bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring Home‐Range Changes Following Density Reduction of Australian Brushtail Possum
Authors: Margetts Belinda I. , Ross James G. , Buckley Hannah L.
Published: October 2019

It is not clear whether animals consistently change their home ranges in response to density reduction. This is important to understand for better management of pest species where sustained control is required. Our objective was to measure whether home ranges of Australian brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) change following density reduction, using global positioning system (GPS) tracking. We experimentally reduced the densities of 2 populations (1 high‐density at 7 possums/ha and 1 low‐density at 1.5 possums/ha) and did not manipulate another population. We then monitored home ranges of individual possums. The high‐density manipulated population had a significant increase in home‐range size and overlap within 5 weeks following reduction, whereas the other 2 populations did not. This research suggests that changes in possum home ranges following control are likely influenced by the initial density of the pest population. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
A Hidden Epidemic of “Intermediate Risk” Oropharynx Cancer
Authors: Sandulache Vlad C. , Wilde David C. , Sturgis Erich M. , Chiao Elizabeth Y. , Sikora Andrew G.
Published: October 2019

Objectives

Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) incidence is rapidly increasing in the United States and around the world, driven in large part by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV associated OPSCC (HPV+OPSCC) has been shown to have improved response to treatment relative to tobacco‐associated OPSCC. However, improvement in patient survival has not been uniform. Subsets of OPSCC patients in the US and around the world continue to have poor oncologic outcomes. Although the drivers of this phenomenon remain unclear, there is increasing evidence that tobacco exposure plays an important role in modulating HPV+OPSCC clinical outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a review of the literature.

Results

We discuss the potential biological and epidemiological interplay between tobacco and HPV exposure in the context of OPSCC. Multiple retrospective and prospective cohorts show that HPV+OPSCC patients with a history of tobacco exposure have response to treatment and clinical outcomes distinct from HPV+OPSCC non‐smokers which poses clinical and scientific challenges to be addressed over the next decade.

Conclusions

The interaction between tobacco exposure and HPV infection in the context of OPSCC has significant implications for both standard of care treatment regimens and development of novel therapeutic approaches, in particular those which incorporate immunomodulatory agents.

Level of Evidence

5
Giant ice rings on lakes and field observations of lens‐like eddies in the Middle Baikal (2016–2017)
Authors: Kouraev Alexei V. , Zakharova Elena A. , Rémy Frédérique , Kostianoy Andrey G. , Shimaraev Mikhail N. , Hall Nicholas M. J. , Zdorovennov Roman E. , Suknev Andrey Ya
Published: October 2019

Giant ice rings (diameter 5–7 km) detected on lakes Baikal (Russia) and Hovsgol (Mongolia) are a surface manifestation of intrathermocline lens‐like eddies under ice cover. By analyzing satellite imagery, we have detected new ice rings in 2016 and very old ones in 1969 for Lake Baikal. We have also discovered a giant ice ring on a new water body—Lake Teletskoye in the Altai Republic (Russia). Our recent field observations in the Middle Baikal have high temporal and spatial resolution and coverage and include temperature and current measurements over a long (1.5 month) period. In 2016, an eddy was detected in February and then an eddy and ice ring were detected in March at the same location. In 2017, another eddy was detected in February. This eddy was not stationary, as it was detected 6 km from its initial position in March, and thus no ice ring formed. The results of our field observations provide new data on the size and shape of the eddies. Indirect and direct measurements of currents and temporal evolution of the temperature field make it possible to estimate the rotation period (3 d) for the eddy in 2016 and assess the timing of movement, position, and displacement speed of the eddy in 2017. Thermal infrared Landsat imagery before ice formation in November–December 2015 shows that the eddy in 2016 was formed by the wind‐induced outflow from the Barguzin bay.
Preparation of Bismuth Oxide Thin Films by Spray Pyrolysis Method and Its Characterizations
Authors: Jadhav C. H. , Pagare Pavan K. , Inamdar K. K. , Kadam L. D.
Published: October 2019

The Bi2O3 thin films were prepared onto glass substrates by spray pyrolysis method. The Bi2O3 thin films optimized at 320 °C spray pyrolysis temperature. The crystal structure, crystallite size, and surface morphology of Bi2O3 thin films were studied by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques, respectively. The X‐ray diffraction pattern of Bi2O3 thin films show polycrystalline in nature. The SEM images show porous morphology of Bi2O3 thin films. The optical absorption spectra of films were examined in order to study their band gap energy. The optical study shows a direct band gap of 2.90 eV for Bi2O3 films.
Supercapacitive Performance of Electrodeposited Cobalt Oxide Electrode
Authors: Dhole Indrajeet A. , Tonape Mallikarjun M. , Pawar Udayraj T. , Gavande Shubhangi S. , Pawar Shailesh G. , Patil V. B.
Published: October 2019

