bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carbohydrate Response of Bermudagrass, Dallisgrass, and Smutgrass to Atrazine, Bromacil and MSMA
Authors: Smith James E. , Cole A. W. , Watson V. H.
Published: May 2019

Analysis for total carbohydrate content was made on oven dried bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon(L.) Pers.] dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatumPoir.) and smutgrass [Sporobolus poiretii(R. & S.) Hitchc.] storage tissue collected at 2, 4, 6, or 36 weeks after fall treatment and at 2, 4, or 6 weeks after fall and spring treatment with three herbicides at varying rates. Those species that survived either fall or fall and spring herbicide application exhibited an initial reduction in carbohydrate content, but it returned to a level comparable to that in the untreated plants in most instances within 6 weeks after treatment. Atrazine [2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)-s-triazine] at 4.48 and 8.96 kg/ha and bromacil (5-bromo-3-sec-butyl-6-methyluracil) at 2.24 and 4.48 kg/ha resulted in carbohydrate reduction in bermudagrass and dallisgrass for no more than 6 weeks except where both fall and spring treatments were used. Smutgrass was controlled with these two herbicides within 2 weeks so that not enough live tissue was available for analysis. There was no carbohydrate reduction in bermudagrass with the 2.24, 4.48, or 8.96 kg/ha rates of MSMA (monosodium methanearsonate) beyond 2 weeks following treatment. The carbohydrate content of smutgrass was reduced up to 6 weeks after treatment with MSMA, and dallisgrass was controlled at all rates so that no carbohydrate analysis could be made.
Cocklebur Control in Soybeans as Affected by Cultivars, Seeding Rates, and Methods of Weed Control
Authors: Mcwhorter C. G. , Barrentine W. L.
Published: May 2019

Four field experiments were conducted to study the effects of row width, cultivation, soybean population, soybean cultivar, and herbicides on soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] yields and control of common cocklebur (Xanthium pensylvanicumWallr.). When the same herbicide practices were applied to all treatments, common cocklebur was controlled better in soybeans planted in 100-cm rows and grown with cultivation than in those planted in 18 or 33-cm rows and grown without cultivation. Increased soybean yields and better common cocklebur control were obtained when soybean populations were increased from 80,000 to 350,000 plants/ha. Common cocklebur reduced the yield of ‘Bragg’, one of the most competitive cultivars, 7% when grown in 100-cm rows with cultivation and 39% when grown in 33-cm rows without cultivation. The yields of six other cultivars were reduced about 20% in 100-cm rows and 32% to 52% in 33-cm rows. Cross cultivation controlled common cocklebur more effectively than did conventional cultivation in 100-cm rows, but cross cultivation was not advantageous when metribuzin [4-amino-6-tert-butyl-3-(methylthio)-as-triazine-5(4H)one] and bentazon [3-isopropyl-1H-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide] were applied.
Crop Protectants and Herbicides for Orchardgrass-Alfalfa Establishment
Authors: Croxford D. E. , Elkins D. M. , Kapusta G.
Published: May 2019

One greenhouse and two field experiments were conducted to determine if crop protectants used in conjunction with herbicides would permit weed-free establishment of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerataL. ‘Potomac’) with alfalfa (Medicago sativaL. ‘WL 307’). Herbicides used were EPTC (S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate) and butam [2,2-dimethyl-N-(1-methylethyl)-N-(phenylmethyl)propanamide] plus cyprazole {N-[5-(2-chloro-1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3,4 thiadiazol-2-yl] cyclopropanecarboxamide}. These experiments revealed that banded activated charcoal allowed limited orchardgrass establishment with a herbicide but did not result in consistently better orchardgrass stands than the untreated control. Orchardgrass was not protected from herbicide injury by 1,8-naphthalic anhydride (NA) or R-25788 (N,N-diallyl-2,2-dichloroacetamide). The butam plus cyprazole mixture consistently controlled grass and broadleaf weeds as effectively as EPTC.
Longevity of Barnyardgrass, Green Foxtail, and Yellow Foxtail Seeds in Soil
Authors: Dawson J. H. , Bruns V. F.
Published: May 2019

Seeds of barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv.], green foxtail [Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv.], and yellow foxtail [Setaria lutescens (Weigel) Hubb.] were buried 2.5, 10, and 20 cm deep in irrigated and nonirrigated sandy loam. Samples were exhumed periodically for 15 yr to determine viability. Viability declined with time. Three percent or less of the seeds of each species remained viable 13 yr after burial, and none were viable after 15 yr. Survival of seeds under apparently uniform conditions varied extremely. Thus, subtle differences in environmental conditions profoundly affect longevity of seeds.
TEORIA DELL'INTEGRAZIONE E TEORIA DELLE RELAZIONI INTERNAZIONALI
Authors: Gori Umberto
Published: May 2019

Introduzione

L'analisi dei processi di integrazione non ha ancora raggiunto presso gli studiosi di politica l'ampiezza e l'approfondimento che la loro crescente importanza nel sistema delle relazioni internazionali ormai merita. Il concetto stesso di integrazione è tutt'altro che pacifico in dottrina, e anzi spesso non figura neppure nelle maggiori opere enciclopediche, almeno nell'accezione che qui interessa. Anche nella stessa letteratura delle relazioni internazionali, in particolare quella di ispirazione classica, sono rari i casi di autori che trattino del concetto e del relativo fenomeno in modo esauriente. Piú nutrito è semmai il numero degli appartenenti alla scuola c.d. ≪ scientifica ≫ che hanno cercato di far progredire la conoscenza dei processi di integrazione. Ma anche da questo punto di vista — come vedremo — molto resta da fare.
CANALI DI COMUNICAZIONE POLITICA E ORIENTAMENTI DELL'ELETTORATO
Authors: Sani Giacomo
Published: May 2019

