bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analog–Digital Hybrid Memristive Devices for Image Pattern Recognition with Tunable Learning Accuracy and Speed
Authors: Lin Ya , Wang Cong , Ren Yanyun , Wang Zhongqiang , Xu Haiyang , Zhao Xiaoning , Ma Jiangang , Liu Yichun
Published: April 2019

Brain‐inspired memristive artificial neural networks (ANNs) have been identified as a promising technology for pattern recognition tasks. To optimize the performance of ANNs in various applications, a recognition system with tunable accuracy and speed is highly desirable. A single WO3−x‐based memristor is presented in which analog and digital resistive switching (A‐RS and D‐RS) coexist according to a selectively executed forming process. The A‐RS and D‐RS mechanisms can be attributed to the modulation of the Schottky barrier on the interface and the formation/rupture of conducting filaments inside the film, respectively. More importantly, a new analog–digital hybrid ANN is developed based on the coexistence of A‐RS and D‐RS in the WO3−x memristor, enabling tunable learning accuracy and speed in pattern recognition. The spike‐timing‐dependent plasticity learning rules, as a learning base for image pattern recognition, are demonstrated using A‐RS and D‐RS devices with obviously different fluctuations and rates of change. The learning accuracy/speed can be improved by increasing the proportion of A‐RS/D‐RS in the crossbar array. A convenient method is provided for selecting an optimized pattern recognition scheme to meet different application situations.
Effect of cooling on the residual mechanical properties and cracking of plain and fibrous geopolymer concretes at elevated temperatures
Authors: Shaikh Faiz U. A.
Published: April 2019

This paper presents the effects of various cooling methods on residual mechanical properties of geopolymer concrete and fiber reinforced geopolymer concretes (FRGC) after exposure to 200, 400, 600, and 800°C temperatures. Three types of cooling methods are considered namely, ambient air cooling, water spray cooling and rapid water cooling. Results show that irrespective of cooling methods, the compressive strength of geopolymer concrete decreases significantly after exposure to 400, 600, and 800°C temperatures compared to 200°C where only 10–15% reduction is observed. Among the three cooling methods, the compressive strength loss is slightly higher in rapid cooling and water spray cooling than the ambient air cooling at 400 to 800°C. However, at 200°C that loss is about 20–25%. In the case of indirect tensile strength, however, at 200°C no reduction in strength is observed due to rapid cooling and water spray cooling compared to ambient air cooling. Significant reduction in indirect tensile strength is observed in those two cooling methods at 400, 600, and 800°C. Strong correlations between indirect tensile strength and compressive strength of geopolymer concretes at all cooling methods are also observed. Rapid cooling and water spray cooling methods do not cause any significant cracking in geopolymer concretes at 200 and 400°C, followed by minor and significant cracking at 600 and 800°C, respectively. However, at 800°C the rapid cooling caused more cracking than those two cooling methods. Rapid cooling also showed higher reduction in compressive strength than ambient air cooling in both steel fiber reinforced geopolymer concrete (steel‐FRGC) and polyvinyl alcohol fiber reinforced geopolymer concrete (PVA‐FRGC) after exposure to 400 and 600°C temperatures. PVA‐FRGC exhibited more brittle failure behavior in compression than steel‐FRGC irrespective of cooling methods. The existing Eurocode overestimates the residual compressive and indirect tensile strengths of geopolymer concrete at 400 and 600°C temperatures compared to other temperatures. The same is also true in PVA‐FRGC. However, in steel‐FRGC the Eurocode 4 overestimates at 400°C but underestimates at 600 and 800°C.
The emergence of new Islamic economic and business moralities
Authors: Sencal Harun , Asutay Mehmet
Published: April 2019

This article aims to explore the sources of the observed transformation in the embeddedness of economic, business, and financial practices of Muslim individuals in comparison to premodern period Muslims. It argues that the predomination of instrumental reasoning in modern times, as opposed to substantive morality in everyday practice, is one of the main reasons behind the transformation of embeddedness of Muslim individuals. Instrumental reasoning, being the dominant methodology, leads to diminished submergence in social relations; that is not limited to interpersonal relationships, but further extended to the core religious acts. How such an emergent economic and business morality is reconciled with the Islamic substantive morality is examined. It is argued that “transformation of exception into norm” is the main method used to reconcile instrumental reasoning with Islamic law in fulfilling religious obligations, at least in terms of fulfilling the form and in complying with the necessities of modern life. This has led to the emergence of new economic and business moralities.
Nonlinear dynamics of uniformly loaded Elastica: Experimental and numerical evidence of motion around curled stable equilibrium configurations
Authors: Baroudi Djebar , Giorgio Ivan , Battista Antonio , Turco Emilio , Igumnov Leonid A.
Published: April 2019

It has been numerically observed and mathematically proven that for a clamped Euler's Elastica, which is uniformly loaded, there exist, in large deformations, some ‘undocumented’ equilibrium configurations which resemble a curled pending wire. Even if Elastica is one of the most studied model in mathematical physics, we could not find in the literature any description of an equilibrium like the one whose existence was forecast theoretically in [36].

In this paper, we prove that this kind of equilibrium configurations can be actually observed experimentally when using ‘soft’ beams. We mean with soft beams: Elasticae whose ratio between the applied load intensity and the bending stiffness is large enough. Moreover, we prove experimentally that such equilibrium configurations are actually stable, by observing their oscillations around the considered nonstandard equilibrium configuration.

