bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of magnetic flux modulation on noise characteristics of tunnel magnetoresistive sensors
Authors: Du Qingfa , Hu Jiafei , Pan Mengchun , Chen Dixiang , Sun Kun , Pan Long , Che Yulu , Zhang Xinmiao , Li Peisen , Zhang Junsheng , Peng Junping , Qiu Weicheng , Zhang Qi , Ji Minhui
Published: March 2020

Magnetic flux modulation technology aims to shift the low frequency or dc magnetic field to a higher frequency band and avoid the influence of 1/f noise in a magnetoresistance sensor. Despite decades of development, there are relatively few studies devoted to the impact of this technology on the noise characteristic of a magnetoresistance sensor. In this paper, we fabricated a tunnel magnetoresistance sensor integrated with a magnetic flux modulation structure and explored the noise characteristics under modulation. It was found that the noise at the modulation frequency will increase significantly when the external magnetic field is large, and this is caused by the ac magnetic field after modulation. The maximum value of noise at the modulation frequency is up to 12 μV/√Hz under modulation, which is 63 times higher than that without modulation. Obviously, this result indicates that magnetic flux modulation technology may be ineffective in reducing 1/f noise. Fortunately, it was also observed that when the external magnetic field is small, the noise increase is not obvious. Based on this, we proposed a magnetic field tracking compensation method to keep the measured magnetic field constantly close to zero and prevent the deterioration of noise, no matter how the external magnetic field changes. A compensating coil was designed and manufactured to generate the compensating magnetic field. The test results show that the increase in noise under modulation can be well suppressed with magnetic field tracking compensation.
Magnetic and multiferroic properties of dilute Fe-doped BaTiO3 crystals
Authors: Staruch M. , ElBidweihy H. , Cain M. G. , Thompson P. , Lucas C. A. , Finkel P.
Published: March 2020

Combining and coupling both magnetic and electric properties in one single phase multiferroic material has attracted high interest recently to enable a broad range of novel devices and applications. To evaluate one potential route toward new multiferroics, we have studied 0.5% Fe-doped BaTiO3 single crystals and measured the ferroelectric, magnetic, and multiferroic properties. X-ray absorption spectroscopy shows the presence of Fe3+, and magnetic measurements confirmed that this has a significant impact on the magnetic properties. Doping of iron introduces paramagnetism from lone iron atoms as well as what appears to be a weak ferromagnetism. Multiferroicity and magnetoelectric (ME) coupling were observed in the polarization-electric field hysteresis loops with an applied magnetic field, yet there was no direct evidence that ME coupling persists when the sample was in the defect dipole-aligned state.
Laser-induced fluorescence velocimetry for a hypersonic leading-edge separation
Authors: Le Page Laurent M. , Barrett Matthew , O’Byrne Sean , Gai Sudhir L.
Published: March 2020

Two-dimensional mapping of the velocity distribution for a hypersonic leading-edge separation flowfield generated by a “tick” shaped geometry is presented for the first time. Discrete measurements of two velocity components were acquired at a flow condition having a total specific enthalpy of 3.8 MJ/kg by imaging nitric oxide fluorescence over numerous runs of the hypersonic tunnel at the Australian Defence Force Academy (T-ADFA). The measured freestream velocity distribution exhibited some non-uniformity, which is hypothesized to originate from images acquired using a set of ultraviolet specific mirrors mounted on the shock tunnel deflecting under load during a run of the facility, slightly changing the laser sheet orientation. The flow separation point was measured to occur at 1.4 ± 0.2 mm from the model leading edge, based on the origin of the free shear layer emanating from the expansion surface. Reattachment of this free shear layer on the compression surface occurred at 59.0 ± 0.2 mm from the model vertex. Recirculating the flow bound by the separation and reattachment points contained supersonic reverse flow and areas of subsonic flow aligned with the location of three identified counter-rotating vortices. A comparison of the recirculation flow streamline plots with those computed using Navier–Stokes and direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) codes showed differences in flow structures. At a flow time close to that produced by the facility, flow structures generated by the DSMC solution were seen to agree more favorably with the experiment than those generated by the Navier–Stokes solver due to its ability to better characterize separation by modeling the strong viscous interactions and rarefaction at the leading edge. The primary reason for this is that the no-slip condition used in the Navier–Stokes solution predicts a closer separation point to the leading edge and structures when compared to the DSMC solution, which affects surface shear stress and heat flux, leading to a difference in flow structures downstream of the separation.
The effect of camera-trap viewshed obstruction on wildlife detection: implications for inference
Authors: Moll Remington J. , Ortiz-Calo Waldemar , Cepek Jonathon D. , Lorch Patrick D. , Dennis Patricia M. , Robison Terry , Montgomery Robert A.
Published: March 2020

