bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Charging balance management technology for low-voltage battery in the car control unit with combined power system
Authors: Debelov V V , Endachev D V , Yakunov D M , Deev O I
Published: June 2019

The article presents the results of mathematical models and algorithms development complex, which is aimed at ensuring a positive charge balance of an automobile low-voltage rechargeable battery in car control systems with a hybrid power system. The aim of the work is to create and implement a set of software and mathematical models on one of the existing passenger car model, using the default components and systems of the car, to achieve a positive energy balance of the automotive low-voltage power network, and also to solve the problem of battery discharge by normalizing the turn-on time of powerful consumers leading to fast battery discharge. As criteria for the optimal performance of the proposed models and algorithms, the SOC parameters are considered - state of charge (%), battery charge (A * h), charge and discharge current of a battery (A), voltage on a battery during its charge when a charging current is absent or in a quiescent state (V), ambient temperature (˚C). Authors defined: composition of a control system, the necessary logic and a set of mathematical models implemented by electronic systems to control the charging balance of the automotive low-voltage power supply network, connections and functions of systems and components. As a result of a full-scale experiment, charge and discharge graphs, experimental data, current characteristics and dynamics of their changes during operation, experimental time-current dependencies during the operation of each component of a low-voltage power grid were obtained. The results of the work support to improve energy balance of an electrical power network, increase the efficiency and service life cycle of batteries, formulate system and technical requirements for control systems and their subsequent implementation. Versatility solutions are provided for improving management of charge balance car battery.
The influence of the type of fly ash on selected physical properties of their water mixtures (multiphase mixtures)
Authors: Pierzyna P
Published: June 2019

Waste from energy or mining has been widely used in civil engineering for many years, ie in road engineering, construction, land reclamation as well as in mining. The most frequently performed technologies in underground mining with fine-fraction waste are the sealing of infarcted grouting of cavings and liquidation. In these technologies, transport and migration properties play a primary role. They depend on the type of fly ash. At present, in Polish hard coal mines located in Upper Silesia, most commonly used technologies are ashes with code 10 01 02 from conventional boilers, and as second ashes from code 10 02 82 from fluidized bed boilers. The article presents the results of research on selected physical properties of ash-water mixtures such as: water-ash index (W/FA), leveling, density and volume of excess water. Furthermore, for the tested ashes, the volume of water was determined, which can be utilized in the case of the technologies described above, and it will constitute an added value.
Use of a Jig Beneficiation Process for Obtaining Mineral Raw Materials
Authors: Kowol D , Matusiak P
Published: June 2019

The article presents a construction and operational principle of a pulsating jig, a device for obtaining minerals in a pulsating water medium. A smart control system of the device is discussed. Examples of jig implementations for obtaining minerals from natural deposits and for a recovery of minerals from mine heaps are presented. Tests results of used equipment are provided, indicating a possibility of obtaining purified aggregate and steam coal concentrate of high quality parameters.
Metals recovery from e-scrap using gravity, electrostatic and magnetic separations
Authors: Franke D , Suponik T
Published: June 2019

The purpose of the work was to recover metals from e-scrap, in particular from mainboards of desktop computers, using gravity, electrostatic and magnetic separation. The article describes the method of comminution as well as the yield of size fraction after this process. In addition, the separation of the fraction of 0.32 - 0.56 mm with the use of two systems: I) electrostatic and magnetic separation, and II); gravity and magnetic separation, was presented. The feed to the magnetic separator for both systems was metals (high density products). The yield of fraction 0.32 - 0.56 mm obtained after comminution was 40.7% while the yields of the products obtained from the first system were as follows: in the case of electrostatic separation, 24.9% metals and 75.1% plastics and glass; and for magnetic separation 0.7% of ferromagnetics, 19.0% of diamagnetics and 5.3% of paramagnetics. The yields of the products in the second system were: in the case of gravity separation, fraction with a density ρ > 2.96 g/cc = 33.0% and fraction with a density ρ<2.96 g/cc = 67.0%; and for magnetic separation 0.8% of ferromagnetics, 25.3% of diamagnetics and 6.9% of paramagnetics.
On generalizations of theorems involving the third-order mock theta functions
Authors: Hu QiuXia , Zhang ZhiZheng
Published: June 2019

In this paper, a transformation of bilateral series is again studied. Using this transformation, the generalizations of theorems involving some third-order mock theta functions are derived.
Orthogonal sums in Kreĭn spaces
Authors: Rovnyak James
Published: June 2019

Infinite orthogonal families of regular subspaces of a Kreĭn space exhibit a wide range of behavior. An elementary method is used to show that conditions on sums of projections produce behavior similar to that of orthogonal closed subspaces of a Hilbert space.
Periodic solutions to a forced Kepler problem in the plane
Authors: Boscaggin Alberto , Dambrosio Walter , Papini Duccio
Published: June 2019

Given a smooth function

U
(
t
,
x
)

U(t,x)

,

T
T

-periodic in the first variable and satisfying

U
(
t
,
x
)
=

O

(
|
x

|

α

)

U(t,x) = \mathcal {O}(\vert x \vert ^{\alpha })

for some

α
∈
(
0
,
2
)

