bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attachment to Parents and Aggressiveness in Adopted Adolescents: A Multi‐Sample Comparison Study
Authors: Torres‐Gomez Barbara , Alonso‐Arbiol Itziar , Gallarin Miriam
Published: October 2018

This study examined adopted adolescents’ levels of attachment security to parents and aggressiveness as compared to those of community nonadopted adolescents and of clinical nonadopted adolescents. Three different subsamples participated (n = 262): 101 community nonadopted adolescents (48.5% girls), 80 community adopted teens (65.0% girls), and 81 nonadopted counterparts (35.8% girls) who participated in a treatment program for youth with behavioral problems. There were no differences between community groups in attachment security or aggressiveness, whereas clinical nonadopted adolescents showed less attachment security and more aggressiveness than the other two groups. The implications of these results are discussed in terms of the potential healing impact that living with adoptive families could have on adopted teenagers’ risk of maladaptive outcomes.
Non‐virological factors are drivers of hepatocellular carcinoma in virosuppressed hepatitis B cirrhosis: Results of ANRS CO12 CirVir cohort
Authors: Brichler Segolene , Nahon Pierre , Zoulim Fabien , Layese Richard , Bourcier Valerie , Audureau Etienne , Sutton Angela , Letouze Eric , Cagnot Carole , Marcellin Patrick , Guyader Dominique , Roulot Dominique , Pol Stanislas , de Ledinghen Victor , Zarski Jean‐Pierre , Calès Paul , Tran Albert , Peron Jean‐Marie , Mallat Ariane , Riachi Ghassan , Grange Jean‐Didier , Blanc Jean‐Frederic , Bacq Yannick , Ouzan Denis , Bronowicki Jean‐Pierre , Mathurin Philippe , Larrey Dominique , Alric Laurent , Attali Pierre , Serfaty Lawrence , Pilette Christophe , Bourlière Marc , Thabut Dominique , Silvain Christine , Wartelle Claire , Zucman David , Christidis Christos , Roudot‐Thoraval Françoise , Ganne‐Carrie Nathalie ,   the ANRS CO12 CirVir study group
Published: October 2018

Worldwide, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurs mainly in Asian patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This study aimed to decipher the environmental and virological factors associated with HCC occurrence and validate risk scoring systems in a French multicentre prospective cohort of HBV cirrhotic patients. Patients with biopsy‐proven Child‐Pugh A viral cirrhosis included in the ANRS CO12 CirVir cohort who were HBsAg(+) without hepatitis C coinfection were selected for: (a) interview through a standardized questionnaire reporting coffee consumption and HCC familial history; (b) HBsAg quantification using baseline and sequential 2‐year frozen sera; (c) baseline HBV genotype determination; and (d) assessment of risk factors and applicability of HCC risk scores (Kaplan‐Meier analysis, Cox models). Among 317 patients studied (261 men, median age 53 years, past or ongoing antiviral treatment 93.3% and baseline detectable HBV DNA in 88 patients), the baseline and 2‐year median HBsAg levels were 810 and 463 IU/mL, respectively. After a median follow‐up of 65.2 months, 27 HCC cases were diagnosed (annual incidence: 1.6%). Three factors were independently associated with HCC occurrence: age > 50 years, platelets ≤ 150 × 103/mm3 and body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2. Two out of five risk scores were validated, and the most accurate was PAGE‐B at 1 year. Moreover, HCC in patients without maintained virological suppression seems more aggressive and less accessible to curative treatment. In conclusion, in French patients with HBV cirrhosis mostly virally suppressed, independent HCC risk factors were host‐related (age, obesity) or linked to the severity of cirrhosis (thrombopenia), and the European PAGE‐B score was the most accurate risk score.
Development of an estimated glomerular filtration rate formula in cats
Authors: Finch Natalie C. , Syme Harriet M. , Elliott Jonathan
Published: October 2018

Background

Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) formulas are routinely used in human patients to provide a more accurate evaluation of GFR compared to serum creatinine concentration alone. Similar formulas do not exist for cats.

Objectives

To validate a prediction formula for eGFR in cats based on adjusting serum creatinine concentration.

Animals

Client‐owned cats with various levels of renal function.

Methods

The study was cross‐sectional. Glomerular filtration rate was determined by iohexol clearance. Variables including signalment, biochemical markers, and noninvasive measurements considered to represent surrogate markers of muscle mass were evaluated with the reciprocal of serum creatinine concentration in a multivariable regression model. The derived eGFR formula was subsequently tested in another group of cats and agreement with GFR assessed.

