bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investment demand forecasting model of power grid based on different development paths
Authors: Yuqing He , Qin Jiang , Shujuan Chen , Yingjie Li , Xing Zhang
Published: June 2020

Under different economic and social conditions, the development of power grid faces different development foundations, development speeds, development forms, and development goals. The development path and development pattern of the power grid have many commonalities in a certain space-time range, and there are also some natural differences. In terms of analysis of the development path of power grids and the study of the quantification system, which considering the spatial and temporal differences, the research on the spatial-temporal matching of the development path characteristics of the provincial, city, county (district) level units and the prediction of the development pattern is insufficient, and it is impossible to predict the provincial, city, county (district) level. According to the development path characteristics and development forms of provincial, city, and county-level units, this paper establishes a quantitative relationship between grid investment and differential indicators of grid development paths. Based on the analysis of Hunan Province, Changsha, and Changsha County, it is proved that the power grid investment demand prediction models based on different development paths can solve the personalized demand for investment due to differences in power grid development paths, improves the analysis dimension and the level of refinement of investment demand forecasting, and it also provides a reference for forming a scientific investment decision system.
The Design of Off-grid Home Photovoltaic Power Generation System Considering Multi-weather Conditions
Authors: Yu Haixin , Liu Dengfeng
Published: June 2020

In the traditional fixed-installed off-grid photovoltaic power generation system, there are disadvantages such as insufficient solar energy collection and low solar energy utilization. In order to be able to effectively develop and utilize solar energy, the method of solar position tracking is generally used. In this paper, a single-chip microcomputer is selected as the main control chip, and a photovoltaic power generation system that combines two methods of photoelectric tracking and computational solar tracking and takes into account various meteorological factors is realized. The latitude and longitude information and time information collected by the single-chip microcomputer are used to calculate the sun position, and the photoelectric position is used to monitor the sun position. The design can automatically change the tracking scheme according to the weather conditions, so that the tracking system can run stably under various weather conditions.
A Low Input Voltage Charge Pump for Energy Harvesting
Authors: Li Yi , Huang Sheng ming , Duan Quanzhen
Published: June 2020

This paper proposes a low input voltage charge pump using 0.18um CMOS process for energy harvesting. There are two main sections in the charge pump system: Low Voltage Charge Pump (LVCP) and High Voltage Charge Pump (HVCP). In the LVCP, a negative charge pump is utilized to improve the efficiency at low input voltage, Dynamic Body Bias (DBB) and switch-conductance enhancement techniques are applied to a unit stage of the two-stage charge pump. In the HVCP, the charge pump circuit utilizes charger transfer switches (CTS) with a complementary banch scheme to significantly reduce undesired charge transfer, and an optimized gate control strategy is applied to further decrease the power loss caused by undesired charge transfer. The simulation result demonstrates that the proposed circuit can achieve 97% voltage conversion and drive 800uA load current at 0.6V input voltage. In the region of 0.4V to 0.6V input voltage, the circuit performs well with the load resistance of 10K ohms.
Methane Monitoring in Kitchen Based on ZigBee Antenna Array
Authors: Wang Zhili , Zhao Shenglei , Cheng Xuezhen
Published: June 2020

With the obvious improvement in people’s quality of life, the use of natural gas is becoming increasingly common. Household natural gas has hidden safety hazards while being hygienic and convenient. There are many gas explosion accidents every year, and life and property are seriously damaged. When the natural gas body leaks a little and the methane concentration in the air is extremely low, the methane sensor may fail to report, and the signal is weak or the early warning signal cannot be processed in time, which brings hidden dangers to the accident of gas explosion. In this paper, an optimized array of antenna arrays is designed based on the ZigBee network. Use multiple MQ-4 sensor arrays to detect the methane concentration in the kitchen, and send the weak signals collected by the four methane sensors to the ZigBee router in the same direction through the four antennas of the ZigBee module. The router timely and accurately transmits to the ZigBee coordinator and uses ZigBee network technology to upload the alarm information to the cell monitoring center through wireless. The simulation test results show that the diamond antenna array can quickly detect the change of methane concentration, and has high sensitivity and reliability.
An evaluation of advanced baseline imager fire radiative power based wildfire emissions using carbon monoxide observed by the Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument across the conterminous United States
Authors: Li Fangjun , Zhang Xiaoyang , Kondragunta Shobha , Lu Xiaoman
Published: June 2020

Biomass-burning emissions (BBE) profoundly affect climate and air quality. BBE have been estimated using various methods, including satellite-based fire radiative power (FRP). However, BBE estimates show very large variability and the accuracy of emissions estimation is poorly understood due to the lack of good reference data. We evaluated fire emissions estimated using FRP from the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) on GOES-R (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites-R) by comparing with the Sentinel 5 Precursor TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) Carbon Monoxide (CO) over 41 wildfires across the United States during July 2018—October 2019. All the ABI FRP-based CO and TROPOMI CO emissions were significantly correlated and showed a very good agreement with a coefficient of determination of 0.94 and an accuracy of 13–18%. We further reported a CO emission coefficient of 29.92 ± 2.39 g MJ−1 based on ABI FRP and TROPOMI CO, which can be used to directly estimate BBE from FRP observed from satellites. Based on the CO emission coefficient and ABI FRP, we finally estimated a monthly mean CO of 596 Gg across the Conterminous United States for June—September 2018.
Resilient modulus of Advera® warm mixture asphalt incorporating reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) materials
Authors: Taher M N M , Aman M Y
Published: June 2020

