bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BE COOL! a digital learning environment to challenge and socially include gifted learners
Authors: Eysink Tessa H. S. , van Dijk Alieke M. , de Jong Ton
Published: February 2020

This paper describes the development of the BE COOL! learning environment that gives all children, gifted and non-gifted, the opportunity to learn at a level matching their specific needs and abilities within the social context of regular education. BE COOL! uses the ability-adjusted jigsaw method, in which children of varying ability levels work together on a design for which they acquire knowledge by working on tailored assignments in groups with children with the same ability level. This differentiation method unites elements of learning by design, learning together, and learning by inquiry. In this article, we first present the conceptual foundations underlying BE COOL! Next, we describe the learning environment and its components as incorporated in a seven-week science lesson series in which fourth to sixth graders must design a liveable house on the moon for a family of four. Then, we describe our design process, in which research and development alternated and we end with a brief presentation of the learning environment’s added value for educational practice.
State of the Evidence Traffic Lights 2019: Systematic Review of Interventions for Preventing and Treating Children with Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Novak Iona , Morgan Catherine , Fahey Michael , Finch-Edmondson Megan , Galea Claire , Hines Ashleigh , Langdon Katherine , Namara Maria Mc , Paton Madison CB , Popat Himanshu , Shore Benjamin , Khamis Amanda , Stanton Emma , Finemore Olivia P , Tricks Alice , te Velde Anna , Dark Leigha , Morton Natalie , Badawi Nadia
Published: February 2020

Purpose of Review

Cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability of childhood, but the rate is falling, and severity is lessening. We conducted a systematic overview of best available evidence (2012–2019), appraising evidence using GRADE and the Evidence Alert Traffic Light System and then aggregated the new findings with our previous 2013 findings. This article summarizes the best available evidence interventions for preventing and managing cerebral palsy in 2019.

Recent Findings

Effective prevention strategies include antenatal corticosteroids, magnesium sulfate, caffeine, and neonatal hypothermia. Effective allied health interventions include acceptance and commitment therapy, action observations, bimanual training, casting, constraint-induced movement therapy, environmental enrichment, fitness training, goal-directed training, hippotherapy, home programs, literacy interventions, mobility training, oral sensorimotor, oral sensorimotor plus electrical stimulation, pressure care, stepping stones triple P, strength training, task-specific training, treadmill training, partial body weight support treadmill training, and weight-bearing. Effective medical and surgical interventions include anti-convulsants, bisphosphonates, botulinum toxin, botulinum toxin plus occupational therapy, botulinum toxin plus casting, diazepam, dentistry, hip surveillance, intrathecal baclofen, scoliosis correction, selective dorsal rhizotomy, and umbilical cord blood cell therapy.

We have provided guidance about what works and what does not to inform decision-making, and highlighted areas for more research.
Overexpression miR-486-3p Promoted by Allicin Enhances Temozolomide Sensitivity in Glioblastoma Via Targeting MGMT
Authors: Wu Henggang , Li Xu , Zhang Tiehui , Zhang Guojun , Chen Jingnan , Chen Li , He Min , Hao Bilie , Wang Cheng
Published: February 2020

Glioblastoma is the most common primary tumor of the central nervous system that develops chemotherapy resistance. Previous studies showed that Allicin could inhibit multiple cancer cells including glioblastoma, but the function of Allicin in glioblastoma is still unclear. Our work aimed to investigate the underlying molecular mechanism. The results showed that miR-486-3p levels were greatly increased in glioblastoma during Allicin treatment. Overexpression of miR-486-3p increased chemosensitivity to temozolomide (TMZ) in vitro and in vivo. O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) was identified as a direct target of miR-486-3p, and miR-486-3p overexpression prevented the protein translation of MGMT. Moreover, overexpression of MGMT restored miR-486-3p-induced chemosensitivity to TMZ. Taken together, our studies revealed that Allicin could upregulate miR-486-3p and enhance TMZ sensitivity in glioblastoma. The results suggested that in the future, Allicin can be used as an adjuvant therapy with TMZ to improve the prognosis of patients, and miR-486-3p may be a potential target for glioblastoma treatment to improve the curative effects.
Marking behaviour and census of Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) in riverine habitats: what can scat abundances and non-invasive genetic sampling tell us about otter numbers?
Authors: Sittenthaler Marcia , Schöll Eva Maria , Leeb Christoph , Haring Elisabeth , Parz-Gollner Rosemarie , Hackländer Klaus
Published: February 2020

Growing human-wildlife conflicts and legal conservation obligations increased the need for precise information on Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) population parameters for species status assessment and wildlife management measures. Scat surveys have become the method of choice to monitor species distribution range, abundance and habitat use. Although methodological concerns exist, scat abundance is often used as main indicator for otter population estimates and trends. To evaluate whether scat counts serve as good proxy for otter densities in linear stream habitats, we modelled the relationship between old/fresh scat abundance and otter numbers on two spatial scales, including also seasonal effects. Actual otter densities and marking behaviour were ascertained by genotyping of otter faeces collected at 218 marking sites along 132.6 km of four salmonid streams. Otter densities in our study areas ranged from 0.16 to 0.28 otters per stream kilometre. The age of scats and the level of spatial scale were determining factors when evaluating the suitability of scat abundance as index for otter densities. Covering large parts of an otter’s territory, fresh scat abundance increased with otter density, irrespectively of season. On the spatial scale of single marking sites, the relationship was not well supported, and no relationship could be found when using old scats in the models. Otter marking behaviour and differences in marking site use intensity, as well as seasonal differences in traceability and accumulation of old scats were discussed to bias the relationship between scat abundance and otter numbers.
Investment Barriers and Labeling Schemes for Socially Responsible Investments
Authors: Gutsche Gunnar , Zwergel Bernhard
Published: February 2020

