bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anomalous currents and constitutive relations of a chiral hadronic superfluid
Authors: Mañes Juan L. , Megías Eugenio , Valle Manuel , Vázquez-Mozo Miguel Á.
Published: December 2019

Abstract

The anomalous currents of two-flavor chiral nuclear matter in the presence of chiral imbalance are computed, using recently developed methods exploiting generalized transgression, which facilitates the evaluation of both the equilibrium partition function and the covariant currents. The constitutive relations for both the broken and unbroken phase of the theory are studied and the out-of-equilibrium nondissipative transport coefficients determined. In the superfluid phase, the vector covariant currents exhibit nondissipative chiral electric, magnetic, and vortical effects, the latter governed by chiral imbalance.
Electroweak phase transition with composite Higgs models: calculability, gravitational waves and collider searches
Authors: Bian Ligong , Wu Yongcheng , Xie Ke-Pan
Published: December 2019

Abstract

We study the strong first order electroweak phase transition (SFOEWPT) with the SO(6)/SO(5) composite Higgs model, whose scalar sector contains one Higgs doublet and one real singlet. Six benchmark models are built with fermion embeddings in 1, 6, and 15 of SO(6). We show that SFOEWPT cannot be triggered under the minimal Higgs potential hypothesis, which assumes the scalar potential is dominated by the form factors from the lightest composite resonances. To get a SFOEWPT, the contributions from local operators induced by physics above the cutoff scale are needed. We take the 6 + 6 model as an example to investigate the gravitational waves prediction and the related collider phenomenology.
Elliptic blowup equations for 6d SCFTs. Part II. Exceptional cases
Authors: Gu Jie , Klemm Albrecht , Sun Kaiwen , Wang Xin
Published: December 2019

Abstract

The building blocks of 6d (1, 0) SCFTs include certain rank one theories with gauge group G = SU(3), SO(8), F
4
, E
6,7,8. In this paper, we propose a universal recursion formula for the elliptic genera of all such theories. This formula is solved from the elliptic blowup equations introduced in our previous paper. We explicitly compute the elliptic genera and refined BPS invariants, which recover all previous results from topological string theory, modular bootstrap, Hilbert series, 2d quiver gauge theories and 4d

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 2 superconformal H

G
theories. We also observe an intriguing relation between the k-string elliptic genus and the Schur indices of rank k H

G
SCFTs, as a generalization of Del Zotto-Lockhart’s conjecture at the rank one cases. In a subsequent paper, we deal with all other non-Higgsable clusters with matters.
Resistance of thermally modified and pressurized hot water extracted Scots pine sapwood against decay by the brown-rot fungus Rhodonia placenta
Authors: Altgen Michael , Kyyrö Suvi , Paajanen Olli , Rautkari Lauri
Published: December 2019

The thermal degradation of wood is affected by a number of process parameters, which may also cause variations in the resistance against decay fungi. This study compares changes in the chemical composition, water-related properties and decay resistance of Scots pine sapwood that was either thermally modified (TM) in dry state at elevated temperatures (≥ 185 °C) or treated in pressurized hot water at mild temperatures (≤ 170 °C). The thermal decomposition of easily degradable hemicelluloses reduced the mass loss caused byRhodonia placenta, and it was suggested that the cumulative mass loss is a better indicator of an actual decay inhibition. Pressurized hot water extraction (HWE) did not improve the decay resistance to the same extent as TM, which was assigned to differences in the wood-water interactions. Cross-linking reactions during TM caused a swelling restraint and an effective reduction in moisture content. This decreased the water-swollen cell wall porosity, which presumably hindered the transport of degradation agents through the cell wall and/or reduced the accessibility of wood constituents for degradation agents. This effect was absent in hot water-extracted wood and strong decay occurred even when most hemicelluloses were already removed during HWE.
Production and characterisation of a marine Halomonas surface-active exopolymer
Authors: Gutierrez Tony , Morris Gordon , Ellis Dave , Mulloy Barbara , Aitken Michael D.
Published: December 2019

During screening for novel emulsifiers and surfactants, a marine gammaproteobacterium,Halomonassp. MCTG39a, was isolated and selected for its production of an extracellular emulsifying agent, P39a. This polymer was produced by the new isolate during growth in a modified Zobell’s 2216 medium amended with 1% glucose, and was extractable by cold ethanol precipitation. Chemical, chromatographic and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analysis confirmed P39a to be a high-molecular-weight (~ 261,000 g/mol) glycoprotein composed of carbohydrate (17.2%) and protein (36.4%). The polymer exhibited high emulsifying activities against a range of oil substrates that included straight-chain aliphatics, mono- and alkyl- aromatics and cycloparaffins. In general, higher emulsification values were measured under low (0.1 M PBS) compared to high (synthetic seawater) ionic strength conditions, indicating that low ionic strength is more favourable for emulsification by the P39a polymer. However, as observed with other bacterial emulsifying agents, the polymer emulsified some aromatic hydrocarbon species, as well as refined and crude oils, more effectively under high ionic strength conditions, which we posit could be due to steric adsorption to these substrates as may be conferred by the protein fraction of the polymer. Furthermore, the polymer effected a positive influence on the degradation of phenanthrene by other marine bacteria, such as the specialist PAH-degraderPolycyclovorans algicola. Collectively, based on the ability of thisHalomonashigh-molecular-weight glycoprotein to emulsify a range of pure hydrocarbon species, as well as refined and crude oils, it shows promise for the bioremediation of contaminated sites.
Changing the status of mmHg
Authors: Pražák Dominik , Sedlák Václav , Sınır Ekrem , Pluháček František
Published: December 2019

