bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temperature and VOC concentration as controlling factors for chemical composition of alpha-pinene derived secondary organic aerosol
Authors: Jensen Louise N. , Canagaratna Manjula R. , Kristensen Kasper , Quéléver Lauriane L. J. , Rosati Bernadette , Teiwes Ricky , Glasius Marianne , Pedersen Henrik B. , Ehn Mikael , Bilde Merete
Published: February 2020

Abstract. This work investigates the individual and combined effects of temperature and volatile organic compound precursor concentration on the chemical composition of particles formed in the dark ozonolysis of α-pinene. All experiments were conducted in a 5 m3 Teflon chamber at an initial ozone concentration of 100 ppb and α-pinene concentrations of 10 ppb and 50 ppb, respectively, at constant temperatures of 20 °C, 0 °C, or −15 °C, and at changing temperatures (ramps) from −15 °C to 20 °C and from 20 °C to −15 °C. The chemical composition of the particles was probed using a High-Resolution Time-of-Flight Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS). A four-factor solution of a Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) analysis of combined HR-ToF-AMS data from experiments conducted under different conditions is presented. The PMF analysis as well as elemental composition analysis of individual experiments show that secondary organic aerosol particles with the highest oxidation level are formed from the lowest initial α-pinene concentration (10 ppb) and at the highest temperature (20 °C). Higher initial α-pinene concentration (50 ppb) and/or lower temperature (0 °C or −15 °C) result in lower oxidation level of the molecules contained in the particles. With respect to carbon oxidation state, particles formed at 0 °C are more comparable to particles formed at −15 °C than to those formed at 20 °C. A remarkable observation is that changes in temperature during or after particle formation result in only minor changes in the elemental composition of the particles. The temperature at which aerosol particle formation is initiated thus seems to be a critical parameter for the particle elemental composition. Comparison of the AMS derived estimates of the content of organic acids in the particles based on m/z 44 in the spectra show good agreement with results from off-line molecular analysis of particle filter samples collected from the same experiments. While higher temperatures are associated with a decrease in the absolute mass concentrations of organic acids (R-COOH) and organic acid functionalities (-COOH), the organic acid functionalities account for an increasing fraction of the measured SOA mass at higher temperatures.
Estimation of cloud optical thickness, single scattering albedo and effective droplet radius using a shortwave radiative closure study in Payerne
Authors: Aebi Christine , Gröbner Julian , Kazadzis Stelios , Vuilleumier Laurent , Gkikas Antonis , Kämpfer Niklaus
Published: February 2020

Abstract. We have used a method based on ground-based solar radiation measurements and radiative transfer models (RTMs) in order to estimate the following cloud optical properties: cloud optical thickness (COT), cloud single scattering albedo (SSAc) and effective droplet radius (reff). The method is based on the minimisation of the difference between modelled and measured downward shortwave radiation (DSR). The optical properties are estimated for more than 3000 stratus–altostratus (St–As) and 206 cirrus–cirrostratus (Ci–Cs) measurements during 2013–2017, at the Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN) station in Payerne, Switzerland. The RTM libRadtran is used to simulate the total DSR as well as its direct and diffuse components. The model inputs of additional atmospheric parameters are either ground- or satellite-based measurements. The cloud cases are identified by the use of an all-sky cloud camera. For the low- to mid-level cloud class St–As, 95 % of the estimated cloud optical thickness values using total DSR measurements in combination with a RTM, herein abbreviated as COTDSR, are between 12 and 92 with a geometric mean and standard deviation of 33.8 and 1.7, respectively. The comparison of these COTDSR values with COTBarnard values retrieved from an independent empirical equation results in a mean difference of -1.2±2.7 and is thus within the method uncertainty. However, there is a larger mean difference of around 18 between COTDSR and COT values derived from MODIS level-2 (L2), Collection 6.1 (C6.1) data (COTMODIS). The estimated reff (from liquid water path and COTDSR) for St–As are between 2 and 20 µm. For the high-level cloud class Ci–Cs, COTDSR is derived considering the direct radiation, and 95 % of the COTDSR values are between 0.32 and 1.40. For Ci–Cs, 95 % of the SSAc values are estimated to be between 0.84 and 0.99 using the diffuse radiation. The COT for Ci–Cs is also estimated from data from precision filter radiometers (PFRs) at various wavelengths (COTPFR). The herein presented method could be applied and validated at other stations with direct and diffuse radiation measurements.
Explicit and consistent aerosol correction for visible wavelength satellite cloud and nitrogen dioxide retrievals based on optical properties from a global aerosol analysis
Authors: Vasilkov Alexander , Krotkov Nickolay , Yang Eun-Su , Lamsal Lok , Joiner Joanna , Castellanos Patricia , Fasnacht Zachary , Spurr Robert
Published: February 2020

