bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two‐Year Changes in Child Weight Status, Diet, and Activity by Neighborhood Nutrition and Physical Activity Environment
Authors: Saelens Brian E. , Glanz Karen , Frank Lawrence D. , Couch Sarah C. , Zhou Chuan , Colburn Trina , Sallis James F.
Published: August 2018

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine 2‐year changes in weight status and behaviors among children living in neighborhoods differing on nutrition and activity environments.

Methods

A prospective observational study, the Neighborhood Impact on Kids study, was conducted in King County, Washington, and San Diego County, California. Children 6 to 12 years old and a parent or caregiver completed Time 1 (n = 681) and Time 2 (n = 618) assessments. Children lived in neighborhoods characterized as “high/favorable” or “low/unfavorable” in nutrition and activity environments, respectively (four neighborhood types). Child BMI z score and overweight or obesity status were primary outcomes, with diet and activity behaviors as behavioral outcomes.

Results

After adjusting for sociodemographics and Time 1 values, children living in two of the three less environmentally supportive neighborhoods had significantly less favorable BMI z score changes (+0.11, 95% CI: 0.01‐0.21; + 0.12, 95% CI: 0.03‐0.21), and all three less supportive neighborhoods had higher overweight or obesity (relative risks, 1.41‐1.49; 95% CI: 1.13‐1.80) compared with children in the most environmentally supportive neighborhoods. Changes in daily energy intake and sedentary behavior by neighborhood type were consistent with observed weight status changes, with unexpected findings for physical activity.

Conclusions

More walkable and recreation‐supportive environments with better nutrition access were associated with better child weight outcomes and related behavior changes.
Giant Exchange‐Bias in Polyol‐Made CoFe2O4‐CoO Core–Shell Like Nanoparticles
Authors: Flores‐Martinez Nancy , Franceschin Giulia , Gaudisson Thomas , Beaunier Patricia , Yaacoub Nader , Grenèche Jean‐Marc , Valenzuela Raul , Ammar Souad
Published: August 2018

Cobalt ferrite ferrimagnetic nanoparticles (NPs) are prepared and used in this work as seeds to grow a thin antiferromagnetic poly‐ and nanocrystalline CoO shell. The major purpose is to study systematically the characteristics of the as‐produced powders, making emphasis on their internal crystallographic arrangement and their magnetic properties. 57Fe Mössbauer spectrometry evidences an evolution of the cation distribution among the spinel lattice in the cobalt ferrite core during the core–shell NPs processing. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy shows a perfect epitaxy between the face‐centered cubic lattices of the spinel core and the rock‐salt shell. Finally, the measurements of 7T‐field‐cooled magnetic hysteresis loops at low temperature (5 K) of the composite particles exhibit a strong exchange bias coupling with an exchange field, µ0HE, of 365 mT and an enhanced coercive field, µ0HC, of 1395 mT. These values are very high compared to those of differently prepared CoO‐based oxide composite NPs and for which a giant exchange‐bias is reported. These features are attributed to the favorable material processing conditions offered by the polyol process in terms of crystalline quality, particularly at the interfaces, and for the pinning action exerted by the CoO phase on the magnetization of the CoFe2O4 phase.
Quantum Description of Surface Plasmon Excitation by Light in Graphene
Authors: Ukhtary Muhammad Shoufie , Saito Riichiro
Published: August 2018

The enhanced absorption probability of gigahertz and terahertz electromagnetic wave in monolayer graphene, sandwiched by the dielectric materials, up to 100% has been shown in our previous works by solving the classical Maxwell equation with transfer matrix method. In this paper, we show by a quantum description of the phenomena that the origin of the enhanced optical absorption is equivalent to the excitation of surface plasmon. The interaction between a photon with a surface plasmon is calculated, and the excitation probability of surface plasmon can be obtained by the Fermi golden rule, which can be compared with the optical spectrum that is calculated by the Maxwell equation. The calculated results show that both the intraband single‐particle excitation of electron and collective excitation or surface plasmon contribute to optical absorption.
Laser–visual–inertial odometry and mapping with high robustness and low drift
Authors: Zhang Ji , Singh Sanjiv
Published: August 2018

We present a data processing pipeline to online estimate ego‐motion and build a map of the traversed environment, leveraging data from a 3D laser scanner, a camera, and an inertial measurement unit (IMU). Different from traditional methods that use a Kalman filter or factor‐graph optimization, the proposed method employs a sequential, multilayer processing pipeline, solving for motion from coarse to fine. Starting with IMU mechanization for motion prediction, a visual–inertial coupled method estimates motion; then, a scan matching method further refines the motion estimates and registers maps. The resulting system enables high‐frequency, low‐latency ego‐motion estimation, along with dense, accurate 3D map registration. Further, the method is capable of handling sensor degradation by automatic reconfiguration bypassing failure modules. Therefore, it can operate in the presence of highly dynamic motion as well as in the dark, texture‐less, and structure‐less environments. During experiments, the method demonstrates 0.22% of relative position drift over 9.3 km of navigation and robustness w.r.t. running, jumping, and even highway speed driving (up to 33 m/s).
Does market competition dampen environmental performance? Evidence from China
Authors: Duanmu Jing‐Lin , Bu Maoliang , Pittman Russell
Published: August 2018

Research Summary: Departing from the extant literature, which assumes that firms pursue strong environmental performance as a differentiation strategy, we analyze the general relationship between firms’ competitive strategy and their response to heightened market competition. We find that, using a large sample of Chinese manufacturing firms between 2000 and 2005, intensified market competition has an overall negative impact on firms’ environmental performance. The negative impact is exacerbated in firms adopting a cost‐leadership strategy, but is attenuated in those adopting a differentiation strategy. The results emphasize the importance of including an examination of the particular competitive strategies chosen by firms in seeking to understand the impact of intensified market competition.

