bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving climate projections by understanding how cloud phase affects radiation
Authors: Cesana Gregory , Storelvmo Trude
Published: April 2017

Whether a cloud is predominantly water or ice strongly influences interactions between clouds and radiation coming down from the Sun or up from the Earth. Being able to simulate cloud phase transitions accurately in climate models based on observational data sets is critical in order to improve confidence in climate projections, because this uncertainty contributes greatly to the overall uncertainty associated with cloud‐climate feedbacks. Ultimately, it translates into uncertainties in Earth's sensitivity to higher CO2 levels. While a lot of effort has recently been made toward constraining cloud phase in climate models, more remains to be done to document the radiative properties of clouds according to their phase. Here we discuss the added value of a new satellite data set that advances the field by providing estimates of the cloud radiative effect as a function of cloud phase and the implications for climate projections.
The primacy of doubt: Evolution of numerical weather prediction from determinism to probability
Authors: Palmer Tim
Published: April 2017

Over the last 25 years, the focus of operational numerical weather prediction has evolved from that of estimating the most likely evolution of weather to that of estimating probability distributions of future weather associated with inevitable uncertainties in both initial conditions and model equations. This evolution from determinism to uncertainty has not only increased the scientific rigor of weather prediction, it has also increased the value of weather forecasts for users. In addition, it has opened up a new approach to solving the equations of motion, likely to be of importance for both weather and climate prediction in an age where high‐performance computing is limited by power consumption. However, despite all this, the numerical weather prediction community has yet to embrace fully the concept of the primacy of doubt. It is now time to take the final step in this direction.
The importance of international collaboration in space research
Authors: Greenwald Raymond A.
Published: April 2017

Over the past four decades, international collaborations in space plasma science have led to rapid growth in our understanding of the physical processes that control the transport of energy and plasma through the Earth's magnetosphere‐ionosphere system and the processes that transfer energy from the solar wind to the Earth's magnetosphere. These collaborations have also enabled more complex missions to be flown and more multipoint observations to be made in both the magnetosphere and ionosphere. In this commentary, we present some examples of these collaborations and discuss how they have improved our understanding of the Earth's plasma environment.
Slamming
Authors: Faltinsen Odd M.
Published: April 2017

Slamming associated with external ship flow, green water on ship decks, and sloshing in ship tanks is discussed. A brief overview of relevant numerical and theoretical hydrodynamic methods is given. Verification and validation are emphasized. It is advocated that slamming must be coupled with structural mechanics in order to find important timescales of the many physical effects associated with slamming and in order to make proper simplifications. Hydroelasticity may matter for both local and global slamming effects. Experimental drop results of horizontal elastic plates show no correlation between maximum slamming pressure and maximum stresses, that is, if the timescale of slamming impact is very small relative to the structural natural periods associated with maximum structural stress, hydrodynamic details do not matter. Both water‐entry and exit phases matter in describing the global wetdeck slamming effects. The influence of gas cavity oscillations and nonviscous flow separation (ventilation) is discussed. Sloshing‐induced slamming in prismatic liquefied natural gas tanks is perhaps the most complicated slamming problem within marine applications because many fluid mechanic and thermodynamic parameters as well as hydroelasticity may have influence. Furthermore, violent sloshing causes complicated in‐flow scenarios of slamming. The consequence is that both computational tools and model‐test scaling are limited.
Flow Around Ships and Underwater Vehicles
Authors: Iafrati Alessandro
Published: April 2017

In this contribution, some aspects of the flow generated by surface or underwater vehicles are discussed. The content is a synthetic review of the literature in the field. The basic features, which are already well established, are briefly recalled, whereas attention is mainly devoted to the most recent research advances on those hydrodynamic phenomena that are not yet fully understood or are at the research frontier of the field. These are the breaking of the bow wave and the subsequent vorticity generation, the separated turbulent flow at the stern, the effect of the scale on the flow characteristics, the flow about propellers and the mutual interaction of the propeller with ship hull and rudders, and the flow about ships in maneuver or in unsteady motion. For underwater vehicles, the discussion concerns the flow generated by a submarine in steady motion in open water or close to the free surface, the flow about the propeller and the interaction with hull, sail, and rudder. Finally, some considerations are given for supercavitating vehicles.
Wave and Crest Height Distributions
Authors: Forristall George Z.
Published: April 2017

Wave measurements, forecasts, and hindcasts generally describe waves by their power spectrum. However, information on individual wave and crest heights is needed in many applications. In this article, we describe methods for estimating wave and crest height distributions based on the information contained in the spectrum. A first‐order description is sufficient for trough to crest wave heights because the second‐order correction raises both crest and trough. For good accuracy, it is, however, necessary to account for the variation in the wave envelope between trough and crest. Second‐order theory gives a good approximation to nonlinearity crest heights. Equations for practical calculation of all the distributions are listed. Finally, we consider the evidence that physics beyond second order are necessary to account for extremely large waves, often called rouge or freak waves.
Geophysical Techniques for Offshore Site Investigation
Authors: Tyler Steve , Vanneste Maarten , Butler David
Published: April 2017

Geophysics is an essential tool for the detection and understanding of variations in the properties of the Earth, geological structure, and for the identification of potential geohazards. The understanding of the geology and geological processes active within an area can have significant implications for locating infrastructure, for safety in its design and design optimization, and for potential time and cost savings associated with its installation. In‐depth knowledge of the active geological processes will also provide added confidence in the success of engineering projects over their operational lives.