Metal oxide based supercapacitors have emerged as one of the most elegant storage systems with exclusive characteristics with high power density and long‐term cycling stability. Cobalt oxide (Co3O4) has particularly obtained rising interest due to their natural abundance, environment friendly, low cost, and high specific capacitance. Co3O4 thin film electrodes were successfully deposited via a simple and easy galvanostatic electrodeposition technique on to cheap stainless steel substrate. As‐deposited thin films were heated at 500 °C for its conversion to Co3O4. These films were characterized for XRD, SEM, and CA to understand the structural, morphological and wettability properties of Co3O4 electrode. By using cyclic voltammetry, charge‐discharge study and supercapacitive behavior of Co3O4 electrode were examined. The Co3O4 electrode showed maximum specific capacitance of 554 F g–1 at 5 mV s–1 in 1 m NaOH electrolyte. The specific energy, specific power, and coulombic efficiency showed 16.32 Wh kg–1, 11.72 kW kg–1, and 94.2%, respectively. The results clearly evidenced that those devices based on Co3O4 electrodes are promising energy storage devices for microelectronic applications as well as high energy supercapacitors.
Aqueous Route Synthesis of PAni Electrodes by Chemical Bath Deposition and Their Cyclic Voltammetric Analyses at Different Scan Rates
Authors: Thokale Shilpa P. , Kore Rohan M. , Kambale Sandesh V. , Thakur Amarsingh V. , Lokhande Balkrishna J.
Published: October 2019

The present work elaborates the aqueous route synthesis of polyaniline (PAni) electrodes for supercapacitors using chemical bath deposition (CBD) method and study of effective of scan rate on the cyclic voltammetric (CV) behavior. In the synthesis work, 1 m aniline and 1 m H2SO4 were taken in 2:2 ratio and kept for constant stirring and 1 m aqueous solution of (NH4)2S2O8 was added slowly in it. Stainless steel substrates were immersed in the reaction bath at room temperature for 1 h. The formation of PAni was confirmed by FT‐IR spectroscopic study. XRD analysis confirms the amorphous nature of the prepared PAni thin films. Contact angle study shows the hydrophilic behavior of the PAni electrodes. Obtained electrodes were subjected to cyclic voltammetric study at various scan rate from 5 to 100 mV s–1 in 1 m KOH electrolyte. Observed maximum specific capacitance was 516.34 F g–1 at 5 mV s–1 scan rate.
A sparse orthogonal collimator for small animal intensity‐modulated radiation therapy part I: Planning system development and commissioning
Authors: Woods Kaley , Nguyen Dan , Neph Ryan , Ruan Dan , O'Connor Daniel , Sheng Ke
Published: October 2019

Purpose

To achieve more translatable preclinical research results, small animal irradiation needs to more closely simulate human radiotherapy. Although the clinical gold standard is intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), the direct translation of this method for small animals is impractical. In this study we describe the treatment planning system for a novel dose modulation device to address this challenge.

Methods

Using delineated target and avoidance structures, a rectangular aperture optimization (RAO) problem was formulated to penalize deviations from a desired dose distribution and limit the number of selected rectangular apertures. RAO was used to create IMRT plans with highly concave targets in the mouse brain, and the plan quality was compared to that using a hypothetical miniaturized multileaf collimator (MLC). RAO plans were also created for a realistic application of mouse whole liver irradiation and for a highly complex two‐dimensional (2D) dose distribution as a proof‐of‐principle. Beam commissioning data, including output and off‐axis factors and percent depth dose (PDD) curves, were acquired for our small animal irradiation system and incorporated into the treatment planning system. A plan post‐processing step was implemented for aperture size‐specific dose recalculation and aperture weighting reoptimization.

Results

The first RAO test case achieved highly conformal doses to concave targets in the brain, with substantially better dose gradient, conformity, and target dose homogeneity than the hypothetical miniaturized MLC plans. In the second test case, a highly conformal dose to the liver was achieved with significant sparing of the kidneys. RAO also successfully replicated a complex 2D dose distribution with three prescription dose levels. Energy spectra for field sizes 1 to 20 mm were calculated to match the measured PDD curves, with maximum and mean dose deviations of 4.47 ± 0.30% and 1.71 ± 0.18%. The final reoptimization of aperture weightings for the complex RAO test plan was able to reduce the maximum and mean dose deviations between the optimized and recalculated dose distributions from 10.3% to 6.6% and 4.0% to 2.8%, respectively.

Conclusions

Using the advanced optimization techniques, complex IMRT plans were achieved using a simple dose modulation device. Beam commissioning data were incorporated into the treatment planning process to more accurately predict the resulting dose distribution. This platform substantially reduces the gap in treatment plan quality between clinical and preclinical radiotherapy, potentially increasing the value and flexibility of small animal studies.
Constitutive modeling of nonlinear compressive behavior of fiber reinforced polymer composites
Authors: Chen Guangwei , Suo Xiaojuan
Published: October 2019

An elastic‐plastic constitutive model to describe the nonlinear compressive stress‐strain behavior of fiber reinforced polymer composites was developed under the plane stress condition. Model predictions are based on the tensile properties and a tensile/compressive asymmetry coefficient. A variety of tensile and compressive tests were carried out on 0°, 15°, 45°, and 90° unidirectional and ±30° and ±45° angle‐ply thermosetting and thermoplastic polymer composite laminates to obtain the material parameters and validate the model, while the finite element implementation and applications to three‐point bending loading are discussed in the next investigation.
Pyridachlometyl has a novel anti‐tubulin mode of action which could be useful in anti‐resistance management
Authors: Matsuzaki Yuichi , Watanabe Satoshi , Harada Toshiyuki , Iwahashi Fukumatsu
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND

Fungicide resistance is a growing problem affecting many crop pathogens owing to the low success rate in finding novel chemical classes of fungicides. Pyridachlometyl is a new fungicide that seems to belong to a new chemical class of tubulin polymerization promoters.

