bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implications of elevated carbon dioxide on the susceptibility of the globally invasive weed, Parthenium hysterophorus, to glyphosate herbicide
Authors: Cowie Blair W , Venter Nic , Witkowski Ed TF , Byrne Marcus J
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

The noxious annual herb, Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Asteraceae), is an invasive weed of global significance, threatening food security, biodiversity and human health. In South Africa, chemical control is frequently used to manage P. hysterophorus, however, concern surrounds increasing atmospheric CO2 levels, which may reduce the efficacy of glyphosate against the weed. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the susceptibility of P. hysterophorus to glyphosate (1L/ha: recommended) after being grown for five generations in Convirons under ambient (400 ppm) and elevated (600 and 800 ppm) CO2.

RESULTS

Glyphosate efficacy decreased with increasing CO2, with mortalities of 100, 83 and 75% recorded at 400, 600 and 800 ppm, respectively. Parthenium hysterophorus experienced enhanced growth and reproduction under elevated CO2, however, glyphosate application was highly damaging, reducing the growth and flowering of plants across all CO2 treatments. Physiologically, glyphosate‐treated plants, in all CO2 treatments, suffered severe declines of >90% in chlorophyll content, maximum quantum efficiency (F
v/Fm), photon absorption (ABS/RC), electron transport (ET
0/RC) and performance index (PI
ABS), albeit at slower rates for plants grown under elevated CO2. Low levels of recovery from glyphosate were documented only for plants grown under elevated CO2 and was attributed to their increased biomass.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that increasing CO2 levels may hinder chemical control efforts used against P. hysterophorus in the future, advocating for further investigation using multigenerational CO2 studies and the maintenance of effective spraying programs at present. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Critical PO2 as a diagnostic biomarker for the effects of low‐oxygen modified and controlled atmospheres on phytosanitary irradiation treatments in the cabbage looper Trichoplusia ni (Hübner)
Authors: Chen Chao , Condon Catriona H , Boardman Leigh , Meagher Robert L , Jeffers Laura A , Beam Andrea , Bailey Woodward D , Hahn Daniel A
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Phytosanitary irradiation is a sustainable alternative to chemical fumigants for disinfesting fresh commodities from insect pests. However, irradiating insects in modified atmospheres with very low oxygen (<1 kPa O2) has repeatedly been shown to increase radioprotective response. Thus, there is a concern that modified atmosphere packaging could reduce the efficacy of phytosanitary irradiation. One hurdle slowing the widespread application of phytosanitary irradiation is a lack of knowledge about how moderate levels of hypoxia relevant to the modified atmosphere packaging of most fresh commodities (3–10 kPa O2) may affect phytosanitary irradiation treatments. Therefore, we hypothesize that critical PO2 (Pcrit), the level of oxygen at which an insect's metabolism becomes impaired, can be used as a diagnostic biomarker to predict the induction of a radioprotective response.

RESULTS

Using the cabbage looper Trichoplusia ni (Hübner), we show that there is a substantial increase in radiation resistance when larvae are irradiated in atmospheres more hypoxic than their Pcrit (3.3 kPa O2). These data are consistent with our hypothesis that Pcrit could be used as a diagnostic biomarker for what levels of hypoxia may induce radioprotective effects that could impact phytosanitary irradiation treatments.

CONCLUSION

We propose that the relationship between Pcrit and radioprotective effects could allow us to build a framework for predicting the effects of low‐oxygen atmospheres on the efficacy of phytosanitary irradiation. However, more widespread studies across pest species are still needed to test the generality of this idea.
Bioassay guided isolation of mosquito biting deterrent compounds from Strumpfia maritima
Authors: Ali Abbas , Ahmed Zaki Mohamed , Parveen Abidah , Ali Zulfiqar , Khan Ikhlas A
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

In our natural products screening program against mosquitoes, we screened ethanolic extract of Strumpfia maritima Jacq. which showed high biting deterrent activity in Klun and Debboun (K&D) bioassays against Aedes aegypti L. Through bioguided fractionation we isolated six compounds from the active fractions. The extract and pure compounds were evaluated for larvicidal and biting deterrent activity against Aedes aegypti.

RESULTS

Ethanolic extract with proportion not biting (PNB) value of 0.8 ± 0.08 provided biting deterrent activity similar to N,N‐dimethyl‐m‐toluamide (DEET) (PNB = 0.9 ± 0.05) against Ae. aegypti. Five out of eight fractions, prepared through bioassay‐guided fractionation, showed biting deterrent activity similar to DEET. Six compounds were isolated from active fractions and characterized as squalene, ursolic acid, betulonic acid, cabraleone, ursolic acid acetate, and 27‐p‐E‐coumaroyloxyursolic acid. The biting deterrent activity of ursolic acid acetate (biting deterrence index, BDI = 0.85), cabraleone (BDI = 0.79), and ursolic acid (BDI = 0.78) was similar to DEET against Ae. aegypti. Strumpfia maritima extract did not show larvicidal activity at the highest screening dose of 125 ppm in the larvicidal bioassay.