Abstract
ContextCamera traps are one of the most popular tools used to study wildlife worldwide. Numerous recent studies have evaluated the efficiency and effectiveness of camera traps as a research tool. Nonetheless, important aspects of camera-trap methodology remain in need of critical investigation. One such issue relates to camera-trap viewshed visibility, which is often compromised in the field by physical obstructions (e.g. trees) or topography (e.g. steep slopes). The loss of visibility due to these obstructions could affect wildlife detection rates, with associated implications for study inference and management application.
AimsWe aimed to determine the effect of camera-trap viewshed obstruction on wildlife detection rates for a suite of eight North American species that vary in terms of ecology, commonness and body size.
MethodsWe deployed camera traps at 204 sites throughout an extensive semi-urban park system in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, from June to September 2016. At each site, we quantified camera-trap viewshed obstruction by using a cover-board design. We then modelled the effects of obstruction on wildlife detection rates for the eight focal species.
Key resultsWe found that detection rates significantly decreased with an increasing viewshed obstruction for five of the eight species, including both larger and smaller mammal species (white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, and squirrels, Sciurus sp., respectively). The number of detections per week per camera decreased two- to three-fold as visibility at a camera site decreased from completely free of obstruction to mostly obstructed.
ConclusionsThese results imply that wildlife detection rates are influenced by site-level viewshed obstruction for a variety of species, and sometimes considerably so.
ImplicationsResearchers using camera traps should address the potential for this effect to ensure robust inference from wildlife image data. Accounting for viewshed obstruction is critical when interpreting detection rates as indices of abundance or habitat use because variation in detection rate could be an artefact of site-level viewshed obstruction rather than due to underlying ecological processes.
Frost-free zone on macrotextured surfaces
Authors: Yao Yuehan , Zhao Tom Y. , Machado Christian , Feldman Emma , Patankar Neelesh A. , Park Kyoo-Chul
Published: March 2020

Significance

In spite of a decades-long surface science research endeavor to reduce frost coverage, most state-of-the-art surfaces developed based on micrometer/nanometer and molecular-level surface treatment still suffer from surface degradation and result in full frost coverage under continuous frosting conditions. Based on our fundamental understanding of discontinuous frost patterns found on the leaf vein structure on the scale of millimeters, we elucidate the thermodynamic correlation between the frost-free area and two major surface system parameters—macroscopic surface geometry and ambient humidity. This systematic study on the frost formation mechanism allows us to demonstrate a ∼50% of frost coverage even for superhydrophilic surfaces and provides a quantitative guideline for further reducing frost coverage.
Cerebellar plasticity and associative memories are controlled by perineuronal nets
Authors: Carulli Daniela , Broersen Robin , de Winter Fred , Muir Elizabeth M. , Mešković Maja , de Waal Matthijs , de Vries Sharon , Boele Henk-Jan , Canto Cathrin B. , De Zeeuw Chris I. , Verhaagen Joost
Published: March 2020

Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are assemblies of extracellular matrix molecules, which surround the cell body and dendrites of many types of neuron and regulate neural plasticity. PNNs are prominently expressed around neurons of the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN), but their role in adult cerebellar plasticity and behavior is far from clear. Here we show that PNNs in the mouse DCN are diminished during eyeblink conditioning (EBC), a form of associative motor learning that depends on DCN plasticity. When memories are fully acquired, PNNs are restored. Enzymatic digestion of PNNs in the DCN improves EBC learning, but intact PNNs are necessary for memory retention. At the structural level, PNN removal induces significant synaptic rearrangements in vivo, resulting in increased inhibition of DCN baseline activity in awake behaving mice. Together, these results demonstrate that PNNs are critical players in the regulation of cerebellar circuitry and function.
Mild depolarization of the inner mitochondrial membrane is a crucial component of an anti-aging program
Authors: Vyssokikh Mikhail Y. , Holtze Susanne , Averina Olga A. , Lyamzaev Konstantin G. , Panteleeva Alisa A. , Marey Maria V. , Zinovkin Roman A. , Severin Fedor F. , Skulachev Maxim V. , Fasel Nicolas , Hildebrandt Thomas B. , Skulachev Vladimir P.
Published: March 2020

Significance

The mitochondria, organelles that produce the largest amounts of ATP and reactive oxygen species (mROS) in living cells, are equipped with a universal mechanism that can completely prevent mROS production. This mechanism consists of mild depolarization of the inner mitochondrial membrane to decrease the membrane potential to a level sufficient to form ATP but insufficient to generate mROS. In short-lived mice, aging is accompanied by inactivation of the mild depolarization mechanism, resulting in chronic poisoning of the organism with mROS. However, mild depolarization still functions for many years in long-lived naked mole rats and bats.
Necroptosis-blocking compound NBC1 targets heat shock protein 70 to inhibit MLKL polymerization and necroptosis
Authors: Johnston Andrea N. , Ma Yuyong , Liu Hua , Liu Shuzhen , Hanna-Addams Sarah , Chen She , Chen Chuo , Wang Zhigao
Published: March 2020

Significance

Necroptosis is a regulated form of necrotic cell death implicated in many human diseases, including infection, inflammation, neurodegeneration, and cancer. TNF-induced necroptosis results in the formation of MLKL tetramers, which further polymerize to form disulfide bond-dependent amyloid-like fibers to promote cell death. Here we report the identification of a necroptosis-blocking compound, NBC1, which covalently conjugates two cysteines of chaperone Hsp70. Importantly, Hsp70 requires these two cysteines to promote polymerization of MLKL tetramers in an ATP-independent manner. NBC1 blocks MLKL polymerization and subsequent cell death. This work reinforces the importance of MLKL polymer formation and identifies chaperone Hsp70 as an obligatory facilitator for MLKL polymerization, providing further insights for intervention of necroptosis-associated diseases.
Defects in nanosilica catalytically convert CO2to methane without any metal and ligand
Authors: Mishra Amit K. , Belgamwar Rajesh , Jana Rajkumar , Datta Ayan , Polshettiwar Vivek
Published: March 2020

