bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metastasis‐inducing protein S100A4 interacts with p53 in the nuclei of living cells
Authors: Liu Zhen , Meng Ying , Wang Huijun , Rudland Philip S. , Barraclough Roger , Zhang Shu
Published: March 2019

Objective

S100A4 can bind to p53 in vitro. However, it is unclear whether the proteins interact in the nuclei of living cells.

Methods

Initially, using an optical biosensor, the ability of CFP‐S100A4 to bind with p53‐YFP was examined in vitro. The fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) technique using laser confocal microscopy was applied to detect the interaction of S100A4 with p53 in living cells.

Results

Imaging FRET in HeLa cells expressing S100A4 and p53 showed an increase in cyan fluorescent protein fluorescence intensity, after photobleaching yellow fluorescent protein in cell nuclei. In comparison, the imaging of cell nuclei expressing mutant S100A4‐C and p53 or S100A4 and yellow fluorescent protein as the negative control showed the occurrence of FRET, and demonstrated that the interaction between S100A4 and p53 occurred in the nuclei of living HeLa cells. However, FRET did not occur in the cytoplasm of cells, showing that S100A4 did not interact with p53 in the cytoplasm.

Conclusion

S100A4 can interact directly with p53 in the nuclei of living cells. This might be a molecular basis for metastasis‐inducing S100A4 in vivo. The results also suggest that the inhibition of the calcium‐binding site of S100A4 might be a possible anticancer therapy.
A novel soluble guanylate cyclase activator with reduced risk of hypotension by short‐acting vasodilation
Authors: Sawabe Toshihiro , Chiba Toshiki , Kobayashi Akihiro , Nagasaka Kosuke , Aihara Kazuyuki , Takaya Akiyuki
Published: March 2019

Cinaciguat, a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) activator, was under clinical development for use in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), but was discontinued due to occurrence of hypotension. We hypothesized that short‐term activation of sGC in ADHF patients would exert a vasodilative effect without hypotension irrespective of disease state, using a novel short‐acting sGC activator, TY‐55002. The objective of this study was to investigate the vasodilation and hemodynamic effects of TY‐55002 in comparison with those of cinaciguat. TY‐55002 and cinaciguat activated both normal and heme‐oxidized sGC in a dose‐dependent manner and caused rapid relaxation of phenylephrine‐contracted rat aorta. However, TY‐55002 had a milder effect than cinaciguat in enhancing the dose‐activity response between normal and oxidized sGC. Therefore, we suggest that the pharmacological effect of TY‐55002 is less subject than cinaciguat to oxidative stress associated with complications such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes. In normal dogs, the effects of intravenous TY‐55002 or cinaciguat on blood pressure were evaluated in conjunction with the plasma concentrations of the compounds, and pharmacokinetic (PK)‐pharmacodynamic (PD) analyses were carried out. The plasma‐to‐effect‐site transfer rate constant (Ke0) for TY‐55002 was three times greater than for cinaciguat. On the other hand, there was a small difference in blood half‐life (T1/2) between the compounds. It is possible that the rapid fall in blood pressure after the initial administration of TY‐55002 and the quick recovery after cessation were due to the pharmacodynamic property of the compound. In heart failure‐model dogs, TY‐55002 and cinaciguat improved the condition to the same degree, and the short‐term action of TY‐55002 was replicated. In conclusion, TY‐55002 is a novel short‐acting sGC activator, which offers the possibility of easy dose management without excessive hypotension. It therefore holds potential to serve as an innovative drug in the pharmacotherapy of ADHF.
Curcumin and tetrahydrocurcumin induce cell death in Ara‐C‐resistant acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Tseng Yu‐Hsin , Chiou Shyh‐Shin , Weng Jui‐Pei , Lin Pei‐Chin
Published: March 2019

Most anticancer agents induce cancer cell death; however, multidrug‐resistant cancers often lead to treatment failure. The effective use of curcumin as an anticancer agent has been demonstrated in clinical trials. Tetrahydrocurcumin, a major curcumin metabolite, exhibits pharmacological activities similar to those of curcumin. Curcumin induces cell death mainly through the apoptosis pathway, and tetrahydrocurcumin induces cell death mainly via an autophagy pathway in HL60 cells. Here, we investigated whether curcumin and tetrahydrocurcumin can induce apoptosis‐ and autophagy‐mediated cell deaths in Ara‐C‐resistant cancer cells, respectively. The results demonstrated that curcumin and tetrahydrocurcumin induced cell death by apoptosis and autophagy, respectively, in Ara‐C‐resistant HL60 cells. Thus, curcumin and tetrahydrocurcumin have potential applications in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia with Ara‐C resistance.
Competing first passage percolation on random graphs with finite variance degrees
Authors: Ahlberg Daniel , Deijfen Maria , Janson Svante
Published: March 2019

We study the growth of two competing infection types on graphs generated by the configuration model with a given degree sequence. Starting from two vertices chosen uniformly at random, the infection types spread via the edges in the graph in that an uninfected vertex becomes type 1 (2) infected at rate λ1 (λ2) times the number of nearest neighbors of type 1 (2). Assuming (essentially) that the degree of a randomly chosen vertex has finite second moment, we show that if λ1 = λ2, then the fraction of vertices that are ultimately infected by type 1 converges to a continuous random variable V ∈ (0,1), as the number of vertices tends to infinity. Both infection types hence occupy a positive (random) fraction of the vertices. If λ1 ≠ λ2, on the other hand, then the type with the larger intensity occupies all but a vanishing fraction of the vertices. Our results apply also to a uniformly chosen simple graph with the given degree sequence.
Online estimation of the case fatality rate using a run‐off triangle data approach: An application to the Korean MERS outbreak in 2015
Authors: Lee Sungim , Lim Johan
Published: March 2019

