bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacological modulation of the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) system by dietaryH2S‐donors: A novel promising strategy in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Piragine Eugenia , Calderone Vincenzo
Published: October 2020

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents the most common age‐related metabolic disorder, and its management is becoming both a health and economic issue worldwide. Moreover, chronic hyperglycemia represents one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular complications. In the last years, the emerging evidence about the role of the endogenous gasotransmitter hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the pathogenesis and progression of T2DM led to increasing interest in the pharmacological modulation of endogenous “H2S‐system”. Indeed, H2S directly contributes to the homeostatic maintenance of blood glucose levels; moreover, it improves impaired angiogenesis and endothelial dysfunction under hyperglycemic conditions. Moreover, H2S promotes significant antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects, thus preventing hyperglycemia‐induced vascular damage, diabetic nephropathy, and cardiomyopathy. Therefore, H2S‐releasing molecules represent a promising strategy in both clinical management of T2DM and prevention of macro‐ and micro‐vascular complications associated to hyperglycemia. Recently, growing attention has been focused on dietary organosulfur compounds. Among them, garlic polysulfides and isothiocyanates deriving fromBrassicaceaehave been recognized as H2S‐donors of great pharmacological and nutraceutical interest. Therefore, a better understanding of the therapeutic potential of naturally occurring H2S‐donors may pave the way to a more rational use of these nutraceuticals in the modulation of H2S homeostasis in T2DM.
Speed‐up of the Madeira tip jets in the ERA5 climate highlights the decadal variability of the Atlantic subtropics
Authors: Miranda P. M. A. , Tomé R. , Frois L. , Nogueira M. , Alves J.M.R. , Prior V. , Caldeira R. , Dutra E.
Published: October 2020

During the summer months, the northeasterly trade winds impinging on Madeira Island lead to the establishment of a quasi‐permanent wind pattern with two tip jets emerging near the western and eastern island tips. These jets respond to subtle changes of the upstream flow with an amplified signal, and a high‐resolution simulation of the regional atmospheric flow is found to indicate an intensification, associated with a lowering of the atmospheric boundary layer and a slight realignment of the background flow. These results are validated by observations at Madeira Airport, where the proximity of the East Jet has led to less favourable wind conditions for aircraft operations in the last decade. It is suggested that these trends may be explained by large‐scale changes in the structure of the Hadley Cell in the North Atlantic basin.
An evaluation of surface meteorology and fluxes over the Iceland and Greenland Seas in ERA5 reanalysis: The impact of sea ice distribution
Authors: Renfrew I. A. , Barrell C. , Elvidge A. D. , Brooke J. K. , Duscha C. , King J. C. , Kristiansen J. , Cope T. Lachlan , Moore G. W. K. , Pickart R. S. , Reuder J. , Sandu I. , Sergeev D. , Terpstra A. , Våge K. , Weiss A.
Published: October 2020

The Iceland and Greenland Seas are a crucial region for the climate system, being the headwaters of the lower limb of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. Investigating the atmosphere–ocean–ice processes in this region often necessitates the use of meteorological reanalyses—a representation of the atmospheric state based on the assimilation of observations into a numerical weather prediction system. Knowing the quality of reanalysis products is vital for their proper use. Here we evaluate the surface‐layer meteorology and surface turbulent fluxes in winter and spring for the latest reanalysis from the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts, i.e., ERA5. In situ observations from a meteorological buoy, a research vessel, and a research aircraft during the Iceland–Greenland Seas Project provide unparalleled coverage of this climatically important region. The observations are independent of ERA5. They allow a comprehensive evaluation of the surface meteorology and fluxes of these subpolar seas and, for the first time, a specific focus on the marginal ice zone. Over the ice‐free ocean, ERA5 generally compares well to the observations of surface‐layer meteorology and turbulent fluxes. However, over the marginal ice zone, the correspondence is noticeably less accurate: for example, the root‐mean‐square errors are significantly higher for surface temperature, wind speed, and surface sensible heat flux. The primary reason for the difference in reanalysis quality is an overly smooth sea‐ice distribution in the surface boundary conditions used in ERA5. Particularly over the marginal ice zone, unrepresented variability and uncertainties in how to parameterize surface exchange compromise the quality of the reanalyses. A parallel evaluation of higher‐resolution forecast fields from the Met Office's Unified Model corroborates these findings.
Inference for dependence competing risks with partially observed failure causes from bivariate Gompertz distribution under generalized progressive hybrid censoring
Authors: Wang Liang , Tripathi Yogesh Mani , Dey Sanku , Shi Yimin
Published: October 2020

