bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bottomland hardwood forest growth and stress response to
hydroclimatic variation: Evidence from dendrochronology and
tree-ring δ13C values
Authors: Deshpande Ajinkya G. , Boutton Thomas W. , Lafon Charles W. , Moore Georgianne W.
Published: April 2020

Abstract. Wetland forests around the world have been reduced to a small proportion of their original expanse due to changing climatic conditions and intensification of human land use activities. As a case in point, the Columbia bottomland hardwood forests along the Brazos-Colorado Coastal Basin on the Gulf coast of Texas are currently threatened by an increasingly erratic hydroclimate in the form of both extreme floods as well as droughts, and by urban expansion. In this study, we use dendrochronology and tree-ring carbon isotopes to understand the effect of changing hydroclimatic conditions on the functional attributes of these forests. We examined tree-rings of Quercus nigra at four sites within the Columbia bottomlands, of which one site experiences frequent and prolonged flooding, while the other three are less flood-prone. The objectives of this study were to: (i) understand the impact of hydroclimatic variation on growth rates using tree-ring width analysis, (ii) assess the magnitude of physiological stress inflicted by extreme hydroclimatic conditions using tree-ring δ13C measurements, and (iii) evaluate the relationship between physiological stress and growth inhibition. Growth rates across the landscape were influenced most strongly by mid-growing season climate, while early-growing season climate inflicted the greatest physiological stress. Neither growth inhibition nor changes in δ13C values were observed in trees at the wetter site under extreme hydrologic conditions such as droughts or floods. In addition, trees at the wet site were less sensitive to precipitation and showed no response to higher temperatures. In contrast, trees of the three drier sites experienced growth inhibition and had higher tree-ring δ13C values during dry periods. Our results indicate higher physiological resilience in trees growing under wetter conditions. Management and conservation strategies dependent on site-specific conditions are critical for the health of these wetland forests under a rapidly changing hydroclimate. This study provides the first dendrochronological baseline for this region and thresholds of optimum conditions for the growth and health of these forests which can assist management decisions such as streamflow regulation and conservation plans.
Technical note: Pleistocene climate sensitivity to CO2 forcing is path
dependent in reconstructions
Authors: Cooke Roger M. , Aspinall Willy P.
Published: April 2020

Abstract. Improved high-resolution paleo records of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations and reconstructions of Earth’s surface temperature are available. We analyse one authoritative Pleistocene dataset to explore how the climate sensitivity parameter S varies under different system states, using linear regression of mean annual surface temperature changes against CO2 forcing changes. Data are partitioned by path (deglaciation or glaciation). On the whole data set, S = 2.04 K/Wm−2 and CO2 forcing explains 64 % of the variance in temperature. During deglaciation periods, S = 2.34 K/Wm−2, explaining 75 % of the temperature variance; during glaciations, S = 1.59 K/Wm−2 and explains 48 % of the temperature variance. Possible process-related explanations are conjectured.
Reduced global warming from CMIP6 projections when weighting models by performance and independence
Authors: Brunner Lukas , Pendergrass Angeline G. , Lehner Flavio , Merrifield Anna L. , Lorenz Ruth , Knutti Reto
Published: April 2020

Abstract. The sixth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) constitutes the latest update on expected future climate change based on a new generation of climate models. To extract reliable estimates of future warming and related uncertainties from these models, the spread in their projections is often translated into probabilistic estimates such as mean and likely range. Here, we use a model weighting approach, which accounts for a model's historical performance based on several diagnostics as well as possible model inter-dependence within the CMIP6 ensemble, to calculate constrained distributions of global mean temperature change. We investigate the skill of our approach in a perfect model test, where we remove each CMIP6 model from the ensemble in turn, use it as pseudo-observation in the historical period, and evaluate the weighted CMIP6 ensemble against it in the future. This is complemented by a second perfect model test drawing on the previous-generation CMIP5 models as pseudo-observations. In addition, we show that our independence diagnostics correctly clusters models known to be similar based on a CMIP6 family tree, which enables applying a weighting based on the degree of inter-model dependence. We then apply the weighting approach, based on two observational estimates (ERA5 and MERRA2), to constrain CMIP6 projections in weak (SSP1-2.6) and strong (SSP5-8.5) climate change scenarios. Our results show a reduction in projected mean warming for both scenarios because some CMIP6 models with high future warming receive systematically lower performance weights. The mean of end-of-century warming (2081–2100 relative to 1995–2014) for SSP5-8.5 with weighting is 3.7 °C, compared to 4.1 °C without weighting; the likely (66 %) uncertainty range is 3.1 °C to 4.6 °C, a decrease of 13 %. For SSP1-2.6, weighted end-of-century warming is 1 °C (0.7 °C to 1.4 °C). Applying the weighting to estimates of Transient Climate Response (TCR) yields 1.9 °C (1.6 °C to 2.1 °C – a reduction in the likely uncertainty range of 46 %), which is consistent with estimates from previous model generations and other lines of evidence.
Suitability of 17 rainfall and temperature gridded datasets for largescale
hydrological modelling in West Africa
Authors: Dembélé Moctar , Schaefli Bettina , van de Giesen Nick , Mariéthoz Grégoire
Published: April 2020

