bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atmospheric pulsed plasma copolymerization of acrylic monomers: Kinetics, chemistry, and applications
Authors: Moreno‐Couranjou Maryline , Guillot Jérôme , Audinot Jean‐Nicolas , Bour Jérôme , Prouvé Emilie , Durrieu Marie‐Christine , Choquet Patrick , Detrembleur Christophe
Published: February 2020

In this study, dimethylacrylamide (DMA) homopolymer and DMA/ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (DMA/EGDMA) copolymers are produced by an atmospheric pulsed plasma deposition technique. Such a mild deposition method is used to limit monomer fragmentations and favor cross‐linked structures formed through the unsaturated carbon double bond polymerization. The kinetics of deposition, and the dependence of the chemical and physical properties of the films on the comonomer ratio are investigated by combining surface and volume‐sensitive techniques. In addition, water‐stable catechol‐bearing terpolymer films are easily produced from a precursor mixture composed of dopamine methacrylamide dissolved in a 50 mol% DMA/EGDMA solution. Finally, it is demonstrated that the developed coatings can be exploited for efficient one‐step bioconjugation reaction for potential biological applications.
Job changing and internal mobility: Insights into the “declining duo” from Canadian administrative data
Authors: Haan Michael , Cardoso Miguel
Published: February 2020

Considerable research focuses on why internal migration rates are declining across most of the Western world. Several studies also look at why people are less likely to change jobs than they were in the past. In this paper, we look at the prospect of declining economic returns as an explanation for the joint decline in both phenomena in Canada. We use the Canadian Employer‐Employee Dynamics Database, a linked job–individual–family–firm data set, to look at the 5‐year income trajectories for Canadian workers who changed job and province of residence (movers) in 1997, 2002, and 2007. We compare these returns with those of job switchers who did not move (nonmover job switchers) and with those that changed neither jobs nor province (nonmover nonjob switchers). We find that the mover's premium, defined as the increase in income that accompanies either a job change or a geographical move, has decreased over time and argue that this may help explain why internal migration and labour fluidity have been declining.
Wave and Uncertainty Properties of Electrons in Crystalline Solids
Authors: Zawadzki Wlodek
Published: February 2020

Herein, relations between particle and wave properties for charge carriers in periodic potentials of crystalline metals and semiconductors are derived. The particle aspects of electrons in periodic potentials are considered using properties of quasimomentum (QM), while the wave aspects are described using wave packets of Bloch waves. The two aspects are combined in the derivation of QM–wavelength relations for energy bands of arbitrary nonparabolicity and nonsphericity. An effective mass relating electron QM to its average velocity for spherical energy bands is defined and used to calculate energy dependences of wavelengths for electrons in narrow‐gap semiconductors, graphene, and surface states of topological insulators. An uncertainty relation between electron QM and its spatial coordinate in periodic potentials is derived. It is emphasized that the described properties apply to the average (not instantaneous) electron behavior. Analogies and differences between the wave and uncertainty properties of electrons in crystalline solids and those in vacuum are traced. An interference experiment with semiconductor nanostructures is proposed to verify the theoretical predictions and demonstrate to what extent the wave properties of electrons in solids are distinct from those in vacuum.
Reflexive learning in adaptive management: A case study of environmental water management in the Murray Darling Basin, Australia
Authors: McLoughlin Craig A. , Thoms Martin C. , Parsons Melissa
Published: February 2020

Adaptive management is a structured approach for people who must act despite uncertainty and complexity about what they are managing and the impacts of their actions. It is learning‐by‐doing through deliberate cycles of experimentation, review, and synthesis. However, understanding the processes of learning and how they relate to achieving resource management goals is in its infancy. Reflexive learning—a process of identifying and critically examining assumptions, values, and actions that frame knowledge—is critical to the effectiveness of adaptive management. It involves adaptive feedbacks between stakeholders as they examine assumptions, values, and actions. Adaptive management has been applied to environmental flows because it offers a system for making decisions about tradeoffs. In the Murray Darling Basin (MDB), Australia, adaptive management is applied as a cycle of plan, do, monitor, and learn, facilitated by short‐ and long‐term learning among stakeholders. An alternative conceptualization of adaptive management as an integration of single‐, double‐, and triple‐loop learning across multiple levels of governance is presented. This is applied to environmental flows in the MDB to map adaptive feedbacks of reflexive learning. At the lowest level of governance (Water Resource Planning Area), goals are assessed as Thresholds of Potential Concern related to flow‐ecology responses, which are reviewed every 3–6 years. At the second level of governance (Basin‐States), Water Management Targets are the key goals; reviewed and reframed every 6–10 years. The highest level of governance (the MDB) is concerned with policy targets, with review and reframing over 8–15 years. Feedbacks that generate reflexive learning are complex and require commitment to move through the modes of single‐, double‐, and triple‐loop learning. Effective adaptive management of environmental water requires practitioners to situate themselves within a matrix of information flow across modes of learning, levels of governance, and components of a social‐ecological system, where reflexive learning drives the achievement of management goals.
Long‐Life Lead‐Acid Battery for High‐Rate Partial‐State‐of‐Charge Operation Enabled by a Rice‐Husk‐Based Activated Carbon Negative Electrode Additive
Authors: Lin Zheqi , Zhang Wenli , Lin Nan , Lin Haibo , Shi Jun
Published: February 2020

