bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Emissary from Berlin: Franz Boas and the Smithsonian Institution, 1887–88
Authors: Penaloza Patzak Brooke
Published: March 2018

Ethnographic objects in museums are physical evidence of the networks through which they circulate and manifestations of the scientific terrain as inscribed by those networks. Combined with archival documentation of their intra‐institutional circulations, these objects can also aid in the reconstruction of the historical development of science. This avenue of research offers a new perspective that brings object collections into dialogue with the history of science and highlights the under‐realized research value of the millions of objects that lie tucked away in collections storage. This article focuses on the first transaction of ethnographic material between the Königliche Museum für Völkerkunde in Berlin and the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) in Washington, D.C. Reconstructing the contexts and networks through which a particular accession came to reside in theNMNH, this research documents the process by which material exchange promoted international communication between practitioners in the emerging science of ethnology. [exchange networks, Franz Boas, Berlin, Washington, D.C.]
Childhood asthma and smoking exposures before conception—A three‐generational cohort study
Authors: Bråbäck Lennart , Lodge Caroline J. , Lowe Adrian J. , Dharmage Shyamali C. , Olsson David , Forsberg Bertil
Published: March 2018

Background

Some human and animal studies have recently shown that maternal grandmother's smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of asthma in the grandchildren. We have investigated whether sex of the exposed parent and/or grandchild modifies the association between grandmaternal smoking and grandchild asthma.

Methods

We formed a cohort study based on linkage of national registries with prospectively collected data over three generations. Smoking habits in early pregnancy were registered since 1982 and purchases of prescribed medication since 2005. In all, 10 329 children born since 2005 had information on maternal and grandmaternal smoking on both sides and were followed from birth up to 6 years of age. Ages when medication was purchased were used to classify the cohort into never, early transient (0‐3 years), early persistent (0‐3 and 4‐6 years), and late‐onset (4‐6 years) phenotypes of childhood asthma.

Results

Maternal grandmother's smoking was associated with an increased odds of early persistent asthma after adjustment for maternal smoking and other confounders (odds ratio 1.29, 95% confidence interval 1.10‐1.51). Grandchild sex did not modify the association. Paternal grandmother's smoking was not associated with any of the asthma phenotypes.

Conclusion

Maternal but not paternal exposure to nicotine before conception was related to an increased risk of early persistent childhood asthma, but not other asthma phenotypes. Our findings are possibly consistent with a sex‐specific mode of epigenetic transfer.
Mereological Nihilism and Puzzles about Material Objects
Authors: Rettler Bradley
Published: March 2018

Mereological nihilism is the view that no objects have proper parts. Despite how counter‐intuitive it is, it is taken quite seriously, largely because it solves a number of puzzles in the metaphysics of material objects – or so its proponents claim. In this article, I show that for every puzzle that mereological nihilism solves, there is a similar puzzle that (a) it doesn’t solve, and (b) every other solution to the original puzzle does solve. Since the solutions to the new puzzles apply just as well to the old puzzles, the old puzzles provide no motivation to be a mereological nihilist.
Partial adjustment toward target R&D intensity
Authors: Chen Yan
Published: March 2018

Existing research assumes that once firms have determined their target R&D intensity, they can adjust instantaneously and fully to their target R&D intensity, regardless of their past R&D intensity. In this study, we draw on the partial adjustment framework to examine the dynamics of firms' adjustment toward their target R&D intensity. We find that firms usually do not adjust instantaneously or fully to their target R&D intensity; they typically close half of the gap between their past and target R&D intensity in a year. Furthermore, we find that the speed of adjustment varies widely across firms. Firms with more cash flows, less debt, and more new equity financing have higher speed of adjustment. We draw implications for the dynamics of R&D investments and Schumpeterian competition.
A Preliminary Validation Study of Two Ultra‐Brief Measures of Suicide Risk: The Suicide and Perceived Burdensomeness Visual Analog Scales
Authors: Bryan Craig J.
Published: March 2018

The advent of rapid‐acting suicide‐focused interventions and longitudinal research designs employing high‐frequency, repeated measurement of suicide risk has resulted in a need to quantify suicide risk during very brief windows of time (e.g., minutes, hours, days). This has rapidly outpaced traditional methods for assessing suicide risk, which often focus on measuring indicators of suicide risk during much broader intervals of time (e.g., weeks to months). Valid and practical methods for rapidly assessing suicide risk during small time intervals are therefore needed. This study reports a preliminary examination of the Suicide Visual Analog Scale (S‐VAS) and the Perceived Burdensomeness Visual Analog Scale (PB‐VAS) in a clinical sample of suicidal adults. Results support the convergent validity, predictive validity, responsiveness, and clinical utility of both scales, suggesting the S‐VAS and PB‐VAS are valid methods for rapidly quantifying two dimensions of suicide risk.
New data, same story: phylogenomics does not support Syrphoidea (Diptera: Syrphidae, Pipunculidae)
Authors: PAULI THOMAS , BURT TREVOR O. , MEUSEMANN KAREN , BAYLESS KEITH , DONATH ALEXANDER , PODSIADLOWSKI LARS , MAYER CHRISTOPH , KOZLOV ALEXEY , VASILIKOPOULOS ALEXANDROS , LIU SHANLIN , ZHOU XIN , YEATES DAVID , MISOF BERNHARD , PETERS RALPH S. , MENGUAL XIMO
Published: March 2018

