bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A long-term dataset of climatic mass balance, snow conditions, and runoff in Svalbard (1957–2018)
Authors: van Pelt Ward , Pohjola Veijo , Pettersson Rickard , Marchenko Sergey , Kohler Jack , Luks Bartłomiej , Hagen Jon Ove , Schuler Thomas V. , Dunse Thorben , Noël Brice , Reijmer Carleen
Published: September 2019

Abstract. The climate in Svalbard is undergoing amplified change compared to the global mean. This has major implications for runoff from glaciers and seasonal snow on land. We use a coupled energy balance–subsurface model, forced with downscaled regional climate model fields, and apply it to both glacier-covered and land areas in Svalbard. This generates a long-term (1957–2018) distributed dataset of climatic mass balance (CMB) for the glaciers, snow conditions, and runoff with a 1 km×1 km spatial and 3-hourly temporal resolution. Observational data including stake measurements, automatic weather station data, and subsurface data across Svalbard are used for model calibration and validation. We find a weakly positive mean net CMB (+0.09 m w.e. a−1) over the simulation period, which only fractionally compensates for mass loss through calving. Pronounced warming and a small precipitation increase lead to a spatial-mean negative net CMB trend (−0.06 m w.e. a−1 decade−1), and an increase in the equilibrium line altitude (ELA) by 17 m decade−1, with the largest changes in southern and central Svalbard. The retreating ELA in turn causes firn air volume to decrease by 4 % decade−1, which in combination with winter warming induces a substantial reduction of refreezing in both glacier-covered and land areas (average −4 % decade−1). A combination of increased melt and reduced refreezing causes glacier runoff (average 34.3 Gt a−1) to double over the simulation period, while discharge from land (average 10.6 Gt a−1) remains nearly unchanged. As a result, the relative contribution of land runoff to total runoff drops from 30 % to 20 % during 1957–2018. Seasonal snow on land and in glacier ablation zones is found to arrive later in autumn (+1.4 d decade−1), while no significant changes occurred on the date of snow disappearance in spring–summer. Altogether, the output of the simulation provides an extensive dataset that may be of use in a wide range of applications ranging from runoff modelling to ecosystem studies.
Brief communication: Rare ambient saturation during drifting snow occurrences in coastal East Antarctica
Authors: Amory Charles , Kittel Christoph
Published: August 2019

Abstract. Sublimation of snow particles during transport has been recognized as the main ablation process on the Antarctic ice sheet. The resulting increase in moisture content and cooling of the ambient air are thermodynamic negative feedbacks that both contribute to increase the relative humidity of the air, inhibiting further sublimation when saturation is reached. This self-limiting effect and the associated development of saturated near-surface air layers in drifting snow conditions have been mainly described through modelling studies and few field observations. A set of meteorological data including drifting snow mass fluxes and vertical profiles of relative humidity collected at site D17 in coastal Adelie Land (East Antarctica) during year 2013 is used to study the relationship between saturation of the near-surface atmosphere and the occurrence of drifting snow in a katabatic wind region among the most prone to snow transport by wind. Atmospheric moistening by the sublimation of the windborne snow particles generally results in a strong increase in relative humidity with the magnitude of drifting snow and a decrease of its vertical gradient, suggesting that windborne-snow sublimation can be an important contributor to the local near-surface moisture budget. Despite a high incidence of drifting snow at the measurement location (61.3 % of the time), saturation, when attained, is however most often limited to a thin air layer below 2 meters above ground. The development of a near-surface saturated air layer up to the highest measurement level of 5.5 m is observed in only 9.6 % of the drifting snow occurrences or 5.9 % of the time and mainly occurs in strong wind speed and drift conditions. This rare occurrence of ambient saturation is explained by the likely existence of moisture-removal mechanisms inherent to the katabatic nature of the boundary-layer flow that weaken the negative feedback of windborne-snow sublimation. Such mechanisms, potentially quite active in katabatic-generated windborne-snow layers all over Antarctica may be very important in understanding the surface mass and atmospheric moisture budgets of the ice sheet by enhancing windborne-snow sublimation.
Snow albedo sensitivity to macroscopic surface roughness using a new ray tracing model
Authors: Larue Fanny , Picard Ghislain , Arnaud Laurent , Ollivier Inès , Delcourt Clément , Lamare Maxim , Tuzet François , Revuelto Jesus , Dumont Marie
Published: August 2019

