Investigating ultra-low velocity zones in the southern hemisphere using an Antarctic dataset

Given limited seismic coverage of the lowermost mantle, less than one-fifth of the core-mantle boundary (CMB) has been surveyed for the presence of ultra-low velocity zones (ULVZs). Investigations that sample the CMB with new geometries are therefore important to further our understanding of ULVZ origins and their potential connection to other deep Earth processes. Using core-reflected ScP waves recorded by the recently deployed Transantarctic Mountains Northern Network in Antarctica, the current study aims to expand ULVZ investigations in the southern hemisphere. Our dataset samples the CMB in the vicinity of New Zealand, providing coverage between an area to the northeast, where ULVZ structure has been previously identified, and another region to the south, where prior evidence for a ULVZ was inconclusive. This area is of particular interest because the data sample across the boundary of the Pacific Large Low Shear Velocity Province (LLSVP). The Weddell Sea region near Antarctica is also well sampled, providing new information on a region that has not been previously studied. A correlative scheme between a large database of 1-D synthetic seismograms and the observed ScP data demonstrates that ULVZs are required in both study regions. Modeling uncertainties limit our ability to definitively define ULVZ characteristics but also likely indicate more complex 3-D structure. Given that ULVZs are detected within, along the edge of, and far from the Pacific LLSVP, our results support the hypothesis that ULVZs are compositionally distinct from the surrounding mantle and are not solely related to partial melt. ULVZs may be ubiquitous along the CMB; however, they may be thinner in many regions than can be resolved by current methods. Mantle convection currents may sweep the ULVZs into thicker piles in some areas, pushing these anomalies toward the boundaries of LLSVPs

Ultraviolet photodissociation action spectroscopy of the N-pyridinium cation

© 2015 AIP Publishing LLC. The S1←S0 electronic transition of the N-pyridinium ion (C5H5NH+) is investigated using ultraviolet photodissociation (PD) spectroscopy of the bare ion and also the N2-tagged complex. Gas-phase N-pyridinium ions photodissociate by the loss of molecular hydrogen (H2) in the photon energy range 37 000-45 000 cm-1 with structurally diagnostic ion-molecule reactions identifying the 2-pyridinylium ion as the exclusive co-product. The photodissociation action spectra reveal vibronic details that, with the aid of electronic structure calculations, support the proposal that dissociation occurs through an intramolecular rearrangement on the ground electronic state following internal conversion. Quantum chemical calculations are used to analyze the measured spectra. Most of the vibronic features are attributed to progressions of totally symmetric ring deformation modes and out-of-plane modes active in the isomerization of the planar excited state towards the non-planar excited state global minimum

Removal of ecotoxicity of 17α-ethinylestradiol using TAML/peroxide water treatment

17α -ethinylestradiol (EE2), a synthetic oestrogen in oral contraceptives, is one of many pharmaceuticals found in inland waterways worldwide as a result of human consumption and excretion into wastewater treatment systems. At low parts per trillion (ppt), EE2 induces feminisation of male fish, diminishing reproductive success and causing fish population collapse. Intended water quality standards for EE2 set a much needed global precedent. Ozone and activated carbon provide effective wastewater treatments, but their energy intensities and capital/operating costs are formidable barriers to adoption. Here we describe the technical and environmental performance of a fast- developing contender for mitigation of EE2 contamination of wastewater based upon smallmolecule, full-functional peroxidase enzyme replicas called “TAML activators”. From neutral to basic pH, TAML activators with H2O2 efficiently degrade EE2 in pure lab water, municipal effluents and EE2-spiked synthetic urine. TAML/H2O2 treatment curtails estrogenicity in vitro and substantially diminishes fish feminization in vivo. Our results provide a starting point for a future process in which tens of thousands of tonnes of wastewater could be treated per kilogram of catalyst. We suggest TAML/H2O2 is a worthy candidate for exploration as an environmentally compatible, versatile, method for removing EE2 and other pharmaceuticals from municipal wastewaters.Heinz Endowments, the Swiss National Science Foundation, the Steinbrenner Institute for a Steinbrenner Doctoral Fellowship. NMR instrumentation at CMU was partially supported by NSF (CHE-0130903 and CHE-1039870)

Heart Rate and Heart Rate Variability Changes Are Not Related to Future Cardiovascular Disease and Death in People With and Without Dysglycemia: A Downfall of Risk Markers? The Whitehall II Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE: Higher resting heart rate (rHR) and lower heart rate variability (HRV) are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality in people with and without diabetes. It is unknown whether temporal changes in rHR and HRV may contribute to this risk. We investigated associations between 5-year changes in rHR and HRV and risk of future CVD and death, taking into account participants' baseline glycemic state. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In this prospective, population-based cohort study we investigated 4,611 CVD-free civil servants (mean [SD] age, 60 [5.9] years; 70% men). We measured rHR and/or six indices of HRV. Associations of 5-year change in 5-min rHR and HRV with fatal and nonfatal CVD and all-cause mortality or the composite of the two were assessed, with adjustments made for relevant confounders. Effect modification by glycemic state was tested. RESULTS: At baseline, 63% of participants were normoglycemic, 29% had prediabetes, and 8% had diabetes. During a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 11.9 (11.4; 12.3) years, 298 participants (6.5%) experienced a CVD event and 279 (6.1%) died of non-CVD-related causes. We found no association between 5-year changes in rHR and HRV and future events. Only baseline rHR was associated with all-cause mortality. A 10 bpm-higher baseline HR level was associated with a 11.4% higher rate of all-cause mortality (95% CI 1.0-22.9%; P = 0.032). Glycemic state did not modify associations. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in rHR and HRV and possibly also baseline values of these measures are not associated with future CVD or death in people with or without dysglycemia