This paper presents the effects of using reclaimed asphalt pavements (RAP) materials in asphalt mixture as an alternative solution to overcome the cost of construction and rehabilitation works as well as assessing the resilient modulus characteristic of control and modified mixtures respectively. To achieve this aim, four series of mix portions with 4%, 5%, 6% and 7% Advera® were blended into asphalt binder. Then the modified binder were added into mixture with four series of the mixture replacement with 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% RAP. Resilient modulus test was performed at different mixing temperature (135 °C and 125 °C) and test temperature (25 °C and 40 °C) respectively. Consequently the quadratic model for resilient modulus was established. The optimum of Advera® content was found to be 5%. At 5% Advera content, the resilient modulus of the modified RAP mixture was significantly improved.
A conceptual framework for development of safety performance functions for rural roads in Indonesia
Authors: Dermawan W B , Tjahjono T
Published: June 2020

Road safety policies provide important guidance for actions to enhance road safety, but often absence an extensive conceptual framework, system theory, and evidence-based study and practice. One effort to enhance road safety is to decrease the number of road accidents. By knowing the accident data at a location, transportation planners can conduct analysis so that they can provide recommendations for improving road safety. However, the prediction model in Indonesia in some studies is more local purposes. Meanwhile, the prediction model used in various countries needs to be adapted to the conditions of Indonesia. The objective of this paper is to integrate all components that contribute to accidents. The work identifies tools that are most and least widely used for components. This framework also provides guidance for developing safety performance functions, what the model is like, what the variables are and what conditions need to be considered according to Indonesian conditions. It is expected that the developed framework can be applied to improve the development of safety performance functions for rural roads in Indonesia.
Identifying the Environmental Strategies in Construction Site for Malaysian Contractors in Johor
Authors: Abidin N A Z , Ghani A H A , Mohammad H
Published: June 2020

The construction industry needs to make a significant positive impact on the environment. Although there were a number of successful initiatives, nevertheless, those initiatives are deemed inadequate. There is evidence of lacking in self-inventiveness in applying the concept of sustainability among local construction contractors. Part and parcel, this shortfall stems from a scarce availability of practical guideline for sustainable methods that can be applied during the construction phase. Thus, research was mooted grounded from the issues identified, and further discusses the environmental strategies in construction sites for Malaysians contractors. Therefore, rooting for qualitative endeavours within the initial stages of the research, in-depth literature analysis and semi-structured interview were conducted respectively. Subsequently, for both undertakings, manual-type of analysis were selected. The former was utilising systematic literature review with multi-layered thematic analysis; meanwhile the latter was embedding a simple themes’ agreement analysis. The outcomes from the first stage of research have outlined five (5) main environmental strategies, namely; (1) protection of the natural environment, (2) waste management, (3) reuse and recycle of resources, (4) general site management, and (5) resource consumption. These strategies were further strengthened based on the subsequent interview conducted towards G6 and G7 contractors. Nevertheless, the research also recorded several important points from the open- type questions, which may influence the suggested strategies. Finally, the research proposed for succeeding quantitative stage (i.e. questionnaire surveys) in order to generalise the previous outcomes to a large population of contractors.
Tourism, Accommodations, Food Services, and Regional GDP
Authors: Sudapet I Nyoman , Durrotun Nasihien Ronny , Wan Ibrahim Mohd Haziman , Ikhsan Setiawan Muhammad , Lin Cathy , Wiwoho Mudjanarko Sri
Published: June 2020

The development of the airport city makes it the center of national-regional economic growth. The continuous development provides several alternative revenues to the surrounding areas and affects the price of the urban houses. The Bank of Indonesia has analyzed the development of commercial property since 2016. It covers five types of commercial property, which include offices (rent/sale), retail (rent/sale), apartments (rent/sale), hotels, industrial land, convention halls, and warehouse complexes, in Jabodetabek, Banten, Bandung, Makassar, Medan, Semarang, Surabaya, Balikpapan, Denpasar, and Palembang. The research aims to find variables that affect the contribution of accommodations and food services to the Regional GDP. Here, researchers use an approach in quantitative dynamics modeling that is often used in time series analysis, which is is the Autoregressive Exogenous modeling structure input (ARX). In general, AR is the Auto-Regressive nature of a model, while X is an exogenous input. The initial population of the study is 296 airports, which consists of all those managed by PT. Angkasa Pura I, PT. Angkasa Pura II, and the UPT Air Transportation in the Region. Then, the population is filtered further to 151 airports in Indonesia. The study shows that the variable of departing aircraft, departing passengers, arriving passengers, baggage unloading, cargo unloading, and cargo loading, each had a contribution to the GDP variable. The departing passenger variable had a positive impact on the increase of the variable of accommodation and food services of the Regional GDP
Photocatalytic Evaluation of Bi-doped TiO/TiO2 under Solar Irradiation
Authors: Chavez D. , García C. R. , Oliva J. , Godina Cubillo M.G. , Torres-Ramírez R.C. , Lopez-Badillo C.M.
Published: June 2020

