bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carbon degradation in agricultural soils flooded with seawater after managed coastal realignment
Authors: Sjøgaard Kamilla S. , Treusch Alexander H. , Valdemarsen Thomas B.
Published: September 2017

Abstract. Permanent flooding of low-lying coastal areas is a growing threat due to climate change and related sea-level rise. An increasingly common solution to protect coastal areas lying below sea level is intentional flooding by "managed coastal realignment". However, the biogeochemical implications of flooding agricultural soils with seawater are still not well understood. We conducted a 1-year mesocosm experiment to investigate microbial carbon degradation processes in soils flooded with seawater. Agricultural soils were sampled on the northern coast of the island Fyn (Denmark) at Gyldensteen Strand, an area that was subsequently flooded in a coastal realignment project. We found rapid carbon degradation to TCO2 1 day after experimental flooding and onwards and microbial sulfate reduction established quickly as an important mineralization pathway. Nevertheless, no free sulfide was observed as it precipitated as Fe–S compounds with Fe acting as a natural buffer, preventing toxic effects of free sulfide in soils flooded with seawater. Organic carbon degradation decreased significantly after 6 months, indicating that most of the soil organic carbon was refractory towards microbial degradation under the anoxic conditions created in the soil after flooding. During the experiment only 6–7 % of the initial soil organic carbon pools were degraded. On this basis we suggest that most of the organic carbon present in coastal soils exposed to flooding through sea-level rise or managed coastal realignment will be permanently preserved.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Glaucoma Tests in Everyday Practice
Authors: Lindbohm Nina M. , Vesti Eija , Puska Päivi , Mäkitie Teemu , Friberg Kalevi , Harju Mika
Published: September 2017

Purpose

To evaluate the performance of various tests with automated and subjective evaluation for primary diagnostics of glaucoma in a normal clinical setting.

Methods

Subjects referred because of suspicion of glaucoma were recruited. All subjects had full ophthalmologic evaluation with stereophotography of the optic nerve head (ONH), red-free retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) photography, scanning laser polarimetry (SLP), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and standard automated perimetry (SAP). Analysis of all results was made jointly by 5 glaucoma specialists, with a consensus for each eye as healthy, glaucomatous, or glaucoma suspect. Results from each method were evaluated against this consensus, followed by a subjective evaluation of each method by a glaucoma specialist, comparing this with automated classification by the devices.

Results

Of the 101 subjects and 202 eyes examined, 23 eyes were by consensus glaucomatous, and 23 were glaucoma suspect. Sensitivity was best with ONH photos and worst with SAP, while SLP had a better sensitivity but poorer specificity than did RNFL photographs and OCT. Subjective evaluation of SLP, OCT, and SAP data gave better sensitivity and specificity than did classification by numeric values from the devices only, with OCT performing better in automatic classification than did SLP or SAP.

Conclusions

None of the current methods is superior to others in diagnosing glaucoma, and the accuracy of automated tests was better when subjectively evaluated by an experienced ophthalmologist. Diagnosis of glaucoma should be based on a combination of test results interpreted by a clinician.
Spoken syntax in a comparative perspective: The dative and genitive alternation in varieties of English
Authors: Szmrecsanyi Benedikt , Grafmiller Jason , Bresnan Joan , Rosenbach Anette , Tagliamonte Sali , Todd Simon
Published: September 2017

This paper introduces a new resource designed to facilitate the quantitative investigation of syntactic variation in spoken language from a comparative perspective. The datasets comprise homogeneously annotated collections of “interchangeable” (i.e. competing) genitive and dative variants in four varieties of English: American English, British English, Canadian English, and New Zealand English. To showcase the empirical potential of the data source, we present a suggestive analysis that investigates the extent to which the probabilistic grammar of genitive and dative variant choice differs across varieties. The statistical analysis reveals that while there are a number of subtle probabilistic contrasts between the regional varieties under study, there is overall a striking degree of cross-varietal homogeneity. We conclude by outlining directions for future research. This article is part of the Special Collection: Probabilistic grammars: Syntactic variation in a comparative perspective
Are Peat and Sawdust Truly Improve Quality of Briquettes as Fuel Alternative?
Authors: Bustan Andi , Arsyad Muhammad
Published: September 2017

The availability of energy and fuel is always a critical issue, and currently the increasing scarcity and price of kerosene is causing problems for both households and businesses. For example, chicken farmers in Central Kalimantan need to maintain the room temperature when nursing chicks up to 12 days old, and currently have few alternatives to kerosene stoves. Non-carbonized briquettes made from a mix of peat and sawdust can provide an alternative fuel source. The sawdust is available from local sawmills, which is otherwise an unutilized waste product that is burnt off, so adding to local smoke pollution. This study was conducted to determine the optimal composition and manufacturing process to produce bricks that have a maximal calorific content whilst maintaining a long burning time and a reduced tendency to break. Analyses in the laboratory showed that the highest calorific content obtainable was 19 020.63 kJ/kg with a peat/sawdust ratio of 2:1 (20 kg of peat and 10 kg of sawdust). These briquettes had a production efficiency of 83.26%, and calculations showed the overall production cost of the finished product to be around 40% lower than that of kerosene. The results indicate that a peat soil and sawdust mix produce a briquette that is viable as a fuel alternative, and based on this the researcher recommends that it be further developed commercially to meet the additional energy demands at lower cost of people in rural areas and industrial sectors.
Phenolic acids in Crithmum maritimum L. (Apiaceae) after Tytanit fertilization
Authors: Bartnik Magdalena , Wierzchowska-Renke Krystyna , Głowniak Paweł , Głowniak Kazimierz
Published: September 2017

