bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Delayed labelling evaluation for data streams
Authors: Grzenda Maciej , Gomes Heitor Murilo , Bifet Albert
Published: November 2019

A large portion of the stream mining studies on classification rely on the availability of true labels immediately after making predictions. This approach is well exemplified by the test-then-train evaluation, where predictions immediately precede true label arrival. However, in many real scenarios, labels arrive with non-negligible latency. This raises the question of how to evaluate classifiers trained in such circumstances. This question is of particular importance when stream mining models are expected to refine their predictions between acquiring instance data and receiving its true label. In this work, we propose a novel evaluation methodology for data streams when verification latency takes place, namely continuous re-evaluation. It is applied to reference data streams and it is used to differentiate between stream mining techniques in terms of their ability to refine predictions based on newly arriving instances. Our study points out, discusses and shows empirically the importance of considering the delay of instance labels when evaluating classifiers for data streams.
BOINC: A Platform for Volunteer Computing
Authors: Anderson David P.
Published: November 2019

“Volunteer computing” is the use of consumer digital devices for high-throughput scientific computing. It can provide large computing capacity at low cost, but presents challenges due to device heterogeneity, unreliability, and churn. BOINC, a widely-used open-source middleware system for volunteer computing, addresses these challenges. We describe BOINC’s features, architecture, implementation, and algorithms.
Does dysbiotic endometrium affect blastocyst implantation in IVF patients?
Authors: Hashimoto Tomoko , Kyono Koichi
Published: November 2019

Purpose

To analyze the pregnancy outcomes of IVF patients presenting eubiotic or dysbiotic endometrium at the time of embryo transfer and to analyze what bacterial profiles are suitable for embryo implantation.

Methods

Ninety-nine IVF patients under 40 years old undergoing vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer in HRT cycle had concurrent endometrial microbiome analysis. Samples from the endometrium were taken from the participants at the time of mock transfer; the bacterial profiles at genus level and percentage of lactobacilli in the endometrium of the patients were analyzed.

Results

Thirty-one cases (31.3%) had dysbiotic endometrium. The background profiles, pregnancy rates per transfer (52.9% vs 54.8%), and miscarriage rates (11.1% vs 5.9%) were comparable between patients with eubiotic or dysbiotic endometrium. Major bacterial genera other than Lactobacillus detected in the dysbiotic endometrium were Atopobium, Gardnerella, and Streptococcus. Some patients achieved ongoing pregnancies with 0% Lactobacillus in the endometrium. The endometrial bacterial profiles of pregnant cases with dysbiotic endometrium were comparable with those of non-pregnant cases.

Conclusion

Analyzing microbiota at the species-level resolution may be necessary for identifying the true pathogenic bacteria of the endometrium and avoiding over-intervention against non-Lactobacillus microbiota. Further studies are necessary for analyzing the mechanism of how the pathogenic bacteria affect embryo implantation.
Correction to: A Regular Integral Equation Formalism for Solving the Standard Boussinesq’s Equations for Variable Water Depth
Authors: Jang T. S.
Published: November 2019

The author would like to correct an error in calculation of the Eq. (A.2.8) in Appendix A.2 of the original article. The correct equation is as follows:
Determination of 14C, 55Fe, 63Ni and gamma emitters in activated RPV steel samples: a comparison between calculations and experimental analysis
Authors: Leskinen Anumaija , Salminen-Paatero Susanna , Räty Antti , Tanhua-Tyrkkö Merja , Iso-Markku Taneli , Puukko Esa
Published: November 2019

Determination of 14C, 55Fe, 63Ni and gamma emitters in two different types of activated reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steel samples were carried out. The gamma emitters were analysed using HPGe detectors with ISOCS and standard geometry calibrations. Two radioanalytical procedures for the 14C, 55Fe, 63Ni analysis were developed using inactive samples and activated samples were analysed using modified procedures. A Monte Carlo code was used for the modelling of the activation results. The obtained measured and calculated results were comparable.
Inductive general game playing
Authors: Cropper Andrew , Evans Richard , Law Mark
Published: November 2019

General game playing (GGP) is a framework for evaluating an agent’s general intelligence across a wide range of tasks. In the GGP competition, an agent is given the rules of a game (described as a logic program) that it has never seen before. The task is for the agent to play the game, thus generating game traces. The winner of the GGP competition is the agent that gets the best total score over all the games. In this paper, we invert this task: a learner is given game traces and the task is to learn the rules that could produce the traces. This problem is central toinductive general game playing(IGGP). We introduce a technique that automatically generates IGGP tasks from GGP games. We introduce an IGGP dataset which contains traces from 50 diverse games, such asSudoku,Sokoban, andCheckers. We claim that IGGP is difficult for existing inductive logic programming (ILP) approaches. To support this claim, we evaluate existing ILP systems on our dataset. Our empirical results show that most of the games cannot be correctly learned by existing systems. The best performing system solves only 40% of the tasks perfectly. Our results suggest that IGGP poses many challenges to existing approaches. Furthermore, because we can automatically generate IGGP tasks from GGP games, our dataset will continue to grow with the GGP competition, as new games are added every year. We therefore think that the IGGP problem and dataset will be valuable for motivating and evaluating future research.
Analysis of transporter associated with antigen presentation (TAP) genes polymorphisms with HIV-1 infection
Authors: Abitew Abaineh Munshea , Sobti Ranbir Chander , Sharma Vijay Lakshmi , Wanchu Ajay
Published: November 2019

