bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial variability of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus survival rates and mortality hazard in Saudi Arabia, 2012–2019
Authors: Al-Ahmadi Khalid Hussain , Alahmadi Mohammed Hussain , Al-Zahrani Ali Saeed , Hemida Maged Gomaa
Published: August 2020

About 83% of laboratory-confirmed Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) cases have emerged from Saudi Arabia, which has the highest overall mortality rate worldwide. This retrospective study assesses the impact of spatial/patient characteristics for 14-and 45-day MERS-CoV mortality using 2012–2019 data reported across Saudi regions and provinces. The Kaplan–Meier estimator was employed to estimate MERS-CoV survival rates, Cox proportional-hazards (CPH) models were applied to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for 14-and 45-day mortality predictors, and univariate local spatial autocorrelation and multivariate spatial clustering analyses were used to assess the spatial correlation. The 14-day, 45-day and overall mortality rates (with estimated survival rates) were 25.52% (70.20%), 32.35% (57.70%) and 37.30% (56.50%), respectively, with no significant rate variations between Saudi regions and provinces. Nationally, the CPH multivariate model identified that being elderly (age ≥ 61), being a non-healthcare worker (non-HCW), and having an underlying comorbidity were significantly related to 14-day mortality (HR = 2.10, 10.12 and 4.11, respectively; p < 0.0001). The 45-day mortality model identified similar risk factors but with an additional factor: patients aged 41–60 (HR = 1.44; p < 0.0001). Risk factors similar to those in the national model were observed in the Central, East and West regions and Riyadh, Makkah, Eastern, Madinah and Qassim provinces but with varying HRs. Spatial clusters of MERS-CoV mortality in the provinces were identified based on the risk factors (r2 = 0.85–0.97): Riyadh (Cluster 1), Eastern, Makkah and Qassim (Cluster 2), and other provinces in the north and south of the country (Cluster 3). The estimated HRs for the 14-and 45-day mortality varied spatially by province. For 45-day mortality, the highest HRs were found in Makkah (age ≥ 61 and non-HCWs), Riyadh (comorbidity) and Madinah (age 41–60). Coming from Makkah (HR = 1.30 and 1.27) or Qassim province (HR = 1.77 and 1.70) was independently related to higher 14-and 45-day mortality, respectively. MERS-CoV patient survival could be improved by implementing appropriate interventions for the elderly, those with comorbidities and non-HCW patients.
Роль эндогенного материала в образовании глубоководных осадков, "Природа"
Authors: Леин Алла Юльевна , Лисицын Александр Петрович
Published: August 2020

Многолетние исследования океанских осадков и отложений глубоководных гидротермальных полей в активных рифтовых зонах позволили заметно повысить роль эндогенного (вулканического и гидротермального) материала в их образовании, особенно в формировании металлоносных отложений и красных глин пелагиали океана. В составе глубоководных осадков резко сокращается объем терригенного материала из-за удаленности их от континентов и, следовательно, от речного стока. На сегодняшний день накоплено большое количество фактов, указывающих на высокий поток эндогенного материала, который поступает на дно океана из горячих базальтов и других изверженных пород и образуется при гидротермальных процессах в активных рифтовых зонах срединно-океанических хребтов.
Зодиакальный свет: старая проблема и новые гипотезы, "Природа"
Authors: БЯЛКО АЛЕКСЕЙ ВЛАДИМИРОВИЧ
Published: August 2020

Зодиакальный свет - это белый светящийся конус, легко наблюдаемый на западе через несколько часов после захода солнца или на востоке до рассвета. По спектру зодиакального света ясно, что это отраженное излучение Солнца, хотя точно неизвестно, где именно расположены рассеивающие объекты. В процессе анализа динамики осколков образования Луны была указана возможность захвата части осколков устойчивыми точками Лагранжа. В данной работе решениями задачи трех тел показано, что эти области устойчивости оказались существенно шире, а тела, захваченные около точек Лагранжа, далее дрейфуют по подковообразным замкнутым траекториям. Рассчитанная яркость отражаемого ими солнечного света сравнивается с наблюдениями. Дополнительно высказан ряд сопряженных гипотез
Родом из Чили: открытие трех новых минералов, "Природа"
Authors: Расцветаева Р.К.
Published: August 2020

Открытие новых минеральных видов - одна из важнейших задан минералогии. Для ее решения необходимо не только найти минерал, но и всесторонне его исследовать. И главными характеристиками, определяющими его новизну, служат химический состав и расположение атомов в структуре. Особенности химического состава могут быть основанием для утверждения минерала Комиссией по новым минералам, номенклатуре и классификации (КНМНК) даже тогда, когда он относится к известному структурному типу, как магнезиовольтаит и мёнит в данной работе. И большая удача, если структура минерала уникальна, как в риотинтоите. В статье описывается открытие трех новых минералов из Чили.
Супермагниты для левитирующих поездов, "Энергия: экономика, техника, экология"
Authors: ШУМЕЙКО Игорь
Published: August 2020

Статья продолжает тему, начатую автором в №12. 2019.
Искусственная гравитация для постоянной лунной базы, "Энергия: экономика, техника, экология"
Authors: МАЙБОРОДА А.О.
Published: August 2020

Статья продолжает тему, начатую автором в №12. 2019.
Трава полынь.Чёрная быль: 33 года и 333 небылицы (окончание), "Энергия: экономика, техника, экология"
Authors: ГАШО Е.Г.
Published: August 2020