The Syrphoidea (families Pipunculidae and Syrphidae) has been suggested to be the sister group of the Schizophora, the largest species radiation of true flies. A major challenge in dipterology is inferring the phylogenetic relationship between Syrphoidea and Schizophora in order to understand the evolutionary history of flies. Using newly sequenced transcriptomic data of Syrphidae, Pipunculidae and closely related lineages, we were able to fully resolve phylogenetic relationships of Syrphoidea using a supermatrix approach with more than 1 million amino acid positions derived from 3145 genes, including 19 taxa across nine families. Platypezoidea were inferred as a sister group to Eumuscomorpha, which was recovered monophyletic. While Syrphidae were also found to be monophyletic, the superfamily Syrphoidea was not recovered as a monophyletic group, as Pipunculidae were inferred as sister group to Schizophora. Within Syrphidae, the subfamily Microdontinae was resolved as sister group to the remaining taxa, Syrphinae and Pipizinae were placed as sister groups, and the monophyly of Eristalinae was not recovered. Although our results are consistent with previously established hypotheses on Eumuscomorphan evolution, our approach is new to dipteran phylogeny, using larger‐scale transcriptomic data for the first time for this insect group.
Recurrent bacterial pneumonia due to immunoglobulin G2 subclass deficiency after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: Efficacy of immunoglobulin replacement
Authors: Yamazaki Rie , Kikuchi Taku , Kato Jun , Sakurai Masatoshi , Koda Yuya , Hashida Risa , Yamane Yusuke , Abe Ryohei , Hasegawa Naoki , Okamoto Shinichiro , Mori Takehiko
Published: March 2018

Immunoglobulin (Ig) G2 subclass deficiency is known to be associated with recurrent bacterial respiratory infections caused by capsulated bacteria. We encountered a case of recurrent pneumonia due to Streptococcus pneumoniae after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). IgG2 subclass level was specifically low, and prophylactic Ig replacement successfully prevented subsequent infections. However, the cessation of Ig replacement resulted in subsequent pneumonia. These findings suggested that IgG2 deficiency could be a cause of recurrent pneumococcal infection after allogeneic HSCT.
Direct‐acting antivirals and hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in co‐infected HBV/HCV kidney‐transplant recipients
Authors: Pol Stanislas , Marion Olivier , Vallet‐Pichard Anaïs , Meritet Jean‐François , Sauné Karine , Alric Laurent , Kamar Nassim
Published: March 2018

Direct‐acting agents (DAAs) are highly efficient at treating hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections after kidney transplantation. Although drug agencies have recently warned of the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation after patients have received DAAs, reports have discrepant results in HBsAg‐positive and HBsAg‐negative patients. We report on 3 cases of HBV reactivation that were detected after achieving a DAA‐associated sustained virological response in 3 kidney‐transplant recipients initially HBsAg‐negative. In the first case, retrospective virological analysis revealed that HBsAgs had become positive and HBV DNA was detectable before initiating DAA therapy. In the second and third cases, HBV reactivation occurred 2 months and more than 1 year after stopping anti‐HCV therapy. These cases underline the discrepancies and highlight the need for comprehensive information before making definitive conclusions regarding the causal link between DAAs and HBV reactivation.
Organ donor screening practices for Strongyloides stercoralis infection among US organ procurement organizations
Authors: Abanyie Francisca A. , Valice Emily , Delli Carpini Kristin W. , Gray Elizabeth B. , McAuliffe Isabel , Chin‐Hong Peter V. , Handali Sukwan , Montgomery Susan P. , Huprikar Shirish
Published: March 2018

Background

Targeted donor screening for strongyloidiasis performed at the time of organ procurement can prevent this life‐threatening donor‐derived infection.

Method

The Association of Organ Procurement Organizations surveyed members to determine the number of US organ procurement organizations (OPOs) performing donor screening for Strongyloides infection and their screening practices.

Results

All 58 OPOs responded to the survey. Only 6 (10%) currently screen donors for strongyloidiasis; most OPOs started 6‐36 months before the survey and one started 6 years prior. All used risk‐based criteria to determine which donors to screen, though the criteria varied among OPOs. A median of 56 donors have been screened at each OPO since initiating their screening programs, with a median of 2 infected donors (range 0‐13) identified. Overall, 53 organs have been transplanted from 22 infected donors, including hearts, lungs, kidneys, and livers. Of 52 OPOs not currently screening, 20 had considered screening and one plans to start screening in the near future. Of those considering risk‐based screening, most had not decided on the criteria. Uncertainty about the benefits of and guidelines for screening and misconceptions about the interpretation of test results were concerns shared by non‐screening OPOs.