The advantage of using geophysical techniques in the marine environment is that large areas of the seafloor can be mapped relatively easily and in a relatively short time. Geotechnical boreholes are an effective means of investigating subsurface shallow geology but are expensive to conduct and only provide information at discrete locations. Nevertheless, boreholes (and wells) are essential to provide calibration and ground truthing of geophysical data.

The applications of marine geophysics are as varied as the techniques and instruments that have been developed for surveying the sea floor. In the context of engineering, marine geophysics is an essential component of data integration and the development of a detailed geological model. The platforms from which data are acquired have evolved rapidly. Survey vessels are still the mainstay of site investigations but there is now much greater utilization of vehicles such as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) to acquire data with higher resolution.

The properties required to be measured, accurate positioning and coverage, adequate penetration, and sufficient resolution of geophysical data are of primary concern when planning and executing a geophysical survey.

Seafloor variability is typically mapped using acoustic techniques such as echo sounding, side scan sonar, and seismic reflection. Subseafloor variability is most commonly mapped using seismic reflection methods, and to a lesser degree with magnetic methods, seismic refraction, seismic converted waves and shear waves, electrical methods, and electromagnetic methods. The various geophysical techniques yield complementary information, and as such there is a trend toward multidisciplinary approaches for obtaining improved seafloor and seabed characterization. The subsequent processes of integration and interpretation of these datasets is essential to the development and refinement of a geological model, which can be applied to engineering requirements.
Body Mass Index, Weight Loss, and Cause‐Specific Mortality in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: England Bryant R. , Baker Joshua F. , Sayles Harlan , Michaud Kaleb , Caplan Liron , Davis Lisa A. , Cannon Grant W. , Sauer Brian C. , Solow E. Blair , Reimold Andreas M. , Kerr Gail S. , Mikuls Ted R.
Published: April 2017

Objective

To examine associations of body mass index (BMI) and weight loss with cause‐specific mortality in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

A cohort of US veterans with RA was followed until death or through 2013. BMI was categorized as underweight, normal, overweight, and obese. Weight loss was calculated as the 1) annualized rate of change over the preceding 13 months, and 2) cumulative percent. Vital status and cause of death were obtained from the National Death Index. Multivariable competing‐risks regression models were utilized to assess the time‐varying associations of BMI and weight loss with cause‐specific mortality.

Results

Among 1,600 participants and 5,789 patient‐years of followup, 303 deaths occurred (95 cardiovascular, 74 cancer, and 46 respiratory). The highest weight‐loss rate and weight‐loss percent were associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular mortality (rate: subdistribution hazard ratio [sHR] 2.27 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.61–3.19]; percent: sHR 2.31 [95% CI 1.06–5.01]) and cancer mortality (rate: sHR 2.36 [95% CI 1.11–5.01]; percent: sHR 1.90 [95% CI 1.00–3.62]). Overweight BMI was protective of cardiovascular mortality (sHR 0.59 [95% CI 0.38–0.91]), while underweight BMI was associated with a near 3‐fold increased risk of respiratory mortality (sHR 2.93 [95% CI 1.28–6.67]). Incorporation of time‐varying BMI and weight loss in the same models did not substantially alter individual associations for cardiovascular and cancer mortality, but an association between weight‐loss percentage and respiratory mortality was attenuated after BMI adjustment.

Conclusion

Both BMI and weight loss are predictors of cause‐specific mortality in RA. Weight loss is a strong predictor of cardiovascular and cancer mortality, while underweight BMI is a stronger predictor of respiratory mortality.
Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework Membranes Supported on Macroporous Carbon Hollow Fibers by Fluidic Processing Techniques
Authors: Eum Kiwon , Ma Chen , Koh Dong‐Yeun , Rashidi Fereshteh , Li Zhong , Jones Christopher W. , Lively Ryan P. , Nair Sankar
Published: April 2017

This study addresses the challenge of generalizable fabrication of metal‐organic framework (particularly zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF)) hollow fiber membranes that can allow a broader range of separations including hydrocarbon (“petrochemical”) as well as organics/water (“biorefining”) separations. We report a novel strategy that combines fluidic membrane processing with chemically inert carbon hollow fibers to produce robust ZIF membranes. Macroporous carbon hollow fibers are successfully fabricated by pyrolytic conversion of cross‐linked polymer hollow fibers. This step allows the use of a wide range of relatively aggressive fluidic processing solvents and conditions. Using these inert fiber supports, the fabrication of ZIF‐90 membranes is demonstrated and their butane isomer separations are investigated for the first time. Furthermore, ZIF membranes on carbon hollow fibers can be used in the separation of water/organic mixtures without the issue of fiber swelling or dissolution as seen in ZIF/polymer hollow fiber membranes. ZIF‐8/carbon membranes show stable operation spanning several days for dehydration of furfural and ethanol, with high water permeances and separation factors. In all cases, the ZIF membranes are prepared without any seeding, support modification, or postsynthesis procedures, thereby simplifying the fabrication process and increasing the potential for larger‐scale membrane fabrication.
Ordered and Patterned Assembly of Organic Micro/Nanocrystals for Flexible Electronic and Optoelectronic Devices
Authors: Deng Wei , Zhang Xiujuan , Zhang Xiaohong , Guo Jinghua , Jie Jiansheng
Published: April 2017