Abstract. This study evaluates the ability of different gridded rainfall datasets to plausibly represent the spatiotemporal patterns of multiple hydrological processes (i.e. streamflow, actual evaporation, soil moisture and terrestrial water storage) for large-scale hydrological modelling in the predominantly semi-arid Volta River Basin (VRB) in West Africa. Seventeen precipitation products based on satellite data (TAMSAT, CHIRPS, ARC, RFE, MSWEP, GSMaP, PERSIANN-CDR, CMORPH-CRT, TRMM 3B42, TRMM 3B42RT) and on reanalysis (JRA-55, EWEMBI, WFDEI-GPCC, WFDEI-CRU, MERRA-2, PGF and ERA5) are compared as input for the fully distributed mesoscale Hydrologic Model (mHM). To assess the model sensitivity to meteorological forcing during rainfall partitioning into evaporation and runoff, six different temperature reanalysis datasets are used in combination with the precipitation datasets, which results in evaluating 102 combinations of rainfall-temperature input data. The model is recalibrated for each of the 102 input combinations, and the model responses are evaluated by using in-situ streamflow data and satellite remote sensing datasets from GLEAM evaporation, ESA CCI soil moisture, and GRACE terrestrial water storage. A bias-insensitive metric is used to assess the impact of meteorological forcing on the simulation of the spatial patterns of hydrological processes. The results of the process-based evaluation show that the rainfall datasets have contrasting performances across the four climatic zones present in the VRB, suggesting that, in general, basin-wide hydrological model performance might be misleading and invalid for a smaller spatial domain. No single rainfall or temperature dataset consistently ranks first in reproducing the spatiotemporal variability of all hydrological processes. A dataset that is best in reproducing the temporal dynamics is not necessarily the best for the spatial patterns. In addition, the results suggest that there is more uncertainty in representing the spatial patterns of hydrological processes than their temporal dynamics. Finally, some region-tailored datasets outperform the global datasets, thereby stressing the necessity and importance of regional evaluation studies for satellite and reanalysis meteorological datasets.
Numerical modeling of the dynamics of Mer de Glace glacier, French Alps: comparison with past observations and forecasting of near future evolution
Authors: Peyaud Vincent , Bouchayer Coline , Gagliardini Olivier , Vincent Christian , Gillet-Chaulet Fabien , Six Delphine , Laarman Olivier
Published: April 2020

Abstract. All alpine glaciers are shrinking and retreating at an accelerating rate in a warming climate. Glacier modeling is required to assess the future consequences of this retreat on water resources, the hydropower industry and risk management. However, the performance of such ice flow modeling is generally difficult to evaluate because of the lack of long-term glaciological observations. Here, we assess the performance of the Elmer/Ice full-Stokes ice flow model using the long dataset of mass balance, thickness change, ice flow velocity and snout fluctuation measurements obtained between 1979 and 2015 on the Mer de Glace (Mont Blanc area). Ice flow modeling results are compared in detail to comprehensive glaciological observations over four decades including both a period of glacier expansion and a long period of decay. To our knowledge a comparison to data at this detail is unprecedented. We found that the model accurately reconstructs the velocity and elevation variations of this glacier despite some discrepancies that remain unexplained. The calibrated and validated model was then applied to simulate the future evolution of Mer de Glace from 2015 to 2050 using 26 different climate scenarios. Depending on the climate scenarios, this glacier, the largest in France, could retreat by 2 to 5 km over the next three decades.
A mathematical model for the role of macrophages in the persistence and elimination of oncolytic viruses
Authors: Almuallem Nada , Eftimie Raluca
Published: April 2020

Replicating oncolytic viruses provide promising treatment strategies against cancer. However, the success of these viral therapies depends mainly on the complex interactions between the virus particles and the host immune cells. Among these immune cells, macrophages represent one of the first line of defence against viral infections. In this paper, we consider a mathematical model that describes the interactions between a commonly-used oncolytic virus, the Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV), and two extreme types of macrophages: the pro-inflammatory M1 cells (which seem to resist infection with VSV) and the anti-inflammatory M2 cells (which can be infected with VSV). We first show the existence of bounded solutions for this differential equations model. Then we investigate the long-term behaviour of the model by focusing on steady states and limit cycles, and study changes in this long-term dynamics as we vary different model parameters. Moreover, through sensitivity analysis we show that the parameters that have the highest impact on the level of virus particles in the system are the viral burst size (from infected macrophages), the virus infection rate, the M1$\to$M2 polarisation rate, and the M1-induced anti-viral immunity.
De la Teoría del túnel a Último round: apuntes para una poética de Cortázar
Authors: Batres Cuevas Izara
Published: April 2020

