bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endozoochorous dispersal of forest seeds by carnivorous mammals in Sierra Fría, Aguascalientes, Mexico
Authors: Rubalcava‐Castillo Fabián A. , Sosa‐Ramírez Joaquín , Luna‐Ruíz José J. , Valdivia‐Flores Arturo G. , Díaz‐Núñez Vicente , Íñiguez‐Dávalos Luis I.
Published: February 2020

Some carnivorous mammals ingest fruit and disperse seeds of forest plant species capable of colonizing disturbed areas in ecosystems. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the dissemination of Arctostaphylos pungens and Juniperus deppeana seeds by the gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), coyote (Canis latrans), and other carnivores in the Protected Natural Area Sierra Fría, in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Scat collection was undertaken via transects using the direct search method, while the seasonal phenology of A. pungens and J. deppeana was evaluated by recording flower and fruit abundance on both the plant and the surrounding forest floor ground. Seed viability was assessed by optical densitometry via X‐ray and a germination test. It was found that the gray fox, coyote, ringtail (Bassariscus astutus), and bobcat (Lynx rufus) disseminated seeds of A. pungens (212 ± 48.9 seeds/scat) and J. deppeana (23.6 ± 4.9 seeds/scat), since a large proportion of the collected scat of these species contained seeds (28/30 = 93.33%, 12/43 = 27.9%, 6/12 = 50% and 7/25 = 28% respectively). The gray fox, coyote, ringtail, and bobcat presented an average of seed dispersion of both plant species of 185.4 ± 228.7, 4.0 ± 20.0, 12.1 ± 30.4, and 0.8 ± 1.5 per scat; the seed proportions in the gray fox, coyote, ringtail, and bobcat were 89.6/10.4%, 82.3/17.7%, 90.4/9.6%, and 38.1/61.9% for A. pungens and J. deppeana, respectively. The phenology indicated a finding related to the greater abundance of ripe fruit in autumn and winter (p < .01). This coincided with the greater abundance of seeds found in scats during these seasons. Endozoochory and diploendozoochory enhanced the viability and germination of the seeds (p > .05), except in those of A. pungens dispersed by coyote. These results suggest that carnivores, particularly the gray fox, the coyote, and the bobcat, play an important role in forest seed dissemination, and thus forest regeneration, by making both a quantitative and qualitative contribution to the dispersal of the two pioneer species under study.
Optimization of percutaneous biopsy for diagnosis and pretreatment risk assessment of neuroblastoma
Authors: Overman Richard E. , Kartal Tanvi T. , Cunningham Aaron J. , Fialkowski Elizabeth A. , Naik‐Mathuria Bindi J. , Vasudevan Sanjeev A. , Malek Marcus M. , Kalsi Ranjeet , Le Hau D. , Stafford Linda Cherney , Lautz Timothy B. , Many Benjamin T. , Jones Rachel E. , Bütter Andreana , Davidson Jacob , Williams Andrew , Dasgupta Roshni , Lewis Jana , Troutt Misty , Aldrink Jennifer H. , Mansfield Sara A. , Lal Dave R. , Xiao Jerry , Meyers Rebecka L. , Short Scott S. , Newman Erika A.
Published: February 2020

Background

Image‐guided percutaneous core needle biopsy (PCNB) is increasingly utilized to diagnose solid tumors. The objective of this study is to determine whether PCNB is adequate for modern biologic characterization of neuroblastoma.

Procedure

A multi‐institutional retrospective study was performed by the Pediatric Surgical Oncology Research Collaborative on children with neuroblastoma at 12 institutions over a 3‐year period. Data collected included demographics, clinical details, biopsy technique, complications, and adequacy of biopsies for cytogenetic markers utilized by the Children's Oncology Group for risk stratification.

Results

A total of 243 children were identified with a diagnosis of neuroblastoma: 79 (32.5%) tumor excision at diagnosis, 94 (38.7%) open incisional biopsy (IB), and 70 (28.8%) PCNB. Compared to IB, there was no significant difference in ability to accurately obtain a primary diagnosis by PCNB (95.7% vs 98.9%, P = .314) or determine MYCN copy number (92.4% vs 97.8%, P = .111). The yield for loss of heterozygosity and tumor ploidy was lower with PCNB versus IB (56.1% vs 90.9%, P < .05; and 58.0% vs. 88.5%, P < .05). Complications did not differ between groups (2.9 % vs 3.3%, P = 1.000), though the PCNB group had fewer blood transfusions and lower opioid usage. Efficacy of PCNB was improved for loss of heterozygosity when a pediatric pathologist evaluated the fresh specimen for adequacy.

