bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
REGIME-SWITCHING PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH AND BAYESIAN LEARNING IN REAL BUSINESS CYCLES
Authors: Alpanda Sami
Published: May 2019

Growth in total factor productivity (TFP) in the USA has slowed down significantly since the mid-2000s, reminiscent of the productivity slowdown of the 1970s. This paper investigates the implications of a productivity slowdown on macroeconomic variables using a standard real business cycle (RBC) model, extended with regime-switching in trend productivity growth and Bayesian learning regarding the growth regime. I estimate the Markov-switching parameters using US data and maximum-likelihood methods, and compute the model solution using global projection methods. Simulations reveal that, while adding a regime-switching component to the standard RBC setup increases the volatility in the system, further incorporating incomplete information and learning significantly dampens this effect. The dampening is mainly due to the responses of investment and labor in response to a switch in the trend component of TFP growth, which are weaker in the incomplete information case as agents mistakenly place some probability that the observed decline in TFP growth is due to the transient component and not due to a regime switch. The model offers an objective way to infer slowdowns in trend productivity, and suggests that macroeconomic aggregates in the USA are currently close to their potential levels given observed productivity, while counterfactual simulations indicate that the cost of the productivity slowdown to US welfare has been significant.
Cooking Matters Mobile Application: a meal planning and preparation tool for low-income parents
Authors: Garvin Teresa M , Chiappone Alethea , Boyd Lisa , Stern Katie , Panichelli Jill , Edwards Hall Leigh Ann , Yaroch Amy L
Published: May 2019

Objective:

To describe low-income parents’ and caregivers’ perceptions of the Cooking Matters Mobile Application (CM App) meal planning and preparation features.

Design:

Explanatory mixed-methods design where data were gathered via online surveys based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour and the Theory of Reasoned Action, followed by telephone interviews.

Setting:

CM App, a mobile phone-based resource geared towards low-income parents and caregivers of young children (pregnancy/infant to age 5 years) for meal planning and preparation, with features based on skills taught in the Cooking Matters course: recipes, shopping list and meal planning.

Participants:

Low-income parents and caregivers (survey participants, n 461; interview participants, n 20) who had downloaded the CM App to their smartphone and agreed to participate in the current evaluation.

Results:

Attitudes and self-efficacy related to CM App’s subject matter and functions (meal planning; recipe use; creating and using a shopping list) were measured via surveys and interviews. Mean (sd) responses were positive towards ‘meal planning’ and ‘shopping and cooking’ (4·17 (0·63) and 3·49 (0·86) on a 5-point Likert scale, respectively). Interviewees described meal planning and preparation behaviours as intrinsic, based on habit, and influenced by family preference and food costs. Early adopters of the CM App may already be engaged in and/or are motivated to engage in the targeted health behaviours.

Conclusions:

Users may benefit most from incorporating into their routines new ways to prepare easy, cost-efficient, healthy meals at home that their families will enjoy.
Ion Beam Induced Artifacts in Lead-Based Chalcogenides
Authors: Zhang Xiaomi , Hao Shiqiang , Tan Gangjian , Hu Xiaobing , Roth Eric W. , Kanatzidis Mercouri G. , Wolverton Chris , Dravid Vinayak P.
Published: May 2019

Metal chalcogenides have attracted great attention because of their broad applications. It has been well acknowledged that microstructure can alter the intrinsic properties and performance of metal chalcogenides. The structure–property–performance relationships can be investigated at atomic scale with scanning transmission and transmission electron microscopy (STEM and TEM). Nevertheless, careful specimen preparation is paramount for accurate analyses and interpretations. In this work, we compare the effects of a variety of well-established TEM specimen preparation methods on the observed microstructure of an ingot stoichiometric lead telluride (PbTe). Most importantly, from aberration corrected STEM and first principles calculations, we discovered that argon (Ar) ion milling can lead to surface irradiation damage in the form of Pb vacancy clusters and self-interstitial atom (SIA) clusters. The SIA clusters appear as orthogonal nanoscale features when characterized along the <001> crystal orientation of the rock salt structured PbTe. This obfuscates the interpretation of the intrinsic microstructure of metal chalcogenides, especially lead chalcogenides. We demonstrate that with sufficiently low energy (300 eV) Ar ion cleaning or appropriate high-temperature annealing, the surface damage layer can be properly cleaned and the orthogonal nanoscale features are significantly reduced. This reveals the materials’ intrinsic structure and can be used as the standard protocol for future TEM specimen preparation of lead-based chalcogenide materials.
Acomprehensive computer database for medical physics on-call program
Authors: Mohamed Mohamed , Chow James C. L.
Published: May 2019

Purpose: A comprehensive and robust computer database was built to record and analyse the medical physics on-call data in emergency radiotherapy. The probability distributions of the on-call events varying with day and week were studied.

Materials and methods: Variables of medical physics on-call events such as date and time of the event, number of event per day/week/month, treatment site of the event and identity of the on-call physicist were input to a programmed Excel file. The Excel file was linked to the MATLAB platform for data transfer and analysis. The total number of on-call events per day in a week and per month in a year were calculated based on the physics on-call data in 2010–18. In addition, probability distributions of on-call events varying with days in a week (Monday–Sunday) and months (January–December) in a year were determined.