La imbricación de poesía y prosa en la obra de Julio Cortázar y el proceso literario de interpenetración creativa con París que hace que el espíritu poético de la ciudad quede reflejado en las obras de Cortázar, al mismo tiempo que él escribe París desde una mirada poética, son los puntos de los que partimos para conformar este artículo. Se trata, también, de un proceso personal, puesto que las fases en que se divide se corresponden con los estadios vitales de Cortázar. Todo ello quedará recogido en la síntesis heterogénea de su libro almanaque Último round, pero, para comprender este proceso, antes debemos analizar las bases de la literatura y poética de Cortázar recogidas principalmente en sus obras Teoría del túnel (compilación de ensayos escritos en 1947) y Para una poética (1954), y también en otros textos del escritor que se vinculan con el mencionado libro almanaque. Veremos, de este modo, la imbricación de poesía y narrativa, la génesis del concepto de intersticio, esencial en Cortázar, la propuesta de la figura del poetista frente al narrador decimonónico, y la semilla de una revolución literaria que Cortázar ya anticipaba a partir de la obra de autores como Joyce y cuya cristalización se hará visible en Último round.
Previdência privada: a boa-fé objetiva e a função social como filtro nos contratos relacionais
Authors: Cahali Francisco José , Biazi Danielle Portugal de
Published: April 2020

A propósito dos debates em torno da reforma da previdência e da crise do Estado de bem-estar social, o presente artigo se propõe a uma reflexão da previdência privada à luz da teoria geral do direito contratual, notadamente em virtude de o Brasil se encontrar entre os dez países com os maiores sistemas de fundo de pensão do mundo. O objetivo do presente artigo, portanto, é expor descritiva e analiticamente os contratos de previdência privada e sua natureza relacional, bem como compreender a interpretação das cláusulas gerais da função social dos contratos e a boa-fé objetiva na previdência complementar como métodos de proteção dos contratantes em um serviço privado de relevância pública. A partir disso, foi necessária uma pesquisa exploratória de abordagem qualitativa acerca do modelo previdenciário brasileiro, identificando sua natureza contratual dotada de catividade, o que fomenta particular atenção no que toca à tutela da confiança. Por fim, a conclusão foi para ressaltar o relevante valor social dos contratos de previdência privada como braço de auxílio, embora não substituto, da seguridade social, o que outorga ao Estado maior poder intervencionista mediante a exigência de observância dos ditames da boa-fé objetiva e da função social dos contratos, típicos das relações privadas, como filtros rígidos na consagração dos fundamentos constitucionais de solidariedade, dignidade humana e justiça social na construção da unidade do ordenamento jurídico hierarquicamente sistematizado.
Expediente
Authors: Masthead Journal
Published: April 2020

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Perceptions of the Effect of an EAP Course on English Self-efficacy and English Proficiency: Voices of International Students in China
Authors: Adarkwah Michael Agyemang , Zeyuan Yu
Published: April 2020

The English language has become an essential means for communication and studies for international students globally. With the increasing number of international students trooping to China to study diverse courses which are taught in the English medium, there is a need to address challenges faced by international students from non-native English speaking countries. The study adopted an embedded mixed-method approach where face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions were conducted on freshmen international students taking English for Academic Purposes (EAP) in a specific faculty of a university in China. The interviews were supplemented by the Questionnaire of English Self-Efficacy (QESE) to measure their perceived English self-efficacy after the course. An online questionnaire on English Course Evaluation (ECE) was used to measure the students’ assessment of the course. The findings of the study offer insights into the effect of the intervention, challenges faced by students during the course, and suggestions on things to consider during the implementation of English courses for non-native English students in the future.
Neural Machine Translation: Fine-Grained Evaluation of Google Translate Output for English-to-Arabic Translation
Authors: Alkhawaja Linda , Ibrahim Hanan , Ghnaim Fida’ , Awwad Sirine
Published: April 2020

The neural machine translation (NMT) revolution is upon us. Since 2016, an increasing number of scientific publications have examined the improvements in the quality of machine translation (MT) systems. However, much remains to be done for specific language pairs, such as Arabic and English. This raises the question whether NMT is a useful tool for translating text from English to Arabic. For this purpose, 100 English passages were obtained from different broadcasting websites and translated using NMT in Google Translate. The NMT outputs were reviewed by three professional bilingual evaluators specializing in linguistics and translation, who scored the translations based on the translation quality assessment (QA) model. First, the evaluators identified the most common errors that appeared in the translated text. Next, they evaluated adequacy and fluency of MT using a 5-point scale. Our results indicate that mistranslation is the most common type of error, followed by corruption of the overall meaning of the sentence and orthographic errors. Nevertheless, adequacy and fluency of the translated text are of acceptable quality. The results of our research can be used to improve the quality of Google NMT output.
Vrouwen en gender in de politiek: er valt nog een wereld te winnen
Authors: Hochstenbach Cody , Brons Claartje
Published: April 2020

Women and gender in politics: there’s a world to be won

Despite notable progress, women remain heavily underrepresented in virtually all layers of the Dutch political system. Only one in three Dutch MPs is currently female. The Minister of the Interior has recently made a number of suggestions to increase gender diversity in politics, in light of 100 years of active voting rights for women. Gender in politics is about much more than the number of women though: it is about the role and position of women in politics as well as about the uneven gendered influence of politics. This introduction discusses the importance of focusing on women and gender in politics, and introduces the four contributions to this Dossier. We specifically call for an intersectional perspective and the various dimensions of gender in and of politics.
‘Old boys networks’ in het lokale politieke bestuur
Authors: Kranendonk Maria
Published: April 2020

