bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Blockchain technology and the governance of foreign aid
Authors: Reinsberg Bernhard 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBlockchain technology has been considered a vehicle to foster development in poor countries by promoting applications such as secure delivery of humanitarian aid, digital identity services, and proof of provenance. This article examines whether (and if so, how) blockchain technology can enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of foreign aid governance, thereby moving beyond completely anonymous contexts. Foreign aid governance is plagued by lack of credible commitments among states, which are further exacerbated by information asymmetries and which often undermine aid effectiveness. In this context, blockchain technology holds two promises. First, through the guaranteed execution of smart contracts, it can strengthen the credibility of state commitments, for example collective burden-sharing rules among a group of donors or recipient country compliance with policy conditionality in return for aid. Second, through leveraging prediction markets, blockchain technology can allay information problems related to the verification of real-world events along the entire aid delivery chain.
Sex Differences in 32,347 Jordanian 4th Graders on the National Exam of Mathematics
Authors: Al-Bursan Ismael S. , Kirkegaard Emil O. W. , Fuerst John , Bakhiet Salaheldin Farah Attallah , Al Qudah Mohammad F. , Hassan Elsayed Mohammed Abu Hashem , Abduljabbar Adel S. 
Published: November 2018

Abstract. Sex differences in mathematical ability were examined in a nation-wide sample of 32,346 Jordanian 4th graders (age 9–10 year) on a 40-item mathematics test. Overall, boys were found to perform slightly worse ( d = −0.12) but had slightly more variation in scores ( SD = 1.02 and SD = 0.98 for boys and girls, respectively). However, when results were disaggregated by school type, single-sex versus coed (i.e., coeducational), boys were found to perform better than girls in coed schools ( d = 0.27) but worse across single-sex schools ( d = −0.37). Two-parameter item response theory analysis showed that item difficulty was similar across sexes in the full sample. Item loadings exhibited substantial departure from measurement invariance with respect to boys and girls at single-sex schools, though. For boys and girls at coed schools, both the item difficulty and item loading correlations were highly similar, evincing that measurement invariance largely held in this case. Partially consistent with findings from other countries, a correlation between item difficulty and male advantage was observed, r = .57, such that the relative male advantage increased with increased item difficulty. Complicating interpretation, this association did not replicate within coed schools. Item content, Bloom’s cognitive taxonomy category, and item position showed no relation to sex differences.
Estimating Subseasonal Variability and Trends in Global Atmosphere Using Reanalysis Data
Authors: Žagar N. , Jelić D. , Alexander M. J. , Manzini E. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractA new measure of subseasonal variability is introduced that provides a scale‐dependent estimation of vertically and meridionally integrated atmospheric variability in terms of the normal modes of linearized primitive equations. Applied to the ERA‐Interim data, the new measure shows that subseasonal variability decreases for larger zonal wave numbers. Most of variability is due to balanced (Rossby mode) dynamics but the portion associated with the inertio‐gravity (IG) modes increases as the scale reduces. Time series of globally integrated variability anomalies in ERA‐Interim show an increase in variability after year 2000. In recent years the anomalies have been about 2% above the 1981–2010 average. The relative increase in variability projecting on the IG modes is larger and more persistent than for the Rossby modes. Although the IG part is a small component of the subseasonal variability, it is an important effect likely reflecting the observed increase in the tropical precipitation variability.
Modification of Parametric Subharmonic Instability in the Presence of Background Geostrophic Currents
Authors: Yang Wei , Hibiya Toshiyuki , Tanaka Yuki , Zhao Liang , Wei Hao 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAlthough various numerical experiments have been carried out to investigate the cascade of internal tide energy associated with parametric subharmonic instability (PSI), most of them assume idealized oceanic situations, ignoring the existence of background relative vorticity (ζ). Here we show, for the first time, that the existence of ζ can significantly modify the behavior of PSI by changing the local effective Coriolis frequency (
). A set of numerical experiments for 25.4°N show that the PSI efficiency significantly increases at the position where positive ζ shifts feff close to the M1 critical frequency (ω = ωM1). Furthermore, numerical experiments for 31°N, poleward of the M1 critical latitude, show that significant PSI energy transfer is possible when negative ζ is low enough. The presented results provide important implications for understanding the spatial distribution of diapycnal mixing in the ocean where background geostrophic currents prevail.