\alpha \in (0,2)

as

|
x
|
→
∞

\vert x \vert \to \infty

, we prove that the forced Kepler problem
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="ModifyingAbove x With two-dots equals minus StartFraction x Over StartAbsoluteValue x EndAbsoluteValue cubed EndFraction plus nabla Subscript x Baseline upper U left-parenthesis t comma x right-parenthesis comma x element-of double-struck upper R squared comma">

x
¨

=
−

x

|

x

|

3

+

∇
x

U
(
t
,
x
)
,

x
∈

R

2

,

\begin{equation*} \ddot x = - \dfrac {x}{|x|^3} + \nabla _x U(t,x),\qquad x\in \mathbb {R}^2, \end{equation*}

has a generalized

T
T

-periodic solution, according to the definition given in the paper by A. Boscaggin, R. Ortega, and L. Zhao [Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 372 (2019), 677–703]. The proof relies on variational arguments.
Limits of traces of singular moduli
Authors: Choi Dohoon , Lim Subong
Published: June 2019

Let

f
f

and

g
g

be weakly holomorphic modular functions on

Γ
0

(
N
)

\Gamma _0(N)

with the trivial character. For an integer

d
d

, let

T
r

d

(
f
)

\mathrm {Tr}_d(f)

denote the modular trace of

f
f

of index

d
d

. Let

r
r

be a rational number equivalent to

i
∞

i\infty

under the action of

Γ
0

(
4
N
)

\Gamma _0(4N)

. In this paper, we prove that when

z
z

goes radially to

r
r

, the limit

Q

H
^

(
f
)

(
r
)

Q_{\hat {H}(f)}(r)

of the sum
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="upper H left-parenthesis f right-parenthesis left-parenthesis z right-parenthesis equals sigma-summation Underscript d greater-than 0 Endscripts normal upper T normal r Subscript d Baseline left-parenthesis f right-parenthesis e Superscript 2 pi i d z">

H
(
f
)
(
z
)
=

∑

d
>
0

T
r

d

(
f
)

e

2
π
i
d
z

H(f)(z) = \sum _{d>0}\mathrm {Tr}_d(f)e^{2\pi idz}

is a special value of a regularized twisted

L
L

-function defined by

T
r

d

(
f
)

\mathrm {Tr}_d(f)

for

d
≤
0

d\leq 0

. It is proved that the regularized

L
L

-function is meromorphic on

C

\mathbb {C}

and satisfies a certain functional equation. Finally, under the assumption that

N
N

is square free, we prove that if
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="upper Q Subscript ModifyingAbove upper H With caret left-parenthesis f right-parenthesis Baseline left-parenthesis r right-parenthesis equals upper Q Subscript ModifyingAbove upper H With caret left-parenthesis g right-parenthesis Baseline left-parenthesis r right-parenthesis">

Q

H
^

(
f
)

(
r
)
=

Q

H
^

(
g
)

(
r
)

Q_{\hat {H}(f)}(r)=Q_{\hat {H}(g)}(r)

for all

r
r

equivalent to

i
∞

i \infty

under the action of

Γ
0

(
4
N
)

\Gamma _0(4N)

, then

T
r

d

(
f
)
=

T
r

d

(
g
)

\mathrm {Tr}_d(f)=\mathrm {Tr}_d(g)

for all integers

d
d

.
Heegaard Floer homology and concordance bounds on the Thurston norm
Authors: Celoria Daniele , Golla Marco
Published: June 2019

We prove that twisted correction terms in Heegaard Floer homology provide lower bounds on the Thurston norm of certain cohomology classes determined by the strong concordance class of a

2
2

-component link

L
L

in

S
3

S^3

. We then specialise this procedure to knots in

S
2

×

S
1

S^2 \times S^1

and obtain a lower bound on their geometric winding number. We then provide an infinite family of null-homologous knots with increasing geometric winding number on which the bound is sharp.
How many eigenvalues of a random symmetric tensor are real?
Authors: Breiding Paul
Published: June 2019

This article answers a question posed by Draisma and Horobet, who asked for a closed formula for the expected number of real eigenvalues of a random real symmetric tensor drawn from the Gaussian distribution relative to the Bombieri norm. This expected value is equal to the expected number of real critical points on the unit sphere of a Kostlan polynomial. We also derive an exact formula for the expected absolute value of the determinant of a matrix from the Gaussian Orthogonal Ensemble.
Further mismeasures of animal contests: a new framework for assessment strategies
Authors: Chapin Kenneth James , Peixoto Paulo Enrique Cardoso , Briffa Mark
Published: June 2019

Competition for resources is a ubiquitous feature of life, and a central topic in behavioral ecology. Organisms use assessment strategies to resolve contests, which can be delineated into two broad categories by the information individuals use to make decisions: mutual assessment (MA) or self-assessment (SA). Most research hitherto has worked to bin a species into one of these categories. In this review, we discuss the limitations of this approach and provide solutions. We posit that assessment strategies do not need to be fixed within a species, individuals, or interactions, and that many organisms should adjust their assessment strategy as the environment, opponent, and opportunities for information gathering change. We show that assessment strategies are an individual-level characteristic, can vary within and between contests, and are not mutually exclusive. We argue that MA is the midpoint along a spectrum of self only and opponent only assessment. We discuss the effects of resource distribution, demographics, experience, information transfer, and ontogeny on assessment strategy evolution and behavior. We conclude by providing empirical guidelines and an example with a simulated dataset.
Some comments on certain statistical aspects of the study of the microbiome
Authors: Ferreira José A , Fuentes Susana
Published: June 2019

