bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Habitat amount is less important than habitat configuration for a threatened marsupial predator in naturally fragmented landscapes
Authors: Moore Harry A. , Michael Damian R. , Dunlop Judy A. , Valentine Leonie E. , Cowan Mitchell A. , Nimmo Dale G.
Published: February 2022

Context

The amount and configuration of habitat are independent but tightly linked landscape characteristics which are often confounded in ecological studies. Differentiating the effects of each characteristic is critical for conservation, because the mechanisms by which they influence populations are distinct. While studies that have measured the effects of habitat amount and configuration separately have often found the former to be more important, a subset of these studies suggest habitat configuration can be vital to a species when habitat amount is low (10–30%).

Objectives

We aimed to test the independent effects of habitat amount and configuration on the occupancy and abundance of an endangered marsupial predator, the northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus), which persists in naturally fragmented rocky landscapes, in which habitat amount is naturally low (i.e. typically < 30%).

Methods

Northern quolls were surveyed across 22 study landscapes that were deliberately selected such that habitat amount and configuration were uncorrelated. Northern quoll occupancy and abundance was estimated at each landscape using data collected from remote sensing cameras, and a combination of occupancy and n-mixture models.

Results

Spatial configuration of rocky habitats was more important than the amount of habitat when predicting quoll occupancy and abundance; northern quolls were less abundant in landscapes that were more fragmented. In addition, northern quolls favoured areas that were topographically rugged and received more rainfall.

Conclusions

Our results support the hypothesis that the effects of habitat configuration can be strongest when habitat amount is low, and underscore the importance of aggregated patches of rocky outcrops for northern quoll conservation. The subdivision of rocky habitat, for instance through construction of mines or mining infrastructure (e.g. road, rail lines), is likely to have negative impacts on northern quoll populations.
Daily Intake of Lemna minor or Spinach as Vegetable Does Not Show Significant Difference on Health Parameters and Taste Preference
Authors: Mes Jurriaan J. , Esser Diederik , Somhorst Dianne , Oosterink Els , van der Haar Sandra , Ummels Meeke , Siebelink Els , van der Meer Ingrid M.
Published: February 2022

The growing world population will increase the demand for new sustainable foods and ingredients. Here we studied the safety and tolerance of Lemna minor, a new sustainable vegetable crop from the duckweed family. Twenty-four healthy adults consumed either L. minor plant material or spinach as vegetable (170 g fresh weight) as part of a warm meal on 11 consecutively days in a randomized controlled parallel trial design. The intervention meals had a different recipe for each day of the week. All participants had to report daily if they experienced gastric complaints, feelings of hunger, fullness, desire to eat, thirst, general health, nausea, and stool consistency. Only hunger, flatulence and constipation were significantly different between both intervention groups. At the start and end of the intervention, blood and urine were sampled in order to analyze biomarkers for general health, e.g., kidney function, liver function, cardiovascular health, inflammation and iron status. Both intervention groups did not show significant differences for these biomarkers. In taste attributes the L. minor-based products showed in only a few specific cases a significant difference compared to the spinach-based products. Based on the results we conclude that 11 consecutive days intake of 170 g fresh weight L. minor plants as a cooked vegetable does not result in any adverse effect in healthy adult subjects.
A second chance for failed entrepreneurs: a good idea?
Authors: Gottschalk Sandra , Müller Bettina
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we analyze how previously failed entrepreneurs fare with their current venture in terms of survival compared with novices. While previous studies have focused on the superior learning effects of failure experience, we point to the selection process that takes place before failed entrepreneurs become business owners again. One potential driver of this process is entrepreneurial talent. We find that failed entrepreneurs are less likely to survive with their current venture. This result persists for several subgroups of entrepreneurs, if we consider the number of past failure events, or if we control for the inclination of entrepreneurs to pursue high-risk projects. Overall, our results are consistent with the hypothesis that previously failed entrepreneurs are those with below-average entrepreneurial talent.
Introducing the Special Issue on “Social Justice: Lessons Learned and Needed Research”
Authors: Folger Robert , Taylor Regina , Morrison Hayley
Published: February 2022

We introduce this special issue on “Social Justice: Lessons Learned and Needed Research.” The issue honors Early Career Award winners chosen by the International Society for Justice Research. The resulting articles represent notable contributions to the domain of research and theory on justice.
Two-Phase Flow Mechanisms Controlling CO2 Intrusion into Shaly Caprock
Authors: Kivi I. R. , Makhnenko R. Y. , Vilarrasa V.
Published: February 2022

