bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quaternary Glaciations
Authors: Gibbard P.L. , Ehlers Jürgen , Hughes P.D.
Published: October 2018

The Quaternary is synonymous with extensive glaciation of Earth's mid‐ and high latitudes. Although there were local precursors, significant glaciation began in the Oligocene in eastern Antarctica. It was followed by glaciation in mountain areas through the Miocene (in Alaska, Greenland, Iceland, and Patagonia), later in the Pliocene (e.g., in the Alps, the Bolivian Andes, and possibly in Tasmania), and in the earliest Pleistocene (New Zealand, Iceland, and Greenland). Today, evidence from both the land and the ocean floors demonstrates that the major continental glaciations, outside the polar regions, rather than occurring throughout the 2.6 Ma of the Quaternary, were markedly restricted to the last 1 Ma–800 Ka or less. Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 22 (ca. 870–880 Ma) included the first of the “major” worldwide events with substantial ice volumes that typify the later Pleistocene glaciations (i.e., MIS 16, 12, 10, 6, 4–2).
Agricultural Geography
Authors: Robinson Guy M.
Published: October 2018

This entry charts the contribution of agricultural geography to the development of the broader discipline of human geography. From being an integral part of “traditional” human geography in the first half of the twentieth century, it embraced quantitative methods in the 1960s and 1970s, with several seminal contributions helping to shape the discipline at this time. Subsequently, new ideas and philosophies have been adopted, paralleling the emergence of significant changes within human geography. Contributions based on behavioral and political economy approaches in the 1980s and 1990s helped change the focus of agricultural geography away from relatively narrow concerns with production to a more holistic consideration of the broad agri‐food system. This has enabled new concepts to be developed and different questions to emerge relating to cultural, political, and environmental concerns, enabling agricultural geography to address major world problems. Among the concepts developed within agricultural geography, the principal ones highlighted here are food regimes, the transition from productivism to postproductivism to multifunctionality, and the so‐called agrarian question relating to the survival of family farming. The engagement with major problems at a global scale has produced distinctive contributions associated with notions of sustainable agriculture, long‐term legacies from colonialism such as the dual economy, and new relationships between the developed and developing worlds in the form of growing concerns about food security, “land grabs,” the financialization of agriculture, and climate change. The impacts of globalization are discussed, including the impacts of contested new technologies, such as genetically modified foods. Important contributions to the analysis of the impacts of various policies on the agri‐food system are recognized and highlighted. A long‐standing component of agricultural geography, namely the examination of evolving competition between different land uses, is also featured.
Tropical Rainforest Ecosystems
Authors: Armstrong A.H.
Published: October 2018

Rainforests are widely known to be the most biodiverse (in species per square hectare) of terrestrial ecosystem types on Earth. Home to an estimated half of the Earth's plant and animal species, rainforests cover approximately 7% of total land area. Yet many rainforests worldwide are still in descriptive stages and have not yet been fully catalogued taxonomically or explored. In fact, hundreds of new floral and faunal species are identified annually. Generations of ecologists and biologists have attempted to unravel what has led to such high species richness and what factors drive their distribution among the forest strata. But to date, comparatively little is known about the complex interrelationships of the species that comprise tropical rainforest ecosystems, what gave rise to such immense biodiversity, and how these ecosystems recover from and respond to the dynamics of change across numerous periodic and spatial scales. This entry describes the range of physical attributes that comprise the classification of a forest ecosystem as a tropical rainforest. In addition to a detailed description, this entry will also give an overview of the status of tropical rainforests as among the world's most threatened ecosystem types, relate direct anthropogenic threats (e.g., logging, pasture conversion) to indirect anthropogenic threat (e.g., climate change), and finally give an overview of some of the tools utilized and concepts investigated by the scientific and conservation communities alike toward understanding how to address some of the most pressing conservation issues of our time with respect to tropical rainforests. These include: how to accurately assess and characterize the immense biodiversity found in tropical rainforests; the development of the UN‐REDD, REDD+, and similar economically based incentive programs as long‐term conservation measures; and how remote sensing and ecological modeling are used to understand the past, present, and future responses to change in tropical rainforest ecosystems.
Precarious Work
Authors: Strauss Kendra
Published: October 2018

The concepts of precariousness and precarity are multivalent, with different conceptual and political traditions reflected in different disciplinary approaches. In geography, the notion of precarious work has been utilized by economic and labor geographers exploring the flexibilization of labor markets, changing relations of employment, and the conditions of low‐paid and migrant workers in the Global North. This research has focused on economic restructuring, changing policy and regulatory regimes, and new employment norms at a variety of scales – often in relation to macro‐economic changes associated with evolving relations of capitalist production and the rise of neoliberalism. These approaches overlap, however, with articulations of precarity and precarious life that explore, on the one hand, generalized political and social conditions of existence and, on the other, micro‐level material and embodied ways in which insecurity and vulnerability are experienced and understood. Moreover, the applicability of the concept of precarious work to economies with widespread informality requires critical consideration.
GIS
: History
Authors: Waters Nigel
Published: October 2018

