bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward Kinecting cognition by behaviour recognition-based deep learning and big data
Authors: Soufian Majeed , Nefti-Mezian Samia , Drake Jonathan
Published: September 2020

The majority of older people wish to live independently at home as long as possible despite having a range of age-related conditions including cognitive impairment. To facilitate this, there has been an extensive focus on exploring the capability of new technologies with limited success. This paper investigates whether MS Kinect (a motion-based sensing 3-D scanner device) within the MiiHome (My Intelligent Home) project in conjunction with other sensory data, machine learning and big data techniques can assist in the diagnosis and prognosis of cognitive impairment and hence prolong independent living. A pool of Kinect devices and various sensors powered by minicomputers providing internet connectivity are being installed in up to 200 homes. This enables continuous remote monitoring of elderly residents living alone. Passive and off-the-shelf sensor technologies were chosen to implement data acquisition specifically from sources that are part of the fabric of the homes, so that no extra effort is required from the participants. Various constraints including environmental, geometrical and big data were identified and appropriately dealt with. A visualization tool (MAGID) was developed for validation and verification of numerous behavioural activities. Then, a subset of data, from twelve pensioners aged over 65 with age-related cognitive decline and frailty, were collected over a period of 6 months. These data were subjected to several machine learning algorithms (multilayer perceptron neural network, neuro-fuzzy and deep learning) for classification and to extract routine behavioural patterns. These patterns were then analysed further to ascertain any health-related information and their attributes. For the first time, important routine behaviour related to Activities of Daily Living (ADL) of elderly people with cognitive and physical decline has been learnt by machine learning techniques from selected sample data obtained by MS Kinect. Medically important behaviour, e.g. eating, walking, sitting, was best learnt by deep learning with accuracy of 99.30% during training stage and average error rate of 1.83% with maximum of 12.98% during the implementation phase. Observations obtained from the application of the above learnt behaviours are presented as trends over a period of time. These trends, supplemented by other sensory signals, have provided a clearer picture of physical (in)activities (including falls) of the pensioners. The calculated behavioural attributes related to key indicators of health events can be used to model the trajectory of health status related to cognitive decline in a home setting. These results, based on a small number of elderly residents over a short period of time, imply that within the results obtained from the MiiHome project, it is possible to find indicators of cognitive decline. However, further studies are needed for full clinical validation of these indications in conjunction with assessment of cognitive decline of the participants.
Water exchange between the inner and outer archipelago areas of the Finnish Archipelago Sea in the Baltic Sea
Authors: Miettunen Elina , Tuomi Laura , Myrberg Kai
Published: September 2020

We studied the water age and transport of passive tracers in the Archipelago Sea, Baltic Sea, using the COHERENS 3D hydrodynamic model and the OpenDrift Lagrangian particle model. The mean water age, which was calculated with COHERENS over a period of 6 years, varied between 1 and 3 months in the outer archipelago and between 3 and 6 months in the middle archipelago. The water age was highest in the inner archipelago, up to 7 months. As the density stratification is weak in large parts of this area, except for the seasonal thermocline, significant differences in the water age between the surface and bottom layers were seen only in the river mouths and in the deep channels of the middle archipelago. The Lagrangian particle simulations showed that the middle archipelago is more open towards the north than south. From the northern boundary, the Bothnian Sea, the largest transport to the middle archipelago occurred with NW winds. Due to the geometry and density of the islands in the area, the prevailing wind direction, SW, alone is not optimal for transporting tracer particles to the middle archipelago. From the southern boundary, the Baltic Proper, transport to the middle archipelago occurred mainly with SE winds and during events when the wind direction shifted from SW to SE or vice versa. The transport further into the inner archipelago was limited to only a few cases, indicating that the inner archipelago is fairly sheltered from transport from the outer archipelago.
Quantitative imaging of gas adsorption equilibrium and dynamics by X-ray computed tomography
Authors: Pini Ronny , Joss Lisa , Hosseinzadeh Hejazi Sayed Alireza
Published: September 2020

We present the development and application of X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) for the determination of the adsorption properties of microporous adsorbents and the study of breakthrough experiments in a laboratory fixed-bed adsorption column. Using the model system$$\text {CO}_2/\text {helium}$$CO2/heliumon activated carbon, equilibrium and dynamic adsorption/desorption measurements by X-ray CT are described, and the results are successfully compared to those obtained from conventional methods, including the application of a one-dimensional dynamic column breakthrough model. The study demonstrates the practical feasibility of applying X-ray CT to measure internal and transient concentration profiles in adsorbent systems on the length-scales from a single adsorbent pellet to a packed column.
Therapeutic Potential of Senolytics in Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Dookun Emily , Passos João F. , Arthur Helen M. , Richardson Gavin D.
Published: September 2020

