bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of calculation and design of rotor-blade engine N.N. Tverskoy with a built-in electric generator
Authors: Korobets A S , Stepanov S F
Published: April 2020

Current requirements are considered for an autonomous source of power supply for powering a consumer located in areas remote from a centralized power system in comparison with the method of connecting to a centralized power system, using a petrol, diesel and power plant using a Stirling engine with external heat supply in this article. The main aspects are identified power plants with external heat supply, analysed materials that support combustion, which can be used to operate an autonomous generator. The history is described and the purpose of the rotary engine of the Russian engineer N.N. Tverskoy. An economic assessment and engine performance have been considered, in which superheated steam is not required to be used, but steam with droplets of liquid for use is permissible. The design proposed rotary vane engine N.N. Tverskoy with a built-in electric generator, in which the expansion part (turbine) and the generator represent a single joint part. The design methodology is considered, in which the main sections on the calculations and design of the rotary machine with the main empirical formulas are highlighted. Further ways of using the engine are described in the low-grade heat recovery system.
Approaches to uranium dump processing by bioleaching technology
Authors: Gavrish V M , Chayka T V , Derbasova N M , Baranov G A
Published: April 2020

This paper discusses a method of extracting uranium from uranium dumps by bacterial leaching using association of thion bacteria. Bioleaching mechanism is based on interaction of biological, chemical and electrochemical processes. The microstructure and composition of uranium-containing wastes were also investigated. The work presents the results of the study (changes in volumetric activity) before and after leaching. Results of the research proved that at microbiological processing of uranium production waste by association of thionic bacteria the degree of uranium leaching out of dumps at pachuca leaching was 59.3%. Nevertheless the residual radioactivity allows classifying the obtained material to be low-level radioactive waste one. At percolation leaching, having the aim to determine the effect of particle size of feed stock on the degree of uranium extraction, two samples were under study: breakstone in initial condition and ground breakstone. According to results of the study the degree of uranium extraction (a grinded one 0.3-0.5mm fraction) from dumps is 35.18%. Using breakstone in initial condition (10-25 mm fraction) degree of uranium leaching from dumps at percolation leach-ing measures up to 100%. Thus, residual radioactivity corresponds to all national sanitary standards for classifying a solid phase to a nonradioactive one. In addition, using microbial leaching there’s no need in further uranium ore grinding and that reduces costs to process ura-nium dumps. The work proposes a scheme for processing uranium dumps in the technological process. This technology will contribute to transforming the places for uranium waste storage into anthropogenic deposits.
Technological recommendations for the use of leaf litter based adsorption material to remove an oil slick from water bodies surface
Authors: Stepanova S V , Alekseeva A A , Khafizova L Y
Published: April 2020

The paper presents the study results on properties of leaf litter based adsorption material. The indicators of mixed leaf litter, characterizing it as an adsorption material, are established. Measurement of samples wetting angle with oil and water showed that the original material has hydrophobic properties. The oil intensity was about 10 g/g, and water absorption was 5-6 g/g, in addition, moisture, ash, total pore volume, bulk density were determined. Degree of water purification from oil was more than 98%, and biotest of purified water showed a decrease in toxicity 2.5 times. Based on this, technical options, are proposed for using mixed leaf litter for accidental oil spills response on the water surface with the help of mats, booms and universal design booms. Thermal combustion is proposed as a method of spent adsorption material disposal.
Effect of an integrated care model for pre-frail and frail older people living in community
Authors: Yu Ruby , Tong Cecilia , Woo Jean
Published: April 2020

Objectives

to evaluate the effect of an integrated care model for pre-frail and frail community-dwelling older people.

Design

a quasi-experimental design.

Setting and participants

we enrolled people aged ≥60 years from a community care project. An inclusion criterion was pre-frailty/frailty, as measured by a simple frailty questionnaire (FRAIL) with a score of ≥1.

Methods

we assigned participants to an intervention group (n = 183) in which they received an integrated intervention (in-depth assessment, personalised care plans and coordinated care) or a control group (n = 270) in which they received a group education session on frailty prevention. The outcomes were changes in frailty, individual domains of frailty (‘fatigue’, ‘resistance’, ‘ambulation’, ‘illnesses’ and ‘loss of weight’) and health services utilisation over 12 months. Assessments were conducted at baseline and at the 12-month follow-up.

Results

the mean age of the participants (n = 453) at baseline was 76.1 ± 7.5 years, and 363 (80.1%) were women. At follow-up, the intervention group showed significantly greater reductions in FRAIL scores than the control group (P < 0.033). In addition, 22.4% of the intervention and 13.7% of the control participants had reverted from pre-frail/frail to robust status, with the difference reaching significance when the intervention was compared with the control group (odds ratio [OR] 1.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0–2.4) after adjustments for age, sex, living arrangement/marital status and hypercholesterolemia. For individual domains of frailty, the adjusted OR for improved ‘resistance’ was 1.7 (95% CI 1.0–2.8). However, no effects were found on reducing use of health services.

