bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geographical distributions of mesospheric gravity wave activity
before and after major sudden stratospheric warmings observed by
Aura/MLS
Authors: Hocke Klemens , Hagen Jonas , Schranz Franziska , Bernet Leonie
Published: August 2019

Abstract. Observations of the global distribution of mesospheric gravity wave activity are rare. To our knowledge there exist only a few articles showing global maps of gravity wave potential energy in the mesosphere derived from observations of the instrument SABER (Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry) on NASA's satellite TIMED (Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics Dynamics). In the present study, we find that the geopotential height (GPH) measurements of the instrument MLS (Microwave Limb Sounder) on NASA's satellite Aura are sensitive to mesospheric gravity waves with horizontal wavelengths between 200 and 1500 km. We apply a data analysis which evaluates the standard deviation of horizontal GPH perturbations at a fixed pressure level and along the orbit of the sounding volume of Aura/MLS. The orographic waves from the Southern Andes in August serve as a test signal for the horizontal resolution and sensitivity of the method. We find enhanced gravity wave activity in the lower, middle, and upper mesosphere in a small region over the Southern Andes. It seems that the horizontal resolution of the mesospheric gravity wave maps provided by Aura/MLS is higher than those of TIMED/SABER. We apply the method to estimate the global distributions of mesospheric gravity wave activity before and after the major sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs) of January 21, 2006, January 24, 2009, and January 6, 2013 using 30 day intervals of Aura/MLS observations of GPH. It seems that the gravity wave activity in the lower mesosphere over the subtropical convection regions of the summer hemisphere are decreased after the SSW of January 21, 2006. The gravity wave activity in the lower and middle mesosphere over middle and high latitudes (40° N to 70° N) of the winter hemisphere is decreased after the SSW of January 24, 2009. The major SSW of January 6, 2013 is preceded by enhanced mesospheric gravity wave activity over Eurasia at high latitudes (40° N to 60° N). This asymmetric gravity wave activity in the lower mesosphere is coincident with a long-lasting stay of the stratospheric polar vortex mainly in the Eurasian longitude sector before the SSW of January 6, 2013. In case of the SSW 2009 and SSW 2013, the gravity wave activity is enhanced at latitudes poleward of 70° N in the lower and middle mesosphere after the SSWs.
Technical Note: Preparation and purificationof atmospherically relevant α-hydroxynitrate esters of monoterpenes
Authors: McKnight Elena Ali , Kretekos Nicole P. , Owusu Demi , LaLonde Rebecca Lyn
Published: August 2019

Abstract. Organic nitrate esters are key products of terpene oxidation in the atmosphere. We report here the preparation and purification of nine nitrate esters derived from (+)-(3)-carene, limonene, α-pinene, β-pinene and perillic alcohol. The availability of these compounds will enable detailed investigations into the structure reactivity relationships of aerosol formation and processing and will allow individual investigations into aqueous phase reactions of organic nitrate esters.
Boundary condition control on inter-aquifer flow in the subsurface of Berlin (Germany) – new insights from 3-D numerical modelling
Authors: Frick Maximilian , Scheck-Wenderoth Magdalena , Cacace Mauro , Schneider Michael
Published: August 2019

Abstract. We investigate the degree of hydraulic interconnection between the different (regional to local) groundwater compartments with respect to the choice of boundary conditions and their impact onto the groundwater safety beneath the urban centre of Berlin, capital city of Germany. To this end, we carry out a systematic study based on 3-D hydrothermal models differing in terms of imposed parametric set-ups of the hydrogeology, as well as different surface forcing with respect to their impact on fresh groundwater production. The study area is part of the Northeast German Basin and consists of a thick sequence (up to 5 km) of differently consolidated sedimentary deposits. This sedimentary succession features a sequence of alternating aquifers (reservoirs) and aquitards which are connected to different degrees, each one depicting a specific composition of its mineralised pore water. The uppermost aquifer system (made up mainly of poorly consolidated siliciclastic rocks) acts as the main freshwater reservoir used for groundwater production by the municipal water supplier. This compartment is incompletely sealed from the brackish to saline aquifers extending at greater depths by a regional clay-enriched aquitard, the Oligocene Rupelian Clay. The latter shows a heterogeneous thickness distribution due to erosion during the latest glacial periods resulting in local discontinuities. This aspect opens to the potential risk of contamination of the drinking water reservoir from mixing with the saline groundwater upconing, locally enhanced by shallow pumping activities. Based on our results and their correlation with available isotopic and chemical analysis of water samples, we demonstrate how hydraulic connection between the different compartments is indeed likely to occur thus supporting the possibility of a contaminant rise from the saline aquifers below through either natural or anthropogenic (pumping) forcing.
Analysis algorithm for sky type and ice halo recognition in all-sky images
Authors: Boyd Sylke , Sorenson Stephen , Richard Shelby , King Michelle , Greenslit Morton
Published: August 2019

