bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self‐Assembly Behavior and Application of Terphenyl‐Cored Trimaltosides for Membrane‐Protein Studies: Impact of Detergent Hydrophobic Group Geometry on Protein Stability
Authors: Ehsan Muhammad , Du Yang , Mortensen Jonas S. , Hariharan Parameswaran , Qu Qianhui , Ghani Lubna , Das Manabendra , Grethen Anne , Byrne Bernadette , Skiniotis Georgios , Keller Sandro , Loland Claus J. , Guan Lan , Kobilka Brian K. , Chae Pil Seok
Published: June 2019

Amphipathic agents are widely used in various fields including biomedical sciences. Micelle‐forming detergents are particularly useful for in vitro membrane‐protein characterization. As many conventional detergents are limited in their ability to stabilize membrane proteins, it is necessary to develop novel detergents to facilitate membrane‐protein research. In the current study, we developed novel trimaltoside detergents with an alkyl pendant‐bearing terphenyl unit as a hydrophobic group, designated terphenyl‐cored maltosides (TPMs). We found that the geometry of the detergent hydrophobic group substantially impacts detergent self‐assembly behavior, as well as detergent efficacy for membrane‐protein stabilization. TPM‐Vs, with a bent terphenyl group, were superior to the linear counterparts (TPM‐Ls) at stabilizing multiple membrane proteins. The favorable protein stabilization efficacy of these bent TPMs is likely associated with a binding mode with membrane proteins distinct from conventional detergents and facial amphiphiles. When compared to n‐dodecyl‐β‐d‐maltoside (DDM), most TPMs were superior or comparable to this gold standard detergent at stabilizing membrane proteins. Notably, TPM‐L3 was particularly effective at stabilizing the human β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR), a G‐protein coupled receptor, and its complex with Gs protein. Thus, the current study not only provides novel detergent tools that are useful for membrane‐protein study, but also suggests a critical role for detergent hydrophobic group geometry in governing detergent efficacy.
Spatial conservation planning under uncertainty: adapting to climate change risks using modern portfolio theory
Authors: Eaton Mitchell J. , Yurek Simeon , Haider Zulqarnain , Martin Julien , Johnson Fred A. , Udell Bradley J. , Charkhgard Hadi , Kwon Changhyun
Published: June 2019

Climate change and urban growth impact habitats, species, and ecosystem services. To buffer against global change, an established adaptation strategy is designing protected areas to increase representation and complementarity of biodiversity features. Uncertainty regarding the scale and magnitude of landscape change complicates reserve planning and exposes decision makers to the risk of failing to meet conservation goals. Conservation planning tends to treat risk as an absolute measure, ignoring the context of the management problem and risk preferences of stakeholders. Application of risk management theory to conservation emphasizes the diversification of a portfolio of assets, with the goal of reducing the impact of system volatility on investment return. We use principles of Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT), which quantifies risk as the variance and correlation among assets, to formalize diversification as an explicit strategy for managing risk in climate‐driven reserve design. We extend MPT to specify a framework that evaluates multiple conservation objectives, allows decision makers to balance management benefits and risk when preferences are contested or unknown, and includes additional decision options such as parcel divestment when evaluating candidate reserve designs. We apply an efficient search algorithm that optimizes portfolio design for large conservation problems and a game theoretic approach to evaluate portfolio trade‐offs that satisfy decision makers with divergent benefit and risk tolerances, or when a single decision maker cannot resolve their own preferences. Evaluating several risk profiles for a case study in South Carolina, our results suggest that a reserve design may be somewhat robust to differences in risk attitude but that budgets will likely be important determinants of conservation planning strategies, particularly when divestment is considered a viable alternative. We identify a possible fiscal threshold where adequate resources allow protecting a sufficiently diverse portfolio of habitats such that the risk of failing to achieve conservation objectives is considerably lower. For a range of sea‐level rise projections, conversion of habitat to open water (14–180%) and wetland loss (1–7%) are unable to be compensated under the current protected network. In contrast, optimal reserve design outcomes are predicted to ameliorate expected losses relative to current and future habitat protected under the existing conservation estate.
Binder‐Free 3D Integrated Ni@Ni3Pt Air Electrode for Zn–Air Batteries
Authors: Pham Thien Viet , Li Yang , Luo Wen‐Bin , Guo Hai‐Peng , Gao Xuan‐Wen , Wang Jia‐Zhao , Liu Hua‐Kun
Published: June 2019

Developing an air electrode with high efficiency and stable performance is essential to improve the energy conversion efficiency and lifetime of zinc–air battery. Herein, Ni3Pt alloy is deposited on 3D nickel foam by a pulsed laser deposition method, working as a stable binder‐free air electrode for rechargeable zinc–air batteries. The polycrystalline Ni3Pt alloy possesses high oxygen‐conversion catalytic activity, which is highly desirable for the charge and discharge process in zinc–air battery. Meanwhile, this sample technique constructs an integrated and stable electrode structure, which not only has a 3D architecture of high conductivity and porosity but also produces a uniform Ni3Pt strongly adhering to the substrate, favoring rapid gas and electrolyte diffusion throughout the whole energy conversion process. Employed as an air electrode in zinc–air batteries, it exhibits a small charge and discharge gap of below 0.62 V at 10 mA cm−2, with long cycle life of 478 cycles under 10 min per cycle. Furthermore, benefitting from the structural advantages, a flexible device exhibits similar electrochemical performance even under the bending state. The high performance resulting from this type of integrated electrode in this work paves the way of a promising technique to fabricate air electrodes for zinc–air batteries.
Objective assessment of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder in older adults compared with controls using the QbTest
Authors: Bijlenga Denise , Ulberstad Fredrik , Thorell Lisa B. , Christiansen Hanna , Hirsch Oliver , Kooij J.J. Sandra
Published: June 2019