This work is motivated by the recent Korean Middle East respiratory syndrome outbreak. We propose an easy online estimation procedure for the case fatality rate, ie, the proportion of deaths among the total cases during the course of an epidemic disease, which is an important indicator of the severity of a disease. The key step in our procedure is representing the data with the run‐off triangle, which simultaneously takes into account two time axes, namely, the calendar and disease‐duration times. We restructure the original data into run‐off triangle data, where the cells contain the numbers of cured patients, deceased patients, and patients still having the disease at a given combination of calendar and disease‐duration times. Based on the restructured run‐off triangle data, we propose an online estimator of the case fatality rate. We numerically show the advantages of the proposed estimator compared to the existing estimators in the literature. Finally, we apply our procedure to the 2015 Korean Middle East respiratory syndrome outbreak data.
Decorated Peptide Nanofibers with Cu Nanoparticles: An Efficient Catalyst for the Multicomponent Synthesis of Chromeno [2, 3‐d] pyrimidin‐8‐amines, Quinazolines and 2H‐ Indazoles
Authors: Taherinia Zahra , Ghorbani‐Choghamarani Arash , Hajjami Maryam
Published: March 2019

An efficient, simple and green protocol has been developed for the synthesis of 7, 10‐diaryl‐7Hbenzo [7, 8] chromeno[2,3‐d] pyrimidin‐8‐amine, 2H‐indazole and quinazoline derivatives in the presence of decorated peptide nanofibers with Cu nanoparticles. Peptide nanofibre has been synthesised by self‐assembly technique. In this work, the effect of succinic anhydride was evaluated in two conditions: i) without adding succinic anhydride at pH 4, ii) by adding succinic anhydride at pH 5. Synthesized peptide nanofiber was characterized by 1H, 13C, DEPT NMR spectroscopies (Distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer), CHNSO, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fluorescence spectroscopy, UV/Vis, FTIR and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
A Single Step Fractionation of Lignocellulose in Aqueous Solutions of a Carboxylic Acid‐Functionalized Ionic Liquid
Authors: Cai Long , Zhang Ying , Hu Gang , Guo Yuanlong , Jin Longming , Xu Qinqin , Liu Zhanpeng , Xie Haibo
Published: March 2019

This paper presents the features of corn stover pretreated under mild conditions in aqueous solution of a carboxylic acid functionalized ionic liquids 1‐carboxymethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride (IL–COOH). The results revealed that such pretreatment selectively removed hemicelluloses in corn stover, resulting in cellulose‐ and lignin‐rich pulps with moderate enzymatic reactivity. The corn stover pretreated in 40 wt% IL–COOH at 120 °C for 4 h demonstrated increases in cellulose and lignin contents from 37.9% to 55.6%, and 21.1% to 26.5%, respectively, while decrease in the content of hemicellulose from 24.4% to 9.34%. Subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis of the pulps achieved from pretreatment in 50 wt% IL–COOH aqueous solution at 105 °C for 4 h produced 0.32 g.g−1 glucose and 0.45 g.g−1 total reducing sugars. The recyclability and reusability of IL–COOH in the pretreatment system was also investigated.
Rational Fabrication of Hierarchical Z‐Scheme WO3/Bi2WO6 Nanotubes for Superior Photoelectrocatalytic Reaction
Authors: Rong Feng , Wang Qinyu , Lu Qifang , Yao Linbing , Wei Mingzhi
Published: March 2019

To develop efficient and stable photocatalysts for visible light pollutant degradation, hierarchical Z‐Scheme WO3/Bi2WO6 nanotubes have been rationally designed and fabricated via a combined electrospinning‐calcination process. Moreover, the morphology of as‐fabricated nanotubes could be tuned by the annealing temperature. Accordingly, the newly‐designed hierarchical Z‐Scheme system highly facilitates the separation and migration of photoinduced charge carriers, and enhances the broadened photoabsorption range and high redox capacity owning to the synergistic effects of WO3 and Bi2WO6. Meanwhile, the corresponding possible formation mechanism is proposed as well. Benefiting from the unique structural features, the optimized 550 °C‐WO3/Bi2WO6 nanotubes exhibit the remarkable photoelectrochemical activity and photocatalytic performance for degrading pollutant models (4‐NP and RhB), among which reaction rate is superior to 500 °C and 600 °C‐WO3/Bi2WO6 counterparts. This work may shed light on rational design and construction of hierarchical Z‐Scheme WO3/Bi2WO6 nanotubes for energy and environment‐related applications.
Cinnamaldehyde‐Based Chemosensor for Colorimetric Detection of Cu2+ and Hg2+ in a Near‐Perfect Aqueous Solution
Authors: Cho Hanna , Chae Ju Byeong , Kim Cheal
Published: March 2019

