bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Further Development of Gompertz's Law
Authors: Makeham William Matthew
Published: June 2019

In the article “Mortality”, in the Penny Cyclopæia, the late Professor De Morgan gave the following description of the law of mortality propounded by Gompertz in the paper presented to the Royal Society in 1825. “As this ingenious paper”, says De Morgan, “contains a deduction from a principle of high “probability, and terminates in a conclusion which accords in a “great degree with observed facts, it must always be considered “a very remarkable page in the history of the enquiry before “us…. There is in the human constitution a power of “resisting the effects of disease which increases from birth up to “a certain age, and diminishes from that time forwards.… “Mr. Gompertz assumes that the power to oppose destruction “loses equal proportions in equal times, &c, &c.” Gompertz's theory of mortality, then, is based upon the supposed physiological fact that the living human organism is endowed with a certain recuperative power, becoming (after a few years from birth) ever less and less efficient with the lapse of time, which he terms “the power to oppose destruction”, but which, for brevity, I will call “vital force”, the truth of which supposition is evidently a question for common observation.
On the Assessment System of Life Insurance
Authors: Sutton William
Published: June 2019

It will be within your recollection that in the course of the discussion which followed the reading of Mr. Sunderland's paper in December last (see p. 257 ante), I stated that while endeavouring to obtain information with regard to American insurance business, in connection with, the subject of that paper, I found to my astonishment that a large amount of business was apparently being carried on in that country upon lines more or less resembling a fallacious principle which had long ago been exploded in this country.
The Graphic Method of Adjusting Mortality Tables. — A description of its objects, and its advantages as compared with other methods, and an application of it to obtain a Graduated Mortality Table from Mr. A. J. Finlaison's Observations on the Mortality of the Female Government Annuitants, 4 years and upwards after purchase
Authors: Sprague T. B.
Published: June 2019

I have on various occasions stated that, in my opinion, the graphic method is the best one to employ in graduating a mortality table; and I have more than once had it in contemplation to explain fully the grounds for this opinion, describing the advantages of the graphic method, and the objections I see to the use of some other methods which are commonly employed. In order to do this satisfactorily, it is clearly essential to give a graduation of some mortality observations; and my attention having been again drawn to the subject by reading Mr. Higham's brief, but extremely interesting and suggestive paper, On the Graduation of Mortality Tables (J.I.A. xxv, 15), in which he speaks unfavourably of the graphic method, I think that an examination of his reasoning and results will furnish me with the most suitable opportunity I could have for stating my views on the whole subject.
History of Life Assurance in the United Kingdom (Continued)
Authors: Walford Cornelius
Published: June 2019

Globe Insurance Company.—Early in the year 1799 a plan was laid before Mr. Pitt for forming a Chartered Insurance Office, for granting Insurance against Fire, and for Insurance of Lives; for buying and selling Annuities, and for receiving deposits from Friendly Societies, and the Industrial Classes: to be called the Globe or General Insurance Office. It was understood that the plan received that Minister's approval, and a Bill was introduced to Parliament embodying these objects. The measure encountered some opposition. In the first place, the Bank of England objected to the Deposit branch, and the clauses relating thereto were accordingly struck out. Then it was opposed by several of the Insurance Offices; but the Bill finally passed through both Houses, and received the Royal Assent.
The effect of Xenopus laevis egg extracts with/without BRG1 on the development of preimplantation cloned mouse embryos
Authors: Chiang Chien-Yueh , Chen Xin-Yu , Lin Chun-Ting , Tang Pin-Chi
Published: June 2019

Much effort has been devoted to improving the efficiency of animal cloning. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of BRG1 contained in Xenopus egg extracts on the development of cloned mouse embryos. The results showed that mouse NIH/3T3 cells were able to express pluripotent genes after treatment with egg extracts, indicating that the egg extracts contained reprogramming factors. After co-injection of Xenopus egg extracts and single mouse cumulus cells into enucleated mouse oocytes, statistically higher pronucleus formation and development rates were observed in the egg Extract− co-injected group compared with those in the no egg extract-injected (NT) group (38–66% vs 18–34%, P<0.001). Removal of BRG1 protein from Xenopus egg extracts was conducted, and the BRG1-depleted extracts were co-injected with single donor cells into recipient oocytes. The results showed that the percentages of pronucleus formation were significantly higher in both BRG1-depleted and BRG1-intact groups than that in the nuclear transfer (NT) group (94, 64% vs 50%, P<0.05). Furthermore, percentages in the BRG1-depleted group were even higher than in the BRG1-intact group (94% vs 64%). More confined expression of Oct4 in the inner cell mass (ICM) was observed in the blastocyst derived from the egg extract-injected groups. However, Nanog expression was more contracted in the ICM of cloned blastocysts in the BRG1-depleted group than in the BGR1-intact group. Based on the present study, BRG1 might not play an essential role in reprogramming, but the factors enhancing pronucleus formation and development of cloned mouse embryos are contained in Xenopus egg extracts.
Validation of a tool to assess patient satisfaction, waiting times, healthcare utilization, and cost
Authors: Eubank Breda H. , Lafave Mark R. , Mohtadi Nicholas G. , Sheps David M. , Wiley J. Preston
Published: June 2019

Aim

Patients’ experience of the quality of care received throughout their continuum of care can be used to direct quality improvement efforts in areas where they are most needed. This study aims to establish validity and reliability of the Healthcare Access and Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (HAPSQ) – a tool that collects patients’ experience that quantifies aspect of care used to make judgments about quality from the perspective of the Alberta Quality Matrix for Health (AQMH).

