bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Multilayer Structure Facilitates the Production of Antifragile Systems in Boolean Network Models
Authors: Kim Hyobin , Pineda Omar K. , Gershenson Carlos
Published: December 2019

Antifragility is a property from which systems are able to resist stress and furthermore benefit from it. Even though antifragile dynamics is found in various real‐world complex systems where multiple subsystems interact with each other, the attribute has not been quantitatively explored yet in those complex systems which can be regarded as multilayer networks. Here we study how the multilayer structure affects the antifragility of the whole system. By comparing single‐layer and multilayer Boolean networks based on our recently proposed antifragility measure, we found that the multilayer structure facilitated the production of antifragile systems. Our measure and findings will be useful for various applications such as exploring properties of biological systems with multilayer structures and creating more antifragile engineered systems.
Prediabetes Induced by Fructose-Enriched Diet Influences Cardiac Lipidome and Proteome and Leads to Deterioration of Cardiac Function prior to the Development of Excessive Oxidative Stress and Cell Damage
Authors: Szűcs Gergő , Sója Andrea , Péter Mária , Sárközy Márta , Bruszel Bella , Siska Andrea , Földesi Imre , Szabó Zoltán , Janáky Tamás , Vígh László , Balogh Gábor , Csont Tamás
Published: December 2019

Prediabetes is a condition affecting more than 35% of the population. In some forms, excessive carbohydrate intake (primarily refined sugar) plays a prominent role. Prediabetes is a symptomless, mostly unrecognized disease which increases cardiovascular risk. In our work, we examined the effect of a fructose-enriched diet on cardiac function and lipidome as well as proteome of cardiac muscle. Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups. The control group received a normal diet while the fructose-fed group received 60% fructose-supplemented chow for 24 weeks. Fasting blood glucose measurement and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) showed slightly but significantly elevated values due to fructose feeding indicating development of a prediabetic condition. Both echocardiography and isolated working heart perfusion performed at the end of the feeding protocol demonstrated diastolic cardiac dysfunction in the fructose-fed group. Mass spectrometry-based, high-performance lipidomic and proteomic analyses were executed from cardiac tissue. The lipidomic analysis revealed complex rearrangement of the whole lipidome with special emphasis on defects in cardiolipin remodeling. The proteomic analysis showed significant changes in 75 cardiac proteins due to fructose feeding including mitochondria-, apoptosis-, and oxidative stress-related proteins. Nevertheless, just very weak or no signs of apoptosis induction and oxidative stress were detected in the hearts of fructose-fed rats. Our results suggest that fructose feeding induces marked alterations in the cardiac lipidome, especially in cardiolipin remodeling, which leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired cardiac function. However, at the same time, several adaptive responses are induced at the proteome level in order to maintain a homeostatic balance. These findings demonstrate that even very early stages of prediabetes can impair cardiac function and can result in significant changes in the lipidome and proteome of the heart prior to the development of excessive oxidative stress and cell damage.
Geological Structural Surface Evaluation Model Based on Unascertained Measure
Authors: Zhao Kang , Wang Qing , Yan Yajing , Wang Junqiang , Zhao Kui , Cao Shuai , Zhang Yongjun
Published: December 2019

The surrounding rock structure plane survey is the basis for mine geological structure evaluation and stability of surrounding rock. On the basis of the unascertained measurement theory and scanline method, the surrounding rock stability of the underground geological structure plane in Lingbao Luoshan Gold Mine is evaluated. First, according to the structural plane five grading standards, the 9 single-index measure functions are constructed. Second, the information entropy is used to determine the weight of each indicator. Accordingly, a multi-index comprehensive measure evaluation vector is established. Finally, the confidence level is used to determine the structural plane stability level. Results show that surrounding rock grades of middle sections of R1, R2, and R3 are Grades III, IV, and IV in Lingbao Luoshan Gold Mine, respectively. The evaluation grade is consistent with the actual situation of the mine, and strengthening the surrounding rock support for the middle sections of R2 and R3 is necessary. According to engineering practice, the evaluation model of the underground structure of metal mines established in this study has a practical value.
Expression Analysis of the Mediators of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and Early Risk Assessment of Therapeutic Failure in Laryngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Kariche Nora , Moulaï Nabila , Sellam Leila-Sarah , Benyahia Samir , Ouahioune Wahiba , Djennaoui Djamel , Touil-Boukoffa Chafia , Bourouba Mehdi
Published: December 2019

