bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A descriptive analysis of gut microbiota composition in differentially reared infant rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) across the first 6 months of life
Authors: Dettmer Amanda M. , Allen Jacob M. , Jaggers Robert M. , Bailey Michael T.
Published: April 2019

The gastrointestinal microbiome is recognized as a critical component in host immune function, physiology, and behavior. Early life experiences that alter diet and social contact also influence these outcomes. Despite the growing number of studies in this area, no studies to date have examined the contribution of early life experiences on the gut microbiome in infants across development. Such studies are important for understanding the biological and environmental factors that contribute to optimal gut microbial colonization and subsequent health. We studied infant rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) across the first 6 months of life that were pseudo‐randomly assigned to one of two different rearing conditions at birth: mother‐peer‐reared (MPR), in which infants were reared in social groups with many other adults and peers and nursed on their mothers, or nursery‐reared (NR), in which infants were reared by human caregivers, fed formula, and given daily social contact with peers. We analyzed the microbiome from rectal swabs (total N = 97; MPR = 43, NR = 54) taken on the day of birth and at postnatal Days 14, 30, 90, and 180 using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Bacterial composition differences were evident as early as 14 days, with MPR infants exhibiting a lower abundance of Bifidobacterium and a higher abundance of Bacteroides than NR infants. The most marked differences were observed at 90 days, when Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Bacteroides, Clostridium, and Prevotella differed across rearing groups. By Day 180, no differences in the relative abundances of the bacteria of interest were observed. These novel findings in developing primate neonates indicate that the early social environment as well as diet influence gut microbiota composition very early in life. These results also lay the groundwork for mechanistic studies examining the effects of early experiences on gut microbiota across development with the ultimate goal of understanding the clinical significance of developmental changes.
North Carolina's Bold Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Plan
Authors: Durso Francine , Solomon J.D. , Colson Kim
Published: April 2019

North Carolina's Master Plan addresses organizational and financial management challenges for the long‐term viability of its small water and wastewater systems.
Public–Private Partnerships Can Be Part of the Sustainability Solution
Authors: Rand Honey
Published: April 2019

A unique public–private partnership in Florida aims to divert water from a polluted lake to protect a nearby estuary and neighboring communities.
Hintergründe zum Nachweis des Glimmverhaltens für bestimmte Baustoffe
Authors: Werning Hanno , Denkl Maximilian , Moarcas Odette
Published: April 2019

Einer der Kernpunkte des Europäischen Gerichtshof EuGH‐Urteils vom Oktober 2014 war die für bestimmte Mineralwolle‐Dämmstoffe geforderte nationale allgemeine bauaufsichtliche Zulassung zum Nachweis, dass der Dämmstoff „nicht glimmt”. Inzwischen existiert ein europäisches Prüfverfahren zum Schwel‐ und Glimmverhalten. Mit diesem kann nach der Prioritätenliste des Deutschen Instituts für Bautechnik (DIBt) der Nachweis geführt werden, dass ein Bauprodukt nicht glimmt. Der Aufsatz erläutert die Hintergründe des Glimmnachweises, das europäische Verfahren, die voraussichtliche zukünftige Entwicklung und die Folgen für die Planer und Verwender der Bauprodukte.
Experimentelle und rechnerische Untersuchung eines neuen Wandtrocknungssystems
Authors: Geißer Georg , Künzel Hartwig , Zegowitz Andreas
Published: April 2019

Zur thermischen Trocknung von Wänden nach einem Wasserschaden werden häufig Infrarot‐Heizplatten eingesetzt. Zum Erreichen der gewünschten Trocknungstemperatur an der Bauteiloberfläche benötigen diese über den Zeitraum der Trocknung große Mengen elektrischer Energie. Das Fraunhofer Institut für Bauphysik IBP in Stuttgart hat ein neues, elektrisch betriebenes, diffusionsoffenes und flexibles Flächenheizsystem (EDF‐Trocknungssystem) entwickelt. Durch seine Funktionsweise trocknet es Wände energieeffizient und gleichmäßig. Zur Ermittlung des Ist‐Zustands des EDF‐Trocknungssystems bei kontinuierlicher Betriebsweise und zum trocknungstechnischen und energetischen Vergleich mit einer marktüblichen IR‐Heizplatte wurden experimentelle und rechnerische Untersuchungen durchgeführt. Das mithilfe der durchgeführten Versuche validierte Simulationsmodell ermöglicht weitere Optimierungsstudien bezüglich der Betriebsweise des neuen Trocknungssystems.
Development of higher yield and high‐quality mango production system based on Internet of Things
Authors: Shiroma Yasushi , Afuso Hitoshi , Suwa Ryuichi , Kinjo Atsushi , Tonooka Yuki , Kaga Takeshi , Nagayama Itaru , Tamaki Shiro , Maharjan Gauri
Published: April 2019

Mango is a popular seasonal fruit in summer, and mango production in the Okinawa prefecture is the largest in Japan. However, the growth process of mangoes is susceptible to changes in sunshine, temperature, and other factors. In this research, to produce mangoes without being influenced by the natural environment, we will develop a production system that can positively realize environmental measurement and control by using an IoT sensing system. Specifically, we introduced local CO2 application technology and a supplemental LED lighting system with the aim of activating photosynthesis by mango trees.
Wild bee diversity increases with local fire severity in a fire‐prone landscape
Authors: Galbraith Sara M. , Cane James H. , Moldenke Andrew R. , Rivers James W.
Published: April 2019

