bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Getting tense about relativity
Authors: Read James , Qureshi-Hurst Emily
Published: February 2020

Special relativity has been understood by many as vindicating a tenseless conception of time, denying the existence of tensed facts and a fortiori objective temporal passage. The reason for this is straightforward: both passage and the obtaining of tensed facts require a universal knife-edge present moment—yet this structure is not easily reconcilable with the relativity of simultaneity. The above being said, the prospects for tense and passage are sometimes claimed to be improved on moving to cosmological solutions of general relativity. In this paper, we evaluate in detail these arguments, finding that there remain several open questions to be addressed if the introduction of tensed facts into the relativistic context is to be compelling. Moreover, we argue that, even setting aside these issues, objective tense stands and falls in relativity for exactly the same reasons that it does in classical philosophical discussions on the matter.
Understanding instructional design effects by differentiated measurement of intrinsic, extraneous, and germane cognitive load
Authors: Klepsch Melina , Seufert Tina
Published: February 2020

Instructional design deals with the optimization of learning processes. To achieve this, three aspects need to be considered: (1) the learning task itself, (2) the design of the learning material, and (3) the activation of the learner’s cognitive processes during learning. Based on Cognitive Load Theory, learners also need to deal with the task itself, the design of the material, and the decision on how much to invest into learning. To link these concepts, and to help instructional designers and teachers, cognitive load during learning needs to be differentially measured. This article reviews studies using a questionnaire to measure intrinsic, extraneous and germane cognitive load in order to provide evidence for the instruments’ prognostic validity. Six exemplary studies from different domains with different variations of the learning material were chosen to show that the theoretically expected effects on different types of load are actually reflected in the learners’ answers in the questionnaire. Major hypotheses regarding the different load types were (1) variations in difficulty are reflected in the scale on intrinsic cognitive load, (2) variations in design are reflected in the scale on extraneous cognitive load, and (3) variations in enhancing deeper learning through activation of cognitive processes are reflected in the scale on germane cognitive load. We found prognostic validity to be good. The review concludes by discussing the practical and theoretical implications, as well as pointing out the limitations and needs for further research.
3D modeling of deepwater turbidite lobes: a review of the research status and progress
Authors: Zhang Lei-Fu , Pan Mao , Li Zhao-Liang
Published: February 2020

Deepwater turbidite lobe reservoirs have massive hydrocarbon potential and represent one of the most promising exploration targets for hydrocarbon industry. Key elements of turbidite lobes internal heterogeneity include the architectural hierarchy and complex amalgamations at each hierarchical level leading to the complex distribution of shale drapes. Due to limitation of data, to build models realistically honoring the reservoir architecture provides an effective way to reduce risk and improve hydrocarbon recovery. A variety of modeling techniques on turbidite lobes exist and can be broadly grouped into pixel-based, process-based, process-oriented, surface-based, object-based and a hybrid approach of two or more of these methods. The rationale and working process of methods is reviewed, along with their pros and cons. In terms of geological realism, object-based models can capture the most realistic architectures, including the multiple hierarchy and the amalgamations at different hierarchical levels. In terms of data conditioning, pixel-based and multiple-point statistics methods could honor the input data to the best degree. In practical, different methods should be adopted depending on the goal of the project. Such a review could improve the understanding of existing modeling methods on turbidite lobes and could benefit the hydrocarbon exploration activities of such reservoirs in offshore China.
One Explanation Does Not Fit All
Authors: Sokol Kacper , Flach Peter
Published: February 2020

The need for transparency of predictive systems based on Machine Learning algorithms arises as a consequence of their ever-increasing proliferation in the industry. Whenever black-box algorithmic predictions influence human affairs, the inner workings of these algorithms should be scrutinised and their decisions explained to the relevant stakeholders, including the system engineers, the system’s operators and the individuals whose case is being decided. While a variety of interpretability and explainability methods is available, none of them is a panacea that can satisfy all diverse expectations and competing objectives that might be required by the parties involved. We address this challenge in this paper by discussing the promises ofInteractiveMachine Learning for improved transparency of black-box systems using the example of contrastive explanations—a state-of-the-art approach toInterpretableMachine Learning. Specifically, we show how to personalise counterfactual explanations by interactively adjusting their conditional statements and extract additional explanations by asking follow-up “What if?” questions. Our experience in building, deploying and presenting this type of system allowed us to list desired properties as well as potential limitations, which can be used to guide the development of interactive explainers. While customising the medium of interaction, i.e., the user interface comprising of various communication channels, may give an impression of personalisation, we argue that adjusting the explanation itself and its content is more important. To this end, properties such as breadth, scope, context, purpose and target of the explanation have to be considered, in addition to explicitly informing the explainee about its limitations and caveats. Furthermore, we discuss the challenges of mirroring the explainee’s mental model, which is the main building block of intelligible human–machine interactions. We also deliberate on the risks of allowing the explainee to freely manipulate the explanations and thereby extracting information about the underlying predictive model, which might be leveraged by malicious actors to steal or game the model. Finally, building an end-to-end interactive explainability system is a challenging engineering task; unless the main goal is its deployment, we recommend “Wizard of Oz” studies as a proxy for testing and evaluating standalone interactive explainability algorithms.
Correction to: Intravenous fluids: balancing solutions
Authors: Hoorn Ewout J.
Published: February 2020

