bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autocrine activin A signalling in ovarian cancer cells regulates secretion of interleukin 6, autophagy, and cachexia
Authors: Pettersen Kristine , Andersen Sonja , van der Veen Anna , Nonstad Unni , Hatakeyama Shinji , Lambert Christian , Lach‐Trifilieff Estelle , Moestue Siver , Kim Jana , Grønberg Bjørn Henning , Schilb Alain , Jacobi Carsten , Bjørkøy Geir
Published: August 2019

Background

The majority of patients with advanced cancer develop cachexia, a weight loss syndrome that severely reduces quality of life and limits survival. Our understanding of the underlying mechanisms that cause the condition is limited, and there are currently no treatment options that can completely reverse cachexia. Several tumour‐derived factors and inflammatory mediators have been suggested to contribute to weight loss in cachectic patients. However, inconsistencies between studies are recurrent. Activin A and interleukin 6 (IL‐6) are among the best studied factors that seem to be important, and several studies support their individual role in cachexia development.

Methods

We investigated the interplay between activin A and IL‐6 in the cachexia‐inducing TOV21G cell line, both in culture and in tumours in mice. We previously found that the human TOV21G cells secrete IL‐6 that induces autophagy in reporter cells and cachexia in mice. Using this established cachexia cell model, we targeted autocrine activin A by genetic, chemical, and biological approaches. The secretion of IL‐6 from the cancer cells was determined in both culture and tumour‐bearing mice by a species‐specific ELISA. Autophagy reporter cells were used to monitor the culture medium for autophagy‐inducing activities, and muscle mass changes were evaluated in tumour‐bearing mice.

Results

We show that activin A acts in an autocrine manner to promote the synthesis and secretion of IL‐6 from cancer cells. By inhibiting activin A signalling, the production of IL‐6 from the cancer cells is reduced by 40–50% (up to 42% reduction on protein level, P = 0.0048, and 48% reduction on mRNA level, P = 0.0308). Significantly reduced IL‐6 secretion (P < 0.05) from the cancer cells is consistently observed when using biological, chemical, and genetic approaches to interfere with the autocrine activin A loop. Inhibiting activin signalling also reduces the ability of the cancer cells to accelerate autophagy in non‐cancerous cells (up to 43% reduced autophagy flux, P = 0.0006). Coherent to the in vitro data, the use of an anti‐activin receptor 2 antibody in cachectic tumour‐bearing mice reduces serum levels of cancer cell‐derived IL‐6 by 62% (from 417 to 159 pg/mL, P = 0.03), and, importantly, it reverses cachexia and counteracts loss of all measured muscle groups (P < 0.0005).

Conclusions

Our data support a functional link between activin A and IL‐6 signalling pathways and indicate that interference with activin A‐induced IL‐6 secretion from the tumour has therapeutic potential for cancer‐induced cachexia.
Red‐eared slider hatchlings (Trachemys scripta) show a seasonal shift in behavioral types
Authors: Nichols Haley , Carter Amanda W. , Paitz Ryan T. , Bowden Rachel M.
Published: August 2019

Correlated and repeatable patterns of behavior, termed behavioral types, can affect individual fitness. The most advantageous behavioral type may differ across predictable environments (e.g., seasonally), and maternally mediated effects may match hatchling behavior to the environment. We measured righting response, an indicator of behavioral type, of juvenile red‐eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta) emerging from early and late season clutches to understand if the production of behavioral types differs across the nesting season. There was a significant effect of season, with early season hatchlings righting more quickly than late season hatchlings, and we explored two potential underlying mechanisms, maternal estrogens and maternal investment (e.g., yolk allocation). We dosed early season eggs with an estrogen mixture to mimic late season eggs and assayed hatchling righting response, but found no significant effect of this maternal effect. We assessed maternal investment by measuring egg, hatchling, and residual yolk masses. We found a seasonal pattern in yolk allocation, where early season eggs have more yolk than late season eggs. Early season hatchlings used more yolk for growth rather than maintenance of existing tissues, resulting in larger hatchlings. Interestingly, across both seasons, hatchlings that received less maternal yolk appeared to be more efficient at converting yolk to tissue, but we found no direct correlation with righting behavior. We demonstrate that the prevalence of behavioral types varies across the nesting season, creating correlated suites of seasonal phenotypes in turtle hatchlings, but it appears that neither maternal estrogens or investment in yolk directly underlie this shift in behavior.
Orientations of graphs avoiding given lists on out‐degrees
Authors: Akbari S. , Dalirrooyfard M. , Ehsani K. , Ozeki K. , Sherkati R.
Published: August 2019

Let be a graph and be a mapping. The graph is said to be ‐
avoiding if there exists an orientation of such that for every , where denotes the out‐degree of in the directed graph with respect to . In this paper it is shown that if is bipartite and for every , then is ‐avoiding. The bound is best possible. For every graph , we conjecture that if for every , then is ‐avoiding. We also argue about this conjecture for the best possibility of the conditions and also show some partial solutions.
Novel guanosine derivatives against Zika virus polymerase in silico
Authors: Elfiky Abdo A.
Published: August 2019

The Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak, which started in the year 2015, is considered the fastest and most widely spread outbreak reported for this flavivirus. The polymerase domain of the NS5 protein has been targeted in other viral infections and is recognized as a suitable target in ZIKV infection. Different novel modified compounds against ZIKV NS5 have been tested in silico. A few structures have been solved for ZIKV polymerase and deposited in the protein data bank website. Two of these solved structures (with a resolution of less than 1.9  A) are used in this study to test the binding of 74 novel compounds in silico. Molecular docking is used to quantify the binding affinities of ZIKV polymerase and compare it to the hepatitis C virus NS5B. A total of 19 novel compounds revealed results that are either similar to or better than the physiological molecule, guanosine triphosphate. Water molecules are found to facilitate the binding of the compounds to ZIKV RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) structures. The presented 19 novel compounds represent good binders to ZIKV RdRp and could be suitable candidates for developing a new and effective anti‐ZIKV polymerase nucleotide inhibitor.
Spectroscopic investigations of the new anhydrous proton‐conducting compound of pyrazole with oxalate acid
Authors: Widelicka Małgorzata , Pogorzelec‐Glaser Katarzyna , Pankiewicz Radosław , Łapiński Andrzej
Published: August 2019

Dicarboxylic acid salts are a good group of compounds in which one can study a variety of supramolecular structures as dimers, catemer chains, and rings and are interesting for crystal engineering of proton conductors for applications in solid‐state hydrogen fuel cells. The optical properties of the new proton‐conducting compound of pyrazole with oxalate acid were investigated using Raman and IR spectroscopy taking into account the formal classification of the fundamental modes. To gain more information on the intermolecular interactions and molecular vibrations, experimental data obtained for 1H‐pyrazol‐2‐ium hydrogen oxalate salt were supported by the quantum‐chemical calculations (density functional theory), Hirshfield surfaces and fingerprint plots analysis, and Bader theory calculations. Topological properties of the planar oxalic acid dimer and oxalic acid pyrazole tetramer have been calculated within the quantum theory of atoms in molecules, and it was shown that dominant types of interactions in the investigated salt are medium strength hydrogen‐bonding interactions.
Evaluation of physicochemical and functional properties of spray‐dried protein hydrolysate from non‐penaeid shrimp (Acetes indicus)
Authors: Dhanabalan Vignaesh , Xavier Martin , Murthy Lakshmi N , Asha Kurukkan K , Balange Amjad K , Nayak Binaya B
Published: August 2019

BACKGROUND

Protein hydrolysate powder was prepared from non‐penaeid shrimp (Acetes indicus) by enzymatic hydrolysis using Alcalase enzyme. Extraction conditions such as pH (6.5, 7.5 and 8.5), enzyme to substrate ratio (1.0, 1.5 and 2.0) and temperature (40, 50 and 60 °C) were optimized against the degree of hydrolysis using response surface methodology.

RESULTS

Protein hydrolysate comprised of 740 g kg−1 protein, 150 g kg−1 ash and 90 g kg−1 fat contents. The amino acid score showed superior attributes with 56% essential amino acids. Furthermore, the functional properties of spray‐dried protein hydrolysates were evaluated. Protein solubility was found to be the 90.20% at pH 2 and 96.92% at pH 12. Emulsifying properties were found to vary with the concentration of protein hydrolysates and the highest emulsifying capacity (26.67%) and emulsion stability (23.33%) were found at a concentration of 20 mg mL−1. The highest and the lowest foaming capacity were observed at pH 6 and pH 10 with a concentration of 20 mg mL−1. The water holding capacity of protein hydrolysate was found to increase with concentration, with a value of 5.4 mL g−1 at a concentration of 20 mg mL−1.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study indicate that the use of A. indicus for the production of protein hydrolysate has good functional properties and nutritional value, rendering it suitable for broad industrial food applications. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Ultrasound Fetal Weight Estimation in Diabetic Pregnancies
Authors: Pretscher Jutta , Kehl Sven , Stumpfe Florian M. , Mayr Andreas , Schmid Matthias , Schild Ralf L. , Beckmann Matthias W. , Faschingbauer Florian
Published: August 2019

Objectives

To evaluate different formulas for estimating fetal weight in diabetic pregnancies.

Methods

This retrospective study evaluated the precision of ultrasound fetal weight estimation in 756 pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes between 2002 and 2016. The estimated fetal weights (EFWs) were obtained within 7 days of delivery from 10 weight estimation formulas and were compared with pair‐wise matched controls from 15,701 patients. The precision of the evaluated formulas for EFW was analyzed by median absolute percentage errors (MAPEs), mean percentage errors (MPEs), and proportions of estimates within 10% of actual birth weight.

Results

Among the tested formulas, the lowest MAPE was detected with formula I of Hadlock et al (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1985; 151:333–337), and the formula of Schild et al (Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2004; 23:30–35) had the highest proportion of estimates within the 10% range. The EFW in diabetic patients showed a slight trend toward overestimation in comparison with the matched controls (MPE estimates showed a trend toward more positive values). In most of the EFW formulas that were evaluated, no significant differences were detected in MAPEs and estimates within the 10% range. The MPE estimates with most formulas in both groups were close to zero. Overall, the differences between most of the evaluated formulas were small.

