bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward a new method to classify the airblast sprayers according to their potential drift reduction: comparison of direct and new indirect measurement methods
Authors: Grella Marco , Marucco Paolo , Balsari Paolo
Published: January 2019

BACKGROUND

Drift is one of the most important issues to consider for realising sustainable pesticide sprays. This study proposes an alternative indirect methodology for comparative measurements of drift reduction potential (DRP) generated by airblast sprayers, aimed at overcoming the practical inconveniences and drawbacks of standardized ISO 22866:2005. A test bench in the absence of target crop and wind was employed to measure drift potential values (DPVs). A variation to the proposed method that introduced a crop between sprayer and test bench device was considered to study the canopy effect (absence/presence) and to validate the method. In parallel, direct spray drift measurements (ISO 22866) were performed to obtain the drift value (DV). A representative vineyard airblast sprayer was evaluated in four configurations (a combination of two fan airflow rates and two nozzle types). The configurations tested under the three methods (direct and indirects) were classified according to achieved drift reduction percentages (ISO 22369‐1:2013) and compared.

RESULTS

Indirect methods discriminated DPVs from different nozzles (conventional, air induction) and fan airflow rate (high, low) combinations. Indirect methods also showed that despite crop influence on drift amount, target absence has a negligible effect when used specifically for DRP determination/classification. In fact, identical DRP final classifications were achieved for the two methodologies tested. Alternatively, all tested configurations resulted in lower DR values following the ISO 22866 field method, which caused different final classifications due to the high dependence of results on external factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The alternative test bench methodology, characterized by the absence of target crop and calm of wind, was considered feasible for comparative measurements of airblast sprayer DRP. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Design and implementation of qth quantile‐unbiased tr‐chart for monitoring times between events
Authors: Kumar Nirpeksh , Baranwal Amita
Published: January 2019

The times between events control charts have been proposed in literature for statistical monitoring of high‐yield processes by observing the waiting times up to rth (r ≥ 1 ) non‐conforming items or defects. The average run length (ARL) is the most widely used performance measure to evaluate the chart's performance, but in recent years, it has been subjected to criticisms. Because the run length distribution is highly skewed and hence, the ARL is not necessarily a typical value of the run length. Thus, evaluation of the control chart based on ARL alone could be misleading. In this paper, the quantiles of run length distribution are considered, instead of ARL, to design the tr‐chart. Further, we eliminate the bias in qth quantile function of the tr‐chart for both the known and unknown parameter case. In particular, the MRL‐unbiased tr‐chart is discussed in detail and compared with the ARL‐unbiased tr‐chart. It is found that the MRL‐unbiased tr‐chart outperforms than the corresponding ARL‐unbiased chart in unknown parameter case. It is also found that the proposed chart requires less phase I observations than that of the earlier studies has been suggested.
Monitoring Bernoulli processes considering measurement errors and learning effect
Authors: Daryabari S. Abedin , Malmir Behnam , Amiri Amirhossein
Published: January 2019

This paper presents the effect of measurement errors and learning on monitoring processes with individual Bernoulli observations. A cumulative sum control chart is considered to evaluate the possible impacts of measurement errors and learning. We propose a time‐dependent learning effect model along with measurement errors and incorporate them into the Bernoulli CUSUM control chart statistic. The performance of the Bernoulli CUSUM control chart is then merely assessed by comparing the average number of observations to signal (ANOS) under two proposed conditions with the condition of no possible errors. Thus, the ANOS values are obtained under different proportions of non‐conforming items, once considering errors due to measurement by inspectors, and once considering both errors and learning effect together. The experimental results show that the efficiency of the control chart to detect assignable causes deteriorates in the presence of measurement errors and enhances when learning affects operators' performance. The proposed approach has a potential to be used in monitoring high‐quality Bernoulli processes as well as disease diagnosis, and other health care applications with Bernoulli observations.
Desorption Regeneration Performance of Magnetic Bentonite after Pb(II) Adsorbed
Authors: Zou Chenglong , Jiang Wei , Liang Jiyan , Guan Yinyan , Sun Xiaohang
Published: January 2019

Bentonite and its modifications have been widely used in the environmental pollution control and adsorption of heavy metals ions due to the large surface area, high adsorption capacity and low cost. However, it will become hazardous solid waste after saturation adsorption with a difficult problem to treat it. So the saturated adsorbent after adsorption of heavy metal ions needs to be disposed of properly. It will be of great scientific and economic value to study the regeneration recycling of bentonite after heavy metals ions adsorption. Desorption regeneration of magnetic bentonite (M−B) after Pb(II) adsorption with NaNO3 solution was studied in this paper. The effects of several parameters on desorption regeneration were explored and it showed effective desorption regeneration performance. The desorption rate reached 90.21% using 50 mL g–1 and 1.00 mol L–1 NaNO3 desorption liquid at pH 3.0, 35 °C for the first time.The desorption process better conformed to the second‐order kinetic equation and the Langmuir model. The physical and chemical feature of regenerated M−B and the original were comparatively analyzed by XRD, FT‐IR, SEM and BET. It showed that M−B still remained stable structure after 6 times adsorption–desorption cycles. The study will provide useful experiences and references for its high effective utilization.
Facile Synthesis and Characterization of MOF‐Derived Porous Co3O4 Composite for Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Gong Yaqiong , Xu Zhoufeng , Pan Hailong
Published: January 2019

Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) has gained wide attentions due to its important role in hydrogen production. Being one of the half reactions, the water oxidation was proved to be the key step to restrain the overall of water splitting. Herein, Co3O4 composites were successfully obtained by directly annealing a MOF‐derived Co complex under air condition. The Co3O4 complex with a surface area of 34.7 m2/g and wider pore size distribution obtained at 350°C was found to be the most active OER catalyst in 1 M KOH, an overpotential of 420 mV@10 mA/cm2 with a Tafel slope of 55 mV/dec was detected. This simple and inexpensive approach makes it become a new candidate for OER.
Cyanation of Aryl and Heteroaryl Aldehydes Using In‐Situ‐Synthesized Ag Nanoparticles in Crocus sativus L. Extract
Authors: Sajadi S. Mohammad , Nasrollahzadeh Mahmoud , Akbari Reza
Published: January 2019

An efficient, inexpensive and simple methodology has been reported for the cyanation of aryl and heteroaryl aldehydes using in situ synthesized silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) with the use of Crocus sativus L. aqueous extract as a reducing and stabilizing biomedia. Furthermore, stable and cheap silver precursor (AgNO3) along with the non‐toxic, efficient and inexpensive cyanide source K4[Fe(CN)6] are used for this reaction. This system provides an alternative protocol to the existing methods for the synthesis of aryl and heteroaryl nitriles. All products were obtained in good to excellent yields under ligand‐ and organic solvent‐free conditions. The fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV‐Vis), X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques were used for the characterization of the biosynthesized Ag NPs.
Nickel‐Catalyzed Annulation of 2′‐Aminochalcones: A Simplistic Access to 4‐Styryl and 2,4‐Distyrylquinolines
Authors: Satish Gandhesiri , Ashok Polu , Kota Laxman , Ilangovan Andivelu
Published: January 2019

A nickel catalyzed straightforward method for the construction of functionalized 4‐styrylquinolines via Friedlander coupling of 2′‐aminochalcones with 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds or cyclic ketones is described. This method offers both cycloalkyl and styryrl groups fused quinoline skeleton in one pot. Further, 4‐styrylquinolines on treatment with aryl aldehydes gave corresponding 2,4‐distyrylquinolines in highly regioselective manner.
An Excellent Solid Acid Catalyst Derived from Microalgae Residue for Fructose Dehydration into 5‐Hydroxymethylfurural
Authors: Zhang Jianghua , Yang Shasha , Zhang Zhenxin , Cui Li , Jia Jin , Zhou Dayong , Zhu Beiwei
Published: January 2019

An environmentally benign carbonaceous solid acid was synthesized from microalgae residue discarded after biodiesel production. Thereafter, the as‐synthesized carbonaceous solid acid was used for catalytic dehydration of fructose into 5‐hydroxymethylfurural (5‐HMF). Various techniques such as X‐ray diffraction, N2 adsorption‐desorption, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, Raman, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and pyridine adsorption etc were conducted to elucidate the structural and acidic properties of the solid acid so as to build the structure‐performance relationship. The results suggested that large amounts of ‐SO3H, phenolic ‐OH and ‐COOH groups were grafted onto the investigated material and most of the surface acid sites were assigned to strong Brönsted acid sites. In screening tests with other commercial catalysts, the as‐prepared sample presented excellent catalytic activity with 76.65±2.53% yield of 5‐HMF under aqueous conditions. The dehydration of fructose in dimethyl sulfoxide‐water biphasic system was also tested, affording the 5‐HMF yield as high as 93.84±1.12%. This work provides an efficient and selective solid acid from biodiesel waste and might shed light on an alternative catalyst for highly efficient production of 5‐HMF instead of homogeneous catalysts.
Lewis‐Acid‐Catalyzed Direct Nucleophilic Substitution Reaction of Alcohols for the Functionalization of Aromatic Amines
Authors: Nayal Onkar S. , Thakur Maheshwar S. , Rana Rohit , Upadhyay Rahul , Maurya Sushil K.
Published: January 2019

N‐Alkylation of aromatic amines with alcohols is an efficient route for the synthesis of higher benzylamines. Herein, we explore an efficient catalytic activity of tin(ii) triflate for the N‐alkylation of secondary anilines with alcohols for the synthesis of tertiary benzylamines. Mechanistic studies suggest that the developed protocol follows direct nucleophilic substitution pathway instead of imine or enamine pathway. The developed method is also useful for the synthesis of secondary amines as well as late stage functionalization of naturally occurring alcohols.
A Versatile, Mild and Selective Reduction of Nitroarenes to Aminoarenes Catalyzed by CeO2 Nanoparticles with Hydrazine Hydrate
Authors: Anbu Nagaraj , Vijayan Chellappa , Dhakshinamoorthy Amarajothi
Published: January 2019