Managerial Summary: Advocates of corporate social responsibility (CSR) have long argued for the differentiation role of CSR. However, managers may be misguided if the assumed benefits of differentiation critically depend on certain presumptions. In the Chinese context and focusing on the environmental dimension of CSR, our study finds a negative relationship between market competition and corporate environmental performance. It suggests that firms, to a large extent, cannot escape competition via environmental differentiation. Managers should therefore be cautious about the value of strategic investment in CSR as a viable competitive device.
Highly Efficient and Stable Semi‐Transparent p‐i‐n Planar Perovskite Solar Cells by Atmospheric Pressure Spatial Atomic Layer Deposited ZnO
Authors: Najafi Mehrdad , Zardetto Valerio , Zhang Dong , Koushik Dibyashree , Dörenkämper Maarten S. , Creatore Mariadriana , Andriessen Ronn , Poodt Paul , Veenstra Sjoerd
Published: August 2018

The replacement of the conventional top metal contact with a semi‐transparent conducting electrode such as sputtered indium‐tin oxide (ITO) is strictly required to adopt the perovskite solar cell (PSC) in hybrid tandem photovoltaic applications. In order to prevent sputtering damages on the perovskite absorber and the organic materials adopted in p‐i‐n planar architecture, an atmospheric pressure spatial atomic layer deposited (s‐ALD) ZnO buffer layer has been included. The use of a 45 nm thick s‐ALD layer enables the fabrication of a PSC with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 14.7%, with a similar PCE when illuminated from the ITO/s‐ALD ZnO side. When adopted in a four terminal configuration with a c‐Si solar cell (PCE of 18.6%), a 2.5% absolute PCE gain is observed with respect to the stand alone c‐Si. Finally, the semi‐transparent PSC shows an excellent shelf life, and only −4% degradation on the tracked maximum power point when encapsulated and aged at 65 °C in an inert atmosphere after 1500 h.
Estimation of protein diffusion parameters
Authors: Ghodsi Zara , Hassani Hossein , Kalantari Mahdi , Silva Emmanuel Sirimal
Published: August 2018

Protein diffusion offers an essential and elegant mechanism for morphogen gradient formation. Morphogens are signalling molecules that emanate from a particular region of cells and create a gradient, which has an impact on most biological processes, including cell signalling and embryonic development. Using a method that is based on singular spectrum analysis, we estimate parameters introduced in the synthesis diffusion degradation model, which is a commonly applied model for a transcription factor known as bicoid. Our findings, consistent with simulation results, indicate that the proposed method can be practically applied as an enhanced parameter estimation technique with reduced sensitivity to various levels of noise. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A mathematical model of verification strategies
Authors: Salado Alejandro , Kannan Hanumanthrao
Published: August 2018

The field of systems engineering has recently experienced a new push for unveiling its scientific foundations and using them to inform better practice. The majority of the research effort towards a theory of systems engineering has concentrated on the early phases of the system's lifecycle, especially in the areas of problem formulation and system architecture and design. However, and despite their importance for system success, the design of verification strategies has received little attention. Current work is of procedural nature, providing guidance instead of enabling computation, or is specific to a particular verification case. As a result, the definition of verification strategies in practice continues to be driven by heuristics and best practices. This has shown to be suboptimal. In order to fill in this gap, this paper contributes to the theory of systems engineering with a mathematical model of verification strategies. The mathematical model is generic, capturing verification comprehensively, and enables computation. First, a descriptive case is presented to facilitate understanding how the mathematical model relates to practice. Second, a quantitative case is presented to justify the need of the model.
M-theory reconstruction from (2,0) CFT and the chiral algebra conjecture
Authors: Chester Shai M. , Perlmutter Eric
Published: August 2018

Abstract

We study various aspects of the M-theory uplift of the A

N −1 series of (2, 0) CFTs in 6d, which describe the worldvolume theory of N M5 branes in flat space. We show how knowledge of OPE coefficients and scaling dimensions for this CFT can be directly translated into features of the momentum expansion of M-theory. In particular, we develop the expansion of the four-graviton S-matrix in M-theory via the flat space limit of four-point Mellin amplitudes. This includes correctly reproducing the known contribution of the R
4 term from 6d CFT data. Central to the calculation are the OPE coefficients for half-BPS operators not in the stress tensor multiplet, which we obtain for finite N via the previously conjectured relation [1] between the quantum

$$ {\mathcal{W}}_N $$

W
N

algebra and the A

N −1 (2, 0) CFT. We further explain how the 1/N expansion of

$$ {\mathcal{W}}_N $$

W
N

structure constants exhibits the structure of protected vertices in the M-theory action. Conversely, our results provide strong evidence for the chiral algebra conjecture.
Flavourful axion phenomenology
Authors: Björkeroth Fredrik , Chun Eung Jin , King Stephen F.
Published: August 2018