This note complements and clarifies part of the work of Hawinkel et al. recently published in the journal and suggests some more or less standard tools and methods for carrying out association studies of the microbiome.
HiFreSP: A novel high-frequency sub-pathway mining approach to identify robust prognostic gene signatures
Authors: Li Meng , Zhao Jianmei , Li Xuecang , Chen Yang , Feng Chenchen , Qian Fengcui , Liu Yuejuan , Zhang Jian , He Jianzhong , Ai Bo , Ning Ziyu , Liu Wei , Bai Xuefeng , Han Xiaole , Wu Zhiyong , Xu Xiue , Tang Zhidong , Pan Qi , Xu Liyan , Li Chunquan , Wang Qiuyu , Li Enmin
Published: June 2019

With the increasing awareness of heterogeneity in cancers, better prediction of cancer prognosis is much needed for more personalized treatment. Recently, extensive efforts have been made to explore the variations in gene expression for better prognosis. However, the prognostic gene signatures predicted by most existing methods have little robustness among different datasets of the same cancer. To improve the robustness of the gene signatures, we propose a novel high-frequency sub-pathways mining approach (HiFreSP), integrating a randomization strategy with gene interaction pathways. We identified a six-gene signature (CCND1, CSF3R, E2F2, JUP, RARA and TCF7) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) by HiFreSP. This signature displayed a strong ability to predict the clinical outcome of ESCC patients in two independent datasets (log-rank test, P = 0.0045 and 0.0087). To further show the predictive performance of HiFreSP, we applied it to two other cancers: pancreatic adenocarcinoma and breast cancer. The identified signatures show high predictive power in all testing datasets of the two cancers. Furthermore, compared with the two popular prognosis signature predicting methods, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator penalized Cox proportional hazards model and the random survival forest, HiFreSP showed better predictive accuracy and generalization across all testing datasets of the above three cancers. Lastly, we applied HiFreSP to 8137 patients involving 20 cancer types in the TCGA database and found high-frequency prognosis-associated pathways in many cancers. Taken together, HiFreSP shows higher prognostic capability and greater robustness, and the identified signatures provide clinical guidance for cancer prognosis. HiFreSP is freely available via GitHub: https://github.com/chunquanlipathway/HiFreSP.
A scalable method for parameter identification in kinetic models of metabolism using steady-state data
Authors: Srinivasan Shyam , Cluett William R , Mahadevan Radhakrishnan
Published: June 2019

Motivation

In kinetic models of metabolism, the parameter values determine the dynamic behaviour predicted by these models. Estimating parameters from in vivo experimental data require the parameters to be structurally identifiable, and the data to be informative enough to estimate these parameters. Existing methods to determine the structural identifiability of parameters in kinetic models of metabolism can only be applied to models of small metabolic networks due to their computational complexity. Additionally, a priori experimental design, a necessity to obtain informative data for parameter estimation, also does not account for using steady-state data to estimate parameters in kinetic models.

Results

Here, we present a scalable methodology to structurally identify parameters for each flux in a kinetic model of metabolism based on the availability of steady-state data. In doing so, we also address the issue of determining the number and nature of experiments for generating steady-state data to estimate these parameters. By using a small metabolic network as an example, we show that most parameters in fluxes expressed by mechanistic enzyme kinetic rate laws can be identified using steady-state data, and the steady-state data required for their estimation can be obtained from selective experiments involving both substrate and enzyme level perturbations. The methodology can be used in combination with other identifiability and experimental design algorithms that use dynamic data to determine the most informative experiments requiring the least resources to perform.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/LMSE/ident.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online
BAMixChecker: an automated checkup tool for matched sample pairs in NGS cohort
Authors: Chun Hein , Kim Sangwoo
Published: June 2019

Mislabeling in the process of next generation sequencing is a frequent problem that can cause an entire genomic analysis to fail, and a regular cohort-level checkup is needed to ensure that it has not occurred. We developed a new, automated tool (BAMixChecker) that accurately detects sample mismatches from a given BAM file cohort with minimal user intervention. BAMixChecker uses a flexible, data-specific set of single-nucleotide polymorphisms and detects orphan (unpaired) and swapped (mispaired) samples based on genotype-concordance score and entropy-based file name analysis. BAMixChecker shows ∼100% accuracy in real WES, RNA-Seq and targeted sequencing data cohorts, even for small panels (<50 genes). BAMixChecker provides an HTML-style report that graphically outlines the sample matching status in tables and heatmaps, with which users can quickly inspect any mismatch events.

