bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Circulating memory CD8+ T cells are limited in forming CD103+ tissue‐resident memory T cells at mucosal sites after reinfection
Authors: Behr Felix M. , Beumer‐Chuwonpad Ammarina , Kragten Natasja A. M. , Wesselink Thomas H. , Stark Regina , van Gisbergen Klaas P. J. M.
Published: August 2020

Tissue‐resident memory CD8+ T cells (TRM) localize to barrier tissues and mediate local protection against reinvading pathogens. Circulating central memory (TCM) and effector memory CD8+ T cells (TEM) also contribute to tissue recall responses, but their potential to form mucosal TRM remains unclear. Here, we employed adoptive transfer and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus reinfection models to specifically assess secondary responses of TCM and TEM at mucosal sites. Donor TCM and TEM exhibited robust systemic recall responses, but only limited accumulation in the small intestine, consistent with reduced expression of tissue‐homing and ‐retention molecules. Murine and human circulating memory T cells also exhibited limited CD103 upregulation following TGF‐β stimulation. Upon pathogen clearance, TCM and TEM readily gave rise to secondary TEM. TCM also formed secondary central memory in lymphoid tissues and TRM in internal tissues, for example, the liver. Both TCM and TEM failed to substantially contribute to resident mucosal memory in the small intestine, while activated intestinal TRM, but not liver TRM, efficiently reformed CD103+ TRM. Our findings demonstrate that circulating TCM and TEM are limited in generating mucosal TRM upon reinfection. This may pose important implications on cell therapy and vaccination strategies employing memory CD8+ T cells for protection at mucosal sites.
Aspects of the volunteering experience associated with well‐being in older adults
Authors: Jongenelis Michelle I. , Pettigrew Simone
Published: August 2020

Issues addressed

While the psychological health benefits of older people's engagement in formal volunteering are well‐documented, there is limited research assessing how volunteering may produce these favourable outcomes. To guide the development of volunteer positions that optimise outcomes, this study examined (a) which aspects of the volunteering experience are most strongly associated with favourable psychological health among older adults and (b) whether relationships between these aspects and psychological outcomes are moderated by sociodemographic characteristics.

Methods

A sample of 293 volunteers aged 60+ years (69% female, mean age = 73.33 years) completed measures assessing their engagement in volunteering, various aspects of their volunteer experience, and their psychological health.

Results

Being adequately appreciated for one's contribution, perceived social and mental intensity of the volunteer role, and believing that others benefit from one's volunteering efforts were found to be associated with higher levels of psychological health.

Conclusions

Ensuring the contributions of volunteers are explicitly recognised, providing opportunities for engagement in social and cognitive activities, and informing volunteers of the benefits others experience constitute potential means of enhancing volunteer outcomes and may assist with volunteer retention.

So what?

This study builds upon the limited research assessing which aspects of the volunteering experience are most strongly associated with favourable psychological health among older adults. The findings point to the potential importance of four specific aspects of the volunteer experience in enhancing psychological health outcomes.
Gender‐dependent association between exhaled nitric oxide and the CC16 38AA genotype in young school children
Authors: Nauwelaerts Sarah J. D. , Roosens Nancy H. C. , De Cremer Koen , Bernard Alfred , De Keersmaecker Sigrid C. J.
Published: August 2020

Background

Studies that investigated the association between the CC16 A38G polymorphism and the risk of asthma yielded conflicting results. The aim of this study among schoolchildren was to assess the relationships of CC16 A38G polymorphism with aeroallergen sensitization and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), two outcomes predicting asthma later in life.

Methods

The study included 139 children (72 boys), median age of 7.7. Information on each child's health, lifestyle, and environment was collected through a questionnaire completed by their parents. CC16 genotypes were determined using urinary DNA. We measured FeNO, the CC16 protein in urine and nasal lavage fluid and aeroallergen‐specific immunoglobulin E in nasal mucosa fluid.

Results

Children with the homozygous mutant CC16 38AA genotype had higher odds of increased FeNO (>30 ppb) compared with their peers with the wild‐type genotype 38GG (OR, 9.85; 95% CI, 2.09‐46.4; P = .004). This association was female gender specific (P = .002) not being observed in boys (P = .40). It was also independent of allergic sensitization, which yet emerged as the strongest predictor of FeNO along with the use of bleach for house cleaning. Children with the CC16 38AA genotype had lower covariates‐adjusted urinary CC16 levels than those with 38GG (median, μg/L, 1.17 vs 2.08, P = .02).

