bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facile synthesis of the desired red phosphor Li2Ca2Mg2Si2N6:Eu2+ for high CRI white LEDs and plant growth LED device
Authors: Yang Xian , Zhang Yu , Zhang Xuejie , Chen Jian , Huang Haisen , Wang Dongsheng , Chai Xirong , Xie Gening , Molokeev Maxim S. , Zhang Haoran , Liu Yingliang , Lei Bingfu
Published: October 2019

The red emission with suitable peak wavelength and narrow band is acutely required for high color rendering index (CRI) white LEDs without at the cost of the luminous efficacy. Herein, the Li2Ca2Mg2Si2N6:Eu2+ red phosphor was prepared with facile solid‐state method using Ca3N2, Mg3N2, Si3N4, Li3N, and Eu2O3 as the safety raw materials under atmospheric pressure for the first time, which shows red emission peaking at 638 nm with full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 62 nm under blue light irradiation and becomes the desired red phosphor to realize the balance between luminous efficacy and high CRI in white LEDs. The morphology, structure, luminescence properties, thermal quenching behavior, and chromaticity stability of the Li2Ca2Mg2Si2N6:Eu2+ phosphor are investigated in detail. Concentration quenching occurs when the Eu2+ content exceeds 1.0 mol%, whereas high‐temperature photoluminescent measurements show a 32% drop from the room‐temperature efficiency at 423 K. In view of the excellent luminescence performances of Li2Ca2Mg2Si2N6:Eu2+ phosphor, a white LEDs with CRI of 91 as a proof‐of‐concept experiment was fabricated by coating the title phosphor with Y3Al5O12:Ce3+ on a blue LED chip. In addition, the potential application of the title phosphor in plant growth LED device was also demonstrated. All the results indicate that Li2Ca2Mg2Si2N6:Eu2+ is a promising red‐emitting phosphor for blue LED‐based high CRI white LEDs and plant growth lighting sources.
Conservation value of Codium tenue habitat for the endangered Knysna seahorse Hippocampus capensis
Authors: de Villiers Nina M. , Barker Cassandra , Claassens Louw , Hodgson Alan N.
Published: October 2019

We investigated the density and size structure of the endangered Knysna seahorse Hippocampus capensis in the macroalga Codium tenue at three sites in a residential marina estate in the Knysna Estuary, South Africa, over an 18 month period from March 2017 to August 2018. Seahorses were present in C. tenue throughout the year. Average (± SE) densities of 0.33 (± 0.03) and 0.23 (± 0.03) seahorses per kg of C. tenue were found for 2017 and 2018 respectively. Density did not vary across sites but varied significantly across months with a decreasing trend from summer to spring. The average (± SE) adult seahorse height was 75.16 mm (± 0.63 mm) and 69.09 mm (± 0.64 mm) and mass was 2.05 g (± 0.04 g) and 1.65 g (± 0.04 g) for males and females, respectively, and an even sex ratio was observed throughout the sampling period. Height varied across months, with significantly smaller seahorses found in June and August of 2017. Tail length was highly correlated with height and therefore can serve as a potential proxy for determining the height of H. capensis. This study showed that C. tenue is consistently utilised by Knysna seahorse and should therefore be considered an important habitat to protect and facilitate the ongoing conservation of this endangered seahorse species.
Awareness and use of biodiversity collections by fish biologists
Authors: Singer Randal A. , Ellis Shari , Page Lawrence M.
Published: October 2019

A survey of 280 fish biologists from a diverse pool of disciplines was conducted in order to assess the use made of biodiversity collections and how collections can better collect, curate and share the data they have. From the responses, data for how fish biologists use collections, what data they find the most useful, what factors influence the decisions to use collections, how they access the data and explore why some fish biologists make the decision to not use biodiversity collections is collated and reported. The results of which could be used to formulate sustainability plans for collections administrators and staff who curate fish biodiversity collections, while also highlighting the diversity of data and uses to researchers.
A new species of miniature Characidium (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from the upper Rio Paraguay basin, Mato Grosso state, Brazil
Authors: da Graça Weferson J. , Ota Renata R. , Domingues Wladimir M.
Published: October 2019

A new miniature species of Characidium is described from the upper Rio Paraguay basin, Brazil. The new species can be diagnosed from all congeners by the presence of a dark‐brown humeral blotch, vertically elongated (spanning 5 to 7 horizontal scale rows), with the shape of an upside‐down acute triangle. Additionally, it can be diagnosed by a short lateral line (6 to 8 perforated scales), the absence of a conspicuous peduncular blotch, a lower number of principal caudal‐fin rays (14–16) and by absence of the adipose fin. The new species is the smallest species of the genus; the largest specimen was 19.3 mm standard length.
Human biological variation in sesamoid bone prevalence: the curious case of the fabella
Authors: Berthaume Michael A. , Bull Anthony M. J.
Published: October 2019