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is an aggressive malignancy which lacks early predictors of prognosis. Here, we hypothesized that expression and prognostic characterization of the critical mediators of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) may provide key information in this regard. Linear regression and multiple correspondence analyses were performed on immunohistochemical data obtained from 20 invasive tumors. Principal component and unsupervised hierarchical clustering were used to analyze the dataset patterns associating with LSCC metastatic profile. Survival and death risk assessments were performed using Kaplan–Meier and hazard ratio tests. Data mining analysis using CHAID decision tree and logistic regression analysis was applied to define the predictive value of the risk factors of tumor aggressiveness. Our analyses showed, that in invasive LSCC tumors, cells associating with a mesenchymal profile were likely to exhibit enhanced NOS2, TGF-β, and IL-17A expression levels, concomitantly to NF-κB nuclear translocation. IHC data deciphering determined that EMT induction was also linked to the enrichment of the tumors with CD68+ populations and IL-10 signal. Strikingly, dataset cluster analysis showed that these signatures could define distinct patterns of invasive tumors, where NOS2 associated with IL-10 expression, and TGF-β and IL-17A signals associated with MMP-9 activation. Decision tree analysis identified IL-17A as a possible predictor of LSCC aggressiveness. Altogether, our results show that distinct immunological patterns would support the acquisition of EMT features in invasive LSCC and suggest that IL-17A may be useful in the early identification of patients “at-risk” of therapeutic failure.
Dynamics Analysis of a Stochastic Leslie–Gower Predator‐Prey Model with Feedback Controls
Authors: Ren Huailan , Zhao Wencai
Published: December 2019

This study focuses on the investigation of a stochastic Leslie–Gower predator‐prey model with feedback controls and Holling type II functional responses. First, the existence and uniqueness of a global positive solution to the system under white noise interference are proved. Second, the conditions for the existence of the system’s positive recurrence are established by constructing suitable Lyapunov functions. Additionally, the persistence and extinction of prey and predator in the system are discussed, and the impacts of noise interference and feedback controls on the system are revealed. Finally, we validate the theoretical results by numerical simulations.
Exendin-4 Protects against Hyperglycemia-Induced Cardiomyocyte Pyroptosis via the AMPK-TXNIP Pathway
Authors: Wei Hong , Bu Rui , Yang Qinghui , Jia Jing , Li Tao , Wang Qiuping , Chen Yanjun
Published: December 2019

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a common cardiac condition in patients with diabetes mellitus, which results in cardiac hypertrophy and subsequent heart failure. Chronic inflammation in the diabetic heart results in loss of cardiomyocytes and subsequentially cardiac dysfunction. Accumulated evidence implicated pyroptosis as a vital contributor to the hyperglycemia-induced cardiac inflammatory response. Exendin-4, a GLP analog, promotes survival of cardiomyocytes in cardiovascular diseases, including diabetic cardiomyopathy. However, the role of Exendin-4 in cardiac pyroptosis remains to be elucidated. Our study revealed that Exendin-4 treatment protected against heart remolding and dysfunction and attenuated cardiac inflammation in high-fat diet-fed rats. The activity of caspase-1 and production of pyroptotic cytokines were significantly inhibited by Exendin-4 treatment in the diabetic heart and in high glucose-treated cardiomyocytes as well. In an effort to understand the signaling mechanisms underlying the antipyroptotic property of Exendin-4, we found that blockade of AMPK, an oxidative stress sensor, activity diminished the antipyroptotic property of Exendin-4. Phosphorylation of AMPK resulted in degeneration of TXNIP that promoted the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Exendin-4 treatment decreased the protein level of TXNIP. Moreover, RNA silencing of TXNIP mimicked the antipyroptotic actions of Exendin-4. These findings promoted us to propose a new signaling pathway mediating cardioprotective effect of Exendin-4 under hyperglycemic conditions: Exendin-4 → ROS↓ → pAMPK↑ → TXNIP↓ → caspase-1↓ → IL-1βand IL-18↓ → pyroptosis↓. In general, our study identified Exendin-4 as a pyroptotic inhibitor protecting against hyperglycemia-induced cardiomyocyte pyroptosis via the AMPK-TXNIP pathway.
In Vivo Evaluation of Histopathological Alterations and Trace Metals Estimation of the Small Intestine in Bisphenol A-Intoxicated Rats
Authors: Ambreen Saira , Akhtar Tasleem , Hameed Naila , Ashfaq Isbah , Sheikh Nadeem
Published: December 2019

BPA, a ubiquitously used plasticizer, has become one of the contaminants of emerging concern and causes many serious health implications in humans due to multiple exposure pathways. The current study was aimed at investigating the deformities of structures that arise by exposure of the small intestine to BPA through trace elements estimation of tissues as well as the study of serum profile. Two major groups of Wistar rats were established: one control group and the other experimental group, which was further divided into four groups based on dose (10 mg/kg/bodyweight and 25 mg/kg/bodyweight, respectively) and duration of exposure (6 and 12 weeks, respectively). Histological study of the small intestine showed the distorted structures in the experimental groups. The special staining performed illustrated the accumulation of calcium deposits in the small intestinal tissue in treated groups. Trace metals estimation showed a significant increase in the metallic content of sodium and iron and a decrease in the calcium content in the experimental groups (p=0.05). Serum profiling illustrated an increase in total iron-binding capacity and glucose levels and a decrease in the serum total iron level (p=0.05). An increased expression of a proinflammatory cytokine (IFN-α) was observed in the liver. From all these findings, it was inferred that BPA caused many structural alterations in the small intestinal tissue, which further affected its functioning. The calcium deposits seen through special staining affected the motility of the small intestine and caused its dysfunction. It was also induced from serum profiling that BPA affected the homeostasis of iron and glucose and caused its imbalance. Also, as BPA got absorbed from the small intestine and reached the liver via the blood stream, it caused hepatoxicity in the liver and led to increased inflammatory response by IFN-αagainst the toxicant.
A Phase IIa Trial of Metformin for Colorectal Cancer Risk Reduction among Individuals with History of Colorectal Adenomas and Elevated Body Mass Index
Authors: Zell Jason A. , McLaren Christine E. , Morgan Timothy R. , Lawson Michael J. , Rezk Sherif , Albers C. Gregory , Chen Wen-Pin , Carmichael Joseph C. , Chung Jinah , Richmond Ellen , Rodriguez L.M. , Szabo Eva , Ford Leslie G. , Pollak Michael N. , Meyskens Frank L.
Published: December 2019