Big-Data-Driven Materials Science and its FAIR Data Infrastructure

This chapter addresses the forth paradigm of materials research -- big-data driven materials science. Its concepts and state-of-the-art are described, and its challenges and chances are discussed. For furthering the field, Open Data and an all-embracing sharing, an efficient data infrastructure, and the rich ecosystem of computer codes used in the community are of critical importance. For shaping this forth paradigm and contributing to the development or discovery of improved and novel materials, data must be what is now called FAIR -- Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-purposable/Re-usable. This sets the stage for advances of methods from artificial intelligence that operate on large data sets to find trends and patterns that cannot be obtained from individual calculations and not even directly from high-throughput studies. Recent progress is reviewed and demonstrated, and the chapter is concluded by a forward-looking perspective, addressing important not yet solved challenges.Comment: submitted to the Handbook of Materials Modeling (eds. S. Yip and W. Andreoni), Springer 2018/201

How Can Scientific Literature Support Decision-Making in the Renovation of Historic Buildings? An Evidence-Based Approach for Improving the Performance of Walls

Buildings of heritage significance due to their historical, architectural, or cultural value, here called historic buildings, constitute a large proportion of the building stock in many countries around the world. Improving the performance of such buildings is necessary to lower the carbon emissions of the stock, which generates around 40% of the overall emissions worldwide. In historic buildings, it is estimated that heat loss through external walls contributes significantly to the overall energy consumption, and is associated with poor thermal comfort and indoor air quality. Measures to improve the performance of walls of historic buildings require a balance between energy performance, indoor environmental quality, heritage significance, and technical compatibility. Appropriate wall measures are available, but the correct selection and implementation require an integrated process throughout assessment (planning), design, construction, and use. Despite the available knowledge, decision-makers often have limited access to robust information on tested retrofit measures, hindering the implementation of deep renovation. This paper provides an evidence-based approach on the steps required during assessment, design, and construction, and after retrofitting through a literature review. Moreover, it provides a review of possible measures for wall retrofit within the deep renovation of historic buildings, including their advantages and disadvantages and the required considerations based on context

Adverse drug reactions from psychotropic medicines in the paediatric population: analysis of reports to the Danish Medicines Agency over a decade

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The prescribing of psychotropic medicines for the paediatric population is rapidly increasing. In attempts to curb the use of psychotropic medicine in the paediatric population, regulatory authorities have issued various warnings about risks associated with use of these products in childhood. Little evidence has been reported about the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of these medicines in practice. As spontaneous reports are the main source for information about previously unknown ADRs, we analysed data submitted to a national ADR database. The objective was to characterise ADRs reported for psychotropic medicines in the Danish paediatric population over a decade.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>All spontaneous ADR reports from 1998 to 2007 for children from birth to 17 years of age were included. The unit of analysis was one ADR. We analysed the distribution of ADRs per year, seriousness, age and gender of the child, suspected medicine and type of reported ADR. A total of 429 ADRs were reported for psychotropic medicines and 56% of these were classified as serious. Almost 20% of psychotropic ADRs were reported for children from birth up to 2 years of age and one half of ADRs were reported in adolescents, especially for antidepressants and psychostimulants. Approximately 60% of ADRs were reported for boys. Forty percent of all ADRs were from the category 'nervous and psychiatric disorders'. All but one ADR reported for children below two years were serious and two of these were fatal. A number of serious ADRs reported in children from birth up to 2 years of age were presumably caused by mothers' use of psychotropic medicines during pregnancy.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The high number of serious ADRs reported for psychotropic medicines in the paediatric population should be a concern for health care professionals and physicians. Considering the higher number of birth defects being reported greater care has to be given while prescribing these drugs for pregnant women.</p

The determinants of vulnerability to currency crises: country-specific factors versus regional factors

We investigate the determinants of exchange market pressures (EMP) for some new EU member states at both the national and regional levels, where macroeconomic and financial variables are considered as potential sources. The regional common factors are extracted from these variables by using dynamic factor analysis. The linear empirical analysis, in general, highlights the importance of country-specific factors to defend themselves against vulnerability in their external sectors. Yet, given a significant impact of the common component in credit on EMP, a contagion effect is apparent through the conduit of credit market integration across these countries under investigation