bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Epistemic Value of Understanding-why
Authors: Hu Xingming
Published: March 2021

Some philosophers (e.g., Pritchard, Grimm, and Hills) recently have objected that veritism cannot explain the epistemic value of understanding-why. And they have proposed two anti-veritist accounts. In this paper, I first introduce their objection and argue that it fails. Next, I consider a strengthened version of their objection and argue that it also fails. After that, I suggest a new veritist account: Understanding-why entails believing the truth that what is grasped is accurate (or accurate enough), and it is this true belief, along with many other true beliefs understanding-why entails, that makes understanding-why finally epistemically valuable. Then, I explain why the two anti-veritist accounts are both false. Finally, I briefly discuss the idea that understanding involves a kind of know-how and show how veritism can explain the epistemic value of know-how in general.
The Failure of Hybrid Organizations: A Legitimation Perspective
Authors: Siwale Juliana , Kimmitt Jonathan , Amankwah-Amoah Joseph
Published: March 2021

Organizational hybridity refers to the combination of multiple institutional logics and identities that, within an organizational setting, do not conventionally complement one another. In such conditions, organizations must develop strategies to combine logics and sustain their hybrid forms. Success, however, is not inevitable. In this article, we take a legitimacy-as-process perspective to focus on a failed Microfinance Organization (MFO) in the African context of Zambia. MFOs represent a fascinating context because of their hybrid nature and need to balance several competing institutional demands. We utilise field interviews to analyse the process through which MFOs fail, analysing actor legitimation responses to emerging hybridity demands. We identify three phases associated with these changes: 1) dependent coupling, (2) misaligning legitimation, and (3) circumnavigating over conformity. Our findings emphasise that legitimation efforts in a failed hybrid are not simply the reverse of those that succeed. We observe adaptive processes consistent with successful hybrids but that ultimately sow the seeds of eventual failure. This demonstrates the need to re-think the role of legitimation strategies in hybrids alongside their potential deleterious consequences.
Modulation of the relationship between summer temperatures in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau and Arctic over the past millennium by external forcings
Authors: Shi Feng , Duan Anmin , Yin Qiuzhen , Bruun John T , Xiao Cunde , Guo Zhengtang
Published: March 2021

The Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau and Arctic both have an important influence on global climate, but the correlation between climate variations in these two regions remains unclear. Here we reconstructed and compared the summer temperature anomalies over the past 1,120 yr (900–2019 CE) in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau and Arctic. The temperature correlation during the past millennium in these two regions has a distinct centennial variation caused by volcanic eruptions. Furthermore, the abrupt weak-to-strong transition in the temperature correlation during the sixteenth century could be analogous to this type of transition during the Modern Warm Period. The former was forced by volcanic eruptions, while the latter was controlled by changes in greenhouse gases. This implies that anthropogenic, as opposed to natural, forcing has acted to amplify the teleconnection between the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau and Arctic during the Modern Warm Period.
Lack of congruence between terrestrial and epiphytic lichen strata in boreal forests
Authors: Smith Robert J. , Jovan Sarah , Will-Wolf Susan
Published: March 2021

Lichens occupy diverse substrates across tremendous ranges of environmental variation. In boreal forests, lichen communities co-occur in ‘strata’ defined by terrestrial or arboreal substrates, but these strata may or may not be interchangeable as bioindicators. Do co-occurring lichen strata have similar community structures and environmental responses? Could one stratum serve as a proxy for the other? We assessed variation in species richness and community compositions between ground-layer versus epiphyte-layer lichen strata in boreal forests and peatlands of interior Alaska. Species richness was lower and more spatially structured in the ground layer than the epiphyte layer. Richness of strata was not correlated. The most compositionally unique ground-layer communities were species-poor but contained regionally rare species not common in other plots. Variation in community compositions (ordination scores) were not congruent between strata (Procrustes congruence < 0.16 on 0–1 scale); the largest departures from congruence occurred where ground layers were species-poor. The best predictors of ground-layer community compositions were hydrological and topographic, whereas epiphytes were most associated with macroclimate and tree abundances. We conclude that lichens on different substrates ‘move in different circles’: compositional gradients did not agree and the environmental gradients most important to each lichen stratum were not the same. The conditions which strongly influence one vegetation stratum may have little bearing upon another. As global changes modify habitats, an incremental change in environment may lead community trajectories to diverge among lichen strata.
Sufficiency and the Minimally Good Life
Authors: Hassoun Nicole
Published: March 2021

What, if anything, do we owe others as a basic minimum? Sufficiency theorists claim that we must provide everyone with enough – but, to date, few well-worked-out accounts of the sufficiency threshold exist, so it is difficult to evaluate this proposition. Previous theories do not provide plausible, independent accounts of resources, capabilities, or welfare that might play the requisite role. Moreover, I believe existing accounts do not provide nearly enough guidance for policymakers. So, this article sketches a mechanism for arriving at an account of the minimally good life that can help locate the sufficiency threshold.
THE PLEASURE OF EXCHANGE: ADAM SMITH’S THIRD KIND OF SELF-LOVE
Authors: Bee Michele
Published: March 2021