Abstract. We discuss an explicit and consistent aerosol correction for cloud and NO2 retrievals that are based on the mixed Lambertian-equivalent reflectivity (MLER) concept. We apply the approach to data from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) for a case study over norththeast Asia. The cloud algorithm reports an effective cloud pressure, also known as cloud optical centroid pressure (OCP), from oxygen dimer (O2–O2) absorption at 477 nm after determining an effective cloud fraction (ECF) at 466 nm. The retrieved cloud products are then used as inputs to the standard OMI NO2 algorithm. A geometry-dependent Lambertian-equivalent reflectivity (GLER), which is a proxy of surface bidirectional reflectance, is used for the ground reflectivity in our implementation of the MLER approach. The current standard OMI cloud and NO2 algorithms implicitly account for aerosols by treating them as non-absorbing particulate scatters within the cloud retrieval. To explicitly account for aerosol effects, we use a model of aerosol optical properties from a global aerosol assimilation system and radiative transfer computations. This approach allows us to account for aerosols within the OMI cloud and NO2 algorithms with relatively small changes. We compare the OMI cloud and NO2 retrievals with implicit and explicit aerosol corrections over our study area.
CHLSOC: the Chilean Soil Organic Carbon database, a multi-institutional collaborative effort
Authors: Pfeiffer Marco , Padarian José , Osorio Rodrigo , Bustamante Nelson , Olmedo Guillermo Federico , Guevara Mario , Aburto Felipe , Albornoz Francisco , Antilén Monica , Araya Elías , Arellano Eduardo , Barret Maialen , Barrera Juan , Boeckx Pascal , Briceño Margarita , Bunning Sally , Cabrol Lea , Casanova Manuel , Cornejo Pablo , Corradini Fabio , Curaqueo Gustavo , Doetterl Sebastian , Duran Paola , Escudey Mauricio , Espinoza Angelina , Francke Samuel , Fuentes Juan Pablo , Fuentes Marcel , Gajardo Gonzalo , García Rafael , Gallaud Audrey , Galleguillos Mauricio , Gomez Andrés , Hidalgo Marcela , Ivelic-Sáez Jorge , Mashalaba Lwando , Matus Francisco , Meza Francisco , Mora Maria de la Luz , Mora Jorge , Muñoz Cristina , Norambuena Pablo , Olivera Carolina , Ovalle Carlos , Panichini Marcelo , Pauchard Aníbal , Pérez-Quezada Jorge F. , Radic Sergio , Ramirez José , Riveras Nicolás , Ruiz Germán , Salazar Osvaldo , Salgado Iván , Seguel Oscar , Sepúlveda Maria , Sierra Carlos , Tapia Yasna , Tapia Francisco , Toledo Balfredo , Torrico José Miguel , Valle Susana , Vargas Ronald , Wolff Michael , Zagal Erick
Published: February 2020

Abstract. A critical aspect of predicting soil organic carbon (SOC) concentrations is
the lack of available soil information; where information on soil
characteristics is available, it is usually focused on regions of high
agricultural interest. To date, in Chile, a large proportion of the SOC
data have been collected in areas of intensive agricultural or forestry use;
however, vast areas beyond these forms of land use have few or no soil data
available. Here we present a new SOC database for the country, which is the result of
an unprecedented national effort under the framework of the Global Soil
Partnership. This partnership has helped build the largest database of SOC
to date in Chile, named the Chilean Soil Organic Carbon database (CHLSOC),
comprising 13 612 data points compiled from numerous sources, including
unpublished and difficult-to-access data. The database will allow users to
fill spatial gaps where no SOC estimates were publicly available previously.
Presented values of SOC range from 6×10-5 % to 83.3 %,
reflecting the variety of ecosystems that exist in Chile. The database has the potential to inform and test current models that predict
SOC stocks and dynamics at larger spatial scales, thus enabling benefits
from the richness of geochemical, topographic and climatic variability in
Chile. The database is freely available to registered users at
https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/NMYS3 (Pfeiffer et al., 2019b) under the
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License.
Drivers of nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics in a groundwater-fed urban catchment revealed by high frequency monitoring
Authors: Yu Liang , Rozemeijer Joachim C. , Broers Hans Peter , van Breukelen Boris M. , Middelburg Jack J. , Ouboter Maarten , van der Velde Ype
Published: February 2020

Abstract. Eutrophication of water bodies has been a problem causing severe degradation of water quality in cities. To gain mechanistic understanding of the temporal dynamics of nitrogen and phosphorus in a groundwater fed low-lying urban polder, we applied high frequency monitoring in Geuzenveld, a polder in the city of Amsterdam. The high frequency monitoring equipment was installed at the pumping station where water leaves the polder. From 2016 March to 2017 June, total phosphorus (TP), ammonium (NH4), turbidity, electrical conductivity (EC), and water temperature were measured at intervals smaller than 20 minutes. This paper discusses the results at three time scales: annual scale, rain event scale, and single pumping event scale. Mixing of upwelling groundwater and runoff was the dominant hydrological process and governed the temporal pattern of the EC, while N and P fluxes from the polder were also significantly regulated by primary production and iron transformations. The mixing of groundwater and runoff water governed water quality through variation of the intensity and duration of the events. For NH4, the dominant form of N in surface water originating from groundwater seepage, we observed low concentrations during the algae growing season, while concentrations were governed by mixing of groundwater and precipitation inputs in the late autumn and winter. The depletion of dissolved NH4 in spring suggests uptake by primary producers, consistent with high chlorophyll-a, O2, and suspended solids during this period. Total P and turbidity were high during winter, due to the release of reduced iron and P from anoxic sediment to the water column. Rapid Fe2+ oxidation in the water column is the major cause of turbidity. In the other seasons, P is retained in the sediment by iron oxides. Nitrogen is exported from the polder to the downstream water bodies throughout the whole year, mostly in the form of NH4, but as organic N in spring. P leaves the polder mainly during winter, primarily associated with Fe(OH)3 colloids and as dissolved P. Based on this new understanding of the dynamics of N and P in this low lying urban catchment, it is possible to formulate management strategies that can effectively control and reduce eutrophication situation in urban polders and receiving downstream waters.
Exploring the added value of a long-term multidisciplinary dataset in drought research – a drought catalogue for southwestern Germany dating back to 1801
Authors: Erfurt Mathilde , Skiadaresis Georgios , Tijdeman Erik , Blauhut Veit , Bauhus Jürgen , Glaser Rüdiger , Schwarz Julia , Tegel Willy , Stahl Kerstin
Published: February 2020