Old boys networks in local politics

The man-woman ratio in municipality councils in the Netherlands varies tremendously. Why does local politics attract women in some municipalities but not in other? The author attempts to answer this question by conducting interviews with municipality clerks and female council members of municipalities where the man-women ratio is even and municipalities where men are in the overwhelming majority. Additionally, the author conducts seven in depth interviews with former local and regional politicians about their motives to quit. Based on the interviews the author concludes that the political culture varies locally, making feel women more or less welcome. Sexist comments were mentioned several times, more often coming from respondents who worked in councils where men were in the majority. Finally, the balance between work, local politics and family life was often mentioned as a major hurdle for young parents (both men and women) for becoming or staying politically active. The author suggests to explore ways to change the political culture, to combat sexism and to find ways to reduce the workload in order to create more equal access to the local political arena.
RISK MANAGEMENT ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE PROJECT LOKALNA KOLEJ DREZYNOWA IN ALWERNIA COMMUNE
Authors: Borowska Paulina
Published: April 2020

The aim of this article is to present the essence of risk management in projects and methods and techniques which support this process. A research hypothesis has been put forward that constant control and monitoring of risk increases the chances of success of the project implemented in the surveyed enterprise. The first part presents the origin of project management. Subsequently the methods of risk management at the individual stages of this process are described as well. The next part of the article contains the description of Lokalna Kolej Drezynowa and the presentation of the methods and techniques of risk management used in the examined enterprise. The final part of the article is a conclusion.
BUSINESS MODEL CANVAS AS A TOOL OF MANAGER 4.0
Authors: Mičieta Branislav , Biňasová Vladimíra , Kasajová Marta , Howaniec Honorata
Published: April 2020

The article deals with a BCM model that allows managers to outline the value creation process. In contrast to the business plan, this business model describes how to create and deliver value (product or service) to clients, as well as how to create demand, the network of customer-suppliers and how the company will earn money. The BCM model describes the basic principles of value creation by enterprises, their capture and delivery. In the first part of the article authors try to define of term of business model based on a literature review. The case study presented later shows how to use strategic analysis methods to determine the current state and build a complex business model. The results showed that the implementation of the proposed solution can help the company achieve its goal and further development.
Gefängnisbesuchsprojekte in Deutschland
Authors: Sturm Lisa
Published: April 2020

In zahlreichen Justizvollzugsanstalten in Deutschland werden sog. Gefängnisbesuchsprojekte für gefährdete oder straffällige Jugendliche und Heranwachsende angeboten. Der Besuch einer Haftanstalt und Gespräche mit Inhaftierten sollen die Konsequenzen einer (weiteren) Straffälligkeit hautnah aufzeigen und zu Einstellungs- und Verhaltensänderungen bei den Teilnehmern führen. Eine kriminalpräventive Wirkung solcher Programme ist jedoch nicht nachgewiesen. Vor dem Hintergrund US-amerikanischer Projekte wie „Scared Straight!“, die hohe Erfolgsraten versprachen, welche im Rahmen von Wirkungsevaluationen jedoch nicht bestätigt werden konnten, stellt die Autorin die im Rahmen ihrer empirischen Untersuchung über deutsche Projekte gewonnen Erkenntnisse dar. Aufgrund vieler anderweitiger, bereits als wirksam erkannter Maßnahmen der Spezialprävention und Verhaltensänderung, kommt sie zu dem Schluss, dass von der Durchführung der Projekte ohne weitere Wirkungsforschung abzuraten ist.
Meinungsbildung und Medienintermediäre
Authors: Heidtke Aron
Published: April 2020

Die freie Meinungsbildung unterliegt im Zeitalter der Digitalisierung einem tiefgreifenden Wandel, der auch und gerade durch sogenannte Medienintermediäre, respektive durch digitale Dienste zur Informationsvermittlung geprägt ist. Diesen Medienintermediären wird aufgrund ihrer Funktion als Informationsvermittler eine hohe Meinungsbildungsrelevanz sowie ein erhebliches Meinungsbeeinflussungspotenzial zugeschrieben. Damit einher gehen für die freie Meinungsbildung relevante Fragestellungen der Vielfaltssicherung im Kontext von Medienintermediären, denen sich dieses Werk stellt. Die Schwerpunkte der Untersuchung bilden hierbei die Fragen, ob und inwieweit Gefahren(-potenziale) für die freie Meinungsbildung von den Medienintermediären ausgehen, ob sich daraus ein Gewährleistungsauftrag des Staates ergibt, die Funktionsbedingungen der freien Meinungsbildung zu sichern und inwiefern ein gefährdungsadäquater Rechtsrahmen de lege lata besteht bzw. de lege ferenda implementiert werden kann.
Die tätige Reue im deutschen und österreichischen Strafrecht
Authors: Härtl-Meißner Sophie
Published: April 2020

Während das Rechtsinstitut der tätigen Reue im deutschen Strafrecht eher ein „Schattendasein“ führt, kommt ihm im österreichischen Strafrecht, insbesondere als Instrument der Wiedergutmachung im Bereich der Eigentums- und Vermögensdelikte, große praktische Bedeutung zu. Das Werk zeigt die Hintergründe hierzu auf und entwickelt einen Reformvorschlag für das deutsche Strafrecht.
Zunächst wird eine umfassende Systematisierung des Rechtsinstituts der tätigen Reue im deutschen Strafrecht und eine Betrachtung des Rechtsinstituts im österreichischen Strafrecht vorgenommen. Der rechtsvergleichende Teil zeigt Gemeinsamkeiten, aber auch wesentliche Unterschiede in der Ausgestaltung der Rechtsinstitute in beiden Rechtsordnungen auf. Im letzten Teil der Arbeit werden, basierend auf den Erkenntnissen des Vergleichs, Reformmöglichkeiten erörtert, bewertet und schließlich ein eigener Reformvorschlag zur Ausweitung der tätigen Reue im deutschen Strafrecht entwickelt.

