bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Empreendedoras conectadas: como as tecnologias digitais impulsionam a sustentabilidade econômica de mulheres idosas
Authors: Witt Andréia Carla Velho , Mecca Marlei Salete , Velho Fábio Daniel
Published: October 2024

Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo apresentar de que forma as tecnologias digitais podem contribuir para a sustentabilidade econômica nas atividades empreendedoras de mulheres idosas. Para tal, foi realizada uma pesquisa descritiva com abordagem qualitativa. Os dados foram coletados por meio de grupo focal e examinados através de análise de conteúdo. Através da análise das transcrições das entrevistas, foram identificados diversos aspectos relevantes que caracterizam a relação entre idosas, tecnologias digitais e sustentabilidade econômica. Como principais resultados, destaca-se: maior alcance de clientes, otimização de processos, aprimoramento de habilidades e oferta de serviços personalizados, que se interligam diretamente à sustentabilidade econômica das mulheres idosas. As tecnologias digitais fortalecem as empreendedoras idosas, modernizando suas atividades, garantindo o uso inteligente das ferramentas digitais e maximizando seus benefícios. Essas tecnologias ampliam o alcance de mercado e diversificam as fontes de renda, complementando as aposentadorias e proporcionando maior segurança financeira. Além disso, essas ferramentas contribuem para o alinhamento aos objetivos de desenvolvimento sustentável e para a Década do Envelhecimento Saudável 2020-2030.
The Economics of Production and Marketing of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) in Bukidnon, Philippines
Authors: C. Gungob, , H. Magadan,
Published: October 2024

Bukidnon, a province in Region X, is known for its high percentage of oyster mushrooms, accounting for 85.15 percent of total produce. This research aimed to determine production and marketing practices, yield per fruiting bag, marketing channels, and costs. We observed three marketing channels, and the average yield per bag was 0.18 grams per day. Variables affecting productivity included extension visits, educational attainment, culture house temperature, and substrate types. However, producers faced issues like spawn unavailability, poor development, and spoilage. The lack of government equipment support and lower prices led to many farmers stopping production, especially during the pandemic.
Quantitative Risk Assessment of Aflatoxin M1 Related to the Consumption of Raw Cow's Milk in Daloa (Côte d’Ivoire)
Authors: Fatou Traoré Koba , Baptiste Anouhe Say Jean , Benjamin Kouame Kan
Published: October 2024

Cow's milk represents a potential health risk for consumers. The objective of this work is to assess the sanitary quality of raw cow's milk produced and consumed by the populations of Daloa. For this purpose, a total of 30 raw milk samples were collected from 3 raw cow's milk extraction points in the city of Daloa. Mycotoxins were determined using gas chromatography. The results showed that 100% of the analyzed samples were contaminated with aflatoxin M1 (AFLM1). These results indicated that the aflatoxin M1 levels in the analyzed samples exceeded the maximum limit (ML) set by European regulations. To assess the risk of contamination for the population of Daloa, a survey was conducted among consumers of raw cow's milk. A total of 388 individuals were interviewed to gather their opinions. The survey involved a form with questionnaires related to the objectives of the study. This form provided information on identity, marital status, consumption patterns, frequency, quantity, and the socio-economic characteristics of the consumers. The results showed that the risk of liver cancer related to the consumption of raw cow's milk in the city of Daloa is approximately 36.08% to 36.16%; representing 36,080 to 36,150 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Thus, to ensure consumer safety, good hygiene practices in the preservation of feed for cattle and the construction of enclosures for them must be implemented.
Assessment of Socioeconomic Vulnerability in Selected Villages of Gosaba Block, Sundarban, India Using an Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Das Semanti , Das Chandan Surabhi
Published: October 2024

The Indian Sundarban represent an endangered ecosystem with a distinct biogeographical composition. It is susceptible to natural disasters like storms, floods, and cyclones, hence jeopardizing its socioeconomic systems due to environmental stresses. This study aimed to evaluate the present socioeconomic vulnerability, identify key factors that exacerbate this vulnerability, and validate these factors using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) prediction model. Researchers also wanted to validate this evaluation with ANN to promote substantive discussions between researchers, local authorities, and stakeholders. Comprehensive reviews and successful adaption plans will improve. The study conducted in selected villages with 160 households in the Gosaba Block, located on the periphery of the Sundarban. The present study employed an integrated vulnerability approach, calculating the exposure, adaptive capacity, and sensitivity index by weighting the initial eigenvalues of each indicator with a variance percentage through principal components analysis (PCA). Based on this criterion, 156 households (97.5%) exhibited an extremely high vulnerability score, while 4 households (2.5%) displayed a moderate vulnerability grade. The villages of Pakhiralay and Lahiripur exhibit significant vulnerability, with a markedly deficient adaptive capacity. The villages of Mathurakhand, Kumirmari, and Satjelia exhibit vulnerability alongside moderate adaptation capacity. All are priority villages, however, Villages with moderate adaptive capacity may become less vulnerable with adequate interventions Proximity to market strongly affects MLP neural networks' assessment of environmental, economic, and social variables' effects on exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. Respondent age, family size, social network, storm surges, supplementary sources of household income Dwelling years, temperature, embankment failure, and income greatly affect model performance. A policy initiative should prioritize the enhancement existing social and financial capital, facilitate access to local government, and promote community-oriented activities. National disaster, social welfare, and resource management strategies need separate action plans. The national government is also encouraged to decentralize governance to enable local governments to achieve their goals.
Performance of French Bean Genotypes at Late Season Sowing in Sylhet, Bangladesh
Authors: Chanda Argho , Alauddin Md. , Hafiz Maliha Binte , Islam Md. Fakrul , Islam Md. Shahidul , Emon Emdadul Haque
Published: October 2024