Conclusions

Little evidence was found for differences in the accuracy of the EFW in diabetic pregnancies and controls. The Hadlock I formula showed the lowest MAPE, and the Schild formula had the highest proportion of estimates within the 10% range.
Utilization of legume flours in wafer sheets
Authors: Tufan Busra , Sahin Serpil , Sumnu Gulum
Published: August 2019

In this study, it was aimed to analyze the impacts of replacement of 20% of wheat flour by lentil, chickpea, or bean flours on batter rheology as well as hardness, weight loss, sorption characteristics, and color of the wafer sheets. All formulations showed shear thinning behavior obeying power law. Lentil flour‐containing formula gave the highest flow behavior index and the lowest consistency coefficient value. Hardness of wafer sheets increased when legume flours were used. Increase in hardness value was less when chickpea flour was used as compared with the other legume flours. It was observed that upon baking, legume flour‐added samples had lower weight loss values. Usage of chickpea flour resulted in the lowest weight loss. Sorption results implied localized sorption indicating multilayer water molecules showing similar properties to liquid water. Wafers containing legume flours were not significantly different than the control wafer in terms of monolayer moisture content, K and C values of Gugenheim, Anderson and de Boer (GAB) model. The color of chickpea flour‐containing wafer was the closest to that of control sample. Overall, wafer sheets prepared by replacement of 20% wheat flour by chickpea flour was agreed to be the best in terms of the analyzed parameters.
Genetic variants in glutamine metabolic pathway genes predict cutaneous melanoma‐specific survival
Authors: Chen Ka , Liu Hongliang , Liu Zhensheng , Bloomer Wendy , Amos Christopher I. , Lee Jeffrey E. , Li Xin , Nan Hongmei , Wei Qingyi
Published: August 2019

Glutamine dependence is a unique metabolic defect seen in cutaneous melanoma (CM), directly influencing the treatment and prognosis. Here, we investigated the associations between 6025 common single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 77 glutamine metabolic pathway genes with CM‐specific survival (CMSS) using genotyping datasets from two published genome‐wide association studies (GWASs). In the single‐locus analysis, 76 SNPs were found to be significantly associated with CMSS (P < .050, false‐positive report probability < 0.2 and Bayesian false discovery probability < 0.8) in the discovery dataset, of which seven SNPs were replicated in the validation dataset and three SNPs (HAL rs17676826T > C, LGSN rs12663017T > A, and NOXRED1 rs8012548A > G) independently predicted CMSS, with an effect‐allele attributed adjusted hazards ratio of 1.52 (95% confidence interval = 1.19‐1.93) and P < .001, 0.68 (0.54‐0.87) and P = .002 and 0.62 (0.46‐0.83) and P = .002, respectively. The model including the number of unfavorable genotypes (NUGs) of these three SNPs and covariates improved the five‐year CMSS prediction (P = .012) than the one with other covariates only. Further expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis found that the LGSN rs12663017 A allele was significantly associated with increased messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels (P = 8.89 × 10
−11) in lymphoblastoid cell lines of the 1000 Genomes Project database. In the analysis of the genotype tissue expression (GTEx) project datasets, HAL rs17676826 C and NOXRED1 rs8012548 G alleles were significantly associated with their mRNA expression levels in sun‐exposed skin of the lower leg (P = 6.62 × 10−6 and 1.37 × 10−7, respectively) and in sun‐not‐exposed suprapubic skin (P < .001 and 1.43 × 10−8, respectively). Taken together, these genetic variants of glutamine‐metabolic pathway genes may be promising predictors of survival in patients with CM.
Modeling and Mapping to Assess Spatial Distributions and Population Numbers of Fish and Invertebrate Species in the Lower Peace River and Charlotte Harbor, Florida
Authors: Rubec Peter J. , Santi Christi , Ghile Yonas , Chen Xinjian
Published: August 2019

Catch per unit effort (CPUE) was computed from fisheries-independent monitoring data collected from 1996 through 2013 in the lower Peace River and Charlotte Harbor, Florida. Seasonal habitat suitability modeling (HSM) based on delta-gamma generalized additive models was prepared for eight fish and invertebrate species life stages with affinities for either low or moderate salinities. Using a geographic information system, habitat maps were created from monitoring data for temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, depth, and bottom type in the study area. Gear-corrected CPUEs derived from HSM were applied to corresponding habitat grid cells. Seasonal HSM maps were then created, depicting the spatial distribution and relative abundance for early juvenile, juvenile, and adult life stages. By overlaying Optimum abundance zones from each HSM map onto corresponding salinity grids, the preferred ranges of salinity were found to be similar between seasons for each of six estuarine-resident species life stages. This implies that each resident species occupies a unique salinity range in the river and estuary, which varies little between seasons. During the summer wet season, the geographic ranges occupied by each resident species life stage expanded in response to increased inflow, while the preferred salinity ranges occupied were similar between seasons. However, this was not the case for the two estuarine-transient species (Red Drum Sciaenops ocellatus and Spot Leiostomus xanthurus), which tended to utilize different salinity ranges between seasons. Habitat-based population estimates were prepared for each species life stage by using the predicted CPUE grids used to create the HSM maps. The demonstrated methods support ecosystem-based fishery management and management of freshwater inflow to tidal rivers.
Hyperpolarized 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy detects toxin‐induced neuroinflammation in mice
Authors: Le Page Lydia M. , Guglielmetti Caroline , Najac Chloé F. , Tiret Brice , Chaumeil Myriam M.
Published: August 2019