Geologic carbon storage in deep saline aquifers has emerged as a promising technique to mitigate climate change. CO2 is buoyant at the storage conditions and tends to float over the resident brine jeopardizing long-term containment goals. Therefore, the caprock sealing capacity is of great importance and requires detailed assessment. We perform supercritical CO2 injection experiments on shaly caprock samples (intact caprock and fault zone) under representative subsurface conditions. We numerically simulate the experiments, satisfactorily reproducing the observed evolution trends. Simulation results highlight the dynamics of CO2 flow through the specimens with implications to CO2 leakage risk assessment in field practices. The large injection-induced overpressure drives CO2 in free phase into the caprock specimens. However, the relative permeability increase following the drainage path is insufficient to provoke an effective advancement of the free-phase CO2. As a result, the bulk CO2 front becomes almost immobile. This implies that the caprock sealing capacity is unlikely to be compromised by a rapid capillary breakthrough and the injected CO2 does not penetrate deep into the caprock. In the long term, the intrinsically slow molecular diffusion appears to dominate the migration of CO2 dissolved into brine. Nonetheless, the inherently tortuous nature of shaly caprock further holds back the diffusive flow, favoring safe underground storage of CO2 over geological time scales.
Roles of mannosylerythritol lipid-B components in antimicrobial activity against bovine mastitis-causing Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Yamauchi Shinya , Furukawa Mutsumi , Kawahara Akio , Sugahara Tomohiro , Yamamoto Shuhei , Kitabayashi Masao , Sogabe Atsushi , Shimoda So , Hata Eiji , Watanabe Kouichi , Yoneyama Hiroshi , Aso Hisashi , Nochi Tomonori
Published: February 2022

Mannosylerythritol lipid-B (MEL-B), which comprises ester-bonded hydrophilic ME and hydrophobic fatty acids, is a bio-surfactant with various unique properties, including antimicrobial activity against most gram-positive bacteria. The gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus is a causative pathogen of dairy cattle mastitis, which results in considerable economic loss in the dairy industry. Here, we demonstrate the efficacy of MEL-B as a disinfectant against bovine-derived S. aureus and elucidate a mechanism of action of MEL-B in the inhibition of bacterial growth. The growth of bovine mastitis causative S. aureus BM1006 was inhibited when cultured with MEL-B above 10 ppm. The activity of MEL-B required fatty acids (i.e., caprylic and myristoleic acids) as ME, the component of MEL-B lacking fatty acids, did not inhibit the growth of S. aureus even at high concentrations. Importantly, ME-bound fatty acids effectively inhibited the growth of S. aureus when compared with free fatty acids. Specifically, the concentrations of ME-bound fatty acids and free caprylic and myristoleic acids required to inhibit the growth of S. aureus were 10, 1442, and 226 ppm, respectively. The involvement of ME in the antimicrobial activity of MEL-B was confirmed by digestion of MEL-B with alkali, which dissociated ME and fatty acids. These results indicated that a mechanism of action of MEL-B in inhibiting the growth of S. aureus could be explained by the effective transporting of antimicrobial fatty acids to the bacterial surface via hydrophilic ME.
Teaching Dynamics to Biology Undergraduates: the UCLA Experience
Authors: Garfinkel Alan , Bennoun Steve , Deeds Eric , Van Valkenburgh Blaire
Published: February 2022

There is a growing realization that traditional “Calculus for Life Sciences” courses do not show their applicability to the Life Sciences and discourage student interest. There have been calls from the AAAS, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the NSF, and the American Association of Medical Colleges for a new kind of math course for biology students, that would focus on dynamics and modeling, to understand positive and negative feedback relations, in the context of important biological applications, not incidental “examples.” We designed a new course, LS 30, based on the idea of modeling biological relations as dynamical systems, and then visualizing the dynamical system as a vector field, assigning “change vectors” to every point in a state space. The resulting course, now being given to approximately 1400 students/year at UCLA, has greatly improved student perceptions toward math in biology, reduced minority performance gaps, and increased students' subsequent grades in physics and chemistry courses. This new course can be customized easily for a broad range of institutions. All course materials, including lecture plans, labs, homeworks and exams, are available from the authors; supporting videos are posted online.
A detailed method for creating digital 3D models of human crania: an example of close-range photogrammetry based on the use of Structure-from-Motion (SfM) in virtual anthropology
Authors: Lauria Gabriele , Sineo Luca , Ficarra Salvatore
Published: February 2022

Photogrammetry is a survey technique that allows for the building of three-dimensional (3D) models from digitized output data. In recent years, it has been confirmed as one of the best techniques to build 3D models widely used in several fields such as life and earth sciences, medicine, architecture, topography, archaeology, crime scene investigation, cinematography, and engineering. Close-range photogrammetry, in particular, has several applications in osteological studies allowing to create databases of 3D bone models available for subsequent qualitative and quantitative studies. This work provides a step-by-step guide of the photo acquisition protocol and the photogrammetric workflow for creating high-resolution 3D digital models of human crania. Our method, based on Structure-from-Motion (SfM), uses single-camera photogrammetry to capture chromatic details and reconstruct shape with a scale error of less than 1 mm. Using relatively inexpensive and easily transportable equipment and a quick and simple protocol, realistic and accurate models can be be produced with minimal effort.
The strategic value of design for remanufacturing: a case study of professional imaging equipment
Authors: Boorsma Nina , Peck David , Bakker Tanya , Bakker Conny , Balkenende Ruud
Published: February 2022

