
S
,
S
]

|

=

p

n
−
s

|S/[S,S]|=p^{n-s}

, and (3)

S
S

is centrally decomposable. The second parameter,

λ
(
P
)

\lambda (P)

, is the smallest integer

s
s

for the existence of a central subgroup

N
N

of order

p
s

p^s

, such that

P

/

N

P/N

is centrally decomposable.

While defined in purely group-theoretic terms, these two parameters generalise, respectively, the vertex and edge connectivities of graphs: For a simple undirected graph

G
G

, through the classical procedures of Baer (Trans. Amer. Math. Soc., 1938), Tutte (J. Lond. Math. Soc., 1947) and Lovász (B. Braz. Math. Soc., 1989), there is a

p
p

-group

P
G

P_G

of class

2
2

and exponent

p
p

that is naturally associated with

G
G

. Our main results show that the vertex connectivity

κ
(
G
)

\kappa (G)

equals

κ
(

P
G

)

\kappa (P_G)

, and the edge connectivity

λ
(
G
)

\lambda (G)

equals

λ
(

P
G

)

\lambda (P_G)

.

We also discuss the relation between

κ
(
P
)

\kappa (P)

and

λ
(
P
)

\lambda (P)

for a general

p
p

-group

P
P

of class

2
2

and exponent

p
p

, as well as the computational aspects of these parameters. In particular, our main results imply that the

p
p

-group central decomposition algorithm of Wilson (J. Algebra and J. of Group Theory, 2009) can be used to solve the graph connectivity problem.
Testing cell-type-specific mediation effects in genome-wide epigenetic studies
Authors: Luo Xiangyu , Schwartz Joel , Baccarelli Andrea , Liu Zhonghua
Published: May 2020

Epigenome-wide mediation analysis aims to identify DNA methylation CpG sites that mediate the causal effects of genetic/environmental exposures on health outcomes. However, DNA methylations in the peripheral blood tissues are usually measured at the bulk level based on a heterogeneous population of white blood cells. Using the bulk level DNA methylation data in mediation analysis might cause confounding bias and reduce study power. Therefore, it is crucial to get fine-grained results by detecting mediation CpG sites in a cell-type-specific way. However, there is a lack of methods and software to achieve this goal. We propose a novel method (Mediation In a Cell-type-Specific fashion, MICS) to identify cell-type-specific mediation effects in genome-wide epigenetic studies using only the bulk-level DNA methylation data. MICS follows the standard mediation analysis paradigm and consists of three key steps. In step1, we assess the exposure-mediator association for each cell type; in step 2, we assess the mediator-outcome association for each cell type; in step 3, we combine the cell-type-specific exposure-mediator and mediator-outcome associations using a multiple testing procedure named MultiMed [Sampson JN, Boca SM, Moore SC, et al. FWER and FDR control when testing multiple mediators. Bioinformatics 2018;34:2418–24] to identify significant CpGs with cell-type-specific mediation effects. We conduct simulation studies to demonstrate that our method has correct FDR control. We also apply the MICS procedure to the Normative Aging Study and identify nine DNA methylation CpG sites in the lymphocytes that might mediate the effect of cigarette smoking on the lung function.
The keys to control a COVID-19 outbreak in a haemodialysis unit
Authors: Rincón Abraham , Moreso Francesc , López-Herradón Ana , Fernández-Robres M Amparo , Cidraque Ignacio , Nin Jordi , Méndez Orleans , López Marisol , Pájaro Carlota , Satorra Àngels , Stuard Stefano , Ramos Rosa
Published: May 2020

Background

The high rate of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spreading represents a challenge to haemodialysis (HD) units. While fast isolation of suspected cases plays an essential role to avoid disease outbreaks, significant rates of asymptomatic cases have recently been described. After detecting an outbreak in one of our HD clinics, wide SARS-CoV-2 screening and segregation of confirmed cases were performed.

