bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Climate, human influence and the distribution limits of the invasive European earwig, Forficula auricularia, in Australia
Authors: Hill Matthew P , Binns Matthew , Umina Paul A , Hoffmann Ary A , Macfadyen Sarina
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND

By modelling species–environment relationships of pest species, it is possible to understand potential limits to their distributions when they invade new regions, and their likely continued spread. The European earwig, Forficula auricularia, is a non‐native invasive species in Australia that has been in the country for over 170 years. However, in the last few decades it has invaded new areas. Unlike in other countries, F. auricularia is a pest species of grain production in Australia. In this study we detail the Australian distribution of this species, adding new samples focused around grain‐growing regions. Using this information, we build global species distribution models for F. auricularia to better understand species–environment relationships.

RESULTS

Our models indicate that the distribution of F. auricularia is strongly associated with temperate through to semi‐arid environments, a high winter rainfall and pronounced temperature seasonality. We identified regions that hold suitable, but as yet vacant, niche space for Australian populations, suggesting further potential for range expansion. Beyond climate, an index describing human influence on the landscape was important to understand the distribution limits of this pest. We identified regions where there was suitable climate space, but which F. auricularia has not occupied, probably due to low levels of human impact.

CONCLUSION

Modelling the global distribution of a non‐native pest species aided understanding of the regional distribution limits within Australia and highlighted the usefulness of human impact measures for modelling globally invasive insect species. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Projector‐based augmented reality system for interventional visualization inside MRI scanners
Authors: Mewes André , Heinrich Florian , Kägebein Urte , Hensen Bennet , Wacker Frank , Hansen Christian
Published: August 2018

Background

Navigation support in interventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is separated from the operating field, which makes it difficult to interpret positions and orientations and to coordinate the necessary hand movements.

Methods

We developed a projector‐based augmented reality system to enable visual navigation of tracked instruments on pre‐planned paths and visualization of risk structures directly on the patient inside the MRI bore. To assess the accuracy of the system, a user study was carried out with clinicians in a needle navigation test scenario.

Results

The targets were reached with an error of 1.7 ± 0.5 mm and the entry points with an error of 1.7 ± 0.8 mm.

Conclusion

The accuracy results are similar to those reached by live image–guided interventions and related work and confirm that this projective augmented reality prototype for the interventional MRI can serve as a platform for current and future research in augmented reality visualization and dynamic registration.
Fine orientation control of an insertable robotic camera system for single incision laparoscopic surgery
Authors: Yazdanpanah Abdolmalaki Reza , Liu Xiaolong , Mancini Gregory J. , Tan Jindong
Published: August 2018

Background

Insertable laparoscopic camera systems were developed to improve the minimally invasive surgeries. Robotic degrees of freedom for an insertable laparoscopic camera are required to adjust the camera's orientation and position inside an abdominal cavity.

Methods

This paper demonstrates an insertable magnetic actuated robotic camera system with two‐degree‐of‐freedom (2‐DoF) orientation control for single incision laparoscopic surgery. The camera system design consists of an external magnetic control unit and a fully insertable camera capsule. This system features a unified mechanism for anchoring, navigating, and rotating the insertable camera capsule by externally generated rotational magnetic field from the control unit. The motor‐free camera capsule is encapsulated in an one‐piece housing with two ring‐shaped tail‐end magnets and one cylindrical central magnet. The control unit that positioned externally consists of both permanent magnets and electromagnetic coils to generate rotational magnetic field and control the camera capsule.

Results

The experimental investigations indicated that the camera control system can achieve less than 1° control accuracies with average errors 0.594° and 0.524° for tilt motion and pan motion, respectively.

Conclusion

The designed control system provides fine orientation control for the insertable camera capsule which guarantees proper vision for the surgeon during single incision laparoscopic surgery.
Large Eddy Simulation on the Two‐Phase Flow in a Water Model of Continuous Casting Strand with Gas Injection
Authors: Chen Wei , Ren Ying , Zhang Lifeng
Published: August 2018

The Large Eddy Simulation (LES) turbulent model coupled with VOF multiphase model and Lagrangian Discrete Phase Model (DPM) is applied to investigate the gas–liquid two‐phase flow and bubble distribution. The drag force, lift force, virtual mass force, and pressure gradient force are incorporated in the current developed model, and the lift force is added via user defined subroutine. The influence of the drag force, the lift force, bubble size, and gas flow rate on the distribution of bubbles and flow field are investigated. The PIV measurements are employed to validate the mathematical model. The results show that the gas injection can affect the flow field and bubble behavior directly. The impingement point on the narrow face and vortex core of the upper recirculation zone moves upward with the increase of gas flow rate. The drag force has distinct influences on the bubble distribution and flow field. The interaction induced by the lift force cannot be ignored. Without the consideration of the lift force, a larger flow velocity will be predicted. Moreover, the lift force has significant effect on the bubble distribution at mold thickness direction, especially the larger bubbles.
4d SCFTs from negative-degree line bundles
Authors: Nardoni Emily
Published: August 2018

