bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Holocene hydroclimatic variability in the Zanskar Valley, Northwestern Himalaya, India
Authors: Ali Sheikh Nawaz , Agrawal Shailesh , Sharma Anupam , Phartiyal Binita , Morthekai Paulramasamy , Govil Pawan , Bhushan Ravi , Farooqui Shazi , Jena Partha Sarathi , Shivam Ajay
Published: April 2020

A 1.3-m-long sediment core from the Penzi-la pass, Zanskar Valley, provides a record of hydroclimatic conditions and abrupt climate changes over short time scales since the mid-Holocene. These climatic changes of centennial time scale are crucial to understanding the hydroclimatic variability in northwestern (NW) Himalaya. Relatively higher δ13C values complemented by total organic carbon, loss on ignition, grain size parameters, and lower Rubidium/Strontium ratios during the Late Northgrippian imply that the area had a dry climate during the period from ~6200–4500 cal yr BP. Subsequently, a relatively stable hydroclimatic environment was experienced between ~4500 and 3400 cal yr BP. After ~3400 cal yr BP the multiproxy data show gradual strengthening of hydroclimatic conditions, however, this trend is interrupted by high-amplitude abrupt reversals (dry events) with a stepwise decreasing intensity at ~3300, 2600, 1700, and 400 cal yr BP. The two most important climatic events of the last millennia (i.e., Medieval Climate Anomaly and the Little Ice Age) were also recorded from the sedimentary archive. Overall, our data show a progressive increase in the moisture availability in the Zanskar Valley and are in agreement with the late Holocene climatic trends of central and western Himalaya.
Political Economy and the Medici
Authors: Reinert Sophus A. , Fredona Robert
Published: April 2020

Using materials from the important collection of Medici manuscripts donated to Harvard Business School by Harry Gordon Selfridge, this paper explores the geopolitics of the transformation of raw wool into finished cloth, and the role played in that process by Medici entrepreneurs, their guild, and their government. It aims to show that the history of political economy cannot truly be understood without business history. Successful business practices used by Medici entrepreneurs were first theorized by Giovanni Botero and others as what would become an “Italian model” in political economy, a model that had a profoundly wide-ranging impact, and that puts the lie to the commonplace in the history of ideas that the Italian Renaissance, so precocious in other fields, was silent on the topic of political economy.
CONTRACTS, ILLEGALITY AND COMITY: RALLI BROS REVISITED
Authors: Day William
Published: April 2020

There has always been considerable uncertainty about the nature and scope of the rule by which contractual performance is excused if illegal in the place of performance, even though performance would not be illegal by the contract's governing law. This article revisits the so-called “Ralli Bros rule” and looks at how the scope of the rule has been developed and its nature misunderstood. It argues that the rule is neither a choice of law rule nor part of the rules discharging a contract for frustration but is instead a public policy rule favouring judicial abstention for reasons of comity. This has implications for how the rule interacts with the choice of law rules for contracts under the Rome Convention and the Rome I Regulation.
What Did They Wish For? Party Government, Polarization and the American Political Science Association
Authors: WICKHAM-JONES MARK
Published: April 2020

In tracing the development of increased polarization in the United States, numerous scholars have noted the apparent importance of the American Political Science Association's (APSA's) Committee on Political Parties. The committee's influential (and often criticized) report,Toward a More Responsible Two-Party System, called for a wholesale transformation of political parties in the United States. On its publication in October 1950, political scientists quickly concluded that, taken together, the committee's recommendations represented a reworking of a distinct approach, usually known as “party government” or “responsible party government.” (The origins of responsible parties dated back to Woodrow Wilson's classic 1885 textCongressional Government.) Since then, the notion of party government has become a core issue in the study of American political parties, albeit a contentious one. A recent survey ranked the APSA document at seventh as a canonical text in graduate syllabi concerning parties.
The Microarchitectural Stage-Management of Baptism from Lateran IV to the Counter-Reformation
Authors: TIMMERMANN ACHIM
Published: April 2020

Although not liturgically mandated, the ostentatious microarchitectural font cover became one of the most significant ecclesiastical furnishings of the later Middle Ages. In fact, as a church fixture it survived well into the seventeenth century, not only in Catholic but also in Protestant regions, even though its eye-catching forms represented an obvious target for radical reformers and iconoclasts. Despite their enduring presence and their obvious importance to the communities that erected them, font covers remain little researched and understood. Revolving around a discussion of their intensely visual nature, this article is an attempt at a first outline of a history of this fascinating genre of church furnishing.
Cognitive remediation for inpatients with psychosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Cella Matteo , Price Tom , Corboy Holly , Onwumere Juliana , Shergill Sukhi , Preti Antonio
Published: April 2020

