bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward Understanding Direct Absorption and Grain Size Feedbacks by Dust Radiative Forcing in Snow With Coupled Snow Physical and Radiative Transfer Modeling
Authors: Skiles S. McKenzie , Painter Thomas H.
Published: August 2019

The darkening of the snow surface by light‐absorbing particles impacts snow albedo directly by increasing absorption of shortwave radiation in the visible wavelengths. This indirectly enhances the rate of snow grain coarsening, which determines absorption in the near‐infrared wavelengths. In combination, these processes reduce snow albedo over the full range of snow reflectance, accelerating melt, and impacting regional climate and hydrology. Accurate parameterizations of snow albedo should represent both the direct and indirect radiative impacts. Here dust‐influenced snow cover evolution was simulated at Senator Beck Basin Study Area, San Juan Mountains, CO with a multilayer physically based snow process model. The model was modified to track dust stratigraphy, and coupled to a snow/aerosol radiative transfer model to inform reflected shortwave radiation based on snow properties, dust concentrations, and region‐specific dust optical properties. This varies from previous efforts to constrain the magnitude of accelerated melt due to dust by directly and physically representing the processes that determine the radiative impacts. Model outputs, including effective grain size, dust stratigraphy, timing of dust emergence, and albedo, were validated with a near daily snow and light‐absorbing particle physical and optical property data set, and were well simulated. Daily mean radiative forcing ranged from 2 to 109 W/m2 and was 30 W/m2 on average over the full simulation, advancing snowmelt by 30 days. A partitioning of direct and indirect radiative impacts shows that direct absorption by dust contributes ~80% of total radiative forcing, with grain coarsening accounting for ~20%.
Fragments of Metasomatized Forearc: Origin and Implications of Mafic and Ultramafic Xenoliths From Kharchinsky Volcano, Kamchatka
Authors: Siegrist M. , Yogodzinski G. , Bizimis M. , Fournelle J. , Churikova T. , Dektor C. , Mobley R.
Published: August 2019

Dunite, harzburgite, and clinopyroxenite xenoliths from Kharchinsky volcano, Kamchatka, have abundances and ratios of incompatible trace elements similar to those in arc volcanic rocks (elevated Ba/Th, La/Yb, Nd/Hf, and Sr/Y). All orthopyroxenes and some clinopyroxenes in the peridotites have U‐shaped rare‐earth element patterns. Negative Ce anomalies are present in orthopyroxenes with Ce/Ce* as low as 0.01 and down to 0.22 in whole‐rock peridotite data. Ce anomaly growth is linked to increasing La/Sm and enrichments in Rb, U, Pb, and Ba over La and Ce. Isotopes (Pb, Sr, Nd, and Hf) indicate pelagic sediment, and hydrothermal crusts play no role in Ce anomaly development. Instead, Ce anomalies appear to be products of fluid transport and elemental scavenging under oxidizing conditions beneath the deep forearc. Textures and compositions of aluminous green spinels indicate most of the peridotites were partially melted and recrystallized at depth. Veins and pockets of amphibole reflect impregnation late in the petrogenesis of the rocks by melts similar to Kamchatka basalts. Orthopyroxenite xenoliths are fine‐grained with fibrous orthopyroxene that has high‐Mg/Mg + Fe (up to 0.96) and generally lower CaO and Al2O3 compared to peridotite orthopyroxenes and perhaps formed by reaction of siliceous fluids with olivine. Kharchinsky xenoliths have Pb, Sr, and Nd isotopes similar to Kamchatka volcanic rocks, but Hf isotopes in clinopyroxenites and gabbros are more radiogenic by 1–3 epsilon units. Patterns in isotopic data indicate a compositional change in the source of Kamchatka volcanism within the past 20 million years.
A High‐Resolution Speleothem Record of Marine Isotope Stage 11 as a Natural Analog to Holocene Asian Summer Monsoon Variations
Authors: Zhao Xinnan , Cheng Hai , Sinha Ashish , Zhang Haiwei , Baker Jonathan L. , Chen Shitao , Kong Xinggong , Wang Yongjin , Edwards R. Lawrence , Ning Youfeng , Zhao Jingyao
Published: August 2019

A full‐spectrum characterization of past interglacial climate is a necessary prerequisite for the detection and attribution of climate changes during the current interglacial. Here we present a speleothem record of Asian summer monsoon (ASM) during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 11 interglacial (MIS 11c), from Yongxing cave, China. The record's unprecedented chronologic constraints and decadal‐scale temporal resolution allow a precise and direct comparison of ASM between the MIS 11c and the Holocene. Our data suggest that orbital‐centennial patterns of ASM were remarkably similar during both interglacial, including their pacing and structure. Notably, a multi‐millennial stronger monsoon late in MIS 11c, the “Late‐MIS 11c shift,” is similar to the Late Holocene strengthening of the ASM, the “2‐Kyr shift.” Thus, the multicentennial ASM weakening at the end of the Late‐MIS 11c shift could imply that the current century‐long ASM waning trend may persist into the future, if only natural forcings are considered.
The VLA Low‐Band Ionosphere and Transient Experiment (VLITE): Ionospheric Signal Processing and Analysis
Authors: Helmboldt J. F. , Kooi J. E. , Ray P. S. , Clarke T. E. , Intema H. T. , Kassim N. E. , Mroczkowski T.
Published: August 2019