Background

The AQMH is a framework that can be used to assess and compare the quality of care in different healthcare settings. The AQMH provides a common language, understanding, and approach to assessing quality. The HAPSQ is one tool that is able to assess quality of care according to five of six AQMH’s dimensions.

Methods

This was a prospective methodologic study. Between March and October 2015, a convenience sample of patients presenting with chronic full-thickness rotator cuff tears was recruited prospectively from the University of Calgary Sport Medicine Centre in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Reliability of the HAPSQ was assessed using test–retest reliability [interclass correlation coefficient (ICC)>0.70]. Validity was assessed through content validity (patient interviews, floor and ceiling effects), criterion validity (percent agreement >70%), and construct validity (hypothesis testing).

Findings

Reliability testing was completed on 70 patients; validity testing occurred on 96 patients. The mean duration of symptoms was three years (SD: 5.0, range: 0.1–29). Only out-of-pocket utilization possessed an ICC<0.70. Patients reported that items were relevant and appropriate to measuring quality of care. No floor or ceiling effects were present. Criterion validity was reached for all items assessed. A priori hypotheses were confirmed. The HAPSQ represents an inexpensive, reliable, and valid approach toward collecting clinical information across a patient’s continuum of care.
State-Making Lessons For International Relations Research
Authors: Lemke Douglas
Published: June 2019

Many of the central concerns of international relations—war, diplomatic relations, international trade and investment, and alliance politics—are also central to the state-making processes that are essential for the survival of states. The overlap between international relations and state making is profound but largely unrecognized. I present a framework emphasizing connections across these currently disparate areas of scholarship, thereby providing a more comprehensive basis for IR research. The framework I advance emphasizes the pursuit of capacity and legitimacy throughout a state’s existence, suggests new research topics, and raises new concerns about research design.
Field pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) has potential as an interseeded cover crop
Authors: Wortman Sam E.
Published: June 2019

Interseeding provides flexibility in cover crop establishment, but most cover crop species are not well-adapted to the duration of low-intensity light beneath the cash crop canopy. Field pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) has physiological seed dormancy traits and its emergence pattern may be better synchronized with cash crop senescence. The objective of this study was to demonstrate proof-of-concept for using pennycress as an interseeded cover crop. A 2-year field experiment was conducted where cereal rye (Secale cereale L.), mustard (Guillenia flavescens L.) or pennycress were interseeded into edamame [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] 1 month after planting. Rye and mustard emerged within 6 days, whereas pennycress emergence was delayed up to 56 days after interseeding. Pennycress provided 37–57% soil cover in fall and produced 0.4–2.5 Mg ha−1 biomass the following spring. Preliminary results demonstrate the utility of pennycress as an interseeded cover crop and the potential value of seed dormancy traits in interseeding systems.
On Rates of Mortality and their Causes
Authors: Lazarus W.
Published: June 2019

A correct knowledge of the rate of mortality among mankind is of such importance for answering many interesting questions, that we might hav expected it would hav been diligently studied from the earliest times. This, however, appears not to hav been the case, the reason probably being that questions as to the expectation of life arise in the first instance with reference to particular persons, and not to men in general. The proverbial uncertainty of human life—so often seen in the occurrence of death when least expected—is unfavourable to the notion of a general law of mortality, but naturally suggests the search after a means of predicting the duration of individual life. As thus understood, the question of the duration of life has at all times attracted great attention. Soothsayers and magicians claimd to hav the power of discerning from signs and omens of many kinds every event of life, its termination not excepted, and astrologers pretended to read in the stars the precise hour of each man's death.
On an application of the Theory of the Composition of Decremental Forces
Authors: Makeham W. M.
Published: June 2019

The determination of the probable effect, upon the increase of population, of the extinction of small pox, is a problem which has been discussed at some length by three of the great continental mathematicians of the last century, namely, D. Bernouilli, D'Alembert, and Laplace. I propose, first, to solve the problem by what may be termed the theory of the composition of decremental forces, and then to reproduce (by way of comparison) from Mr. Todhunter's History of the Theory of Probabilities, the solutions given by the three eminent mathematicians in question.
On the Death-Rate among Assured Lives in the West Indies, being the Experience of the Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Society during Thirty Years, 1846-76
Authors: Stott John
Published: June 2019

Not much seems to have been written on the subject of the Mortality of the West Indies as compared with that of the mother country. The following contribution, being the experience of the Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Society in these colonies during the last thirty years, may therefore, perhaps, be useful as well as interesting. The Directors of the Society have cordially adopted the suggestion that the figures should now be made public.
On the Rates of Mortality in New South Wales, and on the Construction of Mortality Tables from Census Returns; with a Note on the formation of Commutation Tables
Authors: Pell M.B.
Published: June 2019

