bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eco‐Friendly Synthesis of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles Based on Natural Stabilizers and Their Antibacterial Applications
Authors: Zaman Mohammad M. , Karal Mohammad Abu S. , Khan Mohammed Nazrul I. , Tareq Abu Rayhan M. , Ahammed Shareef , Akter Mahmuda , Hossain Aslam , Ullah A. K. M. Atique
Published: July 2019

Spinel magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (MNPs) were successfully synthesized from the reduction of stoichiometric ratio of aqueous solutions of Fe2+ and Fe3+ with NaOH solution. Then naturally available Ipomoea aquatica leaf aqueous extract (IA extract) was used for the surface modification of MNPs where biomolecules of leaf extract were acted as stabilizer. Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS), Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), and energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analyses evidence the proper incorporation of the biomolecules of leaf extract in MNPs. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) confirms the synthesis of MNPs where the uniform size distribution with spherical shape was approved by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses. Thermal analysis was performed using differential scanning caloremetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and a phase transition from Fe3O4 to maghemite (γ‐Fe2O3) was detected at 650 °C. The superparamagnetic nature of the studied materials at room temperature was confirmed by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) study and the correlation among saturation magnetization (Ms), crystallite size (D), particle size (d), dislocation density (δ), and microstrain (ϵ) were described. The antibacterial activity of the synthesized MNPs was confirmed by investigating the zones of inhibition which were 19 mm for Gram‐negative bacteria Escherichia coli and 14 mm for Gram‐positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis.
High‐Resolution SPECT Imaging of Stimuli‐Responsive Soft Microrobots
Authors: Iacovacci Veronica , Blanc Alain , Huang Henwei , Ricotti Leonardo , Schibli Roger , Menciassi Arianna , Behe Martin , Pané Salvador , Nelson Bradley J.
Published: July 2019

Untethered small‐scale robots have great potential for biomedical applications. However, critical barriers to effective translation of these miniaturized machines into clinical practice exist. High resolution tracking and imaging in vivo is one of the barriers that limit the use of micro‐ and nanorobots in clinical applications. Here, the inclusion of radioactive compounds in soft thermoresponsive magnetic microrobots is investigated to enable their single‐photon emission computed tomography imaging. Four microrobotic platforms differing in hydrogel structure and four 99mTc[Tc]‐based radioactive compounds are investigated in order to achieve optimal contrast agent retention and optimal imaging. Single microrobot imaging of structures as low as 100 µm in diameter, as well as tracking of shape switching from tubular to planar configurations by inclusion of 99mTc[Tc] colloid in the hydrogel structure, is reported.
Shape‐Defined Hollow Structural Co‐MOF‐74 and Metal Nanoparticles@Co‐MOF‐74 Composite through a Transformation Strategy for Enhanced Photocatalysis Performance
Authors: Deng Xin , Yang Lanlan , Huang Hanlin , Yang Yuying , Feng Shiqiang , Zeng Min , Li Qi , Xu Dongsheng
Published: July 2019

In recent years, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have received extensive interest because of the diversity of their composition, structure, and function. To promote the MOFs' function and performance, the construction of hollow structural metal–organic frameworks and nanoparticle–MOF composites is significantly effective but remains a considerable challenge. In this article, a transformation strategy is developed to synthesize hollow structural Co‐MOF‐74 by solvothermal transformation of ZIF‐67. These Co‐MOF‐74 particles exhibit a double‐layer hollow shell structure without remarkable shape change compared to original ZIF‐67 particles. The formation of hollow structure stemmed from the density difference of Co between ZIF‐67 and Co‐MOF‐74. By this strategy, hollow structural Co‐MOF‐74 with different sizes and shapes are obtained from corresponding ZIF‐67, and metal nanoparticles@Co‐MOF‐74 is synthesized by corresponding nanoparticles@Co‐ZIF‐67. To verify the structural advantages of hollow structural Co‐MOF‐74 and Ag nanoparticles@Co‐MOF‐74, photocatalytic CO2 reduction is used as a model reaction. Conventionally synthesized Co‐MOF‐74 (MOF‐74‐C), hollow structural Co‐MOF‐74 synthesized by transformation method (MOF‐74‐T) and Ag nanoparticles@Co‐MOF‐74 (AgNPs@MOF‐74) are used as cocatalysts in this reaction. As a result, the cocatalytic activity of MOF‐74‐T and AgNPs@MOF‐74 is 1.8 times and 3.8 times that of MOF‐74‐C, respectively.
Cr‐Dopant Induced Breaking of Scaling Relations in CoFe Layered Double Hydroxides for Improvement of Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Wen Lulu , Zhang Xilin , Liu Jieyu , Li Xinyang , Xing Changchang , Lyu Xianjun , Cai Weiping , Wang Weichao , Li Yue
Published: July 2019