Conclusion

Our study suggests that the CC16 38AA allele promotes airway inflammation as measured by FeNO through a gender‐dependent association. Deficient levels of CC16 in the deep lung, measured noninvasively in urine, as a possible proxy for serum CC16, might underlie this promoting effect.
A SOM‐based analysis of the drivers of the 2015–2017 Western Cape drought in South Africa
Authors: Odoulami Romaric C. , Wolski Piotr , New Mark
Published: August 2020

The multi‐year (2015–2017) drought in the South West of the Western Cape (SWC) caused a severe water shortage in the summer of 2017–2018, with damaging impacts on the local and regional economy, and Cape Town being in the news one of the first major cities to potentially run out of water. Here, we assess the links between the rainfall deficits during the drought and (a) large scale circulation patterns, (b) moisture transport, and (c) convective available potential energy (CAPE). We used self‐organising maps (SOM) analysis to classify daily ERA‐interim 850 hPa geopotential height for the period 1979–2017 (March–October) into synoptic types. This allowed us to identify the dominant synoptic states over Southern Africa that influence the local climate in the area affected by the drought. The results show that (a) the frequency of nodes with rain‐bearing circulation types decreased during the drought; (b) the amount of rain falling on days that did have rain‐bearing circulation types was reduced, especially in the shoulder seasons (March–May and August–October); (c) the rainfall reduction was also associated with anomalously low moisture transport, and convective energy (CAPE), over SWC. These results add to the existing knowledge of drivers of the Cape Town drought, providing an understanding of underlying synoptic processes.
Parenteral Provision of Micronutrients to Pediatric Patients: An International Expert Consensus Paper
Authors: Hardy Gil , Wong Theodoric , Morrissey Hana , Anderson Collin , Moltu Sissel J. , Poindexter Brenda , Lapillonne Alexandre , Ball Patrick A.
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Micronutrients (vitamins and trace elements) are essential to all nutrition. For children and neonates who are dependent upon nutrition support therapies for growth and development, the prescribed regimen must supply all essential components. This paper aims to facilitate interpretation of existing clinical guidelines into practical approaches for the provision of micronutrients in pediatric parenteral nutrition.

Methods

An international, interdisciplinary expert panel was convened to review recent evidence‐based guidelines and published literature to develop consensus‐based recommendations on practical micronutrient provision in pediatric parenteral nutrition.

Results

The guidelines and evidence have been interpreted as answers to 10 commonly asked questions around the practical principles for provision and monitoring of micronutrients in pediatric patients.

Conclusion

Micronutrients are an essential part of all parenteral nutrition and should be included in the pediatric nutrition therapy care plan.
Relationships between the motivation of medical tourists and the quality of medical services
Authors: Lee Timothy J. , Lim Hyunsuk , Kim Dohee
Published: August 2020

This study aims to: (a) identify the motivation to travel for medical reasons and the quality of the medical services received; and (b) examine the relationship between the quality of medical services and the attitudes held by tourists about these. It fills the gap in the literature by contributing to our knowledge of medical tourists' behavior. A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed at 25 hospitals and travel agencies within Korea. The results deliver insightful messages in the fields of travel behavior and motivation in the medical tourism industry, and for health marketers and planners of medical tourism services.
The anti‐infection drug furazolidone inhibits NF‐κB signaling and induces cell apoptosis in small cell lung cancer
Authors: Yu Jin‐Guo , Ji Cheng‐Hong , Shi Min‐Hua
Published: August 2020

Targeting nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) signaling pathway has become a promising strategy for the development of new antitumor drugs. In this paper, we found that anti‐infection drug furazolidone (FZD) could significantly inhibit NF‐κB‐driven luciferase activity, and FZD could markedly inhibit both of the constitutive and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNFα)‐triggered phosphorylation of NF‐κB p65 in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Further studies revealed that FZD inhibited the expression of inhibitor of kappa B kinase β (IKKβ) in SCLC cells. In addition, we found that FZD had significant antitumor activities in SCLC cells. FZD could markedly suppress the cell viability of SCLC cells dose‐dependently, and FZD could significantly induce the cleavages of poly ADP‐ribose polymerase (PARP) and Caspase3, the biomarkers of cell apoptosis, in SCLC cells. The flow cytometry also revealed that FZD induced cell apoptosis in SCLC cells. Finally, we also found that overexpression of constitutively activated IKKβ could significantly abolish FZD‐induced cell growth inhibition in SCLC cells, which further confirmed that FZD displayed its anti‐SCLC activity through regulating NF‐κB signaling pathway.
Residual Epiphora After Successful Periocular Surgery for Facial Paralysis: Pathophysiology and Management
Authors: Fan Caleb J. , Hu Shirley , Hirsch Matthew B. , Moskowitz Bruce K.
Published: August 2020

The prevalence of residual epiphora following successful periocular surgery for facial nerve paralysis can be as high as 30% or more. The pathophysiology of residual epiphora is complex, but identification of the etiology is paramount because the therapeutic approach varies accordingly. Treatments range from medical management of systemic disease to botulinum toxin injections for conditions that arise from aberrant reinnervation to surgical procedures that bypass the lacrimal drainage system completely. We describe a case report and review the pathophysiology and management of residual epiphora to provide a treatment algorithm for clinical use by facial plastic and oculoplastic surgeons. Laryngoscope, 131:E420–E422, 2021
Network Mesh Nanostructures in Cross‐Linked Poly(Dimethylsiloxane) Visualized by AFM
Authors: Drebezghova Viktoriia , Gojzewski Hubert , Allal Ahmed , Hempenius Mark A. , Nardin Corinne , Vancso G. Julius
Published: August 2020