Abstract

We construct 4d

$$ \mathcal{N}=1 $$

N
=
1

quantum field theories by compactifying the (2,0) theories on a Riemann surface with genus g and n punctures, where the normal bundle decomposes into a sum of two line bundles with possibly negative degrees p and q. Until recently, the only available field-theoretic constructions required the line bundle degrees to be nonnegative, although supergravity solutions were constructed in the literature for the zero-puncture case for all p and q. Here, we provide field-theoretic constructions and computations of the central charges of 4d

$$ \mathcal{N}=1 $$

N
=
1

SCFTs that are the IR limit of M5-branes wrapping a surface with general p or q negative, for general genus g and number of maximal punctures n.
Independent component analysis: An introduction
Authors: Tharwat Alaa
Published: August 2018

Independent component analysis (ICA) is a widely-used blind source separation technique. ICA has been applied to many applications. ICA is usually utilized as a black box, without understanding its internal details. Therefore, in this paper, the basics of ICA are provided to show how it works to serve as a comprehensive source for researchers who are interested in this field. This paper starts by introducing the definition and underlying principles of ICA. Additionally, different numerical examples in a step-by-step approach are demonstrated to explain the preprocessing steps of ICA and the mixing and unmixing processes in ICA. Moreover, different ICA algorithms, challenges, and applications are presented.
On global non-degeneracy conditions for chaotic behavior for a class of dynamical systems
Authors: Rabinowitz Paul H. , Montecchiari Piero
Published: August 2018

For about 25 years, global methods from the calculus of variations have been used to establish the existence of chaotic behavior for some classes of dynamical systems. Like the analytical approaches that were used earlier, these methods require nondegeneracy conditions, but of a weaker nature than their predecessors. Our goal here is study such a nondegeneracy condition that has proved useful in several contexts including some involving partial differential equations, and to show this condition has an equivalent formulation involving stable and unstable manifolds.
Stroke and dementia risk: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kuźma Elżbieta , Lourida Ilianna , Moore Sarah F. , Levine Deborah A. , Ukoumunne Obioha C. , Llewellyn David J.
Published: August 2018

Introduction

Stroke is an established risk factor for all‐cause dementia, though meta‐analyses are needed to quantify this risk.

Methods

We searched Medline, PsycINFO, and Embase for studies assessing prevalent or incident stroke versus a no‐stroke comparison group and the risk of all‐cause dementia. Random effects meta‐analysis was used to pool adjusted estimates across studies, and meta‐regression was used to investigate potential effect modifiers.

Results

We identified 36 studies of prevalent stroke (1.9 million participants) and 12 studies of incident stroke (1.3 million participants). For prevalent stroke, the pooled hazard ratio for all‐cause dementia was 1.69 (95% confidence interval: 1.49–1.92; P < .00001; I2 = 87%). For incident stroke, the pooled risk ratio was 2.18 (95% confidence interval: 1.90–2.50; P < .00001; I2 = 88%). Study characteristics did not modify these associations, with the exception of sex which explained 50.2% of between‐study heterogeneity for prevalent stroke.

Discussion

Stroke is a strong, independent, and potentially modifiable risk factor for all‐cause dementia.
Magnetic reconnection driven by intense lasers
Authors: Zhong Jiayong , Yuan Xiaoxia , Han Bo , Sun Wei , Ping Yongli
Published: August 2018

Laser-driven magnetic reconnection (LDMR) occurring with self-generated B fields has been experimentally and theoretically studied extensively, where strong B fields of more than megagauss are spontaneously generated in high-power laser–plasma interactions, which are located on the target surface and produced by non-parallel temperature and density gradients of expanding plasmas. For properties of the short-lived and strong B fields in laser plasmas, LDMR opened up a new territory in a parameter regime that has never been exploited before. Here we review the recent results of LDMR taking place in both high and low plasma beta environments. We aim to understand the basic physics processes of magnetic reconnection, such as particle accelerations, scale of the diffusion region, and guide field effects. Some applications of experimental results are also given especially for space and solar plasmas.
Convective carbon dioxide dissolution in a closed porous medium at low pressure
Authors: Wen Baole , Akhbari Daria , Zhang Li , Hesse Marc A.
Published: August 2018

Motivated by the persistence of natural carbon dioxide ($\text{CO}_{2}$) fields, we investigate the convective dissolution of $\text{CO}_{2}$ at low pressure (below 1 MPa) in a closed system, where the pressure in the gas declines as convection proceeds. This introduces a negative feedback that reduces the convective dissolution rate even before the brine becomes saturated. We analyse the case of an ideal gas with a solubility given by Henry’s law, in the limits of very low and very high Rayleigh numbers. The equilibrium state in this system is determined by the dimensionless dissolution capacity, $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1}$, which gives the fraction of the gas that can be dissolved into the underlying brine. Analytic approximations of the pure diffusion problem with $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1}>0$ show that the diffusive base state is no longer self-similar and that diffusive mass transfer declines rapidly with time. Direct numerical simulations at high Rayleigh numbers show that no constant flux regime exists for $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1}>0$; nevertheless, the quantity $F/C_{s}^{2}$ remains constant, where $F$ is the dissolution flux and $C_{s}$ is the dissolved concentration at the top of the domain. Simple mathematical models are developed to predict the evolution of $C_{s}$ and $F$ for high-Rayleigh-number convection in a closed system. The negative feedback that limits convection in closed systems may explain the persistence of natural $\text{CO}_{2}$ accumulations over millennial time scales.
Dietary factors are associated with serum uric acid trajectory differentially by race among urban adults
Authors: Beydoun May A. , Fanelli-Kuczmarski Marie T. , Canas Jose-Atilio , Beydoun Hind A. , Evans Michele K. , Zonderman Alan B.
Published: August 2018