As wildfire activity increases in many regions of the world, it is imperative that we understand how key components of fire‐prone ecosystems respond to spatial variation in fire characteristics. Pollinators provide a foundation for ecological communities by assisting in the reproduction of native plants, yet our understanding of how pollinators such as wild bees respond to variation in fire severity is limited, particularly for forest ecosystems. Here, we took advantage of a natural experiment created by a large‐scale, mixed‐severity wildfire to provide the first assessment of how wild bee communities are shaped by fire severity in mixed‐conifer forest. We sampled bees in the Douglas Fire Complex, a 19,000‐ha fire in southern Oregon,USA, to evaluate how bee communities responded to local‐scale fire severity. We found that fire severity served a strong driver of bee diversity: 20 times more individuals and 11 times more species were captured in areas that experienced high fire severity relative to areas with the lowest fire severity. In addition, we found pronounced seasonality in the local bee community, with more individuals and more species captured during late summer, especially in severely burned regions of the landscape. Two critical habitat components for maintaining bee populations—flowering plants and boring insect exit holes used by cavity‐nesting bees—also increased with fire severity. Although we detected shifts in the relative abundance of several bee and plant genera along the fire severity gradient, the two most abundant bee genera (BombusandHalictus) responded positively to high fire severity despite differences in their typical foraging ranges. Our study demonstrates that within a large wildfire mosaic, severely burned forest contained the most diverse wild bee communities. This finding has particularly important implications for biodiversity in fire‐prone areas given the expected expansion of wildfires in the coming decades.
Seizure burden in severe early‐life epilepsy: Perspectives from parents
Authors: Berg Anne T. , Kaiser Karen , Dixon‐Salazar Tracy , Elliot Andi , McNamara Nancy , Meskis Mary Anne , Golbeck Emily , Tatachar Priya , Laux Linda , Raia Carrie , Stanley Janice , Luna April , Rozek Christian
Published: April 2019

Objectives

Seizure burden is typically measured by seizure frequency yet it entails more than seizure counts, especially for people with severe epilepsies and their caregivers. We aimed to characterize the multi‐faceted nature of seizure burden in young people and their parents who are living with severe early‐life epilepsies.

Methods

A one‐day workshop and a series of teleconferences were held with parents of children with severe, refractory epilepsy of early‐life origin and providers for children with epilepsy. The workshop sessions were structured as focus groups and aimed to identify components of seizure burden and their impact from the perspective of parents and providers. Data were gathered, organized, and refined during the workshop using an iterative 4‐step process that drew upon grounded theory.

Results

Three primary components of seizure burden were identified: frequency, severity, and unpredictability, which was as important if not more important at times than frequency and severity. Caregivers noted that the impacts of seizures were experienced as acute‐immediate consequences, longer‐term consequences, and as chronic effects that develop and evolve over time. The severity of the child's neurological and medical status as well as where in the disease journey a family was represented additional contextual factors that influenced the experience of seizure burden.

Significance

Patient‐reported and patient‐centered outcomes are increasingly incorporated into the evaluation of treatment effectiveness. Without understanding how the disease creates burden for the patient (or family), it is difficult to know how to assess the impact of treatment. Our preliminary findings indicate seizure burden is a complex construct and unpredictability can be as important as frequency and severity.
Effects of high hydrostatic pressure‐assisted thawing on the physicohemical characteristics of silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus)
Authors: Cui Yan , Xuan Xiaoting , Ling Jiangang , Liao Xiaojun , Zhang Huimin , Shang Haitao , Lin Xudong
Published: April 2019

Effects of high hydrostatic pressure‐assisted thawing (HPAT, 100, 150, and 200 MPa) on the physicochemical characteristics of silver pomfret were evaluated in comparison with conventional (water immersion thawing, WIT) thawed samples. HPAT significantly decreased the thawing time, as well as the cooking and total losses. The maximum water holding capacity was observed at 100 MPa. Color changed obviously at ≥150 MPa, resulting in a cooked appearance. Samples thawed with HPAT showed better texture quality and lower lipid oxidation. The levels of myofibrillar protein oxidation and surface hydrophobicity increased, while Ca2+‐ATPase activities decreased as the pressure increased. The oxidation of myofibrillar protein was significantly decreased at 100 MPa; total sulfhydryl content was 30.85% higher than that of WIT. Overall, 100 MPa is the optimum treatment condition for silver pomfret thawing without negative effects on quality of the product. HPAT can be a potential alternative to produce high‐quality thawed fish.
Utility of cervical length and quantitative fetal fibronectin for predicting spontaneous preterm delivery among symptomatic nulliparous women
Authors: Kyozuka Hyo , Murata Tsuyoshi , Sato Tetsu , Suzuki Satoshi , Yamaguchi Akiko , Fujimori Keiya
Published: April 2019

Objective

To validate the utility of fetal fibronectin (fFN) and cervical length (CL) in predicting preterm delivery among symptomatic nulliparous women.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of nulliparous women who presented with uterine contractions, abdominal pain, or cervical change at 21–34 gestational weeks at Fukushima Medical University Hospital, Japan, between 2008 and 2017. fFN (categorized as <50 ng/dL, 50–199 ng/dL, >200 ng/dL) and CL (≥15 mm or <15 mm) were evaluated simultaneously. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) for preterm delivery before 37 or 34 weeks, and delivery within 28 or 14 days were calculated (references: fFN, <50 ng/dL; CL, ≥15 mm).

