bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Why do dogs look back at the human in an impossible task? Looking back behaviour may be over-interpreted
Authors: Lazzaroni Martina , Marshall-Pescini Sarah , Manzenreiter Helena , Gosch Sarah , Přibilová Lucy , Darc Larissa , McGetrick Jim , Range Friederike
Published: February 2020

The impossible task paradigm has been extensively used to study the looking back behaviour in dogs. This behaviour is commonly considered a social problem-solving strategy: dogs facing an unsolvable task, soon give up and look back at the experimenter to ask for help. We aimed to test if the looking back in an impossible task does indeed represent a social problem-solving strategy. We used a modified version of the classic impossible task, in which the subjects simultaneously faced three possible and one impossible trials. Additionally, subjects were tested in four different conditions: social condition (with an unknown experimenter); asocial condition (subject alone); 'dummy' human condition (with a ‘dummy’ human); object condition (with a big sheet of cardboard). Finally, we compared two populations of dogs differing in their experience of receiving help from humans: 20 pet dogs tested in their houses and 31 free-ranging dogs tested in Morocco. We found that the pet dogs and free-ranging dogs had similar persistence in interacting with the impossible task in all conditions. Moreover, subjects looked back with similar latencies at the human, at the dummy human and at the object. Overall, pet dogs looked back longer at the human than free-ranging dogs. This could be interpreted as pet dogs being more attracted to humans and/or having a stronger association between humans and food than free-ranging dogs. Concluding, the looking back in an impossible task does not represent a problem-solving strategy. This behaviour seems rather linked to the subject’s persistence, to the salience of the stimuli presented, and potentially to the past reinforcement history.
Abdominal paracentesis drainage attenuates severe acute pancreatitis by enhancing cell apoptosis via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Luo Chen , Huang Qilin , Yuan Xiaohui , Yang Yi , Wang Bing , Huang Zhu , Tang Lijun , Sun Hongyu
Published: February 2020

Our previous studies have shown that abdominal paracentesis drainage (APD) is a safe and effective strategy for patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). However, the underlying mechanisms behind APD treatment remain poorly understood. Given that apoptosis is a critical pathological response of SAP, we here aim to investigate the effect of APD on cell apoptosis in pancreatic tissues during SAP and to explore its potential molecular mechanism. SAP was induced by 5% sodium-taurocholate retrograde while APD group was inserted a drainage tube into the right lower abdomen of rats immediately after SAP induction. Histopathological staining, serum amylase, endotoxin and inflammatory mediators were measured. Cell apoptosis, apoptosis-related proteins and signaling pathway were also evaluated. Our results demonstrated that APD treatment significantly attenuated pancreatic damage and decreased the serum levels of amylase, endotoxin, TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6 in rats with SAP. Notably, APD treatment enhanced cell apoptosis and reduced necrosis in pancreatic tissues, as evidenced by Tunnel staining, the increased pro-apoptosis proteins (Cleaved-caspase-3 and bax) and decreased anti-apoptosis protein (Bcl-2). Moreover, the effect of APD on cell apoptosis was further confirmed by the regulatory pathway of PI3K/AKT and NF-kB signaling pathway. These results suggest that APD attenuates the severity of SAP by enhancing cell apoptosis via suppressing PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Our findings provide new insights for understanding the effectiveness of APD in patients with SAP.
Effects of invasive larval bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) on disease transmission, growth and survival in the larvae of native amphibians
Authors: Blaustein Andrew R. , Jones Devin K. , Urbina Jenny , Cothran Ricky D. , Harjoe Carmen , Mattes Brian , Buck Julia C. , Bendis Randall , Dang Trang , Gervasi Stephanie S. , Relyea Rick
Published: February 2020

The mechanisms by which invasive species negatively affect native species include competition, predation, and the introduction of novel pathogens. Moreover, if an invasive species is a competent disease reservoir, it may facilitate the long-term maintenance and spread of pathogens in ecological assemblages and drive the extinction of less tolerant or less resistant species. Disease-driven loss of biodiversity is exemplified by the amphibian–chytrid fungus system. The disease chytridiomycosis is caused by the aquatic chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) in anurans and is associated with worldwide amphibian population declines and extinctions. For amphibian species that metamorphose and leave infected aquatic habitats, the mechanisms by which Bd persists over winter in these habitats remains a critical open question. A leading hypothesis is that American bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana), a worldwide invasive species, are tolerant to Bd and serve as a reservoir host for Bd during winter months and subsequently infect native species that return to breed in spring. Using outdoor mesocosms, we experimentally examined if two strains of Bd could overwinter in aquatic systems, in the presence or absence of bullfrog tadpoles, and if overwintered Bd could be transmitted to tadpoles of two spring-breeding species: Pacific treefrogs (Pseudacris regilla) and Cascades frogs (Rana cascadae). We found that only 4 of 448 total animals (one bullfrog and three spring breeders) tested positive for Bd after overwintering. Moreover, two of the three infected spring breeders emerged from tanks that contained overwintered Bd but in the absence of infected bullfrogs. This suggests that Bd can persist over winter without bullfrogs as a reservoir host. We found no effect of Bd strain on bullfrog survival after overwintering. For Pacific treefrogs, Bd exposure did not significantly affect mass at or time to metamorphosis while exposure to bullfrogs reduced survival. For Cascades frogs, we found an interactive effect of Bd strain and bullfrog presence on time to metamorphosis, but no main or interactive effects on their survival or mass at metamorphosis. In short, bullfrog tadpoles rarely retained and transmitted Bd infection in our experiment and we found limited evidence that Bd successfully overwinters in the absence of bullfrog tadpoles and infects spring-breeding amphibians.
Plant invasions in New Zealand: global lessons in prevention, eradication and control
Authors: Hulme Philip E.
Published: February 2020