An Enhanced Pfafstetter Catchment Reference System
Authors: Stein J. L. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe Pfafstetter system delineates and codes hierarchically nested catchments. Its simple coding scheme denotes stream network position, enabling systematic analysis of the impacts of any activity on a river section without need for a GIS. However, widespread application has identified significant limitations. Issues raised include an inability to code complex drainage systems or large numbers of endorheic basins, the variability in both the levels of basin decomposition and subbasin sizes and main stem identification criteria not conforming to local understanding. To address these issues, the Pfafstetter system was modified to use an independent regionalization for the initial subdivision of the continent. New procedures were developed to code distributary drainage networks and endorheic basins and alternate criteria devised to identify the main stem and to produce a more even decomposition of a catchment. These modifications were successfully applied to the task of delineating and coding hierarchically nested catchments for the Australian continent including its complex distributary and anabranching drainage networks and large numbers of endorheic basins. The independent basin grouping produced initially smaller and more evenly sized subbasins and modeled estimates of flow identified the main stem correctly slightly more often than the original contributing area criterion. Enabling further subdivision of catchments with fewer than four tributaries produced the largest change in catchment delineations, doubling the number of subbasins and halving their size. Achieving the vision for a comprehensive basin reference system will require further development to include anthropogenic and other hydrological features not controlled by topography.
Multiresolution Large‐Eddy Simulation of an Array of Hydrokinetic Turbines in a Field‐Scale River: The Roosevelt Island Tidal Energy Project in New York City
Authors: Chawdhary Saurabh , Angelidis Dionysios , Colby Jonathan , Corren Dean , Shen Lian , Sotiropoulos Fotis 
Published: November 2018

AbstractMarine hydrokinetic (MHK) power generation systems enable harvesting energy from waterways without the need for water impoundment. A major research challenge for numerical simulations of field‐scale MHK farms stems from the large disparity in scales between the size of waterway and the energy harvesting device. We propose a large‐eddy simulation (LES) framework to perform high‐fidelity, multiresolution simulations of MHK arrays in a real‐life marine environment using a novel unstructured Cartesian flow solver coupled with a sharp‐interface immersed boundary method. The potential of the method as a powerful engineering design tool is demonstrated by applying it to simulate a 30 turbine MHK array under development in the East River in New York City. A virtual model of the MHK power plant is reconstructed from high‐resolution bathymetry measurements in the East River and the 30 turbines placed in 10 TriFrame arrangements as designed by Verdant Power. A locally refined, near the individual turbines, background unstructured Cartesian grid enables LES across a range of geometric scales of relevance spanning approximately 5 orders of magnitude. The simulated flow field is compared with a baseline LES of the flow in the East River without turbines. While velocity deficits and increased levels of turbulence kinetic energy are observed in the vicinity of the turbine wakes, away from the turbines as well as on the water surface only a small increase in mean momentum is found. Therefore, our results point to the conclusion that MHK energy harvesting from large rivers is possible without a significant disruption of the river flow.
A 3‐D Semianalytical Solution for Density‐Driven Flow in Porous Media
Authors: Shao Qian , Fahs Marwan , Hoteit Hussein , Carrera Jesus , Ackerer Philippe , Younes Anis 
Published: November 2018

AbstractExisting analytical and semianalytical solutions for density‐driven flow (DDF) in porous media are limited to 2‐D domains. In this work, we develop a semianalytical solution using the Fourier Galerkin method to describe DDF induced by salinity gradients in a 3‐D porous enclosure. The solution is constructed by deriving the vector potential form of the governing equations and changing variables to obtain periodic boundary conditions. Solving the 3‐D spectral system of equations can be computationally challenging. To alleviate computations, we develop an efficient approach, based on reducing the number of primary unknowns and simplifying the nonlinear terms, which allows us to simplify and solve the problem using only salt concentration as primary unknown. Test cases dealing with different Rayleigh numbers are solved to analyze the solution and gain physical insight into 3‐D DDF processes. In fact, the solution displays a 3‐D convective cell (actually a vortex) that resembles the quarter of a torus, which would not be possible in 2‐D. Results also show that 3‐D effects become more important at high Rayleigh number. We compare the semianalytical solution to research (Transport of RadioACtive Elements in Subsurface) and industrial (COMSOL Multiphysics®) codes. We show cases (high Raleigh number) where the numerical solution suffers from numerical artifacts, which highlight the worthiness of our semianalytical solution for code verification and benchmarking. In this context, we propose quantitative indicators based on several metrics characterizing the fluid flow and mass transfer processes and we provide open access to the source code of the semianalytical solution and to the corresponding numerical models.