Monodentate adsorption of oxygen intermediates results in a theoretical overpotential limit of ≈0.35 V for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), which causes the sluggish kinetics of the OER process. In this work, nonprecious chromium dopant is introduced into the self‐supported CoFe layered double hydroxides (LDHs) on nickel foam (Cr‐CoFe LDHs/NF) via a facile one‐step hydrothermal method, which exhibits a preeminent electrocatalytic activity toward the OER with an ultralow overpotential of 238 mV to obtain 10 mA cm−2 and a high stability after cyclic voltammetry for 5000 cycles in alkaline solution (1 m KOH). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations unveil that Cr dopants as new active sites could improve the electron‐donation ability of the resultant Cr‐CoFe LDHs due to the smaller electronegativity of Cr in comparison with Fe and Co. Therefore, the scaling relation of adsorption energy among four oxygen intermediates is broken and consequently the OER performance is further promoted. This work provides a strategy to develop efficient metal layered double hydroxide OER catalysts.
Engineering Interfaces to Steer Hole Dynamics of BiVO4 Photoanodes for Solar Water Oxidation
Authors: Xu Xiaoyong , Jin Sen , Yang Chi , Pan Jing , Du Wei , Hu Jingguo , Zeng Haibo , Zhou Yong
Published: July 2019

Solar‐driven photo‐electrochemical (PEC) water splitting paves a promising route toward the future of scalable hydrogen production. However, water oxidation dominated by hole carriers excited in the photoanode is a critical bottleneck that hampers PEC overall efficiency due to sluggish hole transfers and surface reaction kinetics for most semiconductors. Herein, dual interface layers including a buried p–n junction and an active catalytic surface to synergistically accelerate hole extraction and injection toward water oxidation over n‐type BiVO4 photoanodes by successive deposition of discrete p‐type Co3O4 and amorphous Co‐Fe‐layered double hydroxide (CoFe‐LDH) are introduced. Compared with the bare BiVO4 photoanode, the resultant BiVO4/Co3O4/CoFe‐LDH photoanode yields a near fourfold enhanced photocurrent density of 3.9 mA cm−2 at 1.23 VRHE with a cathodic shift of ≈410 mV at onset potential under AM 1.5G illumination. Stoichiometric oxygen and hydrogen generation with a Faraday efficiency of unity over 10 h enable an outstanding applied bias solar‐to‐hydrogen efficiency of 1.23%, among the best records for reported single‐photon photoanodes. Furthermore, the decoupled dynamics analysis determines that the designed dual interfaces contribute to both hole extraction efficiency of up to 90% and a surface injection efficiency of up to 71%. This work describes an effective strategy of interface engineering to steer hole dynamics in solar fuel conversion devices.
Interconnected SnO2 Nanocrystals Electron Transport Layer for Highly Efficient Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Sun Qiang , Li Hao , Gong Xiu , Ban Huaxia , Shen Yan , Wang Mingkui
Published: July 2019

This study reports on interconnected SnO2 electron transport layers (composed of presynthesized SnO2 nanocrystals interconnected by amorphous phase SnOx) processed at low temperature (120 °C) for highly efficient flexible perovskite solar cells. Herein, the amorphous phase SnOx serves as an effective binder to connect the SnO2 nanocrystals to obtain ultra‐smooth electron transport layers. Further characterization of the charge carrier kinetics at the perovskite/electron transport layer interface confirms that the interconnected SnO2 nanocrystals layer facilitates electron extraction and retards nonradiative charge carrier recombination. Consequently, a power conversion efficiency of 16.29% is achieved for flexible perovskite solar cells using the interconnected SnO2 electron transport layer on indium tin oxide/polyethylene terephthalate substrates.
Component‐based permission management of Android applications
Authors: Fu Jiaojiao , Zhou Yangfan , Wang Xin
Published: July 2019

Most Android applications include third‐party libraries (3PLs) to make revenues, to facilitate their development, and to track user behaviors. 3PLs generally require specific permissions to realize their functionalities. Current Android systems manage permissions in app (process) granularity. As a result, the permission sets of apps with 3PLs (3PL‐apps) may be augmented, introducing overprivilege risks. In this paper, we firstly study how severe the problem is by analyzing the permission sets of 27 718 real‐world Android apps with and without 3PLs downloaded in both 2016 and 2017. We find that the usage of 3PLs and the permissions required by 3PL‐apps have increased over time. As a result, the possibility of overprivilege risks increases. We then propose Perman, a fine‐grained permission management mechanism for Android. Perman isolates the permissions of the host app and those of the 3PLs through dynamic code instrumentation. It allows users to manage permission requests of different modules of 3PL‐apps during app runtime. Unlike existing tools, Perman does not need to redesign Android apps and systems. Therefore, it can be applied to millions of existing apps and various Android devices. We conduct experiments to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of Perman. The experimental results verify that Perman is capable of managing permission requests of the host app and those of the 3PLs. We also confirm that the overhead introduced by Perman is comparable to that by existing commercial permission management tools.
Phylogenetic and morphometric analysis of Plantago section Coronopus (Plantaginaceae)
Authors: Höpke Jannes , Mucina Ladislav , Albach Dirk C.
Published: July 2019