In Table 3 on Page 486 the term osmolality should have read osmolarity.
The Digital Twin of the City of Zurich for Urban Planning
Authors: Schrotter Gerhard , Hürzeler Christian
Published: February 2020

Population growth will confront the City of Zurich with a variety of challenges in the coming years, as the increase in the number of inhabitants and jobs will lead to densification and competing land uses. The tasks for the city administration have become more complex, whereas tools and methods are often based on traditional, static approaches while involving a limited number of citizens and stakeholders in relevant decisions. The digital transformation of more and more pieces of the planning and decision-making process will make both increasingly more illustrative, easier to understand and more comprehensible. An important data basis for these processes is the digital twin of the City of Zurich. 3D spatial data and their models transform themes of the city, such as buildings, bridges, vegetation, etc., to the digital world, are being updated when required, and create advantages in digital space. These benefits need to be highlighted and published. An important step in public awareness is the release of 3D spatial data under Open Government Data. This allows the development of applications, the promotion of understanding, and the simplification of the creation of different collaborative platforms. By visualization and analysis of digital prototypes and the demonstration of interactions with the built environment, scenarios can be digitally developed and discussed in decision-making bodies. Questions about the urban climate can be simulated with the help of the digital twin and results can be linked to the existing 3D spatial data. Thus, the 3D spatial data set, the models and their descriptions through metadata become the reference and must be updated according to the requirements. Depending on requirements and questions, further 3D spatial data must be added. The description of the 3D spatial data and their models or the lifecycle management of the digital twin must be carried out with great care. Only in this way, decision processes can be supported in a comprehensible way.
A Qualified Account of Supererogation: Toward a Better Conceptualization of Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Tencati Antonio , Misani Nicola , Castaldo Sandro
Published: February 2020

Some firms are initiating pro-stakeholder activities and policies that transcend conventional corporate social responsibility (CSR) conceptions and seem inconsistent with their business interests or economic responsibilities. These initiatives, which are neither legally nor morally obligatory, are responding to calls for a more active role of business in society and for a broader interpretation of CSR. In fact, they benefit stakeholders in a superior and an innovative way and are difficult to reconcile with commonly used rationales in the extant CSR literature, such as win-win opportunities, creating shared value, or corporate philanthropy. For better insight, we develop a qualified account of the concept of supererogation from ethical theory. This account, which examines voluntary responses to moral obligations from which a business is normally excused, is applied to identify the unique features of the initiatives that are not readily understood within conventional reasoning, which is generally focused on a business case.
Hierarchical Clusters: Emergence and Success of the Automotive Districts of Barcelona and São Paulo
Authors: CATALAN JORDI , FERNÁNDEZ-DE-SEVILLA TOMÀS
Published: February 2020

This article analyzes the causes for the long-term success of the Barcelona (Spain) and São Paulo (Brazil) automobile industry clusters. Comparative evidence suggests that both clusters emerged in the early twentieth century through the formation of Marshallian external economies. Nevertheless, neither Barcelona nor São Paulo reached mass automobile production before 1950. The consolidation of the clusters required the adoption of strategic industrial policy during the golden age of capitalism. This policy succeeded in encouraging a few hub firms to undertake mass production by using domestic parts. The strategic policy also favored these leading corporations transferring their technical, organizational, and distribution capabilities, which in turn amplified the advantages of the clusters. Local institutions did not make a significant contribution.
SQUARE-INTEGRABILITY OF THE MIRZAKHANI FUNCTION AND STATISTICS OF SIMPLE CLOSED GEODESICS ON HYPERBOLIC SURFACES
Authors: ARANA-HERRERA FRANCISCO , ATHREYA JAYADEV S.
Published: February 2020

Given integers$g,n\geqslant 0$satisfying$2-2g-n<0$, let${\mathcal{M}}_{g,n}$be the moduli space of connected, oriented, complete, finite area hyperbolic surfaces of genus$g$with$n$cusps. We study the global behavior of the Mirzakhani function$B:{\mathcal{M}}_{g,n}\rightarrow \mathbf{R}_{{\geqslant}0}$which assigns to$X\in {\mathcal{M}}_{g,n}$the Thurston measure of the set of measured geodesic laminations on$X$of hyperbolic length${\leqslant}1$. We improve bounds of Mirzakhani describing the behavior of this function near the cusp of${\mathcal{M}}_{g,n}$and deduce that$B$is square-integrable with respect to the Weil–Petersson volume form. We relate this knowledge of$B$to statistics of counting problems for simple closed hyperbolic geodesics.
The “missing glaciations” of the Middle Pleistocene
Authors: Hughes Philip D. , Gibbard Philip L. , Ehlers Jürgen
Published: February 2020

