bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CFD modeling and environmental assessment of a VOC removal silo
Authors: Egedy A. , Gyurik L. , Ulbert Z. , Rado A.
Published: July 2020

Volatile organic compounds (VOC) are widely used in different industries as solvents or reagents. The removal of excess organic substances is vital from both environmental and economic point of view. The purge columns or silos where the solid particles are discharged continuously and the gas is fed counter currently are examples of operation units where the excess organic substances should be removed. In this study, a previously developed model of a VOC removal silo was used in the investigation of its extended operation. Both economic and environmental concerns were addressed. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied for a two-factor environmental-economic optimization of the system utilizing temperature and purge gas flow rate as factors, and removal time and energy demand as outcomes. The environmental performance was tested using a simplified life cycle analysis (LCA). Two scenarios were examined and compared, one of them with full and the other one with zero VOC emission case. The main achievement of our study is a new optimization map which includes both environmental and economic aspects. In conclusion, 80 °C temperature and 3 m3/h flow rates resulted as the optimal parameters.
Artificially intelligent models for the site-specific performance of wind turbines
Authors: Veena R. , Mathew S. , Petra M. I.
Published: July 2020

Power developed by the wind turbines, at different wind velocities, is a key information required for the successful design and efficient management of wind energy projects. Conventionally, for these applications, manufacturer’s power curves are used in estimating the velocity–power characteristics of the turbines. However, performance of the turbines under actual field environments may significantly differ from the manufacturer’s power curves, which are derived under ‘standard’ conditions. In case of existing wind projects with sufficient performance data, the velocity–power variations can better be defined using artificially intelligent models. In this paper, we compare the performance of four such models by applying them to a 2-MW onshore wind turbine. Models based on ANN, KNN, SVM and MARS were developed and tested using the SCADA data collected from the turbine. All the AI models performed significantly better than the manufacturer’s power curve. Among the AI methods, SVM-based predictions showed the highest accuracy. A site-specific performance curve for the turbine, based on the SVM model, is presented. Wider adaptability of this approach has been demonstrated by successfully implementing the model for a 3.6-MW wind turbine, working under offshore environment. Being “site-specific data” driven, the proposed models are more accurate and hence better choice for applications like short-term wind power forecasting and pro-diagnostics of wind turbines.
Exploring German Liquid Democracy – Online-Partizipation auf der lokalen Ebene
Authors: Schwanholz Julia , Zinser Lavinia
Published: July 2020

Befunde über den Zustand repräsentativer Demokratie zeigen teilweise eine Unzufriedenheit mit politischen Institutionen, Akteuren und Prozessen der Entscheidungsfindung. Der Staat reagiert hierauf vermehrt mit Instrumenten direkter Demokratie. Dabei ist das Repertoire durch Angebote zur Online-Partizipation ergänzt und ausgeweitet worden. Im Beitrag wird analysiert, wie Online-Partizipationsangebote auf der lokalen Ebene konkret ausgestaltet sind. Die zentrale Frage lautet, ob die Angebote zu mehr Online-Partizipation anregen oder nicht. Es werden dafür sechs kommunale Plattformen untersucht und verglichen. Deutlich wird dabei zweierlei: die Angebote lassen sich erstens entlang der eingesetzten Software voneinander unterscheiden und strukturieren. Für die Angebotsseite sind zweitens einige konkrete Aspekte aufzuzeigen, wie Partizipation gesteigert (oder auch gehemmt) werden kann.
Is there a need for greater integration and shift in policy to tackle food waste? Insights from a review of European Union legislations
Authors: Eriksson Mattias , Giovannini Simone , Ghosh Ranjan Kumar
Published: July 2020

Within the European Union, there is an increasing recognition about the negative environmental impacts of food waste making it a prominent policy issue. But there is no clarity whether policies aimed at food waste minimisation are based on sound legislative frameworks that actually empower the relevant actors. By carefully reviewing existing European Union legislations that are linked directly or indirectly to food waste, we identify the difficulties encountered by stakeholders and assess whether adaptations to the rules-in-use are beneficial and desirable. Our general finding is that liability for donated foodstuffs, date marking provisions, the flexibility principle provided by the European Union Hygiene Package and fiscal rules are the main policy elements affecting, either positively or negatively, food waste generation and management. Food donation for charitable purposes emerges as the predominant Pan-European Union waste management solution. While removing existing barriers for food donors and banks is fundamental—as it makes redistribution more effective—this does not tackle prevention of excess food generation. We conclude that while there are several European Union food legislations which include and impact food waste management options, they are hardly direct. Moreover, they often generate incentives that are at odds across stakeholders, thereby dampening the intended impact. There is, therefore, need for an integrated policy framework to tackle food waste specifically. For that to happen though, a pre-requisite is lot more empirical research on the interaction effects of various food waste legislations.
Impact of the Perceived Threat of COVID-19 on Variety-Seeking
Authors: Kim Jungkeun
Published: July 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced our daily and social lives as well as our consumption patterns. This paper focuses on the relationship between the COVID-19 threat and variety-seeking. Based on several theories, including reactance theory and terror management theory, we predict that the perceived threat of COVID-19 will increase the tendency to choose more and different options in multiple choice settings. Firstly, two empirical studies demonstrate that variety-seeking in food and stationery choices is enhanced as people's perceived threat from the disease increases. Study 3 further suggests the boundary conditions of the above pattern in that the type of decision (i.e., multiple option selections across different brands vs. within the same brand) will moderate the impact of the perceived threat on varietyseeking. Specifically, when the decision involved choice across different brands, participants showed higher variety-seeking under high (vs. low) perceived threat. However, the opposite pattern was true when the decision involved choice within the same brand. This research offers a deeper understanding of how variety-seeking can be changed by the perceived threat of COVID-19.
Child mortality in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Almuneef Maha , Saleheen Hassan , AlBuhairan Fadia , Al-Eissa Majid , Al Muntaser Manal , Al Alem Hala , Othman Ahmad , Al Abrash Tarek , Al Saif Saif , Baylon Beverly
Published: July 2020