Abstract. Most models simulating snow albedo assume a flat and smooth surface, neglecting surface roughness. However, the presence of macroscopic roughness leads to a systematic decrease in albedo due to two effects: 1) photons are trapped in concavities (multiple reflection effect) and, 2) when the sun is low, the roughness sides facing the sun experience an overall decrease in the local incident angle relative to a smooth surface, promoting higher absorption, whilst the other sides has weak contributions because of the increased incident angle or because they are shadowed (called the effective angle effect here). This paper aims to quantify the impact of surface roughness on albedo and to assess the respective role of these two effects, with 1) observations over varying amounts of surface roughness, and 2) simulations using the new Rough Surface Ray Tracer (RSRT) model, based on a Monte Carlo method for photon transport calculation. The observations include spectral albedo (400–1050 nm) over manually-created roughness surfaces with multiple geometrical characteristics. Measurements highlight that even a low fraction of surface roughness features (7 % of the surface) causes an albedo decrease of 0.02 at 1000 nm when the solar zenith angle (Өs) is larger than 50°. For higher fractions (13 %, 27 % and 63 %), and when the roughness orientation is perpendicular to the sun, the decrease is of 0.03–0.04 at 700 nm and of 0.06–0.10 at 1000 nm. The impact is 20 % lower when roughness orientation is parallel to the sun. The observations are subsequently compared to RSRT simulations. Accounting for surface roughness improves the model observation agreement by a factor two at 700 nm and 1000 nm (errors of 0.03 and 0.04, respectively), compared to simulations considering a flat smooth surface. The model is used to explore the albedo sensitivity to surface roughness with varying snow properties and illumination conditions. Both multiple reflections and the effective angle effect have more impact with low SSA (
Reliability analysis of offshore wind turbine foundations under lateral cyclic loading
Authors: Zorzi Gianluca , Mankar Amol , Velarde Joey , Sørensen John D. , Arnold Patrick , Kirsch Fabian
Published: September 2019

Abstract. The design of foundations for offshore wind turbines (OWT) requires the assessment of the long-term performance of the soil–structure-interaction (SSI) which is subjected to a large number of cyclic loadings. In terms of serviceability limit state (SLS), it has to be ensured that the foundation does not exceed the operational tolerance prescribed by the wind turbine manufacturer throughout its lifetime. This work aims at developing a probabilistic approach along with a reliability framework with emphasis on verifying the SLS criteria in terms of maximum allowable rotation during an extreme cyclic loading event. This reliability framework allows the quantification of uncertainties in soil properties, in the constitutive soil model for cyclic loadings and extreme environmental conditions and verifies that the foundation design meets a specific target reliability level. A 3D finite element (FE) model is used to predict the long-term response of the SSI accounting for the accumulation of permanent cyclic strain experienced by the soil. The proposed framework is employed for the design of a large diameter monopile supporting a 10 MW offshore wind turbine.
Erratum: Marion Werner. Global Displacements: The Making of Uneven Development in the Caribbean
Authors: Smith Jackie
Published: September 2019

Volume 25(1) of the Journal of World-Systems Research initially included a review by Jeb Sprague of Marion Werner’s Global Displacements: The Making of Uneven Development in the Caribbean, DOI 10.5195/JWSR.2019.920. Because the book review editor decided it would be better suited for inclusion in a proposed review symposium, she removed the review from the website, with the idea that it would run in a future issue. This was done in error, since by the time the decision was made to reschedule the review, it had already been published in the first issue of volume 25. Accordingly, a slightly revised version of the review has been restored to its original publication site. The book review editor regrets the mistake and apologizes for the confusion.
The Curriculum and Community Enterprise for Restoration Science S.T.E.M. + C Professional Learning Model: Expansion and Enhancement
Authors: Birney Lauren , McNamara Denise
Published: August 2019

Professional Development in the field of education has undergone several shifts in focus. Currently, teacher contentknowledge and the ability to disseminate this knowledge is the focus in professional learning communities. Theimportance of creating a thriving STEM workforce in the United States has been promoted for the last decade.Studies have shown that capturing students’ interest must occur before they enter high school, ideally in the middleschool years (Blotnicky, Franz-Odendaal, French, & Phillip, 2018). Teachers are the conduits for encouragingstudents to explore STEM-related career options. Student engagement is piqued when there is a strong real-worldconnection to the content being presented. Students find relevance through actual experience with the concepts andskills incorporated in projects that are community-based. The Curriculum and Community Enterprise for RestorationScience STEM + C Project is the marriage of these two components. The professional development of the New YorkCity middle school teachers involved in the CCERS STEM +C Project furnishes these educators with the tools tostimulate students’ interest by tackling a problem in their local community using STEM-related content andcomputational thinking. The hope is that authenticity of the learning experience will entice all students, especiallythose under-represented populations in the STEM workforce, to consider this as a viable career pathway. Theanalysis of this project is intended to highlight the significant inroads made and the value of self-reflection andre-design in strengthening the work as it continues.
Assessing the Relationship Between Destination Image and Tourists’ Loyalty Towards the Amusement Parks of Bangladesh: The Mediating Role of Tourists’ Satisfaction and Moderating Role of Past Experience
Authors: Bappy Tauhid Ahmed
Published: August 2019