CONCLUSION

The ethanolic extract and pure compounds showed biting deterrent activity against Ae. aegypti. The high biting deterrent activity of ursolic acid acetate and cabraleone indicated a great potential for these natural compounds to be developed as mosquito repellents. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Carbon Nanolights in Piezopolymers are Self‐Organizing Toward Color Tunable Luminous Hybrids for Kinetic Energy Harvesting
Authors: He Xuebing , Wang Chuanfeng , Huang Xi , Jin Long , Chu Xiang , Xie Meilin , Nie Yiwen , Xu Yali , Peng Zhou , Zhang Chaoliang , Lu Jun , Yang Weiqing
Published: January 2020

Herein, an all‐solid‐state sequential self‐organization and self‐assembly process is reported for the in situ construction of a color tunable luminous inorganic/polymer hybrid with high direct piezoresponse. The primary inorganic self‐organization in solid polymer and the subsequent polymer self‐assembly are achieved at high pressure with the first utilization of piezo‐copolymer (PVDF‐TrFE) as the host matrix of guest carbon quantum dots (CQDs). This process induces the spontaneous formation of a highly ordered, microscale, polygonal, and hierarchically structured CQDs/PVDF‐TrFE hybrid with multicolor photoluminescence, consisting of very thermodynamic stable polar crystalline nanowire arrays. The electrical polarization‐free CQDs/PVDF‐TrFE hybrids can efficiently harvest the environmental available kinetic mechanical energy with a new large‐scale group‐cooperation mechanism. The open‐circuit voltage and short‐circuit current outputs reach up to 29.6 V cm−2 and 550 nA cm−2, respectively. The CQDs/PVDF‐TrFE–based hybrid nanogenerator demonstrates drastically improved durable and reliable features during the real‐time demonstration of powering commercial light emitting diodes. No attenuation/fluctuation of the electrical signals is observed for ≈10 000 continuous working cycles. This study may offer a new design concept for progressively but spontaneously constructing novel multiple self‐adaptive complex inorganic/polymer hybrids that promise applications in the next generation of self‐powered autonomous optoelectronic devices.
Multimodal Stimulation in a Microfluidic Device Facilitates Studies of Interneurons in Sensory Integration in C. elegans
Authors: Cho Yongmin , Lee Sol Ah , Chew Yee Lian , Broderick Kirby , Schafer William R. , Lu Hang
Published: January 2020

Animals' perception and behavior involve integration of multiple sensory modalities. Caenorhabditis elegans is a useful model for studying multimodal sensory integration, as it has well‐characterized neuronal circuits in a relatively simple nervous system. However, most studies based on functional imaging have only been conducted on single modal stimuli, because well‐controlled multimodal experiments for C. elegans are technically difficult. For instance, no single systems currently deliver precise stimuli with spatial, temporal, and intensity control, despite prior hypotheses that interneurons do integrate these sensory inputs to control behavior. Here, a microfluidic platform that can easily deliver spatially and temporally controlled combination stimuli to C. elegans is presented. With this platform, both sensory and interneuron activity is measured in response to mechanical and chemical stimulations in a quantitative and high‐throughput manner. It is found that the activity of command interneuron PVC can be modulated by prior stimulation both within the same and across different modalities. The roles of monoaminergic and peptidergic signaling are further examined on the process of multimodal integration through PVC activity. The approach exemplified here is envisioned to be broadly applicable in different contexts to elucidate underlying mechanisms and identify genes affecting multisensory integration.
Hierarchically Structured Two‐Dimensional Bimetallic CoNi‐Hexaaminobenzene Coordination Polymers Derived from Co(OH)2 for Enhanced Oxygen Evolution Catalysis
Authors: Li Chun , Gao Yanting , Xia Xifeng , Zhu Junwu , Wang Xin , Fu Yongsheng
Published: January 2020

Conjugated coordination polymers (CPs) with designable and predictable structures have drawn tremendous attention in recent years. However, the poor electrical conductivity and low structural stability seriously restrict their practical applications in electronic devices. Herein, the rational design and synthesis of a hierarchically structured 2D bimetallic CoNi‐hexaaminobenzene CPs derived from Co(OH)2 are reported as an efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) self‐supported electrode. The as‐obtained electrode possesses high electrochemical surface area and intrinsic activity, exhibiting high electrochemical catalytic activity, favorable reaction kinetics performance, and strong durability compared with those of the powder catalysts. As a result, the electrode delivers low overpotential of 219 mV @ 10 mA cm−2 and Tafel slope of 42 mV dec−1 as well as 91.3% retention of current density after 24 h of reaction time. The results of density functional theory computations reveal that the synergistic effect of Co and Ni plays an important role in OER. This work not only presents a strategy to fabricate advanced self‐supported electrodes with abundant and dense active sites, but also promotes the development of conjugated CPs for electrocatalysis.
A survey on the service interoperability in cloud computing: Client‐centric and provider‐centric perspectives
Authors: Bouzerzour Nour El Houda , Ghazouani Souad , Slimani Yahya
Published: January 2020