This article argues that the self-love that motivates exchange in The Wealth of Nations (WN) can be seen as the desire for deserved approval discussed by Adam Smith in The Theory of Moral Sentiments (TMS). This often overlooked desire appears in TMS as the most representative kind of self-love. Exchange motivated by this desire emerges as the way to find confirmation through others’ appraisal of one’s own self-assessment, and thus to find an agreed-upon measure for respective deserved praise. The target in this economic relationship is that equivalence that signals mutual recognition of deserved esteem. Equivalence here is the aim and not the result of exchange, unlike a tug-of-war, where both parties try to give as little and gain as much as possible regardless of the recognition each deserves.
Compact dual and triple band antennas for 5G-IOT applications
Authors: Ruchi  , Patnaik Amalendu , Kartikeyan M. V.
Published: March 2021

Designing miniaturized multiband antennas to cover both the 5G new radio frequencies (FR1 and FR2) simultaneously is a challenge for wireless communication researchers. This paper presents two antenna designs : a dual-band printed antenna of size 18 × 16 × 0.285 mm3 operating at FR1–5.8 GHz and FR2–28 GHz and a triple-band printed antenna with dimensions 30 × 25 × 0.543 mm3 operating at FR1–3.5 GHz and 5.8 GHz (sub-6 GHz microwave frequency bands) and FR2–28 GHz (mm-wave frequency band). The final projected triple-band antenna has a compact size with an impedance bandwidth of 12.71%, 11.32%, and 18.3% at 3.5 GHz, 5.8 GHz, and 28 GHz, respectively with the corresponding gain of 1.86 dB, 2.55 dB, and 4.41 dB. The measured radiation characteristics of the fabricated prototypes show that the proposed designs are suitable for trendy 5G-RFID and mobile Internet of things (IoT) applications.
Spectral Induced Polarization Characterization of Non‐Consolidated Clays for Varying Salinities—An Experimental Study
Authors: Mendieta Aida , Jougnot Damien , Leroy Philippe , Maineult Alexis
Published: March 2021

Clay material characterization is of importance for many geo‐engineering and environmental applications, and geo‐electrical methods are often used to detect them in the subsurface. Spectral induced polarization (SIP) is a geo‐electric method that nonintrusively measures the frequency‐dependent complex electrical conductivity of a material, in the mHz to the kHz range. We present a new SIP data set of four different types of clay (a red montmorillonite sample, a green montmorillonite sample, a kaolinite sample, and an illite sample) at five different salinities (initially de‐ionized water, 10−3, 10−2, 10−1, and 1 mol/L of NaCl). We propose a new laboratory protocol that allows the repeatable characterization of clay samples. The complex conductivity spectra are interpreted with the widely used phenomenological double‐Pelton model. We observe an increase of the real part of the conductivity with salinity for all types of clay, while the imaginary part presents a nonmonotonous behavior. The decrease of polarization over conduction with salinity is interpreted as evidence that conduction increases with salinity faster than polarization. We test the empirical petrophysical relationship between and and validate this approach based on our experimental data and two other datasets from the literature. With this data set we can better understand the frequency‐dependent electrical response of different types of clay. This unique data set of complex conductivity spectra for different types of clay samples is a step forward toward better characterization of clay formations in situ.
Quantification of Gravitational Mass Wasting and Controls on Submarine Scarp Morphology Along the Roseau Fault, Lesser Antilles
Authors: Hughes Alex , Escartín Javier , Olive Jean‐Arthur , Billant Jeremy , Deplus Christine , Feuillet Nathalie , Leclerc Frédérique , Malatesta Luca
Published: March 2021

Due to challenges involved in mapping the seafloor at high‐resolution (e.g., <2 m), data are lacking to understand processes that control the evolution of submarine normal fault scarps, which cover large parts of the global seafloor. Here, we use data from autonomous deep‐sea vehicles to quantify local erosion and deposition associated with a pronounced tectonic surface scarp formed by slip on the submarine Roseau normal fault (Lesser Antilles). We use high‐resolution video imagery, photomosaics, and high‐resolution bathymetric data (0.1–10 m/pixel) to identify active erosional features on the scarp including channels, steep gullies, small scarps, and debris cones. We compare volumes of erosion and deposition and find that under certain depositional conditions, debris cones effectively record the erosion signal of mass wasting from the footwall with a ratio of hanging wall deposition to footwall erosion of 0.80. We use eroded volumes to estimate earthquake‐induced landslide erosion rates for the Roseau fault of 14–46 m Myr−1. Assuming mass wasting of the Roseau fault scarp is mostly coseismic, the erosion rates for the Roseau fault imply that submarine earthquake induced mass‐wasting can occur at similar rates to various terrestrial lithological and tectonic settings. We present a process‐based model of submarine scarp degradation via retrogressive erosion in basement lithology where scarps have a gravitational stability threshold height of 20–40 m and a long‐term average slope of 30°–40°. More generally, the results presented here may be applicable to develop models of submarine landscape evolution based on degradation of normal fault scarps on the seafloor.
Exploring Viscosity Space in an Eddy‐Permitting Global Ocean Model: Is Viscosity a Useful Control for Numerical Mixing?
Authors: Megann Alex , Storkey David
Published: March 2021