The calculations which I have made respecting the rates of mortality in New South Wales are founded upon the returns of the Registrar-General for the years 1860-75, and upon two censuses taken in the years 1861 and 1871. There is every reason to believe that the returns of births and deaths are as accurate as can be expected in any case, and that the results of the censuses are as trustworthy as is usually the case. The returns for the year 1876 were not published when I commenced the calculations; and I have not gone farther back than 1860, because during the year before, Queensland with a considerable population was separated from New South Wales, producing of course an awkward break in the registrations.
On the Method used by Milne in the Construction of the Carlisle Table of Mortality
Authors: Sutton William
Published: June 2019

Although the Carlisle Table of Mortality, constructed by the late Mr. Milne from certain tabulated facts given by Dr. Heysham, has for many years played an important part in life assurance calculations, I have not been able to find that anyone has taken the trouble to compare the original facts with the Carlisle Table as given to the world by Mr. Milne. This has probably arisen from the somewhat vague manner in which the methods employed are described in Milne's well-known treatise. For many matters, probably, this once-famous mortality table will in the future be supplanted by the Institute's tables published a few years ago; but it is still worthy of some attention, and I therefore make no further apology for bringing this short note before the readers of the Journal.

In Art. 705 (p. 410) of vol. ii of his Treatise, Milne says:— “ Table II ” [being the Carlisle Table, as known to actuaries], “ exhibiting the law of mortality at Carlisle, has been constructed “ from Tables A and C of the last article, by the methods laid “ down from Art. 174 to 183; except that, between the ages of “ 100 and 105 years, the decrements of life are greater than they “ should be, according to the formula of Art. 177. * * * * * “ The population of Carlisle is too small to afford a sufficient “ number of facts for determining the law of mortality with “ accuracy, after the age of 100. * * * * I have therefore “ assumed the annual decrements after the age of 100, as they “ appear in the table, somewhat arbitrarily, so as to fix the limit “ of life at 105 years.”
Observations on the Graduation of Mortality Tables; with special reference to the Conditions under which certain Methods are to be preferred
Authors: Sorley James
Published: June 2019

The subject of Graduation has recently been brought somewhat prominently before the profession in connection with the exposition of various methods that have been proposed. While the bases of these individual methods have been set forth in a way leaving nothing to be desired, the precise relation of each to the entire problem of the adjustment of probabilities derived from statistics, does not appear to have been so clearly marked out; and therefore, in the following observations, it is proposed to keep prominently in view the conditions under which one method is to be preferred to another.

An intelligent outsider, desirous of becoming acquainted with the actuarial theory of graduation, might, if he overlooked the necessarily limited application of particular systems, derive from his researches an impression of disagreement among the various authorities, which would have a rather bewildering effect.
The Position of the Insurance Press in relation to Insurance Offices and Insurance Interests
Authors: Walford Cornelius
Published: June 2019

I think the time has arrived when the subject indicated in the title of this paper may be fairly and fully considered. It is certainly one which must frequently have presented itself to the managerial mind; and there can be no reason why this question should not be discussed with as much philosophic calmness as any of the many theoretical problems, or points in practice, which continually present themselves for reflection, and perchance for decision.

The point may indeed arise—whether I am the proper person to introduce the topic. I take the individual responsibility of deciding in the affirmative. I have, on the one hand, been as frequently assailed by the insurance press, as any one, and, on the other, received as much kindness and friendly recognition as any man can desire, and more than I claim to deserve. It may be that in either case the extreme has been reached, or passed. I have the advantage of having been a writer upon the press, insurance and general, from the days of my youth, and I say at once that my sympathies are largely on that side. But I think that the familiarity which draws me to the side of its virtues, also renders me, at least in some degree, cognizant of its short-comings. I have the further advantage of having been on various occasions consulted by managers on the one hand, and by editors on the other, upon the points which I now proceed to discuss.
Office Premium Loadings, and how they are dealt with in Valuation and Distribution of Profits. Part II
Authors: Crisford George Stephen
Published: June 2019

The first part of this paper was devoted to an investigation of the actual rates charged by the different companies, with a view of showing how important a bearing they have upon a valuation. Before commencing the second part of my subject, which deals with different modes of distributing profits when placed side by side with the rates charged, I would recapitulate the conclusions drawn from the first part of my paper, and, in addition, refer to some of the observations which were made thereon when the paper was read before the Institute last session.
Transgressive segregation and maternal genetic effects of non–target site fluazifop-P-butyl tolerance in Zoysia spp.
Authors: Liu Wenwen , Kenworthy Kevin E. , MacDonald Gregory E. , Unruh J. Bryan , Trenholm Laurie E. , Leon Ramon G.
Published: June 2019

