bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of some vibro-acoustic properties of sandwich plates with honeycomb and foam cores
Authors: Nilsson A. C. , Liu Bilong
Published: September 2018

A sixth-order differential equation governing the flexural vibration of sandwich plates is derived. The sandwich plates considered consist of laminates bonded to honeycomb or foam cores. The structures are assumed to be symmetric. Shear and rotation in core are included in the model. The effect on the bending stiffness of rotation and shear in the core is discussed. Shear effects are of great importance, whereas rotation of the core has only a marginal effect on the bending stiffness of lightweight sandwich plates. The bending stiffness of a sandwich plate is found to strongly depend on frequency. The bending stiffness of a structure determines its acoustical coupling to any surrounding fluid and thus its sound transmission loss and sound radiation ratio. Loss factors of sandwich plates are discussed. Boundary conditions are formulated for rectangular plates having simply supported, clamped, or free edges. There are five boundary conditions to be satisfied at each edge of the plate. The bending stiffness of simply supported and infinite plates is presented as a function of frequency. Expressions for the point mobility for infinite or simply supported finite panels are given.
On-site acoustical characterization of Baroque tapestries: The Barberini collection at St. John the Divine Cathedral
Authors: Martellotta Francesco , Pon Lisa
Published: September 2018

Tapestries represent an important and valuable cultural heritage. In the past they played a significant role in enriching indoor environments, as well as contributing to change the indoor characteristics of the space. Considering typical mounting conditions, acoustics was likely to be strongly affected by hung tapestries. Even though their acoustic properties could be ideally inferred from their physical features, a proper characterization would be preferable to understand how they could modify sound propagation. However, given their dimensions and their delicacy, on-site measurements are often the only option. In the present paper, absorption coefficients of the Barberini tapestries were measured during a temporary exhibition held in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. Measurements were carried out in a large chapel with and without the tapestries installed. The effect of acoustical coupling with the adjacent cathedral volume was investigated using Bayesian methods to exclude unwanted influence on the measurements. Results were obtained using either the classical reverberation time formula or the indirect approach based on the use of geometrical acoustic modeling. Finally, results proved to be in good agreement with predictions based on theoretical formulas, once the relevant non-acoustical parameters were estimated.
Nudge, not sludge
Authors: Thaler Richard H.
Published: September 2018

For some, the world is becoming increasingly complicated in that there are ever greater responsibilities, from selecting health insurance to figuring out how much to save for retirement. Ten years ago, my friend (and Harvard law professor) Cass Sunstein and I published a book called
Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness
that offered a simple idea. By improving the environment in which people choose—what we call the “choice architecture”—they can make wiser choices without restricting any options. The Global Positioning System (GPS) technology on smartphones is an example. You decide where you want to go, the app offers possible routes, and you are free to decline the advice if you decide to take a detour. Sunstein and I stressed that the goal of a conscientious choice architect is to help people make better choices “as judged by themselves.” But what about activities that are essentially nudging for evil? This “sludge” just mucks things up and makes wise decision-making and prosocial activity more difficult.
Gallium disrupts bacterial iron metabolism and has therapeutic effects in mice and humans with lung infections
Authors: Goss Christopher H. , Kaneko Yukihiro , Khuu Lisa , Anderson Gail D. , Ravishankar Sumedha , Aitken Moira L. , Lechtzin Noah , Zhou Guolin , Czyz Daniel M. , McLean Kathryn , Olakanmi Oyebode , Shuman Howard A. , Teresi Mary , Wilhelm Ellen , Caldwell Ellen , Salipante Stephen J. , Hornick Douglas B. , Siehnel Richard J. , Becker Lev , Britigan Bradley E. , Singh Pradeep K.
Published: September 2018

Gallium disrupts bacterial iron metabolism and treats infections in mice and patients with chronic airway infections.
Cannabis use and schizophrenia: Chicken or egg?
Authors: Andreae Laura C.
Published: September 2018

A genome-wide association study identifies risk genes for cannabis use and examines direction of causality for its association with schizophrenia.
Dissolving microneedle vaccination—No magic needled
Authors: Au Sam H.
Published: September 2018

Amphiphilic polymeric microneedles dissolve into nanomicelles that inhibit tumor growth.
Selective Inhibition of
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
by a Dithiazoline in Mixed Infections with
Lactobacillus gasseri
Authors: Lenz Jonathan D. , Shirk Kristina A. , Jolicoeur Adrienne , Dillard Joseph P.
Published: September 2018

The Gram-negative human pathogen
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
has progressively developed resistance to antibiotic monotherapies, and recent failures of dual-drug therapy have heightened concerns that strains resistant to all available antibiotics will begin circulating globally. Targeting bacterial cell wall assembly has historically been effective at treating infections with
N. gonorrhoeae
, but as the effectiveness of β-lactams (including cephalosporins) is challenged by increasing resistance, research has expanded into compounds that target the numerous other enzymes with roles in peptidoglycan metabolism.
The Manganese-Dependent Pyruvate Kinase PykM Is Required for Wild-Type Glucose Utilization by Brucella abortus 2308 and Its Virulence in C57BL/6 Mice
Authors: Pitzer Joshua E. , Zeczycki Tonya N. , Baumgartner John E. , Martin Daniel W. , Roop R. Martin
Published: September 2018

