bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ADHM and the 4d quantum Hall effect
Authors: Barns-Graham Alec , Dorey Nick , Lohitsiri Nakarin , Tong David , Turner Carl
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Yang-Mills instantons are solitonic particles ind= 4 + 1 dimensional gauge theories. We construct and analyse the quantum Hall states that arise when these particles are restricted to the lowest Landau level. We describe the ground state wavefunctions for both Abelian and non-Abelian quantum Hall states. Although our model is purely bosonic, we show that the excitations of this 4d quantum Hall state are governed by the Nekrasov partition function of a certain five dimensional supersymmetric gauge theory with Chern-Simons term. The partition function can also be interpreted as a variant of the Hilbert series of the instanton moduli space, counting holomorphic sections rather than holomorphic functions.

It is known that the Hilbert series of the instanton moduli space can be rewritten using mirror symmetry of 3d gauge theories in terms of Coulomb branch variables. We generalise this approach to include the effect of a five dimensional Chern-Simons term. We demonstrate that the resulting Coulomb branch formula coincides with the corresponding Higgs branch Molien integral which, in turn, reproduces the standard formula for the Nekrasov partition function.
Off-shell renormalization in Higgs effective field theories
Authors: Binosi Daniele , Quadri Andrea
Published: April 2018

Abstract

The off-shell one-loop renormalization of a Higgs effective field theory possessing a scalar potential

$$ \sim {\left({\Phi}^{\dagger}\Phi -\frac{\upupsilon^2}{2}\right)}^N $$

∼

Φ
†

Φ
−

υ
2

2

N

with N arbitrary is presented. This is achieved by renormalizing the theory once reformulated in terms of two auxiliary fields X
1,2, which, due to the invariance under an extended Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin symmetry, are tightly constrained by functional identities. The latter allow in turn the explicit derivation of the mapping onto the original theory, through which the (divergent) multi-Higgs amplitude are generated in a purely algebraic fashion. We show that, contrary to naive expectations based on the loss of power counting renormalizability, the Higgs field undergoes a linear Standard Model like redefinition, and evaluate the renormalization of the complete set of Higgs self-coupling in the N → ∞ case.
Soft hair of dynamical black hole and Hawking radiation
Authors: Chu Chong-Sun , Koyama Yoji
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Soft hair of black hole has been proposed recently to play an important role in the resolution of the black hole information paradox. Recent work has emphasized that the soft modes cannot affect the black hole S-matrix due to Weinberg soft theorems. However as soft hair is generated by supertranslation of geometry which involves an angular dependent shift of time, it must have non-trivial quantum effects. We consider supertranslation of the Vaidya black hole and construct a non-spherical symmetric dynamical spacetime with soft hair. We show that this spacetime admits a trapping horizon and is a dynamical black hole. We find that Hawking radiation is emitted from the trapping horizon of the dynamical black hole. The Hawking radiation has a spectrum which depends on the soft hair of the black hole and this is consistent with the factorization property of the black hole S-matrix.
Topological defects in open string field theory
Authors: Kojita Toshiko , Maccaferri Carlo , Masuda Toru , Schnabl Martin
Published: April 2018

Abstract

We show how conformal field theory topological defects can relate solutions of open string field theory for different boundary conditions. To this end we generalize the results of Graham and Watts to include the action of defects on boundary condition changing fields. Special care is devoted to the general case when nontrivial multiplicities arise upon defect action. Surprisingly the fusion algebra of defects is realized on open string fields only up to a (star algebra) isomorphism.
Meromorphic solutions of recurrence relations and DRA method for multicomponent master integrals
Authors: Lee Roman N. , Mingulov Kirill T.
Published: April 2018

Abstract

We formulate a method to find the meromorphic solutions of higher-order recurrence relations in the form of the sum over poles with coefficients defined recursively. Several explicit examples of the application of this technique are given. The main advantage of the described approach is that the analytical properties of the solutions are very clear (the position of poles is explicit, the behavior at infinity can be easily determined). These are exactly the properties that are required for the application of the multiloop calculation method based on dimensional recurrence relations and analyticity (the DRA method).
Holographic turbulence in a large number of dimensions
Authors: Rozali Moshe , Sabag Evyatar , Yarom Amos
Published: April 2018

Abstract

We consider relativistic hydrodynamics in the limit where the number of spatial dimensions is very large. We show that under certain restrictions, the resulting equations of motion simplify significantly. Holographic theories in a large number of dimensions satisfy the aforementioned restrictions and their dynamics are captured by hydrodynamics with a naturally truncated derivative expansion. Using analytic and numerical techniques we analyze two and three-dimensional turbulent flow of such fluids in various regimes and its relation to geometric data.
A framework for big data analytics approach to failure prediction of construction firms
Authors: Alaka Hafiz A. , Oyedele Lukumon O. , Owolabi Hakeem A. , Bilal Muhammad , Ajayi Saheed O. , Akinade Olugbenga O.
Published: April 2018