Result

Among 285 women who met the study criteria, CL less than 15 mm was a risk factor for preterm delivery before 37 (aOR, 4.1; 95% CI, 1.1–6.7) and 34 (aOR, 6.8; 95% CI, 2.3–20.2) weeks. fFN of 200 ng/dL or higher was a risk factor for delivery within 28 (aOR, 19.8; 95% CI, 4.3–90.2) and 14 (aOR, 10.8; 95% CI, 1.7–67.6) days.

Conclusion

Among symptomatic nulliparous women, short CL was found to be a risk factor for preterm delivery and higher fFN levels were related to short gestational latency.
Description of halogen bonding in semiempirical quantum‐mechanical and self‐consistent charge density‐functional tight‐binding methods
Authors: Řezáč Jan
Published: April 2019

This article analyzes the ability of semiempirical quantum‐mechanical methods (PM6 and PM7) and self‐consistent charge density‐functional tight‐binding (SCC‐DFTB) method DFTB3 to describe halogen bonds. Calculations of the electrostatic potential on the surface of molecules containing halogens show that the σ‐hole could be described well in modified neglect of diatomic overlap‐based methods. The situation is more complex in the case of DFTB3 where a simpler model is used for the electrostatics, but short‐ranged effects are covered in the Hamiltonian. All these methods can thus capture the effects that, for example, define the geometry of halogen bonds. The interaction energies are, however, affected by generally underestimated repulsion, which has been addressed earlier by standalone empirical corrections. Another approach to correcting this issue in DFTB3 is presented here—a modification of the energies of d‐orbitals on halogens yields better results than the empirical correction in DFTB3‐D3X, although it remains difficult to describe halogen and hydrogen bonds simultaneously. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Simultaneous catalytic elimination of formaldehyde and ozone over one‐dimensional rod‐like manganese dioxide at ambient temperature
Authors: Zhang Yi , Shi Jin , Fang Wenjian , Chen Mingxia , Zhang Zhixiang , Jiang Zhi , Shangguan Wenfeng , Einaga Hisahiro
Published: April 2019

Background

Formaldehyde (HCHO) and ozone (O3) are seriously hazardous materials to human health, especially in the indoor environment, and need to be inhibited. Manganese dioxide (MnO2) catalysts have been extensively studied in the field of environmental pollution owing to their various morphologies and crystal structures. In this study, one‐dimensional rod‐like MnO2 catalysts were prepared by a hydrothermal method. The crystal form and other factors affecting the activity were explored through an activity test and various characterization methods. The decomposition process of HCHO and O3 on the most active catalyst was analyzed by in situ diffuse reflection infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS).

Results

α‐MnO2 displayed the best catalytic performance and achieved 90% HCHO conversion, 100% carbon dioxide (CO2) yield and 100% O3 decomposition under different experimental conditions. The characterization results illustrated that the crystal phase of α‐MnO2 has a suitable tunnel structure for HCHO adsorption, also leading to greater mobility of adsorbed oxygen species, abundant oxygen vacancies and active surface oxygen species, which could be the reason for the superior catalytic performance of α‐MnO2. Formate and dioxymethylene (DOM) species were identified as the dominant intermediates by in situ DRIFTS. The surface hydroxyl (OH) group was confirmed to play an essential role in the complete oxidation of carbonaceous intermediates into harmless CO2 and water (H2O).

Conclusion

α‐MnO2 exhibited the best catalytic performance among the as‐prepared samples and can efficiently eliminate HCHO and O3 in the environment. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Spatial distribution and trends of different precipitation variability indices based on daily data in Northern Chile between 1966 and 2015
Authors: Meseguer‐Ruiz Oliver , Ponce‐Philimon Paulina I. , Guijarro Jose A. , Sarricolea Pablo
Published: April 2019

Northern Chile is one of the most arid regions in the world, as it includes the Atacama Desert. At high elevations, most precipitation is observed only during a short period of the year, from December until March. This renders water availability a major concern for policymakers. Accumulated rainfall varies considerably from one year to another, and for this reason, climate projections have a very low degree of confidence in this area. Consequently, in this region, it is more interesting to study the irregularity of precipitation itself than accumulated rainfall values, as they express in a clearer way the behaviour of precipitation. According to daily data from 161 meteorological stations, four irregularity indices of precipitation were calculated: concentration index, entropy, persistence index, and fractal dimension. These indices were measured according to observed values, and their spatial distribution was subsequently determined by interpolating following multivariate regression models that consider different geographical variables such as latitude, distance to the Amazon Basin, elevation, orientation, and curvature. The temporal trends of each index and for each meteorological station were also calculated, displaying different results depending on the latitude and elevation. These changes agree with the observed modifications on the inter‐tropical atmospheric circulation and with changes in the precipitation diurnal cycle. These results will help improve climate projections for this region, in the process facilitating the development of more accurate climate models and informing the formulation of water management policies.
Ultrawide color gamut LCD display with CdSe/CdS nanoplatelets
Authors: Wen Zuoliang , Fang Fan , Zhang Chaojian , Ding Shihao , Sun Jiayun , Tang Haodong , Xu Bing , Wang Kai , Teo Kie Leong , Sun Xiao Wei
Published: April 2019