Abstract

We present a comprehensive discussion of the phenomenology of flavourful axions, including both standard Peccei-Quinn (PQ) axions, associated with the solution to the strong CP problem, and non-standard axion-like particles (ALPs). We give the flavourful axion-fermion and axion-photon couplings and calculate the branching ratios of heavy meson (K, D, B) decays involving a flavourful axion. We also calculate the mixing between axions and heavy mesons K
0, D
0, B
0 and B

s

0
, which affects the meson oscillation probability and mass difference. Mixing also contributes to meson decays into axions and axion decays into two photons, and may be relevant for ALPs. We discuss charged lepton flavour-violating decays involving final state axions of the form ℓ
1 → ℓ
2
a(γ), as well as μ → eee and μ − e conversion. Finally we describe the phenomenology of a particular “A to Z” Pati-Salam model, in which PQ symmetry arises accidentally due to discrete flavour symmetry. Here all axion couplings are fixed by a fit to flavour data, leading to sharp predictions and correlations between flavour-dependent observables.
On the off-shell formulation of N = 2 supergravity with tensor multiplets
Authors: Cribiori Niccolò , Dall’Agata Gianguido
Published: August 2018

Abstract

We revisit the construction ofN= 2 superconformal multiplets using rheonomic superspace techniques. We apply the result to the derivation of off-shell Poincaré supersymmetric models where a tensor multiplet couples to gravity and to an arbitrary number of vector multiplets. We also analyze gaugings involving the tensor field.
Effects of heavy neutrinos on vacuum stability in two-Higgs-doublet model with GUT scale supersymmetry
Authors: Mummidi V. Suryanarayana , Vishnu P. K. , Patel Ketan M.
Published: August 2018

Abstract

We analyse the implications of right-handed neutrinos on the stability of the electroweak vacuum in two-Higgs-doublet models with supersymmetry at high scale. It is assumed that supersymmetry is broken at scale M

S
= 2 × 1016 GeV and effective theory below M

S
is two-Higgs-doublet model of type II with three generations of singlet neutrinos which induce small masses for the standard model neutrinos through type I seesaw mechanism. We study the high and low scale versions of seesaw mechanism. In both these cases, we show that the presence of right-handed neutrinos significantly improves the stability of electroweak vacuum if their Yukawa couplings with the SM leptons are of

$$ \mathcal{O} $$

O

(1) or greater. However, this possibility is severely constrained by the measured mass and couplings of Higgs and limits on the mass of the charged Higgs from the flavour physics data. It is shown that the stable or metastable electroweak vacuum and experimentally viable low energy scalar spectrum require tan β ≲ 2.5 and the magnitude of neutrino Yukawa couplings smaller than

$$ \mathcal{O} $$

O

(1). The results obtained in this case are qualitatively similar to those without right-handed neutrinos.
Bulk view of teleportation and traversable wormholes
Authors: Bak Dongsu , Kim Chanju , Yi Sang-Heon
Published: August 2018

We construct detailed AdS2 gravity solutions describing the teleportation through a traversable wormhole sending a state from one side of the wormhole to the other. The traversable wormhole is realized by turning on a double trace interaction that couples the two boundaries of an eternal AdS2 black hole. The horizon radius or the entropy of the black hole is reduced consistently with the boundary computation of the energy change, confirming the black hole first law. To describe teleportee states traveling through the wormhole, we construct Janus deformations which make the Hamiltonians of left-right boundaries differ from each other by turning on exact marginal operators. Combining explicitly the traversable wormhole solution and the teleportee states, we present a complete bulk picture of the teleportation in the context of ER=EPR. The traversability of the wormhole is not lost to the leading order of the deformation parameter. We also consider solutions where the teleportee meets the matter thrown from the other side during teleportation, in accordance with the assertion that the bulk wormhole is experimentally observable.
Displaced vertices from hidden glue
Authors: Burdman Gustavo , Lichtenstein Gabriela
Published: August 2018

Abstract

We consider the phenomenology of glueball production and decay in theories with hidden glue. We focus on the case of folded supersymmetry (FSUSY), where there is an unbroken SU(3) gauge theory in the absence of light matter, leading to the formation of glueballs. We study their production through the annihilation of folded squarks into hidden gluons at the LHC, and model their fragmentation into glueballs. We obtain the distribution of displaced vertices, which is directly determined by the folded squark mass scale. Although here we specifically apply it to FSUSY, the procedure to model the hidden glue fragmentation into glueballs can be generalized to other similar theories.
Correction to: Australia: regulating genomic data sharing to promote public trust
Authors: Eckstein Lisa , Chalmers Donald , Critchley Christine , Jeanneret Ruthie , McWhirter Rebekah , Nielsen Jane , Otlowski Margaret , Nicol Dianne
Published: August 2018

This article was inadvertently published under a draft title.
Understanding the Rise of Born-Again Catholics in the United States: The Role of Educational Attainment
Authors: Perry Samuel L. , Schleifer Cyrus
Published: August 2018