This paper describes in detail the automated pipeline used for ionospheric processing and analysis by the Very Large Array (VLA) Low‐band Ionosphere and Transient Experiment (VLITE). VLITE is a prototype system that continuously acquires data streams at 320–384 MHz from 18 of the 27 antennas comprising one of the world's most powerful radio telescopes, the VLA. VLITE independently samples and processes these signals without interfering with primary VLA observations, taking advantage of a unique feature of the optical design of its parabolic antennas. These signals are processed and analyzed with an automated pipeline to characterize ionospheric fluctuations toward cosmic sources. In particular, “low‐band” (<500 MHz) observations with the VLA are quite sensitive to the horizontal gradient in the total electron content (TEC). Such observations toward a strong cosmic source can be used to characterize fluctuations with amplitudes
TECU per km. In near real time, the pipeline generates time series and corresponding fluctuation spectra to characterize as fully as possible the observed field of TEC gradient fluctuations. The pipeline is optimized to highlight the VLA's ability to sense fluctuations on small temporal (∼seconds), spatial (∼few km), and amplitude (∼10−3–10−4 TECU per km) scales. The paper thoroughly describes the processing and analysis steps involved, including illustrative examples of each step and potential scientific applications of the resulting data products.
Multiplexed laser particles for spatially resolved single-cell analysis
Authors: Kwok Sheldon J. J. , Martino Nicola , Dannenberg Paul H. , Yun Seok-Hyun
Published: August 2019

Biomolecular analysis at the single-cell level is increasingly important in the study of cellular heterogeneity and its consequences, particularly in organismic development and complex diseases such as cancer. Single-cell molecular analyses have led to the identification of new cell types1 and the discovery of novel targets for diagnosis and therapy2. While these analyses are performed predominantly on dissociated single cells, emerging techniques seek understanding of cellular state, cellular function and cell–cell interactions within the native tissue environment by combining optical microscopy and single-cell molecular analyses. These techniques include in situ multiplexed imaging of fluorescently labeled proteins and nucleotides, as well as low-throughput ex vivo methods in which specific cells are isolated for downstream molecular analyses. However, these methods are limited in either the number and type of molecular species they can identify or the number of cells that can be analyzed. High-throughput methods are needed for comprehensive profiling of many cells (>1000) to detect rare cell types, discriminate relevant biomarkers from intrinsic population noise, and reduce the time and cost of measurement. Many established, high-throughput single-cell analyses are not directly applicable because they require tissue dissociation, leading to a loss of spatial information3. No current methods exist that can seamlessly connect spatial mapping to single-cell techniques. In this Perspective, we review current methods for spatially resolved single-cell analysis and discuss the prospect of novel multiplexed imaging probes, called laser particles, which allow individual cells to be tagged in tissue and analyzed subsequently using high-throughput, comprehensive single-cell techniques.
Structures of T7 bacteriophage portal and tail suggest a viral DNA retention and ejection mechanism
Authors: Cuervo Ana , Fàbrega-Ferrer Montserrat , Machón Cristina , Conesa José Javier , Fernández Francisco J. , Pérez-Luque Rosa , Pérez-Ruiz Mar , Pous Joan , Vega M. Cristina , Carrascosa José L. , Coll Miquel
Published: August 2019

Double-stranded DNA bacteriophages package their genome at high pressure inside a procapsid through the portal, an oligomeric ring protein located at a unique capsid vertex. Once the DNA has been packaged, the tail components assemble on the portal to render the mature infective virion. The tail tightly seals the ejection conduit until infection, when its interaction with the host membrane triggers the opening of the channel and the viral genome is delivered to the host cell. Using high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography, here we describe various structures of the T7 bacteriophage portal and fiber-less tail complex, which suggest a possible mechanism for DNA retention and ejection: a portal closed conformation temporarily retains the genome before the tail is assembled, whereas an open portal is found in the tail. Moreover, a fold including a seven-bladed β-propeller domain is described for the nozzle tail protein.
Screening of Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds for Detection of Disease in Cattle: Development of Lab-scale Method
Authors: Maurer Devin L. , Ellis Christine K. , Thacker Tyler C. , Rice Somchai , Koziel Jacek A. , Nol Pauline , VerCauteren Kurt C.
Published: August 2019

The primary hurdle for diagnosis of some diseases is the long incubation required to culture and confirm the presence of bacteria. The concept of using microbial VOCs as “signature markers” could provide a faster and noninvasive diagnosis. Finding biomarkers is challenging due to the specificity required in complex matrices. The objectives of this study were to (1) build/test a lab-scale platform for screening of microbial VOCs and (2) apply it to Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis; the vaccine strain of M. bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guérin; and M. kansasii to demonstrate detection times greater those typically required for culture. SPME-GC-MS was used for sampling, sample preparation, and analyses. For objective (1), a testing platform was built for headspace sampling of bacterial cultures grown in standard culture flasks via a biosecure closed-loop circulating airflow system. For (2), results show that the suites of VOCs produced by Mycobacteria ssp. change over time and that individual strains produce different VOCs. The developed method was successful in discriminating between strains using a pooled multi-group analysis, and in timepoint-specific multi- and pair-wise comparisons. The developed testing platform can be useful for minimally invasive and biosecure collection of biomarkers associated with human, wildlife and livestock diseases for development of diagnostic point-of-care and field surveillance.
Classifying attentional vulnerability to total sleep deprivation using baseline features of Psychomotor Vigilance Test performance
Authors: Chua Eric Chern-Pin , Sullivan Jason P. , Duffy Jeanne F. , Klerman Elizabeth B. , Lockley Steven W. , Kristal Bruce S. , Czeisler Charles A. , Gooley Joshua J.
Published: August 2019

