bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Greenland Ice Sheet late-season melt: investigating multiscale drivers of K-transect events
Authors: Ballinger Thomas J. , Mote Thomas L. , Mattingly Kyle , Bliss Angela C. , Hanna Edward , van As Dirk , Prieto Melissa , Gharehchahi Saeideh , Fettweis Xavier , Noël Brice , Smeets Paul C. J. P. , Reijmer Carleen H. , Ribergaard Mads H. , Cappelen John
Published: August 2019

Abstract. One consequence of recent Arctic warming is an increased
occurrence and longer seasonality of above-freezing air temperature
episodes. There is significant disagreement in the literature concerning
potential physical connectivity between high-latitude open water duration
proximate to the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) and late-season (i.e.,
end-of-summer and autumn) GrIS melt events. Here, a new date of sea ice
advance (DOA) product is used to determine the occurrence of Baffin Bay sea
ice growth along Greenland's west coast for the 2011–2015 period. Over the
2-month period preceding the DOA, northwest Atlantic Ocean and atmospheric
conditions are analyzed and linked to late-season melt events observed at a
series of on-ice automatic weather stations (AWSs) along the K-transect in
southwestern Greenland. Surrounding ice sheet, tundra, and coastal winds
from the Modèle Atmosphérique Régional (MAR) and Regional
Atmospheric Climate Model (RACMO) provide high-resolution spatial context to
AWS observations and are analyzed along with ERA-Interim reanalysis fields
to understand the meso-to-synoptic-scale (thermo)dynamic drivers of the melt
events. Results suggest that late-season melt events, which primarily occur
in the ablation area, are strongly affected by ridging atmospheric
circulation patterns that transport warm, moist air from the subpolar North Atlantic toward west Greenland. Increasing concentrations of North Atlantic
water vapor are shown to be necessary to produce melt conditions as autumn
progresses. While thermal conduction and advection off south Baffin Bay open waters impact coastal air temperatures, local marine air incursions are
obstructed by barrier flows and persistent katabatic winds along the western
GrIS margin.
Accuracy and Inter-Analyst Agreement of Visually Estimated Sea Ice Concentrations in Canadian Ice Service Ice Charts
Authors: Cheng Angela , Casati Barbara , Tivy Adrienne , Zagon Tom , Lemieux Jean-Francois , Tremblay Bruno
Published: August 2019

Abstract. This study compares the accuracy of visually estimated ice concentrations by eight analysts at the Canadian Ice Service against three standards: i) ice concentrations calculated from automated image segmentation, ii) ice concentrations calculated from automated image segmentation that were validated by the analysts, and iii) the modal ice concentration estimate by the group. A total of 76 pre-defined areas in RADARSAT-1/RADARSAT-2 imagery are used in this study. Analysts over-estimate ice concentrations when compared to all three standards, most notably for low ice concentrations (1/10–3/10). The spread of ice concentration estimates is highest for middle concentrations (5/10, 6/10), and smallest for 9/10. The over-estimation in low concentrations and high variability in middle concentrations introduces uncertainty in the ice concentration distribution in ice charts. The uncertainty may have downstream implications for numerical modeling and sea ice climatology. Inter-analyst agreement is also measured to determine which classifier’s ice concentration estimates (analyst or automated image segmentation) disagreed the most. It was found that one of the eight analysts disagreed the most, followed second by the automated segmentation algorithm. This suggests high agreement in ice concentration estimates between analysts at the Canadian Ice Service. The high agreement, but consistent overestimation, results in an overall accuracy of ice concentration estimates in polygons to be 39 %, 95 % CI [34 %, 43 %] for an exact match in ice concentration estimate with calculated ice concentration from segmentation, and 84 %, 95 % CI [80 %, 87 %] for +/- one ice concentration category. Only images with high contrast between ice and open water, and well-defined floes are used: true accuracy is expected to be lower than what is found in this study.
Intonational phonology of Boro
Authors: Das Kalyan , Mahanta Shakuntala
Published: August 2019

The pitch contour of an utterance in a tone language can surface with both tonal and intonational f0 features. In this paper we set out to analyze the intonational phonology of Boro, a tone language, and establish that there are three levels of prosodic constituents in Boro: Prosodic Word, ip and IP. Prosodic Word is the domain for distribution of lexical tones. Phonological processes show that the next higher level of prosodic structure is that of the intermediate phrase. Downstepping is within intermediate phrases (ip) and does not cross ips. The highest level of prosodic constituency is the IP which is marked by both initial and final boundary tones. This study shows that in Boro intonational phonology, boundary tones and their scaling and alignment in the context of their lexical tones is more important than assigning pitch accents.
Modal identification of a bridge-abutment system using forced vibration testing
Authors: Hogan L.S. , Wotherspoon L.M. , Beskhyroun S. , Ingham J.M.
Published: August 2019

