bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The unintended benefit of the risk factor mandate of 2005
Authors: Huang Allen H. , Shen Jianghua , Zang Amy Y.
Published: April 2021

In 2005, the SEC mandated that firms disclose risk factors to provide useful information about firm risk. An unintended effect of the mandate is that mandatory risk factor (RF) disclosure may constitute “meaningful cautionary language” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, and may therefore provide legal protection for forward-looking statements (FLSs). Using both a difference-in-differences design and a two-stage least squares approach, we find that, following the mandate, firms that had not previously disclosed risk factors (late RF disclosers) became more willing to provide qualitative FLSs, particularly positive ones, than other firms. This finding is consistent with our prediction that, for late RF disclosers, the mandate reduces managers’ perceived litigation risk. We also find that these firms experience improvement in their information environment. A path analysis reveals that the mandate improves firms’ information environment not only directly but also indirectly by prompting more disclosure of positive FLSs, illustrating an unintended benefit of the 2005 RF mandate. Cross-sectional tests show that the RF mandate induces a larger increase in positive FLSs for firms whose managers perceive a higher level of benefit from safe harbor protection arising from meaningful cautionary statements.
Re-examining female labor supply responses to the 1994 Australian pension reform
Authors: Morris Todd
Published: April 2021

Many governments are aiming to extend working lives by raising the age at which people can claim retirement pensions. This makes it vital to understand how these policies affect retirement decisions. In this paper, I revisit the labor supply effects of a major Australian reform that increased women’s pension age from 60 to 65. Atalay and Barrett (2015) studied these effects using repeated household surveys and a differences-in-differences design in which male cohorts form the comparison group. They estimate that the reform increased female labor force participation by 12 percentage points. Using earlier data, I show that the parallel-trends assumption did not hold before the reform because of a strong female-specific trend in participation rates across the relevant cohorts. Accounting for this trend, the estimated effect on female participation falls by two-thirds and becomes statistically insignificant at conventional levels. This highlights the importance of carefully assessing and controlling for trends across cohorts when evaluating pension reforms, which are typically phased in across cohorts.
Mitochondria-DNA copy-number and incident venous thromboembolism among middle-aged women: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Nymberg Peter , Memon Ashfaque A. , Sundquist Jan , Sundquist Kristina , Zöller Bengt
Published: April 2021

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the third most common cardiovascular disease. Low amount of mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN) has been associated with arterial cardiovascular disease (CVD) and reflects mitochondrial dysfunctions. However, whether mtDNA-CN is associated with VTE has not been determined. To examine the association between mtDNA-CN and incident VTE among middle-aged women. 6917 women aged 50–64 years, followed for 20 years in the Women’s Health In the Lund Area (WHILA) study. DNA samples for mtDNA quantification were available from 2521 women. Quantification of mtDNA-CN was performed using a well-optimized droplet digital PCR method. After exclusions of women with anticoagulant treatment, women living in nursing homes, and women who were diagnosed with cancer, stroke, VTE, or coronary heart disease at baseline, a cohort of 2117 women remained for analysis. Cox regression was used to analyze the relationship between mtDNA-CN and time to VTE (hazard ratio = HR). In total, 87 women were diagnosed with VTE during follow-up, corresponding to an incidence rate of 2.8 per 1000 person-years. Neither crude nor adjusted HR for mtDNA-CN were significantly associated with incident VTE. A sensitivity analysis with inclusion of excluded women did not change the results. MtDNA-CN was not significantly associated with VTE. The present study suggests that mtDNA-CN, reflecting mitochondrial dysfunction, should not be considered a biomarker that plays a major role for developing VTE. However, due to limited study size we may not exclude minor associations.
Detection of mink astrovirus in Poland and further phylogenetic comparison with other European and Canadian astroviruses
Authors: Jakubczak Andrzej , Kowalczyk Marek , Mazurkiewicz Ilona , Kondracki Marcin
Published: April 2021

Mink astrovirus infection remains a poorly understood disease entity, and the aetiological agent itself causes disease with a heterogeneous course, including gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms. This paper presents cases of astrovirus infection in mink from continental Europe. RNA was isolated from the brains and intestines of animals showing symptoms typical of shaking mink syndrome (n = 6). RT-PCR was used to amplify astrovirus genetic material, and the reaction products were separated on a 1% agarose gel. The specificity of the reaction was confirmed by sequencing fragment coding RdRP protein (length of sequencing product 170 bp) from all samples. The presence of astrovirus RNA was detected in each of the samples tested. Sequencing and bioinformatic analysis indicated the presence of the same variant of the virus in all samples. Comparison of the variant with the sequences available in bioinformatics databases confirmed that the Polish isolates form a separate clade, closely related to Danish isolates. The dissimilarity of the Polish variant to those isolated in other countries ranged from 2.4% (in relation to Danish isolates) to 7.1% (in relation to Canadian isolates). Phylogenetic relationships between variants appear to be associated with the geographic distances between them. To our knowledge, this work describes the first results on the molecular epidemiology of MAstV in continental Europe. The detection of MAstV in Central Europe indicates the need for further research to broaden our understanding of the molecular epidemiology of MAstV in Europe.
Effect of marker position and size on the registration accuracy of HoloLens in a non-clinical setting with implications for high-precision surgical tasks
Authors: Pérez-Pachón Laura , Sharma Parivrudh , Brech Helena , Gregory Jenny , Lowe Terry , Poyade Matthieu , Gröning Flora
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Emerging holographic headsets can be used to register patient-specific virtual models obtained from medical scans with the patient’s body. Maximising accuracy of the virtual models’ inclination angle and position (ideally, ≤ 2° and ≤ 2 mm, respectively, as in currently approved navigation systems) is vital for this application to be useful. This study investigated the accuracy with which a holographic headset registers virtual models with real-world features based on the position and size of image markers.

