bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Single‐Site Gold Catalysts on Hierarchical N‐Doped Porous Noble Carbon for Enhanced Electrochemical Reduction of Nitrogen
Authors: Qin Qing , Heil Tobias , Antonietti Markus , Oschatz Martin
Published: August 2018

Electrocatalytic reduction of nitrogen (N2) at ambient conditions is an alternative strategy to produce ammonia (NH3) to complement the commonly applied Haber–Bosch process. However, the achievement of high Faradaic efficiencies and high NH3 yield is still challenging. Here, Au single sites stabilized on N‐doped porous and highly oxidizing (“noble”) carbon catalysts showing excellent performance in N2 electroreduction are reported. At a potential of −0.2 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode, a stable NH3 yield of 2.32 µg h−1 cm−2 is produced at a Faradaic efficiency of 12.3%. Besides, there is no notable fluctuation of Faradaic efficiency and NH3 yield in six‐cycle test, which indicates good stability. This work opens up new insights to improve N2 fixation performance by introducing catalytically active single sites into noble carbon materials for N2 electroreduction.
Viscosity and Structure of CaO–SiO2–“FeO”–Al2O3–MgO System during Iron‐Extracting Process from Nickel Slag by Aluminum Dross. Part 2: Influence of Al2O3/SiO2 Ratio
Authors: Zhang Guangzong , Wang Nan , Chen Min , Wang Ying
Published: August 2018

Nickel slag can be recycled as one of excellent secondary sources due to valuable iron resource and the thermophysical property of CaO–SiO2–“FeO”–Al2O3–MgO system is significant for the iron‐extracting process by aluminum dross. In the present work, the viscosity and structure evolution of CaO–SiO2–“FeO”–Al2O3–MgO slag system are investigated from 1723 to 1873 K, and the influence of Al2O3/SiO2 ratio is studied under the two “FeO” content conditions of 33.17 and 8.13 wt%, respectively. Experimental results show that the slag system changes from silicates‐based to aluminates‐based with the reduction process. Slag viscosity increases with the increasing Al2O3/SiO2 ratio under the both “FeO” contents. Structure measurement shows that the evolution of slag structure is dependent on the coupling effect of in [SiO4]‐tetrahedra and in [AlO4]‐tetrahedra. The average number of equivalent bridging oxygen (n(BO/T)e) in the slag increases from 1.07 to 1.41, 2.46 to 2.60 with Al2O3/SiO2 ratio at 33.71 and 8.13 wt% “FeO” content, respectively. Additionally, the influence mechanism of Al2O3/SiO2 on viscosity and structure of slag is analyzed from the thermodynamic view and atomic level.
Corporate social responsibility in emerging economies: Investigating firm behavior in the Indian context
Authors: Panda Swati , D'Souza Derrick E. , Blankson Charles
Published: August 2018

Scholars have questioned the appropriateness of using a western‐centric framework to investigate corporate social responsibility (CSR) in emerging economies. This study assesses the appropriateness of using such a framework in one emerging economy—India. More specifically, the drivers of CSR and their impact on firm‐level CSR activity in the Indian context are investigated and compared with those in developed economies. Content analysis of 369 CSR policy statements of publicly traded Indian firms revealed the factors that drive CSR activities of Indian firms are similar to those found in developed economies. However, the ways firms respond to the drivers of CSR are surprisingly different in the Indian context, and these differences can be traced to attributes of the Indian socio‐cultural context. Implications and recommendations for future research conducted in India, and in other emerging economies, are offered.
A compositional analysis by energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence of Iberian copper‐alloy votive figurines from southern Spain (fourth–third centuries BC)
Authors: Roldán García Clodoaldo , Vives‐Ferrándiz Sánchez Jaime
Published: August 2018

Studies of Iberian votive figurines have extended our knowledge of Iberian culture and have provided valuable information both on technological aspects of the metal processing and on social and religious patterns inside these communities. In this study, we present an energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence analysis of the copper alloys of a selection of 32 Iberian votive figurines and two fibulae (fourth–third centuries BC) in the collection of the Museum of Prehistory in Valencia. The collection comprises 98 bronze objects from the Iberian sanctuaries of Collado de los Jardines (Santa Elena) and Altos del Sotillo (Castellar), in Jaén, Spain. The results reveal a diversity of Cu–Sn–Pb alloys among the votive figurines, including copper, leaded copper (Pb > 2 wt.%, Sn <2 wt.%), binary bronzes (Sn >2 wt.%, Pb <2 wt.%), and ternary bronzes (Sn >2 wt.%, Pb >2 wt.%). The analyses of the bronze alloys are compared with those of other regional votive collections dating from the same period.
A 2D Zinc Coordination Polymer Built from the Mono‐deprotonated 4,4′‐Azobis(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazole) Ligand
Authors: Millan Simon , Gil‐Hernández Beatriz , Hastürk Emrah , Schmitz Alexa , Janiak Christoph
Published: August 2018

4,4′‐Azobis(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazole) (H2azbpz) in its mono‐deprotonated form as a pyrazole‐pyrazolate ligand was assembled together with zinc(II) into the two‐dimensional coordination polymer [Zn(Hazbpz)NO3]·1.25DMF with sql‐a topology, constituted by the dinuclear {Zn2(μ‐pz)2(Hpz)2}2+ secondary building unit. The μ3‐ bridging mode of the ligand is in analogy to bridging modes observed for 4‐(4‐pyridyl)pyrazolates ligands. After the removal of the DMF solvent molecules, ethanol can be adsorbed up to a maximum uptake of 276 mg·g–1 at p/p0 = 0.9 in an S‐shaped adsorption isotherm, corresponding to two ethanol molecules per [Zn(Hazbpz)NO3] formula unit. The desorption isotherm reveals that only one EtOH is desorbed until p/p0 = 0.4 and the other one remains hydrogen‐bonded in the framework until very low pressures.
Kaizen and Standardization
Authors: Kikuchi Tsuyoshi , Suzuki Momoko
Published: August 2018

