bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance Analysis of Prioritization and Contention Control Algorithm in Wireless Body Area Networks
Authors: B Nithya , Ranjan Naveen , A Justin Gopinath
Published: October 2020

A Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) is the composition of a group of energy-efficient, miniature, invasive/non-invasive, light-weighted sensors that monitor human body health conditions for early detection and treatment for life-threatening diseases. Due to the stringent demands of WBAN, such as energy efficiency, reliability and low delay, the development of an efficient contention control algorithm is exceptionally crucial that aims to maximize throughput by reducing collisions. In this context, this paper proposes an adaptive algorithm, namely, Prioritization and Contention Control (PCC) algorithm, to minimize collisions, latency and energy consumption. The first phase of the proposed algorithm prioritizes sensors using run-time metrics to grant channel access only for the potential nodes to send their data. It leads to a lesser number of collisions among sensors, thereby reducing retransmission attempts. In the second phase, the Contention Window (CW) size is predicted using queue length and collision rate that accurately mimic the current channel status. The dynamic estimation of CW aids in minimizing channel access delay, collisions and energy consumption, thereby enhancing overall network performance. The performance of the proposed PCC algorithm is validated with the 2D Markov model and NS2 simulation in terms of throughput, packet delivery ratio, delay and remaining energy.
Incidence and Outcomes of Home Parenteral Nutrition in Patients With Crohn Disease in Olmsted County, Minnesota
Authors: Bakhshi Zeinab , Yadav Siddhant , Salonen Bradley R , Bonnes Sara L , Varayil Jithinraj Edakkanambeth , Harmsen William Scott , Hurt Ryan T , Tremaine William J , Loftus Edward V
Published: October 2020

Background

We sought to estimate the incidence of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) use in a population-based cohort of patients with Crohn disease (CD), and to assess clinical outcomes and complications associated with HPN.

Methods

We used the Rochester Epidemiology Project (REP) to identify residents of Olmsted County, who were diagnosed with CD between 1970 and 2011, and required HPN.

Results

Fourteen out of 429 patients (3.3%) with CD received HPN (86% female). Eleven patients (79%) had moderate–severe CD and 12 patients (86%) had fistulizing disease. Thirteen patients (93%) underwent surgery, primarily due to obstruction. Among CD incidence cases, the cumulative incidence of HPN from the date of CD diagnosis was 0% at 1 year, 0.5% at 5 years, 0.8% at 10 years, and 2.4% at 20 years. Indications for HPN included short bowel syndrome in 64%, malnutrition in 29%, and bowel rest in 21%. The median duration of HPN was 2.5 years. There was an average weight gain of 1.2 kg at 6 months, an average weight loss of 1.4 kg at 1 year, and a further weight loss of 2.2 kg at 2 years from the start of HPN. Patients were hospitalized a mean of 5 times after the start of HPN, mainly due to catheter-related bloodstream infections and thrombosis.

Conclusions

Less than 4% of patients with CD need HPN. Most have moderate to severe disease with short bowel syndrome or malnutrition. Possible reasons for the patients’ weight loss could be noncompliance, and increased metabolic needs because of active disease.
Depressive symptoms and non-adherence to treatable cardiovascular risk factors’ medications in the CONSTANCES cohort
Authors: Hamieh Nadine , Kab Sofiane , Zins Marie , Blacher Jacques , Meneton Pierre , Empana Jean-Philippe , Hoertel Nicolas , Limosin Frederic , Goldberg Marcel , Melchior Maria , Lemogne Cedric
Published: October 2020

Aims

Depression is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the role of poor medical adherence is mostly unknown. We studied the association between depressive symptoms and non-adherence to medications targeting treatable cardiovascular risk factors in the CONSTANCES population-based French cohort.

Methods and results

We used CONSTANCES data linked to the French national healthcare database to study the prospective association between depressive symptoms (assessed at inclusion with the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale) and non-adherence to medications (less than 80% of trimesters with at least one drug dispensed) treating type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia over 36 months of follow-up. Binary logistic regression models were adjusted for socio-demographics, body mass index, and personal history of CVD at inclusion. Among 4998 individuals with hypertension, 793 with diabetes, and 3692 with dyslipidaemia at baseline, respectively 13.1% vs. 11.5%, 10.5% vs. 5.8%, and 29.0% vs. 27.1% of those depressed vs. those non-depressed were non-adherent over the first 18 months of follow-up (15.9% vs. 13.6%, 11.1% vs. 7.4%, and 34.8% vs. 36.6% between 19 and 36 months). Adjusting for all covariates, depressive symptoms were neither associated with non-adherence to medications for hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidaemia over the first 18 months of follow-up, nor afterwards. Depressive symptoms were only associated with non-adherence to anti-diabetic medications between the first 3–6 months of follow-up.

Conclusion

Non-adherence to medications targeting treatable cardiovascular risk factors is unlikely to explain much of the association between depressive symptoms and CVD at a population level. Clinicians are urged to search for and treat depression in individuals with diabetes to foster medications adherence.
The role of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 4 in cardiomyocyte injury after myocardial infarction
Authors: Li Liangpeng , Fu Wenbin , Gong Xue , Chen Zhi , Tang Luxun , Yang Dezhong , Liao Qiao , Xia Xuewei , Wu Hao , Liu Chao , Tian Miao , Zeng Andi , Zhou Lin , Jose Pedro A , Chen Ken , Wang Wei Eric , Zeng Chunyu
Published: October 2020

Aims

G protein-coupled receptor kinase 4 (GRK4) has been reported to play an important role in hypertension, but little is known about its role in cardiomyocytes and myocardial infarction (MI). The goal of present study is to explore the role of GRK4 in the pathogenesis and progression of MI.