The photocatalytic properties of TiO2 have been studied in the last decade due to its a high capacity to degrade organic compounds which dangerous for the human health. In order to increase its degradation efficiency, we propose the doping of TiO2 with Bi dopant using concentrations from 0 to 5 at%. A simple and fast (40 min) combustion method was used to synthesize Bi doped TiO2. According to the X-ray diffraction patterns, we obtained a mixture of TiO/TiO2 phases with Bi dopant concentrations below 0.5 at.%. Above this value, the Bi7.68O12.16Ti0.32 compound was obtained. The morphological studies by Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that a porous material is obtained for Bi concentrations below 0.5% but highly coalesced particles appeared for higher concentrations. The Bi doped materials were used to degrade Methylene blue dye under solar exposure and found a maximum degradation percentage of 96% for the sample doped with 0.1 at% of Bi.
Evaluation of mechanical properties of coconut shell particle/vinyl ester composite based on the untreated and treated conditions
Authors: Livingston T , Athijayamani A , Alavudeen A
Published: June 2020

The aim of the present communication is to study the effects of the addition of the untreated and treated coconut shell particles on the mechanical properties of vinyl ester composites. Composite plates were prepared by hand lay-up technique with the six different content (5, 15, 25, 35, 45, and 55 wt%) of the coconut shell particles. Mechanical properties such as, tensile, flexural, and impact, of the coconut shell particle/vinyl ester composites were determined and compared at both the untreated and treated conditions based on the content of the coconut shell particles. The results revealed that the mechanical properties of the composites have increased with the addition of the coconut shell particles up to 35 wt% and then dropped at both the conditions. The treated composites show the high level of mechanical property values compared to the untreated composites. The optimum particle content to get the best combination of mechanical properties is 35 wt% in this composite. The fractographic studies were carried out to understand the failure of the composites. To understand the chemical compatibility between the particle and the matrix in the composite at both the untreated and treated conditions, the Pukanszky’s model was used and correlated with the experimental results.
Effect of SiC addition on the mechanical properties and wear behavior of Al-SiC nanocomposites produced by accumulative roll bonding
Authors: Hassanein Wael S , Sadoun A M , Abu-Oqail A
Published: June 2020

In this study, we manufactured Al and Al-SiC nanocomposites (SiC vol.% = 1, 2 and 4) using accumulative roll bonding (ARB) at room temperature. Mechanical and wear characteristic of the manufactured samples was studied. The uniform dispersion of SiC particles was achieved after five ARB cycles. The EDX mapping images reveal that the SiC reinforcement particles were homogeneously distributed into the Al matrix. After five ARB cycles, relatively small amount of nano-grains were observed in Al-SiC nanocomposite, indicating the effectiveness of the ARB process of achieving near nanostructure. It was observed that Vickers microhardness improve with increasing accumulative roll bonding cycles. Furthermore after 5 cycles, Vickers microhardness tests results showed that the highest hardness value of 66 HV is attributed to the sample containing 4 vol.% of SiC, much higher than the hardness value of the ARB-processed aluminum of 51 HV. Experimental results indicated that the wear resistance of this nanocomposite improved by increasing the number of ARB cycles due to SiC particles act as a solid lubricant.
A novel solid state reaction route to the preparation of LiCoO2 using micro porous filter paper as scaffolds
Authors: Ahamed Parbhej , Yousuf Mohammad Abu
Published: June 2020

A novel solid state reaction method has been followed to prepare LiCoO2 (LCO) using micro porous filter paper as scaffolds. FT-IR spectroscopy confirms the vibration spectrum for the identification of CoO6 as well as LCO. XRD diffraction analyses confirmed the formation rhombohedral crystal system of the prepared LCO materials with R-3m space group. The sharp XRD diffractogram of filter paper scaffold LCO demonstrate its crystallinity and purity. The presence of high intensity (003) plane, formation of Co–O–Co linkage with (104) plane and splitting of (006)/(012); (108)/(110) planes confirm layered structure of the prepared LCO. FESEM demonstrate that the presence of micropores in the cellulose backbone of filter played significant role for the solid state reaction and can be used as a scaffold to change the morphology of LCO in the microstructural aspect. UV-visible spectroscopy study reveals that the band gap energy of filter papers assisted LCO are less than the LCO prepared directly from raw materials.
Percolation threshold of multiwall carbon nanotube-PVDF composite for electromagnetic wave propagation
Authors: Yahya Noorhana , Sikiru Surajudeen , Rostami Amir , Soleimani Hassan , Shafie A’fza , Alqasem Bilal , Qureishi Saima , Ganeson Menaka
Published: June 2020