Results: For the total number of medical physics on-call events per week in 2010–18, it was found that the number was similar from Sundays to Thursdays but increased significantly on Fridays before the weekend. The total number of events in a year showed that the physics on-call events increased gradually from January up to March, then decreased in April and slowly increased until another peak in September. The number of events decreased in October from September, and increased again to reach another peak in December. It should be noted that March, September and December are months close to Easter, Labour Day and Christmas, when radiation staff usually take long holidays.

Conclusions: A database to record and analyse the medical physics on-call data was created. Different variables such as the number of events per week and per year could be plotted. This roster could consider the statistical results to prepare a schedule with better balance of workload compared with scheduling it randomly. Moreover, the emergency radiotherapy team could use the analysed results to enhance their budget/resource allocation and strategic planning.
The association of pain and stiffness with fatigue in incident polymyalgia rheumatica: baseline results from the polymyalgia rheumatica cohort study
Authors: Prior J.A. , Muller S. , Helliwell T. , Hider S.L. , Barraclough K. , Dasgupta B. , Mallen C.D.
Published: May 2019

We aimed to examine the association between pain, stiffness and fatigue in newly diagnosed polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) patients using baseline data from a prospective cohort study. Fatigue is a known, but often ignored symptom of PMR. Newly diagnosed PMR patients were recruited from general practice and mailed a baseline questionnaire. This included a numerical rating scale for pain and stiffness severity, manikins identifying locations of pain and stiffness and the FACIT-Fatigue questionnaire. A total of 652 PMR patients responded (88.5%). The mean age of responders was 72.6 years (SD 9.0) and the majority were female (62.0%). Manikin data demonstrated that bilateral shoulder and hip pain and stiffness were common. The mean fatigue score (FACIT) was 33.9 (SD 12.4). Adjusted regression analysis demonstrated that a higher number of pain sites (23–44 sites) and higher pain and stiffness severity were associated with greater levels of fatigue. In newly diagnosed PMR patients, fatigue was associated with PMR symptom severity.
“Disguised beyond any possibility of recognition”: The Seaside and the Subversion of Social Norms at Coney Island
Authors: Davey Frances
Published: May 2019

This essay directs attention to the original attraction of those amusements outside the city proper: natural landscapes at the edge of cities in which popular amusements were constructed. Here, the heart of subversive possibility was located where the immutable, uncontrollable natural elements interacted with constructed ones. In the case of Coney Island and similar coastal landscapes, this meant the seashore. The beach broke down manufactured limitations, exposing all beachgoers—particularly women—as the same under the sun. I examine the impact that Coney's seashore had on defining class-bound womanhood. I argue that within the island's liminal confines, the beach's natural elements exposed the fallacy that well-off women were naturally cleaner, both physically and morally, than not just men, but also working-class women. Nature trumped the manufactured to sully both the bodies and, metaphorically, the respectability of the women who flocked to Coney. The farther that women ventured toward the ocean, the more the seascape nullified their differences and democratized its allegedly hygienic visitors. This concept normalized in the early twentieth century as city borderlands, primarily the seashore and mountains, introduced possibilities for more porous gender and class identities in urban areas.
Developmental biology and host range ofParapoynx fluctuosalisandP. diminutalisricefield caseworms
Authors: Litsinger James A. , Chantaraprapha Narong
Published: May 2019

The host plant range of two ricefield caseworms,Parapoynx fluctuosalis(Zeller) andP. diminutalisSnellen (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), was determined from screening rice and 61 weeds in the Philippines. Both species developed best on the aquatic weedHydrilla verticillata(L.f.) Royle (Hydrocharitaceae).Parapoynx fluctuosalisalso completed a full generation from egg to egg onCyperus brevifolius(Rottb.) Hassk. (Cyperaceae),Commelina diffusaBurm. f. (Commelinaceae),Leptochloa chinensis(L.) Nees, andPaspalum conjugatumBerg (Poaceae).Parapoynx diminutaliscompleted a generation onChara vulgarisL. (Characeae),Ottelia alismoides(L.) Vahl andBlyxa aubertiRich. (Hydrocharitaceae), andCyperus rotundusL. (Cyperaceae).
Inheritance of resistance in grain sorghum to Chilo partellus (Swinhoe)
Authors: Wenzel W. G. , Berg J. Van Den
Published: May 2019

The inheritance of resistance in grain sorghum to the spotted stemborer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) was studied in F3 plants derived from crosses between nine locally adapted inbred lines and two sources of resistance. Antibiosis resistance was measured as the relative growth rate of larvae in the whorls of 6-week-old plants. Most F3 plants were either as resistant as, or more resistant than, the resistant parent. This indicated dominance of resistance over susceptibility and the occurrence of transgressive segregation. The segregation pattern in the F3 generation suggested the presence of at least four dominant genes. Two families homozygous for these genes were identified.
Utilisation of farmers' practices and perceptions in the formulation of pest management strategies for cowpea production in southern Sierra Leone
Authors: Alghali A. M. , Pratt D. E.
Published: May 2019