Conclusion

Continued education and advocacy on the importance of targeted donor screening are needed.
Maternal red blood cell alloimmunization requiring intrauterine transfusion: a comparative study on management and outcome depending on the type of antibody
Authors: Phung Thanh‐Vy , Houfflin‐Debarge Véronique , Ramdane Nassima , Ghesquière Louise , Delsalle Anne , Coulon Capucine , Subtil Damien , Vaast Pascal , Garabedian Charles
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

The antibody primarily responsible for fetal anemia may influence treatment and prognosis. The primary objective was to compare ante‐ and postnatal management and the outcomes of maternal red blood cell (RBC) alloimmunizations according to the antibody involved. The secondary objective was to compare anti‐D alloimmunizations according to associated number of antibodies.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A single‐center study from 1999 to 2015 including maternal RBC alloimmunizations requiring intrauterine transfusion (IUT) was conducted. Patients were classified according to the antibody involved: anti‐D, other Rh (anti‐c and anti‐E), and anti‐K1. Obstetric data, IUT characteristics, and neonatal outcome were compared. A specific study on the anti‐D, when isolated or associated, was then conducted.

RESULTS

There were 106 pregnancies included, with 77.4% having anti‐D, 9.4% having another anti‐Rh (Rh group), and 13.2% having anti‐K1. No significant difference between the anti‐D and Rh groups was found for management and prognosis. The hemoglobin level in the first IUT was higher in the anti‐D group than in the Kell group (6.8 vs. 4.7 g/dL, p = 0.008). Newborns in the anti‐D group had significantly higher bilirubin levels and phototherapy duration than those in the Kell group. The mean estimated daily decrease in hemoglobin and that between the first two IUTs were lower with an isolated anti‐D, compared with anti‐D associated with two antibodies (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Anti‐K1 alloimmunizations seem to cause more severe fetal anemia than anti‐D alloimmunizations. Moreover, a decrease in hemoglobin appears to be more rapid when anti‐D is associated with other antibodies.
Region specific analysis for the use of ‘universal’ donor group O D− red blood cell units within Australia
Authors: Hirani R. , Wong J. , Mondy P. , Irving D. O.
Published: March 2018

Objectives

In Australia, the demand for group O D− red blood cell (RBC) units is proportionally increasing in contrast with an overall reduction in RBC demand. A survey was conducted to understand the use of group O D− RBC units. Aggregated national data from this study have been reported. However, Australia has large geographical and jurisdictional differences in blood product funding arrangements, transfusion and inventory management practices. This region specific analysis was conducted to understand these differences in the use of group O D− RBC units.

Design

The fate of each O D− RBC unit issued during a 5‐week period (n = 9733) was analysed including urgency of transfusion, product age, patient demographics or reason for discard. The data were divided to represent five regions representing 1‐2 states and/or territories across Australia.

Results

Regions 1 and 5 had the lowest number of O D− RBC units issued per 1000 population. Region 4 had the lowest percentage of discard (3·8%) compared with the national average of 7·9%. Region 4 also had the lowest percentage (44·0%) of O D− RBC units transfused into nongroup O D‐ recipients compared with the national average of 52·2%.

Conclusions

The differences in usage of group O D− RBC units among regions were not statistically significant. However, possible region specific practices, such as the presence of a well‐developed blood rotation programme, could impact O D− RBC demand. Shared learning across all regions could assist in ameliorating the increasing national O D− RBC demand in Australia.
Blood group genotyping goes next generation: featuring ABO, RH and MNS
Authors: Wu P. C. , Pai S.‐C. , Chen P.‐L.
Published: March 2018

There are currently 36 blood group systems comprising over 300 antigens. The genomic backgrounds of polymorphisms responsible for antigens of each blood group have been established. Current blood group genotyping platforms are focused on testing for antigen‐determine single nucleotide polymorphisms, which are the differences on DNA level for predicting the antigen phenotype, and thus are faced with challenges because of lack of ability to detect unknown variants, structural variants and copy number variations. With the advances in technology and bioinformatics analyses, next‐generation sequencing (NGS) is now an applicable platform for high‐throughput, accurate and extensive blood group genotyping. The widely used platforms and processing steps of NGS are illustrated in this article, as well as an overview of published works. NGS has been used in various applications involving blood group genomics, including location of genetic variants for blood group expression, antenatal care, allele frequency estimation and blood group antigen prediction. Even for some of the most complicated blood group systems, NGS provides insight to solve cis/trans associations and gene rearrangements occurring in homologous genes, as featured for the ABO, RH and MNS systems in this review. Although certain issues such as cost, turnaround time, secured data storage and verification remain challenges for routine blood group genotyping practices, NGS still holds great promise advancement in future perspectives.
Occupational transmission of an Orthopoxvirus infection during an outbreak in a colony of Macaca tonkeana in Lazio Region, Italy, 2015
Authors: Puro V. , Fusco F. M. , Castilletti C. , Carletti F. , Colavita F. , Agrati C. , Di Caro A. , Capobianchi M. R. , Ippolito G.
Published: March 2018

Orthopoxviruses spill over from animal reservoirs to accidental hosts, sometimes causing human infections. We describe the surveillance and infection control measures undertaken during an outbreak due to an Orthopoxvirus occurred in January 2015 in a colony of Macaca tonkeana in the province of Rieti, Latio, Italy, which caused a human asymptomatic infection. According to the epidemiological investigation, the human transmission occurred after an unprotected exposure. The contacts among wild, captive and domestic animals and humans, together with decreased immunity against Orthopoxviruses in the community, may put animal handlers at risk of infection, especially after the cessation of smallpox vaccination. To reduce these threats, standard precautions including respiratory hygiene and transmission‐based precautions should be carefully applied also in veterinary medicine.
Qualifications of Subject Teachers in Special Education Schools
Authors: Rasmussen Meryem Uçar , Kış Arzu
Published: March 2018