The new International System of Units (SI) came into force this May, and while the media and public attention are focused on the changes in the base units, there are also other changes introduced. One of them is the abolition of millimetre of mercury (mmHg). This simplifies the SI but also can cause problems to the patients which are extremely conservative user groups (although this unit is still supported by some other authoritative documents). Hence, it is necessary to increase awareness of both the medical doctor and the patients.
An investigation into UK government policy and legislation to renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction commitments
Authors: Raybould Blaid , Cheung Wai M. , Connor Chris , Butcher Ross
Published: December 2019

The UK has committed to various legally binding targets with regard to renewable energy technology and greenhouse gas reduction. As a result, government policy and legislation have been significant in investing in renewable energy technology, driving innovation since 1990. The aim of this work identifies the key drivers behind commitments and to assess the role of government, business and organisations in the uptake of renewable energy and the development of a decentralised energy network as a result of greenhouse gas emission reduction target. This article presents quantitative analysis of primary research from government and industry. The novel aspect of this investigation is that the conclusive outcomes arise as a result of a unique research method by combining primary and secondary sources with support of company data from Nestlé and Transport for London. The main findings demonstrated that government support is one of the key drivers for innovation into renewable technology; however, business and the public are necessary to bring renewables to market. Strategies have been identified to incorporate decentralised generation into industry for the commitment of renewables and to develop the required energy network of the future.

Graphic abstract
Mechanism of silicate elution by hydrogen sulfide from bottom sediment in a brackish lake
Authors: Park Ja Yeong , Sugahara Shogo , Egawa Michiko , Seike Yasushi
Published: December 2019

Highly concentrated dissolved silicate was detected in pore water from anoxic-reducing sediment in Lake Nakaumi, a brackish lake. Silicate concentration also simultaneously increased with total hydrogen sulfide concentration during the summer. Generally, dissolved silicate is readily adsorbed onto ferric hydroxide and precipitates in an oxidative environment. In this study, we focused on the behavior of ferric hydroxide adsorbing silicate in sediment and determined that hydrogen sulfide was the main cause of dissolved silicate elution from ferric hydroxide adsorbing silicate because the hydrogen sulfide produced via microbiological processes in the anoxic-reducing environment was reducible for other metal oxides. According to laboratory experiments, silicate was released from ferric hydroxide by reacting with sodium sulfide, causing increasing elution of dissolved silicate from anoxic-reducing sediments with increasing concentration of sodium sulfide in the solutions. This result shows that hydrogen sulfide is very crucial for silicate release under a reducing environment. Therefore, in Lake Nakaumi, silicate would be released from the bottom after ferric hydroxide adsorbing silicate reacted with hydrogen sulfide in a summer reductive environment.
Mapping the Ethicality of Algorithmic Pricing: A Review of Dynamic and Personalized Pricing
Authors: Seele Peter , Dierksmeier Claus , Hofstetter Reto , Schultz Mario D.
Published: December 2019

Firms increasingly deploy algorithmic pricing approaches to determine what to charge for their goods and services. Algorithmic pricing can discriminate prices both dynamically over time and personally depending on individual consumer information. Although legal, the ethicality of such approaches needs to be examined as often they trigger moral concerns and sometimes outrage. In this research paper, we provide an overview and discussion of the ethical challenges germane to algorithmic pricing. As a basis for our discussion, we perform a systematic interpretative review of 315 related articles on dynamic and personalized pricing as well as pricing algorithms in general. We then use this review to define the term algorithmic pricing and map its key elements at the micro-, meso-, and macro levels from a business and marketing ethics perspective. Thus, we can identify morally ambivalent topics that call for deeper exploration by future research.
StudyPortal – Geovisualization of Study Research Networks
Authors: Varghese Julian , Fujarski Michael , Dugas Martin
Published: December 2019

StudyPortal was implemented as the first multilingual search platform for geographic visualization of clinical trials and scientific articles. The platform queries information from ClinicalTrials.gov, PubMed, a geodatabase and geographic maps to enable geospatial study search and real-time rendering of study locations or research networks on a map. Thus, disease-specific clinical studies or whole research networks can be shown in a geographic proximity. Moreover, a semantic layer enables multilingual disease input and autosuggestion of medical terms based on the Unified Medical Language System. The portal is accessible on https://studyportal.uni-muenster.de. This paper presents details on implementation of the novel search platform, its search evaluation and future work.
Improving Pellet Quality in a Pharmaceutical Hot Melt Extrusion Process via PID Control and LOLIMOT-Based MPC
Authors: Rehrl Jakob , Kirchengast Martin , Celikovic Selma , Sacher Stephan , Kruisz Julia , Khinast Johannes , Horn Martin
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The aim of this paper is the development of a process control concept for a hot melt extrusion (HME) and pelletization process. The new concept should improve the particle size distribution of the pellets produced.