Introduzione

In un saggio apparso di recente su questa rivista ho tentato di valutare il successo ed i limiti della strategia adottata dal Partito Comunista italiano nei confronti dell'elettorato. Le conclusioni, suggerite dai risultati di due ricerche elettorali condotte nel 1968 e nel 1972, erano, in breve, queste: il seguito elettorale del PCI è, dal punto di vista della composizione sociale, notevolmente eterogeneo e si avvicina ad una configurazione di tipo ≪ pigliatutto ≫ simile a quella degli altri due partiti di massa, DC e PSI; tra i fattori determinanti del successo del PCI hanno preminenza l'insediamento organizzativo del partito e la tradizione politica della comunità, mentre l'influenza diretta del fattore status è ridotta; l'elettorato non comunista ha una immagine del PCI che è, nell'insieme, assai negativa; questa immagine negativa ha quattro componenti principali: l'anticlericalismo attribuito al partito, la percezione che esso rappresenta un pericolo per la democrazia, che esso non è sufficientemente un partito d'ordine e, infine, i legami col movimento politico internazionale e in particolare con l'Unione Sovietica.
Healthcare utilisation and cost expenditures for pneumonia in individuals with diabetes mellitus in the USA
Authors: Liu K. , Lee G. C.
Published: May 2019

Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of hospitalisations among adults in the USA. Individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) have been associated with increased risk for pneumonia and complications including death. The objectives of this study were to (1) compare the prevalence and healthcare utilisation patterns for pneumonia in individuals with and without DM, and (2) identify risk factors for pneumonia in those with DM. We performed a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of the US adult population using Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys (MEPS) data from 2014. Overall, the data represented 24 million individuals with DM and 218 million without DM in the USA. The population-based rate for a pneumonia event was 34 per 1000 persons for individuals with DM and 19 per 1000 persons without DM. Compared to the non-DM group, individuals with DM were treated 1.8x, 2.6x and 1.4x more in the ED, hospital and outpatient, respectively. Furthermore, the average cost per pneumonia event was significantly higher among individuals with DM compared to non-DM in the inpatient setting ($11 931 vs. $7751; P < 0.001). Among individuals with DM, female sex, DM complications, smokers and administration of pneumococcal vaccines were significant factors associated with a pneumonia event.
CHALCHIUHNENETZIN—BETWEEN MYTH AND HISTORY: SYMBOLIC ASPECTS OF THE AZTEC NOBLEWOMEN OF THIS NAME
Authors: Szoblik Katarzyna
Published: May 2019

The aim of this work is to approach the strategies of transmitting knowledge of the past among the Nahua of the early Colonial period. The alphabetical sources of that epoch present a specific mix of contemporary European historiography and pre-Hispanic Nahua cultural memory. This article focuses on the second aspect, namely cultural memory that was a constant dialogue between the historical facts and the mythical structures into which these facts were “accommodated” to become culturally meaningful. The article analyzes narratives of two Aztec princesses called Chalchiuhnenetzin. The women named Chalchiuhnenetzin appear in two different historical contexts but, as shown in the analysis, the morphology of both stories and the role played by both women are quite similar. Thus, they can be regarded as examples of cultural re-elaboration of history by predominantly oral cultures.
Maternal nutritional restriction during gestation impacts differently on offspring muscular and elastic arteries and is associated with increased carotid resistance and ventricular afterload in maturity
Authors: Zócalo Yanina , Ungerfeld Rodolfo , Pérez-Clariget Raquel , Bia Daniel
Published: May 2019

Background:

Intrauterine undernutrition could impact offspring left ventricle (LV) afterload and arterial function. The changes observed in adulthood could differ depending on the arterial type, pathway and properties studied. Aim: To analyze whether undernutrition during early and mid-gestation is associated with changes in cardiovascular properties in adulthood.

Methods:

Pregnant ewes were assigned to one of the two treatment groups: (1) standard nutritional offer (high pasture-allowance, HPA; n = 16) or (2) nutritional restriction (50–75% of control intake) from before conception until day 122 of gestation (≈85% term) (low pasture allowance, LPA; n = 17). When offspring reached adult life, cardiovascular parameters were assessed in conscious animals (applanation tonometry, vascular echography).

Measurements:

Peripheral and aortic pressure, carotid and femoral arteries diameters, intima-media thickness and stiffness, blood flow, local and regional resistances and LV afterload were measured. Blood samples were collected. Parameters were compared before and after adjustment for nutritional characteristics at birth and at the time of the cardiovascular evaluation.

Results:

Doppler-derived cerebral vascular resistances, mean pressure/flow ratio (carotid resistance) and afterload indexes were higher in descendants from LPA than in descendants from HPA ewes (p < 0.05). Descendants from LPA had lower femoral diameters (p < 0.05). Cardiovascular changes associated with nutritional restriction during pregnancy did not depend on the offsprings’ nutritional conditions at birth and/or in adult life.