Mesh network structures are visualized by peak force tapping atomic force microscopy on cross‐linked poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) at the nanometer length scale. The images directly capture network mesh structures with mesh diameter values, from 10 to 16 nm at the free surface of PDMS. Perpendicular to the free surface, in cross‐sectional areas exposed by cryo‐fracturing, similar mesh structures are observed. When exposed to uniaxial stress, the circular mesh features become elongated, showing network deformation at the nanoscale, as a result of mechanical stress. Following Soxhlet solvent extraction the mesh‐like appearance remains unchanged, but mesh diameter values decrease, which are attributed to the removal of non‐crosslinked chains and silica filler.
Ultra‐wideband multi‐section Wilkinson power divider
Authors: Shaterian Zahra , Karami Horestani Ali
Published: August 2020

A multi‐section ultra‐wideband Wilkinson power divider is presented in this article. The proposed device is developed based on a coplanar waveguide (CPW) to coplanar strip (CPS) transition, which is realized on a two‐layer printed circuit board without using via holes. Equivalent circuit model of the proposed power divider is presented, and on that basis a three‐section power divider with an ultra‐wideband performance, ranging from 3 to 16 GHz is designed and numerically validated. Finally, prototypes of the proposed device is fabricated and measured to provide an experimental verification on the numerically predicted features, namely the operating bandwidth, input/output impedance matching, insertion loss, isolation between output ports, and amplitude/phase balance at output ports.
A contact problem for a poroelastic halfspace containing an embedded inextensible membrane
Authors: Samea P. , Selvadurai A.P.S.
Published: August 2020

The paper examines the axisymmetric problem of the indentation of a poroelastic halfspace that is reinforced with an inextensible permeable/impermeable membrane located at a finite depth by a rigid indenter. The constitutive behavior of the poroelastic halfspace is described by the three‐dimensional theory of poroelasticity proposed by M.A. Biot. The contact conditions between the indenter and the poroelastic halfspace are varied to accommodate both adhesive/frictionless contact and impermeable/permeable conditions. The formulation of the mixed boundary value problems uses the stress function approaches applicable to semi‐infinite domains. Successive applications of Laplace and Hankel integral transforms are used to reduce the mixed boundary value problems to sets of coupled Fredholm integral equations of the second kind. These integral equations are solved using numerical approaches, applicable both for the solution of the systems of coupled equations and for Laplace transform inversion, to examine the time‐dependent displacement of the rigid indenter. The analytical‐numerical estimates for the time‐dependent displacements of the rigid indenter are compared with results obtained using a finite element approach.
Further results on the Drazin inverse of even‐order tensors
Authors: Behera Ratikanta , Nandi Ashish Kumar , Sahoo Jajati Keshari
Published: August 2020

The notion of the Drazin inverse of an even‐order tensors with the Einstein product was introduced, very recently [J. Ji and Y. Wei. Comput. Math. Appl., 75(9), (2018), pp. 3402‐3413]. In this article, we further elaborate this theory by establishing a few characterizations of the Drazin inverse and ‐weighted Drazin inverse of tensors. In addition to these, we compute the Drazin inverse of tensors using different types of generalized inverses and full rank decomposition of tensors. We also address the solution of multilinear systems by using the Drazin inverse and iterative (higher order Gauss‐Seidel) method of tensors. Besides these, the convergence analysis of the iterative technique is also investigated within the framework of the Einstein product.
Retracted: Emergency Preparedness and COVID‐19: A Review of AWWA Policy Statements and Guidance
Authors: Sowby Robert B.
Published: August 2020

Unless a water or wastewater utility has had to deal with a serious disruption in the past, emergency preparedness may not have been a priority. However, with COVID‐19, every water and wastewater utility has now faced a prolonged emergency and can—and should—learn from it.
Thermal aging, physico‐mechanical, dynamic mechanical properties of chlorinated polyethylene/red mud composites
Authors: Qiu Liyan , Phule Ajit D. , Han Yingxia , Wen Shibao , Zhang Zhen‐Xiu
Published: August 2020

Industrial waste red mud (RM) was filled in the chlorinated polyethylene rubber (CPE) to replace carbon black (CB) at various ratios, that is, RM/CB (40/20, 20/40, 10/50, 5/55, 0/60) in the production of CPE/RM composite materials. The mechanical and thermal properties of CPE/RM with varied proportion of RM and CB were studied. The tensile strength of the CPE/RM/CB composite were improved compare to without RM (ie, improved from 10 to 14 MPa) and thermal degradation temperature (Td2) has improved from 435°C to 445°C, when the content of red mud was 20 phr. After aging for 3 days, the hardness and tensile strength of CPE/RM/CB composites were improved, that is, increment in hardness by 10 shore A and tensile strength by 2 MPa. CPE shows good thermal stability (with Td2 = 445°C) with the increment of RM and CB proportion, noticeably, when the ratio of red mud/carbon black is 20/40. The analysis by RPA (Rubber Process Analyzer) showed Payne effect became apparent when the amount of red mud was more than 20 phr. The compound with 60 phr CB load showed the largest elastic modulus G′ which decreased fastest at strain 0.28%, almost as the same as 40/20 CB/RM, but the elastic modulus G′ of 40/20 CB/RM showed a slight decrease when the strain exceeded 65%. The overall properties of the composite filled with 20 phr red mud were better in comparison with other varied ratios. The developed composite can be used to manufacture plastic runway or rubber hose.
Synthesis of novel carvone (meth)acrylate monomers for the production of hydrophilic polymers with high terpene content
Authors: Montanari Ulisse , Taresco Vincenzo , Liguori Anna , Gualandi Chiara , Howdle Steven M
Published: August 2020