Serum uric acid (SUA), a causative agent for gout, is linked to dietary factors, perhaps differentially by race. Cross-sectional (SUAbase, i.e. baseline SUA) and longitudinal (SUArate; i.e. annual rate of change in SUA) associations of SUA with diet were evaluated across race and sex–race groups, in a large prospective cohort study of urban adults. Of 3720 African American (AA) and White urban adults participating in the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span study, longitudinal data (2004–2013,k=1·7 repeats, follow-up, 4·64 (sd0·93) years) onn2138 participants were used. The main outcome consisted of up to two repeated measures on SUA. Exposures included the dietary factors such as ‘added sugar’, ‘alcoholic beverages’, ‘red meat’, ‘total fish’, ‘legumes’, ‘total dairy product’, ‘caffeine’, ‘vitamin C’ and a composite measure termed ‘dietary urate index’. Mixed-effects linear regression models were conducted, stratifying by race and by race×sex. A positive association between legume intake and SUAratewas restricted to AA, whereas alcohol intake was positively associated with SUAbaseoverall without racial differences. Added sugars were directly related to SUAbaseamong White men (P<0·05 for race×sex interaction), whereas dairy product intake was linked with slower SUArateamong AA women, unlike among White women. Nevertheless, dairy product intake was associated with a lower SUAbaseamong Whites. Finally, the dietary urate index was positively associated with both SUAbaseand SUArate, particularly among AA. In sum, race and sex interactions with dietary intakes of added sugars, dairy products and legumes were detected in determining SUA. Similar studies are needed to replicate these findings.
Industry Tournament Incentives and the Product-Market Benefits of Corporate Liquidity
Authors: Huang Jian , Jain Bharat A. , Kini Omesh
Published: August 2018

We evaluate the link between chief executive officer (CEO) industry tournament incentives (ITIs) and the product-market benefits of corporate liquidity. We find that ITIs increase the level and marginal value of cash holdings. Furthermore, ITIs strengthen the relation between excess cash and market-share gains, especially for firms that face significant competitive threats. Additionally, for firms with excess cash, higher ITIs lead to increased research and development (R&D) expenses, capital expenditures, and spending on focused acquisitions as well as reduced payouts. Overall, our findings suggest that ITIs increase the value of cash by incentivizing CEOs to deploy cash strategically to capture its product-market benefits.
Nasal disease and quality of life in athletes
Authors: Walker A C , Surda P , Rossiter M , Little S A
Published: August 2018

Objectives

Nasal disease imposes a significant disease burden upon the individual in the general population, but is relatively under studied in athletes. This study sought to define the frequency of nasal symptoms in the active population, and to quantify the impact of these symptoms on quality of life and on the frequency of upper respiratory tract infections.

Results

A total of 296 participants completed the study (246 athletes and 50 sedentary controls). Nasal symptoms were significantly more frequent in the active group than in the sedentary controls (70 per cent vs 52 per cent). Upper respiratory tract infections were significantly more common in athletes with regular nasal symptoms than in athletes without nasal symptoms. Quality-of-life scores, as measured by the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test, were significantly worse in athletes with regular nasal symptoms.

Conclusion

This study suggests that regular exercise is associated with a significant increase in the prevalence of troubling nasal symptoms, and nasal symptoms in athletes are associated with increased susceptibility to upper respiratory tract infections. Quality of life was negatively affected, confirming the importance of nasal health to athlete welfare.
The Ratification Premium
Authors: Kreps Sarah E. , Saunders Elizabeth N. , Schultz Kenneth A.
Published: August 2018

This article examines the effect of leaders’ foreign policy preferences on their ability to pursue and ratify arms control agreements. Does it take a “Nixon to go to China,” with hawks more effective than doves, when it comes to the domestic politics of treaty ratification? The authors observe that the theoretical logic correctly identifies an asymmetry between hawkish and dovish presidents, with the latter facing a credibility gap in advocating arms reductions. Although existing accounts assume leaders are captives of their type, the authors argue that dovish executives can overcome their credibility gap by obtaining the endorsement of informed legislators. These executives do so by paying a ratification premium, usually in the form of increased defense effort in areas not covered by the treaty. As a result, doves do not necessarily face a lower rate of success at the ratification stage; their disadvantage manifests itself primarily in the higher premium needed to obtain the same level of support as hawkish executives. The article demonstrates this argument through a formal model and tests the implications with paired comparisons of major arms control treaties in the Cold War and post–Cold War periods. The argument helps to resolve the Nixon-to-China theoretical debate. It shows that dovish leaders are not necessarily captives of their type because they can deploy side payments to achieve their policy goals. It also explains important puzzling features of the arms control record.
Analysis of path following and obstacle avoidance for multiple wheeled robots in a shared workspace
Authors: Tanveer M. Hassan , Recchiuto Carmine T. , Sgorbissa Antonio
Published: August 2018

