bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Why Politicians Are Reluctant to Price Carbon
Authors: Rabe Barry G.
Published: September 2019

The preferences of economists in policy do not necessarily correspond with what is politically feasible for elected officials. Indeed, carbon pricing to address climate change represents an enormous political challenge, as it imposes a visible and immediate price increase on the cost of a common commodity in exchange for the possibility that reduced consumption may offer climate benefits at some future point. Politicians may choose to avoid any policy step, particularly if opposition to pricing is steep and climate change is not a leading public concern. In turn, they may also select policies such as regulation and action plans, which may be less effective but may be easier to sell politically because any related cost increases are not obvious.
A Carbon Pricing Work in Progress
Authors: Rabe Barry G.
Published: September 2019

California may be on the way toward replicating the experience of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, as it moves beyond early stages into full operation as a cap-and-trade system. It formally partners with one Canadian province, Quebec, and has begun to expand beyond its original focus on electricity. The program has experienced a number of significant challenges to longer-term operations but has retained a strong base of political support and could be poised to become a leading example of cap-and-trade effectiveness.
Is Our Brain an Open or Closed System? Prediction Model of Brain and World–Brain Relation
Authors: Northoff Georg
Published: September 2019

Some recent philosophical discussions consider whether the brain is best understood as an open or closed system. This issue has major epistemic consequences akin to the scepticism engendered by the famous Cartesian demon. Specifically, one and the same empirical theory of brain function, predictive coding, entailing a prediction model of brain, have been associated with contradictory views of the brain as either open (Clark, 2012, 2013) or closed (Hohwy, 2013, 2014). Based on recent empirical evidence, the present paper argues that contrary to appearances, these views of the brain are compatible with one another. I suggest that there are two main forms of neural activity in the brain, one of which can be characterized as open, and the other as closed. Stimulus-induced activity, because it relies on predictive coding is indeed closed to the world, which entails that in certain respects, the brain is an inferentially secluded and self-evidencing system. In contrast, the brain’s resting state or spontaneous activity is best taken as open because it is a world-evidencing system that allows for the brain’s neural activity to align with the statistically-based spatiotemporal structure of objects and events in the world. This model requires an important caveat, however. Due to its statistically-based nature, the resting state’s alignment to the world comes in degrees. In extreme cases, the degree of alignment can be extremely low, resulting in a resting state that is barely if at all aligned to the world. This is for instance the case in schizophrenia. Clinical symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations in schizophrenics are indicative of the fundamental delicateness of the alignment between the brain’s resting-state and the world’s phenomena. Nevertheless, I argue that so long as we are dealing with a well-functioning brain, the more dire epistemic implications of predictive coding can be forestalled. That the brain is in part a self-evidencing system does not yield any generalizable reason to worry that human cognition is out of step with the real world. Instead, the brain is aligned to the world accounting for “world-brain relation” that mitigates sceptistic worries.
Prediction Model of Brain and Consciousness
Authors: Northoff Georg
Published: September 2019

Is the prediction model of brain relevant for consciousness? The prediction model of brain is based on predictive coding that focuses on contents as associated with stimulus-induced activity. Stimulus-induced activity itself is conceived in a cognitive (rather than sensory) sense in that it is supposed to result from the interaction between predicted and actual inputs, i.e., the prediction error. The central question in this chapter is whether contents and the cognitive model of stimulus-induced activity can sufficiently account for the contents in consciousness. Based on empirical evidence, I argue that predictive coding can only account for the selection of contents in consciousness including the distinction between accurate and inaccurate contents. In contrast, predictive coding remains insufficient when it comes to the association of any given content with consciousness. Hence, the prediction model of brain and its cognitive model of stimulus-induced activity cannot be extended to a cognitive model of consciousness. Put simply, consciousness is different from and extends beyond its contents and our cognition of them.
Translation into Science and Policy
Authors: Mavhunga Clapperton Chakanetsa
Published: September 2019

This chapter explores the processes of translation through which ruzivo rwevatema (knowledge of black people) entered the pantheon of ruzivo rwevarungu (knowledge of varungu or vachana) and, later, state tsetse and trypanosomiasis control and research policy. The chapter first examines European travelogues, which show that such ruzivo and practices were the foundation of what became science and means and ways of tsetse control. It suggests that certain ruzivo rwevatema and practices formed the foundations of what vachana then called science, even while dismissing vatema as only good at creating and peddling myths and legends. Empirically, the specific stratagems that vachana built on were controlled moto (fire), specifically, kupisa sora or burning grass, forest clearance, prophylactic settlement, erecting buffer zones, cleansing chambers, and tsetse gates. The concept of cleansing is used in the chidzimbahwe sense of kuchenura, from the root word chena (clean, white), in contradistinction to tsvina (dirt) or chakasviba (dark).
RIM-BP2 primes synaptic vesicles via recruitment of Munc13-1 at hippocampal mossy fiber synapses
Authors: Brockmann Marisa M , Maglione Marta , Willmes Claudia G , Stumpf Alexander , Bouazza Boris A , Velasquez Laura M , Grauel M Katharina , Beed Prateep , Lehmann Martin , Gimber Niclas , Schmoranzer Jan , Sigrist Stephan J , Rosenmund Christian , Schmitz Dietmar
Published: September 2019