Летом 1986 г. автор этого материала, будучи аспирантом, участвовал в ликвидации последствий аварии на Чернобыльской АЭС в составе студенческого отряда МЭИ “Дозиметрист-86”. В этом номере журнала мы публикуем заключительную часть материала, названного автором комментарием. Он написан к 33 годовщине аварии на Чернобыльской АЭС и к выходу на ТВ экран сериала “Чернобыль” от HBO. Начало см. Гашо Е.Г. Часть 1, 2. Трава полынь. Чёрная быль: 33 года и 333 небылицы // “Энергия: экономика, техника, экология”. 1920. № 4, 5.
СОВРЕМЕННЫЕ ТЕНДЕНЦИИ В НАКОПЛЕНИИ ИСКУССТВЕННЫХ РАДИОНУКЛИДОВ В АЗОВСКОМ И АРКТИЧЕСКИХ МОРЯХ, "Наука Юга России"
Authors: Матишов Г.Г. , Польшин В.В. , Кириллова Е.Э. , Ильин Г.В. , Усягина И.С.
Published: August 2020

Проанализированы новые данные о концентрации 137Cs в воде и донных отложениях Азовского моря. Обсуждаются факторы, определяющие поступление, накопление и перераспределение техногенных радионуклидов в его бассейне. Отмечено значительное снижение их активности в многолетней динамике. Дана сравнительная характеристика радиоэкологического состояния Азовского и североевропейских морей. Значительная роль речного стока, эффектов смыва и миграции радионуклидов с территории водосборного бассейна относится к общим характерным чертам радиационного загрязнения как южных, так и североевропейских морей. Отмечен более низкий фоновый уровень загрязнения морей Арктики в условиях ослабления глобальной радиационной нагрузки. Это объясняется их свободным водообменом с океаническим бассейном в отличие от Азовского моря. Повышенный фон радиоактивности в Азовском море в основном поддерживается рециркуляцией поступивших после аварии Чернобыльской АЭС радионуклидов. Особое значение в рециркуляции содержащихся в экосистеме техногенных радионуклидов имеет режим поступления в воду взвешенного вещества в период сезонных паводков и особенно при ветровом перемешивании. При этом мутность воды возрастает до максимума, а взмучивание достигает дна, вызывая десорбцию радионуклидов, дифференциацию и переотложение донных осадков. Специфические для Азовского моря условия смешения пресных и соленых вод, формирование острых градиентов солености играют важную роль в сорбции и осаждении радионуклидов в этом водоеме. Механика литологической и биологической адсорбции, фиксация и осаждение радиоактивных частиц планктоном, бентосом и другой морской биотой до сих пор очень слабо изучена.
Socio-economic Status of the Livestock-rearers in the Flood-prone Districts of Odisha
Authors: Behera Jeebanjyoti , Jha Sujeet Kumar , Bhuyan Maneesha , Malla Aditya Kumar
Published: August 2020

Flood has been found to be the most frequent to Odisha among all-natural calamities. Flood affects in same way to both humans as well as animal’s life. Animals, those who survived from these floods are threatened by the non-availability of feed and shelter. Fodder fields are also completely destroyed like other agricultural crops. These feed deprived and shelter less animals are stressed and immune-suppressed, thus become susceptible to contagious diseases. The present study was conducted to know the socio economic status of the livestock-rearers under the given resources viz. demographic, physical, economic, flood-related information and social. Ex-post Research Design was followed for the present study.A total of 120 livestock-rearers were selected, using simple random sampling method from 8 villages of 4 blocks from the 2 Districts of the Odisha for the purpose of the study. The respondents of the study area were marginal farmers having average operational land holding of 0.11 hectare. It was found that 31.74 percent of the average income of respondents was earned from crop cultivation, 26.00 percent from livestock. All the respondents of the studied area had experienced flood events during the last 10 years, which means the flood is a regular annual event in studied district. This study throws light on the existing conditions of the farmers of the flood-prone districts of Odisha, which is very fragile and needs immense care.
Role of Self-Directed Learning Readiness in Developing Entrepreneurial Behaviors
Authors: Nishantha Busige , Fernando Muthuthanthrige Sahan Jayamal
Published: August 2020

Aims: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of self-directed learning readiness on developing entrepreneurial behaviors through social learning in the context of entrepreneurship education programs offered by state sector universities of Sri Lanka.

Study Design: Correlational research design.

Place and Duration of the Study: University of Colombo, University of Sri Jayewardenepura and University of Moratuwa during August 2018 to March 2019.

Methodology: Collected primary data from the participants of entrepreneurship education programs conducted by three major state sector universities in Sri Lanka to reveal their level of self-directed learning readiness, availability of social learning opportunities in the programs and consequent development in their entrepreneurial behaviors after enrolling the programs. Stratified random sampling is used in selecting respondents for the sample of this quantitative study and self-administered questionnaires are used as the method of data collection. SPSS is used to carry out different kinds of statistical analysis such as Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy and Bartlett’s test of sphericity, factor analysis, descriptive statistics, correlation and hierarchical regression analysis.

Results: The results show that self-directed learning readiness moderates the positive association of the development in entrepreneurial behaviors and social learning in the context of entrepreneurship education. Further, the paper provides an important analysis of the state of entrepreneurship education in Sri Lanka to enable further research to be taken in the area of entrepreneurship education. The findings provide valuable insight on sustaining the unique pedagogy of entrepreneurship education by restructuring the selection process to assess the level of self-directed learning readiness of applicants.

