bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic Characterization of the Galactitol Utilization Pathway of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium
Authors: Nolle Nicoletta , Felsl Angela , Heermann Ralf , Fuchs Thilo M. 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACTGalactitol degradation by salmonellae remains underinvestigated, although this metabolic capability contributes to growth in animals (R. R. Chaudhuri et al., PLoS Genet9:e1003456, 2013,https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1003456). The genes responsible for this metabolic capability are part of a 9.6-kb gene cluster that spans fromgatYtogatR(STM3253 to STM3262) and encodes a phosphotransferase system, four enzymes, and a transporter of the major facilitator superfamily. Genome comparison revealed the presence of this genetic determinant in nearly allSalmonellastrains. The generation time ofSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium strain ST4/74 was higher in minimal medium with galactitol than with glucose. Knockout of STM3254 andgatCresulted in a growth-deficient phenotype ofS. Typhimurium, with galactitol as the sole carbon source. Partial deletion ofgatRstrongly reduced the lag phase of growth with galactitol, whereas strains overproducing GatR exhibited a near-zero growth phenotype. Luciferase reporter assays demonstrated strong induction of thegatYandgatZpromoters, which control all genes of this cluster exceptgatR, in the presence of galactitol but not glucose. Purified GatR bound to these two maingatgene cluster promoters as well as to its own promoter, demonstrating that this autoregulated repressor controls galactitol degradation. Surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy revealed distinct binding properties of GatR toward the three promoters, resulting in a model of differentialgatgene expression. The cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP) bound these promoters with similarly high affinities, and a mutant lackingcrpshowed severe growth attenuation, demonstrating that galactitol utilization is subject to catabolite repression. Here, we provide the first genetic characterization of galactitol degradation inSalmonella, revealing novel insights into the regulation of this dissimilatory pathway.IMPORTANCEThe knowledge of how pathogens adapt their metabolism to the compartments encountered in hosts is pivotal to our understanding of bacterial infections. Recent research revealed that enteropathogens have adapted specific metabolic pathways that contribute to their virulence properties, for example, by helping to overcome limitations in nutrient availability in the gut due to colonization resistance. The capability ofSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium to degrade galactitol has already been demonstrated to play a rolein vivo, but it has not been investigated so far on the genetic level. To our knowledge, this is the first molecular description of the galactitol degradation pathway of a pathogen.
Foreland exhumation controlled by crustal thickening in the Western Alps
Authors: Schwartz Stéphane , Gautheron Cécile , Audin Laurence , Dumont Thierry , Nomade Jérôme , Barbarand Jocelyn , Pinna-Jamme Rosella , van der Beek Peter 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
In alpine-type collision belts, deformation of the foreland may occur as a result of forward propagation of thrusting and is generally associated with thin-skinned deformation mobilizing the sedimentary cover in fold-and-thrust belts. Locally, foreland deformation can involve crustal-scale thrusting and produce large-scale exhumation of crystalline basement resulting in significant relief generation. In this study, we investigate the burial and exhumation history of Tertiary flexural basins located in the Western Alpine foreland, at the front of the Digne thrust sheet (southeast France), using low-temperature apatite fission-track and (U-Th)/He thermochronology. Based on the occurrence of partially to totally reset ages, we document 3.3–4.0 km of burial of these basin remnants between ca. 12 Ma and 6 Ma, related to thin-skinned thrust-sheet emplacement without major relief generation. The onset of exhumation is dated at ca. 6 Ma and is linked to erosion associated with significant relief development. This evolution does not appear to have been controlled by major climate changes (Messinian crisis) or by European slab breakoff. Rather, we propose that the erosional history of the Digne thrust sheet corresponds to basement involvement in foreland deformation, leading to crustal thickening. Our study highlights the control of deep-crustal tectonic processes on foreland relief development and its erosional response at mountain fronts.