The number of non-native plant species established outside of cultivation in the New Zealand archipelago is higher than for any other islands worldwide. Faced with this scale of plant invasions, there has been considerable investment in the scientific and operational aspects of prevention, eradication and control. As a result, New Zealand is ideally placed to illustrate the many challenges that plant invasions present worldwide as well as the possible solutions. New Zealand has been at the forefront of biosecurity policy developments to tackle plant invasions being one of the first countries to: (a) implement national legislation to address the management of non-native plants; (b) establish a national permitted list (white-list) for plant imports; and (c) introduce bans on the sale, distribution, or propagation of non-native plant species. However, these preventative measure are only effective where there are also adequate border inspection regimes, compliance monitoring of the horticulture industry, and surveillance of internet trade. While New Zealand has successfully eradicated several non-native plant species from its territory, the small number of successes reflects the short-term, local and often uncoordinated efforts to manage non-native plants rather than national programmes backed by legislation and financed over several decades. New Zealand supports a world-leading biological control programme, but this has led to sustained, large-scale control for only a handful of species. In natural areas, most management attempts using mechanical or herbicide treatments have failed to achieve control and there has been a progressive reduction in the area, and frequency of these programmes over time. This is illustrative of the challenges facing those responsible for managing non-native plants in any region of the world. A general insight is that a shift in mindset is required that overcomes significant cognitive biases that include succumbing to the pressure to always intervene, underestimating the non-linear trajectories of invasions, failing to articulate the values at stake, and underestimating the time programmes require to succeed. Important lessons of global relevance include the need for managers to: (a) recognise when and where sleeper weeds are likely to become a national issue, especially as a result of climate change; (b) quantify impacts on those values that stakeholders most cherish rather than those that are easy to measure; (c) provide accurate estimates of the potential future extent of the invasion in the absence of management; and (d) identify clear indicators of successful progress over the course of a long-term management programme.
Evaluating the clinical effectiveness and safety of various HER2-targeted regimens after prior taxane/trastuzumab in patients with previously treated, unresectable, or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Paracha Noman , Reyes Adriana , Diéras Véronique , Krop Ian , Pivot Xavier , Urruticoechea Ander
Published: February 2020

Purpose

In the absence of head-to-head trial data, network meta-analysis (NMA) was used to compare trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) with other approved treatments for previously treated patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer (BC).

Methods

Systematic reviews were conducted of published controlled trials of treatments for unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive BC with early relapse (≤ 6 months) following adjuvant therapy or progression after trastuzumab (Tras) + taxane published from January 1998 to January 2018. Random-effects NMA was conducted for overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR), and safety endpoints.

Results

The NMA included regimens from seven randomized controlled trials: T-DM1 and combinations of Tras, capecitabine (Cap), lapatinib (Lap), neratinib, or pertuzumab (Per; unapproved). OS results favored T-DM1 over approved comparators: hazard ratio (HR) (95% credible interval [95% CrI]) vs Cap 0.68 (0.39, 1.10), LapCap 0.76 (0.51, 1.07), TrasCap 0.78 (0.44, 1.19). PFS trends favored T-DM1 over all other treatments: HR (95% CrI) vs Cap 0.38 (0.19, 0.74), LapCap 0.65 (0.40, 1.10), TrasCap 0.62 (0.34, 1.18); ORR with T-DM1 was more favorable than with all approved treatments. In surface under cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) analysis T-DM1 ranked highest for all efficacy outcomes. Discontinuation due to adverse events was less likely with T-DM1 than with all comparators except neratinib. In general, gastrointestinal side effects were less likely and elevated liver transaminases and thrombocytopenia more likely with T-DM1 than with comparators.

Conclusions

The efficacy and tolerability profiles of T-DM1 are generally favorable compared with other treatments for unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive BC.
Further development of the database of the Mössbauer Effect Data Center
Authors: Klencsár Zoltán , Wang Junhu , Ge Rile , Zhou Wenhui , Liu Duorong , Rykov Alexandre I. , Zhang Tao
Published: February 2020

The Mössbauer spectroscopy database compiled and maintained by the Mössbauer Effect Data Center (MEDC) is a unique, wide-scope Mössbauer-spectroscopy related information resource, which forms the basis of information services provided by the Mössbauer Effect Data Center to the worldwide scientific community. The Mössbauer Effect Reference and Data Journal (MERDJ) and the Mössbauer Web Access Database (MWAD), both published by MEDC, are widely known examples of the services that rely on the MEDC database. In recent years a further improvement of these services, especially that of MWAD, has been envisaged, and as a first step of the corresponding process the further development of the MEDC database was started. In the present work we introduce the main features of the MEDC database and the steps that have been already taken in the frame of its further development. Implications of the work regarding the associated services are also presented.
The quadratic cycle cover problem: special cases and efficient bounds
Authors: de Meijer Frank , Sotirov Renata
Published: February 2020