Objectives

Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) persists into old age, with prevalence rates of 2.8% to 3.3% in adults over 60 years of age. Most diagnostic assessment tools are not validated for older adults. The Quantified behavioral Test (QbTest) is an objective assessment for the core symptoms of ADHD and is validated for children and younger adults. We investigated whether the QbTest can be used to differentiate between older adults with ADHD and healthy controls.

Methods

Older adults aged 55 to 79 years with (n = 97) or without (n = 112) ADHD were assessed with the QbTest. They also rated their ADHD symptom severity. QbTest raw scores were compared between groups. Factor scores were computed using factor loadings from a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Multilevel regressions were used to determine effects of background characteristics and comorbidity. Logistic regressions were performed to determine whether the QbTest differentiated between patients with ADHD and healthy controls.

Results

The factor structure of the CFA was comparable with that of younger age groups. Older age was associated with higher Inattention score. Parameters comprising the factors Hyperactivity and Inattention, but not Impulsivity, were shown to contribute significantly in differentiating between the groups. The QbTest had a correct classification rate of 70%, which was increased to 91% when combining QbTest scores and self‐reports of ADHD symptom severity.

Conclusions

The QbTest is feasible for older adults, and the factors Hyperactivity and Inattention are valid parameters for the diagnostic assessment of ADHD in older adults, when used in addition to self‐reports.
Thermal transportation analysis of nanoliquid squeezed flow past a sensor surface with MCWCNT and SWCNT
Authors: Reddy Machireddy Gari Gnaneswara , Kumar Kondlalli Ganesh , Shehzad Sabir Ali , Javed Tariq , Ambreen Tehmina
Published: June 2019

This article considers the flow and heat transfer of a single and multi‐walled carbon nanotube over a sensor surface. For this persistence, a mathematical forming is established with the aspects of thermal radiation. In addition, the stimuli of magnetic properties and variable thermal conductivity are presented. By means of noteworthy conversions, nonlinear PDEs are altered into nonlinear ODEs and elucidated via a numerical approach in virtue of the Runge‐Kutta fourth order method scheme. The repercussion of countless variables of flow and energy transfer characteristics are portrayed and conferred. These upshots portray that the enhancement of heat is bounteous in a single‐wall nanotube when compared with multiwall nanotubes. Further, the velocity field is contracted for enhancing the values of .
Construct validation of the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire in Spanish‐speaking countries: Assessment of the reliability, structural and external validity and cross‐cultural equivalence
Authors: Doroszuk Marta , Kwiatkowska Maria Magdalena , Torres‐Marín Jorge , Navarro‐Carrillo Ginés , Włodarczyk Anna , Blasco‐Belled Ana , Martínez‐Buelvas Laura , Newton James David Albert , Oviedo‐Trespalacios Oscar , Rogoza Radosław
Published: June 2019

A recent re‐operationalisation of grandiose narcissism has resulted in the distinction of two narcissistic strategies based on the cognitive, affective‐motivational and behavioural dynamics: admiration (assertive self‐enhancement) and rivalry (antagonistic self‐protection). The Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire (NARQ) was developed to assess this model with two higher‐order dimensions. However, cross‐validations of the NARQ have not been extensively conducted across diverse population groups and languages. This study aimed to test the internal and external validity (through the relation with envy and self‐esteem), reliability and cross‐cultural equivalence of the Spanish version of the NARQ. The psychometric properties were evaluated in a Spanish sample (N = 310), and cross‐cultural equivalence was tested in participants from Chile (N = 234) and Colombia (N = 256). The results supported the reliability and validity of the Spanish NARQ, as well as the cross‐cultural equivalence across Spanish‐speaking countries. In addition, we discuss obtained differences across Spanish, Chilean and Colombian sample within two narcissistic strategies.
HI‐IAPT PORTRAITS OF BOTANISTS
Authors: Daniels Gilbert S. , Stafleu Frans A.
Published: June 2019

A series of portraits of botanists will be published in Taxon. The portraits are reproduced from prints from the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation (formerly Hunt Botanical Library, HBL); they will be accompanied by brief biographical details, selected references to biographical literature, and data on the provenance of the portrait.
PHOTOSYNTHETIC PROTISTS
Authors: Pickett‐Heaps Jeremy
Published: June 2019

In my opinion, the problem of accounting for the origin of eucaryotic cells cannot be dissociated from the problem of accounting for the origin of mitosis. A primeval cell type could not become eucaryotic unless it had concurrently evolved a method for reliably partitioning its genetic material.

