bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Role of Islam, Ajami writings, and educational reform in Sulemaana Kantè’s N’ko
Authors: Donaldson Coleman 
Published: January 2020

Abstract:The written words of African Muslims have recently received renewed attention. This stems from a push to go beyond colonial archives as well as concerns with terrorism and Islamic radicalization. While Ajami—that is, African languages written in Arabic script—has been a part of this trend, Manding-language publications in the N’ko script have been overlooked. And yet, this literary industry is distinctly Islamic. Putting the writings of Sulemaana Kantè into conversation with historical authors and his contemporaries, Donaldson demonstrates that N’ko represents an iteration of Afro-Muslim vernacular thought, thereby illuminating Kantè and a body of N’ko and Ajami publications.
Blockchain’s future: can the decentralized blockchain community succeed in creating standards?
Authors: Flood John , McCullagh Adrian 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Nakamoto proposed a new solution to transact value via the internet. And since 2009, blockchain technology has expanded and diversified. It has, however, proven to be inefficient in the way it achieves its outcomes, especially through the proof of work protocol. Other developers are promoting alternative methods but, as yet, none has superseded proof of work. The competing protocols illuminate a key feature of the blockchain community, namely, its inability to create consensus in a decentralized community. Because of this lack of consensus, the formation of standards is particularly difficult to achieve. At best standards are contested sites, and we examine three such sites where some form of agreement over standards will be essential if blockchain is to evolve successfully. These three sites are blockchain governance, smart contracts, and interoperability of blockchains. We argue that because standards’ formation is a contested and contingent process, the blockchain community will persist in creating difficulties and barriers for itself until it is able to resolve internal conflicts.
Law and Public Policy: A Gap Between Theory and Teaching?
Authors: Kammerer Edward F. , Estrella-Luna Neenah 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACTThe realization that policy and law are tightly intertwined dates at least to de Tocqueville’s observation that, in the United States, political questions often become judicial questions. Scholars have shown consistently that courts, both federal and state, play a role in public policy decision making. This is observed in social policy (e.g., same-sex marriage and abortion), environmental policy (e.g., Environmental Protection Agency regulations), economic policy (e.g., New Deal Era decisions), and more. Too often, however, graduate programs in public policy fail to prepare students for the role of the courts in the policy process. This study examines the requirements and core competencies from Masters of Public Policy programs to determine to what extent, if any, judicial policy making is taught. We find that there is a significant gap between the theory about the role of courts in the public policy process and what public policy programs teach their students. We conclude with recommendations for possible changes to curricula to close this gap.
Global Sensitivity Analysis for Multiple Interpretive Models With Uncertain Parameters
Authors: Dell'Oca A. , Riva M. , Guadagnini A. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractWe propose a set of new indices to assist global sensitivity analysis in the presence of data allowing for interpretations based on a collection of diverse models whose parameters could be affected by uncertainty. Our global sensitivity analysis metrics enable us to assess the sensitivity of various features (as rendered through statistical moments) of the probability density function of a quantity of interest with respect to imperfect knowledge of (i) the interpretive model employed to characterize the system behavior and (ii) the ensuing model parameters. We exemplify our methodology for the case of heavy metal sorption onto soil, for which we consider three broadly used (equilibrium isotherm) models. Our analyses consider (a) an unconstrained case, i.e., when no data are available to constrain parameter uncertainty and to evaluate the (relative) plausibility of each considered model, and (b) a constrained case, i.e., when the analysis is constrained against experimental observations. Our moment‐based indices are structured according to two key components: (a) a model‐choice contribution, associated with the possibility of analyzing the system of interest by taking advantage of multiple model conceptualizations (or mathematical renderings); and (b) a parameter‐choice contribution, related to the uncertainty in the parameters of a selected model. Our results indicate that a given parameter can be associated with diverse degrees of importance, depending on the considered statistical moment of the target model output. The influence on the latter of parameter and model uncertainty evolves as a function of the available level of information about the modeled system behavior.