A simple and convenient protocol is reported for the conversion of nitroarenes to aminoarenes by employing CeO2 nanoparticles (n‐CeO2) as heterogeneous solid catalysts using hydrazine hydrate as reducing agent under mild reaction conditions. A quantitative conversion of nitrobenzene is achieved using n‐CeO2 as solid catalyst with aniline selectivity to 93%. Further, this catalyst is also effectively used to transform wide range of nitroarenes to their respective aniline derivatives in higher conversions and selectivities. The reaction is found to be heterogeneous by leaching experiment and n‐CeO2 can be used for three cycles with no drop in its activity. Furthermore, the analyses of the fresh and three times used n‐CeO2 samples by powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), UV‐Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), Fourier Transform‐Infrared Spectroscopy (FT‐IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) indicate that the structural integrity, surface morphology and particle size remain unaltered during the course of the reaction. Furthermore, the valence state of Ce in n‐CeO2 is identical in the fresh and three times used samples as evidenced by Fourier Transform Raman spectroscopy. Some of the salient features of this process are operational simplicity, high conversion/selectivity, functional group tolerance, absence of noble metals/additives and reusability of the catalyst.
Molecular Insights into the Regulatable Interfacial Property and Flow Behavior of Confined Ionic Liquids in Graphene Nanochannels
Authors: Wang Yanlei , Wang Chenlu , Zhang Yaqin , Huo Feng , He Hongyan , Zhang Suojiang
Published: January 2019

The understanding of confined structure and flow property of ionic liquid (IL) in a nanochannel are essential for the efficient application of ILs in the green chemical processes. In this work, the ionic structure and various flow behaviors of ILs inside graphene nanochannels via molecular dynamics simulations are shown. The effect of the nanochannel structure on confined flow is explored, showing that the width mainly heightens the viscosity while the oxidation degree primarily enhances the interfacial friction coefficient. Tuning the width and oxidation degree of nanochannel, three different flow behaviors including Poiseuille, partial plunger and full plunger flow can be achieved, where the second one does not occur in water or other organic solvents. To describe the special flow behavior, an effective influence extent of the nanochannel (w
EIE) is defined, whose value can distinguish the above flows effectively. Based on w
EIE, the phase diagrams of flow behavior for the nanochannel structure and pressure gradient are obtained, showing that the critical pressure gradient decreases with width and increases with the oxidation degree. Based on the quantitative relations between confined structures, viscosity, friction coefficient, flow behavior, and nanochannel structure, the intrinsic mechanism of regulating the flow behavior and rational design of nanochannel are finally discussed.
Periarticular Mesenchymal Progenitors Initiate and Contribute to Secondary Ossification Center Formation During Mouse Long Bone Development
Authors: Tong Wei , Tower Robert J. , Chen Chider , Wang Luqiang , Zhong Leilei , Wei Yulong , Sun Hao , Cao Gaoyuan , Jia Haoruo , Pacifici Maurizio , Koyama Eiki , Enomoto-Iwamoto Motomi , Qin Ling
Published: January 2019

Long bone development involves the embryonic formation of a primary ossification center (POC) in the incipient diaphysis followed by postnatal development of a secondary ossification center (SOC) at each epiphysis. Studies have elucidated major basic mechanisms of POC development, but relatively little is known about SOC development. To gain insights into SOC formation, we used Col2-Cre Rosa-tdTomato (Col2/Tomato) reporter mice and found that their periarticular region contained numerous Tomato-positive lineage cells expressing much higher Tomato fluorescence (termed TomatoH) than underlying epiphyseal chondrocytes (termed TomatoL). With time, the TomatoH cells became evident at the SOC invagination site and cartilage canal, increased in number in the expanding SOC, and were present as mesenchymal lineage cells in the subchondral bone. These data were verified in two mouse lineage tracing models, Col2-CreER Rosa-tdTomato and Gli1-CreER Rosa-tdTomato. In vitro tests showed that the periarticular TomatoH cells from Col2/Tomato mice contained mesenchymal progenitors with multidifferentiation abilities. During canal initiation, the cells expressed vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and migrated into epiphyseal cartilage ahead of individual or clusters of endothelial cells, suggesting a unique role in promoting vasculogenesis. Later during SOC expansion, chondrocytes in epiphyseal cartilage expressed VEGF, and angiogenic blood vessels preceded TomatoH cells. Gene expression analyses of microdissected samples revealed upregulation of MMPs in periarticular cells at the invagination site and suggested potential roles for novel kinase and growth factor signaling pathways in regulating SOC canal initiation. In summary, our data indicate that the periarticular region surrounding epiphyseal cartilage contains mesenchymal progenitors that initiate SOC development and form subchondral bone. Stem Cells  2019;37:677–689
Holographic Bjorken flow at large-D
Authors: Casalderrey-Solana Jorge , Herzog Christopher P. , Meiring Ben
Published: January 2019

Abstract

We use gauge/gravity duality to study the dynamics of strongly coupled gauge theories undergoing boost invariant expansion in an arbitrary number of space-time dimensions (D). By keeping the scale of the late-time energy density fixed, we explore the infinite-D limit and study the first few corrections to this expansion. In agreement with other studies, we find that the large-D dynamics are controlled by hydrodynamics and we use our computation to constrain the leading large-D dependence of a certain combination of transport coefficients up to 6th order in gradients. Going beyond late time physics, we discuss how non-hydrodynamic modes appear in the large-D expansion in the form of a trans-series in D, identical to the non-perturbative contributions to the gradient expansion. We discuss the consequence of this trans-series in the non-convergence of the large-D expansion.
Racetrack potentials and the de Sitter swampland conjectures
Authors: Blanco-Pillado Jose J. , Urkiola Mikel A. , Wachter Jeremy M.
Published: January 2019