Methods

Production of pellets containing an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) can be achieved by means of HME, followed by a pelletization process step. The quality of pellets produced depends on the strand temperature at the pelletizer’s inlet and the pelletizer’s intake speed. This paper presents a strategy for the strand diameter and temperature control based on adjusting the cooling intensity on the cooling track between the HME and the pelletization step and altering the pelletizer’s intake speed. Two concepts are presented and compared to the open-loop operation of the system: the first one is model predictive control (MPC) in combination with a model based on the local linear model tree (LOLIMOT) algorithm, and the second one is PID control. The quality of the pellets produced was analyzed in terms of particle size distribution (PSD).

Results

By implementation of the two control concepts, strand temperature and diameter could be kept close to the desired set points. Consequently, the presented concepts yielded pellets with a narrower particle size distribution than the open-loop operation of the plant.

Conclusions

The application of the presented control strategies can improve the quality of the pellets produced by an HME and pelletization system in terms of their particle size distribution.
Enhanced Photoelectrocatalytical Performance of Inorganic-Inorganic Hybrid Consisting BiVO4, V2O5, and Cobalt Hexacyanocobaltate as a Perspective Photoanode for Water Splitting
Authors: Trzciński K. , Szkoda M. , Sawczak M. , Lisowska-Oleksiak A.
Published: December 2019

Thin layers of BiVO4/V2O5 were prepared on FTO substrates using pulsed laser deposition technique. The method of cobalt hexacyanocobaltate (Cohcc) synthesis on the BiVO4/V2O5 photoanodes consists of cobalt deposition followed by electrochemical oxidation of metallic Co in K3[Co(CN)6] aqueous electrolyte. The modified electrodes were tested as photoanodes for water oxidation under simulated sunlight irradiation. Deposited films were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Since the V2O5 is characterized by a narrower energy bandgap than BiVO4, the presence of V2O5 shifts absorption edge (ΔE = ~0.25 eV) of modified films towards lower energies enabling the conversion of a wider range of solar radiation. The formation of heterojunction increases photocurrent of water oxidation measured at 1.2 V vs Ag/AgCl (3 M KCl) to over 1 mA cm-2, while bare BiVO4 and V2O5 exhibit 0.37 and 0.08 mA cm-2, respectively. On the other hand, the modification of obtained layers with Cohcc shifts onset potential of photocurrent generation into a cathodic direction. As a result, the photocurrent enhancement at a wide range of applied potential was achieved.
Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles mediated by traditionally used medicinal plants in Sudan
Authors: Ahmed Reem Hassan , Mustafa Damra Elhaj
Published: December 2019

Sudan has a tremendous wealth flora due to its unique geographical location and diverse climate. Vast records of plants and plants’ secondary metabolites are reported to possess redox capacity and can be exploited for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles. Plant-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles is preferred due to their availability and their various metabolites. The present review explores the potentiality and diversity of biological activities of silver nanoparticles that originated from the combination of silver and phyto-constituents of mostly traditionally used Sudanese medicinal and aromatic plants. The green synthesis methods of silver nanoparticles mediated by more than 45 traditionally used medicinal plants are critically reviewed. In addition, parameters that affect the synthesis of plant-mediated silver nanoparticles, their characterization techniques and various biological activities are summarized and discussed. Thus, the study of green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and its applications can be extended to involve vast plant diversity of Sudan.
A Randomised Experiment Evaluating the Mindful Raisin Practice as a Method of Reducing Chocolate Consumption During and After a Mindless Activity
Authors: Mantzios Michail , Egan Helen , Asif Tayaba
Published: December 2019

The present study investigated the impact of the mindful raisin exercise on overeating during and after the experiment while controlling for wellbeing. One-hundred and twenty-eight participants were recruited and completed a questionnaire on wellbeing (i.e. depression, anxiety and stress) and state mindfulness. Participants were randomly allocated to either the mindful raisin exercise or a newspaper reading control condition. The State Mindfulness Scale was then completed again, and participants watched a neutral video while exposed to chocolate for 10 min. For those 10 min, results showed that the mindfulness condition translated into lower food consumption during the mindless activity when compared to the control condition. Post experiment, participants were asked to wait for 5 min, and any extra chocolate consumption during this time was recorded. Post-consumption was non-significantly different between the two groups, with those in the mindfulness condition consuming 1.3 g less than those in the control group. Controlling for wellbeing did not alter the impact of the mindfulness intervention on consumption. Implications for future work and practical applications for weight regulation are discussed.
Optimizing Qatar’s energy system for a post-carbon future
Authors: Bohra Moiz , Shah Nilay
Published: December 2019