Teacher qualifications are essential to be able to teach children with special needs efficiently. Therefore the aim of this study is to determine the qualifications of subject teachers in special education schools in Turkey. In the study 20 subject teachers within the field of music, art and sports who worked in special education schools in Turkey participated. Qualitative research methods were used and the research data was collected using a semi-structured interview technique in the form of a questionnaire, collecting information about the teachers’ knowledge on the field of special education, what problems they encounter and what needs they might have. The data was analyzed using content analysis. The results show that the subject teachers in this study do not possess adequate knowledge about the students’ different disabilities and their characteristics. Beside the lack of knowledge the teachers also express a lack of tools, materials, and workshop rooms for art and music, a school gym, extra time, training, support services, in service programs, and collaboration with colleagues. Furthermore the teachers express insufficient qualifications in making lesson plans, teaching, assessing, managing the classroom, changing student behavior, and parent training. The teachers in the study expressed that the lack of training support and services, the lack of peer support and negative attitudes from colleagues and school administrators to subject teachers reduced their motivation and prevented them from teaching efficiently. All in all the lack in requirements can be divided into three respective ranking areas 1) teacher knowledge, 2) classroom materials, tools and equipment and 3) training, management and peer support. Even though the subject teachers express a seeking for support, the inadequate fulfillment of the requirements within the areas as mentioned above affect the teaching negatively and prevent the subject teachers from teaching children with special needs efficiently.
Effects of Scaled-up Professional Development Courses About Inquiry-Based Learning on Teachers
Authors: Maass Katja , Engeln Katrin
Published: March 2018

Although well researched in educational studies, inquiry-based learning, a student-centred way of teaching, is far away from being implemented in day-to-day science and mathematics teaching on a large scale. It is a challenge for teachers to adopt this new way of teaching in an often not supportive school context. Therefore it is important to provide high-quality professional development (PD) at a large scale. However, there is little empirical evidence about the effects of scaled-up professional development initiatives. Therefore, this paper presents an international research study for which long-term PD courses have been designed. These courses have been implemented across Europe in twelve different countries at scale by using the so-called “Cascade Model”. Here, course leaders are educated, who in turn educate other teachers. The research study aimed at evaluating the overall impact the scaled-up PD had on teachers and at also identifying variables influencing this impact.
The Effects of Aerobic and Anaerobic Training Programs Applied to Elite Wrestlers on Body Mass Index (BMI) and Blood Lipids
Authors: Demirel Nurcan , Özbay Serhat , Kaya Fatih
Published: March 2018

The purpose of this study is to analyse the effects of aerobic and anaerobic training programs applied to elite wrestlers on body mass index (BMI) and blood lipids. 20 elite wrestlers, whose average age is (experimental group; 15.20±4.61, n=10), control group; 15.90±2.08, n=10), participated in the study and they were randomly divided into two groups. Strength and endurance training programme based on “one day aerobic, one day anaerobic” principles was applied to the experimental group six days a week for eight weeks. The control group went on doing normal routine wrestling technical training. Before and after eight-week training program, BMI, Triglyceride, HDL-C, VLDL, Cholesterol, LDL blood values were taken from the experimental and the control group by body analyser. According to the results of the study, none of the blood lipid indicators of the control group did significantly changed from pretest to posttest. (p>0.05). However, HDL-C, cholesterol and LDL values from blood lipids indicators of the experimental group changed significantly from pretest to posttest. (p<0.05). There were no significant changes in body mass index (BMI), Triglyceride and VLDL. As a result, this study revealed that there was no significant difference in the control group which did exercise routinely, while the training programme with changeable type and volume made significant differences in the experimental group.In statistical analyses, paired- samples t test was used for intra-group comparisons, and independent sample t test was used for inter-group comparisons. The significance level was determined as p<0.05. For all the values, mean and standard deviation were used.
Camcarabodes korupensis gen. nov., sp. nov. (Acari, Oribatida, Carabodidae) from Cameroon
Authors: Ermilov Sergey G. , Starý Josef
Published: March 2018

A new oribatid mite genus of the family Сarabodidae, Camcarabodes gen. nov., with type species Camcarabodes korupensis sp. nov., is proposed and described from Cameroon. It differs from the similar genera Carabodella Mahunka, 1986, Hardybodes Balogh, 1970, Odontocepheus Berlese, 1913 and Sagittabodes Balogh & Mahunka, 1966 by the clearly depressed posterior half of the notogaster and some additional selective morphological traits (morphology of basal part of prodorsum and anterior half of notogaster; number and localization of notogastral setae; localization of interlamellar setae).
From Boreli (1680) and Bell (1826) to the Dynamics of Action and Perception
Authors: Turvey Michael T.
Published: March 2018

Recent developments in the study of action and perception have their roots in the contemplations of Giovanni Borelli, a 17th-century Italian mathematician and physicist, and Sir Charles Bell, and 18th-century English physiologist and neuroanatomist. When Borelli looked at muscle and its functional achievements, he saw dynamics with its attendant laws and principles; when Bell looked at muscle, he saw information about muscular states and a smart mechanism for its measurement. Research and theory on the dynamics of coordination and locomotion, and on the perceptual achievements of the haptic subsystem of dynamic touch, are providing affirmation of these visions of Borelli and Bell.
Tracing the fate of fructose
Authors: Page Kathleen A.
Published: March 2018

