bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Branching effect on the linear and nonlinear optical properties of styrylpyrimidines
Authors: Kournoutas Fotis , Fihey Arnaud , Malval Jean-Pierre , Spangenberg Arnaud , Fecková Michaela , le Poul Pascal , Katan Claudine , Robin-le Guen Françoise , Bureš Filip , Achelle Sylvain , Fakis Mihalis
Published: January 2020

The branching effect on the photophysical properties of styrylpyrimidines is studied experimentally and theoretically.
Correlation of the ratio of metallic to oxide species with activity of PdPt catalysts for methane oxidation
Authors: Nguyen Tang Son , McKeever Paul , Arredondo-Arechavala Miryam , Wang Yi-Chi , Slater Thomas J. A. , Haigh Sarah J. , Beale Andrew M. , Thompson Jillian M.
Published: January 2020

Activity of catalysts increase linearly with increasing ratio of Pd/Pt bimetallic to oxide species as observed in XRD.
Methyl bromide production from dissolved organic matter under simulated sunlight irradiation and the important effect of ferric ions
Authors: Liu Hui , Tong Tong , Pu Yingying , Zhu Xiaomei , Sun Bing , Wang Zhaowei , Yan Zhiyu
Published: January 2020

CH3Br was generated from dissolved organic matter in the aqueous bromide solution under simulated sunlight irradiation, and was enhanced in the presence of Fe(iii).
Carbon dots as photocatalysts for organic synthesis: metal-free methylene–oxygen-bond photocleavage
Authors: Cailotto Simone , Negrato Matteo , Daniele Salvatore , Luque Rafael , Selva Maurizio , Amadio Emanuele , Perosa Alvise
Published: January 2020

We report for the first time that irradiation of four different citric acid-derived carbon dots (CDs), in the absence of any other redox mediators, promotes an organic reaction.
Selective oxidation of alcohols by using CoFe2O4/Ag2MoO4as a visible-light-driven heterogeneous photocatalyst
Authors: Ghobadifard Mahdieh , Mohebbi Sajjad , Radovanovic Pavle V.
Published: January 2020

Using a CoFe2O4/Ag2MoO4heterostructure as a novel, stable, inexpensive, and reusable photocatalyst with high-performance for the oxidation of alcohols.
Giant iron polyoxometalate that works as a catalyst for water oxidation
Authors: Kaushik Rahul , Sakla Rahul , Amilan Jose D. , Ghosh Amrita
Published: January 2020

A polyoxometalate (POM) cluster [Mo72Fe30O252(CH3COO)12{Mo2O7(H2O)}2 {H2Mo2O8(H2O)} (H2O)91]. ca. 150 H2O (catalyst I) has been explored as a light-driven water oxidation catalyst. The catalyst is stable and could be reused/recycled several times.
Facile and rapid synthesis of a novel spindle-like heterojunction BiVO4 showing enhanced visible-light-driven photoactivity
Authors: Chen Fang-yan , Zhang Xi , Tang Yu-bin , Wang Xin-gang , Shu Ke-ke
Published: January 2020

A novel spindle-like monoclinic–tetragonal BiVO4 heterojunction is rapidly synthesized via a pressure-controllable microwave method.
A preparation of β-glucans and anthocyanins (LoGiCarb™) lowers the in vitro digestibility and in vivo glycemic index of white rice
Authors: Lin Lee Jaslyn Jie , Chan Barnabas , Chun Cui , Bhaskaran Kalpana , Chen Wei Ning
Published: January 2020

A blend of β-glucans and anthocyanins lowers the digestibility and glycemic index of white rice.
Atmospheric implication of synergy in methanesulfonic acid–base trimers: a theoretical investigation
Authors: Chen Dongping , Wang Weina , Li Danfeng , Wang Wenliang
Published: January 2020

The effects of synergy of between X and Y on the stability of MSA–X–Y trimers were investigatedviaquantum chemical and kinetics simulation method.
Folic acid modified Fe3O4 nanoclusters by a one-step ultrasonic technique for drug delivery and MR imaging
Authors: Fei Meng-Yu , Song Meng-Meng , Wang Pei , Pang Gao-zong , Chen Jing , Lu Da-Peng , Liu Rui , Zhang Gui-Yang , Zhao Ting-Ting , Shen Yu-Xian , Yu Yong-Qiang
Published: January 2020

Water-soluble Fe3O4@F127@FA nanoclusters were prepared by a facile ultrasonic-treated method for MR imaging and targeted drug delivery.
Fault diagnosis in a current sensor and its application to fault-tolerant control for an air supply subsystem of a 50 kW-Grade fuel cell engine
Authors: Quan Rui , Wu Fan , Wang Chengji , Tan Baohua , Chang Yufang
Published: January 2020

A fault diagnosis and fault-tolerant control method based on artificial neural networks is proposed. Faults were detected immediately once the difference exceeded the set threshold, and the invalid signals were substituted with the predictive output value.
Near-field imaging of the multi-resonant mode induced broadband tunable metamaterial absorber
Authors: Chen Lulu , Sun Liaoxin , Dong Hongxing , Mou Nanli , Zhang Yaqiang , Li Qisong , Jiang Xiongwei , Zhang Long
Published: January 2020