Cognitive difficulties are common in people with psychosis and associated with considerable disability. Cognitive remediation (CR) can reduce the burden of cognitive difficulties and improve functioning. While mental health care has predominantly shifted to the community, people with greater illness severity and complexity, and those with poor response to treatment and concomitant greater cognitive difficulties, continue to receive inpatient care. The aim of this study is to review and evaluate the acceptability and efficacy of CR for inpatients with psychosis. A systematic search was used to identify randomized controlled trials of CR for inpatients with psychosis. Demographic and clinical information was extracted by independent raters together with therapy outcomes. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Assessment tool. Standardized mean change for cognitive and functional outcomes was calculated using Hedges's g and used to infer therapy effects with meta-analysis. Twenty studies were identified considering 1509 participants. Results from random-effect models suggested that CR was effective in improving processing speed (g = 0.48), memory (g = 0.48) and working memory (g = 0.56). While there was an indication of improvements in the levels of vocational, social and global functioning, these were less reliable. On average, 7% of participants dropped-out of treatment. Studies methodological quality was moderate. CR is an acceptable intervention for inpatients with psychosis and can lead to significant cognitive improvements. Evidence for improvement in functioning requires more robust and converging evidence. Future research should extend the evaluation of inpatient CR to subsequent post-discharge community functioning and further need for care.
Integrating perspectives: How the development of second-personal competence lays the foundation for a second-personal morality
Authors: Corbit John , Moore Chris
Published: April 2020

The integration of first-, second-, and third-personal information within joint intentional collaboration provides the foundation for broad-based second-personal morality. We offer two additions to this framework: a description of the developmental process through which second-personal competence emerges from early triadic interactions, and empirical evidence that collaboration with a concrete goal may provide an essential focal point for this integrative process.
The moral obligations of conflict and resistance
Authors: Killen Melanie , Dahl Audun
Published: April 2020

Morality has two key features: (1) moral judgments are not solely determined by what your group thinks, and (2) moral judgments are often applied to members of other groups as well as your own group. Cooperative motives do not explain how young children reject unfairness, and assert moral obligations, both inside and outside their groups. Resistance and experience with conflicts, alongside cooperation, is key to the emergence and development of moral obligation.
Conflicting obligations in human social life
Authors: Hirsh Jacob B. , Shteynberg Garriy , Gelfand Michele J.
Published: April 2020

Tomasello describes how the sense of moral obligation emerges from a shared perspective with collaborative partners and in-group members. Our commentary expands this framework to accommodate multiple social identities, where the normative standards associated with diverse group memberships can often conflict with one another. Reconciling these conflicting obligations is argued to be a central part of human morality.
Cooperation and obligation in early parent-child relationships
Authors: Thompson Ross A.
Published: April 2020

Tomasello's moral psychology of obligation would be developmentally deepened by greater attention to early experiences of cooperation and shared social agency between parents and infants, evolved to promote infant survival. They provide a foundation for developing understanding of the mutual obligations of close relationships that contribute (alongside peer experiences) to growing collaborative skills, fairness expectations, and fidelity to social norms.
Personalizing the demands of reason
Authors: Kalish Charles
Published: April 2020

Children come to joint action with a generalized sense of “reason,” which carries normative implications, before personalizing reasons. A general sense of ought precedes specific notions of individual perspective.
The joy of obligation: Human cultural worldviews can enhance the rewards of meeting obligations
Authors: Buchtel Emma E.
Published: April 2020

Is it particularly human to feel coerced into fulfilling moral obligations, or is it particularly human to enjoy them? I argue for the importance of taking into account how culture promotes prosocial behavior, discussing how Confucian heritage culture enhances the satisfaction of meeting one's obligations.
Influence of CNT-based Nanocomposites in Dynamic Performance of Redundant Articulated Robot
Authors: Saravana Mohan M. , Samuel Ratna Kumar P. S.
Published: April 2020

In this study, AA5083-reinforced multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) nanocomposites were selected as the alternate material for a redundant articulated robot (RAR) design by varying the composition of MWCNT wt%. By assigning AA5083-reinforced MWCNT as a custom material to the parts of RAR developed by Solid Works and exported to MATLAB/SimMechanics platform to convert the model into multi-body system blocks. The dynamic parameter torque was observed utilising simulation capability in a SimMechanics second-generation environment. The simulation results inferred that AA5083 reinforced with increased wt% of MWCNT has better properties suitable for RAR design.
Speaking of your own repertoire: an investigation of music performance during practice
Authors: Song Moo Kyoung , Kim You Jin
Published: April 2020

The purpose of this study was to explore musicians’ approaches to performance during practice and identify the factors that underpinned their approaches. We hypothesised that musicians would be able to recall their focus, knowledge and thoughts of their own repertoire during music performance and that such data would reveal musicians’ cognitive behaviours during the performance. By analysing musicians’ retrospective verbal protocols, we found that musicians used four main reasoning processes –study, static analysis, intuitionandperformer’s analysis –in their approach to music performance. The findings show that musicians utilise multiple cognitive behaviours for music performance. The implications for instrumental music teaching are discussed.
Orpheus's Civilising Song, or, the Politics of Voice in Late Enlightenment Italy
Authors: Peritz Jessica Gabriel
Published: April 2020

This article explores new conceptions of voice in late eighteenth-century Italy as expressed in discourses connected with opera reform. Inspired by the convergence of Enlightenment epistemologies of feeling and neoclassical aesthetics, certain progressive singers and literati sought to rebrand the singing voice as an agent of moral and political edification. Here, this ideology-laden project is traced through two conflicting representations of singer-poets, both of whom wield the power of lyric song to achieve political ends. First, the article unpacks Giuseppe Millico's narrative of his performance as Gluck's Orfeo (published in Naples in 1782), in which the singer argues for voice as audible interiority and, as such, a warrant of political subjectivity. It then turns to a reading of Gastone della Torre di Rezzonico's libretto for Giuseppe Sarti's dramma per musicaAlessandro e Timoteo(Parma, 1782), in which voice transforms into an instrument of anti-absolutist critique. The article concludes by considering how these two modes of voice were imagined, together, as capable of revivifying Italian culture.
On testing for seed sample heterogeneity with the exact probability distribution of the germination count range
Authors: da Silva Anderson Rodrigo
Published: April 2020