Mn plays a critical role in the physiology and virulence of
Brucella
strains, and the results presented here suggest that one of the important roles that the high-affinity Mn importer MntH plays in the pathogenesis of these strains is supporting the function of the Mn-dependent kinase PykM. A better understanding of how the brucellae adapt their physiology and metabolism to sustain their intracellular persistence in host macrophages will provide knowledge that can be used to design improved strategies for preventing and treating brucellosis, a disease that has a significant impact on both the veterinary and public health communities worldwide.
CVB3 Nonstructural 2A Protein Modulates SREBP1a Signaling via the MEK/ERK Pathway
Authors: Wang Lei , Xie Wei , Zhang Le , Li Defeng , Yu Hua , Xiong Junzhi , Peng Jin , Qiu Jing , Sheng Halei , He Xiaomei , Zhang Kebin
Published: September 2018

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) infection is the leading cause of viral myocarditis, but effective vaccines and antiviral therapies against CVB3 infection are still lacking. It is important to understand the precise interactions between host and virus for the rational design of effective therapies. During infection, CVB3 disrupts and exploits host lipid metabolism to promote excessive lipid accumulation, which benefits virus replication. SREBP1 is the master regulator of cellular lipid metabolism. Here, we report that one of the viral nonstructural proteins, 2A, upregulates and activates SREBP1a. Furthermore, we find that inhibition of SREBP1 decreases CVB3 virus replication. These results reveal the regulation of SREBP1a expression by 2A and the roles of SREBP1 in lipid accumulation and viral replication during CVB3 infection. Our findings provide a new insight into CVB3 host interactions and inform a potential novel therapeutic target for this important pathogen.
Rotavirus Induces Formation of Remodeled Stress Granules and P Bodies and Their Sequestration in Viroplasms To Promote Progeny Virus Production
Authors: Dhillon Poonam , Rao C. Durga
Published: September 2018

Rotavirus is known to replicate in specialized virus-induced cytoplasmic inclusion bodies called viroplasms (VMs), but the composition and structure of VMs are not yet understood. Here we demonstrate that rotavirus interferes with normal SG and PB assembly but promotes formation of atypical SG-PB structures by selective exclusion of a few components and employs a novel strategy of sequestration of the remodeled SG-PB granules in the VMs to promote virus growth by modulating their negative influence on virus infection. Rotavirus VMs appear to be complex supramolecular structures formed by the union of the triad of viral replication complexes and remodeled SGs and PBs, as well as other host factors, and designed to promote productive virus infection. These observations have implications for the planning of future research with the aim of understanding the structure of the VM, the mechanism of morphogenesis of the virus, and the detailed roles of host proteins in rotavirus biology.
Comparison of the Immunogenicities and Cross-Lineage Efficacies of Live Attenuated Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus Vaccines PPRV/Nigeria/75/1 and PPRV/Sungri/96
Authors: Hodgson Sophia , Moffat Katy , Hill Holly , Flannery John T. , Graham Simon P. , Baron Michael D. , Darpel Karin E.
Published: September 2018

Despite the widespread use of live attenuated PPRV vaccines, this is the first systematic analysis of the immune response elicited in small ruminants. These data will help in the establishment of the immunological determinants of protection, an important step in the development of new vaccines, especially DIVA vaccines using alternative vaccination vectors. This study is also the first controlled test of the ability of the two major vaccines used against virulent PPRV strains from all genetic lineages of the virus, showing conclusively the complete cross-protective ability of these vaccines.
Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus megaterium Strain TG1-E1, a Plant Drought Tolerance-Enhancing Bacterium
Authors: Vílchez Juan Ignacio , Tang Qiming , Kaushal Richa , Wang Wei , Lv Suhui , He Danxia , Chu Zhaoqing , Zhang Heng , Liu Renyi , Zhang Huiming
Published: September 2018

Based on a combination of next-generation sequencing and single-molecule sequencing, we obtained the whole-genome sequence of
Bacillus megaterium
strain TG1-E1, which is a highly salt-tolerant rhizobacterium that enhances plant tolerance to drought stress. The complete genome is estimated to be approximately 5.48 Mb containing a total of 5,858 predicted protein-coding DNA sequences.
Complete Genome Sequences of Mycoplasma anatis, M. anseris, and M. cloacale Type Strains
Authors: Grózner Dénes , Forró Barbara , Sulyok Kinga Mária , Marton Szilvia , Kreizinger Zsuzsa , Bányai Krisztián , Gyuranecz Miklós
Published: September 2018

Mycoplasma anatis
,
M. anseris
, and
M. cloacale
are pathogens of waterfowl. Airsacculitis, nervous disease, and reproductive disorders are the main symptoms in the affected flocks.
Complete Genome Sequences of Paenibacillus larvae Phages Halcyone, Heath, Scottie, and Unity from Las Vegas, Nevada
Authors: Yost Diane G. , Chang Carolyn , LeBlanc Lucy , Cassin Erin , Peterman Ceara , Rai Padmani , Salisbury Alicia , Barroga Nicolas , Cisneros Ramiro , Fersini Joseph , Juste Jonathan , Ines Juvie , Leyva Gabriel , Macalinao Dyanne , Muscelli Spencer , Reyes Gustavo S. , Rhoden Heather , Tan Rodney , Torres Erika , Tran Krystal , Uriarte-Valle Georgette , Wallace Christopher , Wong Simon , Ayala-Pineda Kevin , Cadiz Vanessa , Jeanite Tiffany , Nhan Sophia , Grose Julianne H. , Strong Christy , Amy Penny S. , Tsourkas Philippos K.
Published: September 2018