Aerial parts and roots of Crithmum maritimum L. fertilized with Tytanit were investigated on the presence of phenolic acids (PhAs). Cinnamic and benzoic acid derivatives were quantified by use of validated RP-HPLC/DAD method. The amount of PhAs in fertilized plants (T) was higher than in control (C) plants (in the aerial parts: 2.16 mg/g and 1.28 mg/g dry weight, respectively, and in roots: 4.05 mg/g and 2.78 mg/g dry weight, respectively). The predominant PhA was the caffeic acid (83.2–94.2% of the total PhAs). After Tytanit treatment, amount of the caffeic acid rose from 667.41 µg/g in C to 1463.83 µg/g dry weight in the aerial parts of T, and in roots from 2251.74 µg/g in C to 3451.86 µg/g dry weight in T. Tytanit had also influence on the qualitative composition of PhAs; in extracts from aerial parts, some of PhAs (ferulic, chlorogenic, and syringic acids), absent in control, appeared after fertilization.
The function and regulation of PD-L1 in immunotherapy
Authors: Guo Libin , Lin Yao , Kwok Hang Fai
Published: September 2017

PD-L1, also known as B7-H1, is a type I transmembrane protein, which is expressed in different kinds of tumor cells. It is correlated with poor clinical outcome of patients with various types of tumors. PD-L1 can regulate tumor microenvironment or tumor related immune response through suppressing T cell or NK cell mediated immune response. PD-L1 expression is regulated by various cytokines, such as LPS, GM-CSF, IL-4, TGF-β, TNF-α. PD-1 and PD-L1 are the members of B7 and CD28 superfamily, respectively. The B7/CD28 interaction plays a central role in immune tolerance. PD-L1 can bind to PD-1, which leads to the suppression of lymphocyte activation and apoptosis of lymphocytes. Anti-PD-L1 therapy is one of the immunotherapies to treat cancer (especially solid tumor). PD-L1 expression may be associated with efficacy of anti PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. In this review, we will focus on the regulation mechanism of PD-L1 expression, and describe the role of PD-1/PD-L1 binding on the anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy.
Collective Ion-Pair Single-Drop Microextraction Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopic Determination of Perchlorate in Bioenvironmental Samples
Authors: Chandrawanshi Swati , Verma Santosh K , Deb Manas K
Published: September 2017

Perchlorate (ClO4−) is an environmental pollutant that affects human health. Perchlorate acts as a competitive inhibitor of iodine uptake in the thyroid gland (sodium–iodide symporter inhibitor); thus, its determination is important for public health concerns. Water and milk constitute a significant portion of the human diet. Because regular intake leads to an increase in perchlorate concentration in the human body, the estimation of perchlorate is of great concern. In this work, ion-pair single-drop microextraction (SDME) combined with attenuated total reflectance (ATR)-FTIR spectroscopy has been developed for the determination of perchlorate in bioenvironmental (soil, water, dairy milk, breast milk, and urine) samples. Perchlorate was extracted in a single drop of methyl isobutyl ketone as an - with the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonuim bromide under optimized conditions. The strongest IR peak (at 1076 cm−1) was selected for the quantification of perchlorate among three observed vibrational peaks. Eight calibration curves for different concentration ranges of perchlorate were prepared, and excellent linearity was observed for absorbance and peak area in the range of 0.03–100 ng/mL perchlorate, with r values of 0.977 and 0.976, respectively. The RSDs (n = 8) for the perchlorate concentration ranges of 0.03–100, 0.03–0.5, 0.5–10, and 10–100 ng/mL were in the range of 1.9–2.7% for the above calibration curves. The LOD and LOQ in the present work were 0.003 and 0.02 ng/mL, respectively. The extracted microdrop was analyzed directly by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. The parameters affecting SDME, i.e, effect of pH, stirring rate, reagent concentration, microdrop volume, and extraction time, were optimized, and the role of foreign species was also investigated. F- and t-tests were performed to check the analytical QA of the method. A noteworthy feature of the reported method is the noninterference of any of the associated ions. The results were compared with those of the ion chromatography MS method, and a high degree of acceptability was found. The method was successfully applied for the determination of perchlorate in bioenvironmental samples.
Community Care for Older Adults— the Patient/Caregiver Perspective
Authors: Madden Kenneth M. , Maxwell Colleen , Rapoport Mark
Published: September 2017

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Correlation-Regression Analysis for Understanding Dominant Height Projection Accuracy
Authors: Wang Mingliang , Kane Michael B , Zhao Dehai
Published: September 2017