The amusement park industry embodies one of the indispensable parts of the hospitality and tourism industry progressing in accordance with the shifting preferences and trends in travel and tourism demand. The main purpose of this study is to assess the relationship between destination image and tourists’ loyalty towards the amusement parks of Bangladesh. This is a descriptive study in which the author used judgmental sampling technique to gather quantitative data from 300 visitors of four amusement parks in Bangladesh namely Fanstasy Kingdom, Nandan Park, Vinnya Jagat, and Dreamland amusement park. The researcher used structural equation modeling to analyze the data. The findings suggest that destination image positively and significantly influences tourists’ satisfaction. Furthermore, tourists’ satisfaction, subsequently, results in visitors’ loyalty towards amusement parks. However, the relationship between amusement park image and tourists’ loyalty is mediated by tourists’ satisfaction. Furthermore, it was found that past visit experience at the amusement parks does not moderate the relationship between destination image and tourists’ satisfaction. The researcher believes that the findings and recommendations presented in this study will significantly encourage the amusement park marketers of Bangladesh to enhance their destination image to improve the satisfaction and loyalty levels of the visitors.
How to Help Students Learn English Better: Towards Creating a Language Learning Culture
Authors: Saafin Saleh
Published: August 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate university students’ perspectives of effective teaching that helped them learn English better. Adopting an interpretative approach to the research, the data was collected in three phases. In Phase One an interview was used and 17 university students studying English in Intensive English programs were interviewed. In Phase Two a qualitative questionnaire was used and 165 students responded to it. In Phase Three four students were interviewed for further information about the effective teaching characteristics identified in phases one and two. The findings of the study revealed that effective EFL teaching had two main dimensions: instructional skills and human characteristics. A wide range of categories and subcategories were classified under each dimension. Bearing in mind the descriptions and information the respondents gave throughout the Three Phases, the broader picture of effective teaching reflected the idea of a learning culture that effective teachers had an important role in creating.
Effect of Farming Systems on the Spatial Variability of Soil Physical Properties and Soybean Yield
Authors: Videira Ligia Maria Lucas , Silva Paulo Ricardo Teodoro , Pereira Diego dos Santos , Montanari Rafael , Panosso Alan Rodrigo , Oliveira Christtiane Fernandes
Published: August 2019

In no-tillage (NT) and minimum tillage (MT) areas, spatial variability of soil physical properties may affect crop yield. The aim of this study was to assess the spatial distribution of soil physical properties, as well as the yield components and grain yield of soybean (GY), based on the mapping of areas under soil conservation farming systems. We assessed yield components, GY and the physical properties of an Oxisol, under NT and MT using the t-student test, and geostatistics to assess spatial variability. The largest population of NT plants showed no spatial dependence and did not influence GY, but the components related to plant height and soil properties differed between systems. From a spatial standpoint, the kriging maps demonstrated that mass of one thousand grains (MOG), total porosity (TP) and soil bulk density (BD) influenced GY under NT, whereas TP1 exerted the most influence under high soil moisture conditions and MT. The maps make it possible to assess the spatial distribution of soil physical properties and the influence on GY, making them an important tool for more accurate production planning in soil conservation systems.
The Impact of Competition on Debt Ratio of Manufacturing Enterprises in Vietnam
Authors: Vinh Nguyen Tan
Published: August 2019

Asymmetric infomation has caused difficulties for investors in the financial market when the enterprises have high competitiveness in the market but there are acts of using unusual capital structure. Investment decisions on the stock market of investors will be negatively affected by asymmetric information. In particular, the manufacturing enterprises have made an important contribution to Vietnam’s economic structure. Therefore, the authors conduct research to assess the impact of product market competition on the capital structure of manufacturing enterprises listed in the Vietnam stock market from 2010 to 2018. By analyzing panel data through the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM), the research results indicate: Competitiveness factors HHI has a negative impact on debt ratio (DR)—the results support the predation theory. When businesses are highly competitive, there will be a tendency to reduce the debt ratio. At the same time, the research results also show the variables ROA and CGIR have negative effects on DR. GRTA and NDTS variables do not affect the DR of manufacturing enterprises. The results of this study will help investors to make their decisions more wisely.
La recherche sur la protection de l’enfance en France: Etat des lieux et enjeux
Authors: Séraphin Gilles
Published: September 2019

This article is an analytical report of French research on the subject of child protection. After distinguishing the main themes from the research, the author analyses methods and ethical questions. Then, he studies reasons for not developing several themes of research, and, a contrario, the conditions for the emergence of distinct and diverse research, which is becoming a source of development of public policy.
THE IMPACT OF WATER UPON THE WEAR OF RAILWAY RAILS IN SELECTED SERVICE CONDITIONS
Authors: Bąkowski Henryk , John Antoni , Łomozik Łukasz , Stanik Zbigniew
Published: September 2019

The article presents, in a complex way, the impact of most essential operational factors upon tribological properties such as the wear and the friction coefficient being the main causes of fatigue contact wear in the rolling-sliding contact both in the presence and absence of water. Operational curves have been developed to predict the character and intensity of the wear in various operational conditions. This seems crucial for the improvement of the safety of rail vehicles.
AN ANALYSIS OF HYDRODYNAMIC PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION
AND LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY OF A CONICAL SLIDE BEARING
LUBRICATED WITH NON -NEWTONIAN SECOND GRADE FLUI
Authors: Miszczak Andrzej , Czaban Adam
Published: September 2019