Conclusion: The paper affirms the framework of Bandura to provide a basis to improve the effectiveness of entrepreneurship education in Sri Lanka. However, the paper only concerns students’ perceptions towards the tripartite relationship between self-directed learning readiness, social learning and development of entrepreneurial behaviors
Nutrient Budgeting of Primary Nutrients and Their Use Efficiency in India
Authors: Sahu Gayatri , Das Shreya , Mohanty Samanyita
Published: August 2020

The imbalanced use of fertilizers in India is evident from the fact that the current ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in agricultural soil in several states is skewed towards nitrogen. This imbalance causes problems, right from stagnating or declining productivity to soil sickness, widespread deficiency of macro nutrients and micronutrients, and soil alkalinity and salinity. Eventually, it results in reduced efficiency of fertilisers, low yields and low profitability for farmers. Also, nitrogen pollution of surface and groundwater due to excessive fertiliser use has reached alarming levels in several states. Chemical fertilizers are currently the major emitters of nitrous oxide gas, a potent greenhouse gas and ozone depleting substance. Nutrient budget is an important tool to provide an early indication of potential problems arising from nutrient surplus and nutrient deficit. Balanced use of all types of fertilizers, including traditional organic manures and biofertilizers are needed to bring about a change in the prevailing regime that encourages excessive use of chemical fertilizers. However, meeting future food security targets in an over-populated developing country like India, needs to increase the nutrient use efficiency. This ultimately leads to site-specific need-based nutrient application and minimizing nutrient losses from fields. This leads to the 4R Nutrient Stewardship concept, applying the Right Source of nutrients, at the Right Rate, at the Right Time and in the Right Place. This paper provides a historical overview of the nutrient budgeting efforts and systematically reviews major challenges, opportunities, in defining, quantifying, and applying nutrient budgets and improving nutrient use efficiency.
Música híbrida na Amazônia: peculiaridades do punk rock em Belém do Pará
Authors: Monteiro Keila Michelle Silva
Published: August 2020

Este artigo trata de uma pesquisa em andamento na qual se busca perceber a hibridação como algo presente nas composições de bandas de punk rock na região amazônica, visto que este subgênero do rock se faz presente desde o início dos anos 80 em Belém do Pará. As bandas punks compõem um universo cultural híbrido propício para que se busque suas perspectivas epistêmicas, seu diálogo com outras culturas numa visão inter e transdisciplinar. Investigar os diálogos possíveis entre os saberes da região e de localidades externas, inclusive dos países que geraram esse estilo musical, que permeiam a cultura das bandas punks em Belém de modo a buscar suas interfaces epistêmicas é um incentivo à pesquisa de música urbana na região, sendo que cada gênero ou subgênero musical guarda suas particularidades da região e de outras localidades.
O Padre José Maurício Nunes Garcia e os “inventores do Brasil”: a perspectiva sobre o negro dos anos 1930 e o nacionalismo em Arte
Authors: Vaccari Pedro Razzante
Published: August 2020

A visão que começou a ser esboçada na década de 1930, aquela concernente à formação dos conceitos de Nação e Pátria que foram impulsionados pela Era Vargas, imprescindíveis para a estruturação do país enquanto polo industrial da América Latina, veio embasada por revisionistas, que se tornaram conhecidos, posteriormente, como os “inventores do Brasil”.

Delinearam um modo de pensar o Nacionalismo, reescreveram a História do Brasil sob uma nova perspectiva, estudos sobre a formação racial, cultural e social do país. Este artigo visa a trazer à tona aspectos sociais e antropológicos que tangenciam a biografia e obra do Padre José Maurício Nunes Garcia. Para o delineamento de um passado glorioso, se elegeram algumas figuras importantes para a construção da História Música no Brasil, e para isso utilizaram, como símbolo da Música Colonial, o Padre José Maurício. No entanto, teria sido proposital o ‘embranquecimento’ histórico pelo qual ele passou?
Regucalcin enhances adipocyte differentiation and attenuates inflammation in 3T3‐L1 cells
Authors: Murata Tomiyasu , Yamaguchi Masayoshi , Kohno Susumu , Takahashi Chiaki , Risa Watanabe , Hatori Kanna , Hikita Kiyomi , Kaneda Norio
Published: August 2020

Dysregulation of adipocyte differentiation and dysfunction play key roles in the pathogenesis of obesity and associated disorders such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome, and as such, a better understanding of the molecular mechanism of adipogenesis may help to elucidate the pathological condition of obesity and its associated disorders. Regucalcin (RGN) plays multiple regulatory roles in intracellular Ca2+ signaling pathways in mammalian cells. Here, we report that overexpression of RGN enhances lipid accumulation in 3T3‐L1 adipocyte cells after adipogenic stimulation, accompanied by upregulation of adipocyte differentiation marker proteins. In contrast, genetic disruption of RGN inhibited adipogenic stimulation‐induced differentiation of 3T3‐L1 cells. Furthermore, RGN overexpression in differentiated 3T3‐L1 adipocytes blocked inflammatory crosstalk between 3T3‐L1 adipocytes and RAW264.7 macrophages in a transwell coculture system. Knockdown of RGN expression in cocultured 3T3‐L1 adipocytes enhanced their susceptibility to RAW264.7 macrophage‐mediated inflammation. These results suggest that RGN is required for 3T3‐L1 adipocyte differentiation and that it exerts anti‐inflammatory activity against 3T3‐L1 adipocyte inflammation after coculture with RAW264.7 macrophages. Thus, RGN may be a novel regulator of adipocyte differentiation and act as a suppressor of inflammation in macrophage‐infiltrated adipocyte tissue.
Language Ideology
Authors: Woolard Kathryn A.
Published: August 2020