Meandering Evolution and Width Variations: A Physics‐Statistics‐Based Modeling Approach
Authors: Lopez Dubon Sergio , Lanzoni Stefano 
Published: November 2018

AbstractMany models have been so far proposed to simulate and understand the long‐term evolution of meandering rivers. Nevertheless, some modeling problems still need to be solved, for example, the physical soundness of long‐term simulations when width variations are accounted for. The present work proposes the use of statistical tools to capture the spatiotemporal variations of channel width and to embed their effect into a physics‐statistics‐based model that simulates the river bank evolution. Erosion and deposition processes are assumed to act independently, with a specific shear stress threshold for each of them. In addition, the width evolution is linked with a river‐specific probability density function. The analysis of a representative sample of meandering configurations, extracted from Landsat images, indicates that in many cases a generalized extreme value distribution nicely describes the along‐channel distribution of cross‐section width. For a given river, the parameters of this distribution keep almost constant in time. Significant variations are observed only after cutoff events that shorten the length of the river. The constraint of the river width based on the assumption of a generalized extreme value distribution ensures physically plausible configurations as the river moves throughout the floodplain, adapting continuously its local width. The application of the model to a reach of the Ucayali River appears to reasonably reproduce the planform river morphodynamics and yields realistic values of the cross‐section widths.
The combination of cantharidin and antiangiogenic therapeutics presents additive antitumor effects against pancreatic cancer
Authors: Xu Meng-Dan , Liu Lu , Wu Meng-Yao , Jiang Min , Shou Liu-Mei , Wang Wen-Jie , Wu Jing , Zhang Yan , Gong Fei-Ran , Chen Kai , Tao Min , Zhi Qiaoming , Li Wei 
Published: November 2018

AbstractCantharidin, one of the active components of mylabris, is believed to have antitumor activity. Cantharidin selectively inhibits protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), which can repress multiple oncogenic kinases (ERK, JNK, PKC, and NF-κB). Researches in vitro have shown that cantharidin suppresses cell viability and metastasis in pancreatic cancer cells. This study aims to investigate the effects of cantharidin on pancreatic cancer xenografts in vivo. Xenograft models were established using cells stably expressing luciferase. Xenograft growth was evaluated by living imaging. Gene expression was determined using a microarray, real-time PCR, a RayBiotech antibody array, and the Milliplex assay. Surprisingly, cantharidin significantly accelerated xenograft growth. Living imaging showed a rapid distribution of D-luciferin in cantharidin-treated xenografts, suggesting a rich blood supply. Immunohistochemistry confirmed increased angiogenesis. Microarray and antibody array identified upregulated proangiogenic and downregulated antiangiogenic factors. The Milliplex assay suggested elevated secretion of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and VEGF. Inhibitors of ERK, JNK, PKC, and NF-κB pathway attenuated the cantharidin-induced changes to proangiogenic gene expression. PKC pathway-inhibiting tamoxifen or antiangiogenic therapeutics, including Ginsenoside Rg3, bevacizumab, Apatinib, and Endostar, antagonized the proangiogenic effect of cantharidin or its derivatives. These regimens presented remarkable additive antitumor effects in vivo. Although cantharidin presents antitumor effects in vitro and has been applied in clinical practice, we revealed an unfavorable proangiogenic side effect. We recommend that the clinical application of cantharidin should be performed on the premise of antivascularization therapy.