Abstract. Halo displays, in particular the 22∘ halo, have
been captured in long time series of images obtained from total sky imagers
(TSIs) at various Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) sites. Halo
displays form if smooth-faced hexagonal ice crystals are present in the
optical path. We describe an image analysis algorithm for long time series
of TSI images which scores images with respect to the presence of
22∘ halos. Each image is assigned an ice halo score (IHS) for
22∘ halos, as well as a photographic sky type (PST), which
differentiates cirrostratus (PST-CS), partially cloudy (PST-PCL), cloudy
(PST-CLD), or clear (PST-CLR) within a near-solar image analysis area. The
color-resolved radial brightness behavior of the near-solar region is used
to define the discriminant properties used to classify photographic sky type
and assign an ice halo score. The scoring is based on the tools of
multivariate Gaussian analysis applied to a standardized sun-centered image
produced from the raw TSI image, following a series of calibrations,
rotation, and coordinate transformation. The algorithm is trained based on a training set for each class of images. We present test results on halo
observations and photographic sky type for the first 4 months of the year
2018, for TSI images obtained at the Southern Great Plains (SGP) ARM site. A
detailed comparison of visual and algorithm scores for the month of March 2018 shows that the algorithm is about 90 % reliable in discriminating the
four photographic sky types and identifies 86 % of all visual halos
correctly. Numerous instances of halo appearances were identified for the
period January through April 2018, with persistence times between 5 and 220 min. Varying by month, we found that between 9 % and 22 % of
cirrostratus skies exhibited a full or partial 22∘ halo.
A MAX-DOAS aerosol profile retrieval algorithm for high altitude measurements: application to measurements at Schneefernerhaus (UFS), Germany
Authors: Wang Zhuoru , Chan Ka Lok , Heue Klaus-Peter , Doicu Adrian , Wagner Thomas , Holla Robert , Wiegner Matthias
Published: August 2019

Abstract. We present a new aerosol profile retrieval algorithm for Multi-AXis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) measurements at high altitude sites. The study is based on the long-term measurement (February 2012 to February 2016) at the Environmental Research Station Schneefernerhaus (UFS), Germany, which is located near the summit of Zugspitze, at an altitude of 2,650 m. Due to the low signal to noise ratio, commonly used MAX-DOAS retrieval algorithms based on the optimal estimation method are not suitable for the retrieval of high altitude measurements. We developed a new retrieval algorithm using an O4 differential slant column density (DSCD) look-up table. The look-up table consists of simulated O4 DSCDs corresponding to numerous possible aerosol profiles. The sensitivities of O4 absorption to several parameters were investigated for the design and parameterization of the look-up table. In the retrieval, the simulated O4 DSCDs for each possible profile are derived by interpolating the look-up table to the observation geometries. The cost functions are calculated for each aerosol profile in the look-up table based on the simulated O4 DSCDs, the O4 DSCD observations as well as the measurement uncertainties. Valid profiles are selected from all the possible profiles according to the cost function, and the optimal solution is defined as the weighted mean of all valid profiles. A comprehensive error analysis is performed to better estimate the total uncertainty. Based on the assumption that the look-up table covers all the possible profiles under clear sky conditions, we determined a set of O4 DSCD scaling factors for different elevation angles and wavelengths. The dependence of the scaling factors on elevation angle might be partly related to the specific properties of the high altitude station, e.g. the highly structured topography, horizontal gradients of the aerosol extinction and the systematic dependence of the surface albedo on altitude. The retrieved aerosol optical depths (AODs) are compared to coincident and co-located sun photometer observations. High correlation coefficients of 0.733 and 0.798 are found for measurements at 360 and 477 nm, respectively. However, especially in summer the sun photometer AODs are systematically higher than the MAX-DOAS retrievals by a factor of 2. The discrepancy might be related to the limited measurement range of the MAX-DOAS, and is probably also related to the decreased sensitivity of the MAX-DOAS measurements at higher altitudes. Our results also show maximum AOD and maximum Ångström exponent in summer which is consistent with observations from an AERONET station located ~ 43 km of the MAX-DOAS.
The importance of input data quality and quantity in climate field reconstructions – results from a Kalman filter based paleodata assimilation method
Authors: Franke Jörg , Valler Veronika , Brönnimann Stefan , Neukom Raphael , Jaume Santero Fernando
Published: August 2019

Abstract. Differences between paleoclimatic reconstructions are caused by two main factors, the method and the input data. While many studies compare methods, we will focus in this study on the consequences of the input data choice in a state-of-the-art paleo data assimilation approach. We evaluate reconstruction quality based on three collections of tree-ring records: (1) 54 of the best temperature sensitive tree-ring chronologies chosen by experts; (2) 415 temperature sensitive tree-ring records chosen less strictly by regional working groups and statistical screening; (3) 2287 tree-ring series that are not screened for climate sensitivity. The three data sets cover the range from small sample size, small spatial coverage and strict screening for temperature sensitivity to large sample size and spatial coverage but no screening. Additionally, we explore a combination of these data sets plus screening methods to improve the reconstruction quality. Neither a large, unscreened collection of proxy data nor the small expert selection leads to the best possible climate field reconstruction. A large collection of unscreened data leads to a poor reconstruction skill. The few best temperature proxies allow for a skillful high latitude temperature reconstruction but fail to provide improved reconstructions for other regions and other variables. We achieve the best reconstruction skill across all variables and regions by combing all available input data but rejecting records with small, insignificant information and removing duplicate records. In case of assimilating tree ring proxies, it appeared to be important to use a tree-ring proxy system model that includes both major growth limitations, temperature and moisture.
A review and upgrade of the lithospheric dynamics in context of the seismo-electromagnetic theory
Authors: Venegas-Aravena Patricio , Cordaro Enrique G. , Laroze David
Published: August 2019