Remanufacturing offers an approach to extend product lifetime beyond its first use. After restoring products to original quality, they are reintroduced to the market. To make products more suited for this approach, and to increase resource-efficiency, design for remanufacturing can be incorporated for new product development. Academic literature points out opportunities for improved implementation particularly through early-stage design activities. This paper presents an in-depth, single case study into the opportunities and barriers to incorporate design for remanufacturing ine early-stage design. The selected case company is a producer of professional imaging equipment with an internal remanufacturing division. The company has decades of experience in remanufacturing and has introduced a company standard on design for End-of-Life. For data collection, employees from different departments were interviewed and observed. Design management theory was used to combine findings from all perspectives into a company-specific strategy map. This map shows departmental interrelations and dependencies, and exposes the opportunities for creating new value through design. At the case company, remanufacturing was found to be separate from, and secondary to, the development of newly manufactured products. If the strategy of a company is not attuned to developing products that serve multiple use-cycles, its execution will remain sub-optimal and remanufacturing will be a value-retention strategy in isolation. These findings may be valid for other companies that have remanufacturing operations, which are separate, as well.
A systematic review of diabetes risk assessment tools in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Ekure Edgar , Ovenseri-Ogbomo Godwin , Osuagwu Uchechukwu L. , Agho Kingsley E. , Ekpenyong Bernadine N. , Ogbuehi Kelechi C. , Ndep Antor O. , Okonji Patrick , Mashige Khathutshelo Percy , Naidoo Kovin Shunmugan
Published: February 2022

Objectives

To systematically review all current studies on diabetes risk assessment tools used in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to diagnose diabetes in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.

Methods

Tools were identified through a systematic search of PubMed, Ovid, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library for articles published from January 2010 to January 2020. The search included articles reporting the use of diabetes risk assessment tool to detect individuals with type 2 diabetes in SSA. A standardized protocol was used for data extraction (registry #177726).

Results

Of the 825 articles identified, 39 articles met the inclusion criteria, and three articles reported tools used in SSA population but developed for the Western population. None was validated in SSA population. All but three articles were observational studies (136 and 58,657 study participants aged between the ages of 15 and 85 years). The Finnish Medical Association risk tool, World Health Organization (WHO) STEPS instrument, General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPPAQ), Rapid Eating and Activity Assessment for Patients (REAP), and an anthropometric tool were the most frequently used non-invasive tools in SSA. The accuracy of the tools was measured using sensitivity, specificity, or area under the receiver operating curve. The anthropometric predictor variables identified included age, body mass index, waist circumference, positive family of diabetes, and activity levels.

Conclusions

This systematic review demonstrated a paucity of validated diabetes risk assessment tools for SSA. There remains a need for the development and validation of a tool for the rapid identification of diabetes for targeted interventions.
Implementing a ‘Vegetables First’ Approach to Complementary Feeding
Authors: Nekitsing Chandani , Hetherington Marion M.
Published: February 2022

Purpose of Review

To provide a rationale for promoting a vegetables first approach to complementary feeding (CF), building on prior exposure to vegetable flavours experienced in utero and via breastfeeding (chemosensory continuity).

Recent Findings

Vegetables confer selective health benefits but population intakes are below recommendations globally; maternal intake of vegetables during both pregnancy and lactation promotes familiarity with some vegetable flavours. Building on this exposure, vegetables as a first food during CF further promote acceptance. However, experiments testing efficacy of a vegetables first approach to CF demonstrate increased liking and intake, some evidence of generalisability but little evidence of sustained effects beyond infancy.

Summary

The aim to increase the quantity and variety of vegetables eaten by children is both desirable, to improve nutrient quality of the diet, and achievable. However, longer, larger, randomised control trials are needed to evidence any longer term, sustainable benefits to liking and intake of vegetables.
Characteristics of community-based exercise programs for community-dwelling older adults in rural/regional areas: a scoping review
Authors: Fien Samantha , Linton Corey , Mitchell Jules S. , Wadsworth Daniel P. , Szabo Helen , Askew Christopher D. , Schaumberg Mia A.
Published: February 2022

Community-based exercise programs for older adults play a potentially important role in mitigating the decline in functional outcomes, body composition, psychosocial outcomes, and cardiovascular health outcomes that commonly occurs with advancing age. There is a limited understanding of the characteristics and effectiveness of community-based exercise programs, particularly when those programs are offered outside metropolitan areas. Rural/regional settings face unique challenges, such as limited access to equipment/resources, transportation, and services, as well as significant costs to run programs. The objective of this scoping review was to characterise studies in the field that have aimed to implement community-based programs in settings identified as rural / regional. A secondary aim was to establish guidance for future exercise programs in this setting and highlight future research directions. A total of 12 studies were conducted in settings identified as rural/regional areas in various countries across the world were included. Of the included studies, five were randomised controlled trials. The majority of included studies reported on functional outcomes (83%) and psychosocial outcomes (75%), yet only 42% reported body composition, 17% reported cardiovascular health and 17% reported dietary outcomes. Low male representation was observed, with women outnumbering men in 7 of 12 studies. There was also minimal investigation of qualitative outcomes in existing community-based exercise programs in rural/regional settings, presenting a key gap for future research to address. Study Protocol: https://osf.io/txpm3/. Date of registration: 20 July 2020.
Heuristic Trees as a Digital Tool to Foster Compression and Decompression in Problem-Solving
Authors: Bos Rogier , van den Bogaart Theo
Published: February 2022