Background and Objectives:

Although child mortality is declining in Saudi Arabia, new trends and causes are emerging. The objective of the study is to determine the causes of child death in a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia and to identify its preventable causes and associated risk factors.

Methods:

A modified UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) was used to analyze all deaths among children under the age of 18 which occurred at the King Abdullah Specialized Children's Hospital (KASCH) between 2010 and 2016.

Results:

After reviewing all the death charts of 1138 children, the team determined that 15% (172) of all deaths could have been prevented and the preventability increased with age. Only 2% of the neonates died of preventable causes, while 53% of the children of 6 years of age or older died of preventable causes. The highest percentage of preventable deaths occurred in children aged 13–18 years (39.3%), followed by the age group of 6–12 years (32.4%) and the age group of 29 days to 5 years (13.9%). All 966 (85%) deaths from biological causes were considered to be unpreventable. Among the preventable causes, 142 (82.5%) had injuries and 30 (17.4%) were sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) with no documented autopsy or death scene investigation, and thus it was considered preventable by the researchers. The 5 major causes of deaths secondary to injuries were motor vehicle accidents (MVA) accounting for 86 deaths (60.6%), followed by drowning accounting for 19 deaths (13.4%), child maltreatment accounting for 13 deaths (9.2%), fire and weapon accounting for 12 deaths (8.5%), and finally home accident (fall, poisoning, suffocation) accounting for 12 deaths (8.5%).

Conclusion:

The State Child Death Reviews Board should thoroughly investigate deaths due to SUID and injuries by identifying the factors that contribute to the implementation of preventive strategies.
Maximizing friction in the erosion of glacial valleys
Authors: Faraoni Valerio
Published: July 2020

The cross-sectional profile of a glacial valley can be obtained with a variational principle in which the friction against the valley walls and the glacier bed is extremized, subject to a Lagrangian constraint. We show that the actual valley profilemaximizesthe friction, thus settling an old debate.
Taxonomy and functional morphology of the Urasterellidae (Paleozoic Asteroidea, Echinodermata)
Authors: Blake Daniel B. , Koniecki Joseph
Published: July 2020

Family-level taxonomic concepts for Paleozoic Asteroidea are problematic; data availability for the family Urasterellidae, however, is judged sufficient for familial reappraisal. The survey cannot be fully comprehensive because certain available names are founded on very limited material, with specimens widely scattered among collections. Recognized urasterellid genera includeUrasterellaSchuchert, 1914;AnthroosasteriasBlake, 2017;MeturasterBlake, Guensburg, and Lefebvre, 2016;SalterasterStürtz, 1893;StaurasteriasBlake, 2017;UlrichasterSpencer, 1950; andPegoasterella pompomn. gen. n. sp. Other available generic names are held in abeyance. The nameUrasterellahas approached form-genus status, an outcome exacerbated by incomplete understanding of the type species.Urasterella huxleyi(Billings, 1865) is reassigned toAnthroosasterias. Relatively large specimen suites forAnthroosasterias huxleyi(Billings, 1865) andSalteraster grandis(Meek, 1872) enable some interpretation of urasterellid intrataxon variation, ontogenetic change, and life mode. Morphologic changes accompanying ontogeny ofA. huxleyiare argued as favoring a shift from substrate surface feeding to feeding through extension of arms into the water column in a manner comparable to that seen among extant Forcipulatida and ophiurans.

UUID:http://zoobank.org/82d2eca7-55e0-42ed-a164-c666652e3972
Extended endoscopic approaches to the maxillary sinus
Authors: Ashman A , Psaltis A J , Wormald P J , Tan N C-W
Published: July 2020

Objectives

Treatment of inflammatory and neoplastic disease in the maxillary sinus, pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossae requires appropriate surgical exposure. As modern rhinology evolves, so do the techniques available. This paper reviews extended endoscopic approaches to the maxillary sinus and the evidence supporting each technique.

Methods

A literature search of the Ovid Medline and PubMed databases was performed using appropriate key words relating to endoscopic approaches to the maxillary sinus.

Results

Mega-antrostomy and medial maxillectomy have a role in the surgical treatment of refractory inflammatory disease and sinonasal neoplasms. The pre-lacrimal fossa approach provides excellent access but can be limited because of anatomical variations. Both the transseptal and endoscopic Denker's approaches were reviewed; these appear to be associated with morbidity, without any significant increase in exposure over the afore-described approaches.

