bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
RANS simulations of neutral atmospheric boundary layer flow over complex terrain with comparisons to field measurements
Authors: Han Yi , Stoellinger Michael Karl 
Published: December 2019

AbstractMicro‐scale Reynolds‐averaged Navier‐Stokes (RANS) simulations of the neutral atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) over complex terrain and a comparison of the results with conditionally averaged met‐tower data are presented. A robust conditional sampling procedure for the meteorological tower (met‐tower) data to identify near‐neutral conditions based on a criterion for the turbulence intensity is developed. The conditionally averaged wind data on 14 met‐towers are used for the model validation. The ABL flow simulations are conducted over complex terrain which includes a prominent hill using the OpenFOAM‐based simulator for on/offshore wind farm applications (SOWFA) with the k−ϵ and the SST k−ω turbulence models. The discretization of the production term in the transport equation for the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) is modified to greatly reduce the commonly observed nonphysical near surface TKE peak. The driving inflow is generated through an iterative approach using a precursor method to reproduce the measured wind statistics at the reference tower. Both of the RANS models are able to capture the flow behavior windward of the hill. The SST k−ω model predicts more intense flow separation than the k−ϵ model downstream of the steepest sections of the hill. The wind statistics predicted at the location of the met‐towers by both of the RANS models are fairly consistent. Overall, the comparisons of the direction, mean, and standard deviation of the wind between the simulations and the tower data show reasonable agreement except for the differences of the mean wind speeds at four met‐towers located closer to the main ridge of the hill in a region of strong terrain variations.
Modulation of SRSF2 expression reverses the exhaustion of TILs via the epigenetic regulation of immune checkpoint molecules
Authors: Wang Ziqiang , Li Kun , Chen Wei , Wang Xiaoxia , Huang Yikun , Wang Weiming , Wu Wanjun , Cai Zhiming , Huang Weiren 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe elevated expression of immune checkpoints by the tumor microenvironment is associated with poor prognosis in several cancers due to the exhaustion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and the effective suppression of the expression of these genes is key to reversing the exhaustion of TILs. Herein, we determined that serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 2 (SRSF2) is a target for blocking the tumor microenvironment-associated immunosuppressive effects. We found that the expression of SRSF2 was increased in exhausted T cells and that SRSF2 was involved in multiple immune checkpoint molecules mediating TILs’ exhaustion. Furthermore, SRSF2 was revealed to regulate the transcription of these immune checkpoint genes by associating with an acyl-transferases P300/CBP complex and altering the H3K27Ac level near these genes, thereafter influencing the recruitment of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) to these gene promoters. Collectively, our data indicated that SRSF2 functions as a modulator of the anti-tumor response of T cells and may be a therapeutic target for reversing the exhaustion of TILs.
Are active labor market policies (cost-)effective in the long run? Evidence from the Netherlands
Authors: Lammers Marloes , Kok Lucy 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe long-run effects of active labor market policies can be quite different from their short-run effects. Negative short-run effects can be explained by the lock-in effect: During training, the job search efforts of unemployed individuals decrease or even seize, thereby causing an initial drop in the probability of employment for those attending training programs. We show that in the long run (4–7 years after the start of a program) all programs have a positive and long-lasting impact on the probability of employment. However, the cost-effectiveness over the period of 4–7 years depends crucially on the magnitude of the initial lock-in effect. For programs whichincreasethe job search efforts of participants during the program, like placement services, no lock-in effect is observed. In the long run, only placement services and training courses are cost-effective.
