bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intraspecies variation in ectotympanic tube length and orientation among humans
Authors: Fricano Ellen , DeLeon Valerie B. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractEctotympanic bone morphology is commonly used as a large‐scale phylogenetic indicator across primates. Less well‐understood is the intraspecies variation in this characteristic and the dynamic ways in which it affects and is affected by overall basicranial shape. This study attempts to clarify relationships between the external ear canal and basicranial shape among humans in a sample of archaeological human crania. The ectotympanic length and orientation were hypothesized to correlate with the shape of the cranial base and particularly with shape variables associated with relative brachycephaly. Basicranial shape in 80 computed tomography (CT) scans of adult humans were quantified using landmark coordinate data, with particular emphasis on the cranial base and auditory structures. Scaled ectotympanic lengths were taken from interlandmark distances and then compared to shape variation of the whole basicranium as summarized by procrustes shape variables and principal components analysis (PCA). The length of the ectotympanic bone was correlated with total cranial base variation. Long ectotympanic bones were found to be associated with brachycephalic individuals and less flexed basicrania. Additionally, long ectotympanic bones were found to be more horizontally oriented, as opposed to inferiorly sloped. We suggest that as brachycephaly increases the distance between the otic capsule and the pinna, the ectotympanic bone lengthens in response.
Increased survival of the honey bee Apis mellifera infected with the microsporidian Nosema ceranae by effective gene silencing
Authors: Kim In‐Hui , Kim Dong‐Jun , Gwak Won‐Seok , Woo Soo‐Dong 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis study examined the control of nosemosis caused by Nosema ceranae, one of the hard‐to‐control diseases of honey bees, using RNA interference (RNAi) technology. Double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) for RNAi application targeted the mitosome‐related genes of N. ceranae. Among the various mitosome‐related genes, NCER_100882, NCER_101456, NCER_100157, and NCER_100686 exhibited relatively low homologies with the orthologs of Apis mellifera. Four gene‐specific dsRNAs were prepared against the target genes and applied to the infected A. mellifera to analyze Nosema proliferation and honey bee survival. Two dsRNAs specifics to NCER_101456 and NCER_100157 showed high inhibitory effects on spore production by exhibiting only 62% and 67%, respectively, compared with the control. In addition, these dsRNA treatments significantly rescued the honey bees from the fatal nosemosis. It was confirmed that the inhibition of Nosema spore proliferation and the increase in the survival rate of honey bees were resulted from a decrease in the expression level of each target gene by dsRNA treatment. However, dsRNA mixture treatment was no more effective than single treatments in the rescue from the nosemosis. It is expected that the four newly identified mitosome‐related target genes in this study can be effectively used for nosemosis control using RNAi technology.
Calcium Pyrophosphate Dihydrate Crystal Deposition in Gouty Tophi
Authors: Ea Hang‐Korng , Gauffenic Alan , Nguyen Quang Dinh , Pham Nhu G. , Olivier Océane , Frochot Vincent , Bazin Dominique , Le Nghia H. , Marty Caroline , Ostertag Agnès , Cohen‐Solal Martine , Laredo Jean‐Denis , Richette Pascal , Bardin Thomas 
Published: September 2020

ObjectiveThe coexistence of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) and monosodium urate monohydrate crystals in gouty tophi has rarely been reported. We undertook this study to investigate CPPD crystal deposits in a series of surgically removed gouty tophi and to identify factors associated with these deposits.MethodsTwenty‐five tophi from 22 gout patients were analyzed using polarized light microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and μ Fourier transform infrared (μFTIR) spectroscopy.ResultsTophi consisted of multiple lobules separated by fibrous septa and surrounded by a foreign‐body giant cell reaction. CPPD crystal aggregates were identified in 9 of 25 tophi from 6 patients. CPPD crystals were dispersed or highly compacted, localized at the edge or inside the tophus lobules, with some lobules completely filled with crystals. Both monoclinic and triclinic CPPD crystal phases were identified using FESEM and μFTIR. Compared to patients without CPPD, those with CPPD‐containing tophi were older (mean 60.5 years versus 47.2 years; P = 0.009), and had longer‐term gout duration (mean 17.0 years versus mean 9.0 years; P < 0.05) and tophi duration (mean 10.0 years versus mean 4.6 years; P < 0.01). None of the patients had radiographic chondrocalcinosis of the knee or wrist.ConclusionCPPD crystal formation seems to be a late and frequent event of tophus maturation, occurring more frequently with aging, and could contribute to the speed of tophus dissolution and the apparent persistence of tophus sometimes observed even after effective, long‐lasting urate‐lowering therapy.
