bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Waveguide effects and implications for cardiac magnetic resonance elastography: A finite element study
Authors: Manduca A. , Rossman T.L. , Lake D.S. , Glaser K.J. , Arani A. , Arunachalam S.P. , Rossman P.J. , Trzasko J.D. , Ehman R.L. , Dragomir‐Daescu D. , Araoz P.A.
Published: August 2018

Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is increasingly being applied to thin or small structures in which wave propagation is dominated by waveguide effects, which can substantially bias stiffness results with common processing approaches. The purpose of this work was to investigate the importance of such biases and artifacts on MRE inversion results in: (i) various idealized 2D and 3D geometries with one or more dimensions that are small relative to the shear wavelength; and (ii) a realistic cardiac geometry. Finite element models were created using simple 2D geometries as well as a simplified and a realistic 3D cardiac geometry, and simulated displacements acquired by MRE from harmonic excitations from 60 to 220 Hz across a range of frequencies. The displacement wave fields were inverted with direct inversion of the Helmholtz equation with and without the application of bandpass filtering and/or the curl operator to the displacement field. In all geometries considered, and at all frequencies considered, strong biases and artifacts were present in inversion results when the curl operator was not applied. Bandpass filtering without the curl was not sufficient to yield accurate recovery. In the 3D geometries, strong biases and artifacts were present in 2D inversions even when the curl was applied, while only 3D inversions with application of the curl yielded accurate recovery of the complex shear modulus. These results establish that taking the curl of the wave field and performing a full 3D inversion are both necessary steps for accurate estimation of the shear modulus both in simple thin‐walled or small structures and in a realistic cardiac geometry when using simple inversions that neglect the hydrostatic pressure term. In practice, sufficient wave amplitude, signal‐to‐noise ratio, and resolution will be required to achieve accurate results.
Vitamin D Status Is Associated With Development of Hospital‐Acquired Pressure Injuries in Critically Ill Surgical Patients
Authors: Otero Tiffany M. N. , Canales Cecilia , Yeh D. Dante , Elsayes Ali , Belcher Donna M. , Quraishi Sadeq A.
Published: August 2018

Background

Hospital‐acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) typically develop following critical illness due to immobility and suboptimal perfusion. Vitamin D helps to maintain epithelial cell integrity, particularly at barrier sites such as skin. It is unclear whether vitamin D status is a modifiable risk factor for HAPIs in critically ill patients. Our goal was to investigate the relationship between admission 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels with the development of HAPIs in surgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted to surgical ICUs at a major teaching hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. To investigate the association of 25OHD levels with subsequent development of HAPIs, we performed logistic regression analyses, controlling for body mass index, Nutrition Risk in the Critically Ill score, ICU length of stay, and cumulative ICU caloric or protein deficit.

Results

A total of 402 patients comprised our analytic cohort. Each unit increment in 25OHD was associated with 11% decreased odds of HAPIs (odds ratio [OR] 0.89; 95% CI 0.840.95). When vitamin D status was dichotomized, patients with 25OHD <20 ng/mL were >2 times as likely to develop HAPIs (OR 2.51; 95% CI 1.065.97) compared with patients with 25OHD >20 ng/mL.

Conclusion

In our cohort of critically ill surgical patients, vitamin D status at ICU admission was linked to subsequent development of HAPIs. Randomized, controlled trials are needed to assess whether optimizing 25OHD levels in the ICU can reduce the incidence of HAPIs and improve other clinically relevant outcomes in critically
ill patients.
Reduced graphene oxide‐based bortezomib delivery system for photothermal chemotherapy with enhanced therapeutic efficacy
Authors: Hu Yanfang , He Liang , Ma Weiqian , Chen Li
Published: August 2018

In cancer treatment, it still is a curial challenge to enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce side effects. A novel reduced graphene oxide‐based nanoplatform (rGO/PDex) has been constructed to deliver an anticancer drug, bortezomib (BTZ), for photo‐chemotherapy. The structure and properties of the nanoplatform were characterized. The obtained data strongly indicated that rGO/PDex had enhanced stability. Further, folic acid was introduced and the resulting rGO/PDexF nanoplatform exhibited improved cellular uptake due to the active targeting effect. The anticancer drug BTZ could be effectively encapsulated into the rGO‐based nanoplatform and be released in a controlled manner. In vitro experiments demonstrated that BTZ‐loaded rGO‐based nanoparticles displayed enhanced therapeutic efficacy compared with the single chemotherapy, indicating the great potential of rGO‐based nanoparticles for cancer treatments. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Insights into the Photothermal Hydrogen Production from Glycerol Aqueous Solutions over Noble Metal‐Free Ti@TiO2 Core–Shell Nanoparticles
Authors: Nikitenko Sergey I. , Chave Tony , Goff Xavier Le
Published: August 2018