All synapses require fusion-competent vesicles and coordinated Ca2+-secretion coupling for neurotransmission, yet functional and anatomical properties are diverse across different synapse types. We show that the presynaptic protein RIM-BP2 has diversified functions in neurotransmitter release at different central murine synapses and thus contributes to synaptic diversity. At hippocampal pyramidal CA3-CA1 synapses, RIM-BP2 loss has a mild effect on neurotransmitter release, by only regulating Ca2+-secretion coupling. However, at hippocampal mossy fiber synapses, RIM-BP2 has a substantial impact on neurotransmitter release by promoting vesicle docking/priming and vesicular release probability via stabilization of Munc13-1 at the active zone. We suggest that differences in the active zone organization may dictate the role a protein plays in synaptic transmission and that differences in active zone architecture is a major determinant factor in the functional diversity of synapses.
Proximity labeling of protein complexes and cell-type-specific organellar proteomes in Arabidopsis enabled by TurboID
Authors: Mair Andrea , Xu Shou-Ling , Branon Tess C , Ting Alice Y , Bergmann Dominique C
Published: September 2019

Defining specific protein interactions and spatially or temporally restricted local proteomes improves our understanding of all cellular processes, but obtaining such data is challenging, especially for rare proteins, cell types, or events. Proximity labeling enables discovery of protein neighborhoods defining functional complexes and/or organellar protein compositions. Recent technological improvements, namely two highly active biotin ligase variants (TurboID and miniTurbo), allowed us to address two challenging questions in plants: (1) what are in vivo partners of a low abundant key developmental transcription factor and (2) what is the nuclear proteome of a rare cell type? Proteins identified with FAMA-TurboID include known interactors of this stomatal transcription factor and novel proteins that could facilitate its activator and repressor functions. Directing TurboID to stomatal nuclei enabled purification of cell type- and subcellular compartment-specific proteins. Broad tests of TurboID and miniTurbo in Arabidopsis and Nicotiana benthamiana and versatile vectors enable customization by plant researchers.
Overcoming the current injection issue in the 310 nm band AlGaN UVB light-emitting diode
Authors: Khan M. Ajmal , Matsuura Eriko , Kashima Yukio , Hirayama Hideki
Published: September 2019

AlGaN-based ultraviolet-B (UVB) LEDs at 310 nm emissions are expected to offer safe and smart size UVB-light sources compared to the toxic mercury UV-lamp. Previously, the issue of nonlinearity in the emitted light output power (L) as well as in the external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 310 nm band UVB LEDs were observed. First, the influence of both the number of n-AlGaN buffer layers (BLs) and the type of p-electrodes on the recovery of linear behavior in the L and EQE were investigated. It was found that the nonlinearity in the L and EQE of UVB LED is independent of the number of BLs as well as type of p-electrodes. Therefore, finally the dependence of nonlinearity in the L and EQE on the thickness of quantum-well-barrier (T
QWB) of multi-quantum-wells (MQWs) were also considered. Subsequently, the issue of nonlinear behavior in the L and EQE was resolved by the thickness reduction of T
QWB from 25 to 10 nm in the MQWs. Similarly, a reasonable value of improvement in both L and EQE, respectively, up to 12 mW and 2.2% of 310nm band UVB LED were realized.
Solution growth of highly crystalline and dense-packed ZnO nanorods on a TiO2 seed layer with enhanced absorbance properties
Authors: Asib N. A. M. , Afaah A. N. , Aadila A. , Husairi F. S. , Alrokayan Salman A. H. , Khan Haseeb A. , Mamat M. H. , Soga T. , Rusop M. , Khusaimi Z.
Published: September 2019

Titanium dioxide:zinc oxide (TiO2:ZnO) nanorod thin films were deposited on glass substrates via a sol-gel spin-coating technique for deposition of a TiO2 seed layer and solution-immersion method for growth of ZnO nanorods. ZnO nanorods were grown at different molar concentrations (0.002–0.060 M) on a TiO2 seed layer annealed at 450 °C for 1 h. The surface topography of the TiO2 seed layer and structural properties of the TiO2:ZnO nanorods were characterized using atomic force microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The absorbance performance has been observed by a UV–vis spectrophotometer. The seed layer improved the structures of ZnO nanorods by reducing the diameter size of the nanorods. The denser distribution of nanorods with improved crystallinity was observed at higher concentrations. At 0.060 M, the XRD peak was slightly shifted to a higher angle, attributed to decrease in tensile stress between the TiO2 seed layer and nanorods. Meanwhile, UV–vis spectra of the films displayed high absorption in the UV region and high transparency in the visible region.
“I Want to Break Free”: German Locum Physicians Between Managerialism and Professionalism
Authors: Wilkesmann Maximiliane , Ruiner Caroline , Apitzsch Birgit , Salloch Sabine
Published: September 2019

