bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
S'informer
Authors: Pinto Louis
Published: March 2018

Une étude quantitative auprès d'abonnés d'une revue consumériste a été réalisée pour savoir comment s'acquiert la compétence spécifique qui permet de faire face aux aspects juridiques des « pépins » jalonnant la vie quotidienne (quatre domaines : logement, fiscalité, consommation, travail). Parmi les répondants dominent des membres de professions supérieures et moyennes dotés de certaines propriétés (âge élevé, résidence provinciale ou rurale, capital scolaire relativement faible). Leur besoin de savoir semble refléter le décalage entre le volume du patrimoine à préserver et l'étendue des ressources informatives permettant d'en assurer la jouissance sans problème. Au lieu d'envisager, comme trop souvent, la question de l'information comme un problème neutre de connaissance et de communication, il conviendrait de mieux comprendre le rapport différentiel au droit, et donc, à l'information (dont la réponse au questionnaire est évidemment un bon indice) : on pourrait opposer les techniques de protection des uns aux techniques d'insensibilisation des autres.
Évolution du système économique et question sociale aux États-Unis
Authors: Jolivet Élisabeth
Published: March 2018

La paupérisation d'une partie croissante de la population aux États-Unis remet en cause la crédibilité du système économique américain et sa capacité à concilier efficacité et justice sociale. Les mutations récentes du système économique dans ce pays sont une explication possible à cette situation. En effet, elles altèrent les procédures qui permettent à un individu de participer à la création et la distribution de richesses dans l'égalité des chances.
Extensive Thrombus and Brain Microabscesses After Sleeve Gastrectomy
Authors: Chao Grace Faith , Hirji Sameer , Shikora Scott
Published: March 2018

Sleeve gastrectomy is a relatively newer bariatric surgical procedure and has become the most common of all bariatric surgeries performed. Complication rates reported with sleeve gastrectomies are relatively low and are generally due to staple line leaks, hemorrhage, or sleeve stricture.  Portal vein thrombosis is an uncommon but potentially dangerous complication. We present a case of a 21-year-old woman who developed thrombosis of the portal, splenic, and right common iliac veins that then resulted in multifocal brain abscesses from presumed Fusobacterium septic emboli following an uncomplicated laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.
Clival chordoma with drop metastases
Authors: Muhamat Nor Faimee Erwan , Desai Vijayadwaja , Chew Lee Lian
Published: March 2018

Chordoma is a rare midline malignant tumor arising from embryonic remnants of the primitive notochord. The base of the skull is the second most common site of disease after the sacrococcygeal region. Intracranial chordoma constitutes about 30-35% of chordoma cases. Metastasis from chordoma is uncommon but if occurs, it tends to spread to the lungs. Cerebrospinal fluid seeding or drop metastasis is very rare. Here we describe a case of a clival chordoma with drop metastases.
Neonatal neuroblastoma 4s with diffuse liver metastases (Pepper syndrome) without an adrenal/extraadrenal primary identified on imaging
Authors: Chaturvedi Apeksha , Katzman Philip J. , Franco Arie
Published: March 2018

We report the imaging appearances of a case of pathologically proven, neonatal neuroblastoma 4S with diffuse hepatic metastatic involvement at presentation. Patient had an abnormal appearing liver both by ultrasound and MR. There was no evidence for associated adrenal tumor by imaging. Lack of an associated adrenal mass led to initial misinterpretation of diffuse hepatic accumulation of MIBG seen with radionuclide scintigraphy. To the best our knowledge, this is the first report of metastatic neonatal 4S neuroblastoma without an adrenal (or extra-adrenal) primary identified either on pre- or post-natal imaging.
Correlation of the rates of solvolysis of α-bromoisobutyrophenone using both simple and extended forms of the Grunwald-Winstein equation and the application of correlation analysis to related studies
Authors: Kevill Dennis Neil , Kim Chang-Bae , D’Souza Malcolm John
Published: March 2018

A Grunwald-Winstein treatment of the specific rates of solvolysis of α-bromoisobutyro phenone in 100% methanol and in several aqueous ethanol, methanol, acetone, 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE), and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) mixtures gives a good logarithmic correlation against a linear combination of NT (solvent nucleophilicity) and YBr (solvent ionizing power) values. The l and m sensitivity values are compared to those previously reported for α-bromoacetophenone and to those obtained from parallel treatments of literature specific rate values for the solvolyses of several tertiary mesylates containing a C(=O)R group attached at the α-carbon. Kinetic data obtained earlier by Pasto and Sevenair for the solvolyses of the same substrate in 75% aqueous ethanol (by weight) in the presence of silver perchlorate and perchloric acid are analysed using multiple regression analysis.
Synthesis, characterization and antioxidant activity of Schiff base and its metal complexes with Fe(II), Mn(II), Zn(II), and Ru(II) ions: Catalytic activity of ruthenium(II) complex
Authors: Turan Nevin , Buldurun Kenan
Published: March 2018