The fabella is a sesamoid bone located in the gastrocnemius behind the lateral femoral condyle. In humans, fabellae are 3.5 times more common today than they were 100 years ago, with prevalence rates varying between and within populations. In particular, fabellae have been assumed to be more common in Asians than non‐Asians, equally common in men and women, potentially more common in older individuals, and bilateral cases (one per knee) appear to be more common than unilateral ones. The roles of genetic and environmental factors in this phenotypic variation have been hypothesized, but not rigorously investigated. Given its clinical and evolutionary significance (i.e. being associated with several knee ailments, causing medical issues on its own, interfering with medical devices, and being less common in humans than in other mammals), it is important comprehensively to understand prevalence rate variation, and the roles of genetics and environmental factors in that variation. To address these questions, we performed a meta‐analysis on data from studies published from 1875 to 2018 to investigate possible variation in sexual dimorphic (n = 22 studies, 7911 knees), ontogenetic (n = 10 studies, 4391 knees), and global (n = 65 studies, 21 626 knees) fabella prevalence rates. In addition, we investigated what proportion of cases are bilateral (n = 37 studies, 900 individuals), and among unilateral cases (n = 20 studies, 204 individuals), if fabellae are more common in the left or right knee. Our results show that, today, fabellae are 2.47–2.60% more common in men than women, and prevalence rates increase ontogenetically in old age (i.e. 70 years old), implying that fabellae can ossify early (i.e. 12 years old) or late in life. Approximately 72.94% of cases are bilateral, and among unilateral ones, fabellae are equally common in right and left knees. There is marked regional variation in fabella prevalence rates, with rates being highest in Asia, followed by Oceania, South America, Europe, Middle East, and North America, and lowest in Africa. Worldwide, an average of 36.80% of knees has ossified fabellae detectable by dissection. These results imply that, while the ability to form a fabella may be genetically controlled, the mechanisms that trigger fabella ossification may be environmentally controlled. What these environmental factors are, can only be speculated.
The K‐State emoji scale
Authors: Deubler Grace , Swaney‐Stueve Marianne , Jepsen Tegan , Su‐Fern Belinda P.
Published: October 2019

There has been a surfeit of work on the use of emojis in consumer research methodologies; the intent of this present research was to develop and validate a new emoji‐based scale for measuring consumers' emotional response to products. In Phase 1, children ages 8–11 in the United States and China were asked to evaluate written food and situational stimuli using one of two emoji scale prototypes and the Peryam & Kroll (P&K) scale (super good/super bad). One prototype, the K‐State emoji scale, performed significantly better than the other based on its stimuli discrimination and participant understanding and was chosen for further research. In Phase 2, the same demographic was asked to taste and evaluate flavored potato chip samples using both the K‐State emoji scale and P&K scale. Participants in each country used the emoji scale in a similar manner and the scale was able to adequately discriminate across all stimuli. The results demonstrated the K‐State emoji scale is valid in the United States and China and is suitable for measuring children's emotional response to products.

Practical applications

The K‐State emoji scale is a 7‐point scale made of yellow‐face emojis ranging from positive to negative valence. The scale is intended to measure simple emotional response to products from consumers, specifically children. The visual scale is easy to use and simple to understand with potential application opportunities globally. This method is open‐source; to obtain digital copies of the scale, please contact Dr. Marianne Swaney‐Stueve at Kansas State University (marianness@ksu.edu).
Adherence and acceptability of community‐based distribution of micronutrient powders in Southern Mali
Authors: Roschnik Natalie , Diarra Hawa , Dicko Yahia , Diarra Seybou , Stanley Isobel , Moestue Helen , McClean Judy , Verhoef Hans , Clarke Sian E.
Published: October 2019

Home fortification with micronutrient powders (MNP) has been shown to reduce anaemia, with high overall acceptability and adherence, but there is limited evidence from West Africa. Around 80% of children younger than 5 years are anaemic in Mali, and new interventions are needed. This paper reports on the adherence and acceptability of a community‐led MNP intervention targeting children aged 6–59 months in Southern Mali. The MNP were delivered by a multidisciplinary group of community volunteers using community‐based preschools, cooking demonstrations, and traditional communication networks to promote MNP, nutrition, hygiene, and child stimulation. The MNP were delivered alongside early childhood development interventions and seasonal malaria chemoprevention. Adherence and acceptability were evaluated through two cross‐sectional surveys in 2014 and 2016 and a qualitative evaluation in 2015. Over 80% of parents reported ever having given MNP to their child, with 65% having given MNP for four or more days in the last week. Likely contributors to uptake include: perceived positive changes in the children following MNP use, the selection of a food vehicle that was already commonly given to children (morning porridge or bouillie) and the community driven, decentralized and integrated delivery approach. These findings support recommendations from recent reviews of MNP implementation to use community‐based delivery approaches and behaviour change components.
The Rational Animal and Modern Science: The Research Context of the Papers
Authors: Conrad Richard
Published: October 2019

The papers collected in this issue of New Blackfriars were delivered at Aquinas Seminar series in Oxford and represent research interests of the Aquinas Institute. This article contextualises them by giving an impression of areas of contemporary research to which they contribute or to which they point. These areas concern animal psychology, the human being as complex rational animal, body-and-soul, and human evolution. Some of the many possible issues are identified, so as to suggest that in all these areas the Aristotelian-Thomistic tradition can enter into a real and fruitful conversation with modern discoveries in biology and psychology; it can take them on board and at the same time pose questions and offer perspectives that stand to be illuminating.
Man more Animal than Anything: The Unity in Human Agency
Authors: Finley John
Published: October 2019

Owen Flanagan takes his claim that ‘we are animals through and through’ to imply ‘our animal side is our only side’. But ‘Cartesianism’ is not the only alternative available: Aquinas’ view of the human soul as a spiritual reality that is essentially the form of the body means that animality characterizes humans in an especially intimate way.