Kaizen, a method and concept developed in Japan, evolved and was modified as Six-Sigma, the Lean Production System and so on as “Western-style Kaizen” to be applicable to Western corporate culture. Western-style Kaizen has become an international standard (ISO 13053-1&2/ISO 18404). The application of Kaizen differs country to country depending on their industrial climate and corporate culture. This chapter first analyzes the similarities and differences between the Japanese-style Kaizen with Western-style Kaizen. Second, it discusses the impact of ISO on African companies and a more suitable and appropriate method of Kaizen for African SMEs. Third, it outlines a research study conducted by JICA on “Standardizing Kaizen Approaches in Africa,” a sub-project of the Africa Kaizen Initiative that JICA and NEPAD launched in April 2017.
Kaizen as Policy Instrument: The Case of Ethiopia
Authors: Mekonen Getahun Tadesse
Published: August 2018

Kaizen was introduced to Ethiopia in 2009 with JICA’s technical assistance. The success of the first pilot project (2009–2011) confirmed the transferability and effectiveness of Kaizen. Ethiopia’s government established the Ethiopia Kaizen Institute (EKI) in 2011 to disseminate Kaizen throughout the country. The budget of the institute is covered by the government while JICA extended capacity-development projects until 2020. So far 107 Kaizen consultants have been trained and deployed in different sectors. EKI has developed strategies, a roadmap, and TIISO Model to effectively transfer Kaizen philosophy from 2012 to 2015, and Kaizen is incorporated in the national development plan. From (2015) to (2020), around 473 organizations were contacted, 68,954 persons trained, 9658 KPTs (QCCs) established, and US$105 million achieved as a result of quality and productivity improvements.
Lightcone effective Hamiltonians and RG flows
Authors: Fitzpatrick A. Liam , Kaplan Jared , Katz Emanuel , Vitale Lorenzo G. , Walters Matthew T.
Published: August 2018

Abstract

We present a prescription for an effective lightcone (LC) Hamiltonian that includes the effects of zero modes, focusing on the case of Conformal Field Theories (CFTs) deformed by relevant operators. We show how the prescription resolves a number of issues with LC quantization, including i) the apparent non-renormalization of the vacuum, ii) discrepancies in critical values of bare parameters in equal-time vs LC quantization, and iii) an inconsistency at large N in CFTs with simple AdS duals. We describe how LC quantization can drastically simplify Hamiltonian truncation methods applied to some large N CFTs, and discuss how the prescription identifies theories where these simplifications occur. We demonstrate and check our prescription in a number of examples.
Invisible neutrino decay in the light of NOvA and T2K data
Authors: Choubey Sandhya , Dutta Debajyoti , Pramanik Dipyaman
Published: August 2018

Abstract

We probe for evidence of invisible neutrino decay in the latest NOvA and T2K data. It is seen that both NOvA and T2K data sets are better fitted when one allows for invisible neutrino decay. We consider a scenario where only the third neutrino mass eigenstate ν
3 is unstable and decays into invisible components. The best-fit value for the ν
3 lifetime is obtained as τ
3/m
3 = 3.16 × 10−12 s/eV from the analysis of the NOvA neutrino data and τ
3/m
3 = 1.0×10−11 s/eV from the analysis of the T2K neutrino and anti-neutrino data. The combined analysis of NOvA and T2K gives τ
3/m
3 = 5.01 × 10−12 s/eV as the best-fit lifetime. However, the statistical significance for this preference is weak with the no-decay hypothesis still allowed at close to 1.5σ C.L. from the combined data sets, while the two experiment individually are consistent with no-decay even at the 1σ C.L. At 3σ C.L., the NOvA and T2K data give a lower limit on the neutrino lifetime of τ
3/m
3 is τ
3/m
3 ≥ 7.22 × 10−13 s/eV and τ
3/m
3 ≥ 1.41 × 10−12 s/eV, respectively, while NOvA and T2K combined constrain τ
3/m
3 ≥ 1.50 × 10−12 s/eV. We also show that in presence of decay the best-fit value in the sin2
θ
23 vs. Δm
32
2
plane changes significantly and the allowed regions increase significantly towards higher sin2
θ
23.
Metabolites of the alkyl pyrrolidone solvents NMP and NEP in
24-h urine samples of the German Environmental Specimen Bank from 1991 to
2014
Authors: Ulrich Nadin , Bury Daniel , Koch Holger M. , Rüther Maria , Weber Till , Käfferlein Heiko-Udo , Weiss Tobias , Brüning Thomas , Kolossa-Gehring Marike
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The aim of this study was to get a first overview of the exposure to
the solvents and reproductive toxicants N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone (NEP) in Germany. NMP and NEP metabolite
concentrations were determined in 540 24-h urine samples of the German
Environmental Specimen Bank collected from 1991 to 2014. With these data we were
able to investigate NMP/NEP exposures over time and to evaluate associated
risks.