Photocatalytic production of hydrogen from renewable sources with platinum group metal‐free catalysts is of great importance for environmentally friendly energetics. Herein, Ti@TiO2 core–shell nanoparticles prepared by sonohydrothermal treatment of titanium metal nanoparticles are examined for hydrogen generation from aqueous glycerol solutions under vis/NIR light irradiation. It is shown that photocatalytic reforming of glycerol in the presence of Ti@TiO2 exhibits strong photothermal effect allowing more efficient use of solar energy. Apparent activation energy equal to E
act = 27 ± 2 kJ mol−1 indicates that the thermal effect is related to the diffusion of reaction intermediates at catalyst surface rather than to the activation of chemical bonds. The photoexcitation mechanism of Ti@TiO2 particles involves interband transitions in nonplasmonic Ti metal core followed by nonradiative Landau damping. Effective electron–hole separation between Ti core and nanocrystalline TiO2 anatase shell in Ti@TiO2 nanoparticles is confirmed by photoluminescence spectroscopy. In studied system, photothermal hydrogen production is not accompanied by CO2 emission indicating that glycerol is oxidized to glyceric acid without further decarboxylation.
Effects of exogenous methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid on rice resistance toOebalus pugnax
Authors: Stella de Freitas Thais F , Stout Michael J , Sant'Ana Josué
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND

After herbivore attack, plants express inducible resistance‐related traits activated by hormones, mainly jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA). Methyl jasmonate (MeJa) is a biologically active methyl ester of JA. Exogenous applications of JA, SA, and MeJa induce responses similar to herbivory by insects. In this study, rice,Oryza sativaL. (Poaceae), plants were treated with two concentrations of MeJa (2 and 5 mmol L−1), two concentrations of SA (8 and 16 mmol L−1) and herbivory to evaluate effects of elicitation and herbivory on resistance to the rice stink bug (RSB)Oebalus pugnaxFabricius, 1775 (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), an injurious insect pest of rice in the United States.

RESULTS

Nymphs developing on plants treated with SA 16 mmol L−1took longer to reach adulthood than nymphs developing on check plants. Grains per panicle were higher in plants treated with SA 16 mmol L−1and MeJa in both concentrations than in check treatment. Plants treated with SA emitted five of six volatile compounds identified in equal or higher amounts than plants subjected to previous herbivory, particularly methyl salicylate, a known defense‐related compound. Salicylic acid 16 mmol L−1was the treatment that elicited the highest amount of all volatiles. In the field assay, plots treated with SA 16 mmol L−1showed lower spikelet sterility and a tendency for fewer bugs to be found in plots.

CONCLUSION

Rice plants possess defense mechanisms that can be elicited using hormones as elicitors, mainly SA 16 mmol L−1, to induce resistance against RSB. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of Boron Incorporation on Structural and Optical Properties of AlN Layers Grown by Metal‐Organic Vapor Phase Epitaxy
Authors: Imura Masataka , Ota Yuichi , Banal Ryan G. , Liao Meiyong , Nakayama Yoshiko , Takeguchi Masaki , Koide Yasuo
Published: August 2018

To investigate the effect of boron (B) incorporation on the structural and optical properties of aluminum nitride (AlN) layers, B‐doped AlN layers without columnar structures are grown on c‐plane sapphire substrates with an AlN underlayer by metal‐organic vapor phase epitaxy. Triethylboron, trimethylaluminum, and ammonia are used as B, Al, and N precursors, respectively. The B‐doped AlN layers exhibit a homogeneous B concentration of 2.0 × 1021 cm−3 (≈2%) at the macroscale and microscale. However, most of the B atoms segregate in the AlN layer at the nanoscale and do not form BAlN alloys. As a result, high‐density dot‐shaped crystalline defects are induced in the layer. The dot‐shaped crystalline defects align along the facets and form complex inclined defects with high‐density oxygen atoms. These defects result in much worse crystalline quality and optical emission property than those of conventional crystalline defects, e.g., threading dislocations and stacking faults. Therefore, further improvement in the crystalline quality of B‐doped AlN is important to understand the potential properties of BAlN alloy semiconductors.
Homoepitaxial Diamond Structures with Incorporated SiV Centers
Authors: Felgen Nina , Naydenov Boris , Jelezko Fedor , Reithmaier Johann P. , Popov Cyril
Published: August 2018

The incorporation of SiV centers during diamond overgrowth on top of partly covered monocrystalline diamond pillars with diameters down to 200 nm are reported. The pillars themselves are prepared via electron beam lithography and inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etching. Then they are covered with a spin‐on‐glass (SOG) (perhydropolysilazane, PHPS) still jutting the apices of the pillars. After a short overgrowth step and removal of the residual SOG the optical investigations reveal the presence of ensembles of SiV centers in the overgrown part of the pillars, a specific location of the centers, and a very strong PL signal.
Elastic and Anelastic Properties of a Particulate Magnetoelectric Composite (x)Mn0.4Zn0.6Fe2O4–(1 − x)PbZr0.53Ti0.47O3
Authors: Kalgin Alexandr V. , Gridnev Stanislav A.
Published: August 2018