The quadratic cycle cover problem is the problem of finding a set of node-disjoint cycles visiting all the nodes such that the total sum of interaction costs between consecutive arcs is minimized. In this paper we study the linearization problem for the quadratic cycle cover problem and related lower bounds. In particular, we derive various sufficient conditions for the quadratic cost matrix to be linearizable, and use these conditions to compute bounds. We also show how to use a sufficient condition for linearizability within an iterative bounding procedure. In each step, our algorithm computes the best equivalent representation of the quadratic cost matrix and its optimal linearizable matrix with respect to the given sufficient condition for linearizability. Further, we show that the classical Gilmore–Lawler type bound belongs to the family of linearization based bounds, and therefore apply the above mentioned iterative reformulation technique. We also prove that the linearization vectors resulting from this iterative approach satisfy the constant value property. The best among here introduced bounds outperform existing lower bounds when taking both quality and efficiency into account.
Brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity is independently associated with urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio in a Chinese community-based cohort
Authors: Jiang Yimeng , Fan Fangfang , Jia Jia , He Danmei , Sun Pengfei , Wu Zhongli , Huo Yong , Zhang Yan
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Arterial stiffness is important in the development of albuminuria. The brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) acts as an indicator of arterial stiffness and may be associated with cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. The urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) is a metric used to diagnose albuminuria and has also been shown to be associated with cardiovascular disease. Here, we aim to elucidate the relationship between the baPWV and UACR in the Chinese community.

Methods

A community-based cohort of 3669 subjects was selected for the analysis. The BaPWV and UACR were measured from each subject. UACR ≥ 30 mg/g was defined as pathological albuminuria.

Results

The mean baPWV was 1536.59 ± 305.89 cm/s, and the median UACR value was 6.11 mg/g (interquartile range 4.17, 10.68). A threshold-effect analysis was conducted, and the results showed that the cut-off value for the baPWV was 1269 cm/s. In subjects with baPWV values lower than 1269 cm/s, the prevalence of microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria was not significantly associated with the baPWV (odds ratio 0.77, 95% confidence interval 0.57–1.03, P = 0.08). However, in participants with baPWV ≥ 1269 cm/s, the prevalence of microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria increased with increasing baPWV 100 cm/s (odds ratio 1.16, 95% confidence interval 1.11–1.22, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that, in this Chinese community-based cohort, elevated baPWV is independently associated with pathological albuminuria with a cut-off value of 1269 cm/s as determined by threshold-effect analysis.
Applying a socio-ecological green network framework to Xi’an City, China
Authors: Xiu Na , Ignatieva Maria , van den Bosch Cecil Konijnendijk , Zhang Shuoxin
Published: February 2020

Green–blue space loss and fragmentation are particularly acute in Chinese cities due to rapid urbanization, large ring-road system and the following city compartments. Therefore, connecting urban green–blue spaces has been recently advocated by central government. This paper revised and applied the recently developed urban green network approach to the case of Xi’an city, China, a city which has been rarely studied before from this perspective. The focus was on connecting fragments of urban green–blue spaces to compact green–blue networks, integrating both social and ecological functions into a fully functioning entity. Landscape metric analysis was added to identify that the main city outside the city core should be a planning priority zone. The Eurasian tree sparrow (Passer montanus), Asiatic toad (Bufo gargarizans) and humans at leisure were selected as three focal species to meet the emerged socio-ecological benefits. Sociotope and biotope maps were drawn up to identify patches with high human recreation and wildlife shelter values and providing crucial network structures. Least-cost-path model was used for identifying potential linkages between patches. This model was based on network structures and cost surface, which measures the theoretical energy cost of travelling between landscape elements. By integrating the potential paths for the selected organisms with density analysis, the updated framework generated three improvement maps for species indicators, and 10 network corridors for establishing green–blue networks at city scale. At neighbourhood scale, one site with habitat and linkage examples illustrated specific measures that could be taken in local practice.
The early bird catches the worm: an empirical analysis of imprinting in social entrepreneurship
Authors: Dickel Petra , Sienknecht Monika , Hörisch Jacob
Published: February 2020

Understanding the antecedents of social entrepreneurship is critical for unleashing the potential of social entrepreneurship and thus for tackling social problems. While research has provided valuable insights into imprinting of the conventional entrepreneur, research on differences between social and conventional entrepreneurship suggests that social entrepreneurs evolve differently. Using survey data of 148 social entrepreneurs, we draw on the concepts of imprinting and critical incident recognition as a framework for understanding how social entrepreneur’s childhood experiences and parental exposure to social entrepreneurship affect social entrepreneurial activity in adulthood. First, our results suggest that social entrepreneurs are imprinted by their childhood experiences but not by parental exposure to social entrepreneurship. Second, imprints tend to persist over time when they are linked to critical incidents regarding social entrepreneurship. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of imprinting mechanisms in social entrepreneurship contexts and highlight the importance of making examples of social entrepreneurship tangible to children.
Integrable Magnetic Flows on the Two-Torus: Zoll Examples and Systolic Inequalities
Authors: Asselle Luca , Benedetti Gabriele
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we study some aspects of integrable magnetic systems on the two-torus. On the one hand, we construct the first non-trivial examples with the property that all magnetic geodesics with unit speed are closed. On the other hand, we show that those integrable magnetic systems admitting a global surface of section satisfy a sharp systolic inequality.
Structure, Morphology, and Electrochemical Properties of Carbon-Coated Lithium-Manganese Orthosilicate with Sucrose as a Carbon Source
Authors: Boczar Maciej , Krajewski Michal , Hamankiewicz Bartosz , Ratynski Maciej , Buchberger Dominika , Czerwinski Andrzej
Published: February 2020