The article presents the experimental evaluation of an integrated approach for path following and obstacle avoidance, implemented on wheeled robots. Wheeled robots are widely used in many different contexts, and they are usually required to operate in partial or total autonomy: in a wide range of situations, having the capability to follow a predetermined path and avoiding unexpected obstacles is extremely relevant. The basic requirement for an appropriate collision avoidance strategy is to sense or detect obstacles and make proper decisions when the obstacles are nearby. According to this rationale, the approach is based on the definition of the path to be followed as a curve on the plane expressed in its implicit formf(x, y) = 0, which is fed to a feedback controller for path following. Obstacles are modeled through Gaussian functions that modify the original function, generating a resulting safe path which – once again – is a curve on the plane expressed asf′(x, y) = 0: the deformed path can be fed to the same feedback controller, thus guaranteeing convergence to the path while avoiding all obstacles. The features and performance of the proposed algorithm are confirmed by experiments in a crowded area with multiple unicycle-like robots and moving persons.
The Great Repudiator and Immigration Reform: Ronald Reagan and the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
Authors: Kaplowitz Craig A.
Published: August 2018

In 1981, Ronald Reagan created a task force intended to gain the initiative on immigration reform. But immigration reform presented obstacles to his political stance in repudiation of his Democratic predecessors. After four years of wrangling, internally as well as with Congress, many on the Reagan team viewed the immigration task force as having shackled the president to an unwinnable issue. Frustrated politically, Reagan aides shifted focus to an emerging presidential tactic—the signing statement. This allowed the president to sign the Immigration Reform and Control Act while setting important precedents for his larger conservative agenda. The trajectory from presidential task force to presidential signing statement on immigration reform reveals the challenges Reagan faced on policy issues outside his core priorities, and also the development of a tactic to maneuver through the challenges. Immigration reform became less about immigration than about serving the administration’s larger core priorities.
Does global titling sustain informal taxation? Evidence from Ecuadorian urban slums
Authors: Boichev Georgi
Published: August 2018

Low-income urban neighborhoods in developing countries receive low levels of public services, often not supplemented by community provision due to low rates of informal tax compliance. This paper presents evidence from low-income neighborhoods in Quito, Ecuador using an IV empirical strategy that the global titling of neighborhoods sustains informal taxation. The estimates reveal a sizable average effect of global titling on in-kind labor household that is drawn from a broad base. Evidence is also found which suggests that the possession of a global title provides a neighborhood organisation with tools that deter free-riding behavior even among the individually-titled residents.
Who is bilingual? Snapshots across the lifespan
Authors: Anderson John A. E. , Hawrylewicz Kornelia , Bialystok Ellen
Published: August 2018

Building on our earlier analysis of the factorial structure of bilingualism for young adults obtained from the Language and Social Background Questionnaire (LSBQ; Anderson, Mak, Keyvani Chahi & Bialystok, 2018), we analyzed responses from 675 children and 125 older adults to a similar questionnaire. Three factors accounting for 74% of the variance emerged in the analysis of children's responses: Adult Language in the Home, Non-English use for Media, Non-English use with Siblings. There were also three factors that explained the responses of older adults that accounted for 79% of the variance: Non-English Use, Non-English Proficiency, and English Proficiency. Therefore, bilingual experience is captured by different factors at different points in the lifespan. These results are discussed in conjunction with the earlier results from young adults and the implications for understanding bilingualism across the lifespan.
Individual Differences in Uncertainty Tolerance Are not Associated	With Cognitive Control Functions in the Flanker Task
Authors: Schroeder Philipp Alexander , Dignath David , Janczyk Markus
Published: August 2018

Abstract. Cognitive control refers to the ability to make correct decisions concurrent to distracting information, and to adapt to conflicting stimulus configurations, eventually promoting goal-directed behavior. Previous research has linked individual differences in cognitive control to psychopathological conditions such as anxiety. However, a link with uncertainty tolerance (UT) has not been tested so far, although both constructs describe cognitive and behavioral performance in ambiguous situations, thus they share some similarities. We probed cognitive control in web-based experimentation (jsPsych) with a simple flanker task (N = 111) and a version without confounds in episodic memory (N = 116). Both experiments revealed two well-established behavioral indices: congruency effects (CEs) and congruency-sequence effects (CSEs). Only small-to-zero correlations emerged between CEs, UT, and need for cognitive closure (NCC), a personality trait inversely related to UT. A subtle correlation (r = .18) was noted in Experiment 2 between NCC and CSE. Throughout, Bayesian analyses provided anecdotal-to-moderate evidence for the null-hypotheses.
Error Propagation in the Derivation of Noble Gas Diffusion Parameters for Minerals From Step Heating Experiments
Authors: Ginster U. , Reiners P. W.
Published: August 2018

