bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early evolution of purple retinal pigments on Earth and implications for exoplanet biosignatures
Authors: DasSarma Shiladitya , Schwieterman Edward W.
Published: October 2018

We propose that retinal-based phototrophy arose early in the evolution of life on Earth, profoundly impacting the development of photosynthesis and creating implications for the search for life beyond our planet. While the early evolutionary history of phototrophy is largely in the realm of the unknown, the onset of oxygenic photosynthesis in primitive cyanobacteria significantly altered the Earth's atmosphere by contributing to the rise of oxygen ~2.3 billion years ago. However, photosynthetic chlorophyll and bacterio chlorophyll pigments lack appreciable absorption at wavelengths about 500–600 nm, an energy-rich region of the solar spectrum. By contrast, simpler retinal-based light-harvesting systems such as the haloarchaeal purple membrane protein bacteriorhodopsin show a strong well-defined peak of absorbance centred at 568 nm, which is complementary to that of chlorophyll pigments. We propose a scenario where simple retinal-based light-harvesting systems like that of the purple chromoprotein bacteriorhodopsin, originally discovered in halophilic Archaea, may have dominated prior to the development of photosynthesis. We explore this hypothesis, termed the ‘Purple Earth,’ and discuss how retinal photopigments may serve as remote biosignatures for exoplanet research.
Culturally adapted Family Intervention (CaFI): case examples from therapists’ perspectives
Authors: Berry Katherine , Day Christine , Mulligan Lee D. , Seed Tara , Degnan Amy , Edge Dawn
Published: October 2018

This paper describes three case examples from a recent trial of family intervention specifically designed for people of African-Caribbean descent. These examples, told from the therapists’ perspectives, highlight key components of the intervention and issues that arose in working with this client group. Findings from the study suggest that it is possible to engage this client-group in family therapy similar to traditional evidenced-based family interventions, although as illustrated in the paper, it is important that therapists pay attention to themes that are likely to be particularly pertinent for this group, including experiences of discrimination and mistrust of services. The use of Family Support Members, consisting of members of the person's care team or volunteers recruited from the community, may also help support people to engage in therapy in the absence of biological relatives.
ENSO's Shrinking Twentieth‐Century Footprint Revealed in a Half‐Millennium Coral Core From the South Pacific Convergence Zone
Authors: Tangri N. , Dunbar R. B. , Linsley B. K. , Mucciarone D. M.
Published: October 2018

A 492‐year‐long, continuous δ18O time series from a massive Porites coral colony in Ta'u, American Samoa, records contrasting responses to different types of El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) through a mixed sea surface temperature and salinity signal. Currently, conventional El Niño (La Niña) events generate cold and salty (warm and fresh) anomalies at Ta'u, while Modoki El Niño (La Niña) events warm (cool) the waters at Ta'u. Over the course of the twentieth century, the Ta'u δ18O record underwent a polarity shift in its response to conventional ENSO: A warm and fresh (cool and salty) response to El Niño (La Niña) was replaced by the opposite pattern. We interpret this as evidence for the movement of the Eastern Pacific ENSO null zone, the narrow band of the surface ocean where sea surface temperature variability is not on average correlated with ENSO. This movement appears to be related to overall shrinking of the ENSO footprint over the twentieth century. We infer no such trend in the Modoki footprint. The five‐century‐long Ta'u record shows dramatic, century‐scale changes in ENSO‐band variability. Comparisons with other ENSO reconstructions lead to conflicting interpretations: The Ta'u coral may have recorded changes in the strength of ENSO or in its spatial footprint. Changes in the spatial footprint manifest as a changing sensitivity to ENSO at any given location, presenting challenges to established methods of ENSO reconstruction.
Seston Fatty Acid Responses to Physicochemical Changes in Subalpine Lake Lunz, Austria
Authors: Rasconi S. , Ptacnik R. , Kainz M. J.
Published: October 2018

