bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LDPC codes based on Mobius transformations
Authors: Gholami Mohammad , Nassaj Akram
Published: March 2019

Recently, a class of low‐density parity‐check (LDPC) codes from affine permutation matrices, called APM‐LDPC codes, have attracted because of some advantages rather than QC‐LDPC codes in minimum‐distance, girth, cycle distribution and error‐rate performance. In this study, a new class of LDPC codes based on Mobius transformations, called MT‐LDPC codes, are presented as a generalisation of APM‐LDPC codes which have some new achievements rather than QC and APM LDPC codes in the terms of length, cycle distribution and error‐rate performance. Moreover, each Mobius transformation is represented by a square matrix which is helpful to pursuing the cycles in the Tanner graph of an MT‐LDPC code by the product of some square matrices. In continue, for a given base matrix, the authors propose a deterministic algorithm which efficiently produces MT‐LDPC codes with the desired girth. Simulation results show that the binary and non‐binary constructed MT‐LDPC codes outperform APM, QC, PEG, random‐like and some algebraic LDPC codes with the same rates and lengths.
Fast adaptive autoreclosing technique for series compensated transmission lines
Authors: Sahoo Biswajit , Samantaray Subhransu Ranjan
Published: March 2019

Auto‐reclosing renders fast restoration of the line for arcing faults which constitutes almost 80% of transmission line faults and thus improves system stability. Existing methods, using harmonics of voltage and current, have drawbacks in series‐compensation environments because of associated dynamics and control mechanisms. This research work proposes a technique for adaptive autoreclosing in case of line‐to‐ground faults for series compensated transmission line. A technique is devised that utilises the cumulative sum of energy (CSE) calculated using the fast sparse S‐transform coefficients to derive an index (PI) which discriminates between permanent and transient faults. Another extinction index (EI) is computed using CSE during the secondary arc to identify the arc extinction. This parameter is employed to alter the dead time set for the recloser and thus reclosing during fault process is avoided. The performance validation on the real‐time digital simulator platform for both single‐ and double‐circuit line with shunt compensation and neutral reactor, enhances the applicability of the proposed protection scheme for adaptive autoreclosing.
Utilising demand response for distribution service restoration to achieve grid resiliency against natural disasters
Authors: Hafiz Faeza , Chen Bo , Chen Chen , Rodrigo de Queiroz Anderson , Husain Iqbal
Published: March 2019

The increased frequency of power outages due to natural disasters in recent years has highlighted the urgency of enhancing distribution grid resilience. The effective distribution service restoration (DSR) is an important measure for a resilient distribution grid. In this work, the authors demonstrate that DSR can be significantly improved by leveraging the flexibility provided by the inclusion of demand response (DR). The authors propose a framework for this by considering integrated control of household‐level flexible appliances to vary the load demand at the distribution‐grid level to improve DSR. The overall framework of the proposed system is modelled as a three‐step method considering three optimization problems to (i) calculate feasible controllable aggregated load range for each bus, (ii) determine candidate buses to perform DR and their target load demand, and (iii) maintain the load level in each house through home energy management during the DSR, considering uncertainties in load and solar generation sequentially. The optimization problems are formulated as linear programming, mixed‐integer linear programming, and multistage stochastic programming (solved using the stochastic dual dynamic programming) models. Case studies performed in the IEEE 123‐node test feeder show improvements in resilience in terms of energy restored compared to the restoration process without DR.
Performance analysis of cooperative wireless sensor network with index‐based modulation
Authors: Neelamegam Subhashini , Mahalingam Murugan
Published: March 2019

Spatial modulation (SM) emerges as a potential technique for next generation wireless networks. Enhanced spectral efficiency and equitable system complexity led SM to various innovations. In SM only one radio‐frequency chain is active during the transmission of the signal. The information is carried by the index of the active antenna. Throughput loss and reduced spectrum utility of higher‐order modulation schemes can be overcome by activating more than one antenna. The shortcoming of SM is overcome by an enhanced SM in which index of an antenna and its constellation conveys the information. In the proposed wireless sensor network nodes are considered with two antennas. Based on the primary constellation the symbols are transmitted from a single active antenna and symbols from secondary constellation are transmitted from the two active antennas. The performance of the proposed network is compared to the network with SM.
Solid‐state transformer based on modular multilevel converters
Authors: Himmelmann Patrick , Hiller Marc
Published: March 2019

A new highly compact topology for solid‐state transformers is presented. It is based on modular multilevel converters and, therefore, has their usual advantages such as superior voltage shape, high reliability, and scalability. It utilises arm inductors for the isolated energy transfer between two converters and thereby allows for a more compact build compared to the design that uses separate transformers.
ZnSe:Mn/ZnS quantum dots for the detection of microcystin by room temperature phosphorescence immunoassay
Authors: You Jiaqi , Ma Long , He Yu , Ge Yili , Song Gongwu , Zhou Jiangang
Published: March 2019