A cinnamaldehyde‐based colorimetric chemosensor TAA (N′‐((1E,2Z)‐3‐(4‐(dimethylamino)phenyl)allylidene)thiophene‐2‐carbohydrazide) was newly developed. TAA can detect Cu2+ and Hg2+ ions by different color changes from pale yellow to deep yellow and orange, respectively, in aqueous media. TAA differently binds to Cu2+ as a 1:1 ratio and Hg2+ as a 2:1 ratio. The detection limits towards both analytes turned out to be 0.08 μM for Cu2+ and 0.01 μM for Hg2+. Moreover, TAA could successfully quantify Cu2+ and Hg2+ in tap and drinking water. The detection processes of TAA towards Cu2+ and Hg2+ were demonstrated by using DFT calculations.
Continuous Flow Desulfurization of a Model Fuel Catalysed by Titanium Functionalized UiO‐66
Authors: Piscopo C. G. , Voellinger L. , Schwarzer M. , Polyzoidis A. , Bošković D. , Loebbecke S.
Published: March 2019

The porous material UiO‐66 is one of the most stable MOFs, retaining its properties under a relatively wide range of chemical and physical conditions, making it attractive for post‐synthetic modifications and catalytic applications. A Titanium functionalization of UiO‐66 has been carried out and the synthesized material has been efficiently used as catalyst in the continuous oxidative desulfurization of a model fuel with aqueous H2O2. Using dibenzothiophene as sulfur source, only a partial desulfurization has been achieved, nevertheless the functionalized MOF showed better performances compared to the standard UiO‐66. The titanium containing MOF allowed to completely removing thioanisole from the oil phase within only eight minutes. The pore sizes of UiO‐66 are playing an important role in allowing a fast oxidation of the thioanisole compared to dibenzothiophene.
Au Based Ni and Co Bimetallic Core Shell Nanocatalysts for Room Temperature Selective Decomposition of Hydrous Hydrazine to Hydrogen
Authors: Jain P. , Anila K. A. , Vinod C. P.
Published: March 2019

Nickel and Cobalt bimetallic catalysts with Au as core metal has been synthesized and demonstrated for hydrazine decomposition reaction for producing hydrogen. Gold‐cobalt and gold nickel bimetallic system belonging to the class of strained structures with high lattice mismatch of approximately 14% are demonstrated for synergistic effects atypical of monometallic counterparts for the selective decomposition of hydrous hydrazine to H2 with N2 as the other product at room temperature.
Islamic legal methodologies and Shariah screening standards: Application in the Indonesian stock market
Authors: Rizaldy Muhamad R. , Ahmed Habib
Published: March 2019

This article provides a framework for applying the principles of Islamic legal methodology to determine the optimal Shariah screening standards for Islamic equity markets. It is argued that using maslahah mursalah (unrestricted benefit) is an appropriate method for identifying appropriate financial standards and its principles stipulate that the benchmark that yields the best economic returns to investors should be chosen. The methodological framework is applied to the Indonesia equity market where the economic implications of the Islamic stock screening standards of the Indonesian Islamic Shariah Stock Index and four global indices are assessed. Portfolios are constructed by applying Islamic stock screening standards for each of the indices by using data on 377 stocks listed in the Indonesian stock market for 5 years. The performances measured by the Sharpe ratio, Treynor index, and Jensen alpha reveal that the Dow Jones Islamic Index screening criteria performs the best. Based on the method of maslahah mursalah, the article recommends using the screening standard of this index in the Indonesian stock market to maximize benefits to investors. While the approach used in this article is applied to Islamic equity markets, the methodological framework can also be used for other similar cases in Islamic finance.
The Courage to Be Altered: Indigenist Decolonization for Teachers
Authors: Chung Sae Hoon Stan
Published: March 2019

This chapter employs autoethnography to reflect upon the intersection of decolonization with Indigenous knowledge. It considers relational engagement with Indigenous people, land, and language, and summarizes the practice as “the courage to be altered.”
Intercultural Learning and Place‐Based Pedagogy: Is There a Connection?
Authors: Reid Robin E.
Published: March 2019

Place‐based education has the capacity to extend the learning community beyond the parameters of the university and to bring Indigenous and non‐Indigenous, domestic, and international students into the public space and onto the local landscape. By intentionally using place‐based and intercultural pedagogy, this paper draws on student reflections to investigate how intercultural learning occurred through a place‐based assignment.
An English Language Teacher's Pedagogical Response to Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Authors: Walsh Marr Jennifer
Published: March 2019

This article describes the rationale and process of a content and language integrated learning initiative. An academic English instructor of international students reflects on the limitations and impact of critical language teaching materials drawing on texts about First Nations history and political activism in Canada on student learning in the program.
Dynamic discriminant model for predicting respiratory distress at birth based on mass volume ratio in fetuses with congenital lung malformation
Authors: Eyerly‐Webb S. , Nicolas C. T. , Watson D. , Dion E. , Amin R. , Wagner A. J. , Lampland A. , Bendel‐Stenzel E. , Macardle C. A. , Kunisaki S. M. , Jorgenson A. , Lillegard J. , Feltis B.
Published: March 2019

Objectives

The congenital lung malformation volume ratio (CVR) is a prenatal ultrasound measurement that parameterizes congenital lung malformation (CLM) size. The aims of this study were to use serial measurements to create estimated growth curves of fetal CVR for asymptomatic and symptomatic neonates with CLM and to investigate whether a discriminant prognostic model based on these measurements could predict accurately which fetuses with CLM will require invasive respiratory support at delivery and should therefore be delivered at a tertiary‐care facility.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of fetuses diagnosed prenatally with CLM at three tertiary‐care children's hospitals between 2009 and 2016. Those with two or more sonographic measurements of CVR were included. Serial fetal CVR measurements were used to create estimated growth curves for neonates with and those without respiratory symptoms at delivery, defined as requiring invasive respiratory support for the first 24 h after delivery. A discriminant model based on serial CVR measurements was used to calculate the dynamic probability of the need for invasive respiratory support. The performance of this model overall and in preterm and term neonates was compared with those using maximum CVR thresholds of 1.0 and 1.6.

