bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Soft Mesoporous Organosilica Nanoplatforms Improve Blood Circulation, Tumor Accumulation/Penetration, and Photodynamic Efficacy
Authors: Peng Xin , Chen Kun , Liu Wanhua , Cao Xiongfeng , Wang Mengru , Tao Jun , Tian Ying , Bao Lei , Lu Guangming , Teng Zhaogang
Published: June 2020

To date, the ability of nanoplatforms to achieve excellent therapeutic responses is hindered by short blood circulation and limited tumor accumulation/penetration. Herein, a soft mesoporous organosilica nanoplatform modified with hyaluronic acid and cyanine 5.5 are prepared, denoted SMONs-HA-Cy5.5, and comparative studies between SMONs-HA-Cy5.5 (24.2 MPa) and stiff counterparts (79.2 MPa) are conducted. Results indicate that, apart from exhibiting a twofold increase in tumor cellular uptake, the soft nanoplatforms also display a remarkable pharmacokinetic advantage, resulting in considerably improved tumor accumulation. Moreover, SMONs-HA-Cy5.5 exhibits a significantly higher tumor penetration, achieving 30-μm deeper tissue permeability in multicellular spheroids relative to the stiff counterparts. Results further reveal that the soft nanoplatforms have an easier extravasation from the tumor vessels, diffuse farther in the dense extracellular matrix, and reach deeper tumor tissues compared to the stiff ones. Specifically, the soft nanoplatforms generate a 16-fold improvement (43 vs. 2.72 μm) in diffusion distance in tumor parenchyma. Based on the significantly improved blood circulation and tumor accumulation/penetration, a soft therapeutic nanoplatform is constructed by loading photosensitizer chlorin e6 in SMONs-HA-Cy5.5. The resulting nanoplatform exhibits considerably higher therapeutic efficacy on tumors compared to the stiff ones.
On Simulating Neural Damage in Connectionist Networks
Authors: Guest Olivia , Caso Andrea , Cooper Richard P.
Published: June 2020

A key strength of connectionist modelling is its ability to simulate both intact cognition and the behavioural effects of neural damage. We survey the literature, showing that models have been damaged in a variety of ways, e.g. by removing connections, by adding noise to connection weights, by scaling weights, by removing units and by adding noise to unit activations. While these different implementations of damage have often been assumed to be behaviourally equivalent, some theorists have made aetiological claims that rest on nonequivalence. They suggest that related deficits with different aetiologies might be accounted for by different forms of damage within a single model. We present two case studies that explore the effects of different forms of damage in two influential connectionist models, each of which has been applied to explain neuropsychological deficits. Our results indicate that the effect of simulated damage can indeed be sensitive to the way in which damage is implemented, particularly when the environment comprises subsets of items that differ in their statistical properties, but such effects are sensitive to relatively subtle aspects of the model’s training environment. We argue that, as a consequence, substantial methodological care is required if aetiological claims about simulated neural damage are to be justified, and conclude more generally that implementation assumptions, including those concerning simulated damage, must be fully explored when evaluating models of neurological deficits, both to avoid over-extending the explanatory power of specific implementations and to ensure that reported results are replicable.
Mesoporous silica filled smart super oleophilic fibers of triblock copolymer nanocomposites for oil absorption applications
Authors: Elgawady Yara , Ponnamma Deepalekshmi , Adham Samer , Al-Maas Mashael , Ammar Ali , Alamgir Karim , Al-Maadeed Mariam Al Ali , Hassan Mohammad K.
Published: June 2020

Super oleophilic fibers of styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS) block copolymer/mesoporous silica (MS) nanocomposites are fabricated by electrospinning, and their oil absorption efficiency is monitored by following two different approaches. The first way is by using the fibers as tubular packing materials for oil absorption, whereas the second approach uses the fibers as filtration membrane after deposition on the commercial polyethersulfone (PES) support. All composites are made by adding inorganic MS in different concentrations (2, 4, and 7 wt.%) to SIS block copolymer. The addition of MS increases the fiber diameters and leads to enlarged and bead-like appearances, especially at higher filler concentrations. The oil absorption efficiency is explored based on the oil absorption capacity of the samples as well as with the gravity-driven oil filtration experiments. The best oil absorption efficiency is achieved by the 4 wt.% SIS-MS composite (150% higher oil absorption capacity compared to the neat SIS), and it is used to spin on the PES mechanical support of different pore sizes (0.2 μ and 8 μ). Ultrafiltration tests conducted on those coated membranes observe improved oil rejection performance as the fibrous SIS-MS are layered on the commercial mechanical support.
The pros and cons of additional axillary arm for transoral robotic thyroidectomy
Authors: Kim Hoon Yub , Park Dawon , Bertelli Antonio A.T.
Published: June 2020

Background

Transoral vestibular approach thyroidectomy using robotic system has advantages with articulating instrumentation. Transoral robotic thyroidectomy (TORT) can be done either using just two robot arms for instruments and an extra one for the endoscopic camera, or using three robot arms for instruments (third arm through axila) and an additional arm for the camera.

Pros of additional axillary arm for TORT

The 4th arm through an additional axillary port is mainly responsible for a counter‐traction of strap muscles and thyroid tissue. The additional axillary port tract is also an excellent passage for the specimen removal with lower risk of disruption or fragmentation. Ultimately, these merits from the additional axillary arm allows TORT to be performed safely in a wide range of patient groups.