To describe theoretically such oscillations we consider, instead of a ‘soft’ Elastica model, directly a Hencky‐type discrete model, i.e. a ‘masses‐springs’ finite dimensional Lagrangian model. In this way we formulate, avoiding the use of an intermediate continuum model, a model for which numerical simulations can be performed without the introduction of any further discretization. In this way, we can also predict quantitatively the motions of soft beams, in the regime of large displacements and deformations. Postponing to future investigations more careful quantitative measurements, we report here that it was possible to get a rather promising qualitative agreement between observed motions and predictive numerical simulations.
DNA short read alignment on apache spark
Authors: AlJame Maryam , Ahmad Imtiaz
Published: April 2019

The evolution of technologies has unleashed a wealth of challenges by generating massive amount of data. Recently, biological data has increased exponentially, which has introduced several computational challenges. DNA short read alignment is an important problem in bioinformatics. The exponential growth in the number of short reads has increased the need for an ideal platform to accelerate the alignment process. Apache Spark is a cluster-computing framework that involves data parallelism and fault tolerance. In this article, we proposed a Spark-based algorithm to accelerate DNA short reads alignment problem, and it is called Spark-DNAligning. Spark-DNAligning exploits Apache Spark ’s performance optimizations such as broadcast variable, join after partitioning, caching, and in-memory computations. Spark-DNAligning is evaluated in term of performance by comparing it with SparkBWA tool and a MapReduce based algorithm called CloudBurst. All the experiments are conducted on Amazon Web Services (AWS). Results demonstrate that Spark-DNAligning outperforms both tools by providing a speedup in the range of 101–702 in aligning gigabytes of short reads to the human genome. Empirical evaluation reveals that Apache Spark offers promising solutions to DNA short reads alignment problem.
Tuneable bioplastic may revolutionise industry
Authors: Jahnke Ashlee A.
Published: April 2019

Traditional plastics pose a problem for the planet, whether it’s due to the fossil fuels used to produce them or the harmful chemicals released during their slow degradation process. Yet, despite these issues, plastic has become so intertwined with our daily lives that giving it up presents a complex challenge. Here, Dr Ashlee Jahnke, head of research and development at Teysha Technologies, suggests a sustainable solution to the plastic pollution problem.
Environmental Deaths in the Northern Territory of Australia, 2003–2018
Authors: Tiemensma Marianne
Published: April 2019

Introduction

The Northern Territory is sparsely populated with a distinctive climate, geography, and wildlife compared with other states and territories in Australia. Environmental deaths (including drowning, heat-related deaths or environmental exposure, fatal animal attacks or envenomation, and lightning deaths) are reportable to the Northern Territory coroner for further investigation.

Methods

Databases of the Northern Territory coroner's office and the Royal Darwin Hospital Forensic Pathology Unit were searched to identify all environmental deaths over a 15-y period (July 1, 2003–June 30, 2018).

Results

A total of 4535 cases were reported to the Northern Territory coroner's office during the studied period, of which 167 (4%) were environmental deaths. Drowning was the most common type of environmental death, followed by heat-related deaths and fatal crocodile attacks. Deaths resulting from lightning and animals other than crocodiles are rare. Local resident, male victims in rural locations were the most commonly affected. Alcohol intoxication played a role in about one-third of cases, and in approximately one-third of cases a known underlying medical condition was identified.

Conclusions

The Northern Territory has a challenging environment that is hot, humid, remote, and isolated. Circumstantial information and thorough police investigations are essential in the medicolegal investigation of environmental deaths.
All-fiber high-power linearly polarized supercontinuum generation from polarization-maintaining photonic crystal fibers
Authors: Tao Yue , Chen Sheng-Ping
Published: April 2019

We demonstrate an all-fiber high-power linearly polarized supercontinuum source with polarization-maintaining photonic crystal fibers (PM-PCFs) as the nonlinear medium. The source exhibits an average output power of 3.8 W with a flat spectrum from 480 nm to 2100 nm at the $-$10 dB level, except for the residual pump peak. The polarization extinction ratio (PER) is measured to be greater than 20 dB at selected sample wavelength points (532 nm, 1064 nm and 1550 nm) at the highest pump power level and greater than 20 dB at all wavelengths from 800 nm to 1500 nm at the low pump power level. We also experimentally study the spectral properties when the pump light propagates along different axes of the PM-PCF. The results show that propagating parallel to the slow axis enables a broader spectrum in the PM-PCF in this case, probably due to matching of the dispersion properties with the pump light, which is qualitatively in accordance with the numerical simulation. To our best knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a watt-level linearly polarized supercontinuum source generated from PM-PCFs in an all-fiber structure.
The role of intermittent fasting and meal timing in weight management and metabolic health
Authors: Templeman Iain , Gonzalez Javier T. , Thompson Dylan , Betts James A.
Published: April 2019