RESULTS

Pyridachlometyl exhibited potent antifungal activity against a broad range of fungal species belonging to the phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. No cross‐resistance was observed with other fungicide classes, such as ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitors, respiratory inhibitors, or tubulin polymerization inhibitors in Zymoseptoria tritici. Pyridachlometyl‐resistant strains were obtainable by UV mutagenesis in Z. tritici and Penicillium digitatum. Mutations in tubulin‐coding genes were found in all laboratory mutants but the patterns of mutation were distinct from that of tubulin polymerization inhibitors, such as benzimidazole fungicides.

CONCLUSION

Pyridachlometyl is a promising new tool for disease control. However, strict resistance management strategies should be recommended for the practical use of pyridachlometyl. © 2019 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
The feeding behavior and life history changes in imidacloprid‐resistant Aphis gossypii glover (Homoptera: Aphididae)
Authors: Wang Li , Wang Qinqin , Wang Qiyuan , Rui Changhui , Cui Li
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND

Imidacloprid (IMI) is a major neonicotinoid insecticide used to control Aphis gossypii Glover. However, resistance to IMI developed rapidly in A. gossypii. The feeding behavior and life history changes associated with IMI resistance were studied in A. gossypii.

RESULTS

The resistant population with a point mutation (R81T) in the nAChR β1 subunit showed an IMI resistance ratio of 58.12. This IMI‐resistant A. gossypii became more active in finding an appropriate position for feeding. They made more intercellular apoplastic stylet pathway events (C) than the susceptible population. Moreover, the probing and feeding behavior of two aphid populations were dramatically altered by IMI. The phloem ingestion (E2) duration was significantly longer for IMI‐resistant aphids on IMI‐treated plants (WDI: 208.70 ± 17.38 min) than on control plants (WDI: 133.80 ± 16.37 min). However, IMI statistically reduced the ability of susceptible aphids to find and feed from the phloem. The number and duration of phloem‐related activities were sharply decreased for the susceptible aphids treated with IMI. In addition, the resistant population showed an increased relative fitness of 1.36. The fecundity of IMI‐resistant adults was dramatically higher than that of the susceptible population. This difference also led to an increase in the net reproductive rate (R0) for the IMI‐resistant A. gossypii.

CONCLUSIONS

Imidacloprid provoked phloem‐feeding more rapidly and effectively in IMI‐resistant A. gossypii, but significantly suppressed the feeding of susceptible A. gossypii. Therefore, the resistance to IMI can result in stimulated feeding and fecundity and subsequent population outbreaks, which make the control of IMI‐resistant A. gossypii more challenging. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of pentoxifylline on whole blood IL‐2 and IFN‐gamma gene expression in normal dogs
Authors: Kummari Evangel , Gibbs Andres , Riggs Caitlin , Fellman Claire , Stokes John , Thomason John , Wills Robert , Mackin Andrew , Archer Todd
Published: October 2019

Background

Pentoxifylline (PTX) is a methylxanthine phosphodiesterase inhibitor that is used as a hemorrheologic and anti‐inflammatory agent in veterinary and human medicine. In human studies, PTX has been shown to decrease T‐cell production of cytokines such as IL‐2 and IFN‐γ. A RT‐qPCR assay to measure activated T‐cell gene expression of IL‐2 and IFN‐γ has been validated in dogs.

Objectives

The goal of this study was to utilize this assay to investigate the effects of PTX on in vitro cytokine gene expression in canine whole blood.

Methods

Whole blood from seven healthy dogs was collected and incubated with various concentrations of PTX for 1 hr before activation. PTX concentrations spanned and exceeded blood concentrations achieved when administered at clinically relevant dosages (1, 2, 10, 50 and 200 μg/ml). Cyclosporine was used at a concentration of 500 ng/ml as a positive control. All blood samples, including untreated activated baseline samples, were then activated with phorbol myristate acetate and ionomycin for 5 hrs.

Results

Analysis of activated whole blood by RT‐qPCR revealed that there was not a significant suppression of IL‐2 or IFN‐γ gene expression at any concentration of PTX when evaluating ΔCt values. All samples exposed to cyclosporine showed significant changes from untreated activated baseline samples, demonstrating marked suppression as the positive control. Cytokine expression, presented as a percentage of untreated activated baseline samples, was also evaluated. After exposure to the highest concentration of PTX (200 μg/ml), median percentage cytokine expression was suppressed to just below 50% of baseline values. This concentration, however, is much higher than blood concentrations reported to be achieved at standardly used pentoxifylline doses.