Dominant height predictions tend to be less accurate with increasing projection intervals, a common occurrence not well understood statistically although intuitively self-evident and taken for granted. In this study, we used linear prediction theory (essentially correlation-regression) for height projection to better understand this phenomenon as related to three mean-covariance models, including an unstructured (essentially sample means, variances, and correlations) model and two structured models with means approximated by using the Chapman-Richards function and variances-covariances directly or indirectly modeled (i.e., mixed-effects modeling). An empirical evaluation of dominant height projection by the three models was performed using a second-rotation loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation data set. The results showed that weakening correlations inherent in distant remeasurements largely determine projection accuracy to decline and that the squared coefficient of correlation (R2) can serve as an upper-limit measure of regression-type linear prediction of heights given one single prior measurement. The unstructured model directly estimated means and covariances without involving any function approximation; therefore, it provided best fits in terms of likelihood-based measures and better (smaller root mean squared error) prediction when applied to new individual plots, becoming a nearly top-limit standard model for comparison with other linear predictors of heights.
Back to (School) Basics
Authors: Nemec-Loise Jenna
Published: September 2017

I love fall for a whole bunch of reasons. First off, you can’t beat the Midwest maples, oaks, and birches on fire with autumn color. I wonder if there’s anyone who sees those dazzling hues splashed against gray skies and doesn’t think they’re spectacular.How about apples? Sure, you can get them year-round, but there’s nothing quite like the apple pies, apple cider, apple anything made from fall’s red, green, and gold bounty. And if you can get to a local orchard to pick your own pecks and bushels—well, that’s even better.
The Column Explained . . . Plus Conference Roundup, Part 2!
Authors: Diamant-Cohen Betsy , Goldsmith Annette Y.
Published: September 2017

For more than two years, Children and Libraries has been hosting this column, and we thought it was time to share our vision. “Research Roundup” is a grouping of resources meant to give readers easy access to tools for doing their own research or to familiarize them with research done by others. We have included short descriptions of research studies that have a direct impact on librarians’ work with children. We have directed readers to specific resources. We have shared our column with a guest researcher. We have also provided descriptions of ways research has been successfully used.
Additional External Costs Analysis and Environmental CBA
Authors: Dimitrijevic Zinaida , Salihbegovic Iris
Published: September 2017

The sustainable development requires policies and measures which negative impacts would not be spilled over on another area or has trends that pose severe or irreversible threats to future quality of life. The environmental costs-benefits analysis (CBA) as well as multi criteria analyse are the most common used methods for the decision making processes including the approved methodology for quantifying external costs especially regarding air quality. Since the reducing one type of external cost generates another external cost due to fact that the problem is only shifted from the one area to the another CBA is not enough for the decision making process because external cost of a future implemented measure isn't considered. By the usage of Life-cycle costing (LCC), a tool which evaluates the costs of an new installed asset imposed trough the adopted policy or measure throughout its life cycle, it is possible beside the common costs for conducting CBA include also the end-of-life and disposal costs as the new installed asset's external costs too. These costs have to be calculated and added to the cost side of CBA before comparing to the benefits. So, for the purpose of decision making process of the retrofitting existing thermal power plants with DeSOx such calculation has been done as a case study for one thermal power plant in Bosnia and Herzegovina highlighting overall costs and benefits of the DeSOx installation.
Production and Investigation of Biodiesel Fuels from Spent Coffee Grounds
Authors: Mustafa Zilya , Yordanov Dobromir , Milina Rumyana
Published: September 2017

The oil fractions, extracted under different conditions from spent coffee grounds, were used to produce biodiesel fuels and investigate their FAME profiles. For producing of fuels, esterification and transesterification of oils with homogeneous catalysts were applied. Investigation of the esters composition (FAME) in biodiesel is carried out by modified gas chromatographic method EN 14103. The content of each individual ester was calculated using the method of internal standard. The results of total and individual FAME content in all studied objects are shown. The results show the feedstocks and extraction conditions (catalysts, temperatures) for obtaining the biodiesel with high yield and balanced composition.
Slovenian test case Vrbanski Plato aquifer in the EU HORIZON 2020 FREEWAT project
Authors: Kopač Irena , Vremec Matevž
Published: September 2017

The Slovenian case study in the EU HORIZON 2020 FREEWAT project was Vrbanski Plato aquifer. Slovenia is divided into two river basin districts: the Danube and the North Adriatic. The Vrbanski Plato aquifer, which he presents both natural and artificial bank filtration from the river Drava, is a part of the Danube river basin district and is the most important water source for 14 municipalities in the northeastern part of Slovenia. We investigated the groundwatersurface water interaction between river Drava and the porous aquifer in the geological old riverbed and possible reduction of city impact. This site is the oldest managed artificial groundwater recharge with riverbank filtration and has more than thirty years of successful operation. It is something special, very abundant in a small space, independent of drought and climate changes, but vulnerable due to the impact of the city. Under the city there is watershed dividing, which is shifting with different water management condition and we would like to have the least possible impact of the city. For optimal water management we decided to use FREEWAT plug-in within QGIS platform. With new developed FREEWAT plug-in in project FREEWAT, we made steady-state and transient groundwater model for presenting this shift of the watershed dividing under the city and optimal water management for this area. The model was designed in a way that it identifies and describes all major aspects of the physical hydrogeological system and water management. During the running of a project, there was an accident with heating oil spillage in city area, right on the watershed dividing. So we oriented with the transient groundwater model as well on heating oil spillage and pumping with additional wells at the place of the accident to present successful rehabilitation and the importance of the managed groundwater recharge. Our experience with FREEWAT platform during the Vrbanski Plato aquifer case study was very positive. The connection data of the GIS tool, open license and the database monitoring and model approaches functioned as the right tool for a professional approach and communicating with stakeholders. With groundwater models in FREEWAT platform, we defined optimal condition, with as less as possible the impact of groundwater below the city, for pumping water on the Vrbanski Plato, managed by Water Supply Maribor company and needed optimal level in river Drava managed by Drava Power Plants Company. Quantities of pumping for water supply and level of Drava River are the dominant components of water management in this area. Due to the time and financial constraints, we took into account the period from July 2014 to June 2017.
Extracorporeal life support with left ventricular decompression—improved survival in severe cardiogenic shock: results from a retrospective study
Authors: Schmack Bastian , Seppelt Philipp , Weymann Alexander , Alt Christina , Farag Mina , Arif Rawa , Doesch Andreas O. , Raake Philip W. , Kallenbach Klaus , Mansur Ashham , Popov Aron-Frederik , Karck Matthias , Ruhparwar Arjang
Published: September 2017