Zoysia germplasm exhibit different levels of sensitivity to fluazifop-P-butyl, but the genetic factors responsible for such differences are unknown. Segregation patterns of the fluazifop-P-butyl tolerance trait were studied under greenhouse conditions. In total, 244 F1 lines were generated from multiple crosses between the tolerant line 5337-2 (non–target site tolerance) and three more-sensitive lines (123, 252, and 5330-23). Progeny segregation showed that fluazifop-P-butyl tolerance within zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) is expressed as a quantitative trait with a wide range of intermediate phenotypes between parental phenotypes. Transgressive segregation was extensive and largely favored susceptibility in most families, but was especially evident for 5337-2 × 123 and 5337-2 × 5330-23. The segregation patterns for biomass reduction and percent injury were different within reciprocal crosses and among three different family crosses. Reciprocal effects were observed in growth reduction for 5337-2 × 5330-23, in percent injury at 3 wk after the treatment (WAT), and for 5337-2 × 252 at 6 WAT. This indicated that fluazifop-P-butyl tolerance was not completely controlled by nuclear genetic factors in 5337-2 and maternal/cytoplasmic inheritance was also partially responsible. These results suggested that fluazifop-P-butyl tolerance may be attributed to multiple genetic mechanisms, which could present a challenge for future breeding efforts because of the difficulty of fixing multiple traits within a breeding population.
Velocity Weakening of Simulated Augite Gouge at Hydrothermal Conditions: Implications for Frictional Slip of Pyroxene‐Bearing Mafic Lower Crust
Authors: Tian Ping , He Changrong
Published: June 2019

To understand the velocity‐weakening behavior of pyroxene as a major constituent in mafic rocks under hydrothermal conditions, we employed augite (clinopyroxene, (Ca0.577Na0.110Mn0.004Mg0.886Fe2+0.193Fe3+0.037AlVI0.173Ti0.019)[AlIV0.137Si1.863O6]) as simulated gouge sample material to run velocity stepping sliding tests at temperatures of 101–607 °C, confining pressure of 127 MPa with 30 MPa pore pressure and axial loading rates of 0.04–1.0 μm/s. The friction coefficient was found to range from 0.71 to 0.73 with no systematic temperature dependence. Velocity‐weakening behavior occurred at temperatures above 203 °C, with low velocity dependence or (b‐a) value around 0.0012, corresponding to b/a values of 1.15–1.18. Inferred b values in the rate and state friction laws exhibited an increasing trend with temperature increase from ~0.0056 to ~0.0098 up to 403 °C, indicating activation of Arrhenius‐type creep at the frictional contacts. Microstructural observations on deformed samples show ubiquitous precipitated particles suggesting intergranular pressure solution, and no evidence for deformation by crystalline plasticity was observed. This fact, together with the comparison between experimental data and model prediction, suggests that the process of intergranular pressure solution at frictional contacts may have governed the evolution effect for augite. The minor velocity weakening of augite combined with previous data on plagioclase is consistent with the modest velocity weakening seen in mafic rocks, such as quartz‐free oceanic basalt. Such a minor velocity‐weakening property tends to favor slow slip events on the downdip portion of the subduction interface below currently locked seismogenic zones, such as in southwestern Japan, northern Cascadia, and Mexico.
Response of Extreme Precipitating Cell Structures to Atmospheric Warming
Authors: Lochbihler Kai , Lenderink Geert , Siebesma A. Pier
Published: June 2019

With increasing temperatures, it is likely that precipitation extremes increase as well. While, on larger spatial and longer temporal scales, the amplification of rainfall extremes often follows the Clausius‐Clapeyron relation, it has been shown that local short‐term convective precipitation extremes may well exceed the Clausius‐Clapeyron rate of around 6.5%/K. Most studies on this topic have focused exclusively on the intensity aspect, while only few have examined (with contradictory results) how warmer and moister conditions modulate the spatial characteristics of convective precipitation extremes and how these connect to increased intensities. Here we study this relation by using a large eddy simulation model. We simulate one diurnal cycle of heavy convective precipitation activity based on a realistic observation‐based strongly forced case setup. Systematically perturbed initial conditions of temperature and specific humidity enable an examination of the response of intensities and spatial characteristics of the precipitation field over an 8° dew point temperature range. We find that warmer and moister conditions result in an overall increase of both intensities and spatial extent of individual rain cells. Colder conditions favor the development of many but smaller rain cells. Under warmer conditions, we find a reduced number of individual cells, but their size significantly grows along with an increase of intensities over a large part of a rain cell. Combined, these factors lead to larger and more intense rain cells that can produce up to almost 20% more rain per degree warming and therefore have a large impact.
Groundwater Flow Under a Paleo‐Ice Stream of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet and Its Implications for the Formation of Stargard Drumlin Field, NW Poland
Authors: Hermanowski Piotr , Piotrowski Jan A.
Published: June 2019