Metamaterial absorbers with tunability have broad prospects for mid-infrared absorption applications.
Self-assembly and multifunctionality of peptide organogels: oil spill recovery, dye absorption and synthesis of conducting biomaterials
Authors: Chetia Monikha , Debnath Swapna , Chowdhury Sumit , Chatterjee Sunanda
Published: January 2020

The self-assembly of a series of low molecular weight gelator dipeptides containing para amino benzoic acid has been studied in mechanistic detail.
Tolerance mechanism of Trichoderma asperellum to Pb2+: response changes of related active ingredients under Pb2+ stress
Authors: Sun Huiqing , Wu Lingran , Hao Yali , Liu Chunyu , Pan Lichao , Zhu Zhenyuan
Published: January 2020

Trichoderma asperellum ZZY has good tolerance to Pb2+, but the tolerance mechanism is not clear.
Effect of Mn2+ substitution on the structure, properties and HER activity of cadmium phosphochlorides
Authors: Roy Anand , Singh Anjali , Aravindh S. Assa , Servottam Swaraj , Waghmare Umesh V. , Rao C. N. R.
Published: January 2020

Mn2+ prefers the Cd-sites having larger number of tightly bounded Cl-ligands. Pure Cd7P4Cl6 exhibits n-type conductivity whereas Cd5.8Mn1.2P4Cl6 exhibits p-type conductivity. The HER activity of Cd7−yMnyP4Cl6 is superior to that of pristine Cd7P4Cl6.
Comparison of beginner and advanced chemistry student teachers’ perspective on creativity – does it play a role in the chemistry classroom?
Authors: Keiner Liz , Graulich Nicole , Göttlich Richard , Pietzner Verena
Published: January 2020

Creativity has become an increasingly important competence in today's rapidly changing times. It is a central aspect of social development, but it is hardly discussed in schools and often neglected in the natural sciences. In order to promote creativity in science teaching in a targeted way, it is important to understand the perspectives and views of prospective teachers on this topic. For this purpose, a qualitative cross-sectional study was conducted with 83 German chemistry student teachers at the beginning and at the end of their study programme. We used concept maps and questionnaires to characterize changes in students’ perspective on creativity in the chemistry classroom during their course of study. The quantitative analysis of the concept maps and the content analysis of student's proposition revealed similarities and differences in students’ perspective on creativity between beginners and advanced student. All student teachers showed a diverse range of conceptions and views on creativity in general and in the context of chemistry education. Furthermore, almost all of the students had a positive attitude towards creativity and its integration in chemistry lessons. Although, there are no large differences in the perspective on creativity from beginner to advanced student teachers, subtle differences in students’ perspectives revealed that advanced students had a more sophisticated perspective on fostering creativity in students in their prospective classrooms.
Synthesis of isomorphically substituted Ru manganese molecular sieves and their catalytic properties for selective alcohol oxidation
Authors: Sabaté Ferran , Jordá José L. , Sabater María J. , Corma Avelino
Published: January 2020

Ruthenium has been incorporated into the framework of the cryptomelane type manganese oxide K-OMS-2 ([Ru]-K-OMS2). Accordingly, Rietveld refinement of the X-ray diffractogram has allowed to estimate changes in the values of cell parameters.
Designing a multifaceted bio-interface nanofiber tissue-engineered tubular scaffold graft to promote neo-vascularization for urethral regeneration
Authors: Niu Yuqing , Liu Guochang , Fu Ming , Chen Chuangbi , Fu Wen , Zhang Zhao , Xia Huimin , Stadler Florian J.
Published: January 2020

Reconstitution of urethral defects through a tissue-engineered autologous urethra is an exciting area of clinical urology research.
Recent advancements in polyethyleneimine-based materials and their biomedical, biotechnology, and biomaterial applications
Authors: Chen Zhonghui , Lv Ziyu , Sun Yifeng , Chi Zhenguo , Qing Guangyan
Published: January 2020

Precise-synthesis strategies and integration approaches of bioinspired PEI-based systems, and their biomedical, biotechnology and biomaterial applications.
Bisindole caulerpin analogues as nature-inspired photoresponsive molecules
Authors: Gutiérrez-Arzaluz Luis , López-Salazar Fatima , Salcido-Santacruz Bernardo , Gonzalez-Cano Beatriz , López-Arteaga Rafael , Torres-Ochoa Rubén O. , Esturau-Escofet Nuria , Cortés-Guzmán Fernando , Martinez Roberto , Peon Jorge
Published: January 2020

Bisindole photoactive molecules were developed with basis on the natural product caulerpin. These systems are applicable as photo-controllable molecular switches.
Engineering surface defects on two-dimensional ultrathin mesoporous anatase TiO2 nanosheets for efficient charge separation and exceptional solar-driven photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Wu Jiaxing , Qiao Panzhe , Li Haoze , Xu Yachao , Yang Wutao , Yang Fan , Lin Kuo , Pan Kai , Zhou Wei
Published: January 2020

Two-dimensional ultrathin mesoporous anatase TiO2 nanosheets with engineered surface defects are fabricated via evaporation-induced self-assembly, solvothermal and hydrogenation, which exhibit excellent photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.
α-catenin isoforms are regulated by glucose and involved in regulating insulin secretion in rat clonal β-cell models
Authors: Dissanayake Waruni C. , Sorrenson Brie , Lee Kate L. , Barre Sandra , Shepherd Peter R.
Published: January 2020