Significance

Reducing the CO2levels in Earth’s atmosphere is key to stop further environmental degradation. CO2conversion to methane (green fuel) using renewable hydrogen is considered as one of the best options with great potential for simultaneously resolving energy and environmental challenges, although the production of hydrogen from renewable resources also needs to be economically viable. Unfortunately, this process needs an expensive metal or complex organometallics and most of them suffer from instability and poor selectivity toward methane. In this work, using the defect engineering approach, we develop metal-free–ligand-free nanocatalysts, which convert CO2to methane at the significant rates, scales, and stabilities.
Visualizing the protons in a metalloenzyme electron proton transfer pathway
Authors: Kwon Hanna , Basran Jaswir , Devos Juliette M. , Suardíaz Reynier , van der Kamp Marc W. , Mulholland Adrian J. , Schrader Tobias E. , Ostermann Andreas , Blakeley Matthew P. , Moody Peter C. E. , Raven Emma L.
Published: March 2020

In redox metalloenzymes, the process of electron transfer often involves the concerted movement of a proton. These processes are referred to as proton-coupled electron transfer, and they underpin a wide variety of biological processes, including respiration, energy conversion, photosynthesis, and metalloenzyme catalysis. The mechanisms of proton delivery are incompletely understood, in part due to an absence of information on exact proton locations and hydrogen bonding structures in a bona fide metalloenzyme proton pathway. Here, we present a 2.1-Å neutron crystal structure of the complex formed between a redox metalloenzyme (ascorbate peroxidase) and its reducing substrate (ascorbate). In the neutron structure of the complex, the protonation states of the electron/proton donor (ascorbate) and all of the residues involved in the electron/proton transfer pathway are directly observed. This information sheds light on possible proton movements during heme-catalyzed oxygen activation, as well as on ascorbate oxidation.
A comparative genomics approach identifies contact-dependent growth inhibition as a virulence determinant
Authors: Allen Jonathan P. , Ozer Egon A. , Minasov George , Shuvalova Ludmilla , Kiryukhina Olga , Anderson Wayne F. , Satchell Karla J. F. , Hauser Alan R.
Published: March 2020

Emerging evidence suggests the
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
accessory genome is enriched with uncharacterized virulence genes. Identification and characterization of such genes may reveal novel pathogenic mechanisms used by particularly virulent isolates. Here, we utilized a mouse bacteremia model to quantify the virulence of 100 individual
P. aeruginosa
bloodstream isolates and performed whole-genome sequencing to identify accessory genomic elements correlated with increased bacterial virulence. From this work, we identified a specific contact-dependent growth inhibition (CDI) system enriched among highly virulent
P. aeruginosa
isolates. CDI systems contain a large exoprotein (CdiA) with a C-terminal toxin (CT) domain that can vary between different isolates within a species. Prior work has revealed that delivery of a CdiA-CT domain upon direct cell-to-cell contact can inhibit replication of a susceptible target bacterium. Aside from mediating interbacterial competition, we observed our virulence-associated CdiA-CT domain to promote toxicity against mammalian cells in culture and lethality during mouse bacteremia. Structural and functional studies revealed this CdiA-CT domain to have in vitro tRNase activity, and mutations that abrogated this tRNAse activity in vitro also attenuated virulence. Furthermore, CdiA contributed to virulence in mice even in the absence of contact-dependent signaling. Overall, our findings indicate that this
P. aeruginosa
CDI system functions as both an interbacterial inhibition system and a bacterial virulence factor against a mammalian host. These findings provide an impetus for continued studies into the complex role of CDI systems in
P. aeruginosa
pathogenesis.
Structural and mechanistic insights into secretagogin-mediated exocytosis
Authors: Qin Jiao , Liu Qi , Liu Zhe , Pan Yun-Zu , Sifuentes-Dominguez Luis , Stepien Karolina P. , Wang Yan , Tu Yingfeng , Tan Shuai , Wang Yuan , Sun Qingxiang , Mo Xianming , Rizo Josep , Burstein Ezra , Jia Da
Published: March 2020

Secretagogin (SCGN) is a hexa–EF-hand protein that is highly expressed in the pancreas, brain, and gastrointestinal tract. SCGN is known to modulate regulated exocytosis in multiple cell lines and tissues; however, its exact functions and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we report that SCGN interacts with the plasma membrane SNARE SNAP-25, but not the assembled SNARE complex, in a Ca
2+
-dependent manner. The crystal structure of SCGN in complex with a SNAP-25 fragment reveals that SNAP-25 adopts a helical structure and binds to EF-hands 5 and 6 of SCGN. SCGN strongly inhibits SNARE-mediated vesicle fusion in vitro by binding to SNAP-25. SCGN promotes the plasma membrane localization of SNAP-25, but not Syntaxin-1a, in SCGN-expressing cells. Finally, SCGN controls neuronal growth and brain development in zebrafish, likely via interacting with SNAP-25 or its close homolog, SNAP-23. Our results thus provide insights into the regulation of SNAREs and suggest that aberrant synapse functions underlie multiple neurological disorders caused by SCGN deficiency.
Molecular recognition of a host protein by NS1 of pandemic and seasonal influenza A viruses
Authors: Cho Jae-Hyun , Zhao Baoyu , Shi Jie , Savage Nowlan , Shen Qingliang , Byrnes James , Yang Lin , Hwang Wonmuk , Li Pingwei
Published: March 2020