Geographic information systems were first formally introduced with the development of the Canada Geographic Information System (CGIS) in the early 1960s. The CGIS both benefitted from earlier conceptualizations and pioneered new software, hardware, and algorithms for handling spatial data. From the 1970s to the 1990s there was an emphasis on geographic information
systems
. GIS innovators John Coppock and David Rhind divided this era into: (i) a pioneer period from the late 1950s to the 1970s which emphasized conceptual and software development; (ii) a government‐funded experimental research period from the mid‐1970s to the early 1980s with GIS continuing to be provided on mainframe computers; (iii) a commercial period with increased involvement of both industry and government from the early 1980s to the late 1980s dominated by companies such as Esri and Intergraph; and (iv) the end of the 1980s to the mid‐1990s showing ever‐increasing academic participation together with intense vendor competition that resulted in a reduced number of GIS companies that were now producing GIS with user‐friendly interfaces on desktop computers. Also included in this period is a discussion of the impact of Michael Goodchild's seminal paper on geographic information
science
. This captured the imagination of the community, and journals, academic teaching, and research have all reflected this change to the present day. Two further periods are added to the Coppock–Rhind schema: (v) an account of the rise of GIScience, the reactions to its dominance, which included the introduction of public‐participation GIS, and the growth of the University Consortium for Geographic Information Science. This period covers the mid‐1990s to 2005. And, finally, (vi) the period from mid‐2005 to the present, which covers the worlds of volunteered GIS, web‐based mapping, mobile GIS, cloud computing, and big data. The conclusion provides a discussion of the extent to which GIS has returned to its roots in geography.
Diffusion MRI abnormalities in adolescent rats given repeated mild traumatic brain injury
Authors: Wortman Ryan C. , Meconi Alicia , Neale Katie J. , Brady Rhys D. , McDonald Stuart J. , Christie Brian R. , Wright David K. , Shultz Sandy R.
Published: October 2018

Objective

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a serious health concern in the adolescent population. Repeated mTBI may result in more pronounced deficits, and has been associated with long‐term neurological consequences including neurodegeneration. As such, there is a critical need for the development of objective mTBI biomarkers to help guide medical management. Diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) is an advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that may detect brain abnormalities after mTBI. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is the most commonly applied DWI method, and initial studies have reported DTI changes in mTBI patients. Furthermore, new DWI methods (e.g., track‐weighted imaging; TWI) are being developed that may also be sensitive to mTBIs, but remain to be comprehensively studied.

Methods

This study utilized the Awake Closed Head Injury (ACHI) model of mTBI to investigate changes in DTI and TWI following repeated mTBI in adolescent male and female rats. A total of four ACHI impacts, two/day over two consecutive days, were delivered beginning on postnatal day 25. At 1 day and 7 days postinjury, rats were euthanized and brains were collected for DWI analyses.

Results

Rats given repeated mTBI displayed changes in fractional anisotropy and radial diffusivity (i.e., DTI measures), as well as track density (i.e., TWI).

Interpretation

These findings are consistent with initial DTI findings in mTBI patients, suggest that TWI may complement DTI, support the utility of DWI measures as biomarkers in mTBI, and further validate the ACHI rat model of mTBI.
Effect of the Molecular Polarizability of SAMs on the Work Function Modification of Gold: Closed‐ versus Open‐Shell Donor–Acceptor SAMs
Authors: Diez‐Cabanes Valentin , Morales Dayana C. , Souto Manuel , Paradinas Markos , Delchiaro Francesca , Painelli Anna , Ocal Carmen , Cornil David , Cornil Jérôme , Veciana Jaume , Ratera Imma
Published: October 2018

Charge injection barriers at metal/organic interfaces can be tuned by modifying the work function of metallic electrodes using self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) of polar molecules. An interesting example of polar molecules is offered by donor–acceptor (D–A) dyads based on ferrocene (Fc) as electron‐donor unit and either a polychlorotriphenylmethyl radical or a polychlorotriphenylmethane as electron‐acceptor units, connected by a π‐conjugated vinylene bridge. The D–A radical exhibits high chemical and thermal stability and presents different electronic, optical, and magnetic properties with respect to the closed‐shell form. The magnitude of the shift in the charge injection barriers for these two D–A systems is estimated by means of surface potential measurements performed by Kelvin probe force microscopy. The experimental data are compared with density functional theory calculations, which evidence the importance of the molecular dipole moments and polarizabilities to understand the experimental values. In order to achieve high work function shifts of metals upon SAM formation, the molecules forming the SAM have to exhibit both a high permanent dipole moment and a low polarizability along the direction normal to the substrate. In presence of polarizable molecules, the work function shifts can be enhanced by reducing the intermolecular interactions; by using mixed SAMs with active molecules embedded into a passive matrix.
Spray‐Coated Organic Photodetectors and Image Sensors with Silicon‐Like Performance
Authors: Biele Markus , Montenegro Benavides Cindy , Hürdler Judith , Tedde Sandro F. , Brabec Christoph J. , Schmidt Oliver
Published: October 2018