Methods

NMP metabolites 5-hydroxy-N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (5-HNMP) and 2-hydroxy-N-methylsuccinimide (2-HMSI) and NEP metabolites
5-hydroxy-N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone (5-HNEP)
and 2-hydroxy-N-ethylsuccinimide (2-HESI)
were determined by stable isotope dilution analysis using solid phase extraction
followed by derivatization (silylation) and GC–EI–MS/MS.

Results

We were able to quantify 5-HNMP and 2-HMSI in 98.0 and 99.6% and
5-HNEP and 2-HESI in 34.8 and 75.7% of the samples. Metabolite concentrations
were rather steady over the timeframe investigated, even for NEP which has been
introduced as an NMP substitute only in the last decade. Calculated median daily
intakes in 2014 were 2.7 µg/kg bw/day for NMP and 1.1 µg/kg bw/day for NEP. For
the combined risk assessment of NMP and NEP exposure, the hazard index based on
the human biomonitoring assessment I values (HBM I values) was less than
0.1.

Conclusions

Based on the investigated subpopulation of the German population,
individual and combined NMP and NEP exposures were within acceptable ranges in
the investigated timeframe. Sources of NEP exposure in the 90s and 00s remain
elusive.
The Experiment Analysis of Bonding Performance between Near Surface Mounted CFRP Strip and Concrete at Different Curing Temperatures
Authors: Zhu Zewen , Zhu Eryu , Chen Zhuo
Published: August 2018

To investigate the bonding performance of near-surface mounted (NSM) carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) technique under different curing temperatures, a total of five test specimens strengthened with NSM CFRP strip were tested by direct pull-out methods. The strain of CFRP strip, interfacial bonding shear stress, ultimate load and failure mode were analyzed through the test. The experiment results showed that the ultimate load and bonding shear stress of the specimens increased gradually when curing temperature was lower than the glass transition temperature (T
g) of the bond material. Afterward, they gradually decreased with the increase in temperature. The bonding shear stress was gradually transmitted from the loading end to the free end. The failure modes were changed from CFRP strip–adhesive interface bonding failure to CFRP strips fracture failure with the temperature rising. In this paper, the bonding performance experiment results of NSM CFRP strip could provide a reference for the rapid strengthening of monorail traffic track beams.
Vascular risk factors and the relationships between cognitive impairment and hypoperfusion in late-onset Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Takahashi Michio , Oda Yasunori , Sato Koichi , Shirayama Yukihiko
Published: August 2018

Objective

Our recent single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) study of patients with late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD) revealed that regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was reduced in the frontal, temporal, and limbic lobes, and to a lesser degree in the parietal and occipital lobes. Moreover, these patients’ scores on the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog) were significantly correlated with rCBF in some gyri of the frontal, parietal, and limbic lobes. Our present study aimed to understand how vascular factors and metabolic disease influenced the relationship between rCBF and ADAS-cog scores.

Methods

We divided late-onset AD patients into two groups according to their Hachinski Ischemic Score (HIS), low vascular risk patients had values of ≤4 (n=25) and high vascular risk patients had scores ≥5 (n=15). We examined rCBF using brain perfusion SPECT data.

Results

The degrees and patterns of reduced rCBF were largely similar between late-onset AD patients in both groups, regardless of HIS values. Cognitive function was significantly associated with rCBF among late-onset AD patients with low vascular risk (HIS≤4), but not among those with high vascular risk (HIS≥5). Furthermore, metabolic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus, disrupted the relationships between hypoperfusion and cognitive impairments in late-onset AD patients.

Conclusion

Factors other than hypoperfusion, such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus, could be involved in the cognitive dysfunction of late-onset AD patients with high vascular risk.
Political Competition in Legislative Elections
Authors: KRASA STEFAN , POLBORN MATTIAS K.
Published: August 2018

We develop a theory of electoral competition in multidistrict legislative elections when nomination decisions are made by local policy-motivated party members, and voters care about both local and national positions. We show that the asymmetry generated by different national party positions reduces or even entirely removes the competitive pressure to nominate moderate candidates. The model has important implications for our understanding of policy divergence and, in particular, of the effects of gerrymandering.
Imperious Temptations: Democratic Legitimacy and Indigenous Consent in Canada
Authors: Rollo Toby
Published: August 2018

Canadian courts and governments increasingly invoke principles of mutual consent and nation-to-nation negotiation as central to the goal of addressing colonial injustices in a democratic society. However, Canada continues to interpret its obligations according to the Crown's fiduciary obligation to merely consult and accommodate Aboriginal peoples on infringement of their rights. In this article, I argue that there are conceptual resources available within existing Canadian law and politics for reconstructing a democratic consensual resolution to the problem of Indigenous exclusion and dispossession. I demonstrate that meeting the basic threshold of mutual consent would first require Canadian institutions to abjure the imperious temptation to impose parochial standards of free, prior and informed consent. Second, the Crown would refuse to ensnare Indigenous communities in unconscionable bargains, agreements that they would not otherwise view as reasonable, fair or equitable. And finally, Canada would accept rights of jurisdiction over land rooted in vital relations of health and well-being, as well as a corollary right of refusal or veto over decisions deemed by affected parties to be unwanted.
Judicial Discretion as Political Choice: The Supreme Court of Canada's Costs Awarding Power
Authors: Richez Emmanuelle , Crandall Erin
Published: August 2018