Conclusion

A range of extended endoscopic approaches to the maxillary sinus exist, each with its own anatomical limitations and potential complications.
A consensual dataset for complex ontology matching evaluation
Authors: Thiéblin Elodie , Cheatham Michelle , Trojahn Cassia , Zamazal Ondrej
Published: July 2020

Simple ontology alignments, largely studied in the literature, link one single entity of a source ontology to one single entity of a target ontology. One of the limitations of these alignments is, however, their lack of expressiveness, which can be overcome by complex alignments, which are composed of correspondences involving logical constructors or transformation functions. While most work on complex ontology matching has been dedicated to the development of complex matching approaches, there is still a lack of benchmarks on which the complex approaches can be systematically evaluated. The aim of this paper is to present the process of constructing the consensual complex Conference dataset, describing the design choices and the methodology followed for constructing it. We discuss the issues the experts were faced with during the process and discuss the lessons learned and perspectives in the field.
Aggregation with Constraints
Authors: Rüger Korbinian
Published: July 2020

Utilitarianism is often criticized because of its reliance on the interpersonal aggregation of harms and benefits. However, since the rejection of all forms of interpersonal aggregation strikes most people as implausible, some critics of utilitarianism have proposed theories of Limited Aggregation. These occupy the middle ground between fully aggregative and non-aggregative views. Recently, Limited Aggregation has been criticized for having counterintuitive implications that seem even worse than the counterintuitive implications of fully aggregative and non-aggregative views it tried to escape. I here propose a new view of Limited Aggregation that does better than existing accounts in this regard. It is more modest than existing accounts of Limited Aggregation, but it retains the view's core idea. This, I claim, is the thought that sometimes very strong individual claims stand in the way of realizing the best outcome.
Negation detection for sentiment analysis: A case study in Spanish
Authors: Jiménez-Zafra Salud María , Cruz-Díaz Noa P. , Taboada Maite , Martín-Valdivia María Teresa
Published: July 2020

Accurate negation identification is one of the most important tasks in the context of sentiment analysis. In order to correctly interpret the sentiment value of a particular expression, we need to identify whether it is in the scope of negation. While much of the work on negation detection has focused on English, we have seen recent developments that provide accurate identification of negation in other languages. In this paper, we provide an overview of negation detection systems and describe an implementation of a Spanish system for negation cue detection and scope identification. We apply this system to the sentiment analysis task, confirming also for Spanish that improvements can be gained from accurate negation detection. The paper contributes an implementation of negation detection for sentiment analysis in Spanish and a detailed error analysis. This is the first work in Spanish in which a machine learning negation processing system is applied to the sentiment analysis task. Existing methods have used negation rules that have not been assessed, perhaps because the first Spanish corpus annotated with negation for sentiment analysis has only recently become available.
The double burden of malnutrition in under-five children at national and individual levels: observed and expected prevalence in ninety-three low- and middle-income countries
Authors: Lerm Beatriz Raffi , Crochemore-Silva Inácio , Costa Janaína Calu , Victora Cesar Gomes
Published: July 2020

Objective:

To assess whether the observed prevalence of the double burden of malnutrition (DBM) would be higher than expected on the basis of chance, through analyses at national, wealth quintile and individual child levels.

Design:

We selected nationally representative surveys from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) carried out since 2005 with anthropometric measures on children under 5 years of age. Household wealth was assessed through asset indices. The expected prevalence of DBM was estimated by multiplying the prevalence of stunting (low height/length for age) and overweight (high weight for height/length). The WHO recommended cut-offs (20% for stunting and 10% for overweight) that were used to define DBM at national level. DBM at individual level was defined as co-occurrence of stunting and overweight in the same child.

Setting:

Nationally representative surveys from ninety-three LMIC.

Participants:

A total of 825 633 children were studied.

Results:

DBM at national level was observed in five countries, whereas it would be expected to occur in eleven countries. Six countries did not present evidence of DBM at national level but did so in at least one wealth quintile. At individual level, thirty countries (32·3%) showed higher prevalence of DBM than would be expected, but most differences were small except for Syria, Azerbaijan, Albania and Egypt.

Conclusions:

The observed number of countries or socio-economic subgroups within countries with the DBM using recommended thresholds was below what would be expected by chance. However, individual-level analyses showed that one-third of countries presented higher prevalence of DBM than would be expected.
Animal-based food systems are unsafe: severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) fosters the debate on meat consumption
Authors: Jacob Michelle Cristine Medeiros , Feitosa Ivanilda Soares , Albuquerque Ulysses Paulino
Published: July 2020

Objective:

The current pandemic restarts a debate on permanently banning wildlife consumption in an effort to prevent further public health threats. In this commentary, we offer two ideas to enhance the discussion on foodborne zoonotic diseases in food systems.

Design:

First, we focus on the probable consequences that the loss of access to wildlife could cause to the status of food and nutrition security of many people in developing countries that rely on bushmeat to subsist. Second, we argue that all animal-based food systems, especially the ones based on intensive husbandry, present food safety threats.