In the last decades, managerial instruments have gained importance to medical decisions and the logic of managerialism is juxtaposed with the logic of medical professionalism. Recent changes in the hospital employment structure raise the question of contradictory logics not only at the organizational but also at the individual level. Therefore, we investigate the rise of locum doctors which is a relatively new phenomenon in Germany. Our qualitative interview study with 21 locum tenens, permanently employed physicians, and chief physicians shows that locum physicians re-contextualize professional standards in hospitals. According to their self-perception, patient care stays at the center of their medical practice regardless of economic, bureaucratic, and hierarchical requirements as well as hospital-specific routines. We argue that the interrelationship between professionalism and managerialism exists not only within organizations but also on an individual level of locum doctors.
LC–MS/MS quantitative analysis of phylloquinone, menaquinone-4 and menaquinone-7 in the human serum of a healthy population
Authors: Dunovska Katerina , Klapkova Eva , Sopko Bruno , Cepova Jana , Prusa Richard
Published: September 2019

A novel application of the liquid chromatography method combined with the triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the quantification of vitamin K1and two forms of vitamin K2(menaquinone-4, menaquinone-7) in human serum. Total chromatography time for each run was 9 min. Time required for the sample pretreatment procedures was approximately 4 h. The coefficients of variation (CVs) of intra-assay were 10.4%, 3.2 % and 2.3% for vitamin K1in three levels of quality control samples; were 14.3%, 3.2% and 6.7% for menaquinone-4; and were 11.1%, 6.0% and 7.0% for menaquinone-7. The inter-assay CVs were 12.8%, 11.3% and 7.4% for vitamin K1; were 15.2%, 9.2% and 8.7% for menaquinone-4; and were 13.2%,11.1% and 7.2% for menaquinone-7. No interference was found between K1, menaquinone-4 and menaquinone-7, nor any deuterated internal standards. This method was then used to determine reference values for Caucasian populations of central European origin. Samples were measured from 191 healthy volunteers (51.2 ± 16.2 years (mean ± SD)) and the values concerning K1were 0.044–1.357 ng/mL for women and 0.030–1.214 ng/mL for men. The values for menaquinone-4 and menaquinone-7 did not exhibit any differences between women and men, and were 0.050–1.598 and 0.074–0.759 ng/mL, respectively.
Anthelmintic Potency of Neem (Azadirachta indica) Leaf Meal on West African Dwarf (WAD) Sheep
Authors: Adelusi F. T. , Eniola O. , Adedokun S. A. , Alarape A. B.
Published: September 2019

A 90-day study was conducted to determine the response of semi intensively managed West African dwarf sheep to concentrate supplement containing varying levels of neem leaf meal (NLM). Twenty (20) West African Dwarf sheep aged 5 to 6 months with an average weight of 10kg were used in a Completely Randomized Design with animals grouped into four treatments of five replicates each balanced for weight. The animals were allowed to graze on natural pastures predominantly made up of Panicum maximum in the morning with a daily supplementation of 100g concentrate diet containing varying levels of neem leaf meal at 0, 5, 10 and 15%. Blood samples were taken from the animals before the commencement of the experiment and at the end of the experiment. At the start of the experiment, faecal samples were collected from each animal to determine the faecal egg count and this was repeated once in three weeks for the 90 day experimental period. There was significant (P < 0.05) difference in the haematology indices studied with no definate pattern. The inclusion of NLM in the diets of West African Dwarf sheep significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the faecal egg counts across the treatments with a percentage reduction range of 33.38 to 88.00% for sheep on 0% and 5% NLM, respectively. This study, however, concluded that neem leaf inclusion at 5% in West African dwarf sheep’s diet had effects on the overall performance of the animals with a potential improvement in drastic reduction in faecal egg counts.
A Review of GENETIC Polymorphism of GSTs (Glutathione –s Transferase) Genes in Breast Cancer
Authors: Shokrzadeh Mohammad , Ahangar Nematollah , Mohammadpour Abbas , Golmohammadzadeh Golpar
Published: September 2019

In this review article, several researchesabout genetic polymorphisms of Glutation –s transferase (GST) enzymes that may have an etiological role in breast cancer have been reviewed. Breast carcinoma is the most frequent malignancy in women and represents the second leading cause of cancer death among women and accounts for about one-fourth of female cancer cases all over the world. GSTs are a family of Phase II detoxification enzymes that catalyze the conjugation of glutathione (GSH) to a wide variety of xenobiotic The incorporation of glutathione increases the molecule’s water solubility. This detoxification ability to become Glutathione S-transferases play an important role in drug, carcinogen, and reactive oxygen species detoxication and act both as peroxidases and as catalysts of glutathione transfer to hydrophobic electrophiles.It is evaluated in Iran and other countries that the annual incidence of cancer in the world will increase to 25 million in 2030, of which more than 70 percent occurs in developing countries.It is the second cause of death among Iranian women and one million new cases diagnosed worldwide every year.
Technical Note: An open source solution for improving TG‐263 compliance
Authors: Cardan Rex A. , Covington Elizabeth L. , Popple Richard A.
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Compliance with TG‐263 nomenclature standards can be challenging. We introduce an open source solution to this problem and evaluate its impact on compliance within our institution.

Materials/methods

The TG‐236 nomenclature standards were implemented in our clinic in two phases. In phase 1, we deployed TG‐263 compliant templates for each disease site. In phase 2, we developed and deployed a script for evaluating compliance which presented errors to the user. After each phase the compliance was recorded.

Results

Mean compliance errors prior to phase 1 was 31.8% ± 17.4%. Error rates dropped to 8.1% ± 12.2% across phase 1 and dropped further to 2.2% ± 6.9% during the automation system deployed in phase 2.