Performance of four French bean genotypes were evaluated at late sowing condition in Randomized Complete Block design with three replications at the experimental field of Sylhet Agricultural University, Bangladesh to assess the yield performance of French bean genotypes under late-season sowing conditions in Sylhet, Bangladesh. Seeds of four French bean genotypes including BARI Jharsheem-1, Jharsheem-2, Jharsheem-3 and Local were sown in the main field at 25 November and 25 December 2022. The highest number of pods per plant was found in the genotype BARI Jharsheem-1 (32.14), which was statistically at par with the genotype BARI Jharsheem-2 (30.46). The lowest number of pods per plant was found in the genotype BARI Jharsheem-3 (20.10) which was closer to local genotypes (21.68). The highest pod yield per plant was found in BARI Jharsheem-1 (194.45 g) and the lowest in BARI Jharsheem-2 (125.62 g) which was statistically similar with the remaining two genotypes. The highest yield per decimal was produced by the genotype BARI Jharsheem-1 (95.04 Kg) but the lowest yield per decimal was produced by BARI Jharsheem-2 (61.41 Kg). Significant variation was found of sowing date on yield and yield attributes of French bean except some parameters. Maximum yield per decimal was produced from 25 December sowing (73.57 Kg) than 25 November sowing (68.09 Kg). However, interaction effect showed appreciable amount of green pods from BARI Jharsheem-1 at 25 November (87.17 kg/decimal) and 25 December sowing (102.91 kg/decimal) indicating bright scope during late winter season. The results conclude that among the genotypes, BARI Jharsheem- 1 had the highest pod yield and yield per decimal. Sowing on December 25 produced higher yields (73.57 kg/decimal) than November 25 (68.09 kg/decimal).  These findings suggest the potential to improve French bean yield and market availability during late winter through optimized genotype selection and sowing dates.
Optimizing Sorghum Yield and Quality: A Study on the Role of Plant Growth Regulators and Micronutrient Management Strategies
Authors: R Zahida , Agarwal R K , K Naveen , Shekara B G , Prasad S , N Sabina , M Shabeena , Bahar F A , Khuroo N S , Iqbal S , Ahnger T , Bhat Raies A , A Rakshanda , Dar Z A , Bashir Sabiya
Published: October 2024

This study assessed the impact of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and micronutrients on sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) productivity in four locations viz., Palampur, Srinagar, Mandya, and Ayodhya during Kharif 2020-2021. Twelve treatments, combining PGRs and micronutrients, were evaluated. The best treatment (T10), applying 5 kg Zn and 2 kg B per hectare with a triacontanol (10 ppm) foliar spray at 30 days after sowing, resulted in the highest green fodder yield (493.2 q/ha), dry matter yield (125.6 q/ha), and crude protein yield (10.80 q/ha). It also improved the leaf-stem ratio (0.63), ADF (42.34%), and NDF (63.03%). Economic analysis showed a gross return of Rs. 130,208/ha, net return of Rs. 81,717/ha, and B:C ratio of 2.56. These findings provide actionable insights for enhancing sorghum productivity in semi-arid regions through integrated nutrient management, improving both food security and farmer incomes in challenging agricultural environments.
Impact of Vertical and Diagonal Shear Reinforcement on the Structural Integrity of a Deep Beam
Authors: Oluwadare Gbenga Michael , Olanitori Lekan Makanju , Olajide Olusola David
Published: October 2024

This research investigates the shear strength behaviour of deep beams with different angles of inclinations of the transverse reinforcements with the longitudinal reinforcements. A mix ratio of 1:1½:3 of concrete was used in this investigation with a total number of three (3) deep beam models of 150×300×750 mm and the characteristic compressive strength of concrete used for the production of the beams was determined to be 14.5 N/mm2. The study concludes that the ultimate resisting load of the beam depends on the angle of inclination of the shear links and maximum with 90o inclination angle of the shear links which decreases with a decrease in the angle of inclination. Hence, all shear reinforcement must not be inclined at an angle other than 90o to the longitudinal reinforcement to avoid shear-compression failure along the shear diagonal.
A Case Study on the Risk Assessment for O&M of a 1 MW Tidal Current Energy Converter
Authors: Ko Dong-Hui , Yi Jin-Hak , Park Jin-Soon , Hong Hyemin
Published: October 2024