Conclusion:

To ban the access to bushmeat without a rational analysis of all human meat production and consumption in the global animal-based food system will not help us to prevent future outbreaks.
Masculine Norms and Infectious Disease: The Case of COVID-19
Authors: Reny Tyler T.
Published: July 2020

During the novel coronavirus pandemic, early data suggested that men were slightly more likely to contract COVID-19 than women, less likely to seek medical attention for the disease, and far more likely to die as a result of COVID-19. While several studies have explored this gender gap, none has attempted to isolate the psychological processes underpinning this phenomenon. In this research note, I suggest that sexism partly explains these differences. Using data from a large (N = 100,689) survey of American adults conducted between March and June 2020 by the Democracy Fund and the University of California, Los Angeles (Nationscape), I find that sexist beliefs, a component of masculine norms, are consistently the strongest predictor of coronavirus-related emotions, behaviors, policy attitudes, and ultimately contracting COVID-19. This study highlights how gender ideology can impact health and impede government public health efforts.
Supporting Cook Island communities to access DOHaD evidence
Authors: Tu’akoi Siobhan , Tamarua-Herman Neti , Tairea Karen , Vickers Mark H. , Aung Yin Yin May , Bay Jacquie L.
Published: July 2020

Developmental origins of health and disease research have cemented relationships between the early-life environment and later risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). However, there is limited translation of this knowledge in developing-economy nations, such as the Cook Islands, that carry exceptionally high NCD burdens. Considering the evidence, Cook Islands leaders identified a need for increased community awareness of the importance of early-life nutrition. Using a community-based participatory research approach, this study aimed to engage Cook Islands community representatives in the co-construction of a contextually relevant early-life nutrition resource. A booklet distributed to mothers in Australia and New Zealand was used as a starting point. Ten semi-structured focus groups (n = 60) explored views regarding the existing resource and options for contextual adaptation. Three core themes were identified: knowledge of the importance of early-life nutrition, recognition of the need for an early-life nutrition resource and the importance of resources being context specific. A draft booklet was created based on these discussions. Participants were invited to give feedback via a second round of focus groups. This confirmed that the voice of the community was represented in the draft booklet. Suggestions for additional material not included in the original resource were also identified. We report on the process and outcomes of the co-construction with community representatives of a resource that has the potential to be used to stimulate community-level discussion about the importance of early-life nutrition. It is crucial that communities have an active voice in research and in making decisions about interventions for their population.
How to Survey Citizens’ Compliance with COVID-19 Public Health Measures: Evidence from Three Survey Experiments
Authors: Daoust Jean-François , Nadeau Richard , Dassonneville Ruth , Lachapelle Erick , Bélanger Éric , Savoie Justin , van der Linden Clifton
Published: July 2020

The extent to which citizens comply with newly enacted public health measures such as social distancing or lockdowns strongly affects the propagation of the virus and the number of deaths from COVID-19. It is however very difficult to identify non-compliance through survey research because claiming to follow the rules is socially desirable. Using three survey experiments, we examine the efficacy of different ‘face-saving’ questions that aim to reduce social desirability in the measurement of compliance with public health measures. Our treatments soften the social norm of compliance by way of a short preamble in combination with a guilty-free answer choice making it easier for respondents to admit non-compliance. We find that self-reported non-compliance increases by up to +11 percentage points when making use of a face-saving question. Considering the current context and the importance of measuring non-compliance, we argue that researchers around the world should adopt our most efficient face-saving question.
The Seasonal Cycle of Nitrogen Uptake and Nitrification in the Atlantic Sector of the Southern Ocean
Authors: Mdutyana Mhlangabezi , Thomalla Sandy J. , Philibert Raissa , Ward Bess B. , Fawcett Sarah E.
Published: July 2020

Net primary production (NPP) fueled by nitrate is often equated with carbon export, providing a metric for CO2 removal to the deep ocean. This “new production paradigm” assumes that nitrification, the oxidation of regenerated ammonium to nitrate, is negligible in the sunlit upper ocean. While surface layer nitrification has been measured in other oceanic regions, very few data exist for the Southern Ocean. We measured NPP, nitrogen (N) uptake, and nitrification in the upper 200 m across the Atlantic Southern Ocean in winter and summer. Rates of winter mixed‐layer nitrate uptake were low, while ammonium uptake was surprisingly high. NPP was also low, such that NPP and total N (nitrate+ammonium) uptake were decoupled; we attribute this to ammonium consumption by heterotrophic bacteria. By contrast, NPP and total N uptake were strongly coupled in summer except at two stations where an additional regenerated N source, likely dissolved organic N, apparently supported 30–45% of NPP. Summertime nitrate uptake rates were fairly high and nitrate fueled >50% of NPP, indicating the potential for significant carbon export. Nitrification supplied <10% of the nitrate consumed in summertime surface waters, while in winter, mixed‐layer nitrification was on average 16 times higher than nitrate uptake. Despite the near‐zero nitrification rates measured in the summer mixed layer, the classically defined f ratio does not well‐represent Southern Ocean carbon export potential annually. This is because some fraction of the nitrate regenerated in the winter mixed layer is likely supplied to phytoplankton in summer; its consumption cannot, therefore, be equated with export.
Absolute Dating of Past Seismic Events Using the OSL Technique on Fault Gouge Material—A Case Study of the Nojima Fault Zone, SW Japan
Authors: Tsakalos Evangelos , Lin Aiming , Kazantzaki Maria , Bassiakos Yannis , Nishiwaki Takafumi , Filippaki Eleni
Published: July 2020