Lithium-manganese orthosilicate powders were synthesized via a modified solvothermal method. Three different weight ratios of sucrose used as a carbon source were investigated for finding an effective carbon coating process. Synthesized materials were analyzed by structural and morphological (X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, N2 adsorption/desorption, thermogravimetry analysis) and electrochemical (chronopotentiometry, cyclic voltammetry) methods. By increasing the sucrose content, the electrochemical performance improvement of lithium-manganese orthosilicate powder was observed, such as an increase in its specific capacity (132%) and cyclability (5%) compared with uncoated sample. The enhancement in Li2MnSiO4 performance is related to an increase in its electrical conductivity and enlargement in the electrochemically active surface area due to carbon coating process.
Simulation study of relative permeability and the dynamic capillarity of waterflooding in tight oil reservoirs
Authors: Mohammad Rashid S. , Tareen Mohammad Yaqoob Khan , Mengel Abdullah , Shah Syed Ali Raza , Iqbal Javid
Published: February 2020

Relative permeability (kr) and the capillary pressure (Pc) are the central key elements defining the multiphase fluids flow behavior in the porous media. However, the dynamic capillarity should consider the dynamic relative permeability and the dynamic capillary pressure while performing waterflooding process in extremely low permeable formations. In order to improve the oil production, the advanced horizontal well drilling along with multiple hydraulic fracturing is generally instigated to penetrate the unconventional resources. The aim of this study is to consider the dynamic capillarity in a commercial reservoir simulation, while utilizing the data gained from the dynamic and steady experiments of the relative permeability and the capillary pressure impacts during waterflooding process in the core plugs of unconventional tight oil reservoirs. The commercial reservoir simulation conducted sensitivity analyses using Computer Modeling Group simulator. The outcomes show that the well production of the reservoir is overestimated while implementing steady data for forecasting due to which the oil saturation decreases more equally and further rapidly. Additionally, the forecast of the well production estimated to breakthrough sooner. However, neglecting the dynamic capillarity causes a huge breakthrough of water influx. Therefore, the core objective of this study is to probe the consequences of taking into consideration the dynamic capillarity in ultra-low permeable formations while giving an alternative perspective to forecast the production of the hydraulically fractured unconventional tight oil reservoirs.
Holocene variability in sea ice and primary productivity in the northeastern Baffin Bay
Authors: Saini Jeetendra , Stein Ruediger , Fahl Kirsten , Weiser Jens , Hebbeln Dierk , Hillaire-Marcel Claude , de Vernal Anne
Published: February 2020

Arctic sea ice is a critical component of the climate system, known to influence ocean circulation, earth’s albedo, and ocean–atmosphere heat and gas exchange. Current developments in the use of IP25(a sea ice proxy with 25 carbon atoms only synthesized by Arctic sea ice diatoms) have proven it to be a suitable proxy for paleo-sea ice reconstructions over hundreds of thousands to even millions of years. In the NE Baffin Bay, off NW Greenland, Melville Bugt is a climate-sensitive region characterized by strong seasonal sea ice variability and strong melt-water discharge from the Greenland Ice Sheet (GIS). Here, we present a centennial-scale resolution Holocene sea ice record, based on IP25and open-water phytoplankton biomarkers (brassicasterol, dinosterol and HBI III) using core GeoB19927-3 (73° 35.26′ N, 58° 05.66′ W). Seasonal to ice-edge conditions near the core site are documented for most of the Holocene period with some significant variability. In the lower-most part, a cold interval characterized by extensive sea ice cover and very low local productivity is succeeded by an interval (~ 9.4–8.5 ka BP) with reduced sea ice cover, enhanced GIS spring melting, and strong influence of the West Greenland Current (WGC). From ~ 8.5 until ~ 7.8 ka BP, a cooling event is recorded by ice algae and phytoplankton biomarkers. They indicate an extended sea ice cover, possibly related to the opening of Nares Strait, which may have led to an increased influx of Polar Water into NE-Baffin Bay. The interval between ~ 7.8 and ~ 3.0 ka BP is characterized by generally reduced sea ice cover with millennial-scale variability of the (late winter/early spring) ice-edge limit, increased open-water conditions (polynya type), and a dominant WGC carrying warm waters at least as far as the Melville Bugt area. During the last ~ 3.0 ka BP, our biomarker records do not reflect the late Holocene ‘Neoglacial cooling’ observed elsewhere in the Northern Hemisphere, possibly due to the persistent influence of the WGC and interactions with the adjacent fjords. Peaks in HBI III at about ~ 2.1 and ~ 1.3 ka BP, interpreted as persistent ice-edge situations, might correlate with the Roman Warm Period (RWP) and Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA), respectively, in-phase with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) mode. When integrated with marine and terrestrial records from other circum-Baffin Bay areas (Disko Bay, the Canadian Arctic, the Labrador Sea), the Melville Bugt biomarker records point to close ties with high Arctic and Northern Hemispheric climate conditions, driven by solar and oceanic circulation forcings.
Measurements and calculations of the equilibrium adsorption amounts of CO2–N2, CO–N2, and CO2–CO mixed gases on 13X zeolite
Authors: Shigaki Nobuyuki , Mogi Yasuhiro , Haraoka Takashi , Furuya Eiji
Published: February 2020

Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) is one practical process for CO2 separation from the exhaust gases in various industries, such as blast furnace gas in steel works. For optimum design of the PSA process, precise estimation of the adsorption equilibrium of mixed gases is desired. The ideal adsorbed solution (IAS) model is a reliable model for this estimation. However, the IAS model requires convergent calculations, which significantly increase the calculation load, especially in dynamic PSA simulations. An analytical formula such as the extended Langmuir (EX-LM) equation is more useful for calculation of the equilibrium adsorption amounts of mixed gases. A drawback of this equation, however, is the uncertainty of the thermodynamic consistency and consequently the accuracy of the calculation results. In order to clarify the necessary conditions for application of the EX-LM equation as an approximation of the IAS model with Langmuir equation (IAS-LM model), both the analytical features and the estimation accuracy of these different methods were evaluated. To evaluate the accuracy of the equations, the equilibrium adsorption amount of mixed gases consisting of CO2, N2, and CO, which are the major gas components of blast furnace gas in steel works, on 13X zeolite were measured experimentally. The results confirmed that the accuracy of the EX-LM equation varies depending on the gas pressure and also the affinities of the adsorbates. Under higher gas pressure conditions, more reliable calculation results were obtained by the IAS-LM model.
Tiny Fireballs May One Day Reveal Unseen Asteroids
Authors: Redd Nola
Published: February 2020

The tiny fireball that flew over Japan in 2017 came from an asteroid that could threaten Earth in 10 million years or so. Scientists are trying to use these little meteors to hunt larger objects.
Big Science, Small Package: The Joys of Writing Science for Kids
Authors: Loomis Ilima
Published: February 2020

Science writer Ilima Loomis, author of the new book Eclipse Chaser, shares her secrets for translating science speak for young audiences.
Asteroids, Greta Thunberg, and Other Things That Make an Impact
Authors:   AGU
Published: February 2020

What Earth and space science stories are we recommending this week?
Atmospheric Drag Alters Satellite Orbits
Authors: Shultz David
Published: February 2020

A new modeling study shows how the density of the thermosphere influences the paths of satellites in low Earth orbit.
Wooden Buildings Could House the Carbon of the 21st Century
Authors: Wosen Jonathan
Published: February 2020

To keep carbon out of the atmosphere, researchers argue that we need to return to one of the world’s oldest building materials: wood.
Clean Water Act in the Balance?
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: February 2020

An important Supreme Court case could have major ramifications on the interpretation of the Clean Water Act and environmental protection.
From Glaciers in Antarctica to Emissions in England
Authors:   AGU
Published: February 2020

What Earth and space science stories are we recommending this week?
Wildfire Smoke Boosts Photosynthetic Efficiency
Authors: Thompson Elizabeth
Published: February 2020

Wildfires can destroy large tracts of vegetation. But their smoke plumes may help crops and other plants use sunlight more efficiently.
Don’t @ Me: What Happened When Climate Skeptics Misused My Work
Authors: Zeppetello Lucas
Published: February 2020

A student who saw his climate research misrepresented in online forums shares the experience, as well as lessons learned and recommendations for how to counter efforts to distort climate science.
June Bacon-Bercey: Pioneering Meteorologist and Passionate Supporter of Science
Authors: Kornei Katherine
Published: February 2020

Bacon-Bercey redefined the role of the television meteorologist, blazing trails for African Americans and endowing an AGU scholarship for women studying atmospheric science.
The Future of the Carbon Cycle in a Changing Climate
Authors: Kaushik Aleya , Graham Jake , Dorheim Kalyn , Kramer Ryan , Wang Jonathan , Byrne Brendan
Published: February 2020

Surface and space-based observations, field experiments, and models all contribute to our evolving understanding of the ways that Earth’s many systems absorb and release carbon.
Deciphering Electron Signatures in Earth’s Magnetic Tail
Authors: Zastrow Mark
Published: February 2020

A new analysis of spacecraft data collected near the tip of Earth’s magnetotail sheds light on how geomagnetic activity affects the motion of electrons in this region.
All Together Now: Reflecting on Earth’s Future’s Formative Years
Authors: van der Pluijm Ben
Published: February 2020

The outgoing Editor in Chief of Earth’s Future reflects on the first 6 years of the open-access journal and the factors that have contributed to its growth and success.
K-core robustness in ecological and financial networks
Authors: Burleson-Lesser Kate , Morone Flaviano , Tomassone Maria S. , Makse Hernán A.
Published: February 2020