Cons of additional axillary arm for TORT

One of the issue with the additional axillary arm in TORT is that it leaves a cutaneous scar. Another issue to consider is the cost. In some places, robotic surgery operation fee varies with the number of arms used during the operation. Retraction of strap muscles through subcutaneous stitches applied after establishing the working space may make up for the lack of counter‐traction.

Conclusion

TORT can be done safely with or without the transaxillary arm and surgeon may consider pros and cons based on multiple factors.
Completion thyroidectomy: is timing important for transcervical and remote access approaches?
Authors: Dueñas Juan Pablo , Duque Carlos Simón , Cristancho Laura , Méndez Manuela
Published: June 2020

Completion thyroidectomy (CT) is employed after lobectomy when histopathological results mandates total removal of the gland as in case of well differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). It is also employed as a second stage thyroid surgery when unfavorable events occur as in recurrent laryngeal nerve injury or when the surgeon finds out the case is beyond his/her expertise in an attempt to protect the contralateral side and allowing time for recovery or for an expert surgeon to help.
Understanding and Analyzing Public Policy Design
Authors: Siddiki Saba
Published: June 2020

There has been a surge in scholarship on policy design over the last ten years, as scholars seek to understand and develop existing concepts, theories, and methods engaged in the study of policy design in the context of modern governance. This Element adds to the current discourse on the study of policy design by (i) presenting behavioral assumptions and structural features of policy design; (ii) presenting a multi-level analytical framework for organizing policy design research; (iii) highlighting the role of policy compatibility and policy adaptability in influencing policy efficacy; and (iv) presenting future research recommendations relating to these topics.
The Crime of Identity Theft as an Aftermath of the Development of Modern Technologies – Legal and Criminological Aspects of the Phenomenon in Poland
Authors: Stachelska Aleksandra
Published: June 2020

The problem of identity theft is current all over the world. Nowadays we can even observe a tendency for an increasing occurrence of this kind of behaviour. The rapid development of new communication tools and the Internet has made it easier to commit a crime of identity theft than ever before. Despite this seemingly obvious trend in the world, in Poland since 2011, when this phenomenon was criminalized, convictions for identity theft are still one of the rarest situations. Identity theft as a proportion of general identified offences in 2017, according to Police statistics, was only .30%. The paper will present selected legal aspects of identity theft from the Polish Criminal Code, as well as criminological analysis of the phenomenon in Poland. The results of research on identity theft conducted in the District Court in Białystok on court files that ended in a final court judgment covering the years 2011–2016 will also be presented. In the course of the research process, seven cases were found and examined. The analysis was enabled by using a questionnaire, which included forty-nine questions grouped into categories, i.e. characteristics of the perpetrator of the crime, characteristics of the victim, description of the committed act, as well as the course of the pre-trial and judicial proceedings. In the paper, an attempt will be made to find an answer to the question of why the dark number of identity theft crimes in Poland is still great, and this will help characterize identity theft in the area of Białystok.
Scale-up of the Accrual to Clinical Trials (ACT) network across the Clinical and Translational Science Award Consortium: a mixed-methods evaluation of the first 18 months
Authors: Morrato Elaine H. , Lennox Lindsay A. , Sendro Elaina R. , Schuster Anne L. , Pincus Harold A. , Humensky Jennifer , Firestein Gary S. , Nadler Lee M. , Toto Robert , Reis Steven E.
Published: June 2020

Introduction:

The Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program is a Consortium of nearly 60 academic medical research centers across the USA and a natural network for evaluating the spread and uptake of translational research innovation across the Consortium.

Methods:

Dissemination of the Accrual to Clinical Trials (ACT) Network, a federated clinical informatics data network for population-based cohort discovery, began January 2018 across the Consortium. Diffusion of innovation theory guided dissemination design and evaluation. Mixed-methods assessed the spread and uptake across the Consortium through July 1, 2019 (n = 48 CTSAs). Methods included prospective time activity tracking (Kaplan–Meier curves), and survey and qualitative interviews.

Results:

Within 18 months, nearly 80% of CTSAs had joined the data network and two-thirds of CTSAs achieving technical readiness had initiated launch to local clinical investigators. Over 10,000 ACT Network queries are projected for 2019; and by 2020, nearly all CTSAs will have joined the network. Median time-from-technical-readiness-to-local-launch was 154 days (interquartile range: 87–225 days]. Quality improvement processes reduced time-to-launch by 35.2% (64 days, p = 0.0036). Lessons learned include: (1) conceptualize dissemination as two-stage adoption demonstrating value for both CTSA hub service providers and clinical investigators; (2) include institutional trial into dissemination strategies so CTSA hubs can refine internal workflows and gather local user feedback endorsement; (3) embrace designing-for-dissemination during technology development; and (4) sustain adaptive dissemination and customer relationship management to keep CTSA hubs and users engaged.

