bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strong selective effects of mitochondrial DNA on the nuclear genome
Authors: Healy Timothy M. , Burton Ronald S.
Published: March 2020

Oxidative phosphorylation, the primary source of cellular energy in eukaryotes, requires gene products encoded in both the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. As a result, functional integration between the genomes is essential for efficient adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generation. Although within populations this integration is presumably maintained by coevolution, the importance of mitonuclear coevolution in key biological processes such as speciation and mitochondrial disease has been questioned. In this study, we crossed populations of the intertidal copepodTigriopus californicusto disrupt putatively coevolved mitonuclear genotypes in reciprocal F2hybrids. We utilized interindividual variation in developmental rate among these hybrids as a proxy for fitness to assess the strength of selection imposed on the nuclear genome by alternate mitochondrial genotypes. Developmental rate varied among hybrid individuals, and in vitro ATP synthesis rates of mitochondria isolated from high-fitness hybrids were approximately two-fold greater than those of mitochondria isolated from low-fitness individuals. We then used Pool-seq to compare nuclear allele frequencies for high- or low-fitness hybrids. Significant biases for maternal alleles were detected on 5 (of 12) chromosomes in high-fitness individuals of both reciprocal crosses, whereas maternal biases were largely absent in low-fitness individuals. Therefore, the most fit hybrids were those with nuclear alleles that matched their mitochondrial genotype on these chromosomes, suggesting that mitonuclear effects underlie individual-level variation in developmental rate and that intergenomic compatibility is critical for high fitness. We conclude that mitonuclear interactions can have profound impacts on both physiological performance and the evolutionary trajectory of the nuclear genome.
Vulnerable robots positively shape human conversational dynamics in a human–robot team
Authors: Traeger Margaret L. , Strohkorb Sebo Sarah , Jung Malte , Scassellati Brian , Christakis Nicholas A.
Published: March 2020

Social robots are becoming increasingly influential in shaping the behavior of humans with whom they interact. Here, we examine how the actions of a social robot can influence human-to-human communication, and not just robot–human communication, using groups of three humans and one robot playing 30 rounds of a collaborative game (
n
= 51 groups). We find that people in groups with a robot making vulnerable statements converse substantially more with each other, distribute their conversation somewhat more equally, and perceive their groups more positively compared to control groups with a robot that either makes neutral statements or no statements at the end of each round. Shifts in robot speech have the power not only to affect how people interact with robots, but also how people interact with each other, offering the prospect for modifying social interactions via the introduction of artificial agents into hybrid systems of humans and machines.
Mitotic and pheromone-specific intrinsic polarization cues interfere with gradient sensing in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Vasen Gustavo , Dunayevich Paula , Colman-Lerner Alejandro
Published: March 2020

Polarity decisions are central to many processes, including mitosis and chemotropism. In
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
, budding and mating projection (MP) formation use an overlapping system of cortical landmarks that converges on the small G protein Cdc42. However, pheromone-gradient sensing must override the Rsr1-dependent internal polarity cues used for budding. Using this model system, we asked what happens when intrinsic and extrinsic spatial cues are not aligned. Is there competition, or collaboration? By live-cell microscopy and microfluidics techniques, we uncovered three previously overlooked features of this signaling system. First, the cytokinesis-associated polarization patch serves as a polarity landmark independently of all known cues. Second, the Rax1-Rax2 complex functions as a pheromone-promoted polarity cue in the distal pole of the cells. Third, internal cues remain active during pheromone-gradient tracking and can interfere with this process, biasing the location of MPs. Yeast defective in internal-cue utilization align significantly better than wild type with artificially generated pheromone gradients.
Splice variant of growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor drives esophageal squamous cell carcinoma conferring a therapeutic target
Authors: Xiong Xiao , Ke Xiurong , Wang Lu , Yao Zhimeng , Guo Yi , Zhang Xianyang , Chen Yuping , Pang Chi Pui , Schally Andrew V. , Zhang Hao
Published: March 2020

Significance

An explanation has been lacking for the suppressive action of antagonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone receptors (GHRH-Rs) on cancers that do not express GHRH-Rs, an established target of the antagonists. We demonstrate here that esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), a representative cancer type that barely expresses GHRH-Rs, responds to GHRH-R antagonists. Hypoxia induces GHRH-R splice variant 1 (SV1) and activates a key glycolytic enzyme. Glycolytic metabolism and tumor progression are promoted by activation of SV1 and reversed by the GHRH-R antagonist MIA-602. A high expression of SV1 in ESCC patients predicts a poor prognosis. These findings document the importance of SV1 as a target of GHRH-R antagonists and underline the therapeutic potential of GHRH-R antagonists against SV1-expressing cancers.
Trait evolution is reversible, repeatable, and decoupled in the soldier caste of turtle ants
Authors: Powell Scott , Price Shauna L. , Kronauer Daniel J. C.
Published: March 2020