Step heating is an important tool in the derivation of thermochronologic models based on diffusive noble‐gas loss from minerals. This technique investigates noble‐gas diffusion in minerals at length scales of natural crystals. Like any scientific measurement, step heating requires realistic assessment of assumptions and uncertainties; however, uncertainties are often not presented or roughly approximated. Here we propagate errors associated with temperature, step duration, evolved gas quantity, and diffusion domain size. Other potential error sources (e.g., nonideal shapes, fractures, and zonation of aliquots) are not discussed. We provide error propagation formulas for the derivation of diffusivities and diffusion parameters for infinite plane sheet, spherical, and infinite cylinder geometry. We show that a variance in uncertainty (heteroscedasticity) in diffusivity and temperature may lead to erroneous estimates of activation energy (Ea) and frequency factor (D0) and an underestimation of their uncertainties during unweighted regression. The effect becomes significant if the variance in uncertainty exceeds a factor of two to five. The effect of the difference inD0values is demagnified in the calculation of closure temperature (which calls on lnD0rather thanD0) and its uncertainty. To make this a practical resource, we provide spreadsheets with a step heating data set, diffusivity calculations with associated analytical error propagation formulas, and unweighted and weighted regression models to deriveEaandD0for all three geometries. We also provide spreadsheets with Monte Carlo and numerical error propagation for plane sheet geometry.
A New Method for Deriving Equatorial Plasma Bubble Velocity by Tracing OI 630 nm All‐Sky Images
Authors: Yu Tao , Li Mingyuan , Xia Chunliang , Zuo Xiaomin , Liu Zhizhao , Zhao Biqiang
Published: August 2018

A new method for estimating the equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) motions from airglow emission all‐sky images is presented in this paper. This method, which is called cloud motion wind (CMW) and widely used in satellite observation of wind, could reasonably derive zonal and meridional velocity vectors of EPBs drift by tracking a series of successive airglow images. Airglow emission images data are available from all‐sky airglow camera in Hainan Fuke (19.5°N, 109.2°E) supported by China Meridional Project, which can receive the 630.0 nm emission from ionosphere F region at low latitudes to observe plasma bubbles. A series of pretreatment technology is utilized to preprocess the raw observation. Then the regions of plasma bubble extracted from the images are divided into several small tracing windows, and each tracing window can find a target window in the searching area in following image, which is considered as the position tracing window moved to. According to this, velocity of each tracing window was calculated by CMW. The maximum correlation coefficient is adopted to analyze the velocity of plasma bubbles due to its better performance than histogram of oriented gradient. All‐sky images from Hainan Fuke, an example on 17 September 2014, are analyzed to investigate the plasma bubble drift velocities using CMW. For comparison and validation, EPBs motions obtained from three traditional methods are also investigated. The advantages and disadvantages of using CMW are discussed. The results of CMW are compared with slant total electron contents data and show a good consistency, but some errors are also discussed.
Comparison of Subseasonal‐to‐Seasonal Model Forecasts for Major Stratospheric Sudden Warmings
Authors: Taguchi M.
Published: August 2018

This study explores forecasts for five distinctive major stratospheric sudden warmings (MSSWs) using subseasonal‐to‐seasonal prediction data with lead times up to about 2 weeks. Results reveal model‐to‐model variability of the forecasts, as some models, such as the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts and National Centers for Environmental Prediction models, forecast the MSSWs better. Results also demonstrate greater difficulty of forecasting the vortex split MSSWs (three of the five) than the vortex displacement MSSWs (the other two). It is also shown that the variable forecasts among different lead times and models for each MSSW are characterized by how well the models reproduce the weakenings and deformations of the stratospheric polar vortex around the MSSWs and the intensifications of tropospheric planetary waves before them. The variability is well captured by planetary wave activity, or poleward heat flux, in the lower stratosphere. This underlines the importance of enhanced planetary waves in the troposphere and lower stratosphere for successful forecasts of the forecasting MSSWs, although the causality between the MSSWs and enhanced planetary waves will deserve further investigation.
Study of Mean Wind Variations and Gravity Wave Forcing Via a Meteor Radar Chain and Comparison with HWM‐07 Results
Authors: Ma Zheng , Gong Yun , Zhang Shaodong , Zhou Qihou , Huang Chunming , Huang Kaiming , Dong Wenjun , Li Guozhu , Ning Baiqi
Published: August 2018

We present an analysis of long‐term observation of the mean winds in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere region. The neutral wind data are collected over the period of January 2009 to November 2017 from a chain of meteor radars along the 120°E meridian in the Northern Hemisphere which consists of four stations at Mohe (MH; 53.5°N, 122.3°E), Beijing (BJ; 40.3°N, 116.2°E), Wuhan (WH; 30.5°N, 114.6°E), and Sanya (SY; 18.3°N, 109.6°E). The annual oscillation dominates the neutral wind pattern at midlatitudes while both the annual oscillation and semiannual oscillations are important at low latitudes. The mean zonal wind pattern in midlatitudes exhibits two eastward jets. One is in the period from April to October above 85 km and the other is from November to March below 90 km. A reversal of the mean zonal winds from eastward to westward is observed in midlatitudes around the spring equinox. Gravity wave forcing during this season shows a rapid change from westward to eastward, which is consistent with the reversals. A three‐cell southward wind pattern is observed over WH and SY. A strong vertical wind shear with northward flow below ~90 km and southward flow above is observed over SY from September to April. Composite‐year comparisons between the observations and the Horizontal Wind Model‐07 show large discrepancies during winter time. HWM‐07 predictions agree with the meteor radar observations better in the zonal component than in the meridional component. The model predictions at low latitude are not as accurate as the middle latitudes.
Extreme Climate Event Changes in China in the 1.5 and 2 °C Warmer Climates: Results From Statistical and Dynamical Downscaling
Authors: Li Donghuan , Zou Liwei , Zhou Tianjun
Published: August 2018

