Showing papers by "Rovira i Virgili University published in 2016"
Imperial College London1, University of Barcelona2, Keio University3, University of Duisburg-Essen4, Queen's University5, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre6, University of Michigan7, University of São Paulo8, Yale University9, Northern General Hospital10, University of Caen Lower Normandy11, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center12, University of Oxford13, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center14, University of Sydney15, Sungkyunkwan University16, Seoul National University17, Kyorin University18, University of Copenhagen19, Nippon Medical School20, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven21, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center22, University of Antwerp23, Hyogo College of Medicine24, University of Western Australia25, Glenfield Hospital26, Cleveland Clinic27, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai28, University of Turin29, Université libre de Bruxelles30, Juntendo University31, National Cancer Research Institute32, Mayo Clinic33, University of Toronto34, Sinai Grace Hospital35, Netherlands Cancer Institute36, Hiroshima University37, City of Hope National Medical Center38, University of Chicago39, New York University40, Georgetown University41, University of Tokushima42, University of Pisa43, Osaka University44, University of Valencia45, Good Samaritan Hospital46, Military Medical Academy47, Fundación Favaloro48, Autonomous University of Barcelona49, Complutense University of Madrid50, University of Oviedo51, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens52, Rovira i Virgili University53, Autonomous University of Madrid54, Ghent University55
TL;DR: The methods used to evaluate the resultant Stage groupings and the proposals put forward for the 8th edition of the TNM Classification for lung cancer due to be published late 2016 are described.
2,826 citations
TL;DR: Progress is surveyed towards attaining a deeper understanding of spreading processes on multilayer networks, and some of the physical phenomena related to spreading processes that emerge from multilayered structure are highlighted.
Abstract: Despite the success of traditional network analysis, standard networks provide a limited representation of complex systems, which often include different types of relationships (or ‘multiplexity’) between their components. Such structural complexity has a significant effect on both dynamics and function. Throwing away or aggregating available structural information can generate misleading results and be a major obstacle towards attempts to understand complex systems. The recent multilayer approach for modelling networked systems explicitly allows the incorporation of multiplexity and other features of realistic systems. It allows one to couple different structural relationships by encoding them in a convenient mathematical object. It also allows one to couple different dynamical processes on top of such interconnected structures. The resulting framework plays a crucial role in helping to achieve a thorough, accurate understanding of complex systems. The study of multilayer networks has also revealed new physical phenomena that remain hidden when using ordinary graphs, the traditional network representation. Here we survey progress towards attaining a deeper understanding of spreading processes on multilayer networks, and we highlight some of the physical phenomena related to spreading processes that emerge from multilayer structure. Reshaping network theory to describe the multilayered structures of the real world has formed a focus in complex networks research in recent years. Progress in our understanding of dynamical processes is but one of the fruits of this labour.
541 citations
University of Pretoria1, Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures2, Murdoch University3, Rovira i Virgili University4, Stellenbosch University5, Laos Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry6, Spanish National Research Council7, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte8, Universidade Federal de Viçosa9, Chiang Mai University10, Federal University of Pernambuco11, University of Alcalá12, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio13, James Cook University14, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria15, Pennsylvania State University16, University of Tabriz17, University of Angers18, Sao Paulo State University19, State University of Feira de Santana20, University of Geneva21, La Trobe University22, Hosei University23, Universidad Autónoma de Chiriquí24, Slovak National Museum25, University of Ottawa26, Charles University in Prague27, University of Gothenburg28, University of Calicut29, Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária30, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign31, University of the Basque Country32, Goethe University Frankfurt33, University of North Carolina at Greensboro34, University of Sydney35, University of Arkansas System36, University of Turin37, Federal University of Paraíba38, Complutense University of Madrid39
TL;DR: Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Apiognomonia lasiopetali on Lasiopetalum sp.