This study explored use of big data analytics (BDA) to analyse data of a large number of construction firms to develop a construction business failure prediction model (CB-FPM). Careful analysis of literature revealed financial ratios as the best form of variable for this problem. Because of MapReduce’s unsuitability for iteration problems involved in developing CB-FPMs, various BDA initiatives for iteration problems were identified. A BDA framework for developing CB-FPM was proposed. It was validated by using 150,000 datacells of 30,000 construction firms, artificial neural network, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud, Apache Spark and the R software. The BDA CB-FPM was developed in eight seconds while the same process without BDA was aborted after nine hours without success. This shows the issue of not wanting to use large dataset to develop CB-FPM due to tedious duration is resolvable by applying BDA technique. The BDA CB-FPM largely outperformed an ordinary CB-FPM developed with a dataset of 200 construction firms, proving that use of larger sample size with the aid of BDA, leads to better performing CB-FPMs. The high financial and social cost associated with misclassifications (i.e. model error) thus makes adoption of BDA CB-FPMs very important for, among others, financiers, clients and policy makers.
Energy identity and necklessness for a sequence of Sacks–Uhlenbeck maps to a sphere
Authors: Li Jiayu , Zhu Xiangrong
Published: April 2018

Let

u

be a map from a Riemann surface

M

to a Riemannian manifold

N

and

\alpha > 1

, the

α

energy functional is defined as

E_{\alpha }(u) = \frac{1}{2}\int_{M}[(1 + \lvert\bigtriangledown u\rvert^2)^{\alpha }−1]dV.

We call

u_{\alpha }

a sequence of Sacks–Uhlenbeck maps if

u_{\alpha }

are critical points of

E_{\alpha }

and

\sup\limits_{\alpha>1}⁡E_\alpha (u_\alpha) < \infty .

In this paper, we show the energy identity and necklessness for a sequence of Sacks–Uhlenbeck maps during blowing up, if the target

N

is a sphere

S^{K−1}

. The energy identity can be used to give an alternative proof of Perelman's result [15] that the Ricci flow from a compact orientable prime non-aspherical 3-dimensional manifold becomes extinct in finite time (cf. [3,4]).
Paleoearthquakes in the Uimon basin (Gorny Altai)
Authors: Deev E.V. , Zol’nikov I.D. , Turova I.V. , Rusanov G.G. , Ryapolova Yu.M. , Nevedrova N.N. , Kotler S.A.
Published: April 2018

Paleoseismological studies confirm that the Uimon basin is thrust by its northern mountain border along the active South Terekta fault. The latest motion along the fault in the 7–8th centuries AD induced an earthquake with a magnitude of Mw = 7.4–7.7 and a shaking intensity of I = 9–11 on the MSK-64 scale. The same fault generated another event (M ≥ 7, I = 9–10), possibly, about 16 kyr ago, which triggered gravity sliding. The rockslide dammed the Uimon valley and produced a lake, where lacustrine deposition began about 14 ± 1 kyr ago, and a later M ≥ 7 (I = 9–10) earthquake at ~6 ka caused the dam collapse and the lake drainage. Traces of much older earthquakes that occurred within the Uimon basin are detectable from secondary deformation structures (seismites) in soft sediments deposited during the drainage of a Late Pleistocene ice-dammed lake between 100 and 90 ka and in ~77 ka alluvium. The magnitude and intensity of these paleoearthquakes were at least M ≥ 5.0–5.5 and I ≥ 6–7.
Magnetic measurements in electrical prospecting by resistivity methods
Authors: Mogilatov V.S. , Kozhevnikov N.O. , Zlobinsky A.V.
Published: April 2018

The electrical resistivity and induced polarization (IP) methods are widely used in geological mapping, prospecting and exploration of mineral deposits, engineering geology, hydrogeology, archaeology, and geotechnical and environmental applications. Historically, these methods have formed the basis of the electrical prospecting technique. In these methods, a DC or low-frequency AC electrical current is introduced into the earth through a grounded transmitter line. The measured quantity is the electric field. However, if the earth’s resistivity or chargeability changes horizontally, this change gives rise to an anomalous magnetic field, which is studied by the magnetometric resistivity (MMR) and magnetic induced polarization (MIP) methods, respectively. Along with advantages, some shortcomings are inherent in the MMR and MIP techniques. Apparently, the main drawback of these methods is that the magnetic fields of both the transmitter line wire and ground electrodes on the surface are several orders of magnitude greater than the anomalous magnetic field response. This introduces a significant “noise” to magnetic-resistivity data. We investigate the potential of using a circular electric dipole (CED) in magnetometric resistivity techniques. It has been found that the application of a CED, instead of a conventional transmitter line, dramatically enhances the signal-to-noise ratio.
Numerical and experimental transition results evaluation for a morphing wing and aileron system
Authors: Botez R.M. , Koreanschi A. , Gabor O.S. , Tondji Y. , Guezguez M. , Kammegne J.T. , Grigorie L.T. , Sandu D. , Mebarki Y. , Mamou M. , Amoroso F. , Pecora R. , Lecce L. , Amendola G. , Dimino I. , Concilio A.
Published: April 2018

A new wing-tip concept with morphing upper surface and interchangeable conventional and morphing ailerons was designed, manufactured, bench and wind-tunnel tested. The development of this wing-tip model was performed in the frame of an international CRIAQ project, and the purpose was to demonstrate the wing upper surface and aileron morphing capabilities in improving the wing-tip aerodynamic performances. During numerical optimisation with ‘in-house’ genetic algorithm software, and during wind-tunnel experimental tests, it was demonstrated that the air-flow laminarity over the wing skin was promoted, and the laminar flow was extended with up to 9% of the chord. Drag coefficient reduction of up to 9% was obtained when the morphing aileron was introduced.
Observation versus experimentation in natural-history teaching in Portuguese secondary schools: educational laws from 1836 to 1933
Authors: GOMES INÊS
Published: April 2018