Global decarbonization efforts, along with domestic pressures to diversify the economy, have created challenges and opportunities for the Qatari energy system. The government is focused on diversifying the national economy away from hydrocarbons, encouraging sustainable use of resources, and ensuring the security of food, energy, and water systems. Our optimization framework allows policymakers to apply a systems approach to the overall energy infrastructure in Qatar, covering a range of sectors such as industry, residential infrastructure, transportation, and agriculture. Our aims are two-fold: first, to develop an open-source tool that can be used for national-level planning and policymaking, and second to use this tool to generate key technology and policy insights that can aid the transition of Qatari energy infrastructure in the long term. Our results provide a blueprint for a cross-sectoral energy transformation: from greater use of low-carbon transport such as electric cars and public transit, to grid-scale adoption of solar energy and reverse osmosis for desalination. Liquefied natural gas is not expected to remain the most economical export, instead being replaced by hydrogen obtained from the steam reforming of natural gas. We have modeled a long-term domestic divestment from hydrocarbon exports and have shown that the country can still retain significant economic wealth in a post-carbon world, thus maintaining existing political, economic, and social structures.
Surface-Modified Sepiolite Nanofibers as a Novel Lubricant Additive
Authors: Wang Fei , Gao Peizhang , Liang Jinsheng , Fang Baizeng , Zhang Tingting , Liu Huimin
Published: December 2019

Lubricants are an essential component in high-performance mechanical equipment, but traditional lubricants are becoming inadequate for meeting the increasing demands for anti-friction and anti-wear properties and they discharge harmful chemicals to the environment. The purpose of the present study was to explore the use of sepiolite as a novel oil additive to extend the performance of lubricants. Sepiolite nanofibers were first treated by acid followed by a dry air flow, aimed at increasing the pore volume and decreasing the particle size. Then the nanofibers were further modified by an organosilane coupling agent to reduce the surface free energy and to improve the dispersion stability in lubricant. A significant improvement in the performance of the lubricant was achieved by using the modified sepiolite nanofibers as an additive. When the amount of modified sepiolite nanofibers added was 1.5 wt.%, the best performance was demonstrated by the lubricant, showing a viscosity increase at 40°C and 100°C, and an increase in resistance to oxidation. Moreover, the acid value and pour point decreased, and the copper sheet corrosion level dropped to its lowest value.
Stress Field for a Coated Triangle-Like Hole Problem in Plane Elasticity
Authors: Tseng S. C. , Chao C. K. , Chen F. M.
Published: December 2019

The stress field induced by an edge dislocation or a point force located near a coated triangle-like hole in an infinite plate is provided in this paper. Based on the method of analytical continuation and the technique of conformal mapping in conjunction with the alternation technique, a series solution for the displacement and stresses in the coating layer and the matrix is obtained analytically. Examples for the interaction between an edge dislocation and a coated triangle-like hole for various material constant combinations, coating thicknesses and shape factors are discussed. The analysis discovers that the so-called trapping mechanism of dislocations is more likely to exist near a coated triangle-like hole. The result shows that the dislocation will first be repelled by the coating layer and then attracted by a hole when the coating layer is slightly stiffer than the matrix. However, when the coating layer is sufficiently thin, the dislocation will always be attracted by a hole even the coating layer is stiffer than the matrix.
Glocalizing Medicine in the Canton–Hong Kong–Macau Region in Late Qing China
Authors: LEUNG ANGELA KI CHE
Published: December 2019

This article looks at how globalization in the nineteenth century was inextricably entangled with localization in the Canton–Hong Kong–Macau nexus on the southern fringe of China by tracing the growth of its unique medical culture. It explains the ‘glocalizing’ process by tracing the development of this medical culture, which consists of knowledge construction and institution building, in the context of highly volatile epidemiological conditions aggravated by increasingly heavy inter-regional trade and migration. It traces the dynamic circulation of people, materials, ideas, and practices in this southern edge of China, which was traditionally connected to southeast Asia and shared ecological backdrops that produced similar epidemiological experiences. The Canton nexus in the nineteenth century saw the growth of native medical knowledge that focused less on theoretical innovation than on the efficacy of therapeutic strategies. These ideas were likely to have been informed or reinforced by new anatomical knowledge disseminated by Western medical missionaries on the ground early in the century. The medical culture in the region was also marked by the formation of a series of local institutions that were fusions of Western-style hospitals and native merchant-run charity halls where diseases were studied and treated, and new public health management negotiated and implemented by experts from different traditions.
Introduction to the Global China Forum
Authors: YE SHIRLEY , VAN DE VEN HANS
Published: December 2019

‘Global China: New Approaches’ consists of four articles that explore the methodological contours between transnational history and China studies. China historians have not been invulnerable to the excitements of transnational history. Few would be happy to be suspected of still believing in a unique and enduring Chinese essence, and fewer still would be willing to argue that the foreign has been irrelevant in China, not just for the last two centuries but for its entire history. The urge to break free from histories shackled to the nation-state (whether told as revolution or not), the desire to be alert to connections with other areas of the world, and the wish to escape from teleological narratives characterize much of the most arresting work done on China in recent years. China-centredness has not disappeared, but it certainly has attenuated.
Health service utilization following symptomatic respiratory tract infections and influencing factors among urban and rural residents in Anhui, China
Authors: Xu Shiyu , Dong Xuemeng , Zhou Rongyao , Shen Xingrong , Feng Rui , Cheng Jing , Chai Jing , Kadetz Paul , Wang Debin
Published: December 2019

Aim:

This study seeks to identify healthcare utilization patterns following symptomatic respiratory tract infections (RTIs) and the variables that may influence these patterns.