Tidal power is a technology that generates electricity by utilizing tidal current energy, and in recent years, with the advancement of technology, it has reached the stage of real sea performance test. However, in the case of Korea, there is a lack of construction experience and equipment, and work in fast flows such as the Uldolmok region involves various risk factors. In order to establish measures to reduce these risk factors, Korea’s Occupational Safety and Health Act recommends performing a risk assessment to identify and manage risk factors that may occur during work in advance. Risk assessment is a process aimed at identifying and evaluating potential risk factors that may arise during work, with the goal of minimizing losses caused by accidents. Therefore, in this study, a risk assessment was conducted to identify risk factors that may occur during offshore O&M work of the 1 MW tidal current energy converter and to ensure the safety of workers and the environment. A total of 60 risk factors were identified, including marine and weather conditions, equipment and personnel, and work environments, and a qualitative risk assessment was conducted three times based on the judgment of several field experts.
Knowledge, Attitude And Uptake Of Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine Among Adolescents In Bauchi Local Government Area Of Bauchi State, Nigeria
Authors: Musa Abubakar , Abba Usman , Isa Yusuf Isa , Jibril Muhammad Bashar , Abdullahi Mohammed Kabir
Published: October 2024

Background: Cervical cancer is a vaccine preventable disease, it remains a public health issue, with the disease’s highest burden seen in developing countries such as Nigeria, where it is the second most frequent gynecological cancer and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. It is caused by HPV infection, which is a vaccine preventable sexually transmitted infection with high incidence among the younger population. This study assessed knowledge, attitude and Uptake of HPV Vaccination among adolescents in Bauchi Local Government Area of Bauchi State. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was employed using semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire to 422 female adolescents of Bauchi Local Government Area, Bauchi State. Responses were collated and analyzed using SPSS version 23.0 and the level of significance is set at 0.05. Results: the mean age and SD of the respondents are 13.0 ± 2.0 and majority are Hausa by tribe (62%), Muslims (98%), with secondary level of education (47%), single (100%), not engaged in menial works (70%). There was good knowledge on HPV vaccine (65%), good attitude towards HPV vaccine (99.3%) and also good uptake of the HPV vaccine (60%) among the respondents. Also, the factors from the study that contribute significantly to the knowledge of HPV vaccine was level of education of the respondents and that of uptake of HPV vaccine were age and ethnicity of the respondents but, none was significant for attitude. Formal education, age and ethnicity were the predictors of knowledge of, and uptake of HPV infection and vaccination among the respondents. Conclusion: Adolescents within the age of 9 to 14 years in Bauchi LGA, Bauchi State have good knowledge, attitude and uptake of HPV infection and vaccine. Age, level of education and ethnicity of the respondents are the factors associated with good knowledge, and uptake of HPV infection and vaccine but, none was significant for attitude. The predictors of knowledge of, and uptake of HPV infection and vaccine of the respondent were age, formal education and ethnicity. There is need to strengthen the HPV vaccination among adolescent to prevent the infection and its consequences.
Mannose 6‐phosphate‐dependent lysosomal enzyme targeting in hydra: a biochemical, immunological and structural elucidation
Authors: Bhamidimarri Poorna Manasa , Krishnapati Lakshmi Surekha , Ghaskadbi Surendra , Nadimpalli Siva Kumar
Published: March 2018

Mannose 6‐phosphate (M6P)‐dependent lysosomal enzyme targeting to endosome/lysosome complex is poorly understood among lower invertebrates. So far, only a M6P‐independent lysosomal enzyme sorting protein, named LERP, has been described in Drosophila. Here, we have identified mannose 6‐phosphate receptor (MPR) homologues in Hydra vulgaris, a basal Cnidarian, at genome level and further purified a cation‐dependent MPR‐like protein from hydra using affinity chromatography. Structural comparisons of hydra MPRs with mammalian MPRs confirm that the residues important for interacting with the M6P ligand are conserved. Based on our results, we report for the first time the occurrence of MPR‐related proteins and M6P‐dependent lysosomal enzyme targeting in H. vulgaris.
Reversal of Increasing Tropical Ocean Hypoxia Trends With Sustained Climate Warming
Authors: Fu Weiwei , Primeau Francois , Keith Moore J. , Lindsay Keith , Randerson James T.
Published: March 2018

Dissolved oxygen (O2) is essential for the survival of marine animals. Climate change impacts on future oxygen distributions could modify species biogeography, trophic interactions, biodiversity, and biogeochemistry. The Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 models predict a decreasing trend in marine O2 over the 21st century. Here we show that this increasing hypoxia trend reverses in the tropics after 2100 in the Community Earth System Model forced by atmospheric CO2 from the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 and Extended Concentration Pathway 8.5. In tropical intermediate waters between 200 and 1,000 m, the model predicts a steady decline of O2 and an expansion of oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) during the 21st century. By 2150, however, the trend reverses with oxygen concentration increasing and OMZ volume shrinking through 2300. A novel five‐box model approach in conjunction with output from the full Earth system model is used to separate the contributions of biological and physical processes to the trends in tropical oxygen. The tropical O2 recovery is caused mainly by reductions in tropical biological export, coupled with a modest increase in ventilation after 2200. The time‐evolving oxygen distribution impacts marine nitrogen cycling, with potentially important climate feedbacks.
Benthic Carbon Mineralization in Hadal Trenches: Insights From In Situ Determination of Benthic Oxygen Consumption
Authors: Luo Min , Glud Ronnie N. , Pan Binbin , Wenzhöfer Frank , Xu Yunping , Lin Gang , Chen Duofu
Published: March 2018