The idea that a public and secular institution was needed to prepare citizens for higher education proliferated throughout Europe during the nineteenth century. However, because of local political, economic and social contexts the underlying model of what is now meant by secondary education has developed differently in each country. This essay provides a historical account of the development of secondary education in Portugal, in what concerns the study of nature (zoology, botany, geology and mineralogy) inliceus, during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. In particular, the importance given to specimens and collections will be emphasized. The emergence of laboratory-based teaching never replaced traditional approaches centred on observation of specimens. By focusing on the Portuguese case, this article aims ultimately to contribute to a broader understanding of the secondary-educational model implemented throughout Europe in the nineteenth century.
Stability of the wakes of cylinders with triangular cross-sections
Authors: Ng Zhi Y. , Vo Tony , Sheard Gregory J.
Published: April 2018

The stability of the wakes of cylinders with triangular cross-sections at incidence is investigated using Floquet stability analysis to elucidate the effects of cylinder inclination on the dominant flow instability. The upper limit of the Reynolds numbers (scaled by the height projected by the cylinder in this study) at which the wake of the two-dimensional base flow is time periodic is$Re\approx 140$for most cylinder inclinations, exceeding which the flow becomes aperiodic, restricting the range of Reynolds numbers permitted for the stability analysis. Two different instability modes are predicted to manifest as the first-occurring mode at various cylinder inclinations – a regular mode possessing perturbation structures consistent with mode A dominates the wakes of cylinders at inclinations$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}\lesssim 34.6^{\circ }$and$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}\gtrsim 55.4^{\circ }$, with a subharmonic mode consistent with mode C emerging as the primary mode in the wakes of the cylinder at the intermediate range of inclinations. For all inclinations, the mode B branch is not detected within the range of Reynolds numbers examined. The peak instability growth rates corresponding to mode A for all cylinder inclinations describe a linear variation with$(Re-Re_{A})/Re_{A}$, where$Re_{A}$is the mode A transition Reynolds number, while those corresponding to mode C vary only approximately linearly. The generalized trend most pertinently shows mode C to develop more rapidly than mode A at inclinations which permit it. Examination of the near wake of the two-dimensional time-periodic base flow demonstrates the dependence of the development and intensity of mode C on imbalances in the flow solution over each shedding period, directly implying that the two-dimensional base flow solutions deviate from the half-period-flip map as the cylinder inclination is increased. The degree of asymmetry of the two-dimensional base flow relative to the ideal half-period-flip map is quantified using several measures. The results show distinctly different trends in these asymmetry measures between inclinations where modes A or C are dominant, agreeing with results from the stability analysis. The nature of the predicted instability modes at transition are also investigated by applying the Stuart–Landau equation, showing the transitions to be supercritical for all cylinder inclinations, with mode C being consistently more strongly supercritical than mode A.
Fat-soluble vitamins A and E and health disparities in a cohort of pregnant women at delivery
Authors: Hanson Corrine , Schumacher Marina Verdi , Lyden Elizabeth , Su Dejun , Furtado Jeremy , Cammack Rex , Bereitschaft Bradley , Van Ormer Matthew , Needelman Howard , McGinn Elizabeth , Rilett Katherine , Cave Caleb , Johnson Rebecca , Weishaar Kara , Anderson-Berry Ann
Published: April 2018

The objective of the present study was to evaluate intakes and serum levels of vitamin A, vitamin E, and related compounds in a cohort of maternal–infant pairs in the Midwestern USA in relation to measures of health disparities. Concentrations of carotenoids and tocopherols in maternal serum were measured using HPLC and measures of socio-economic status, including food security and food desert residence, were obtained in 180 mothers upon admission to a Midwestern Academic Medical Center labour and delivery unit. The Kruskal–Wallis and independent-samplesttests were used to compare measures between groups; logistic regression models were used to adjust for relevant confounders.P < 0·05 was considered statistically significant. The odds of vitamin A insufficiency/deficiency were 2·17 times higher for non-whites when compared with whites (95 % CI 1·16, 4·05;P = 0·01) after adjustment for relevant confounders. Similarly, the odds of being vitamin E deficient were 3·52 times higher for non-whites (95 % CI 1·51, 8·10;P = 0·003). Those with public health insurance had lower serum lutein concentrations compared with those with private health insurance (P = 0·05), and living in a food desert was associated with lower serum concentrations of β-carotene (P = 0·02), after adjustment for confounders. Subjects with low/marginal food security had higher serum levels of lutein and β-cryptoxanthin compared with those with high food security (P = 0·004 and 0·02 for lutein and β-cryptoxanthin). Diet quality may be a public health concern in economically disadvantaged populations of industrialised societies leading to nutritional disadvantages as well.
EARLY FORMATIVE PERIOD BIRD USE AT PASO DE LA AMADA, MEXICO
Authors: Bishop Katelyn J. , Wake Thomas A. , Blake Michael
Published: April 2018