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules of the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) play an important role in modulating immune response. HLA class I molecules present antigenic peptides to CD8+T cells and thereby play a role in the immune surveillance of cells infected with viruses.TAP1andTAP2areMHC-II-encoded genes necessary for the generation of a cellular immune response and polymorphism of these genes can influence the specificity of peptides preferentially presented by the MHC class I molecules and the outcome of the immune response. Several studies implicated genetic variation inTAPgenes to various immune-mediated and infectious diseases. To determine the correlation between HIV-1 infection and theTAP1andTAP2genes polymorphisms, we performed PCR–RFLP assay of these genes in 500 HIV-1 seropositives and the matched seronegative individuals. Statistical analysis of the data disclosed no correlation betweenTAP1(C/T intron 7) gene polymorphism and HIV-1/AIDS disease. However, the current results demonstrated that the heterozygousA/G[OR (95% CI) 1.39 (1.06–1.83),P = 0.0171] and homozygousG/G[OR (95% CI) 3.38(1.56–7.46),P = 0.0010] variants ofTAP2(A/G exon 11) (T665A) gene are positively associated with an increased risk of HIV-1/AIDS infection. This case–control analysis might suggest a possible role ofTAP2(A/G exon 11) (T665A) gene in the susceptibility to HIV-1 infection and disease outcome among North Indian patients.
New uracil analogs as downregulators of ABC transporters in 5-fluorouracil-resistant human leukemia HL-60 cell line
Authors: Długosz-Pokorska Angelika , Pięta Marlena , Janecki Tomasz , Janecka Anna
Published: November 2019

Overexpression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters causing multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells is one of the major obstacles in cancer chemotherapy. The 5-FU resistant subclone (HL-60/5FU) of the human HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cell line was selected by the conventional method of continuous exposure of the cells to the drug up to 0.08 mmol/L concentration. HL-60/5FU cells exhibited six-fold enhanced resistance to 5-FU than HL-60 cells. RT-PCR and ELISA assay showed significant overexpression of MDR-related ABC transporters, ABCB1, ABCG2 but especially ABCC1 in the HL-60/5FU as compared with the parental cell line. Three novel synthetic 5-methylidenedihydrouracil analogs, U-236, U-332 and U-359, selected as highly cytotoxic for HL-60 cells in MTT test, showed similar cytotoxicity in the resistant cell line. When co-incubated with 5-FU, these analogs were found to down-regulate the expression of all three transporters. However, the most pronounced effect was caused by U-332 which almost completely abolished ABCC1 expression in the resistant HL-60/5FU cells. Additionally, U-332 inhibited the activity of ATPase, an enzyme which catalyzes hydrolysis of ATP, providing energy to efflux drugs from the cells through the cellular membranes. Taken together, the obtained data suggest that acquired 5-FU resistance in HL-60/5FU cells results from overexpression of ABCC1 and that targeting ABCC1 expression could be a potential approach to re-sensitize resistant leukemia cells to 5-FU. The synthetic uracil analog U-332, which can potently down-regulate ABC transporter expression and therefore disturb drug efflux, can be considered an efficient ABCC1 regulator in cancer cells.
Principal vectors and equivalent mass descriptions for the equations of motion of planar four-bar mechanisms
Authors: Meijaard J. P. , van der Wijk V.
Published: November 2019

The use of principal points and principal vectors in the formulation of the equations of motion of a general 4R planar four-bar linkage is shown with two kinds of methods, one that opens kinematic loops and one that does not. The opened kinematic loop approach analyses the moving links as a system with a tree connectivity, introducing reaction forces for closing the loops. Compared with the conventional Newton–Euler method, this approach results in fewer equations and constraint forces, whereas the mass matrix entries remain meaningful, but there is a stronger coupling between the equations. Two equivalent mass formulations for the closed kinematic loop approach are presented, which need not open the loop and introduce loop constraint forces in the equations of motion. With the method of complex joint masses, the mass of the links closing the loops is represented by real and virtual equivalent masses, defining the principal points. The principle of virtual work with the inclusion of inertia terms is used to derive the equations of motion. As an example the dynamic balance conditions of the four-bar linkage are derived. With the method of the equivalent mass matrix it is shown how a constant mass matrix can be used to describe the dynamics of binary links with an arbitrary mass distribution. A four-bar linkage could be modelled with only three truss elements instead of the conventional result with three or more beam elements, which gives a significant reduction of the computational complexity.
Dyadic Norm Besov-Type Spaces as Trace Spaces on Regular Trees
Authors: Koskela Pekka , Wang Zhuang
Published: November 2019

In this paper, we study function spaces defined via dyadic energies on the boundaries of regular trees. We show that correct choices of dyadic energies result in Besov-type spaces that are trace spaces of (weighted) first order Sobolev spaces.
Investigation of Hydrodynamic Dispersion and Intra-pore Turbulence Effects in Porous Media
Authors: Jouybari Nima Fallah , Lundström T. Staffan , Hellström J. Gunnar I.
Published: November 2019