Elastic (elastic compliance) and anelastic (internal friction) properties of a particulate magnetoelectric composite (x)Mn0.4Zn0.6Fe2O4–(1 − x)PbZr0.53Ti0.47O3 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.6) at a frequency of ≈30 Hz over a temperature range from 290 to 700 K are studied. Temperature dependences of elastic compliance and internal friction near the ferroelastic Curie point are found to be well approximated by power functions. Observed dependences of exponents on the composite composition are associated with the substitution of atoms in the PbZr0.53Ti0.47O3 lattice by atoms in the Mn0.4Zn0.6Fe2O4 lattice during the high‐temperature sintering of composite samples. A correlation is revealed between the transverse magnetoelectric voltage coefficient and smearing parameters of the ferroelastic phase transition.
A vector‐based representation of the chemical bond for the normal modes of benzene
Authors: Huang Wei Jie , Azizi Alireza , Xu Tianlv , Kirk Steven R. , Jenkins Samantha
Published: August 2018

We introduce a vector‐based interpretation of the chemical bond within the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), the bond‐path framework set B = {p, q, r}, to follow variations in the 3D morphology of all bonds for the four infrared active normal modes of benzene. The bond‐path framework set B comprises three unique paths p, q, and r where r is the familiar QTAIM bond concept of bond‐path (r) while the two new paths p and q are formulated from the least and most preferred directions of electron density accumulation, respectively. We find 3D distortions including bond stretching/compression, torsion, and curving. We introduce two fractional measures to quantify these variations away from linearity of the bond.
Effects on the aromatic character of DNA/RNA nucleobases due to its adsorption onto graphene
Authors: Cortés‐Arriagada Diego , Ortega Daniela E.
Published: August 2018

In the last years, experimental/theoretical studies have shown that graphene has a strong affinity toward nucleobases, serving as a promising nanomaterial for self‐assembly, sensing, and/or sequencing of DNA/RNA constituents. Then, a complete picture of the properties of the nucleobase–graphene systems is required for its use in technological applications. This work describes a detailed quantum chemical analysis of the aromaticity of adsorbed nucleobases on graphene, comparing between aromaticity indexes based on magnetic, geometry, electron density, and electron delocalization properties of graphene–nucleobase systems. Contrary to the stated by magnetic‐based aromaticity criteria (such as nucleus‐independent chemical shifts), it is proved that the aromatic character of nucleobases is not increased/decreased upon binding on graphene. Therefore, magnetic aromaticity criteria are not recommended to analyze aromaticity in related systems, unless a fragmented scheme be adopted. Finally, these results are expected to expand the knowledge about the understanding of biomolecules‐graphene interactions.
Localization of double‐bond positions in lipids by tandem mass spectrometry succeeding high‐performance liquid chromatography with post‐column derivatization
Authors: Jeck Viola , Korf Ansgar , Vosse Christian , Hayen Heiko
Published: August 2018

Rationale

Lipids are a group of biomolecules known for their importance in a broad variety of biological tasks, which is attributed to the diversity of their molecular structures. The exact position of the double bond in a lipid affects its biological properties. Therefore, the determination of its position is highly important. Nevertheless, the unambiguous assignment is still a challenging task and requires the development of new approaches.

Methods

A novel method for pinpointing double‐bond positions in lipids is presented based on the photochemical Paternὸ–Büchi reaction. Therefore, the reaction was performed using a post‐column derivatization by ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation (254 nm) and an additional constant flow of acetone. The acetone adduct was formed due to the reaction of acetone with the double bond resulting in an oxetane. Subsequent fragmentation experiments generated diagnostic fragments allowing the localization of double‐bond positions.

Results

Intending online hyphenation with high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), the reaction was optimized regarding parameters such as reaction time and the influence of trace oxygen as well as solvents. An additional separation of the reaction products by means of HPLC enabled further characterization of the chemical structures formed by UV irradiation. To demonstrate the applicability of the developed method, a mixture of the constitutional phospholipid isomers bis(monooleoylglycero) phosphate and dioleoyl‐phosphatidylglycerol was analyzed regarding their double‐bond positions, and lipids from an extract of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii were investigated.

Conclusions

The successful hyphenation of HPLC/MS/MS with the online reaction was demonstrated for localization of double bonds in single lipids, lipid mixtures, and complex biological samples. Matrix effects can be reduced and further structural information, for example in case of constitutional isomers, can be obtained. This opens up new avenues for pinpointing lipid double‐bond positions even in complex samples.
Systematic review of the impact of point‐of‐care testing for influenza on the outcomes of patients with acute respiratory tract infection
Authors: Egilmezer Ece , Walker Gregory J. , Bakthavathsalam Padmavathy , Peterson Joshua R. , Gooding J. Justin , Rawlinson William , Stelzer‐Braid Sacha
Published: August 2018

Acute respiratory tract infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality and represent a significant burden on the health care system. Laboratory testing is required to definitively distinguish infecting influenza virus from other pathogens, resulting in prolonged emergency department (ED) visits and unnecessary antibiotic use. Recently available rapid point‐of‐care tests (POCT) may allow for appropriate use of antiviral and antibiotic treatments and decrease patient lengths of stay.

We undertook a systematic review to assess the effect of POCT for influenza on three outcomes: (1) antiviral prescription, (2) antibiotic prescription, and (3) patient length of stay in the ED.

The databases Medline and Embase were searched using MeSH terms and keywords for influenza, POCT, antivirals, antibiotics, and length of stay.