Solution‐processed bulk heterojunction based organic photodiodes are ideal candidates for large‐area light sensing. Here, spray‐coated large‐area organic photodiodes based on a novel polymer (Lisicon PV‐D4650) with dark current densities down to 34 pA cm−2 and a maximum responsivity of ≈0.44 A W−1@660 nm under reverse bias conditions of −5 V are reported. These values are comparable to commercially available state‐of‐the‐art solid‐state photodetectors. Furthermore, cutoff frequencies of 50 kHz and a linear dynamic range exceeding eight orders of magnitude or ≥160 dB are achieved. The usage of 1,8‐diiodooctane as processing additive for spray coating vastly reduces the surface roughness of spray‐coated organic photodiodes which facilitates the preparation of large‐area light sensors and image sensors.
Therapeutic Applications of Phytoplankton, with an Emphasis on Diatoms and Coccolithophores
Authors: Lomora Mihai , Shumate David , Rahman Asrizal Abdul , Pandit Abhay
Published: October 2018

Phytoplankton are complex living organisms that have attracted significant interest in the field of biomedicine. One subclass of phytoplankton, the diatoms, produce elegant self‐assembled siliceous architectural features with a complex 3D porous structure. Diatoms are characterized by a distinct 3D architecture of silica cell walls called frustules with a highly ordered nano‐/micropore structure and pattern. Another phytoplankton subclass of interest is the coccolithophore, which produces unique calcium carbonate plates with distinct architectural features called coccoliths. The unique morphological characteristics of coccoliths resembling the shape of a wagon wheel allows a higher surface area, thus an increased amount of immobilized therapeutic agent on their surface compared to a synthetic calcium carbonate microparticle. This review offers a summary of phytoplankton (microalgae) and their potential for application in drug delivery, diagnostics, drug discovery, as molecular factories, and as scaffolds for various therapeutic applications.
Superior Sensing Properties of Black Phosphorus as Gas Sensors: A Case Study on the Volatile Organic Compounds
Authors: Ou Pengfei , Song Pengfei , Liu Xinyu , Song Jun
Published: October 2018

The unique structure and prominent properties of black phosphorus (BP) and its monolayer and multilayers in device applications have attracted significant attention to this elemental 2D material. In this study, a comprehensive evaluation of the candidacy of monolayer BP as a channel material for high‐performance volatile organic compound (VOC) sensors is conducted combining first‐principles density functional theory calculations and non‐equilibrium Green's function formalism. The adsorption configurations and energetics of several typical VOCs (ethanol, propionaldehyde, acetone, toluene, and hexane) on monolayer BP are examined and it is demonstrated that VOCs generally exhibit stronger interaction with monolayer BP than with the widely studied monolayer MoS2, indicative of monolayer BP potentially being a more sensitive VOC sensor. Monolayer BP is shown to exhibit highly anisotropic transport behaviors, whereas the absolute modification of current–voltage responses due to VOCs is found to show a trend that is direction independent. Moreover, the adsorption of VOCs on monolayer BP is strong enough to resist thermal disturbance, yet allows fast recovery time. The results suggest that BP is a compelling and feasible candidate for sensing applications of VOCs.
Direct Synthesis and Pseudomorphic Transformation of Mixed Metal Oxide Nanostructures with Non‐Close‐Packed Hollow Sphere Arrays
Authors: Liu Zhendong , Zhao Wenyang , Kumar Prashant , Li Xinyu , Al Wahedi Yasser , Mkhoyan K. Andre , Tsapatsis Michael , Stein Andreas
Published: October 2018

While bottom‐up syntheses of ordered nanostructured materials at colloidal length scales have been successful at producing close‐packed materials, it is more challenging to synthesize non‐close‐packed (ncp) structures. Here, a metal oxide nanostructure with ncp hollow sphere arrays was synthesized by combining a polymeric colloidal crystal template (CCT) with a Pechini precursor. The CCT provided defined confinement through its tetrahedral (Td) and octahedral (Oh) voids where the three‐dimensionally (3D) ordered, ncp hollow sphere arrays formed as a result of a crystallization‐induced rearrangement. This nanostructure, consisting of alternating, interconnected large and small hollow spheres, is distinct from the inverse opal structures typically generated from these CCTs. The morphology of the ncp hollow sphere arrays was retained in pseudomorphic transformations involving sulfidation and reoxidation cycling despite the segregation of zinc during these steps.
Proton‐Activated “Off–On” Room‐Temperature Phosphorescence from Purely Organic Thioethers
Authors: Huang Linkun , Chen Biao , Zhang Xuepeng , Trindle Carl O. , Liao Fan , Wang Yucai , Miao Hui , Luo Yi , Zhang Guoqing
Published: October 2018

