bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computational study of positron annihilation parameters for cation mono-vacancies and vacancy complexes in nitride semiconductor alloys
Authors: Ishibashi Shoji , Uedono Akira , Kino Hiori , Miyake Takashi , Terakura Kiyoyuki
Published: August 2019

We calculate positron annihilation parameters, namely the S and W parameters from the Doppler broadening spectroscopy and the positron lifetime

, for defect-free states as well as cation mono-vacancies and vacancy complexes in nitride semiconductor alloys Al0.5Ga0.5N, In0.5Ga0.5N and Al0.5In0.5N. The obtained distributions of these parameters differ from compound to compound. Especially, the S–W relation for In0.5Ga0.5N is very different from that for Al0.5Ga0.5N. For the cation mono-vacancies, introducing local structural parameters, their correlations with S, W and

are investigated. The S and

variations are well described with the size distributions of the vacancies while the W variation is related to the presence of localized d electrons. For the vacancy complexes as well as the cation mono-vacancies, multiple-linear-regression models to describe S, W and

are successfully constructed using the local structural parameters as descriptors. The S–W and S–

relations are also compared with those for AlN, GaN and InN.
Engineering optical hybrid entanglement between discrete- and continuous-variable states
Authors: Huang Kun , Jeannic Hanna Le , Morin Olivier , Darras Tom , Guccione Giovanni , Cavaillès Adrien , Laurat Julien
Published: August 2019

The generation and manipulation of hybrid entanglement of light involving discrete- and continuous-variable states have recently appeared as essential resources towards the realization of heterogeneous quantum networks. Here we investigate a scheme for the remote generation of hybrid entanglement between particle-like and wave-like optical qubits based on a non-local heralding photon detection. We also extend this scheme with additional local or non-local detections. An additional local heralding allows the resulting state to exhibit a higher fidelity with the targeted entangled qubits while a two-photon non-local heralding detection gives access to a higher dimensionality in the discrete-variable subspace, resulting thereby in the generation of hybrid entangled qutrits. The implementation of the presented schemes, in combination with ongoing works on high-fidelity quantum state engineering, will provide novel non-classical light sources for the development of optical hybrid architectures.
Interference between quantum paths in coherent Kapitza–Dirac effect
Authors: Talebi Nahid , Lienau Christoph
Published: August 2019

In the Kapitza–Dirac effect, atoms, molecules, or swift electrons are diffracted off a standing wave grating of the light intensity created by two counter-propagating laser fields. In ultrafast electron optics, such a coherent beam splitter offers interesting perspectives for ultrafast beam shaping. Here, we study, both analytically and numerically, the effect of the inclination angle between two laser fields on the diffraction of pulsed, low-energy electron beams. For sufficiently high light intensities, we observe a rich variety of complex diffraction patterns. These do not only reflect interferences between electrons scattered off intensity gratings that are formed by different vector components of the laser field. They may also result, for certain light intensities and electron velocities, from interferences between these ponderomotive scattering and direct light absorption and stimulated emission processes, usually forbidden for far-field light. Our findings may open up perspectives for the coherent manipulation and control of ultrafast electron beams by free-space light.
Activation cross-sections of titanium isotopes at neutron energies of 13.5–14.8 MeV *
Authors: Zhou Fengqun , Song Yueli , Li Yong , Sun Xiaojun , Yuan Shuqing
Published: August 2019

The cross-sections for 46Ti(n,2n)45Ti, 46Ti(n,p)46m+gSc+47Ti(n,d*)46m+gSc, 46Ti(n,p)46m+gSc, 47Ti(n,p)47Sc+48Ti(n,d*)47Sc, 47Ti(n,p)47Sc, 48Ti(n,p)48Sc+49Ti(n,d*)48Sc,48Ti(n,p)48Sc, and 50Ti(n,α)47Ca reactions were investigated around neutron energies of 13.5–14.8 MeV by means of the activation technique. Fast neutrons were produced by the 3H(d,n)4He reaction. Neutron energies from different directions in the measurements were obtained in advance using the method of cross-section ratios for 90Zr(n,2n)89m+gZr and 93Nb(n,2n)92mNb reactions. The results obtained are analyzed and compared with the experimental data provided by the literature and verified nuclear data in the JEFF-3.3, CENDL-3.1, ENDF/B-VIII.0 libraries, as well as results calculated by Talys-1.9 code.
Tin-accompanied and true ternary fission of 242Pu
Authors: Zadehrafi M. , Pahlavani M. R. , Ioan M. -R.
Published: August 2019

True ternary fission and Tin-accompanied ternary fission of 242Pu are studied by using the 'Three Cluster Model'. True ternary fission is considered as a formation of heavy fragments in the region

with comparable masses. The possible fission channels are predicted by the potential-energy calculations. Interaction potentials, Q-values and relative yields for all possible fragmentations in equatorial and collinear configurations are calculated and compared. It is found that ternary fission with formation of a double magic nucleus like

is more probable than the other fragmentations. Also, the kinetic energies of the fragments for the group

,

and

are calculated for all combinations in the collinear geometry as a sequential decay.
The Vibration Reduction in Multilevel Structure Model with the addition of Tuned Liquid Column Damper (TLCD):Study of the Influence of variations in TLCD’s mass ratio & orifice cross-sectional area
Authors: Guntur H L , Daman A A A , Hendrowati W
Published: August 2019