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a commonly used agent for induction of neuroinflammation in preclinical studies. Upon injection, LPS causes activation of microglia and astrocytes, whose metabolism alters to favor glycolysis. Assessing in vivo neuroinflammation and its modulation following therapy remains challenging, and new noninvasive methods allowing for longitudinal monitoring would be highly valuable. Hyperpolarized (HP) 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a promising technique for assessing in vivo metabolism. In addition to applications in oncology, the most commonly used probe of [1–13C] pyruvate has shown potential in assessing neuroinflammation‐linked metabolism in mouse models of multiple sclerosis and traumatic brain injury. Here, we aimed to investigate LPS‐induced neuroinflammatory changes using HP [1–13C] pyruvate and HP 13C urea.

2D chemical shift imaging following simultaneous intravenous injection of HP [1–13C] pyruvate and HP 13C urea was performed at baseline (day 0) and at days 3 and 7 post‐intracranial injection of LPS (n = 6) or saline (n = 5). Immunofluorescence (IF) analyses were performed for Iba1 (resting and activated microglia/macrophages), GFAP (resting and reactive astrocytes) and CD68 (activated microglia/macrophages).

A significant increase in HP [1–13C] lactate production was observed at days 3 and 7 following injection, in the injected (ipsilateral) side of the LPS‐treated mouse brain, but not in either the contralateral side or saline‐injected animals. HP 13C lactate/pyruvate ratio, without and with normalization to urea, was also significantly increased in the ipsilateral LPS‐injected brain at 7 days compared with baseline. IF analyses showed a significant increase in CD68 and GFAP staining at 3 days, followed by increased numbers of Iba1 and GFAP positive cells at 7 days post‐LPS injection.

In conclusion, we can detect LPS‐induced changes in the mouse brain using HP 13C MRS, in alignment with increased numbers of microglia/macrophages and astrocytes. This study demonstrates that HP 13C spectroscopy has substantial potential for providing noninvasive information on neuroinflammation.
An Iron Age skull with a bone neoplasm from Nilka County, Xinjiang, China
Authors: Zhang Quanchao , Zhang Qun , Han Tao , Zhu Hong , Wang Qian
Published: August 2019

With the exception of benign button osteomas, neoplasms in the skull are uncommon, and their consequences to the health of the general population are difficult to assess. In this study, we report a case of bone neoplasm arising in the temporal bone from a young male individual excavated from an Iron Age Qiongkeke Cemetery located in Nilka County, Yili, Xinjiang, China. The lesion presented as a cluster of ossified spicules in the infratemporal fossa. The possible diagnosis is a low‐grade malignant neoplasm, probably parosteal osteosarcoma, whereas some other kinds of neoplasms are possible though less likely. There were no signs of cortical bone destruction or periosteal reaction, indicating the differential diagnosis with conventional osteosarcoma and other exophytic cranial bone neoplasms. This focal space occupying lesion may have started from early childhood and slowly grew laterally, inducing musculoskeletal deformation at the left side and long‐term left tilting of the head. This rare case of skull bone neoplasm enriches our knowledge base of paleopathology in the ancient people of Northern China while also demonstrating long‐term skeletal adaptation to a slow‐growing neoplasm in the skull.
The nature and impact of poor emotional wellbeing in people with diabetes
Authors: Keen Andrew JA
Published: August 2019

Depression, anxiety and distress are more common in people with diabetes than the general population. The nature of the associated symptoms means that self‐managing demanding conditions like types 1 and 2 diabetes becomes increasingly challenging. The correlation between depression, anxiety and diabetes distress with HbA1c is modest. Therefore, it is unsurprising that treatments designed for the general population improve emotional wellbeing in people with diabetes but do not result in improved glycaemic control. Innovative treatments are required that combine effective brief interventions for common mental health conditions with psychological approaches proven to improve glycaemic control. Copyright © 2019 John Wiley & Sons. Practical Diabetes 2019; 36 (4): 132–135
Esculetin regulates the phenotype switching of airway smooth muscle cells
Authors: Xie Chundan , Li Yanyang , Gao Jie , Wang Yingying
Published: August 2019