Competing risks model is considered with dependence causes of failure in this paper. When the latent failure times are distributed by a bivariate Gompertz model, statistical inference for the unknown model parameters is studied from classical and Bayesian approaches, respectively. Under a generalized progressive hybrid censoring, maximum likelihood estimators of the unknown parameters together with the associated existence and uniqueness are established, and the approximate confidence intervals are also obtained based on asymptotic likelihood theory via the observed Fisher information matrix. Moreover, Bayes estimates and the highest posterior density credible intervals of the unknown parameters are also provided based on a flexible Gamma–Dirichlet prior, and Monte Carlo sampling method is also derived to compute associated estimates. Finally, simulation studies and a real‐life example are given for illustration purposes.
Aldol Condensation‐Polymerized n‐Doped Conjugated Polyelectrolytes for High‐Performance Nonfullerene Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Tian Li , Jing Jianhua , Tang Haoran , Liang Yuanying , Hu Zhicheng , Rafiq Muhammad , Huang Fei , Cao Yong
Published: October 2020

Doping provides an efficient strategy to control the electronic properties of organic semiconductors. However, compared with the widely reported p‐type doping protocols, n‐type doping of organic semiconductors still remains a challenge. Herein, a series of novel n‐doped conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs) with high doping levels and conductivity are designed. These CPEs are synthesized via a facile, metal‐free, and high‐yield aldol condensation protocol from bis‐isatin and bis‐oxindole monomers. The designed CPEs possess a n‐type electron‐deficient and rigid conjugated backbone, resulting in easy charge delocalization, enhanced n‐doping behaviors, and high conductivity. The evolution on the counterions of these CPEs further alters their n‐doping behaviors, charge transporting properties, and work function tunability, etc. By using these CPEs as electron transport materials (ETMs) for nonfullerene polymer solar cells (NF–PSCs), high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) over 16% can be achieved when PM6:Y6 is used as the active component. Moreover, these CPEs can enable efficient NF–PSCs even if their thicknesses are up to 60 nm, indicating the potential of these CPEs as thickness‐insensitive ETMs for the fabrication of large‐area NF–PSCs.
Impact of computer modeling on learning and teaching systems thinking
Authors: Nguyen Ha , Santagata Rossella
Published: October 2020

Researchers have found that computer modeling fosters the learning of causal mechanisms in systems, an important crosscutting concept in science that many novice learners find challenging. Despite the research that highlights the role of teacher's instructional practices in enacting computer tools, few studies have considered teachers' use of computer modeling and its implications for student learning in classroom interactions, compared to interactions without computer tools. In this study, we examine (a) the impact of computer modeling on students' understanding of causal links in decomposition and (b) classroom interactions with use of computer modeling. We employed a quasi‐experimental design with eight middle school science classes that served predominately Latinx students. The random treatment was at the class level (computer modeling;n= 60, four classes) and control (paper modeling;n= 59, four classes). Analyses incorporated student preassessment and postassessment, classroom observations, and audio‐recorded modeling instruction. Results indicate that compared to paper modeling, computer modeling enriched systems thinking, particularly students' ability to provide causally coherent statements in explaining scientific ideas and evidence. Enactment of computer modeling may be associated with a shift in classroom interactions to include more invitation for students' elaboration of causal systems. We discuss aspects of computer modeling that may foster systems thinking, with implications for the future design of tools and curricula.
Time‐lapse geophysical assessment of agricultural practices on soil moisture dynamics
Authors: Blanchy Guillaume , Watts Chris. W. , Richards Jake , Bussell Jennifer , Huntenburg Katharina , Sparkes Debbie L. , Stalham Mark , Hawkesford Malcolm J. , Whalley W. Richard , Binley Andrew
Published: October 2020

Geophysical surveys are now commonly used in agriculture for mapping applications. High‐throughput collection of geophysical properties such as electrical conductivity (inverse of resistivity) can be used as a proxy for soil properties of interest (e.g., moisture, texture, salinity). Most applications only rely on a single geophysical survey at a given time. However, time‐lapse geophysical surveys have greater capabilities to characterize the dynamics of the system, which is the focus of this work. Assessing the impact of agricultural practices through the growth season can reveal important information for the crop production. In this work, we demonstrate the use of time‐lapse electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and electromagnetic induction (EMI) surveys through a series of three case studies illustrating common agricultural practices (cover crops, compaction with irrigation, and tillage with N fertilization). In the first case study, time‐lapse EMI reveals the initial effect of cover crops on soil drying and the absence of effect on the subsequent main crop. In the second case study, compaction leading to a shallower drying depth for potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) was imaged by time‐lapse ERT. In the third case study, larger changes in electrical conductivity over time were observed in conventional tillage compared with direct drill using time‐lapse EMI. In addition, different N application rates had a significant effect on the yield and leaf area index but only ephemeral effects on the dynamics of electrical conductivity, mainly after the first application. Overall, time‐lapse geophysical surveys show great potential for monitoring the impact of different agricultural practices that can influence crop yield.
Wind farm power output optimization using cooperative control methods
Authors: Deljouyi Nasim , Nobakhti Amin , Abdolahi Abdollah
Published: October 2020