Abstract

We show that one can find de Sitter critical points (saddle points) in models of flux compactification of Type IIB String Theory without any uplifting terms and in the presence of several moduli. We demonstrate this by giving explicit examples following some of the ideas recently presented by Conlon in ref. [1], as well as more generic situations where one can violate the strong form of the de Sitter Swampland Conjecture. We stabilize the complex structure and the dilaton with fluxes, and we introduce a racetrack potential that fixes the Kähler moduli. The resultant potentials generically exhibit de Sitter critical points and satisfy several consistency requirements such as flux quantization, large internal volume, and weak coupling, as well as a form of the so-called Weak Gravity Conjecture. Furthermore, we compute the form of the potential around these de Sitter saddle points and comment on these results in connection to the refined and more recent version of the de Sitter Swampland Conjecture.
An observational cohort study to produce and evaluate an improved tool to screen older women with back pain for osteoporotic vertebral fractures (Vfrac): study protocol
Authors: Khera T. K. , Burston A. , Davis S. , Drew S. , Gooberman-Hill R. , Paskins Z. , Peters T. J. , Tobias J. H. , Clark E. M.
Published: January 2019

The aim of this study is to produce an easy to use checklist for general practitioners to complete whenever a woman aged over 65 years with back pain seeks healthcare. This checklist will produce a binary output to determine if the patient should have a radiograph to diagnose vertebral fracture.

Purpose

People with osteoporotic vertebral fractures are important to be identified as they are at relatively high risk of further fractures. Despite this, less than a third of people with osteoporotic vertebral fractures come to clinical attention due to various reasons including lack of clear triggers to identify who should have diagnostic spinal radiographs. This study aims to produce and evaluate a novel screening tool (Vfrac) for use in older women presenting with back pain in primary care based on clinical triggers and predictors identified previously. This tool will generate a binary output to determine if a radiograph is required.

Methods

The Vfrac study is a two-site, pragmatic, observational cohort study recruiting 1633 women aged over 65 years with self-reported back pain. Participants will be recruited from primary care in two sites. The Vfrac study will use data from two self-completed questionnaires, a simple physical examination, a lateral thoracic and lateral lumbar radiograph and information contained in medical records.

Results

The primary objective is to develop an easy-to-use clinical screening tool for identifying older women who are likely to have vertebral fractures.

Conclusions

This article describes the protocol of the Vfrac study; ISRCTN16550671.
South Asian collection development at the British Museum: a commentary on the inclusion of audio-visual and digital content
Authors: Hunter Tavian
Published: January 2019

The British Museum's collection represents the history of British collecting taste since its founding in 1753. Over this time span, many important collectors have played a pivotal role in the development of the British Museum's South Asian collection. Through various acquisition methods, a number of illustrated manuscripts, albums, and photographical archives have been acquired for the museum's permanent collection. This development has coincides with the growing reference collection in the Department of Asia Library. With changes in collection practices, there is a growing question about the appropriateness of audio-visual and multimedia acquisitions for both the museum and the Department of Asia Library. A select history of the South Asian collection is presented alongside the development of the research collections and exploration into digital repositories.
Drag forces on a bed particle in open-channel flow: effects of pressure spatial fluctuations and very-large-scale motions
Authors: Cameron S. M. , Nikora V. I. , Marusic I.
Published: January 2019

The fluctuating drag forces acting on spherical roughness elements comprising the bed of an open-channel flow have been recorded along with synchronous measurements of the surrounding velocity field using stereoscopic particle image velocimetry. The protrusion of the target particle, equipped with a force sensor, was systematically varied between zero and one-half diameter relative to the hexagonally packed adjacent spheres. Premultiplied spectra of drag force fluctuations were found to have bimodal shapes with a low-frequency (${\approx}0.5~\text{Hz}$) peak corresponding to the presence of very-large-scale motions (VLSMs) in the turbulent flow. The high-frequency ($\gtrapprox 4~\text{Hz}$) region of the drag force spectra cannot be explained by velocity time series extracted from points around the particle, but instead appears to be dominated by the action of pressure gradients in the overlying flow field. For small particle protrusions, this high-frequency region contributes a majority of the drag force variance, while the relative importance of the low-frequency drag force fluctuations increases with increasing protrusion. The amplitude of high-frequency drag force fluctuations is modulated by the VLSMs irrespective of particle protrusion. These results provide some insight into the mechanics of bed particle stability and indicate that the optimum conditions for particle entrainment may occur when a low-pressure region embedded in the high-velocity portion of a VLSM overlays a particle.
BEING LOW ALONG A SEQUENCE AND ELSEWHERE
Authors: MERKLE WOLFGANG , YU LIANG
Published: January 2019