The recent finding that β-catenin levels play an important rate-limiting role in processes regulating insulin secretion lead us to investigate whether its binding partner α-catenin also plays a role in this process. We find that levels of both α-E-catenin and α-N-catenin are rapidly up-regulated as levels of glucose are increased in rat clonal β-cell models INS-1E and INS-832/3. Lowering in levels of either α-catenin isoform using siRNA resulted in significant increases in glucose stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and this effect was attenuated when β-catenin levels were lowered indicating these proteins have opposing effects on insulin release. This effect of α-catenin knockdown on GSIS was not due to increases in insulin expression but was associated with increases in calcium influx into cells. Moreover, simultaneous depletion of α-E catenin and α-N catenin decreased the actin polymerisation to a similar degree as latrunculin treatment and inhibition of ARP 2/3 mediated actin branching with CK666 attenuated the α-catenin depletion effect on GSIS. This suggests α-catenin mediated actin remodelling may be involved in the regulation of insulin secretion. Together this indicates that α-catenin and β-catenin can play opposing roles in regulating insulin secretion, with some degree of functional redundancy in roles of α-E-catenin and α-N-catenin. The finding that, at least in β-cell models, the levels of each can be regulated in the longer term by glucose also provides a potential mechanism by which sustained changes in glucose levels might impact on the magnitude of GSIS.
Haunted by the ghost of the Beaker folk?
Authors: Carlin Neil
Published: January 2020

A recent Europe-wide study of ancient DNA (aDNA) has exploded some of the preconceptions regarding a long-standing archaeological problem, otherwise known as the Beaker phenomenon. The study's results seemed to indicate that large numbers of people had migrated from continental Europe into Britain around 2500 BCE. In the course of this migration, the newcomers brought their belongings, including Beaker pottery, with them and replaced the pre-existing population and their ways of life. Or at least, this was how the research was presented in the media, e.g., ‘Ancient-genome study finds Bronze Age ‘Beaker culture’ invaded Britain’ or ‘Did Dutch hordes kill off the early Britons who started Stonehenge?’. While the study's conclusions were actually more complex than the headlines suggested, its findings surprised many archaeologists; but had genetics actually solved the Beaker problem?
Words-in-Noise Test Performance in Young Adults Perinatally HIV Infected and Exposed, Uninfected
Authors: Torre Peter , Russell Jonathan S. , Smith Renee , Hoffman Howard J. , Lee Sonia , Williams Paige L. , Yao Tzy-Jyun ,   for the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study (PHACS)
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare Words-in-Noise (WIN) data between young adults with perinatal HIV (PHIV) infection and those with PHIV exposure but uninfected (PHEU) and to evaluate associations between antiretroviral therapy (ART) exposures and WIN data.

Method

The WIN test and cognitive function were assessed in participants of the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study Adolescent Master Protocol Up. Impaired WIN (IWIN) performance was defined as a signal-to-babble ratio of > +10 dB. Cognitive function was determined based on fluid cognition composite scores (FCCSs) and crystallized cognition composite scores, and < 70 was considered a fluid or crystallized cognitive impairment. Log binomial models were used to calculate the relative risks of IWIN between PHIV and PHEU.

Results

PHIV (n= 334) and PHEU (n= 52) participants had similar WIN thresholds and IWIN percentages. For young adults with FCCS ≥ 70, participants with PHIV were less likely to have IWIN for the better ear and worse ear as compared to participants with PHEU. For young adults with FCCS < 70, there was no association between HIV status and risk of IWIN for the better ear or worse ear. For those adults with crystallized cognition composite score of ≥ 70, young adults with PHIV were less likely to have IWIN for the better ear than young adults with PHEU; there was no association between HIV status and IWIN for the worse ear. For young adults with PHIV without a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Class C diagnosis, a longer combination ART duration was associated with a higher risk of IWIN for the better ear.

Conclusions

For those without cognitive impairment, young adults with PHEU had poorer WIN thresholds than those young adults with PHIV. In young adults with PHIV who had no prior Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Class C diagnosis, a longer combination ART duration was associated with IWIN only in the better ear.
The Acquisition of Productive Plural Morphology by Children With Hearing Loss
Authors: Davies Benjamin , Xu Rattanasone Nan , Davis Aleisha , Demuth Katherine
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Normal-hearing (NH) children acquire plural morphemes at different rates, with the segmental allomorphs /–s, –z/ (e.g.,
cat-s
) being acquired before the syllabic allomorph /–əz/ (e.g.,
bus-es
). Children with hearing loss (HL) have been reported to show delays in the production of plural morphology, raising the possibility that this might be due to challenges acquiring different types of lexical/morphological representations. This study therefore examined the comprehension of plural morphology by 3- to 7-year-olds with HL and compared this with performance by their NH peers. We also investigated comprehension as a function of wearing hearing aids (HAs) versus cochlear implants (CIs).

Method

Participants included 129 NH children aged 3–5 years and 25 children with HL aged 3–7 years (13 with HAs, 12 with CIs). All participated in a novel word two-alternative forced-choice task presented on an iPad. The task tested comprehension of the segmental (e.g.,
teps, mubz
) and syllabic (e.g.,
kosses
) plural, as well as their singular counterparts (e.g.,
tep, mub, koss
).