We present the complete genome sequences of four phages that infect
Paenibacillus larvae
, the causative agent of American foulbrood disease in honeybees. The phages were isolated from beehives and beeswax products from Las Vegas, Nevada.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Extensively Drug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Clinical Isolate TUEPA7472
Authors: Miess Henrike , Jahanshah Ghazaleh , Brötz-Oesterhelt Heike , Willmann Matthias , Peter Silke , Gross Harald
Published: September 2018

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
TUEPA7472 is extensively drug resistant (XDR) and is a representative Gram-negative rod that is multiresistant toward 4 classes of clinically relevant antibiotics (4MRGN). The 6.8-Mb draft genome sequence of this strain provides insight into these resistance mechanisms and the potential of the strain to produce virulence factors.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Arcobacter bivalviorum Type Strain LMG 26154
Authors: Miller William G. , Yee Emma , Bono James L.
Published: September 2018

Arcobacters are routinely recovered from marine environments, and multiple
Arcobacter
species have been isolated from shellfish.
Arcobacter bivalviorum
was recovered from mussels collected in the Ebro Delta in northeastern Spain.
Genome Sequence of a Plant-Pathogenic Bacterium, “Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris” Strain TW1
Authors: Town Jennifer R. , Wist Tyler , Perez-Lopez Edel , Olivier Chrystel Y. , Dumonceaux Tim J.
Published: September 2018

A draft genome sequence is presented for a strain of “
Candidatus
Phytoplasma asteris” affecting canola plants in Saskatoon, Canada. This phytopathogenic bacterium was determined to be a 16SrI strain and features 16S rRNA-encoding gene sequence heterogeneity.
Complete Genome Sequences of Four Staphylococcus aureus Sequence Type 398 Isolates from Four Goats with Osteomyelitis
Authors: Abouelkhair Mohamed A. , Rifkin Rebecca E. , Grzeskowiak Remiqiusz M. , Biris Alexandru S. , Anderson David E. , Bemis David A. , Kania Stephen A.
Published: September 2018

Staphylococcus aureus
is the causative agent of multiple infections, including bacteremia, infective endocarditis, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, and prosthetic device infections. We report here the first whole-genome sequence for four
S. aureus
sequence type 398 isolates from clinical cases of osteomyelitis in four goats with a history of orthopedic surgery.
Draft Whole-Genome Shotgun Sequence of Streptomyces sp. Strain ETH9427
Authors: Thibessard Annabelle , Vicente Cláudia M. , Bertrand Claire , Aigle Bertrand , Leblond Pierre
Published: September 2018

The draft genome of
Streptomyces
sp. strain ETH9427 was sequenced and assembled into three large scaffolds, a 7.745-Mb linear chromosome with terminal inverted repeats of 201 kb and two probable extrachromosomal elements.
Primary renal diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma causing haemodialysis-dependent nephromegaly in a child
Authors: South Andrew Michael
Published: September 2018

A 4-year-old boy presented with fatigue and was found to have severe kidney injury requiring haemodialysis. A renal ultrasound demonstrated bilateral nephromegaly with mild loss of corticomedullary differentiation but preserved echogenicity. He had a persistent isolated monocytosis. Renal biopsy revealed extensive infiltration by primary renal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. He required haemodialysis for 18 days and received chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone, rituximab and intrathecal methotrexate. He achieved remission with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 50 mL/min/1.73 m2, and his kidneys returned to normal size. Nephromegaly due to renal-limited haematolymphoid disease is extremely rare, especially in children.
Doctor Referral of Overweight People to Low Energy total diet replacement Treatment (DROPLET): pragmatic randomised controlled trial
Authors: Astbury Nerys M , Aveyard Paul , Nickless Alecia , Hood Kathryn , Corfield Kate , Lowe Rebecca , Jebb Susan A
Published: September 2018

Objective

To test the effectiveness and safety of a total diet replacement (TDR) programme for routine treatment of obesity in a primary care setting.

Design

Pragmatic, two arm, parallel group, open label, individually randomised controlled trial.

Setting

10 primary care practices in Oxfordshire, UK.

Participants

278 adults who were obese and seeking support to lose weight: 138 were assigned to the TDR programme and 140 to usual care. 73% of participants were re-measured at 12 months.

Interventions

The TDR programme comprised weekly behavioural support for 12 weeks and monthly support for three months, with formula food products providing 810 kcal/day (3389 kJ/day) as the sole food during the first eight weeks followed by reintroduction of food. Usual care comprised behavioural support for weight loss from a practice nurse and a diet programme with modest energy restriction.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome was weight change at 12 months analysed as intention to treat with mixed effects models. Secondary outcomes included biomarkers of cardiovascular and metabolic risk. Adverse events were recorded.

Results

Participants in the TDR group lost more weight (−10.7 kg) than those in the usual care group (−3.1 kg): adjusted mean difference −7.2 kg (95% confidence interval −9.4 to −4.9 kg). 45% of participants in the TDR group and 15% in the usual care group experienced weight losses of 10% or more. The TDR group showed greater improvements in biomarkers of cardiovascular and metabolic risk than the usual care group. 11% of participants in the TDR group and 12% in the usual care group experienced adverse events of moderate or greater severity.