Availability and implementation

BAMixChecker is available at https://github.com/heinc1010/BAMixChecker

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Generation of focal mutations and large genomic deletions in the pancreas using inducible in vivo genome editing
Authors: Mishra Amrendra , Emamgholi Fatemeh , Erlangga Zulrahman , Hartleben Björn , Unger Kristian , Wolff Katharina , Teichmann Ulrike , Kessel Michael , Woller Norman , Kühnel Florian , Dow Lukas E , Manns Michael P , Vogel Arndt , Lowe Scott W , Saborowski Anna , Saborowski Michael
Published: June 2019

Beyond the nearly uniform presence of KRAS mutations, pancreatic cancer is increasingly recognized as a heterogeneous disease. Preclinical in vivo model systems exist, but with the advent of precision oncology, murine models with enhanced genetic flexibility are needed to functionally annotate genetic alterations found in the human malignancy. Here, we describe the generation of focal gene disruptions and large chromosomal deletions via inducible and pancreas-specific expression of Cas9 in adult mice. Experimental mice are derived on demand directly from genetically engineered embryonic stem cells, without the need for further intercrossing. To provide initial validation of our approach, we show that disruption of the E3 ubiquitin ligase Rnf43 accelerates Kras  G12D-dependent tumourigenesis. Moreover, we demonstrate that this system can be used to rapidly interrogate the impact of complex cancer-associated alleles through the generation of a previously unstudied 1.2 megabase deletion surrounding the CDKN2A and CDKN2B tumour suppressors. Thus, our approach is capable of reproducibly generating biallelic and precise loss of large chromosomal fragments that, in conjunction with mutant Kras, leads to development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with full penetrance.
A misleading source: the fortuna of a sixteenth-century engraving and its impact on the history of Roman baths studies
Authors: Savani Giacomo
Published: June 2019

In this article, I follow the mixed fortunes of a woodcut depicting a cutaway view of a set of ancient baths, so far neglected by modern scholarship. First published in a mid-sixteenth-century treatise on balneology and based on a misinterpretation of Vitruvius (5.10.1), it reappeared as a copy of a Roman wall-painting in several eighteenth-century antiquarian works. The remarkable resonance enjoyed by this image in specialist and popular publications until the early twentieth century makes it one of the most influential and controversial sources in the history of Roman baths studies. In exploring the reasons behind the enduring, uncritical acceptance of this depiction, I raise broader questions concerning the nature and extent of intellectual networks in eighteenth-century Europe.
Endothelial function and dysfunction in the cardiovascular system: the long non-coding road
Authors: Monteiro João P , Bennett Matthew , Rodor Julie , Caudrillier Axelle , Ulitsky Igor , Baker Andrew H
Published: June 2019

Present throughout the vasculature, endothelial cells (ECs) are essential for blood vessel function and play a central role in the pathogenesis of diverse cardiovascular diseases. Understanding the intricate molecular determinants governing endothelial function and dysfunction is essential to develop novel clinical breakthroughs and improve knowledge. An increasing body of evidence demonstrates that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are active regulators of the endothelial transcriptome and function, providing emerging insights into core questions surrounding EC contributions to pathology, and perhaps the emergence of novel therapeutic opportunities. In this review, we discuss this class of non-coding transcripts and their role in endothelial biology during cardiovascular development, homeostasis, and disease, highlighting challenges during discovery and characterization and how these have been overcome to date. We further discuss the translational therapeutic implications and the challenges within the field, highlighting lncRNA that support endothelial phenotypes prevalent in cardiovascular disease.
Slavery, Indenture and the Development of British Industrial Capitalism
Authors: Harvey Mark
Published: June 2019

The paper addresses the central issue of the relationship between slavery and industrial capitalism. It does so by re-examining Eric Williams’s classic account and recent debates related to it on the one hand, and on the other, by challenging basic assumptions about capitalism as a closed market-wage labour-capital system. Taking a long-duration approach (from the mid eighteenth century to the end of the nineteenth century) to three key commodities – guns, sugar and cotton – the paper argues that British industrial capitalism drove the expansion of slavery and then other regimes of exploitation in a dynamic and interdependent relationship with the transformation of the metropolitan wage economy. The analysis is based on changing configurations of production-exchange-distribution-consumption for each of these three exemplary commodities. The British industrial revolution is thus characterized by its hybridity and heterogeneity, always combining varied regimes of exploitation: metropolitan wage labour, directly-owned British Caribbean and Mauritian slavery, and US Deep South slavery, each followed by varied transitions to indentured servitude or sharecropping. New and contrasting racialized orders of hierarchy and inequality emerged and were entrenched as a central feature of this epochal change, the legacies of which are only too present today.
Education and lung cancer: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zhou Huaqiang , Zhang Yaxiong , Liu Jiaqing , Yang Yunpeng , Fang Wenfeng , Hong Shaodong , Chen Gang , Zhao Shen , Zhang Zhonghan , Shen Jiayi , Xian Wei , Huang Yan , Zhao Hongyun , Zhang Li
Published: June 2019

Background

We aimed to investigate whether more years spent in education are causally associated with a lower risk of lung cancer, through a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Methods

The main analysis used publicly available genetic summary data from two large consortia [International Lung Cancer Consortium (ILCCO) and Social Science Genetic Association Consortium (SSGAC)]. Genetic variants used as instrumental variables for years of education were derived from SSGAC. Finally, genetic data from three additional consortia (TAG, GLGC, GIANT) were analysed to investigate whether education could causally alter common lung cancer risk factors. The exposure was the genetic predisposition to higher levels of education, measured by 73 single nucleotide polymorphisms from SSGAC. The primary outcome was the risk of lung cancer (11 348 events in ILCCO). Secondary outcomes based on different histological subtypes were also examined. Analyses were performed using the package TwoSampleMR in R.