Role of Vacancies in Photocatalysis: A Review of Recent Progress
Authors: Ai Minhua , Zhang Jing‐Wen , Wu Yi‐Wei , Pan Lun , Shi Chengxiang , Zou Ji‐Jun 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPhotocatalysis via direct solar‐to‐chemical energy conversion is an intriguing approach for alleviating the pressure of high energy consumption caused by social development. However, photocatalytic efficiency is greatly restricted by unsatisfactory light‐harvesting capacity, high carrier recombination rates, and sluggish reaction kinetics. Indeed, vacancy engineering is an attractive strategy to regulate photocatalytic reaction performance to maximize the utilization and storage of solar energy. In this review, we summarize recent progress about the important roles of vacancy defects on solar‐driven photocatalytic applications. The current advanced characterization techniques, especially for in situ/operando techniques, are first presented for elucidating the structure‐performance relationships of defective semiconductors in photocatalysis. Subsequently, the crucial roles of vacancies in enhancing photocatalytic performance are highlighted from three important processes: light absorption, carrier separation and migration, and surface reaction. Finally, based on the above understanding, perspectives and opportunities about defective materials are considered for various photocatalytic applications.
Effects of stability functions in a dynamic model convective boundary layer simulation
Authors: Bopape Mary‐Jane M. , Plant Robert S. , Coceal Omduth , Efstathiou Georgios A. , Valdivieso Maria 
Published: September 2020

AbstractDynamic subgrid models are increasingly being used in simulations of the atmospheric boundary layer. We have implemented several variant forms of dynamic models in the UK Met Office Large Eddy Model (MetLEM), including a state‐of‐the‐art Lagrangian‐Averaged‐Scale‐Dependent (LASD) model. The implementation includes optional use of stability functions in the specification of the eddy viscosity and diffusivity, as well as optional use within the dynamic calculation of the Smagorinsky parameter. This paper reports on the behaviour of the LASD model with different choices for the inclusion and treatment of stability functions in convective boundary layer simulations at different resolutions. Results are compared against a high‐resolution Large‐Eddy simulation (LES) and against simulations employing the Smagorinsky–Lilly subgrid model. We conclude that the use of stability functions improves the behaviour of the LASD model in the grey zone regime. Moreover, a careful treatment of the stability functions in the calculation of the dynamic parameters, while attractive theoretically, is found to be unnecessary in practical terms.
Predictability of European Winters 2017/2018 and 2018/2019: Contrasting influences from the Tropics and stratosphere
Authors: Knight Jeff , Scaife Adam , Bett Philip E. , Collier Tamara , Dunstone Nick , Gordon Margaret , Hardiman Steven , Hermanson Leon , Ineson Sarah , Kay Gillian , McLean Peter , Pilling Charles , Smith Doug , Stringer Nicky , Thornton Hazel , Walker Brent 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe European winters of 2017–18 and 2018–19 were not climatically extreme, but both winters had a major sudden stratospheric warming (SSW). In February 2018, an SSW led to an intense cold outbreak across Europe and further spells of cold weather in March. The SSW of January 2019, although well predicted and expected to increase the chance of a cold end to winter, apparently produced little impact. In this study, we examine the performance of the Met Office seasonal prediction system in these winters, and the influences that led to these outcomes. To achieve this latter objective, sets of numerical experiments are performed in which the tropical troposphere and the extratropical stratosphere are relaxed towards their observed state, allowing the influence of each on the North Atlantic‐European atmospheric circulation to be identified. Using these experiments, we show that the SSWs had similar impacts in each case, creating a signal of easterly surface wind anomalies in the weeks following the event. In contrast, tropical influences were opposite in the two winters, acting to strengthen the easterly signal at the end of February 2018 and opposing it in January 2019. The different apparent responses to the two events therefore came about largely through tropical tropospheric variability. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of a very strong cycle of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO) in late January and early February 2018 as an important driver for the February 2018 SSW. MJO teleconnections appear to have been critical in creating the large mid‐latitude wave 2 amplitude that has been identified as the immediate cause of this event.