Obesity remains a major public health concern and intermittent fasting is a popular strategy for weight loss, which may present independent health benefits. However, the number of diet books advising how fasting can be incorporated into our daily lives is several orders of magnitude greater than the number of trials examining whether fasting should be encouraged at all. This review will consider the state of current understanding regarding various forms of intermittent fasting (e.g. 5:2, time-restricted feeding and alternate-day fasting). The efficacy of these temporally defined approaches appears broadly equivalent to that of standard daily energy restriction, although many of these models of intermittent fasting do not involve fed-fasted cycles every other 24 h sleep–wake cycle and/or permit some limited energy intake outside of prescribed feeding times. Accordingly, the intervention period therefore may not regularly alternate, may not span all or even most of any given day, and may not even involve absolute fasting. This is important because potentially advantageous physiological mechanisms may only be initiated if a post-absorptive state is sustained by uninterrupted fasting for a more prolonged duration than applied in many trials. Indeed, promising effects on fat mass and insulin sensitivity have been reported when fasting duration is routinely extended beyond sixteen consecutive hours. Further progress will require such models to be tested with appropriate controls to isolate whether any possible health effects of intermittent fasting are primarily attributable to regularly protracted post-absorptive periods, or simply to the net negative energy balance indirectly elicited by any form of dietary restriction.
Second harmonic generation of q-Gaussian laser beam in plasma channel created by ignitor heater technique
Authors: Gupta Naveen
Published: April 2019

This paper presents a scheme for second harmonic generation (SHG) of q-Gaussian laser beam in plasma channel created by ignitor heater technique. The ignitor beam creates plasma by tunnel ionization of air. The heater beam heats the plasma electrons and establishes a parabolic density profile. The third beam (q-Gaussian beam) is guided in this plasma channel under the combined effects of density nonuniformity of the plasma channel and relativistic mass nonlinearity of the plasma electrons. The propagation of q-Gaussian laser beam through the plasma channel excites an electron plasma wave at pump frequency that interacts with the incident laser beam to produce its second harmonics. The formulation is based on finding the numerical solution of the nonlinear Schrodinger wave equation for the fields of the incident laser beams with the help of moment theory approach. Particular emphasis is put on dynamical variations of the spot size of the laser beams and conversion efficiency of the second harmonics with distance of propagation.
A fragment of a tenth-century English sacramentary
Authors: Hartzell K. D.
Published: April 2019

An abiding concern for scholars of the presence of music in Anglo-Saxon England is whether parochial witnesses can reflect a more comprehensive reality. This article discusses a hitherto undiscovered source of information pertinent to this topic. Its conclusions are not as precise as one would want, due to the source's fragmentary nature, but they help us address music in a wider world nevertheless.
Domesday Book and the transformation of English landed society, 1066–86
Authors: Baxter Stephen , Lewis C. P.
Published: April 2019

This article presents the first fruits of a long-term project which aims to identify all the landholders named in Domesday Book, and to build up a picture of English landed society before and after the Norman conquest. The first part describes the project's methods and illustrates them with a selection of short profiles of individuals whose careers add distinctive colour to the emerging picture. The second offers firstly an analysis of the social distribution of landed wealth in England in 1066 and 1086, quantifying the numbers of landholders in different groups defined by the amount of the land assigned to them in Domesday. We then turn to a spatial analysis of landed society, using maps to illustrate the geographical distribution of landholding. In doing so, we offer fresh perspectives on the transformation of English landed society in the aftermath of conquest.
Disgust as an emotional driver of vaccine attitudes and uptake? A mediation analysis
Authors: Luz P. M. , Brown H. E. , Struchiner C. J.
Published: April 2019

Research on the drivers of vaccine acceptance has expanded but most interventions fall short of coverage targets. We explored whether vaccine uptake is driven directly or indirectly by disgust with attitudes towards vaccines acting as a possible mediator. An online cross-sectional study of 1007 adults of the USA via Amazon's Mechanical Turk was conducted in January 2017. The questionnaire consisted of four sections: (1) items assessing attitudes towards vaccines and vaccine uptake, (2) revised Disgust Scale (DS-R) to measure Disgust Sensitivity, (3) Perceived Vulnerability to Disease scale (PVD) to measure Germ Aversion and Perceived Susceptibility, and (4) socio-demographic information. Using mediation analysis, we assess the direct, the indirect (through Vaccine Attitudes) and the total effect of Disgust Sensitivity, Germ Aversion and Perceived Susceptibility on 2016 self-reported flu vaccine uptake. Mediation analysis showed the effect of Disgust Sensitivity and Germ Aversion on vaccine uptake to be twofold: a direct positive effect on vaccine uptake and an indirect negative effect through Vaccine Attitudes. In contrast, Perceived Susceptibility was found to have only a direct positive effect on vaccine uptake. Nonetheless, these effects were attenuated and small compared to economic, logistic and psychological determinants of vaccine uptake.
Transgenerational associations between maternal childhood stress exposure and profiles of infant emotional reactivity
Authors: Hipwell Alison E. , Tung Irene , Northrup Jessie , Keenan Kate
Published: April 2019

