bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of new tetronamides displaying inhibitory activity against bloom‐forming cyanobacteria
Authors: Acosta Jaime AM , Karak Milandip , Barbosa Luiz CA , Boukouvalas John , Straforini Andrea , Forlani Giuseppe
Published: August 2019

BACKGROUND

The increasing frequency and intensity of cyanobacterial blooms pose a serious threat to aquatic ecosystems. These blooms produce potent toxins that can contaminate drinking water and endanger the life of wild and domestic animals as well as humans. Consequently, the development of effective methods for their control is a matter of high priority. We have previously shown that some γ‐benzylidenebutenolides, related to the rubrolide family of natural products, are capable of inhibiting the photosynthetic electron transport chain (Hill reaction), a target of commercial herbicides. Here we report the synthesis and biological properties of a new class of rubrolide‐inspired molecules featuring a tetronamide motif.

RESULTS

A total of 47 N‐aryl tetronamides, including 38 aldol adducts, were prepared bearing phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, aliphatic and heteroaromatic groups. Some of the aldol adducts were dehydrated to the corresponding γ‐benzylidenetetronamides, although satisfactory yields were obtained in only three cases (52–97%). None of the synthesized compounds were capable of blocking the Hill reaction. This notwithstanding, several aldol adducts equipped with a biphenyl substituent displayed excellent inhibitory activity againstSynechococcus elongatusand other cyanobacterial strains (IC50 = 1–5 μM). Further, these tetronamides were found to be essentially inactive against eukaryotic microorganisms.

CONCLUSION

Several newly synthesized biphenyl‐containing tetronamides were shown to display potent and selective inhibitory activity against cyanobacteria. These compounds appear to exert their biological effects without interfering with the Hill reaction. As such, they represent novel leads in the search of environmentally benign agents for controlling cyanobacterial blooms. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Reciprocal convex approach to output‐feedback control of uncertain LPV systems with fast‐varying input delay
Authors: Salavati Saeed , Grigoriadis Karolos , Franchek Matthew
Published: August 2019

Robust control of parameter‐dependent input delay linear parameter‐varying (LPV) systems via gain‐scheduled dynamic output‐feedback control is considered in this paper. The controller is designed to provide disturbance rejection in the context of the induced
‐norm or the
norm of the closed‐loop system in the presence of uncertainty and disturbances. A reciprocally convex approach is employed to bound the Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional derivative and extract sufficient conditions for the controller characterization in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). The approach does not require the rate of the delay to be bounded, hence encompasses a broader family of input‐delay LPV systems with fast‐varying delays. The method is then applied to the air‐fuel ratio (AFR) control in spark ignition (SI) engines where the delay and the plant parameters are functions of the engine speed and mass air flow. The objectives are to track the commanded AFR signal and to optimize the performance of the three‐way catalytic converter (TWC) through the precise AFR control and oxygen level regulation, resulting in improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. The designed AFR controller seeks to provide canister purge disturbance rejection over the full operating envelope of the SI engine in the presence of uncertainties. Closed‐loop simulation results are presented to validate the controller performance and robustness while meeting AFR tracking and disturbance rejection requirements.
Stable camera position control of unmanned aerial vehicle with three‐degree‐of‐freedom manipulator for visual test of bridge inspection
Authors: Ikeda Takahiro , Minamiyama Satoshi , Yasui Shogo , Ohara Kenichi , Ichikawa Akihiko , Ashizawa Satoshi , Okino Akihisa , Oomichi Takeo , Fukuda Toshio
Published: August 2019

This paper describes a camera position control with aerial manipulator for visual test of bridge inspection. Our developed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has three‐degree‐of‐freedom (3‐DoF) manipulator on its top to execute visual or hammering test of the inspection. This paper focuses on the visual test. A camera was implemented at the end of the manipulator to acquire images of the narrow space of the bridge such as bearings, which the conventional UAV without the camera‐attached manipulators at its top cannot achieve the fine visual test. For the visual test, it is desirable that the camera is above the body with enough distance between the camera and the body. As obvious, the camera position in the inertial coordinate system is effected by the movement of the body. Therefore we implement the camera position control compensating the body movement into the UAV. As a result of an experiment, it is assessed that the proposed control reduces the position error of the camera comparing the one of the body. The mean position error of the camera is 0.039 m that is 51.4% of the one of the body. Our world‐first study enables to acquire the image of the bearing of the bridge by a camera mounted at the end effector of aerial manipulator fixed on UAV.
Resistance of the beam‐to‐column component ”column web panel in shear“
Authors: Corman Adrien , Jaspart Jean‐Pierre , Demonceau Jean‐François
Published: August 2019

Nominated for the Bernt Johansson Outstanding Paper Awards at Nordic Steel 2019

The ”column web panel in shear“ is known to be a key component in the design of steel and steel‐concrete composite joints as it can provide a reserve of ductility at the joint when activated and appropriately designed. Therefore, its behaviour has been studied for years and was thought to have been fully understood. However, some recent research projects have demonstrated that, in many cases, the simple analytical model proposed in Eurocode 3, Part 1‐8, significantly overestimates the actual resistance of this component. In this context, this paper will look at the first results of investigations into that problem conducted at Liège University. In particular, beam‐to‐column welded joints have been studied in order to: i) highlight the aforementioned problem through comparisons between existing experimental results and Eurocode 3 predictions, ii) develop a sophisticated finite element model using the Abaqus© software, iii) validate this FE model using existing experimental results and iv) develop an extensive parametric study in order to highlight the key parameters governing the resistance capacity of the component studied. Based on the investigations conducted, the final goal consists of providing a new analytical formulation that is able to predict more accurately the shear strength of the column web panel.
Cover Image, Volume 9, Issue 5
Authors: Agostini Federica , Curchod Basile F. E.
Published: August 2019