Ageing is the biggest risk factor for impaired cardiovascular health, with cardiovascular disease being the leading cause of death in 40% of individuals over 65 years old. Ageing is associated with both an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease including heart failure, coronary artery disease, and myocardial infarction. Furthermore, ageing is associated with a poorer prognosis to these diseases. Genetic models allowing the elimination of senescent cells revealed that an accumulation of senescence contributes to the pathophysiology of cardiovascular ageing and promotes the progression of cardiovascular disease through the expression of a proinflammatory and profibrotic senescence-associated secretory phenotype. These studies have resulted in an effort to identify pharmacological therapeutics that enable the specific elimination of senescent cells through apoptosis induction. These senescent cell apoptosis-inducing compounds are termed senolytics and their potential to ameliorate age-associated cardiovascular disease is the focus of this review.
Confirmation of the Cardioprotective Effect of MitoGamide in the Diabetic Heart
Authors: Park Min , Nishimura Takanori , Baeza-Garza Carlos D. , Caldwell Stuart T. , Pun Pamela Boon Li , Prag Hiran A. , Young Tim , Sauchanka Olga , Logan Angela , Forkink Marleen , Gruszczyk Anja V. , Prime Tracy A. , Arndt Sabine , Naudi Alba , Pamplona Reinald , Coughlan Melinda T. , Tate Mitchel , Ritchie Rebecca H. , Caicci Federico , Kaludercic Nina , Di Lisa Fabio , Smith Robin A. J. , Hartley Richard C. , Murphy Michael P. , Krieg Thomas
Published: September 2020

Purpose

HFpEF (heart failure with preserved ejection fraction) is a major consequence of diabetic cardiomyopathy with no effective treatments. Here, we have characterized Akita mice as a preclinical model of HFpEF and used it to confirm the therapeutic efficacy of the mitochondria-targeted dicarbonyl scavenger, MitoGamide.

Methods and Results

A longitudinal echocardiographic analysis confirmed that Akita mice develop diastolic dysfunction with reduced E peak velocity, E/A ratio and extended isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT), while the systolic function remains comparable with wild-type mice. The myocardium of Akita mice had a decreased ATP/ADP ratio, elevated mitochondrial oxidative stress and increased organelle density, compared with that of wild-type mice. MitoGamide, a mitochondria-targeted 1,2-dicarbonyl scavenger, exhibited good stability in vivo, uptake into cells and mitochondria and reactivity with dicarbonyls. Treatment of Akita mice with MitoGamide for 12 weeks significantly improved the E/A ratio compared with the vehicle-treated group.

Conclusion

Our work confirms that the Akita mouse model of diabetes replicates key clinical features of diabetic HFpEF, including cardiac and mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, in this independent study, MitoGamide treatment improved diastolic function in Akita mice.
Effect of Environmental Conditions on the Dehydration and Performance of Fire-Protective Gels
Authors: Kadel Jacob , Hedayati Faraz , Quarles Stephen L. , Zhou Aixi
Published: September 2020

During wildfire events fire-protective gels can be used as a line of defense to protect structures. The effectiveness of freshly applied gels in delaying ignition and flame growth on structures has been well established. However, in a real-world scenario there is a period between the application of the gel and the arrival of a spot fire or the fire-front. During this period, the gels are often exposed to extreme conditions consisting of high winds and low relative humidity. The effect of these weathering conditions on the performance of fire-protective gels is still poorly understood. This study examined the dehydration and performance of fire-protective gels following a range of weathering conditions. Two commercially available gels were applied to a 100-mm by 100-mm T1-11 plywood sample and then artificially weathered in an environmental chamber, with controlled temperature, relative humidity, and wind. The remaining mass of the gels was measured at selected intervals to determine the relationship between mass loss and dehydration related to weathering. A second series of tests was conducted on weathered T1-11 samples at specific mass loss states as well as on freshly applied gels using a 50 kW/m2 heat flux exposure utilizing a cone calorimeter. Results indicated that they dehydrated to the point where, after 3 h, fire performance was no better than the uncoated wood samples and the gels could facilitate ignition. This timeline suggests that gels should only be applied by first responders and homeowners should focus on evacuation related activities.
Autonomic Management Framework for Cloud-Native Applications
Authors: Kosińska Joanna , Zieliński Krzysztof
Published: September 2020

