bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of sage downy mildew, Peronospora salviae-officinalis
Authors: Hoffmeister M. , Gabriel D. , Thines M. , Maier W.
Published: April 2020

Downy mildew of common sage (Salvia officinalis), caused by Peronospora salviae-officinalis, has become a serious problem in sage production worldwide. The effect of temperature was determined for conidia germination and disease development. In vitro, conidial germination rate was highest at temperatures between 10 °C and 20 °C and was strongly reduced at temperatures above 25, but conidia were also able to germinate at 2 °C. Temperatures between 15 and 20 °C were most favourable for infection and disease progress in infection experiments in climate chambers, with highest sporulating leaf area observed at 15 and 20 °C, and highest symptomatic leaf area at 20 °C. P. salviae-officinalis is still able to infect sage plants at 5 °C, but sporulation was only observed at higher temperatures. Oospores developed 14 days after inoculation at 15 °C, and 8 days after inoculation at 20 and 25 °C. The infection trials also showed that dark incubation is not a prerequisite for successful infection of sage. Furthermore, P. salviae-officinalis needs two events of leaf wetness or high humidity to complete its asexual life cycle. First, a leaf wetness event of at least three hours is needed for conidial germination and penetration of the host. Second, high humidity of at least 90% is needed at the end of the infection cycle for sporulation. Seed washing revealed the presence of P. salviae-officinalis oospores in seed lots of sage suggesting that infested seeds might play a major role in the fast spread of sage downy mildew, which is an important finding for phytosanitary or quarantine measures.
Delineating the global plastic marine litter challenge: clarifying the misconceptions
Authors: Hahladakis John N.
Published: April 2020

Plastics, owing to their various beneficial properties (durability, flexibility and lightweight nature), are widely regarded as the workhorse material of our modern society. Being ubiquitously and increasingly present over the past 60 years, they provide various benefits to the global economy. However, inappropriate and/or uncontrolled disposal practices, poor waste management infrastructure, and application of insufficient recycling technologies, coupled with a lack of public awareness and incentives, have rendered plastic waste (PW) omnipresent, littering both the marine and the terrestrial environment with multifaceted impacts. The plastic marine litter issue has received much attention, especially in the past decade. There is a plethora of articles and reports released on an annual basis, as well as a lot of ongoing research, which render the issue either to be overexposured or misconstrued. In addition, there are several misinterpretations that surround the presence and environmental impact of plastics in the oceans and, consequently, human health, that require much more critical and scientific thinking. This short communication aims at unveiling any existing misconceptions and attempts to place this global challenge within its real magnitude, based either on scientific facts or nuances.
The Doppler Effect and the Anisotropy of the Speed of Light
Authors: Drągowski Michał , Włodarczyk Marta
Published: April 2020

Fundamental incompatibility arises at the interface of quantum mechanics and the special theory of relativity with Einstein synchronization, in which simultaneity is not absolute. It has, however, been shown that a relativistic theory preserving absolute simultaneity allows to formulate Lorentz-covariant quantum theory, at a price of introducing a preferred frame of reference manifesting itself in a directional anisotropy of the speed of light. We show that a supposed method of distinguishing between these two theories based on the Doppler effect is insensitive to this anisotropy. Both theories are indistinguishable if only kinematic effects for light or subluminal signals are considered.
One-step spray of Cu2NiSnS4 thin films as absorber materials for photovoltaic applications
Authors: Dridi S. , Bitri N. , Mahjoubi S. , Chaabouni F. , Ly I.
Published: April 2020

A simple one-step «Spray Pyrolysis» technique was developed for preparing Cu2NiSnS4 (CNTS) thin film followed by an annealing treatment process. Originally, the spray technique was successfully used to deposit the thin film onto glass substrate at 250 °C for 60 min spray duration. Again, the deposited thin film was annealed in a sulfur atmosphere at a temperature of 500 °C during 30 min. The sulfured thin film exhibits (111), (220) and (311) orientations correspond well to the cubic CNTS structure and other impurity compounds. The SEM data exhibit a uniform, rough and compact topography of CNTS thin films with an average-thickness of 1.36 µm. The absorption coefficient is found to be higher than 104 cm−1 in the visible region while the direct band energy of 1.62 eV, which is eminently suitable for use as an absorber in the solar cell. The complex impedance diagrams indicate the decrease of resistance by increasing temperature, which attributes to a semiconductor behavior. The close values of activation energies 0.63 and 0.54 eV determined from both angular frequency and DC conductivity indicate that the carrier transport mechanism is thermally activated.
Teaching science and technology PhD students in entrepreneurship-potential learning opportunities and outcomes
Authors: Klofsten Magnus , Jones-Evans Dylan , Pereira Luciana
Published: April 2020

Whilst doctoral students comprise a large group of researchers at a university and will potentially play important roles in the utilization and transfer of research results, prior research studies have paid little attention to the effect of entrepreneurship education on PhD students with a science and technology orientation. This paper seeks to address this gap in knowledge and examines four key elements in the design and evolution of good practice in entrepreneurship education for this group of students: (1) learning tools, (2) inspiration, (3) interdisciplinarity, and (4) boundary spanning networks. The paper illustrates the importance of identifying the balance between theory and practice that will attract students from across the spectrum of science and technology fields. It also shows that a hands-on experimental methodology is an effective pedagogical strategy that uses learning by doing as an essential tool in problem solving.
What motivates ‘free’ revealing? Measuring outbound non-pecuniary openness, innovation types and expectations of future profit growth
Authors: Verreynne Martie-Louise , Torres de Oliveira Rui , Steen John , Indulska Marta , Ford Jerad A.
Published: April 2020