This work has assembled ZnSe:Mn/ZnS quantum dots (QDs)‐monoclonal anti‐microcystin‐Leucine Arginine (anti‐MC‐LR) antibody bioconjugates as a room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) probe using 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethyllaminopropyl) carbodiimide/N‐Hydroxysuccinimide chemistry for detecting MC‐LR. Once the specific interactions occurred between these MCs and their antibodies on the surface of ZnSe:Mn/ZnS QDs, the RTP of ZnSe:Mn/ZnS QDs was quenched with the increased concentration of MC‐LR. Under the optimised conditions, the linear range of MC‐LR was determined to be 0.9–8.8 nM. The linear relationship between (P0–P)/P0 and concentration of MC‐LR were observed with the regression equation (P0–P)/P0 = 0.03908C + 0.0456 with the detection limit of 0.038 nM. The developed RTP immunoassay favoured environmental applications since the interference from autofluorescence and scattering light was greatly eliminated.
Microrobot‐in‐glass for dynamic motion analysis and wider in vitro applications
Authors: Salmon Hugo , Couraud Laurent , Roblin Christophe , Hwang Gilgueng
Published: March 2019

Microrobots could become a key enabler in life science and medicine research as well as industrial applications. Although they provide high‐performance tools for a wide range of applications, their environment and particularly surface forces induce significant challenge for their control. This work introduces an originally integrated microrobot in a permanently sealed glass microfluidic chip. Compared to conventional polymer chips, the glass substrate offers a smooth, stable, and inert surface. It also avoids the typical contamination and fast degradation of organosilicon polymers. In this environment, they demonstrate high‐frequency hydrodynamics analysis and control. This strategy offers a high precision platform to study microrobot design and hydrodynamics as well as a transducer module for mapping surfaces and sensing interaction with physical environments.
Slowdown of the Walker circulation at solar cycle maximum
Authors: Misios Stergios , Gray Lesley J. , Knudsen Mads F. , Karoff Christoffer , Schmidt Hauke , Haigh Joanna D.
Published: March 2019

The Pacific Walker Circulation (PWC) fluctuates on interannual and multidecadal timescales under the influence of internal variability and external forcings. Here, we provide observational evidence that the 11-y solar cycle (SC) affects the PWC on decadal timescales. We observe a robust reduction of east–west sea-level pressure gradients over the Indo-Pacific Ocean during solar maxima and the following 1–2 y. This reduction is associated with westerly wind anomalies at the surface and throughout the equatorial troposphere in the western/central Pacific paired with an eastward shift of convective precipitation that brings more rainfall to the central Pacific. We show that this is initiated by a thermodynamical response of the global hydrological cycle to surface warming, further amplified by atmosphere–ocean coupling, leading to larger positive ocean temperature anomalies in the equatorial Pacific than expected from simple radiative forcing considerations. The observed solar modulation of the PWC is supported by a set of coupled ocean–atmosphere climate model simulations forced only by SC irradiance variations. We highlight the importance of a muted hydrology mechanism that acts to weaken the PWC. Demonstration of this mechanism acting on the 11-y SC timescale adds confidence in model predictions that the same mechanism also weakens the PWC under increasing greenhouse gas forcing.
Loss of postnatal quiescence of neural stem cells through mTOR activation upon genetic removal of cysteine string protein-α
Authors: Nieto-González Jose L. , Gómez-Sánchez Leonardo , Mavillard Fabiola , Linares-Clemente Pedro , Rivero María C. , Valenzuela-Villatoro Marina , Muñoz-Bravo José L. , Pardal Ricardo , Fernández-Chacón Rafael
Published: March 2019

Significance

Neural stem cells generate newborn neurons in the postnatal brain by a process known as neurogenesis. Cysteine string protein-α (CSP-α) maintains healthy nerve terminals and, when mutated in humans, causes a serious disease known as neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis related to lysosomal pathologies. We have now found that neural stem cells without CSP-α hyperproliferate, leading to depletion of the neural stem cell pool in the mouse hippocampus. Biochemically, the hyperproliferation occurs through the hyperactivation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. Our findings demonstrate the disruption of postnatal neurogenesis in the absence of CSP-α and unveil an intriguing signaling interaction between CSP-α and mTOR that may underlie molecular mechanisms of brain dysfunction and neurodegeneration.
Photothermal-responsive nanosized hybrid polymersome as versatile therapeutics codelivery nanovehicle for effective tumor suppression
Authors: Zhang Hongbo , Cui Wenguo , Qu Xiangmeng , Wu Huayin , Qu Liangliang , Zhang Xu , Mäkilä Ermei , Salonen Jarno , Zhu Yueqi , Yang Zhou , Chen Dong , Santos Hélder A. , Hai Mingtan , Weitz David A.
Published: March 2019

Significance

The use of increasingly sophisticated drugs to treat diseases like cancer often requires increasingly sophisticated delivery technologies, where multiple drugs often must be delivered simultaneously and in precise amounts; moreover, many drugs are hydrophobic and cannot be easily delivered. We report a simple and robust process to fabricate nanometer-sized polymersomes that can simultaneously deliver multiple therapeutics, both hydrophobic and hydrophilic, and have significantly improved drug-loading efficiencies over existing methods. We use these polymersomes to deliver a combination of hydrophobic anticancer drugs in a mouse model and see remarkable effectiveness against breast tumors. This work enables the use of previously undeliverable compounds in cancer therapy and forms a foundation for further development in a broad range of biomedical applications.
Structural analysis of
Phytophthora
suppressor of RNA silencing 2 (PSR2) reveals a conserved modular fold contributing to virulence
Authors: He Jinqiu , Ye Wenwu , Choi Du Seok , Wu Baixing , Zhai Yi , Guo Baodian , Duan Shuyi , Wang Yuanchao , Gan Jianhua , Ma Wenbo , Ma Jinbiao
Published: March 2019