Background:

RTIs are responsible for the bulk of the primary healthcare burden worldwide. Yet, the use of health services for RTIs displays great discrepancies between populations. This research examines the influence of social demographics, economic factors, and accessibility on healthcare utilization following RTIs.

Methods:

Structured interviews were administered by trained physicians at the households of informants selected by cluster randomization. Descriptive and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was performed to assess healthcare utilization and associated independent variables.

Findings:

A total of 60 678 informants completed the interviews. Of the 2.9% informants exhibiting upper RTIs, 69.5–73.9% sought clinical care. Healthcare utilization rates for common cold, influenza, nine acute upper RTIs, and overall RTIs demonstrate statistically significant associations with the variables of age, type of residence, employment, medical insurance, annual food expenditure, distance to medical facilities, and others. The odds ratios for healthcare utilization rates varied substantially, ranging from 0.026 to 9.364. More than 69% of informants with RTIs sought clinical interventions. These findings signify a marked issue with the large amount of healthcare for self-limited RTIs.
First report of molecular basis of resistance to imazethapyr in common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album)
Authors: Huang Zhaofeng , Zhou Xinxin , Zhang Chaoxian , Jiang Cuilan , Huang Hongjuan , Wei Shouhui
Published: December 2019

Common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.) is one of the most troublesome weeds in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and corn (Zea mays L.) fields in northeast China. In 2017, a C. album population that survived imazethapyr at the recommended field rate was collected from a soybean field in Heilongjiang Province in China. Experiments were conducted to determine the basis of resistance to imazethapyr and investigate the herbicide-resistance pattern in C. album. Dose–response tests showed that the resistant population (R) displayed high resistance to imazethapyr (20-fold) compared with the susceptible population (S). An in vitro acetolactate synthase (ALS) activity assay indicated that the ALS of the R population was resistant to imazethapyr compared with the ALS of the S population. Sequence analysis of the ALS gene revealed that the GCA was replaced by ACA at amino acid position 122, which resulted in an alanine to threonine substitution (Ala-122-Thr) in the R population. The R population displayed cross-resistance to thifensulfuron-methyl and flumetsulam but susceptibility to bispyribac-sodium, flucarbazone, glyphosate, mesotrione, and fomesafen. These results confirmed that the basis of imazethapyr resistance in C. album was conferred by the Ala-122-Thr substitution in the ALS enzyme. This is the first report of the target-site basis of ALS-inhibiting herbicide resistance in C. album.
Novel Representation of Leaf Phenology Improves Simulation of Amazonian Evergreen Forest Photosynthesis in a Land Surface Model
Authors: Chen Xiuzhi , Maignan Fabienne , Viovy Nicolas , Bastos Ana , Goll Daniel , Wu Jin , Liu Liyang , Yue Chao , Peng Shushi , Yuan Wenping , da Conceição Adriana Castro , O'Sullivan Michael , Ciais Philippe
Published: December 2019

Leaf phenology in the humid tropics largely regulates the seasonality of forest carbon and water exchange. However, it is inadequately represented in most global land surface models due to limited understanding of its controls. Based on intensive field studies at four Amazonian evergreen forests, we propose a novel, quantitative representation of tropical forest leaf phenology, which links multiple environmental variables with the seasonality of new leaf production and old leaf litterfall. The new phenology simulates higher rates of leaf turnover (new leaves replacing old leaves) in dry seasons with more sunlight, which is then implemented in ORCHIDEE, together with recent findings of ontogeny‐associated photosynthetic capacity, and is evaluated against ground‐based measurements of leaf phenology (canopy leaf area index and litterfall), eddy covariance fluxes (photosynthesis and latent heat), and carbon allocations from field observations. Results show the periodical cycles of solar radiation and vapor pressure deficit are the two most important environmental variables that are empirically related to new leaf production and old leaf abscission in tropical evergreen forests. The model with new representation of leaf phenology captures the seasonality of canopy photosynthesis at three out of four sites, as well as the seasonality of litterfall, latent heat, and light use efficiency of photosynthesis at all tested sites, and improves the seasonality of carbon allocations to leaves, roots, and sapwoods. This study advances understanding of the environmental controls on tropical leaf phenology and offers an improved modeling tool for gridded simulations of interannual CO2 and water fluxes in the tropics.
More Than Just Astronomy: Radio Telescopes for Geophysics
Authors: Kornei Katherine
Published: December 2019

Linking an existing network of radio telescopes with satellite radar would make it possible to measure ground displacements in a globally consistent way, scientists propose.
A Streetcar for the Digital Age
Authors: McCarthy Kelly
Published: December 2019