Having a “born-again” experience has historically been a marker of sectarian or evangelical Protestantism. Yet the percentage of American Catholics reporting a born-again experience has nearly doubled in the past few decades—from 14% in 2004 to 27% in 2016—a much faster increase than that of evangelicals or any other religious group. How do we explain the disproportionate rise of born-again Catholics? Drawing on data from the 2004–2016 waves of the General Social Survey, this research note tests four potential mechanisms: (1) evangelicals converting to Catholicism; (2) born-again Catholics immigrating to the US; (3) evangelical-to-Catholic diffusion due to growing conservative-political alliances; and (4) having a born-again experience (both an indicator of sectarian religious piety and loose affiliation with more standard Catholic self-perceptions) is becoming more common among Catholics with less formal education. After testing alternative explanations, we show that reporting a born-again experience has increased almost solely among Catholics without a college degree. This suggests that the born-again experience is increasing primarily among those Catholics who tend to be more marginalized within society at large (potentially making sectarian religious experiences like being “born-again” more attractive) and less versed in more mainstream identity-markers of their own religious tradition.
Blockade of Toll-Like Receptor 4 Attenuates Erectile Dysfunction in Diabetic Rats
Authors: Nunes Kenia Pedrosa , de Oliveira Amanda Almeida , Szasz Theodora , Biancardi Vinicia Campana , Webb R. Clinton
Published: August 2018

Introduction

While increased toll-like receptor (TLR)4 activity may contribute to the pathophysiology of vascular diseases, the molecular mechanisms disrupted by this receptor in the vasculature are still poorly understood. Additionally, it is unknown if TLR4 mediates erectile dysfunction (ED) during diabetes.

Aim

To investigate whether pharmacological blockade of TLR4 affects erectile function in a murine model of diabetes.

Methods

Sprague Dawley rats (Charles River Laboratory, Wilmington, MA, USA) received a single streptozotocin injection (65 mg/kg, 28 days) and were treated with an anti-TLR4 antibody (1 μg/d, intraperitoneally) for the last 14 days of the treatment. Additionally, cavernosal strips were acutely incubated for 30 minutes with CLI-095 (10−5 mol/L), a TLR4 inhibitor. Functional studies, Western blotting, erectile function, immunohistochemistry, and biochemical analyses were performed.

Main Outcome Measures

Oxidative stress, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels, and functional studies were evaluated in treated and nontreated cavernosal strips from control and diabetic animals. Additionally, in vivo erectile function was assessed.

Results

Enhanced TLR4 expression was observed in corpus cavernosum from diabetic rats compared with control animals. Long-term blockade of TLR4 slightly improved diabetes–induced ED in rats due to attenuation of oxidative stress and increased cGMP levels in penile tissue, which ameliorated cavernosal relaxation. Functional experiments revealed that acute or chronic inhibition of TLR4 decreased hypercontractility in response to phenylephrine and improved nitrergic relaxation in corpus cavernosum from diabetic rats.

Clinical Implications

TLR4 blockade may be a novel therapeutic strategy to assist in ED management.

Strengths & Limitations

The strength of this article stems from the fact that we showed that TLR4 blockade partly improves erectile function in vivo in diabetic rats. Its limitations mainly include that messenger RNA analysis for the nitric oxide/cGMP pathway were not performed.

Conclusion

In summary, TLR4 participates in the mechanisms of diabetes-associated ED and blockade of this receptor positively affects penile vascular function.
Prognostic value of immunohistochemically detected p53 in adjuvant chemotherapy‐treated triple negative breast cancer
Authors: Bae Soo Youn , Jung Seung Pil , Lee Se Kyung , Yu Jonghan , Lee Jeong Eon , Kim Seok Won , Nam Seok Jin
Published: August 2018

Mutations of the p53 gene are the most common genomic alterations associated with triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) and are reported in 60–88% cases. Despite the high incidence of such mutations, there is no consensus about the clinical application of p53 detection in breast cancer management. This study investigates the prognostic value of immunohistochemically detected p53 in TNBC patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy. We reviewed the clinicopathologic features of 1088 TNBC patients who received curative surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Immunohistochemically, nuclear staining of >10% was defined as p53 “positive.” Of the total 1088 TNBC patients, 709 (65.2%) had no lymph node metastasis (N0). Among the N0 patients, 408 (57.5%) were p53‐ positive (p53+), and 301 (42.5%) were p53‐ negative (p53‐). p53 + tumors showed a tendency for better breast cancer‐specific survival (BCSS, p = 0.052) and overall survival (OS, p = 0.079) compared to p53‐ tumors. In multivariate analysis, p53 + tumors showed significantly better BCSS (p53 + vs. p53‐; HR 2.8, 95% confidence interval: 1.1–7.3, p = 0.034); however, in TNBC patients with lymph node metastasis, there was no correlation between p53 status, clinicopathologic characteristics, and survival. Consequently, in TNBC patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy, immunohistochemical p53 expression was associated with better BCSS in N0 patients.
Jet–flap interaction tones
Authors: Jordan Peter , Jaunet Vincent , Towne Aaron , Cavalieri André V. G. , Colonius Tim , Schmidt Oliver , Agarwal Anurag
Published: August 2018

