pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Livestock trade during the Roman period: first clues from the trading post of Empúries (Catalonia)

Written sources show that livestock were traded during the Roman period. However, there is scarce information available to characterise this trade due to its invisibility in the archaeological record. In our paper, we shed light on this issue by applying both osteometric and genetic analyses on cattle remains from the Roman trading post of Empúries (Catalonia) to determine how livestock contributed to Roman trade and, thus, to the economy of the Empire. Analysis of twenty-six cattle metacarpals from Empúries has allowed us to document the presence of different cattle morphotypes in this city during its Early Roman occupation. The morphological and genetic differences seen in Empúries cattle can be explained though trade of different cattle varieties, more appropriate for milk production and/or traction than the local stock. Once arrived at the port of Empúries, these imported cattle would have then been distributed to surrounding villas
Generalised estimators for seasonal forecasting by combining grouping and shrinkage approaches

In this paper, generalised estimators are proposed to estimate seasonal indices for certain forms of additive and mixed seasonality. The estimators combine one of two group seasonal indices methods, Dalhart’s group method and Withycombe’s group method, with a shrinkage method in different ways. Optimal shrinkage parameters are derived to maximise the performance of the estimators. Then, the generalised estimators, with the optimal shrinkage parameters, are evaluated based on forecasting accuracy. Moreover, the effects of three factors are examined, namely, the length of data history, variance of random components and the number of series. Finally, a simulation experiment is conducted to support the evaluation
Feeding Africa's growing cities into the 21st century: the potential of urban agriculture

Sub-Saharan Africa is urbanizing more rapidly than any other part of the world and there is an escalating demand for fresh foodstuffs from the urban population. The growing of crops in and around towns and cities is frequently a widespread and long-established activity, yet a greater understanding is needed of the patterns and processes involved. From a survey of literature and detailed empirical evidence from Kano and Dar es Salaam, this paper presents a framework for analyzing urban agriculture and proposes a number of policy recommendations which could possibly enhance its future sustainability
Late Devensian deglaciation of the Tyne Gap Palaeo-Ice Stream, northern England.

The deglacial history of the central sector of the last British–Irish Ice Sheet is poorly constrained, particularly along major ice-stream flow paths. The Tyne Gap Palaeo-Ice Stream (TGIS) was a major fast-flow conduit of the British–Irish Ice Sheet during the last glaciation. We reconstruct the pattern and constrain the timing of retreat of this ice stream using cosmogenic radionuclide (10Be) dating of exposed bedrock surfaces, radiocarbon dating of lake cores and geomorphological mapping of deglacial features. Four of the five 10Be samples produced minimum ages between 17.8 and 16.5 ka. These were supplemented by a basal radiocarbon date of 15.7 ± 0.1 cal ka BP, in a core recovered from Talkin Tarn in the Brampton Kame Belt. Our new geochronology indicates progressive retreat of the TGIS from 18.7 to 17.1 ka, and becoming ice free before 16.4–15.7 ka. Initial retreat and decoupling of the TGIS from the North Sea Lobe is recorded by a prominent moraine 10–15 km inland of the present-day coast. This constrains the damming of Glacial Lake Wear to a period before ∼18.7–17.1 ka in the area deglaciated by the contraction of the TGIS. We suggest that retreat of the TGIS was part of a regional collapse of ice-dispersal centres between 18 and 16 ka
Chemical incorporation of copper into indium selenide thin-films for processing of CuInSe2 solar cells

