bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of measurement errors on the adaptive EWMA chart
Authors: Tang Anan , Castagliola Philippe , Sun JinSheng , Hu XueLong 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe AEWMA chart is an Adaptive EWMA (Exponentially Weighted Moving Average)–type chart that combines the Shewhart and the classical EWMA schemes in a smooth way. Its performance has been studied under the assumption that there is no measurement error in the quality characteristic. In this paper, we investigate the performance of the AEWMA chart when measurement errors exist using a linearly covariate error model. The presence of measurement errors with a linearly increasing measurement error standard deviation is also investigated. It turns out that, with the existence of measurement errors, the efficiency of the AEWMA chart can be strongly affected, and the negative effect can be compensated by taking multiple measurements at each sample point. Comparisons with the classical EWMA scheme confirm the superiority of the AEWMA scheme in detecting a wide range of shifts even in the presence of measurement errors. An example is provided to illustrate the use of the AEWMA chart with measurement errors.
Low‐temperature plasma‐probe mass spectrometry based method for determination of new psychoactive substances in oral fluid
Authors: Wang Xiaochen , Hua Zhendong , Yang Zhaoguang , Li Haipu , Liu Huwei , Qiu Bo , Nie Honggang 
Published: March 2018

RationaleOwing to the widespread abuse of new psychoactive substances (NPSs), developing a rapid, easily operable method to detect NPSs in oral fluid is of high priority. Their ease of collection and non‐invasive nature make oral fluid samples suitable for on‐site tests and forensic cases. Herein we report a rapid and sensitive method to screen and quantitate 11 new NPSs in oral fluid.MethodsLow‐temperature plasma‐probe mass spectrometry (LTP‐MS) was applied and, to improve the signal intensity, thermally assisted desorption was employed. Tandem mass spectrometry was performed to exclude false positive signals and to decrease noise at the m/z values of interest.ResultsLinearity was studied using matrix‐matched calibration curves; all the analytes exhibited good linearity with R2 varying from 0.9907 to 0.9981. The estimated limits of detection (LODs) were in the range of 3.0–15.2 ng/mL, which are comparable to those of immunoassay; relative standard deviations (RSDs) are no greater than 23% at the studied concentration levels.ConclusionsThe proposed LTP‐MS‐based method was promising in forensic and on‐site applications to curb the abuse of NPSs.
Finite‐time stabilization for a class of switched stochastic nonlinear systems with dead‐zone input nonlinearities
Authors: Gao Fangzheng , Wu Yuqiang , Liu Yanhong 
Published: March 2018

SummaryThis paper studies the finite‐time stabilizing control problem for a class of switched stochastic nonlinear systems (SSNSs) in p‐normal form. The switched systems under consideration possess the powers of different positive rational numbers and the dead‐zone input nonlinearities. Based on the improving finite‐time stability theorem for SSNSs established in this paper, a general framework to address common state feedback for SSNSs is developed by adopting the common Lyapunov function–based adding a power integrator technique. It is proved that the proposed controller renders the trivial solution of the closed‐loop system uniformly finite‐time stable in probability under arbitrary switchings. Finally, simulation results are given to confirm the validity of the proposed approach.
Pointing With a Pen: The Role of Gesture in Early Childhood Writing
Authors: Rowe Deborah Wells 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis study explored the connection between gesture and writing in early childhood. Participants were 139 children ages 2 years 6 months to 5 years 11 months attending two U.S. childcare centers serving low‐income, urban families. Qualitative methods were used to record adult–child writing interactions in classroom composing events and in a standard photo caption writing task. Analysis of children's photo captions showed that 55% of children ages 2 years 6 months to 3 years 5 months used at least one kind of inscribed gesture (e.g., boundary inscriptions, pointing lines). Use of inscribed gestures decreased for older preschoolers. The younger preschoolers also used inscribed gestures in classroom composing events but less frequently. Multimodal interaction analysis was used to microanalyze talk, gesture, body posture, proxemics, and graphic activity for a subsample of 28 children ages 2 years 6 months to 3 years 5 months as they wrote photo captions with adults. Results showed that empty‐handed and object gestures were important modes of communication for preschoolers and adults engaged in writing events. As children pointed to the page with a pen in hand, they inscribed their gestures on the page, creating graphic arrays that indicated the target of joint attention. Adults foregrounded and reframed the child's inscribed gestures as emergent forms of writing, offering timely responses that provided opportunities to learn social expectations for writing processes, messages, and purposes. Overall, inscribed gestures served as an initial form of meaningful participation in writing events for preschoolers. In line with Vygotsky, gesture provided a launching point for learning to write in early childhood.