This design-based study addresses the issue of how to digitally support students’ problem-solving by providing heuristics, in the absence of the teacher. The problem is that, so far, digital tutoring systems lack the ability to diagnose students’ needs in open problem situations. Our approach is based on students’ ability to self-diagnose and find help. To this purpose, we introduce a new type of digital, interactive, help-seeking tool called a heuristic tree. Students’ use of this tool is supported by a help-seeking flowchart. The design of heuristic trees is based on our reinterpretation of the notion of heuristic in terms of terms of compression. Our research question is: How do heuristic trees and the help-seeking flowchart influence students’ problem-solving behaviour? This question was studied in the context of a number theory course for in-service mathematics teachers. During five weeks, fifty students worked on fifty-five problems supported by heuristic trees. Our data consists of video observations of two small groups of students, a teacher log, interviews with these two groups, and a survey filled in by twenty-three students. The main results are that the support by heuristic trees and the help-seeking flowchart allows students to work in the absence of a teacher and to engage strongly with problems, maintaining ownership of the solution methods. Moreover, as intended by the tree structure, students learned to focus not just on the small steps of the solutions, but also on the general heuristic techniques, theorems, and concepts that should be learned in the process of finding those solutions.
R&D, innovation and firm survival in Chinese manufacturing, 2000–2006
Authors: Zhang Mingqian , Mohnen Pierre
Published: February 2022

This paper examines whether Chinese manufacturing firms survive longer if they innovate. More particularly, it focuses on whether R&D has a greater effect on firm survival than new product innovations. It compares dichotomous and continuous measures of R&D and innovation output, various duration models, heterogeneity in the effects of innovation depending on the industrial environment, and it examines whether risk modifies the effect of innovation on the hazard rate. The analysis is based on data from the National Bureau of Statistics of China, including over 100,000 firms in each year over the period 1999–2006 from all provinces and manufacturing industries in China. It is found that both R&D and product innovation, be it in terms of incidence or intensities, increase the chance of firm survival. As opposed to previous studies, the results indicate that R&D has a greater marginal effect on survival than innovation output and that various measures of risk actually increase the effect of R&D/innovation on survival.
Predetermined Refinement: the Earliest Levallois of the Kapthurin Formation
Authors: Shipton Ceri
Published: February 2022

Levallois technology characterizes the Middle Stone Age/Middle Palaeolithic, but one of its earliest manifestations is from the preceding Acheulean of the Kapthurin Formation, in the Rift Valley of east Africa. Here, ~ 400 ka, hominins were creating large flake blank handaxes and cleavers through Levallois knapping. Comparing these tools with other Rift Valley Acheulean assemblages made on large flakes shows those of the Kapthurin Formation are distinguished by their thinness. This was achieved through symmetrical centripetal preparation of gentle upper surface convexities on the Levallois cores, the creation of a protruding facetted platform, and proximal bevelling of the upper surface. A large elongate flake blank was struck from the facetted platform, then finished with marginal trimming to create the symmetrical and regular edge of the handaxe or cleaver. As they were used for the creation of handaxes and cleavers, the Kapthurin Acheulean Levallois cores and flakes are much larger than that of the Middle Stone Age, with overshot flakes from excessive force a more frequent error. The Acheulean Levallois is further distinguished from those of the Middle Stone Age by the lack of recurrent flaking, with cores apparently producing only a single preferential flake without any repreparation of the main flaking surface, despite the cores being big enough for further large blank removals, and even if the preferential removal overshot and was abandoned. The key advantage offered by Levallois in general is large thin elongate flakes. In its Kapthurin Acheulean manifestation, Levallois was used to create an individual tool, but in the Middle Stone Age it was often used to make toolkits.
Photo‐Reactivity of Surfactants in the Sea‐Surface Microlayer and Subsurface Water of the Tyne Estuary, UK
Authors: Rickard Philippa C. , Uher Guenther , Upstill‐Goddard Robert C.
Published: February 2022

We report the first estimates of total surfactant photo‐reactivity in the sea‐surface microlayer (SML) and in subsurface water (SSW) (Tyne estuary, UK; salinity 0.3–32.0). In addition to temperature, a known driver of surfactant adsorption kinetics, we show that irradiation contributes independently to enhanced interfacial surfactant activity (SA), a notion supported by coincident CDOM photodegradation. We estimate a mean SA production via irradiation of 0.064 ± 0.062 mg l−1 T‐X‐100 equivalents h−1 in the SML and 0.031 ± 0.025 mg l−1 T‐X‐100 equivalents h−1 in the SSW. Using these data, we derive first‐order estimates of the potential suppression of the gas transfer velocity (kw) by photo‐derived surfactants ∼12.9%–22.2% in coastal North Sea water. Given the ubiquitous distribution of natural surfactants in the oceans, we contend that surfactant photochemistry could be a hitherto unrecognized additional driver of air‐sea gas exchange, with potential implications for global trace gas budgets and climate models.
Relaxation of Flexure‐Induced Strengthening of Ice
Authors: Murdza A. , Schulson E. M. , Renshaw C. E.
Published: February 2022