Seed lot heterogeneity is often evaluated through the range between germination percentages of four seed samples, considering normal and binomial approximations for calculating the tolerated range (S). In this paper, an exact test for the germination count range (R) is derived based on the hypergeometric and the binomial probability model for germination count. Through Monte Carlo simulations, the empirical distribution of R is built to evaluate the quantiles of the exact distributions. Moreover, a power analysis is performed by simulation. Sample size and germination rate effects are evaluated. In lots with a high germination rate, the proposed test based on the hypergeometric model is about 20% more powerful than the test based on the S-value. A table containing the critical values is presented and recommended to be used in off-range heterogeneity testing.
The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Month of Bioethics in Finland
Authors: HÄYRY MATTI
Published: April 2020

The role of bioethicists amidst crises like the COVID-19 pandemic is not well defined. As professionals in the field, they should respond, but how? The observation of the early days of pandemic confinement in Finland showed that moral philosophers with limited experience in bioethics tended to apply their favorite theories to public decisions, with varying results. Medical ethicists were more likely to lend support to the public authorities by soothing or descriptive accounts of the solutions assumed. These are approaches that Tuija Takala has called the firefighting and window dressing models of bioethics. Human rights lawyers drew attention to the flaws of the government’s regulative thinking. Critical bioethicists offered analyses of the arguments presented and the moral and political theories that could be used as the basis of good and acceptable decisions.
The protective effect of chrysin against carbon tetrachloride-induced	kidney and liver tissue damage in rats
Authors: Baykalir Burcu Gul , Arslan Aslihan Sur , Mutlu Seda Iflazoglu , Parlak Ak Tuba , Seven Ismail , Seven Pinar Tatli , Yaman Mine , Gul Huseyin Fatih
Published: April 2020

Abstract. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective effects of chrysin on oxidative status and histological alterations against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver and kidney tissue in rats. The animals were randomly divided into four groups; the control, chrysin (100 mg/kg), CCl4 (0.5 ml/kg) and chrysin + CCl4 groups. Liver and kidney injuries were assessed by biochemical and histopathological examinations. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured in tissues. Serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), urea, and creatinine levels were also measured in blood samples. MDA, serum TNF-α, AST, ALT, urea, and creatinine levels (p < 0.05) were significantly higher, and SOD activity and GSH level were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the CCl4 group than in the control group. Treatment with chrysin in the chrysin + CCl4 group decreased MDA, AST, ALT, creatinine, and TNF-α levels (p < 0.05), and increased SOD activity, GSH levels (p < 0.05), and serum TNF-α levels (p < 0.05). In addition, body weight change (BWC) (p < 0.05) and feed intake (FI) were significantly lower (p < 0.001) in the CCl4 group than in the control group. Moreover, treatment with chrysin increased BWC and FI in the chrysin + CCl4 group compared with that in the CCl4 group. These findings also confirmed by histopathological examination. The chrysin treatment ameliorated the CCl4-induced biochemical and pathological alterations. These results demonstrated that chrysin provided amelioration on the rat liver and kidney tissues CCl4-induced injury by increasing the antioxidant activity.
Spectral Properties and Physical Extent of Pyroclastic Deposits on Mercury: Variability Within Selected Deposits and Implications for Explosive Volcanism
Authors: Besse S. , Doressoundiram A. , Barraud O. , Griton L. , Cornet T. , Muñoz C. , Varatharajan I. , Helbert J.
Published: April 2020

Explosive volcanism on the surface of planet Mercury is visible through the pyroclastic deposits that surround morphologic features often identified as the vent. Those deposits are known as faculae. The understanding of explosive volcanism provides important information on Mercury's geological, thermal, and volcanic history. Observations by the MESSENGER spacecraft are used to analyze in detail the spectral properties of 14 selected faculae with the aim of understanding their chemical and physical properties. Scientific observations obtained by the MASCS instrument are particularly suitable for this task, although their observational and geometrical constraints limit definitive conclusions. Nonetheless, spectral properties in the visible, ultraviolet and near‐infrared indicate that the selected faculae are probably larger than visible in images solely. Spectral parameters provide a means to isolate Mercury's pyroclastic deposits with respect to Mercury's average spectral behavior. The similar spectral behavior of the visible, ultraviolet and near‐infrared domains suggests that the amount of mixing of pyroclastic materials with the underlying material, the differences in grain sizes between and inside the faculae, and the presence of opaque/mineral phases, could play significant roles in the spectral properties observed. Observations by the BepiColombo mission in nadir configuration covering a large range of phase angles will be highly complementary to the MESSENGER observations.
Major Element Composition of Sediments in Terms of Weathering and Provenance: Implications for Crustal Recycling
Authors: Lipp Alex G. , Shorttle Oliver , Syvret Frank , Roberts Gareth G.
Published: April 2020