Hadal trenches have been proposed as depocenters of organic material and hot spots for organic matter mineralization. In this study, we for the first time quantified the total benthic O2 uptake in hadal trenches using in situ chamber incubations. Three trenches in the tropical Pacific were targeted and exhibited relatively high diagenetic activity given the great water depths, that is, the Mariana Trench (2.0 × 102 μmol O2 m−2 d−1, 10,853 m), the Mussau Trench (2.7 ± 0.1 × 102 μmol O2 m−2 d−1, 7,011 m), and the New Britain Trench (6.0 ± 0.1 × 102 μmol O2 m−2 d−1, 8,225 m). Combined with the analyses of total organic carbon and δ13C of total organic carbon in the sediments and previously published in situ O2 microprofiles from hadal settings, we suggest that hadal benthic carbon mineralization partly is governed by the surface production and also is linked to the distance from land. Therefore, we highlight that terrestrial organic matter can be of importance in sustaining benthic communities in some hadal settings.
Surface Creep Rate and Moment Accumulation Rate Along the Aceh Segment of the Sumatran Fault From L‐band ALOS‐1/PALSAR‐1 Observations
Authors: Tong X. , Sandwell D. T. , Schmidt D. A.
Published: March 2018

We analyzed the interferometric synthetic aperture radar data from the ALOS‐1/PALSAR‐1 satellite to image the interseismic deformation along the Sumatran fault. The interferometric synthetic aperture radar time series analysis reveals up to ~20 mm/year of aseismic creep on the Aceh segment along the Northern Sumatran fault. This is a large fraction of the total slip rate across this fault. The spatial extent of the aseismic creep extends for ~100 km. The along‐strike variation of the aseismic creep has an inverse “U” shape. An analysis of the moment accumulation rate shows that the central part of the creeping section accumulates moment at approximately 50% of the rate of the surrounding locked segments. An initial analysis of temporal variations suggests that the creep rate may be decelerating with time, suggesting that the creep rate is adjusting to a stress perturbation from nearby seismic activity. Our study has implications to the earthquake hazard along the northern Sumatran fault.
Influence of the IMF Cone Angle on Invariant Latitudes of Polar Region Footprints of FACs in the Magnetotail: Cluster Observation
Authors: Cheng Z. W. , Shi J. K. , Zhang J. C. , Torkar K. , Kistler L. M. , Dunlop M. , Carr C. , Rème H. , Dandouras I. , Fazakerley A.
Published: March 2018

The influence of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) cone angle θ (the angle between the IMF direction and the Sun‐Earth line) on the invariant latitudes of the footprints of the field‐aligned currents (FACs) in the magnetotail has been investigated. We performed a statistical study of 542 FAC cases observed by the four Cluster spacecraft in the Northern Hemisphere. The results show that there are almost no FACs when the IMF cone angle is less than 10°, and there are indications of the FACs in the plasma sheet boundary layers being weak under the radial IMF conditions. The footprints of the large FAC (>10 nA/m2) cases are within invariant latitudes <71° and mainly within IMF cone angles θ > 60°, which implies that the footprints of the large FACs mainly expand equatorward with large IMF cone angle. The equatorward boundary of the FAC footprints in the polar region decreases with increasing IMF cone angle (and has a better correlation for northward IMF), which shows that the IMF cone angle plays an important controlling role in FAC distributions in the magnetosphere‐ionosphere coupling system. There is almost no correlation between the poleward boundary and the IMF cone angle for both northward and southward IMF. This is because the poleward boundary movement is limited by an enhanced lobe magnetic flux. This is the first time a correlation between FAC footprints in the polar region and IMF cone angles has been determined.
Analysis and Hindcast Experiments of the 2009 Sudden Stratospheric Warming in WACCMX+DART
Authors: Pedatella N. M. , Liu H.‐L. , Marsh D. R. , Raeder K. , Anderson J. L. , Chau J. L. , Goncharenko L. P. , Siddiqui T. A.
Published: March 2018

The ability to perform data assimilation in the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model eXtended version (WACCMX) is implemented using the Data Assimilation Research Testbed (DART) ensemble adjustment Kalman filter. Results are presented demonstrating that WACCMX+DART analysis fields reproduce the middle and upper atmosphere variability during the 2009 major sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event. Compared to specified dynamics WACCMX, which constrains the meteorology by nudging toward an external reanalysis, the large‐scale dynamical variability of the stratosphere, mesosphere, and lower thermosphere is improved in WACCMX+DART. This leads to WACCMX+DART better representing the downward transport of chemical species from the mesosphere into the stratosphere following the SSW. WACCMX+DART also reproduces most aspects of the observed variability in ionosphere total electron content and equatorial vertical plasma drift during the SSW. Hindcast experiments initialized on 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 January are used to assess the middle and upper atmosphere predictability in WACCMX+DART. A SSW, along with the associated middle and upper atmosphere variability, is initially predicted in the hindcast initialized on 15 January, which is ∼10 days prior to the warming. However, it is not until the hindcast initialized on 20 January that a major SSW is forecast to occur. The hindcast experiments reveal that dominant features of the total electron content can be forecasted ∼10–20 days in advance. This demonstrates that whole atmosphere models that properly account for variability in lower atmosphere forcing can potentially extend the ionosphere‐thermosphere forecast range.
Recent Increases in Wildfires in the Himalayas and Surrounding Regions Detected in Central Tibetan Ice Core Records
Authors: You Chao , Yao Tandong , Xu Chao
Published: March 2018