Conclusions

PCNB is a less invasive alternative to open biopsy for primary diagnosis and MYCN oncogene status in patients with neuroblastoma. Our data suggest that PCNB could be optimized for complete genetic analysis by standardized protocols and real‐time pathology assessment of specimen quality.
Addressing the challenges of modeling the scattering from bottlebrush polymers in solution
Authors: Sunday Daniel F. , Martin Tyler B. , Chang Alice B. , Burns Adam B. , Grubbs Robert H.
Published: February 2020

Small‐angle scattering measurements of complex macromolecules in solution are used to establish relationships between chemical structure and conformational properties. Interpretation of the scattering data requires an inverse approach where a model is chosen and the simulated scattering intensity from that model is iterated to match the experimental scattering intensity. This raises challenges in the case where the model is an imperfect approximation of the underlying structure, or where there are significant correlations between model parameters. We examine three bottlebrush polymers (consisting of polynorbornene backbone and polystyrene side chains) in a good solvent using a model commonly applied to this class of polymers: the flexible cylinder model. Applying a series of constrained Monte‐Carlo Markov Chain analyses demonstrates the severity of the correlations between key parameters and the presence of multiple close minima in the goodness of fit space. We demonstrate that a shape‐agnostic model can fit the scattering with significantly reduced parameter correlations and less potential for complex, multimodal parameter spaces. We provide recommendations to improve the analysis of complex macromolecules in solution, highlighting the value of Bayesian methods. This approach provides richer information for understanding parameter sensitivity compared to methods which produce a single, best fit.
Cu2O Heterostructured GaN Thin Film and GaN Nanowire Piezoelectric Nanogenerators
Authors: Waseem Aadil , Johar Muhammad Ali , Hassan Mostafa Afifi , Bagal Indrajit V. , Ha Jun-Seok , Lee June Key , Ryu Sang-Wan
Published: February 2020

Herein, a c‐plane GaN thin film (TF) and c‐axis GaN nanowires are grown using metal‐organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) and then utilized in the fabrication of piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs). The piezoelectric performance of GaN‐based PENGs is tuned by sputtering a resistive layer of Cu2O on GaN TFs and nanowires. A significant enhancement in the piezoelectric output of a Cu2O‐coated GaN TF‐based PENG is observed compared with that of a pristine GaN TF‐based PENG. The enhanced output is attributed to the high resistivity of Cu2O, which is controlled by conducting Cu2O sputtering in “0” sccm oxygen flow. Furthermore, a GaN/Cu2O core–shell nanowire‐based PENG is fabricated to enhance the flexibility and stability of nanogenerators.
Impact of flaxseed supplementation on plasma lipoprotein(a) concentrations: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Hadi Amir , Askarpour Moein , Ziaei Rahele , Venkatakrishnan Kamesh , Ghaedi Ehsan , Ghavami Abed
Published: February 2020

The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of supplementation with flaxseed on plasma lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels through a systematic review and meta‐analysis of eligible randomized placebo‐controlled trials. PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ISI Web of Science were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which have been published up to November 2019. RCTs that investigated the effect of flaxseed supplementation on plasma Lp(a) levels in adults were included for final analysis. The random effects model was used for calculating the overall effects. Meta‐analysis of 7 selected RCTs with 629 individuals showed significant lowering effect of flaxseed supplementation on Lp(a) (MD −2.06 mg/dl; 95% CI: −3.846, −0.274, p = .024), without considerable heterogeneity between studies (p = .986, I2 = 0%). Subgroup analysis also revealed that longer duration only showed significant lowering effect of flaxseed supplementation on Lp(a). This meta‐analysis has shown that flaxseed supplementation might significantly decrease plasma Lp(a) levels. Future well‐designed and long‐term clinical trials are required to confirm these results.
Soil production and the soil geomorphology legacy of Grove Karl Gilbert
Authors: Richter Daniel D. , Eppes Martha‐Cary , Austin Jason C. , Bacon Allan R. , Billings Sharon A. , Brecheisen Zachary , Ferguson Terry A. , Markewitz Daniel , Pachon Julio , Schroeder Paul A. , Wade Anna M.
Published: February 2020

Geomorphologists are quantifying the rates of an important component of bedrock's weathering in research that needs wide discussion among soil scientists. By using cosmogenic nuclides, geomorphologists estimate landscapes’ physical lowering, which, in a steady landscape, equates to upward transfers of weathered rock into slowly moving hillslope‐soil creep. Since the 1990s, these processes have been called “soil production” or “mobile regolith production”. In this paper, we assert the importance of a fully integrated pedological and geomorphological approach not only to soil creep but to soil, regolith, and landscape evolution; we clarify terms to facilitate soil geomorphology collaboration; and we seek a greater understanding of our sciences’ history. We show how the legacy of Grove Karl Gilbert extend across soil geomorphology. We interpret three contrasting soils and regoliths in the USA's Southern Piedmont in the context of a Gilbert‐inspired model of weathering and transport, a model of regolith evolution and of nonsteady systems that liberate particles and solutes from bedrock and transport them across the landscape. This exercise leads us to conclude that the Southern Piedmont is a region with soils and regoliths derived directly from weathering bedrock below (a regional paradigm for more than a century) but that the Piedmont also has significant areas in which regoliths are at least partly formed from paleo‐colluvia that may be massive in volume and overlie organic‐enriched layers, peat, and paleo‐saprolite. An explicitly integrated study of soil geomorphology can accelerate our understanding of soil, regoliths, and landscape evolution in all physiographic regions.
Evaluation of the effect of optimal fit criteria on the compressive strength of open mortise and tenon corner joints
Authors: Elek László , Kovács Zsolt , Csóka Levente , Agarwal Charu
Published: February 2020