The synthesis, spectral, catalytic and antioxidant properties of ethyl-2-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylideneamino)-6-methyl-4,5,6-tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene-3-carboxylate (L) substituted iron(II), manganese(II), zinc(II), and ruthenium(II)-arene chlorides are described for the first time. The ligand and its metal complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility measurements, and spectral (1H NMR, 13C NMR, FT-IR, UV-Vis and Mass) techniques. The FT-IR spectra showed that the ligand can act as bidentate or tridentate. Magnetic moments and electronic spectral studies revealed an octahedral geometry for all the complexes obtained. The thermal behavior of the complexes showed that the water molecules were separated in the first step followed immediately by decomposition of the anions and ligand molecules in the subsequent steps. Ru(II) complex was used as catalysts for the transfer hydrogenation of ketones. At the same time, the effect of various bases such as NaOH, KOH, KOBut and NaOAc as organic base were investigated in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones by 2-propanol as the hydrogen source. The complexes and ligand were tested in vitro for their antioxidant activity. The experimental results showed that Ru(II) complex had more potent antioxidant activities than Zn(II), Fe(II), Mn(II) complexes and parent ligand.
Comparison of the observed size-dependent melting point of CdSe nanocrystals to theoretical predictions
Authors: Dukes III Albert Demaine , Pitts Christopher Dylan , Kapingidza Anyway Brenda , Gardner David Eric , Layland Ralph Charles
Published: March 2018

Cadmium selenide nanocrystals were observed to have a size-dependent melting point which was depressed relative to the bulk melting temperature. The observed size-dependent melting point ranged from 500-1478 K, while a model based on the surface area to volume ratio predicted that is should range between 774-1250 K. The nanocrystals were heated in situ in the electron microscope, and the melting point was almost immediately followed by the vaporization of the CdSe nanocrystals, allowing for straightforward determination of the melting temperature. The differences between the observed melting point of CdSe nanocrystals and the values predicted by the surface area to volume ratio model indicates that additional factors are involved in the melting point depression of nanocrystals.
Complexation equilibria of ambroxol hydrochloride in solution by potentiometric and conductometric methods
Authors: Naggar Ahmed Hosny , Al-Saidi Hammed Mohammed , Farghaly Othman Abd El-Moaty , Hassan Taher Mohammed , Bortata Salma Zaidan Mohamed
Published: March 2018

The formation constants of Li(I), Mg(II), Sr(II), Ca(II), Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Ba(II), Pb(II), Al(III), Cr(III), Fe(III) and Th(IV) ions with ambroxol hydrochloride (AMB) were calculated using the half-n value. In presence of 0.1 M NaNO3, metal ions such as Zn(II), Cd(II), Ni(II), Cr(III), Li(I), Mg(II) and Al(III) forms three types of metal-ligand complexes (1:1, 1:2 and/or 1:3), while Sr(II) and Co(II) tend to form two types of metal complexes 1:1 and 1:2 (M:L). For ligand protonation constants, two logarithmic association constant values were calculated by the half-n method and are 10.7 and 7.6, respectively. The effect of ionic strength on stability constant of AMP, with different metal ions viz. Fe(III), Th(IV), Al(III), Cr(III) and Cu(II) was studied. Based on relationship between the ionic strength studied values and the 1st stability constants (Log K1H), we can conclude that the stability constants of the formed metal-ligand complex (1:1) were decreased as the ionic strength increased. The stoichiometry of the formed complexes in solution were determined by conductometric method and it is found to be of 1:1, 1:2 and/or 1:3 (M:L) complex species is formed in alkaline media. Also, study the species distribution diagrams of AMP for the calculated mole fraction αML and αML2 were discussed.
Determination of optimal adsorption-desorption conditions for selective removal of Ni(II) from petrochemical samples using ion imprinted nanosorbent
Authors: Nezhadali Azizallah , Pirouzmand Maryam , Payehghadr Mahmood
Published: March 2018

Nanoporous particles Ni(II) ion imprinted polymer (IIP), and non-imprinted polymer (NIP) in the absence of Ni(II) ion, with 18-70 nm dimensions were synthesized, and characterized by Fourier transform infrared, energy dispersive X-ray and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic methods. Then, the surface area, pore size and structural composition of the products were characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller and scanning electron microscope methods. Then, modified electrodes by the IIP for Ni(II) sensing and determination, were constructed and their catalytic activity were investigated by cyclic voltammetric method. Some parameters like desorption solvent, amount of sorbent, pH and contact time were optimized, and the measurements were all conducted under optimal conditions. The optimum pH for maximum sorption was obtained 7.8. In the optimum conditions, the maximum sorbent capacity of the IIP was obtained 371.9 µM/g. The limit of detection and relative standard deviation (n = 5) were obtained 1.3 ng/mLand 1.47%, respectively. The pre-concentration procedure revealed a linear curve within the concentration range of 10-6000 ng/mL and a good linearity with squared correlation coefficient of r2 0.9991 was achieved. The method was applied successfully for determination of Ni(II) ion in petrochemical samples.
Development and validation of a simple and rapid UPLC method for the in-vitro estimation of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate in lipid-based formulations
Authors: El-Kayal Maha Osama , Sayed Maha Nasr , Mortada Nahed Dawood , Elkheshen Seham
Published: March 2018