The aim of the present paper is to evaluate and compare the pore level hydrodynamic dispersion and effects of turbulence during flow in porous media. In order to compute these quantities, large eddy simulations of turbulent flow in five unit cells comprised of spherical particles are performed and the results are averaged over the cells. Visualizations of vortical structures reveal that the size of the turbulence structures is of the size of the pores. Investigations furthermore yield that volume-averaged values of the hydrodynamic dispersion are of the same order as the Reynolds stress within the pores. It is also shown that the effect of intra-pore turbulence and hydrodynamic dispersion on the redistribution of macroscopic momentum within the porous medium is negligible compared to Forchheimer term. A discussion is provided on the accuracy of the eddy viscosity hypothesis in the modeling of the volume-averaged intra-pore Reynolds stresses. Finally, the effect of variation in the pore-scale geometry on the turbulence structures and averaged values of hydrodynamic dispersion and Reynolds stress is investigated.
Data Mining Methods for Prediction of Multi-Component Al-Si Alloy Properties Based on Cooling Curves
Authors: Regulski Krzysztof , Wilk-Kołodziejczyk Dorota , Szymczak Tomasz , Gumienny Grzegorz , Pirowski Zenon , Jaśkowiec Krzysztof , Kluska-Nawarecka Stanisława
Published: November 2019

The paper concerns the mechanical properties of hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy (silumin) with the addition of Cr, Mo, V and W. Changes in microstructure under the impact of these elements result in a change in the mechanical properties. Crystallization of Al-Si alloys determines grain size reduction, which causes a significant increase in their strength properties. Crystallization subjected to modifications through the influence of alloying additives can be described by the cooling curve run. Statistical relationships between the characteristic values of cooling curves and mechanical properties are investigated with data mining techniques of regression, especially regression trees. Such knowledge could provide an ability of a property prediction on the basis of cooling curves in terms of the benefits of a short time of the curve registration.
Non-spherical particle mixing behaviors by spherical inert particles assisted in a fluidized bed
Authors: Ren An-Xing , Wang Tian-Yu , Tang Tian-Qi , He Yu-Rong
Published: November 2019

Fluidized beds are widely used in many industrial fields such as petroleum, chemical and energy. In actual industrial processes, spherical inert particles are typically added to the fluidized bed to promote fluidization of non-spherical particles. Understanding mixing behaviors of binary mixtures in a fluidized bed has specific significance for the design and optimization of related industrial processes. In this study, the computational fluid dynamic–discrete element method with the consideration of rolling friction was applied to evaluate the mixing behaviors of binary mixtures comprising spherocylindrical particles and spherical particles in a fluidized bed. The simulation results indicate that the differences between rotational particle velocities were higher than those of translational particle velocities for spherical and non-spherical particles when well mixed. Moreover, as the volume fraction of the spherocylindrical particles increases, translational and rotational granular temperatures gradually increase. In addition, the addition of the spherical particles makes the spherocylindrical particles preferably distributed in a vertical orientation.
Structures, functions, and mechanisms of filament forming enzymes: a renaissance of enzyme filamentation
Authors: Park Chad K. , Horton Nancy C.
Published: November 2019

Filament formation by non-cytoskeletal enzymes has been known for decades, yet only relatively recently has its wide-spread role in enzyme regulation and biology come to be appreciated. This comprehensive review summarizes what is known for each enzyme confirmed to form filamentous structuresin vitro, and for the many that are known only to form large self-assemblies within cells. For some enzymes, studies describing both thein vitrofilamentous structures and cellular self-assembly formation are also known and described. Special attention is paid to the detailed structures of each type of enzyme filament, as well as the roles the structures play in enzyme regulation and in biology. Where it is known or hypothesized, the advantages conferred by enzyme filamentation are reviewed. Finally, the similarities, differences, and comparison to the SgrAI endonuclease system are also highlighted.
Correction to: Identification and characterization of ectoine-producing bacteria isolated from Can Gio mangrove soil in Vietnam
Authors: Van Thuoc Doan , Hien Tran Thi , Sudesh Kumar
Published: November 2019

After publication of this paper, the authors determined an error in the funding information. It was written as Grant B2007-SHP-32, but it should be Grant B2017-SPH-32.
Usnic Acid Derivatives as Cytotoxic Agents Against Cancer Cells and the Mechanisms of Their Activity
Authors: Guzow-Krzemińska Beata , Guzow Katarzyna , Herman-Antosiewicz Anna
Published: November 2019

Purpose of Review

This article summarises recent research on modifications of the structure or formula of usnic acid (UA), a lichen secondary metabolite, in order to obtain derivatives with higher bioavailability, potency and selectivity against cancer cells and presents the current knowledge on the mechanisms of action of such compounds.