Room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP)‐based sensors have distinctive advantages over the fluorescence counterparts, such as larger Stokes shifts and longer lifetimes. Unfortunately, almost all RTP sensors are operated on quenching‐based mechanisms given the sensitive nature of the emissive triplet state. Here we report a type of thioether RTP molecules that shows RTP “turn‐on” when volatile acid vapors such as HCl are in contact. To elucidate the underlying mechanism, model thioethers containing different donor/acceptor combinations are investigated via fluorescence spectroscopy and theoretical calculations aided by molecular coordinates obtained from single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. It is revealed that a charge‐transfer character in the phosphorescence state is crucial. The “turn‐on” design concept may significantly broaden the sensing application scope for organic RTP molecules.
Dealing with crosstalk in electromagnetic field measurements of portable devices
Authors: Eeftens Marloes , Struchen Benjamin , Roser Katharina , Zahner Marco , Fröhlich Jürg , Röösli Martin
Published: October 2018

Portable devices measuring radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF‐EMF) are affected by crosstalk: signals originating in one frequency band that are unintentionally registered in another. If this is not corrected, total exposure to RF‐EMF is biased, particularly affecting closely spaced frequency bands such as GSM 1800 downlink (1,805–1,880 MHz), DECT (1,880–1,900 MHz), and UMTS uplink (1,920–1,980 MHz). This study presents an approach to detect and correct crosstalk in RF‐EMF measurements, taking into account the real‐life setting in which crosstalk is intermittently present, depending on the exact frequency of the signal. Personal measurements from 115 volunteers from Zurich canton, Switzerland were analyzed. Crosstalk‐affected observations were identified by correlation analysis, and replaced by the median value of the unaffected observations, measured during the same activity. DECT is frequently a victim of crosstalk, and an average of 43% of observations was corrected, resulting in an average exposure reduction of 38%. GSM 1800 downlink and UMTS uplink were less often corrected (6.9% and 8.9%), resulting in minor reductions in exposure (7.1% and 0.92%). The contribution of DECT to total RF‐EMF exposure is typically already low (3.2%), but is further reduced after correction (3.0%). Crosstalk corrections reduced the total exposure by 1.0% on average. Some individuals had a larger reduction of up to 16%. The code developed to make the corrections is provided for free as an R function which is easily applied to any time series of EMF measurements. Bioelectromagnetics. 39:529‐538, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reorganize department to increase safety, perception of safety
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: October 2018

When David Carter became chief of police at the University of Texas at Austin five years ago, he recognized the challenges his unit faced. The university has a daytime population of nearly 80,000 people, and up to 120,000 people are on campus on game days. The surrounding city has grown rapidly and is now the 11th largest in the country, Carter said. It was clear the department needed more staffing. And it was important the unit have strong relationships with the other agencies, including the state capitol district police and the Austin Police Department with which it shares borders, said Carter, who added the role of vice president for campus security earlier this year.
Use metrics for effective recruitment, retention, performance of law enforcement officers
Authors: Skipworth Stan
Published: October 2018

Many years ago, I read the book Moneyball by Michael Lewis. It helped me solve a very difficult challenge in recruitment and retention of campus law enforcement officers.
Survey shows decrease in opioid usage, increase in marijuana use
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: October 2018

Opioid usage was down in 2017 compared to prior years, but usage of marijuana — particularly among Americans aged 18 to 25 — had increased in 2017 over prior years, according to a study from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. In 2017, approximately 11.4 million people misused opioids, with nearly 60 percent indicating that the main reason they misused opioids was to combat physical pain. That number represents half as many Americans trying opioids in 2017 as they did in 2016.
Phenytoin‐induced choreoathetosis after serial seizures due to traumatic brain injury and chronic alcoholism
Authors: Finsterer Josef , Keller Hans , Reining‐Festa Alice , Enzelsberger Barbara , Weidinger Franz
Published: October 2018

Key Clinical Message

Intravenous phenytoin (PHT) for suspected seizures may trigger severe choreoathetosis. Discontinuation of PHT results in immediate and complete resolution of hyperkinesias. Co‐medication with valproic acid, levetiracetam, tranquilisers, and anesthetics or alcohol presumably do not modify this adverse effect of PHT. Choreoathetosis can be easily misinterpreted as seizures.
Seizure manifesting as a reaching/grasping movement in a patient with post‐traumatic epilepsy
Authors: Horinouchi Toru , Sakurai Kotaro , Kurita Tsugiko , Takeda Youji , Yoshida Yusuke , Akiyama Hisashi , Fukushima Katsuyuki , Kusumi Ichiro
Published: October 2018

Key Clinical Message

Electrical stimulation (ES) of the pre‐supplementary or cingulate motor area can cause reaching/grasping (R/G) movements with the hand contralateral to the side of the brain receiving the ES. We report this phenomenon occurring in a 23‐year‐old right‐handed man during spontaneous epileptic seizure, which developed after traumatic brain injury.
One‐step Synthesis of Self‐standing Ni3S2/Ni2P Heteronanorods on Nickel Foam for Efficient Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution over a Wide pH Range
Authors: Zhou Yun , Li Tongtong , Xi Shengqi , He Cheng , Yang Xigang , Wu Hongjing
Published: October 2018