(-)-Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a catechin found in green tea that has potential health benefits, such as anti-oxidant, anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory effects. A rapid and sensitive Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatographic (UPLC) method was developed and validated for the estimation of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate in lipid-based formulation. The UPLC method was conducted on C18 analytical column (50 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.8 μm particle size). The mobile phase consisted of a mixture of acetic acid (1%, v:v; pH = 3), acetonitrile and water at volume ratio of 13:15:72 delivered at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. The diode array detector (DAD) acquisition wavelength was set at wavelengths 210 and 280 nm. Caffeine was used as internal standard. The tested validation parameters, i.e., selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, and sensitivity (Limit of detection and limit of quantification) were determined at both wavelengths. Results revealed that caffeine and EGCG peaks were eluted at retention times of 0.55 and 0.85 minutes, respectively. The calibration curve was linear over the concentration range of 10-60 μg/mL, with coefficients of determination (r2) of 0.9993 and 0.9998 nm at 210 and 280 nm, respectively. All the validation parameters were found within the acceptable range. The proposed method was successfully applied for the quantitation of EGCG in lipid-based formulation and statistical analysis with a reported method showed no significant difference at p < 0.05. Therefore, the proposed analytical method for EGCG can be considered as a rapid, selective and accurate analytical method that can be used for the quantitative analysis of EGCG.
Author Guidelines
Authors: Arslan Hakan
Published: March 2018

Author Guidelines
Rights of Authors, Readers and the Publisher
Authors: Arslan Hakan
Published: March 2018

Rights of Authors, Readers and the Publisher
Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) in EFL Context in Asia
Authors: Wei Liping , Lin Hsin-Hui , Litton Freddie
Published: March 2018

This paper provides an in-depth investigation into the application of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context in Asia, and China in particular. It reveals that CLT has not been fully acknowledged and espoused by Asia’s English language educators at the classroom level. Additionally, it unpacks the various factors that have impeded educators in Asia from enacting CLT. Through introducing the concepts of “teacher as curriculum implementer” and “teacher as curriculum maker,” it brings to surface why a mandated curriculum change as CLT cannot be realized in EFL context in Asia. The paper argues that teachers should be constructors rather than merely receivers of the imposed pedagogical reforms. The top-down educational enterprise of implementing CLT cannot succeed unless it is embraced by teachers with their reconfigurations in light of their specific teaching situations.
Cost Effective Profiling of Neodymium-Doped Vanadate Laser Pulses
Authors: Edziah Raymond
Published: March 2018

As environmental conditions and component degradation and failure are known to affect the performance of ultrafast lasers, it is important to monitor their state in any nonlinear optical study. This may be achieved by measuring the temporal width of the laser pulses using an autocorrelator. In this work, an autocorrelator for measuring the pulsewidth of mode-locked lasers was custom-built using pieces of equipment usually found in a typical ultrafast optics laboratory. The assembled equipment was tested using SESAM (Saturable Semiconductor Absorber Mirror) mode-locked neodymium-doped vanadate (Nd:YVO4) laser having manufacturer specified average output power of 1.6 W and 10 ps pulsewidth. Using the background-free autocorrelation technique, the pulse width of the laser was measured to be 10.4 ps. This type of autocorrelator is cost effective and may be handy in situations where research funds are limited; a scenario commonly experienced in research laboratories of developing countries. Additionally, the processes involved in assembling the autocorrelator provide a useful learning experience for new researchers. The study also outlined the processes involved in modifying an existing autocorrelation setup in order to measure laser beam spot size; a useful parameter in nonlinear optical studies.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Applied Physics Research, Vol. 10, No. 2
Authors: Chen William
Published: March 2018

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Applied Physics Research, Vol. 10, No. 2, 2018
Region EKC for Air Pollution: Evidence from China
Authors: Wang Wenzhong
Published: March 2018

In recent years, with the increasing care of environmental issues, the relationship between air quality and the level of economic development has been widely studied. In the present paper, a traditional EKC model and two improved model are built to analyze the relationship between the air quality index and the per capita GDP with the panel data of 41 major cities during 2000 and 2015 of China. By the co-integration analysis, the results show that under the three-square EKC model, the relationship between the AQI and GDP per capita satisfies the N-shaped environment Kuznets curve and there exist two turning points. In the form of the traditional two-square EKC model, the two variables are satisfied with the U-shaped relationship. The results of the growth rate model also show that the two variables are satisfied with the U-shaped relationship, but there are differences among the turning points.
How a Taxonomically-Ambiguous Cyanobiont and Vanadate Assist in the Phytoremediation of Cadmium by Azolla pinnata: Implications for CKDu
Authors: Atugoda D R A M T R , Mandakini L L U , Bandara N J G J , Gunawardana D
Published: March 2018