Super-resolution fluorescence-assisted diffraction computational tomography reveals the three-dimensional landscape of the cellular organelle interactome
Authors: Dong Dashan , Huang Xiaoshuai , Li Liuju , Mao Heng , Mo Yanquan , Zhang Guangyi , Zhang Zhe , Shen Jiayu , Liu Wei , Wu Zeming , Liu Guanghui , Liu Yanmei , Yang Hong , Gong Qihuang , Shi Kebin , Chen Liangyi 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe emergence of super-resolution (SR) fluorescence microscopy has rejuvenated the search for new cellular sub-structures. However, SR fluorescence microscopy achieves high contrast at the expense of a holistic view of the interacting partners and surrounding environment. Thus, we developed SR fluorescence-assisted diffraction computational tomography (SR-FACT), which combines label-free three-dimensional optical diffraction tomography (ODT) with two-dimensional fluorescence Hessian structured illumination microscopy. The ODT module is capable of resolving the mitochondria, lipid droplets, the nuclear membrane, chromosomes, the tubular endoplasmic reticulum, and lysosomes. Using dual-mode correlated live-cell imaging for a prolonged period of time, we observed novel subcellular structures named dark-vacuole bodies, the majority of which originate from densely populated perinuclear regions, and intensively interact with organelles such as the mitochondria and the nuclear membrane before ultimately collapsing into the plasma membrane. This work demonstrates the unique capabilities of SR-FACT, which suggests its wide applicability in cell biology in general.
Hydrogen sulfide stimulates Mycobacterium tuberculosis respiration, growth and pathogenesis
Authors: Saini Vikram , Chinta Krishna C. , Reddy Vineel P. , Glasgow Joel N. , Stein Asaf , Lamprecht Dirk A. , Rahman Md. Aejazur , Mackenzie Jared S. , Truebody Barry E. , Adamson John H. , Kunota Tafara T. R. , Bailey Shannon M. , Moellering Douglas R. , Lancaster Jack R. , Steyn Adrie J. C. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractHydrogen sulfide (H2S) is involved in numerous pathophysiological processes and shares overlapping functions with CO and •NO. However, the importance of host-derived H2S in microbial pathogenesis is unknown. Here we show that Mtb-infected mice deficient in the H2S-producing enzyme cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) survive longer with reduced organ burden, and that pharmacological inhibition of CBS reduces Mtb bacillary load in mice. High-resolution respirometry, transcriptomics and mass spectrometry establish that H2S stimulates Mtb respiration and bioenergetics predominantly via cytochrome bd oxidase, and that H2S reverses •NO-mediated inhibition of Mtb respiration. Further, exposure of Mtb to H2S regulates genes involved in sulfur and copper metabolism and the Dos regulon. Our results indicate that Mtb exploits host-derived H2S to promote growth and disease, and suggest that host-directed therapies targeting H2S production may be potentially useful for the management of tuberculosis and other microbial infections.
Substrate induced nanoscale resistance variation in epitaxial graphene
Authors: Sinterhauf Anna , Traeger Georg A. , Momeni Pakdehi Davood , Schädlich Philip , Willke Philip , Speck Florian , Seyller Thomas , Tegenkamp Christoph , Pierz Klaus , Schumacher Hans Werner , Wenderoth Martin 
Published: January 2020

AbstractGraphene, the first true two-dimensional material, still reveals the most remarkable transport properties among the growing class of two-dimensional materials. Although many studies have investigated fundamental scattering processes, the surprisingly large variation in the experimentally determined resistances is still an open issue. Here, we quantitatively investigate local transport properties of graphene prepared by polymer assisted sublimation growth using scanning tunneling potentiometry. These samples exhibit a spatially homogeneous current density, which allows to analyze variations in the local electrochemical potential with high precision. We utilize this possibility by examining the local sheet resistance finding a significant variation of up to 270% at low temperatures. We identify a correlation of the sheet resistance with the stacking sequence of the 6H silicon carbide substrate and with the distance between the graphene and the substrate. Our results experimentally quantify the impact of the graphene-substrate interaction on the local transport properties of graphene.