The multilevel buildings are vulnerable to the excitation forces such as winds and earthquakes. The analysis of vibration reduction in multilevel building is established in this study. The experimental and simulation method are conducted in laboratory scale. The multilevel structure model is design to be two-floor building model. The Tuned Liquid Column Damper (TLCD) is placed on first-floor of the building model and then it is placed on second-floor of the building model. The TLCD’s mass ratio and its orifice cross-sectional area are varied. The experimental results correspond well to the simulation results. The TLCD’s mass ratio does not provide significant difference, while the variation of orifice cross-sectional area provides significant differences.
Tricycle Applications for Physical Therapy Sufferers
Authors: Londen Batan I Made , Sukma Lutiawan Teditya Nico Aji , Salim Lutfi Agus
Published: August 2019

Bicycles are one of the sports equipment as well as a mode of transportation that is environmentally friendly, when using a bicycle, all members of the body perform movements. In this study, a tricycle with a delta concept was made, that is 2 wheels behind and 1 wheel in front. This bike is designed to help stroke sufferers perform physical rehabilitation independently by pedaling a bicycle. To find out the benefits of bicycles to help cure strokes, especially the legs of the patient, a stroke test were carried out for 1 month (30 days) by 4 stroke patients, who were the respondents in this research. Each respondent pedaled the bike once every 3 days, so the amount of therapy became 9 times a month for each respondent. During pedaling respondents vital sign was recorded, the value of heart recovery rate (HRR) and amount of energy consumption were calculated. To find out the usefulness of bicycle therapy for stroke patients, 4 stroke sufferers were also selected who were doing stroke rehabilitation as respondents in this research, but did not pedal a bicycle. Furthermore, all respondents, whether bicycle therapy or not, performed a fitness test using the six minute walking test (6-MWT) test method. The method is used to determine the maximum oxygen volume capacity (VO2 max) of a person who walks on a certain path for 6 minutes. From the test, it can be seen that the distance taken by the respondent after walking for 6 minutes. The distance traveled is converted in the form of VO2 Max capacity. The test results shows that respondent therapy using a bicycle has a significant increase in body fitness, compared to respondent therapy without using a bicycle.
Preparation and Morphological Property of Co3O4/BaxSr1-xCo0.8Fe0.2O3-δ (x=0.5-0.7) Membranes using Starch as Binder Agent
Authors: Utomo W.P. , Wijayanti A.S. , Nurherdiana S.D. , Iqbal R.M. , Hartanto D. , Fansuri H.
Published: August 2019

Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-δ (x=0.5-0.7) or BSCF was known as promising material to prepare MIEC membrane for oxygen separation. Several modifications have been performed to improve catalytic activity of BSCF membranes. One of the promising methods was coating of the membrane with catalyst layer such as Co3O4. This work investigates the simple and effective method to coat Co3O4 layer on the surface of BaxSr1-xCo0.8Fe0.2O3-δ (x=0.5-0.7) flat sheet membranes resulting Co3O4/BSCF xx82 membranes. BSCF were prepared from its initial powders by dry pressing method followed by sintering at 1150 °C for 4 hours. The resulted BSCF dense membranes were coated with Co3O4 using starch as binder agent in the form of suspension. The coating suspension consist of 62.5% w/w of starch and 37.5% w/w of Co3O4. The coating suspension was directly coated on the surface of the BSCF dense membranes followed by calcination at 800 °C for 3 hours. The surface morphology and cross section of membranes were observed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) equipped with Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX). SEM images show that the method succeeds to coat Co3O4 layer on the surface of BSCF membranes. However, the distribution of the Co3O4 was not uniform and some particles form aggregate. The particle size of the membranes was about 0.5-2.0 μm whereas the aggregate size is around 2-5 μm. The presence of Co3O4 layer was also indicated by the increasing of Co intensity in the surface of membranes as analyzed by EDX.
Preparation of MXene/N, S doped graphene electrode for supercapacitor application
Authors: Kaewpijit Pusthira , Qin Jiaqian , Pattananuwat Prasit
Published: August 2019

In this study, novel MXene/N, S doped graphene electrode composites were sucessfully prepared via the simplistic drop casting process. The successful etching of Ti3AlC2 was evidently confirmed by SEM and XRD technique. The effect of N, S doped graphene adding at various ratio on electrochemical performance was exaimed by cyclic voltammetry and galvanic static charge-discharge, revealing that the intercalating structure of MXene-N, S doped graphene exhibits the synergistic effect to enhance the electrochemical properties. Especially, at MXene/N, S doped graphene ratio of 95 to 5, the highest specific capacitance of 599.7 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 is obtained, which is greater than that of the pristene MXene (185.8 F g−1 at 1 A g−1) in 6M KOH.
Preparation of engineered stones
Authors: Suta Saowanee , Wattanasiriwech Suthee , Wattanasiriwech Darunee , Duangphet Sitthi , Thanomsilp Chuleeporn
Published: August 2019

