bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Construction and optimization of a ‘NG Morbidostat’ - An automated continuous-culture device for studying the pathways towards antibiotic resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Authors: Verhoeven Els , Abdellati Said , Nys Patrick , Laumen Jolein , De Baetselier Irith , Crucitti Tania , Kenyon Chris
Published: January 2020

To obtain a detailed picture of the dynamics of antibiotic resistance development in Neisseria gonorrhoeae, we built a morbidostat according to the protocol of Toprak et al., adjusted to the specific characteristics required for the growth of N. gonorrhoeae. In this article we describe the adaptations, specifications and the difficulties we encountered during the construction and optimization of the NG morbidostat. As a proof of concept, we conducted a morbidostat experiment by increasing concentrations of azithromycin in response to bacterial growth. We started the experiment with two N. gonorrhoeae reference strains WHO-F and WHO-X. These strains were grown in 12 mL GC Broth supplemented with IsoVitaleX™ (1%) and vancomycin, colistin, nystatin, trimethoprim (VCNT) selective supplement for 30 days in a 6% CO2 environment at 36°C. Samples of the cultures were taken 2-3 times a week and minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of azithromycin were determined using E-test. The initial MICs of WHO-F and WHO-X were 0.125 µg/mL and 0.25 µg/mL, respectively. In less than 30 days, we were able to induce high level azithromycin resistance in N. gonorrhoeae, with a 750 and 1000 fold increase in MIC for WHO-F and WHO-X, respectively.
Flavohaemoglobin: the pre-eminent nitric oxide–detoxifying machine of microorganisms
Authors: Poole Robert K.
Published: January 2020

Flavohaemoglobins were first described in yeast as early as the 1970s but their functions were unclear. The surge in interest in nitric oxide biology and both serendipitous and hypothesis-driven discoveries in bacterial systems have transformed our understanding of this unusual two-domain globin into a comprehensive, yet undoubtedly incomplete, appreciation of its pre-eminent role in nitric oxide detoxification. Here, I focus on research on the flavohaemoglobins of microorganisms, especially of bacteria, and update several earlier and more comprehensive reviews, emphasising advances over the past 5 to 10 years and some controversies that have arisen. Inevitably, in light of space restrictions, details of nitric oxide metabolism and globins in higher organisms are brief.
The Multidimensional Battery of Prosody Perception (MBOPP)
Authors: Jasmin Kyle , Dick Frederic , Tierney Adam Taylor
Published: January 2020

Prosody can be defined as the rhythm and intonation patterns spanning words, phrases and sentences. Accurate perception of prosody is an important component of many aspects of language processing, such as parsing grammatical structures, recognizing words, and determining where emphasis may be placed. Prosody perception is important for language acquisition and can be impaired in language-related developmental disorders. However, existing assessments of prosodic perception suffer from some shortcomings.  These include being unsuitable for use with typically developing adults due to ceiling effects, or failing to allow the investigator to distinguish the unique contributions of individual acoustic features such as pitch and temporal cues. Here we present the Multi-Dimensional Battery of Prosody Perception (MBOPP), a novel tool for the assessment of prosody perception. It consists of two subtests: Linguistic Focus, which measures the ability to hear emphasis or sentential stress, and Phrase Boundaries, which measures the ability to hear where in a compound sentence one phrase ends, and another begins. Perception of individual acoustic dimensions (Pitch and Time) can be examined separately, and test difficulty can be precisely calibrated by the experimenter because stimuli were created using a continuous voice morph space. We present validation analyses from a sample of 57 individuals and discuss how the battery might be deployed to examine perception of prosody in various populations.
Causal claims about correlations reduced in press releases following academic study of health news
Authors: Bratton Luke , Adams Rachel C. , Challenger Aimée , Boivin Jacky , Bott Lewis , Chambers Christopher D. , Sumner Petroc
Published: January 2020

Background: Exaggerations in health news were previously found to strongly associate with similar exaggerations in press releases. Moreover such exaggerations did not appear to attract more news. Here we assess whether press release practice changed after these reported findings; simply drawing attention to the issue may be insufficient for practical change, given the challenges of media environments.

Methods: We assessed whether rates of causal over-statement in press releases based on correlational data were lower following a seminal paper on the topic, compared to an equivalent baseline period in the preceding year.

Results: We found that over-statements in press releases reduced from 28% (95% confidence interval = 16% to 45%) in 2014 to 13% (95% confidence interval = 6% to 25%) in 2015. A corresponding numerical reduction in exaggerations in news was not significant. The association between over-statements in news and press releases remained strong.

Conclusions: Press release over-statements were less frequent following publication of Sumner et al. (2014), indicating that press release practice is malleable. However, this is correlational evidence and the reduction may be due to other factors.
Practice Implementation Within a Multidivisional Firm: The Role of Institutional Pressures and Value Consistency
Authors: Jacqueminet Anne
Published: January 2020

This paper proposes a model to predict when the subunits of a multidivisional firm implement a practice adopted by the firm more or less extensively, focusing on the intraorganizational environment. Drawing on institutional arguments, I propose that a subunit’s extent of practice implementation is a combined result of coercive pressures from its headquarters, imitation of its peer units, and its own perception of the practice’s legitimacy. More specifically, I argue that a subunit will implement new practices related to corporate social responsibility (CSR) more fully (1) when the corporate mandate from the headquarters is more pressing, (2) when its peer subunits have implemented similar actions, and (3) when the practice is perceived as consistent with the subunit’s own values. Regression results further suggest that peers and headquarters influence a subunit’s extent of implementation of a practice only when the subunit perceives it as highly consistent with its own values—a finding that points to the importance of values for practice legitimacy and the need to rethink practice implementation within complex organizations.
Pensadores da libertação: aproximações entre José Martí e José Enrique Rodó
Authors: Meucci Isabella
Published: January 2020

