bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vector-Valued Extensions of Operators Through Multilinear Limited Range Extrapolation
Authors: Lorist Emiel , Nieraeth Zoe
Published: March 2019

We give an extension of Rubio de Francia’s extrapolation theorem for functions taking values in $${{\,\mathrm{UMD}\,}}$$

UMD

Banach function spaces to the multilinear limited range setting. In particular we show how boundedness of an m-(sub)linear operator $$\begin{aligned} T:L^{p_1}(w_1^{p_1})\times \cdots \times L^{p_m}(w_m^{p_m})\rightarrow L^p(w^p) \end{aligned}$$

T
:

L

p
1

(

w
1

p
1

)

×
⋯
×

L

p
m

(

w
m

p
m

)

→

L
p

(

w
p

)

for a certain class of Muckenhoupt weights yields an extension of the operator to Bochner spaces $$L^{p}(w^p;X)$$

L
p

(

w
p

;
X
)

for a wide class of Banach function spaces X, which includes certain Lebesgue, Lorentz and Orlicz spaces. We apply the extrapolation result to various operators, which yields new vector-valued bounds. Our examples include the bilinear Hilbert transform, certain Fourier multipliers and various operators satisfying sparse domination results.
Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) for Severe Torso Trauma in Japan: A Descriptive Study
Authors: Matsumoto Shokei , Hayashida Kei , Akashi Taku , Jung Kyoungwon , Sekine Kazuhiko , Funabiki Tomohiro , Moriya Takashi
Published: March 2019

Background

Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) has the potential to be an alternative to open aortic cross‐clamping (ACC). However, its practical indication remains unknown. We examined the usage trend of REBOA and ACC in Japan for severe torso trauma and investigated whether these procedures were associated with the time of death distribution based on a large database from the Japan Trauma Data Bank (JTDB).

Methods

The JTDB from 2004 to 2014 was reviewed. Eligible patients were restricted to those with severe torso trauma, which was defined as an abbreviated injury scale score of ≥4. Patients were classified into groups according to the aortic occlusion procedures. The primary outcomes were the rates of REBOA and ACC use according to the clinical situation. We also evaluated whether the time of death distribution for the first 8 h differed based on these procedures.

Results

During the study period, a total of 21,533 patients met our inclusion criteria. Overall, REBOA was more commonly used than ACC for patients with severe torso trauma (2.8% vs 1.5%). However, ACC was more frequently used in cases of thoracic injury and cardiac arrest. Regarding the time of death distribution, the cumulative curve for death in REBOA cases was elevated much more slowly and mostly flat for the first 100 min.

Conclusions

REBOA is more commonly used compared to ACC for patients with severe torso trauma in Japan. Moreover, it appears that REBOA influences the time of death distribution in the hyperacute phase.
The Effectiveness of Contralateral Drainage in Reducing Superficial Incisional Surgical Site Infection in Loop Ileostomy Closure: Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Serracant Anna , Serra‐Aracil Xavier , Mora‐López Laura , Pallisera‐Lloveras Anna , Serra‐Pla Sheila , Zárate‐Pinedo Alba , Navarro‐Soto Salvador
Published: March 2019

Background

Loop ileostomy reduces the rates of morbidity due to colorectal anastomotic dehiscence. For its part, ileostomy closure is associated with low mortality (0–4%) but substantial morbidity (11–37%). Incisional surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most frequent complications (2–40%).

Methods

A single‐center, prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial of two study groups: control (conventional primary skin closure) and experimental (primary skin closure with a contralateral Penrose® drain).

Results

Seventy patients undergoing loop ileostomy closure between April 2013 and June 2017 were included (35 per branch). Four were later removed from the study. Six of the remaining 66 patients (per protocol analysis) were diagnosed with incisional SSI (9.1%); there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups (control group: 9.7%; experimental group: 8.6%) or between the risk factors associated with incisional SSI. Rates of overall and relevant morbidity (Clavien ≥ III) were considerable (28.1% and 9.1%, respectively), and there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups. No patients died.

Conclusion

Contralateral drainage does not significantly affect the results of primary ileostomy closure. The rate of incisional SSI was similar in the drainage and non‐drainage groups, and the overall rate of 9.1% was in the low range of those reported in the literature. The absence of mortality (0%) and the non‐negligible rates of overall and relevant morbidity (28.1% and 9.1%, respectively) in our series suggest that loop ileostomy is a safe procedure. However, the bowel reconstruction involves risks that must be borne in mind.