Abstract: Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Australia: Apiognomonia lasiopetali on Lasiopetalum sp., Blastacervulus eucalyptorum on Eucalyptus adesmophloia, Bullanockia australis (incl. Bullanockia gen. nov.) on Kingia australis, Caliciopsis eucalypti on Eucalyptus marginata, Celerioriella petrophiles on Petrophile teretifolia, Coleophoma xanthosiae on Xanthosia rotundifolia, Coniothyrium hakeae on Hakea sp., Diatrypella banksiae on Banksia formosa, Disculoides corymbiae on Corymbia calophylla, Elsinoe eelemani on Melaleuca alternifolia, Elsinoe eucalyptigena on Eucalyptus kingsmillii, Elsinoe preissianae on Eucalyptus preissiana, Eucasphaeria rustici on Eucalyptus creta, Hyweljonesia queenslandica (incl. Hyweljonesia gen. nov.) on the cocoon of an unidentified microlepidoptera, Mycodiella eucalypti (incl. Mycodiella gen. nov.) on Eucalyptus diversicolor, Myrtapenidiella sporadicae on Eucalyptus sporadica, Neocrinula xanthorrhoeae (incl. Neocrinula gen. nov.) on Xanthorrhoea sp., Ophiocordyceps nooreniae on dead ant, Phaeosphaeriopsis agavacearum on Agave sp., Phlogicylindrium mokarei on Eucalyptus sp., Phyllosticta acaciigena on Acacia suaveolens, Pleurophoma acaciae on Acacia glaucoptera, Pyrenochaeta hakeae on Hakea sp., Readeriella lehmannii on Eucalyptus lehmannii, Saccharata banksiae on Banksia grandis, Saccharata daviesiae on Daviesia pachyphylla, Saccharata eucalyptorum on Eucalyptus bigalerita, Saccharata hakeae on Hakea baxteri, Saccharata hakeicola on Hakea victoria, Saccharata lambertiae on Lambertia ericifolia, Saccharata petrophiles on Petrophile sp., Saccharata petrophilicola on Petrophile fastigiata, Sphaerellopsis hakeae on Hakea sp., and Teichospora kingiae on Kingia australis. Brazil: Adautomilanezia caesalpiniae (incl. Adautomilanezia gen. nov.) on Caesalpina echinata, Arthrophiala arthrospora (incl. Arthrophiala gen. nov.) on Sagittaria montevidensis, Diaporthe caatingaensis (endophyte from Tacinga inamoena), Geastrum ishikawae on sandy soil, Geastrum pusillipilosum on soil, Gymnopus pygmaeus on dead leaves and sticks, Inonotus hymenonitens on decayed angiosperm trunk, Pyricularia urashimae on Urochloa brizantha, and Synnemellisia aurantia on Passiflora edulis. Chile: Tubulicrinis australis on Lophosoria quadripinnata. France: Cercophora squamulosa from submerged wood, and Scedosporium cereisporum from fluids of a wastewater treatment plant. Hawaii: Beltraniella acaciae, Dactylaria acaciae, Rhexodenticula acaciae, Rubikia evansii and Torula acaciae (all on Acacia koa). India: Lepidoderma echinosporum on dead semi-woody stems, and Rhodocybe rubrobrunnea from soil. Iran: Talaromyces kabodanensis from hypersaline soil. La Reunion: Neocordana musarum from leaves of Musa sp. Malaysia: Anungitea eucalyptigena on Eucalyptus grandis × pellita, Camptomeriphila leucaenae (incl. Camptomeriphila gen. nov.) on Leucaena leucocephala, Castanediella communis on Eucalyptus pellita, Eucalyptostroma eucalypti (incl. Eucalyptostroma gen. nov.) on Eucalyptus pellita, Melanconiella syzygii on Syzygium sp., Mycophilomyces periconiae (incl. Mycophilomyces gen. nov.) as hyperparasite on Periconia on leaves of Albizia falcataria, Synnemadiella eucalypti (incl. Synnemadiella gen. nov.) on Eucalyptus pellita, and Teichospora nephelii on Nephelium lappaceum. Mexico: Aspergillus bicephalus from soil. New Zealand: Aplosporella sophorae on Sophora microphylla, Libertasomyces platani on Platanus sp., Neothyronectria sophorae (incl. Neothyronectria gen. nov.) on Sophora microphylla, Parastagonospora phoenicicola on Phoenix canariensis, Phaeoacremonium pseudopanacis on Pseudopanax crassifolius, Phlyctema phoenicis on Phoenix canariensis, and Pseudoascochyta novae-zelandiae on Cordyline australis. Panama: Chalara panamensis from needle litter of Pinus cf. caribaea. South Africa: Exophiala eucalypti on leaves of Eucalyptus sp., Fantasmomyces hyalinus (incl. Fantasmomyces gen. nov.) on Acacia exuvialis, Paracladophialophora carceris (incl. Paracladophialophora gen. nov.) on Aloe sp., and Umthunziomyces hagahagensis (incl. Umthunziomyces gen. nov.) on Mimusops caffra. Spain: Clavaria griseobrunnea on bare ground in Pteridium aquilinum field, Cyathus ibericus on small fallen branches of Pinus halepensis, Gyroporus pseudolacteus in humus of Pinus pinaster, and Pseudoascochyta pratensis (incl. Pseudoascochyta gen. nov.) from soil. Thailand: Neoascochyta adenii on Adenium obesum, and Ochroconis capsici on Capsicum annuum. UK: Fusicolla melogrammae from dead stromata of Melogramma campylosporum on bark of Carpinus betulus. Uruguay: Myrmecridium pulvericola from house dust. USA: Neoscolecobasidium agapanthi (incl. Neoscolecobasidium gen. nov.) on Agapanthus sp., Polyscytalum purgamentum on leaf litter, Pseudopithomyces diversisporus from human toenail, Saksenaea trapezispora from knee wound of a soldier, and Sirococcus quercus from Quercus sp. Morphological and culture characteristics along with DNA barcodes are provided.
199 citations
TL;DR: A textile-based wearable multi-ion potentiometric sensor array that operates favorably under extreme mechanical strains while offering attractive real-time noninvasive monitoring of electrolytes such as sodium and potassium is described.