Amongst 245 studies screened, 30 were included. The majority of papers reporting on antiviral prescription found that a positive POCT result significantly increased use of antivirals for influenza compared with negative POCT results and standard supportive care. A positive POCT result also led to decreased antibiotic use. The results of studies assessing the effect of POCT on ED length of stay were not definitive.

The studies assessed in this systematic review support the use of POCT for diagnosis of influenza in patients suffering an acute respiratory infection. Diagnosis using POCT may lead to more appropriate prescription of treatments for infectious agents. Further studies are needed to assess the effect of POCT on the length of stay in ED.
Bayesian semiparametric failure time models for multivariate censored data with latent variables
Authors: Ouyang Ming , Wang Xiaoqing , Wang Chunjie , Song Xinyuan
Published: August 2018

In this paper, we propose a semiparametric failure time model to analyze multivariate censored data with latent variables. The proposed model generalizes the conventional accelerated failure time model to accommodate latent risk factors that could be measured by multiple observed variables through a factor analysis and to incorporate additive nonparametric functions of observed and latent risk factors to examine their functional effects on multivariate failure times of interest. A Bayesian approach, along with Bayesian P‐splines and Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques, is developed to estimate the unknown parameters and functions. The empirical performance of the proposed methodology is evaluated by a simulation study. An application to a study on the risk factors of two diabetes complications is presented.
Valleytronics: Opportunities, Challenges, and Paths Forward
Authors: Vitale Steven A. , Nezich Daniel , Varghese Joseph O. , Kim Philip , Gedik Nuh , Jarillo‐Herrero Pablo , Xiao Di , Rothschild Mordechai
Published: August 2018

A lack of inversion symmetry coupled with the presence of time‐reversal symmetry endows 2D transition metal dichalcogenides with individually addressable valleys in momentum space at the K and K′ points in the first Brillouin zone. This valley addressability opens up the possibility of using the momentum state of electrons, holes, or excitons as a completely new paradigm in information processing. The opportunities and challenges associated with manipulation of the valley degree of freedom for practical quantum and classical information processing applications were analyzed during the 2017 Workshop on Valleytronic Materials, Architectures, and Devices; this Review presents the major findings of the workshop.
Numerical Study on the Effects of Chemical Composition and Microstructure Inconsistencies on Mechanical Properties of Dual‐Phase Steel
Authors: Li Hongbo , Kong Zheng , Zhang Jie , Kong Ning
Published: August 2018

The chemical composition and microstructure of dual‐phase steels from different production lines are inconsistent due to different manufacturing processes. It is responsible for the mechanical properties differences and brings negative impacts on the applications of DP steel during deformation. In this study, the chemical compositions, martensite volume fraction, and ferrite grain average diameter are investigated by the tests with DP780 steels from different production lines. The finite element models are established based on the microstructures of DP780 steels. Different mechanical properties of DP780 steels with various chemical compositions and microstructures are investigated on the stress–strain relationship and elongation by means of finite element simulation. A novel method with the failure element ratio as an indicator is proposed to evaluate the elongation of DP780 steel based on the micro‐mechanism of tensile fracture. The quantitative effects are obtained separately in the forms of carbon content, martensite volume fraction, and ferrite grain average diameter on the mechanical properties of DP780 steel. It is suggested that the detailed chemical compositions and microstructures should be specified for the criterion of mechanical performance of DP steels.
A scale space approach for estimating the characteristic feature sizes in hierarchical signals
Authors: Pasanen Leena , Aakala Tuomas , Holmström Lasse
Published: August 2018

The temporal and spatial data analysed in, for example, ecology or climatology, are often hierarchically structured, carrying information in different scales. An important goal of data analysis is then to decompose the observed signal into distinctive hierarchical levels and to determine the size of the features that each level represents. Using differences of smooths, scale space multiresolution analysis decomposes a signal into additive components associated with different levels of scales present in the data. The smoothing levels used to compute the differences are determined by the local minima of the norm of the so‐called scale‐derivative of the signal. While this procedure accomplishes the first goal, the hierarchical decomposition of the signal, it does not achieve the second goal, the determination of the actual size of the features corresponding to each hierarchical level. Here, we show that the maximum of the scale‐derivative norm of an extracted hierarchical component can be used to estimate its characteristic feature size. The feasibility of the method is demonstrated using an artificial image and a time series of a drought index, based on climate reconstructions from long tree ring chronologies. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
From Coxeter higher-spin theories to strings and tensor models
Authors: Vasiliev M. A.
Published: August 2018

Abstract

A new class of higher-spin gauge theories associated with various Coxeter groups is proposed. The emphasize is on theBp-models. The cases ofB1and its infinite graded-symmetric productsym(×B1)∞correspond to the usual higher-spin theory and its multi-particle extension, respectively. The multi-particleB2-higher-spin theory is conjectured to be associated with String Theory.Bp-higher-spin models withp >2 are anticipated to be dual to the rank-pboundary tensor sigma-models.Bphigher-spin models withp≥ 2 possess two coupling constants responsible for higher-spin interactions in AdS background and stringy/tensor effects, respectively. The brane-like idempotent extension of the Coxeter higher-spin theory is proposed allowing to unify in the same model the fields supported by space-times of different dimensions. Consistency of the holographic interpretation of the boundary matrix-like model in theB2-higher-spin model is shown to demandN≥ 4 SUSY, suggesting duality with theN= 4 SYM upon spontaneous breaking of higher-spin symmetries. The proposed models are shown to admit unitary truncations.
Health Literacy Among Surgical Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Roy Mélissa , Corkum Joseph P. , Urbach David R. , Novak Christine B. , von Schroeder Herbert P. , McCabe Steven J. , Okrainec Karen
Published: August 2018