Lead sulfation severely shortens the cycling life of lead‐acid battery under high‐rate partial‐state‐of‐charge (HRPSoC) operation. Adding carbon materials into negative active mass has been demonstrated as an effective strategy to suppress the sulfation. In this paper, rice‐husk‐based activated carbon (RHAC) with high specific surface area and high pore volume exhibits excellent performances on enhancing the discharge capacity, the dynamic charge acceptance and especially the cycling life of negative electrode of lead acid battery. Results show that the HRPSoC cycling life of negative electrode with RHAC exceeds 5000 cycles which is 4.65 and 1.42 times that of blank negative electrode and negative electrode with commercial activated carbon, respectively. These outstanding performances are ascribed to the unique architectural properties of RHAC comparing with commercial activated carbon, such as three‐dimensional porous structure for acid storage, high mesopore volume for efficient ions transport and large external specific surface area for energetic Pb deposition.
Effect of Presintering Atmosphere on Structure and Electrochemical Properties of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 Cathode Materials for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhou Mushang , Lang Yaqiang , Deng Ziyao , Gong Jiajia , Guo Jianling , Wang Li
Published: February 2020

Carbonate precursor prepared by coprecipitation‐hydrothermal method was first presintered under air and oxygen atmosphere, respectively, and calcinated with Li2CO3 to achieve two LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 materials. The effects of presintering atmosphere on the structure, morphology and electrochemical performance of materials were investigated. It is found that LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 material prepared by presintering under oxygen atmosphere exhibits higher discharge capacities, enhanced rate capability and cycling performance, compared to that prepared by presintering under air atmosphere. This improvement is mainly attributed to the elimination of LixNi1‐xO impurity phase, more stable crystal structure, lower Mn3+ content, smaller particle size with homogeneous distribution, lower charge transfer resistance and higher Li+ ion diffusion coefficient. Its discharge capacity at 10 C rate is 125.8 mAh g−1 and capacity retention rate after 200 cycles at 1 C is 92.6%, much higher than 111.3 mAh g−1 and 80.0% of that prepared by presintering under air atmosphere. The presintering under oxygen atmosphere is proven to be beneficial to the electrochemical performance of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 material.
ZnO Nanoparticles Photosensitization Using Ruthenium(II)‐polypyridyl Isomeric Complexes
Authors: Fernández‐Izquierdo Leunam , Raúl Sosa‐Acosta José , Jiménez‐Hernández Linnavel , del Toro Pedro Ortiz , Rodríguez Mayreli Ortiz , Insausti Maite , de Muro Izaskun Gil , Rojo Teofilo , Díaz‐García Alicia M
Published: February 2020

The coordination of photosensitizing dyes to zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) has attracted extensive attention as promising candidates for applications in solar cells. Here, we report the synthesis of ZnO NPs functionalized with geometric isomers of ruthenium(II)‐polypyridyl complexes and a preliminary study of their photophysical properties by fluorescence spectroscopy. ZnO NPs synthesis was carried out by direct precipitation. IR, UV‐Vis spectroscopy, XRD and TG‐DTA techniques were used for ZnO NPs characterization. Trans and cis complexes of Ru(II) using 2,2′‐bipyridine and 2,2’‐bipyridine‐4,4’‐dicarboxylic acid as ligands were assembled to ZnO NPs. The presence not only of a band of around 355 nm, but also at 465 nm, in the electronic spectrum indicates the modification of the ZnO surface with the synthesized complexes. The fluorescence behaviour of Ru(II) complexes modified ZnO NPs suggested an electron transfer process through the system. Remarkably, the trans isomer modified system showed better response during the electron transfer. This information could be considered during the design of photoanodes in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells.
Face‐Type Coupling as an Ideal Interface Synergy between the Nb2O5 Crystal Lattice and Graphene for Energy Conversion
Authors: Zhou Huawei , Shi Shaozhen , Cui Jiawen , Cui Shuting , Guo Junxue , Wei Jiazhen , Chai Ning , Liu Ting , Zhang Kaixuan , Yin Jie , Zhang Xianxi
Published: February 2020

The transition metal oxide Nb2O5 has advantages and potential in electrochemical catalysis. However, routine Nb2O5 catalyst has large bulk resistance and poor conductivity. In this study, the Nb2O5 crystal lattice@graphene oxide (Nb2O5‐CL@GO) composite is prepared. The lattice atoms effectively couple to the GO atoms because of few atom layers in Nb2O5‐CL@GO. Face‐type coupling (FTC) is formed between the crystal‐lattices face and GO face, which is benefited to increase the electron‐coupling area, to increase the synergistic effect. In thick Nb2O5 layer@GO (Nb2O5‐TL@GO), only edge atoms in the thick Nb2O5 layer are directly electron coupled with the GO, while the surface atoms on the thick Nb2O5 have weak electronic coupling to GO. Therefore, line‐type‐coupling (LTC) in Nb2O5‐TL@GO reduce exposure of electron‐coupling area. Compared with Nb2O5‐TL@GO, Nb2O5‐CL@GO exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity and metallic properties in the electrolyte. In addition, the performance of Nb2O5‐CL@GO composite as an electrocatalytic electrode in dye‐sensitized solar cells is superior to that of the noble Pt. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) is 10.81% under 1‐sun illumination (AM 1.5 G, 100 mW cm−2). Compared with Si solar cells, DSCs based on Nb2O5‐CL@GO composite is suitable for use in low illumination intensity and radiation angle. Finally, the DSCs based Nb2O5‐CL@GO composite has good stability. The results are of great interest in the materials and interface science, electrocatalysts, and energy conversion.
Mechanistic Insights into Cycloaddition of CO2 with Epoxide Catalyzed by a Bimetallic (Salen)Fe(II)Cl2 Complex with/without a Cocatalyst
Authors: Wang✶ Hailong , Guo Liping
Published: February 2020