Significance

Specialized castes are seen as phenotypic innovations necessary for ecological and evolutionary success in social insects. Nevertheless, how castes evolve adaptively as a lineage fills ecological space has remained unaddressed. Recent work with turtle ants has established that head shape and size in the iconic soldier caste, specialized for nest entrance defense, determine two key aspects of nesting ecology. Here species-level comparative analyses reveal that the evolution of head shape and size is extensively reversible, repeatable, and decoupled within the soldier caste and relative to the queen caste, underpinning the lineage’s diverse nesting ecology. These findings reshape our understanding of caste evolution, rejecting a stable, directional process in favor of a dynamic process of adaptive fitting between phenotype and environment.
Active learning narrows achievement gaps for underrepresented students in undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and math
Authors: Theobald Elli J. , Hill Mariah J. , Tran Elisa , Agrawal Sweta , Arroyo E. Nicole , Behling Shawn , Chambwe Nyasha , Cintrón Dianne Laboy , Cooper Jacob D. , Dunster Gideon , Grummer Jared A. , Hennessey Kelly , Hsiao Jennifer , Iranon Nicole , Jones Leonard , Jordt Hannah , Keller Marlowe , Lacey Melissa E. , Littlefield Caitlin E. , Lowe Alexander , Newman Shannon , Okolo Vera , Olroyd Savannah , Peecook Brandon R. , Pickett Sarah B. , Slager David L. , Caviedes-Solis Itzue W. , Stanchak Kathryn E. , Sundaravardan Vasudha , Valdebenito Camila , Williams Claire R. , Zinsli Kaitlin , Freeman Scott
Published: March 2020

We tested the hypothesis that underrepresented students in active-learning classrooms experience narrower achievement gaps than underrepresented students in traditional lecturing classrooms, averaged across all science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and courses. We conducted a comprehensive search for both published and unpublished studies that compared the performance of underrepresented students to their overrepresented classmates in active-learning and traditional-lecturing treatments. This search resulted in data on student examination scores from 15 studies (9,238 total students) and data on student failure rates from 26 studies (44,606 total students). Bayesian regression analyses showed that on average, active learning reduced achievement gaps in examination scores by 33% and narrowed gaps in passing rates by 45%. The reported proportion of time that students spend on in-class activities was important, as only classes that implemented high-intensity active learning narrowed achievement gaps. Sensitivity analyses showed that the conclusions are robust to sampling bias and other issues. To explain the extensive variation in efficacy observed among studies, we propose the heads-and-hearts hypothesis, which holds that meaningful reductions in achievement gaps only occur when course designs combine deliberate practice with inclusive teaching. Our results support calls to replace traditional lecturing with evidence-based, active-learning course designs across the STEM disciplines and suggest that innovations in instructional strategies can increase equity in higher education.
Intestinal bile acids directly modulate the structure and function of
C. difficile
TcdB toxin
Authors: Tam John , Icho Simoun , Utama Evelyn , Orrell Kathleen E. , Gómez-Biagi Rodolfo F. , Theriot Casey M. , Kroh Heather K. , Rutherford Stacey A. , Lacy D. Borden , Melnyk Roman A.
Published: March 2020

Significance

Clostridioides difficile
is a bacterial pathogen of global importance that is a major cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea. Antibiotic-mediated disruptions to the gut microbiota and associated metabolome promote
C. difficile
growth and infection through mechanisms that are poorly understood. Here, we show that intestinal bile acids, which are known to play a role in
C. difficile
germination and outgrowth, also directly bind and inhibit TcdB toxin, the primary virulence determinant of
C. difficile
. Bile acid binding induces a major conformational change in TcdB structure that prevents receptor binding and uptake into cells. In addition to suggesting a role for bile acids in protecting against
C. difficile
pathogenesis, these findings highlight an approach to block
C. difficile
virulence.
Fluctuation–response inequality out of equilibrium
Authors: Dechant Andreas , Sasa Shin-ichi
Published: March 2020

Significance

Inequalities play a central role in physics: They allow us to state universal relations between different quantities. Starting from information-theoretic concepts, we derive an inequality for stochastic dynamics, called fluctuation–response inequality (FRI). The FRI connects the response of a physical observable to a change in the dynamics and the fluctuations of the observable in a reference dynamic. We argue that the FRI can serve as a starting point to discover many previously unknown inequalities between different physical observables. To demonstrate this point, we derive a relation between mobility and diffusion in particle transport. We further rederive the thermodynamic uncertainty relation and use the FRI to extend it to a much broader class of dynamics.
Highly efficient organic photovoltaics with enhanced stability through the formation of doping-induced stable interfaces
Authors: Jiang Zhi , Wang Fanji , Fukuda Kenjiro , Karki Akchheta , Huang Wenchao , Yu Kilho , Yokota Tomoyuki , Tajima Keisuke , Nguyen Thuc-Quyen , Someya Takao
Published: March 2020

Significance

We have developed ultraflexible 3-µm-thick organic photovoltaics (OPVs) with good environmental stability and a high efficiency of over 13% by a simple postannealing process. By combining the stable polymer donor/nonfullerene small molecule acceptor blends and thermally stabilized interfaces due to doping, our OPVs achieve extremely long shelf lifetime with an estimated value of over 11.4 y. A laboratory-scale OPV module is fabricated with a sufficiently high efficiency of 11.4%, total area of 2.04 cm2, and a maximum power per unit weight of 9.90 W/g, showing a promising future for flexible OPVs as power sources for wearable electronics and soft robotics.
Nutrient dilution and climate cycles underlie declines in a dominant insect herbivore
Authors: Welti Ellen A. R. , Roeder Karl A. , de Beurs Kirsten M. , Joern Anthony , Kaspari Michael
Published: March 2020