Abstract. This publication highlights theoretical work that could explain five
different empirical observations indicating a direct relationship between
magnetic fields and earthquakes, which would allow the description of a
causal mechanism prior to and during the occurrence of earthquakes. These
theoretical calculations seek to elucidate the role of the magnetic field in
different aspects of solid Earth dynamics, with an interest in the study and
comprehension of the physics that could generate earthquakes accompanied by
simultaneous magnetic signals within the lithosphere. The motion of charged
edge dislocations (MCD) model and its correlation with the magnetic field
have been used in order to include the generation of electric currents. The
electric currents resulting from stress variation in the lithosphere help
us to analyze the lithosphere as a critical system, before and after the
occurrence of earthquakes, by using the concept of earthquake entropy. Where
it is found that the nonexistence of seismic and magnetic precursors could
be interpreted as a violation of the second law of thermodynamics. In
addition, the seismic moment and the moment magnitude of some great
earthquakes are quite accurately calculated using the coseismic magnetic
field. The distance-dependent coseismic magnetic field has been theorized
for some of the largest recorded earthquakes. The frequency of oscillation
of the Earth's magnetic field that could be associated with earthquakes is
calculated and is consistent with the ultra-low-frequency (ULF) signals
that some authors propose in the so-called “LAIC effect”
(lithosphere–atmosphere–ionosphere coupling). Finally, the location and
dimensions of the microcracks that explain some anomalous magnetic
measurements are shown.
Evaluation of fraternal versus identical twin approaches for observation impact assessments: An EnKF-based ocean assimilation application for the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Yu Liuqian , Fennel Katja , Wang Bin , Laurent Arnaud , Thompson Keith R. , Shay Lynn K.
Published: August 2019

Abstract. Assessments of ocean data assimilation (DA) systems and observing system design experiments typically rely on identical or fraternal twin experiments. The identical twin approach has been recognized as yielding biased impact assessments in atmospheric predictions but these shortcomings are not sufficiently appreciated for oceanic DA applications. Here we present the first direct comparison of the fraternal and identical twin approach in an ocean DA application. We assess the assimilation impact for both approaches in a DA system for the Gulf of Mexico that uses the Ensemble Kalman Filter. Our comparisons show that, despite a reasonable error growth rate in both approaches, the identical twin produces a biased skill assessment overestimating the improvement from assimilating sea surface height and sea surface temperature observations while underestimating the value of assimilating temperature and salinity profiles. Such biases can lead to an undervaluation of some observing assets (in this case profilers) and thus misguided distribution of observing system investments.
Rotation of floating particles in submesoscale cyclonic and anticyclonic
eddies: a model study for the southeastern Baltic Sea
Authors: Zhurbas Victor , Väli Germo , Kuzmina Natalia
Published: August 2019

Abstract. It was assumed that the overwhelming dominance of cyclonic spirals on satellite images of the sea surface could be caused by some sort of differences between rotary characteristics of the submesoscale cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies. This hypothesis was tested by means of numerical experiments with synthetic floating Lagrangian particles embedded in a regional circulation model of the southeastern Baltic Sea with very high horizontal resolution (0.125 nautical mile grid). The numerical experiments showed that the cyclonic spirals can be formed both from a horizontally uniform initial distribution of floating particles and from the initially lined up particles during the advection time of the order of 1 day. Statistical processing of the trajectories of the synthetic floating particles allowed to conclude that the submesoscale cyclonic eddies differ from the anticyclonic eddies in three ways favouring the formation of the spirals: the former can be characterized by a considerably higher angular velocity and a more pronounced differential rotation as well as by a negative helicity.
Uso de las redes sociales en diplomacia, política y relaciones internacionales. Análisis de la información publicada en las versiones online de dos periódicos españoles: "El País" y "La Vanguardia"
Authors: R. Cela Julia , Parras-Parras Alicia , Romero-Vara Laura
Published: August 2019

En los últimos años se ha apreciado un aumento considerable en el uso de las redes sociales en el campo de la diplomacia, política y relaciones internacionales, lo que ha permitido mejorar la comunicación entre actores internacionales y ciudadanos. Esto evidencia el empoderamiento de la sociedad civil gracias a los avances producidos en las tecnologías de la información. Esta investigación analiza como los medios de comunicación tradicionales españoles en sus versiones online utilizan las publicaciones que aparecen en las redes sociales en los temas relacionados con diplomacia, política y relaciones internacionales como fuente primaria de información. Para ello se ha utilizado una metodología basada en el análisis de contenido en la cual se analiza la información producida por las versiones online de los periódicos El País y La Vanguardia en el periodo de tiempo comprendido entre 2010 y junio de 2017.
El periodismo científico en grandes reportajes escritos: un estudio a partir de los diarios "La Nación" de Costa Rica, "El País" de España y "El Universal" de México
Authors: Mena-Young Margoth , Aguilera Moyano Miguel
Published: August 2019