Given the increasing role of socially responsible investing (SRI), but still limited participation of individual (i.e. small, retail) investors, the objective of this study is twofold: (i) We aim to identify investment barriers regarding SRI for individual investors and analyze to what extent these barriers vary across different investor groups. (ii) We analyze to what extent sustainability or transparency labels can help to overcome these barriers. To this end, we empirically analyze data from a survey and a stated choice experiment for a broad sample of financial decision makers in German households. The results suggest that a considerable amount of respondents can imagine to invest in a socially responsible manner, which is promising for policymakers and practitioners who aim to foster sustainable development and SRI. However, too high information costs are a severe barrier for potential future investors and a considerable share of respondents distrusts providers of socially responsible investment products. Banks, who could help to solve this problem, appear not to fulfill their role as intermediaries. But we find that labels might serve as a complement to banks. Especially sustainability certificates that confirm the consideration of sustainability criteria could decrease information costs and overcome at least some barriers for some investor groups, particularly for new investors. However, the results also suggest that a certain degree of basic knowledge and trust in providers of socially responsible investment products is required before labels work efficiently.
Serum vitamin D levels are associated with structural and functional properties of the carotid artery in older men and women
Authors: Oudshoorn Christian , Mezzadri Martina , Colin Edgar M. , van Dijk Suzanne C. , Ruitenbeek Astrid G. , van den Meiracker Anton H. , van der Cammen Tischa J. M. , Mattace-Raso Francesco U. S.
Published: February 2020

Background and aims

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and carotid and brachial artery distensibility in patients older than 55 years, referred to the outpatient clinic of the department of internal medicine and geriatric medicine of the Erasmus Medical Center, in Rotterdam.

Methods and results

From April to July 2006 we consecutively enrolled 49 elder patients (21 men and 28 women, mean age 78 ± 8 years) without a cardiovascular event within 6 weeks before the visit. Carotid and brachial artery distensibility coefficients and serum 25(OH)D levels (mean 50 ± 28.8 nmol/L) were assessed. Multivariate analysis (with linear regression model) was performed to investigate the relation between these parameters: carotid artery distensibility coefficient was associated with serum 25(OH)D levels (β = 0.112; 95% CI 0.053 0.172; p = 0.001). Moreover, a negative association was also observed between carotid artery distensibility coefficient and mean arterial pressure (β = −0.279; 95% CI, −0.339 −0.159; p = 0.0001). On the contrary, brachial artery distensibility has shown no association with 25(OH)D levels, being negatively linked to LDL-cholesterol levels and heart rate. An association was also observed between serum 25(OH)D level and carotid artery intima–media thickness.

Conclusion

Our results revealed that serum 25(OH)D levels of older men and women were associated with both structural and functional properties of the carotid artery. No association was found with the brachial artery distensibility.
Personality Openness Predicts Driver Trust in Automated Driving
Authors: Li Wenmin , Yao Nailang , Shi Yanwei , Nie Weiran , Zhang Yuhai , Li Xiangrong , Liang Jiawen , Chen Fang , Gao Zaifeng
Published: February 2020

Maintaining an appropriate level of trust in automated driving (AD) is critical to safe driving. However, few studies have explored factors affecting trust in AD in general, and no study, as far as is known, has directly investigated whether driver personality influences driver trust in an AD system. The current study investigates the relation between driver personality and driver trust in AD, focusing on Level 2 AD. Participants were required to perform a period of AD in a driving simulator, during which their gaze and driving behavior were recorded, as well as their subjective trust scores after driving. In three distinct measures, a significant correlation between Openness and driver trust in the AD system is found: participants with higher Openness traits tend to have less trust in the AD system. No significant correlations between driver trust in AD and other personality traits are found. The findings suggest that driver personality has an impact on driver trust in AD. Theoretical and practical implications of this finding are discussed.
Influence of organic inputs with mineral fertilizer on maize yield and soil microbial biomass dynamics in different seasons in a tropical acrisol
Authors: Omari Richard Ansong , Addo Elsie Sarkodee , Matey David Martei , Fujii Yoshiharu , Okazaki Shin , Oikawa Yosei , Bellingrath-Kimura Sonoko Dorothea
Published: February 2020

Introduction

The practice of co-applying chemical fertilizers (CF) with organic inputs (OIs) as a soil amendment is still low in Ghana, although it has the potential to improve crop yield and soil productivity.

Objectives

In a two-year study, we evaluated the effects of co-applying contrasting OIs with and without CF on maize yield and soil chemical and microbial composition.