This is a pre-print of an article published in the journal, Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications [© John Wiley & Sons]. The definitive version: Hibberd, C.J. ... et al, 2008. Chemical incorporation of copper into indium selenide thin-films for processing of CuInSe2 solar cells. Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications, 16 (7), pp. 585-593, is available at: http://www.interscience.wiley.comA chemical method of incorporating copper into indium selenide thin-films has been\ud
investigated, with the goal of creating a precursor structure for conversion into\ud
CuInSe2 layers suitable for solar cell processing. The precursor and converted layers\ud
have been investigated with scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, Raman\ud
spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. From these measurements, the\ud
incorporation of copper into the indium selenide layers is concluded to proceed by an\ud
ion-exchange reaction. This reaction results in the formation of a precursor layer with\ud
a graded compositional depth-profile containing the crystalline phases In2Se3 and\ud
Cu2-xSe. Selenization of the precursor layer homogenises the composition and forms\ud
chalcopyrite CuInSe2. These CuInSe2 layers exhibit a dense microstructure with\ud
rough surface morphology, which is ascribed to a non-optimal selenization process.\ud
Solar cells with the structure ZnO:Al/i-ZnO/CdS/CuInSe2/Mo/Glass have been\ud
processed from the selenized layers and have exhibited efficiencies of up to 4% under\ud
simulated AM1.5 illumination
Information needs and decision-making preferences of older women offered a choice between surgery and primary endocrine therapy for early breast cancer

Objectives: To establish older women's (≥75 years) information preferences regarding two breast cancer treatment options: surgery plus adjuvant endocrine therapy versus primary endocrine therapy (PET). To quantify women's preferences for the mode of information presentation and decision making (DM) style.\ud
Methods: This was a UK multi-centre survey of women, ≥75 years, who had been offered a choice between PET and surgery at diagnosis of breast cancer. A questionnaire was developed including two validated scales of decision regret and DM preferences. \ud
Results: Questionnaires were sent to 247 women and 101 were returned (response rate 41%).  The median age of participants was 82 (range 75 to 99), with 58 having had surgery and 37 having PET. Practical details about the impact, safety and efficacy of treatment were of most interest to participants.  Of least interest were cosmetic outcomes after surgery. Information provided verbally by doctors and nurses, supported by booklets, was preferred. There was little interest in technology based sources of information. There was equal preference for a patient-centred or doctor-centred DM style and lower preference for a shared DM style. The majority (74%) experienced their preferred DM style.  Levels of decision regret were low (15.73, scale 0-100). \ud
Conclusions: Women strongly preferred face to face information.  Written formats were also helpful, but not computer based resources. Information that was found helpful to women in the DM process was identified.  The study demonstrates many women achieved their preferred DM style, with a preference for involvement, and expressed low levels of decision regret
A comparison study of distribution-free multivariate SPC methods for multimode data

The data-rich environments of industrial applications lead to large amounts of correlated quality characteristics that are monitored using Multivariate Statistical Process Control (MSPC) tools. These variables usually represent heterogeneous quantities that originate from one or multiple sensors and are acquired with different sampling parameters. In this framework, any assumptions relative to the underlying statistical distribution may not be appropriate, and conventional MSPC methods may deliver unacceptable performances. In addition, in many practical applications, the process switches from one operating mode to a different one, leading to a stream of multimode data. Various nonparametric approaches have been proposed for the design of multivariate control charts, but the monitoring of multimode processes remains a challenge for most of them. In this study, we investigate the use of distribution-free MSPC methods based on statistical learning tools. In this work, we compared the kernel distance-based control chart (K-chart) based on a one-class-classification variant of support vector machines and a fuzzy neural network method based on the adaptive resonance theory. The performances of the two methods were evaluated using both Monte Carlo simulations and real industrial data. The simulated scenarios include different types of out-of-control conditions to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of the two methods. Real data acquired during a roll grinding process provide a framework for the assessment of the practical applicability of these methods in multimode industrial applications
Single-molecule Imaging Reveals that Small Amyloid-β1-42 Oligomers Interact with the Cellular Prion Protein (PrPC)