There are strong individual differences in performance during sleep deprivation. We assessed whether baseline features of Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT) performance can be used for classifying participants’ relative attentional vulnerability to total sleep deprivation. In a laboratory, healthy adults (n = 160, aged 18–30 years) completed a 10-min PVT every 2 h while being kept awake for ≥24 hours. Participants were categorized as vulnerable (n = 40), intermediate (n = 80), or resilient (n = 40) based on their number of PVT lapses during one night of sleep deprivation. For each baseline PVT (taken 4–14 h after wake-up time), a linear discriminant model with wrapper-based feature selection was used to classify participants’ vulnerability to subsequent sleep deprivation. Across models, classification accuracy was about 70% (range 65–76%) using stratified 5-fold cross validation. The models provided about 78% sensitivity and 86% specificity for classifying resilient participants, and about 70% sensitivity and 89% specificity for classifying vulnerable participants. These results suggest features derived from a single 10-min PVT at baseline can provide substantial, but incomplete information about a person’s relative attentional vulnerability to total sleep deprivation. In the long term, modeling approaches that incorporate baseline performance characteristics can potentially improve personalized predictions of attentional performance when sleep deprivation cannot be avoided.
Two Isoforms of the Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor, Daple/CCDC88C Cooperate as Tumor Suppressors
Authors: Ear Jason , Dunkel Ying , Mittal Yash , Lim Blaze B. C. , Liu Lawrence , Holda Magda K. , Nitsche Ulrich , Barbazán Jorge , Goel Ajay , Janssen Klaus-Peter , Aznar Nicolas , Ghosh Pradipta
Published: August 2019

Previously, Aznar et al., showed that Daple/CCDC88C enables Wnt receptors to transactivate trimeric G-proteins during non-canonical Wnt signaling via a novel G-protein binding and activating (GBA) motif. By doing so, Daple serves two opposing roles; earlier during oncogenesis it suppresses neoplastic transformation and tumor growth, but later it triggers epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition (EMT). We have identified and characterized two isoforms of the human Daple gene. While both isoforms cooperatively suppress tumor growth via their GBA motif, only the full-length transcript triggers EMT and invasion. Both isoforms are suppressed during colon cancer progression, and their reduced expression carries additive prognostic significance. These findings provide insights into the opposing roles of Daple during cancer progression and define the G-protein regulatory GBA motif as one of the minimal modules essential for Daple’s role as a tumor suppressor.
Hydrogen in α-iron: role of phonons in the diffusion of interstitials at high temperature
Authors: de Andres Pedro L. , Sanchez Javier , Ridruejo Alvaro
Published: August 2019

Ab-initio Density Functional Theory has been used to compute phonons for interstitial hydrogen inα-iron. In the harmonic approximation, these phonons yield Helmholtz’s free energy as a function of temperature, which can be used to obtain diffusion barriers from an Arrhenius plot. By comparing with the experimental database compiled by Kiuchi and McLellan, we show that the role of phonons is crucial to understand the diffusion of interstitial hydrogen at T > 300 K. The computed specific heat for Fe16H and Fe behaves quite differently due to the appearance of optical modes and could be used to calibrate the amount of interstitials in the iron matrix.
Resting-state neural activity and connectivity associated with subjective happiness
Authors: Sato Wataru , Kochiyama Takanori , Uono Shota , Sawada Reiko , Kubota Yasutaka , Yoshimura Sayaka , Toichi Motomi
Published: August 2019

The majority of people throughout the world rate subjective happiness as the top of the important thing in life. A recent structural neuroimaging study exploring neurocognitive mechanisms underlying subjective happiness has suggested that the gray matter volume of the right precuneus is associated with Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) scores. However, how the neural activity in this region, as well as the neural functional coupling between this and other regions, could be related to SHS scores remains unclear. To investigate these issues, we performed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and analyzed the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) in participants, whose subjective happiness was evaluated using the SHS. Lower fALFF values in the right precuneus were associated with higher SHS scores. Furthermore, functional connectivity and spectral dynamic causal modeling analyses showed that both functional and effective connectivity of the right precuneus with the right amygdala were positively associated with SHS scores. These findings, together with other evidence on the information-processing functions of these brain regions, suggest the possibility that subjective happiness is associated with a reduction in self-referential mental processes, which are well integrated with emotional processing.
Development of multifunctional Overhauser-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging for concurrent in vivo mapping of tumor interstitial oxygenation, acidosis and inorganic phosphate concentration
Authors: Gorodetskii Artem A. , Eubank Timothy D. , Driesschaert Benoit , Poncelet Martin , Ellis Emily , Khramtsov Valery V. , Bobko Andrey A.
Published: August 2019

Tumor oxygenation (pO2), acidosis (pH) and interstitial inorganic phosphate concentration (Pi) are important parameters of the malignant behavior of cancer. A noninvasive procedure that enables visualization of these parameters may provide unique information about mechanisms of tumor pathophysiology and provide clues to new treatment targets. In this research, we present a multiparametric imaging method allowing for concurrent mapping of pH, spin probe concentration, pO2, and Pi using a single contrast agent and Overhauser-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging technique. The developed approach was applied to concurrent multifunctional imaging in phantom samples and in vivo in a mouse model of breast cancer. Tumor tissues showed higher heterogeneity of the distributions of the parameters compared with normal mammary gland and demonstrated the areas of significant acidosis, hypoxia, and elevated Pi content.
Distinct temporal developments of visual motion and position representations for multi-stream visuomotor coordination
Authors: Ueda Hiroshi , Abekawa Naotoshi , Ito Sho , Gomi Hiroaki
Published: August 2019