The study examines the degree of deviation from the nominal size of the produced open full-width mortise and tenon joint elements for their optimal pairing based on the measured thickness and gap width data. The characteristics of the measuring devices used were analysed by the repeatability and reproducibility test. The compressive strength of the single-glued joints (where only the surfaces of the tenon were glued) and double-glued joints (where the surfaces of both the mortise and tenon elements were glued) for various joint fit categories was also determined. It was found that despite the huge number of produced test specimens and their measurements, the joint fits could be maintained with the milling machine and tools. The thickness of the joint could be characterized by measuring the data at the centre of the tenon, whereas the gap width of the mortise could be characterized by measuring the data on the side of the tool leaving the wood. The double-glued joints showed higher breaking force and displacement values as compared to the single-glued joints. The joints were found to be the strongest at a tight fit of 0.1 mm.
Theorem Proving for Pointwise Metric Temporal Logic Over the Naturals via Translations
Authors: Hustadt Ullrich , Ozaki Ana , Dixon Clare
Published: February 2020

We study translations from metric temporal logic (MTL) over the natural numbers to linear temporal logic (LTL). In particular, we present two approaches for translating from MTL to LTL which preserve the complexity of the satisfiability problem for MTL. In each of these approaches we consider the case where the mapping between states and time points is given by (i) a strict monotonic function and by (ii) a non-strict monotonic function (which allows multiple states to be mapped to the same time point). We use this logic to model examples from robotics, traffic management, and scheduling, discussing the effects of different modelling choices. Our translations allow us to utilise LTL solvers to solve satisfiability and we empirically compare the translations, showing in which cases one performs better than the other. We also define a branching-time version of the logic and provide translations into computation tree logic.
Explaining Health Disparities between Heterosexual and LGB Adolescents by Integrating the Minority Stress and Psychological Mediation Frameworks: Findings from the TRAILS Study
Authors: Kiekens Wouter , la Roi Chaïm , Bos Henny M. W. , Kretschmer Tina , van Bergen Diana D. , Veenstra René
Published: February 2020

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adolescents experience elevated levels of internalizing problems and use more substances than heterosexual adolescents. The minority stress and psychological mediation framework are complementary theoretical frameworks that were developed to explain these disparities. However, limited empirical research has integrated both frameworks to study health disparities between heterosexual and LGB adolescents. This study attempts such an integration, using data from the first five waves (participant age 11–22) of the TRacking Adolescents’ Individual Lives Survey (TRAILS), a cohort study of Dutch adolescents (N = 1738; 151 LGB; 54.8% girls). It was tested whether an LGB identity was linked to internalizing problems and substance use through a serial mediation process, in which sexual identity would be associated with peer victimization and negative relationships with parents (first set of mediators, in keeping with the minority stress framework), which in turn would be associated with fear of negative social evaluation and a lack of social support (second set of mediators, in keeping with the psychological mediation framework), and eventually increasing the risk for internalizing problems and elevated levels of substance use. Moreover, it was tested whether the link between minority stress and substance use was mediated by peers’ substance use levels, as hypothesized by the psychological mediation framework. Compared to heterosexual participants, LGB participants reported more internalizing problems, smoked more cigarettes, and used more marijuana, but did not consume more alcohol. The relation between sexual identity and internalizing problems was mediated by peer victimization and parental rejection, which is in line with the minority stress framework. No statistically significant support was found for the psychological mediation framework. These findings provide a better understanding of the pathways through which sexual identity disparities in mental wellbeing and substance use come about.
Direct perception in context: radical empiricist reflections on the medium
Authors: van Dijk Ludger , Kiverstein Julian
Published: February 2020

Radical empiricists at the turn of the twentieth century described organisms as experiencing the relations they maintain with their surroundings prior to any analytic separation from their environment. They notably avoided separating perception of the material environment from social life. This perspective on perceptual experience was to prove the inspiration for Gibson’s ecological approach to perceptual psychology. Gibson provided a theory of how the direct perception of the organism-environment relation is possible. Central to his account was the notion of a medium for direct perception. However Gibson provided two mutually inconsistent accounts of the medium leading to problems for his radical empiricism. We develop an account of the medium that does justice to ecological psychology’s radical empiricist roots. To complement this account of the medium we detail a usage-based account of information. Together they allow us to propose a novel radical empiricist view of direct perception. We then return to the notion of medium and expand it to include sociomaterial practices. We show how direct perception happens in the midst of social life, and is made possible by an active achieving and maintaining of a pragmatic relation with the environment.
Marine Algae as Natural Indicator of Environmental Cleanliness
Authors: Parus Anna , Karbowska Bożena
Published: February 2020

Algae are widely distributed in the aquatic environment. In the analyzed algae from the Black Sea, metals like cadmium, iron, zinc, copper, lead, and thallium were present. From all of the analyzed elements in the algae, iron was present at the highest concentrations. The presented study confirmed that thallium is accumulated in relatively large quantities (1.60–2.12 μg g−1) by all the studied algae. Cadmium and copper were accumulated at the same level (1.98 μg g−1), which was lower in comparison to the average concentrations determined in the analyzed plant material. The average amounts of zinc were at 0.21 μg g−1 for Ulva. High possibility of accumulation of metals by Ulva and Cystoseira allows to use them as a natural indicator of environmental cleanliness.
Effect of Laser Shock Peening on the Microstructure and Properties of the Inconel 625 Surface Layer
Authors: Rozmus-Górnikowska Magdalena , Kusiński Jan , Cieniek Łukasz
Published: February 2020