Aquinas recognizes degrees of unity. Homogeneous inanimate substances have an accidental unity; living organisms are essentially one: the self pervades the whole, and the form is closely related to this particular matter. The human soul communicates to the body the being the soul possesses, hence it is more intimate to the body than any bodily quality, while the body is more intimate to the soul than any of the soul's powers. In isolation from the body the soul cannot exercise its own proper activity, which is to know sensible reality.

This high degree of metaphysical unity is manifest at the level of action and experience. Robert Sokolowski's account of speech as a defining feature of human beings illustrates how bodiliness is needed for the soul's intellectual activity. Syntactical speech is formed by and expressive of intelligence as embodied and temporally conditioned.

The human being's superior ontological unity is not refuted by experiences of disintegration. Our soul, in its simplicity, needs to originate a unique gamut of powers; hence the human being can go wrong in many ways. The tension among our powers is experienced acutely because it is within the one soul. Human death is not really unnatural, but is more violent than in the case of the other animals. However, as a final mortification it allows us to offer our selves in conformity to Christ.
Explaining Disability Trends in the United States, 1963–2015
Authors: Schellekens J. Jona
Published: October 2019

The National Health Interview Survey is the world's longest survey time series of health data. In spite of the availability of such a long time series, previous studies did not attempt to explain long‐term trends in disability, because the design of the question in the survey has changed over time. To control for changes in the design of the question, I added two variables indicating major changes in the design to the analysis. My results show that the decline in mortality from cardiovascular disease is associated with the rise in disability in the 1970s, whereas better education is associated with the long‐term decline in disability that started in the 1980s. Combined, the two variables are able to account for all major trends in disability at age 50–84 from 1963 to 2015, leaving limited room for other explanations. The statistical model predicts that the trend in falling disability rates will end as the rise in educational levels draws to a halt.
Long‐term non‐invasive ventilation in cystic fibrosis: A bridge too far?
Authors: Wilson John , Young Alan
Published: October 2019

See related Article
Gender similarity in growth patterns of support toward friends during young adulthood
Authors: Nielson Matthew G. , Xiao Sonya Xinyue , Padilla‐Walker Laura
Published: October 2019

The purpose of this article was to analyze change over time in a specific aspect of prosocial behavior, emotional support toward friends, using two different methodologies. We examined how emotional support changes during the transition to adulthood and whether gender‐based group comparisons yield different gender patterns than person‐centered growth mixture models. We hypothesized that emotional helping toward friends would increase over time and that person‐centered analyses would not show gender differences as large as those indicated by group comparison models. Participants were 466 young adults (ages 18–21). Findings indicated that important intragroup variance was masked when analyses focused on comparisons between gender groups. Person‐centered analyses indicated two mixed‐gender groups with different prosocial trajectories. We discuss how the methods and outcomes of person‐centered analyses are more congruent with current theories of “gender similarities” as well as empirical evidence of the small gender difference in social behaviors such as emotional support.
Acceptability and safety of thermal ablation for the treatment of precancerous cervical lesions in Honduras
Authors: Sandoval Manuel , Slavkovsky Rose , Bansil Pooja , Jeronimo Jose , Lim Jeanette , Figueroa Jacqueline , de Sanjose Silvia
Published: October 2019

Objective

To evaluate the acceptability and safety of thermal ablation (TA) for the treatment of precancerous cervical lesions in women in Honduras.

Methods

Human papillomavirus (HPV) and visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) screen‐positive eligible women received TA. After treatment, women rated the level of pain experienced during treatment using the Wong‐Baker FACES® pain‐rating scale from 0 to 10. Short‐term safety outcomes that could require medical attention were assessed one month after treatment.

Results

A total of 319 women received TA treatment. The average pain rating was 2.5 (95% CI: 2.3–2.8), and 85% rated their pain levels as less than 6. No significant differences in low (below 6) or high (6 and above) pain were found by age or number of biopsies performed, but there was a significant difference by the number of TA applications (P < 0.01). When asked if they would recommend this treatment, all women said they would. At the one‐month follow‐up visit, the most common reported discomforts were bleeding (10%) and cramping (8.4%); 11 women reported severe lower abdominal pain, and none required medical attention.