Oligomers of the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) play a central role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease and have been suggested to induce neurotoxicity by binding to a plethora of cell-surface receptors. However, the heterogeneous mixture of oligomers of varying sizes and conformations formed by Aβ42 has obscured the nature of the oligomeric species that bind to a given receptor. Here, we use single-molecule imaging to characterize Aβ42 oligomers (oAβ42) and to confirm the controversial interaction of oAβ42 with the cellular prion protein (PrPC) on live neuronal cells. Our results show that, at nanomolar concentrations, oAβ42 interacts with PrPC, and that the species bound to PrPC are predominantly small oligomers (di-/trimers). Biophysical studies at the single-molecule level as described here can thus aid in deciphering the mechanisms that underlie receptor-mediated oAβ-induced neurotoxicity, ultimately facilitating the discovery of novel inhibitors of these pathways.This is the final published version. It was first published by Wiley in ChemBioChem (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1439-7633)
The visibility and invisibility of performance management in schools

This article presents findings from a study of performance management in 10 schools, five primary and five secondary. The aim was to gain a snapshot of how headteachers are interpreting and implementing the reforms to the performance and capability procedures for teachers introduced in September 2013. The findings suggest that the evaluation of teachers is conducted within a context of normalised visibility with evidence of competence collected via observations, learning walks, electronic data, organisational and architectural structures. However, this normalised visibility is contrasted with the normalised invisibility of the actual processes of judgement such as appraisal. Invisibility also frames the management of incompetence, with poorly performing teachers routinely offered ‘compromise agreements’ to avoid the official capability procedures. The article concludes by highlighting the limits of the panoptic metaphor in a consideration of teacher evaluation and discusses an alternative metaphor, that of glass, with which to view the performance management of teachers
From amino acid sequence to bioactivity: the biomedical potential of antitumor peptides

Chemoprevention is the use of natural and/or synthetic substances to block, reverse, or retard the process of carcinogenesis. In this field, the use of antitumor peptides is of interest as, (i) these molecules are small in size, (ii) they show good cell diffusion and permeability, (iii) they affect one or more specific molecular pathways involved in carcinogenesis, and (iv) they are not usually genotoxic. We have checked the Web of Science Database (23/11/2015) in order to collect papers reporting on bioactive peptide (1691 registers), which was further filtered searching terms such as antiproliferative, antitumoral, or apoptosis among others. Works reporting the amino acid sequence of an antiproliferative peptide were kept (60 registers), and this was complemented with the peptides included in CancerPPD, an extensive resource for antiproliferative peptides and proteins. Peptides were grouped according to one of the following mechanism of action: inhibition of cell migration, inhibition of tumor angiogenesis, antioxidative mechanisms, inhibition of gene transcription/cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, disorganization of tubulin structure, cytotoxicity, or unknown mechanisms. The main mechanisms of action of those antiproliferative peptides with known amino acid sequences are presented and finally, their potential clinical usefulness and future challenges on their application is discussed.Grant sponsor: Spanish Programa Estatal de Investigacion, Desarrollo e Inovacion Orientada a los Retos de la Sociedad; Grant number: AGL2013-44039-R; Grant sponsor: Plan galego de investigacion, innovacion e crecemento 2011-2015; Grant number: EM2014/046; Grant sponsor: University of Vigo; Grant number: 14VI05; Grant sponsor: Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competividad (Ramon y Cajal postdoctoral contract); Grant number: RYC-2012-10052 (to Borja Sanchez)
Temporal changes in soil temperature at Wolverhampton, UK and Hohe Warte, Vienna, Austria 1976–2010