Phytophthora
are eukaryotic pathogens that cause enormous losses in agriculture and forestry. Each
Phytophthora
species encodes hundreds of effector proteins that collectively have essential roles in manipulating host cellular processes and facilitating disease development. Here we report the crystal structure of the effector
Phytophthora
suppressor of RNA silencing 2 (PSR2). PSR2 produced by the soybean pathogen
Phytophthora sojae
(
Ps
PSR2) consists of seven tandem repeat units, including one W-Y motif and six L-W-Y motifs. Each L-W-Y motif forms a highly conserved fold consisting of five α-helices. Adjacent units are connected through stable, directional linkages between an internal loop at the C terminus of one unit and a hydrophobic pocket at the N terminus of the following unit. This unique concatenation results in an overall stick-like structure of
Ps
PSR2. Genome-wide analyses reveal 293 effectors from five
Phytophthora
species that have the
Ps
PSR2-like arrangement, that is, containing a W-Y motif as the “start” unit, various numbers of L-W-Y motifs as the “middle” units, and a degenerate L-W-Y as the “end” unit. Residues involved in the interunit interactions show significant conservation, suggesting that these effectors also use the conserved concatenation mechanism. Furthermore, functional analysis demonstrates differential contributions of individual units to the virulence activity of
Ps
PSR2. These findings suggest that the L-W-Y fold is a basic structural and functional module that may serve as a “building block” to accelerate effector evolution in
Phytophthora
.
Small-molecule factor B inhibitor for the treatment of complement-mediated diseases
Authors: Schubart Anna , Anderson Karen , Mainolfi Nello , Sellner Holger , Ehara Takeru , Adams Christopher M. , Mac Sweeney Aengus , Liao Sha-Mei , Crowley Maura , Littlewood-Evans Amanda , Sarret Sophie , Wieczorek Grazyna , Perrot Ludovic , Dubost Valérie , Flandre Thierry , Zhang Yuzhou , Smith Richard J. H. , Risitano Antonio M. , Karki Rajeshri G. , Zhang Chun , Valeur Eric , Sirockin Finton , Gerhartz Bernd , Erbel Paulus , Hughes Nicola , Smith Thomas M. , Cumin Frederic , Argikar Upendra A. , Haraldsson Börje , Mogi Muneto , Sedrani Richard , Wiesmann Christian , Jaffee Bruce , Maibaum Jürgen , Flohr Stefanie , Harrison Richard , Eder Jörg
Published: March 2019

Dysregulation of the alternative complement pathway (AP) predisposes individuals to a number of diseases including paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, and C3 glomerulopathy. Moreover, glomerular Ig deposits can lead to complement-driven nephropathies. Here we describe the discovery of a highly potent, reversible, and selective small-molecule inhibitor of factor B, a serine protease that drives the central amplification loop of the AP. Oral administration of the inhibitor prevents KRN-induced arthritis in mice and is effective upon prophylactic and therapeutic dosing in an experimental model of membranous nephropathy in rats. In addition, inhibition of factor B prevents complement activation in sera from C3 glomerulopathy patients and the hemolysis of human PNH erythrocytes. These data demonstrate the potential therapeutic value of using a factor B inhibitor for systemic treatment of complement-mediated diseases and provide a basis for its clinical development.
Spontaneous driving forces give rise to protein−RNA condensates with coexisting phases and complex material properties
Authors: Boeynaems Steven , Holehouse Alex S. , Weinhardt Venera , Kovacs Denes , Van Lindt Joris , Larabell Carolyn , Van Den Bosch Ludo , Das Rhiju , Tompa Peter S. , Pappu Rohit V. , Gitler Aaron D.
Published: March 2019

Significance

Biomolecular condensates comprise multiple protein and RNA molecules that are typically organized into complex, multilayered structures. Although recent studies have shown that multilayered condensates can arise spontaneously, the interactions that drive the spontaneous transitions remain unclear. Further, can molecules within the same layer have different dynamical properties or do such complex features require inputs of energy? Here, we report results from in vitro studies, which show that coexisting liquid- and solid-like material properties and multilayered architectures can result from spontaneous, sequence-encoded driving forces. Our studies, which are directed at the simplest biologically relevant protein and RNA sequences, suggest that spontaneous processes make key contributions to the formation of condensates with complex morphologies and diverse material properties.
Positive Religious Coping as a Mechanism for Enhancing Job Satisfaction and Reducing Work-family Conflict: A Moderated Mediation Analysis
Authors: Pandey Jatin , Singh Manjari
Published: March 2019