Survey questionnaires were administered to 50 farmers in three chiefdoms in the Moyamba District of southern Sierra Leone. The study was undertaken to gain insight into the indigenous farming practices for cowpea with emphasis on pest management. This is to serve as a guide in drawing up a research agenda and identifying appropriate measures for the control of cowpea pests. Farm sizes were generally small, usually less than 2 ha of intercropped cowpea. This suggests that the farmers were mostly subsistent and would require low cost inputs to boost production. Vertebrate and insect pests were identified by the farmers as limiting cowpea grain production. Insect pests were considered more serious than vertebrates. Pest control was mostly traditional and involved cultural measures such as weeding of plots, fencing, trapping and scaring of birds. These may be inefficient and labour intensive. Varieties planted by the farmers were mostly land races that have low yield potential and lack some other desirable agronomic character like semi-erectness and bold seeds. Selection criteria in breeding programmes should incorporate farmers' preferences which include high yields, sweet taste, resistance to pests and diseases, compatibility with the farming systems and acceptable seed appearance that would enhance marketing. The study further revealed that at present cowpea is grown mostly as a secondary crop. Therefore, introduced pest control efforts would have to be cheap, easy to adopt and integrative. These would include:

(a) education on control options hitherto unknown to the farmers;

(b) identifying and developing effective strategies that are low cost, labour insensitive, environmentally friendly and compatible with the socioculturel background of the farming community; and

(c) creating awareness on the necessity for the inputs to be readily available and affordable at the local government level.
Effects of Co-worker and Supervisor Support on Nurses’ Energy and Motivation through Role Ambiguity and Psychological Flexibility
Authors: Blanco-Donoso Luis Manuel , Moreno-Jiménez Bernardo , Pereira Gladis , Garrosa Eva
Published: May 2019

One of the job resources most strongly associated with nurses’ well-being and motivation is social support. However, the psychosocial mechanisms that would explain this relationship have not been sufficiently researched. Thus, the main aim of this study was analyze whether this relationship could be mediated by two variables: role ambiguity and psychological flexibility. A total of 196 nurses from various Spanish hospitals and primary health care centers participated in this cross-sectional study. A multiple mediation analysis was run using the “PROCESS” macro script in SPSS 23.0. The results showed that co-worker support was related to higher levels of vigor and vitality through role ambiguity (Estimate = .158, 95% CI [.050, .298], and Estimate = .212, 95% CI [.076, .390], respectively). The same applied to supervisor support, (Estimate = .197, 95% CI [.059, .378], and Estimate = .212, 95% CI [.076, .390], respectively). Co-worker support was also related to higher levels of vigor and vitality through psychological flexibility, (Estimate = .132, 95% CI [.048, .271], and Estimate = .216, 95% CI [.086, .394], respectively). The same applied to supervisor support (Estimate = .092, 95% CI [.024, .208], and Estimate = .157, 95% CI [.035, .333], respectively). However, in the relationships between co-worker, supervisor support and exhaustion, only psychological flexibility played a mediating role. In conclusion, social support in nursing is a job resource that is associated with high levels of energy and motivation among nurses through the mediating role of certain job demands and personal resources.
The effect of cotton growth stage on response to a sublethal concentration of 2,4-D
Authors: Buol John T. , Reynolds Daniel B. , Dodds Darrin M. , Mills J. Anthony , Nichols Robert L. , Bond Jason A. , Jenkins Johnie N. , DuBien Janice L.
Published: May 2019

Recent commercialization of auxin herbicide–based weed control systems has led to increased off-target exposure of susceptible cotton cultivars to auxin herbicides. Off-target deposition of dilute concentrations of auxin herbicides can occur on cotton at any stage of growth. Field experiments were conducted at two locations in Mississippi from 2014 to 2016 to assess the response of cotton at various growth stages after exposure to a sublethal 2,4-D concentration of 8.3 g ae ha−1. Herbicide applications occurred weekly from 0 to 14 weeks after emergence (WAE). Cotton exposure to 2,4-D at 2 to 9 WAE resulted in up to 64% visible injury, whereas 2,4-D exposure 5 to 6 WAE resulted in machine-harvested yield reductions of 18% to 21%. Cotton maturity was delayed after exposure 2 to 10 WAE, and height was increased from exposure 6 to 9 WAE due to decreased fruit set after exposure. Total hand-harvested yield was reduced from 2,4-D exposure 3, 5 to 8, and 13 WAE. Growth stage at time of exposure influenced the distribution of yield by node and position. Yield on lower and inner fruiting sites generally decreased from exposure, and yield partitioned to vegetative or aborted positions and upper fruiting sites increased. Reductions in gin turnout, micronaire, fiber length, fiber-length uniformity, and fiber elongation were observed after exposure at certain growth stages, but the overall effects on fiber properties were small. These results indicate that cotton is most sensitive to low concentrations of 2,4-D during late vegetative and squaring growth stages.
Nitrogen application after plant growth regulator herbicide drift reduces soybean growth and yield
Authors: Van de Stroet Brian , Reicks Graig , Joshi Deepak , Subramanian Sen , Clay David , Clay Sharon A.
Published: May 2019