We employed scientific tools to investigate the ex situ phytoremediation of cadmium by Azolla pinnata. Azolla pinnata was capable of efficient sequestration of cadmium up to a concentration of 1 ppm, though with a visibly high “physiological cost”. The sequestration of cadmium (1 ppm) was strongly reduced after 24 hours, in Azolla plants pre-treated with the gram-negative antibiotic erythromycin (60 µg/l), suggesting that the cyanobacterial population was important for phytoremediation. Only the co-treatment of 1 ppm cadmium with 1 ppm vanadate, showed significantly higher phytoremediation (P<0.05) compared to the “cadmium+erythromycin” treatment. The phytoremediation of Cadmium by the Azolla-Nostoc symbiosis was significantly (p<0.05) improved by the addition of citrate at 10 ppm in the presence of 1 ppm vanadate, compared to the 1 ppm cadmium only treatment. We hypothesize that citrate acting either as “vanadophores” or working as a cofactor in the Homocitrate Synthase enzyme, facilitates remediation of cadmium. When phylogeny was inferred using Homocitrate Synthases, the cyanobiont was approximated to a taxonomical twilight zone between Nostoc and Anabaena, although showing more proximity to the Anabaena cluster. It is proposed here that the cyanobacterial contribution appears to be crucial for the ability of Azolla pinnata to efficiently remediate cadmium and a “helping hand” appears to be provided by a vanadate dependent mechanism, which is likely to be nitrogen fixation. The association between vanadate-assisted phytoremediation by Azolla pinnata and the heightened bioavailability of vanadium in CKDu endemic areas, could serve as a vital stepping stone in developing a biological solution to CKDu.
Ants Can Acquire Some Serial Recognition
Authors: Cammaerts Marie-Claire , Cammaerts Roger
Published: March 2018

Aiming to define the ants’ cognitive abilities, we examined if they could learn a correct sequence and recognize it among others made of the same elements but otherwise ordered. We first trained them to a sequence of three elements. They could recognize the correct sequence from the two wrong sequences, reaching a score of 66.9% after 8 training days, what was a rather low though statistically significant score. When trained to a sequence of 4 elements, the ants could also recognize the correct sequence from three wrong ones, reaching the low though statistically significant score of 51.2% in 8 training days. In this second experiment, the ants appeared to better learn the two last elements of the sequence (those directly associated with the reward) than the two first ones. This was in agreement with our previous finding that ants could learn a behavioral sequence only if trained according to a backwards chaining, i.e. if firstly presented with the element associated to the reward. Such kind of learning is in fact some operant conditioning, and apparently differs from what occurs in vertebrates since the latter learn a behavioral sequence under a backward as well as a forward method, and better remember not only the last but also the first element of a series. The neural mechanism(s) underlying serial recognition may thus at least partly differ between vertebrates and invertebrates.
The Internal Control Systems Integrated into the Various Profiles of Governance, Audit, Risk and Compliance
Authors: Rija Maurizio , Ernesto Rubino Franco
Published: March 2018

It is necessary to distinguish the internal controls from external ones: the former are the responsibility of the appropriate bodies and business functions belonging to the organization of the companies, while the latter are exercised by subjects who fall outside the company and the functional structure of the company (audit company, Consob, Bank of Italy, etc.). In recent decades there have been several scandals that have hit large enterprises, also Italian ones, which have increased interest in the issue of corporate governance and in the inefficiencies presented in internal corporation controls (Munroa & Stewart 2011). Enhancing the effectiveness of controls, in particular the internal ones, has become a need increasingly felt by international and national legislators. Internal controls are an essential tool to achieve business goals (operating constantly in terms of efficiency and effectiveness), and at the same time to avoid wastage of resources, to safeguard corporate assets, producing accounting information and reliable management, to observe the strategies, the policies and the corporate procedures and, especially, to ensure compliance with laws and regulations. in this work, it will discuss, in the italian context, the role of the board of directors and the board of statutory auditors within the (SCIGR) System of Internal Control and Risk Management (Jaggi, Allini, Manes Rossi, & Caldarelli, 2016). Moreover, the study moves the analysis to other corporate figures well determined and in constant evolution, including the head of internal audit, the activity of compliance, the supervisory body ex D.Lgs.231/2001 and the manager in charge of drafting corporate accounting documents.
Antioxidative and Antihypertensive Activities of Selected Malaysian ulam (salad), Vegetables and Herbs
Authors: Mustafa Khalid Norhayati , Babji Abdul Salam
Published: March 2018

This study was conducted to investigate antioxidative and antihypertensive activities of selected Malaysian ulam (salad), vegetables and herbs. The aqueous extract of selected ulam (salad), vegetables and herbs were analysed for total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activities (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical cation scavenging assay and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) and antihypertension activity (angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity assay). TPC analysis showed that Polygonum minus contains significantly (p<0.05) highest phenolic compound at 48.23 ± 0.17 mg GAE/g as compared to other plants. DPPH analysis showed that P. minus had significantly (p<0.05) highest percentage of radical scavenging activity at 79.09 ± 0.10% as compared to other plants. ABTS analysis showed that Sauropus androgynus had significantly (p<0.05) highest percentage of radical cation scavenging activity at 95.10 ± 0.26% as compared to other plants. FRAP analysis showed that P. minus had significantly (p<0.05) highest ferric reducing power at 63.61 ± 0.73 mmol Fe2+/g as compared to other samples. Murraya koenigii had the highest percentage of ACE inhibitory activity (91.20 ± 4.15%). Correlation analysis showed positive and significant (p<0.01) correlation between TPC and FRAP (r = 0.956), TPC and ABTS (r = 0.635), TPC and DPPH (r = 0.630) and TPC and ACE inhibitors (r = 0.645). This shows that Malaysian tropical plants especially P. minus are potential source of natural antioxidant and antihypertensive agents.
Gênero e acesso ao crédito rural na Associação Municipal Mulher Flor do Campo em Pernambuco
Authors: Sousa Gerlúcio Moura Bezerra de , Almeida Maria Das Graças Andrade Ataíde de , Leitão Maria Do Rosário de Fátima Andrade
Published: March 2018