Modern procaryotes perhaps had their genetic material attached to the cell membrane: partitioning may be accomplished by growth of the membrane between attachment points. The only possibly similar mechanism of chromosome separation so far described in eucaryotic cells may be in the dinoflagellates.
PROPOSALS ON ARTICLE 48 AND MITRACARPUS HIRTUS V. M. VILLOSUS
Authors: Tjaden W. L.
Published: June 2019

Dr. Nicolson's arguments on Article 48 and the Mitracarpus case are not easy to follow (Taxon 26: 569–574, 1977). He has not made out a case that the Article is likely to be misused, nor that it needs amendment ahead of a consideration of other Articles. He demonstrates that Mitrocarpus villosus is not legitimate, but M. hirtus (Linn.) de Candolle cannot replace it. A new combination is needed.
RE‐ESTABLISHMENT AND LECTOTYPIFICATION OF EUCHARIS AMAZONICA LINDEN EX PLANCHON (AMARYLLIDACEAE)
Authors: Meerow Alan W. , Dehgan Bijan
Published: June 2019

Eucharis amazonica Linden ex Planchon (1857) is re‐established as a taxon distinctly from Eucharis grandiflora Planchon and Linden (1853). Material presently in cultivation as E. grandiflora is referred to E. amazonica. Additionally, both E. amazonica and E. grandiflora are lectotypified.
JOSEPH LANJOUW (1902‐1984)
Authors: Stafleu Frans A.
Published: June 2019

An obituary of Joseph Lanjouw, founder of I.A.P.T. and long‐time professor of systematic botany at the University of Utrecht.
CARYOLOGIE CHEZ TROIS TAXA TÉTRAPLOÏDES DU GENRE DACTYLIS (POACEAE)
Authors: Guignard G.
Published: June 2019

Les caryogrammes de trois taxa tétraploïdes du genre Dactylis montrent les caractéristiques propres à chacun d'eux. Des remarques intéressantes concernent le mode possible de tétraploïdie.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ABOUT FOUR PLANT COLLECTORS IN ASIA MENTIONED BY N. L. BURMAN IN HISFLORA INDICA(1768)
Authors: Florijn P. J.
Published: June 2019

This article provides information about four plant collectors who served the Dutch East Indian Company (VOC) in Asia and who sent plant material from the Indies to Europe. These materials became known internationally after they were incorporated in the works of N. L. Burman and Linnaeus.
REV. RICHARD BARON'S COMPENDIUM DES PLANTES MALGACHES
Authors: Dorr Laurence J.
Published: June 2019

An account of Rev. Richard Baron's Compendium des Plantes Malgaches (1900‐1906) is presented. Brief biographical notes concerning Baron's missionary career in Madagascar and his botanical collecting and research explain the origin of his interest in cataloging the Malagasy flora. Information on the sources, publication history, numbering of fascicles, and format of the Compendium is provided. Finally, the importance of Baron's Compendium is discussed and the Compendium is compared with subsequent efforts to catalog the vascular flora of Madagascar.
THE TAXONOMIC POSITION OF THE GENERA TELEPHIUM AND CORRIGIOLA
Authors: Gilbert M. G.
Published: June 2019

Corrigiola and Telephium resemble each other in many features, particularly in leaf arrangement and stipule form. Both have been most frequently included in the Caryophyllaceae, but are anomalous in features of leaf, stipule and fruit. The anomalies are least when both genera are included in the Molluginaceae. Nevertheless discrepancies and omissions in existing generic treatments of this complex of families indicate the need for an overall generic revision of the anthocyanin‐producing centrosperms.
THE LECTOTYPE OF POTAMOGETON ILLINOENSIS (POTAMOGETONACEAE)
Authors: Gutiérrez Martha González
Published: June 2019

The lectotype of Potamogeton illinoensis is a specimen collected by H. N. Patterson near Oquawka, Illinois, in 1873 and currently at NY. This was originally designated as such by J. L. Reveal and R. R. Haynes, but their choice was never published.
THE LECTOTYPE OF LEPIANTHES RAF. (PIPERACEAE)
Authors: Wilbur Robert L.
Published: June 2019

Since Howard (J. Arnold Arb. 54: 380. 1973) did not designate a lectotype for the generic name Lepianthes Raf., it is argued that the first explicit and effective lectotypification of the name is Lepianthes granulosum (Ruiz & Pavon) Raf. (=Piper granulosum Ruiz & Pavon). Lepianthes Raf. is then a synonym of Piper L. and not a prior name for Pothomorphe Raf. (Piperaceae).
The Central Herbarium of the Botanical Institute, Academy of Sciences of the Republic Uzbekistan
Authors: Pratov U. , Adylov T.
Published: June 2019

Pratov, U. & Adylov, T. (Translated from Russian and revised by R. Fritsch): The Central Herbarium of the Botanical Institute, Academy of Sciences of the Republic Uzbekistan. – Taxon 45: 143‐144. 1996. – ISSN 0040‐0262.

Seven herbaria in Uzbekistan, including TAK, RNMUT, TASH, and TASM, have been combined as the Central Herbarium of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic Uzbekistan. The acronym TASH is to be used for these herbaria.
Herbaria of E. Carreño (1818–1841) and M. P. Graells (1809–1898) discovered in the Real Colegio Alfonso XII of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Madrid, Spain
Authors: Carrasco María A. , Martín‐Blanco Carlos José , Perea Domingo
Published: June 2019

Carrasco, M. A., Martín‐Blanco, C. J. & Perea, D.: Herbaria of E. Carreño (1818–1841) and M. P. Graells (1809–1898) discovered in the Real Colegio Alfonso XX of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Madrid, Spain. – Taxon 50: 587–591. – 2001. – ISSN 0040‐0262.