Methods

The entire clinic population, 192 patients, underwent testing for SARS-CoV-2 detection by real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction . We used univariate and multivariate logistic regression to define variables involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection in our dialysis unit. Later, we analysed differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2-positive patients.

Results

In total, 22 symptomatic and 14 of the 170 asymptomatic patients had a SARS-CoV-2-positive result. Living in a nursing home/homeless [odds ratio (OR) 3.54; P = 0.026], having been admitted to the reference hospital within the previous 2 weeks (OR 5.19; P = 0.002) and sharing health-care transportation with future symptomatic (OR 3.33; P = 0.013) and asymptomatic (OR 4.73; P = 0.002) positive patients were independent risk factors for a positive test. Nine positive patients (25.7%) remained asymptomatic after a 3-week follow-up. We found no significant differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2-positive patients.

Conclusions

Detection of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2-positive patients is probably one of the key points to controlling an outbreak in an HD unit. Sharing health-care transportation to the dialysis unit, living in a nursing home and having been admitted to the reference hospital within the previous 2 weeks, are major risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Improving translational research in sex-specific effects of comorbidities and risk factors in ischaemic heart disease and cardioprotection: position paper and recommendations of the ESC Working Group on Cellular Biology of the Heart
Authors: Perrino Cinzia , Ferdinandy Péter , Bøtker Hans E , Brundel Bianca J J M , Collins Peter , Davidson Sean M , den Ruijter Hester M , Engel Felix B , Gerdts Eva , Girao Henrique , Gyöngyösi Mariann , Hausenloy Derek J , Lecour Sandrine , Madonna Rosalinda , Marber Michael , Murphy Elizabeth , Pesce Maurizio , Regitz-Zagrosek Vera , Sluijter Joost P G , Steffens Sabine , Gollmann-Tepeköylü Can , Van Laake Linda W , Van Linthout Sophie , Schulz Rainer , Ytrehus Kirsti
Published: May 2020

Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) is a complex disorder and a leading cause of death and morbidity in both men and women. Sex, however, affects several aspects of IHD, including pathophysiology, incidence, clinical presentation, diagnosis as well as treatment and outcome. Several diseases or risk factors frequently associated with IHD can modify cellular signalling cascades, thus affecting ischaemia/reperfusion injury as well as responses to cardioprotective interventions. Importantly, the prevalence and impact of risk factors and several comorbidities differ between males and females, and their effects on IHD development and prognosis might differ according to sex. The cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these differences are still poorly understood, and their identification might have important translational implications in the prediction or prevention of risk of IHD in men and women. Despite this, most experimental studies on IHD are still undertaken in animal models in the absence of risk factors and comorbidities, and assessment of potential sex-specific differences are largely missing. This ESC WG Position Paper will discuss: (i) the importance of sex as a biological variable in cardiovascular research, (ii) major biological mechanisms underlying sex-related differences relevant to IHD risk factors and comorbidities, (iii) prospects and pitfalls of preclinical models to investigate these associations, and finally (iv) will provide recommendations to guide future research. Although gender differences also affect IHD risk in the clinical setting, they will not be discussed in detail here.
Optimism or pessimism? A composite view on English living standards during the Industrial Revolution
Authors: Gallardo-Albarrán Daniel , de Jong Herman
Published: May 2020

This article examines the evolution of English living standards during the early phase of industrialization (1760–1850). We take a multi-dimensional perspective and apply an indicator that combines four key dimensions of well-being: material living standards, health, working time, and inequality. Contrary to other composite measures of well-being, our welfare metric draws on standard economic theory to aggregate its underlying components. We find decreasing welfare during the late eighteenth century due to rising working time and income inequality, despite improving health. After 1800, workers’ conditions improved when real wages started to rise, although the cumulative effect was not substantial by 1850.
Pharmacological read-through of R294X Mecp2 in a novel mouse model of Rett syndrome
Authors: Merritt Jonathan K , Collins Bridget E , Erickson Kirsty R , Dong Hongwei , Neul Jeffrey L
Published: May 2020