The development of efficient, stable and low‐cost electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) through a facile strategy is undoubtedly vital to realize sustainable production of H2 in water splitting but still challenging. Herein, we present a one‐step approach, a simultaneous phosphorization and sulfurization thermal treatment of NF at low temperature, to direct grow Ni‐S−P heteronanorod arrays consisting of Ni3S2 and Ni2P on nickel foam (Ni‐S−P NRs/NF). Due to the direct growth, one‐dimensional structure and good conductivity of the catalyst hybrid, as well as the synergistic effect between Ni3S2 and Ni2P, the resultant Ni‐S−P NRs/NF exhibited excellent HER electrocatalytic activity over a wide pH range. Ni‐S−P NRs/NF shows an overpotential of 180, 148 and 292 mV to reach the current density of 100 mA cm−2 in 1.0 M KOH, 0.5 M H2SO4 and 1.0 M PBS solution, respectively. DFT theoretical calculations was further confirmed that the superior pH‐universal HER activity of Ni‐S−P NRs/NF is originated from the thermo‐neutral hydrogen adsorption free energy and the enhanced adsorption of water molecular by the Ni3S2/Ni2P heterostructure.
Experimental and Computational Mechanistic Studies of the β‐Diketiminatoiron(II)‐Catalysed Hydroamination of Primary Aminoalkenes
Authors: Lepori Clément , Bernoud Elise , Guillot Régis , Tobisch Sven , Hannedouche Jérôme
Published: October 2018

A comprehensive mechanistic study by means of complementary experimental and computational approaches of the exo‐cyclohydroamination of primary aminoalkenes mediated by the recently reported β‐diketiminatoiron(II) complex B is presented. Kinetic analysis of the cyclisation of 2,2‐diphenylpent‐4‐en‐1‐amine (1 a) catalysed by B revealed a first‐order dependence of the rate on both aminoalkene and catalyst concentrations and a primary kinetic isotope effect (KIE) (kH/kD) of 2.7 (90 °C). Eyring analysis afforded ΔH≠=22.2 kcal mol−1, ΔS≠=−13.4 cal mol−1 K−1. Plausible mechanistic pathways for competitive avenues of direct intramolecular hydroamination and oxidative amination have been scrutinised computationally. A kinetically challenging proton‐assisted concerted N−C/C−H bond‐forming non‐insertive pathway is seen not to be accessible in the presence of a distinctly faster σ‐insertive pathway. This operative pathway involves 1) rapid and reversible syn‐migratory 1,2‐insertion of the alkene into the Fe−Namido σ bond at the monomer {N^N}FeII amido compound; 2) turnover‐limiting Fe−C σ bond aminolysis at the thus generated transient {N^N}FeII alkyl intermediate and 3) regeneration of the catalytically competent {N^N}FeII amido complex, which favours its dimer, likely representing the catalyst resting state, through rapid cycloamine displacement by substrate. The collectively derived mechanistic picture is consonant with all empirical data obtained from stoichiometric, catalytic and kinetics experiments.
Malignancy rate of atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance in thyroid nodules undergoing FNA in a suburban endocrinology practice: A retrospective cohort analysis
Authors: Seagrove‐Guffey Maighan A. , Hatic Haris , Peng Haoran , Bates Kimberly C. , Odugbesan A. Ola
Published: October 2018

Background

The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC) was created to establish a standard terminology regarding thyroid nodules that can be shared between endocrinologists, pathologists, radiologists, and surgeons. Since its inception and use in 2009, multiple large hospitals and academic institutions have performed retrospective studies to compare their classification rates, specifically those of atypia of undetermined significance (AUS) and follicular lesion of undetermined significance (FLUS), with the recommended rates created by the National Cancer Institute. The current study compared AUS/FLUS rates at a private suburban endocrine practice with those of previous publications from large institutions and the rates established by the National Cancer Institute.

Methods

Charts from 893 patients with fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) performed in 2015 were reviewed. Data specific to thyroid aspirates classified as AUS/FLUS were organized into whether patients underwent surgery, underwent subsequent repeat FNA, or required continued observation. These results then were calculated to reveal the rate of malignancy in the AUS/FLUS category with surgical pathology in the study institution.

Results

A total of 893 patients underwent FNA, with 43 patients (4.82%) shown to have AUS/FLUS. A total of 21 patients proceeded to undergo thyroidectomy or lobectomy, with 7 patients (33.3%) found to have papillary or follicular thyroid carcinoma.

Conclusions

The rate of use of the AUS/FLUS category for thyroid nodules examined at the study institution was found to be within the recommended range set forth by TBSRTC. However, the malignancy rates on histopathology in the study institution were found to be higher than the new proposed malignancy rates from TBSRTC published in 2017. This finding is comparable to those of multiple other community and academic institutions performed prior to and after institution of the new guidelines.
An interactive control system for mobile robot based on cloud services
Authors: Zhang Lei , Zhang Kaibo
Published: October 2018