Motivated by the problem of jet–flap interaction noise, we study the tonal dynamics that occurs when an isothermal turbulent jet grazes a sharp edge. We perform hydrodynamic and acoustic pressure measurements to characterise the tones as a function of Mach number and streamwise edge position. The observed distribution of spectral peaks cannot be explained using the usual edge-tone model, in which resonance is underpinned by coupling between downstream-travelling Kelvin–Helmholtz wavepackets and upstream-travelling sound waves. We show, rather, that the strongest tones are due to coupling between Kelvin–Helmholtz wavepackets and a family of trapped, upstream-travelling acoustic modes in the potential core, recently studied by Towneet al. (J. Fluid Mech.vol. 825, 2017) and Schmidtet al. (J. Fluid Mech.vol. 825, 2017). We also study the band-limited nature of the resonance, showing the high-frequency cutoff to be due to the frequency dependence of the upstream-travelling waves. Specifically, at high Mach number, these modes become evanescent above a certain frequency, whereas at low Mach number they become progressively trapped with increasing frequency, which inhibits their reflection in the nozzle plane.
Saturation of a turbulent mixing layer over a cavity: response to harmonic forcing around mean flows
Authors: Boujo E. , Bauerheim M. , Noiray N.
Published: August 2018

Turbulent mixing layers over cavities can couple with acoustic waves and lead to undesired oscillations. To understand the nonlinear aspects of this phenomenon, a turbulent mixing layer over a deep cavity is considered and its response to harmonic forcing is analysed with large-eddy simulations (LES) and linearised Navier–Stokes equations (LNSE). The Reynolds number is $Re=150\,000$. As a model of incoming acoustic perturbations, spatially uniform time-harmonic velocity forcing is applied at the cavity end, with amplitudes spanning the wide range 0.045–8.9 % of the main channel bulk velocity. Compressible LES provide reference nonlinear responses of the shear layer, and the associated mean flows. Linear responses are calculated with the incompressible LNSE around the LES mean flows; they predict well the amplification (both measured with kinetic energy and with a proxy for vortex sound production in the mixing layer) and capture the nonlinear saturation observed as the forcing amplitude increases and the mixing layer thickens. Perhaps surprisingly, LNSE calculations based on a monochromatic (single-frequency) assumption yield a good agreement even though higher harmonics and their nonlinear interaction (Reynolds stresses) are not negligible. However, it is found that the leading Reynolds stresses do not force the mixing layer efficiently, as shown by a comparison with the optimal volume forcing obtained from a resolvent analysis. Therefore they cannot fully benefit from the potential for amplification available in the flow. Finally, the sensitivity of the optimal harmonic forcing at the cavity end is computed with an adjoint method. The sensitivities to mean flow modification and to a localised feedback (structural sensitivity) both identify the upstream cavity corner as the region where a small-amplitude modification has the strongest effect. This can guide in a systematic way the design of strategies aiming at controlling the amplification and saturation mechanisms.
Clarifying the relationship between efficiency and resonance for flexible inertial swimmers
Authors: Floryan Daniel , Rowley Clarence W.
Published: August 2018

We study a linear inviscid model of a passively flexible swimmer, calculating its propulsive performance, eigenvalues and eigenfunctions with an eye towards clarifying the relationship between efficiency and resonance. The frequencies of actuation and stiffness ratios we consider span a large range, while the mass ratio is mostly fixed to a low value representative of swimmers. We present results showing how the trailing edge deflection, thrust coefficient, power coefficient and efficiency vary in the stiffness–frequency plane. The trailing edge deflection, thrust coefficient and power coefficient show sharp ridges of resonant behaviour for mid-to-high frequencies and stiffnesses, whereas the efficiency does not show resonant behaviour anywhere. For low frequencies and stiffnesses, the resonant peaks smear together and the efficiency is high. In this region, flutter modes emerge, inducing travelling wave kinematics which make the swimmer more efficient. We also consider the effects of a finite Reynolds number in the form of streamwise drag. The drag adds an offset to the net thrust produced by the swimmer, causing resonant peaks to appear in the efficiency (as observed in experiments in the literature).
An analytic solution for the noise generated by gust–aerofoil interaction for plates with serrated leading edges
Authors: Ayton Lorna J. , Kim Jae Wook
Published: August 2018

This paper presents an analytic solution for the sound generated by an unsteady gust interacting with a semi-infinite flat plate with a serrated leading edge in a background steady uniform flow. Viscous and nonlinear effects are neglected. The Wiener–Hopf method is used in conjunction with a non-orthogonal coordinate transformation and separation of variables to permit analytical progress. The solution is obtained in terms of a modal expansion in the spanwise coordinate; however, for low- and mid-range incident frequencies only the zeroth-order mode is seen to contribute to the far-field acoustics, therefore the far-field noise can be quickly evaluated. The solution gives insight into the potential mechanisms behind the reduction of noise for plates with serrated leading edges compared to those with straight edges, and predicts a logarithmic dependence between the tip-to-root serration height and the decrease of far-field noise. The two mechanisms behind the noise reduction are proposed to be an increased destructive interference in the far field, and a redistribution of acoustic energy from low cut-on modes to higher cut-off modes as the tip-to-root serration height is increased. The analytic results show good agreement in comparison with experimental measurements. The results are also compared against nonlinear numerical predictions where good agreement is also seen between the two results as frequency and tip-to-root ratio are varied.
Effect of vitamin D supplementation on depressive symptoms and psychological wellbeing in healthy adult women: a double-blind randomised controlled clinical trial
Authors: Choukri Maria A. , Conner Tamlin S. , Haszard Jill J. , Harper Michelle J. , Houghton Lisa A.
Published: August 2018

