bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retention of contaminants Cd and Hg adsorbed and intercalated in aluminosilicate clays: A first principles study
Authors: Crasto de Lima F. D. , Miwa R. H. , Miranda Caetano R.
Published: November 2017

Layered clay materials have been used to incorporate transition metal (TM) contaminants. Based on first-principles calculations, we have examined the energetic stability and the electronic properties due to the incorporation of Cd and Hg in layered clay materials, kaolinite (KAO) and pyrophyllite (PYR). The TM can be (i) adsorbed on the clay surface as well as (ii) intercalated between the clay layers. For the intercalated case, the contaminant incorporation rate can be optimized by controlling the interlayer spacing of the clay, namely, pillared clays. Our total energy results reveal that the incorporation of the TMs can be maximized through a suitable tuning of vertical distance between the clay layers. Based on the calculated TM/clay binding energies and the Langmuir absorption model, we estimate the concentrations of the TMs. Further kinetic properties have been examined by calculating the activation energies, where we found energy barriers of ∼20 and ∼130 meV for adsorbed and intercalated cases, respectively. The adsorption and intercalation of ionized TM adatoms were also considered within the deprotonated KAO surface. This also leads to an optimal interlayer distance which maximizes the TM incorporation rate. By mapping the total charge transfers at the TM/clay interface, we identify a net electronic charge transfer from the TM adatoms to the topmost clay surface layer. The effect of such a charge transfer on the electronic structure of the clay (host) has been examined through a set of X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) simulations, characterizing the changes of the XANES spectra upon the presence of the contaminants. Finally, for the pillared clays, we quantify the Cd and Hg K-edge energy shifts of the TMs as a function of the interlayer distance between the clay layers and the Al K-edge spectra for the pristine and pillared clays.
Self-mode-locked AlGaInP-VECSEL
Authors: Bek R. , Großmann M. , Kahle H. , Koch M. , Rahimi-Iman A. , Jetter M. , Michler P.
Published: November 2017

We report the mode-locked operation of an AlGaInP-based semiconductor disk laser without a saturable absorber. The active region containing 20 GaInP quantum wells is used in a linear cavity with a curved outcoupling mirror. The gain chip is optically pumped by a 532 nm laser, and mode-locking is achieved by carefully adjusting the pump spot size. For a pump power of 6.8 W, an average output power of up to 30 mW is reached at a laser wavelength of 666 nm. The pulsed emission is characterized using a fast oscilloscope and a spectrum analyzer, demonstrating stable single-pulse operation at a repetition rate of 3.5 GHz. Intensity autocorrelation measurements reveal a FWHM pulse duration of 22 ps with an additional coherence peak on top, indicating noise-like pulses. The frequency spectrum, as well as the Gaussian beam profile and the measured beam propagation factor below 1.1, shows no influence of higher order transverse modes contributing to the mode-locked operation.
Dehumanizing metaphors in UK immigrant debates in press and online media
Authors: Musolff Andreas
Published: November 2017

Some Internet genres, in particular Weblogs and discussion fora, have a dubious reputation for giving voice to strongly polemical discourses or hate-speech. This chapter investigates the use of dehumanizing metaphors, specifically parasite metaphors, in British debates about immigration. It compares the range of metaphors used in Blogs with that used in online fora and in mainstream newspaper coverage and concludes that despite substantial variation, they can be categorised into four main scenarios, of which one includes dehumanizing metaphors such as depictions of immigrants as parasites, leeches, or bloodsuckers. Whilst this kind of stigmatizing imagery occurs across the three different media genres, the samples also show significant quantitative and qualitative differences: dehumanizing metaphors occur most often and their potential for aggressive argumentation and polemics is exploited in more detail in Blogs than in the fora, and least in the mainstream press. It is then asked what cognitive import this differential usage has in view of a) the discourse histories of such metaphors and b) their most likely present-day semantic motivation. The chapter concludes that while it is unlikely that present-day users have detailed knowledge of the etymological and conceptual histories of such metaphors, it is also improbable to assume a wholly “unconscious” or “automatic” use or reception in the respective community of practice, and that instead it is more likely that they are used with a high degree of “deliberateness” and a modicum of discourse-historical awareness.
The politics of being insulted
Authors: Kampf Zohar
Published: November 2017

Scholars of politeness admit that being insulted may be the result of the hearer’s assumptions about the other’s behavior and may not necessarily relate to the actual words or intentions of the speaker. Thus, it is surprising to find only a few accounts of how people are doing “being insulted” or of how, in public discourse, responses to insults are strategically employed for various ends. In this chapter, I analyze the meta-pragmatics of “hurt feelings” in order to understand how speakers do things with emotions and the role of hurt feelings in political democratic discourse. By examining instances in which public figures have stated their feelings of insult in Israeli public discourse (1997–2012), I show both how hurt feelings are strategically employed to protest against politically unacceptable acts, and how public actors sometimes explicitly refuse to be insulted, shifting the meaning of what is perceived as an insult by side-participants into a compliment. I conclude by discussing the consequences of manifesting hurt feelings in political discourse.
“Threatening other” or “role-model brother”?
Authors: Szilágyi Anna
Published: November 2017