Conclusion:

Pregnant ewes that experienced undernutrition gave birth to female offspring that exhibited increased carotid pathway resistances (cerebral microcirculatory resistances) and LV afterload when they reached the age of 2.5 years. There were differences in the impact of nutritional deficiency on elastic and muscular arteries.
Morphology of Nightside Subauroral Ionospheric Convection: Monthly, Seasonal, Kp, and IMF Dependencies
Authors: Maimaiti M. , Baker J. B. H. , Ruohoniemi J. M. , Kunduri B.
Published: May 2019

In this study we have used 7 years (2011–2017) of quiet (Kp ≤ 2+) to moderately disturbed (Kp = 3) time nightside line‐of‐sight measurements from six midlatitude Super Dual Auroral Radar Network radars in the U.S. continent to characterize the subauroral convection in terms of magnetic latitude, magnetic local time, month, season, Kp, and the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) clock angle. Our results show that (1) the quiet time (Kp ≤ 2+) subauroral flows are predominantly westward (20–90 m/s) in all months and become meridional (−20–20 m/s) near dawn and dusk, with the flows being the strongest and most structured in December and January. (2) The Kp dependency is prominent in all seasons such that for higher Kp the premidnight westward flow intensifies and the postmidnight eastward flow starts to emerge. (3) Sorting by IMF clock angle shows Bz+/Bz− features consistent with lower/higher Kp conditions, as expected, but also shows distinct differences that are associated with By sign. (4) There is a pronounced latitudinal variation in the zonal flow speed between 18 and 2 magnetic local time in winter (November to February) that exists under all IMF conditions but is most pronounced under IMF Bz− and higher Kp. Our analysis suggests that the quiet time subauroral flows are due to the combined effects of solar wind/magnetosphere coupling leading to penetration electric field and the neutral wind dynamo with the ionospheric conductivity modulating their relative dominance.
Glacial Isostatic Adjustment, Intraplate Strain, and Relative Sea Level Changes in the Eastern United States
Authors: Ding Kaihua , Freymueller Jeffrey T. , He Ping , Wang Qi , Xu Caijun
Published: May 2019

Determining the motion of the North American plate is difficult due to horizontal intraplate deformation, caused mainly by glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) in the parts of the plate that are not deforming tectonically. Determination of plate motions also depends on whether the geocenter of the geodetic reference frame coincides with the center of plate rotation. Any difference/error in the International Terrestrial Reference Frame geocenter will introduce an apparent deformation of the plate. We address the plate rotation and what correction models can best account for this internal deformation. We use continuous GPS sites located far from active tectonic boundaries to derive the velocity field in the eastern United States with uncertainties based on a colored noise model. We hypothesize that the velocities will be described by a rigid plate model once the deformation due to GIA and any geocenter/plate rotation center errors have been removed. We find the smallest intraplate residuals with both a geocenter correction and the ICE‐6G model applied. We further compare the coastal GPS vertical velocities with mean relative sea level change rate and find a ~1.9 mm/year difference, which matches the long‐term average global sea level change rate from tide gauges. The entire North American plate is deforming when analyzed at the ~1 mm/year level, and there is no instantaneously stable part due to the long‐wavelength GIA deformation. An accurate estimate of plate rotation cannot be determined from a geographic subset of the plate but only by removing the strain component via a GIA model or a simultaneous estimation of the spatially varying strain rate.
Hiroshima Bomb Created Asteroid Impact–Like Glass
Authors: Joel Lucas
Published: May 2019

The glass rained from the sky as the bomb annihilated the Japanese city.
Heat Flow in Earth's Core From Invariant Electrical Resistivity of Fe‐Si on the Melting Boundary to 9 GPa: Do Light Elements Matter?
Authors: Silber Reynold E. , Secco Richard A. , Yong Wenjun , Littleton Joshua A. H.
Published: May 2019

The electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity of liquid Fe alloys are the least constrained parameters in Earth's outer core (OC). These parameters are important as they modulate energy budget available for the geodynamo and affect the spatiotemporal evolution of the core. We report results of electrical resistivity measurements on solid and liquid Fe‐4.5 wt%Si from 3–9 GPa using a large volume multianvil press. The internally modified 18/11 octahedron cell was used to maintain the geometry of the liquid sample and to delay the onset of contamination. Electrical resistivity of solid Fe‐4.5Si decreases steadily with pressure and is very sensitive to increasing temperature‐driven onset of phase transitions. Along the melting boundary and within error, electrical resistivity remains constant and assumes the same value of 120 μΩcm as observed in pure liquid Fe. The results are interpreted in the context of icosahedral short‐range order (ISRO) structures that exhibit higher concentration with increasing pressure. Along the melting line, the increasing concentration of ISROs reduces charge carrier mean free path and prevents decrease of electrical resistivity with increasing pressure as seen in liquid metals, Cu, Ag, and Au, which do not have ISROs. In light of recent developments in understanding of the structure and dynamics of liquid transition metals and alloys, we postulate that our findings are applicable to other Fe alloys in the OC with small light element (C, S, and O) content. We calculated an adiabatic heat flow of 9.4–12 TW at the OC‐CMB interface, which admits thermal convection.
Vegetation and Ocean Feedbacks on the Asian Climate Response to the Uplift of the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhang Ran , Jiang Dabang , Zhang Zhongshi
Published: May 2019