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder primarily caused by mutations in Methyl-CpG-binding Protein 2 (MECP2). More than 35% of affected individuals have nonsense mutations in MECP2. For these individuals, nonsense suppression has been suggested as a possible therapeutic approach. To assess the viability of this strategy, we created and characterized a mouse model with the common p.R294X mutation introduced into the endogenous Mecp2 locus (Mecp2R294X). Mecp2R294X mice exhibit phenotypic abnormalities similar to those seen in complete null mouse models; however, these occur at a later time point consistent with the reduced phenotypic severity seen in affected individuals containing this specific mutation. The delayed onset of severe phenotypes is likely due to the presence of truncated MeCP2 in Mecp2R294X mice. Supplying the MECP2 transgene in Mecp2R294X mice rescued phenotypic abnormalities including early death and demonstrated that the presence of truncated MeCP2 in these mice does not interfere with wild-type MeCP2. In vitro treatment of a cell line derived from Mecp2R294X mice with the nonsense suppression agent G418 resulted in full-length MeCP2 protein production, demonstrating feasibility of this therapeutic approach. Intraperitoneal administration of G418 in Mecp2R294X mice was sufficient to elicit full-length MeCP2 protein expression in peripheral tissues. Finally, intracranial ventricular injection of G418 in Mecp2R294X mice induced expression of full-length MeCP2 protein in the mouse brain. These experiments demonstrate that translational read-through drugs are able to suppress the Mecp2 p.R294X mutation in vivo and provide a proof of concept for future preclinical studies of nonsense suppression agents in RTT.
An Illegitimate Offspring: South Sea Islanders, Queensland Sugar, and the Heirs of the British Atlantic Slave Complex
Authors: Christopher Emma
Published: May 2020

This article argues that Pacific Islander labour in Australia was not analogous to earlier Atlantic world slavery and can better be understood as its ‘illegitimate offspring’. Through case studies that connect the Caribbean to Australia, it reveals how the idea of Pacific Islander labour was forged in an environment where the abolitionist battle had been won, but where the interconnected and changing racial constructions of the time, and arguments about what constituted free labour, were very much ongoing. Money, values and personnel moved from the Caribbean and Mauritius to Australia, as explored through the stories of James Williams, a convict of African origin who grew Australia’s first sugar, and Benjamin Boyd, the son of an Atlantic slave trader who first introduced Pacific Islanders to Australia. The final case study is that of Louis Hope, whose mother’s family, the Wedderburns, had previously gained considerable notoriety in the Atlantic world for the way that they treated their enslaved people. Hope was the first person in Australia to employ a large Pacific Islander workforce on his sugar plantation.
Directionality of Genital Human Papillomavirus Infection Transmission Within Heterosexual Couples: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Balaji Rajshree , MacCosham Aaron , Williams Khandideh , El-Zein Mariam , Franco Eduardo L
Published: May 2020

Background

Limited evidence indicates greater female-to-male (F–M) transmission of genital infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) relative to male-to-female (M–F). We verified the hypothesis of a differential transmission rate in couple-based studies by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases for studies published until December 2019. We calculated pooled estimates of F–M and M–F transmission rates and their rate differences per 100 person-months, with 95% confidence intervals (CI), using a random-effects model. We counted occurrences of directionality preponderance for each HPV type.

Results

We identified 7 eligible studies published between 2008 and 2019, providing data for 752 couples. Pooled estimates for F–M and M–F transmission rates were 3.01 (95% CI, 1.19–7.64; I2 = 97%) and 1.60 (95% CI, 0.86–2.98; I2 = 89%), respectively. The overall rate difference was 0.61 (95% CI, −0.27 to 1.49; I2 = 75%). Three studies provided rates by sex and HPV genotype; 2 favored a preponderance of F–M and 1 favored M–F transmission.