Recent Findings

Numerous approaches have been undertaken to improve bioactivity of UA concerning its use as an anticancer drug. Among them, the synthesis of UA salts or complexation with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin to improve its solubility and the encapsulation using different carriers (including various nanomaterials) to stabilise UA in biological fluids and improve their penetrance to, and release in, cancer cells were applied.. Synthetic modification of the UA structure has been explored to obtain more active and cancer-specific derivatives. Recent work indicates that some modifications of the C or A ring of UA selectively increase its antiproliferative potential against cancer cells. Moreover, specific changes in the UA structure allow to obtain derivatives which inhibit enzymes important for the cancer cells’ survival, such as mTOR, Pim, TDP1 or PARP. Some of them have been shown to enhance anticancer activity of the already approved chemotherapeutics, such as topotecan. Others, when used in an animal cancer xenograft model, were superior to UA in retardation of tumour growth and less toxic that the parent compound.

UA is a promising lead compound for synthesis of anticancer drugs. Further work on its modifications, mechanisms of activity and validation in animal models is critical for development of effective therapeutics.
A cold change: how short low temperature exposure affects primary metabolism in leaves and stems of two eucalyptus species
Authors: Domingues-Junior Adilson Pereira , Daloso Danilo de Menezes , Machado Mariana , Rosado-Souza Laíse , de Souza Leonardo Perez , Fernie Alisdair Robert , Mazzafera Paulo
Published: November 2019

Plants often modify their metabolism in order to regain homeostasis and maintain survival in the face of stressful conditions. Here, two species of eucalyptus, E. globulus and E. grandis (adapted and non-adapted to low temperature, respectively), were exposed to either 10 °C or 25 °C over 24 h, and changes in gene expression and metabolite levels were analyzed. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the dynamic of short period changes in the energy metabolism of source (leaves) and sink (stem) tissues in these contrasting species regarding low temperature. We expected to observe a distinct pattern on carbon metabolism and source-to-sink relationship between both species which would be related to their different vegetative responses when facing low temperatures. In that way, E. globulus plants showed a differential expression in leaves and stems of SnRK1 genes system (responsible for energy availability control in plants), that was strongly associated to the changes in carbon metabolism and the main difference between the response when both species face cold. Taken together, the results suggest that low temperatures (10 °C) are able to increase the sink strength of stem tissues and the carbon assimilation in leaves of E. globulus, supporting a higher vegetative growth rate. In E. grandis, on the other hand, exposure to 10 °C promoted a higher consumption of carbon skeletons without better growth rate as a counterpart, suggesting that under cold conditions, these two eucalyptus species differ in the way they coordinate the interaction between the activation of SnRK1 system and primary metabolism in source and sink tissues.
Urban growth modeling using cellular automata model and AHP (case study: Qazvin city)
Authors: Falah Nahid , Karimi Alireza , Harandi Ali Tavakoli
Published: November 2019

Irregular growth in the surrounding lands is one of the most important issues for the city managers and programmers at various levels. Whereas nowadays study the process of land use changes to urban use plays the main role in long time decisions and programs, predicting the process of city growth and its modeling in future with precise methods for management and urban expansion control will be necessary more than other times. One of urban growth modeling is cellular automata model. This model has been used widely in urban studies because of its dynamic nature, ability of Integration with other models, ability to modify the model and required data availability. In this article, to maximize the efficiency of the cellular automata model and its constraints, the integration of the AHP automated cell model and cellular automata model have been used; and its accuracy has been evaluated. This article has been practical because its related principles has been collected in a documentary manner and has been used to analyses the issue in comparative and quantitative methods. Initially, the unplanned growth of Qazvin city has been investigated by Holdern and Shannon model. Then main parameters including distance from roads, land prices, distance from faults, distance from the rivers, soil gender, slope, permission to build land, topography, landscape, view to gardens and forest park as parameters involved in the development of Qazvin city are considered. The input data used in this research are Landsat tm and DEM images of the city of Qazvin in 1996 and 2016. Also, to evaluate the correctness of the model responses, the map of the developed regions in 2016 and the Kappa coefficient have been used. The Kappa coefficient is 92.3%, which is considered significant and appropriate and gave the fact that the Kappa number is acceptable. The Qazvin simulation was made in 2026. The results show that the proposed integrated model is suitable for studying urban growth.
Cell Membrane Coating Technology: A Promising Strategy for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Liu Yao , Luo Jingshan , Chen Xiaojia , Liu Wei , Chen Tongkai
Published: November 2019

Cell membrane coating technology is an approach to the biomimetic replication of cell membrane properties, and is an active area of ongoing research readily applicable to nanoscale biomedicine. Nanoparticles (NPs) coated with cell membranes offer an opportunity to unite natural cell membrane properties with those of the artificial inner core material. The coated NPs not only increase their biocompatibility but also achieve effective and extended circulation in vivo, allowing for the execution of targeted functions. Although cell membrane-coated NPs offer clear advantages, much work remains before they can be applied in clinical practice. In this review, we first provide a comprehensive overview of the theory of cell membrane coating technology, followed by a summary of the existing preparation and characterization techniques. Next, we focus on the functions and applications of various cell membrane types. In addition, we collate model drugs used in cell membrane coating technology, and review the patent applications related to this technology from the past 10 years. Finally, we survey future challenges and trends pertaining to this technology in an effort to provide a comprehensive overview of the future development of cell membrane coating technology.
Selecting the best probability distribution for at-site flood frequency analysis; a study of Torne River
Authors: Ul Hassan Mahmood , Hayat Omar , Noreen Zahra
Published: November 2019