Clinical trial registration

The study was registered and approved by the clinical research ethics committee of the study center (reference number 2012076). Clinical trial was registered in ClinicalTrial.gov (identification number NCT02574702 and reference: ILEOS‐ISS_2013).
Batch-feeding whole-cell catalytic synthesis of α-arbutin by amylosucrase from Xanthomonas campestris
Authors: Zhu Linjiang , Jiang Dan , Zhou Yaoyao , Lu Yuele , Fan Yongxian , Chen Xiaolong
Published: March 2019

α-Arbutin is an effective skin-whitening cosmetic ingredient and can be synthesized through hydroquinone glycosylation. In this study, amylosucrase (Amy-1) from Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris 8004 was newly identified as a sucrose-utilizing glycosylating hydroquinone enzyme. Its kinetic parameters showed a seven-time higher affinity to hydroquinone than maltose-utilizing α-glycosidase. The glycosylation of HQ can be quickly achieved with over 99% conversion when a high molar ratio of glycoside donor to acceptor (80:1) was used. A batch-feeding catalysis method was designed to eliminate HQ inhibition with high productivity (> 36.4 mM h−1). Besides, to eliminate the serious inhibition caused by the accumulated hydroquinone oxidation products, the whole-cell catalysis was further proposed. 306 mM of α-arbutin was finally achieved with 95% molar conversion rate within 15 h. Hence, the batch-feeding whole-cell biocatalysis by Amy-1 is a promising technology for α-arbutin production with enhanced yield and molar conversion rate.
Is self-identity essential to objects?
Authors: Spinelli Nicola
Published: March 2019

A common view is that self-identity is essential to objects if anything is. Itself a substantive metaphysical view, this is a position of some import in wider debates, particularly (but not exclusively) in connection with such problems as physicalism and personal identity. In this article I challenge the view. I distinguish between two accounts of essence, the modal and the definitional, and argue that self-identity is essential to objects on the former but not on the latter. After laying out my case, I deal with a number of objections.
Colorectal robotic surgery: INCA's experience
Authors: Valadão Marcus , Câmara Eduardo Rodrigues Zarco da , Fong Jensen Mifont , Araujo Rodrigo Otavio , Linhares Eduardo , Jesus José Paulo , Albagli Rafael
Published: March 2019

Introduction Minimally invasive surgery has revolutionized surgical management in the treatment of colorectal neoplasms, reducing morbidity and mortality, hospitalization, inactivity time and minimizing cost, as well as providing adequate oncological results when compared to the conventional approach. Robotic surgery, with Da Vinci Platform, emerges as a step ahead for its potentials. The objective of this article is to report the single institutional experience with the use of Da Vinci Platform in robotic colorectal surgeries performed at a reference center in oncological surgery in Brazil.

Materials and methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted based on the prospective database of patients from the institution submitted to robotic surgery for treatment of colorectal cancer from July 2012 to September 2017. Clinical and surgical variables were analyzed as predictors of morbidity and mortality.

Results A total of 117 patients underwent robotic surgery. The complications related to surgery occurred in 33 patients (28%), the most frequent being anastomotic fistula and surgical wound infection, which corresponded to 11% and 3%, respectively. Conversion rate was 1.7%. Median length of stay was 5 days. The only variable associated with increase of complications and death risk was BMI >30, with p-value of 0.038 and 0.027, respectively.

Conclusion Robotic surgery is safe and feasible for approaching colorectal cancer surgeries, presenting satisfactory results regarding length of hospital stay and rate of operative complications, as well as presenting a low rate of conversion. Obesity has been shown to be a risk factor for surgical complication in robotic colorectal surgery.
Modulation of near-wall turbulence in the transitionally rough regime
Authors: Abderrahaman-Elena Nabil , Fairhall Chris T. , García-Mayoral Ricardo
Published: March 2019

Direct numerical simulations of turbulent channels with rough walls are conducted in the transitionally rough regime. The effect that roughness produces on the overlying turbulence is studied using a modified triple decomposition of the flow. This decomposition separates the roughness-induced contribution from the background turbulence, with the latter essentially free of any texture footprint. For small roughness, the background turbulence is not significantly altered, but merely displaced closer to the roughness crests, with the change in drag being proportional to this displacement. As the roughness size increases, the background turbulence begins to be modified, notably by the increase of energy for short, wide wavelengths, which is consistent with the appearance of a shear-flow instability of the mean flow. A laminar model is presented to estimate the roughness-coherent contribution, as well as the displacement height and the velocity at the roughness crests. Based on the effects observed in the background turbulence, the roughness function is decomposed into different terms to analyse different contributions to the change in drag, laying the foundations for a predictive model.
Is job insecurity always bad? The moderating role of job embeddedness in the relationship between job insecurity and job performance
Authors: Qian Shanshan , Yuan Qinghong , Niu Wanjie , Liu Zhaoyan
Published: March 2019

Considering the mixed results of the relationship between job insecurity and job performance, this study investigated the interaction effect of job insecurity and job embeddedness on job performance and examined the mediating role of affective commitment from the perspectives of conservation of resources theory and social exchange theory. A survey of 725 contract employees from two Chinese private manufacturing companies revealed that when employees had high levels of job embeddedness, job insecurity was significantly and positively related to job performance. In contrast, job insecurity was significantly and negatively related to job performance when there were low levels of job embeddedness. Furthermore, the results indicated that affective commitment mediated the interaction effect. The above conclusions not only illustrate the important role of job embeddedness in the relationship between job insecurity and job performance but also provide beneficial ideas and information to organisations and employees for managing job insecurity.
A CONVERSE THEOREM FOR BORCHERDS PRODUCTS ON
Authors: BRUINIER JAN HENDRIK , SCHWAGENSCHEIDT MARKUS
Published: March 2019