Rapid increase in lake temperature can cause a shift toward the dominance of warm temperature tolerant species, including Cyanobacteria that are deficient in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) supporting consumer growth and reproduction. To increase our understanding of how changes in physicochemical lake parameters affect phytoplankton composition and the provision of dietary quality to consumers in subalpine oligotrophic lakes, we conducted a multiannual study (2013–2015) in the 34‐m‐deep Lake Lunz and investigated interannual changes in (a) water temperature, transparency, and lake inflow; (b) seston (<30‐μm particle size class) biomass and taxonomy; and (c) seston nutritional quality, assessed by its PUFA composition. The phytoplankton taxonomic composition within this seston size class varied mostly by changes in physical parameters (temperature, conductivity, lake transparency, and days of full ice cover). The dietary quality of seston varied mostly with lake physical parameters and, to a lesser extent, with phytoplankton taxonomic composition, suggesting that the nutritional quality at the base of the food web in Lake Lunz is likely to respond directly to changes in lake physical parameters. This multiannual data set, combining monthly values for physicochemical variables, grazable phytoplankton composition, and fatty acids in seston, provides nutritional information of how annual weather changes may induce changes at the base of the food web in this and perhaps also other oligotrophic subalpine lakes.
Using Information Theory in Earth Sciences
Authors: Prieto Cristina , Ehret Uwe , Nearing Grey
Published: October 2018

Second Workshop on Information Theory and the Earth Sciences; Santander, Spain, 16–19 May 2018
Noble Gases in Deepwater Oils of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Barry P. H. , Lawson M. , Meurer W. P. , Cheng A. , Ballentine C. J.
Published: October 2018

Hydrocarbon migration and emplacement processes remain underconstrained despite the vast potential economic value associated with oil and gas. Noble gases provide information about hydrocarbon generation, fluid migration pathways, reservoir conditions, and the relative volumes of oil versus water in the subsurface. Produced gas He‐Ne‐Ar‐Kr‐Xe data from two distinct oil fields in the Gulf of Mexico (Genesis and Hoover‐Diana) are used to calibrate a model that takes into account both water‐oil solubility exchange and subsequent gas cap formation. Reconstructed noble gas signatures in oils reflect simple (two‐phase) oil‐water exchange imparted during migration from the source rock to the trap, which are subsequently modified by gas cap formation at current reservoir conditions. Calculated, oil to water volume ratios (
) in Tertiary‐sourced oils from the Hoover‐Diana system are 2–3 times greater on average than those in the Jurassic sourced oils from the Genesis reservoirs. Higher
in Hoover‐Diana versus Genesis can be interpreted in two ways: either (1) the Hoover reservoir interval has 2–3 times more oil than any of the individual Genesis reservoirs, which is consistent with independent estimates of oil in place for the respective reservoirs, or (2) Genesis oils have experienced longer migration pathways than Hoover‐Diana oils and thus have interacted with more water. The ability to determine a robust
, despite gas cap formation and possible gas cap loss, is extremely powerful. For example, when volumetric hydrocarbon ratios are combined with independent estimates of hydrocarbon migration distance and/or formation fluid volumes, this technique has the potential to differentiate between large and small oil accumulations.
Induced Seismicity in Western Canada Linked to Tectonic Strain Rate: Implications for Regional Seismic Hazard
Authors: Kao Honn , Hyndman Roy , Jiang Yan , Visser Ryan , Smith Brindley , Babaie Mahani Alireza , Leonard Lucinda , Ghofrani Hadi , He Jiangheng
Published: October 2018

A rapid increase of injection‐induced earthquakes (IIE) is often linked to a higher level of seismic hazard. In this study, we compare the geodetically defined moment rate to seismicity distribution in western Canada where significant IIE are observed. The regional seismic pattern is dominated by IIE, both in number and moment, along a 150‐km wide NW‐SE band of moderate strain rate in the easternmost Cordillera and foothills. The observed rate of moment release from local earthquakes is much closer to the tectonic moment rate in the IIE‐dominated areas. We conclude that, on a regional scale, tectonic strain rate is an important control on IIE. Injection in areas with moderate tectonic strain may temporarily increase the local seismic hazard, but widespread IIE over an extended period of time may deplete the available tectonic moment and could, under the right conditions, have a limited long‐term effect of reducing regional seismic hazard.
ENSO Change in Climate Projections: Forced Response or Internal Variability?
Authors: Maher N. , Matei D. , Milinski S. , Marotzke J.
Published: October 2018