Methods and results

We studied the expression and distribution pattern of GRK4 in mouse heart after MI. GRK4 A486V transgenic mice, inducible cardiomyocyte-specific GRK4 knockout mice, were generated and subjected to MI with their control mice. Cardiac infarction, cardiac function, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, autophagic activity, and HDAC4 phosphorylation were assessed. The mRNA and protein levels of GRK4 in the heart were increased after MI. Transgenic mice with the overexpression of human GRK4 wild type (WT) or human GRK4 A486V variant had increased cardiac infarction, exaggerated cardiac dysfunction and remodelling. In contrast, the MI-induced cardiac dysfunction and remodelling were ameliorated in cardiomyocyte-specific GRK4 knockout mice. GRK4 overexpression in cardiomyocytes aggravated apoptosis, repressed autophagy, and decreased beclin-1 expression, which were partially rescued by the autophagy agonist rapamycin. MI also induced the nuclear translocation of GRK4, which inhibited autophagy by increasing HDAC4 phosphorylation and decreasing its binding to the beclin-1 promoter. HDAC4 S632A mutation partially restored the GRK4-induced inhibition of autophagy. MI caused greater impairment of cardiac function in patients carrying the GRK4 A486V variant than in WT carriers.

Conclusion

GRK4 increases cardiomyocyte injury during MI by inhibiting autophagy and promoting cardiomyocyte apoptosis. These effects are mediated by the phosphorylation of HDAC4 and a decrease in beclin-1 expression.
Atrial fibrillation ablation in heart failure: What do we know? What can we do?
Authors: Chiocchini Andrea , Terricabras Maria , Verma Atul
Published: October 2020

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) are two conditions that frequently impact reciprocally on each other. Patients with HFrEF have an increased risk of stroke, hospitalization and mortality after they develop AF and vice versa, AF causing deterioration of the ejection fraction is also associated to increased mortality. Catheter ablation has emerged as an effective alternative to antiarrhythmic drug treatment to maintain sinus rhythm and some randomized trials have shown a potential benefit in terms of mortality and hospitalization. This review discusses the available evidence regarding catheter ablation treatment in this specific patient group.
A global data-driven census ofSalmonellasmall proteins and their potential functions in bacterial virulence
Authors: Venturini Elisa , Svensson Sarah L , Maaß Sandra , Gelhausen Rick , Eggenhofer Florian , Li Lei , Cain Amy K , Parkhill Julian , Becher Dörte , Backofen Rolf , Barquist Lars , Sharma Cynthia M , Westermann Alexander J , Vogel Jörg
Published: October 2020

Small proteins are an emerging class of gene products with diverse roles in bacterial physiology. However, a full understanding of their importance has been hampered by insufficient genome annotations and a lack of comprehensive characterization in microbes other than Escherichia coli. We have taken an integrative approach to accelerate the discovery of small proteins and their putative virulence-associated functions in Salmonella Typhimurium. We merged the annotated small proteome of Salmonella with new small proteins predicted with in silico and experimental approaches. We then exploited existing and newly generated global datasets that provide information on small open reading frame expression during infection of epithelial cells (dual RNA-seq), contribution to bacterial fitness inside macrophages (Transposon-directed insertion sequencing), and potential engagement in molecular interactions (Grad-seq). This integrative approach suggested a new role for the small protein MgrB beyond its known function in regulating PhoQ. We demonstrate a virulence and motility defect of a Salmonella ΔmgrB mutant and reveal an effect of MgrB in regulating the Salmonella transcriptome and proteome under infection-relevant conditions. Our study highlights the power of interpreting available ‘omics’ datasets with a focus on small proteins, and may serve as a blueprint for a data integration-based survey of small proteins in diverse bacteria.
Phylogenomics of the Epigenetic Toolkit Reveals Punctate Retention of Genes across Eukaryotes
Authors: Weiner Agnes K M , Cerón-Romero Mario A , Yan Ying , Katz Laura A
Published: October 2020