Global glaciations have varied in size and magnitude since the Early–Middle Pleistocene transition (~773 ka), despite the apparent regular and high-amplitude 100 ka pacing of glacial–interglacial cycles recorded in marine isotope records. The evidence on land indicates that patterns of glaciation varied dramatically between different glacial–interglacial cycles. For example, Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 8, 10, and 14 are all noticeably absent from many terrestrial glacial records in North America and Europe. However, globally, the patterns are more complicated, with major glaciations recorded in MIS 8 in Asia and in parts of the Southern Hemisphere, such as Patagonia, for example. This spatial variability in glaciation between glacial–interglacial cycles is likely to be driven by ice volume changes in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet and associated interhemispheric connections through ocean–atmosphere circulatory changes. The weak global glacial imprint in some glacial–interglacial cycles is related to the pattern of global ice buildup. This is caused by feedback mechanisms within glacial systems themselves that partly result from long-term orbital changes driven by eccentricity.
FEDERATION, PARTNERSHIP, AND THE CHRONOLOGIES OF SPACE IN 1950s EAST AND CENTRAL AFRICA
Authors: MILFORD ISMAY
Published: February 2020

This article assesses the relationship between the imposed Central African Federation (1953–63) and the ways in which East and Central African thinkers and leaders conveyed and pursued the possibilities of decolonization. Existing literature on federalism in twentieth-century Africa fails to place regional projects in dialogue, studying in isolation East Africa and Central Africa, ‘utopian’ and oppressive regionalisms. But such clear dividing lines were not articulated in the four discursive ‘sketches’ of East and Central Africa that this article brings to light: those of anti-Federation organizations in Nairobi and Ndola in 1952; students at Makerere College (Kampala) in 1953; mobile Malawian activists in regional and pan-African forums around 1955–8; and East African party publicity representatives around 1958–60. At each of these critical moments, thinkers creatively constructed various relationships between geographical space and chronological change, through the lens of a broader, interdependent East and Central Africa, as a means to fend off perceived threats to a precarious advancement towards a democratic future. Attending to the evolution of these ideas shows not only how the Central African Federation placed material constraints on regional solidarity, but how ‘thinking regionally’ could support the case for national borders, even before decolonization.
Sociodemographic correlates of occupational, recreational and firearm noise exposure among adults in the USA
Authors: Knewitz A P , Simpson M C , Harris D A , Sappington J M , Osazuwa-Peters N
Published: February 2020

Objective

To determine sociodemographic factors associated with occupational, recreational and firearm-related noise exposure.

Methods

This nationally representative, multistage, stratified, cluster cross-sectional study sampled eligible National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey participants aged 20–69 years (n = 4675) about exposure to occupational and recreational noise and recurrent firearm usage, using a weighted multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

Thirty-four per cent of participants had exposure to occupational noise and 12 per cent to recreational noise, and 13 per cent repeatedly used firearms. Males were more likely than females to have exposure to all three noise types (adjusted odds ratio range = 2.63–14.09). Hispanics and Asians were less likely to have exposure to the three noise types than Whites. Blacks were less likely than Whites to have occupational and recurrent firearm noise exposure. Those with insurance were 26 per cent less likely to have exposure to occupational noise than those without insurance (adjusted odds ratio = 0.74, 95 per cent confidence interval = 0.60–0.93).

Conclusion

Whites, males and uninsured people are more likely to have exposure to potentially hazardous loud noise.
E. L. SMITH’S ENDURING CONTRIBUTIONS TO FINANCIAL ECONOMICS
Authors: Woods J. E.
Published: February 2020

In 1924, Edgar Lawrence Smith published a monograph presenting evidence aimed at overturning the conventional view that equities were speculative and bonds were the only long-term investments. This was immediately so successful that such eminent commentators as Irving Fisher and Benjamin Graham agreed that the monograph had had a material impact on market psychology, playing an instrumental role in the Great Crash. In this article, we examine Smith’s approach in detail, arguing that he made significant, enduring contributions to finance theory, empirical finance, and portfolio management practice. He was influential in creating the “cult of the equity,” laid the foundations for the equity risk premium, and introduced a probability-based risk metric and equally weighted portfolios. His influence is felt nowadays not only in the methodology employed in empirical work but also in major aspects of the conventional approach to portfolio management.
US toddler milk sales and associations with marketing practices
Authors: Choi Yoon Y , Ludwig Alexis , Harris Jennifer L
Published: February 2020

Objective:

Extensive marketing of ‘toddler milks’ (sugar-sweetened milk-based drinks for toddlers) promotes unsubstantiated product benefits and raises concerns about consumption by young children. The present study documents trends in US toddler milk sales and assesses relationships with brand and category marketing.

Design:

We report annual US toddler milk and infant formula sales and marketing from 2006 to 2015. Sales response models estimate associations between marketing (television advertising spending, product price, number of retail displays) and volume sales of toddler milks by brand and category.

Setting:

US Nielsen retail scanner sales and advertising spending data from 2006 to 2015.

Participants:

Researchers analysed all Universal Product Codes (n 117·4 million) sold by seven infant formula and eight toddler milk brands from 2006 to 2015.

Results:

Advertising spending on toddler milks increased fourfold during this 10-year period and volume sales increased 2·6 times. In contrast, advertising spending and volume sales of infant formulas declined. Toddler milk volume sales were positively associated with television advertising and retail displays, and negatively associated with price, at both the brand and category levels.