The 1918 influenza A virus (IAV) caused the most severe flu pandemic in recorded human history. Nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) is an important virulence factor of the 1918 IAV. NS1 antagonizes host defense mechanisms through interactions with multiple host factors. One pathway by which NS1 increases virulence is through the activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) by binding to its p85β subunit. Here we present the mechanism underlying the molecular recognition of the p85β subunit by 1918 NS1. Using X-ray crystallography, we determine the structure of 1918 NS1 complexed with p85β of human PI3K. We find that the 1918 NS1 effector domain (1918 NS1
ED
) undergoes a conformational change to bind p85β. Using NMR relaxation dispersion and molecular dynamics simulation, we identify that free 1918 NS1
ED
exists in a dynamic equilibrium between p85β-binding–competent and –incompetent conformations in the submillisecond timescale. Moreover, we discover that NS1
ED
proteins of 1918 (H1N1) and Udorn (H3N2) strains exhibit drastically different conformational dynamics and binding kinetics to p85β. These results provide evidence of strain-dependent conformational dynamics of NS1. Using kinetic modeling based on the experimental data, we demonstrate that 1918 NS1
ED
can result in the faster hijacking of p85β compared to Ud NS1
ED
, although the former has a lower affinity to p85β than the latter. Our results suggest that the difference in binding kinetics may impact the competition with cellular antiviral responses for the activation of PI3K. We anticipate that our findings will increase the understanding of the strain-dependent behaviors of influenza NS1 proteins.
Cryo-EM structure of rhinovirus C15a bound to its cadherin-related protein 3 receptor
Authors: Sun Yingyuan , Watters Kelly , Hill Marchel G. , Fang Qianglin , Liu Yue , Kuhn Richard J. , Klose Thomas , Rossmann Michael G. , Palmenberg Ann C.
Published: March 2020

Infection by
Rhinovirus-C
(RV-C), a species of Picornaviridae
Enterovirus
, is strongly associated with childhood asthma exacerbations. Cellular binding and entry by all RV-C, which trigger these episodes, is mediated by the first extracellular domain (EC1) of cadherin-related protein 3 (CDHR3), a surface cadherin-like protein expressed primarily on the apical surfaces of ciliated airway epithelial cells. Although recombinant EC1 is a potent inhibitor of viral infection, there is no molecular description of this protein or its binding site on RV-C. Here we present cryo-electron microscopy (EM) data resolving the EC1 and EC1+2 domains of human CDHR3 complexed with viral isolate C15a. Structure-suggested residues contributing to required interfaces on both EC1 and C15a were probed and identified by mutagenesis studies with four different RV-C genotypes. In contrast to most other rhinoviruses, which bind intercellular adhesion molecule 1 receptors via a capsid protein VP1-specific fivefold canyon feature, the CDHR3 EC1 contacts C15a, and presumably all RV-Cs, in a unique cohesive footprint near the threefold vertex, encompassing residues primarily from viral protein VP3, but also from VP1 and VP2. The EC1+2 footprint on C15a is similar to that of EC1 alone but shows that steric hindrance imposed by EC2 would likely prevent multiprotein binding by the native receptor at any singular threefold vertex. Definition of the molecular interface between the RV-Cs and their receptors provides new avenues that can be explored for potential antiviral therapies.
IPyA glucosylation mediates light and temperature signaling to regulate auxin-dependent hypocotyl elongation in
Arabidopsis
Authors: Chen Lu , Huang Xu-Xu , Zhao Shu-Man , Xiao Dong-Wang , Xiao Lang-Tao , Tong Jian-Hua , Wang Wen-Shuai , Li Yan-Jie , Ding Zhaojun , Hou Bing-Kai
Published: March 2020

Significance

Auxin plays a crucial role in the life cycle of plants. In plant cells, auxin concentration must be closely controlled for optimal auxin responses. However, the underlying mechanism governing auxin homeostasis remains largely unknown. In this study, UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT76F1) has been identified as involved in auxin homeostasis by glucosylation of the major auxin precursor (IPyA) to form IPyA glucose conjugates (IPyA-Glc). This glucosylation process is negatively regulated by the transcription factor PIF4 and plays a vital role in light- and temperature-dependent hypocotyl growth. This study suggests that IPyA-Glc formation is a key event in the control of auxin biosynthesis, thereby revealing a mechanism of auxin homeostasis that adapts to the plant environment through IPyA glucosylation.
Email requests in an ELF academic setting
Authors: Dombi Judit
Published: March 2020

Email messages have become the prevalent medium in academic communication between students and faculty at Hungarian universities. Over the past decade communication with international students of diverse language and cultural backgrounds has made the use of English as a lingua franca (ELF) typical in a previously culturally homogeneous setting. This paper analyzes email requests written by international students of various first language (L1) backgrounds (N = 37). The aim is to characterize requests in terms of directness, strategy use, request modification, address forms and closings. Findings shed light on three salient features of ELF requests: an overall preference for direct strategies, a limited range of internal modifiers, and uses of mostly formal, though not always academic address forms. Given the goal-driven nature of ELF interactions, the paper argues that these characteristics may serve as pragmatic strategies to preempt misunderstanding and to enhance intelligibility. Furthermore, interactants’ wish to express identity and their engagement in constructing new norms specific to their unique ELF contexts may also underlie their pragmalinguistic choices.
Proficiency effects on L2 Arabic refusals
Authors: Al Masaeed Khaled , Taguchi Naoko , Tamimi Mohammed
Published: March 2020