Obesity is associated with risk of colorectal adenoma (CRA) and colorectal cancer. The signaling pathway activated by metformin (LKB1/AMPK/mTOR) is implicated in tumor suppression in ApcMin/+ mice via metformin-induced reduction in polyp burden, increased ratio of pAMPK/AMPK, decreased pmTOR/mTOR ratio, and decreased pS6Ser235/S6Ser235 ratio in polyps. We hypothesized that metformin would affect colorectal tissue S6Ser235 among obese patients with recent history of CRA. A phase IIa clinical biomarker trial was conducted via the U.S. National Cancer Institute-Chemoprevention Consortium. Nondiabetic, obese subjects (BMI ≥30) ages 35 to 80 with recent history of CRA were included. Subjects received 12 weeks of oral metformin 1,000 mg twice every day. Rectal mucosa biopsies were obtained at baseline and end-of-treatment (EOT) endoscopy. Tissue S6Ser235 and Ki-67 immunostaining were analyzed in a blinded fashion using Histo score (Hscore) analysis. Among 32 eligible subjects, the mean baseline BMI was 34.9. Comparing EOT to baseline tissue S6Ser235 by IHC, no significant differences were observed. Mean (SD) Hscore at baseline was 1.1 (0.57) and 1.1 (0.51) at EOT; median Hscore change was 0.034 (P = 0.77). Similarly, Ki-67 levels were unaffected by the intervention. The adverse events were consistent with metformin's known side-effect profile. Among obese patients with CRA, 12 weeks of oral metformin does not reduce rectal mucosa pS6 or Ki-67 levels. Further research is needed to determine what effects metformin has on the target tissue of origin as metformin continues to be pursued as a colorectal cancer chemopreventive agent.
Screening Questionnaires to Detect Neurological Disorders in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review
Authors: Luna Jaime , Leroi Charline , Preux Pierre-Marie , Ngoungou Edgard Brice , Marin Benoît , Boumediene Farid
Published: December 2019

Introduction: Neurological disorders are an important cause of disability and death worldwide. The distribution of these disorders differs significantly in developing countries. Screening questionnaires have been used as an important tool to detect neurological illnesses. This systematic literature review aimed to report the validity of screening questionnaires for neurological disorders in developing countries. Methods: The PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Science­Direct, and PASCAL databases were searched. All published studies performed in developing countries were eligible. The risk of bias was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies version 2 tool. Summary measures of validity were reported (sensitivity and specificity). Results: Eight hundred and thirty-five records were identified, and 49 articles that met eligibility criteria were selected. The most frequently neurological disorders detected with a screening tool were epilepsy, stroke, and neuropathies (77, 53, and 40%, respectively). Ten screening questionnaires were accessible. Two questionnaires were mainly used to detect neurological disorders: the World Health Organization Protocol for Epidemiologic Studies of Neurologic Disorders and the Ten Questions Questionnaire. The sensitivity of the questionnaires was ranged from 84 to 100% and 56 to 100%, respectively. Conclusion: This systematic review presents evidence that screening questionnaires are valid tools to detect neurological disorders in developing countries. Disease detection provides epidemiological data and the opportunity to implement secondary and tertiary prevention strategies that will contribute to reduce the global burden of neurological disorders.
Lungenemphysem: Die Bedeutung der quantitativen Computertomographie-Analyse
Authors: Wagner Manfred
Published: December 2019

Recent advances in bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) offer new therapeutic alternatives for patients with emphysema and hyperinflation. Endobronchial valves and coils are 2 potential BLVR techniques which have been shown to improve pulmonary function and the quality of life in patients with emphysema. Current patient selection for LVR procedures relies on 3 main inclusion criteria: low attenuation area (in %), also known as emphysema score, heterogeneity score, and fissure integrity score. Volumetric analysis in combination with densitometric analysis of the affected lung lobe or segment with quantitative CT to determine emphysema severity play an important role in treatment planning and post-operative assessment. Due to the variations in lung anatomy, manual corrections are often required to ensure successful and accurate lobe segmentation for pathological and post-treatment CT scan analysis. The advanced development and utilisation of quantitative CT do not simply represent regional changes in pulmonary function but aids in analysis for better patient selection with severe emphysema who are most likely to benefit from BLVR.
Erfolgreiche Behandlung eines Afatinib-refraktären nicht kleinzelligen Bronchialkarzinoms mit seltenen komplexen EGFR-Mutationen mit Pembrolizumab: ein Fallbericht
Authors: Taniguchi Yuri , Yamamoto Momoko , Ikushima Hiroaki , Ohara Sayaka , Takeshima Hideyuki , Sakatani Toshio , Usui Kazuhiro
Published: December 2019