We show that every Fricke-invariant meromorphic modular form for $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}_{0}(N)$ whose divisor on $X_{0}(N)$ is defined over $\mathbb{Q}$ and supported on Heegner divisors and the cusps is a generalized Borcherds product associated to a harmonic Maass form of weight $1/2$. Further, we derive a criterion for the finiteness of the multiplier systems of generalized Borcherds products in terms of the vanishing of the central derivatives of $L$-functions of certain weight $2$ newforms. We also prove similar results for twisted Borcherds products.
Geoarchaeology of Holocene oasis formation, hydro-agricultural management and climate change in Masafi, southeast Arabia (UAE)
Authors: Purdue Louise , Charbonnier Julien , Régagnon Emmanuelle , Calastrenc Carine , Sagory Thomas , Virmoux Clément , Crépy Mael , Costa Sophie , Benoist Anne
Published: March 2019

Oases are subject to decreasing resources and changing human activities. Fully aware of their rich heritage, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have undertaken work to preserve and revitalize these oases. However, there is a clear lack of understanding of the dynamic links between climate change, hydraulic and agricultural management, and socioeconomic activities. To clarify these links, our team conducted a systematic geoarchaeological, geophysical, spatial, and chronological study of the Masafi oasis, UAE. Results indicate the existence of a natural humid area as early as the late Pleistocene (~18 cal ka BP). These conditions persist during the early-mid Holocene with drainage activation and soil development (~12–6.3 ka). During the late Holocene, after the emergence of the “artificial” oasis around ~3250 cal yr BP, cycles of intense management suggesting water availability (~3250–2380 cal yr BP; 550 cal yr BP) alternate with episodes of fluvial detritism (~2380–1870 cal yr BP; >550 cal yr BP) and scattered evidence of farming activities with complex hydroclimatic signatures (~2300–550 cal yr BP). These results, together with regional environmental data, indicate that water and soil resources were available and exploited strategically throughout the Holocene despite adverse climatic conditions, and the oasis of Masafi could have acted as a desertrefugium.
Relationship of the posterior septal angle to the anterior nasal spine in the Caucasian nasal septum
Authors: Goh S , Karamchandani D , Anari S
Published: March 2019

Objective

This study aimed to determine the distance between the most anterior part of the anterior nasal spine and the posterior septal angle.

Methods

Sinus computed tomography images from February to April 2016 were retrospectively analysed. Scans from adult Caucasians were included. Those with evidence of previous surgery, large slices or poor quality were excluded. The distance between the posterior septal angle and the most anterior part of the anterior nasal spine was measured digitally by two independent raters.

Results

Of 122 scans, 100 met the inclusion criteria (49 males and 51 females; mean age of 52.5 years). The mean distance measured was 5.13 mm (standard deviation = 1.24 mm, range = 1.85–8.00 mm). Measurements between male and female patients were not significantly different (t=0.450, p=0.654, 95 per cent confidence interval = -0.382 to 0.606).

Conclusion

There is variability in the distance between the anterior nasal spine and the posterior septal angle. Surgeons should observe this relationship intra-operatively to avoid instability and unintended aesthetic changes.
Measles and rubella seroprevalence in a population of young adult blood donors, France 2013
Authors: Antona D. , Morel P. , Jacquot C. , Fonteneau L. , Dina J. , Vauloup-Fellous C. , Gimeno L. , Degeorges A. , Gallian P. , Lévy-Bruhl D.
Published: March 2019

As part of the evaluation of the French plan for the elimination of measles and rubella, we conducted a seroprevalence survey in 2013, aimed at updating seroprevalence data for people 18–32 years old. A secondary objective was to estimate measles incidence in this population during the 2009–2011 outbreak, and thus estimate the exhaustiveness of measles mandatory reporting. We used a cross-sectional survey design, targeting blood donors 18–32 years old, living in France since 2009, who came to give blood in a blood collecting site. We included 4647 people in metropolitan France, 806 people in Réunion Island and 496 in the French Caribbean. A further 3942 individuals were interviewed in the south-east region of metropolitan France to estimate the exhaustiveness of measles mandatory reporting. One of the main findings of this survey is that the proportion of people 18–32 years old susceptible to both measles and rubella infections remained high in France in 2013, 9.2% and 5.4%, respectively, in metropolitan France, even after the promotion campaigns about vaccination catch-up during and following the major measles epidemic in 2009–2011. Applying our results to French census data would suggest that around 1 million people aged 18–32 years old are currently susceptible to measles in France, despite this age group being one of the vaccination targets of the national measles elimination plan. Another important finding is that only an estimated 45% of the true number of cases in this age group was actually notified, despite notification being mandatory.
Louse-borne relapsing fever (Borrelia recurrentisinfection)
Authors: Warrell David A.
Published: March 2019

Louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF) is an epidemic disease with a fascinating history from Hippocrates’ times, through the 6th century ‘Yellow Plague’, to epidemics in Ireland, Scotland and England in the 19th century and two large Afro-Middle Eastern pandemics in the 20th century. An endemic focus persists in Ethiopia and adjacent territories in the Horn of Africa. Since 2015, awareness of LBRF in Europe, as a re-emerging disease, has been increased dramatically by the discovery of this infection in dozens of refugees arriving from Africa.