Subglacial groundwater flow was an integral part of glaciological systems of past ice sheets, but its impact on the origin of active‐ice landforms remains unexplored. Using numerical experiments, we attempt to constrain groundwater flow dynamics under a major paleo‐ice stream of the southern Scandinavian Ice Sheet and its impact on the formation of the Stargard drumlin field. Flow models show a total reorganization of groundwater dynamics under the advancing ice stream to a depth of up to ~200 m. A mosaic of intervening groundwater recharge and discharge areas originates, whereby the same areas may experience multiple shifts in flow directions. A prominent time‐ and space‐transgressive pressure pump recharges groundwater in a subglacial zone up to about 20 km within the ice margin and discharges it in front of the ice sheet. The simulated groundwater flow pattern suggests that drumlins occupying a portion of the ice stream area occur preferentially where groundwater upwells and discharges at the ice/bed interface. Consistent with the geological composition, a possible drumlin‐forming mechanism involves an excess of pressurized water under the ice reducing the strength of the subglacial deposits and facilitating glacial erosion, erosion by turbulent meltwater flows or both, streamlining antecedent deposits into drumlin shapes. This study emphasizes the importance of causal feedback between subglacial groundwater flow and the ice sheet dynamics and suggests an impact of the former on the formation of streamlined subglacial landforms in general.
Influence of Environmental Factors on the Production of MIB and Geosmin Metabolites by Bacteria in a Eutrophic Reservoir
Authors: Clercin Nicolas A. , Druschel Gregory K.
Published: June 2019

Occurrences of odorous bacterial metabolites, 2‐methylisoborneol (MIB) and geosmin (GSM), in drinking water supply reservoirs are considered as a nuisance by the water industry and a source of complaints from customers. In Eagle Creek Reservoir, routine monitoring programs of MIB and GSM highlight intense odorous outbreaks during the spring season when high inflow discharges occur. Cyanobacteria have always been assumed to be source of these metabolites even if no known producers are present in raw water. A copper‐based algaecide is often used to terminate the metabolite production and the algal growth in the reservoir. The current study was designed to investigate and identify other biological sources involved in the biosynthesis of MIB and GSM metabolites as well as environmental factors that could be important triggers for the growth of bacterial producers. The community structure of the bacterioplankton was determined using a 16S rRNA gene sequencing technique, which showed that not only Cyanobacteria but Actinobacteria also were involved in the reservoir internal production. Planktothrix species was identified as the main source of GSM (p < 0.001) while Streptomyces (Actinobacteria) was very likely responsible of MIB (p < 0.01). Application of an algaecide disrupted GSM and the growth of Planktothrix but was less effective against MIB and Streptomyces. Statistical analyses revealed that MIB‐ and GSM‐causing bacteria were found abundant when the water was enriched with nitrogen, temperature cooler, and the water column mixed.
Rapid and Accurate Estimates of Streamflow Depletion Caused by Groundwater Pumping Using Analytical Depletion Functions
Authors: Zipper Samuel C. , Gleeson Tom , Kerr Ben , Howard Jeanette K. , Rohde Melissa M. , Carah Jennifer , Zimmerman Julie
Published: June 2019

Reductions in streamflow due to groundwater pumping (“streamflow depletion”) can negatively impact water users and aquatic ecosystems but are challenging to estimate due to the time and expertise required to develop numerical models often used for water management. Here we develop analytical depletion functions, which are simpler approaches consisting of (i) stream proximity criteria, which determine the stream segments impacted by a well; (ii) a depletion apportionment equation, which distributes depletion among impacted stream segments; and (iii) an analytical model to estimate streamflow depletion in each segment. We evaluate 50 analytical depletion functions via comparison to an archetypal numerical model and find that analytical depletion functions predict streamflow depletion more accurately than analytical models alone. The choice of a depletion apportionment equation has the largest impact on analytical depletion function performance and equations that consider stream network geometry perform best. The best‐performing analytical depletion function combines stream proximity criteria which expand through time to account for the increasing size of the capture zone; a web squared depletion apportionment equation, which considers stream geometry; and the Hunt analytical model, which includes streambed resistance to flow. This analytical depletion function correctly identifies the stream segment most affected by a well >70% of the time with mean absolute error < 15% of predicted depletion and performs best for wells in relatively flat settings within ~3 km of streams. Our results indicate that analytical depletion functions may be useful water management decision support tools in locations where calibrated numerical models are not available.
Ice‐Free Radiative Convection Drives Spring Mixing in a Large Lake
Authors: Cannon D. J. , Troy C. D. , Liao Q. , Bootsma H. A.
Published: June 2019

In this work we highlight the importance of radiative convection as a mixing mechanism in a large, ice‐free lake (Lake Michigan, USA), where solar heating of waters below the temperature of maximum density drives vertical convection during the vernal turnover. Measurements taken over a 2‐week period at a 55‐m deep site demonstrate the ability of radiative convection to mix the entire water column. Observations show a diurnal cycle in which solar heating drives a steady deepening of the convective mixed layer throughout the day (dHCML/dt = 12.8 m/hr), followed by surface‐cooling‐induced restratification during the night. Radiative convection is linked to a dramatic enhancement in turbulence characteristics, including both turbulent kinetic energy dissipation (ϵ: 10−9–10−7 W/kg) and turbulent scalar diffusivity (Kz: 10−3–10−1 m2/s), suggesting that radiative convection plays a major role in driving vertical mixing throughout the water column during the isothermal spring.
First‐Principles Determination of the Dissociation Phase Boundary of Phase H MgSiO4H2
Authors: Tsuchiya Jun , Umemoto Koichiro
Published: June 2019