O cubano José Martí (1853-1895) e o uruguaio José Enrique Rodó (1871-1917) fariam parte de um terceiro momento da história do pensamento latino-americano, denominado por Leopoldo Zea “filosofia da libertação”. Diferentemente do primeiro período, dos “românticos”, e do segundo, dos positivistas “construtores de uma nova ordem”, nesse terceiro momento haveria uma preocupação com a formação de uma consciência coletiva nacionalista e anti-imperialista diante do fortalecimento norte-americano. Tanto Rodó quanto Martí foram influentes em seu tempo, mas também o transcenderam ao analisarem nas particularidades latino-americanas as formas de romper com a dominação presente na região. De acordo com essa proposta interpretativa, este artigo buscou comparar as elaborações de ambos os autores, especialmente no tocante à construção de uma identidade latina e de uma oposição aos Estados Unidos. Inicialmente, foram retomados os três momentos propostos por Leopoldo Zea para o pensamento latino-americano, a fim de compreendermos os debates nos quais Martí e Rodó estavam inseridos. Em seguida, analisaram-se as especificidades das trajetórias dos autores em seus países de origem, assim como os contextos específicos de produção e recepção de suas obras. Posteriormente, examinou-se de que maneira a identidade latino-americana foi construída pelos autores, na defesa de uma América “Nuestra” em oposição a uma América “outra”ou “anglo-saxã”. Por fim, comparou-se o tipo de perigo representado pelos Estados Unidos para ambos os autores, assim como as soluções propostas para a libertação do subcontinente.
The Potential Resiliency of a Created Tidal Marsh to Sea Level Rise
Authors: Kamrath Brock J. W. , Burchell Michael R. , Cormier Nicole , Krauss Ken W. , Johnson Darren J.
Published: January 2020

Abstract.

The purpose of this study was to determine the elevation dynamics of a created tidal marsh on the North Carolina coast. Deep rod surface elevation tables (RSET) and feldspar marker horizons (MH) were installed in plots to measure net surface elevation changes and to quantify contributing processes. Twelve total plots were placed on four elevation gradient transects (three transects within the created marsh and one within a reference marsh), with three plots along each transect. Elevation gradient transects included a low marsh plot dominated by , a middle marsh plot dominated by , and a high marsh plot dominated by . RSET and MH were measured in December 2012, January 2014, April 2017, and March 2018. Elevation change ranged from 1.0 to 4.0 mm year-1 within the created marsh and from -0.4 to 2.0 mm year-1 within the reference marsh. When compared to the long-term linear trend in local relative sea level rise (RSLR) of 3.10 ±0.35 mm year-1, the middle marsh plots within the created marsh trended toward survival, with an observed elevation increase of 3.1 ±0.2 mm year-1. Alternatively, the low and high marsh plots within the created marsh trended toward submergence, with observed elevation increases of 2.1 ±0.2 and 1.3 ±0.2 mm year-1, respectively. These results indicate that a created marsh can display elevation dynamics similar to a natural marsh and can be resilient to current rates of RSLR if constructed with a high elevation capital. Surface elevation changes were observed over a short time period and in a relatively young marsh, so it is uncertain if these trends will continue or how the long-term relation with RSLR will develop. While this study provided initial data on the ability of created tidal marshes to respond to observed sea level rise, subsequent observations are needed to evaluate the long-term elevation dynamics. Keywords: Resiliency, Sea level rise, Surface elevation tables, Tidal marsh, Vertical accretion.
Water Requirements of Drip-Irrigated Maize (Zea mays L.) with Plastic Mulching in Heilongjiang, Northeast China
Authors: Han Songjun , Xu Di , Yu Yingduo , Wang Jiandong , Zhang Yanqun
Published: January 2020

Abstract. A large area of rainfed maize ( L.) is planned to be replaced by maize under drip irrigation with plastic mulching (MDI) in Heilongjiang, northeast China, through a “water-saving and grain-increasing action” project. However, knowledge is lacking on the water requirements of maize under MDI. On the basis of a locally developed crop coefficient for a site, the spatial and temporal variations in crop water requirement (ETc) and net irrigation requirement (Nir) of maize under MDI in Heilongjiang were evaluated. The average ETc and Nir of maize under MDI in the period from 1960 to 2017 for 29 meteorological stations were 279 to 388 mm and 73 to 198 mm, respectively, which are approximately 10% and 15% lower than the ETc and Nir under conventional surface irrigation (NSI). The differences in ETc and Nir between the two irrigation technologies are significant in the southwestern region, which demonstrates that the intensive planning of MDI in the southwest is justified. The gross irrigation requirement of maize under MDI in an excessive drought year is estimated as 437 million m3 for the project, which is 137 million m3 less than the irrigation requirement using NSI.

Highlights

Average ETc and Nir of maize under MDI are approximately 10% and 15% lower than those under NSI.

The differences in ETc and Nir are significant in the southwestern region of Heilongjiang.