The vendor lock‐in is a prominent issue in cloud computing. It is caused by cloud providers who offer proprietary services, which hinders the cloud interoperability. Client‐centric interoperability enables the migration of the data and applications across clouds; it gives the clients control over their workloads and a wider range of service choices. Whereas, provider‐centric interoperability allows the providers to collaborate. Thus, providers, who have spare resources, can lend them to other providers who lack computational or storage capabilities to overcome the limitations of their local resources. In this article, we conduct a survey to differentiate between client‐ and provider‐centric interoperability solutions. We aim to provide an up‐to‐date analysis of the current tendencies and the neglected areas of the cloud interoperability field. Thus, we study the cloud service interoperability evolution through the years. Furthermore, we propose definitions for the intra‐cloud and inter‐cloud interoperability. Moreover, we propose a taxonomy to classify the cloud interoperability approaches into client‐centric and provider‐centric categories. Then, for each category, we classify the approaches based on their interoperability environment into single cloud or interconnected clouds. Finally, we analyze and compare the approaches based on multiple criteria. The study reveals the focus on the client‐centric solutions and the interoperability in interconnected clouds. We notice more interest in the data and application levels interoperability, mainly, in infrastructure as a service model. We also find that client‐centric solutions are, mostly, semantic technologies and brokers. However, provider‐centric solutions are middleware, protocols, and standards. We conclude that a generic cloud service interoperability model is needed.
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide induces a bivalent metabolism and maintains pluripotency in human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Lees Jarmon G. , Gardner David K. , Harvey Alexandra J.
Published: January 2020

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and its precursor metabolites are emerging as important regulators of both cell metabolism and cell state. Interestingly, the role of NAD+ in human embryonic stem cell (hESC) metabolism and the regulation of pluripotent cell state is unresolved. Here we show that NAD+ simultaneously increases hESC mitochondrial oxidative metabolism and partially suppresses glycolysis and stimulates amino acid turnover, doubling the consumption of glutamine. Concurrent with this metabolic remodeling, NAD+ increases hESC pluripotent marker expression and proliferation, inhibits BMP4-induced differentiation and reduces global histone 3 lysine 27 trimethylation, plausibly inducing an intermediate naïve-to-primed bivalent metabolism and pluripotent state. Furthermore, maintenance of NAD+ recycling via malate aspartate shuttle activity is identified as an absolute requirement for hESC self-renewal, responsible for 80% of the oxidative capacity of hESC mitochondria. Our findings implicate NAD+ in the regulation of cell state, suggesting that the hESC pluripotent state is dependent upon cellular NAD+.
3D Yang-Mills confining properties from a non-Abelian ensemble perspective
Authors: Junior D. R. , Oxman L. E. , Simões G. M.
Published: January 2020

Abstract

In this work, we propose a 3D ensemble measure for center-vortex worldlines and chains equipped with non-Abelian degrees of freedom. We derive an effective field description for the center-element average where the vortices get represented by N flavors of effective Higgs fields transforming in the fundamental representation. This field content is required to accommodate fusion rules where N vortices can be created out of the vacuum. The inclusion of the chain sector, formed by center-vortex worldlines attached to pointlike defects, leads to a discrete set of Z(N) vacua. This type of SSB pattern supports the formation of a stable domain wall between quarks, thus accommodating not only a linear potential but also the Luscher term. Moreover, after a detailed analysis of the associated field equations, the asymptotic string tension turns out to scale with the quadratic Casimir of the antisymmetric quark representation. These behaviors reproduce those derived from Monte Carlo simulations in SU(N) 3D Yang-Mills theory, which lacked understanding in the framework of confinement as due to percolating magnetic defects.
Discrete factor analysis using a dependent Poisson model
Authors: Larsson Rolf
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we present a method for factor analysis of discrete data. This is accomplished by fitting a dependent Poisson model with a factor structure. To be able to analyze ordinal data, we also consider a truncated Poisson distribution. We try to find the model with the lowest AIC by employing a forward selection procedure. The probability to find the correct model is investigated in a simulation study. Moreover, we heuristically derive the corresponding asymptotic probabilities. An empirical study is also included.
Quantitative analysis of vitamin D and its main metabolites in human milk by supercritical fluid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Oberson J. M. , Bénet S. , Redeuil K. , Campos-Giménez E.
Published: January 2020

A novel method to quantitate vitamin D and its main metabolites (vitamin D3, vitamin D2, and their 25-hydroxy metabolites) in breast milk by supercritical fluid chromatography has been developed and fully validated. A small volume of sample (1 mL) is subjected to ethanolic protein precipitation and liquid-liquid extraction. Final extracts are derivatized with 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione and vitamin D derivatives analyzed by supercritical fluid chromatography hyphenated to tandem mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization. Multiple reaction monitoring is used for quantitation. Separation conditions were optimized using a gradient of methanol-water-ammonium formate into carbon dioxide. Make-up solvent was methanol containing ammonium formate. The quantitation limit reached levels as low as 50 pmol/L, with intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations lower than 15% and 20% for all analytes. Accuracy was evaluated by spiking experiments and was well within acceptability ratios (± 15%). The method was then applied to a subset of commercially available human milk samples. The newly developed method provides opportunities to determine the nutritional status of mother-infant dyads from a non-invasive measure, or for interventional or observational studies building knowledge on the composition of human milk.
Unconventional high-pressure Raman spectroscopy study of kinetic and peak pressure effects in plagioclase feldspars
Authors: Sims Melissa , Jaret Steven J. , Johnson Jeffrey R. , Whitaker Matthew L. , Glotch Timothy D.
Published: January 2020