This article analyzes an important discretionary power of the Supreme Court of Canada, the ability to award costs. With the use of an original data set, we explore trends in costs awarding in public interest litigation at the Supreme Court from 1970 to 2012. Our findings suggest that, over time, the Court has tended to favour nongovernment parties over government parties where the former are less likely to pay costs when they lose and more likely to receive costs when they win. In these cases, costs orders were more likely to benefit public interest litigants, such as nongovernmental organizations, than individual litigants and businesses. Together, these findings suggest a sensitivity to access to justice concerns when making costs orders, though some may argue that this sensitivity by the Court does not extend far enough.
Grothendieck–Plücker Images of Hilbert Schemes are Degenerate
Authors: Hyeon Donghoon , Park Hyungju
Published: August 2018

We study the decompositions of Hilbert schemes induced by the Schubert cell decomposition of the Grassmannian variety and show that Hilbert schemes admit a stratification into locally closed subschemes along which the generic initial ideals remain the same. We give two applications. First, we give completely geometric proofs of the existence of the generic initial ideals and of their Borel fixed properties. Second, we prove that when a Hilbert scheme of non-constant Hilbert polynomial is embedded by the Grothendieck–Plücker embedding of a high enough degree, it must be degenerate.
A GENERALIZATION OF THE RAMANUJAN–NAGELL EQUATION
Authors: YAMADA TOMOHIRO
Published: August 2018

We shall show that, for any positive integerD> 0 and any primesp1,p2, the diophantine equationx2+D= 2sp1kp2lhas at most 63 integer solutions (x,k,l,s) withx,k,l≥ 0 ands∈ {0, 2}.
Effect of management and age of ploughed out grass–clover on forage maize yield and residual soil nitrogen
Authors: Cougnon M. , Van Den Berge K. , D'Hose T. , Clement L. , Reheul D.
Published: August 2018

Forage maize (Zea mays L.) is often grown year after year on the same land on many intensive dairy farms in north-west Europe. This results in agronomical problems such as weed resistance and decline of soil quality, which may be solved by ley-arable farming. In the current study, forage maize was grown at different nitrogen (N) fertilization levels for 3 years on permanent arable land and on temporary arable land after ploughing out different types of grass–clover swards. Swards differed in management (grazing or cutting) and age (temporary or permanent). Maize yield and soil residual mineral N content were measured after the maize harvest. There was no effect on maize yield of the management of ploughed-out grass–clover swards but a clear effect of the age of grass–clover swards. The N fertilizer replacement value (NFRV) of all ploughed grass–clover swards was >170 kg N/ha in the first year after ploughing. In the third year after ploughing, NFRV of the permanent sward still exceeded 200 kg N/ha, whereas that of the temporary swards decreased to 30 kg N/ha on average. Soil residual nitrate (NO3−) remained below the local, legal threshold of 90 kg NO3− N/ha except for the ploughed-out permanent sward in the third year after ploughing (166 kg NO3− N/ha). The current study highlights the potential of forage maize – ley rotations in saving fertilizer N. This is beneficial both for the environment and for the profitability of dairy production in north-western Europe.
High-throughput pH monitoring method for application in dairy fermentations
Authors: Gutsal Valery , Sieuwerts Sander , Bibiloni Rodrigo
Published: August 2018

Optimization of dairy fermentation processes often requires multiplexed pH measurements over several hours. The method developed here measures up to 90 samples simultaneously, where traditional electrode-based methods require a lot more time for handing the same number of samples. Moreover, the new method employs commonly used materials and can be used with a wider range of fluorescence readers than commercial 96-well plates with optical pH sensors. For this application, a milk-like transparent medium is developed that shows acidification properties with dairy starters that are similar to milk. Combination of this milk-like medium and 3 fluorescent indicators allow precise measurements of pH in a range of 4·0–7·0. The new method showed much higher throughput compared to the benchmark electrode systems while being as accurate, as shown by successful application for a comparison of various dairy starter cultures and for optimizing the inoculation rate.
Social Mobility Barriers for Roma: Discrimination and Informal Institutions
Authors: Ciaian Pavel , Kancs D’artis
Published: August 2018

This article attempts to identify and document social mobility barriers for Roma. We have identified two types of social mobility barriers: the cost of exit from the traditional Roma community, and the cost of entry into the mainstream society. Most of the existing policy and academic debate on the social and economic marginalisation of Roma has focused almost entirely on entry barriers. The main contribution of the current paper to the existing literature is to draw attention to exit barriers, which usually are neglected in the public debate and the academic literature. In the current paper we show that understanding both types of social mobility barriers for Roma is crucial for designing effective policy measures.
SOME REFINED RESULTS ON THE MIXED LITTLEWOOD CONJECTURE FOR PSEUDO-ABSOLUTE VALUES
Authors: LIU WENCAI
Published: August 2018

In this paper, we study the mixed Littlewood conjecture with pseudo-absolute values. For any pseudo-absolute-value sequence ${\mathcal{D}}$, we obtain a sharp criterion such that for almost every $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}$ the inequality $$\begin{eqnarray}|n|_{{\mathcal{D}}}|n\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}-p|\leq \unicode[STIX]{x1D713}(n)\end{eqnarray}$$ has infinitely many coprime solutions $(n,p)\in \mathbb{N}\times \mathbb{Z}$ for a certain one-parameter family of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D713}$. Also, under a minor condition on pseudo-absolute-value sequences ${\mathcal{D}}_{1},{\mathcal{D}}_{2},\ldots ,{\mathcal{D}}_{k}$, we obtain a sharp criterion on a general sequence $\unicode[STIX]{x1D713}(n)$ such that for almost every $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}$ the inequality $$\begin{eqnarray}|n|_{{\mathcal{D}}_{1}}|n|_{{\mathcal{D}}_{2}}\cdots |n|_{{\mathcal{D}}_{k}}|n\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}-p|\leq \unicode[STIX]{x1D713}(n)\end{eqnarray}$$ has infinitely many coprime solutions $(n,p)\in \mathbb{N}\times \mathbb{Z}$.
The Role of Physical Exercise in Obesity and Diabetes
Authors: Melmer Andreas , Kempf Patrick , Laimer Markus
Published: August 2018