Abstract: A textile-based wearable multi-ion potentiometric sensor array is described. The printed flexible sensors operate favorably under extreme mechanical strains (that reflect daily activity) while offering attractive real-time noninvasive monitoring of electrolytes such as sodium and potassium.
189 citations
TL;DR: This review revisits what is known about virulence in A. hydrophila and the feasibility of using comparative genomics in light of this phylogenetic revision and audits emerging data on dominant virulence factors that are present in both A. piscicola and A. dhakensis.
Abstract: The ubiquitous “jack-of-all-trades”, Aeromonas hydrophila, is a freshwater, Gram-negative bacterial pathogen under revision in regard to its phylogenetic and functional affiliation with other aeromonads. While virulence factors are expectedly diverse across A. hydrophila strains and closely related species, our mechanistic knowledge of the vast majority of these factors is based on the molecular characterization of the strains A. hydrophila AH-3 and SSU, which were reclassified as A. piscicola AH-3 in 2009 and A. dhakensis SSU in 2013. Individually, these reclassifications raise important questions involving the applicability of previous research on A. hydrophila virulence mechanisms; however, this issue is exacerbated by a lack of genomic data on other research strains. Collectively, these changes represent a fundamental gap in the literature on A. hydrophila and confirm the necessity of biochemical, molecular, and morphological techniques in the classification of research strains that are used as a foundation for future research. This review revisits what is known about virulence in A. hydrophila and the feasibility of using comparative genomics in light of this phylogenetic revision. Conflicting data between virulence factors, secretion systems, quorum sensing, and their effect on A. hydrophila pathogenicity appears to be an artifact of inappropriate taxonomic comparisons and/or be due to the fact that these properties are strain-specific. This review audits emerging data on dominant virulence factors that are present in both A. dhakensis and A. hydrophila in order to synthesize existing data with the aim of locating where future research is needed.
178 citations
Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures1, University of Pretoria2, Stellenbosch University3, University of La Réunion4, La Trobe University5, Charles University in Prague6, University of Melbourne7, University of Alcalá8, Spanish National Research Council9, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio10, Rovira i Virgili University11, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic12, Russian Academy of Sciences13, University of Calcutta14, Moscow State University15, Federal University of Pernambuco16, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte17, University of Minnesota18, Murdoch University19, Sofia University20, Central University of Ecuador21, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences22, Internal Revenue Service23, Kasetsart University24, University of Calicut25, Thailand National Science and Technology Development Agency26, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign27, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research28, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador29, United States Department of Agriculture30, Nakhon Phanom University31, Korea University32, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria33, University of Antofagasta34
TL;DR: Novel species of fungi described in the present study include the following from Australia: Vermiculariopsiella eucalypti, Mulderomyces natalis, Fusicladium paraamoenum, Neotrimmatostroma paraexcentricum, and Pseudophloeospora eUCalyptorum.
Abstract: Novel species of fungi described in the present study include the following from Australia: Vermiculariopsiella eucalypti, Mulderomyces natalis (incl. Mulderomyces gen. nov.), Fusicladium paraamoenum, Neotrimmatostroma paraexcentricum, and Pseudophloeospora eucalyptorum on leaves of Eucalyptus spp., Anungitea grevilleae (on leaves of Grevillea sp.), Pyrenochaeta acaciae (on leaves of Acacia sp.), and Brunneocarpos banksiae (incl. Brunneocarpos gen. nov.) on cones of Banksia attenuata. Novel foliicolous taxa from South Africa include Neosulcatispora strelitziae (on Strelitzia nicolai), Colletotrichum ledebouriae (on Ledebouria floridunda), Cylindrosympodioides brabejum (incl. Cylindrosympodioides gen. nov.) on Brabejum stellatifolium, Sclerostagonospora ericae (on Erica sp.), Setophoma cyperi (on Cyperus sphaerocephala), and Phaeosphaeria breonadiae (on Breonadia microcephala). Novelties described from Robben Island (South Africa) include Wojnowiciella cissampeli and Diaporthe cissampeli (both on Cissampelos capensis), Phaeotheca salicorniae (on Salicornia meyeriana), Paracylindrocarpon aloicola (incl. Paracylindrocarpon gen. nov.) on Aloe sp., and Libertasomyces myopori (incl. Libertasomyces gen. nov.) on Myoporum serratum. Several novelties are recorded from La Reunion (France), namely Phaeosphaeriopsis agapanthi (on Agapanthus sp.), Roussoella solani (on Solanum mauritianum), Vermiculariopsiella acaciae (on Acacia heterophylla), Dothiorella acacicola (on Acacia mearnsii), Chalara clidemiae (on Clidemia hirta), Cytospora tibouchinae (on Tibouchina semidecandra), Diaporthe ocoteae (on Ocotea obtusata), Castanediella eucalypticola, Phaeophleospora