We present the results of a high-pressure semi-hydrostatic study of two plagioclase minerals, andesine and albite, using diamond anvil cells (DACs) to characterize in situ variations in Raman spectra under different static pressures. In this work, we also examined the kinetic effects on deformation at both long and short timescales through non-traditional experiments in which the DAC was either dropped or struck with a mallet. We examined the effects of strain rate, quench rate, and pressure duration on the Raman spectra of plagioclase. We observed that amorphization occurred in all the plagioclase samples we analyzed, and that amorphization onset and permanence differ depending on the composition, kinetics, energy input, and peak pressure. In andesine, samples pressurized above a peak pressure of 18 GPa, amorphization is permanent. Below this critical pressure, the phase has ‘memory’, and crystalline andesine reforms on decompression. Our findings suggest the presence of a thermodynamic energy well in andesine around 18 GPa, and we show that any additional energy input while close to 18 GPa results in amorphization becoming permanent. The effect of the energy well may be relevant for longer duration impacts. For such impacts, equilibrium state studies of deformation and phase formation were previously considered to be applicable. These experiments illuminating the presence of memory effects in plagioclase have implications for comparing static compression, in which samples are measured while under compression, with shock compression, for which samples are measured after decompression.
Carotid near-occlusion is often overlooked when CT angiography is assessed in routine practice
Authors: Johansson Elias , Gu Thomas , Aviv Richard I. , Fox Allan J.
Published: January 2020

Objective

Assess the sensitivity and specificity of computed tomography angiography (CTA) for carotid near-occlusion diagnosis interpreted in clinical practice against expert assessment.

Methods

CTAs were graded by two expert interpreters for near-occlusion. Findings were compared with clinical reports in 383 consecutive cases with symptomatic ≥ 50% carotid stenosis. In addition, 14 selected CTA exams (8 near-occlusions and 6 controls) were analyzed in a national effort by 13 radiologists experienced with carotid CTA.

Results

In clinical practice, imaging reports were 20% (95% CI 12–28%) sensitive for near-occlusion, ranging 0–58% between different radiologists; specificity was 99%. Among the 13 radiologists reviewing the same 8 near-occlusions, the average sensitivity was 8%, ranging 0–75%; specificity was 100%.

Conclusions

Carotid near-occlusion is systematically under-reported in clinical routine practice, caused by limited application of grading criteria when assessing CTA.

Key Points

• Carotid near-occlusion is severe stenosis with distal artery collapse; this collapse is often subtle.

• A fifth of near-occlusions were detected in routine practice. Many readers mistake near-occlusion for stenosis without distal artery collapse, either by not actively searching for subtle collapses or by not interpreting the collapse correctly when noticed.

• On the other hand, the novice diagnostician should be cautioned to not over-diagnose near-occlusion; other causes of extracranial ICA asymmetry also exist such as distal disease and Circle of Willis anatomical variants.
The association of body mass index with long-term clinical outcomes after ticagrelor monotherapy following abbreviated dual antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: a prespecified sub-analysis of the GLOBAL LEADERS Trial
Authors: Ono Masafumi , Chichareon Ply , Tomaniak Mariusz , Kawashima Hideyuki , Takahashi Kuniaki , Kogame Norihiro , Modolo Rodrigo , Hara Hironori , Gao Chao , Wang Rutao , Walsh Simon , Suryapranata Harry , da Silva Pedro Canas , Cotton James , Koning René , Akin Ibrahim , Rensing Benno J. W. M. , Garg Scot , Wykrzykowska Joanna J. , Piek Jan J. , Jüni Peter , Hamm Christian , Steg Philippe Gabriel , Valgimigli Marco , Windecker Stephan , Storey Robert F. , Onuma Yoshinobu , Vranckx Pascal , Serruys Patrick W.
Published: January 2020

Background

The efficacy of antiplatelet therapies following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may be affected by body mass index (BMI).

Methods and results

This is a prespecified subgroup analysis of the GLOBAL LEADERS trial, a prospective, multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial in an all-comer population undergoing PCI, comparing the experimental strategy (23-month ticagrelor monotherapy following 1-month dual antiplatelet therapy [DAPT]) with a reference regimen (12-month aspirin monotherapy following 12-month DAPT). A total of 15,968 patients were stratified by baseline BMI with prespecified threshold of 27 kg/m2. Of those, 6973 (43.7%) patients with a BMI < 27 kg/m2 had a higher risk of all-cause mortality at 2 years than those with BMI ≥ 27 kg/m2 (adjusted HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.02–1.49). At 2 years, the rates of the primary endpoint (all-cause mortality or new Q-wave myocardial infarction) were similar between treatment strategies in either BMI group (pinteraction = 0.51). In acute coronary syndrome, however, the experimental strategy was associated with significant reduction of the primary endpoint compared to the reference strategy in patients with BMI < 27 kg/m2 (HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.51–0.94), but not in the ones with BMI ≥ 27 kg/m2 (pinteraction = 0.047). In chronic coronary syndrome, there was no between-group difference in the efficacy and safety of the two antiplatelet strategies.