Conclusion

the integrated health and social care model reduced FRAIL scores in a combined population of pre-frail/frail community-dwelling older people attending older people’s centres.
Appropriate Normative Powers
Authors: Tadros Victor
Published: April 2020

A normative power is a power to alter rights and duties directly. This paper explores what it means to alter rights and duties directly. In the light of that, it examines the kind of argument that might support the existence of normative powers. Both simple and complex instrumentalist accounts of such powers are rejected, as is an approach to normative powers that is based on the existence of normative interests. An alternative is sketched, where normative powers arise based on the appropriateness of a person responding to a decision by limiting their freedom.
Corticostriatal White Matter Integrity and Dopamine D1 Receptor Availability Predict Age Differences in Prefrontal Value Signaling during Reward Learning
Authors: de Boer Lieke , Garzón Benjamín , Axelsson Jan , Riklund Katrine , Nyberg Lars , Bäckman Lars , Guitart-Masip Marc
Published: April 2020

Probabilistic reward learning reflects the ability to adapt choices based on probabilistic feedback. The dopaminergically innervated corticostriatal circuit in the brain plays an important role in supporting successful probabilistic reward learning. Several components of the corticostriatal circuit deteriorate with age, as it does probabilistic reward learning. We showed previously that D1 receptor availability in NAcc predicts the strength of anticipatory value signaling in vmPFC, a neural correlate of probabilistic learning that is attenuated in older participants and predicts probabilistic reward learning performance. We investigated how white matter integrity in the pathway between nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) relates to the strength of anticipatory value signaling in vmPFC in younger and older participants. We found that in a sample of 22 old and 23 young participants, fractional anisotropy in the pathway between NAcc and vmPFC predicted the strength of value signaling in vmPFC independently from D1 receptor availability in NAcc. These findings provide tentative evidence that integrity in the dopaminergic and white matter pathways of corticostriatal circuitry supports the expression of value signaling in vmPFC which supports reward learning, however, the limited sample size calls for independent replication. These and future findings could add to the improved understanding of how corticostriatal integrity contributes to reward learning ability.
Clofazimine for Treatment of Cryptosporidiosis in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infected Adults: An Experimental Medicine, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Phase 2a Trial
Authors: Iroh Tam Py , Arnold S L M , Barrett L K , Chen C R , Conrad T M , Douglas E , Gordon M A , Hebert D , Henrion M , Hermann D , Hollingsworth B , Houpt E , Jere K C , Lindblad R , Love M S , Makhaza L , McNamara C W , Nedi W , Nyirenda J , Operario D J , Phulusa J , Quinnan G V , Sawyer L A , Thole H , Toto N , Winter A , Van Voorhis W C
Published: April 2020

Background

We evaluated the efficacy, pharmacokinetics (PK), and safety of clofazimine (CFZ) in patients living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with cryptosporidiosis.

Methods

We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Primary outcomes in part A were reduction in Cryptosporidium shedding, safety, and PK. Primary analysis was according to protocol (ATP). Part B of the study compared CFZ PK in matched individuals living with HIV without cryptosporidiosis.

Results

Twenty part A and 10 part B participants completed the study ATP. Almost all part A participants had high viral loads and low CD4 counts, consistent with failure of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy. At study entry, the part A CFZ group had higher Cryptosporidium shedding, total stool weight, and more diarrheal episodes compared with the placebo group. Over the inpatient period, compared with those who received placebo, the CFZ group Cryptosporidium shedding increased by 2.17 log2 Cryptosporidium per gram stool (95% upper confidence limit, 3.82), total stool weight decreased by 45.3 g (P = .37), and number of diarrheal episodes increased by 2.32 (P = .87). The most frequent solicited adverse effects were diarrhea, abdominal pain, and malaise. One placebo and 3 CFZ participants died during the study. Plasma levels of CFZ in participants with cryptosporidiosis were 2-fold lower than in part B controls.

Conclusions

Our findings do not support the efficacy of CFZ for the treatment of cryptosporidiosis in a severely immunocompromised HIV population. However, this trial demonstrates a pathway to assess the therapeutic potential of drugs for cryptosporidiosis treatment. Screening persons living with HIV for diarrhea, and especially Cryptosporidium infection, may identify those failing ARV therapy.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT03341767.
An update review of intradialytic hypotension: concept, risk factors, clinical implications and management
Authors: Kanbay Mehmet , Ertuglu Lale A , Afsar Baris , Ozdogan Elif , Siriopol Dimitrie , Covic Adrian , Basile Carlo , Ortiz Alberto
Published: April 2020

Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is a frequent and serious complication of chronic haemodialysis, linked to adverse long-term outcomes including increased cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. IDH is the end result of the interaction between ultrafiltration rate (UFR), cardiac output and arteriolar tone. Thus excessive ultrafiltration may decrease the cardiac output, especially when compensatory mechanisms (heart rate, myocardial contractility, vascular tone and splanchnic flow shifts) fail to be optimally recruited. The repeated disruption of end-organ perfusion in IDH may lead to various adverse clinical outcomes affecting the heart, central nervous system, kidney and gastrointestinal system. Potential interventions to decrease the incidence or severity of IDH include optimization of the dialysis prescription (cool dialysate, UFR, sodium profiling and high-flux haemofiltration), interventions during the dialysis session (midodrine, mannitol, food intake, intradialytic exercise and intermittent pneumatic compression of the lower limbs) and interventions in the interdialysis period (lower interdialytic weight gain and blood pressure–lowering drugs). However, the evidence base for many of these interventions is thin and optimal prevention and management of IDH awaits further clinical investigation. Developing a consensus definition of IDH will facilitate clinical research. We review the most recent findings on risk factors, pathophysiology and management of IDH and, based on this, we call for a new consensus definition of IDH based on clinical outcomes and define a roadmap for IDH research.
Variation in left ventricular cardiac magnetic resonance normal reference ranges: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Raisi-Estabragh Zahra , Kenawy Asmaa A M , Aung Nay , Cooper Jackie , Munroe Patricia B , Harvey Nicholas C , Petersen Steffen E , Khanji Mohammed Y
Published: April 2020

Aims

To determine population-related and technical sources of variation in cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) reference ranges for left ventricular (LV) quantification through a formal systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods and results

This study is registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42019147161). Relevant studies were identified through electronic searches and assessed by two independent reviewers based on predefined criteria. Fifteen studies comprising 2132 women and 1890 men aged 20–91 years are included in the analysis. Pooled LV reference ranges calculated using random effects meta-analysis with inverse variance weighting revealed significant differences by age, sex, and ethnicity. Men had larger LV volumes and higher LV mass than women [LV end-diastolic volume (mean difference = 6.1 mL/m2, P-value = 0.014), LV end-systolic volume (MD = 4 mL/m2, P-value = 0.033), LV mass (mean difference = 12 g/m2, P-value = 7.8 × 10−9)]. Younger individuals had larger LV end-diastolic volumes than older ages (20–40 years vs. ≥65 years: women MD = 14.0 mL/m2, men MD = 14.7 mL/m2). East Asians (Chinese, Korean, Singaporean-Chinese, n = 514) had lower LV mass than Caucasians (women: MD = 6.4 g/m2, P-value = 0.016; men: MD = 9.8 g/m2, P-value = 6.7 × 10−5). Between-study heterogeneity was high for all LV parameters despite stratification by population-related factors. Sensitivity analyses identified differences in contouring methodology, magnet strength, and post-processing software as potential sources of heterogeneity.

Conclusion

There is significant variation between CMR normal reference ranges due to multiple population-related and technical factors. Whilst there is need for population-stratified reference ranges, limited sample sizes and technical heterogeneity precludes derivation of meaningful unified ranges from existing reports. Wider representation of different populations and standardization of image analysis is urgently needed to establish such reference distributions.
The Roles of Bacterial DNA Double-Strand Break Repair Proteins in Chromosomal DNA Replication
Authors: Sinha Anurag Kumar , Possoz Christophe , Leach David R F
Published: April 2020

It is well established that DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair is required to underpin chromosomal DNA replication. Because DNA replication forks are prone to breakage, faithful DSB repair and correct replication fork restart are critically important. Cells, where the proteins required for DSB repair are absent or altered, display characteristic disturbances to genome replication. In this review, we analyze how bacterial DNA replication is perturbed in DSB repair mutant strains and explore the consequences of these perturbations for bacterial chromosome segregation and cell viability. Importantly, we look at how DNA replication and DSB repair processes are implicated in the striking recent observations of DNA amplification and DNA loss in the chromosome terminus of various mutant Escherichia coli strains. We also address the mutant conditions required for the remarkable ability to copy the entire E. coli genome, and to maintain cell viability, even in the absence of replication initiation from oriC, the unique origin of DNA replication in wild type cells. Furthermore, we discuss the models that have been proposed to explain these phenomena and assess how these models fit with the observed data, provide new insights and enhance our understanding of chromosomal replication and termination in bacteria.
Evaluation of Ground Plane Detection for Estimating Breast Height in Stereo Images
Authors: Wells Lucas A , Chung Woodam
Published: April 2020

Diameter at breast height is a standard method for characterizing trees and ultimately forests over large geographical scales. Expressing the cross-section of a tree stem with a diameter measurement has inherent errors, as stems are not perfect conical frustums. Diameter suffices as an approximation, since methods for the exact cross-sectional area of a stem are infeasible in practice. There are other primary sources of error in diameter at breast height measurements: diameter measurement error and breast height measurement error. This paper addresses the latter in the context of an automated measurement system using 3D photography. We consider breast height estimation a fundamental component in such systems, as errors in measurement height can precipitate significant errors in stand-level attribute estimation as diameter changes along the height of the stem because of taper. We evaluate the efficacy of breast height estimation using stereo photogrammetry by fitting a planar surface to the ground and elevating the plane to breast height. Results from a validation test on 560 observations show that breast height can be estimated with a root mean squared error of 10.20 cm within 10 m from the camera and 13.36 cm within 20 m from the camera on flat terrain in varying levels of stem density.