Plantago sect. Coronopus contains our two focal species (P. coronopus L., P. crassifolia Forssk.), both with an overall conspicuous bi‐hemispheric distribution range (Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions in the Northern Hemisphere and South Africa in the Southern Hemisphere). We have evaluated up to 27 morphological characters from 96 herbarium specimens representing five out of seven species of that section that are currently recognised using principal coordinate analysis, linear discriminant analyses, agglomerative clustering, and classification tree analyses, in order to test the current taxonomic concepts of our two focal species. Furthermore, we used 54 individuals representing six out of those seven species of P. sect. Coronopus to construct molecular phylogenetic hypotheses by sequencing nuclear ribosomal DNA from the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), the plastid trnL‐F region, the plastid intergenic spacer region trnH‐psbA and adopting maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses. In the Northern Hemisphere, an Irano‐Arabian clade initially identified as P. coronopus and shown as distinct in both morphological and phylogenetical terms fits a wider circumscription of P. crypsoides Boiss. due to lack of the prominent short and thick inflorescence scape following Boissier's description. The morphological differences between P. crassifolia from the Mediterranean region and P. crassifolia from South Africa (often named P. carnosa Lam.) were marginal, yet the molecular phylogenetic analyses of both nuclear and plastid markers clearly separated these evolutionary entities. Therefore, we re‐instated the name P. carnosa as the correct name for South African P. crassifolia. Plantago carnosa differs from P. crassifolia by the combination of having stronger woody rootstocks, which are more often branched, by broader leaves (≥1.6 mm wide) and the fact that specimens more often turn brown when dried. Our dataset provides the best sampled phylogenetic hypothesis for P. sect. (and subg.) Coronopus to date, and reveals discordance between nuclear and plastid genealogies within P. sect. Maritima, which requires further investigation.
Assessment of spring water microbiology and role of Typha angustata as biosorbent
Authors: Ali Shaukat , Mahmood Rashid , Muneer Areesha , Khalil Maryam , Sheikh Nazish , Tahir Hafiz Muhammad , Andleeb Saiqa , Liaqat Iram , Ashfaq Kiani Komal , Ali Nazish M. , Shah Muhammad Ali
Published: July 2019

More than 2.1 billion people worldwide are deprived of safe drinking water at homes. The situation is strikingly worse in a developing country like Pakistan where over 69% of the population does not have access to safe drinking water. The present study evaluated a perenial herb, Typha angustata (TA), to purify the spring water. For this purpose, 25 water samples were collected. Majority of samples (20/25) were highly contaminated with microbes ranging colony forming units (CFU) per millileter per Petri dish ranged from 85 to 279 with an average of 136.4. Microbial inhibition of water samples treated with the nonmodified plant extract was observed to be better with the average of 55.5% compared to the treatment with NaOH chemically modified plant where average 46.4% inhibition of microbial load was observed. Four species of microbes such as Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas otitidis, and Streptococcus agalactiae were identified after sequencing. We concluded that T. angustata extract may be used as an antibacterial agent/biosorbent for the purification of drinking water to provide safe drinking water to billions of humans.

Practitioner points

Spring water samples were collected from 25 different springs.

Spring water samples were analyzed for physiochemical parameters.

Spring water samples were found to be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria, that is, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas otitidis, and Streptococcus agalactiae.

Pathogenic bacteria in spring water samples were treated with extract of Typha angustata.

Extract of Typha angustata was found as a potential antibacterial agent against pathogenic bacteria.
The many types of heterogeneity in replicative senescence
Authors: Xu Zhou , Teixeira Maria Teresa
Published: July 2019

Replicative senescence, which is induced by telomere shortening, underlies the loss of regeneration capacity of organs and is ultimately detrimental to the organism. At the same time, it is required to protect organisms from unlimited cell proliferation that may arise from numerous stimuli or deregulations. One important feature of replicative senescence is its high level of heterogeneity and asynchrony, which promote genome instability and senescence escape. Characterizing this heterogeneity and investigating its sources are thus critical to understanding the robustness of replicative senescence. Here we review the different aspects of senescence driven by telomere attrition that are subject to variation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the current understanding of the molecular processes at play, and the consequences of heterogeneity in replicative senescence.
Kommunale Akteure verstehen: Verteilte Wissensbestände in Kommunen beachten
Authors: Erl Thorsten , Gonser Monika , Eckart Jochen , Häußler Elke , Riel Jan
Published: July 2019

Eine Akteursanalyse liefert wertvolle Grundlagen für die Gestaltung der Partizipation in einem Reallabor. Bleiben dabei relevante Besonderheiten unbeachtet, entstehen ‚blinde Flecken‘. Der Kurz-Beitrag erörtert den ‚blinden Flecken‘, der entsteht, wenn ausgeblendet wird, dass sich das projektrelevante Wissen in der Kommune nicht bei einer Stelle oder Person bündeln, sondern auf verschiedene Stellen oder Personen verteilt sein dürfte. Der Beitrag zeigt, auf welche Aspekte der Wissensverteilung in einer Kommune zu achten ist, und weshalb es wichtig ist, darüber Bescheid zu wissen. Die weiteren ‚blinden Flecken‘, die im Buch beleuchtet werden, sind die, die durch einen verkürzten Blick auf die Vorgeschichte bzw. auf die Entscheidungswege in Kommunen entstehen.
Die „TraSy-Methode“ – ein Vorgehen für die transdisziplinäre Entwicklung soziotechnischer Systeme
Authors: Gebhardt Laura , König Alexandra
Published: July 2019