Conclusions

Overall, BMI did not influence the treatment effect seen with ticagrelor monotherapy; however, a beneficial effect of ticagrelor monotherapy was seen in ACS patients with BMI < 27 kg/m2.

Trial registration

The trial has been registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, Number NCT01813435.

Graphic abstract
The challenges of using head mounted virtual reality in K-12 schools from a teacher perspective
Authors: Fransson Göran , Holmberg Jörgen , Westelius Claes
Published: January 2020

The use of head mounted displays (HMDs) to experience virtual realities (VR) has become increasingly common. As this technology becomes more affordable, immersive and easier to use, it also becomes more serviceable in educational and training contexts. Even though the technology, content and feasibility for K-12 school purposes are still being developed, it is reasonable to expect that the call or ‘push’ to use HMD VR in K-12 schools will increase, especially as there is now a greater economic interest in the use of digital technologies in educational contexts. This article aims to inform the process of implementing HMD VR in K-12 contexts by researching the preconditions and challenges of use from a teacher perspective. It does this by analysing the organisational, institutional, contextual and practical challenges and opportunities in the implementation of HMD VR in K-12 school contexts. The data draws on (a) interviews, informal conversations and observations of teachers testing HMD VR and different VR applications in a Digital Learning Lab (DLL) and (b) data from a project involving upper secondary school history teachers discussing the planned implementation of HMD VR in their teaching and being in the DLL. The main findings are related to: (a) economy and technology, (b) initial learning barriers, (c) organisation and practical enactment for teaching and learning, (d) curricula, syllabuses and expected learning outcomes and (e) teachers’ competences, professional development and trust. The consequences for educational contexts and possible ways forward are also discussed.
Measuring Poverty Efficiently Using Adaptive Deprivation Scales
Authors: Bailey Nick
Published: January 2020

Deprivation scales are becoming increasingly familiar in research and official statistics on poverty. Taking advantage of the basis of these scales in Item Response Theory, this paper proposes a more efficient approach to implementation using adaptive testing. This maximises information collected for a given amount of survey time by screening respondents on the basis of initial answers, and halting questioning where it is very unlikely any further information will be gathered. The paper illustrates various implementations using data from eight years of the UK’sFamily Resources Survey (FRS). Results show that an adaptive approach collects more than 99% of the information from the UK’s official deprivation measure in half the survey time. In addition, the paper suggests improvements in the design of the UK’s official deprivation scale as well as lessons for the development of future deprivation scales more generally.
Cinnamyl Alcohol Oxidation Using Supported Bimetallic Au–Pd Nanoparticles: An Optimization of Metal Ratio and Investigation of the Deactivation Mechanism Under Autoxidation Conditions
Authors: Rucinska Emilia , Pattisson Samuel , Miedziak Peter J. , Brett Gemma L. , Morgan David J. , Sankar Meenakshisundaram , Hutchings Graham J.
Published: January 2020

The aerobic oxidation of cinnamyl alcohol in toluene under autoxidation conditions has been studied using a range of 1 wt% Au–Pd/TiO2 catalysts. The catalysts have been studied to determine the effect of preparation method (impregnation and sol immobilisation) and metal ratio on the conversion of cinnamyl alcohol and the selectivity to cinnamaldehyde. The catalysts prepared by sol-immobilisation demonstrate higher selectivity to the desired aldehyde than the analogous impregnation materials. The most active catalyst was found to be 0.75 wt% Au–0.25 wt% Pd/TiO2 prepared by sol-immobilisation and this demonstrates the importance of metal ratio optimisation in this catalytic process. Furthermore, this metal ratio was found to be most stable under the reactions conditions with little change observed over multiple uses.
Sustainable Intensification of Rice-Based Systems with Potato in Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains
Authors: Gatto Marcel , Petsakos Athanasios , Hareau Guy
Published: January 2020

In many parts of Asia food security and poverty remain issues even though arable land is available to produce nutritious food. Sustainable intensification of agricultural systems has been proposed to produce more outputs on same land area whilst minimizing environmental degradation. Tradeoffs, however, are inevitable and evidence thereof is scant. In this study, we analyze effects of sustainable intensification of rice-based systems with potato and focus on the Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains of India and Bangladesh. A literature review, expert consultation, and an economic surplus exercise are used to address our objective. We find that sustainable intensification has a huge potential and positive welfare effects. Socio-economic tradeoffs, especially for labour, need to be considered and balanced out. Increasing input efficiency for instance by improving farming practices may reduce negative environmental effects.
An Armour from a finery?—a late medieval couter from Ogrodzieniec Castle in the Kraków-Częstochowa Jura
Authors: Imiołczyk Ewelina , Żabiński Grzegorz , Goryczka Tomasz , Aniołek Krzysztof , Balińska Agnieszka , Miśta-Jakubowska Ewelina
Published: January 2020