In the late 2000s far-right parties made significant gains in numerous countries of the European Union. Sharing the same agenda and discourse of discrimination, many of these parties collaborate today at the European level as well. Yet, it is unclear whether the contemporary European far-right is indeed homogenous in terms of ideology. This project in critical discourse analysis shows that the far-right in the EU is actually characterized by ideological diversity. The chapter compares and contrasts how China, an emerging great power with a booming economy, has been portrayed in the early 2010s by far-right parties in the UK and Hungary. By identifying major references, metaphors, frames and argumentation schemes, the author concludes that despite belonging to the same party family, and being actual political allies, the British National Party (BNP) and the Jobbik party in Hungary construct fundamentally different images of the “Chinese Other”. The far-right in the UK, a major Western power, presents China clearly in hostile terms, mainly as a “dangerous, threatening intruder” into the British market. Additionally, in the discourse of the British far-right China is primarily identified as a communist dictatorship and used as a metaphor of oppression in the domestic UK context. Meanwhile, in Hungary, a post-communist country in Eastern Europe and a relatively recent member of the European Union, an opposite picture of China is constructed by the far-right. Here, China serves as a tool to distance Hungary from the West. China is positioned by the Hungarian far-right as a state where communism has lost its significance. By stressing the Asian origin of Hungarians, brotherhood is claimed among Hungarians and Chinese and China is presented as a “role model country” which successfully resisted “Western dominance”.
Mobilizing against the Other
Authors: Kopytowska Monika , Grabowski Łukasz , Woźniak Julita
Published: November 2017

Drawing on the insights from Media Proximization Approach (MPA), the present chapter explores the dynamics of the online construction of the Other in the context of current refugee crisis and the phenomenon of hate speech within cyberspace. While content- and theme-wise, it takes under scrutiny online refugee-related discourses, on the theoretical and methodological level it presents a new approach to mediated construction of social reality based on the notion of distance and Self/Other or Us/Them dichotomy. Coached within (Cognitive) Critical Discourse Analysis, such an approach calls for an integration of corpus linguistics methods and tools. The chapter addresses the following questions: (1) How do the structural and functional features of online communication facilitate the spread of hateful and radical messages? (2) What is the perception of hate speech targeted at refugees and immigrants among Polish people (aged 18–35)? (3) What are the recurrent linguistic means, as well as the underlying cognitive and discursive mechanisms, of representing refugees as the Other? (4) How are salience and conceptualisation, related to representation of the Other and proximization strategies, manifested in keywords and word co-occurrence patterns? (5) What is the interface between othering and hate speech? Some of the findings presented in this chapter are based on the analyses conducted within the European project C.O.N.T.A.C.T., which focuses on exploration of various aspects of hate speech and hate crime in ten EU countries.
Skilling the nation, empowering the citizen
Authors: Ng Carl Jon Way
Published: November 2017

This paper focuses on what is referred to as the SkillsFuture initiative as the most current crystallization of the Singapore government’s lifelong learning policy, and the state-sponsored discourse associated with it. Adopting a critical discourse-analytic approach, the study examines a data set that cuts across various genres and media (i.e. political speeches, Internet website, video clips), covering both linguistic and (moving) visual instantiations, involving semiotic features like pronouns, modality, image design parameters, and importantly, metaphor. The paper seeks to provide insight into the ideological foundations of Singapore’s education-labour policies as an indication of the ideal(ized) Singaporean citizen-subject promulgated by the state, and how these are semiotically instantiated in state-sponsored discourse. In so doing, the analysis also considers the contextual specificity of the neoliberal-oriented values purveyed, as the individualizing tropes of neoliberalism discursively interact with what might be considered a post-Confucian Singaporean communitarian/collective ethos.
The use of discourse markersbutandsoby native English speakers and Chinese speakers of English
Authors: Liu Binmei
Published: November 2017

Previous studies have found thatbutandsooccur frequently in native and non-native English speakers’ speech and that they are easy to acquire by non-native English speakers. The current study compared ideational and pragmatic functions ofbutandsoby native and non-native speakers of English. Data for the study were gathered using individual sociolinguistic interviews with five native English speakers and ten L1 Chinese speakers. The results suggest that even though the Chinese speakers of English acquired the ideational functions ofbutandsoas well as the native English speakers, they underused the pragmatic functions of them. The findings indicate that there is still a gap between native and non-native English speakers in communicative competence in the use ofbutandso. The present study also suggests that speakers’ L1 (Mandarin Chinese) and overall oral proficiency in oral discourse affect their use ofbutandso.
The essive in Estonian
Authors: Metslang Helle , Lindström Liina
Published: November 2017