Evidence for global insect declines mounts, increasing our need to understand underlying mechanisms. We test the nutrient dilution (ND) hypothesis—the decreasing concentration of essential dietary minerals with increasing plant productivity—that particularly targets insect herbivores. Nutrient dilution can result from increased plant biomass due to climate or CO
2
enrichment. Additionally, when considering long-term trends driven by climate, one must account for large-scale oscillations including El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). We combine long-term datasets of grasshopper abundance, climate, plant biomass, and end-of-season foliar elemental content to examine potential drivers of abundance cycles and trends of this dominant herbivore. Annual grasshopper abundances in 16- and 22-y time series from a Kansas prairie revealed both 5-y cycles and declines of 2.1–2.7%/y. Climate cycle indices of spring ENSO, summer NAO, and winter or spring PDO accounted for 40–54% of the variation in grasshopper abundance, mediated by effects of weather and host plants. Consistent with ND, grass biomass doubled and foliar concentrations of N, P, K, and Na—nutrients which limit grasshopper abundance—declined over the same period. The decline in plant nutrients accounted for 25% of the variation in grasshopper abundance over two decades. Thus a warming, wetter, more CO
2
-enriched world will likely contribute to declines in insect herbivores by depleting nutrients from their already nutrient-poor diet. Unlike other potential drivers of insect declines—habitat loss, light and chemical pollution—ND may be widespread in remaining natural areas.
Men1 maintains exocrine pancreas homeostasis in response to inflammation and oncogenic stress
Authors: Wasylishen Amanda R. , Sun Chang , Chau Gilda P. , Qi Yuan , Su Xiaoping , Kim Michael P. , Estrella Jeannelyn S. , Lozano Guillermina
Published: March 2020

A more comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying pancreatic diseases, including pancreatitis and cancer, is essential to improve clinical management. MEN1 has established roles in epigenetic regulation and tumor suppression in the endocrine pancreas; however, intriguing recent data suggest MEN1 may also function in the exocrine pancreas. Using physiologically relevant genetic mouse models, we provide direct evidence that Men1 is essential for exocrine pancreas homeostasis in response to inflammation and oncogenic stress. Men1 loss causes increased injury and impaired regeneration following acute caerulein-induced pancreatitis, leading to more severe damage, loss of the normal acinar compartment, and increased cytokeratin 19-positive metaplasias and immune cell infiltration. We further demonstrate the Men1 protein is stabilized in response to insult, and loss of Men1 is associated with the overexpression of proinflammatory Jund target genes, suggesting that loss of Men1-mediated repression of Jund activity is, at least in part, responsible for the impaired response. Finally, we demonstrate that
Men1
loss significantly accelerates mutant Kras-dependent oncogenesis. Combined, this work establishes Men1 as an important mediator of pancreas homeostasis in vivo.
Potential for release of pulmonary toxic ketene from vaping pyrolysis of vitamin E acetate
Authors: Wu Dan , O’Shea Donal F.
Published: March 2020

Significance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recently reported an increasing number of clinically cases of lung injury following use of vaping products. The cause(s) of this growing epidemic of vaping-associated pulmonary injury remain unidentified, although vitamin E acetate has been identified as one possible causative agent. In this research, a combined analytical, theoretical, and experimental study has shown that the vaping of vitamin E acetate has the potential to produce exceptionally toxic ketene gas, which may be a contributing factor to the upsurge in lung injuries associated with vaping products. Our important results will help inform medical practitioners, research scientists, and the public, which may assist in bringing this medical crisis under control.
Lysosomal degradation products induce
Coxiella burnetii
virulence
Authors: Newton Patrice , Thomas David R. , Reed Shawna C. O. , Lau Nicole , Xu Bangyan , Ong Sze Ying , Pasricha Shivani , Madhamshettiwar Piyush B. , Edgington-Mitchell Laura E. , Simpson Kaylene J. , Roy Craig R. , Newton Hayley J.
Published: March 2020

Significance

Coxiella burnetii
is a unique bacterial pathogen that replicates to high numbers in a lysosome-like intracellular niche. This study identified host proteins that contribute to the pathogen’s capacity to establish this niche and activate the Dot/Icm secretion system required for intracellular replication. Many host proteins were found to contribute to the establishment of
C. burnetii
virulence by aiding trafficking of the pathogen to the lysosome and creating the degradative lysosome environment. Pathogenic bacteria are able to sense and adapt to their environment by altering their gene expression profile. Here we demonstrated that
C. burnetii
detects specific amino acids present in the lysosome using a two-component system that up-regulates expression of genes required for Dot/Icm activity.
Arrestin domain-containing 3 (Arrdc3) modulates insulin action and glucose metabolism in liver
Authors: Batista Thiago M. , Dagdeviren Sezin , Carroll Shannon H. , Cai Weikang , Melnik Veronika Y. , Noh Hye Lim , Saengnipanthkul Suchaorn , Kim Jason K. , Kahn C. Ronald , Lee Richard T.
Published: March 2020