The discovery of the herbarium of Eduardo Carreño (1818–1841) in San Lorenzo de El Escorial is reported. The Carreño herbarium was included in the 12,169 collections donated by Mariano de la Paz Graells to the Gabinete of natural scieces of the Real Colegio Alfonso XII at the end of the 19th century. The principal contents of the Graells and Carreño herbaria, arranged by collectors (or donors), are summarized. These herbaria contain some of the oldest and best preserved collections of the Iberian flora.
Effect of intermittent hypoxia or hyperoxia on lung development in preterm rat neonates during constant oxygen therapy
Authors: Wang Juanmei , Zhang Aimin , Li Yun , Xu Jun , Huang Furong , Zhao Menghua , Wu Bufei , He Shaoru
Published: June 2019

Impaired lung development is a major negative factor in the survival of preterm neonates. The present study was aimed to investigate the impact of constant oxygen, intermittent hyperoxia, and hypoxia on the lung development in preterm rat neonates. Neonatal rats were exposed to 40% O2 with or without brief hyperoxia episodes (95% O2) or brief hypoxia episodes (10% O2) from day 0 to day 14, or to room air. The body weight, radical alveolar count (RAC), and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) were significantly lower whereas the lung coefficient and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly higher in the hyperoxia and hypoxia groups than the air control and constant oxygen group at day 7, day 14, and day 21 after birth. The lung function indexes were reduced by intermittent hyperoxia and hypoxia. In contrast, the constant oxygen therapy increased the lung function. HIF‐1α and VEGF expression were significantly increased by hypoxia and decreased by hyperoxia. The constant oxygen therapy only decreased the HIF‐1α expression at day 14 and 21. In summary, the constant oxygen treatment promoted lung function without affecting the antioxidative capacity in preterm rat neonates. While intermittent hyperoxia and hypoxia inhibited lung development, decreased antioxidative capacity, and dysregulated HIF‐1α/VEGF signaling in preterm rat neonates.
A new structure from cardiac cells cultured in vitro: Cardiomyocyte‐annulation of neonatal rats
Authors: Li Cixia , Chang Yuqiao , Jia Yangyang , Guo Zhikun
Published: June 2019

To explore the formation, morphological characteristics, cell composition, and differentiation potential of cardiomyocyte annulation (cardio‐annulation) during in vitro culture of cardiac cells. Cardiac cells were isolated and cultured. A live‐cell imaging system was used to observe cardio‐annulation. Cardiac troponin‐T (cTnT) and vimentin were labeled with double immunofluorescence staining, and coexpressions of cTnT and connexin43 (Cx43), cTnT and nanog, c‐kit and nanog, and c‐kit and stem cell antigen (sca‐1) were detected. The location of various types of cells within the cardio‐annulation structure was observed. Adipogenic‐ and osteogenic‐inducing fluids were used separately for in situ induction to detect the multidirectional differentiation potential of cells during the annulation process. After 3 to 6 days, cardiac cells migrated and formed an open or closed annulus with a diameter of 800 to 3500 μm. The annulus wall comprised the medial, middle, and lateral regions. The cells in the medial region were small, abundant, and laminated, while those in the middle region were larger with fewer layers, and those in the lateral region were less abundant, and loosely arranged in a single layer. Cardiomyocytes were distributed mainly on the surface of the medial region; nanog+, c‐kit+, and sca‐1+ cells were located mainly at the bottom of the annulus wall and fibroblasts were located mainly between these layers. The annulus cavity contained a large number of small, round cells, and telocytes. Cx43 was expressed in all cell types, and nanog, c‐kit, and sca‐1 were coexpressed in the cardio‐annulation cells, which possess adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation potential. Cardio‐annulation was discovered during an in vitro culture of cardiac cells. The structure contains cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, telocytes, and abundant stem cells. These results provide insight into the relationship among cardiac cells in vitro.
Identification of Gli1‐interacting proteins during simvastatin‐stimulated osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Chi Bojing , Fan Xinhao , Li Zhengxiao , Liu Guangyuan , Zhang Guobin , Xu Hong , Li Zhiguo , Lian Qiangqiang , Xing Lei , Tian Faming
Published: June 2019

Simvastatin has been shown to promote osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Our study aimed to illuminate the underlying mechanism, with a specific focus on the role of Hedgehog signaling in this process. BMSCs cultured with or without 10−7 mol/L simvastatin were subjected to evaluation of osteogenic differentiation capacity. Osteogenic markers such as type 1 collagen (COL1) and osteocalcin (OCN), as well as key molecules of Hedgehog signaling molecules, were examined by Western blot and real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Co‐immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry assays were applied to screen for Gli1‐interacting proteins. Cyclopamine (Cpn) was used as a Hedgehog signaling inhibitor. Our results indicated that simvastatin increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity; mineralization of extracellular matrix; mRNA expression of ALP, COL1, and OCN; and expression and nuclear translocation of Gli1. Contrasting effects were observed in Cpn‐exposed groups, but were partially rescued by the simvastatin treatment. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses indicated that Gli1‐interacting proteins were primarily associated with mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) (P = 7.04E−04), hippo, insulin, and glucagon signaling. Further, hub genes identified by protein‐protein interaction network analysis included Gli1‐interacting proteins such as Ppp2r1a, Rac1, Etf1, and XPO1/CRM1. In summary, the current study showed that the mechanism by which simvastatin stimulates osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs involves activation of Hedgehog signaling, as indicated by interactions with Gli1 and, most notably, the MAPK signaling pathway.
Superoxide generation via the NR2B‐NMDAR/RasGRF1/NOX2 pathway promotes dendritogenesis
Authors: Abarzúa Sebastian , Ampuero Estibaliz , van Zundert Brigitte
Published: June 2019