Study Implications Increasing the level of automation in forest operations is one approach to address workforce attrition and safety issues in the industry. Automated tree measurement and mapping systems present an opportunity to reduce operational costs by providing machine operators with necessary information to carry out silvicultural prescriptions and eliminate the need for individual tree marking in certain situations. In order to maintain trust between landowners and harvesting contractors, it is imperative that automatic measurement systems are rigorously tested to determine that measurement accuracy is within acceptable limits. Breast height measurement error is often overlooked as a source of error in estimating diameter at breast height. However, accurate breast height estimation is a necessary prerequisite for reliable, consistent, and precise diameter at breast height measurement. The capacity of machine vision systems to automate forest inventory and monitoring tasks is increasing and can help managers achieve sustainable forestry objectives on more acres in less time.
“We Are Staying at Home.” Association of Self-perceptions of Aging, Personal and Family Resources, and Loneliness With Psychological Distress During the Lock-Down Period of COVID-19
Authors: Losada-Baltar Andrés , Jiménez-Gonzalo Lucía , Gallego-Alberto Laura , Pedroso-Chaparro María del Sequeros , Fernandes-Pires José , Márquez-González María
Published: April 2020

Objectives

Families are going through a very stressful time because of the COVID-19 outbreak, with age being a risk factor for this illness. Negative self-perceptions of aging, among other personal and relational variables, may be associated with loneliness and distress caused by the pandemic crisis.

Method

Participants are 1,310 Spanish people (age range: 18–88 years) during a lock-down period at home. In addition to specific questions about risk for COVID-19, self-perceptions of aging, family and personal resources, loneliness, and psychological distress were measured. Hierarchical regression analyses were done for assessing the correlates of loneliness and psychological distress.

Results

The measured variables allow for an explanation of 48% and 33% of the variance of distress and loneliness, respectively. Being female, younger, having negative self-perceptions about aging, more time exposed to news about COVID-19, more contact with relatives different to those that co-reside, fewer positive emotions, less perceived self-efficacy, lower quality of sleep, higher expressed emotion, and higher loneliness were associated with higher distress. Being female, younger, having negative self-perceptions about aging, more time exposed to news about COVID-19, lower contact with relatives, higher self-perception as a burden, fewer positive emotions, lower resources for entertaining oneself, lower quality of sleep, and higher expressed emotion were associated with higher loneliness.

Discussion

Having negative self-perceptions of aging and lower chronological age, together with other measured family and personal resources, are associated with loneliness and psychological distress. Older adults with positive self-perceptions of aging seem to be more resilient during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Acceptability of online sun exposure awareness-raising interventions among young Australian women: an exploratory mixed-methods study
Authors: Hughes-Barton Donna , Hutchinson Amanda , Prichard Ivanka , Wilson Carlene
Published: April 2020

Melanoma is the most common cancer among young Australians. Despite school-based programs such as ‘Sun Smart’ leading to increased knowledge among children of the harmful effects of sun exposure, many young adults continue to desire a darker skin tone because of a general perception among their peers that tanned skin is attractive. This ‘tanned-ideal’ may be challenged through exposure to material posted on social media. This study aimed to investigate the impact of two online interventions on knowledge of skin cancer and intentions to engage in sun tanning and protective behaviours, as assessed by survey. In addition, the likelihood that the intervention would be ‘shared’ on social media was explored by interview during an intervention session. Eighteen women aged 18–24 years participated in this pilot, mixed-methods intervention study. Participants completed surveys 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after attending an intervention session in which they viewed a video and completed a face-aging activity, with the order of completion balanced within the sample. Two weeks after the intervention, there was a significant increase in knowledge and intended sun protection behaviours and a significant decrease in intended future tanning hours. There was no effect of intervention order. Interview data indicated that younger participants would share the ageing application with peers because it was fun; older participants reported that they would share the video because it was educational. Factors that encourage sharing on social media include being realistic, instructive or personally meaningful, and short in duration.
Effects of School Holidays on Seasonal Influenza in South Korea, 2014–2016
Authors: Ryu Sukhyun , Ali Sheikh Taslim , Cowling Benjamin J , Lau Eric H Y
Published: April 2020

School closures are considered as a potential nonpharmaceutical intervention to mitigate severe influenza epidemics and pandemics. In this study, we assessed the effects of scheduled school closure on influenza transmission using influenza surveillance data before, during, and after spring breaks in South Korea, 2014–2016. During the spring breaks, influenza transmission was reduced by 27%–39%, while the overall reduction in transmissibility was estimated to be 6%–23%, with greater effects observed among school-aged children.
Determination of an Economic Injury Level for Old World Bollworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Processing Tomato in Brazil
Authors: Sousa Nayara C M , Michereff Filho Miguel , Silva Paloma A , Torres Jorge B
Published: April 2020