The cover image is based on the Overview Different flavors of nonadiabatic molecular dynamics, by Federica Agostini and Basile F. E. Curchod. DOI: 10.1002/wcms1417

image
Social attractants, a conservation tool for black‐fronted terns
Authors: Hamblin Courtney H. , Paterson Adrian , Ross James G. , Maloney Richard F.
Published: August 2019

Social attraction techniques for species restoration and conservation projects predominantly target colonial breeding species, which commonly use conspecific cues as indicators of habitat quality. The black‐fronted tern (Chlidonias albostriatus) is a globally endangered species that primarily breeds in transient colonies in New Zealand's braided rivers. Currently, predator control and habitat enhancement are the primary management strategies for improving black‐fronted tern populations. Methods that increase the probability of black‐fronted tern colonies being protected by management through an increase in site fidelity of breeding colonies, both within and among years, may greatly increase effectiveness of management. Social attractants, decoys, and audio playback were deployed at 10 sites within 9 Canterbury braided rivers over the 2016 breeding season (September–December). We found that terns interacted with the social attractants compared with the paired untreated plots absent of social attractants. Nearest locations of tern breeding were recorded for 8 of the 10 sites, with breeding recorded within 300 m of the social attractant experimental plots at 5 of these sites. These results suggest that social attraction has the potential for use in black‐fronted tern conservation by drawing breeding terns into habitat that has added predator or habitat management. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
Black holes and (0,4) SCFTs from type IIB on K3
Authors: Couzens Christopher , het Lam Huibert , Mayer Kilian , Vandoren Stefan
Published: August 2019

Abstract

We study the central charges and levels of 2d

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= (0, 4) superconformal field theories that are dual to four- and five-dimensional BPS black holes in compactifications of type IIB string theory on a K3 surface. They arise from wrapping a D3-brane on a curve C inside K3 and have transverse space either an ALE or ALF space. These D3-branes have an AdS3 × S3/Γ near horizon geometry where Γ is a discrete subgroup of SU(2). We compute the central charges and levels of the 2d SCFTs both in the microscopic picture and from six-dimensional

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= (2, 0) supergravity. These quantities determine the black hole entropy via Cardy’s formula. We find agreement between the microscopic and macroscopic computations. The contributions from one-loop quantum corrections to the macroscopic result are crucial for this matching.
Lie algebra expansions and actions for non-relativistic gravity
Authors: Bergshoeff Eric , Izquierdo José Manuel , Ortín Tomás , Romano Luca
Published: August 2019

Abstract

We show that the general method of Lie algebra expansions can be applied to re-construct several algebras and related actions for non-relativistic gravity that have occurred in the recent literature. We explain the method and illustrate its applications by giving several explicit examples. The method can be generalized to include ultra-relativistic gravity and non-relativistic supergravity as well.
Hypothesis: cerebrospinal fluid protein markers suggest a pathway toward symptomatic resilience to AD pathology
Authors: Meyer Pierre‐François , Savard Melissa , Poirier Judes , Morgan David , Breitner John ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: August 2019

Introduction

We sought biological pathways that explained discordance between Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology and symptoms.

Methods

In 306 Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI)‐1 participants across the AD clinical spectrum, we investigated association between cognitive outcomes and 23 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analytes associated with abnormalities in the AD biomarkers amyloid β1‐42and total‐tau. In a 200‐person “training” set, Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator regression estimated model weights for the 23 proteins, and for the AD biomarkers themselves, as predictors of ADAS‐Cog11scores. In the remaining 106 participants (“validation” set), fully adjusted regression models then tested the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator–derived models and a related protein marker summary score as predictors of ADAS‐Cog11, ADNI diagnostic category, and longitudinal cognitive trajectory.

Results

AD biomarkers alone explained 26% of the variance in validation set cognitive scores. Surprisingly, the 23 AD‐related proteins explained 31% of this variance. The biomarkers and protein markers appeared independent in this respect, jointly explaining 42% of test score variance. The composite protein marker score also predicted ADNI diagnosis and subsequent cognitive trajectory. Cognitive outcome prediction redounded principally to ten markers related to lipid or vascular functions or to microglial activation or chemotaxis. In each analysis, apoE protein and four markers in the latter immune‐activation group portended better outcomes.