Methods

HoloLens® and the image-pattern-recognition tool Vuforia Engine™ were used to overlay a 5-cm-radius virtual hexagon on a monitor’s surface in a predefined position. The headset’s camera detection of an image marker (displayed on the monitor) triggered the rendering of the virtual hexagon on the headset’s lenses. 4 × 4, 8 × 8 and 12 × 12 cm image markers displayed at nine different positions were used. In total, the position and dimensions of 114 virtual hexagons were measured on photographs captured by the headset’s camera.

Results

Some image marker positions and the smallest image marker (4 × 4 cm) led to larger errors in the perceived dimensions of the virtual models than other image marker positions and larger markers (8 × 8 and 12 × 12 cm). ≤ 2° and ≤ 2 mm errors were found in 70.7% and 76% of cases, respectively.

Conclusion

Errors obtained in a non-negligible percentage of cases are not acceptable for certain surgical tasks (e.g. the identification of correct trajectories of surgical instruments). Achieving sufficient accuracy with image marker sizes that meet surgical needs and regardless of image marker position remains a challenge.
The patterns of problematic social media use (SMU) and their relationship with online flow, life satisfaction, depression, anxiety and stress symptoms in Lithuania and in Germany
Authors: Brailovskaia Julia , Truskauskaite-Kuneviciene Inga , Kazlauskas Evaldas , Margraf Jürgen
Published: April 2021

The present study investigated problematic social media use (SMU) in Lithuania and in Germany. In two student samples (Lithuania: N = 1640; Germany: N = 727), problematic SMU, flow experienced during SMU, life satisfaction, depression, anxiety and stress symptoms were assessed by online surveys. Latent Class Analysis resulted in a four-group classification of participants due to their levels of problematic SMU characteristics: low-symptom, low-withdrawal, high-withdrawal, and high-symptom. The proportion of participants in the low-symptom group was significantly higher in Germany than in Lithuania. In contrast, significantly more Lithuanian participants belonged to both withdrawal groups. No significant country differences were found for the composition of the high-symptom group. In both countries, a series of Structural Equation Models showed that the level of flow, depression, anxiety and stress symptoms was the highest in the high-symptom group, and the lowest in the low-symptom group. Life satisfaction revealed the reversed result pattern. The current findings show that students from Lithuania and Germany can be grouped considering their problematic SMU level. Individuals in the four groups differ due to their level of mental health. Especially members of the high-symptom group might benefit from external controlling strategies of their time spent on SM, while members of the withdrawal groups are suggested to train their SMU self-control.
Distinct Characteristics of Odor-evoked Calcium and Electrophysiological Signals in Mitral/Tufted Cells in the Mouse Olfactory Bulb
Authors: Xu Han , Geng Chi , Hua Xinzhong , Liu Penglai , Xu Jinshan , Li Anan
Published: April 2021

Fiber photometry is a recently-developed method that indirectly measures neural activity by monitoring Ca2+ signals in genetically-identified neuronal populations. Although fiber photometry is widely used in neuroscience research, the relationship between the recorded Ca2+ signals and direct electrophysiological measurements of neural activity remains elusive. Here, we simultaneously recorded odor-evoked Ca2+ and electrophysiological signals [single-unit spikes and local field potentials (LFPs)] from mitral/tufted cells in the olfactory bulb of awake, head-fixed mice. Odors evoked responses in all types of signal but the response characteristics (e.g., type of response and time course) differed. The Ca2+ signal was correlated most closely with power in the β-band of the LFP. The Ca2+ signal performed slightly better at odor classification than high-γ oscillations, worse than single-unit spikes, and similarly to β oscillations. These results provide new information to help researchers select an appropriate method for monitoring neural activity under specific conditions.
A New Approach to Harness Probiotics Against Common Bacterial Skin Pathogens: Towards Living Antimicrobials
Authors: Khalfallah Ghazi , Gartzen Rita , Möller Martin , Heine Elisabeth , Lütticken Rudolf
Published: April 2021