Trotz der signifikanten Fortschritte, die in der jüngeren Vergangenheit in der Behandlung mit Immuncheckpoint-Inhibitoren (ICI) erzielt wurden, ist nach wie vor umstritten, ob sie auch bei der Behandlung des nicht kleinzelliges Bronchialkarzinoms (NSCLC) mit Mutationen des epidermalen Wachstumsfaktor-Rezeptors (EGFR) zum Einsatz kommen sollten. Wir berichten hier über den Fall einer NSCLC-Patientin mit seltenen, komplexen EGFR-Mutationen (G719S und L861Q), die gegenüber Afatinib refraktär war, auf Pembrolizumab jedoch ein gutes Ansprechen zeigte. Bei einer 65-jährigen ehemaligen Raucherin wurde ein NSCLC des rechten Oberlappens diagnostiziert (klinisches Stadium IVB; cT2bN3M1c). Unter einer zweimonatigen Behandlung mit Afatinib war ihre Krankheit rapide weiter fortgeschritten. Die Behandlung mit Pembrolizumab wurde eingeleitet, weil mehr als 75% ihrer Tumorzellen PD-L1 exprimierten. Ihr Tumor sprach gut auf die Pembrolizumab-Behandlung an, und die Wirkung hielt mehr als ein Jahr an. Dieser Fall deutet darauf hin, dass Pembrolizumab eine Behandlungsoption für NSCLC-Patienten mit seltenen EGFR-Mutationen und einem hohen Maß an PD-L1-Expression darstellen könnte, die auf eine EGFR-TKI-Therapie nicht ansprechen.
Nicht kleinzelliges Lungenkarzinom bei älteren Patienten: Einfluss von Lobektomie oder sublobärer Resektion auf die Prognose
Authors: Hekmat Khosro
Published: December 2019

Background: We present a critical comparison of lobectomy and sub-lobar resection in elderly patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer using meta-analytical techniques. Methods: A literature search was conducted between the period of December 1997 to March 2019 to identify the comparative studies evaluating 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates. The pooled odds ratios (OR) and the 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated with either the fixed or random effect models, respectively. Results: Six retrospective studies are included in our meta-analysis for a total of 1205 patients. 843 of the individuals were treated with lobectomy, while 362 were treated with sub-lobar resection. We found no significant difference between the lobectomy and the sub-lobar resection in either of the 1-, 3-, or 5-year survival rates. Conclusions: This study suggests that in elderly individuals with stage I NSCLC, a sub-lobar resection is statistically equivalent to the lobectomy in terms of 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates. Further large-scale randomized studies are needed to confirm our results.
Pleuraerguss: Vereinfachte Kriterien zur Unterscheidung zwischen Exsudat und Transsudat
Authors: Stanzel Franz
Published: December 2019

Background: An important part of the investigation of pleural effusion is the identification of markers that help separate exudate from transudate. Objectives: The purposes of this study were to compare the accuracy of published and new sets of criteria to distinguish between exudative and transudative pleural effusions, and to determine whether serum biochemical analysis is necessary. Methods: An externally validated cohort study was performed. Pleural effusions were determined to be transudative or exudative on the basis of an assessment of the medical record by two clinicians blinded to biochemical results. Sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were determined for each proposed combination of criteria. Results: Pleural fluid analysis was available for 311 thoracenteses in the main cohort and for 112 thoracenteses in the validation cohort. The best sensitivity (97% [95% CI 94-99]) and negative likelihood ratio (0.04 [95% CI 0.02-0.08]) for identifying exudative effusions were observed with criteria combining pleural fluid lactate dehydrogenase greater than 0.6 the upper limit of normal serum lactate dehydrogenase and pleural fluid cholesterol greater than 1.04 mmol/L (40 mg/dL). The overall diagnostic accuracy was similar to Light's criteria. Findings were similar in the validation cohort. Conclusions: Our proposed criteria using simultaneously pleural fluid lactate dehydrogenase and pleural fluid cholesterol can identify an exudate with a sensitivity and an overall diagnostic accuracy similar to Light's criteria. It avoids simultaneous blood sampling, thus reducing patient discomfort and potential costs.
Identification of the Uric Acid Thresholds Predicting an Increased Total and Cardiovascular Mortality Over 20 Years
Authors: Virdis Agostino , Masi Stefano , Casiglia Edoardo , Tikhonoff Valerie , Cicero Arrigo F.G. , Ungar Andrea , Rivasi Giulia , Salvetti Massimo , Barbagallo Carlo M. , Bombelli Michele , Dell’Oro Raffaella , Bruno Berardino , Lippa Luciano , D’Elia Lanfranco , Verdecchia Paolo , Mallamaci Francesca , Cirillo Massimo , Rattazzi Marcello , Cirillo Pietro , Gesualdo Loreto , Mazza Alberto , Giannattasio Cristina , Maloberti Alessandro , Volpe Massimo , Tocci Giuliano , Georgiopoulos Georgios , Iaccarino Guido , Nazzaro Pietro , Parati Gianfranco , Palatini Paolo , Galletti Ferruccio , Ferri Claudio , Desideri Giovambattista , Viazzi Francesca , Pontremoli Roberto , Muiesan Maria Lorenza , Grassi Guido , Borghi Claudio ,   from the Working Group on Uric Acid and Cardiovascular Risk of the Italian Society of Hypertension
Published: December 2019