Results

While the children with NH were above chance for all conditions, those with HL performed at chance. As a group, the performance of the children with HL did not improve with age. However, results suggest possible differences between children with HAs and those with CIs, where those with HAs appeared to be in the process of developing representations of consonant–vowel–consonant singulars.

Conclusions

Results suggest that preschoolers with HL do not yet have a robust representation of plural morphology for words they have not heard before. However, those with HAs are beginning to access the singular/plural system as they get older.
Voice Characteristics of Female College Athletes: A Pilot Study
Authors: Cox Steven R. , Milillo Stephanie , Maman Zahra Sedighi
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to identify changes in NCAA Division II female athletes' objective and subjective voice characteristics before, during, and after a regular volleyball season.

Method

Acoustic, aerodynamic, and Voice Handicap Index-10 data were collected from five female volleyball athletes at three timepoints: preseason, midseason, and postseason.

Results

Individual data suggest increases in objective and subjective voice characteristics at midseason, but many values returned to typical limits at postseason. Increases observed in acoustic, aerodynamic, and Voice Handicap Index-10 data for the volleyball team captain remained elevated at midseason and postseason.

Conclusions

Female volleyball players are a group of voice users who are required to communicate in the presence of background noise while engaging in varying levels of physical effort. As a result, they may experience negative changes to objective and/or subjective voice characteristics during a regular season. The present data, concerning changes in female volleyball athletes' voice characteristics, need to be confirmed by studies with a larger number of participants.
Computational support on the development of nuclear heating calorimeter detector design
Authors: Ambrožič Klemen , Fourmentel Damien , Carcreff Hubert , Radulović Vladimir , Snoj Luka
Published: January 2020

Heating due to energy deposition of intense ionizing radiation in samples and structural materials of nuclear reactors poses severe limitations in terms of cooling requirements for safe reactor operation, especially in high neutron and gamma flux environments of material testing fission reactors (MTRs) and novel fusion devices. A bilateral CEA-JSI research project was launched in 2018 with the objective to measure the gamma heating rates in standard reactor-related materials (graphite, aluminium, stainless steel and tungsten) as well as fusionrelevant materials (low-activation steel Eurofer-97 and Nb3Sn superconductor) in the JSI TRIGA reactor my means of gamma calorimeters. The calorimeter design will be based on the the CALMOS-2 calorimeter developed at the CEA and used to perform gamma heating measurements in the OSIRIS MTR in Saclay.

In order to optimize the detector response inside the JSI TRIGA reactor field and not to perturb the measurement field, a detailed computational analysis was performed in terms of energy deposition assessment and measurement field perturbation using the MCNP v6.1 code, and in terms of heat transfer using the COMSOL Multiphysics code.

The abovementioned activities enabled us to finalize the detector design with the experimental campaign planned for the end of year 2019.
Initial Performance Testing of Sri Gamma Spectroscopy Scintillators and Comparison to Other Improved-Resolution Detectors for Typical Health Physics Applications
Authors: Bronson F. L.
Published: January 2020

Europium-doped Strontium Iodide (SrI) scintillation gamma detectors have only recently become commercially available. SrI has very high light output ranging from 80,000-100,000 ph/MeV and energy resolution as good as 2.9% at 662 keV and 14.8% at 32 keV. The high density of 4.6 g/cc in combination with a high effective Atomic number and the absence of internal activity make SrI a very attractive sensor material for spectroscopic radiation monitoring devices. This new entrant into the field of commercially available gamma spectroscopy detectors offers improved energy resolution over NaI, without the elevated background of LaBr. While CZT and HPGe detectors have better resolution, the small available size of CZT and the cooling requirement of HPGe limit their usefulness in portable applications. Of these scintillators, SrI2 has the lowest detection limits when compared to other equal- size scintillation detectors, especially at low energies where U and Pu are of interest.
Impact of the magnetic proximity effect in Pt on the total magnetic moment of Pt/Co/Ta trilayers studied by x-ray resonant magnetic reflectivity
Authors: Moskaltsova Anastasiia , Krieft Jan , Graulich Dominik , Matalla-Wagner Tristan , Kuschel Timo
Published: January 2020

In this work, we study the influence of the magnetic proximity effect (MPE) in Pt on the total magnetic moment of thin film trilayer systems consisting of the ferromagnet (FM) Co adjacent to the heavy metals (HMs) Pt and Ta. We investigate the trilayer systems HM1/FM/HM2 with different stacking order as well as a reference bilayer without any MPE. X-ray resonant magnetic reflectivity (XRMR) is a powerful tool to probe induced magnetism, especially when buried at interfaces in a multilayer. By using XRMR, we are able to obtain magnetic depth profiles of the structural, optical and magnetic parameters. By fitting the experimental data with a Gaussian-like magnetooptic profile taking the structural roughness at the interface into account, we can extract the magnetic moment of the spin-polarized layer. Comparing the obtained moments to the measured total moment of the sample, we can determine the impact of the MPE on the total magnetic moment of the system. Such information can be critical for analyzing spin transport experiments, including spin-orbit torque and spin Hall angle measurements, where the saturation magnetization Ms has to be taken into account. Therefore, by combining magnetization measurements and XRMR methods we were able to get a complete picture of the magnetic moment distribution in these trilayer systems containing spin-polarized Pt.
Coherent narrowband light source for ultrafast photoelectron spectroscopy in the 17–31 eV photon energy range
Authors: Cucini Riccardo , Pincelli Tommaso , Panaccione Giancarlo , Kopic Damir , Frassetto Fabio , Miotti Paolo , Pierantozzi Gian Marco , Peli Simone , Fondacaro Andrea , De Luisa Aleksander , De Vita Alessandro , Carrara Pietro , Krizmancic Damjan , Payne Daniel T. , Salvador Federico , Sterzi Andrea , Poletto Luca , Parmigiani Fulvio , Rossi Giorgio , Cilento Federico
Published: January 2020