In many real-world networks, the ability to withstand targeted or global attacks; extinctions; or shocks is vital to the survival of the network itself, and of dependent structures such as economies (for financial networks) or even the planet (for ecosystems). Previous attempts to characterise robustness include nestedness of mutualistic networks or exploration of degree distribution. In this work we present a new approach for characterising the stability and robustness of networks with all-positive interactions by studying the distribution of the k-shell of the underlying network. We find that high occupancy of nodes in the inner and outer k-shells and low occupancy in the middle shells of financial and ecological networks (yielding a “U-shape” in a histogram of k-shell occupancy) provide resilience against both local targeted and global attacks. Investigation of this highly-populated core gives insights into the nature of a network (such as sharp transitions in the core composition of the stock market from a mix of industries to domination by one or two in the mid-1990s) and allow predictions of future network stability, e.g., by monitoring populations of “core” species in an ecosystem or noting when stocks in the core-dominant sector begin to move in lock-step, presaging a dramatic move in the market. Moreover, this “U-shape” recalls core-periphery structure, seen in a wide range of networks including opinion and internet networks, suggesting that the “U-shaped” occupancy histogram and its implications for network health may indeed be universal.
Genomic prediction and GWAS of yield, quality and disease-related traits in spring barley and winter wheat
Authors: Tsai Hsin-Yuan , Janss Luc L. , Andersen Jeppe R. , Orabi Jihad , Jensen Jens D. , Jahoor Ahmed , Jensen Just
Published: February 2020

Genome-wide association study (GWAS) and genomic prediction (GP) are extensively employed to accelerate genetic gain and identify QTL in plant breeding. In this study, 1,317 spring barley and 1,325 winter wheat breeding lines from a commercial breeding program were genotyped with the Illumina 9 K barley or 15 K wheat SNP-chip, and phenotyped in multiple years and locations. For GWAS, in spring barley, a QTL on chr. 4H associated with powdery mildew and ramularia resistance were found. There were several SNPs on chr. 4H showing genome-wide significance with yield traits. In winter wheat, GWAS identified two SNPs on chr. 6A, and one SNP on chr. 1B, significantly associated with quality trait moisture, as well as one SNP located on chr. 5B associated with starch content in the seeds. The significant SNPs identified by multiple trait GWAS were generally the same as those found in single trait GWAS. GWAS including genotype-location information in the model identified significant SNPs in each tested location, which were not found previously when including all locations in the GWAS. For GP, in spring barley, GP using the Bayesian Power Lasso model had higher accuracy than ridge regression BLUP in powdery mildew and yield traits, whereas the prediction accuracies were similar using Bayesian Power Lasso model and rrBLUP for yield traits in winter wheat.
Nonstationary flood coincidence risk analysis using time-varying copula functions
Authors: Feng Ying , Shi Peng , Qu Simin , Mou Shiyu , Chen Chen , Dong Fengcheng
Published: February 2020

The coincidence of flood flows in a mainstream and its tributaries may lead to catastrophic floods. In this paper, we investigated the flood coincidence risk under nonstationary conditions arising from climate changes. The coincidence probabilities considering flood occurrence dates and flood magnitudes were calculated using nonstationary multivariate models and compared with those from stationary models. In addition, the “most likely” design based on copula theory was used to provide the most likely flood coincidence scenarios. The Huai River and Hong River were selected as case studies. The results show that the highest probabilities of flood coincidence occur in mid-July. The marginal distributions for the flood magnitudes of the two rivers are nonstationary, and time-varying copulas provide a better fit than stationary copulas for the dependence structure of the flood magnitudes. Considering the annual coincidence probabilities for given flood magnitudes and the “most likely” design, the stationary model may underestimate the risk of flood coincidence in wet years or overestimate this risk in dry years. Therefore, it is necessary to use nonstationary models in climate change scenarios.
Inactivation of Listeria and E. coli by Deep-UV LED: effect of substrate conditions on inactivation kinetics
Authors: Cheng Yifan , Chen Hanyu , Sánchez Basurto Luis Alberto , Protasenko Vladimir V. , Bharadwaj Shyam , Islam Moududul , Moraru Carmen I.
Published: February 2020

Irradiation with deep-ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (DUV LEDs) is emerging as a low energy, chemical-free approach to mitigate microbial contamination, but the effect of surface conditions on treatment effectiveness is not well understood. Here, inactivation of L. innocua and E. coli ATCC25922, as examples of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, respectively, by DUV LED of 280 nm wavelength was studied. Surface scenarios commonly encountered in environmental, clinical or food processing environments were used: nutrient rich surfaces, thin liquid films (TLF), and stainless steel surfaces (SS). DUV LED exposure achieved 5-log reduction for both strains within 10 min in most scenarios, except for TLF thicker than 0.6 mm. Inactivation kinetics in TLF and on dry SS followed the Weibull model (0.96 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.99), but the model overestimated inactivation by small-dose DUV on wet SS. Confocal microscopy revealed in situ that bacteria formed a dense outer layer at the liquid-air interface of the liquid droplet, protecting the cells inside the droplet from the bactericidal DUV. This resulted in lower than anticipated inactivation on wet SS at small DUV doses, and deviation from the Weibull model. These findings can be used to design effective DUV LED disinfection strategies for various surface conditions and applications.
Combination of chemotherapy and PD-1 blockade induces T cell responses to tumor non-mutated neoantigens
Authors: Grimaldi Alessio , Cammarata Ilenia , Martire Carmela , Focaccetti Chiara , Piconese Silvia , Buccilli Marta , Mancone Carmine , Buzzacchino Federica , Berrios Julio Rodrigo Giron , D’Alessandris Nicoletta , Tomao Silverio , Giangaspero Felice , Paroli Marino , Caccavale Rosalba , Spinelli Gian Paolo , Girelli Gabriella , Peruzzi Giovanna , Nisticò Paola , Spada Sheila , Panetta Mariangela , Letizia Cecere Fabiana , Visca Paolo , Facciolo Francesco , Longo Flavia , Barnaba Vincenzo
Published: February 2020