During the 2010 Mw7.1 Darfield earthquake, the single span Davis Road Bridge located 5 km southeast of Lincoln, New Zealand, sustained significant lateral spreading damage to the western approach. While lateral spreading resulted in up to 450 mm of approach settlement and evidence of damage to the pile foundations, the bridge superstructure sustained no significant damage. Prior to reinstating traffic, the bridge was used for full scale dynamic testing to characterise the influence of different substructure components on the lateral dynamic behaviour of the bridge superstructure.
The bridge was characterised using an eccentric mass shaker and an array of accelerometers to perform lateral forced vibration testing in both the transverse and longitudinal directions. Modal properties were extracted from these tests using multiple system identification algorithms. The experimental testing and system identification methodology are described here. Forced vibration testing was able to detect one mode in each principal direction of the bridge, with the fundamental modes for the transverse and longitudinal direction occurring at a period of 0.118 s and 0.092 s respectively. The torsional response found during the transverse direction shaking was most likely due to the effect of gap opening around the piles on the western abutment, while the longitudinal response was dominated by the approach soil.
Characterisation and seismic vulnerability assessment of unreinforced masonry buildings in Dunedin CBD
Authors: Ismail Najif , McGrannachan Kieran , Hazelton Glen
Published: August 2019

The need for Territorial Authorities (TA) to compile an earthquake-prone building register has been highlighted by the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission and with this in mind the following research was undertaken to enable the characterisation and assessment of potentially earthquake-prone historic unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings in Dunedin. To achieve the research goals, associated technical literature was reviewed and an earthquake-prone building register containing data on 226 URM buildings located in the Dunedin central business district (CBD) area was compiled. Additionally, structural performance of these buildings was also assessed using both the literature suggested initial evaluation procedure and the proposed risk based assessment method. It was estimated that 680 of the existing 750 Dunedin URM buildings are likely to be earthquake-prone and merit detailed assessment. It was also established that the earthquake risk in the city is primarily based on the fact that it has a significant number of URM buildings built prior to the introduction of building code, of which a large proportion is concentrated in the CBD. These not only pose a safety risk to their users but also to pedestrians on the adjacent footpaths.
Determining Specialties of the Jordanian Court of Cassation in Its Civil Capacity (According to Reality and the Law)
Authors: Shwarah Jalal Aead
Published: August 2019

The main objective of this research is to address the issue determining specialties of the Jordanian court of cassation according to reality and the law.

To achieve this objective, the analytical comparative research design method is used depending on the legal legislations and the diligence of the Judiciary to remove ambiguity form them because of their importance and direct effect in determining specialty of court of cassation and to distinguish it from court of subject.

This research is divided into two subjects: The essence of reality and essence of the law.

The second topic has addressed specialty of court of cassation according to reality and the law, divided into two requirements: considering court of cassation as the upper Judicial body, and the second requirement about considering court of subject third degree of the Jurisdiction degrees.

The research reached the presence of contradictions making it difficult to determine and to set a specific standard and the decisive line between what is reality and what is law.

Based on the results, it is recommended the necessity for in-depth review and amendment of these two laws, setting independent legal texts for the civil trials principal law, organizing the Judges' authority technically to separate between reality and the law.
Random Forests in the Supervised Classification of Multidimensional Images of the Tetrazolium Test
Authors: Rocha Davi Marcondes , Nóbrega Lúcia Helena Pereira , Bernardi Daiane , Conti Giuvane , Nakajima Evandro Alves , Ziech Magnos Fernando , Bazzi Claudio Leones
Published: August 2019

The quality of the soybean seed can be influenced by several factors that may occur at any stage of production. Mechanical damage, deterioration by humidity and the damage caused by bed bugs are among such problems. The tetrazolium test is adopted by the seed industry, especially for testing soybeans, due to its accuracy, fast result, and the large amount of information it provides. Digital processing and image analysis can be used to aid the extraction and classification of standards for minimizing the subjectivity implicit in the test, thus allowing more credibility to the information. The aim of this work is testing the effectiveness of Random Forests in the supervised classification of soybean embryos images submitted to the tetrazolium test. In order to do so, we used the Trainable Weka Segmentation plugin to perform the segmentation process, and the WEKA software to evaluate the quality of the classifier model obtained. During the process, 222,646 instances among 230,388 instances were correctly classified (96.7%), with Kappa index of 0.95, showing the classifier excellent performance regarding the proposed dataset. The supervised classification, combined with pixel-based segmentation, proved to be efficient in extracting more coherent visual information on seed damage. Also, we conclude that the choice of image attributes, along with the algorithm used in the work, showed to be competent in the classification process of high dimensionality samples.
Species of Malva L. (Malvaceae) Cultivated in the Western of Santa Catarina State and Conformity With Species Marketed as Medicinal Plants in Southern Brazil
Authors: Oliveira Leyza Paloschi de , Bovini Massimo Giuseppe , Bortoluzzi Roseli Lopes da Costa , Boff Mari Inês Carissimi , Boff Pedro
Published: August 2019