Conclusions

PTX does not appear to significantly suppress T‐cell cytokine production in samples from most dogs at clinically relevant drug concentrations. Further testing is needed to establish the full effects of PTX on the immune system in dogs.
Why scalar products in the algebraic Bethe ansatz have determinant representation
Authors: Belliard S. , Slavnov N. A.
Published: October 2019

Abstract

We show that the scalar products of on-shell and off-shell Bethe vectors in the algebralic Bethe ansatz solvable models satisfy a system of linear equations. We find solutions to this system for a wide class of integrable models. We also apply our method to the XXX spin chain with broken U(l) symmetry.
Mutations in sorghum SBEIIb and SSIIa affect alkali spreading value, starch composition, thermal properties and flour viscosity
Authors: Griebel Stefanie , Westerman Richard P. , Adeyanju Adedayo , Addo-Quaye Charles , Craig Bruce A. , Weil Clifford F. , Cunningham Suzanne M. , Patel Bhavesh , Campanella Osvaldo H. , Tuinstra Mitchell R.
Published: October 2019

Key message

Seven novel alleles ofSBEIIband one allele ofSSIIaco-segregated with the ASV phenotype and contributed to distinct starch quality traits important for food-processing applications.

Sorghum is an important food crop for millions of people in Africa and Asia. Whole-genome re-sequencing of sorghum EMS mutants exhibiting an alkali spreading value (ASV) phenotype revealed candidate SNPs inSobic.004G163700andSobic.010G093400. Comparative genomics identifiedSobic.010G093400as astarch synthase IIaandSobic.004G163700as astarch branching enzyme IIb. Segregation analyses showed that mutations inSobic.010G093400orSobic.004G163700co-segregated with the ASV phenotype. Mutants inSSIIaexhibited no change in amylose content but expressed lower final viscosity and lower starch gelatinization temperature (GT) than starches from non-mutant plants. ThesbeIIbmutants exhibited significantly higher amylose levels and starch GT and lower viscosity compared to non-mutant starches andssIIamutants. Mutations inSBEIIbhad a dosage-dependent effect on amylose content. Double mutants ofsbeIIbandssIIaresembled theirsbeIIbparent in amylose content, starch thermal properties and viscosity profiles. These variants will provide opportunities to produce sorghum varieties with modified starch end-use qualities important for the beer brewing and baking industries and specialty foods for humans with diabetes.
The effect of performing versus preparing a task on the subsequent switch cost
Authors: Swainson Rachel , Prosser Laura , Karavasilev Kostadin , Romanczuk Aleksandra
Published: October 2019

Behaviour occurs not as isolated incidents, but within an ongoing sequence of events. The task-switching paradigm provides a useful way to investigate the impact of different events upon subsequent performance. An implication of two-stage task-switching models is that preparing a task without performing it might affect task readiness only to a limited extent. However, recent research has surprisingly shown larger switch costs following preparation (“cue-only” trials) than following performance (“completed” trials). We set out to conduct a rigorous comparison of the size of switch costs following cue-only versus completed trials. In Experiments 1 and 2, we controlled the timing between critical trial events. This had the effect of roughly equating, but not reversing, the relative size of switch costs. In Experiment 3, we restructured the paradigm to equate the predictability of cue and target events. Switch costs following cue-only trials were now smaller than those following completed trials. These studies confirm that task preparation alone is sufficient to drive subsequent switch costs. They also indicate that task performance might increase the size of these costs, consistent with two-stage task-switching models. Switch costs appear to be affected by both the timing and predictability of trial events.
Genetic Polymorphisms in the Vitamin D Pathway and Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Survival
Authors: Kong Jinyu , Chen Xiaojie , Wang Jian , Li Jingxin , Xu Fangxiu , Gao Shegan , Yu Herbert , Qian Biyun
Published: October 2019

Various genetic polymorphisms have been linked to lung cancer susceptibility and survival outcomes. Vitamin D (VD) regulates cell proliferation and differentiation, inhibits tumor growth and induces apoptosis. Observations from several previous studies including our own suggest that genetic polymorphisms in the VD pathway may be associated with lung cancer risk. The aim of this study is to assess if genetic polymorphisms in the VD pathway are associated with the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in five genes in the VD pathway were genotyped with the TaqMan assays in 542 patients with primary NSCLC, and the relationships between these SNPs and overall survival were evaluated. We found that SNP rs10741657 in the CYP2R1 gene was associated with the prognosis of NSCLC, especially in elderly patients and not being treated with chemotherapy. Some of the VD pathway-related genetic polymorphisms may influence the prognosis of NSCLC. More research is needed to further confirm the finding and test if VD supplements can be used for NSCLC treatment.
Direct Observation via In Situ Heated Stage EBSD Analysis of Recrystallization of Phosphorous Deoxidised Copper in Unstrained and Strained Conditions
Authors: Taylor S. , Masters I. , Li Z. , Kotadia H. R.
Published: October 2019

Recrystallization of phosphorous deoxidised copper used for strength critical applications at elevated temperatures was investigated by means of in situ heated stage EBSD analysis using a Gatan Murano heated stage mounted within a Carl Zeiss Sigma FEGSEM electron microscope. The influence of applied strain as the result of deformation within a Nakajima test as an analogue for industrial forming on the recrystallization temperature was investigated, the impact of increased heating rates on microstructural evolution was also investigated. Inverse pole figure plots combined with regions of reduction in local misorientations and variations in geometrically necessary dislocations were used to establish the point of recrystallization and the recrystallized fraction of the material. Recrystallization was observed to occur at temperatures as low as 130 °C in highly strained samples compared to around 300 °C within the annealed samples dependent upon heating rate. Increased heating rates were observed to produce a finer final grain structure but had little effect on presence of <111> 60° grain twins, which was influenced more by initial material condition.