Die Autorin wurde für Ihre Dissertation mit dem Preis für Sprache und Wissenschaft der Universität Mannheim ausgezeichnet.
Exploring the Effectiveness of Métis Women’s Research Methodology and Methods: Promising Wellness Research Practices
Authors: Gaudet Janice Cindy , Dorion Leah Marie , Corrigal Flaminio Anna
Published: April 2020

In this article, we share our experience conducting research with Métis women as Métis women researchers. We engaged in promising research practices through visiting, ceremony, and creative methods of art and writing embedded in what we identify as a learning-by-doing practice. Through collaborative and Indigenous relational methodology, we sought to support a culturally safe, nurturing space where Métis women could learn from one another and express Métis knowledge about the specific roles and responsibilities of Métis Aunties within our respective kinship system. This inquiry into the roles of Métis Aunties included a creative art and writing dialogue event in the Métis river community of St. Louis in Saskatchewan, attended by women who were Métis Aunties or nieces. The purpose of the event was to learn more about our Métis Aunties, building on Dr. Kim Anderson’s (2016) extensive research on women’s roles in the governance, care, and wellness of our healthy/balanced kinship systems. We chose this specific region because of its historical significance to Métis people as a river place, and our own personal connections to Métis families in this area. We share our processes in learning with and from other Métis women in order to contribute to the growing literature on relational approaches to research.
Cree Relationship Mapping: nêhiyaw kesi wâhkotohk – How We Are Related
Authors: Makokis Leona , Kopp Kristina , Bodor Ralph , Veldhuisen Ariel , Torres Amanda
Published: April 2020

nêhiyaw kesi wâhkotohk (how we are related) is a relationship mapping resource based in the nêhiyaw (Cree) language and worldview. The relationship map was developed incrementally through a five-year process of connecting nêhiyaw worldviews of child and family development with the wisdom and teachings from nêhiyaw knowledge-holders. Over time, in ceremony and with many consultations with wisdom-keepers, the authors began connecting the nêhiyaw teachings into a resource that would allow (mostly non-Indigenous) human service providers working with nêhiyaw children, families, and communities a means to understand and honour the relational worldview and teachings of the nêhiyaw people. This kinship map came to include nêhiyaw kinship terms and teachings on wâhkohtowin (all relations) in order to recognize all the sacred roles and responsibilities of family and community. In addition, the vital role of isîhcikewin (ceremony) and the Turtle Lodge Teachings (nêhiyaw stages of individual, family, and community development) became embedded within this resource, along with the foundational teachings that create balance and wellbeing that enable one to live miyo pimâtisiwin (the good life).
Human Trafficking in Northeastern Ontario: Collaborative Responses
Authors: Nagy Rosemary , Snooks Gina , Quenneville Brenda , Chen Lanyan , Wiggins Sydnee , Debassige Donna , Joudin Kathleen , Timms Rebecca
Published: April 2020

Human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation is undoubtedly occurring in Northeastern Ontario. However, there is a lack of information, resources, coordination, and collaboration on the issue in comparison to Southern Ontario. Furthermore, urban-based programming from “down south” does not necessarily fit the unique circumstances of Northeastern Ontario: specifically, the isolation and underservicing of rural and remote communities, the presence of francophone communities, and diverse Indigenous communities. The Northeastern Ontario Research Alliance on Human Trafficking is a community-university research partnership that takes a critical anti-human-trafficking approach. We combine Indigenous and feminist methodologies with participatory action research. In this paper, we first present findings from our eight participatory action research workshops with persons with lived experience and service providers in the region, where participants identified the needs of trafficked women and gaps and barriers to service provision. Second, in response to participants’ calls for collaboration, we have developed a Service Mapping Toolkit that is grounded in Indigenous cultural practices and teachings, where applicable, and in the agency and self-determination of persons experiencing violence, exploitation, or abuse in the sex trade. We conclude by recommending seven principles for building collaborative networks aimed at addressing violence in the sex trade. The Service Mapping Toolkit and collaborative principles may assist other rural or northern communities across the county.
Who You Are
Authors: Spivey Michael J.
Published: April 2020

Why you are more than just a brain, more than just a brain-and-body, and more than all your assumptions about who you are.

Who are you? Are you just a brain? A brain and a body? All the things you have done and the friends you have made? Many of us assume that who we really are is something deep inside us, an inner sanctuary that contains our true selves. In Who You Are, Michael Spivey argues that the opposite is true: that you are more than a brain, more than a brain-and-body, and more than all your assumptions about who you are. Rather than peeling layers away to reveal the inner you, Spivey traces who you are outward. You may already feel in your heart that something outside your body is actually part of you—a child, a place, a favorite book. Spivey confirms this intuition with scientific findings.