A generic shortcoming of constant‐depth (or “z‐coordinate”) ocean models such as MOM5 and Nucleus for European Models of the Ocean (NEMO) is a tendency for the advection scheme to produce unphysical numerical diapycnal mixing, which may exceed the explicitly parameterized mixing based on observed physical processes. Megann (2018, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocemod.2017.11.001) estimated the effective diapycnal diffusivity in the Global Ocean Version 5.0 (GO5.0) 0.25° global implementation of the NEMO model and showed that this was up to 10 times the explicit diffusivity used in the model's mixing scheme and argued that this was at least partly caused by large transient vertical velocities on length scales comparable to the horizontal grid scale. The current UK global NEMO configuration GO6, as used in the Global Coupled Model version 3.1 (GC3.1) and UK Earth System Model (UKESM1), is integrated in forced mode at 0.25° resolution with a range of viscosity parameterizations. In the present study, the effective diffusivity is evaluated for each integration and compared with the explicit value from the model mixing scheme, as well as with that in the control (using the default viscosity). It is shown that there is a strong correspondence between lower viscosity and enhanced numerical mixing and that larger viscosities lead to a marked reduction in the unrealistic internal temperature drift seen in the control configuration, without incurring excessive damping of the large‐scale circulation, mixed layer depths, or sea ice cover. The results presented here will inform the choices made in global ocean configurations used in climate and Earth System models following the sixth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6).
Modeling Center‐of‐Mass of the Ionosphere From the Slab‐Thickness
Authors: Gulyaeva T. L. , Nava B. , Stanislawska I.
Published: March 2021

The present study explores the center‐of‐mass (Hc) of the ionosphere as the effective ionospheric varying shell height (VSH). We presents global ionospheric maps GIM‐Hc produced with IRI‐Plas model by assimilating the instant GIM‐TEC maps provided by JPL from 1994 to present which allows obtaining global maps of the F2 layer critical frequency, GIM‐foF2 (or NmF2) and peak height, GIM‐hmF2. Ratio TEC/NmF2 represents the slab‐thickness model of the ionosphere, GIM‐τ, fitted to foF2, hmF2 peak at each cell of a map. The slab‐thickness τ is for the first time tied to hmF2 peak height with its components τbot below hmF2 and topside τtop. Equations for evaluating Hc with IRI‐Plas and NeQuick models are derived from Ne(h) profile complemented with the total electron content—height profile TEC(h) from the bottom boundary of the ionosphere (65–80 km over the Earth) to varying altitude h up to 20,200 km (GPS orbit). The position of Hc depends on the altitude range selected at the ionosphere and plasmasphere. We determine Hc from Ne(h) and TEC(h) profile within the borders of τ from the bottom side (hmF2 − τbot) to topside (hmF2 + τtop). Regression linear model of Hc variation with hmF2 is derived which allows estimate of Hc from the F2 layer peak height hmF2. Statistical characteristics of GIM‐Hc maps can serve for validation and updating the effective shell height with Hc parameter varying over the globe for improved vertical TEC evaluation from the slant TEC observations.
Trend Detection in the Presence of Positive and Negative Serial Correlation: A Comparison of Block Maxima and Peaks‐Over‐threshold Data
Authors: O’Brien N. L. , Burn D. H. , Annable W. K. , Thompson P. J.
Published: March 2021

Serial correlation in a hydrometeorological time series can have deleterious effects on trend detection tests. To account for significant autocorrelation detected in datasets, various techniques have been developed over time, each having their own assumptions and accuracy. Furthermore, the existence of positive or negative serial correlation has dissimilar effects on these statistical techniques. This research compares the power and Type I error rates of various well‐known and several newer techniques to account for positive and negative serial correlation in combination with the Mann‐Kendall nonparametric trend test. The study additionally explores the application of these techniques in the presence of higher order dependence structures. Through a case study of southern Ontario watersheds, it is determined that the block maxima series (BMS) data are more likely to have significant negative lag‐1 serial correlation. Peaks‐over‐threshold (POT) data are more likely to be serially correlated and this autocorrelation is more likely to be positive. It is determined that in the case of positively serially correlated AR(1) data, block bootstrap (BBS), Hamed and Rao (1998), variance correction (VCCF1), Yue and Wang (2004), variance correction (VCCF2), and sieve bootstrap (SBS) are the most robust. Alternatively, in the case of negative AR(1) autocorrelation, the corrected trend‐free prewhitening approach (CTFPW), modified trend‐free prewhitening (MTFPW), bias corrected prewhitening (BCPW), and VCCF1 are recommended. In the presence of higher order dependence structures, VCCF1 (with all significant lags included) and VCCF2 (with all lags included) should be applied cautiously. Lastly, an assessment of the causality of the serial correlation is provided.
Catchment Functioning Under Prolonged Drought Stress: Tracer‐Aided Ecohydrological Modeling in an Intensively Managed Agricultural Catchment
Authors: Yang Xiaoqiang , Tetzlaff Doerthe , Soulsby Chris , Smith Aaron , Borchardt Dietrich
Published: March 2021