We study the application of cooperative control and game theoretic approaches to wind farm optimization. The conventional (greedy) wind farm control strategy seeks to individually maximize each turbine power. However, this strategy does not maximize the overall power production of wind farms due to the aerodynamic interactions (wake effect) between the turbines. We formulate the wind farm power optimization problem as an identical interest game which can also be used to solve other cooperative control problems. Two model‐free learning algorithms are developed to obtain the optimal axial induction factors of the turbines and maximize power production. The algorithms are simulated for a four‐turbine wind farm and the Princess Amalia wind farm and are compared to a learning algorithm that uses a game‐theoretic approach. It is shown that the proposed algorithms improve upon benchmark algorithm in terms of both performance and actuation effort.
Findings from the LHC/HL-LHC Programme
Authors: Bastianin Andrea
Published: October 2020

This note summarizes the results of a social Cost–Benefit Analysis (CBA) of the High Luminosity upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC). The social CBA methodology is well-suited to assess social costs and benefits of the HL-LHC up to 2038. The analysis shows that the ratio between incremental benefits and incremental costs of the HL-LHC with respect to operating the LHC under normal consolidation (i.e. without high-luminosity upgrade) is slightly over 1.7, meaning that each Swiss Franc invested in the HL-LHC upgrade project pays back approximately 1.7 CHF in societal benefits. The rest of the note is organized as follows. We first discuss the merits of CBA; next, we present the methodology and discuss the results.
Leveraging the Economic Potential of FCC’s Technologies and Processes
Authors: Kretzschmar Linn
Published: October 2020

An international consortium of more than 150 organizations worldwide is studying the feasibility of various future particle colliders to expand our understanding of the inner workings of the Universe. At the core of the Future Circular Collider (FCC) study is the design of a 100 km long circular particle collider infrastructure that could extend CERN’s current accelerator complex with an integral research program that spans 70 years. The first step would be an intensity-frontier electron-positron collider allowing to study with precision the Higgs couplings with many of the Standard Model particles and search with high-precision for new physics while the ultimate goal is to build a proton collider with a c.m.s collision energy seven times larger than the Large Hadron Collider. Hosted in the same tunnel and profiting from the new infrastructure, FCC-hh would allow to explore a new energy regime where new physics may be at play.
Large-Scale Investment in Science: Economic Impact and Social Justice
Authors: Florio Massimo
Published: October 2020

Science is not a free lunch. Worldwide, R&D expenditures per year, from basic research to product development by firms, are about USD1.7 trillion (according to UNESCO estimates for 2017). There are perhaps 7.8 million professional researchers globally, around one researcher out of one thousand inhabitants of the planet. In the OECD area, which includes the most developed economies, government R&D spending is worth about USD 315 billion per year and the share of government of the total R&D expenditures is 28%. Hence, citizens support research in two ways: firstly, as consumers by paying a price for goods and services which in turn include in their production costs such expenditures; secondly, by paying taxes which support government R&D expenditures, mostly for basic science.

In this short essay, I discuss two questions: What is the economic impact of basic research? What are the implications for social justice of the interplay between -on one side- government funded science and -on the other side- R&D supported by business? I will argue that the ultimate economic impact of large-scale investment in basic research is often (but not always) positive (i.e. benefits are greater than costs). There is, however, a potential concern for social justice arising from the private appropriation by business of rents arising from knowledge as a public good.
Fundamental Science Drives Innovation
Authors: Welsch Carsten P.
Published: October 2020

The question on the value of public investment in Big Science seems to return following a period of economic slow-down and turmoil in Europe and around the world. This essay shows that investment in fundamental research has a strong social impact—extending beyond the key scientific questions the research tries to answer—and can offer a tool for economic recovery. In addition it highlights that public investment in curiosity-driven research also provides an important stimulus for innovation as R&D companies tend to concentrate around vibrant scientific communities that provide much-needed talent. By renewing and strengthening investment in basic science, the way to an even brighter future can be paved. This should not be a question for different scientific communities, but a clear target for all stakeholders and decision makers.
Economics of Science in the Time of Data Economy and Gigabit Society
Authors: Boni Michal
Published: October 2020

In a period that Europe prepares to launch its new multi-annual programme for research and innovation it is important to step back and reflect on the broader social and economic benefits that Big Science and curiosity-driven research have brought to society and moreover how we can work together to maximize this impact. Further engaging citizens, offering more opportunities for young people, exploiting the tools presented by digital technologies are some of the challenges that I highlight/discuss in this essay
The SKA Approach to Sustainable Research
Authors: Berry Simon T.
Published: October 2020

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is an ambitious project to build a research infrastructure that will enable breakthrough science and discoveries not otherwise possible with current or planned astronomy facilities. Comprising two radio telescopes it will ultimately be the largest scientific instrument on Earth, both in physical scale and in terms of the volume of data it will generate. Like all infrastructures, there is a requirement for SKA to demonstrate where benefits have been realised from past investment, and the potential for future ongoing benefits from technology and knowledge transfer and innovations. The essay discusses the range of non-science benefits for the funders and for wider society going beyond SKA’s core scientific mission and the challenges of thinking about regional impacts when designing a global research infrastructure.
Optimising the Benefits from Research Institutes
Authors: Lagrange Thierry
Published: October 2020