Engineered Stones were produced in a laboratory using polyester resin and domestic quart stones. Selection of these particle sizes were based on packing theory and simple Stroke’s law. From combination of both scenario, three different sizes of quartz were calculated and selected. In this scenario, the smallest size was calculated to be 6 μm while the other size ranges were calculated based on the 7x factor. To test the idea, another two sets of samples were also prepared for comparison. The samples were fabricated by vibration or uniaxial pressing. It was found that all the sample sets fabricated by pressing offered better density and Vickers hardness due to the better packing and higher solid loading of the composite. However, the sample set which strictly followed the calculation did not provide the best density and hardness suggesting that the simple model may not be fully correct and some missing parameters may be required. The best sample set belonged to one which followed 7x factor but with a larger starting quartz size. Sample set with the best properties was comparable to the commercial products.
Development and characterization of the mechanical properties of edible film from ginger starch, chitosan with glycerin as plasticizer to food packaging
Authors: Sariningsih Novia , Handayani Desi Suci , Kusumaningsih Triana
Published: August 2019

Packaging used edible film is one of the food preservation techniques. Many studies have proven that edible films can extend the shelf life and improve the quality of food products. Edible film from ginger starch and chitosan with glycerin as plasticizer has been successfully prepared and characterized. The purpose of this research was to produce and characterized of the mechanical properties of edible film from ginger starch, chitosan, and glycerin as plasticizer. Edible film was characterized by UTM, TGA, FTIR and Water Uptake Test. The results of tensile strength test of edible film is 0.67125 MPa and elongation up to 15.67%. The thermal degradation of material reached 176.9695°C, water uptake of edible film up to 2.5%, and FTIR data shows an interaction between ginger starch, chitosan, and glycerin. It concluded that edible film from ginger starch, chitosan, and glycerin as plasticizer has good mechanical properties and has potential as a packaging.
Preparation of cobalt oxide on MXene/N, S-rGO surface for supercapacitors
Authors: Threepiriyamongkol G , Pattananuwat P
Published: August 2019

The electrodeposited cobalt oxide grown on MXene/N, S-rGO surface was successfully synthesised via chronoamperometry technique at -1.2 V. The effect of MXene/N, S-rGO surface and electrodeposition time of cobalt oxide on the electrocapacitive behaviour was investigated. SEM-EDS evidenance confirmed that the highly dense growth of flake-like structure of cobalt oxide with interconnected pores was obtained on MXene/N, S-rGO surface. The synergistic effect of cobalt oxide grown on MXene/N, S-rGO surface can enhance the electrochemical properties with the highest specific capacitance of 608.3 F/g at 1 A/g (628.8 F/g at 10 mV/sec) with 35.7 Wh/kg and 180.6 kW/kg.
DC-link voltage feedforwarded interpolation error compensation method for field weakening operation region of look-up table based PMSM drive
Authors: Lee Jung-Hyo
Published: August 2019

This paper proposes field weakening control method of the look-up table based permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) with interpolation error compensation. The look-up table based control method has robust control characteristic than other control methods which use linear controller for current reference generation. However, it is impossible to store all current references under all circumstances for torque commands. General look-up table based control method using two input parameters, in order to mitigate the effect of discretely stored data, two-dimension-interpolation method (2D-Interpolation) is used for linear interpolating between discontinuous data. However, due to the current trajectories of PMSM are generally ellipsoidal, the error is occurred between linearly interpolated and controllable current references. This paper proposes a method to compensate this interpolation error using feedforward controller for fast compensation. The improvement of proposed method is verified by experiment and simulation.
Synchronous condenser excitation system parameter identification based on improved artificial bee colony algorithm
Authors: Li Nan , Meng Lian , Geng Bin
Published: August 2019

The quality of excitation control of the synchronous condenser directly determines the reactive power regulation ability and control support performance of the power grid.Aiming at parameter identification of non-linear links such as limit and saturation in the synchronous condenser excitation system, a parameter identification method of the synchronous condenser excitation system based on improved artificial bee colony algorithm is proposed.Firstly, the order of the phase modulation operation is deduced, and the mathematical model of the synchronous condenser excitation system is established based on it.Then the artificial bee colony algorithm is improved and applied to the parameter identification of the synchronous condenser excitation system. A parameter identification strategy based on sensitivity analysis is proposed for the unstable and multi-solution situation of multi-parameter identification results. Analysis of parameter sensitivity and identification based on parameter sensitivity. Finally, the identification parameters and the overall identification results obtained after sensitivity analysis are compared and analyzed. The results show that the proposed method can effectively identify the parameters of the non-linear link and has strong robustness. It can provide accurate models and parameters for power system stability analysis.
Externalities and Spillovers from Sanitation and Waste Management in Urban and Rural Neighborhoods
Authors: Kresch Evan Plous , Lipscomb Molly , Schechter Laura
Published: August 2019

Proper sanitation and waste management has important health benefits, both directly for the household making the decision and indirectly for its neighbors due to positive externalities. Nevertheless, construction and use of improved sanitation systems in much of the developing world continues to lag. Many recent interventions such as Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) have attempted to harness the power of social interactions to increase take‐up of improved sanitation. Most evidence to date mobilizes social pressure in rural areas, yet evidence is more scarce in urban neighborhoods where high population density may lead to larger externalities from poor sanitation decisions. We review the recent literature on how sanitation decisions are inter‐related within neighborhoods: the health externalities that sanitation decisions have on neighbors, and the social decision spillovers that drive take‐up. We explore potential explanations for the low take‐up and maintenance of sanitation systems, including the possibility of nonlinearities and thresholds in health externalities; the roles of social pressure, reciprocity, learning from others, and coordination in decision spillovers; and differences between urban and rural contexts.
An argument for entity grounding
Authors: Isaac Wilhelm
Published: August 2019