The Malva genus presents different species with therapeutic potential and inadequate consumption can occur due to the incorrect identification of the plant in the market. The objective of this study was to identify species of the Malva genus cultivated in the Western Mesoregion of Santa Catarina State-Southern Brazil, and to verify the conformity of products’ labels marketed as dehydrated medicinal plants through the characteristics of the plant parts. The specimens were collected following an unsystematic procedure from households of ten municipalities. The material was identified with the help of specialized bibliography and a specialist. After, they were herborized and deposited in the herbaria of the State University of Santa Catarina (LUSC) and of the Botanical Garden Research Institute of Rio de Janeiro (RB). Five cultivated species of Malva were found (M. nicaeensis, M. parviflora, M. pseudolavatera, M. Sylvestris and M. verticillata). Whereas one species of the Geraniaceae family (Pelargonium graveolens) and three species of the Malvaceae family (Malva sylvestris, M. verticillata and Sida cordifolia) were found in the dehydrated packages. S. cordifolia species was present in 80% of the samples, with 65% of them marketed as M. sylvestris or under the common name of "mallow". Macroscopic images of the species and illustrations of the mericarps were made and an identification chart along with the morphological description for each species was elaborated based on the morphological results. Descriptions of labels for 60 samples were checked for the determination of the dehydrated Malva species marketed. Characteristics of parts of the plant in comparing them with the characteristics described in the specialized literature were performed. The target species of incorrect identifications in the analyzed packages was M. sylvestris.
Morphological and Biochemical Study of Bidens pilosa on the Effects of Extract of Urochloa ruziziensis
Authors: Coelho Érica Marusa Pergo , Galletti Patrícia Aparecida , Britta Elizandra Aparecida , Costa Andréia Cristina Peres Rodrigues da , Zucareli Valdir
Published: August 2019

Bidens pilosa is an aggressive species that competes with crops and, in addition, has a high capacity to acquire resistance or tolerance to herbicides. Thus, the objective of the present study was to investigate the allelopathic effects of aqueous extract of Urochloa ruziziensis on germination, development, respiration, antioxidant enzymes and cells morphology of B. pilosa seedlings during initial growth at laboratory.The seeds were sown with water or U. ruziziensis extract at concentrations of 250, 500 and 900 ppm, and after four days the percentage of germinated seeds, root and hypocotyl development, as well as respiration, peroxidase and catalase activity by seedlings, were analysed. The results were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the means compared by the Tukey test and regression analysis. The cellular structures of the root with U. ruziziensis extract treatment (0, 500 and 900 ppm) were also analysed by transmission electron microscopy. The application of the extract reduced the germination of the seeds. The root growth increased, however, there was a reduction in the dry matter mass at 500 ppm. Mitochondrial respiration decreased and there was an increase in the activity of the peroxidase and catalase enzymes at 500 ppm. Morphological changes in the cells were also found, mainly with this concentration. Thus, it is possible can be concluded that allelochemicals present in extract from U. ruziziensis have the potential to provoke oxidative stress in B. pilosa seedlings in laboratory, mainly at a concentration of 500 ppm. This oxidative stress caused alterations mainly in the energetic metabolism of this plant, being this a primordial factor for its growth and survival.
Post-Harvest Conservation of Baby Corn Under Controlled Atmosphere and Refrigeration
Authors: Silva Polyana Danyelle S. , Batista Caik M. , Soares Marcela C. , Mota Wagner F. , Pimenta Samy
Published: August 2019

The baby corn has been gaining ground in the market and arousing interest of producers. However, there is a barrier in its production chain due to the lack of scientific knowledge in the harvest and post-harvest strategies. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in the physicochemical characteristics of the baby corn stored at different temperatures and under controlled atmosphere. The studies were performed at UNIMONTES with the ‘AG 1051’ baby corn spikletes. Two tests were performed, one considering the spikelets in the straw and the other with the husked spikelets. The tests were carried out under CRD, in a 2 × 2 × 6 factorial scheme, that is two storage temperatures (16 and 25 °C), two controlled atmosphere conditions (with and without PVC plastic wrap) and six evaluation periods (0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 days after harvest) with four replications. The quality characteristics of the spikelets were analyzed in the post-harvest. the post-harvest quality preservation of baby corn in the straw and the husked ones was affected by temperature, controlled atmosphere and evaluation period. The best storage condition to maintain the main quality characteristics of the spikelets at post-harvest was observed at the temperature of 16 ºC with controlled atmosphere use. For the spikelets preserved with the presence of straw, the maximum storage time for maintenance of post-harvest characteristics was four days, and for spikelets stored without straw, the maximum storage time was two days and 12 hours, both at refrigerated temperature (16 °C) and under controlled atmosphere.
The Quality Improvement of Indonesian Konjac Chips (Amorphophallus Muelleri Blume) through Drying Methods and Sodium Metabisulphite Soaking
Authors: Dwiyono Kisroh , Djauhari Maman A.
Published: August 2019

Amorphophallus muelleri Blume (Indonesian konjac) is an annual herbaceous wild plant growing in Indonesia. It produces glucomannan, i.e., a polysaccharide hydrocolloid compound that has many benefits in various fields of industry and has high economic value. To obtain this compound, Indonesian konjac tuber has to be processed into chips, ground, and separated from the other components such as fiber and starch. The problem encountered in producing glucomannan is to find a drying method which may optimally decrease the water content in chips with higher drying rate to produce good quality of the chips. This paper proposes a drying method and to study its effect on the quality of Indonesian konjac chips. For this purpose, we consider these two main treatments; (i) soaking in sodium metabisulphite solution in pre-drying process, and (ii) drying using oven and direct sun light. Thus, we work with four combinations of treatments and then we compare the effect of each combination on the quality characteristics of the chips. The experiment shows that the combination of oven drying method and soaking method produces the best results. In this experiment, we use 1500 ppm of that solution and 10 minutes of soaking. According to our knowledge, these is an unprecedented experiment and thus the results will hopefully be a significant contribution to the literature of food engineering.
Het arrest Tjebbes: de evenredigheidstoets als complexe brug tussen nationaliteitswetgeving en Unieburgerschap
Authors: Van Elsuwege P. , Kroeze H.H.C.
Published: August 2019