Advanced physical properties of conductive polymers fibre composites have attracted the attention of material scientists. Here, we produced a polymer fibre composite with aligned multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) of different weight fractions, ranging from 0.25 wt% to 1.5 wt%. At 1.5 wt% additive, a conductor-non-conductor transition occurs that is percolation threshold. This effect enhances the electrical conductivity of polymer composite from 0.050 S m−1 to 326.250 S m−1. Electrically conductor polymer composite will be highly preferred to fabricate radio frequency antennas, due to their unique physical and mechanical properties. We evaluated the performance of the polymer composite antenna and observed the percolation effect in electromagnetic wave propagation of the composite antenna. Far-field radiation of 1.5 wt% MWCNT-polymer antenna was 0.728 V m−1, whereas the maximum far-field result of the antennas made by lower MWCNT concentrations was 0.102 V m−1. Adopting the mechanical properties of PVDF composite, the composite-based RF antenna can be used in robust environments, such as high pressure high temperature oil reservoirs.
Sense and Reference of Pictures
Authors: Steenhagen Maarten
Published: June 2020

John Hyman insists that Frege-style cases for depiction show that any sound theory of depiction must distinguish between the ‘sense’ and the ‘reference’ of a picture. I argue that this rests on a mistake. Making sense of the cases does not require the distinction.
Review of rationale and progress toward targeting cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) for male contraception†
Authors: Faber Erik B , Wang Nan , Georg Gunda I
Published: June 2020

Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) is a member of the larger cell cycle regulating CDK family of kinases, activated by binding partner cyclins as its name suggests. Despite its canonical role in mitosis, CDK2 knockout mice are viable but sterile, suggesting compensatory mechanisms for loss of CDK2 in mitosis but not meiosis. Here, we review the literature surrounding the role of CDK2 in meiosis, particularly a cyclin-independent role in complex with another activator, Speedy 1 (SPY1). From this evidence, we suggest that CDK2 could be a viable nonhormonal male contraceptive target. Finally, we review the literature of pertinent CDK2 inhibitors from the preclinical to clinical stages, mostly developed to treat various cancers. To date, there is no potent yet selective CDK2 inhibitor that could be repurposed as a contraceptive without appreciable off-target toxicity. To achieve selectivity for CDK2 over closely related kinases, developing compounds that bind outside the conserved adenosine triphosphate-binding site may be necessary.
Burns in the elderly: a nationwide study on management and clinical outcomes
Authors: Goei Harold , van Baar Margriet E , Dokter Jan , Vloemans J , Beerthuizen Gerard I J M , Middelkoop Esther , van der Vlies Kees H ,   the Dutch Burn Repository group
Published: June 2020

Background

In modern-day burn care, advanced age remains an important predictor for mortality among burn victims. In this study, we compared the complete treatment trajectory (including pre-hospital and surgical treatment) and the outcomes between an elderly burn population and a younger adult burn population.

Methods

In this nationwide study, data from the Dutch Burn Repository were used. This is a uniform national registration for Dutch specialized burn care. All adult patients that were admitted to one of the three Dutch burn centres from the period 2009 to 2015 were included in the analysis. Burn patients were considered as elderly when ≥65 years of age, and were then further subdivided into three age categories: 65–74, 75–85 and 85+ years. Younger adults in the age category 18–64 years were used as the reference group.

Surgical management was studied comprehensively and included timing of surgery, the number of procedures and details on the surgical technique, especially the technique used for debridement and the grafting technique that was applied.

For the comparison of clinical outcome, the following parameters were included: mortality, wound infections, length of stay/TBSA (total body surface area) burned, discharge disposition and secondary reconstructions.

Results

During the study period, 3155 adult patients were included (elderly, n = 505). Burn severity, reflected by the median TBSA, varied between 3.2–4.0% and was comparable, but aetiology and pre-hospital care were different between elderly and the younger adult reference group.

Surgical treatment was initiated significantly faster in elderly burn patients (p < 0.001). Less selective techniques for surgical debridement were used in the elderly burns patients (hydrosurgery, 42.0% vs 23.5–22.6%), and on the other hand more avulsion (5.3% vs 7.3–17.6%) and primary wound closure (6.7% vs 24.5%). The most frequently used grafting technique was meshed skin grafts (79.2–88.6%); this was not related to age.

Mortality increased rapidly with a higher age and showed a high peak in the 85+ category (23.8%). Furthermore, considerable differences were found in hospital discharge disposition between the elderly and the reference group.

Conclusions

In conclusion, elderly burn patients who require specialized burn care are vulnerable and medically challenging. Differences in aetiology, comorbidity, physiology and the management prior to admission possibly affect the initial surgical management and result in significantly worse outcomes in elderly. Elderly patients need optimal, timely and specialized burn care to enhance survival after burn injuries.
The Enigma of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Epidemic in China
Authors: Wu Zunyou , McGoogan Jennifer M , Detels Roger
Published: June 2020

Nearly 17 years ago China launched its National HIV/AIDS Response Program, yet the epidemic still is not slowing. New cases and new deaths increase every year—in 2005, 40 711 people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; PLWH) were diagnosed and 5729 died, whereas in 2019, 148 598 PLWH were diagnosed and 31 522 died. Moreover, the estimated PLWH population in China has risen to >1.25 million. However, epidemic data are worryingly complex and difficult to interpret, presenting challenges to the redirection and refocusing of efforts toward achievement of control. Here we present three “windows” into China’s epidemic data. From these viewpoints, it appears we still do not know how much infection exists, how much transmission is occurring, and in what contexts transmission happens. The enigma that is China’s HIV epidemic must be better understood. A new research agenda must be developed and executed if we are to change the future of HIV in China.
Effects of canagliflozin on serum potassium in the CANagliflozin cardioVascular Assessment Study (CANVAS) Program
Authors: Weir Matthew R , Slee April , Sun Tao , Balis Dainius , Oh Richard , de Zeeuw Dick , Perkovic Vlado
Published: June 2020