In this paper, the authors present the equations of the hydrodynamic lubrication theory for conical slide
bearings lubricated with the oil with properties described by the Rivlin-Ericksen model. It is assumed, that the
considered lubricating oil shows non-Newtonian properties, i.e. it is an oil for which, apart from the classic
dependence of oil viscosity on pressure, temperature and operating time, there is also a change in dynamic
viscosity values caused by the changes of shear rate. The method of a small parameter was used to solve the
conservation of momentum, stream continuity, and energy conservation equations.
The small parameter method consists in presenting the sought functions (pressure, temperature, components
of the velocity vector) in the form of a uniformly convergent series expansion in powers of a constant small
parameter. These functions are substituted into the system of basic equations, and then the series are multiplied
by the Cauchy method. By a comparison of the coefficients with the same powers of a small parameter, we
obtain systems of partial differential equations, from which the subsequent approximations of unknowns of
the sought functions are determined. The small parameter method separates the non-linear system of partial
differential equations and creates several linear systems of equations.
The aim of this work is to derive the equations describing and allowing the determination of the temperature
distribution, hydrodynamic pressure distribution, velocity vector components, load carrying capacity, friction
force and friction coefficient in the gap of conical slide bearing, lubricated with the oil of the properties
described by the Rivlin-Ericksen model, taking into account its viscosity changes due to time of operation.
Quantification of mass concentrations aerosols PM2.5 in primary schools. Case study: Tiaret city (Algeria)
Authors: Khadidja Naceur , Maatoug Mohamed , Lazreg Benaichata , Heilmeier Hermann , Kharytonov Mykola
Published: September 2019

23 primary schools have been selected in Tiaret city, and the collection of PM2.5 was performed in the morning, afternoon and evening, in the presence and absence of the pupils. The results found have shown a gradient of concentrations of PM2.5 by site typology. Low and average concentrations are recorded in the areas close to forests: 23.32±2.77 µg/m3 and the high concentrations are observed in the sites exposed to road traffic: 33.57±3.27 µg/m3 in winter. However, concentrations recorded in the urban sites are lower in the summer (sites exposed to road traffic: 25.33±2.85 µg/m3, sites close to the forests 23.78± 1.92µg/m3). We also noticed that the dominance of PM2.5 has been observed in the vicinity of the major axes of movement. The dispersion of these particles is illustrated by a detailed maps. The maps present information obtained by hierarchical classification, they aim to answer a need for spatial knowledge of the problem of particulate pollution in urban areas in the city of Tiaret. The hierarchical classification allowed to distinguish three groups of schools: urban, urban highly subject to dense road traffic and schools close to green spaces and forests. The results obtained revealed a high contamination of the atmospheric environment of the city of Tiaret by PM2.5 aerosols, taking into account the results recorded in primary schools. Mass concentration of PM2.5 in the 1st period (autumn and winter) is higher than that of the 2nd period (spring and summer). Indeed, the highest concentrations are recorded in the presence of pupils in winter.
Dois casos de hiperpigmentação cutânea induzido pela polimixina B
Authors: Rodrigues Cássio Alexandre Oliveira , Martins Rand Randall , Cunha Eduardo Queiroz da , Lima Marizaldo De Souto , Saldanha Valdjane
Published: August 2019

Introdução: O processo de hiperpigmentação cutânea envolve mecanismos bioquímicos e imunológicos que estimulam a melanogênese e apesar da nefrotoxicidade consistir na reação adversa mais relevante da polimixina B, o antimicrobiano também está associado a esta alteração. Relato do caso: Caso1: paciente masculino diagnosticado com Linfoma de Hodgkin, que desenvolveu hiperpigmentação cutânea após iniciar tratamento com meropenem, anidulafungina e polimixina B devido a um quadro de choque séptico. Caso 2: paciente masculino admitido na UTI por rebaixamento do nível de consciência e suspeita de IAMCSST, diagnosticado com endocardite e pericardite, que também apresentou hiperpigmentação cutânea durante terapia com anfotericina B e polimixina B. Conclusão: Após criteriosa avaliação da ordem cronológica e medicamentos utilizados pelos pacientes, concluímos que a polimixina B desencadeou a hiperpigmentação em ambos. Por fim, baseado ao mecanismo desta reação e aos achados científicos, estudos clínicos que possam evidenciar um provável efeito farmacológico com o uso de antagonistas H2 são necessários.
Adaptation of hepatitis C virus to interferon lambda polymorphism across multiple viral genotypes
Authors: Chaturvedi Nimisha , Svarovskaia Evguenia S , Mo Hongmei , Osinusi Anu O , Brainard Diana M , Subramanian G Mani , McHutchison John G , Zeuzem Stefan , Fellay Jacques
Published: September 2019