Language ideologies are morally and politically loaded representations of the structure and use of languages in a social world. They link language to identities, institutions, and values in all societies. Such ideologies actively mediate between and shape linguistic forms and social processes. Three research streams that joined in the early 1990s to bring language ideologies into focus are discussed. Theoretical tools of semiotic and social analysis are surveyed, including indexicality, indexical order and field, enregisterment, iconization, erasure, and recursivity. Focal topics of linguistic ideology explored are sociolinguistic differentiation and linguistic authority, including ideologies of anonymity, authenticity, and sacred origins. Critiques of expert and activist language ideologies, and unintended consequences of ideologies such as linguistic purism, are discussed. Emergent ideologies are seen in linguistic commodification, appropriation, and globalization, as well as in changing forms of linguistic authority produced in contentions over ritual language in colonial encounters.
Test–retest reliability of the Friedreich’s ataxia rating scale
Authors: Rummey Christian , Zesiewicz Theresa A. , Perez‐Lloret Santiago , Farmer Jennifer M. , Pandolfo Massimo , Lynch David R.
Published: August 2020

The modified Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale (mFARS) is a disease specific, exam‐based neurological rating scale commonly used as a outcome measure in clinical trials. While extensive clinimetric testing indicates it’s validity in measuring disease progression, formal test–retest reliability was lacking. To fill this gap, we acquired results from screening and baseline visits of several large clinical trials and calculated intraclass correlation coefficients, coefficients of variance, standard error, and the minimally detectable changes. This study demonstrated excellent test–retest reliability of the mFARS, and it’s upright stability subscore.
Advances in Healthcare Electronics Enabled by Triboelectric Nanogenerators
Authors: Chen Xiaoping , Xie Xinkai , Liu Yina , Zhao Chun , Wen Min , Wen Zhen
Published: August 2020

The treatment, diagnosis, and monitoring of diseases have attracted more and more attention in recent years. Healthcare electronics help effectively treat and real‐time monitor diseases. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) show great potential for healthcare applications because of their superiority including low cost, flexible structures, and self‐powered property. Herein, the recent key advancements in TENG‐based healthcare applications are comprehensively reviewed. TENGs could not only harvest the mechanical energy from the body to make electrical stimulation but also generate different electrical signals in response to external stimuli. Integrated systems combined with TENGs and other sensors could also promote sensing stability. The materials, structures, working mechanisms, and performance of each application are discussed. The existing limitations and prospects for further TENG‐based healthcare are finally put forward.
Zeolite (In)Stability under Aqueous or Steaming Conditions
Authors: Heard Christopher James , Grajciar Lukáš , Uhlík Filip , Shamzhy Mariya , Opanasenko Maksym , Čejka Jiří , Nachtigall Petr
Published: August 2020

Zeolites are among the most environmentally friendly materials produced industrially at the Megaton scale. They find numerous commercial applications, particularly in catalysis, adsorption, and separation. Under ambient conditions aluminosilicate zeolites are stable when exposed to water or water vapor. However, at extreme conditions as high temperature, high water vapor pressure or increased acidity/basicity, their crystalline framework can be destroyed. The stability of the zeolite framework under aqueous conditions also depends on the concentration and character of heteroatoms (other than Al) and the topology of the zeolite. The factors critical for zeolite (in)stability in the presence of water under various conditions are reviewed from the experimental as well as computational sides. Nonreactive and reactive interactions of water with zeolites are addressed. The goal of this review is to provide a comparative overview of all‐silica zeolites, aluminosilicates and zeolites with other heteroatoms (Ti, Sn, and Ge) when contacted with water. Due attention is also devoted to the situation when partial zeolite hydrolysis is used beneficially, such as the formation of hierarchical zeolites, synthesis of new zeolites or fine‐tuning catalytic or adsorption characteristics of zeolites.
Magnetic Organization of Neural Networks via Micro‐Patterned Devices
Authors: Marcus Michal , Indech Ganit , Vardi Naor , Levy Itay , Smith Alexandra , Margel Shlomo , Shefi Orit , Sharoni Amos
Published: August 2020

Guiding neuronal migration and outgrowth has great importance for therapeutic applications and for bioelectronics interfaces. Many efforts have been devoted to the development of tools to form predesigned structured neuronal networks. Here, a unique approach to localize cell bodies and direct neurite outgrowth is described based on local magnetic manipulations. Inspired by spintronic devices, a multi‐layer deposition process is developed to generate nanometric‐thick films with perpendicular magnetization that provide stable attraction forces toward the entire magnetic pads. PC12 cells, a common neuronal model, are transformed to magnetic units by incubation with superparamagnetic nanoparticles, which are then plated and differentiated atop the substrates. The vast majority of MNPs‐loaded cells adhere to the magnetic pads, showing high affinity to the magnetic patterns in correlation with numerical simulations of the magnetic force strength. Additionally, neuronal growth analysis shows that the magnetic substrate is effective in directing the extending neurites, which tend to remain atop the magnetic pads, and even follow complex patterns such as hexagons. This suggests that the MNPs diffuse into the neuronal processes throughout network formation. The ability to remotely control neuronal motility together with network design via smart magnetic materials opens possibilities for new neuronal interfaces and implantable therapeutic devices.
Non‐N‐Doped Carbons as Metal‐Free Electrocatalysts
Authors: Wang Bin , Liu Bowen , Dai Liming
Published: August 2020