Results

Of the 147 neonates meeting the inclusion criteria, 16 (10.9%) required postnatal invasive respiratory support. The estimated CVR growth curve models showed different growth trajectories for asymptomatic and symptomatic neonates, with significantly higher CVR in symptomatic neonates, and values peaking late in the second trimester at around 25 weeks' gestation in asymptomatic neonates. All prognostic methods had high accuracy for the prediction of the need for invasive respiratory support in term neonates, but the discriminant model had the best performance overall (area under the receiver–operating characteristics curve (AUC) = 0.88) and in the preterm population (AUC = 0.85).

Conclusions

The estimated CVR growth curves showed different growth patterns in asymptomatic and symptomatic neonates with CLM. The dynamic discriminant model performed well overall and particularly in neonates that were carried to term. Development of an externally validated clinical tool based on this analysis could be useful in determining the site of delivery for fetuses with CLM. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Growth and development of the Mahogany Glider (Petaurus gracilis)
Authors: Booth Rosemary , Lack Traza‐Jade , Jackson Stephen M.
Published: March 2019

The growth and development of the endangered Mahogany Glider (Petaurus gracilis) was monitored in a captive population at Burleigh Heads, Queensland, Australia. Video surveillance confirmed that the gestation period for this species was 16 days. Morphometric data and developmental milestones were recorded from 10 Mahogany Gliders from birth to weaning. Growth curves were developed for head length, ulna length, tail length, and body weight. Weekly inspections of female pouches revealed the young's eyelid margins were visible by Day 21, the first hair erupted on the bridge of the nose at Day 30, pigmentation of the body developed at Day 63, and they started detaching from the teat intermittently, and the body was covered in short fur by Day 70. The young were left in the nest alone from Days 84 to 87, their eyes opened between Days 84 and 94, and there was a rapid increase in length and density of fur from Day 98 onwards. At Days 101 to 105 of age the young left the nest box with its mother as back young. Weaning occurred from 184 to 187 days. Typically, the reproductive rate was two young per annum per pair, but one pair produced five young in 19 months. Females produced young from 12 months to 7 years of age, males up to 9.4 years of age. The average longevity of Mahogany Gliders in the studbook in 2018 was 11.6 years. This study provides data on the reproductive biology of the Mahogany Glider that will assist in its captive breeding, management, and conservation.
Complexity of operators generated by quantum mechanical Hamiltonians
Authors: Yang Run-Qiu , Kim Keun-Young
Published: March 2019

Abstract

We propose how to compute the complexity of operators generated by Hamiltonians in quantum field theory (QFT) and quantum mechanics (QM). The Hamiltonians in QFT/QM and quantum circuit have a few essential differences, for which we introduce new principles and methods for complexity. We show that the complexity geometry corresponding to one-dimensional quadratic Hamiltonians is equivalent to AdS3 spacetime. Here, the requirement that the complexity is nonnegative corresponds to the fact that the Hamiltonian is lower bounded and the speed of a particle is not superluminal. Our proposal proves the complexity of the operator generated by a free Hamiltonian is zero, as expected. By studying a non-relativistic particle in compact Riemannian manifolds we find the complexity is given by the global geometric property of the space. In particular, we show that in low energy limit the critical spacetime dimension to ensure the ‘nonnegative’ complexity is the 3+1 dimension.
Evaluation of an increased strut porosity silicate-substituted calcium phosphate, SiCaP EP, as a synthetic bone graft substitute in spinal fusion surgery: a prospective, open-label study
Authors: Bolger Ciaran , Jones Drew , Czop Steven
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Silicate-substituted calcium phosphate-enhanced porosity (SiCaP EP, Inductigraft™, Altapore) is a synthetic bone graft material with enhanced strut porosity of 31–47%. SiCaP EP remains to be fully clinically evaluated in patients undergoing instrumented posterolateral fusion (PLF) surgery. We conducted a prospective, open-label, non-randomised, multicentre clinical study to evaluate efficacy of SiCaP EP as bone grafting material in PLF surgery with instrumentation for treatment of spinal disorders.

Methods

Patients with degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis or spinal stenosis underwent PLF surgery with SiCaP EP. The primary endpoint was evaluated in the per protocol population (N = 102) as solid fusion at postoperative month 12 assessed using computed tomography scans, with motion assessed using flexion–extension radiographs. Clinical outcomes included the Oswestry Disability Index, 36-item short-form health survey for quality-of-life, visual analog scale for pain scores and neurological assessments. Adverse events were recorded.