Modular detergents tailor the purification and structural analysis of membrane proteins including G-protein coupled receptors
Authors: Urner Leonhard H. , Liko Idlir , Yen Hsin-Yung , Hoi Kin-Kuan , Bolla Jani Reddy , Gault Joseph , Almeida Fernando Gonçalves , Schweder Marc-Philip , Shutin Denis , Ehrmann Svenja , Haag Rainer , Robinson Carol V. , Pagel Kevin 
Published: January 2020

AbstractDetergents enable the purification of membrane proteins and are indispensable reagents in structural biology. Even though a large variety of detergents have been developed in the last century, the challenge remains to identify guidelines that allow fine-tuning of detergents for individual applications in membrane protein research. Addressing this challenge, here we introduce the family of oligoglycerol detergents (OGDs). Native mass spectrometry (MS) reveals that the modular OGD architecture offers the ability to control protein purification and to preserve interactions with native membrane lipids during purification. In addition to a broad range of bacterial membrane proteins, OGDs also enable the purification and analysis of a functional G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR). Moreover, given the modular design of these detergents, we anticipate fine-tuning of their properties for specific applications in structural biology. Seen from a broader perspective, this represents a significant advance for the investigation of membrane proteins and their interactions with lipids.
Synchronously wired infrared antennas for resonant single-quantum-well photodetection up to room temperature
Authors: Miyazaki Hideki T. , Mano Takaaki , Kasaya Takeshi , Osato Hirotaka , Watanabe Kazuhiro , Sugimoto Yoshimasa , Kawazu Takuya , Arai Yukinaga , Shigetou Akitsu , Ochiai Tetsuyuki , Jimba Yoji , Miyazaki Hiroshi 
Published: January 2020

AbstractOptical patch antennas sandwiching dielectrics between metal layers have been used as deep subwavelength building blocks of metasurfaces for perfect absorbers and thermal emitters. However, for applications of these metasurfaces for optoelectronic devices, wiring to each electrically isolated antenna is indispensable for biasing and current flow. Here we show that geometrically engineered metallic wires interconnecting the antennas can function to synchronize the optical phases for promoting coherent resonance, not only as electrical conductors. Antennas connected with optimally folded wires are applied to intersubband infrared photodetectors with a single 4-nm-thick quantum well, and a polarization-independent external quantum efficiency as high as 61% (responsivity 3.3 A W−1, peak wavelength 6.7 μm) at 78 K, even extending to room temperature, is demonstrated. Applications of synchronously wired antennas are not limited to photodetectors, but are expected to serve as a fundamental architecture of arrayed subwavelength resonators for optoelectronic devices such as emitters and modulators.
The recalescence rate of cooling curve for undercooled solidification
Authors: Xu Junfeng , Yang Tian , Li Zhuo , Wang Xiao , Xiao Ying , Jian Zengyun 
Published: January 2020

AbstractRecalescence rate (R) in cooling curve is well known that affected by undercooling in solidification, but the accurate relationship of them is not clear yet. In this paper, based on the undercooled solidification of Fe-B alloy, the factor affected on recalescence process was investigated. The relationship R = VΔT/D was first found, where V is the growth velocity, ΔT the recalescence degree (approximate the undercooling), D the focus region diameter dependent on the distance of the pyrometer. With this result the solidification interface growth velocity can be predicted from recalescence of cooling curve, vice versa. In addition, an approximate relation between growth velocity and the size of the critical nucleus was shown.