The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of laser shock peening on the topography, microstructure, surface roughness and the mechanical properties of the Inconel 625 nickel alloy. Examination of the topography and microstructure of the nickel alloy after laser treatment was carried out by means of scanning electron microscopy as well as atomic force microscopy. The roughness of the surface was measured by WYKO NT9300 equipment. Nanohardness test was carried out using a nanoindenter NHT 50-183 of CSM Instruments equipped with a Berkovich diamond indenter. Additionally, transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the microstructural changes on the surface layer after laser treatment. The investigations showed that the laser process produced an ablation and melting of the surface layer and, hence, increased the surface roughness of the Inconel 625. On the other hand, the presence of the slip bands on the surface and on the cross section of the treated material, a high density of dislocations and a higher hardness of the treated region indicated that the laser shock processing caused severe plastic deformation of the surface layer. Additionally, due to the high plastic deformation, cracking of the carbide precipitates was observed.
ECG sonification to support the diagnosis and monitoring of myocardial infarction
Authors: Aldana Blanco Andrea Lorena , Grautoff Steffen , Hermann Thomas
Published: February 2020

This paper presents the design and evaluation of four sonification methods to support monitoring and diagnosis in Electrocardiography (ECG). In particular we focus on an ECG abnormality called ST-elevation which is an important indicator of a myocardial infarction. Since myocardial infarction represents a life-threatening condition it is of essential value to detect an ST-elevation as early as possible. As part of the evaluated sound designs, we propose two novel sonifications: (i) Polarity sonification, a continuous parameter-mapping sonification using a formant synthesizer and (ii) Stethoscope sonification, a combination of the ECG signal and a stethoscope recording. The other two designs, (iii) the water ambience sonification and the (iv) morph sonification, were presented in our previous work about ECG sonification (Aldana Blanco AL, Steffen G, Thomas H (2016) In: Proceedings of Interactive Sonification Workshop (ISon). Bielefeld, Germany). The study evaluates three components across the proposed sonifications (1) detection performance, meaning if participants are able to detect a transition from healthy to unhealthy states, (2) classification accuracy, that evaluates if participants can accurately classify the severity of the pathology, and (3) aesthetics and usability (pleasantness, informativeness and long-term listening). The study results show that the polarity design had the highest accuracy rates in the detection task whereas the stethoscope sonification obtained the better score in the classification assignment. Concerning aesthetics, the water ambience sonification was regarded as the most pleasant. Furthermore, we found a significant difference between sound/music experts and non-experts in terms of the error rates obtained in the detection task using the morph sonification and also in the classification task using the stethoscope sonification. Overall, the group of experts obtained lower error rates than the group of non-experts, which means that further training could improve accuracy rates and, particularly for designs that rely mainly on pitch variations, additional training is needed in the non-experts group.
On Cherny’s results in infinite dimensions: a theorem dual to Yamada–Watanabe
Authors: Rehmeier Marco
Published: February 2020

We prove that joint uniqueness in law and the existence of a strong solution imply pathwise uniqueness for variational solutions to stochastic partial differential equations of type $$\begin{aligned} \text {d}X_t=b(t,X)\text {d}t+\sigma (t,X)\text {d}W_t, \quad t\ge 0, \end{aligned}$$

d

X
t

=
b

(
t
,
X
)

d
t
+
σ

(
t
,
X
)

d

W
t

,

t
≥
0
,

and show that for such equations uniqueness in law is equivalent to joint uniqueness in law for deterministic initial conditions. Here W is a cylindrical Wiener process in a separable Hilbert space U and the equation is considered in a Gelfand triple $$V \subseteq H \subseteq E$$

V
⊆
H
⊆
E

, where H is some separable (infinite-dimensional) Hilbert space. This generalizes the corresponding results of Cherny, who proved these statements for the case of finite-dimensional equations.
Survival of patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Central China: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wang Jianjie , Zhou Meilan , Chen Zi , Chen Cong , Wu Gang , Zuo Yingping , Ren Xin , Chen Zhuan , Wang Weihua , Pang Yu
Published: February 2020

The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term survival and risk factors associated with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patient survival in Central China. Between December 2006 and June 2011, incident and retreatment adult MDR-TB patients were enrolled in the present study. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors affecting survival. The total follow-up period was 270 person-years (PY) for 356 MDR-TB cases in Wuhan. Of the 356 cases, 103 patients died, yielding an average case fatality rate of 381.2 per 1000 TB patients per year. Using adjusted Cox regression analysis, older age (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) >3.0 starting from 30 years) and low education level (primary and middle school; aHR 1.67 (95% CI 1.01–2.77)) were independently associated with lower survival. Diabetes mellitus profoundly affected the survival of MDR-TB patients (aHR 1.95 (95% CI 1.30–2.93)). Our data demonstrate that coexistent diabetes significantly and negatively impacted MDR-TB patient survival. In addition, MDR-TB patients aged 60 years or older exhibited a greater risk of mortality during follow-up. Our findings emphasise that MDR-TB patients with comorbidities that increase their risk of death require additional medical interventions to reduce mortality.
New Generation of Climate Models Track Recent Unprecedented Changes in Earth's Radiation Budget Observed by CERES
Authors: Loeb Norman G. , Wang Hailan , Allan Richard P. , Andrews Timothy , Armour Kyle , Cole Jason N. S. , Dufresne Jean‐Louis , Forster Piers , Gettelman Andrew , Guo Huan , Mauritsen Thorsten , Ming Yi , Paynter David , Proistosescu Cristian , Stuecker Malte F. , Willén Ulrika , Wyser Klaus
Published: February 2020