Tomato plants host various herbivores, including the Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), recently introduced into South and Central America. It is a harmful pest for tomato crops, damaging mainly the flowers and fruits. The assessment of losses and the establishment of economic injury level (EIL) and economic threshold (ET) are core steps toward establishing a control program. We determined losses caused by H. armigera on processing tomato and estimated EIL/ET values. Trials were run during two growing seasons using tomato plants caged in the field. The field cage experiment consisted of six densities of H. armigera second instar larvae (0, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 larvae per row meter) at two infestations periods spaced 15 d apart with the first infestation done 90 d after transplanting. The larvae were placed individually on the third upper fully developed leaf. The number of healthy and damaged fruits, size, and weight of the fruits were measured. Yield losses as a function of infestation of 1–24 larvae per row meter ranged from 4 to 34% and resulted in a yield reduction of 1.22–12.77 kg per row meter. The EIL ranged from 1.41 to 1.72 and from 2.11 to 2.58 larvae per row meter of plants in 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons, respectively. Helicoverpa armigera causes significant reduction of tomato yield. These EIL values will enable better control decision-making in processing tomato.
Evaluation of Four Plant Extract Repellents for Management of the European Red Ant Myrmica rubra (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Bernard Kerry , Groden Eleanor , Drummond Francis A
Published: April 2020

Spearmint oil, peppermint oil, neem oil, and d-limonene were tested as nest site repellents against the colonization of the invasive European red ant, Myrmica rubra (L.) in both laboratory and field trials. In a laboratory assay, a 10% (v/v) solution of each extract repelled M. rubra colonies from nesting in plant pots filled with moist soil compared to water-treated controls, when applied as a dip to pots. Extracts also repelled colonies compared to a water control in a second laboratory experiment, where pots were dipped 15 d prior to the start of the experiment. In a 2008 field comparison, 20 plant pots, filled with moist potting soil, were dipped in either 10% (v/v) spearmint oil or peppermint oil, 70% (v/v) neem oil, or a water control and left in infested sites. Seven control pots were colonized over 3 mo, while none of the extract-treated pots were colonized. This field trial was repeated for a 15-wk duration in 2009 with the addition of a 10% (v/v) d-limonene solution as a treatment, and a change in neem oil concentration to 10% (v/v). Spearmint and peppermint oils repelled M. rubra colonies for the duration of the experiment. Neem oil and d-limonene repelled colonies for 3 and 4 wk, respectively. These extracts, especially mint oils, show potential as low-hazard repellents against M. rubra in greenhouse and nursery settings, and could reduce the number of new infestations incurred by the transport of plant stock.
Identifications, Characteristics, and Expression Patterns of Small Heat Shock Protein Genes in a Major Mulberry Pest, Glyphodes pyloalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Authors: Chu Jie , Jiang De-lei , Yan Meng-wen , Li Yi- jiangcheng , Wang Jun , Wu Fu-an , Sheng Sheng
Published: April 2020

Six candidate sHSP genes were identified from the Glyphodes pyloalis transcriptome. All sHSP genes included full-length open reading frames and shared high similarity with the sequences of other lepidopteran species. These sHSP genes encoded 175–191 amino acid residues, and the predicted proteins had a molecular weight from 19.5 to 21.8 kDa. All GpsHSPs were expressed at lower levels at larval stages. All GpsHSPs were expressed at higher levels at diapaused, prepupal, or pupal stages, suggesting that sHSPs may be involved in metamorphosis in G. pyloalis. In addition to the developmental stage, extreme temperatures can induce variations in the expression of sHSPs genes. All GpsHSPs were significantly upregulated in larvae following exposure to heat shock, except GpHSP21.4 which downregulated at 4 h following exposure to the cold shock treatment. Furthermore, Starvation influenced the expression patterns of GpsHSPs as a function of the duration of food deprivation. Four GpsHSPs increased their expression with time of starvation until reaching to the peak level at 6 d of starvation. Finally, parasitism by the endoparasitoid Aulacocentrum confusum He et van Achterberg (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)-induced fluctuations in the expression of all GpsHSPs, and the expression varied with time after parasitization. Our results from this study strongly suggest functional differentiation within the sHSPs subfamily in G. pyloalis. The present study would provide further insight into the roles of sHSPs in G. pyloalis and novel avenues for promoting integrated management of this pest.
Seed bank dynamics of an invasive alien species, Helianthus annuus L.
Authors: Presotto Alejandro , Hernández Fernando , Casquero Mauricio , Vercellino Roman , Pandolfo Claudio , Poverene Mónica , Cantamutto Miguel
Published: April 2020

Aims

The ability to form persistent seed banks is one of the best predictors of species’ potential to establish in new ranges. Wild sunflower is native to North America where the formation of persistent seed banks is promoted by disturbance and it plays a key role on the establishment and persistence of native populations. However, the role of the seed banks on the establishment and persistence of invasive populations has not been studied. Here, we evaluated the role of seed bank and disturbance on the establishment and fitness, and seed persistence in the soil in several sunflower biotypes collected in ruderal (wild Helianthus annuus) and agrestal (natural crop–wild hybrid) habitats of Argentina as well as volunteer populations (progeny of commercial cultivars).