eucalypticola and Fusicladium eucalypticola (on Eucalyptus robusta), Lareunionomyces syzygii (incl. Lareunionomyces gen. nov.) and Parawiesneriomyces syzygii (incl. Parawiesneriomyces gen. nov.) on leaves of Syzygium jambos. Novel taxa from the USA include Meristemomyces arctostaphylos (on Arctostaphylos patula), Ochroconis dracaenae (on Dracaena reflexa), Rasamsonia columbiensis (air of a hotel conference room), Paecilomyces tabacinus (on Nicotiana tabacum), Toxicocladosporium hominis (from human broncoalveolar lavage fluid), Nothophoma macrospora (from respiratory secretion of a patient with pneumonia), and Penidiellopsis radicularis (incl. Penidiellopsis gen. nov.) from a human nail. Novel taxa described from Malaysia include Prosopidicola albizziae (on Albizzia falcataria), Proxipyricularia asari (on Asarum sp.), Diaporthe passifloricola (on Passiflora foetida), Paramycoleptodiscus albizziae (incl. Paramycoleptodiscus gen. nov.) on Albizzia falcataria, and Malaysiasca phaii (incl. Malaysiasca gen. nov.) on Phaius reflexipetalus. Two species are newly described from human patients in the Czech Republic, namely Microascus longicollis (from toenails of patient with suspected onychomycosis), and Chrysosporium echinulatum (from sole skin of patient). Furthermore, Alternaria quercicola is described on leaves of Quercus brantii (Iran), Stemphylium beticola on leaves of Beta vulgaris (The Netherlands), Scleroderma capeverdeanum on soil (Cape Verde Islands), Scleroderma dunensis on soil, and Blastobotrys meliponae from bee honey (Brazil), Ganoderma mbrekobenum on angiosperms (Ghana), Geoglossum raitviirii and Entoloma kruticianum on soil (Russia), Priceomyces vitoshaensis on Pterostichus melas (Carabidae) (Bulgaria) is the only one for which the family is listed, Ganoderma ecuadoriense on decaying wood (Ecuador), Thyrostroma cornicola on Cornus officinalis (Korea), Cercophora vinosa on decorticated branch of Salix sp. (France), Coprinus pinetorum, Coprinus littoralis and Xerocomellus poederi on soil (Spain). Two new genera from Colombia include Helminthosporiella and Uwemyces on leaves of Elaeis oleifera. Two species are described from India, namely Russula intervenosa (ectomycorrhizal with Shorea robusta), and Crinipellis odorata (on bark of Mytragyna parviflora). Novelties from Thailand include Cyphellophora gamsii (on leaf litter), Pisolithus aureosericeus and Corynascus citrinus (on soil). Two species are newly described from Citrus in Italy, namely Dendryphiella paravinosa on Citrus sinensis, and Ramularia citricola on Citrus floridana. Morphological and culture characteristics along with ITS nrDNA barcodes are provided for all taxa.
172 citations
TL;DR: First, it is shown that each frequency band carries unique topological information, fundamental to accurately model brain functional networks, and it is demonstrated that hubs in the multiplex network provide a more accurate map of brain's most important functional regions.
Abstract: Typical brain networks consist of many peripheral regions and a few highly central ones, i.e., hubs, playing key functional roles in cerebral inter-regional interactions. Studies have shown that networks, obtained from the analysis of specific frequency components of brain activity, present peculiar architectures with unique profiles of region centrality. However, the identification of hubs in networks built from different frequency bands simultaneously is still a challenging problem, remaining largely unexplored. Here we identify each frequency component with one layer of a multiplex network and face this challenge by exploiting the recent advances in the analysis of multiplex topologies. First, we show that each frequency band carries unique topological information, fundamental to accurately model brain functional networks. We then demonstrate that hubs in the multiplex network, in general different from those ones obtained after discarding or aggregating the measured signals as usual, provide a more accurate map of brain's most important functional regions, allowing to distinguish between healthy and schizophrenic populations better than conventional network approaches.
150 citations
TL;DR: Energy needed to remodel chromatin to make DNA accessible can be generated in situ in the nucleus from ADP-ribose, rather than by diffusion of ATP from mitochondria in the cytoplasm, the usual powerhouse of the cell.
Abstract: Key nuclear processes in eukaryotes, including DNA replication, repair, and gene regulation, require extensive chromatin remodeling catalyzed by energy-consuming enzymes. It remains unclear how the ATP demands of such processes are met in response to rapid stimuli. We analyzed this question in the context of the massive gene regulation changes induced by progestins in breast cancer cells and found that ATP is generated in the cell nucleus via the hydrolysis of poly(ADP-ribose) to ADP-ribose. In the presence of pyrophosphate, ADP-ribose is used by the pyrophosphatase NUDIX5 to generate nuclear ATP. The nuclear source of ATP is essential for hormone-induced chromatin remodeling, transcriptional regulation, and cell proliferation.
138 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors propose a method that aims at detecting evolutionary changes in the configuration of a complex system, and generates intervals accordingly, by looking for peaks in the similarity between sets of events on consecutive time intervals of data.