Significance

Insulin resistance in liver is a key component in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, obesity-associated nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and metabolic syndrome. Here we demonstrate that hepatic expression of
Arrdc3
, a molecular adaptor previously linked to human obesity, is potently induced by physiological insulin and obesity-related hyperinsulinemia. Liver-specific deletion of
Arrdc3
increases hepatic insulin sensitivity. This is mechanistically linked to a direct interaction between the insulin receptor (IR) and ARRDC3 proteins controlling IR levels in the plasma membrane and downstream insulin signaling involving the transcription factor FOXO1 and expression of the rate-limiting enzymes in the glycolysis and gluconeogenesis pathways. Thus,
Arrdc3
may provide a therapeutic target for diseases associated with hepatic insulin resistance.
Vivid elements in Dutch educational texts
Authors: Sangers Nina L. , Evers-Vermeul Jacqueline , Sanders Ted J. M. , Hoeken Hans
Published: March 2020

Educational publishers often make their expository texts more vivid, by making them emotionally interesting,
concrete and imagery-provoking, and proximate in a sensory, temporal, or spatial way. Previous studies have found mixed results
regarding the effects of vividness on the attractiveness, comprehensibility, and memorability of educational texts. In order to be
able to account for these mixed results, we chart and describe the various ways in which educational texts can be made more vivid.
Drawing from the literature on narrativity, we define prototypical narrative elements in the educational domain (i.e.,
particularized events, experiencing character, landscape of consciousness), and demonstrate that Dutch Social Studies and Science
texts apply these elements in varying combinations. Subsequently, we illustrate how texts can be given a voice by imitating a
direct, “here and now” author-student interaction.
Puerarin inhibits the migration of osteoclast precursors and osteoclastogenesis by inhibiting MCP-1 production
Authors: Lin Sanfu , Ke Dianshan , Lin Yinquan , Fu Xiaomin , Yu Yunlong
Published: March 2020

Puerarin inhibits osteoclastogenesis and cells migration. This study aims to explore whether puerarin prevents osteoclastogenesis by inhibiting osteoclast precursors (OCPs) migration. The results showed that puerarin reduced MCP-1 production in OCPs, while inhibiting OCPs migration based on MCP-1. Puerarin reversed MCP-1-promoted osteoclastogenesis. CCR2 overexpression didn’t increase osteoclastogenesis with puerarin. Therefore, puerarin prevents OCPs migration by reducing MCP-1, whereby inhibiting osteoclastogenesis.
Correlates of sedentary time in young children: A systematic review
Authors: Pereira J.R. , Zhang Z. , Sousa‐Sá E. , Santos R. , Cliff D.P.
Published: March 2020

Background: Young children appear to spend large portions of their waking time being sedentary. Understanding the correlates of sedentary time would assist in developing effective interventions among young children. The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the current literature on the correlates of objectively measured sedentary time in young children aged 1‐5.99y.

Methods: This review was registered with PROSPERO (registration no. CRD42017081374) and aligned with the PRISMA Statement for systematic reviews. Five electronic databases (MEDline, CINAHL Complete, PsycINFO, SportDiscus, Scopus) were searched up to October 26, 2017 for studies investigating correlates of sedentary time measured using objective devices. A semiquantitative approach was used to synthesize data.

Results: Forty‐five studies were retrieved comprising 13,430 participants, and 84 correlates of sedentary time in young children were evaluated. The associations between sex, sleep habits, daily patterns (childcare vs. non‐childcare hours), childcare type and sedentary time were indeterminate. Thirty‐nine correlates were consistently unrelated. Forty‐one potential correlates were examined in too few studies (<4) to make confident conclusions. Parental sedentary behaviour was reported 3 times and maternal sedentary behaviour was reported once. Out of these four studies, three were positively associated with child sedentary time.

Conclusions: Despite reviewing 45 studies that evaluated associations for 84 correlates, this review was unable to identify any consistent correlates of sedentary time in young children. Additional research is needed in this area to provide robust evidence of the correlates of sedentary time in young children, particularly for those examined in only a small number of studies.
Estimating leaf mercury content in
Phragmites australis
based on leaf hyperspectral reflectance
Authors: Liu Weiwei , Li Mengjie , Zhang Manyin , Wang Daan , Guo Ziliang , Long Songyuan , Yang Si , Wang Henian , Li Wei , Hu Yukun , Wei Yuanyun , Xiao Hongye
Published: March 2020

Introduction
: High mercury (Hg) concentrations affect the chlorophyll in leaves, thereby modifying leaf spectra. Hyperspectra is a promising technique for the rapid, nondestructive evaluation of leaf Hg content. In this study, we investigated Hg contents and reflective hyperspectra of reed leaves (
Phragmites communis
) in a gold mining (Jilin province, China). Spectral parameters sensitive to Hg content were identified through basic spectral transformations, continuous wavelet transformation (CWT), and spectral indices techniques. Leaf Hg inversion models were developed using stepwise multiple linear regression, partial least squares regression, and random forest algorithms.
Outcomes
: The results indicated that: 1) leaf Hg content decreased with increasing distance from the mine: Jiapigou (JPG) > Erdaocha (EDC) > Laojingchang (LJC) > Erdaogou (EDG) > Lingqian (LQ) > Weishahe (WSH). 2) Hg–sensitive wavelengths were primarily in the visible region; CWT increased the correlation between hyperspectral data and leaf Hg content, and improved the regression and accuracy of inversion; 3) the continuum removal–CWT–stepwise multiple linear regression was better for estimating low leaf Hg content; while the differential spectral index–partial least squares regression was better for estimating high leaf Hg content.
Conclusion
: These hyperspectral inversion methods could be used for rapid, nondestructive monitoring of wetland plants.
Opportunities for prioritizing and expanding conservation enterprise in India using a guild of carnivores as flagships
Authors: Srivathsa Arjun , Majgaonkar Iravatee , Sharma Sushma , Singh Priya , Punjabi Girish Arjun , Chawla Malaika Mathew , Banerjee Aditya
Published: March 2020