Methods

Aboveground biomasses of Centrosema pubescens (CEN), Pueraria phaseoloides (PUE), and Zea mays (MZE) were amended to an acrisol at 4 t ha−1 season−1. The combined treatments (CEN+, PUE+, and MZE+) were fertilized with basal NPK 15:15:15 at 40 kg N ha−1, followed by topdressing with [(NH4)2SO4] at 50 kg N ha−1. Sole OI inputs (CEN, PUE, and MZE) did not receive any CF inputs. The controls (CON− and CON+) received 0 and 90 kg N ha−1 season−1.

Results

The results showed that either sole OIs except for MZE or its combination with CF improved grain yield compared to the CON. Grain yield ranged from 2.1 t ha−1 to 2.6 t ha−1 in the first season versus 0.8 t ha−1 to 1.7 t ha−1 in the second. The MZE+ and CEN+ treatments showed the highest mean grain yields and were similar to CON+. Although CF addition to OIs improved grain yield in all treatments, negative interaction was observed for CEN and PUE as opposed to a positive interaction in the MZE treatment. Co-application of CF with OIs on dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen (DOC) and (EON) dynamics depended on seasonal soil moisture and sampling time. Moreover, co-application of CF with OIs enhanced microbial biomass in CEN but showed minimal and suppressive effects on MZE and PUE amendments, respectively.

Conclusion

Overall, the increased grain yield in MZE+, CEN+ and CON+ was attributable primarily to the CF addition. Thus, long term evaluations are recommended for sustainable utilization of MZE and CEN given their minimal responses in the short term in the presence of CFs.
Ecological Teaching Evaluation vs the Datafication of Quality: Understanding Education with, and Around, Data
Authors: Fawns Tim , Aitken Gillian , Jones Derek
Published: February 2020

Current evaluation of higher education programmes is driven primarily by economic concerns, with a resulting imbalance towards the summative assessment of teaching and away from faculty development. These agendas are advanced through datafication, in which the transformation of social and material activity into digital data is producing a narrow, instrumental view of education. Taking a postdigital perspective on contemporary practices of evaluation outlined in higher education literature, we argue for an ecological view, in which evaluation must take account of those aspects of teaching, learning, and educational context, missing from digital data. We position quality as distributed across teacher, student, institution and context, arguing for the cross-fertilization of diverse kinds of data and non-datafied understandings, along with greater involvement of teachers and students in ways that enhance their agency, and develop their evaluative judgement of the quality of educational practices. We conclude that datafied practices can complement expert judgement when situated within a trusting, formative environment, and informed by an understanding of both pedagogy and technology, and clarity of educational purpose.
Hoàng Tuy (7 December 1927–14 July 2019)—in Appreciation
Authors: Migdalas Athanasios , Värbrand Peter
Published: February 2020

This article is intended to honor the late Professor Hoàng Tuy, a highly respected researcher and author in the field of Global Optimization. It summarizes our interaction with him and some of his many contributions to the field of optimization as well as his difficult road to success and international recognition.
Predictors of Sexual Desire and Sexual Function in Sedentary Middle-Aged Adults: The Role of Lean Mass Index and S-Klotho Plasma Levels. The FIT-AGEING Study
Authors: Dote-Montero Manuel , De-la-O Alejandro , Castillo Manuel J. , Amaro-Gahete Francisco J.
Published: February 2020

Background

Unhealthy lifestyle and aging negatively impact sexuality; consequently, the prevalence of sexual problems increases sharply in middle-aged adults, but the determinants of low sexual desire and sexual dysfunction are not fully elucidated.

Aims

To investigate the association of cardiometabolic profile, free testosterone plasma levels, body composition, physical fitness, and S-Klotho plasma levels with sexual desire and sexual function in middle-aged sedentary adults.

Methods

Seventy-four (39 women) sedentary middle-aged adults (45–65 years old) were recruited for the present cross-sectional study.

Outcomes

The blood samples were collected in the morning (12 h of fasting) to determine cardiometabolic biomarkers and free testosterone and S-Klotho plasma levels. The cardiometabolic risk score was calculated based on the International Diabetes Federation's clinical criteria, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index. A dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanner was used to determine the lean mass index (LMI) and the fat mass index. Maximal oxygen uptake was determined by a maximum treadmill test using indirect calorimetry. Muscular strength was measured with knee extensor isokinetic dynamometry (60° s−1). Sexual desire was assessed with the Sexual Desire Inventory 2. Sexual function was assessed with the Massachusetts General Hospital-Sexual Functioning Questionnaire.

Results

After age adjustment, free testosterone plasma levels were associated with solitary sexual desire in women (R2 = 0.193, β = 0.342, P = .044). The LMI was associated with solitary sexual desire in men (R2 = 0.258, β = 0.445, P = .024) and sexual function in women (R2 = 0.470, β = −0.607, P < .001). S-Klotho plasma levels were associated with solitary sexual desire and sexual function in men (R2 = 0.412, β = 0.817, P = .001; R2 = 0.193, β = −0.659, P = .021, respectively) and with dyadic sexual desire and sexual function in women (R2 = 0.270, β = 0.508, P = .020; R2 = 0.467, β = −0.676, P < .001, respectively).