RANKL signaling in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells negatively regulates osteoblastic bone formation
Authors: Chen Xiao , Zhi Xin , Wang Jun , Su Jiacan 
Published: November 2018

AbstractRANKL signaling is essential for osteoclastogenesis. Its role in osteoblastic differentiation and bone formation is unknown. Here we demonstrate that RANK is expressed at an early stage of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) during osteogenic differentiation in both mice and human and decreased rapidly. RANKL signaling inhibits osteogenesis by promoting β-catenin degradation and inhibiting its synthesis. In contrast, RANKL signaling has no significant effects on adipogenesis of BMSCs. Interestingly, conditional knockout of rank in BMSCs with Prx1-Cre mice leads to a higher bone mass and increased trabecular bone formation independent of osteoclasts. In addition, rankflox/flox: Prx1-Cre mice show resistance to ovariectomy-(OVX) induced bone loss. Thus, our results reveal that RANKL signaling regulates both osteoclasts and osteoblasts by inhibition of osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs and promotion of osteoclastogenesis.
Zinc finger protein 32 promotes breast cancer stem cell-like properties through directly promoting GPER transcription
Authors: Li Yanyan , Gong Di , Zhang Le , Li Hongjiang , Zhang Shu , Zhang Jie , Li Kai , Zheng QianWen , Zhao Gang , Zhang Yue , Chen Yue , Guo Yafei , Xiang Rong , Lin Ping , Wei Yuquan 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBreast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women. Due to the existence of a small fraction of stem cell-like subpopulations, some breast cancer subtypes exhibit very high malignancy and resistance to multiple therapies. The underlying mechanisms of how these subtypes acquire stem cell-like properties and progress more aggressively remain largely unknown. Zinc finger protein 32 (ZNF32), a newly discovered transcription factor, has been reported to be associated with breast cancer progression. However, many questions remain about its target genes and its exact mechanisms in regulating stem cell-like properties and drug resistance. In the present study, we examined the relationship between ZNF32 and GPER, a membrane-associated estrogen receptor, and we addressed their roles in stemness regulation in human breast cancer cell lines. Our results showed that ZNF32 could induce expansion of stem cell-like subpopulations and increase drug resistance by upregulating GPER expression, in which ERK activation was also implicated. We also illustrated that ZNF32 induced GPER expression via a ZNF32 binding sequence located within the GPER promoter region. A correlation between ZNF32/GPER expression and increased tumor incidence and burden was observed in xenograft mouse models. We conclude that ZNF32 can engage GPER/ERK signalling and confer breast cancer stem cell-like properties, which may indicate poor prognosis of breast cancer patients. ZNF32 and GPER targeted therapies might provide new solutions for breast cancer treatment.
The phylogeography and incidence of multi-drug resistant typhoid fever in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Park Se Eun , Pham Duy Thanh , Boinett Christine , Wong Vanessa K. , Pak Gi Deok , Panzner Ursula , Espinoza Ligia Maria Cruz , von Kalckreuth Vera , Im Justin , Schütt-Gerowitt Heidi , Crump John A. , Breiman Robert F. , Adu-Sarkodie Yaw , Owusu-Dabo Ellis , Rakotozandrindrainy Raphaël , Soura Abdramane Bassiahi , Aseffa Abraham , Gasmelseed Nagla , Keddy Karen H. , May Jürgen , Sow Amy Gassama , Aaby Peter , Biggs Holly M. , Hertz Julian T. , Montgomery Joel M. , Cosmas Leonard , Olack Beatrice , Fields Barry , Sarpong Nimako , Razafindrabe Tsiriniaina Jean Luco , Raminosoa Tiana Mirana , Kabore Leon Parfait , Sampo Emmanuel , Teferi Mekonnen , Yeshitela Biruk , El Tayeb Muna Ahmed , Sooka Arvinda , Meyer Christian G. , Krumkamp Ralf , Dekker Denise Myriam , Jaeger Anna , Poppert Sven , Tall Adama , Niang Aissatou , Bjerregaard-Andersen Morten , Løfberg Sandra Valborg , Seo Hye Jin , Jeon Hyon Jin , Deerin Jessica Fung , Park Jinkyung , Konings Frank , Ali Mohammad , Clemens John D. , Hughes Peter , Sendagala Juliet Nsimire , Vudriko Tobias , Downing Robert , Ikumapayi Usman N. , Mackenzie Grant A. , Obaro Stephen , Argimon Silvia , Aanensen David M. , Page Andrew , Keane Jacqueline A. , Duchene Sebastian , Dyson Zoe , Holt Kathryn E. , Dougan Gordon , Marks Florian , Baker Stephen 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThere is paucity of data regarding the geographical distribution, incidence, and phylogenetics of multi-drug resistant (MDR) Salmonella Typhi in sub-Saharan Africa. Here we present a phylogenetic reconstruction of whole genome sequenced 249 contemporaneous S. Typhi isolated between 2008-2015 in 11 sub-Saharan African countries, in context of the 2,057 global S. Typhi genomic framework. Despite the broad genetic diversity, the majority of organisms (225/249; 90%) belong to only three genotypes, 4.3.1 (H58) (99/249; 40%), 3.1.1 (97/249; 39%), and 2.3.2 (29/249; 12%). Genotypes 4.3.1 and 3.1.1 are confined within East and West Africa, respectively. MDR phenotype is found in over 50% of organisms restricted within these dominant genotypes. High incidences of MDR S. Typhi are calculated in locations with a high burden of typhoid, specifically in children aged <15 years. Antimicrobial stewardship, MDR surveillance, and the introduction of typhoid conjugate vaccines will be critical for the control of MDR typhoid in Africa.
