bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A methodology to constrain carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants using satellite observations of co-emitted nitrogen dioxide
Authors: Liu Fei , Duncan Bryan N. , Krotkov Nickolay A. , Lamsal Lok N. , Beirle Steffen , Griffin Debora , McLinden Chris A. , Goldberg Daniel L. , Lu Zifeng
Published: January 2020

Abstract. We present a method to infer CO2 emissions from
individual power plants based on satellite observations of co-emitted
nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which could serve as complementary verification
of bottom-up inventories or be used to supplement these inventories. We
demonstrate its utility on eight large and isolated US power plants, where
accurate stack emission estimates of both gases are available for
comparison. In the first step of our methodology, we infer nitrogen oxides
(NOx) emissions from US power plants using Ozone Monitoring Instrument
(OMI) NO2 tropospheric vertical column densities (VCDs) averaged over
the ozone season (May–September) and a “top-down” approach that we
previously developed. Second, we determine the relationship between NOx
and CO2 emissions based on the direct stack emissions measurements
reported by continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS) programs,
accounting for coal quality, boiler firing technology, NOx emission
control device type, and any change in operating conditions. Third, we
estimate CO2 emissions for power plants using the OMI-estimated
NOx emissions and the CEMS NOx∕CO2 emission ratio. We find
that the CO2 emissions estimated by our satellite-based method during
2005–2017 are in reasonable agreement with the US CEMS measurements, with a
relative difference of 8 %±41 % (mean ± standard
deviation). The broader implication of our methodology is that it has the
potential to provide an additional constraint on CO2 emissions from
power plants in regions of the world without reliable emissions accounting.
We explore the feasibility by comparing the derived NOx∕CO2
emission ratios for the US with those from a bottom-up emission inventory
for other countries and applying our methodology to a power plant in South
Africa, where the satellite-based emission estimates show reasonable
consistency with other independent estimates. Though our analysis is limited
to a few power plants, we expect to be able to apply our method to more US
(and world) power plants when multi-year data records become available from
new OMI-like sensors with improved capabilities, such as the TROPOspheric
Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI), and upcoming geostationary satellites, such
as the Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring Pollution (TEMPO) instrument.
A new marine biogenic emission: methane sulfonamide (MSAM), DMS and DMSO2 measured in air over the Arabian Sea
Authors: Edtbauer Achim , Stönner Christof , Pfannerstill Eva Y. , Berasategui Matias , Walter David , Crowley John N. , Lelieveld Jos , Williams Jonathan
Published: January 2020

Abstract. We present the first ambient measurements of a new marine emission methane sulfonamide (MSAM), along with dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl sulfone (DMSO2) over the Arabian Sea. Two shipborne transects (W to E, E to W) were made during the AQABA (Air Quality and Climate Change in the Arabian Basin) measurement campaign. DMS mixing ratios were in the range 0.3–0.5 ppb during the first traverse of the Arabian Sea (first leg) and 0.1 to 0.3 ppb in the second leg. In the first leg DMSO2 was always below 0.04 ppb and MSAM was close to the limit of detection. During the second leg DMSO2 was between 0.04–0.12 ppb and MSAM was mostly in the range 0.02–0.05 ppb with maximum values of 0.06 ppb. An analysis of HYSPLIT back trajectories combined with calculations of the exposure of these trajectories to chlorophyll a content in the water revealed that most MSAM originates from the Somalia upwelling region, known for its high biological activity. This new marine emission is of particular interest as it contains both sulfur and nitrogen, making it potentially relevant to marine nutrient cycling and particle formation.
Development of the Real-time On-road Emission (ROE v1.0) model for street-scale air quality modeling based on dynamic traffic big data
Authors: Wu Luolin , Chang Ming , Wang Xuemei , Hang Jian , Zhang Jinpu , Wu Liqing , Shao Min
Published: January 2020

Abstract. Rapid urbanization in China has led to heavy traffic flows in
street networks within cities, especially in eastern China, the economically
developed region. This has increased the risk of exposure to vehicle-related
pollutants. To evaluate the impact of vehicle emissions and provide an
on-road emission inventory with higher spatiotemporal resolution for
street-network air quality models, in this study, we developed the Real-time
On-road Emission (ROE v1.0) model to calculate street-scale on-road hot
emissions by using real-time big data for traffic provided by the Gaode Map
navigation application. This Python-based model obtains street-scale traffic
data from the map application programming interface (API), which are
open-access and updated every minute for each road segment. The results of
application of the model to Guangzhou, one of the three major cities in
China, showed on-road vehicle emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen
oxide (NOx), hydrocarbons (HCs), PM2.5, and PM10 to be 35.22×104, 12.05×104, 4.10×104, 0.49×104, and 0.55×104 Mg yr−1, respectively. The spatial distribution reveals that the emission
hotspots are located in some highway-intensive areas and suburban town
centers. Emission contribution shows that the dominant contributors are
light-duty vehicles (LDVs) and heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) in urban areas and
LDVs and heavy-duty trucks (HDTs) in suburban areas, indicating that the
traffic control policies regarding trucks in urban areas are effective.
In this study, the Model of Urban Network of Intersecting Canyons and
Highways (MUNICH) was applied to investigate the impact of traffic volume
change on street-scale photochemistry in the urban areas by using the
on-road emission results from the ROE model. The modeling results indicate
that the daytime NOx concentrations on national holidays are 26.5 %
and 9.1 % lower than those on normal weekdays and normal weekends,
respectively. Conversely, the national holiday O3 concentrations exceed
normal weekday and normal weekend amounts by 13.9 % and 10.6 %,
respectively, owing to changes in the ratio of emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and
NOx. Thus, not only the on-road emissions but also other emissions should be
controlled in order to improve the air quality in Guangzhou. More
significantly, the newly developed ROE model may provide promising and
effective methodologies for analyzing real-time street-level traffic
emissions and high-resolution air quality assessment for more typical cities
or urban districts.
Tectonostratigraphy of the Mérida Massif reveals a new suture zone exposure in SW Iberia
Authors: Díez Fernández Rubén , Arenas Ricardo , Rojo-Pérez Esther , Sánchez Martínez Sonia , Fuenlabrada José Manuel
Published: January 2020