La investigación que se presenta analiza qué, cómo y cuánto se informa a la sociedad sobre ciencia y tecnología en periódicos nacionales, a partir del estudio de grandes reportajes publicados en tres países diferentes de Iberoamérica: Costa Rica, España y México; mediante sus periódicos de referencia dominante: La Nación, El País y El Universal respectivamente. El objetivo principal fue caracterizar los 155 reportajes recopilados durante el plazo entre enero y junio del 2015. Entre los resultados obtenidos, las ciencias de la salud tuvieron mayor presencia y las ciencias exactas el más bajo. Hay grandes diferencias por país en cuanto al uso de fuentes, tratamiento, estructuras y en el acto propio de la narración; se triplica la presencia de expertos masculinos sobre los femeninos; y hay vacíos en coberturas sobre innovación, enfoques alternativos, conflictos de intereses, controversias, política científica, cooperación e implicaciones éticas de la investigación científica.
Microblogging electoral: los usos de Twitter de Podemos y Ciudadanos y sus líderes Pablo Iglesias y Albert Rivera en las elecciones generales españolas de 2016
Authors: Suau-Gomila Guillem , Pont-Sorribes Carles
Published: August 2019

Las elecciones generales de 2016 fueron atípicas porque supusieron la primera repetición electoral de nuestra democracia como consecuencia de la incapacidad para formar gobierno tras los comicios de diciembre de 2015. En este contexto, se estudia el uso de Twitter por parte de los actores políticos emergentes que impidieron la formación de gobierno al acabar con el sistema bipartidista que dominaba el sistema político desde la transición. Los objetivos de investigación son: analizar los contenidos difundidos durante la campaña electoral por los actores analizados. Investigar las similitudes y diferencias entre los mensajes difundidos por los partidos y, por los líderes, observando que actores lograron viralizar más sus contenidos. Para el desarrollo de la investigación se utiliza una metodología mixta. Los resultados revelan que las funciones principales por las cuales los partidos y los líderes políticos utilizan Twitter en la campaña electoral son: la contra campaña y la auto promoción.
Concord and agreement features in Modern Standard Arabic
Authors: Winchester Lindley
Published: August 2019

This squib proposes a split approach to adjectival agreement in Modern Standard Arabic in the Distributed Morphology framework and adds to an ongoing debate in the morphosyntactic literature regarding the location of agreement in grammar (Adger & Harbour 2008; Polinsky 2016). Based on the distinctive distribution of gender/number features and definiteness/case features on attributive and predicative adjectives, I argue that gender and number features are agreement features that are manipulated in the syntax through Bidirectional Agree (Baker 2008; Baier 2015) while definiteness and case features are concord features shared through Morphological Feature Copying and AGR node insertion at PF (Norris 2014). In further discussion of case features, I show that case features may be valued either at PF for attributive adjectives, like definiteness features, or in the syntax via case assignment for predicative adjectives. As such, the analysis predicts the distribution of gender, number, definiteness, and case features on both predicative and attributive adjectives in Modern Standard Arabic. In doing so, it provides novel evidence in support for the division of agreement and concord features in language derivation.
A syntax for semantic incorporation: generating low-scope indefinite objects in Inuktitut
Authors: Branigan Phil , Wharram Douglas
Published: August 2019

The range of scope readings for Inuktitut nominal expressions appears superficially to depend on the verbal morpho-syntax, with noun incorporation and antipassive inflection both playing a role. A new model is presented in which the syntactic role played by agreement features in Case theory is unified with the absence of a choice functional D in the semantic interpretation. For both, a phase-level D-deletion operation ensures the correct results. The model is shown to account for the scopal properties of nominals in a range of contexts larger than the literature typically considers, including incorporation of predicational, locational, and locative nouns, and non-modalis-marked arguments of non-antipassive verbs.
A rapid market survey on the availability of car seats in Qatar: Implications for child passenger safety
Authors: Consunji Rafael , Malik Shahnaz , Allen Katharine A. , Mehmood Amber , Tariq Tooba , Hyder Adnan A. , Al-Thani Hassan , Peralta Ruben
Published: August 2019