Die „TraSy-Methode“ dient der transdisziplinären Entwicklung soziotechnischer Systeme mit potenziell zukünftigen Nutzer(inne)n und anderen lokalen Praxisakteuren. Sie sieht vier Phasen vor, in denen interdisziplinäre und transdisziplinäre Arbeit unterschiedlich gewichtet werden: (1) die interdisziplinäre Analyse des Handelns der potenziellen Nutzer(innen) des zu entwickelnden Systems, (2) die transdisziplinäre Identifikation von Nutzertypen und Nutzungsszenarien (d. h. potenzielle Nutzergruppen und Einsatzzwecke) im zukünftigen System, (3) die transdisziplinäre Generierung von Ideen und Konzepten für das System, (4) dessen experimentelle Erprobung und Evaluierung. Im Beitrag werden das Vorgehen für die Phasen 1-3 der „TraSy-Methode“ und die zwei Arbeitsdokumente, die das Vorgehen leiten und strukturieren, vorgestellt. Besonders geeignet ist die Methode, wenn es darum geht, Bedürfnisse unterschiedlicher Nutzer(innen) einer heterogenen Bevölkerung an ein neues soziotechnisches System zu explorieren, und wenn das notwendige Wissen für die Beschreibung der Nutzeranforderungen über verschiedene Praxisakteure verteilt ist.
Dark matter production during the thermalization era
Authors: Harigaya Keisuke , Mukaida Kyohei , Yamada Masaki
Published: July 2019

Abstract

We revisit the non-thermal dark matter (DM) production during the thermalization and reheating era after inflation. The decay of inflaton produces high-energy particles that are thermalized to complete the reheating of the Universe. Before the thermalization is completed, DM can be produced from a collision between the high-energy particles and/or the ambient plasma. We calculate the DM abundance produced from these processes for the case where the cross section of the DM production is proportional to the n-th power of the center of mass energy. We find that the collision between the high-energy particles is almost always dominant for n ≳ 4 while it is subdominant for n≲2. The production from the ambient plasma is dominant when n≲3 and the reheating temperature is of the order of or larger than the DM mass. The production from a collision between the high-energy particle and the ambient plasma is important for n ≲ 2 and the reheating temperature is much lower than the DM mass.
Black hole microstate cosmology
Authors: Cooper Sean , Rozali Moshe , Swingle Brian , Van Raamsdonk Mark , Waddell Christopher , Wakeham David
Published: July 2019

Abstract

In this note, we explore the possibility that certain high-energy holographic CFT states correspond to black hole microstates with a geometrical behind-the-horizon region, modelled by a portion of a second asymptotic region terminating at an end-of-the-world (ETW) brane. We study the time-dependent physics of this behind-the-horizon region, whose ETW boundary geometry takes the form of a closed FRW spacetime. We show that in many cases, this behind-the-horizon physics can be probed directly by looking at the time dependence of entanglement entropy for sufficiently large spatial CFT subsystems. We study in particular states defined via Euclidean evolution from conformal boundary states and give specific predictions for the behavior of the entanglement entropy in this case. We perform analogous calculations for the SYK model and find qualitative agreement with our expectations. We also calculate holographic complexity for the d = 2 ETW geometries, finding that complexity-action and complexity-volume proposals give the same linear growth at late times, but differ at early times.

A fascinating possibility is that for certain states, we might have gravity localized to the ETW brane as in the Randall-Sundrum II scenario for cosmology. In this case, the effective description of physics beyond the horizon could be a big bang/big crunch cosmology of the same dimensionality as the CFT. In this case, the d-dimensional CFT describing the black hole microstate would give a precise, microscopic description of the d-dimensional cosmological physics.
Exploring the ultra-light to sub-MeV dark matter window with atomic clocks and co-magnetometers
Authors: Alonso Rodrigo , Blas Diego , Wolf Peter
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Particle dark matter could have a mass anywhere from that of ultralight candidates,mχ∼ 10−21eV, to scales well above the GeV. Conventional laboratory searches are sensitive to a range of masses close to the weak scale, while new techniques are required to explore candidates outside this realm. In particular lighter candidates are difficult to detect due to their small momentum. Here we study two experimental set-ups whichdo not require transfer of momentumto detect dark matter: atomic clocks and co-magnetometers. These experiments probe dark matter that couples to the spin of matter via the very precise measurement of the energy difference between atomic states of different angular momenta. This coupling is possible (even natural) in most dark matter models, and we translate the current experimental sensitivity into implications for different dark matter models. It is found that the constraints from current atomic clocks and co-magnetometers can be competitive in the mass rangemχ∼ 10−21−103eV, depending on the model. We also comment on the (negligible) effect of different astrophysical neutrino backgrounds.
Hamilton-Jacobi approach to holographic renormalization of massive gravity
Authors: Chen Fan , Wu Shao-Feng , Peng Yuxuan
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Recently, a practical approach to holographic renormalization has been developed based on the Hamilton-Jacobi formulation. Using a simple Einstein-scalar theory, we clarify that this approach does not conflict with the Hamiltonian constraint as it seems. Then we apply it to the holographic renormalization of massive gravity. We assume that the shift vector is falling off fast enough asymptotically. We derive the counterterms up to the boundary dimensiond= 4. Interestingly, we find that the conformal anomaly can even occur in odd dimensions, which is different from the Einstein gravity. We check that the counterterms cancel the divergent part of the on-shell action at the background level. At the perturbation level, they are also applicable in several time-dependent cases.
Constraining CP-violating electron-gluonic operators
Authors: Cheung Kingman , Keung Wai-Yee , Mao Ying-nan , Zhang Chen
Published: July 2019