Abstract: Most complex systems are intrinsically dynamic in nature. The evolution of a dynamic complex system is typically represented as a sequence of snapshots, where each snapshot describes the configuration of the system at a particular instant of time. This is often done by using constant intervals but a better approach would be to define dynamic intervals that match the evolution of the system’s configuration. To this end, we propose a method that aims at detecting evolutionary changes in the configuration of a complex system, and generates intervals accordingly. We show that evolutionary timescales can be identified by looking for peaks in the similarity between the sets of events on consecutive time intervals of data. Tests on simple toy models reveal that the technique is able to detect evolutionary timescales of time-varying data both when the evolution is smooth as well as when it changes sharply. This is further corroborated by analyses of several real datasets. Our method is scalable to extremely large datasets and is computationally efficient. This allows a quick, parameter-free detection of multiple timescales in the evolution of a complex system.
138 citations
TL;DR: It is observed that the silica coating shell prevents progressive heating of the nanoparticles during prolonged excitation periods with the 980 nm laser, preventing effects on their thermometric applications.
Abstract: We studied the temperature-dependent luminescence of GdVO4 nanoparticles co-doped with Er3+ (1 mol %) and Yb3+ (20 mol %) and determined their thermal sensing properties through the fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) technique. We also analyzed how a silica coating, in a core–shell structure, affects the temperature sensing properties of this material. Spectra were recorded in the range of biological temperatures (298–343 K). The absolute sensitivity for temperature determination calculated for the core–shell nanoparticles is double the one calculated for bare nanoparticles, achieving a thermal resolution of 0.4 K. Moreover, silica-coated nanoparticles show good dispersibility in different solvents, such as water, DMSO, and methanol. Also, they show good luminescence stability without interactions with solvent molecules. Furthermore, we also observed that the silica coating shell prevents progressive heating of the nanoparticles during prolonged excitation periods with the 980 nm laser, preventing effects...
131 citations
TL;DR: Here, it is proved analytically that the structure of multiplex networks can induce congestion for flows that otherwise would be decongested if the individual layers were not interconnected.
Abstract: Multiplex networks are representations of multilayer interconnected complex networks where the nodes are the same at every layer. They turn out to be good abstractions of the intricate connectivity of multimodal transportation networks, among other types of complex systems. One of the most important critical phenomena arising in such networks is the emergence of congestion in transportation flows. Here, we prove analytically that the structure of multiplex networks can induce congestion for flows that otherwise would be decongested if the individual layers were not interconnected. We provide explicit equations for the onset of congestion and approximations that allow us to compute this onset from individual descriptors of the individual layers. The observed cooperative phenomenon is reminiscent of Braess' paradox in which adding extra capacity to a network when the moving entities selfishly choose their route can in some cases reduce overall performance. Similarly, in the multiplex structure, the efficiency in transportation can unbalance the transportation loads resulting in unexpected congestion.
TL;DR: In this article, an improved procedure to design a sliding controller for the PV system, which drives the PV voltage to follow a reference provided by an external MPPT algorithm and mitigates the perturbations caused by the irradiance changes and oscillations in the bulk voltage.
Abstract: In many grid-connected applications, a dc/dc switching converter is usually connected between the PV modules and the inverter. This paper presents an improved procedure to design a sliding controller for the PV system, which drives the PV voltage to follow a reference provided by an external MPPT algorithm and mitigates the perturbations caused by the irradiance changes and oscillations in the bulk voltage. By considering that the switching surface is the linear combination of the input capacitor current and the PV voltage error, the proposed design exhibits advantages in comparison with existing solutions that rely in the linearization of inner current loop dynamics. The proposed integral procedure, by taking also into account the effects in the closed-loop system dynamics of a reference filter, ensures a stable sliding regime in all the desired operation range of the system, while the settling time and overshoot of the PV voltage required by an MPPT algorithm are provided. Differently from a previous similar but less rigorous approach, the switching function and reference filter parameters are obtained by numerically solving a set of nonlinear equations. Simulations and experiments were used to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed solution in presence of environmental and load perturbations.
TL;DR: The proposed SOSM controller can stabilize synchronous buck dc-dc converters using a simple digital state-machine structure, without requiring current sensing or an integral term in the control loop, and is robust against parameter uncertainties.
Abstract: In this paper, second-order sliding-mode (SOSM) control approach is applied to synchronous buck dc–dc converters. The proposed SOSM controller can stabilize synchronous buck dc–dc converters using a simple digital state-machine structure, without requiring current sensing or an integral term in the control loop. The SOSM controller results in fast step-load and start-up transient responses, and is robust against parameter uncertainties. Fast transients and current limitation during start up can be accomplished by adjusting one controller parameter. Furthermore, a hysteresis method is introduced to control the switching frequency. The proposed approach is verified by experimental results on a 1.25-V 10-A prototype.
TL;DR: It is shown that by minimizing the Kullback-Leibler divergence between an observed network and a parametric network model, inference of model parameter(s) by means of maximum-likelihood estimation can be achieved and model selection can be performed appropriate information criteria, implying that spectral based statistical inference in complex networks results in demonstrably superior performance.
Abstract: Disorder---known as entropy---is inherent to all systems, natural and manmade. A way of quantifying a complex network's entropy is proposed.