Background

The sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor canagliflozin has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular and renal events in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and high risk. Pooled analyses of data from early studies and interim data from the CANagliflozin cardioVascular Assessment Study (CANVAS) suggested that canagliflozin might lead to increases in serum potassium, particularly the 300 mg dose in patients with renal impairment, which is important because high serum potassium is associated with increased cardiovascular and renal risk. We examined the effect of canagliflozin on serum potassium levels and hyperkalemia rates in the completed CANVAS Program.

Methods

The CANVAS Program (n = 10,142) was comprised of two comparable double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials (CANVAS and CANVAS-Renal). Participants received canagliflozin 100 or 300 mg or placebo. Serum potassium measurements were performed in a central laboratory0 and assessed at ∼6-month intervals.

Results

In the CANVAS Program, mean potassium levels were generally consistent with canagliflozin and placebo, overall and by baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; ≥60, 45 to<60 and <45 mL/min/1.73 m2). The risk of increased or decreased potassium was similar with canagliflozin and placebo overall and by baseline eGFR (all P-heterogeneity ≥0.56) or use of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors (all P-heterogeneity ≥0.71); levels did not appear different by canagliflozin dose. Hyperkalemia {hazard ratio (HR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] 1.60 (0.92–2.81)} and serious hyperkalemia [HR (95% CI) 0.75 (0.27–2.11)] adverse events were not different across groups.

Conclusions

In the CANVAS Program, there were no meaningful effects of canagliflozin on serum potassium in the overall population or key subgroups. Hyperkalemia adverse events were uncommon and occurred at comparable rates with canagliflozin and placebo.
Regulation of urinary calcium excretion by vasopressin
Authors: Anastasio Pietro , Trepiccione Francesco , De Santo Natale Gaspare , Capasso Giovambattista , Viggiano Davide , Capolongo Giovanna
Published: June 2020

Background

The antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or arginine vasopressin (AVP) regulates the body's water balance. Recently, modifications in AVP levels have been related to osteoporosis during ageing and microgravity/bed rest. Therefore the present study was devised to assess whether the absence of AVP, as in patients with central diabetes insipidus (CDI), modulates renal calcium excretion.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed data from 12 patients with CDI with measured 24-h urinary excretion levels of calcium. Data were available at the moment of the diagnosis when patients were drug-free and after therapy with dDAVP, an analog of AVP. Hypercalciuria was defined as 24-h urinary Ca2+ >275 mg/day in males and >250 mg/day in females and a urinary calcium (Ca):creatinine (Cr) ratio >0.20 mg/mg.

Results

Untreated CDI patients had a daily urinary Ca2+ excretion of 383 ± 47 mg/day and a urinary Ca:Cr ratio of 0.26 ± 0.38 mg/mg. The urine osmolarity significantly increased after the administration of dDAVP by 210% and the urinary flow decreased by 72%. Furthermore, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) increased by 7%, which did not reach statistical significance. dDAVP treatment did not significantly modify the urinary Ca2+ concentration; however, the daily calcium excretion and the urinary Ca:Cr ratio were significantly decreased (160 ± 27 mg/day and 0.11 ± 0.02 mg/mg, respectively).

Conclusions

Patients with CDI show hypercalciuria even though urine is more diluted than normal controls, and dDAVP reverses this effect. These data support the intriguing relationship between AVP and osteoporosis in ageing and microgravity/bed rest.
Development and validation of protein biomarkers of health in grizzly bears
Authors: Wilson Abbey E , Michaud Sarah A , Jackson Angela M , Stenhouse Gordon , Coops Nicholas C , Janz David M
Published: June 2020

Large carnivores play critical roles in the maintenance and function of natural ecosystems; however, the populations of many of these species are in decline across the globe. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop novel techniques that can be used as sensitive conservation tools to detect new threats to the health of individual animals well in advance of population-level effects. Our study aimed to determine the expression of proteins related to energetics, reproduction and stress in the skin of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) using a liquid chromatography and multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry assay. We hypothesized that a suite of target proteins could be measured using this technique and that the expression of these proteins would be associated with biological (sex, age, sample location on body) and environmental (geographic area, season, sample year) variables. Small skin biopsies were collected from free-ranging grizzly bears in Alberta, Canada, from 2013 to 2019 (n = 136 samples from 111 individuals). Over 700 proteins were detected in the skin of grizzly bears, 19 of which were chosen as targets because of their established roles in physiological function. Generalized linear mixed model analysis was used for each target protein. Results indicate that sample year influenced the majority of proteins, suggesting that physiological changes may be driven in part by responses to changes in the environment. Season influenced the expression of proteins related to energetics, reproduction and stress, all of which were lower during fall compared to early spring. The expression of proteins related to energetics and stress varied by geographic area, while the majority of proteins that were affected by biological attributes (age class, sex and age class by sex interaction) were related to reproduction and stress. This study provides a novel method by which scientists and managers can further assess and monitor physiological function in wildlife.
Pollination Bag Type Has a Significant Impact on Cone Survival in Mass Production of Controlled Pollinated Seeds in Loblolly Pine
Authors: Heine Austin J , Walker Trevor D , McKeand Steven E , Jett Jackson B , Isik Fikret
Published: June 2020