Conclusions

Compared with regular weight loss support from a practice nurse, a programme of weekly behavioural support and total diet replacement providing 810 kcal/day seems to be tolerable, and leads to substantially greater weight loss and greater improvements in the risk of cardiometabolic disease.

Trial registration

International Standard Randomised Controlled Trials No
ISRCTN75092026
.
Impact of pre-eclampsia on the cardiovascular health of the offspring: a cohort study protocol
Authors: Hoodbhoy Zahra , Hasan Babar Sultan , Mohammed Nuruddin , Chowdhury Devyani
Published: September 2018

Introduction

Pre-eclampsia is a common disorder associated with serious maternal and fetal complications. It is associated with abnormal placentation, which significantly reduces flow, resulting in a relative hypoxic state. These pathophysiological changes lead to subtle macrovascular and cardiac structural and functional changes in the fetus. This can predispose the child with maternal history of pre-eclampsia to risk of premature cardiovascular disease.

Methods and analysis

The children will be identified from a cohort of women with pre-eclampsia. The study will be conducted at The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. Inclusion criteria will be children who are between 2 and 5 years of age and have a maternal history of pre-eclampsia. The child’s current weight, height and blood pressure will be recorded. A two-dimensional functional echocardiogram and vascular assessment will be performed to evaluate alterations in cardiac function as well as macrovascular remodelling in these children. Data will be presented as mean±SD, median (IQR) or percentages as appropriate. Independent t-test or Mann-Whitney U test will be used for testing of continuous variables (based on the assumption of normality). A p<0.05 will be used to determine statistical significance.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been obtained from AKUH Ethics Review Committee. Findings will be disseminated through scientific publications and project summaries for the participants.
Impact of punitive immigration policies, parent-child separation and child detention on the mental health and development of children
Authors: Wood Laura C N
Published: September 2018

In April 2018, the US government introduced a ‘zero tolerance’ illegal immigration control strategy at the US-Mexico border resulting in the detention of all adults awaiting federal prosecution for illegal entry and the subsequent removal of their children to separate child shelters across the USA. By June 2018, over 2300 immigrant children, including infants, had been separated from their parents for immigration purposes. Media reports and scenes of distraught families ignited global condemnation of US immigration policy and fresh criticism of immigration detention practices.

Detention of children for immigration purposes is known to be practised in over 100 countries worldwide, despite a significant body of research demonstrating the extensive harm of such policies. This review explores and contextualises the key potential impacts of family separation and detention of children for immigration purposes including damaged attachment relationships, traumatisation, toxic stress and wider detrimental impacts on immigrant communities. As such, it is critical for host nation governments to cease the practice of family separation and child detention for immigration control and promote postmigration policies that protect children from further harm, promote resilience and enable recovery.
Developing a hospital-based combat injury registry at the Chinese Peacekeeping Level 2 Military Hospital in GAO, Mali
Authors: Sun Rui , Tian J , Jia Z , Zhou N , Zhou S
Published: September 2018

Background

Having served more than 4000 personnel including the peacekeeping troops, UN police and civilian staff, the Chinese Peacekeeping Level 2 Military Hospital has accumulated 1235 inpatient medical records in 4 years. Assessment of the records stored in the CHN L2 identified that the data collected by different teams were incoherent and highlighted the need for implementation of a hospital-based combat injury registry and the establishment of a combat injury surveillance system.

Methods

A one-page, 21-item registry form was designed to collect general information about the injuries, including such data as demographics, injury event, severity, diagnosis and treatment, and outcome. All relevant personnel was required to undergo a 2-day training in order to master the use of the registry form. The new registry form was used to collect the data on all of the cases recorded in the CHN L2 between 26 April 2014 and 31 March 2017.

Results

Analysis of the collected data identified improvised explosive device as the most common (44.95%) mechanism of combat injury in Sector East of MINUSMA. Anefis, the centre of the UN logistic transit, was identified as the location where most of the combat injuries (42.20%) occurred. Based on these results, certain suggestions that addressed this threat were given to the Operation department in Sector East of MINUSMA.

Conclusion

A hospital-based combat injury registry was successfully developed and implemented in the Chinese Peacekeeping Level 2 Hospital. It can provide data to support the policy changes to minimise the impact of combat injuries on peacekeeping troops. The designed registry form provides more accurate estimates of the magnitude of the morbidity due to different causes in the battlefield and lays a foundation for an injury surveillance system.
Obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Antovic Aleksandra , Sennström Maria , Bremme Katarina , Svenungsson Elisabet
Published: September 2018