At-site flood frequency analysis is a direct method of estimation of flood frequency at a particular site. The appropriate selection of probability distribution and a parameter estimation method are important for at-site flood frequency analysis. Generalized extreme value, three-parameter log-normal, generalized logistic, Pearson type-III and Gumbel distributions have been considered to describe the annual maximum steam flow at five gauging sites of Torne River in Sweden. To estimate the parameters of distributions, maximum likelihood estimation and L-moments methods are used. The performance of these distributions is assessed based on goodness-of-fit tests and accuracy measures. At most sites, the best-fitted distributions are with LM estimation method. Finally, the most suitable distribution at each site is used to predict the maximum flood magnitude for different return periods.
THE CONSISTENCY STRENGTH OF LONG PROJECTIVE DETERMINACY
Authors: AGUILERA JUAN P. , MÜLLER SANDRA
Published: November 2019

We determine the consistency strength of determinacy for projective games of length ω2. Our main theorem is that $\Pi _{n + 1}^1 $-determinacy for games of length ω2 implies the existence of a model of set theory with ω + n Woodin cardinals. In a first step, we show that this hypothesis implies that there is a countable set of reals A such that Mn (A), the canonical inner model for n Woodin cardinals constructed over A, satisfies $$A = R$$ and the Axiom of Determinacy. Then we argue how to obtain a model with ω + n Woodin cardinal from this.

We also show how the proof can be adapted to investigate the consistency strength of determinacy for games of length ω2 with payoff in $^R R\Pi _1^1 $ or with σ-projective payoff.
Canal wall down mastoidectomy with obliteration versus canal wall up mastoidectomy in primary cholesteatoma surgery
Authors: Wilkie M D , Chudek D , Webb C J , Panarese A , Banhegyi G
Published: November 2019

Objective

This study sought to compare disease recidivism rates between canal wall up mastoidectomy and a canal wall down with obliteration technique.

Methods

Patients undergoing primary cholesteatoma surgery at our institution over a five-year period (2013–2017) using the aforementioned techniques were eligible for inclusion in the study. Rates of discharge and disease recidivism were analysed using chi-square statistics.

Results

A total of 104 ears (98 patients) were included. The mean follow-up period was 30 months (range, 12–52 months). A canal wall down with mastoid obliteration technique was performed in 55 cases and a canal wall up approach was performed in 49 cases. Disease recidivism rates were 7.3 per cent and 16.3 per cent in the canal wall down with mastoid obliteration and canal wall up groups respectively (p = 0.02), whilst discharge rates were similar (7.3 per cent and 10.2 per cent respectively).

Conclusion

Our direct comparative data suggest that canal wall down mastoidectomy with obliteration is superior to a canal wall up technique in primary cholesteatoma surgery, providing a lower recidivism rate combined with a low post-operative ear discharge rate.
mInscuteable regulates meiotic spindle organization during mouse oocyte meiotic maturation
Authors: Xiao Zhuoni , Peng Jiali , Xie Meiting , Yang Jing , Xu Wangming
Published: November 2019

Establishment of cellular polarity is one of the key events during oocyte maturation. Inscuteable (Insc) has been identified as a key regulator of cell polarity during asymmetric division in Drosophila. However, the function of its evolutionarily conserved mammalian homologue, mInscuteable (mInsc), in mouse meiotic maturation is not clear. In this study, we investigated the roles of mInsc in mouse oocyte maturation. mInsc was detected at all stages of oocyte maturation. The protein level of mInsc was slightly higher at the germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) stage and remained constant during mouse oocyte maturation. The subcellular localization of mInsc overlapped with spindle microtubules. Disruption of microtubules and microfilaments caused changes in the localization of mInsc. Depletion or overexpression of mInsc significantly decreased the maturation rates of mouse oocytes. Depletion of mInsc significantly affected asymmetric division, spindle assembly, alignments of chromosomes and actin cap formation. Taken together, our results demonstrated that mInsc regulates meiotic spindle organization during mouse meiotic maturation.
Long-term effects of a maternal high-fat: high-fructose diet on offspring growth and metabolism and impact of maternal taurine supplementation
Authors: Li M. , Reynolds C. M. , Gray C. , Patel R. , Sloboda D. M. , Vickers M. H.
Published: November 2019

Objective:

Maternal obesity is associated with obesity and metabolic disorders in offspring. However, there remains a paucity of data on strategies to reverse the effects of maternal obesity on maternal and offspring health. With maternal undernutrition, taurine supplementation improves outcomes in offspring mediated in part via improved glucose–insulin homeostasis. The efficacy of taurine supplementation in the setting of maternal obesity on health and well-being of offspring is unknown. We examined the effects of taurine supplementation on outcomes related to growth and metabolism in offspring in a rat model of maternal obesity.

Design:

Wistar rats were randomised to: 1) control diet during pregnancy and lactation (CON); 2) CON with 1.5% taurine in drinking water (CT); 3) maternal obesogenic diet (MO); or 4) MO with taurine (MOT). Offspring were weaned onto the control diet for the remainder of the study.