Open innovation (OI) refers to the inbound and outbound flows of knowledge beyond the boundary of the organization, which can be in the form of pecuniary or non-pecuniary exchanges. Investigation into pecuniary and inbound innovation types has advanced rapidly, but non-pecuniary outbound OI (free revealing) has received less attention. Presenting a scale developed through a systematic literature review, expert testing and exploratory factor analysis, we show that revealing is reflected by five motivational factors, namely seeking complementary capabilities, product diffusion, strategic spillovers, product enhancement, and co-creation with firms. Regression models show that these factors influence the variety of innovation types and shareholder expectations of value capture through future returns.
Application of MAP and ethylene–vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) to extend the shelf-life of green and white asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) spears
Authors: Gantner Magdalena , Król Katarzyna , Kopczyńska Klaudia
Published: April 2020

In this study, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) and polypropylene/polyethylene (PP/PE) films combined with MAP packaging were developed to enhance the shelf-life of green and white asparagus spears. The scope of the research included measurements of weight loss, pH, acidity, color, texture, and sensory analysis as indicators of green and white asparagus spear quality for up to 17 days of storage at 2 and 10 °C. The application of modified atmosphere packaging combined with EVOH-based packaging material and refrigeration at 2 °C promoted a reduction in asparagus weight loss, preventing changes in color and texture as well as sensory quality, thereby extending the shelf-life of the asparagus. According to the obtained results, it was possible to maintain good quality of green and white asparagus for up to 17 and 10 days, respectively, when packed in MAP using EVOH-based packaging stored at 2 °C. Asparagus stored in packaging with PP/PE film showed lower quality during storage at 2 and 10 °C. These results suggest that EVOH films are potential candidates for advanced packaging materials for the asparagus packaging application.
Psychometric properties of the Basic Empathy Scale in Polish children and adolescents
Authors: Zych Izabela , Farrington David P. , Nasaescu Elena , Jolliffe Darrick , Twardowska-Staszek Estera
Published: April 2020

The Basic Empathy Scale is widely used to measure cognitive and affective empathy in different age groups. Although empathy is studied throughout the world, research on this important psychological construct in Eastern European populations needs to be increased. In order to accomplish this, validated instruments to measure empathy are needed in this geographic area. This study was conducted to analyze the psychometric properties of the Basic Empathy Scale in Poland. The sample included 1052 children and adolescents aged 9 to 16, enrolled in Primary and Middle schools. This was a cross-sectional study conducted with a survey that was filled in by the participants during their regular classroom hours. Confirmatory Factor Analyses were conducted, together with concurrent validity analyses and comparisons between younger and older participants, and between females and males were undertaken. A final 12-item version of the Basic Empathy Scale was obtained with affective empathy and cognitive empathy factors. The Polish version of the scale showed good psychometric properties. Females scored higher on affective, cognitive and total empathy than males. Younger male participants scored higher on affective, cognitive and total empathy than older male participants. This validated measure of empathy in Polish children and adolescents can be used to study the relation between empathy and both antisocial and prosocial behaviors. In addition, this measure will allow for Poland to be included in cross-country comparisons of empathy and also used to evaluate programs focused on enhancing empathy in Poland.
A study on compact structural soft sets and an application method
Authors: Kandemir Mustafa Burç , Yılmaz Damla
Published: April 2020

Since the problems of daily life contain a lot of data and obscurity, it has become a necessity to construct new mathematical methods to solve these problems. In this paper, we have established compact-structural soft sets and studied its basic structural properties. Then, we have proposed an application method for decision-making problems using compact-structural soft sets.
Bio-inspired Recyclable Carbon Interface for Solar Steam Generation
Authors: Shi Lei , Wang Xinzhi , Hu Yanwei , He Yurong , Yan Yuying
Published: April 2020

Solar power, as one of renewable energy, holds potential application for producing steam which relies on high-temperature liquid by traditional methods. Herein, steam was generated by a bio-inspired strategy derived from the plants transpiration using a Printed Recyclable Carbon Membrane (PRCM). The membrane structure facilitated the concentration of carbon particles for the photoreaction and the heat generation for water evaporation, thereby improving the photo-thermal conversion efficiency. The PRCM achieved the best steady evaporation efficiency of 51.9%, which was 5.6 times higher than the value for water and recycling tests were demonstrated. The carbon particles were separated from the water under the magnetism action, a convenient approach that avoided secondary pollution resulting from the disintegration of the PRCM. Rapid preparation, low cost, and reusability of the printed carbon membrane allow for photo-thermal applications such as solar steam generation and seawater desalination.
Use of the Urethral Sling to Treat Symptoms of Climacturia in Men After Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Nolan James , Kershen Richard , Staff Ilene , McLaughlin Tara , Tortora Joseph , Gangakhedkar Akshay , Pinto Kevin , Champagne Alison , Wagner Joseph
Published: April 2020

Background

Climacturia affects up to 45% of men after radical prostatectomy (RP). Although urethral slings decrease the severity and frequency of stress incontinence after RP, their efficacy as a treatment for climacturia after RP has not been well studied.