The small intestine may shield the liver from the damaging effects of fructose.
Combating low birth weight due to malaria infection in pregnancy
Authors: Beeson James G. , Scoullar Michelle J. L. , Boeuf Philippe
Published: March 2018

Decreased
l
-arginine and nitric oxide bioavailability in pregnant women with malaria contributes to low birth weight, suggesting that
l
-arginine supplementation could be a potential treatment (

McDonald
et al

.).
Potent Activities of Luliconazole, Lanoconazole, and Eight Comparators against Molecularly Characterized Fusarium Species
Authors: Abastabar Mahdi , Al-Hatmi Abdullah M. S. , Vafaei Moghaddam Mohammad , de Hoog G. Sybren , Haghani Iman , Aghili Seyed Reza , Shokohi Tahereh , Hedayati Mohammad Taghi , Daie Ghazvini Roshanak , Kachuei Reza , Rezaei-Matehkolaei Ali , Makimura Koichi , Meis Jacques F. , Badali Hamid
Published: March 2018

A collection of clinical (
n
= 47) and environmental (
n
= 79)
Fusarium
isolates were tested against 10 antifungal drugs, including 2 novel imidazoles. Luliconazole and lanoconazole demonstrated very low geometric mean MIC values of 0.005 and 0.013 μg/ml, respectively, compared with 0.51 μg/ml for micafungin, 0.85 μg/ml for efinaconazole, 1.12 μg/ml for natamycin, 1.18 μg/ml for anidulafungin, 1.31 μg/ml for voriconazole, 1.35 μg/ml for caspofungin, 1.9 μg/ml for amphotericin B, and 4.08 μg/ml for itraconazole. Results show that these drugs are potential candidates for (topical) treatment of skin and nail infections due to
Fusarium
species.
Micafungin Breakthrough Fungemia in Patients with Hematological Disorders
Authors: Kimura Muneyoshi , Araoka Hideki , Yamamoto Hisashi , Nakamura Shigeki , Nagi Minoru , Yamagoe Satoshi , Miyazaki Yoshitsugu , Ogura Sho , Mitsuki Takashi , Yuasa Mitsuhiro , Kaji Daisuke , Kageyama Kosei , Nishida Aya , Taya Yuki , Shimazu Hiroshi , Ishiwata Kazuya , Takagi Shinsuke , Yamamoto Go , Asano-Mori Yuki , Uchida Naoyuki , Wake Atsushi , Taniguchi Shuichi , Yoneyama Akiko
Published: March 2018

Limited data are available on micafungin breakthrough fungemia (MBF), fungemia that develops on administration of micafungin, in patients with hematological disorders. We reviewed medical and microbiological records of patients with hematological disorders who developed MBF between January 2008 and June 2015. A total of 39 patients with MBF were identified, and
Candida
(30 strains) and non-
Candida
(9 strains) fungal species were recognized as causative strains. Among 35 stored strains,
Candida parapsilosis
(14 strains),
Trichosporon asahii
(7 strains),
Candida glabrata
(5 strains), and other fungal species (9 strains) were identified by sequencing. Neutropenia was identified as an independent predictor of non-
Candida
fungemia (
P
= 0.023).
T. asahii
was the most common causative strain (7/19) during neutropenia. The 14-day crude mortality rate of patients treated with early micafungin change (EMC) to other antifungal agents was lower than that of the patients not treated with EMC (14% versus 43%,
P
= 0.044). Most of the stored causative
Candida
strains were susceptible (80%) or showed wild-type susceptibility (72%) to micafungin. The MICs of voriconazole for
T. asahii
were low (range, 0.015 to 0.12 μg/ml), whereas the MICs of amphotericin B for
T. asahii
were high (range, 2 to 4 μg/ml). MBF caused by non-
Candida
fungus should be considered, especially in patients with neutropenia. EMC could improve early mortality. Based on epidemiology and drug susceptibility profiling, empirical voriconazole-containing therapy might be suitable for treating MBF during neutropenia to cover for
T. asahii
.
Monitoring Viable Cells of the Biological Control Agent Lactobacillus plantarum PM411 in Aerial Plant Surfaces by Means of a Strain-Specific Viability Quantitative PCR Method
Authors: Daranas Núria , Bonaterra Anna , Francés Jesús , Cabrefiga Jordi , Montesinos Emilio , Badosa Esther
Published: March 2018

A viability quantitative PCR (v-qPCR) assay was developed for the unambiguous detection and quantification of
Lactobacillus plantarum
PM411 viable cells in aerial plant surfaces. A 972-bp region of a PM411 predicted prophage with mosaic architecture enabled the identification of a PM411 strain-specific molecular marker. Three primer sets with different amplicon lengths (92, 188, and 317 bp) and one TaqMan probe were designed. All the qPCR assays showed good linearity over a 4-log range and good efficiencies but differed in sensitivity. The nucleic acid-binding dye PEMAX was used to selectively detect and enumerate viable bacteria by v-qPCR. The primer set amplifying a 188-bp DNA fragment was selected as the most suitable for v-qPCR. The performance of the method was assessed on apple blossoms, pear, strawberry, and kiwifruit leaves in potted plants under controlled environmental conditions, as well as pear and apple blossoms under field conditions, by comparing v-qPCR population estimations to those obtained by qPCR and specific plate counting on de Man-Rogosa-Sharpe (MRS)-rifampin. The population estimation did not differ significantly between methods when conditions were conducive to bacterial survival. However, under stressful conditions, differences between methods were observed due to cell death or viable-but-nonculturable state induction. While qPCR overestimated the population level, plate counting underestimated this value in comparison to v-qPCR. PM411 attained stable population levels of viable cells on the flower environment under high relative humidity. However, the unfavorable conditions on the leaf surface and the relatively dryness in the field caused an important decrease in the viable population.