This chapter presents an empirical study of the distribution of the essive marker in Standard Estonian and Estonian dialects. The use of the essive has changed considerably in Estonian: it almost vanished from North Estonian but was revived in the 19th century. In South Estonian, the essive ending has merged with that of the inessive. The description of the properties of the essive marker follows the questionnaire of the Uralic essive. The domains involved are non-verbal main predication, secondary predication, complementation, and manner, temporal, and circumstantial adverbial phrases. The study specifically investigates the opposition between permanent and impermanent state in non-verbal predications. The use of the marker in the essive sense is contrasted with that of the translative and also to other means of marking non-permanent state.
The essive in Ingrian
Authors: Markus Elena , Rozhanskiy Fedor
Published: November 2017

This chapter presents an empirical study of the distribution of a marker referred to as the ‘essive’ in Ingrian. The description of the properties of this marker follows the linguistic questionnaire that captures the contexts in which essive and/or translative markers may occur in the Uralic languages. The study specifically investigates the opposition between permanent and impermanent state in non-verbal predications. The linguistic domains involved are non-verbal main predication, secondary predication, complementation, and manner, temporal, and circumstantial adverbial phrases. The use of the marker in the essive sense (associated with state) is contrasted with its use in expressing the translative sense (associated with change). Finally, the syntactic position of elements marked by this form is discussed in relation to the position of focus constituents.
The essive in Veps
Authors: Grünthal Riho
Published: November 2017

This chapter presents an empirical study of the distribution of a marker referred to as the ‘essive’ in Veps. The description of the properties of this marker follows the linguistic questionnaire that captures the contexts in which essive and/or translative markers may occur in the Uralic languages. The study specifically investigates the opposition between permanent and impermanent state in non-verbal predications. The linguistic domains involved are non-verbal main predication, secondary predication, complementation, and manner, temporal, and circumstantial adverbial phrases. The use of the marker in the essive sense (associated with state) is contrasted with its use in expressing the translative sense (associated with change). Finally, the syntactic position of elements marked by this form is discussed in relation to the position of focus constituents.
The Udmurt essive and its functional counterparts
Authors: Edygarova Svetlana
Published: November 2017

This chapter describes forms and constructions in Udmurt, a language without an essive or translative case marker, where other Uralic languages may use the essive or translative. The description of the properties of these forms and constructions follows the linguistic questionnaire that captures the contexts in which essive and/or translative markers in the Uralic languages may occur. The study specifically investigates the opposition between permanent and impermanent state in non-verbal predications. The linguistic domains involved are non-verbal main predication, secondary predication, complementation, manner, temporal, and circumstantial adverbial phrases. The use of the marker in the essive sense (associated with state) is contrasted to that of the translative (associated with change). Finally, the syntactic position of elements marked by this form is discussed in relation to the position of focus constituents.
The essives in Hungarian
Authors: de Groot Casper
Published: November 2017

This chapter presents an empirical study of the distribution of the three essive markers in Hungarian on the basis of a linguistic questionnaire that captures the contexts in which essive and translative markers may occur in the Uralic languages. The study specifically investigates the opposition between permanent and impermanent state in non-verbal predications. The linguistic domains involved are non-verbal main predication, secondary predication, complementation, and manner, temporal, and circumstantial adverbial phrases. The use of the essives (associated with state) is contrasted with the use of the translative (associated with change). Finally, the syntactic position of elements marked by an essive is discussed in relation to the position of focus constituents.
The ‘essive’ in Eastern Khanty
Authors: Filchenko Andrey
Published: November 2017

This chapter presents a corpus-based research, supplemented by elicitation with the last speakers, into the distribution of a marker referred to as the ‘translative’ in Eastern Khanty. The description of the properties of this marker follows the linguistic questionnaire that captures the contexts in which essive and/or translative markers may occur in the Uralic languages. The study specifically investigates the opposition between permanent and impermanent state in non-verbal predications. The linguistic domains involved are non-verbal main predication, secondary predication, complementation, and manner, temporal, and circumstantial adverbial phrases. The use of the marker in the essive sense (associated with state) is contrasted with it use in expressing the translative sense (associated with change). Finally, the syntactic position of elements marked by this form is discussed in relation to the position of focus constituents.
The essive-translative in Mansi
Authors: Sipőcz Katalin
Published: November 2017

This chapter presents an empirical study of the distribution of a marker referred to as the ‘essive-translative’ in Mansi. The description of the properties of this marker follows the linguistic questionnaire that captures the contexts in which essive and/or translative markers may occur in the Uralic languages. The study specifically investigates the opposition between permanent and impermanent state in non-verbal predications. The linguistic domains involved are non-verbal main predication, secondary predication, complementation, and manner, temporal, and circumstantial adverbial phrases. The use of the marker in the essive sense (associated with state) is contrasted with its use in expressing the translative sense (associated with change). Finally, the syntactic position of elements marked by this form is discussed in relation to the position of focus constituents.
The essive-translative in Tundra Nenets
Authors: Jalava Lotta
Published: November 2017