Entangled polymer dynamics beyond reptation
Authors: Abadi Maram , Serag Maged F. , Habuchi Satoshi 
Published: November 2018

AbstractMacroscopic properties of polymers arise from microscopic entanglement of polymer chains. Entangled polymer dynamics have been described theoretically by time- and space-averaged relaxation modes of single chains occurring at different time and length scales. However, theoretical and experimental studies along this framework provide oversimplified picture of spatiotemporally heterogeneous polymer dynamics. Characterization of entangled polymer dynamics beyond this paradigm requires a method that enables to capture motion and relaxation occurring in real space at different length and time scales. Here we develop new single-molecule characterization platform by combining super-resolution fluorescence imaging and recently developed single-molecule tracking method, cumulative-area tracking, which enables to quantify the chain motion in the length and time scale of nanometres to micrometres and milliseconds to minutes. Using linear and cyclic dsDNA molecules as model systems, our new method reveals chain-position-dependent motion of the entangled linear chains, which is beyond the scope of current theoretical framework.
Artificial optic-neural synapse for colored and color-mixed pattern recognition
Authors: Seo Seunghwan , Jo Seo-Hyeon , Kim Sungho , Shim Jaewoo , Oh Seyong , Kim Jeong-Hoon , Heo Keun , Choi Jae-Woong , Choi Changhwan , Oh Saeroonter , Kuzum Duygu , Wong H.-S. Philip , Park Jin-Hong 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe priority of synaptic device researches has been given to prove the device potential for the emulation of synaptic dynamics and not to functionalize further synaptic devices for more complex learning. Here, we demonstrate an optic-neural synaptic device by implementing synaptic and optical-sensing functions together on h-BN/WSe2 heterostructure. This device mimics the colored and color-mixed pattern recognition capabilities of the human vision system when arranged in an optic-neural network. Our synaptic device demonstrates a close to linear weight update trajectory while providing a large number of stable conduction states with less than 1% variation per state. The device operates with low voltage spikes of 0.3 V and consumes only 66 fJ per spike. This consequently facilitates the demonstration of accurate and energy efficient colored and color-mixed pattern recognition. The work will be an important step toward neural networks that comprise neural sensing and training functions for more complex pattern recognition.
Determining molecular properties with differential mobility spectrometry and machine learning
Authors: Walker Stephen W. C. , Anwar Ahdia , Psutka Jarrod M. , Crouse Jeff , Liu Chang , Le Blanc J. C. Yves , Montgomery Justin , Goetz Gilles H. , Janiszewski John S. , Campbell J. Larry , Hopkins W. Scott 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe fast and accurate determination of molecular properties is highly desirable for many facets of chemical research, particularly in drug discovery where pre-clinical assays play an important role in paring down large sets of drug candidates. Here, we present the use of supervised machine learning to treat differential mobility spectrometry – mass spectrometry data for ten topological classes of drug candidates. We demonstrate that the gas-phase clustering behavior probed in our experiments can be used to predict the candidates’ condensed phase molecular properties, such as cell permeability, solubility, polar surface area, and water/octanol distribution coefficient. All of these measurements are performed in minutes and require mere nanograms of each drug examined. Moreover, by tuning gas temperature within the differential mobility spectrometer, one can fine tune the extent of ion-solvent clustering to separate subtly different molecular geometries and to discriminate molecules of very similar physicochemical properties.