Health literacy is the extent to which patients are able to understand and act upon health information. This concept is important for surgeons as their patients have to comprehend the nature, risks and benefits of surgical procedures, adhere to perioperative instructions, and make complex care decisions about interventions. Our review aimed to determine the prevalence of limited health literacy of the surgical patient population. A search of MEDLINE and EMBASE was performed from inception until January 14th 2017 for experimental and observational studies reporting surgical patients’ health literacy measurement. Overall pooled proportion of surgical patients with limited health literacy was calculated using a random‐effects model and methodologic quality was assessed. A total of 40 studies representing 18,895 surgical patients were included in our quantitative synthesis. Pooled estimate of limited health literacy was 31.7% (95%CI 24.7–39.2%, I2 99.0%). There was low risk of bias among the majority of the 51 studies included in the qualitative synthesis. Statistical heterogeneity could not be fully accounted for by methodologic quality or patient and surgical characteristics. However, some of the heterogeneity was accounted by measurement tool [combined proportions with the REALM and NVS of 35.6 (95%CI 31.5–39.9, I2 73.0%)]. A number of different health literacy measurement tools were used (19 overall). Our review demonstrates a high prevalence of limited health literacy among surgical patients with considerable heterogeneity. Our findings suggest the importance of recognizing and addressing surgical patients with limited health literacy and the need for standardization in measurement tools.
Ferrocarbonatites in the Amba Dongar Diatreme, Gujarat, India
Authors: Viladkar S. G.
Published: August 2018

In the Amba Dongar diatreme, “ferrocarbonatite” is not a single unit of late differentiate of calciocarbonatite magma but it is a family with variation on field occurrence, mineralogy and chemistry of each unit. The family includes dikes of ankeritic carbonatites (phase I and II), plugs of ankeritic carbonatite within sövite ring dike, dikes of sideritic carbonatite in ankeritic carbonatite plug and rödberg veins. Their intrusive relations are very clear in the field and each phase has characteristic mineralogy and trace and REE geochemistry. According to the nomenclature suggested by Harmer and Gittins (1997) majority of “ferro-carbonatites” of Amba Dongar plot in field of “ferruginous calciocarbonatite” and only siderite and rödberg plot in the field of “ferrocarbonatite”. Within these family members, their trace and REE show clear increase from early phase to last phase of sideritic carbonatite. The present short communication discusses various aspects of “ferrocarbonatites”.
Evaluation of Hydrological Components Using Hydrological Model SWAT for Malaprabha Subbasin
Authors: Nagraj S. Patil , Nataraja M. , Omprakash T.
Published: August 2018

In this study Malaprabha sub-basin is selected for evaluation of water resource in the basin, as there is decline in flow due to reduced rainfall over years and also due to increased activities in the upstream areas of the catchment. The study focused on evaluation of hydrological components for Malaprabha sub-basin using hydrological model known as soil and water assessment tool (SWAT). The model was implemented for Malaprabha sub-basin using digital elevation model (DEM), land use, soil and meteorological data etc. The model performance was evaluated by calibration and validation approach. The calibration and validation of the model was done by using the data for a period from 1991-2000. It is found that R2 and NSE values are 0.67 and 0.69 during calibration and 0.73 and 0.60 during validation. The both coefficients are satisfying the model results and are used for evaluating the hydrological components for the basin. Finally, the spatial distribution maps were prepared for Malaprabha sub-basin for different hydrological components like water yield, evapotranspiration, groundwater recharge, sediment yield and discharge. The results can be used for decision making purpose and further for planning of water harvesting structure.
Palynofacies, Organic Thermal Maturation and Source Rock Evaluation of Nanka and Ogwashi Formations in Updip Niger Delta Basin, Southeastern Nigeria
Authors: Kingsley Okeke Kachikwulu , Umeji Obianuju P.
Published: August 2018

The oil and gas prospects in the Nigerian inland basins necessitated the palynofacies characterization, thermal maturation and source rock evaluation of the Nanka and Ogwashi formations of the Niger delta basin. The Nanka Formation has dominant terrestrial microflora, brown structured phytoclasts and amorphous organic matter, opaque debris accompanied by dinoflagellate cysts. The Ogwashi Formation has maximum terrestrial microflora, medium to large brown structured phytoclasts, opaque debris with abundance of dark brown amorphous organic matter and a few marine taxa.