A fundamental but controversial question in information coding of moving visual target is which of ‘motion’ or ‘position’ signal is employed in the brain for producing quick motor reactions. Prevailing theory assumed that visually guided reaching is driven always via target position representation influenced by various motion signals (e.g., target texture and surroundings). To rigorously examine this theory, we manipulated the nature of the influence of internal texture motion on the position representation of the target in reaching correction tasks. By focusing on the difference in illusory position shift of targets with the soft- and hard-edges, we succeeded in extracting the temporal development of an indirect effect only ascribed to changes in position representation. Our data revealed that the onset of indirect effect is significantly slower than the adjustment onset itself. This evidence indicates multi-stream processing in visuomotor control: fast and direct contribution of visual motion for quick action initiation, and relatively slow contribution of position representation updated by relevant motion signals for continuous action regulation. The distinctive visuomotor mechanism would be crucial in successfully interacting with time-varying environments in the real world.
Understanding PCR Processes to Draw Meaningful Conclusions from Environmental DNA Studies
Authors: Kelly Ryan P. , Shelton Andrew Olaf , Gallego Ramón
Published: August 2019

As environmental DNA (eDNA) studies have grown in popularity for use in ecological applications, it has become clear that their results differ in significant ways from those of traditional, non-PCR-based surveys. In general, eDNA studies that rely on amplicon sequencing may detect hundreds of species present in a sampled environment, but the resulting species composition can be idiosyncratic, reflecting species’ true biomass abundances poorly or not at all. Here, we use a set of simulations to develop a mechanistic understanding of the processes leading to the kinds of results common in mixed-template PCR-based (metabarcoding) studies. In particular, we focus on the effects of PCR cycle number and primer amplification efficiency on the results of diversity metrics in sequencing studies. We then show that proportional indices of amplicon reads capture trends in taxon biomass with high accuracy, particularly where amplification efficiency is high (median correlation up to 0.97). Our results explain much of the observed behavior of PCR-based studies, and lead to recommendations for best practices in the field.
Time and space scattered volcanism of Mt. Etna driven by strike-slip tectonics
Authors: Firetto Carlino M. , Cavallaro D. , Coltelli M. , Cocchi L. , Zgur F. , Patanè D.
Published: August 2019

High-resolution seismic reflection, magnetic and gravity data, acquired offshore of Etna volcano, provide a new insight to understanding the relationship between tectonics and spatial-temporal evolution of volcanism. The Timpe Plateau, a structural high pertaining to the Hyblean foreland domain, located offshore of southeastern Mt. Etna, is speckled by volcanics and strongly affected by strike-slip tectonics. Transpressive deformation produced a push-up and a remarkable shortening along WNW-ESE to NW-SE trending lineaments. Fault segments, bounding basinal areas, show evidence of positive tectonic inversion, suggesting a former transtensive phase. Transtensive tectonics favoured the emplacement of deep magmatic intrusive bodies and Plio-Quaternary scattered volcanics through releasing zones. The continuing of wrench tectonics along different shear zones led to the migration of transtensive regions in the Etna area and the positive inversion of the former ones, where new magma ascent was hampered. This process caused the shifting of volcanism firstly along the main WNW-ESE trending “Southern Etna Shear Zone”, then towards the Valle del Bove and finally up to the present-day stratovolcano.
Information Transfer by Near-Infrared Surface-Plasmon-Polariton Waves on Silver/Silicon Interfaces
Authors: Agrahari Rajan , Lakhtakia Akhlesh , Jain Pradip K.
Published: August 2019

Electronic interconnections restrict the operating speed of microelectronic chips as semiconductor devices shrink. As surface-plasmon-polariton (SPP) waves are localized, signal delay and crosstalk may be reduced by the use of optical interconnections based on SPP waves. With this motivation, time-domain Maxwell equations were numerically solved to investigate the transport of information by an amplitude-modulated carrier SPP wave guided by a planar silicon/silver interface in the near-infrared spectral regime. The critical-point model was used for the permittivity of silicon and the Drude model for that of silver. The signal can travel long distances without significant loss of fidelity, as quantified by the Pearson and concordance correlation coefficients. The signal is partially reflected and partially transmitted without significant loss of fidelity, when silicon is terminated by air; however, no transmission occurs when silicon is terminated by silver. The fidelity of the transmitted signal in the forward direction rises when both silicon and silver are terminated by air. Thus, signals can possibly be transferred by SPP waves over several tens of micrometers in microelectronic chips.
The Delta Neutrophil Index Predicts the Development of In-hospital Hypotension in Initially Stable Patients with Pyogenic Liver Abscess
Authors: Kong Taeyoung , Park Yoo Seok , Lee Hye Sun , Kim Sinae , Lee Jong Wook , You Je Sung , Chung Hyun Soo , Park Incheol , Chung Sung Phil
Published: August 2019