This study compared statistical downscaling model (SD) and dynamical downscaling model (DD) for changes in extreme temperature and precipitation indices, driven by the same global climate model output, in the 1.5 and 2 °C warmer climates in China. Simple bias correction (BC) methods were used to correct the climatology of temperature and precipitation in both models. After BC, both models show comparable performance in reproducing the spatial distributions of the extreme temperature and precipitation indices. Corrected model data were used to analyze future changes. Changing patterns of the extreme temperature indices are similar in the two models. Compared with the 2 °C warmer climate, warming 0.5 °C less can help reduce about 6% of summer day (SU) and 11% of tropical night (TR) increases (relative to 1986–2005) in China. Specifically, the reduced values of TR in northwest and northeast China are larger than 30% and 70%, respectively, in both models. Extreme wet indices will increase in most parts of China in the warmer climates. In DD, 5‐day maximum precipitation (RX5day) will increase by approximately 10% and 14% in the 1.5 and 2 °C warmer climates, respectively, with maximal values (17% and 28%, respectively) occurring in north China. In SD, differences in extreme wet indices between the two warmer climates are small, and RX5day will increase more than 20% in northeast China. In DD, specific humidity will increase, and the East Asian summer monsoon will be enhanced in the warmer climates, favoring a larger increase in wet extremes in north China compared to other parts of east China.
Changes in the Isotopic Signature of Atmospheric Nitrous Oxide and Its Global Average Source During the Last Three Millennia
Authors: Prokopiou M. , Sapart C. J. , Rosen J. , Sperlich P. , Blunier T. , Brook E. , van de Wal R. S. W. , Röckmann T.
Published: August 2018

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a strong greenhouse gas whose mole fraction in the atmosphere has increased over the industrial period. We present a new set of isotope measurements of N2O in air extracted from ice cores covering the last 3,000 years. For the preindustrial (PI) atmosphere, we find an average N2O mole fraction of (267 ± 1) nmol/mol and average tropospheric N2O isotopic values of δ15NavPI = (9.5 ± 0.1)‰, δ18OPI = (47.1 ± 0.2)‰, δ15NαPI = (17.8 ± 0.4)‰, and δ15ΝβPI = (1.2 ± 0.4)‰. From PI to modern times all isotope signatures decreased with a total change of δ15Nav = (−2.7 ± 0.2)‰, δ18O = (−2.5 ± 0.4)‰, δ15Nα = (−2.0 ± 0.7)‰, and δ15Νβ (−3.5 ± 0.7)‰. Interestingly, the temporal evolution is not the same for δ15Nav and δ18O. δ18O trends are relatively larger during the early part, and δ15Nav trends are larger during the late part of the industrial period, implying a decoupling of sources over the industrial period. Using a mass balance model, we determined the isotopic composition of the total average N2O source. Assuming that the total present source is the sum of a constant natural source and an increasing anthropogenic source, this anthropogenic source has an isotopic signature of δ15Navsource,anthrop = (−15.0 ± 2.6)‰, δ18Osource,anthrop = (30.0 ± 2.6)‰, δ15Nαsource,anthrop = (−4.5 ± 1.7)‰, and δ15Nβsource,anthrop = (−24.0 ± 8.4)‰. The 15N site preference of the source has increased since PI times, which is indicative of a relative shift from denitrification to nitrification sources, consistent with agricultural emissions playing a major role in the N2O increase.
Simultaneous Rayleigh‐Scatter and Sodium Resonance Lidar Temperature Comparisons in the Mesosphere‐Lower Thermosphere
Authors: Sox Leda , Wickwar Vincent B. , Yuan Tao , Criddle Neal R.
Published: August 2018

The Utah State University (USU) campus (41.7°N, 111.8°W) hosts a unique upper atmospheric observatory that houses both a high‐power, large‐aperture Rayleigh lidar and a Na lidar. For the first time, we will present 19 nights of coordinated temperature measurements from the two lidars, overlapping in the 80–110 km observational range, over one annual cycle (summer 2014 to summer 2015). This overlap has been achieved through upgrades to the existing USU Rayleigh lidar that increased its observational altitude from 45–95 to 70–115 km and by relocating the Colorado State Na lidar to the USU campus. Previous climatological comparisons between Rayleigh and Na lidar temperatures have suggested that significant temperature differences exist between the two techniques. This new comparison aims to further these previous studies by using simultaneous, common‐volume observations. The present comparison showed the best agreement between 85 and 95 km, with a temperature difference, averaged over the whole data set, of about 1.1 ± 0.5 K. Larger differences occurred above and below these altitudes with the Rayleigh temperatures being colder by about 3.5 ± 0.5 K at 82 km and warmer by up to 9.1 ± 3.5 K above 95 km.
Strong succession in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities
Authors: Gao Cheng , Montoya Liliam , Xu Ling , Madera Mary , Hollingsworth Joy , Purdom Elizabeth , Hutmacher Robert B , Dahlberg Jeffery A , Coleman-Derr Devin , Lemaux Peggy G , Taylor John W
Published: August 2018