Avifaunal remains from archaeological sites have a largely unrecognized explanatory potential. Archaeological, ethnohistoric, and ethnographic records have shown that, especially in Mesoamerica, birds and their products have served a wide range of utilitarian, decorative, and symbolic purposes. Despite their ability to inform research on many aspects of prehistoric life, avifaunal remains from archaeological contexts remain under-studied. This paper demonstrates how a holistic approach to their analysis—one that explores several types of human-bird interaction—can move beyond studies of subsistence. A previously reported and newly updated avifaunal collection was reanalyzed to shed light on the relationship between the many uses of birds and the establishment of hereditary inequality at Paso de la Amada, an Early Formative period ceremonial center on the Pacific coast of Chiapas, Mexico. Results indicate that Early Formative people used birds as a source of food, feathers, and bone, and that the ritual use of birds was an important component of status display. Even at this early date, birds were symbolically valuable and played a role in ritual performance, suggesting that their later significance in Mesoamerican ritual, religion, and iconography has an antecedent beginning no later than 1700 BC.
Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among US adults: prevalence, predictors and clinical implications
Authors: Liu Xuefeng , Baylin Ana , Levy Phillip D.
Published: April 2018

Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and insufficiency (VDI) are increasing at a global level, and they are associated with increased risk of various diseases. However, little information is available on the prevalence and predictors of VDD and VDI in a representative population of US adults. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) measurements were collected from 26 010 adults aged ≥18 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001–2010. Using thresholds recommended by the Endocrine Society, VDD was defined as 25(OH)D<50 nmol/l and VDI as 50≤25(OH)D<75 nmol/l. Weighted multinomial log-binomial regression was conducted to estimate prevalence ratios of VDD and VDI. The prevalences of VDD and VDI in 2001–2010 were 28·9 and 41·4 %, respectively. Adults who were black, less educated, poor, obese, current smokers, physically inactive and infrequent milk consumers had a higher prevalence of VDD. After adjustment for other potential predictors, obese adults showed 3·09 times higher prevalence of VDD and 1·80 times higher prevalence of VDI than non-obese adults. Physically inactive adults had 2·00 and 1·36 times higher prevalence of VDD and VDI than active peers. Compared with frequent consumers, rare consumers of milk had 2·44 and 1·25 times higher prevalence of VDD and VDI, respectively. Current alcohol drinkers had 38 % lower prevalence of VDD than non-drinkers. Awareness of the high prevalence of VDD and VDI among US adults and related predictors could inform behavioural and dietary strategies for preventing VDD and monitoring VDI, especially in old, black, obese and inactive individuals who report rare consumption of milk.
Petrogenesis of the Harsin–Sahneh serpentinized peridotites along the Zagros suture zone, western Iran: new evidence for mantle metasomatism due to oceanic slab flux
Authors: NOURI FATEMEH , ASAHARA YOSHIHIRO , AZIZI HOSSEIN , TSUBOI MOTOHIRO
Published: April 2018

The Harsin–Sahneh serpentinized peridotites are widely exposed along the Zagros suture zone in the western region of Iran and are considered to represent remnants of Neo-Tethys oceanic lithosphere at the junction of the Arabian and Iran Plates. These rocks are characterized by low contents of SiO2 (38.8–43.5 wt%), Al2O3 (0.1–3.8 wt%), CaO (0.2–8.2 wt%) and TiO2 (< 1 wt%) and high MgO contents (31.1–46.0 wt%). Their enrichments of large ion lithophile elements and light rare earth elements, with high 87Sr/86Sr(i) values (0.7036–0.7109) and relatively high variations in their εNd(t) (–7.5 to +7.8) values, indicate that the Harsin–Sahneh peridotites were metasomatized by flux released from the oceanic subducting slab in an active margin. The chemical compositions and isotopic ratios of these rocks suggest that they were formed as residue of mid-oceanic ridge basalt in the lithosphere that was then subsequently re-melted and metasomatized in a supra-subduction zone system. The occurrence of both mid-oceanic ridge and supra-subduction zone-type peridotites suggests that the heterogeneity of the upper mantle may have occurred due to the different ratios of partial melting and melt–rock reaction processes in different tectonic settings within the Neo-Tethys realm. The Harsin–Sahneh peridotites provide a good explanation of multistage melt extraction as well as melt–rock and metasomatic reactions in the mantle sequence of the Zagros ophiolite complex.
Characterization of mitochondrion-targeted GTPases in Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Gupta Kirti , Gupta Ankit , Haider Afreen , Habib Saman
Published: April 2018

Ribosome assembly is critical for translation and regulating the response to cellular events and requires a complex interplay of ribosomal RNA and proteins with assembly factors. We investigated putative participants in the biogenesis of the reduced organellar ribosomes of Plasmodium falciparum and identified homologues of two assembly GTPases – EngA and Obg that were found in mitochondria. Both are indispensable in bacteria and P. berghei EngA is among the ‘essential’ parasite blood stage proteins identified recently. PfEngA and PfObg1 interacted with parasite mitoribosomes in vivo. GTP stimulated PfEngA interaction with the 50S subunit of Escherichia coli surrogate ribosomes. Although PfObg1–ribosome interaction was independent of nucleotide binding, GTP hydrolysis by PfObg1 was enhanced upon ribosomal association. An additional function for PfObg1 in mitochondrial DNA transactions was suggested by its specific interaction with the parasite mitochondrial genome in vivo. Deletion analysis revealed that the positively-charged OBG (spoOB-associated GTP-binding protein) domain mediates DNA-binding. A role for PfEngA in mitochondrial genotoxic stress response was indicated by its over-expression upon methyl methanesulfonate-induced DNA damage. PfEngA had lower sensitivity to an E. coli EngA inhibitor suggesting differences with bacterial counterparts. Our results show the involvement of two important GTPases in P. falciparum mitochondrial function, with the first confirmed localization of an EngA homologue in eukaryotic mitochondria.
Ethics Abroad: Fieldwork in Fragile and Violent Contexts
Authors: Cronin-Furman Kate , Lake Milli
Published: April 2018