Epidemiological evidence has linked low vitamin D status to a range of mood disorders. However, studies examining whether vitamin D supplementation can improve mood-related outcomes in healthy populations are limited. We investigated whether vitamin D supplementation over winter is beneficial for improving mood-related outcomes in healthy women. A total of 152 healthy women (18–40 years) in Dunedin, New Zealand were randomly assigned to receive 50 000 IU (1·25 mg) of oral vitamin D3 or placebo once per month for 6 months. They completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Flourishing Scale every month. Additionally, they reported their positive and negative mood each day for three consecutive days every 2 months. Participants provided a blood sample at the beginning and at the end of the study for 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 analysis. ANCOVA was used to compare the outcome measures between the groups, controlling for baseline. We found no evidence of lower depression (P = 0·339), lower anxiety (P = 0·862), higher flourishing (P = 0·453), higher positive moods (P = 0·518) or lower negative moods (P = 0·538) in the treatment group compared with the control group at follow-up. Mood outcomes over the study period were similar for the two groups. We found no evidence of any beneficial effect of monthly vitamin D3 supplementation on mood-related outcomes in healthy premenopausal women over the winter period, so recommendations for supplementations are not warranted in this population for mood-related outcomes.
Quantifying Political Relationships
Authors: WESCHLE SIMON
Published: August 2018

In this article, I introduce a method that uses large-scale event data and latent factor network models to provide a new comparative measure of cooperation and conflict in public relationships among politicians, nonpartisan political actors, and societal actors. The approach has a number of advantages over existing techniques: It captures public relationships in a multitude of venues on a continuous basis, incorporates both partisan and nonpartisan actors, allows quantifying the relationship between any pair of actors, reflects that communication is not unidirectional but rather a back and forth, and can be applied to a large number of countries over time. I apply the method to 13 Western European countries from 2001 to 2014 and demonstrate that party relationships are determined by coalition status as well as policy differences. The measure is publicly available and can be incorporated into standard research designs.
Predictors of the immune response to booster immunisation against tetanus in Czech healthy adults
Authors: Petráš M. , Oleár V.
Published: August 2018

An evaluation of the relationship between predictors and immune response was conducted using data obtained from a clinical trial in 200 Czech healthy adults aged 24–65 years receiving a booster dose of a monovalent tetanus vaccine in 2017. The response was determined from ELISA antibody concentrations of paired sera obtained before and 4 weeks after the immunisation. While all subjects with initial antibody levels <1.2 IU/ml achieved a 100% seroconversion rate (at least a fourfold rise in antibodies), only 8% seroconversion was documented in subjects with initial levels >2.2 IU/ml. The immune response was not affected by sex, age, tetanus vaccine type, concomitant medication, related adverse events or post-vaccination period since there were no significant differences in geometric mean concentrations or seroconversion rates. The seroconversion rate of 56% in smokers was significantly lower than that of 73% achieved in non-smokers. Although the seroconversion rates did not differ between individuals with normal or higher body weight, the adjusted odds ratio (1.3; 95% Cl 1.08–1.60) revealed a positive correlation between seroconversion rate and body mass index (BMI). Although the vaccine-induced response was influenced by pre-vaccination antibody levels, smoking or BMI, the booster immunisation against tetanus produced a sufficient response regardless the predictors.
The Politics of Credentials: A Commentary and Critique of the Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa
Authors: Duncan Graham A
Published: August 2018

The use of credentials in an ecclesiastical context is a means of assuring that a minister is who he or she claims to be and is therefore trained and qualified to exercise ministry within a particular church tradition as determined by individual denominations. The concept and use of credentials has developed over time. Using primary sources in the main, this article examines the use of credentials as a tool for ‘inclusion’ or a means of ‘exclusion’, or both, in the history of the largest Presbyterian church in Southern Africa and its predecessors. The research question under study is to what degree, if any, were credentials used to control ministers and to cleanse and purify the church of radical – such as anti-apartheid – elements?
NEW COMPLEX ANALYTIC METHODS IN THE THEORY OF MINIMAL SURFACES: A SURVEY
Authors: ALARCÓN ANTONIO , FORSTNERIČ FRANC
Published: August 2018

In this paper we survey recent developments in the classical theory of minimal surfaces in Euclidean spaces which have been obtained as applications of both classical and modern complex analytic methods; in particular, Oka theory, period dominating holomorphic sprays, gluing methods for holomorphic maps, and the Riemann–Hilbert boundary value problem. Emphasis is on results pertaining to the global theory of minimal surfaces, in particular, the Calabi–Yau problem, constructions of properly immersed and embedded minimal surfaces in
$\mathbb{R}^{n}$
and in minimally convex domains of
$\mathbb{R}^{n}$
, results on the complex Gauss map, isotopies of conformal minimal immersions, and the analysis of the homotopy type of the space of all conformal minimal immersions from a given open Riemann surface.
HISTORY, PHILOSOPHY, AND THE IMAGINATION IN ENLIGHTENMENT STUDIES
Authors: LA VOPA ANTHONY J.
Published: August 2018