Discussion

CSF markers of vascular, lipid‐metabolic and immune‐related functions may explain much of the disjunction between AD biomarker abnormality and symptom severity. In particular, our results suggest the hypothesis that innate immune activation improves cognitive outcomes in persons with AD pathology. This hypothesis should be tested by further study of cognitive outcomes related to CSF markers of innate immune activation.
Foliar pathogens of eucalypts
Authors: Crous P.W. , Wingfield M.J. , Cheewangkoon R. , Carnegie A.J. , Burgess T.I. , Summerell B.A. , Edwards J. , Taylor P.W.J. , Groenewald J.Z.
Published: August 2019

Species of eucalypts are commonly cultivated for solid wood and pulp products. The expansion of commercially managed eucalypt plantations has chiefly been driven by their rapid growth and suitability for propagation across a very wide variety of sites and climatic conditions. Infection of foliar fungal pathogens of eucalypts is resulting in increasingly negative impacts on commercial forest industries globally. To assist in evaluating this threat, the present study provides a global perspective on foliar pathogens of eucalypts. We treat 110 different genera including species associated with foliar disease symptoms of these hosts. The vast majority of these fungi have been grown in axenic culture, and subjected to DNA sequence analysis, resolving their phylogeny. During the course of this study several new genera and species were encountered, and these are described. New genera include:Lembosiniella(L. eucalyptorumonE. dunnii,Australia),Neosonderhenia(N. eucalyptionE. costata,Australia),Neothyriopsis(N. sphaerosporaonE. camaldulensis, South Africa),Neotrichosphaeria(N. eucalypticolaonE. deglupta, Australia),Nothotrimmatostroma(N. bifariumonE. dalrympleana, Australia),Nowamyces(incl.Nowamycetaceae fam. nov.,N. globulusonE. globulus, Australia), andWalkaminomyces(W. medusaeonE. alba, Australia). New species include (all from Australia):Disculoides fraxinoidesonE. fraxinoides, Elsinoe piperitae on E. piperita, Fusculina regnansonE. regnans, Marthamyces johnstoniionE. dunnii,Neofusicoccum corticosaeonE. corticosa,Neotrimmatostroma dalrympleanaeonE. dalrympleana, Nowamyces piperitaeonE. piperita,Phaeothyriolum dunniionE. dunnii,Pseudophloeospora eucalyptigenaonE. obliqua,Pseudophloeospora jollyionEucalyptussp.,Quambalaria tasmaniaeonEucalyptussp.,Q. rugosaeonE. rugosa,Sonderhenia radiataonE. radiata,Teratosphaeria pseudonubilosaonE. globulusandThyrinula dunniionE. dunnii. A new name is also proposed forHeteroconium eucalyptiasThyrinula uruguayensisonE. dunnii, Uruguay. Although many of these genera and species are commonly associated with disease problems, several appear to be opportunists developing on stressed or dying tissues. For the majority of these fungi, pathogenicity remains to be determined. This represents an important goal for forest pathologists and biologists in the future. Consequently, this study will promote renewed interest in foliar pathogens of eucalypts, leading to investigations that will provide an improved understanding of the biology of these fungi.
Quasi-Sturmian colorings on regular trees
Authors: KIM DONG HAN , LEE SEUL BEE , LIM SEONHEE , SIM DEOKWON
Published: August 2019

Quasi-Sturmian words, which are infinite words with factor complexity eventually $n+c$ share many properties with Sturmian words. In this article, we study the quasi-Sturmian colorings on regular trees. There are two different types, bounded and unbounded, of quasi-Sturmian colorings. We obtain an induction algorithm similar to Sturmian colorings. We distinguish them by the recurrence function.
The neglected variable. The coevolution of public administration and political parties in the UK and Italy (1950–2010)
Authors: Pizzimenti Eugenio , Calossi Enrico
Published: August 2019

The relationships between the State and political parties have often been analysed in dual terms. Yet, as Katz and Mair already noticed in their well-known (and criticized) article on the emergence of the cartel party, a clear separation between parties and public institutions has never been completely achieved, in the evolution of liberal democracies. In contrast, while parties act as agencies of institutionalization, public institutions recognize (de jure or de facto) parties as the legitimate actors of political representation. From this perspective, it is worth considering party change as a process intertwined also with institutional change. To date, however, the analysis of such a relationship has been neglected by political scientists, who have privileged explanations of party change based on other factors, whether at systemic or at a micro level. By avoiding a priori assumptions about causality, our main research question is the following: is it possible to identify patterns of co-evolution between State institutions – more specifically, public administration – and party organizations? Building on a new institutional approach to organization theory, the aim of this article is to investigate to what extent the evolution in the size of party organizations and in the size of public administration has followed similar trajectories. Our study focuses on the United Kingdom and Italy, from 1950 to 2010. Our findings confirm that parties' external face expands when public spending and the number of public employees increase, and vice-versa. The same holds for parties' internal face, at least in the Italian case.
Information Barriers in Global Markets: Evidence from International Subcontracting Relationships
Authors: Massa Massimo , Schumacher David
Published: August 2019

We study the link between information barriers in global markets and the organizational form of asset management. Fund families outsource funds in which they are at an informational disadvantage to generate performance. Using a structural model of self-selection, we endogenize the outsourcing decision and estimate positive gains from outsourcing of 4–14 basis points per month, thereby reconciling underperformance of outsourced funds with performance maximization by fund families. The gains from outsourcing provide a novel proxy for the information barriers that segment global financial markets: The more segmented the underlying markets where the funds invest, the larger the gains from outsourcing.
Emerging threat ofEimeriaoperational taxonomic units (OTUs) on poultry production
Authors: Venkatas J. , Adeleke M. A.
Published: August 2019