Results

The formula was developed in 55 cats. Only a single morphometric measurement (pelvic circumference) along with the reciprocal of serum creatinine concentration (creatinine−1) independently predicted GFR in the final multivariate model. The derived eGFR formula was 0.408 + (243.11 × creatinine−1 [μmol/L]) ‐ (0.014 × pelvic circumference [cm]). When the formula was tested in another 25 cats it was not found to offer any advantage over creatinine−1 alone in its relationship with GFR (eGFR, R2 = 0.44, P < .001 vs reciprocal of creatinine, R2 = 0.45, P < .001). Furthermore, agreement between eGFR and GFR was poor.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

An eGFR formula for cats that adjusted serum creatinine concentration for a marker of muscle mass was developed. The formula did not provide a reliable estimate of GFR, and therefore, its routine use cannot be recommended.
Home Prices and Global Imbalances: Which Drives Which?
Authors: Miles William
Published: October 2018

Many countries which experienced rising home prices (often described as bubbles) over the 2000s decade also ran large trade deficits. Some early research on the topic suggested that capital from trade surplus countries lowered borrowing costs and boosted housing values. In this scenario, the current account deficits and high home prices in bubble countries were driven in substantial part by capital flows from abroad.

In contrast, some theoretical and empirical work suggests domestic factors‐rising home prices‐stimulate borrowing, which leads to current account deficits. In this more recent telling, it is domestic changes in bubble countries‐the increase in home values‐that drive trade imbalances, rather than the reverse.

In this study, we investigate the interaction of both the current account and home prices for nine nations, with data spanning a minimum of the mid‐1990s to 2013, with the objective of determining whether external factors impact domestic housing markets. We use vector autoregressions and find strong evidence that the current account exerts a palpable effect on home values, even controlling for reverse causality and the effects of other variables.
Spreading Influence Through Weak Ties: Cosponsorship, Legislative Networks, and Bill Success in Fragmented Congresses
Authors: Skigin Natán
Published: October 2018

Literature on legislative success tends to focus on independent variables of which lawmakers have scarce control. This article analyzes instead how legislators’ strategies affect their success in Congress. I posit that while weak ties between congresspeople are the most useful in increasing success in the chamber of origin under majoritarian settings, they do not raise the likelihood of bill approval in the second chamber or in plurality‐led legislatures. Building on a data set that contains all bills proposed to the Argentine Congress between 1983 and 2007, results support these context‐dependence hypotheses. I then use data from the Uruguayan Congress (1995–2010) to explore how the argument plays out in a Latin American legislature with weaker gatekeeping rules (i.e., an “open sky” legislature). Findings help gain insight into the strategies used in environments different from that of the widely studied U.S. Congress.
A bacterial DNA repair pathway specific to a natural antibiotic
Authors: Burby Peter E. , Simmons Lyle A.
Published: October 2018

All organisms possess DNA repair pathways that are used to maintain the integrity of their genetic material. Although many DNA repair pathways are well understood, new pathways continue to be discovered. Here, we report an antibiotic specific DNA repair pathway inBacillus subtilisthat is composed of a previously uncharacterized helicase (mrfA) and exonuclease (mrfB). Deletion ofmrfAandmrfBresults in sensitivity to the DNA damaging agent mitomycin C, but not to any other type of DNA damage tested. We show that MrfAB function independent of canonical nucleotide excision repair, forming a novel excision repair pathway. We demonstrate that MrfB is a metal‐dependent exonuclease and that the N‐terminus of MrfB is required for interaction with MrfA. We determined that MrfAB failed to unhook interstrand cross‐linksin vivo, suggesting that MrfAB are specific to the monoadduct or the intrastrand cross‐link. A phylogenetic analysis uncovered MrfAB homologs in diverse bacterial phyla, and cross‐complementation indicates that MrfAB function is conserved in closely related species.B. subtilisis a soil dwelling organism and mitomycin C is a natural antibiotic produced by the soil bacteriumStreptomyces lavendulae. The specificity of MrfAB suggests that these proteins are an adaptation to environments with mitomycin producing bacteria.
A discrete‐time anthrax model in human and herbivore populations
Authors: Yakubu Abdul‐Aziz , Ziyadi Najat
Published: October 2018

We introduce a discrete‐time anthrax disease model in human and herbivore populations, where the herbivore recruitment function is the classic Beverton–Holt model while that of humans is a constant recruitment function. We use the next generation method to compute the basic reproduction numbers for the submodels consisting of only herbivores and only humans . In addition, we compute it for the full human–herbivore model . When or or , the number of anthrax infections decreases and the disease does not invade the corresponding population. Whereas, the number of anthrax infections increases and the disease invades the corresponding population when or or . Our simulations show that it is possible for the anthrax disease to invade a human–herbivore population where the disease does not invade either herbivores or humans in isolation. Recommendations for resource managers

To help guide anthrax disease prevention and control strategies, we provide basic reproduction numbers for the herbivore only population , human‐only population and human–herbivore population .

implies the number of anthrax infections deceases and anthrax does not invade the population, while implies the number of anthrax cases increases and anthrax invasion occurs.

It is possible for anthrax to invade a population consisting of herbivores and humans where the disease does not invade either the herbivores or humans in isolation. Thus, more anthrax surveillance is required in mixed populations of herbivores and humans.