The growth of the Tibetan Plateau (TP) is one of the important forcings acting on the evolution of the Asian climate during the Cenozoic. However, whether vegetation and ocean feedbacks play a specific role in the Asian climate response to TP uplift remains unclear. Here we investigate this issue through a set of numerical experiments with the Community Earth System Model. The results indicate that vegetation and ocean feedbacks have important but different effects on the Asian climate change in association with TP uplift, which are intrinsically related to the adjustment of thermal structure. The vegetation feedback leads to excess annual precipitation in East China and South Asia and a weakening of the Asian winter monsoon winds and winter middle‐ and high‐level tropospheric westerly winds from South Asia to the northwestern Pacific. By comparison, the ocean feedback induces a deficit of annual precipitation particularly in most areas of the Bay of Bengal, Malay Peninsula, and the South China Sea, a weakening of the Asian summer and winter monsoon winds, and a strengthening of the winter middle‐ and high‐level tropospheric westerly winds from South Asia to the northwestern Pacific. These results highlight the importance of vegetation and ocean feedbacks and further facilitate a better understanding of the paleoclimatic response to the uplift of the TP.
Exploring a Lower‐Resolution Physics Grid in CAM‐SE‐CSLAM
Authors: Herrington Adam R. , Lauritzen Peter H. , Reed Kevin A. , Goldhaber Steve , Eaton Brian E.
Published: May 2019

This paper describes the implementation of a coarser‐resolution physics grid into the Community Atmosphere Model (CAM), containing
fewer grid columns than the dynamics grid. The dry dynamics is represented by the spectral element dynamical core, and tracer transport is computed using the Conservative Semi‐Lagrangian Finite Volume Method (CAM‐SE‐CSLAM). Algorithms are presented that map fields between the dynamics and physics grids while maintaining numerical properties ideal for atmospheric simulations such as mass conservation and mixing ratio shape and linear‐correlation preservation. The results of experiments using the lower‐resolution physics grid are compared to the conventional method in which the physics and dynamical grids coincide. The lower‐resolution physics grid provides a volume mean state to the physics computed from an equal sampling of the different types of nodal solutions arising in the spectral‐element method and effectively mitigates grid imprinting in regions with steep topography. The impact of the coarser‐resolution physics grid on the resolved scales of motion is analyzed in an aquaplanet configuration, across a range of dynamical core grid resolutions. The results suggest that the effective resolution of the model is not degraded through the use of a coarser‐resolution physics grid. Since the physics makes up about half the computational cost of the conventional CAM‐SE‐CSLAM configuration, the coarser physics grid may allow for significant cost savings with little to no downside.
Human mesenchymal stem cells promote tumor growth via MAPK pathway and metastasis by epithelial mesenchymal transition and integrin α5 in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Chen Jiang , Ji Tong , Wu Di , Jiang Shi , Zhao Jie , Lin Hui , Cai Xiujun
Published: May 2019

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) appear to be a potential vehicle for anticancer drugs due to their excellent tumor tropism ability. However, the interactions between MSCs and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are quite controversial and the underlying mechanisms are ambiguous. In this study, an investigation was conducted into the effect of human MSCs (hMSCs) on tumor proliferation and metastasis both in xenograft and orthotopic models. It was discovered that hMSCs could promote tumor growth though activating mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and promote metastasis by epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vivo. To test whether hMSCs could induce immunosuppressive effects, the expression of the Natural killer (NK) cell marker CD56 was measured by immunohistochemical staining and the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured by qRT-PCR. It was found out that CD56 expression significantly decreased, while TNF-α and IL-6 expression increased in the hMSCs-treated tissues. Mechanistically, RNA sequencing was performed, which led to a discovery that integrin α5 (ITGA5) was over-expressed in hMSCs-treated HCC. ITGA5 siRNAs blocked the hMSCs-induced migration and invasion of HCC, while over-expression of ITGA5 promoted the migration and invasion ability in HCC-hMSCs, indicating that the expression of ITGA5 is associated with hMSCs-induced tumor metastasis. These findings suggest that hMSCs may play a vital role in HCC proliferation and metastasis and could be identified as a putative therapeutic target in HCC.
33 years of globally calibrated wave height and wind speed data based on altimeter observations
Authors: Ribal Agustinus , Young Ian R.
Published: May 2019

This dataset consists of 33 years (1985 to 2018), of global significant wave height and wind speed obtained from 13 altimeters, namely: GEOSAT, ERS-1, TOPEX, ERS-2, GFO, JASON-1, ENVISAT, JASON-2, CRYOSAT-2, HY-2A, SARAL, JASON-3 and SENTINEL-3A. The altimeter data have been calibrated and validated against National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) buoy data. Differences between altimeter and buoy data as a function of time are investigated for long-term stability. A cross validation between altimeters is also carried out in order to check the stability and consistency of the calibrations developed. Quantile-quantile comparisons between altimeter and buoy data as well as between altimeters are undertaken to test consistency of probability distributions and extreme value performance. The data were binned into 1° by 1° bins globally, to provide convenient access for users to download only the regions of interest. All data are quality controlled. This globally calibrated and cross-validated dataset provides a single point of storage for all altimeter missions in a consistent format.
Development and evaluation of a deep learning approach for modeling seasonality and trends in hand-foot-mouth disease incidence in mainland China
Authors: Wang Yongbin , Xu Chunjie , Zhang Shengkui , Yang Li , Wang Zhende , Zhu Ying , Yuan Juxiang
Published: May 2019