Visual interaction is one of the most important ways for mobile robots to serve the elderly in the future. Mobile robots need to recognize human movements to follow human movements or evade actions. An indoor mobile robot interaction system based on cloud servers is presented. In a human‐machine coexistence environment, the mobile robot recognizes human motion, which represents the control intention for robot. In addition, if the person does not issue a control command, the robot follows the operator moving trajectory as a follower. A mobile robot with four Mecanum wheels is used in experiments. In the robot, a 3D camera is used to capture human motion and recognizes the language control commands. Then, the mobile robot executes the command action after translating the human body language to its motion direction control mode. Moreover, a 2D camera in the robot is used to autonomously capture 2D human multi‐view images and combines facial recognition to achieve specific human target to follow‐up. Some experiments are presented to verify the effectiveness of the whole Interaction control system.
Surface Modifications of Ti2CO2 for Obtaining High Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Activity and Conductivity: A Computational Approach
Authors: Wang Shuo , Chen Liang , Wu Yang , Zhang Qiuju
Published: October 2018

The identification of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts with high conductivity and high activity is the top priority in the development of renewable energy. Oxygen‐terminated Ti2C (Ti2CO2), as one of the typical MXenes, shows good HER Gibbs free energy (ΔGH) at low hydrogen coverage, whereas the large band gap of approximately 1.0 eV limits its conductivity capability. By doping phosphor (P) or sulfur (S) to partially substitute the surficial O, the average free energy (ΔGHa) at various hydrogen coverages has been draggd to approach zero, and the conductivity is also significantly improved by narrowing the band gap to lower than 0.3 eV. Partial charge analysis indicates that doping P or S on the surface induces the diffusion of electrons on oxygen from O 2px to O 2pz, resulting in O 2pz reaction with H 1s. The facial overlapping of H 1s with O 2pz will strengthen the binding strength, hence lowering ΔGH. The energy shift toward Fermi level of Ti 3d after P or S doping contributes to the reduced band gap and high conductivity. Surficial O or P vacancies are created to evaluate the vacancy effect on HER performance, which not only improves ΔGHa and conductivity but also leads to a low reaction barrier of H2O splitting (<0.2 eV). The armchair nanoribbon (ANR) displays improved HER activity by P‐doping at 50% ratio. Our research shows that modification of end‐group in MXenes can effectively improve HER catalytic activity and conductivity, which is expected to promote their potential applications in electrocatalysis and energy conversion.
Managing birds of conservation concern on sandy shores: How much room for future conservation actions is there?
Authors: Maslo Brooke , Leu Karen , Pover Todd , Weston Michael A. , Schlacher Thomas A.
Published: October 2018

Resource limitations often prevent the active management required to maintain habitat quality in protected areas. Because restrictions in access or allowable public activities are the sole conservation measure in these locations, an important question to consider is whether species of conservation concern truly benefit from parcels that are shielded from human disturbance. Here, we assess the conservation benefit of protecting birds from human recreation on over 204 km of sandy beaches by (a) estimating the total area of beach‐nesting bird habitat that has been created by conservation protections; (b) quantifying the change in nesting habitat extent should further conservation protections be implemented; and (c) providing data to inform future protected area expansion. We use a maximum entropy species distribution modeling approach to estimate the extent and quality of suitable habitat for four beach‐nesting bird species of conservation concern under the existing management regime and compare it to scenarios in which the entire study area is either unprotected of fully protected from human disturbance. Managing humans has dramatic conservation returns for least terns and piping plovers, creating extensive nesting habitat that otherwise would not exist. There is considerable scope for conservation gains, potentially tripling the extent of nesting areas. Expanding conservation footprints for American oystercatchers and black skimmers is predicted to enhance the quality of existing nesting areas. The work demonstrates the utility of modeling changes in habitat suitability to inform protected area expansion on ocean beaches and coastal dunes.
Soil organic carbon dynamics matching ecological equilibrium theory
Authors: Caruso Tancredi , De Vries Franciska T. , Bardgett Richard D. , Lehmann Johannes
Published: October 2018

The persistence of soil organic carbon (SOC) has traditionally been explained as a combination of recalcitrance properties and stabilization processes, which lead to the formation of complex organic compounds. However, recent conceptual advances and experimental evidence challenge this view. Here, we test these conceptual advances using a dynamic equilibrium theory of SOC founded on classic ecological theory. We postulate that the persistence of SOC is an equilibrium point where SOC losses resulting from continuous decomposition and SOC gains due to SOC protection are balanced. We show that we can describe the temporal dynamics of SOC remarkably well (average and median R2 = 0.75) in publicly available SOC time series from experiments that investigated the effects of agricultural practices in arable soils. The predictive power of our simplistic model is not meant to compete with that of current multi‐pool SOC models or recent developments that include microbial loops. The simplicity of our analysis can, however, show how the conceptual distinction between the forces that control SOC loss and gain, and their equilibrium, can shed light on SOC dynamics. Specifically, our analysis shows that, regardless of specific mechanisms, the persistence of SOC will depend on the ultimate equilibrium between SOC gains and losses, which may depend on environmental (e.g. temperature) and ecological (e.g. spatially structured microbial activities) factors and the relative roles of these factors. Future experimental studies should quantify these roles to formulate a new generation of SOC dynamics model.
Stand dynamics and competition in a mixed forest at the northern distribution limit of evergreen hardwood species
Authors: Takahashi Koichi , Ikeyama Yoshifumi , Okuhara Isao
Published: October 2018