The causative spirochaete,Borrelia recurrentis, has a genome so similar toB. duttoniiandB. crocidurae(causes of East and West African tick-borne relapsing fever), that they are now regarded as merely ecotypes of a single genomospecies. Transmission is confined to the human body lousePediculus humanus corporis, and, perhaps, the head louseP. humanus capitis, although the latter has not been proved. Infection is by inoculation of louse coelomic fluid or faeces by scratching. Nosocomial infections are possible from contamination by infected blood. Between blood meals, body lice live in clothing until the host's body temperature rises or falls, when they seek a new abode.

The most distinctive feature of LBRF, the relapse phenomenon, is attributable to antigenic variation of borrelial outer-membrane lipoprotein. High fever, rigors, headache, pain and prostration start abruptly, 2–18 days after infection. Petechial rash, epistaxis, jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly and liver dysfunction are common. Severe features include hyperpyrexia, shock, myocarditis causing acute pulmonary oedema, acute respiratory distress syndrome, cerebral or gastrointestinal bleeding, ruptured spleen, hepatic failure, Jarisch–Herxheimer reactions (J-HR) and opportunistic typhoid or other complicating bacterial infections. Pregnant women are at high risk of aborting and perinatal mortality is high.

Rapid diagnosis is by microscopy of blood films, but polymerase chain reaction is used increasingly for species diagnosis. Severe falciparum malaria and leptospirosis are urgent differential diagnoses in residents and travellers from appropriate geographical regions.

High untreated case-fatality, exceeding 40% in some historic epidemics, can be reduced to less than 5% by antibiotic treatment, but elimination of spirochaetaemia is often accompanied by a severe J-HR.

Epidemics are controlled by sterilising clothing to eliminate lice, using pediculicides and by improving personal hygiene.
Oral fluid testing facilitates understanding of hepatitis A virus household transmission
Authors: Haywood Becky , Tedder Richard S. , Beebeejaun Kazim , Balogun Koye , Mandal Sema , Andrews Nick , Ngui Siew Lin
Published: March 2019

The public health response to sporadic hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection, hepatitis A, can be complex especially when the index case is a child and no obvious source is identified. Identifying an infection source may avoid mass immunisation within schools when transmission is found to have occurred within the household. Screening of asymptomatic contacts via venepuncture can be challenging and unacceptable, as a result non-invasive methods may facilitate public health intervention. Enzyme-linked immunoassays were developed to detect HAV immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) in oral fluid (ORF). A validation panel of ORF samples from 30 confirmed acute HAV infections were all reactive for HAV IgM and IgG when tested. A panel of 40 ORF samples from persons known to have been uninfected were all unreactive. Two hundred and eighty household contacts of 72 index cases were screened by ORF to identify HAV transmission within the family and factors associated with household transmission. Almost half of households (35/72) revealed evidence of recent infection, which was significantly associated with the presence of children ⩽11 years of age (odds ratio 9.84, 95% confidence interval: 2.74–35.37). These HAV IgM and IgG immunoassays are easy to perform, rapid and sensitive and have been integrated into national guidance on the management of hepatitis A cases.
Decomposing edge-coloured graphs under colour degree constraints
Authors: Fujita Shinya , Li Ruonan , Wang Guanghui
Published: March 2019

For an edge-coloured graph G, the minimum colour degree of G means the minimum number of colours on edges which are incident to each vertex of G. We prove that if G is an edge-coloured graph with minimum colour degree at least 5, then V(G) can be partitioned into two parts such that each part induces a subgraph with minimum colour degree at least 2. We show this theorem by proving amuch stronger form. Moreover, we point out an important relationship between our theorem and Bermond and Thomassen’s conjecture in digraphs.
ENFORCEABLE OPERATOR ALGEBRAS
Authors: Goldbring Isaac
Published: March 2019

We adapt the classical notion of building models by games to the setting of continuous model theory. As an application, we study to what extent canonical operator algebras are enforceable models. For example, we show that the hyperfinite II1 factor is an enforceable II1 factor if and only if the Connes Embedding Problem has a positive solution. We also show that the set of continuous functions on the pseudoarc is an enforceable model of the theory of unital, projectionless, abelian $\text{C}^{\ast }$-algebras and use this to show that it is the prime model of its theory.
Psychological Detachment from Work during Nonwork Time and Employee Well-Being: The Role of Leader’s Detachment
Authors: Sonnentag Sabine , Schiffner Caterina
Published: March 2019

Research has shown that psychological detachment from work during nonwork time is an important recovery experience and is crucial for employee well-being. Integrating research on job-stress recovery with research on leadership and employee mental health and well-being, this study examines how a leader’s psychological detachment from work during nonwork time directly relates to subordinate psychological detachment from work and indirectly to employee exhaustion and need for recovery. Based on self-report data from 137 employees and their supervisors, this study revealed that leader psychological detachment was related to subordinate psychological detachment and that leader psychological detachment was indirectly related to low subordinate exhaustion and low subordinate need for recovery, also when controlling for negative affectivity and leader-member-exchange. Overall, this study demonstrates that leaders might have an impact on subordinate strain symptoms not only via leadership behavior at work but also via detachment processes during leisure time. These findings suggest that employee recovery processes might not only be regarded as an individual phenomenon, but could be seen as embedded in the larger organizational context.
Exploring the Relationship of a Gamified Assessment with Performance
Authors: Nikolaou Ioannis , Georgiou Konstantina , Kotsasarlidou Vasiliki
Published: March 2019