Our human–herbivore model can be used to predict the number of anthrax‐infected humans and animals given the number of known anthrax infections in populations.
Policy Feedback and the Politics of the Affordable Care Act
Authors: Béland Daniel , Rocco Philip , Waddan Alex
Published: October 2018

There is a large body of literature devoted to how “policies create politics” and how feedback effects from existing policy legacies shape potential reforms in a particular area. Although much of this literature focuses on self‐reinforcing feedback effects that increase support for existing policies over time, Kent Weaver and his colleagues have recently drawn our attention to self‐undermining effects that can gradually weaken support for such policies. The following contribution explores both self‐reinforcing and self‐undermining policy feedback in relationship to the Affordable Care Act, the most important health‐care reform enacted in the United States since the mid‐1960s. More specifically, the paper draws on the concept of policy feedback to reflect on the political fate of the ACA since its adoption in 2010. We argue that, due in part to its sheer complexity and fragmentation, the ACA generates both self‐reinforcing and self‐undermining feedback effects that, depending of the aspect of the legislation at hand, can either facilitate or impede conservative retrenchment and restructuring. Simultaneously, through a discussion of partisan effects that shape Republican behavior in Congress, we acknowledge the limits of policy feedback in the explanation of policy stability and change.
Exercise performance increase in smokeless tobacco‐user athletes after overnight nicotine abstinence
Authors: Zandonai Thomas , Tam Enrico , Bruseghini Paolo , Capelli Carlo , Baraldo Massimo , Chiamulera Cristiano
Published: November 2018

The use of nicotine administered through smokeless tobacco (snus) has increased among athletes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ergogenic effects of snus on aerobic performance during exercise until exhaustion in athletes after abstinence or satiety nicotine conditions. The study utilized a randomized, controlled, within‐subject design experiment. Sixteen male snus‐user athletes completed an exercise until exhaustion at a constant load of their 80% of (calculated by a maximal incremental test) in two separate sessions, corresponding to nicotine conditions: 12‐hour overnight abstinence and satiety. A portion of 1 g of snus (~8 mg/g of nicotine) was administered 25 minutes before each experimental test. In each session, time to exhaustion (TTE), global rating of perceived exertion, cardiovascular and metabolic responses, and muscle and cerebral oxygenation were measured. Nicotine and cotinine analysis confirmed session conditions (abstinence or satiety). Snus induced a significant increase (+13.1%) of TTE following abstinence (24.1 ± 10.7 minutes) compared to satiety condition (20.9 ± 8.0 minutes; P = 0.0131). The baseline values revealed that abstinence of snus induced significant increase in the oxygenation of the muscular tissues (+4%), in metabolic values and in cardiovascular parameters, when compared to satiety condition. Our results indicate an increase of exercise performance (+13.1% TTE) due to snus administration in an abstinence condition. Considering that twelve hours of abstinence from snus‐contained nicotine affected metabolic, cardiovascular and muscular tissue oxygenation, we suggest that snus administration at test time might relieve these withdrawal changes and yield an increase in time to exhaustion.
Hybrid capture data unravel a rapid radiation of pimpliform parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Pimpliformes)
Authors: Klopfstein Seraina , Langille Barbara , Spasojevic Tamara , Broad Gavin R. , Cooper Steven J. B. , Austin Andrew D. , Niehuis Oliver
Published: October 2018

The parasitoid wasp family Ichneumonidae is among the most diverse groups of organisms, with conservative estimates suggesting that it contains more species than all vertebrates together. However, ichneumonids are also among the most severely understudied groups, and our understanding of their evolution is hampered by the lack of a robust higher‐level phylogeny of this group. Based on newly generated transcriptome sequence data, which were filtered according to several criteria of phylogenetic informativeness, we developed target DNA enrichment baits to capture 93 genes across species of Ichneumonidae. The baits were applied to DNA of 55 ichneumonids, with a focus on Pimpliformes, an informal group containing nine subfamilies. Phylogenetic trees were inferred under maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches, at both the nucleotide and amino acid levels. We found maximum support for the monophyly of Pimpliformes but low resolution and very short branches close to its base, strongly suggesting a rapid radiation. Two genera and one genus‐group were consistently recovered in unexpected parts of the tree, prompting changes in their higher‐level classification:PseudorhyssaMerrill, currently classified in the subfamily Poemeniinae, is transferred to the tribe Delomeristini within Pimplinae, andHemiphanesFörster is moved from Orthocentrinae to Cryptinae. Likewise, the tribe Theroniini is resurrected for theTheronia groupof genera (stat. rev.). Phylogenetic analyses, in which we gradually increased the numbers of genes, revealed that the initially steep increase in mean clade support slows down at around 40 genes, and consideration of up to 93 genes still left various nodes in the inferred phylogenetic tree poorly resolved. It remains to be shown whether more extensive gene or taxon sampling can resolve the early evolution of the pimpliform subfamilies.
Indoor Environmental Quality performance of mixed-mode ventilated shopping malls in hot-humid climatic region
Authors: Idowu Ibiyeye Aminat , Ja’afar Mohd Fakri Zaky , Shari Zalina , Dahlan Nur Dalilah
Published: October 2018