Methods

In a seed-bank experiment, we evaluated emergence, survival to reproduction, survival of emerged seedlings, inflorescences per plant and per plot under disturbed and undisturbed conditions over 2 years; in a seed-burial experiment, we evaluated seed persistence in the soil over four springs (6, 18, 30 and 42 months).

Important Findings

Overall, seedling emergence was early in the growing season (during winter), and it was promoted by disturbance, especially in the first year. Despite this, the number of inflorescences per plot was similar under both conditions, especially in ruderals. In the second year, emergence from the seed bank was much lower, but the survival rate was higher. In the seed-burial experiment, genetic differences were observed but seeds of ruderals and agrestals persisted up to 42 months while seeds of the volunteer did not persist longer than 6 months. The agrestal biotype showed an intermediate behavior between ruderals and volunteers in both experiments. Our findings showed that wild and crop–wild sunflower can form persistent seed banks outside its native range and that disturbance may facilitate its establishment in new areas.
Bridging old and new: diversity and evaluation of high iron-associated stress response of rice cultivated in West Africa
Authors: Diop Bathe , Wang Diane R , Drame Khady N , Gracen Vernon , Tongoona Pangirayi , Dzidzienyo Daniel , Nartey Eric , Greenberg Anthony J , Djiba Saliou , Danquah Eric Y , McCouch Susan R
Published: April 2020

Adoption of rice varieties that perform well under high iron-associated (HIA) stress environments can enhance rice production in West Africa. This study reports the genetic characterization of 323 rice accessions and breeding lines cultivated in West Africa using genotyping-by-sequencing and their phenotypic response to HIA treatments in hydroponic solution (1500 mg l−1 FeSO4·7H2O) and hot-spot fields. The germplasm consisted of four genetic subpopulations: Oryza glaberrima (14%), O. sativa-japonica (7%), O. sativa-indica Group 1 (45%), and O. sativa-indica Group 2 (25%). Severe versus mild stress in the field was associated with a reduced SPAD value (12%), biomass (56%), and grain yield (57%), with leaf bronzing explaining 30% and 21% of the variation for biomass and grain yield, respectively. Association mapping using 175 indica genotypes identified 23 significant single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers that mapped to 14 genomic regions. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) signals associated with leaf bronzing, a routinely used indicator of HIA stress, differed in hydroponic compared with field conditions. Contrastingly, six significant SNPs on chromosomes 8 and 9 were associated with the SPAD value under HIA stress in both field and hydroponic experiments, and a candidate potassium transporter gene mapped under the peak on chromosome 8. This study helps define criteria for assessing rice performance under HIA environments.
Can astrophysical neutrinos trace the origin of the detected ultra-high energy cosmic rays?
Authors: Palladino Andrea , van Vliet Arjen , Winter Walter , Franckowiak Anna
Published: April 2020

Since astrophysical neutrinos are produced in the interactions of cosmic rays, identifying the origin of cosmic rays using directional correlations with neutrinos is one of the most interesting possibilities of the field. For that purpose, especially the Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays (UHECRs) are promising, as they are deflected less by extragalactic and Galactic magnetic fields than cosmic rays at lower energies. However, photo-hadronic interactions of the UHECRs limit their horizon, while neutrinos do not interact over cosmological distances. We study the possibility to search for anisotropies by investigating neutrino-UHECR correlations from the theoretical perspective, taking into account the UHECR horizon, magnetic-field deflections, and the cosmological source evolution. Under the assumption that the neutrinos and UHECRs all come from the same source class, we demonstrate that the non-observation of neutrino multiplets strongly constrains the possibility to find neutrino-UHECR correlations.
The Gaia Ultra-Cool Dwarf Sample – III: seven new multiple systems containing at least one Gaia DR2 ultracool dwarf.
Authors: Marocco F , Smart R L , Mamajek E E , Sarro L M , Burgasser A J , Caballero J A , Rees J M , Caselden D , Cruz K L , Van Linge R , Pinfield D J
Published: April 2020

We present 10 new ultracool dwarfs in seven wide binary systems discovered using Gaia second data release data, identified as part of our Gaia Ultra-Cool Dwarf Sample project. The seven systems presented here include an L1 companion to the G5 IV star HD 164507, an L1: companion to the V478 Lyr AB system, an L2 companion to the metal-poor K5 V star CD-28 8692, an M9 V companion to the young variable K0 V star LT UMa, and three low-mass binaries consisting of late Ms and early Ls. The HD 164507, CD-28 8692, V478 Lyr, and LT UMa systems are particularly important benchmarks, because the primaries are well characterized and offer excellent constraints on the atmospheric parameters and ages of the companions. We find that the M8 V star 2MASS J23253550+4608163 is ∼2.5 mag overluminous compared to M dwarfs of similar spectral type, but at the same time it does not exhibit obvious peculiarities in its near-infrared spectrum. Its overluminosity cannot be explained by unresolved binarity alone. Finally, we present an L1+L2 system with a projected physical separation of 959 au, making this the widest L + L binary currently known.
A multiple power-law distribution for initial mass functions
Authors: Essex Christopher , Basu Shantanu , Prehl Janett , Hoffmann Karl Heinz
Published: April 2020