Conclusions:

Aggressive marketing of toddler milks has likely contributed to rapid sales increases in the USA. However, these sugar-sweetened drinks are not recommended for toddler consumption. Health-care providers, professional organizations and public health campaigns should provide clear guidance and educate parents to reduce toddler milk consumption and address misperceptions about their benefits. These findings also support the need to regulate marketing of toddler milks in countries that prohibit infant formula marketing to consumers.
The impact of replacing breakfast grains with meat/meat alternatives: an evaluation of child nutrition policy
Authors: Hanson Jennifer A , Cantrell Olivia , Paez Paola , Brenes Priscilla , Laursen Denise E
Published: February 2020

Objective:

To evaluate the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) rule that allows a meat/meat alternative to replace the breakfast grain requirement three times per week.

Design:

A 5-week menu including breakfast, lunch and snack was developed with meat/meat alternative replacing the breakfast grain requirement three times per week. Menu nutrients based on the minimum requirements were compared with reference values representing the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range for fat and a range of reference values representing two-thirds the Dietary Reference Intake for 3-year-olds and 4–5-year-olds. The meal pattern minimum requirements were compared with two-thirds of those recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA).

Setting:

Evaluation took place between April and June 2019.

Participants:

Human subjects were not utilized.

Results:

The CACFP minimum grain requirement is well below the DGA reference value (0·5–1·5 v. 3·33 ounce-equivalents). Energy (2208·52 kJ) was below the reference values (3126·83–4362·53 kJ). Protein (34·43 g) was above the reference values (9·87–10·81 g). Carbohydrate (76·65 g), fibre (7·46 g) and vitamin E (1·69 mg) were below their reference values of 86·67 g, 10·46–14·60 g and 4–4·76 mg, respectively. Fat (22·57 %) was below the reference range (25–40 %).

Conclusions:

The CACFP rule which allows a meat/meat alternative to replace the breakfast grain requirement three times per week may result in meal patterns low in energy, carbohydrate, fat, fibre and vitamin E, while providing an excessive amount of protein.
Origin and Accumulation of an Anthropogenic CO2 and 13C Suess Effect in the Arctic Ocean
Authors: Ko Young Ho , Quay Paul D.
Published: February 2020

We determined the impact of anthropogenic CO2 (Cant) accumulation on the δ13C of dissolved inorganic carbon in the Arctic Ocean (i.e., the 13C Suess effect) based on δ13C measurements during a GEOTRACES cruise in 2015. The δ13C decrease was estimated from the amount of Cant change derived by the transit time distribution approach and the ratio of the anthropogenic δ13C/dissolved inorganic carbon change (RC). A significant Cant increase (up to 45 μmol kg−1) and δ13C decrease (up to −0.9‰) extends to ~2,000 m in the Canada and Makarov Basin. We find distinctly different RC values for the intermediate water (300–2,000 m) and upper halocline water (<200 m) of −0.020 and −0.012‰ (μmol kg−1)−1, respectively, which identifies two sources of Cant accumulation from North Atlantic and North Pacific. Furthermore, estimated RC for intermediate waters is the same as the RC observed in the Greenland Sea and the rate of anthropogenic dissolved inorganic carbon increase estimated for intermediate waters at 0.9 μmol kg−1 yr−1 is identical to the estimated rate in the Iceland Sea. These observations indicate that the high rate of Cant accumulation and δ13C decrease in the Arctic Ocean is primarily a result of the input of Cant, via ventilation of intermediate waters, from the Nordic Sea rather than local anthropogenic CO2 uptake within the Arctic Basin. We determine the preindustrial δ13C (δ13CPI) distributions and find distinct δ13CPI signatures of the intermediate and upper halocline waters that reflect the difference in δ13CPI–PO4 relationship of Atlantic and Pacific source water.
A Framework for Understanding How Dynamics Shape Temperature Distributions
Authors: Linz Marianna , Chen Gang , Zhang Boer , Zhang Pengfei
Published: February 2020

Understanding what physically sets the shape of temperature distributions will enable more robust predictions of local temperature with global warming. We derive the relationship between the temperature distribution shape and the advection of temperature conditionally averaged at each temperature percentile. This enables quantification of the shift of each percentile that is due to changes in the mean temperature, in horizontal temperature advection, and other processes (e.g., radiation and convection). We use this relationship to examine global model simulations in an idealized aquaplanet model with increasing carbon dioxide. Changes in the distribution with doubling and quadrupling of carbon dioxide are significant, and they are caused by different processes. We find that midlatitude temperature distributions can be explained mostly by the horizontal advection, except in the upper and lower 10% of the distribution.
Subduction Initiation During Collision‐Induced Subduction Transference: Numerical Modeling and Implications for the Tethyan Evolution
Authors: Zhong Xinyi , Li Zhong‐Hai
Published: February 2020