The success of dicamba-tolerant soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] has revived concerns about plant growth regulator (PGR) herbicide exposure to conventional soybean. In laboratory studies, soybean root nodulation is inhibited by excess auxin, which is the mechanism of action of PGR herbicides. Soybean exposed to PGRs in a field environment may have a similar response, and if nodulation is compromised, nitrogen (N) fixation may be reduced, with subsequent seed yield or protein content decreases. Many soybean–N studies report minimal impact to soybean yield. However, if soybeans show foliar PGR injury symptoms, could N application compensate for a potential nodulation inhibition response? This study examined the response of non–PGR tolerant soybean to N after exposure to low doses of 2,4-D and dicamba applied once (at soybean growth stages V1, V3, and early reproduction [R1 or R2]) or twice (V1 + V3 or V3 + R). N was either foliar or soil applied at early (∼5 d after PGR application) or late (10 d after PGR application) timings. Nodulation and plant growth were evaluated at R3, and grain yield and seed protein and oil content were quantified at maturity. Plant biomass and nodulation were reduced by 10% with some PGR treatments, and early foliar N application after PGR injury resulted in reduction up to 25%. N applications to non–PGR treated soybean did not increase yield. Soybean treated with PGR at V1 or V3, with or without N, had yields similar to control treatments. However, yield reductions of up to 20% were observed when PGRs were applied at V5 or R stages or when double PGR applications were followed by early foliar N application. Seed protein and oil content were not affected by PGR or N treatment.
Unfair Rules for Unequal Pay: Wage Discrimination and Procedural Justice
Authors: Bokemper Scott E. , Descioli Peter , Kline Reuben
Published: May 2019

Do people judge some forms of wage discrimination to be more unfair than others? We report an experiment in an online labor market in which participants were paid based on discriminatory rules. We test hypotheses about fairness based on procedural justice, divisiveness, and affective polarization between partisans. Workers transcribed text and then learned that they earned more or less money than other workers for doing the same job. We manipulated whether the unequal pay was based on their political party, eye color, or an arbitrary choice between two doors. Consistent with the divisiveness hypothesis, participants judged discriminatory pay to be less fair when it was based on a stable characteristic, political party, or eye color, compared to a transient choice (between doors). We find mixed evidence about how affective polarization exacerbates the unfairness of partisan discrimination. We discuss implications for the procedural justice of wage discrimination.
Dekubitusrisikoeinschätzung und präventive Maßnahmen bei Krankenhauspatientinnen und -patienten: Gehen-Sitzen-Liegen
Authors: Hödl Manuela , Voithofer Claudia
Published: May 2019

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: International wird empfohlen, den klinischen Blick in Kombination mit einem validierten Instrument zu nutzen und Maßnahmen daraus abzuleiten. Es konnten in der internationalen Literatur keine Studien identifiziert werden, die sich mit der Risikoeinschätzung und nachfolgenden präventiven Maßnahmen bei gehenden, sitzenden und liegenden Patientinnen und Patienten beschäftigen. Ziel der Arbeit: Es soll der Grad der Übereinstimmung zwischen der Bradenskala und dem klinischen Blick hinsichtlich des Dekubitusrisikos bei gehenden, sitzenden und liegenden Patientinnen und Patienten sowie nachfolgende präventive Maßnahmen identifiziert werden. Methode: Basierend auf der „Pflegequalitätserhebung im Jahr 2015“, einer multizentrischen Querschnittstudie, konnten Daten von 5274 Krankenhauspatientinnen und -patienten erhoben werden. Ergebnisse: Von allen gehenden, sitzenden oder liegenden Patientinnen und Patienten, die laut Bradenskala ein Risiko hatten, wurden 22,3 % (gehend), 61,7 % (sitzend) und 86,1 % (liegend) auch laut klinischem Blick als Risikopatientinnen und -patienten eingestuft. Bei mehr als 3 / 4 der sitzenden Patientinnen und Patienten, die laut klinischem Blick kein Risiko hatten, wurden präventive Maßnahmen gesetzt. Schlussfolgerung: Die Folgen über Zeit für Patientinnen und Patienten, die – auf Grund der sich unterscheidenden Einschätzungen – keine Maßnahmen erhalten, sollten zukünftig fokussiert werden. Des Weiteren ist eine Evaluation der Maßnahmen notwendig, die bei Patientinnen und Patienten ohne vorliegendes Risiko durchgeführt werden. Besondere Berücksichtigung sollte hierbei der Aspekt der Mobilität finden, da eine geringe Übereinstimmung der Risikoeinschätzungen bei sitzenden und gehenden Patientinnen und Patienten identifiziert werden konnte.
Leistung beschreiben, erklären, vorhersagen und optimieren
Authors: Lobinger Babett Helen , Stoll Oliver
Published: May 2019

Zusammenfassung. Im vorliegenden Artikel wird anlässlich des 50-jährigen Bestehens der asp der Beitrag der Sportpsychologie zum Verständnis von Leistung anhand von vier Leitfragen resümiert, die den Grundanliegen der Psychologie als Wissenschaftsdisziplin folgen: Wie zeigt sich Leistung im Sport und wie lässt sie sich aus psychologischer Perspektive beschreiben? Wie lässt sich das Zustandekommen von Leistung erklären? Was können wir über das Entstehen von Leistung vorhersagen? Wie können wir Leistung optimieren? Im Spannungsfeld von Sport und Leistung steht die menschliche Höchstleistung. Damit einher gehen die Betrachtung der Expertise der Sportlerinnen und Sportler und der Erwerb von Expertise im Sport. Die Talentförderung im Leistungssport wird folglich als inhaltlicher Schwerpunkt gewählt. Sie erlaubt es, die Verbindung zwischen Phänomenen des Leistungssports, Erkenntnisinteresse der Wissenschaft, Erklärungsansätzen, Forschungsergebnissen und Praxistransfer herzustellen. Der Praxistransfer wird anhand eines Überblicks über die praxisbezogenen Beiträge der Zeitschrift für Sportpsychologie und ihrer Vorgänger_innen beleuchtet. Fazit und Ausblick fassen die Ausführungen zusammen und erörtern zukünftige Aufgaben.
Noise Suppression Method for Magnetic Resonance Sounding Signals Based on Double Singular Value Decomposition
Authors: Tian Baofeng , Ren Hua , Yi Xiaofeng , Du Guanfeng , Jiang Chuandong
Published: May 2019