TL;DR: Two data fusion strategies (high- and mid-level) combined with a multivariate classification approach (Soft Independent Modelling of Class Analogy, SIMCA) have been applied to take advantage of the synergistic effect of the information obtained from two spectroscopic techniques: FT-Raman and NIR.
TL;DR: Although a regular consumption of most fish andshellfish species should not mean adverse health effects for the consumers, the specific fish and shellfish species consumed, the frequency of consumption, as well as the meal size, are essential issues for adequately balancing the health benefits and risks of regular fish consumption.
Abstract: Dietary patterns and lifestyle factors are clearly associated with at least five of the ten leading causes of death, including coronary heart disease, certain types of cancer, stroke, non-insulin insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and atherosclerosis. Concerning specifically fish and seafood consumption, its beneficial health effects in humans are clearly supported by an important number of studies performed in the last 30 years. These studies have repeatedly linked fish consumption, especially those species whose contents in omega-3 fatty acids are high, with healthier hearts in the aging population. The nutritional benefits of fish and seafood are also due to the content of high-quality protein, vitamins, as well as other essential nutrients. However, a number of studies, particularly investigations performed in recent years, have shown that the unavoidable presence of environmental contaminants in fish and shellfish can also mean a certain risk for the health of some consumers. While prestigious inte...
TL;DR: This analysis of multiplex, directed, and weighted networks of subsistence food flows collected in three small indigenous communities in Arctic Alaska potentially facing substantial economic and ecological changes suggests that changes to social relations and key households have greater effects on community robustness than changes to specific wild food resources.
Abstract: Network analysis provides a powerful tool to analyze complex influences of social and ecological structures on community and household dynamics. Most network studies of social–ecological systems use simple, undirected, unweighted networks. We analyze multiplex, directed, and weighted networks of subsistence food flows collected in three small indigenous communities in Arctic Alaska potentially facing substantial economic and ecological changes. Our analysis of plausible future scenarios suggests that changes to social relations and key households have greater effects on community robustness than changes to specific wild food resources.
TL;DR: A healthy dietary pattern incorporating a high consumption of dairy products and particularly yogurt may be protective against type 2 diabetes in older adults at high cardiovascular risk.
Abstract: Purpose The possible effects of dairy consumption on diabetes prevention remain controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the dairy consumption and type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk in an elderly Mediterranean population at high cardiovascular risk. Methods We prospectively followed 3,454 non-diabetic individuals from the PREDIMED study. Dairy consumption was assessed at baseline and yearly using food frequency questionnaires and categorized into total, low-fat, whole-fat, and subgroups: milk, yogurt, cheeses, fermented dairy, concentrated full fat, and processed dairy. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results During a median follow-up of 4.1 years, we documented 270 incident T2D cases. After multivariate adjustment, total dairy product consumption was inversely associated with T2D risk [0.68 (95% CI 0.47-0.98); P-trend = .040]. This association appeared to be mainly attributed to low-fat dairy; the multivariate HRs (95% CIs) comparing the highest versus the lowest tertile consumption were 0.65 (0.45-0.94) for low-fat dairy products and 0.67 (0.46-0.95) for low-fat milk (both P-trend Conclusions A healthy dietary pattern incorporating a high consumption of dairy products and particularly yogurt may be protective against T2D in older adults at high cardiovascular risk.
TL;DR: This work chose the combination of the toxic unit approach with acute pore water tests and whole-sediment exposure tests, together with invertebrate community composition (multivariate analyses) to detect short and long-term responses of the organisms in four rivers of the Iberian Peninsula.
TL;DR: In this article, the role of financial obstacles on the likelihood of abandoning an innovation project is analyzed and the effects are different depending on the stage of the innovation process and the level of complexity.
Abstract: Theoretical and empirical approaches have stressed the existence of financial constraints in innovative activities of firms. This paper analyses the role of financial obstacles on the likelihood of abandoning an innovation project. Although a large number of innovation projects are abandoned before their completion, the empirical evidence has focused on the determinants of innovation while failed projects have received little attention. Our analysis differentiates between internal and external barriers on the probability of abandoning a project and we examine whether the effects are different depending on the stage of the innovation process. In the empirical analysis carried out for a panel data of potential innovative Spanish firms for the period 2004-2010, we use a bivariate probit model to take into account the simultaneity of financial constraints and the decision to abandon an innovation project. Our results show that financial constraints most affect the probability of abandoning an innovation project during the concept stage and that low-technological manufacturing and non-KIS service sectors are more sensitive to financial constraints.
TL;DR: Biochemical and epigenetic mechanisms, including the modulation of microRNAs, allow PAs to modulate cell functionality and PA effects in metabolic diseases are reviewed.