The estimated gross irrigation requirement of maize under MDI is much less than that under NSI. Keywords: Crop coefficient, Drip irrigation, Maize, Northeastern China, Plastic mulch, Water requirement.
Relationships Between Aerosol Particles and Airborne Bacteria and their Dependence on Environmental Factors in a Dairy Calf House
Authors: Islam Md. Aminul , Ikeguchi Atsuo , Naide Takanori
Published: January 2020

The quality of indoor air dramatically affects the health of animals and humans. An investigation was conducted into the relationships among the total number of aerosol particles and different types of airborne bacteria and their dependence on indoor and outdoor environmental factors, including air temperature and relative humidity (RH), in the indoor air of a dairy calf house in Tochigi, Japan, during the summer season. The concentrations of aerosol particles, the concentrations of airborne total aerobic bacteria (, , and spp.) in the indoor air, and the indoor and outdoor temperature and RH were evaluated from 14 weekly measurements. The mean concentration of small aerosol particles (0.3 to 2.0 µm) was higher than the mean concentration of large aerosol particles (2.0 to 10.0 µm) in the summer season. The mean concentration of airborne total aerobic bacteria was higher than the concentrations of airborne , , and spp. Airborne and were positively correlated with the number of 2.0 to 10.0 µm aerosol particles, i.e., high concentrations of 2.0 to 10.0 µm particles were correlated with high concentrations of airborne and . Airborne total aerobic bacteria did not correlate with the number of aerosol particles of any size, but spp. was negatively correlated with the number of 1.0 to 2.0 µm aerosol particles, i.e., high concentrations of 1.0 to 2.0 µm particles were correlated with low concentrations of airborne spp. The indoor temperature and indoor and outdoor RH did not correlate with any airborne bacteria. The outdoor temperature was negatively correlated with spp., i.e., high outdoor temperature was correlated with a low concentration of spp. in the indoor air of the dairy calf house. Both indoor and outdoor temperatures were positively correlated with the number of 0.5 to 5.0 µm aerosol particles, and indoor RH was negatively correlated with the number of 5.0 to 10.0 µm aerosol particles. These findings will be important for elucidating the role of aerosol particles in the transmission of airborne bacteria and ultimately for the mitigation of aerosol particles and airborne bacteria in dairy houses.

Highlights

The number of fine aerosol particles increased with increasing temperatures.

Environmental factors had a less critical effect on airborne bacteria than aerosol particles.

Airborne E. coli strongly positively correlated with 5.0 to 10.0 µm aerosol particles.

Airborne Salmonella spp. negatively correlated with 1.0 to 2.0 µm aerosol particles.

Relative humidity did not affect any airborne bacteria. Keywords: Aerosol particle number, Airborne bacteria, Dairy calf, Indoor air, Relationship, Summer season.
The Oriental White-eyes hosts plaintive Cuckoo and Rusty-breasted Cuckoo
Authors: Widodo Wahyu , Sulistyadi Eko
Published: January 2020

Abstract. Widodo W, Sulistyadi E. 2019. The Oriental White-eyes hosts plaintive Cuckoo and Rusty-breasted Cuckoo. Biodiversitas 20: 2093-2100. The research aims to indicate that there is a tendency that the Oriental White-eyes Zosterops palpebrosus is used as a host for Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus and Rusty-breasted Cuckoo Cacomantis sepulcralis. The researches were done in the year 2009, 2014, 2016 and 2018 in some conservation forest areas in Mount Pancar Recreation Nature Park and Mount Telaga Bodas Nature Reserve (West Java), Mount Wilis forest (East Java) and Mount Merapi National Park forest (Centre Java). The explorative method was used in this research. We found the fact that, at some occurrences, young Plaintive Cuckoo and Rusty-breasted Cuckoo have been hosted and fed up by a pair of Oriental White-eyes Zosterops palpebrosus. It is new information because this occurrence has never been reported before. That research, however, needs to be continued for further information. Among other things, the research is started with the presence of the Oriental White-eyes’ nest and the strategy of Plaintive Cuckoo and Rusty-breasted Cuckoo to place its egg into the nest of Oriental White-eyes. This research implicates to remind the management authority to maintain the population of remaining songbirds either in conservation areas or in non-conservation areas, as well as their buffer zones.
The bioactivity of bacterium and fungi living associate with the sponge Reniera sp. against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli
Authors: TRIANTO AGUS , Nirwani Nirwani , Susanti Oktora , Maesaroh Diansari Siti , Radjasa Ocky Karna
Published: January 2020

Abstract. Trianto A, Nirwani, Susanti O, Maesaroh D, Radjasa OK. 2019. The bioactivity of bacterium and fungi living associate with the sponge Reniera sp. against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Biodiversitas 20: 2302-2307. The study aimed to isolate and identify the sponge-associated microorganisms producing the antibacterial substances. The sponge Reniera sp. was collected by hand during skin diving in Karimunjawa Islands, Indonesia. The microbial symbionts were isolated with the dilution method and screened with the overlay method against the MDR S. aureus and E. coli. The bacterium was cultured in Zobell medium, while the fungi were cultured in malt extract broth (MEB) medium. The isolates were identified based on the molecular method. A total of 46 bacteria and 43 fungi were isolated, which 7 bacteria and 20 fungi exhibited antibacterial activity against the MDR E. coli and S. aureus strains. The molecular identification revealed that the active isolates close to Pseudoalteromonas maricaloris (99%), Aspergillus nomius (96%), Eurotium rubrum (99%), and Penicillium sp. (100%). Fractionation of K.J.16.U extract gave a fraction that active to the S. aureus and E. coli strains at concentration 150 and 15 µg disk-1. The fraction K.J.16.U.1.4.4 exhibited stronger activity than that exhibited by chloramphenicol at 150 µg disk-1. The sponge Reniera sp. collected from Karimunjawa Islands comprise bacterial and fungal isolates produced antibacterial compounds that inhibited the growth the MDR E. coli and S. aureus strains.
The first report of ants (Formicidae: Hymenoptera) in salt marshes and salt pans in central parts of Iran
Authors: MOHSENI MOHAMMAD REZA , PASHAEI RAD SHAHROKH
Published: January 2020