Determinants of morbidity and mortality following emergency abdominal surgery in children in low-income and middle-income countries
Authors:   GlobalSurg Collaborative
Published: December 2016

BackgroundChild health is a key priority on the global health agenda, yet the provision of essential and emergency surgery in children is patchy in resource-poor regions. This study was aimed to determine the mortality risk for emergency abdominal paediatric surgery in low-income countries globally.MethodsMulticentre, international, prospective, cohort study. Self-selected surgical units performing emergency abdominal surgery submitted prespecified data for consecutive children aged <16 years during a 2-week period between July and December 2014. The United Nation's Human Development Index (HDI) was used to stratify countries. The main outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality, analysed by multilevel logistic regression.ResultsThis study included 1409 patients from 253 centres in 43 countries; 282 children were under 2 years of age. Among them, 265 (18.8%) were from low-HDI, 450 (31.9%) from middle-HDI and 694 (49.3%) from high-HDI countries. The most common operations performed were appendectomy, small bowel resection, pyloromyotomy and correction of intussusception. After adjustment for patient and hospital risk factors, child mortality at 30 days was significantly higher in low-HDI (adjusted OR 7.14 (95% CI 2.52 to 20.23), p<0.001) and middle-HDI (4.42 (1.44 to 13.56), p=0.009) countries compared with high-HDI countries, translating to 40 excess deaths per 1000 procedures performed.ConclusionsAdjusted mortality in children following emergency abdominal surgery may be as high as 7 times greater in low-HDI and middle-HDI countries compared with high-HDI countries. Effective provision of emergency essential surgery should be a key priority for global child health agendas.Trial registration numberNCT02179112; Pre-results.
Extending the WCET Problem to Optimize for Runtime-Reconfigurable Processors
Authors: Damschen Marvin , Bauer Lars , Henkel Jörg 
Published: December 2016

The correctness of a real-time system does not depend on the correctness of its calculations alone but also on the non-functional requirement of adhering to deadlines. Guaranteeing these deadlines by static timing analysis, however, is practically infeasible for current microarchitectures with out-of-order scheduling pipelines, several hardware threads, and multiple (shared) cache layers. Novel timing-analyzable features are required to sustain the strongly increasing demand for processing power in real-time systems.
Recent advances in timing analysis have shown that runtime-reconfigurable instruction set processors are one way to escape the scarcity of analyzable processing power while preserving the flexibility of the system. When moving calculations from software to hardware by means of reconfigurable custom instructions (CIs)—additional to a considerable speedup—the overestimation of a task’s worst-case execution time (WCET) can be reduced. CIs typically implement functionality that corresponds to several hundred instructions on the central processing unit (CPU) pipeline. While analyzing instructions for worst-case latency may introduce pessimism, the latency of CIs—executed on the reconfigurable fabric—is precisely known.
In this work, we introduce the problem of selecting reconfigurable CIs to optimize the WCET of an application. We model this problem as an extension to state-of-the-art integer linear programming (ILP)-based program path analysis. This way, we enable optimization based on accurate WCET estimates with integration of information about global program flow, for example, infeasible paths. We present an optimal solution with effective techniques to prune the search space and a greedy heuristic that performs a maximum number of steps linear in the number of partitions of reconfigurable area available. Finally, we show the effectiveness of optimizing the WCET on a reconfigurable processor by evaluating a complex multimedia application with multiple reconfigurable CIs for several hardware parameters.
‘Deliberate Ambiguity’ and the Demise of China’s Claim to Historic Rights in the South China Sea
Authors: Beckman Robert 
Published: December 2016

The Award of the Arbitral Tribunal in the Philippines v China case was a resounding victory for the Philippines as well as a bold and potentially landmark decision. The key issue for the Philippines was whether China could lawfully claim historic rights to resources within the nine-dash line on Chinese maps, if such areas are within the exclusive economic zone or on the continental shelf of the Philippines under unclos. In deciding this issue the Tribunal had to address the fact the exact legal basis for China’s claim to historic rights in the South China Sea, and the nature and scope of such claims, was ambiguous. The Tribunal addressed the issue of ambiguity in its award on jurisdiction, and ruled that it could draw inferences from China’s conduct in determining the nature of its claim to historic rights.