Abstract: Proanthocyanidins (PAs) are the most abundant flavonoids in the human diet. Several epidemiological studies connect PA consumption and health benefits and the designation of PAs as healthy compounds started at the early stages of the 20th century. The beneficial health properties of PAs are attributed to their conjugated and colonic metabolites. Therefore, gut microbial compositions can determine the effectiveness of PAs. Reciprocally, dietary polyphenols can act as prebiotics. Recently, it has also been described that PAs modulate the circadian rhythm. Biochemical and epigenetic mechanisms, including the modulation of microRNAs, allow PAs to modulate cell functionality. PA effects in metabolic diseases are also reviewed.
TL;DR: Encouraging effective ER could be a useful new approach for combating and treating childhood obesity.
Abstract: Stress and negative emotions pose a major threat to public health, by increasing the risk of obesity. Since the management process for emotions (emotion regulation; ER) is developed in childhood, we present a novel conceptual framework model for the role of ER in the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity. A narrative review of the literature by electronic database search (MEDLINE, Web of Knowledge and Scopus) was conducted of observational and interventional/experimental literature on ER and obesity and the underlying concepts. We also present an overview of ER intervention techniques. Our model indicates that childhood ER is a link between stress and obesity. Stress along with ineffective ER leads to abnormal cortisol patterns, emotional eating, sedentary lifestyle, reduction of physical activity, and sleep problems. Simultaneously, a healthy lifestyle could show benefits on ER and in developing adaptive ER strategies. In the development of obesity and ER, parents also play a role. By contrast, effective ER skills decrease obesity-related unhealthy behaviour and enhance protective factors, which boost health. The literature contains some observational studies of children but very few intervention studies, most of which are pilot or on-going studies. In conclusion, encouraging effective ER could be a useful new approach for combating and treating childhood obesity. Future ER intervention studies are needed to confirm the validity of this model in children.
TL;DR: An empirical analysis of the complete publication records of 3,980 faculty members in six STEM disciplines at select U.S. research universities finds that female faculty have significantly fewer distinct co-authors over their careers than males, but that this difference can be fully accounted for by females’ lower publication rate and shorter career lengths.
Abstract: Collaboration plays an increasingly important role in promoting research productivity and impact. What remains unclear is whether female and male researchers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematical (STEM) disciplines differ in their collaboration propensity. Here, we report on an empirical analysis of the complete publication records of 3,980 faculty members in six STEM disciplines at select U.S. research universities. We find that female faculty have significantly fewer distinct co-authors over their careers than males, but that this difference can be fully accounted for by females’ lower publication rate and shorter career lengths. Next, we find that female scientists have a lower probability of repeating previous co-authors than males, an intriguing result because prior research shows that teams involving new collaborations produce work with higher impact. Finally, we find evidence for gender segregation in some sub-disciplines in molecular biology, in particular in genomics where we find female faculty to be clearly under-represented.
TL;DR: This work defines the framework to explore the spatiotemporal signature of emergent collective phenomena on social media and identifies a change in the characteristic time scale of the information transfer that flags the onset of information-driven collective phenomena.
Abstract: Data from social media provide unprecedented opportunities to investigate the processes that govern the dynamics of collective social phenomena. We consider an information theoretical approach to define and measure the temporal and structural signatures typical of collective social events as they arise and gain prominence. We use the symbolic transfer entropy analysis of microblogging time series to extract directed networks of influence among geolocalized subunits in social systems. This methodology captures the emergence of system-level dynamics close to the onset of socially relevant collective phenomena. The framework is validated against a detailed empirical analysis of five case studies. In particular, we identify a change in the characteristic time scale of the information transfer that flags the onset of information-driven collective phenomena. Furthermore, our approach identifies an order-disorder transition in the directed network of influence between social subunits. In the absence of clear exogenous driving, social collective phenomena can be represented as endogenously driven structural transitions of the information transfer network. This study provides results that can help define models and predictive algorithms for the analysis of societal events based on open source data.
TL;DR: Investigation of the influence of graphene quantum dots on key characteristics of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) phenotype shows that GQDs can also promote the adipogenic differentiation of MSCs, thus confirming the prevalence of their pluripotency potential.
Abstract: The influence of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) on key characteristics of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) phenotype (i.e., self-renewal, differentiation potential, and pluripotency) is systematically investigated in this work. First, the viability and impact of GQDs on the self-renewal potential of MSCs is evaluated in order to determine a threshold for the exposing dose. Second, GQDs uptake by MSCs is confirmed due to the excellent fluorescent properties of the particles. They exhibit a homogenous cytoplasmatic distribution that increases with the time and concentration. Third, the impact of GQDs on the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs is deeply characterized. An enhanced activity of alkaline phosphatase promoted by GQDs indicates early activation of osteogenesis. This is also confirmed upon GQD-induced up-regulation of phenotypically related osteogenic genes (Runx2, osteopontin, and osteocalcin) and specific biomarkers expression (osteopontin and osteocalcin). GQDs also effectively enhance the formation of calcium-rich deposits characteristics of osteoblasts. Furthermore, genes microarray results indicate that the enhanced osteogenic differentiation of MSCs by GQDs is in progress through a bone morphogenetic protein and transforming growth factor-β relative signaling pathways. Finally, intracytoplasmatic lipid detection shows that GQDs can also promote the adipogenic differentiation of MSCs, thus confirming the prevalence of their pluripotency potential.