The high incidence, seasonal pattern and frequent outbreaks of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) represent a threat for millions of children in mainland China. And advanced response is being used to address this. Here, we aimed to model time series with a long short-term memory (LSTM) based on the HFMD notified data from June 2008 to June 2018 and the ultimate performance was compared with the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) and nonlinear auto-regressive neural network (NAR). The results indicated that the identified best-fitting LSTM with the better superiority, be it in modeling dataset or two robustness tests dataset, than the best-conducting NAR and seasonal ARIMA (SARIMA) methods in forecasting performances, including the minimum indices of root mean square error, mean absolute error and mean absolute percentage error. The epidemic trends of HFMD remained stable during the study period, but the reported cases were even at significantly high levels with a notable high-risk seasonality in summer, and the incident cases projected by the LSTM would still be fairly high with a slightly upward trend in the future. In this regard, the LSTM approach should be highlighted in forecasting the epidemics of HFMD, and therefore assisting decision makers in making efficient decisions derived from the early detection of the disease incidents.
Herbo-mineral formulation ‘Ashwashila’ attenuates rheumatoid arthritis symptoms in collagen-antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) mice model
Authors: Balkrishna Acharya , Sakat Sachin Shridhar , Joshi Kheemraj , Paudel Sandeep , Joshi Deepika , Joshi Kamal , Ranjan Ravikant , Gupta Abhishek , Bhattacharya Kunal , Varshney Anurag
Published: May 2019

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder that affects joints of hands and feet and introduces injury in secondary organs such as cardiac tissue. In the present study, we induced RA in male Balb/c mice (CAIA) using collagen-antibody cocktail (C-Ab) and lipopolysaccharide intraperitoneal injections. Induction of RA in the animals was detected through the loss of body weight, food, and water consumption, pedal edema, increased arthritis score of the paw and ankle, increase in radiological and histological lesion score of ankle and knee joints and enhanced pain perception in the C-Ab induced RA animals. Ashwashila is a herbo-mineral medicine from Indian Ayurvedic system. Human equivalent doses of Ashwashila (ASHW) and standard of care, Methotrexate were given to the CAIA animals for two weeks. ASHW treatment significantly reversed the effect of C-Ab with reduced pedal edema, arthritis score, radiological and histological lesion scores in ankle-joint, knee-joint and articular cartilage, reduced pain perception. These effects were comparable with the Methotrexate treatment. In human monocytic (THP-1) cells, ASHW was found to be biocompatible at in-vitro test doses. The anti-arthritis mechanism of action for ASHW was established through the suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α; and upstream regulator, NF-κB. Taken together, we show the pre-clinical efficacy of ASHW in reducing RA associated symptoms by controlling inflammation and suggest it as a potential therapeutic candidate for rheumatoid arthritis.
Biopesticides improve efficiency of the sterile insect technique for controlling mosquito-driven dengue epidemics
Authors: Pleydell David R. J. , Bouyer Jérémy
Published: May 2019

Various mosquito control methods use factory raised males to suppress vector densities. But the efficiency of these methods is currently insufficient to prevent epidemics of arbovirus diseases such as dengue, chikungunya or Zika. Suggestions that the sterile insect technique (SIT) could be “boosted” by applying biopesticides to sterile males remain unquantified. Here, we assess mathematically the gains to SIT for Aedes control of either: boosting with the pupicide pyriproxifen (BSIT); or, contaminating mosquitoes at auto-dissemination stations. Thresholds in sterile male release rate and competitiveness are identified, above which mosquitoes are eliminated asymptotically. Boosting reduces these thresholds and aids population destabilisation, even at sub-threshold release rates. No equivalent bifurcation exists in the auto-dissemination sub-model. Analysis suggests that BSIT can reduce by over 95% the total release required to circumvent dengue epidemics compared to SIT. We conclude, BSIT provides a powerful new tool for the integrated management of mosquito borne diseases.
Production and Use of Antibodies
Authors: Ayyar B. Vijayalakshmi , Arora Sushrut , O'Kennedy Richard
Published: May 2019

Antibodies are widely used for the reliable detection and quantitation of many analytes including food contaminants or adulterants, toxic residues, pathogens, and environmental toxins, as well as for disease diagnosis. The high specificity of an antibody towards its cognate antigen is one of the most important features that determines the scope of antibody applications in many different fields. This chapter introduces the basics of antibodies and their types, highlighting key aspects of antibody generation, isolation and characterization. In addition, the advantages and limitations of different types and structures of antibodies are discussed. Several recent examples are presented to emphasize the usefulness of antibodies in food analysis.
Designing Appropriate Immunoassays for Food Analysis
Authors: Fitzgerald Jenny , Crawley Aoife , O'Kennedy Richard
Published: May 2019