Phase H (MgSiO4H2) is considered an important carrier of water into the lower mantle by the subduction of slabs. This phase has been reported to decompose into H2O ice VII and MgSiO3 bridgmanite under pressure. However, the dissociation phase boundary under the mantle pressure and temperature conditions has not been determined thus far. In this work, the dissociation phase boundary of phase H is determined by the calculation of Gibbs free energy of H2O ice VII. The stability field of phase H is found to be significantly extended from 52 to 62 GPa by the inclusion of zero‐point vibrational energy. Phase H decomposes into MgSiO3 bridgmanite and H2O ice VII at approximately 60 GPa (at ∼1000 K). This result indicates that the transportation of water by dense hydrous magnesium silicates may be terminated at a depth of approximately 1,500 km in the middle of the lower mantle in a pure Mg‐endmember composition.
MAVEN‐IUVS Observations of the CO2+ UV Doublet and CO Cameron Bands in the Martian Thermosphere: Aeronomy, Seasonal, and Latitudinal Distribution
Authors: Gérard J.‐C. , Gkouvelis L. , Ritter B. , Hubert B. , Jain S. K. , Schneider N. M.
Published: June 2019

We analyze two Martian years of dayglow measurements of the CO Cameron bands and the CO2+ ultraviolet doublet (UVD) at 298–299 nm with the Imaging UltraViolet Spectrograph on board the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) orbiter. We show that the altitude and the brightness of the two emissions peaks are strongly correlated, although data were collected over a wide range of latitudes and seasons. Averaged limb profiles are presented and compared with numerical simulations based on updated calculations of the production of the CO (a3Π) and the CO2+ (B 2Σ) states. The model simulations use the solar flux directly measured on board MAVEN with the Extreme Ultraviolet Monitor and the neutral densities provided by the Mars Climate Database version 5.3, adapted to the conditions of the observations. We show that the altitude and the shape of the sample limb profiles are well reproduced using the Mars Climate Database neutral atmosphere. The simulated peak intensities of the CO2+ UVD and Cameron bands are in good agreement considering the uncertainties on the excitation cross sections and the calibration of the Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph (IUVS) and Extreme Ultraviolet Monitor instruments. No significant adjustment of the electron impact cross section on CO2 to produce the a3Π state is needed. Seasonal‐latitudinal maps of the Cameron and UVD peak altitude observed during two Martian years show variations as large as 23 km. Model simulations of the amplitude of these changes are in fair agreement with the observations except during the southern summer dust period (Ls = 270–320°) when the calculated rise of the dayglow layer is underestimated.
Spatial sampling of terahertz fields with sub-wavelength accuracy via probe-beam encoding
Authors: Zhao Jiapeng , E Yiwen , Williams Kaia , Zhang Xi-Cheng , Boyd Robert W.
Published: June 2019

Recently, computational sampling methods have been implemented to spatially characterize terahertz (THz) fields. Previous methods usually rely on either specialized THz devices such as THz spatial light modulators or complicated systems requiring assistance from photon-excited free carriers with high-speed synchronization among multiple optical beams. Here, by spatially encoding an 800-nm near-infrared (NIR) probe beam through the use of an optical SLM, we demonstrate a simple sampling approach that can probe THz fields with a single-pixel camera. This design does not require any dedicated THz devices, semiconductors or nanofilms to modulate THz fields. Using computational algorithms, we successfully measure 128 × 128 field distributions with a 62-μm transverse spatial resolution, which is 15 times smaller than the central wavelength of the THz signal (940 μm). Benefitting from the non-invasive nature of THz radiation and sub-wavelength resolution of our system, this simple approach can be used in applications such as biomedical sensing, inspection of flaws in industrial products, and so on.
Extra-skeletal manifestations in mice affected by Clcn7-dependent autosomal dominant osteopetrosis type 2 clinical and therapeutic implications
Authors: Maurizi Antonio , Capulli Mattia , Curle Annabel , Patel Rajvi , Ucci Argia , Côrtes Juliana Alves , Oxford Harriet , Lamandé Shireen R. , Bateman John F. , Rucci Nadia , Teti Anna
Published: June 2019

Autosomal dominant osteopetrosis type 2 (ADO2) is a high-density brittle bone disease characterized by bone pain, multiple fractures and skeletal-related events, including nerve compression syndrome and hematological failure. We demonstrated that in mice carrying the heterozygousClcn7G213Rmutation, whose human mutant homologCLCN7G215Raffects patients, the clinical impacts of ADO2 extend beyond the skeleton, affecting several other organs. The hallmark of the extra-skeletal alterations is a consistent perivascular fibrosis, associated with high numbers of macrophages and lymphoid infiltrates. Fragmented clinical information in a small cohort of patients confirms extra-skeletal alterations consistent with a systemic disease, in line with the observation that theCLCN7gene is expressed in many organs. ADO2 mice also show anxiety and depression and their brains exhibit not only perivascular fibrosis but also β-amyloid accumulation and astrogliosis, suggesting the involvement of the nervous system in the pathogenesis of the ADO2 extra-skeletal alterations. Extra-skeletal organs share a similar cellular pathology, confirmed also in vitro in bone marrow mononuclear cells and osteoclasts, characterized by an impairment of the exit pathway of theClcn7protein product, ClC7, through the Golgi, with consequent reduced ClC7 expression in late endosomes and lysosomes, associated with high vesicular pH and accumulation of autophagosome markers. Finally, an experimental siRNA therapy, previously proven to counteract the bone phenotype, also improves the extra-skeletal alterations. These results could have important clinical implications, supporting the notion that a systematic evaluation of ADO2 patients for extra-skeletal symptoms could help improve their diagnosis, clinical management, and therapeutic options.
Selective elimination of cancer cells by the adenovirus E4orf4 protein in a Drosophila cancer model: a new paradigm for cancer therapy
Authors: Rosen Helit , Sharf Rakefet , Pechkovsky Antonina , Salzberg Adi , Kleinberger Tamar
Published: June 2019