IMPORTANCE
The v-qPCR method in combination with plate counting and qPCR is a powerful tool for studies of colonization and survival under field conditions, to improve formulations and delivery strategies of PM411, and to optimize the dose and timing of spray schedules. It is expected that PEMAX v-qPCR could also be developed for monitoring other strains on plant surfaces not only as biological control agents but also beneficial bacteria useful in the sustainable management of crop production.
Complete Genomic Characterization of Korean Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Strain KUPE21
Authors: Park Jun Woo , Yoo Sung J. , Kwon Taeyong , Moon Youngkwang , Lyoo Young S.
Published: March 2018

Nationwide porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) outbreaks occurred in late 2013 in the Republic of Korea, resulting in an expansion of genomic data for Korean PEDVs. However, the data available for Korean PEDVs before 2013 are insufficient. Therefore, we sequenced and analyzed the complete genome of a Korean PEDV strain, KUPE21, which was isolated in the early 2000s.
Draft Genome Sequence of Methylobacterium sp. Strain V23, Isolated from Accretion Ice of the Antarctic Subglacial Lake Vostok
Authors: Sapp Amanda , Huguet-Tapia José C. , Sánchez-Lamas Maximiliano , Antelo Giuliano T. , Primo Emiliano D. , Rinaldi Jimena , Klinke Sebastián , Goldbaum Fernando A. , Bonomi Hernán R. , Christner Brent C. , Otero Lisandro H.
Published: March 2018

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
Methylobacterium
sp. strain V23, a bacterium isolated from accretion ice of the subglacial Lake Vostok (3,592 meters below the surface). This genome makes possible the study of ancient and psychrophilic genes and proteins from a subglacial environment isolated from the surface for at least 15 million years.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Symbiotic Strain Bradyrhizobium icense LMTR 13
T
, Isolated from Lima Bean (Phaseolus lunatus) in Peru
Authors: Ormeño-Orrillo Ernesto , Rogel Marco A. , Zúñiga-Dávila Doris , Martínez-Romero Esperanza
Published: March 2018

The complete genome sequence of
Bradyrhizobium icense
LMTR 13
T
, a root nodule bacterium isolated from the legume
Phaseolus lunatus
, is reported here. The genome consists of a circular 8,322,773-bp chromosome which codes for a large and novel symbiotic island as well as genes putatively involved in soil and root colonization.
Prevalence and treatment of spontaneous intracranial artery dissections in patients with acute stroke due to intracranial large vessel occlusion
Authors: Labeyrie Marc-Antoine , Civelli Vittorio , Reiner Peggy , Aymard Armand , Saint-Maurice Jean-Pierre , Zetchi Akli , Houdart Emmanuel
Published: March 2018

Objective

To identify the prevalence and therapeutic consequences of spontaneous intracranial artery dissection (IAD) at the acute phase of ischemic stroke.

Methods

We reviewed clinical and imaging data of consecutive patients attending our center for mechanical thrombectomy (MT) between January 2012 and November 2017. IAD was defined according to published criteria and our own angiographic criteria (no clot following MT, and normalization of the vessel caliber after stenting).

Results

IAD was retrospectively diagnosed in 13/391 (3%) patients (inter-rater agreement κ=0.885, P<0.001). It was an extending of extracranial dissection in 7/13 (54%) patients. A total of 21 recanalization approaches (with or without IV tissue plasminogen activator) were analyzed in 13 patients. A medical approach was used in 7/21 (33%), MT in 7/21 (33%) (stent retriever=6, thromboaspiration=1), and permanent stenting in 7/21 (33%). A rescue recanalization was necessary after 8/14 (57%) approaches without stenting. Stenting was associated with a best rate of recanalization (P=0.001) and with a trend towards a lower rate of ischemic recurrence (P=0.057). Stenting of a circulating false lumen failed to recanalize the artery in two patients. At the last follow-up, no patient had developed a subarachnoid hemorrhage due to the dissection. The outcome at 3 months was favorable in 8/13 (62%) patients. One patient died at 3 weeks owing to a severe cerebellar infarction.