This paper examines the influence of religious coping on work–family conflict and job satisfaction. Moreover, how religious coping moderates the relationship between work–family conflict and job satisfaction has also been studied. Data were collected from 151 accredited social health activists in India. To test the hypotheses, hierarchical regression was used. Findings reveal religious coping enhances job satisfaction and decreases work–family conflict. It was also found that religious coping works as a buffer between work–family conflict and job satisfaction and plays the role of a moderator for this relationship. This study shows how religious coping in unstructured jobs in resource-deprived and difficult rural geographies can enhance job satisfaction and reduce work–family conflict. This work contributes substantially to understanding how religion based coping mechanisms affect work related outcomes in traditional societies. The present study is an effort to examine the hitherto unexplored area of the direct and moderating effects of religious coping on work–family conflict and job satisfaction.
Study on the protection and renewal of residential houses rooted in traditional geo-industry Take Shangyangxi Village, Dali, Yunnan, China as an example
Authors: Zhang Chen
Published: March 2019

The author conducted a three-week survey of the industrial structure, residence and minority culture of Shangyangxi Village in Dali, Yunnan. Focusing on the research and protection of a “Bai” traditional building with a century-old “three wing houses and a screen wall” style, a certain degree of commercial and residential renovation of the building was taken so as to meet the actual needs of households. As for this design, the author relied on the location of the village, the architectural characteristics and the subjective requirements of the household to complete the repair of the house and to update the function on the technical and design perspectives. This design not only provides an example for the renovation of other Bai traditional buildings, but also provides a different approach to village-renovation in the future rural planning and heritage protection. Bai dwellings should be protected according to the different characteristics of the village and adapted to the local conditions, giving the traditional buildings a new function and life.
Formation of organotypic testicular organoids in microwell culture†
Authors: Sakib Sadman , Uchida Aya , Valenzuela-Leon Paula , Yu Yang , Valli-Pulaski Hanna , Orwig Kyle , Ungrin Mark , Dobrinski Ina
Published: March 2019

Three-dimensional (3D) organoids can serve as an in vitro platform to study cell–cell interactions, tissue development, and toxicology. Development of organoids with tissue architecture similar to testis in vivo has remained a challenge. Here, we present a microwell aggregation approach to establish multicellular 3D testicular organoids from pig, mouse, macaque, and human. The organoids consist of germ cells, Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, and peritubular myoid cells forming a distinct seminiferous epithelium and interstitial compartment separated by a basement membrane. Sertoli cells in the organoids express tight junction proteins claudin 11 and occludin. Germ cells in organoids showed an attenuated response to retinoic acid compared to germ cells in 2D culture indicating that the tissue architecture of the organoid modulates response to retinoic acid similar to in vivo. Germ cells maintaining physiological cell–cell interactions in organoids also had lower levels of autophagy indicating lower levels of cellular stress. When organoids were treated with mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), levels of germ cell autophagy increased in a dose-dependent manner, indicating the utility of the organoids for toxicity screening. Ablation of primary cilia on testicular somatic cells inhibited the formation of organoids demonstrating an application to screen for factors affecting testicular morphogenesis. Organoids can be generated from cryopreserved testis cells and preserved by vitrification. Taken together, the testicular organoid system recapitulates the 3D organization of the mammalian testis and provides an in vitro platform for studying germ cell function, testicular development, and drug toxicity in a cellular context representative of the testis in vivo.
Protective Effect of Biculturalism for Health Amongst Minority Youth: The Case of Pacific Islander Migrant Youths in Hawai’i
Authors: Lee Hye-ryeon , Lee Hye Eun , Cassel Kevin , Hagiwara Megan Inada , Somera Lilnabeth P
Published: March 2019

This study investigates the mechanisms by which biculturalism impacts various health outcomes amongst youth migrants to Hawai’i who are from the US-Affiliated Pacific Islands jurisdictions. Using purposive sampling, 284 males and females (twelve to nineteen years old) of Pacific Islander ethnicities in Hawai’i completed a survey. Results from path analysis showed that biculturalism significantly and positively affected self-esteem that, in turn, improved eating attitude, body satisfaction and perceived well-being. Further, eating attitude increased healthy eating behaviour and body satisfaction that, in turn, positively affected general health perception and body satisfaction. Positive smoking attitudes increased smoking activities, which negatively affect general health perception. The study demonstrated that self-esteem impacted overall health through its influence on enhancing positive perceptions about the importance of healthy eating, body satisfaction and well-being. Biculturalism indirectly led to increased self-esteem, which in turn directly influenced attitudes about healthy eating, body satisfaction and perceived well-being. Our study provides strong evidence that addressing the problem of health disparities for minority populations in the USA has to start with reaffirming the value of diversity and multiculturalism and embracing an individual’s historic cultural identity. Specific implications for funding agencies and researchers of minority health programs are discussed.
Socio-Economic, Psychosocial, Lifestyle and Community Factors do not Explain Ethnic Inequalities in Obesity in Disadvantaged Israeli Mothers
Authors: Soskolne Varda , Cohen-Dar Michal , Obeid Samira , Cohen Nitsa , Rudolf Mary C J
Published: March 2019