This study examined the relationship between L2 proficiency and (1) appropriateness of refusals, (2) use of refusal strategies, and (3) multidialectal practices in performing refusals in Arabic. Using a spoken discourse completion task (spoken DCT), data were collected from 45 learners of Arabic at three different proficiency levels and from 15 Arabic native speakers. The situations used in the spoken DCT varied in power and social distance (i.e., refusing a friend’s request to lend money, refusing a neighbor’s request to lend a car, and refusing a boss’s request to stay late to work extra hours). Findings generally revealed a positive relationship between proficiency and L2 Arabic learners’ appropriateness, use of refusal strategies, and multidialectal practices in their refusals. However, results showed that native speakers solely employed spoken Arabic (i.e., the dialect), while learners relied heavily on Modern Standard Arabic. Analysis of refusal strategies showed that native speakers tended to provide vague explanations in their refusals except when refusing the neighbor’s request, whereas the learners preferred to provide specific reasons for their refusals. Moreover, advanced-level learners were substantially verbose; as a result, their refusals could be perceived as lecturing or criticizing their interlocutor. This paper concludes with implications for researching and teaching L2 Arabic refusals with special attention to multidialectal practices.
Using a corpus in creating and evaluating a DCT
Authors: Hashimoto Brett J. , Nelson Kyra
Published: March 2020

Discourse Completion Tasks (DCTs) have been one of the most popular tools in pragmatics research. Yet, many have
criticized DCTs for their lack of authenticity (e.g., Culpeper, Mackey, & Taguchi,
2018; Nguyen, 2019). We propose that corpora can serve as resources in
designing and evaluating DCTs. We created a DCT using advice-seeking prompts from the Q+A corpus (Baker & Egbert, 2016). Then, we administered the DCT to 33 participants. We evaluated the DCT by (1)
comparing the linguistic form and the semantic content of the participants’ DCT responses (i.e., advice-giving expressions) with
authentic data from the corpus; and (2) interviewing the participants about the instrument quality. Chi-square tests between DCT
data and corpus data revealed no significant differences in advice-giving expressions in terms of both the overall level of
directness (χ2 [2, N = 660] = 6.94, p = .03, V = .10) and
linguistic realization (χ2 [8, N = 660] = 17.75, p = .02,
V = .16), and showed a significant difference but small effect size in terms of semantic content
(χ2 [6, N = 512] = 30.35, p < .01, V = .24). Taken
together with the interview data, our findings indicate that corpora are useful in designing DCTs.
Telling stories and sharing cultures for constructing identity and solidarity
Authors: Lee Hakyoon
Published: March 2020

This study investigates how immigrant workers construct their identities and social relations by telling stories
in multilingual work environments. My main interest lies in naturally occurring and interactionally achieved stories, from the
participants’ day-to-day interaction at a workplace. Data were collected from the informal interaction among employees at a
nursing home in Honolulu. Positioning itself against studies that focus on linguistic competence of workers and potential problems
of miscommunication and exclusion, this study highlights how employees draw upon shared cultural resources for a more inclusive
interaction.

The analysis of multi-party storytelling shows the dynamic nature of the multilingual interaction, and how the
participants achieve their interactional goals in their specific spatial contexts. It shows how the multilingualism varies in the
local realization and how the participants put their efforts into finding common ground for belonging, achieving social inclusion,
and negotiating mutual understanding with respect to their languages and cultures.
Tara Rai’s Chhapamar Yuwatiko Diary
Authors: Acharya Khagendra , Muldoon Orla T. , Chauhan Jangab
Published: March 2020

This paper examines Tara Rai’s Chhapamar Yuwatiko Diary [‘A Diary of a Young Guerrilla Girl’]
(2010) – a memoir which describes a 15-year-old girl’s experience of first armed
encounter, subsequent detainment, and release from the custody towards the end of the Maoist war in Nepal. We analyze the author’s
narrative of adversity and distress, using thematic analysis. Three themes, namely, (1) perception of impending death, (2) severe
stress reactions, and (3) gradual recovery are found in temporal succession. In a subsequent analysis, we examine using content
analysis the personal, group, and socio-political factors linked to these dominant themes to understand the dynamics associated
with Rai’s understanding of personal experience, and adjustment to violence. Discussion of the findings orient the readers of this
narrative not only to how Rai’s perception of her trauma experience changes but also to how this account can inform the way people
negotiate the trauma of war.
Reconstructing agency using reported private thought in narratives of survivors of sex trafficking
Authors: Lockyer Sue , Wingard Leah
Published: March 2020

This project investigates narratives of survivors of sex trafficking posted on YouTube and focuses specifically on moments when the survivor started a transition from being trafficked to becoming free. Narrative analysis is used to explore recurrent narrative features and we find that the description of life or death circumstances is one common context for the decision to escape being trafficked. Furthermore, we show how speakers use reported private thoughts (RPT) to narrate the turning point in which they had a realization about their current situation. We examine how the speaker reconstructs her realization, her in-the-moment stance, and subsequent agency in her turning point narrative as she reports how and why she took action to make a change in the situation. The analysis provides insight into how survivors of sex trafficking have transitioned away from trafficking, and how they reconstruct their agency in doing so.
Astragaloside IV suppresses transforming growth factor-β1-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition through inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in glioma U251 cells
Authors: Han Jinming , Shen Xiaohan , Zhang Yong , Wang Suying , Zhou Leijie
Published: March 2020