Two large ensembles are used to quantify the extent to which internal variability can contribute to long‐term changes in El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) characteristics. We diagnose changes that are externally forced and distinguish between multi‐model simulation results that differ by chance and those that differ due to different model physics. The range of simulated ENSO amplitude changes in the large ensemble historical simulations encompasses 90% of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 5 historical simulations and 80% of moderate (RCP4.5) and strong (RCP8.5) warming scenarios. When considering projected ENSO pattern changes, model differences are also important. We find that ENSO has high internal variability and that single realizations of a model can produce very different results to the ensemble mean response. Due to this variability, 30–40 ensemble members of a single model are needed to robustly compute absolute ENSO variance to a 10% error when 30‐year analysis periods are used.
Observational Evidence of Large‐Scale Multiple Reconnection at the Earth's Dayside Magnetopause
Authors: Fuselier S. A. , Petrinec S. M. , Trattner K. J. , Broll J. M. , Burch J. L. , Giles B. L. , Strangeway R. J. , Russell C. T. , Lavraud B. , Øieroset M. , Torbert R. B. , Farrugia C. J. , Vines S. K. , Gomez R. G. , Mukherjee J. , Cassak P. A.
Published: October 2018

Magnetic flux ropes of various scale sizes have been observed at the Earth's magnetopause for four decades. These multiple structures resulting from reconnection have complex internal field and plasma signatures, and evolve as they propagate along the dayside magnetopause. Here plasma and magnetic field observations from the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission are used to describe a different type of large‐scale multiple reconnection, magnetic flux rope‐like structure at the Earth's magnetopause. These observations show at least two X lines separated by many Earth radii. Unlike smaller‐scale flux ropes or flux transfer events, these multiple X lines are stationary and consist of primary and secondary X lines. The secondary X line is either transient in time or does not reconnect all of the magnetic flux that reconnects at the primary X line. Several examples of these large‐scale reconnection structures are tabulated. These examples indicate that this type of structure may be common at the magnetopause at least for a narrow range of interplanetary magnetic field clock angles.
Evolution of the Auroral Signatures of Jupiter's Magnetospheric Injections
Authors: Dumont M. , Grodent D. , Radioti A. , Bonfond B. , Roussos E. , Paranicas C.
Published: October 2018

Auroral emissions equatorward of the main emission at Jupiter are suggested to reflect the dynamics of the plasma in the middle magnetosphere. Here we examine the motion of the auroral signatures of magnetospheric injections appearing in Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images. Our results suggest that the injected plasma moves planetward and lags behind corotation. We then compare the characteristics of the observed signatures with simulations of the auroral precipitation related to injections due to pitch angle scattering. These results indicate that the lifetime of the auroral structures lies between a half and a full rotation of Jupiter. Ultraviolet spectrally resolved images acquired with HST are then used to highlight the energy‐dependent drift of the electrons in auroral injection signatures. Comparison of these observations with simulations of the energy‐dependent drift of injected particles suggests that these structures are ~3‐hr old. Finally, we extend our investigations toward larger and less structured outer emissions possibly associated with younger plasma injections. The motion and evolution of these features are similar to those of the small and compact ones considered in the first part of the study.
An Initial Study Into the Long‐Term Influence of Solar Wind Dynamic Pressure on Jupiter's Thermosphere
Authors: Yates J. N. , Ray L. C. , Achilleos N.
Published: October 2018

Jupiter's thermosphere is ∼700 K hotter than expected if it were heated only by solar extreme ultraviolet radiation. Other, more effective heat sources are therefore necessary to explain the high observed temperatures ≥900 K. It has been suggested that heating resulting from the atmospheric interaction with Jupiter's dynamic magnetosphere could account for the excess heat required. However to date, no numerical models have been successful at reproducing Jupiter's hot thermosphere without invoking essentially ad hoc heating mechanisms. Work presented in Yates et al. (2014, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2013.11.009) emphasized the importance of incorporating time dependence in magnetosphere‐ionosphere‐thermosphere coupling when simulating this aspect of the Jovian system. We extend their model (for a single magnetospheric compression or expansion) to simulate the response of thermospheric heating to multiple shocks and rarefactions in the solar wind for the first time. We employ a configurable magnetosphere model coupled to an azimuthally symmetric general circulation model. We compare the response of thermospheric temperatures to these consecutive magnetospheric reconfigurations over a period of 100 Jovian rotations. We find that the thermal structure of our model thermosphere does not respond significantly to such a prolonged period of magnetospheric reconfigurations. Thermospheric mean temperatures increase by a maximum of ∼15 K throughout our simulation. The high‐latitude and high‐altitude thermosphere is most influenced by magnetospheric reconfigurations. While this simulation shows that magnetospheric reconfigurations can heat the thermosphere, it also shows the need to consider a more realistic representation of the coupled Jovian system as well as alternate sources of heating not dependent on the magnetosphere.
Electron Cyclotron Harmonic Wave Instability by Loss Cone Distribution
Authors: Liu Xu , Chen Lunjin , Gu Wenyao , Zhang Xiao‐Jia
Published: October 2018