Abstract. Summary: The prevalence of obesity is increasing world-wide. Obesity is associated with a plethora of metabolic and clinical constraints, which result in a higher risk for the development of cardiovascular complications and metabolic disease, particularly insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Obesity is an acknowledged determinant of glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes and accounts for the majority of premature death due to cardiovascular events. Physical exercise is generally recommended in patients with diabetes in order to prevent the development of or reduce existing obesity, as adopted by every international treatment guideline so far. Regular physical exercise has a beneficial impact on body composition, cardiovascular integrity, insulin sensitivity and quality of life. However, only a minority of patients participates in regular physical exercise, due to individual or disease-related barriers. In type 2 diabetes, there is robust evidence for beneficial effects of physical exercise on glycemic control, cardiovascular health and the development of diabetes-related long-term complications. In type 1 diabetes and patients treated with insulin, a higher risk for exercise-related hypoglycemia has to be considered, which requires certain prerequisites and adequate adaptions of insulin dosing. Current treatment guidelines do only incompletely address the development of exercise-related hypoglycemia. However, every patient with diabetes should participate in regular physical exercise in order to support and enable sufficient treatment and optimal glycemic control.
Bare Neutron Counter and Neutron Monitor Response to Cosmic Rays During a 1995 Latitude Survey
Authors: Nuntiyakul W. , Sáiz A. , Ruffolo D. , Mangeard P.‐S. , Evenson P. , Bieber J. W. , Clem J. , Pyle R. , Duldig M. L. , Humble J. E.
Published: August 2018

Neutron monitors of standard design (IGY or NM64) are employed worldwide to study variations in the flux of galactic cosmic rays and solar energetic particles in the GeV range. The design minimizes detector response to neutrons below ∼10 MeV produced by cosmic ray interactions in the ambient medium. Increasingly, however, such neutrons are of interest as a means of obtaining spectral information on cosmic rays, for studies of soil moisture, and for nuclear threat detection. Bare neutron counters, a type of lead‐free neutron monitor, can detect such neutrons, but comparatively little work has been done to characterize the dependence of their count rate on cutoff rigidity. We analyze data from three bare neutron counters operated on a ship together with a three‐tube NM64 monitor from November 1995 to March 1996 over a wide range of magnetic latitude, that is, a latitude survey. The bare counter design used foamed‐in‐place polyurethane insulation to keep the temperature uniform and to some extent moderate high‐energy neutrons. When the ship was near land, the bare/NM64 count rate ratio was dramatically higher. Considering only data from open sea, the bare and NM64 pressure coefficients are not significantly different. We determine the response function of these bare counters, which is weighted to Galactic cosmic rays of lower energy than the NM64. This measurement of the response function may improve determination of the spectral index of solar energetic particles and Galactic cosmic rays from a comparison of bare and NM64 count rates.
Spatiotemporal Variation of the Quality, Origin, and Age of Particulate Organic Matter Transported by the Yangtze River (Changjiang)
Authors: Wu Ying , Eglinton Timothy I. , Zhang Jing , Montlucon Daniel B.
Published: August 2018

Information on the age dynamics of particulate organic matter (POM) in large river systems is currently sparse and represents an important knowledge gap in our understanding of the global carbon cycle. Here we examine variations in organic geochemical characteristics of suspended sediments from the Changjiang (Yangtze River) system collected between 1997 and 2010. Higher particulate organic carbon content (POC%) values were observed in the middle reach, especially after 2003, and are attributed to the increase of in situ (aquatic) primary production associated with decreased total suspended matter concentrations. Corresponding Δ14C values from depth profiles taken in 2009 and 2010 indicate spatial and temporal variations in POC sources within the basin. Two isotopic mass balance approaches were explored to quantitatively apportion different sources of Changjiang POM. Results indicate that contributions of biomass and pre‐aged soil organic matter are dominant, regardless of hydrological conditions, with soil‐derived organic carbon comprising 17–56% of POC based on a Monte Carlo three‐end‐member mixing model. In contrast, binary mixing model calculations suggest that up to 80% of POC (2009 samples only) derived from biospheric sources. The emplacement of the Three Gorges Dam and resulting trapping of sediment from the upper reach of the watershed resulted in a modification of POM 14C ages in the reservoir. With the resulting decline in sediment load and increase in the proportion of modern POC in the lower reach, these changes in POM flux and composition of the Changjiang have significant implications for downstream carbon cycle processes.
The Effect of Atmospheric Acid Processing on the Global Deposition of Bioavailable Phosphorus From Dust
Authors: Herbert R. J. , Krom M. D. , Carslaw K. S. , Stockdale A. , Mortimer R. J. G. , Benning L. G. , Pringle K. , Browse J.
Published: August 2018