This chapter presents an empirical study of the distribution of a marker referred to as the ‘essive-translative’ in Tundra Nenets. The description of the properties of this marker follows the linguistic questionnaire that captures the contexts in which essive and/or translative markers may occur in the Uralic languages. The study specifically investigates the opposition between permanent and impermanent state in non-verbal predications. The linguistic domains involved are non-verbal main predication, secondary predication, complementation, and manner, temporal, and circumstantial adverbial phrases. The use of the marker in the essive sense (associated with state) is contrasted with its use in expressing the translative sense (associated with change). Finally, the syntactic position of elements marked by this form is discussed in relation to the position of focus constituents.
The essive-translative in Nganasan
Authors: Szeverényi Sándor , Wagner-Nagy Beáta
Published: November 2017

This chapter presents an empirical study of the distribution of a marker referred to as the ‘essive-translative’ in Nganasan. The description of the properties of this marker follows the linguistic questionnaire that captures the contexts in which essive and/or translative markers may occur in the Uralic languages. The study specifically investigates the opposition between permanent and impermanent state in non-verbal predications. The linguistic domains involved are non-verbal main predication, secondary predication, complementation, and manner, temporal, and circumstantial adverbial phrases. The use of the marker in the essive sense (associated with state) is contrasted with its use in expressing the translative sense (associated with change).
The typology of the essive in the Uralic Languages
Authors: de Groot Casper
Published: November 2017

This chapters presents the typology of the essive in the Uralic languages. The input for the typology is the detailed information about the essive in nineteen Uralic languages presented in the former chapters of this volume. The chapter specifically investigates the distribution of the essives and also the opposition between permanent and impermanent state in non-verbal predications. The typological variation is discussed within the linguistic domains of non-verbal main predication, secondary predication, complementation, and manner, temporal, and circumstantial adverbial phrases. The use of the marker in the essive sense (associated with state) is contrasted with its use in expressing the translative sense (associated with change). The syntactic position of elements marked by the essive is discussed in relation to the position of focus constituents. The conclusions summarize the major findings of this volume.
Microstructure and mechanical properties in nano and microscale SiC-included dissimilar friction stir welding of AA6061-AA2024
Authors: Moradi Mohammad Mahdi , Jamshidi Aval Hamed , Jamaati Roohollah
Published: November 2017

This work investigates the effect of SiC particles on the microstructure and mechanical properties of dissimilar friction stir welding between AA6061-T6 and AA2024-T351. Two variations in the size of SiC particles, along the joint line, various groove width, and tool offset, were used for the welding. It was found that the joints made by rotational speed of 800 rev min−1, travelling speed of 31.5 mm min−1, groove width of 0.3 mm, and tool offset of 0.5 mm exhibited the most uniform distribution of particles for both micro- and nano-scale SiC particles. Additionally, the smaller and rounded equiaxed particles result in easier material flow, a more uniform metal matrix composite, the smallest grain size in the stir zone and the highest tensile strength.
Distributed stimulation increases force elicited with functional
electrical stimulation
Authors: Buckmire Alie J , Lockwood Danielle R , Doane Cynthia J , Fuglevand Andrew J
Published: November 2017

Objective. The maximum muscle forces that can be evoked using
functional electrical stimulation (FES) are relatively modest. The reason for
this weakness is not fully understood but could be partly related to the
widespread distribution of motor nerve branches within muscle. As such, a single
stimulating electrode (as is conventionally used) may be incapable of activating
the entire array of motor axons supplying a muscle. Therefore, the objective of
this study was to determine whether stimulating a muscle with more than one
source of current could boost force above that achievable with a single source.
Approach. We compared the maximum isometric forces that
could be evoked in the anterior deltoid of anesthetized monkeys using one or two
intramuscular electrodes. We also evaluated whether temporally interleaved
stimulation between two electrodes might reduce fatigue during prolonged
activity compared to synchronized stimulation through two electrodes.
Main results. We found that dual electrode stimulation
consistently produced greater force (~50% greater on average) than maximal
stimulation with single electrodes. No differences, however, were found in the
fatigue responses using interleaved versus synchronized stimulation.
Significance. It seems reasonable to consider using
multi-electrode stimulation to augment the force-generating capacity of muscles
and thereby increase the utility of FES systems.
Important factors of perceiving and memorizing the city during the process of vehicle and pedestrian traffic
Authors: Alihodžić Rifat , Butyrin Andrey , Makhov Dmitry
Published: November 2017

Moving within the city, both by vehicle and foot, is a prerequisite of creating visual sequences. A variety of factors should be taken into consideration when planning cities, not only of functional nature, but of the aesthetic nature as well. A particular problem lies in complex cities, which have a complex spatial matrix of different time layers resulting from development over a long period of time. Given that the city needs to provide the needs of its users, who move through it, one of the most important factors needed is easy orientation in a complex urban space. The research is based on the assumption of easy orientation and movement through the city, as well as on the striking appearance of urban elements that facilitate the memory of the city.. This work deals with defining important factors effecting perceiving and memorizing, by inhabitants and also of those visiting it for the first time, regardless they are walking or using a vehicle. Physical structures, topography and a climate and a range of other elements are important in order to create a clear idea of some urban area. Many elements were considered - not only being of fixed nature (streets, squares, topography and morphology), but also elements that form the essence of the urban image – elements that can also be some specific public transportation means, such as double-deckers in London, bicycles in Amsterdam or Beijing, or gondolas in Venice. The purpose of this work is to point out the rules helping the urban planning process and contribute to reading and memorizing the image of the city.
Bringing numerous methods for expression and promoter analysis to a public cloud computing service
Authors: Polański Krzysztof , Gao Bo , Mason Sam A , Brown Paul , Ott Sascha , Denby Katherine J , Wild David L
Published: November 2017