Abstract. Droughts are multidimensional hazards that can lead to substantial environmental and societal impacts. To understand causes and impacts, multiple variables need to be considered. Many studies identified past drought events and investigated drought propagation from meteorological droughts via soil moisture to hydrological droughts and some studies have included the impacts of these different types of drought. Here, we analyse different droughts and their impacts in a regional context using a multidisciplinary approach and compiled a comprehensive and long-term data set to place recent drought events into a historical context. We assembled a dataset of drought indices and recorded impacts over the last 218 years in southwestern Germany. Meteorological and river-flow indices were used to assess the natural drought dynamics. In addition, tree-ring data and recorded impacts were utilized to investigate drought events from an ecological and social perspective. Since 1801, 20 extreme droughts were identified as common extreme events when applying the different indicators. All events were associated with societal impacts. Our multi-dataset approach provides insights into similarities but also the unique aspects of different drought indices and highlights the unprecedented frequency and severity of droughts in the 21st century.
Anthropogenic climate change and glacier lake outburst flood risk: local and global drivers and responsibilities for the case of Lake Palcacocha, Peru
Authors: Huggel Christian , Carey Mark , Emmer Adam , Frey Holger , Walker-Crawford Noah , Wallimann-Helmer Ivo
Published: February 2020

Abstract. Evidence of observed negative impacts on natural and human systems from anthropogenic climate change is increasing. However, human systems in particular are dynamic and influenced by multiple drivers, and hence identifying an anthropogenic climate signal is challenging. Here we analyze the case of lake Palcacocha in the Andes of Peru which offers a representative model for other glacier lakes and related risks around the world because it features a dynamic evolution of flood risk driven by physical and socio-economic factors and processes. Furthermore, it is the object of a prominent climate litigation case where a local Peruvian citizen sued a large German energy producer over risk of flooding from lake Palcacocha. Adopting a conceptual model of cascading impacts and multiple drivers of risk we first study climatic and other geophysical drivers of flood risk. We find that an anthropogenic signal related to greenhouse gas emissions is traceable. In parallel, flood risk has been strongly shaped (and increased) by interacting socio-economic, institutional and cultural processes over the past decades. The case raises important questions of responsibility for flood risk of global and local agents which, however, are difficult to address in cases like Palcacocha where we reveal a complex network of interlinked global, national and local drivers. Following from this we outline a normative framework with a differentiated perspective on responsibility, implying that global emitters commit to support strengthening capacities in affected regions and localities, and local institutions and societies engage in local risk reduction measures and policies.
Making sense of Rwanda’s remarkable vaccine coverage success
Authors: Robson Julia , Bao James , Wang Alissa , McAlister Heather , Uwizihiwe Jean-Paul , Sayinzoga Felix , Sibomana Hassan , Koswin Kirstyn , Wong Joseph , Zlotkin Stanley
Published: February 2020

After the Rwandan genocide in 1994, vaccine coverage was close to zero. Several factors, including extreme poverty, rural populations and mountainous geography affect Rwandans’ access to immunizations. Post-conflict, various other factors were identified, including the lack of immunization program infrastructure, and lack of population-level knowledge and demand. In recent years, Rwanda is one of few countries that has demonstrated a sustained increase to near universal vaccination coverage, with a current rate of 98%. Our aim was to ask why and how Rwanda achieved this success so that it could potentially be replicated in other countries.Literature searches of scientific and grey literature, as well as other background research, was conducted from September 2016 through August 2017, including primary fieldwork in Rwanda. We determined that four factors have had a major influence on the Rwandan vaccine program, including strong central government leadership (political will), a culture of accountability, local ownership and a strong health value chain. Rwanda’s national immunization program is rooted in a political landscape shaped by unique aspects of Rwandan history and culture. Rwanda has a strong central government and a hierarchical chain of command supported by decentralized implementation bodies. A culture of accountability transcends the entire health system and there is local-level ownership of the immunization program, including the role of engaged community health workers and a strong health information system. Together, these four factors likely account for Rwanda’s vaccination coverage success.
Examination of Preservice Teachers’ Perceptions about Evolution Course
Authors: Yakar Zeha
Published: February 2020