The role of dust as a source of bioavailable phosphorus (Bio‐P) is quantified using a new parameterization for apatite dissolution in combination with global soil data maps and a global aerosol transport model. Mineral dust provides 31.2 Gg‐P/year of Bio‐P to the oceans, with 14.3 Gg‐P/year from labile P present in the dust, and an additional 16.9 Gg‐P/year from acid dissolution of apatite in the atmosphere, representing an increase of 120%. The North Atlantic, northwest Pacific, and Mediterranean Sea are identified as important sites of Bio‐P deposition from mineral dust. The acid dissolution process increases the fraction of total‐P that is bioavailable from ~10% globally from the labile pool to 18% in the Atlantic Ocean, 42% in the Pacific Ocean, and 20% in the Indian Ocean, with an ocean global mean value of 22%. Strong seasonal variations, especially in the North Pacific, northwest Atlantic, and Indian Ocean, are driven by large‐scale meteorology and pollution sources from industrial and biomass‐burning regions. Globally constant values of total‐P content and bioavailable fraction used previously do not capture the simulated variability. We find particular sensitivity to the representation of particle‐to‐particle variability of apatite, which supplies Bio‐P through acid‐dissolution, and calcium carbonate, which helps to buffer the dissolution process. A modest 10% external mixing results in an increase of Bio‐P deposition by 18%. The total Bio‐P calculated here (31.2 Gg‐P/year) represents a minimum compared to previous estimates due to the relatively low total‐P in the global soil map used.
Ring‐Mold Craters on Ceres: Evidence for Shallow Subsurface Water Ice Sources
Authors: Krohn K. , Neesemann A. , Jaumann R. , Otto K. A. , Stephan K. , Wagner R. J. , Tosi F. , Zambon F. , Ruesch O. , Williams D. A. , Raymond C. A. , Russell C. T.
Published: August 2018

One of the main tasks of the Dawn mission is to characterize the potentially ice‐rich crust of the dwarf planet Ceres. Ongoing studies reveal morphological features related to ice‐rich material such as pits or particular landslides. Here we report the identification of ring‐mold craters within the huge impact crater Occator. The Cerean ring‐mold craters exhibit strong morphological similarities to the ring‐mold craters on Mars, where ice‐rich material is thought to be involved in such crater development. We discuss the occurrence of water ice reservoirs in the subsurface and assume that ice‐rich material likely plays an important role in the development of ring‐mold craters on Ceres. The occurrence of ring‐mold craters on the surface of Ceres is not only a sign of water ice reservoirs in the subsurface but can also be used for the study of habitable zones on planetary bodies.
Shallow Seismicity Forecast for the India‐Eurasia Collision Zone Based on Geodetic Strain Rates
Authors: Zheng Gang , Lou Yidong , Wang Hua , Geng Jianghui , Shi Chuang
Published: August 2018

Geodetic strain rates from increasing Global Positioning System data provide a promising approach for seismicity forecast. With the strain rate field presented in Zheng et al. (2017, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JB014465) derived from the most complete and up‐to‐date Global Positioning System data set in the India‐Eurasia collision zone, we forecast the shallow seismicity of this region, and infer that about 11 Mw ≥ 7.5, 36 Mw ≥ 7.0, 109 Mw ≥ 6.5, and 326 Mw ≥ 6.0 earthquakes may occur here every 100 years. We indicate that shallow seismicity forecast may be able to help us distinguish between block and continuum models, and block model cannot well describe the kinematics of the Tibetan Plateau, Tien Shan, West Mongolia, North China, and Myanmar. We suggest that the regions with high forecasted earthquake rates but lack of historical earthquakes are undergoing high seismic risk, such as the west‐central Himalaya (overdue for Mw ≥ 7.5 earthquakes, possibly Mw ≥ 8.0) and the central Altyn Tagh fault (overdue for Mw ≥ 7.0 and Mw ≥ 7.5 earthquakes).
Nonthermal Limit of Monoenergetic Precipitation in the Auroral Acceleration Region
Authors: Hatch Spencer M. , Chaston Christopher C. , LaBelle James
Published: August 2018

We report statistics from FAST satellite observations revealing the prevalence of nonthermal monoenergetic electron distributions within and below the auroral acceleration region (AAR), and over 21–24 magnetic local time. The energy spectra of intra‐AAR auroral primaries reveal a probability distribution of κ (“kappa”) values that is “piled up” against a lower bound,
 2.45. The measurements are recorded in the lower reaches of the AAR, as determined from simultaneous upward ion beams, and are therefore unaffected by processes at lower altitudes that may alter auroral primary distributions. We show evidence that the κ values below the AAR tend to be greater than those within the AAR, which suggests that auroral primaries evolve toward thermal equilibrium as they move toward the ionosphere. Only for ∼4% of the reported events corresponding to κ≤κt does a kappa current density‐voltage relationship differ appreciably from the classical Maxwellian current density‐voltage relationship.
Forest‐Type‐Dependent Water Use Efficiency Trends Across the Northern Hemisphere
Authors: Wang Mengjie , Chen Yunhao , Wu Xiuchen , Bai Yan
Published: August 2018

Changing climate and increasing atmospheric CO2 significantly regulate forest water use efficiency (WUE). However, magnitudes of the WUE trends and underlying processes driving these patterns in two major forest types, deciduous broadleaf forests (DBFs) and evergreen needleleaf forests (ENFs), across the Northern Hemisphere remain poorly understood. We investigated the WUE trends over the past two decades using eddy covariance observations from 26 forest sites from the FLUXNET2015 data set. Our analyses revealed a greater increase in WUE in DBFs than that in ENFs. The decreased stomatal conductance (Gs) mostly contributed to the increase in WUE in the DBFs, whereas the increased gross ecosystem productivity acted as the main trigger for the increase in WUE in the ENFs. The vapor pressure deficit substantially increased in the DBFs, triggering the decrease in Gs. In contrast, the slight CO2 fertilization and the limited stomatal constraint contributed to the increased gross ecosystem productivity in the ENFs.
Sources of Uncertainty in the Meridional Pattern of Climate Change
Authors: Bonan D. B. , Armour K. C. , Roe G. H. , Siler N. , Feldl N.
Published: August 2018