Our study explores the validity of a game-based assessment method assessing candidates’ soft skills. Using self-reported measures of performance, (job performance, Organizational Citizenship Behaviors (OCBs), and Great Point Average (GPA), we examined the criterion-related and incremental validity of a game-based assessment, above and beyond the effect of cognitive ability and personality. Our findings indicate that a game-based assessment measuring soft skills (adaptability, flexibility, resilience and decision making) can predict self-reported job and academic performance. Moreover, a game-based assessment can predict academic performance above and beyond personality and cognitive ability tests. The effectiveness of gamification in personnel selection is discussed along with research and practical implications introducing recruiters and HR professionals to an innovative selection technique.
A Perspective on the Legacy of Edward Lorenz
Authors: McWilliams James C.
Published: March 2019

Edward Lorenz published research papers over a period of 58 years on a variety of subjects encompassed within dynamical meteorology. A commentary is presented here on four of his most important ideas: available potential energy in the atmospheric general circulation, chaotic dynamics, limits of weather predictability, and the hypothesized slow manifold of momentum‐balanced evolution free of fast oscillations.
Temporally Compound Heat Wave Events and Global Warming: An Emerging Hazard
Authors: Baldwin Jane Wilson , Dessy Jay Benjamin , Vecchi Gabriel A. , Oppenheimer Michael
Published: March 2019

The temporal structure of heat waves having substantial human impact varies widely, with many featuring a compound structure of hot days interspersed with cooler breaks. In contrast, many heat wave definitions employed by meteorologists include a continuous threshold‐exceedance duration criterion. This study examines the hazard of these diverse sequences of extreme heat in the present, and their change with global warming. We define compound heat waves to include those periods with additional hot days following short breaks in heat wave duration. We apply these definitions to analyze daily temperature data from observations, NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory global climate model simulations of the past and projected climate, and synthetically generated time series. We demonstrate that compound heat waves will constitute a greater proportion of heat wave hazard as the climate warms and suggest an explanation for this phenomenon. This result implies that in order to limit heat‐related mortality and morbidity with global warming, there is a need to consider added vulnerability caused by the compounding of heat waves.
Evolution of Large‐Scale Magnetic Fields From Near‐Earth Space During the Last 11 Solar Cycles
Authors: Pick Leonie , Korte Monika , Thomas Yannik , Krivova Natalie , Wu Chi‐Ju
Published: March 2019

We use hourly mean magnetic field measurements from 34 midlatitude geomagnetic observatories between 1900 and 2015 to investigate the long‐term evolution and driving mechanism of the large‐scale external magnetic field at ground. The Hourly Magnetospheric Currents index (HMC) is derived as a refinement of the Annual Magnetospheric Currents index (HMC, Pick & Korte, 2017, https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggx367). HMC requires an extensive revision of the observatory hourly means. It depends on three third party geomagnetic field models used to eliminate the core, the crustal, and the ionospheric solar‐quiet field contributions. We mitigate the dependency of HMC on the core field model by subtracting only nondipolar components of the model from the data. The separation of the residual (dipolar) signal into internal and external (HMC) parts is the main methodological challenge. Observatory crustal biases are updated with respect to AMC, and the solar‐quiet field estimation is extended to the past based on a reconstruction of solar radio flux (F10.7). We find that HMC has more power at low frequencies (periods ≥ 1 year) than the Dcx index, especially at periods relevant to the solar cycle. Most of the slow variations in HMC can be explained by the open solar magnetic flux. There is a weakly decreasing linear trend in absolute HMC from 1900 to present, which depends sensitively on the data rejection criteria at early years. HMC is well suited for studying long‐term variations of the geomagnetic field.
Quantifying the Value of Real‐Time Geodetic Constraints for Earthquake Early Warning Using a Global Seismic and Geodetic Data Set
Authors: Ruhl C. J. , Melgar D. , Chung A. I. , Grapenthin R. , Allen R. M.
Published: March 2019

Geodetic earthquake early warning (EEW) algorithms complement point‐source seismic systems by estimating fault‐finiteness and unsaturated moment magnitude for the largest, most damaging earthquakes. Because such earthquakes are rare, it has been difficult to demonstrate that geodetic warnings improve ground motion estimation significantly. Here, we quantify and compare timeliness and accuracy of magnitude and ground motion estimates in simulated real time from seismic and geodetic observations for a suite of globally distributed, large earthquakes. Magnitude solutions saturate for the seismic EEW algorithm (we use ElarmS) while the ElarmS‐triggered Geodetic Alarm System (G‐larmS) reduces the error even for its first solutions. Shaking intensity (Modified Mercalli Intensity, MMI) time series calculated for each station and each event are assessed based on MMI threshold crossings, allowing us to accurately characterize warning times per station. We classify alerts and find that MMI 4 thresholds result in true positive alerts for 11.2% of sites exceeding MMI 4 with a median warning time of 20.1 s for ElarmS, while G‐larmS issues true positive alerts for 20.9% of all sites exceeding MMI 4 with a significantly longer median warning time of 34.2 s. The geodetic EEW system reduces the number of missed alerts for a threshold of MMI 4 from 20.5% to 10.8% for all sites, but also increases the number of false positive alerts from 1.6% to 19.9% of all sites. By quantifying increased accuracy in magnitude, ground motion estimation, and alert timeliness, we demonstrate that finite‐fault geodetic algorithms add significant value, including better cost savings performance, to point‐source seismic EEW systems for large earthquakes.
A Deep Eastern Boundary Current Carrying Indian Deep Water South of Australia
Authors: Tamsitt V. , Talley L. D. , Mazloff M. R.
Published: March 2019