A Streetcar to Subduction for the digital age: AGU revises a classic guidebook using Google Earth.
Distribution of Partial Melt Beneath Changbaishan/Paektu Volcano, China/Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Authors: Hammond James O. S. , Wu Jian‐Ping , Ri Kyong‐Song , Wei Wei , Yu Jong‐Nam , Oppenheimer Clive
Published: December 2019

Changbaishan/Paektu volcano straddles the border between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and China. It was responsible for one of the largest eruptions in history, the “Millennium Eruption' of 946 CE. An episode of unrest between 2002 and 2005, characterized by inflation and seismicity, refocused attention on this volcano. While satellite remote sensing has provided synoptic observations, ground‐based surveillance has hitherto supported only disparate analyses and geophysical interpretations on either side of the border. Here, we derive receiver functions using seismic records from both Democratic People's Republic of Korea and China. H‐κ stacking indicates thick crust (up to 40 km) and high average crustal VP/VS (up to 1.93) beneath the volcano. Grid search inversions constrain a significant velocity reduction at 4–8 km depth (below sea level), and harmonic analysis suggests this dips away from the volcano, with shallowest depths centered beneath the volcano. Common conversion point migrations show that this anomaly extends ∼30 km from the volcano summit and possibly as far as neighboring volcanoes. The colocation of the velocity reduction with a zone of high‐conductivity, low‐velocity, and low‐density material at the depth of the inflation source implicated in the 2002–2005 unrest indicates that partial melt is present directly beneath Changbaishan/Paektu, likely recharged during the episode of unrest. Our study highlights the importance of continued surveillance of the volcano and the need for further geophysical studies to constrain more fully the triggers for unrest and controls on its evolution.
Understanding and Modeling the Occurrence of E. coli Blooms in Drinking Water Reservoirs
Authors: Bertone Edoardo , Kozak Sonya , Roiko Anne
Published: December 2019

Certain strains of Escherichia coli have been reported to bloom in the environment, resulting in high concentrations in waters in the absence of apparent fecal input or human pathogens, and in turn, undermining its reliability as an indicator of recent fecal contamination. Given the capacity of environmental strains of E. coli to replicate in the environment, the objective of this research work was to investigate whether any of the routinely measured parameters could predict the onset of an E. coli bloom in drinking water reservoirs. Information from historical catchment, weather, and water quality data were extracted for a number of Australian reservoirs that experienced E. coli blooms. Data were preprocessed and analyzed with time series analysis, linear and nonlinear regression, and self‐organizing maps. Findings suggest that warm water, dry catchments, algal blooms, and nutrient availability were important factors in increasing the propensity for a bloom. Nutrient availability can be affected by many extrinsic factors that are often not well characterized, such as bushfires and back burning, decomposition of aquatic species, and dust storms. Based on data analysis outputs, a data‐driven Bayesian Network model was developed, which, considering the paucity of data for some key input parameters, should only be used to trigger more intensive monitoring programs whenever the predicted risk of a bloom exceeds predetermined key thresholds. Such new data could be fed into the model to continuously improve its accuracy, and to eventually predict and proactively manage future blooms.
Templated dewetting of single-crystal sub-millimeter-long nanowires and on-chip silicon circuits
Authors: Bollani Monica , Salvalaglio Marco , Benali Abdennacer , Bouabdellaoui Mohammed , Naffouti Meher , Lodari Mario , Corato Stefano Di , Fedorov Alexey , Voigt Axel , Fraj Ibtissem , Favre Luc , Claude Jean Benoit , Grosso David , Nicotra Giuseppe , Mio Antonio , Ronda Antoine , Berbezier Isabelle , Abbarchi Marco
Published: December 2019

Large-scale, defect-free, micro- and nano-circuits with controlled inter-connections represent the nexus between electronic and photonic components. However, their fabrication over large scales often requires demanding procedures that are hardly scalable. Here we synthesize arrays of parallel ultra-long (up to 0.75 mm), monocrystalline, silicon-based nano-wires and complex, connected circuits exploiting low-resolution etching and annealing of thin silicon films on insulator. Phase field simulations reveal that crystal faceting and stabilization of the wires against breaking is due to surface energy anisotropy. Wires splitting, inter-connections and direction are independently managed by engineering the dewetting fronts and exploiting the spontaneous formation of kinks. Finally, we fabricate field-effect transistors with state-of-the-art trans-conductance and electron mobility. Beyond the first experimental evidence of controlled dewetting of patches featuring a record aspect ratio of $$\sim$$~1/60000 and self-assembled $$\sim$$~mm long nano-wires, our method constitutes a distinct and promising approach for the deterministic implementation of atomically-smooth, mono-crystalline electronic and photonic circuits.
Sensory innervation in porous endplates by Netrin-1 from osteoclasts mediates PGE2-induced spinal hypersensitivity in mice
Authors: Ni Shuangfei , Ling Zemin , Wang Xiao , Cao Yong , Wu Tianding , Deng Ruoxian , Crane Janet L. , Skolasky Richard , Demehri Shadpour , Zhen Gehua , Jain Amit , Wu Panfeng , Pan Dayu , Hu Bo , Lyu Xiao , Li Yusheng , Chen Hao , Qi Huabin , Guan Yun , Dong Xinzhong , Wan Mei , Zou Xuenong , Lu Hongbin , Hu Jianzhong , Cao Xu
Published: December 2019