We present a liquid‐crystal display (LCD) backlight made of nanoplatelets (NPLs) for the first time. Owing to the narrow emission linewidth of NPLs (8‐12 nm) and quantum dots (QDs), the spectrum exhibits a wide color gamut display with a 139.9% color gamut of National Television System Committee (NTSC) 1953 standard and 104.5% Rec.2020 (ITU‐R Recommendation BT.2020), realizing a truly ultrawide color gamut LCD display.
Vegetation restoration in Northern China: A contrasted picture
Authors: Wang Feng , Pan Xubin , Gerlein‐Safdi Cynthia , Cao Xiaoming , Wang Sen , Gu Lianhong , Wang Dongfang , Lu Qi
Published: April 2019

China started a long‐term effort to mitigate desertification and ensure the sustainability of its environment by implementing multiple large‐scale national ecological restoration projects since 1978, but their success has been highly debated for a long time. Here, we estimated the change of vegetation fraction cover (VFC) in the Three‐North Shelterbelt Programme (TNSP) region over the past three decades on the basis of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index dataset from the Global Inventory Monitoring and Modeling System. We evaluate the national strategy of vegetation restoration in North China by comparing rainfall patterns, vegetation change, and national ecological restoration programs on the basis of the Global Meteorological Forcing Dataset and the China Forestry Statistical Yearbooks. We find that the western, central, and eastern parts of the TNSP region exhibited a distinct increase in vegetation coverage. The western region had the highest increase of annual precipitation, but this did not result in the highest VFC increase. We infer that ecological restoration activities are the factor leading to the observed increase in VFC in the eastern and central region compared with the western region. The low survival rate of planted trees in the forest of the TNSP region indicates that it is necessary to improve the mode of vegetation restoration to obtain optimal returns and avoid excessive investment. The success of new strategies, for example, natural restoration and quasinatural afforestation are promising as an alternative method. China's experiences in reforestation will be very beneficial for other countries to promote land degradation mitigation and vegetation improvement in the arid and semiarid areas.
Condensed Mode Cooling for Ethylene Polymerization: Part V—Reduction of the Crystallization Rate of HDPE in the Presence of Induced Condensing Agents
Authors: Andrade Fabiana N. , Fulchiron René , Collas Franck , McKenna Timothy F. L.
Published: April 2019

The crystallization of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) alone, and in the presence of n‐hexane (a common induced condensing agent [ICA]) is studied using differential scanning calorimetry. The presence of a noncrystallizable ICA which is partially soluble in the amorphous phase of HDPE reduces the rate of crystallization. This is reflected by a shifting of the crystallization and melting peaks of HDPE to lower temperatures when the ICA concentration in the medium increases. It is also observed that the rate of crystallization of HDPE can be very slow when the ratio of ICA to HDPE increases from zero. This behavior is useful to better understand the physical effects that can potentially occur at the beginning of the gas phase polymerization of ethylene, and suggests that the crystallization of the nascent polymer, and thus the properties of the polymer in the reactor will be quite different from those of the powder at later stages of the reaction when running in condensed mode.
Polar Side Chain Effects on the Thermoelectric Properties of Benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]Dithiophene‐Based Conjugated Polymers
Authors: Pan Chengjun , Wang Luhai , Liu Tongchao , Zhou Xiaoyan , Wan Tao , Wang Shichao , Chen Zhongming , Gao Chunmei , Wang Lei
Published: April 2019

The molecular structure of polymers has a great influence on their thermoelectric properties; however, the relationship between the molecular structure of a polymer and its thermoelectric properties remains unclear. In this work, two benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene (BDT)‐based conjugated polymers are designed and synthesized, which contain alkyl side chains or polar side chains. The effects of the polymer side chain on the physicochemical properties are systematically investigated, especially the thermoelectric performance of the polymers after doping with 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone and 2,3,5,6‐tetrafluoro‐7,7,8,8‐tetracyanoquinodimethane. It is found that the BDT‐based conjugated polymer with polar side chains exhibits good miscibility with the dopants, leading to higher thermoelectric properties than those of the polymer with alkyl side chains. This work can serve as a reference for the future design of high‐performance organic thermoelectric polymers.
Microstructure and fracture behavior of Al‐Si‐Mg alloy prepared with recycled alloy
Authors: Song L.Y. , Liu H.X. , Nie S.N. , Yu B.Y. , Wang S.C. , Zheng L. , Li R.X.
Published: April 2019

In this paper, microstructure and fracture behavior of Al‐Si‐Mg alloy prepared with recycled alloy were studied. The results show that some casting defects such as oxidation slags, pores and iron‐rich intermetallic phases exist in the alloy prepared with recycled alloy. Stress concentration forms in the tips of the pores and iron‐rich intermetallic phases in the process of stretching. Cracks are easy to initiate near slags due to the weakening of the adhesion between the oxidized slag and the aluminum matrix. In addition, silicon phases play a hindering role on the movement of dislocations in the process of crack propagation and merging of cracks which is strengthening the alloy prepared with recycled alloy to some extent. Crack propagation is mainly along the direction of casting defects, and the cracks connect with each other until failure of material. Moreover, the crack originate from silicon phase and extend along the eutectic structure of alloy no‐containing recycled alloy, and a large plastic deformation occurred in the α‐aluminum dendrites.
Precipitates change of ferritic‐martensitic 11 % chromium steel under short‐term creep
Authors: Zhou X. , Shen Y. , Shi T.
Published: April 2019