The present study was conducted in Salt marshes and Salt pans in central parts of Iran. 121 specimens of ants were collected by trapping and hand during spring, summer and autumn 2017 to 2019. Nine species belong to two subfamilies of Myrmicinae and Formicinae were identified. The vegetation, physical and chemical parameters of soil such as salinity, Ph, and other factors were investigated. Darband Shoor Mountain station with five species had the highest diversity and vegetation density and the lowest salinity of soil (72.14 ds/m) whereas Salt Lake station had only one species, with no vegetation and the highest salinity of soil (153.15 ds/m). Cataglyphis lividus (André, 1881) was the dominant species in all the stations except in Darband Shoor Mountain station. All the species were reported for the first time from salt marshes and salt pans in the central parts of Iran and were approved by Prof. Brian Taylor, in Royal Entomological Society of London, England.
Lensometer with autocollimation and a square Ronchi grid
Authors: Cordero-Dávila Alberto , Cruz-Ponce Santiago , González-García Jorge
Published: January 2020

A lensometer based on an autocollimation system and a square Ronchi grid was designed, constructed, and tested. Refractive powers of monofocal, astigmatic, bifocal, and progressive lenses were measured. The focal plane was identified when no spots, or a minimum number of fringes, are observed on the bironchigram (pattern with a square Ronchi grid). For cylindrical lenses, the spots were transformed in fringes along the

x

and

y

directions from which the cylindrical and spherical powers were obtained. For the progressive lenses, a zero spots circle moved on the bironchigram plane along the umbilic zone while the square Ronchi grid was moved along the optical axis. This lensometer is compact, cheap, and precise. Our measurements and errors were very similar to those obtained with a commercial lensometer.
Multiple kinds of pesticide residue detection using fluorescence spectroscopy combined with partial least-squares models
Authors: Ji Rendong , Ma Shicai , Yao Hua , Han Yue , Yang Xiao , Chen Ruiqiang , Yu Yinshang , Wang Xiaoyan , Zhang Dongyang , Zhu TieZhu , Bian Haiyi
Published: January 2020

Compared with high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy has attracted considerable attention in the field of pesticide residue detection due to its practical advantages of providing rapid, simultaneous analysis and non-destructive detection. However, given that the concentration of pesticide residue detected via fluorescence spectroscopy is calculated in accordance with the Beer–Lambert law, this method can only detect samples containing a single kind of pesticide or several kinds of pesticides with completely different fluorescences. Multiple partial least-squares (PLS) models are introduced in this work to overcome this disadvantage and achieve the concentration of zhongshengmycin, paclobutrazol, boscalid, and pyridaben, whose fluorescences are overlapping. The R squares of the models for zhongshengmycin, paclobutrazol, boscalid, and pyridaben were 0.9942, 0.9912, 0.9913, and 0.9847, respectively. Results indicated that fluorescence spectroscopy combined with multiple PLS models can be used to detect multiple kinds of pesticides in the water.
Fabrication of graphene oxide coated quartz filter paper for enhanced adsorption of particulate matter
Authors: Khan Nadia , Alam Khan , Seema Humaira , Samreen Ayesha , Zeb Bahadar
Published: January 2020

Airborne particulate matter has become an emerging issue globally due to environmental degradation and the health risk it causes. Volatilization of weakly adsorbed particles onto quartz filter paper (QFP) limits its performance. The adsorption of particulate matter (

P
M

10

) onto QFP coated with different concentrations of graphene oxide (GO) was investigated to enhance the adsorption potential. Hummer’s method was adopted to synthesize GO. QFPs were coated with different concentrations of GO using a spin coating technique to optimize the result. The morphology and microstructure of GO-QFP were characterized by various experimental techniques, like XRD, FTIR, EDX, and SEM. GO showed considerable affinity to aerosol particles for GO-QFP weighing 5 mg/ml, whereas adsorption of the coated samples before and after was significantly reduced. The high affinity to aerosol particles was due to dominated

π

-

π

interactions and the grooved regions formed on the GO layer. It was considered that the high surface to volume ratio of GO-QFP improves the adsorptive property of the QF and consequently enhances the performance of the filter paper.
Passive optical device for nystagmus correction and ophthalmic resolution enhancement
Authors: Nezri Dana Gotthilf , Zlotnik Alex , Zalevsky Zeev
Published: January 2020

In this research, we present a novel device that solves the reduced visual acuity caused by involuntary movements of the retina in nystagmus. The proposed solution comprises a contact lens that moves together with the eyeball and an ophthalmic lens (spectacles). Our work has three parts: numerical simulation of the proposed solution, an experimental optical bench procedure, and a clinical experiment, with nonnystagmus subjects, in which we mimicked the uncontrolled eye movements in nystagmus. In the numerical and experimental bench sections of this study, we show that the proposed optics produces a clear and stable image on a screen. In the clinical study, subjects with the device felt only small movements of the image when they moved their eyes across the field of view. They described a magnification resulting in narrowing the field of view, and therefore had to move their heads to see the space of the room. This follows the theoretical expectation for the proposed concept. Thus, the proposed device may help nystagmus subjects fixate the image on the center of the retina and thus enable improved visual acuity. The device may be used in young children suffering from nystagmus to prevent amblyopia.
Fast and robust reconstruction algorithm for fluorescence diffuse optical tomography assuming a cuboid target
Authors: Sun Chunlong , Nakamura Gen , Nishimura Goro , Jiang Yu , Liu Jijun , Machida Manabu
Published: January 2020