Organic semiconductor micro/nanocrystals (OSMCs) have attracted intensive research over the past few decades. Their unique electrical and mechanical properties afford them applications in a vast network of active flexible electronic and optoelectronic fields, such as organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs), photodetectors (PDs), and organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) etc. However, the growth orientation and location of OSMCs are usually stochastic in nature, which hinders the further use of OSMCs in large‐area plastic electronic devices. On the other hand, traditional microelectronic processing techniques like photolithography may damage the plastic substrates, polymer insulators, and organic materials. Thus the alignment and patterning of OSMCs and development of new device construction technologies are prerequisite for their flexible device applications in practice. In this progress report,the important advancement for fabricating the aligned and patterned OSMCs, with a focus on their applications in next‐generation flexible electronic and optoelectronic devices, is highlighted. Also, the challenges and outlooks of the ordered and patterned OSMCs in the flexible device applications are presented.
A Hierarchical Nanostructure‐Based Surface‐Enhanced Raman Scattering Sensor for Preconcentration and Detection of Antibiotic Pollutants
Authors: Zhou Qitao , Meng Guowen , Liu Jing , Huang Zhulin , Han Fangming , Zhu Chuhong , Kim Dong‐Joo , Kim Taesung , Wu Nianqiang
Published: April 2017

A surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensor that integrates a plasmonic nanostructure with an electrostatic preconcentration unit has been developed. The silver nanoparticles (Ag‐NPs) grafted Ge nanowires (Ge‐NWs) are grown onto the surface of a commercial copper grid (Cu‐grid), which is usually used for transmission electron microscopy sample support. This leads to the formation of a hierarchical Ag‐NPs@Ge‐NWs@Cu‐grid substrate, which plays dual roles, i.e., preconcentration of analytes and amplification of SERS signal. This SERS detection platform based on the Ag‐NPs@Ge‐NWs@Cu‐grid substrate is able to selectively detect polar analytes such as antibiotic pollutants. This SERS sensor has achieved a limit of detection of 2.4 × 10−9m for 6‐aminopenicillanic acid and 0.9 × 10−9m for penicillin G, respectively. This work has demonstrated a promising SERS detection platform for monitoring polar SERS‐active pollutants in the aquatic environment.
Broadband and Robust Metalens with Nonlinear Phase Profiles for Efficient Terahertz Wave Control
Authors: Yang Quanlong , Gu Jianqiang , Xu Yuehong , Zhang Xueqian , Li Yanfeng , Ouyang Chunmei , Tian Zhen , Han Jiaguang , Zhang Weili
Published: April 2017

Metasurfaces, 2D artificial electromagnetic media, open up a new frontier of functional device design ranging from radio waves to the visible region. Particularly, metasurface‐based lenses are indispensable in various practical terahertz applications. The authors aim at achieving flexible and robust metalenses for efficient terahertz wave control. In general, resolution and efficiency are two inevitable parameters in determining the focusing and imaging abilities of lenses, which however are rarely experimentally demonstrated in the terahertz band. In this Communication, three broadband and robust metalenses with nonlinear phase profiles are proposed, all of which are experimentally investigated by using near‐field scanning terahertz microscopy (NSTM) with a spatial resolution of 50 µm. The measurement shows that the metalens can focus a 0.95 THz wave to a spot size of 580 µm and achieve a transmittance efficiency of 45%. In addition, the NSTM system facilitates an experimental investigation of the incidence angle dependence of the terahertz metalens, which proves the robust focusing feature of the proposed device. This demonstration delivers a promising metasurface design for potential applications in imaging and information processing that may be of interest for the entire electromagnetic spectrum.
Copper‐Catalyzed One‐pot Synthesis of Pyrimidines from Amides, N,N′‐dimethylformamide dimethylacetal, and Enamines
Authors: Jalani Hitesh B. , Cai Wangshui , Lu Hongjian
Published: April 2017

A versatile copper catalyzed one‐pot synthesis of diversely substituted pyrimidines directly from amides, N,N′‐dimethylformamide dimethylacetal (DMF−DMA) and enamines has been established. The reaction involved the two C−N bonds and one C−C bond formation by formal [2+1+3] annulation approach to pyrimidines. This protocol is based on the use of readily available primary amides, DMF−DMA and enamines to install di‐ and tri‐substituted pyrimidine structure with diverse functionality in one‐pot manner, which makes this strategy to be appealing for the medicinal chemistry.