A ferritic‐martensitic (FM) 11 % chromium steel with final heat treatment was subjected to a short‐term creep test at a stress of 150 MPa and 600 °C for 1100 h in order to study the change of precipitates in the steel during the creep test. Except for Nb‐rich metall carbides (MC, M23C6) and Laves phases, Fe‐W‐Cr‐rich M6C (based on Fe3W3C) carbides forming during the creep test were also identified in the crept steel by electron diffraction and x‐ray diffraction in combination with energy dispersive x‐ray analysis of extraction carbon replicas. The identified M6C carbides have a fcc crystal structure, a metallic element composition of approximately 44Fe, 32 W, and 20Cr in atomic %, and large sizes ranging from 100 nm to 300 nm in diameter. The M6C carbides are a dominant phase in the crept steel. M6X precipitates are generally not easy to form during high temperature creep, even if it is a long‐term creep, in ferritic‐martensitic 9–12 % chromium steels with a final heat treatment. The present work provides the evidence for the M6C carbides forming during short‐term creep in ferritic‐martensitic high chromium steels. The formation of the M6C carbides was discussed.
Bioactivities and genome insights of a thermotolerant antibiotics‐producing Streptomyces sp. TM32 reveal its potentials for novel drug discovery
Authors: Nakaew Nareeluk , Lumyong Saisamorn , Sloan William T. , Sungthong Rungroch
Published: April 2019

A way to defeat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis is to supply novel drugs to the pharmaceutical industry. This effort leads to a global call for seeking the beneficial microbes from underexplored habitats. To support this call, we isolated Streptomyces sp. TM32 from the rhizosphere soil of a medicinal plant, turmeric (Curcuma longa L.). TM32 exhibited strong antimicrobial activities against both human and plant pathogens, including an AMR pathogen, Staphylococcus haemolyticus MR‐CoNS. Surprisingly, such antimicrobial results of TM32's autoclaved crude extract remained the same. Based on the genome data analysis, TM32 belongs to the same genomic species with Streptomyces sioyaensis DSM 40032T, supported by the relatively high‐average nucleotide identity values (ANIb: 96.80% and OrthoANIu: 97.14%) and in silico DNA–DNA relatedness value of 75.40%. Importantly, the gene annotation analyses revealed that TM32's genome contains various genes encoding the biosynthesis of either known or unknown antibiotics and some metabolites involved in plant growth‐promoting traits. However, bioactivities and genome data comparison of TM32 and DSM 40032T showed a set of apparent differences, for example, antimicrobial potentials, genome size, number, and occurrence of coding DNA sequences in the chromosomes. These findings suggest that TM32 is a new strain of S. sioyaensis and serves as an emerging source for further discovery of valuable and novel bioactive compounds.
Synergistic fire safety improvement between oyster shell powder and ammonium polyphosphate in TPU composites
Authors: Chen Xilei , Zhang Xinyuan , Wang Yong , Zhang Xiaoguang , Jiao Chuanmei
Published: April 2019

In this article, oyster shell powder (OSP) was used as fire safety agent with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) in thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composites. The synergistic fire safety improvement between OSP and APP was intensively investigated using limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94, smoke density test (SDT), and cone calorimeter test (CCT). There is a good synergistic effect of reducing the fire hazards when OSP was used with APP in TPU. The peak heat release rate (pHRR) of the sample with 2.0‐wt% OSP and 8.0‐wt% APP decreased to 86.8 kW/m2 from 175.7 kW/m2 of the sample with only 10.0‐wt% APP. The SDT results showed that the luminous flux of sample OSP2/APP8 was up to 28.9% at the end of experiment with flame, which was much higher than that of pure TPU (1.5%). The thermal stability and thermal decomposition of TPU composites were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis/Fourier infrared spectrum analysis (TG‐IR). The result revealed the inert gasses (including CO2 and water vapor) produced by the reaction between OSP and APP. A char formed on the surface of composites, hindered the flame spread, reduced the release of combustible gas, and restricted the precursor of smoke into combustion zone.
Studies on sorption of bifenthrin and diazinon insecticides on molecularly imprinted polymers
Authors: Szajnecki Łukasz , Gawdzik Barbara
Published: April 2019

Synthesis and characterization of polymeric matrices for molecular recognition of pesticides are presented. For their preparation, methacrylic acid as a functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a cross‐linking agent were used. As template molecules, diazinon and bifenthrin were applied. Syntheses were carried out in the presence of different porogens. Chemical structures were studied using FTIR‐ATR, elemental analysis, and alkacymetric titration, morphology by laser diffraction particle size analyzer and by particle size, and shape analyzer based on image analysis, whereas porous structure by nitrogen adsorption/desorption method. To study selectivity of the sorbent toward template molecule, breakthrough volumes and sorption kinetics for molecularly imprinted polymers and nonimprinted analogues were determined. Particle sizes of the studied sorbents (expressed as CE diameter) were in the range 40 to 44 μm (except sorbent obtained in the presence of hexane). The chemical composition of all obtained sorbents was close to theoretical one (60.13% C, 7.11% H, 32.77% O). The values of specific surface area of the sorbents were in the range 2 to 338 m2/g.
Photocatalytic Water Purification with ZnO Thin Films in Demineralized as Well as Natural Waters
Authors: Grivel Jean‐Claude
Published: April 2019