Objective

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is a life-saving procedure used in the treatment of severe cardiogenic shock. Within this retrospective single centre study, we examined our experience in this critically ill patient cohort to assess outcomes and clinical parameters by comparison of ECLS with or without selective left ventricular decompression.

Methods

Between 2004 and 2014 we evaluated 48 adult patients with INTERMACS level 1 heart failure (age 49.7 ± 19.5 years), who received either central ECLS with (n = 20, 41.7%) or ECLS without (n = 28, 58.3%, including 10 peripheral ECLS) integrated left ventricular vent in our retrospective single centre trial.

Results

Follow up was 100% with a mean of 0.83 ± 1.85 years. Bridge to ventricular assist device was feasible in 29.2% (n = 14), bridge to transplant in 10.4% (n = 5) and bridge to recovery in 8.3% (n = 4). Overall 30-day survival was 37.5%, 6-month survival 27.1% and 1-year survival 25.0%. ECLS support with left ventricular decompression showed favourable 30-day survival compared to ECLS without left ventricular decompression (p = 0.034). Thirty-day as well as long-term survival did not differ between the subgroups (central ECLS with vent, ECLS without vent and peripheral ECLS without vent). Multivariate logistic regression adjusted for age and gender revealed ECLS without vent as independent factor influencing 30-day survival.

Conclusion

ECLS is an established therapy for patients in severe cardiogenic shock. Independent of the ECLS approach, 30-day mortality is still high but with superior 30-day survival for patients with ECLS and left ventricular venting. Moreover, by unloading the ventricle, left ventricular decompression may provide an important time window for recovery or further treatment, such as bridge to bridge or bridge to transplant.
Percepção dos riscos ocupacionais por profissionais de um laboratório de imunodiagnóstico
Authors: Conceição Rogério Reis
Published: September 2017

Introdução: os profissionais que trabalham nas áreas das ciências biológicas e saúde, no exercício de suas atividades ocupacionais, e os usuários dos serviços de atenção à saúde estão expostos a diversos riscos que, quando não perceptíveis e controlados, podem causar acidentes. Objetivo: descrever a percepção do risco ocupacional e as condições no ambiente de trabalho dos profissionais de um laboratório de imunodiagnóstico em uma instituição brasileira pública de ensino superior. Metodologia: estudo descritivo quantitativo que contou com participação voluntária de profissionais (N=19, 86% do total dos vinculados ao serviço). Os dados foram obtidos através de um questionário estruturado para registro da percepção dos grupos de riscos ambientais físico, químico, biológico, ergonômico e de acidentes no âmbito ocupacional, com base na Portaria 25 de 1994 e Norma Regulamentadora 15 do Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego, assim como, a disponibilidade de equipamentos de proteção individual e coletiva. Resultados: nos registros dos grupos de risco inerentes ao processo de trabalho, o biológico foi o mais presente, devido ao manuseio de amostras sanguíneas e suas frações. Quanto as condições de trabalho, os profissionais informaram que há disponibilidade de equipamentos de proteção adequados e que os mesmos são utilizados nos respectivos setores para contenção e minimização dos riscos. Conclusão: os profissionais demonstraram percepção dos riscos aos quais estão expostos. O laboratório adota a legislação vigente e as exigências de segurança e qualidade. Ações que promovem a minimização da exposição aos riscos ocupacionais devem ser continuadas para manutenção e promoção da saúde destes trabalhadores.
Análise do perfil epidemiológico e laboratorial de pacientes com hepatite B crônica naive e em tratamento antiviral em um hospital de referência de Salvador - Bahia
Authors: Campos Mauricio De Souza , Schinoni Maria Isabel , Silva Luciano Kalabric , Pacheco Sildecina Rugieri , Santos Maria Isabel Magalhães Andrade dos
Published: September 2017