Today, a large number of public research institutes have been set up in many different fields to carry out scientific research. The initial financial investment needed was generally justified by the pure scientific interest. As the number and size of these research institutes has grown over time, the associated investments have become quite substantial. The will to push the frontier of knowledge implies developing and upgrading high-tech instruments, working with cutting-edge technologies, and high maintenance costs, which requires additional public spending. As the available public resources have not evolved at the same rate as scientific ambitions, competition between scientific fields and projects has become fiercer as well as the need for additional arguments to justify these investments.
Rethinking the Socio-economic Value of Big Science: Lessons from the FCC Study
Authors: Gutleber Johannes
Published: October 2020

Investing in fundamental research is often considered a risky venture. The costs of designing, developing and building new research instruments, the long timelines for the construction and operation of these infrastructures and the sophistication of the enabling technologies—often calling for further R&D investments to meet the market needs—are among the factors that enter into the debate around the investment in fundamental research. In this brief essay we discuss certain results from previous Cost-Benefit Analysis studies for the LHC and the High-Luminosity (HL-LHC)  upgrade and lessons concerning the socio-economic impact that these facilities have beyond the core scientific mission. We conclude with some key considerations that can inform the design of a new research infrastructure for the post-LHC era like the proposed Future Circular Collider and point to certain directions for future interdisciplinary research to better understand ways for impact assessment.
Metric algebroid and Dirac generating operator in Double Field Theory
Authors: Carow-Watamura Ursula , Miura Kohei , Watamura Satoshi , Yano Taro
Published: October 2020

Abstract

We give a formulation of Double Field Theory (DFT) based on a metric algebroid. We derive a covariant completion of the Bianchi identities, i.e. the pre-Bianchi identity in torsion and an improved generalized curvature, and the pre-Bianchi identity including the dilaton contribution. The derived bracket formulation by the Dirac generating operator is applied to the metric algebroid. We propose a generalized Lichnerowicz formula and show that it is equivalent to the pre-Bianchi identities. The dilaton in this setting is included as an ambiguity in the divergence. The projected generalized Lichnerowicz formula gives a new formulation of the DFT action. The closure of the generalized Lie derivative on the spin bundle yields the Bianchi identities as a consistency condition. A relation to the generalized supergravity equations (GSE) is discussed.
Comparative mapping and validation of multiple disease resistance QTL for simultaneously controlling common and dwarf bunt in bread wheat
Authors: Muellner Almuth E. , Buerstmayr Maria , Eshonkulov Bobur , Hole David , Michel Sebastian , Hagenguth Julia F. , Pachler Bernadette , Pernold Ricarda , Buerstmayr Hermann
Published: October 2020

Key message

Resistance QTL on chromosomes 1AL and 7AL are effective against common and dwarf bunt, QTL on 1BS affects common bunt and QTL on 7DS affects dwarf bunt in bread wheat.

Common bunt, caused byTilletia cariesandT. laevis, and dwarf bunt, caused byT. controversa, negatively affect grain yield and quality of wheat and are particularly destructive in low-input and organic production systems. Two recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations derived by crossing the highly and durably resistant cultivars ‘Blizzard’ and ‘Bonneville’ to the susceptible cultivar ‘Rainer’ were evaluated for their resistance to common and dwarf bunt in artificially inoculated field and greenhouse trials over two growing seasons and genotyped with a 15 K SNP array. Bunt resistance QTL were mapped to chromosomes 1AL, 1BS, 7AL and 7DS. Common bunt resistance was regulated by the major QTLQBt.ifa-1BSandQBt.ifa-1ALtogether with the moderate effect QTLQBt.ifa-7AL. Dwarf bunt resistance was on the other hand regulated by the QTLQBt.ifa-1AL,QBt.ifa-7ALandQBt.ifa-7DS.Common bunt resistance QTL exhibited pronounced epistatic effects, while epistatic effects were of smaller magnitude for dwarf bunt QTL. Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR (KASP) markers were developed from SNPs associated with bunt resistance QTL and successfully used for QTL validation in an independent set of RILs. These KASP markers have the potential to support targeted introgression of QTL into elite wheat germplasm and accelerate breeding for enhanced bunt resistance. Durable protection against both common and dwarf bunt can be achieved by combining multiple resistance genes in the same genetic background.
Population Structure of Phytophthora infestans from a Single Location in Poland Over a Long Period of Time in Context of Weather Conditions
Authors: Janiszewska M. , Sobkowiak S. , Stefańczyk E. , Śliwka J.
Published: October 2020