The cycloaddition of carbon dioxide (CO2) with propylene oxide (PO), with bimetallic (salen)Fe(II)Cl2 complex as the catalyst, was studied by using BP86/TZVP method. The calculated results revealed that the catalytic process exhibited a bimetallic cooperative mechanism, and a synergetic effect was observed between one Fe center and the axial ligand of chloride anion in the PO ring‐opening. The axial ligand of chloride anion acted as a cocatalyst. Moreover, a cocatalyst, i. e., NBu4Cl, has been introduced to the catalytic process. The catalytic process proceeded according to a monometallic mechanism, and chloride anion from NBu4Cl acted as a nucleophile in the PO ring‐opening. In addition, the energetic span model was applied to evaluate the catalytic efficiency of both catalytic systems. This current study provided novel insights into the molecular behavior of transition metal catalysts for the cycloaddition of CO2 with epoxides.
Investigation of Time‐Kill Evaluation and Antioxidant Activities of New Tetra‐Substituted Metallophthalocyanines Bearing 4‐(Trifluoromethoxy)thiophenyl Groups
Authors: Sağlam Özgül , Akin Mustafa , Pekbelgin Karaoğlu Hande , Saki Neslihan , Koçak Makbule Burkut
Published: February 2020

In the present work, a new phthalonitrile derivative bearing 4‐(trifluoromethoxy)‐thiophenyl group at the 4‐position (2) has been synthesized. Cyclotetramerization of 4‐[4‐(trifluoromethoxy)‐thiophenyl] phthalonitrile (2) in appropriate high‐boiling solvents gave the desired peripherally tetra‐substituted zinc ({2(3),9(10),16(17),23(24)‐tetrakis‐[4‐(trifluoromethoxy)‐thiophenyl]‐phthalocyaninato} zinc(II) (3)) and cobalt phthalocyanines ({2(3),9(10),16(17),23(24)‐tetrakis‐[4‐(trifluoromethoxy)‐ thiophenyl]‐phthalocyaninato} cobalt(II) (4)). The resulting phthalonitrile and phthalocyanine derivatives were characterized by the 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 19F NMR, elemental analysis, UV‐Vis, FT‐IR and mass spectrometric methods. Aggregation properties of macrocycle 3 were investigated in the different concentrations and various solvents. The biological activities of the newly synthesized compounds were investigated by using well diffusion and growth curve kinetic assay. In both methods, the molecules exhibited inhibition effect only on gram negative bacteria. According to the results; molecule 4 showed the highest inhibition activity at both tested concentrations. Antioxidant activities were also evaluated by using 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and reducing power assays and the molecules performed moderate antioxidant activity.
Rh(III)‐Catalyzed C−H Acylmethylation of 6‐Arylpurines Using Sulfoxonium Ylides as Carbene Precursors
Authors: Chen Zhibing , Kong Xianqiang , Xu Bo
Published: February 2020

We have developed an efficient acylmethylation of C6 aryl‐ purines via C–H bond activation using the readily available sulfoxonium ylides as carbene precursors. The purine motif is the direction group. Our Rh‐catalyzed acylmethylation offers excellent chemical yields and regioselectivity with good functional group tolerance.
Electrochemical Synthesis and Corrosion Behaviour of Poly(o–anisidine)‐TiO2 Nanocomposite on ZnNi‐Plated Carbon Steel
Authors: Akdag Abdurrahman
Published: February 2020

Electrosynthesis of poly(o‐anisidine) (POA) homopolymer and poly(o‐anisidine)‐TiO2 (POA‐TiO2) nanocomposite were carried out on ZnNi plated carbon steel (CS/ZnNi). The synthesis was achieved cyclic voltammetry technique in 0.2 M sodium oxalate solution containing 0.1 M o‐anisidine and o‐anisidine + 0.2 gL−1 TiO2 nanoparticles for POA and POA‐TiO2, respectively. The POA and POA‐TiO2 nanocomposite were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersion x‐ray analysis (EDX), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, linear sweep voltammetry, open circuit potential‐time and potentiodynamic polarization techniques. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, open circuit potential‐time (Eocp‐t) and potentiodynamic polarization tests were done in 3.5% NaCl solution. Potentiodynamic polarization curves showed that a strong decrease of corrosion current for POA‐TiO2 coated CS/ZnNi (CS/ZnNi/POA‐TiO2) electrode when compared to the POA coated CS/ZnNi (CS/ZnNi/POA) and CS/ZnNi electrodes. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results indicated that polarization resistance (Rp) of the CS/ZnNi/POA‐TiO2 electrode was higher than the other electrodes. These results revealed that TiO2 nanoparticles increased the anticorrosive property of the POA film.
Molecularly Imprinted Synthetic Antibodies: From Chemical Design to Biomedical Applications
Authors: Xu Jingjing , Miao Haohan , Wang Jixiang , Pan Guoqing
Published: February 2020