Palynofacies constituents of the Nanka Formation reflect Kerogen Type II / III which are Gas / Oil prone shown by abundance of marine species, amorphous organic matter in conjunction with terrestrial phytoclasts and non-marine palynomorphs assemblage. The spore/pollen colour range from light brown to dark brown which suggest oil generation to production of wet gas. This corresponds to thermal alteration index (TAI) 2+ to 3+ and vitrinite reflectance index (%Ro) 0.5% to 1.3%. Palynofacies of the Ogwashi Formation has Kerogen Type III (gas prone) linked with overwhelming abundant terrestrial phytoclasts palynomorphs and large amorphous organic matter of terrestrial origin. Spore/pollen thermal alteration colour ranges from light medium brown to dark brown indicative of mature oil generation and transition to dry gas phase. The thermal alteration index and vitrinite reflectance index (%Ro) values of the Ogwashi Formation is consistent with that of the Nanka Formation.
Deontic commitments in conditional promises and threats: towards an exemplar semantics for conditionals
Authors: SZTENCEL MAGDALENA , CLARKE LEESA
Published: August 2018

abstract

This paper studies two types of cognitive factors which have been assumed to underpin people’s interpretation of conditional promises and threats: logic and socio-cognitive assumptions about what conditional promisors and threateners are obliged and permitted to do. We consider whether the logic of conditionals is compatible with the socio-cognitive assumptions underlying their interpretation or whether the two come apart. From the classical logical accounts of conditionals, almost all modern theories have inherited a constraint which specifies that a conditional cannot be true if its antecedent is true and consequent false. This logical constraint is widely assumed to constitute, at least partially, a conditional’s semantics, or ‘core meaning’. A replication of Beller et al.’s (2005) study, reported in this paper, calls for revisiting this long-standing, cross-theoretically assumed constraint. As predicted, we have found that, in English, conditional promises are generally consistent with this logical constraint, but threats are not. Our findings provide evidence for the existence of a new usage-based category of conditional threats, and support the claim that the observed logical asymmetry in the interpretation of conditional promises versus threats is just an epiphenomenon of a socio-cognitive symmetry which pertains to people’s assumptions about the deontic commitments of both conditional promisors and threateners. Based on (i) the observed lack of uniform application of the logical constraint and (ii) a consideration of individual variation in the interpretation of conditional promises and threats, we argue that an exemplar approach to conditionals is a plausible option.
Reasons, Language, and Tradition: The Idea of Conceptual Content in McDowell’sMind and World
Authors: KIRYUSHCHENKO VITALY
Published: August 2018

InMind and World,John McDowell claims that we need to steer our way between bald naturalism and rampant platonism as two ways to explain our capacity to use concepts. Performing this task requires an explanation of how concepts can be both socially charged and, at the same time, genuinely involving the world as it really is. I suggest that McDowell’s explanation is insufficient and that Wilfrid Sellars’s idea of sense impressions might be used to clarify the relationship between social practices and conceptual knowledge without incurring too much damage to the overall architectonics of McDowell’s theory.
The Military-Adventurous Complex: Officers, adventurers, and Japanese expansion in East Asia, 1884–1937
Authors: ORBACH DANNY
Published: August 2018

Japanese imperialism was one of the most important driving forces in the history of modern East Asia. One influential group of actors at the grassroots level were the so-called ‘continental adventurers’ (tairiku rōnin)—Japanese nationals who travelled in Korea and China on the lookout for adventures and employment opportunities. Some of them worked part time for the army as spies, translators, and agents for special operations. These adventurers have been studied before as agents of Japanese imperialism, but existing accounts fail to present a convincing model of the mechanism that made their activities effective. The goal of this article is to fill this gap.

This mechanism, which I shall hereafter call ‘the military-adventurous complex’, was a lobby of officers, continental adventurers, businessmen, politicians, criminal elements as well as Chinese, Manchurian, and Mongolian revolutionaries. The interests of these contingents were unique but nevertheless intertwining. Despite its decentralized character, the military-adventurous complex had a significant impact on Japanese foreign policy over an extended period. In this article, we shall explore the contours, structure, and modus operandi of that complex, its ambivalent relationship with the Japanese state, as well as several examples of its operations in the early twentieth century. Finally, we shall dwell on the ramifications of the complex on the development of Japanese imperialism.
A mixed-methods evaluation using low-income adult Georgians’ experience with a smartphone-based eLearning nutrition education programme
Authors: Stotz Sarah , Lee Jung Sun , Hall Jori
Published: August 2018

Objective

To understand low-income adults’ expectations and experiences using an innovative smartphone and theory-based eLearning nutrition education programme, entitled Food eTalk.

Design

Longitudinal mixed-methods single case study including a series of focus group and individual interviews, demographic and Internet habits surveys, and user-tracking data. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, analysed using the constant comparative method and digitalized using Atlas.ti. Descriptive statistics were analysed for demographics and user-tracking data.

Setting

Community-based locations including libraries, public housing complexes, schools, safety-net clinics and food pantries.

Subjects

Low-income Georgian adults aged ≥18 years (n64), USA.

Results

Participants found Food eTalk easy to navigate and better designed than expected. Primary themes were twofold: (i) motivation to engage in eLearning may be a formidable barrier to Food eTalk’s success but improved programme content, format and external incentives could mitigate this barrier; and (ii) applying knowledge to change nutrition-related behaviour is challenging. To encourage engagement in eLearning nutrition education, programme format should highlight interactive games, videos, be short in length, and feature content that is relevant and important from the perspective of the priority audience. Examples of these topics include quick and easy recipes, chronic disease-specific diet information and tips to feed ‘picky’ children. Additionally, external incentives may help mitigate barriers to healthful eating behaviour and increase engagement in the programme.