Childhood exposure to stress can induce prolonged negative effects on health, which in turn confer risks for the next generation, but greater specificity is needed to inform intervention. A first step is to measure individual differences in emotional reactivity to stress early in life in ways that can account for heterogeneity in child exposure. The present study tested the hypothesis that mothers’ childhood exposure to stress would be differentially associated with patterns of positive and negative emotional reactivity in their offspring, suggesting transmission of stress response across generations. Participants were 268 young mothers (age 14–23 years) followed longitudinally since childhood, and their infants aged 3–9 months. Latent class analysis of infant emotions expressed before and during the still-face paradigm yielded five subgroups that varied in valence, intensity, and reactivity. After accounting for sociodemographic factors, infant temperament, and postpartum depression, multinomial regression models showed that, relative to an emotionally regulated still-face response, infants showing low negative reactivity were more likely to have mothers exposed to childhood emotional abuse, and infants showing high and increasing negative reactivity were more likely to have mothers exposed to childhood emotional neglect. Mechanisms by which early maternal stress exposure influences emotional reactivity in offspring are discussed.
Improving Management of Limb Injuries in Disasters and Conflicts
Authors: Jensen Guy , Bar-On Elhanan , Wiedler Jane Thorley , Hautz Stefanie C. , Veen Harald , Kay Alan R. , Norton Ian , Gosselin Richard A. , von Schreeb Johan
Published: April 2019

It has become clear that disaster relief needs to transition from good intentions or a charity-based approach to a professional, outcome-oriented response. The practice of medicine in disaster and conflict is a profession practiced in environments where lack of resources, chaos, and unpredictability are the norm rather than the exception. With this consideration in mind, the World Health Organization (WHO; Geneva, Switzerland) and its partners set out to improve the disaster response systems. The resulting Emergency Medical Team (EMT) classification system requires that teams planning on engaging in disaster response follow common standards for the delivery of care in resource-constraint environments. In order to clarify these standards, the WHO EMT Secretariat collaborated with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC; Geneva, Switzerland) and leading experts from other stakeholder non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to produce a guide to the management of limb injuries in disaster and conflict.

The resulting text is a free and open-access resource to provide guidance for national and international EMTs caring for patients in disasters and conflicts. The content is a result of expert consensus, literature review, and an iterative process designed to encourage debate and resolution of existing open questions within the field of disaster and conflict medical response.

The end result of this process is a text providing guidance to providers seeking to deliver safe, effective care within the EMT framework that is now part of the EMT training and verification system and is being distributed to ICRC teams deploying to the field.

This work seeks to encourage professionalization of the field of disaster and conflict response, and to contribute to the existing EMT framework, in order to provide for better care for future victims of disaster and conflict.

Jensen G, Bar-On E, Wiedler JT, Hautz SC, Veen H, Kay AR, Norton I, Gosselin RA, von Schreeb J. Improving management of limb injuries in disasters and conflicts. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2019;34(3):330–334.
White Matter Correlates of Cognitive Performance on the UCSF Brain
Health Assessment
Authors: Alioto Andrea G. , Mumford Paige , Wolf Amy , Casaletto Kaitlin B. , Erlhoff Sabrina , Moskowitz Tacie , Kramer Joel H. , Rankin Katherine P. , Possin Katherine L.
Published: April 2019

Objective: White matter (WM) microstructural changes are
increasingly recognized as a mechanism of age-related cognitive differences.
This study examined the associations between patterns of WM microstructure and
cognitive performance on the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Brain Health Assessment (BHA) subtests of memory (Favorites), executive
functions and speed (Match), and visuospatial skills (Line Orientation) within a
sample of older adults. Method: Fractional anisotropy (FA) in WM
tracts and BHA performance were examined in 84 older adults diagnosed as
neurologically healthy (47), with mild cognitive impairment (19), or with
dementia (18). The relationships between FA and subtest performances were
evaluated using regression analyses. We then explored whether regional WM
predicted performance after accounting for variance explained by global FA.
Results: Memory performance was associated with FA of the
fornix and the superior cerebellar peduncle; and executive functions and speed,
with the body of the corpus callosum. The fornix–memory association and
the corpus callosum–executive association remained significant after
accounting for global FA. Neither tract-based nor global FA was associated with
visuospatial performance. Conclusions: Memory and executive
functions are associated with different patterns of WM diffusivity. Findings add
insight into WM alterations underlying age- and disease-related cognitive
decline.
Thetrap–bathsplit in Bristol English
Authors: BLAXTER TAM , COATES RICHARD
Published: April 2019

The pronunciation of thebathvowel is a salient feature of English varieties of the southwest of England, yet neither the status of thetrap–bathsplit in traditional dialects nor ongoing change today is well understood. After reviewing the existing literature, we investigate the quality and length of low unrounded vowels in Bristol English on the basis of sociolinguistic interviews with twenty-five speakers. The picture suggested by these data is complex: there is evidence for a traditional length-onlytrap–bathsplit, for a length and backness split diffusing from the east and for a merger diffusing from the north. Some of these changes involve lexical diffusion, especially with loanwords and other distinctive lexical groups. Overall, the rich and contradictory data speak to the contested sociolinguistic status of these variables and to the need to examine individual patterns of variation closely to gain a full understanding of them.
Cover crop seed preference of four common weed seed predators
Authors: Youngerman Connor Z. , DiTommaso Antonio , Losey John E. , Ryan Matthew R.
Published: April 2019