Coccidiosis is an antagonistic poultry disease which negatively impacts animal welfare and productivity. The disease is caused by an obligate, intracellular protozoon known asEimeria. SeveralEimeriaspecies known to infect chickens have been well documented. However, recent studies have elucidated the emergence of three novel genetic variants or operational taxonomic units (OTUs). The discovery of OTUx, OTUy and OTUz complicates the identification and diagnosis of coccidiosis. OTUs are clusters of unknown or uncultivated organisms that are grouped according to a similarity in DNA sequence to a set of specific gene markers. OTUs have been reported in the Earth's Southern Hemisphere, including Australia, Venezuela, India, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, China and Ghana. Elucidating their impact on the poultry industry is fundamental in preventing anticoccidial resistance and to access the potential of OTUs as vaccine candidates to provide cross-protection against similarEimeriaspecies. The identification of OTUs further decreases the risk of false negative coccidial diagnosis. Therefore, this article reviews the importance and risk imposed by OTUs, coupled with their prevalence and geographical distribution in chickens globally.
Love the Tree, Love the Branch: Beijing's Friendship with Lee Kuan Yew, 1954–1965
Authors: Liu Philip Hsiaopong
Published: August 2019

Chinese national identity has long been considered to have been an obstacle to Singapore's nation-building efforts. This is mainly because China was suspected of using its ethnic links to encourage Singapore's communist rebellions during the 1950s and 1960s as Lee Kuan Yew was working towards establishing the city state. This study reviews Lee's exchanges with Beijing and argues that he gave China the impression that he was building an anticolonial, pro-China nation. Beijing therefore responded positively to Lee's requests for support. Reiterating its overseas Chinese policy to Lee, Beijing sided with him against his political rivals and even acquiesced in his suppression of Chinese-speaking “communists.” In addition, China boosted Lee's position against Tunku Abdul Rahman, supported Singapore's independence and lobbied Indonesia to recognize the territory as a separate state. China thus actually played a helpful role in Singapore's nation building.
Mill's ‘Modern’ Radicalism Re-Examined: Joseph Persky's The Political Economy of Progress
Authors: McCabe Helen
Published: August 2019

In The Political Economy of Progress, Joseph Persky argues for seeing John Stuart Mill as a consistent ‘radical’ with much to offer modern ‘radical’ political discourse. In this article, I further this claim with consideration of Mill's political philosophy, as well as his political economy. Exploring Mill's commitment to radical reordering of the economy, as well as emphasizing his commitment to egalitarianism; his historically nuanced view of ‘the progress of justice’; and his desire for a transformation of social (and economic) relations allows us to see more clearly how Mill's radicalism was a specific species of socialism. That is, Mill's early radical enthusiasm for the ideals of ‘liberty, equality and fraternity’ is also to be seen in his later socialism. Recognizing his ‘radicalism’ as a species of socialism allows greater understanding of the depth, importance and ‘radicalism’ of Mill's desired socialist reforms.
Sodium-mediated fast electrical depolarization does not prevent polyspermic fertilization in Paracentrotus lividus eggs
Authors: Limatola Nunzia , Vasilev Filip , Chun Jong Tai , Santella Luigia
Published: August 2019

During sea urchins fertilization, the activating spermatozoon triggers a series of physiological changes that transforms the quiescent egg into a dynamic zygote. It has been suggested that several of these egg activation events, e.g. sperm-induced plasma membrane depolarization and the Ca2+-linked cortical reaction, play additional roles to prevent the entry of supernumerary spermatozoa. In particular, the abrupt shift in egg membrane potential at fertilization, which is sustained by a Na+ influx, has been considered as a fast mechanism to block polyspermy. To test the relevance of the Na+-mediated fast electrical block to polyspermy, we fertilized sea urchin eggs in artificial seawater with a low concentration of Na+; nearly all the eggs were still monospermic, as judged by the number of Hoechst 33422-stained sperm. When fertilized in normal seawater, eggs that were pre-incubated in the low Na+ medium exhibited impaired elevation of the fertilization envelope. Nevertheless, these eggs manifested entry of a single spermatozoon, suggesting that the fertilization envelope was not the primary determinant of the block to polyspermy. Furthermore, we showed that the abnormal cleavage patterns displayed by eggs pre-incubated in low Na+, which were often considered a hallmark of polyspermy, were due to the alterations in the cortical actin filaments dynamics following fertilization, and not to the formation of multipolar spindles associated with supernumerary sperm centrosomes. Hence, our results suggested that Paracentrotus lividus eggs do not utilize Na+ to rapidly prevent additional spermatozoa from entering the egg, at variance with the hypothesis of an electrical fast block to polyspermy.
Effects of High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Theta Burst Stimulation for Modulating the Posterior Parietal Cortex
Authors: Gan Tian , Nikolin Stevan , Loo Colleen K. , Martin Donel M.
Published: August 2019