Since 2009, deployment of full-sib families of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) has gained prominence in the southeastern United States. To produce full-sib seed, a pollination bag is used to isolate female strobili from outside pollen contamination, and a known pollen is applied at the time of maximum female strobilus receptivity. The goal of this study was to compare prototype pollination bags made by PBS International to the industry standard kraft paper pollination bag with and without a support wire for female strobili survival and to assess their efficiency for mass production of controlled cross loblolly pine seed. A multiyear study compared 13 pollination bag types at more than nine seed orchard sites across the southeastern United States. There were significant differences among bag types for conelet survival at the time of bag removal that persisted until cone harvest 18 months later. Female strobili bagged in prototype PBS-I2 were over three times more likely to survive to cone harvest than strobili inside the traditional kraft pollination bag. Two of the PBS bag types had the highest estimated filled seed per bag. One PBS bag was faster to install and remove than the kraft paper bag with a support wire.
An improved pig reference genome sequence to enable pig genetics and genomics research
Authors: Warr Amanda , Affara Nabeel , Aken Bronwen , Beiki Hamid , Bickhart Derek M , Billis Konstantinos , Chow William , Eory Lel , Finlayson Heather A , Flicek Paul , Girón Carlos G , Griffin Darren K , Hall Richard , Hannum Greg , Hourlier Thibaut , Howe Kerstin , Hume David A , Izuogu Osagie , Kim Kristi , Koren Sergey , Liu Haibou , Manchanda Nancy , Martin Fergal J , Nonneman Dan J , O'Connor Rebecca E , Phillippy Adam M , Rohrer Gary A , Rosen Benjamin D , Rund Laurie A , Sargent Carole A , Schook Lawrence B , Schroeder Steven G , Schwartz Ariel S , Skinner Ben M , Talbot Richard , Tseng Elizabeth , Tuggle Christopher K , Watson Mick , Smith Timothy P L , Archibald Alan L
Published: June 2020

Background

The domestic pig (Sus scrofa) is important both as a food source and as a biomedical model given its similarity in size, anatomy, physiology, metabolism, pathology, and pharmacology to humans. The draft reference genome (Sscrofa10.2) of a purebred Duroc female pig established using older clone-based sequencing methods was incomplete, and unresolved redundancies, short-range order and orientation errors, and associated misassembled genes limited its utility.

Results

We present 2 annotated highly contiguous chromosome-level genome assemblies created with more recent long-read technologies and a whole-genome shotgun strategy, 1 for the same Duroc female (Sscrofa11.1) and 1 for an outbred, composite-breed male (USMARCv1.0). Both assemblies are of substantially higher (>90-fold) continuity and accuracy than Sscrofa10.2.

Conclusions

These highly contiguous assemblies plus annotation of a further 11 short-read assemblies provide an unprecedented view of the genetic make-up of this important agricultural and biomedical model species. We propose that the improved Duroc assembly (Sscrofa11.1) become the reference genome for genomic research in pigs.
Accelerated loss of hypoxia response in zebrafish with familial Alzheimer’s disease-like mutation of presenilin 1
Authors: Newman Morgan , Nik Hani Moussavi , Sutherland Greg T , Hin Nhi , Kim Woojin S , Halliday Glenda M , Jayadev Suman , Smith Carole , Laird Angela S , Lucas Caitlin W , Kittipassorn Thaksaon , Peet Dan J , Lardelli Michael
Published: June 2020

Ageing is the major risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a condition involving brain hypoxia. The majority of early-onset familial AD (EOfAD) cases involve dominant mutations in the gene PSEN1. PSEN1 null mutations do not cause EOfAD. We exploited putative hypomorphic and EOfAD-like mutations in the zebrafish psen1 gene to explore the effects of age and genotype on brain responses to acute hypoxia. Both mutations accelerate age-dependent changes in hypoxia-sensitive gene expression supporting that ageing is necessary, but insufficient, for AD occurrence. Curiously, the responses to acute hypoxia become inverted in extremely aged fish. This is associated with an apparent inability to upregulate glycolysis. Wild-type PSEN1 allele expression is reduced in post-mortem brains of human EOfAD mutation carriers (and extremely aged fish), possibly contributing to EOfAD pathogenesis. We also observed that age-dependent loss of HIF1 stabilization under hypoxia is a phenomenon conserved across vertebrate classes.
Prosthesis-patient mismatch after surgical aortic valve replacement in patients with aortic stenosis
Authors: Kim Hee Jung , Kim Ho Jin , Kim Joon Bum , Jung Sung-Ho , Choo Suk Jung , Chung Cheol Hyun , Lee Jae Won
Published: June 2020

OBJECTIVES

The issue of prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) has been a controversial topic. We sought to evaluate the long-term clinical impacts of PPM in patients undergoing SAVR in an updated, homogeneous cohort.