O artigo analisa o acesso ao crédito rural, por mulheres vinculadas à Associação Municipal de Desenvolvimento Produtivo das Mulheres Trabalhadoras Rurais e Artesãs Rurais de Santa Cruz da Baixa Verde-PE. A inclusão destas mulheres no  Programa Nacional de Fortalecimento da Agricultura Familiar – Pronaf, foi analisado a partir das categorias teóricas relações de gênero e divisão sexual do trabalho. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, na qual a entrevista semiestruturada constituiu-se em principal instrumento de coleta de dados. A análise foi fundamentada em pressupostos teóricos metodológicos da Análise do Discurso (AD) elaboradas por Foucault e Dijk. Os resultados evidenciaram que, apesar dos avanços no que se refere ao acesso destas mulheres ao crédito do Pronaf, ele é operacionalizado, a partir do diálogo e das contribuições realizadas pelos respectivos companheiros. Desse modo, mantêm-se a hierarquização de poder no processo de gerenciamento destes recursos econômicos, mas elas galgaram espaços culturais, políticos e de tomada de decisão.
Novos produtos e cortes diferenciados: o potencial dos peixes nativos nos mercados da gastronomia
Authors: Sousa Diego Neves de , Kato Hellen Cristina de Almeida
Published: March 2018

Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar quais são as estratégias de inserção de peixes nativos nos mercados diferenciados da gastronomia, sob a perspectiva das pesquisas realizadas pela EMBRAPA (Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária). Na metodologia foram selecionadas três estratégias que foram descritas utilizando-se de dados secundários. Entre os resultados, postula-se que as estratégias de substituição de produtos globais por locais, como ocorre com os peixes nativos, novas hibridizações na gastronomia vêm sendo criadas, a partir de novos produtos e novos cortes, acarretando em novas identidades culturais e formas de consumo.
Polyethylene glycol exerted toxicity to growth of Bacillus subtilis NRS-762
Authors: Ng Wenfa
Published: March 2018

Polyethylene glycol is commonly used in fermentations as an anti-foam for preventing the rise of foam to the top plate of the bioreactor, which increases contamination risk. However, its potential toxicity to growth of various microorganisms is not well understood at the strain and species level. Hence, the objective of this study was to understand the impact of different concentrations of polyethylene glycol (0, 1, 5 and 10 g/L) on the aerobic growth of Bacillus subtilis NRS-762 (ATCC 8473) in LB Lennox medium in shake flasks at 30 oC and 230 rpm rotational shaking. Experiment results indicated that polyethylene glycol (PEG) (molecular weight ~8000 Da), at all concentrations tested, exerted some toxicity towards the growth of B. subtilis NRS-762 in LB Lennox medium. Specifically, maximal optical density obtained declined with greater exposure to PEG in a concentration-dependent manner, up to a threshold concentration of 5 g/L PEG. For example, maximal optical density obtained in B. subtilis NRS-762 without addition of PEG was 4.4, but the value obtained on exposure to 1 g/L of the anti-foam decreased to 4.1 and a further 3.8 on exposure of cells to 5 g/L and 10 g/L PEG. Similarly, growth rates of B. subtilis NRS-762 also decreased in a concentration-dependent manner with PEG concentration up to a threshold concentration of 5 g/L PEG. pH variation in culture broth, however, revealed that the pH profiles for exposure to PEG at all concentrations overlapped each other and was similar to the one of cells without exposure to the anti-foam; thereby, highlighting that metabolic processes in B. subtilis NRS-762 were not significantly affected by exposure to PEG. Collectively, polyethylene glycol anti-foam exerted toxicity effect on B. subtilis NRS-762 biomass formation, and possibly metabolism. The latter may not be sufficiently significant to affect the types of metabolites secreted by the bacterium, and thus, could not be detected by measurement of culture broth pH. Overall, the results should inform the choice and concentration of PEG for culturing B. subtilis in biotechnological applications.
Simultaneous targeting of EGFR, HER2, and HER4 by afatinib overcomes intrinsic and acquired cetuximab resistance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines
Authors: De Pauw Ines , Lardon Filip , Van den Bossche Jolien , Baysal Hasan , Fransen Erik , Deschoolmeester Vanessa , Pauwels Patrick , Peeters Marc , Vermorken Jan Baptist , Wouters An
Published: March 2018