Spinal pain is a major clinical problem, however, its origins and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we report that in mice, osteoclasts induce sensory innervation in the porous endplates which contributes to spinal hypersensitivity in mice. Sensory innervation of the porous areas of sclerotic endplates in mice was confirmed. Lumbar spine instability (LSI), or aging, induces spinal hypersensitivity in mice. In these conditions, we show that there are elevated levels of PGE2 which activate sensory nerves, leading to sodium influx through Nav 1.8 channels. We show that knockout of PGE2 receptor 4 in sensory nerves significantly reduces spinal hypersensitivity. Inhibition of osteoclast formation by knockout Rankl in the osteocytes significantly inhibits LSI-induced porosity of endplates, sensory innervation, and spinal hypersensitivity. Knockout of Netrin-1 in osteoclasts abrogates sensory innervation into porous endplates and spinal hypersensitivity. These findings suggest that osteoclast-initiated porosity of endplates and sensory innervation are potential therapeutic targets for spinal pain.
The marine geological imprint of Antarctic ice shelves
Authors: Smith James A. , Graham Alastair G. C. , Post Alix L. , Hillenbrand Claus-Dieter , Bart Philip J. , Powell Ross D.
Published: December 2019

Reductions in the thickness and extent of Antarctic ice shelves are triggering increased discharge of marine-terminating glaciers. While the impacts of recent changes are well documented, their role in modulating past ice-sheet dynamics remains poorly constrained. This reflects two persistent issues; first, the effective discrimination of sediments and landforms solely attributable to sub-ice-shelf deposition, and second, challenges in dating these records. Recent progress in deciphering the geological imprint of Antarctic ice shelves is summarised, including advances in dating methods and proxies to reconstruct drivers of change. Finally, we identify several challenges to overcome to fully exploit the paleo record.
In vivo pressure gradient heterogeneity increases flow contribution of small diameter vessels in grapevine
Authors: Bouda Martin , Windt Carel W. , McElrone Andrew J. , Brodersen Craig R.
Published: December 2019

Leaves lose approximately 400 H2O molecules for every 1 CO2 gained during photosynthesis. Most long-distance water transport in plants, or xylem sap flow, serves to replace this water to prevent desiccation. Theory predicts that the largest vessels contribute disproportionately to overall sap flow because flow in pipe-like systems scales with the fourth power of radius. Here, we confront these theoretical flow predictions for a vessel network reconstructed from X-ray μCT imagery with in vivo flow MRI observations from the same sample of a first-year grapevine stem. Theoretical flow rate predictions based on vessel diameters are not supported. The heterogeneity of the vessel network gives rise to transverse pressure gradients that redirect flow from wide to narrow vessels, reducing the contribution of wide vessels to sap flow by 15% of the total. Our results call for an update of the current working model of the xylem to account for its heterogeneity.
Effects of methyl jasmonate on the growth and triterpenoid production of diploid and tetraploid Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. hairy root cultures
Authors: Nguyen Khoa Van , Pongkitwitoon Benyakan , Pathomwichaiwat Thanika , Viboonjun Unchera , Prathanturarug Sompop
Published: December 2019

In this study, the effects of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on the phytomass and triterpenoid production of diploid and tetraploid Centella asiatica hairy roots were investigated. Hairy root cultures were obtained from diploid and induced tetraploid plants of C. asiatica infected by Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain ATCC 43057. MeJA triggered triterpenoid production in both ploidy hairy roots, whereas triterpenoids were not produced in the untreated hairy roots. Among the treatments, the 50 µM MeJA treatment yielded the maximum triterpenoid production in diploid hairy roots of 27.25 ± 0.27 µg/mg Dry weight (DW) total triterpenoid at day 21. For the tetraploid hairy root cultures, the 28th-day hairy root culture produced a maximum amount of triterpenoids of 16.29 ± 6.32 µg/mg DW in response to the 50 µM MeJA treatment, whereas the 100 µM MeJA treatment produced a similar triterpenoid amount (16.31 ± 9.24 µg/mg DW) at day 14. Moreover, in response to 50 µM MeJA, we obtained different ratios of aglycone to glycoside, i.e., 1:7 and 1:2, between the diploid and tetraploid hairy root cultures. Asiaticoside was the dominant phytochemical, followed by asiatic acid and madecassic acid. This study provides valuable information for producing triterpenoids for C. asiatica commercial products and preparations by using hairy root cultures.
Frequency Modulated Möbius Model Accurately Predicts Rhythmic Signals in Biological and Physical Sciences
Authors: Rueda Cristina , Larriba Yolanda , Peddada Shyamal D.
Published: December 2019