Results

Successful fusion was achieved in 59/89 (66.3%) patients at month 6, 88/102 patients (86.3%) at month 12 (primary endpoint) and 87/96 (90.6%) patients at month 24. Disability and pain reduced following surgery. Quality-of-life improved and neurological function was maintained postoperatively. Forty-three (33.3%) of the 129 patients who underwent surgery experienced adverse events; back pain was most frequent (n = 10); nine and 14 patients experienced serious adverse events judged related to device and procedure, respectively.

Conclusions

Enhanced strut porosity SiCaP EP provided high (month 12: 86.3%) spinal fusion success rates in PLF surgery. Fusion success was associated with improved clinical outcomes in patients within 12 months, relative to baseline.

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier

NCT01452022

Graphical abstract

These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
Developments in Revenge, Justice and Rape in the Cinema
Authors: Robson Peter W. G.
Published: March 2019

The index to the 2018 VideoHound Guide to Films suggests that under the broad heading of “revenge” there have been something in excess of 1000 films. This appears to be the largest category in this comprehensive guide and suggests that this is, indeed, a theme which permeates the most influential sector of popular culture. These films range from influential and lauded films with major directors and stars like John Ford (The Searchers (1956) and Alejandro González Iñárritu (The Revenant (2015)) to “straight to video” gorefests with little artistic merit and a specific target audience (The Hills Have Eyes (1977)). There is, as the Film Guide numbers suggest much in between like Straw Dogs (1972) and Outrage (1993). The making and re-making of “revenge” films continues with contributions in 2018 from such major stars as Denzel Washington in The Equalizer 2 and Brue Willis in Death Wish. Within this body of film is a roster of films which allow us to speculate on the nature of the legal system and what individual and to a lesser extent community responses are likely where there appears to be a deficit of justice. One of the sub-groups within the revenge roster is a set of films which focus on revenge by the victim for rape which are discussed for their rather different approach to the issue of justice. Most unusually, the award winning film Elle (2016) has been described as a “rape revenge comedy”. Given the thriving nature of the overall sub-genre this causes pause for thought and justifies a closer look at what seems unlikely in an era of enhanced awareness of the trauma and damage of this kind of brutal criminality. This essay seeks to examine this film and locate it within the wider world of revenge films, notions of justice and assess it in context.
Plasma Calcium Levels in Preeclampsia Versus Normotensive Pregnant Women in a Tertiary Hospital: A Comparative Study
Authors: Sende Peter Pase , Isah Aliyu Yabagi , Nwegbu Madueke Maxwell , Ekele Bissallah Ahmed , Agida Teddy Eyaofun , Adebayo Francis Olayemi
Published: March 2019

The role of calcium supplementation in pregnancy to prevent preeclampsia is conflicting. The goal was to determine if there was significant difference between plasma calcium levels in women with preeclampsia and normotensive pregnant women. This was a cross-sectional study of 90 consecutive preeclamptic and 90 normotensive pregnant. Blood samples were taken from them and the plasma isolated from each was analyzed using colorimetric method for calcium and albumin employing calcium kit, albumin kit and spectrum lab 7225 spectro-photometer set (Bran Scientific and Instrument Company, England). The data was analysed using SPSS version 16. Their mean ages were 28.67 ± 5.23 and 28.33 ± 5.06 years respectively (preeclamptic vs. normotensive women respectively; P = 0.688). Majority of them were nullipara (48, 53.3% and 46, 51.1% of preeclamptic and normotensive women respectively). The mean gestational age of the preeclamptic women was 36.38 ± 2.54 weeks while that of the normotensive women was 36.24 ± 2.34 years, (P = 0.715). The plasma calcium level in preeclamptic women was significantly lower than in normotensive pregnant women (2.07 ± 0.318 mmol/L vs. 2.41 ± 0.224 mmol/L, P < 0.001). Preeclamptic women have significantly lower plasma calcium levels than normotensive pregnant women in our community. Routine calcium supplementation for pregnant women at risk of developing preeclampsia is therefore recommended.
Merkel's Germany and the European Union: Between Emergency and the Rule of Rules
Authors: Auer Stefan
Published: March 2019

The European Union is caught between technocracy and the politics of the exception, eroding in the process the very political sphere that makes democracy work. Partly a cause of this erosion and partly an effect, the EU retreats into the ‘rule of rules’ when faced with what are, in fact, profoundly political problems. Whether it be in response to the eurozone crisis, EU–Russia–Ukraine relations or the influx of refugees, the EU's policies led to conflicts over geopolitics, sovereignty and redistribution. Its apolitical responses were as ubiquitous as they were inadequate. They reflect Germany's preference for consensual politics, which is paradoxically enforced by Angela Merkel's dictum about there being ‘no alternative’. In order to think of alternatives to the Europe that exists, we need to revive ‘the political’, theorized by the likes of Carl Schmitt, Max Weber and Hannah Arendt at times when democracy was under duress.
A theory on the spreading of impacting droplets
Authors: Gordillo José Manuel , Riboux Guillaume , Quintero Enrique S.
Published: March 2019