Phytophthora infestans(Mont.) de Bary is a destructive potato pathogen. Changing weather conditions are among the factors that influence the pathogen population structure. In this study, 237P. infestansisolates were collected from a single unprotected experimental field in an area with high late-blight pressure located in Boguchwała in the southeastern part of Poland during 15 growing seasons (2000–2014). The isolates were assessed for mating type, mitochondrial haplotype, resistance to metalaxyl, virulence, and polymorphism of 14 single-sequence repeat markers (SSRs). The results revealed 89 unique genotypes among the 237P. infestansisolates. Eighty-seven isolates belonged to genotype 34_A1, which was detected in all the years of research except 2012. Isolates ofP. infestansfrom individual years were very similar to each other, as shown by Nei’s genetic identity based on 14 SSR markers. The obtained results on isolate characteristics were analyzed in terms of meteorological data (air temperature and precipitation) and indicated that frost, long winters, and hot, dry summers did not directly affect theP. infestanspopulation structure. We described the variability in metalaxyl resistance and virulence among isolates of theP. infestansgenotype 34_A1.
Fairness views and political preferences: evidence from a large and heterogeneous sample
Authors: Müller Daniel , Renes Sander
Published: October 2020

We elicit distributional fairness ideals of impartial spectators using an incentivized experiment in a large and heterogeneous sample of the German population. We document several empirical facts: (i) egalitarianism is more popular than efficiency- and maxi-min ideals; (ii) females are more egalitarian than men; (iii) men are relatively more efficiency minded; (iv) left-leaning voters are more likely to be egalitarians, whereas right-leaning voters are more likely to be efficiency-minded; and (v) young and high-educated participants hold different fairness ideals than the rest of the population. Moreover, we show that fairness ideals predict preferences for redistribution and intervention by the government, as well as actual charitable giving, even after controlling for a range of covariates. This paper thus contributes to our understanding of the underpinnings of voting behavior and ideological preferences and to the literature that links laboratory measures and field behavior.
Development of a self-management intervention to improve tamoxifen adherence in breast cancer survivors using an Intervention Mapping framework
Authors: Moon Zoe , Moss-Morris Rona , Hunter Myra S. , Hughes Lyndsay D.
Published: October 2020

Objective

Up to 50% of women prescribed tamoxifen do not take it as prescribed for the full duration, which increases risk of recurrence and mortality. The current paper describes the development of a self-management intervention aiming to improve adherence in breast cancer survivors taking tamoxifen.

Methods

The intervention was developed following an Intervention Mapping approach. The content of the intervention was determined by theories of health behaviour and empirical evidence. Development was an iterative process involving input from expert researchers, clinicians and patient representatives.

Results

The intervention was designed to improve both intentional and unintentional non-adherence. Key features included modifying unhelpful illness and treatment beliefs, improving confidence for coping with side effects and developing strategies for remembering to take tamoxifen.

Conclusion

Intervention Mapping proved a useful tool for developing an intervention which is grounded in theory and empirical evidence. The intervention has the potential to improve adherence in breast cancer survivors but needs to be trialled before the effectiveness of the intervention can be determined.
The energy transfer from granular landslides to water bodies explained by a data-driven, physics-based numerical model
Authors: Bregoli Francesco , Medina Vicente , Bateman Allen
Published: October 2020

Landslides falling into water can trigger tsunamis, which are particularly destructive in the proximity of the landslide impact and in narrow water bodies. The energy transfer mechanism between landslide and water wave is complex, but its understanding is of fundamental importance for the numerical modeling which aims to predict the induced wave hazard. In order to study the involved physical processes, we set up an experimental facility consisting of a landslide generator releasing gravel at high speed in a wave basin. With the aim of estimating the landslide–wave energy transfer, we implemented a simplified 1D conceptual model of landslide motion, including the 3D landslide deformations. We optimized the model with the experimental results. The model results explain that the deformable landslide has an average drag coefficient of 1.26 and a relatively inefficient energy transfer from landslide to wave. Of the landslide energy at impact, the 52% is dissipated by Coulomb basal friction between the slide and the water basin bottom, 42% is dissipated by other processes, including turbulence, and only the remaining 6% is transferred to the wave thus formed.
Identification of Flame Regimes in Partially Premixed Combustion from a Quasi-DNS Dataset
Authors: Zirwes Thorsten , Zhang Feichi , Habisreuther Peter , Hansinger Maximilian , Bockhorn Henning , Pfitzner Michael , Trimis Dimosthenis
Published: October 2020

Identifying combustion regimes in terms of premixed and non-premixed characteristics is an important task for understanding combustion phenomena and the structure of flames. A quasi-DNS database of the compositionally inhomogeneous partially premixed Sydney/Sandia flame in configuration FJ-5GP-Lr75-57 is used to directly compare different types of flame regime markers from literature. In the simulation of the flame, detailed chemistry and diffusion models are utilized and no turbulence and combustion models are used as the flame front and flow are fully resolved near the nozzle. This allows evaluating the regime markers as a post-processing step without modeling assumptions and directly comparing regime markers based on gradient alignment, drift term analysis and gradient free regime identification. The goal is not to find the correct regime marker, which might be impossible due to the different set of assumptions of every marker and the generally vague definition of the partially premixed regime itself, but to compare their behavior when applied to a resolved turbulent flame with partially premixed characteristics.
Plurality and crosslinguistic variation: an experimental investigation of the Turkish plural
Authors: Renans Agata , Sağ Yağmur , Ketrez F. Nihan , Tieu Lyn , Tsoulas George , Folli Raffaella , de Vries Hana , Romoli Jacopo
Published: October 2020