This study is the first part of a comprehensive paleoseismic study in the Nojima Fault Zone (NFZ), the seismogenic fault of the 1995 Mw 6.9 Kobe (Japan) earthquake, which explores the use of the luminescence dating method for understanding past faulting time and assessing the activity of faults developed in basement rocks. Our approach is focused on methodological aspects of the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) technique and reports on a series of ages of fault gouge samples. Our analysis revealed that (1) quartz OSL signals have been reset (at least partially) during past seismic faulting events, (2) fault gouge layers bounded by sharp fault planes are younger than gouge layers far from the main fault planes, and (3) the most recent seismic faulting, affecting the different gouge layers on the Nojima fault took place from 62.8 ± 4.3 ka to 18.5 ± 1.3 ka, while on the Asano fault from 139.3 ± 8.9 ka to 45.8 ± 3 ka, with these ages representing maximum possible ages. In this regard, this is the first successful absolute dating attempt on the NFZ using quartz grains and the only luminescence study, as yet known, producing a series of ages representing neotectonic activity of the Nojima and Asano faults during the late Pleistocene and middle to late Pleistocene, respectively. The present work has indicated that OSL is potentially a promising technique for dating fault gouges and assessing the activity of faults, although more work is needed for further refinement.
Structure of the Subpolar Gyre in the Australian‐Antarctic Basin Derived From Argo Floats
Authors: Yamazaki Kaihe , Aoki Shigeru , Shimada Keishi , Kobayashi Taiyo , Kitade Yujiro
Published: July 2020

The climatological structure of the subpolar cyclonic circulation off East Antarctica is delineated with Argo float data from the past decade. Up to 40% of the float profiles in the seasonal ice zone have been without satellite positioning. We refined their position data as following the bathymetry to get appropriate positions in the continental margin. The error of the terrain‐following interpolation was estimated by using positioned data to be 23 ± 27 (78 ± 70) km for 90 (390) day period. Profiles with the under‐ice period shorter than 360 days are adopted. The float trajectories reveal the extent of the subpolar gyre adjoined to the westward Antarctic Slope Current to its south and the southernmost eastward jet of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current along 4,000 m isobath to its north. The subpolar circulation in the Australian‐Antarctic Basin comprises of a series of quasi‐barotropic subgyre circulations, which are bounded by bathymetric spurs in the continental slope. The temperature field reveals shoreward excursions of Circumpolar Deep Water associated with the subgyres, effectively supplying heat to the continental shelves. An along‐slope temperature variation up to 1°C in 27.7–27.8 kg/m3 σθ indicates an active cross‐slope exchange within the layer. Provided the velocity field and the water mass structure, the subsurface water mass exchange is likely accomplished by a combination of topographically controlled mean flow and the eddy transports. Our findings suggest that the bathymetry primarily determines the structure of the subpolar gyre.
Assessment of Nutrient Supply by a Tidal Jet in the Northern Strait of Georgia Based on a Biogeochemical Model
Authors: Olson Elise M. , Allen Susan E. , Do Vy , Dunphy Michael , Ianson Debby
Published: July 2020

We present a coupled three‐dimensional biological‐physical model for the Salish Sea and evaluate it by comparison to nitrate, silicate, and chlorophyll observations. It accurately reproduces nitrate concentrations with Willmott skill scores, root‐mean‐square error, and bias ranging from 0.84–0.95, 4.02–6.5 μM, and −2.33–1.84 μM, respectively, compared to three independent discrete sample data sets. A prominent feature of the model output is a tidal jet emanating from Discovery Passage producing a downstream plume of elevated surface nitrate. The signal is present from April to September, when surface nitrate is otherwise drawn down. It has a weak but statistically significant correlation to Discovery Passage tidal velocity (R=0.37, p<0.01). Within the turbulent jet and associated plume, the average rate of vertical nitrate supply due to mixing and advection across a depth of roughly 6 m is 0.46 μmol m−2 s−1 between 15 May and 20 August 2015, compared to 0.10 μmol m−2 s−1 for the northern Strait of Georgia as a whole. Close to Discovery Passage, where velocities and shear are strongest, the majority of the vertical nitrate flux is due to mixing. As velocities weaken downstream, vertical advection becomes more important relative to mixing, but vertical velocities also decrease. The tidal pulses out of Discovery Passage drive waves that contribute net upward nitrate flux as far south as Cape Lazo, 40 km away. The nitrate supply drives new production, consistent with existing observations. Similar dynamics have been described in many other tidally influenced coastal systems.
The Silver Lining of COVID‐19: Estimation of Short‐Term Health Impacts Due to Lockdown in the Yangtze River Delta Region, China
Authors: Huang Ling , Liu Ziyi , Li Hongli , Wang Yangjun , Li Yumin , Zhu Yonghui , Ooi Maggie Chel Gee , An Jing , Shang Yu , Zhang Dongping , Chan Andy , Li Li
Published: July 2020