A fast algorithm for fluorescence diffuse optical tomography is proposed. The algorithm is robust against the choice of initial guesses. We estimate the position of a fluorescent target by assuming a cuboid (rectangular parallelepiped) for the fluorophore target. The proposed numerical algorithm is verified by a numerical experiment and an experiment with a meat phantom. The target position is reconstructed with a cuboid from measurements in the time domain. Moreover, the long-time behavior of the emission light is investigated making use of the analytical solution to the diffusion equation.
Nanofiber-based high-Q microresonator for cryogenic applications
Authors: Hütner Johanna , Hoinkes Thomas , Becker Martin , Rothhardt Manfred , Rauschenbeutel Arno , Skoff Sarah M.
Published: January 2020

We demonstrate a cryo-compatible, fully fiber-integrated, alignment-free optical microresonator. The compatibility with low temperatures expands its possible applications to the wide field of solid-state quantum optics, where a cryogenic environment is often a requirement. At a temperature of 4.6 K we obtain a quality factor of (9.9 ± 0.7) × 106. In conjunction with the small mode volume provided by the nanofiber, this cavity can be either used in the coherent dynamics or the fast cavity regime, where it can provide a Purcell factor of up to 15. Our resonator is therefore suitable for significantly enhancing the coupling between light and a large variety of different quantum emitters and due to its proven performance over a wide temperature range, also lends itself for the implementation of quantum hybrid systems.
Geometry parameter calibration for focused plenoptic cameras
Authors: Jin Xin , Sun Xufu , Li Chuanpu
Published: January 2020

Due to the subtle structure, the exact geometry parameters of the focused plenoptic camera cannot be retrieved after packaging, which leads to inaccurate light field processing such as visible artifacts in the rendering images. This paper proposes a novel blind calibration method to calculate the geometry parameters for the focused plenoptic cameras with high precision. It translates the problem of deriving the value of the geometry parameters to be the problem of deriving the pixel patch-size of each micro-image used in subaperture image rendering based on the geometry projection of the relay imaging process in the focused plenoptic camera. Then, a dark image calibration algorithm is proposed to retrieve the position and the geometry parameters of the MLA for subaperture image rendering. A triple-level calibration board with random texture is designed to realize focus plane confirming blindly, to facilitate capturing light field images at different object distances via a single shot and to benefit intensity feature matching in determining the rendering patch size. The rendering patch-size is found by the proposed Gradient-SSIM-based fractional-pixel matching based on the geometry projection analysis. Experiments conducted on the simulated data and the real imaging system demonstrate that the proposed method can acquire the geometry parameters with high accuracy and is robust to different focused plenoptic cameras.
Multi-resonance and ultra-wideband terahertz metasurface absorber based on micro-template-assisted self-assembly method
Authors: Yang Daquan , Zhang Chao , Ju Xiacao , Ji Yuefeng , Lan Chuwen
Published: January 2020

As a promising platform for multi-functional terahertz devices, metasurface absorbers have received widespread attention in recent years. However, due to the existence of manufacturing difficulties, high cost, fragility, single or narrow absorption and other disadvantages, their application ranges are severely limited. Therefore, to effectively solve these problems, we have designed a flexible and high-precision terahertz metasurface absorber based on the micro-template assisted self-assembly method. Free from high cost, complicated process and time-consumption, the sandwich structure terahertz metasurface absorber consisting of a ceramic microspheres layer, a dielectric spacer layer, and a metal copper film is fabricated economically. On the one hand, through assembling the microspheres on the dielectric spacer in a periodic pattern arrangement, multiple resonances can be observed with a maximum absorption rate of up to 92.5% at 0.745 THz and are insensitive to the polarization of incident light. On the other hand, by attaching the microspheres to the dielectric layer in a compact configuration, 90% absorption bandwidth beyond 1.2 THz can be observed with a central frequency of 1.8 THz. The theoretical model of multiple reﬂection and interference is employed to explain these absorption characteristics. Considering the flexible design and high-throughput manufacturing processes, this work provides a promising platform for the development of high-efficiency and multi-functional terahertz devices.
Performance optimization of tandem organic solar cells at varying incident angles based on optical analysis method
Authors: Zhao Xuenan , Xia Ruoxi , Gu Honggang , Ke Xianhua , Shi Yating , Chen Xiuguo , Jiang Hao , Yip Hin-Lap , Liu Shiyuan
Published: January 2020