The present clinical and laboratory classification criteria for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) were established in Sydney, Australia, in 2006. In this review, we focus on the obstetric subset of APS (OAPS), defined by persistent positivity for antiphospholipid antibodies together with either early recurrent pregnancy loss, early fetal death, stillbirth or premature birth <34 gestational weeks due to pre-eclampsia, eclampsia and placental insufficiency. It is important to diagnose these cases since most women suffering from OAPS can, when given appropriate treatment, have successful pregnancies. Furthermore, patients with OAPS may, depending on the antibody profile, be at enhanced risk of thrombotic events later in life. We present an update on the present knowledge of possible underlying pathogenesis, risk factors and risk estimations for adverse pregnancy outcomes before and during pregnancy, current treatment concepts, and long-term outcomes for women with OAPS and their children.
Increased alloreactive and autoreactive antihuman leucocyte antigen antibodies associated with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Jackman Rachael P , Cruz Giovanna I , Nititham Joanne , Triulzi Darrell J , Barcellos Lisa F , Criswell Lindsey A , Norris Philip J , Busch Michael P
Published: September 2018

Objectives

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disproportionately affect women during and following childbearing years. Antihuman leucocyte antigen (HLA) alloantibody responses are common in healthy parous women, and as these diseases are both linked with HLA and immune dysregulation, we sought to evaluate anti-HLA antibodies in RA and SLE.

Methods

Anti-HLA antibodies were measured among parous SLE cases (n=224), parous RA cases (n=202) and healthy parous controls (n=239) and compared with each other as well as with nulliparous female and male controls. Antibody specificities were identified and compared against subject HLA types to determine autoreactivity versus alloreactivity. The association of anti-HLA antibodies with clinical outcomes was evaluated.

Results

Levels and frequencies of anti-HLA antibodies were significantly higher among parous females with SLE (52%) or RA (46%) compared with controls (26%), and anti-HLA antibodies were also found among nulliparous females and males with SLE and RA. Autoreactive anti-HLA antibodies were observed among SLE and RA antibody-positive subjects, but not healthy controls, with the highest frequency of autoreactive anti-HLA antibodies found in the SLE subjects. Higher levels of anti-HLA antibodies were associated with nephritis among the nulliparous SLE cases (p<0.01). The presence of anti-class I HLA antibodies was associated with younger age at diagnosis among both the RA and SLE nulliparous cases.

Conclusions

Both autoreactive and alloreactive anti-HLA antibodies were found at high levels in RA and SLE subjects. These occurred even in the absence of alloexposure, particularly among SLE subjects and may be linked with disease severity.
Aerobic training status does not attenuate prolonged sitting-induced lower limb vascular dysfunction
Authors: Garten Ryan S. , Hogwood Austin C. , Weggen Jennifer B. , Fralin R. Carson , LaRosa Kathryn , Lee David , Michael Austin , Scott Matthew
Published: September 2018

This study examined if the degree of aerobic training protects against the lower limb vascular dysfunction associated with a prolonged sitting bout. Ten young, aerobically trained (AT) and 10 young, untrained (UT) individuals completed a prolonged (3 h) sitting bout. Leg vascular function was measured prior to and at 1.5 and 3 h into the prolonged sitting bout using the passive leg movement (PLM) technique. PLM-induced hyperemia was significantly reduced from baseline at 1.5 and 3 h into the prolonged sitting bout in both groups when evaluated as peak change in leg blood flow from baseline (Δ LBF) (UT: 956 ± 140, 586 ± 80, and 599 ± 96 mL·min−1 at baseline, 1.5 h, and 3 h, respectively; AT: 955 ± 183, 789 ± 193, and 712 ± 131 mL·min−1 at baseline, 1.5 h, and 3 h, respectively) and LBF area under the curve (UT: 283 ± 73, 134 ± 31, and 164 ± 42 mL·min−1 at baseline, 1.5 h, and 3 h, respectively; AT: 336 ± 86, 242 ± 86, and 245 ± 73 mL·min−1 at baseline, 1.5 h, and 3 h, respectively), but no significant differences between groups were revealed. No significant correlations were observed when examining the relationship between maximal oxygen uptake (relative and absolute) and reductions in leg vascular function at 1.5 and 3 h into the prolonged sitting bout. This study revealed that aerobic training did not provide a protective effect against prolonged sitting-induced lower limb vascular dysfunction and further highlights the importance of reducing excessive sitting in all populations.
Time-dependent unsaturated behaviour of geosynthetic clay liners
Authors: Acikel A.S. , Gates W.P. , Singh R.M. , Bouazza A. , Fredlund D.G. , Rowe R.K.
Published: September 2018

Three different chilled-mirror hygrometer test procedures were developed to investigate the time-dependent unsaturated behaviour of powdered and granular bentonite based needle-punched geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) on both the wetting and drying paths of the water retention curve (WRC). The GCL structure and bentonite forms governed the effect of measurement time and duration as well as the time-dependent suction changes of the bentonite component at a constant gravimetric water content. A conceptual model is proposed to explain the observed time-dependent unsaturated behaviour of the GCLs. The model suggests that the cross-over points on WRCs correspond to the point where bentonite crystallite separation is maximized within the crystalline swelling regime of smectite, forming a four-layer hydrate state where smectite interlayer spaces are filled with water. At gravimetric water contents below this point, the interlayer space dominated the suction, while at higher water contents, mesopores and macropores played increasingly important roles in determining the suction. The results reported herein provide further proof that the unsaturated behaviour of GCLs is largely controlled by the bentonite component.
An introduced plant is associated with declines in terrestrial arthropods, but no change in stream invertebrates
Authors: Riedl Hannah L. , Clements William H. , Pejchar Liba
Published: September 2018