Let an oracle be called low for prefix-free complexity on a set in case access to the oracle improves the prefix-free complexities of the members of the set at most by an additive constant. Let an oracle be called weakly low for prefix-free complexity on a set in case the oracle is low for prefix-free complexity on an infinite subset of the given set. Furthermore, let an oracle be called low and weakly for prefix-free complexity along a sequence in case the oracle is low and weakly low, respectively, for prefix-free complexity on the set of initial segments of the sequence. Our two main results are the following characterizations. An oracle is low for prefix-free complexity if and only if it is low for prefix-free complexity along some sequences if and only if it is low for prefix-free complexity along all sequences. An oracle is weakly low for prefix-free complexity if and only if it is weakly low for prefix-free complexity along some sequence if and only if it is weakly low for prefix-free complexity along almost all sequences. As a tool for proving these results, we show that prefix-free complexity differs from its expected value with respect to an oracle chosen uniformly at random at most by an additive constant, and that similar results hold for related notions such as a priori probability. Furthermore, we demonstrate that on every infinite set almost all oracles are weakly low but are not low for prefix-free complexity, while by Shoenfield absoluteness there is an infinite set on which uncountably many oracles are low for prefix-free complexity. Finally, we obtain no-gap results, introduce weakly low reducibility, or WLK-reducibility for short, and show that all its degrees except the greatest one are countable.
The study on the early warning period of varicella outbreaks based on logistic differential equation model
Authors: Pang Feng-Rui , Luo Qing-Hong , Hong Xiu-Qin , Wu Bin , Zhou Jun-Hua , Zha Wen-Ting , Lv Yuan
Published: January 2019

Chickenpox is a common acute and highly contagious disease in childhood; moreover, there is currently no targeted treatment. Carrying out an early warning on chickenpox plays an important role in taking targeted measures in advance as well as preventing the outbreak of the disease. In recent years, the infectious disease dynamic model has been widely used in the research of various infectious diseases. The logistic differential equation model can well demonstrate the epidemic characteristics of epidemic outbreaks, gives the point at which the early epidemic rate changes from slow to fast. Therefore, our study aims to use the logistic differential equation model to explore the epidemic characteristics and early-warning time of varicella. Meanwhile, the data of varicella cases were collected from first week of 2008 to 52nd week of 2017 in Changsha. Finally, our study found that the logistic model can be well fitted with varicella data, besides the model illustrated that there are two peaks of varicella at each year in Changsha City. One is the peak in summer–autumn corresponding to the 8th–38th week; the other is in winter–spring corresponding to the time from the 38th to the seventh week next year. The ‘epidemic acceleration week’ average value of summer–autumn and winter–spring are about the 16th week (ranging from the 15th to 17th week) and 45th week (ranging from the 44th to 47th week), respectively. What is more, taking warning measures during the acceleration week, the preventive effect will be delayed; thus, we recommend intervene during recommended warning weeks which are the 15th and 44th weeks instead.
Outbreak of hepatitis A genotype IB in Australia associated with imported frozen pomegranate arils
Authors: Franklin N. , Camphor H. , Wright R. , Stafford R. , Glasgow K. , Sheppeard V.
Published: January 2019

Locally acquired hepatitis A infection is re-emerging in Australia owing to person-to-person outbreaks among men who have sex with men and imported frozen produce. This paper describes a multi-state foodborne outbreak in the first half of 2018. Enhanced human epidemiological investigation including a case–control study, as well as microbial surveillance and trace-back investigations concluded that the outbreak was caused by consumption of imported frozen pomegranate arils. A total of 30 cases of hepatitis A infection, genotype IB with identical sequences met the outbreak case definition, including 27 primary cases and three secondary cases. Twenty-five (83%) of the cases were hospitalised for their illness and there was one death. Imported frozen pomegranate arils from Egypt were strongly implicated as the source of infection through case interviews (19 of 26 primary cases) as well as from a case–control study (adjusted odds ratio 43.4, 95% confidence interval 4.2–448.8, P = 0.002). Hepatitis A virus (HAV) was subsequently detected by polymerase chain reaction in two food samples of the frozen pomegranate aril product. This outbreak was detected and responded to promptly owing to routine genetic characterisation of HAVs from all hepatitis A infections in Australia as part of a national hepatitis A enhanced surveillance project. This is now the third outbreak of hepatitis A in Australia from imported frozen fruits. A re-assessment of the risk of these types of imported foods is strongly recommended.
Global Nitrous Oxide Emissions From Pasturelands and Rangelands: Magnitude, Spatiotemporal Patterns, and Attribution
Authors: Dangal Shree R. S. , Tian Hanqin , Xu Rongting , Chang Jinfeng , Canadell Josep G. , Ciais Philippe , Pan Shufen , Yang Jia , Zhang Bowen
Published: January 2019

The application of manure and mineral nitrogen (N) fertilizer, and livestock excreta deposition are the main drivers of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in agricultural systems. However, the magnitude and spatiotemporal variations of N2O emissions due to different management practices (excreta deposition and manure/fertilizer application) from grassland ecosystems remain unclear. In this study, we used the Dynamic Land Ecosystem Model to simulate the spatiotemporal variation in global N2O emissions and their attribution to different sources from both intensively managed (pasturelands) and extensively managed (rangelands) grasslands during 1961–2014. Over the study period, pasturelands and rangelands experienced a significant increase in N2O emissions from 1.74 Tg N2O‐N in 1961 to 3.11 Tg N2O‐N in 2014 (p < 0.05). Globally, pasturelands and rangelands were responsible for 54% (2.2 Tg N2O‐N) of the total agricultural N2O emissions (4.1 Tg N2O‐N) in 2006. Natural and anthropogenic sources contributed 26% (0.64 Tg N2O‐N/year) and 74% (1.78 Tg N2O‐N/year) of the net emissions, respectively. Across different biomes, pasturelands (i.e., C3 and C4) were the single largest contributor to N2O fluxes, accounting for 86% of the net global emissions from grasslands. Among different sources, livestock excreta deposition contributed 54% of the net emissions, followed by manure N (13%) and mineral N (7%) application. Regionally, southern Asia contributed 38% of the total emissions, followed by Europe (29%) and North America (16%). Our modeling study demonstrates that livestock excreta deposition and manure/fertilizer application have dramatically altered the N cycle in pasturelands, with a substantial impact on the climate system.
The Role of Earth's Deep Volatile Cycling in the Generation of Intracontinental High‐Mg Andesites: Implication for Lithospheric Thinning Beneath the North China Craton
Authors: Geng Xianlei , Liu Yongsheng , Wang Xuan‐Ce , Hu Zhaochu , Zhou Lian , Gao Shan
Published: January 2019