Introdução: a hepatite B é uma doença provocada pela infecção do vírus da hepatite B (VHB). A infecção pelo HBV pode causar hepatite aguda ou crônica, sendo as duas situações geralmente oligossintomáticas. Fatores comportamentais e genéticos, características demográficas ou concomitância de algumas substâncias tóxicas, aumentam o risco de cirrose e neoplasia primária do fígado, nos portadores crônicos do HBV. O tratamento na hepatite crônica visa reduzir o risco de progressão da doença hepática e de seus desfechos primários, especificamente cirrose, hepatocarcinoma e, conseqüentemente, o óbito Objetivo: descrever as características epidemiológicas, marcadores sorológicos da infecção pelo HBV e marcadores bioquímicos de pacientes com HB crônica tratados e naives em um hospital público de referência na Bahia. Metodologia: estudo descritivo analítico, com amostra de conveniência. Foram analisados soros de 57 indivíduos monoinfectados com diagnóstico de hepatite B crônica e categorizados em grupo 1: pacientes em tratamento antiviral (n=24) e  grupo 2: pacientes infectados  naive (n=33). Resultados: o número de mulheres infectadas foi maior que o de homens. A terceira e quinta décadas de vida apresentaram maior prevalência de casos, somando 37% do total. O maior percentual de infectados se declararam viúvos(as), proveniente da zona urbana e de etnia parda ou negra. A maioria dos pacientes apresentaram níveis normais de marcadores bioquímicos. Conclusão: a avaliação da resposta terapêutica contra a hepatite B crônica continua sendo um desafio para medicos e pesquisadores e o conhecimento do perfil epidemiológico e dos marcadores bioquímicos são dados relevantes para o acompanhamento da eficácia do tratamento.
Thyroid stimulating hormone isn’t a sensitive indicator of iodine nutritional status in schoolchildren
Authors: Campos Renata De Oliveira , Silva Júnior Joaquim Custódio , Ramos Elton Estrela
Published: September 2017

Introduction: iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) are most common cause of preventable brain damage, mental retardation and stunted growth in children worldwide. Several indicators are complementary to urinary iodine concentration (UIC) for assessing iodine nutritional status, as thyroid size, thyroglobulin (Tg) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations in the blood. Objective: analyze TSH in filter paper blood values and correlate with UIC in schoolchildren from public school at state of Bahia, Brazil. Methodology: cross-sectional study was conducted in 880 schoolchildren aged 6-14 years, randomly selected, of public schools in five cities of four micro-regions of Bahia between October 2013 and September 2014. TSH was analyzed in filter-paper blood and UIC were measured by adapted Sandell-Kolthoff reaction. Results: 880 blood samples on filter-paper were analyzed for TSH. The reference range previously established is 0.72 to 6.0 μUI/mL. Results of this research TSH dosage ranged from 0.24 μIU/L to 7.71 μIU/L, with a mean of 1.01±0.55 μUI/L and median 0.89 μUI/L. Only one child presented TSH greater than 6.0 (7.71 μIU/L); however, results of urinary iodine were consistent with a more than adequate nutrition iodine (243.70μg/L). There’ no correlation between TSH and UIC (r= 0.115; p= 0.002). Conclusion:  in the present study, schoolchildren showed low values of TSH, but the mean UIC was indicative of adequate iodine nutrition.
Holocene Paleointensity of the Island of Hawai `i From Glassy Volcanics
Authors: Cromwell G. , Trusdell F. , Tauxe L. , Staudigel H. , Ron H.
Published: September 2017

This study presents new high‐quality paleointensity records and 14C radiocarbon age determinations from the Island of Hawai `i during the Holocene. Previous studies on Hawai `i use experimental methods and statistical selection criteria that may produce inaccurate geomagnetic field strength estimates. Additional high‐quality paleointensity results can be used to evaluate the existing Hawaiian data set and investigate Holocene geomagnetic field behavior. New paleointensity sites from 22 lava flows were calculated using the IZZI‐Thellier laboratory technique and a strict set of selection criteria. Rapidly cooled, glassy volcanic material was collected for all sites. Isotopic age determinations range from 270 to >10, 000 years before present (nine new 14C ages are also presented as part of this study). The median intensity for the 22 flows is 47.5 μT, with a median absolute deviation uncertainty of 5.6 μT; substantially greater than the present‐day field strength at Hawai `i (~36 μT). These new results are comparable to previously published data from this location and are consistent with global paleointensity models. There is no evidence of an intensity “spike” at 3,000 years before present, as seen in the Levant and elsewhere. Previously published data vary in intensity by experimental technique relative to data using glassy material and strict selection criteria. Non‐Thellier‐type data are biased low, a result of these techniques estimating intensity from possibly nonsingle domain magnetic carriers. Thellier‐Thellier data are biased high, the reasons for which remain unclear as no cooling rate effect was demonstrated, and we were unable to reproduce the high bias with different selection criteria.
Paleoproterozoic Geomagnetic Field Strength From the Avanavero Mafic Sills, Amazonian Craton, Brazil
Authors: Di Chiara A. , Muxworthy A. R. , Trindade R. I. F. , Bispo‐Santos F.
Published: September 2017

A recent hypothesis has suggested that Earth's inner core nucleated during the Mesoproterozoic, as evidenced by a rapid increase in the paleointensity (ancient geomagnetic field intensity) record; however, paleointensity data during the Paleoproterozoic and Mesoproterozoic period are limited. To address this problem, we have determined paleointensity from samples from three Paleoproterozoic Avanavero mafic sills (Amazonian Craton, Brazil): Cotingo, 1,782 Ma, Puiuà, 1,788 Ma, and Pedra Preta, 1,795 Ma. We adopted a multiprotocol approach for paleointensity estimates combining Thellier‐type IZZI and LTD‐IZZI methods, and the nonheating Preisach protocol. We obtained an average VDM value of 1.3 ± 0.7 × 1022Am2 (Cotingo) of 2.0 ± 0.4 × 1022Am2 (Puiuà) and 6 ± 4 × 1022Am2 (Pedra Preta); it is argued that the Cotingo estimate is the most robust. Our results are the first data from the upper Paleoproterozoic for South America and are comparable to data available from other regions and similar periods. The new data do not invalidate the hypothesis of that Earth's inner core nucleated during the Mesoproterozoic.
How Important Is Connectivity for Surface Water Fluxes? A Generalized Expression for Flow Through Heterogeneous Landscapes
Authors: Larsen Laurel G. , Ma Jie , Kaplan David
Published: September 2017