Changes in fire activity across regions around the Tibetan Plateau are poorly understood, especially under the recent warming and drying trends. In this work, we report records of the specific fire tracer levoglucosan in a central Tibetan ice core, indicating a rapid increase in wildfires across the Himalayas and surroundings at the beginning of the 21st century. The climate system, especially precipitation changes, modulates the annual variability of wildfires in regions around the Tibetan Plateau. Decreasing premonsoon precipitation has prolonged the dry seasons across Himalayan regions affected by the Indian summer monsoon; meanwhile, increasing precipitation over the arid and semiarid Indus River Plain promotes plant growth and thereby increases biofuel availability. These trends have therefore induced increased frequencies of strong wildfires in the Himalayas and surroundings. Increasing strong wildfire events can potentially enhance black carbon deposits on Himalayan glaciers, which would impact glacial melting during the premonsoon wildfire seasons in the near future.
The Role of Roughness and Stability on the Momentum Flux in the Marine Atmospheric Surface Layer: A Study on the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Hackerott J. A. , Pezzi L. P. , Bakhoday Paskyabi M. , Oliveira A. P. , Reuder J. , de Souza R. B. , de Camargo R.
Published: March 2018

For the first time, in situ turbulence measurements collected in the vicinity of the Brazil‐Malvinas Confluence are used to determine the influence of the ocean waves and atmospheric stability on the Marine Atmospheric Surface Layer. From the analysis of 187 high‐frequency sampled segments of temperature and wind velocity, carefully selected from three ship campaigns of the Air‐Sea Interaction at Brazil‐Malvinas Confluence project, we found a particular behavior of the drag coefficient, with a negative trend for a calm wind speed up to 10 m/s when the significant wave height was lower than 2.5 m, and a continuous decrease of the drag coefficient with increasing wind speed for significant wave height higher than 2.5 m. The results suggest that waves act as roughness elements during high wave conditions, inducing a zero‐plane displacement in the order of 0.1 to 1 m as an indication for a wave‐induced roughness layer. In addition, the analysis of the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) budget indicates the occurrence of upward TKE transport mainly during stable conditions, while the general patterns of transport and dissipation of TKE are similar to observations taken over land surfaces.
The Influential Role of Sociocultural Feedbacks on Community‐Managed Irrigation System Behaviors During Times of Water Stress
Authors: Gunda T. , Turner B. L. , Tidwell V. C.
Published: March 2018

Sociohydrological studies use interdisciplinary approaches to explore the complex interactions between physical and social water systems and increase our understanding of emergent and paradoxical system behaviors. The dynamics of community values and social cohesion, however, have received little attention in modeling studies due to quantification challenges. Social structures associated with community‐managed irrigation systems around the world, in particular, reflect these communities' experiences with a multitude of natural and social shocks. Using the Valdez acequia (a communally‐managed irrigation community in northern New Mexico) as a simulation case study, we evaluate the impact of that community's social structure in governing its responses to water availability stresses posed by climate change. Specifically, a system dynamics model (developed using insights from community stakeholders and multiple disciplines that captures biophysical, socioeconomic, and sociocultural dynamics of acequia systems) was used to generate counterfactual trajectories to explore how the community would behave with streamflow conditions expected under climate change. We found that earlier peak flows, combined with adaptive measures of shifting crop selection, allowed for greater production of higher value crops and fewer people leaving the acequia. The economic benefits were lost, however, if downstream water pressures increased. Even with significant reductions in agricultural profitability, feedbacks associated with community cohesion buffered the community's population and land parcel sizes from more detrimental impacts, indicating the community's resilience under natural and social stresses. Continued exploration of social structures is warranted to better understand these systems' responses to stress and identify possible leverage points for strengthening community resilience.
Plant Osmoregulation as an Emergent Water‐Saving Adaptation
Authors: Perri Saverio , Entekhabi Dara , Molini Annalisa
Published: March 2018

Soil salinity affects plant transpiration and growth through two main pathways: the osmotic effect of salt in the soil (osmotic stress; analogous to water stress) and the toxic effect of salt within the plant (ionic stress; salt specific). However, the drastic and sudden reduction of transpiration exhibited by most species in response to an increase of salinity in the root zone is mainly associated with the osmotic phase, while ionic stress appears at a later time, causing the premature senescence of leaves and the reduction of the plant photosynthetic area. To better investigate the effects of salinity on plant‐water relations, we introduce a parsimonious soil‐plant‐atmosphere continuum (SPAC) model accounting for both salt exclusion at the root level and osmoregulation—i.e., the adjustment of internal water potential in response to salt stress. The model is used to interpret a paradox observed in salt‐tolerant species where transpiration is maximum at an intermediate value of salinity (), and is lower in more fresh () and more saline () conditions. Such nonmonotonic transpiration‐salt concentration () patterns can be largely explained by plant osmoregulation, while the peak of transpiration attends to disappear over longer time scales, when ionic stress appears and morphological adaptations become predominant. Osmoregulation emerges here as a water‐saving behavior similar to the strategies that xerophytes use to cope with aridity. The maximum of transpiration atis thus the result of a trade‐off between the enhancement of salt‐tolerance and optimal carbon assimilation.
Slow Impacts on Strong Targets Bring on the Heat
Authors: Melosh H. J. , Ivanov B. A.
Published: March 2018