Tree species of three growth forms (evergreen conifers, deciduous hardwoods, and evergreen hardwoods) codominate at the northern distribution limit of evergreen hardwoods in central Japan. This study examined the stand dynamics and competition during 13 years at a single plot to reveal how three growth forms codominate at the ecotone. Species were characterized as large DBH and low tree density for evergreen conifers, and conversely for evergreen hardwoods. Total basal area increased during the examined period, accompanied with the reduction in tree density (i.e., mortality exceeded the recruitment rate). Mortality increased with time especially for small trees of deciduous hardwoods. The effect of competition among the three growth forms on tree growth was not detected. Species were classified into two axes. Ingrowth and recruitment rates of large evergreen conifers were lower than those of small evergreen hardwoods. The population growth rate was lower in species with greater mortality within each growth form. Deciduous hardwoods showed the highest mortality and lowest population growth rates among the three growth forms. Although the tree‐ring analysis revealed that disturbances occurred to some extent, the current disturbance regime would not trigger the regeneration of deciduous hardwoods. This study suggests that negative relations of maximum DBH with ingrowth and recruitment rates contribute to codominance of evergreen conifers and evergreen hardwoods, and more frequent or larger disturbances than at present are necessary for regeneration of deciduous hardwoods.
Tracking Fluorescent Polyoxometalates within Cells
Authors: Modugno Gloria , Fabbretti Elsa , Dalle Vedove Andrea , Da Ros Tatiana , Maccato Chiara , Hosseini Hadigheh Sadat , Bonchio Marcella , Carraro Mauro
Published: October 2018

Novel organic‐inorganic polyoxometalates (POMs) decorated with covalent fluorescent tags have been designed for cell internalization. Their localization within model HEK cells is readily accomplished by confocal fluorescence microscopy. While cell internalization is dictated by the formation of the amphiphilic POM‐based nanostructures, their cytoplasmic‐nuclear trafficking appears to be regulated by a subtle interplay of the organic‐inorganic domains of the nanoassemblies which, in turn, impacts their dynamic behavior and capability to interact with cell membranes.
Artificial intelligence and higher education
Authors: Dennis Marguerite J.
Published: October 2018

Hardly a day goes by without some reference to the potential impact of artificial intelligence in our lives. I believe that universities both in the United States and around the world will also experience significant change brought about through AI.
Use the location of your campus to engage, retain students
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: October 2018

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The setting of your campus is integral to the atmosphere of your institution and the success of your students. The strong ties your students develop with your campus and the surrounding community can be key to retaining them successfully through graduation. When Monroe Community College, a college associated with the State University of New York System, developed a downtown campus, academic leaders wanted to be sure the setting was a rich and integrated aspect of the campus.
The toolkit — and challenges — of the admissions officer of the future
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: October 2018

PHOENIX — There's no crystal ball that can look into the future of the field of admissions and tell us exactly what it is we need to prepare for. But we can study and analyze recent historical trends to see what we need to do to be better equipped for our future students and our future careers. That was the message from Amy Reitz, general manager of the Intersect™ line at Hobsons, who spoke to the trends and challenges facing admissions counselors at the 2017 annual Strategic Enrollment Management Conference hosted by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.
Retracted: Manifold learning‐based fuzzy k‐principal curve similarity evaluation for wind turbine condition monitoring
Authors: Yuan Nanqi , Yang Wenli , Kang Byeong , Xu Shuxiang , Wang Xiaolin , Li Chengjiang
Published: October 2018

As wind energy is experiencing an unprecedented development in today's world, the condition monitoring of wind turbine systems which can avoid serious accidents and economic losses are gathering more and more attentions. Considering the evaluation methods based on machine learning are complicated and unstable in terms of model training and parameter selection, this paper proposed a novel assessment algorithm based on similarity analysis of fuzzy k‐principal curves (FKPCs) in manifold space. Initially, 38 fusion features containing time‐domain, frequency‐domain, and wavelet node energy features are extracted from the vibration signal of the wind turbine bearing. Then, the nonlinear local algorithm Laplacian eigenmaps was introduced to transform the original features to the projected lower dimensional space and obtain the more typical parameters. Combining fuzzy clustering with the k‐principal curve creatively, smooth principal curves of the feature sets were then extracted according to point distribution in three‐dimensional manifold space. Finally, the Hausdorff distance algorithm was employed to calculate the similarity between the principal curves of healthy and test datasets to assess the running condition of wind turbine. To validate the present method, the experiments of accelerated bearing degradation were carried out. A series of comprehensive and persuasive comparisons and analysis with different feature conversion methods (principal component analysis [PCA] and Isomap), different distance analysis algorithms (Euclidean distance and Mahalanobis distance), and different assessment models (hidden Markov model [HMM] and deep belief network [DBN]) verified that the proposed FKPC technique can monitor the operating status of the machine more accurately without complex model training and parameter selection processes.
Influence of defatted mango kernel seed flour addition on the rheological characteristics and cookie making quality of wheat flour
Authors: Awolu Olugbenga O. , Sudha Lakshminarayan M. , Manohar Balaraman
Published: October 2018