Increasing fetch as sea ice retreats with global warming is increasing the amplitude of ocean waves, motivating the need for a better understanding of the impact of episodic flexing on the strength of ice. Unexpectedly, recent studies showed that the flexural strength of ice increases by as much as a factor of two or more upon cyclic loading (unlike earlier results where ice had a thermo‐mechanical history that could account for the difference), possibly owing to the development of internal back stress originating from dislocation pileups. New systematic experiments reveal that the cyclically‐induced increase in flexural strength of columnar‐grained S2 freshwater and saline ice is fully relaxed upon annealing at high homologous temperatures (Th = 0.91 and 0.96). Moreover, the ice can be repeatedly strengthened to the same level by cyclic loading if allowed to anneal after each episode of strengthening. The relaxation of the original strength is attributed to the relaxation of the cyclically‐induced internal back stress.
Rock Abundance on the Lunar Mare on Surfaces of Different Age: Implications for Regolith Evolution and Thickness
Authors: Vanga Sashank , Fassett Caleb I. , Zanetti Michael , Nypaver Cole , Thomson Bradley J. , Hirabayashi Masatoshi
Published: February 2022

The growth of lunar regolith over time affects surface rock abundance, because larger, less frequent impacts are needed to penetrate thicker regolith developed on older surfaces and excavate rocks. On younger surfaces with thinner regolith, smaller, more frequent impacts are sufficient to excavate rocks. We quantify the correlation between observed rock abundances and age on the lunar surface by comparing Diviner rock abundance data to the surface ages of intercrater parts on the maria. Our observations show the expected negative correlation between age and rock abundance. The commonality of nonzero rock abundance values on ancient surfaces, combined with a simple Monte Carlo model of the rock excavation process, suggest that rocks reexcavated from the regolith volume contribute to the presently observed rock population on the lunar surface. The half‐life of meter‐scale surface rocks most consistent with our observations is 80 ± 20 Myr.
Links Between Faulting, Topography, and Sediment Production During Continental Rifting: Insights From Coupled Surface Process, Thermomechanical Modeling
Authors: Wolf Lorenz , Huismans Ritske S. , Rouby Delphine , Gawthorpe Robert L. , Wolf Sebastian G.
Published: February 2022

Continental rifts form by extension, and their subsequent evolution depends on the tectonic and climatic boundary conditions. We investigate how faulting, topography, and the evolution of the sediment flux during rifting are affected by these boundary conditions, in particular whether it is possible to correlate tectonic activity, topography, and sediment flux on long timescales (40 Myr). We use a thermomechanical model coupled with a landscape evolution model and present a series of 14 models, testing the sensitivity of the models to crustal strength, extension rate, and fluvial erodibility. The degree of strain localization drives the structural evolution of the modeled rifts: slow extension, high crustal strength, and efficient surface processes promote a high degree of strain localization, resulting in fewer active faults with larger offset. Overall, the magnitude of sediment production correlates with the degree of strain localization. In case of unchanged erosional power and similar amount of extension, systems with slower extension produce more sediment owing to a stronger positive feedback between erosion and fault offset. We observe a characteristic sequence of events, reflecting the morpho‐tectonic evolution of rifts: the highest rock uplift rates are observed before the maximum elevation, and the highest sediment flux postdates the peak in elevation. Our results indicate that for natural systems, the evolution of the sediment flux is a good proxy for the evolution of topography, and that a time lag of 2–5 Myr between the peaks in main tectonic activity and sediment flux can exist.
Improving Seasonal Forecast Using Probabilistic Deep Learning
Authors: Pan Baoxiang , Anderson Gemma J. , Goncalves André , Lucas Donald D. , Bonfils Céline J. W. , Lee Jiwoo
Published: February 2022

The path toward realizing the potential of seasonal forecasting and its socioeconomic benefits relies on improving general circulation model (GCM) based dynamical forecast systems. To improve dynamical seasonal forecasts, it is crucial to set up forecast benchmarks, and clarify forecast limitations posed by model initialization errors, formulation deficiencies, and internal climate variability. With huge costs in generating large forecast ensembles, and limited observations for forecast verification, the seasonal forecast benchmarking and diagnosing task proves challenging. Here, we develop a probabilistic deep learning‐based statistical forecast methodology, drawing on a wealth of climate simulations to enhance seasonal forecast capability and forecast diagnosis. By explicitly modeling the internal climate variability and GCM formulation differences, the proposed Conditional Generative Forecasting (CGF) methodology enables bypassing crucial barriers in dynamical forecast, and offers a top‐down viewpoint to examine how complicated GCMs encode the seasonal predictability information. We apply the CGF methodology for global seasonal forecast of precipitation and 2 m air temperature, based on a unique data set consisting 52,201 years of climate simulation. Results show that the CGF methodology can faithfully represent the seasonal predictability information encoded in GCMs. We successfully apply this learned relationship in real‐world seasonal forecast, achieving competitive performance compared to dynamical forecasts. Using this CGF as benchmark, we reveal the impact of insufficient forecast spread sampling that limits the skill of the considered dynamical forecast system. Finally, we introduce different strategies for composing ensembles using the CGF methodology, highlighting the potential for leveraging the strengths of multiple GCMs to achieve advantgeous seasonal forecast.
Planar Switched Beam Network Using Butlar Matrix on a Single Layer Substrate for Modern Wireless Communications
Authors: Roy Bappadittya , Karmakar Ayan , Chakraborty Ujjal
Published: February 2022