Soil temperature is determined by the available heat energy that the soil absorbs, with solar radiation being the primary source (Brady and Weil, 1999). Chow et al. (2011) found that, in an urban environment, soil temperature is strongly correlated (R = 0.869) with the dry-bulb air temperature, whereas its dependence on relative humidity, precipitation, global solar radiation or wind speed was weak (R < 0.250 in all cases). Snow cover, irregular episodes of cloud cover and droughts may also influence soil temperatures. Snow cover can provide an effective insulation barrier that creates an observable lag in the thermal response of a soil relative to changing air temperature (Fullen and Smith, 1983; Mackiewicz, 2012). Soil temperature fluctuates when there is a change in the ratio of heat energy absorbed by soil to energy lost from soil. This dynamic ratio changes over time and space. Soil temperature variation in different layers is a result of complex processes. The correlation with air temperature generally decreases with depth (Liu et al., 2013). Study of temperature variation in different layers of soil is useful in understanding surface energy processes and regional environmental and climatic conditions (Hu and Feng, 2003). Soil temperature has great significance for the growth and hence productivity of agricultural crops (Kaspar and Bland, 1992; Wraith and Ferguson, 1994; Bollero et al., 1996; Hu and Buyanovsky, 2003) and forest plantations (Balisky and Burton, 1995). Moreover, soil temperature affects plant diseases, soil hydrology and the over-wintering of pathogens (Marshall and Holmes, 1979; Phillips et al., 1999; Pivonia et al., 2002). Generally, the growth and development of most annual crop plants cease at temperatures <6–10°C (Subedi and Fullen, 2009). Thus, soil temperatures below this range inhibit root growth. Soil temperatures at different soil depths between 5 and 60cm at a UK research site over 35 years (1976–2010) and at a site in Austria at 10cm over the same period are reported and discussed
Multifunctional medicated lyophilised wafer dressing for effective chronic wound healing

Wafers combining weight ratios of Polyox with carrageenan (75/25) or sodium alginate (50/50) containing streptomycin and diclofenac were prepared to improve chronic wound healing. Gels were freeze‐dried using a lyophilisation cycle incorporating an annealing step. Wafers were characterised for morphology, mechanical and in vitro functional (swelling, adhesion, drug release in the presence of simulated wound fluid) characteristics. Both blank (BLK) and drug‐loaded (DL) wafers were soft, flexible, elegant in appearance and non‐brittle in nature. Annealing helped to improve porous nature of wafers but was affected by the addition of drugs. Mechanical characterisation demonstrated that the wafers were strong enough to withstand normal stresses but also flexible to prevent damage to newly formed skin tissue. Differences in swelling, adhesion and drug release characteristics could be attributed to differences in pore size and sodium sulphate formed because of the salt forms of the two drugs. BLK wafers showed relatively higher swelling and adhesion than DL wafers with the latter showing controlled release of streptomycin and diclofenac. The optimised dressing has the potential to reduce bacterial infection and can also help to reduce swelling and pain associated with injury due to the anti‐inflammatory action of diclofenac and help to achieve more rapid wound healing. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sc
Geochemical evolution of pleistocene bears dentine amino acids

A linear correlation was established between aspartic acid racemization\ud
ratio from cave bear dentine collagen and absolute dating. The high correlation coefficient\ud
obtained allowed age calculation through amino acid racemization. Aspartic acid\ud
and glutamic acid racemization kinetics have also been explored in dentine from a North\ud
American black bear (Ursus americanus Pallas). Three sample sets were prepared for\ud
kinetic heating experiments in nitrogen atmosphere: one water soaked, one with a\ud
water-saturated nitrogen atmosphere, and one without any moisture. It was possible to\ud
show that the presence of water is a factor controlling amino acid racemization rate. The\ud
aspartic acid in a heating experiment at 105° C shows an "apparent kinetics reversal"\ud
which can be explained by a progressive hydrolysis of amino acid chains (proteins and\ud
polypeptides). Because of t h e low potential of collagen preservation over long periods of\ud
time, the apparent kinetics reversal phenomenon will not affect the dating of old material\ud
where no traces of collagen remain. An apparent kinetics reversal was not observed in\ud
glutamic acid, which racemizates more slowl
Towards a framework for identifying attitudes and intentions to music acquisition from legal and illegal channels