Conservation interventions in developing countries are frequently thwarted by socio-economic agendas, severely limiting the scope and rigor of biodiversity and habitat conservation. Very few ecological assessments incorporate human interests in conservation prioritization, creating asynchrony between planning and implementation. For conservation actions to be logistically feasible, multiple criteria including ecological, social, economic and administrative aspects must be considered. Understanding how these different dimensions interact spatially is also important for gauging the potential for conservation success. Here, we use a guild of select mammalian carnivores (wild canids and hyenas) in India to (i) generate distribution maps at the spatial scale of administrative sub-districts, that are relevant to management, (ii) examine ecological, social and biogeographic factors associated with their distribution, assess key threats, and identify areas important for their conservation, (iii) use prioritization tools for balancing habitat conservation, human needs and economic growth, and (iv) evaluate the spatial congruence between areas with high conservation potential, and areas currently in focus for protection efforts, conservation investments, and infrastructure development. We find that the current Protected Area system does not adequately cover or represent diverse habitats, that there is immense potential for States to increase financial investments towards alternative conservation strategies, and, most infrastructure projects may be potentially jeopardizing important carnivore habitats where the two overlap. Our framework allowed for identifying locations where conservation investments would lead to the highest benefits for carnivores as flagships, which also benefit other species across habitats. We make a case for re-evaluating how large-scale prioritization assessments are made, and for broadening the purview of conservation policies in India and other developing countries.
Evaluation of a standardized collection device for exhaled breath sampling onto thermal desorption tubes
Authors: Harshman Sean W , Pitsch Rhonda L , Davidson Christina N , Lee Erica M , Scott Alexander M , Hill Elizabeth M , Mainali Paras , Brooks Zachary E , Strayer Kraig E , Schaeublin Nicole M , Wiens Taylor L , Brothers Michael C , Drummond Leslie A , Yamamoto Dirk P , Martin Jennifer A
Published: March 2020

The Respiration Collector for In Vitro Analysis (ReCIVA) sampler, marketed by Owlstone Medical, provides a step forward in exhaled breath sampling through active sampling directly onto thermal desorption (TD) tubes. Although an improvement to the issues surrounding breath bag sampling, the ReCIVA device, first released in 2015, is a relatively new research and clinical tool that requires further exploration. Here, data are presented comparing two distinct ReCIVA devices. The results, comparing ReCIVA serial numbers #33 and #65, demonstrate that overall statistically insignificant results are obtained via targeted isoprene quantitation (p > 0.05). However, when the data are parsed by the TD tube type used to capture breath volatiles, either Tenax TA or the dual bed Tenax/Carbograph 5TD (5TD), a statistical difference (p < 0.05) among the two different TD tubes was present. These data, comparing the two ReCIVA devices with both Tenax TA and 5TD tubes, are further supported by a global metabolomics analysis yielding 85% of z-scores, comparing ReCIVA devices, below the limit for significance. Experiments to determine the effect of breathing rate on ReCIVA function, using guided breathing for low (7.5 breaths min−1) and high (15 breaths min−1) breathing rates, demonstrate the ReCIVA device shows no statistical difference among breathing rates for quantitated isoprene (p > 0.05). Global metabolomics analysis of the guided breathing rate data shows more than 87% of the z-scores, comparing high and low breathing rates using both the Tenax and the 5TD tubes, are below the level for significance. Finally, data are provided from a single participant who displayed background levels of isoprene while illustrating levels of acetone consistent with the remaining participants. Collectively, these data support the use of multiple ReCIVA devices for exhaled breath collection and provide evidence for an instance where exhaled isoprene is consistent with background levels.
Effect of Manganese Coating on the Sorption Performance of Pyrolusite for Lead in Aqueous Conditions
Authors: Fransiscus Yunus , Effendy Carolyn V. , Wijaya Herman S.
Published: March 2020

A process to modify the property of pyrolusite, a natural form of manganese dioxide, was done in order to get a better adsorption performance. Modification was executed by coating the mineral with manganese solution (KMnO4, 0.05 M). Characterization analysis with XRF described significant change on Mn and MnO components, which was higher on the coated material compared to the ore. Meanwhile, although has not perfectly homogenous, it was identified that the distribution of pore diameter reduced from 2.23 – 4.08 μm to 0.65 – 1.07 μm. Another important result from this study was that pHpzc of pyrolusite shifted from 4.2 to 1.9, giving a wider range on pH working solution for the adsorption performance. Manganese coated pyrolusite performed very well in 4 different pH conditions, providing overall removal efficiency above 90% for Lead. Furthermore, from a series of adsorption batch experiments it has been known that the adsorption mechanism of modified pyrolusite for Lead was better explained with Langmuir equation and the kinetics reaction was best modelled by pseudo-second order.
Cenosphere Separation from Fly Ash Using Modified Gravity Separator: Feed Ratio Assessment and Stream Velocity Optimization
Authors: Saputra F Y A , Sutijan  , Petrus H T B M
Published: March 2020