Introduction: Despite the high income level in Arabian Gulf countries, people in the region need to improve their use of child restraint systems (CRSs) to reduce the incidence of preventable injuries to child automobile passengers. Anecdotal reports have attributed the resistance to using CRSs to the expense and unavailability of the systems, prompting car seat giveaway programs. Previous studies have not assessed the adoption of CRS. This study reports the results of a rapid market survey (RMS) to understand the availability, characteristics, and affordability of CRSs in Qatar and recommend future child restraint policies and legislation. Methods: The RMS identified all retail outlets that sell CRSs in Qatar and collected standard data on each restraint system: brand, model number, age/weight limits, compliance with standards, availability, and language of the owner's manual. A previously utilized metric for child safety devices was used to measure affordability. Results: The RMS showed a sufficient number (83) and variety (five types) of car seat models at 15 retail outlets, selling at a wide price range of $14–$1,399. All the car seats complied with the European standard. Only 2% showed a manufacturing or expiry date. A user manual was available for 71% of the seats and in different languages, but only 28% appeared in Arabic. The median CRS price was equivalent to the wages for less than one day of work. Conclusion: The RMS demonstrates the availability, variety, and affordability of CRSs in Qatar. Unavailability and expense cannot be cited as barriers to use CRS, and the market is prepared for legislation requiring car seats for children in Qatar. Areas for improvement include requiring user manuals for all seats, especially in Arabic; requiring that all car seats comply with globally accepted safety standards, especially for expiry/manufacturing dates, given the harsh local climate; and encouraging further varieties of CRSs in the local market.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Journal of Agricultural Science, Vol. 11, No. 13
Authors: Brown Anne
Published: August 2019

Reviewer acknowledgements for Journal of Agricultural Science, Vol. 11, No. 13, 2019.
Capital Adjustment and the Optimal Fuel Choice
Authors: Hyland Marie , Steinbuks Jevgenijs
Published: August 2019

We propose a novel approach to analyze interfuel substitution that explicitly incorporates heterogenous fuel-using capital stocks in the estimation of the optimal fuel choice. Our econometric framework structurally estimates the frictionless level of fuel-using capital stocks and employs non-parametric analysis to reveal information on the form of adjustment costs facing firms. To illustrate this approach we use a large panel of Irish manufacturing firms over the period 2004-2009. The econometric estimates show a large variation in the optimal response of capital to changing fuel prices across different fuel-using technologies and imply substantial costs to capital adjustment. These results underscore the significance of the frequently ignored link between capital adjustment and the choice of fuels used by manufacturing firms.
Uncovering Bidder Behaviour in the German PV Auction Pilot: Insights from Agent-based Modeling
Authors: Welisch Marijke , Kreiss Jan
Published: August 2019

This paper analyses bidder behaviour in the German photovoltaic (PV) auction pilot. It uses a novel approach combining insights from data analysis and decision theory to optimise an agent-based simulation model. We model both a uniform pricing (UP) scheme, a pay-as-bid (PAB) scheme, and a benchmark case, where agents adapt their bidding strategy. The findings are contrasted with empirical auction outcomes. The comparison shows that, especially in the early rounds, bid prices were above the costs—possibly due to uncertainties and false expectations concerning competition. This is particularly visible in the first round. Adapting their expectations to a higher competition level, bidders in the pay-as-bid simulation subsequently decrease their bids. From simulating a separate auction for arable land bidders, we see that this bidder type reduces support costs substantially and that an implicitly discriminatory auction yields more aggressive bids and can induce further cost reductions.
Regierungskommunikation und politische Unterstützung
Authors: Delle Donne Franco
Published: August 2019

The acceptance or rejection of a controversial decision has a long-term effect on a government’s legitimacy process. A government that receives acceptance for its initiative, in spite of the disputes about it, or for its interpretation of a situation improves its reputation and strengthens confidence in it. The opposite happens when a governmental decision is rejected. Here, the message could be that the government does not respect the common good of society.
This comparative study examines governmental communication and tries to ascertain which frames are associated with a change in the social support for a decision. In doing so, the study analyses sixteen controversial governmental decisions in Berlin and Hamburg.
It illustrates how important the communication of these decisions is for the symbolic legitimacy of the government. It means much more to governments than a simple tool with which to promote positive support for their own initiatives.
Washington Hotline
Authors: Bradley Lynne E. , Russell Carrie
Published: August 2019

Washington Hotline
Recent developments in US law: Remedies and damages for improper patent listings in the FDA's Orange Book
Authors: Brown Daniel G
Published: August 2019

The Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act (Publ. No. 98-417, 98 Stat. 1585 (1984)), commonly known as the Hatchâ€“Waxman Act (the Act) provides the statutory framework by which most generic drugs are approved for marketing in the USA. Most provisions in the Act concern the standards and procedures the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must follow to approve generic drugs. A relatively small number of the provisions, however, create a framework for resolving patent disputes between the brand and generic pharmaceutical companies. These provisions have been the subject of much recent activity, in the US Courts, in Congress, in the FDA itself and in the White House. Much of the activity revolves around a publication by FDA entitled Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations, known colloquially as the Orange Book.Under present FDA practice, the mere listing of a patent in the Orange Book corresponding to a brand pharmaceutical product invokes a number of statutory provisions that confer valuable exclusivity rights on the brand company, and also possibly on one or more generic companies. This situation creates a strong incentive for patentees and brand pharmaceutical companies to list patents in the Orange Book. A number of recent court cases have addressed the remedies and damages available when the listing is found to be improper. Thus far, the most successful means to challenge or prevent improper listings has been through private and governmental enforcement of the antitrust laws.
Strategies for building a global healthcare biotechnology company
Authors: Geraghty James A
Published: August 2019