Bayesian hierarchical spatial regression models for spatial data in the presence of missing covariates with applications
Authors: Ma Zhihua , Hu Guanyu , Chen Ming‐Hui 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn many applications, survey data are collected from different survey centers in different regions. It happens that in some circumstances, response variables are completely observed while the covariates have missing values. In this article, we propose a joint spatial regression model for the response variable and missing covariates via a sequence of one‐dimensional conditional spatial regression models. We further construct a joint spatial model for missing covariate data mechanisms. The properties of the proposed models are examined and a Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling algorithm is used to sample from the posterior distribution. In addition, the Bayesian model comparison criteria, the modified deviance information criterion and the modified logarithm of the pseudo‐marginal likelihood, are developed to assess the fit of spatial regression models for spatial data. Extensive simulation studies are carried out to examine empirical performance of the proposed methods. We further apply the proposed methodology to analyze a real dataset from a Chinese Health and Nutrition Survey conducted in 2011.
Smart contract for electricity transactions and charge settlements using blockchain
Authors: Lu Jing , Wu Shihong , Cheng Hanlei , Song Bin , Xiang Zhiyu 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn this article, aimed at the future “let go” electricity market, smart contracts for grid enterprises doing electricity transactions and charge settlements based on blockchain technology, as well as the trading model using the smart contracts, are proposed. Then the key technological difficulties are analyzed, and the solutions are given. The main goal of our research is to help developing the infrastructure for electricity market members, and match their bilateral trading. By running a smart contract instance in a peer‐to‐peer network composed by 4000 nodes, experiments show that the success rate is 99.38% and the average time consumption for each transaction is 16 seconds. If our method is applied, we can reduce the trust cost of the electric electricity market, and improve the efficiency of the electricity transaction and charge settlement.
Subgroups of Temperament Associated with Social–Emotional Difficulties in Infants with Early Signs of Autism
Authors: Chetcuti Lacey , Uljarević Mirko , Varcin Kandice J. , Boutrus Maryam , Wan Ming Wai , Green Jonathan , Iacono Teresa , Dissanayake Cheryl , Whitehouse Andrew J. O. , Hudry Kristelle ,   the AICES Team
Published: September 2020

AbstractLinks between temperament and social–emotional difficulties are well‐established in normative child development but remain poorly characterized in autism. We sought to characterize distinct temperament subgroups and their associations with concurrent internalizing and externalizing symptoms in a sample of 103 infants (Mage = 12.39 months, SD = 1.97; 68% male) showing early signs of autism. Latent profile analysis was used to identify subgroups of infants with distinct temperament trait configurations on the Infant Behavior Questionnaire‐Revised. Derived subgroups were then compared in terms of internalizing and externalizing symptoms on the Infant–Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment. Three distinct temperament subgroups were identified: (a) inhibited/low positive (n = 22), characterized by low Smiling and Laughter, low High‐Intensity Pleasure, low Vocal Reactivity, and low Approach; (b) active/negative reactive (n = 23), characterized by high Activity Level, high Distress to Limitations, high Sadness, high Fear, and low Falling Reactivity; and (c) well‐regulated (n = 51), characterized by high Cuddliness, high Soothability, and high Low‐Intensity Pleasure. There were no differences in infant sex ratio, mean age or developmental/cognitive ability. Inhibited/low‐positive infants had significantly more behavioral autism signs than active/negative reactive and well‐regulated infants, who did not differ. Inhibited/low‐positive and active/negative reactive infants had higher internalizing symptoms, relative to well‐regulated infants, and active/negative reactive infants also had higher externalizing symptoms. These findings align closely with those garnered in the context of normative child development, and point to child temperament as a putative target for internalizing and externalizing interventions.Lay SummaryThis study explored whether infants with early signs of autism could be grouped according to temperament characteristics (i.e., emotional, behavioral, and attentional traits). Three subgroups were identified that differed with respect to emotional and behavioral difficulties. Specifically, “inhibited/low‐positive” infants had high emotional difficulties, “active/negative reactive” infants had high emotional and behavioral difficulties, while “well‐regulated” infants had the lowest difficulties.