The terpene‐based monomers and polymers reported in the literature are mostly hydrophobic and this is limiting their use in aqueous environments. To address this drawback, we have developed a novel synthetic strategy to functionalise a model terpene monomer in order to improve hydrophilicity and the number of polar groups on the polymer side chains. To produce a highly hydrophilic monomer, carvone (meth)acrylate was chosen as the primary feedstock. Carvone has more functionalisable double bonds than other commercial cyclic terpenes and offers the potential for the maximum number of hydrophilic groups per monomer molecule. The monomers were homopolymerised and copolymerised to generate novel green hydrophilic and amphiphilic terpene‐based polymers which were characterised by 1H–13C NMR, gel permeation chromatography, TGA and DSC analyses. © 2020 Society of Industrial Chemistry
A fluorinated phosphite traps alkoxy radicals photogenerated at the air/solid interface of a nanoparticle
Authors: Ghosh Goutam , Greer Alexander
Published: August 2020

With interests in alkoxy radical formation on natural and artificial surfaces, a physical‐organic study was carried out with a Hammett series of triaryl phosphites (p‐MeO, H,p‐F, andp‐Cl) to trap adsorbed alkoxy radicals on silica nanoparticles. A mechanism which involves PhC (Me)2O• and EtO• trapping in a cumylethyl peroxide sensitized homolysis reaction is consistent with the results. Thep‐F phosphite was able to indirectly monitor the alkoxy radical formation, and31P NMR readily enabled this exploration, but other phosphites of the series such as thep‐MeO phosphite were limited by hydrolysis reactions catalyzed by surface silanol groups. Fluorinated silica nanoparticles helped to suppress the hydrolysis reaction although adventitious water also plays a role in hindering efficient capture of the alkoxy radicals by the phosphite traps.
Democratic Innovation in Times of Crisis: Exploring Changes in Social and Political Trust
Authors: Karlsson Martin , Åström Joachim , Adenskog Magnus
Published: August 2020

The Estonian Citizens’ Assembly (ECA) was initiated in late 2012 as a direct consequence of a legitimacy crisis of Estonian political parties and representative institutions. The spark igniting this crisis was the unraveling of a scheme of illegal party financing. The response from governmental institutions took the form of a democratic innovation involving public crowd‐sourcing and deliberative mini‐publics. This study reports on a survey among the participants in the online crowd‐sourcing process of the ECA (n = 847). The study examines how this democratic innovation influenced participants’ social and political trust as well as the impact of participants' predispositions and level of satisfaction with the ECA on changes in trust. We find that participants that had positive predispositions and who were satisfied with the ECA were more likely to gain trust. Furthermore, we also find that the participants, in general, became more distrustful of political institutions, while their participation fostered increased social trust. This outcome differs from the intentions of the Estonian institutions which organized the ECA and sheds new light on the role of democratic innovations in the context of legitimacy crises. This is an important step forward in the scholarly understanding of the relationship between democratic innovation and trust.
Crystal structure of the nucleotide‐metabolizing enzyme NTPDase4
Authors: Gorelik Alexei , Labriola Jonathan M. , Illes Katalin , Nagar Bhushan
Published: August 2020

The ecto‐nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolases (NTPDases) are a family of enzymes found on the cell surface and in the lumen of certain organelles, that are major regulators of purinergic signaling. Their intracellular roles, however, have not been clearly defined. NTPDase4 (UDPase, ENTPD4) is a Golgi protein potentially involved in nucleotide recycling as part of protein glycosylation, and is also found in lysosomes, where its purpose is unknown. To further our understanding of NTPDase4 function, we determined its crystal structure. The enzyme adopts a wide open, inactive conformation. Differences in the nucleotide‐binding site relative to its homologs could account for its substrate selectivity. The putative membrane‐interacting loop of cell‐surface NTPDases is drastically altered in NTPDase4, potentially affecting its interdomain dynamics at the Golgi membrane.
Saponins derived from the stems and leaves of Panax ginseng attenuate scrotal heat‐induced spermatogenic damage via inhibiting the MAPK mediated oxidative stress and apoptosis in mice
Authors: Liu Wei , Leng Jing , Hou Jin‐gang , Jiang Shuang , Wang Zi , Liu Zhi , Gong Xiao‐jie , Chen Chen , Wang Ying‐ping , Li Wei
Published: August 2020