This paper looks at the challenges, opportunities and strategies involved in building a global biotechnology company. There is no single global strategy that will answer all companies' needs; instead strategies will be dictated by the individual business development plans of a company, its products and its values.
A Power Flow Method for Radial Distribution Feeders with DER Penetration
Authors: Anagnostopoulos Panagiotis M. , Papathanassiou Stavros A.
Published: August 2019

This paper presents a novel power flow method suitable for radial distribution feeders, which consists a modification of the simplified power flow concept known as the DistFlow method, already available in the literature. The proposed method relies upon a differentiated manipulation of power losses, which are taken into account in voltage calculations, unlike other simplified methods, where losses are totally neglected. As a result, calculation accuracy is greatly improved, in terms of node voltages, losses and overall active & reactive power flows. In addition, the proposed method is non-iterative and entirely linear, being easily implementable and fast in execution. The method is particularly suited for feeders with a high penetration of Distributed Energy Resources (DER), providing results that closely match those of a full non-linear power flow and are considerably more accurate than the traditional linearized distribution power flow methods, without any increase in computational burden. The new method is applied to a variety of case studies in the paper, to demonstrate its accuracy and effectiveness, comparing its performance with the simplified (linearized) DistFlow and a conventional non-linear power flow method.
Assessment, Evaluation, and Programming System for Infants and Children: What are Salient Development and Research Factors to Consider?
Authors: Macy Marisa , Chen Ching-I , Macy Robert
Published: August 2019

Early childhood professionals are increasingly pressed to use evidence-based measures when assessing young children. Professional time and resources to investigate research is limited, and takes time away from the delivery of direct services. The literature review is to describe the progression of a widely used curriculum-based assessment (CBA), the Assessment, Evaluation, and Programming System for Infants and Children (AEPS). In addition to sharing the development of this early childhood measure, we identified 19 studies from the available research found in various databases that have investigated the evidence supporting the use of this measure. Findings have implications for the validity, reliability, and utility of the AEPS.
Exercise-Based VRT Shows Benefits in Balance and Postural Stability in Adult Patients with Unilateral Vestibular Hypofunction
Authors: Angali Kambiz Ahmadi , Bayat Arash , Saki Nader , Mirmomeni Golshan
Published: August 2019

Background and Objective: Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is an exercise-based program designed to improve balance function and alleviate problems related to dizziness, including vestibular hypofunction. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of VRT exercises on balance function in adults with unilateral vestibular hypofunction (UVH).
Methods: Thirty-one patients (mean age: 39.48 (±10.96) years old) with confirmed UVH participated in this study. The VRT program consisted of habituation and adaptation exercises in combination with gait and balance exercises. The handicapping influences of dizziness were measured with a dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) scale to measure the level of respondent’s performance on physical, emotional, and functional dimensions. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was also used to rate the severity of dizziness symptoms. The DHI and VAS scales were assessed pre-intervention and post-intervention at one, two, and four weeks follow-ups after the last rehabilitation session.
Results: An analysis of variance showed a significant reduction and a consequent improvement in DHI scores after vestibular exercises in all domains: emotional, physical and functional (p < 0.001). The mean total DHI score significantly decreased by 15 points after one week, 24 points after two weeks and 15 points after four weeks of the last VRT session. The mean baseline VAS score was 7.71 (±0.91) that significantly decreased at one, two, and four weeks post-intervention to 4.81 (±0.73), 3.77 (±0.61), and 3.16 (±0.97), respectively (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The exercise-based VRT shows benefits for adult patients with chronic dizziness concerning improvement in the vertigo symptom scale, fall risk, balance and emotional status.
Comparison of Fundamental Frequency between Monolingual and Bilingual Children with a Cochlear Implant
Authors: Bayat Arash , Nikakhlagh Soheila , Naderifar Ehsan , Majlesi Parisa , Moradi Negin , Karimi Majid , Bagheripour Hossein , Majlesi Manzar , Saki Nader
Published: August 2019

Background and Objective: Cochlear implantation influences acoustical and perceptual characteristics of voice in CI children. However, there is limited knowledge of the type and amount of influence of multilingualism on these characteristics of voice in CI children. The present study aimed to comparatively investigate fundamental frequency (F0) between two groups of bilinguals and monolinguals in children who recently underwent CI.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional comparative study conducted on Persian-Arabic bilingual children (n=25) and monolingual Persian children (n=25) matched in age and gender. All children had congenitally profound hearing loss and received a unilateral CI before the age of two years. The participants were asked to sustain the vowel /a/ and vowel /e/ on a single breath for 4 seconds, and the F0 value was measured using Praat software. For each participant, the F0 was measured three times and then averaged as mean F0.
Results: Our findings indicated no significant differences in terms of mean F0 for the vowels of /a/ and /e/ in monolingual and bilingual groups (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Bilingual Persian-Arab children with CI display vocal characteristics that are largely comparable with those of their monolingual Persian peers with CI.
Dengue genetic divergence generates within-serotype antigenic variation, but serotypes dominate evolutionary dynamics
Authors: Bell Sidney M , Katzelnick Leah , Bedford Trevor
Published: August 2019