Optimization on sparse random hypergraphs and spin glasses
Authors: Sen Subhabrata 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWe establish that in the large degree limit, the value of certain optimization problems on sparse random hypergraphs is determined by an appropriate Gaussian optimization problem. This approach was initiated in Dembo et al. (2016) for extremal cuts of graphs. The usefulness of this technique is further illustrated by deriving the optimal value for Max q‐cut on graphs, Max XORSAT on Erdős–Rényi hypergraphs, and the min‐bisection the min‐bisection for the Stochastic Block Model.
Probing Battery Electrochemistry with In Operando Synchrotron X‐Ray Imaging Techniques
Authors: Wang Liguang , Wang Jiajun , Zuo Pengjian 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn operando tracking of the complex phase transformation pathway in battery materials and correlating morphology change, chemical composition, and phase structure with electrochemical performance is critical in exploring advanced battery systems with high energy density and safety. Emerging synchrotron X‐ray imaging techniques with high spatial, temporal, and chemical resolution provides unique tools to elucidate the underlying mechanisms in battery electrochemical reactions. Here, the recent significant progress in a number of rapidly growing synchrotron X‐ray imaging techniques that have been applied in battery research under in operando conditions is summarized. The basic principle and in operando experimental setup of these X‐ray imaging methods are briefly introduced. The unique capabilities of each X‐ray technique and the critical achieved scientific insights in a variety of battery materials are discussed, with particular emphasis on how these in operando X‐ray imaging techniques can advance fundamental understanding of the complex battery electrochemistry. Perspectives on the challenges and future trends in technology development for in operando X‐ray imaging study are also briefly proposed.
Implementation of universal screening for preterm delivery by mid‐trimester cervical‐length measurement
Authors: Souka A. P. , Papastefanou I. , Pilalis A. , Kassanos D. , Papadopoulos G. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo assess the feasibility and results of introducing a policy of universal screening for preterm delivery (PTD) by mid‐trimester cervical‐length (CL) measurement.MethodsIn this retrospective cross‐sectional study of singleton pregnancies, transvaginal sonography for CL measurement was performed at 20–24 weeks of gestation. Vaginal progesterone therapy was offered to women with CL ≤ 15 mm. The incidence of spontaneous PTD (sPTD) according to CL and the distribution of CL measurements were assessed. Rate of PTD before implementation of screening was compared with that after.ResultsA total of 10 506 singleton pregnancies were assessed. The decline rate was 1.32%. sPTD < 32 weeks, < 34 weeks and < 37 weeks occurred in 0.51%, 0.82% and 3.90% of pregnancies, respectively. CL measurement was best described by a mixture model distribution comprising a ‘short’ and a ‘long’ component. The percentage of the two components varied between subgroups of PTD, with the short component being greater the earlier the birth. CL, history of miscarriage, smoking status and prior PTD were independent predictors in the construction of a model predictive of PTD < 34 weeks (area under the curve = 0.74, P < 0.001). The rate of sPTD < 34 weeks in women with CL ≤ 15 mm receiving progesterone treatment was 20.4%. In the progesterone‐treated group, a plateau was observed in the increase in risk for PTD for CL 9–13 mm, whereas below 9 mm the risk increased exponentially. Following the introduction of mid‐trimester CL measurement, there was a trend for reduction in the rate of any PTD < 34 weeks of about 20% in comparison with the prescreening period (odds ratio = 0.81; 95% CI, 0.59–1.13).ConclusionsUniversal screening for PTD by transvaginal sonographic measurement of CL at 20–24 weeks is feasible and well accepted by pregnant women. This policy identifies a very high‐risk group that may benefit from intervention. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Accidents caused by kerosene lamps—New evidence from African household data
Authors: Lenz Luciane , Montenbruck Laura , Sievert Maximiliane 
Published: March 2018

The use of kerosene for lighting, cooking, and heating in developing countries is often considered a major health threat as it can cause accidents like thermal injuries, poisonings, fires, or explosions. The evidence to prove this is extremely scarce, though. The present paper is one of the first to investigate the link between kerosene‐based lighting and accidents at the household level. We use survey data from 3,326 nonelectrified households in Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Senegal, and Zambia and observe very heterogeneous kerosene lamp usage rates. In some regions, accidents with kerosene lamps occur in a substantial share of the population, but the absolute incidence is rather low.This article is categorized under:

Energy Policy and Planning > Economics and Policy
Energy and Development > Economics and Policy
On the Quantitative Metric Theory of Continued Fractions in Positive Characteristic
Authors: Lertchoosakul Poj , Nair Radhakrishnan 
Published: March 2018

AbstractLet 𝔽q be the finite field of q elements. An analogue of the regular continued fraction expansion for an element α in the field of formal Laurent series over 𝔽q is given uniquely by
$$\alpha = A_0(\alpha ) + \displaystyle{1 \over {A_1(\alpha ) + \displaystyle{1 \over {A_2(\alpha ) + \ddots }}}},$$
where $(A_{n}(\alpha))_{n=0}^{\infty}$ is a sequence of polynomials with coefficients in 𝔽q such that deg(An(α)) ⩾ 1 for all n ⩾ 1. In this paper, we provide quantitative versions of metrical results regarding averages of partial quotients. A sample result we prove is that, given any ϵ > 0, we have
$$\vert A_1(\alpha ) \ldots A_N(\alpha )\vert ^{1/N} = q^{q/(q - 1)} + o(N^{ - 1/2}(\log N)^{3/2 + {\rm \epsilon }})$$
for almost everywhere α with respect to Haar measure.
Enthusiastic Policy Implementation and its Aftermath: The Sudden Expansion and Contraction of China's Microfinance for Women Programme
Authors: Deng Yanhua , O'Brien Kevin J. , Chen Jiajian 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMany China scholars have explored shirking by local officials and “effective implementation,” but fewer have examined polices that are implemented with great enthusiasm. The Microfinance for Women Programme fits in this last category. Especially in Sichuan, targets for lending were set by the province, exceeded, raised by cities and counties, and then exceeded again. The immediate reason that lending took off in 2012 was the relaxation of collateral requirements that shifted the risk of defaults away from local authorities. But the surge in lending also had deeper roots in the policy's vagueness, institutional incentives, bureaucratic pressure, and local fiscal and organizational interests. Although enthusiastic implementation occurred (and generated much-needed revenues for local governments), the history of the programme also shows that it can be halted, as was the case when instability loomed and the authorities reversed bureaucratic pressure by calling for local cost-sharing and introducing uncertainty over whether interest subsidies would continue.
Genetic diversity within African tomato using next generation sequencing
Authors: Mungai Grace W. , Owino Willis , Ambuko Jane , Giovannoni J. J. , Nyende A. B. , Michuki G. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractFull potential of African tomato has not been tapped due to lack of information regarding its characterization. The aim of this work was to study the diversity of 17 African tomato landraces collected from Solanaceae gene bank – Tanzania. Evaluation was done using Complete Random Block Design. Morphological data collected were subjected to GenStat's and Darwin6 software. RNA was extracted from leaf samples, fruits at three ripening stages using modified Trizol method and sequencing done using Illumina sequencing platform. The raw reads were filtered and analysed using the Bioinformatics tools. Phenotypically, the landraces clustered into three clusters dendrogram representation. Clustering was attributed by phenotypic variation. Analysis of variance showed significant phenotypic variations among the landraces (P < 0.05). A total of 115,965 validated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were mined from the 303,754,051 high-quality filtered reads. Molecular characterization showed significant variation within the landraces at fruit development stages. Unlike the phenotypic variation, phylogenetic tree representation grouped the 17 landraces according to their geographical location with some landraces from different countries grouping together. The findings of this study reveal significant morphological variation among African tomato contributed by plant height, leaf blade length, leaf blade width and fruit width. Positive correlation between fruit width and yield (r = 0.93, P < 0.01) was observed. Results of this study reveal that there is admixture of landraces from various geographical locations. Morphological characterization of African tomato can only lay a foundation but it does not reveal genetic diversity. The transcriptome SNP analysis revealed significant variation among the African tomato according to their geographical location.