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess patient-reported changes in climacturia symptoms after implantation of a urethral sling as a treatment for stress incontinence after RP.

Methods

After Institutional Review Board approval, a retrospective chart review identified males aged 18–80 years who received urethral slings for stress incontinence after RP at our institution from 2012 to 2017. These patients were mailed an 11-item questionnaire asking them about climacturia symptoms before and after implantation of a urethral sling. Written informed consent was obtained from patients participating in the mailed questionnaire.

Outcomes

Respondents were asked to report on climacturia frequency and severity, bother, partner bother, and incontinence before and after implantation of urethral slings.

Results

A total of 42 questionnaires were mailed; 17 were available for analysis. The median age (and interquartile range, IQR) of the sample at RP was 64 (59.5, 68.0). Almost all (94.1%) of the men were sexually active at the time of the study and 64.7% reported experiencing urinary leakage during sexual arousal. Most (58.8%) underwent the urethral sling procedure to treat general incontinence; 35.3% underwent the procedure to treat both general incontinence and incontinence during sexual activity and 1 (5.9%) underwent it for other reasons. A median of 28.1 months elapsed between RP and sling procedure (IQR: 18.36, 53.88; minimum: 8.00; maximum: 108.36). Statistically significant shifts toward improvement from presling to postsling were noted for frequency of leakage during sexual arousal or orgasm (P = .041) and for the degree to which leakage of urine during sexual arousal or orgasm was a “bother” (P = .027). While almost all (94%) of the men were incontinent before sling, this percentage dropped to 53% after sling (P = .031).

Clinical Implications

Urethral slings should be discussed as a treatment strategy for climacturia during clinical consultations with patients.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths include consistent surgical technique. Limitations include retrospective design, lack of a nonsling comparison group, subjective nature of outcome measures, possible response bias, and variability in time interval between RP and sling procedure.

Conclusion

Use of urethral slings after RP is associated with improvements in climacturia symptoms, bother, and incontinence.
Une histoire d’un autre futur: La fin de l’esclavage au Brésil et les attentes de droits des esclaves (années 1870-années 1880)
Authors: Lima Henrique Espada
Published: April 2020

Résumés

La lente dissolution puis l’abolition de l’esclavage au Brésil (en 1888) ont produit des transformations majeures dans les relations sociales et de travail au cours de la seconde moitié duxixe siècle. Cet article aborde une dimension importante mais rarement discutée de ce paysage changeant, à savoir les attentes que les esclaves et les anciens esclaves projetaient sur le monde postémancipation. Les sources mobilisées sont formées par un nombre choisi d’affaires judiciaires prenant place au Sud du Brésil et liées aux relations de travail, à la garde des enfants, à l’accès à une compensation financière et à d’autres conflits quotidiens, que les anciens esclaves ont présentées devant les tribunaux brésiliens en intentant un procès contre leurs anciens maîtres – les employeurs, voire les administrateurs publics dans les années précédant l’abolition. À travers une lecture attentive de ces documents, l’article examine les attentes de droits – en particulier les droits sociaux, mais aussi les droits du travail, politiques et reproductifs – qui ont guidé les actions individuelles et collectives des anciens esclaves dans la sphère publique, et la façon dont ces attentes ont été confrontées aux réalités de l’émancipation au Brésil.
Basal seismicity of the Northeast Greenland Ice Stream
Authors: McBrearty Ian W. , Zoet Lucas K. , Anandakrishnan Sridhar
Published: April 2020

Seismic studies of glaciers yield insights into spatio-temporal processes within and beneath glaciers on scales relevant to flow and deformation of the ice. These methods enable direct monitoring of the bed in ways that complement other geophysical techniques, such as geodetic or ground penetrating radar observations. In this work, we report on the analysis of passive seismic data collected from the interior of the North East Greenland Ice Stream, the Greenland ice sheet's largest outlet glacier. We record thousands of basal earthquakes, many of which repeat with nearly identical waveforms. We also record many long-duration glacial tremor episodes that migrate across the seismic network with slow velocities (e.g. ~4–12 m s−1). Analysis of the basal earthquakes indicates a transition between times of individual event activity and times of tremor activity. We suggest that both processes are produced by shear slip at localized asperities along the bed. The transition between discrete and quasi-continuous slipping modes may be driven by pore-water pressure transients or heterogeneous strain accumulation in the ice due to strength contrasts of the underlying till.
Post-genomic progress in helminth parasitology
Authors: McVeigh Paul
Published: April 2020

Helminth parasitology is an important discipline, which poses often unique technical challenges. One challenge is that helminth parasites, particularly those in humans, are often difficult to obtain alive and in sufficient quantities for study; another is the challenge of studying these organisms in vitro – no helminth parasite life cycle has been fully recapitulated outside of a host. Arguably, the key issue retarding progress in helminth parasitology has been a lack of experimental tools and resources, certainly relative to the riches that have driven many parasitologists to adopt free-living model organisms as surrogate systems. In response to these needs, the past 10–12 years have seen the beginnings of helminth parasitology's journey into the ‘omics’ era, with the release of abundant sequencing resources, and the functional genomics tools with which to test biological hypotheses. To reflect this progress, the 2019 Autumn Symposium of the British Society for Parasitology was held in Queen's University Belfast on the topic of ‘post-genomic progress in helminth parasitology’. This issue presents examples of the current state of play in the field, while this editorial summarizes how genomic datasets and functional genomic tools have stimulated impressive recent progress in our understanding of parasite biology.
Open Petri nets
Authors: Baez John C. , Master Jade
Published: April 2020