Airway remodeling is one important feature of childhood asthma, which is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases. Phenotype switching of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs), defined as a reversible switching between contractile and proliferative phenotypes, plays an important role in the process of airway remodeling. Esculetin has shown antiinflammatory action in animal models of asthma; however, the effects of esculetin on ASMC phenotype switching have not been investigated. In the present study, platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF) was used to induce the phenotype modulation of ASMCs. The results demonstrated that esculetin pretreatment mitigated the PDGF‐caused inhibitory effects on expressions of contractile phenotype protein markers, including calponin and SM22α. Esculetin also inhibited PDGF‐induced migration and proliferation of ASMCs. Besides, the PDGF‐induced expressions of extracellular matrix components, collagen I and fibronectin, were attenuated by esculetin pretreatment. Furthermore, PDGF‐caused activation of PI3K/Akt pathway in ASMCs was inhibited by esculetin. These findings suggest that esculetin might exert its inhibitory effect on PDGF‐induced ASMC phenotype switching through inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway.
Classical and Bayesian inference ofCpyfor generalized Lindley distributed quality characteristic
Authors: Saha Mahendra , Dey Sanku , Yadav Abhimanyu Singh , Kumar Sumit
Published: August 2019

The process capability index (PCI) is a quality control–related statistic mostly used in the manufacturing industry, which is used to assess the capability of some monitored process. It is of great significance to quality control engineers as it quantifies the relation between the actual performance of the process and the preset specifications of the product. Most of the traditional PCIs performed well when process follows the normal behaviour. However, using these traditional indices to evaluate a non‐normally distributed process often leads to inaccurate results. In this article, we consider a new PCI,Cpy, suggested by Maiti et al, which can be used for normal as well as non‐normal random variables. This article addresses the different methods of estimation of the PCICpyfrom both frequentist and Bayesian view points of generalized Lindley distribution suggested by Nadarajah et al. We briefly describe different frequentist approaches, namely, maximum likelihood estimators, least square and weighted least square estimators, and maximum product of spacings estimators. Next, we consider Bayes estimation under squared error loss function using gamma priors for both shape and scale parameters for the considered model. We use Tierney and Kadane's method as well as Markov Chain Monte Carlo procedure to compute approximate Bayes estimates. Besides, two parametric bootstrap confidence intervals using frequentist approaches are provided to compare with highest posterior density credible intervals. Furthermore, Monte Carlo simulation study has been carried out to compare the performances of the classical and the Bayes estimates ofCpyin terms of mean squared errors along with the average width and coverage probabilities. Finally, two real data sets have been analysed for illustrative purposes.
Variable sampling interval exponentially weighted moving average median chart with estimated process parameters
Authors: Khoo Michael B.C. , Saha Sajal , Lee How Chinh , Castagliola Philippe
Published: August 2019

The variable sampling interval exponentially weighted moving average median chart with estimated process parameters is proposed. The charting statistic, optimal design, performance evaluation, and implementation of the proposed chart are discussed. The average of the average time to signal (AATS) criterion is adopted to evaluate the performance of the proposed chart. The estimated process parameter‐based VSI EWMA median (VSI EWMA median‐e) chart is compared with the estimated process parameter‐based Shewhart median (SH median‐e), EWMA median (EWMA median‐e), and variable sampling interval run sum median (VSI RS median‐e) charts, in terms of the AATS criterion, where the VSI EWMA median‐e chart is shown to be superior. When process parameters are estimated, the standard deviation of the average time to signal (SDATS) criterion is used to evaluate the AATS performance of the VSI EWMA median‐e chart. Based on the SDATS criterion, the minimum number of phase‐I samples required by the VSI EWMA median‐e chart so that its performance is close to the known process parameters VSI EWMA median chart is recommended.
Rewriting the Wor(l)d: Quick Writes as a Space for Critical Literacy
Authors: Driessens Sarah , Parr Michelann
Published: August 2019

The authors expand discussions about critical literacy with a focus on how quick writes can be used to facilitate critical literacy within the context of both teaching and learning. Quick writes, initiated by carefully crafted invitations, are presented as a low‐risk space for students to address issues of social justice and civil rights. Writing artifacts of five students, gathered in the context of a six‐month classroom inquiry, are considered through a lens of critical literacy and provide authentic representations of student learning. Practical suggestions are offered to help teachers support students as they become critically literate, specifically through the practices of carefully crafted invitations to write and student quick writes.
Finding chemical concepts in the Hilbert space: Coupled cluster analyses of noncovalent interactions
Authors: Bistoni Giovanni
Published: August 2019

Noncovalent interactions (NCIs) play a major role in essentially all fields of chemical research. Energy decomposition analysis (EDA) schemes provide in‐depth insights into their nature by decomposing interaction energies into additive contributions, such as electrostatics, polarization, and London dispersion. Although modern local variants of the “gold standard” coupled‐cluster singles and doubles method plus perturbative triples (CCSD(T)) have made it possible to accurately quantify NCIs for relatively large systems, extracting chemically meaningful energy terms from such high level electronic structure calculations has been a long lasting challenge in computational chemistry. This review describes basic principles, interpretative aspects and applications of recently developed coupled cluster‐based EDAs for the analysis of NCIs. The focus is on computationally efficient methods for systems with a few hundred atoms, for example, the recently introduced local energy decomposition analysis. In order to draw connections between different interpretative frameworks, these schemes are compared with other popular approaches for the quantification and analysis of NCIs, such as Symmetry Adapted Perturbation Theory and supermolecular EDAs based on mean‐field as well as correlated approaches. Strengths and limitations of the various techniques are discussed.