The paper deals with a couter of a late fourteenth to early fifteenth century date which was found in Ogrodzieniec Castle, Zawiercie District, Poland (now in the collection of the Upper Silesian Museum in Bytom, MG 7755). The find survived in a vestigial condition, but it was still possible to propose some typological analogies to it. Metallographic examinations demonstrated that the artefact had been manufactured from almost carbon-free iron with a high content of phosphorus. An analysis of slag inclusions in the find suggests that the couter may have been made from refined blast furnace iron. It may thus be an early example of the application of indirect process iron in the manufacture of plate armour.
Theory and applications of differential scanning fluorimetry in early-stage drug discovery
Authors: Gao Kai , Oerlemans Rick , Groves Matthew R.
Published: January 2020

Differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF) is an accessible, rapid, and economical biophysical technique that has seen many applications over the years, ranging from protein folding state detection to the identification of ligands that bind to the target protein. In this review, we discuss the theory, applications, and limitations of DSF, including the latest applications of DSF by ourselves and other researchers. We show that DSF is a powerful high-throughput tool in early drug discovery efforts. We place DSF in the context of other biophysical methods frequently used in drug discovery and highlight their benefits and downsides. We illustrate the uses of DSF in protein buffer optimization for stability, refolding, and crystallization purposes and provide several examples of each. We also show the use of DSF in a more downstream application, where it is used as an in vivo validation tool of ligand-target interaction in cell assays. Although DSF is a potent tool in buffer optimization and large chemical library screens when it comes to ligand-binding validation and optimization, orthogonal techniques are recommended as DSF is prone to false positives and negatives.
Geophysical investigation of resistivity and groundwater quality in Ogbe-Ijoh coastal area of the western Niger Delta of Nigeria
Authors: Ohwoghere-Asuma Oghenero , Iserhien-Emekeme Ruth , Aweto Kizito Ejiro , Ofomola Merrious Oviri
Published: January 2020

Groundwater quality assessment is essential for groundwater resource management, especially as it concerns the health of those that consume it. Consequently, we assembled resistivity and hydrogeochemical data to assess the adverse effect of anthropogenic sources on groundwater quality in Ogbe-Ijoh, a coastal area of the western Niger Delta. Geoelectrical data showed no evidence of quality degradation as reflected by high resistivity values that ranged from 29.3 to 349.9 Ωm. Aquiclude of adequate thickness capping aquifers was uncovered in most areas assessed, with the exception of areas near the bank of the river. The delineated clay sedimentary horizon probably enhanced groundwater quality sustainability by acting as a barrier to migrating contaminants, especially from leachate and septic tanks. The physical properties of groundwater sampled indicated moderate pH, TDS and EC magnitudes, with a majority having magnitudes lesser than the requisite standards. The geochemistry of groundwater revealed cations and anions with magnitudes that are distinctively lesser than the desired ranges. Piper plot revealed two different water types: NaCl−and Ca2+ + Mg2+ + Cl− + SO4, which implied that cation exchange has a weighty effect on quality of groundwater. Overall, the hydrogeochemical results are consistent with resistivity data and revealed the efficacy of the pairs in groundwater quality assessment in the absence of lithologic information. The groundwater condition is relatively safe for consumption; nevertheless, due to health implications we recommend that pH should be increased to the required standard before drinking.
Assessment of dynamic efforts taking into account of inertial and vibrating loads in deaxial pumping units
Authors: Ahmedov Beyali
Published: January 2020

The choice of rational designs of pumping units for lifting fluid from a well and the modes of their operation is one of the most urgent tasks in oil production. Despite the large amount of theoretical and extreme research, the solution of the problem in this direction cannot be considered complete, given that the dynamic characteristics of the movement of the well product and the kinematics of the well pumping unit are extremely complex. This article discusses the issue of determining the dynamic forces acting at the rod suspension point, in the new constructive solution of a beamless pumping unit depending on the angle of rotation of the crank and dimensionless kinematic parameter characterizing the relationship of the length of the crank to the length of the working part of the rope and the relative eccentric. Analytical dependencies are proposed to determine the maximum load at the rods suspension point depending on inertial and vibration forces.
Controlling excess water production in fractured carbonate reservoirs: chemical zonal protection design
Authors: Ghosh Bisweswar , Ali Samhar Adi , Belhaj Hadi
Published: January 2020

Fractured carbonate reservoirs are prone to premature water cut production at the early stage of recovery. Conventionally completed long horizontal wells, suffering from high water cut through fracture networks, need reliable and cost-effective treatment solutions to control water entry, without damaging oil-saturated segments. Protection of oil flow channels from polymer gel invasion could be a challenge in complex fractured reservoirs because of the enormity of the number of zones that may require damage protection. In this work, a chemical package system is developed, comprising three different chemical solutions. The first fluid is designed to protect the low-permeable oil-saturated zones by creating an impermeable barrier while keeping the water conductive fractures open, followed by a gelant, designed to invade, solidify, and seal off the water conductive fractures. The third treatment is designed for a complete dissolution of the protective barrier created by the first fluid. The effectiveness of this process is evaluated through a set of four core flood studies at reservoir conditions. It was observed that whereas the effective brine permeability could be reduced by 74–91%, oil effective permeability is reduced by 12–17% depending on the fracture aperture. The paper also discusses the key parameters to be addressed for successful field implementation of this technology.
Low-Temperature Growing Anatase TiO2/SnO2 Multi-dimensional Heterojunctions at MXene Conductive Network for High-Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Huang Linsheng , Zhou Xiaowen , Xue Rui , Xu Pengfei , Wang Siliang , Xu Chao , Zeng Wei , Xiong Yi , Sang Hongqian , Liang Dong
Published: January 2020