Conclusions:

Scale-up and spread of the ACT Network provides lessons learned for others disseminating innovation across the CTSA Consortium. The Network is primed for embedded implementation research.
Evaluation of nine surface disinfectants against Candida auris using a quantitative disk carrier method: EPA SOP-MB-35
Authors: Sexton D. Joseph , Welsh Rory M. , Bentz Meghan L. , Forsberg Kaitlin , Jackson Brendan , Berkow Elizabeth L. , Litvintseva Anastasia P.
Published: June 2020

We tested 9 disinfectants against Candida auris using the quantitative disk carrier method EPA-MB-35-00: 5 products with hydrogen peroxide or alcohol-based chemistries were effective and 4 quaternary ammonium compound-based products were not. This work supported a FIFRA Section 18 emergency exemption granted by the US Environmental Protection Agency to expand disinfectant guidance for C. auris.
Single-nucleotide polymorphism rs1761667 in the CD36 gene is associated with orosensory perception of a fatty acid in obese and normal-weight Moroccan subjects
Authors: Bajit Habiba , Ait Si Mohammed O. , Guennoun Y. , Benaich S. , Bouaiti E. , Belghiti H. , Mrabet M. , Elfahime E. M. , El Haloui N. E. , Saeid N. , El Kari K. , Hichami A. , Khan N. A. , Benkirane H. , Aguenaou H.
Published: June 2020

Obese subjects have shown a preference for dietary lipids. A recent collection of evidence has proposed that a variant in the CD36 gene plays a significant role in this pathway. We assessed the association between the orosensory detection of a long-chain fatty acid, i.e. oleic acid (OA), and genetic polymorphism of the lipid taste sensor CD36 in obese and normal-weight subjects. Adult participants were recruited in the fasting condition. They were invited to fat taste perception sessions, using emulsions containing OA and according to the three-alternative forced-choice (3-AFC) method. Genomic DNA was used to determine the polymorphism (SNP rs 1761667) of the CD36 gene. Obese (n 50; BMI 34⋅97 (sd 4⋅02) kg/m2) exhibited a significantly higher oral detection threshold for OA (3⋅056 (sd 3⋅53) mmol/l) than did the normal-weight (n 50; BMI 22⋅16 (sd 1⋅81) kg/m2) participants (1⋅20 (sd 3⋅23) mmol/l; P = 0⋅007). There was a positive correlation between OA detection thresholds and BMI in all subjects; evenly with body fat percentage (BF%). AA genotype was more frequent in the obese group than normal-weight group. OA detection thresholds were much higher for AA and AG genotypes in obese subjects compared with normal-weight participants. Higher oral detection thresholds for fatty acid taste are related to BMI, BF% and not always to CD36 genotype.
Gut microbial metabolism of dietary fibre protects against high energy feeding induced ovarian follicular atresia in a pig model
Authors: Zhuo Yong , Cao Meng , Gong Yuechan , Tang Lianchao , Jiang Xuemei , Li Yang , Yang Min , Xu Shengyu , Li Jian , Che Lianqiang , Lin Yan , Feng Bin , Fang Zhengfeng , Wu De
Published: June 2020

To investigate the effects of dietary fibre on follicular atresia in pigs fed a high-fat diet, we fed thirty-two prepubescent gilts a basal diet (CON) or a CON diet supplemented with 300 g/d dietary fibre (fibre), 240 g/d soya oil (SO) or both (fibre + SO). At the 19th day of the 4th oestrus cycle, gilts fed the SO diet showed 112 % more atretic follicles and greater expression of the apoptotic markers, Bax and caspase-3, and these effects were reversed by the fibre diet. The abundance of SCFA-producing microbes was decreased by the SO diet, but this effect was reversed by fibre treatment. Concentrations of serotonin and melatonin in the serum and follicular fluid were increased by the fibre diet. Overall, dietary fibre protected against high fat feeding-induced follicular atresia at least partly via gut microbiota-related serotonin–melatonin synthesis. These results provide insight into preventing negative effects on fertility in humans consuming a high-energy diet.
Rotational grazing management of forage peanut
Authors: Carvalho Lucas da Rocha , Pereira Lilian Elgalise Techio , Da Silva Sila Carneiro
Published: June 2020

The perennial forage peanut is a stoloniferous, perennial tropical legume with potential for use in pastures. Based on the hypothesis that under intermittent stocking herbage accumulation would follow a similar pattern to that described for tropical forage grasses, the objective of this study was to evaluate canopy characteristics and herbage accumulation of forage peanut subjected to strategies of rotational grazing management. Treatments corresponded to all possible combinations of two grazing frequencies (regrowth interrupted at 95% and maximum canopy light interception – LI95% and LIMax) and two grazing severities (post-grazing canopy heights (CHs) equivalent to 40 and 60% of the pre-grazing heights). Treatments were imposed to experimental units during an adaptation period (from November 2014 to January 2015) and the subsequent experimental period lasted from February 2015 to April 2016, comprising two consecutive pasture growing seasons with no interruption between them (summer I to summer II). The pre-grazing targets of LI95% and LIMax corresponded to CHs of 13 and 18 cm, respectively. Forage peanut showed high grazing tolerance as pre-grazing leaf area index (except during summer I and autumn/winter), total herbage, and leaflet dry matter accumulation varied only with seasons. Higher rates of herbage production were recorded during summer I and summer II, followed by those during late and early spring and autumn/winter. Since there was no difference in the pattern of herbage accumulation between LI95% and LIMax and stolons predominated at the bottom of the canopies, forage peanut may be rotationally grazed with greater flexibility than most tropical forage grasses. Recommended pre-grazing CHs are within 13 and 18 cm, and post-grazing heights between 40 and 60% of the pre-grazing height.
Day hospital versus intensive outpatient mentalization-based treatment: 3-year follow-up of patients treated for borderline personality disorder in a multicentre randomized clinical trial
Authors: Smits Maaike L. , Feenstra Dine J. , Bales Dawn L. , Blankers Matthijs , Dekker Jack J. M. , Lucas Zwaan , Kamphuis Jan H. , Busschbach Jan J. V. , Verheul Roel , Luyten Patrick
Published: June 2020

Background

Two types of mentalization-based treatment (MBT), day hospital MBT (MBT-DH) and intensive outpatient MBT (MBT-IOP), have been shown to be effective in treating patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). This study evaluated trajectories of change in a multi-site trial of MBT-DH and MBT-IOP at 36 months after the start of treatment.