This paper presents a detailed design and realization of a switched‐beam network. The concept is verified using planar microstrip technology. Beam forming network is constructed by a 4 × 4 Butler matrix on a single‐layer substrate. The proposed design is centered at 5.5 GHz (C‐band) for commercial WLAN applications. Individual components of the Butler matrix are discussed here and further integrated system analysis is outlined in this article. The whole architecture is realized on low‐loss FR4 substrate. Design aspects, measured results and comparative study are summarized here.
A Framework to Estimate Local Atmospheric Densities With Reduced Drag‐Coefficient Biases
Authors: Ray Vishal , Scheeres Daniel J. , Alnaqbi Suood , Tobiska W. Kent , Hesar Siamak G.
Published: February 2022

An accurate estimation of upper atmospheric densities is crucial for precise orbit determination (POD), prediction of low Earth orbit satellites, and scientific studies of the Earth's atmosphere. But densities estimated using satellite tracking data are always uncertain up to the drag‐coefficient assumed in the inversion method. This work develops a new framework to simultaneously estimate the density and drag‐coefficient for satellites with a time‐varying attitude. We do so by leveraging Fourier drag‐coefficient models, previously developed by the authors, and physical models of the drag‐coefficient. The method is tested with synthetic data for different geomagnetic activities, altitude levels, and errors in the gas‐surface interaction parameters. We report an improvement of up to 70% in density estimates for the simulations. Finally, POD data from Spire satellites are used for validation. An improvement of around 29% is obtained in the filter density estimates over NRLMSISE‐00 and 49% over JB2008 compared to the High Accuracy Satellite Drag Model densities.
Modeling Forest-Atmosphere Exchange
Authors: MacKenzie A. , Bannister Edward
Published: February 2022

Studying the interactions between the atmosphere and forests is a key component of understanding forest ecosystems and the interplay between our atmosphere and the living world.
One‐Dimensional gcPIC‐δf Simulation of Hooked Chorus Waves in the Earth’s Inner Magnetosphere
Authors: Chen Huayue , Lu Quanming , Wang Xueyi , Fan Kai , Chen Rui , Gao Xinliang
Published: February 2022

Chorus waves are coherent electromagnetic emissions in the inner magnetosphere, generally composed of a series of discrete and repetitive elements. These elements usually have rising frequency chirpings, which are occasionally mingled with one or several elements with a hooked spectrogram. In this letter, we perform a one‐dimensional general curvilinear particle‐in‐cell (gcPIC)‐δf simulation of chorus waves excited by temperature anisotropic electrons in a dipole magnetic field, and identify one chorus element with a hooked spectrogram, which is embedded in several chorus elements with a rising frequency chirping. In the hooked chorus element, the frequency increases first, and then decreases. Interestingly, we find that there are clear electron holes in the electron velocity space, no matter whether the chorus element has a rising‐tone or hooked‐tone spectrogram. Our study presents an important clue for the theoretical analysis of the frequency chirping in the chorus waves.
IPO11 regulates the nuclear import of BZW1/2 and is necessary for AML cells and stem cells
Authors: Nachmias Boaz , Khan Dilshad H. , Voisin Veronique , Mer Arvind S. , Thomas Geethu Emily , Segev Nadav , St-Germain Jonathan , Hurren Rose , Gronda Marcela , Botham Aaron , Wang Xiaoming , Maclean Neil , Seneviratne Ayesh K. , Duong Nathan , Xu Changjiang , Arruda Andrea , Orouji Elias , Algouneh Arash , Hakem Razqallah , Shlush Liran , Minden Mark D. , Raught Brian , Bader Gary D. , Schimmer Aaron D.
Published: February 2022

AML cells are arranged in a hierarchy with stem/progenitor cells giving rise to more differentiated bulk cells. Despite the importance of stem/progenitors in the pathogenesis of AML, the determinants of the AML stem/progenitor state are not fully understood. Through a comparison of genes that are significant for growth and viability of AML cells by way of a CRISPR screen, with genes that are differentially expressed in leukemia stem cells (LSC), we identified importin 11 (IPO11) as a novel target in AML. Importin 11 (IPO11) is a member of the importin β family of proteins that mediate transport of proteins across the nuclear membrane. In AML, knockdown of IPO11 decreased growth, reduced engraftment potential of LSC, and induced differentiation. Mechanistically, we identified the transcription factors BZW1 and BZW2 as novel cargo of IPO11. We further show that BZW1/2 mediate a transcriptional signature that promotes stemness and survival of LSC. Thus, we demonstrate for the first time how specific cytoplasmic-nuclear regulation supports stem-like transcriptional signature in relapsed AML.
Adult healthcare is associated with more emergency healthcare for young people with life-limiting conditions
Authors: Jarvis Stuart , Flemming Kate , Richardson Gerry , Fraser Lorna
Published: February 2022

Background

Children with life-limiting conditions receive specialist paediatric care in childhood, but the transition to adult care during adolescence. There are concerns about transition, including a lack of continuity in care and that it may lead to increases in emergency hospital visits.