A multi-dimensional conductive heterojunction structure, composited by TiO2, SnO2, and Ti3C2TX MXene, is facilely designed and applied as electron transport layer in efficient and stable planar perovskite solar cells. Based on an oxygen vacancy scramble effect, the zero-dimensional anatase TiO2 quantum dots, surrounding on two-dimensional conductive Ti3C2TX sheets, are in situ rooted on three-dimensional SnO2 nanoparticles, constructing nanoscale TiO2/SnO2 heterojunctions. The fabrication is implemented in a controlled low-temperature anneal method in air and then in N2 atmospheres. With the optimal MXene content, the optical property, the crystallinity of perovskite layer, and internal interfaces are all facilitated, contributing more amount of carrier with effective and rapid transferring in device. The champion power conversion efficiency of resultant perovskite solar cells achieves 19.14%, yet that of counterpart is just 16.83%. In addition, it can also maintain almost 85% of its initial performance for more than 45 days in 30–40% humidity air; comparatively, the counterpart declines to just below 75% of its initial performance.
Non-infiltrating mediastinal angiolipoma presenting with recurrent pleural effusion: A rare case report
Authors: Son Bong Soo
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACT

A 57-year-old woman presented with cough, dyspnea, and recurrent pleural effusion. The patient had previously undergone thoracentesis for left-sided pleural effusion at another medical clinic. A chest computed tomographic (CT) scan revealed pleural effusion and mediastinal tumor in the left para-aortic location. The tumor was resected using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and revealed as a benign non-infiltrating angiolipoma. This is the first case report of a non-infiltrating mediastinal angiolipoma not localized to the posterior mediastinum.

Highlights:
Evolution of reproductive strategies in coleoid mollusks
Authors: Fuchs Dirk , Laptikhovsky Vladimir , Nikolaeva Svetlana , Ippolitov Alexei , Rogov Mikhail
Published: January 2020

Coleoid cephalopods exhibited two distinct reproductive strategies, resulting in small pelagic and large demersal hatchlings, both in the geologic past and recently. In ectocochleate cephalopods, the hatching event is recorded in shell structures (e.g., nepionic constrictions, ultrastructural shifts, or ornamentation differences). In contrast, well-defined hatching markers do not exist on coleoid shells. Changes in septal spacing may be evidence of hatching (e.g., some extant sepiids), but not in all fossil groups. In the present study, we subdivide the early ontogenetic shells of phragmocone-bearing coleoids (belemnoids, spirulids, and sepiids) into key architectural stages and describe their reference to the hatching event. Belemnoids exhibit three key stages, the second of which is here considered to occur shortly before or after hatching. In spirulids and sepiids, there is only one key stage. In Mesozoic belemnoids, spirulids, and sepiids, hatching accordingly occurred with a total shell length of less than 2 mm, which corresponds to mantle lengths of small planktonic hatchlings. Production of small pelagic hatchlings and thus small eggs was therefore the dominant reproductive strategy within the Coleoidea. The first evidence of enlarged hatchlings appeared during the Maastrichtian in Groenlandibelus. During the Eocene, the large-egg strategy apparently became more widespread, particularly in belosaepiids.
Certification of Standard Reference Material 660c for powder diffraction
Authors: Black David R. , Mendenhall Marcus H. , Brown Craig M. , Henins Albert , Filliben James , Cline James P.
Published: January 2020

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) certifies a suite of Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) to evaluate specific aspects of instrument performance of both X-ray and neutron powder diffractometers. This report describes SRM 660c, the fourth generation of this powder diffraction SRM, which is used primarily for calibrating powder diffractometers with respect to line position and line shape for the determination of the instrument profile function (IPF). It is certified with respect to lattice parameter and consists of approximately 6 g of lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6) powder. So that this SRM would be applicable for the neutron diffraction community, the powder was prepared from an isotopically enriched 11B precursor material. The microstructure of the LaB6 powder was engineered specifically to yield a crystallite size above that where size broadening is typically observed and to minimize the crystallographic defects that lead to strain broadening. A NIST-built diffractometer, incorporating many advanced design features, was used to certify the lattice parameter of the LaB6 powder. Both Type A, statistical, and Type B, systematic, uncertainties have been assigned to yield a certified value for the lattice parameter at 22.5 °C of a = 0.415 682 6 ± 0.000 008 nm (95% confidence).
Talking Trash and the Politics of Disregard
Authors: Dawdy Shannon Lee
Published: January 2020