Here we provide a self-consistent analytical solution describing the unsteady flow in the slender thin film which is expelled radially outwards when a drop hits a dry solid wall. Thanks to the fact that the fluxes of mass and momentum entering into the toroidal rim bordering the expanding liquid sheet are calculated analytically, we show here that our theoretical results closely follow the measured time-varying position of the rim with independence of the wetting properties of the substrate. The particularization of the equations describing the rim dynamics at the instant the drop reaches its maximal extension which, in analogy with the case of Savart sheets, is characterized by a value of the local Weber number equal to one, provides an algebraic equation for the maximum spreading radius also in excellent agreement with experiments. The self-consistent theory presented here, which does not make use of energetic arguments to predict the maximum spreading diameter of impacting drops, provides us with the time evolution of the thickness and of the velocity of the rim bordering the expanding sheet. This information is crucial in the calculation of the diameters and of the velocities of the droplets ejected radially outwards for drop impact velocities above the splashing threshold.
Bulbous head formation in bidisperse shallow granular flow over an inclined plane
Authors: Denissen I. F. C. , Weinhart T. , Te Voortwis A. , Luding S. , Gray J. M. N. T. , Thornton A. R.
Published: March 2019

Rapid shallow granular flows over inclined planes are often seen in nature in the form of avalanches, landslides and pyroclastic flows. In these situations the flow develops an inversely graded (large at the top) particle-size distribution perpendicular to the plane. As the surface velocity of such flows is larger than the mean velocity, the larger material is transported to the flow front. This causes size segregation in the downstream direction, resulting in a flow front composed of large particles. Since the large particles are often more frictional than the small, the mobility of the flow front is reduced, resulting in a so-called bulbous head. This study focuses on the formation and evolution of this bulbous head, which we show to emerge in both a depth-averaged continuum framework and discrete particle simulations. Furthermore, our numerical solutions of the continuum model converge to a travelling wave solution, which allows for a very efficient computation of the long-time behaviour of the flow. We use small-scale periodic discrete particle simulations to calibrate (close) our continuum framework, and validate the simple one-dimensional (1-D) model with full-scale 3-D discrete particle simulations. The comparison shows that there are conditions under which the model works surprisingly well given the strong approximations made; for example, instantaneous vertical segregation.
Restricted morphospace occupancy of early Cambrian reef-building archaeocyaths
Authors: Cordie David R. , Dornbos Stephen Q.
Published: March 2019

The evolution of novel morphologies can signify expansion of a clade into new niches. This can be studied in the fossil record by investigating the morphospace occupancy of organisms, with small morphospaces signifying low morphological disparity and more diffuse morphospaces suggesting a broader range of morphologies adapted to different environments. Morphological disparity of many taxa (arthropods, crinoids, etc.) from the Cambrian to modern intervals have been studied in this manner. However, no study has investigated this in archaeocyaths, which, as reef builders, can have a disproportionate effect on early Cambrian biodiversity relative to their frequency. Here, we collect morphological data on archaeocyathan sponges, mostly from Laurentia. More than 600 museum specimens and 400 field samples were measured for traditional morphometric characters and discrete gross morphological characteristics. We find that archaeocyaths have an average cup/individual (body) diameter of 10.6 mm. This is significantly smaller than a selected group of modern demosponges and lithistid sponges that measure 94.1 mm and 66.8 mm in diameter, respectively, and each has a larger size variance. Archaeocyathan gross morphologies are also highly constrained to a few simple morphologies (three to six categories), while modern demosponges and lithistids are more diverse (nine categories each). These data indicate that Laurentian archaeocyaths were restricted in their morphological disparity, potentially due to limitations imposed by having a robust calcareous skeleton while still maintaining a large intervallum cavity space to facilitate passive entrainment. The fact that these Cambrian reef builders were restricted in their morphological complexity may have had a strong influence on the biodiversity of early Phanerozoic ecosystems. Furthermore, a clade limited to only a few specific morphologies is at an increased risk of extinction.
Is Position-Taking Contagious? Evidence of Cue-Taking from Two Field Experiments in a State Legislature
Authors: ZELIZER ADAM
Published: March 2019

Cue-taking is thought to be influential because legislators seek information from like-minded, trusted policy experts. Unfortunately for researchers, this self-selection process complicates efforts to separate the causal effects of cues from the tendency of legislators to communicate with similar peers. Prior causally-oriented research has estimated cues’ effects in exogenous networks, but not in the naturally-occurring communication networks that legislators themselves choose to form. This study examines cue-taking with two legislative field experiments, with over 2,000 observations in total, that model the diffusion of a randomly-assigned information treatment across an endogenous legislative network. Experimental results reinforce findings from classic interview-based studies of self-selected communication networks by Matthews and Stimson (1975) and Kingdon (1973): cue-taking influences a large percentage of policy positions and occurs late in the policymaking process. I also contribute to the literature by showing that on average cues complement, rather than substitute for, policy information from other sources of expertise within the legislature.
Endogenous biosynthesis of n-3 long-chain PUFA in Atlantic salmon
Authors: Mock Thomas S. , Francis David S. , Jago Matthew K. , Glencross Brett D. , Smullen Richard P. , Turchini Giovanni M.
Published: March 2019