Methods

A retrospective cohort was constructed from routinely collected primary and hospital care records for young people aged 12–23 years in England with (i) life-limiting conditions, (ii) diabetes or (iii) no long-term conditions. Transition point was estimated from the data and emergency inpatient admissions and Emergency Department visits per person-year compared for paediatric and adult care using random intercept Poisson regressions.

Results

Young people with life-limiting conditions had 29% (95% CI: 14–46%) more emergency inpatient admissions and 24% (95% CI: 12–38%) more Emergency Department visits in adult care than in paediatric care. There were no significant differences associated with the transition for young people in the diabetes or no long-term conditions groups.

Conclusions

The transition from paediatric to adult healthcare is associated with an increase in emergency hospital visits for young people with life-limiting conditions, but not for young people with diabetes or no long-term conditions. There may be scope to improve the transition for young people with life-limiting conditions.

Impact

There is evidence for increases in emergency hospital visits when young people with life-limiting conditions transition to adult healthcare.

These changes are not observed for comparator groups - young people with diabetes and young people with no known long-term conditions, suggesting they are not due to other transitions happening at similar ages.

Greater sensitivity to changes at transition is achieved through estimation of the transition point from the data, reducing misclassification bias.
Highly crystalline K-intercalated Se/C: an easily accessible mesoporous material catalyzing the epoxidation of β-ionone
Authors: Li Peizi , Qi Zhengyuan , Yu Lei , Zhou Hongwei
Published: February 2022

Highly crystalline K-intercalated Se/C was fabricated by calcining methylselenized glucose with KBr being followed by the subsequent water washing. It could catalyze the selective oxidation reaction of β-ionone using O2 as the mild oxidant.
Exploration of metal sulfide syntheses and the dissolution process of antimony sulfide in phosphonium-based ionic liquids
Authors: Grasser Matthias A. , Pietsch Tobias , Brunner Eike , Ruck Michael
Published: February 2022

Antimony sulfide (Sb2S3) can be dissolved in phosphonium-based ionic liquids (ILs) and re-precipitated in amorphous form. The reaction with a Lewis-acidic imidazolium-based IL results in the formation of quadruple-heterocubane cluster cations.
One-step modification of electrospun PVDF nanofiber membranes for effective separation of oil–water emulsion
Authors: Nie Yiling , Zhang Shihong , He Yi , Zhang Liyun , Wang Yuqi , Li Shuangshuang , Wang Na
Published: February 2022

TA-APTES-SP coating is used to optimize the wettability and stability of PVDF nanofiber membranes for oil–water separation.
Controlled reduction of activated primary and secondary amides into aldehydes with diisobutylaluminum hydride
Authors: Azeez Sadaf , Sureshbabu Popuri , Sabiah Shahulhameed , Kandasamy Jeyakumar
Published: February 2022

A wide range of aryl and alkyl N-Boc, N,N-diBoc and N-tosyl amides were converted into the corresponding aldehydes in the presence of diisobutylaluminum hydride in good to excellent yields.
Aqueous organic redox-targeting flow battery based on Nernstian-potential-driven anodic redox-targeting reactions
Authors: Zhang Hongchao , Huang Qinghong , Xia Xue , Shi Yanjun , Shen Yong-Miao , Xu Juan , Chen Zhidong , Cao Jianyu
Published: February 2022

An insoluble π-conjugated heterocyclic compound, tribenzo[a,c,i]phenazine-10,15-dione, is first reported as an anodic capacity booster for aqueous organic redox-targeting flow batteries.
Engineering Lipusu with lysophosphatidylcholine for improved tumor cellular uptake and anticancer efficacy
Authors: Li Lijie , Zhan Qi , Yi Kaikai , Chen Ning , Li Xueping , Yang Shixue , Hou Xin , Zhao Jin , Yuan Xubo , Kang Chunsheng
Published: February 2022

This work provides a new idea that, by engineering the lipids of Lipusu, enhanced tumor cellular uptake and antitumor efficacy can be achieved.
Multi-step polymer degradation kinetics using activation energy-dependent cataluminescence
Authors: Li Zenghe , Feng Jing , Tian Rui , Lu Chao
Published: February 2022

The multi-step thermal degradation processes of polyoxymethylene were distinguished using rate constants and activation energies through cataluminescence dynamic curves.
Nano-TiO2 coated single-crystal LiNi0.65Co0.15Mn0.2O2 for lithium-ion batteries with a stable structure and excellent cycling performance at a high cut-off voltage
Authors: You Longzhen , Wen Ya , Li Guangxin , Chu Binbin , Wu Jianhua , Huang Tao , Yu Aishui
Published: February 2022

Nano-TiO2 coated single-crystal LiNi0.65Co0.15Mn0.2O2 for lithium-ion batteries with a stable structure and excellent cycling performance at a high cut-off voltage.
Effect of plantar pressure on stepping friction under cross‐slope condition
Authors: Wang Yanzhao , Chen Deqiang , Zhang Yongzhen , Niu Yongping , Yang Xiaohui
Published: February 2022