Serum uric acid (SUA) levels discriminating across the different strata of cardiovascular risk is still unknown. By utilizing a large population-based database, we assessed the threshold of SUA that increases the risk of total mortality and cardiovascular mortality (CVM). The URRAH study (Uric Acid Right for Heart Health) is a multicentre retrospective, observational study, which collected data from several large population-based longitudinal studies in Italy and subjects recruited in the hypertension clinics of the Italian Society of Hypertension. Total mortality was defined as mortality for any cause, CVM as death due to fatal myocardial infarction, stroke, sudden cardiac death, or heart failure. A total of 22 714 subjects were included in the analysis. Multivariate Cox regression analyses identified an independent association between SUA and total mortality (hazard ratio, 1.53 [95% CI, 1.21–1.93]) or CVM (hazard ratio, 2.08 [95% CI, 1.146–2.97];
P
<0.001). Cutoff values of SUA able to discriminate total mortality (4.7 mg/dL [95% CI, 4.3–5.1 mg/dL]) and CVM status (5.6 mg/dL [95% CI, 4.99–6.21 mg/dL]) were identified. The information on SUA levels provided a significant net reclassification improvement of 0.26 and of 0.27 over the Heart Score risk chart for total mortality and CVM, respectively (
P
<0.001). Sex-specific cutoff values for total mortality and CVM were also identified and validated. In conclusion, SUA levels increasing the risk of total mortality and CVM are significantly lower than those used for the definition of hyperuricemia in clinical practice. Our data provide evidence of a cardiovascular SUA threshold that might contribute in clinical practice to improve identification of patients at higher risk of CVM.
Testing, Stress, and Performance: How Students Respond
Physiologically to High-Stakes Testing
Authors: Heissel Jennifer A. , Adam Emma K. , Doleac Jennifer L. , Figlio David N. , Meer Jonathan
Published: December 2019

We examine how students’ physiological stress differs between a regular school week and a high-stakes testing week, and we raise questions about how to interpret high-stakes test scores. A potential contributor to socioeconomic disparities in academic performance is the difference in the level of stress experienced by students outside of school. Chronic stress—due to neighborhood violence, poverty, or family instability—can affect how individuals’ bodies respond to stressors in general, including the stress of standardized testing. This, in turn, can affect whether performance on standardized tests is a valid measure of students’ actual ability. We collect data on students’ stress responses using cortisol samples provided by low-income students in New Orleans. We measure how their cortisol patterns change during high-stakes testing weeks relative to baseline weeks. We find that high-stakes testing is related to cortisol responses, and those responses are related to test performance. Those who responded most strongly, with either increases or decreases in cortisol, scored 0.40 standard deviations lower than expected on the high-stakes exam.
Two new species of Calocybe (Lyophyllaceae) from northeast China

Authors: XU JIZE , YU XIAODONG , ZHANG CHUNLAN , LI YU
Published: December 2019

Two new species of Calocybe (Calocybe erminea sp. nov. and C. badiofloccosa sp. nov.) are described from Liaoning province, China. Calocybe erminea is characterized mainly by its light khaki to dirty white pileus, slightly hygrophanous stipe, small basidiospores and cellular epicutis. The key characters of C. badiofloccosa are its light ocher yellow and rough pileus, villose stipe and large basidiospores. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the nuclear large subunit rDNA (nrLSU) region indicated that they belong to Calocybe, but they are distinct from other species in the genus. They are compared morphologically with other species which are phenotypically similar and the phylogenetic relationships between them and allied taxa are discussed. These results confirm the species is new to science.
Morphology controlled deposition of ZnO single micro-nanorods
Authors: Wang Lina , Zou Ailing , Liu Jitong , Wang Jing , Zhou Dan , Yu You , Gao Zhaohui , Luan Zhongqi
Published: December 2019

The ZnO micro-nanorods are controlledly synthesized by a simple chemical vapor deposition method. With different oxygen concentrations the micro-nanorods exhibit different extrinsic feature and length. Under lower oxygen concentration, the micro-nanorods are up to 1670 μm
in length which can be easily operated in singlecrystalline. When the oxygen concentration up to 30 sccm, the surface of the sample is smoother. The Raman spectra reveal that ZnO micro-nanorods have an excellent hexagonal wurtzite structure. However, the micronanorods synthesized during lower
oxygen concentration exhibit more oxygen defect. The morphology controlling deposition of ZnO mircro-nanorods were realized by adjust the concentration of oxygen, which has great significance for further gas sensor application.
Densification process of silica microspheres by multi-step sintering
Authors: Zhang Xiaolin
Published: December 2019