Abstract

We present an analysis of constraints on two types of CP-odd electron-gluonic operators (ēiγ
5
e)G

μν

a

G

aμν
and

$$ \left(\overline{e}e\right){G}_{\mu \nu}^a{\overset{\sim }{G}}^{a\mu \nu } $$

e
¯

e

G

μ
ν

a

G
∼

a
μ
ν

from current and future electric dipole moment (EDM) experiments. The recent result from the ACME experiment using ThO molecules is used to derive an impressive lower bound on the effective scale for (ēiγ
5
e)G

μν

a

G

aμν
at 8 TeV, assuming a QCD one-loop factor and no helicity suppression from new physics. One interesting aspect is that (ēiγ
5
e)G

μν

a

G

aμν
contributes to the observable EDM in ThO experiment mainly through CP-odd electron-nucleon interaction rather than direct electron EDM which arises from three-loop running and matching. For

$$ \left(\overline{e}e\right){G}_{\mu \nu}^a{\overset{\sim }{G}}^{a\mu \nu } $$

e
¯

e

G

μ
ν

a

G
∼

a
μ
ν

the current bound is much weaker and suffers from large uncertainties. We also discuss the QCD running and matching for the CP-odd electron-gluonic operators and give an estimate of the relevant nucleon matrix elements and uncertainties that are needed in the calculation.
Constitutive relations for compressible granular flow in the inertial regime
Authors: Schaeffer D. G. , Barker T. , Tsuji D. , Gremaud P. , Shearer M. , Gray J. M. N. T.
Published: July 2019

Granular flows occur in a wide range of situations of practical interest to industry, in our natural environment and in our everyday lives. This paper focuses on granular flow in the so-called inertial regime, when the rheology is independent of the very large particle stiffness. Such flows have been modelled with the $\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}(I),\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}(I)$-rheology, which postulates that the bulk friction coefficient $\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}$ (i.e. the ratio of the shear stress to the pressure) and the solids volume fraction $\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}$ are functions of the inertial number $I$ only. Although the $\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}(I),\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}(I)$-rheology has been validated in steady state against both experiments and discrete particle simulations in several different geometries, it has recently been shown that this theory is mathematically ill-posed in time-dependent problems. As a direct result, computations using this rheology may blow up exponentially, with a growth rate that tends to infinity as the discretization length tends to zero, as explicitly demonstrated in this paper for the first time. Such catastrophic instability due to ill-posedness is a common issue when developing new mathematical models and implies that either some important physics is missing or the model has not been properly formulated. In this paper an alternative to the $\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}(I),\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}(I)$-rheology that does not suffer from such defects is proposed. In the framework of compressible $I$-dependent rheology (CIDR), new constitutive laws for the inertial regime are introduced; these match the well-established $\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}(I)$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}(I)$ relations in the steady-state limit and at the same time are well-posed for all deformations and all packing densities. Time-dependent numerical solutions of the resultant equations are performed to demonstrate that the new inertial CIDR model leads to numerical convergence towards physically realistic solutions that are supported by discrete element method simulations.
Iron status and inherited haemoglobin disorders modify the effects of micronutrient powders on linear growth and morbidity among young Lao children in a double-blind randomised trial
Authors: Hess Sonja Y. , Wessells K. Ryan , Hinnouho Guy-Marino , Barffour Maxwell A. , Sanchaisuriya Kanokwan , Arnold Charles D. , Brown Kenneth H. , Larson Charles P. , Fucharoen Supan , Kounnavong Sengchanh
Published: July 2019

Some studies found that providing micronutrient powder (MNP) causes adverse health outcomes, but modifying factors are unknown. We aimed to investigate whether Fe status and inherited Hb disorders (IHbD) modify the impact of MNP on growth and diarrhoea among young Lao children. In a double-blind controlled trial, 1704 children of age 6–23 months were randomised to daily MNP (with 6 mg Fe plus fourteen micronutrients) or placebo for about 36 weeks. IHbD, and baseline and final Hb, Fe status and anthropometrics were assessed. Caregivers provided weekly morbidity reports. At enrolment, 55·6 % were anaemic; only 39·3 % had no sign of clinically significant IHbD. MNP had no overall impact on growth and longitudinal diarrhoea prevalence. Baseline Hb modified the effect of MNP on length-for-age (LAZ) (P for interaction = 0·082). Among children who were initially non-anaemic, the final mean LAZ in the MNP group was slightly lower (–1·93 (95 % CI –1·88, –1·97)) v. placebo (–1·88 (95 % CI –1·83, –1·92)), and the opposite occurred among initially anaemic children (final mean LAZ –1·90 (95 % CI –1·86, –1·94) in MNP v. –1·92 (95 % CI –1·88, –1·96) in placebo). IHbD modified the effect on diarrhoea prevalence (P = 0·095). Among children with IHbD, the MNP group had higher diarrhoea prevalence (1·37 (95 % CI 1·17, 1·59) v. 1·21 (95 % CI 1·04, 1·41)), while it was lower among children without IHbD who received MNP (1·15 (95 % CI 0·95, 1·39) v. 1·37 (95 % CI 1·13, 1·64)). In conclusion, there was a small adverse effect of MNP on growth among non-anaemic children and on diarrhoea prevalence among children with IHbD.
Study on the influence of the magnetic field geometry on the power deposition in a helicon plasma source
Authors: Magarotto M. , Melazzi D. , Pavarin D.
Published: July 2019