Guided by the psycho-social environment approach to explaining health inequalities, this cross-sectional study aimed to assess the contribution of individual and community factors to explaining ethnic inequalities in overweight and obesity between Arab and Jewish mothers of young children in Israel. Data (N = 946, 371 Jewish, 575 Arab mothers) were collected by self-report questionnaire in mid-2015 as part of a special ‘Preparation for School’ project for children aged 5–6 years from twenty Mother and Child Health clinics in towns and villages of lowest socio-economic ranking in northern Israel. Multinomial logistic regression models were conducted to assess the effect of socio-economic status (SES), psychological, lifestyle behaviour and community food-related practices on mediating the association of ethnicity with overweight and obesity. Overweight and obesity were significantly higher among Arab mothers. The strength of the association of ethnicity with overweight [(odds ratio) OR = 1.80, 95 per cent confidence interval (CI) = 1.31, 2.47] or obesity (OR = 2.14. 95 per cent CI = 1.44, 3.18) remained constant after SES, and other variables were included in two steps. The persistence of ethnic inequalities suggests that the variables included in the analysis did not explain inequalities in this disadvantaged population. Social work may contribute to understanding additional explanatory variables that have the potential to be amenable to change by multidisciplinary and social work interventions.
Arteriovenous fistula thrombosis is associated with increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in haemodialysis patients from the AURORA trial
Authors: Girerd Sophie , Girerd Nicolas , Frimat Luc , Holdaas Hallvard , Jardine Alan G , Schmieder Roland E , Fellström Bengt , Settembre Nicla , Malikov Sergei , Rossignol Patrick , Zannad Faiez
Published: March 2019

Background

The impact of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) or graft (AVG) thrombosis on mortality has been sparsely studied. This study investigated the association between AVF/AVG thrombosis and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.

Methods

The data from 2439 patients with AVF or AVG undergoing maintenance haemodialysis (HD) included in the A Study to Evaluate the Use of Rosuvastatin in Subjects on Regular Hemodialysis: An Assessment of Survival and Cardiovascular Events trial (AURORA) were analysed using a time-dependent Cox model. The incidence of vascular access (VA) thrombosis was a pre-specified secondary outcome.

Results

During follow-up, 278 AVF and 94 AVG thromboses were documented. VA was restored at 22 ± 64 days after thrombosis (27 patients had no restoration with subsequent permanent central catheter). In multivariable survival analysis adjusted for potential confounders, the occurrence of AVF/AVG thrombosis was associated with increased early and late all-cause mortality, with a more pronounced association with early all-cause mortality {hazard ratio [HR] < 90 days 2.70 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.83–3.97], P < 0.001; HR > 90 days 1.47 [1.20–1.80], P < 0.001}. In addition, the occurrence of AVF thrombosis was significantly associated with higher all-cause mortality, whether VA was restored within 7 days [HR 1.34 (95% CI 1.02–1.75), P = 0.036] or later than 7 days [HR 1.81 (95% CI 1.29–2.53), P = 0.001].

Conclusions

AVF/AVG thrombosis should be considered as a major clinical event since it is strongly associated with increased mortality in patients on maintenance HD, especially in the first 90 days after the event and when access restoration occurs >7 days after thrombosis. Clinicians should pay particular attention to the timing of VA restoration and the management of these patients during this high-risk period. The potential benefit of targeting overall patient risk with more aggressive treatment after AVF/AVG restoration should be further explored.
Lowering Stand Density Enhances Resiliency of Ponderosa Pine Forests to Disturbances and Climate Change
Authors: Zhang Jianwei , Finley Kaelyn A , Johnson Nels G , Ritchie Martin W
Published: March 2019

Stand density affects not only structure and growth, but also the health of forests and, subsequently, the functions of forest ecosystems. Here, we integrated dendrochronology and repeated inventories for ponderosa pine research plots to determine whether long-term growth and mortality responded to climate trends and how varying stand density influenced the responses. The plots were established prior to 1975 on existing stands throughout northern California. Although annual temperature increased consistently for the last 65 years, ring-width indices produced by eliminating age and thinning effects failed to detect radial trend regardless of site quality. However, interannual variation for the indices was substantial, reflecting a strong influence of climate on tree growth. Plot-level basal area increments were significantly affected by tree mortality. Stand density index explained most variation of mortality. Lowering stand density enhanced remaining tree growth, reduced mortality, and increased stand resiliency to disturbances and climate change. Besides higher climate moisture indices or lower vapor pressure deficits, any treatments that improve tree vigor and reduce stress will have a similar effect to reducing stand density. Although neither biotic disturbances nor abiotic conditions can be controlled, forest managers can manage stand density appropriately to enhance resilience to climate change and disturbances.
Cost and Productivity of Tethered Cut-to-Length Systems in a Dry-Forest Fuel-Reduction Treatment: A Case Study
Authors: Petitmermet Joshua , Sessions John , Bailey John , Zamora-Cristales Rene
Published: March 2019