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Hydrophilic Sponges for Leaf‐Inspired Continuous Pumping of Liquids
Authors: Zhou Tingjiao , Yang Jinbin , Zhu Deyong , Zheng Jieyao , Handschuh‐Wang Stephan , Zhou Xiaohu , Zhang Junmin , Liu Yizhen , Liu Zhou , He Chuanxin , Zhou Xuechang
Published: April 2017

A bio‐inspired, leaf‐like pumping strategy by mimicking the transpiration process through leaves is developed for autonomous and continuous liquid transport enabled by durable hydrophilic sponges. Without any external power sources, flows are continuously generated ascribed to the combination of capillary wicking and evaporation of water. To validate this method, durable hydrophilic polydimethylsiloxane sponges modified with polyvinyl alcohol via a “dip‐coat‐dry” method have been fabricated, which maintains hydrophilicity more than 2 months. The as‐made sponges are further applied to achieve stable laminar flow patterns, chemical gradients, and “stop‐flow” manipulation of the flow in microfluidic devices. More importantly, the ease‐of‐operation and excellent pumping capacity have also been verified with over 24 h's pumping and quasi‐stable high flow rates up to 15 µL min−1. The present strategy can be easily integrated to other miniaturized systems requiring pressure‐driven flow and should have potential applications, such as cell culture, micromixing, and continuous flow reaction.
A Printable Organic Electron Transport Layer for Low‐Temperature‐Processed, Hysteresis‐Free, and Stable Planar Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Lee Jinho , Kim Junghwan , Lee Chang‐Lyoul , Kim Geunjin , Kim Tae Kyun , Back Hyungcheol , Jung Suhyun , Yu Kilho , Hong Soonil , Lee Seongyu , Kim Seok , Jeong Soyeong , Kang Hongkyu , Lee Kwanghee
Published: April 2017

Despite recent breakthroughs in power conversion efficiencies (PCEs), which have resulted in PCEs exceeding 22%, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) still face serious drawbacks in terms of their printability, reliability, and stability. The most efficient PSC architecture, which is based on titanium dioxide as an electron transport layer, requires an extremely high‐temperature sintering process (≈500 °C), reveals hysterical discrepancies in the device measurement, and suffers from performance degradation under light illumination. These drawbacks hamper the practical development of PSCs fabricated via a printing process on flexible plastic substrates. Herein, an innovative method to fabricate low‐temperature‐processed, hysteresis‐free, and stable PSCs with a large area up to 1 cm2 is demonstrated using a versatile organic nanocomposite that combines an electron acceptor and a surface modifier. This nanocomposite forms an ideal, self‐organized electron transport layer (ETL) via a spontaneous vertical phase separation, which leads to hysteresis‐free, planar heterojunction PSCs with stabilized PCEs of over 18%. In addition, the organic nanocomposite concept is successfully applied to the printing process, resulting in a PCE of over 17% in PSCs with printed ETLs.
Brief Report: Rheumatoid Arthritis as the Underlying Cause of Death in Thirty‐One Countries, 1987–2011: Trend Analysis of World Health Organization Mortality Database
Authors: Kiadaliri Aliasghar A. , Felson David T. , Neogi Tuhina , Englund Martin
Published: April 2017

Objective

To examine trends in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as an underlying cause of death (UCD) in 31 countries across the world from 1987 to 2011.

Methods

Data on mortality and population were collected from the World Health Organization mortality database and from the United Nations Population Prospects database. Age‐standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) were calculated by means of direct standardization. We applied joinpoint regression analysis to identify trends. Between‐country disparities were examined using between‐country variance and the Gini coefficient. Due to low numbers of deaths, we smoothed the ASMRs using a 3‐year moving average. Changes in the number of RA deaths between 1987 and 2011 were decomposed using 2 counterfactual scenarios.

Results

The absolute number of deaths with RA registered as the UCD decreased from 9,281 (0.12% of all‐cause deaths) in 1987 to 8,428 (0.09% of all‐cause deaths) in 2011. The mean ASMR decreased from 7.1 million person‐years in 1987–1989 to 3.7 million person‐years in 2009–2011 (48.2% reduction). A reduction of ≥25% in the ASMR occurred in 21 countries, while a corresponding increase was observed in 3 countries. There was a persistent reduction in RA mortality, and on average, the ASMR declined by 3.0% per year. The absolute and relative between‐country disparities decreased during the study period.

Conclusion

The rates of mortality attributable to RA have declined globally. However, we observed substantial between‐country disparities in RA mortality, although these disparities decreased over time. Population aging combined with a decline in RA mortality may lead to an increase in the economic burden of disease that should be taken into consideration in policy‐making.
Measles hepatitis in a vaccinated liver transplant recipient: case report and review of literature
Authors: Mohiuddin Syed Adnan , AlMaslamani Muna , Hashim Samar , Panthalayinitharayil Hanfa Karim , Alkaabi Saad Rashid , Abdulwahab Abdulwahab , Derbala Moutaz
Published: April 2017

Key Clinical Message

Measles infection, postliver transplant, may lead to a fatal graft loss. Individuals who have been previously exposed to the measles antigen may have a modified disease presentation. Although vaccination may not provide solid immunity, it ameliorates the severity of the disease.
The global green economy: a review of concepts, definitions, measurement methodologies and their interactions
Authors: Georgeson Lucien , Maslin Mark , Poessinouw Martyn
Published: April 2017