The diversity of political spaces, availability of cheap labor, ease of access to powerful figures, and safety net of a foreign passport attract researchers to the developing world. However, environments of extreme state weakness and ongoing conflict permit research behavior that would be frowned on in the global north. We suggest that weak regulatory authority in conflict-affected states offers foreign academics opportunities that are not available when states have greater reach or capacity. Qualitative researchers may find requests to interview victims or perpetrators of wartime violence granted with ease. Experimenters can coerce under-resourced NGOs to pursue interventions at odds with their organizational mandates. We posit that conflict contexts can constitute permissive environments in which researchers can engage in conduct that would be considered deeply problematic at home. Because studying political violence can require firsthand research on aspects of political life not easily observed elsewhere, this article offers a set of guidelines to foster more ethical and responsible research practices.
Strengthening primary health care through primary care and public health collaboration: the influence of intrapersonal and interpersonal factors
Authors: Valaitis Ruta K. , O’Mara Linda , Wong Sabrina T. , MacDonald Marjorie , Murray Nancy , Martin-Misener Ruth , Meagher-Stewart Donna
Published: April 2018

Aim

The aim of this paper is to examine Canadian key informants’ perceptions of intrapersonal (within an individual) and interpersonal (among individuals) factors that influence successful primary care and public health collaboration.

Background

Primary health care systems can be strengthened by building stronger collaborations between primary care and public health. Although there is literature that explores interpersonal factors that can influence successful inter-organizational collaborations, a few of them have specifically explored primary care and public health collaboration. Furthermore, no papers were found that considered factors at the intrapersonal level. This paper aims to explore these gaps in a Canadian context.

Methods

This interpretative descriptive study involved key informants (service providers, managers, directors, and policy makers) who participated in one h telephone interviews to explore their perceptions of influences on successful primary care and public health collaboration. Transcripts were analyzed using NVivo 9.

Findings

A total of 74 participants [from the provinces of British Columbia (n=20); Ontario (n=19); Nova Scotia (n=21), and representatives from other provinces or national organizations (n=14)] participated. Five interpersonal factors were found that influenced public health and primary care collaborations including: (1) trusting and inclusive relationships; (2) shared values, beliefs and attitudes; (3) role clarity; (4) effective communication; and (5) decision processes. There were two influencing factors found at the intrapersonal level: (1) personal qualities, skills and knowledge; and (2) personal values, beliefs, and attitudes. A few differences were found across the three core provinces involved. There were several complex interactions identified among all inter and intra personal influencing factors: One key factor – effective communication – interacted with all of them. Results support and extend our understanding of what influences successful primary care and public health collaboration at these levels and are important considerations in building and sustaining primary care and public health collaborations.
GENERAL HYPERPLANE SECTIONS OF THREEFOLDS IN POSITIVE CHARACTERISTIC
Authors: Sato Kenta , Takagi Shunsuke
Published: April 2018

In this paper, we study the singularities of a general hyperplane section$H$of a three-dimensional quasi-projective variety$X$over an algebraically closed field of characteristic$p>0$. We prove that if$X$has only canonical singularities, then$H$has only rational double points. We also prove, under the assumption that$p>5$, that if$X$has only klt singularities, then so does$H$.
Knowledge politics in participatory climate change adaptation research on agroecology in Malawi
Authors: Bezner Kerr Rachel , Nyantakyi-Frimpong Hanson , Dakishoni Laifolo , Lupafya Esther , Shumba Lizzie , Luginaah Isaac , Snapp Sieglinde S.
Published: April 2018

Climate change is projected to have severe implications for smallholder agriculture in Africa, with increased temperatures, increased drought and flooding occurrence, and increased rainfall variability. Given these projections, there is a need to identify effective strategies to help rural communities adapt to climatic risks. Yet, relatively little research has examined the politics and social dynamics around knowledge and sources of information about climate-change adaptation with smallholder farming communities. This paper uses a political ecology approach to historically situate rural people's experiences with a changing climate. Using the concept of the co-production of knowledge, we examine how Malawian smallholder farmers learn, perceive, share and apply knowledge about a changing climate, and what sources they draw on for agroecological methods in this context. As well, we pay particular attention to agricultural knowledge flows within and between households. We ask two main questions: Whose knowledge counts in relation to climate-change adaptation? What are the political, social and environmental implications of these knowledge dynamics? We draw upon a long-term action research project on climate-change adaptation that involved focus groups, interviews, observations, surveys, and participatory agroecology experiments with 425 farmers. Our findings are consistent with other studies, which found that agricultural knowledge sources were shaped by gender and other social inequalities, with women more reliant on informal networks than men. Farmers initially ranked extension services as important sources of knowledge about farming and climate change. After farmers carried out participatory agroecological research, they ranked their own observation and informal farmer networks as more important sources of knowledge. Contradictory ideas about climate-change adaptation, linked to various positions of power, gaps of knowledge and social inequalities make it challenging for farmers to know how to act despite observing changes in rainfall. Participatory agroecological approaches influenced adaptation strategies used by smallholder farmers in Malawi, but most still maintained the dominant narrative about climate-change causes, which focused on local deforestation by rural communities. Smallholder farmers in Malawi are responsible for <1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet our results show that the farmers often blame their own rural communities for changes in deforestation and rainfall patterns. Researchers need to consider differences knowledge and power between scientists and farmers and the contradictory narratives at work in communities to foster long-term change.
Postnatal undernutrition in mice causes cardiac arrhythmogenesis which is exacerbated when pharmacologically stressed
Authors: Visker J. R. , Ferguson D. P.
Published: April 2018