Abstract. Dividing a crystalline basement into tectonostratigraphic units, along with the recognition of the nature of their boundaries (primary vs. tectonic), are essential steps to identify major tectonic slices involved in orogeny. The Neoproterozoic and Paleozoic rocks of the Mérida Massif (SW Iberia) have been grouped into five tectonostratigraphic units according to their structural position, continental or oceanic crust affinity, and equivalent tectonometamorphic evolution. Each unit is separated from the rest ones by either crustal-scale thrusts and/or extensional detachments. The lowermost unit (Magdalena Gneisses; lower plate) has continental crust affinity, and rest below a variably strained and metamorphosed mafic-ultramafic ensemble, referred to as the Mérida Ophiolite (suture zone). The Neoproterozoic Montemolín Formation of the Serie Negra Group constitutes a unit with continental crust affinity (Upper Schist-Metagranitoid Unit; upper plate) located on top of the Mérida Ophiolite. A carbonate-rich succession (Carija Unit) occupies the uppermost structural position. Structural and isotopic data suggest that the suture zone depicted by the Mérida Ophiolite and the tectonic piling and main foliation of the Neoproterozoic and Cambrian units were formed during the Cadomian Orogeny. Superimposed shortening during the late Paleozoic formed a train of upright to NE-verging folds and thrusts that affected the Cadomian suture zone and juxtaposed it onto Ordovician strata (fifth tectonostratigraphic unit) during the Variscan Orogeny. Cenozoic contraction during the Alpine Orogeny formed SW-directed thrusts in an intraplate setting. The Mérida Ophiolite represents a new Cadomian suture zone exposure of the Iberian Massif, but its root zone is yet to be identified. This suture zone exposure seems to share a far-travelled nature with other Cadomian and Variscan suture zone exposures in Iberia, making the latter a piece of continental lithosphere built at the expense of allochthonous terranes transferred inland from peri-Gondwana onto mainland Gondwana, both during the Neoproterozoic-Cambrian and the Devonian-Carboniferous.
The characteristics and structure of extra-tropical cyclones in a warmer climate
Authors: Sinclair Victoria A. , Rantanen Mika , Haapanala Päivi , Räisänen Jouni , Järvinen Heikki
Published: January 2020

Abstract. Little is known about how the structure of extra-tropical cyclones will change in the future. In this study aqua-planet simulations are performed with a full-complexity atmospheric model. These experiments can be considered an intermediate step towards increasing knowledge of how, and why, extra-tropical cyclones respond to warming. A control simulation and a warm simulation in which the sea surface temperatures are increased uniformly by 4 K are run for 11 years. Extra-tropical cyclones are tracked, cyclone composites created, and the omega equation applied to assess causes of changes in vertical motion. Warming leads to a 3.3 % decrease in the number of extra-tropical cyclones, with no change to the median intensity or lifetime of extra-tropical cyclones but to a broadening of the intensity distribution resulting in both more stronger and more weaker storms. Composites of the strongest extra-tropical cyclones show that total column water vapour increases everywhere relative to the cyclone centre and that precipitation increases by up to 50 % with the 4 K warming. The spatial structure of the composite cyclone changes with warming: the 900–700 hPa layer averaged potential vorticity, 700 hPa ascent, and precipitation maximums associated with the warm front all move polewards and downstream, and the area of ascent expands in the downstream direction. Increases in ascent forced by diabatic heating and thermal advection are responsible for the displacement, whereas increases in ascent due to vorticity advection lead to the downstream expansion. Finally, maximum values of ascent due to vorticity advection and thermal advection weaken slightly with warming, whereas those attributed to diabatic heating increase. Thus, cyclones in warmer climates are more diabatically driven.
Predicting Correctional Officer Job Performance Using the Critical Hire-Screen and Personality Assessment Inventory: An Analysis of Incremental Validity
Authors: Tatman Anthony
Published: January 2020

This article measured the degree to which the Critical Hire-Screen (CH-S), a pre-employment test of integrity, and Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI), a test of psychopathology, correlated with and predicted supervisor ratings of correctional officer job performance. Results revealed that the CH-S provided the strongest correlation with, and prediction of, job performance. Although PAI subscales contributed to the prediction model, relatively few subscales were ultimately selected, resulting in the CH-S explaining the majority of the variance. Implications for correctional agencies and pre-employment evaluators are discussed, and recommendations for the practical application of these results to pre-employment testing process are provided.
Observe and Accept: A Pathways Approach to Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Moss Donald
Published: January 2020