In its Award on the Merits the Tribunal ruled that unclos allocated rights and jurisdiction to the natural resource in the oceans, and that under unclos, coastal States have sovereign rights to explore and exploit the natural resources in their exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. Consequently, whatever historic rights China claimed to resources in the South China Sea, those rights were extinguished when UNCLOS entered into force insofar as they were a claim to resources that are now in the maritime zone of other States.
Classifying Urban Rainfall Extremes Using Weather Radar Data: An Application to the Greater New York Area
Authors: Hamidi Ali , Devineni Naresh , Booth James F. , Hosten Amana , Ferraro Ralph R. , Khanbilvardi Reza 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
Extreme rainfall events, specifically in urban areas, have dramatic impacts on society and can lead to loss of life and property. Despite these hazards, little is known about the city-scale variability of heavy rainfall events. In the current study, gridded stage IV radar data from 2002 to 2015 are employed to investigate the clustering and the spatial variability of simultaneous rainfall exceedances in the greater New York area. Multivariate clustering based on partitioning around medoids is applied to the extreme rainfall events’ average intensity and areal extent for the 1- and 24-h accumulated rainfall during winter (December–February) and summer (June–August) seasons. The atmospheric teleconnections of the daily extreme event for winter and summer are investigated using compositing of ERA-Interim. For both 1- and 24-h durations, the winter season extreme rainfall events have larger areal extent than the summer season extreme rainfall events. Winter extreme events are associated with deep and organized circulation patterns that lead to more areal extent, and the summer events are associated with localized frontal systems that lead to smaller areal extents. The average intensities of the 1-h extreme rainfall events in summer are much higher than the average intensities of the 1-h extreme rainfall events in winter. A clear spatial demarcation exists within the five boroughs in New York City for winter extreme events. Resultant georeferenced cluster maps can be extremely useful in risk analysis and green infrastructures planning as well as sewer systems’ management at the city scale.
Evaluation of neovascularization patterns in an orthotopic rat glioma model with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI
Authors: Xuesong Du , Wei Xue , Heng Liu , Xiao Chen , Shunan Wang , Yu Guo , Weiguo Zhang 
Published: December 2016

Background Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) has been proved useful in evaluating glioma angiogenesis, but the utility in evaluating neovascularization patterns has not been reported. Purpose To evaluate in vivo real-time glioma neovascularization patterns by measuring glioma perfusion quantitatively using DCE-MRI. Material and Methods Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were used to establish C6 orthotopic glioma model and underwent MRI and pathology detections. As MRI and pathology were performed at six time points (i.e. 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 days) post transplantation, neovascularization patterns were evaluated via DCE-MRI. Results Four neovascularization patterns were observed in glioma tissues. Sprout angiogenesis and intussusceptive microvascular growth located inside tumor, while vascular co-option and vascular mimicry were found in the tumor margin and necrotic area, respectively. Sprout angiogenesis and intussusceptive microvascular growth increased with Ktrans, Kep, and Vp inside tumor tissue. In addition, Kep and Vp were positively correlated with sprout angiogenesis and intussusceptive microvascular growth. Vascular co-option was decreased at 12 and 16 days post transplantation and correlated negatively with Ktrans and Kep detected in the glioma margin, respectively. Changes of vascular mimicry showed no significant statistical difference at the six time points. Conclusion Our results indicate that DCE-MRI can evaluate neovascularization patterns in a glioma model. Furthermore, DCE-MRI could be an imaging biomarker for guidance of antiangiogenic treatments in humans in the future.