The increase of the population causing increased energy needs, one of which is electricity. Coal constitutes one of the largest carbon sources to generate electricity where the combustion leaves a by-product in the form of fly ash. Inside the fly ash, there are round- shaped hollow particles whose its density is lower than water of about 0.9 g/cm3. These particles called cenosphere containing alumino-silicate. Due to its lighter and tougher nature, it makes the cenosphere appealing to use as a lightweight and robust material. Cenosphere can be separated using both dry separation and wet separation. Separation using the wet process produces another impact on the side of the liquid media processing that is used because it potentially carries toxic compounds inside the fly ash. While the separation using the dry separation method still has problems regarding its efficiency. Modified Gravity Separator is a new design for cenosphere separation using air as a fluid medium. This research was conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed geometry by looking at the effect of the feed velocity to the geometry expansion space using a CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamic) computing software. The feed particles are assumed to be spherical shape and are observed with the Euler-Lagrange equation where the particles interact with continuous airflow. The simulations were carried out at speeds of 0.1 m/s, 0.25 m/s, 0.5 m/s, and 1 m/s. This simulation successfully illustrates the flow pattern and predicts the recovery rate of each collector so that it can be evaluated and optimized for future investigation.
Optimization of Platforming Catalyst Deactivation due to Sintering
Authors: Alvino Nimrod , Hermansyah Heri
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this study are to analyze and identify the causes of catalyst deactivation and provide recommendations and solutions to these problems. This research was conducted by identifying phenomena & analyzing the causes of deactivation of catalysts, testing the factors that are the causes of deactivation of catalysts, providing solutions and recommendations and testing these solutions. The results of this study indicate that the decrease in RON values on reformate products is caused by catalyst deactivation due to sintering. The sintering of the catalyst was identified through Regenerator CCR performance which was marked by a decrease in regeneration gas & chlorination gas flow as well as a decrease in the oxygen content of the chlorination gas due to a plugging at the center screen of the CCR Regenerator Tower.
Formulation of Curcumin as Natural Dye on Polyester
Authors: Ramadhany P , Witono J R , Putri O
Published: March 2020

Turmeric is perennial herbs that has been used for centuries as natural dye in the Asia. It contains curcumin that generate yellow to orange color. Unfortunately, curcumin is considered as fugitive dyes because its color strength will diminish within times. In order to strengthen the color of curcumin, some additives are added into dye formulation. In this research, turmeric juice was extracted from turmeric without adding any organic solvents. The juice was then mixed with mordant and emulsifier to produce dye solution. Alum and lime juice were used as synthetic and natural mordant, respectively. Tween 80 was used as emulsifier. The polyester was soaked in the dye solution for overnight. The color strength (K/S), the color wash fastness, and the color coordination of the dyed polyester were investigated. The research shows that the ratio of turmeric juice to mordant of 2:1 (without any emulsifiers) gave the best color strength and color fastness.
Subcritical Water as a Solvent for Extraction of Nickel and Aluminum Ions from Reforming Spent Catalysts
Authors: Wanta K C , Gunawan W T , Susanti R F , Gemilar G P , Petrus H T B M , Astuti W
Published: March 2020

Spent catalysts are categorized as hazardous waste because they still contain heavy metal elements. It indicates that spent catalysts need to be treated before they discharge to the environment. In this study, spent catalysts treatment was done using subcritical water extraction method. The extraction process was conducted by varying temperature and extraction times. Temperature was varied at 100–250°C, whereas time extraction was varied at 15–45 minutes. Operating pressure and particle size were kept at 70 bars and –60+70 mesh, respectively. The content of aluminum (III) (Al3+) ions and nickel (II) (Ni2+) ions were analyzed using UV–vis spectrophotometer. The experimental results showed that the highest content of both metal ions was achieved at 250°C and 45 minutes. The content of extracted Al3+ ions and extracted Ni2+ ions at those conditions was 623.39 and 35.03 ppm, respectively.
Biosorption of Copper (II) Ions using Living Chlorella sp. from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Wanta K C , Hidayat C , Catherine  , Miryanti A , Kristijarti A P
Published: March 2020

Liquid waste from the electroplating industry is classified as hazardous and toxic waste. It contains a lot of heavy metal ions which are toxic and even carcinogenic so that this waste has to be treated first. In this present study, heavy metal waste treatment using biosorption method was investigated. Microalgae Chlorella sp. was used as biosorbent. The experimental was conducted using copper (II) (Cu2+) ions which the initial concentration was varied at 20 to 80 ppm. pH scale was also varied at 2 to 5. After several hours, sample was taken and analyzed with UV–vis spectrophotometer. The experimental results showed that the best percentage removal of Cu2+ ions was 96.10% which was achieved at 40 ppm and pH 5.
Effect of Reaction Time on Modification of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes with HNO3
Authors: Greta Putri R , Syafera Y , Larasati F , Rofiqoh Eviana Putri N , Handayani M , Rochmadi  , Kusumastuti Y
Published: March 2020