The collision‐induced subduction transference is a composite dynamic process including both the terrane collision/accretion and the subduction initiation (SI) at the neighboring passive margin. This process occurred repeatedly during the evolution of Tethyan systems, with multiple ribbon‐like continents or microcontinents drifting from Gondwana in the southern hemisphere and accreting to the Eurasian continent since Paleozoic. In the previous numerical studies, the dynamics of terrane collision and induced SI are investigated individually, which however need to be integrated to study the controlling factors and time scales of collision‐induced subduction transference. Systematic numerical models are conducted with variable properties of converging plates and different boundary conditions. The model results indicate that the forced convergence, rather than pure free subduction, is required to trigger and sustain the SI at the neighboring passive margin after terrane collision. In addition, a weak passive margin can significantly promote the occurrence of SI, by decreasing the required boundary force to reasonable value of plate tectonics. The lengths of subducted oceanic slab and accreting terrane play secondary roles in the occurrence of SI after collision. Under the favorable conditions of collision‐induced subduction transference, the time required for SI after collision is generally short within 10 Myr, which is consistent with the general geological records of Cimmerian collision and the following Neo‐Tethyan SI. In contrast, the stable Indian passive margin and absence of SI in the present Indian Ocean may be due to the low convergent force and/or the lack of proper weak zones, which remains an open question.
Pluto's Beating Heart Regulates the Atmospheric Circulation: Results From High‐Resolution and Multiyear Numerical Climate Simulations
Authors: Bertrand T. , Forget F. , White O. , Schmitt B. , Stern S. A. , Weaver H. A. , Young L. A. , Ennico K. , Olkin C. B. ,   the New Horizons Science Team
Published: February 2020

Pluto's atmosphere is mainly nitrogen and is in solid‐gas equilibrium with the surface nitrogen ice. As a result, the global nitrogen ice distribution and the induced nitrogen condensation‐sublimation flows strongly control the atmospheric circulation. It is therefore essential for Global Climate Models to accurately account for the global nitrogen ice distribution in order to realistically simulate Pluto's atmosphere. Here we present a set of new numerical simulations of Pluto's atmosphere in 2015 performed with a Global Climate Model using a 50‐km horizontal resolution (3.75° 
 2.5°) and taking into account the latest topography and ice distribution data, as observed by the New Horizons spacecraft. In order to analyze the seasonal evolution of Pluto's atmosphere dynamics, we also performed simulations at coarser resolution (11.25° 
 7.5°) but covering three Pluto years. The model predicts a near‐surface western boundary current inside the Sputnik Planitia basin in 2015, which is consistent with the dark wind streaks observed in this region. We find that this atmospheric current could explain the differences in ice composition and color observed in the northwestern regions of Sputnik Planitia, by significantly impacting the nitrogen ice sublimation rate in these regions through processes possibly involving conductive heat flux from the atmosphere, transport of dark materials by the winds, and surface albedo positive feedbacks. In addition, we find that this current controls Pluto's general atmospheric circulation, which is dominated by a retrorotation, independently of the nitrogen ice distribution outside Sputnik Planitia. This exotic circulation regime could explain many of the geological features and longitudinal asymmetries in ice distribution observed all over Pluto's surface.
Ultralow-loss geometric phase and polarization shaping by ultrafast laser writing in silica glass
Authors: Sakakura Masaaki , Lei Yuhao , Wang Lei , Yu Yan-Hao , Kazansky Peter G.
Published: February 2020

Polarization and geometric phase shaping via a space-variant anisotropy has attracted considerable interest for fabrication of flat optical elements and generation of vector beams with applications in various areas of science and technology. Among the methods for anisotropy patterning, imprinting of self-assembled nanograting structures in silica glass by femtosecond laser writing is promising for the fabrication of space-variant birefringent optics with high thermal and chemical durability and high optical damage threshold. However, a drawback is the optical loss due to the light scattering by nanograting structures, which has limited the application. Here, we report a new type of ultrafast laser-induced modification in silica glass, which consists of randomly distributed nanopores elongated in the direction perpendicular to the polarization, providing controllable birefringent structures with transmittance as high as 99% in the visible and near-infrared ranges and >90% in the UV range down to 330 nm. The observed anisotropic nanoporous silica structures are fundamentally different from the femtosecond laser-induced nanogratings and conventional nanoporous silica. A mechanism of nanocavitation via interstitial oxygen generation mediated by multiphoton and avanlanche defect ionization is proposed. We demonstrate ultralow-loss geometrical phase optical elements, including geometrical phase prism and lens, and a vector beam convertor in silica glass.
A new class of broadly neutralizing antibodies that target the glycan loop of Zika virus envelope protein
Authors: Qu Panke , Zhang Chao , Li Min , Ma Weimin , Xiong Pei , Liu Qingwei , Zou Gang , Lavillette Dimitri , Yin Feifei , Jin Xia , Huang Zhong
Published: February 2020