Genetic polymorphism in the interferon lambda (IFN-λ) region is associated with spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and response to interferon-based treatment. Here, we evaluate associations between IFN-λ polymorphism and HCV variation in 8729 patients (Europeans 77%, Asians 13%, Africans 8%) infected with various viral genotypes, predominantly 1a (41%), 1b (22%) and 3a (21%). We searched for associations between rs12979860 genotype and variants in the NS3, NS4A, NS5A and NS5B HCV proteins. We report multiple associations in all tested proteins, including in the interferon-sensitivity determining region of NS5A. We also assessed the combined impact of human and HCV variation on pretreatment viral load and report amino acids associated with both IFN-λ polymorphism and HCV load across multiple viral genotypes. By demonstrating that IFN-λ variation leaves a large footprint on the viral proteome, we provide evidence of pervasive viral adaptation to innate immune pressure during chronic HCV infection.
FAK activity sustains intrinsic and acquired ovarian cancer resistance to platinum chemotherapy
Authors: Diaz Osterman Carlos J , Ozmadenci Duygu , Kleinschmidt Elizabeth G , Taylor Kristin N , Barrie Allison M , Jiang Shulin , Bean Lisa M , Sulzmaier Florian J , Jean Christine , Tancioni Isabelle , Anderson Kristen , Uryu Sean , Cordasco Edward A , Li Jian , Chen Xiao Lei , Fu Guo , Ojalill Marjaana , Rappu Pekka , Heino Jyrki , Mark Adam M , Xu Guorong , Fisch Kathleen M , Kolev Vihren N , Weaver David T , Pachter Jonathan A , Győrffy Balázs , McHale Michael T , Connolly Denise C , Molinolo Alfredo , Stupack Dwayne G , Schlaepfer David D
Published: September 2019

Gene copy number alterations, tumor cell stemness, and the development of platinum chemotherapy resistance contribute to high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) recurrence. Stem phenotypes involving Wnt-β-catenin, aldehyde dehydrogenase activities, intrinsic platinum resistance, and tumorsphere formation are here associated with spontaneous gains in Kras, Myc and FAK (KMF) genes in a new aggressive murine model of ovarian cancer. Adhesion-independent FAK signaling sustained KMF and human tumorsphere proliferation as well as resistance to cisplatin cytotoxicity. Platinum-resistant tumorspheres can acquire a dependence on FAK for growth. Accordingly, increased FAK tyrosine phosphorylation was observed within HGSOC patient tumors surviving neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. Combining a FAK inhibitor with platinum overcame chemoresistance and triggered cell apoptosis. FAK transcriptomic analyses across knockout and reconstituted cells identified 135 targets, elevated in HGSOC, that were regulated by FAK activity and β-catenin including Myc, pluripotency and DNA repair genes. These studies reveal an oncogenic FAK signaling role supporting chemoresistance.
Crafting futures in Lebanese refugee camps
Authors: Avery Helen , Halimeh Nihal
Published: August 2019

The initiative at the Burj El Barajneh camp is run by a network of local associations and aims at improving living conditions, services, infrastructure and livelihoods for the inhabitants. Burj El Barajneh has a large number of active associations and many highly educated professionals. However, in this complex hyperdense context, any kind of change needs to be carefully considered; there are no simple recipes, and existing professional expertise does not necessarily match the specific conditions of the locality. By working with collective design and collaboration between the camp's inhabitants, it becomes possible to envisage larger coordinated efforts and to solve issues that remain blocked at an individual level.
Serine protease inhibitors and human wellbeing interplay: new insights for old friends
Authors: Mkaouar Héla , Akermi Nizar , Kriaa Aicha , Abraham Anne-Laure , Jablaoui Amin , Soussou Souha , Mokdad-Gargouri Raja , Maguin Emmanuelle , Rhimi Moez
Published: August 2019

Serine Protease Inhibitors (Serpins) control tightly regulated physiological processes and their dysfunction is associated to various diseases. Thus, increasing interest is given to these proteins as new therapeutic targets. Several studies provided functional and structural data about human serpins. By comparison, only little knowledge regarding bacterial serpins exists. Through the emergence of metagenomic studies, many bacterial serpins were identified from numerous ecological niches including the human gut microbiota. The origin, distribution and function of these proteins remain to be established. In this report, we shed light on the key role of human and bacterial serpins in health and disease. Moreover, we analyze their function, phylogeny and ecological distribution. This review highlights the potential use of bacterial serpins to set out new therapeutic approaches.
Network-based approach to identify biomarkers predicting response and prognosis for HER2-negative breast cancer treatment with taxane-anthracycline neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Jiang Cui , Wu Shuo , Jiang Lei , Gao Zhichao , Li Xiaorui , Duan Yangyang , Li Na , Sun Tao
Published: September 2019

Objective

This study aims to identify effective gene networks and biomarkers to predict response and prognosis for HER2-negative breast cancer patients who received sequential taxane-anthracycline neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Materials and Methods

Transcriptome data of training dataset including 310 HER2-negative breast cancer who received taxane-anthracycline treatment and an independent validation set with 198 samples were analyzed by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) approach in R language. Gene ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways analysis were performed for the selected genes. Module-clinical trait relationships were analyzed to explore the genes and pathways that associated with clinicopathological parameters. Log-rank tests and COX regression were used to identify the prognosis-related genes.

Results

We found a significant correlation of an expression module with distant relapse–free survival (HR = 0.213, 95% CI [0.131–0.347], P = 4.80E−9). This blue module contained genes enriched in biological process of hormone levels regulation, reproductive system, response to estradiol, cell growth and mammary gland development as well as pathways including estrogen, apelin, cAMP, the PPAR signaling pathway and fatty acid metabolism. From this module, we further screened and validated six hub genes (CA12, FOXA1, MLPH, XBP1, GATA3 and MAGED2), the expression of which were significantly associated with both better chemotherapeutic response and favorable survival for BC patients.