The adenovirus (Ad) E4orf4 protein contributes to efficient progression of virus infection. When expressed alone E4orf4 induces p53- and caspase-independent cell-death, which is more effective in cancer cells than in normal cells in tissue culture. Cancer selectivity of E4orf4-induced cell-death may result from interference with various regulatory pathways that cancer cells are more dependent on, including DNA damage signaling and proliferation control. E4orf4 signaling is conserved in several organisms, including yeast, Drosophila, and mammalian cells, indicating that E4orf4-induced cell-death can be investigated in these model organisms. The Drosophila genetic model system has contributed significantly to the study of cancer and to identification of novel cancer therapeutics. Here, we used the fly model to investigate the ability of E4orf4 to eliminate cancer tissues in a whole organism with minimal damage to normal tissues. We show that E4orf4 dramatically inhibited tumorigenesis and rescued survival of flies carrying a variety of tumors, including highly aggressive and metastatic tumors in the fly brain and eye discs. Moreover, E4orf4 rescued the morphology of adult eyes containing scrib− cancer clones even when expressed at a much later stage than scrib elimination. The E4orf4 partner protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) was required for inhibition of tumorigenesis by E4orf4 in the system described here, whereas another E4orf4 partner, Src kinase, provided only minimal contribution to this process. Our results suggest that E4orf4 is an effective anticancer agent and reveal a promising potential for E4orf4-based cancer treatments.
Lobular architecture of human adipose tissue defines the niche and fate of progenitor cells
Authors: Estève D. , Boulet N. , Belles C. , Zakaroff-Girard A. , Decaunes P. , Briot A. , Veeranagouda Y. , Didier M. , Remaury A. , Guillemot J. C. , Ledoux S. , Dani C. , Bouloumié A. , Galitzky J.
Published: June 2019

Human adipose tissue (hAT) is constituted of structural units termed lobules, the organization of which remains to be defined. Here we report that lobules are composed of two extracellular matrix compartments, i.e., septa and stroma, delineating niches of CD45−/CD34+/CD31− progenitor subsets characterized by MSCA1 (ALPL) and CD271 (NGFR) expression. MSCA1+ adipogenic subset is enriched in stroma while septa contains mainly MSCA1−/CD271− and MSCA1−/CD271high progenitors. CD271 marks myofibroblast precursors and NGF ligand activation is a molecular relay of TGFβ-induced myofibroblast conversion. In human subcutaneous (SC) and visceral (VS) AT, the progenitor subset repartition is different, modulated by obesity and in favor of adipocyte and myofibroblast fate, respectively. Lobules exhibit depot-specific architecture with marked fibrous septa containing mesothelial-like progenitor cells in VSAT. Thus, the human AT lobule organization in specific progenitor subset domains defines the fat depot intrinsic capacity to remodel and may contribute to obesity-associated cardiometabolic risks.
High gas barrier coating using non-toxic nanosheet dispersions for flexible food packaging film
Authors: Yu Jingfang , Ruengkajorn Kanittika , Crivoi Dana-Georgiana , Chen Chunping , Buffet Jean-Charles , O’Hare Dermot
Published: June 2019

One of the major challenges in the circular economy relating to food packaging is the elimination of metallised film which is currently the industry standard approach to achieve the necessary gas barrier performance. Here, we report the synthesis of high aspect ratio 2D non-toxic layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheet dispersions using a non-toxic exfoliation method in aqueous amino acid solution. High O2 and water vapour barrier coating films can be prepared using food safe liquid dispersions through a bar coating process. The oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of 12 μm PET coated film can be reduced from 133.5 cc·m−2·day−1 to below the instrument detection limit (<0.005 cc·m−2·day−1). The water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) of the PET film can be reduced from 8.99 g·m−2·day−1 to 0.04 g·m−2·day−1 after coating. Most importantly, these coated films are also transparent and mechanically robust, making them suitable for flexible food packing while also offering new recycling opportunities.
Translatome analysis reveals altered serine and glycine metabolism in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells
Authors: Kampen Kim R. , Fancello Laura , Girardi Tiziana , Rinaldi Gianmarco , Planque Mélanie , Sulima Sergey O. , Loayza-Puch Fabricio , Verbelen Benno , Vereecke Stijn , Verbeeck Jelle , Op de Beeck Joyce , Royaert Jonathan , Vermeersch Pieter , Cassiman David , Cools Jan , Agami Reuven , Fiers Mark , Fendt Sarah-Maria , De Keersmaecker Kim
Published: June 2019