Every year, a large number of novel algorithms are introduced to the scientific community for a myriad of applications, but using these across different research groups is often troublesome, due to suboptimal implementations and specific dependency requirements. This does not have to be the case, as public cloud computing services can easily house tractable implementations within self-contained dependency environments, making the methods easily accessible to a wider public. We have taken 14 popular methods, the majority related to expression data or promoter analysis, developed these up to a good implementation standard and housed the tools in isolated Docker containers which we integrated into the CyVerse Discovery Environment, making these easily usable for a wide community as part of the CyVerse UK project.

Availability and implementation

The integrated apps can be found at http://www.cyverse.org/discovery-environment, while the raw code is available at https://github.com/cyversewarwick and the corresponding Docker images are housed at https://hub.docker.com/r/cyversewarwick/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
New approach to Bayesian high-dimensional linear regression
Authors: Jalali Shirin , Maleki Arian
Published: November 2017

Consider the problem of estimating parameters $X^n \in \mathbb{R}^n $, from $m$ response variables $Y^m = AX^n+Z^m$, under the assumption that the distribution of $X^n$ is known. Lack of computationally feasible algorithms that employ generic prior distributions and provide a good estimate of $X^n$ has limited the set of distributions researchers use to model the data. To address this challenge, in this article, a new estimation scheme named quantized maximum a posteriori (Q-MAP) is proposed. The new method has the following properties: (i) In the noiseless setting, it has similarities to maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimation. (ii) In the noiseless setting, when $X_1,\ldots,X_n$ are independent and identically distributed, asymptotically, as $n$ grows to infinity, its required sampling rate ($m/n$) for an almost zero-distortion recovery approaches the fundamental limits. (iii) It scales favorably with the dimensions of the problem and therefore is applicable to high-dimensional setups. (iv) The solution of the Q-MAP optimization can be found via a proposed iterative algorithm that is provably robust to error (noise) in response variables.
The interstellar medium and star formation of galactic disks. I. Interstellar medium and giant molecular cloud properties with diffuse far-ultraviolet and cosmic-ray backgrounds
Authors: Li Qi , Tan Jonathan C , Christie Duncan , Bisbas Thomas G , Wu Benjamin
Published: November 2017

We present a series of adaptive mesh refinement hydrodynamic simulations of flat rotation curve galactic gas disks, with a detailed treatment of the interstellar medium (ISM) physics of the atomic to molecular phase transition under the influence of diffuse far-ultraviolet (FUV) radiation fields and cosmic-ray backgrounds. We explore the effects of different FUV intensities, including a model with a radial gradient designed to mimic the Milky Way. The effects of cosmic rays, including radial gradients in their heating and ionization rates, are also explored. The final simulations in this series achieve 4 pc resolution across the ∼20 kpc global disk diameter, with heating and cooling followed down to temperatures of ∼10 K. The disks are evolved for 300 Myr, which is enough time for the ISM to achieve a quasi-statistical equilibrium. In particular, the mass fraction of molecular gas is stabilized by ∼200 Myr. Additional global ISM properties are analyzed. Giant molecular clouds (GMCs) are also identified and the statistical properties of their populations are examined. GMCs are tracked as the disks evolve. GMC collisions, which may be a means of triggering star cluster formation, are counted and their rates are compared with analytic models. Relatively frequent GMC collision rates are seen in these simulations, and their implications for understanding GMC properties, including the driving of internal turbulence, are discussed.
Occurrence of a Citrus Canker Strain With Limited Host Specificity in South Texas
Authors: da Graça John V. , Kunta Madhurababu , Park Jong-Won , Gonzalez Marissa , Santillana Gem , Mavrodieva Vessela , Bartels David W. , Salas Bacilio , Duffel Maurice N. , Dale Jon
Published: November 2017

In October 2015, a Mexican lime exhibiting citrus canker symptoms was found by the USDA APHIS PPQ in a residential property in Rancho Viejo, Cameron County, Texas. Real-time PCR analysis detected the presence of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri; USDA APHIS PPQ in Beltsville, MD confirmed this diagnosis. A delimiting survey was initiated and suspect leaf samples were collected and sent to the PPQ Beltsville lab for analysis. By October 2017, leaf samples from 197 trees were confirmed positive for citrus canker, all within a 5-mile radius; in addition, a further 59 symptomatic trees were found and all 256 infected trees (254 Mexican lime, one makrut lime, and one Ponderosa lemon) were removed. Survey data collected on stem lesions suggested the oldest lesions to be between 4 to 6 years old. A host-range study using 12 citrus varieties, including the major commercial varieties grown in Texas, were inoculated with crude leaf extracts from symptomatic leaves by leaf infiltration method. Mexican limes and alemow were the only citrus plants that developed definitive canker lesions. A combination of host range, serological, and molecular tests suggested that this isolate was different from the typical Asiatic strain and more similar to X. citri subsp. citri AW which was only previously reported from Florida on Mexican lime and alemow.
Prevalence of Postharvest Diseases of Mandarin Fruit in California
Authors: Saito S. , Xiao C. L.
Published: November 2017