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR, HER1) is a therapeutic target in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). After initial promising results with EGFR‐targeted therapies such as cetuximab, therapeutic resistance has become a major clinical problem, and new treatment options are therefore necessary. Moreover, the relationship between HER receptors, anti‐EGFR therapies, and the human papillomavirus (HPV) status in HNSCC is not fully understood. In contrast to first‐generation EGFR inhibitors, afatinib irreversibly inhibits multiple HER receptors simultaneously. Therefore, treatment with afatinib might result in a more pronounced therapeutic benefit, even in patients experiencing cetuximab resistance. In this study, the cytotoxic effect of afatinib as single agent and in combination with cisplatin was investigated in cetuximab‐sensitive, intrinsically cetuximab‐resistant, and acquired cetuximab‐resistant HNSCC cell lines with different HPV status under normoxia and hypoxia. Furthermore, the influence of cetuximab resistance, HPV, and hypoxia on the expression of HER receptors was investigated. Our results demonstrated that afatinib was able to establish cytotoxicity in cetuximab‐sensitive, intrinsically cetuximab‐resistant, and acquired cetuximab‐resistant HNSCC cell lines, independent of the HPV status. However, cross‐resistance between cetuximab and afatinib might be possible. Treatment with afatinib caused a G0/G1 cell cycle arrest as well as induction of apoptotic cell death. Additive to antagonistic interactions between afatinib and cisplatin could be observed. Neither cetuximab resistance nor HPV status significantly influenced the expression of HER receptors in HNSCC cell lines. In contrast, the expression of EGFR, HER2, and HER3 was significantly altered under hypoxia. Oxygen deficiency is a common characteristic of HNSCC tumors, and these hypoxic tumor regions often contain cells that are more resistant to treatment. However, we observed that afatinib maintained its cytotoxic effect under hypoxia. In conclusion, our preclinical data support the hypothesis that afatinib might be a promising therapeutic strategy to treat patients with HNSCC experiencing intrinsic or acquired cetuximab resistance.
Neoclassical Diffusion of Radiation‐Belt Electrons Across Very Low L‐Shells
Authors: Cunningham Gregory S. , Loridan Vivien , Ripoll Jean‐François , Schulz Michael
Published: March 2018

In the presence of drift‐shell splitting intrinsic to the International Geomagnetic Reference Field magnetic field model, pitch angle scattering from Coulomb collisions experienced by radiation‐belt electrons in the upper atmosphere and ionosphere produces extra radial diffusion, a form of neoclassical diffusion. The strength of the neoclassical radial diffusion at L < 1.2 exceeds that expected there from radial‐diffusion mechanisms traditionally considered and decreases with increasing L‐shell. In this work we construct a numerical model for this coupled (radial and pitch angle) collisional diffusion process and apply it to simulate raw count‐rate data observed aboard the Gemini spacecraft for several years after the 1962 Starfish nuclear detonation. The data show apparent lifetimes 10–100 times as long as would have been expected from collisional pitch angle diffusion and Coulomb drag alone. Our model reproduces apparent lifetimes for >0.5‐MeV electrons in the region 1.14 < L < 1.26 to within a factor of 2 (comparable to the uncertainty quoted for the observations). We conclude that neoclassical radial diffusion (resulting from drift‐shell splitting intrinsic to International Geomagnetic Reference Field's azimuthal asymmetries) mitigates the decay expected from collisional pitch angle diffusion and inelastic energy loss alone and thus contributes importantly to the long apparent lifetimes observed at these low L‐shells.
Externally Driven Onset of Localized Magnetic Reconnection and Disruption in a Magnetotail Configuration
Authors: Pritchett P. L. , Lu San
Published: March 2018

The response of a magnetotail equilibrium containing dipole magnetic field and plasma sheet regions to the imposition of a longitudinally limited, high‐latitude driving electric field is investigated using 3‐D particle‐in‐cell simulations. The initial response involves a reduction in the equatorial Bz field that is then followed by the development of a dawn‐dusk asymmetric thin current sheet relative to the meridian plane of the driving field. Continued driving leads to the onset of localized reconnection and the emergence of magnetic flux ropes. The cross‐tail extent of the reconnection expands but remains limited to ∼30di, where di is the ion inertia length. A later stage involves disruption of the plasma sheet earthward of the initial X‐line with the formation of multiple field‐aligned currents connecting to the earthward boundary and strong local energization of the ions (4 times thermal) and electrons (10 times thermal). These results demonstrate the ability of a high‐latitude disturbance that may be connected to dayside flow channels to initiate localized magnetic reconnection and disruption in the magnetotail.
The Responses of Ozone Density to Solar Activity in the Mesopause Region and the Mutual Relationship Based on SABER Measurements During 2002–2016
Authors: Tang Chaoli , Wu Bo , Wei Yuanyuan , Qing Chun , Dai Congming , Li Jianyu , Wei Heli
Published: March 2018

This paper is aimed to investigate the mutual relationship between ozone‐density at cold‐point mesopause (O3‐CPM) and solar activity globally using Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) measurements and the 10.7 cm‐solar‐radio‐flux (F10.7) data set. For this purpose, the global latitude regions are divided into 16 latitude bins. The global changes of O3‐CPM are presented in mesopause region during 2002–2016. SABER has documented dramatic variability in O3‐CPM on time scale of the 11‐year solar cycle. The observed changes in the global O3‐CPM correlate well with the changes in solar activity during 2002–2016 with correlation coefficient of 0.92, and the global solar response of O3‐CPM is (20.18 ± 2.24)%/100 solar flux units in mesopause. Then, the latitudinal distribution of O3‐CPM and its solar cycle dependence are presented for 16 latitude bins. The latitudinal correlation analysis shows that the O3‐CPM is significantly correlated to the solar cycle at or above the 95% confidence level for each latitude bin from 84°S to 70°N, and the correlation coefficients are remarkably higher in the southern hemisphere than for corresponding latitudes in the northern hemisphere. The latitudinal distribution of O3‐CPM takes on a W shape on a global scale, and the distribution of solar response of O3‐CPM is seen in a strong south‐north asymmetry between the two hemispheres. The solar response of O3‐CPM in latitudinal distribution decreases gradually from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere, and the standard deviation of solar response increases gradually from the equator to the pole in each hemisphere.
Crustal Footprint of the Hainan Plume Beneath Southeast China
Authors: Liu Hao , Chen Fei , Leng Wei , Zhang Haijiang , Xu Yigang
Published: March 2018