Motivated by applications in physical and biological sciences, we developed a Frequency Modulated Möbius (FMM) model to describe rhythmic patterns in oscillatory systems. Unlike standard symmetric sinusoidal models, FMM is a flexible parametric model that allows deformations to sinusoidal shape to accommodate commonly seen asymmetries in applications. FMM model parameters are easy to estimate and the model is easy to interpret complex rhythmic data. We illustrate FMM model in three disparate applications, namely, circadian clock gene expression, corticoptropin levels in depressed patients and the temporal light intensity patterns of distant stars. In each case, FMM model is demonstrated to be flexible, scientifically plausible and easy to interpret. Analysis of synthetic data derived from patterns of real data, suggest that FMM model fits the data very well both visually as well as in terms of the goodness of fit measure total mean squared error. An R language based software for implementing FMM model is available.
Tidal amplification and salt intrusion in the Mekong Delta driven by anthropogenic sediment starvation
Authors: Eslami Sepehr , Hoekstra Piet , Nguyen Trung Nam , Ahmed Kantoush Sameh , Van Binh Doan , Duc Dung Do , Tran Quang Tho , van der Vegt Maarten
Published: December 2019

Natural resources of the Mekong River are essential to livelihood of tens of millions of people. Previous studies highlighted that upstream hydro-infrastructure developments impact flow regime, sediment and nutrient transport, bed and bank stability, fish productivity, biodiversity and biology of the basin. Here, we show that tidal amplification and saline water intrusion in the Mekong Delta develop with alarming paces. While offshore M2 tidal amplitude increases by 1.2–2 mm yr−1 due to sea level rise, tidal amplitude within the delta is increasing by 2 cm yr−1 and salinity in the channels is increasing by 0.2–0.5 PSU yr−1. We relate these changes to 2–3 m bed level incisions in response to sediment starvation, caused by reduced upstream sediment supply and downstream sand mining, which seems to be four times more than previous estimates. The observed trends cannot be explained by deeper channels due to relative sea level rise; while climate change poses grave natural hazards in the coming decades, anthropogenic forces drive short-term trends that already outstrip climate change effects. Considering the detrimental trends identified, it is imperative that the Mekong basin governments converge to effective transboundary management of the natural resources, before irreversible damage is made to the Mekong and its population.
Manually curated genome-scale reconstruction of the metabolic network of Bacillus megaterium DSM319
Authors: Aminian-Dehkordi Javad , Mousavi Seyyed Mohammad , Jafari Arezou , Mijakovic Ivan , Marashi Sayed-Amir
Published: December 2019

Bacillus megaterium is a microorganism widely used in industrial biotechnology for production of enzymes and recombinant proteins, as well as in bioleaching processes. Precise understanding of its metabolism is essential for designing engineering strategies to further optimize B. megaterium for biotechnology applications. Here, we present a genome-scale metabolic model for B. megaterium DSM319, iJA1121, which is a result of a metabolic network reconciliation process. The model includes 1709 reactions, 1349 metabolites, and 1121 genes. Based on multiple-genome alignments and available genome-scale metabolic models for other Bacillus species, we constructed a draft network using an automated approach followed by manual curation. The refinements were performed using a gap-filling process. Constraint-based modeling was used to scrutinize network features. Phenotyping assays were performed in order to validate the growth behavior of the model using different substrates. To verify the model accuracy, experimental data reported in the literature (growth behavior patterns, metabolite production capabilities, metabolic flux analysis using 13C glucose and formaldehyde inhibitory effect) were confronted with model predictions. This indicated a very good agreement between in silico results and experimental data. For example, our in silico study of fatty acid biosynthesis and lipid accumulation in B. megaterium highlighted the importance of adopting appropriate carbon sources for fermentation purposes. We conclude that the genome-scale metabolic model iJA1121 represents a useful tool for systems analysis and furthers our understanding of the metabolism of B. megaterium.
Metformin activates KDM2A to reduce rRNA transcription and cell proliferation by dual regulation of AMPK activity and intracellular succinate level
Authors: Tanaka Yuji , Konishi Akimitsu , Obinata Hideru , Tsuneoka Makoto
Published: December 2019

Metformin is used to treat type 2 diabetes. Metformin activates AMP-activated kinase (AMPK), which may contribute to the action of metformin. Metformin also shows anti-proliferation activity. However, the mechanism is remained unknown. We found that treatment of MCF-7 cells with metformin induced the demethylase activity of KDM2A in the rDNA promoter, which resulted in reductions of rRNA transcription and cell proliferation. AMPK activity was required for activation of KDM2A by metformin. Because demethylase activities of JmjC-type enzymes require a side reaction converting α-ketoglutarate to succinate, these organic acids may affect their demethylase activities. We found that metformin did not induce KDM2A demethylase activity in conditions of a reduced level of α-ketoglutarate. A four-hour treatment of metformin specifically reduced succinate, and the replenishment of succinate inhibited the activation of KDM2A by metformin, but did not inhibit the activation of AMPK. Metformin reduced succinate even in the conditions suppressing AMPK activity. These results indicate that metformin activates AMPK and reduces the intracellular succinate level, both of which are required for the activation of KDM2A to reduce rRNA transcription. The results presented here uncover a novel factor of metformin actions, reduction of the intracellular succinate, which contributes to the anti-proliferation activity of metformin.