The reachability semantics for Petri nets can be studied using open Petri nets. For us, an “open” Petri net is one with certain places designated as inputs and outputs via a cospan of sets. We can compose open Petri nets by gluing the outputs of one to the inputs of another. Open Petri nets can be treated as morphisms of a category Open(Petri), which becomes symmetric monoidal under disjoint union. However, since the composite of open Petri nets is defined only up to isomorphism, it is better to treat them as morphisms of a symmetric monoidal double category
${\mathbb O}$
pen(Petri). We describe two forms of semantics for open Petri nets using symmetric monoidal double functors out of
${\mathbb O}$
pen(Petri). The first, an operational semantics, gives for each open Petri net a category whose morphisms are the processes that this net can carry out. This is done in a compositional way, so that these categories can be computed on smaller subnets and then glued together. The second, a reachability semantics, simply says which markings of the outputs can be reached from a given marking of the inputs.
An Event Study of Simultaneous Earthward and Tailward Reconnection Exhaust Flows in the Earth's Midtail
Authors: Wang Chih‐Ping , Liu Yi‐Hsin , Xing Xiaoyan , Runov Andrei , Artemyev Anton , Zhang Xiaojia
Published: April 2020

We report an event of two‐satellite measurements of simultaneous earthward and tailward fast flows of ~500 km/s in the midtail at X ~ −63 RE and evaluate magnetic reconnection as a responsible mechanism by comparing the observations with a particle‐in‐cell (PIC) simulation. The two satellites were near midnight separated mainly along the X direction by ~5 RE. As they moved across the current sheet from the northern to southern lobes, the one closer to the Earth crossed the x line with fast flows changing from tailward to earthward, while the other one simultaneously observed tailward flows. The observed plasma and fields showed several key reconnection signatures, including the Walén relation, the fast reconnection rate of ~0.1, the Hall magnetic and electric fields, and counterstreaming electrons in the separatrix, indicating the fast flow was the reconnection exhaust. The observed temporal variations of flow speeds and magnetic fields suggested that the x line was moving tailward to a location between the two satellites and the exhaust was moving up and down. Within the exhaust, plasma pressure was highly anisotropic, and the current sheet can be unstable to the mirror, ion cyclotron, and firehose instabilities. Current sheet flapping and enhanced compressional waves near proton's local gyro frequencies were observed around the current sheet. Comparing with the PIC simulation suggests that the waves were mainly a result of oblique firehose instability.
The Changing Relationship Between Rainfall and Surface Runoff on the Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Miao Chiyuan , Zheng Haiyan , Jiao Juying , Feng Xiaoming , Duan Qingyun , Mpofu Ephraim
Published: April 2020

Lack of hydrological data of high spatiotemporal resolution has been a major challenge for understanding the rainfall‐runoff relationship on the Loess Plateau of China. In this study, we examined this relationship across 82 watersheds on the plateau for two time periods: P1 (1971–1987) and P2 (2008–2016). We found linear relationships between the annual rainfall series and annual surface runoff series in P1 that were stronger in the southeast and that declined toward the northwest, but this spatial pattern was slightly disrupted during P2. The mean annual runoff coefficient ranged from 0.056 to 0.126 for the 25th and 75th percentiles, respectively, during the P1 period, but the corresponding values were smaller in P2 (0.035 and 0.088, respectively). In total, the runoff coefficient decreased for 87% of the watersheds, with an average reduction of 0.033. For most watersheds of the plateau, we found a stable threshold value for the monthly runoff coefficient when monthly rainfall reached a certain value (i.e., a critical point). Between P1 and P2, the threshold value of the runoff coefficient decreased for 57 watersheds as a result of soil conservation measures. The rainfall critical point represents the minimum monthly rainfall to maintain the stable relationship between monthly infiltration and monthly rainfall in the process of runoff production. This value became greater on the middle regions of the plateau during P2 (increasing by 28% on average). Check dams, vegetation, and land use all have profoundly influenced the relationship between rainfall and surface runoff in this region.
Solid Ammonium Nitrate Aerosols as Efficient Ice Nucleating Particles at Cirrus Temperatures
Authors: Wagner Robert , Bertozzi Barbara , Höpfner Michael , Höhler Kristina , Möhler Ottmar , Saathoff Harald , Leisner Thomas
Published: April 2020