Conclusions

TA is safe and acceptable to patients as a treatment option for precancerous cervical lesions in low‐resource settings.
Spiritual and Secular Existential Meaning-Making Coping Methods among Japanese Cancer Patients
Authors: Ahmadi Fereshteh , Rabbani Mohammad , Yi Xiaohe , Kase Hiroko , Ahmadi Nader
Published: October 2019

The present article is written on the basis of a sociological international project on meaning-making coping. The aim of the project has been to understand the role of culture in meaning-making coping. The project embarrasses studies among cancer patients in 10 countries. The present article is confined to the results obtained in the study in japan. The main aim was to investigate the impact of culture from a sociological perspective on the choice of coping methods. Twelve participants with various kinds of cancer were interviewed.Several meaning-making coping methods are found in the present study. This study underlines the importance of investigating cultural and social context when investigating into the use of the meaning-making coping methods in different countries.
Bogotá Análoga: diagramas del espacio de la economía popular
Authors: Cifuentes Quin Camilo Andrés
Published: October 2019

Históricamente en Bogotá, las ventas ambulantes han sido consideradas como un problema público que se ha materializado en el espacio urbano y que en los últimos años se ha politizado fuertemente. El debate se ha dado en gran medida en torno a la contradicción que ha surgido entre la defensa del derecho al disfrute del espacio público y la protección del derecho al trabajo de miles de ciudadanos que ganan su sustento en la calle. En este contexto, las administraciones locales de izquierda han planteado el desarrollo de una política de creación de ‘espacios análogos’ como una posible solución a dicha contradicción. Este artículo presenta el contexto dentro del cual surgió esta propuesta junto con el desarrollo de una serie de prescripciones hipotéticas que invitan a reflexionar sobre las implicaciones espaciales de la hipotética implementación de una política de este tipo, y sobre las posibilidades de una metodología diagramática de análisis.
Estimation of Systemic Vascular Resistance Using Built-In Sensing From an Implanted Left Ventricular Assist Device
Authors: Rapp Ethan S. , Pawar Suraj R. , Gohean Jeffrey R. , Larson Erik R. , Smalling Richard W. , Longoria Raul G.
Published: October 2019

This paper presents an approach for real-time estimation of the systemic vascular resistance (SVR) of heart failure patients who have a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Notably, an approach is described that relies only on sensing that is built into the LVAD, so no additional sensors or measurements are required. The estimation of SVR is accomplished using a variant of the extended Kalman filter (EKF) algorithm, making use of a reduced-order systemic circulation model, and requires LVAD flowrate as an input to the systemic circulation and measurement of the LVAD differential pressure. Experiments using a hybrid mock circulatory loop (hMCL) are used to show the efficacy of this approach for both types of LVAD pumping modalities; i.e., continuous flow (CF) turbomachines and pulsatile flow (PF) positive-displacement pumps. The mock loop uses a real-time hardware-in-the-loop simulation of the cardiovascular system (CVS) where physiological parameters and particularly the SVR can be set to known values, allowing a basis for evaluating the accuracy of the estimation algorithms. It was found that SVR value estimates were accurate within 1.3% and 0.7% compared to the set model values for the continuous and PF LVADs, respectively. The use of this SVR estimation approach utilizing built-in LVAD sensing technology has potential for use in further real-time estimation endeavors, monitoring of patient physiology, and providing alerts to physicians.
Flow Around Three Side-by-Side Square Cylinders and the Effect of the Cylinder Oscillation
Authors: More Bhupendra Singh , Dutta Sushanta , Gandhi Bhupendra Kumar
Published: October 2019

In this study, the flow field over three square cylinders (SCs) arranged side by side is investigated in a low-speed wind tunnel. The experiments are performed with three similar SCs for Reynolds number (Re) 295. The influences of spacing ratio on the wake size, drag coefficient, and flow interference of the cylinders are reported with the hotwire anemometry, particle image velocimetry (PIV), and the flow visualization techniques. Special attention is paid to the oscillation given to the middle cylinder and its effect on flow structure and related forces. The spacing ratio (s/D) ranges from 1.5 to 3, whereas the forcing frequency ratio ranges from 0.5 to 2 with amplitude of 10% of the cylinder width. It is observed that the spacing influences the flow structure, and the vortex shedding mechanism strongly. A secondary frequency appears in the flow field for spacing ratio s/D = 2 and 3. Depending upon the spacing ratios, the flow pattern is seen to be asymmetric biased, symmetric biased, and weakly interactive. The wake interaction decreases with increase in spacing ratios. With the oscillations, the wake becomes more unstable and complex. Additional wake oscillation frequency appears in the power spectra. With an increase in spacing ratios, the drag coefficient decreases, whereas with oscillations, higher drag force is observed compared to a stationary cylinder. A correlation is developed between the time-averaged drag coefficient with cylinder spacing and Reynolds number.
Experimental Investigation on Pressure Fluctuation Reduction in a Double Suction Centrifugal Pump: Influence of Impeller Stagger and Blade Geometry
Authors: Zeng Yongshun , Yao Zhifeng , Wang Fujun , Xiao Ruofu , He Chenglian
Published: October 2019