This is a study that explored 117 Turkish preservice science teachers’ views about evolution course. The data for the study were collected through a questionnaire that has open-ended questions. The preservice science teachers answered the questions by filling out the questionnaire at the beginning and end of the evolution course. Most of the preservice science teachers stated that they had many misconceptions and prejudice about the theory of evolution before taking this course. However, after taking it, they noticed that the theory of evolution is not only about human ancestors but it is related to all living things. Another important result of this study, as they have stated many times, evolution was a very interesting theory for them, and since meeting the theory, they had been asking too many questions to themselves and wondering and doing lots of research on it. All these results of this study show that evolution course was successful in engaging the preservice science teachers in evolution and enhancing their learning.
Barnehager og høytidsmarkering En gjennomgang og diskusjon av begrunnelser knyttet til manglende markering av ikke-kristne høytider
Authors: Toft Audun , Rosland Kristine Toft
Published: February 2020

This article is based on a 2010/2011 survey on religious festivals in kindergartens in the Norwegian region Helgeland. We discovered that only holidays of Christian origin were marked, despite it being a curricular requirement that kindergartens mark festivals from all religions represented among the children. In this article, we examine and discuss the reasons given. We find that kindergarten teachers are uneasy marking non-Christian festivals. In addition, they also claim that some parents of kindergarteners do not want their festivals marked. We apply migration theory in the discussion, and conclude that not marking the festivals of children from religious minorities is unfortunate for both minority and majority children. Minority children lose opportunities of positive identification and recognition. Majority children are precluded from learning about other religious festivals than their own and thereby from expanding their cultural repertoire. We also find that parent involvement is a key factor in succeeding in this area, as one of the main obstacles for our informants is the lack of personal relationship to the festivals. They lack the personal resources to give the children an authentic experience when it comes to non-Christian festivals.
Bokmeldinger
Authors: Lerheim Birgitte , Hirsch Asbjørn
Published: February 2020

Trusopplæring og barnetru sett frå Sinsen.Tom Erik Hamre, Erling Lundeby og Arne Redse (red.). 2010. Barnetro og trosopplæring. Festskrift til Egil Sjaastad. Kyrkjefag Profil nr. 22. Oslo: FagbokforlagetHellemo, Geir (red.) (2014): Gudstjeneste på ny. Oslo: Universitetsforlaget.
Die Koppelung von Jugendarrest und bedingter Jugendstrafe als sog. "Warnschussarrest" gem. § 16a JGG
Authors: Schmidt Julia
Published: February 2020

As of 7 March 2013, the possibility of combining juvenile detention and a suspended juvenile sentence as regulated in § 16a JGG was added to the system of sanctions under juvenile criminal law. Based on the central arguments in favour and against the so-called “Warnschussarrest”, the author analyses the regulation of § 16a JGG on a normative and empirical level. Specifically, the legal requirements in § 16a JGG and its compatibility with the sanction regime of the JGG are discussed. The focus is on a broad-based empirical study of the implementation in Bavaria, which examines the status quo of § 16a JGG by means of a detailed case analysis, a survey conducted with Bavarian juvenile court judges and interviews with experts in the relevant juvenile detention centres. It also considers the question of recidivism after such a conviction. The author concludes the work with a proposal on how § 16a JGG can be improved.
Die kartellrechtliche Beurteilung von Preisgleitklauseln als Ausprägung von Hub & Spoke Verhältnissen
Authors: Gayger Anna
Published: February 2020

This dissertation is devoted to assessing price adjustment clauses in European competition law. In practice, such clauses often require the disclosure of sensitive market information by competitors to a common contractual partner. This disclosure of information can be a form of hub-and-spoke collusion. The extent to which a price adjustment clause falls under the prohibition of cartels in Art. 101 of the TFEU, and thus whether an agreement without any contact between competitors is possible, depends in particular on the definition of a concerted practice. Whether accidental and unintentional participation in the exchange of information should also fall within the scope of Art. 101 (1) of the TFEU is subject to discussion. The author argues for a nuanced assessment of conscious and unconscious indirect information exchange.
Stand Where You Stand on Omelas
Authors: Burgess Olivia ,   Society for Ethics Across the Curriculum
Published: February 2020

Science fiction is gaining academic recognition as a tool for teaching ethics and engaging potentially resistant students in communication and critical thinking, but there are not many lesson plans available for how to implement science fiction in the classroom. I hope to address that gap by sharing a successful lesson plan I developed while teaching a first-year composition and ethics course at the Colorado School of Mines. “Stand Where You Stand on Omelas” combines writing, communication, and ethical decision making by asking students to defend what they would do as a citizen in Ursula K. Le Guin’s short story, “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas,” where a young child’s torment ensures the prosperity and happiness of society as a whole.
Surfactant-assisted microwave synthesis of carbon supported MnO2 nanocomposites and their application for electrochemical supercapacitors
Authors: Jablonskienė Jolita , Šimkūnaitė Dijana , Vaičiūnienė Jūratė , Selskis Algirdas , Drabavičius Audrius , Jasulaitienė Vitalija , Tamašauskaitė-Tamašiūnaitė Loreta , Norkus Eugenijus
Published: February 2020