We have numerically studied how an actual confinement magnetostatic field affects power deposition in a helicon source. We have solved the wave propagation by means of two electromagnetic solvers, namely: (i) plaSma Padova Inhomogeneous Radial Electromagnetic solver (SPIREs), a mono-dimensional finite-difference frequency-domain code, and (ii) Advanced coDe for Anisotropic Media and ANTennas (ADAMANT), a full-wave three-dimensional tool based on the method of moments. We have computed the deposited power spectrum with SPIREs, power deposition profile with ADAMANT and the antenna impedance with both codes. First we have verified the numerical accuracy of both SPIREs and ADAMNT. Then, we have analysed two configurations of magnetostatic field, namely produced by Maxwell coils, and Helmholtz coils. For each configuration we have studied three cases: (i) low density$n=10^{17}~\text{m}^{-3}$and low magnetic field$B_{0}=250$ G; (ii) medium density$n=10^{18}~\text{m}^{-3}$and medium magnetic field$B_{0}=500$ G; (iii) high density$n=10^{19}~\text{m}^{-3}$and high magnetic field$B_{0}=1000$ G. We have found that the Maxwell coil configuration does not produces significant changes in the deposited power phenomenon with respect to a perfectly uniform and axial magnetostatic field. While the Helmholtz coil configuration can lead to a power spectrum peaked near the axis of the discharge.
Why a developmental cognitive neuroscience approach may be key for future-proofing microbiota-gut-brain research
Authors: Johnstone Nicola , Cohen Kadosh Kathrin
Published: July 2019

Here we argue that a multidisciplinary research approach, such as currently practised in the field of developmental cognitive neuroscience, is key to maintaining current momentum and to future-proof the field of microbiome-gut-brain research. Moreover, such a comprehensive approach will also bring us closer to our aims of translation and targeted intervention approaches to improve mental health and well-being.
Increasing reproducibility and interpretability of microbiota-gut-brain studies on human neurocognition and intermediary microbial metabolites
Authors: Aarts Esther , El Aidy Sahar
Published: July 2019

In this commentary, we point to guidelines for performing human neuroimaging studies and their reporting in microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) articles. Moreover, we provide a view on interpretational issues in MGB studies, with a specific focus on gut microbiota–derived metabolites. Thus, extending the target article, we provide recommendations to the field to increase reproducibility and relevance of this type of MGB study.
On the potential distortions of highly cited papers in emerging research fields: A critical appraisal
Authors: Ostinelli Edoardo G. , Gambini Orsola , D'Agostino Armando
Published: July 2019

Citation-based metrics are increasingly used as a proxy to define representative, considerable, or significant papers. We challenge this belief by taking into account factors that may play a role in providing citations to a manuscript and whether/how those highly cited studies could shape a scientific field. A different approach to summarisation of relevant core publications within a topic is proposed.
Nourishing the gut microbiota: The potential of prebiotics in microbiota-gut-brain axis research
Authors: Dalile Boushra , Verbeke Kristin , Van Oudenhove Lukas , Vervliet Bram
Published: July 2019

Dietary fiber and prebiotics consistently modulate microbiota composition and function and hence may constitute a powerful tool in microbiota-gut-brain axis research. However, this is largely ignored in Hooks et al.’s analysis, which highlights the limitations of probiotics in establishing microbiome-mediated effects on neurobehavioral functioning and neglects discussing the potential of prebiotics in warranting the microbiota's role in such effects.
Inter-individual variation shapes the human microbiome
Authors: Wissel Emily F. , Smith Leigh K.
Published: July 2019

The target article suggests inter-individual variability is a weakness of microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) research, but we discuss why it is actually a strength. We comment on how accounting for individual differences can help researchers systematically understand the observed variance in microbiota composition, interpret null findings, and potentially improve the efficacy of therapeutic treatments in future clinical microbiome research.
A call for mapping the development of the microbiota-gut-brain axis during human infancy
Authors: Kelsey Caroline Malory , Grossmann Tobias
Published: July 2019

We argue for the importance of looking at the microbiota-gut-brain axis from a human developmental perspective. For this purpose, we first briefly highlight emerging research with infants attesting that the microbiome plays a role in early brain and cognitive development. We then discuss the use of developmentally informed humanized mouse models and implications of microbiome research that go beyond probiotic administration.
‘Learning to bring dead capital to life’: the Riksens Ständers Bank and the credit market in seventeenth-century Sweden
Authors: Pihl Christopher
Published: July 2019

Successful mortgage lending is often said to require a system of registration, which records the ownership of, and any encumbrances on, a particular piece of real estate. Here we analyse how Sweden's Riksens Ständers Bank handled the uncertainties of the mortgage lending market c. 1680–1700, when there was no coherent system of property registration. The bank tried to make registration compulsory, but when influential groups opposed this move, the bank had to modify its lending practices. The study thus sheds light on the somewhat fraught initial stages of the shifts in the credit system, which from the latter half of the seventeenth century onwards, saw personal trust replaced by system trust, and private credit replaced by institutional credit.
Allostatic load and the cannabinoid system: implications for the treatment of physiological abnormalities in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Authors: Lohr James B. , Chang Hang , Sexton Michelle , Palmer Barton W.
Published: July 2019