Here, we report on a novel narrowband High Harmonic Generation (HHG) light source designed for ultrafast photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) on solids. Notably, at 16.9 eV photon energy, the harmonics bandwidth equals 19 meV. This result has been obtained by seeding the HHG process with 230 fs pulses at 515 nm. The ultimate energy resolution achieved on a polycrystalline Au sample at 40 K is ∼22 meV at 16.9 eV. These parameters set a new benchmark for narrowband HHG sources and have been obtained by varying the repetition rate up to 200 kHz and, consequently, mitigating the space charge, operating with ≈3×107 electrons/s and ≈5×108 photons/s. By comparing the harmonics bandwidth and the ultimate energy resolution with a pulse duration of ∼105 fs (as retrieved from time-resolved experiments on bismuth selenide), we demonstrate a new route for ultrafast space-charge-free PES experiments on solids close to transform-limit conditions.
Use of different carbohydrate sources associated with urea and implications for in vitro fermentation and rumen microbial populations
Authors: Santos K. C. , Carvalho F. F. R. , Carriero M. M. , Magalhães A. L. R. , Batista A. M. V. , Fagundes G. M. , Bueno I. C. S.
Published: January 2020

Context
Alternative feed sources have been investigated as replacements for green forages and cereal grains traditionally used in ruminant feed. We hypothesised that, when replacing sources of true protein with non-protein nitrogen (NPN) in the ruminant diet, the efficiency of utilisation of the NPN may be affected by the source of energy and that different energy resources used as alternatives to maize may improve efficiency and maximise ruminal fermentation characteristics.

Aims
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of diets containing different carbohydrate sources associated with urea on in vitro ruminal fermentation and rumen microbial profile.

Methods
Four diets based on Tifton 85 Bermuda grass hay (584 g/kg dry matter) were tested as substrates: cornmeal + soybean meal (C + SM, typical diet), cornmeal + urea (C + U), cassava scraping + urea (CS + U), and spineless cactus + urea (SC + U). The experimental design consisted of randomised blocks with four treatments and five blocks. Five adult Nellore cattle with permanent fistula in the rumen were used as inoculum donors. The semi-automatic in vitro gas production technique was used in two experiments. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to monitor the changes in the rumen microbial community.

Key results
The diets containing C + U and CS + U decreased (P < 0.05) concentrations of isobutyrate, isovalerate, and valerate after 24 h of incubation, and all diets containing urea decreased (P < 0.05) concentrations of isobutyrate, isovalerate and valerate after 96 h and increased (P < 0.05) acetate:propionate ratio. After 96 h of incubation, the diets containing CS + U and SC + U resulted in a lower (P < 0.05) population of Ruminococcus flavefaciens than the C + U diet, and a lower (P < 0.05) population of Streptococcus bovis than the C + SM diet.

Conclusions
From our results, a diet containing cassava scraping produces more methane per unit of degraded organic matter, which reduces fermentation efficiency. Diets that contain corn with either soybean meal or urea result in greater degradability with lower gas production rates than diets that contain either cassava scrapings or spineless cactus with urea. Diets containing urea as a total substitution for soybean meal alter the production of short-chain fatty acids and reduce the populations of S. bovis and R. flavefaciens.

Implications
Use of urea to replace soybean meal in the ruminant diet alters ruminal fermentation and rumen microbial population.
Temporal variations in leaf traits, chemical composition and in vitro true digestibility of four temperate fodder tree species
Authors: Ravetto Enri Simone , Probo Massimiliano , Renna Manuela , Caro Eleonora , Lussiana Carola , Battaglini Luca M. , Lombardi Giampiero , Lonati Michele
Published: January 2020

Context
Many tree and shrub species are underestimated fodder resources due to insufficient knowledge about their potential feeding value, especially for goats.

Aims
The present work aimed at assessing productive and nutritional attributes of the foliage of the following four temperate tree species widespread in Europe: Acer pseudoplatanus, Fraxinus excelsior, Salix caprea and Sorbus aucuparia.

Methods
Leaf length and biomass, proximate composition, fatty acid profile, phenolic composition and in vitro true dry matter digestibility were determined along the vegetative season.

Key results
The leaf length of the four species was significantly related to leaf biomass and can be considered as a proficient proxy for estimating leaf biomass. The differences found among the species were remarkable, although weakly related to temporal changes, especially when considering fatty acid and phenolic compositions. Fraxinus excelsior sprouts were the most productive, with a mean biomass of 13.2 g dry matter (DM) per sprout at the end of the growing season. Its foliage showed also the lowest phenolic concentrations (average total extractable phenols of 11.25 g/kg DM), resulting in the highest digestibility values (average in vitro true dry matter digestibility of 56.5 g/kg DM). Digestibility of S. aucuparia was similar, but its lower polyunsaturated fatty acid concentration (average value of 62.13 g/kg DM) could reduce the interest for this species as a feeding resource for goat dairy products with healthy properties. The lower digestibility found for A. pseudoplatanus and S. caprea (average values of 43.3 and 46.2 g/kg DM, respectively) may be related to their higher phenolic concentrations (average total extractable phenols of 45.9 and 47.3 g/kg DM, respectively).