Over the past decade, the green economy has emerged as an important policy framework for sustainable development in both developed and developing countries. It presents an attractive framework to deliver more resource efficient, lower carbon, less environmentally damaging, more socially inclusive societies. There are tensions between competing green economy discourses and a number of different definitions exist, all of which have major shortcomings. This is further complicated by the different underlying concepts of the ‘weak’, ‘transformational’ and ‘strong’ green economy. Several important definitions focus on the aspirational ‘transformational green economy’. To enable and to track this ‘transformation’, economic and environmental measurement is essential. Current approaches are still in development, lack available data or show inconsistencies with proposed definitions, and thus may neither support effective decision‐making nor efforts to transform economies. This review identifies these current shortcomings and makes four overarching recommendations for improving measurement for green economy transformations, including cheaper, faster and more widely available data, and broader frameworks for measuring economy–society–environment interactions. We suggest that proper measurement of the green economy needs to move beyond GDP as the central measure of progress and to better track the ‘transformational green economy’. This will enable the green economy to become relevant again at national and international levels, given the emerging Sustainable Development Goals and post‐COP 21 frameworks.
Sorbent material characterization using in‐tube extraction needles as inverse gas chromatography column
Authors: Barajas Xochitli L. Osorio , Jochmann Maik A. , Hüffer Thorsten , Schilling Beat , Schmidt Torsten C.
Published: April 2017

In‐tube extraction is a full automated enrichment technique that consists of a stainless‐steel needle, packed with sorbent material for the extraction of volatile and semivolatile compounds. In principle, all particulate sorbents used for enrichment in air or headspace analysis can be used. However, the selection of the sorbents is merely based on empirical considerations rather than on experimental data, which is caused by a lack of knowledge about the relevant physicochemical properties of the sorbent. Especially, the knowledge of hydrostatic, advective, diffusive, and dispersion mechanisms in addition to sorption enthalpies are important for combined transport and sorption models. To provide these missing parameters, we developed and evaluated a method in which an ordinary in‐tube extraction needle was employed directly as column for sorbent characterization by inverse gas chromatography. As probe compounds, benzene, ethyl acetate, and 3‐methyl‐1‐butanol were used to determine thermodynamic parameters such as sorption enthalpy, partitioning constant between the solid and gas phase, and kinetic parameters such as the diffusion coefficient, dispersion coefficient, and apparent permeability, exemplarily. As sorbent, three commercially available phases were characterized to demonstrate the applicability of the method.
Severity of memory impairment in the elderly: Association with health care resource use and functional limitations in the United States
Authors: Aigbogun Myrlene Sanon , Stellhorn Robert , Krasa Holly , Kostic Dusan
Published: April 2017

Introduction

Dementia is a prevalent condition in older adults associated with decline in cognitive and functional abilities and substantial burden. This study assessed the prevalence and impact of subjective memory impairment in the United States.

Methods

The 2011 to 2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a population‐based, nationally representative survey, was analyzed. Data included medical examinations, self‐reported cognitive and functional limitations, and health care utilization over 1 year. Participants were aged ≥65 years and completed both interview and medical examination components. Descriptive analyses of patient characteristics were performed, and complex survey regression models were used to test associations.

Results

Of 2431 survey participants included, 53.1% had no memory impairment, 40.1% had early‐stage memory impairment, and 6.6% had late‐stage memory impairment. In adjusted analyses, late‐stage versus no impairment was associated with more functional limitations (odds ratio [OR] = 7.26, P < .001), greater health care utilization (OR = 2.46, P < .001), and higher likelihood of seeing a mental health specialist (OR = 3.06, P = .001).

Discussion

Consistent with previous research, individuals with late‐stage memory impairment had significantly greater functional limitations and higher health care utilization versus individuals with early‐stage or no memory impairment.
Geochemistry of Late Devonian oils of the Timan–Pechora basin
Authors: Bushnev D.A. , Burdel’naya N.S. , Valyaeva O.V. , Derevesnikova A.A.
Published: April 2017

The composition of biomarkers and aromatic hydrocarbons of Late Devonian oils of the Timan–Pechora Basin has been studied. It shows that the organic matter of oil-generating deposits is at the close stages of thermal maturity, which are within the early and middle stages of the oil window. Five groups of oils have been recognized, three of which were generated by organic matter of Domanik deposits and the other two formed from organic matter of another source. Most of the studied oil samples contain derivates of isorenieratene indicating that the organic matter of oil source rocks formed in the photic-zone anoxia of the paleobasin.
The Fore-Yenisei sedimentary basin: Seismic-geological model and geodynamic history
Authors: Filippov Yu.F.
Published: April 2017