Methods

All 114 patients (MBT-DH n = 70, MBT-IOP n = 44) from the original multicentre trial were assessed at 24, 30 and 36 months after the start of treatment. The primary outcome was symptom severity measured with the Brief Symptom Inventory. Secondary outcome measures included borderline symptomatology, personality and interpersonal functioning, quality of life and self-harm. Data were analysed using multilevel modelling and the intention-to-treat principle.

Results

Patients in both MBT-DH and MBT-IOP maintained the substantial improvements made during the intensive treatment phase and showed further gains during follow-up. Across both conditions, 83% of patients improved in terms of symptom severity, and 97% improved on borderline symptomatology. No significant differences were found between MBT-DH and MBT-IOP at 36 months after the start of treatment. However, trajectories of change were different. Whereas patients in MBT-DH showed greater improvement during the intensive treatment phase, patients in MBT-IOP showed greater continuing improvement during follow-up.

Conclusions

Patients in both conditions showed similar large improvements over the course of 36 months, despite large differences in treatment intensity. MBT-DH and MBT-IOP were associated with different trajectories of change. Cost-effectiveness considerations and predictors of differential treatment outcome may further inform optimal treatment selection.
Neurostimulation and Pupillometry: New Directions for Learning and Research in Applied Linguistics
Authors: Pandža Nick B. , Phillips Ian , Karuzis Valerie P. , O'Rourke Polly , Kuchinsky Stefanie E.
Published: June 2020

This paper begins by discussing new trends in the use of neurostimulation techniques in cognitive science and learning research, as well as the nascent research on their application in second language learning. To illustrate this, an experiment designed to investigate the impact of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS), which is delivered via earbuds, on how learners process and learn Mandarin tones is reported. Pupillometry, which is an index of cognitive effort, is explained and illustrated as one way to assess the impact of tVNS. Participants in the study were native English speakers, naïve to tone languages, pseudorandomly assigned to active or control conditions, while balancing for nonlinguistic pitch ability and musical experience. Their performance after tVNS was assessed using a range of more traditional language outcome measures, including accuracy and reaction times from lexical recognition and recall tasks and was triangulated with pupillometry during word-learning to help understand the mechanism through which tVNS operates. Findings are discussed in light of the literatures on lexical tone learning, cognitive effort, and neurostimulation, including specific benefits for learners of tone languages. Recommendations are made for future work on the increasingly popular area of neurostimulation for the field of applied linguistics in the 40th anniversary issue of ARAL.
The Annual Review of Applied Linguistics at 40: Looking Back and Moving Ahead
Authors: Mackey Alison
Published: June 2020

It is a privilege to be Editor-in-Chief of the Annual Review of Applied Linguistics in 2020 as it celebrates its 40th year. This is my fifth issue as Editor. I will begin this short introduction by paying tribute, with the help of Bill Grabe (Northern Arizona University), to the founding editor of the journal, Robert Kaplan (1929–2020). Without Robert Kaplan, none of us would be reading these pages. We will then turn to some comments from each of the previous editors on a few of the highlights of their time editing the journal, along with words for the future. After this, I will describe some recent updates, go through a few of the historical successes of the journal, and then turn to the contents of the exciting current issue, “Looking back and moving ahead.”
A utility-based analysis of equilibria in multi-objective normal-form games
Authors: Rădulescu Roxana , Mannion Patrick , Zhang Yijie , Roijers Diederik M. , Nowé Ann
Published: June 2020

In multi-objective multi-agent systems (MOMASs), agents explicitly consider the possible trade-offs between conflicting objective functions. We argue that compromises between competing objectives in MOMAS should be analyzed on the basis of the utility that these compromises have for the users of a system, where an agent’s utility function maps their payoff vectors to scalar utility values. This utility-based approach naturally leads to two different optimization criteria for agents in a MOMAS: expected scalarized returns (ESRs) and scalarized expected returns (SERs). In this article, we explore the differences between these two criteria using the framework of multi-objective normal-form games (MONFGs). We demonstrate that the choice of optimization criterion (ESR or SER) can radically alter the set of equilibria in a MONFG when nonlinear utility functions are used.
Spanish Validation of the Adolescent Self-Consciousness Questionnaire
Authors: Morales Alexandra , Rodríguez-Menchón Miriam , Lis Adriana , Delvecchio Elisa , Li Jian-Bin , Orgilés Mireia , Espada José P.
Published: June 2020