In order to meet the rapidly changing requirements of the Cloud-native dynamic execution environment, without human support and without the need to continually improve one’s skills, autonomic features need to be added. Embracing automation at every layer of performance management enables us to reduce costs while improving outcomes. The main contribution of this paper is the definition of autonomic management requirements of Cloud-native applications. We propose that the automation is achieved via high-level policies. In turn autonomy features are accomplished via the rule engine support. First, the paper presents the engineering perspective of building a framework for Autonomic Management of Cloud-Native Applications, namely AMoCNA, in accordance with Model Driven Architecture (MDA) concepts. AMoCNA has many desirable features whose main goal is to reduce the complexity of managing Cloud-native applications. The presented models are, in fact, meta-models, being technology agnostic. Secondly, the paper demonstrates one possibility of implementing the aforementioned design procedures. The presented AMoCNA implementation is also evaluated to identify the potential overhead introduced by the framework.
Nonlinear Model Predictive Control with Enhanced Actuator Model for Multi-Rotor Aerial Vehicles with Generic Designs
Authors: Bicego Davide , Mazzetto Jacopo , Carli Ruggero , Farina Marcello , Franchi Antonio
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we propose, discuss, and validate an online Nonlinear Model Predictive Control (NMPC) method for multi-rotor aerial systems with arbitrarily positioned and oriented rotors which simultaneously addresses the local reference trajectory planning and tracking problems. This work brings into question some common modeling and control design choices that are typically adopted to guarantee robustness and reliability but which may severely limit the attainable performance. Unlike most of state of the art works, the proposed method takes advantages of a unified nonlinear model which aims to describe the whole robot dynamics by explicitly including a realistic physical description of the actuator dynamics and limitations. As a matter of fact, our solution does not resort to common simplifications such as: (1) linear model approximation, (2) cascaded control paradigm used to decouple the translational and the rotational dynamics of the rigid body, (3) use of low-level reactive trackers for the stabilization of the internal loop, and (4) unconstrained optimization resolution or use of fictitious constraints. More in detail, we consider as control inputs the derivatives of the propeller forces and propose a novel method to suitably identify the actuator limitations by leveraging experimental data. Differently from previous approaches, the constraints of the optimization problem are defined only by the real physics of the actuators, avoiding conservative – and often not physical – input/state saturations which are present, e.g., in cascaded approaches. The control algorithm is implemented using a state-of-the-art Real Time Iteration (RTI) scheme with partial sensitivity update method. The performances of the control system are finally validated by means of real-time simulations and in real experiments, with a large spectrum of heterogeneous multi-rotor systems: an under-actuated quadrotor, a fully-actuated hexarotor, a multi-rotor with orientable propellers, and a multi-rotor with an unexpected rotor failure. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a predictive controller framework with all the valuable aforementioned features is presented and extensively validated in real-time experiments and simulations.
Advancing Fusion with Machine Learning Research Needs Workshop Report
Authors: Humphreys David , Kupresanin A. , Boyer M. D. , Canik J. , Chang C. S. , Cyr E. C. , Granetz R. , Hittinger J. , Kolemen E. , Lawrence E. , Pascucci V. , Patra A. , Schissel D.
Published: September 2020

Machine learning and artificial intelligence (ML/AI) methods have been used successfully in recent years to solve problems in many areas, including image recognition, unsupervised and supervised classification, game-playing, system identification and prediction, and autonomous vehicle control. Data-driven machine learning methods have also been applied to fusion energy research for over 2 decades, including significant advances in the areas of disruption prediction, surrogate model generation, and experimental planning. The advent of powerful and dedicated computers specialized for large-scale parallel computation, as well as advances in statistical inference algorithms, have greatly enhanced the capabilities of these computational approaches to extract scientific knowledge and bridge gaps between theoretical models and practical implementations. Large-scale commercial success of various ML/AI applications in recent years, including robotics, industrial processes, online image recognition, financial system prediction, and autonomous vehicles, have further demonstrated the potential for data-driven methods to produce dramatic transformations in many fields. These advances, along with the urgency of need to bridge key gaps in knowledge for design and operation of reactors such as ITER, have driven planned expansion of efforts in ML/AI within the US government and around the world. The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science programs in Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) and Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR) have organized several activities to identify best strategies and approaches for applying ML/AI methods to fusion energy research. This paper describes the results of a joint FES/ASCR DOE-sponsored Research Needs Workshop on Advancing Fusion with Machine Learning, held April 30–May 2, 2019, in Gaithersburg, MD (full report available athttps://science.osti.gov/-/media/fes/pdf/workshop-reports/FES_ASCR_Machine_Learning_Report.pdf). The workshop drew on broad representation from both FES and ASCR scientific communities, and identified seven Priority Research Opportunities (PRO’s) with high potential for advancing fusion energy. In addition to the PRO topics themselves, the workshop identified research guidelines to maximize the effectiveness of ML/AI methods in fusion energy science, which include focusing on uncertainty quantification, methods for quantifying regions of validity of models and algorithms, and applying highly integrated teams of ML/AI mathematicians, computer scientists, and fusion energy scientists with domain expertise in the relevant areas.
Are Trustworthiness and Legitimacy ‘Hard to Win, Easy to Lose’? A Longitudinal Test of the Asymmetry Thesis of Police-Citizen Contact
Authors: Oliveira Thiago R. , Jackson Jonathan , Murphy Kristina , Bradford Ben
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Test the asymmetry thesis of police-citizen contact that police trustworthiness and legitimacy are affected more by negative than by positive experiences of interactions with legal agents by analyzing changes in attitudes towards the police after an encounter with the police. Test whether prior attitudes moderate the impact of contact on changes in attitudes towards the police.

Methods

A two-wave panel survey of a nationally representative sample of Australian adults measured people’s beliefs about police trustworthiness (procedural fairness and effectiveness), their duty to obey the police, their contact with the police between the two waves, and their evaluation of those encounters in terms of process and outcome. Analysis is carried out using autoregressive structural equation modeling and latent moderated structural models.