It is becoming clear that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not simply a psychiatric disorder, but one that involves pervasive physiological impairments as well. These physiological disturbances deserve attention in any attempt at integrative treatment of PTSD that requires a focus beyond the PTSD symptoms themselves. The physiological disturbances in PTSD range over many systems, but a common thread thought to underlie them is that the chronic effects of PTSD involve problems with allostatic control mechanisms that result in an excess in what has been termed “allostatic load” (AL). A pharmacological approach to reducing AL would be valuable, but, because of the large range of physiological issues involved – including metabolic, inflammatory, and cardiovascular systems – it is unclear whether there exists a simple comprehensive way to address the AL landscape. In this paper, we propose that the cannabinoid system may offer just such an approach, and we outline evidence for the potential utility of cannabinoids in reducing many of the chronic physiological abnormalities seen in PTSD which are thought to be related to excess AL.
Radiologically isolated syndrome is antiquated amidst evolving McDonald criteria for multiple sclerosis
Authors: Avasarala Jagannadha , Yousuf Fawad
Published: July 2019

The diagnosis of radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) is untenable in the modern era as new diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis (MS) continue to evolve. Even without optic nerve involvement, the shift in the diagnostic criteria for MS forces clinicians to make a diagnosis at the earliest possible time and appropriate treatment initiated. In this analysis, we revisit the original RIS criteria as published and conclude that RIS as a diagnostic entity is obsolete.
Designing a virtual patient dialogue system based on terminology-rich resources: Challenges and evaluation
Authors: Campillos-Llanos Leonardo , Thomas Catherine , Bilinski Éric , Zweigenbaum Pierre , Rosset Sophie
Published: July 2019

Virtual patient software allows health professionals to practise their skills by interacting with tools simulating clinical scenarios. A natural language dialogue system can provide natural interaction for medical history-taking. However, the large number of concepts and terms in the medical domain makes the creation of such a system a demanding task. We designed a dialogue system that stands out from current research by its ability to handle a wide variety of medical specialties and clinical cases. To address the task, we designed a patient record model, a knowledge model for the task and a termino-ontological model that hosts structured thesauri with linguistic, terminological and ontological knowledge. We used a frame- and rule-based approach and terminology-rich resources to handle the medical dialogue. This work focuses on the termino-ontological model, the challenges involved and how the system manages resources for the French language. We adopted a comprehensive approach to collect terms and ontological knowledge, and dictionaries of affixes, synonyms and derivational variants. Resources include domain lists containing over 161,000 terms, and dictionaries with over 959,000 word/concept entries. We assessed our approach by having 71 participants (39 medical doctors and 32 non-medical evaluators) interact with the system and use 35 cases from 18 specialities. We conducted a quantitative evaluation of all components by analysing interaction logs (11,834 turns). Natural language understanding achieved an F-measure of 95.8%. Dialogue management provided on average 74.3 (±9.5)% of correct answers. We performed a qualitative evaluation by collecting 171 five-point Likert scale questionnaires. All evaluated aspects obtained mean scores above the Likert mid-scale point. We analysed the vocabulary coverage with regard to unseen cases: the system covered 97.8% of their terms. Evaluations showed that the system achieved high vocabulary coverage on unseen cases and was assessed as relevant for the task.
Changes in socio-economic patterns of energy consumption and insufficient energy intake across India from 1993–94 to 2011–12
Authors: Perkins Jessica M , Chakrabarti Suman , Joe William , Lee Hwa-Young , Heo Jongho , Lee Jong-Koo , Oh Juhwan , Subramanian SV
Published: July 2019

Objective:

To assess whether disparities in energy consumption and insufficient energy intake in India have changed over time across socio-economic status (SES).

Design:

This cross-sectional, population-based survey study examines the relationship between several SES indicators (i.e. wealth, education, caste, occupation) and energy consumption in India at two time points almost 20 years apart. Household food intake in the last 30 d was assessed in 1993–94 and in 2011–12. Average dietary energy intake per person in the household (e.g. kilocalories) and whether the household consumed less than 80 % of the recommended energy intake (i.e. insufficient energy intake) were calculated. Linear and relative risk regression models were used to estimate the relationship between SES and average energy consumed per day per person and the relative risk of consuming an insufficient amount of energy.

Setting:

Rural and urban areas across India.

Participants:

A nationally representative sample of households.

Results:

Among rural households, there was a positive association between SES and energy intake across all four SES indicators during both survey years. Similar results were seen for energy insufficiency vis-à-vis recommended energy intake levels. Among urban households, wealth was associated with energy intake and insufficiency at both time points, but there was no educational patterning of energy insufficiency in 2011–12.