The functionalization of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) is addressed to improve its interaction capability with other materials for further applications. The oxidation of MWCNTs by nitric acid is one of the promising methods for its surface modifications. In this research, MWCNTs functionalization was carried out in several steps such as oxidation, filtration, washing, and drying. The optimization of reaction time for MWCNTs functionalization was conducted to achieve the optimum condition which efficiently functionalizes MWCNTs surface. The sample characterizations were investigated by Boehm titration, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), and dispersion test. As a result, carboxyl groups were successfully attached onto the MWCNTs surface and stable dispersion of MWCNTs was obtained after 12 hours. Oxidation with nitric acid for 12 hours at room temperature is the optimum treatment time for surface modification.
Amorphous Silicate Decomposition from Non-Magnetic Coal Fly Ash using Sodium Hydroxide
Authors: Manurung H , Rosita W , Petrus H B T M , Bendiyasa I M
Published: March 2020

In five years, from 2015 to 2020, the need of coal in Indonesia is doubled to 166.2 million tonnes and increasing up to 2050 as stated in the Indonesian Energy Mix policy. Generally, coal is used in the coal-fired power plan. After the combustion, there are some residual materials such as mineral matter, fly ash and bottom ash (FABA) listed as hazardous materials due to the toxicity and metal contents. Referring to the amount of coal consumption in 2020, the fly ash and bottom ash will be of about 19.92 million tonnes. The utilization of FABA is then become a must thing to do. One of the alternatives is rare earth element (REE) extraction. Indonesian coal contains sufficient amount of REE to extract that is concentrated in the FABA to the value of more than 400 ppm. Regarding to the REE mode of occurrence that is mostly concentrated in the glass form or amorphous silicate, this study was conducted in order to observe the effect of sodium hydroxide to breakage the amorphous silicate structure. In order to obtain the amorphous silicate, magnetic separator was applied. Based on the XRF analysis, the non-magnetic fly ash (amorphous silicate of glass form) contained major elements of SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, CaO, MgO and the rest were minor and trace elements such as Na2O, K2O, Cr2O3, MnO, SrO and P2O5. The particle size of the amorphous silicate is less than < 38 μm (- 400 mesh). To run the experiments, sodium hydroxide was used as the reagent with varied concentrations of 6 M, 8 M and 10 M. Other variables were temperature of 28 0C (room temperature), 60 0C and 90 0C and residence time of 2, 4, and 6 hour. Based on the results analysis, the amorphous silicate was decomposed to the most of about 22 % at 90 0C of temperature, 10 M of sodium hydroxide concentration, and 6 hour of residence time.
First-principles calculation on the structure stability, elastic properties and electronic structure of P-doped Mg2Si
Authors: Li Yingmin , Ma Tianyu , Ren Yuyan , Liu Tongyu , Zou Xue
Published: March 2020

In this study, the effect on the structure stability, elastic properties and electronic structure of P-doped Mg2Si were studied by the first-principles pseudopotential plane wave method based on density functional theory. The lattice constants, formation enthalpy, cohesive energy, elastic constants, and elastic moduli of Mg2Si, Mg7Si4P, Mg8Si3P and Mg8Si4P were calculated, and the electronic structure analysis was also performed. The occupation tendency, structural stability, bonding characteristics, orbital hybridization and the change of conductivity of doping P atoms in the matrix were further investigated. Among them, the research results of formation enthalpy, cohesive energy and elastic constant show that Mg2Si, Mg8Si3P and Mg8Si4P can all exist stably in the system, and the crystal structure of Mg7Si4P can not exist stably. P atoms doping into the Mg2Si lattice tend to occupy Si atoms position preferentially. The results of elastic modulus study show that Mg2Si and Mg8Si4P are brittle phase and Mg8Si3P is ductile phase. The plasticity and toughness of Mg2Si alloy system are improved by doping P atoms. The electronic structure analysis shows that the method of doping P atoms changes the orbital hybridization and bonding characteristics of the system. The Mg-P and Si-P covalent bond formed by Mg8Si3P and Mg8Si4P increase the structure stability. The energy band structure analysis also show reduction of the band gap from 0.224 to 0.184 eV for Mg2Si with P dopants at the substitutional Si-sites and the band gap closure in the system with interstitial P-impurities. It enhances the metallic property of the material, and Mg8Si4P phase also transform from its semiconducting to metallic state. Consequently, this method both increases the carrier concentration and reduces the energy of free electron transition. The conductivity of the Mg2Si alloy system will be improve.
Effect of mono-dopants (Mg2+) and co-dopants (Mg2+, Zr4+) on the dielectric, ferroelectric and optical properties of BaTiO3 ceramics
Authors: Mostari Mst Sharmin , Haque Md Jahidul , Rahman Ankur Sunbeam , Matin Md Abdul , Habib Ahsan
Published: March 2020