A more efficient utilisation of marine-derived sources of dietary n-3 long-chain PUFA (n-3 LC PUFA) in cultured Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) could be achieved by nutritional strategies that maximise endogenous n-3 LC PUFA synthesis. The objective of the present study was to quantify the extent of n-3 LC PUFA biosynthesis and the resultant effect on fillet nutritional quality in large fish. Four diets were manufactured, providing altered levels of dietary n-3 substrate, namely, 18 : 3n-3, and end products, namely, 20 : 5n-3 and 22 : 6n-3. After 283 d of feeding, fish grew in excess of 3000 g and no differences in growth performance or biometrical parameters were recorded. An analysis of fatty acid composition and in vivo metabolism revealed that endogenous production of n-3 LC PUFA in fish fed a diet containing no added fish oil resulted in fillet levels of n-3 LC PUFA comparable with fish fed a diet with added fish oil. However, this result was not consistent among all treatments. Another major finding of this study was the presence of abundant dietary n-3 substrate, with the addition of dietary n-3 end product (i.e. fish oil) served to increase final fillet levels of n-3 LC PUFA. Specifically, preferential β-oxidation of dietary C18n-3 PUFA resulted in conservation of n-3 LC PUFA from catabolism. Ultimately, this study highlights the potential for endogenous synthesis of n-3 LC PUFA to, partially, support a substantial reduction in the amount of dietary fish oil in diets for Atlantic salmon reared in seawater.
From the border to the bedroom: changing conflict dynamics in Karamoja, Uganda
Authors: Stites Elizabeth , Howe Kimberly
Published: March 2019

For the latter decades of the last century, the Karamoja region of north-eastern Uganda was infamous as a place of violent cattle raids and road ambushes, populated by fierce warriors. Using primary data, this article examines the shifts from large-scale raiding to opportunistic theft as well as the profound transformation in the security environment over the past 10 years. We argue that the combination of a top-down sustained disarmament campaign and grassroots peace resolutions have created relative stability for the first time in decades. This stability has allowed for the expansion of markets, investments by national and international actors, and the rejuvenation of livelihoods for many residents. However, while large-scale violent cattle raids are largely a thing of the past, violence and insecurity have shifted to the domestic sphere in the form of small-scale but pervasive thefts and rampant domestic violence.
Chinese entrepreneurial migrants in Ghana: socioeconomic impacts and Ghanaian trader attitudes
Authors: Dankwah Kwaku Opoku , Valenta Marko
Published: March 2019

This article explores attitudes of Ghanaian traders towards an increasing Chinese influx into Ghanaian trading spaces and the impacts of Chinese merchants on Ghanaian traders and trading spaces. Despite a late entrance of Chinese merchants into Ghanaian trading spaces relative to Lebanese, Indians and Nigerians, the abrupt change in size of the Chinese trading community along with its huge capital and cheap goods have had big impacts on local trading spaces. We maintain that relations between Ghanaian traders and Chinese counterparts may be roughly described as complementary, collaborative and competitive. While the Chinese impacts are seen as positive by some Ghanaian traders and landlords, they are negative for others. Yet, we argue that these relations are also nuanced and rooted in each Ghanaian trader's position amidst the Chinese presence. This article contributes to the literature on dynamics of South-to-South movements. It adds to growing studies on contemporary Chinese emigrations and accompanying impacts in host communities.
Kinetic Simulations of Electron Acceleration by Dispersive Scale Alfvén Waves in Jupiter's Magnetosphere
Authors: Damiano P. A. , Delamere P. A. , Stauffer B. , Ng C.‐S. , Johnson J. R.
Published: March 2019

Electron acceleration by dispersive scale Alfvén waves at Jupiter is investigated using a Gyrofluid‐Kinetic‐Electron model. Specifically, the simulations consider the propagation of an Alfvén wave perturbation from the center of the Io plasma torus to high‐latitude regions that are consistent with recent Juno satellite observations (e.g., Allegrini et al., 2017, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017GL073180; Mauk, et al., 2017a, https://doi.org/10.1038/nature23648; Mauk, et al., 2017b, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016GL072286; Szalay et al., 2018, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JE005752). As in those observations, the energized electron spectra is broadband in nature and the majority of the energization is under the interaction of inertial Alfvén waves at high latitudes. The extent of the energization associated with these waves is proportional to both the magnitude of the wave perturbation and the ratio of the torus to high‐latitude density.
Imaging Subduction Beneath Mount St. Helens: Implications for Slab Dehydration and Magma Transport
Authors: Mann Michael Everett , Abers Geoffrey A. , Crosbie Kayla , Creager Kenneth , Ulberg Carl , Moran Seth , Rondenay Stéphane
Published: March 2019

Mount St. Helens (MSH) is anomalously 35–50 km trenchward of the main Cascade arc. To elucidate the source of this anomalous forearc volcanism, the teleseismic‐scattered wavefield is used to image beneath MSH with a dense broadband seismic array. Two‐dimensional migration shows the subducting Juan de Fuca crust to at least 80‐km depth, with its surface only 68 ± 2 km deep beneath MSH. Migration and three‐dimensional stacking reveal a clear upper‐plate Moho east of MSH that disappears west of it. This disappearance is a result of both hydration of the mantle wedge and a westward change in overlying crust. Migration images also show that the subducting plate continues without break along strike. Combined with low temperatures inferred for the mantle wedge, this geometry greatly limits possible source regions for mantle melts that contribute to MSH magmas and requires lateral migration over large distances.
Underground Measurement of Magnetic Field Pulses During the Early Stage of Rocket‐Triggered Lightning
Authors: Li Xiao , Lu Gaopeng , Fan Yanfeng , Jiang Rubin , Zhang Hongbo , Li Dongshuai , Liu Mingyuan , Wang Yongping , Ren Huan
Published: March 2019