How important is hydrologic connectivity for surface water fluxes through heterogeneous floodplains, deltas, and wetlands? While significant for management, this question remains poorly addressed. Here we adopt spatial resistance averaging, based on channel and patch configuration metrics quantifiable from aerial imagery, to produce an upscaled rate law for discharge. Our model suggests that patch coverage largely controls discharge sensitivity, with smaller effects from channel connectivity and vegetation patch fractal dimension. However, connectivity and patch configuration become increasingly important near the percolation threshold and at low water levels. These effects can establish positive feedbacks responsible for substantial flow change in evolving landscapes (14–36%, in our Everglades case study). Connectivity also interacts with other drivers; flow through poorly connected hydroscapes is less resilient to perturbations in other drivers. Finally, we found that flow through heterogeneous patches is alone sufficient to produce non‐Manning flow–depth relationships commonly observed in wetlands but previously attributed to depth‐varying roughness.
Seasonal Variation of High‐Latitude Geomagnetic Activity in Individual Years
Authors: Tanskanen E. I. , Hynönen R. , Mursula K.
Published: September 2017

We study the seasonal variation of high‐latitude geomagnetic activity in individual years in 1966–2014 (solar cycles 20–24) by identifying the most active and the second most active season based on westward electrojet indices AL (1966–2014) and IL (1995–2014). The annual maximum is found at either equinox in two thirds and at either solstice in one third of the years examined. The traditional two‐equinox maximum pattern is found in roughly one fourth of the years. We found that the seasonal variation of high‐latitude geomagnetic activity closely follows the solar wind speed. While the mechanisms leading to the two‐equinox maxima pattern are in operation, the long‐term change of solar wind speed tends to mask the effect of these mechanisms for individual years. Large cycle‐to‐cycle variation is found in the seasonal pattern: equinox maxima are more common during cycles 21 and 22 than in cycles 23 or 24. Exceptionally long winter dominance in high‐latitude activity and solar wind speed is seen in the declining phase of cycle 23, after the appearance of the long‐lasting low‐latitude coronal hole.
Estimates of Ionospheric Transport and Ion Loss at Mars
Authors: Cravens T. E. , Hamil O. , Houston S. , Bougher S. , Ma Y. , Brain D. , Ledvina S.
Published: September 2017

Ion loss from the topside ionosphere of Mars associated with the solar wind interaction makes an important contribution to the loss of volatiles from this planet. Data from NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution mission combined with theoretical modeling are now helping us to understand the processes involved in the ion loss process. Given the complexity of the solar wind interaction, motivation exists for considering a simple approach to this problem and for understanding how the loss rates might scale with solar wind conditions and solar extreme ultraviolet irradiance. This paper reviews the processes involved in the ionospheric dynamics. Simple analytical and semiempirical expressions for ion flow speeds and ion loss are derived. In agreement with more sophisticated models and with purely empirical studies, it is found that the oxygen loss rate from ion transport is about 5% (i.e., global O ion loss rate of Qion ≈ 4 × 1024 s−1) of the total oxygen loss rate. The ion loss is found to approximately scale as the square root of the solar ionizing photon flux and also as the square root of the solar wind dynamic pressure. Typical ion flow speeds are found to be about 1 km/s in the topside ionosphere near an altitude of 300 km on the dayside. Not surprisingly, the plasma flow speed is found to increase with altitude due to the decreasing ion‐neutral collision frequency.
Droplet‐Templated Antisolvent Spherical Crystallization of Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Drugs with an in situ Formed Binder
Authors: Gu Tonghan , Yeap Eunice W. Q. , Cao Zheng , Ng Denise Z. L. , Ren Yinying , Chen Ran , Khan Saif A. , Hatton T. Alan
Published: September 2017

This study presents a novel droplet‐templated antisolvent spherical crystallization method applicable to both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. In both cases, an alginate hydrogel binder forms in situ, concurrently with the crystallization process, effectively binding the drug crystals into monodisperse spheres. This study presents a detailed process description with mass transfer modeling, and with characterization of the obtained alginate/drug spheres in terms of morphology, composition, and drug loading. Although glycine and carbamazepine are used as model hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs, this method is easily generalized to other drugs, and offers several benefits such as minimal thermal impact, fast crystallization rates, high drug–binder loading ratios, and high selectivity toward metastable polymorphs.
A Nanoporous Cytochrome c Film with Highly Ordered Porous Structure for Sensing of Toxic Vapors
Authors: Lawrence Geoffrey , Kalimuthu Palraj , Benzigar Mercy , Shelat Kinnari J. , Lakhi Kripal S. , Park Dae‐Hwan , Ji Qingmin , Ariga Katsuhiko , Bernhardt Paul V. , Vinu Ajayan
Published: September 2017