In English and many other languages, the interpretation of the plural is associated with an ‘exclusive’ reading in positive sentences and an ‘inclusive’ reading in negative ones. For example, the plural nountulipsin a sentence such asChicken planted tulipssuggests that Chicken planted more than one tulip (i.e., a reading which ‘excludes’ atomic individual tulips). At the same time, however, the corresponding negative sentenceChicken didn’t plant tulipsdoesn’t merely convey that he didn’t plant more than one tulip, but rather that he didn’t plantanytulip (i.e., ‘including’ atomic individual tulips). Different approaches to the meaning contribution of the English plural vary in how they account for this alternation across the polarities, but converge on assuming that (at least one of) the denotation(s) of the plural should include atomic individuals. Turkish, on the other hand, is cited as one of the few known languages in which the plural only receives an exclusive interpretation (e.g., Bale et al. Cross-linguistic representations of numerals and number marking. in: Li, Lutz (eds) Semantics and linguistic theory (SALT) 20, CLC Publications, Ithaca, pp 582–598, 2010). More recent proposals have, however, argued that the Turkish plural should in fact be analysed more like the English plural (e.g., Sağ, The semantics of number marking: reference to kinds, counting, and optional classifiers, PhD dissertation, Rutgers University, 2019). We report two experiments investigating Turkish-speaking adults’ and preschool-aged children’s interpretation of positive and negative sentences containing plural nouns. The results provide clear evidence forinclusiveinterpretations of the plural in Turkish, supporting accounts that treat the Turkish and English plurals alike. We briefly discuss how an inclusive meaning of the Turkish plural can be integrated within a theory of the Turkish number system which captures some idiosyncratic properties of the singular and the agreement between number and number numerals.
On the Breakage of High Aspect Ratio Crystals in Filter Beds under Continuous Percolation
Authors: Mahdi F. M. , Shier A. P. , Fragkopoulos I. S. , Carr J. , Gajjar P. , Muller F. L.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This work details experimental observations on the effect of liquid flow percolating through packed beds of crystals to elucidate how the filtration pressure severely alters the size distribution and crystal shape. Pressure filtration is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry, and frequently results in undesired size distribution changes that hinder further processing.

Methods

The percolation methodology presented fixes fluid flow through a bed of crystals, resulting in a pressure over the bed. X-ray computed tomography (XCT) provided detailed observations of the bed structure. Detailed 2D particle size data was obtained using automated microscopy and was analysed using an in-house developed tool.

Results

Crystal breakage is observed when the applied pressure exceeds a critical pressure: 0.5–1 bar for ibuprofen, 1–2 bar for β-L glutamic acid (LGA) and 2–2.5 bar for para amino benzoic acid (PABA). X-ray computed tomography showed significant changes in bed density under the applied pressure. Size analysis and microscope observations showed two modes of breakage: (i) snapping of long crystals and (ii) shattering of crystals.

Conclusion

LGA and PABA have a similar breakage strength (50 MPa), ibuprofen is significantly weaker (9 MPa). Available breakage strength data may be correlated to the volumetric Gibbs free energy. Data from 12 and 35 mm bed diameters compares well to literature data in a 80 mm filter; the smaller, easy to operate percolation unit is a versatile tool to assess crystal breakage in filtration operations.
Groundwater quality assessment for different uses using various water quality indices in semi-arid region of central Tunisia
Authors: Aouiti Soumaya , Hamzaoui Azaza Fadoua , El Melki Fetheddine , Hamdi Monji , Celico Fulvio , Zammouri Mounira
Published: October 2020

The Hajeb Layoun-Jelma basin, located in the central Tunisia, is the principal source of water supply for Sidi Bouzid and Sfax region. The over-abstraction from this groundwater, since 1970, and the intensive agriculture activities led to the degradation of the water quantity and quality. The quality evaluation for this groundwater is very important tool for sustainable development and decision for water management. A total of 28 groundwater samples, from shallow, springs, and deep aquifers, were collected, storage and analyzed to evaluate its quality suitability for domestic and agriculture purposes using geographic information system and geochemical methods. For the both aquifers, the abundance of cations: Na > Mg > Ca > K, and of anions in the order: Cl > HCO3 > SO4. The dominant hydrochemical facies, for the shallow aquifer and springs, are Na-Cl and Ca-Mg-Cl; for the deep aquifer, the geochemical facies are Na-Cl, Ca-Mg-Cl, and Ca-Cl. The comparison of the major parameters and the chemical data with the World Health Organization standards and the national standards indicate that this groundwater is suitable for drinking, except in some samples, with high salinity concentrations. The water quality was assessed, for drinking uses, using “water quality index,” “entropy,” and “improved water quality index.” The results mentioned that the improved water quality index is the best method which indicated that the poor water quality coincide with the Na-Cl water type. The entropy method and the water quality index present the optimistic methods. The irrigation suitability assessment was made using various parameters (SAR, TH, % Na, PI, MH, KR, EC). The results revealed that the majority of samples in Hajeb Layoun-Jelma basin are not appropriate for irrigation uses.
One Anastomosis/Mini-Gastric Bypass (OAGB/MGB) as Revisional Surgery Following Primary Restrictive Bariatric Procedures: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kermansaravi Mohammad , Shahmiri Shahab Shahabi , DavarpanahJazi Amir Hossein , Valizadeh Rohollah , Berardi Giovanna , Vitiello Antonio , Musella Mario , Carbajo Miguel
Published: October 2020

One anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB/MGB) has gained popularity in the past decade. International databases were searched for articles published by September 10, 2020, on OAGB/MGB as a revisional procedure after restrictive procedures. Twenty-six studies examining a total of 1771 patients were included. The mean initial BMI was 45.70 kg/m2, which decreased to 31.52, 31.40, and 30.54 kg/m2 at 1, 3, and 5-year follow-ups, respectively. Remission of type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) following OAGB/MGB at 1-, 3-, and 5-year follow-up was 65.16 ± 24.43, 65.37 ± 36.07, and 78.10 ± 14.19%, respectively. Remission/improvement rate from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Also, 7.4% of the patients developed de novo GERD following OAGB/MGB. Leakage was the most common major complication. OAGB/MGB appears to be feasible and effective as a revisional procedure after failed restrictive bariatric procedures.
Cell-free nucleic acid patterns in disease prediction and monitoring—hype or hope?
Authors: Crigna Adriana Torres , Samec Marek , Koklesova Lenka , Liskova Alena , Giordano Frank A. , Kubatka Peter , Golubnitschaja Olga
Published: October 2020

Interest in the use of cell-free nucleic acids (CFNAs) as clinical non-invasive biomarker panels for prediction and prevention of multiple diseases has greatly increased over the last decade. Indeed, circulating CFNAs are attributable to many physiological and pathological processes such as imbalanced stress conditions, physical activities, extensive apoptosis of different origin, systemic hypoxic-ischemic events and tumour progression, amongst others. This article highlights the involvement of circulating CFNAs in local and systemic processes dealing with the question, whether specific patterns of CFNAs in blood, their detection, quantity and quality (such as their methylation status) might be instrumental to predict a disease development/progression and could be further utilised for accompanying diagnostics, targeted prevention, creation of individualised therapy algorithms, therapy monitoring and prognosis. Presented considerations conform with principles of 3P medicine and serve for improving individual outcomes and cost efficacy of medical services provided to the population.
Effects of FGFR inhibitors TKI258, BGJ398 and AZD4547 on breast cancer cells in 2D, 3D and tissue explant cultures
Authors: Kähkönen T. E. , Toriseva M. , Petruk N. , Virta A.-R. , Maher A. , Eigéliené N. , Kaivola J. , Boström P. , Koskivuo I. , Nees M. , Tuomela J. M. , Ivaska K. K. , Härkönen P. L.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR) and pathways are important players in breast cancer (BC) development. They are commonly altered, and BCs exhibiting FGFR gene amplification are currently being studied for drug development. Here, we aimed to compare the effects of three FGFR inhibitors (FGFRis), i.e., non-selective TKI258 and selective BGJ398 and AZD4547, on different BC-derived cell lines (BCCs) and primary tissues.

Methods

The human BCCs MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231(SA) (wild-type FGFR) and MFM223 (amplified FGFR1 and FGFR2) were analyzed for FGFR expression using qRT-PCR, and the effects of FGFRis on FGFR signaling by Western blotting. The effects of FGFRis on proliferation, viability, migration and invasion of BCCs were assessed in 2D cultures using live-cell imaging, and in 3D cultures using phenotypic analysis of organoids. To study radio-sensitization, FGFRi treatment was combined with irradiation. Patient-derived BC samples were treated with FGFRis in explant cultures and immunostained for Ki67 and cleaved caspase 3.