Conclusion

Both structure templates and automation scripts are very useful for increasing compliance with structure naming standards. Our software solution is made available on GitHub for other institutions to implement.
Nanoscale Depth Profiling of Residual Stresses Due to Fine Surface Finishing
Authors: Everaerts Joris , Salvati Enrico , Korsunsky Alexander M.
Published: September 2019

Mechanical polishing is commonly used for both surface finishing and metallographic sample preparation for a broad range of materials. However, polishing causes local deformation and induces residual stress, which has an important effect on many surface phenomena. Until recently, it has not been possible to quantify the nanoscale depth variation of polishing‐induced plastic deformation (eigenstrain) and the associated residual stress. In this study, the magnitude and depth of polishing‐induced residual stress are evaluated directly by focused ion beam milling and digital image correlation using the micro‐ring‐core geometry method. Depth‐resolved residual stress profiles are obtained with sub‐micrometer resolution at the surface of a titanium alloy sample that is subjected to various polishing steps. It is found that electrochemical polishing and polishing with colloidal silica do not induce any significant residual stress. However, polishing with diamond slurry leads to the formation of compressive residual stresses of up to 300 MPa, which extend deeper into the material when larger diamond particles are used. This study paves the way for further research on polishing and its effect on surface properties.
Copper‐Catalyzed Cyclization of Aryl Amines and Aryldiazonium Salts under Air: Access to N‐2‐Aryl‐Naphthotriazoles
Authors: Zhu Chuanle , Zeng Hao , Chen Fulin , Liu Chi , Jiang Huanfeng
Published: September 2019

A catalytic and step economic protocol for the construction of N‐2‐aryl‐naphthotriazoles via copper‐catalyzed cyclization of aryl amines and aryldiazonium salts is reported. With dioxygen in the air as termial oxidants under copper catalysis, various N‐2‐aryl‐naphthotriazoles were synthesized in high yields. Importantly, this protocol features the sufficient inhibition of the classic C‐N2 bond cleavage process of aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates under copper catalysis and the undesired dehydrogenative coupling of aryl amines under oxidative conditions. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicated that a radical procedure might not be involved in this transformation. In addition, simple decoration of the obtained compounds delivers novel and attractive tetraphenylethylene moiety containing N‐2‐aryl‐naphthotriazole derivatives.

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Thermo‐Phototronic‐Effect‐Enhanced Photodetectors Based on Porous ZnO Materials
Authors: Gao Tiantian , Ji Yun , Yang Ya
Published: September 2019

Self‐powered ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors with metal–semiconductor–metal (MSM) structure have attracted extensive attention due to their simple configuration and the fact that they require no external power source. However, the stability of Schottky‐contact‐based ultraviolet photodetectors is still poor due to the difficulty of controlling the surface states in the semiconductor, where it is almost impossible to obtain the same Schottky barrier heights in different devices. An Ohmic‐contacted self‐powered ultraviolet photodetector with an MSM structure is constructed by utilizing porous ZnO, which can dramatically increase photodetection performance due to its thermo‐phototronic effect. The photocurrent signals of the photodetector at room temperature are 4.88 and 11.25 µA, which can be increased to 5.33 and 13.70 µA, respectively. The underlying physical mechanism of the performance enhancement is revealed through band‐diagram analysis. This work extends the types of ZnO material‐based photodetectors and holds great potential for developing high‐performance self‐powered ultraviolet photodetectors.
Evolutionary networks from RADseq loci point to hybrid origins of Medicago carstiensis and Medicago cretacea
Authors: Blanco‐Pastor José Luis , Bertrand Yann J. K. , Liberal Isabel María , Wei Yanling , Brummer E. Charles , Pfeil Bernard E.
Published: September 2019

Premise

Although hybridization has played an important role in the evolution of many plant species, phylogenetic reconstructions that include hybridizing lineages have been historically constrained by the available models and data. Restriction‐site‐associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) has been a popular sequencing technique for the reconstruction of hybridization in the next‐generation sequencing era. However, the utility of RADseq for the reconstruction of complex evolutionary networks has not been thoroughly investigated. Conflicting phylogenetic relationships in the genus Medicago have been mainly attributed to hybridization, but the specific hybrid origins of taxa have not been yet clarified.

Methods

We obtained new molecular data from diploid species of Medicago section Medicago using single‐digest RADseq to reconstruct evolutionary networks from gene trees, an approach that is computationally tractable with data sets that include several species and complex hybridization patterns.

Results

Our analyses revealed that assembly filters to exclusively select a small set of loci with high phylogenetic information led to the most‐divergent network topologies. Conversely, alternative clustering thresholds or filters on the number of samples per locus had a lower impact on networks. A strong hybridization signal was detected for M. carstiensis and M. cretacea, while signals were less clear for M. rugosa, M. rhodopea, M. suffruticosa, M. marina, M. scutellata, and M. sativa.