Identification of mutations in HEXA and HEXB in Sandhoff and Tay-Sachs diseases: a new large deletion caused by Alu elements in HEXA
Authors: Dastsooz Hassan , Alipour Mohsen , Mohammadi Sanaz , Kamgarpour Fatemeh , Dehghanian Fatemeh , Fardaei Majid 
Published: March 2018

AbstractGM2 gangliosides are a group of lysosomal lipid storage disorders that are due to mutations in HEXA, HEXB and GM2A. In our study, 10 patients with these diseases were enrolled, and Sanger sequencing was performed for the HEXA and HEXB genes. The results revealed one known splice site mutation (c.346+1G>A, IVS2+1G>A) and three novel mutations (a large deletion involving exons 6–10; one nucleotide deletion, c.622delG [p.D208Ifsx15]; and a missense mutation, c.919G>A [p.E307K]) in HEXA. In HEXB, one known mutation (c.1597C>T [p.R533C]) and one variant of uncertain significance (c.619A>G [p.I207V]) were identified. Five patients had c.1597C>T in HEXB, indicating a common mutation in south Iran. In this study, a unique large deletion in HEXA was identified as a homozygous state. To predict the cause of the large deletion in HEXA, RepeatMasker was used to investigate the Alu elements. In addition, to identify the breakpoint of this deletion, PCR was performed around these elements. Using Repeat masker, different Alu elements were identified across HEXA, mainly in intron 5 and intron 10 adjacent to the deleted exons. PCR around the Alu elements and Sanger sequencing revealed the start point of a large deletion in AluSz6 in the intron 6 and the end of its breakpoint 73 nucleotides downstream of AluJo in intron 10. Our study showed that HEXA is an Alu-rich gene that predisposes individuals to disease-associated large deletions due to these elements.
Engineering Bacillus thuringiensis Cyt1Aa toxin specificity from dipteran to lepidopteran toxicity
Authors: Torres-Quintero Mary-Carmen , Gómez Isabel , Pacheco Sabino , Sánchez Jorge , Flores Humberto , Osuna Joel , Mendoza Gretel , Soberón Mario , Bravo Alejandra 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe Cyt and Cry toxins are different pore-forming proteins produced byBacillus thuringiensisbacteria, and used in insect-pests control. Cry-toxins have a complex mechanism involving interaction with several proteins in the insect gut such as aminopeptidase N (APN), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and cadherin (CAD). It was shown that the loop regions of domain II of Cry toxins participate in receptor binding. Cyt-toxins are dipteran specific and interact with membrane lipids. We show that Cry1Ab domain II loop3 is involved in binding to APN, ALP and CAD receptors since point mutation Cry1Ab-G439D affected binding to these proteins. We hypothesized that construction of Cyt1A-hybrid proteins providing a binding site that recognizes gut proteins in lepidopteran larvae could result in improved Cyt1Aa toxin toward lepidopteran larvae. We constructed hybrid Cyt1Aa-loop3 proteins with increased binding interaction toManduca sextareceptors and increased toxicity against two Lepidopteran pests,M. sextaandPlutella xylostella. The hybrid Cyt1Aa-loop3 proteins were severely affected in mosquitocidal activity and showed partial hemolytic activity but retained their capacity to synergize Cry11Aa toxicity against mosquitos. Our data show that insect specificity of Cyt1Aa toxin can be modified by introduction of loop regions from another non-related toxin with different insect specificity.
Habitat geography around Hawaii’s oceanic islands influences tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) spatial behaviour and shark bite risk at ocean recreation sites
Authors: Meyer Carl G. , Anderson James M. , Coffey Daniel M. , Hutchinson Melanie R. , Royer Mark A. , Holland Kim N. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWe compared tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) spatial behaviour among 4 Hawaiian Islands to evaluate whether local patterns of movement could explain higher numbers of shark bites seen around Maui than other islands. Our sample consisted of 96 electronically-tagged (satellite and acoustic transmitters) tiger sharks, individually tracked for up to 6 years. Most individuals showed fidelity to a specific ‘home’ island, but also swam between islands and sometimes ranged far (up to 1,400 km) offshore. Movements were primarily oriented to insular shelf habitat (0–200 m depth) in coastal waters, and individual sharks utilized core-structured home ranges within this habitat. Core utilization areas of large tiger sharks were closer to high-use ocean recreation sites around Maui, than around Oahu. Tiger sharks routinely visited shallow ocean recreation sites around Maui and were detected on more days overall at ocean recreation sites around Maui (62–80%) than Oahu (<6%). Overall, our results suggest the extensive insular shelf surrounding Maui supports a fairly resident population of tiger sharks and also attracts visiting tiger sharks from elsewhere in Hawaii. Collectively these natural, habitat-driven spatial patterns may in-part explain why Maui has historically had more shark bites than other Hawaiian Islands.