Results

Genetic predisposition towards 3.6  years of additional education was associated with a 52% lower risk of lung cancer (odds ratio 0.48, 95% confidence interval 0.34 to 0.66; P = 1.02 × 10 − 5). Sensitivity analyses were consistent with a causal interpretation in which major bias from genetic pleiotropy was unlikely. The Mendelian randomization assumptions did not seem to be violated. Genetic predisposition towards longer education was additionally associated with less smoking, lower body mass index and a favourable blood lipid profile.

Conclusions

Our study indicated that low education is a causal risk factor in the development of lung cancer. Further work is needed to elucidate the potential mechanisms.
Severity of Plasmodium falciparum and Non-falciparum Malaria in Travelers and Migrants: A Nationwide Observational Study Over 2 Decades in Sweden
Authors: Wångdahl Andreas , Wyss Katja , Saduddin Dashti , Bottai Matteo , Ydring Elsie , Vikerfors Tomas , Färnert Anna
Published: June 2019

Background

The aim was to assess factors affecting disease severity in imported P. falciparum and non-falciparum malaria.

Methods

We reviewed medical records from 2793/3260 (85.7%) of all episodes notified in Sweden between 1995 and 2015 and performed multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Severe malaria according to WHO 2015 criteria was found in P. falciparum (9.4%), P. vivax (7.7%), P. ovale (5.3%), P. malariae (3.3%), and mixed P. falciparum episodes (21.1%). Factors associated with severe P. falciparum malaria were age <5 years and >40 years, origin in nonendemic country, pregnancy, HIV, region of diagnosis, and health care delay. Moreover, oral treatment of P. falciparum episodes with parasitemia ≥2% without severe signs at presentation was associated with progress to severe malaria with selected criteria. In non-falciparum, age >60 years, health care delay and endemic origin were identified as risk factors for severe disease. Among patients originating in endemic countries, a higher risk for severe malaria, both P. falciparum and non-falciparum, was observed among newly arrived migrants.

Conclusions

Severe malaria was observed in P. falciparum and non-falciparum episodes. Current WHO criteria for severe malaria may need optimization to better guide the management of malaria of different species in travelers and migrants in nonendemic areas.
Achieving the first of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 90-90-90 targets: understanding the influence of HIV risk perceptions, knowing one’s partner’s status and discussion of HIV/sexually transmitted infections with a sexual partner on uptake of HIV testing
Authors: Ajayi A I , Mudefi E , Adeniyi O V , Goon D T
Published: June 2019

This study assessed how HIV risk perceptions, knowledge of one’s partner’s status and discussion of HIV/sexually transmitted infections (STIs) with one’s sexual partner influence the uptake of HIV testing. Data were obtained from 833 young adults, selected using stratified random sampling in a South African university in 2018. Adjusted and unadjusted logistic regression models were employed to examine determinants of HIV testing uptake. The majority of students (69.9%) had previously tested for HIV, but only 58.4% tested for HIV in the last year. Being highly concerned about contracting HIV/STIs was positively associated with having tested for HIV (adjusted OR [AOR]: 4.28; CI: 2.50 to 7.34) and getting an HIV test in the past year (AOR: 1.83; CI: 1.20 to 2.80). Knowing one’s partner’s status was associated with a higher probability of ever having been tested for HIV (AOR: 3.07; CI: 1.89 to 4.97) or having received an HIV test in the previous year (AOR: 2.66; CI: 1.77 to 3.99). Discussion of HIV/STIs was associated with higher odds of having ever been tested for HIV (AOR: 3.81; CI: 2.44 to 5.96) and recent HIV testing (AOR: 3.22; CI: 2.17 to 4.77). HIV testing was below the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS UNAIDS 90-90-90 target. Being concerned about contracting HIV, discussion of HIV/STIs with a sexual partner and knowing one’s partner’s HIV status were associated with the uptake of HIV testing.
Technology for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: What Do Sri Lankan Parents and Practitioners Want?
Authors: Soysa Amani Induni , Al Mahmud Abdullah
Published: June 2019

At present, technology is being extensively used among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in affluent countries. However, there is a lack of studies exploring the use of technology for children with ASD in developing countries. This study, therefore, investigates the current role of technology for children with ASD in Sri Lanka where the autism prevalence is 1 in 93 children in the age group of 0–3. This qualitative study utilized semi-structured interviews and focus group sessions with 32 parents and 18 practitioners who work closely with children with ASD. The findings of this study indicate that a wide array of technological applications (n = 37) is used among children with ASD in Sri Lanka at home and therapy settings. This study further identifies different patterns of using technology at home and in therapy settings. For instance, parents mostly use passive learning technologies such as television and YouTube channels on smartphones to educate children with ASD in home settings. On the other hand, practitioners use interactive technologies such as desktop computer programs and tablet applications to develop skills and engage with children with ASD. Though many technological applications are used among Sri Lankan children with ASD, parents and practitioners illustrated that current technological applications need to be further improved and modified to cater for the needs of children with ASD and to make learning more effective. We also found out that having flexible customization can be a powerful tool when designing software applications for children with ASD in Sri Lanka. Finally, we present the implications for designing technologies for children with ASD highlighting the similarities and differences of our findings with those studies conducted in affluent countries.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