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease, marked by demyelination of the central nervous system and a wide variety of symptoms, including blurred vision, muscle weakness, and impaired motor control, most of which occur in a remitting and relapsing pattern. In many cases the illness is progressive with severe disability. Current treatments combine interventions to manage the current episode and disease-modifying agents to reduce the risk of further episodes. The treatments for MS are only partially effective, and patients often face a confusing and frightening progression of their illness, despite treatment. Many patients utilize complementary therapies, especially dietary changes, nutritional supplements, and relaxation skills. This article presents the case narrative of a 36-year-old woman who was referred for depression and anxiety accompanying a 3-year period of recurring MS episodes. She combined many complementary therapies along with the medical management of her illness, and benefitted especially from mindfulness skills and biofeedback training.
Onafhankelijk onderzoek in positie, oordeelsvorming en beeldvorming
Authors: van der Knaap Peter , Bokhorst Meike , Kleistra Yvonne
Published: January 2020

Independent research in position, judgement, and perception Institutional and professional dimensions of ‘speaking truth to power’

Regularly, doubts about the independence of research leads to heated discussion. This is especially true if things have gone wrong. This issue explores the question how research organizations and researchers can defend themselves against improper influence: the conscious and active pursuit of too positive research results by commissioners or government officials. This article outlines a number of dimensions of how establishing good, independent research can be structured in a systematic and sensible manner. Independent inquiry manifests itself in position, judgment, and appearance or image. Institutional safeguards form the basis for professional roles and responsibilities that can fulfill the requirements of independent research in the political arena.
De stikstofcrisis: van falend overheidsbeleid naar een lonkend toekomstperspectief?
Authors: Candel Jeroen
Published: January 2020

The Dutch nitrogen crisis: from policy failure to resonating future perspective?

On 29 May, the highest court in the Netherlands, the Council of State, ruled that the government’s Nitrogen Emissions Program (PAS) did not comply with the European Habitats Directive. The PAS arranged permit applications for economic activities that caused extra nitrogen oxide emissions. According to the Council of State, the PAS proved to be insufficiently capable of protecting the ‘natural characteristics’ of Natura2000-protected areas against damage caused by nitrogen depositions. The ruling has led to a situation in which all pending license applications in construction and agriculture have been rejected or put on hold. This political ‘nitrogen crisis’ that resulted from this ruling has been characterized by major disagreements between the government coalition parties, large farmers’ protests, and a faltering coordination between the central government and provinces. This essay analyzes the root causes of the nitrogen crisis and presents some ideas about how to overcome the current deadlock. I argue that the PAS debacle symbolizes a failing, reactive agricultural and nature policy. More than ever, strong leadership and a clear future perspective for the Dutch food system are needed.
Havens en georganiseerde criminaliteit: een historische bespiegeling
Authors: Fijnaut Cyrille
Published: January 2020

Ports and organized crime: a historical reflection

The structural vulnerability of the port of Rotterdam to organized crime is dealt with in this article from a broader, historical perspective. Using examples from ports in Italy and the United States, among others, the author shows how at the end of the last century local criminal groups managed to gain a dominant position in the handling of good flows. The author discusses various research reports that have been published over the years on the import of drugs into the port of Rotterdam and other European ports. Drug traffickers turn out to respond very flexible to stricter controls by simply moving to alternative ports or opting for transferring drug loads to small fast boats in open water. The author emphasizes that ports should not be studied as isolated transition points, but must be considered as nodes in networks that extend far inland and abroad. This is the only way to see the broader strategic and tactical options for stopping or reducing drug trafficking. In addition, attention must be paid to the problem of corruption among port workers, police and customs officers.
Tussen wal en schip
Authors: Eski Yarin
Published: January 2020

Ethnographic insights into operational port security

This ethnography of everyday policing realities in the European ports of Rotterdam and Hamburg presents an understanding of policing spaces where protecting and supporting global commerce dominate. In undertaking this research, the author participated in the daily activities of 85 participants in Rotterdam (N=52) and Hamburg (N=33), consisting of 30 operational port police officers, 31 security officers, 10 customs officers and 14 others involved in port security-related matters (e.g. shipping agents, port authorities, boatmen and maritime engineers). These participants were collectively responsible for protecting the vulnerability of the just-in-time logistics by becoming the intervention, through which they become the very local threat to global commerce itself. A struggle that reveals itself in their (narrated) policing struggles with management, colleagues and multi-agency partners, as well as with the maritime business community and dangerous others.
Uitdagingen in publiek-private samenwerking in de aanpak van drugscriminaliteit in de Rotterdamse haven
Authors: Bisschop Lieselot , Roks Robby , Staring Richard , Brein Elisabeth
Published: January 2020

Public-private partnerships in tackling drug crime in the port of Rotterdam

This article focuses on the challenges associated with public-private partnerships in tackling drug crime in the port of Rotterdam. The authors identified the actors involved in the fight against drug crime and, more generally, security in the port. The authors show how these various actors view the subject of drug crime (so-called mentalities), what they set as objectives (finalities) and how they try to achieve these objectives. Subsequently the various aspects of the interactions between these actors are being analyzed. The article is empirically based on 76 interviews with public and private actors in the port of Rotterdam, that were conducted in the period from January 2018 to February 2019, and an analysis of literature, news items, government reports and other documents.
Het consultatievoorstel modernisering personenvennootschappen
Authors: Tervoort A.J.S.M.
Published: January 2020