The outbreak of COVID‐19 in China has led to massive lockdowns in order to reduce the spread of the epidemic and control human‐to‐human transmission. Subsequent reductions in various anthropogenic activities have led to improved air quality during the lockdown. In this study, we apply a widely used exposure‐response function to estimate the short‐term health impacts associated with PM2.5 changes over the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region due to COVID‐19 lockdown. Concentrations of PM2.5 during lockdown period reduced by 22.9% to 54.0% compared to pre‐lockdown level. Estimated PM2.5‐related daily premature mortality during lockdown period is 895 (95% confidential interval: 637–1,081), which is 43.3% lower than pre‐lockdown period and 46.5% lower compared with averages of 2017–2019. According to our calculation, total number of avoided premature death aassociated with PM2.5 reduction during the lockdown is estimated to be 42.4 thousand over the YRD region, with Shanghai, Wenzhou, Suzhou (Jiangsu province), Nanjing, and Nantong being the top five cities with largest health benefits. Avoided premature mortality is mostly contributed by reduced death associated with stroke (16.9 thousand, accounting for 40.0%), ischemic heart disease (14.0 thousand, 33.2%), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (7.6 thousand, 18.0%). Our calculations do not support or advocate any idea that pandemics produce a positive note to community health. We simply present health benefits from air pollution improvement due to large emission reductions from lowered human and industrial activities. Our results show that continuous efforts to improve air quality are essential to protect public health, especially over city‐clusters with dense population.
Optical and Chemical Analysis of Absorption Enhancement by Mixed Carbonaceous Aerosols in the 2019 Woodbury, AZ, Fire Plume
Authors: Lee James E. , Dubey Manvendra K. , Aiken Allison C. , Chylek Petr , Carrico Christian M.
Published: July 2020

Wildfires emit mixtures of light‐absorbing aerosols (including black and brown carbon, BC and BrC, respectively) and more purely scattering organic aerosol (OA). BC, BrC, and OA interactions are complex and dynamic and evolve with aging in the atmosphere resulting in large uncertainties in their radiative forcing. We report microphysical, optical, and chemical measurements of multiple plumes from the Woodbury Fire (AZ, USA) observed at Los Alamos, NM, after 11–18 hr of atmospheric transit. This includes periods where the plumes exhibited little entrainment as well as periods that had become more dilute after mixing with background aerosol. Aerosol mass absorption cross sections (MAC) were enhanced by a factor of 1.5–2.2 greater than bare BC at 870 nm, suggesting lensing by nonabsorbing coatings following a core‐shell morphology. Larger MAC enhancement factors of 1.9–5.1 at 450 nm are greater than core‐shell morphology can explain and are attributed to BrC. MAC of OA (MACOrg) at 450 nm was largest in intact portions of the plumes (peak value bounded between 0.6 and 0.9 m2/g [Org]) and decreased with plume dilution. We report a strong correlation between MACOrg(450 nm) with the fC2H4O2 (a tracer for levoglucosan‐like species) of coatings and of bulk OA indicating that BrC in the Woodbury Fire was coemitted with levoglucosan, a primary aerosol. fC2H4O2 and MACOrg(450 nm) are shown to vary between the edge and the core of plumes, demonstrating enhanced oxidation of OA and BrC bleaching near plume edges. Our process‐level finding can inform parameterizations of mixed BC, BrC, and OA properties for wildfire plumes in climate models.
Designing m-Health interventions for precision mental health support
Authors: Bidargaddi N. , Schrader G. , Klasnja P. , Licinio J. , Murphy S.
Published: July 2020

Mobile health (m-Health) resources are emerging as a significant tool to overcome mental health support access barriers due to their ability to rapidly reach and provide support to individuals in need of mental health support. m-Health provides an approach to adapt and initiate mental health support at precise moments, when they are most likely to be effective for the individual. However, poor adoption of mental health apps in the real world suggests that new approaches to optimising the quality of m-Health interventions are critically needed in order to realise the potential translational benefits for mental health support. The micro-randomised trial is an experimental approach for optimising and adapting m-Health resources. This trial design provides data to construct and optimise m-Health interventions. The data can be used to inform when and what type of m-Health interventions should be initiated, and thus serve to integrate interventions into daily routines with precision. Here, we illustrate this approach in a case study, review implementation issues that need to be considered while conducting an MRT, and provide a checklist for mental health m-Health intervention developers.
Early life metal exposure dysregulates cellular bioenergetics in children with regressive autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Frye Richard E. , Cakir Janet , Rose Shannon , Delhey Leanna , Bennuri Sirish C. , Tippett Marie , Palmer Raymond F. , Austin Christine , Curtin Paul , Arora Manish
Published: July 2020