Het arrest Tjebbes: de evenredigheidstoets als complexe brug tussen nationaliteitswetgeving en Unieburgerschap

De zaak Tjebbes gaat over de verenigbaarheid van een Nederlandse regeling met het Unierecht op grond waarvan tien jaar verblijf in een derde land het van rechtswege verlies van het Nederlanderschap met zich meebrengt voor Nederlanders die nog een tweede nationaliteit hebben. De zaak is daarmee een vervolg op het arrest Rottmann, waarin het Hof van Justitie bepaalde dat intrekking van de nationaliteit van de lidstaten in overeenstemming moet zijn met het Europeesrechtelijke evenredigheidsbeginsel. In Tjebbes vraagt de Raad van State of die Europeesrechtelijke evenredigheidstoets met zich meebrengt dat de gevolgen in het individuele geval moeten worden getoetst, of dat het voldoende is dat er een evenredigheidstoets in abstracto in het beleid verdisconteerd is. Anders dan advocaat-generaal Mengozzi oordeelt het Hof van Justitie dat incidenteel een geconcretiseerde evenredigheidstoets plaats moet kunnen vinden, ‘vanuit het oogpunt van het Unierecht’, wat betekent dat het effect van het verlies van de nationaliteit op het beroeps- en gezinsleven van de betrokkene meegewogen moet worden. Deze bijdrage evalueert deze uitspraak vanuit het perspectief van de bevoegdheidsverdeling tussen de EU en de lidstaten. Daarnaast wordt ingegaan op de beperktheid van de Unierechtelijke evenredigheidstoets zoals die in dit arrest geformuleerd wordt en worden enkele mogelijke implicaties voor de rechtspraktijk besproken.

HvJ 12 maart 2019, zaak C-221/17, Tjebbes e.a./Minister van Buitenlandse Zaken, ECLI:EU:C:2019:189
Nieuwe hindoetempels in Nederland: een schets van lokale initiatieven en gemeentelijke reacties
Authors: Bakker Freek L.
Published: August 2019

New Hindu Temples in the Netherlands: An Outline of Local Initiatives and the Reactions of the Local Governments

Currently the Netherlands count 44 Hindu temples. Most of them are arranged in converted school buildings, shops and other edifices not meant to be used as a Hindu house of worship. In 2000 the first purpose-built Hindu temple was constructed, and after that date five other purpose-built prayer houses of Hindu background were built. This article analyses the interaction between the initiators and the representatives of the local governments in the process between the first plans and the ultimate result. It will become clear that the various municipalities acted differently in the implementation of the national and local regulations concerning building religious prayer houses. The people initiating the construction of these buildings also operated variously.
De Nashville-verklaring: over Bijbelse seksualiteit en modern zelfbegrip
Authors: van Oenen Gijs
Published: August 2019

The Dutch Nashville declaration: on biblical sexuality and modern self-understanding

The Nashville declaration, which espouses an orthodox Biblical view on sexuality, caused considerable public upheaval upon the publication of its Dutch translation, early 2019. This contribution investigates the declaration and the discussion it engendered from a point of view of political and legal philosophy, addressing the typically modern preoccupation with the relation between identity, subjectivity, and sexuality. This modern self-perception is unravelled from a philosophical perspective derived from Hegel and Foucault. Some conclusions are drawn regarding the paradoxical nature of both the Nashville declaration and the discussion it occasioned.
Afbakening van de godsdienstvrijheid in de context van sociale voorzieningen
Authors: Vleugel Jos
Published: August 2019

Defining religious freedom in the context of social services

Invoking the fundamental social right to assistance does not prevent the CRvB from also applying the traditional fundamental right to freedom of religion. This approach is in line with the current case-law of the ECHR. This also applies to the more subjective explanation of religion used by the CRvB. This can be justified by the doctrine of interpretative restraint and the importance of self-definition. In the light of these principles, it is unclear why the CRvB makes a distinction in the level of protection of different religious expressions when weighing up interests in the context of article 9 ECHR
INTEGRATED STRAIN GAUGE PRINTING IN A CFRP STRUCTURE
Authors: MISCH Sandra , WELZEL Florian , MÖHRING Hans-Christian
Published: August 2019

Our approach is to integrate printed strain gauges into a structure of laminated carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP). This can provide minimizing disturbances caused by an additional sensor weight. Another point is to reduce the occurrence of pre-damage, as a printed structure is integrated directly into the CFRP. Due to the printing, no additional masses are applied to the CFRP by cables. To this end, the boundary conditions for the print are first explained. Subsequently, the strain gages were printed. For this purpose, studies were carried out regarding the orientation of the strain gage printing direction, the influence of repeated printing, the overlapping during printing and the subsequent lamination in CFRP plates. The sensors are to be used in the structure of the CFRP plate in a machine tool.
Psychological characteristics of the value orientation system of Armenians in title ethnos and Russian diaspora
Authors: Abakumova Irina , Berberyan Asya , Berberyan Hermine
Published: August 2019