Conclusion

We used WGCNA approach to reveal a gene network that regulate HER2-negative breast cancer treatment with taxane-anthracycline neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which enriched in pathways of estrogen signaling, apelin signaling, cAMP signaling, the PPAR signaling pathway and fatty acid metabolism. In addition, genes of CA12, FOXA1, MLPH, XBP1, GATA3 and MAGED2 might serve as novel biomarkers predicting chemotherapeutic response and prognosis for HER2-negative breast cancer.
Comparative and evolutionary analysis of the reptilian hedgehog gene family (Shh,Dhh, andIhh)
Authors: Xia Tian , Zhang Honghai , Zhang Lei , Yang Xiufeng , Sun Guolei , Chen Jun , Xu Dajie , Zhao Chao
Published: August 2019

The hedgehog signaling pathway plays a vital role in human and animal patterning and cell proliferation during the developmental process. The hedgehog gene family of vertebrate species includes three genes,Shh,Dhh, andIhh, which possess different functions and expression patterns. Despite the importance of hedgehog genes, genomic evidence of this gene family in reptiles is lacking. In this study, the available genomes of a number of representative reptile species were explored by utilizing adaptive evolutionary analysis methods to characterize the evolutionary patterns of the hedgehog gene family. Altogether, 33 sonic hedgehog (Shh), 25 desert hedgehog (Dhh), and 20 Indian hedgehog (Ihh) genes were obtained from reptiles, and six avian and five mammalian sequences were added to the analysis. The phylogenetic maximum likelihood (ML) tree of theShh,Dhh, andIhhgenes revealed a similar topology, which is approximately consistent with the traditional taxonomic group. No shared positive selection site was identified by the PAML site model or the three methods in the Data Monkey Server. Branch model and Clade model C analyses revealed that theDhhandIhhgenes experienced different evolutionary forces in reptiles and other vertebrates, while theShhgene was not significantly different in terms of selection pressure. The different evolutionary rates of theDhhandIhhgenes suggest that these genes may be potential contributors to the discrepant sperm and body development of different clades. The different adaptive evolutionary history of theShh,Dhh, andIhhgenes among reptiles may be due to their different functions in regulating cellular events of development from the embryonic stages to adulthood. Overall, this study has provided meaningful information regarding the evolution of the hedgehog gene family in reptiles and a theoretical foundation for further analyses on the functional and molecular mechanisms that have shaped the reptilian hedgehog genes.
Mobile Phones: A Panacea for the Implementation of E-voting in Nigeria
Authors: Okediran Oladotun O.
Published: September 2019

Mobile phones have become the most ubiquitous telecommunication technology in developing countries and indeed, the world over, with its penetration rate outstripping those for internet users, fixed phone lines and broadband subscriptions. Services that are offered through mobile phones sometimes referred to as “m-services” could increase the utility of mobile phones to enhance human capabilities. One of such services is mobile voting (m-voting). However, owing to factors such as digital divides, low literacy level, deficits in communication infrastructures, poverty, poor capacity to develop and so on, providing such services  except in a highly localized nature, maybe an attendant problem in Nigeria and most developing countries. In this paper, an m-Voting framework was proposed using two of the communication channels of basic phones which are Short Message Service (SMS) and Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD). Basic phones are easy to use and are increasingly able to bypass the barriers of illiteracy and affordability, and they provide access to a wide range of very useful services. The paper investigated the prospects of voting through mobile phones as a substantive voting platform in Nigeria with a view to foster enhanced participation and convenience of voters during electioneering processes.
Image Processing Approach to Determine the Severity Level of Tuberculosis
Authors: Auwal N. , Goni Ibrahim , Ali Danladi , Ngene U. Christopher , Manga I.
Published: September 2019

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Basically there are two types of TB, latent and pulmonary TB. It symptoms include persistent cough for more than two weeks, cough with blood, night sweat, tiredness, fever, chest pain, lymph node enlargement. It treatment depends on severity level such as mild, moderate, severe and very severe and this can be obtained from TB diagnosis such as chest x-ray image, nucleic acid amplification test and culture and sensitivity. The main aim of this work is to determine severity level of TB using image processing techniques. Chest x-ray (CXR) images of TB patients were obtained from Google image. Firstly, the CXR images were enhanced from Red Green Blue (RGB) to gray image (GI) form. Secondly, GI were decomposed, convolved, compressed and filtered these processing is called image degradation. Thirdly, These GI were restored and binarized. Threshold value ≥ 53 was obtained to classify the severity level of the infected image Furthermore, average error was calculated and system performance obtained. This work revealed that image 1, 2, 6 and 11 has a total pixel value 11067, 6735, 9256 and 3894 respectively ≥ 53 which indicates that the % of the infected areas as 99.62%, 99.52%, 96.70% and 82.78% respectively which shows the severity level are very severe. While the image 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9 has a percentage of infected areas 73.13%, 72.90%, 76.80%, and 76.84% respectively which indicate the severity level as severe. Image 7 has a percentage of infected area 51.21 which shows the severity level as moderate. This research work revealed that image processing is a suitable technique for determine the severity level of TB.
Resistant Genes of Microbes Associated with Abattoir Wastes
Authors: Azuonwu Testimonies Chikanka , N. Ogbonna David
Published: August 2019