Fuel-reduction treatments on steep slopes across federal forests of the western United States have been limited by the high costs associated with cable logging on steeper slopes combined with poor market prospects for small-diameter material (Bolding 2003, Rummer 2008, Han et al. 2016). The emergence of tethered cut-to-length harvesting systems and small wood markets (e.g., biochar) could decrease costs and increase revenue generated from treatments. Over the course of 3 weeks, we observed both tethered (steeper slopes) and untethered cut-to-length fuel-reduction treatment on the Fremont-Winema National Forest in south-central Oregon and interviewed operators. We used those data to derive and contrast hourly costs and productivity for the harvester and forwarder. This was the first time a tethered harvester and forwarder were used in a fuel-reduction treatment on federal forests in this region. We developed and tested a variety of work time model forms for each machine. The mean utilization rate for the harvester was 64 percent on 17 tethered consolidated corridors but 87 percent on 28 untethered consolidated corridors. Similarly, the forwarder had a mean utilization rate of 76 percent on 30 tethered trips and 89 percent on 114 untethered trips. This reduced utilization rate could be because of the direct effects of tethering, the increased complexities of operations associated with steeper slopes, and the stand characteristics (e.g., lower stand density and tree sweep) associated with steeper slopes. Costs during tethered operations were higher than during nontethered operations, but lower than previous reports using cable logging.
High multi-azole-resistant Malassezia pachydermatis clinical isolates from canine Malassezia dermatitis
Authors: Kano Rui , Aramaki Chizu , Murayama Nobuo , Mori Yuko , Yamagishi Kentaro , Yokoi Shinichi , Kamata Hiroshi
Published: March 2019

Malassezia pachydermatis, a lipophilic and aerobic yeast, is a causative agent of Malassezia dermatitis, a common skin mycosis in dogs and cats. This fungus is also responsible for zoonotic fungal infections in human neonates. Ravuconazole (RVZ) is an antifungal azole compound and the active metabolite of fosravuconazole, which was approved for use in humans in Japan in 2018. In the present study, in vitro RVZ susceptibility and multi-azole resistance of 13 clinical M. pachydermatis strains was investigated using the modified Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute M27-A3 test. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for the 13 isolates ranged from 0.094 to >32 mg/L for itraconazole (ITZ) and from 0.5 to >32 mg/l for RVZ. Similarly, MICs for ITZ- or RVZ-resistant strains (MICs >32 mg/l) were also >32 mg/l for clotrimazole (CTZ), >32 mg/l for miconazole (MCZ), and 0.25 to >32 mg/L for voriconazole (VRZ). BLAST analysis using the NCBI database showed that ERG11 cDNA of the RVZ-resistant strain encoded Gly at codon 461 and Asp in cytochrome p450 encoded by M. pachydermatis ERG11 mRNA. This work is the first report to describe that an RVZ-resistant M. pachydermatis strain contains ERG11 mutations. The affinity of the protein encoded by ERG11 for RVZ may differ from that of ITZ. Therefore, RVZ has considerable therapeutic potential for treating ITZ-resistant canine Malassezia dermatitis. However, RVZ-resistant strains already exist in canine Malassezia dermatitis in Japan.
A stochastic propagation model to the energy dependent rapid temporal behaviour of Cygnus X-1 as observed by AstroSat in the hard state
Authors: Maqbool Bari , Mudambi Sneha Prakash , Misra R , Yadav J S , Gudennavar S B , Bubbly S G , Rao A , Jogadand S , Patil M K , Bhattacharyya S , Singh K P
Published: March 2019

We report the results from analysis of six observations of Cygnus X-1 by Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter (LAXPC) and Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT) onboard AstroSat, when the source was in the hard spectral state as revealed by the broad-band spectra. The spectra obtained from all the observations can be described by a single-temperature Comptonizing region with disc and reflection components. The event mode data from LAXPC provides unprecedented energy dependent fractional root mean square (rms) and time-lag at different frequencies which we fit with empirical functions. We invoke a fluctuation propagation model for a simple geometry of a truncated disc with a hot inner region. Unlike other propagation models, the hard X-ray emission (>4 keV) is assumed to be from the hot inner disc by a single-temperature thermal Comptonization process. The fluctuations first cause a variation in the temperature of the truncated disc and then the temperature of the inner disc after a frequency dependent time delay. We find that the model can explain the energy dependent rms and time-lag at different frequencies.
Impact of anthocyanin-rich whole fruit consumption on exercise-induced oxidative stress and inflammation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Bloedon Taylor K , Braithwaite Rock E , Carson Imogene A , Klimis-Zacas Dorothy , Lehnhard Robert A
Published: March 2019

Context

Supplementing with fruits high in anthocyanins to reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress and inflammation has produced mixed results.

Objective

This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to discuss the impact of whole fruits high in anthocyanins, including processing methods and the type and amount of fruit, on inflammation and oxidative stress.

Data Sources

PICOS reporting guidelines and a customized coding scheme were used to search 5 databases (SPORTDiscus, Science Direct, Web of Science [BIOSIS], Medline [Pubmed], and the Cochrane Collaboration) with additional cross-referencing selection.

Data Extraction

A random-effects meta-analysis was used to measure effects of the fruit supplements with 3 statistics; the QTotal value based on a χ2 distribution, τ2 value, and I2 value were used to determine homogeneity of variances on 22 studies (out of 807). Outliers were identified using a relative residual value.

Results

A small significant negative summary effect across the sum of all inflammatory marker outcomes (P < 0.001) and a moderate negative effect for the sum of all oxidative stress marker outcomes (P = 0.036) were found. Moderator analyses did not reveal significant (P > 0.05) differences between subgrouping variables.