Although global and regional seismic tomography results have revealed the presence of a mantle plume beneath Hainan Island, there is little evidence for a hotspot track associated with the Hainan plume. Here a joint inversion of satellite gravity measurements and seismic surface wave dispersion data was performed, and the results show that a linear corridor of high seismic velocity anomalies beneath the crust is located northeast of Hainan Island beneath the Southeast China. Geodynamic modeling further demonstrates that this corridor could have been formed by the interactions between a mantle plume and the continental lithosphere with a weak lower crust. Volcanic age distributions of sporadic oceanic island basalts suggest that this track was likely formed since the late Cretaceous, which helps to constrain the averaged plate velocity of the South China Block, relative to the Hainan plume, to be ~1.8 cm/year to the northeast since 80 Ma. Our result provides a novel explanation for the crustal thickness variations, related Vs anomalies, and observed oceanic island basalts in this area. It also provides an independent way for constraining plate motion history of the continental lithosphere.
Direct Modeling of the Mechanical Strain Influence on Coda Wave Interferometry
Authors: Azzola J. , Schmittbuhl J. , Zigone D. , Magnenet V. , Masson F.
Published: March 2018

Coda waves interferometry (CWI) aims at tracking small changes in solid materials like rocks where elastic waves are diffusing and so intensively sampling the medium, making the technique more sensitive than those relying on direct wave arrivals. Its application to ambient seismic noise correlation, referred to as ambient noise interferometry, has found a large range of applications over the past years like for reservoir monitoring or regional fault evolution. Physically, the changes in phases observed are typically interpreted as small variations of seismic velocities. However, this interpretation is questionable. The goal of the present work is to show from a direct numerical modeling that deformation signal also exists in CWI measurements which might provide new outcomes for the technique. For this purpose, we model seismic wave propagation within a diffusive medium using a spectral element approach (SPECFEM2D) during an elastic deformation of the medium. The mechanical behavior is obtained from a finite element approach (Code_Aster) keeping the mesh grid of the sample constant during the whole procedure to limit numerical artifacts. CWI of the late wave arrivals in the synthetic seismograms is performed using both a stretching technique in the time domain and a frequency cross‐correlation method. Both show that CWI is sensitive to the heterogeneity of the elastic deformation field in addition to the isotropic volumetric deformation and independently of nonlinear acoustoelastic effects. Implications for strain monitoring of reservoirs are discussed.
Sensitivity of a Simulated Squall Line During Southern China Monsoon Rainfall Experiment to Parameterization of Microphysics
Authors: Qian Qifeng , Lin Yanluan , Luo Yali , Zhao Xi , Zhao Zongci , Luo Yong , Liu Xi
Published: March 2018

A squall line on 22 May 2014 during the Southern China Monsoon Rainfall Experiment period is simulated with four bulk microphysical parameterizations (BMPs) using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. Although most BMPs are able to capture the basic features of the squall line, the movement, morphology, and especially the length of the simulated squall lines differ significantly among BMPs. Morrison scheme tends to simulate a slower moving squall line with a weaker cold pool and better trailing stratiform cloud and precipitation due to the smaller snow fall speed and faster generation of snow particles than other schemes. Assuming hail or graupel in different schemes could result in different melting profiles of rimed‐ice particles, with hail melted substantially below the 0°C isotherm and contributing to the cold pool production significantly in WRF double‐moment six‐class microphysics scheme because of its use of larger fall speed for hail. Although ice‐phase particles simulated differ significantly among BMPs, it is rain evaporation that dominates the cold pool generation and maintenance of the squall line in this case. Stronger rain evaporation generally contributes to stronger cold pools and thus faster movement and longer simulated squall lines. Failure of the Stony Brook University‐YLin scheme in capturing the squall line was identified to be related to the turnoff of rain evaporation once environmental relative humidity is larger than 90%. With modifications of rain evaporation calculation and saturation adjustment method, the scheme is able to simulate this squall line reasonably well.
Possible ENSO Influences on the Northwestern Tibetan Plateau Revealed by Annually Resolved Ice Core Records
Authors: Yang Xiaoxin , Yao Tandong , Deji  , Zhao Huabiao , Xu Baiqing
Published: March 2018