An important new paper by Kurosawa and Genda (2017, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017GL076285) reports a previously overlooked source of heating in low velocity meteorite impacts. Plastic deformation of the pressure‐strengthened rocks behind the shock front dissipates energy, which appears as heat in addition to that generated across the shock wave itself. This heat source has surprisingly escaped explicit attention for decades: First, because it is minimized in the geometry typically chosen for laboratory experiments; and second because it is most important in rocks, and less so for the metals usually used in experiments. Nevertheless, modern numerical computer codes that include strength do compute this heating correctly. This raises the philosophical question of whether we can claim to understand some process just because our computer codes compute the results correctly.
Complex Fault Geometry and Rupture Dynamics of the MW 6.5, 30 October 2016, Central Italy Earthquake
Authors: Scognamiglio L. , Tinti E. , Casarotti E. , Pucci S. , Villani F. , Cocco M. , Magnoni F. , Michelini A. , Dreger D.
Published: March 2018

We study the 30 October 2016 Norcia earthquake (MW 6.5) to retrieve the rupture history by jointly inverting seismograms and coseismic Global Positioning System displacements obtained by dense local networks. The adopted fault geometry consists of a main normal fault striking N155° and dipping 47° belonging to the Mt. Vettore‐Mt. Bove fault system (VBFS) and a secondary fault plane striking N210° and dipping 36° to the NW. The coseismic rupture initiated on the VBFS and propagated with similar rupture velocity on both fault planes. Updip from the nucleation point, two main slip patches have been imaged on these fault segments, both characterized by similar peak‐slip values (~3 m) and rupture times (~3 s). After the breakage of the two main slip patches, coseismic rupture further propagated southeastward along the VBFS, rupturing again the same fault portion that slipped during the 24 August earthquake. The retrieved coseismic slip distribution is consistent with the observed surface breakages and the deformation pattern inferred from interferometric synthetic aperture radar measurements. Our results show that three different fault systems were activated during the 30 October earthquake. The composite rupture model inferred in this study provides evidences that also a deep portion of the NNE trending section of the Olevano‐Antrodoco‐Sibillini thrust broke coseismically, implying the kinematic inversion of a thrust ramp. The obtained rupture history indicates that in this sector of the Apennines, compressional structures inherited from past tectonics can alternatively segment boundaries of NW trending active normal faults or break coseismically during moderate‐to‐large magnitude earthquakes.
Comparative metabolomics and glycolysis enzyme profiling of embryogenic and nonembryogenic grape cells
Authors: Parrilla Jonathan , Gaillard Cécile , Verbeke Jérémy , Maucourt Mickaël , Aleksandrov Radoslav A. , Thibault Florence , Fleurat‐Lessard Pierrette , Gibon Yves , Rolin Dominique , Atanassova Rossitza
Published: March 2018

A novel biological model was created for the comparison of grapevine embryogenic cells (EC) and nonembryogenic cells (NEC) sharing a common genetic background but distinct phenotypes, when cultured on their respective most appropriate media. Cytological characterization, 1H‐NMR analysis of intracellular metabolites, and glycolytic enzyme activities provided evidence for the marked metabolic differences between EC and NEC. The EC were characterized by a moderate and organized cell proliferation, coupled with a low flux through glycolysis, high capacity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase and glucokinase, and high oxygen consumption. The NEC displayed strong anarchic growth, and their high rate of glycolysis due to the low energetic efficiency of the fermentative metabolism is confirmed by increased enolase capacity and low oxygen consumption.
Influenza‐like illness as a trigger for ischemic stroke
Authors: Boehme Amelia K. , Luna Jorge , Kulick Erin R. , Kamel Hooman , Elkind Mitchell S. V.
Published: March 2018

Objective

We hypothesized that ILI is associated with risk of incident stroke, and that the risk would be highest closest in time to the event.

Methods

This case‐crossover analysis utilized data obtained from the California State Inpatient Database of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP). The outcome of interest was ischemic stroke. Exposure was defined as a visit to the emergency department or hospitalization for influenza‐like illness (ILI) 365, 180, 90, 30, or 15 days before stroke (risk period) or similar time intervals exactly 1 or 2 years before stroke (control period). Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (OR, 95% CI).

Results

In 2009, 36,975 hospitalized ischemic strokes met inclusion criteria, and of these strokes, 554 (1.5%) had at least 1 episode of ILI in the 365‐day risk period prior to their stroke. Using non‐overlapping time intervals from ILI to stroke, the odds of ischemic stroke was greatest in the first 15 days post ILI (OR: 2.88, 95% CI: 1.86–4.47). The strength of the relationship decreased as the time from ILI increased, and was no longer significant after 60 days. There was a significant interaction (P = 0.017) with age and ILI; the odds of stroke associated increased 7% with each 10‐year decrease in age (OR per 10‐year age decrease 1.07, 95% CI: 1.03–1.35).