The impact of frequency, pattern, intensity, and type of alcohol consumption, and its combined effect with smoking on inflammation, lipid profile, and the risk of myocardial infarction
Authors: Attard Ritienne , Dingli Philip , Doggen Carine J. M. , Cassar Karen , Farrugia Rosienne , Bezzina Wettinger Stephanie 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAimTo determine the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) associated with pattern, frequency, and intensity of alcohol consumption, type of alcoholic beverage, and the combined effect of alcohol and smoking on risk of MI, inflammation, and lipid profile.MethodA total of 423 cases with a first MI and 465 controls from the Maltese Acute Myocardial Infarction (MAMI) Study were analysed. Data was collected through an extensive interviewer-led questionnaire, along with measurements of various blood parameters. Medians and the Mann–Whitney test were used to assess effect of different drinking patterns, frequency, intensity, and smoking and drinking combinations on hs-CRP and lipid profile. Odds ratios, adjusted for the conventional risk factors of MI (AdjORs), were calculated as an estimate of the relative risk of MI.ResultsRegular alcohol consumption protected against MI [AdjOR 0.6 (95% CI 0.4–0.9)] while daily binge drinking increased risk [AdjOR 5.0 (95% CI 1.6–15.0)] relative to regular drinkers who did not binge drink. Whereas moderate weekly consumption of wine protected against MI, high weekly consumption of beer conveyed a deleterious effect. Alcohol consumption decreased risk of MI independent of smoking status. Frequent alcohol consumption was associated with higher HDL-, non-HDL-, total cholesterol and triglycerides, and lower hs-CRP. Total and HDL-cholesterol increased and BMI decreased with increasing quantity of weekly alcohol consumption relative to the non-regular drinkers. The effect of smoking on lipid profile and hs-CRP was less pronounced in current drinkers than in those who were non-regular drinkers.ConclusionThe protective effect of alcohol consumption was dependent on the pattern, frequency, type, and intensity of alcohol consumed. Alcohol modified the effects of smoking on the lipid profile. Regular drinking attenuated the effect of smoking on hs-CRP and lipid profile.
Implementation of access and benefit-sharing measures has consequences for classical biological control of weeds
Authors: Silvestri Luciana , Sosa Alejandro , Mc Kay Fernando , Vitorino Marcelo Diniz , Hill Martin , Zachariades Costas , Hight Stephen , Weyl Philip , Smith David , Djeddour Djamila , Mason Peter G. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol establish that genetic resources shall be accessed only upon the existence of prior informed consent of the country that provides those resources and that benefits arising from their utilization shall be shared. Pursuant to both agreements several countries have adopted regulations on access and benefit-sharing. These regulations have created a challenging obstacle to classical biological control of weeds. This paper reviews the experiences of Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, the USA, Canada and CABI in implementing access and benefit-sharing regulations and the implications these measures have on the effective and efficient access, exchange and utilization of biological control agents. We conclude that policy makers should be made aware of the key role biological control plays for agriculture and the environment and they are encouraged to develop tailored access and benefit-sharing legal frameworks that facilitate biological control research and implementation.
Spike morphology alternations in androgenic progeny of hexaploid triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) caused by nullisomy of 2R and 5R chromosomes
Authors: Kwiatek Michał T. , Banaszak Zofia , Skowrońska Roksana , Kurasiak-Popowska Danuta , Mikołajczyk Sylwia , Niemann Janetta , Tomkowiak Agnieszka , Weigt Dorota , Nawracała Jerzy 
Published: December 2019

AbstractInduction of androgenesis, followed by chromosome doubling, is a crucial method to obtain complete homozygosity in one-generation route. However,in vitroandrogenesis can result in various genetic and epigenetic changes in derived triticale plants. In this study, we evaluated chromosome alternations and we associated them with the changes of spike morphology in androgenic progeny of triticale. We karyotyped offspring plants that derived from double haploid plants using fluorescencein situhybridization techniques. We distinguished four major groups of karyotypes: double ditelosomics, nullisomics N2R, nullisomics N5R, and triticale plants with a complete set of chromosomes. It is known that more than half of QTLs connected with androgenic response are located in R-genome of triticale but 2R, 5R, and 6R chromosomes are not included. We hypothesized that the reason why only aberrations of chromosomes 2R and 5R appear during androgenesis of triticale is that because these chromosomes are not involved in the stimulation of androgenic response and the following regeneration of plants is not disrupted. Concerning the established groups, we evaluated following quantitative traits: spike length, number of spikes per plant, number of spikelets per spike, and number of grains per spike. The nullisomy of chromosome 2R and 5R resulted in vast changes in spike architecture of triticale plants, which can be correlated with the location of major QTLs for spike morphology traits on these chromosomes. The spikes of nullisomic plants had significantly decreased spike length which correlated with the reduction of number of spikelets per spike and number of grains per spike.