The reduction in pressure fluctuation can suppress noise, balance the radial and axial forces, and restrain the vibration level of a centrifugal pump. Impeller stagger and blade geometry influence the pressure fluctuation characteristics of double suction centrifugal pumps. In the present investigation, the pressure fluctuation characteristics of the baseline impeller, the staggered impeller, and the blade geometry modified impeller were investigated experimentally under design and off-design operating conditions. The frequency spectrum was analyzed by fast Fourier transform (FFT) and continuous wavelet transform (CWT) methods. The broadband frequencies are defined quantitatively and analyzed emphatically. The significant linear relationship between the center frequency of the broadband frequencies and the flowrate is discovered for the first time. The center frequency decreases as the flowrate increases. The linearity varies below and above the design flowrate. When the discrete frequencies are in range of the broadband frequencies, a high amplitude of pressure fluctuation occurs. This could explain the large peak-to-peak value of the pressure fluctuation at 1.24Qn, which may be due to the coincidence between broadband frequencies and the components at the frequencies fr and 2fr. Both the staggered impeller and the blade geometry modified impeller can reduce the level of pressure fluctuation; in particular, it is reduced to 35% and 13% compared to that of baseline impeller near the volute tongue region under the design flowrate, respectively. The staggered impeller and the blade geometry can obviously affect the decreasing slopes between the center frequencies and the flowrate.
Leakage Estimate in Nonuniformly Compressed Packing Rings
Authors: Omar Aweimer Ali Salah , Bouzid Abdel-Hakim , Zhao Zijian
Published: October 2019

Characterizing the permeation performance of nanoporous material is an initial step toward predicting microflows and achieving acceptable designs in sealing and filtration applications. This study deals with analytical, numerical, and experimental studies of gaseous leaks through soft packing materials subjected to nonuniform axial compression in valve stuffing boxes. A new analytical model that accurately predicts gaseous leak rates through nanoporous packing materials assumed made of capillaries having an exponentially varying section. Based on Navier–Stokes equations with the first-order velocity slip condition for tapered cylinder capillaries, the analytical model is used to estimate gas flow through soft packing materials. In addition, computational fluid dynamic modeling using cfx software is used to test its capacity to estimate the permeation of compression packing ring materials assuming the fluid flow to follow Darcy's law. Helium gas is used as a reference gas in the experiments to characterize the porosity parameters. The analytical and cfx numerical leak predictions are compared to leak rates measured experimentally using different gas types (helium, nitrogen, air, and argon) at different pressures and gland stresses. The analytical and numerical models account for the porosity change with the stem axial distance because the packing ring set is subjected to an exponentially varying radial compression. The predictions from analytical model are in close agreement with the cfx model and in better agreement with experimental measurements.
On the Use of Thermal Energy Storage for Flexible Baseload Power Plants: Thermodynamic Analysis of Options for a Nuclear Rankine Cycle
Authors: Carlson Fletcher , Davidson Jane H.
Published: October 2019

The intermittency of wind and solar energy can disrupt the dynamic balance utilities must maintain to meet fluctuating demand. This work examines the use of thermal energy storage (TES) to increase the operational flexibility of a baseload power plant and thus incentivize renewable energy and decarbonize the grid. A first and second law thermodynamic model of a nuclear power plant establishes the impacts of TES on the capacity factor and thermal efficiency of the plant. Four storage options, which are distinguished by the location within the cycle where steam is diverted for charging and whether discharge of the TES is via the primary or a secondary Rankine cycle, are considered. TES is compared to steam bypass, which is an alternative to provide baseload flexibility. TES is significantly better than steam bypass. The storage option with the greatest thermodynamic benefit is charged by diverting superheated steam at the outlet of the moisture separator/reheater (MSR) to the TES. The TES is discharged for peaking power through an optimized secondary cycle. TES increases the capacity factor as much as 15% compared to steam bypass at representative charging mass flowrates. The storage option that diverts steam from the steam generator to charge the TES and discharges the TES to the primary cycle extends the discharge power to a lower range and does not require a secondary cycle. In this case, the capacity factor and efficiency are as much as 8% greater than that of steam bypass.
Selective remote excitation of complex structures using time reversal in audible frequency range
Authors: Farin Maxime , Prada Claire , de Rosny Julien
Published: October 2019

Generation of elastic waves is a major issue in nondestructive testing. Structural health monitoring of a thin element can be achieved through the analysis of its resonance spectrum. A time reversal mirror (TRM) operating in the audible frequency range (1–10 kHz) is used to remotely excite thin resonant elastic elements. The generation of elastic waves is studied with respect to the geometry of the TRM. It is observed that the quality of focusing only weakly depends on the number of loudspeakers (LS) in the TRM. When the air/plate coupling is at its maximum, the energetic efficiency of the TRM is estimated to be about 0.02%. The TRM is shown to efficiently and selectively excite a small structure embedded in a complex environment such as a hollow cylinder. Finally, the results are discussed in light of the DORT method (French acronym for “decomposition of the time reversal operator”). In particular, the optimal LS placement and emission signals in this configuration to excite individual eigenmodes of a plate is determined.
Sauropods get a new diet and a new look
Authors: Pickrell John
Published: October 2019

The behemoths may have chomped nutritious horsetails—with the help of sturdy beaks.
Sphingosine 1-phosphate: Lipid signaling in pathology and therapy
Authors: Cartier Andreane , Hla Timothy
Published: October 2019

Mediating systemic health

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is an important circulating lipid mediator that is derived from the metabolism of cell membranes. Its diverse homeostatic roles, particularly in immunology and vascular biology, can go awry in numerous diseases, including multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, and fibrosis. The centrality of S1P signaling has led to the development of several drugs, including two approved for treatment of multiple sclerosis. In a Review, Cartier and Hla discuss the current understanding of how one mediator can carry out so many signaling roles in different tissues, how these become dysregulated in disease, and efforts in drug development to target S1P signaling.