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection poses a serious threat to human health. However, no licensed vaccine or therapeutic drug is currently available for ZIKV. We have previously shown that recombinant ZIKV E80 protein induced potent neutralizing antibody response and protected mice from lethal viral challenge. In the present study, we isolated five ZIKV neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from E80-immunized mice. These five mAbs specifically bound and neutralized Asian-lineage ZIKV strains. Epitope mapping revealed that all of the five mAbs recognized a novel linear epitope located on the glycan loop of E protein domain I. Sequence alignment revealed that the epitope was extremely conserved in ZIKV but highly variable between ZIKV and other flaviviruses. Thus, these five mAbs form a new class of anti-ZIKV antibodies exhibiting broad-spectrum neutralization on Asian-lineage ZIKV. A representative of this mAb class, 5F8, was found to exert inhibitory function in vitro primarily at the early stage of the post-attachment viral entry process. Importantly, mAb 5F8 was able to confer full protection in a mouse model of ZIKV lethal infection. Our results have strong implications for developing anti-ZIKV vaccines and therapeutic mAbs.
Abundance and diversity of resistomes differ between healthy human oral cavities and gut
Authors: Carr Victoria R. , Witherden Elizabeth A. , Lee Sunjae , Shoaie Saeed , Mullany Peter , Proctor Gordon B. , Gomez-Cabrero David , Moyes David L.
Published: February 2020

The global threat of antimicrobial resistance has driven the use of high-throughput sequencing techniques to monitor the profile of resistance genes, known as the resistome, in microbial populations. The human oral cavity contains a poorly explored reservoir of these genes. Here we analyse and compare the resistome profiles of 788 oral cavities worldwide with paired stool metagenomes. We find country and body site-specific differences in the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance genes, classes and mechanisms in oral and stool samples. Within individuals, the highest abundances of antimicrobial resistance genes are found in the oral cavity, but the oral cavity contains a lower diversity of resistance genes compared to the gut. Additionally, co-occurrence analysis shows contrasting ARG-species associations between saliva and stool samples. Maintenance and persistence of antimicrobial resistance is likely to vary across different body sites. Thus, we highlight the importance of characterising the resistome across body sites to uncover the antimicrobial resistance potential in the human body.
Islet-1 synergizes with Gcn5 to promote MSC differentiation into cardiomyocytes
Authors: Xu Hao , Zhou Qin , Yi Qin , Tan Bin , Tian Jie , Chen Xueni , Wang Yue , Yu Xia , Zhu Jing
Published: February 2020

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) specifically differentiate into cardiomyocytes as a potential way to reverse myocardial injury diseases, and uncovering this differentiation mechanism is immensely important. We have previously shown that histone acetylation/methylation and DNA methylation are involved in MSC differentiation into cardiomyocytes induced by islet-1. These modifications regulate cardiac-specific genes by interacting with each other in the promoter regions of these genes, but the molecular mechanism of these interactions remains unknown. In this study, we found that the key enzymes that regulate GATA4/Nkx2.5 expression are Gcn5/HDAC1, G9A, and DNMT-1. When α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone 3 (MB-3) was used to inhibit Gcn5 expression, we observed that the interactions among these key enzymes in the GATA4/Nkx2.5 promoters were blocked, and MSCs could not be induced into cardiomyocytes. Our results indicated that islet-1 could induce Gcn5 binding to GATA4/Nkx2.5 promoter regions and induce the interactions among Gcn5, HDAC1, G9A and DNMT-1, which upregulated GATA4/Nkx2.5 expression and promoted MSC differentiation into cardiomyocytes.
Perinatal outcomes of pregnancy in the fifth decade and beyond– a comparison of very advanced maternal age groups
Authors: Schwartz Anat , Many Ariel , Shapira Udi , Rosenberg Friedman Michal , Yogev Yariv , Avnon Tomer , Agrawal Swati , Shinar Shiri
Published: February 2020

To study the effect of very advanced maternal age on perinatal outcomes. A retrospective cohort study of women aged 45 years and above, who delivered ≥22 weeks of gestation in a single tertiary center between 1/ 2011 and 12/ 2018. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared between women ≥50 years and women of 45–49 years at delivery. Of 83,661 parturients, 593 (0.7%) were 45–49 years old and 64 (0.07%) were ≥50 years old. Obstetrical characteristics were comparable, though the rate of chronic hypertension and preeclampsia with severe features were greater in women ≥50 years (6.2% vs 1.4%, p = 0.04, 15.6% vs 7.0%, p = 0.01, 95% CI 0.19–0.86, respectively). Elective cesarean deliveries were independently associated with advanced maternal age ≥50 (OR 2.63 95% CI 1.21–5.69). Neonatal outcomes were comparable for singletons, but rates of ventilatory support and composite severe neonatal outcomes were higher in twin pregnancies of women ≥50 years (42.8% vs 13.5%, p = 0.01, and 21.4% vs 4.0%, p = 0.03, respectively). Healthy women ≥50 have higher elective cesarean rates, despite similar maternal and neonatal characteristics.
Changes in microbiome and metabolomic profiles of fecal samples stored with stabilizing solution at room temperature: a pilot study
Authors: Lim Mi Young , Hong Seungpyo , Kim Bo-Min , Ahn Yongju , Kim Hyun-Jin , Nam Young-Do
Published: February 2020