Self-consciousness development takes place mainly in adolescence because the brain undergoes certain structural changes that facilitate abstract thinking and metacognition, thus favoring the development of identity. Despite the importance of self-consciousness for mental health, there are no specific measurement instruments for Spanish adolescents. The objective of this study was to explore the dimensions of self-consciousness among Spanish adolescents aged between 13 and 18 years and validate the Chinese Adolescent Self-Consciousness Questionnaire (ASC) in this population. A second-order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted in accordance with previous validations of the ASC, using R Studio and the Lavaan package, to test its adequacy in a Spanish sample. Internal consistency and temporal stability were also tested, and evidence of validity was found. The results showed a good fit to the model eliminating four items with poor fit indices, CFI = .90, TLI = .89, RMSEA = .078, 95% CI [.076, .080]. Higher self-consciousness was associated with greater self-esteem and lower depressive symptomatology. No significant gender differences were found. This study provides a valid measure to evaluate self-consciousness in Spanish adolescents. The relationship established between self-consciousness and anxiety and depression requires further study as self-consciousness is involved in the development and maintenance of adolescent psychopathology.
Impact of the Eastward Shift in the Negative‐Phase NAO on Extreme Drought Over Northern China in Summer
Authors: Du Yibo , Zhang Jie , Zhao Siwen , Chen Haishan
Published: June 2020

The frequency of extreme drought events in northern China has increased since the mid‐1990s, and such a decadal anomalous trend may have a vital influence on national economics and food supply. Based on the analysis of observational datasets and experiments conducted by a linear baroclinic model, this study claims that the intraseasonal circulation anomalies related to extreme drought are linked to the eastward shift in the negative phase of the summer North Atlantic Oscillation (SNAO). When the SNAO is in a negative phase, the cyclonic eddy‐driven jet can enhance the eastward extension of the North Atlantic jet stream (NAJS), contributing to a closer connection between the NAJS and the Asian‐African jet stream and enhancing the waveguide. The cyclonic eddy in the exit of the jet stream excites anomalous Rossby wave energy that originates from the NAJS exit and spreads to the Caspian Sea, Mongolia, and northern China; this associated wave train, which is similar to the Silk Road Pattern (SRP), enhances the anticyclonic anomaly over northern China, establishing a pronounced link with extreme drought in northern China. Thus, the negative phase of the SNAO may be a contributing driver of extreme drought in northern China.
Observing Water Vapor Variability During Three Super Typhoon Events in Hong Kong Based on GPS Water Vapor Tomographic Modeling Technique
Authors: Zhu Mingchen , Liu Zhizhao , Hu Wusheng
Published: June 2020

This paper for the first time numerically characterizes the water vapor spatial and temporal variation during the life cycle of super typhoons, using the 3D tomographic water vapor modeling method. Global Positioning System (GPS) data sets collected in Hong Kong were used to reconstruct the water vapor density field with a temporal resolution of 30 min during three super typhoon events in 2013 and 2014. The spatiotemporal variabilities of water vapor at five altitude layers (<0.8, 0.8–1.6, 1.6–3.0, 3.0–5.2, and 5.2–8.5 km) were examined. It was found that in the lower troposphere (<1.6 km), the precipitable water vapor (PWV) had only minor fluctuation during typhoon events. But significant PWV increase was observed at altitude above 1.6 km, and PWV kept increasing with the altitude, leading to the increase of the total water vapor. Hong Kong's PWV was observed to increase as the typhoons were about 795 to 821 km away from Hong Kong. The PWV spatial (distance) increase rate was 0.031–0.037 mm/km in the upper layers (1.6–8.5 km) and temporal increase rate was 12.710–24.272 mm/day in the upper layers (1.6–8.5 km). The typhoons had the largest impact on the PWV variation in the top layer (layer 5, 5.2–8.5 km). Prior to typhoon impact, PWV in layer 5 accounts for only 12.77% to 13.68% in the upper layers (1.6–8.5 km). With the typhoon impact, the PWV in layer 5 accounts for 21.28% to 26.38%. This work has demonstrated the potential to use water vapor tomographic technique to study water vapor evolution during super typhoons.
Impact of Submesoscale Vertical Advection on Primary Productivity in the Southern East China Sea
Authors: Meng Qicheng , Xuan Jiliang , Zhang Wenyan , Zhou Feng , Hao Qiang , Zhao Qiang , Schrum Corinna
Published: June 2020

This study aims to investigate the impact of submesoscale vertical advection (SVA) on the primary productivity in the southern East China Sea. The analysis is based on a comparison between two numerical simulations by using a three‐dimensional coupled physical‐biogeochemical model. One simulation directly resolves SVA on a high‐resolution mesh, and the other leaves SVA unresolved on a low‐resolution mesh. The high‐resolution simulation outperforms the low‐resolution simulation in reproducing the observed chlorophyll distribution, particularly in summer. Resolving SVA results in an approximately 40% increase in primary productivity during the summer, though SVA activity is relatively weak in this season than in other seasons. Among multiscale physical processes, SVA, rather than mixing, is found to be the most important vertical nutrient supply pathway from the nutrient‐rich bottom water to the nutrient‐depleted surface water in summer, particularly on the middle and outer shelves. The impact of SVA on the shelf is unique compared to the open ocean in that it efficiently enhances vertical supply of nutrient‐rich subsurface waters to the nutrient‐depleted surface layer. This study highlights the importance of SVA in promoting primary productivity in stratified shelf seas.
How to Process Radio Occultation Data: 2. From Time Series of Two‐Way, Single‐Frequency Frequency Residuals to Vertical Profiles of Ionospheric Properties
Authors: Withers Paul , Moore L.
Published: June 2020