Ten years have passed since the discovery of the first nitrogen‐doped carbon‐based metal‐free catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction, which opened a new field of catalysis toward a large variety of important applications, ranging from energy conversion and storage to environmental remediation. Various heteroatom‐doped carbons, beyond nitrogen‐doping (N‐doping), with distinctive features have also been developed for many specific reactions of practical significance (e.g., oxygen reduction (ORR), water splitting (OER and HER), CO2 reduction (CO2RR), and N2 reduction (NRR)). However, the topic of metal‐free non‐N‐doped carbon electrocatalysts has not been reviewed till now. This article aims to review recent advances in non‐N‐doped carbon electrocatalysts with an emphasis on their synthesis, catalytic mechanisms, and catalytic performance in various electrochemical reactions, including the ORR, OER, HER, H2O2 production, NRR, and CO2RR. Like N‐doping, boron‐doping, phosphorus‐doping, and fluorine‐doping are found to show similar catalytic efficiency for the ORR, OER, and HER. However, oxygen‐doping and boron‐doping are particularly favorable for the selective production of H2O2 and NH3, respectively, exceeding the performance of N‐doping. Along with the timely and critical overview on the non‐N‐doped carbon electrocatalysts, current challenges and future perspectives for this emerging field are also discussed.
The Complex Charge Paradigm: A New Approach for Designing Electromagnetic Wavepackets
Authors: Wong Liang Jie , Christodoulides Demetrios N. , Kaminer Ido
Published: August 2020

Singularities in optics famously describe a broad range of intriguing phenomena, from vortices and caustics to field divergences near point charges. The diverging fields created by point charges are conventionally seen as a mathematical peculiarity that is neither needed nor related to the description of electromagnetic beams and pulses, and other effects in modern optics. This work disrupts this viewpoint by shifting point charges into the complex plane, and showing that their singularities then give rise to propagating, divergence‐free wavepackets. Specifically, point charges moving in complex space‐time trajectories are shown to map existing wavepackets to corresponding complex trajectories. Tailoring the complex trajectories in this “complex charge paradigm” leads to the discovery and design of new wavepacket families, as well as unprecedented electromagnetic phenomena, such as the combination of both nondiffracting behavior and abruptly‐varying behavior in a single wavepacket. As an example, the abruptly focusing X‐wave–a propagation‐invariant X‐wave‐like wavepacket with prechosen self‐disruptions that enhance its peak intensity by over 200 times–is presented. This work envisions a unified method that captures all existing wavepackets as corresponding complex trajectories, creating a new design tool in modern optics and paving the way to further discoveries of electromagnetic modes and waveshaping applications.
Thermoelectric Generators: Alternative Power Supply for Wearable Electrocardiographic Systems
Authors: Dargusch Matthew , Liu Wei‐Di , Chen Zhi‐Gang
Published: August 2020

Research interest in the development of real‐time monitoring of personal health indicators using wearable electrocardiographic systems has intensified in recent years. New advanced thermoelectrics are potentially a key enabling technology that can be used to transform human body heat into power for use in wearable electrographic monitoring devices. This work provides a systematic review of the potential application of thermoelectric generators for use as power sources in wearable electrocardiographic monitoring systems. New strategies on miniaturized rigid thermoelectric modules combined with batteries or supercapacitors can provide adequate power supply for wearable electrocardiographic systems. Flexible thermoelectric generators can also support wearable electrocardiographic systems directly when a heat sink is incorporated into the design in order to enlarge and stabilize the temperature gradient. Recent advances in enhancing the performance of novel fiber/fabric based flexible thermoelectrics has opened up an exciting direction for the development of wearable electrocardiographic systems.
Research Priorities for Agricultural Cooperatives and their Farmer‐Members
Authors: Boland Michael A. , Briggeman Brian C. , Jacobs Keri , Kenkel Phil , McKee Gregory , Park John L.
Published: August 2020

Land grant universities have maintained long‐standing extension, applied research, and teaching programs aimed at farmer cooperatives. The purpose is to outline and detail a focused effort to establish relevant research priorities. Representatives of farmer cooperatives with 82% of their business volume in 2014 participated in the project. The future of the farm, regulation, and data sets suitable for studying policy were the greatest research needs identified by the participants. Linkages with existing extension programming including a multiuniversity director foundations self‐paced online program are described.
Vigorous responsiveness of dwarf gene Rht14 to exogenous GA3 evaluated on important morphological and agronomic traits in durum wheat
Authors: Duan Shan , Zhao Zhangchen , Qiao Yue , Cui Chunge , Condon Anthony G. , Chen Liang , Hu Yin‐Gang
Published: August 2020