In this paper, I give an argument for the view that non-fact entities – such as physical objects, abstract objects, events and so on – can ground other entities. Roughly put, the argument is as follows: those who accept this view can provide a more plausible account of the grounds of identity facts than those who deny this view.
Gene relevance based on multiple evidences in complex networks
Authors: Di Nanni Noemi , Gnocchi Matteo , Moscatelli Marco , Milanesi Luciano , Mosca Ettore
Published: August 2019

Motivation

Multi-omics approaches offer the opportunity to reconstruct a more complete picture of the molecular events associated with human diseases, but pose challenges in data analysis. Network-based methods for the analysis of multi-omics leverage the complex web of macromolecular interactions occurring within cells to extract significant patterns of molecular alterations. Existing network-based approaches typically address specific combinations of omics and are limited in terms of the number of layers that can be jointly analysed. In this study, we investigate the application of network diffusion to quantify gene relevance on the basis of multiple evidences (layers).

Results

We introduce a gene score (mND) that quantifies the relevance of a gene in a biological process taking into account the network proximity of the gene and its first neighbours to other altered genes. We show that mND has a better performance over existing methods in finding altered genes in network proximity in one or more layers. We also report good performances in recovering known cancer genes. The pipeline described in this article is broadly applicable, because it can handle different types of inputs: in addition to multi-omics datasets, datasets that are stratified in many classes (e.g., cell clusters emerging from single cell analyses) or a combination of the two scenarios.

Availability and implementation

The R package ‘mND’ is available at URL: https://www.itb.cnr.it/mnd.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Network dependence testing via diffusion maps and distance-based correlations
Authors: Lee Youjin , Shen Cencheng , Priebe Carey E , Vogelstein Joshua T
Published: August 2019

Deciphering the associations between network connectivity and nodal attributes is one of the core problems in network science. The dependency structure and high dimensionality of networks pose unique challenges to traditional dependency tests in terms of theoretical guarantees and empirical performance. We propose an approach to test network dependence via diffusion maps and distance-based correlations. We prove that the new method yields a consistent test statistic under mild distributional assumptions on the graph structure, and demonstrate that it is able to efficiently identify the most informative graph embedding with respect to the diffusion time. The methodology is illustrated on both simulated and real data.
New Security Risk Value Estimate Method for Android Applications
Authors: Er-rajy Latifa , El Kiram My Ahmed , El Ghazouani Mohamed
Published: August 2019

Nowadays, mobile applications are the devices’ core, so their security is essential for the platform on which are installed. Therefore, to make this security strong, Android implements permission system and sandboxing mechanism to reduce the attacks contingency. Also, antivirus software is used to detect the already known malware based on their signature, but unfortunately, this kind of program cannot detect cloned or repackaged malware. Thus, using authorizations to estimate the security vulnerability will surely be very useful for avoiding applications that are more susceptible to be dangerous according to the risk values obtained. Consequently, this will provide systematic support that will make it easier for users to make appropriate decisions and therefore greatly improve the Android devices’ security. In this article, additionally to the risk measures that have been already proposed in previous studies based on functionalities such as permissions and function calls, we add a set of mathematical metrics describing the case of susceptible and innocent applications already known. Our risk assessment exploits applications already known as malware and safe samples without any threat.
Air pollution and cardiovascular disease: car sick
Authors: Miller Mark R , Newby David E
Published: August 2019

The cardiovascular effects of inhaled particle matter (PM) are responsible for a substantial morbidity and mortality attributed to air pollution. Ultrafine particles, like those in diesel exhaust emissions, are a major source of nanoparticles in urban environments, and it is these particles that have the capacity to induce the most significant health effects. Research has shown that diesel exhaust exposure can have many detrimental effects on the cardiovascular system both acutely and chronically. This review provides an overview of the cardiovascular effects on PM in air pollution, with an emphasis on ultrafine particles in vehicle exhaust. We consider the biological mechanisms underlying these cardiovascular effects of PM and postulate that cardiovascular dysfunction may be implicated in the effects of PM in other organ systems. The employment of multiple strategies to tackle air pollution, and especially ultrafine particles from vehicles, is likely to be accompanied by improvements in cardiovascular health.
Validation of reported dentoalveolar relationships in the Swedish Quality Registry for Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Pegelow Marie , Klintö Kristina , Stålhand Gudrun , Lemberger Mathias , Vesterbacka Malin , Rizell Sara , Chalien Midia Najar , Björnström Lena , Becker Magnus , Lindberg Marianne , Marcusson Agneta , Karsten Agneta
Published: August 2019

Objectives

The present study validated data that had been reported to the Swedish Quality Registry for Cleft Lip and Palate (CLP) under new requirements from 2016, when use of the 5-year-old (5YO) and the Modified Huddart and Bodenham (MHB) indices for rating occlusion in children born with unilateral CLP (UCLP) was introduced.