The MAVEN Radio Occultation Science Experiment (ROSE) generates vertical profiles of electron density in the ionosphere of Mars from two‐way, single‐frequency radio occultation observations. Here we develop methods for generating vertical profiles of ionospheric electron density from frequency residuals obtained from such observations. We show that the relevant set of equations can be closed for ionospheric observations if the uplink bending angle is equal to the product of the downlink bending angle and the square of the turn‐around ratio. This is consistent with the dispersion relation for radio waves in plasma. Four angles, each being the angle between the asymptote of a portion of a refracted ray path and the corresponding idealized unrefracted ray path, provide a natural framework for development of these methods. We also present forms of these methods appropriate to one‐way radio occultation experiments. These methods have been validated using a simulated occultation representative for the ionosphere of Mars. Errors are found to be on the order of a few percent.
Do You Know Your Home’s Flood Risk?
Authors: Kearns Edward , Amodeo Michael , Porter Jeremy
Published: June 2020

Search for your address in this new database and get an easy to understand indicator of the potential for flooding now and over the next several decades as climate change alters our environment.
Thermal Conductivity Profile in the Nankai Accretionary Prism at IODP NanTroSEIZE Site C0002: Estimations From High‐Pressure Experiments Using Input Site Sediments
Authors: Lin Weiren , Hirose Takehiro , Tadai Osamu , Tanikawa Wataru , Ishitsuka Kazuya , Yang Xiaoqiu
Published: June 2020

Depth profiles of sediment thermal conductivity are required for understanding the thermal structure in active seismogenic zones. During the Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment (NanTroSEIZE), a scientific drilling project of the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP), a borehole was penetrated to a depth of 3,262.5 m below seafloor (mbsf) at Site C0002. Because core samples obtained from below ~1,100 mbsf in an accretionary prism are limited, a thermal conductivity profile over such depths usually determined by laboratory measurements using core samples is not available. To obtain the thermal conductivity profile at Site C0002, we used core samples collected from sediments that overlay the incoming subducting oceanic basement at Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment Site C0012, which can be considered to have the same mineral composition as the accretional prism at Site C0002. The thermal conductivity of the C0012 core samples was measured at high pressure to simulate subduction by reducing the sample porosity. We measured the thermal conductivity of six core samples from 144–518 mbsf at Site C0012 up to a maximum effective pressure of ~50 MPa, corresponding to depths greater than ~4 km below seafloor. We obtained an empirical relation between thermal conductivity λBulk in Wm‐1K‐1 and fractional porosity ϕ for the Nankai Trough accretionary prism as λBulk = exp(−1.09ϕ + 0.977). Based on porosity data measured using core/cuttings samples and data derived from P wave velocity logs, we estimate two consistent and complete thermal conductivity profiles down to ~3 km below seafloor in the Nankai Trough accretionary prism. These profiles are consistent with the existing thermal conductivity data measured using limited core samples.
Mineralogical Analysis of Selective Melting in Partially Coherent Rockslides: Bridging Solid and Molten Friction
Authors: Deng Yu , He Siming , Scaringi Gianvito , Lei Xiaoqin
Published: June 2020

Frictional shearing along the basal slip surface is the main energy dissipation mechanism in coherent landslides, which undergo little internal deformation during runout. Most landslide bodies, however, deform and break down more or less extensively; thus, only a portion of their potential energy is dissipated through basal shearing. The mineral components of rocks and soils have individual melting temperatures. Therefore, as temperature increases, selective melting will occur in a defined sequence. The product of such melting is termed frictionite. Here, we exploited a sliding block model to investigate the role of selective melting in the evolution of the frictional resistance (and hence mobility) of partially coherent landslides. We recognized three frictional stages, characterized by weakening, strengthening, and melt lubrication. As melting proceeds, a gradual transition from solid friction to viscous flow occurs, which can be modeled in terms of the molten mineral fraction. The chemical composition also evolves and so does its viscosity. Rocks with different mineral proportions (e.g., mafic vs. felsic rocks) will exhibit different frictional evolutions. Our model results are consistent with the recognized role of landslide thickness in defining its mobility. Moreover, the frictional strengthening stage is shown to become irrelevant under high confinement, thereby facilitating higher mobility, or sometimes shifting slip surface if weak layer exists. We also discussed the relevance of some strengthening‐upon‐melting behavior observed at the experimental scale, pointing out the role of the energy conversion coefficient, which is a proxy for landslide coherence.
Ensemble PM2.5 Forecasting During the 2018 Camp Fire Event Using the HYSPLIT Transport and Dispersion Model
Authors: Li Y. , Tong D. Q. , Ngan F. , Cohen M. D. , Stein A. F. , Kondragunta S. , Zhang X. , Ichoku C. , Hyer E. J. , Kahn R. A.
Published: June 2020