With each chapter, Spivey incrementally expands a common definition of the self. After (gently) helping you to discard your assumptions about who you are, he draws on research in cognitive science and neuroscience to explain the back-and-forth among all the regions of the brain and the interaction between the brain and body. He then makes the case for understanding objects and locations in your environment as additional parts of who we are. Going even further, he shows that, just as interaction links brain, body, and environment, ever-expanding systems of interaction link humans to other humans, to nonhuman animals, and to nonliving matter. This may seem an interaction or two too far. But you don't have to take his word for it—just consider the evidence he presents.
Retrospective Analysis of Rifampicin-resistance Pattern of Mycobacterium tuberculosis among Presumptive Tuberculosis Patients in Secondary Referral Hospital Offa, Nigeria
Authors: Adewole Pelumi Daniel , Usman Muhammed , Oyeniyi Maroof Gbadebo , Suleman Damilola Kazeem , Alaka Olayemi Olubunmi , Adetoro Ibukun Adeola , Alabi Olumiyiwa Samuel
Published: April 2020

Introduction: Early detection of drug resistant tuberculosis with more sensitive and accessible method together with appropriate control measures among other factors are keys to interruption of transmission and mortality rate. 

Study Design: This study conducted a retrospective review of presumptive TB register of patients screened for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and rifampicin resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) using Xpert MTB/RIF assay at General Hospital Offa in Kwara State Nigeria between January to December 2018 in order to access the on-going efforts such as quarterly surveillance, improved infrastructural facilities and intense media advocacy on Tuberculosis by Kwara state government on prevention of Tuberculosis in Kwara State.

Results: Overall, 63 (10.6%) of the sputum samples collected were positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis while 4 (6.3%) showed rifampicin resistance out 63 (10%) of patients positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. There is high recovery rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis among women than men as this study recovers 52.4% and 47.6% in male and female respectively. Adults appear to be more vulnerable to TB and the vulnerability tends to increase with age.

Conclusion: This study documents low frequency of rifampicin resistance tuberculosis particularly within female population using highly sensitive and specific Xpert MTB/RIF in Kwara State.
Study of Correlation and Path Analysis in the Selected Okra Genotypes
Authors: Ashraf A. T. M. Hamim , Rahman M. Mizanur , Hossain M. Mofazzal , Sarker Umakanta
Published: April 2020

An experiment was conducted at the experimental farm, Department of Horticulture, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur from March 2008 to July 2008 to study the correlation and path analysis in the selected okra genotypes. The experiment was carried out in Randomized Complete Block Design with thee replications. The results indicated that different genotypes varied significantly regarding all the studied characters. The Fruits per plant and fruit weight of different genotypes had a high degree of significant positive association with fruit yield and a high positive direct effect indicated that these characters had a major contribution towards the fruit yield of the genotypes. The days to first flowering and days to first fruit harvest showed a significant positive correlation with picking duration both genotypic and phenotypic levels. The Picking duration showed a highly significant positive genotypic correlation with fruit diameter and fruit length. At the final harvest plant height showed a highly significant positive genotypic correlation with fruit length and fruit weight at the genotypic level. The fruit length showed a highly significant positive genotypic correlation with fruit weight and fruit diameter and genotypic level. The fruits per plant showed a highly significant positive genotypic and phenotypic correlation with fruit yield. A significant positive genotypic correlation with fruit yield was shown by fruit weight. The fruits per plant (0.979) and fruit weight (0.554) also showed a high positive direct effect on fruit yield.
Laminated Object Manufacturing of Ceramic‐Based Materials
Authors: Dermeik Benjamin , Travitzky Nahum
Published: April 2020

Since their inception, additive manufacturing (AM) techniques have been the go‐to methods for obtaining highly complex‐shaped rapid prototypes (RPs) and specialized parts, which were produced in small lot sizes. The AM technique of laminated object manufacturing (LOM) is an immensely convenient and cost‐effective method for quickly producing millimeter‐sized to meter‐sized parts, while incorporating micrometer‐sized constructive features. LOM machines offer an open work space, within which nontoxic and highly filled sheet materials can be processed at a high production velocity. The unique property profile of ceramic‐based materials from LOM may be indispensable for applications calling for materials that unite high temperature resistance, mechanical strength, and light weight. Optionally, local material functionalization may engender the electrical conductivity, chemical stability, ferroelectricity, radiation shielding, or filter membrane stability of a limited portion of the material. Herein, a detailed evaluation of the applicability of LOM in the near net shaping ceramic‐based materials is presented. Optional technical adjustments for the LOM process and extensions of the LOM machine configuration can improve the economic feasibility its operation. Previously successful LOM‐printed ceramic‐based materials are showcased within a comprehensive overview on the state of the art and potential novel composite materials are presented.
Multiscale and Multimodal Characterization of 2D Titanium Carbonitride MXene
Authors: Sun Weiwei , Wang Hsiu‐Wen , Vlcek Lukas , Peng Jing , Brady Alexander B. , Osti Naresh C. , Mamontov Eugene , Tyagi Madhusudan , Nanda Jagjit , Greenbaum Steven G. , Kent Paul R. C. , Naguib Michael
Published: April 2020