METHODS

Using the prospective institutional database, we identified 895 adult patients (median age 66, interquartile range 58–72; 45.6% women) who underwent isolated SAVR from January 2000 to March 2016. Those with pure aortic insufficiency and concomitant other cardiac operations were excluded from this study cohort. The presence of a significant PPM was defined as an indexed effective orifice area 0.85 cm2/m2 or less. The outcome of interest was all-cause deaths. Propensity score matching was performed for adjusting bias.

RESULTS

Significant PPM was present in 247 patients (27.6%). During the follow-up period (mean 71.2 ± 51.04 months), 134 patients (15%) died. Survival rates at 10 and 15 years were 78.3% vs 83.8% and 71.3% vs 57.6% in the PPM and non-PPM groups (P = 0.972). Risk factor analysis indicated that developing PPM was not associated with a risk of death. After propensity score matching (1:1), developing PPM was not a risk factor for long-term death as well (P = 0.584).

CONCLUSIONS

Significant PPM was common after SAVR in patients with aortic stenosis. However, there was no significant difference in survival rate between those with and without PPM.
Stall Wars: When Do States Fight to Hold onto the Status Quo?*
Authors: Spaniel William , Bils Peter , Judd Gleason
Published: June 2020

In many wars, fighting allows states to hold onto some of the disputed good until the conflict is over. Indeed, war may look attractive to some actors for that purpose even if they will likely lose and incur substantial costs in the process. How does this incentive to stall alter the likelihood of conflict onset? We develop a model in which a delay exists between war’s initiation and termination. During that time, states maintain a division of the disputed good. If states value the future at different rates, no mutually preferable settlement may exist. War is more likely when a more patient state is powerful but holds a smaller share during the dispute. In addition, we show that the parameters for war are non-monotonic in the length of conflict: fighting only occurs when the delay falls in a middle range.
Uncovering the early history of the Georgia Museum of Natural History, 1785–1900
Authors: McPherson Megan , Freeman Byron J , Pilaar Birch Suzanne E
Published: June 2020

Although it holds one of the largest university-based natural history collections in the United States, little has been known historically about the early development of the Georgia Museum of Natural History at the University of Georgia in Athens. Formally established in 1978, it was recognized as the state museum of natural history in 1999, but the findings presented here reveal that the origins of the museum’s collections date to much earlier: the early 1800s. Research conducted at the Richard B. Russell Special Collections Library tells the previously unknown story of the museum’s founding and growth during the nineteenth century. This paper details key aspects of the development of the collection, its changing location on campus, and the museum’s relationship with the university’s library and botanical gardens; it also identifies researchers in charge of the collections in the early and pivotal years of the institution.
Increased Responses of Phenoloxidase in Chlorantraniliprole Resistance of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)
Authors: Wang Nian-Meng , Li Jing-Jing , Shang Ze-Yu , Yu Qi-Tong , Xue Chao-Bin
Published: June 2020

The diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella, DBM) is an important pest of cruciferous vegetables. The use of chlorantraniliprole has been essential in the management of the DBM. However, in many countries and areas, DBM has become highly resistant to chlorantraniliprole. Three different DBM strains, susceptible (S), chlorantraniliprole-selected (Rc), and field-collected (Rb) resistant strains/populations were studied for the role of phenoloxidase in resistance development to the insecticide. By assaying the activity of phenoloxidase (PO) in the three different DBM strains, the results showed that the PO activity in the Rc strain was increased significantly compared with the S strain. The synergistic effects of quercetin showed that the resistant ratio (RR) of the QRc larvae to chlorantraniliprole was decreased from 423.95 to 316.42-fold compared with the Rc larvae. Further studies demonstrated that the transcriptional and translational expression levels of PxPPO1 (P. xylostella prophenoloxidase-1 gene) and PxPPO2 (P. xylostella prophenoloxidase-2 gene) were increased to varying degrees compared with the S strain, such as the transcriptional expression levels of PxPPO2 were 24.02-fold that of the S strain. The responses of phenoloxidase were significantly different in chlorantraniliprole-resistant DBM.
Do Accidental Wars Happen? Evidence from America's Indian Wars
Authors: Szarejko Andrew A
Published: June 2020

The question of whether war can ever truly be accidental has been the subject of much academic debate. To provide my own answer to this question, I use an oft-ignored part of US history—the so-called Indian Wars between Native nations and an expanding United States. Specifically, this research innovation makes use of three militarized conflicts of the nineteenth century—the Black Hawk War (1832), the Cayuse War (1847–1855), and the Hualapai War (1865–1870)—to provide evidence that war can indeed occur accidentally. I conclude that IR scholars should be less confident in asserting that accidental war does not happen and that this possibility counsels restraint for policy-makers, especially in emerging domains of conflict.
When Does Stand-Alone Software Qualify as a Medical Device in the European Union?—The Cjeu’s Decision in Snitem and What it Implies for the Next Generation of Medical Devices
Authors: Minssen Timo , Mimler Marc , Mak Vivian
Published: June 2020