Billions of dollars are invested into the monoclonal antibody market every year to meet the increasing demand in clinical diagnosis and therapy. However, natural antibodies still suffer from poor stability and high cost, as well as ethical issues in animal experiments. Thus, developing antibody substitutes or mimics is a long‐term goal for scientists. The molecular imprinting technique presents one of the most promising strategies for antibody mimicking. The molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are also called “molecularly imprinted synthetic antibodies” (MISAs). The breakthroughs of key technologies and innovations in chemistry and material science in the last decades have led to the rapid development of MISAs, and their molecular affinity has become comparable to that of natural antibodies. Currently, MISAs are undergoing a revolutionary transformation of their applications, from initial adsorption and separation to the rising fields of biomedicine. Herein, the fundamental chemical design of MISAs is examined, and then current progress in biomedical applications is the focus. Meanwhile, the potential of MISAs as qualified substitutes or even to transcend the performance of natural antibodies is discussed from the perspective of frontier needs in biomedicines, to facilitate the rapid development of synthetic artificial antibodies.
Dynamic buckling analysis of cylindrical steel water storage tanks subjected to Kobe earthquake loading
Authors: Çelik Ali İhsan , Köse Mehmet Metin
Published: February 2020

Cylindrical steel storage tanks are thin‐walled significant engineering structures. This study investigated the buckling conditions of ground‐supported cylindrical steel liquid storage tanks according to roof shapes and shell thicknesses. The roof shapes selected were open‐top, flat‐closed, conical‐closed and torispherical‐closed‐top tanks, and shell thicknesses were 4, 6 and 8 mm. These tanks may be exposed to several types of failure during earthquakes, such as elephant‐foot buckling, diamond‐shape buckling, overturning and uplift. Great financial loss and environmental damage can also ensue when steel liquid storage tanks are damaged in an earthquake. The seismic analyses were conducted under Kobe earthquake conditions for cylindrical steel tanks with different shell thicknesses and roof types. To investigate dynamic behaviour of the tanks accurately, the hydrodynamic response of each tank was divided into impulsive and convective components. Directional deformation and buckling results are presented for both impulsive and convective masses. As a result, the deformation of the tank is significantly reduced when the top of the tank is in the shape of a torispherical dome. The flat‐closed tank has a maximum directional deformation in both impulsive and convective modes. Results also show that when shell thickness was increased, buckling deformation decreased, but different deformation states were observed on the wall and roof components depending on the type of roof.
Education for Environmental Citizenship: The Pedagogical Approach
Authors: Hadjichambis Andreas Ch. , Paraskeva-Hadjichambi Demetra
Published: February 2020

Contemporary and urgent environmental problems need to be addressed through Education for Environmental Citizenship. This chapter proposes a specific model of Education for Environmental Citizenship which includes the outputs, dimensions, scales and spheres of Environmental Citizenship. A specific pedagogical approach is elaborated which can promote the Education for Environmental Citizenship Model (EEC Model). The chapter also draws on the pedagogical landscape of Education for Environmental Citizenship and describes the stages and the steps of this integrated and holistic pedagogical approach, namely: Inquiry, Planning actions, Civic participation, Networking & Sharing in Scales, Sustain Environmental & Social Change, and Evaluation & Reflection. The suggested pedagogical approach is one of the possible venues that could promote Education for Environmental Citizenship. Finally, this chapter discusses the need for curriculum and learning materials for fostering Education for Environmental Citizenship. It argues for the crucial role of the educational institutions and of the teachers and teachers’ professional development towards the adequate establishment of Education for Environmental Citizenship.
Economic Dimensions of Environmental Citizenship
Authors: Kaputa Vladislav , Lapin Katharina , Leregger Florian , Gekic Haris
Published: February 2020

This chapter introduces economic approaches, studies and contributions to the global discussion on the relationship between economics and the environment. These relations are continuously influenced by the activity of individuals and communities. The social dimension is evident, and mutual interactions between society and environment are investigated in many fields of science. Human decisions and behaviours have consequences for the environment which change in time, and its resulting state impacts subsequent human attitudes and behaviour. Widely applied principles of mainstream economics face criticism from different platforms. This chapter also focuses on the argumentation of mainstream economics that are contrary to the more interdisciplinary economic approaches to environmental issues. The main contradictions in such a debate come from a different value system of individuals. Through diverse stakeholder groups, the economic dimension of Environmental Citizenship stretches from a local to a global level. The transformation of economic systems requires an interdisciplinary approach to overcome political and social barriers.
Societal Issues and Environmental Citizenship
Authors: Šulc Ivan , Morgado Sofia , Đorđević Zorana , Gašparović Slaven , Radović Vesela , Keranova Dilyana
Published: February 2020