The article substantiates the importance and relevance of studies on ethnic identity and value orientations, since they predetermine the assimilation of the spiritual culture of society, the formation of value orientations significantly contributes to the development of the individual. For that goal, a study was conducted with 160 bachelor and master students (ethnic Armenians and Russians living in Russia and Armenia) with a use of Twenty Statements Test and Schwartz’s Value Survey. The results of the study allowed us to describe common characteristics of the value-semantic aspect of the ethnic identity in Armenian and Russian title ethnos and diaspora. Thus, we aimed to describe of the process of identifying and assigning the values in Armenians as a dual process: the acceptance of values, the norms of the group with which a person is identified; the comparison of himself and his group with others, which has a positive impact on the cohesion of his group.
AN OBJECTIVE REFLECTION ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FUTURE FOR DIESEL VEHICLES VERSUS ARGUMENTS BASED ON ENERGY POPULISM
Authors: PAYRI MARIN RAUL , SERRANO CRUZ JOSÉ RAMÓN , TORMOS MARTINEZ BERNARDO VICENTE , GOMEZ VILANOVA ALEJANDRO
Published: August 2019

In recent times, automotive diesel vehicles are suffering an attack and discrimination at different levels in front of a competitive technology (Electric Vehicles - EV) that is also receiving too much media attention and compliments without a clear scientific support for neither action. Here, an objective comparison of pros and cons has been presented for both technologies, based on recent studies as well as objective data that must be taken into account for a clear objective analysis.

Keywords: pollutant emissions, global warming, primary energy sources, new diesel technologies, electric vehicles.
Semitic Stereotypes
Authors: Porsgaard Matias R.
Published: August 2019

This article examines how Jewish characters speak, look and act on the American comedy cartoons South Park and Family Guy. Through analyses of relevant episodes, a correlation is established between being a Jewish stereotype, speaking a distinct ‘Jewish English’ dialect and being a negative character on both shows. The analyses are based on 6 key characters from the two shows who are all Jewish, and while the 3 negative and stereotypical characters use certain features associated with the ‘Jewish dialect’ defined by Sarah Bunin Benor, as well as look and act according to classic Hollywood stereotypes of Jews, the 3 non-stereotypical positive/neutral characters do not. The consequences of associating certain dialects with negative characters in popular media are then discussed and it is argued that it can have serious consequences for real people.
Politics of Gun Control in the United States
Authors: Rønnedal Vibeke Sofie Sandager
Published: August 2019

The discussion of the right to keep and bear arms has been a growing issue in American society during the past two decades. This article examines the origin of the right and whether it is still relevant in contemporary American society. It is found that the Second Amendment was written for two main reasons: to protect the people of the frontier from wildlife and foreign as well as native enemies, and to ensure the citizen militia being armed and ready to fight for a country with a deep-rooted mistrust of a standing army and a strongly centralized government. As neither of these reasons have applied to American society for at least the past century, it is concluded that American society has changed immensely since the Second Amendment was ratified in 1791, and that the original purpose of the right to keep and bear arms thus has been outdated long ago.
Structure and magnetic properties Zn0.96Cu0.01Ni0.03O nanoparticles
Authors: GÜLER Adil
Published: August 2019

Zn0.96Cu0.01Ni0.03O nanoparticles were prepared by sol-gel technique and
annealed under wide temperature range (450, 500, 550, 600, 700, 800, and
900 0C). To figure out the
possible structural phases X-ray diffraction technique (XRD) was used. The
lattice parameters were calculated by Rietveld analysis and correlated by
annealing temperatures. For the synthesized nanoparticles, the optimum
annealing temperatures were achieved at 450, 500, and 550 °C and further
annealing temperature increment gave rise to secondary NiO peaks. The Scanning
Electron Microscope (SEM) images show random ball-shaped particle distribution.
Energy
dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) showed only the peaks belong to the
composition. Magnetic measurements were performed using Quantum Design
Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (QDVSM) tool for Zn0.96Cu0.01Ni0.03O nanosystems. From the DC magnetic field dependent
magnetization curves, clear paramagnetic behavior was revealed for all Cu-Ni
co-doped ZnO nanoparticles.
Performance-oriented architecture and urban design
Authors: Hensel Michael Ulrich , Sørensen Søren S.
Published: August 2019

This article discusses a performance-oriented approach to architectural and urban design that seeks to intensify the interaction between architectures and their specific settings and environments. The overarching aim is to expand performance-oriented design in architecture to urban design and to integrate architectural, urban design and landscape design into a multi-scalar and multi-domain approach. This effort is currently comprised of three distinct research by design efforts: [i] designs for urban areas with a focus on demographic and environmental aspects, [ii] designs for peripheral areas with a focus on preserving or restoring vital local bio-physical conditions and interrelations, and [iii] designs for rural areas that elaborate an integrative approach towards constructions and correlating land uses. In order to facilitate this approach, computational information-based design is linked with systems-thinking. The portrayed research was undertaken at the Research Centre for Architecture and Tectonics and the Advanced Computational Design Laboratory at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design over a period of five years from 2014 to 2018.
Architecture as a system and innovation design discipline
Authors: Chantzaras Christos
Published: August 2019