Results:

At day 150, offspring body weights and adipose tissue weights were increased in MO groups compared to CON. Adipose tissue weights were reduced in MOT versus MO males but not females. Plasma fasting leptin and insulin were increased in MO offspring groups but were not altered by maternal taurine supplementation. Plasma homocysteine concentrations were reduced in all maternal taurine-supplemented offspring groups. There were significant interactions across maternal diet, taurine supplementation and sex for response to an oral glucose tolerance test , a high-fat dietary preference test and pubertal onset in offspring.

Conclusions:

These results demonstrate that maternal taurine supplementation can partially ameliorate adverse developmental programming effects in offspring in a sex-specific manner.
How Chemical Processes Influence Fracture Pattern Development
Authors: Laubach Stephen
Published: November 2019

Many tools of chemical analysis, experimentation, modeling, and theory have the potential to increase our understanding of how fracture patterns develop at different geological time scales.
Micro‐CT Scanning of Tests of Three Planktic Foraminiferal Species to Clarify DissolutionProcess and Progress
Authors: Iwasaki S. , Kimoto K. , Okazaki Y. , Ikehara M.
Published: November 2019

Evaluation of foraminiferal test dissolution in deep‐sea sediments facilitates reconstruction of seawater chemistry. Here we observed test dissolution processes of the planktic foraminifera Trilobatus sacculifer, Globigerinoides ruber, and Neogloboquadrina dutertrei from midlatitudes of the western North Pacific; in these three species, we tested the ability of a new dissolution index using data from X‐ray micro‐computed tomography scanning. Although the dissolution process of foraminiferal tests differed slightly among species, dissolution of all species was equally assessed by the calcite density distribution (%Low‐CT‐number calcite volume) calculated from the CT number histogram. In T. sacculifer and G. ruber, the test area density, a conventional proxy for assessing test condition based on weight measurement, is affected by variations in the thickness of the outermost chamber wall; thus, this conventional proxy can be affected by sea surface conditions during test calcification. In contrast, the relationship between the %Low‐CT‐number calcite volume of tests and the deep seawater calcite saturation state suggests that X‐ray micro‐computed tomography scanning is applicable for evaluating the intensity of foraminiferal test dissolution at the undersaturated deep seafloor in this area and is an invaluable proxy for detecting deep seawater carbonate ion concentration changes on glacial‐interglacial timescales.
Detrital Zircon Geochronologic Constraints on Patterns and Drivers of Continental‐Scale Sediment Dispersal in the Late Mississippian
Authors: Wang Wei , Bidgoli Tandis S.
Published: November 2019

The Late Mississippian was a critical time interval in Laurentia's history, marking the transition from carbonate deposition on a stable platform, during the Early to Middle Mississippian, to extensive clastic deposition in the Pennsylvanian to Permian associated with the Laurentia‐Gondwana collision. In the U.S. midcontinent, Chesterian incised valley fill (IVF) systems that developed within a carbonate‐dominated platform provide new insights on the patterns and drivers of continental‐scale sediment dispersal during this transitional period. Here we report 1,037 new concordant detrital zircon U‐Pb ages from nine samples of Uppper Mississippian sandstone collected from cores in southwestern Kansas and from outcrops in northwestern Arkansas. The sandstones are characterized by major age clusters corresponding to the Grenville (900–1,300 Ma) and Taconic‐Acadian (350–500 Ma) orogenies and minor older age groups, suggesting derivation from the Appalachian region. A compilation of published detrital zircon ages from Early Paleozoic sandstones as well as from temporally equivalent units across North America, including from the Appalachian Foreland Basin, Illinois Basin, Arkoma Shelf, Ozark Dome, Black Warrior Basin, and Grand Canyon, suggests Chesterian sandstone age distributions are distinct from those of older sandstones and are consistent with a change to a dominantly Appalachian age signature that was roughly synchronous across the continent. Together, the new and compiled ages support development of a generally E‐W transcontinental sediment dispersal system in the Late Mississippian that was likely controlled by orogenesis on the eastern Laurentian margin, while local variations in the age signatures appear to be controlled by N‐S drainage networks, influenced by glacioeustatic fluctuations and local structures.
Quiet Time Structured Pc1 Waves Generated During Transient Foreshock
Authors: Suvorova A. V. , Dmitriev A. V. , Parkhomov V. A. , Tsegmed B.
Published: November 2019

We study two events of structured Pc1 waves (pearls) observed by CARISMA magnetometers during a period of quiet magnetic (Kp ~1) and solar wind conditions on 1 August 2008. Bursts of proton precipitations and electromagnetic ion‐cyclotron waves were simultaneously observed by NOAA/POES and GOES satellites at dayside. Apparent correspondence was found between ground pearl pulsations and magnetospheric compressions observed by GOES and THEMIS satellites. We have found the Pc1 wave splitting into very close subfrequencies (within 0.1 Hz) that can be explained by weak magnetospheric compressions. The compressions are caused by pressure pulses originated from transient foreshock and interplanetary magnetic field discontinuities observed upstream of the bow shock by the THEMIS‐C probe. Thus, the observed pearls are compression‐related Pc1 waves generated under transient foreshock conditions.
Electron‐Scale Magnetic Structure Observed Adjacent to an Electron Diffusion Region at the Dayside Magnetopause
Authors: Hoilijoki S. , Ergun R. E. , Schwartz S. J. , Eriksson S. , Wilder F. D. , Webster J. M. , Ahmadi N. , Le Contel O. , Burch J. L. , Torbert R. B. , Strangeway R. J. , Giles B. L.
Published: November 2019