Technological developments have had a profound effect on modern music acquisition, allowing people to share music over the Internet for free. The research identifies the antecedents of consumers’ attitudes and intentions to acquire music from various channels. The paper reports findings of a structured questionnaire survey of university students in the UK and Greece (n=511). Using structural equation modeling the authors conclude that consumers’ intention to acquire music via a legal channel is influenced by idolatry, the perceived quality of music, the perceived likelihood of punishment (digital legal channel only) and their subjective norm. On the other hand, intention to acquire music via an illegal channel is influenced by the perceived benefits of piracy. The price of legitimate music was only significant for the illegal street vendor channel, whereas idolatry had a positive effect on illegal downloading. Gender had moderating effects on perceived likelihood of punishment and attitude, and income moderated attitude and intention from P2P platforms. The findings carry important implications for academic researchers, practitioners and policy makers
Fundamental issues in systems biology.

types: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tIn the context of scientists' reflections on genomics, we examine some fundamental issues in the emerging postgenomic discipline of systems biology. Systems biology is best understood as consisting of two streams. One, which we shall call 'pragmatic systems biology', emphasises large-scale molecular interactions; the other, which we shall refer to as 'systems-theoretic biology', emphasises system principles. Both are committed to mathematical modelling, and both lack a clear account of what biological systems are. We discuss the underlying issues in identifying systems and how causality operates at different levels of organisation. We suggest that resolving such basic problems is a key task for successful systems biology, and that philosophers could contribute to its realisation. We conclude with an argument for more sociologically informed collaboration between scientists and philosophers.Funding received from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), UK, and Overseas Conference Funding from the British Academy
Modulation of Antimalarial Activity at a Putative Bisquinoline Receptor in vivo Using Fluorinated Bisquinolines

Antimalarials can interact with heme covalently, by - interactions or hydrogen bonding. Consequently, the prototropy of 4-aminoquinolines and quinoline methanols was investigated using quantum mechanics. Calculations showed mefloquine protonated preferentially at the piperidine and was impeded at the endocyclic nitrogen due to electronic rather than steric factors. In gas phase calculations, 7-substituted mono- and bis-4-aminoquinolines were preferentially protonated at the endocyclic quinoline nitrogen. By contrast, compounds with a trifluoromethyl substituent on both the 2- and 8-positions, reversed the order of protonation which now favored the exocyclic secondary amine nitrogen at the 4-position. Loss of antimalarial efficacy by CF3 groups simultaneously occupying the 2- and 8-positions was recovered if the CF3 group occupied the 7-position. Hence, trifluromethyl groups buttressing quinolinyl nitrogen shifted binding of antimalarials to hematin, enabling switching from endocyclic to the exocyclic N. Both theoretical calculations (DFT calculations: B3LYP/6- 31+G*) and crystal structure of (±)-trans-N1,N2-bis-(2,8-ditrifluoromethylquinolin-4- yl)cyclohexane-1,2-diamine were used to reveal preferred mode(s) of interaction with hematin. The order of antimalarial activity in vivo followed the capacity for a redox change of the iron(III)state which has important implications for the future rational design of 4- aminoquinoline antimalarials
Quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics studies on the mechanism of action of cofactor pyridoxal 5'-phosphate in ornithine 4,5-aminomutase

A computational study was performed on the experimentally elusive cyclisation step in the cofactor pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP)-dependent D-ornithine 4,5-aminomutase (OAM)-catalysed reaction. Calculations using both model systems and a combined quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics approach suggest that regulation of the cyclic radical intermediate is achieved through the synergy of the intrinsic catalytic power of cofactor PLP and the active site of the enzyme. The captodative effect of PLP is balanced by an enzyme active site that controls the deprotonation of both the pyridine nitrogen atom (N1) and the Schiff-base nitrogen atom (N2). Furthermore, electrostatic interactions between the terminal carboxylate and amino groups of the substrate and Arg297 and Glu81 impose substantial “strain” energy on the orientation of the cyclic intermediate to control its trajectory. In addition the “strain” energy, which appears to be sensitive to both the number of carbon atoms in the substrate/analogue and the position of the radical intermediates, may play a key role in controlling the transition of the enzyme from the closed to the open state. Our results provide new insights into several aspects of the radical mechanism in aminomutase catalysis and broaden our understanding of cofactor PLP-dependent reactions