Defatted mango kernel seed flour was added to wheat flour for the production of cookies. The protein contents of the wheat‐mango kernel flour blend were optimized using optimal mixture design of response surface methodology. The farinograph analysis had acceptable mixing profile at 25%‐defatted mango kernel flour incorporation, after which the mixing profile was adversely affected. The pasting temperature was between 65.8 and 75.6°C; peak viscosity ranged between 448 and 521 BU while the final viscosity ranged between 594 and 709 BU. The flour blends had promising dynamic rheological characteristics; at 15% incorporation of defatted mango kernel flour, G’ was greater than G’’ while a stage was reached when G’ was equal to G’’ at 25% incorporation. At 50% incorporation, G’’ was greater than G’. The cookies produced showed high (>70%) quality in terms of physical properties, color, and sensory evaluation at 25% incorporation of defatted mango flour.
Using Third‐Party Logistics Companies for Scheduled Energy Outages
Authors: Eliacostas Angela , Mock Jordan
Published: October 2018

Outages are when plants, facilities, or lines are shut down for a variety of reasons. AGT Global Logistics has developed a proprietary three‐phase logistical planning service for utility companies seeking to maximize the window of opportunity for planned outages and minimize downtimes for scheduled maintenance.
Nature Inspired Small Molecules for Chemical Biology
Authors: Kumar Kamal , Waldmann Herbert
Published: October 2018

Chemical biology and drug discovery are instrumental sciences to address unmet medical needs and to gain a deeper understanding of normal and disease state biology in mammalian systems. Unlike most genetic tools, the small molecule modulation of biology is reversible, controllable in space, time and quantity, avoids the removal of gene products from cellular systems and thus enables perturbation of biology in its native state. Natural products, their derivatives as well as small molecules based on the core‐scaffolds of natural products including natural product fragments allow targeting unique, biologically relevant fractions of chemical space that may deliver quality tool compounds. In this essay, we discuss various synthesis approaches inspired by natural products to deliver biologically active small molecules. We argue and provide evidence that inspiration by natural product structure remains a powerful guiding principle for the development of novel approaches to the study biology by means of novel bioactive small molecules.
Reelin regulates male mouse reproductive capacity via the sertoli cells
Authors: Zhuang Mengru , Li Bo , Huang Yangxue , Lei Qijing , Yan Ruichuan , Li Na , Sidhu Kuldip , Cheng Xiang , Yan Xinrong , Miao Yiliang , Zhao Shanting , Hua Jinlian
Published: October 2018

Reelin plays important roles in brain development. Reeler mutant mice that lack the protein reelin (RELN) suffer from cell type‐ and region‐dependent changes in their neocortical layers, and adult reeler mutant mice have dilated seminiferous tubules. Meanwhile, the mechanism by which
Reelin regulates the spermatogenic cell development in mice and their reproductive abilities remains unclear. In the present study, we used reeler mutant mice to investigate the effects of
Reelin on reproduction in mice. The results indicated variations in sex hormone expression among the reeler mice, indicating that they produce few offspring and their spermatogenic cells are irregularly developed. Moreover, glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF)/GDNF family receptor alpha 1, Ras/extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK), and promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF)/chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) serve as potential regulatory pathways that respond to the changes in sertoli cells and the niche of male germ cells. Our findings provided valuable insights into the role of reeler in the reproductive abilities of male mice and development of their spermatogonia stem cells.
LncRNA X inactive specific transcript contributes to neuropathic pain development by sponging miR‐154‐5p via inducing toll‐like receptor 5 in CCI rat models
Authors: Wei Meng , Li Lin , Zhang Yang , Zhang Zhi‐Jie , Liu Hai‐Lin , Bao Hong‐Guang
Published: October 2018

Noncoding RNAs, including long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs, are involved in the development of neuropathic pain. Currently, we investigated that lncRNA X inactive–specific transcript (XIST) and toll‐like receptor 5 (TLR5) were greatly upregulated in chronic constriction injury rat models, whereas miR‐154‐5p (microRNA‐154‐5p) was significantly downregulated. Bioinformatics analysis was used to predict miR‐154‐5p as a target gene of XIST, and dual‐luciferase reporter tests proved the correlation between them. We observed that miR‐154‐5p was negatively modulated by XIST in vitro. XIST overexpression markedly induced neuropathic pain development in rats with chronic constriction injury, whereas the upregulation of miR‐154‐5p could reverse this phenomenon. Furthermore, TLR5 was demonstrated to be a target gene of miR‐154‐5p by using bioinformatics predictions. miR‐154‐5p negatively regulated TLR5 expression in vitro, and TLR5 was able to promote neuropathic pain development. In addition, overexpressing miR‐154‐5p can reverse the role of TLR5 neuropathic pain in vivo. Taken these together, we indicated that XIST could increase TLR5 expression by acting as a sponge of miR‐154‐5p in neuropathic pain development. This study revealed that XIST can contribute to neuropathic pain progression in rats through decreasing miR‐154‐5p and increasing TLR5. The XIST/miR‐154‐5p/ TLR5 axis can be provided as a novel therapeutic target in treating neuropathic pain.