This article is characterized under:

Electronic Structure Theory > Ab Initio Electronic Structure Methods

Structure and Mechanism > Molecular Structures
Linked Data in the European Data Portal: A Comprehensive Platform for Applying DCAT-AP
Authors: Kirstein Fabian , Dittwald Benjamin , Dutkowski Simon , Glikman Yury , Schimmler Sonja , Hauswirth Manfred
Published: August 2019

The European Data Portal (EDP) is a central access point for metadata of Open Data published by public authorities in Europe and acquires data from more than 70 national data providers. The platform is a starting point in adopting the Linked Data specification DCAT-AP, aiming to increase interoperability and accessibility of Open Data. In this paper, we present the design of the central data management components of the platform, responsible for metadata storage, data harvesting and quality assessment. The core component is based on CKAN, which is extended by the support for native Linked Data replication to a triplestore to ensure legacy compatibility and the support for DCAT-AP. Regular data harvesting and the creation of detailed quality reports are performed by custom components adressing the requirements of DCAT-AP. The EDP is well on track to become the core platform for European Open Data and fostered the acceptance of DCAT-AP. Our platform is available here: https://www.europeandataportal.eu.
Does the symmetry of absolute permeability influence relative permeability tensors in naturally fractured rocks?
Authors: Sedaghat Mohammad , Azizmohammadi Siroos , Matthäi Stephan K.
Published: August 2019

Relative permeability is a tensorial property directly dependent on absolute permeability tensor which has been taking both symmetric and non-symmetric (full tensor) forms in the literature. Imposing symmetricity during upscaling absolute and effective phase permeabilities could alter both diagonal and off-diagonal terms of relative permeability tensors, specifically in naturally fractured reservoirs (NFRs) where the diagonal components of the permeability tensor could take values with different orders of magnitude. Utilizing a discrete fracture and matrix (DFM) modelling approach, in this paper, we quantify the effects of forcing the symmetricity on absolute permeability tensors on relative permeability tensors of fractured samples in different scales. We also determine the circumstances at which this change in methodology causes a huge difference in the diagonal components of relative permeability tensors.
Seasonal Hay Feeding for Cattle Production in the Fescue Belt
Authors: Boyer Christopher N. , Lambert Dayton M. , Griffith Andrew P. , Clark Christopher D. , English Burton
Published: August 2019

We determined how pasture and grazing management practices affected the number of days hay was fed to cattle by season. Data were collected from a survey of Tennessee cattle producers. Days of cattle on hay varied across seasons because of variations in forage production and weather. The number of days hay was fed to cattle varied with pasture-animal management practices such as rotating pastures, forage mixtures, and weed management strategies. Having mixtures of cool- and warm-season grasses reduced the number of days on hay in the winter, spring, and summer months indicating benefits from diversified forages.
Radiocarbon Dating the Iroquoian Occupation of Northern New York
Authors: Abel Timothy J. , Vavrasek Jessica L. , Hart John P.
Published: August 2019

The results of Bayesian analysis using 43 new high-precision AMS radiocarbon dates on maize, faunal remains, and ceramic residues from 18 precontact Iroquoian village sites in Northern New York are presented. Once thought to span AD 1350–1500, the period of occupation suggested by the modeling is approximately AD 1450–1510. This late placement now makes clear that Iroquoians arrived in the region approximately 100 years later than previously thought. This result halves the time in which population growth and significant changes in settlement occurred. The new chronology allows us to better match these events within a broader Northeast temporal framework.
EU Counter-terrorism Law: What Kind of Exemplar of Transnational Law?
Authors: MURPHY Cian C.
Published: August 2019

This article examines counter-terrorism efforts in the EU as it matures as a field of law. It sets out three critiques of EU counter-terrorism law: that of ineffectiveness, of anti-constitutionalism, and of contrariness to human rights and the rule of law. It considers these critiques in light of the development of policies and legal initiatives—against foreign terrorist fighters and against radicalisation. It concludes that there are both persistent problems, and some improvements, in the law. The EU's capacity to meet the challenges posed by terrorism and the counter-terrorism imperative, and how it does so, has global impact. The article concludes with an argument for better law-making in the EU to ensure it serves as a better exemplar of transnational law.
Impact of an automated antibiotic time-out alert on the de-escalation of broad-spectrum antibiotics at a large community teaching hospital
Authors: Wolfe Jenna R. , Bryant Alex M. , Khoury Jad A.
Published: August 2019

Broad-spectrum antibiotic de-escalation before and after implementation of a 72-hour antibiotic time-out alert within the electronic medical record was analyzed. De-escalation occurred significantly more often after the implementation of the alert (55.0% vs 35.1%; 95% confidence interval, −0.3491 to −0.0488; P < .01).
Adjoint sensitivity and optimal perturbations of the low-speed jet in cross-flow
Authors: Regan Marc A. , Mahesh Krishnan
Published: August 2019