This chapter investigates the role of Environmental Citizenship within the twenty-first-century societal issues of human activities – urban development, transport systems, tourism, and cultural heritage. The first part of the chapter analyses the relationship between Environmental Citizenship, urban development, and cultural landscapes. Cities are home to the majority of the world’s population and are responsible for most of the resource consumption and waste production, which places them in the focus of Environmental Citizenship discourses. The issues of urbanisation and Environmental Citizenship are followed by issues of sustainable transport that, among others, have a goal of reducing transport disadvantage of marginalized social groups. Cultural heritage is identified as a new fourth pillar of sustainable development (along with environment, economy and society), and its role in Environmental Citizenship is explored. Sustainable tourism is reviewed using new approaches that have adopted elements of Environmental Citizenship and were introduced as a reaction to unsustainable mass tourism. Finally, the chapter presents certain practices of Environmental Citizenship within the investigated fields of expertise that could be promoted and implemented elsewhere.
A mathematical theory of gapless edges of 2d topological orders. Part I
Authors: Kong Liang , Zheng Hao
Published: February 2020

Abstract

This is the first part of a two-part work on a unified mathematical theory of gapped and gapless edges of 2d topological orders. We analyze all the possible observables on the 1+1D world sheet of a chiral gapless edge of a 2d topological order, and show that these observables form an enriched unitary fusion category, the Drinfeld center of which is precisely the unitary modular tensor category associated to the bulk. This mathematical description of a chiral gapless edge automatically includes that of a gapped edge (i.e. a unitary fusion category) as a special case. Therefore, we obtain a unified mathematical description and a classification of both gapped and chiral gapless edges of a given 2d topological order. In the process of our analysis, we encounter an interesting and reoccurring phenomenon: spatial fusion anomaly, which leads us to propose the Principle of Universality at RG fixed points for all quantum field theories. Our theory also implies that all chiral gapless edges can be obtained from a so-called topological Wick rotations. This fact leads us to propose, at the end of this work, a surprising correspondence between gapped and gapless phases in all dimensions.
Oscillations of $$ {B}_s^0 $$ Mesons as a Probe of Decays with Unreconstructed Particles
Authors: Poluektov Anton , Morris Adam
Published: February 2020

Abstract

A new experimental technique to study the decays of$$ {B}_s^0 $$Bs0mesons into final states involving unreconstructable particles is proposed. The method uses a characteristic feature of fast flavour oscillations of$$ {B}_s^0 $$Bs0mesons. Analysis of the oscillation-frequency spectrum of partially reconstructed flavour-tagged$$ {B}_s^0 $$Bs0decays provides information about the mass spectrum of unreconstructed decay products and suppresses any background that does not come from the decays of$$ {B}_s^0 $$Bs0mesons.
Pregnancy outcomes in interferon-beta-exposed patients with multiple sclerosis: results from the European Interferon-beta Pregnancy Registry
Authors:   the European Interferon-beta Pregnancy Study Group, Hellwig Kerstin , Geissbuehler Yvonne , Sabidó Meritxell , Popescu Catrinel , Adamo Alessandra , Klinger Joachim , Ornoy Asher , Huppke Peter
Published: February 2020

Background

Family planning is an important consideration for women with multiple sclerosis (MS), who are often diagnosed during their reproductive years. Currently, limited data are available on pregnancy outcomes in patients exposed to interferon-beta (IFN-beta) before or during pregnancy. Here, we present the cumulative pregnancy exposure data and prevalence of pregnancy and infant outcomes in IFN-beta-exposed pregnant women with MS from the European IFN-beta Pregnancy Registry.

Methods

Using spontaneous and solicited reports, the registry collected data from 26 countries of the European Economic Area, consisting of information on women with MS identifying themselves to one of the Marketing Authorisation Holders (Bayer, Biogen, Merck KGaA, and Novartis) or healthcare professionals as pregnant and exposed to IFN-beta during pregnancy or within 1 month before conception. The outcomes collected by the registry included ectopic pregnancies, spontaneous abortions, elective terminations, live, and stillbirths with or without congenital anomalies. The prevalence of pregnancy outcomes was put in context with those reported in the general population.

Results

Between 2009 and 2017, the registry collected 948 pregnancy reports with a known pregnancy outcome. Overall, 82.0% (777/948) of pregnancies resulted in live birth without congenital anomaly. When comparing IFN-beta-exposed pregnancies with the general population, the prevalence of spontaneous abortions (10.7% vs. 10–21%) and congenital anomalies in live births (2.1% vs. 2.1–4.1%) were found to be within reported ranges.

Conclusions

The data gathered from these pregnancy cases suggest no evidence that IFN-beta exposure before conception and/or during pregnancy adversely increases the rate of congenital anomalies or spontaneous abortions.
On nested infinite occupancy scheme in random environment
Authors: Gnedin Alexander , Iksanov Alexander
Published: February 2020

We consider an infinite balls-in-boxes occupancy scheme with boxes organised in nested hierarchy, and random probabilities of boxes defined in terms of iterated fragmentation of a unit mass. We obtain a multivariate functional limit theorem for the cumulative occupancy counts as the number of balls approaches infinity. In the case of fragmentation driven by a homogeneous residual allocation model our result generalises the functional central limit theorem for the block counts in Ewens’ and more general regenerative partitions.
An elaborate behavioural sequence reinforces the decoy effect of ink during predatory attacks on squid
Authors: Hikidi Yuto , Hirohashi Noritaka , Kasugai Takashi , Sato Noriyosi
Published: February 2020