Tandem organic solar cells (OSCs) show great potential due to advantages such as the utilization of wide-spectrum light and low thermalization loss. The current mismatch between sub-cells is one of the major issues reducing the final output efficiency of a tandem device. In this paper, we focus on the current mismatch of tandem OSCs at oblique incidence and aim to reduce its adverse effect on the performances of realistic devices working at varying incident angle. Firstly, we propose an optical analysis method based on the 4×4 matrix formalism to analyze and optimize the performance of tandem solar cells at arbitrary incident angles. Compared with those optimal designs via matching the currents of sub-cells only at normal incidence, the proposed method chooses the optimal structure of the tandem device by maximizing the generated energy density per day with considering the current match at different incident angles during daytime. With the proposed method, a typical tandem organic solar cell is optimized as an example, and the optimized tandem device has a balanced current match at all incident angles during a whole day. Experimental results demonstrate that the generated energy density per day of the optimized tandem device has increased by 4.9% compared to the conventional device optimized only at normal incidence. The proposed method and results are expected to provide some new insights for the performance analysis and optimization of tandem or multi-junction solar cells, especially those devices exhibiting serious current mismatch between sub-cells at varying incident angles in practical applications.
New land surface temperature retrieval algorithm for heavy aerosol loading during nighttime from Gaofen-5 satellite data
Authors: Zhao Enyu , Gao Caixia , Yao Yuying
Published: January 2020

Land surface temperature (LST) is a key variable used for studies of the water cycles and energy budgets of land-atmosphere interfaces. The Chinese Gaofen-5 (GF5) satellite, with an onboard visual and infrared multispectral imager (VIMS), is the only satellite that can capture the earth’s thermal infrared information for use in the national high-resolution earth observation project of China; it can observe the earth surface at a high spatial resolution of 40 m in four thermal infrared channels and two mid-infrared channels. This article selects the optimum spectral channel combination for reducing the aerosol effect on LST retrieval with the aid of simulated data, and a new four-channel LST retrieval method from GF5 infrared data under heavy dust aerosol during nighttime is proposed. The results show that the channel combination of channels 7, 8, 9, and 10 (denoted as CC1) performed better than the combination of channels 7, 8, 11, and 12 (denoted as CC2). The root mean square errors (RMSEs) between the actual and estimated LST were 0.28 K for the CC1 group with an aerosol optical thickness (AOD) of 0.1 and 1.94 K for the CC1 group with an AOD of 1.0. The RMSEs for CC2 were 0.28 K for the group with an AOD of 0.1 and 2.54 K for the other group with an AOD of 1.0. Moreover, an error analysis for the proposed method was performed in terms of the noise equivalent temperature difference (NEΔT), the uncertainties of land surface emissivity (LSE), water vapor content (WVC) and AOD. The results show that the LST errors caused by an LSE uncertainty of 0.01, a NEΔT of 0.2 K, a WVC uncertainty of 20%, an AOD uncertainty of 0.1 were 0.31 ∼ 1.01 K, 0.4 ∼ 2.0 K, within 0.6 K, and within 0.3 K for CC1 and 0.32 ∼ 3.08 K, 0.4 ∼ 1.7 K, within 0.7 K, and within 0.3 K for CC2, respectively.
Responsivity and detectivity enhancements by graphene overlay on normal-incident multicolor quantum grid infrared photodetectors
Authors: Liang Bor-Wei , Huang Chiu-Chang , Chao Song-Po , Kao Kuang-Ju , Simbulan Kristan Bryan , Lan Yann-Wen , Kuan Chieh-Hsiung
Published: January 2020

An efficient and effective method to achieve high responsivity and specific detectivity, particularly for normal-incident quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIPs), is proposed in this study. By combining superlattice (SL) structure, grating structures, and graphene monolayer onto traditional QWIP designs, a graphene-covered multicolor quantum grid infrared photodetector (QGIP) with improved optoelectrical properties is developed. The enhancements of the device’s responsivity and specific detectivity are about 7-fold and 20-fold, respectively, which resulted from an increase in the charge depletion region and the generation of extra photoelectrons due to graphene-semiconductor heterojunction. This method provides a potential candidate for future high-performance photodetectors.
Greatly enhanced persistent luminescence of YPO4:Sm3+ phosphors via Tb3+ incorporation for in vivo imaging
Authors: Hu Yue , Li Xiaoxiao , Wang Xin , Li Yunqian , Li Tianyi , Kang Hongxiang , Zhang Hongwu , Yang Yanmin
Published: January 2020

The premise that long afterglow can be applied is its duration, and the persistent duration is closely related to the depth of the traps. Therefore, the stable deep traps are the key to obtain long persistent luminescence. Based on this, a strategy that X-ray excites high-gap phosphors to achieve long persistent luminescence is firstly proposed. Herein, rare earth (RE) ions doped YPO4 phosphor is adopted as the research object as RE ions can form stable and deeper defect centers or luminescent centers in high bandgap materials. Furthermore, the efficient method of enhancing persistent luminescence is designed so that introducing Tb3+ ions into YPO4:Sm3+ crystals forms tightly bound excitons, which modulates the depth of defect centers (Sm3+ ions), improving the afterglow behavior from Sm3+ ions for more than two days, which is approximately 14 times stronger than the afterglow of YPO4:Sm3+ phosphors itself. Finally, highly efficient in vivo deep tissue bioimaging was successfully achieved through mouse tail intravenous injection. The results indicate that the YPO4:Sm3+,Tb3+ phosphor possesses great promise in the field of in vivo imaging.
Continuous scanning of a dissipative Kerr-microresonator soliton comb for broadband, high-resolution spectroscopy
Authors: Kuse Naoya , Tetsumoto Tomohiro , Navickaite Gabriele , Geiselmann Michael , Fermann Martin E.
Published: January 2020