Heat stress (HS) reaction is a stress response caused by adverse conditions. Currently, the incidence of reproductive malignancies particularly in males has been constantly increasing. This work investigated the effects of saponins derived from the stems and leaves of Panax ginseng (GSLS) on testicular injury induced by scrotal hyperthermia in mice. GSLS (150, 300 mg/kg) were administered intragastrically to mice for 14 days, then exposed to a single scrotal heat treatment at 43°C for 18 min on seventh day. HS induced a significant loss of multinucleate giant cells, desquamation of germ cells in destructive seminiferous tubules. Moreover, HS reduced the serum testosterone, testicular tissue superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione (GSH) content, while significantly enhanced the production of malondialdehyde (p < .05). GSLS exhibited the protective potential against HS‐induced injury not only by modulating Bcl‐2 family and caspase protease family, but also by suppressing the protein levels of heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), hypoxia inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) and activation of Mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways (p < .05). In conclusion, we clearly demonstrated that GSLS exhibited a significant protective effect against HS‐induced testicular dysfunction, mainly the inhibition of oxidative stress associated apoptosis partly via regulation of the MAPK signaling pathway.
Link budget assessment for GEO feeder links based on optical technology
Authors: Barrios Ricardo , Dimitrov Svilen , Mata‐Calvo Ramon , Giggenbach Dirk
Published: August 2020

Nowadays, large geostationary orbit (GEO) satellites can offer capacities up to 260 Gbps. In the midterm, in order to cope with the forecasted traffic demand, multibeam high throughput satellite systems are already being deployed. Optical GEO feeder link technology may provide transmission data rates up to the order of several terabits per second by making use of wavelength division multiplexing schemes. This work identifies physical layer techniques that enable the transmission of DVB‐S2X RF modulated signals over optical carriers. The techniques reported here are the analog transparent (AT), digital transparent (DT), and the digital regenerative schemes, which require different satellite payload architectures. The effects of atmospheric turbulence over the traveling wave are addressed and discussed, along with a methodology to calculate the link budget in the feeder uplink channel. Link budget calculations for two different selected ground station locations are presented, for the both the AT and DT options. It is shown that for high altitude locations, the transmission using the AT and DT options works well. For midaltitude locations, typical 36 MHz signal are feasible, whereas for higher bandwidths, the DT option could work when an error correction code is used.
Pero Aquí se Habla Inglés: Latina Immigrant Mothers’ Experiences of Discrimination, Resistance, and Pride Through Antropoesía
Authors: E. Chaparro Sofía
Published: August 2020

This article examines the experiences of Latina mothers in one two‐way immersion Spanish‐English bilingual program in the United States. Through a qualitative analysis of ethnographic interviews and their selective transcription as verse—or antropoesía—this analysis seeks to illuminate the phenomenological aspects of what it means to be a Latina migrant mother. These poetic transcriptions evoke the themes of migration, of not knowing English, of discrimination, of resistance to English‐only discourses, and of pride in children’s bilingualism. Understanding the experiences of Latinx immigrant parents in schools is critical for both research and practice, given the important role that families and caregivers play in the education of children. In order to do justice to such experiences the author argues that we must learn to critically listen, and to do so requires us to represent our participants’ experiences differently in our work.
Power production waste
Authors: Cai Yajing , Zhang Panyue , Liang Jingsong , Wang Qingyan , Ding Yiran
Published: August 2020

The storage of large amount of power production waste occupies huge land resource; moreover, the stored or discarded waste may pollute the water environment through changing the water pH, releasing the trace and toxic elements even radioactive elements, and so on by leachate. Therefore, the recycling and disposal of power production waste are important and necessary. This paper reviews the research literatures published in 2019 on power generation waste from coal‐fired and nuclear power plants, mainly including the recycling of fly ash and flue gas desulfurization gypsum in construction industry and environmental application, the recovery and immobilization of different metals from coal combustion products and selective catalytic reduction catalysts, and the treatment and disposal of radioactive elements from nuclear power plants.

Practioner points

Coal‐fired power plant waste can be applied for material preparation and wastewater purification.

Valued and toxic metals are normally recovered or removed from spent selective catalytic reduction catalyst.

Recovery and removal of radioactive elements is essential for nuclear power plant wastes disposal.
Analytical methods to analyze pesticides and herbicides
Authors: Li Chao , Begum Afruza , Xue Jinkai
Published: August 2020

This paper reviews studies published in 2019, in the area of analytical techniques for determination of pesticides and herbicides. It should be noted that some of the reports summarized in this review are not directly related to but could potentially be used for water environment studies. Based on different methods, the literatures are organized into six sections, namely extraction methods, electrochemical techniques, spectrophotometric techniques, chemiluminescence and fluorescence methods, chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques, and biochemical assays.

Practitioner points

Totally 141 research articles have been summarized.

The review is divided into six parts.

Chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques are the most widely used methods.
Molecular biological methods in environmental engineering
Authors: Li Chunying , Zhang Xinxin , Wei Li , Wei Dong , Chen Zhongxi , Cao Zhenkun , Zhao Qiushi , Chang Chein‐Chi
Published: August 2020

Microbes are sensitive to environmental changes and can respond in a short time. Genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and multigroup association are used to characterize the composition, function, and metabolism of microorganisms, and to evaluate the environment according to the changes in microorganisms, which has important reference and guiding significance of environmental monitoring, management, and repair. In this paper, the application of molecular biological methods to study environmental microorganisms in the fields of wastewater treatment, pollution control, soil improvement, and environmental monitoring in 2019 is reviewed.
A new analytical approach for the research of thin‐film flow of magneto hydrodynamic fluid in the presence of thermal conductivity and variable viscosity
Authors: Ali Liaqat , Tassaddiq Asifa , Ali Rohail , Islam Saeed , Gul Taza , Kumam Poom , Mukhtar Safyan , Khan Noor Saeed , Thounthong Phatiphat
Published: August 2020

In this endeavor thin‐film flow of magneto hydrodynamic (MHD) fluid in the presence of thermal conductivity and variable viscosity over a porous steady stretching surface with a magnetic field and radioactive heat fluctuation is studied. In this phenomenon the viscosity vary inversely and thermal conductivity directly with temperature. The nonlinear coupled differential equations for the velocity and temperature profiles are achieved and solved by using a new analytical approach, called 3rd form of Optimal Homotopy Asymptotic Method (OHAM‐3). The proposed technique consists of initial guess, embedding parameter, optimal convergence control parameters, auxiliary functions and homotopy. Numerical (ND‐Solve Method) solutions are also achieved and compared with the results gained by the proposed method. The fast convergence of the applied new method and the influence of different physical nondimensional parameters on the velocity and temperature profiles are mainly focused in this research.
Rainfall Variability and Adaptation of Tomatoes Farmers in Santa: Northwest Region of Cameroon
Authors: Malyse Majoumo Christelle
Published: August 2020

The Santa agrarian basin being one of the main market gardening basins in Cameroon and one of the producers of tomatoes in the country is vulnerable to the impact of rainfall variability. The spatiotemporal variability of rainfall through the annual, monthly, and daily fluctuations has greatly affected the market gardening sector in general and tomatoes production in particular. Thus, given rise to the research topic “Rainfall variability and adaptation of tomatoes farmers in Santa North west region of Cameroon,” its principal objective is to contribute to better understanding of the recent changes occurring in tomatoes production and productivity in Santa. To attain this objective, a principal hypothesis was formulated that rainfall variability instead of unnatural conditions or human constraints justifies changes observed in tomatoes production in Santa and resulting adaptation strategies developed by peasants and stakeholders.

Our study came out with several findings, among which includes rainfall events in Santa fluctuate in time and in space with reduction in the number of rainy day and increase in the intensity of rainfall events causing soil erosion, infertility, and frequent crop diseases, insects, and pests. Extreme events such as drought and flooding have equally become frequent in the area especially during the different cycles of tomatoes production disrupting the agricultural calendar and causing crop failure and decrease in yields with Pearson’s correlation of 0.017. This positive value shows that there is a relationship between annual rainfall and tomatoes output in Santa. Tomatoes farmers in Santa are struggling to adapt locally to this situations, but their efforts are still limited especially due to their low level of education and poverty. Finally, it was seen that the output of tomatoes over the years in Santa has a strong correlation with rainfall. Based on the findings of this study, the government is called upon to assist farmers in their adaptation options.
Urban signals in high-resolution weather and climate simulations: role of urban land-surface characterisation
Authors: Hertwig Denise , Grimmond Sue , Hendry Margaret A. , Saunders Beth , Wang Zhengda , Jeoffrion Marine , Vidale Pier Luigi , McGuire Patrick C. , Bohnenstengel Sylvia I. , Ward Helen C. , Kotthaus Simone
Published: August 2020

Two urban schemes within the Joint UK Land Environment Simulator (JULES) are evaluated offline against multi-year flux observations in the densely built-up city centre of London and in suburban Swindon (UK): (i) the 1-tile slab model, used in climate simulations; (ii) the 2-tile canopy model MORUSES (Met Office–Reading Urban Surface Exchange Scheme), used for numerical weather prediction over the UK. Offline, both models perform better at the suburban site, where differences between the urban schemes are less pronounced due to larger vegetation fractions. At both sites, the outgoing short- and longwave radiation is more accurately represented than the turbulent heat fluxes. The seasonal variations of model skill are large in London, where the sensible heat flux in autumn and winter is strongly under-predicted if the large city centre magnitudes of anthropogenic heat emissions are not represented. The delayed timing of the sensible heat flux in the 1-tile model in London results in large negative bias in the morning. The partitioning of the urban surface into canyon and roof in MORUSES improves this as the roof tile is modelled with a very low thermal inertia, but phase and amplitude of the grid box-averaged flux critically depend on accurate knowledge of the plan-area fractions of streets and buildings. Not representing non-urban land cover (e.g. vegetation, inland water) in London results in severely under-predicted latent heat fluxes. Control runs demonstrate that the skill of both models can be greatly improved by providing accurate land cover and morphology information and using representative anthropogenic heat emissions, which is essential if the model output is intended to inform integrated urban services.
Small molecule inhibitors of RAS proteins with oncogenic mutations
Authors: Orgován Zoltán , Keserű György M.
Published: August 2020