Results

The association between both process and outcome evaluation of police-citizen encounters and changes in attitudes towards the police is asymmetrical for trust in police effectiveness, symmetrical for trust in procedural fairness, and asymmetrical (in the opposite direction expected) for duty to obey the police. Little evidence of heterogeneity in the association between encounters and trust in procedural fairness and duty to obey, but prior levels of perceived effectiveness moderate the association between outcome evaluation and changes in trust in police effectiveness.

Conclusions

The association between police-citizen encounters and attitudes towards the police may not be as asymmetrical as previously thought, particularly for changes in trust in procedural fairness and legitimacy. Policy implications include considering public-police interactions as ‘teachable moments’ and potential sources for enhancing police trustworthiness and legitimacy.
Comparison of Machine Learning Performance Using Analytic and Holistic Coding Approaches Across Constructed Response Assessments Aligned to a Science Learning Progression
Authors: Jescovitch Lauren N. , Scott Emily E. , Cerchiara Jack A. , Merrill John , Urban-Lurain Mark , Doherty Jennifer H. , Haudek Kevin C.
Published: September 2020

We systematically compared two coding approaches to generate training datasets for machine learning (ML): (i) a holistic approach based on learning progression levels and (ii) a dichotomous, analytic approach of multiple concepts in student reasoning, deconstructed from holistic rubrics. We evaluated four constructed response assessment items for undergraduate physiology, each targeting five levels of a developing flux learning progression in an ion context. Human-coded datasets were used to train two ML models: (i) an 8-classification algorithm ensemble implemented in the Constructed Response Classifier (CRC), and (ii) a single classification algorithm implemented in LightSide Researcher’s Workbench. Human coding agreement on approximately 700 student responses per item was high for both approaches with Cohen’s kappas ranging from 0.75 to 0.87 on holistic scoring and from 0.78 to 0.89 on analytic composite scoring. ML model performance varied across items and rubric type. For two items, training sets from both coding approaches produced similarly accurate ML models, with differences in Cohen’s kappa between machine and human scores of 0.002 and 0.041. For the other items, ML models trained with analytic coded responses and used for a composite score, achieved better performance as compared to using holistic scores for training, with increases in Cohen’s kappa of 0.043 and 0.117. These items used a more complex scenario involving movement of two ions. It may be that analytic coding is beneficial to unpacking this additional complexity.
The assessment of lining structure impact on radon behaviour inside selected underground workings under the cour d’honneur of Książ castle
Authors: Fijałkowska-Lichwa Lidia
Published: September 2020

The results based on 2-year long measurements 01 Jan. 2016–2031 Dec. 2017 have been used for discussing the influence of tunnel lining on the size of 222Rn activity concentration and the impact of the employed rock mass insulation on natural convective air exchange. In April, air movement started when the temperature was at least 7 °C lower than the mean inside. Between May and October, an increase to 9 °C above the underground temperature resulted in an increase of radon concentration. An unconstrained convection process did not start until November and it continued until the end of March. The reinforced concrete lining insulated the fractured and absorptive rock mass. The roof and the sidewall lining had little impact on air movement process.
Cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences (CAPS) marker for identification of two mutant alleles of the rapeseed BnaA.FAD2 gene
Authors: Matuszczak Marcin , Spasibionek Stanisław , Gacek Katarzyna , Bartkowiak-Broda Iwona
Published: September 2020

Two mutants of winter rapeseed (Brassica napus L. var. oleifera) with an increased amount of oleic acid in seeds were created by chemical mutagenesis (HOR3-M10453 and HOR4-M10464). The overall performance of the mutated plants was much lower than that of wild-type cultivars. Multiple rounds of crossing with high-yielding double-low (“00”) cultivars and breeding lines having valuable agronomic traits, followed by selection of high oleic acid genotypes is then needed to obtain new “00” varieties of rapeseed having high oleic acid content in seeds. To perform such selection, the specific codominant cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences (CAPS) marker was used. This marker was designed to detect the presence of two relevant point mutations in the desaturase gene BnaA.FAD2, and it was previously described and patented. The specific polymerase chain reaction product (732 bp) was digested using FspBI restriction enzyme that recognizes the 5′-C↓TAG-3′ sequence which is common to both mutated alleles, thereby yielding band patterns specific for those alleles. The method proposed in the patent was redesigned, adjusted to specific laboratory conditions, and thoroughly tested. Different DNA extraction protocols were tested to optimize the procedure. Two variants of the CAPS method (with and without purification of amplified product) were considered to choose the best option. In addition, the ability of the studied marker to detect heterozygosity in the BnaA.FAD2 locus was also tested. Finally, we also presented some examples for the use of the new CAPS marker in the marker-assisted selection (MAS) during our breeding programs. The standard CTAB method of DNA extraction and the simplified, two-step (amplification/digestion) procedure for the CAPS marker are recommended. The marker was found to be useful for the detection of two mutated alleles of the studied BnaA.FAD2 desaturase gene and can potentially assure the breeders of the purity of their HOLL lines. However, it was also shown that it could not detect any other alleles or genes that were revealed to play a role in the regulation of oleic acid level.
EVI1 oncoprotein expression and CtBP1-association oscillate through the cell cycle
Authors: Paredes Roberto , Schneider Marion , Pearson Stella , Teng Hsiang Yin , Kelly James R. , Pierce Andrew , Somervaille Tim C. P. , Whetton Anthony D. , Meyer Stefan
Published: September 2020