Conclusions

Complex network reconstructions from RADseq gene trees were not robust under variations of the assembly parameters and filters. But when the most‐divergent networks were discarded, all remaining analyses consistently supported a hybrid origin for M. carstiensis and M. cretacea.
Morphological Analysis of Size and Shape (MASS): An integrative software program for morphometric analyses of leaves
Authors: Chuanromanee Tya S. , Cohen James I. , Ryan Gillian L.
Published: September 2019

Premise

Morphometric analysis is a common approach for comparing and categorizing botanical samples; however, completing a suite of analyses using existing tools may require a multi‐stage, multi‐program process. To facilitate streamlined analysis within a single program, Morphological Analysis of Size and Shape (MASS) for leaves was developed. Its utility is demonstrated using exemplar leaf samples from Acer saccharum, Malus domestica, and Lithospermum.

Methods

Exemplar samples were obtained from across a single tree (Acer saccharum), three trees in the same species (Malus domestica), and online, digitized herbarium specimens (Lithospermum). MASS was used to complete simple geometric measurements of samples, such as length and area, as well as geometric morphological analyses including elliptical Fourier and Procrustes analyses. Principal component analysis (PCA) of data was also completed within the same program.

Results

MASS is capable of making desired measurements and analyzing traditional morphometric data as well as landmark and outline data.

Discussion

Using MASS, differences were observed among leaves of the three studied taxa, but only in Malus domestica were differences statistically significant or correlated with other morphological features. In the future, MASS could be applied for analysis of other two‐dimensional organs and structures. MASS is available for download at https://github.com/gillianlynnryan/MASS.
Kind warriors: A qualitative study of a compassion‐based intervention for children
Authors: Karr Jordan , Roberson Cyrell , Tiura Michael
Published: September 2019

Background

Compassion‐based interventions support participants in cultivating greater compassion for the purposes of improving their psychological functioning and well‐being. Meta‐analytic findings indicate that compassion‐based interventions may decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression in adults, but few studies have examined the feasibility of using compassion‐based interventions to support elementary‐aged students.

Aim

The purpose of this study was to collect detailed descriptions of participants’ interactions during a compassion‐based group intervention targeting internalising symptoms. Given the intervention's focus on compassion cultivation, we concentrated on participants’ responses to negative emotions and analysed how these interactions evolved over the whole intervention.

Method

Ethical approval was secured prior to the beginning of the study. Five fourth‐grade students participated in the 10‐week intervention. All of the group sessions were audio‐recorded. On each occasion that a participant expressed a negative emotion, the corresponding audio‐recording was revisited and a segment of that recording was transcribed. Transcripts were anonymised and subject to thematic analysis.

Findings

Three major themes were identified from the analysis of transcripts: (a) a culture of compassion and humour, (b) experiential learning and (c) conflicting values.

Conclusion

Findings suggested participants gained familiarity with affiliative states by practising skills learned in the group. The data also revealed a need to improve the cultural humility of the intervention. The study was limited by the role of the first author who both facilitated the intervention and led the qualitative analysis. However, the findings offer important insights for researchers and practitioners hoping to design or deliver compassion‐based interventions with children.
Rift Valley Fever Virus: Propagation, Quantification, and Storage
Authors: Smith MaRyka R. , Schirtzinger Erin E. , Wilson William C. , Davis A. Sally
Published: September 2019

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is an arthropod‐borne, zoonotic disease endemic to sub‐Saharan Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Outbreaks of Rift Valley fever have had up to 100% mortality rates in fetal and neonatal sheep. Upon infection of ruminant and human hosts alike, RVFV infection causes an at times severe hepatitis and pathology in many other organs. The enveloped virion contains a tripartite, predominantly negative‐sense, single‐stranded RNA genome, which codes for the proteins the virus needs to replicate both in mammalian hosts and insect vectors. Endemic countries often use attenuated RVFV strains for vaccination of livestock but there are no commercially licensed vaccines for humans or livestock in non‐endemic areas. In the laboratory, RVFV can be readily propagated and manipulated in vitro using cell culture systems. Presented in this article are techniques routinely used in RVFV research that have proven successful in our laboratories. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Basic Protocol 1: Propagation of Rift Valley fever virus in mammalian cells

Basic Protocol 2: Quantification of Rift Valley fever virus by plaque assay

Basic Protocol 3: Quantification of Rift Valley fever virus by 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) assay

Basic Protocol 4: Quantification of Rift Valley fever virus by focus‐forming assay

Basic Protocol 5: Storage and disinfection

Alternate Protocol 1: Propagation of Rift Valley fever virus in MRC‐5 cells

Alternate Protocol 2: Propagation of RVFV in mosquito‐derived cells

Alternate Protocol 3: TCID50 detection using fluorescence visualization

Support Protocol 1: Calculation of the amount of virus needed to infect a flask at a chosen multiplicity of infection

Support Protocol 2: Calculation of the virus titer by plaque assay or focus‐forming assay

Support Protocol 3: Calculation of the TCID50 titer by the method of Reed and Muench

Support Protocol 4: Calculation of the antibody volume for the focus‐forming assay
A More Sustainable and Cheaper One‐Pot Route for the Synthesis of Hydrophobic Ionic Liquids for Electrolyte Applications
Authors: Simonetti Elisabetta , De Francesco Massimo , Bellusci Mariangela , Kim Guk‐Tae , Wu FangLin , Passerini Stefano , Appetecchi Giovanni Battista
Published: September 2019