Talking about architecture means talking not only about buildings but also about processes or systems. In the latter context, architecture is a way of thinking and looking at people, spaces, interrelations and interactions. Proclaimed by IDEO’s Tim Brown as one of the best system design forms of education available, architecture has potential in fields beyond the physical. In keeping with the views of renowned systems thinker Russell Ackoff, who graduated in architecture before focusing on operations research, the question arises whether the skills of architects can be applied more broadly in system and innovation design. This paper describes how architects deal with context and complexity from the perspective of the practice-oriented architectural programming method. From its early days in the 1960s, it offered architects a viable basis for an applied architectural design thinking method, but did not receive widespread attention from practitioners and academics. The method is critically assessed and compared to the known forms of design thinking from the viewpoint of industrial design. By describing a real-life project and students’ work from a newly created seminar in a department of architecture, the paper investigates the current and future relevance of an advanced version of architectural programming for architectural practice and education. It stresses the desirability of reinforcing the core skills of architects by developing a design thinking method rooted in architecture, which needs to be taught, developed and disseminated. In the long term, it is argued, architecture should be considered and integrated as a ‘systems and innovation design discipline’ in the fields of systems thinking and innovation research.
Staphylococcal superantigen‐like proteins interact with human MAP kinase signaling protein ERK2
Authors: Dutta Debabrata , Mukherjee Devdeep , Mukherjee Indranil Arun , Maiti Tapas Kumar , Basak Amit , Das Amit Kumar
Published: August 2019

This study aimed to identify the intracellular binding partner of a unique class of staphylococcal secreted exotoxins called superantigen‐like proteins (SSL) from human macrophage and keratinocyte cell lysates. Here, we report that SSL1 specifically binds to human extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 2 (hERK2), an important stress‐activated kinase in mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling pathways. Western blot and in vitro binding studies with recombinant hERK2 confirmed the binding interaction of SSL1, SSL7, and SSL10 with hERK2. Moreover, the SSLs‐hERK2 interaction was validated biochemically by ELISA. Our finding shows that SSLs play a novel role by binding with host cell MAP kinase signaling pathway protein. Understanding the SSL‐hERK2 interaction will also provide a basis for designing SSL‐based peptide inhibitors of hERK2 in cancer therapy.
Disorders with Synuclein Pathology and
P
arkinsonism
Authors: Kilarski Laura L , Zhang Wei , Morris Huw R
Published: August 2019

A variety of neurodegenerative disorders are classified as synucleinopathies based on the presence of prominent α‐synuclein pathology. These diseases include Parkinson disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (with neuronal Lewy body formation) and multiple system atrophy (with glial cytoplasmic inclusions). The normal function of α‐synuclein includes regulation of presynaptic vesicles. Autosomal dominant PD can be due to coding mutations or multiplications of the α‐synuclein gene (
SNCA
). The coding mutations are thought to lead to a gain of function, in particular acceleration of the formation of protofibrils. Duplications and triplications of
SNCA
lead to autosomal dominant PD with a gene dosage effect on age of onset and clinical severity. Variants in the
SNCA
promoter, which lead to an upregulation of
SNCA
expression, are associated with an increased risk of sporadic PD. α‐Synuclein is now recognised as the key component of Lewy bodies and as an important target for therapeutic intervention. A number of α‐synuclein antibody therapy treatments are in development and have entered early‐phase clinical development.

Key Concepts

α‐Synuclein is deposited in the common neurodegenerative conditions, Parkinson disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies, as neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions (Lewy bodies).

The normal function of α‐synuclein is incompletely understood but is likely to involve interaction with and regulation of synaptic vesicles.

There is some evidence that α‐synuclein may have a role as a cellular chaperone and in interacting with the proteasome.

Mendelian coding mutations in the α‐synuclein gene (
SNCA
) can lead to autosomal dominant PD and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB).

SNCA
mutations lead to an enhancement of protofibril formation as well as affecting normal α‐synuclein function.

SNCA
duplications and triplications lead to autosomal dominant PD: an increase in the transcription of normal sequence
SNCA
can lead to disease.

Promoter variation at the
SNCA
is associated with PD;
in vitro
evidence suggests that protective promoter alleles lead to a downregulation of
SNCA
expression.

There is now substantial evidence for cell‐to‐cell ‘prion‐like’ spread of synuclein pathology in the brain.

This spreading pathology represents a therapeutic target, and a number of anti‐α‐synuclein antibody therapies are in early‐stage clinical trial development.
Deconstructing Gene Function throughENUMutagenesis
Authors: Potter Paul K
Published: August 2019

A great majority of genes present in the human genome are also present in the mouse, thus making it an attractive mammalian model organism to study gene function and dysfunction. Over the past few decades, the ability to manipulate the mouse genome has been developed in a variety of ways. A complementary methodology to create mutations in the mouse is to use chemical mutagenesis.N‐ethyl‐N‐Nitrosourea (ENU) is the mutagen of choice for creating random point mutations model organisms. Advances in sequencing technologies have resulted in a rapid identification of the causative mutation. ENU mutagenesis is a powerful hypothesis‐generating approach to create new mouse models through both forward and reverse genetics approaches. Furthermore, the addition of challenges can identify mutations affecting specific pathways, and specific mutant lines or strains can be used to identify modifiers.