The tri-global stability and sensitivity of the low-speed jet in cross-flow are studied using the adjoint equations and finite-time horizon optimal disturbance analysis at Reynolds number $Re=2000$, based on the average velocity at the jet exit, the jet nozzle exit diameter and the kinematic viscosity of the jet, for two jet-to-cross-flow velocity ratios $R=2$ and $4$. A novel capability is developed on unstructured grids and parallel platforms for this purpose. Asymmetric modes are more important to the overall dynamics at $R=4$, suggesting increased sensitivity to experimental asymmetries at higher $R$. Low-frequency modes show a connection to wake vortices. Adjoint modes show that the upstream shear layer is most sensitive to perturbations along the upstream side of the jet nozzle. Lower frequency downstream modes are sensitive in the cross-flow boundary layer. For $R=2$, optimal analysis reveals that for short time horizons, asymmetric perturbations dominate and grow along the counter-rotating vortex pair observed in the cross-section. However, as the time horizon increases, large transient growth is observed along the upstream shear layer. When $R=4$, the optimal perturbations for short time scales grow along the downstream shear layer. For long time horizons, they become hybrid modes that grow along both the upstream and downstream shear layers.
Paediatric hearing loss: a community-based survey in peri-urban Kumasi, Ghana
Authors: Larsen-Reindorf R , Otupiri E , Anomah J E , Edwards B M , Frimpong B , Waller B , Prince M E , Basura G J
Published: August 2019

Background

Paediatric hearing loss rates in Ghana are currently unknown.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in peri-urban Kumasi, Ghana; children (aged 3–15 years) were recruited from randomly selected households. Selected children underwent otoscopic examination prior to in-community pure tone screening using the portable ShoeBox audiometer. The LittlEars auditory questionnaire was also administered to caregivers and parents.

Results

Data were collected from 387 children. After conditioning, 362 children were screened using monaural pure tones presented at 25 dB. Twenty-five children could not be conditioned to behavioural audiometric screening. Eight children were referred based on audiometric screening results. Of those, four were identified as having hearing loss. Four children scored less than the maximum mark of 35 on the LittleEars questionnaire. Of those, three had hearing loss as identified through pure tone screening. The predominant physical finding on otoscopy was ear canal cerumen impaction.

Conclusion

Paediatric hearing loss is prevalent in Ghana, and should be treated as a public health problem warranting further evaluation and epidemiology characterisation.
Early development of twoCapitellaspecies (Annelida: Capitellidae) from the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Méndez Nuria , Hilliard Justin , Schulze Anja
Published: August 2019

Early development of the polychaetesCapitellasp. TF from Tampa, Florida andCapitellasp. TV from Tamiahua Lagoon, Veracruz was studied under laboratory conditions. Our observations indicate that hermaphrodites occur inCapitellasp. TF, but not inCapitellasp. TV. Length and volume of larvae and early juveniles were measured daily. Both species appear to have lecithotrophic development. Sizes and duration of the developmental stages varied widely, as in most known species ofCapitella. Characteristic features ofCapitellasp. TF include very small hermaphrodites with a distinct dorsal pigmentation pattern and characteristically shaped brood tubes with a centrally thickened region. Embryos forced to abandon the brood did not survive more than 3 days, and handling the brood produced alterations in timing. Ciliated metatrochophores fromCapitellasp. TV survived inside the brood without the female for at least 14 days and some larvae hatched and died during settling. Some of these larvae were abnormal, with two rounded protuberances in the two ends. Mortality was high. Fungi and protozoans appeared in the dishes and probably partially induced the production of thicker mucus in the brood tubes, delay in metamorphosis, juvenile mortality, worm length and failure in coupling. Size and duration of the developmental stages were distinctly different from the other putative lecithotrophic species of the complex. These differences and other characteristics of each species discard the possibility that they belong to a previously described species. Our results are applicable to future ecological, morphological and molecular studies of each species, habitat and phylogenetics.
A General Solution to the Formation Control Problem Without Collisions for First-Order Multi-Agent Systems
Authors: Flores-Resendiz J. F. , Aranda-Bricaire E.
Published: August 2019

In this paper, a general solution to the formation control problem without collisions for first-order multi-agent systems is proposed. The case of an arbitrary number of mobile agents on a plane with saturated input velocity is analysed. Besides, conditions on the communication graph among agents are relaxed to the only requirement of containing a directed spanning tree. This general approach is an extended result from the simpler case of combinations of cyclic pursuit communication graphs. The proposed solution to this problem is designed in two steps. First, the asymptotic convergence in the absence of collisions is ensured. After this, the non-collision problem is faced by analysing the most general possible geometrical scenario which can lead to collision among agents. Discontinuous vector fields with unstable counterclockwise focus behaviour are applied by every agent in order to repel each other. Numerical simulations illustrate the performance of the proposed scheme.
The root nominal stage: a case study of early Nungon verbs
Authors: SARVASY Hannah S.
Published: August 2019

The ‘root infinitive’ phenomenon in child speech is known from major languages such as Dutch. In this case study, a child acquiring the Papuan language Nungon in a remote village setting in Papua New Guinea uses two different non-finite verb forms as predicates of main clauses (‘root’ contexts) between ages 2;3 and 3;3. The first root non-finite form is an apparent innovation of the child, unacceptable in adult-to-adult speech, which must be learned from a special auxiliary construction in child-directed speech. The second root non-finite form functions like attested adult main clause use of the same form. During the study period, the first root non-finite form increases sharply to function as a default verb form, then decreases to nil by 3;2. The second increases gradually to near-adult levels. Both forms are non-finite and have similar proportions in the input. Thus, factors other than finiteness and frequency must explain their distributions.
Walking, pointing, talking – the predictive value of early walking and pointing behavior for later language skills
Authors: LÜKE Carina , LEINWEBER Juliane , RITTERFELD Ute
Published: August 2019