Internal comparison standard for abdominal diffusion-weighted imaging
Authors: Koc Zafer , Erbay Gurcan , Karadeli Elif 
Published: December 2016

Background Standards for abdominal diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements, and analysis are required for reproducibility. Purpose To identify optimal internal comparison standards for DWI to normalize the measured ADC for increased accuracy of differentiating malignant and benign abdominal lesions. Material and Methods We retrospectively studied 97 lesions (89 patients; age, 57 ± 13 years) with histopathologically confirmed abdominal disease. Seven normal body parts/contents (normal parenchyma, spleen, kidney, gallbladder bile, paraspinal muscle, spinal cord, and cerebrospinal fluid [CSF]) were assessed as internal references for possible use as comparison standards. Three observers performed ADC measurements. Statistical analyses included interclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests, and coefficient of variation (CV). ROC analyses were performed to assess diagnostic accuracy of lesion ADC and normalized ADC for differentiating lesions. Pathology results were the reference standard. Results Mean and normalized ADCs were significantly lower for malignant lesions than for benign lesions ( P < 0.001). ICC was excellent for all internal references. Gallbladder had the lowest CV. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses showed that normalized ADCs obtained using normal parenchyma were better than lesion ADCs for differentiating malignant and benign abdominal lesions (area under the curve [AUC], 0.808 and 0.756, respectively). The normalized ADCs obtained using CSF shows higher accuracy than lesion ADCs (0.80 and 0.76, respectively) for differentiating between malignant and benign abdominal lesions. Conclusion The normal parenchyma from a lesion-detected organ can be used as an internal comparison standard for DWI. CSF can be used as a generalizable in plane reference standard.
Por que é tão necessário o fortalecimento da competitividade industrial do Brasil? E qual é o papel da produtividade e da capacidade tecnológica inovadora?
Authors: Pinheiro Maurício Canêdo , Figueiredo Paulo N. 
Published: December 2016

Este documento é um dos produtos do projeto intitulado “Acumulação de Capacidades Tecnológicas e Fortalecimento da Competitividade Industrial no Brasil: Análise Empírica e Recomendações Práticas para Políticas Públicas e Estratégias Empresariais”2. Esse projeto está sendo executado no âmbito do Programa de Pesquisa Aprendizagem Tecnológica e Inovação Industrial da Fundação Getulio Vargas. O seu principal objetivo é examinar como a acumulação de capacidades tecnológicas inovadoras, em nível de empresas e setores industriais, pode contribuir para fortalecer a competitividade industrial do Brasil. Além disso, busca-se também compreender que fatores – internos e externos às empresas – influenciam na acumulação dessas capacidades, bem como quais são seus efeitos sobre o desempenho das empresas (e setores industriais).
Housing Concept and Analysis of Housing Classification
Authors: Henilane Inita 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
Housing is one of the most important life components giving shelter, safety and warmth, as well as providing a place to rest. There is a lack of unified definition for housing concept in Latvia. The aim of the study is to define the housing concept in general in Latvia and develop proposals for the classification of housing. Principal objectives are to describe and analyse the concept of “housing” and to develop the definition of housing concept in general that could be used in housing policy in Latvia for developing housing classification and analysing the aims of the housing policy. Analytical research method and comparative research method was used. The results and principal conclusions are: The developed definition of the term “housing” and the housing classification could be used in developing and implementing the housing policy as well as for statistics in Latvia and in other EU countries.
Clostridium botulinumSpores Found in Honey from Small Apiaries in Poland
Authors: Wojtacka Joanna , Wysok Beata , Lipiński Zbigniew , Gomółka-Pawlicka Małgorzata , Rybak-Chmielewska Helena , Wiszniewska-Łaszczych Agnieszka 
Published: December 2016

AbstractA total of 102 honey samples collected from small apiaries (≤ 20 hives) in Poland were analysed for the presence ofClostridium botulinumspores. The samples were prepared using the dilution centrifugation method and cultured in parallel in cooked meat medium (CMM) and tripticase peptone glucose yeast (TPGY) enrichment broths. Identification of toxin types A, B, and E ofClostridium botulinumstrains was performed with the use of the multiplex PCR method. Positive samples were also subjected to quantitative analysis with the use ofClostridium botulinumIsolation Agar Base (CBAB). The prevalence analysis showed 22 (21.6%) samples contaminated withC. botulinumspores. The major serotype detected was botulin neurotoxin type A – 16 (72.7%) whereas type B was found in 3 (13.6%) honey samples and type E also only in 3 (13.6%) honey samples. Dual-toxin-producing strains were noted. The average quantity of spores in PCR -C. botulinumpositive samples was 190 in 1 gram of honey.