Rht14, was considered as a GA‐responsive dwarf gene in durum wheat (Triticum durum L.). The object of this paper is to understand the responsiveness of Rht14 after applying exogenous GA3 on important morphological and agronomic traits, and its potential application in wheat breeding. In this study, the F2:3 lines, F3:4 lines and F4:5 lines derived from the reciprocal crosses between the Castelporziano (CP), the donor of Rht14, and tall cultivar Langdon (L) were used to evaluate the effects of Rht14 with exogenous GA3 application on crucial traits. After application of GA3, the plant height of the dwarf lines was more significantly increased by an average of 51.21% and 52.27% than that of the tall lines by 14.70% and 15.16% of the two populations, respectively, while their diameter and thickness of internodes were remarkably reduced, and their flag leaf area, SPAD value and net photosynthetic rate were markedly decreased, compared with the controls. After application of GA3, the spikelet number spike−1, grain number spike−1, and 1000‐kernel weight of the dwarf lines notably increased, while no significant differences were observed on the seed length, width and thickness. Exogenous GA3 significantly increased the coleoptile length, whereas notably reduced the max root length and total root length of the dwarf lines. Significant increases of crude protein, wet gluten, sedimentation value, stability time and development time were observed in the dwarf lines treated with GA3. This study indicated the dwarf gene Rht14 was a GA‐deficient gene and application GA3 could rescue some negative effects by Rht14.
Imperforate tracheary elements and vessels alleviate xylem tension under severe dehydration: insights from water release curves for excised twigs of three tree species
Authors: Yazaki Kenichi , Levia Delphis F. , Takenouchi Akiko , Watanabe Makoto , Kabeya Daisuke , Miki Naoko H. , Taneda Haruhiko , Ogasa Mayumi Y. , Oguro Michio , Saiki Shin‐Taro , Tobita Hiroyuki , Fukuda Kenji
Published: August 2020

Premise

Water stored in the xylem of woody plants is important for supporting the transpiration stream under prolonged drought, yet the source of stored water within the xylem during drought remains unclear. Insights into xylem water utilization during drought will uncover the adaptation strategies of the test species to stress.

Methods

To fill the existing knowledge gap, we excised twigs of Abies firma (Japanese fir, conifer), Cercidiphyllum japonicum (katsura tree, diffuse‐porous) and Quercus serrata (konara oak, ring‐porous) to quantify interspecific variation of water transfer in xylem corresponding with increasing cumulative water release (CWR) using micro x‐ray computed tomography and cryo‐SEM.

Results

For all species studied, the main components of water storage within the operating range of water potential were not living cells but cavitation release and capillaries. Abies firma maintained water in the earlywood‐like cells, for possible maintenance of the transpiration stream. Cercidiphyllum japonicum maintained water in its vessels over 200 kg m‐3 of CWR, while Q. serrata lost most of its water in vessels with increasing CWR up to 100 kg m‐3. Cercidiphyllum japonicum exhibited a higher water storage capacity than Q. serrata. Under high CWR, narrow conduits stored xylem water in C. japonicum and imperforate tracheary elements in Q. serrata.

Conclusions

Among the species examined, increasing CWR appears to indicate differential utilization of stored water in relation to variation of xylem structure, thereby providing insight into the interspecific responses of tree species to drought.
Middle Pleistocene human femoral diaphyses from Hualongdong, Anhui Province, China
Authors: Xing Song , Wu Xiu‐Jie , Liu Wu , Pei Shu‐Wen , Cai Yan‐Jun , Tong Hao‐Wen , Trinkaus Erik
Published: August 2020

Objectives

The paleontological description and comparative analysis using discrete morphology, morphometrics (linear and geometric) and cross‐sectional geometry of three femoral diaphyseal sections from the Middle Pleistocene site of Hualongdong, China.

Materials and Methods

The material consists of the original Hualongdong femoral fossils and available data on femoral diaphyses from Middle and Late Pleistocene archaic humans and Middle and earlier Upper Paleolithic modern humans. The methods include visual observation, diaphyseal diameters, cross‐sectional parameters (transverse areas and second moments of area derived from micro‐CT scans), and geometric morphometrics using semilandmark data.

Results

The Hualong 11 midshaft section is similar to other Middle and Late Pleistocene archaic humans in being transversely broad and lacking a pilaster despite a prominent linea aspera. It clusters principally with archaic human femora in all measured parameters. The Hualong 15 and 16 subtrochanteric pieces are similar to many Middle Pleistocene and early modern human femora in being transversely broad. In particular, Hualong 15 exhibits a prominent lateral (gluteal) buttress, similar to many Upper Paleolithic femora but also the Lazaret and Krapina archaic ones. In addition, Hualong 15 has a small third trochanter, a common Upper Paleolithic but rare earlier feature.

Discussion

The Hualong 11 femoral piece reinforces the general Middle Pleistocene pattern, especially for eastern Eurasia from which archaic human femora are rare. The subtrochanteric proportions of Hualong 15 and 16 reinforce the Early Pleistocene and (generally) Middle Pleistocene pattern of bone distributions, but their subperiosteal contours align them (along with those of the Lazaret and Krapina femora) with Upper Paleolithic ones. It is difficult to account for these proportions from the generally broad pelves of Pleistocene archaic humans.
Experimental and theoretical investigation of molecular interaction and molecular polarity of organic solvent with ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents at T (298.15–343.15) K and 1 atm
Authors: Ramalingam Anantharaj , Rajendran Startha Christabel Achsah , Vatti Anoop Kishore , Mark Reji Danish John Paul , Nagaraj Shruthi
Published: August 2020