N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptors (NMDARs) that contain the NR2A and NR2B subunits play a critical role in neuronal plasticity and dendritogenesis. Gain‐and‐loss‐of function studies indicate that NR2B, but not NR2A, promotes dendritic branching. Accumulating evidence indicates that stimulation of NMDARs activates NADPH oxidase (NOX2), thereby generating superoxide. However, the molecular underpinnings of this process are not understood. RasGRF1, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor, is key for several forms of neuronal plasticity and interacts directly with the tail of NR2B. We investigated whether the NR2B‐NMDAR/RasGRF1 pathway regulates the activity of NOX2 and whether superoxide production is required for dendritogenesis. We measured superoxide production in developing primary cultures of hippocampal neurons from 3 to 25 days in vitro (DIV) with the probe dihydroethidium (dHE). We found the highest dHE levels at early and intermediate developmental stages (3–15 DIV), when the NR2B‐NMDAR expression is abundant. During these early/intermediate developmental stages, but not in mature neurons (>15 DIV), NMDAR activity is required for superoxide production. We also found that disrupting the NR2B‐RasGRF1 interaction led to reduced dHE fluorescence intensity and moreover inhibited dendritic branching in hippocampal neurons. Together, our data indicate that superoxide production is induced by the NR2B‐NMDARs/RasGRF1/NOX2 pathway and promotes dendritogenesis.
Pollen morphological variation ofBerberisL. from Pakistan and its systematic importance
Authors: ur Rahman Saeed , Khan Shujaul Mulk , Zafar Muhammad , Ahmad Mushtaq , Khan Raees , Hussain Sajad , Khalid Muhammad , Kayani Sadaf‐Ilyas
Published: June 2019

Due to overlapping and diverse morphological characters,Berberisis among the most taxonomically complex genera. Palynology is one of the taxonomic tools for delimitation and identification of complex species. In this study, pollens of 10Berberisspecies were analyzed through light and scanning electron microscopy. Qualitative as well as quantitative features (pollen shape, size, presence or absence of colpi, colpi length and width, exine thickness, ornamentation, pollen class, aperture, and polar–equatorial ratio) were measured. Five species were observed to have colpate (pantocolpate) with elongated ends, radially symmetrical, isopolar, monads, and psilate‐regulate pollens. In polar view, six pollen were spheroidal, two were ovoid, one spherical, and one oblate. Similarly, variation in pollen length was prominent and the largest pollen on polar view was recorded forB. psodoumbellata60–65 μm (62.4 ± 0.9), while the smallest one was observed forB. lycium29–35 μm (32.2 ± 1). The observed variation in both quantitative and qualitative features were important in taxonomic identification. This shows that palynological characters are helpful in identification ofBerberisgenus at the species level.
Automated lung nodule detection and classification based on multiple classifiers voting
Authors: Saba Tanzila
Published: June 2019

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer‐related death globally. Currently, lung nodule detection and classification are performed by radiologist‐assisted computer‐aided diagnosis systems. However, emerged artificially intelligent techniques such as neural network, support vector machine, and HMM have improved the detection and classification process of cancer in any part of the human body. Such automated methods and their possible combinations could be used to assist radiologists at early detection of lung nodules that could reduce treatment cost, death rate. Literature reveals that classification based on voting of classifiers exhibited better performance in the detection and classification process. Accordingly, this article presents an automated approach for lung nodule detection and classification that consists of multiple steps including lesion enhancement, segmentation, and features extraction from each candidate's lesion. Moreover, multiple classifiers logistic regression, multilayer perceptron, and voted perceptron are tested for the lung nodule classification using k‐fold cross‐validation process. The proposed approach is evaluated on the publically available Lung Image Database Consortium benchmark data set. Based on the performance evaluation, it is observed that the proposed method performed better in the stateof the art and achieved an overall accuracy rate of 100%.
Social network approaches to locating people recently infected with HIV in Odessa, Ukraine
Authors: Williams Leslie D , Korobchuk Ania , Smyrnov Pavlo , Sazonova Yana , Nikolopoulos Georgios K , Skaathun Britt , Morgan Ethan , Schneider John , Vasylyeva Tetyana I , Duong Yen T , Chernyavska Svitlana , Goncharov Vitaliy , Kotlik Ludmila , Friedman Samuel R
Published: June 2019

Introduction

This paper examines the extent to which an intervention succeeded in locating people who had recently become infected with HIV in the context of the large‐scale Ukrainian epidemic. Locating and intervening with people who recently became infected with HIV (people with recent infection, or PwRI) can reduce forward HIV transmission and help PwRI remain healthy.