Conclusions
The four species could represent an appealing feedstuff for goat nutrition, due to the valuable and complementary nutritional characteristics of their foliage.

Implications
The use of the studied species as fodder resource may be particularly relevant during drought periods and in the late summer when herbage quality decreases, especially in terms of crude protein and fatty acid profile.
Trinocular views of register
Authors: Matthiessen Christian M. I. M.
Published: January 2020

Michael Halliday’s argument for the value of ‘trinocular vision’ in linguistic research has particular relevance
to the observation, exploration and description of register. Taking each semiotic dimension relevant to the characterisation of
register by turn, I begin by discussing Halliday’s proposition. I then proceed, using the metaphor of cartography, to examine
register variation via the intersection of three semiotic dimensions: stratification, instantiation and metafunction. I discuss
how such examinations enable us to create description maps of register variation. From this basis, I discuss a long-term programme
of systematically producing descriptive maps of registers, which I and colleagues have begun. Finally, I suggest that by using
such maps we can better understand such important phenomena as aggregates of registers and personal register repertoires.
Is there a role for prosody within register studies
Authors: O’Grady Gerard
Published: January 2020

This article examines whether the incorporation of prosody within register studies can lead to a richer description of what speakers can mean in a specific environment. In order to situate how prosody resets the probabilities of contextual variables, a number of texts are examined and it is argued that prosodic systems at and above the rank of tone group are meaningful and situated on the content plane. The article concludes by suggesting some redrawing of the standard SFL stratification model by arguing that the view that meaning redounds with wording which in turn redounds with sounding needs some revision to incorporate the higher units of the phonological rank scale being situated on the content plane.
On the interaction between register variation and regional varieties in English
Authors: Neumann Stella
Published: January 2020

This paper examines the extent to which regional varieties of English influence register variation. Register is a key concept in systemic functional linguistics (SFL), whereas regional variation is rarely studied in this framework. However, languages like Chinese, Spanish and English are used in more than one region and such more complex language situations raise the question of whether registers are used consistently throughout. In this study, texts from three varieties represented in the International Corpus of English are analysed for frequencies of 41 lexico-grammatical features and subjected to exploratory multivariate analysis. The analysis shows that, while there are clear indications of register patterns irrespective of varieties, variety appears to override register in some cases. Variety therefore needs to be accounted for in language theory in addition to the language system and registers as subsystems.
Ways of meaning
Authors: Karimi Neda , Moore Alison Rotha , Lukin Annabelle
Published: January 2020

This paper explores one aspect of the operationalisation of a patient-centred ideology of care by examining an
oncologist’s answers to questions asked by her patient and his companion during a palliative oncology consultation and comparing her answers
to the markedly different answers of another oncologist. Halliday’s concept of register and Hasan’s semantic networks are used to examine
the oncologists’ answers. Patients’ questions create the semiotic environment for clinicians to provide the information patients need for
informed decision-making – an important aspect of patient-centredness. The answers clinicians provide construe their position towards this
ideology of care. Findings suggest that one way patient-centredness can be operationalised, at the level of semantics, is through providing
elaborated answers that explicitly display the reasoning employed by the oncologist.
Nominalisation and genre in early discourses on electricity
Authors: Cummings Michael
Published: January 2020

Halliday proposes that a key role in the language of science is played by compacting nominalisation, a strategy by
which qualities and processes in one phase of a discourse are then nominalised in a following phase to facilitate the flow of
argument. Compacting nominalisation is very characteristic of Priestley’s
1767 The history and present state of electricity. However, another book of the same era and field,
Franklin’s 1751–1754 New experiments and observations on electricity, employs little of this strategy. One explanation lies in genre
differences. Franklin’s book and accounts of electrical experiments into the Philosophical transactions of the same
era are both generically similar to and different from Priestley’s book, quite beyond the issue of compacting nominalisation. Generic
similarities and differences are here demonstrated in terms of register values.
Practices of clause-combining
Authors: Günthner Susanne
Published: January 2020

Traditionally, conditional
wenn-clauses in German are
treated as subordinate clauses, either preceding or
following their matrix clauses. My data – based on
naturally occurring German talk-in-interaction from
various settings – show that participants in
everyday interactions use various types of
(pre-positioned) wenn-constructions
as resources to accomplish social activities. These
constructions not only blur the boundaries between
subordinated and main clauses, but also reveal a
wide range of in-between
wenn-constructions ranging from
tightly integrated to loosely integrated, from
non-integrated to free-standing.