In this study, the potential of certain lactic acid bacteria—classified as probiotics and known to be antimicrobially active against pathogens or food-poisoning microorganisms—was evaluated with respect to their activity against bacterial skin pathogens. The aim of the study was to develop a plaster/bandage for the application of inhibitory substances produced by these probiotics when applied to diseased skin. For this purpose, two Streptococcus salivarius strains and one Lactobacillus plantarum were tested for production of antimicrobials (bacteriocin-like substances) active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens using established methods. A newly designed membrane test ensured that the probiotics produce antimicrobials diffusible through membranes. Target organisms used were Cutibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Moreover, the L. plantarum 8P-A3 strain was tested against additional bacteria involved in skin disorders. The Lactobacillales used were active against all potential skin pathogens tested. These probiotics could be enclosed between polymer membranes—one tight, the other permeable for their products, preserved by vacuum drying, and reactivated after at least three months storage. Importantly, the reactivated pads containing the probiotics demonstrated antibacterial activity on agar plates against all pathogens tested. This suggests that the probiotic containing pads may be topically applied for the treatment of skin disorders without the need for a regular antibiotic treatment or as an adjunctive therapy.
Democracy of Climate and Climate for Democracy: the Evolution of Quadruple and Quintuple Helix Innovation Systems
Authors: Carayannis Elias G. , Campbell David F. J.
Published: April 2021

Quadruple and Quintuple Helix innovation systems are based on democracy and ecology. Two propositions are here key: (1) without a democracy or knowledge democracy, the further advancement of knowledge and innovation are seriously constrained, so in that sense, knowledge and innovation evolution depend on democracy and knowledge democracy; (2) ecology and environmental protection represent a necessity and challenge for humanity, but they also act as drivers for further knowledge and innovation (this should lead to a win–win situation for ecology and innovation). Therefore, for an innovation system to be a Quadruple/Quintuple Helix innovation system, the political regime hosting these helixes needs to be democratic in essence, not just in form. The next stage in evolution of innovation systems may be that this also will require a “democracy of climate” (promoting a social, cultural, economic, and political “climate for democracy”), where democracies as innovation enablers are creating innovation that regard the ecology as a crucial driver for further innovation and for responsible innovation.
Dexamethasone and oxygen therapy in care home residents with diabetes: a management guide and algorithm for treatment: a rapid response action statement from the European Diabetes Working Party for Older People (EDWPOP) and European Geriatric Medicine Society (EuGMS)
Authors: Sinclair Alan James , Maggi Stefania , Abdelhafiz Ahmed Hassan , Veronese Nicola , Rodriguez-Manas Leocadio , Bourdel-Marchasson Isabelle
Published: April 2021

This statement addresses the need to provide clinically relevant and practical guidance for long-term care staff working in care homes and other stakeholders engaged in the care of residents who require consideration for dexamethasone and oxygen therapy. It had been provided following a series of consensus discussions between the EDWPOP and the EuGMS in January and February 2021. Its main aim is to minimise morbidity and mortality from serious acute illnesses including COVID-19 requiring these treatments within the long-term care sector.
Ensemble binary segmentation for irregularly spaced data with change-points
Authors: Korkas Karolos K.
Published: April 2021

We propose a new technique for consistent estimation of the number and locations of the change-points in the structure of an irregularly spaced time series. The core of the segmentation procedure is the ensemble binary segmentation method (EBS), a technique in which a large number of multiple change-point detection tasks using the binary segmentation method are applied on sub-samples of the data of differing lengths, and then the results are combined to create an overall answer. We do not restrict the total number of change-points a time series can have, therefore, our proposed method works well when the spacings between change-points are short. Our main change-point detection statistic is the time-varying autoregressive conditional duration model on which we apply a transformation process in order to decorrelate it. To examine the performance of EBS we provide a simulation study for various types of scenarios. A proof of consistency is also provided. Our methodology is implemented in the R package , available to download from CRAN.
Secondary English
Authors: Quin Rod , Driver Duncan
Published: April 2021

Secondary English: Subject and Method is a comprehensive introduction to the theory and practice of teaching English in secondary schools for pre-service teachers. Written by highly accomplished teachers of subject English, the book's practical approach to language, literacy and literature, fosters the skills of assessment, unit planning and teaching strategies. With detailed consideration of reading, writing, grammar and language conventions, and chapters devoted to a variety of text types, Secondary English scaffolds you on the journey from learner to a teacher of English. To support this journey Secondary English uses a range of engaging features, including: Learning outcomes aligned to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers; The voice of teacher and student experiences; Pause and think questions; Theory to practice boxes; Lesson plans and classroom activities; End-of-chapter activities help build pre-service teachers' resource files. Secondary English is a useful resource for introducing pre-service teachers to the practice of teaching English.
A New Order: The Digital Services Act and Consumer Protection
Authors: CAUFFMAN Caroline , GOANTA Catalina
Published: April 2021

On 16 December 2020, the European Commission delivered on the plans proposed in the European Digital Strategy by publishing two proposals related to the governance of digital services in the European Union: the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The much-awaited regulatory reform is often mentioned in the context of content moderation and freedom of expression, market power and competition. It is, however, important to bear in mind the contractual nature of the relationship between users and platforms and the additional contracts concluded on the platform between the users, in particular traders and consumers. Moreover, the monetisation offered by digital platforms has led to new dynamics and economic interests. This paper explores the reform proposed by the European Commission by means of the DSA by touching upon four main themes that will be addressed from the perspective of consumer protection: (1) the internal coherence of European Union law; (2) intermediary liability; (3) the outsourcing of solutions to private parties; and (4) digital enforcement.
Healthcare-acquired coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is less symptomatic than community-acquired disease among healthcare workers
Authors: Fletcher Jeffrey J. , Feucht Eric C. , Hahn Peter Y. , McGoff Theresa N. , Dehart Del J. , El Mortada Mohamad E. , Grifka Ronald G.
Published: April 2021

Objective:

We hypothesized that healthcare workers (HCWs) with high-risk exposures outside the healthcare system would have less asymptomatic coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) disease and more symptoms than those without such exposures.