Clinical Implications

S-Klotho plasma levels may represent a potential new biomarker for sexual desire and sexual function. Lean body mass development may benefit sexual desire and sexual function.

Strengths and Limitations

Strengths include the analysis of novel and diverse biomarkers of health for sexual desire and sexual function. Limitations include the cross-sectional design and a relatively small sample size; thus, results should be interpreted cautiously and in the study population context.

Conclusion

S-Klotho plasma levels were strongly associated with dyadic sexual desire, solitary sexual desire, and sexual function in sedentary middle-aged adults. The LMI was also positively associated with solitary sexual desire and sexual function in men and women, respectively.
Modelling Hydrogen Induced Stress Corrosion Cracking in Austenitic Stainless Steel
Authors: Ogosi E. I. , Asim U. B. , Siddiq M. A. , Kartal M. E.
Published: February 2020

A model has been developed which simulates the deformation of single crystal austenitic stainless steels and captures the effects of hydrogen on stress corrosion cracking. The model is based on the crystal plasticity theory which relates critical resolved shear stress to plastic strain and the strength of the crystal. We propose an analytical representation of hydrogen interactions with the material microstructure during deformation and simulate the effects hydrogen will have on void growth prior to fracture. Changes in the mechanical properties of the crystal prior to fracture are governed by the interaction of hydrogen atoms and ensembles of dislocations as the crystal plastically deforms and is based on the hydrogen enhanced localised plasticity (HELP) mechanism. The effects of hydrogen on void growth are considered by analysing the effect of hydrogen on the mechanical property of material bounding an embedded void. The model presented has been implemented numerically using the User Material (UMAT) subroutine in the finite element software (ABAQUS) and has been validated by comparing simulated results with experimental data. Influencing parameters have been varied to understand their effect and test sensitivities.
TWO ACROSTICS IN HORACE'SSATIRES(1.9.24–8, 2.1.7–10)
Authors: Kearey Talitha
Published: February 2020

Hunters of acrostics have had little luck with Horace. Despite his manifest love of complex wordplay, virtuoso metrical tricks and even alphabet games, acrostics seem largely absent from Horace's poetry. The few that have been sniffed out in recent years are, with one notable exception, either fractured and incomplete—the postulatedPINN-inCarm.4.2.1–4 (pinnis?Pindarus?)—or disappointingly low-stakes; suggestions of acrostics are largely confined to theOdesalone. Besides diverging from the long-standing Roman obsession with literary acrostics, Horace's apparent lack of interest is especially surprising given that Virgil, his contemporary, friend and ‘poetic pace-maker’, was at the time conducting what seems to be a systematic adaptation of Hellenistic acrostic-poetics into Latin poetry.
LITERARY EVIDENCE FOR THE PRESENCE OF PLAY IN ANCIENT SCHOOLS
Authors: Laes Christian
Published: February 2020

This paper deals with an apparently straightforward question: the degree to which ancient educators thought it necessary to introduce a playful element into the programmes of schools, and the way in which such ideas were put into practice.
THEBELLVM CIVILE POMPEIANVM: THE WAR OF WORDS
Authors: López Barja de Quiroga Pedro
Published: February 2020

The irrelevance of ideology is perhaps one of the most strongly held views shared by the historians of the Late Republic. As indicated by Matthias Gelzer in 1912, in those final years of the Roman Republic, ‘political struggles were fought out by thenobilesat the head of their dependents’. In his opinion, this was nothing more than a power struggle, in which slogans or ideas were merely propaganda, without any real value. In 1931, analysing the political proposals of Cicero, Gelzer's disciple Hermann Strasburger rejected the existence of political parties, as, in his opinion, terms such asoptimatesorpopulareswere merely propagandistic mottos and pure wordplay. As a result, it became widely believed that the civil war between Caesar and Pompey was nothing more than a struggle betweendignitates, that is, a confrontation for leadership between ambitious politicians who were not prepared to compromise. More recently, in 1994, Luigi Loreto considered the conflict between Caesar and Pompey to be aimed at seizing power, unlike ‘ideological’ wars, where the aim was to maintain or instate a specific type of social or political order.
Pliocene and Late Pleistocene actinopterygian fishes from Santa Maria Island, Azores (NE Atlantic Ocean): palaeoecological and palaeobiogeographical implications
Authors: Ávila Sérgio P. , Azevedo José M.N. , Madeira Patrícia , Cordeiro Ricardo , Melo Carlos S. , Baptista Lara , Torres Paulo , Johnson Markes E. , Vullo Romain
Published: February 2020