Graphic Abstract
Relative Hausdorff distance for network analysis
Authors: Aksoy Sinan G. , Nowak Kathleen E. , Purvine Emilie , Young Stephen J.
Published: October 2019

Similarity measures are used extensively in machine learning and data science algorithms. The newly proposed graph Relative Hausdorff (RH) distance is a lightweight yet nuanced similarity measure for quantifying the closeness of two graphs. In this work we study the effectiveness of RH distance as a tool for detecting anomalies in time-evolving graph sequences. We apply RH to cyber data with given red team events, as well to synthetically generated sequences of graphs with planted attacks. In our experiments, the performance of RH distance is at times comparable, and sometimes superior, to graph edit distance in detecting anomalous phenomena. Our results suggest that in appropriate contexts, RH distance has advantages over more computationally intensive similarity measures.
Docosahexaenoic acid, 22:6n‐3: Its roles in the structure and function of the brain
Authors: Mallick Rahul , Basak Sanjay , Duttaroy Asim K.
Published: October 2019

Docosahexaenoic acid,22:6n‐3 (DHA) and its metabolites are vital for the structure and functional brain development of the fetus and infants, and also for maintenance of healthy brain function of adults. DHA is thought to be an essential nutrient required throughout the life cycle for the maintenance of overall brain health. The mode of actions of DHA and its derivatives at both cellular and molecular levels in the brain are emerging. DHA is the major prevalent fatty acid in the brain membrane. The brain maintains its fatty acid levels mainly via the uptake of plasma free fatty acids. Therefore, circulating plasma DHA is significantly related to cognitive abilities during ageing and is inversely associated with cognitive decline. The signaling pathways of DHA and its metabolites are involved in neurogenesis, antinociceptive effects, anti‐apoptotic effect, synaptic plasticity, Ca2+ homeostasis in brain diseases, and the functioning of nigrostriatal activities. Mechanisms of action of DHA metabolites on various processes in the brain are not yet well known. Epidemiological studies support a link between low habitual intake of DHA and a higher risk of brain disorders. A diet characterized by higher intakes of foods containing high in n‐3 fatty acids, and/or lower intake of n‐6 fatty acids was strongly associated with a lower Alzheimer's Disease and other brain disorders. Supplementation of DHA improves some behaviors associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and impulsive behavior, as well as cognition. Nevertheless, the outcomes of trials with DHA supplementation have been controversial. Many intervention studies with DHA have shown an apparent benefit in brain function. However, clinical trials are needed for definitive conclusions. Dietary deficiency of n‐3 fatty acids during fetal development in utero and the postnatal state has detrimental effects on cognitive abilities. Further research in humans is required to assess a variety of clinical outcomes, including quality of life and mental status, by supplementation of DHA.
Energy extraction from nuts: walnuts, almonds and pistachios
Authors: McArthur B. M. , Mattes R. D.
Published: October 2019

The bioaccessibility of fat has implications for satiety and postprandial lipidaemia. The prevailing view holds that the integrity of plant cell wall structure is the primary determinant of energy and nutrient extraction from plant cells as they pass through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. However, comparisons across nuts (walnuts, almonds and pistachios) with varying physical properties do not support this view. In the present study, masticated samples of three nuts from healthy adults were exposed to a static model of gastric digestion followed by simulated intestinal digestion. Primary outcomes were particle size and lipid release at each phase of digestion. Walnuts produced a significantly larger particle size post-mastication compared with almonds. Under gastric and intestinal conditions, the particle size was larger for walnuts compared with pistachios and almonds (P < 0·05). However, the masticated and digesta particle sizes were not related to the integrity of cell walls or lipid release. The total lipid release was comparable between nuts after the in vitro intestinal phase (P > 0·05). Microstructural examination showed ruptured and fissured cell walls that would allow digestion of cellular contents, and this may be governed by internal cellular properties such as oil body state. Furthermore, the cell walls of walnuts tend to rupture rather than separate and as walnut tissue passes through the GI tract, lipids tend to coalesce reducing digestion efficiency.
Study of up–down poloidal density asymmetry of high- impurities with the new impurity version of XGCa
Authors: Dominski J. , Chang C. S. , Hager R. , Helander P. , Ku S. , Yoon E. S.
Published: October 2019

Addition of multispecies impurity ions to the total-f gyrokinetic particle-in-cell code XGCa is reported, including a cross-verification of neoclassical physics against the NEO code. This new version of the neoclassical gyrokinetic code XGCa is used to benchmark and confirm the previous reduced-equation-based prediction that high-

$Z$

impurity particles in the Pfirsch–Schlüter regime can exhibit a significant level of up–down poloidal asymmetry, through the large parallel friction force, and thus influence the radial plasma transport significantly. The study is performed in a plasma with weak toroidal rotation. In comparison, when the impurity particles are in the plateau regime, the up–down poloidal asymmetry becomes weak, with the parallel friction force becoming weaker than the parallel viscous force. It is also found that the linearization of the perturbed distribution function, based on the small poloidal asymmetry assumption, can become invalid. Using the numerical data from XGCa, each term in the parallel fluid force-balance equation have been analysed to find that both the main ions and the electrons respond to the poloidal potential variation adiabatically when the high-