How Many Impulses Redux
Authors: Taheri Ehsan , Junkins John L. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractA central problem in orbit transfer optimization is to determine the number, time, direction, and magnitude of velocity impulses that minimize the total impulse. This problem was posed in 1967 by T. N. Edelbaum, and while notable advances have been made, a rigorous means to answer Edelbaum’s question for multiple-revolution maneuvers has remained elusive for over five decades. We revisit Edelbaum’s question by taking a bottom-up approach to generate a minimum-fuel switching surface. Sweeping through time profiles of the minimum-fuel switching function for increasing admissible thrust magnitude, and in the high-thrust limit, we find that the continuous thrust switching surface reveals theN-impulse solution. It is also shown that afundamentalminimum-thrust solution plays a pivotal role in our process to determine the optimal minimum-fuel maneuver for all thrust levels. Remarkably, we find that the answer to Edelbaum’s question is not generally unique, but is frequently a set of equal-Δvextremals. We further find, when Edelbaum’s question is refined to seek the number of finite-duration thrust arcs for a specific rocket engine, that a unique extremal is usually found. Numerical results demonstrate the ideas and their utility for several interplanetary and Earth-bound optimal transfers that consist of up to eleven impulses or, for finite thrust, short thrust arcs. Another significant contribution of the paper can be viewed as a unification in astrodynamics where the connection between impulsive and continuous-thrust trajectories are demonstrated through the notion ofoptimal switching surfaces.
Skull Base Calcifying Pseudoneoplasms of the Neuraxis: Two Case Reports and a Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Yang Kaiyun , Reddy Kesava , Ellenbogen Yosef , Wang Bill Hao , Bojanowski Michel W. , Lu Jian-Qiang 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT:Background:Calcifying pseudoneoplasm of the neuraxis (CAPNON) is a rare tumefactive lesion. CAPNONs can mimic calcified meningiomas at the skull base.Methods:Here, we report two cases of CAPNON and present a systematic review of the literature on skull base CAPNONs, to compare CAPNONs with calcified meningiomas.Results:Case 1: A 57-year-old man presented with right-sided lower cranial neuropathies and gait ataxia. He underwent a subtotal resection of a right cerebellopontine angle lesion, with significant improvement of his gait ataxia. However, his cranial neuropathies persisted. Pathological examination of the lesion was diagnostic of CAPNON, with the entrapped nerve fibers identified at the periphery of the lesion, correlating with the patient’s cranial neuropathy. Case 2: A 70-year-old man presented with progressive headache, gait difficulty, and cognitive impairment. He underwent a frontotemporal craniotomy for a near-total resection of his right basal frontal CAPNON. He remained neurologically stable 7 years after the initial resection without evidence of disease recurrence. We analyzed 24 reported CAPNONs at the skull base in our systematic review of the literature. Cranial neuropathies were present in 11 (45.8%) patients. Outcomes regarding cranial neuropathies were documented in six patients: two had sacrifice of the nerve function with surgical approaches and four had persistent cranial neuropathies.Conclusion:While CAPNON can radiologically and grossly mimic calcified meningiomas, they are two distinctly different pathologies. CAPNONs located at the skull base are commonly associated with cranial neuropathies, which may be difficult to reverse despite surgical intervention.