Design:

A longitudinal point prevalence study was conducted during August 17–September 4, 2020 (period 1) and during December 2–23, 2020 (period 2).

Setting:

Community based teaching health system.

Participants:

All HCWs were invited to participate. Among HCWs who acquired COVID-19, logistic regression models were used to evaluate the adjusted odds of asymptomatic disease using high-risk exposure outside the healthcare system as the explanatory variable. The number of symptoms between exposure groups was evaluated with the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. The risk of seropositivity among all HCS by work exposure was evaluated during both periods.

Interventions:

Survey and serological testing.

Result:

Seroprevalence increased from 1.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2%–2.6%) to 13.7% (95% CI, 11.9%–15.5%) during the study. Only during period 2 did HCWs with the highest work exposure (versus low exposure) have an increased risk of seropositivity (risk difference [RD], 7%; 95% CI, 1%–13%). Participants who had a high-risk exposure outside of work (compared to those without) had a decreased probability of asymptomatic disease (odds ratio [OR], 0.38; 95% CI, 0.16–0.86) and demonstrated more symptoms (median 3 [IQR, 2–6] vs 1 [IQR, 0–4]; P = .001).

Conclusions:

Healthcare-acquired COVID-19 increases the probability of asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 disease compared to community-acquired disease. This finding suggests that infection prevention strategies (including masks and eye protection) may be mitigating inoculum and supports the variolation theory in COVID-19.
The change over time of the perceptions of school counsellor candidates related to students with learning disabilities
Authors: Firat Tahsin
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of training on learning disabilities (LD) on school counsellor candidates’ perceptions related to students with LD. The study group was comprised of 51 students in the Counselling and Psychological Guidance Department. The participants responded to an open-ended question: ‘Students with learning disabilities are like … Because …’. A content analysis technique was used in the analysis of the data. Based on the study results, it was determined that before being trained on LD, the majority of the participants considered students with LD as problematic or never progressing. Following the training, a majority of the participants started using metaphors indicating that students with LD may progress and learn.
Rural Social Safety Nets for Migrant Farmworkers in Michigan, 1942–1971
Authors: Prifogle Emily
Published: April 2021

In the 1960s, farmers pressed trespass charges against aid workers providing assistance to agricultural laborers living on the farmers’ private property. Some of the first court decisions to address these types of trespass, such as the well-known and frequently taught State v. Shack (1971), limited the property rights of farmers and enabled aid workers to enter camps where migrants lived. Yet there was a world before Shack, a world in which farmers welcomed onto their land rural religious groups, staffed largely by women from the local community, who provided services to migrant workers. From the 1940s through the 1960s, federal, state, and local law left large gaps in labor protections and government services for migrant agricultural laborers in Michigan. In response, church women created rural safety nets that mobilized local generosity and provided aid. This article uses Michigan as a case study to argue that these informal safety nets also policed migrant morality, maintained rural segregation, and performed surveillance of community outsiders, thereby serving the farmers’ goals of having a reliable and cheap labor force—ultimately strengthening the economic and legal structures that left agricultural workers vulnerable.
Statistical analysis of fireballs: Seismic signature survey
Authors: Neidhart T. , Miljković K. , Sansom E. K. , Devillepoix H. A. R. , Kawamura T. , Dimech J.-L. , Wieczorek M. A. , Bland P. A.
Published: April 2021

Fireballs are infrequently recorded by seismic sensors on the ground. If recorded, they are usually reported as one-off events. This study is the first seismic bulk analysis of the largest single fireball data set, observed by the Desert Fireball Network (DFN) in Australia in the period 2014–2019. The DFN typically observes fireballs from cm-m scale impactors. We identified 25 fireballs in seismic time series data recorded by the Australian National Seismograph Network (ANSN). This corresponds to 1.8% of surveyed fireballs, at the kinetic energy range of$10^6$–$10^{10}$J. The peaks observed in the seismic time series data were consistent with calculated arrival times of the direct airwave or ground-coupled Rayleigh wave caused by shock waves by the fireball in the atmosphere (either due to fragmentation or the passage of the Mach cone). Our work suggests that identification of fireball events in the seismic time series data depends on both physical properties of a fireball (such as fireball energy and entry angle in the atmosphere) and the sensitivity of a seismic instrument. This work suggests that fireballs are likely detectable within 200 km direct air distance between a fireball and seismic station, for sensors used in the ANSN. If each DFN observatory had been accompanied by a seismic sensor of similar sensitivity, 50% of surveyed fireballs could have been detected. These statistics justify the future consideration of expanding the DFN camera network into the seismic domain.
Avifauna and biogeographical affinities of acarrasco-dominated landscape in north-eastern Brazil: providing baseline data for future monitoring
Authors: DE LIMA HEVANA SANTANA , LAS-CASAS FLOR MARIA GUEDES , RIBEIRO JONATHAN RAMOS , GIRÃO WEBER ANDRADE , MARIZ DANIELE , NAKA LUCIANO N.
Published: April 2021