The characteristic inking behaviour of cephalopods is a secondary defence mechanism that helps them to escape predation. However, although it has been postulated that ink creates a decoy by disrupting the visual information received by the predator, the underlying mechanisms by which ink helps squid to escape from predators remain unknown. Therefore, we observed the inking behaviour of the Japanese pygmy squid (Idiosepius paradoxus). Field observations showed the squid intermittently and linearly ejected ink while rapidly swimming backwards in response to a predator and also changed their bodies to a light colour. This behaviour was then followed by a sudden and sharp change in swimming direction or sometimes a sudden break from swimming with a concurrent change in body colour to black. We also recorded the escape behaviour with inking under captive conditions in response to predatory sculpins, which allowed the successful escape from a predatory attack. Furthermore, the greater the number of ink ejections, the higher the probability that the sculpins would initiate a predatory attack on the ink rather than the squid. Together, these results suggest that squid inking behaviour exhibits a substantial decoy effect on predators and is associated with a series of complex, spatio-temporally regulated behaviours. Digital video images related to the article are available at http://www.momo-p.com/showdetail-e.php?movieid=momo200107ip01a, http://www.momo-p.com/showdetail-e.php?movieid=momo200107ip03a, and http://www.momo-p.com/showdetail-e.php?movieid=momo200107ip04a.
Investigation of secondary metabolism in the industrial butanol hyper-producer Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum N1-4
Authors: Li Jeffrey S , Barber Colin C , Herman Nicolaus A , Cai Wenlong , Zafrir Ella , Du Yongle , Zhu Xuejun , Skyrud Will , Zhang Wenjun
Published: February 2020

Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum N1-4 (Csa) is a historically significant anaerobic bacterium which can perform saccharolytic fermentations to produce acetone, butanol, and ethanol (ABE). Recent genomic analyses have highlighted this organism’s potential to produce polyketide and nonribosomal peptide secondary metabolites, but little is known regarding the identity and function of these metabolites. This study provides a detailed bioinformatic analysis of seven biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) present in the Csa genome that are predicted to produce polyketides/nonribosomal peptides. An RNA-seq-based untargeted transcriptomic approach revealed that five of seven BGCs were expressed during ABE fermentation. Additional characterization of a highly expressed nonribosomal peptide synthetase gene led to the discovery of its associated metabolite and its biosynthetic pathway. Transcriptomic analysis suggested an association of this nonribosomal peptide synthetase gene with butanol tolerance, which was supported by butanol challenge assays.
Correction to: Observations on the May 2019 Joffre Peak landslides, British Columbia
Authors: Friele Pierre , Millard Tom H. , Mitchell Andrew , Allstadt Kate E. , Menounos Brian , Geertsema Marten , Clague John J.
Published: February 2020

The article “Observations on the May 2019 Joffre Peak landslides, British Columbia”, written by Pierre Friele, Tom H. Millard, Andrew Mitchell, Kate E. Allstadt, Brian Menounos, Marten Geertsema and John J. Clague, was originally published electronically on the publisher’s internet portal (currently SpringerLink) on January 2020 without open access.
Pearlite in Multicomponent Steels: Phenomenological Steady-State Modeling
Authors: Yan Jia-Yi , Ågren John , Jeppsson Johan
Published: February 2020

A steady-state model for austenite-to-pearlite transformation in multicomponent steel is presented, including Fe, C, and eight more elements. The model considers not only classic ingredients (formation of ferrite–cementite interface, volume diffusion, boundary diffusion, and optimization of lamellar spacing) but also finite austenite–pearlite interfacial mobility that resolves some previous difficulties. A non-Arrhenius behavior of interfacial mobility is revealed from growth rate and lamellar spacing data. A smooth and physical transition between orthopearlite and parapearlite is realized by optimizing the partitioning of substitutional alloying elements between ferrite and cementite to maximize growth rate or dissipation rate while keeping carbon at equilibrium. Solute drag effect is included, which accounts for the bay in growth rate curves. Grain boundary nucleation rate is modeled as a function of chemical composition, driving force, and temperature, with consideration of grain boundary equilibrium segregation. Overall transformation kinetics is obtained from growth rate and grain boundary nucleation rate, assuming pearlite colonies only nucleate on austenite grain boundaries. Further theoretical and experimental work are suggested for generalization and improvements.
Robustness to adversarial examples can be improved with overfitting
Authors: Deniz Oscar , Pedraza Anibal , Vallez Noelia , Salido Jesus , Bueno Gloria
Published: February 2020

Deep learning (henceforth DL) has become most powerful machine learning methodology. Under specific circumstances recognition rates even surpass those obtained by humans. Despite this, several works have shown that deep learning produces outputs that are very far from human responses when confronted with the same task. This the case of the so-called “adversarial examples” (henceforth AE). The fact that such implausible misclassifications exist points to a fundamental difference between machine and human learning. This paper focuses on the possible causes of this intriguing phenomenon. We first argue that the error in adversarial examples is caused by high bias, i.e. by regularization that has local negative effects. This idea is supported by our experiments in which the robustness to adversarial examples is measured with respect to the level of fitting to training samples. Higher fitting was associated to higher robustness to adversarial examples. This ties the phenomenon to the trade-off that exists in machine learning between fitting and generalization.
Strategy for Crack Width Measurement of Multiple Crack Patterns in Civil Engineering Material Testing Using a Monocular Image Sequence Analysis
Authors: Liebold F. , Maas H.-G.
Published: February 2020