Meso-Cenozoic uplift of the Taihang Mountains, North China: evidence from zircon and apatite thermochronology
Authors: Wu Lin , Wang Fei , Yang Jinhui , Wang Yinzhi , Zhang Weibin , Yang Liekun , Shi Wenbei 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe Taihangshan Mountain Belt, in the central North China Craton, represents an important crustal and tectonic boundary. To explore the complex tectonic evolution of this area during the Mesozoic–Cenozoic, we gathered zircon and apatite (U–Th)/He thermochronology data along a vertical transect (elevation of 630−1584 m) of the northern part of the Taihang Mountain Belt. From our data, we observed three separate rapid cooling phases that occurred at 100 Ma, 50−40 Ma and 27 Ma. Combined with previously published geochronological ages, we suggest that the uplift of the Taihang Mountain Belt initiated during the Jurassic and experienced multiphase rapid uplift from the Cretaceous to the Cenozoic. The early Cretaceous rapid cooling/uplifting events are widespread in the North China Craton and are caused by the collision between the Okhotomorsk Block and the East Asian continental margin. The Eocene and Oligocene rapid cooling events correspond to the initial rifting and thermal subsidence of the Bohai Bay Basin, indicating a coupling between the creation of basins and mountains.
A tool for routine monitoring and feedback of morbidities following paediatric cardiac surgery
Authors: Grieco Luca , Pagel Christina , Utley Martin , Barron David J. , Stoica Serban , Tibby Shane , Rodrigues Warren , Tsang Victor , Brown Katherine L. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractShort-term survival after paediatric cardiac surgery has improved significantly over the past 20 years and increasing attention is being given to measuring and reducing incidence of morbidities following surgery. How to best use routinely collected data to share morbidity information constitutes a challenge for clinical teams interested in analysing their outcomes for quality improvement. We aimed to develop a tool facilitating this process in the context of monitoring morbidities following paediatric cardiac surgery, as part of a prospective multi-centre research study in the United Kingdom.We developed a prototype software tool to analyse and present data about morbidities associated with cardiac surgery in children. We used an iterative process, involving engagement with potential users, tool design and implementation, and feedback collection. Graphical data displays were based on the use of icons and graphs designed in collaboration with clinicians.Our tool enables automatic creation of graphical summaries, displayed as a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation, from a spreadsheet containing patient-level data about specified cardiac surgery morbidities. Data summaries include numbers/percentages of cases with morbidities reported, co-occurrences of different morbidities, and time series of each complication over a time window.Our work was characterised by a very high level of interaction with potential users of the tool, enabling us to promptly account for feedback and suggestions from clinicians and data managers. The United Kingdom centres involved in the project received the tool positively, and several expressed their interest in using it as part of their routine practice.
YtfK activates the stringent response by triggering the alarmone synthetase SpoT in Escherichia coli
Authors: Germain Elsa , Guiraud Paul , Byrne Deborah , Douzi Badreddine , Djendli Meriem , Maisonneuve Etienne 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe stringent response is a general bacterial stress response that allows bacteria to adapt and survive adverse conditions. This reprogramming of cell physiology is caused by the accumulation of the alarmone (p)ppGpp which, in Escherichia coli, depends on the (p)ppGpp synthetase RelA and the bifunctional (p)ppGpp synthetase/hydrolase SpoT. Although conditions that control SpoT-dependent (p)ppGpp accumulation have been described, the molecular mechanisms regulating the switching from (p)ppGpp degradation to synthesis remain poorly understood. Here, we show that the protein YtfK promotes SpoT-dependent accumulation of (p)ppGpp in E. coli and is required for activation of the stringent response during phosphate and fatty acid starvation. Our results indicate that YtfK can interact with SpoT. We propose that YtfK activates the stringent response by tilting the catalytic balance of SpoT toward (p)ppGpp synthesis.
Highly multiplexed immunofluorescence images and single-cell data of immune markers in tonsil and lung cancer
Authors: Rashid Rumana , Gaglia Giorgio , Chen Yu-An , Lin Jia-Ren , Du Ziming , Maliga Zoltan , Schapiro Denis , Yapp Clarence , Muhlich Jeremy , Sokolov Artem , Sorger Peter , Santagata Sandro 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn this data descriptor, we document a dataset of multiplexed immunofluorescence images and derived single-cell measurements of immune lineage and other markers in formaldehyde-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) human tonsil and lung cancer tissue. We used tissue cyclic immunofluorescence (t-CyCIF) to generate fluorescence images which we artifact corrected using the BaSiC tool, stitched and registered using the ASHLAR algorithm, and segmented using ilastik software and MATLAB. We extracted single-cell features from these images using HistoCAT software. The resulting dataset can be visualized using image browsers and analyzed using high-dimensional, single-cell methods. This dataset is a valuable resource for biological discovery of the immune system in normal and diseased states as well as for the development of multiplexed image analysis and viewing tools.