Epigenetic processes in eukaryotes play important roles through regulation of gene expression, chromatin structure, and genome rearrangements. The roles of chromatin modification (e.g., DNA methylation and histone modification) and non-protein-coding RNAs have been well studied in animals and plants. With the exception of a few model organisms (e.g., Saccharomyces and Plasmodium), much less is known about epigenetic toolkits across the remainder of the eukaryotic tree of life. Even with limited data, previous work suggested the existence of an ancient epigenetic toolkit in the last eukaryotic common ancestor. We use PhyloToL, our taxon-rich phylogenomic pipeline, to detect homologs of epigenetic genes and evaluate their macroevolutionary patterns among eukaryotes. In addition to data from GenBank, we increase taxon sampling from understudied clades of SAR (Stramenopila, Alveolata, and Rhizaria) and Amoebozoa by adding new single-cell transcriptomes from ciliates, foraminifera, and testate amoebae. We focus on 118 gene families, 94 involved in chromatin modification and 24 involved in non-protein-coding RNA processes based on the epigenetics literature. Our results indicate 1) the presence of a large number of epigenetic gene families in the last eukaryotic common ancestor; 2) differential conservation among major eukaryotic clades, with a notable paucity of genes within Excavata; and 3) punctate distribution of epigenetic gene families between species consistent with rapid evolution leading to gene loss. Together these data demonstrate the power of taxon-rich phylogenomic studies for illuminating evolutionary patterns at scales of >1 billion years of evolution and suggest that macroevolutionary phenomena, such as genome conflict, have shaped the evolution of the eukaryotic epigenetic toolkit.
Hydro-mechanical coupling in porous rocks: hidden dependences to the microstructure?
Authors: Pimienta Lucas , Quintal Beatriz , Caspari Eva
Published: October 2020

While hydro-mechanical coupling in rocks is generally well understood, exotic rock poroelastic responses—such as unexpected dependence to fluid diffusion time and low skeleton moduli—have been reported. Hydro-mechanical coupling, or poroelasticity, explains how fluid-saturated rocks respond to either confining or fluid pressure variations. This coupling is usually inferred from the apparent mechanical and hydraulic properties: mechanical properties determine the strain level experienced by the rock when submitted to pressures at a timescale when fluid pressure is equilibrated, which is in turn ruled by hydraulic properties. However, the coupling between properties might not always be straightforward, particularly for rocks in which two distinct families of pore types coexist: spherical pores and cracks. Comparing it with reported laboratory data sets on pressure-dependent hydraulic and elastic properties in sandstones of different porosity confirms that the well-known simple concepts of networks in parallel apply and yield opposite dependencies for the two properties on the two pore families. Because hydro-mechanical coupling implies that the two properties—that depend differently on the pore families—will be interdependent, we further apply the same concept of parallel network. It yields that, although under apparent drained conditions, typical poroelasticity experiments could underestimate the rock compressibility ${C_{\mathrm{ bp}}}$, measured as a response to fluid pressure variation, and underestimate the related skeleton (or unjacketed) bulk modulus ${K_\mathrm{ s}} = \ 1/{C_\mathrm{ s}}$.
GNSS characterization of hydrological loading in South and Southeast Asia
Authors: Materna Kathryn , Feng Lujia , Lindsey Eric O , Hill Emma M , Ahsan Aktarul , Alam A K M Khorshed , Oo Kyaw Moe , Than Oo , Aung Thura , Khaing Saw Ngwe , Bürgmann Roland
Published: October 2020

The elastic response of the lithosphere to surface mass redistributions produces geodetically measurable deformation of the Earth. This deformation is especially pronounced in South and Southeast Asia, where the annual monsoon produces large-amplitude hydrological loads. The Myanmar–India–Bangladesh–Bhutan (MIBB) network of about 20 continuously operating Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) stations, established in 2011, provides an opportunity to study the Earth's response to these loads. In this study, we use GRACE temporal gravity products as an estimate of long-wavelength surface water distribution and use this estimate in an elastic loading calculation. We compare the predicted vertical deformation from GRACE with that observed with GNSS. We find that elastic loading inferred from the GRACE gravity model is able to explain the phase and much of the peak-to-peak amplitude (typically 2–3 cm) of the vertical GNSS oscillations, especially in northeast India and central Myanmar. GRACE-based corrections reduce the RMS scatter of the GNSS data by 30–45% in these regions. However, this approach does not capture all of the seasonal deformation in central Bangladesh and southern Myanmar. We show by a synthetic test that local hydrological effects may explain discrepancies between the GNSS and GRACE signals in these places. Two independent hydrological loading models of water stored in soil, vegetation, snow, lakes and streams display phase lags compared to the GRACE and GNSS observations, perhaps indicating that groundwater contributes to the observed loading in addition to near-surface hydrology. The results of our calculations have implications for survey-mode GNSS measurements, which make up the majority of geodetic measurements in this region. By using the GNSS data together with estimates of hydrological loading from independent observations and models, we may be able to more accurately determine crustal motions caused by tectonic processes in South and Southeast Asia, while also improving our ability to monitor the annual monsoon and resulting water storage changes in the region.
Unravelling the disease mechanism for TSPYL1 deficiency
Authors: Buyse Gunnar , Di Michele Michela , Wijgaerts Anouck , Louwette Sophie , Wittevrongel Christine , Thys Chantal , Downes Kate , Ceulemans Berten , Van Esch Hild , Van Geet Chris , Freson Kathleen
Published: October 2020