Materials and methods

The sample included blinded study casts (n = 97) and photos (n = 4) of 5-year-old children who had been born with UCLP in 2009−2011 and were enrolled at one of six cleft centres in Sweden. Fourteen orthodontists from the centres assessed the patients (n = 101) using the 5YO and the MHB indices. Median 5YO and MHB scores of the 14 assessments were compared with original registry data (n = 61). Each centre devised code keys to protect the identities of their patients in the registry.

Results

Interrater agreement among the 14 orthodontists was good for the 5YO index (quadratic-weighted kappa: 0.72−0.92) and the MHB index (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.991−0.994). Comparisons of median 5YOs for each identifiable child with their registry data (n = 61) found total agreement for 70.5 per cent. Comparisons between median MHBs and registry data showed very good or good agreement in 93.4 per cent of the cases.

Limitations

Two teams lost their code keys, which reduced the sample to 61 patients.

Conclusions

The dentoalveolar outcome data in the CLP registry was trustworthy. There was good agreement among the Swedish cleft teams assessing the 5YO and MHB indices in children born with UCLP at age 5 years.
Monetary Power Reconsidered: The Struggle between the Bundesbank and the Fed over Monetary Leadership
Authors: Krampf Arie
Published: August 2019

This article reexamines the theory of monetary power to explain the role of the Bundesbank (and Germany) in the emergence of the rules-based low-inflation regime in the late1980s and early 1990s. Our theory of monetary power draws on the notion of institutional power and the concept of monetary leadership, understood as the capacity to attract foreign investment, and thereby explains how domestic institutional features and contingent historical events affect countries’ external monetary power. This theory is employed to trace how the Bundesbank go-it-alone strategy in 1989 triggered a cross-national sequence of events that changed the international monetary order in a way that was consistent with the German interests. The transition was marked by a shift from the US-led pragmatist approach of international macroeconomic coordination to a rules-based approach founded on the principle of low-inflation–targeting. The article argues that this change took place despite the opposition of the Federal Reserve System (Fed) and the US Treasury. The article contributes to the literature on the decline of US hegemonic power as well as the literature on the mechanism of institutional change at the international level. It also sheds new light on current debates about the putative decline of the rules-based world order.
Differential Susceptibility of Bagrada hilaris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) to Different Species of Fungal Pathogens
Authors: Barrera-López Anahi A , Guzmán-Franco Ariel W , Santillán-Galicia Materesa , Tamayo-Mejía Fernando , Bujanos-Muñiz Rafael , García-Ávila Clemente J , López-Buenfil Jose A
Published: August 2019

Bagrada hilaris Burmeister (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a pest of Palearctic origin. Its presence in the United States was first reported in 2008 and in Mexico in 2014; it affects brassica crops. There are practically no reports of natural enemies of B. hilaris in America. Entomopathogenic fungi are strong candidates for microbial control of this pest. Evaluating the susceptibility of this pest to fungi that are native to the region where they will be used is a sensible first step to finding candidate biological control agents. The aim of our research was to select potential microbial agents to control B. hilaris. Eleven isolates of Beauveria bassiana, Beauveria pseudobassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, and Isaria fumosorosea were evaluated to determine the susceptibility of B. hilaris. Isolates of B. bassiana caused the highest mortality due to infection (100%) compared with the other isolates. The I. fumosorosea isolate caused the lowest percent mortality (56%). The two B. bassiana isolates Bb88 and AP3 were more virulent than M. anisopliae isolate Ma129. The sex of the insect had no effect on infection levels achieved by B. bassiana isolates Bb88 and AP3. The results of our study contribute valuable information for the development of fungal species with potential to manage B. hilaris populations. Field studies are the next step in order to develop these isolates as biological control agents of B. hilaris.
Pastoralist activities affect the movement patterns of a large African carnivore, the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta)
Authors: Green David S , Holekamp Kay E
Published: August 2019

Populations of large carnivores are declining in many parts of the world due to anthropogenic activity. Some species of large carnivores, however, are able to coexist with people by altering their behavior. Altered behaviors may be challenging to identify in large carnivores because these animals are typically cryptic, nocturnal, live at low densities, and because changes in their behavior may be subtle or emerge slowly over many years. We studied the effects of livestock presence on the movements of one large carnivore, the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta). We fit 22 adult female spotted hyenas with GPS collars to quantify their movements in areas with and without livestock or herders present, in and around a protected area in southwestern Kenya. We investigated anthropogenic, social, and ecological effects on the speed of movement, distances traveled, long-distance movements, and extraterritorial excursions by spotted hyenas. Hyenas living primarily within the protected area, but in the presence of livestock and herders, moved faster, traveled over longer distances, and were more likely to be within their territories than did conspecifics living in areas without livestock and herders. Hyenas of low social rank were more likely than hyenas of high social rank to engage in long-distance travel events, and these were more likely to occur when prey were scarce. The movement patterns of this large African carnivore indicate a flexibility that may allow them to persist in landscapes that are becoming increasingly defined by people.
Temperature, rainfall, and moonlight intensity effects on activity of tropical insectivorous bats
Authors: Appel Giulliana , López-Baucells Adrià , Magnusson William Ernest , Bobrowiec Paulo Estefano D
Published: August 2019