An image sequence analysis procedure is developed to quantitatively analyze complex multiple crack patterns in tension tests of fiber-reinforced composite specimens. Planar textured surfaces of such specimens can be observed with a monocular image sequence using a camera of suitable spatial and temporal resolution. Due to the narrow crack paths, a dense high-precision displacement vector field is computed applying least-squares image matching techniques. Some uniformly distributed matching points are triangulated into a mesh. To measure deformations, principal strains and crack widths are computed for each face. Stretched triangles presumably containing one or multiple cracks are subdivided into three new triangles to densify the mesh in critical regions. The subdivision is repeated for some iterations. The crack width computation of the triangles requires at least three vertices and its displacements. Due to the dense displacement vector field, there are more points available. In this paper, an algorithm for the crack width computation in a least-squares fit is presented.
Towards the profiling of the atmospheric boundary layer at European scale—introducing the COST Action PROBE
Authors: Cimini Domenico , Haeffelin Martial , Kotthaus Simone , Löhnert Ulrich , Martinet Pauline , O’Connor Ewan , Walden Christopher , Coen Martine Collaud , Preissler Jana
Published: February 2020

The atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) is the layer closest to the Earth’s surface within which most human activities take place. The vertical profile of atmospheric thermodynamic parameters in the ABL impact weather, air quality and climate. However, surface sensor networks and satellite observations do not provide sufficient information on the high temporal variability and strong vertical gradients that occur in the ABL. Thus, the ABL represents an important but rather under-sampled part of the atmosphere. This observational gap currently hampers progress in numerical weather prediction, air quality forecasting and climate assessment. Due to recent technological and methodological advances, ground-based remote sensing instruments are now able to provide high-quality profiles of ABL parameters such as temperature, humidity, wind, aerosol and cloud properties. However, even though state-of-the-art ABL profilers are deployed at numerous sites in Europe, efficient science and technology networking and coordination is still required to exploit this rich dataset effectively. The current lack of data and procedure harmonization often diminishes the potential societal benefits of the existing ABL profiling data. This paper introduces PROBE, a new initiative funded by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), that aims to broaden the bridge between a wide range of user needs and the science and technology expertise residing in industry and academia, while strengthening and harmonizing methods and procedures to yield higher quality ABL observational data. Here, the challenges, objectives and implementation plan for PROBE are described, highlighting some preliminary results that will be further developed into operational applications during the 4-year duration (2019–2023) of this collaborative project.
Political isolation in America
Authors: Lee Byungkyu , Bearman Peter
Published: February 2020

This study documents historical trends of size and political diversity in Americans’ discussion networks, which are often seen as important barometers of social and political health. Contrasting findings from data drawn out of a nationally representative survey experiment of 1,055 Americans during the contentious 2016 U.S. presidential election to data arising from 11 national data sets covering nearly three decades, we find that Americans’ core networks are significantly smaller and more politically homogeneous than at any other period. Several methodological artifacts seem unlikely to account for the effect. We show that in this period, more than before, “important matters” were often framed as political matters, and that this association probably accounts for the smaller networks.
Natural variants of α-gliadin peptides within wheat proteins with reduced toxicity in coeliac disease
Authors: Japelj Nika , Suligoj Tanja , Zhang Wei , Côrte-Real Beatriz , Messing Joachim , Ciclitira Paul J.
Published: February 2020

The only generally accepted treatment of coeliac disease (CD) is a lifelong gluten-free diet. Wheat gluten proteins include gliadins, low and high molecular weight glutenins. However, we have found significant structural variations within these protein families among different cultivars. To determine which structural motifs might be less toxic than others, we assessed five variants of α-gliadin immunodominant CD-toxic peptides synthesised as 16mers in CD T cell stimulation assays with gluten-sensitive T cell lines generated from duodenal biopsies from CD-affected individuals. The peptides harboured the overlapping T cell epitopes DQ 2.5-glia-α-2 and naturally occurring variants that differed in certain amino acids (AA). The results revealed that introduction of two selected AA substitutions in α-gliadin peptides reduced immunogenicity. A peptide with three AA substitutions involving two glutamic acids (E) and one glutamine residue (G) revealed the peptide was negative in 5:5 samples. We used CD small-intestinal organ culture to assess CD toxicity that revealed two peptides with selected substitution of both glutamic acid (E) and proline (P) residues abrogated evidence of CD toxicity.
FINITENESS OF TOPOLOGICAL ENTROPY FOR LOCALLY COMPACT ABELIAN GROUPS
Authors: DIKRANJAN DIKRAN , GIORDANO BRUNO ANNA , RUSSO FRANCESCO G.
Published: February 2020