We compare top‐of‐atmosphere (TOA) radiative fluxes observed by the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) and simulated by seven general circulation models forced with observed sea‐surface temperature (SST) and sea‐ice boundary conditions. In response to increased SSTs along the equator and over the eastern Pacific (EP) following the so‐called global warming “hiatus” of the early 21st century, simulated TOA flux changes are remarkably similar to CERES. Both show outgoing shortwave and longwave TOA flux changes that largely cancel over the west and central tropical Pacific, and large reductions in shortwave flux for EP low‐cloud regions. A model's ability to represent changes in the relationship between global mean net TOA flux and surface temperature depends upon how well it represents shortwave flux changes in low‐cloud regions, with most showing too little sensitivity to EP SST changes, suggesting a “pattern effect” that may be too weak compared to observations.
Tomographic Imaging of Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Using GNSS and Geostationary Satellite Observations
Authors: Bolmgren Karl , Mitchell Cathryn , Bruno Jon , Bust Gary
Published: February 2020

Traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) are the manifestations of atmospheric gravity waves in the ionosphere. These disturbances have practical importance because they affect satellite navigation technologies such as Global Navigational Satellite System (GNSS), causing degradation in precise positioning applications. They also have scientific significance as their generation mechanisms and propagation are not fully understood. While there are specific instruments that can measure TIDs in certain locations, there is a need for wide‐area observations across extended geographical regions to continuously monitor their onset and spatial and temporal characteristics. This paper evaluates the use of observations from ground‐based geodetic GNSS receivers to image TIDs using ionospheric tomography and data assimilation. Certain GNSS receivers also monitor signals from geostationary (GEO) satellites, which provide a unique perspective on the TID. The advantage of using the GEO data is investigated. A computerized simulation of GNSS observations is used for evaluation of the Multi‐Instrument Data Analysis System (MIDAS) with GEO and regular GNSS geometry. The simulated observations are generated by integrating the electron density through a modeled TID‐perturbed dynamic ionosphere between actual receiver and satellite positions. The output 3‐D electron density image series generated from the synthetic data by the MIDAS ionospheric tomography and data assimilation algorithm are compared with the input model ionosphere. Results show that GEO geometry improves the reconstruction of medium‐scale TIDs (MSTIDs) and smaller LSTIDs in cases where the movement of regular GNSS satellites in Medium Earth orbit (MEO) may otherwise introduce distortions to the observations.
Comparison of Long‐Term Lightning Activity and Inner Radiation Belt Electron Flux Perturbations
Authors: Martinez‐Calderon C. , Bortnik J. , Li W. , Spence H. , Claudepierre S. G. , Douma E. , Rodger C. J.
Published: February 2020

Lightning discharges are known to inject whistler waves into the inner magnetosphere over a wide region around their source. When a discharge occurs, it radiates electromagnetic energy into the Earth‐ionosphere waveguide, some of which couples into the whistler mode and propagates through the ionospheric plasma away from the Earth. Previous studies have discussed the effects of whistler‐induced electron precipitation and radiation belt losses associated with lightning. However, to date, there has been no research on the long‐term effects of this accumulated impact. Here, we use data from the World Wide Lightning Location Network, which has continuously monitored global lightning activity since 2004, to obtain 1 year of lightning data and categorized them into L‐shell ranges, hemispheres, and magnetic local times. We then use Van Allen Probe's Energetic Particle, Composition, and Thermal Plasma Suite from both satellites (RBSP‐A/B) to measure particle fluxes in the inner belts under the same criteria. We compare these two quantities by calculating the correlation coefficients between selected electron energy channels, including pitch angle distribution, and lightning activity under different conditions. Although we found a weak to moderate relationship between lightning activity and electron flux perturbations, the correlation was not as strong as expected from theoretical predictions. Variations in electron fluxes related to substorm activity were of the same order of magnitude as that from lightning activity, even at low L shells.
The Influence of Sea Surface Temperature Reemergence on Marine Stratiform Cloud
Authors: Geiss Andrew , Marchand Roger , Thompson LuAnne
Published: February 2020