$Z$

tungsten possesses large poloidal variation.
PROFICIENCY AS A MEDIATING VARIABLE OF INTELLIGIBILITY FOR DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF ACCENTS
Authors: Kang Okim , Moran Meghan , Ahn Hyunkee , Park Soon
Published: October 2019

Factors that affect comprehension of accented English (e.g., Harding, 2011) have been well studied, but little research examines how listeners’ proficiency affects their sensitivity to second language (L2) accent. The current study investigated the effect of test takers’ English proficiency on their comprehension ratings and ability to correctly transcribe different World Englishes accents. Ten speakers from six countries with different L1 backgrounds (i.e., North American, British, Indian, South African, Chinese, and Spanish) with varying degrees of intelligibility provided speech samples. Ninety-two listeners from South Korea at three different proficiency levels listened to speech stimuli and determined their comprehension of the content as well as the intelligibility of the speech. The results showed that listeners were differentially affected by nonnative English accented varieties, based on both the intelligibility level of the speaker and the proficiency level of the listener. These findings have implications for the assessment and instruction of listening skills in global contexts.
On the interstellar Von Neumann micro self-reproducing probes
Authors: Osmanov Z.
Published: October 2019

In this paper we consider efficiency of self-reproducing extraterrestrial Von-Neumann micro scale robots and analyse the observational characteristics. By examining the natural scenario of moving in the HII clouds, it has been found that the timescale of replication might be several years and even less – making the process of observation quite promising. We have shown that by encountering the interstellar protons the probes might be visible at least in the infrared energy band and the corresponding luminosities might reach enormous values.
Crevasse Propagation on Brittle Ice: Application to Cycloids on Europa
Authors: Poinelli Mattia , Larour Eric , Castillo‐Rogez Julie , Vermeersen Bert
Published: October 2019

Existing lineaments on the surface of the Jovian moon Europa are thought to be the result of ongoing brittle crack formation in the elastic regime. Arcuate features are called cycloids and can be modeled using linear elastic fracture mechanics. Here, we build on existing terrestrial models of rift propagation and extend them to cycloids on the moon. We propose that these cracks tend to grow as a series of nearly instantaneous events, spaced by periods of inactivity. The behavior is similar to what is observed on Antarctic ice shelves, where rifts can remain dormant for years. We argue that dormant periods between growth events could explain the presence of cycloids on Europa even without invoking secular motion of the crust. Furthermore, being able to model propagation events and their timing should help future missions exploring the moon.
Very Low Latitude Whistler‐Mode Signals: Observations at Three Widely Spaced Latitudes
Authors: Thomson Neil R. , Clilverd Mark A. , Rodger Craig J.
Published: October 2019

Very low frequency (VLF) radio signals with travel times ~100 ms were observed continuously for up to ~11 hr at night on Rarotonga (Cook Islands, ~21°S) at 21.4 kHz from U.S. Navy transmitter NPM, Hawaii (~21°N). These signals travelled in the whistler‐mode on well‐defined paths, though not field‐aligned ducts, through the ionospheric F region, and across the equator reaching altitudes ~700–1,400 km depending on time of night. These same signals were also observed simultaneously in Dunedin (46°S), New Zealand, with very nearly the same travel times but with somewhat lower amplitudes and occurrence rates, consistent with the whistler‐mode part of the propagation being at very low latitudes. Both sets of signals had similar Doppler shifts, typically tens of mHz, but sometimes up to a few hundred mHz, being positive during most of the night, while the whistler‐mode group delays decreased due to both the shortening of the path and the decay of the near equatorial ionosphere, but negative near dawn when the Sun's rays start ionizing the F region. The signals are not observable during the day, fading out during dawn, due to increasing attenuation from the increasing electron density, and hence increasing collisions, in both the D and F regions. Similar weaker NPM signals were also seen at Rothera (68°S). In addition, similar 24.8‐kHz signals were seen from the more distant NLK (Seattle, ~48°N) at Rarotonga, though clearly weaker than from NPM, but not at Dunedin.
Effect of Temperature and Vertical Drift on Helium Ion Concentration Over Arecibo During Solar Maximum
Authors: Gong Yun , Lv Xiedong , Zhou Qihou , Ma Qingjin , Scott Mark , Zhang Shaodong
Published: October 2019

We present an analysis of helium ion (He+) fraction in an altitude range from about 400 km to around 700 km and its relationship to the ion temperature (Ti) and the vertical ion drift under solar maximum conditions. The data were obtained from the Arecibo incoherent scatter radar during 27 September to 1 October 2014 and 16–20 December 2014. The large He+ fraction (>10%) lasts 15 hr per day during the winter solstice, which is 3 times larger than during fall equinox. This difference is caused by the more persistent downward ion drift in the winter. The incremental He+ fraction and incremental Ti are well anticorrelated, and the anticorrelation is more prominent during the daytime. These characteristics are associated with whether O+ and He+ are in diffusive equilibrium. During nighttime, we show that the vertical ion flow is downward causing the He+ layer peak altitude to move to an altitude of 500 km from above 650 km. According to our analysis, He+ fraction has to be larger than two thirds for diffusive equilibrium to occur above the He+ peak height. Therefore, above the He+ peak altitude, O+ and He+ cannot be in diffusive equilibrium with He+ being the minor species. The vertical ion flow plays an important role in determining the diurnal variation and seasonal difference of He+ distribution and whether He+ is in a diffusive equilibrium with O+.
Storm‐Time Thermospheric Winds Over Peru
Authors: Navarro L. A. , Fejer B. G.
Published: October 2019