Growth restriction caused by postnatal undernutrition increases risk for cardiovascular disease in adulthood with the potential to induce arrhythmogenesis. Thus, the purpose was to determine if undernutrition during development produced arrhythmias at rest and when stressed with dobutamine in adulthood. Mouse dams were fed (CON: 20% protein), or low-protein (LP: 8%) diet before mating. A cross-fostering model was used where pups nursed by dams fed LP diet in early [EUN; postnatal day (PN) 1–10], late (LUN; PN11–21) and whole (PUN; 1–21) phases of postnatal life. Weaned pups were switched to CON diets for the remainder of the study (PN80). At PN80, body composition (magnetic resonance imaging), and quantitative electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements were obtained under 1% isoflurane anesthesia. After baseline ECG, an IP injection (1.5 µg/g body weight) of dobutamine was administered and ECG repeated. Undernutrition significantly (P<0.05) reduced body weight in LUN (22.68±0.88 g) and PUN (19.96±0.32 g) but not in CON (25.05±0.96 g) and EUN (25.28±0.9207 g). Fat mass decreased in all groups compared with controls (CON: 8.00±1.2 g, EUN: 6.32±0.65 g, LUN: 5.11±1.1 g, PUN: 3.90±0.25 g). Lean mass was only significantly reduced in PUN (CON: 17.99±0.26 g, EUN: 17.78±0.39 g, LUN: 17.34±0.33 g, PUN: 15.85±0.28 g). Absolute heart weights were significantly less from CON, with PUN having the smallest. ECG showed LUN had occurrences of atrial fibrillation; EUN had increases of 1st degree atrioventricular block upon stimulation, and PUN had increased risk for ventricular depolarization arrhythmias. CON did not display arrhythmias. Undernutrition in early life resulted in ventricular arrhythmias under stressed conditions, but undernutrition occurring in later postnatal life there is an increased incidence of atrial arrhythmias.
Heritability of Cold and Heat Patterns: A Twin Study
Authors: Hur Yoon-Mi , Yu Hana , Jin Hee-Jeong , Lee Siwoo
Published: April 2018

In traditional East Asian medicine, cold–heat patterns have been widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of patients suffering from various diseases. The present study aimed to estimate the heritability of cold–heat patterns. Trained interviewers administered a cold–heat pattern questionnaire to 1,753 twins (mean age = 19.1 ± 3.1 years) recruited throughout South Korea. Correlations for the cold pattern (CP) were 0.42 (95% CI [0.28, 0.54]) for monozygotic (MZ) males, 0.16 (95% CI [-0.08, 0.39]) for dizygotic (DZ) males, 0.40 (95% CI [0.30, 0.49]) for MZ females, 0.30 (95% CI [0.12, 0.45]) for DZ females, and 0.07 (95% CI [-0.11, 0.25]) for opposite-sex DZ twins. The corresponding twin correlations for the heat pattern (HP) were 0.38 (95% CI [0.24, 0.51]), -0.22 (95% CI [-0.43, 0.02]), 0.34 (95% CI [0.24, 0.43]), 0.21 (95% CI [0.03, 0.37]), and 0.08 (95% CI [-0.10, 0.26]), respectively. These patterns of twin correlations suggested significant genetic effects on the HP and the CP. Model-fitting analysis revealed that heritability estimates in both sexes were 40% (95% CI [38, 42]) for the CP and 33% (95% CI [25, 42]) for the HP, with the remaining variances attributable to unique environmental variances. These estimates did not vary significantly with age during adolescence and young adulthood.
Panzytopenie und Splenomegalie
Authors: Enselmann Kai , Frasnelli Andreas
Published: April 2018

Zusammenfassung. Das Felty-Syndrom ist eine komplizierte und seltene Form der rheumatoiden Arthritis mit Splenomegalie und Neutropenie, das von A. R. Felty im Jahr 1924 erstmals beschrieben wurde und dessen Diagnose klinisch gestellt wird. Das Felty-Syndrom geht mit hoher Entzündungs- und regelmässig hoher Krankheitsaktivität einher. Die Prognose ist aufgrund der hohen Inzidenz von Infekten schlecht. Die Ursache ist noch unklar; diskutiert werden eine chronische Entzündungsreaktion und eine entsprechende individuelle Disposition. Differenzialdiagnostisch müssen maligne Erkrankungen des Blutes ausgeschlossen werden. Die Therapie der Wahl ist Methotrexat, bei fehlendem Ansprechen können andere DMARDs (Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs) in Erwägung gezogen werden; die Therapie mit Steroiden in der akuten Infektsituation ist kontrovers. Weitere Therapieoptionen wurden bisher nur in kleinen Fallstudien beschrieben. Von TNF-α-Inhibitoren wurde in einer Kleinstudie mit sechs Patienten über Unwirksamkeit berichtet. Der CD-20-Antagonist Rituximab (Mabthera®) hat in einer Studie mit acht Patienten bei der Mehrheit (n = 5) einen Anstieg der neutrophilen Granulozyten gezeigt. Als Wirkmechanismus wird eine Einflussnahme auf Anti-G-CSF-Antikörper diskutiert.
Multistage Rock‐Slope Failures Revealed in Lake Sediments in a Seismically Active Alpine Region (Lake Oeschinen, Switzerland)
Authors: Knapp Sibylle , Gilli Adrian , Anselmetti Flavio S. , Krautblatter Michael , Hajdas Irka
Published: April 2018