Regional seismic surveys and drilling data from the eastern part of the West Siberian plate west of the Yenisei River reveal thick moderately deformed Neoproterozoic and Early Paleozoic sediments that belong to an ancient basin of Fore-Yenisei under the Mesozoic-Cenozoic cover. Synthesis of new geological and geophysical data provide updates to the seismic-geological model, including 2D sections, structural and geological maps, and tectonics. The results have been used to reconstruct the Neoproterozoic and Paleozoic geodynamic history of the western Siberian craton.
Lithology, geochemistry, and aspects of separation of the Kogalym Member within the Lower Vasyugan Subhorizon (Upper Bathonian–Lowermost Oxfordian) of West Siberia
Authors: Yan P.A. , Vakulenko L.G. , Kostyreva E.A. , Aukhatov Ya.G. , Burleva O.V. , Nikolenko O.D.
Published: April 2017

It is proposed to separate a regionally persistent member of fine-dispersed mudstones as the individual Kogalym Member within the Lower Vasyugan Subhorizon (Uppermost Bathonian–Lowermost Oxfordian). We present data on the lithologic composition, geophysical characteristics, and geochemical properties of the organic matter and depositional environments of the member. The Tyumenskaya SG-6 well is proposed as a type section of the Kogalym Member, where a biostratigraphic approach has yielded the Middle–Upper Callovian volume of the member. We also discuss the aspects of specification and detalization of the Callovain–Oxfordian part of the Callovian and Upper Jurassic regional scheme of West Siberia.
Natural gas and condensate reserves in the Angara–Lena gas-bearing region
Authors: Skuzovatov M.Yu.
Published: April 2017

Large gas reserves have been discovered in the Vendian terrigenous rock complex of the Angara–Lena step in the southern Siberian Platform. In recent years, regional and areal exploration has yielded substantial data on the structure of gas-promising sedimentary strata and their reservoir properties. The author has analyzed the main structural features of Vendian gas-producing deposits and has made deterministic and probabilistic estimation of initial hydrocarbon resources in place with regard to the discovered field reserves.
Organic geochemistry of rocks of the Mesoproterozoic Malgin Formation and their depositional environments (southeastern Siberian Platform)
Authors: Suslova E.A. , Parfenova T.M. , Saraev S.V. , Nagovitsyn K.E.
Published: April 2017

Organic matter (OM) and rocks of the upper member of the Mesoproterozoic Malgin Formation in the southeastern Siberian Platform have been studied by modern research methods. Analysis has revealed homologous series of alkanes, tricyclanes, and hopanes in the bitumens. Leiosphaeridia crassa, L. minutissima, cf. Leiosphaeridia tenuissima, cf. Glomovertella, and Oscillatoriopsis sp. have been identified among the rare microfossils preserved in mudstones. Geochemical, lithological, and paleontological studies have shown that bacterial microcommunities and, to a lesser extent, eukaryotic microorganisms were the main source of OM. Based on results of sedimentological analysis and study of biomarkers, the depositional environment has been reconstructed. A model for the accumulation of black shales and carbonate rocks of the Malgin Formation is considered. The hypothesis that the highly carbonaceous rocks formed in uncompensated depressions of shallow epicontinental marine suboxidation environments is substantiated. The petroleum potential and degree of OM catagenesis of the Malgin Formation rocks are evaluated. Pyrolysis, bitumen analysis, and hydrocarbon composition study have revealed autochthonous and parautochthonous bitumens in the oil shales, mudstones, and carbonate rocks. The obtained data show that the Malgin Formation rocks might have participated in petroleum generation in the Uchur–Maya region.
Geopower and Geopolitics in, of, and for the Middle East
Authors: Koch Natalie
Published: April 2017

In 1976, Michel Foucault gave a unique interview with the editors of the French geography journal, Hérodote. The interviewers pushed him to explicitly reflect on the many spatial concepts that pervade his writing, such as region, province, field, archipelago, and territory. In one reply, Foucault explained:

People have often reproached me for these spatial obsessions, which have indeed been obsessions for me. But I think through them I did come to what I had basically been looking for: the relations that are possible between power and knowledge. Once knowledge can be analyzed in terms of region, domain, implantation, displacement, transposition, one is able to capture the process by which knowledge functions as a form of power and disseminates the effects of power. There is an administration of knowledge, a politics of knowledge, relations of power which pass via knowledge and which, if one tries to transcribe them, lead one to consider forms of domination designated by such notions as field, region and territory.
Displacing Territory: Refugees in the Middle East
Authors: Culcasi Karen
Published: April 2017

In the summer of 2015, the UN reported that there were more than 60 million refugees worldwide, making the current refugee crisis the largest in history. Though the refugee crisis is global, it has a particular regional and local geography that demands attention. As readers ofIJMESundoubtedly know, this crisis has disproportionally affected people in the Middle East. Since the end of World War II, a majority of the world's refugees have originated from this region. Five years of war in Syria is the most recent cause of displacement, but the American-led Iraq War in 2003 and the displacement of Palestinians with the establishment of Israel in 1948 have produced tens of millions of refugees.
Beyond Mahan and Mackinder: Situating Geography and Critical Geopolitics in Middle East Studies
Authors: Evered Kyle T.
Published: April 2017