An innovative one‐pot synthetic process that uses water as the only processing solvent was used to obtain ionic liquids (ILs) in a yield of approximately 95 mol % and purity greater than 99.3 wt % (<2 ppm each of lithium, bromide and moisture) in a processing time of 1 h. Since no heating is needed for carrying out the reaction and no purification through sorbents is required, energy, time and chemicals can be saved to minimize waste production. The physicochemical and electrochemical validation, including tests in batteries, reported herein shows that the above‐mentioned ILs have properties analogous to those of ILs prepared by standard reported procedures and show high performance without any further purification step through sorbents. These characteristics, in combination with low cost, easy execution and scale‐up, sustainability and versatility, make the one‐pot process even more appealing, especially for industrial‐scale applications.
Defect‐Rich Graphene Architecture Induced by Nitrogen and Phosphorus Dual Doping for High‐Performance Supercapacitors
Authors: Wang Chaonan , Luo Shengyun , Yang Yinye , Ren Dasen , Yu Xu
Published: September 2019

Heteroatom modification of graphene is a promising strategy to improve the electrochemical performance of supercapacitors. Herein, the heteroatom (N and P) dual‐doped reduced graphene architecture (NP‐rGA) is constructed via the combination of ice‐template and thermal activation approaches. The interconnected morphology and surface chemical state of NP‐rGA is confirmed by various microscopic and spectroscopic analyses. The formation of N‐ and P‐containing functional groups acts as primary electroactive sites for the fast accommodation/relaxation of protons or electrons. Furthermore, NP‐rGA exhibits a significant improvement in pseudocapacitive behavior in contrast to rGA, such as high specific capacitance (307.8 F g−1), excellent rate capability (85.7%), and cyclic stability of 100.1% of its initial cycle. These excellent electrochemical evidences can be assigned to the synergistic effect of hierarchical structure and uniform heteroatom (N and P) doping.
An Efficient and Extremely Stable Photocatalytic PtSe2/FTO Thin Film for Water Splitting
Authors: Sun Xiangnan , Zhang Hechuan , Li Xitao , Zheng Yan-Zhen , Wu Jiaojiao , Li Nan , Ding Haiyang , Lv Xinding , Tao Xia
Published: September 2019

Promising photocatalytic films are more viable for practical solar‐driven hydrogen (H2) evolution, which remains scarcely explored so far. Herein, a series of PtSe2 thin films are synthesized through thermal evaporation of Pt onto commercial fluorine‐doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates, followed by direct selenization through chemical vapor deposition (CVD). It is found that the optimized PtSe2/FTO film exhibits an outstanding hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) rate of 506 mmol h−1 m−2, which is far higher than that of blank FTO and PtSe2/Si films, and even sevenfold higher than that of the Pt/FTO film (68 mmol h−1 m−2). Surprisingly, the HER activity of the PtSe2/FTO film has no decay after 15 recycling runs, aging for 1 year, and an additional eight recycling runs. The excellent HER activity and ultrastability of the PtSe2/FTO film is further investigated by electronic/spectroscopic characterizations. All results show that the PtSe2/FTO film has the potential to be a viable photocatalyst for solar‐driven H2 production.
High risk and low uptake of pre‐exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV acquisition in a national online sample of transgender men who have sex with men in the United States
Authors: Reisner Sari L , Moore Chiara S , Asquith Andrew , Pardee Dana J , Sarvet Aaron , Mayer Gal , Mayer Kenneth H
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Trans masculine people who have sex with cisgender (“cis”) men (“trans MSM”) may be at‐risk for HIV infection when they have cis MSM partners or share needles for hormone or recreational drug injection. Limited data are available characterizing indications and uptake of pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in trans MSM. The aim of this study was to assess PrEP indication and uptake as a means of primary HIV prevention for adult trans MSM in the U.S.

Methods

Between November and December 2017, a national convenience sample of trans MSM in the U.S. (n = 857) was recruited using participatory methodologies and completed an online survey of demographics, HIV risk, PrEP, behavioural and psychosocial factors. Self‐reported receptive anal sex or frontal/vaginal sex (with or without a condom) with a cis male sex partner in past six months was an eligibility criterion. A multivariable logistic regression procedure was used to model PrEP indications (yes/no) per an interpretation of U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention recommendations among those without HIV (n = 843).

Results

The diverse sample was 4.9% Black; 22.1% Latinx ethnicity; 28.4% non‐binary gender identity; 32.6% gay‐identified; 82.7% on testosterone. Overall, 84.1% had heard of PrEP. Of these, 33.3% reported lifetime PrEP use (21.8% current and 11.5% past). Based on HIV behavioural risk profiles in the last six months, 55.2% of respondents had indications for PrEP. In a multivariable model, factors associated with PrEP indication included where met sex partners, not having sex exclusively with cismen, higher perceived HIV risk, greater number of partners and high cis male partner stigma (all p < 0.05).

Discussion

The majority of trans MSM in this sample had a PrEP indication. Stigma was associated with risk for HIV acquisition and represents a critical target for HIV biobehavioural prevention interventions for trans MSM, who appear to be underutilizing PrEP.