Key Concepts

ENU produces mainly point mutations randomly throughout the genome.

ENU mutagenesis can be used in both forward and reverse genetics approaches.

ENU phenotype‐driven screens do not require previous knowledge of the gene to create new mouse models or reveal gene function.

ENU phenotype‐driven screens can assign functions to specific protein domains.

ENU phenotype‐driven screens identify new mouse models by means of phenotyping.

High‐throughput sequencing technologies mean that the identification of the mutation underlying an observed phenotype is very rapid.

Phenotype‐driven screens can be applied along with specific challenges or mutations to reveal mutations affecting specific pathways or which modify existing phenotypes.
Human leukocyte antigen‐DQB1 polymorphisms and haplotype patterns in Guillain‐Barré syndrome
Authors: Hayat Shoma , Jahan Israt , Das Avizit , Hassan Zahid , Howlader Zakir Hossain , Mahmud Ishtiaq , Deen Mohammad Quazi , Islam Zhahirul
Published: August 2019

Objective

The etiology of Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) remains enigmatic, although genetic and environmental factors are speculated to be associated with this autoimmune condition. We investigated whether polymorphisms and the haplotype structures of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐DQB1 gene relate to the autoimmune response to infection and affect the development of GBS.

Methods

HLA‐DQB1 polymorphic alleles (*0201, *030x, *0401, *050x, *060x) were determined for 151 Bangladeshi patients with GBS and 151 ethnically matched healthy controls using sequence‐specific polymerase chain reaction. Pairwise linkage disequilibrium (LD) and haplotype patterns were analyzed based on D ́statistics and the genotype package in R statistics, respectively. Association studies were conducted using Fisher's exact test and logistic regression analysis. The Bonferroni method was applied to correct for multiple comparisons, whereby the P‐value was multiplied with the number of comparisons and denoted as Pc (Pc, P corrected).

Results

No associations were observed between HLA‐DQB1 alleles and susceptibility to disease in the comparison between GBS patients and healthy subjects. Haplotype 9 (DQB1*0303‐*0601) tended to be less frequent among patients with GBS than healthy controls (P = 0.006, OR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.30–0.82; Pc = 0.06). Haplotype 5 (DQB1*0501‐*0602) and the DQB1*0201 alleles were more frequent in the Campylobacter jejuni‐triggered axonal variant of GBS (P = 0.024, OR = 4.06, 95% CI = 1.25–13.18; Pc = 0.24) and demyelinating subtype (P = 0.027, OR = 2.68, 95% CI = 1.17–6.17; Pc = 0.35), though these associations were not significant after Bonferroni correction.

Interpretation

This study indicates that HLA‐DQB1 polymorphisms are not associated with susceptibility to GBS. In addition, these genetic markers did not influence the clinical features or serological subgroup in patients with C. jejuni‐triggered axonal variant of GBS.
Early prediction of phenotypic severity in Citrullinemia Type 1
Authors: Zielonka Matthias , Kölker Stefan , Gleich Florian , Stützenberger Nicolas , Nagamani Sandesh C. S. , Gropman Andrea L. , Hoffmann Georg F. , Garbade Sven F. , Posset Roland ,   the Urea Cycle Disorders Consortium (UCDC) and the European Registry and Network for Intoxication type Metabolic Diseases (E‐IMD) Consortia Study Group
Published: August 2019

Objective

Citrullinemia type 1 (CTLN1) is an inherited metabolic disease affecting the brain which is detectable by newborn screening. The clinical spectrum is highly variable including individuals with lethal hyperammonemic encephalopathy in the newborn period and individuals with a mild‐to‐moderate or asymptomatic disease course. Since the phenotypic severity has not been predictable early during the disease course so far, we aimed to design a reliable disease prediction model.

Methods

We used a newly established mammalian biallelic expression system to determine residual enzymatic activity of argininosuccinate synthetase 1 (ASS1; OMIM #215700) in 71 individuals with CTLN1, representing 48 ASS1 gene variants and 50 different, mostly compound heterozygous combinations in total. Residual enzymatic ASS1 activity was correlated to standardized biochemical and clinical endpoints available from the UCDC and E‐IMD databases.

Results

Residual enzymatic ASS1 activity correlates with peak plasma ammonium and L‐citrulline concentrations at initial presentation. Individuals with 8% of residual enzymatic ASS1 activity or less had more frequent and more severe hyperammonemic events and lower cognitive function than those above 8%, highlighting that residual enzymatic ASS1 activity allows reliable severity prediction. Noteworthy, empiric clinical practice of affected individuals is in line with the predicted disease severity supporting the notion of a risk stratification‐based guidance of therapeutic decision‐making based on residual enzymatic ASS1 activity in the future.