A key role of water has been emphasized in the generation of Early Cretaceous high‐Mg andesites (HMAs) and lithospheric thinning of the eastern North China Craton (NCC). However, the source of water and when it hydrated the NCC lithospheric mantle are still unclear. To address these issues, here we investigate the petrography, mineral chemistry, and the chemical and Sr‐Nd‐Pb isotopic compositions of two suites of Early Cretaceous HMAs from Western Liaoning, China, combined with new Sr‐Nd‐Pb isotopic data of the Early Cretaceous primitive basalts from the same area. Petrographic features and variations of chemical and isotopic compositions suggest a petrogenesis of mixing between mantle‐derived mafic and crust‐derived felsic melts for these HMAs and most of other Early Cretaceous HMAs in the NCC. The mantle‐derived primary melts are indicated to have been derived from the refractory lithospheric mantle beneath the NCC. Fluid‐rich melt inclusions in olivines, absence of plagioclase phenocryst, enrichments of fluid‐indicative trace elements (e.g., Rb, Ba, K, Pb, and Sr), high water content in clinopyroxenes, and low Ca in olivines indicate high water contents in the magmas and their mantle sources. The EM1‐like Sr‐Nd and unradiogenic Pb isotopic compositions of these lavas unravel a Mantle Transition Zone source for the fluids that hydrated the NCC lithospheric mantle. The wet upwelling of the Mantle Transition Zone components would be triggered by the penetration of deep‐subducted Paleo‐Pacific slab. Our study provides key evidence for the transport of water from deep Earth into the cratonic lithosphere and its role in lithospheric thinning of cratons.
Evaluating a Coupled Phenology‐Surface Energy Balance Model to Understand Stream‐Subsurface Temperature Dynamics in a Mixed‐Use Farmland Catchment
Authors: Qiu Han , Blaen Phillip , Comer‐Warner Sophie , Hannah David M. , Krause Stefan , Phanikumar Mantha S.
Published: January 2019

Stream temperature is a key variable that controls both physical and biogeochemical processes in aquatic ecosystems. Complex physical interactions between land surface and subsurface processes make accurate simulations of stream temperature dynamics at catchment scales a challenging task. In this study we propose an integrated, catchment‐scale framework to model stream, soil, streambed, and groundwater temperatures under the influence of hydrologic and vegetation dynamics in a mixed land use catchment in central England. The phenology and surface energy modules in the coupled model were used to quantify the impacts of vegetation processes on radiation fluxes (e.g., canopy shading and the effect of vegetation growth on optical parameters). The model enabled accurate simulations of the movement and partitioning of water and thermal fluxes in different hydrologic domains with R2 values of observed and simulated temperatures in the range 0.60–0.87. Simulated groundwater heads and stream stages allowed the identification of gaining and losing portions of stream reaches and the estimation of Darcy fluxes. Simulation results show significantly dampened diel streambed temperature fluctuations below 0.3 m in gaining reaches, while in losing reaches the diel fluctuations showed relatively strong fluctuations below 0.3 m. The model enabled evaluation of the relative contributions of different processes to the stream thermal budget. Results indicate that net radiation was the dominant heat source, while latent heat flux was the primary heat sink. The model provides a useful tool to explicitly simulate water and heat fluxes as well as temperature‐dependent reaction rates in biogeochemical analyses.
Arvid M. Johnson (1938–2018)
Authors: Aydin Atilla , Reches Ze’ev , Holzhausen Gary , Neavel Ken
Published: January 2019

A trailblazer in geomechanics using physical processes.
Furloughed Federal Workers Protest Extended Shutdown
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: January 2019

Hundreds, including scientists with federal science agencies, demonstrate to pressure for an end to the shutdown.
Author Correction: Mkk4 and Mkk7 are important for retinal development and axonal injury-induced retinal ganglion cell death
Authors: Syc-Mazurek Stephanie B. , Rausch Rebecca L. , Fernandes Kimberly A. , Wilson Michael P. , Libby Richard T.
Published: January 2019

There was an error introduced into Figures 4, 5, and 7 during the proofing stage which has since been corrected.
CK2 inhibition with silmitasertib promotes methuosis-like cell death associated to catastrophic massive vacuolization of colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Silva-Pavez Eduardo , Villar Paulina , Trigo César , Caamaño Esteban , Niechi Ignacio , Pérez Pablo , Muñoz Juan P. , Aguayo Francisco , Burzio Verónica A. , Varas-Godoy Manuel , Castro Ariel F. , Colombo María I. , Tapia Julio C.
Published: January 2019