Magnetic resonance sounding (MRS) is a geophysical method that directly detects, evaluates, and monitors groundwater resource. The amplitude of the MRS signal detected by the instrument is on the order of nanovolts, resulting in very sensitive to environmental noise and power line harmonics. The singular value decomposition (SVD) method separates the signal from the noise based on the different component contributions to the singular values between the MRS signal and noise. In this paper, we propose a noise suppression method based on double SVD (DSVD) for the reliably extraction of an MRS signal with high‐level noise. The first SVD process is to extract the harmonics from the noise‐only data, in which the MRS signal is removed by a band‐stop filter. After subtracting the extracted harmonics from the measured data, we use the SVD algorithm a second time to obtain the MRS signal with further suppression of random noise. From the synthetic results with different signal‐to‐noise ratios, we conclude that the DSVD method improves the signal‐to‐noise ratio by more than 28 dB, and the fitting errors of the initial amplitude and relaxation time are ±2% and ±3%, respectively. Moreover, we analyze the selection criterion for the two key parameters of the algorithm, the delay step size, and the decomposition order. The processing of measured field data further validates the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. Finally, discussions with other denoising algorithms show that the DSVD algorithm has better performance in a variety of noise case.
Evaluation of an Online Grid‐Coarsening Algorithm in a Global Eddy‐Admitting Ocean Biogeochemical Model
Authors: Berthet Sarah , Séférian Roland , Bricaud Clément , Chevallier Matthieu , Voldoire Aurore , Ethé Christian
Published: May 2019

In order to explore the effects of mesoscale eddies on marine biogeochemistry over climate timescales, global ocean biogeochemical general circulation models (OBGCMs) need at least to be run at a horizontal resolution of a 0.25°, the minimal resolution admitting eddies. However, their use is currently limited because of a prohibitive computational cost and storage requirements. To overcome this problem, an online coarsening algorithm is evaluated in the oceanic component (NEMO‐GELATO‐PISCES) of CNRM‐ESM2‐1. This algorithm allows to compute biogeochemical processes at a coarse resolution (0.75°) while inheriting most of the dynamical characteristics of the eddy‐admitting OBGCM (0.25°). Through the coarse‐graining process, the effective resolution of the ocean dynamics seen by the biogeochemical model is higher than that which would be obtained from an OBGCM run at 0.75°. In this context, we assess how much the increase from low (1°) to coarse‐grained horizontal resolution impacts the ocean dynamics and the marine biogeochemistry over long‐term climate simulations. The online coarsening reduces the computational cost by 60% with respect to that of the eddy‐admitting OBGCM. In addition, it improves the representation of chlorophyll, nutrients, oxygen, and sea‐air carbon fluxes over more than half of the open ocean area compared to the 1° OBGCM. Most importantly, the coarse‐grained OBGCM captures the physical‐biogeochemical coupling between sea‐air carbon fluxes and sea surface height and between oxygen minimum zone boundaries and eddies, as produced by the eddy‐admitting OBGCM. Such a cost‐efficient coarsening algorithm offers a good trade‐off to conduct process‐based studies over centennial timescales at higher resolution.
The Relative Importance of Different Flood‐Generating Mechanisms Across Europe
Authors: Berghuijs Wouter R. , Harrigan Shaun , Molnar Peter , Slater Louise J. , Kirchner James W.
Published: May 2019

Inferring the mechanisms causing river flooding is key to understanding past, present, and future flood risk. However, a quantitative spatially distributed overview of the mechanisms that drive flooding across Europe is currently unavailable. In addition, studies that classify catchments according to their flood‐driving mechanisms often identify a single mechanism per location, although multiple mechanisms typically contribute to flood risk. We introduce a new method that uses seasonality statistics to estimate the relative importance of extreme precipitation, soil moisture excess, and snowmelt as flood drivers. Applying this method to a European data set of maximum annual flow dates in several thousand catchments reveals that from 1960 to 2010 relatively few annual floods were caused by annual rainfall peaks. Instead, most European floods were caused by snowmelt and by the concurrence of heavy precipitation with high antecedent soil moisture. For most catchments, the relative importance of these mechanisms has not substantially changed during the past five decades. Exposing the regional mechanisms underlying Europe's most costly natural hazard is a key first step in identifying the processes that require most attention in future flood research.
Simulating C‐Band SAR Footprint‐Scale Backscatter Over Agricultural Area With a Physical Land Surface Model
Authors: Sun Leqiang , Dabboor Mohammed , Belair Stephane , Carrera Marco L. , Merzouki Amine
Published: May 2019