Antibodies are undoubtedly one of the most widely exploited naturally occurring proteins. Their remarkable affinity for cognate antigens, sensitivity and robustness makes them the ideal recognition components for use in qualitative and quantitative assays. In food analysis, detection of contaminants or opportunistic food pathogens is imperative to ensure food is safe for human consumption and also adheres to the standards set by the appropriate regulatory authorities. Matrix effects, pretreatment and extraction requirements are highly significant factors when antibodies are used as molecular recognition elements in assays for foodstuffs. Key issues associated with antibody usage, assay design and sample preparation for food analysis are discussed in this chapter.
Applications of Immuno-electrochemical Detection Strategies for Food Analysis
Authors: Nara Sharda , Malhotra Bansi D.
Published: May 2019

Many bacteria, viruses and fungi have been identified as foodborne pathogenic microbes that enter our gastrointestinal tract mainly via food intake and cause various serious illnesses. To prevent such microbial contamination, it is important to detect food pathogens before the food is eaten. Although the conventionally used culture-based methods are the oldest and the most widely used for microbial identification, their slow response time and associated delays in identification are major disadvantages. Immunoassay-based methods can provide highly specific detection of food toxins and pathogens. The rapid response time for an immunoassay along with the digital electrical signal obtained by an electrochemical immunosensor (a type of biosensor in which the interaction of an analyte with the bioreceptor is transduced into an electrical signal), is highly advantageous. Biosensors have emerged as an effective and promising analytical approach for food analysis due to their rapid and reliable responses along with portability and user-friendliness.
The Use of Flow-based Technologies for Food Analysis
Authors: O'Meara Elaine , Wilkinson Martin G.
Published: May 2019

Analysis of the microbial composition of food is important for food safety, hygiene and the proper management of food production processes. Rapid microbial analysis technologies are constantly evolving to replace standard, time-consuming, culture-based methods. Flow cytometry methods allow multiparametric analysis of large numbers of cells individually in a sample. Advances in flow cytometry methods for bacterial analysis, development of user-friendly flow cytometry platforms, and the production of genus- and species-specific antibodies have allowed development of flow cytometry protocols for specific microbial detection in a range of foods and beverages. The potential for flow cytometry as a high-throughput, rapid, online microbial analysis method has been realized for certain matrices, such as raw milk and drinking-water; however, more complex food compositions pose problems for sensitive and accurate cell detection by this method. Advances made to date in immuno-flow cytometry for food analysis and the obstacles yet to be overcome are discussed in this chapter.
Occurrence, synthesis and applications of natural and designed [3.3.3]propellanes
Authors: Dilmaç Alicia M. , Wezeman Tim , Bär Robin M. , Bräse Stefan
Published: May 2019

This comprehensive review covers the isolation of naturally [3.3.3]propellanes and total synthesis approaches towards this challenging core.
A pH-sensitive near-infrared fluorescent probe with alkaline pKa for chronic wound monitoring in diabetic mice
Authors: Mai Hengtang , Wang Yu , Li Shuang , Jia Ruizhen , Li Sixian , Peng Qian , Xie Yan , Hu Xiang , Wu Song
Published: May 2019

An alkaline pH-sensitive near-infrared fluorescent probe can monitor pH changes in the course of chronic wound development in mice.
Hydrodehalogenation of alkyl halides catalyzed by a trichloroniobium complex with a redox active α-diimine ligand
Authors: Nishiyama Haruka , Hosoya Hiromu , Parker Bernard F. , Arnold John , Tsurugi Hayato , Mashima Kazushi
Published: May 2019

We have developed a hydrodehalogenation reaction of haloalkanes using PhSiH3. The α-diimine ligand on the niobium center plays an important role in releasing one electron from the dianionic ligand to the alkyl halides to a generate carbon radical as the initial step of the catalytic reaction.
Regioselective differentiation of vicinal methylene C–H bonds enabled by silver-catalysed nitrene transfer
Authors: Scamp Ryan J. , Scheffer Bradley , Schomaker Jennifer M.
Published: May 2019

Silver-catalyzed nitrene insertion enables the formation of benzosultams in good yield and with regioselectivity complementary to other transition metal nitrene-transfer catalysts.
Reactivity and stability of plasma-generated oxygen and nitrogen species in buffered water solution: a computational study
Authors: Heirman Pepijn , Van Boxem Wilma , Bogaerts Annemie
Published: May 2019

Plasma-treated liquids have great potential for biomedical applications.
Spectroscopic and theoretical investigation of the [Fe2(bdt)(CO)6] hydrogenase mimic and some catalyst intermediates
Authors: Oudsen J. P. H. , Venderbosch B. , Martin D. J. , Korstanje T. J. , Reek J. N. H. , Tromp M.
Published: May 2019

In [Fe–Fe] hydrogenase mimic systems the ene-1,2-dithiolene ligands play an important role in the stabilisation of the redox-active metal center.
Bilayered membranes of Janus dendrimers with hybrid hydrogenated and fluorinated dendrons: microstructures and coassembly with lipids
Authors: Yang Yan-Ling , Sheng Yu-Jane , Tsao Heng-Kwong
Published: May 2019

A biomimetic membrane formed by hybrid Janus dendrimers (JDs) which contain hydrogenated and fluorinated dendrons was explored by dissipative particle dynamics simulations.
Phosphorescence enhancement by close metal–metal interaction in T1 excited state in a dinuclear copper(i) complex
Authors: Bassoli Simona , Ardizzoia G. Attilio , Therrien Bruno , Brenna Stefano
Published: May 2019