Protein kinase CK2 is a highly conserved and constitutively active Ser/Thr-kinase that phosphorylates a large number of substrates, resulting in increased cell proliferation and survival. A known target of CK2 is Akt, a player in the PI3K/Akt/mTORC1 signaling pathway, which is aberrantly activated in 32% of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. On the other hand, mTORC1 plays an important role in the regulation of protein synthesis, cell growth, and autophagy. Some studies suggest that CK2 regulates mTORC1 in several cancers. The most recently developed CK2 inhibitor, silmitasertib (formerly CX-4945), has been tested in phase I/II trials for cholangiocarcinoma and multiple myeloma. This drug has been shown to induce autophagy and enhance apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells and to promote apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer cells. Nevertheless, it has not been tested in studies for CRC patients. We show in this work that inhibition of CK2 with silmitasertib decreases in vitro tumorigenesis of CRC cells in response to G2/M arrest, which correlates with mTORC1 inhibition and formation of large cytoplasmic vacuoles. Notably, molecular markers indicate that these vacuoles derive from massive macropinocytosis. Altogether, these findings suggest that an aberrantly elevated expression/activity of CK2 may play a key role in CRC, promoting cell viability and proliferation in untreated cells, however, its inhibition with silmitasertib promotes methuosis-like cell death associated to massive catastrophic vacuolization, accounting for decreased tumorigenicity at later times. These characteristics of silmitasertib support a potential therapeutic use in CRC patients and probably other CK2-dependent cancers.
SETD3 is a positive regulator of DNA-damage-induced apoptosis
Authors: Abaev-Schneiderman Elina , Admoni-Elisha Lee , Levy Dan
Published: January 2019

SETD3 is a member of the protein lysine methyltransferase (PKMT) family, which catalyzes the addition of methyl group to lysine residues. However, the protein network and the signaling pathways in which SETD3 is involved remain largely unexplored. In the current study, we show that SETD3 is a positive regulator of DNA-damage-induced apoptosis in colon cancer cells. Our data indicate that depletion of SETD3 from HCT-116 cells results in a significant inhibition of apoptosis after doxorubicin treatment. Our results imply that the positive regulation is sustained by methylation, though the substrate remains unknown. We present a functional cross-talk between SETD3 and the tumor suppressor p53. SETD3 binds p53 in cells in response to doxorubicin treatment and positively regulates p53 target genes activation under these conditions. Mechanistically, we provide evidence that the presence of SETD3 and its catalytic activity is required for the recruitment of p53 to its target genes. Finally, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, of two-independent cohorts of colon cancer patients, revealed that low expression of SETD3 is a reliable predictor of poor survival in these patients, which correlates with our findings. Together, our data uncover a new role of the PKMT SETD3 in the regulation of p53-dependent activation of apoptosis in response to DNA damage.
Neuropilin-1-mediated pruning of corticospinal tract fibers is required for motor recovery after spinal cord injury
Authors: Nakanishi Toru , Fujita Yuki , Yamashita Toshihide
Published: January 2019

Following incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI), reorganization of the corticospinal tract (CST) contributes to spontaneous motor recovery. Axotomized CST fibers form collaterals and make synapses with interneurons, followed by pruning of excess fibers. Although axonal pruning is involved in refinement of neural circuits, its molecular mechanisms and functional roles remain poorly understood. To address these questions, we performed dorsal hemisections of mouse thoracic spinal cord. We observed that Neuropilin-1 (Nrp1) mRNA was upregulated in layer 5 pyramidal neurons in the motor cortex 14 days after SCI, when the pruning occurred. Nrp1 knockdown using adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector encoding Nrp1 shRNA in the hindlimb motor area impaired the pruning of collaterals after SCI. Nrp1 knockout by injecting AAV vector encoding Cre recombinase into Nrp1 floxed mice also suppressed axonal pruning. Propriospinal neurons, interneurons that connect CST and motoneurons, expressed Semaphorin 3A (Sema3A), the ligand of Nrp1. Furthermore, the genetic deletion of Nrp1 specifically in the hindlimb motor area suppressed the recovery of skilled movement at 21 and 28 days after SCI. The present findings demonstrate that the pruning of collaterals mediated by Nrp1 is required for motor recovery after SCI, and suggest that refinement of the neuronal network facilitates motor recovery.
The mechanism of miR-142-3p in coronary microembolization-induced myocardiac injury via regulating target gene IRAK-1
Authors: Su Qiang , Lv Xiangwei , Ye Ziliang , Sun Yuhan , Kong Binghui , Qin Zhenbai , Li Lang
Published: January 2019