Thecarrascois a dense, shrubby vegetation type that covers the higher parts of table-top mountains in north-eastern Brazil. The vegetation of this phytophysiognomy is often considered to have biogeographical and ecological affinities with thecerradoof Central Brazil, but the biogeographical affinities of its avifauna remain unclear. In recent years, deforestation due to local economic activities has been particularly severe in somecarrasco-dominated landscapes. In 2013, we initiated avian surveys at the Fazenda Pau D‘Arco, a privately owned property located on top of the Araripe Plateau, to evaluate the effects of a legal forest management program on the avifauna. Here, we present the results of four years of avian inventories to: i) characterize a well-preserved patch ofcarrascovegetation; ii) assess avian biogeographical affinities of this vegetation type; iii) identify associations between managed/unmanaged areas and bird species; and iv) provide baseline data for future avian monitoring studies. Using different survey methods, we provide a list of 148 bird species, including several dry-forest specialists andcaatingaendemics. Biogeographically, the avifauna of thecarrascorepresents a subsample of theCaatingadry forest, lackingcerradoelements. Forest management significantly affected the distribution of several bird species in the study area. We found that 1/5 of the species (24) recorded during our standardized surveys were significantly associated with either unmanaged (14 species) or managed (10 species) areas. Species such as the Ceará LeaftosserSclerurus cearensis, a globally vulnerable species, have only been detected in non-managed areas and therefore can be negatively affected by the management program. We also present data on 16 avian taxa with ecological and conservation concerns. By presenting a fairly complete and documented list of the avifauna, we characterize thecarrascoavifauna and offer the tools to evaluate the effects of forest management on this poorly known vegetation type.
Opera as a Moral Vehicle: Situating Bellini's Norma in the Political Complexities of Mid-Nineteenth-Century Buenos Aires
Authors: Wolkowicz Vera
Published: April 2021

On 25 May 1849 Vincenzo Bellini's opera Norma was premiered at the Teatro de la Victoria in Buenos Aires. It was performed four years before the downfall of Juan Manuel de Rosas, Governor of Buenos Aires for more than 20 years, in what it has been considered in Argentine historiography as a ‘terror regime’. The success of the opera combined with the political situation enables the understanding of Norma in political terms. A year prior to the premiere of the opera, the story of the elopement of a young, aristocratic, federal girl, Camila O'Gorman with the priest Uladislao Gutiérrez, had shocked local society. It was followed by another shocking event when, once the couple was found, Rosas decided to have them executed. I argue that the inadvertent similarity between the plot of Norma and the events in relation to Camila O'Gorman's death led to possible interpretations of the opera performance as a justification of Rosas's decision to execute Camila and her lover, whilst also providing a moral lesson to young aristocratic women. In this article, I therefore explore the plausible political overtones hidden in the performance of Norma by comparing librettos and analysing the opera's reception between 1849 and 1851 in the periodicals of the time. In this way, I cast light on a heretofore overlooked, but undeniably rich, period of operatic life in Buenos Aires.
The rule of law and the role of courts
Authors: WALDRON JEREMY
Published: April 2021

What role do courts play in advancing or upholding the political ideal that we call ‘the rule of law’? Does the rule of law require that courts should have authority over all other branches of government, including the legislature? And does it impose constraints on the sort of reasoning and decision-making that courts engage in? This article explores an array of possible answers to these questions, and considers the possibility that the ascendancy of courts in a constitution may represent a form of judicial supremacy that looks remarkably like the uncontrolled rule of men, which the rule of law is supposed to prevent. To preclude that possibility, it is particularly important for courts to recognize that their authority is limited in scope and that they should not be guided by any overall political program other than the program of seeing that constitutional constraints on government are upheld.
Full Propagation of Analytical Uncertainties in Δ47 Measurements
Authors: Daëron Mathieu
Published: April 2021