In this paper, we present observations made by the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission of a small‐scale magnetic structure adjacent to a reconnecting current sheet at the dayside magnetopause. While MMS crosses the current sheet, it observes signatures of an electron diffusion region (EDR), including crescent shaped electron velocity distribution functions. Right after the EDR crossing, all spacecraft encounter an electron‐scale magnetic structure that can roughly be divided into two parts: a force‐free flux rope‐like part and a nonforce‐free magnetic enhancement. Within the leading force‐free part of the structure, the magnetic field component normal to the current sheet exhibits a bipolar signature, suggesting that the structure is flux rope‐like. In the trailing edge of the bipolar signature, three spacecraft observe a magnetic enhancement that has an amplitude almost twice the ambient magnetic field. The magnetic peak adjacent to an EDR can be associated with an electron vortex, where the perpendicular current is carried by E×B drifting electrons. The structure is advected tailward along the magnetopause while in the plasma frame, it propagates upstream suggesting that this reconnection event is highly three‐dimensional. Fluctuations in the plasma density and magnetic field and large peaks in the parallel electric field observed on the magnetospheric side of the EDR suggest that the current sheet is corrugated due to an electromagnetic drift instability. This or another instability of a thin reconnecting current sheet (e.g., tearing) is a likely cause of the formation of the observed magnetic structure.
Influence of Upper Plate Structure on Flat‐Slab Depth: Numerical Modeling of Subduction Dynamics
Authors: Liu Xiaowen , Currie Claire A.
Published: November 2019

Western North and South America have been affected by flat‐slab subduction where a segment of the subducting plate becomes horizontal below the overlying continent. Modern observations and constraints on past geometries show that the depth of the flat‐slab varies from just below the continental Moho to >100 km depth. Thus, in some areas, there is little to no continental mantle lithosphere (CML) above the flat‐slab, whereas other flat‐slab areas are overlain by CML thicknesses >50 km. The mechanisms causing different slab depths are unclear. We examine flat‐slab subduction dynamics and slab depth through 2‐D thermal‐mechanical modeling. The models investigate plate structures and velocities similar to those of the Cretaceous western United States and present‐day South America. Models show that flat‐slab depth is primarily determined by continental structure. A deep flat‐slab occurs if the continent is initially thick, as its mantle lithosphere is cool and thus too strong to be displaced by the flat‐slab. The CML rheology plays a secondary role. A weak, hydrated lithosphere is easily displaced, leading to a shallower slab. The flat‐slab can displace up to 50% of the thickness of the CML, and no model exhibits displacement of the full CML thickness. This suggests that shallow flat‐slabs below Mexico and Peru require a thin continent prior to slab flattening. The models also show that a flat‐slab is deflected downward when it encounters thick craton lithosphere, with a larger depth for a chemically depleted craton. This has implications for modification of the Wyoming craton during Farallon flat‐slab subduction.
A 2000 Year Saharan Dust Event Proxy Record from an Ice Core in the European Alps
Authors: Clifford Heather M. , Spaulding Nicole E. , Kurbatov Andrei V. , More Alexander , Korotkikh Elena V. , Sneed Sharon B. , Handley Mike , Maasch Kirk A. , Loveluck Christopher P. , Chaplin Joyce , McCormick Michael , Mayewski Paul A.
Published: November 2019

Dust events originating from the Saharan desert have far‐reaching environmental impacts, but the causal mechanism of magnitude and occurrence of Saharan dust events (SDEs) during the preinstrumental era requires further research, particularly as a potential analog for future climate. Using an ultrahigh resolution glacio‐chemical record from the 2013 Colle Gnifetti ice core drilled in the Swiss‐Italian Alps, we reconstructed a 2000‐year‐long summer Saharan dust record. We analyzed both modern (1780–2006) and premodern Common Era (CE) major and trace element records to determine air mass source regions to the Colle Gnifetti glacier and assess similarities to modern and reconstructed climate trends in the Northern Hemisphere. This new proxy SDE reconstruction, produced using measurements from a novel, continuous ultrahigh‐resolution (120‐μm) ice core analysis method (laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometer) is comprised of 316,000 data points per element covering the period 1–1820 CE. We found that the Colle Gnifetti ice core captures an anomalous increase in Saharan dust transport during the onset of the Medieval Climate Anomaly (870–1000 CE) and records other prominent shorter events (CE, 140–170, 370–450, 1320–1370, and 1910–2000), offering a framework for new insights into the implications of Saharan dust variability.
Spatiotemporal Changes in China's Terrestrial Water Storage From GRACE Satellites and Its Possible Drivers
Authors: Xu Lei , Chen Nengcheng , Zhang Xiang , Chen Zeqiang
Published: November 2019