Interpretation

We found that ILI increases short‐term risk of stroke, particularly in people under the age of 45, and therefore may be considered to act as a trigger for stroke.
Self‐reported inner speech use in university students
Authors: Morin Alain , Duhnych Christina , Racy Famira
Published: March 2018

Remarkably little is known regarding what people talk to themselves about (inner speech use) in their everyday lives. Existing self‐directed speech measures (e.g., thought sampling and questionnaires) either uniquely capture inner speech frequency and neglect its content or classify self‐reported thoughts instances in overly simplistic categories determined by the researchers. In the current study, we describe an open‐format thought listing procedure as well as a refined coding scheme and present detailed inner speech content self‐generated by 76 university students. The most frequently self‐reported inner speech activities were self‐regulation (e.g., planning and problem solving), self‐reflection (e.g., emotions, self‐motivation, appearance, behavior/performance, and autobiography), critical thinking (e.g., evaluating, judging, and criticizing), people in general, education, and current events. Inner speech occurred most commonly while studying and driving. These results are consistent with the self‐regulatory and self‐referential functions of inner speech often emphasized in the literature. Future research avenues using the open‐format inner speech listing procedure and coding scheme are proposed.
Model‐based vs data‐driven adaptive control: An overview
Authors: Benosman Mouhacine
Published: March 2018

In this paper, we present an overview of adaptive control by contrasting model‐based approaches with data‐driven approaches. Indeed, we propose to classify adaptive controllers into two main subfields, namely, model‐based adaptive control and data‐driven adaptive control. In each subfield, we cite monographs, survey papers, and recent research papers published in the last few years. We also include a few simple examples to illustrate some general concepts in each subfield.
Ni‐GaIn Amalgams Enabled Rapid and Customizable Fabrication of Wearable and Wireless Healthcare Electronics
Authors: Guo Rui , Wang Xuelin , Chang Hao , Yu Wenzhuo , Liang Shuting , Rao Wei , Liu Jing
Published: March 2018

Recent advances in functional low‐melting liquid metals (LMs) provide routes to quickly fabricate wearable devices, which can offer excellent mechanical compliance on human skin compared to conventional rigid wafer‐based electronics. Particularly, the Gallium‐based LM mixtures are promising materials for use as stretchable and flexible circuits in wearable healthcare electronics due to their fantastic electrical conductivity, favorable fluidity, super compliance, and benign biocompatibility. Here, the authors develop a kind of directly‐printed Ni‐GaIn functional amalgams, which can efficiently construct wearable healthcare monitors. Unlike EGaIn, Ni‐GaIn amalgam owns a tunable and enhanced adhesion, which makes it easy to directly paint on various substrate for customized circuits. A wireless power transfer coil printed with these amalgams is presented to demonstrate the electrical stability under different tensile states. Finally, the authors design a wearable healthcare monitor for pulse wave measurement via collecting pulse wave signals from the wrist steadily. With the advantages of stretchability and rapid manufacture, the functional Ni‐GaIn amalgams as currently presented shows a promising approach for individualized wearable electronics.
Genetically Controlled Lysosomal Entrapment of Superparamagnetic Ferritin for Multimodal and Multiscale Imaging and Actuation with Low Tissue Attenuation
Authors: Massner Christoph , Sigmund Felix , Pettinger Susanne , Seeger Markus , Hartmann Carolin , Ivleva Natalia P. , Niessner Reinhard , Fuchs Helmut , de Angelis Martin Hrabě , Stelzl Anja , Koonakampully Neha Lal , Rolbieski Hannes , Wiedwald Ulf , Spasova Marina , Wurst Wolfgang , Ntziachristos Vasilis , Winklhofer Michael , Westmeyer Gil G.
Published: March 2018

Nanomaterials are of enormous value for biomedical applications because of their customizable features. However, the material properties of nanomaterials can be altered substantially by interactions with tissue thus making it important to assess them in the specific biological context to understand and tailor their effects. Here, a genetically controlled system is optimized for cellular uptake of superparamagnetic ferritin and subsequent trafficking to lysosomes. High local concentrations of photoabsorbing magnetoferritin give robust contrast in optoacoustic imaging and allow for selective photoablation of cells overexpressing ferritin receptors. Genetically controlled uptake of the biomagnetic nanoparticles also strongly enhances third‐harmonic generation due to the change of refractive index caused by the magnetite–protein interface of ferritins entrapped in lysosomes. Selective uptake of magnetoferritin furthermore enables sensitive detection of receptor‐expressing cells by magnetic resonance imaging, as well as efficient magnetic cell sorting and manipulation. Surprisingly, a substantial increase in the blocking temperature of lysosomally entrapped magnetoferritin is observed, which allows for specific ablation of genetically defined cell populations by local magnetic hyperthermia. The subcellular confinement of superparamagnetic ferritins thus enhances their physical properties to empower genetically controlled interrogation of cellular processes with deep tissue penetration.
The Relationship between Chemical Flexibility and Nanoscale Charge Collection in Hybrid Halide Perovskites
Authors: Luo Yanqi , Aharon Sigalit , Stuckelberger Michael , Magaña Ernesto , Lai Barry , Bertoni Mariana I. , Etgar Lioz , Fenning David P.
Published: March 2018