Recent satellite observations and high‐altitude aircraft measurements have demonstrated the presence of solid ammonium nitrate particles in the Asian monsoon upper troposphere. Most likely, these particles are formed by a heterogeneous crystallization mechanism, given that efflorescence is strongly inhibited for pure ammonium nitrate solution droplets. Crystallization can be induced by the presence of ammonium sulfate, which more easily crystallizes and serves as a heterogeneous nucleus for the crystallization of ammonium nitrate. In the present study, we have investigated this crystallization pathway for different amounts of ammonium sulfate admixed to ammonium nitrate solution droplets and measured the heterogeneous ice nucleation ability of the crystallized particles at cirrus temperatures in a cloud chamber and with a continuous flow diffusion chamber. We found that an admixture of only 0.6 mol% of ammonium sulfate was sufficient to induce the crystallization of ammonium nitrate at 223 K and 22% RHw. These almost pure, crystalline ammonium nitrate particles showed the same temperature‐dependent ice nucleation behavior as observed for other inorganic salts like ammonium sulfate and sodium chloride. At temperatures above 230 K, the crystalline ammonium nitrate particles first deliquesced and nucleated ice homogeneously at ice saturation ratios between about 1.45 and 1.50. Below 230 K, heterogeneous ice nucleation was observed to start at an ice saturation ratio as low as 1.13. The deduced ice nucleation active surface site densities were in the range from 1010–1011 m−2 at ice saturation ratios between 1.2 and 1.4, thus similar in magnitude to those of desert dust particles.
Understanding the Impact of Observation Data Uncertainty on Probabilistic Streamflow Forecasts Using a Dynamic Hierarchical Model
Authors: Das Bhowmik Rajarshi , Ng Tze Ling , Wang Jui‐Pin
Published: April 2020

Earlier researches have proposed algorithms to quantify the measurement uncertainty in rating curves and found that the magnitude of the uncertainty can be significant enough to impact hydrologic modeling. Therefore, they suggested frameworks to include measurement uncertainty in the rating curve to make it robust. Despite their efforts, a robust rating curve is often ignored in traditional practices, considering the investment of time and money as well as the resulting benefit from it. In the current research, we are interested in understanding the role of the measurement error variance in real‐time streamflow forecasting. Our objectives are (i) to employ a state‐of‐the‐art statistical forecasting model that can handle measurement uncertainty in daily streamflow and (ii) to understand the trade‐off in forecasting performance when substantial knowledge regarding the measurement uncertainty is provided to the modeler. We apply the Bayesian dynamic hierarchical model (BDHM) on four gauging sites in the United States. Results show that the BDHM performs better than the daily climatology and local linear regression model. Also, the forecast variance changes proportionally with the change in the error variance as an input in the observation equation. Following this, we design a simulation‐based study, which assigns the measurement error in the reported streamflow to obtain multiple realizations of the true streamflow. The inclusion of substantial knowledge about the true error improves the BDHM's performance by lowering the CRPS (continuous rank probability score) values. However, the inclusion increases the forecast variance to bring the true streamflow within the sampling variability of the forecasted streamflow. Overall, an improved trade‐off between the success rate of forecasts and the forecast variance can be achieved by including the measurement error in the BDHM for rivers that witness less dispersed streamflow data.
Simplified Green‐Ampt Model, Imbibition‐Based Estimates of Permeability, and Implications for Leak‐off in Hydraulic Fracturing
Authors: Tokunaga Tetsu K.
Published: April 2020

Predicting water imbibition into porous materials is important in a wide variety of fields, and hydraulic fracturing of low permeability hydrocarbon reservoirs has emerged as an application that is imposing a large water footprint. Reliable predictions of imbibition are needed to better manage water use, yet are challenging because of uncertainties in both the permeability and capillary pressure driving force. Here, this uncertainty is reduced through evaluating correlations between the permeability and the effective capillary pressure associated with the wetting front, Pc,f. These correlations allow elimination of Pc,f from the Green and Ampt equation and concentrate all uncertainties in fluxes on the effective permeability k. Over a wide range of k and porosities n, imbibition scales approximately with k1/3. Although Leverett k1/4 scaling for predicting Pc,f is shown to be inferior when tested with data spanning a wide range of n, it nevertheless predicted imbibition fairly well. From simple imbibition measurements, both the empirical and Leverett scaling approaches allow estimates of k that have root‐mean‐square deviations of about one order of magnitude relative to measurements that ranged over 10 orders of magnitude in k.
Astrocytes with TDP-43 inclusions exhibit reduced noradrenergic cAMP and Ca2+ signaling and dysregulated cell metabolism
Authors: Velebit Jelena , Horvat Anemari , Smolič Tina , Prpar Mihevc Sonja , Rogelj Boris , Zorec Robert , Vardjan Nina
Published: April 2020

Most cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) have cytoplasmic inclusions of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) in neurons and non-neuronal cells, including astrocytes, which metabolically support neurons with nutrients. Neuronal metabolism largely depends on the activation of the noradrenergic system releasing noradrenaline. Activation of astroglial adrenergic receptors with noradrenaline triggers cAMP and Ca2+ signaling and augments aerobic glycolysis with production of lactate, an important neuronal energy fuel. Astrocytes with cytoplasmic TDP-43 inclusions can cause motor neuron death, however, whether astroglial metabolism and metabolic support of neurons is altered in astrocytes with TDP-43 inclusions, is unclear. We measured lipid droplet and glucose metabolisms in astrocytes expressing the inclusion-forming C-terminal fragment of TDP-43 or the wild-type TDP-43 using fluorescent dyes or genetically encoded nanosensors. Astrocytes with TDP-43 inclusions exhibited a 3-fold increase in the accumulation of lipid droplets versus astrocytes expressing wild-type TDP-43, indicating altered lipid droplet metabolism. In these cells the noradrenaline-triggered increases in intracellular cAMP and Ca2+ levels were reduced by 35% and 31%, respectively, likely due to the downregulation of β2-adrenergic receptors. Although noradrenaline triggered a similar increase in intracellular lactate levels in astrocytes with and without TDP-43 inclusions, the probability of activating aerobic glycolysis was facilitated by 1.6-fold in astrocytes with TDP-43 inclusions and lactate MCT1 transporters were downregulated. Thus, while in astrocytes with TDP-43 inclusions noradrenergic signaling is reduced, aerobic glycolysis and lipid droplet accumulation are facilitated, suggesting dysregulated astroglial metabolism and metabolic support of neurons in TDP-43-associated ALS and FTD.
Computational analysis of mechanical stress in colonic diverticulosis
Authors: Patel Bhavesh , Guo Xiaomei , Noblet Jillian , Chambers Sean , Gregersen Hans , Kassab Ghassan S.
Published: April 2020