There are various walking pavements in daily life. Slip accidents will happen if required friction for safe walking is greater than available friction between the foot and ground surface. Existing researches mostly focus on horizontal or slope pavements, whereas the cross‐slope walkways are less. A self‐developed gait friction test platform was used to test friction, distribution of plantar pressure and spatiotemporal parameters of human walking under cross‐slope condition. With the increase of cross‐slope angles, the mediolateral friction increases (R
2 = 0.972, P < 0.001), the anterior‐posterior friction shows no significant change (R
2 = 0.758, P = 0.017), the normal pressure decreases (R
2 = 0.915, P = 0.007), and the high foot is more prone to slip and fall than low foot. Therefore, plantar pressure distribution of both feet was shifted to left. The gait cycle was prolonged (P < 0.001), swing period of both feet decreased (P = 0.029) and support period increased (P = 0.015) with the increase of cross‐slope angle.
A new four‐step method to identify the parameters of transmission line based on SCADA data
Authors: Kong He , Lu Min , Que Lingyan , Xu Feiyang , Zhao Junbo , Xue Ancheng
Published: February 2022

Accurate parameters of transmission line (ParTL) are the basis of power system analysis. For high‐voltage transmission line (TL), remote terminal units (RTUs) are widely installed to provide supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) measurements. Based on multiple snapshots of SCADA data at both ends of the TL, a four‐step method to identify ParTL is proposed in this paper. In detail, based on the π‐model of TL, the relationship between voltage phase angle difference (VPADs) and parameter identification is presented. And then, the general estimation formulation for VPADs is established. Furthermore, four steps to simplify and solve the formulation are detailed, that is, firstly after the approximated relationship between VPADs and reactance are derived, the estimation of VPADs at multiple snapshots is converted into the optimal problem with reactance of TL, just one variable, and the VPADs are estimated roughly; secondly based on the median estimation, the ParTL are identified roughly; thirdly, combined with Taylor series expansions and the alternating current power flow model, the VPADs are estimated accurately; fourthly, the ParTL are identified accurately. Finally, the results with simulated and field data verify the effectiveness and practicality of the proposed method.
Demonstration of a simple approach for sub‐microliter fluorescence detection by structured PDMS cuvette with TiO2 nanoparticle inclusion using 3D printing technology
Authors: Maduwanthi Chathurika , Jong Chao‐An , Saengudomlert Poompat , Sterckx Karel , Mohammed Waleed S. , Hsu Shu‐Han
Published: February 2022

With the increasing importance of portable sensing devices, one keeps seeking possible optimization to detect the lower concentration of target molecules with reduced reagents. Here presents a method to enhance fluorescence detection through a miniature cylindrical lens integrated into an engineered PDMS cuvette with a high refractive index embedded TiO2 nanoparticles. 3D printing technique was used to develop the moulds where the custom cuvette is produced utilizing the imprinting method. LED transmitter and blue laser diode were used as the excitation light sources to verify the light and materials interactions. In all the experiments, the fluorescence detection system was set at 90° alignments without any filters. First, the square‐shaped cuvette resulted in more fluorescence detection compared to the circular one. Hence, different fluorophore holders with square shapes were designed to investigate the efficiency of the integrated lens and the TiO2 nanoparticles inclusions. Overall, the customized cuvette with integrated lens and nanoparticles demonstrated the most significant signal enhancement that reached the lower detection limit as 10 nM/L in 1 μL detection volume. This structural and material‐modified cuvette can significantly enhance fluorescent detection at a sub‐microliter scale, allowing further device miniaturization, especially for micro and nano fluidic devices using optical detection.
X-ray irradiation of the stellar wind in HMXBs with B supergiants: Implications for ULXs
Authors: Krtička J. , Kubát J. , Krtičková I.
Published: February 2022

Wind-fed high-mass X-ray binaries are powered by accretion of the radiatively driven wind of the luminous component on the compact star. Accretion-generated X-rays alter the ionization state of the wind. Because higher ionization states drive the wind less effectively, X-ray ionization may brake acceleration of the wind. This causes a decrease in the wind terminal velocity and mass flux in the direction toward the X-ray source. Here we study the effect of X-ray ionization on the stellar wind of B supergiants. We determine the binary parameters for which the X-ray irradiation significantly influences the stellar wind. This can be conveniently studied in diagrams that plot the optical depth parameter versus the X-ray luminosity. For low optical depths or for high X-ray luminosities, X-ray ionization leads to a disruption in the wind aimed toward the X-ray source. Observational parameters of high-mass X-ray binaries with B-supergiant components appear outside the wind disruption zone. The X-ray feedback determines the resulting X-ray luminosity. We recognize two states with a different level of feedback. For low X-ray luminosities, ionization is weak, and the wind is not disrupted by X-rays and flows at large velocities, consequently the accretion rate is relatively low. On the other hand, for high X-ray luminosities, the X-ray ionization disrupts the flow braking the acceleration, the wind velocity is low, and the accretion rate becomes high. These effects determine the X-ray luminosity of individual binaries. Accounting for the X-ray feedback, estimated X-ray luminosities reasonably agree with observational values. We study the effect of small-scale wind inhomogeneities (clumping), showing that clumping weakens the effect of X-ray ionization by increasing recombination and the mass-loss rate. This effect is particularly important in the region of the so-called bistability jump. We show that ultraluminous X-ray binaries with LX ≲ 1040 erg s−1 may be powered by accretion of a B-supergiant wind on a massive black hole.