Aberrantly high expression of EVI1 in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is associated with poor prognosis. For targeted treatment of EVI1 overexpressing AML a more detailed understanding of aspects of spatiotemporal interaction dynamics of the EVI1 protein is important. EVI1 overexpressing SB1690CB AML cells were used for quantification and protein interaction studies of EVI1 and ΔEVI1. Cells were cell cycle-synchronised by mimosine and nocodazole treatment and expression of EVI1 and related proteins assessed by western blot, immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence. EVI1 protein levels oscillate through the cell cycle, and EVI1 is degraded partly by the proteasome complex. Both EVI1 and ΔEVI1 interact with the co-repressor CtBP1 but dissociate from CtBP1 complexes during mitosis. Furthermore, a large fraction of EVI1, but not ΔEVI1 or CtBP1, resides in the nuclear matrix. In conclusion, EVI1- protein levels and EVI1-CtBP1 interaction dynamics vary though the cell cycle and differ between EVI1 and ΔEVI1. These data ad to the functional characterisation of the EVI1 protein in AML and will be important for the development of targeted therapeutic approaches for EVI1-driven AML.
Chloramphenicol enhances Photosystem II photodamage in intact cells of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC 6803
Authors: Kodru Sandeesha , ur Rehman Ateeq , Vass Imre
Published: September 2020

The effect of chloramphenicol, an often used protein synthesis inhibitor, in photosynthetic systems was studied on the rate of Photosystem II (PSII) photodamage in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC 6803. Light-induced loss of PSII activity was compared in the presence of chloramphenicol and another protein synthesis inhibitor, lincomycin, by measuring the rate of oxygen evolution in Synechocystis 6803 cells. Our data show that the rate of PSII photodamage was significantly enhanced by chloramphenicol, at the usually applied 200 μg mL−1 concentration, relative to that obtained in the presence of lincomycin. Chloramphenicol-induced enhancement of photodamage has been observed earlier in isolated PSII membrane particles, and has been assigned to the damaging effect of chloramphenicol-mediated superoxide production (Rehman et al. 2016, Front Plant Sci 7:479). This effect points to the involvement of superoxide as damaging agent in the presence of chloramphenicol also in Synechocystis cells. The chloramphenicol-induced enhancement of photodamage was observed not only in wild-type Synechocystis 6803, which contains both Photosystem I (PSI) and PSII, but also in a PSI-less mutant which contains only PSII. Importantly, the rate of PSII photodamage was also enhanced by the absence of PSI when compared to that in the wild-type strain under all conditions studied here, i.e., without addition and in the presence of protein synthesis inhibitors. We conclude that chloramphenicol enhances photodamage mostly by its interaction with PSII, leading probably to superoxide production. The presence of PSI is also an important regulatory factor of PSII photodamage most likely via decreasing excitation pressure on PSII.
Entry Regulation and Persistence of Profits in Incumbent Firms
Authors: Desai Sameeksha , Eklund Johan E. , Lappi Emma
Published: September 2020

In line with the theory of creative destruction, industries where incumbent firms generate high profits will attract entry, which should drive down profits. This disciplinary effect of entry implies that profits above the norm should not exist in the long run. Factors that affect entry—such as entry regulations—could affect this profits convergence process. Using an unbalanced panel of firm- and country-level data for approximately 13,000 firms in 33 countries between 2005 and 2013, we examine the profit dynamics of incumbent firms in the context of entry and entry regulations.
Firmware code instrumentation technology for internet of things-based services
Authors: Chen Chen , Ma Jinxin , Qi Tao , Cui Baojiang , Qi Weikong , Zhang Zhaolei , Sun Peng
Published: September 2020

With the rapid development of electronic and information technology, Internet of Things (IoT) devices have become extensively utilised in various fields. Increasing attention has been paid to the performance and security analysis of IoT-based services. Dynamic instrumentation is a common process in software analysis for acquiring runtime information. However, due to the limited software and hardware resources in IoT devices, most dynamic instrumentation tools do not support IoT-based services. In this paper, we provide an analysis tool, IoTDIT, to solve the current problem of runtime detection in IoT-based services. IoTDIT employs static analysis andptracesystem calls to obtain dynamic firmware information, which can aid in firmware performance analysis and security detection. We perform experiments to verify the performance and effectiveness of the proposed instrumentation tool.
Estimated biomass carbon in thinned Cunninghamia lanceolate plantations at different stand-ages
Authors: Zhang Xie , Wu Zhenming , Xu Zhongkun , Xu Liang , Xu Qingqian , Lin Jianzhong
Published: September 2020

Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolate [Lamb.] Hook.) is a fast-growing species which is not only important as a timber-supplier, but also as an available sink for carbon (C) storage in biomass. Stand age and density are two critical factors that can determine tree C sequestration as interrelated drivers through natural self-thinning. C. lanceolate were planted using 1-year-old bare-root seedlings at the initial density of 1800 stems ha−1 in a 15-ha montane area of Hunan Province, China in 1987. The plantation was thinned twice 10 and 20 years after planting to leave trees of 437.5 ± 26.6, 675.0 ± 155.2 and 895.8 ± 60.1 stems ha−1 as low, medium, and high densities, respectively. Tree height and diameter at breast height (DBH) were measured every 2 years beginning from 23 years (2009) to 31 years (2018) after establishment, timber volume (TV) and biomass C were estimated accordingly. We did not find any interactive effect of age and density on any variables except for height. Both TV and biomass C increased with stand age or decreased in higher densities. The allometric height-DBH relationship can be fitted by an exponential rising-to-maximum model with higher maximum value over time. The decline of biomass C along density fit with the inverse first-order polynomial model which indicated that at least 1300–1500 stems ha−1 may be needed to maximize TV and biomass C for a longer term over 20 years. Therefore, to control the density to a reasonable level, over 1300 stems ha−1 in a rotation over 20 years old will be practical for tree biomass C in Chinese fir plantations.
Participative Innovation Platforms (PIP) for Upgrading NTFP Value Chains in East Africa
Authors: Auch Eckhard , Pretzsch Jürgen
Published: September 2020

Improving forest product value chains is considered a means to solve forest-related challenges in the Global South. The ‘Participative Innovation Platform’ (PIP) instrument has been developed to design and to continually adapt solutions and strategies for effective cooperation amongst value chain actors. The instrument is rooted in the action-oriented and social learning approach, combined with the concept of innovation systems. This paper presents findings from three PIPs conducted for upgrading non-timber forest product value chains in Ethiopia (bamboo, natural gums) and Sudan (gum Arabic). A comparative analysis of highest ranked contents revealed similarities in the challenges: lack of government support, poor infrastructure, producers’ lack of knowledge and skills, and lack of market information. Priority upgrading measures focused on producers’ knowledge, skills, and capacity to engage in collective action and to lobby interests, and on capital resources to invest in processing technology. It is concluded that although the PIP instrument presents an innovative way to upgrade forest-based value chains, the instrument requires a long-term process with frequently held platform meetings, conducted by neutral institutions with skilled moderators. Crucial in this process is the need to consistently verify and ensure that all actor groups of the chain are represented, and are confident they will derive benefits from the value chain upgrading.
Prevention, Detection, and Management of Heart Failure in Patients Treated for Breast Cancer
Authors: Broberg Agneta Månsson , Geisler Jürgen , Tuohinen Suvi , Skytta Tanja , Hrafnkelsdóttir Þórdís Jóna , Nielsen Kirsten Melgaard , Hedayati Elham , Omland Torbjørn , Offersen Birgitte V. , Lyon Alexander R. , Gulati Geeta
Published: September 2020

Purpose of Review

Long-term survival has increased significantly in breast cancer patients, and cardiovascular side effects are surpassing cancer-related mortality. We summarize risk factors, prevention strategies, detection, and management of cardiotoxicity, with focus on left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure, during breast cancer treatment.

Recent Findings

Baseline treatment of cardiovascular risk factors is recommended. Anthracycline and trastuzumab treatment constitute a substantial risk of developing cardiotoxicity. There is growing evidence that this can be treated with beta blockers and angiotensin antagonists. Early detection of cardiotoxicity with cardiac imaging and circulating cardiovascular biomarkers is currently evaluated in clinical trials. Chest wall irradiation accelerates atherosclerotic processes and induces fibrosis. Immune checkpoint inhibitors require consideration for surveillance due to a small risk of severe myocarditis. Cyclin-dependent kinases4/6 inhibitors, cyclophosphamide, taxanes, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and endocrine therapy have a lower-risk profile for cardiotoxicity.

Preventive and management strategies to counteract cancer treatment–related left ventricular dysfunction or heart failure in breast cancer patients should include a comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment and individual clinical evaluation. This should include both patient and treatment-related factors. Further clinical trials especially on early detection, cardioprevention, and management are urgently needed.
The Effects of Midline Cerebellar rTMS on Human Pharyngeal Cortical Activity in the Intact Swallowing Motor System
Authors: Sasegbon Ayodele , Niziolek Nikola , Zhang Mengqing , Smith Craig J , Bath Philip M , Rothwell John , Hamdy Shaheen
Published: September 2020