Conclusions

Results indicate that consumption of whole fruit high in anthocyanins can be beneficial for reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
Screening practices for paediatric asymptomatic adrenal suppression in Canada: Are we addressing this important risk?
Authors: Goldbloom Ellen B , Ahmet Alexandra
Published: March 2019

Background

Children with adrenal suppression (AS), a potential side effect of glucocorticoids (GCs) may be asymptomatic, present with nonspecific signs and symptoms or with adrenal crisis. Asymptomatic AS (AAS) can only be diagnosed through screening. Identifying and treating asymptomatic patients before symptoms develop may reduce morbidity. Screening guidelines for AS are lacking. Consequently, screening practices are highly variable.

Objective

To assess (1) the screening practices for and recognition of paediatric AAS among clinicians in Canada and (2) the educational impact of a 2-year surveillance program of symptomatic AS cases.

Methods

Before and after a 2-year Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program (CPSP) study of symptomatic AS, participants were surveyed through the CPSP. The prestudy survey was sent to 2,548 participants in March 2010 and the poststudy survey was sent to 2,465 participants in April 2013.

Results

Response rates were 32% for the prestudy survey and 21% for the poststudy survey. Between the pre- and poststudy surveys, the percentage of physicians who reported routinely screening patients on GCs for AS increased from 10% to 21% and the percentage who reported having a screening policy in their office/centre increased from 6% to 11%. There was no significant change in the percentage of physicians who had diagnosed a child/youth with AAS in the preceding year.

Conclusion

Frequency of screening for AAS increased following the 2-year study but remains low. Development of a clinical practice guideline should increase both awareness of asymptomatic AS among Canadian paediatricians and the identification of AAS, before symptoms develop.
Exercise-Based Rehabilitation to Improve Exercise Capacity and Quality of Life in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Babu Abraham S , Holland Anne E , Morris Norman R
Published: March 2019

 highlights the findings and application of Cochrane reviews and other evidence pertinent to the practice of physical therapy. The Cochrane Library is a respected source of reliable evidence related to health care. Cochrane systematic reviews explore the evidence for and against the effectiveness and appropriateness of interventions—medications, surgery, education, nutrition, exercise—and the evidence for and against the use of diagnostic tests for specific conditions. Cochrane reviews are designed to facilitate the decisions of clinicians, patients, and others in health care by providing a careful review and interpretation of research studies published in the scientific literature. Each article in this PTJ series summarizes a Cochrane review or other scientific evidence on a single topic and presents clinical scenarios based on real patients or programs to illustrate how the results of the review can be used to directly inform clinical decisions. This article focuses on people diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Can exercise-based rehabilitation programs improve exercise capacity and quality of life in people with pulmonary arterial hypertension?
TDP-43 proteinopathy impairs neuronal mRNP granule mediated postsynaptic local translation and mRNA metabolism
Authors: Wong Chia-En , Tsai Kuen-Jer
Published: March 2019

Local protein synthesis and mRNA metabolism mediated by mRNP granules in the dendrites and the postsynaptic compartments is essential for synaptic remodelling and plasticity in the neuronal cells. Misregulation in these processes caused by TDP-43 proteinopathy lead to neurodegenerative diseases such frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Using biochemical analysis and imaging techniques including super-resolution microscopy, we provide evidences for the first time of the postsynaptic localization of TDP-43 in the mammalian synapses; and we show TDP-43 as a component of neuronal mRNP granules. With activity stimulation and different molecular approaches, we further demonstrate activity-dependent mRNP granule dynamics involving disassembly of mRNP granules, release of mRNAs, and activation of local protein translation as long as impairments in models of TDP-43 proteinopathy. This study elucidates the interplay between TDP-43 and neuronal mRNP granules in normal physiology and TDP-43 proteinopathy in regulation of local protein translation and mRNA metabolism in the postsynaptic compartment.
CD2 expression acts as a quantitative checkpoint for immunological synapse structure and T-cell activation
Authors: Demetriou Philippos , Abu-Shah Enas , McCuaig Sarah , Mayya Viveka , Valvo Salvatore , Korobchevskaya Kseniya , Friedrich Matthias , Mann Elizabeth , Lee Lennard YW , Starkey Thomas , Kutuzov Mikhail A. , Afrose Jehan , Siokis Anastasios ,   Oxford IBD Cohort Investigators, Meyer-Hermann Michael , Depoil David , Dustin Michael L.
Published: March 2019