The global distribution of winter to winter sea surface temperature (SST) reemergence is analyzed using a novel metric based on an autoregressive 1 model, and the global impact of SST on cloud amount and cloud type are examined using satellite data. A region in the northeastern Pacific Ocean is identified where wintertime SSTs are correlated with the occurrence of marine stratiform cloud the following winter. This correlation is likely a manifestation of SST reemergence. We hypothesize that through this reemergence mechanism marine stratus cloud amount, and thus shortwave cloud radiative effect, in the northeastern Pacific exhibits memory on inter‐seasonal and even multi‐year time scales and that exploration of this relationship may provide insight into the SST—low cloud feedbacks.
Molecular mapping and identification of quantitative trait loci for domestication traits in the field cress (Lepidium campestre L.) genome
Authors: Desta Zeratsion Abera , de Koning Dirk-Jan , Ortiz Rodomiro
Published: February 2020

Lepidium campestre (L.) or field cress is a multifaceted oilseed plant, which is not yet domesticated. Moreover, the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying the domestication traits of field cress remain largely elusive. The overarching goal of this study is to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) that are fundamental for domestication of field cress. Mapping and dissecting quantitative trait variation may provide important insights into genomic trajectories underlying field cress domestication. We used 7624 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for QTL mapping in 428 F2 interspecific hybrid individuals, while field phenotyping was conducted in F2:3 segregating families. We applied multiple QTL mapping algorithms to detect and estimate the QTL effects for seven important domestication traits of field cress. Verification of pod shattering across sites revealed that the non-shattering lines declined drastically whereas the shattering lines increased sharply, possibly due to inbreeding followed by selection events. In total, 1461 of the 7624 SNP loci were mapped to eight linkage groups (LGs), spanning 571.9 cM map length. We identified 27 QTL across all LGs of field cress genome, which captured medium to high heritability, implying that genomics-assisted selection could deliver domesticated lines in field cress breeding. The use of high throughput genotyping can accelerate the process of domestication in novel crop species. This is the first QTL mapping analysis in the field cress genome that may lay a foundational framework for positional or functional QTL cloning, introgression as well as genomics-assisted breeding in field cress domestication.
Towards detecting traces of non-contact quantum friction in the corrections of the accumulated geometric phase
Authors: Farías M. Belén , Lombardo Fernando C. , Soba Alejandro , Villar Paula I. , Decca Ricardo S.
Published: February 2020

The geometric phase can be used as a fruitful venue of investigation to infer features of the quantum systems. Its application can reach new theoretical frontiers and imply innovative and challenging experimental proposals. Herein, we take advantage of the geometric phase to sense the corrections induced while a neutral particle travels at constant velocity in front of an imperfect sheet in quantum vacuum. As it is already known, two bodies in relative motion at constant velocity experience a quantum contactless dissipative force, known as quantum friction. This force has eluded experimental detection so far due to its small magnitude and short range. However, we give details of an innovative experiment designed to track traces of the quantum friction by measuring the velocity dependence of corrections to the geometric phase. We notice that the environmentally induced corrections can be decomposed in different contributions: corrections induced by the presence of the dielectric sheet and the motion of the particle in quantum vacuum. As the geometric phase accumulates over time, its correction becomes relevant at a relative short timescale, while the system still preserves purity. The experimentally viable scheme presented would be the first one in tracking traces of quantum friction through the study of decoherence effects on a NV center in diamond.
Androstenedione and testosterone but not progesterone are potential biomarkers of pregnancy in Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) approaching parturition
Authors: Dalle Luche Greta , Boggs Ashley S. P. , Kucklick John R. , Groß Jasmin , Hawker Darryl W. , Bengtson Nash Susan
Published: February 2020

The blubber steroid hormone profiles of 52 female humpback whales migrating along the east coast of Australia were investigated for seasonal endocrine changes associated with reproduction. Individuals were randomly sampled during two stages of the annual migration: before reaching the breeding grounds (northward migration; June/July), and after departing from the breeding grounds (southward migration; September/October). Assignment of reproductive status of the sampled individuals was based on season, single-hormone ranks and multi-variate analysis of the hormonal profiles. High concentrations of progesterone (>19 ng/g, wet weight), recognised as an indicator of pregnancy in this species, were only detected in one sample. However, the androgens, testosterone and androstenedione were measured in unusually high concentrations (1.6–12 and 7.8–40 ng/g wet weight, respectively) in 36% of the females approaching the breeding grounds. The absence of a strong accompanying progesterone signal in these animals raises the possibility of progesterone withdrawal prior to parturition. As seen with other cetacean species, testosterone and androstenedione could be markers of near-term pregnancy in humpback whales. Confirmation of these androgens as alternate biomarkers of near-term pregnancy would carry implications for improved monitoring of the annual fecundity of humpback whales via non-lethal and minimally invasive methods.
Transcriptome analysis of polysaccharide-based microbial flocculant MBFA9 biosynthesis regulated by nitrogen source
Authors: Fu Lili , Jiang Binhui , Wei Jianwei , Liu Jinliang , Hu Xiaomin , Zhang Li
Published: February 2020