ZnO films prepared on glass plates using a water based coating solution are characterized and tested for methylene blue dye photocatalytic decolourization in various types of waters (demineralized water, sea‐, and lake‐water). The influence of various parameters such as wavelength and attenuation of incident radiation by dye and/or organic matter is studied. In demineralized water, up to 90% decoloration is achieved within 1 h with 365 nm irradiation on a 10 ml solution. Although the ZnO films still show some activity when illuminated by standard visible light lamps, the efficiency of the photocatalytic process is greatly reduced. Natural waters result in a significant decrease of the photocatalytic activity, under both UV and visible light irradiation. The main factor is believed to be enhanced UV light absorption within the liquid. The influence of organic and mineral matter in natural waters is briefly discussed.
Repair of Oxidizing Hydroxyl Adduct Radicals of DNA Bases by Hydroxyl‐trans‐Stilbenes via Single Electron Transfer
Authors: An Ping , Wang Yuyue , Li Shujin , Zhou Liping
Published: April 2019

Repair of oxidizing hydroxyl adduct radicals of DNA bases (base‐OH‐adduct) by eleven hydroxyl‐trans‐stilbenes via single electron transfer under physiological conditions are investigated using density functional theory. For eleven hydroxyl‐trans‐stilbenes (PSOHs), their anions make all the contributions to repairing oxidizing base‐OH‐adduct radicals. Ten PSOHs show better beneficial antioxidant effect than trans‐resveratrol. 3, 3′, 4, 4′, 5, 5′‐Hexahydroxy‐trans‐stilbene (PSOHd) performs the best repair activity to oxidizing base‐OH‐adduct radicals, and 3′, 4′, 5, 5′‐tetrahydroxy‐trans‐stibene has the smallest pKa value. The rate constants for the reactions of PSOHd with oxidizing base‐OH‐adduct radicals are about 105∼109 dm3 mol−1 s−1. Main factors affecting the repair reactions are the vertical ionization potential, the pKa of PSOHs and the vertical electron affinity of oxidizing base‐OH‐adduct radicals. This study gives information on repairing oxidizing base‐OH‐adduct radicals by PSOHs in biological environment for the first time and finds more beneficial antioxidant effect polyphenol than trans‐resveratrol or piceatannol.
Security analysis on “mutual authentication scheme for multimedia medical information systems”
Authors: Karuppiah Marimuthu , Obaidat Mohammad S. , Islam SK Hafizul , Vijayakumar Pandi
Published: April 2019

In this paper, the security of a mutual authentication scheme is analyzed. We discern three different attacks in various scenarios. Moreover, we also identify some inherent design flaws of the scheme. As the scheme is suffering from many threats, therefore we argue that the scheme does not have strong characteristics against attacks for practical applications.
Integrating Social Studies and English Language Arts: Digital Stories and the Revolutionary War
Authors: Yearta Lindsay
Published: April 2019

Based on research conducted in a fourth‐grade classroom, the author describes one teacher's process for integrating social studies and English language arts using a writers’ workshop approach. Furthermore, the fourth‐grade teacher was able to provide students with an opportunity to engage in multimodal composition. After conducting research independently and collaboratively, the students wrote scripts, located images, and recorded narration to create digital stories from the perspective of a Revolutionary War participant. Revision, editing, and further research occurred during the process. When completed, students’ digital stories were uploaded to a video‐sharing website where they could be viewed by authentic audiences.
Special issue devoted to the 14th International conference “Dynamical Systems — Theory and Applications”
Authors: Awrejcewicz Jan
Published: April 2019

This special issue consists of selected papers presented on the 14th International Conference on “Dynamical Systems — Theory and Applications” (DSTA 2017), held on December 11–14, 2017 in Łódź, Poland. The content of the presented articles includes modern states and contemporary perspectives of mathematical modeling, simulation, stability, control and new mathematical methods addressed to nonlinear dynamical systems, both in theoretical aspects and practical applications.
Compactifications of 6d$$ \mathcal{N} $$ = (1, 0) SCFTs with non-trivial Stiefel-Whitney classes
Authors: Ohmori Kantaro , Tachikawa Yuji , Zafrir Gabi
Published: April 2019

Abstract

We consider compactifications of very Higgsable 6d

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

=(1, 0) SCFTs on T
2 with non-trivial Stiefel-Whitney classes (or equivalently ’t Hooft magnetic fluxes) introduced for their flavor symmetry groups. These systems can also be studied as twisted S
1 compactifications of the corresponding 5d theories. We deduce various properties of the resulting 4d

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

=2 SCFTs by combining these two viewpoints. In particular, we find that all 4d rank-1

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

=2 SCFTs with a dimension-6 Coulomb branch operator with flavor symmetry

$$ \mathfrak{e} $$

e

8,

$$ \mathfrak{u}\mathfrak{s}\mathfrak{p} $$

u
s
p

(10),

$$ \mathfrak{s}\mathfrak{u} $$

s
u

(4) and

$$ \mathfrak{s}\mathfrak{u} $$

s
u

(3) can be uniformly obtained by starting from a single-tensor theory in 6d.