High spatial heterogeneity of catchment properties enhances the variability of ecohydrological responses to changing natural and anthropogenic conditions, like the European‐wide droughts in 2018–2019. Based on new adaptations of a tracer‐aided, process‐based ecohydrological model (EcH2O‐iso), we investigated drought‐induced nonstationary ecohydrological behavior in a small agricultural headwater catchment (1.44 km2) in central Germany. Multiple environmental time‐series helped inform various aspects of catchment functioning that have been impacted by agricultural activity and changing climate conditions and helped to further constrain model calibration. Multi‐criteria calibration showed that data collected during drought years were highly informative in reproducing the changes in stream water dynamics. Further, inclusion of and data was valuable for reducing model uncertainty and increasing confidence in simulations of green‐ and blue‐water flux partitioning and storage‐flux‐age interactions. Using the best‐performing calibrations, we further analyzed the high spatiotemporal variability of internal ecohydrological processes and the varying responses of fluxes and associated water ages to prolonged drought stress. Under drought conditions, modeled stream runoff contributed from deeper, older storages increased significantly after a particularly wet season, resulting in a sharp increase in stream water age. Unlike relatively minor changes in soil evaporation, seasonally typical transpiration fluxes were initially maintained in April–June but dramatically decreased as the drought further developed in July–September. Importantly, the tracer‐based transpired water age was much older after April, providing a potential indicator of drought impacts and the need for precautionary management responses. Our findings are important for similar agricultural headwater ecosystems in other drought‐sensitive regions.
Modeling the Influence of a Variable Permeability Inclusion on Free‐Surface Flow in an Inclined Aquifer
Authors: Hinton E. M. , Hogg A. J.
Published: March 2021

The interaction of sub‐surface, gravity‐driven flows with inclusions of different permeabilities are investigated theoretically using a model that exploits the relative shallowness of the motion. Numerically computed solutions for steady motion around cylindrical inclusions reveal a range of behaviors dependent on the ratio of the interior to exterior permeability and a dimensionless flow parameter that measures the far‐field thickness to the product of the gradient of the slope down which the fluid flows and the width of the inclusion. When the inclusion is relatively narrow, the depth of the flow is little changed from its far‐field value and the fluid is focused into inclusions of higher permeability and deflected around those of lower permeability. However, if the inclusion is relatively wide then three qualitatively different regimes emerge, dependent on the ratio of permeabilities. When the interior and exterior permeabilities are similar, then negligible deviation of the flow occurs apart from within thin transition layers at the boundary of the inclusion. When the permeabilities differ significantly, the flow forms deep ponds at either the upstream or downstream boundary of the inclusion for relatively low or high permeability inclusion, respectively, which arise due to deflection or focusing. In each case, asymptotic relationships are derived between the depth of the flow and the parameters. Inclusions of differing cross‐section are also analyzed numerically and analytically to draw out the interplay between adjustment, deflection and focusing.
Estimation of Seismic Attenuation of the Greenland Ice Sheet Using 3‐D Waveform Modeling
Authors: Toyokuni Genti , Komatsu Masanao , Takenaka Hiroshi
Published: March 2021

We estimated the seismic attenuation (Q factor) of the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) by comparing observed and theoretical Rayleigh waveforms. Observed waveforms are obtained by interfering noise waveforms in vertical‐component seismograms between stations belonging to the latest broadband seismic network distributed throughout Greenland (GLISN network). Theoretical waveforms are calculated by parallel computation using the latest 3‐D seismic waveform modeling method. Comparing the observed waveforms with the theoretical waveforms at different Q factors reveals that the GrIS has a low Q of 10 ≤ QP, QS ≤ 50, indicating very high attenuation of seismic waves due to the ice. This study is the first to establish the low Q factor of ice sheets via ultra‐long‐distance propagation (350−1,000 km). The Q factors obtained in this study are indispensable for estimating the thermal state and density distribution of the GrIS, as well as for interpreting the characteristics of seismic waveform that propagates through the GrIS.
Functional repertoire of EV-associated miRNA profiles after lipoprotein depletion via ultracentrifugation and size exclusion chromatography from autologous blood products
Authors: Otahal Alexander , Kuten-Pella Olga , Kramer Karina , Neubauer Markus , Lacza Zsombor , Nehrer Stefan , De Luna Andrea
Published: March 2021

Cartilage breakdown, inflammation and pain are hallmark symptoms of osteoarthritis, and autologous blood products such as citrate-anticoagulated platelet-rich plasma (CPRP) or hyperacute serum (hypACT) have been developed as a regenerative approach to rebuild cartilage, inhibit inflammation and reduce pain. However, mechanisms of action of these blood derivatives are still not fully understood, in part due to the large number of components present in these medical products. In addition, the discovery of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their involvement in intercellular communication mediated by cargo molecules like microRNAs (miRNAs) opened up a whole new level of complexity in understanding blood products. In this study we focused on the development of an isolation protocol for EVs from CPRP and hypACT that can also deplete lipoproteins, which are often co-isolated in EV research due to shared physical properties. Several isolation methods were compared in terms of particle yield from CPRP and hypACT. To gain insights into the functional repertoire conveyed via EV-associated miRNAs, we performed functional enrichment analysis and identified NFκB signaling strongly targeted by CPRP EV miRNAs, whereas hypACT EV miRNAs affect IL6- and TGFβ/SMAD signaling.
The impact of the co-registration technique and analysis methodology in comparison studies between advanced imaging modalities and whole-mount-histology reference in primary prostate cancer
Authors: Zamboglou Constantinos , Kramer Maria , Kiefer Selina , Bronsert Peter , Ceci Lara , Sigle August , Schultze-Seemann Wolfgang , Jilg Cordula A. , Sprave Tanja , Fassbender Thomas F. , Nicolay Nils H. , Ruf Juri , Benndorf Matthias , Grosu Anca L. , Spohn Simon K. B.
Published: March 2021