Science
, this issue p.
eaar5551
The geography of biodiversity change in marine and terrestrial assemblages
Authors: Blowes Shane A. , Supp Sarah R. , Antão Laura H. , Bates Amanda , Bruelheide Helge , Chase Jonathan M. , Moyes Faye , Magurran Anne , McGill Brian , Myers-Smith Isla H. , Winter Marten , Bjorkman Anne D. , Bowler Diana E. , Byrnes Jarrett E. K. , Gonzalez Andrew , Hines Jes , Isbell Forest , Jones Holly P. , Navarro Laetitia M. , Thompson Patrick L. , Vellend Mark , Waldock Conor , Dornelas Maria
Published: October 2019

Spatial structure of species change

Biodiversity is undergoing rapid change driven by climate change and other human influences. Blowes
et al.
analyze the global patterns in temporal change in biodiversity using a large quantity of time-series data from different regions (see the Perspective by Eriksson and Hillebrand). Their findings reveal clear spatial patterns in richness and composition change, where marine taxa exhibit the highest rates of change. The marine tropics, in particular, emerge as hotspots of species richness losses. Given that human activities are affecting biodiversity in magnitudes and directions that differ across the planet, these findings will provide a much needed biogeographic understanding of biodiversity change that can help inform conservation prioritization.

Science
, this issue p.
339
; see also p.
308
Generation of time-domain-multiplexed two-dimensional cluster state
Authors: Asavanant Warit , Shiozawa Yu , Yokoyama Shota , Charoensombutamon Baramee , Emura Hiroki , Alexander Rafael N. , Takeda Shuntaro , Yoshikawa Jun-ichi , Menicucci Nicolas C. , Yonezawa Hidehiro , Furusawa Akira
Published: October 2019

Generating large-scale cluster states

The development of a practical quantum computer requires universality, scalability, and fault tolerance. Although much progress is being made in circuit platforms in which arrays of qubits are addressed and manipulated individually, scale-up of such systems is experimentally challenging. Asavanant
et al.
and Larsen
et al.
explore an alternative route: measurement-based quantum computation, which is a platform based on the generation of large-scale cluster states. As these are optically prepared and easier to handle (one simply performs local measurements on each individual component of the cluster state), such a platform is readily scalable and fault tolerant. The topology of the cluster state ensures that the approach meets the requirements for quantum computation.

Science
, this issue p.
373
, p.
369
Comment on “The global tree restoration potential”
Authors: Friedlingstein Pierre , Allen Myles , Canadell Josep G. , Peters Glen P. , Seneviratne Sonia I.
Published: October 2019

Bastin
et al
. (Reports, 5 July 2019, p. 76) claim that global tree restoration is the most effective climate change solution to date, with a reported carbon storage potential of 205 gigatonnes of carbon. However, this estimate and its implications for climate mitigation are inconsistent with the dynamics of the global carbon cycle and its response to anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions.
Spikes in the sleeping brain
Authors: Ikegaya Yuji , Matsumoto Nobuyoshi
Published: October 2019

Memory is replayed and consolidated under low background noise during deep sleep
Prominent Binding of Human and Equine Fibrinogen to Streptococcus equi subsp.
zooepidemicus
Is Mediated by Specific SzM Types and Is a Distinct Phenotype of Zoonotic Isolates
Authors: Bergmann René , Jentsch Maria-Christin , Uhlig Albrecht , Müller Uwe , van der Linden Mark , Rasmussen Magnus , Waller Andrew , von Köckritz-Blickwede Maren , Baums Christoph Georg
Published: October 2019

Streptococcus equi
subsp.
zooepidemicus
is an important pathogen in horses that causes severe diseases such as pneumonia and abortion. Furthermore, it is a zoonotic agent, and contact with horses is a known risk factor. In this study, we investigated the working hypothesis that the zoonotic potential varies among
S. equi
subsp.
zooepidemicus
strains in association with differences in M-like protein-mediated binding of host plasma proteins.
Multicenter Clinical Evaluation of Etest Meropenem-Vaborbactam (bioMérieux) for Susceptibility Testing of
Enterobacterales
(
Enterobacteriaceae
) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Jean Sophonie , Garrett Sheri , Anglade Claire , Bridon Laurence , Davies Leanne , Garner Omai B. , Richards Jennifer , Wallace Meghan , Wootton Mandy , Burnham Carey-Ann D.
Published: October 2019

Meropenem-vaborbactam (MEV) is a novel carbapenem–beta-lactamase inhibitor combination antibiotic approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of complicated urinary tract infections, including pyelonephritis, in adults. In this study, we evaluated the performance of Etest MEV (bioMérieux, Marcy l’Etoile, France) compared to that of broth microdilution for 629
Enterobacterales
and 163
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
isolates.
Patients at the centre of care: debriefing patients after caesarean section
Authors: Dougan Claire , Smith Emma , Ploski Jennifer , Mc Nally Arthur , Johnston Katie
Published: October 2019