Invertebrate seed predators (ISPs) are an important component of agroecosystems that help regulate weed populations. Previous research has shown that ISPs' seed preference depends on the plant and ISP species. Although numerous studies have quantified weed seed losses from ISPs, limited research has been conducted on the potential for ISPs to consume cover crop seeds. Cover crops are sometimes broadcast seeded, and because seeds are left on the soil surface, they are susceptible to ISPs. We hypothesized that (1) ISPs will consume cover crop seeds to the same extent as weed seeds, (2) seed preference will vary by plant and ISP species, and (3) seed consumption will be influenced by seed morphology and nutritional characteristics. We conducted seed preference trials with four common ISPs [Pennsylvania dingy ground beetle (Harpalus pensylvanicus), common black ground beetle (Pterostichus melanarius), Allard's ground cricket (Allonemobius allardi) and fall field cricket (Gryllus pennsylvanicus)] in laboratory no choice and choice feeding assays. We compared seed predation of ten commonly used cover crop species [barley (Hordeum vulgare), annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), forage radish (Raphanus sativus), cereal rye (Secale cereale), white mustard (Sinapis alba), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum), red clover (Trifolium pratense), triticale (×Triticosecale) and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa)] and three weed species [velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti), common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) and giant foxtail (Setaria faberi)]. All four ISPs readily consumed cover crop seeds (P < 0.05), but cover crops with hard seed coats and seed hulls such as hairy vetch and barley were less preferred. Our results suggest that farmers should select cover crop species that are avoided by ISPs if they plan on broadcasting the seed, such as with aerial interseeding.
Mapping Curie Depth Across Western Canada From a Wavelet Analysis of Magnetic Anomaly Data
Authors: Gaudreau É. , Audet P. , Schneider D.A.
Published: April 2019

In western Canada, geophysical studies infer an abrupt change in crustal temperatures between the Canadian Cordillera and the adjacent North American craton, with important implications for the tectonics and geodynamics of the area. We use a wavelet analysis of magnetic anomaly data in western Canada to map the depth to the bottom of the magnetic source, or Curie depth. This depth corresponds to the point at which crustal rocks reach their Curie temperature, thus providing an estimate of geothermal gradient. Our model is defined by a fractal distribution of magnetization characterized by the parameter β, as well as the depths to the top (zt) and bottom (zb) of the magnetized layer. Synthetic tests reveal the increased accuracy of the estimated zb when values for zt and β are fixed prior to the inversion. We set zt to the thickness of sedimentary rocks overlying the magnetic bedrock and use various values of β to estimate zb. We determine β a posteriori by comparing Monte Carlo simulations of predicted heat flow values (assuming a Curie temperature of 580 °C) with observed heat flow in various regions. Our results suggest a β value of 2.5 for the Canadian Cordillera and Slave craton, and 2 for the remaining North American craton. The Curie depths resolve geological domains and important structural features, with estimates for zb averaging 15 ± 1 km in the Cordillera, 32 ± 3 km in the Slave craton, and 34 ± 3 km in the North American craton to the south.
Discriminating Between Causes of D″ Anisotropy Using Reflections and Splitting Measurements for a Single Path
Authors: Pisconti Angelo , Thomas Christine , Wookey James
Published: April 2019

Knowledge of deep mantle deformation is based on seismic anisotropy: the variation of seismic wave speed and polarization with direction. Measuring this directional dependency requires azimuthal seismic coverage at D″ depth—the bottom few hundred kilometers of the mantle—which is often a limit in retrieving the style of anisotropy. Shear wave splitting is the standard technique for probing mantle anisotropy, and recently, reflections from the D″ region have been used to infer azimuthal anisotropy. Here we combine observations and modeling of D″ reflections with shear wave splitting along a given raypath direction in order to constrain mineralogy and dynamics of the lower mantle. From our modeling, a clear distinction between different anisotropic media is possible by using both types of observations together but only one directional path. We focus on the lowermost mantle beneath the central Atlantic Ocean by using South‐Central American earthquakes recorded in Morocco. We find complex azimuthal and distance variation for both polarities of D″ reflections and shear wave splitting parameters, which rules out a simple style of anisotropy—such as vertical transverse isotropy—for the region. Our preferred model consists of a phase transition from a randomly oriented bridgmanite to lattice‐preferred orientation fabric in postperovskite, developed in a tilted plane sheared along a roughly SW‐NE deformation direction.
Eddy Influences on the Hadley Circulation
Authors: Davis Nicholas A. , Birner Thomas
Published: April 2019

Variations in the width and strength of the Hadley cells are associated with many radiative, thermodynamic, and dynamical forcings. The physical mechanisms driving these responses remain unclear, in part because of the interactive nature of eddy‐mean flow adjustment. Here, a modeling framework is developed which separates the mean flow and time‐mean eddy flow in a gray radiation general circulation model with simple representations of ocean heat transport and ozone. In the absence of eddies, with moist convection and weak numerical damping, the Hadley cell is confined to the upper troposphere and has a vanishingly small poleward momentum flux. Eddies allow the cell to extend down to the surface, double its heat transport, and flux momentum poleward, the latter two being basic consequences of a deepening of the circulation. Because of convection and damping—which mimics, in part, the effect of eddy stresses—previous work may have underestimated the impact of eddies on earth's circulation. Quasigeostrophic eddy fluxes are sufficient to produce Hadley and Ferrel cells, but with a substantially greater Hadley cell strength than when all eddy impacts are considered, including eddy fluxes of moisture, mass, and momentum and eddy impacts on surface fluxes and clouds.
Southern Hemisphere Sediments Show Surprising Pliocene Cyclicity
Authors: Cook Terri
Published: April 2019