MnO2/C nanocomposites have been prepared using a simple onestep microwave heating method by applying different concentrations of cationic surfactant – cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The morphology and composition of the prepared MnO2/C nanocomposites have been investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The electrochemical performance of the prepared nanocomposites has been analysed using cyclic voltammetry. It was found that a high specific capacitance (Cs) of 742 F g−1 at a scan rate of 10 mV s−1 in a 1 M Na2SO4 solution has been obtained for the MnO2/C nanocomposite that has the mass loading of 0.140 mg cm−2 and has been synthesized in the absence of CTAB. Meanwhile, the application of CTAB allowed the increase in the mass loading of MnO2 in the nanocomposites. In the presence of CTAB, the highest value of 654 F g−1 at a scan rate of 10 mV s−1 has been obtained for MnO2/C that has the mass loading of 0.570 mg cm−2. This result confirmed a good performance of the prepared MnO2/C nanocomposites as the electrode material for supercapacitors.
Towards detection and classification of microscopic foraminifera using transfer learning
Authors: Johansen Thomas Haugland , Sørensen Steffen Aagaard
Published: February 2020

Foraminifera are single-celled marine organisms, which may have a planktic or benthic lifestyle. During their life cycle they construct shells consisting of one or more chambers, and these shells remain as fossils in marine sediments. Classifying and counting these fossils have become an important tool in e.g. oceanography and climatology.Currently the process of identifying and counting microfossils is performed manually using a microscope and is very time consuming. Developing methods to automate this process is therefore considered important across a range of research fields.The first steps towards developing a deep learning model that can detect and classify microscopic foraminifera are proposed. The proposed model is based on a VGG16 model that has been pretrained on the ImageNet dataset, and adapted to the foraminifera task using transfer learning. Additionally, a novel image dataset consisting of microscopic foraminifera and sediments from the Barents Sea region is introduced.
Controlling Blood Glucose For Patients With Type 1 DiabetesUsing Deep Reinforcement Learning – The Influence OfChanging The Reward Function
Authors: Tejedor Hernandez Miguel Angel , Myhre Jonas Nordhaug
Published: February 2020

Reinforcement learning (RL) is a promising direction in adaptive and personalized type 1 diabetes (T1D) treatment. However, the reward function – a most critical component in RL – is a component that is in most cases hand designed and often overlooked. In this paper we show that different reward functions can dramatically influence the final result when using RL to treat in-silico T1D patients.
Evaluating the Robustness of Defense Mechanisms based on AutoEncoder Reconstructions against Carlini-Wagner Adversarial Attacks
Authors: Hlihor Petru , Volpi Riccardo , Malagò Luigi
Published: February 2020

Adversarial Examples represent a serious problem affecting the security of machine learning systems. In this paper we focus on a defense mechanism based on reconstructing images before classification using an autoencoder. We experiment on several types of autoencoders and evaluate the impact of strategies such as injecting noise in the input during training and in the latent space at inference time.We tested the models on adversarial examples generated with the Carlini-Wagner attack, in a white-box scenario and on the stacked system composed by the autoencoder and the classifier.
Iroki: automatic customization and visualization of phylogenetic trees
Authors: Moore Ryan M. , Harrison Amelia O. , McAllister Sean M. , Polson Shawn W. , Wommack K. Eric
Published: February 2020

Phylogenetic trees are an important analytical tool for evaluating community diversity and evolutionary history. In the case of microorganisms, the decreasing cost of sequencing has enabled researchers to generate ever-larger sequence datasets, which in turn have begun to fill gaps in the evolutionary history of microbial groups. However, phylogenetic analyses of these types of datasets create complex trees that can be challenging to interpret. Scientific inferences made by visual inspection of phylogenetic trees can be simplified and enhanced by customizing various parts of the tree. Yet, manual customization is time-consuming and error prone, and programs designed to assist in batch tree customization often require programming experience or complicated file formats for annotation. Iroki, a user-friendly web interface for tree visualization, addresses these issues by providing automatic customization of large trees based on metadata contained in tab-separated text files. Iroki’s utility for exploring biological and ecological trends in sequencing data was demonstrated through a variety of microbial ecology applications in which trees with hundreds to thousands of leaf nodes were customized according to extensive collections of metadata. The Iroki web application and documentation are available at https://www.iroki.net or through the VIROME portal http://virome.dbi.udel.edu. Iroki’s source code is released under the MIT license and is available at https://github.com/mooreryan/iroki.
Effect of PP Nanocomposite Multi-layered Film on Physicochemical Properties of Ready-To-Cook (RTC) Idli Batter and Prepared Idli Cake
Authors: Gaikwad P. S. , Yadav B. K. , Anandakumar S. , Loganathan M. , Shanmugasundaram S.
Published: February 2020

Aim: The current study focuses on the effect of PP nanocomposite multi-layered film on physicochemical properties of stored idli batter and prepared idli cakes.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Food Packaging and System Development at Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India, between Aug 2018 and Dec 2019.

Methodology: The developed PP nanocomposite multi-layered film composed with depositing silicon dioxide (SiO2) on polypropylene (PP) film (0.010 mm) and attached with ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH 32%) film (0.066 mm). The Physico-chemical properties of developed multi-layered and commercial PP film stored idli batter with different blend ratios of rice to black gram (3:1 and 4:1) were evaluated in terms of pH, percent titrable acidity (% TA), colour value (∆E), viscosity (cP) and volume measurement (ml). Idli cake prepared with batter stored in multi-layered film and evaluated in terms of colour, texture and percent pore characteristics. The percent pore presents in per square inches of prepared idli cake with different blend ratios and fermentation time were analysed using the grayscale image in MATLAB.