Conclusions

There was slight evidence for a differential transmission rate favoring higher F–M than M–F transmission with substantial statistical heterogeneity across studies.
Prevalence and molecular epidemiology of mcr-1-positive Klebsiella pneumoniae in healthy adults from China
Authors: Lu Jiayue , Dong Ning , Liu Congcong , Zeng Yu , Sun Qiaoling , Zhou Hongwei , Hu Yanyan , Chen Sheng , Shen Zhangqi , Zhang Rong
Published: May 2020

Objectives

To investigate the nationwide prevalence of mcr-1-positive Klebsiella pneumoniae (MCRPKP) strains among healthy adults in China and identify their phenotypic and genomic characterizations.

Methods

A total of 7401 rectal swab samples were collected from healthy individuals in 30 hospitals located in 30 provinces and municipalities of mainland China in 2016. Colistin-resistant bacteria were enriched in colistin-supplemented lysogeny broth. MCRPKP strains were isolated and characterized with MALDI-TOF MS, PCR analysis and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The genomic characteristics of MCRPKP strains were determined by WGS and bioinformatics analysis.

Results

Seven MCRPKP strains and one mcr-1-positive Klebsiella variicola strain were selectively isolated from six locales (three from Henan and one from each of Tianjin, Jiangxi, Yunnan, Gansu and Tibet). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing results indicated that all mcr-1-positive strains were susceptible to meropenem, aztreonam and ceftazidime/avibactam. WGS analysis suggested these strains belonged to seven distinct STs: ST15, ST1425, ST1462, ST273, ST307, ST391 and ST37-SLV. mcr-1 genes were carried by diverse plasmids, including IncHI2 (n = 3), IncX4 (n = 2), IncHI2/IncN (n = 1), IncFIB (n = 1) and one other plasmid type. Two ST15 strains harboured both mcr-1 and mcr-8 genes, which has not been reported before.

Conclusions

Our data indicated a low prevalence of mcr-1-positive Klebsiella strains (0.11%, 8/7401) in healthy individuals in mainland China and most of these strains remained susceptible to clinically important antibiotics. The prevalence and coexistence of mcr-1 and mcr-8 in K. pneumoniae may further threaten public health through either the food chain or environmental routes.
The achievement of a given carcass specification is under moderate genetic control in cattle
Authors: Kenny David , Judge Michelle M , Sleator Roy D , Murphy Craig P , Evans Ross D , Berry Donagh P
Published: May 2020

The objective of the present study was to estimate the genetic parameters associated with the achievement of desirable weight, conformation, and fat specifications, represented by a series of binary traits. The desired specifications were those stipulated by Irish beef processors, in accordance with the EUROP carcass grading system, and were represented by a carcass weight between 270 and 380 kg, a fat score between 2+ and 4= (between 6 and 11 on a 15-point scale), and a conformation score of O= or better (≥5 on a 15-point scale). Using data from 58,868 beef carcasses, variance components were estimated using linear mixed models for these binary traits, as well as their underlying continuous measures. Heritability estimates for the continuous traits ranged from 0.63 to 0.73; heritability estimates for the binary traits ranged from 0.05 to 0.19. An additional trait was defined to reflect if all desired carcass specifications were met. All genetic correlations between this trait and the individual contributing binary traits were positive (0.38 to 0.87), while all genetic correlations between this trait and the continuous carcass measures were negative (−0.87 to −0.07). The genetic parameters estimated in the present study signify that potential exists to breed cattle that more consistently achieve desirable carcass metrics at harvest.
The coupling of translational control and stress responses
Authors: Houston Ryan , Sekine Shiori , Sekine Yusuke
Published: May 2020