Dense silica microspheres were fabricated by spray drying and multi-step sintering. The effect of sinter temperatures on densification, dispersibility and inner morphology of silica spheres was analyzed by SEM, and the densification process was deeply discussed. The results showed that
single-step sintering at 1100 °C made silica spheres seriously coherent each other and spherical morphology irregular. However, a multi-step process made the sinter temperature increase to 1190 °C, while silica spheres still kept uniformly spherical and dispersed. The increased temperature
resulted in that the silica particles obtained dense inner morphology, and their density reached 2.18 g · cm–3, corresponding to a relative density of 98.6% (in comparison with the density of 2.21 g · cm–3 for noncrystal silica).
Impact-Based Decision Support Services and the Socioeconomic Impacts of Winter Storms
Authors: Lazo Jeffrey K. , Hosterman Heather R. , Sprague-Hilderbrand Jennifer M. , Adkins Jeffery E.
Published: December 2019

As part of its strategic plan for Building a Weather-Ready Nation, the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) has increased their efforts to provide decision support services connecting forecasts and warnings to decision-making for core partners responsible for public safety. In 2011, the NWS formalized their approach to provide impact-based decision support services (IDSS) to help core partners better understand and utilize NWS forecasts and warnings in the face of upcoming extreme events. IDSS encourages weather forecasters to better consider societal impacts from weather events. This shift in emphasis toward impacts ensures NWS information and services are more relevant to decision-makers, which will allow those decision-makers to use NWS information and services to take proactive mitigating actions to protect life and property. This study posits that formal IDSS provides core partners with better information and supports decisions that reduce socioeconomic impacts during extreme winter storms. We compare two storms in the New York City area with similar characteristics but differing in their implementation of IDSS: the December 2010 storm occurred before the implementation of formal IDSS, whereas the January 2016 storm occurred after the implementation of formal IDSS. The comparison of the storm events indicates that IDSS and mitigating actions reduce flight cancellations, improve recovery time in the ground transportation sector, and reduce the duration and number of customers affected by power outages. We recommend that future studies of the value of IDSS consider using case studies for a range of weather events as well as other methodological approaches to assessing benefits.
Potential Problems Measuring Climate Sensitivity from the Historical Record
Authors: Dessler Andrew E.
Published: December 2019

This study investigates potential biases between equilibrium climate sensitivity inferred from warming over the historical period (ECShist) and the climate system’s true ECS (ECStrue). This paper focuses on two factors that could contribute to differences between these quantities. First is the impact of internal variability over the historical period: our historical climate record is just one of an infinity of possible trajectories, and these different trajectories can generate ECShist values 0.3 K below to 0.5 K above (5%–95% confidence interval) the average ECShist. Because this spread is due to unforced variability, I refer to this as the unforced pattern effect. This unforced pattern effect in the model analyzed here is traced to unforced variability in loss of sea ice, which affects the albedo feedback, and to unforced variability in warming of the troposphere, which affects the shortwave cloud feedback. There is also a forced pattern effect that causes ECShist to depart from ECStrue due to differences between today’s transient pattern of warming and the pattern of warming at 2×CO2 equilibrium. Changes in the pattern of warming lead to a strengthening low-cloud feedback as equilibrium is approached in regions where surface warming is delayed: the Southern Ocean, eastern Pacific, and North Atlantic near Greenland. This forced pattern effect causes ECShist to be on average 0.2 K lower than ECStrue (~8%). The net effect of these two pattern effects together can produce an estimate of ECShist as much as 0.5 K below ECStrue.
Dynamical Downscaling of Future Hydrographic Changes over the Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Shin Sang-Ik , Alexander Michael A.
Published: December 2019

Projected climate changes along the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts were examined using the eddy-resolving Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS). First, a control (CTRL) ROMS simulation was performed using boundary conditions derived from observations. Then climate change signals, obtained as mean seasonal cycle differences between the recent past (1976–2005) and future (2070–99) periods in a coupled global climate model under the RCP8.5 greenhouse gas trajectory, were added to the initial and boundary conditions of the CTRL in a second (RCP85) ROMS simulation. The differences between the RCP85 and CTRL simulations were used to investigate the regional effects of climate change. Relative to the coarse-resolution coupled climate model, the downscaled projection shows that SST changes become more pronounced near the U.S. East Coast, and the Gulf Stream is further reduced in speed and shifted southward. Moreover, the downscaled projection shows enhanced warming of ocean bottom temperatures along the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts, particularly in the Gulf of Maine and the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. The enhanced warming was related to an improved representation of the ocean circulation, including topographically trapped coastal ocean currents and slope water intrusion through the Northeast Channel into the Gulf of Maine. In response to increased radiative forcing, much warmer than present-day Labrador Subarctic Slope Waters entered the Gulf of Maine through the Northeast Channel, warming the deeper portions of the gulf by more than 4°C.
Extreme Precipitation Events in Northern California during Winter 2016–17: Multiscale Analysis and Climatological Perspective
Authors: Moore Benjamin J. , White Allen B. , Gottas Daniel J. , Neiman Paul J.
Published: December 2019