Prompt diagnosis and timely treatment are important for reducing morbidity and mortality from pyogenic liver abscess (PLA). The purpose of this study was to investigate the importance of the delta neutrophil index (DNI) reflecting the fraction of immature granulocytes as a predictor of the development of in-hospital hypotension in initially stable patients with PLA. We retrospectively identified 308 consecutive patients (>18 years) who were hemodynamically stable at presentation and diagnosed with PLA in the emergency department (ED) between January 2011 and September 2017. The outcome of interest was in-hospital hypotension 1–24 hours after admission to the ED. A high DNI at ED admission was an independent predictor of the development of in-hospital hypotension in initially stable patients with PLA (odds ratio [OR]: 1.44, 95.0% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06–1.95; P = 0.02). A DNI > 3.3% was associated with in-hospital hypotension at ED admission (OR: 5.37, 95.0% CI: 2.91–9.92; P < 0.001). The development of in-hospital hypotension was associated with an increased risk of 30-day mortality (HR: 8.55, 95.0% CI: 2.57–28.4; P < 0.001). A high DNI independently predicts the development of in-hospital hypotension in initially stable patients with PLA. In-hospital hypotension is associated with an increased risk of 30-day mortality.
Corrosion behavior of metastable AISI 321 austenitic stainless steel: Investigating the effect of grain size and prior plastic deformation on its degradation pattern in saline media
Authors: Tiamiyu A. A. , Eduok Ubong , Szpunar J. A. , Odeshi A. G.
Published: August 2019

The role of grain size and strain rate on the corrosion behavior of plastically-deformed Ti-stabilized austenitic stainless steel (AISI 321) in saline media was investigated. The as-received coarse-grained alloy (CG: ~37 µm) was subjected to thermomechanical processing to develop fine (FG: ~3 µm) and ultrafine (UFG: ~0.24 µm) grained structures. These samples were deformed under high (dynamic) and low (quasi-static) strain-rate conditions to a similar true strain of ~0.86. Microstructural analyses on specimens after deformation prior to corrosion study suggests a shift from the estimated stacking fault energy value of the steel. Electrochemical tests confirm the highest corrosion resistance for UFG specimens due to the formation of the most stable adsorbed passive film. This is followed by FG and CG specimens in that order. For the three grain sizes, the corrosion resistance of specimen deformed under quasi-static loading condition is higher than that subjected to dynamic impact loading while the corrosion resistance of undeformed samples is the least. This work also confirms the non-detrimental effect of TiCs in AISI 321 austenitic stainless steel on its corrosion resistance. However, TiNs were observed to be detrimental by promoting pitting corrosion due to galvanic coupling of TiNs with their surrounding continuous phase. The mechanism of pitting in AISI 321 in chloride solution is proposed.
Space-like 56Fe irradiation manifests mild, early sex-specific behavioral and neuropathological changes in wildtype and Alzheimer’s-like transgenic mice
Authors: Liu Bin , Hinshaw Robert G. , Le Kevin X. , Park Mi-Ae , Wang Shuyan , Belanger Anthony P. , Dubey Shipra , Frost Jeffrey L. , Shi Qiaoqiao , Holton Peter , Trojanczyk Lee , Reiser Vladimir , Jones Paul A. , Trigg William , Di Carli Marcelo F. , Lorello Paul , Caldarone Barbara J. , Williams Jacqueline P. , O’Banion M. Kerry , Lemere Cynthia A.
Published: August 2019

Space travel will expose people to high-energy, heavy particle radiation, and the cognitive deficits induced by this exposure are not well understood. To investigate the short-term effects of space radiation, we irradiated 4-month-old Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-like transgenic (Tg) mice and wildtype (WT) littermates with a single, whole-body dose of 10 or 50 cGy56Fe ions (1 GeV/u) at Brookhaven National Laboratory. At ~1.5 months post irradiation, behavioural testing showed sex-, genotype-, and dose-dependent changes in locomotor activity, contextual fear conditioning, grip strength, and motor learning, mainly in Tg but not WT mice. There was little change in general health, depression, or anxiety. Two months post irradiation, microPET imaging of the stable binding of a translocator protein ligand suggested no radiation-specific change in neuroinflammation, although initial uptake was reduced in female mice independently of cerebral blood flow. Biochemical and immunohistochemical analyses revealed that radiation reduced cerebral amyloid-β levels and microglia activation in female Tg mice, modestly increased microhemorrhages in 50 cGy irradiated male WT mice, and did not affect synaptic marker levels compared to sham controls. Taken together, we show specific short-term changes in neuropathology and behaviour induced by56Fe irradiation, possibly having implications for long-term space travel.
Electrical writing, deleting, reading, and moving of magnetic skyrmioniums in a racetrack device
Authors: Göbel Börge , Schäffer Alexander F. , Berakdar Jamal , Mertig Ingrid , Parkin Stuart S. P.
Published: August 2019

A magnetic skyrmionium (also called 2π-skyrmion) can be understood as a skyrmion—a topologically nontrivial magnetic whirl—which is situated in the center of a second skyrmion with reversed magnetization. Here, we propose a new optoelectrical writing and deleting mechanism for skyrmioniums in thin films, as well as a reading mechanism based on the topological Hall voltage. Furthermore, we point out advantages for utilizing skyrmioniums as carriers of information in comparison to skyrmions with respect to the current-driven motion. We simulate all four constituents of an operating skyrmionium-based racetrack storage device: creation, motion, detection and deletion of bits. The existence of a skyrmionium is thereby interpreted as a ‘1’ and its absence as a ‘0’ bit.
The knowledge attitude and practice (KAP) of mothers of asthmatic children toward asthma in Khartoum asthma clinics
Authors: Noureddin Ahmed Abdulgadir , Shaaban Kamil Mirghani , Mohamed Sagad Omer Obeid , Abdalla Ahmed Ali , Mahmoud Ahmed Abdallah Ali , Salman Mohammed S. Tawer
Published: August 2019