RAS proteins control a number of essential cellular processes as molecular switches in the human body. Presumably due to their important signalling role, RAS proteins are among the most frequently mutated oncogenes in human cancers. Hence, numerous efforts were done to develop appropriate therapies for RAS-mutant cancers in the last three decades. This review aimed to collect all of the reported small molecules that affect RAS signalling. These molecules can be divided in four main branches. First, we address approaches blocking RAS membrane association. Second, we focus on the stabilization efforts of non-productive RAS complexes. Third, we examine the approach to block RAS downstream signalling through disturbance of RAS-effector complex formation. Finally, we discuss direct inhibition; particularly the most recently reported covalent inhibitors, which are already advanced to human clinical trials.
Resilience and transformation of heritage sites to accommodate for loss and learning in a changing climate
Authors: Seekamp Erin , Jo Eugene
Published: August 2020

The predicted increases in climate change vulnerability of heritage sites are alarming. Yet, heritage management focuses on enabling a steady state of heritage sites to ensure the continuity of values embedded within those properties. In this paper, we use the concept of resilience to demonstrate how expanding the heritage paradigm from solely a preservation perspective to one that also embraces a transformation perspective can accommodate for loss as well as promote learning. We argue that adaptation as currently conceptualized in the heritage field is limited, as it is not economically or ecologically feasible for all heritage sites or properties. When heritage properties are severely impacted by climatic events, we suggest that some remain damaged to serve as a memory of that event and the inherent vulnerabilities embedded in places. Moreover, when confronted with projected climatic impacts that exceed a financially viable threshold or ecological reality, or when rights holders or associated communities deem persistent adaptation unacceptable, we argue for transformation. We claim that transformation enables a reorganization of values focused on the discovery of future values embedded within changing associations and benefits. Therefore, we recommend that the heritage field adopts an alternative heritage policy that enables transformative continuity through applications of persistent and autonomous or anticipatory adaptation. We conclude by suggesting a pathway for such change at the international level; specifically, we call for the World Heritage Convention to develop a new grouping of sites,World Heritage Sites in Climatic Transformation.
Zonal-Based Emission Source Term Model for Predicting Particulate Emission Factors in Wildfire Simulations
Authors: Josephson Alexander J. , Castaño Daniel , Koo Eunmo , Linn Rodman R.
Published: August 2020

A physics/chemistry-based numerical model for predicting the emission of fine particles from wildfires is proposed. This model implements the fundamental mechanisms of soot formation in a combustion environment: soot nucleation, surface growth, agglomeration, oxidation, and particle fragmentation. These mechanisms occur on a scale too fine for the discretization of most wildfire models, which need to simulate landscape-scale dynamics. As a result this model implements a zonal approach, where the computed soot particle distribution is partitioned into process zones within a single resolved grid cell. These process zones include: an inception zone (for nucleation), a heating zone (for coagulation, surface growth, and fragmentation), a reaction zone (for oxidation), and a quenched zone (for atmospheric processes). Governing mechanisms are applied to the appropriate zones to predict total particle growth and emission. The proposed model is implemented into HIGRAD/FIRETEC, a physics-based wildfire simulation code which couples interactions between fire, fuels, atmosphere, and topography on a landscape scale. Fire simulations among grasslands and conifer forests are performed and compared against experimental data for emission factors.
RLINK: Deep reinforcement learning for user identity linkage
Authors: Li Xiaoxue , Cao Yanan , Li Qian , Shang Yanmin , Li Yangxi , Liu Yanbing , Xu Guandong
Published: August 2020

User identity linkage is a task of recognizing the identities of the same user across different social networks (SN). Previous works tackle this problem via estimating the pairwise similarity between identities from different SN, predicting the label of identity pairs or selecting the most relevant identity pair based on the similarity scores. However, most of these methods fail to utilize the results of previously matched identities, which could contribute to the subsequent linkages in following matching steps. To address this problem, we transform user identity linkage into a sequence decision problem and propose a reinforcement learning model to optimize the linkage strategy from the global perspective. Our method makes full use of both the social network structure and the history matched identities, meanwhile explores the long-term influence of processing matching on subsequent decisions. We conduct extensive experiments on real-world datasets, the results show that our method outperforms the state-of-the-art methods.
Role of Chlorella sp. and rhamnolipid 90 in maintaining homeostasis in soil contaminated with bisphenol A
Authors: Zaborowska Magdalena , Wyszkowska Jadwiga , Kucharski Jan
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The knowledge about the impact of BPA on soil health does not correspond to the great interest in its analogues. Therefore, a study was conducted to determine the potentially negative impact of BPA on the biochemical properties of soil. The study also evaluated the effectiveness of two biostimulants in eliminating potential homeostasis disorders caused by BPA.