We used Fabry‐Perot Interferometer (FPI) observations at Jicamarca, Nasca, and Arequipa, Peru, from 2011 to 2017 to study the nighttime zonal and meridional disturbance winds over the Peruvian equatorial region. We derived initially the seasonal‐dependent average thermospheric winds corresponding to 12 hr of continuous geomagnetically quiet conditions. These quiet‐time climatological winds, which are in general agreement with results from the Horizontal Wind Model (HWM14), were then used as baselines for the calculation of the disturbance winds. Our results indicate that the nighttime zonal disturbance winds are westward with peak values near midnight and with magnitudes much larger than predicted by the Disturbance Wind Model (DWM07). The premidnight equinoctial and June solstice westward disturbance winds have comparable values and increase with local time. The postmidnight westward disturbance winds decrease toward dawn and are largest during equinox and smallest during June solstice. The meridional average disturbance winds have small values throughout the night. They are northward in the premidnight sector, and southward with larger (smaller) values during December solstice (equinox) in the postmidnight sector. We also present observations showing that during the main and recovery phases of the April 2012 and May 2016 geomagnetic storms the zonal disturbance winds have much larger magnitudes and lifetimes (up to about 48 hr) than suggested by the HWM14. These observations highlight the importance of longer‐term disturbance wind effects. The large and short‐lived (about 2 hr) observed meridional wind disturbances are not reproduced by current climatological empirical models.
Interannual Variability of Mixed Layer Dynamics in the Ecuadorian Ocean
Authors: Marin Jarrin Maria J. , Lippmann Thomas C.
Published: October 2019

Time series spanning 22 years of monthly conductivity‐temperature‐depth profiles are used to examine upper water column temperature interannual variability near the Ecuador coastline. The sampling program began in 1992 (and continues) by Ecuador's National Institute of Oceanography of the Navy and National Fisheries Institute. The five coastal stations are located 8 NM away from the coast and extend from 2°S to 1°N. The anomaly data show marked interannual variations with distinct characteristics associated with El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) indices. Heat content and the 20°C isotherm depth are both largest during El Niño periods and weakest during La Niña periods. The first mode empirical orthogonal function (EOF) decomposition of the anomaly coastal station data represents bulk variations of the thermocline depth and has temporal variability coupled to Niño 3.4 and 1+2 indices. Coastal observations are compared with observations obtained from the offshore TAO/Triton buoys located along 95°W from 2°S to 2°N. The EOF decomposition of TAO buoy time series shows similar spatial EOF structure. The first EOF amplitude time series from coastal and TAO station decomposition is correlated, showing that the dominant variability of the upper water column near the coast is coupled to variations along the equator and seaward of the Galápagos. Coupling between ENSO indices and ERA‐1 zonal wind stress from the central Pacific (Niño 4) with observed coastal temperature structure shows that effects of El Niño forcing are strongly influencing the Ecuadorian Sea eastward of the Galápagos Islands.
Host determinants of among-species variation in microbiome composition in drosophilid flies
Authors: Adair Karen L , Bost Alyssa , Bueno Eduardo , Kaunisto Sirpa , Kortet Raine , Peters-Schulze Grace , Martinson Vincent G , Douglas Angela E
Published: October 2019

The taxonomic composition of microbial communities in animals varies among animal species, but the contribution of interspecific differences in filtering of the microbial pool by the animal host to this variation is uncertain. Here, we demonstrate significant interspecific variation in microbial community composition among laboratory-reared Drosophila species that was not related to host phylogeny. Complementary reciprocal transfer experiments yielded different microbial communities for a single microbiota administered to homologous and heterologous hosts (i.e., the same and different Drosophila species from which the microbiota was derived), indicative of among-host species differences in traits that shape microbiota composition. The difference in microbiota composition between homologous and heterologous hosts was not greater for distantly related than for closely related host species pairs. Furthermore, Drosophila survival to adulthood was significantly reduced in heterologous associations relative to homologous associations and microbiologically sterile flies, suggesting that microbial taxa that are advantageous for their homologous host species can be deleterious for other host species. We conclude that drosophilid flies display robust among-host species variation in host controls over microbiota composition that has diversified in response to selection pressures which are not tracked by host phylogeny.
Circ-Spidr enhances axon regeneration after peripheral nerve injury
Authors: Mao Susu , Huang Tao , Chen Yuanyuan , Shen Longxiang , Zhou Shuoshuo , Zhang Shanshan , Yu Bin
Published: October 2019