Densities of the binary mixtures of organic solvents (acetic acid (HAc), n‐butanol (n‐BuOH) and n‐ butyl acetate (n‐BuAc)) with 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hydrogen sulphate {[EMIM][HSO4]: IL1}, 1‐ethyl‐3‐methyimidazolium ethyl sulphate {[EMIM][EtSO4]: IL2}, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate {[BMIM][OAc]: IL3}, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, {[BMIM][NtF2]: IL4}} and/or Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) {choline chloride‐acetic acid [ChCl][AA]: DES1}, choline chloride‐glycerol [ChCl][Gly]: DES2), were measured over the entire composition range at T (293.15–343.15) K and 1 atm. The volumteric properties and derived thermodynamic properties of mixed solvents were calculated from the experimental data in order to understand the specific interactions and/or non‐specific interactions between mixed solvents during mixing at 298.15 K and 1 atm. Further, the molecular polarity of all the studied components were analyzed using COSMO‐RS model.
Low‐voltage and ion‐free‐reverse‐migration electrically regenerated mixed‐bed ion exchange for MEG desalination
Authors: He San , Zhang Xiaozhuo , Yang Wen , Zhao Zhichao
Published: August 2020

An improved electrical regeneration method of ion exchange was proposed to enhance the feasibility of applying ion exchange for mono‐ethylene glycol (MEG) desalination and simplify the existing MEG regeneration process in deepwater gas fields. Compared with the latest electrical regeneration process named membrane‐free electrodeionization (MFEDI), this method required lower voltage, did not consume high purity water, and eliminated ion backward migration in principle. These improvements were achieved by changing the electric field direction and the flow direction from parallel in MFEDI to perpendicular during ion exchange regeneration step. In this work, a pair of commercial ruthenium oxide‐coated titanium electrodes was installed on both sides of the cuboid experimental setup. The mixed resins consisting of strong‐base and weak‐acid resins were filled between the electrodes. In water flow and direct current electric field, the resins were regenerated successfully. The feasibility of efficient regeneration with high conductivity feed water (3–200 μS/cm) was verified. After regeneration of the resin bed for 1 h at a voltage lower than 73 V, 33.83% of NaCl in 5.16 bed volume (BV) simulated rich MEG liquid was removed. After 15 cycles of repeated operation, the performance of the resins remained stable. These results provide the possibility to reclaim MEG in deepwater gas fields through a simpler method.
Shear rheology and scaling of semiflexible polymers: Effect of polymer‐solvent interactions in the semidilute regime
Authors: Romo‐Uribe Angel
Published: August 2020

Semiflexible polymers and their assemblies are important in biology as cross‐linked networks of semiflexible polymers form a major structural component of tissue and living cells. This research used shear rheology to demonstrate the tuning from worm‐like to rod‐like conformation in semiflexible polymers by polymer‐solvent interactions. The conformation was assessed by the persistence lengthlp, and its influence, in the semidilute regime, was assessed by the scaling of zero‐shear viscosityηowith concentrationcand molecular weight. The polymers were poly n‐butyl and poly n‐octyl isocyanate (PBIC and POIC, respectively). PBIC exhibited the largestlpin chlorinated solvents, and the solutions obeyed the scaling law. However, when PBIC was dissolved in benzene thelpwas greatly reduced and the scaling law now was, consistent with a worm‐like conformation. On the other hand, POIC dissolved in chlorinated and benzenic solvents exhibited a worm‐like conformation and the scaling was. These results were contrasted with those of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) aqueous solutions, which exhibit worm‐like conformation, the solutions obeyed the scalingηo ∝ c2.5. Finally, the shear viscosity of the polyisocyanates and HPC obeyed the Saito scaling, valid for anisotropic particles in solution.
Occurrence of common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in the Gulf of Trieste and the northern Adriatic Sea
Authors: Genov Tilen , Kotnjek Polona , Centrih Tina
Published: August 2020

The Mediterranean common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), considered to have been very common in the past, had undergone a dramatic decline across most of the basin by the end of 1970s. In the northern Adriatic Sea, one of the regions with most available historical information, the common dolphin is thought to have been the most common and abundant cetacean throughout most of the 20th century. However, by the end of 1970s, it had virtually disappeared from the region and is now considered generally absent from the entire Adriatic Sea.

This contribution summarizes the occurrence of common dolphins in the Gulf of Trieste and provides a brief review of published records in other parts of the Adriatic Sea.

Systematic boat surveys in the wider area of the Gulf of Trieste between 2002 and 2019 confirmed that the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is the only regularly occurring cetacean species in this area. Despite this, several records of common dolphins were documented in the Gulf of Trieste between 2009 and 2012, through sightings of live animals or recovery of dead stranded animals.

Dorsal fin markings allowed the photo‐identification of some of these, suggesting that at least four different live individuals (three adults and one calf) occurred here in recent times. Most cases involved single adult individuals, but one included a mother‐calf pair that was temporarily resident in a port for several months, a behaviour atypical for this species. Photo‐identification showed that the presumed mother had previously been sighted in the Ionian Sea in Greece, over 1,000 km from the Gulf of Trieste, making this the longest documented movement for this species worldwide.