New, high-resolution paleoclimate reconstructions with 100,000-year rhythms may offer insights into how Earth’s climate system operated during a time when the planet was warmer than it is today.
Relationships Between Olivine CPO and Deformation Parameters in Naturally Deformed Rocks and Implications for Mantle Seismic Anisotropy
Authors: Bernard Rachel E. , Behr Whitney M. , Becker Thorsten W. , Young David J.
Published: April 2019

We analyze peridotites from a wide range of tectonic settings to investigate relationships between olivine crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) and deformation conditions in naturally deformed rocks. These samples preserve the five olivine CPO types (A‐ through E‐type) that rock deformation experiments have suggested are controlled by water content, temperature, stress magnitude, and pressure. The naturally deformed specimens newly investigated here (65 samples) and compiled from an extensive literature review (445 samples) reveal that these factors may matter less than deformation history and/or geometry. Some trends support those predicted by experimentally determined parametric dependence, but several observations disagree—namely, that all CPO types are able to form at very low water contents and stresses and that there is no clear relationship between water content and CPO type. This implies that at the low stresses typical of deformation in the mantle, CPO type more commonly varies as a function of strain geometry. Because olivine CPO is primarily responsible for seismic anisotropy in the upper mantle, the results of this study have several implications. These include (1) the many olivine CPO types recorded in samples from individual localities may explain some of the complex seismic anisotropy patterns observed in the continental mantle, and (2) B‐type CPO—where olivine's “fast axes” align perpendicular to flow direction—occurs under many more conditions than traditionally thought. This study highlights the need for more experiments and the difficulty in using olivine CPO in naturally deformed peridotites to infer deformation conditions.
Engineering osteoblastic metastases to delineate the adaptive response of androgen-deprived prostate cancer in the bone metastatic microenvironment
Authors: Bock Nathalie , Shokoohmand Ali , Kryza Thomas , Röhl Joan , Meijer Jonelle , Tran Phong A. , Nelson Colleen C. , Clements Judith A. , Hutmacher Dietmar W.
Published: April 2019

While stromal interactions are essential in cancer adaptation to hormonal therapies, the effects of bone stroma and androgen deprivation on cancer progression in bone are poorly understood. Here, we tissue-engineered and validated an in vitro microtissue model of osteoblastic bone metastases, and used it to study the effects of androgen deprivation in this microenvironment. The model was established by culturing primary human osteoprogenitor cells on melt electrowritten polymer scaffolds, leading to a mineralized osteoblast-derived microtissue containing, in a 3D setting, viable osteoblastic cells, osteocytic cells, and appropriate expression of osteoblast/osteocyte-derived mRNA and proteins, and mineral content. Direct co-culture of androgen receptor-dependent/independent cell lines (LNCaP, C4-2B, and PC3) led cancer cells to display functional and molecular features as observed in vivo. Co-cultured cancer cells showed increased affinity to the microtissues, as a function of their bone metastatic potential. Co-cultures led to alkaline phosphatase and collagen-I upregulation and sclerostin downregulation, consistent with the clinical marker profile of osteoblastic bone metastases. LNCaP showed a significant adaptive response under androgen deprivation in the microtissues, with the notable appearance of neuroendocrine transdifferentiation features and increased expression of related markers (dopa decarboxylase, enolase 2). Androgen deprivation affected the biology of the metastatic microenvironment with stronger upregulation of androgen receptor, alkaline phosphatase, and dopa decarboxylase, as seen in the transition towards resistance. The unique microtissues engineered here represent a substantial asset to determine the involvement of the human bone microenvironment in prostate cancer progression and response to a therapeutic context in this microenvironment.
A new heterozygous compound mutation in the CTSA gene in galactosialidosis
Authors: Nakajima Hideki , Ueno Miki , Adachi Kaori , Nanba Eiji , Narita Aya , Tsukimoto Jun , Itoh Kohji , Kawakami Atushi
Published: April 2019

Galactosialidosis is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease caused by the combined deficiency of lysosomal β-galactosidase and neuraminidase due to a defect in the protective protein/cathepsin A. Patients present with various clinical manifestations and are classified into three types according to the age of onset: the early infantile type, the late infantile type, and the juvenile/adult type. We report a Japanese female case of juvenile/adult type galactosialidosis. Clinically, she presented with short stature, coarse facies, angiokeratoma, remarkable action myoclonus, and cerebellar ataxia. The patient was diagnosed with galactosialidosis with confirmation of impaired β-galactosidase and neuraminidase function in cultured skin fibroblasts. Sanger sequencing for CTSA identified a compound heterozygous mutation consisting of NM_00308.3(CTSA):c.746 + 3A>G and c.655-1G>A. Additional analysis of her mother’s DNA sequence indicated that the former mutation originated from her mother, and therefore the latter was estimated to be from the father or was a de novo mutation. Both mutations are considered pathogenic owing to possible splicing abnormalities. One of them (c.655-1G>A) is novel because it has never been reported previously.
Natural variation of OsGluA2 is involved in grain protein content regulation in rice
Authors: Yang Yihao , Guo Min , Sun Shengyuan , Zou Yelu , Yin Shuangyi , Liu Yannan , Tang Shuzhu , Gu Minghong , Yang Zefeng , Yan Changjie
Published: April 2019