Neurodevelopmental regression (NDR) is a subtype of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that manifests as loss of previously acquired developmental milestones. Early life dysregulation of nutritional metals and/or exposure to toxic metals have been associated with ASD, but the underlying biological mechanisms by which metals influence neurodevelopment remain unclear. We hypothesize that metals influences neurodevelopment through dysregulation of bioenergetics. Prenatal and early postnatal metal exposures were measured using validated tooth-matrix biomarkers in 27 ASD cases (13 with NDR) and 7 typically-developing (TD) controls. Mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells using the Seahorse XF96. Children with ASD demonstrated lower prenatal and postnatal Copper (Cu) and prenatal Nickel concentrations and Copper-to-Zinc (Cu/Zn) ratio as compared with TD children. Children with ASD and NDR showed greater metal-related disruption of cellular bioenergetics than children with ASD without NDR. For children with ASD and NDR mitochondrial respiration decreased as prenatal Manganese concentration increased and increased as prenatal Zinc concentration increased; glycolysis decreased with increased exposure to prenatal Manganese and Lead and postnatal Manganese. For children with ASD without a history of NDR, glycolysis increased with increased postnatal exposure to Tin. Language and communication scores in children with ASD were positively related to prenatal Cu exposure and Cu/Zn ratio. This study suggests that prenatal nutritional metals may be important for neurodevelopment in children with ASD, and that exposure to toxic metals and differences in nutritional metal exposures is associated with dysregulation of cellular bioenergetics, particularly in the NDR subtype of ASD.
Adult mouse hippocampal transcriptome changes associated with long-term behavioral and metabolic effects of gestational air pollution toxicity
Authors: Haghani Amin , Johnson Richard G. , Woodward Nicholas C. , Feinberg Jason I. , Lewis Kristy , Ladd-Acosta Christine , Safi Nikoo , Jaffe Andrew E. , Sioutas Constantinos , Allayee Hooman , Campbell Daniel B. , Volk Heather E. , Finch Caleb E. , Morgan Todd E.
Published: July 2020

Gestational exposure to air pollution increases the risk of autism spectrum disorder and cognitive impairments with unresolved molecular mechanisms. This study exposed C57BL/6J mice throughout gestation to urban-derived nanosized particulate matter (nPM). Young adult male and female offspring were studied for behavioral and metabolic changes using forced swim test, fat gain, glucose tolerance, and hippocampal transcriptome. Gestational nPM exposure caused increased depressive behaviors, decreased neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus, and increased glucose tolerance in adult male offspring. Both sexes gained fat and body weight. Gestational nPM exposure induced 29 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in adult hippocampus related to cytokine production, IL17a signaling, and dopamine degradation in both sexes. Stratification by sex showed twofold more DEGs in males than females (69 vs 37), as well as male-specific enrichment of DEGs mediating serotonin signaling, endocytosis, Gαi, and cAMP signaling. Gene co-expression analysis (WCGNA) identified a module of 43 genes with divergent responses to nPM between the sexes. Chronic changes in 14 DEGs (e.g., microRNA9-1) were associated with depressive behaviors, adiposity and glucose intolerance. These genes enriched neuroimmune pathways such as HMGB1 and TLR4. Based on cerebral cortex transcriptome data of neonates, we traced the initial nPM responses of HMGB1 pathway. In vitro, mixed glia responded to 24 h nPM with lower HMGB1 protein and increased proinflammatory cytokines. This response was ameliorated by TLR4 knockdown. In sum, we identified transcriptional changes that could be associated with air pollution-mediated behavioral and phenotypic changes. These identified genes merit further mechanistic studies for therapeutic intervention development.
Magnetic-gateable valley exciton emission
Authors: Bragança Helena , Zeng Hao , Dias Alexandre Cavalheiro , Correa Jorge Huamani , Qu Fanyao
Published: July 2020

The use of valley excitonic states of transition metal dichalcogenides to store and manipulate information is hampered by fast carrier recombination and short valley lifetime. We propose theoretically a scheme to overcome such an obstacle, by applying a tilted exchange field through the magnetic proximity effect on monolayer MoS2. While the in-plane component of the exchange field brightens the dark exciton by spin mixing, the out-of-plane field can effectively gate the emission with an ON/OFF ratio of 2700. Importantly, the brightening is valley selective, leading to nearly 100% valley and spin polarization at room temperature. The resulting strongly gateable dark-exciton emission with long lifetime and near unity valley polarization makes it convenient to manipulate the valley degree of freedom, which may offer new paradigm for information processing and transmission.
Systems biology of acidophile biofilms for efficient metal extraction
Authors: Buetti-Dinh Antoine , Herold Malte , Christel Stephan , Hajjami Mohamed El , Bellenberg Sören , Ilie Olga , Wilmes Paul , Poetsch Ansgar , Sand Wolfgang , Vera Mario , Pivkin Igor V. , Dopson Mark
Published: July 2020