We sought to compare the effects of 10 Hz cerebellar vermis (vs. unilateral hemispheric and sham) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on cortical neuroelectrical activity and thereafter 10 Hz cerebellar vermis (vs. sham) rTMS on swallowing behaviour. Healthy participants (n = 25) were randomly allocated to receive vermis, unilateral hemisphere or sham 10 Hz cerebellar rTMS. Recordings were made using pharyngeal electromyography and manometry catheters, obtaining motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) and pressure recordings. The amplitudes of MEPs elicited using single-pulse TMS delivered to the pharyngeal areas of the motor cortex bilaterally were measured pre- and post-cerebellar stimulation. As in previous studies, abductor policis brevis (APB) MEPs were measured to assess post-rTMS modulation specificity. Swallowing was assessed using a swallowing accuracy task. Measurements were made at baseline and 15-min intervals for an hour post-intervention. Measurements involved TMS being used to elicit 10 MEPs bilaterally over the pharyngeal areas of the motor cortex, over the APB cortical representation adjacent to the pharyngeal area with the lowest resting motor threshold and 5 MEPs bilaterally over pharyngeal areas of the cerebellar hemispheres. Swallowing accuracy was assessed by giving participants 10 attempts to swallow and hit a digital target. Cerebellar vermis rTMS caused significant suppression of cortical pharyngeal MEP amplitudes compared with unilateral rTMS and sham (P = 0.0005, 0.002). APB and cerebellar MEP amplitudes were unaffected as were pharyngeal and APB MEP latencies. Following cerebellar vermis rTMS there was a significant reduction in swallowing accuracy compared with sham (P = 0.001). Our findings demonstrate cerebellar vermis rTMS exerts a suppressive effect on pharyngeal motor cortical activity and swallowing behaviour.
Reply to Cartwright, Pemberton, Wieten: “mechanisms, laws and explanation”
Authors: Krickel Beate
Published: September 2020

Cartwright et al. in European Journal for Philosophy of Science, 10(3) (2020) and the new mechanists agree that regular behaviors described in cp laws are generated by mechanisms. However, there is disagreement with regard to the two questions that Cartwright at al. ask: the epistemological question (“What kind of explanation is involved?”) and the ontological question (“What is going on in the world?”). Most importantly, Cartwright et al. argue that the explanation involved is a CL-explanation, while the new mechanists insist that mechanistic explanation and CL-explanation are competitors. In this reply, I will highlight some worries regarding Cartwright et al.’s analysis of the relationship between mechanisms and cp laws and I will provide alternative answers to the two questions in line with the new mechanistic approach.
All-Instances Restricted Chase Termination for Linear TGDs
Authors: Gogacz Tomasz , Marcinkowski Jerzy , Pieris Andreas
Published: September 2020

The chase procedure is a fundamental algorithmic tool in database theory with a variety of applications. A key problem concerning the chase procedure is all-instances chase termination: for a given set of tuple-generating dependencies (TGDs), is it the case that the chase terminates for every input database? In view of the fact that this problem is, in general, undecidable, it is natural to ask whether well-behaved classes of TGDs, introduced in different contexts, ensure decidability. It has been recently shown that the problem is decidable for the restricted (a.k.a. standard) version of the chase, and linear TGDs, a prominent class of TGDs that has been introduced in the context of ontological query answering, under the assumption that only one atom appears in TGD-heads. We provide an alternative proof for this result based on Monadic Second-Order Logic, which we believe is simpler that the ones obtained from the literature.
NGS_SNPAnalyzer: a desktop software supporting genome projects by identifying and visualizing sequence variations from next-generation sequencing data
Authors: Lee Dong-Jun , Kwon Taesoo , Kim Chang-Kug , Seol Young-Joo , Park Dong-Suk , Lee Tae-Ho , Ahn Byung-Ohg
Published: September 2020

Background

Sequence variations such as single nucleotide polymorphisms are markers for genetic diseases and breeding. Therefore, identifying sequence variations is one of the main objectives of several genome projects. Although most genome project consortiums provide standard operation procedures for sequence variation detection methods, there may be differences in the results because of human selection or error.

Objective

To standardize the procedure for sequence variation detection and help researchers who are not formally trained in bioinformatics, we developed the NGS_SNPAnalyzer, a desktop software and fully automated graphical pipeline.

Methods

The NGS_SNPAnalyzer is implemented using JavaFX (version 1.8); therefore, it is not limited to any operating system (OS). The tools employed in the NGS_SNPAnalyzer were compiled on Microsoft Windows (version 7, 10) and Ubuntu Linux (version 16.04, 17.0.4).

Results

The NGS_SNPAnalyzer not only includes the functionalities for variant calling and annotation but also provides quality control, mapping, and filtering details to support all procedures from next-generation sequencing (NGS) data to variant visualization. It can be executed using pre-set pipelines and options and customized via user-specified options. Additionally, the NGS_SNPAnalyzer provides a user-friendly graphical interface and can be installed on any OS that supports JAVA.