Fossil fishes are among the rarest in volcanic oceanic islands, their presence providing invaluable data for the understanding of more general (palaeo)biogeographical patterns and processes. Santa Maria Island (Azores Archipelago) is renowned for its palaeontological heritage, with representatives of several phyla, including the Chordata. We report on the fossil fishes, resulting in an increase in the number of Pliocene fishes from the Azores to 11 taxa: seven Chondrichthyes and at least four Actinopterygii. The genusSparisomais reported for the first time in the fossil record. The presence of fossil remains of the parrotfishSparisoma cretensein Last Interglacial outcrops is significant, because it posits a setback for the theory that most of the present-day Azorean marine species colonized the area after the last glacial episode. Our multidisciplinary approach combines palaeontological data with ecological and published genetic data, offering an alternative interpretation. We suggest that most of the Azorean shallow-water subtropical and temperate marine species living in the archipelago during the Last Interglacial were not affected by the decrease in sea surface temperatures during the last glacial episode. We also predict low genetic diversity for fish species presently living in the Azores and ecologically associated with fine sediments, as a result of the remobilization and sediment transport to abyssal depths, during the Last Glacial episode; these are viewed as post-glacial colonizers or as ‘bottleneck’ survivors from the Last Glaciation.
Gone fishing: Adélie penguin site-specific foraging tactics and breeding performance
Authors: Olmastroni Silvia , Fattorini Niccolò , Pezzo Francesco , Focardi Silvano
Published: February 2020

The ecological drivers underlying breeding performance are expected to differ across the geographical range of seabird species, but few studies have compared trade-offs between colonies with different local conditions. During chick-rearing (2000–01), we compared the foraging trips, diet and breeding parameters of two Adélie penguin colonies in the Ross Sea, at Edmonson Point (EdPo; ~2000 breeding pairs) and Inexpressible Island (InIs; ~24 000 breeding pairs). Penguins from InIs travelled farther and performed longer feeding trips. The quantity of food brought to the nest was the same for the two colonies, but penguins from InIs brought more fish and less krill. Eggs hatched earlier at EdPo. Breeding success did not differ, but chick weight during hatching–fledging was greater at InIs. Despite worse weather conditions at InIs, the larger proportion of high-energy food brought by penguins from InIs (i.e. fish) may explain their offspring‘s better performance. In addition, the persistence of fast ice at EdPo may have led to greater energy expenditure of breeding individuals, possibly reducing chick growth. The greater intraspecific competition expected at InIs may have been reduced by longer foraging trips and/or counteracted by the more nutritious diet. Our findings reveal complex trade-offs between foraging effort and environmental constraints in determining the breeding performance of Adélie penguins.
Comparative efficacy of blanket versus selective dry-cow therapy: a systematic review and pairwise meta-analysis
Authors: Winder C. B. , Sargeant J. M. , Kelton D. F. , Leblanc S. J. , Duffield T. F. , Glanville J. , Wood H. , Churchill K. J. , Dunn J. , Bergevin M. d. , Dawkins K. , Meadows S. , O'Connor A. M.
Published: February 2020

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to determine the efficacy of selective dry-cow antimicrobial therapy compared to blanket therapy (all quarters/all cows). Controlled trials were eligible if any of the following were assessed: incidence of clinical mastitis during the first 30 DIM, frequency of intramammary infection (IMI) at calving, or frequency of IMI during the first 30 DIM. From 3480 identified records, nine trials were data extracted for IMI at calving. There was an insufficient number of trials to conduct meta-analysis for the other outcomes. Risk of IMI at calving in selectively treated cows was higher than blanket therapy (RR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.13, 1.16), but substantial heterogeneity was present (I2= 58%). Subgroup analysis showed that, for trials using internal teat sealants, there was no difference in IMI risk at calving between groups, and no heterogeneity was present. For trials not using internal teat sealants, there was an increased risk in cows assigned to a selective dry-cow therapy protocol, compared to blanket treatment, with substantial heterogeneity in this subgroup. However, the small number of trials and heterogeneity in the subgroup without internal teat sealants suggests that the relative risk between treatments may differ from the determined point estimates based on other unmeasured factors.
Diagnosing Transient Response to CO2 Forcing in Coupled Atmosphere‐Ocean Model Experiments Using a Climate Model Emulator
Authors: Tsutsui Junichi
Published: February 2020

A climate model emulator that mimics an ensemble of state‐of‐the‐art coupled climate models has been used for probabilistic climate projections. To emulate and compare the latest and previous multimodel ensembles, this study establishes a new method to diagnose a set of parameters of effective radiative forcing, feedback, and impulse response functions by fitting a minimal emulator to time series of individual models in response to step‐ and ramp‐shaped CO2 forcing up to a quadrupling concentration level. The diagnosed CO2 forcing is scaled down to a doubling level, leading to an unbiased estimate of equilibrium climate sensitivity. The average climate sensitivity of the latest ensemble is 18% and 13% greater than that of the previous ensemble for equilibrium and transient states. Although these increases are subject to data availability, the latter smaller rate is significant and is consistent with the relationship between feedback strength and response timescales.
Multievent Analysis of Oscillatory Motion of Medium‐Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed by a 630‐nm Airglow Imager Over Tromsø
Authors: Yadav Sneha , Shiokawa K. , Oyama S. , Otsuka Y.
Published: February 2020