We introduce a new multi-power-law distribution for the initial mass function (IMF) to explore its potential properties. It follows on prior work that introduced mechanisms accounting for mass accretion in star formation, developed within the framework of general evolution equations for the mass distribution of accreting and non-accreting (proto)stars. This paper uses the same fundamental framework to demonstrate that the interplay between a mass-dependent and a time-dependent step-like dropout rate from accretion leads to IMFs that exhibit multiple power laws for an exponential mass growth. While the mass-dependent accretion and its dropout is intrinsic to each star, the time-dependent dropout might be tied to a specific history such as the rapid consumption of nebular material by nearby stars or the sweeping away of some material by shock waves. The time-dependent dropout folded into the mass-dependent process of star formation is shown to have a significant influence on the IMFs.
Optical, X-ray, and γ-ray observations of the candidate transitional millisecond pulsar 4FGL J0427.8-6704
Authors: Kennedy M R , Breton R P , Clark C J , Dhillon V S , Kerr M , Buckley D A H , Potter S B , Mata Sánchez D , Stringer J G , Marsh T R
Published: April 2020

We present an optical, X-ray, and γ-ray study of 1SXPS J042749.2-670434, an eclipsing X-ray binary that has an associated γ-ray counterpart, 4FGL J0427.8-6704. This association has led to the source being classified as a transitional millisecond pulsar (tMSP) in an accreting state. We analyse 10.5 yr of Fermi LAT data and detect a γ-ray eclipse at the same phase as optical and X-ray eclipses at the >5 σ level, a significant improvement on the 2.8 σ level of the previous detection. The confirmation of this eclipse solidifies the association between the X-ray source and the γ-ray source, strengthening the tMSP classification. However, analysis of several optical data sets and an X-ray observation do not reveal a change in the source’s median brightness over long time-scales or a bi-modality on short time-scales. Instead, the light curve is dominated by flickering, which has a correlation time of 2.6 min alongside a potential quasi-periodic oscillation at ∼21 min. The mass of the primary and secondary stars is constrained to be $M_1=1.43^{+0.33}_{-0.19}$ M⊙ and $M_2=0.3^{+0.17}_{-0.12}$ M⊙ through modelling of the optical light curve. While this is still consistent with a white dwarf primary, we favour the tMSP in a low accretion state classification due to the significance of the γ-ray eclipse detection.
The impact of recombination energy on simulations of the common-envelope binary interaction
Authors: Reichardt Thomas A , De Marco Orsola , Iaconi Roberto , Chamandy Luke , Price Daniel J
Published: April 2020

During the common-envelope binary interaction, the expanding layers of the gaseous common envelope recombine and the resulting recombination energy has been suggested as a contributing factor to the ejection of the envelope. In this paper, we perform a comparative study between simulations with and without the inclusion of recombination energy. We use two distinct setups, comprising a 0.88- and 1.8-M⊙ giants, that have been studied before and can serve as benchmarks. In so doing, we conclude that (i) the final orbital separation is not affected by the choice of equation of state (EoS). In other words, simulations that unbind but a small fraction of the envelope result in similar final separations to those that, thanks to recombination energy, unbind a far larger fraction. (ii) The adoption of a tabulated EoS results in a much greater fraction of unbound envelope and we demonstrate the cause of this to be the release of recombination energy. (iii) The fraction of hydrogen recombination energy that is allowed to do work should be about half of that which our adiabatic simulations use. (iv) However, for the heavier star simulation, we conclude that it is helium and not hydrogen recombination energy that unbinds the gas and we determine that all helium recombination energy is thermalized in the envelope and does work. (v) The outer regions of the expanding common envelope are likely to see the formation of dust. This dust would promote additional unbinding and shaping of the ejected envelope into axisymmetric morphologies.
The impact of progenitor asymmetries on the neutrino-driven convection in core-collapse supernovae
Authors: Kazeroni Rémi , Abdikamalov Ernazar
Published: April 2020