Materials and methods

A pot experiment was conducted under supervised conditions. BPA at five contamination levels was added to the soil of the granulometric composition of sandy loam at 0, 0.1, 2, 40 and 800 mg BPA kg−1 of a dry matter (DM) of soil. The biochemical activity of the soil was interpreted through the activity of dehydrogenases (Deh), urease (Ure), catalase (Cat), acid phosphatase (Pac), alkaline phosphatase (Pal), arylsulphatase (Aryl) and β-glucosidase (Glu) whose activity was determined on days 5, 15 and 45 of the study. The biostimulative potential of Chlorella sp. and rhamnolipid 90 (which eliminates the undesirable effects of BPA on the parameters) was expressed with IFB—the factor of the impact of increasing of bisphenol (BP) soil contamination levels. The response of spring barley to increasing BPA pressure was analysed with the plant resistance index (RS). The study was made more comprehensive by determination of the macronutrient content in the plants.

Results and discussion

The sensitivity of individual enzymes to increasing bisphenol pressure on the 45th day of the experiment can be arranged in the following sequence: Deh > Ure > Glu > Pac > Cat > Aryl > Pal. Biostimulation of soil with Chlorella sp. gave better results than with rhamnolipid 90. A compilation of BPA 800 mg BPA kg−1 DM of soil and Chlorella sp. brought about an increase in the activity of Glu on the 45th day of the experiment and Pac, Pal and Aryl on the 5th day. Only at this contamination level did BPA stimulate the crop growth in all the parallel plots except in those biostimulated by Chlorella sp. Only algae significantly reduced the negative BPA impact on the N, Ca and K content in spring barley.

Conclusions

The experiment emphasised the significant inhibitory impact of BPA on the biochemical activity of soil which, in consequence, upset the microbial balance of soil processes. Chlorella sp. played a more important role in maintaining the soil homeostasis than rhamnolipid 90, which did not correspond to its negative impact on the yield of spring barley.
Robustness of the HFMI techniques and the effect of weld quality on the fatigue life improvement of welded joints
Authors: Aldén R. , Barsoum Z. , Vouristo T. , Al-Emrani M.
Published: August 2020

Robustness of HFMI treatment in different weld qualities according to ISO 5817 was studied, and fatigue testing of the treated samples was carried out in order to investigate the effect of the weld quality prior treatment. The results show that HFMI-treated welds with weld quality level D shows fatigue life improvements that fall within the IIW recommendations for HFMI. No significant influence from the HFMI operator or HFMI equipment on the fatigue life was found. However, the scatter in fatigue testing results varied with HFMI operator and indicated that different HFMI operators could produce consistent treatment results. A considerable effect on fatigue life from HFMI tool radius was found, where the 2-mm tool radius showed considerably greater fatigue life compared with the 1.5-mm tool radius. According to IIW (Marquis and Barsoum 2016), for steel grade SY = 700 MPa, the fatigue strength recommendation is FAT 160 (m = 5) for transverse stiffener–welded joints with as-welded quality B according to ISO 5817 (ISO/TC 44/SC 10 2011), prior to treatment. It can be observed in the current study that fatigue-tested HFMI-treated welded joints, welded with weld quality D, are in good agreement with the IIW recommendations.
The osmo-metabolic approach: a novel and tantalizing glucose-sparing strategy in peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Bonomini Mario , Zammit Victor , Divino-Filho José C. , Davies Simon J. , Di Liberato Lorenzo , Arduini Arduino , Lambie Mark
Published: August 2020

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a viable but under-prescribed treatment for uremic patients. Concerns about its use include the bio-incompatibility of PD fluids, due to their potential for altering the functional and anatomical integrity of the peritoneal membrane. Many of these effects are thought to be due to the high glucose content of these solutions, with attendant issues of products generated during heat treatment of glucose-containing solutions. Moreover, excessive intraperitoneal absorption of glucose from the dialysate has many potential systemic metabolic effects. This article reviews the efforts to develop alternative PD solutions that obviate some of these side effects, through the replacement of part of their glucose content with other osmolytes which are at least as efficient in removing fluids as glucose, but less impactful on patient metabolism. In particular, we will summarize clinical studies on the use of alternative osmotic ingredients that are commercially available (icodextrin and amino acids) and preclinical studies on alternative solutions under development (taurine, polyglycerol, carnitine and xylitol). In addition to the expected benefit of a glucose-sparing approach, we describe an ‘osmo-metabolic’ approach in formulating novel PD solutions, in which there is the possibility of exploiting the pharmaco-metabolic properties of some of the osmolytes to attenuate the systemic side effects due to glucose. This approach has the potential to ameliorate pre-existing co-morbidities, including insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes, which have a high prevalence in the dialysis population, including in PD patients.
Solar-powered desalination system provides villagers with access to clean water for drinking and use in farming
Authors: Atkinson Simon
Published: August 2020

A simple solar desalination system is providing people living in a village in Kenya with access to clean water. Battery free and powered entirely by solar energy, it is capable of delivering water that is safe to drink and can be used in other applications such as irrigation. This article describes the system, which uses membranes from speciality chemicals company Lanxess Deutschland GmbH. It also points to recent developments in the firm's membrane technology and where it has been applied, and briefly looks at other activities, such as distribution agreements and the move to realign its water treatment business.