Remotely sensed soil moisture products are ideal candidates for initializing soil moisture profiles of land surface models via data assimilation. This paper investigates the possibility of using a calibrated Integral Equation Model coupled with a hyperresolution land surface model, called Soil, Vegetation, and Snow (SVS) to simulate backscatter and compares the results with C‐band RADARSAT‐2 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) backscatter signals in postharvest season when the field is considered bare soil or sparsely vegetated. Modifications to SVS evaporation scheme are shown to improve the comparison against SAR measurements. An improved effective soil roughness calculation scheme was also proposed to focus on the inversion of the root mean square height (Hrms) only. Soil dielectric constant compensation was suggested to reduce the inversion error and expand the dynamic range of Integral Equation Model. The combination of SVS soil moisture and effective roughness is found superior to the absence of either of them. This method is promising considering that it does not require any in situ measurements, and yet it still outperforms the original IEM model, which uses in situ measured soil moisture and soil roughness at point scale.
Suppression of a broad spectrum of liver autoimmune pathologies by single peptide-MHC-based nanomedicines
Authors: Umeshappa Channakeshava Sokke , Singha Santiswarup , Blanco Jesus , Shao Kun , Nanjundappa Roopa Hebbandi , Yamanouchi Jun , Parés Albert , Serra Pau , Yang Yang , Santamaria Pere
Published: May 2019

Peptide-major histocompatibility complex class II (pMHCII)-based nanomedicines displaying tissue-specific autoantigenic epitopes can blunt specific autoimmune conditions by re-programming cognate antigen-experienced CD4+ T-cells into disease-suppressing T-regulatory type 1 (TR1) cells. Here, we show that single pMHCII-based nanomedicines displaying epitopes from mitochondrial, endoplasmic reticulum or cytoplasmic antigens associated with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) or autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) can broadly blunt PBC, AIH and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis in various murine models in an organ- rather than disease-specific manner, without suppressing general or local immunity against infection or metastatic tumors. Therapeutic activity is associated with cognate TR1 cell formation and expansion, TR1 cell recruitment to the liver and draining lymph nodes, local B-regulatory cell formation and profound suppression of the pro-inflammatory capacity of liver and liver-proximal myeloid dendritic cells and Kupffer cells. Thus, autoreactivity against liver-enriched autoantigens in liver autoimmunity is not disease-specific and can be harnessed to treat various liver autoimmune diseases broadly.
The mechanism of DNA unwinding by the eukaryotic replicative helicase
Authors: Burnham Daniel R. , Kose Hazal B. , Hoyle Rebecca B. , Yardimci Hasan
Published: May 2019

Accurate DNA replication is tightly regulated in eukaryotes to ensure genome stability during cell division and is performed by the multi-protein replisome. At the core an AAA+ hetero-hexameric complex, Mcm2-7, together with GINS and Cdc45 form the active replicative helicase Cdc45/Mcm2-7/GINS (CMG). It is not clear how this replicative ring helicase translocates on, and unwinds, DNA. We measure real-time dynamics of purified recombinantDrosophila melanogasterCMG unwinding DNA with single-molecule magnetic tweezers. Our data demonstrates that CMG exhibits a biased random walk, not the expected unidirectional motion. Through building a kinetic model we find CMG may enter up to three paused states rather than unwinding, and should these be prevented, in vivo fork rates would be recovered in vitro. We propose a mechanism in which CMG couples ATP hydrolysis to unwinding by acting as a lazy Brownian ratchet, thus providing quantitative understanding of the central process in eukaryotic DNA replication.
Critical fluctuations and slowing down of chaos
Authors: Das Moupriya , Green Jason R.
Published: May 2019

Fluids cooled to the liquid–vapor critical point develop system-spanning fluctuations in density that transform their visual appearance. Despite a rich phenomenology, however, there is not currently an explanation of the mechanical instability in the molecular motion at this critical point. Here, we couple techniques from nonlinear dynamics and statistical physics to analyze the emergence of this singular state. Numerical simulations and analytical models show how the ordering mechanisms of critical dynamics are measurable through the hierarchy of spatiotemporal Lyapunov vectors. A subset of unstable vectors soften near the critical point, with a marked suppression in their characteristic exponents that reflects a weakened sensitivity to initial conditions. Finite-time fluctuations in these exponents exhibit sharply peaked dynamical timescales and power law signatures of the critical dynamics. Collectively, these results are symptomatic of a critical slowing down of chaos that sits at the root of our statistical understanding of the liquid–vapor critical point.
Extremely stretchable and self-healing conductor based on thermoplastic elastomer for all-three-dimensional printed triboelectric nanogenerator
Authors: Parida Kaushik , Thangavel Gurunathan , Cai Guofa , Zhou Xinran , Park Sangbaek , Xiong Jiaqing , Lee Pooi See
Published: May 2019