Digital technology such as TV and desktop computers are widely used among children with ASD in Sri Lanka. Most parents of children with ASD use passive learning technologies (i.e. TV), while practitioners use more interactive technologies such as tablets and computers. The most common use of technology at home is to teach academic skills (i.e. vocabulary and maths), while the most common use of technology at therapy is for sensory integration. Applications supporting Sri Lankan cultural context is one of the popular functionality required by both parents and practitioners of children with ASD. Customization can be a key feature when designing software applications for children with ASD in non-English speaking multilingual countries like Sri Lanka.
Incidence and Survival Among Young Women With Stage I–III Breast Cancer: SEER 2000–2015
Authors: Thomas Alexandra , Rhoads Anthony , Pinkerton Elizabeth , Schroeder Mary C , Conway Kristin M , Hundley William G , McNally Lacey R , Oleson Jacob , Lynch Charles F , Romitti Paul A
Published: June 2019

Background

Although recent findings suggest that de novo stage IV breast cancer is increasing in premenopausal women in the United States, contemporary incidence and survival data are lacking for stage I–III cancer.

Methods

Women aged 20–29 (n = 3826), 30–39 (n = 34 585), and 40–49 (n = 126 552) years who were diagnosed with stage I–III breast cancer from 2000 to 2015 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 18 registries database. Age-adjusted, average annual percentage changes in incidence and 5- and 10-year Kaplan-Meier survival curves were estimated by race and ethnicity, stage, and hormone receptor (HR) status and grade (low to well and moderately differentiated; high to poorly and undifferentiated) for each age decade.

Results

The average annual percentage change in incidence was positive for each age decade and was highest among women aged 20–29 years. Increased incidence was driven largely by HR+ cancer, particularly HR+ low-grade cancer in women aged 20–29 and 40–49 years. By 2015, incidence of HR+ low- and high-grade cancer each independently exceeded incidence of HR− cancer in each age decade. Survival for HR+ low- and high-grade cancer decreased with decreasing age; survival for HR− cancer was similar across age decades. Among all women aged 20–29 years, 10-year survival for HR+ high-grade cancer was lower than that for HR+ low-grade or HR− cancer. Among women aged 20–29 years with stage I cancer, 10-year survival was lowest for HR+ high-grade cancer.

Conclusions

HR+ breast cancer is increasing in incidence among premenopausal women, and HR+ high-grade cancer was associated with reduced survival among women aged 20–29 years. Our findings can help guide further evaluation of preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies for breast cancer among premenopausal women.
Estimating Biomass Availability and Cost When Implementing Forest Restoration with Tethered Harvest Systems
Authors: Petitmermet Joshua H , Fried Jeremy S , Sessions John
Published: June 2019

Using an adaptation of Forest Inventory and Analysis’s BioSum framework, which models prospective management of forested landscapes using forest inventory data, we tested several fire-resistance-promoting restoration treatments, implemented with tethered cut-to-length harvest systems, for effectiveness and economic feasibility in the dry national forests of southern Oregon and northern California. Treatments elevated fire resistance on most forested area, primarily via increases in the separation of canopy and surface fuels and among tree crowns, and the most effective treatments could more than cover treatment cost with sales of wood in most stands. If, instead of disposal by burning at the landing, small-diameter wood was delivered to a biochar facility capable of paying US$50 per bone dry ton, this would increase the share of forest area on which treatment could break even from 61 percent to 67 percent, slightly more than the 66 achievable with a treatment subsidy of US$100 ac−1. Potential treatment area appears to be currently constrained by institutional capacity, not treatment effectiveness, economics, opportunity, or need. Even with the currently modest scale of management activity, sufficient biochar feedstock is available in the upper Klamath Basin to supply at least one large-scale biochar facility over the next 20 years.
From Maximizing to Minimizing: A National Study of State Bureaucrats and Their Budget Preferences
Authors: Arapis Theodore , Bowling Cynthia
Published: June 2019

Since the 1960s, public choice theorists have stigmatized bureaucrats as budget maximizers who only care for expanding their own agencies. Despite evidence revealing much more diverse budget behaviors, scholars have almost exclusively focused on studying budget maximizing and its associated factors. To address this limitation, this study employs a multi-level cross-classified logistic regression model to explore factors associated with budget-minimizing preferences or goals instead. While budget preferences may differ from actual budget requests, where administrators may ask for higher or lower funding, they are the initial goals for strategic budgetary requests and deserve attention. Using four decades of the American State Administrators Project (1974–2008), we analyzed responses from eight surveys reflecting the views of approximately 9,500 state agency administrators across all years. We found a notable number of state administrators holding no aspirations for agency or state budget expansion—budget minimizers. As is the case when administrators formulate their actual strategic budget requests, agency heads’ ultimate goals are shaped by not only the characteristics and internal attitudes of administrators but also by the entire context in which agency heads are embedded. Governors, clientele groups, state budgeting rules, and the fiscal environment all played a role when state administrators formed minimizing budget preferences. Interestingly, while some of these actors continually helped shape budget minimizing over time, others had more limited or time-bound effects.
The Political Psychology of Citizen Satisfaction: Does Functional Responsibility Matter?
Authors: Jilke Sebastian , Baekgaard Martin
Published: June 2019