Conclusions

The findings suggest eLearning nutrition education programmes are best designed to match low-income adults’ typical smartphone habits, include content considered particularly relevant by the intended audience and highlight solutions to barriers to healthful eating.
Transition management for organic agriculture under citrus cultivation favors fungal diversity in soil
Authors: Scotton Juliana Cristina , Homma Sérgio Kenji , Costa Wesley Luiz Fialho , Pinto Diego Fontebasso Pelizari , Govone José Silvio , Attili-Angelis Derlene
Published: August 2018

The present international scenario recognizes organic agriculture as an innovative solution to reduce agrochemicals and practices that degrade the agroecosystem. Yet, the shift from an already well-established agricultural model to a relatively new one is a challenging task and requires further scientific support. This work investigated the influence of transitional management – TM (from conventional to organic agriculture) on the soil fungal community under citrus, in dry and rainy periods. From 2012 to 2015 on, an area in Mogi Guaçú, SP, Brazil was selected, and two treatments were installed: a conventional management (CM) system based on farming practices with agrochemicals and fertilizers use, and another, transition management (TM) based on a 25% reduction per year of the chemical substances used in CM, with soil conditioner bokashi introduced. The performance of the transition system was evaluated in the context of soil fertility and diversity index of fungal taxa, by plate culture isolation, through the richness of Margalef (Dmg), diversity of Shannon (H′) and reverse Simpson (D). Differences in the occurrence and frequency of Paecilomyces, greater under CM and Penicillium, greater under TM, highlighted the influence of the management system employed. Richness and diversity indices were higher under TM. Principal component analysis revealed that 49.9% of the differences in fungal diversity was due to the management system. Only 16.5% was a result of the season of sampling. Four years of reduction/replacement of chemical practices in TM was sufficient to modify and favor some soil fungal taxa and consequently their activity. This research brings promising results to organic agriculture initiatives with relevant results for a tropical climate area.
Donors’ Social Class and Their Prosocial Reputation
Authors: Yuan Mingliang , Wu Junhui , Kou Yu
Published: August 2018

Abstract. Donors’ social class may provide cues for others to judge their underlying motives and prosociality. We test whether donors’ social class affects their prosocial reputation through perceived authentic motivation. Across four studies, we find that low-class donors are perceived as more authentically motivated to care about others’ welfare, and thus gain more prosocial reputation as a benevolent person, compared to high-class donors. Moreover, prosocial impact salience moderates this effect: When donation is equal in the percentage of donors’ annual income, making the prosocial impact of donors’ contribution salient enhances high-class donors’ perceived authentic motivation and prosocial reputation to the same levels as those of low-class donors. These findings provide important insights into how to design efficient fundraising events or platforms.
Publisher Correction: Achieving high permeability and enhanced selectivity for Angstrom-scale separations using artificial water channel membranes
Authors: Shen Yue-xiao , Song Woochul , Barden D. Ryan , Ren Tingwei , Lang Chao , Feroz Hasin , Henderson Codey B. , Saboe Patrick O. , Tsai Daniel , Yan Hengjing , Butler Peter J. , Bazan Guillermo C. , Phillip William A. , Hickey Robert J. , Cremer Paul S. , Vashisth Harish , Kumar Manish
Published: August 2018

The original version of this Article contained an error in the spelling of the author Woochul Song, which was incorrectly given as Woochul C. Song. This has been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Selective N-terminal acylation of peptides and proteins with a Gly-His tag sequence
Authors: Martos-Maldonado Manuel C. , Hjuler Christian T. , Sørensen Kasper K. , Thygesen Mikkel B. , Rasmussen Jakob E. , Villadsen Klaus , Midtgaard Søren R. , Kol Stefan , Schoffelen Sanne , Jensen Knud J.
Published: August 2018

Methods for site-selective chemistry on proteins are in high demand for the synthesis of chemically modified biopharmaceuticals, as well as for applications in chemical biology, biosensors and more. Inadvertent N-terminal gluconoylation has been reported during expression of proteins with an N-terminal His tag. Here we report the development of this side-reaction into a general method for highly selective N-terminal acylation of proteins to introduce functional groups. We identify an optimized N-terminal sequence, GHHHn− for the reaction with gluconolactone and 4-methoxyphenyl esters as acylating agents, facilitating the introduction of functionalities in a highly selective and efficient manner. Azides, biotin or a fluorophore are introduced at the N-termini of four unrelated proteins by effective and selective acylation with the 4-methoxyphenyl esters. This Gly-Hisntag adds the unique capability for highly selective N-terminal chemical acylation of expressed proteins. We anticipate that it can find wide application in chemical biology and for biopharmaceuticals.
Early selection of bZIP73 facilitated adaptation of japonica rice to cold climates
Authors: Liu Citao , Ou Shujun , Mao Bigang , Tang Jiuyou , Wang Wei , Wang Hongru , Cao Shouyun , Schläppi Michael R. , Zhao Bingran , Xiao Guoying , Wang Xiping , Chu Chengcai
Published: August 2018