Reward Devaluation in Autistic Children and Adolescents with Complex Needs: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Lambrechts Anna , Cook Jennifer , Ludvig Elliot A. , Alonso Eduardo , Anns Sophie , Taylor Maddison , Gaigg Sebastian B. 
Published: September 2020

Rewards act as a motivator for positive behavior and learning. Although compounding evidence indicates that reward processing operates differently in autistic individuals who do not have co‐occurring learning disabilities, little is known about individuals who have such difficulties or other complex needs. This study aimed first to assess the feasibility of using an adapted reward devaluation paradigm to examine basic reward processes in this underrepresented population, and second to investigate whether autistic children and adolescents with complex needs would show dynamic behavioral changes in response to changes in the motivational value of a reward. Twenty‐seven autistic children and adolescents with complex needs and 20 typically developing 5‐year‐old children took part in the study. Participants were presented with two visual cues on a touchscreen laptop, which triggered the delivery of a video, music, or physical reward. One of the rewards was then presented in abundance to decrease its motivational value. Participants showed decreased interest in the video and music rewards after devaluation. The experimental setup was found to be suitable to test individuals with complex needs, although recommendations are made for the use of physical rewards. The results suggest that autistic participants with complex needs demonstrate goal‐directed behavior and that it is feasible to develop experimental paradigms that can shed important light on learning processes that are fundamental to many education and intervention strategies for this population. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1915‐1928. © 2020 The Authors. Autism Research published by International Society for Autism Research and Wiley Periodicals LLC.Lay SummaryWe adapted an experimental task to conduct research with autistic children and adolescents with complex needs, who remain grossly underrepresented in autism research. We found that once a reward was presented in great quantity, participants were less motivated to obtain it, showing that they adapted their behavior to changes in the value of that reward. This is an important finding to help promote learning and design better interventions for this population.
Neue Erkenntnisse zur Qualitätssicherung von PP‐Faserbetonen am Beispiel des Straßentunnels Kriegsstraße
Authors: Shepherd David Alós , Helbig Ingo , Kühn Roman , Dehn Frank 
Published: September 2020

AbstractDer 1,5 km lange Straßentunnel Kriegsstraße in Karlsruhe wird in offener Bauweise, mit Tunnelwänden und ‐decken aus PP‐Faserbeton, hergestellt. Entgegen der ZTV‐ING, Teil 5, werden 1,5 kg PP‐Fasern pro m3 Beton anstatt 2,0 kg/m3 dosiert. Die Minderdosierung an PP‐Fasern, zusammen mit einem ausführlichen Qualitätssicherungskonzept für den Beton, führte zu einer erhöhten Betonbauqualität, wie im Rahmen der Erst‐, Bauteil‐ und Identitätsprüfung nachgewiesen wurde. Durch die Reduktion der PP‐Fasermenge ist eine robustere, weniger temperaturempfindliche Betonmischung zielsicher herstellbar. Die PP‐Faserdosierung ist aufgrund des Einflusses auf die Frischbetoneigenschaften als zentraler Qualitätssicherungsparameter einzustufen. Die Wahl einer händischen oder automatischen Dosierung hat erheblichen Einfluss auf die Dosierungsgenauigkeit. Bei entsprechendem Erfahrungsnachweis im Umgang mit PP‐Faserbeton könnte ggf. das Nachweisverfahren zur Reduktion des PP‐Fasergehalts vereinfacht werden.
Biege‐ und Verbundverhalten von chemisch vorgespannten textilbewehrten Betonelementen
Authors: Zdanowicz Katarzyna , Schmidt Boso , Hansen Michael , Marx Steffen 
Published: September 2020

AbstractDie chemische Vorspannung ist ein alternatives Verfahren zur Spannungseinleitung in Beton, das ohne mechanische Spannvorrichtungen auskommt. In diesem Beitrag werden die Ergebnisse von experimentellen Untersuchungen zum Trag‐ und Verformungsverhalten von dünnen textilbewehrten Quellbetonelementen vorgestellt. Hierzu wurden Verformungsmessungen zum freien und behinderten Quellen an Probekörpern unterschiedlicher Quellbetonmischungen sowie experimentelle Untersuchungen zum Biege‐ und Verbundverhalten von dünnen, mit Carbontextilgittern bewehrten Probekörpern durchgeführt. Die Versuchsergebnisse bestätigen, dass die Verwendung von Quellzusatzmitteln das Verhalten des Textilbetons beeinflusst. Die Beanspruchung bei Erstrissbildung sowie die Durchbiegung bei Erstrissbildung können mit zunehmendem Anteil von Quellzusatzmitteln erhöht werden. Zudem erreichen die Probekörper aus Quellbeton höhere maximale Verbundspannungen als entsprechende Probekörper ohne Quellzusatzmittel.