Het consultatievoorstel modernisering personenvennootschappen. Een overzicht met kanttekeningen

Al meerdere decennia is de wetgever met vele temporaire onderbrekingen bezig het personenvennootschapsrecht, dat in essentie nog uit 1838 stamt, te moderniseren. Een aantal legislatieve aanzetten daartoe is in de loop der jaren om uiteenlopende redenen gesneefd. Het Ministerie van Justitie en Veiligheid heeft dit onderwerp nu weer opgepakt. Op 21 februari 2019 heeft het een ambtelijk voorontwerp voor een nieuwe wettelijke regeling van het personenvennootschapsrecht met een daarbij behorend voorontwerp-memorie van toelichting in consultatie gebracht. De consultatie is inmiddels gesloten. De hoofdlijnen van dit consultatievoorstel zullen in dit artikel worden beschreven, voorzien van een enkele kanttekening.
Toezicht en handhaving bij het verplicht bod in Nederland
Authors: Schipper J. , Koster H.
Published: January 2020

Toezicht en handhaving bij het verplicht bod in Nederland

Door de Richtlijn 2004/25/EG van 21 april 2004 betreffende het openbaar overnamebod is er een EU-regeling voor het verplicht bod geïntroduceerd. In Nederland is een (rechts)persoon die overwegende zeggenschap verkrijgt in een beursgenoteerde vennootschap vanaf 28 oktober 2007 verplicht om een openbaar bod uit te brengen op alle overige uitstaande aandelen en certificaten die met medewerking van de vennootschap zijn uitgegeven. In dit artikel onderzoeken de auteurs of er argumenten zijn om het toezicht op en de handhaving van de verplicht-bodregeling in Nederland te herzien. Afgesloten wordt met enkele conclusies.
Een blik op de toekomst van de accountancysector
Authors: Brink-van der Meer J.E.
Published: January 2020

Een blik op de toekomst van de accountancysector

De accountancysector zit midden in een verandertraject dat moet leiden tot een duurzame gedrags- en cultuurverandering. Uit verschillende onderzoeken zou echter blijken dat de sector onvoldoende voortgang boekt. Dit baart de Minister van Financiën zorgen en daarom heeft hij de Commissie Toekomst Accountancysector (CTA) ingesteld. In deze bijdrage staat de auteur stil bij een drietal onderwerpen, die relevant zijn voor het onderzoek van de CTA naar de toekomst van de accountancysector. Dit betreft de taak en het plan van aanpak van de CTA, het rapport ‘Kwetsbaarheden in de structuur van de accountancysector’ van de AFM en de reacties bij de consultatie. Tot slot worden de voorlopige bevindingen van de CTA besproken.
Het Europese mededingingsrechtelijke marktonderzoek gesyndiceerde leningen: oude wijn in nieuwe zakken?
Authors: Brabers M.C. , Struijlaart R.A.
Published: January 2020

Het Europese mededingingsrechtelijke marktonderzoek gesyndiceerde leningen: oude wijn in nieuwe zakken?

Onlangs publiceerde de Europese Commissie de resultaten van het mededingingsrechtelijke marktonderzoek gesyndiceerde leningen. Het rapport onderstreept eens te meer dat er mededingingsrisico’s bestaan wanneer banken samenwerken om een gesyndiceerde lening te verstrekken aan een geldlener. Met het rapport heeft de Commissie een gedetailleerde beschrijving van de markt vanuit mededingingsrechtelijk perspectief in handen, waardoor deze mededingingsrisico’s nu duidelijk op haar radar staan. Banken moeten dus oppassen en hebben daarom baat bij een steekhoudende mededingingsrechtelijke paragraaf in het complianceprogramma. Dit artikel gaat in op het rapport en (compliance)maatregelen die banken en geldleners kunnen nemen om mededingingsrisico’s te ondervangen.
Verschuivend paradigma in corporate governance bij vijandige overnames
Authors: Nijland J. , Verdoes T.L.M. , Lycklama à Nijeholt M.P. , Pham N.T.
Published: January 2020

Verschuivend paradigma in corporate governance bij vijandige overnames. Reflecties van rechters, bestuurders en commissarissen, een lid van de Monitoring Commissie en een institutionele belegger tegen de achtergrond van ontwikkelingen op de kapitaalmarkt en in de jurisprudentie

De recente ontwikkelingen in de Nederlandse jurisprudentie en de herziening van de Corporate Governance Code zouden kunnen dienen als een belangrijke katalysator voor meer ‘duurzame’ overnamebesluiten door het benadrukken van het belang van langetermijnwaardecreatie. De auteurs interviewden belangrijke actoren in overnameconflicten om hun visie te geven op de kansen en bedreigingen van langetermijnwaardecreatie. De reflecties zijn in lijn met de ontwikkelingen en aldus doorgedrongen in het maatschappelijke speelveld. Concrete invulling geven aan langetermijnwaardecreatie is complex vanwege de uiteenlopende visies op het vennootschappelijke belang: de shareholders, stakeholders en de entiteit. Dit schept echter ook de ruimte om autonoom invulling te geven aan langetermijnwaardecreatie.
The Legal Status of the Surviving Spouse and the Compulsory Share in the Hungarian Succession Law
Authors: Szeibert Orsolya
Published: January 2020