Methods

The Transmission Reduction Intervention Project (TRIP) recruited recently‐infected and longer‐term infected seeds in Odessa, Ukraine, in 2013 to 2016, and asked them to help recruit their extended risk network members. The proportions of network members who were PwRI were compared between TRIP arms (i.e. networks of recently‐infected seeds vs. networks of longer‐term infected seeds) and to the proportion of participants who were PwRI in an RDS‐based Integrated Biobehavioral Surveillance of people who inject drugs in 2013.

Results

The networks of PwRI seeds and those of longer‐term infected seeds had similar (2%) proportions who were themselves PwRI. This was higher than the 0.25% proportion in IBBS (OR = 7.80; p = 0.016). The odds ratio among the subset of participants who injected drugs was 11.17 (p = 0.003). Cost comparison analyses using simplified ingredients‐based methods found that TRIP spent no more than US $4513 per PwRI located whereas IBBS spent $11,924.

Conclusions

Further research is needed to confirm these results and improve TRIP further, but our findings suggest that interventions that trace the networks of people who test HIV‐positive are a cost‐effective way to locate PwRI and reduce HIV transmission and should therefore be implemented.
Why do High IQ Societies Differ in Intellectual Achievement? The Role of Schizophrenia and Left‐Handedness in Per Capita Scientific Publications and Nobel Prizes
Authors: Dutton Edward , Van der Linden Dimitri , Madison Guy
Published: June 2019

Previous research has attempted to understand why countries with relatively favorable conditions and high estimated average IQs (such as Finland and Japan) have a relatively low per capita number of scientific Nobel prizes. In the present study, we examine whether there is a relationship between national schizophrenia and left‐handedness prevalence, on the one hand, and per capita scientific and literary achievement, on the other hand, in countries with IQ estimates of at least 90. We found that per capita science and literature Nobel prizes and scientific publications are strongly negatively associated with schizophrenia and strongly positively correlated with left‐handedness. There also was a very pronounced negative correlation between schizophrenia rate and left‐handedness rate. These results suggest that genius can be regarded as a combination of very high IQ, aspects of high‐functioning autism (specifically low empathy) plus relatively low impulse control, consistent with observations of intellectually outstanding individuals, and the fact that schizophrenia appears to constitute the opposite pole of these aspects of autism spectrum. We posit differences in androgen levels as a possible underlying explanation for these findings.
Platform strategy of terrestrial TV broadcasters
Authors: Kim Yunhyoung , Mo Jeonghoon , Kim Weonseek
Published: June 2019

Terrestrial broadcasting network is the main delivery platform of terrestrial broadcasters and its coverage represents the capacity. We study economic impacts of coverage on TV service markets, which consist of broadcasters and pay‐TV operators with retransmission, by dividing the market into “inside” and “outside” the coverage.

Our results suggest that the broadcaster ends up with two extreme options in equilibrium: not operating networks or operating networks at a full capacity. However, the former option is not desirable if the retransmission fee changes according to the coverage. On the basis of the main results derived, implications for broadcasters and the government are discussed.
A FORM‐based approach for probabilistic analysis in geotechnics: Application to a reinforced concrete drainage culvert
Authors: Zhang Jie , Zheng Zhi , Cai Yongchang , Li Ning , Zhang Dongmei
Published: June 2019

As numerical models are increasingly used as a design tool in geotechnical engineering, it is highly desirable if geotechnical reliability analysis can be conducted based on numeral models. Currently, the practical use of geotechnical reliability analysis‐based numerical models is still quite limited. In this study, an easy to access method is derived to conduct geotechnical reliability analysis based on numerical models. To facilitate its application, a procedure is outlined to implement the suggested method such that geotechnical reliability analysis can be automated using existing geotechnical numerical packages. The procedure is illustrated in detail with an example, and the source codes provided can be easily adapted to analyze other similar problems. The method described in this paper is used to study the reliability of a deteriorating reinforced concrete drainage culvert in Shanghai, China. The suggested method provides a convenient means for reliability analysis of complex geotechnical problems.
Development of the School Teachers Job Stressor Scale (STJSS)
Authors: Naono‐Nagatomo Keiko , Abe Hiroshi , Yada Hironori , Higashizako Kenichi , Nakano Michihiko , Takeda Ryuichiro , Ishida Yasushi
Published: June 2019

Aim

Japanese teachers are not only responsible for students but also for tasks outside the classroom, including engagement with parents and the community, and maintaining safety. They work longer hours and have lower self‐efficacy than teachers in other countries. Thus, we aimed to develop an assessment scale for job stress in teachers and to evaluate its psychometric properties.

Methods

We developed the “School Teachers Job Stressor Scale (STJSS) Draft” comprising 45 items, based on previous anonymous self‐report questionnaires collected from 98 teachers in four elementary and middle schools in Miyazaki City, Japan. Subsequently, the scale draft and the previously validated Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (23‐item abridged version) were distributed to 2276 teachers from 73 elementary and middle schools in Miyazaki City. Finally, we analyzed data from 1300 participants. After excluding inappropriate data based on ceiling and floor effect analysis, we carried out a good‐poor, item‐total correlation, and exploratory factor analyses. We then verified construct validity, criterion‐related validity, and reliability using correlation analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and Cronbach's alpha, respectively.