Dengue virus (DENV) exists as four genetically distinct serotypes, each of which is historically assumed to be antigenically uniform. Recent analyses suggest that antigenic heterogeneity may exist within each serotype, but its source, extent and impact remain unclear. Here, we construct a sequence-based model to directly map antigenic change to underlying genetic divergence. We identify 49 specific substitutions and four colinear substitution clusters that robustly predict dengue antigenic relationships. We report moderate antigenic diversity within each serotype, resulting in genotype-specific patterns of heterotypic cross-neutralization. We also quantify the impact of antigenic variation on real-world DENV population dynamics, and find that serotype-level antigenic fitness is a dominant driver of dengue clade turnover. These results provide a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between dengue genetic and antigenic evolution, and quantify the effect of antigenic fitness on dengue evolutionary dynamics.
Birds land reliably on complex surfaces by adapting their foot-surface interactions upon contact
Authors: Roderick William RT , Chin Diana D , Cutkosky Mark R , Lentink David
Published: August 2019

Birds land on a wide range of complex surfaces, yet it is unclear how they grasp a perch reliably. Here, we show how Pacific parrotlets exhibit stereotyped leg and wing dynamics regardless of perch diameter and texture, but foot, toe, and claw kinematics become surface-specific upon touchdown. A new dynamic grasping model, which integrates our detailed measurements, reveals how birds stabilize their grasp. They combine predictable toe pad friction with probabilistic friction from their claws, which they drag to find surface asperities—dragging further when they can squeeze less. Remarkably, parrotlet claws can undergo superfast movements, within 1–2 ms, on moderately slippery surfaces to find more secure asperities when necessary. With this strategy, they first ramp up safety margins by squeezing before relaxing their grasp. The model further shows it is advantageous to be small for stable perching when high friction relative to normal force is required because claws can find more usable surface, but this trend reverses when required friction shrinks. This explains how many animals and robots may grasp complex surfaces reliably.
IFN-mediated negative feedback supports bacteria class-specific macrophage inflammatory responses
Authors: Gottschalk Rachel A , Dorrington Michael G , Dutta Bhaskar , Krauss Kathleen S , Martins Andrew J , Uderhardt Stefan , Chan Waipan , Tsang John S , Torabi-Parizi Parizad , Fraser Iain DC , Germain Ronald N
Published: August 2019

Despite existing evidence for tuning of innate immunity to different classes of bacteria, the molecular mechanisms used by macrophages to tailor inflammatory responses to specific pathogens remain incompletely defined. By stimulating mouse macrophages with a titration matrix of TLR ligand pairs, we identified distinct stimulus requirements for activating and inhibitory events that evoked diverse cytokine production dynamics. These regulatory events were linked to patterns of inflammatory responses that distinguished between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, both in vitro and after in vivo lung infection. Stimulation beyond a TLR4 threshold and Gram-negative bacteria-induced responses were characterized by a rapid type I IFN-dependent decline in inflammatory cytokine production, independent of IL-10, whereas inflammatory responses to Gram-positive species were more sustained due to the absence of this IFN-dependent regulation. Thus, disparate triggering of a cytokine negative feedback loop promotes tuning of macrophage responses in a bacteria class-specific manner and provides context-dependent regulation of inflammation dynamics.
Neuroanatomy of a hydrothermal vent shrimp provides insights into the evolution of crustacean integrative brain centers
Authors: Machon Julia , Krieger Jakob , Meth Rebecca , Zbinden Magali , Ravaux Juliette , Montagné Nicolas , Chertemps Thomas , Harzsch Steffen
Published: August 2019

Alvinocaridid shrimps are emblematic representatives of the deep hydrothermal vent fauna at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. They are adapted to a mostly aphotic habitat with extreme physicochemical conditions in the vicinity of the hydrothermal fluid emissions. Here, we investigated the brain architecture of the vent shrimp Rimicaris exoculata to understand possible adaptations of its nervous system to the hydrothermal sensory landscape. Its brain is modified from the crustacean brain ground pattern by featuring relatively small visual and olfactory neuropils that contrast with well-developed higher integrative centers, the hemiellipsoid bodies. We propose that these structures in vent shrimps may fulfill functions in addition to higher order sensory processing and suggest a role in place memory. Our study promotes vent shrimps as fascinating models to gain insights into sensory adaptations to peculiar environmental conditions, and the evolutionary transformation of specific brain areas in Crustacea.
Ternary structure of the outer membrane transporter FoxA with resolved signalling domain provides insights into TonB-mediated siderophore uptake
Authors: Josts Inokentijs , Veith Katharina , Tidow Henning
Published: August 2019