The Legal Status of the Surviving Spouse and the Compulsory Share in the Hungarian Succession Law

Hungarian succession law is regulated by the Hungarian Civil Code (HCC), Act No V of 2013 which contains certain new rules in comparison to the former Hungarian Civil Code, Act IV of 1959. The article gives a short overview on the law of intestacy succession in Hungary and a broad introduction into two important fields of Hungarian succession law. The legal status of the surviving spouse is analysed in details while explaining the content of the widow’s usufruct rights, the surviving spouse’s succession with the decedent’s descendants and with the parents of the decedent. The spouse’s debarment is discussed such as the spouse’s usufruct right in the legal order of lineal succession and the legal position of partners outside marriage. The compulsory share’s meaning, its traditional character, the disinheritance, and the basis and extent of compulsory share are also discussed.
Compulsory Shares and Spousal Protection in Spanish and Catalan Succession Law
Authors: Ferrer-Riba Josep
Published: January 2020

Compulsory Shares and Spousal Protection in Spanish and Catalan Succession Law

The rules of the Spanish and the Catalan civil codes dealing with compulsory shares and spousal protection in succession law represent very differentiated models of family protection within the large variety of legal regulations coexisting in Spain. The Spanish code, with little changes since 1889, lays down a system of large compulsory shares for the descendants (2/3 of the estate) or, failing them, the ascendants (1/2 of the estate), and confers a right of usufruct of varying extension to the surviving spouse. The Catalan code, renewed in 2008, establishes a much shorter compulsory share (1/4 of the estate) for the descendants or, failing them, the parents of the deceased person, and protects not only the spouse but also the unmarried partner by granting the survivor a maintenance-like right of up to a quarter of the estate.
Semiotics of Religion
Authors: Leone Massimo ,   Semiotic Society of America
Published: January 2020

The essay proposes a concise map of some of the current research trends in the semiotics of religion. Within the theoretical framework of Peirce’s philosophy of semiosis as interpreted and developed by Umberto Eco, the essay situates the semiotic study of religion at the crossroad of nature and culture and singles out as its main task studying both the abstract level of religious ideologies of signification and the empirical level of religious systems of expression and communication.
WEBP, a new web oriented image format (english version)
Authors: Melenchón Maldonado Javier
Published: January 2020

Recently, Google has proposed a new image encoding format called WEBP that it is specifically targeted to encode images that are posted on websites. This new WEBP format is a lossy compression one that is based on the intraframe encoder of the VP8 video compressor.
Evidence of GMPPA founder mutation in indigenous Guatemalan population associated with alacrima, achalasia, and mental retardation syndrome
Authors: Diaz Jullianne , Kane Timothy D. , Leon Eyby
Published: January 2020

Congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) are a heterogeneous group of inborn errors of metabolism mostly causing multisystem disease. In 2013, biallelic mutations in the GMPPA gene were described in association with one such CDG known as alacrima, achalasia, and mental retardation syndrome (AAMR). To date, 18 patients have been reported, nearly all displaying the same pathognomonic triad of symptoms described in the name. This condition shares considerable phenotypic overlap with Triple‐A syndrome caused by biallelic mutations in the AAAS gene; however, AAMR lacks the characteristic adrenocortical findings associated with Triple‐A syndrome. We report three patients from two unrelated families with the same homozygous GMPPA mutation (c.265dup, p.L89fs). Notably, both families reported indigenous Maya‐Mam heritage and originated from the town of Concepción Chiquirichapa in Quezaltenango, Guatemala. Our cases help to expand the AAMR phenotype by outlining dysmorphic features not well described in the prior cases. Additionally, we encourage all providers with patients presenting with this unique triad of symptoms to consider sequencing of the GMPPA gene. Special consideration should be given to families of Guatemalan Maya‐Mam ancestry who may also have this identified founder mutation. Finally, this condition may indeed be underdiagnosed based on a review of the literature.
Experimental and Computational Insights into the Water‐Mediated Decomposition of N‐Sulfonylhydrazones: A Catalyst‐Free Synthesis of γ‐Keto/Nitrile Sulfones
Authors: Goyal Shagun , Budhiraja Meenakshi , Mandal Debasish , Tyagi Vikas
Published: January 2020

This work is an example of water‐mediated decomposition of N‐sulfonylhydrazones used as sulfonyl‐transferring reagents in the selective sulfa‐Michael reaction in the absence of any base or catalyst. A wide range of substituted N‐sulfonylhydrazones were tested as sources of sulfonyl anions with enones or acrylonitrile, which in turn provided the γ‐ keto/nitrile sulfones in very good yields. Additionally, we have performed a rigorous computational mechanistic study to investigate the role of water which demonstrates the key role of water in the hydrogen abstraction from N‐tosylhydrazone to initiate the reaction.
Transition‐Metal–Boron Intermetallics with Strong Interatomic d–sp Orbital Hybridization for High‐Performance Electrocatalysis
Authors: Ai Xuan , Zou Xu , Chen Hui , Su Yutong , Feng Xilan , Li Qiuju , Liu Yipu , Zhang Yu , Zou Xiaoxin
Published: January 2020