Diverticulosis results from the development of pouch-like structures, called diverticula, over the colon. The etiology of the disease is poorly understood resulting in a lack of effective treatment approaches. It is well known that mechanical stress plays a major role in tissue remodeling, yet its role in diverticulosis has not been studied. Here, we used computational mechanics to investigate changes in stress distribution engendered over the colon tissue by the presence of a pouch-like structure. The objectives of the study were twofold: (1) observe how stress distribution changes around a single pouch and (2) evaluate how stress elevation correlates with the size of the pouch. Results showed that high stresses are concentrated around the neck of a pouch, and their values and propagation increase with the size of the pouch neck rather than the pouch surface area. These findings suggest that stress distribution may change in diverticulosis and a vicious cycle may occur where pouch size increases due to stress elevation, which in turn elevates stress further and so on. Significant luminal pressure reduction would be necessary to maintain stress at normal level according to our results and therapeutic approaches aimed directly at reducing stress should rather be sought after.
Complex intron generation in the yeast genus Lipomyces
Authors: Ág Norbert , Kavalecz Napsugár , Pénzes Fruzsina , Karaffa Levente , Scazzocchio Claudio , Flipphi Michel , Fekete Erzsébet
Published: April 2020

In primary transcripts of eukaryotic nuclear genes, coding sequences are often interrupted by U2-type introns. Such intervening sequences can constitute complex introns excised by consecutive splicing reactions. The origin of spliceosomal introns is a vexing problem. Sequence variation existent across fungal taxa provides means to study their structure and evolution. In one class of complex introns called [D] stwintrons, an (internal) U2 intron is nested within the 5'-donor element of another (external) U2 intron. In the gene for a reticulon-like protein in species of the ascomycete yeast genus Lipomyces, the most 5' terminal intron position is occupied by one of three complex intervening sequences consistent of differently nested U2 intron units, as demonstrated in L. lipofer, L. suomiensis, and L. starkeyi. In L. starkeyi, the donor elements of the constituent introns are abutting and the complex intervening sequence can be excised alternatively either with one standard splicing reaction or, as a [D] stwintron, by two consecutive reactions. Our work suggests how [D] stwintrons could emerge by the appearance of new functional splice sites within an extant intron. The stepwise stwintronisation mechanism may involve duplication of the functional intron donor element of the ancestor intron.
Preparation of a novel flame retardant containing triazine groups and its application on cotton fabrics
Authors: Sun Ling , Wang Shihao , Zhang Jiaojiao , Li Wennan , Lu Zhou , Zhang Zheng , Zhu Ping , Dong Chaohong
Published: April 2020

A novel triazine-based flame retardant capable of reacting with natural cellulose fiber was successfully synthesized and used to improve the flame retardancy of cotton fabrics.
Regulation of nitrogen dynamics at the sediment–water interface during HAB degradation and subsequent reoccurrence
Authors: Sima Weiping , Hu Meijuan , He Qiang , Qiu Yixi , Lv Yitao , Dai Lichun , Shao Qingwei , Zhou Tao , Li Hong , Zhou Manyu , Ai Hainan , Zhan Hao
Published: April 2020

The effects of harmful algal blooms (HABs) on nutrient dynamics have been extensively studied; however, the response of nitrogen to continuous HAB degradation and subsequent reoccurrence is not well understood.
Excellent antibacterial activities in the dark of ZnO nanoflakes with oxygen vacancies on exposed {21̄1̄0} facets
Authors: Zhou Ying , Guo Yifan , Li Jinyang , Wei Wei , Li Dan , Luo Lihui , Xu Xiaoling , Zhou Zuowan
Published: April 2020

We report that the oxygen vacancies on exposed {21̄1̄0} facets are able to generate both ˙O−2 by single-electron transfer and O2−2 by two-electron transfer.
Role of the electronically-active amorphous state in low-temperature processed In2O3 thin-film transistors
Authors: Kirmani Ahmad R. , Roe Emily F. , Stafford Christopher M. , Richter Lee J.
Published: April 2020

Process-structure-transport relationships in low-temperature-processed, blade-coated In2O3 transistors using sol–gel and combustion chemistries are explored with X-ray scattering techniques. Electron mobility of ≈4.5 cm2 V−1 s−1 is achieved at ≈220 °C.
Multi-channel V-doped CoP hollow nanofibers as high-performance hydrogen evolution reaction electrocatalysts
Authors: Zhu Ruolin , Chen Fangfang , Wang Jiayu , Song Yuyan , Cheng Jianlin , Mao Mao , Ma Huijun , Lu Jinjun , Cheng Yongliang
Published: April 2020