We examined the underground magnetic field near the lightning channel with low‐frequency magnetic sensor based on SHAndong Triggering Lightning Experiment (SHATLE). Two sensors were deployed, one at 1‐m height above ground and another one at 2‐m depth underground at a distance of 78 m from the lightning channel, and the magnetic pulses during the initial stage of triggered lightning were recorded. The experimental results show that the microsecond‐scale magnetic pulses radiated by the upward lightning leader can be detected in the subsurface space and the magnetic signal is modified by the soil medium. Specifically, the amplitude at the depth of 2 m is attenuated typically more than 55%, and the attenuation decreases as the timescale of the magnetic pulse increases; meanwhile, the peak time of the underground magnetic pulse is delayed by about 0.6 μs, and the half‐peak width of the magnetic pulse is increased by 0.2–0.8 μs (namely, by 20% to 32%). The results of Fourier analysis indicate that the component with relatively high frequency is subject to more attenuation than is the component with relatively low frequency. In addition, the simulation of magnetic field with the channel‐base current by using the transmission line model is consistent with the measurement, indicating that the modification on the waveform characteristics of the lightning pulse measured underground could provide valuable information for retrieving the electromagnetic parameters of soil.
Statistical Study of Atmospheric Turbulence by Thorpe Analysis
Authors: Zhang Jian , Zhang Shao Dong , Huang Chun Ming , Huang Kai Ming , Gong Yun , Gan Quan , Zhang Ye Hui
Published: March 2019

The variability in turbulence is a crucial topic in the lower atmosphere. This study aims to validate the credibility of Thorpe analysis in the statistical study of atmospheric turbulence by applying this method on high‐resolution radiosonde data that are a composite of seven sites at midlatitudes from January 2012 to December 2016. The spatiotemporal variability of turbulent energy dissipation rate is also addressed from 2.4 to 30 km, thereby exhibiting remarkable spatial inhomogeneities and well‐defined seasonal variations. If the ratio between Ozmidov and Thorpe lengths (i.e., c2) is a lognormal distribution, then energy dissipation rate can be simulated by the Monte Carlo method. The approximate proportionalities between the energy dissipation rates revealed by a constant c2 and a lognormally distributed c2 that is based on the results from Schneider et al. (2015) exist at middle, low, and high latitudes. At midlatitudes, energy dissipation rates by the simulated cases are quantitatively consistent with the radar results. These results suggest that, even for a highly variable c2, the Thorpe analysis can be statistically applied to the stably stratified free atmosphere, and the optimal value of c2 is 0.54 at all heights and latitudes. We also speculate that the statistical application of a Thorpe sort is acceptable when c2 simply follows a lognormal distribution.
The NASA Wallops Flight Facility Digital Ozonesonde Record: Reprocessing, Uncertainties, and Dual Launches
Authors: Witte Jacquelyn C. , Thompson Anne M. , Schmidlin F. J. , Northam E. Thomas , Wolff Katherine R. , Brothers George B.
Published: March 2019

The NASA Wallops Flight Facility (WFF; Wallops Is., VA, USA) is the longest continuously operating ozonesonde station in the continental United States (since 1970). The well‐established WFF ozonesonde system comprises a Science Pump Corporation (SPC) electrochemical concentration cell (ECC) ozone sensor with a 1% potassium iodide and phosphate buffer sensing solution type (SST), interfaced with a Lockheed Martin Sippican radiosonde that provides winds, GPS coordinates, pressure, temperature, and relative humidity. A major milestone has been achieved with the reprocessing of the WFF ozone profiles during the digital measurement era (since 1995) to remove known biases and improve overall accuracy. We present an overview of the reprocessing methods and evaluate the homogenized data set relative to the original records, colocated Dobson, and satellite overpasses. Reprocessing yields modest changes in total column ozone by up to 3%, affirming the high data quality of the original ozone records. First estimates of ozone uncertainty are summarized and found to be consistent with estimates from previous studies. WFF has a history of evaluating ozonesonde performance via dual sonde launches that have tested standard operating procedures and combinations of ECC sensors and SST formulae. This rich data set illustrates how various ECC/SST combinations affect the ozone measurement. Results from the dual launches reaffirm the World Meteorological Organization recommended standard operating procedures where the ozone agreement between the SPC/1% Buffer and EN‐SCI/0.5% Half Buffer pair is well within ±5% throughout the profile. Tests of the SST under field conditions reveal the high sensitivity of ozone measurements to the buffer strength.
Source Localization of Microseismic Emissions During Pneumatic Fracturing
Authors: Turquet Antoine L. , Toussaint Renaud , Eriksen Fredrik Kvalheim , Daniel Guillaume , Lengliné Olivier , Flekkøy Eirik G. , Måløy Knut Jørgen
Published: March 2019

Localization of signals is a widely applied technique used in different areas of science telecommunication, medicine, or seismology. In this work, we study microseismic emissions due to stick‐slip events during pneumatic fracture in a transparent setup at laboratory scale and apply a localization method “Estimated Source Energy Homogeneity.” The seismic location results are compared with the image correlation results for displacement maps corresponding to the event times. We have observed (using optics and acoustics) that the movement starts inside the porous medium and progresses toward the channel tips, eventually causing channels to grow further. This finding could be of interest in understanding fluid‐induced earthquake nucleation processes. Similar to in‐site applications of pneumatic or fluid‐related fracturing, it shows that the area influenced extends beyond the fracture tips. This also shows why even after the end of pumping, we may get earthquakes, such as in the Basel case (Haring et al., 2008, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2008.06.002).