Clumped‐isotope measurements in CO2 and carbonates (Δ47) present a number of technical challenges and require correcting for various sources of analytical nonlinearity. For now, we lack a formal description of the analytical errors associated with these correction steps, which are not accounted for in most data processing methods currently in use. Here we formulate a quantitative description of Δ47 error propagation, fully taking into account standardization errors and their properties. We find that standardization errors are highly sensitive to the isotopic compositions (δ47, Δ47) of unknown samples relative to the standards used for analytical corrections, and in many cases constitute a non‐negligible source of uncertainty, causing true measurements errors to exceed traditionally reported error estimates by a factor of 1.5 (typically) to 3.5 (in extreme cases). Using Monte Carlo simulations based on the full InterCarb data set, we find that this model yields accurate error estimates in spite of small non‐Gaussian effects which remain entirely negligible in practice. We also describe various standardization strategies, along with the assumptions they rely on, in the context of this model, and propose a new, “pooled” standardization approach designed to yield more robust/accurate corrections. Among other uses, the mathematical framework described here may be helpful to improve standardization protocols (e.g., anchor/unknown ratios) and inform future efforts to define community reference materials. What is more, these models imply that the inter‐laboratory scatter (N = 5,329) observed in the InterCarb exercise (Bernasconi, Daëron, et al., 2021) can be entirely explained as the effects of current standardization procedures. Based on these findings, we recommend that future studies systematically report full analytical uncertainties taking standardization errors into account. In line with this recommendation, we provide user‐friendly online resources and an open‐source Python library designed to facilitate the use of these error models.
Assessment and Error Analysis of Terra‐MODIS and MISR Cloud‐Top Heights Through Comparison With ISS‐CATS Lidar
Authors: Mitra Arka , Di Girolamo Larry , Hong Yulan , Zhan Yizhe , Mueller Kevin J.
Published: April 2021

Cloud‐top heights (CTH) from the Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR) and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on Terra constitute our longest‐running single‐platform CTH record from a stable orbit. Here, we provide the first evaluation of the Terra Level 2 CTH record against collocated International Space Station Cloud‐Aerosol Transport System (CATS) lidar observations between 50ºN and 50ºS. Bias and precision of Terra CTH relative to CATS is shown to be strongly tied to cloud horizontal and vertical heterogeneity and altitude. For single‐layered, unbroken, optically thick clouds observed over all altitudes, the uncertainties in MODIS and MISR CTH are −540 ± 690 m and −280 ± 370 m, respectively. The uncertainties are generally smaller for lower altitude clouds and larger for optically thin clouds. For multi‐layered clouds, errors are summarized herein using both absolute CTH and CATS‐layer‐altitude proximity to Terra CTH. We show that MISR detects the lower cloud in a two‐layered system, provided top‐layer optical depth <∼0.3, but MISR low‐cloud CTH errors are unaltered by the presence of thin cirrus. Systematic and random errors are propagated to explain inter‐sensor disagreements, as well as to provide the first estimate of the MISR stereo‐opacity bias. For MISR, altitude‐dependent wind‐retrieval bias (−90 to −110 m) and stereo‐opacity bias (−60 to −260 m) and for MODIS, CO2‐slicing bias due to geometrically thick cirrus leads to overall negative CTH bias. MISR’s precision is largely driven by precision in retrieved wind‐speed (3.7 m s−1), whereas MODIS precision is driven by forward‐modeling uncertainty.
Measuring the Direct and Indirect Effect of Scientific Information on Valuing Storm Water Management Programs With a Hybrid Choice Model
Authors: Groothuis Peter A. , Mohr Tanga M. , Whitehead John C. , Cockerill Kristan , Anderson William P. , Gu Chuanhui
Published: April 2021

We use scientific information to develop a realistic hypothetical scenario for storm water management and water quality improvements in a stated preference valuation survey. We then provide different treatment levels of the scientific information to survey respondents. Using a hybrid choice model, we find that scientific information has no direct influence on referendum votes in favor of a storm water management program. However, different levels of scientific information have an indirect effect by influencing respondent concern about storm water runoff and by changing perceived understanding of the storm water management plan. We show that both of these effects, neither of which are apparent in standard logit models, have implications for valuing a storm water management plan. Our results suggest that researchers should be aware of how their choice on the information provided may have a subtle influence on responses in stated preference survey.
Budyko‐Based Long‐Term Water and Energy Balance Closure in Global Watersheds From Earth Observations
Authors: Koppa Akash , Alam Sarfaraz , Miralles Diego G. , Gebremichael Mekonnen
Published: April 2021

Earth observations offer potential pathways for accurately closing the water and energy balance of watersheds, a fundamental challenge in hydrology. However, previous attempts based on purely satellite‐based estimates have focused on closing the water and energy balances separately. They are hindered by the lack of estimates of key components, such as runoff. Here, we posit a novel approach based on Budyko’s water and energy balance constraints. The approach is applied to quantify the degree of long‐term closure at the watershed scale, as well as its associated uncertainties, using an ensemble of global satellite data sets. We find large spatial variability across aridity, elevation, and other environmental gradients. Specifically, we find a positive correlation between elevation and closure uncertainty, as derived from the Budyko approach. In mountainous watersheds the uncertainty in closure is 3.9 ± 0.7 (dimensionless). Our results show that uncertainties in terrestrial evaporation contribute twice as much as precipitation uncertainties to errors in the closure of water and energy balance. Moreover, our results highlight the need for improving satellite‐based precipitation and evaporation data in humid temperate forests, where the closure error in the Budyko space is as high as 1.1 ± 0.3, compared to only 0.2 ± 0.03 in tropical forests. Comparing the results with land surface model‐based data sets driven by in situ precipitation, we find that Earth observation‐based data sets perform better in regions where precipitation gauges are sparse. These findings have implications for improving the understanding of global hydrology and regional water management and can guide the development of satellite remote sensing‐based data sets and Earth system models.
Short and Medium Range Irrigation Scheduling Using Stochastic Simulation‐Optimization Framework With Farm‐Scale Ecohydrological Model and Weather Forecasts
Authors: Roy Adrija , Narvekar Parag , Murtugudde Raghu , Shinde Vilas , Ghosh Subimal
Published: April 2021