Prevention of asthma attacks is one of the major challenges of public health. Sufficient knowledge and positive attitudes and correct practices are crucial for the prevention of exacerbations. However, there is insufficiency of information in regard to these in Sudan. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and to identify the attitude and practice of mothers of asthmatic children concerning their use of inhalers, compliance to preventers and to measure its effect on the severity of the disease in their children. A sample of 100 consecutive mothers of asthmatic children was enrolled. Any mother with a child diagnosed with bronchial asthma for more than 3 months, and who attended the outpatient clinic of paediatric asthma in Soba or Ahmed Gasim hospitals or the Emergency room of Ahmed Gasim or Ibrahim Malik hospital in the period from 1st to 31st of October 2016 was eligible to be included. Asthma was believed to be infectious by 7% of the respondents. 17% of the mothers thought asthma was preventable by a vaccine. 21% found inhaler use unacceptable. Half of the mothers (50%) did not use the inhaler correctly. Most of the mothers (69%) did not use the inhaler if symptoms were mild and 53% didn’t use preventers. The severity of asthma was found to be significantly associated with the attitude and practice of mothers (P < 0.05). In conclusion, sustained efforts are required to increase knowledge about all dimensions of asthma and its management among patients and to disperse myths and misguided judgments regarding the disease and its treatment.
Diet, digestion and energy intake in captive common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus): research and management implications
Authors: Power Michael L. , Adams Jessica , Solonika Kirsten , Colman Ricki J. , Ross Corinna , Tardif Suzette D.
Published: August 2019

Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) are susceptible to intestinal inflammation which leads to chronic diarrhea, weight loss, and vitamin D deficiency. We examined food intake and digestion in three mixed-sex groups of adult marmosets maintained on three commercial base diets. Animals underwent two consecutive 4-day digestion trials. Body mass stayed constant. Feces and diet were assayed for Mn, fat, and gross energy (GE). Apparent digestibility of dry matter (ADDM) was calculated by the total collection method and from dietary and fecal Mn; the methods produced correlated results (r = 0.658, p < 0.001). Apparent digestibility of energy (ADE) was calculated from ADDM and the GE of feces and diet; apparent digestibility of fat (ADfat) was calculated from ADDM and fecal fat. ADDM and ADE varied by diet (p < 0.001). We found poor digesters on all three diets. The concentration of fecal fat was inversely related to ADE (r = −0.729, p < 0.001). High fecal fat (>10%) was associated with ADfat of zero, consistent with lipid malabsorption. Mean digestible energy intake (DEI) was equal to 1.5 the estimated metabolic rate, but varied widely between individuals. The diet with the fewest animals with high fecal fat had the highest mean DEI and most animals above 450 g, suggesting it may be obesogenic.
The effect of placental location identified before delivery on birthweight discordance among diamniotic-dichorionic twin pregnancies: a three-year retrospective cohort study
Authors: Lin Dongxin , Wu Shuzhen , Fan Dazhi , Li Pengsheng , Chen Gengdong , Ma Huiting , Ye Shaoxin , Rao Jiaming , Zhang Huishan , Chen Ting , Zeng Meng , Liu Yan , Guo Xiaoling , Liu Zhengping
Published: August 2019

This retrospective cohort study aimed to investigate the effect of placental location on birthweight discordance among diamniotic-dichorionic twin pregnancies. Medical records and sonographic reports of 978 diamniotic-dichorionic twin pregnancies delivered at Foshan Maternal and Fetal Health Hospital were reviewed. Pregnancies with congenital malformation, intrauterine death or placenta previa were excluded. The placental location for each twin was determined by last sonographic examination before delivery, and the pregnancies were grouped by different versus same placental location in each pregnancy. Maternal and fetal characteristics were summarized. The primary outcome of interest was birthweight discordance (BWD) ≥20%, and secondary outcomes included small for gestational age (SGA) as a binary outcome and mean value and absolute difference in birthweight as continuous outcomes. Student’s t test and the chi-square test were used for univariate analyses, while multivariate regressions were used to adjust for confounders. General estimated equation (GEE) models were used to address the correlation between fetuses when assessing SGA. A total of 866 eligible subjects were included in the analysis. In total, 460 pregnancies had placentas with different locations, and 406 had placentas with same locations. The gestational age at delivery was slightly younger in the same placental location group than in the different placental location group (35.8 ± 0.1 vs. 36.1 ± 0.1 weeks, P = 0.067). Other maternal and fetal characteristics were comparable between the two study groups. There was no significant difference in BWD ≥20% (aOR = 1.06; 95% CI: 0.71–1.59) or SGA (aOR = 1.32; 95% CI: 0.76–2.28) between the same and different placental location groups. Neither the mean value nor the absolute difference in birth weight was associated with placental location combination (P = 0.478 and P = 0.162, respectively). In conclusion, discordant birthweight is not affected by same location of diamniotic-dichorionic placentas.
Bioaccessibility of polymethoxyflavones encapsulated in resistant starch particle stabilized Pickering emulsions: role of fatty acid complexation and heat treatment
Authors: Lu Xuanxuan , Huang Qingrong
Published: August 2019