The ecology of fungi lags behind that of plants and animals because most fungi are microscopic and hidden in their substrates. Here, we address the basic ecological process of fungal succession in nature using the microscopic, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) that form essential mutualisms with 70–90% of plants. We find a signal for temporal change in AMF community similarity that is 40-fold stronger than seen in the most recent studies, likely due to weekly samplings of roots, rhizosphere and soil throughout the 17 weeks from seedling to fruit maturity and the use of the fungal DNA barcode to recognize species in a simple, agricultural environment. We demonstrate the patterns of nestedness and turnover and the microbial equivalents of the processes of immigration and extinction, that is, appearance and disappearance. We also provide the first evidence that AMF species co-exist rather than simply co-occur by demonstrating negative, density-dependent population growth for multiple species. Our study shows the advantages of using fungi to test basic ecological hypotheses (e.g., nestedness v. turnover, immigration v. extinction, and coexistence theory) over periods as short as one season.
Aberrant activation of latent transforming growth factor-β initiates the onset of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis
Authors: Zheng Liwei , Pi Caixia , Zhang Jun , Fan Yi , Cui Chen , Zhou Yang , Sun Jianxun , Yuan Quan , Xu Xin , Ye Ling , Cao Xu , Zhou Xuedong
Published: August 2018

There is currently no effective medical treatment for temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) due to a limited understanding of its pathogenesis. This study was undertaken to investigate the key role of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signalling in the cartilage and subchondral bone of the TMJ using a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) rat model, an ageing mouse model and a Camurati–Engelmann disease (CED) mouse model. In the three animal models, the subchondral bone phenotypes in the mandibular condyles were evaluated by µCT, and changes in TMJ condyles were examined by TRAP staining and immunohistochemical analysis of Osterix and p-Smad2/3. Condyle degradation was confirmed by Safranin O staining, the Mankin and OARSI scoring systems and type X collagen (Col X), p-Smad2/3a and Osterix immunohistochemical analyses. We found apparent histological phenotypes of TMJ-OA in the TMD, ageing and CED animal models, with abnormal activation of TGF-β signalling in the condylar cartilage and subchondral bone. Moreover, inhibition of TGF-β receptor I attenuated TMJ-OA progression in the TMD models. Therefore, aberrant activation of TGF-β signalling could be a key player in TMJ-OA development.
Nuclear Nestin deficiency drives tumor senescence via lamin A/C-dependent nuclear deformation
Authors: Zhang Yanan , Wang Jiancheng , Huang Weijun , Cai Jianye , Ba Junhui , Wang Yi , Ke Qiong , Huang Yinong , Liu Xin , Qiu Yuan , Lu Qiying , Sui Xin , Shi Yue , Wang Tao , Shen Huiyong , Guan Yuanjun , Zhou Ying , Chen Yuan , Wang Maosheng , Xiang Andy Peng
Published: August 2018

Emerging evidence has revealed that Nestin not only serves as a biomarker for multipotent stem cells, but also regulates cell proliferation and invasion in various tumors. However, the mechanistic contributions of Nestin to cancer pathogenesis are still unknown. In the present study, previously thought to reside exclusively in the cytoplasm, Nestin can also be found in the nucleus and participate in protecting tumor cells against cellular senescence. Specifically, we reveal that Nestin has a nuclear localization signal (aa318–aa347) at the downstream of rod domain. We then find nuclear Nestin could interact with lamin A/C. Mechanistic investigations demonstrate that Nestin depletion results in the activation of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5), which causes the phosphorylation of lamin A/C (mainly at S392 site) and its subsequent translocation to the cytoplasm for degradation. The findings establish a role for nuclear Nestin in tumor senescence, which involves its nucleus-localized form and interaction with lamin A/C.
Structure of the human plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase 1 in complex with its obligatory subunit neuroplastin
Authors: Gong Deshun , Chi Ximin , Ren Kang , Huang Gaoxingyu , Zhou Gewei , Yan Nieng , Lei Jianlin , Zhou Qiang
Published: August 2018

Plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPases (PMCAs) are key regulators of global Ca2+ homeostasis and local intracellular Ca2+ dynamics. Recently, Neuroplastin (NPTN) and basigin were identified as previously unrecognized obligatory subunits of PMCAs that dramatically increase the efficiency of PMCA-mediated Ca2+ clearance. Here, we report the cryo-EM structure of human PMCA1 (hPMCA1) in complex with NPTN at a resolution of 4.1 Å for the overall structure and 3.9 Å for the transmembrane domain. The single transmembrane helix of NPTN interacts with the TM8-9-linker and TM10 of hPMCA1. The subunits are required for the hPMCA1 functional activity. The NPTN-bound hPMCA1 closely resembles the E1-Mg2+ structure of endo(sarco)plasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase and the Ca2+ site is exposed through a large open cytoplasmic pathway. This structure provides insight into how the subunits bind to the PMCAs and serves as an important basis for understanding the functional mechanisms of this essential calcium pump family.
Percolative nature of the direct-current paraconductivity in cuprate superconductors
Authors: Popčević Petar , Pelc Damjan , Tang Yang , Velebit Kristijan , Anderson Zachary , Nagarajan Vikram , Yu Guichuan , Požek Miroslav , Barišić Neven , Greven Martin
Published: August 2018