Despite the remarkable improvements in skillful weather forecasts, their uses in irrigation water management at a farm scale are still limited. This is attributable to the scale mismatch between weather and hydrologic models as well complexities in farmscale ecohydrological processes. Here, we have developed a simulation‐optimization algorithm for minimizing irrigation water application using short to medium range forecasts by determining the conditional probability density functions of the rainfall and subsequently the soil moisture for the days in forecast range. With the forecasted soil moisture information, the model ensures that the probability of crops undergoing water stress is less than a prescribed threshold. The optimization model includes a farmscale ecohydrological model, which computes daily evapotranspiration, runoff, and leakage based on a probabilistic description of rainfall through Monte‐Carlo simulations. After calibrating and validating the ecohydrological model with past data obtained from the farmers, this proposed optimization framework was employed to test the outcome for two pilot sites in Nashik, Maharashtra, India. We found that using the proposed framework, irrigation water use can be reduced by 10%–30% as compared to that resulting from the conventional strategies used by the farmers, without significant loss in crop yields, by almost always maintaining the soil moisture at or above the prescribed threshold. Considering that irrigation accounts for over 80% of the total water use worldwide, the value of such an approach as a decision‐support tool for irrigation optimization is self‐evident. We also posit that the co‐production of this tool with the farmers increases its usability and credibility.
Sediment Mismanagement Puts Reservoirs and Ecosystems at Risk
Authors: Tullos Desir�e , Nelson Peter , Hotchkiss Rollin , Wegner David
Published: April 2021

Current regulations and reservoir management practices impede efforts to deal with sediment accumulation behind U.S. dams. New approaches are needed to improve reservoir sustainability.
Activation of 4-1BB signaling in bone marrow stromal cells triggers bone loss via the p-38 MAPK-DKK1 axis in aged mice
Authors: Wan Daqian , Ai Songtao , Ouyang Huoniu , Cheng Liming
Published: April 2021

Senile osteoporosis can cause bone fragility and increased fracture risks and has been one of the most prevalent and severe diseases affecting the elderly population. Bone formation depends on the proper osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in the bone marrow microenvironment, which is generated by the functional relationship among different cell types in the bone marrow. With aging, bone marrow provides signals that repress osteogenesis. Finding the signals that oppose BMSC osteogenic differentiation from the bone marrow microenvironment and identifying the abnormal changes in BMSCs with aging are key to elucidating the mechanisms of senile osteoporosis. In a pilot experiment, we found that 4-1BBL and 4-1BB were more abundant in bone marrow from aged (18-month-old) mice than young (6-month-old) mice. Meanwhile, significant bone loss was observed in aged mice compared with young mice. However, very little data have been generated regarding whether high-level 4-1BB/4-1BBL in bone marrow was associated with bone loss in aged mice. In the current study, we found upregulation of 4-1BB in the BMSCs of aged mice, which resulted in the attenuation of the osteogenic differentiation potential of BMSCs from aged mice via the p38 MAPK-Dkk1 pathway. More importantly, bone loss of aged mice could be rescued through the blockade of 4-1BB signaling in vivo. Our study will benefit not only our understanding of the pathogenesis of age-related trabecular bone loss but also the search for new targets to treat senile osteoporosis.
Single cell regulatory landscape of the mouse kidney highlights cellular differentiation programs and disease targets
Authors: Miao Zhen , Balzer Michael S. , Ma Ziyuan , Liu Hongbo , Wu Junnan , Shrestha Rojesh , Aranyi Tamas , Kwan Amy , Kondo Ayano , Pontoglio Marco , Kim Junhyong , Li Mingyao , Kaestner Klaus H. , Susztak Katalin
Published: April 2021

Determining the epigenetic program that generates unique cell types in the kidney is critical for understanding cell-type heterogeneity during tissue homeostasis and injury response. Here, we profile open chromatin and gene expression in developing and adult mouse kidneys at single cell resolution. We show critical reliance of gene expression on distal regulatory elements (enhancers). We reveal key cell type-specific transcription factors and major gene-regulatory circuits for kidney cells. Dynamic chromatin and expression changes during nephron progenitor differentiation demonstrates that podocyte commitment occurs early and is associated with sustained Foxl1 expression. Renal tubule cells follow a more complex differentiation, where Hfn4a is associated with proximal and Tfap2b with distal fate. Mapping single nucleotide variants associated with human kidney disease implicates critical cell types, developmental stages, genes, and regulatory mechanisms. The single cell multi-omics atlas reveals key chromatin remodeling events and gene expression dynamics associated with kidney development.
Early forecasting of tsunami inundation from tsunami and geodetic observation data with convolutional neural networks
Authors: Makinoshima Fumiyasu , Oishi Yusuke , Yamazaki Takashi , Furumura Takashi , Imamura Fumihiko
Published: April 2021