Grain protein content (GPC) affects rice nutrition quality. Here, we identify two stable quantitative trait loci (QTLs), qGPC-1 and qGPC-10, controlling GPC in a mapping population derived from indica and japonica cultivars crossing. Map-based cloning reveals that OsGluA2, encoding a glutelin type-A2 precursor, is the candidate gene underlying qGPC-10. It functions as a positive regulator of GPC and has a pleiotropic effect on rice grain quality. One SNP located in OsGluA2 promoter region is associated with its transcript expression level and GPC diversity. Polymorphisms of this nucleotide can divide all haplotypes into low (OsGluA2LET) and high (OsGluA2HET) expression types. Population genetic and evolutionary analyses reveal that OsGluA2LET, mainly present in japonica accessions, originates from wild rice. However, OsGluA2HET, the dominant type in indica, is acquired through mutation of OsGluA2LET. Our results shed light on the understanding of natural variations of GPC between indica and japonica subspecies.
The health and social implications of household air pollution and respiratory diseases
Authors: Simkovich Suzanne M. , Goodman Dina , Roa Christian , Crocker Mary E. , Gianella Gonzalo E. , Kirenga Bruce J. , Wise Robert A. , Checkley William
Published: April 2019

Approximately three billion individuals are exposed to household air pollution (HAP) from the burning of biomass fuels worldwide. Household air pollution is responsible for 2.9 million annual deaths and causes significant health, economic and social consequences, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Although there is biological plausibility to draw an association between HAP exposure and respiratory diseases, existing evidence is either lacking or conflicting. We abstracted systematic reviews and meta-analyses for summaries available for common respiratory diseases in any age group and performed a literature search to complement these reviews with newly published studies. Based on the literature summarized in this review, HAP exposure has been associated with acute respiratory infections, tuberculosis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumoconiosis, head and neck cancers, and lung cancer. No study, however, has established a causal link between HAP exposure and respiratory disease. Furthermore, few studies have controlled for tobacco smoke exposure and outdoor air pollution. More studies with consistent diagnostic criteria and exposure monitoring are needed to accurately document the association between household air pollution exposure and respiratory disease. Better environmental exposure monitoring is critical to better separate the contributions of household air pollution from that of other exposures, including ambient air pollution and tobacco smoking. Clinicians should be aware that patients with current or past HAP exposure are at increased risk for respiratory diseases or malignancies and may want to consider earlier screening in this population.
Evidence-based guidelines for controlling pH in mammalian live-cell culture systems
Authors: Michl Johanna , Park Kyung Chan , Swietach Pawel
Published: April 2019

A fundamental variable in culture medium is its pH, which must be controlled by an appropriately formulated buffering regime, since biological processes are exquisitely sensitive to acid–base chemistry. Although awareness of the importance of pH is fostered early in the training of researchers, there are no consensus guidelines for best practice in managing pH in cell cultures, and reporting standards relating to pH are typically inadequate. Furthermore, many laboratories adopt bespoke approaches to controlling pH, some of which inadvertently produce artefacts that increase noise, compromise reproducibility or lead to the misinterpretation of data. Here, we use real-time measurements of medium pH and intracellular pH under live-cell culture conditions to describe the effects of various buffering regimes, including physiological CO2/HCO3− and non-volatile buffers (e.g. HEPES). We highlight those cases that result in poor control, non-intuitive outcomes and erroneous inferences. To improve data reproducibility, we propose guidelines for controlling pH in culture systems.
The subthreshold-active KV7 current regulates neurotransmission by limiting spike-induced Ca2+ influx in hippocampal mossy fiber synaptic terminals
Authors: Martinello Katiuscia , Giacalone Elisabetta , Migliore Michele , Brown David A. , Shah Mala M.
Published: April 2019

Little is known about the properties and function of ion channels that affect synaptic terminal-resting properties. One particular subthreshold-active ion channel, the Kv7 potassium channel, is highly localized to axons, but its role in regulating synaptic terminal intrinsic excitability and release is largely unexplored. Using electrophysiological recordings together with computational modeling, we found that the KV7 current was active at rest in adult hippocampal mossy fiber synaptic terminals and enhanced their membrane conductance. The current also restrained action potential-induced Ca2+influx via N- and P/Q-type Ca2+channels in boutons. This was associated with a substantial reduction in the spike half-width and afterdepolarization following presynaptic spikes. Further, by constraining spike-induced Ca2+influx, the presynaptic KV7 current decreased neurotransmission onto CA3 pyramidal neurons and short-term synaptic plasticity at the mossy fiber–CA3 synapse. This is a distinctive mechanism by which KV7 channels influence hippocampal neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity.
Applications of robust estimators of covariance in examination of inter-laboratory study data
Authors: Ellison Stephen L. R.
Published: April 2019

Selected robust estimators of covariance or correlation are presented and some practical applications to the examination of inter-laboratory study data are illustrated.
Macroscopic defects upon decomposition of CO2 clathrate hydrate crystals
Authors: Arzbacher Stefan , Rahmatian Nima , Ostermann Alexander , Massani Bernhard , Loerting Thomas , Petrasch Jörg
Published: April 2019