Results

We found that all FGFRis tested decreased the growth and viability of BC cells in 2D and 3D cultures. BGJ398 and AZD4547 were found to be potent at low concentrations in FGFR-amplified MFM233 cells, whereas higher concentrations were required in non-amplified MCF7 and MDA-MB-231(SA) cells. TKI258 inhibited the migration and invasion, whereas BGJ398 and AZD4547 only inhibited the invasion of MDA-MB-231(SA) cells. FGFRi treatment of MCF7 and MFM223 cells enhanced the inhibitory effect of radiotherapy, but this effect was not observed in MDA-MB-231(SA) cells. FGFRi-treated primary BC explants with moderate FGFR levels showed a tendency towards decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that, besides targeting FGFR-amplified BCs with selective FGFRis, also BCs without FGFR amplification/activation may benefit from FGFRi-treatment. Combination with other treatment modalities, such as radiotherapy, may allow the use of FGFRis at relatively low concentrations and, thereby, contribute to better BC treatment outcomes.
Employment’s Role in Enabling and Constraining Marriage in the Middle East and North Africa
Authors: Krafft Caroline , Assaad Ragui
Published: October 2020

We investigate the role of employment in enabling and constraining marriage for young men and women in Egypt, Jordan, and Tunisia. Survival analysis methods for age at marriage are applied to comparable labor market panel surveys from Egypt (2012), Jordan (2010), and Tunisia (2014), which include detailed labor market histories. For men, employment and especially high-quality employment are associated with more rapid transitions to marriage. For women, past—but not contemporaneous—employment statuses are associated with more rapid transitions to marriage. After addressing endogeneity using residual-inclusion methods for the case of public sector employment (a type of high-quality employment), we find that such employment significantly accelerates marriage for men in Egypt and women in Egypt and Tunisia. The potential of high-quality employment to accelerate marriage may make queuing in unemployment while seeking high-quality employment a worthwhile strategy.
More self-organization, more control—or even both? Inverse transparency as a digital leadership concept
Authors: Gierlich-Joas Maren , Hess Thomas , Neuburger Rahild
Published: October 2020

Digital innovations drive an organization’s digital transformation. While numerous studies focus on digital product and service innovation, digital process innovation and novel business models, management and leadership concepts are primarily investigated as enabling framing conditions in previous contributions. However, management and leadership concepts have changed dramatically in the digital era. The rise of digital technologies has led to companies acquiring large amounts of data. Moreover, novel technical solutions facilitate the analysis and processing of this data, leading to an increase in organizational transparency. Traditional leadership theories fail to explain the influence of digitalization and increasing transparency of leadership. In a digitized world, managers often face a trade-off when using data for management purposes. On the one hand, transparency leads to decreasing information asymmetries, allowing managers to monitor employees’ actions at low cost. On the other hand, employees demand self-organization and empowerment. In this context, new forms of control and employee engagement need to be designed. With our conceptual paper, we aim to provide a solution to the challenges of using transparency in leadership in a mutually beneficial way for managers and employees by introducing the concept of “inverse transparency.” We develop the concept building on the existing literature on transparency and leadership. We see inverse transparency as the basis for a new type of digital innovation, which we introduce as digital leadership innovation. Thus, we enhance current research on leadership approaches and digital innovation and create a theoretical basis for further research.
DFT-Guided Design and Fabrication of Carbon-Nitride-Based Materials for Energy Storage Devices: A Review
Authors: Adekoya David , Qian Shangshu , Gu Xingxing , Wen William , Li Dongsheng , Ma Jianmin , Zhang Shanqing
Published: October 2020

Carbon nitrides (including CN, C2N, C3N, C3N4, C4N, and C5N) are a unique family of nitrogen-rich carbon materials with multiple beneficial properties in crystalline structures, morphologies, and electronic configurations. In this review, we provide a comprehensive review on these materials properties, theoretical advantages, the synthesis and modification strategies of different carbon nitride-based materials (CNBMs) and their application in existing and emerging rechargeable battery systems, such as lithium-ion batteries, sodium and potassium-ion batteries, lithium sulfur batteries, lithium oxygen batteries, lithium metal batteries, zinc-ion batteries, and solid-state batteries. The central theme of this review is to apply the theoretical and computational design to guide the experimental synthesis of CNBMs for energy storage, i.e., facilitate the application of first-principle studies and density functional theory for electrode material design, synthesis, and characterization of different CNBMs for the aforementioned rechargeable batteries. At last, we conclude with the challenges, and prospects of CNBMs, and propose future perspectives and strategies for further advancement of CNBMs for rechargeable batteries.
Russia’s Critical Infrastructure Policy: What do we Know About it?
Authors: Pursiainen Christer
Published: October 2020

The article is an analytical state-of-the-art review of the Russian Federation’s critical infrastructure policy, starting from the 1990s but zooming in on the current situation. The article discusses what does critical infrastructure mean in the Russian context. It explores the country’s threat scenarios in this field, and asks what part is played by cyber security threats in this context. Further, the article elaborates the issue whether Russia’s policy is focused on critical infrastructure protection, or has the country adopted the more recent concept of resilience that puts emphasis on adaptive measures and recovery. Finally, it is considered who are the actors in Russian critical infrastructure policy and, in particular, how does Russia deal with the fact that the respective infrastructure operators even in Russia usually are not directly state-owned entities, but private companies.
Antiviral boost for nanoparticles
Authors: Nickels Liz
Published: October 2020

Promethean Particles, which makes nanomaterials using a continuous-flow production process, is collaborating with the healthcare industry to develop new applications for its copper nanoparticles.