Dissipative Kerr-microresonator soliton combs (hereafter called soliton combs) are promising to realize chip-scale integration of full soliton comb systems providing high precision, broad spectral coverage, and a coherent link to the micro/mm/THz domain with diverse applications coming on line all the time. However, the large soliton comb spacing hampers some applications. For example, for spectroscopic applications, there are simply not enough comb lines available to sufficiently cover almost any relevant absorption features. Here, we overcome this limitation by scanning the comb mode spacing by employing Pound–Drever–Hall locking and a microheater on the microresonator, showing continuous scanning of the soliton comb modes across nearly the full free-spectral range of the microresonator without losing soliton operation, while spectral features with a bandwidth as small as 5 MHz are resolved.
High-sensitivity X-ray imaging of a lead halide perovskite single-crystal scintillator
Authors: Xu Qiang , Shao Wenyi , Li Yang , Zhu Zhichao , Liu Bo , Ouyang Xiaoping , Liu Jun
Published: January 2020

Low-dose rate detection and high contrast are required to reduce unwanted ionization irradiation for X-ray imaging procedure. Recently, low-cost solution-processed hybrid lead halide perovskite has been demonstrated for direct X-ray detection. However, the performances are limited by the relative poor charge collection. Here we report an organic-inorganic perovskite single-crystal scintillator with high sensitivity for X-ray imaging. High-quality scintillator crystals have been synthesized using the solution-processed method at a low temperature with X-ray excited light emission wavelength of 432 nm. The lowest detectable dose rate is

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, which is comparable with the best perovskite-based photoconductor X-ray detector for a 50 keV X-ray. We achieved a high-contrast X-ray image that proves the feasibility for medical applications.
Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap: Creating 'hospitable wages' through the Living Wage Movement
Authors: Douglas Julie , Williamson David , Harris Candice
Published: January 2020

This conceptual article calls for a greater recognition of wages in academic and media discussions of hospitality and tourism employment. The article draws on the New Zealand hospitality and tourism context, but places the discussion in an international perspective as well. The article approaches the topic of low wages in a new way, arguing that rather than being an inevitable outcome of structural factors, improving wages can be an 'engine' for reducing turnover and becoming employers of choice, and significantly improving employees lives. The article conceptualizes a 'hospitable wage', defined as a wage that incorporates genuine care and consideration of well-being for a level of care that hospitality employers would expect their staff to apply to guests. The concept of a hospitable wage is differentiated from the constructs of minimum wage, fair wage and the living wage. The article concludes by proposing that the Living Wage Movement is a practical and pragmatic way to operationalize a hospitable wage and thereby potentially improve conditions for employers and employees alike.
El modelo Tidal: Una alternativa para la enfermería psiquiátrica
Authors: Nance Douglas C.
Published: January 2020

La enfermería ha faltado un modelo teórico específicamente para la especialidad de enfermería psiquiátrica y salud mental. Este falta se da a nivel mundial, no solo en México, y puede limitar el desarrollo de la práctica independiente de la enfermería psiquiátrica. También puede limitar la habilidad de la enfermería a trabajar en el equipo multidisciplinaria en una manera conjunta en condición de igualdad. En el siglo XVI México tuvo un modelo de enfermería psiquiátrica de los Hermanos de la Caridad, basado en el amor al prójimo y respeto a la persona con necesidad de la enfermería. Actualmente existe un modelo teórico específicamente para la enfermería psiquiátrica y salud mental. El Modelo Tidal, con sus metáforas sobre la vida y sus crisis como un barco en el mar, tiene un enfoque sobre el respeto para la historia y la experiencia de la persona con necesidad de la enfermería.
Editorial
Authors: Machado Carlos Roberto , Portugal Gisleine Da Cruz , Valle Hardalla Do , Barcellos Sérgio Botton
Published: January 2020

O segundo número do ano de 2019 da Revista Ambiente & Educação traz o Dossiê “A Educação Ambiental em uma perspectiva da Oceanografia Socioambiental" que conta com a organização do Profº Gustavo G. M. Moura- UFPA, da Profa. Dra. Lilian Melo - UFPR e da Profa. Dra. Carina Catiana Foppa – UFPR e artigos livres do fluxo contínuo da Ambiente & Educação.
Mast Cell Infiltration Is Associated With Persistent Symptoms and Endoscopic Abnormalities Despite Resolution of Eosinophilia in Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Authors: Bolton Scott M. , Kagalwalla Amir F. , Arva Nicoleta C. , Wang Ming-Yu , Amsden Katie , Melin-Aldana Hector , Dellon Evan S. , Bryce Paul J. , Wershil Barry K. , Wechsler Joshua B.
Published: January 2020

OBJECTIVES:

Mast cells (MCs) are increased in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Endoscopic abnormalities, symptoms, and epithelial changes can persist after treatment despite a reduction of esophageal eosinophilia. It is unknown whether this could be due to persistent MC infiltration. We aimed to determine whether patients with histologically inactive (HI) EoE (defined as <15 eosinophils per high-powered field) with persistent symptoms, endoscopic, or epithelial abnormalities after treatment have increased MCs.

METHODS:

Secondary analysis of prospective data from 93 children with EoE undergoing post-treatment endoscopy between 2011 and 2015. Thirty-five non-EoE controls were included. Immunohistochemistry for tryptase, an MC marker, was performed on mid and distal esophageal biopsies. Total and degranulated intraepithelial MCs per high-powered field (MC/hpf) were quantified. Symptoms and endoscopic findings were recorded at time of endoscopy. MC/hpf were compared between HI-EoE and control, and among HI-EoE based on endoscopic and histologic findings, and symptoms. Nine clinical remission (CR) patients were identified, with absence of endoscopic abnormalities and symptoms.