A comprehensive study on the prototype solid solution phase carbonitride MXene Ti3CN is conducted using nuclear magnetic resonance, electron spin resonance, total and quasi‐elastic neutron scattering, combined with density functional theory‐based electronic structure and molecular dynamic calculations. The combination of experiment and theory lead toward rational atomic structural models of Ti3CN. The remnant Al ions from the etching process significantly tune the interlayer spacing, distinct from the more typical MXene, Ti3C2, prepared similarly. Neutron scattering indicates the surface terminations of Ti3CN display high oxygen and fluorine concentrations and rather low hydroxyl and hydrogen concentrations. Calculations show that the structure including both the residual Al ions and mixed surface terminations give the best agreement with the measurements. The water molecules in Ti3CN are highly immobile, in strong contrast to those in Ti3C2. The analysis of the electronic structure suggests that the nitride MXene displays higher conductivity than the carbides. The absence of hydroxyl groups in terminations, the solid‐solution in the anion sites, the remnants within layers, and immobile water altogether make the carbonitrides a unique series in the MXene family, implying a further exploration of their exotic properties and applications in energy storage.
Mesoporous Rod‐Like Metal‐Organic Framework with Optimal Tumor Targeting Properties for Enhanced Activatable Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Wang Yuanbo , Liu Xingang , Wu Wenbo , Mao Duo , Wang Bo , Tang Guping , Liu Bin
Published: April 2020

Nanoscale metal‐organic frameworks (nMOFs) have shown great potential in the highly effective delivery of exogenous drugs and imaging agents for biomedical applications, and rod‐like nanomaterials with superb loading capability have demonstrated broad versatility to tumor imaging and tumor‐targeted drug delivery. However, owing to difficulties in their fabrication, nMOFs with both rod‐like shape and mesoporosity for tumor imaging or tumor‐targeted cargo delivery are largely unexplored. Herein, a nanoscale rod‐like [{Cu2(ndc)2(dabco)]n (Cu‐MOF), a copper(II) nMOF, is successfully endowed with mesoporosity via defect engineering. Owing to the mesopores, the as‐synthesized defective rod‐like Cu‐MOF is able to load an aggregation‐induced‐emission (AIE) photosensitizer (PS) with inhibited sensitization at high loading weight percentage. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that the rod‐like Cu‐MOF can afford the AIE PS payload with enhanced tumor targeting specificity and penetration depth. After optimal tumor enrichment and cancer cell uptake, Cu(II) in the defective Cu‐MOF efficiently depletes intracellular glutathione and causes dissociation of the Cu‐MOF to release the PS payload and recover its efficient reactive oxygen species generation. Concomitantly, bright fluorescence is afforded by the AIE PS during delivery, contributing to image‐guided cancer‐cell‐activated photodynamic therapy with enhanced therapeutic effects.
Vertically Transported Graphene Oxide for High‐Performance Osmotic Energy Conversion
Authors: Zhang Zhenkun , Shen Wenhao , Lin Lingxin , Wang Mao , Li Ning , Zheng Zhifeng , Liu Feng , Cao Liuxuan
Published: April 2020

Reverse electrodialysis is a promising method to harvest the osmotic energy stored between seawater and freshwater, but it has been a long‐standing challenge to fabricate permselective membranes with the power density surpassing the industry benchmark of 5.0 W m−2 for half a century. Herein, a vertically transported graphene oxide (V‐GO) with the combination of high ion selectivity and ultrafast ion permeation is reported, whose permeation is three orders of magnitude higher than the extensively studied horizontally transported GO (H‐GO). By mixing artificial seawater and river water, an unprecedented high output power density of 10.6 W m−2 is obtained, outperforming all existing materials. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations reveal the mechanism of the ultrafast transport in V‐GO results from the quick entering of ions and the large accessible area as well as the apparent short diffusion paths in V‐GO. These results will facilitate the practical application of osmotic energy and bring an innovative design strategy for various systems involving ultrafast transport, such as filtration and catalysis.
How Much Justice Can You Afford?
Authors: Greenberg Elayne E. , Ebner Noam
Published: April 2020

It is one of the oldest lawyer jokes in the book, and its punchline is about to change.
Association of lifespan cognitive reserve indicator with the risk of mild cognitive impairment and its progression to dementia
Authors: Xu Hui , Yang Rongrong , Dintica Christina , Qi Xiuying , Song Ruixue , Bennett David A , Xu Weili
Published: April 2020

Introduction

The association of lifespan cognitive reserve (CR) with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) remains controversial. We aimed to examine the association of lifespan CR indicator with the risk of MCI and its progression to dementia, taking brain pathologies into account.

Methods

In a community‐based cohort study (mean age, 79 years) with annual follow‐up (median, 5.16 years; maximum, 20 years), a cognitively intact group (n = 1182) and an MCI group (n = 420) were identified at baseline. During the follow‐up, 611 participants died and underwent autopsies. CR indicator encompassing education, early life to late‐life cognitive and social activities were obtained and tertiled.