In recent years, storing mandarin fruit in cold facilities has become a common practice to retain fruit quality and expand the marketing window, but postharvest diseases can limit the storage period for the fruit. To identify major postharvest diseases affecting mandarins, decayed fruit were collected from 20 and 46 grower lots in 2015 and 2016, respectively, either at presorting or after cold storage. Fungal isolation and identification were attempted for all decayed fruit. Alternaria rot caused by Alternaria spp. was most prevalent on nonstored fruit collected at presorting, accounting for 53.5% and 83.1% in 2015 and 2016, respectively. On stored fruit collected after cold storage, green mold caused by Penicillium digitatum (36.3%) was most prevalent followed by Mucor rot caused by Mucor piriformis (27.7%) and blue mold caused by P. italicum (23.3%) in 2015, while gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea (29.7%) was most prevalent followed by Mucor rot (27.1%) and sour rot caused by Geotrichum citri-aurantii (18.7%) in 2016. Our results indicate that gray mold and Mucor rot are two emerging postharvest diseases of mandarin fruit in California and that postharvest disease-control programs for mandarin fruit should target not only common postharvest diseases such as green mold, blue mold, and sour rot, but also emerging diseases Mucor rot and gray mold.
Learning With E-books and Project-based Strategy in a Community Health Nursing Course
Authors: Sung Tien-Wen , Wu Ting-Ting
Published: November 2017

With advances in information technology, “information-assisted instruction” has been gradually introduced to nursing education curricula. Specifically, the integration of an e-book system can effectively enhance nursing students' attention and interest. Most studies on nursing education that incorporated e-books have focused on the advantages of convenience and assistance provided by e-books. Few studies have addressed community health nursing and off-campus practice activities in relation to suitable teaching strategies for learning activities. This study involved designing and planning a multimedia e-book learning system with a project-based learning activity that conforms to the curriculum and practical requirements of a community health nursing course. The purpose was to reduce the gap between theory and practice and realize an effective learning process. For learning evaluations, a final examination analysis with an independent sample t test; a scoring scheme with intrateam, interteam, and expert ratings; and Bloom's taxonomy-based analysis were conducted. The evaluation results indicated that the comprehension and learning abilities of the experimental group using the e-book system with a mobile device were effectively improved. In addition, the exploratory process involved in project-based learning can develop multiple cognitive skills and problem-solving ability, thereby realizing effective learning.
Differential effects of dopaminergic drugs on spontaneous motor activity in the common marmoset following pretreatment with a bilateral brain infusion of 6-hydroxydopamine
Authors: Ando Kiyoshi , Nishime Chiyoko , Inoue Ryo , Nishinaka Eiko , Kawai Kenji , Urano Koji , Tsutsumi Hideki
Published: November 2017

The differential effects of dopaminergic drugs with different pharmacological profiles were investigated with respect to spontaneous motor activity in the common marmoset following pretreatment with a bilateral brain infusion of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Three marmosets received infusions of 6-OHDA (either 30 or 40 μg/side) into the bilateral dopamine-rich area running from the substantia nigra to the striatum. The motor activity of the 6-OHDA marmosets was compared with that of three intact marmosets. Following the administration of apomorphine (0.5 and 1 mg/kg, subcutaneously), the 6-OHDA group showed a tendency toward a brief increase in activity counts, suggesting denervation supersensitivity at the dopamine receptors. After the administration of methamphetamine (1 and 2 mg/kg, subcutaneously), the 6-OHDA group showed a significant decrease in activity counts, indicating limited dopamine release from the degenerated neurons. After the administration of l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (10 and 20 mg/kg, orally), the 6-OHDA group showed a significant increase in activity counts without hyperexcitation, consistent with the contribution of exogenous l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine toward dopamine synthesis in the degenerated neurons. The present findings indicate that bilateral brain infusion of 6-OHDA in the marmoset may have preclinical utility as a primate model for investigating the behavioral properties of dopaminergic drugs in brains with dopaminergic neural deficits.
Considerations for the use of virally delivered genetic tools for in-vivo circuit analysis and behavior in mutant mice: a practical guide to optogenetics
Authors: Zelena Dóra , Demeter Kornél , Haller József , Balázsfi Diána
Published: November 2017