Objectives:Noninvasive brain stimulation methods, including high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) and theta burst stimulation (TBS) have emerged as novel tools to modulate and explore brain function. However, the relative efficacy of these newer stimulation approaches for modulating cognitive functioning remains unclear. This study investigated the cognitive effects of HD-tDCS, intermittent TBS (iTBS) and prolonged continuous TBS (ProcTBS) and explored the potential of these approaches for modulating hypothesized functions of the left posterior parietal cortex (PPC).Methods:Twenty-two healthy volunteers attended four experimental sessions in a cross-over experimental design. In each session, participants either received HD-tDCS, iTBS, ProcTBS or sham, and completed cognitive tasks, including a divided attention task, a working memory maintenance task and an attention task (emotional Stroop test).Results:The results showed that compared to sham, HD-tDCS, iTBS and ProcTBS caused significantly faster response times on the emotional Stroop task. The effect size (Cohen’sd) wasd= .32 for iTBS (p< .001), .21 for ProcTBS (p= .01) and .15 for HD-tDCS (p= .044). However, for the performance on the divided attention and working memory maintenance tasks, no significant effect of stimulation was found.Conclusions:The results suggest that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation techniques, including TBS, may have greater efficacy for modulating cognition compared with HD-tDCS, and extend existing knowledge about specific functions of the left PPC.
Leveraging digitalization for sustainability in urban transport
Authors: Creutzig Felix , Franzen Martina , Moeckel Rolf , Heinrichs Dirk , Nagel Kai , Nieland Simon , Weisz Helga
Published: August 2019

Digitalization coevolves with and fosters three revolutions in urban transport: sharing, electrification and automatization. This dynamic poses severe risks for social and environmental sustainability. Only strong public policies can steer digitalization towards fostering sustainability in urban transport.
Validation of Geodetic Seafloor Benchmark Stability Using Structure‐From‐Motion and Seafloor Pressure Data
Authors: Cook Matthew J. , DeSanto John B.
Published: August 2019

One commonly used method to measure and detect centimeter‐scale changes on land is structure‐from‐motion (SfM) photogrammetry, wherein sets of digital images are used to generate three‐dimensional spatial models. Subcentimeter accuracy useful for geodetic studies is achievable when these surveys are conducted on land or from the air. This method has made its way into marine environments by way of scuba, remotely operated vehicle, and autonomous underwater vehicle‐based surveys largely in the context of mapping. Repeated SfM photogrammetry surveys could be used to monitor changes in the stability of seafloor benchmarks and key sites as the interest in and need for marine geodetic measurements continues to grow. These studies require centimeter‐level accuracy or better, and some rely on accurate placement, positioning, or relocation of geodetic monuments, benchmarks, and instruments. We assessed the accuracy of the photogrammetric method for this purpose by simultaneously conducting a remotely operated vehicle‐based SfM photo survey to produce three‐dimensional spatial data, and a precise pressure survey to accurately measure height information. We found that the SfM survey agreed with the pressure survey height within its uncertainty of ±6.0 cm while using a standard, off‐the‐shelf camera adapted for underwater use. This level of relative accuracy would allow us to detect changes in geodetic benchmarks or instrumented sites between repeated surveys where large changes or the accumulation of small changes is expected within the scene over several years. We believe that centimeter‐level accuracy is obtainable with adjustments to the photogrammetry survey parameters, a higher‐resolution camera, and inclusion of additional coded targets.
ABI Water Vapor Radiance Assimilation in a Regional NWP Model by Accounting for the Surface Impact
Authors: Lee Jung‐Rim , Li Jun , Li Zhenglong , Wang Pei , Li Jinlong
Published: August 2019

There are a growing number of advanced imagers for geostationary meteorological satellites, which can provide water vapor radiance observations with high temporal and spatial resolutions. To assess the impact of those imagers, radiance assimilation experiments were conducted with the Advanced Baseline imager (ABI) on board the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite‐16. The radiances from the three water vapor absorption bands of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite‐16 ABI were assimilated through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation data assimilation system in a regional numerical weather prediction (NWP) model. The forecast impacts for Hurricane Irma (2017) and Hurricane Harvey (2017) have been studied and analyzed in this work. Due to complicated surface situations (emissivity, terrain height, etc.) over land, the infrared (IR) radiance assimilation is still limited; thus, handling surface effects in radiance assimilation needs to be considered. By analyzing the Jacobian function of skin temperature in the ABI radiance assimilation process, it is shown that assimilating water vapor IR radiances over high elevation surfaces or in dry regions is problematic even where the bands are mostly sensitive to the upper level of the atmosphere such as Band 8 (6.19 μm). Additional quality control steps using skin temperature Jacobians to eliminate the contamination from the surface impact are developed and added for ABI radiance assimilation. The results show that ABI radiance assimilation with quality controls is able to improve tropical cyclone forecasts. The methodology used in this study can be applied to the assimilation of IR radiances from other geostationary satellites or polar‐orbiting satellites.
The Record‐Setting 2018 Eastern North Pacific Hurricane Season
Authors: Wood Kimberly M. , Klotzbach Philip J. , Collins Jennifer M. , Schreck Carl J.
Published: August 2019

The extremely active 2018 eastern North Pacific (ENP) hurricane season set records for number of hurricane days, major hurricane days, and accumulated cyclone energy (ACE). The Western Development Region (116°W–180°) was especially active, shattering its prior record for ACE set in 2015. In addition, Hawaii was impacted by Hurricane Lane in August and Tropical Storm Olivia in September. Despite above‐normal sea surface temperatures (SSTs) and below‐normal vertical wind shear in 2018, large‐scale conditions were generally less conducive for tropical cyclone (TC) formation than in 2015. However, the strong subtropical ridge in August and September of 2018 enhanced westward steering flow, thereby keeping TCs over hurricane‐favorable conditions and preventing recurvature toward lower SSTs and higher vertical wind shear. The 2018 ENP hurricane season highlights that El Niño conditions are not necessary for extremely high ENP TC activity.
Tomography, Seismotectonics, and Mantle Dynamics of Central and Eastern United States
Authors: Wang Haibo , Zhao Dapeng , Huang Zhouchuan , Wang Liangshu
Published: August 2019