Combined experimental and theoretical study on a phosphorescent copper(i) complex, showing high electron density between metals in the triplet excited state.
High-adhesion vertically aligned gold nanowire stretchable electrodesviaa thin-layer soft nailing strategy
Authors: Ling Yunzhi , Guo Keying , Zhu Bowen , Prieto-Simon Beatriz , Voelcker Nicolas H. , Cheng Wenlong
Published: May 2019

A stretchable electrode is a crucial component in future elastronics (i.e.stretchable electronics) with implications in soft actuators, healthcare monitoring, and robotics to name a few.
Sarocladione, a unique 5,10:8,9-diseco-steroid from the deep-sea-derived fungusSarocladium kiliense
Authors: Fan Shao-Qiang , Xie Chun-Lan , Xia Jin-Mei , Xing Cui-Ping , Luo Zhu-Hua , Shao Zongze , Yan Xiao-Jun , He Shan , Yang Xian-Wen
Published: May 2019

Sarocladione was isolated from the deep-sea-derived fungusSarocladium kilienseas the first example of a 5,10:8,9-diseco-steroid.
A chemical approach for the synthesis of the DNA-binding domain of the oncoprotein MYC
Authors: Calo-Lapido Renata , Penas Cristina , Jiménez-Balsa Adrián , Vázquez M. Eugenio , Mascareñas José L.
Published: May 2019

We describe the first chemical synthesis of a functional mutant of the DNA binding domain of the oncoprotein MYC, using two alternative strategies which involve either one or two Native Chemical Ligations (NCLs).
Rh(i)-Catalyzed stereoselective intramolecular cycloaddition reactions of ene-vinylidenecyclopropanes for the construction of fused 6,5-bicyclic skeletons with a quaternary all-carbon stereocenter
Authors: Rui Kang-Hua , Yang Song , Wei Yin , Shi Min
Published: May 2019

Rh(i)-catalyzed asymmetric [3 + 2] cycloadditions of ene-VDCPs are demonstrated, producing cyclic ring structures with an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter in good yields with excellent enantioselectivities.
Motivational pathways towards academic achievement in physics & chemistry: a comparison between students who opt out and those who persist
Authors: Ardura Diego , Pérez-Bitrián Alberto
Published: May 2019

The main goal of the present investigation was to analyze the effect of motivation towards physics & chemistry on achievement in secondary school students. We focused our interest on the comparison between students who chose the subject when becoming optional in the Spanish educational system and those who opted out. Our analyses uncovered the existence of three different motivational profiles towards achievement in physics & chemistry, depending on the students’ decisions to persist or to leave. Regardless of their choice, self-efficacy played a key role, not only as a direct predictor of academic achievement but also as a facilitator of the indirect effects of other motivational variables on academic performance. However, our models showed that, for students who opt out physics and chemistry, grade motivation and self-determination are more important predictors of performance than for those who choose the subject. Gender effects and educational implications are also addressed.
Non-uniform curvature and anisotropic deformation control wrinkling patterns on tori
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxiao , Mather Patrick T. , Bowick Mark J. , Zhang Teng
Published: May 2019

We investigate wrinkling patterns in a tri-layer torus consisting of an expanding thin outer layer, an intermediate soft layer and an inner core with a tunable shear modulus, inspired by pattern formation in developmental biology, such as follicle pattern formation during the development of chicken embryos.
The effect of local lithium surface chemistry and topography on solid electrolyte interphase composition and dendrite nucleation
Authors: Meyerson Melissa L. , Sheavly Jonathan K. , Dolocan Andrei , Griffin Monroe P. , Pandit Anish H. , Rodriguez Rodrigo , Stephens Ryan M. , Vanden Bout David A. , Heller Adam , Mullins C. Buddie
Published: May 2019

High resolution analysis shows localized organic-rich impurities in the native Li surface that promote preferential lithium deposition, leading to dendrite growth.
N,P-coordinated fullerene-like carbon nanostructures with dual active centers toward highly-efficient multi-functional electrocatalysis for CO2RR, ORR and Zn-air battery
Authors: Xue Xiaoyi , Yang Hui , Yang Tao , Yuan Pengfei , Li Qing , Mu Shichun , Zheng Xiaoli , Chi Lifeng , Zhu Jia , Li Yanguang , Zhang Jianan , Xu Qun
Published: May 2019

N,P-coordinated fullerene-like carbon nanostructures with multifunctions have been synthesized and the active centers for CO2RR and ORR have been extensively studied by experiments and theoretical calculations.
Strategic end-halogenation of π-conjugated small molecules enabling fine morphological control and enhanced performance of organic solar cells
Authors: Furukawa Seiichi , Yasuda Takuma
Published: May 2019

A novel family of photovoltaic small-molecule donors having the same conjugated backbone but different terminal halogen groups (F, Cl, Br, and I) are developed, and the impacts of end-halogenation on the photovoltaic and morphological properties are systematically investigated.
Recent advances in the design of injectable hydrogels for stem cell-based therapy
Authors: Liang Kun , Bae Ki Hyun , Kurisawa Motoichi
Published: May 2019

The recent advances in the design of injectable hydrogels for stem cell delivery, especially for in vivo applications, are overviewed in this review.
Method based on UWB for user identification during gait periods
Authors: Vecchio Alessio , Cola Guglielmo
Published: May 2019