Conclusions

Results from this study support the full inclusion of trans MSM in HIV biobehavioural prevention efforts. Public health interventions and programmes are needed to reach trans MSM that attend to general MSM risk factors as well as to vulnerabilities specific to trans MSM, including the context of stigma from cis male sexual partners.
Computational Analysis of Non‐covalent Interactions in Phycocyanin Subunit Interfaces
Authors: Breberina Luka M. , Zlatović Mario V. , Nikolić Milan R. , Stojanović Srđan Đ.
Published: September 2019

Protein‐protein interactions are an important phenomenon in biological processes and functions. We used the manually curated non‐redundant dataset of 118 phycocyanin interfaces to gain additional insight into this phenomenon using a robust inter‐atomic non‐covalent interaction analyzing tool PPCheck. Our observations indicate that there is a relatively high composition of hydrophobic residues at the interfaces. Most of the interface residues are clustered at the middle of the range which we call “standard‐size” interfaces. Furthermore, the multiple interaction patterns founded in the present study indicate that more than half of the residues involved in these interactions participate in multiple and water‐bridged hydrogen bonds. Thus, hydrogen bonds contribute maximally towards the stability of protein‐protein complexes. The analysis shows that hydrogen bond energies contribute to about 88 % to the total energy and it also increases with interface size. Van der Waals (vdW) energy contributes to 9.3 %±1.7 % on average in these complexes. Moreover, there is about 1.9 %±1.5 % contribution by electrostatic energy. Nevertheless, the role by vdW and electrostatic energy could not be ignored in interface binding. Results show that the total binding energy is more for large phycocyanin interfaces. The normalized energy per residue was less than −16 kJ mol−1, while most of them have energy in the range from −6 to −14 kJ mol−1. The non‐covalent interacting residues in these proteins were found to be highly conserved. Obtained results might contribute to the understanding of structural stability of this class of evolutionary essential proteins with increased practical application and future designs of novel protein‐bioactive compound interactions.
Dielectric and Pyroelectric Properties of Sodium Niobate Ceramics Containing Inclusions of Ferroelectric Q Phase
Authors: Raevskaya Svetlana I. , Malitskaya Maria A. , Chou Chen-Chia , Lutokhin Alexander G. , Raevski Igor P. , Titov Victor V.
Published: September 2019

For sodium niobate (NaNbO3) ceramics containing in the nonpoled state about 30% of the ferroelectric Q phase, the temperature dependences of the dielectric constant ε and pyroelectric coefficient p are studied. The results obtained show that the transition from the Q phase into the high‐temperature nonpolar phase seems to be a diffuse one and the remanent polarization remains nonzero up to ≈370 °C, i.e., well above the temperature of the p(T) maximum (≈270 °C). Poled NaNbO3 ceramics possess high figures of merit for pyroelectric sensors and NaNbO3‐based materials are prospective for application in the noncooled infrared detectors.
One‐Pot Preparation of Methyl N‐Phenyl Carbamate and Zn(OAc)2/SiO2 Catalyst with Enhanced Stability
Authors: Li Fang , Li Song , Jia Aizhong , Gao Liya , Xue Wei , Zhang Yanhua , Wang Yanji
Published: September 2019

The one‐pot preparation of methyl N‐phenyl carbamate (MPC) and supported Zn(OAc)2/SiO2‐OP was investigated. Zn(OAc)2 and SiO2 were added to the reaction between dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and aniline upon which MPC and Zn(OAc)2/SiO2‐OP were obtained simultaneously. The co‐prepared Zn(OAc)2/SiO2‐OP showed superior catalytic performance for MPC synthesis, giving a aniline conversion of 96.3% and a MPC selectivity of 99.7%. Compared with catalyst prepared by incipient impregnation, Zn(OAc)2/SiO2‐OP was more stable during the reaction, and the aniline conversion was 85.0% with MPC selectivity of 88.2% for the seventh time. The catalyst was characterized and the results suggested that Zn(OAc)2, Zn5(OH)8(OAc)2⋅2H2O, ZnO and Zn4O(OAc)6 are present on SiO2 surface. Zn(OAc)2 and Zn4O(OAc)6 are the active sites for MPC synthesis. The superior stability of the Zn(OAc)2/SiO2‐OP catalyst came from the presence of Zn4O(OAc)6.
Synthesis of 4‐Aryl‐1,2,3‐Thiadiazoles via NH4I‐Catalyzed Cyclization of N‐Tosylhydrazones with Sulfur
Authors: Li Weiwei , He Jing , Liu Ping , Zhang Jie , Dai Bin
Published: September 2019

A simple and practical NH4I‐catalyzed cyclization of N‐tosylhydrazones with sulfur in the presence of TBHP as organic oxidant was developed. 4‐aryl‐1,2,3‐thiadiazole were obtained in moderate to excellent yields, even on gram scale. This methodology has great advantages including cheap iodine source, avoiding the use of inorganic oxidant, short reaction time, wide substrate scope, and high functional groups tolerance.
Synergistic Intra‐ and Intermolecular Noncovalent Interactions for Ultralong Organic Phosphorescence
Authors: Li Xiao‐Ning , Yang Mingxue , Chen Xu‐Lin , Jia Ji‐Hui , Zhao Wan‐Wan , Wu Xiao‐Yuan , Wang Sa‐Sa , Meng Lingyi , Lu Can‐Zhong
Published: September 2019