Optogenetics was the method of the year in 2010 according to Nature Neuroscience. Since then, this method has become widespread, the use of virally delivered genetic tools has extended to other fields such as pharmacogenetics, and optogenetic techniques have become frequently applied in genetically manipulated animals for in-vivo circuit analysis and behavioral studies. However, several issues should be taken into consideration when planning such experiments. We aimed to summarize the critical points concerning optogenetic manipulation of a specific brain area in mutant mice. First, the appropriate vector should be chosen to allow optimal optogenetic manipulation. Adeno-associated viral vectors are the most common carriers with different available serotypes. Light-sensitive channels are available in many forms, and the expression of the delivered genetic material can be influenced in many ways. Second, selecting the adequate stimulation protocol is also essential. The pattern, intensity, and timing could be determinative parameters. Third, the mutant strain might have a phenotype that influences the observed behavior. In conclusion, detailed preliminary experiments and numerous control groups are required to choose the best vector and stimulation protocol and to ensure that the mutant animals do not have a specific phenotype that can influence the examined behavior.
Mastoid and Inner Ear Measurements in Patients With Menière's Disease
Authors: Sugihara Eric M. , Marinica Alexander L. , Vandjelovic Nathan D. , Kelley Benjamin M. , Sana Said S. , Starkey Nicholas E. , Babu Seilesh C.
Published: November 2017

Objective:

To determine the relationship between radiographic temporal bone anatomy of patients with Menière's disease in medically and surgically managed populations versus controls.

Study Design:

Retrospective chart review.

Setting:

Two tertiary referral centers.

Patients:

Adults older than 18 years with Menière's disease treated with endolymphatic sac decompression (ESD) or medical management (non-ESD) versus controls.

Interventions:

Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography imaging studies of the temporal bones were reviewed by blinded radiologists.

Main Outcome Measures:

Radiographic temporal bone dimensions were measured in Menière's disease and control patients. Age, sex, symptoms, audiogram data, academy classification of Menière's disease, and follow-up were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed to compare outcome measures across groups and demographics.

Results:

A total of 90 imaging studies were reviewed (ESD = 22; non-ESD = 30; control = 38). ESD and non-ESD groups had similar pure-tone averages (33.9 ± 20.6 versus 41.6 ± 22.6 dB HL; p = 0.21) and frequency of definite Menière's disease (59.1% versus 53.3%; p = 0.68). There was no significant trend between groups for any measurement. One nonsignificant trend existed in mean vestibule length, increasing from the control (5.45 ± 0.54 mm), non-ESD (5.80 ± 0.97 mm), and ESD (5.94 ± 0.81 mm) group. In a combined Menière's group, mean vestibule length was significantly greater than controls (5.86 ± 0.89 versus 5.45 ± 0.54 mm; p = 0.008) and mean vestibule width significantly less (2.99 ± 0.46 versus 3.19 ± 0.39 mm; p = 0.024).

Conclusion:

Medical and surgical Menière's patients were similar utilizing academy classification. There was no significant trend between medical and surgical Menière's patients versus controls for any measurement. In a combined Menière's group, the longer and narrower vestibule anatomy may suggest an anatomical basis for endolymphatic hydrops.
Long-Term Right Ventricular Assist Device Therapy in an Adult with Pulmonary Atresia/Intact Ventricular Septum
Authors: Hermsen Joshua L. , Stout Karen K. , Stempien-Otero April , Verrier Edward D. , Mokadam Nahush A.
Published: November 2017

Durable ventricular assist device (VAD) support is uncommonly employed in adult congenital heart disease and often involves supporting a systemic right ventricle (RV). Ventricular assist device support of a subpulmonic RV is even more unusual.
Human Umbilical Vessels: Choosing the Optimal Decellularization Method
Authors: Rodríguez-Rodríguez Victor E. , Martínez-González Brenda , Quiroga-Garza Alejandro , Reyes-Hernández Cynthia Guadalupe , de la Fuente-Villarreal David , de la Garza-Castro Oscar , Guzmán-López Santos , Elizondo-Omaña Rodrigo Enrique
Published: November 2017

There is an increasing demand of small-diameter vascular grafts for treatment of circulatory pathologies. Decellularization offers the possibility of using human blood vessels as scaffolds to create vascular grafts. Umbilical vessels have great potential because of their availability and morphological characteristics. Various decellularization techniques have been used in umbilical vessels, but consensus on which is the most appropriate has not yet been reached. The objective of this review is to analyze the morphological and biomechanical characteristics of decellularized human umbilical arteries and veins with different techniques. Evidence indicates that the umbilical vessels are a viable option to develop small-diameter vascular grafts. Detergents are the agents most often used and with most evidence. However, further studies are needed to accurately analyze the components of the extracellular matrix and biomechanical characteristics, as well as the capacity for recellularization and in vivo functionality.
Effects of atorvastatin on portal hemodynamics and clinical outcomes in patients with cirrhosis with portal hypertension: a proof-of-concept study
Authors: Bishnu Saptarshi , Ahammed SK.M. , Sarkar Avik , Hembram Jabaranjan , Chatterjee Saswata , Das Kshaunish , Dhali Gopal K. , Chowdhury Abhijit , Das Kausik
Published: November 2017

Background and aim

Statins can modulate portal microvascular dynamics in patients with cirrhosis. We present data from a proof-of-concept study aimed at comparing combination of propranolol and atorvastatin versus propranolol alone in reducing portal pressure in patients with cirrhosis.