Empowering patients and working collaboratively to improve healthcare is a focus for current healthcare development strategies. In obstetric practice, working in collaboration with women to discuss mode of delivery after caesarean section has been shown to impact women’s choice. A preliminary survey in our tertiary maternity unit showed 20% of women gained ‘full clarity’ with the information they received after caesarean-section regarding indication, complications and impact on future delivery. Focus groups identified what information patients required about their surgery. General practitioners (GP) highlighted a lack of communication between secondary and primary care. Junior obstetricians surveyed felt uncertain about debriefing. The aim was to improve monthly ‘full clarity’ scores to 30% in 6 months. Our team introduced a debrief form, filled by the operator and kept in maternity notes. The operator verbally debriefed as part of their current standard practice. Junior doctors postoperatively debriefed the patient using the form. The triplicate form ensured both patients and primary care received a copy. It was anticipated that in the long term, this would provide consistent information and aid informed decision making in subsequent pregnancies. Review of the forms’ use was undertaken weekly. Multidisciplinary input identified barriers to uptake. Plan, Do, Study, Act cycles promoted the project, disseminated results, evidenced growing participation and rewarded consistent form use. Patient groups critiqued the form layout. Teaching aimed to improve junior doctor confidence in debriefing discussions. Sustained participation resulted in effective form uptake. Patient ‘full clarity’ scores improved to 60% with minimal impact on workload. Teaching successfully improved junior doctor confidence as evidenced by increased documented debrief discussions. GP focus groups felt empowered to counsel women consistently about their surgery increasing clarity for everyone. This project highlights that patient satisfaction improves when we listen to their views and commit to change.
Is the ‘serious’ factor in germline modification really relevant? A response to Kleiderman, Ravitsky and Knoppers
Authors: De Miguel Beriain Iñigo
Published: October 2019

Should we use human germline genome modification (HGGM) only when serious diseases are involved? This belief is the underlying factor in the article written by Kleiderman, Ravitsky and Knoppers to which I now respond. In my opinion, the answer to this question should be negative. In this paper, I attempt to show that there are no good reasons to think that this technology should be limited to serious diseases once it is sufficiently proven to be safe and efficient. In fact, opting otherwise would negatively harm human beings’ right to the highest standard of health that unmodified embryos could promote. Therefore, the issue should not be so much to define adequately what a serious disease is, but rather to elucidate whether this concept should play any role beyond the context of preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). This paper argues that we should not accept the similarity between technologies such as PGT and HGGM because they face different challenges and offer totally different possibilities. Therefore, we are in urgent need to build a completely new ethical architecture that covers the application of germline editing in human embryos. As a part of that process, a much deeper debate on the necessity of distinguishing different disease types is required.
Differences in lung function between children with sickle cell anaemia from West Africa and Europe
Authors: Arigliani Michele , Castriotta Luigi , Zubair Ramatu , Dogara Livingstone Gayus , Zuiani Chiara , Raywood Emma , Vecchiato Katy , Petoello Enrico , Sunday Ashel Dache , Ndoro Sharon , Canciani Mario Canciano , Gupta Atul , Cogo Paola , Inusa Baba
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Lung function abnormalities are common in sickle cell anaemia (SCA) but data from sub-Saharan Africa are limited. We hypothesised that children with SCA from West Africa had worse lung function than their counterparts from Europe.

Methods

This prospective cross-sectional study evaluated spirometry and anthropometry in black African individuals with SCA (haemoglobin phenotype SS) aged 6–18 years from Nigeria and the UK, when clinically stable. Age-matched controls were also included in Nigeria to validate the Global Lung Initiative spirometry reference values.

Results

Nigerian SCA patients (n=154) had significant reductions in both FEV1 and FVC of ~1 z-score compared with local controls (n=364) and ~0.5 z-scores compared with the UK patients (n=101). Wasting (body mass index z-score<−2) had a prevalence of 27% in Nigerian patients and 7% in the UK ones (p<0.001). Among children with SCA, being resident in Nigeria (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.9), wasting (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1 to 5.0) and each additional year of age (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.4) were independently associated with increased risk of restrictive spirometry (FVC z-score<−1.64+FEV1/FVC≥−1.64).