Conclusions

Although there are several pipelines and visualization tools available for NGS data analysis, we developed the NGS_SNPAnalyzer to provide the user with an easy-to-use interface. The benchmark test results indicate that the NGS_SNPAnayzer achieves better performance than other open source tools.
Should Sea-Ice Modeling Tools Designed for Climate Research Be Used for Short-Term Forecasting?
Authors: Hunke Elizabeth , Allard Richard , Blain Philippe , Blockley Ed , Feltham Daniel , Fichefet Thierry , Garric Gilles , Grumbine Robert , Lemieux Jean-François , Rasmussen Till , Ribergaard Mads , Roberts Andrew , Schweiger Axel , Tietsche Steffen , Tremblay Bruno , Vancoppenolle Martin , Zhang Jinlun
Published: September 2020

In theory, the same sea-ice models could be used for both research and operations, but in practice, differences in scientific and software requirements and computational and human resources complicate the matter. Although sea-ice modeling tools developed for climate studies and other research applications produce output of interest to operational forecast users, such as ice motion, convergence, and internal ice pressure, the relevant spatial and temporal scales may not be sufficiently resolved. For instance, sea-ice research codes are typically run with horizontal resolution of more than 3 km, while mariners need information on scales less than 300 m. Certain sea-ice processes and coupled feedbacks that are critical to simulating the Earth system may not be relevant on these scales; and therefore, the most important model upgrades for improving sea-ice predictions might be made in the atmosphere and ocean components of coupled models or in their coupling mechanisms, rather than in the sea-ice model itself. This paper discusses some of the challenges in applying sea-ice modeling tools developed for research purposes for operational forecasting on short time scales, and highlights promising new directions in sea-ice modeling.
Parenting Goals: Links with Parenting Strategies in Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: O’Nions Elizabeth , Happé Francesca , Segers Julie , Viding Essi , Noens Ilse
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Parenting goals describe the outcomes that parents aim for when interacting with their child. They have received little attention in research with caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The present study explored different types (dimensions) of parenting goals reported by caregivers of children with ASD, investigated links between these parenting goals and child characteristics, and explored whether parenting goals were linked to reported use of particular parenting strategies.

Methods

Data from 161 caregivers of children with ASD aged 7–18 years revealed two goal dimensions: “Norm Adherence Goals” (i.e. the perceived importance of the child cooperating with the parent, respecting their authority, and behaving well in public); and “Autonomy Support and Relationship Goals” (i.e. the perceived importance of promoting the child’s resilience, wellbeing, and the quality of the parent-child relationship).

Results

Parents who reported that norm adherence goals were particularly important to them were more likely to endorse parenting strategies such as setting rules, using rewards, and giving punishments. These parents also reported using less “Accommodation” (e.g. making allowances for their child, being flexible, avoiding triggers). Autonomy support and relationship goals were very strongly endorsed by nearly all parents, and we therefore could not find strong links between the importance of these goals and parenting strategies.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that parenting goals might be importantly linked to parenting strategies and could be considered in personalizing interventions in clinical practice. Given that parents’ cognitions about their child’s behaviour and their role as parents likely interact with and influence their parenting goals, we argue that future research should investigate parenting goals, cognitions, and behaviours in parallel.
Adult children's achievements and ageing parents’ depressive symptoms in China
Authors: Wang Haowei , Han Sae Hwang , Kim Kyungmin , Burr Jeffrey A.
Published: September 2020

This study examined the association between adult children's achievements and ageing parents’ depressive symptoms in China. The research topic was examined within the contexts of one-child and multiple-children families in rural and urban China. Older adults (aged 60–113, N = 8,450; nested within 462 communities/villages) from the 2013 China Longitudinal Ageing Social Survey provided information about themselves and their adult children (N = 22,738). Adult children's achievements were assessed with educational attainment, financial status and occupational status; older parents’ depressive symptoms were assessed with nine items of the Chinese version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Multilevel linear regression models were estimated separately for older parents with one child only and multiple children. For older parents with multiple children, both having one or more children with any achievement and the total number of children's achievements were associated with fewer depressive symptoms. For parents with only one child, any achievement of the child and the total number of the child's achievements were associated with fewer depressive symptoms. Our results also indicated that the association between children's achievements and parents’ depressive symptoms varied by rural–urban residence and family type. Our findings contributed to the understanding of family dynamics underlying the emotional wellbeing of older adults in China.
Saint Lucia Works to Release Itself from Sargassum’s Stranglehold
Authors: Peter Sarah
Published: September 2020

Nearly 10 years ago, Caribbean beaches experienced a sudden onslaught of Sargassum. Today residents continue to explore ways to mitigate the seaweed’s damage to local health and livelihoods.
From Lava to Water: A New Era at Kīlauea
Authors: Nadeau Patricia , Diefenbach Angela , Hurwitz Shaul , Swanson Donald
Published: September 2020

At Kīlauea Volcano, scientists are using unoccupied aircraft to monitor the new water lake, a possible harbinger of explosive activity, that formed after the volcano’s 2018 eruption.
Five Science Questions That Ought to Be Asked at the Debates
Authors: Yohe Gary , Jacoby Henry , Santer Ben , Richels Richard
Published: September 2020

Journalists, moderators, and the public have an important opportunity to question the presidential and vice presidential candidates in the upcoming TV debates.