We describe a lethal combined nervous and reproductive systems disease in three affected siblings of a consanguineous family. The phenotype was characterized by visceroautonomic dysfunction (neonatal bradycardia/apnea, feeding problems, hyperactive startle reflex), severe postnatal progressive neurological abnormalities (including abnormal neonatal cry, hypotonia, epilepsy, polyneuropathy, cerebral gray matter atrophy), visual impairment, testicular dysgenesis in males and sudden death at infant age by brainstem-mediated cardiorespiratory arrest. Whole-exome sequencing revealed a novel homozygous frameshift variant p.Val242GlufsTer52 in the TSPY-like 1 gene (TSPYL1). The truncated TSPYL1 protein that lacks the nucleosome assembly protein domain was retained in the Golgi of fibroblasts from the three patients, whereas control fibroblasts express full-length TSPYL1 in the nucleus. Proteomic analysis of nuclear extracts from fibroblasts identified 24 upregulated and 20 downregulated proteins in the patients compared with 5 controls with ‘regulation of cell cycle’ as the highest scored biological pathway affected. TSPYL1-deficient cells had prolonged S and G2 phases with reduced cellular proliferation rates. Tspyl1 depletion in zebrafish mimicked the patients’ phenotype with early lethality, defects in neurogenesis and cardiac dilation. In conclusion, this study reports the third pedigree with recessive TSPYL1 variants, confirming that TSPYL1 deficiency leads to a combined nervous and reproductive systems disease, and provides for the first time insights into the disease mechanism.
Theory, hormones and life history stages: an introduction to the symposium epigenetic variation in endocrine systems
Authors: Stevenson Tyler J , Hanson Haley E , Martin Lynn B
Published: October 2020

Synopsis

All organisms must respond to environmental stimuli, and most metazoans do so through endocrine system regulation. Hormonal fluctuations allow organisms to maintain and return to homeostasis following perturbations, making them vital for survival and fitness. Many components of the endocrine system (e.g., proteins, steroids, receptors, genome response elements, etc.) and the physiological and behavioral processes they regulate are conserved among vertebrates (e.g., the glucocorticoid stress response). However, there are sometimes dramatic differences among and within species, particularly in how hormonal variation affects phenotypes. Some such variation is driven by internal factors such as genetics, developmental stage, sex, individual age, and body condition in addition to external factors such as the type, magnitude, and duration of environmental stimuli. Eco-evolutionary endocrinology has been quite successful in describing this variation among and within species, but we have only just begun to understand how these factors interact to affect phenotypic diversity, ecological function, and evolution. Mounting evidence suggests that various molecular epigenetic modifications of genome structure and activity, such as deoxyribonucleic acid methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNAs, and small RNAs, mediate the interactions between environmental conditions, individual traits, and the endocrine system. As some epigenetic modifications can be induced or removed by environmental stimuli, they represent promising candidates underlying endocrine regulation and variation, particularly epigenetic marks that can be stably inherited. This symposium discussed the role of epigenetic modifications in endocrine systems, mainly in natural populations.
Recovering the Lattice From Its Random Perturbations
Authors: Yakir Oren
Published: October 2020

Given a $d$-dimensional Euclidean lattice we consider the random set obtained by adding an independent Gaussian vector to each of the lattice points. In this note we provide a simple procedure that recovers the lattice from a single realization of the random set.
Microbiome Data Enhances Predictive Models of Lung Function in People With Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Zhao Conan Y , Hao Yiqi , Wang Yifei , Varga John J , Stecenko Arlene A , Goldberg Joanna B , Brown Sam P
Published: October 2020

Background

Microbiome sequencing has brought increasing attention to the polymicrobial context of chronic infections. However, clinical microbiology continues to focus on canonical human pathogens, which may overlook informative, but nonpathogenic, biomarkers. We address this disconnect in lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis (CF).

Methods

We collected health information (lung function, age, and body mass index [BMI]) and sputum samples from a cohort of 77 children and adults with CF. Samples were collected during a period of clinical stability and 16S rDNA sequenced for airway microbiome compositions. We use ElasticNet regularization to train linear models predicting lung function and extract the most informative features.

Results

Models trained on whole-microbiome quantitation outperformed models trained on pathogen quantitation alone, with or without the inclusion of patient metadata. Our most accurate models retained key pathogens as negative predictors (Pseudomonas, Achromobacter) along with established correlates of CF disease state (age, BMI, CF-related diabetes). In addition, our models selected nonpathogen taxa (Fusobacterium, Rothia) as positive predictors of lung health.

Conclusions

These results support a reconsideration of clinical microbiology pipelines to ensure the provision of informative data to guide clinical practice.
Frontiers in human factors: integrating human factors and ergonomics to improve safety and quality in Latin American healthcare systems
Authors: Aceves-González Carlos , Rodríguez Yordán , Escobar-Galindo Carlos Manuel , Pérez Elizabeth , Gutiérrez-Moreno Beatriz , Hignett Sue , Lang Alexandra Rosewall
Published: October 2020

Background

The importance of human factors/ergonomics (HFE) is well established in all high-reliability systems but only applied in the healthcare sector relatively recently. Across many sectors, low-/middle-income countries (LMICs) lag behind more economically developed countries in their application of this safety science, due to resource and, in some cases, awareness and expertise. Most previous applications of HFE related to occupational ergonomics rather than healthcare safety.

Methods

The paper details how the reputation of HFE is being developed within healthcare communities of Latin America (LatAm), through increasing awareness and understanding of its role as safety science in the healthcare sector. It starts by articulating the need for HFE and then provides examples from Mexico, Colombia and Peru.