The translation of messenger RNA (mRNA) into protein is a multistep process by which genetic information transcribed into an mRNA is decoded to produce a specific polypeptide chain of amino acids. Ribosomes play a central role in translation by coordinately working with various translation regulatory factors and aminoacyl-transfer RNAs. Various stresses attenuate the ribosomal synthesis in the nucleolus as well as the translation rate in the cytosol. To efficiently reallocate cellular energy and resources, mammalian cells are endowed with mechanisms that directly link the suppression of translation-related processes to the activation of stress adaptation programmes. This review focuses on the integrated stress response (ISR) and the nucleolar stress response (NSR) both of which are activated by various stressors and selectively upregulate stress-responsive transcription factors. Emerging findings have delineated the detailed molecular mechanisms of the ISR and NSR and expanded their physiological and pathological significances.
Sovereign Debt Restructurings: Delays in Renegotiations and Risk Averse Creditors
Authors: Asonuma Tamon , Joo Hyungseok
Published: May 2020

Foreign creditors’ business cycles influence both the process and the outcome of sovereign debt restructurings. We compile two datasets on creditor committees and chairs and on creditor business and financial cycles at the restructurings. We find that when creditors experience high GDP growth, restructurings are delayed and settled with smaller haircuts. To rationalize these stylized facts, we develop a theoretical model of sovereign debt with multiround renegotiations between a risk averse sovereign debtor and a risk averse creditor. The quantitative analysis of the model shows that high creditor income results in both longer delays in renegotiations and smaller haircuts. Our theoretical predictions are supported by data.
Skeletal muscle measurements predict surgical wound complications but not overall survival in patients with soft tissue sarcoma
Authors: Hirai Toshihide , Kobayashi Hiroshi , Okuma Tomotake , Ishibashi Yuki , Ikegami Masachika , Ohki Takahiro , Shinoda Yusuke , Okajima Koichi , Zhang Liuzhe , Akiyama Toru , Goto Takahiro , Tanaka Sakae
Published: May 2020

Background

It is unknown whether sarcopenia influences treatment outcome in patients with soft tissue sarcoma. Herein, we aimed to elucidate the impact of sarcopenia on sarcoma treatment.

Methods

A total of 163 soft tissue sarcoma patients were included. Skeletal muscle measures were calculated using computed tomography images. Skeletal muscle area (SMA) and density (SMD) at the L3 level were extracted, and SMA was normalized by height as skeletal muscle index (SMI). The skeletal muscle gauge (SMG) was calculated by multiplying SMD × SMI. The relationship of skeletal muscle measures and clinical factors to wound complications and prognosis was evaluated, and classification and regression tree (CART) analysis was used to develop classification models for risk groups of surgical wound complications.

Results

Thirty-three patients developed wound complications. In univariate analysis, age (P = 0.0022), tumour location of adductor compartment of the thigh (P = 0.0019), operating time (P = 0.010), blood loss (P = 0.030), SMD (P = 0.0004) and SMG (P = 0.0001) were significantly correlated with complications. In multivariate analysis, lower SMG was an independent risk factor (P = 0.031, OR = 3.27). CART analysis classified three risk groups of surgical wound complications by SMG, age, tumour location and operating time, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCC) was 0.75. SMG was not associated with prognosis in univariate analysis (P = 0.15).

Conclusions

The SMG does not affect overall survival but predicts surgical wound complications.
Distribution and conservation status of the endangered Montagne d’Ambre fork-marked lemur (Phaner electromontis)
Authors: Hending Daniel , Sgarlata Gabriele M , Le Pors Barbara , Rasolondraibe Emmanuel , Jan Fabien , Rakotonanahary Ando N , Ralantoharijaona Tantely N , Debulois Stéphane , Andrianiaina Angelo , Cotton Sam , Rasoloharijaona Solofonirina , Zaonarivelo John R , Andriaholinirina Nicole V , Chikhi Lounès , Salmona Jordi
Published: May 2020