Interpretation

Residual enzymatic ASS1 activity reliably predicts the phenotypic severity in CTLN1. We propose a new severity‐adjusted classification system for individuals with CTLN1 based on the activity results of the newly established biallelic expression system.
Tailoring of the Wetting Behavior of Alumina Dispersions on Polymer Foams by Methylcellulose Addition: A Route Toward Mechanically Stable Ceramic Replica Foams
Authors: Schelm Katja , Dammler Kathleen , Betke Ulf , Scheffler Michael
Published: August 2019

Polyurethane (PU) foams with open porosity and a pore count of 20 ppi are used as templates for the preparation of open‐porous alumina foams by the replica method. The effect of methylcellulose addition on the rheological properties of the aqueous alumina dispersions is investigated. Methylcellulose leads to an increased viscosity of the dispersions and is effective in increasing the yield strength. The compressive strength and the structural parameters of replica foams made by the respective dispersions are correlated with the rheology of the alumina dispersions used in foam manufacturing. An increased viscosity leads to an improved wetting behavior of the PU template and a more uniform coating with the alumina dispersion. The presence of methylcellulose also has the effect that it increases the adhesion of the coating dispersion on the PU template and causes a more homogenous coating, especially at the sharp edges of the templates' struts. As a consequence, the compressive strength of the sintered foams is significantly increased from 0.4 to 1.1 MPa at the same relative density level.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Titanium–Zirconium–Molybdenum and Ti2AlNb Joint Diffusion Bonded with and without a Ni Interlayer
Authors: Niu Jingbei B. , Wang Ying , Yang Zhenwen W. , Wang Dongpo P.
Published: August 2019

Diffusion bonding of titanium–zirconium–molybdenum (TZM) and Ti2AlNb with and without a Ni interlayer is studied, and microstructure, residual stress, and mechanical properties of the joints are investigated. The results show that cracks appear in the TZM substrate near the joint during the direct diffusion‐bonding process, owing to detrimental residual stress from coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch of the bonded couples. Herein, the maximum shear strength is only 240 MPa, corresponding to the joint bonded at 950 °C for 60 min at 20 MPa. When a 60 μm‐thick Ni interlayer is added, sound diffusion‐bonded joints without cracks are obtained, and the maximum shear strength reaches 340 MPa. The typical microstructure of the TZM/Ni/Ti2AlNb joint is TZM/NiMo + Ni3Mo/Ni4Mo/residual Ni/TiNi3/AlNi2Ti + Ti3Ni4 + (Ti, Ni, Nb) phase/Ti2Ni + B2(Ni)/Ti2AlNb. The residual Ni interlayer in the joint absorbs residual stress by plastic deformation, which is beneficial for the improvement of the joint shear strength. The residual stress in the joint is reduced from 347 to 78 MPa by increasing the thickness of the Ni interlayer from 0 to 120 μm. Fracturing in the joint occurs in the Ti2Ni phase because the Ti–Ni compounds have the highest microhardness values.
Digital Printing of Solid‐State Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Deiner L. Jay , Bezerra Carlos André Gomes , Howell Thomas G. , Powell Amber S.
Published: August 2019

Solid‐state lithium‐ion batteries promise to deliver the next generation of energy storage with necessary improvements in safety, energy density, and durability. However, their broad commercial success requires the development of scalable manufacturing processes to address fabrication challenges associated with composite electrodes, electrode/solid electrolyte interfaces, and thin solid electrolyte layers. In parallel with the need for innovation in solid‐state battery fabrication, there is a rapid progress in the field of 3D printing of functional materials. Hence, there is now the opportunity to consider how additive manufacturing informs fabrication processes for solid‐state lithium‐ion batteries. Herein, the fabrication requirements of solid‐state lithium‐ion batteries are described and recent examples of digitally fabricated solid‐state lithium‐ion batteries, components, and materials are highlighted. A critical review of initial efforts toward 3D printing of solid‐state lithium‐ion batteries provides the prospective to identify future challenges and prospects.
Defect‐Mediated Anisotropic Lattice Expansion in Ceramics as Evidence for Nonthermal Coupling between Electromagnetic Fields and Matter
Authors: Jha Shikhar Krishn , Nakamura Nathan , Zhang Shuyan , Su Laisuo , Smith Phil M. , Phuah Xin L. , Wang Han , Wang Haiyan , Okasinski John S. , McGaughey Alan J. H. , Reeja-Jayan B.
Published: August 2019

Electromagnetic (EM) fields can trigger a range of surprising responses in materials. Microwave radiation (MWR), a type of EM field in the frequency range of 0.3–300 GHz, can lower the synthesis temperature required for ceramics such as TiO2 and induces mixed amorphous–crystalline phase compositions. To better understand the effects of MWR on matter, structural changes during microwave heating and MWR‐assisted synthesis using in situ synchrotron X‐ray diffraction are studied. Anisotropic expansion–contraction of lattice parameters under microwave‐radiation is observed, which contradicts the results from conventional thermal heating. When as‐received TiO2 powders are heated with MWR, an instantaneous decrease in the intensities of diffraction peaks indicates decrystallization/amorphization. High‐resolution electron microscopy supports these observations. Raman spectroscopy and X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy indicate increased defect‐generation under microwave exposure. Molecular dynamics simulations on the anatase phase of TiO2 suggests that introducing an oxygen vacancy can lead to the formation of an interstitial–vacancy pair resulting in anisotropic expansion–contraction of the lattice. These unique responses of ceramics under externally applied fields provide direct evidence for nonthermal coupling between EM fields and matter. Understanding such nonthermal, field‐driven processes has implications in engineering low‐temperature processes for integrating ceramics with polymers for flexible electronics, energy harnessing, and storage applications.