In this work, BaTiO3, Ba(Mg0.01Ti0.99)O3, Ba(Mg0.015Ti0.985)O3, Ba(Mg0.02Ti0.98)O3 and Ba(Mg0.01Zr0.15Ti0.84)O3 ceramics have been prepared through conventional solid-state route to investigate the effects of Mg2+ and Zr4+ dopants as mono-substitution (only Mg2+) and co-substitution (Mg2+ and Zr4+) of B-site on the structural, electrical and optical properties of BaTiO3 ceramics. Exhibiting perovskite structure, Ba(Mg
x
Ti1−x)O3 ceramics revealed a decrement pattern of tetragonality with the increment of the concentration of MgO which was confirmed through Rietveld analysis. Morphological analysis of the sintered samples by scanning electron microscope showed a grain growth retardation phenomenon with Mg2+ addition. Releasing from this retardation process, Ba(Mg0.01Zr0.15Ti0.84)O3 showed a maximum dielectric constant of ∼1269.94 due to the enhanced domain wall motion and the confinement within the solubility limit of Mg2+. The ferroelectric characteristic of Ba(Mg
x
Ti1−x)O3 was sluggish due to the effects of grain size and its boundary. The optical band gap for BaTiO3 was found to be decreased from 3.55 eV to 3.06 eV with the addition Mg2+ content but for Ba(Mg0.01Zr0.15Ti0.84)O3, the value increased due to the Burstein-Moss effect. Again the FTIR analysis proved that no impurity phases were formed during the doping phenomenon, but in Ba(Mg
x
Ti1-x)O3 ceramics, a significant reduction of Ti-O bond strength was observed. However, BaTiO3, Ba(Mg0.01Ti0.99)O3, Ba(Mg0.015Ti0.985)O3 and Ba(Mg0.02Ti0.98)O3 ceramics had manifested P-E loop having lower remanent polarization and coercive field compared to Ba(Mg0.01Zr0.15Ti0.84)O3 ceramics with moderate electrical and optical properties. So, co-doping with Mg2+ and Zr4+ evidenced a favorable accession for the increment of the properties of BaTiO3 ceramics.
Experimental verification of multi-band metamaterial absorber with double structured layers
Authors: Yang Dong , Xia Yingqin
Published: March 2020

Microwave absorbers have been attracted much more attentions in both military and civil fields nowadays. In this paper, we present a multi-band metamaterial absorber with the excellent performances of wide-angle incidence and polarization insensitivity. The designed absorber is composed of two distinct metallic layers separated by a dielectric substrate. The simulated absorptions of the absorber are 92.9%, 92.5% and 98.5% at 5.92 GHz, 6.12 GHz and 8.54 GHz, respectively. The microwave experiments are performed to verify the simulations, and the measured results are in agreement with the simulations. Surface current distribution is illustrated to investigate the physics of absorption. We believe that the designed absorber has numerous potential applications in stealth, sensing, electromagnetic absorption and thermal detectors.
Electron extraction from excited quantum dots with higher order coulomb scattering
Authors: Kalaee Alex Arash Sand , Wacker Andreas
Published: March 2020

The electron kinetics in nanowire-based hot-carrier solar cells is studied, where both relaxation and extraction are considered concurrently. Our kinetics is formulated in the many-particle basis of the interacting system. Detailed comparison with simplified calculations based on product states shows that this includes the Coulomb interaction both in lowest and higher orders. While relaxation rates of 1 ps are obtained, if lowest order processes are available, timescales of tens of ps arise if these are not allowed for particular designs and initial conditions. Based on these calculations we quantify the second order effects and discuss the extraction efficiency, which remains low unless an energy filter by resonant tunnelling is applied.
Political Ideology and the Law Review Selection Process
Authors: Chilton Adam , Masur Jonathan , Rozema Kyle
Published: March 2020

We investigate the role that political ideology plays in the selection process for articles in law reviews. To do so, we match data on the political ideology of student editors from 15 top law reviews from 1990 to 2005 to data on the political ideology of the authors of accepted articles. We find that law reviews with a higher share of conservative editors accept a higher share of articles written by conservative authors. We then investigate potential explanations for this pattern. One possibility is that editors have a preference for publishing articles written by authors that share their ideology. Another possibility is that editors are objectively better at assessing the contribution of articles written by authors that share their ideology. We find evidence that the latter explanation drives the relationship between editor and author ideology.
American Culture and the (Permanent, Global) Cold War (on Terror)
Authors: Vincent Jonathan
Published: March 2020

This review-essay considers recent scholarly work that, in contrast to our understanding of the Cold War’s demise 30 years ago, examines the lingering practices of permanent militarization that have nonetheless continued to flourish. Focusing especially on the cultural habits that normalize permanent war—a necessary supplement since the Cold War’s justifying logics no longer adhere—they together enlarge a picture of the dyadic or double-jointed projects of a transforming military–industrial complex occurring at all manner of points internationally as well as in a range of locales internal to US life, and in ways that are structurally linked. At the heart of that critique is disclosing the way that the adapting discourses of a liberalizing American state downplay and reframe the older, more overt rhetorics of colonialism and imperialism while nonetheless retaining similar expansionist and disciplinary goals. Using the literary and cultural record of those structural adaptations, they document how the twin arms of that coordinated state power worked relentlessly to manage “neocolonial” interventions across the globe, well into the “forever wars” of our own time, as well as, simultaneously, to interfere in and subdue the civil right movement or prosecute the War on Drugs domestically.