Society’s demand for metals is ever increasing while stocks of high-grade minerals are being depleted. Biomining, for example of chalcopyrite for copper recovery, is a more sustainable biotechnological process that exploits the capacity of acidophilic microbes to catalyze solid metal sulfide dissolution to soluble metal sulfates. A key early stage in biomining is cell attachment and biofilm formation on the mineral surface that results in elevated mineral oxidation rates. Industrial biomining of chalcopyrite is typically carried out in large scale heaps that suffer from the downsides of slow and poor metal recoveries. In an effort to mitigate these drawbacks, this study investigated planktonic and biofilm cells of acidophilic (optimal growth pH < 3) biomining bacteria. RNA and proteins were extracted, and high throughput “omics” performed from a total of 80 biomining experiments. In addition, micrographs of biofilm formation on the chalcopyrite mineral surface over time were generated from eight separate experiments. The dataset generated in this project will be of great use to microbiologists, biotechnologists, and industrial researchers.
Innovation of EUS-guided transmural gallbladder drainage using a novel self-expanding metal stent
Authors: Huh Gunn , Choi Jin Ho , Lee Sang Hyub , Paik Woo Hyun , Ryu Ji Kon , Kim Yong-Tae , Jeong Seok , Lee Don Haeng , Kim Gyeong Hwan , Kang Sung Gwon
Published: July 2020

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided transmural drainage has been accepted as a modality of choice in peripancreatic fluid collection and acute cholecystitis. Each type of stent, including double-pigtail plastic stents, tubular self-expandable metal stents (SEMS), and lumen-apposing metal stents, for these procedure has its own advantages and disadvantages. To overcome their disadvantages, this animal study evaluated the feasibility of a newly designed twisted fully covered SEMS with spiral coiled ends. We performed the EUS-guided cholecystogastrostomy with a newly developed metal stent in eight mini pigs with surgically induced gallbladder distension. This novel stent is a twisted fully covered SEMS with spiral coiled ends, a diameter of 8 mm, and a length of 6 cm. The stent has been maintained for four to seven weeks after EUS-guided cholecystogastrostomy. The primary outcome was the technical success rate, and the secondary outcomes were adverse events, stent dysfunction, stent removability, and fistula formation. The stent was placed successfully between the gallbladder and the stomach in all cases without any adverse event. We observed neither stent migration nor dysfunction during the study period, and all the stents were removed easily as scheduled. We confirmed successful cholecysto-gastric fistula formation at endoscopic and histologic level in all cases. EUS-guided transmural drainage and fistula formation using a new twisted fully covered metal stent with spiral coiled ends was technically feasible without any adverse event in this animal study. Further clinical studies are needed to evaluate its efficacy and safety in real practice.
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of Mct8 reveals a functional involvement of Mct8 in testis and sperm development in a rat
Authors: Bae Hee Sook , Jin Yun-Kyeong , Ham Sangwoo , Kim Hee Kyoung , Shin Hyejung , Cho Gyu-bon , Lee Kyu Jun , Lee Hohyeon , Kim Kyeong-Min , Koo Ok-Jae , Jang Goo , Lee Jung Min , Lee Jae Young
Published: July 2020

Thyroid hormone (TH) has long been believed to play a minor role in male reproduction. However, evidences from experimental model of thyrotoxicosis or hypothyroidism suggests its role in spermatogenesis. Cellular action of TH requires membrane transport via specific transporters such as monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8). SLC16A2 (encodes for MCT8) inactivating mutation in humans can lead to Allan-Herndon Dudley-syndrome, a X-linked psychomotor and growth retardation. These patients present cryptorchidism which suggests a role of MCT8 during spermatogenesis. In this study, we found that Mct8 is highly expressed during early postnatal development and decreases its expression in the adulthood of testis of wild-type male rats. Histological analysis revealed that spermatogonia largely lacks MCT8 expression while spermatocytes and maturing spermatids highly express MCT8. To further understand the role of Mct8 during spermatogenesis, we generated Slc16a2 (encodes MCT8) knockout rats using CRISPR/Cas9. Serum THs (T3 and T4) level were significantly altered in Slc16a2 knockout rats when compared to wild-type littermates during early to late postnatal development. Unlike Slc16a2 knockout mice, Slc16a2 knockout rats showed growth delay during early to late postnatal development. In adult Slc16a2 knockout rats, we observed reduced sperm motility and viability. Collectively, our data unveil a functional involvement of MCT8 in spermatogenesis, underscoring the importance of TH signaling and action during spermatogenesis.
Fluorescence-guided resection of tumors in mouse models of oral cancer
Authors: Demétrio de Souza França Paula , Guru Navjot , Roberts Sheryl , Kossatz Susanne , Mason Christian , Abrahão Marcio , Ghossein Ronald A. , Patel Snehal G. , Reiner Thomas
Published: July 2020

Complete removal and negative margins are the goal of any surgical resection of primary oral cavity carcinoma. Current approaches to determine tumor boundaries rely heavily on surgeons’ expertise, and final histopathological reports are usually only available days after surgery, precluding contemporaneous re-assessment of positive margins. Intraoperative optical imaging could address this unmet clinical need. Using mouse models of oral cavity carcinoma, we demonstrated that PARPi-FL, a fluorescent PARP inhibitor targeting the enzyme PARP1/2, can delineate oral cancer and accurately identify positive margins, both macroscopically and at cellular resolution. PARPi-FL also allowed identification of compromised margins based on fluorescence hotspots, which were not seen in margin-negative resections and control tongues. PARPi-FL was further able to differentiate tumor from low-grade dysplasia. Intravenous injection of PARPi-FL has significant potential for clinical translation and could aid surgeons in assessing oral cancer margins in vivo.