Creating well‐ordered nanoporosity in biomolecules promises stability and activity, offering access to an even wider range of application possibilities. Here, the preparation of nanoporous protein films containing cytochrome c protein molecules is reported through a soft‐templating strategy using polystyrene (PS) spheres of different sizes as templates. The stability of the cytochrome c film is demonstrated through electrochemistry studies to show a reusable nature of these films over a long period of time. The size of the PS spheres is varied to tune the pore diameter and the thickness of the cytochrome c films, which are quite stable and highly selective for sensing toxic acidic vapors. The fusion of the templating strategy and the self‐assembly of biomolecules may offer various possibilities by generating a new series of porous biomolecules including enzymes with different molecular weights and diameters, peptides, antibodies, and DNA with interesting catalytic, adsorption, sensing, and electronic properties.
Direct Observation of Halide Migration and its Effect on the Photoluminescence of Methylammonium Lead Bromide Perovskite Single Crystals
Authors: Luo Yanqi , Khoram Parisa , Brittman Sarah , Zhu Zhuoying , Lai Barry , Ong Shyue Ping , Garnett Erik C. , Fenning David P.
Published: September 2017

Optoelectronic devices based on hybrid perovskites have demonstrated outstanding performance within a few years of intense study. However, commercialization of these devices requires barriers to their development to be overcome, such as their chemical instability under operating conditions. To investigate this instability and its consequences, the electric field applied to single crystals of methylammonium lead bromide (CH3NH3PbBr3) is varied, and changes are mapped in both their elemental composition and photoluminescence. Synchrotron‐based nanoprobe X‐ray fluorescence (nano‐XRF) with 250 nm resolution reveals quasi‐reversible field‐assisted halide migration, with corresponding changes in photoluminescence. It is observed that higher local bromide concentration is correlated to superior optoelectronic performance in CH3NH3PbBr3. A lower limit on the electromigration rate is calculated from these experiments and the motion is interpreted as vacancy‐mediated migration based on nudged elastic band density functional theory (DFT) simulations. The XRF mapping data provide direct evidence of field‐assisted ionic migration in a model hybrid‐perovskite thin single crystal, while the link with photoluminescence proves that the halide stoichiometry plays a key role in the optoelectronic properties of the perovskite.
Accurate Quantification of Si/SiGe Interface Profiles via Atom Probe Tomography
Authors: Dyck Ondrej , Leonard Donovan N. , Edge Lisa F. , Jackson Clayton A. , Pritchett Emily J. , Deelman Peter W. , Poplawsky Jonathan D.
Published: September 2017

Pulsed laser atom probe tomography (APT) has enabled the investigation of semiconducting materials at sub‐nm length scales and 10 ppm chemical sensitivity. This has enabled APT to be the best technique for nanoscale detection of dopant distributions and low levels of chemical segregation at interfaces, which are both important for semiconductor processing; however, the accuracy of measured interfacial profiles is typically compromised by aberrations. Interfacial profiles in APT data will vary with respect to different interfacial combinations, especially when the evaporation field between two materials is drastically different. Here, the ability of APT to measure SiGe/Si/SiGe interfacial profiles is tested with an 8 nm Si well embedded in SiGe. The APT measurements are compared to those measured using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) to evaluate reconstruction and post‐reconstruction processing methods to appropriately measure interfacial profiles using APT. Without post‐APT reconstruction processing, the measured Si/SiGe interfacial widths between APT and STEM match poorly, but after applying the z‐redistribution algorithm, the interfacial profiles are in good agreement. These results indicate that APT can be used to accurately identify SiGe/Si/SiGe interfacial profiles after application of the z‐redistribution algorithm, which will greatly impact the synergy between growth and characterization of semiconductor devices using Si/SiGe interfaces.
Active Acoustic Surfaces Enable the Propulsion of a Wireless Robot
Authors: Qiu Tian , Palagi Stefano , Mark Andrew G. , Melde Kai , Adams Fabian , Fischer Peer
Published: September 2017

A major challenge that prevents the miniaturization of mechanically actuated systems is the lack of suitable methods that permit the efficient transfer of power to small scales. Acoustic energy holds great potential, as it is wireless, penetrates deep into biological tissues, and the mechanical vibrations can be directly converted into directional forces. Recently, active acoustic surfaces are developed that consist of 2D arrays of microcavities holding microbubbles that can be excited with an external acoustic field. At resonance, the surfaces give rise to acoustic streaming and thus provide a highly directional propulsive force. Here, this study advances these wireless surface actuators by studying their force output as the size of the bubble‐array is increased. In particular, a general method is reported to dramatically improve the propulsive force, demonstrating that the surface actuators are actually able to propel centimeter‐scale devices. To prove the flexibility of the functional surfaces as wireless ready‐to‐attach actuator, a mobile mini‐robot capable of propulsion in water along multiple directions is presented. This work paves the way toward effectively exploiting acoustic surfaces as a novel wireless actuation scheme at small scales.
Reconfigurable Metasurface for Multifunctional Control of Electromagnetic Waves
Authors: Huang Cheng , Zhang Changlei , Yang Jianing , Sun Bo , Zhao Bo , Luo Xiangang
Published: September 2017