Digestion of Pickering emulsions stabilized by starch-fatty acid complexes.
Direct synthesis of core–shell MFI zeolites with spatially tapered trimodal mesopores via controlled orthogonal self-assembly
Authors: Chen Zhuwen , Dong Lei , Chen Chao , Wang Yanding , Wang Ya , Zhang Jian , Qian Wei , Hong Mei
Published: August 2019

A one-pot approach employing orthogonal self-assembly afforded MFI zeolites having trimodal mesopore distribution with size tapering from the surface to the core.
Reversible regulation of upconversion luminescence in new photochromic ferroelectric materials: Bi4−xErxTi3O12 ceramics
Authors: Yang Fengming , Jia Bing , Wei Tong , Zhao Chuanzhen , Zhou Qingjun , Li Zepeng , Du Mingrun , Wang Mingchao , Liu Yiyang , Xie Chanying
Published: August 2019

A schematic diagram of the UC luminescence modulation mechanism.
The second offshore production of methane hydrate in the Nankai Trough and gas production behavior from a heterogeneous methane hydrate reservoir
Authors: Yamamoto K. , Wang X.-X. , Tamaki M. , Suzuki K.
Published: August 2019

The second gas production attempt from a methane hydrate (MH) deposit in the eastern Nankai Trough area was made in 2017 with the intensive data acquisition program, and it revealed effects of reservoir characters on the MH dissociation behaviors.
Crystallization, rheology and mechanical properties of the blends of poly(l-lactide) with supramolecular polymers based on poly(d-lactide)–poly(ε-caprolactone-co-δ-valerolactone)–poly(d-lactide) triblock copolymers
Authors: Jing Zhanxin , Li Jin , Xiao Weiyu , Xu Hefeng , Hong Pengzhi , Li Yong
Published: August 2019

Supramolecular polymer based on PDLA–PCVL–PDLA triblock copolymer was used for the modification of PLLA, and the results showed that it is an effective way to control the crystallization, rheology and mechanical properties of PLLA.
In situ formation of DNA-templated copper nanoparticles as fluorescent indicator for hydroxylamine detection
Authors: Song Quanwei , Chen Changzhao , Yu Wenhe , Yang Lixia , Zhang Kunfeng , Zheng Jin , Du Xianyuan , Chen Hongkun
Published: August 2019

Herein, we develop a facile method for selective and sensitive detection of hydroxylamine (HA) based on the in situ formation of DNA templated copper nanoparticles (DNA-CuNPs) as fluorescent probes.
Preparation and characterization of solid DNA silver nanoclusters with superior aerobic and thermal stability
Authors: Lin Yang-Xiu , Chang Chih-Wei
Published: August 2019

The solid DNA AgNCs exhibit superior stability and the fluorescence can be recovered in solution.
Two AIEE-active α-cyanostilbene derivatives containing BF2 unit for detecting explosive picric acid in aqueous medium
Authors: Guo Shengmei , Pan Jianting , Huang Jianyan , Kong Lin , Yang Jiaxiang
Published: August 2019

Two α-cyanostilbene derivatives bearing triphenylamine and BF2 groups exhibit AIEE properties and can detect explosive picric acid in aqueous medium.
Hierarchical Ni–Co–O–C–P hollow tetragonal microtubes grown on Ni foam for efficient overall water splitting in alkaline media
Authors: Hu Wenjing , Jiang Qingqing , Wang Lin , Hu Sha , Huang Zhengxi , Zhou Tengfei , Yang Hai-Jian , Hu Juncheng , Tang Nanfang
Published: August 2019

Herein, the Ni–Co–O–C–P hollow tetragonal microtubes grown on 3D Ni foam (Ni–Co–O–C–P/NF) was delicately designed and synthesized, which presented a high activity and durability for electrocatalytic overall-water-splitting in alkaline media.
Explicitversusimplicit similarity – exploring relational conceptual understanding in organic chemistry
Authors: Graulich Nicole , Hedtrich Sebastian , Harzenetter René
Published: August 2019

Learning to interpret organic structures not as an arrangement of lines and letters but, rather, as a representation of chemical entities is a challenge in organic chemistry. To successfully deal with the variety of molecules or mechanistic representations, a learner needs to understand how a representation depicts domain-specific information. Various studies that focused on representational competence have already investigated how learners relate a representation to its corresponding concept. However, aside from a basic connectional representational understanding, the ability to infer a comparable reactivity from multiple different functional groups in large molecules is important for undergraduate students in organic chemistry. In this quantitative study, we aimed at exploring how to assess undergraduate students’ ability to distinguish between conceptually relevant similarities and distracting surface similarities among representations. The instrument consisted of multiple-choice items in four concept categories that are generally used to estimate the reactivity in substitution reactions. This exploratory study shows that the item design for assessing students’ conceptual understanding influences students’ answering patterns. Insights and pitfalls gained from this investigation and future directions for research and teaching are provided.
Stable functionalized graphene oxide–cellulose nanofiber solid electrolytes with long-range 1D/2D ionic nanochannels
Authors: Jia Wei , Wu Peiyi
Published: August 2019

High-performance NPGOM-CNF solid electrolytes with long-range 1D/2D ionic nanochannels for fuel cell applications.
A 3D-graphene fiber electrode embedded with nitrogen-rich-carbon-coated ZIF-67 for the ultrasensitive detection of adrenaline
Authors: Zeng Jinfeng , Xu Ruoyu , Jiao Le , Wang Yuze , Chen Liwei , Windle Christopher D. , Ding Xiaoteng , Zhang Zhipan , Han Qing , Qu Liangti
Published: August 2019