In the Southern Hemisphere, the ocean's deep waters are predominantly transported from low to high latitudes via boundary currents. In addition to the Deep Western Boundary Currents, pathways along the eastern boundaries of the southern Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific transport deep water poleward into the Southern Ocean where these waters upwell to the sea surface. These deep eastern boundary currents and their physical drivers are not well characterized, particularly those carrying carbon and nutrient‐rich deep waters from the Indian and Pacific basins. Here we describe the poleward deep eastern boundary current that carries Indian Deep Water along the southern boundary of Australia to the Southern Ocean using a combination of hydrographic observations and Lagrangian experiments in an eddy‐permitting ocean state estimate. We find strong evidence for a deep boundary current carrying the low‐oxygen, carbon‐rich signature of Indian Deep Water extending between 1,500 and 3,000 m along the Australian continental slope, from 30°S to the Antarctic Circumpolar Current southwest of Tasmania. From the Lagrangian particles it is estimated that this pathway transports approximately 5.8 ± 1.3 Sv southward from 30°S to the northern boundary of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. The volume transport of this pathway is highly variable and is closely correlated with the overlying westward volume transport of the Flinders Current.
Propagating Modes of Variability and Their Impact on the Western Boundary Current in the South Atlantic
Authors: Majumder Sudip , Goes Marlos , Polito Paulo S. , Lumpkin Rick , Schmid Claudia , Lopez Hosmay
Published: March 2019

Studies have suggested that the South Atlantic Ocean plays an important role in modulating climate at global and regional scales and thus could serve as a potential predictor of extreme rainfall and temperature events globally. To understand how propagating modes of variability influence the circulation of the subtropical gyre and the southward flowing Brazil Current (BC) at interannual frequencies, a Complex Empirical Orthogonal Function (CEOF) analysis was performed on the satellite‐derived sea surface height (SSH). The first three CEOF modes explain about 23%, 16%, and 11% of the total interannual variability and show clear westward propagation with phase speeds comparable to that of theoretical baroclinic mode 1 Rossby waves. Results suggest that there is a change in the way energy is distributed among the modes before and after 2005. Before 2005, the SSH variability in the western boundary in the South Atlantic and the volume transport of the BC are more closely linked to the first and the second modes, while the third mode dominates after 2005. This change in energy distribution around 2005 is associated with the recent El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) regime shift in the Pacific Ocean via atmospheric teleconnections. We found that the first CEOF mode is strongly correlated with eastern Pacific (i.e., canonical) ENSO events and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, whereas the third CEOF is correlated to central Pacific (i.e., Modoki) ENSO. These results are useful to understand the overall dynamics of the South Atlantic and to potentially improve predictability of Meridional Overturning Circulation and monsoon pattern changes around the world.
Targeting the Sigma-1 Receptor via Pridopidine Ameliorates Central Features of ALS Pathology in a SOD1G93A Model
Authors: Ionescu Ariel , Gradus Tal , Altman Topaz , Maimon Roy , Saraf Avraham Noi , Geva Michal , Hayden Michael , Perlson Eran
Published: March 2019

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting both the upper and lower motor neurons (MNs), with no effective treatment currently available. Early pathological events in ALS include perturbations in axonal transport (AT), formation of toxic protein aggregates and Neuromuscular Junction (NMJ) disruption, which all lead to axonal degeneration and motor neuron death. Pridopidine is a small molecule that has been clinically developed for Huntington disease. Here we tested the efficacy of pridopidine for ALS using in vitro and in vivo models. Pridopidine beneficially modulates AT deficits and diminishes NMJ disruption, as well as motor neuron death in SOD1G93A MNs and in neuromuscular co-cultures. Furthermore, we demonstrate that pridopidine activates the ERK pathway and mediates its beneficial effects through the sigma-1 receptor (S1R). Strikingly, in vivo evaluation of pridopidine in SOD1G93A mice reveals a profound reduction in mutant SOD1 aggregation in the spinal cord, and attenuation of NMJ disruption, as well as subsequent muscle wasting. Taken together, we demonstrate for the first time that pridopidine improves several cellular and histological hallmark pathologies of ALS through the S1R.
Prioritizing Parkinson’s disease genes using population-scale transcriptomic data
Authors: Li Yang I. , Wong Garrett , Humphrey Jack , Raj Towfique
Published: March 2019

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified over 41 susceptibility loci associated with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) but identifying putative causal genes and the underlying mechanisms remains challenging. Here, we leverage large-scale transcriptomic datasets to prioritize genes that are likely to affect PD by using a transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) approach. Using this approach, we identify 66 gene associations whose predicted expression or splicing levels in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLFPC) and peripheral monocytes are significantly associated with PD risk. We uncover many novel genes associated with PD but also novel mechanisms for known associations such as MAPT, for which we find that variation in exon 3 splicing explains the common genetic association. Genes identified in our analyses belong to the same or related pathways including lysosomal and innate immune function. Overall, our study provides a strong foundation for further mechanistic studies that will elucidate the molecular drivers of PD.
Author Correction: Bottom-up synthesis of chiral covalent organic frameworks and their bound capillaries for chiral separation
Authors: Qian Hai-Long , Yang Cheng-Xiong , Yan Xiu-Ping
Published: March 2019