Studies have revealed important roles quality indoor environment plays on human health and productivity; consequently, its influence on certain shopping behavior has also been well spelt out. In other to keep up with the demand for quality indoor environment, new trend has been evolving in the design of Malaysian shopping malls. From fully air-conditioned to newly designed ones that integrate passive ventilation strategies; and as such operating under mixed-mode ventilation system. These passive ventilation strategies are implemented to reduce energy consumption and also to improve the indoor environment within the mall’s indoor space. However, the potentials of these designs in terms of their indoor environmental quality (IEQ) performance have not been studied nor have their advantages been revealed. In this study, occupants’ thermal perception and IEQ performance was investigated in two mixed-mode ventilated malls selected based on their design concept (‘open’ and ‘enclosed’). Both subjective and objective measurements were carried out in accordance with the ASHRAE performance measurement protocol for commercial buildings. Five IEQ factors (indoor air temperature, operative temperature, relative humidity, air speed, and carbon dioxide concentration level) were evaluated in the two malls. The results revealed that both malls fell below the ASHRAE comfort requirement but majority of the occupants still found the indoor thermal performance acceptable despite the high indoor air temperature recorded. For both malls, high air speed and low humidity level were recorded. However, higher air movement was still preferred by the occupants while the recorded mean carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration was within the recommended level. The ‘open’ concept mixed-mode ventilated mall proved superior compared to the ‘enclosed’ concept by providing a more thermally tolerance indoor environment for its occupants. Generally, results from this study contribute to the knowledge on the advantages of adopting sustainable designs in commercial buildings for improving the indoor environment as well as the health and general well-being of the occupants. The study will open more opportunities for future IEQ studies to be carried out in hot-humid climatic regions.
Familiarity Factors of Street Features in Pedestrian Wayfindings
Authors: Wan Mohamad Wan Saiful Nizam , Said Ismail
Published: October 2018

From an origin point to a destination point, good wayfinding process requires familiar recognition on the street environment. However, the unclear reasons of identifying street features to determine a route to the destination influences a pedestrian to select the wrong turn, walk in longer distance, and lost his direction. This paper aims to identify the factors that influence pedestrian familiarity, familiar or unfamiliar, in people wayfinding. Two hundred questionnaires were collected in Teluk Intan, Perak, Malaysia. Quotations from 30 interviews were used to triangulate the findings. Factor analysis available in IBM SPSS version 21 was used in exploring the familiarity factors for wayfinding. The finding suggests three factors influenced pedestrian to familiar with the street environment, which the factors are characteristic, attraction, and interest of street features. While, the duplication design of street features, error in defining the position of street features and form similarity of street features influence pedestrian to become unfamiliar with the street environment. This paper implies that the physical form of street features gives impact to pedestrian familiarity. Consideration of the three factors that influence pedestrian to familiar with the environment can improve how pedestrian experience in street network especially wayfinding.
Awareness and Perception of Office Property Users on Green Building in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Komolafe Markson Opeyemi , Oyewole Matthew Oluwole
Published: October 2018

This study examined the level of awareness, medium of awareness and the perceptions of office property users on Green building and their features in Lagos, Nigeria. The study sampled 352 office property users of 176 properties in the property portfolio of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Lagos. Data was collected with the use of questionnaire administration. Using frequency counts and measures of relative perception index, the study revealed that majority of the users were not aware of green building. Only 23.6% were aware, and the predominant medium of awareness among these few was the Television. It was also revealed in the result that most of the users perceive green building as more of an environmental concept costing more to build and operate. The study concluded that there is need for more sensitisation on green building. Also, a balance information spread, especially on the social and economic benefits of green building is important for successful implementation of green building in the study area.
Amalan Penyeliaan Klinikal Mempengaruhi Tahap Keberkesanan Pengajaran Guru Di Daerah Kuala Kangsar
Authors: Mohd Noramin Chang Nur Nazurah , Daud Khadijah
Published: October 2018

This descriptive study was carried out through a questionnaire on ten schools in the Kuala Kangsar Zone of Perak to observe the clinical supervision of principals. The main purpose is to identify teachers' perceptions of clinical supervision that was carried out by the principals and to see the effectiveness of supervision towards the quality of teaching in schools. A total of 175 sets of questionnaires were distributed to teachers in eight selected schools. Pilot study was conducted to determine the reliability of instrument of the study. The data were collected quantitatively and analyzed using the Statistical Package For Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. The Pearson Correlation Test was used to test the hypothesis of this study. In addition, mean, frequency, and percentage are also used in analyzing data. The findings revealed that teachers' perceptions of clinical supervision conducted by principals were high. The efficacy of clinical supervision in study schools was also high. The three main phases of the clinical supervisory approach are clearly carried out by the principles as a supervisor. From the analysis of the correlation test, there is a significant correlation between the perceptions of the teachers towards the quality of teaching. At the end of the study, recommendations on the implementation of clinical supervisory exercises at the school were outlined, along with suggestion of future research.
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Smith Robert
Published: October 2018