Results and Discussion: The pH value of stored batter ranges from 6.7 to 4.5 or lower, to reach pH below 4.5 or lower commercially stored batter took 24 h and batter stored in the multi-layered film took 36 h at ambient temperature. The multi-layered stored batter showed better results of physicochemical properties in terms of fermentation time. Idli cake prepared with 3:1 blend ratio showed good results in terms of textural properties with compared to 4:1 blend ratio. Idli cake prepared with 3:1 blend ratio showed more pore percentage (21.88-36.80%) as compared to 4:1 blend ratio (18-32.98%) in per square inch. Due to higher barrier properties of the multi-layered film, the bacterial count increases at a slow rate and help to extend the shelf life of packaged batter more than 30 h at ambient temperature.
Novel MS vital sign: multi‐sensor captures upper and lower limb dysfunction
Authors: Akhbardeh Alireza , Arjona Jennifer K. , Krysko Kristen M. , Nourbakhsh Bardia , Gourraud Pierre Antoine , Graves Jennifer S.
Published: February 2020

Objective

To create a novel neurological vital sign and reliably capture MS‐related limb disability in less than 5 min.

Methods

Consecutive patients meeting the 2010 MS diagnostic criteria and healthy controls were offered enrollment. Participants completed finger and foot taps wearing the MYO‐band© (accelerometer, gyroscope, and surface electromyogram sensors). Signal processing was performed to extract spatiotemporal features from raw sensor data. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) assessed intertest reproducibility. Spearman correlation and multivariable regression methods compared extracted features to physician‐ and patient‐reported disability outcomes. Partial least squares regression identified the most informative extracted textural features.

Results

Baseline data for 117 participants with MS (EDSS 1.0–7.0) and 30 healthy controls were analyzed. ICCs for final selected features ranged from 0.80 to 0.87. Time‐based features distinguished cases from controls (P = 0.002). The most informative combination of extracted features from all three sensors strongly correlated with physician EDSS (finger taps rs = 0.77, P < 0.0001; foot taps rs = 0.82, P < 0.0001) and had equally strong associations with patient‐reported outcomes (WHODAS, finger taps rs = 0.82, P < 0.0001; foot taps rs = 0.82, P < 0.0001). Associations remained with multivariable modeling adjusted for age and sex.

Conclusions

Extracted features from the multi‐sensor demonstrate striking correlations with gold standard outcomes. Ideal for future generalizability, the assessments take only a few minutes, can be performed by nonclinical personnel, and wearing the band is nondisruptive to routine practice. This novel paradigm holds promise as a new neurological vital sign.
Low Incidence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Adverse Events in Adalimumab Clinical Trials Across Nine Different Diseases
Authors: Elewaut Dirk , Braun Jürgen , Anderson Jaclyn K. , Arikan Dilek , Chen Su , Hojnik Maja , De Craemer Ann-Sophie , Curtis Jeffrey R.
Published: February 2020

Objective

Adalimumab is approved for treatment of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Thus, we postulated that exacerbation or new‐onset of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) would be rare events in patients treated with adalimumab for non‐IBD indications. The objective was to evaluate the incidence of IBD adverse events (AEs) across adalimumab trials.

Methods

IBD AE rates in 75 adalimumab clinical trials in rheumatoid arthritis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, pediatric enthesitis‐related arthritis, uveitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, adult and pediatric psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, nonpsoriatic arthritis peripheral spondyloarthritis (SpA), axial SpA, including nonradiographic axial SpA, and ankylosing spondylitis, were analyzed. Search terms for IBD AEs (new onset or worsening/flare) included IBD, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative proctitis.

Results

This analysis included 24,114 patients, representing 36,508 patient‐years of adalimumab exposure. The overall rate of IBD AEs in adalimumab‐treated patients was 0.1 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.1–0.2)/100 patient‐years (41 events), ranging from no events (psoriatic arthritis, uveitis, and pediatric trials) to 0.8 (95% CI 0.2–2.2)/100 patient‐years in peripheral SpA. The rate of IBD in axial SpA was 0.6 (95% CI 0.4–1.0)/100 patient‐years. During placebo‐controlled trials, the overall IBD rate was 0.1 (95% CI 0.0–0.3)/100 patient‐years for adalimumab groups (3 events in 6,781 patients; 2,752 patient‐years of exposure) and 0.1 (95% CI 0.0–0.4)/100 patient‐years for placebo groups (1 event in 3,493 patients; 1,246 patient‐years of exposure). IBD rates in axial SpA were 0.5 (95% CI 0.1–1.4)/100 patient‐years for adalimumab and 0.6 (95% CI 0.0–3.1)/100 patient‐years for placebo.