Advances in next-generation soft electronic devices rely on the development of highly deformable, healable, and printable energy generators to power these electronics. Development of deformable or wearable energy generators that can simultaneously attain extreme stretchability with superior healability remains a daunting challenge. We address this issue by developing a highly conductive, extremely stretchable, and healable composite based on thermoplastic elastomer with liquid metal and silver flakes as the stretchable conductor for triboelectric nanogenerators. The elastomer is used both as the matrix for the conductor and as the triboelectric layer. The nanogenerator showed a stretchability of 2500% and it recovered its energy-harvesting performance after extreme mechanical damage, due to the supramolecular hydrogen bonding of the thermoplastic elastomer. The composite of the thermoplastic elastomer, liquid metal particles, and silver flakes exhibited an initial conductivity of 6250 S cm−1 and recovered 96.0% of its conductivity after healing.
Dissociating task acquisition from expression during learning reveals latent knowledge
Authors: Kuchibhotla Kishore V. , Hindmarsh Sten Tom , Papadoyannis Eleni S. , Elnozahy Sarah , Fogelson Kelly A. , Kumar Rupesh , Boubenec Yves , Holland Peter C. , Ostojic Srdjan , Froemke Robert C.
Published: May 2019

Performance on cognitive tasks during learning is used to measure knowledge, yet it remains controversial since such testing is susceptible to contextual factors. To what extent does performance during learning depend on the testing context, rather than underlying knowledge? We trained mice, rats and ferrets on a range of tasks to examine how testing context impacts the acquisition of knowledge versus its expression. We interleaved reinforced trials with probe trials in which we omitted reinforcement. Across tasks, each animal species performed remarkably better in probe trials during learning and inter-animal variability was strikingly reduced. Reinforcement feedback is thus critical for learning-related behavioral improvements but, paradoxically masks the expression of underlying knowledge. We capture these results with a network model in which learning occurs during reinforced trials while context modulates only the read-out parameters. Probing learning by omitting reinforcement thus uncovers latent knowledge and identifies context- not “smartness”- as the major source of individual variability.
Simple non-fused electron acceptors for efficient and stable organic solar cells
Authors: Yu Zhi-Peng , Liu Zhi-Xi , Chen Fang-Xiao , Qin Ran , Lau Tsz-Ki , Yin Jing-Lin , Kong Xueqian , Lu Xinhui , Shi Minmin , Li Chang-Zhi , Chen Hongzheng
Published: May 2019

The flexibility in structural design of organic semiconductors endows organic solar cells (OSCs) not only great function-tunabilities, but also high potential toward practical application. In this work, simple non-fused-ring electron acceptors are developed through two-step synthesis from single aromatic units for constructing efficient OSCs. With the assistance of non-covalent interactions, these rotatable non-fused acceptors (in solution) allow transiting into planar and stackable conformation in condensed solid, promoting acceptors not only feasible solution-processability, but also excellent film characteristics. As results, decent power conversion efficiencies of 10.27% and 13.97% can be achieved in single and tandem OSCs consisting of simple solution-cast blends, in which the fully unfused acceptors exhibit exceptionally low synthetic complexity index. In addition, the unfused acceptor and its based OSCs exhibit promising stabilities under continuous illumination. Overall, this work reveals valuable insights on the structural design of simple and effective electron acceptors with great practical perspectives.
Fumigation and contact activities of 18 plant essential oils on Villosiclava virens, the pathogenic fungus of rice false smut
Authors: Zheng Jingge , Liu Tingting , Guo Zhixin , Zhang Lan , Mao Liangang , Zhang Yanning , Jiang Hongyun
Published: May 2019

Rice false smut (RFS), caused by Villosiclava virens, is an emerging devastating disease of rice panicles worldwide and produces yield loss and mycotoxin residues in rice. In this study, 18 plant essential oils (PEOs) were selected to evaluate antifungal activity via fumigation and contact methods against the mycelial growth and conidial germination of V. virens. The primary compositions of PEOs with stronger fungistatic activity were analyzed using gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectrometry (MS), and the changes in the mycelial morphology were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Antifungal tests showed that cinnamon bark oil and cinnamon oil had stronger fumigation and contact effects on V. virens than the other oils tested. The primary active composition in both cinnamon bark oil and cinnamon oil was trans-cinnamaldehyde, which exhibited contact activities with EC50 values of 2.13 and 35.9 μg/mL against mycelial growth and conidial germination, respectively. The hyphae surface morphological alterations caused by cinnamon bark oil, cinnamon oil and trans-cinnamaldehyde included shriveling, vacuolation and exfoliation. In conclusion, cinnamon bark oil and cinnamon oil have the potential to prevent and control RFS, and trans-cinnamaldehyde is a promising natural lead compound for new fungicide discoveries to control RFS contamination and mycotoxin residues in rice.
Dynamics of archaeal community in soil with application of composted tannery sludge
Authors: Miranda Ana Roberta Lima , Mendes Lucas William , Lemos Leandro Nascimento , Antunes Jadson Emanuel Lopes , Amorim Marineide Rodrigues , Melo Vania Maria Maciel , de Melo Wanderley Jose , Van den Brink Paul J. , Araujo Ademir Sergio Ferreira
Published: May 2019