The elemental composition of a sediment is set by the composition of its protolith and modified by weathering, sorting, and diagenesis. An important problem is deconvolving these contributions to a sediment's composition to arrive at information about processes that operate on the Earth's surface. We approach this problem by developing a predictive and invertible model of sedimentary major element composition. We compile a data set of sedimentary rock, river sediment, soil, and igneous rock compositions. Principal component analysis of the data set shows that most variation can be simplified to a small number of variables. We thus show that any sediment's composition can be described with just two vectors of igneous evolution and weathering. We hence define a model for sedimentary composition as a combination of these processes. A 1:1 correspondence is observed between predictions and independent data. The log ratiosandare found to be simple proxies for, respectively, the model's protolith and weathering indices. Significant deviations from the model can be explained by sodium‐calcium exchange. Using this approach, we show that the major element composition of the upper continental crust has been modified by weathering, and we calculate the amount of each element that it must have lost to modify it to its present composition. By extrapolating modern weathering rates over the age of the crust, we conclude that it has not retained a significant amount of the necessarily produced weathering restite. This restite has likely been subducted into the mantle, indicating a crust‐to‐mantle recycling rate of 1.33 ± 0.89 ×1013 kg·year−1.
Azimuthal Anisotropy of the Megaregolith at the Apollo 14 Landing Site
Authors: Nishitsuji Yohei , Ruigrok Elmer , Draganov Deyan
Published: April 2020

The characterization of the megaregolith on the Moon has been investigated in various ways including analysis of lunar meteorites, remote sensing of mineralogy and gravity, and deriving a seismic velocity profile. In this study, we propose a method for analyzing azimuthal anisotropy of the megaregolith. We call this method deep‐moonquake seismic interferometry applied to S‐wave coda (DMSI‐S). DMSI‐S can turn the records of deep moonquakes into recordings from virtual active sources. The retrieved virtual sources coincide with the station positions, and thus, we obtain virtual zero‐offset (pulse‐echo) measurements. DMSI‐S is applied to seven clusters of deep moonquakes recorded at the Apollo 14 landing site, resulting in virtual zero‐offset measurements at the Apollo station 14. We use the S‐wave recordings retrieved from DMSI‐S to analyze azimuthal anisotropy. We find weak anisotropy at the layer where the megaregolith is assumed to be present. We interpret our result to show that the megaregolith at this site is characterized by a layer (or layers) of impact material, following the Imbrium impact, with internal alignment of the crushed material.
Contributions to Jupiter's Gravity Field From Dynamics in the Dynamo Region
Authors: Kulowski Laura , Cao Hao , Bloxham Jeremy
Published: April 2020

The Juno gravity measurements indicate that zonal flows within Jupiter make an important contribution to the planet's gravity field. Atmospheric zonal flows extending ∼3,000 km deep can produce gravity harmonics that are consistent with the Juno inferred values. Deeper down, zonal flow in the dynamo region (i.e., below ∼0.90 RJ, where RJ is Jupiter's radius) may make a sizable contribution to the gravity harmonics. In this paper, we estimate the gravity harmonics (J2–J10) produced by zonal flows in Jupiter's dynamo region. Using Ferraro's law of isorotation, we construct physically motivated profiles for dynamo region zonal flow. We use the vorticity equation to determine the density perturbations associated with the flows and then calculate the gravity harmonics. We find that dynamo zonal flows with root mean square (RMS) velocities of 10 cm s−1 would produce J3 values on the same order of magnitude as the Juno inferred value and J2 and J4 values on the same order as ∼3,000 km deep atmospheric zonal flow, but would not contribute much to higher‐order gravity harmonics. Zonal flows above Jupiter's dynamo region would be responsible for producing dynamical gravity harmonics above J4. Slower dynamo zonal flow with a RMS velocity of 1 cm s−1 would have a relatively small contribution to all of the gravity harmonics.
Space Weathering of FeS Induced via Pulsed Laser Irradiation
Authors: Prince B. S. , Magnuson M. P. , Chaves L. C. , Thompson M. S. , Loeffler M. J.
Published: April 2020

Here we present results from pulsed laser irradiation of troilite samples in an effort to simulate space weathering on airless bodies via micrometeorite impacts. We find that the spectral trends observed in directly irradiated samples and samples with a vapor‐deposited coating are different than those found in silicate minerals previously studied. For instance, direct laser irradiation causes our troilite samples to initially brighten, but continued irradiation causes darkening and a decrease in spectral slope. In contrast, our samples with a vapor‐deposited coating show a continuous increase in spectral slope and overall albedo as the deposit thickness increases. Observation using both digital imaging and electron microscopy of our directly irradiated samples leads us to conclude that topography effects likely become important after a relatively high number of laser pulses in our directly irradiated samples, causing the apparent darkening and decrease in spectral slope. Thus, we conclude that the spectral changes observed relevant to space weathering via micrometeorite impacts are an increase in spectral slope and an increase in the albedo of troilite. Future studies will investigate whether these trends are generally representative of other sulfide‐bearing minerals and of weathering trends in other components found in the asteroid regolith.
Prediction of Dst During Solar Minimum Using In Situ Measurements at L5
Authors: Bailey R. L. , Möstl C. , Reiss M. A. , Weiss A. J. , Amerstorfer U. V. , Amerstorfer T. , Hinterreiter J. , Magnes W. , Leonhardt R.
Published: April 2020