We present a comprehensive investigation on the propagation characteristics of duskside medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) using 630.0‐nm airglow emissions over Tromsø (69.6°N, 19.2°E; magnetic latitude: 66.7°N). The unique points of our observation are (1) duskside MSTIDs primarily exhibited eastward motion under quiet conditions but turned to the westward direction associated with geomagnetic disturbances, (2) the westward moving MSTIDs again turned to the eastward direction when the geomagnetic disturbance ceased, (3) the turning of MSTIDs to the westward direction was invariably associated with an increase of the northward component of the magnetic field observed by the local ground‐based magnetometers and with the equatorward expansion of the auroral oval, and (4) the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network convection maps revealed that the location of Tromsø was inside (outside) the duskside convection cell during the time of appearance of westward (eastward) moving MSTIDs. The average eastward and westward velocities of MSTIDs were ~25–80 and ~40–140 m/s, respectively. The Doppler shift measurement of the 630‐nm airglow by a Fabry‐Perot interferometer at Tromsø showed that northeastward winds were predominant during the appearance of eastward moving MSTIDs. These experimental evidences suggest that the oscillatory motion of MSTIDs over high latitudes is driven by the convection electric field. The MSTIDs tend to move eastward under geomagnetically quiet conditions but show westward motion under the influence of convection electric field associated with auroral activities in the duskside of two‐cell convection pattern.
Normalized Radiated Seismic Energy From Laboratory Fracture Experiments on Opalinus Clayshale and Barre Granite
Authors: Li Bing Q. , Einstein Herbert H.
Published: February 2020

We evaluate the radiated seismic energy normalized by external work for hydraulic fracturing, beam bending, and uniaxial compression experiments conducted on Opalinus clayshale and Barre granite specimens. Results suggest that normalized radiated seismic energy is highest for the beam bending, followed by uniaxial compression, and, finally, that the hydraulic fracturing experiments radiate the least seismic energy when normalized by external work. We also find that the normalized radiated energy during tests on Opalinus clayshale is 3% to 22% of that in Barre granite across multiple loading mechanisms.
Full‐Field Modeling of Heat Transfer in Asteroid Regolith: 1. Radiative Thermal Conductivity of Polydisperse Particulates
Authors: Ryan Andrew J. , Pino Muñoz Daniel , Bernacki Marc , Delbo Marco
Published: February 2020

Characterizing the surface material of an asteroid is important for understanding its geology and for informing mission decisions, such as the selection of a sample site. Diurnal surface temperature amplitudes are directly related to the thermal properties of the materials on the surface. We describe a numerical model for studying the thermal conductivity of particulate regolith in vacuum. Heat diffusion and surface‐to‐surface radiation calculations are performed using the finite element (FE) method in three‐dimensional meshed geometries of randomly packed spherical particles. We validate the model for test cases where the total solid and radiative conductivity values of particulates with monodisperse particle size frequency distributions (SFDs) are determined at steady‐state thermal conditions. Then, we use the model to study the bulk radiative thermal conductivity of particulates with polydisperse, cumulative power law particle SFDs. We show that for each polydisperse particulate geometry tested, there is a corresponding monodisperse geometry with some effective particle diameter that has an identical radiative thermal conductivity. These effective diameters are found to correspond very well to the Sauter mean particle diameter, which is essentially the surface area‐weighted mean. Next, we show that the thermal conductivity of the particle material can have an important effect on the radiative component of the thermal conductivity of particulates, especially if the particle material conductivity is very low or the spheres are relatively large, owing to non‐isothermality in each particle. We provide an empirical correlation to predict the effects of non‐isothermality on radiative thermal conductivity in both monodisperse and polydisperse particulates.
Estimating the Magnitude of Cyclic Slip on Strike‐Slip faults on Europa
Authors: Hammond N. P.
Published: February 2020

Strike‐slip faults on Europa may slide back and forth in response to diurnal tidal stresses, which could generate significant frictional heating near the surface. Previous shear heating models assumed fault sliding rates a priori, without showing how the sliding rate is connected to the resolved stresses acting on the fault. Here, I calculate the cyclic displacement along tidally driven faults. I use a Mohr‐Coulomb failure criterion to determine the frictional failure depth, which varies throughout the tidal cycle. The displacement on the fault is calculated assuming an elastic broken plate model. The magnitude of cyclic displacements along a fault depends upon the coefficient of friction and the shear modulus of the ice shell. If Europa's ice shell is weak, diurnal tidal stress can cause faults on Europa to slide back and forth by ~0.1 to 2 m each cycle. Such large amounts of cyclic slip may be enough to frictionally heat the ice and potentially produce near‐surface melting. If Europa's ice shell has the strength of intact ice, faults become less responsive to cyclic tidal stresses and would only slide 0.01 to 0.2 m per cycle.
Field Testing the Fidelity of δ18O and δ13C in Reconstructing Upper Ocean Hydrography
Authors: Mekik Figen , Winkelstern Ian
Published: February 2020

Stable isotope data from tests of four planktonic foraminifer species in core tops on the Rio Grande Rise (RIO) fail a field test of reproducibility until corrections are made for various environmental effects. The regionally uniform and strongly stratified surface ocean hydrography across RIO allows the identification of causes of variability in δ18O and δ13C data in addition to the effects of surface ocean temperature and nutrient content. A previously calibrated calcite dissolution proxy indicates that the dissolution of foraminifer shells in sediments has no effect on δ18O and δ13C in tests of foraminifers from core tops on RIO. Furthermore, vital effects within and among foraminifer species are not sufficient to explain the large variability of δ18O and δ13C data observed on RIO. Instead, correctly estimating species‐specific habitat depth ranges and adjusting δ13C values for ocean/atmosphere carbon exchange are necessary to accurately reconstruct the hydrography of surface waters on RIO.
Multifunctional load-bearing hybrid hydrogel with combined drug release and photothermal conversion functions
Authors: Jiang Yulin , Yang Yutao , Zheng Xiaoyang , Yi Yong , Chen Xianchun , Li Yubao , Sun Dan , Zhang Li
Published: February 2020