Variation in the ratio of curli and phosphoethanolamine cellulose associated with biofilm architecture and properties
Authors: Jeffries Jamie , Thongsomboon Wiriya , Visser Joshua Alan , Enriquez Kyle , Yager Deborah , Cegelski Lynette 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBacterial biofilms are communities of bacteria entangled in a self‐produced extracellular matrix (ECM). Escherichia coli direct the assembly of two insoluble biopolymers, curli amyloid fibers, and phosphoethanolamine (pEtN) cellulose, to build remarkable biofilm architectures. Intense curiosity surrounds how bacteria harness these amyloid‐polysaccharide composites to build biofilms, and how these biopolymers function to benefit bacterial communities. Defining ECM composition involving insoluble polymeric assemblies poses unique challenges to analysis and, thus, to comparing strains with quantitative ECM molecular correlates. In this work, we present results from a sum‐of‐the‐parts 13C solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis to define the curli‐to‐pEtN cellulose ratio in the isolated ECM of the E. coli laboratory K12 strain, AR3110. We compare and contrast the compositional analysis and comprehensive biofilm phenotypes for AR3110 and a well‐studied clinical isolate, UTI89. The ECM isolated from AR3110 contains approximately twice the amount of pEtN cellulose relative to curli content as UTI89, revealing plasticity in matrix assembly principles among strains. The two parent strains and a panel of relevant gene mutants were investigated in three biofilm models, examining: (a) macrocolonies on agar, (b) pellicles at the liquid‐air interface, and (c) biomass accumulation on plastic. We describe the influence of curli, cellulose, and the pEtN modification on biofilm phenotypes with power in the direct comparison of these strains. The results suggest that curli more strongly influence adhesion, while pEtN cellulose drives cohesion. Their individual and combined influence depends on both the biofilm modality (agar, pellicle, or plastic‐associated) and the strain itself.
Optimization of 1,2,4‐butanetriol production from xylose in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by metabolic engineering of NADH/NADPH balance
Authors: Yukawa Takahiro , Bamba Takahiro , Guirimand Gregory , Matsuda Mami , Hasunuma Tomohisa , Kondo Akihiko 
Published: September 2020

Abstract1,2,4‐Butanetriol (BT) is used as a precursor for the synthesis of various pharmaceuticals and the energetic plasticizer 1,2,4‐butanetriol trinitrate. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, BT is biosynthesized from xylose via heterologous four enzymatic reactions catalyzed by xylose dehydrogenase, xylonate dehydratase, 2‐ketoacid decarboxylase, and alcohol dehydrogenase. We here aimed to improve the BT yield in S. cerevisiae by genetic engineering. First, the amount of the key intermediate 2‐keto‐3‐deoxy‐xylonate as described previously was successfully reduced in 41% by multiple integrations of Lactococcus lactis 2‐ketoacid decarboxylase gene kdcA into the yeast genome. Since the heterologous BT synthetic pathway is independent of yeast native metabolism, this manipulation has led to NADH/NADPH imbalance and deficiency during BT production. Overexpression of the NADH kinase POS5Δ17 lacking the mitochondrial targeting sequence to relieve NADH/NADPH imbalance resulted in the BT titer of 2.2 g/L (31% molar yield). Feeding low concentrations of glucose and xylose to support the supply of NADH resulted in BT titer of 6.6 g/L with (57% molar yield). Collectively, improving the NADH/NADPH ratio and supply from glucose are essential for the construction of a xylose pathway, such as the BT synthetic pathway, independent of native yeast metabolism.