Two annually resolved ice core records, one drilled on Mutztagata (7,000 m above sea level) on the western slope (dated 1952–2002) and the other drilled on Kuokuosele (5,600 m above sea level) on the southwestern slope (dated 1900–2010) of the Pamir Plateau of the northwestern Tibetan Plateau (TP), were selected to study possible El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) influences on the northwestern TP. δ18O at KKSL was more enriched, though both records varied in phase. Eight of the 10 noticeably strong El Niño events since 1955 corresponded to δ18O depletions in both ice core records, which were followed by δ18O enrichment. Atmospheric circulation indices, including water vapor flux and divergence, had a coincidence of a positive Indian Ocean Dipole mode with El Niño events, which contributed to the northward transport of southerly flows from the western Indian Ocean; its convergence with midlatitude wind flows at high levels depleted δ18O levels. The meridional shift in the Asian‐Pacific subtropical high induced by latent heat release due to precipitation in the northwestern Pacific was found to play an important role in initiating convergence. A statistical analysis confirmed the significant correlations in δ18O with the ENSO index and tropical and subtropical summer monsoon circulations. We noted that the dominant circulation pattern over the northwestern TP was characterized by a midlatitude flow regime that had a teleconnection with tropical sea surface temperatures. Therefore, ENSO is one of a variety of influences on ice core δ18O on the TP.
Is Black Carbon an Unimportant Ice‐Nucleating Particle in Mixed‐Phase Clouds?
Authors: Vergara‐Temprado Jesús , Holden Mark A. , Orton Thomas R. , O'Sullivan Daniel , Umo Nsikanabasi S. , Browse Jo , Reddington Carly , Baeza‐Romero María Teresa , Jones Jenny M. , Lea‐Langton Amanda , Williams Alan , Carslaw Ken S. , Murray Benjamin J.
Published: March 2018

It has been hypothesized that black carbon (BC) influences mixed‐phase clouds by acting as an ice‐nucleating particle (INP). However, the literature data for ice nucleation by BC immersed in supercooled water are extremely varied, with some studies reporting that BC is very effective at nucleating ice, whereas others report no ice‐nucleating ability. Here we present new experimental results for immersion mode ice nucleation by BC from two contrasting fuels (n‐decane and eugenol). We observe no significant heterogeneous nucleation by either sample. Using a global aerosol model, we quantify the maximum relative importance of BC for ice nucleation when compared with K‐feldspar and marine organic aerosol acting as INP. Based on the upper limit from our laboratory data, we show that BC contributes at least several orders of magnitude less INP than feldspar and marine organic aerosol. Representations of its atmospheric ice‐nucleating ability based on older laboratory data produce unrealistic results when compared against ambient observations of INP. Since BC is a complex material, it cannot be unambiguously ruled out as an important INP species in all locations at all times. Therefore, we use our model to estimate a range of values for the density of active sites that BC particles must have to be relevant for ice nucleation in the atmosphere. The estimated values will guide future work on BC, defining the required sensitivity of future experimental studies.
Comparison of Two Satellite‐Based Evapotranspiration Models of the Nagqu River Basin of the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zou Mijun , Zhong Lei , Ma Yaoming , Hu Yuanyuan , Huang Ziyu , Xu Kepiao , Feng Lu
Published: March 2018

Evapotranspiration (ET) is one of the major uncertain components of the energy and water cycle and was derived for the Nagqu River Basin based on remote sensing data and atmospheric surface layer observations under cloudless conditions. Two process‐based models were used to determine the ET: a Priestley‐Taylor (PT)‐based model and a topographical enhanced surface energy balance system (TESEBS) model. Improved broadband albedo, downward shortwave radiation flux, and reconstructed normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) were coupled into the TESEBS model and PT‐based model to estimate the actual ET. The atmospheric surface layer meteorological data, SPOT Vegetation (VGT) data, and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer data were used as inputs for 10‐day ET calculations. The model‐estimated results were compared with ground truths calculated via the combinatory method. The results indicated that the ET determined by both models well fit the actual ET, with correlation coefficients (R) of 0.88 and 0.82, respectively. However, the TESEBS model showed a better performance than the PT model, with a lower mean bias error (−0.02 mm/hr) and lower root–mean‐square error (0.08 mm/hr). Although the PT model is computationally simple and requires few parameters, the strong weighting of the NDVI may lead to some overestimations, especially during the growing season.
Scale‐Aware and Definition‐Aware Evaluation of Modeled Near‐Surface Precipitation Frequency Using CloudSat Observations
Authors: Kay Jennifer E. , L'Ecuyer Tristan , Pendergrass Angeline , Chepfer Helene , Guzman Rodrigo , Yettella Vineel
Published: March 2018

CloudSat's 94‐GHz Cloud Profiling Radar provides unique near‐global observations of precipitation frequency and intensity. Here CloudSat‐based diagnostics for near‐surface precipitation frequency are implemented in publicly available software that is widely used for climate model evaluation. The new diagnostics are “definition aware” and “scale aware.” As a result, the diagnostics enable robust assessment of modeled near‐surface precipitation frequency at a range of intensity classes. The new diagnostics are used to evaluate precipitation frequency in a state‐of‐the‐art climate model, the Community Earth System Model version 1 (CESM1). CESM1 rains and snows too frequently, a bias that is especially pronounced for light rain. Conversely, while rare in both observations and CESM1, the heaviest rainfall events occur too infrequently in CESM1. Though the spatial distribution of snowfall events matches observations well, CESM1 also exhibits excessive snow frequency biases. Despite these biases, projected CESM1 changes in reflectivity‐based diagnostics provide interesting insights into what a future 94‐GHz radar could detect in a warmer world. With 3 °C of global warming, a future CloudSat‐class mission would detect substantial conversion of snow to rain at midlatitudes, a narrowing of the Tropical Pacific rain belt, increased light rain in subtropics, and increased snow frequency in polar regions. The future CESM1 simulations also provide evidence that present‐day spatial and magnitude biases imprint themselves on precipitation frequency changes. In summary, new precipitation frequency diagnostics for a range of precipitation intensities robustly expose climate model biases and inform expectations for observable future precipitation changes in a warming world.