We employ a moist energy balance model (MEBM), representing atmospheric heat transport as the diffusion of near‐surface moist static energy, to evaluate sources of uncertainty in the meridional pattern of surface warming. Given zonal mean patterns of radiative forcing, radiative feedbacks, and ocean heat uptake, the MEBM accurately predicts zonal mean warming as simulated by general circulation models under increased CO2. Over a wide range of latitudes, the MEBM captures approximately 90% of the variance in zonal mean warming across the general circulation models, with approximately 70% of the variance attributable to differences in radiative feedbacks alone. Partitioning the radiative feedbacks into individual components shows that the majority of the uncertainty in the meridional pattern of warming arises from uncertainty in cloud feedbacks. Isolating feedback uncertainty within specific regions demonstrates that tropical feedback uncertainty leads to surface warming uncertainty that is global and nearly uniform with latitude, whereas polar feedback uncertainty leads to surface warming uncertainty that is largely confined to the poles.
The Relative Influence of Atmospheric and Oceanic Model Resolution on the Circulation of the North Atlantic Ocean in a Coupled Climate Model
Authors: Sein Dmitry V. , Koldunov Nikolay V. , Danilov Sergey , Sidorenko Dmitry , Wekerle Claudia , Cabos William , Rackow Thomas , Scholz Patrick , Semmler Tido , Wang Qiang , Jung Thomas
Published: August 2018

It is often unclear how to optimally choose horizontal resolution for the oceanic and atmospheric components of coupled climate models, which has implications for their ability to make best use of available computational resources. Here we investigate the effect of using different combinations of horizontal resolutions in atmosphere and ocean on the simulated climate in a global coupled climate model (Alfred Wegener Institute Climate Model [AWI‐CM]). Particular attention is given to the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). Four experiments with different combinations of relatively high and low resolutions in the ocean and atmosphere are conducted. We show that increases in atmospheric and oceanic resolution have clear impacts on the simulated AMOC, which are largely independent. Increased atmospheric resolution leads to a weaker AMOC. It also improves the simulated Gulf Stream separation; however, this is only the case if the ocean is locally eddy resolving and reacts to the improved atmosphere. We argue that our results can be explained by reduced mean winds caused by higher cyclone activity. Increased resolution of the ocean affects the AMOC in several ways, thereby locally increasing or reducing the AMOC. The finer topography (and reduced dissipation) in the vicinity of the Caribbean basin tends to locally increase the AMOC. However, there is a reduction in the AMOC around 45°N, which relates to the reduced mixed layer depth in the Labrador Sea in simulations with refined ocean and changes in the North Atlantic current pathway. Furthermore, the eddy‐induced changes in the Southern Ocean increase the strength of the deep cell.
The Role of Land Cover in the Propagation of Rainfall Into Streamflow Trends
Authors: Chagas V. B. P. , Chaffe P. L. B.
Published: August 2018

The replacement of natural forests with agriculture is generally associated with modifications in the hydrological behavior of a basin. This is particularly notable in the tropics and subtropics. Southern Brazil is a region with extensive agricultural production, forest conservation, and a vast unexplored streamflow data despite substantial rainfall trends observed in recent decades. In this work, we explore trends in the streamflow regime in the majority of the monitored basins in Southern Brazil. Additionally, we evaluate if pristine forested basins and agricultural nonforested basins have significantly different streamflow responses to changes in rainfall. We analyzed annual averages, maxima, minima, and seasonality of a 36‐year data set (1975–2010) of 675 rainfall and 140 streamflow gauges. Results reveal that large trends are widespread in Southern Brazil, especially in basins with areas smaller than 10,000 km2. Changes in the rainfall regime did not directly translate into changes in the streamflow regime. Changes in the annual maximum flow of forested basins were not statistically significant even when the annual average and maximum rainfall increased significantly. Correlations between changes in rainfall and streamflow for two indices, namely, duration of low‐magnitude events and seasonality, were statistically significant (p < 0.05) only for agricultural basins. The results indicate a higher propagation of hydrological changes through anthropogenically modified systems, providing evidence that agricultural basins are more sensitive to changes in the rainfall regime.
Lithium as a disease-modifying agent for prion diseases
Authors: Relaño-Ginés A. , Lehmann S. , Brillaud E. , Belondrade M. , Casanova D. , Hamela C. , Vincent C. , Poupeau S. , Sarniguet J. , Alvarez T. , Arnaud J. D. , Maurel J. C. , Crozet C.
Published: August 2018