The CD2 receptor has been described as an adhesion and costimulatory receptor on T cells. Here, transcriptional profiling of colorectal cancers (CRC) revealed a negative correlation betweenCD2expression and “exhausted CD8+T-cells” gene signatures. Furthermore, we detected reduced surface CD2 levels in exhausted CD127lowPD-1hiCD3+CD8+tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in CRC. We describe a CD2 expression-level-dependent switch in CD2-CD58 localization between central and peripheral domains in the immunological synapse (IS). A peripheral “CD2 corolla” formed when CD2 surface expression was sufficiently high and its cytoplasmic domain intact. The corolla recruited other ligated receptors like CD28, boosted recruitment of activated Src-family kinases (pSrc), LAT and PLC-γ in the IS and consequently T-cell activation in response to a tumour antigen. Corolla formation and pSrc in the IS increased linearly with CD2 expression, whereas pSrc signals were reduced by high, “exhausted-like” levels of PD-1, which invaded the corolla. These results suggest two levels of inhibition of Src-family kinases in CD3+CD8+TILs: reduced CD2 expression and high PD-1 expression.
Antagonistic coevolution between hosts and sexually transmitted infections
Authors: Ashby Ben
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are predicted to play an important role in the evolution of host mating strategies, and vice versa, yet our understanding of host-STI coevolution is limited. Here, I present a model of acute STI infection in populations with ephemeral mating dynamics, where hosts evolve their preference for healthy mates and STIs evolve mortality or sterility virulence. Mate choice readily evolves even though ephemeral mating and acute infections reduce the advantages of mate choice compared to previous theory based on serial monogamy and chronic infections. Selection for mate choice constrains both mortality and sterility virulence, leading to optimal strategies in each population, host polymorphism, or fluctuating selection. I show how the mode of virulence, costs associated with mate choice, recovery, and host lifespan impact on host-STI coevolution, with fluctuating selection most likely when hosts have intermediate lifespans, STIs cause sterility and longer infections, and costs of mate choice are not too high. The results reveal new insights into the evolution of mate choice and how coevolution unfolds for different host and STI life-history traits, providing increased support for parasite-mediated sexual selection as a potential driver of host mate choice, and mate choice as a constraint on STI virulence.
Versatile proteome labelling in fruit flies with SILAF
Authors: Schober Florian A. , Atanassov Ilian , Moore David , Wedell Anna , Freyer Christoph , Wredenberg Anna
Published: March 2019

Drosophila melanogaster has been a working horse of genetics and cell biology for more than a century. However, proteomic-based methods have been limited due to technical obstacles, especially the lack of reliable labelling methods. Here, we advanced a chemically defined food source into stable-isotope labelling of amino acids in flies (SILAF). It allows for the rapid generation of a large number of flies with full incorporation of lysine-6. SILAF followed by fractionation and enrichment gave proteomic insights at a depth of 5,966 proteins and 7,496 phosphorylation sites, which substantiated metabolic regulation on enzymatic level. Furthermore, the label can be traced and predicts protein turnover rates during different developmental stages. The ease and versatility of the method actuates the fruit fly as an appealing model in proteomic and post-translational modification studies and it enlarges potential metabolic applications based on heavy amino acid diets.
High-Speed Automatic Characterization of Rare Events in Flow Cytometric Data
Authors: Qi Yuan , Fang Youhan , Sinclair David R. , Guo Shangqin , Alberich-Jorda Meritxell , Lu Jun , Tenen Daniel G. , Kharas Michael G. , Pyne Saumyadipta
Published: March 2019

A new computational framework for FLow cytometric Analysis of Rare Events (FLARE) has been developed specifically for fast and automatic identification of rare cell populations in very large samples generated by platforms like multi-parametric flow cytometry. Using a hierarchical Bayesian model and information-sharing via parallel computation, FLARE rapidly explores the high-dimensional marker-space to detect highly rare populations that are consistent across multiple samples. Further it can focus within specified regions of interest in marker-space to detect subpopulations with desired precision.
Genetic sensitivity analysis: adjusting for genetic confounding in epidemiological associations
Authors: Pingault Jean-Baptiste , Rijsdijk Frühling , Schoeler Tabea , Choi Shing Wan , Selzam Saskia , Krapohl Eva , O’Reilly Paul F. , Dudbridge Frank
Published: March 2019

Associations between exposures and outcomes reported in epidemiological studies are typically unadjusted for genetic confounding. We propose a two-stage approach for estimating the degree to which such observed associations can be explained by genetic confounding. First, we assess attenuation of exposure effects in regressions controlling for increasingly powerful polygenic scores. Second, we use structural equation models to estimate genetic confounding using heritability estimates derived from both SNP-based and twin-based studies. We examine associations between maternal education and three developmental outcomes – child educational achievement, Body Mass Index, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Polygenic scores explain between 14.3% and 23.0% of the original associations, while analyses under SNP- and twin-based heritability scenarios indicate that observed associations could be almost entirely explained by genetic confounding. Thus, caution is needed when interpreting associations from non-genetically informed epidemiology studies. Our approach, akin to a genetically informed sensitivity analysis can be applied widely.

Author summary

An objective shared across the life, behavioural, and social sciences is to identify factors that increase risk for a particular disease or trait. However, identifying true risk factors is challenging. Often, a risk factor is statistically associated with a disease even if it is not really relevant, meaning that even successfully improving the risk factor will not impact the disease. One reason for the existence of such misleading associations stems from genetic confounding. This is when genetic factors influence both the risk factor and the disease, which generates a statistical association even in the absence of a true effect of the risk factor. Here, we propose a method to estimate genetic confounding and quantify its effect on observed associations. We show that a large part of the associations between maternal education and three child outcomes - educational achievement, body mass index and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder-is explained by genetic confounding. Our findings can be applied to better understand the role of genetics in explaining associations of key risk factors with diseases and traits.