Somatic ribosomal protein mutations have recently been described in cancer, yet their impact on cellular transcription and translation remains poorly understood. Here, we integrate mRNA sequencing, ribosome footprinting, polysomal RNA sequencing and mass spectrometry datasets from a mouse lymphoid cell model to characterize the T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) associated ribosomal RPL10 R98S mutation. Surprisingly, RPL10 R98S induces changes in protein levels primarily through transcriptional rather than translation efficiency changes. Phosphoserine phosphatase (PSPH), encoding a key serine biosynthesis enzyme, was the only gene with elevated transcription and translation leading to protein overexpression. PSPH upregulation is a general phenomenon in T-ALL patient samples, associated with elevated serine and glycine levels in xenograft mice. Reduction of PSPH expression suppresses proliferation of T-ALL cell lines and their capacity to expand in mice. We identify ribosomal mutation driven induction of serine biosynthesis and provide evidence supporting dependence of T-ALL cells on PSPH.
Stepwise on-surface dissymmetric reaction to construct binodal organometallic network
Authors: Liu Jing , Chen Qiwei , Cai Kang , Li Jie , Li Yaru , Yang Xiao , Zhang Yajie , Wang Yongfeng , Tang Hao , Zhao Dahui , Wu Kai
Published: June 2019

Dissymmetric reactions, which enable differentiated functionalization of equivalent sites within one molecule, have many potential applications in synthetic chemistry and materials science, but they are very challenging to achieve. Here, the dissymmetric reaction of 1,4-dibromo-2,5-diethynylbenzene (2Br-DEB) on Ag(111) is realized by using a stepwise activation strategy, leading to an ordered two-dimensional organometallic network containing both alkynyl–silver–alkynyl and alkynyl–silver–phenyl nodes. Scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory calculations are employed to explore the stepwise conversion of 2Br-DEB, which starts from the H-passivation of one Br-substituted site at 300 K in accompaniment with an intermolecular reaction to form one-dimensional organometallic chains containing alkynyl–silver–alkynyl nodes. Afterwards, the other equivalent Br-substituted site undergoes metalation reaction at 320–450 K, resulting in transformation of the chains into the binodal networks. These findings exemplify the achievement of the dissymmetric reaction and its practical application for controlled fabrications of complicated yet ordered nanostructures on a surface.
Learning of distant state predictions by the orbitofrontal cortex in humans
Authors: Elliott Wimmer G. , Büchel Christian
Published: June 2019

Representations of our future environment are essential for planning and decision making. Previous research in humans has demonstrated that the hippocampus is a critical region for forming and retrieving associations, while the medial orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is an important region for representing information about recent states. However, it is not clear how the brain acquires predictive representations during goal-directed learning. Here, we show using fMRI that while participants learned to find rewards in multiple different Y-maze environments, hippocampal activity was highest during initial exposure and then decayed across the remaining repetitions of each maze, consistent with a role in rapid encoding. Importantly, multivariate patterns in the OFC-VPFC came to represent predictive information about upcoming states approximately 30 s in the future. Our findings provide a mechanism by which the brain can build models of the world that span long-timescales to make predictions.
Facial recognition from DNA using face-to-DNA classifiers
Authors: Sero Dzemila , Zaidi Arslan , Li Jiarui , White Julie D. , Zarzar Tomás B. González , Marazita Mary L. , Weinberg Seth M. , Suetens Paul , Vandermeulen Dirk , Wagner Jennifer K. , Shriver Mark D. , Claes Peter
Published: June 2019

Facial recognition from DNA refers to the identification or verification of unidentified biological material against facial images with known identity. One approach to establish the identity of unidentified biological material is to predict the face from DNA, and subsequently to match against facial images. However, DNA phenotyping of the human face remains challenging. Here, another proof of concept to biometric authentication is established by using multiple face-to-DNA classifiers, each classifying given faces by a DNA-encoded aspect (sex, genomic background, individual genetic loci), or by a DNA-inferred aspect (BMI, age). Face-to-DNA classifiers on distinct DNA aspects are fused into one matching score for any given face against DNA. In a globally diverse, and subsequently in a homogeneous cohort, we demonstrate preliminary, but substantial true (83%, 80%) over false (17%, 20%) matching in verification mode. Consequences of future efforts include forensic applications, necessitating careful consideration of ethical and legal implications for privacy in genomic databases.
Experimental demonstration of quantum finite automaton
Authors: Tian Yuling , Feng Tianfeng , Luo Maolin , Zheng Shenggen , Zhou Xiaoqi
Published: June 2019

In quantum information science, a major task is to find the quantum models that can outperform their classical counterparts. Automaton is a fundamental computing model that has wide applications in many fields. It has been shown that the quantum version of automaton can solve certain problem using a much smaller state space compared to the classical automaton. Here we report an experimental demonstration of an optical quantum automaton, which is used to solve the promise problems of determining whether the length of an input string can be divided by a prime number P with no remainder or with a remainder of R. Our quantum automaton can solve such problem using a state space with only three orthonormal states, whereas the classical automaton needs no less than P states. Our results demonstrate the quantum benefits of a quantum automaton over its classical counterpart and paves the way for implementing quantum automaton for more complicated and practical applications.