Conclusions

This study showed that chronic respiratory impairment is more severe in children with SCA from West Africa than Europe. Our findings suggest the utility of implementing respiratory assessment in African children with SCA to early identify those with chronic lung injury, eligible for closer follow-up and more aggressive therapies.
Stable wormhole existence under noncommutative distributed background in Rastall theory
Authors: Mustafa G. , Abbas G. , Shahzad M.R. , Tie-Cheng Xia
Published: October 2019

This study describes the Rastall modified theory with noncommutative Gaussian- and Lorentzian-like distributions to find spherical and symmetric wormhole solutions. The basic concept of noncommutative geometry with both distributions is a physically acceptable and significant topic of quantum physics. It becomes more illustrious and interesting when we combine it with the concept of wormhole geometry. Therefore, it calculates the viable and physically realistic solutions for wormhole existential geometry under Gaussian and Lorentzian frameworks. Further, in the presence of Gaussian and Lorentzian distributions, the feasible and acceptable wormhole solutions are shown graphically. Furthermore, the stability analysis is discussed by using the Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkov equation for all of the solutions under Gaussian- and Lorentzian-like distributions in the Rastall framework. For this purpose, we will take suitable particular values of the free and dimensionless parameters. At the end, it is concluded that our obtained solutions are physically arguable.
Investigating fish migration, mortality, and physiology to improve conservation planning of anadromous salmonids: a case study on the endangered North Sea houting (Coregonus oxyrinchus)
Authors: Hertz M. , Jensen L.F. , Pertoldi C. , Aarestrup K. , Thomsen S.N. , Alstrup A.K.O. , Asmus H. , Madsen S.S. , Svendsen J.C.
Published: October 2019

Understanding migratory behavior, mortality, and physiology is essential for conservation of many species, particularly anadromous fish. In this study, freshwater and marine migrations of the endangered salmonid North Sea houting (Coregonus oxyrinchus (Linnaeus, 1758)) were investigated using telemetry. Furthermore, physiological samples were collected from North Sea houting and from resident and anadromous populations of the closely related European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus (Linnaeus, 1758)) to compare hypo-osmotic tolerances. On average, North Sea houting spent 193 days at sea where the mortality was 36%. Most fish returned from sea in the autumn, and river entry correlated inversely with river temperature and positively with discharge. Fish spent an average of 49 days in the estuarine area. Artificial lakes negatively affected migration speeds. Migration speeds did not differ consistently between individuals (i.e., not a repeatable trait) but correlated positively with water temperature. Fish arrived at spawning areas in November. In the post-spawning state, Na+/K+-ATPase activities were elevated in North Sea houting and anadromous whitefish compared with resident whitefish, while osmolality was elevated only in North Sea houting. Our study provides important information for conservation planning related to the Habitat Directive of the European Union that lists the North Sea houting as critically endangered.
Lost in translation? Insights into caribou habitat selection from forest inventory data
Authors: Rudolph Tyler D. , MacNearney Doug , Finnegan Laura
Published: October 2019

The gap between research and its implementation is an impediment to conservation of the environment. Translating science into actionable management and policy requires effective communication and collaboration among scientists, practitioners, and policy-makers. Ecologists routinely rely on spatial data to describe wildlife distributions; however, habitat definitions vary by species, and data sources often differ from those used by land managers. Finding commonalities in the language and data used to plan for industrial activities and wildlife conservation may help address the research-implementation gap for threatened species like woodland caribou. We built resource selection functions for caribou using Alberta Vegetation Index (AVI) habitat data, which is employed by the Alberta forest industry for landbase planning. Our goal was to bridge the research-implementation gap by providing the forest industry with tools to facilitate planning for caribou conservation within their jurisdiction. In contrast to previous studies that highlighted shortcomings in AVI data for predicting wildlife habitat use, we found that resource selection function models that combined AVI data with complementary covariates validated well to predict caribou habitat use. We suggest that by using a data source familiar to land managers, ecologists can facilitate the bridging of the research-implementation gap without compromising the quality of ecological modeling.
Poisson–Lie identities and dualities of Bianchi cosmologies
Authors: Hlavatý Ladislav , Petr Ivo
Published: October 2019

We investigate a special class of Poisson–Lie T-plurality transformations of Bianchi cosmologies invariant with respect to non-semisimple Bianchi groups. For six-dimensional semi-Abelian Manin triples $$\mathfrak {b}\bowtie \mathfrak {a}$$b⋈a containing Bianchi algebras $$\mathfrak {b}$$b we identify general forms of Poisson–Lie identities and dualities. We show that these can be decomposed into simple factors, namely automorphisms of Manin triples, B-shifts, $$\beta $$β-shifts, and “full” or “factorized” dualities. Further, we study effects of these transformations and utilize the decompositions to obtain new backgrounds which, supported by corresponding dilatons, satisfy Generalized Supergravity Equations.
ROBOTIC ARM COLLISION REACTION STRATEGIES FOR SAFE HUMAN–ROBOT INTERACTION WITHOUT TORQUE SENSORS
Authors: XU TIAN , FAN JIZHUANG , FANG QIANQIAN , ZHAO JIE , ZHU YANHE
Published: October 2019

Three kinds of collision reaction strategies for increasing safety during human and robot interactions without relying on torque sensors are proposed in this paper. In the proposed algorithms, motor torque is estimated by driver current. The generalized momentum observer is used for collision detection, which does not need joints acceleration information and calculates the inverse of the inertia matrix. Three different collision reaction strategies, going away, dragging by hands and mechanical impedance developed in this paper, aim to enhance safety to humans during physical interaction with robots. For verifying the efficiency of the proposed algorithms, experiments are tested between a 1-DOF manipulator system and a human being. At last, the experiments’ results show that the proposed collision reaction algorithms are effective.