The geographic distribution of a species can provide insights into its population size, ecology, evolution, and how it responded to past (and may respond to future) environmental change. Improving our knowledge of the distribution of threatened species thus is a high priority in assessing their conservation status. However, there are few data available for many recently described yet understudied and potentially threatened primate taxa, making their conservation difficult. Here, we investigated the distribution of the Montagne d’Ambre fork-marked lemur, Phaner electromontis, a threatened nocturnal primate endemic to northern Madagascar and classified as Endangered by the IUCN. Because fork-marked lemurs are highly vocal, we used acoustic surveys to assess the species’ presence-absence and relative population density within 66 distinct forest survey sites in northern Madagascar. Further, we compared data among five forest types within the study area and investigated the relationship between relative population density and climate variables. We report the presence of P. electromontis in 22 study sites; several of these populations were unknown previously. Although we found P. electromontis most frequently in dry-transitional forests, our results suggest that geography (spatial autocorrelation) rather than environmental variables explains the species’ distribution. We hypothesize that environmental unpredictability and gummivory, combined with the presence of several distinct Phaner species in the studied area, could explain the observed distribution.
Arthropod Assault: A Case Report of Brown Recluse Envenomation in a Training Environment
Authors: Merrill Daniel R , Long Brit
Published: May 2020

Spider bites are a common emergency department complaint, accounting for ~21% of noncanine bites, injuries, and stings. Military service members, more so than most civilian personnel, are exposed to conditions that place them at increased risk for envenomation, stings, and bites. We present the case of an active duty service member working in a relatively austere environment who presented to a level 1 trauma center with a lesion consistent with a bite from a brown recluse spider, or Loxosceles reclusa.
H0LiCOW – XI. A weak lensing measurement of the external convergence in the field of the lensed quasar B1608+656 using HST and Subaru deep imaging
Authors: Tihhonova O , Courbin F , Harvey D , Hilbert S , Peel A , Rusu C E , Fassnacht C D , Bonvin V , Marshall P J , Meylan G , Sluse D , Suyu S H , Treu T , Wong K C
Published: May 2020

We investigate the environment and line of sight (LoS) of the H0LiCOW (H0 Lenses in COSMOGRAIL’s Wellspring) lens B1608+656 using Subaru Suprime-Cam and the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) to perform a weak lensing analysis. We compare three different methods to reconstruct the mass map of the field, i.e. the standard Kaiser–Squires inversion coupled with inpainting and Gaussian or wavelet filtering, and ${\rm {\small {glimpse}}}$, a method based on sparse regularization of the shear field. We find no substantial difference between the 2D mass reconstructions, but we find that the ground-based data are less sensitive to small-scale structures than the space-based observations. Marginalizing over the results obtained with all the reconstruction techniques applied to the two available HST filters F606W and F814W, we estimate the external convergence, κext, at the position of B1608+656 is $\kappa _{\mathrm{ext}}= 0.11^{+0.06}_{-0.04}$, where the error bars correspond, respectively, to the 16th and 84th quartiles. This result is compatible with previous estimates using the number counts technique, suggesting that B1608+656 resides in an overdense LoS, but with a completely different technique. Using our mass reconstructions, we also compare the convergence at the position of several groups of galaxies in the field of B1608+656 with the mass measurements using various analytical mass profiles, and find that the weak lensing results favour truncated halo models.
Search for Zeeman-splitting of OH 6.035 GHz line in the young planetary nebula K 3-35
Authors: Hou L G , Gao X Y
Published: May 2020