A multiscale analysis is presented of extreme precipitation events (EPEs) in Northern California during winter 2016–17, which caused flooding and contributed substantially to highly anomalous seasonal precipitation totals. The EPEs were characterized by long durations (≥7 days) and involved persistent large-scale flow patterns. The three largest EPEs involved blocking over the Bering Sea–Alaska region. A detailed investigation of the largest EPE, occurring on 2–10 February 2017, reveals that extreme precipitation was produced as four discrete cyclones moved across the eastern North Pacific equatorward of a high-amplitude blocking ridge and impacted the U.S. West Coast in rapid succession. The latter three cyclones developed and moved in conjunction with elongated negatively tilted troughs or PV streamers resulting from repeated episodes of baroclinic development and cyclonic Rossby wave breaking on the upstream flank of the block. Each of the four cyclones interacted with a PV streamer and an associated baroclinic zone established by anticyclonic wave breaking on the downstream flank of the block and, thereby, tracked into the U.S. West Coast. The serial clustering of the cyclones during the 9-day event resulted in persistent water vapor flux and lifting that supported extreme precipitation totals in Northern California. A climatological analysis for 1979–2017 reveals a significant statistical relationship between blocking over the Bering Sea–Alaska region and EPEs in Northern California, indicating that this type of blocking pattern represents a favorable large-scale scenario for extreme precipitation in Northern California.
Nonclassic Evolution of a Cold-Frontal System across the Western United States during the Intermountain Precipitation Experiment (IPEX)
Authors: Schultz David M. , Steenburgh W. James
Published: December 2019

A cold-frontal passage through northern Utah was studied using observations collected during intensive observing period 4 of the Intermountain Precipitation Experiment (IPEX) on 14–15 February 2000. To illustrate some of its nonclassic characteristics, its origins are considered. The front developed following the landfall of two surface features on the Pacific coast (hereafter, the cold-frontal system). The first feature was a surface pressure trough and wind shift associated with a band of precipitation and rope cloud with little, if any, surface baroclinicity. The second, which made landfall 4 h later, was a wind shift associated with weaker precipitation that possessed a weak temperature drop at landfall (1°C in 9 h), but developed a stronger temperature drop as it moved inland over central California (4°–6°C in 9 h). As the first feature moved into the Great Basin, surface temperatures ahead of the trough increased due to downslope flow and daytime heating, whereas temperatures behind the trough decreased as precipitation cooled the near-surface air. Coupled with confluence in the lee of the Sierra Nevada, this trough developed into the principal baroclinic zone of the cold-frontal system (8°C in less than an hour), whereas the temperature drop with the second feature weakened further. The motion of the surface pressure trough was faster than the posttrough surface winds and was tied to the motion of the short-wave trough aloft. This case, along with previously published cases in the Intermountain West, challenges the traditional conceptual model of cold-frontal terminology, structure, and evolution.
Clericalization of the Laity: A Prescient Warning of Pope Francis for the Catholic Church in Ireland
Authors: Fitzgibbon Éamonn
Published: December 2019

Pope Francis has consistently alerted the Catholic Church to the dangers of clericalism. One way in which clericalism finds expression is by clericalizing the laity and Francis’s warning in this has particular relevance for Ireland as we attempt to address the consequences at pastoral level of a collapse in vocations to priesthood and religious life. The temptation is to try to carry on as if nothing has changed and often to ask lay people to fill roles previously carried out by clergy in a way that suggests they are the ones who are truly living out their baptismal calling as opposed to those who live out their Christianity in the course of their ordinary daily lives. This raises important questions around the roles of laity and ordained, the evolution of ministry, and current pastoral practice. This article examines theological responses to these questions during and since Vatican II. I propose we are best served at this time by focusing on the relationship between the priesthood of the faithful and ordained priesthood. I also argue that we need an inductive methodology which enables our theology to be guided by praxis.
Revisiting The Solitary Life
Authors: McNary-Zak Bernadette
Published: December 2019

Thomas Merton’s ideas about solitude and eremitic life have been the subject of considerable scholarly focus. Employing findings from several recent studies, this essay revisits the circumstances around the composition and publication of Merton’s monograph The Solitary Life (1960) in order to illumine a critical juncture in the development of his thought.
Further Along the Fourth Stage of Meaning: Lonergan, Alterity and ‘Genuine’ Religion
Authors: Dadosky John
Published: December 2019

The chapter on religion in Bernard Lonergan’s Method in Theology is a rich compilation of many ideas that were important to his thought throughout his career. It is at once a theory of ‘genuine’ religion, a theory of the distortions of such religion, and an expansion of his theology of grace into a wider ecumenical multi-religious or universalist context, to name a few. This essay draws upon that chapter to investigate a further development of Lonergan’s thought of a fourth stage of meaning to be added to his three stages of meaning. Among other things, the fourth stage of meaning anticipates a global age of inter-religious and social cooperation. It also enables one to avoid the danger of the third stage with an overemphasis on interiority by bringing emphases upon vertical and horizontal alterity. Moreover, in the context of Method in Theology as a whole, this theory also raises questions about the future of systematic theology in view of the emerging fourth stage as a distinct differentiated realm.
Beyond “women and youth”: Applying intersectionality in agricultural research for development
Authors: Tavenner Katie , Crane Todd A
Published: December 2019