Comparison studies using histopathology as standard of reference enable a validation of the diagnostic performance of imaging methods. This study analysed (1) the impact of different image-histopathology co-registration pathways, (2) the impact of the applied data analysis method and (3) intraindividually compared multiparametric magnet resonance tomography (mpMRI) and prostate specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography (PSMA-PET) by using the different approaches. Ten patients with primary PCa who underwent mpMRI and [18F]PSMA-1007 PET/CT followed by prostatectomy were prospectively enrolled. We demonstrate that the choice of the intermediate registration step [(1) via ex-vivo CT or (2) mpMRI] does not significantly affect the performance of the registration framework. Comparison of analysis methods revealed that methods using high spatial resolutions e.g. quadrant-based slice-by-slice analysis are beneficial for a differentiated analysis of performance, compared to methods with a lower resolution (segment-based analysis with 6 or 18 segments and lesions-based analysis). Furthermore, PSMA-PET outperformed mpMRI for intraprostatic PCa detection in terms of sensitivity (median %: 83–85 vs. 60–69, p < 0.04) with similar specificity (median %: 74–93.8 vs. 100) using both registration pathways. To conclude, the choice of an intermediate registration pathway does not significantly affect registration performance, analysis methods with high spatial resolution are preferable and PSMA-PET outperformed mpMRI in terms of sensitivity in our cohort.
A highly expressed mRNA signature for predicting survival in patients with stage I/II non-small-cell lung cancer after operation
Authors: Ma Nan , Si Lu , Yang Meiling , Li Meihua , He Zhiyi
Published: March 2021

There is an urgent need to identify novel biomarkers that predict the prognosis of patients with NSCLC. In this study,we aim to find out mRNA signature closely related to the prognosis of NSCLC by new algorithm of bioinformatics. Identification of highly expressed mRNA in stage I/II patients with NSCLC was performed with the “Limma” package of R software. Survival analysis of patients with different mRNA expression levels was subsequently calculated by Cox regression analysis, and a multi-RNA signature was obtained by using the training set. Kaplan–Meier estimator, log-rank test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to analyse the predictive ability of the multi-RNA signature. RT-PCR used to verify the expression of the multi-RNA signature, and Westernblot used to verify the expression of proteins related to the multi-RNA signature. We identified fifteen survival-related mRNAs in the training set and classified the patients as high risk or low risk. NSCLC patients with low risk scores had longer disease-free survival than patients with high risk scores. The fifteen-mRNA signature was an independent prognostic factor, as shown by the ROC curve. ROC curve also showed that the combined model of the fifteen-mRNA signature and tumour stage had higher precision than stage alone. The expression of fifteen mRNAs and related proteins were higher in stage II NSCLC than in stage I NSCLC. Multi-gene expression profiles provide a moderate prognostic tool for NSCLC patients with stage I/II disease.
The impact of atmospheric rivers on rainfall in New Zealand
Authors: Shu Jingxiang , Shamseldin Asaad Y. , Weller Evan
Published: March 2021

This study quantifies the impact of atmospheric rivers (ARs) on rainfall in New Zealand. Using an automated AR detection algorithm, daily rainfall records from 654 rain gauges, and various atmospheric reanalysis datasets, we investigate the climatology of ARs, the characteristics of landfalling ARs, the contribution of ARs to annual and seasonal rainfall totals, and extreme rainfall events between 1979 and 2018 across the country. Results indicate that these filamentary synoptic features play an essential role in regional water resources and are responsible for many extreme rainfall events on the western side of mountainous areas and northern New Zealand. In these regions, depending on the season, 40–86% of the rainfall totals and 50–98% of extreme rainfall events are shown to be associated with ARs, with the largest contributions predominantly occurring during the austral summer. Furthermore, the median daily rainfall associated with ARs is 2–3 times than that associated with other storms. The results of this study extend the knowledge on the critical roles of ARs on hydrology and highlight the need for further investigation on the landfalling AR physical processes in relation to global circulation features and AR sources, and hydrological hazards caused by ARs in New Zealand.
The FlgN chaperone activates the Na+-driven engine of the Salmonella flagellar protein export apparatus
Authors: Minamino Tohru , Kinoshita Miki , Morimoto Yusuke V. , Namba Keiichi
Published: March 2021

The bacterial flagellar protein export machinery consists of a transmembrane export gate complex and a cytoplasmic ATPase complex. The gate complex has two intrinsic and distinct H+-driven and Na+-driven engines to drive the export of flagellar structural proteins. Salmonella wild-type cells preferentially use the H+-driven engine under a variety of environmental conditions. To address how the Na+-driven engine is activated, we analyzed the fliJ(Δ13–24) fliH(Δ96–97) mutant and found that the interaction of the FlgN chaperone with FlhA activates the Na+-driven engine when the ATPase complex becomes non-functional. A similar activation can be observed with either of two single-residue substitutions in FlhA. Thus, it is likely that the FlgN-FlhA interaction generates a conformational change in FlhA that allows it to function as a Na+ channel. We propose that this type of activation would be useful for flagellar construction under conditions in which the proton motive force is severely restricted.
Modification of boron-doped diamond electrodes with gold–palladium nanoparticles for an oxygen sensor
Authors: Ivandini Tribidasari A. , Luhur Muhammad S. P. , Khalil Munawar , Einaga Yasuaki
Published: March 2021