Riverine systems often spread non-native species, yet the co-occurring impacts of introduced riparian vegetation on aquatic- and terrestrial-derived resources are unknown. We compared aquatic and terrestrial arthropod communities and their flux into and out of streams in riparian reaches invaded and uninvaded by Robinia neomexicana, a woody plant introduced to a western Colorado watershed. We found that invaded reaches had fewer terrestrial arthropods collected off foliage, conceivably because of the plant’s later leaf-out phenology. Overall, seasonal and annual factors best described terrestrial and aquatic arthropod communities. However, when we evaluated vegetation and stream characteristics in lieu of season and year, we found terrestrial arthropod biomass and richness were negatively related to cover of R. neomexicana and positively related to vegetative cover, forb cover, and vertical vegetation structure. Our results suggest ecosystems respond to landscape variation differently, where directly related food web components (i.e., terrestrial arthropods on introduced vegetation) respond stronger than more distally related constituents (i.e., aquatic insects).
On the K-theoretic classification of dynamically stable systems
Authors: De Nittis Giuseppe , Gomi Kiyonori
Published: September 2018

This paper deals with the construction of a suitable topological [Formula: see text]-theory capable of classifying topological phases of dynamically stable systems described by gapped [Formula: see text]-self-adjoint operators on a Krein space with indefinite metric [Formula: see text].
Constructions of Einstein Finsler metrics by warped product
Authors: Chen Bin , Shen Zhongmin , Zhao Lili
Published: September 2018

The warped product structures of Finsler metrics are studied in this paper. We give the formulae of the flag curvature and Ricci curvature of these metrics, and obtain the characterization of such metrics to be Einstein. Some Einstein Finsler metrics of this type are constructed.
Explaining Taiwan’s Cybersecurity Policy Prior to 2016: Effects of Norms and Identities
Authors: YAU HON-MIN
Published: September 2018

This paper implements a constructivist approach from the discipline of International Relations (IR) to investigate the interplay between international politics and cyberspace, and explains why the Taiwanese government has been relatively slow to exploit cyber warfare for national-defense purposes prior to 2016. While this paper acknowledges the technology determinist’s argument that new technology can set the direction of politics, developments in Taiwan have brought to our attention a different perspective, which is that politics can still shape the future direction and use of technology. This analysis enables us to understand, through the case of Taiwan, how politics trumps both technical decisions and the overall direction of technology. Looking closely at the case of Taiwan’s cybersecurity contributes to the broader IR literature concerning the effects of norms and identities, and extends policy analysis to the domain of cyberspace. It establishes a dialogue between the IR literature and Cybersecurity Studies, and reduces the knowledge gap in understanding Taiwan’s security policy.
Size controlled synthesis of CsPbBr3 QDs by two-phase emulsion extraction
Authors: Li Fan , Luo Liang , Wang Maomao , Peng Yan , Wu Xiaoxia , Su Zhi , Wang Shifeng , Wang Fu
Published: September 2018

All-inorganic perovskite CsPbBr3 QDs were prepared by two-phase (water and toluene) emulsion extraction method. By tuning the concentration of ligand, the size of QDs could be easily controlled in the range of 1–4.7[Formula: see text]nm. The prepared CsPbBr3 QDs exhibited a broad absorption range from 325 to 500[Formula: see text]nm, and a narrow full width at half maximum (FWHM) of photoluminescence (PL) emission down to 15[Formula: see text]nm. A quantum efficiency of about 69% and a PL lifetime of 40.85[Formula: see text]ns were achieved at the optimized condition, demonstrating the great application potential in optoelectronics and energy storage.
Collision Avoidance Design on Unmanned Aerial Vehicle in 3D Space
Authors: Tan Chee Yong , Huang Sunan , Tan Kok Kiong , Teo Rodney Swee Huat , Liu Wen Qi , Lin Feng
Published: September 2018

Collision avoidance is one of the core problems in designing a multi-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system. It is to ensure each UAV can reach its target without colliding with any moving or static obstacles. With increasing usage of UAVs in many application areas, research on collision avoidance algorithm has become a hot topic. Several approaches on collision avoidance have been reported. In this paper, we design a three-dimensional collision avoidance on multi-UAV systems based on the original three-dimensional velocity obstacle method.
Investigation on the influences of exposure to winter haze (PM2.5) on 301 subjects’ respiratory tract
Authors: Zhang Yuting , Liu Yushan , Meng Lihong , Dong Huan , Gu Xiaofeng , Yu Xiaolin , Zhang Xiaomei
Published: September 2018

Objective: To observe the clinical symptoms after haze exposure and analyze the influences on the respiratory tract.

Methods: We conduct prospective study by designing questionnaires about respiratory reaction after haze exposure. We distribute, and collect the questionnaires from 301 subjects, and use statistical software to analyze it.