Geomagnetic storms resulting from high‐speed streams can have significant negative impacts on modern infrastructure due to complex interactions between the solar wind and geomagnetic field. One measure of the extent of this effect is the Kyoto Dst index. We present a method to predict Dst from data measured at the Lagrange 5 (L5) point, which allows for forecasts of solar wind development 4.5 days in advance of the stream reaching the Earth. Using the STEREO‐B satellite as a proxy, we map data measured near L5 to the near‐Earth environment and make a prediction of the Dst from this point using the Temerin‐Li Dst model enhanced from the original using a machine learning approach. We evaluate the method accuracy with both traditional point‐to‐point error measures and an event‐based validation approach. The results show that predictions using L5 data outperform a 27‐day solar wind persistence model in all validation measures but do not achieve a level similar to an L1 monitor. Offsets in timing and the rapidly changing development of Bz in comparison to Bx and By reduce the accuracy. Predictions of Dst from L5 have a root‐mean‐square error of 9 nT, which is double the error of 4 nT using measurements conducted near the Earth. The most useful application of L5 measurements is shown to be in predicting the minimum Dst for the next 4 days. This method is being implemented in a real‐time forecast setting using STEREO‐A as an L5 proxy and has implications for the usefulness of future L5 missions.
Characteristics of Winter Haze Pollution in the Fenwei Plain and the Possible Influence of EU During 1984–2017
Authors: Zhao Zhijun , Liu Run , Zhang Ziyin
Published: April 2020

During the past few years, air pollution in the Fenwei Plain (FWP) region had obviously rebounded. In this study, we used quantitative analysis, difference analysis, and correlation analysis methods to analyze the temporal and spatial distribution and the influence of the meteorological and climatic factors on haze pollution in FWP. The results showed that on the long‐term timescale, the haze pollution had an overall upward trend during the winter of 1984–2017, and the pollution became more serious after 2000. In addition, the differences in meteorological parameters such as relative humidity, sea level pressure, temperature, vertical velocity, and wind fields near the surface between the regional haze days and the regional clean days were remarkable, indicating that the changes in these meteorological parameters had a distinct impact on haze pollution. Among several atmospheric circulations in the Northern Hemisphere mid‐high latitudes, Eurasian (EU) pattern had the most obvious influence on haze pollution via two possible pathways: First, on the interannual timescale, the evolution of EU pattern affected the changes of Siberian high and Aleutian low pressure; second, changes in EU pattern could result in changes in wind speed at 850 hPa, boundary layer height and relative humidity in the lower troposphere. All these findings may provide some help for the government to take prevention measures for haze pollution in FWP.
Linking Ocean Forcing and Atmospheric Interactions to Atlantic Multidecadal Variability in MPI‐ESM1.2
Authors: Oelsmann J. , Borchert L. , Hand R. , Baehr J. , Jungclaus J. H.
Published: April 2020

We investigate how ocean‐driven multidecadal sea surface temperature (SST) variations force the atmosphere to jointly set the pace of Atlantic multidecadal variability (AMV). We generate periodic low‐frequency Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation oscillations by implementing time‐dependent deep‐ocean‐density restoring in MPI‐ESM1.2 to explicitly identify variations driven by Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation without any perturbation at the ocean‐atmosphere interface. We show in a coupled experiment that ocean heat convergence variations generate positive SST anomalies, turbulent heat release, and low sea level pressure in the subpolar North Atlantic (NA) and vice versa. The SST signal is communicated to the tropical NA by wind‐evaporative‐SST feedbacks and to the North‐East Atlantic by enhanced northward atmospheric heat transport. Such atmospheric feedbacks and the characteristic AMV‐SST pattern are synchronized to the multidecadal time scale of ocean circulation changes by air‐sea heat exchange. This coupled ocean‐atmosphere mechanism is consistent with observed features of AMV and thus supports a key role of ocean dynamics in driving the AMV.
Heterogeneity‐Induced Mixing and Reaction Hot Spots Facilitate Karst Propagation in Coastal Aquifers
Authors: De Vriendt K. , Pool M. , Dentz M.
Published: April 2020

The freshwater‐seawater mixing zone is a critical region for chemical activity. Yet little is known about the influence of ever present spatial heterogeneity on the dynamics of mixing and calcite dissolution, which play a key role in the understanding of karst development. We analyze the impact of different heterogeneity structures and strengths on the local and global response of mixing and dissolution rates across the saltwater freshwater mixing zone. We find that the initial heterogeneity structure significantly impacts observed dissolution and mixing patterns, which sheds some new light on karst propagation in coastal aquifers.
Calibration and Initial Results of Space Radiation Dosimetry Using the iMESA‐R
Authors: Maldonado C. A. , Cress R. , Gresham P. , Armstrong J. L. , Wilson G. , Reisenfeld D. , Larsen B. , Balthazor R. L. , Harley J. , McHarg M. G.
Published: April 2020