Boron-doped diamond modified with gold–palladium nanoparticles (Au@PdNPs) via allylamine bridges for oxygen sensors. Exposed gold in Au@PdNPs contributed to the attachment process and palladium enhances the responses of the oxygen reduction reaction.
A facile method for the synthesis of a sintering dense nano-grained Na3Zr2Si2PO12 Na+-ion solid-state electrolyte
Authors: Yang Guanming , Zhai Yanfang , Yao Jianyao , Song Shufeng , Tang Weiping , Wen Zhaoyin , Lu Li , Hu Ning
Published: March 2021

We report dense Na3Zr2Si2PO12 with an average grain size of 546 ± 58 nm and prepared by a facile method.
Photoactivated release of membrane impermeant sulfonates inside cells
Authors: Caldwell Stuart T. , O'Byrne Sean N. , Wilson Calum , Cvetko Filip , Murphy Michael P. , McCarron John G. , Hartley Richard C.
Published: March 2021

Photocaged sulfonate delivers membrane impermeant compounds to cells.
Antiaromaticity–aromaticity transition of cyclo[16]carbon upon metal encapsulation
Authors: Jiang Yuhang , Wu Yabei , Deng Jianjun , Wang Zhiyong
Published: March 2021

The antiaromatic carbon ring C16 is transformed into a molecule with a dual aromaticity feature by encapsulation of a uranium atom.
In situelectrochemical activation as a generic strategy for promoting the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction and alcohol electro-oxidation in alkaline medium
Authors: Kardan Alireza , Ashraf Narges , Dabirifar Zeynab , Khadempir Sara
Published: March 2021

In situelectrochemical activation as a new pre-treatment method is extremely effective for enhanced electrocatalytic performances for different applications.
Dynamic cross-linking of an alginate–acrylamide tough hydrogel system: time-resolvedin situmapping of gel self-assembly
Authors: Pragya Akanksha , Mutalik Suhas , Younas Muhammad Waseem , Pang Siu-Kwong , So Pui-Kin , Wang Faming , Zheng Zijian , Noor Nuruzzaman
Published: March 2021

In situ, time-resolved characterisation of an alginate–acrylamide tough hydrogel dynamic formation process indicate routes to intervention and modification of chemo-physico-mechanical properties.
A novel anion-pillared metal–organic framework for highly efficient separation of acetylene from ethylene and carbon dioxide
Authors: Qian Quan-Li , Gu Xiao-Wen , Pei Jiyan , Wen Hui-Min , Wu Hui , Zhou Wei , Li Bin , Qian Guodong
Published: March 2021

A novel water-stable anion-pillared MOF material with suitable rhombic pores and functional surfaces exhibits high C2H2 capture capacity and simultaneously high C2H2/CO2 and C2H2/C2H4 selectivities under ambient conditions.
Efficiently cogenerating drinkable water and electricity from seawater via flexible MOF nanorod arrays
Authors: Ma Xu , Li Zhuoyi , Deng Zheng , Chen Danke , Wang Xiaobin , Wan Xinyi , Fang Zhou , Peng Xinsheng
Published: March 2021

A flexible Cu-CAT-1 MOF nanorod array membrane is rationally designed for water–electricity cogeneration from seawater with efficient solar desalination performance and nice all-weather electricity output.
Ultralow non-noble metal loaded MOF derived bi-functional electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution and reduction reactions
Authors: Bagchi Debabrata , Phukan Nithi , Sarkar Shreya , Das Risov , Ray Bitan , Bellare Pavithra , Ravishankar Narayanan , Peter Sebastian C.
Published: March 2021

Ultra low cobalt single atom bi-functional electrocatalysts derived from MOFs exhibit oxygen evolution and reduction reaction activity close to that of state-of-the-art Pt/C and IrO2.
A colon-targeted podophyllotoxin nanoprodrug: synthesis, characterization, and supramolecular hydrogel formation for the drug combination
Authors: Ha Wei , Zhao Xiao-Bo , Zhao Wei-Hua , Tang Jiang-Jiang , Shi Yan-Ping
Published: March 2021

An ingeniously designed podophyllotoxin nanoprodrug was synthesized and offered an effective platform for co-delivery of multiple therapeutic agents for drug combination via the hierarchical self-assembly strategy.
Deep-blue fluorophores with imidazoacridine acceptors: enhancing photostability and two-photon fluorescence using structural constraint
Authors: Sauvé Ethan R. , Tonge Christopher M. , Hudson Zachary M.
Published: March 2021

Efficient deep blue luminescent materials are highly sought after for applications in both electronics and bioimaging.
Highly air-stable, n-doped conjugated polymers achieved by dimeric organometallic dopants
Authors: Yamashita Yu , Jhulki Samik , Bhardwaj Dinesh , Longhi Elena , Kumagai Shohei , Watanabe Shun , Barlow Stephen , Marder Seth R. , Takeya Jun
Published: March 2021

Air stability of n-doped polymers is improved by using a strongly reducing, dimeric dopant instead of cobaltocene.
A fluorescent aptasensor based on berberine for ultrasensitive detection of bisphenol A in tap water
Authors: Wei Yuxin , Zhou Yangyang , Wei Yanli , Dong Chuan , Wang Li
Published: March 2021