Astragaloside IV (AS#IV) has previously demonstrated antitumoractivity. We investigated the effect and mechanisms of AS#IV in relation to epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), viainterference with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in gliomaU251 cells. Induction of glioma U251 cells by transforming growthfactor (TGF)#β1 activated EMT, including switching E#cadherin toN-cadherin and altering the expression of Wnt/β-catenin signalingpathway components such as vimentin, β-catenin, and cyclin-D1.AS-IV inhibited the viability, invasion, and migration of TGF-β1-induced glioma U251 cells. AS-IV also interfered with the TGF#β1-induced Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in glioma U251 cells.These findings indicate that AS#IV prohibits TGF#β1-induced EMTby disrupting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in glioma U251 cells. AS#IV may thus be a potential candidate agent for treating glioma andother central nervous system tumors.
Regulating wildlife conservation and food safety to prevent human exposure to novel virus
Authors: Yuan Jingjing , Lu Yonglong , Cao Xianghui , Cui Haotian
Published: March 2020

Epidemiological investigation suggested that the current outbreak of COVID-19 virus was associated with a seafood market, and COVID-19 has been identified a probable bat origin. Similar to SARS event in 2003, such a zoonotic disease showed an animal-to-person and even more serious person-to-person spread, and posed a significant threat to the global health and socio-economic development. We analyzed the association of both outbreaks with wildlife diet in China and proposed suggestions for regulating wildlife conservation and food safety to prevent human exposure to the novel virus, including increasing social awareness of hazards in eating wild animals, strengthening legislation on eating and trading of wild animals, improving the standards for food safety, and establishing market supervision mechanism. Regulatory intervention is not only critical for China but also for other countries where wildlife hunting is prevalent to prevent from novel virus exposures.
Neutral lipids regulate amphipathic helix affinity for model lipid droplets
Authors: Chorlay Aymeric , Thiam Abdou Rachid
Published: March 2020

Cellular lipid droplets (LDs) have a neutral lipid core shielded from the aqueous environment by a phospholipid monolayer containing proteins. These proteins define the biological functions of LDs, and most of them bear amphipathic helices (AH), which can selectively target to LDs, or to LD subsets. How such binding preference happens remains poorly understood. Here, we found that artificial LDs made of different neutral lipids but presenting equal phospholipid packing densities differentially recruit AHs. Varying the phospholipid density shifts the binding levels, but the differential recruitment is unchanged. We found that the binding level of AHs is defined by their interaction preference with neutral lipids and ability to decrease surface tension. The phospholipid packing level regulates mainly the amount of neutral lipid accessible. Therefore, it is the hydrophobic nature of the phospholipid packing voids that controls the binding level of AHs. Our data bring us a major step closer to understanding the binding selectivity of AHs to lipid membranes.
Tip hydrogen sensor based on liquid-filled in-fiber Fabry–Pérot interferometer with Pt-loaded WO3 coating
Authors: Xu Ben , Zhao F P , Wang D N , Zhao Chun-Liu , Li Jianqing , Yang Minghong , Duan Lingze
Published: March 2020

A probe optical fiber hydrogen sensor based on an in-fiber Fabry–Pérot interferometer (FPI) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The interferometer consists of a micro-cavity which is filled with thermosensitive liquid and lateral surface coated with hydrogen-sensitive material of Pt-loaded WO3. When the sensor is exposed to the hydrogen environment, the refractive index of the liquid in the cavity changes, and then the reflection spectrum of the FPI shifts due to the exothermal reactions between the hydrogen and WO3 in air with the presence of oxygen and the help of catalyst Pt. By detecting the wavelength shift, the hydrogen concentration can be measured accurately. Experimental results show that the proposed sensor has a high hydrogen sensitivity within a range from 0 to 4.0% (vol.%) and a short response time. Moreover, it exhibits many distinct advantages, such as a tip structure with compact size (<100 μm in total dimension), good repeatability and selectivity to hydrogen and immunity to humidity. All these features reveal that the proposed sensor is promising in the fields of hydrogen leaks or concentration measurement in a narrow space.
One-step synthesis of strongly confined, defect-free and hydroxy-terminated ZnO quantum dots
Authors: Jain Gunisha , Rocks Conor , Maguire Paul , Mariotti Davide
Published: March 2020

This paper reports the production of strongly confined ligand-free, defect-free, hydroxy-terminated ZnO quantum dots with a mean diameter of 1.9 nm, by radio frequency atmospheric pressure microplasma. Systematic characterization is performed to understand the surface chemistry of ZnO quantum dots. Photoluminescence studies show strong confinement effect on emission with only ultraviolet (UV) emission without any defect-related visible emission. Emission is again tested after eighteen months and confirms the QDs long-term emission stability. The mechanism responsible for this UV emission is also discussed and originates from OH-related surface terminations.
Surface termination and Schottky-barrier formation of In4Se3(001)
Authors: Dhingra Archit , Galiy Pavlo V , Wang Lu , Vorobeva Nataliia S , Lipatov Alexey , Torres Angel , Nenchuk Taras M , Gilbert Simeon J , Sinitskii Alexander , Yost Andrew J , Mei Wai-Ning , Fukutani Keisuke , Chen Jia-Shiang , Dowben Peter A
Published: March 2020