Despite extraordinary scientific efforts over the past three decades, the cuprate high-temperature superconductors continue to pose formidable challenges. A pivotal problem, essential for understanding both the normal and superconducting states, is to clarify the nature of the superconducting pre-pairing above the bulk transition temperature Tc. Different experimental probes have given conflicting results, in part due to difficulties in discerning the superconducting response from the complex normal-state behavior. Moreover, it has proven challenging to separate common properties of the cuprates from compound-specific idiosyncrasies. Here we investigate the paraconductivity—the superconducting contribution to the direct-current (dc) conductivity—of the simple-tetragonal model cuprate material HgBa2CuO4+δ. We are able to separate the superconducting and normal-state responses by taking advantage of the Fermi-liquid nature of the normal state in underdoped HgBa2CuO4+δ; the robust and simple quadratic temperature-dependence of the normal-state resistivity enables us to extract the paraconductivity above the macroscopic Tc with great accuracy. We find that the paraconductivity exhibits unusual exponential temperature dependence, and that it can be quantitatively explained by a simple superconducting percolation model. Consequently, the emergence of superconductivity in this model system is dominated by the underlying intrinsic gap inhomogeneity. Motivated by these insights, we reanalyze published results for two other cuprates and find exponential behavior as well, with nearly the same characteristic temperature scale. The universal intrinsic gap inhomogeneity is not only essential for understanding the supercoducting precursor, but will also have to be taken into account in the analysis of other bulk measurements of the cuprates.
Author Correction: Znf179 induces differentiation and growth arrest of human primary glioblastoma multiforme in a p53-dependent cell cycle pathway
Authors: Lee Kuen-Haur , Chen Chi-Long , Lee Yi-Chao , Kao Tzu-Jen , Chen Kai-Yun , Fang Chih-Yeu , Chang Wen-Chang , Chiang Yung-Hsaio , Huang Chi-Chen
Published: August 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Polymeric nanocapsules embedded with ultra-small silver nanoclusters for synergistic pharmacology and improved oral delivery of Docetaxel
Authors: Sohail Muhammad Farhan , Hussain Syed Zajif , Saeed Hamid , Javed Ibrahim , Sarwar Hafiz Shoaib , Nadhman Akhtar , Huma Zil-e- , Rehman Mubashar , Jahan Sarwat , Hussain Irshad , Shahnaz Gul
Published: August 2018

Despite of the remarkable cytotoxic and imaging potential of ultra-small metal nanoclusters, their toxicity-free and targeted delivery to cancerous cells remains a substantial challenge that hinders their clinical applications. In this study, a polymeric scaffold was first synthesized by grafting folic acid and thiol groups to chitosan (CS) for cancer cell targeting and improved gastric permeation. Furthermore, silver nanocluster (Ag NCs) were synthesized in situ, within CS scaffold by microwave irradiation and core-shell nanocapsules (NCPs) were prepared with hydrophobic docetaxel (DTX) in the core and Ag NCs embedded CS in the shell. A significant cytotoxicity synergism (~300 folds) was observed for DTX with co-delivery of Ag NCs against breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. Following oral administration, the DTX-Ag-NCPs increased bioavailability due to enhanced drug transport across gut (9 times), circulation half-life (~6.8 times) and mean residence time (~6.7 times), as compared to the control DTX suspension. Moreover, 14 days acute oral toxicity of the DTX-Ag-NCPs was performed in mice and evaluated for changes in blood biochemistry parameters, organ to body weight index and histopathology of liver and kidney tissues that revealed no significant evidence of toxicity suggesting the safety and efficiency of the DTX-Ag-NCPs as hybrid nanocarrier for biocompatible delivery of metal nanoclusters.
Regionally specific TSC1 and TSC2 gene expression in tuberous sclerosis complex
Authors: Li Yi , Barkovich Matthew J. , Karch Celeste M. , Nillo Ryan M. , Fan Chun-Chieh , Broce Iris J. , Tan Chin Hong , Cuneo Daniel , Hess Christopher P. , Dillon William P. , Glenn Orit A. , Glastonbury Christine M. , Olney Nicholas , Yokoyama Jennifer S. , Bonham Luke W. , Miller Bruce , Kao Aimee , Schmansky Nicholas , Fischl Bruce , Andreassen Ole A. , Jernigan Terry , Dale Anders , Barkovich A. James , Desikan Rahul S. , Sugrue Leo P.
Published: August 2018

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), a heritable neurodevelopmental disorder, is caused by mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 genes. To date, there has been little work to elucidate regional TSC1 and TSC2 gene expression within the human brain, how it changes with age, and how it may influence disease. Using a publicly available microarray dataset, we found that TSC1 and TSC2 gene expression was highest within the adult neo-cerebellum and that this pattern of increased cerebellar expression was maintained throughout postnatal development. During mid-gestational fetal development, however, TSC1 and TSC2 expression was highest in the cortical plate. Using a bioinformatics approach to explore protein and genetic interactions, we confirmed extensive connections between TSC1/TSC2 and the other genes that comprise the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, and show that the mTOR pathway genes with the highest connectivity are also selectively expressed within the cerebellum. Finally, compared to age-matched controls, we found increased cerebellar volumes in pediatric TSC patients without current exposure to antiepileptic drugs. Considered together, these findings suggest that the cerebellum may play a central role in TSC pathogenesis and may contribute to the cognitive impairment, including the high incidence of autism spectrum disorder, observed in the TSC population.