RESULTS:

MC/hpf were increased in HI-EoE compared with control (17 ± 11 vs 8 ± 6, P < 0.0). Patients with persistent endoscopic abnormalities had increased total (20 ± 12 vs 13 ± 10, P = 0.001) and degranulated (8 ± 6 vs 5 ± 4, P = 0.002) MC/hpf, with no difference in eosinophils. MC/hpf predicted furrowing (odds ratio = 1.06, P = 0.01) and rings (odds ratio = 1.05, P = 0.03) after controlling for treatment type, proton-pump inhibitor, eosinophils, and duration of therapy. Patients with persistent basal zone hyperplasia and dilated intercellular spaces had increased MC/hpf. Eosinophils were weakly correlated with MC/hpf in the mid (r = 0.30, P < 0.001) and distal (r = 0.29, P < 0.001) esophagus. Clinical remission patients had lower MC/hpf compared with patients with persistent symptoms and/or endoscopic abnormalities.

DISCUSSION:

MC density is increased in patients with endoscopic and epithelial abnormalities, as well as a few symptoms, despite resolution of esophageal eosinophilia after treatment. This association warrants further study to ascertain whether MCs play an eosinophil independent role in EoE.
Biblioteca comunitária Gerando Vida
Authors: Araújo Danielle Ferreira Medeiro da Silva de
Published: January 2020

O trabalho pretende apresentar como se configurou o processo de construção da Biblioteca Comunitária da ONG Gerando Vida nas cidades do Rio de Janeiro, RJ e Eunápolis, BA, nos anos entre 2008 e 2016. Tem por objetivo descrever os caminhos para a criação de um espaço de leitura participativo, democrático e crítico da realidade local, que se compõe pela leitura de mundo e a leitura da palavra como importante instrumento de crescimento pessoal, e também como um caminho para a transformação social. A metodologia da pesquisa baseia-se na teoria fundamentada, que consiste em unir teorias às experiências e dados com o fim de ampliar a compreensão sobre conceitos e proporcionar um guia significativo para a ação, com a utilização do método bibliográfico, realizada a partir dos registros disponíveis em fontes impressas e digitais sobre a temática, legislações nacionais, além dos relatórios institucionais da ONG Gerando Vida dos anos de 2008 a 2016. As conclusões do trabalho são no sentido de evidenciar as mudanças advindas da inserção de um espaço de leitura em um contexto de desigualdade social, marginalização e não valorização da leitura da palavra.
Juventudes, participação, voz e ação
Authors: Lins Lira Wagner , Ferreira Hugo Monteiro
Published: January 2020

Neste relato apresentamos as experiências de um curso de extensão universitária realizado em Recife, Pernambuco, no ano de 2018, comprometido com o empoderamento juvenil. O curso foi conduzido por dinâmicas de formação, inspiradas nos preceitos da educação popular e pautadas no incentivo à participação social dos jovens instigados pelo autorreconhecimento enquanto atores relevantes para a cidadania, e em afirmações identitárias, quando as lideranças foram subsidiadas por práticas e saberes políticos, científicos e culturais através de novas tecnologias pedagógicas hábeis à continuidade destas e de outras ações. Além das considerações descritivas do curso, trazemos as narrativas dos educandos treinados a desenvolverem pesquisas de campo, quando elaboraram diários, cuja análise interpretativa dos relatos ali contidos favorece-nos à aproximação qualitativa de suas realidades e visões de mundo.
Círculos de leitura e letramento literário em espaços de privação de liberdade
Authors: Jorge Patrícia Gonçalves , Cunha Karina Zendron da , Ramos Suelen
Published: January 2020

A leitura é uma ferramenta valiosíssima na formação do sujeito e, por esse motivo, deveria ser tratada como um direito cultural ao qual todos os cidadãos deveriam ter acesso. Contudo, não é essa a nossa realidade. Neste artigo, pretendemos elucidar a importância da leitura, bem como o modo como ela vem sendo tratada nas escolas e no ambiente carcerário. Muitos dispositivos legais versam sobre o direito que o apenado tem à educação e, abarcada por este direito, está também a leitura. Além disso, pretendemos socializar neste trabalho as ações do Projeto Contexto, que tem auxiliado, desde 2017, reeducandos de um presídio de Blumenau no acesso à literatura de qualidade e, por meio dela, à remição de pena, bem como o desenvolvimento de seu letramento literário. Objetivamos ainda, por meio deste artigo, refletir sobre a importância das ações previstas para o terceiro ano do projeto: a implementação de círculos de leitura no espaço carcerário.
Visões Sobre Inclusão Escolar No Contexto De Educação Especial: PCN X BNCC
Authors: Coelho Caroline Pugliero , Soares Renata Godinho , Roehrs Rafael
Published: January 2020

A realidade da inclusão escolar necessita ser discutida para busca de melhorias a fim de garantir um processo de ensino que esteja de acordo com as singularidades de cada aluno. Este estudo analisa os documentos Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais (PCN) e a Base Nacional Comum Curricular (BNCC) referentes a Educação Especial dentro do contexto Inclusão Escolar. Após análise foi possível considerar que o conteúdo do PCN traz maiores colaborações ao professor do que a BNCC, que além de não tratar da Educação Inclusiva em específico, transfere para cada currículo escolar, o que não garante que esta seja observada com a devida atenção e importância. Faz-se necessária a discussão uma vez que a BNCC possui caráter normativo e tem perspectivas de garantir uma educação igualitária a todos.