The empirically based analysis, furthermore,
shows that practices of clause-combining turn out to
be closely connected to the temporal unfolding of
talk-in-interaction, and thus to issues of
projection, retractive expansions as well as the
ongoing accomplishment of social action.
Grammatical coordination of embodied action
Authors: Keevallik Leelo
Published: January 2020

This paper looks at the Estonian
coordinating conjunction ja ‘and’
in video-recorded Pilates classes, focusing on the
instructors’ practical problem of making the
students perform proper movement sequences. It shows
how grammatical coordination emerges within a
multimodal activity in which the instructor’s talk
both directs and responds to student performance. As
opposed to the frequent juxtaposition of clauses
without connectors, explicit coordination with
ja is used for the overall
structuring of the class as well as the temporal
extension of talk to achieve synchronicity of vocal
and embodied behavior. In contrast to formal
theories that consider grammar as a device for
coherent expression of pre-planned propositions,
this study argues that grammatical structure emerges
as part of practical action across participants and
modalities.
Atypical sign language development
Authors: Marshall Chloë , Rowley Katherine , Atkinson Joanna , Denmark Tanya , Hoskins Joanna , Sieratzki Jechil
Published: January 2020

A major theme in Bencie Woll’s research has been what the study of sign language and atypical signers who have neurological differences can teach us about language and cognition more generally. In this chapter, we focus on the growing literature relating to atypical sign language development, with an emphasis on Bencie’s pioneering work in this field. We show that by studying atypical users of language we gain insights into language and cognitive processes that would not be obtained by studying typical users, or by limiting research to spoken languages. We review developmental research of individuals and groups with Landau-Kleffner Syndrome, Williams Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Specific Language Impairment. Finally, we consider issues relating to intervention.
Return on Investment and Value Research in Neuropsychology: A Call to Arms†
Authors: Glen Tannahill , Hostetter Gayle , Roebuck-Spencer Tresa M , Garmoe William S , Scott James G , Hilsabeck Robin C , Arnett Peter , Espe-Pfeifer Patricia
Published: January 2020

There is substantial empirical evidence to support the clinical value of neuropsychological evaluation and the incremental value of neuropsychological assessment, suggesting such evaluation is beneficial in the prediction and management of clinical outcomes. However, in the cost-conscious and evolving era of healthcare reform, neuropsychologists must also establish the economic value, or return on investment, of their services. There is already a modest body of literature that demonstrates the economic benefits of neuropsychological evaluation, which is reviewed in the current paper. Neuropsychologists will need to be able to communicate, and develop evidence of, economic value of their services; thus, this paper also discusses common concepts, terms, and models used in healthcare valuation studies. Finally, neuropsychologists are urged to incorporate these financial concepts in their clinical practice and research.
I—The Presidential Address
Authors: Steward Helen
Published: January 2020

This paper considers the analogies and disanalogies between a certain sort of argument designed to oppose scepticism about free will (in the sense of genuine agency) and a certain sort of argument designed to oppose scepticism about the external world. In the case of free will, I offer the ancient Lazy Argument and an argument of my own, which I call the Agency Argument, as examples of the relevant genre; and in the case of the external world, I consider Moore’s alleged proof of an external world. I draw attention to analogies and disanalogies between the arguments offered in each case in order to suggest that although the Agency Argument shares with its Moorean relative the unfortunate property of being dialectically ineffective against some of those it is mainly hoping to convince, it will not be dialectically ineffective against all of them. It is also argued that the Agency Argument is less vulnerable than Moore’s proof to worries about its justificatory structure.
News in Astronomy & Geophysics – February 2020
Authors: Bowler Sue
Published: January 2020

A digest of some of the big stories from the past two months
200 years of the RAS: The first 200 Fellows
Authors: Edmunds Mike
Published: January 2020

Mike Edmunds takes a look at members of the Society in the first years of its life and finds a familiar group: enthusiasts, scholars, men of industry, explorers and eccentrics.
X-ray UK
Authors: Pounds Ken
Published: January 2020

Ken Pounds reviews the history of X-ray astronomy in the UK, more than half a century of fruitful science and instrument development.
Understanding the genetic basis of congenital insensitivity to pain
Authors: Drissi Ichrak , Woods William Aidan , Woods Christopher Geoffrey
Published: January 2020

Introduction or background

Congenital insensitivity to pain (CIP) is caused by extremely rare Mendelian genetic disorders. CIP individuals demonstrate the unexpectedly severe consequences of painlessness. Although only a small number of causative conditions and genes are known, most have led to profound insights into human nociception. CIP gene discovery is catalyzing the manufacture of completely new classes of analgesics, and these are needed as alternatives to synthetic highly potent opioids.

Sources of data

Pubmed.gov peer-reviewed journal articles and reviews.

Areas of agreement

The importance of nerve growth factor-tropomyosin receptor kinase A (NGF-TRKA) signalling for nociceptor genesis and subsequent pain sensing.

New analgesics can be generated from knowledge of the NGF-TRKA nociceptor pathway.

Increased susceptibility to Staphylococcus aureus infection is a consequence of deficient NGF-TRKA signalling.

Mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channels SCN9A and SCN11A can cause congenital painlessness, and in contradistinction, other mutations can cause episodic neuropathic pain.

SCN9A/Nav1.7 is an analgesic target.

SCN11A/Nav1.9 is unlikely to be an analgesic target.

There are further Mendelian causes of painlessness to be discovered.

Areas of controversy

Which NGF-TRKA intracellular signalling pathways operate in nociceptor development and which in post-natal pain sensing?

Why have no clinically effective Nav1.7 antagonist been generated?

SCN9A-CIP causes analgesia, at least in part, through endogenous opioids.

Why do all CIP phenotypes involve a complete loss of all types of nociception?

Areas timely for developing research

PRDM12 as an analgesic target.