Biomass burning releases a vast amount of aerosols into the atmosphere, often leading to severe air quality and health problems. Prediction of the air quality effects from biomass burning emissions is challenging due to uncertainties in fire emission, plume rise calculation, and other model inputs/processes. Ensemble forecasting is increasingly used to represent model uncertainties. In this paper, an ensemble forecast was conducted to predict surface PM2.5 during the 2018 California Camp Fire event using the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) HYSPLIT dispersion model at 0.1° horizontal resolution. Different combinations of four satellite‐based fire emission data sets (FEER, FLAMBE, GBBEPx, and GFAS), two plume rise schemes (Briggs and Sofiev), various meteorology inputs, and model setup options were used to create the forecast ensemble, for a total of 112 experiments. The performance of each ensemble member and the ensemble mean were evaluated using ground‐based observations, with four statistical metrics and an overall rank. The ensemble spread of the 112 members reached 1,000 μg/m3, highlighting the large uncertainty in wildfire forecast. The ensemble mean displayed the best performance. Each fire emission product contributed to one or more members among the top 10 performers, revealing the forecasting dependence on both the quality of fire emissions data and model representation of emission, transport, and removal processes. In addition, an ensemble size reduction technique was introduced. With the help of this technique, the ensemble size was reduced from 112 to 28 members and still produced an ensemble mean that yielded comparable or even better performance to that of the full ensemble.
Environmental Controls on Carbon and Water Fluxes in an Old‐Growth Tropical Dry Forest
Authors: Rojas‐Robles Nidia E. , Garatuza‐Payán Jaime , Álvarez‐Yépiz Juan C. , Sánchez‐Mejía Zulia M. , Vargas Rodrigo , Yépez Enrico A.
Published: June 2020

Tropical dry forests (TDF) are one of the most widely distributed tropical land‐cover types in Mexico, but their regional‐to‐global contribution to the carbon and water cycles is still highly uncertain. We measured CO2 and water vapor fluxes between the ecosystem and atmosphere using the eddy covariance technique from 2016 to 2018 in an old‐growth TDF in northwestern Mexico. First, we investigated the magnitude and seasonality of evapotranspiration (ET), net ecosystem production (NEP) and its contributing fluxes, gross ecosystem production (GEP), and ecosystem respiration (Reco). Second, we explored the main environmental factors controlling carbon and water fluxes as well as tested if this ecosystem acted as a net carbon source or sink. During the study period, all precipitation entering the ecosystem went back to the atmosphere through ET (738.9 ±58.26 mm y−1). Ecosystem respiration (2203.16 ±244.2 g C m−2 y−1) was consistently larger than GEP (1975.32 ±295.52 g C m−2 y−1), determining an annual NEP (−227.6 ±59.4 g C m−2 y−1) that resulted in net annual carbon losses. This forest maintained its water use efficiency (WUE; GEP/ET) across years (2.53–3.24), but water availability constrained light use and maximum carbon assimilation rates. Our results render relevance to the feedback between soil water content and net radiation as the main environmental variables controlling ecosystem fluxes in this old‐growth TDF.
Impacts of Degradation on Water, Energy, and Carbon Cycling of the Amazon Tropical Forests
Authors: Longo Marcos , Saatchi Sassan , Keller Michael , Bowman Kevin , Ferraz António , Moorcroft Paul R. , Morton Douglas C. , Bonal Damien , Brando Paulo , Burban Benoît , Derroire Géraldine , dos‐Santos Maiza N. , Meyer Victoria , Saleska Scott , Trumbore Susan , Vincent Grégoire
Published: June 2020

Selective logging, fragmentation, and understory fires directly degrade forest structure and composition. However, studies addressing the effects of forest degradation on carbon, water, and energy cycles are scarce. Here, we integrate field observations and high‐resolution remote sensing from airborne lidar to provide realistic initial conditions to the Ecosystem Demography Model (ED‐2.2) and investigate how disturbances from forest degradation affect gross primary production (GPP), evapotranspiration (ET), and sensible heat flux (H). We used forest structural information retrieved from airborne lidar samples (13,500 ha) and calibrated with 817 inventory plots (0.25 ha) across precipitation and degradation gradients in the eastern Amazon as initial conditions to ED‐2.2 model. Our results show that the magnitude and seasonality of fluxes were modulated by changes in forest structure caused by degradation. During the dry season and under typical conditions, severely degraded forests (biomass loss ≥66%) experienced water stress with declines in ET (up to 34%) and GPP (up to 35%) and increases of H (up to 43%) and daily mean ground temperatures (up to 6.5°C) relative to intact forests. In contrast, the relative impact of forest degradation on energy, water, and carbon cycles markedly diminishes under extreme, multiyear droughts, as a consequence of severe stress experienced by intact forests. Our results highlight that the water and energy cycles in the Amazon are driven by not only climate and deforestation but also the past disturbance and changes of forest structure from degradation, suggesting a much broader influence of human land use activities on the tropical ecosystems.
Trends in Global Flood and Streamflow Timing Based on Local Water Year
Authors: Wasko Conrad , Nathan Rory , Peel Murray C.
Published: June 2020