Conclusion

IAD is a rare diagnosis that should be systematically considered in patients with intracranial large vessel occlusion, especially in patients with extracranial artery dissection and when MT does not retrieve any clot. Stenting of IAD as first-line approach should be assessed in further studies.
Renormalization of the superfluid density in the two-dimensional BCS-BEC crossover
Authors: Bighin G. , Salasnich L.
Published: March 2018

We analyze the theoretical derivation of the beyond-mean-field equation of state for two-dimensional gas of dilute, ultracold alkali-metal atoms in the Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer (BCS) to Bose–Einstein condensate (BEC) crossover. We show that at zero temperature our theory — considering Gaussian fluctuations on top of the mean-field equation of state — is in very good agreement with experimental data. Subsequently, we investigate the superfluid density at finite temperature and its renormalization due to the proliferation of vortex–antivortex pairs. By doing so, we determine the Berezinskii–Kosterlitz–Thouless (BKT) critical temperature — at which the renormalized superfluid density jumps to zero — as a function of the inter-atomic potential strength. We find that the Nelson–Kosterlitz criterion overestimates the BKT temperature with respect to the renormalization group equations, this effect being particularly relevant in the intermediate regime of the crossover.
Snyder-like modified gravity in Newton's spacetime
Authors: Leiva Carlos
Published: March 2018

This work is focused on searching a geodesic interpretation of the dynamics of a particle under the effects of a Snyder-like deformation in the background of the Kepler problem. In order to accomplish that task, a Newtonian spacetime is used. Newtonian spacetime is not a metric manifold, but allows to introduce a torsion-free connection in order to interpret the dynamic equations of the deformed Kepler problem as geodesics in a curved spacetime. These geodesics and the curvature terms of the Riemann and Ricci tensors show a mass and a fundamental length dependence as expected, but are velocity-independent that is a feature present in other classical approaches to the problem. In this sense, the effect of introducing a deformed algebra is examined and the corresponding curvature terms calculated, as well as the modifications of the integrals of motion.
The proton microscopic optical potential based on Skyrme interaction
Authors: Xu Yongli , Han Yinlu , Shen Qingbiao
Published: March 2018

The proton microscopic optical potential (MOP) based on Skyrme interaction has been achieved by the Green function method in the nuclear matter, and given by the local density approximation (LDA) for finite nuclei. The reaction cross-sections, elastic scattering angular distributions, analyzing powers, and spin-rotation functions are predicted by the obtained proton MOP with Skyrme interaction SkC in the mass range of target nuclei 24[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]A[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]209 with incident proton energy below 100[Formula: see text]MeV. These observables are further predicted for some light nuclei and actinide nuclei below 100[Formula: see text]MeV. The prediction is compared with existing experimental data. It is revealed that the obtained proton MOP based on Skyrme interaction SkC can satisfactorily describe the proton–nucleus elastic scattering.
SIGNAL-NOISE IDENTIFICATION OF MAGNETOTELLURIC SIGNALS USING FRACTAL-ENTROPY AND CLUSTERING ALGORITHM FOR TARGETED DE-NOISING
Authors: LI JIN , ZHANG XIAN , GONG JINZHE , TANG JINGTIAN , REN ZHENGYONG , LI GUANG , DENG YANLI , CAI JIN
Published: March 2018

A new technique is proposed for signal-noise identification and targeted de-noising of Magnetotelluric (MT) signals. This method is based on fractal-entropy and clustering algorithm, which automatically identifies signal sections corrupted by common interference (square, triangle and pulse waves), enabling targeted de-noising and preventing the loss of useful information in filtering. To implement the technique, four characteristic parameters — fractal box dimension (FBD), higuchi fractal dimension (HFD), fuzzy entropy (FuEn) and approximate entropy (ApEn) — are extracted from MT time-series. The fuzzy c-means (FCM) clustering technique is used to analyze the characteristic parameters and automatically distinguish signals with strong interference from the rest. The wavelet threshold (WT) de-noising method is used only to suppress the identified strong interference in selected signal sections. The technique is validated through signal samples with known interference, before being applied to a set of field measured MT/Audio Magnetotelluric (AMT) data. Compared with the conventional de-noising strategy that blindly applies the filter to the overall dataset, the proposed method can automatically identify and purposefully suppress the intermittent interference in the MT/AMT signal. The resulted apparent resistivity-phase curve is more continuous and smooth, and the slow-change trend in the low-frequency range is more precisely reserved. Moreover, the characteristic of the target-filtered MT/AMT signal is close to the essential characteristic of the natural field, and the result more accurately reflects the inherent electrical structure information of the measured site.
“Quantumness” versus “classicality” of quantum states and quantum protocols
Authors: Brodutch Aharon , Groisman Berry , Kenigsberg Dan , Mor Tal
Published: March 2018

Entanglement is one of the pillars of quantum mechanics and quantum information processing, and as a result, the quantumness of nonentangled states has typically been overlooked and unrecognized until the last decade. We give a robust definition for the classicality versus quantumness of a single multipartite quantum state, a set of states, and a protocol using quantum states. We show a variety of nonentangled (separable) states that exhibit interesting quantum properties, and we explore the “zoo” of separable states; several interesting subclasses are defined based on the diagonalizing bases of the states, and their nonclassical behavior is investigated.
Optimized decoy state QKD for underwater free space communication
Authors: Lopes Minal , Sarwade Nisha
Published: March 2018