The inability of damaged load-bearing cartilage to regenerate and self-repair remains a long-standing challenge in clinical settings. In the past, the use of PVA hydrogels as cartilage replacements has been explored; however, both pristine and annealed PVA are not ideal for load-bearing cartilage applications, and new materials with improved properties are highly desirable. In this work, we developed a novel hybrid hydrogel system consisting of glycerol-modified PVA hydrogel reinforced by a 3D printed PCL-graphene composite scaffold. The composition of the hydrogel within the hybrid material was optimized to achieve high water retention and enhanced stiffness. The hybrid hydrogel formed by reinforcement with a 3D printed PCL-graphene scaffold with optimized architecture demonstrated desirable mechanical properties (stiffness, toughness, and tribological properties) matching those of natural load-bearing cartilage. Our novel hydrogel system has also been designed to provide drug release and on-demand photothermal conversion functions and at the same time offers excellent biocompatibility with low cell adhesion. These promising properties may allow our unique hybrid hydrogel system to be used for potential applications, such as load-bearing cartilage repair/replacement, as well as targeting certain challenging clinical conditions, such as the treatment of severe arthritis.
Author Correction: Deubiquitinase Usp12 functions noncatalytically to induce autophagy and confer neuroprotection in models of Huntington’s disease
Authors: Aron Rebecca , Pellegrini Pasquale , Green Edward W. , Maddison Daniel C. , Opoku-Nsiah Kwadwo , Osório Oliveira Ana , Wong Jinny S. , Daub Aaron C. , Giorgini Flaviano , Muchowski Paul , Finkbeiner Steven
Published: February 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
A prenucleation strategy for ambient fabrication of perovskite solar cells with high device performance uniformity
Authors: Zhang Kai , Wang Zheng , Wang Gaopeng , Wang Jian , Li Yu , Qian Wei , Zheng Shizhao , Xiao Shuang , Yang Shihe
Published: February 2020

Humidity is known to be inimical to the halide perovskites and thus typically avoided during fabrication. The poor fundamental understanding of chemical interactions between water and the precursors hampers the further development of perovskite fabrication in ambient atmosphere. Here, we disclose a key finding that the ambient water could promote the formation of lead complexes, which when uncontrolled would make their way into large intermediate fibrillar crystallites and thus discontinuous perovskite films unfavorable for photovoltaics among others. To counter this effect, a prenucleation strategy is proposed, which embodies the controlled burst of profuse intermediate nuclei. Consequently, we are able to obtain a compact and uniform perovskite layer, which affords high efficiency perovskite solar cells. More excitingly, the solar cells show high performance uniformity, demonstrating the distinctive advantages of our prenucleation strategy. This work sheds light on developing reliable and cost-effective fabrication methods for industrial production of perovskite solar cells.
X-ray structure of LeuT in an inward-facing occluded conformation reveals mechanism of substrate release
Authors: Gotfryd Kamil , Boesen Thomas , Mortensen Jonas S. , Khelashvili George , Quick Matthias , Terry Daniel S. , Missel Julie W. , LeVine Michael V. , Gourdon Pontus , Blanchard Scott C. , Javitch Jonathan A. , Weinstein Harel , Loland Claus J. , Nissen Poul , Gether Ulrik
Published: February 2020

Neurotransmitter:sodium symporters (NSS) are conserved from bacteria to man and serve as targets for drugs, including antidepressants and psychostimulants. Here we report the X-ray structure of the prokaryotic NSS member, LeuT, in a Na+/substrate-bound, inward-facing occluded conformation. To obtain this structure, we were guided by findings from single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations indicating that L-Phe binding and mutation of the conserved N-terminal Trp8 to Ala both promote an inward-facing state. Compared to the outward-facing occluded conformation, our structure reveals a major tilting of the cytoplasmic end of transmembrane segment (TM) 5, which, together with release of the N-terminus but without coupled movement of TM1, opens a wide cavity towards the second Na+ binding site. The structure of this key intermediate in the LeuT transport cycle, in the context of other NSS structures, leads to the proposal of an intracellular release mechanism of substrate and ions in NSS proteins.
Van der Waals interfacial reconstruction in monolayer transition-metal dichalcogenides and gold heterojunctions
Authors: Luo Ruichun , Xu Wen Wu , Zhang Yongzheng , Wang Ziqian , Wang Xiaodong , Gao Yi , Liu Pan , Chen Mingwei
Published: February 2020