The provision of public services is a key responsibility of elected politicians. Research suggests that citizens’ satisfaction evaluations of public services are incomplete representations of service quality and performance. However, little attention has been given to the political nature of service evaluations. Based on the theory of (partisan) motivated reasoning and the literature on responsibility attribution, we argue that citizens provide more favorable evaluations of municipal services when the responsibility for these services is vested in political principals with matching partisanship. Drawing on original data from a two-wave pre-post panel survey of Danish voters in the 2017 municipal elections, we employ a difference-in-differences estimator to identify the effect of a partisan match between voters and elected municipal leaders on citizen satisfaction with municipal services. We furthermore nest a survey experiment in the panel survey to test whether partisan bias in citizen satisfaction emerges when the line of functional responsibility between political principals and public services is clear and not dispersed across multiple actors. Our findings provide support for the hypothesis of partisan bias in satisfaction evaluations. We further demonstrate the importance of clarity of responsibility; partisan bias seems to come into being when the functional responsibility of municipal leaders for public services is clear and not dispersed across multiple actors, pointing toward a possible mechanism of partisan bias in citizen satisfaction.
Potential Clinical Effects of a Novel Rapid Diagnostic Panel for Pediatric Musculoskeletal Infections
Authors: Searns Justin B , Gralla Jane , Parker Sarah K , Dominguez Samuel R
Published: June 2019

A direct-from-source rapid musculoskeletal diagnostic panel (MDP) was validated recently. We compared clinical measures to theoretical time points had MDP results been available. The MDP would have significantly decreased the time to pathogen identification (7 hours), time to definitive antimicrobial therapy (22 hours), and hospital length of stay (26.4 hours).
Clinical suspicion is key: an unusual presentation of septic arthritis after distal pancreatectomy
Authors: Prince Joel M , Fan Ji , Misra Subhasis
Published: June 2019

Septic arthritis is the result of an infectious agent gaining access a sterile joint. This results in a devastating inflammatory response that leads to rapid destruction of intra-articular cartilage and with it significant morbidity. This case study reports an unusual presentation of septic arthritis following abdominal surgery; specifically, a distal pancreatectomy performed for an enlarged, mid-body pancreas mass involving the splenic artery. This is the first reported case of septic arthritis following abdominal surgery, though the exact etiology is unknown.
Regulation of seed dormancy by the maternal environment is instrumental for maximizing plant fitness in Polygonum aviculare
Authors: Fernández Farnocchia Rocío B , Benech-Arnold Roberto L , Batlla Diego
Published: June 2019

The maternal environment during the reproductive phase in Polygonum aviculare regulates the dormancy level of seeds so that those dispersed at different times all germinate within an optimal period. Photoperiod plays an important role in this regulation.
Aesthetic appreciation and Spanish art: insights from eye-tracking
Authors: Bailey-Ross Claire , Beresford Andrew M , Smith Daniel T , Warwick Claire
Published: June 2019

Eye-tracking—the process of capturing and measuring human eye movement—is becoming an increasingly prevalent tool in the cultural heritage sector to understand visual processing and audience behaviours. Yet, most applications to date have focused on individual artworks and distinctions between representative/non-representative topics, with little prior work on the effects of differing written interpretations on the visual exploration of collections of artworks, particularly with devotional themes. This article reports on an eye-tracking study that explored responses to the unique collection of Francisco de Zurbarán paintings in County Durham. Using eye-tracking technology in a laboratory setting, we evaluated the viewing behaviour of three participant groups to determine whether the accompanying written context influences how digital reproductions are experienced. In addition to demonstrating statistically significant variations in aesthetic appreciation, the experiments showed that the gaze can be redirected towards areas of conceptual significance. Most importantly, we were able to challenge the assumption that viewers always look at faces (Bindemann et al., 2005). Our findings make an important new contribution to the scholarly understanding of how audiences view, appreciate, and understand artworks and to museum and heritage practices relevant to the display of art.
Hormones modulate Candida vaginal isolates biofilm formation and decrease their susceptibility to azoles and hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Gonçalves Bruna , Azevedo Nuno Miguel , Henriques Mariana , Silva Sónia
Published: June 2019