We study the 3‐D P wave velocity structure of the crust and mantle down to 1,000‐km depth beneath the central and eastern United States. A 3‐D velocity model is obtained by conducting a joint inversion of 236,670 arrival times of local earthquakes and 870,455 relative traveltime residuals of teleseismic events recorded by the EarthScope/USArray Transportable Array. Significant low‐velocity (low‐V) anomalies are revealed in the crust beneath the eastern arm of the Midcontinent Rift and the Triassic Basins along the East Coast, whereas a prominent high‐velocity (high‐V) anomaly is visible beneath the Llano Uplift in central Texas. The stable North American Craton exhibits high‐V anomalies at depths of 65–250 km. Low‐V anomalies exist along the eastern and southern margins of the craton, which may reflect relatively thin lithosphere there. A prominent low‐V anomaly is revealed at depths of 50–200 km beneath the New Madrid Seismic Zone, which is bounded by high‐V anomalies to its southeast and northwest. This feature reflects a weak lithosphere surrounded by relatively strong cratonic regions and stress concentration caused intraplate seismicity in the New Madrid region. Two high‐V bodies appear in the mantle transition zone (410‐ to 660‐km depths) beneath the Interior Low Plateaus, the central Great Plains, and the Central Lowland, which may reflect the subducted Farallon plate or delaminated lithosphere. At depths of 800–1,000 km, a high‐V anomaly is visible beneath the southeast United States, which may be the subducted Hess Rise conjugate.
The Influence of Summer Deep Soil Temperature on Early Winter Snow Conditions in Eurasia in the NCEP CFSv2 Simulation
Authors: Shukla Ravi P. , Huang Bohua , Dirmeyer Paul A. , Kinter James L.
Published: August 2019

The National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Climate Forecast System version 2 (CFSv2) has a large cold bias in the model's deep soil temperature during summer. This study explores the potential triggering effect of that bias on excessive Eurasian snow cover in early winter. Snow cover appears erroneously early in the fall, especially in western Eurasia, in long simulations with CFSv2. The seasonal transition may be too early because the model land surface temperature (LST) reaches its freezing point earlier than observed, so that new snow cannot melt. This process initiates snow‐albedo feedback too early. The early cooling of LST is partially influenced by a seasonal resurfacing of the cold bias in the deep soil layer. From winter to early spring, a cold bias prevails in LST and upper soil temperature as snow cover remains. During this season, the temperature in the deep soil is generally warmer than in the upper soil and has relatively little bias. From spring to summer, the cold bias in the upper soil becomes smaller as it warms up in response to solar heating. On the other hand, the deep soil temperature has a noticeably smaller seasonal change than observed, resulting in a severe cold bias during summer. As the solar radiation declines quickly in early fall, the cold deep soil temperature causes additional cooling in the upper soil layer and helps to bring LST to the freezing point early in the western Eurasia, which leads to enhanced bias in the snow properties.
The Age and Origin of Miocene‐Pliocene Fault Reactivations in the Upper Plate of an Incipient Subduction Zone, Puysegur Margin, New Zealand
Authors: Klepeis K. A. , Webb L. E. , Blatchford H. J. , Jongens R. , Turnbull R. E. , Schwartz J. J.
Published: August 2019

Structural observations and40Ar/39Ar geochronology on pseudotachylyte, mylonite, and other fault zone materials from Fiordland, New Zealand, reveal a multistage history of fault reactivation and uplift above an incipient ocean‐continent subduction zone. The integrated data allow us to distinguish true fault reactivations from cases where different styles of brittle and ductile deformation happen together. Five stages of faulting record the initiation and evolution of subduction at the Puysegur Trench. Stage 1 normal faults (40–25 Ma) formed during continental rifting prior to subduction. These faults were reactivated as dextral strike‐slip shear zones when subduction began at ~25 Ma. The dextral shear zones formed part of a transpressional regime (Stage 2, 25–10 Ma) that included minor reverse motion and modest uplift above the leading edge of the subducting slab as it propagated below Fiordland. At 8–7 Ma (Stage 3), trench‐parallel faults accommodated the first and only episode of pure reverse motion. Reconstructions confirm that these faults formed when the slab reached mantle depths and collided with previously subducted crust. At 5–4 Ma (Stage 4), trench‐parallel faults accommodated oblique‐reverse motion when an oceanic ridge collided obliquely with the Puysegur Trench. Stages 3 and 4 both accelerated rock uplift and topographic growth in short pulses. A return to strike‐slip motion occurred after ~4 Ma (Stage 5) when deformation localized onto the Alpine Fault. These results highlight how the rock record of faulting links displacements occurring at Earth's surface to events occurring both at the trench and deep within the lithosphere during subduction.
An acquired high-risk chromosome instability phenotype in multiple myeloma: Jumping 1q Syndrome
Authors: Sawyer Jeffrey R. , Tian Erming , Walker Brian A. , Wardell Christopher , Lukacs Janet L. , Sammartino Gael , Bailey Clyde , Schinke Carolina D. , Thanendrarajan Sharmilan , Davies Faith E. , Morgan Gareth J. , Barlogie Bart , Zangari Maurizio , van Rhee Frits
Published: August 2019

Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) accumulate adverse copy number aberrations (CNAs), gains of 1q21, and 17p deletions during disease progression. A subset of these patients develops heightened 1q12 pericentromeric instability and jumping translocations of 1q12 (JT1q12), evidenced by increased copy CNAs of 1q21 and losses in receptor chromosomes (RC). To understand the progression of these aberrations we analyzed metaphase cells of 50 patients with ≥4 CNAs of 1q21 by G-banding, locus specific FISH, and spectral karyotyping. In eight patients with ≥5 CNAs of 1q21 we identified a chromosome instability phenotype similar to that found in ICF syndrome (immunodeficiency, centromeric instability, and facial anomalies). Strikingly, the acquired instability phenotype identified in these patients demonstrates the same transient structural aberrations of 1q12 as those found in ICF syndrome, suggesting similar underlying pathological mechanisms. Four types of clonal aberrations characterize this phenotype including JT1q12s, RC deletions, 1q12-21 breakage-fusion-bridge cycle amplifications, and RC insertions. In addition, recurring transient aberrations include 1q12 decondensation and breakage, triradials, and 1q micronuclei. The acquired self-propagating mobile property of 1q12 satellite DNA drives the continuous regeneration of 1q12 duplication/deletion events. For patients demonstrating this instability phenotype, we propose the term “Jumping 1q Syndrome.”
Myosin IIA and formin dependent mechanosensitivity of filopodia adhesion
Authors: Alieva N. O. , Efremov A. K. , Hu S. , Oh D. , Chen Z. , Natarajan M. , Ong H. T. , Jégou A. , Romet-Lemonne G. , Groves J. T. , Sheetz M. P. , Yan J. , Bershadsky A. D.
Published: August 2019

Filopodia, dynamic membrane protrusions driven by polymerization of an actin filament core, can adhere to the extracellular matrix and experience both external and cell-generated pulling forces. The role of such forces in filopodia adhesion is however insufficiently understood. Here, we study filopodia induced by overexpression of myosin X, typical for cancer cells. The lifetime of such filopodia positively correlates with the presence of myosin IIA filaments at the filopodia bases. Application of pulling forces to the filopodia tips through attached fibronectin-coated laser-trapped beads results in sustained growth of the filopodia. Pharmacological inhibition or knockdown of myosin IIA abolishes the filopodia adhesion to the beads. Formin inhibitor SMIFH2, which causes detachment of actin filaments from formin molecules, produces similar effect. Thus, centripetal force generated by myosin IIA filaments at the base of filopodium and transmitted to the tip through actin core in a formin-dependent fashion is required for filopodia adhesion.
The essential elements for the noncovalent association of two DNA ends during NHEJ synapsis
Authors: Zhao Bailin , Watanabe Go , Morten Michael J. , Reid Dylan A. , Rothenberg Eli , Lieber Michael R.
Published: August 2019

One of the most central questions about the repair of a double-strand DNA break (DSB) concerns how the two free DNA ends are brought together — a step called synapsis. Using single-molecule FRET (smFRET), we show here that both Ku plus XRCC4:DNA ligase IV are necessary and sufficient to achieve a flexible synapsis of blunt DNA ends, whereas either alone is not. Addition of XLF causes a transition to a close synaptic state, and maximum efficiency of close synapsis is achieved within 20 min. The promotion of close synapsis by XLF indicates a role that is independent of a filament structure, with action focused at the very ends of each duplex. DNA-PKcs is not required for the formation of either the flexible or close synaptic states. This model explains in biochemical terms the evolutionarily central synaptic role of Ku, X4L4, and XLF in NHEJ for all eukaryotes.
Fast and selective organocatalytic ring-opening polymerization by fluorinated alcohol without a cocatalyst
Authors: Zhao Wei , Lv Yanfeng , Li Ji , Feng Zihao , Ni Yonghao , Hadjichristidis Nikos
Published: August 2019

Organocatalysis is an important branch of catalysis for various organic transformations and materials preparation. Polymerizations promoted by organic catalysts can produce polymeric materials without any metallic residues, providing charming materials for high-value and sensitive domains such as biomedical applications, microelectronic devices and food packaging. Herein, we describe a fluorinated alcohol based catalytic system for polypeptide synthesis via catalytic ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of α-amino acid N-carboxyanhydride (NCA), fulfilling cocatalyst free, metal free, high rate and high selectivity. During polymerization, the fluorinated alcohol catalyst forms multiple dynamic hydrogen bonds with the initiator, monomer and propagating polymer chain. These cooperative hydrogen bonding interactions activate the NCA monomers and simultaneously protect the overactive initiator/propagating polymer chain-ends, which offers the whole polymerization with high activity and selectivity. Mechanistic studies indicate a monocomponent-multifunctional catalytic mode of fluorinated alcohol. This finding provides a metal free and fast approach to access well-defined polypeptides.
A modular effector with a DNase domain and a marker for T6SS substrates
Authors: Jana Biswanath , Fridman Chaya M. , Bosis Eran , Salomon Dor
Published: August 2019