Antimicrobial drug resistance has become prominent as a universal health threat. This has been studied not only in humans but food animals as well. Many genes located on the chromosomal DNA of bacteria have been linked with drug resistance. It is therefore crucial that its occurrence in abattoirs where these animals are slaughtered be studied. This study was thus aimed at identifying some resistance genes in microbes isolated from abattoir ecologies. One hundred and eighty (180) samples consisting of service water, waste blood, wastewater, soil and faecal matter collected from Iwofe, Rumuodumaya and Trans-Amadi abattoirs within a period of one year were used in this study. Processing of the samples was done using standard microbiological protocols and the antibiotics sensitivity profile of the isolated bacteria determined using popularly consumed antibiotics. The presence of Beta-lactamase genes was checked for in the multidrug resistant isolates after they had been identified using molecular biological technique. Two strains of Escherichia coli had the blaCTX-M gene, Pseudomonas sp. strain 6174 had the blaSHV and blaTEM genes, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens had the blaSHV gene, Bacillus flexus had the blaTEM genes, Staphylococcus aureus had blaSHV and blaTEM genes. blaSHV, blaCTX-M and blaTEM genes were found in most of the Gram negative bacteria as Klebsiella sp. strain EIKU11 showed prominence of all three β-lactamase genes. This brings to light that some microbes in abattoir environments possess the β-lactamase genes which enable these microorganisms exhibit multidrug resistance, thereby making treatment resulting from them difficult. Adequate sanitary measures should thus be carried out to reduce the spread of these organisms to humans.
Philosophy of Molecular Biology
Authors: Brigandt Ingo
Published: August 2019

Ongoing empirical discoveries in molecular biology have generated novel conceptual challenges and perspectives. Philosophers of biology have reacted to these trends when investigating the practice of molecular biology and contributed to scientific debates on methodological and conceptual matters. Some major philosophical issues in molecular biology are as follows: First, philosophical accounts of mechanistic explanation yield a notion of explanation in the context of molecular biology that does not have to rely on laws of nature and comports well with molecular discovery. Second, reductionism continues to be debated and increasingly rejected by scientists. Philosophers have likewise moved away from reduction towards integration across fields or integrative explanations covering several levels of organisation. Third, although the gene concept has undergone substantial transformation and even fragmentation, it still enjoys widespread use by molecular biologists, which has prompted philosophers to understand the empirical reasons for this. At the same time, it has been argued that the notion of ‘genetic information’ is largely an empty metaphor, which generates the illusion of explanatory understanding without offering an adequate explanation of molecular and developmental mechanisms.

Key Concepts

Mechanistic explanation yields a notion of explanation for molecular biology that does not have to invoke laws of nature.

Philosophical accounts of mechanistic explanation mesh well with how discovery in molecular biology works.

The idea that all biological knowledge can be reduced to one fundamental theory or that all explanations are reductive has largely been abandoned.

Reductionism tends to be replaced in favour of integration across fields or explanations combining features from different levels of organisation.

The concept of the gene has undergone substantial transformation throughout its history. Despite its more recent fragmentation, the gene concept is still widely used.

The notion of ‘genetic information’ is largely a metaphor, generating the illusion of explanatory understanding, and cannot be articulated in a manner conforming to mechanistic explanations of molecular and developmental processes.
Design of Nanoparticle Systems by Controllable Assembly and Temporal/Spatial Regulation
Authors: Fang Ruochen , Liu Mingjie , Jiang Lei
Published: August 2019

Nanoparticles (NPs) have been studied for several decades, and outstanding advancements have been made involving fabrication methods and various properties for many different applications. NP assemblies exhibit collective properties that are superior to the properties of individual NPs, and their assembly behavior is significantly affected by interparticle interactions and surrounding layers. The temporal/spatial regulation of NPs and the active species present in NP systems are crucial for achieving desirable performances. Here, the interparticle interactions, surrounding materials (especially ligands), and temporal and spatial regulation are the main topics discussed. The principles and classical examples of these regulation strategies are provided, and the resulting NPs regulated by these strategies exhibit remarkable properties and have great potential for various applications. Finally, the future prospects of the NPs are outlined with respect to the surface modification, temporal and spatial regulation, as well as the binary cooperative complementary principle.
A General Method: Designing a Hypocrystalline Hydroxide Intermediate to Achieve Ultrasmall and Well‐Dispersed Ternary Metal Oxide for Efficient Photovoltaic Devices
Authors: Huang Zhanfeng , Ouyang Dan , Ma Ruiman , Wu Wei , Roy Vellaisamy A. L. , Choy Wallace C. H.
Published: August 2019