Conclusion

The rates of IBD AEs in adalimumab clinical trials were generally low across the evaluated diseases, including axial SpA; all events occurred in adult patients.
Large‐Size, Porous, Ultrathin NiCoP Nanosheets for Efficient Electro/Photocatalytic Water Splitting
Authors: Lv Xinding , Li Xitao , Yang Chen , Ding Xiaoqing , Zhang Yifan , Zheng Yan‐Zhen , Li Siqi , Sun Xiangnan , Tao Xia
Published: February 2020

Porous ultrathin 2D catalysts are attracting great attention in the field of electro/photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and overall water splitting. Herein, a universal pH‐controlled wet‐chemical strategy is reported followed by thermal and phosphorization treatment to prepare large‐size, porous and ultrathin bimetallic phosphide (NiCoP) nanosheets, in which graphene oxide is adopted as a template to determine the size of products. The thickness of the resultant NiCoP nanosheets ranges from 3.5 to 12.8 nm via delicately adjusting pH from 7.8 to 8.5. The thickness‐dependent electrocatalytic performance is evidenced experimentally and explained by computational studies. The prepared large‐size ultrathin NiCoP nanosheets show excellent bifunctional electrocatalytic activity for overall water splitting, with low overpotentials of 34.3 mV for HER and 245.0 mV for oxygen evolution reaction, respectively, at 10 mA cm−2. Furthermore, the NiCoP nanosheets exhibit superior photocatalytic HER performance, achieving a high HER rate of 238.2 mmol h−1 g−1 in combination with commonly used photocatalyst CdS, which is far superior to that of Pt/CdS (81.7 mmol h−1 g−1). All these results demonstrate large‐size porous ultrathin NiCoP nanosheets as an efficient and multifunctional electro/photocatalyst for water splitting.
Visible Light‐Responsive Dynamic Biomaterials: Going Deeper and Triggering More
Authors: Rapp Teresa L. , DeForest Cole A.
Published: February 2020

Photoresponsive materials have been widely used in vitro for controlled therapeutic delivery and to direct 4D cell fate. Extension of the approaches into a bodily setting requires use of low‐energy, long‐wavelength light that penetrates deeper into and through complex tissue. This review details recent reports of photoactive small molecules and proteins that absorb visible and/or near‐infrared light, opening the door to exciting new applications in multiplexed and in vivo regulation.
Dynamic Bioinks to Advance Bioprinting
Authors: Morgan Francis L. C. , Moroni Lorenzo , Baker Matthew B.
Published: February 2020

The development of bioinks for bioprinting of cell‐laden constructs remains a challenge for tissue engineering, despite vigorous investigation. Hydrogels to be used as bioinks must fulfill a demanding list of requirements, mainly focused around printability and cell function. Recent advances in the use of supramolecular and dynamic covalent chemistry (DCvC) provide paths forward to develop bioinks. These dynamic hydrogels enable tailorability, higher printing performance, and the creation of more life‐like environments for ultimate tissue maturation. This review focuses on the exploration and benefits of dynamically cross‐linked bioinks for bioprinting, highlighting recent advances, benefits, and challenges in this emerging area. By incorporating internal dynamics, many benefits can be imparted to the material, providing design elements for next generation bioinks.
Shape Control of Lotus Leaf Induced by Surface Submillimeter Texture
Authors: Li Peiliu , Wang Lei , Tang Shousheng , Xing Yan , Zhao Hongbin , Liu Jing
Published: February 2020

Automatic slant of lotus leaf achieving self‐motive unidirectional fluid transport is significant for self‐cleaning, decreasing load, enhancing respiration, and receiving more sunlight, which is the consequence of natural evolution. In this study, the mechanism of the automatic gradual slant process in its development is exposed and this function is successfully replicated. The special distribution of submillimeter papillae (SP) on the leaf surface generates anisotropic deflection and induces the leaf edge to warp asymmetrically. These effects shift the center of gravity, slant the leaf, and bend the petiole gradually, thereby guiding the liquid away from the surface with synergy effect. The behaviors of lotus leaf are realized with stimulus of temperature on artificial lotus leaf. This work uncovers a new theory for shape control of soft materials and opens up new horizons for artificial intelligence, flexible robot, flexible sensor, and membrane manufacture industry.
Gram‐Positive Bacteria Cell Wall Driven Self‐Disassembled Nanovesicles against Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
Authors: An Hong‐Wei , Fei Yue , Yan Tong‐Da , Lu Chu‐Qi , Wang Man‐Di , Ma Teng , Zhao Bo‐Yan , Nie Jin‐Mei , Tseng Hsian‐Rong , Li Li‐Li , Wang Hao
Published: February 2020

In the delivery system, high‐performance targeting and local burst‐releasing of antibiotics enable the enhancement of antipathogen efficacy and reduction of drug‐resistance risk. Bacteria cell wall driven self‐disassembled nanovesicles (BSNs) composed of a dense H‐aggregated cyanine bilayer are herein reported. The nanovesicle displays the trigger‐disassembly and turn‐on near infrared (NIR) fluorescence property activated by Gram‐positive bacteria. Mechanistic studies indicate that the interaction between nanovesicles and lipoteinchoic acid within the bacterial cell wall disrupts nanovesicles and the free cyanine molecules insert into the network of peptidoglycan, which brings recovered fluorescence. Meanwhile, owing to the burst release of the oritavancin antibiotic payload inside the nanovesicle, the minimum inhibitory concentration of oritavancin is significantly reduced by fourfold compared to that of the free one. Intriguingly, this smart nanoantibiotic effectively enhances the defense against methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus both in vitro and in vivo, meanwhile the NIR fluorescence signal enables quantitative bioimaging of the therapuetic outcome.
Multifunctional Polymer Memory via Bi‐Interfacial Topography for Pressure Perception Recognition
Authors: Wang Xiangjing , Zhou Zhe , Ban Chaoyi , Zhang Zepu , Ju Shang , Huang Xiao , Mao Huiwu , Chang Qing , Yin Yuhang , Song Mengya , Cheng Shuai , Ding Yamei , Liu Zhengdong , Ju Ruolin , Xie Linghai , Miao Feng , Liu Juqing , Huang Wei
Published: February 2020