A theoretical and experimental study gives insights into the nature of the metal–boron electronic interaction in boron‐bearing intermetallics and its effects on surface hydrogen adsorption and hydrogen‐evolving catalytic activity. Strong hybridization between the d orbitals of transition metal (TM) and the sp orbitals of boron exists in a family of fifteen TM–boron intermatallics (TM:B=1:1), and hydrogen atoms adsorb more weakly to the metal‐terminated intermetallic surfaces than to the corresponding pure metal surfaces. This modulation of electronic structure makes several intermetallics (e.g., PdB, RuB, ReB) prospective, efficient hydrogen‐evolving materials with catalytic activity close to Pt. A general reaction pathway towards the synthesis of such TMB intermetallics is provided; a class of seven phase‐pure TMB intermetallics, containing V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, and Ru, are thus synthesized. RuB is a high‐performing, non‐platinum electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction.
A novel environmentally friendly process for depolymerization of hydrolysis lignin using Kraft cooking liquor: chemicals recoverable by the Kraft recovery cycle
Authors: Ahmad Zaid , Gagne Alain , Del Rio Luis , Paleologou Michael , Xu Chunbao (Charles)
Published: January 2020

Hydrolysis lignin (HL) refers to a lignin‐rich residue obtained after the enzymatic hydrolysis of biomass. It is recalcitrant, heterogeneous, insoluble in most common solvents, and less reactive than other lignins. To enhance the reactivity of HL, a novel environmentally friendly depolymerization approach was demonstrated to produce depolymerized hydrolysis lignin (DHL) using Kraft cooking liquor, white liquor (WL) – recoverable by the Kraft recovery cycle. The effects of various process parameters such as reaction time, WL/HL ratio, and reaction temperature on lignin depolymerization were investigated using a 2 L Parr reactor under N2. The DHLs obtained were then characterized by Gel permeation chromatography (GPC)‐Ultraviolet Detector (GPC‐UV), 31P Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and ultraviolet visible (UV–visible) spectroscopy, while the filtrates were characterized by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for saccharinic acids. The DHL yield reached 45–70% from the treatments at 150–190 °C for 1 h at a WL/HL mass ratio of 1:4 ~ 2:1. The weight‐average molecular weight (Mw) value of the DHL obtained at 190 °C after treatment for 1 h at a WL/HL ratio of 2:1 (w/w) was 2600 Da. Moreover, a significant increase in non‐condensed phenolic hydroxyl and carboxylic acid group content was observed with decreasing Mw. Compared with various existing lignin modification approaches, the approach reported here is less expensive and more environmentally friendly if integrated into Kraft pulp mill operations with the residual WL from the lignin depolymerization process being recycled to the mill chemical recovery cycle. Process scale‐up was also demonstrated using a 20 L circulating reactor. In this case, the Mw of the DHL produced after treatment at 170 °C for 2 h was 2400 Da. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An inquiry‐based approach in large undergraduate labs: Learning, by doing it the “wrong” way
Authors: Bachhawat Anand K , Pandit Shashi Bhushan , Banerjee Indranil , Anand Shashi , Sarkar Roman , Mrigwani Arpita , Mishra Shravan Kumar
Published: January 2020

Undergraduate laboratory courses, owing to their larger sizes and shorter time slots, are often conducted in highly structured modes. However, this approach is known to interfere with students' engagement in the experiments. To enhance students' engagement, we propose an alternative mode of running laboratory courses by creating some “disorder” in a previously adopted structure. After performing an experiment in the right way, the students were asked to repeat the experiment but with a variation at certain steps leading to the experiment being done the “wrong” way. Although this approach led to fewer experiments being conducted in a semester, it significantly enhanced the students' involvement. This was also reflected in the students' feedback. The majority of students preferred repeating an experiment with a variant protocol than performing a new experiment. Although we have tested this inquiry‐based approach only for an undergraduate laboratory course in molecular biology, we believe such an approach could also be extended to undergraduate laboratory courses of other subjects.
Gender‐dependent pharmacokinetics of olaparib in rats determined by ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Su Guosheng , Qin Lihua , Su Xiaoye , Tao Chuanmin , Wei Yesheng
Published: January 2020

The aim of the present study was to develop a liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC–ESI–MS/MS) method for the determination of olaparib in rat plasma. The plasma samples were processed using one‐step protein precipitation with acetonitrile and then separated on Waters Acquity BEH C18 column (50 × 2.1 mm, particle size 1.7 μm) using water containing 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile as mobile phase with optimized gradient elution. Mass spectrometric detection was carried out by selective reaction monitoring mode via positive ESI mode with precursor‐to‐product transitions of m/z 435.3 > 367.1 and m/z 443.1 > 375.2 for olaparib and 2H8‐olaparib (internal standard). The method was linear over the concentration range 0.1–2000 ng/ml with correlation coefficient >0.9987. The lower limit of quantitation was 0.1 ng/ml. The method showed excellent accuracy and precision, negligible matrix effect and high extraction recovery. The validated method was subsequently utilized to determine the concentration of olaparib in rat plasma and further applied to the pharmacokinetic study of olaparib in rat plasma. Our results demonstrated that olaparib showed gender‐dependent pharmacokinetics in rats. Compared with that in males, olaparib showed high plasma exposure, long half‐life, low clearance and high bioavailability in females.
A nomogram to predict outcomes of lung cancer patients after pneumonectomy based on 47 indicators
Authors: Cheng Bo , Wang Cong , Zou Bing , Huang Di , Yu Jinming , Cheng Yufeng , Meng Xue
Published: January 2020

Aims

We aimed to establish a nomogram for lung cancer using patients' characteristics and potential hematological biomarkers.