Cracks and decomposition barriers observed in time-lapse micro-computed tomography measurements challenge existing models of gas hydrate decomposition.
Covalent organic frameworks for membrane separation
Authors: Yuan Shushan , Li Xin , Zhu Junyong , Zhang Gang , Van Puyvelde Peter , Van der Bruggen Bart
Published: April 2019

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs), a new class of crystalline porous materials, comprises periodically extended and covalently bound network structures.
A ‘‘naked-eye’’ colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescence probe for trace hydrazine
Authors: Wu Cuiyan , Xu Hai , Li Yaqian , Xie Ruihua , Li Peijuan , Pang Xiao , Zhou Zile , Li Haitao , Zhang Youyu
Published: April 2019

A new colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescence probe was developed for detection of hydrazine (N2H4) based on the mechanism of intramolecular proton transfer excited state (ESIPT).
Changes in the oxidation state of Pt single-atom catalysts upon removal of chloride ligands and their effect for electrochemical reactions
Authors: Shin Sangyong , Kim Jiwhan , Park Subin , Kim Hee-Eun , Sung Yung-Eun , Lee Hyunjoo
Published: April 2019

The activity of Pt single-atom catalysts can be maximized by controlling the oxidation state of the single-atoms.
A DNA walker powered by endogenous enzymes for imaging uracil-DNA glycosylase activity in living cells
Authors: Xu Xiaowen , Zhang Pingping , Zhang Ruiyuan , Zhang Nan , Jiang Wei
Published: April 2019

A DNA walker powered by endogenous enzymes detects uracil-DNA glycosylase activity in living cells.
A hydrolytically stable europium–organic framework for the selective detection of radioactive Th4+ in aqueous solution
Authors: Song Liping , Liu Wei , Wang Yanlong , Chen Lanhua , Wang Xiao-Feng , Wang Shuao
Published: April 2019

Thorium is not only a promising candidate for developing next generation nuclear fuel but also a potential radioactive contaminant.
Hydrogen interaction with a sulfur-vacancy-induced occupied defect state in the electronic band structure of MoS2
Authors: Han Sang Wook , Cha Gi-Beom , Kim Kyoo , Hong Soon Cheol
Published: April 2019

A combination study of photoemission spectroscopy and first-principles calculations reveals that a sufficiently high concentration (2.8–11.1%) of the VS defect on the MoS2 surface induces an occupied defect state in the electronic band structure, in addition to the in-gap defect states.
Lewis acidic alkaline earth metal complexes with a perfluorinated diphenylamide ligand
Authors: Fischer Christian A. , Rösch Andreas , Elsen Holger , Ballmann Gerd , Wiesinger Michael , Langer Jens , Färber Christian , Harder Sjoerd
Published: April 2019

Alkaline earth metal chemistry with the anion [N(C6F5)2]− has been explored. Complexes are stabilized by metal⋯F interactions. Mg[N(C6F5)2]2 is a stronger Lewis acid than B(C6F5)3.
Rechargeable ultrahigh-capacity tellurium–aluminum batteries
Authors: Zhang Xuefeng , Jiao Shuqiang , Tu Jiguo , Song Wei-Li , Xiao Xiang , Li Shijie , Wang Mingyong , Lei Haiping , Tian Donghua , Chen Haosen , Fang Daining
Published: April 2019

A novel cell configuration allows a Te nanowire positive electrode for delivering an ultrahigh discharge capacity in tellurium–aluminum batteries.
Does artificial light at night change the impact of silver nanoparticles on microbial decomposers and leaf litter decomposition in streams?
Authors: Pu Gaozhong , Zeng Danjuan , Mo Ling , He Wen , Zhou Longwu , Huang Kechao , Liao Jianxiong , Qiu Shuo , Chai Shengfeng
Published: April 2019

The negative effect of AgNP on leaf litter decomposition was alleviated by artificial light at night (ALAN).
Catalytic valorization of the acetate fraction of biomass to aromatics and its integration into the carboxylate platform
Authors: Rozmysłowicz Bartosz , Yeap Jher Hau , Elkhaiary Ahmed M. I. , Talebi Amiri Masoud , Shahab Robert L. , Questell-Santiago Ydna M. , Xiros Charilaos , Le Monnier Benjamin P. , Studer Michael H. , Luterbacher Jeremy S.
Published: April 2019

Single step upgrading of biomass-derived short carboxylic acids to a jet fuel additive.
Rapid detection and cellular fluorescence imaging of the TBI biomarker Let-7i using a DNA–AgNC nanoprobe
Authors: Li Xingmei , Han Leiming , Guo Yadong , Chang Yunfeng , Yan Jie , Wang Yong , Li Na , Ding Yanjun , Cai Jifeng
Published: April 2019

Rapid fluorescence detection of Let-7i for TBI diagnosis and intracellular imaging have been studied using the multifunctional DNA–AgNCs.
Intensified ozonolysis of lignins in a spray reactor: insights into product yields and lignin structure
Authors: Silverman Julian R. , Danby Andrew M. , Subramaniam Bala
Published: April 2019

A safe and efficient spray ozonolysis to valorize grass and hardwood lignins, selectively yielding aromatic aldehydes without their overoxidation or lignin bleaching.