A novel nitrogen-rich-carbon-coated ZIF-67 embedded three-dimensional-graphene (ZIF-67/NC/3DG) fiber is successfully synthesized for effectively detecting adrenaline.
Silicate bioceramics: from soft tissue regeneration to tumor therapy
Authors: Yu Qingqing , Chang Jiang , Wu Chengtie
Published: August 2019

The applications of silicate bioceramics in soft tissue regeneration and tumor therapy
Prediction of strain-induced phonon-mediated superconductivity in monolayer YS
Authors: Qu Ziyang , Lin Shuyi , Xu Meiling , Hao Jian , Shi Jingming , Cui Wenwen , Li Yinwei
Published: August 2019

The Tc of predicted YS monolayer is 7.3 K at doping of 0.3 holes per unit cell based on strain of 10%.
Novel bismuth activated blue-emitting phosphor Ba2Y5B5O17:Bi3+with strong NUV excitation for WLEDs
Authors: Wang Xiu , Wang Jia , Li Xingyu , Luo Haoyang , Peng Mingying
Published: August 2019

In this work, a series of novel non-rare-earth ion activated phosphors Ba2Y5−xB5O17:xBi3+for white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) was preparedviathe high temperature solid state reaction route.
Pediatric Audiology Productivity: Results From a Multicenter Survey
Authors: Steuerwald Wendy , Hunter Lisa L. , Karzon Roanne
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This report focuses on audiology productivity measures and targets, impacting variables, and implementation of productivity in pediatric settings and “life span facilities” with a significant population of pediatric patients.

Research Design

A questionnaire was sent to 116 facilities in geographically diverse locations.

Results

Of the 116 surveys sent, 25 surveys were returned (response rate of 21.5%) and 22 had sufficient data to be included for analyses. The majority of the sites measure productivity at the individual and/or department level. No predominant productivity measurement method was reported. Measurement methods included the following: appointment length (
n
= 6), weighting Current Procedural Terminology codes (
n
= 6), relative value units (
n
= 5), a combination of methods (
n
= 1), and other specific parameters (
n
= 1). Thirteen sites measured productivity as a percentage of scheduled worked time with a target of 69% (ranged from 40% to 85%). Many variables thought to impact productivity were evaluated: age of the patient, scheduling, use of a 2nd tester, no-show rate, hearing aid status, components of auditory brainstem response evaluation, documentation time, and monaural or binaural services. Schedule review and adjustment, efficiency, and communication with staff were methods reported to increase productivity.

Conclusion

Most surveyed facilities measure productivity at the individual and/or department levels. However, there is no standard method. Current productivity measures include time-based measures based on appointment length, time-based measures assigned to Current Procedural Terminology codes, relative value units, combined approaches, and individual site developed programs. Many variables impact productivity measurements. Further study and discussion are needed to develop an optimal method for productivity measurement in audiology.
Reliability modelling of compressed air energy storage for adequacy assessment of wind integrated power system
Authors: Bhattarai Safal , Karki Rajesh , Piya Prasanna
Published: August 2019

There are rising opportunities and prospects for integration of a large‐scale energy storage system in the electric power system to mitigate the challenges arising from wide‐spread growth in variable and uncertain sources of renewable energy generation. Compressed air energy storage (CAES) is one of the promising large‐scale energy storage technologies that is being explored. This study presents a novel probabilistic framework to evaluate the reliability benefit of CAES in the wind integrated power system. The developed framework is based on a hybrid approach which is a combination of Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) based state of charge model and analytical method based reliability evaluation. An equivalent average model is developed within the hybrid framework to assess the adequacy benefit of CAES operated to seasonally accumulate and transfer energy. This hybrid method brings together advantages of both MCS and analytical method in reliability evaluation resulting in a comprehensive and computationally efficient framework. A detailed Markov model for CAES component reliability is developed and integrated into the hybrid framework. Case studies are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework. The results presented quantify the reliability benefit from diurnal and seasonal energy management in CAES in addition to the environmental and financial benefits.
Night operation, analysis, and control of single‐phase quasi‐Z‐source photovoltaic power system
Authors: Liang Weihua , Liu Yushan , Ge Baoming , Li Xiao , Ferreira Fernando J.T.E. , de Almeida Anibal T.
Published: August 2019

The existing single‐phase, quasi‐Z‐source inverter (qZSI), photovoltaic (PV) power system with integrated battery energy storage (BES), abbreviated as BES‐qZSI‐PV power system, has several well‐known advantages, but cannot operate at night because there is no PV power input. In this study, a solution to overcome this issue is proposed. First, the power circuit of the conventional BES‐qZSI‐PV topology is modified to allow its operation at both day and night. Then, the system model for the night‐operation mode is built and a qZS network parameters’ design method to limit the double‐line frequency harmonic at the dc side is developed. A control strategy to ensure the high‐performance operation of the system at all times, is proposed. Based on an experimental platform of single‐phase BES‐qZSI‐PV power system, three groups of experimental tests with different qZS network parameters and battery voltages are carried out to verify the model and parameters design method by means of comparing the experimental, circuit‐based simulated, and model‐based calculated results. The proposed BES‐qZSI‐PV system performance is experimentally evaluated in steady‐state operation and day‐to‐night transit operation, as well as by the power efficiency curves in day‐ and night‐modes.