Both walking abilities and pointing gestures in infants are associated with later language skills. Within this longitudinal study we investigate the relationship between walk onset and first observed index-finger points and their respectively predictive value for later language skills. We assume that pointing as a motor as well as a communicative skill is a stronger predictor of later language development than walk onset. Direct observations, parent questionnaires, and standardized tests were administered in 45 children at ages 1;0, 2;0, 3;0, and 4;0. Results show that both walk onset and early index-finger pointing predict language abilities at age 2;0, but only early index-finger pointing predicts language skills at ages 3;0 and 4;0. Walk onset seems to contribute to an initial increase in language acquisition without a sustained advantage. The predictive value of first observed index-finger points, however, is strong and lasts at least until age 4;0.
The Origin and Power of Music According to the 11th-Century Islamic Philosopher Ibn Sīnā
Authors: GRANOT RONI , SHAIR NABIL
Published: August 2019

The question of the origin of music and its powers has always fascinated philosophers and scientists. Here we present a close reading of the view offered by the Persian Muslim philosopher and scientist Ibn Sīnā, also known as Avicenna (980–1037). We draw a parallel between Ibn Sīnā’s account of the senses and mental capacities and his hierarchical, quasi-evolutionary view of the perception of sound in its various communicative roles. We show how Ibn Sīnā positions music at the top of the organisation of sound while drawing a connecting line between the sensory and cognitive, the natural and conventional, and the biological and aesthetic. Although mostly drawing on ideas previously expounded by Aristotle and al-Fārābī, he goes way beyond his predecessors in positioning music within the systems of communication and highlights music's special ability to create a flux of joy and sadness, tension and relaxation, based on the ephemeral character of sound that serves as a connecting thread through all levels of its communicative roles.
Analysis of evidence appraisals for interventional studies in family medicine using an informatics approach
Authors: Sahin Alain Nathan , Goldstein Andrew , Weng Chunhua
Published: August 2019

This study reports the first assessment of published comments in the family medicine literature using structured codes, which produced commentary annotations that will be the foundation of a knowledge base of appraisals of family medicine trials. Evidence appraisal occurs in a variety of formats and serves to shed light on the quality of research. However, scientific discourse generally and evidence appraisal in particular has not itself been analyzed for insights. A search strategy was devised to identify all journal comments indexed in PubMed linked to controlled intervention studies published in a recent 15-year period in major family medicine journals. A previously developed structured representation in the form of a list of appraisal concepts was used to formally annotate and categorize the journal comments through an iterative process. Trends in family medicine evidence appraisal were then analyzed. A total of 93 comments on studies from five journals over 15 years were included in the analysis. Two thirds of extracted appraisals were negative criticisms. All appraisals of measurement instruments were negative (100%). The participants baseline characteristics, the author discussions, and the design of the interventions were also criticized (respectively 91.7%, 84.6% and 83.3% negative). In contrast, appraisals of the scientific basis of the studies were positive (81.8%). The categories with the most appraisals were, most generally, those focused on the study design, and most specifically, those focused on the scientific basis. This study provides a new data-driven approach to review scientific discourse regarding the strengths and limitations of research within academic family medicine. This methodology can potentially generalize to other medical domains. Structured appraisal data generated here will enable future clinical, scientific, and policy decision-making and broader meta-research in family medicine.
Group characteristics of tea growers relative to weed management: a case study in southwestern China
Authors: Chen Guoqi , Zhang Bin , Wu Qiong , Jin Linhong , Chen Zhuo , Tan Xiaofeng
Published: August 2019

Farmer training is important to improve weed management practices in tea cultivation. To explore the group characteristics of tea growers, we interviewed 354 growers in Guizhou Province, China. Sixty-one percent of the respondents planted tea for companies or cooperative groups, and 56% managed tea gardens larger than 10 ha. Self-employed tea growers tended to be older and smallholders, and to apply herbicides and conduct weed control less frequently (P < 0.05). Approximately 87% of the respondents conducted weed control two to four times yr−1, 83% spent between $200 and $2,000 ha−1 yr−1 for weed control, and 42% thought weed control costs would decrease by 5 years from this study. Twenty-eight species were mentioned by the respondents as being the most serious. According to canonical correspondence analysis, latitude, altitude, being self-employed or a member of a cooperative, having training experience in tea-garden weed management, and frequency and cost of weed control in tea gardens had significant (P < 0.05) influence on the composition of most troublesome weed species listed by respondents. Among the respondents, 60% had had farmer’s training on weed management in tea gardens. Of these, a significant number (P < 0.05) tended to think weed control costs would decrease, and a nonsignificant number (P > 0.05) tended to conduct weed control more frequently and have lower weed management costs in their tea gardens.