The surface termination of In4Se3(001) and the interface of this layered trichalcogenide, with Au, was examined using x-ray photoemission spectroscopy. Low energy electron diffraction indicates that the surface is highly crystalline, but suggests an absence of C2v mirror plane symmetry. The surface termination of the In4Se3(001) is found, by angle-resolved x-ray photoemission spectroscopy, to be In, which is consistent with the observed Schottky barrier formation found with this n-type semiconductor. Transistor measurements confirm earlier results from photoemission, suggesting that In4Se3(001) is an n-type semiconductor, so that Schottky barrier formation with a large work function metal, such as Au, is expected. The measured low carrier mobilities could be the result of the contacts and would be consistent with Schottky barrier formation.
Scaling of L-mode heat flux for ITER and COMPASS-U divertors, based on five tokamaks
Authors: Horacek J. , Adamek J. , Komm M. , Seidl J. , Vondracek P. , Jardin A. , Guillemaut Ch. , Elmore S. , Thornton A. , Jirakova K. , Jaulmes F. , Deng G. , Gao X. , Wang L. , Ding R. , Brunner D. , LaBombard B. , Olsen J. , Rasmussen J.J. , Nielsen A.H. , Naulin V. , Ezzat M. , Camacho K.M. , Hron M. , Matthews G.F.
Published: March 2020

This contribution aims to improve existing scalings of the L-mode power decay length

λ

q

o
m
p

, especially for plasma configurations with strike points at the ITER-relevant location—closed vertical divertor targets. We propose 13 new

λ

q

o
m
p

scalings based on data from the tokamaks JET, EAST, MAST, Alcator C-mod and COMPASS, and validate them against the output of the 2D turbulence code HESEL. The analysis covers 500 divertor heat flux profiles (obtained by probes or IR cameras), measured in L-mode discharges with varying 12 global plasma parameters (all well predictable). We find that the two previously published scalings (Eich 2013 J. Nucl. Mat.
438 S72) and (Scarabosio 2013 J. Nucl. Mat.
438 S426), which were based on outer target data from AUG and JET, describe the JET, C-mod and COMPASS profiles well. This holds not only at the outer horizontal and vertical targets, but surprisingly also at the inner vertical targets. In contrast, EAST, HESEL and especially MAST data are poorly described by these two scalings. We therefore derive 13 new scalings, which account for 85–92 % of the measured

λ

q

o
m
p

variability across all five tokamaks. Although each of the scalings is based on a different parameter combination, their predictions for the ITER and COMPASS-Upgrade tokamaks are very similar. Just before the L-H transition in the ITER baseline scenario, the presented scalings predict values

λ

q

o
m
p

=
3.0
±
0.5

mm. For the COMPASS-Upgrade tokamak, all the scalings predict

λ

q

o
m
p

=
2.1
±
0.5

mm with a single exception of the scaling based on the stored plasma energy which predicts only 1.2 mm for both tokamaks. We encourage the reader to use as many of these scalings as possible, depending on available data. In attached plasma and using significant assumptions, our results imply steady-state surface-perpendicular heat flux around 10 MW/m2 for ITER, and 20 MW/m2 for COMPASS-Upgrade.
Synthesis of Tert-butylhydroquinone Derivative as a Soluble Biodiesel Antioxidant
Authors: Putri Felita Dwinanda , Sutanto Hery , Darmawan Akhmad , Nasikin M
Published: March 2020

Biodiesel has been widely used as a substitution for petroleum diesel for years. It offers some various advantages such as higher cetane number, higher efficiency, and low sulfur content. Despite the advantages, biodiesel has one major drawback which is prone to oxidation. The oxidation degrades its quality and causes disturbances to the machine during operations. Therefore, antioxidant was added into biodiesel. However, Tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), as the most effective antioxidant for biodiesel, has low oil solubility. Hence, in this research, TBHQ was modified with methyl linoleate via coupling reaction using benzoyl peroxide. TLC, HPLC, and LC-MS results confirmed that the reaction had successfully produced a new product and its isomer, methyl (10E,12Z)-9-(4-(tert-butyl)-2,5-dihydroxyphenyl)octadeca- 10,12-dienoate and methyl (9Z,nE)-13-(4-(tert-butyl)-2,5-dihydroxyphenyl)octadeca-9,n- dienoate. The yield was found to be 10.4%. The product mixture was subjected to a solubility test and an antioxidant activity evaluation. The result showed that the reaction product had higher oil solubility than TBHQ indicated by a steady increase in product absorbance up to 7000 ppm. TBHQ had reached its solubility limit at 5500 ppm. DPPH dot-blot assay, acid value, and rancimat test results revealed that the product mixture had antioxidant activity.
Improvement of Biogas Production by Sequential Pretreatment of Rice Straw and Coconut Shell for Power Generation Applications
Authors: Magomnang A , Capareda S
Published: March 2020