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is an infection usually caused by Candida albicans and increasingly by Candida glabrata, which has an intrinsically high resistance to commonly used antifungals. Candida species possess virulence factors that contribute to VVC development, as the ability to form biofilms in vaginal walls and intrauterine devices. It is known that VVC is promoted by conditions that increase the hormones levels, during pregnancy, however, the effects of hormones on Candida cells are poorly studied, especially in C. glabrata. Thus, the influence of progesterone and β-estradiol, at normal cycle and pregnancy concentrations, on biofilm formation and resistance of C. albicans and C. glabrata vaginal isolates, was analyzed using acidic conditions (pH 4). Biofilms of C. albicans developed in the presence of hormones presented reduced biomass (up to 65%) and impaired cells ability to produce filamentous forms. On the other hand, C. glabrata presented high adaptation to the presence of hormones, which did not affect its biofilm formation. Additionally, hormones impaired the susceptibility of C. albicans and C. glabrata cells to azoles, with potential clinical significance in the presence of pregnancy hormone levels. A similar result was obtained for the susceptibility to hydrogen peroxide, a biological vaginal barrier against Candida growth. Overall, the results of this study suggest that hormones may act as environmental cues promoting Candida protection from vaginal defenses and harmful conditions, what may have implications in Candida vaginal pathogenicity and treatment of VVC, especially in C. glabrata infections due to its high adaptability to vaginal conditions.
The antifungal activities and biological consequences of BMVC-12C-P, a carbazole derivative against Candida species
Authors: Shen Mandy , Li Pei-Tzu , Wu Yan-Jia , Lin Ching-Hsuan , Chai Eric , Chang Ta-Chau , Chen Chin-Tin
Published: June 2019

Fungal infections, particularly Candida species, have increased worldwide and caused high morbidity and mortality rates. The toxicity and development of resistance in present antifungal drugs justify the need of new drugs with different mechanism of action. BMVC-12C-P, a carbazole-type compound, has been found to dysfunction mitochondria. BMVC-12C-P displayed the strongest antifungal activities among all of the BMVC derivatives. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of BMVC-12C-P against Candida species ranged from 1 to 2 μg/ml. Fluconazole-resistant clinical isolates of Candida species were highly susceptible to BMVC-12C-P. The potent fungicidal activity of BMVC-12C-P relates to its impairing mitochondrial function. Furthermore, we found that the hyphae growth and biofilm formation were suppressed in C. albicans survived from BMVC-12C-P treatment. This study demonstrates the potential of BMVC-12C-P as an antifungal agent for treating Candida infections.
Species identification, antifungal susceptibility, and clinical feature association of Aspergillus section Nigri isolates from the lower respiratory tract
Authors: Takeda Keita , Suzuki Junko , Watanabe Akira , Matsuki Mei , Higa Katsuyuki , Inoue Eri , Akashi Shunsuke , Shimada Masahiro , Kawashima Masahiro , Ohshima Nobuharu , Fukami Takeshi , Masuda Kimihiko , Yamane Akira , Tamura Atsuhisa , Nagai Hideaki , Matsui Hirotoshi , Tohma Shigeto , Kamei Katsuhiko
Published: June 2019

Species of Aspergillus section Nigri are generally identified by molecular genetics approaches, whereas in clinical practice, they are classified as A. niger by their morphological characteristics. This study aimed to investigate whether the species of Aspergillus section Nigri isolated from the respiratory tract vary depending on clinical diagnosis. Forty-four Aspergillus section Nigri isolates isolated from the lower respiratory tracts of 43 patients were collected from February 2012 to January 2017 at the National Hospital Organization (NHO) Tokyo National Hospital. Species identification was carried out based on β-tubulin gene analysis. Drug susceptibility tests were performed according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M38 3rd edition, and the clinical characteristics were retrospectively reviewed. A. welwitschiae was isolated most frequently, followed by A. tubingensis. More than half of the A. tubingensis isolates exhibited low susceptibility to azoles in contrast to only one A. welwitschiae isolate. Approximately three quarters of the patients from whom A. welwitschiae was isolated were diagnosed with colonization, whereas more than half the patients from whom A. tubingensis was isolated were diagnosed with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). More attention needs to be given to the drug choice for patients with CPA with Aspergillus section Nigri infection because A. tubingensis, which was found to be frequently azole-resistant, was the most prevalent in these patients.
Black hole mass estimation for active galactic nuclei from a new angle
Authors: Baron Dalya , Ménard Brice
Published: June 2019

The scaling relations between supermassive black holes and their host galaxy properties are of fundamental importance in the context black hole-host galaxy co-evolution throughout cosmic time. In this work, we use a novel algorithm that identifies smooth trends in complex data sets and apply it to a sample of 2000 type 1 active galactic nuclei (AGNs) spectra. We detect a sequence in emission line shapes and strengths which reveals a correlation between the narrow L([O iii])/L(H β) line ratio and the width of the broad H α. This scaling relation ties the kinematics of the gas clouds in the broad line region to the ionization state of the narrow line region, connecting the properties of gas clouds kiloparsecs away from the black hole to material gravitationally bound to it on sub-parsec scales. This relation can be used to estimate black hole masses from narrow emission lines only. It therefore enables black hole mass estimation for obscured type 2 AGNs and allows us to explore the connection between black holes and host galaxy properties for thousands of objects, well beyond the local Universe. Using this technique, we present the MBH–σ and MBH–M* scaling relations for a sample of about 10 000 type 2 AGNs from Sloan Digital Sky Survey. These relations are remarkably consistent with those observed for type 1 AGNs, suggesting that this new method may perform as reliably as the classical estimate used in non-obscured type 1 AGNs. These findings open a new window for studies of black hole-host galaxy co-evolution throughout cosmic time.