Result and Conclusion: (1) Exposure to haze can lead to a series of respiratory and systemic symptoms. The most common symptoms are cough, little sputum, sneezing and running nose, nasal cavity dryness, nasal congestion, dry throat, dry eyes, itchy eyes. (2) The manifestation frequency of most symptoms in population is positively correlated with the haze concentration. (3) Haze irritates the respiratory tract and causes haze-related cough and respiratory allergy symptoms.
The productivity paradox in health information technology
Authors: Bui Quang "Neo" , Hansen Sean , Liu Manlu , Tu Qiang (John)
Published: September 2018

New York State healthcare providers increased their use of the technology but delivered only mixed results for their patients.
Are CS conferences (too) closed communities?
Authors: Cabot Jordi , Izquierdo Javier Luis Cánovas , Cosentino Valerio
Published: September 2018

Assessing whether newcomers have a more difficult time achieving paper acceptance at established conferences.
Information Systems for a Smart Electricity Grid
Authors: Ketter Wolfgang , Collins John , Saar-Tsechansky Maytal , Marom Ori
Published: September 2018

The drive for sustainability as evidenced by the Paris Accords is forcing a radical re-examination of the way electricity is produced, managed, and consumed. Research on sustainable smart electricity markets is facilitating the emergence of sustainable energy systems and a revolution in the efficiency and reliability of electricity consumption, production, and distribution. Traditional electricity grids and markets are being disrupted by a range of forces, including the rise of weather-dependent and distributed renewable sources, growing consumer involvement in managing their power consumption and production, and the electrification of transport. These changes will likely bring about complex and dynamic smart electricity markets that rely on analysis of information to inform stakeholders, and on effective integration of stakeholders’ actions. We outline a research agenda on how advances in information-intensive processes are fundamental for facilitating these transformations, describe the roles that such processes will play, and discuss Information Systems research challenges necessary to achieve these goals. These challenges span public policy, privacy, and security; market mechanisms; and data-driven decision support. The diverse challenges we outline also underscore that the diverse IS research perspective is instrumental for addressing the complexity and interdisciplinary nature of this research.
A Meta-Model for Information Systems Quality
Authors: Russo Daniel , Ciancarini Paolo , Falasconi Tommaso , Tomasi Massimo
Published: September 2018

Information Systems Quality (ISQ) is a critical source of competitive advantages for organizations. In a scenario of increasing competition on digital services, ISQ is a competitive differentiation asset. In this regard, managing, maintaining, and evolving IT infrastructures have become a primary concern of organizations. Thus, a technical perspective on ISQ provides useful guidance to meet current challenges. The financial sector is paradigmatic, since it is a traditional business, with highly complex business-critical legacy systems, facing a tremendous change due to market and regulation drivers. We carried out a Mixed-Methods study, performing a Delphi-like study on the financial sector. We developed a specific research framework to pursue this vertical study. Data were collected in four phases starting with a high-level randomly stratified panel of 13 senior managers and then a target panel of 124 carefully selected and well-informed domain experts. We have identified and dealt with several quality factors; they were discussed in a comprehensive model inspired by the ISO 25010, 42010, and 12207 standards, corresponding to software quality, software architecture, and software process, respectively. Our results suggest that the relationship among quality, architecture, and process is a valuable technical perspective to explain the quality of an information system. Thus, we introduce and illustrate a novel meta-model, named SQuAP (Software Quality, Architecture, Process), which is intended to give a comprehensive picture of ISQ by abstracting and connecting detailed individual ISO models.
The secret formula for choosing the right next role
Authors: Matsudaira Kate
Published: September 2018

The best careers are not defined by titles or résumé bullet points.
Security of Distance-Bounding
Authors: Avoine Gildas , Bingöl Muhammed Ali , Boureanu Ioana , čapkun Srdjan , Hancke Gerhard , Kardaş Süleyman , Kim Chong Hee , Lauradoux Cédric , Martin Benjamin , Munilla Jorge , Peinado Alberto , Rasmussen Kasper Bonne , Singelée Dave , Tchamkerten Aslan , Trujillo-Rasua Rolando , Vaudenay Serge
Published: September 2018

Distance-bounding protocols allow a verifier to both authenticate a prover and evaluate whether the latter is located in his vicinity. These protocols are of particular interest in contactless systems, e.g., electronic payment or access control systems, which are vulnerable to distance-based frauds. This survey analyzes and compares in a unified manner many existing distance-bounding protocols with respect to several key security and complexity features.
Human-level intelligence or animal-like abilities?
Authors: Darwiche Adnan
Published: September 2018

What just happened in artificial intelligence and how it is being misunderstood.
Recent Developments in Breast Muscle Myopathies Associated with Growth in Poultry
Authors: Velleman Sandra G.
Published: September 2018

The functional unit in skeletal muscle is the multinucleated myofiber, which is composed of parallel arrays of microfibrils. The myofiber and sarco-mere structure of skeletal muscle are established during embryogenesis, when mononuclear myoblast cells fuse to form multinucleated myotubes and develop into muscle fibers. With the myoblasts permanently unable to enter a proliferative state again after they fuse to form the multinucleated myotube, postnatal myofiber growth, muscle homeostasis, and myofiber regeneration are dependent on a myogenic stem cell, the satellite cell. Because the satellite cell is a partially differentiated stem cell controlling the state of skeletal muscle structure throughout the life of the bird, it can impact muscle development and structure, growth, and regeneration and, subsequently, meat quality. When myofibers are damaged, muscle repair is dependent on the satellite cells. Regenerated myofibers after the repair process should be similar to the original muscle fiber. Despite significant improvements in meat-type birds, degenerative myopathies have arisen. In many of these degenerative breast muscle myopathies, like Wooden Breast, satellite cell–mediated regeneration of muscle is suppressed. Thus, the biological function of avian myogenic satellite cells and their influence on cellular mechanisms affecting breast muscle development and growth, function during degenerative myopathies, and meat quality are discussed.
The Ecology of Collective Behavior in Ants
Authors: Gordon Deborah M.
Published: September 2018