Distinct mechanisms of signal processing by lamina I spino-parabrachial neurons
Authors: Agashkov K. , Krotov V. , Krasniakova M. , Shevchuk D. , Andrianov Y. , Zabenko Y. , Safronov B. V. , Voitenko N. , Belan P. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractLamina I spino-parabrachial neurons (SPNs) receive peripheral nociceptive input, process it and transmit to the supraspinal centres. Although responses of SPNs to cutaneous receptive field stimulations have been intensively studied, the mechanisms of signal processing in these neurons are poorly understood. Therefore, we used an ex-vivo spinal cord preparation to examine synaptic and cellular mechanisms determining specific input-output characteristics of the neurons. The vast majority of the SPNs received a few direct nociceptive C-fiber inputs and generated one spike in response to saturating afferent stimulation, thus functioning as simple transducers of painful stimulus. However, 69% of afferent stimulation-induced action potentials in the entire SPN population originated from a small fraction (19%) of high-output neurons. These neurons received a larger number of direct Aδ- and C-fiber inputs, generated intrinsic bursts and efficiently integrated a local network activity via NMDA-receptor-dependent mechanisms. The high-output SPNs amplified and integrated the nociceptive input gradually encoding its intensity into the number of generated spikes. Thus, different mechanisms of signal processing allow lamina I SPNs to play distinct roles in nociception.
Supercritical fluid extraction of β-carotene from ripe bitter melon pericarp
Authors: Patel Avinash Singh , Kar Abhijit , Dash Sukanta , Dash Sanjaya K. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractStudy ascertained the recovery of β-carotene from enzyme-treated (enzyme load of 167 U/g) pericarp of ripe bitter melon using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) technique. Effect of different pressure (ranged from 150–450 bar), carbon dioxide (CO2) flow rates (ranged from 15 to 55 ml/min), temperatures (from 50 to 90 °C), and extraction periods (from 45–225 minutes) were observed on the extraction efficiency of β-carotene. Results showed that extraction pressure (X1) among extraction parameters had the most significant (p < 0.05) effect on extraction efficiency of the β-carotene followed by allowed extraction time (X4), CO2 flow rate (X2) and the temperature of the extraction (X3). The maximum yield of 90.12% of β-carotene from lyophilized enzymatic pretreated ripe bitter melon pericarp was achieved at the pressure of approx. 390 bar, flow rate of 35 mL/min, temperature at 70 °C and extraction time of 190 min, respectively. Based on the accelerated storage study the 70% retention shelf life of the β-carotene into extract was estimated up to 2.27 months at 10 °C and up to 3.21 months at 5 °C.
Multiple transitions between normal and hyperballistic diffusion in quantum walks with time-dependent jumps
Authors: Pires Marcelo A. , Molfetta Giuseppe Di , Queirós Sílvio M. Duarte 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWe extend to the gamut of functional forms of the probability distribution of the time-dependent step-length a previous model dubbed Elephant Quantum Walk, which considers a uniform distribution and yields hyperballistic dynamics where the variance grows cubicly with time, σ2 ∝ t3, and a Gaussian for the position of the walker. We investigate this proposal both locally and globally with the results showing that the time-dependent interplay between interference, memory and long-range hopping leads to multiple transitions between dynamical regimes, namely ballistic → diffusive → superdiffusive → ballistic → hyperballistic for non-hermitian coin whereas the first diffusive regime is quelled for implementations using the Hadamard coin. In addition, we observe a robust asymptotic approach to maximal coin-space entanglement.