Different pretreatment methods (milling, ultrasonication, liquid hot water, and alkali hydrolysis) were evaluated on rice straw and coconut shell biomass as a substrate for biogas production for vehicle fuel, provide heat and generate electricity. This was achieved by the sequential combination of ultrasonication, hot water, and alkali hydrolysis treatment at (4% and 5% w/v) concentration was evaluated. Additionally, Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was used in identifying structural differences and identification of compounds in the treated biomass. The results show that the combination of ultrasonication-alkali hydrolysis, hot liquid water using 3% of NaOH improved methane yield of 150% for rice straw and 290% for coconut shell compared with the original treatment. Moreover, the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) methodology identified modifications in the biomass structure after different types of pretreatment and conditions. The results of this research are the initial steps for the development of new processes using the Ultrasonication-NaOH LHW pretreatment, for the production of biogas from agricultural biomass waste.
An Evaluation of the Effect of Takakura and Effective Microorganisms (EM) as Bio Activators on the Final Compost Quality
Authors: Aslanzadeh Solmaz , Kho Katherine , Sitepu Irnayuli
Published: March 2020

Composting is an organic waste management option, where suitable microorganisms are used to accelerate the rate and the decomposition process and improve the final compost quality. In this study, a commercial bio-activator EM4 (EM) and a traditional bio-activator prepared according to the Takakura method (Tak) were investigated. The bio-activators were mixed with a fermenting bed (fb) material consisting of rice husk and rice bran mixed in a ratio of 1:1. The inoculated fb was then used in concentrations of 0%, 20%, and 40% in a composting process of food waste. The composting process was monitored daily for 48 days, and the quality of the final compost based on its physical and chemical characteristics was measured and compared. The result revealed that all samples containing 40% fb material with both Tak and EM bio- activator contained lower moisture content in the final compost compared to samples with 20% fb material. The C/N ratio of the samples with 20% fb material for all samples decreased to 20:1, while 40% fb material increased above 20:1, compared to its initial level. Furthermore, the nitrogen level for all samples with 20% fb material increased while samples with 40% fb material decreased from the initial level. The phosphorus and potassium content also increased for all samples with both 20% and 40% fb material from the initial level. Additionally, no significant difference could be found for the final compost quality between the two bio-activators.
Synthesis of Pyrogallol Derivative as a Soluble Antioxidant for Biodiesel Additive
Authors: Christianty Handayani Regina , Darmawan Akhmad , Nasikin Mohammad , Sutanto Hery
Published: March 2020

Biodiesel as a promising alternative fuel has a major technical drawback which is its instability during storage. One of the solutions to this problem is the addition of antioxidants to improve storage stability. However, the commonly used antioxidant, pyrogallol, has poor solubility in biodiesel due to its polarity difference with biodiesel. Hence this research is focused on modification of pyrogallol with methyl linoleate through a free radical mechanism using benzoyl peroxide as the radical initiator to increase pyrogallol solubility. The presence of the proposed product (10E,12Z)-9-(2,3,4-trihydroxyphenyl) octadeca-10,12-dienoate and its isomer methyl (9Z,11E)-13-(2,3,4-trihydroxyphenyl) octadeca-9,11-dienoate was confirmed using TLC, HPLC and LC-MS/MS which yielded 0.2%. UV-Vis Spectrophotometer was used for the solubility test and the result showed that the solubility limit of the product 2500ppm which was higher than pyrogallol. For the antioxidant activity, the Rancimat test was performed to see the product’s performance in accelerated oxidation as well as acid value determination during four weeks of storage. The Rancimat test result shows the product has higher induction period compared to pyrogallol and fulfilled the oxidation test standard. However, the product showed lower acid value stability compared to pyrogallol and biodiesel.
Fly Ash and Bottom Ash Utilization as Geopolymer: Correlation on Compressive Strength and Degree of Polymerization Observed using FTIR
Authors: Adelizar A S , Olvianas M , Adythia D M , Syafiyurrahman M F , Pratama I G A A N , Astuti W , Petrus H T B M
Published: March 2020

Concerning on the dependancy of coal on electric generation wordwidely, study on fly ash, thesolid waste of fired coal electricity generation, has been comprehensively conducting, i.e. geopolymer, cenosphere, soil remediation, and adsorbent. However, only few studies dealing with the utilization of bottom ash. Having of about 53% of coal in the 2050 energy mix, Indonesia will be dealing with more than 200 million tonnes of fly ash and bottom ash (FABA). In this study, FABA was mixed in certain proportion of 50:50, 75:25, dan 100:0. The formation of geopolymer was conducted with sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate in certain concentration. Once the mixture had been homogenized, it was casted and cured in varied temperature of 30, 60, dan 90 oC with curing time of 1, 3, 5, 14, 21, dan 28 days. In each curing time, sample was then analyzed using compresive strength apparatus and FTIR in order to observed the geopolimerization of the FABA mixture. It was found that compressive strength representing the macro characteristic of the geopolymer is in line with the CORR analysis of the FTIR results showing that the formation of aluminosilicate is responsible for the mechanical strength of the geopolymer. The higher the bottom ash ratio in the mixture with decrease the strength of the geopolymer in the order of one per second. Higher temperature results higher compresive strength to the value of 42 Mpa (FABA ratio is 75:25 at temperature of 90 oC) above the Indonesian standard for concrete. From this study, kinetics of FABA geopolymerization can be generated in accordance todiffusion model with R2 of 0.9135. Thus the utilization of FABA for geopolymer is going to be a potential solution to overcome the increasing amount of FABA resulted from fired coal electrical generation in Indonesia.