At present, the common dolphin continues to be rare in the region.
Effects of BAFF Neutralization on Atherosclerosis Associated With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Saidoune Fanny , Even Guillaume , Lamri Yasmine , Chezel Julie , Gaston Anh‐Thu , Escoubet Brigitte , Papo Thomas , Charles Nicolas , Nicoletti Antonino , Sacre Karim
Published: August 2020

Objective

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). B cells play a key role in the pathogenesis of lupus, and anti‐BAFF therapy has been approved for use in SLE. Since mature B cells also promote atherosclerosis, we undertook this study to evaluate, in a mouse model and in SLE patients, whether BAFF neutralization has an atheroprotective effect in SLE.

Methods

The effect of BAFF on atherosclerosis associated with lupus was investigated in the atherosclerosis/lupus‐prone apolipoprotein E–knockout D227K mouse model and in a cohort of SLE patients. Mice were treated with a blocking anti‐BAFF monoclonal antibody (mAb), while fed a standard chow diet. Carotid plaque and carotid intima‐media thickness were assessed by ultrasound at baseline and during follow‐up in SLE patients who were asymptomatic for CVD.

Results

Anti‐BAFF mAb in ApoE−/− D227K mice induced B cell depletion, efficiently treated lupus, and improved atherosclerosis lesions (21% decrease; P = 0.007) in mice with low plasma cholesterol levels but worsened the lesions (17% increase; P = 0.06) in mice with high cholesterol levels. The atheroprotective effect of the BAFF–BAFF receptor signaling inhibition on B cells was counterbalanced by the proatherogenic effect of the BAFF–TACI signaling inhibition on macrophages. In SLE patients, blood BAFF levels were associated with subclinical atherosclerosis (r = 0.26, P = 0.03). Anti‐BAFF mAb treatment had a differential effect on the intima‐media thickness progression in SLE patients depending on body mass index.

Conclusion

Depending on the balance between lipid‐induced and B cell–induced proatherogenic conditions, anti‐BAFF could be detrimental or beneficial, respectively, to atherosclerosis development in SLE.
Embedding Amorphous Molybdenum Sulfide within a Porous Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) Matrix to Enhance its H2‐evolving Catalytic Activity and Robustness
Authors: Nguyen Anh D. , Pham Phuong T. , Tran Dai C. , Nguyen Loan T. , Tran Phong D.
Published: August 2020

Amorphous molybdenum sulfide (MoSx) is a promising alternative to Pt catalyst for the H2 evolution in water. However, it is suffered of an electrochemical corrosion. In this report, we present a strategy to tack this issue by embedding the MoSx catalyst within a porous poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) matrix. The PEDOT host is firstly grown onto a fluorine‐doped tin oxide (FTO) electrode by electrochemical polymerization of EDOT monomer in an acetonitrile solution to perform a porous structure. The MoSx catalyst is subsequently deposited onto the PEDOT by an electrochemical oxidation of [MoS4]2− monomer. In a 0.5 M H2SO4 electrolyte solution, the MoSx/PEDOT shows higher H2‐evolving catalytic activities (current density of 34.2 mA/cm2 at −0.4 V vs RHE) in comparison to a pristine MoSx grown on a planar FTO electrode having similar catalyst loading (24.2 mA/cm2). The PEDOT matrix contributes to enhance the stability of MoSx catalyst by a significant manner. As such, the MoSx/PEDOT retains 81 % of its best catalytic activity after 1000 potential scans from 0 to −0.4 V vs. RHE, whereas a planar MoSx catalyst is completely degraded after about 240 potential scans, due to its complete corrosion.
RNA‐based fluorescent biosensors for live cell detection of bacterial sRNA
Authors: Kitto Rebekah Z. , Christiansen Kylee E. , Hammond Ming C.
Published: August 2020

Bacteria contain a diverse set of RNAs to provide tight regulation of gene expression in response to environmental stimuli. Bacterial small RNAs (sRNAs) work in conjunction with protein cofactors to bind complementary mRNA sequences in the cell, leading to up‐ or downregulation of protein synthesis. In vivo imaging of sRNAs can aid in understanding their spatiotemporal dynamics in real time, which inspires new ways to manipulate these systems for a variety of applications including synthetic biology and therapeutics. Current methods for sRNA imaging are quite limited in vivo and do not provide real‐time information about fluctuations in sRNA levels. Herein, we describe our efforts toward the development of an RNA‐based fluorescent biosensor for bacterial sRNA both in vitro and in vivo. We validated these sensors for three different bacterial sRNAs in Escherichia coli and demonstrated that the designs provide a bright, sequence‐specific signal output in response to exogenous and endogenous RNA targets.
Advances in juvenile adjudicative competence: A 10‐year update
Authors: Cunningham Kathryn A.
Published: August 2020

This article provides a comprehensive review of juvenile adjudicative competence (AC) literature published between 2010 and 2019. Publications included in this article are peer‐reviewed and disseminate original research or provide new commentary on forensic evaluation, policy, or theory. The review is organized in the following sequence: (i) factors associated with juvenile AC, (ii) evaluating juvenile AC (assessment tools and techniques, quality of evaluations, evaluation recommendations), (iii) remediation (remediation recommendations), (iv) systemic issues (inconsistency in statutes and court processes, defense attorneys' concerns about AC, age‐related issues, developmental immaturity), and (v) special topics (special populations, international research). Systemic processes and variability in statutes have contributed to current concerns regarding reliability of juvenile AC evaluation and remediation. Clear and consistent standards must be developed to address these problems. Continued research is necessary to clarify how to accurately assess juvenile AC and appropriately remediate those adjudicated incompetent. Practice and policy implications as well as future directions for research are discussed.