“The Enlightenment,” Anthony Pagden writes in the conclusion toThe Enlightenment: And Why It Still Matters, “quite simply created the modern world.”1It would have been more prudent to say that the Enlightenment created “the conditions of possibility” of modernity; or, more prudent still, that it was critical to forming certain values and institutions that we (or some of us) consider modern. Precisely because the latter way of putting it is so anemic, it is one of the rare few statements that would be acceptable across the spectrum of opinions in debates over the last half-century about the Enlightenment and modernity. Acceptable, though, only because it provides a terrain for waging a thicket of wars, at once ideological and disciplinary, between a historians’ Enlightenment and a philosophers’ Enlightenment and within each of these camps.
AGU Launches Influential New Journal: AGU Advances
Authors: McEntee Chris
Published: August 2018

The open access journal will publish seminal research from across the Earth and space sciences and serve to complement AGU’s well-respected portfolio of journals.
True Polar Wander: A Key Indicator for Plate Configuration and Mantle Convection During the Late Neoproterozoic
Authors: Robert Boris , Greff‐Lefftz Marianne , Besse Jean
Published: August 2018

Large polar motions are observed in the apparent polar wander paths of several continents during the Ediacaran. Among various hypotheses proposed in the literature, one consists of the occurrence of two successive fast and large true polar wander (TPW) episodes, from 615 to 590 Ma and then between 575 and 565 Ma. In this study, we explored the effect of the reactivation of a girdle of subduction to produce such TPW. First, we performed a reconstruction of the main continents between 615 and 520 Ma including Laurentia, Baltica, west and central Gondwana, and Australia‐Antarctica. We then implemented this paleogeography into a simple mantle dynamic model to calculate the TPW during the Ediacaran. Our results show that the reactivation of a girdle of subduction surrounding the continents along with a reduced effect of the return flow rising from the lower mantle can produce two TPW episodes consistent with the paleomagnetic observations. This mechanism is possible if the sinking velocities associated with the girdle of subduction drastically decrease between 635 and 730 Ma. Such a large geodynamic event is consistent with the detrital zircon age distribution of the Neoproterozoic supporting a low subduction activity during the Cryogenian and a boost during the Ediacaran. Decrease of subduction‐related stress induced on the lithosphere may have interrupted the rifting of the supercontinent Rodinia for 100 Ma. Finally, the weakening in subduction magmatism might have strongly reduced the CO2 flux into the atmosphere and played a major role in driving the Neoproterozoic global‐scale glaciations.
Observations and Modeling of Traveling Ionospheric Disturbance Signatures From an Australian Network of Oblique Angle‐of‐Arrival Sounders
Authors: Heitmann Andrew J. , Cervera Manuel A. , Gardiner‐Garden Robert S. , Holdsworth David A. , MacKinnon Andrew D. , Reid Iain M. , Ward Bruce D.
Published: August 2018

A network of oblique angle‐of‐arrival (AoA) ionosondes was installed as part of the Elevation‐scanned Oblique Incidence Sounder Experiment (ELOISE) in September 2015. The ELOISE experimental campaign was designed to study the spatial and temporal structure of ionospheric variability at midlatitudes, of which traveling ionospheric disturbances are a key component. The new AoA sounder makes use of Defence Science and Technology Group's direct‐digital high‐frequency transmitter and receiver technology, to enable multichannel collection of both ionograms and channel scattering functions (Doppler spectra) on a common 2‐D array. In this paper, the array design and onboard signal processing for the AoA sounder is described, along with a sample of results showing typical disturbance signatures across the delay, Doppler frequency, bearing, and elevation measurements. Realistic parameterized models of electron density perturbations, along with geometric ray tracing, were used to synthesize the effects of medium‐ to large‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances on the sounder observables and aid in interpreting the measured signatures.
A power supply module for autonomous portable electronics: ultralow-frequency MEMS electrostatic kinetic energy harvester with a comb structure reducing air damping
Authors: Lu Yingxian , Marty Frédéric , Galayko Dimitri , Laheurte Jean-Marc , Basset Philippe
Published: August 2018

A MEMS electrostatic kinetic energy harvester (e-KEH) of about 1 cm2, working at ultralow frequency (1–20 Hz), without any supported additional mass on its mobile electrode, and working even without a vacuum environment is reported. The prototype is especially suitable for environments with abundant low frequency motions such as wearable electronics. The proposed e-KEH consists of a capacitor with a finger-teeth interdigited comb structure. This greatly reduces the air damping effect, and thus the capacitance variation remains important regardless of the presence of air. With the new design, the energy transduced per cycle of excitation is no less than 33 times higher than the classic design within 10–40 Hz/2 gpeak, while is 85 times higher at 15 Hz/2 gpeak. An enclosed miniature ball combined with non-linear stoppers enables the oscillation of the movable electrode through impact-based frequency up-conversion mechanism, which is also improved by the low air damping. Thanks to this new design, a higher efficiency than the classic gap-closing comb structure is obtained, as a larger range of working frequency (1–180 Hz) in air. A maximum energy conversion of 450 nJ/cycle is obtained with a bias voltage of 45 V and an acceleration of 11 Hz, 3 gpeak. Working with a diode AC-DC rectifier, the proposed KEH is able to support up to 3 RFID communications within 16 s while operated at 11 Hz, 3 gpeak.
Common and differential transcriptional responses to different models of traumatic stress exposure in rats
Authors: Jacobson Moriah L. , Kim Lydia A. , Patro Robert , Rosati Barbara , McKinnon David
Published: August 2018