Journal of Education and Training Studies (JETS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether JETS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 6, Number 11Adalberto Felipe Martinez, Federal University of São Carlos, BrazilAngel H. Y. Lai, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong KongBenmarrakchi Fatimaezzahra, Chouaib Doukkali University, MoroccoBrenda L. Shook, National University, USACagla Atmaca, Pamukkale University, TurkeyChosang Tendhar, Long Island University (LIU), USACynthia M. Compton, Wingate University, USAEnisa Mede,Bahcesehir University,TurkeyErica D. Shifflet-Chila, Michigan State University, USAFroilan D. Mobo, Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, PhilippineHelena Reis, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, PortugalHyesoo Yoo, Virginia Tech., USAIntakhab Khan, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi ArabiaJohn Bosco Azigwe, Bolgatanga Polytechnic, GhanaJohn Cowan, Edinburgh Napier University, UKJon S. Turner, Missouri State University, USAJonathan Chitiyo, University of Pittsburgh Bradford, USALorna T. Enerva, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, PhilippinesMan-fung Lo, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong KongMarcie Zaharee, The MITRE Corporation, USAMaurizio Sajeva, Pellervo Economic Research PTT, FinlandMehmet Inan, Marmara University, TurkeyMin Gui, Wuhan University, ChinaNicole Celestine, The University of Western Australia, AustraliaSadia Batool, Preston University Islamabad, PakistanSamad Mirza Suzani, Islamic Azad University, IranSandro Sehic, Oneida BOCES, USASelloane Pitikoe, University of Kwazulu-Natal, South AfricaSenem Seda Şahenk Erkan, Marmara University, TurkeyShu-wen Lin, Sojo University, JapanStamatis Papadakis, University of Crete, GreeceThomas K. F. Chiu, The University of Hong Kong, Hong KongRobert SmithEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of Journal of Education and Training StudiesRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://jets.redfame.com
Effects on Motor Development and Performance Levels of Physical Activity in Music Accompaniment on Children with Developmental Deficiencies
Authors: Pektaş Songül , Akyol Betül
Published: October 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of physical activity with music on motor development and performance in children with developmental deficiencies. The study includes twenty children with developmental deficiencies, aged between 10-15 years old. Children were classified into two groups randomly and both groups were given 1 hour of training 3 days a week for 20 weeks. Physical activity with English and Spanish verbal song was used for the first group and only physical activity for the second group. Each participant participated in shuttle, shuttle run, flexibility, standing long jump, vertical jump tests.  The fatigue parameter of children was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale. As a result of this study, it has been shown that physical activity with music is more effective method to improve motor development and performance levels of children with developmental deficiencies.
Identification and expression analysis of type II and type III Pi transporters in the opossum kidney cell line
Authors: Guillén Natalia , Caldas Yupanqui A. , Levi Moshe , Sorribas Víctor
Published: October 2018

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

The opossum kidney (OK) cell line is the main in vitro model of proximal tubular Pi transport, but it is incomplete because only the NaPiIIa Pi transporter has been identified.

What is the main finding and its importance?

We have cloned and characterized the Pi transporters NaPiIIc, PiT1 and PiT2 from OK cells and have analysed the relevance of the four transporters to Pi transport. All four transporters are involved in the upregulated Pi transport of cells incubated using a low‐Pi medium, and only PiT1 is not involved in basal transport.

The apical membrane of renal proximal tubular epithelial cells is the main controller of phosphate homeostasis, because it determines the rate of urinary Pi excretion. The opossum kidney (OK) cell line is a good model for studying this function, but only NaPiIIa (NaPi4) has been identified to date as a Pi transporter in this cell line. In this work, we have identified three additional Pi transporters that are present in OK cells: NaPiIIc, PiT1 and PiT2. All three sequences are similar to the corresponding orthologues, but PiT1 is missing the first transmembrane domain. Confluent cells exhibit characteristics of type II Pi transport, which increases with alkalinity and is inhibited by phosphonoformic acid (PFA), and they mainly express NaPiIIa and NaPiIIc, with a low abundance of PiT1 and PiT2. Proliferating cells show a higher expression of PiT1 and PiT2 and a low expression of NaPiIIa and NaPiIIc. Adaptation to a low Pi concentration for 24 h induces the expression of RNA from NaPiIIa and NaPiIIc, which is not prevented by actinomycin D. Small interfering RNA transfections revealed that PiT1 is not necessary for Pi transport, but it is necessary for adaptation to a low Pi, similar to NaPiIIa and PiT2. Our study reveals the complexity of the coordination between the four Pi transporters, the variability of RNA expression according to confluence and the heterogeneous correlation between Pi transport and RNA levels.
Anticipation of food intake induces phosphorylation switch to regulate basolateral amino acid transporter LAT4 (SLC43A2) function
Authors: Oparija Lalita , Rajendran Anuradha , Poncet Nadège , Verrey François
Published: October 2018

Key points

Amino acid absorption requires luminal uptake into and subsequent basolateral efflux out of epithelial cells, with the latter step being critical to regulate the intracellular concentration of the amino acids.