We study the locally compact abelian groups in the class${\mathfrak E_{ \lt \infty }}$, that is, having only continuous endomorphisms of finite topological entropy, and in its subclass$\mathfrak E_0$, that is, having all continuous endomorphisms with vanishing topological entropy. We discuss the reduction of the problem to the case of periodic locally compact abelian groups, and then to locally compact abelianp-groups. We show that locally compact abelianp-groups of finite rank belong to${\mathfrak E_{ \lt \infty }}$, and that those of them that belong to$\mathfrak E_0$are precisely the ones with discrete maximal divisible subgroup. Furthermore, the topological entropy of endomorphisms of locally compact abelianp-groups of finite rank coincides with the logarithm of their scale. The backbone of the paper is the Addition Theorem for continuous endomorphisms of locally compact abelian groups. Various versions of the Addition Theorem are established in the paper and used in the proofs of the main results, but its validity in the general case remains an open problem.
Piketty and the Gilded Age
Authors: Prasad Monica
Published: February 2020

After Thomas Piketty's Capital in the Twenty-First Century, comparing our era to the Gilded Age is no longer just a metaphor: Piketty argues that we never actually left the Gilded Age. The mid-twentieth-century period of lower inequality was a massive and perhaps unrepeatable exception to what Piketty sees as the natural tendencies toward inequality inherent in capitalist societies. But comparing our current period of relentless cuts in taxes and rising inequality to the Gilded Age shows why our period cannot be a repeat of the Gilded Age: the Gilded Age itself led to so many transformations to capitalism that inequality no longer leads to the political outrage that could anchor a broad-based progressive movement. The Gilded Age led to policies that made capitalism bearable, and that is precisely what is leading now to a situation in which Americans identify their success with the free market, and resist policies to lower inequality.
POLICING IN AMERICAN HISTORY
Authors: Brown Robert A.
Published: February 2020

This article examines the historical evolution of policing in America with a focus on race. Specifically, it is argued that racial bias has deep roots in American policing, and reforms in policing and American society have not eliminated the detrimental experiences of Blacks who encounter the police. Historical information and contemporary empirical research indicate that, even when legal and other factors are equal, Blacks continue to experience the coercive and lethal aspects of policing relative to their non-Black counterparts.
How should economists analyze institutions? Comments on David Skarbek, ‘Qualitative research methods for institutional analysis’
Authors: Shirley Mary M.
Published: February 2020

David Skarbek argues that qualitative research methods can analyze institutions by exploiting complex evidence not accessible through quantitative methods. He suggests that well-done case studies and process tracing can meet some of the same tests of inference as statistical methods. Although Skarbek's critique and proposals mirror those of many other authors, including Ronald Coase, he nonetheless makes an important contribution. The brief, cogent, and instructive way he presents his advice and his defense of qualitative methods as a complement to mainstream methods rather than a confrontation, may be more persuasive than more confrontational arguments. As ‘datafication’ is quickly turning qualitative observations into quantitative data analyzed through machine learning, Skarbek's excellent advice on how to understand what is happening under different institutional settings could not be timelier.
Promoting meaningful recovery with digital mental health care
Authors: Carpenter-Song Elizabeth
Published: February 2020

There is growing interest in digital mental health as well as accumulating evidence of the potential for technology-based tools to augment traditional mental health services and to potentially overcome barriers to access and use of mental health services. Our research group has examined how people with mental illnesses think about and make use of technology in their everyday lives as a means to provide insight into the emerging paradigm of digital mental health. This research has been guided by anthropological approaches that emphasise lived experience and underscore the complexity of psychiatric recovery. In this commentary I describe how an anthropological approach has motivated us to ask how digital technology can be leveraged to promote meaningful recovery for people with mental illnesses and to develop a new approach to the integration of technology-based tools for people with mental illnesses.
Estimation of Depth to Bottom of Magnetic Sources Using Spectral Methods: Application on Iran's Aeromagnetic Data
Authors: Kumar Raj , Bansal A. R. , Ghods Abdolreza
Published: February 2020

The effect of window size while estimating the depth to bottom of magnetic sources (DBMS) is examined on the synthetic 2‐D magnetic field data. The data are generated for 3‐D fractal magnetization models assuming different combinations of depth to the top and bottom of magnetic sources. The depths are estimated assuming an uncorrelated and correlated random distribution of sources. The depths to the top estimated for fractal distribution of sources are found within 70% of the true values for all window sizes, whereas the values for the uncorrelated random distributions are far from the real depths. The DBMS for the correlated random distribution of sources are estimated within 70–80% of the true values for the window sizes of 5 times or more of the targeted depths. The modified centroid method is found to provide better estimations as compared to scaling‐spectral peak modeling. The modified centroid method is applied to the aeromagnetic data of Iran to estimate the DBMS using a window size of 200 × 200 km2. The shallow DBMS between 12 and 20 km are obtained for the Quaternary Sabalan and Sahand volcanoes to the NW of Iran, the central and NE of central Iran, the central Zagros, NW of Tabas block, and the south of the Lut Block. The deepest DBMS of the order of 40 km is found in the Makran. The rest of Iranian Plateau is characterized by DBMS of 20 to 30 km. The shallow DBMS are found in correlation with the depth of the Ophiolites.
Correction: Oscillometric measurement of blood pressure: a simplified explanation. A technical note on behalf of the British and Irish Hypertension Society
Authors:   on behalf of the British and Irish Hypertension Society’s Blood Pressure Measurement Working Party, Lewis Philip S.
Published: February 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.