Results

The multi‐adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of MCI was 0.72 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58 to 0.90) in the cognitively intact group, and the HR of dementia was 0.66 (95% CI 0.45 to 0.97) in the MCI group for participants with the highest CR indicator (reference: the lowest CR indicator). Among MCI participants with brain pathologies, dementia incidence was about 50% lower in people with the highest CR indicator than the lowest CR indicator.

Discussion

High lifespan CR indicator reduces risk of MCI, and delays its progression to dementia.
A Bioorthogonal Click Chemistry Toolbox for Targeted Synthesis of Branched and Well‐Defined Protein–Protein Conjugates
Authors: Baalmann Mathis , Neises Laura , Bitsch Sebastian , Schneider Hendrik , Deweid Lukas , Werther Philipp , Ilkenhans Nadja , Wolfring Martin , Ziegler Michael J. , Wilhelm Jonas , Kolmar Harald , Wombacher Richard
Published: April 2020

Bioorthogonal chemistry holds great potential to generate difficult‐to‐access protein–protein conjugate architectures. Current applications are hampered by challenging protein expression systems, slow conjugation chemistry, use of undesirable catalysts, or often do not result in quantitative product formation. Here we present a highly efficient technology for protein functionalization with commonly used bioorthogonal motifs for Diels–Alder cycloaddition with inverse electron demand (DAinv). With the aim of precisely generating branched protein chimeras, we systematically assessed the reactivity, stability and side product formation of various bioorthogonal chemistries directly at the protein level. We demonstrate the efficiency and versatility of our conjugation platform using different functional proteins and the therapeutic antibody trastuzumab. This technology enables fast and routine access to tailored and hitherto inaccessible protein chimeras useful for a variety of scientific disciplines. We expect our work to substantially enhance antibody applications such as immunodetection and protein toxin‐based targeted cancer therapies.
Precisely Tuning Photothermal and Photodynamic Effects of Polymeric Nanoparticles by Controlled Copolymerization
Authors: Wen Kaikai , Wu Lifen , Wu Xiaoxi , Lu Ying , Duan Tao , Ma Han , Peng Aidong , Shi Qinqin , Huang Hui
Published: April 2020

Cancer possesses normoxic and hypoxia microenvironments with different levels of oxygen, needing different efficacies of photothermal and photodynamic therapies. It is important to precisely tune the photothermal and photodynamic effects of phototherapy nano‐agents for efficient cancer treatment. Now, a series of copolymeric nanoparticles (PPy‐Te NPs) were synthesized in situ by controlled oxidative copolymerization with different ratios of pyrrole to tellurophene by FeCl3. The photothermal and photodynamic effects of semiconducting nano‐agents under the first near‐infrared (NIR) irradiation were precisely and systematically tuned upon simply varying the molar ratio of the pyrrole to tellurophene. The PPy‐Te NPs were used for cancer treatment in mice, exhibiting excellent biocompatibility and therapeutic effect. This work presents a simple method to tune photothermal and photodynamic therapies effect in semiconducting nano‐agents for cancer treatment.
Metal–Organic Framework Membrane Nanopores as Biomimetic Photoresponsive Ion Channels and Photodriven Ion Pumps
Authors: Jiang Yanan , Ma Wenjie , Qiao Yujuan , Xue Yifei , Lu Jiahao , Gao Jun , Liu Nannan , Wu Fei , Yu Ping , Jiang Lei , Mao Lanqun
Published: April 2020

Biological ion channels and ion pumps with sub‐nanometer sizes modulate ion transport in response to external stimuli. Realizing such functions with sub‐nanometer solid‐state nanopores has been an important topic with wide practical applications. Herein, we demonstrate a biomimetic photoresponsive ion channel and photodriven ion pump using a porphyrin‐based metal–organic framework membrane with pore sizes comparable to hydrated ions. We show that the molecular‐size pores enable precise and robust optoelectronic ion transport modulation in a broad range of concentrations, unparalleled with conventional solid‐state nanopores. Upon decoration with platinum nanoparticles to form a Schottky barrier photodiode, photovoltage across the membrane is generated with “uphill” ion transport from low concentration to high concentration. These results may spark applications in energy conversion, ion sieving, and artificial photosynthesis.
Cysteine/Penicillamine Ligation Independent of Terminal Steric Demands for Chemical Protein Synthesis
Authors: Tan Yi , Li Jiasheng , Jin Kang , Liu Jiamei , Chen Ziyong , Yang Jun , Li Xuechen
Published: April 2020

The chemical ligation of two unprotected peptides to generate a natural peptidic linkage specifically at the C‐ and N‐termini is a desirable goal in chemical protein synthesis but is challenging because it demands high reactivity and selectivity (chemo‐, regio‐, and stereoselectivity). We report an operationally simple and highly effective chemical peptide ligation involving the ligation of peptides with C‐terminal salicylaldehyde esters to peptides with N‐terminal cysteine/penicillamine. The notable features of this method include its tolerance of steric hinderance from the side groups on either ligating terminus, thereby allowing flexible disconnection at sites that are otherwise difficult to functionalize. In addition, this method can be expanded to selective desulfurization and one‐pot ligation‐desulfurization reactions. The effectiveness of this method was demonstrated by the synthesis of VISTA (216‐311), PD‐1 (192‐288) and Eglin C.