The basolateral essential neutral amino acid uniporter LAT4 (SLC43A2) has been suggested to drive the net efflux of non‐essential and cationic amino acids via parallel amino acid antiporters by recycling some of their substrates; its deletion has been shown to cause defective postnatal growth and death in mice.

Here we test the regulatory function of LAT4 phosphorylation sites by mimicking their phosphorylated and dephosphorylated states in Xenopus laevis oocytes and show that dephosphorylation of S274 and phosphorylation of S297 increase LAT4 membrane localization and function.

Using new phosphorylation site‐specific antibodies, we observe changes in LAT4 phosphorylation in mouse small intestine that correspond to its upregulation at the expected feeding time.

These results strongly suggest that LAT4 phosphorylation participates in the regulation of transepithelial amino acid absorption.

The essential amino acid uniporters LAT4 and TAT1 are located at the basolateral side of intestinal and kidney epithelial cells and their transport function has been suggested to control the transepithelial (re)absorption of neutral and possibly also cationic amino acids. Uniporter LAT4 selectively transports the branched chain amino acids leucine, isoleucine and valine, and additionally methionine and phenylalanine. Its deletion leads to a postnatal growth failure and early death in mice. Since LAT4 has been reported to be phosphorylated in vivo, we hypothesized that phosphorylation regulates its function. Using Xenopus laevis oocytes, we tested the impact of LAT4 phosphorylation at Ser274 and Ser297 by expressing mutant constructs mimicking phosphorylated and dephosphorylated states. We then investigated the in vivo regulation of LAT4 in mouse small intestine using new phosphorylation site‐specific antibodies and a time‐restricted diet. In Xenopus oocytes, mimicking non‐phosphorylation of Ser274 led to an increase in affinity and apparent surface membrane localization of LAT4, stimulating its transport activity, while the same mutation of Ser297 decreased LAT4's apparent surface expression and transport rate. In wild‐type mice, LAT4 phosphorylation on Ser274 was uniform at the beginning of the inactive phase (ZT0). In contrast, at the beginning of the active phase (ZT12), corresponding to the anticipated feeding time, Ser274 phosphorylation was decreased and restricted to relatively large patches of cells, while Ser297 phosphorylation was increased. We conclude that phosphorylation of small intestinal LAT4 is under food‐entrained circadian control, leading presumably to an upregulation of LAT4 function at the anticipated feeding time.
Off-Road Soft Terrain Modeling Using Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics Technique
Authors: El-Sayegh Zeinab , El-Gindy Moustafa , Johansson Inge , Öijer Fredrik
Published: November 2018

Soil modeling and calibration are the preliminary steps towards tire-soil interaction prediction. This paper presents soil calibration methods using Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics technique (SPH). Calibration of soil comprises several models including dry sand, dense sand, and clayey soil. Furthermore, snow terrain properties provided in terramechanics literature are investigated and modeled using SPH technique. First, the soil material properties are collected from terramechanics published data. Then, two soil validation tests are performed to predict soil characteristics, namely the pressure-sinkage test and the direct shear-strength test. Both tests are repeated while varying targeted parameters, and compared to results provided from terramechanics physical measurements. Finally, optimal soil results are presented and discussed. The objective of this paper is to accurately model and validate SPH terrain materials. Additionally, the sensitivity of several SPH parameters and their effect on soil behavior is investigated. The results obtained from this study will be beneficial for modeling and simulation of tire-terrain interaction research.
TRIZ Application in Bionic Modeling for Lightweight Design of Machine Tool Column
Authors: Guo Shenggang , Yuan Zhiling , Wu Fenghe , Li Yongxin , Wang Shaoshuai , Qin Shunshun , Peng Qingjin
Published: November 2018

The selection of biomimetic prototypes mostly depends on the subjective observation of a designer. This research uses TRIZ to explore some inferential steps in bionic design of the heavy machine tool column. Conflict resolution theory of TRIZ is applied to describe improved and deteriorated parameters and a contradiction matrix is used to obtain recommended inventive principles. A reference table of solutions corresponding to the biological phenomenon and TRIZ solutions is formed to expedite retrieving the biomimetic object. Based on the table, herbaceous hollow stem is selected to imitate column structure. Four kinds of plant are chosen from the biological database. To select the best from four candidates, a bionic ideality evaluation index is proposed based on similarity analysis and ideality evaluation theory in TRIZ. Thus, the bionic effect can be described and compared quantitatively. Bionic configuration is then evolved concerning manufacturing requirements. Size optimization of stiffener thicknesses is implemented finally, and satisfactory results of the lightweight effect is obtained.
Effects of Immersion on Virtual Reality Prototype Design Reviews of Mechanical Assemblies
Authors: de Casenave Luis , Lugo José E.
Published: November 2018