Analysis of flood and streamflow timing has recently gained prominence as a tool for attribution of climatic changes to flooding. Such studies generally apply circular statistics to the day of maximum flow in a calendar year and use nonparametric linear trend tests to investigate changes in flooding on a local or regional scale. Here we investigate both the center timing of streamflow and the day of maximum flow using a local water year. For each station, the start of the water year is defined as the month of lowest average monthly streamflow. This definition of water year prevents ambiguity in the direction of computed trends and enables flood and streamflow timing to be described by a normal distribution. Using the assumption of normality, we calculate the historical trend in both flood and streamflow timing using linear regression. While shifts in flood and streamflow timing are consistent with climate change and are shifting in a similar direction, shifts in the timing of the annual maxima flood are approximately three times that of streamflow timing. The results here have implications for water resources and environmental management where streamflow and flood timing are critical to planning. The applicability of the normal approximation to flood and streamflow timing will enable future analyses to use parametric statistics.
B-cell maturation antigen expression across hematologic cancers: a systematic literature review
Authors: Dogan Ahmet , Siegel David , Tran Nguyet , Fu Alan , Fowler Jessica , Belani Rajesh , Landgren Ola
Published: June 2020

B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) plays a critical role in regulating B-cell proliferation and survival. There is evidence for BCMA expression in various hematologic malignancies, suggesting that BCMA may play an important role as a biomarker or therapeutic target in these diseases. Given advances in understanding the role of BCMA in B-cell development and the promise of BCMA as a therapeutic target, a systematic review is needed to rigorously assess the evidence for BCMA expression and identify areas of consensus and future research. The objective of this review was to summarize the evidence on BCMA protein and mRNA expression across hematologic malignancies. Using a PubMed database search up to 28 August 2019, a systematic literature review of publications reporting BCMA expression in patients with hematologic malignancies was conducted. Data from published congress abstracts presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Society of Hematology were also searched. Studies that assessed BCMA expression (protein or mRNA) in patients of any age with hematologic malignancies were included. A total of 21 studies met inclusion criteria and were included in the review. BCMA was expressed in several hematologic malignancies, including multiple myeloma (MM), chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute B-lymphoblastic leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), and Hodgkin lymphoma. BCMA was expressed at uniformly high levels across all 13 MM studies and at low to moderate levels in acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. These results suggest that BCMA is a relevant target in MM as well as in a subset of B-cell leukemia. BCMA expression in Hodgkin lymphoma and NHL varied across studies, and further research is needed to determine the utility of BCMA as an antibody target and biomarker in these diseases. Differences in sample type, timing of sample collection, and laboratory technique used may have affected the reporting of BCMA levels.
β-catenin promotes endothelial survival by regulating eNOS activity and flow-dependent anti-apoptotic gene expression
Authors: Tajadura Virginia , Hansen Marie Haugsten , Smith Joy , Charles Hannah , Rickman Matthew , Farrell-Dillon Keith , Claro Vasco , Warboys Christina , Ferro Albert
Published: June 2020

Increased endothelial cell (EC) apoptosis is associated with the development of atherosclerotic plaques that develop predominantly at sites exposed to disturbed flow (DF). Strategies to promote EC survival may therefore represent a novel therapeutic approach in cardiovascular disease. Nitric oxide (NO) and β-catenin have both been shown to promote cell survival and they interact in ECs as we previously demonstrated. Here we investigated the physiological role of β-catenin as a mediator of NO-induced cell survival in ECs. We found that β-catenin depleted human umbilical vein ECs (HUVEC) stimulated with pharmacological activators of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) showed a reduction in eNOS phosphorylation (Ser1177) as well as reduced intracellular cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels compared to control cells in static cultures. In addition, β-catenin depletion abrogated the protective effects of the NO donor, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine, during TNFα- and H2O2-induced apoptosis. Using an orbital shaker to generate shear stress, we confirmed eNOS and β-catenin interaction in HUVEC exposed to undisturbed flow and DF and showed that β-catenin depletion reduced eNOS phosphorylation. β-catenin depletion promoted apoptosis exclusively in HUVEC exposed to DF as did inhibition of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) or β-catenin transcriptional activity. The expression of the pro-survival genes, Bcl-2 and survivin was also reduced following inhibition of β-catenin transcriptional activity, as was the expression of eNOS. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that β-catenin is a positive regulator of eNOS activity and cell survival in human ECs. sGC activity and β-catenin-dependent transcription of Bcl-2, survivin, BIRC3 and eNOS are essential to maintain cell survival in ECs under DF.
CsMYB60 directly and indirectly activates structural genes to promote the biosynthesis of flavonols and proanthocyanidins in cucumber
Authors: Li Jialin , Luan Qianqian , Han Jing , Zhang Cunjia , Liu Mengyu , Ren Zhonghai
Published: June 2020

Flavonols and proanthocyanidins (PAs) are the main pigments in the black spines of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) fruit, and CsMYB60 is a key regulator of the biosynthesis of flavonols and PAs. However, in cucumber, the tissue distribution pattern of flavonols and PAs and the mechanism of their biosynthesis regulated by CsMYB60 remain unclear. In this study, we clarified the tissue-specific distribution of flavonoids and the unique transcriptional regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis in cucumber. CsMYB60 activated CsFLS and CsLAR by binding to their promoters and directly or indirectly promoted the expression of CsbHLH42, CsMYC1, CsWD40, and CsTATA-box binding protein, resulting in the formation of complexes of these four proteins to increase the expression of Cs4CL and interact with CsTATA-box binding protein to regulate the expression of CsCHS, thereby regulating the biosynthesis of flavonols and PAs in cucumber. Our data provide new insights into the molecular mechanism of flavonoid biosynthesis, which will facilitate molecular breeding to improve fruit quality in cucumber.