Late Glacial and Holocene rock‐slope failures occur often as multistage failures where paraglacial adjustment and stress adaptation are hypothesized to control phases of detachment. However, only limited data sets are available to decipher large multistage rock‐slope failures in detail. Here we apply sedimentology, radiocarbon dating, and geophysics to reconstruct multistage rock‐slope failure recorded in lake sediments. We present a unique inventory from Lake Oeschinen (Bernese Alps, Switzerland) covering ~2.5 kyr of rock‐slope failure history. The lake sediments have been investigated using sediment‐core analysis, radiocarbon dating, and seismic‐to‐core and core‐to‐core correlations, which were linked to (pre‐) historic and meteorological records. The results imply that the lake in its present extent is significantly younger than the ~9.5‐kyr‐old Kandersteg rock avalanche in the close vicinity. Up to eleven rock‐slope failure events could be identified and related to specific detachment scarps, which provided information for energy considerations. Four events likely coincided with (pre‐) historic earthquakes. At least six events detached from the same area, potentially initiated by prehistoric seismicity and later from stress‐relaxation processes. The data imply unexpected high recurrence rates (~1/300 years) and also help to understand the generation of a historical lake‐outburst flood. Here we show how polymethodical analysis of lake sediments can help to decipher massive multistage rock‐slope failures, which are often camouflaged in subaerial settings.
Accumulation of Carbonates Contributes to Coastal Vegetated Ecosystems Keeping Pace With Sea Level Rise in an Arid Region (Arabian Peninsula)
Authors: Saderne Vincent , Cusack Michael , Almahasheer Hanan , Serrano Oscar , Masqué Pere , Arias‐Ortiz Ariane , Krishnakumar Periyadan Kadinjappalli , Rabaoui Lotfi , Qurban Mohammad Ali , Duarte Carlos Manuel
Published: April 2018

Anthropogenic sea level rise (SLR) presents one of the greatest risks to human lives and infrastructures. Coastal vegetated ecosystems, that is, tidal marshes, seagrass meadows, and mangrove forests, elevate the seabed through soil accretion, providing a natural coastline protection against SLR. The soil accretion of these ecosystems has never been assessed in hot desert climate regions, where water runoff is negligible. However, tropical marine ecosystems are areas of intense calcification that may constitute an important source of sediment supporting seabed elevation, compensating for the lack of terrestrial inputs. We estimated the long‐term (14C‐centennial) and short‐term (210Pb‐20th century) soil accretion rates (SARs) and inorganic carbon (Cinorg) burial in coastal vegetated ecosystems of the Saudi coasts of the central Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf. Short‐term SARs (±SE) in mangroves of the Red Sea (0.27 ± 0.22 cm/year) were twofold the SLR for that region since 1925 (0.13 cm/year). In the Arabian Gulf, only mangrove forest SAR is equivalent to local SLR estimates for the period 1979–2007 (0.21 ± 0.09 compared to 0.22 ± 0.05 cm/year, respectively). Long‐term SARs are comparable or higher than the global estimates of SLR for the late Holocene (0.01 cm/year). In all habitats of the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf, SARs are supported by high carbonate accretion rates, comprising 40% to 60% of the soil volume. Further studies on the role of carbonates in coastal vegetated ecosystems are required to understand their role in adaptation to SLR.
Dependence of Thermal and Moisture Sensitivity of Soil Organic Carbon Decomposition on Manure Composition in an Inceptisol Under a 5‐Year‐Old Maize‐Wheat Cropping System
Authors: Biswas Dipak Ranjan , Ghosh Avijit , Ramachandran S. , Basak Biraj Bandhu , Moharana Pravash Chandra
Published: April 2018

Hydrothermal sensitivity of soil organic carbon decomposition in relation to global climatic changes is of great importance for C cycle in an agro‐ecosystem. To assess the sensitivities of SOC as affected by different organic sources and mineral fertilizer in Inceptisol, soil samples from a 5‐year‐old field experiment were collected from unfertilized control, 100% NPK, vermicompost, compost, and farmyard manure (FM) treated plots and analyzed for total organic C, labile C fractions and C mineralization kinetics by incubating soils at 25 and 35°C temperatures, and 0.33 and 1.0 bar soil moisture for 90 days. Compost and FM‐treated plots had ~23 and 22% higher total organic C than 100% NPK plots, respectively. Plots under vermicompost had similar C management index to FM but ~12% higher than compost. At 25°C temperature and 1.0 bar moisture, CO2evolutions from vermicompost‐ and FM‐treated plots were ~29 and 11% higher than compost, respectively. Carbon decay rate was invariably higher in control and 100% NPK than organically amended plots. Temperature sensitivity of C was similar at 0.33 bar but different at 1.0 bar among the treatments. Moisture sensitivity of C in organic amended plots was similar at 35°C but different at 25°C, but their moisture sensitivity values were always higher than NPK. It could be concluded that manures with low C/N ratio and high N and P content would reduce C decay rate. Hence, to enhance C sequestration and reduce CO2emissions in changing climatic situation, organic manure like vermicompost could be recommended.
Observations of Surface Wave Dispersion in the Marginal Ice Zone
Authors: Collins Clarence , Doble Martin , Lund Björn , Smith Madison
Published: April 2018