Many microbes and fungi acquire the essential ion Fe3+ through the synthesis and secretion of high-affinity chelators termed siderophores. In Gram-negative bacteria, these ferric-siderophore complexes are actively taken up using highly specific TonB-dependent transporters (TBDTs) located in the outer bacterial membrane (OM). However, the detailed mechanism of how the inner-membrane protein TonB connects to the transporters in the OM as well as the interplay between siderophore- and TonB-binding to the transporter is still poorly understood. Here, we present three crystal structures of the TBDT FoxA from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (containing a signalling domain) in complex with the siderophore ferrioxamine B and TonB and combine them with a detailed analysis of binding constants. The structures show that both siderophore and TonB-binding is required to form a translocation-competent state of the FoxA transporter in a two-step TonB-binding mechanism. The complex structure also indicates how TonB-binding influences the orientation of the signalling domain.
Tyr1 phosphorylation promotes phosphorylation of Ser2 on the C-terminal domain of eukaryotic RNA polymerase II by P-TEFb
Authors: Mayfield Joshua E , Irani Seema , Escobar Edwin E , Zhang Zhao , Burkholder Nathaniel T , Robinson Michelle R , Mehaffey M Rachel , Sipe Sarah N , Yang Wanjie , Prescott Nicholas A , Kathuria Karan R , Liu Zhijie , Brodbelt Jennifer S , Zhang Yan
Published: August 2019

The Positive Transcription Elongation Factor b (P-TEFb) phosphorylates Ser2 residues of the C-terminal domain (CTD) of the largest subunit (RPB1) of RNA polymerase II and is essential for the transition from transcription initiation to elongation in vivo. Surprisingly, P-TEFb exhibits Ser5 phosphorylation activity in vitro. The mechanism garnering Ser2 specificity to P-TEFb remains elusive and hinders understanding of the transition from transcription initiation to elongation. Through in vitro reconstruction of CTD phosphorylation, mass spectrometry analysis, and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) analysis, we uncover a mechanism by which Tyr1 phosphorylation directs the kinase activity of P-TEFb and alters its specificity from Ser5 to Ser2. The loss of Tyr1 phosphorylation causes an accumulation of RNA polymerase II in the promoter region as detected by ChIP-seq. We demonstrate the ability of Tyr1 phosphorylation to generate a heterogeneous CTD modification landscape that expands the CTD’s coding potential. These findings provide direct experimental evidence for a combinatorial CTD phosphorylation code wherein previously installed modifications direct the identity and abundance of subsequent coding events by influencing the behavior of downstream enzymes.
Pangenomic type III effector database of the plant pathogenicRalstoniaspp.
Authors: Sabbagh Cyrus Raja Rubenstein , Carrere Sebastien , Lonjon Fabien , Vailleau Fabienne , Macho Alberto P. , Genin Stephane , Peeters Nemo
Published: August 2019

Background

The bacterial plant pathogenicRalstoniaspecies belong to the beta-proteobacteria class and are soil-borne pathogens causing vascular bacterial wilt disease, affecting a wide range of plant hosts. These bacteria form a heterogeneous group considered as a “species complex” gathering three newly defined species. Like many other Gram negative plant pathogens,Ralstoniapathogenicity relies on a type III secretion system, enabling bacteria to secrete/inject a large repertoire of type III effectors into their plant host cells. Type III-secreted effectors (T3Es) are thought to participate in generating a favorable environment for the pathogen (countering plant immunity and modifying the host metabolism and physiology).

Methods

Expert genome annotation, followed by specific type III-dependent secretion, allowed us to improve our Hidden-Markov-Model and Blast profiles for the prediction of type III effectors.

Results

We curated the T3E repertoires of 12 plant pathogenicRalstoniastrains, representing a total of 12 strains spread over the different groups of the species complex. This generated a pangenome repertoire of 102 T3E genes and 16 hypothetical T3E genes. Using this database, we scanned for the presence of T3Es in the 155 available genomes representing 140 distinct plant pathogenicRalstoniastrains isolated from different host plants in different areas of the globe. All this information is presented in a searchable database. A presence/absence analysis, modulated by a strain sequence/gene annotation quality score, enabled us to redefine core and accessory T3E repertoires.
262 Voyages Beneath the Sea: a global assessment of macro- and megafaunal biodiversity and research effort at deep-sea hydrothermal vents
Authors: Thaler Andrew D. , Amon Diva
Published: August 2019

For over 40 years, hydrothermal vents and the communities that thrive on them have been a source of profound discovery for deep-sea ecologists. These ecosystems are found throughout the world on active plate margins as well as other geologically active features. In addition to their ecologic interest, hydrothermal vent fields are comprised of metallic ores, sparking a nascent industry that aims to mine these metal-rich deposits for their mineral wealth. Here, we provide the first systematic assessment of macrofaunal and megafaunal biodiversity at hydrothermal vents normalized against research effort. Cruise reports from scientific expeditions as well as other literature were used to characterize the extent of exploration, determine the relative biodiversity of different biogeographic provinces, identify knowledge gaps related to the distribution of research effort, and prioritize targets for additional sampling to establish biodiversity baselines ahead of potential commercial exploitation. The Northwest Pacific, Southwest Pacific, and Southern Ocean biogeographic provinces were identified as high biodiversity using rarefaction of family-level incidence data, whereas the North East Pacific Rise, Northern East Pacific, Mid-Atlantic Ridge, and Indian Ocean provinces had medium biodiversity, and the Mid-Cayman Spreading Center was identified as a province of relatively low biodiversity. A North/South divide in the extent of biological research and the targets of hydrothermal vent mining prospects was also identified. Finally, we provide an estimate of sampling completeness for each province to inform scientific and stewardship priorities.