Solution‐process fine metal‐oxide nanoparticles are promising carrier transport layer candidates for unlocking the full potential of solution process in solar cells, due to their low cost, good stability, and favorable electrical/optical properties. However, exotic organic ligands adopted for achieving small size and monodispersion can mostly cause poor conductivity, which thus impedes their electrical application. In this work, a concept of constructing a hypocrystalline intermediate is proposed to develop a general method for synthesizing various ternary metal oxide (TMO) nanoparticles with a sub‐ten‐nanometer size and good dispersibility without exotic ligands. Particularly, a guideline is summarized based on the understandings about the impact of metal ion intercalation as well as water and anion coordination on the hypocrystalline intermediate. A general method based on the proposed concept is developed to successfully synthesize various sub‐ten‐nanometer TMO nanoparticles with excellent ability for forming high‐quality (smooth and well‐coverage) films. As an application example, the high‐quality films are used as hole transport layers for achieving high‐performance (stability and efficiency) organic/perovskite solar cells. Consequently, this work will contribute to the development of TMO for large‐scale and high‐performance optoelectronic devices and the concept of tailoring intermediate can leverage the fundamental understandings of synthesis strategies for other metal oxides.
Multiscale Soft–Hard Interface Design for Flexible Hybrid Electronics
Authors: Gong Shu , Yap Lim Wei , Zhu Bowen , Cheng Wenlong
Published: August 2019

Emerging next‐generation soft electronics will require versatile properties functioning under mechanical compliance, which will involve the use of different types of materials. As a result, control over material interfaces (particularly soft/hard interfaces) has become crucial and is now attracting intensive worldwide research efforts. A series of material and structural interface designs has been devised to improve interfacial adhesion, preventing failure of electromechanical properties under mechanical deformation. Herein, different soft/hard interface design strategies at multiple length scales in the context of flexible hybrid electronics are reviewed. The crucial role of soft ligands and/or polymers in controlling the morphologies of active nanomaterials and stabilizing them is discussed, with a focus on understanding the soft/hard interface at the atomic/molecular scale. Larger nanoscopic and microscopic levels are also discussed, to scrutinize viable intrinsic and extrinsic interfacial designs with the purpose of promoting adhesion, stretchability, and durability. Furthermore, the macroscopic device/human interface as it relates to real‐world applications is analyzed. Finally, a perspective on the current challenges and future opportunities in the development of truly seamlessly integrated soft wearable electronic systems is presented.
Mechanism of bubble formation in step‐emulsification devices
Authors: Mi Sheng , Fu Taotao , Zhu Chunying , Jiang Shaokun , Ma Youguang
Published: August 2019

Step‐emulsification device is an emerging technology for bubble generation, which is convenient for numbering‐up. However, the mechanism of bubble formation in such devices remains unclear. In this article, the mechanism of bubble formation in step‐emulsification devices is investigated by using a high‐speed camera. First, the evolution of gas–liquid interface with time during bubble formation is observed. Second, the variation of characteristic parameters of bubbles, such as bubble's volume VB and generation frequency f, with gas and liquid flow rates is described under various liquid viscosities and step widths. Meanwhile, the coupling law of interface evolution with characteristic parameters of bubbles is explored. Finally, the basic guideline for generation of monodispersed bubbles in step‐emulsification is put forward: low liquid viscosity. Connecting the interface evolution with the characteristic parameters, predictive models for bubble's volume, and generation frequency in step‐emulsification are proposed, respectively.
Universal Scaffold for an Activatable Photosensitizer with Completely Inhibited Photosensitivity
Authors: Zhai Wenhao , Zhang Yongkang , Liu Ming , Zhang Hao , Zhang Junqing , Li Changhua
Published: August 2019

Activatable photosensitizers (aPSs) sensitive to specific stimuli hold potential for targeting multiple disease biomarkers and are desirable for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Presented herein is the design of aPSs that can be activated and fully recover from an inhibited state in the presence of specific biomarker. A designed long‐wavelength D‐π‐A photosensitizer, PSSe‐I, with highly efficient photosensitivity for generation of 1O2 was used. Caging of the phenolate donor of PSSe‐I with a biomarker‐sensitive group provided ALPPS, and the drastic activation of its photosensitivity was demonstrated intracellularly. To enhance the flexibility of the design strategy, a clickable azide group was introduced into the scaffold to allow integration of more functionality. Modularly derived mito‐PNPS, equipped with a mitochondria‐targeting group and a specific peroxynitrite‐reactive trigger, was synthesized and demonstrated superior performance in cells. This strategy could lead to customization of aPSs applicable to a specific PDT.
Fluorene‐based Lanthanide Coordination Polymer: Structure, Luminescence and Sensing of Picric Acid
Authors: Cheng Jiahui , Liu Zhipeng , Wang Dingkang , Chen Kaixuan , You Yujian , Zhou Xinhui
Published: August 2019

Luminescent coordination polymers can be potential chemosensors and extensive efforts are being devoted to improve their selectivity and sensitivity. In this work, we report a new kind of fluorene‐based Tb‐CP, Tb4L6·7DMF·5H2O (Tb4L6, H2L = 4,4′‐(9,9‐dimethyl‐9H‐fluorene‐2,7‐diyl)dibenzoic acid), showing 2D network and strong blue emission. Meanwhile, Tb4L6 exhibits excellent selectivity and sensitivity for picric acid (PA). The quenching constant (Ksv) of Tb4L6 is equal to 4.5 × 104 L/mol during the concentration range of 0–30 μmol/L, which approaches the best reported CPs‐based on PA sensor up to now. Moreover, we went into depth on the possible mechanisms of luminescence quenching.