The structures and properties of van der Waals (vdW) heterojunctions between semiconducting two-dimensional transition-metal dichalcogenides (2D TMDs) and conductive metals, such as gold, significantly influence the performances of 2D-TMD based electronic devices. Chemical vapor deposition is one of the most promising approaches for large-scale synthesis and fabrication of 2D TMD electronics with naturally formed TMD/metal vdW interfaces. However, the structure and chemistry of the vdW interfaces are less known. Here we report the interfacial reconstruction between TMD monolayers and gold substrates. The participation of sulfur leads to the reconstruction of Au {001} surface with the formation of a metastable Au4S4 interfacial phase which is stabilized by the top MoS2 and WS2 monolayers. Moreover, the enhanced vdW interaction between the reconstructed Au4S4 interfacial phase and TMD monolayers results in the transition from n-type TMD-Au Schottky contact to p-type one with reduced energy barrier height.
Phase protection of Fano-Feshbach resonances
Authors: Blech Alexander , Shagam Yuval , Hölsch Nicolas , Paliwal Prerna , Skomorowski Wojciech , Rosenberg John W. , Bibelnik Natan , Heber Oded , Reich Daniel M. , Narevicius Edvardas , Koch Christiane P.
Published: February 2020

Decay of bound states due to coupling with free particle states is a general phenomenon occurring at energy scales from MeV in nuclear physics to peV in ultracold atomic gases. Such a coupling gives rise to Fano-Feshbach resonances (FFR) that have become key to understanding and controlling interactions—in ultracold atomic gases, but also between quasiparticles, such as microcavity polaritons. Their energy positions were shown to follow quantum chaotic statistics. In contrast, their lifetimes have so far escaped a similarly comprehensive understanding. Here, we show that bound states, despite being resonantly coupled to a scattering state, become protected from decay whenever the relative phase is a multiple of π. We observe this phenomenon by measuring lifetimes spanning four orders of magnitude for FFR of spin–orbit excited molecular ions with merged beam and electrostatic trap experiments. Our results provide a blueprint for identifying naturally long-lived states in a decaying quantum system.
Data from a terminated study on iron oxide nanoparticle magnetic resonance imaging for head and neck tumors
Authors: Elhalawani Hesham , Awan Musaddiq J. , Ding Yao , Mohamed Abdallah S. R. , Elsayes Ahmed K. , Abu-Gheida Ibrahim , Wang Jihong , Hazle John , Gunn G. Brandon , Lai Stephen Y. , Frank Steven J. , Ginsberg Lawrence E. , Rosenthal David I. , Fuller Clifton D.
Published: February 2020

Node positive head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) patients exhibit worse outcomes in terms of regional neck control, risk for distant metastases and overall survival. Smaller non-palpable lymph nodes may be inflammatory or may harbor clinically occult metastases, a characterization that can be challenging to make using routine imaging modalities. Ferumoxytol has been previously investigated as an intra-tumoral contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for intracranial malignancies and lymph node agent in prostate cancer. Hence, our group was motivated to carry out a prospective feasibility study to assess the feasibility of ferumoxytol dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE)-weighted MRI relative to that of gadolinium-based DCE-MRI for nodal and primary tumor imaging in patients with biopsy-proven node-positive HNSCC or melanoma. Although this institutional review board (IRB)-approved study was prematurely terminated because of an FDA black box warning, the investigators sought to curate and publish this unique dataset of matched clinical, and anatomical and DCE MRI data for the enrolled five patients to be available for scientists interested in molecular imaging.
All-hazards dataset mined from the US National Incident Management System 1999–2014
Authors: St. Denis Lise A. , Mietkiewicz Nathan P. , Short Karen C. , Buckland Mollie , Balch Jennifer K.
Published: February 2020

This paper describes a new dataset mined from the public archive (1999–2014) of the U.S. National Incident Management System/Incident Command System Incident Status Summary Form (a total of 124,411 reports for 25,083 incidents, including 24,608 wildfires). This system captures detailed information on incident management costs, personnel, hazard characteristics, values at risk, fatalities, and structural damage. Most (98.5%) of the reports are fire-related, followed in decreasing order by other, hurricane, hazardous materials, flood, tornado, search and rescue, civil unrest, and winter storms. The archive, although publicly available, has been difficult to use due to multiple record formats, inconsistent free-form fields, and no bridge between individual reports and high-level incident analysis. Here, we describe this improved dataset and the open, reproducible methods used, including merging records across three versions of the system, cleaning and aligning with the current system, smoothing values across reports, and supporting incident-level analysis. This integrated record offers the opportunity to explore the daily progression of the most costly, damaging, and deadly events in the U.S., particularly for wildfires.
Author Correction: Integrating standardized whole genome sequence analysis with a global Mycobacterium tuberculosis antibiotic resistance knowledgebase
Authors: Ezewudo Matthew , Borens Amanda , Chiner-Oms Álvaro , Miotto Paolo , Chindelevitch Leonid , Starks Angela M. , Hanna Debra , Liwski Richard , Zignol Matteo , Gilpin Christopher , Niemann Stefan , Kohl Thomas Andreas , Warren Robin M. , Crook Derrick , Gagneux Sebastien , Hoffner Sven , Rodrigues Camilla , Comas Iñaki , Engelthaler David M. , Alland David , Rigouts Leen , Lange Christoph , Dheda Keertan , Hasan Rumina , McNerney Ruth , Cirillo Daniela M. , Schito Marco , Rodwell Timothy C. , Posey James
Published: February 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.