The extrinsic factors that most influence animal activity are weather and light conditions, which can be assessed at hourly, monthly, and even lunar-cycle timescales. We evaluated the responses of tropical aerial-insectivorous bats to temperature, rainfall, and moonlight intensity within and among nights. Temperature positively affected the activity of two species (Cormura brevirostris and Saccopteryx bilineata). Moonlight reduced Myotis riparius activity and increased the activity of Pteronotus rubiginosus and S. leptura. Rainfall can promote an irregular activity peak during the night compared to nights without rainfall, but the bats in our study were not active for a longer time after a rainfall event. Our findings indicate that moonlight and temperature are the variables with the highest impact on the activity of tropical insectivorous bat species and that some species are sensitive to small variations in rainfall among and within nights.
A comparison of explosion energies for simulated and observed core-collapse supernovae
Authors: Murphy Jeremiah W , Mabanta Quintin , Dolence Joshua C
Published: August 2019

There are now 20 multidimensional core-collapse supernova (CCSN) simulations that explode. However, these simulations have explosion energies that are a few times 1050 erg, not 1051 erg. In this manuscript, we compare the inferred explosion energies of these simulations and observations of 40 SN IIP. Assuming a lognormal distribution, the mean explosion energy for these observations is $\mu _{\rm obs} = -0.23^{+0.08}_{-0.12}$ ($\log _{10}(E/10^{51}\, {\rm erg})$) and the width is $\sigma _{\rm obs} = 0.52^{+0.09}_{-0.08}$. Only three CCSN codes have sufficient simulations to compare with observations: CHIMERA, CoCoNuT-FMT, and FORNAX. Currently, FORNAX has the largest sample of simulations. The two-dimensional FORNAX simulations show a correlation between explosion energy and progenitor mass, ranging from linear to quadratic, Esim ∝ M1 − 2; this correlation is consistent with inferences from observations. In addition, we infer the ratio of the observed-to-simulated explosion energies, Δ = log10(Eobs/Esim). For the CHIMERA set, Δ = 0.25 ± 0.07; for CoCoNuT-FMT, Δ = 0.49 ± 0.07; for FORNAX2D, Δ = 0.62 ± 0.06, and for FORNAX3D, Δ = 0.85 ± 0.07. On average, the simulations are less energetic than inferred energies from observations (Δ ≈ 0.6), but we also note that the variation among the simulations [max(Δ) − min(Δ) ≈ 0.6] is as large as this average offset. This suggests that further improvements to the simulations could resolve the discrepancy. Furthermore, both the simulations and observations are heavily biased. In this preliminary comparison, we model these biases, but to more reliably compare the explosion energies, we recommend strategies to unbias both the simulations and observations.
Low-mass nitrogen-, oxygen-bearing, and aromatic compounds in Enceladean ice grains
Authors: Khawaja N , Postberg F , Hillier J , Klenner F , Kempf S , Nölle L , Reviol R , Zou Z , Srama R
Published: August 2019

Saturn’s moon Enceladus is erupting a plume of gas and ice grains from its south pole. Linked directly to the moon’s subsurface global ocean, plume material travels through cracks in the icy crust and is ejected into space. The subsurface ocean is believed to be in contact with the rocky core, with ongoing hydrothermal activity present. The Cassini spacecraft’s Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrometer (INMS) detected volatile, gas phase, organic species in the plume and the Cosmic Dust Analyser (CDA) discovered high-mass, complex organic material in a small fraction of ice grains. Here, we present a broader compositional analysis of CDA mass spectra from organic-bearing ice grains. Through analogue experiments, we find spectral characteristics attributable to low-mass organic compounds in the Enceladean ice grains: nitrogen-bearing, oxygen-bearing, and aromatic. By comparison with INMS results, we identify low-mass amines [particularly (di)methylamine and/or ethylamine] and carbonyls (with acetic acid and/or acetaldehyde most suitable) as the best candidates for the N- and O-bearing compounds, respectively. Inferred organic concentrations in individual ice particles vary but may reach tens of mmol levels. The low-mass nitrogen- and oxygen-bearing compounds are dissolved in the ocean, evaporating efficiently at its surface and entering the ice grains via vapour adsorption. The potentially partially water soluble, low-mass aromatic compounds may alternatively enter ice grains via aerosolization. These amines, carbonyls, and aromatic compounds could be ideal precursors for mineral-catalysed Friedel–Crafts hydrothermal synthesis of biologically relevant organic compounds in the warm depths of Enceladus’ ocean.
Cross-correlation between the 21-cm signal and [O iii] emitters during early cosmic reionization
Authors: Moriwaki Kana , Yoshida Naoki , Eide Marius B , Ciardi Benedetta
Published: August 2019