One of my favourite photos of my son is him as an over-tired, dishevelled and very disgruntled five-year-old. He stands, holding out two globs of unidentifiable rusted metal, and looks at the camera (at me), with an accusing, penetrating glare (Fig. 1). As a distracted, overextended parent trying to run an archaeological field project (the Rising Sun Hotel in New Orleans), I had sent him to play in the dirt—the back dirt of our discard pile. I thought that's where he couldn't get into any trouble. I didn't imagine that it would get me into trouble. He was mad because we had overlooked these obvious artefacts (he had already grasped the subtle nature/culture distinction of the archaeological sorting process). We had disregarded them. We had attempted to make them unworthy of notice. What my son, in his innocence, was enunciating is the intentionality of ignoring something—and with intentionality, there is always a potential politics. That is what I would like to focus on here: how can we approach Beiläufigkeit—the incidental and taken-for-granted—as indexical of politics?
The alternate-day fasting diet is a more effective approach than a	calorie restriction diet on weight loss and hs-CRP levels
Authors: Razavi Roghaye , Parvaresh Arefe , Abbasi Behnood , Yaghoobloo Khadijeh , Hassanzadeh Akbar , Mohammadifard Noushin , Clark Cain C. T. , Morteza Safavi Sayyed
Published: January 2020

Abstract. Background and Objective: The aim of present study was to compare, and determine, the effects of a modified alternate-day fasting diet vs. calorie restriction on inflammatory indices and coagulation factors. Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial consisting of 80 metabolic syndrome patients, who were enrolled and randomly dichotomized into a modified alternate-day fasting diet or calorie restriction group for 4 months. We measured weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumstance (WC), waist-hip-ratio (WHR) and fat mass as primary outcomes and assessed high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and coagulation factors levels as secondary outcomes before and after intervention. Results: Compared to the calorie restriction diet, following a modified alternate-day fasting diet led to a greater reduction in body weight (kg) (–6.43 ± 4.34 vs –4.11 ± 4.27; P = 0.02), BMI (kg/m2) (–3.19 ± 2.90 vs –1.43 ± 2.72; P = 0.01), fat mass (kg) (–4.88 ± 2.09 vs –3.72 ± 2.43; P = 0.03), WC (cm) (–5.57 ± 5.64 vs –2.32 ± 5.95; P = 0.01) and WHR (–0.05 ± 0.06 vs –0.02 ± 0.07; P = 0.04). Furthermore, a greater change was found in hs-CRP levels (mg/L) (–2.06 ± 1.18 vs –0.97 ± 0.82; P = 0.03), prothrombin time (s) (1.41 ± 2.34 vs –0.41 ± 2.17; P < 0.001), activated partial thromboplastin time (s) (0.26 ± 3.70 vs –1.78 ± 3.56; P = 0.04) in modified alternate-day fasting diet when compared to calorie restriction diet. However, there was no difference in TNF-α or IL-6 and fibrinogen between groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that a modified alternate-day fasting diet can be a beneficial alternative for the management of body weight, fat mass and WC as well as hs-CRP and coagulation factors levels among metabolic syndrome patients.
Critical Altitudinal Shift From Detrital to Pedogenic Origin of the Magnetic Properties of Surface Soils in the Western Pamir Plateau, Tajikistan
Authors: Kang Jian , Zan Jinbo , Bai Yan , Fang Xiaomin , Chen Chihao , Guan Chong , Khodzhiev Amriddin
Published: January 2020

Sedimentary archives of the westerlies‐influenced Pamir Plateau in Tajikistan, a climatically sensitive region in arid central Asia, provide information on past climatic changes and the tectonic evolution of the northern Tibetan Plateau. However, due to the scarcity of meteorological stations, knowledge of the recent precipitation history of the region is limited. We conducted a detailed rock magnetic investigation of 34 surface loess samples from the western Pamir Plateau. The results show that on the windward side, below an altitude of 2,000–2,200 m above sea level, the concentration of magnetic minerals initially decreases and then begins to increase with increasing altitude. Below 2,000–2,200 m above sea level, the surface soils are enriched in multidomain magnetite particles, suggesting a detrital origin of the magnetic minerals, whereas above this altitude the samples are enriched in fine superparamagnetic magnetite/maghemite grains of pedogenic origin. The inferred variations in pedogenic intensity, combined with analysis of the available meteorological data and the content of organic matter and clay, support the occurrence of an altitudinal threshold separating a predominantly detrital control on surface soil magnetic mineral assemblages from a predominantly pedogenic control. Within the plateau interior, the surface loess samples exhibit low and uniform values of magnetic concentration parameters and organic matter and clay content, which is attributed to the decreased supply of moisture from westerly sources because of the rain shadow effect. Our results indicate that rock magnetic investigations can be used to define a critical climatic boundary in arid central Asia.
Dampened El Niño in the Early Pliocene Warm Period
Authors: White S. M. , Ravelo A. C.
Published: January 2020

El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the strongest mode of interannual climate variability, and its predicted response to anthropogenic climate change remains unclear. Determining ENSO's sensitivity to climatic mean state and the strength of positive and negative feedbacks, notably the thermocline feedback, will help constrain its future behavior. To this end, we collected ENSO proxy data from the early and mid‐Pliocene, a time during which tropical Pacific zonal and vertical temperature gradients were much lower than today. We found that El Niño events had a reduced amplitude throughout the early Pliocene, compared to the late Holocene. By the mid‐Pliocene, El Niño amplitude was variable, sometimes reduced and sometimes similar to the late Holocene. This trend in Pliocene ENSO amplitude mirrors the long‐term strengthening of zonal and vertical temperature gradients and verifies model results showing dampened ENSO under reduced gradients due to a weaker thermocline feedback.