Prion diseases still remain incurable despite multiple efforts to develop a treatment. Therefore, it is important to find strategies to at least reduce the symptoms. Lithium has been considered as a neuroprotective agent for years, and the objective of this preclinical study was to evaluate the efficacy of lithium delivered as a water-in-oil microemulsion (Aonys®). This delivery system allows using low doses of lithium and to avoid the toxicity observed in chronic treatments. C57BL/6J mice were intracranially inoculated with ME7 prion-infected brain homogenates and then were treated with lithium from day 90 post inoculation until their death. Lithium was administered at traditional doses (16 mg/kg/day) by the gavage route and at lower doses (40 or 160 µg/kg/day; Aonys®) by the rectal mucosa route. Low doses of lithium (Aonys®) improved the survival of prion-inoculated mice, and also decreased vacuolization, astrogliosis, and neuronal loss compared with controls (vehicle alone). The extent of the protective effects in mice treated with low-dose lithium was comparable or even higher than what was observed in mice that received lithium at the traditional dose. These results indicate that lithium administered using this innovative delivery system could represent a potential therapeutic approach not only for prion diseases but also for other neurodegenerative diseases.
Efficient and scalable synthesis of highly aligned and compact two-dimensional nanosheet films with record performances
Authors: Zhong Jing , Sun Wei , Wei Qinwei , Qian Xitang , Cheng Hui-Ming , Ren Wencai
Published: August 2018

It is crucial to align two-dimensional nanosheets to form a highly compact layered structure for many applications, such as electronics, optoelectronics, thermal management, energy storage, separation membranes, and composites. Here we show that continuous centrifugal casting is a universal, scalable and efficient method to produce highly aligned and compact two-dimensional nanosheets films with record performances. The synthesis  mechanism, structure  control and property  dependence of alignment and compaction of the films are discussed. Significantly, 10-μm-thick graphene oxide films can be synthesized within 1 min, and scalable synthesis of meter-scale films is demonstrated. The reduced graphene oxide films show super-high strength (~660 MPa) and conductivity (~650 S cm−1). The reduced graphene oxide/carbon nanotube hybrid-film-based all-solid-state flexible supercapacitors exhibit ultrahigh volumetric capacitance (407 F cm−3) and energy density (~10 mWh cm−3) comparable to that of thin-film lithium batteries. We also demonstrate the production of highly anisotropic graphene nanocomposites as well as aligned, compact films and vertical heterostructures of various nanosheets.
Loss of Wwox drives metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer by JAK2/STAT3 axis
Authors: Chang Renxu , Song Lele , Xu Yi , Wu Yanjun , Dai Cheng , Wang Xinyu , Sun Xia , Hou Yingyong , Li Wei , Zhan Xianbao , Zhan Lixing
Published: August 2018

Loss of WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (Wwox) expression has been observed in breast cancer (BC). However, its regulatory effects are largely unknown, especially in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Herein, gene expression profiling revealed that JAK/STAT3 pathway was one of the most differentially modulated pathways in basal-like BC cells. The lower expression of Wwox was significantly correlated with high activation of STAT3 in basal-like cells and TNBC tissues. Overexpression of Wwox markedly inhibited proliferation and metastasis of BC cells by suppressing STAT3 activation, which is to interact with JAK2 to inhibit JAK2 and STAT3 phosphorylation. Furthermore, Wwox limited STAT3 binding to the interleukin-6 promoter, repressing expression of the IL-6 cytokine. Altogether, our data established that Wwox suppresses BC cell metastasis and proliferation by JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Targeting of Wwox with STAT3 could offer a promising therapeutic strategy for TNBC.
Solar superstorm of AD 774 recorded subannually by Arctic tree rings
Authors: Uusitalo J. , Arppe L. , Hackman T. , Helama S. , Kovaltsov G. , Mielikäinen K. , Mäkinen H. , Nöjd P. , Palonen V. , Usoskin I. , Oinonen M.
Published: August 2018

Recently, a rapid increase in radiocarbon (14C) was observed in Japanese tree rings at AD 774/775. Various explanations for the anomaly have been offered, such as a supernova, a γ-ray burst, a cometary impact, or an exceptionally large Solar Particle Event (SPE). However, evidence of the origin and exact timing of the event remains incomplete. In particular, a key issue of latitudinal dependence of the 14C intensity has not been addressed yet. Here, we show that the event was most likely caused by the Sun and occurred during the spring of AD 774. Particularly, the event intensities from various locations show a strong correlation with the latitude, demonstrating a particle-induced 14C poleward increase, in accord with the solar origin of the event. Furthermore, both annual 14C data and carbon cycle modelling, and separate earlywood and latewood 14C measurements, confine the photosynthetic carbon fixation to around the midsummer.
TBC1d24-ephrinB2 interaction regulates contact inhibition of locomotion in neural crest cell migration
Authors: Yoon Jaeho , Hwang Yoo-Seok , Lee Moonsup , Sun Jian , Cho Hee Jun , Knapik Laura , Daar Ira O.
Published: August 2018

Although Eph-ephrin signalling has been implicated in the migration of cranial neural crest (CNC) cells, it is still unclear how ephrinB transduces signals regulating this event. We provide evidence that TBC1d24, a putative Rab35-GTPase activating protein (Rab35 GAP), complexes with ephrinB2 via the scaffold Dishevelled (Dsh) and mediates a signal affecting contact inhibition of locomotion (CIL) in CNC cells. Moreover, we found that, in migrating CNC, the interaction between ephrinB2 and TBC1d24 negatively regulates E-cadherin recycling in these cells via Rab35. Upon engagement of the cognate Eph receptor, ephrinB2 is tyrosine phosphorylated, which disrupts the ephrinB2/Dsh/TBC1d24 complex. The dissolution of this complex leads to increasing E-cadherin levels at the plasma membrane, resulting in loss of CIL and disrupted CNC migration. Our results indicate that TBC1d24 is a critical player in ephrinB2 control of CNC cell migration via CIL.