Conclusions:

Results suggest little overall change in the SES patterning of energy consumption and percentage of households with insufficient energy intake from 1993–94 to 2011–12 in India. Policies in India need to improve energy intake among low-SES households, particularly in rural areas.
The Influence of Job Candidates’ Physical Appearance on Interview Evaluations
Authors: Lowman Graham H. , Harms Peter D. , Mills Maura J.
Published: July 2019

Abstract. The influence of a candidate’s physical appearance on interview evaluations is well documented. However, few models exist that explain how and why specific components of physical appearance influence interviewer perceptions. We address this discrepancy by identifying the primary components of appearance and integrating findings from the appearance literature to explain the relationship between candidate appearance and interview evaluations. We propose that interviewers compare traits inferred from a candidate’s physical appearance with traits associated with their prototype for the job position. Interviewers perceive a strong person-job fit when these traits align, which is indicated by a prototype match. By detailing this progression in the proposed conceptual model, this paper answers calls from recent research and provides new directions for future inquiry.
Wetland Connectivity Thresholds and Flow Dynamics From Stage Measurements
Authors: McLaughlin Daniel L. , Diamond Jacob S. , Quintero Carlos , Heffernan James , Cohen Matthew J.
Published: July 2019

Depressional wetlands are dominant features in many low‐gradient landscapes, where they provide water storage and exchange. Typical basin morphology enables water storage during drier periods, when surface flow paths are disconnected and exchange is limited to slower groundwater flow paths. Under wetter conditions, wetland stage can exceed surface connection thresholds, activating surface flow paths to downstream waters. Empirical methods are needed to quantify these dynamics and thus to assess their role in landscape hydrology and associated functions. We developed a new water budget‐based approach to enumerate connectivity thresholds and flows from stage measurements. We propose that this approach, termed Connectivity and Flow from Stage (CFS), has broad applicability across wetlandscapes. We applied the CFS method in the Big Cypress National Preserve, where we hypothesized that surface connectivity episodes control water and solute flux, with consequences for exported carbonate weathering products and thus for karst landform evolution. Across five study wetlands, this analysis detected surface connectivity thresholds and assessed temporal flow dynamics. Imputed connectivity thresholds were clear from stage‐dependent net flow dynamics and aligned well with LiDAR‐derived thresholds. Water export occurred overwhelmingly when stage exceeded these thresholds, indicating that water and solute export from these wetlands is dominated by periods of enhanced landscape connectivity. Notably, the presented CFS method can quantify wetland connectivity thresholds from stage data, even without supporting geomorphic information. This approach is useful for understanding hydrologic controls on biogeomorphic evolution in this particular karst landscape, and more broadly for inferring wetland connectivity patterns and magnitudes in other wetlandscape settings.
Observed Impacts of Anthropogenic Climate Change on Wildfire in California
Authors: Williams A. Park , Abatzoglou John T. , Gershunov Alexander , Guzman‐Morales Janin , Bishop Daniel A. , Balch Jennifer K. , Lettenmaier Dennis P.
Published: July 2019

Recent fire seasons have fueled intense speculation regarding the effect of anthropogenic climate change on wildfire in western North America and especially in California. During 1972–2018, California experienced a fivefold increase in annual burned area, mainly due to more than an eightfold increase in summer forest‐fire extent. Increased summer forest‐fire area very likely occurred due to increased atmospheric aridity caused by warming. Since the early 1970s, warm‐season days warmed by approximately 1.4 °C as part of a centennial warming trend, significantly increasing the atmospheric vapor pressure deficit (VPD). These trends are consistent with anthropogenic trends simulated by climate models. The response of summer forest‐fire area to VPD is exponential, meaning that warming has grown increasingly impactful. Robust interannual relationships between VPD and summer forest‐fire area strongly suggest that nearly all of the increase in summer forest‐fire area during 1972–2018 was driven by increased VPD. Climate change effects on summer wildfire were less evident in nonforested lands. In fall, wind events and delayed onset of winter precipitation are the dominant promoters of wildfire. While these variables did not change much over the past century, background warming and consequent fuel drying is increasingly enhancing the potential for large fall wildfires. Among the many processes important to California's diverse fire regimes, warming‐driven fuel drying is the clearest link between anthropogenic climate change and increased California wildfire activity to date.
Atmospheric Methane Emissions Correlate With Natural Gas Consumption From Residential and Commercial Sectors in Los Angeles
Authors: He Liyin , Zeng Zhao‐Cheng , Pongetti Thomas J. , Wong Clare , Liang Jianming , Gurney Kevin R. , Newman Sally , Yadav Vineet , Verhulst Kristal , Miller Charles E. , Duren Riley , Frankenberg Christian , Wennberg Paul O. , Shia Run‐Lie , Yung Yuk L. , Sander Stanley P.
Published: July 2019

Legislation in the State of California mandates reductions in emissions of short‐lived climate pollutants of 40% from 2013 levels by 2030 for CH4. Identification of the sector(s) responsible for these emissions and their temporal and spatial variability is a key step in achieving these goals. Here, we determine the emissions of CH4 in Los Angeles from 2011–2017 using a mountaintop remote sensing mapping spectrometer. We show that the pattern of CH4 emissions contains both seasonal and nonseasonal contributions. We find that the seasonal component peaks in the winter and is correlated (R2 = 0.58) with utility natural gas consumption from the residential and commercial sectors and not from the industrial and gas‐fired power plant sectors. The nonseasonal component is (22.9 ± 1.4) Gg CH4/month. If the seasonal correlation is causal, about (1.4 ± 0.1)% of the commercial and residential natural gas consumption in Los Angeles is released into the atmosphere.