This contribution analyses the first decision by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on the qualification and regulation of stand-alone software as medical devices. Referring to the facts of the case and the applicable European Union (EU) regulatory framework, the Court specifically found that prescription support software may constitute a medical device. This would even be the case where the software does not act directly in or on the human body. Yet, according to the CJEU, it is necessary that the intended purpose falls within one or more of the ‘medical purpose’ categories of the regulatory definition of ‘medical device’. The case has important implications, not only for specific legal debates, but it also signifies a paradigm shift with a rapidly increasing digitalisation of the health and life sciences. This highlights the demand for continuous debates over the necessary evolution of the regulatory framework applying to the interface of medical artificial intelligence (AI) and Big Data.
High circular polarization of near-infrared light induced by micron-sized dust grains
Authors: Fukushima Hajime , Yajima Hidenobu , Umemura Masayuki
Published: June 2020

We explore the induction of circular polarization (CP) of near-infrared light in star-forming regions using three-dimensional radiative transfer calculations. The simulations trace the change of Stokes parameters at each scattering/absorption process in a dusty gas slab composed of aligned grains. We find that the CP degree enlarges significantly according as the size of dust grains increases and exceeds ∼20 per cent for micron-sized grains. Therefore, if micron-sized grains are dominant in a dusty gas slab, the high CP observed around luminous young stellar objects can be accounted for. The distributions of CP show the asymmetric quadrupole patterns regardless of the grain sizes. Also, we find that the CP degree depends on the relative position of a dusty gas slab. If a dusty gas slab is located behind a star-forming region, the CP reaches ∼60 per cent in the case of 1.0 µm dust grains. Hence, we suggest that the observed variety of CP maps can be explained by different size distributions of dust grains and the configuration of aligned grains.
Chaos and Lévy flights in the three-body problem
Authors: Manwadkar Viraj , Trani Alessandro A , Leigh Nathan W C
Published: June 2020

We study chaos and Lévy flights in the general gravitational three-body problem. We introduce new metrics to characterize the time evolution and final lifetime distributions, namely Scramble Density $\mathcal {S}$ and the Lévy flight (LF) index $\mathcal {L}$, that are derived from the Agekyan–Anosova maps and homology radius $R_{\mathcal {H}}$. Based on these metrics, we develop detailed procedures to isolate the ergodic interactions and Lévy flight interactions. This enables us to study the three-body lifetime distribution in more detail by decomposing it into the individual distributions from the different kinds of interactions. We observe that ergodic interactions follow an exponential decay distribution similar to that of radioactive decay. Meanwhile, Lévy flight interactions follow a power-law distribution. Lévy flights in fact dominate the tail of the general three-body lifetime distribution, providing conclusive evidence for the speculated connection between power-law tails and Lévy flight interactions. We propose a new physically motivated model for the lifetime distribution of three-body systems and discuss how it can be used to extract information about the underlying ergodic and Lévy flight interactions. We discuss ejection probabilities in three-body systems in the ergodic limit and compare it to previous ergodic formalisms. We introduce a novel mechanism for a three-body relaxation process and discuss its relevance in general three-body systems.
Automation of the AST3 optical sky survey from Dome A, Antarctica
Authors: Ma Bin , Hu Yi , Shang Zhaohui , Hu Keliang , Wang Yongjiang , Yang Xu , Ashley Michael C B , Yuan Xiangyan , Wang Lifan
Published: June 2020

The 0.5-m Antarctic Survey Telescopes (AST3) were designed for time-domain optical/infrared astronomy. They are located in Dome A, Antarctica, where they can take advantage of the continuous dark time during winter. Since the site is unattended in winter, everything for the operation, from observing to data reduction, had to be fully automated. Here, we present a brief overview of the AST3 project and some of its unique characteristics due to its location in Antarctica. We summarize the various components of the survey, including the customized hardware and software, that make complete automation possible.
The origin of X-ray emission in the gamma-ray emitting narrow-line Seyfert 1 1H 0323+342
Authors: Mundo Sergio A , Kara Erin , Cackett Edward M , Fabian A C , Jiang J , Mushotzky R F , Parker M L , Pinto C , Reynolds C S , Zoghbi A
Published: June 2020

We present the results of X-ray spectral and timing analyses of the closest gamma-ray emitting narrow-line Seyfert 1 (γ-NLS1) galaxy, 1H 0323+342. We use observations from a recent, simultaneous XMM–Newton/NuSTAR campaign. As in radio-quiet NLS1s, the spectrum reveals a soft excess at low energies (≲2 keV) and reflection features such as a broad iron K emission line. We also find evidence of a hard excess at energies above ∼35 keV that is likely a consequence of jet emission. Our analysis shows that relativistic reflection is statistically required, and using a combination of models that includes the reflection model relxill for the broad-band spectrum, we find an inclination of $i=63^{+7}_{-5}$ degrees, which is in tension with much lower values inferred by superluminal motion in radio observations. We also find a flat (q = 2.2 ± 0.3) emissivity profile, implying that there is more reflected flux than usual being emitted from the outer regions of the disc, which in turn suggests a deviation from the thin disc model assumption. We discuss possible reasons for this, such as reflection off of a thick accretion disc geometry.