We also have a mostly independent appendix where we propose a rule to determine the Coulomb branch dimensions of 4d

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

=2 theories obtained by T
2 compactifications of 6d very Higgsable theories with and without Stiefel-Whitney twist.
New late Middle to early Late Ordovician U–Pb zircon ages of extension-related felsic volcanic rocks in the Eastern Pyrenees (NE Iberia): tectonic implications
Authors: Martí Joan , Solari Luigi , Casas Josep Maria , Chichorro Martim
Published: April 2019

Pre-Variscan basement rocks from the Pyrenees provide evidence of several magmatic episodes with complex geodynamic histories from late Neoproterozoic to Palaeozoic times. One of the most significant episodes, consisting of several granitic and granodioritic bodies and volcanic rocks, mostly pyroclastic in nature, dates from the Late Ordovician period. In the Eastern Pyrenees, this magmatism is well represented in the Ribes de Freser and Núria areas; here, the Núria orthogneiss and the Ribes granophyre, both dated at c. 457–460 Ma, seem to form a calc-alkaline plutonic suite emplaced at different crustal levels. The presence of numerous pyroclastic deposits and lavas interbedded with Upper Ordovician (Sandbian–lower Katian, formerly Caradoc) sediments, intruded by the Ribes granophyre, suggests that this magmatic episode also generated significant volcanism. Moreover, the area hosts an important volume of rhyolitic ignimbrites and andesitic lavas affected by Alpine deformation. These volcanic rocks were previously attributed to late Variscan volcanism, extensively represented in other areas of the Pyrenees. Here we present the first five laser-ablation U–Pb zircon dates for this ignimbritic succession and two new ages for the Ribes granophyre. The ages of the ignimbrites, overlapping within error, are all 460 Ma, suggesting a genetic relationship between the plutonic and volcanic rocks and indicating that the Sandbian–Katian magmatism is much more voluminous than reported in previous studies, and possibly includes mega-eruptions linked to the formation of collapse calderas.
The New Creed of the Nation: Charles Eliot Norton, E. L. Godkin, and the Meaning of Freedom in the Civil War Era
Authors: ROWE ADAM
Published: April 2019

This article describes the intellectual collaboration and friendship between Charles Eliot Norton and E. L. Godkin as they established one of the most influential American journals of the late nineteenth century,The Nation. Their friendship provides a fascinating case study of an important strain of American political thought at the pivotal moment in its transition from the antebellum to the postbellum eras. In their different ways, Norton and Godkin struggled to reconcile the communal ideal of enlightened self-government with the ideal of liberal individualism, and, at the same time, the promise of egalitarian democracy with the realities of state power and machine politics. No sudden reversal or abrupt change of principle marked their political outlook. Instead there was a gradual loss of confidence in the powerful vision that brought all their contradictory commitments brilliantly together, and made it seem as though all that was best in the old order might be retained undiminished in the new.
The theory of frame ordering: observing motions in calmodulin complexes
Authors: d'Auvergne Edward James , Griesinger Christian
Published: April 2019

Large scale functional motions of molecules are studied experimentally using numerous molecular and biophysics techniques, the data from which are subsequently interpreted using diverse models of Brownian molecular dynamics. To unify all rotational physics techniques and motional models, the frame order tensor – a universal statistical mechanics theory based on the rotational ordering of rigid body frames – is herein formulated. The frame ordering is the fundamental physics that governs how motions modulate rotational molecular physics and it defines the properties and maximum information content encoded in the observable physics. Using the tensor to link residual dipolar couplings and pseudo-contact shifts, two distinct information-rich and atomic-level biophysical measurements from the field of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, to a number of basic mechanical joint models, a highly dynamic state of calmodulin (CaM) bound to a target peptide in a tightly closed conformation was observed. Intra- and inter-domain motions reveal the CaM complex to be entropically primed for peptide release.
Liberalism and Locke's Philosophical Anthropology
Authors: Zorzi Graedon
Published: April 2019

Perhaps in part because of an issue related to chronology of publications, the connections between Locke's liberalism and philosophical anthropology are underappreciated. This essay addresses that issue and re-examines Locke's account of the person, treating it as an interpretive key to Locke's political thought. Locke'spersonis, contra the standard readings, a relational concept that refers to beings capable of law in terms of their accountability to law; descendants of Adam are equal as persons in that they hold identical rights (or prerogatives) and duties under the divine law. This philosophical anthropology leads to a principle—eschatological accountability delimits legitimate moral and political authority, so authority over a person is necessarily limited by that person's accountability to God—that helps to clarify certain misunderstandings of the status of moral authority within Lockean liberalism and to explain how Locke set the terms of subsequent debates about the limits of political authority.
The Praises of Modernity: Hume and Machiavelli on Founders, Factions, and Faiths
Authors: Landis Joel E.
Published: April 2019