The explosion of massive stars in core-collapse supernovae may be aided by the convective instabilities that develop in their innermost nuclear burning shells. The resulting fluctuations support the explosion by generating additional turbulence behind the supernova shock. It was suggested that the buoyant density perturbations arising from the interaction of the pre-collapse asymmetries with the shock may be the primary contributor to the enhancement of the neutrino-driven turbulent convection in the post-shock region. Employing three-dimensional numerical simulations of a toy model, we investigate the impact of such density perturbations on the post-shock turbulence. We consider a wide range of perturbation parameters. The spatial scale and the amplitude of the perturbations are found to be of comparable importance. The turbulence is particularly enhanced when the perturbation frequency is close to that of the convective turnovers in the gain region. Our analysis confirms that the buoyant density perturbations is indeed the main source of the additional turbulence in the gain region, validating the previous order-of-magnitude estimates.
Tidal oscillations of rotating hot Jupiters
Authors: Lee Umin
Published: April 2020

We calculate small amplitude gravitational and thermal tides of uniformly rotating hot Jupiters composed of a nearly isentropic convective core and a geometrically thin radiative envelope. We treat the fluid in the convective core as a viscous fluid and solve linearized Navier–Stokes equations to obtain tidal responses of the core, assuming that the Ekman number, Ek, is a constant parameter. In the radiative envelope, we take account of the effects of radiative dissipations on the responses. The properties of tidal responses depend on thermal time-scales τ* in the envelope and Ekman number, Ek, in the core and on whether the forcing frequency ω is in the inertial range or not, where the inertial range is defined by |ω| ≤ 2Ω for the rotation frequency Ω. If Ek ≳ 10−7, the viscous dissipation in the core is dominating the thermal contributions in the envelope for τ* ≳ 1 d. If Ek ≲ 10−7, however, the viscous dissipation is comparable to or smaller than the thermal contributions and the envelope plays an important role to determine the tidal torques. If the forcing is in the inertial range, frequency resonance of the tidal forcing with core inertial modes significantly affects the tidal torques, producing numerous resonance peaks of the torque. Depending on the sign of the torque in the peaks, we suggest that there exist cases in which the resonance with core inertial modes hampers the process of synchronization between the spin and orbital motion of the planets.
Renal function decline in older men and women with advanced chronic kidney disease—results from the EQUAL study
Authors: Chesnaye Nicholas C , Dekker Friedo W , Evans Marie , Caskey Fergus J , Torino Claudia , Postorino Maurizio , Szymczak Maciej , Ramspek Chava L , Drechsler Christiane , Wanner Christoph , Jager Kitty J
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Understanding the mechanisms underlying the differences in renal decline between men and women may improve sex-specific clinical monitoring and management. To this end, we aimed to compare the slope of renal function decline in older men and women in chronic kidney disease (CKD) Stages 4 and 5, taking into account informative censoring related to the sex-specific risks of mortality and dialysis initiation.

Methods

The European QUALity Study on treatment in advanced CKD (EQUAL) study is an observational prospective cohort study in Stages 4 and 5 CKD patients ≥65 years not on dialysis. Data on clinical and demographic patient characteristics were collected between April 2012 and December 2018. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration equation. eGFR trajectory by sex was modelled using linear mixed models, and joint models were applied to deal with informative censoring.

Results

We included 7801 eGFR measurements in 1682 patients over a total of 2911 years of follow-up. Renal function declined by 14.0% [95% confidence interval (CI) 12.9–15.1%] on average each year. Renal function declined faster in men (16.2%/year, 95% CI 15.9–17.1%) compared with women (9.6%/year, 95% CI 6.3–12.1%), which remained largely unchanged after accounting for various mediators and for informative censoring due to mortality and dialysis initiation. Diabetes was identified as an important determinant of renal decline specifically in women.

Conclusion

In conclusion, renal function declines faster in men compared with women, which remained similar after adjustment for mediators and despite a higher risk of informative censoring in men. We demonstrate a disproportional negative impact of diabetes specifically in women.
Sexual Consent and Having Sex Together
Authors: Chadha Karamvir
Published: April 2020

Some influential theorists have recently argued that if sex is in some sense ideal, then each partner’s consent is unnecessary: even absent each partner’s consent, neither partner infringes the other’s moral rights. I challenge a key premise in their argument for this alarming conclusion. I instead defend the Common-sense View: if you have sex with someone without their consent, you thereby infringe that person’s moral rights. In the course of defending the Common-sense View, I develop what I call the Hybrid Account of Consent. The Hybrid Account retains the benefits of two existing accounts of consent while avoiding their shortcomings. I close by suggesting some benefits of my alternative picture and some implications for law reform.
Access to Justice and the Rule of Law
Authors: Lucy William
Published: April 2020

This article examines the often-affirmed link between access to justice (AtoJ) and the rule of law. Section 2 offers an account of what we mean by AtoJ, arguing that the most plausible account of that idea has three components. Section 3 examines the rule of law. The article distinguishes between the concept and conceptions of the rule of law and argues that there is a plausible and widely shared concept of the rule of law. It shows that, on that core sense of the rule of law, there are connections, some more direct than others, between the rule of law and AtoJ. Section 4 argues that other alleged connections between the rule of law and AtoJ are not made out. The article shows that we should be circumspect about the assumed link between AtoJ and the rule of law, since it is almost always too glibly and quickly asserted.