Quantum cryptography (QC) is envisioned as a solution for global key distribution through fiber optic, free space and underwater optical communication due to its unconditional security. In view of this, this paper investigates underwater free space quantum key distribution (QKD) model for enhanced transmission distance, secret key rates and security. It is reported that secure underwater free space QKD is feasible in the clearest ocean water with the sifted key rates up to 207[Formula: see text]kbps. This paper extends this work by testing performance of optimized decoy state QKD protocol with underwater free space communication model. The attenuation of photons, quantum bit error rate and the sifted key generation rate of underwater quantum communication is obtained with vector radiative transfer theory and Monte Carlo method. It is observed from the simulations that optimized decoy state QKD evidently enhances the underwater secret key transmission distance as well as secret key rates.
A New SPH Iterative Method for Solving Nonlinear Equations
Authors: Imin Rahmatjan , Iminjan Ahmatjan
Published: March 2018

In this paper, based on the basic principle of the SPH method’s kernel approximation, a new kernel approximation was constructed to compute first-order derivative through Taylor series expansion. Derivative in Newton’s method was replaced to propose a new SPH iterative method for solving nonlinear equations. The advantage of this method is that it does not require any evaluation of derivatives, which overcame the shortcoming of Newton’s method. Quadratic convergence of new method was proved and a variety of numerical examples were given to illustrate that the method has the same computational efficiency as Newton’s method.
A New Formula for Predicting the Crater Size of a Target Plate Produced by Hypervelocity Impact
Authors: Zhang Z. L. , Ma T. , Feng D. L. , Liu M. B.
Published: March 2018

Hypervelocity impact (HVI) of materials is usually associated with large deformations of structures, big craters, phase transition of materials and scattered debris cloud. It is difficult to predict the size of damage caused by HVI while comprehensively considering all the influencing factors for both experimental and numerical approaches. In this paper, the HVI process is modeled by using the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method with Kernel Gradient Correction (KGC) technique. The SPH method with KGC (SPH-KGC) has been demonstrated to have better accuracy and reliability for modeling the HVI problems in our recent work. In this paper, the SPH-KGC method is used to investigate the HVI of a sphere on a target plate. The sizes of the craters produced by HVI at different initial impact velocities are obtained, and the variation of the crater size over the impact velocity is studied. According to the present simulation results, a critical velocity is identified and the increase of the crater size versus the initial impact velocity can be divided into two stages, a varying stage and a steady stage. A new empirical formula is presented for predicting the crater size of the target plate produced by HVI. This formula comprehensively considers the influence of many model parameters, such as the densities of the materials of both the projectile and the target, the sound speed of the target material, the diameter of the projectile and the thickness of the target plate. The results obtained by the presented prediction formula agree well with the experimental observations as well as the present SPH simulation results.
Development of a Software Package of Smoothed Finite Element Method (S-FEM) for Solid Mechanics Problems
Authors: Niu R. P. , Liu G. R. , Yue J. H.
Published: March 2018

This paper reports a work to develop a general solver of smoothed finite element methods (S-FEMs) for stress analysis of 2D and 3D solid mechanics problems. In the solver, several efficient algorithms are proposed to construct the real smoothing domains and calculate all the connectivity for later computation. The present implementation of S-FEM distinguishes from the existing published implementation of S-FEM in terms of computing the smoothed strains. The existing implementation uses the volume/area-weighted average method to compute the smoothed strains for the smoothing domain. The present algorithm uses surface/line integrals to compute the smoothed strains strictly following the general [Formula: see text] formulation of S-FEM. Therefore, the present solver is the most general, applicable to any polygon elements, and even to higher order interpolation including using radial basis functions. Numerical experiments for a number of 2D and 3D solid mechanics examples are carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness and reliability of our solver.
Digital-Image-Driven Stochastic Homogenization for Recycled Aggregate Concrete Based on Material Microstructure
Authors: Wu Yuching , Xiao Jianzhuang
Published: March 2018

In this paper, a digital-image-driven stochastic homogenization method is developed to analyze elastic heterogeneous media such as recycled aggregate concrete (RAC), etc. This linking can be accomplished in an efficient manner by exploiting the excellent synergy of finite pixel-element method and Monte Carlo simulation for the computation of the effective properties of the random five-phase composite. The pixel-point discretization of system geometry is used for the approximation of the mechanical response of the elastic heterogeneous microstructure. Using nanoindentation technique and scanning electron microscopy, tens of digital images of modulus map of the five-phase heterogeneous material are made. Using the moving window technique and the Monte Carlo method, the random elastic moduli of the five phases at micro-scale are obtained. Then the effective elastic modulus of the meso-scale representative volume element (RVE) is computed based on spectral stochastic finite element method. Finally, the effective modulus is used to analyze the global behavior of RVE at macro-scale. Then the finite pixel-element method is used to investigate the effect of microscopic covariance noise on the global material properties, as well as the computational efficiency. The results show that the digital image method is an accurate and efficient tool to investigate the random material properties across scales.
The Asymmetric Effects of Monetary Policy on Stock Market
Authors: Jiang Cheng
Published: March 2018

This paper shows that the effects of expansionary monetary policy on the U.S. stock market are asymmetric across different monetary policy phases and different stock market regimes. A Markov-switching dynamic factor model dates the periods of stock market regimes, and generates a new composite measure for overall stock market movements. A time-varying parameter analysis finds that an expansionary monetary policy such as an increase in monetary aggregates or a decrease in the Federal funds rate has positive impacts on stock returns only during the periods in which they are used as monetary policy targets by the Federal Reserve.