Results

The practical examples for research and education illustrate a developing awareness of the relevance of HFE to the healthcare sectors in LatAm and an appreciation of its worth to improve health service quality and patient safety through healthcare community engagement. A new LatAm Network of HFE in Healthcare Systems (RELAESA) was formed in 2019, which has provided a platform for HFE advice during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusion

There is a real opportunity in LatAm and other LMIC health services to make more rapid and sustainable progress in healthcare-embedded HFE than has been experienced within healthcare services of more developed nations.
Metabolic Rates Predict Baseline Corticosterone and Reproductive Output in a Free-Living Passerine
Authors: Jimeno Blanca , Prichard Mackenzie R , Landry Devin , Wolf Cole , Larkin Beau , Cheviron Zachary , Breuner Creagh
Published: October 2020

Synopsis

Organisms continuously face environmental fluctuations, and allocation of metabolic investment to meet changing energetic demands is fundamental to survival and reproductive success. Glucocorticoid (GC) hormones (e.g., corticosterone [CORT]) play an important role in energy acquisition and allocation in the face of environmental challenges, partly through mediation of energy metabolism. Although GCs and metabolic rate are expected to covary, surprisingly few empirical studies have demonstrated such relationships, especially in wild animals. Moreover, studies testing for associations between GCs and fitness generally do not account for among-individual differences in energy expenditure or energy allocation. We measured CORT (baseline and stress-induced) and metabolic traits (resting metabolic rate [RMR], cold-induced VO2max [Msum], and aerobic scope [the difference between Msum and RMR]) in female tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) during chick-rearing, and tested for their associations with several variables of reproductive performance. We found a positive relationship between RMR and baseline CORT, but no consistent associations between stress-induced CORT (SI-CORT) and Msum. This suggests that while baseline CORT may be a good indicator of an individual’s baseline metabolic investment, SI-CORT responses are not associated with aerobic scope or the upper limits of aerobic performance. Furthermore, we found that metabolic traits were associated with reproductive performance: females with higher reproductive output showed higher Msum, and also tended to show higher RMR. Overall, these results suggest that metabolic traits are better predictors of reproductive output in tree swallows than CORT concentrations. They further point to the maximal aerobic capacity being higher in females investing more heavily in a current reproductive event, but whether this association reflects trade-offs between current and future reproductive efforts remains to be tested.
Natural language processing systems for pathology parsing in limited data environments with uncertainty estimation
Authors: Odisho Anobel Y , Park Briton , Altieri Nicholas , DeNero John , Cooperberg Matthew R , Carroll Peter R , Yu Bin
Published: October 2020

Objective

Cancer is a leading cause of death, but much of the diagnostic information is stored as unstructured data in pathology reports. We aim to improve uncertainty estimates of machine learning-based pathology parsers and evaluate performance in low data settings.

Materials and methods

Our data comes from the Urologic Outcomes Database at UCSF which includes 3232 annotated prostate cancer pathology reports from 2001 to 2018. We approach 17 separate information extraction tasks, involving a wide range of pathologic features. To handle the diverse range of fields, we required 2 statistical models, a document classification method for pathologic features with a small set of possible values and a token extraction method for pathologic features with a large set of values. For each model, we used isotonic calibration to improve the model’s estimates of its likelihood of being correct.

Results

Our best document classifier method, a convolutional neural network, achieves a weighted F1 score of 0.97 averaged over 12 fields and our best extraction method achieves an accuracy of 0.93 averaged over 5 fields. The performance saturates as a function of dataset size with as few as 128 data points. Furthermore, while our document classifier methods have reliable uncertainty estimates, our extraction-based methods do not, but after isotonic calibration, expected calibration error drops to below 0.03 for all extraction fields.

Conclusions

We find that when applying machine learning to pathology parsing, large datasets may not always be needed, and that calibration methods can improve the reliability of uncertainty estimates.
Toward productivity in future construction: mapping knowledge and finding insights for achieving successful offsite construction projects
Authors: Jang Junyoung , Ahn Seungjun , Cha Seung Hyun , Cho Kyeongwoon , Koo Choongwan , Kim Tae Wan
Published: October 2020

Although offsite construction (OSC) has emerged as a promising solution to low productivity issues in the construction industry, knowledge for effective management of OSC projects is yet to be explored and developed further. To enhance our understanding of the landscape of the current OSC management knowledge, this study identified and reviewed 83 operation-level OSC management papers. By mapping the papers on three dimensions (i.e. OSC project type, project phase, and management area), this review sheds light on the knowledge areas addressed more frequently than the other areas over time in a detailed manner. The review also shows that papers on planning, manufacturing, maintenance phases and schedule, resources, and stakeholder management areas have a relatively large number of citations, implying a great interest in these research areas. Finally, the review discusses that substantial research work is still required in the areas of OSC execution strategy, emerging technologies in offsite manufacturing and schedule management, internet of things (IoT)-based material logistics planning and tracking, building information model-based visualization and decision support, and social and environmental effects of stakeholder engagement in OSC projects.
Profile of Fork-Tailed Bush Katydid (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) Feeding on Fruit of Clementine Mandarins
Authors: Cass Bodil N , Kahl Hanna M , Mueller Tobias G , Xi Xinqiang , Grafton-Cardwell Elizabeth E , Rosenheim Jay A
Published: October 2020

Sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Sapindales: Rutaceae) dominated commercial citrus production in California until recently when there has been a shift to mandarins, mostly Citrus reticulata (Blanco) mandarins and Citrus clementina (hort. ex Tanaka) clementines. Past analyses of commercial field scouting and harvest data indicated that fork-tailed bush katydids (Scudderia furcata Brunner von Wattenwyl), a major pest in oranges, are present in clementine groves, but that fruit scarring attributed to katydids is rare. Conversely, jagged or web-like scarring attributed to caterpillars was more prevalent than expected. We used two field experiments in four representative cultivars of clementines to test four explanatory hypotheses for this observation: 1) katydids do not feed on clementine fruit, 2) damaged clementine fruit recover, 3) damaged clementine fruit preferentially abscise, and 4) katydid scars on clementine fruit have a different, undocumented morphology, not recognized as katydid damage. We find support for the latter two hypotheses. Katydids fed readily on the clementine fruit of all cultivars tested, chewing irregular holes that developed into jagged or web-like scars of a range of shapes and often led to splitting and abscission of maturing fruit. The katydid scars often more closely resembled chewing caterpillar damage than the round katydid scars in oranges, suggesting that katydid damage is being misclassified in clementines. The resistance documented in some other mandarins was not observed. Katydids are clearly a frugivorous pest causing previously unrecognized scarring in clementines.
Phenotypic Spectrum of α-Dystroglycanopathies Associated With the c.919T>a Variant in the FKRP Gene in Humans and Mice
Authors: Brown Susan C , Fernandez-Fuente Marta , Muntoni Francesco , Vissing John
Published: October 2020

Mutations in the fukutin-related protein gene, FKRP, are the most frequent single cause of α-dystroglycanopathy. Rare FKRP mutations are clinically not well characterized. Here, we review the phenotype associated with the rare c.919T>A mutation in FKRP in humans and mice. We describe clinical and paraclinical findings in 6 patients, 2 homozygous, and 4-compound heterozygous for c.919T>A, and compare findings with a mouse model we generated, which is homozygous for the same mutation. In patients, the mutation at the homozygous state is associated with a severe congenital muscular dystrophy phenotype invariably characterized by severe multisystem disease and early death. Compound heterozygous patients have a severe limb-girdle muscular dystrophy phenotype, loss of ambulation before age 20 and respiratory insufficiency. In contrast, mice homozygous for the same mutation show no symptoms or signs of muscle disease. Evidence therefore defines the FKRP c.919T>A as a very severe mutation in humans. The huge discrepancy between phenotypes in humans and mice suggests that differences in protein folding/processing exist between human and mouse Fkrp. This emphasizes the need for more detailed structural analyses of FKRP and shows the challenges of developing appropriate animal models of dystroglycanopathies that mimic the disease course in humans.
Gravitoviscous protoplanetary discs with a dust component – IV. Disc outer edges, spectral indices, and opacity gaps
Authors: Akimkin Vitaly , Vorobyov Eduard , Pavlyuchenkov Yaroslav , Stoyanovskaya Olga
Published: October 2020

The crucial initial step in planet formation is the agglomeration of micron-sized dust into macroscopic aggregates. This phase is likely to happen very early during the protostellar disc formation, which is characterized by active gas dynamics. We present numerical simulations of protostellar/protoplanetary disc long-term evolution, which includes gas dynamics with self-gravity in the thin-disc limit, and bidisperse dust grain evolution due to coagulation, fragmentation, and drift through the gas. We show that the decrease of the grain size to the disc periphery leads to sharp outer edges in dust millimetre emission, which are explained by a drop in dust opacity coefficient rather than by dust surface density variations. These visible outer edges are at the location where average grain size ≈λ/2$\pi$, where λ is the observational wavelength, so discs typically look more compact at longer wavelengths if dust size decreases outwards. This allows a simple recipe for reconstructing grain sizes in disc outer regions. Discs may look larger at longer wavelengths if grain size does not reach λ/2$\pi$ for some wavelength. Disc visible sizes evolve non-monotonically over the first million years and differ from dust and gas physical sizes by factor of a few. We compare our model with recent observation data on gas and dust disc sizes, far-infrared fluxes, and spectral indices of protoplanetary discs in Lupus. We also show that non-monotonic variations of the grain size in radial direction can cause wavelength-dependent opacity gaps, which are not associated with any physical gaps in the dust density distribution.
Mixed-morphology supernova remnants: the case of SNR 0520–69.4 in the Large Magellanic Cloud
Authors: Ramírez-Ballinas I , Reyes-Iturbide J , Ambrocio-Cruz P , Gabbasov R , Rosado M
Published: October 2020

We present observations in X-ray and optical emission of the supernova remnant (SNR) 0520–69.4 in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Using XMM–Newton observatory data, we produced images of the diffuse X-ray emission and spectra to obtain the X-ray parameters, such as luminosity and temperature, of hot plasma in the SNR. Diffuse X-ray emission with filled-centre morphology goes beyond the Hα region, suggesting that the hot gas escapes through the pores of the Hα shell. We fitted a model that has a plasma temperature of 1.1 × 107 K for an X-ray thermal luminosity of 3.3 × 1035 erg s−1. However, from Hα and [O iii] Fabry–Perot observations obtained with the Marseille Hα Survey of the Magellanic Clouds and the Milky Way at La Silla, European Southern Observatory, we are able to obtain physical parameters such as the velocity of the shock induced in the cloudlets emitting at optical wavelengths and the electron density of this gas. With the parameters described above, we test the model proposed by White & Long (1991, ApJ, 373, 543) for explaining the mixed-morphology observed.
Constraints on the [C ii] luminosity of a proto-globular cluster at z ∼ 6 obtained with ALMA
Authors: Calura Francesco , Vanzella Eros , Carniani Stefano , Gilli Roberto , Rosati Piero , Meneghetti Massimo , Paladino Rosita , Decarli Roberto , Brusa Marcella , Lupi Alessandro , D’Amato Quirino , Bergamini Pietro , Caminha Gabriel B
Published: October 2020