The integrated Miniaturized Electrostatic Analyzer‐Reflight (iMESA‐R) is a space weather instrument designed to measure plasma density, temperature, and spacecraft charging, along with total ionizing dose and dose rate. A constellation consisting of five nearly identical instruments has been designed and developed to act as science payloads hosted on‐board Department of Defense satellites operating in low‐Earth orbit. To validate the dosimetry component of the iMESA‐R, a radiation test study was performed to calibrate the dosimeter and ascertain the attenuation due to the instrument aluminum housing. An 80 curie Cobalt‐60 radioisotope source emitting beta, X‐ray, and gamma ray radiation decay products was used to calibrate the dosimeter response as a function of distance and instrument shielding. We present results of the calibration study along with initial on‐orbit data presented from the first operational iMESA‐R hosted on‐board Space Test Program Satellite 5 in a polar Earth orbit. The initial on‐orbit data demonstrate the ability to map the radiation environment, particularly the South Atlantic Anomaly and the auroral regions using total ionizing dose rate due to electrons of E > 1.5 MeV and protons of E > 25 MeV.
Association between maternal exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5) and adverse pregnancy outcomes in Lima, Peru
Authors: Tapia V. L. , Vasquez B. V. , Vu B. , Liu Y. , Steenland K. , Gonzales G. F.
Published: April 2020

The literature shows associations between maternal exposures to PM2.5 and adverse pregnancy outcomes. There are few data from Latin America. We have examined PM2.5 and pregnancy outcomes in Lima. The study included 123,034 births from 2012 to 2016, at three public hospitals. We used estimated daily PM2.5 from a newly created model developed using ground measurements, satellite data, and a chemical transport model. Exposure was assigned based on district of residence (n = 39). Linear and logistic regression analyzes were used to estimate the associations between air pollution exposure and pregnancy outcomes. Increased exposure to PM2.5 during the entire pregnancy and in the first trimester was inversely associated with birth weight. We found a decrease of 8.13 g (−14.0; −1.84) overall and 18.6 g (−24.4, −12.8) in the first trimester, for an interquartile range (IQR) increase (9.2 µg/m3) in PM2.5. PM2.5 exposure was positively associated with low birth weight at term (TLBW) during entire pregnancy (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.03–1.20), and at the first (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.03–1.20), second (OR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.01–1.17), and third trimester (OR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.02–1.18) per IQR (9.2 µg/m3) increase. Higher exposure to PM2.5 was also associated with increased risk of small for gestational age (SGA). There were no statistically significant associations between PM2.5 exposure and preterm births (PTB). Exposure to higher concentrations of PM2.5 in Lima may decrease birth weight and increase the frequency of TLBW and SGA. Our study was inconsistent with the literature in finding no associations with preterm birth.
Keratinocyte transglutaminase 2 promotes CCR6+ γδT-cell recruitment by upregulating CCL20 in psoriatic inflammation
Authors: Shin Ji-Woong , Kwon Mee-ae , Hwang Jinha , Lee Seok-Jin , Lee Jin-Haeng , Kim Hyo-Jun , Lee Ki Baek , Lee Soo-Jin , Jeong Eui Man , Chung Jin Ho , Kim In-Gyu
Published: April 2020

Keratinocyte-derived cytokines and chemokines amplify psoriatic inflammation by recruiting IL-17-producing CCR6+ γδT-cells and neutrophils. The expression of these cytokines and chemokines mainly depends on NF-κB activity; however, the pathway that activates NF-κB in response to triggering factors is poorly defined. Here, we show that transglutaminase 2 (TG2), previously reported to elicit a TH17 response by increasing IL-6 expression in a mouse model of lung fibrosis, mediates the upregulation of cytokines and chemokines by activating NF-κB in imiquimod (IMQ)-treated keratinocytes. TG2-deficient mice exhibited reduced psoriatic inflammation in skin treated with IMQ but showed systemic immune responses similar to wild-type mice. Experiments in bone marrow (BM) chimeric mice revealed that TG2 is responsible for promoting psoriatic inflammation in non-BM-derived cells. In keratinocytes, IMQ treatment activated TG2, which in turn activated NF-κB signaling, leading to the upregulation of IL-6, CCL20, and CXCL8 and increased leukocyte migration, in vitro. Consequently, TG2-deficient mice showed markedly decreased CCR6+ γδT-cell and neutrophil infiltration in IMQ-treated skin. Moreover, TG2 levels were higher in psoriatic skin than in normal skin and correlated with IL-6, CXCL8, and CCL20 levels. Therefore, these results indicate that keratinocyte TG2 acts as a critical mediator in the amplification of psoriatic inflammation.
In vivo evidence for extracellular DNA trap formation
Authors: Yousefi Shida , Simon Dagmar , Stojkov Darko , Karsonova Antonina , Karaulov Alexander , Simon Hans-Uwe
Published: April 2020