Machiavelli's influence on David Hume's political thought is a subject of growing scholarly attention. I analyze Hume's “Of Parties in General” to show that the introduction to this essay is a critical appropriation of Machiavelli'sDiscourses on Livy. I argue that Hume's appropriation of Machiavelli provides a meaningful frame to an essay in which Hume will consciously build upon one of Machiavelli's most controversial teachings, that good political founding is hampered by the effects of Christianity on political thinking. My analysis contributes to our understanding of Machiavelli's influence on Hume by showing Machiavelli's imprint much beyond where it is usually the subject of debate, in Hume's political science.
On the Use of Greek History for Life: Josiah Ober's Athens and Paul Rahe's Sparta
Authors: Collins Susan D.
Published: April 2019

Among contemporary scholars who write about classical Greece, Josiah Ober and Paul Rahe are especially adept at navigating the territory shared by history and political theory and illuminating the relevance of Greek history for our time. The historical approach each takes in the works under review does not easily fall into the categories—monumental, antiquarian, and critical history— delineated by Nietzsche in the essay to which my subtitle alludes. Yet, in treating these works together, I am guided by a question that Nietzsche raises at the conclusion of his “untimely meditation” in recalling the Delphic injunctionGnōthi seauton, “Know thyself.” The Greeks’ cultural inheritance, he argues, was a chaos of foreign ideas—Semitic, Babylonian, Lydian, and Egyptian—and gods, and it was only when the Greeks began to organize this chaos in accordance with the Delphic injunction that they were prevented from being swamped by their own history and became the model for all civilized peoples. The works under review are extraordinarily rich, and I will not do justice to their many arguments. Rather, I organize my consideration of them by focusing on this question: What is the relation between the study of Greek history and the search for self-knowledge at the core of Greek political philosophy?
Recent advances in compact repetitive high-power Marx generators
Authors: Song Falun , Li Fei , Zhang Beizhen , Zhu Mingdong , Li Chunxia , Wang Ganping , Gong Haitao , Gan Yanqing , Jin Xiao
Published: April 2019

This paper introduces recent activities on Marx-based compact repetitive pulsed power generators at the Institute of Applied Electronics (IAE), China Academy of Engineering Physics (CAEP), over the period 2010–2018. A characteristic feature of the generators described is the use of a simplified bipolar charged Marx circuit, in which the normal isolation resistors or inductors to ground are removed to make the circuit simpler. Several pulse-forming modules developed to generate a 100 ns square wave output are introduced, including thin-film dielectric lines of different structures, a pulse-forming line based on a Printed Circuit Board, and non-uniform pulse-forming networks. A compact repetitive three-electrode spark gap switch with low-jitter, high-voltage, and high-current was developed and is used in the generators. A positive and negative series resonant constant current power supply with high precision and high power is introduced. As an important part of the repetitive pulse power generator, a lower jitter pulse trigger source is introduced. Several typical high-power repetitive pulsed power generators developed at IAE are introduced including a 30 GW low-impedance Marx generator, a compact square-wave pulse generator based on Kapton-film dielectric Blumlein line, a 20 GW high pulse-energy repetitive PFN-Marx generator, and a coaxial Marx generator based on ceramic capacitors. The research of key technologies and their development status are discussed, which can provide a reference for the future development and application of miniaturization of compact and repetitive Marx generators.
Haitian Vodou and Migrating Voices
Authors: KIM SABINE
Published: April 2019

This article looks at the relationship between Haitian vodou, sound recording, and migration. I argue that Haitian vodou has a special relationship with technologies of sound, understood in Jonathan Sterne's sense of media as embodiments of social desire. There is a parallel between vodou possession and the practice of pwen (throwing verbal insults), on the one hand, and, on the other, the tape recorder's ability to manifest a person through the sound of his or her voice, making him or her present both in Haiti for the Haitian vodou congregation and in the diasporic land, thus bridging the separation across oceans and time. This transnational character underscores how Haitian vodou, which has been much maligned and often misunderstood, is an incredibly flexible and adaptive religion, necessary as a means of cultural survival for citizens of one of most economically disadvantaged nations, harshly subject to insertion in global neo-liberal labour markets.
Extension of the known distribution of a novel clade C betacoronavirus in a wildlife host
Authors: Saldanha I. F. , Lawson B. , Goharriz H. , Rodriguez-Ramos Fernandez J. , John S. K. , Fooks A. R. , Cunningham A. A. , Johnson N. , Horton D. L.
Published: April 2019

Disease surveillance in wildlife populations presents a logistical challenge, yet is critical in gaining a deeper understanding of the presence and impact of wildlife pathogens. Erinaceus coronavirus (EriCoV), a clade C Betacoronavirus, was first described in Western European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in Germany. Here, our objective was to determine whether EriCoV is present, and if it is associated with disease, in Great Britain (GB). An EriCoV-specific BRYT-Green® real-time reverse transcription PCR assay was used to test 351 samples of faeces or distal large intestinal tract contents collected from casualty or dead hedgehogs from a wide area across GB. Viral RNA was detected in 10.8% (38) samples; however, the virus was not detected in any of the 61 samples tested from Scotland. The full genome sequence of the British EriCoV strain was determined using next generation sequencing; it shared 94% identity with a German EriCoV sequence. Multivariate statistical models using hedgehog case history data, faecal specimen descriptions and post-mortem examination findings found no significant associations indicative of disease associated with EriCoV in hedgehogs. These findings indicate that the Western European hedgehog is a reservoir host of EriCoV in the absence of apparent disease.