We report on ALMA observations of D1, a system at z ∼ 6.15 with stellar mass $M_{*} \sim 10^7 \, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$ containing globular cluster (GC) precursors, strongly magnified by the galaxy cluster MACS J0416.1-2403. Since the discovery of GC progenitors at high redshift, ours is the first attempt to probe directly the physical properties of their neutral gas through infrared observations. A careful analysis of our data set, performed with a suitable procedure designed to identify faint narrow lines and which can test various possible values for the unknown linewidth value, allowed us to identify a 4σ tentative detection of [C ii] emission with intrinsic luminosity $L_{\rm [C\, \rm {\small II}]}=(2.9 \pm 1.4)~10^6 \, {\it L}_{\odot }$, one of the lowest values ever detected at high redshift. This study offers a first insight on previously uncharted regions of the $L_{\rm [C\, \rm {\small II}]}{-}{\rm SFR}$ relation. Despite large uncertainties affecting our measure of the star formation rate, if taken at face value our estimate lies more than ∼1 dex below the values observed in local and high redshift systems. Our weak detection indicates a deficiency of [C ii] emission, possibly ascribed to various explanations, such as a low-density gas and/or a strong radiation field caused by intense stellar feedback, and a low metal content. From the non-detection in the continuum, we derive constraints on the dust mass, with 3σ upper limit values as low as ∼ a few 104 M⊙, consistent with the values measured in local metal-poor galaxies.
IllustrisTNG and S2COSMOS: possible conflicts in the evolution of neutral gas and dust
Authors: Millard Jenifer S , Diemer Benedikt , Eales Stephen A , Gomez Haley L , Beeston Rosemary , Smith Matthew W L
Published: October 2020

We investigate the evolution in galactic dust mass over cosmic time through (i) empirically derived dust masses using stacked submillimetre fluxes at 850 μm in the COSMOS field and (ii) dust masses derived using a robust post-processing method on the results from the cosmological hydrodynamical simulation IllustrisTNG. We effectively perform a ‘self-calibration’ of the dust mass absorption coefficient by forcing the model and observations to agree at low redshift and then compare the evolution shown by the observations with that predicted by the model. We create dust mass functions (DMFs) based on the IllustrisTNG simulations from 0 < z < 0.5 and compare these with previously observed DMFs. We find a lack of evolution in the DMFs derived from the simulations, in conflict with the rapid evolution seen in empirically derived estimates of the low-redshift DMF. Furthermore, we observe a strong evolution in the observed mean ratio of dust mass to stellar mass of galaxies over the redshift range 0 < z < 5, whereas the corresponding dust masses from IllustrisTNG show relatively little evolution, even after splitting the sample into satellites and centrals. The large discrepancy between the strong observed evolution and the weak evolution predicted by IllustrisTNG plus post-processing may be explained by either strong cosmic evolution in the properties of the dust grains or limitations in the model. In the latter case, the limitation may be connected to previous claims that the neutral gas content of galaxies does not evolve fast enough in IllustrisTNG.
Black hole mass accretion rates and efficiency factors for over 750 AGN and multiple GBH
Authors: Daly Ruth A
Published: October 2020

Mass accretion rates in dimensionless and physical units, and efficiency factors describing the total radiant luminosity of the disc and the beam power of the outflow are obtained and studied here for samples of black hole systems with outflows. Four samples of sources including 576 LINERs, 100 classical double (FRII) radio sources, 80 relatively local AGN, and 103 measurements of four stellar mass X-ray binary systems, referred to as Galactic Black Holes (GBHs), are included in the study. All of the sources have highly collimated outflows leading to compact radio emission or powerful extended (FRII) radio emission. The properties of each of the full samples are explored, as are those of the four individual GBH, and sub-types of the FRII and local AGN samples. Source types and sub-types that have high, medium, and low values of accretion rates and efficiency factors are identified and studied. A new efficiency factor that describes the relative impact of black hole spin and mass accretion rate on the beam power is defined and studied, and is found to provide a new and interesting diagnostic. Mass accretion rates for 13 sources and efficiency factors for 6 sources are compared with values obtained independently, and indicate that similar values are obtained with independent methods. The mass accretion rates and efficiency factors obtained here substantially increase the number of values available, and improve our understanding of their relationship to source types. The redshift dependence of quantities is presented and the impact on the results is discussed.
On the Nonindependent Parts of Time-Consciousness: Husserl’s Early Phenomenological Investigations and the Perception of Melody
Authors: Wiskus Jessica
Published: October 2020