Accumulating evidence suggests that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are abundant and play critical roles in the nervous system. However, their functions in axon regeneration after neuronal injury are unclear. Due to its robust regeneration capacity, peripheral nervous system is ideal for seeking the regulatory circRNAs in axon regeneration. In the present work, we obtained an expression profile of circRNAs in dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) after rat sciatic nerve crush injury by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and found the expression level of circ-Spidr was obviously increased using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Furthermore, circ-Spidr was proved to be a circular RNA enriched in the cytoplasm of DRG neurons. Through in vitro and in vivo experiments, we determined that down-regulation of circ-Spidr could suppress axon regeneration of DRG neurons after sciatic nerve injury partially through modulating PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Together, our results reveal a crucial role for circRNAs in regulating axon regeneration after neuronal injury which may further serve as a potential therapeutic avenue for neuronal injury repair.
Ferroelectric switching in bilayer 3R MoS2 via interlayer shear mode driven by nonlinear phononics
Authors: Park Jaehong , Yeu In Won , Han Gyuseung , Hwang Cheol Seong , Choi Jung-Hae
Published: October 2019

We theoretically investigate the mechanism of ferroelectric switching via interlayer shear in 3R MoS2 using first principles and lattice dynamics calculations. First principle calculations show the prominent anharmonic coupling of the infrared inactive interlayer shear and the infrared active phonons. The nonlinear coupling terms generates an effective anharmonic force which drives the interlayer shear mode and lowers the ferroelectric switching barrier depending on the amplitude and polarization of infrared mode. Lattice dynamics simulations show that the interlayer shear mode can be coherently excited to the switching threshold by a train of infrared pulses polarized along the zigzag axis of MoS2. The results of this study indicate the possibility of ultrafast ferroelectricity in stacked two-dimensional materials from the control of stacking sequence.
Enhanced Figure of Merit in Bismuth-Antimony Fine-Grained Alloys at Cryogenic Temperatures
Authors: Gao Sheng , Gaskins John , Hu Xixiao , Tomko Kathleen , Hopkins Patrick , Poon S. Joseph
Published: October 2019

Thermoelectric (TE) materials research plays a vital role in heat-to-electrical energy conversion and refrigeration applications. Bismuth-antimony (Bi-Sb) alloy is a promising material for thermoelectric cooling. Herein, a high figure of merit, ZT, near 0.6 at cryogenic temperatures (100–150 K) has been achieved in melt-spun n-type Bi85Sb15 bulk samples consisting of micron-size grains. The achieved ZT is nearly 50% higher than polycrystalline averaged single crystal ZT of ~0.4, and it is also significantly higher than ZT of less than ~0.3 measured below 150 K in Bi-Te alloys commonly used for cryogenic cooling applications. The improved thermoelectric properties can be attributed to the fine-grained microstructure achieved from rapid solidification, which not only significantly reduced the thermal conductivity but also mitigated a segregation effect. A record low thermal conductivity of ~1.5 W m−1 K−1 near 100 K was measured using the hot disk method. The thermoelectric properties for this intriguing semimetal-semiconductor alloy system were analyzed within a two-band effective mass model. The study revealed a gradual narrowing of the band gap at increasing temperature in Bi-Sb alloy for the first time. Magneto-thermoelectric effects of this Bi-Sb alloy further improved the TE properties, leading to ZT of about 0.7. The magneto-TE effect was further demonstrated in a combined NdFeB/BiSb/NdFeB system. The compactness of the BiSb-magnet system with high ZT enables the utilization of magneto-TE effect in thermoelectric cooling applications.
Coherent-State-Based Twin-Field Quantum Key Distribution
Authors: Yin Hua-Lei , Chen Zeng-Bing
Published: October 2019

Large-scale quantum communication networks are still a huge challenge due to the rate-distance limit of quantum key distribution (QKD). Recently, twin-field (TF) QKD has been proposed to overcome this limit. Here, we prove that coherent-state-based TF-QKD is a time-reversed entanglement protocol, where the entanglement generation is realized with entanglement swapping operation via an entangled coherent state measurement. We propose a coherent-state-based TF-QKD with optimal secret key rate under symmetric and asymmetric channels by using coherent state and cat state coding. Furthermore, we show that our protocol can be converted to all recent coherent-state-based TF-QKD protocols by using our security proof. By using the entanglement purification with two-way classical communication, we improve the transmission distance of all coherent-state-based TF-QKD protocols.
Metabolomics of Eothenomys miletus from five Hengduan Mountains locations in summer
Authors: Zhang Hai-ji , Wang Zheng-kun , Zhu Wan-long
Published: October 2019

Climatic characteristics of Hengduan Mountains region were diverse, and Eothenomys miletus was a native species throughout this region. To investigate adaptive strategies of E. miletus to environmental factors in different locations in this region, five locations were selected, including Deqin (DQ), Xianggelila (XGLL), Lijiang (LJ), Jianchuan (JC) and Ailaoshan (ALS). Then, body mass, visceral organ masses, and serum and liver metabolomes of E. miletus from each location were examined. The results showed that body mass was significantly different among these five sites. Liver mass was lower in ALS than in other locations. PLS-DA analysis, metabolite tree maps and heat maps of serum and liver metabolites showed that samples from DQ and XGLL clustered together, as did the samples from LJ, JC and ALS. Serum concentrations of lipid and amino acid metabolites, concentrations of TCA cycle intermediates, lipid metabolites and amino acid metabolites in livers from DQ and XGLL were higher than those from other three regions. However, the concentrations of glycolytic metabolites were lower in DQ and XGLL. All these results indicated that E. miletus adapts to changes in environmental temperature and altitude of this region by adjusting body mass and serum and liver metabolite concentrations.