“Women and youth” targets are commonly homogenized both in development discourse and in programmatic targeting. While this framing aims to recognize the customary inequities in agricultural development activities traditionally oriented toward elder men, the homogenization of these categories does not capture the intra-gender differences between these social groups. We explore the utility of intersectionality as an applied analytic concept in agricultural research for development to shed light on the heterogeneity of these social groups and the gender power relations that mediate farmer engagement with agriculture. Drawing on qualitative interview data from the Tanzanian dairy sector, this study applies intersectional analysis to explore how gender, generation, and marital status create power relationships that influence farmers’ positioning to engage in dairy production, institutions, and processes. We find that applying intersectionality helps us understand not only intersecting inequalities but also the fundamentally different experiences and power outcomes that occur at these intersections.
Community Elites and Collective Action: The State and the Starved during the Chinese Famine (1959–61)
Authors: Cai Yongshun
Published: December 2019

Tens of millions of peasants died during the Great Famine in China from 1959 to 1961. Numerous Chinese peasants remained silent during the famine while others staged resistance. This article explores how peasant resistance was possible in a communist regime and how the government contained such resistance. It finds that resistance was considerably affected by the availability of protest leaders. Chinese peasants were organized into rural collectives controlled by the party-state through local cadres. Sympathetic rural cadres played crucial roles in facilitating peasant resistance. However, government control generally deprived rural communities of protest leaders. When collective resistance did occur, the government contained its influence through accommodation and repression. Effective control rendered the government insensitive to the famine suffered by the vast rural population of the country.
Not Putting Their Money Where Their Mouth Is: Retired Flag Officers and Presidential Endorsements
Authors: Griffiths Zachary , Simon Olivia
Published: December 2019

Endorsements by retired flag and general officers are now a fixture of the presidential election cycle. However, their motivations are unclear. Retired flag officers might endorse with material, purposive, or solidarity motives. We evaluate these motivations with a new data set of 1,340 endorsements by 1,041 endorsers between 2004 and 2016 matched with campaign contributions. We find that campaign contributions, service in the Navy, and retiring as a higher ranked officer are all associated with an increased likelihood of endorsing. We conclude that about 10 retired flag officers participate to improve their material situation, 193 seek to advance their ideological preferences, and the remainder participate to demonstrate solidarity with their peers or acquaintances. These findings provide new insight into endorser motivations and civil–military relations.
Weathering Probation and Parole: The Protective Role of Social Support on Black Women’s Recent Stressful Events and Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Malcome Marion L. D. , Fedock Gina , Garthe Rachel C. , Golder Seana , Higgins George , Logan T. K.
Published: December 2019

Despite an overrepresentation of Black women in the criminal justice system, Black women’s mental health at the precarious intersection of race, gender, and community-based correctional supervision has been underresearched. Building on weathering theory, this study conceptualized criminal justice involvement as a social inequality that negatively affects Black women’s mental health. This study investigated the relationships between recent stressors, forms of social support, and depression through moderated regression analyses with a sample of 169 Black women on probation and parole. Almost half of the women met criteria for clinical levels of depression. Distinct forms of social support served as statistically significant protective factors between stressors and depression symptoms. Our findings highlight the importance of studying the mental health of Black women under correctional surveillance and bolstering multiple forms of support to promote their well-being. The impact of criminal justice involvement and institutional racism on Black women’s mental health requires further research.
One for All and All for One: Collaboration and Cooperation in Triple Helix Knowledge Cocreation
Authors: Mascarenhas Carla , Marques Carla , Ferreira João J.
Published: December 2019

If innovation is the engine of economies, the partnerships in the Triple Helix model of innovation are the fuel that makes this engine work. Although each member of this model has its defined role, the present study sought to gain a new perspective on these partnerships, including the role of governments. Based on interviews with representatives of universities, companies, and governments in two countries (i.e., Portugal and Spain), this research focused on how innovation partnerships are formed as well as what obstacles to cooperation can arise. The results show that governments can play the role not only of a financier and legislator but also of a direct participant in innovation by entering into partnerships with the other Triple Helix actors. In addition, this study revealed that, irrespective of which partners and needs are in question, these networks operate mostly with public funds.
Topic modelling and social network analysis of publications and patents in humanoid robot technology
Authors: Kumari Richa , Jeong Jae Yun , Lee Byeong-Hee , Choi Kwang-Nam , Choi Kiseok
Published: December 2019

This article presents analysis of data from scientific articles and patents to identify the evolving trends and underlying topics in research on humanoid robots. We used topic modelling based on latent Dirichlet allocation analysis to identify underlying topics in sub-areas in the field. We also used social network analysis to measure the centrality indices of publication keywords to detect important and influential sub-areas and used co-occurrence analysis of keywords to visualise relationships among subfields. The research result is useful to identify evolving topics and areas of current focus in the field of humanoid technology. The results contribute to identify valuable research patterns from publications and to increase understanding of the hidden knowledge themes that are revealed by patents.
Indicator of quality for environmental articles on Wikipedia at the higher education level
Authors: Petiška Eduard , Moldan Bedřich
Published: December 2019

Wikipedia is important in higher education because students and scholars often use it. Nevertheless, the issue of Wikipedia’s quality is an obstacle for its use at the higher education level. In order to contribute to this discussion, we have proposed ‘Verifiability by respected sources’ as an indicator for assessing the quality of Wikipedia articles at the higher education level and conducted an analysis of the most frequently visited articles in the category of Environment on Wikipedia. Results show that these articles contain many unreferenced statements, so their usage at the higher education level is problematic. Therefore, we also propose specific steps for relevant actors that could help to improve the quality of Wikipedia.