Hybrid organometal halide perovskites are known for their excellent optoelectronic functionality as well as their wide‐ranging chemical flexibility. The composition of hybrid perovskite devices has trended toward increasing complexity as fine‐tuned properties are pursued, including multielement mixing on the constituents A and B and halide sites. However, this tunability presents potential challenges for charge extraction in functional devices. Poor consistency and repeatability between devices may arise due to variations in composition and microstructure. Within a single device, spatial heterogeneity in composition and phase segregation may limit the device from achieving its performance potential. This review details how the nanoscale elemental distribution and charge collection in hybrid perovskite materials evolve as chemical complexity increases, highlighting recent results using nondestructive operando synchrotron‐based X‐ray nanoprobe techniques. The results reveal a strong link between local chemistry and charge collection that must be controlled to develop robust, high‐performance hybrid perovskite materials for optoelectronic devices.
Engineering of Mature Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell‐Derived Cardiomyocytes Using Substrates with Multiscale Topography
Authors: Abadi Parisa P. S. S. , Garbern Jessica C. , Behzadi Shahed , Hill Michael J. , Tresback Jason S. , Heydari Tiam , Ejtehadi Mohammad Reza , Ahmed Nafis , Copley Elizabeth , Aghaverdi Haniyeh , Lee Richard T. , Farokhzad Omid C. , Mahmoudi Morteza
Published: March 2018

Producing mature and functional cardiomyocytes (CMs) by in vitro differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using only biochemical cues is challenging. To mimic the biophysical and biomechanical complexity of the native in vivo environment during the differentiation and maturation process, polydimethylsiloxane substrates with 3D topography at the micrometer and sub‐micrometer levels are developed and used as cell‐culture substrates. The results show that while cylindrical patterns on the substrates resembling mature CMs enhance the maturation of iPSC‐derived CMs, sub‐micrometer‐level topographical features derived by imprinting primary human CMs further accelerate both the differentiation and maturation processes. The resulting CMs exhibit a more‐mature phenotype than control groups—as confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, flow cytometry, and the magnitude of beating signals—and possess the shape and orientation of mature CMs in human myocardium—as revealed by fluorescence microscopy, Ca2+ flow direction, and mitochondrial distribution. The experiments, combined with a virtual cell model, show that the physico‐mechanical cues generated by these 3D‐patterned substrates improve the phenotype of the CMs via the reorganization of the cytoskeletal network and the regulation of chromatin conformation.
Progress and Perspective of Solid‐State Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Lei Danni , Shi Kai , Ye Heng , Wan Zipei , Wang Yanyan , Shen Lu , Li Baohua , Yang Quan‐Hong , Kang Feiyu , He Yan‐Bing
Published: March 2018

Due to high energy density, low cost, and nontoxicity, lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries are considered as the most promising candidate to satisfy the requirement from the accelerated development of electric vehicles. However, Li–S batteries are subjected to lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) shuttling due to their high dissolution in liquid electrolyte, resulting in low columbic efficiency and poor cycling performance. Moreover, the Li metal as an indispensable anode of Li–S batteries shows serious safety issues derived from the lithium dendrite formation. The replacement of liquid electrolytes with solid‐state electrolytes (SSEs) has been recognized as a fundamental approach to effectively address above problems. In this review, the progress on applying various classes of SSEs including gel, solid‐state polymer, ceramic, and composite electrolytes to solve the issues of Li–S batteries is summarized. The specific capacity of Li–S batteries is effectively improved due to the suppression of LiPSs shuttling by SSEs, while the rate and cycling performance remain relatively poor owing to the limited ionic conductivity and high interfacial resistance. Designing smart electrode/electrolyte integrated architectures, enabling the high ionic transportation pathway and compatible electrode/electrolyte interface, may be an effective way to achieve high performance solid‐state Li–S batteries.
In Situ Passivation for Efficient PbS Quantum Dot Solar Cells by Precursor Engineering
Authors: Wang Yongjie , Lu Kunyuan , Han Lu , Liu Zeke , Shi Guozheng , Fang Honghua , Chen Si , Wu Tian , Yang Fan , Gu Mengfan , Zhou Sijie , Ling Xufeng , Tang Xun , Zheng Jiawei , Loi Maria Antonietta , Ma Wanli
Published: March 2018

Current efforts on lead sulfide quantum dot (PbS QD) solar cells are mostly paid to the device architecture engineering and postsynthetic surface modification, while very rare work regarding the optimization of PbS synthesis is reported. Here, PbS QDs are successfully synthesized using PbO and PbAc2 · 3H2O as the lead sources. QD solar cells based on PbAc‐PbS have demonstrated a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.82% (and independently certificated values of 10.62%), which is significantly higher than the PCE of 9.39% for PbO‐PbS QD based ones. For the first time, systematic investigations are carried out on the effect of lead precursor engineering on the device performance. It is revealed that acetate can act as an efficient capping ligands together with oleic acid, providing better surface coverage and replace some of the harmful hydroxyl (OH) ligands during the synthesis. Then the acetate on the surface can be exchanged by iodide and lead to desired passivation. This work demonstrates that the precursor engineering has great potential in performance improvement. It is also pointed out that the initial synthesis is an often neglected but critical stage and has abundant room for optimization to further improve the quality of the resultant QDs, leading to breakthrough efficiency.