Here, we developed an unbiased, functional target-discovery platform to identify immunogenic proteins from primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells that had been induced to apoptosis by cisplatin (CDDP) treatment in vitro, as compared with their live counterparts. Among the multitude of proteins identified, some of them were represented as fragmented proteins in apoptotic tumor cells, and acted as non-mutated neoantigens (NM-neoAgs). Indeed, only the fragmented proteins elicited effective multi-specific CD4+and CD8+T cell responses, upon a chemotherapy protocol including CDDP. Importantly, these responses further increased upon anti-PD-1 therapy, and correlated with patients’ survival and decreased PD-1 expression. Cross-presentation assays showed that NM-neoAgs were unveiled in apoptotic tumor cells as the result of caspase-dependent proteolytic activity of cellular proteins. Our study demonstrates that apoptotic tumor cells generate a repertoire of immunogenic NM-neoAgs that could be potentially used for developing effective T cell-based immunotherapy across multiple cancer patients.
The proximity of aluminium atoms influences the reaction pathway of ethanol transformation over zeolite ZSM-5
Authors: Gołąbek Kinga , Tabor Edyta , Pashkova Veronika , Dedecek Jiri , Tarach Karolina , Góra-Marek Kinga
Published: February 2020

The organization of aluminium atoms in zeolites affects their catalytic properties. Here we demonstrate that the aluminium distribution is a key parameter controlling the reaction pathway of acid catalysed reactions over ZSM-5 zeolites. We study ethanol transformation over two ZSM-5 samples with similar Si/Al ratios of ~15, and with aluminium atoms located mainly at the channel intersections but differently distributed in the framework. One of the samples contains mostly isolated aluminium atoms while the other has a large fraction of two aluminium atoms located in one ring. The FT-IR time-resolved operando study, supported by catalytic results, reveals that the reaction pathway in ethanol transformation over ZSM-5 is controlled by the proximity of aluminium atoms in the framework. ZSM-5 containing mostly isolated Al atoms transforms ethanol in the associative pathway, and conversely ZSM-5 containing a dominating fraction of two aluminium atoms in one ring transforms ethanol in the dissociative pathway.
Precision medicine, bioanalytics and nanomaterials: toward a new generation of personalized portable diagnostics
Authors: Calabretta Maria Maddalena , Zangheri Martina , Lopreside Antonia , Marchegiani Elisa , Montali Laura , Simoni Patrizia , Roda Aldo
Published: February 2020

The customization of disease treatment focused on genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors of individual patients, including tailored medical decisions and treatments, is identified as precision medicine.
Effect of substitution on halide/hydrated halide binding: a case study of neutral bis-urea receptors
Authors: Das Asesh , Nayak Biswajit , Das Gopal
Published: February 2020

The impact of the substituted moiety on the binding nature of the anion with a neutral receptor through non-cooperative interaction.
Synthesis of Na2Ti3O7nanorods by a V-assisted route and investigation of their battery performance
Authors: Altin S. , Demirel S. , Oz E. , Altin E. , Hetherington C. , Bayri A. , Avci S.
Published: February 2020

We report the V-assisted synthesis of Na2Ti3O7nanorodsviaa conventional solid state reaction technique.
Focus on the overlap density of wavefunctions inGWapproximations
Authors: Okamura Koshi
Published: February 2020

A quasiparticle energy inGWapproximations depends primarily on spatially overlapped and symmetrically compatible wavefunctions.
Paradoxical combination of saturable absorption and reverse-saturable absorption in plasmon semiconductor nanocrystals
Authors: Tian Xiangling , Wei Rongfei , Yang Dandan , Qiu Jianrong
Published: February 2020

The competition between plasma ground-state bleaching and three-photon absorption is demonstrated to be responsible for the transition between saturable absorption and reverse saturable absorption in aluminum-doped ZnO nanocrystals.
A novel organic–inorganic hybrid material: production, characterization and catalytic performance for the reaction of arylaldehydes, dimedone and 6-amino-1,3-dimethyluracil
Authors: Zare Abdolkarim , Dianat Manije , Eskandari Mohammad Mehdi
Published: February 2020

A novel silica-based organic–inorganic hybrid catalyst was prepared, characterized and applied for the synthesis of pyrimido[4,5-b]quinolines.
Effects of pH, temperature and shear on the structure–property relationship of lamellar hydrogels from microbial glucolipids probed byin siturheo-SAXS
Authors: Ben Messaoud Ghazi , Le Griel Patrick , Hermida-Merino Daniel , Baccile Niki
Published: February 2020