Considering geography's potential to inform research and teaching in Middle East studies, it is necessary to acknowledge that the discipline's full potential in the United States—despite many accomplishments in recent decades—is yet to be realized. In American higher education, this lack of engagement always seemed to me a consequence of at least four factors in both fields’ institutional and disciplinary histories. As a matter of self-examination, we should first acknowledge that regional orientations in geography (e.g., the Berkeley/Sauer school's emphasis on Latin America and its indigenous and agrarian landscapes) often overlooked the area, leaving engagement with the Middle East more to the efforts of individual scholars and students. Second, despite recent surges in geography's importance and institutional presence on many American campuses, for a variety of reasons (not all of which are agreed upon) there were several periods in the 20th century when geography departments were eliminated from many of those universities regarded as leaders in Middle East studies. Third, forces of inertia—institutional, fiscal, pedagogical (e.g., offerings of language classes, particularly at advanced levels), and mental—set in place by the first two factors are impossible to overstate and difficult to overcome. Fourth and finally, American notions of how to define geography are often tenuous; this is true not only within the general population but also among scholars of other disciplines, compelling recurrent rediscoveries of the discipline. As a consequence—and apart from the contributions of individual scholars—only in the past two decades has geography witnessed significant exchanges with Middle East studies beyond select areas of inquiry in the discipline (e.g., urban studies), and a regional specialty group for Middle East geography within the American Association of Geographers (known until recently as the Association of American Geographers) did not emerge until the late 1990s. In the following paragraphs, therefore, I introduce geography as a discipline for scholars of the Middle East. This introduction provides a useful starting point as I proceed to engage with one (sub)subfield of the discipline that features routinely in both academic and policy-making engagements with the Middle East and its study: geopolitics.
Sibling Bonding and Dynastic Might: Three Sixteenth-Century Habsburgs Manage Themselves and an Empire
Authors: Sutter Fichtner Paula
Published: April 2017

Histories of dynastic empires frequently add upto studies of power, its attributes, and its expressions. Much attention is paid to how skillfully sovereign families turned to their advantage control of far-flung territorial holdings, their political and legal institutions, and fiscal resources, credit included. Military superiority, diplomatic ingenuity, variants of cultural hegemony, and cultivation of good public relations are usually part of the story as well, along with opportunism and sheer ruthlessness. All these considerations had roles in the story of the rise of the sixteenth-century Habsburg House of Austria to global eminence. By 1550, the totality of their patrimony would stretch from east central Europe to Spain, the Netherlands, the Americas, and the maritime fringes of Asia.
Embodied Identities in Roman Britain: A Bioarchaeological Approach
Authors: Gowland Rebecca
Published: April 2017

Human skeletal remains from Roman Britain are abundant and provide a rich repository of social as well as biological information concerning health, migration, diet and body/society interactions. At present, skeletal remains tend to be marginalised in studies of Roman trade, the military, economy, urbanisation and the like, yet they have huge potential to contribute to current debates. This article aims to highlight the potential of bioarchaeological analysis for understanding aspects of social identity in Roman Britain through the use of a more integrated, theoretical approach towards embodied interactions. It encourages future collaborative scholarship between bioarchaeologists, archaeologists and historians. The social determinants of health and identity will vary greatly between regions and the only way of establishing the diversity of life across the Roman Empire is through the instigation of a more comprehensive, large-scale, integrated study of funerary and skeletal assemblages.
Genetic analysis of the TMEM230 gene in Chinese Han patients with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Shi Chang-he , Li Fang , Shi Meng-meng , Yang Zhi-hua , Mao Cheng-yuan , Zhang Shu-yu , Wang Hui , Cheng Yuan , Yang Jing , Wu Jun , Xu Yu-ming
Published: April 2017

TMEM230 mutations have been recently reported to cause autosomal dominant Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, there are limited studies from different ethnic populations to support the role of TMEM230 in sporadic PD. In this study, we performed a comprehensive TMEM230 mutation screening in 550 sporadic PD patients and 560 controls to elaborate the genetic contribution of TMEM230 to sporadic PD. Overall, we did not find any pathogenic mutations in the coding sequence, while we identified four variants (c.68 + 182G > A, c.78A > G, c.552 + 11A > G and c.174 + 11C > T) both in the patients and controls, and c.68 + 182G > A appeared to be associated with an increased risk of PD (odds ratio 1.782, 95% confidence interval 1.035–3.067, p < 0.05). After Bonferroni correction, however, c. 68 + 182G > A had no significant association with sporadic PD (pc = 0.136, pc > 0.05). Thus our results suggest that TMEM230 gene mutations may be rare in Chinese populations, and the variability of TMEM230 gene may not be a main factor for sporadic PD patients in Chinese Han populations. More evidence is still needed to clarify this question.
The valosin-containing protein is a novel mediator of mitochondrial respiration and cell survival in the heart in vivo
Authors: Lizano Paulo , Rashed Eman , Stoll Shaunrick , Zhou Ning , Wen Hairuo , Hays Tristan T. , Qin Gangjian , Xie Lai-Hua , Depre Christophe , Qiu Hongyu
Published: April 2017