Application of composted tannery sludge (CTS) could promote a shift in the structure of soil microbial communities. Although the effect of CTS on bacterial community has been studied, it is unclear how the composition and diversity of archaeal community respond to CTS amendment and which environmental factors drive the community over time. Here, we hypothesize that the Archaea structure and composition respond to CTS amendment over the time. CTS had been previously applied annually along 6 years and this assessment occurred for 180 days following the application in the 7th year by using different rates (0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 ton ha−1). We used amplicon 16S rRNA sequencing to assess the changes in the structure of the archaeal community. Thaumarchaeota and Euryarchaeota were the most abundant phyla found in soils with application of CTS, with Thaumarchaeota dominating the sequences in all samples with relative abundances of >98%. We observed a decreasing trend on the archaeal diversity over the time with increasing CTS application rate, together with an increase in the community similarity. The redundancy analyses (RDA) explained 43% of the total variation in operational taxonomic units and identified Na, pH, Cr and P as the main drivers of the archaeal community over time after application of highest CTS rates. CTS application changes the structure of Archaea community, with significant increase of Thaumarchaeota and Aenigmarchaeota groups, which can be further explored for its biotechnological use in contaminated soils.
First in-situ observation of a moving natural pyroclastic density current using Doppler radar
Authors: Scharff Lea , Hort Matthias , Varley Nick R.
Published: May 2019

Pyroclastic density currents are one of the most devastating volcanic hazards. Understanding their dynamics is a key to develop successful hazard mitigation strategies. The hazard associated with pyroclastic density currents is commonly investigated a posteriori from their deposits or a priori using analogue and numerical experiments. Despite the low probability of observing a natural moving pyroclastic density current, we present the first in-situ analysis of the internal particle velocities of pyroclastic density currents at Volcán de Colima using a Doppler radar. Our data show two Vulcanian explosions, immediately followed by column collapse and a first pyroclastic density current travelling down the south flank with an average speed of 30 m/s (>50 m/s maximum speed) to a distance of 3 km from the crater rim. The direction of the pyroclastic density current coincided with that of the radar beam enabling measurement of velocity spectra (histogram of particle velocities within the radar beam). The measurement geometry enables the simultaneous measurement of the dense undercurrent at the crater rim (with <20 m/s and an increasing echo power over 20 s) and the dilute cloud higher above the topography approaching the radar (with >20 m/s and approximately constant echo power). The presented data set may be used as a benchmark for future experimental and numerical models that simulate the dynamics of pyroclastic density currents. Using the measured velocities of the collapsing column as input for numerical models will permit the validation of the models for the prediction of the true run-out distance, and thus provide valuable information for hazard assessments.
MicroRNA-126 regulates Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α which inhibited migration, proliferation, and angiogenesis in replicative endothelial senescence
Authors: Alique Matilde , Bodega Guillermo , Giannarelli Chiara , Carracedo Julia , Ramírez Rafael
Published: May 2019

Whereas a healthy endothelium maintains physiological vascular functions, endothelial damage contributes to the development of cardiovascular diseases. Endothelial senescence is the main determinant of endothelial dysfunction and thus of age-related cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study is to test the involvement of microRNA-126 and HIF-1α in a model of replicative endothelial senescence and the interrelationship between both molecules in this in vitro model. We demonstrated that senescent endothelial cells experience impaired tube formation and delayed wound healing. Senescent endothelial cells failed to express HIF-1α, and the microvesicles released by these cells failed to carry HIF-1α. Of note, HIF-1α protein levels were restored in HIF-1α stabilizer-treated senescent endothelial cells. Finally, we show that microRNA-126 was downregulated in senescent endothelial cells and microvesicles. With regard to the interplay between microRNA-126 and HIF-1α, transfection with a microRNA-126 inhibitor downregulated HIF-1α expression in early passage endothelial cells. Moreover, while HIF-1α inhibition reduced tube formation and wound healing closure, microRNA-126 levels remained unchanged. These data indicate that HIF-1α is a target of miRNA-126 in protective and reparative functions, and suggest that their therapeutic modulation could benefit age-related vascular disease.
Genome-wide association study of right-sided colonic diverticulosis in a Korean population
Authors: Choe Eun Kyung , Lee Jong-Eun , Chung Su Jin , Yang Sun Young , Kim Young Sun , Shin Eun-Soon , Choi Seung Ho , Bae Jung Ho
Published: May 2019

Diverticulosis results from complex interactions related to aging, environmental factors and genetic predisposition. Despite epidemiologic evidence of genetic risk factors, there has been no attempt to identify genes that confer susceptibility to colonic diverticulosis. We performed the first genome-wide association study (GWAS) on susceptibility to diverticulosis in a Korean population. A GWAS was carried out in 7,948 healthy individuals: 893 patients and 1,075 controls comprised the test set, and 346 patients and 305 controls comprised the replication set. Diverticulosis was diagnosed by colonoscopy during comprehensive medical check-ups, and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to diverticulosis were detected with the Affymetrix Axiom KORV1.1-96 Array. In all, 9 SNPs were identified in three SNP aggregates in the test set (P < 10−3, within 200 kb) after adjusting for sex. All the SNPs were replicated in the replication set (P < 0.05). Three SNPs were near the WNT4 gene, four near the RHOU gene, and two in the OAS1/3 genes. The top SNP associated with right-sided colonic diverticulosis was rs22538787, located near the WNT4 gene [combined set, P-value = 3.128 × 10−6, odds ratio = 1.415 (95% confidence interval: 1.223–1.637)]. These 9 novel SNP alleles associated with the WNT4, RHOU, and OAS1/3 genes are possibly involved in the underlying genetic susceptibility to right-sided diverticulosis. Our results provide basic knowledge about the development of diverticulosis in an Asian population.