This study presents the most comprehensive set of in situ and remote sensing measurements of wave number, and hence the dispersion relation, in ice to date. A number of surface‐following buoys were deployed in sea ice from the R/V Sikuliaq, which also hosted an X‐band marine radar, during the ONR Arctic Sea State field experiment. The heave‐slope‐correlation method was used to estimate the root‐mean‐square wave number from the buoys. The method was highly sensitive to noise, and extensive quality control measures were developed to isolate real signals in the estimated wave number. The buoy measurements were complemented by shipboard marine X‐band radar dispersion measurements, which are limited to lower frequencies (<0.32 Hz). Overall, deviation from the linear open water dispersion relation was not significant, and matched the open water relation nearly exactly for the range 0.10–0.30 Hz. Isolating a subset of data during the strongest wave event showed evidence of increased wave numbers at frequencies greater than 0.30 Hz. The ice conditions and deviation from linear open water dispersion were qualitatively consistent with predictions from the mass loading model. However, the dispersion curves did not exactly follow the contours of the mass loading model, suggesting either measurement error or other processes at play.
BRI1 and BAK1 interact with G proteins and regulate sugar-responsive growth and development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Peng Yuancheng , Chen Liangliang , Li Shengjun , Zhang Yueying , Xu Ran , Liu Zupei , Liu Wuxia , Kong Jingjing , Huang Xiahe , Wang Yingchun , Cheng Beijiu , Zheng Leiying , Li Yunhai
Published: April 2018

Sugars function as signal molecules to regulate growth, development, and gene expression in plants, yeasts, and animals. A coordination of sugar availability with phytohormone signals is crucial for plant growth and development. The molecular link between sugar availability and hormone-dependent plant growth are largely unknown. Here we report that BRI1 and BAK1 are involved in sugar-responsive growth and development. Glucose influences the physical interactions and phosphorylations of BRI1 and BAK1 in a concentration-dependent manner. BRI1 and BAK1 physically interact with G proteins that are essential for mediating sugar signaling. Biochemical data show that BRI1 can phosphorylate G protein β subunit and γ subunits, and BAK1 can phosphorylate G protein γ subunits. Genetic analyses suggest that BRI1 and BAK1 function in a common pathway with G-protein subunits to regulate sugar responses. Thus, our findings reveal an important genetic and molecular mechanism by which BR receptors associate with G proteins to regulate sugar-responsive growth and development.
Cathelicidins prime platelets to mediate arterial thrombosis and tissue inflammation
Authors: Pircher Joachim , Czermak Thomas , Ehrlich Andreas , Eberle Clemens , Gaitzsch Erik , Margraf Andreas , Grommes Jochen , Saha Prakash , Titova Anna , Ishikawa-Ankerhold Hellen , Stark Konstantin , Petzold Tobias , Stocker Thomas , Weckbach Ludwig T , Novotny Julia , Sperandio Markus , Nieswandt Bernhard , Smith Alberto , Mannell Hanna , Walzog Barbara , Horst David , Soehnlein Oliver , Massberg Steffen , Schulz Christian
Published: April 2018

Leukocyte-released antimicrobial peptides contribute to pathogen elimination and activation of the immune system. Their role in thrombosis is incompletely understood. Here we show that the cathelicidin LL-37 is abundant in thrombi from patients with acute myocardial infarction. Its mouse homologue, CRAMP, is present in mouse arterial thrombi following vascular injury, and derives mainly from circulating neutrophils. Absence of hematopoietic CRAMP in bone marrow chimeric mice reduces platelet recruitment and thrombus formation. Both LL-37 and CRAMP induce platelet activation in vitro by involving glycoprotein VI receptor with downstream signaling through protein tyrosine kinases Src/Syk and phospholipase C. In addition to acute thrombosis, LL-37/CRAMP-dependent platelet activation fosters platelet–neutrophil interactions in other inflammatory conditions by modulating the recruitment and extravasation of neutrophils into tissues. Absence of CRAMP abrogates acid-induced lung injury, a mouse pneumonia model that is dependent on platelet–neutrophil interactions. We suggest that LL-37/CRAMP represents an important mediator of platelet activation and thrombo-inflammation.
Nanomanufacturing of silicon surface with a single atomic layer precision via mechanochemical reactions
Authors: Chen Lei , Wen Jialin , Zhang Peng , Yu Bingjun , Chen Cheng , Ma Tianbao , Lu Xinchun , Kim Seong H. , Qian Linmao
Published: April 2018

Topographic nanomanufacturing with a depth precision down to atomic dimension is of importance for advancement of nanoelectronics with new functionalities. Here we demonstrate a mask-less and chemical-free nanolithography process for regio-specific removal of atomic layers on a single crystalline silicon surface via shear-induced mechanochemical reactions. Since chemical reactions involve only the topmost atomic layer exposed at the interface, the removal of a single atomic layer is possible and the crystalline lattice beneath the processed area remains intact without subsurface structural damages. Molecular dynamics simulations depict the atom-by-atom removal process, where the first atomic layer is removed preferentially through the formation and dissociation of interfacial bridge bonds. Based on the parametric thresholds needed for single atomic layer removal, the critical energy barrier for water-assisted mechanochemical dissociation of Si–Si bonds was determined. The mechanochemical nanolithography method demonstrated here could be extended to nanofabrication of other crystalline materials.