Bacteria deliver toxic effectors via type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) to dominate competitors, but the identity and function of many effectors remain unknown. Here we identify a Vibrio antibacterial T6SS effector that contains a previously undescribed, widespread DNase toxin domain that we call PoNe (Polymorphic Nuclease effector). PoNe belongs to a diverse superfamily of PD-(D/E)xK phosphodiesterases, and is associated with several toxin delivery systems including type V, type VI, and type VII. PoNe toxicity is antagonized by cognate immunity proteins (PoNi) containing DUF1911 and DUF1910 domains. In addition to PoNe, the effector contains a domain of unknown function (FIX domain) that is also found N-terminal to known toxin domains and is genetically and functionally linked to T6SS. FIX sequences can be used to identify T6SS effector candidates with potentially novel toxin domains. Our findings underline the modular nature of bacterial effectors harboring delivery or marker domains, specific to a secretion system, fused to interchangeable toxins.
MYC competes with MiT/TFE in regulating lysosomal biogenesis and autophagy through an epigenetic rheostat
Authors: Annunziata Ida , van de Vlekkert Diantha , Wolf Elmar , Finkelstein David , Neale Geoffrey , Machado Eda , Mosca Rosario , Campos Yvan , Tillman Heather , Roussel Martine F. , Andrew Weesner Jason , Ellen Fremuth Leigh , Qiu Xiaohui , Han Min-Joon , Grosveld Gerard C. , d’Azzo Alessandra
Published: August 2019

Coordinated regulation of the lysosomal and autophagic systems ensures basal catabolism and normal cell physiology, and failure of either system causes disease. Here we describe an epigenetic rheostat orchestrated by c-MYC and histone deacetylases that inhibits lysosomal and autophagic biogenesis by concomitantly repressing the expression of the transcription factors MiT/TFE and FOXH1, and that of lysosomal and autophagy genes. Inhibition of histone deacetylases abates c-MYC binding to the promoters of lysosomal and autophagy genes, granting promoter occupancy to the MiT/TFE members, TFEB and TFE3, and/or the autophagy regulator FOXH1. In pluripotent stem cells and cancer, suppression of lysosomal and autophagic function is directly downstream of c-MYC overexpression and may represent a hallmark of malignant transformation. We propose that, by determining the fate of these catabolic systems, this hierarchical switch regulates the adaptive response of cells to pathological and physiological cues that could be exploited therapeutically.
Insight into genetic predisposition to chronic lymphocytic leukemia from integrative epigenomics
Authors: Speedy Helen E. , Beekman Renée , Chapaprieta Vicente , Orlando Giulia , Law Philip J. , Martín-García David , Gutiérrez-Abril Jesús , Catovsky Daniel , Beà Sílvia , Clot Guillem , Puiggròs Montserrat , Torrents David , Puente Xose S. , Allan James M. , López-Otín Carlos , Campo Elias , Houlston Richard S. , Martín-Subero José I.
Published: August 2019

Genome-wide association studies have provided evidence for inherited genetic predisposition to chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). To gain insight into the mechanisms underlying CLL risk we analyze chromatin accessibility, active regulatory elements marked by H3K27ac, and DNA methylation at 42 risk loci in up to 486 primary CLLs. We identify that risk loci are significantly enriched for active chromatin in CLL with evidence of being CLL-specific or differentially regulated in normal B-cell development. We then use in situ promoter capture Hi-C, in conjunction with gene expression data to reveal likely target genes of the risk loci. Candidate target genes are enriched for pathways related to B-cell development such as MYC and BCL2 signalling. At 14 loci the analysis highlights 63 variants as the probable functional basis of CLL risk. By integrating genetic and epigenetic information our analysis reveals novel insights into the relationship between inherited predisposition and the regulatory chromatin landscape of CLL.
Effects of the Spirometry Learning Module on the knowledge, confidence, and experience of spirometry operators
Authors: Parsons Richard , Schembri David , Hancock Kerry , Lonergan Anne , Barton Christopher , Schermer Tjard , Crockett Alan , Frith Peter , Effing Tanja
Published: August 2019

Our study measures effects of the Spirometry Learning Module (SLM) on health-care professionals’ knowledge of spirometry test quality and perceived confidence, experience, and understanding of spirometry measurements and interpretation. Professionals from both primary and hospital-based settings enrolled in the SLM, a training model focusing on spirometry test performance and interpretation, including an online interactive learning component and a face-to-face workshop. Participants were asked to submit patient spirometry assessment worksheets for feedback on quality and interpretation. Data were collected at baseline, SLM completion (20 weeks), and 12 months after SLM completion. Knowledge of spirometry test quality was evaluated with questions relating to five case-based assessments of common spirometric patterns. Perceived confidence, experience, and knowledge in test performance were measured using a 7-point Likert scale. The Friedman test combined with post hoc analyses were used to analyse differences between baseline, 20-week, and 12-month post completion. Qualitative interviews were performed to assess reasons for non-completion. Of the 90 participants enrolled in the SLM and consented to research, 48 completed the 20-week measurement and 11 completed the 12-month measurement. Statistically significant improvements were detected in all outcomes in participants who completed the SLM to 20-week and 12-month follow-up assessments (all p values < 0.01). Barriers to completion were limited access to patients requiring spirometry, high clinic workload, and having a different spirometer at the workplace compared to the one used during SLM demonstrations. Our data suggest that participants’ confidence, experience, and knowledge regarding spirometry may improve through SLM completion.