Cold stress is a major factor limiting production and geographic distribution of rice (Oryza sativa). Although the growth range ofjaponicasubspecies has expanded northward compared to modern wild rice (O. rufipogon), the molecular basis of the adaptation remains unclear. Here we reportbZIP73, a bZIP transcription factor-coding gene with only one functional polymorphism (+511 G>A) between the two subspeciesjaponicaandindica, may have facilitatedjaponicaadaptation to cold climates. We show thejaponicaversion of bZIP73 (bZIP73Jap) interacts with bZIP71 and modulates ABA levels and ROS homeostasis. Evolutionary and population genetic analyses suggestbZIP73has undergone balancing selection; thebZIP73Japallele has firstly selected from standing variations in wild rice and likely facilitated cold climate adaptation during initialjaponicadomestication, while theindicaallelebZIP73Indwas subsequently selected for reasons that remain unclear. Our findings reveal early selection ofbZIP73Japmay have facilitated climate adaptation of primitive rice germplasms.
Galectin-9 suppresses B cell receptor signaling and is regulated by I-branching of N-glycans
Authors: Giovannone N. , Liang J. , Antonopoulos A. , Geddes Sweeney J. , King S. L. , Pochebit S. M. , Bhattacharyya N. , Lee G. S. , Dell A. , Widlund H. R. , Haslam S. M. , Dimitroff C. J.
Published: August 2018

Leukocytes are coated with a layer of heterogeneous carbohydrates (glycans) that modulate immune function, in part by governing specific interactions with glycan-binding proteins (lectins). Although nearly all membrane proteins bear glycans, the identity and function of most of these sugars on leukocytes remain unexplored. Here, we characterize the N-glycan repertoire (N-glycome) of human tonsillar B cells. We observe that naive and memory B cells express an N-glycan repertoire conferring strong binding to the immunoregulatory lectin galectin-9 (Gal-9). Germinal center B cells, by contrast, show sharply diminished binding to Gal-9 due to upregulation of I-branched N-glycans, catalyzed by the β1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase GCNT2. Functionally, we find that Gal-9 is autologously produced by naive B cells, binds CD45, suppresses calcium signaling via a Lyn-CD22-SHP-1 dependent mechanism, and blunts B cell activation. Thus, our findings suggest Gal-9 intrinsically regulates B cell activation and may differentially modulate BCR signaling at steady state and within germinal centers.
Emerging many-body effects in semiconductor artificial graphene with low disorder
Authors: Du Lingjie , Wang Sheng , Scarabelli Diego , Pfeiffer Loren N. , West Ken W. , Fallahi Saeed , Gardner Geoff C. , Manfra Michael J. , Pellegrini Vittorio , Wind Shalom J. , Pinczuk Aron
Published: August 2018

The interplay between electron–electron interactions and the honeycomb topology is expected to produce exotic quantum phenomena and find applications in advanced devices. Semiconductor-based artificial graphene (AG) is an ideal system for these studies that combines high-mobility electron gases with AG topology. However, to date, low-disorder conditions that reveal the interplay of electron–electron interaction with AG symmetry have not been achieved. Here, we report the creation of low-disorder AG that preserves the near-perfection of the pristine electron layer by fabricating small period triangular antidot lattices on high-quality quantum wells. Resonant inelastic light scattering spectra show collective spin-exciton modes at the M-point's nearly flatband saddle-point singularity in the density of states. The observed Coulomb exchange interaction energies are comparable to the gap of Dirac bands at the M-point, demonstrating interplay between quasiparticle interactions and the AG potential. The saddle-point exciton energies are in the terahertz range, making low-disorder AG suitable for contemporary optoelectronic applications.
Multi-photon near-infrared emission saturation nanoscopy using upconversion nanoparticles
Authors: Chen Chaohao , Wang Fan , Wen Shihui , Su Qian Peter , Wu Mike C. L. , Liu Yongtao , Wang Baoming , Li Du , Shan Xuchen , Kianinia Mehran , Aharonovich Igor , Toth Milos , Jackson Shaun P. , Xi Peng , Jin Dayong
Published: August 2018

Multiphoton fluorescence microscopy (MPM), using near infrared excitation light, provides increased penetration depth, decreased detection background, and reduced phototoxicity. Using stimulated emission depletion (STED) approach, MPM can bypass the diffraction limitation, but it requires both spatial alignment and temporal synchronization of high power (femtosecond) lasers, which is limited by the inefficiency of the probes. Here, we report that upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) can unlock a new mode of near-infrared emission saturation (NIRES) nanoscopy for deep tissue super-resolution imaging with excitation intensity several orders of magnitude lower than that required by conventional MPM dyes. Using a doughnut beam excitation from a 980 nm diode laser and detecting at 800 nm, we achieve a resolution of sub 50 nm, 1/20th of the excitation wavelength, in imaging of single UCNP through 93 μm thick liver tissue. This method offers a simple solution for deep tissue super resolution imaging and single molecule tracking.