Metasurfaces provide a novel strategy to manipulate electromagnetic (EM) waves by controlling the local phase of subwavelength artificial structures within the wavelength scale. So far, many exciting devices have been developed and most of them are based on passive metasurface, which can only perform a specific functionality. It is still very challenging to simultaneously achieve multiple EM functionalities and real‐time reconfigurability in one design. This study reports a reconfigurable metasurface for multifunctional control of EM waves. By controlling tunable elements, the proposed metasurface can dynamically change its local phase distribution to generate predetermined EM responses. Here, the metasurface can generate beam‐splitting performance that can be used to reduce backward scattering waves, and its scattering reduction frequency is tunable. In addition, such metasurface can also achieve dynamical beam deflection and polarization transformation through reconfigurable design of the phase distribution. The above EM functionalities have been experimentally demonstrated at microwave frequencies, which can be switched in real time by a computer‐controlled voltage source. This study paves the way toward the realization of multifunctional metadevices with real‐time and programmable control, showing great potential in applications of smart materials and devices for EM‐wave manipulation.
A Tandem Ring Opening/Closure Reaction in A BF3‐Mediated Rearrangement of Spirooxindoles
Authors: Guo Xuliang , Xing Qingyu , Lei Kunhua , Zhang‐Negrerie Daisy , Du Yunfei , Zhao Kang
Published: September 2017

Treatment of the readily accessible spiro‐cyclohexadienones from the PhI(OCOCF3)2‐mediated spiro‐cyclization of N‐substituted benzanilides, with BF3⋅Et2O initiates a tandem ring opening/closure reaction leading to the formation of the biologically interesting 8‐hydroxy‐phenanthridin‐6(5H)‐one compounds. This unique rearrangement pattern involves the ‘migration’ of the electron‐deficient N‐methyl carbamoyl moiety rather than the electron‐rich aryl group as observed and reported previously in all other similar transformations.

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Mixing processes in the cavity transfer mixer: A thorough study
Authors: Grosso Giovanna , Hulsen Martien A. , Sarhangi Fard Arash , Overend Andrew , Anderson Patrick D.
Published: September 2017

In many industrial applications, the quality of mixing between different materials is fundamental to guarantee the desired properties of products. However, properly modeling and understanding polymer mixing presents noticeable difficulties, because of the variety and complexity of the phenomena involved. This is also the case with the Cavity Transfer Mixer (CTM), an add‐on to be mounted downstream of existing extruders, to improve distributive mixing. The present work proposes a fully three‐dimensional model of the CTM: a finite element solver provides the transient velocity field, which is used in the mapping method implementation to compute the concentration field evolution and quantify mixing. Several simulations are run assessing the impact on mixing of geometrical and functioning parameters. In general, the number of cavities per row should be limited and the cavity size rather big to guarantee good mixing quality. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 1034–1048, 2018
Residual disease detection using targeted parallel sequencing predicts relapse in cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Gaksch Lukas , Kashofer Karl , Heitzer Ellen , Quehenberger Franz , Daga Shruti , Hofer Sybille , Halbwedl Iris , Graf Ricarda , Krisper Nina , Hoefler Gerald , Zebisch Armin , Sill Heinz , Wölfler Albert
Published: September 2017

Despite achieving complete remission after intensive therapy, most patients with cytogenetically normal (CN) AML relapse due to the persistence of submicroscopic residual disease. In this pilot study, we hypothesized that detection of leukemia‐specific mutations following consolidation treatment using a targeted parallel sequencing approach predicts relapse. We included 34 AML patients of whom diagnostic material and remission bone marrow slides after at least one cycle of consolidation were available. Isolated DNA was screened for mutations in 19 genes using an Ion Torrent sequencing platform. Furthermore, the variant allelic frequency of distinct mutations was validated by digital PCR and sequencing using a barcoding approach. Twenty‐seven out of 34 patients could be analyzed for mutation clearance. We identified 68 somatic mutations at diagnosis (median, 3 mutations per patient; range 1‐5) and 22 of these were still detected in 16 patients after consolidation therapy with a reliable sensitivity of 0.5% (median, 1 mutation; range 0‐3). The most frequent noncleared mutations were found in DNMT3A. However, as persistence of these mutations has recently been shown to be without any impact on relapse risk, we performed survival and relapse risk analysis excluding DNMT3A mutations. Importantly, persistence of non‐DNMT3A mutations was associated with a higher risk of AML relapse (7/8 pts versus 6/19 pts; P = .013) and with a shorter relapse‐free survival (333 days vs. not reached; log‐rank P = .0219). Detection of residual disease by routine targeted parallel sequencing proved feasible and effective as persistence of somatic mutations other than DNMT3A were prognostic for relapse in CN AML.
Changing the Mechanism for CO2 Hydrogenation Using Solvent‐Dependent Thermodynamics
Authors: Burgess Samantha A. , Appel Aaron M. , Linehan John C. , Wiedner Eric S.
Published: September 2017

A critical scientific challenge for utilization of CO2 is the development of catalyst systems that function in water and use inexpensive and environmentally friendly reagents. We have used thermodynamic insights to predict and demonstrate that the HCoI(dmpe)2 catalyst system, previously described for use in organic solvents, can hydrogenate CO2 to formate in water with bicarbonate as the only added reagent. Replacing tetrahydrofuran as the solvent with water changes the mechanism for catalysis by altering the thermodynamics for hydride transfer to CO2 from a key dihydride intermediate. The need for a strong organic base was eliminated by performing catalysis in water owing to the change in mechanism. These studies demonstrate that the solvent plays a pivotal role in determining the reaction thermodynamics and thereby catalytic mechanism and activity.