Metal‐free ultralong organic phosphorescence (UOP) materials have attracted significant attention owing to their anomalous photophysical properties and potential applications in various fields. Here, three pyrimidine‐based organic luminogens, 9‐(pyrimidin‐2‐yl)‐9H‐carbazole, 9‐(4,6‐dimethylpyrimidin‐2‐yl)‐9H‐carbazole, and 9‐(5‐bromopyrimidin‐2‐yl)‐9H‐carbazole are designed and synthesized, which show efficient yellow UOP with the longest lifetimes up to 1.37 s and the highest absolute phosphorescence quantum yields up to 23.6% under ambient conditions. Theoretical calculations, crystal structures, and photophysical properties of these compounds reveal that intramolecular hydrogen bonding, intermolecular π–π interactions, and intermolecular electronic coupling are responsible for forming dimers and generating highly efficient UOP. Their efficacy as solid materials for data encryption is demonstrated.
The first pre‐Quaternary fossil record of the clade Mabuyidae with a comment on the enclosure of the Meckelian canal in skinks
Authors: Čerňanský Andrej , Syromyatnikova Elena V.
Published: September 2019

We here describe the first Neogene record of the squamate clade Mabuyidae. Although this clade has a cosmopolitan distribution today, no pre‐Quaternary fossil record of these reptiles has so far been documented. The material comes from the locality Solnechnodolsk (Russia) and is dated to the late Miocene (MN 13). Although it comprises only jaw elements, it constitutes the first evidence of the occurrence of fossil skinks around the area of the Black Sea. The material is identical to Heremites vittatus, showing the existence of this lineage as early as the late Miocene. Thus, it may be used as a potential calibration point for further studies. The comparative anatomy of the structures of lower jaw in selected scincomorph taxa with a special reference to Mabuya group is presented. The closure of the Meckelian canal is the condition at the basal node of the clade Sphenomorphidae + Eugongylidae + Egerniidae + Mabuyidea, whereas the closed canal in Acontias (Acontidae) evolved independently. However, Sphenomorphidae (Asymblepharus and Scincella) + Eugongylidae (Ablepharus) retain a large anterior opening of the Meckelian canal, whereas only a small opening characterizes the basal node of Egerniidae and Mabuyidae, except for H. vittatus and H. septemtaeniatus. The closure of the Meckelian canal in these two taxa is less well developed in comparison with other mabuyid skinks. Thus, a heterochronic pedomorphic process might have played a role in the evolution of these skinks. The Meckelian canal condition supports the monophyly of Heremites.
Impact of Collaborative Course Design on Instructors’ Practices and Students’ Academic Outcomes
Authors: Nihuka Kassimu A.
Published: September 2019

The potential of collaborative course design for promoting instructors’ professional development in relation to e-learning implementation and subsequent improvement of students’ academic outcomes has been widely reported. However, efforts to harness such potential in sub-Saharan Africa’s universities have been inadequate. In this study, collaborative course design was used to prepare instructors for e-learning course design and delivery. The impact of collaborative course design on instructors’ instructional practices and students’ academic outcomes was examined. Results showed that collaborative course design (i) contributed to instructors’ preparedness for course design and delivery using e-learning technologies and (ii) improved instructors’ instructional practice. On the part of students, results indicated that a majority of students were satisfied with their experience with the courses because e-learning delivery addressed the challenges of print-based delivery and had a positive impact on their academic outcomes.
Tracing Teachers’ Professional Growth from Updating Polytechnic Courses in Design Teams
Authors: Bakah Marie A. B.
Published: September 2019

This chapter traces the professional development of polytechnic teachers who were involved in design teams that aimed to update their courses based on recent developments in industry. For 14 weeks, three design teams updated their courses and conducted teaching tryouts. The professional development of six teachers (two from each design team) was traced using Clarke and Hollingsworth’s ((2002). Teaching and Teacher Education, 18, 947–967) Interconnected Model of Professional Growth (IMPG). Analysis of interview data revealed that the teachers’ professional growth was facilitated by engagement in curriculum design and classroom implementation. The IMPG helped unearth in-depth understanding of teacher learning and change; it provided an analytical lens into the intertwined changes in the individual teachers’ knowledge and the sensitivity of these changes to complex interactions with content and teaching. Implications for teacher professional development are discussed.
From Needs Analysis to Large-Scale Implementation: Using Collaborative Design to Support ICT Integration
Authors: Agyei Douglas D.
Published: September 2019

The new mathematics curriculum for senior high school in Ghana encourages teachers to make use of the calculator and the computer for problem solving and investigations of real life situations. The goal is to help students acquire the habit of analytical thinking and the capacity to apply knowledge in solving practical problems. As a result, the government and other institutions have invested huge sums of money in procurement of computers and establishment of computer labs in most senior high schools; however, there still exists a gap between this new concept of teaching with ICT as specified in curriculum and policy documents and the use of ICT in practice. Important questions such as “what can teachers do with computers to extend their instructional methods and improve students’ outcomes?” remain unanswered. This chapter describes three iterations of an instructional course for pre-service mathematics teachers in Ghana aimed at addressing this type of question. The course design was based on Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge as a conceptual framework for the course content and Learning Technology by Design as the course method. This chapter shows how evaluations informed the design of the successive iterations, and proposes a set of guidelines for design of similar courses in similar contexts.