Mid Infrared Optical Gas Sensor Using Plasmonic Mach-Zehnder Interferometer
Authors: El Shamy Raghi S. , Khalil Diaa , Swillam Mohamed A. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIn this work, we propose an optimized design for on-chip gas sensor using metal-insulator (MI) plasmonic waveguide in the mid infrared range and utilizing a Mach-Zehnder Inetrferometer (MZI). The MI waveguide utilizes a high index dielectric layer on top of the metal to enhance the sensitivity of the sensor. The thickness and the refractive index of this layer are optimized to achieve high sensitivity. Using this layer, a design that exhibits high performance for both wavelength and intensity interrogation schemes is achieved. In addition, another one that furtherly enhances the sensor performance for intensity interrogation is also proposed. This design also minimizes the sensor sensitivity to wavelength variations. Intensity interrogation scheme has the advantage of eliminating the size and cost needed by wide wavelength band measurements including either spectrometer or tunable laser in wavelength interrogation. The first design sensitivity has reached 10000 nm/RIU with wavelength interrogation figure of merit (FOMλ) of 133RIU−1 and intensity interrogation FOMI of 239RIU−1. While the second one exhibit FOMI of 363RIU−1, both with length of 250 µm around 4.6 µm wavelength. Finally, these structures are cheap, compact, and easy to fabricate.
Thermal damage of tungsten-armored plasma-facing components under high heat flux loads
Authors: Wang Shuming , Li Jiangshan , Wang Ye , Zhang Xiaofang , Wang Ruiping , Wang Yanru , Cao Jian 
Published: January 2020

AbstractFusion energy is expected as a promising candidate for alternative next generation energy. For fusion reactor, the plasma facing components (PFCs) are the most critical components to achieve this goal. PFCs will suffer severe thermal shock due to repective cyclic high heat flux (HHF) loads. This paper investigates the effects of thermal shock and damage behavior of tungsten armored PFCs under steady, transient and combined thermal loads. The distribution of stress field is analyzed, and crack initiation is predicted using the extended finite element method (XFEM). The unique features of thermal-mechanical behavior of tungsten armored PFCs under simulated service condition are discussed. The dominant factor of the cracking of the tungsten armor is the brittleness of tungsten below ductile-to-brittle transition temperature (DBTT). Under the steady loads, the cracking position is apt to near the interface of tungsten armor and the interlayer, and the threshold of cracking is between 14 MW/m2 and 16 MW/m2. With 6 MW/m2 steady loads, applying 1 ms duration of transient load, the cracking threshold is between 0.2 GW/m2 to 0.4 GW/m2. The depth of cracking increases from 100 um to 500 um with the transient load increasing from 0.4 GW/m2 to 1.0 GW/m2. Researches are useful for the design and structural optimization of tungsten-armored PFCs, and the long-term stable operation of further reactor.
Impact of deviation from guideline recommended treatment on breast cancer survival in Asia
Authors: Ho Peh Joo , Ow Samuel Guan Wei , Sim Yirong , Liu Jenny , Lim Swee Ho , Tan Ern Yu , Tan Su-Ming , Lee Soo Chin , Tan Veronique Kiak-Mien , Yap Yoon-Sim , Chay Wen Yee , Tan Benita Kiat Tee , Wong Fuh Yong , Li Jingmei , Hartman Mikael 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBreast cancer survival has improved with significant progress in treatment and disease management. However, compliance with treatment varies. Treatment guidelines for older patients are unclear. We aim to identify predictors of noncompliance with recommended therapy in a large breast cancer population and assess the impact of noncompliance on survival. Our study included 19,241 non-metastatic female breast cancer patients, of whom 3,158 (16%) died within 10 years post-diagnosis (median survival = 5.8 years). We studied the association between treatment noncompliance and factors with logistic regression, and the impact of treatment noncompliance on survival with a flexible parametric survival model framework. The highest proportion of noncompliance was observed for chemotherapy (18%). Predictors of noncompliance with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and endocrine therapy included age, tumor size, nodal involvement and subtype (except radiotherapy). Factors associated with not receiving surgery included age and subtype. Treatment noncompliance was associated with worse overall survival for surgery (HR: 2.26 [1.80–2.83]), chemotherapy (1.25 [1.11–1.41]), radiotherapy (2.28 [1.94–2.69]) and endocrine therapy (1.70 [1.41–2.04]). Worse survival was similarly observed in older patients for whom guidelines generally do not apply. Our results highlight the importance of following appropriate treatment as recommended by current guidelines. Older patients may benefit from similar recommendations.