The proficiency of Computer Aided Design (CAD) to save, communicate and render realistic virtual prototypes allows for easier communication and review of proposed design decisions via design reviews. However, the use of virtual prototypes is limited by the realism of the human computer interface. This paper builds on previous research investigating if increasing the realism of input and output interactions between subjects and virtual prototypes will affect user’s ability to analyze an assembly for errors. For this end, two experiments were conducted which asked participants to perform design reviews on assembly models and identify errors in the assembly. The first experiment tested virtual prototype output display factors through subject point of view movement and virtual prototype rotation. The second experiment tested human input factors using different controller setups. It is expected the more realistic virtual prototype rendering and controller input experience will result in more accurate design reviews.
Online Communication in Student Product Design Teams
Authors: Van de Zande Georgia D. , Wallace David R.
Published: November 2018

New technological developments are changing how the product design community communicates in the workplace and in the classroom. Slack, an online communication application with some project management features, has become a popular communication tool among many workers and students. This paper examines the Slack conversation conducted by 16 student product development teams in a course at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 2.009: Product Engineering Processes. Following a typical product development process, co-located teams of 17–20 students each used the online communication tool in addition to face-to-face meetings to design new products in one semester.

The resulting conversations were analyzed for message count over the course of the semester, message count by day of the week and hour of the day, message count by user, and communication organization. It was observed that teams tended to increase their communication right before deadlines and decrease it right after. When viewing teams’ communication patterns by day of the week and the hour of the day, it was seen that many teams increased their communication in a short period after team meetings. In both of these cases, successful teams tended to have more consistent communication. There was little correlation (R2 = 2186) between the number of hours teams reported working on the class and their Slack activity by day. When looking at a team’s total volume of communication, high volumes may indicate team members are working well, but it may also indicate they are struggling. Teams with higher levels of success tended to have more organized communication structures than teams with lower levels of success, as assessed by instructors. In addition to the data collected in this work, further research is still needed to understand with more certainty how online communication patterns correlate to teams’ levels of success or team behaviors.
Predicting Purchase Orders Delivery Times Using Regression Models With Dimension Reduction
Authors: Liu Jundi , Hwang Steven , Yund Walter , Boyle Linda Ng , Banerjee Ashis G.
Published: November 2018

In current supply chain operations, the transactions among suppliers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are sometimes inefficient and unreliable due to limited information exchange and lack of knowledge about the supplier capabilities. For the OEMs, majority of downstream operations are sequential, requiring the availabilities of all the parts on time to ensure successful executions of production schedules. Therefore, accurate prediction of the delivery times of purchase orders (POs) is critical to satisfying these requirements. However, such prediction is challenging due to the suppliers’ distributed locations, time-varying capabilities and capacities, and unexpected changes in raw materials procurements. We address some of these challenges by developing supervised machine learning models in the form of Random Forests and Quantile Regression Forests that are trained on historical PO transactional data. Further, given the fact that many predictors are categorical variables, we apply a dimension reduction method to identify the most influential category levels. Results on real-world OEM data show effective performance with substantially lower prediction errors than supplier-provided delivery time estimates.
Challenges in Sustainable Manufacturing With Industrial and Collaborative Robots: A Case Study
Authors: Farel Romain , Kchir Selma , Lamy Xavier , Grossard Mathieu
Published: November 2018

Automation of manufacturing process with robots is an industrial challenge, generally evaluated by the Return On Investment (ROI) that such a transformation could generate. However, the automation has a considerable cost particularly for SMEs, which makes a barrier to access and limits the motivation of facilitating the manual work of the operators, despite of nonergonomic and risky situations. In this study, supported by the European project HORSE, we went through the development of a robotic solution to assist the operator in the manufacturing. This component called programming-by-demonstration is integrated in both main categories of automation: industrial robot and collaborative robot (cobot). Both applications are tested and evaluated in a real manufacturing task (cutting cast pieces from foundry) and evaluated by the industrial end-user. The paper states on the application of the developed component, and concludes with the lesson learned.
Bayesian Optimization Based Terrestrial Gait Tuning for a 12-DOF Alligator-Inspired Robot With Active Body Undulation
Authors: Agrawal Krishna , Jain Kushagra , Gupta Dhawal , Srivastav Raunak , Agnihotri Abhijeet , Thakur Atul
Published: November 2018

In addition to aiding in swimming, body undulation of an alligator plays a critical role in terrestrial locomotion by imparting stability. This paper reports design, fabrication and terrestrial locomotion control incorporating active body undulation of a 12-DOF alligator-inspired robot. Each of the four legs of the developed robot has two rotational degrees of freedom while the body can perform undulation using additional four rotational degrees of freedom. This paper also presents a Bayesian optimization based approach to tune the gait parameters of both leg oscillation and body undulation in order to maximize the average robot speed. We obtained improvement by a factor of 1.93 in average robot speed in comparison to the one obtained by randomly generated parameters and report the experimental results in this paper. In future, we plan to generalize the developed Bayesian optimization based parameter tuning approach for the swimming gait and thereby impart amphibious capabilities to the developed robot.
Control Implementation for Real-Time Pressure Adjusting Seat Cushion to Prevent Pressure Ulcers
Authors: Nuthi Pavan , Carrigan Wei , Pande Charu , Wijesundara Muthu B. J.
Published: November 2018