The effect of six different traumatic stress protocols on the transcriptome of the rat adrenal gland was examined using RNA sequencing. These protocols included chronic variable stress, chronic shock, social defeat and social isolation. The response of the transcriptome to stress suggested that there are genes that respond in a universal or stress modality-independent manner, as well as genes that respond in a stress modality-specific manner. Using a small number of the genes selected from the modality-independent set of stress-sensitive genes, a sensitive and robust measure of chronic stress exposure was developed. This stress-sensitive gene expression (SSGE) index could detect chronic traumatic stress exposure in a wide range of different stress models in a manner that was relatively independent of the modality of stress exposure and that paralleled the intensity of stress exposure in a dose-dependent manner. This measure could reliably distinguish control and stressed individuals in the case of animals exposed to the most intense stress protocols. The response of a subset of the modality-specific genes could also distinguish some types of stress exposure, based solely on changes in the pattern of gene expression. The results suggest that it is possible to develop diagnostic measures of traumatic stress exposure based solely on changes in the level of expression of a relatively small number of genes.
High-fidelity CRISPR/Cas9- based gene-specific hydroxymethylation rescues gene expression and attenuates renal fibrosis
Authors: Xu Xingbo , Tan Xiaoying , Tampe Björn , Wilhelmi Tim , Hulshoff Melanie S. , Saito Shoji , Moser Tobias , Kalluri Raghu , Hasenfuss Gerd , Zeisberg Elisabeth M. , Zeisberg Michael
Published: August 2018

While suppression of specific genes through aberrant promoter methylation contributes to different diseases including organ fibrosis, gene-specific reactivation technology is not yet available for therapy. TET enzymes catalyze hydroxymethylation of methylated DNA, reactivating gene expression. We here report generation of a high-fidelity CRISPR/Cas9-based gene-specific dioxygenase by fusing an endonuclease deactivated high-fidelity Cas9 (dHFCas9) to TET3 catalytic domain (TET3CD), targeted to specific genes by guiding RNAs (sgRNA). We demonstrate use of this technology in four different anti-fibrotic genes in different cell types in vitro, among them RASAL1 and Klotho, both hypermethylated in kidney fibrosis. Furthermore, in vivo lentiviral delivery of the Rasal1-targeted fusion protein to interstitial cells and of the Klotho-targeted fusion protein to tubular epithelial cells each results in specific gene reactivation and attenuation of fibrosis, providing gene-specific demethylating technology in a disease model.
Solution structures of multiple G-quadruplex complexes induced by a platinum(II)-based tripod reveal dynamic binding
Authors: Liu Wenting , Zhong Yi-Fang , Liu Liu-Yi , Shen Chu-Tong , Zeng Wenjuan , Wang Fuyi , Yang Danzhou , Mao Zong-Wan
Published: August 2018

DNA G-quadruplexes are not only attractive drug targets for cancer therapeutics, but also have important applications in supramolecular assembly. Here, we report a platinum(II)-based tripod (Pt-tripod) specifically binds the biological relevant hybrid-1 human telomeric G-quadruplex (Tel26), and strongly inhibits telomerase activity. Further investigations illustrate Pt-tripod induces the formation of monomeric and multimeric Pt-tripod‒Tel26 complex structures in solution. We solve the 1:1 and the unique dimeric 4:2 Pt-tripod–Tel26 complex structures by NMR. The structures indicate preferential binding of Pt-tripod to the 5ʹ-end of Tel26 at a low Pt-tripod/Tel26 ratio of 0–1.0. After adding more Pt-tripod, the Pt-tripod binds the 3ʹ-end of Tel26, unexpectedly inducing a unique dimeric 4:2 structure interlocked by an A:A non-canonical pair at the 3ʹ-end. Our structures provide a structural basis for understanding the dynamic binding of small molecules with G-quadruplex and DNA damage mechanisms, and insights into the recognition and assembly of higher-order G-quadruplexes.
Role of hydrogen bonding in hysteresis observed in sorption-induced swelling of soft nanoporous polymers
Authors: Chen Mingyang , Coasne Benoit , Guyer Robert , Derome Dominique , Carmeliet Jan
Published: August 2018

Hysteresis is observed in sorption-induced swelling in various soft nanoporous polymers. The associated coupling mechanism responsible for the observed sorption-induced swelling and associated hysteresis needs to be unraveled. Here we report a microscopic scenario for the molecular mechanism responsible for hysteresis in sorption-induced swelling in natural polymers such as cellulose using atom-scale simulation; moisture content and swelling exhibit hysteresis upon ad- and desorption but not swelling versus moisture content. Different hydrogen bond networks are examined; cellulose swells to form water–cellulose bonds upon adsorption but these bonds do not break upon desorption at the same chemical potential. These findings, which are supported by mechanical testing and cellulose textural assessment upon sorption, shed light on experimental observations for wood and other related materials.