We propose a new method to construct a controllable and quantifiable loss cone distribution. Then, we derive a linear growth rate formula of the electrostatic mode for a realistic and arbitrary distribution function. Such formula is used to perform a parametric study of instability analysis of the electron cyclotron harmonic (ECH) wave in a plasma consisting of electron loss cone distribution and isotropic cold electron distribution. We find (1) the peak linear growth rate and the corresponding wave frequency increase with the loss cone size. The wave frequency of peak growth rate is about 1.5 and 2.5 times electron cyclotron frequency when loss cone is about 4–6° wide. The wave normal angle corresponding to the growth rate peak decreases with the loss cone size. (2) Increasing hot electron temperature anisotropy decreases the growth rate but hardly changes the wave frequency and wave normal angle corresponding to the growth rate peak. (3) Increasing hot electron parallel temperature tends to increase both the peak growth rate and wave normal angle but only change the corresponding wave frequency slightly. (4) The peak growth rate and its corresponding wave frequency increase with ωpe/|Ωe| for wavebands above or passing upper hybrid resonance frequency ωUHR and almost remain unchanged for wavebands below ωUHR. (5) Increasing cold electron temperature tends to decrease wave frequency and increase wave normal angle and peak growth rate for wavebands below ωUHR. The impact of our work on ECH wave generation and the significance of ECH waves on diffuse aurora are also discussed.
Origin, Transformation, and Fate: The Three‐Dimensional Biological Pump in the California Current System
Authors: Frischknecht M. , Münnich M. , Gruber N.
Published: October 2018

While the Ekman drift as the cause for the high productivity of the California Current System was unraveled more than a century ago, it is less clear where the nutrients within the upwelling waters are coming from, and what the fate of the produced organic matter is. Here we address these questions using a high‐resolution simulation with a regional coupled physical/biogeochemical/ecological model within a Pacific Ocean setup. Our results, emerging from both Eulerian and Lagrangian analyses, reveal that prior to coastal production, inorganic nutrients get transported laterally over thousands of kilometers toward central California. More than 80% of the nutrients originate from central offshore or southern alongshore locations. About half of it is supplied by the California Undercurrent alone, underscoring its importance in sustaining the high coastal productivity. Even though most of the inorganic nutrients get quickly transformed into organic matter once upwelled to the euphotic layer along the coast, a substantial fraction remains unused. Together with these unused nutrients, about 36% of the organic matter produced within the nearshore 100 km gets laterally exported toward the open ocean, mostly in southwestward direction. This leakage of inorganic nutrients from the coastal zone and the continuous recycling of organic matter along the way support up to 24% of the overall observed production at a distance of 500 km from the coast. This set of processes linking the origin, biological transformation, and fate of nutrients support the growing view of the biological pump being an inherently three‐dimensional process.
In Situ Observations Connected to the Io Footprint Tail Aurora
Authors: Szalay J. R. , Bonfond B. , Allegrini F. , Bagenal F. , Bolton S. , Clark G. , Connerney J. E. P. , Ebert R. W. , Ergun R. E. , Gladstone G. R. , Grodent D. , Hospodarsky G. B. , Hue V. , Kurth W. S. , Kotsiaros S. , Levin S. M. , Louarn P. , Mauk B. , McComas D. J. , Saur J. , Valek P. W. , Wilson R. J.
Published: October 2018