Extracellular DNA trap formation is a cellular function of neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils that facilitates the immobilization and killing of invading microorganisms in the extracellular milieu. To form extracellular traps, granulocytes release a scaffold consisting of mitochondrial DNA in association with granule proteins. As we understand more about the molecular mechanism for the formation of extracellular DNA traps, the in vivo function of this phenomenon under pathological conditions remains an enigma. In this article, we critically review the literature to summarize the evidence for extracellular DNA trap formation under in vivo conditions. Extracellular DNA traps have not only been detected in infectious diseases but also in chronic inflammatory diseases, as well as in cancer. While on the one hand, extracellular DNA traps clearly exhibit an important function in host defense, it appears that they can also contribute to the maintenance of inflammation and metastasis, suggesting that they may represent an interesting drug target for such pathological conditions.
The ChinaMAP analytics of deep whole genome sequences in 10,588 individuals
Authors:   The ChinaMAP Consortium, Cao Yanan , Li Lin , Xu Min , Feng Zhimin , Sun Xiaohui , Lu Jieli , Xu Yu , Du Peina , Wang Tiange , Hu Ruying , Ye Zhen , Shi Lixin , Tang Xulei , Yan Li , Gao Zhengnan , Chen Gang , Zhang Yinfei , Chen Lulu , Ning Guang , Bi Yufang , Wang Weiqing
Published: April 2020

Metabolic diseases are the most common and rapidly growing health issues worldwide. The massive population-based human genetics is crucial for the precise prevention and intervention of metabolic disorders. The China Metabolic Analytics Project (ChinaMAP) is based on cohort studies across diverse regions and ethnic groups with metabolic phenotypic data in China. Here, we describe the centralized analysis of the deep whole genome sequencing data and the genetic bases of metabolic traits in 10,588 individuals from the ChinaMAP. The frequency spectrum of variants, population structure, pathogenic variants and novel genomic characteristics were analyzed. The individual genetic evaluations of Mendelian diseases, nutrition and drug metabolism, and traits of blood glucose and BMI were integrated. Our study establishes a large-scale and deep resource for the genetics of East Asians and provides opportunities for novel genetic discoveries of metabolic characteristics and disorders.
Whole genome re-sequencing of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) yields insights into genomic diversity of a fruit species
Authors: Xanthopoulou Aliki , Manioudaki Maria , Bazakos Christos , Kissoudis Christos , Farsakoglou Anna-Maria , Karagiannis Evangelos , Michailidis Michail , Polychroniadou Chrysanthi , Zambounis Antonios , Kazantzis Konstantinos , Tsaftaris Athanasios , Madesis Panagiotis , Aravanopoulos Filippos , Molassiotis Athanassios , Ganopoulos Ioannis
Published: April 2020

Sweet cherries, Prunus avium L. (Rosaceae), are gaining importance due to their perenniallity and nutritional attributes beneficial for human health. Interestingly, sweet cherry cultivars exhibit a wide range of phenotypic diversity in important agronomic traits, such as flowering time and defense reactions against pathogens. In this study, whole-genome resequencing (WGRS) was employed to characterize genetic variation, population structure and allelic variants in a panel of 20 sweet cherry and one wild cherry genotypes, embodying the majority of cultivated Greek germplasm and a representative of a local wild cherry elite phenotype. The 21 genotypes were sequenced in an average depth of coverage of 33.91×. and effective mapping depth, to the genomic reference sequence of ‘Satonishiki’ cultivar, between 22.21× to 36.62×. Discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) with SNPs revealed two clusters of genotypes. There was a rapid linkage disequilibrium decay, as the majority of SNP pairs with r2 in near complete disequilibrium (>0.8) were found at physical distances less than 10 kb. Functional analysis of the variants showed that the genomic ratio of non-synonymous/synonymous (dN/dS) changes was 1.78. The higher dN frequency in the Greek cohort of sweet cherry could be the result of artificial selection pressure imposed by breeding, in combination with the vegetative propagation of domesticated cultivars through grafting. The majority of SNPs with high impact (e.g., stop codon gaining, frameshift), were identified in genes involved in flowering time, dormancy and defense reactions against pathogens, providing promising resources for future breeding programs. Our study has established the foundation for further large scale characterization of sweet cherry germplasm, enabling breeders to incorporate diverse germplasm and allelic variants to fine tune flowering and maturity time and disease resistance in sweet cherry cultivars.
The chromosome-scale genome reveals the evolution and diversification after the recent tetraploidization event in tea plant
Authors: Chen Jie-Dan , Zheng Chao , Ma Jian-Qiang , Jiang Chen-Kai , Ercisli Sezai , Yao Ming-Zhe , Chen Liang
Published: April 2020

Tea is one of the most popular nonalcoholic beverages due to its characteristic secondary metabolites with numerous health benefits. Although two draft genomes of tea plant (Camellia sinensis) have been published recently, the lack of chromosome-scale assembly hampers the understanding of the fundamental genomic architecture of tea plant and potential improvement. Here, we performed a genome-wide chromosome conformation capture technique (Hi-C) to obtain a chromosome-scale assembly based on the draft genome of C. sinensis var. sinensis and successfully ordered 2984.7 Mb (94.7%) scaffolds into 15 chromosomes. The scaffold N50 of the improved genome was 218.1 Mb, ~157-fold higher than that of the draft genome. Collinearity comparison of genome sequences and two genetic maps validated the high contiguity and accuracy of the chromosome-scale assembly. We clarified that only one Camellia recent tetraploidization event (CRT, 58.9–61.7 million years ago (Mya)) occurred after the core-eudicot common hexaploidization event (146.6–152.7 Mya). Meanwhile, 9243 genes (28.6%) occurred in tandem duplication, and most of these expanded after the CRT event. These gene duplicates increased functionally divergent genes that play important roles in tea-specific biosynthesis or stress response. Sixty-four catechin- and caffeine-related quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were anchored to chromosome assembly. Of these, two catechin-related QTL hotspots were derived from the CRT event, which illustrated that polyploidy has played a dramatic role in the diversification of tea germplasms. The availability of a chromosome-scale genome of tea plant holds great promise for the understanding of genome evolution and the discovery of novel genes contributing to agronomically beneficial traits in future breeding programs.
Cadmium isotope fractionation reveals genetic variation in Cd uptake and translocation by Theobroma cacao and role of natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 5 and heavy metal ATPase-family transporters
Authors: Moore Rebekah E. T. , Ullah Ihsan , de Oliveira Vinicius H. , Hammond Samantha J. , Strekopytov Stanislav , Tibbett Mark , Dunwell Jim M. , Rehkämper Mark
Published: April 2020