The valosin-containing protein (VCP) participates in signaling pathways essential for cell homeostasis in multiple tissues, however, its function in the heart in vivo remains unknown. Here we offer the first description of the expression, function and mechanism of action of VCP in the mammalian heart in vivo in both normal and stress conditions. By using a transgenic (TG) mouse with cardiac-specific overexpression (3.5-fold) of VCP, we demonstrate that VCP is a new and powerful mediator of cardiac protection against cell death in vivo, as evidenced by a 50% reduction of infarct size after ischemia/reperfusion versus wild type. We also identify a novel role of VCP in preserving mitochondrial respiration and in preventing the opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore in cardiac myocytes under stress. In particular, by genetic deletion of inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) from VCP TG mouse and by pharmacological inhibition of iNOS in isolated cardiac myocytes, we reveal that an increase of expression and activity of iNOS in cardiomyocytes by VCP is an essential mechanistic link of VCP-mediated preservation of mitochondrial function. These data together demonstrate that VCP may represent a novel therapeutic avenue for the prevention of myocardial ischemia.
A New Phenomenon: Sub-Tg, Solid-State, Plasticity-Induced Bonding in Polymers
Authors: Padhye Nikhil , Parks David M. , Trout Bernhardt L. , Slocum Alexander H.
Published: April 2017

Polymer self-adhesion due to the interdiffusion of macromolecules has been an active area of research for several decades. Here, we report a new phenomenon of sub-Tg, solid-state, plasticity-induced bonding; where amorphous polymeric films were bonded together in a period of time on the order of a second in the solid-state at ambient temperatures, up to 60 K below their glass transition temperature (Tg), by subjecting them to active plastic deformation. Despite the glassy regime, the bulk plastic deformation triggered the requisite molecular mobility of the polymer chains, causing interpenetration across the interfaces held in contact. Quantitative levels of adhesion and the morphologies of the fractured interfaces validated the sub-Tg, plasticity-induced, molecular mobilization causing bonding. No-bonding outcomes (i) during the uniaxial compressive straining of films (a near-hydrostatic setting which strongly limits plastic flow) and (ii) between an ‘elastic’ and a ‘plastic’ film further established the explicit role of plastic deformation in this newly reported sub-Tg solid-state bonding.
An Analytic Approach for Optimal Geometrical Design of GaAs Nanowires for Maximal Light Harvesting in Photovoltaic Cells
Authors: Wu Dan , Tang Xiaohong , Wang Kai , Li Xianqiang
Published: April 2017

Semiconductor nanowires(NWs) with subwavelength scale diameters have demonstrated superior light trapping features, which unravel a new pathway for low cost and high efficiency future generation solar cells. Unlike other published work, a fully analytic design is for the first time proposed for optimal geometrical parameters of vertically-aligned GaAs NW arrays for maximal energy harvesting. Using photocurrent density as the light absorbing evaluation standard, 2 μm length NW arrays whose multiple diameters and periodicity are quantitatively identified achieving the maximal value of 29.88 mA/cm2 under solar illumination. It also turns out that our method has wide suitability for single, double and four different diameters of NW arrays for highest photon energy harvesting. To validate this analytical method, intensive numerical three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain simulations of the NWs’ light harvesting are also carried out. Compared with the simulation results, the predicted maximal photocurrent densities lie within 1.5% tolerance for all cases. Along with the high accuracy, through directly disclosing the exact geometrical dimensions of NW arrays, this method provides an effective and efficient route for high performance photovoltaic design.
Salt suppresses IFNγ inducible chemokines through the IFNγ-JAK1-STAT1 signaling pathway in proximal tubular cells
Authors: Arai Yohei , Takahashi Daiei , Asano Kenichi , Tanaka Masato , Oda Mayumi , Ko Shigeru B. H. , Ko Minoru S. H. , Mandai Shintaro , Nomura Naohiro , Rai Tatemitsu , Uchida Shinichi , Sohara Eisei
Published: April 2017

The mechanisms of immunoactivation by salt are now becoming clearer. However, those of immunosuppression remain unknown. Since clinical evidence indicates that salt protects proximal tubules from injury, we investigated mechanisms responsible for salt causing immunosuppression in proximal tubules. We focused on cytokine-related gene expression profiles in kidneys of mice fed a high salt diet using microarray analysis and found that both an interferon gamma (IFNγ) inducible chemokine, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 9 (CXCL9), and receptor, CXCR3, were suppressed. We further revealed that a high salt concentration suppressed IFNγ inducible chemokines in HK2 proximal tubular cells. Finally, we demonstrated that a high salt concentration decreased IFNGR1 expression in the basolateral membrane of HK2 cells, leading to decreased phosphorylation of activation sites of Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) and Signal Transducers and Activator of Transcription 1 (STAT1), activators of chemokines. JAK inhibitor canceled the effect of a high salt concentration on STAT1 and chemokines, indicating that the JAK1-STAT1 signaling pathway is essential for this mechanism. In conclusion, a high salt concentration suppresses IFNγ-JAK1-STAT1 signaling pathways and chemokine expressions in proximal tubules. This finding may explain how salt ameliorates proximal tubular injury and offer a new insight into the linkage between salt and immunity.