Results

After item‐total correlation analysis, five items were excluded. Exploratory factor analysis extracted five factors: “Time spent outside of work,” “Self‐assessment of one's ability as a teacher,” “Relationship with other teachers,” “Social interactions outside of teaching,” and “Duties outside of teaching.” The final version of the STJSS comprised 23 items and five factors.

Conclusion

The 23‐item STJSS developed to measure specific stressors in Japanese teachers to improve their mental health care could provide an accurate assessment tool with adequate reliability and validity.
Easy Room Temperature Synthesis of High Surface Area Anatase Nanowires with Different Morphologies
Authors: Schneider Christopher , Liu Ning , Romeis Stefan , Peukert Wolfgang , Schmuki Patrik
Published: June 2019

Invited for this month's cover picture is the group of Professor Patrik Schmuki. The cover picture shows the classic hydrothermal equipment needed to synthesise TiO2 nanostructures versus the simple room temperature, ‘test tube’ approach described in the article on the synthesis of titanium dioxide ‘hedgehog’ nanowires (SEM picture). Read the full text of their Communication at 10.1002/open.201900013.
Large metastability in Cu (In,Ga)Se2 devices: The importance of buffer properties
Authors: Repins Ingrid , Glynn Stephen , Silverman Timothy J. , Garris Rebekah , Bowers Karen , Stevens Bart , Mansfield Lorelle
Published: June 2019

Some commercial Cu (In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) modules show large changes in current‐voltage parameters with light soaking. While such changes are not necessarily indicative of a performance problem, the associated uncertainty may be disadvantageous in a highly competitive market. Thus, it is beneficial to understand the origin of large metastabilities in order to define what processing changes might diminish metastability without impacting other desirable aspects of high‐performance devices. This study attempts to reproduce large metastabilities like those in some commercial products both through absorber and buffer processing variations in small devices. While variations of both types were found to affect metastability, only buffer variations could reproduce large metastability in high‐efficiency devices. Device modeling confirms that buffer effects alone are sufficient to explain the large metastability seen in these devices.
Carboxypeptidase A4 promotes migration and invasion of lung cancer cells, and is closely associated with lymph node metastasis
Authors: Zhang Feng , Zhang Yuan , Sun Li‐xin , Chen Meng , Ran Yu‐liang , Sun Li‐chao
Published: June 2019

Objective

The incidence and mortality rate of lung cancer ranks first among all malignant tumors. Lymph node metastasis is the most common mode of metastasis in lung cancer, and it is also an important indicator for treatment strategies and prognosis. Several studies have shown that the carboxypeptidase family plays important roles in cancer metastasis. In the present study, we investigated the effect of carboxypeptidase A4 (CPA4) on human lung cancer cells, and the clinical significance of its levels in lung cancer tissues and corresponding lymph node metastasis tissues.

Methods

Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to detect the expression levels of CPA4 in cancer cells after transfecting them with CPA4 interference sequence (siRNA‐CPA4) and the negative control sequence. Transwell assay with/without Matrigel was used to assess the effect of CPA4 on cell invasion and migration. CPA4 expression was detected in eight normal lung tissues, 46 lung cancer tissues, and the corresponding lymph node metastasis tissues using immunohistochemistry.

Results

Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot showed that siRNA‐CPA4 significantly decreased CPA4 mRNA levels in H226 and SKMES‐1 cells compared with the control cells. Knockdown of CPA4 in lung cancer cells significantly inhibited cell invasion by 62.3% and 77.3% in H226 and SKMES‐1 cell, respectively. Furthermore, siRNA‐CPA4 significantly suppressed cell migration in H226 and SKMES‐1 cells by 48.1% and 42.4%, respectively. Immunohistochemistry results showed that the positive expression rate of CPA4 in lung normal tissues, cancer tissues, and lymph node metastatic tissues was 12.5% (1/8), 50.0% (23/46), and 76.1% (35/46), respectively. Importantly, the levels of CPA4 in the lymph node metastatic tissues were significantly higher than those in corresponding primary lung cancer tissues (t = 5.176, P < 0.001). The clinical correlation analysis showed that high levels of CPA4 were closely associated with the tumor pathology type, differentiation, and stage; however, there was no significant correlation with the age, sex, and depth of invasion.

Conclusions

CPA4 promoted the invasion and migration of human lung cancer cells, H226, and SKMES‐1, in vitro. The levels of CPA4 were gradually elevated in primary lung cancer and corresponding lymph node metastasis tissues, and CPA4 could be a potential candidate therapeutic target for lung cancer.
Multiple Lyapunov functions‐based adaptive neural network tracking control of uncertain switched nonlinear systems
Authors: Long Lijun
Published: June 2019

In this paper, the problem of adaptive neural network (NN) tracking control of a class of switched strict‐feedback uncertain nonlinear systems is investigated by state‐feedback, in which the solvability of the problem of adaptive NN tracking control for individual subsystems is unnecessary. A multiple Lyapunov functions (MLFs)–based adaptive NN tracking control scheme is established by exploiting backstepping and the generalized MLFs approach. Moreover, based on the proposed scheme, adaptive NN controllers of all subsystems and a state‐dependent switching law simultaneously are constructed, which guarantee that all signals of the resulting closed‐loop system are semiglobally uniformly ultimately bounded, and the tracking error converges to a small neighborhood of the origin. The scheme provided permits removal of a technical condition in which the adaptive NN tracking control problem for individual subsystems is solvable. Finally, the effectiveness of the design scheme proposed is shown by using two examples.
Bayesian variable selection for logistic regression
Authors: Tian Yiqing , Bondell Howard D. , Wilson Alyson
Published: June 2019