We study statistics of the 21-cm signal from the epoch of reionization. We propose to use [O iii] line emitting galaxies to cross-correlate with the 21-cm signal from z = 7–10. To this aim, we employ simulations of reionization obtained post-processing the high-resolution cosmological hydrodynamic simulation Massive Black-II with the three-dimensional (3D) radiative transfer code crash to follow the propagation of ionizing photons from a variety of sources. We show that, during the early phases of reionization, the 21-cm signal is positively correlated with the spatial distribution of the [O iii] emitters on large scales $(k \lt 1\, h~\rm cMpc^{-1})$. This positive correlation is generated by the temperature–galaxy correlation and it is a few times larger than when we assume that the heating is saturated. As the reionized regions expand, the correlation changes its sign to negative from z = 10 to 8. The signals at this epoch can be detected by combining the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and a wide-field [O iii] emitter survey. We also calculate the cross-power spectrum with a 3D [O iii] intensity field, aiming at exploiting future intensity mapping observations. We conclude that high-redshift [O iii] line emitters can be used to probe the reionization process when the intergalactic medium is largely neutral.
BAT AGN Spectroscopic Survey – XIII. The nature of the most luminous obscured AGN in the low-redshift universe
Authors: Bär Rudolf E , Trakhtenbrot Benny , Oh Kyuseok , Koss Michael J , Wong O Ivy , Ricci Claudio , Schawinski Kevin , Weigel Anna K , Sartori Lia F , Ichikawa Kohei , Secrest Nathan J , Stern Daniel , Pacucci Fabio , Mushotzky Richard , Powell Meredith C , Ricci Federica , Sani Eleonora , Smith Krista L , Harrison Fiona A , Lamperti Isabella , Urry C Megan
Published: August 2019

We present a multiwavelength analysis of 28 of the most luminous low-redshift narrow-line, ultra-hard X-ray-selected active galactic nuclei (AGN) drawn from the 70-month Swift/BAT all-sky survey, with bolometric luminosities of $\log (L_{\rm bol} /{\rm erg\, s}^{-1}) \gtrsim 45.25$. The broad goal of our study is to determine whether these objects have any distinctive properties, potentially setting them aside from lower luminosity obscured AGN in the local Universe. Our analysis relies on the first data release of the BAT AGN Spectroscopic Survey (BASS/DR1) and on dedicated observations with the VLT, Palomar, and Keck observatories. We find that the vast majority of our sources agree with commonly used AGN selection criteria which are based on emission line ratios and on mid-infrared colours. Our AGN are pre-dominantly hosted in massive galaxies (9.8 ≲ log (M*/M⊙) ≲ 11.7); based on visual inspection of archival optical images, they appear to be mostly ellipticals. Otherwise, they do not have distinctive properties. Their radio luminosities, determined from publicly available survey data, show a large spread of almost four orders of magnitude – much broader than what is found for lower X-ray luminosity obscured AGN in BASS. Moreover, our sample shows no preferred combination of black hole masses (MBH) and/or Eddington ratio (λEdd), covering 7.5 ≲ log (MBH/M⊙) ≲ 10.3 and 0.01 ≲ λEdd ≲ 1. Based on the distribution of our sources in the λEdd−NH plane, we conclude that our sample is consistent with a scenario where the amount of obscuring material along the line of sight is determined by radiation pressure exerted by the AGN on the dusty circumnuclear gas.
JINGLE V: Dust properties of nearby galaxies derived from hierarchical Bayesian SED fitting
Authors: Lamperti Isabella , Saintonge Amélie , De Looze Ilse , Accurso Gioacchino , Clark Christopher J R , Smith Matthew W L , Wilson Christine D , Brinks Elias , Brown Toby , Bureau Martin , Clements David L , Eales Stephen , Glass David H W , Hwang Ho Seong , Lee Jong Chul , Lin Lihwai , Michalowski Michal J , Sargent Mark , Williams Thomas G , Xiao Ting , Yang Chentao
Published: August 2019

We study the dust properties of 192 nearby galaxies from the JINGLE survey using photometric data in the 22-850$\mu$m range. We derive the total dust mass, temperature T and emissivity index β of the galaxies through the fitting of their spectral energy distribution (SED) using a single modified black-body model (SMBB). We apply a hierarchical Bayesian approach that reduces the known degeneracy between T and β. Applying the hierarchical approach, the strength of the T-β anti-correlation is reduced from a Pearson correlation coefficient R = −0.79 to R = −0.52. For the JINGLE galaxies we measure dust temperatures in the range 17 − 30 K and dust emissivity indices β in the range 0.6 − 2.2. We compare the SMBB model with the broken emissivity modified black-body (BMBB) and the two modified black-bodies (TMBB) models. The results derived with the SMBB and TMBB are in good agreement, thus applying the SMBB, which comes with fewer free parameters, does not penalize the measurement of the cold dust properties in the JINGLE sample. We investigate the relation between T and β and other global galaxy properties in the JINGLE and Herschel Reference Survey (HRS) sample. We find that β correlates with the stellar mass surface density (R = 0.62) and anti-correlates with the HI mass fraction (MHI/M*, R = −0.65), whereas the dust temperature correlates strongly with the SFR normalized by the dust mass (R = 0.73). These relations can be used to estimate T and β in galaxies with insufficient photometric data available to measure them directly through SED fitting.
Gaia parallax of Milky Way globular clusters – A solution of mixture model
Authors: Shao Zhengyi , Li Lu
Published: August 2019