The synergistic modulation of a multi-channel hollow structure and V doping can obviously enhance the HER performance of CoP.
Optical properties of SrF2and SrF2:Ce3+crystals codoped with In3+
Authors: Myasnikova Alexandra , Shendrik Roman , Bogdanov Alexander
Published: April 2020

In3+states are located close to electron traps and have a band character, the transfer of electrons from conduction band to the luminescence center is possible without significant trapping which facilitates fast luminescence in SrF2:Ce3+,In3+.
Dynamics and controllability of droplet fusion under gas–liquid–liquid three-phase flow in a microfluidic reactor
Authors: Hao Yanyan , Jin Nan , Wang Qingqiang , Zhou Yufei , Zhao Yuchao , Zhang Xunli , Lü Hongying
Published: April 2020

Gas–liquid–liquid three-phase flow systems have unique advantages of controlling reagent manipulation and improving reaction performance.
Benefits and applications of microwave-assisted synthesis of nitrogen containing heterocycles in medicinal chemistry
Authors: Henary Maged , Kananda Carl , Rotolo Laura , Savino Brian , Owens Eric A. , Cravotto Giancarlo
Published: April 2020

Nitrogen containing heterocycles are of immense research interest because they are often found as naturally occurring bioactive compounds.
Pt/Al2O3 coated with N-doped carbon as a highly selective and stable catalyst for catalytic hydrogenation of p-chloronitrobenzene to p-chloroaniline
Authors: Zhu Donghong , Weng Xin , Tang Yuqiong , Sun Jingya , Zheng Shourong , Xu Zhaoyi
Published: April 2020

Pt/Al2O3 with N-doped carbon overcoating exhibited 100% selectivity to p-chloroaniline for catalytic hydrogenation of p-chloronitrobenzene.
Observation of spin-glass like behavior in the layered oxyselenides La2O3(Mn1−xCox)2Se2
Authors: Gao Chenhao , Tan Shugang , Wang Cao , Sun Yuping , Cao Rui , Han Kezhen , Jing Qiang , Zhou Tong , Meng Qingkuan , Xing Fei
Published: April 2020

We have synthesized a new series of layered oxyselenides La2O3(Mn1−xCox)2Se2 through a solid state reaction method.
Synthesis of metal iodates from an energetic salt
Authors: Shancita I. , Miller Kelsea K. , Silverstein Preston D. , Kalman Joseph , Pantoya Michelle L.
Published: April 2020

Iodine containing oxidizers are especially effective for neutralizing spore forming bacteria by generating iodine gas as a long-lived bactericide.
Effect of network homogeneity on mechanical, thermal and electrochemical properties of solid polymer electrolytes prepared by homogeneous 4-arm poly(ethylene glycols)
Authors: Tosa Monami , Hashimoto Kei , Kokubo Hisashi , Ueno Kazuhide , Watanabe Masayoshi
Published: April 2020

The effect of network inhomogeneity in solid polymer electrolytes on its electrolyte properties was investigated by employing a model polymer network composed of a homogeneous 4-arm poly(ethylene glycol) (tetra-PEG) network and Li salt.
The controllable synthesis of substitutional and interstitial nitrogen-doped manganese dioxide: the effects of doping sites on enhancing the catalytic activity
Authors: He Taohong , Zeng Xiaoshan , Rong Shaopeng
Published: April 2020

N atoms were selectively doped at substitutional or interstitial sites in the MnO2 lattice using N2 plasma. This research provides a site-selective N-doping method and a deep insight into the different effects of doping sites.
Vanadium nitride for aqueous supercapacitors: a topic review
Authors: Liu Ying , Wu Qianghong , Liu Lingyang , Manasa Pantrangi , Kang Long , Ran Fen
Published: April 2020

Supercapacitors have emerged as the most attractive complementary devices between batteries and conventional capacitors, while a high performance electrode material is key to their energy storage advancement.
Improving the interfacial properties of CZTS photocathodes by Ag substitution
Authors: Tay Ying Fan , Hadke Shreyash Sudhakar , Zhang Mengyuan , Lim Nathan , Chiam Sing Yang , Wong Lydia Helena
Published: April 2020

Ag substitution improves the photocurrent and onset potential of CZTS/CdS/Pt photocathode to 17 mA cm−2 and 0.85 VRHE due to reduction of bulk and interface defects as well as increased depletion width.
Efficient perovskite solar cells via surface passivation by a multifunctional small organic ionic compound
Authors: Wu Xin , Zhang Lu , Xu Zhuo , Olthof Selina , Ren Xiaodong , Liu Yucheng , Yang Dong , Gao Fei , Liu Shengzhong (Frank)
Published: April 2020

This work reports an effective surface passivation strategy using the multifunctional organic ionic compound 1-ethylpyridinium chloride in combination with (FAPbI3)0.95(MAPbBr3)0.05.
Engineering pristine 2D metal–organic framework nanosheets for electrocatalysis
Authors: Zhu Dongdong , Qiao Man , Liu Jinlong , Tao Tao , Guo Chunxian
Published: April 2020

This review highlights recent advances and future opportunities in pristine MOF nanosheets for electrocatalysis.
Lipid and polymer mediated CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing
Authors: Gong Yan , Tian Siyu , Xuan Yang , Zhang Shubiao
Published: April 2020

A clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system is the most widely used tool for gene editing.
Tetraphenylbenzene-based AIEgens: horizontally oriented emitters for highly efficient non-doped deep blue OLEDs and hosts for high-performance hybrid WOLEDs
Authors: Han Pengbo , Xu Zeng , Lin Chengwei , Ma Dongge , Qin Anjun , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: April 2020

Non-doped deep blue OLEDs and hybrid WOLEDs with high performance and low efficiency roll-off are reported based on tetraphenylbenzene-cored AIEgens.
AF relay assisted multiuser MIMO‐DQSM downlink transmission system
Authors: Castillo‐Soria F.R.
Published: April 2020

This Letter presents an amplify and forward (AF) relay assisted multiuser multiple input‐multiple output (MU‐MIMO) downlink transmission system based on a double quadrature spatial modulation (DQSM) scheme. The authors analyse and compared the bit error rate performance of the proposed AF‐MU‐MIMO‐DQSM system with its conventional counterpart AF‐MU‐MIMO system, which uses quadrature amplitude modulation/phase shift‐keying modulation. Results show that the utilised technique can effectively cancel the interference produced by multiple users and multiple relays in the system. The proposed AF‐MU‐MIMO‐DQSM system has up to 2 dB gain compared with the conventional system for the analysed cases.
Probabilistic analysis of field coupling to transmission lines using hybrid method
Authors: Gheddar H. , Melit M. , Nekhoul B.
Published: April 2020

The main purpose of this work is to give a global analysis of external field coupled to multiconductor transmission line (MTL). Knowing that this problem is largely treated using determinist approach and the results strongly depend both on the configuration of MTL and external field parameters, for this reason, the authors proceed by a hybrid method which combines a probabilistic approach (polynomial chaos) and the equivalent cable bundle method. The field's parameters and the length of MTL are both considered as random variables.
Probability of defect detection in pulse compression favourable thermal excitation schemes for infra‐red non‐destructive testing
Authors: Kher V. , Mulaveesala R.
Published: April 2020

InfraRed non‐destructive testing and evaluation (IRNDT&E) has emerged as a promising approach for non‐destructive testing and evaluation (NDT&E) of various materials because of its inherent merits such as remote, non‐invasive, qualitative as well as quantitative inspection capabilities. Among the various IRNDT&E techniques, recently proposed modulated pulse compression favourable thermal wave imaging (PCTWI) techniques, especially frequency modulated thermal wave imaging (FMTWI) and its digitised version digitised FMTWI (DFMTWI) have gained popularity over the conventional sinusoidal modulated [lock‐in thermography (LT)] and pulse‐based thermographic techniques [pulse thermography (PT) and pulse phase thermography (PPT)] by providing better depth resolution, in less experimentation time, using low peak power excitation heat sources. The present work highlights a comparative study on highly depth resolved continuous depth scanning PCTWI techniques, with single frequency thermal excited LT, on the basis of defect detection probability. The proposed study has been carried out on a glass fibre reinforced polymer test sample with Teflon inserts as defects by considering peak side lobe ratio as a figure of merit. The experimental results clearly show that the probability of detection of defects for DFMTWI is far superior as compared to FMTWI and LT.
Model predictive control with a novel cost function evaluation scheme for OW‐PMSM drives
Authors: Zheng Zhihao , Sun Dan , Wang Mingze , Nian Heng
Published: April 2020

In open‐winding permanent magnet synchronous motor (OW‐PMSM) system, the voltage vectors (VVs) produced by the dual‐inverter are abundant and one VV may correspond to different switching states. It is time‐consuming for model predictive control strategy to evaluate the cost function with all VVs and select the optimal switching states. A novel cost function evaluation scheme is proposed in this Letter and the evaluation times of the cost function is significantly reduced. The optimal switching states of each phase are decided by evaluating the cost function with six virtual vectors and a zero vector and the switching states of each phase are directly decided without additional evaluation process. The calculation time is significantly reduced with the proposed strategy and the steady‐state performance of the OW‐PMSM system is maintained similar to the conventional strategy. Experimental results have validated the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.
WDAT‐OMS: A two‐level scheme for efficient data gathering in mobile‐sink wireless sensor networks using compressive sensing theory
Authors: Tirani Shima Pakdaman , Avokh Avid , Azar Sahebeh
Published: April 2020

This study addresses the problems of energy and delay in wireless sensor networks equipped with mobile sinks. The authors jointly consider the compressive sensing (CS) theory, cluster‐based routing, and sink mobility to propose a data collection method named ‘weighted data aggregation trees with optimal mobile sink(s) (WDAT‐OMS)’. The proposed scheme relies on a two‐level architecture in which sensors are clustered at the first level. WDAT‐OMS uses the CS theory along with load‐balanced data aggregation trees to route packets from sensors to the corresponding cluster heads (CHs). In this regard, they present an efficient metric named ‘energy‐and distance‐aware CH selection’ to fairly distribute the energy consumption among different sensors. At the second level, one or more sinks traverse the network to collect the aggregated data of CHs. As an advantage, WDAT‐OMS not only balances the energy consumption among different sensors but also increases the network scalability. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm reduces energy consumption in comparison with ‘centralised clustering algorithm’, ‘energy‐aware CS‐based data aggregation’, and ‘energy‐balanced high‐level data aggregation tree ‘by 66%, 62%, and 63% for an average number of clusters, respectively. It also decreases the sink delay in comparison with the ‘single‐hop data‐gathering problem’ by 10%.