In response to new European Union regulations, studies are underway to mitigate accumulation of toxic cadmium (Cd) in cacao (Theobroma cacao, Tc). This study advances such research with Cd isotope analyses of 19 genetically diverse cacao clones and yeast transformed to express cacao natural resistance-associated macrophage protein (NRAMP5) and heavy metal ATPases (HMAs). The plants were enriched in light Cd isotopes relative to the hydroponic solution with Δ114/110Cdtot-sol = −0.22 ± 0.08‰. Leaves show a systematic enrichment of isotopically heavy Cd relative to total plants, in accord with closed-system isotope fractionation of Δ114/110Cdseq-mob = −0.13‰, by sequestering isotopically light Cd in roots/stems and mobilisation of remaining Cd to leaves. The findings demonstrate that (i) transfer of Cd between roots and leaves is primarily unidirectional; (ii) different clones utilise similar pathways for Cd sequestration, which differ from those of other studied plants; (iii) clones differ in their efficiency of Cd sequestration. Transgenic yeast that expresses TcNRAMP5 (T. cacao natural resistance-associated macrophage gene) had isotopically lighter Cd than did cacao. This suggests that NRAMP5 transporters constitute an important pathway for uptake of Cd by cacao. Cd isotope signatures of transgenic yeast expressing HMA-family proteins suggest that they may contribute to Cd sequestration. The data are the first to record isotope fractionation induced by transporter proteins in vivo.
Demonstration of a quantized acoustic octupole topological insulator
Authors: Ni Xiang , Li Mengyao , Weiner Matthew , Alù Andrea , Khanikaev Alexander B.
Published: April 2020

Recently introduced quantized multipole topological insulators (QMTIs) reveal new types of gapped boundary states, which themselves represent lower-dimensional topological phases and host symmetry protected zero-dimensional corner states. Inspired by these predictions, tremendous efforts have been devoted to the experimental observation of quantized quadrupole topological phase. However, due to stringent requirements of anti-commuting reflection symmetries, it is challenging to achieve higher-order quantized multipole moments, such as octupole moments, in a three-dimensional structure. Here, we overcome this challenge, and experimentally realize the acoustic analogue of a quantized octupole topological insulator using negatively coupled resonators. We confirm by first-principle studies that our design possesses a quantized octupole topological phase, and experimentally demonstrate spectroscopic evidence of a hierarchy of boundary modes, observing 3rd order topological corner states. Furthermore, we reveal topological phase transitions from higher- to lower-order multipole moments. Our work offers a pathway to explore higher-order topological states in 3D classical platforms.
Retraction Note: An apoptosis-enhancing drug overcomes platinum resistance in a tumour-initiating subpopulation of ovarian cancer
Authors: Janzen D. M. , Tiourin E. , Salehi J. A. , Paik D. Y. , Lu J. , Pellegrini M. , Memarzadeh S.
Published: April 2020

This Article has been retracted; see accompanying Retraction Note. A previous correction is no longer appended to the PDF version of this paper but can be accessed here: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms10703.
Highly parallel and efficient single cell mRNA sequencing with paired picoliter chambers
Authors: Zhang Mingxia , Zou Yuan , Xu Xing , Zhang Xuebing , Gao Mingxuan , Song Jia , Huang Peifeng , Chen Qin , Zhu Zhi , Lin Wei , Zare Richard N. , Yang Chaoyong
Published: April 2020

ScRNA-seq has the ability to reveal accurate and precise cell types and states. Existing scRNA-seq platforms utilize bead-based technologies uniquely barcoding individual cells, facing practical challenges for precious samples with limited cell number. Here, we present a scRNA-seq platform, named Paired-seq, with high cells/beads utilization efficiency, cell-free RNAs removal capability, high gene detection ability and low cost. We utilize the differential flow resistance principle to achieve single cell/barcoded bead pairing with high cell utilization efficiency (95%). The integration of valves and pumps enables the complete removal of cell-free RNAs, efficient cell lysis and mRNA capture, achieving highest mRNA detection accuracy (R = 0.955) and comparable sensitivity. Lower reaction volume and higher mRNA capture and barcoding efficiency significantly reduce the cost of reagents and sequencing. The single-cell expression profile of mES and drug treated cells reveal cell heterogeneity, demonstrating the enormous potential of Paired-seq for cell biology, developmental biology and precision medicine.