This Article contains an error in Fig. 1, in which the structures of ‘(+)-Ac-L-Ta’ and ‘CTp’ are drawn incorrectly. The correct version of Fig. 1 is shown below. The error has not been fixed in the original PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Programming chain-growth copolymerization of DNA hairpin tiles for in-vitro hierarchical supramolecular organization
Authors: Zhang Honglu , Wang Yu , Zhang Huan , Liu Xiaoguo , Lee Antony , Huang Qiuling , Wang Fei , Chao Jie , Liu Huajie , Li Jiang , Shi Jiye , Zuo Xiaolei , Wang Lihua , Wang Lianhui , Cao Xiaoyu , Bustamante Carlos , Tian Zhongqun , Fan Chunhai
Published: March 2019

Formation of biological filaments via intracellular supramolecular polymerization of proteins or protein/nucleic acid complexes is under programmable and spatiotemporal control to maintain cellular and genomic integrity. Here we devise a bioinspired, catassembly-like isothermal chain-growth approach to copolymerize DNA hairpin tiles (DHTs) into nanofilaments with desirable composition, chain length and function. By designing metastable DNA hairpins with shape-defining intramolecular hydrogen bonds, we generate two types of DHT monomers for copolymerization with high cooperativity and low dispersity indexes. Quantitative single-molecule dissection methods reveal that catalytic opening of a DHT motif harbouring a toehold triggers successive branch migration, which autonomously propagates to form copolymers with alternate tile units. We find that these shape-defined supramolecular nanostructures become substrates for efficient endocytosis by living mammalian cells in a stiffness-dependent manner. Hence, this catassembly-like in-vitro reconstruction approach provides clues for understanding structure-function relationship of biological filaments under physiological and pathological conditions.
Differential metabolic activity and discovery of therapeutic targets using summarized metabolic pathway models
Authors: Çubuk Cankut , Hidalgo Marta R. , Amadoz Alicia , Rian Kinza , Salavert Francisco , Pujana Miguel A. , Mateo Francesca , Herranz Carmen , Carbonell-Caballero Jose , Dopazo Joaquín
Published: March 2019

In spite of the increasing availability of genomic and transcriptomic data, there is still a gap between the detection of perturbations in gene expression and the understanding of their contribution to the molecular mechanisms that ultimately account for the phenotype studied. Alterations in the metabolism are behind the initiation and progression of many diseases, including cancer. The wealth of available knowledge on metabolic processes can therefore be used to derive mechanistic models that link gene expression perturbations to changes in metabolic activity that provide relevant clues on molecular mechanisms of disease and drug modes of action (MoA). In particular, pathway modules, which recapitulate the main aspects of metabolism, are especially suitable for this type of modeling. We present Metabolizer, a web-based application that offers an intuitive, easy-to-use interactive interface to analyze differences in pathway metabolic module activities that can also be used for class prediction and in silico prediction of knock-out (KO) effects. Moreover, Metabolizer can automatically predict the optimal KO intervention for restoring a diseased phenotype. We provide different types of validations of some of the predictions made by Metabolizer. Metabolizer is a web tool that allows understanding molecular mechanisms of disease or the MoA of drugs within the context of the metabolism by using gene expression measurements. In addition, this tool automatically suggests potential therapeutic targets for individualized therapeutic interventions.
Human causes of soil loss in rural karst environments: a case study of Guizhou, China
Authors: Zhao Longshan , Hou Rui
Published: March 2019

Rocky desertification induced by soil loss is a serious ecological problem in karst mountain areas. Lack of awareness in the local population of the need for soil conservation has led to intense human disturbance that has accelerated soil loss and in turn caused a high proportion of land in rural environments to undergo rocky desertification. In this review, we discuss five human-related causes that have accelerated soil loss in the rural karst mountainous areas of Guizhou Province, southwestern China. These causes include road erosion, house construction, steep slope cultivation, tourism development, and animal trampling. These activities destroy surface vegetation and increase the potential for soil loss through exposed swallow holes (karst fissures). In addition to the national development strategy of rural revitalization and countryside beautification already implemented in the western region, the human impacts on the rural environment must be addressed. We discuss some effective measures the government should adopt to control the various types of soil loss due to human activities. Our review and findings provide a better understanding of anthropogenic soil loss in karst rural environments and present information to raise people’s awareness of measures that are needed to protect the soil resources in this region.
Permanent dry soil layer a critical control on soil desiccation on China’s Loess Plateau
Authors: Zhao Chunlei , Jia Xiaoxu , Gongadze Kate , Shao Ming’an , Wu Lianhai , Zhu Yuanjun
Published: March 2019