Nest choice in Temnothorax spp.; task allocation and the regulation of activity in Pheidole dentata, Pogonomyrmex barbatus, and Atta spp.; and trail networks in Monomorium pharaonis and Cephalotes goniodontus all provide examples of correspondences between the dynamics of the environment and the dynamics of collective behavior. Some important aspects of the dynamics of the environment include stability, the threat of rupture or disturbance, the ratio of inflow and outflow of resources or energy, and the distribution of resources. These correspond to the dynamics of collective behavior, including the extent of amplification, how feedback instigates and inhibits activity, and the extent to which the interactions that provide the information to regulate behavior are local or spatially centralized.
The Terrestrial Carbon Sink
Authors: Keenan T.F. , Williams C.A.
Published: September 2018

Life on Earth comes in many forms, but all life-forms share a common element in carbon. It is the basic building block of biology, and by trapping radiation it also plays an important role in maintaining the Earth's atmosphere at a temperature hospitable to life. Like all matter, carbon can neither be created nor destroyed, but instead is continuously exchanged between ecosystems and the environment through a complex combination of physics and biology. In recent decades, these exchanges have led to an increased accumulation of carbon on the land surface: the terrestrial carbon sink. Over the past 10 years (2007–2016) the sink has removed an estimated 3.61 Pg C year−1 from the atmosphere, which amounts to 33.7% of total anthropogenic emissions from industrial activity and land-use change. This sink constitutes a valuable ecosystem service, which has significantly slowed the rate of climate change. Here, we review current understanding of the underlying biological processes that govern the terrestrial carbon sink and their dependence on climate, atmospheric composition, and human interventions.
Financial Crises
Authors: Gorton Gary
Published: September 2018

Financial crises are runs on short-term debt. Whatever its form, short-term debt is an inherent feature of a market economy. A run is an information event in which holders of short-term debt no longer want to lend to banks because they receive information leading them to suspect the value of the backing for the debt, so they run. When runs are system-wide they threaten the solvency of the entire financial system, which then requires either public or private intervention to remedy. Runs, which most likely follow credit booms, are integral parts of movements in the macroeconomy.
Variance Risk Premia, Asset Predictability Puzzles, and Macroeconomic Uncertainty
Authors: Zhou Hao
Published: September 2018

This article reviews the predictability evidence on the variance risk premium: ( a) It predicts significant positive risk premia across equity, bond, currency, and credit markets; ( b) the predictability peaks at few-month horizons and dies out afterward; ( c) such a short-run predictability is complementary to the long-run predictability offered by the price-to-earnings ratio, forward rate, interest differential, and leverage ratio. Several structural approaches based on the notion of economic uncertainty are discussed for generating these stylized facts about the variance risk premium, which has broad implications for various empirical asset pricing puzzles.
Modulating NRF2 in Disease: Timing Is Everything
Authors: Dodson Matthew , de la Vega Montserrat Rojo , Cholanians Aram B. , Schmidlin Cody J. , Chapman Eli , Zhang Donna D.
Published: September 2018

The transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NF-E2)-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a central regulator of redox, metabolic, and protein homeostasis that intersects with many other signaling cascades. Although the understanding of the complex nature of NRF2 signaling continues to grow, there is only one therapeutic targeting NRF2 for clinical use, dimethyl fumarate, used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The discovery of new therapies is confounded by the fact that NRF2 levels vary significantly depending on physiological and pathological context. Thus, properly timed and targeted manipulation of the NRF2 pathway is critical in creating effective therapeutic regimens. In this review, we summarize the regulation and downstream targets of NRF2. Furthermore, we discuss the role of NRF2 in cancer, neurodegeneration, and diabetes as well as cardiovascular, kidney, and liver disease, with a special emphasis on NRF2-based therapeutics, including those that have made it into clinical trials.
A New Era of HIV Risk: It's Not What You Know, It's Who You Know (and How Infectious)
Authors: Cortopassi Andrew C. , Driver Redd , Eaton Lisa A. , Kalichman Seth C.
Published: September 2018

HIV is transmitted in social and sexual relationships, and HIV transmission risks, as well as protective actions, are evolving as HIV epidemics unfold. The current focus of HIV prevention is centered on antiretroviral medications used to reduce HIV infectiousness in persons already infected with HIV [treatment as prevention (TasP)]. The same medications used to treat infected persons can also be used by uninfected persons as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the infectivity of HIV. Both PrEP and TasP are effective when adherence is high and individuals do not have co-occurring sexually transmitted infections. HIV prevention is most effective and efficient when delivered within sexual networks with high HIV prevalence. Specific network characteristics are recognized as important facilitators of HIV transmission; these characteristics include the degree of similarity among network members (homophily), gender role norms, and belief systems. Since 2011, HIV risk has been redefined based on infectiousness and infectivity, ushering in a new era of HIV prevention with the potential to end HIV epidemics.
C.H. Winter ECS AiMES 2018 Tutorial Talk G02-0986 ALD Precursors
Authors: Winter Charles
Published: September 2018

This is a tutorial presentation that I will give at AiMES 2018 in Cancun, Mexico on Tuesday, October 2, 2018.