Patients and methods

In this open-label proof-of-concept study, 23 consecutive patients with cirrhosis were randomized into group A (incremental dose propranolol, n=12) or group B (atorvastatin 20 mg daily with propranolol in incremental dose, n=11). Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) was estimated at baseline, and after 30 days, clinical outcomes were evaluated after 1 year.

Results

The two groups were matched with respect to etiology of cirrhosis; clinical, biochemical, and endoscopic parameters; child status; and baseline HVPG. Decreases of wedged hepatic venous pressure, free hepatic venous pressure, and HVPG in group A and group B after 30 days were 4.67±2.57 versus 6.09±3.56 (P=0.290), 1.83±2.62 versus 1.27±1.67 (P=0.546), and 2.58±1.88 versus 4.81±2.82 mmHg (P=0.041), respectively. The proportion of HVPG responders in group A and group B were 50.00 and 90.91%, respectively. The two groups did not, however, differ significantly in terms of clinical outcomes (variceal bleed, endoscopic variceal ligation sessions, hepatic encephalopathy, requirement of therapeutic paracentesis, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and death).

Conclusion

Decrease of HVPG in patients with cirrhosis treated with atorvastatin and propranolol is significantly more than those treated with only propranolol. Atorvastatin, with its pleiotropic effects, may be useful in portal hypertension in cirrhosis. Larger data sets are required for ratification.
Pilot Study Measuring the Novel Satiety Hormone, Pro‐Uroguanylin, in Adolescents With and Without Obesity
Authors: Di Guglielmo Matthew D. , Tonb Dalal , He Zhaoping , Adeyemi Adebowale , van Golen Kenneth L.
Published: November 2017

Objective:

Disruption of satiety signaling may lead to increased caloric intake and obesity. Uroguanylin, the intestinal hormone, travels as a precursor to the central nervous system where it activates guanylyl cyclase C and stimulates pro‐satiety neurons. Rodent studies have demonstrated that guanylyl cyclase C‐knockout mice overeat and have increased weight gain versus wild‐type mice and hyper‐caloric obesity diminishes uroguanylin expression. We measured circulating plasma pro‐uroguanylin, along with other gastrointestinal peptides and inflammatory markers, in human adolescents with and without obesity, as a pilot study. We hypothesized that adolescents with obesity would have less circulating pro‐uroguanylin than adolescents without obesity have.

Methods:

We recruited 24 adolescents (age 14–17 years) with and without obesity (body mass index >95% or body mass index <95%) and measured plasma pro‐uroguanylin at fasting and successive time points after a meal. We measured 3 other satiety hormones and 2 inflammatory markers to characterize overall satiety signaling and highlight any link between uroguanylin and inflammation.

Results:

Female adolescents with obesity had lower circulating pro‐uroguanylin levels than female adolescents without obesity; we observed no difference in males. Other measured gastrointestinal peptides varied in their differences between cohorts. Inflammatory markers were higher in female participants with obesity.

Conclusions:

In adolescents with and without obesity, we can measure circulating pro‐uroguanylin levels. In female adolescents without obesity, levels are particularly higher. Pro‐uroguanylin secretion patterns differ from other circulating gastrointestinal peptides. In female adolescents with obesity, inflammation correlates with decreased pro‐uroguanylin levels.
Assessment of Liver Disease Progression in Cystic Fibrosis Using Transient Elastography
Authors: Gominon Anne‐Laure , Frison Eric , Hiriart Jean‐Baptiste , Vergniol Julien , Clouzeau Haude , Enaud Raphael , Bui Stephanie , Fayon Michael , de Ledinghen Victor , Lamireau Thierry
Published: November 2017

Objectives:

Cystic fibrosis–related liver disease (CFLD) can develop silently in early life and approximately 10% of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) become cirrhotic before adulthood. Clinical, biological, and ultrasound criteria used to define CFLD often reveal liver involvement at an advanced stage. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the progression of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) in pediatric patients with CF.

Methods:

The change of LSM, expressed as kPa/year and %/year, was measured using transient elastography (Fibroscan) in 82 children with CF (median age: 6.8 years, interquartile range [IQR]: 5.8). Mean time interval between the 2 LSM was 3.5 years.

Results:

Median initial liver stiffness was 3.7 kPa (IQR: 1.3), and then progressed by 0.23 kPa/year, that is, 6%/year. The 7 patients who developed CFLD had a higher initial level of alanine aminotransferase (50 [IQR: 15] vs 30 [IQR: 18], P = 0.0001) and presented a more rapid progression of LSM (0.94 vs 0.23 kPa/year, P = 0.02).

Conclusions:

The present study shows that the slope of worsening of liver stiffness is greater in patients who will develop CFLD, suggesting that annual transient elastography may be useful to detect risk of severe liver disease at an earlier stage.