Drawing upon Edmund Husserl’s Logical Investigations, I apply the laws of mereology—the study of parts and wholes—to the analysis of time-consciousness in his On the Phenomenology of the Consciousness of Internal Time (1893–1917), arguing that Husserl’s phenomenological solution to problems raised by empirical psychology in the late nineteenth century concerning the relation between subject and object was inspired by a rethinking of the notion of intentionality in terms of an extensional whole. Turning, then, to descriptions from Husserl’s careful analyses of tone and melody in On the Phenomenology of the Consciousness of Internal Time (1893–1917), I claim that melody’s structure of expression pertains specifically to retention (which I distinguish from recollection) as a nonindependent part of a flowing whole. This mereologic reformulation helps us think through the problem of how a melody is perceived in time. Furthermore, I show how, according to Husserl, there is a unity of the sensation of “tone” and the “flow of consciousness,” and I argue that by understanding this unity as a whole of nonindependent parts, we grasp a significant insight that illuminates phenomenology’s overall aim of considering the evidence of empirical science together with the formal laws of logic.
A unified model for the G1/S cell cycle transition
Authors: Hume Samuel , Dianov Grigory L , Ramadan Kristijan
Published: October 2020

Efficient S phase entry is essential for development, tissue repair, and immune defences. However, hyperactive or expedited S phase entry causes replication stress, DNA damage and oncogenesis, highlighting the need for strict regulation. Recent paradigm shifts and conflicting reports demonstrate the requirement for a discussion of the G1/S transition literature. Here, we review the recent studies, and propose a unified model for the S phase entry decision. In this model, competition between mitogen and DNA damage signalling over the course of the mother cell cycle constitutes the predominant control mechanism for S phase entry of daughter cells. Mitogens and DNA damage have distinct sensing periods, giving rise to three Commitment Points for S phase entry (CP1-3). S phase entry is mitogen-independent in the daughter G1 phase, but remains sensitive to DNA damage, such as single strand breaks, the most frequently-occurring lesions that uniquely threaten DNA replication. To control CP1-3, dedicated hubs integrate the antagonistic mitogenic and DNA damage signals, regulating the stoichiometric cyclin: CDK inhibitor ratio for ultrasensitive control of CDK4/6 and CDK2. This unified model for the G1/S cell cycle transition combines the findings of decades of study, and provides an updated foundation for cell cycle research.
MYC as a driver of stochastic chromatin networks: implications for the fitness of cancer cells
Authors: Sumida Noriyuki , Sifakis Emmanouil G , Kiani Narsis A , Ronnegren Anna Lewandowska , Scholz Barbara A , Vestlund Johanna , Gomez-Cabrero David , Tegner Jesper , Göndör Anita , Ohlsson Rolf
Published: October 2020

The relationship between stochastic transcriptional bursts and dynamic 3D chromatin states is not well understood. Using an innovated, ultra-sensitive technique, we address here enigmatic features underlying the communications between MYC and its enhancers in relation to the transcriptional process. MYC thus interacts with its flanking enhancers in a mutually exclusive manner documenting that enhancer hubs impinging on MYC detected in large cell populations likely do not exist in single cells. Dynamic encounters with pathologically activated enhancers responsive to a range of environmental cues, involved <10% of active MYC alleles at any given time in colon cancer cells. Being the most central node of the chromatin network, MYC itself likely drives its communications with flanking enhancers, rather than vice versa. We submit that these features underlie an acquired ability of MYC to become dynamically activated in response to a diverse range of environmental cues encountered by the cell during the neoplastic process.
Temporal, spatial, and genetic constraints contribute to the patterning and penetrance of murine neurofibromatosis-1 optic glioma
Authors: Brossier Nicole M , Thondapu Sharanya , Cobb Olivia M , Dahiya Sonika , Gutmann David H
Published: October 2020

Background

Brain tumors are the most common solid tumors of childhood, but little is understood about the factors that influence their development. Pediatric low-grade gliomas in particular display unique temporal and spatial localization associated with different genetic mutations (eg, BRAF genomic alterations, mutations in the neurofibromatosis type 1 [NF1] gene) for reasons that remain unclear. NF1 low-grade gliomas typically arise in the optic pathway of young children as optic pathway gliomas (OPGs), likely from a cell of origin that resides within the third ventricular zone (TVZ). However, the factors that contribute to their distinct temporal patterning and penetrance have not been adequately explored.

Methods

TVZ neuroglial progenitor cells (NPCs) were analyzed over the course of mouse brain development. Progenitors isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) were assessed for functional and molecular differences. The impact of different germline Nf1 mutations on TVZ NPC properties was analyzed using genetically engineered mice.

Results

We identify 3 individual factors that could each contribute to Nf1 optic glioma temporal patterning and penetrance. First, there are 3 functionally and molecularly distinct populations of mouse TVZ NPCs, one of which (“M” cells) exhibits the highest clonogenic incidence, proliferation, and abundance during embryogenesis. Second, TVZ NPC proliferation dramatically decreases after birth. Third, germline Nf1 mutations differentially increase TVZ NPC proliferation during embryogenesis.

Conclusions

The unique temporal patterning and penetrance of Nf1 optic glioma reflects the combined effects of TVZ NPC population composition, time-dependent changes in progenitor proliferation, and the differential impact of the germline Nf1 mutation on TVZ NPC expansion.