Suitability of Starch Syrups for Winter Feeding of Honeybee Colonies
Authors: Semkiw Piotr , Skubida Piotr 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
Three different starch syrups available on the Polish market for winter feeding of bees were evaluated for two consecutive beekeeping seasons (2012/2013 and 2013/2014). Sugar syrup and inverted sucrose syrup were used as the control. Winter feeding was conducted at two times: earlier and later in the season. After supplementation of winter feeding was stopped, we measured colony strength (number of combs covered by bees) and brood area. After overwintering (spring 2013 and 2014), we estimated the influence of these foods on: bee mortality during overwintering (number of dead bees in winter debris), food consumption, colony strength and brood area in spring (two measurements in three-week intervals), development dynamics and honey yield from spring flow. An analysis of the results for the parameters assessed before overwintering, after its end and during spring development did not show significant differences between bee colonies fed with different types of food. No relevant difficulties concerning food crystallisation were encountered. The analysed syrups turned out to be as suitable for winter feeding of bees as sugar and inverted sucrose syrups.
Not the Honey Bee (Apis mellifera L.) Queen, but the Drone Determines the Termination of the Nuptial Flight and the Onset of Oviposition - The Polemics, Abnegations, Corrections and Supplements
Authors: Woyke Jerzy 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
This paper emphasizes the topics concerning honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) mating biology, which have not been described in the recently published book of Koeniger et al. (2014). At the beginning of natural mating, the drone becomes paralyzed. However, the muscles in the abdomen continuously contract shrinking the abdomen till mating has ended and the pair have separated. It is not the queen that ends the nuptial flight. The termination of the nuptial flight is determined by the drone, which fails to remove the mating sign of the previous drone from the sting chamber of the queen. The mating sign originates from two or more drones. The queen also does not determine the age at which she starts oviposition. It is the last drone, which tried to mate, but failed to remove the mating sign of the predecessor, that determines the age that the queen starts oviposition. The book of Koeniger et al. (2014), together with this paper, present the current knowledge of the mating biology of honey bees.
Influence of Size of Source Effect on Accuracy of LWIR Radiation Thermometers
Authors: Cywiak David , Cárdenas-García Daniel , Rodriguez-Arteaga Hugo 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
Determining the size of source effect of a radiation thermometer is not an easy task and manufacturers of these thermometers usually do not indicate the deviation to the measured temperature due to this effect. It is one of the main uncertainty components when measuring with a radiation thermometer and it may lead to erroneous estimation of the actual temperature of the measured target. We present an empiric model to estimate the magnitude of deviation of the measured temperature with a long-wavelength infrared radiation thermometer due to the size of source effect. The deviation is calculated as a function of the field of view of the thermometer and the diameter of the radiating source. For thermometers whose field of view size at 90% power is approximately equal to the diameter of the radiating source, it was found that this effect may lead to deviations of the measured temperature of up to 6% at 200ºC and up to 14% at 500ºC. Calculations of the temperature deviation with the proposed model are performed as a function of temperature and as a function of the first order component of electrical signal.
Observations of the lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) in Bulgaria during the period of post-breeding dispersal
Authors: Daskalova Girgina , Shurulinkov Peter , Stoyanov Georgi P. , Borisov Borislav 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
The lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) was considered extinct as a breeding species in Bulgaria, but recently a small breeding colony was found again in the south-eastern part of the country. Seven recent observations of flocks or solitary birds of the species in Bulgaria during the post-breeding period are presented and commented here. It is shown that the territory of the country is a regular area for post-breeding dispersal and pre-migratory feeding of lesser kestrels. The origin of these is not known, but most probably birds from the populations of the European part of Turkey, Greece, Republic of Macedonia and Albania are involved.