Emerging memory devices, that can provide programmable information recording with tunable resistive switching under external stimuli, hold great potential for applications in data storage, logic circuits, and artificial synapses. Realization of multifunctional manipulation within individual memory devices is particularly important in the More‐than‐Moore era, yet remains a challenge. Here, both rewritable and nonerasable memory are demonstrated in a single stimuli‐responsive polymer diode, based on a nanohole‐nanowrinkle bi‐interfacial structure. Such synergic nanostructure is constructed from interfacing a nanowrinkled bottom graphene electrode and top polymer matrix with nanoholes; and it can be easily prepared by spin coating, which is a low‐cost and high‐yield production method. Furthermore, the resulting device, with ternary and low‐power operation under varied external stimuli, can enable both reversible and irreversible biomimetic pressure recognition memories using a device‐to‐system framework. This work offers both a general guideline to fabricate multifunctional memory devices via interfacial nanostructure engineering and a smart information storage basis for future artificial intelligence.
Rational Construction of Nitrogen‐Doped Hierarchical Dual‐Carbon for Advanced Potassium‐Ion Hybrid Capacitors
Authors: Ruan Jiafeng , Mo Fangjie , Chen Ziliang , Liu Miao , Zheng Shiyou , Wu Renbing , Fang Fang , Song Yun , Sun Dalin
Published: February 2020

Potassium‐ion hybrid capacitors (PIHCs), elaborately integrate the advantages of high output power as well as long lifespan of supercapacitors and the high energy density of batteries, and exhibit great possibilities for the future generations of energy storage devices. The critical next step for future implementation lies in exploring a high‐rate battery‐type anode with an ultra‐stable structure to match the capacitor‐type cathode. Herein, a “dual‐carbon” is constructed, in which a three‐dimensional nitrogen‐doped microporous carbon polyhedron (NMCP) derived from metal‐organic frameworks is tightly wrapped by two‐dimensional reduced graphene oxide (NMCP@rGO). Benefiting from the synergistic effect of the inner NMCP and outer rGO, the NMCP@rGO exhibits a superior K‐ion storage capability with a high reversible capacity of 386 mAh g−1 at 0.05 A g−1 and ultra‐long cycle stability with a capacity of 151.4 mAh g−1 after 6000 cycles at 5.0 A g−1. As expected, the as‐assembled PIHCs with a working voltage as high as 4.2 V present a high energy/power density (63.6 Wh kg−1 at 19 091 W kg−1) and excellent capacity retention of 84.7% after 12 000 cycles. This rational construction of advanced PIHCs with excellent performance opens a new avenue for further application and development.
Cafeteria‐style feeding trials provide new insights into the diet and nutritional strategies of the black snub‐nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus strykeri): Implications for conservation
Authors: Yang Yin , Li Qihua , Garber Paul A. , Grueter Cyril C. , Ren Guopeng , Wang Xinwen , Huang Zhipang , Xiang Zuofu , Xiao Wen , Behie Alison
Published: February 2020

Anthropogenic changes and fragmentation of natural habitats often exert a negative effect on resource availability and distribution, and the nutritional ecology and feeding behavior of nonhuman primates. The goals of this study are to examine food choice and to identify the nutritional profile of foods consumed by the Critically Endangered black snub‐nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus strykeri). To accomplish our study goals, we presented cafeteria‐style feeding trials of fresh food items collected in the home range of wild black snub‐nosed monkeys to the only two captive R. strykeri, and compared the nutritional profiles of the leafy foods (buds, young, and mature leaves, 100 items from 70 plant species) selected with those avoided (54 items from 48 plant species). Overall, the results indicate that captive R. strykeri selected foods that were higher in moisture (Mo; 77.7%), crude protein (CP; 21.2%), total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC; 34.9%), and phosphorus (P; 0.37%) while tending to avoid foods with a neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content of greater than 46.8%. Leaves collected in autumn and selected by the monkeys were characterized by a slightly higher amount of metabolizable energy (ME) than those rejected (1,350 kJ/100 g vs. 1,268 kJ/100 g). In contrast, the protein content of foods collected and consumed during the spring was greater (22.9%) than in autumn (16.4%). Random Forests modeling, an ensemble learning method, indicated that the proportion of Mo, NDF, ME, CP, P, and TNC were among the most important factors in predicting which items were consumed by the captive R. strykeri during spring and autumn. On the basis of the nutritional profile of foods consumed across the two seasons, we identified 18 nutrient‐rich native plant species that we recommend for use in ex‐ and in‐situ conservation management and reforestation programs to provide long‐term access to a nutritionally adequate diet.