Methods

Principle component analysis was used to reduce the dimensions of the data, and each component was transformed into categorical variables based on cutoff values obtained using the X‐tile software. Multivariate analysis was used to determine potential prognostic biomarkers. Five components were used in the predictive nomogram. Internal validation of the model was performed by bootstrapping of samples, while external validation was performed on a separate cohort from Shandong Cancer Hospital. The predictive accuracy of the model was measured by concordance index and risk group stratification. Decision curve analysis was performed to evaluate the net benefit of the models.

Results

One hundred patients in the Discovery group and 111 patients in the Validation group were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Forty‐seven indexes were sorted into eight subgroups. Five components based on cox regression analysis were enrolled into the predictive nomogram. The nomogram prediction of the probability of 3‐ and 5‐year overall survival was in great concordance with the actual observations. Of interest, the nomogram allowed better risk stratification of patients and better accuracy in predicting patients' survival compared with pathological tumor‐node‐metastasis staging system.

Conclusion

A nomogram was established for prognosis of lung cancer, which can be used for treatment selection and clinical care management.
Structural Dynamics and Stereoselectivity of Chiral Benzylideneamine N,C‐Chelate Borane Photo–Thermal Isomerization
Authors: Novoseltseva Polina , Li Haijun , Wang Xiang , Sauriol Francoise , Wang Suning
Published: January 2020

New chiral N,C‐chelate organoboron compounds based on benzylideneamines (bza) with the general formula of B(bza‐R)Mes2(R=H or Me; Mes=mesityl) are reported. A chiral substituent groupR‐ orS‐CH(CH3)Ph (Ph=phenyl) was introduced to the imine center, which imposed a previously unobserved pseudo‐ or axial‐chirality on the BMes2, creating distinct diastereomers. NMR spectroscopic studies established that the diastereomers undergo slow exchange in solution at ambient temperature. The chiral N,C‐chelate B(bza‐R)Mes2molecules undergo photoisomerization in the same manner as their non‐chiral analogues, generating chiral BN‐cyclooctatriene (BN‐COT) derivatives. Most significantly, by tracking the photoisomerization with circular dichroism (CD) and1H NMR spectra along with time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) computational studies, the photoisomerization was established to proceed in a highly stereoselective manner, that is, one diastereomer converts exclusively to the corresponding diastereomer product in the photoreaction.
Classification of epilepsy period based on combination feature extraction methods and spiking swarm intelligent optimization algorithm
Authors: Duan Lijuan , Lian Zhaoyang , Chen Juncheng , Qiao Yuanhua , Miao Jun , Li Mingai
Published: January 2020

Epilepsy seriously damages the physical and mental health of patients. Detection of epileptic EEG signals in different periods can help doctors diagnose the disease. The change of frequency components during epilepsy seizures is obvious, and there may be noises in epilepsy EEG signals. Moreover, epileptic seizures are closely related to the release of neuronal spiking in the brain. In this paper, we propose an approach for epilepsy period classification based on combination feature extraction methods and spiking swarm intelligent optimization classification algorithm. First, combination feature extraction methods take in account both the time‐frequency features and principal component features of epilepsy. The time‐frequency features are obtained by WPT or STFT‐PSD, and noises are removed while extracting principal component features by PCA. Second, spiking swarm intelligent optimization classification algorithm takes advantage of individual cooperation and information interaction with strong robustness. Its simulated neurons are closer to reality, which consider more information and obtain stronger computing power. The experimental results show that the average classification accuracy of the proposed method can reach 98.95% and the highest classification accuracy can reach 100%. Compared with other methods, the proposed method has the best classification performance.
A cooperative partial snapshot algorithm for checkpoint‐rollback recovery of large‐scale and dynamic distributed systems and experimental evaluations
Authors: Nakamura Junya , Kim Yonghwan , Katayama Yoshiaki , Masuzawa Toshimitsu
Published: January 2020

A distributed system consisting of a huge number of computational entities is prone to faults because faults in a few nodes cause the entire system to fail. Consequently, fault tolerance of distributed systems is a critical issue. Checkpoint‐rollback recovery is a universal and representative technique for fault tolerance; it periodically records the entire system state (configuration) to non‐volatile storage, and the system restores itself using the recorded configuration when the system fails. To record a configuration of a distributed system, a specific algorithm known as a snapshot algorithm is required. However, many snapshot algorithms require coordination among all nodes in the system; thus, frequent executions of snapshot algorithms require unacceptable communication cost, especially if the systems are large. As a sophisticated snapshot algorithm, a partial snapshot algorithm has been introduced that takes a partial snapshot (instead of a global snapshot). However, if two or more partial snapshot algorithms are concurrently executed, and their snapshot domains overlap, they should coordinate, so that the partial snapshots (taken by the algorithms) are consistent. In this paper, we propose a new efficient partial snapshot algorithm with the aim of reducing communication for the coordination. In a simulation, we show that the proposed algorithm drastically outperforms the existing partial snapshot algorithm, in terms of message and time complexity.
Temporal dynamics of stream fish assemblages and the role of spatial scale in quantifying change
Authors: Zbinden Zachery D.
Published: January 2020

Spatial grain of studies of communities is often based on arbitrary convention. Few studies have examined how spatial scaling of grain size affects estimates of compositional change over time, despite its broad implications.