01 Jan 2016
TL;DR: This special issue of the journal ‘Soft Computing—AFusion of Foundations, Methodologies and Applications’ offers extended versions of some of the best papers presented at the Second International Conference on the Theory and Practice of Natural Computing, TPNC 2013, held in Caceres, Spain, on December 3–5, 2013.
Abstract: This special issue of the journal ‘Soft Computing—AFusion of Foundations, Methodologies and Applications’ offers extended versions of some of the best papers presented at the Second International Conference on the Theory and Practice of Natural Computing, TPNC 2013, held in Caceres, Spain, on December 3–5, 2013, under the organisation of the Research Group on Mathematical Linguistics (GRLMC) from Rovira i Virgili University in Tarragona, Spain and the Computer Architecture and Logic Design Group (ARCO) from University of Extremadura, Spain. TPNC 2013 was the second event in a series dedicated to host and promote research in a wide spectrum of computational models, methods and techniques inspired by information processing in nature. We encouraged both theoretical contributions in soft computing, computing architectures, and formal models as well as solutions for practical problems based on natural computing methods. Out of 47 submissions to the conference, 18 papers were accepted (which represents a competitive acceptance rate of about 38 %). Among them, the authors of 13 papers were invited to submit to this special issue. Each submission was reviewed by at least two experts and, on the basis of their comments, the guest editors decided to accept six papers for this special issue (which represents an acceptance rate of about 13 % out of the submissions to the conference).
TL;DR: The tensorial formalism recently proposed to characterize and investigate this kind of complex topologies is relied on, and two well known random walk centrality measures, the random walk betweenness and closeness centrality are extended to interconnected multilayer networks.
TL;DR: In this paper, the photothermal conversion efficiency of photothermal agents based on the use of an integrating sphere has been investigated and validated by comparing it with the conventional time constant method.
TL;DR: Overall, consumption of seafood above the recommended limit of 340 g/week was associated with 10-g/week increments in neuropsychological scores, and consumption of large fatty fish during pregnancy presents moderate child neuroPsychological benefits, including improvements in cognitive functioning and some protection from autism-spectrum traits.
Abstract: Seafood consumption during pregnancy is thought to be beneficial for child neuropsychological development, but to our knowledge no large cohort studies with high fatty fish consumption have analyzed the association by seafood subtype. We evaluated 1,892 and 1,589 mother-child pairs at the ages of 14 months and 5 years, respectively, in a population-based Spanish birth cohort established during 2004-2008. Bayley and McCarthy scales and the Childhood Asperger Syndrome Test were used to assess neuropsychological development. Results from multivariate linear regression models were adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and further adjusted for umbilical cord blood mercury or long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations. Overall, consumption of seafood above the recommended limit of 340 g/week was associated with 10-g/week increments in neuropsychological scores. By subtype, in addition to lean fish, consumption of large fatty fish showed a positive association; offspring of persons within the highest quantile (>238 g/week) had an adjusted increase of 2.29 points in McCarthy general cognitive score (95% confidence interval: 0.42, 4.16). Similar findings were observed for the Childhood Asperger Syndrome Test. Beta coefficients diminished 15%-30% after adjustment for mercury or long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations. Consumption of large fatty fish during pregnancy presents moderate child neuropsychological benefits, including improvements in cognitive functioning and some protection from autism-spectrum traits.
19 Jan 2016-Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A-toxic\/hazardous Substances & Environmental Engineering
TL;DR: In this article, 10 homes in Catalonia, Spain were randomly selected to collect indoor (bedroom and living room) and outdoor air samples, and 10 additional samples were also collected at different workplaces (e.g., offices, shops, classrooms, etc.).
Abstract: Formaldehyde is a carcinogenic substance for humans. Exposure to formaldehyde may also cause eye and respiratory tract irritation, as well as skin sensitization. The main indoor sources of formaldehyde are wood-pressed products, insulation materials, paints, varnishes, household cleaning products and cigarettes, among others. Although this chemical is a well-known indoor pollutant, data on indoor concentrations of formaldehyde are still scarce in some countries. In February 2014, 10 homes in Catalonia, Spain, were randomly selected to collect indoor (bedroom and living room) and outdoor air samples. Ten additional samples were also collected at different workplaces (e.g., offices, shops, classrooms, etc.). Formaldehyde air levels found in homes ranged from 10.7 to 47.7 μg m(-3), from 9.65 to 37.2 μg m(-3), and from 0.96 to 3.37 μg m(-3) in bedrooms, living rooms, and outdoors, respectively. Meanwhile, at workplaces, indoor air levels ranged from 5.86 to 40.4 μg m(-3). These levels are in agreement with data found in the scientific literature. Non-carcinogenic risks were above the threshold limit (HQ > 1), and carcinogenic risks were not acceptable either (>10(-4)). Despite the current study limitations, the results confirm that formaldehyde indoor levels are a matter of health concern, which must be taken into account by policymakers and regulatory bodies.