We have established a mixture model approach to derive the parallax of the Milky Way globular clusters. It avoids the problem of cluster membership determination and provides a completely independent astrometrical solution by purely using the parallax data. This method is validated with simulated clusters of Pancino et al.. We have resolved 120 real globular clusters by the mixture model using parallaxes of the second data release of Gaia . They construct the largest direct parallax sample up to now. In comparison with other direct parallax results based on cluster members, including 75 clusters of Gaia Collaboration, our method presents its accuracy, especially for some particular clusters. A systematic offset of −27.6 ± 1.7 μas, together with a scatter of 22.8 ± 1.3 μas is found in comparison with other indirect parallax measurements. They are consistent with the global value and the variation of the zero-point of current Gaia parallaxes. Distances of several specific nearby globular clusters are discussed while the closest ones can reach high precisions, even taking the systematic error into account.
Transfer of mouse blastocysts exposed to ambient oxygen levels can lead to impaired lung development and redox balance
Authors: Karagenç Nedim , Doğan Göksel , Esmen Kerem , Kul Bengi Çınar , Yeşilkaya Hasan , Orman Mehmet Nurullah , Sandıkçı Mustafa , Ünsal Hümeyra , Karagenç Levent
Published: August 2019

In vitro culture under atmospheric oxygen puts embryos under oxidative stress and impairs preimplantation development. However, to what extent this process alters the redox balance in the perinatal period remains largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to examine if the redox balance is altered in the lung tissue of fetuses generated through transfer of mouse embryos exposed to atmospheric oxygen at different stages of development and to determine if this has any effect on lung morphogenesis and gene expression. Two experimental groups (EGs) were generated by transferring in vitro- and in vivo-derived blastocysts to pseudo-pregnant females. In vivo-developed fetuses served as control. Enzymatic/nonenzymatic antioxidants, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, total antioxidant capacity, stage of lung development and gene expression were evaluated on day 18 of pregnancy. Weight of fetuses was significantly less in both experimental cohorts (ANOVA, P < 0.001 versus control), associated with delayed lung development, higher amounts of MDA (ANOVA, P < 0.001 versus control) and altered expression of several genes in oxidative stress/damage pathways. Evidence gathered in the present study indicates that pre-implantation stress caused by culture under atmospheric oxygen, even for a short period of time, leads to fetal growth restriction, impaired lung development and redox balance along with dysregulation of several genes in oxidative stress response. Absence of an EG in which in vitro embryo culture was performed at 5% oxygen and the use of genetically heterogeneous F2 fetuses are the limitations of the study. In any case, the long-term impact of such dramatic changes in the developmental programming of resulting fetuses warrants further investigations.
Distinct pathways associated with chromosomal aberration frequency in a cohort exposed to genotoxic compounds compared to general population
Authors: Niazi Yasmeen , Thomsen Hauke , Smolkova Bozena , Vodickova Ludmila , Vodenkova Soňa , Kroupa Michal , Vymetalkova Veronika , Kazimirova Alena , Barancokova Magdalena , Volkovova Katarina , Staruchova Marta , Hoffmann Per , Nöthen Markus M , Dusinska Maria , Musak Ludovit , Vodicka Pavel , Hemminki Kari , Försti Asta
Published: August 2019

Non-specific structural chromosomal aberrations (CAs) observed in peripheral blood lymphocytes of healthy individuals can be either chromosome-type aberrations (CSAs) or chromatid-type aberrations (CTAs) depending on the stage of cell division they are induced in and mechanism of formation. It is important to study the genetic basis of chromosomal instability as it is a marker of genotoxic exposure and a predictor of cancer risk. For that purpose, we conducted two genome-wide association studies (GWASs) on healthy individuals in the presence and absence of apparent genotoxic exposure from the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The pre-GWAS cytogenetic analysis reported the frequencies of CSA, CTA and total CA (CAtot). We performed both linear and binary logistic regression analysis with an arbitrary cut-off point of 2% for CAtot and 1% for CSA and CTA. Using the statistical threshold of 1.0 × 10−5, we identified five loci with in silico predicted functionality in the reference group and four loci in the exposed group, with no overlap between the associated regions. A meta-analysis on the two GWASs identified further four loci with moderate associations in each of the studies. From the reference group mainly loci within genes related to DNA damage response/repair were identified. Other loci identified from both the reference and exposed groups were found to be involved in the segregation of chromosomes and chromatin modification. Some of the discovered regions in each group were implicated in tumourigenesis and autism.
Programmed genome rearrangements in Oxytricha produce transcriptionally active extrachromosomal circular DNA
Authors: Yerlici V Talya , Lu Michael W , Hoge Carla R , Miller Richard V , Neme Rafik , Khurana Jaspreet S , Bracht John R , Landweber Laura F
Published: August 2019

Extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) is both a driver of eukaryotic genome instability and a product of programmed genome rearrangements, but its extent had not been surveyed in Oxytricha, a ciliate with elaborate DNA elimination and translocation during development. Here, we captured rearrangement-specific circular DNA molecules across the genome to gain insight into its processes of programmed genome rearrangement. We recovered thousands of circularly excised Tc1/mariner-type transposable elements and high confidence non-repetitive germline-limited loci. We verified their bona fide circular topology using circular DNA deep-sequencing, 2D gel electrophoresis and inverse polymerase chain reaction. In contrast to the precise circular excision of transposable elements, we report widespread heterogeneity in the circular excision of non-repetitive germline-limited loci. We also demonstrate that circular DNAs are transcribed in Oxytricha, producing rearrangement-specific long non-coding RNAs. The programmed formation of thousands of eccDNA molecules makes Oxytricha a model system for studying nucleic acid topology. It also suggests involvement of eccDNA in programmed genome rearrangement.