Fish assemblage structure was compared between 1974 and 2014 at 33 sampling locations in the Muddy Boggy River drainage, USA. The two main objectives for this comparison were to quantify change in assemblage structure and to test for a relationship between compositional change and spatial scale. Spatial scale was manipulated by pooling assemblage data into a continuous range of groups, which increased in size from K = 33 pairs (i.e., local scale) to K = 1 pair (i.e., global scale), via clustering algorithm based on pair‐wise fluvial distance.

Local assemblages (stream reaches) varied in the degree of assemblage change over time (range = 0.10–0.99 dissimilarity; mean = 0.66). The global assemblage (drainage), however, remained relatively similar. A discontinuity in the relationship between compositional change and spatial scale occurred at K = 15 (mean dissimilarity = 0.56; p = .062), and this grouping is roughly the size of the headwater/tributary drainages (i.e., stream order ≤ 3) in the study system.

Spatial scale can impact estimates of biodiversity change over time. These results suggest assemblages are more dynamic at individual stream reaches than at the scale of the entire drainage. The decline in assemblage change at the spatial scale of K = 15 deserves further attention given the marginal significance, despite a small sample size (n = 15). This pattern could suggest regional and meta‐community processes become more important in shaping assemblage dynamics at the scale of headwater drainages, whereas the factors responsible for driving individual stream reach dynamics (e.g., stochasticity) become less important. Defining assemblages at a larger scale will result in different estimates of species persistence. Biodiversity monitoring efforts must take the effect of spatial scaling into consideration.
Impella in Takotsubo syndrome complicated by left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and severe mitral regurgitation
Authors: Attisano Tiziana , Silverio Angelo , Prota Costantina , Briguori Carlo , Galasso Gennaro , Citro Rodolfo
Published: January 2020

The treatment of cardiogenic shock in patients with Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is challenging because it depends on the mechanisms leading to the haemodynamic instability.

We report the case of a 70‐year‐old woman admitted for TTS complicated by cardiogenic shock. The early echocardiographic identification of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) and severe mitral regurgitation (MR) prompted us to implant an Impella CP assist device as a bridge‐to‐recovery therapy. After device positioning, the haemodynamic status improved and LVOTO and severe MR disappeared. Because of the persistence of severe hypotension, the mechanical circulatory support was continued in intensive care unit and stopped only 5 days later, when intraventricular gradient spontaneously dropped. The patient was discharged after 1 week in stable conditions.

Our case suggests that Impella circulating support may be a useful bridge‐to‐recovery therapeutic option in selected patients with cardiogenic shock due to TTS complicated by LVOTO and severe MR.
Enhancement of Selective Fixation of Dinitrogen to Ammonia under Modal Strong Coupling Conditions
Authors: Oshikiri Tomoya , Shi Xu , Misawa Hiroaki
Published: January 2020

The production of ammonia from atmospheric nitrogen and water using sunlight is an important way to obtain ammonia as an energy carrier and is a new paradigm for achieving a low‐carbon and sustainable‐energy society. In this study, we attempted to enhance the ammonia photosynthesis efficiency both by increasing the electron supply using a novel photoanode composed of Au film, TiO2, and Au‐NPs (ATA) with hybrid energy states due to modal strong coupling and by increasing the surface area of the Zr cathode. We investigated the key properties of this hybrid mode‐assisted NH3 photosynthesis using two‐electrode systems combining photoanodes and cathodes by performing photoelectrochemical measurements and product analysis. We found that the ATA structure has high absorptivity and enhances the quantum efficiency of ammonia photosynthesis and the surface area available to adsorb N2 on the Zr cathode is a critical factor for enhancing the reaction rate.
Unexpected Selectivity of Intramolecular [3+2] Cycloaddition of Trimethylenemethane (TMM) Diyl toward Total Synthesis of Conidiogenone B
Authors: Kim Myungjo J. , Lee Sanghyeon , Kang Taek , Baik Mu‐Hyun , Lee Hee‐Yoon
Published: January 2020

In the course of a study toward a total synthesis of conidiogenone B through TMM diyl‐mediated tandem cycloaddition reaction, unexpected regioselectivity for a bridged isomer was observed. The synthetic and computational studies with model compounds revealed that regioselectivity can be rendered by changing substitution patterns on the TMM diyl moiety and the olefin moiety by altering the activation energy of cycloaddition reaction through a singlet TMM diyl pathway.
Metal‐Free Direct C–H Thiolation and Thiocyanation of Pyrazolones
Authors: Kittikool Tanakorn , Yotphan Sirilata
Published: January 2020

Metal‐free approach for direct C–H thiolation and thiocyanation of N‐substituted pyrazolones with disulfides and thiocyanate salts, respectively, are developed. These reactions allow the C–S bond coupling to proceed effectively under mild conditions, providing useful and convenient methods for preparation of a series of 4‐thio‐substituted pyrazolone analogues, which have potential applications in organic, medicinal and material chemistry. Preliminary mechanistic investigation suggested that radical processes are likely to involve in these transformations.