Magnetic field could play a role in the formation and early evolution of non-spherical planetary nebulae (PNe). The predominant source of information of the magnetic fields in PNe is the polarization observations of maser emission. To date, distinct and/or possible Zeeman pairs have only been reported towards four PNe by measuring the OH ground-state transitions at 1.6–1.7 GHz. With the C-band (4–8 GHz) receiving system of the Shanghai TianMa 65-m radio telescope, we aim to search for possible Zeeman pairs of the PNe towards which the OH excited-state 6.035 GHz maser lines have been detected. For the young PN K 3-35, a new emission component near VLSR = 20.5 km s−1, which is currently the strongest (Ipeak ∼ 0.3 Jy) among the four components towards K 3-35 is detected. A clear S-shaped feature corresponding to this new emission component is observed in the Stokes V spectrum. Frequency shifts are seen between the fitted left-hand circular polarization and right-hand circular polarization emission peaks for the two emission components near VLSR = 19.7 and 20.5 km s−1. If the S-shaped profile and the frequency shifts are the results of Zeeman-splitting, the line-of-sight magnetic field strengths of +2.9 ± 0.6 and +4.5 ± 0.4 mG can be inferred for these two emission components, respectively.
The shearing sheet and swing amplification revisited
Authors: Binney James
Published: May 2020

The principal results of the classic analysis of the shearing sheet and swing amplification by Julian and Toomre (JT) are re-derived in a more accessible way and used to gain a better quantitative understanding of the dynamics of stellar discs. The axisymmetric limit of the shearing sheet is derived and used to re-derive Kalnajs’ 1965 dispersion relation and Toomre’s 1964 stability criterion for axisymmetric disturbances. Using the shearing sheet to revisit Toomre’s important 1969 paper on the group velocity implied by the Lin–Shu–Kalnajs (LSK) dispersion relation, we discover that two wavepackets emerge inside corotation: one each side of the inner Lindblad resonance. An extended form of the JT equation is used to investigate the impact of there being a deficit or surplus of stars in a narrow range of angular momenta. Swing amplification of leading waves introduced by such a groove gives rise to transient trailing spirals that extend further in radius and live longer at smaller azimuthal wavenumbers. Although the LSK dispersion relation provides useful interpretations of wavepackets, the shearing sheet highlights the limitations of the LSK approach to disc dynamics. Disturbances do not avoid an annulus around corotation, as the LSK dispersion relation implies. While disturbances of the shearing sheet have a limited life in real space, they live on much longer in velocity space, which Gaia allows us to probe extensively. c++ code is provided to facilitate applications of winding spiral waves.
Reoperation, Readmission, and Discharge Disposition for Patients With Degenerative Lumbar Pathology Treated With Either Open or Minimally Invasive Techniques: A Single-Center Retrospective Review of 1435 Cases
Authors: Altshuler Marcelle , Mueller Kyle B , MacConnell Ashley , Wirth Peter , Sandhu Faheem A , Voyadzis Jean-Marc
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND

Spine surgery has been transformed by the growth of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) procedures. Previous studies agree that MIS has shorter hospitalization and faster recovery time when compared to conventional open surgery. However, the reoperation and readmission rates between the 2 techniques have yet to be well characterized.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the rate of subsequent revision between MIS and open techniques for degenerative lumbar pathology.

METHODS

A total of 1435 adult patients who underwent lumbar spine surgery between 2013 and 2016 were included in this retrospective analysis. The rates of need for subsequent reoperation, 30- and 90-d readmission, and discharge to rehabilitation were recorded for both MIS and traditional open techniques. Groups were divided into decompression alone and decompression with fusion.

RESULTS

The rates of subsequent reoperation following MIS and open surgery were 10.4% and 12.2%, respectively (P = .32), which were maintained when subdivided into decompression and decompression with fusion. MIS and open 30-d readmission rates were 7.9% and 7.2% (P = .67), while 90-d readmission rates were 4.3% and 3.6% (P = .57), respectively. Discharge to rehabilitation was significantly lower for patients under 60 yr of age undergoing MIS (1.64% vs 5.63%, P = .04).