The structure-properties relationship of lipid lamellar hydrogels composed of a biobased microbial glucolipid biosurfactant is studied against pH, temperature and shear rate usingin siturheo-SAXS experiments.
Hysteresis in the gas sorption isotherms of metal–organic cages accompanied by subtle changes in molecular packing
Authors: Craig Gavin A. , Larpent Patrick , Urabe Hinano , Legrand Alexandre , Bonneau Mickaele , Kusaka Shinpei , Furukawa Shuhei
Published: February 2020

Cooperative gas uptake in metal–organic cages is tuned using supramolecular chemistry.
Correction: Transfer hydrogenation of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate from glycerol under aqueous conditions
Authors: Heltzel Jacob M. , Finn Matthew , Ainembabazi Diana , Wang Kai , Voutchkova-Kostal Adelina M.
Published: February 2020

Correction for ‘Transfer hydrogenation of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate from glycerol under aqueous conditions’ by Jacob M. Heltzel et al., Chem. Commun., 2018, 54, 6184–6187.
Modelling the bulk properties of ambient pressure polymorphs of zirconia
Authors: Delarmelina Maicon , Quesne Matthew G. , Catlow C. Richard A.
Published: February 2020

We report a detailed survey of the calculated bulk properties of zirconia using GGA and meta-GGA DFT functionals, Grimme's dispersion, and Hubbard correction in order to identify the best DFT approach forin silicodescription of zirconia polymorphs.
Three coordination polymers with regulated coordination interactions as fluorescent sensors for monitoring purine metabolite uric acid
Authors: Wu Shuangyan , Zhang Ying , Zhu Mingchang , Kosinova Marina , Fedin Vladimir P. , Gao Enjun
Published: February 2020

Herein, CP 3 is highly preferred for UA sensing owing to its advantages of simple, sensitive and selective features.
Uncovering lead formate crystallization in oil-based paintings
Authors: Švarcová Silvie , Kočí Eva , Bezdička Petr , Garrappa Silvia , Kobera Libor , Plocek Jiří , Brus Jiří , Šťastný Martin , Hradil David
Published: February 2020

Lead formate was found in oil paint systems, crystallizing in the early stage of polymerization of oil paints and playing the role of an intermediate in the degradation of lead pigments.
Efficacy and safety of PARP inhibitors as the maintenance therapy in ovarian cancer: a meta-analysis of nine randomized controlled trials
Authors: Shao Fengping , Liu Jun , Duan Yaoyun , Li Li , Liu Liqun , Zhang Cai , He Shanyang
Published: February 2020

Purpose: Poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors can effectively kill cancer cells by restraining the activity of DNA repair enzymes and utilizing the characteristics of BRCA mutations. This article evaluates the efficacy and safety of PARP inhibitors (PARPis) in the maintenance treatment of ovarian cancer.

Method: We searched for clinical trials in electronic databases. PARPis efficacy were evaluated by the hazard ratios (HR) and its 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) between the PARPis groups and placebo groups, while the PARPis’ safety was assessed by relative risk (RR) values of adverse events (AEs) between the two arms.

Results: The immature OS data manifested that patients with BRCA mutation receiving PARPis therapy versus placebo therapy appeared to have longer OS (HR = 0.78, 95%CI = 0.61–1.01; P = 0.06). Compared with placebo group, PARP group had a significant advantage in PFS in ovarian cancer patients with BRCA wild-type (BRCAwt), BRCA mutation (BRCAm), BRCA status unclassified, BRCA1 mutation subgroup and the BRCA2 mutation subgroup (BRCAwt: HR = 0.53, 95%CI = 0.42–0.68, P < 0.00001; BRCAm: HR = 0.30, 95%CI = 0.26–0.34, P < 0.00001; BRCA status unclassified: HR = 0.52, 95%CI = 0.41–0.66, P < 0.00001; BRCA1m: HR = 0.38, 95%CI = 0.29–0.48, P < 0.00001; BRCA2m: HR = 0.23, 95%CI = 0.10–0.57, P = 0.001). Our analysis revealed the incidence rates for AEs of grade ≥3 (grades 3 to 4) and serious AEs in PARPis group were 55.19% and 26.29%, respectively.

Conclusion: Our meta-analysis demonstrates that PARPis therapy can significantly improve PFS in ovarian cancer patients, but it has no benefit in OS. However, the therapy is associated with a significant increase in the risk of AEs of grade ≥ 3 and serious AEs.
Role of the Nox4/AMPK/mTOR signaling axe in adipose inflammation-induced kidney injury
Authors: Njeim Rachel , Farhat Theresa , Alkhansa Sahar , Youssef Natalie , Dia Batoul , Slika Rasha , Diab Radwan , Azar Sami T. , Eid Assaad A.
Published: February 2020

Diabetic kidney disease is one of the most serious complications of diabetes worldwide and is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. While research has primarily focused on hyperglycemia as a key player in the pathophysiology of diabetic complications, recently, increasing evidence have underlined the role of adipose inflammation in modulating the development and/or progression of diabetic kidney disease. This review focuses on how adipose inflammation contribute to diabetic kidney disease. Furthermore, it discusses in detail the underlying mechanisms of adipose inflammation, including pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, and AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway and critically describes their role in diabetic kidney disease. This in-depth understanding of adipose inflammation and its impact on diabetic kidney disease highlights the need for novel interventions in the treatment of diabetic complications.