Cell fate changes induced by a Distal-less enhancer-trap transgene in the Drosophila antennal imaginal disc
Authors: Abidi Syeda Nayab Fatima , Smith-Bolton Rachel K. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe imaginal discs of the genetically tractable model organism Drosophila melanogaster have been used to study cell-fate specification and plasticity, including homeotic changes and regeneration-induced transdetermination. The identity of the reprogramming mechanisms that induce plasticity has been of great interest in the field. Here we identify a change from antennal fate to eye fate induced by a Distal-less-GAL4 (DllGAL4) P-element insertion that is a mutant allele of Dll and expresses GAL4 in the antennal imaginal disc. While this fate change is not induced by tissue damage, it appears to be a hybrid of transdetermination and homeosis as the GAL4 expression causes upregulation of Wingless, and the Dll mutation is required for the fate change. Neither GAL4 expression nor a Dll mutation on its own is able to induce antenna-to-eye fate changes. This plasticity appears to be unique to the DllGAL4 line, possibly due to cellular stress induced by the high GAL4 expression combined with the severity of the Dll mutation. Thus, we propose that even in the absence of tissue damage, other forms of cellular stress caused by high GAL4 expression can induce determined cell fates to change, and selector gene mutations can sensitize the tissue to these transformations.
In-situ measurements of rare earth elements in deep sea sediments using nuclear methods
Authors: Obhođaš Jasmina , Sudac Davorin , Meric Ilker , Pettersen Helge E. S. , Uroić Milivoj , Nađ Karlo , Valković Vlado 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe prospecting activities for finding new rare earth elements (REE) sources have increased greatly in recent years. One of the main discoveries was announced in 2011 by Japanese researchers who found large quantities of REE on the ocean seafloor at the sea depths greater than 4,000 m. The classic approach to investigate REE in deep sea sediments is to obtain sediment samples by drilling that is followed by laborious laboratory analysis. This is very expensive, time consuming and not appropriate for exploring vast areas. In order to efficiently explore the ocean floor for REE deposits, the further development of affordable sensors is needed. Here, we propose two nuclear techniques for exploring REE in surface deep sea sediments: i) Passive measurement of lutetium-176 radioactivity, appropriate if long-term in-situ measurements are possible, and ii) The use of the neutron sensor attached to a remotely operated vehicle for rapid in-situ measurement of gadolinium by thermal neutron-capture. Since concentrations of lutetium and gadolinium show strong linear correlation to the total REE concentrations in deep sea sediments, it is possible to deduce the total REE content by measuring Lu or Gd concentrations only.
Effects of the novel pesticide flupyradifurone (Sivanto) on honeybee taste and cognition
Authors: Hesselbach Hannah , Scheiner Ricarda 
Published: March 2018

AbstractDue to intensive agriculture honeybees are threatened by various pesticides. The use of one group of them, the neonicotinoids, was recently restricted by the European Union. These chemicals bind to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAchR) in the honeybee brain. Recently, Bayer AG released a new pesticide by the name of “Sivanto” against sucking insects. It is assumed to be harmless for honeybees, although its active ingredient, flupyradifurone, binds nAchR similar to the neonicotinoids. We investigated if this pesticide affects the taste for sugar and cognitive performance in honeybee foragers. These bees are directly exposed to the pesticide while foraging for pollen or nectar. Our results demonstrate that flupyradifurone can reduce taste and appetitive learning performance in honeybees foraging for pollen and nectar, although only the highest concentration had significant effects. Most likely, honeybee foragers will not be exposed to these high concentrations. Therefore, the appropriate use of this pesticide is considered safe for honeybees, at least with respect to the behaviors studied here.