The gut microbiome is related to various host health conditions through metabolites produced by microbiota. Investigating their relationships involves association analysis of the population-level microbiome and metabolome data, which requires the appropriate collection, handling, and storage of specimens. Simplification of the specimen handling processes will facilitate such investigations. As a pilot study for population-level studies, we collected the fecal samples from three volunteers and tested whether a single sample collection procedure, particularly using OMNIgene-GUT, can be used to reliably obtain both microbiome and metabolome data. We collected fecal samples from three young and healthy Korean adults, stored them at room temperature with and without OMNIgene-GUT solution up to three weeks, and analyzed their microbiome and metabolite profiles. We found that the microbiome profiles were stably maintained in OMNIgene-GUT solution for 21 days, and the abundance relationships among metabolites were well preserved, although their absolute abundances slightly varied over time. Our results show that a single sampling procedure suffices to obtain a fecal sample for collecting gut microbiome and gut metabolome data of an individual. We expect that the health effects of gut microbiome via fecal metabolites can be further understood by increasing the sampling size to the population level.
Influencing factors and application prospects of CO2 flooding in heterogeneous glutenite reservoirs
Authors: Wang Jinkai , Zhang Yuanpei , Xie Jun
Published: February 2020

In recent years, large amounts of CO2 emissions have led to many environmental problems. Developing a reasonable approach to carbon dioxide emissions is one of the most important issues for the sustainable development of human civilization. Compared with CO2 geological storage, CO2 flooding has greater advantages and a higher utilization efficiency. CO2 flooding technology has been successfully applied to many types of reservoirs, such as conventional sandstone reservoirs, low-permeability reservoirs, and carbonates. In this paper, the feasibility of CO2 flooding in glutenite reservoirs is studied. First, the glutenite reservoir is divided into fine stages, and reasonable vertical development units are determined. On this basis, the distribution scale, genetic environment and formation mode of the glutenite reservoir are characterized in detail and their spatial distribution rules are depicted in three dimensions. Then, the influencing factors of CO2 flooding in the glutenite reservoir are analysed via reservoir numerical simulation technology. The effects of reservoir thickness, reservoir heterogeneity, macropores, dominant channels and fracturing on CO2 flooding efficiency are evaluated individually, and a set of reasonable parameters constituting an evaluation system for CO2 flooding in the glutenite reservoir is established. Finally, based on parameter optimization, the disadvantaged conditions of CO2 flooding in glutenite reservoirs are optimized, and their effects are gradually eliminated. In view of the characteristics of glutenite reservoirs, a unique three-dimensional well pattern arrangement is designed, different injection modes are optimized, and suitable injection agents are tested. These methods are conducive to improving the effect of reservoir parameters on CO2 flooding efficiency, allowing these reservoirs to be used for CO2 flooding. Based on these new methods, the displacement effect of the Yanjia-Yongan glutenite reservoir is predicted. Our results show that the reservoir has been developed efficiently and achieved a high recovery rate, the displacement front of the CO2 has become more uniform, and the sweep range has become wider. After extending the successful application of CO2 flooding in this reservoir to all of the glutenite reservoirs in the entirety of the Bohaiwan Basin, we predict that the oil recovery rate may reach 40%, with a cumulative oil recovery rate of approximately 3.04 × 108 t and a total CO2 consumption of 1.672 × 108 t. Thus, the proposed approach not only can improve the atmospheric environment but can also greatly improve the efficiency of oil displacement.
Prospects of industrial consumption embedded final emissions: a revision on Chinese household embodied industrial emissions
Authors: Sajid Muhammad Jawad , Qiao Wanguan , Cao Qingren , Kang Wei
Published: February 2020

The final demand embedded emissions are mainly estimated by considering the intermediate industrial production. However, the industrial consumption embedded emissions are not well investigated. This study estimates both the industrial production and consumption embedded emissions of Chinese households. Our results indicate significant differences between household industrial production and consumption embedded emissions. These different patterns are due to the different set of emission multipliers, Leontief inverse vectors, and final pull effects employed in embedding the intermediate carbon consumption to final demand. “Electricity, Steam, Hot water production and supply” was the largest source of both urban and rural household’s industrial production embedded emissions. The largest amount of urban household’s industrial consumption embedded emissions was from ‘Miscellaneous intangible products’; while, for rural households it was ‘Food and Tobacco’. Shandong had the highest industrial embedded emissions from both approaches; however, the main sources of its embedded production and consumption emissions were different. This embedding of the intermediate industrial consumption emissions to household final demand provides new insights, for mitigating the household embedded carbon consumption. The uncertainty analysis indicated that sectors with bigger output values show higher uncertainty, and the input quantities of emission intensity and final demand were the main contributors to outcome uncertainties.
Methylene blue administration in patients with refractory distributive shock – a retrospective study
Authors: Porizka Michal , Kopecky Petr , Dvorakova Helena , Kunstyr Jan , Lips Michal , Michalek Pavel , Balik Martin
Published: February 2020