Building de novo reference genome assemblies of complex eukaryotic microorganisms from single nuclei
Authors: Montoliu-Nerin Merce , Sánchez-García Marisol , Bergin Claudia , Grabherr Manfred , Ellis Barbara , Kutschera Verena Esther , Kierczak Marcin , Johannesson Hanna , Rosling Anna 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe advent of novel sequencing techniques has unraveled a tremendous diversity on Earth. Genomic data allow us to understand ecology and function of organisms that we would not otherwise know existed. However, major methodological challenges remain, in particular for multicellular organisms with large genomes. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are important plant symbionts with cryptic and complex multicellular life cycles, thus representing a suitable model system for method development. Here, we report a novel method for large scale, unbiased nuclear sorting, sequencing, and de novo assembling of AM fungal genomes. After comparative analyses of three assembly workflows we discuss how sequence data from single nuclei can best be used for different downstream analyses such as phylogenomics and comparative genomics of single nuclei. Based on analysis of completeness, we conclude that comprehensive de novo genome assemblies can be produced from six to seven nuclei. The method is highly applicable for a broad range of taxa, and will greatly improve our ability to study multicellular eukaryotes with complex life cycles.
Analysis of uncoated LPGs written in B-Ge doped fiber under proton irradiation for sensing applications at CERN
Authors: Berruti Gaia Maria , Vaiano Patrizio , Quero Giuseppe , Pimentel Das Neves Tiago Filipe , Boniello Alessandra , Consales Marco , Petagna Paolo , Cusano Andrea 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIn this contribution, a complete dissertation concerning the behavior of a Long Period Grating (LPG) inscribed in a B-Ge co-doped optical fiber by means of an excimer laser and exposed to proton irradiation during a recent extensive campaign performed at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) with a fluence of 4.4·1015 p∙cm−2 is provided. The experimental results have been thus combined for the first time to the best of our knowledge with numerical simulations in order to estimate the variations of the major parameters affecting the grating response during the ultra-high dose proton exposure. From the correlation between experimental and numerical analysis, the irradiation exposure was found to induce a maximal variation of the core effective refractive index of ~1.61·10−4, responsible of a resonance wavelength red shift of ~44 nm in correspondence of the highest absorbed radiation dose of 1.16 MGy. At the same time, a relevant decrease close to ~0.93·10−4 in the refractive index modulation pertaining to the grating was estimated, leading to a reduction of the resonant dip visibility of ~12 dB. The effect of the proton beam on the spectral response of the LPG device and on the optical fiber parameters was assessed during the relaxation phases, showing a partial recovery only of the wavelength shift without any relevant change in the dip visibility revealing thus a partial recovery only in the refractive index of the core while the reduction of the refractive index modulation observed during the irradiation remained unchanged.
Advancing proton minibeam radiation therapy: magnetically focussed proton minibeams at a clinical centre
Authors: Schneider Tim , De Marzi Ludovic , Patriarca Annalisa , Prezado Yolanda 
Published: January 2020

AbstractProton minibeam radiation therapy (pMBRT) is a novel therapeutic strategy that has proven to significantly increase dose tolerances and sparing of normal tissue. It uses very narrow proton beams (diameter ≤1 mm), roughly one order of magnitude smaller than state-of-the-art pencil beams. The current implementation of pMBRT with mechanical collimators is suboptimal as it is inflexible, decreases efficiency and produces additional secondary neutrons. As a potential solution, we explore in this article minibeam generation through magnetic focussing and investigate possibilities for the integration of such a technique at existing clinical centres. For this, a model of the pencil beam scanning (PBS) nozzle and beam at the Orsay Proton Therapy Centre was established and Monte Carlo simulations were performed to determine its focussing capabilities. Moreover, various modifications of the nozzle geometry were considered. It was found that the PBS nozzle in its current state is not suitable for magnetic minibeam generation. Instead, a new, optimised nozzle design has been proposed and conditions necessary for minibeam generation were benchmarked. In addition, dose simulations in a water phantom were performed which showed improved dose distributions compared to those obtained with mechanical collimators.