External mechanical loading is a major contributing factor in pressure ulcer formation and is a major health concern for wheelchair users. Seat cushion technologies are employed to reduce the magnitude and duration of this loading using soft seating surfaces and pressure offloading techniques. However, pressure offloading often results in the creation of new high pressure points which can still lead to pressure ulcer formation. In order to mitigate the issue, a novel closed-loop controlled seat cushion system is developed with sensorized air cell arrays which can continuously monitor pressure profile of a seated person and modulate this interface pressure. This paper presents the control implementation of this seat cushion system using a novel scheduling control algorithm based on bang-bang control as well as the corresponding electronics and pneumatic layout. The effectiveness of the system is demonstrated for real-time pressure mapping, offloading, and redistribution of seating interface pressure and its capabilities of instantaneous local pressure measurement as well as automated pressure modulation are verified.
Agricultural Technology in the Developing World: A Meta-Analysis of the Adoption Literature
Authors: Ruzzante Sacha W. , Bilton Amy M.
Published: November 2018

Agricultural technology transfer to people in the developing world is a potentially powerful tool to raise productivity and improve livelihoods. Despite this, many technologies are not adopted by their intended beneficiaries. Qualitative studies have identified guidelines to follow in the design and dissemination of agricultural technology, but there has been comparatively little synthesis of quantitative studies of adoption. This study presents a meta-analysis of adoption studies of agricultural technologies in the developing world. The results confirm most earlier findings, but cast doubt on the importance of some classic predictors of adoption, such as education and landholding size. Contact with extension services and membership in farming associations are found to be the most important variables in predicting adoption. Attributes of the technologies are found to modify the relationships of predictor variables to adoption. Membership in farming associations and farmer experience are found to be positively linked to adoption in general, but for technologies that reduce labour the effect is amplified. The findings have potential implications for researchers, extension workers, and policy makers.
Review Article: Atomic layer deposition for oxide semiconductor thin film transistors: Advances in research and development
Authors: Sheng Jiazhen , Lee Jung-Hoon , Choi Wan-Ho , Hong TaeHyun , Kim MinJung , Park Jin-Seong
Published: November 2018

This article is a review of recent research and development advances in oxide thin film transistors (TFTs) fabricated by atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes. The ALD process is remarkable as it offers accurate control of film thickness and composition as well as the ability to achieve excellent uniformity over large areas at relatively low temperatures. Firstly, an introduction to n-type oxide TFTs is provided with a focus on the development of active-layer material combinations from binary oxide active layers, like zinc oxide and indium oxide, to ternary and quaternary oxide active layers formed by doping with elements such as gallium or tin to achieve high mobility and high device stability for TFTs. Secondly, ALD p-type channel oxide TFTs are also introduced, which are required for the realization of many types of low-power circuits, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor devices.
Argon clustering in silicon under low-energy irradiation: Molecular dynamics simulation with different Ar–Si potentials
Authors: Sycheva Anastasia A. , Voronina Ekaterina N. , Rakhimova Tatyana V. , Rakhimov Alexander T.
Published: November 2018

In this paper, the authors carried out a molecular dynamics simulation of crystal and amorphous silicon sputtering by low-energy (200 eV) Ar ions at normal incidence. The gradual damage of silicon caused by the ion bombardment was taken into account in order to study the dynamics of argon accumulation and clustering. For describing interatomic Ar–Si interaction, they used three different potentials: two binary screened Coulomb potentials (Molière and Ziegler–Biersack–Littmark) and the potential developed on the basis of density functional theory. The obtained results demonstrated the substantial influence of the chosen Ar–Si potential on calculated sputtering yields and on the processes of argon accumulation and clustering.
Ultrasonic noise measurements in the work environment
Authors: Radosz Jan , Pleban Dariusz
Published: October 2018

In many countries, ultrasonic noise is included in the list of factors harmful to health in the work environment. For the frequency range above 20 kHz, there is no clear and complete information on the factors influencing the result of a measurement of sound pressure level. Moreover, there are no current international standards for performing measurements of ultrasonic noise at work stations. This article presents a possibility for the adaptation of the existing measurement methods [e.g., ISO 9612:2009 (2009)] to the ultrasonic range. In particular, it discusses the requirements for measuring instruments, procedures to be followed while performing measurements, the application of a correction to measurement results, and the determination of measurement uncertainty. The development of a consistent method of ultrasonic noise measurement is of utmost importance in carrying out an assessment and reducing the risk of exposure to this physical factor in the work environment.