Everyone has a different way of walking, and for this reason, gait has been studied in the last few years as an important biometric information source. This study explores a novel approach, based on ultra‐wideband (UWB) technology, for user identification via gait analysis. In the proposed method, the user is supposed to wear two or more devices embedding a UWB transceiver. During gait, the distances between the devices are estimated via UWB and then analysed by means of a machine learning classifier, which provides automatic identification. Experiments were carried out by 12 volunteers, who walked while wearing four UWB boards (placed on the head, wrist, ankle, and in a trouser pocket). The off‐line evaluation considered a set of different possible configurations in terms of number and position of the wearable devices. Despite a relatively low sampling frequency of 10 Hz, the results are promising: average identification accuracy is as high as ∼96% with four devices, and above 90% with three devices (wrist, trouser pocket, and ankle). This novel approach may enhance the accuracy of inertial‐based systems for continuous user identification.
Selection of optimum frequency bands for detection of epileptiform patterns
Authors: Swami Piyush , Bhatia Manvir , Tripathi Manjari , Chandra Poodipedi Sarat , Panigrahi Bijaya K. , Gandhi Tapan K.
Published: May 2019

The significant research effort in the domain of epilepsy has been directed toward the development of an automated seizure detection system. In their usage of the electrophysiological recordings, most of the proposals thus far have followed the conventional practise of employing all frequency bands following signal decomposition as input features for a classifier. Although seemingly powerful, this approach may prove counterproductive since some frequency bins may not carry relevant information about seizure episodes and may, instead, add noise to the classification process thus degrading performance. A key thesis of the work described here is that the selection of frequency subsets may enhance seizure classification rates. Additionally, the authors explore whether a conservative selection of frequency bins can reduce the amount of training data needed for achieving good classification performance. They have found compelling evidence that using spectral components with <25 Hz frequency in scalp electroencephalograms can yield state‐of‐the‐art classification accuracy while reducing training data requirements to just a tenth of those employed by current approaches.
Characteristics of acoustic response from simulated impulsive lightning current discharge
Authors: Wang Jianguo , Cao Jinxin , Cai Li , Fan Yadong , Zhou Mi , Li Quanxin
Published: May 2019

Acoustic observation of laboratory simulated lightning discharge can greatly avoid the observation difficulties under natural thunderstorm environment. An acoustic observation experiment based on the impulsive current generation system and a microphone array was carried out and illustrated in this study. A quantitative study on characteristics of response sound pressure initiated from simulated lightning current was performed. The first arrived acoustic N‐waves measured at different distances initiated from different discharge amplitudes were compared and analysed. The acoustic amplitude, rise time and duration time defined for N‐waves and peak frequencies were found to have an obvious correlation with the discharging amplitudes of simulated lightning currents and the observing distances. The linear change of acoustic amplitude is more obvious than that of the other parameters with the changed discharging amplitude or observing distance. A certain degree of shape change of the simulated lightning current except for the amplitude may not significantly affect the response acoustic characteristics when comparing the first acoustic N‐waves from 8/20 μs lightning current and another kind of impulsive current which has a wider shape and two subsequent peaks. The subsequent current peaks in short time delays were proved to successively generate acoustic N‐waves independently without overlapping, which meanwhile, indicated a consistent linear relationship of amplitude and time delay between electrical and acoustic pulses.
Asymmetric dual winding three‐phase PMSM for fault tolerance of overheat in electric braking system of autonomous vehicle
Authors: Hwang Kyu Yun , Song Baik Kee , Kwon Byung Il
Published: May 2019

In this paper, an asymmetric dual winding three‐phase permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) is proposed for enhancing the fault‐tolerance of overheat in autonomous vehicles. A conventional dual winding three‐phase motor is divided into two three‐phase windings, one for the master part and one for the slave part. It is advantageous to have a redundant system by combining two electric control units (ECU) with one motor instead of two motors. However, when the motor is burned out due to excessive overload driving beyond the motor design value, there is a possibility that no operation can be performed even though there are two ECUs. The proposed dual winding three‐phase asymmetric motors are designed differently in the master and slave windings so that the simultaneous burnout of master and slave can be avoided. The coil temperature rise according to the asymmetrical winding design of the motor is estimated by the thermal equivalent circuit method. Also, optimal design for proposed model is conducted using the radial basis function (RBF) and the experimental design method. The optimized proposed asymmetric dual winding three‐phase PMSM is applied to the design of motor for electric brake systems of an autonomous vehicle and is verified its usefulness.
Case study of the higher‐order ambiguity function applied to array element signal estimation for non‐linear sensor array fault resiliency
Authors: Northardt Tom
Published: May 2019

In many practical applications, sensor array elements fail for a multitude of reasons. They are often simplistically excluded from signal processing to avoid the deleterious effects of including them. However, depending on how many array elements fail, the performance of the array could degrade significantly which can negatively affect core array benefits such as array gain (AG) and spatial spectrum estimation. For naval vessels, failed array elements may not be replaced for a long period of time simply due to cost or maintenance schedules which can leave the array in a degraded state. This work focuses on developing a method to regain some of the lost array performance which can be applied in situ until an appropriate maintenance period. By using a higher‐order ambiguity function and basis pursuit de‐noising techniques, an algorithm is developed that is shown with simulated data to regain nearly all lost array performance as assessed by AG and spectrum estimate correlation when up to half of the array elements have failed.