Terrestrial water storage (TWS) changes are driven by internal climate variability, external natural climate change, external human‐caused climate change, and human water management. Spatiotemporal patterns of TWS change and attribution can help understand the water cycle process and refine water management in a region. Here, the spatiotemporal changes in the TWS in China between 2003 and 2016 are analyzed based on three monthly mass concentration (mascon) data products from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites, and the possible drivers are investigated using multiple precipitation products, land surface models, and multisource remote sensing and socioeconomic data. Six major TWS change regions are detected, including negative trends in northwestern China, the southeastern Tibetan Plateau, and northern China and positive trends in western China, southern China, and northeastern China. Two global hydrological models, WaterGAP and PCR‐GLOBWB, substantially underestimate the TWS changes relative to GRACE. Four land surface models (CLM 2.0, VIC, MOSAIC, and NOAH 3.3) from the Global Land Data Assimilation System version 2.1 show large model uncertainties in simulating the TWS trend. A statistical attribution indicates that ice melting under human‐caused climate change is a driver of decreasing TWS in northwestern China and the southeastern Tibetan Plateau that cannot be ignored, while human water use is largely responsible for groundwater depletion in northern China. The increasing TWS in southern China and northeastern China is likely caused by precipitation increases, and the increasing TWS in western China is probably a result of precipitation increases and water supplementation from ice melting.
Chemical Versus Mechanical Denudation in Meta‐Clastic and Carbonate Bedrock Catchments on Crete, Greece, and Mechanisms for Steep and High Carbonate Topography
Authors: Ott Richard F. , Gallen Sean F. , Caves Rugenstein Jeremy K. , Ivy‐Ochs Susan , Helman David , Fassoulas Charalampos , Vockenhuber Christof , Christl Marcus , Willett Sean D.
Published: November 2019

On Crete—as is common elsewhere in the Mediterranean—carbonate massifs form high mountain ranges whereas topography is lower in areas with meta‐clastic rocks. This observation suggests that differences in denudational processes between carbonate‐rich rocks and quartzofeldspathic units impart a fundamental control on landscape evolution. Here we present new cosmogenic basin‐average denudation rate measurements from both 10Be and 36Cl in meta‐clastic and carbonate bedrock catchments, respectively, to assess relationships between denudation rates, processes, and topographic form. We compare total denudation rates to dissolution rates calculated from 49 new and previously published water samples. Basin‐average denudation rates of meta‐clastic and carbonate catchments are similar, with mean values of ~0.10 mm/a and ~0.13 mm/a, respectively. The contribution of dissolution to total denudation rate was <10% in the one measured meta‐clastic catchment, and ~40% for carbonate catchments (~0.05 mm/a), suggesting the dominance of physical over chemical weathering at the catchment scale in both rock types. Water mass‐balance calculations for three carbonate catchments suggests 40–90% of surface runoff is lost to groundwater. To explore the impact of dissolution and infiltration to groundwater on relief, we develop a numerical model for carbonate denudation. We find that dissolution modifies the river profile channel steepness, and infiltration changes the fluvial response time to external forcing. Furthermore, we show that infiltration of surface runoff to groundwater in karst regions is an efficient way to steepen topography and generate the dramatic relief in carbonates observed throughout Crete and the Mediterranean.
Inhibition of food craving is a metabolically active process in the brain in obese men
Authors: Wang Gene-Jack , Shokri Kojori Ehsan , Yuan Kai , Wiers Corinde E. , Manza Peter , Wong Christopher T. , Fowler Joanna S. , Volkow Nora D.
Published: November 2019

Objective

Obesity is associated with impaired inhibitory control over food intake. We hypothesized that the neural circuitry underlying inhibition of food craving would be impaired in obesity. Here we assessed whether obese men show altered brain responses during attempted cognitive inhibition of craving when exposed to food cues.

Methods

Sixteen obese men (32 ± 8.7 years old, BMI = 38.6 ± 7.2) were compared with 11 age-matched non-obese men (BMI 24.2 ± 2.5) using PET and FDG. Brain glucose metabolism was evaluated in a food deprived state: no food stimulation, food stimulation with no inhibition (NI), and food stimulation with attempted inhibition (AI), each on a separate day. Individualized favorite food items were presented prior to and after FDG injection for 40 min. For AI, participants were asked to attempt to inhibit their desire for the food presented. Self-reports for hunger and food desire were recorded.

Results

Food stimulation compared with no stimulation increased glucose metabolism in inferior and superior frontal gyrus, default mode network and cerebellum, in both groups. For both groups, AI compared with NI-suppressed metabolism in right subgenual anterior cingulate, orbitofrontal areas, bilateral insula, and temporal gyri. There was a stimulation-by-group interaction effect in obese (but not in non-obese) men showing increased metabolism in pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC) and caudate during AI relative to NI. Changes in the food desire from NI to AI correlated negatively with changes in metabolism in pgACC/caudate in obese but not in non-obese men.

Conclusions

Obese men showed higher activation in pgACC/caudate, which are regions involved with self-regulation and emotion/reward during AI. Behavioral associations suggest that successful AI is an active process requiring more energy in obese but not in non-obese men. The additional required effort to increase cognitive control in response to food stimulation in obese compared with non-obese men may contribute to their uncontrolled eating behavior.