A key issue when using Bayesian variable selection for logistic regression is choosing an appropriate prior distribution. This can be particularly difficult for high‐dimensional data where complete separation will naturally occur in the high‐dimensional space. We propose the use of the Normal‐Gamma prior with recommendations on calibration of the hyper‐parameters. We couple this choice with the use of joint credible sets to avoid performing a search over the high‐dimensional model space. The approach is shown to outperform other methods in high‐dimensional settings, especially with highly correlated data. The Bayesian approach allows for a natural specification of the hyper‐parameters.
Modification of Moth Bean Starch Using Mixture of Organic Acids under Dry Heating
Authors: Singh Harinder , Punia Rakesh , Ganesh Aditya , Duttagupta Arijit , Kaur Amrit , Blennow Andreas
Published: June 2019

Moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia) starch is modified in its dry state (110 °C for 8 h, 14% moisture) using various ratios of organic acids (citric acid and stearic acid) in solvent free (solid–solid) reaction mode. Apparent amylose content is observed to increase in organic acid treated starches. Modified starches show lower swelling power than native starch. Scanning electron micrographs display rough granules surface for treated starches. Crystalline polymorphic pattern of moth bean starch is unaffected by organic acid treatment and dry heating. However, relative crystallinity increases after dry modification. Pasting properties indicate reduction following hydrolysis and loss of granular strength. Resistant starch (RS) content increases as an effect of the modification. This novel modification provides different functionality as compared to aqueous protocols and also provides a clean alternative to replace acid hydrolysis process with concentrated mineral acids.
1 Global employment and social trends
Authors: Kühn Stefan
Published: June 2019

Inclusive and well‐functioning labour markets are central to the ILO's mandate of delivering decent work and supporting social justice. This chapter presents latest data on the state of labour markets at the global level and by country income grouping. Although the labour market challenges related to quality of work, unemployment and gender inequality are universal, their specific character and degree of priority differ depending on the region and a country's level of development. In low‐income countries, employment relationships all too often do not even enable people to escape poverty. And whereas working poverty generally decreases with economic development, other labour market achievements, such as formality, access to social security systems, job security, collective bargaining and compliance with labour standards and rights at work, are still elusive, to varying degrees, for many countries.
Exploiting heterozygosity in industrial yeasts to create new and improved baker's yeasts
Authors: Korhola Matti , Naumova Elena S. , Partti Edvard , Aittamaa Marja , Turakainen Hilkka , Naumov Gennadi I.
Published: June 2019

The main aim of the work was to utilize heterozygosity of industrial yeast strains to construct new baker's yeast strains. Commercial baker's yeast strain ALKO 743, its more ethanol tolerant descendant ALKO 554 selected initially for growth over 300 generations in increasing ethanol concentrations in a glucose medium, and ALKO 3460 from an old domestic sour dough starter were used as starting strains. Isolated meiotic segregants of the strains were characterized genetically for sporulation ability and mating type, and the ploidy was determined physically. Heterozygosity of the segregant strains was estimated by a variety of molecular characterizations and fermentation and growth assays. The results showed wide heterozygosity and that the segregants were clustered into subgroups. This clustering was used for choosing distantly or closely related partners for strain construction crosses. Intrastrain hybrids made with segregants of ALKO 743 showed 16–24% hybrid vigour or heterosis. Interstrain hybrids with segregants of ALKO 743 and ALKO 3460 showed a wide variety of characteristics but also clear heterosis of 27–31% effects as assayed by lean and sugar dough raising. Distiller's yeast ALKO 554 turned out to be a diploid genetic segregant and not just a more ethanol tolerant mutant of the tetraploid parent strain ALKO 743.
Asymptotic symmetries of three-dimensional black strings
Authors: Detournay Stéphane , Petropoulos P. Marios , Zwikel Céline
Published: June 2019

Abstract

We determine a consistent phase space for a theory consisting in the Einstein-Hilbert action coupled to matter fields (dilaton, one-form, two-form) and containing three-dimensional black strings (the Horne-Horowitz solution and generalizations thereof). The theory at hand is the low energy effective action for the bosonic sector of heterotic string theory. We find a consistent set of boundary conditions whose algebra of asymptotic charges consist in a single Virasoro algebra supplemented by three global u(1) generators. We also discuss the thermodynamics of the zero-mode solutions and point out some peculiar features of this system.
ReSyst: a novel technique to Reduce the Systematic uncertainty for precision measurements
Authors: Van Mulders P.
Published: June 2019

Abstract

We are in an era of precision measurements at the Large Hadron Collider. The precision that can be achieved on some of those is limited however due to large systematic uncertainties. This paper introduces a new technique to reduce the total systematic uncertainty by quantifying the systematic impact of single events and correlating it with event observables to identify classes of events that are more sensitive to systematic effects. A proof of concept is presented by means of a simplified top quark mass estimator applied on simulated events. Even without a thorough optimization, it is shown that the total systematic uncertainty can be reduced by at least 30%.