Hemodynamic effectiveness of methylene blue (MB) was tested in patients with refractory distributive shock. A retrospective analysis of 20 critically-ill patients who developed refractory shock was performed. Patients were divided into two study groups as responders with positive hemodynamic response to MB administration (defined as 10% decrease of norepinephrine dose) and non-responders. Hemodynamic, outcome data and baseline tissue hypoxia-related parameters including ratio of central venous-to-arterial carbon dioxide tension to arterio-venous oxygen content (P(v-a)CO2/C(a-v)O2) were compared between the groups. There were 9 (45%) responders and 11 (55%) non-responders to single bolus of MB administration. Dose of MB did not differ between responders and non-responders (1.3 ± 0.5 vs. 1.3 ± 0.4 mg/kg respectively, P = 0.979). MB responders had lower baseline P(v-a) CO2/C(a-v)O2 (1.79 ± 0.73 vs. 3.24 ± 1.18, P = 0.007), higher pH (7.26 ± 0.11 vs. 7.16 ± 0.10, P = 0.037) and lower lactate levels at 12 hours post MB administration (3.4 ± 2.7 vs. 9.9 ± 2.2 mmol/L, P = 0.002) compared to non-responders. Methylene blue represents a non-adrenergic vasopressor with only limited effectiveness in patients with refractory distributive shock. Profound tissue hypoxia with high degree of anaerobic metabolism was associated with the loss of hemodynamic responsiveness to its administration.
Author Correction: Telmisartan induces browning of fully differentiated white adipocytes via M2 macrophage polarization
Authors: Jeon Eun Jeong , Kim Dong Young , Lee Na Hyun , Choi Hye-Eun , Cheon Hyae Gyeong
Published: February 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Slug-flow Continuous Crystallization: Fundamentals and Process Intensification
Authors: Pirkle J. Carl , Rasche Michael L. , Braatz Richard D. , Jiang Mo
Published: February 2020

Slug-flow tubular continuous crystallizers have been developed and optimized to provide improved control of crystal properties, better process reproducibility, and reduced scale-up risk. This chapter describes the analysis of stable operation regimes for slug flow – as well as regimes for other types of gas–liquid flows – and the identification of the key parameter values for efficient reliable experimental design. Fundamental analysis is also provided for design strategies, from both fluid flow and heat exchanger perspectives.
Continuous Protein Crystallization
Authors: Chen Wenqian , Yang Huaiyu , Yew Heng Jerry Yong
Published: February 2020

Over the past three decades, protein-based biologics such as insulin and monoclonal antibodies have steadily gained significance in the pharmaceutical industry, accounting for a global market that is worth hundreds of billions US dollars. The production cost of protein-based biologics is significantly higher than traditional small-molecule pharmaceuticals due to the costly downstream processing steps that are centred on chromatography. In order to overcome this challenge, protein crystallisation has been developed to replace chromatography, but the crystallisation of proteins is significantly more difficult than small molecules due to the complex three-dimensional configurations of proteins. Nevertheless, the crystallisation of numerous proteins has been successfully performed at microlitre scale for structural determination, of which a small subset has even been scaled up to the millilitre and litre scales. The latest development in protein crystallisation is continuous protein crystallisation, which is advantageous over the batch mode in terms of product quality control and equipment size. This chapter discusses the general workflow for the development of continuous protein crystallisation, which consists of the screening of crystallisation conditions, the scale-up in batch mode and finally the conversion to the continuous mode.
Electropolymerization of chitosan in the presence of CuNPs on the surface of a copper electrode: an advanced nanocomposite for the determination of mefenamic acid and indomethacin in human plasma samples and prevention of drug poisoning
Authors: Farshchi Fatemeh , Hasanzadeh Mohammad , Feyziazar Mahsa , Saadati Arezoo , Hassanpour Soodabeh
Published: February 2020

An innovative method was introduced for the electro-polymerization of chitosan on the surface of a copper electrode.
Thiocyanate complexes of the lanthanides, Am and Cm
Authors: Wilson Richard E. , Carter Tyler J. , Autillo Matthieu , Stegman Samantha
Published: February 2020

The trivalent actinide thiocyanate complexes of Am and Cm are synthesized for the first time along with their lanthanide homologues allowing comparison of the lanthanide and actinide bonding.
Ti2O3/TiO2 heterophase junctions with enhanced charge separation and spatially separated active sites for photocatalytic CO2 reduction
Authors: Xu Min , Zada Amir , Yan Rui , Li Haonan , Sun Ning , Qu Yang
Published: February 2020

Ti2O3/TiO2 heterophase junctions with enhanced charge separation and spatially separated active sites for photocatalytic CO2 reduction.
A detailed description of the devitrification mechanism ofd-mannitol
Authors: Guinet Yannick , Paccou Laurent , Hédoux Alain
Published: February 2020

The transformation of undercooledd-mannitol into “phase X” previously interpreted as a second amorphous state is actually corresponding to a surface crystallization accompanied by a very slow bulk crystallization into α form.
Formation of p–n junctions in nanoparticle cerium oxide electrolytic cells displaying memristive switching behaviour
Authors: de Carvalho Rafaela C. , Betts Anthony J. , Cassidy John F.
Published: February 2020

A macro-scale metal–semiconductor–metal device comprising CeO2 nanoparticles cast from a suspension of cerium dioxide formed by a novel synthetic method was fabricated.
Explaining doping in material research (Hf substitution in ZnO films) by directly quantifying the van der Waals force
Authors: Lai Chia-Yun , Santos Sergio , Moser Toni , Alfakes Boulos , Lu Jin-You , Olukan Tuza , Rajput Nitul , Boström Tobias , Chiesa Matteo
Published: February 2020

Non-monotonic behavior has been observed in the optoelectronic properties of ZnO thin films as doped with Hf (HZO).