Microbial flocculant (MBF), an environmentally friendly water treatment agent, can be widely used in various water treatments. However, its use is limited by low yield and high cost. This problem can be solved by clarifying its biosynthesis mechanism and regulating it. Paenibacillus shenyangensis A9, a flocculant-producing bacterium, was used to produce polysaccharide-type MBFA9 by regulating the nitrogen source (nitrogen adequacy/nitrogen deficiency). In this study, RNA-Seq high-throughput sequencing technology and bioinformatic approaches were used to investigate the fermentation and biosynthesis of polysaccharide-type MBFA9 by regulating the nitrogen source (high nitrogen/low nitrogen) in the flocculant-producing bacteria Paenibacillus shenyangensis A9. Differentially expressed genes, functional clustering, and functional annotation of key genes were assessed. Then the MBFA9 biosynthesis and metabolic pathway were reconstructed. Our results showed that when cultured under different nitrogen conditions, bacterial strain A9 had a greater ability to synthesize polysaccharide-type MBFA9 under low nitrogen compared to high nitrogen conditions, with the yield of MBFA9 reaching 4.2 g/L at 36 h of cultivation. The quality of transcriptome sequencing data was reliable, with a matching rate of 85.38% and 85.48% when L36/H36 was mapped to the reference genome. The total expressed genes detected were 4719 and 4730, with 265 differentially expressed genes. The differentially expressed genes were classified into 3 categories: molecular function (MF), cell component (CC), and biological process (BP), and can be further divided into 22 subcategories. There were 192 upregulated genes and 73 downregulated genes, with upregulation being predominant under low nitrogen. UDP-Gal, UDP-Glc, UDP-GlcA, and UDP-GlcNAc, which are in the polysaccharide metabolic pathway, could all be used as precursors for MBFA9 biosynthesis, and murA, wecB, pgm, galU/galF, fcl, gmd, and glgC were the main functional genes capable of affecting the growth of bacteria and the biosynthesis of MBF. Results from this study provide evidence that high-level expression of key genes in MBFA9 biosynthesis, regulation, and control can achieve MBFA9 directional synthesis for large-scale applications.
Attribution Analysis of Runoff Change in Min-Tuo River Basin based on SWAT model simulations, China
Authors: Hu Jian , Ma Jie , Nie Chao , Xue Lianqing , Zhang Yang , Ni Fuquan , Deng Yu , Liu Jinshan , Zhou Dengke , Li Linhuan , Wang Zhigang
Published: February 2020

To consummate watershed data and better quantify the impact of climate changes and human activities on runoff, we examined the changes and response mechanisms of runoff in the Min–Tuo River Basin, China. In the examination, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was used to simulate possible evapotranspiration, actual evapotranspiration, and runoff in 1980, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015 under different land-use conditions. SWAT weather generator was used to supplement the missing meteorological data. This study presents a quantitative analysis of the climatic and anthropogenic factors contributing to the runoff alteration in the Min–Tuo River Basin using the Budyko methods. The results suggested that the reduced precipitation was the main cause of runoff reduction. The contributions of precipitation, possible evapotranspiration, and underlying surface alterationsof runoff were 56.18%, 37.08%, and 6.74%, respectively. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the runoff alteration was most sensitive to changes of landscape parameters. The aridity index and all the elasticities showed a spatial variations in the Min–Tuo River Basin. The influence of the three factors on runoff reduction varied with seasons. During the high-flow period, changes of the precipitation and possible evapotranspiration and underlying surface had the greatest effect on runoff reduction, while changes of underlying surfaces had the least effect.
Soot elimination and heat recovery of industrial flue gas by heterogeneous condensation
Authors: Ma Liang , Zhao Zhihuang , Tian Chengcheng , Wang Hualin , Liu Yi
Published: February 2020

Industrial flue gas systems include fine soot and high-temperature vapor. The continuous emission of the flue gas not only causes fine particulate pollution but also wastes considerable heat energy. Separating soot and purifying flue gas are of great significance for industrial conditions and environmental protection. In this paper, the process of cyclone soot elimination and waste heat recovery by heterogeneous condensation were coupled for the first time. The effects of the flue gas material system and separation operation parameters on the cyclone soot elimination efficiency and heat transfer efficiency were systematically investigated through unit experiments and industrial side-lines. Additionally, the mechanism of enhanced cyclone soot elimination by heterogeneous condensation was also theoretically explored. The experimental results show that the corresponding maximum cyclone heat transfer efficiency and soot elimination efficiency of the Ф40 mm cyclone separator are 42.1% and 89.2%, respectively, while the Ф80 mm cyclone separator can attain an elimination efficiency of 91% and a maximum increase of 67.3% for the heat transfer efficiency, as indicated by the industrial side-line. During the process of cyclone soot elimination and heat recovery by heterogeneous condensation, the heterogeneous condensation caused by heat transfer increases the quality difference between the flue gas molecules and soot droplets, thus improving the cyclone separation efficiency of soot.
Direct analysis in real time coupled with quadrupole-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry for rapid analysis of pyrethroid preservatives in wooden food contact materials
Authors: Meng Xianshuang , Lv Yueguang , Lv Qing , Deng Yulin , Bai Hua , Ma Qiang
Published: February 2020

A methodology is presented for the determination of pyrethroid preservatives in wooden food contact materials using DART coupled with quadrupole-Orbitrap HRMS.
An improved fluorescent protein-based expression reporter system that utilizes bioluminescence resonance energy transfer and peptide-assisted complementation
Authors: Kakizuka Taishi , Takai Akira , Yoshizawa Keiko , Okada Yasushi , Watanabe Tomonobu M
Published: February 2020