A label-free fluorescence sensing system for ultrasensitive detection of bisphenol A in tap water was developed employing BPA-aptamer as the sensitive unit and berberine as the fluorescent messenger.
Self-sufficient asymmetric reduction of β-ketoesters catalysed by a novel and robust thermophilic alcohol dehydrogenase co-immobilised with NADH
Authors: Orrego Alejandro H. , Andrés-Sanz Daniel , Velasco-Lozano Susana , Sanchez-Costa Mercedes , Berenguer José , Guisan José M. , Rocha-Martin Javier , López-Gallego Fernando
Published: March 2021

A highly robust and productive self-sufficient heterogeneous biocatalysts to asymmetrically reduce β-ketoesters.
The pursuit of stability in halide perovskites: the monovalent cation and the key for surface and bulk self-healing
Authors: Ceratti D. R. , Cohen A. V. , Tenne R. , Rakita Y. , Snarski L. , Jasti N. P. , Cremonesi L. , Cohen R. , Weitman M. , Rosenhek-Goldian I. , Kaplan-Ashiri I. , Bendikov T. , Kalchenko V. , Elbaum M. , Potenza M. A. C. , Kronik L. , Hodes G. , Cahen D.
Published: March 2021

The fine equilibrium between photodamage and self-healing determines the defect density in halide perovskites. Here we analyze the chemistry of the processes on the surface and in the bulk of APbBr3 single crystals. (A = MA, FA, Cs).
Highly stable and efficient cathode-buffer-layer-free inverted perovskite solar cells
Authors: Kim Yong Ryun , Oh Chang Mok , Yoon Chang Jae , Kim Ju-Hyeon , Park Kiyoung , Lee Kwanghee , Hwang In-Wook , Kim Heejoo
Published: March 2021

We proposed a novel simplified device structure for efficient and stable inverted perovskite solar cells that has no cathode buffer layer by modifying the electron transport layer with insulating polymers as an additive.
A state-of-the-art review on coir fiber-reinforced biocomposites
Authors: Hasan K. M. Faridul , Horváth Péter György , Bak Miklós , Alpár Tibor
Published: March 2021

The coir fibers could be used as prominent biocomposite materials.
Surface chemical functionality of carbon dots: influence on the structure and energy storage performance of the layered double hydroxide
Authors: Li Huimin , Xie Yingjun , Liu Yingliang , Xiao Yong , Hu Hang , Liang Yeru , Zheng Mingtao
Published: March 2021

As a kind of zero-dimensional material, carbon dots (CDs) have become a kind of promising novel material due to their incomparable unique physical and chemical properties.
Linking far-from-equilibrium defect structures in ceramics to electromagnetic driving forces
Authors: Nakamura Nathan , Su Laisuo , Wang Han , Bernstein Noam , Jha Shikhar Krishn , Culbertson Elizabeth , Wang Haiyan , Billinge Simon J. L. , Hellberg C. Stephen , Reeja-Jayan B.
Published: March 2021

Locally intensified, low energy electromagnetic fields can directly affect atomic arrangements through defect-driven structural distortions.
Molecular engineering of diketopyrrolopyrrole-conjugated polymer nanoparticles by chalcogenide variation for photoacoustic imaging guided photothermal therapy
Authors: Jin Xin , Xing Xiaoyi , Deng Qingyuan , Qing Weixia , Liu Zhonghua , Huang Yongwei
Published: March 2021

This work presents an efficient method of accessing DPP-SO that not only possess an excellent anti-tumour property but also regulates the photothermal performance of DPP-conjugated polymers by changing the heteroatom in the molecular skeleton.
High performance, electroforming-free, thin film memristors using ionic Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3
Authors: Yun Chao , Webb Matthew , Li Weiwei , Wu Rui , Xiao Ming , Hellenbrand Markus , Kursumovic Ahmed , Dou Hongyi , Gao Xingyao , Dhole Samyak , Zhang Di , Chen Aiping , Shi Jueli , Zhang Kelvin H. L. , Wang Haiyan , Jia Quanxi , MacManus-Driscoll Judith L.
Published: March 2021

Interfacial resistive switching and composition-tunable RLRS are realized in ionically conducting Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 thin films, allowing optimised ON/OFF ratio (>104) to be achieved with low growth temperature (600 °C) and low thickness (<20 nm).
Freestanding CH3NH3PbBr3 single-crystal microwires for optoelectronic applications synthesized with a predefined lattice framework
Authors: Yan Shan-Shan , Ma Yao , Kong You-Chao , Jiang Ji-Zhong , Xie Xiu-Hua , Su Shi-Chen , Tang Zi-Kang , Shen Liang , Wang Shuang-Peng , Ng Kar Wei
Published: March 2021

Single-crystal CH3NH3PbBr3 microwires are synthesized by incorporating the appropriate monovalent ions into the lattice of self-assembled PbBr2 structures. Single-wire photodetectors with excellent optoelectronic performance are demonstrated.
Lead-free MnII-based red-emitting hybrid halide (CH6N3)2MnCl4 toward high performance warm WLEDs
Authors: Wang Shiyi , Han Xinxin , Kou Tongtong , Zhou Yayun , Liang Yi , Wu Zixuan , Huang Jialuo , Chang Tong , Peng Chengyu , Wei Qilin , Zou Bingsuo
Published: March 2021

A blue-light excited red-emitting Mn2+-based hybrid halide (CH6N3)2MnCl4 with a high PLQY of 55.9% was obtained. Using the halide, a high performance warm WLED was fabricated, indicating its potential as a red-emitting component for WLED applications.
Positive Parenting Behaviors: Impact on the Early Vocabulary of Infants/Toddlers With Cochlear Implants
Authors: Bavin Edith L. , Sarant Julia , Prendergast Luke , Busby Peter , Leigh Greg , Peterson Candida
Published: March 2021

Purpose

To extend our knowledge about factors influencing early vocabulary development for infants with cochlear implants (CIs), we investigated the impact of positive parenting behaviors (PPBs) from the Indicator of Parent Child Interaction, used in parent–child interactions during everyday activities.