Rapid and accurate hazard forecasting is important for prompt evacuations and reducing casualties during natural disasters. In the decade since the 2011 Tohoku tsunami, various tsunami forecasting methods using real-time data have been proposed. However, rapid and accurate tsunami inundation forecasting in coastal areas remains challenging. Here, we propose a tsunami forecasting approach using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for early warning. Numerical tsunami forecasting experiments for Tohoku demonstrated excellent performance with average maximum tsunami amplitude and tsunami arrival time forecasting errors of ~0.4 m and ~48 s, respectively, for 1,000 unknown synthetic tsunami scenarios. Our forecasting approach required only 0.004 s on average using a single CPU node. Moreover, the CNN trained on only synthetic tsunami scenarios provided reasonable inundation forecasts using actual observation data from the 2011 event, even with noisy inputs. These results verify the feasibility of AI-enabled tsunami forecasting for providing rapid and accurate early warnings.
Substantial hysteresis in emergent temperature sensitivity of global wetland CH4 emissions
Authors: Chang Kuang-Yu , Riley William J. , Knox Sara H. , Jackson Robert B. , McNicol Gavin , Poulter Benjamin , Aurela Mika , Baldocchi Dennis , Bansal Sheel , Bohrer Gil , Campbell David I. , Cescatti Alessandro , Chu Housen , Delwiche Kyle B. , Desai Ankur R. , Euskirchen Eugenie , Friborg Thomas , Goeckede Mathias , Helbig Manuel , Hemes Kyle S. , Hirano Takashi , Iwata Hiroki , Kang Minseok , Keenan Trevor , Krauss Ken W. , Lohila Annalea , Mammarella Ivan , Mitra Bhaskar , Miyata Akira , Nilsson Mats B. , Noormets Asko , Oechel Walter C. , Papale Dario , Peichl Matthias , Reba Michele L. , Rinne Janne , Runkle Benjamin R. K. , Ryu Youngryel , Sachs Torsten , Schäfer Karina V. R. , Schmid Hans Peter , Shurpali Narasinha , Sonnentag Oliver , Tang Angela C. I. , Torn Margaret S. , Trotta Carlo , Tuittila Eeva-Stiina , Ueyama Masahito , Vargas Rodrigo , Vesala Timo , Windham-Myers Lisamarie , Zhang Zhen , Zona Donatella
Published: April 2021

Wetland methane (CH4) emissions ($${F}_{{{CH}}_{4}}$$

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) are important in global carbon budgets and climate change assessments. Currently, $${F}_{{{CH}}_{4}}$$

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projections rely on prescribed static temperature sensitivity that varies among biogeochemical models. Meta-analyses have proposed a consistent $${F}_{{{CH}}_{4}}$$

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temperature dependence across spatial scales for use in models; however, site-level studies demonstrate that $${F}_{{{CH}}_{4}}$$

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are often controlled by factors beyond temperature. Here, we evaluate the relationship between $${F}_{{{CH}}_{4}}$$

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and temperature using observations from the FLUXNET-CH4 database. Measurements collected across the globe show substantial seasonal hysteresis between $${F}_{{{CH}}_{4}}$$

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and temperature, suggesting larger $${F}_{{{CH}}_{4}}$$

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sensitivity to temperature later in the frost-free season (about 77% of site-years). Results derived from a machine-learning model and several regression models highlight the importance of representing the large spatial and temporal variability within site-years and ecosystem types. Mechanistic advancements in biogeochemical model parameterization and detailed measurements in factors modulating CH4 production are thus needed to improve global CH4 budget assessments.
Microglial neuropilin-1 promotes oligodendrocyte expansion during development and remyelination by trans-activating platelet-derived growth factor receptor
Authors: Sherafat Amin , Pfeiffer Friederike , Reiss Alexander M. , Wood William M. , Nishiyama Akiko
Published: April 2021

Nerve-glia (NG2) glia or oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) are distributed throughout the gray and white matter and generate myelinating cells. OPCs in white matter proliferate more than those in gray matter in response to platelet-derived growth factor AA (PDGF AA), despite similar levels of its alpha receptor (PDGFRα) on their surface. Here we show that the type 1 integral membrane protein neuropilin-1 (Nrp1) is expressed not on OPCs but on amoeboid and activated microglia in white but not gray matter in an age- and activity-dependent manner. Microglia-specific deletion of Nrp1 compromised developmental OPC proliferation in white matter as well as OPC expansion and subsequent myelin repair after acute demyelination. Exogenous Nrp1 increased PDGF AA-induced OPC proliferation and PDGFRα phosphorylation on dissociated OPCs, most prominently in the presence of suboptimum concentrations of PDGF AA. These findings uncover a mechanism of regulating oligodendrocyte lineage cell density that involves trans-activation of PDGFRα on OPCs via Nrp1 expressed by adjacent microglia.