Coronary microembolization (CME) is a common complication seen during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). CME-induced myocardiac inflammation is the primary cause of myocardiac injury. Dysregulated miR-142-3p has been implicated in multiple cardiovascular diseases and is significantly downregulated in CME-induced myocardial injury. However, the role of miR-142-3p in CME-induced myocardial injury is unclear. This study herein built a porcine CME model by infusing microembolization spheres into the left anterior descending branch via a microcatheter, and detected the downregulation of miR-142-3p in the myocardial tissues of CME pigs. Echocardiography, hematoxylin basic fuchsin picric acid (HBFP) staining, and western blotting of NF-κB p65, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 showed that the pharmacological overexpression of miR-142-3p using agomiR has improved cardiac function and attenuated CME-induced myocardiac inflammatory response, while its inhibition using antagomiR demonstrated inverse effects. Moreover, in vitro experiments demonstrated IRAK-1 as a direct target gene of miR-142-3p. Luciferase reporter assays, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting demonstrated its effects in controlling the inflammation of cardiomyocytes. It is noteworthy that miR-142-3p was found to be decreased in the plasma of STEMI patients undergoing pPCI with no-reflow, indicating a potential clinical relevance of miR-142-3p. The receiver–operator characteristic curve indicated that plasma miR-142-3p might be an independent predictor of no-reflow during pPCI in patients with STEMI. Therefore, overexpression of miR-142-3p acts as a novel therapy for CME-induced myocardial injury.
Heme detoxification by heme oxygenase-1 reinstates proliferative and immune balances upon genotoxic tissue injury
Authors: Hedblom Andreas , Hejazi Seyed M. , Canesin Giacomo , Choudhury Reeham , Hanafy Khalid A. , Csizmadia Eva , Persson Jenny L. , Wegiel Barbara
Published: January 2019

Phenotypic changes of myeloid cells are critical to the regulation of premature aging, development of cancer, and responses to infection. Heme metabolism has a fundamental role in the regulation of myeloid cell function and activity. Here, we show that deletion of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an enzyme that removes heme, results in an impaired DNA damage response (DDR), reduced cell proliferation, and increased cellular senescence. We detected increased levels of p16INK4a, H2AXγ, and senescence-associated-β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) in cells and tissues isolated from HO-1-deficient mice. Importantly, deficiency of HO-1 in residential macrophages in chimeric mice results in elevated DNA damage and senescence upon radiation-induced injury. Mechanistically, we found that mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/S6 protein signaling is critical for heme and HO-1-regulated phenotype of macrophages. Collectively, our data indicate that HO-1, by detoxifying heme, blocks p16INK4a expression in macrophages, preventing DNA damage and cellular senescence.
Histone methyltransferase NSD2 regulates apoptosis and chemosensitivity in osteosarcoma
Authors: He Chao , Liu Chao , Wang Lei , Sun Yangbai , Jiang Yuhang , Hao Yongqiang
Published: January 2019

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a primary malignant bone tumour. However, the genetic basis for the pathogenesis of OS remains elusive. In this study, we uncovered the role of the histone methyltransferase NSD2 in regulating tumourigenesis and chemosensitivity in OS. We show that NSD2 knockdown leads to increased apoptosis in OS cells in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, NSD2 knockdown significantly enhances the efficacy of cisplatin against OS cells and accordingly inhibits properties associated with cancer stem cells (CSCs). Furthermore, RNA sequencing (RNAseq) and Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed that NSD2 promotes transcription of genes associated with negative regulation of apoptotic signalling pathways and CSC properties. The results of chromatin immunoprecipitation quantitative polymerase chain reaction (ChIP-qPCR) assays indicated that NSD2 knockdown leads to decreased H3K36me2 modification at BCL2 and SOX2 loci, thus inhibiting the transcription of these two genes that are closely correlated with apoptosis, CSC properties and chemosensitivity in OS cells. Pathway analysis demonstrated that the ERK and AKT pathways mediate the regulation of OS progression and chemosensitivity by NSD2. Overall, our study is the first to uncover the function of NSD2 in OS chemosensitivity. NSD2 regulates the expression of the apoptosis regulatory proteins BCL2 and SOX2 through the ERK and AKT pathways. Our results suggest that NSD2 is a new target for combined chemotherapy and is a prognostic factor for OS.
Experimental demonstration of angular momentum-dependent topological transport using a transmission line network
Authors: Jiang Tianshu , Xiao Meng , Chen Wen-Jie , Yang Lechen , Fang Yawen , Tam Wing Yim , Chan C. T.
Published: January 2019

Novel classical wave phenomenon analogs of the quantum spin Hall effect are mostly based on the construction of pseudo-spins. Here we show that the non-trivial topology of a system can also be realized using orbital angular momentum through a coupling between the angular momentum and the wave vector. The idea is illustrated with a tight-binding model and experimentally demonstrated with a transmission line network. We show experimentally that even a very small network cluster exhibits angular momentum-dependent one-way topological edge states, and their properties can be described in terms of local Chern numbers. Our work provides a new mechanism to realize counterparts of the quantum spin Hall effect in classical waves and may offer insights for other systems.
Genomic diversity landscape of the honey bee gut microbiota
Authors: Ellegaard Kirsten M. , Engel Philipp
Published: January 2019

The structure and distribution of genomic diversity in natural microbial communities is largely unexplored. Here, we used shotgun metagenomics to assess the diversity of the honey bee gut microbiota, a community consisting of few bacterial phylotypes. Our results show that most phylotypes are composed of sequence-discrete populations, which co-exist in individual bees and show age-specific abundance profiles. In contrast, strains present within these sequence-discrete populations were found to segregate into individual bees. Consequently, despite a conserved phylotype composition, each honey bee harbors a distinct community at the functional level. While ecological differentiation seems to facilitate coexistence at higher taxonomic levels, our findings suggest that, at the level of strains, priority effects during community assembly result in individualized profiles, despite the social lifestyle of the host. Our study underscores the need to move beyond phylotype-level characterizations to understand the function of this community, and illustrates its potential for strain-level analysis.