A peptide-assisted complementation strategy with screened peptides has succeeded to eliminate maturation delay of a bioluminescence resonant energy transfer reporter for gene expression monitoring.
Engineering bromodomains with a photoactive amino acid by engaging ‘Privileged’ tRNA synthetases
Authors: Wagner Shana , Sudhamalla Babu , Mannes Philip , Sappa Sushma , Kavoosi Sam , Dey Debasis , Wang Sinan , Islam Kabirul
Published: February 2020

An improved chemical synthesis, site-specific incorporation and enhanced photo-crosslinking ability of tmdF have been demonstrated in the context of protein–protein interactions.
Tailoring carrier dynamics in perovskite solar cells via precise dimension and architecture control and interfacial positioning of plasmonic nanoparticles
Authors: Cui Xun , Chen Yihuang , Zhang Meng , Harn Yeu Wei , Qi Jiabin , Gao Likun , Wang Zhong Lin , Huang Jinsong , Yang Yingkui , Lin Zhiqun
Published: February 2020

The judicious positioning of rationally designed monodisperse plasmonic NPs in the ETL affords effective tailoring of the carrier dynamics of PSCs.
Synthesis and characterization of a quaternary copolymer retarder for cementing in a long sealing section with large temperature difference
Authors: Peng Zhigang , Chen Chen , Feng Qian , Zheng Yong , Liu Huan , Yu Chunyang
Published: February 2020

We synthesized a retarder, which has excellent thickening performance in the temperature range of 90–150 °C.
A traceless clean-up method coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry for analyzing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in complex plant leaf matrices
Authors: Jin Xiangzi , Kaw Han Yeong , Li Huijie , Zhao Wang  , Zhao Jinhua , Piao Xiangfan , Li Donghao , Jin Dongri , He Miao
Published: February 2020

This study developed a traceless clean-up method by combining solid phase extraction (SPE) with gas purge–microsyringe extraction (GP–MSE) to purify sample extracts for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in plant leaves.
An organic polymer CuPPc-derived copper oxide as a highly efficient electrocatalyst for water oxidation
Authors: Lee Husileng , Wu Xiujuan , Wu Xingqiang , Wang Xiaoxiao , Ye Qilun , Sun Licheng
Published: February 2020

A novel CuPPc nanoflake material, derived from organic polymers, was used as an excellent water oxidation electrocatalyst for the first time.
GdF3hollow spheres: self-assembly and multiple emission spanning the UV to NIR regions under 980 nm excitation
Authors: Yuan Xiaoyun , Zhang Lantian , Chen Baojun , Zhu Jinjiao , Pan Xuechun , Fang Zhenlan , Ju Qiang , Huang Wei
Published: February 2020

Monodispersed GdF3:Er3+,Yb3+hollow submicrometer spheres were successfully synthesized by self-assembly of ∼16 nm nanocrystals, and exhibit unique strong emissions spanning from UV to NIR under excitation at 980 nm.
Gold-catalyzed domino reactions of alkynol and p-quinone methides: divergent synthesis of fused- and spiro-ketals
Authors: Mao Wenxiu , Lin Shiquan , Zhang Liang , Lu Haifeng , Jia Jiong , Xu Zhenghu
Published: February 2020

A gold-catalyzed domino reaction of alkynyl alcohols and p-quinone methides to obtain divergent fused- and spiro-ketals has been developed.
Combined forecasting system for short‐term bus load forecasting based on clustering and neural networks
Authors: Panapakidis Ioannis P. , Skiadopoulos Nikolaos , Christoforidis Georgios C.
Published: February 2020

Micro‐grids as ‘micro‐graphs’ of the power systems involve the management of small loads, either isolated or connected to the main grid. Load forecasting is a tool of fundamental importance in power systems design and operation. During the last years, many types of research have focused on aggregated system loads. However, few studies deal with small loads and especially with bus loads of the transmission system. While smart grids and micro‐grids literature are gathering research momentum, there is an emergent need for more investigation on forecasting models for buses. In this study, the aim of this work is to propose a novel robust forecasting system for bus load predictions on a short‐term horizon. The model refers to the hybridisation of clustering and feed‐forward neural network (FFNN). Experimental results and analysis indicate the robustness of the model; the combination of clustering and FFNN provides better forecasts compared with the single application of the FFNN.
Entire stability region estimation using the invariant manifolds and singularities at infinity
Authors: Ma Meiling , Wang Jie , Li Penghan , Khan Muhammad Waseem
Published: February 2020

This study provides a new perspective to study the formation and wholeness of the stability region of power systems. The main idea of the approach proposed in this study is to project the system into a closed area and then investigate the behaviours of the field in a neighbourhood of infinity on a sphere that is topologically equivalent to the original system. The invariant manifolds and singularities at infinity are described in detail to indicate the boundary of the entire stability region, based on the concept of the basin of attraction. The proposed method is applied to the single‐machine model, two‐machine model and multi‐machine system to illustrate the complex geometry structure of the transient stability region. A singularity variation index is presented to estimate the size of the entire region and indicate the transient stability degree of the power system. Simulation results verify the correctness and effectiveness of the theoretical analysis.