The wide spread of dry soil layers (DSL) in China’s Loess Plateau region has negative effects on the ecosystem, including soil degradation and vegetation failure. To understand the temporal persistence of DSL, a ca. 860 km south-north transect was established and soil water content of the 0–5 m depth soil layer repeatedly measured for a period of four years. The results indicated that DSL varied with time and had a distribution area over 21.5–47.0% in the 860 km transect during the study period. The DSL could be divided into temporary and permanent types based on the length of period for which the soil remains dry. While temporary DSL is recoverable, permanent DSL (which existed in 47 out of 86 sites) was apparently unrecoverable as it persisted throughout the observation period. Permanent DSL was characterized by high temporal persistence, severe soil desiccation and thick dry layers; all of which suggested severe negative effect on the ecosystem. Non-climatic factors, rather than climate factors, contributed more to the formation of permanent DSL in the study area. Thus, it was suggested that policies and measures should be enacted to control especially permanent DSL formation in the region.
Anti-VEGF injection frequency correlates with visual acuity outcomes in pro re nata neovascular AMD treatment
Authors: Wecker Thomas , Grundel Bastian , Reichl Sabine , Stech Milena , Lange Clemens , Agostini Hansjürgen , Böhringer Daniel , Stahl Andreas
Published: March 2019

Clinical trials report substantial gains in visual acuity (VA) for eyes treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF for neovascular AMD (nAMD). In clinical reality, VA outcomes are more variable. Here we investigate pro-re nata treatment frequencies and VA in a real-life cohort of 1382 eyes (1048 patients). Patients with nAMD and one year complete follow-up treated with pro-re nata anti-VEGF between 2009 and 2016 were included. Injection frequency and VA was analyzed clustered by year of first treatment. Baseline parameters were compared between years. Median injection frequency in the first year was 5 with an IQR (interquartile range) of 5 for patients treated in 2009 and 8 with an IQR of 3 for patients treated from 2012 onwards. Median VA outcomes at one year were −5 to ±0 letters for patients treated between 2009 and 2013 and ±0 to +2 letters for patients treated from 2013 onwards. This cohort comprises all severities and subtypes of nAMD. 39% of patients had baseline VA outside the range for the MARINA or ANCHOR clinical trials. Higher treatment frequency was associated with improved VA in our real-life nAMD cohort. With adequate injection frequency, almost 90% of eyes had stable or improved VA over one year. Median VA gains, however, were lower compared to clinical trials. This may be due to a wider range of baseline characteristics in real-life cohorts.
Alterations of Sphingolipid Metabolism in Different Types of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Li Juan , Xie Li-Min , Song Jin-Long , Yau Lee-Fong , Mi Jia-Ning , Zhang Chun-Ren , Wu Wan-Ting , Lai Mao-Hua , Jiang Zhi-Hong , Wang Jing-Rong , Ma Hong-Xia
Published: March 2019

The roles of sphingolipids in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are still unknown. This study aimed to investigate the sphingolipid characteristics for different types of PCOS using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). A total of 107 women with PCOS and 37 healthy women as normal controls were studied. PCOS patients were further classified into non-obesity with insulin resistance (IR) (NOIR), obesity with IR (OIR), and non-obesity and non-IR (NIR) subgroups. A total of 87 serum sphingolipids, including 9 sphingosines, 3 sphinganines, 1 sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), 19 ceramides (Cers), 1 ceramide-1-phosphate, 44 sphingomyelins (SMs), 4 hexosylceramides, and 6 lactosylceramides (LacCers) were analyzed using an improved sphingolipidomic approach based on LC-MS. Notable elevations in the levels of S1P, Cer, and SM were observed in PCOS patients when compared with healthy women, and SM species with long saturated acyl chains showed potential as novel biomarkers of PCOS. In addition, the level of LacCer was only elevated in NIR, and there was almost no change in NOIR and OIR. This study is the first to report the comprehensive sphingolipidomic profiling of different subgroups of PCOS with or without IR or obesity and suggests that serum sphingolipids might be useful as diagnostic biomarkers for different types of PCOS.
Designing a whole cell bioreporter to show antioxidant activities of agents that work by promotion of the KEAP1–NRF2 signaling pathway
Authors: Mozaheb Negar , Arefian Ehsan , Amoozegar Mohammad Ali
Published: March 2019

The major signaling pathway in human cells is related to the antioxidant defense system. The main component of this system is a transcription factor, Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 (NRF2). It regulates this system in different cellular situations under stimulation by oxidative stress or antioxidants. Thus, detecting the stimulation of NRF2 via a screening strategy may enable us to discover stimulating agents of NRF2-related signaling pathway. With this in mind, we designed a whole cell bioreporter containing the NRF2 response elements that are inserted in a luciferase vector, immediately upstream of a luciferase gene whose promoter has been removed. This bioreporter is activated by stimulators such as 3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (D3T), butyl hydroxyanisole (BHA) and ascorbic acid reacting as antioxidant agents. It was observed that the regulatory region of the NRF2 gene, which is identified by NRF2 protein, is located inside its coding region. This designed bioreporter can detect the presence of antioxidant agents. It also exhibits a significant linear correlation over different doses of these agents ranging from 0.8 to 80 μM for ascorbic acid, 0.1 to 100 μM for D3T, and 0.1 to 100 μM for BHA. This detection system is proven to be more sensitive than Real-time PCR, suggesting it to be a highly sensitive system among the available methods.