Discovery of the function and analgesic potential of new CIP genes.

Can NGF-TRKA be used in the treatment of S. aureus?
Transcriptional regulation of organohalide pollutant utilisation in bacteria
Authors: Maucourt Bruno , Vuilleumier Stéphane , Bringel Françoise
Published: January 2020

Organohalides are organic molecules formed biotically and abiotically, both naturally and through industrial production. They are usually toxic and represent a health risk for living organisms, including humans. Bacteria capable of degrading organohalides for growth express dehalogenase genes encoding enzymes that cleave carbon-halogen bonds. Such bacteria are of potential high interest for bioremediation of contaminated sites. Dehalogenase genes are often part of gene clusters that may include regulators, accessory genes and genes for transporters and other enzymes of organohalide degradation pathways. Organohalides and their degradation products affect the activity of regulatory factors, and extensive genome-wide modulation of gene expression helps dehalogenating bacteria to cope with stresses associated with dehalogenation, such as intracellular increase of halides, dehalogenase-dependent acid production, organohalide toxicity and misrouting and bottlenecks in metabolic fluxes. This review focuses on transcriptional regulation of gene clusters for dehalogenation in bacteria, as studied in laboratory experiments and in situ. The diversity in gene content, organization and regulation of such gene clusters is highlighted for representative organohalide-degrading bacteria. Selected examples illustrate a key, overlooked role of regulatory processes, often strain-specific, for efficient dehalogenation and productive growth in presence of organohalides.
A mushy Earth's mantle for more than 500 Myr after the magma ocean solidification
Authors: Monteux J , Andrault D , Guitreau M , Samuel H , Demouchy S
Published: January 2020

In its early evolution, the Earth mantle likely experienced several episodes of complete melting enhanced by giant impact heating, short-lived radionuclides heating and viscous dissipation during the metal/silicate separation. After a first stage of rapid and significant crystallization (Magma Ocean stage), the mantle cooling is slowed down due to the rheological transition, which occurs at a critical melt fraction of 40–50%. This transition first occurs in the lowermost mantle, before the mushy zone migrates toward the Earth's surface with further mantle cooling. Thick thermal boundary layers form above and below this reservoir. We have developed numerical models to monitor the thermal evolution of a cooling and crystallizing deep mushy mantle. For this purpose, we use a 1-D approach in spherical geometry accounting for turbulent convective heat transfer and integrating recent and solid experimental constraints from mineral physics. Our results show that the last stages of the mushy mantle solidification occur in two separate mantle layers. The lifetime and depth of each layer are strongly dependent on the considered viscosity model and in particular on the viscosity contrast between the solid upper and lower mantle. In any case, the full solidification should occur at the Hadean–Eoarchean boundary 500–800 Myr after Earth's formation. The persistence of molten reservoirs during the Hadean may favor the absence of early reliefs at that time and maintain isolation of the early crust from the underlying mantle dynamics.
Minimal Lipschitz and ∞-harmonic extensions of vector-valued functions on finite graphs
Authors: Bačák Miroslav , Hertrich Johannes , Neumayer Sebastian , Steidl Gabriele
Published: January 2020

This paper deals with extensions of vector-valued functions on finite graphs fulfilling distinguished minimality properties. We show that so-called $\mathrm{lex}$ and $L\mbox{-}\mathrm{lex}$ minimal extensions are actually the same and call them minimal Lipschitz extensions. Then, we prove that the solution of the graph $p$-Laplacians converge to these extensions as $p\to \infty$. Furthermore, we examine the relation between minimal Lipschitz extensions and iterated weighted midrange filters and address their connection to $\infty$-Laplacians for scalar-valued functions. A convergence proof for an iterative algorithm proposed by Elmoataz et al. (2014) for finding the zero of the $\infty$-Laplacian is given. Finally, we present applications in image inpainting.
Assessment of Efforts to Hold Perpetrators of Conflict-related Sexual Violence Accountable in Central African Republic
Authors: Pham Phuong N , Balthazard Mychelle , Vinck Patrick
Published: January 2020

Sexual violence is commonly described as an epidemic in the Central African Republic (CAR) and other conflict settings. In response, the government and the international community have launched major efforts to combat sexual violence, including the investigation and prosecution of sexual crimes and offences by the ordinary justice system, the Special Criminal Court in the Central African Republic, and the International Criminal Court. Yet, little is known about how these efforts are perceived among the population and about their effectiveness at reducing exposure in a context of ongoing violence. This article builds on a unique series of four surveys conducted at six-month intervals between 2017 and 2018 with a total of 25,143 randomly selected adults. It assesses the magnitude of sexual violence and shows that respondents positively perceive efforts to combat sexual violence and increasingly understand and trust the justice system. Disclosure of sexual violence is increasing, but only one in five victims files a formal complaint with security and justice actors. Factors undermining disclosing or filing of complaints about these widespread events include fear of retaliation, re-traumatization, and stigmatization. Investigating sexual crimes in a context of insecurity is extremely challenging and the work of the various courts is hindered by practical, procedural, and social challenges detailed in this article, as well as the need to coordinate prosecutorial strategies. There is an urgent need to build capacity and to ensure appropriate and compassionate treatment towards those who have been assaulted. Monitoring perception of criminal justice efforts is an important step towards understanding their contribution to ending sexual violence and to peace.