Method

Implantation age for the sample recruited from CI clinics in Australia ranged from 6 to 10 months for 22 children and from 11 to 21 months for 11 children. Three observation sessions at three monthly intervals were coded for use of PPBs. Children's productive vocabulary, based on the MacArthur–Bates Communicative Development Inventories parent checklist, was collected approximately 6 and 9 months later. A repeated-measures negative binomial generalized linear mixed-effects model was used to investigate associations between the total PPBs per session, covariates (maternal education, gender, and time since implant), and the number of words produced. In follow-up analyses with the PPBs entered separately, variable selection was used to retain only those deemed informative, based on the Akaike information criterion.

Results

As early as Session 1, associations between the PPBs and vocabulary were identified. Time since implant had a positive effect. For different sessions, specific PPBs (descriptive language, follows child's lead, and acceptance and warmth) were identified as important contributors.

Conclusions

Complementing previous findings, valuable information was identified about parenting behaviors that are likely to impact positively the early vocabulary of infants with CIs. Of importance is providing parents with information and training in skills that have the potential to help create optimal contexts for promoting their child's early vocabulary development.
PLSAV: Parallel loop searching and verifying for loop closure detection
Authors: Yang Zhe , Pan Yun , Deng Lei , Xie Yuan , Huan Ruohong
Published: March 2021

Visual simultaneous localization and mapping (vSLAM), one of the most important applications in autonomous vehicles and robots to estimate the position and pose using inexpensive visual sensors, suffers from error accumulation for long‐term navigation without loop closure detection. Recently, deep neural networks (DNNs) are leveraged to achieve high accuracy for loop closure detection, however the execution time is much slower than those employing handcrafted visual features. In this paper, a parallel loop searching and verifying method for loop closure detection with both high accuracy and high speed, which combines two parallel tasks using handcrafted and DNN features, respectively, is proposed. A fast loop searching is proposed to link the bag‐of‐words features and histogram for higher accuracy, and it splits the images into multiple grids for high parallelism; meanwhile, a DNN feature extractor is utilized for further verification. A loop state control method based on a finite state machine to control these tasks is designed, wherein the loop closure detection is described as a context‐related procedure. The framework is implemented on a real machine, and the top‐2 best accuracy and fastest execution time of 80‐543 frames per second (min: 1.84ms, and max: 12.45ms) are achieved on several public benchmarks compared with some existing algorithms.
Mitigation of voltage sag for DVR to comply with voltage security protocol via elliptical trajectory compensation
Authors: Li Peng , Wang Yi , Wang Can , Lu Jinghang , Pan Xuewei , Blaabjerg Frede
Published: March 2021

In this paper, a flexible power dispatch strategy based on the elliptical trajectory is proposed to maximize the operating region for dynamic voltage restorer (DVR) during voltage sags. This control scheme introduces two individual parameters to accomplish continuous power delivery within the voltage security boundaries required by the loads. These two key parameters are presented in the exact mathematical equations of instantaneous power dispatch, which allows the individual control of active power and reactive power of DVR. Under the provisions of the given control strategy, the load voltage regulation and flexible power dispatch are combined together by the voltage sag compensation of the elliptical trajectory. Thus, the voltage source converters output current can be limited within the maximum rated value. A smooth transition can be achieved as well during changes in the operation scheme when fulfilling the presented power delivery. Eight scenarios of different active and reactive power delivery are presented to validate the feasibility of the proposed strategy. Finally, laboratory results are used to reveal the effectiveness of the given control schemes.
A flux estimation method for three‐phase dual‐active‐bridge DC/DC converters
Authors: Nguyen Duy‐Dinh , Goto Takuya , Yukita Kazuto , Katou Akinori , Yoshida Shinji
Published: March 2021

This study proposes an estimation method of flux density in high‐frequency transformers of three‐phase dual‐active‐bridge transformers. The steady‐state analysis shows that the flux in the converter is different in Buck and Boost modes and depending on load and voltage gain condition. From that, a closed‐form formula is proposed to estimate the flux swing in the core. Unlike the conventional estimation technique, the proposed one represents the flux as a function of input and output voltages and the phase shift value. Finite element analysis confirms that the proposed formula can predict the flux with less than 4% error. The proposed formula can also help to improve the prediction of temperature profile of the transformers with a high accuracy of less than 1 degree Celsius in the mid‐ to high‐power range as validated in experiments. The proposed flux estimation method can be used in designing the converter or in predicting the converter behaviour under critical conditions such as load changing or starting, and so forth, to help protect the transformers from saturation or DC bias.