CONCLUSION

The use of minimally invasive techniques for the treatment of lumbar spine pathology does not result in increased reoperation or 30- and 90-d readmission rates when compared to open approaches. Patients under the age of 60 yr undergoing MIS procedures were less likely to be discharged to rehab.
Identification of Genes Conferring Plant Salt Tolerance using GWAS: Current Success and Perspectives
Authors: Li Bo
Published: May 2020

An understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie plant salt tolerance is important for both economic and scientific interests. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) is a promising approach to pinpoint genes that confer plant salt tolerance. With the advancement of supporting technology and methodology, GWAS has enabled the discovery of genes that play central roles in regulating plant salt tolerance in the past decade. Here, I highlight recent successful GWAS work in unveiling the molecular factors underlying plant salt tolerance and discuss the concerns and opportunities in conducting such experiments. It is anticipated that GWAS will be increasingly successful in the identification of key genes that are useful for crop improvement.
New Methods in Creating Transdisciplinary Science Policy Research Agendas: The Case of Legislative Science Advice
Authors: Akerlof Karen , Allegra Alessandro , Webler Thomas , Heath Erin , Cloyd Emily T , Washbourne Carla-Leanne , Tyler Chris
Published: May 2020

In transdisciplinary fields such as science policy, research agendas do not evolve organically from within disciplines but instead require stakeholders to engage in active co-creation. ‘Big questions’ exercises fulfill this need but simultaneously introduce new challenges in their subjectivity and potential bias. By applying Q methodology to an exercise in developing an international collaborative research agenda for legislative science advice (LSA), we demonstrate a technique to illustrate stakeholder perspectives. While the LSA international respondents—academics, practitioners, and policymakers—demonstrated no difference in their research priorities across advisory system roles, the analysis by developing and developed nation status revealed both common interests in institutional- and systems-level research and distinct preferences. Stakeholders in developing nations prioritized the design of advisory systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries, while those in developed countries emphasized policymaker evidence use. These differences illustrate unique regional research needs that should be met through an international agenda for LSA.
0026 Strong Gene-Environment Interactions of Trank1 Gene Polymorphisms with Birth Difficulties in Kleine Levin Syndrome
Authors: Ambati A , Hillary R , Semenescu S L , Lin L , Ollila H , Farber N , Huang Y , Dauvilliers Y ,   KLS Working Group, Arnulf I , Mignot E
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Kleine-Levin Syndrome (KLS) is a rare disorder affecting adolescents and characterized by relapsing-remitting episodes of severe hypersomnia, cognitive impairment, and behavioral disturbances such as hyperphagia and sexual disinhibition. Pathophysiology is unknown, although imaging studies indicate decreased activity in hypothalamic/thalamic areas and in cortical areas during episodes. Familial occurrence is increased, and risk is associated with reports of complicated birth.

Methods

A worldwide Genome wide association (GWA) study was conducted in 673 KLS patients and ethnically matched 15,341 control individuals.

Results

We found a strong genome-wide significant association (OR=1.48 at rs150168018, p=8.6x10-9) with 24 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) encompassing a 35kb region located in the 5’ region of TRANK1 gene previously associated with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Strikingly, KLS cases with TRANK1 had statistically increased reports of difficult birth. As perinatal outcomes have dramatically improved over the last 40 years, we further stratified our sample by birth years, and found that recent cases had a significantly reduced TRANK1 association. These findings were confirmed in an independent replication cohort of 171 new patients where polygenic risk scores constructed on the discovery cohort replicated (r2=0.15; p<2.7x10-22 at p=0.1 threshold) and the TRANK1 association was found to be dependent on reports of birth difficulties (OR=1.54, p=0.01 versus OR=1.12, p=0.4). Pathway analysis of the overall GWAS association revealed significant association (p=0.02) with 19 genes in a pathway modulating rhythmic behaviors.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate links between hypersomnia, behavioral rhythmicity and bipolar disorder and indicate that a polymorphism in the TRANK1 region affect brain development in the presence of a perinatal injury, with pathophysiological consequences such as KLS, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Support

NIH NIMH 1R01MH080957 to EM PHRC 070138 to IA