The Juno spacecraft crossed flux tubes connected to the Io footprint tail at low Jovian altitudes on multiple occasions. The transits covered longitudinal separations of approximately 10° to 120° along the footprint tail. Juno's suite of magnetospheric instruments acquired detailed measurements of the Io footprint tail. Juno observed planetward electron energy fluxes of ~70 mW/m2 near the Io footprint and ~10 mW/m2 farther down the tail, along with correlated, intense electric and magnetic wave signatures, which also decreased down the tail. All observed electron distributions were broad in energy, suggesting a dominantly broadband acceleration process, and did not show any broad inverted‐V structure that would be indicative of acceleration by a quasi‐static, discrete, parallel potential. Observed waves were primarily below the proton cyclotron frequency, yet identification of a definitive wave mode is elusive. Beyond 40° down the footprint tail, Juno observed depleted upward loss cones, suggesting that the broadband acceleration occurred at distances beyond Juno's transit distance of 1.3 to 1.7 RJ. For all transits, Juno observed fine structure on scales of approximately tens of kilometers and confirmed independently with electron and wave measurements that a bifurcated tail can intermittently exist.
Exploring Wave and Sea‐Level Rise Effects on Delta Morphodynamics With a Coupled River‐Ocean Model
Authors: Ratliff Katherine M. , Hutton Eric H. W. , Murray A. Brad
Published: October 2018

Deltas, which are often densely populated, have become more vulnerable to flooding due to increasing rates of sea‐level rise and decreasing sediment supply. These landscapes grow through the successive stacking of delta lobes, as abrupt changes in the river's course episodically alter the river mouth's location. The dynamics of these channel avulsions determine the location and size of delta lobes. We use a newly developed coupled model of river and coastal processes to explore how changing wave climates (varying wave heights and offshore approach angles) and a range of sea‐level rise rates affect avulsion processes and large‐scale delta morphology. Although the relative impacts of the fluvial sediment flux and wave influence have long been studied and more recently quantified, we find that the sign and magnitude of wave climate diffusivity both play important roles in determining not only delta morphology but also avulsion dynamics. We also find, surprisingly, that increasing sea‐level rise rates do not always accelerate avulsions. If the river channel is prograding rapidly enough, relative to the rate of sea‐level rise, then avulsion frequency will not be significantly affected by the rate of sea‐level rise. This finding highlights important differences between wave and river‐dominated deltas, as well as between prototypical deltas and experimental deltas created in the lab. The wave climate, sea‐level rise rate, and critical superelevation required to trigger an avulsion all play important roles in determining the degree of autogenic variability operating in delta systems, which has implications for both avulsion dynamics and interpretation of delta stratigraphy.
Variability in Coral‐Reconstructed Sea Surface Salinity Between the Northern and Southern Lombok Strait Linked to East Asian Winter Monsoon Mean State Reversals
Authors: Murty S. A. , Goodkin N. F. , Wiguna A. A. , Gordon A. L.
Published: October 2018

The Indonesian throughflow (ITF) impacts heat and buoyancy transport from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean, influencing air‐sea heat exchange and Indo‐Pacific climate. Nearly 80% of the total 15 sverdrups (1 Sv = 106 m3/s) of ITF water moves through the Makassar Strait in the western Indonesian seas, with ~20% of total ITF transport subsequently entering the Indian Ocean through the Lombok Strait. During the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM), buoyant South China Sea (SCS) waters obstruct southward surface ITF transport in the Makassar Strait, likely impacting surface variability throughout the Lombok Strait. Here we present two subannually resolved, multicentury records of coral‐reconstructed sea surface salinity (SSS) from the northern (110 years) and southern Lombok Strait (193 years). Differences in boreal winter (January–March) SSS variability between the two sites suggest the influence of multiple source waters. Instrumental and reconstructed temperature‐salinity (T‐S) relationships indicate that SCS surface waters dominate the northern Lombok Strait, while Indian Ocean surface waters instead dominate the southern Lombok Strait before 1960. These dissimilarities are likely due to changes in monsoon‐driven surface water advection. At the northern site, the EAWM consistently influences SSS variability. The EAWM influence at the southern site, however, reverses in direction (inverse to direct) coincidentally with a transition from a positive (strong) to negative (weak) EAWM state in 1960. Our records collectively reveal that changes in the strength and state of the EAWM impact Lombok Strait surface water circulation, likely interacting with southward ITF transport and thus Indo‐Pacific climate.
Predicting Downstream Concentration Histories From Upstream Data in Column Experiments
Authors: Sherman Thomas , Foster Allan , Bolster Diogo , Singha Kamini
Published: October 2018

The scales of heterogeneity present in geologic media make modeling solute transport extremely challenging, even in idealized laboratory settings. The spatial Markov model (SMM) is an anomalous transport model that has been shown to accurately capture solute transport in a broad range of highly complex and heterogeneous hydrogeologic settings. However, to date, its applications are almost entirely limited to synthetic, numerically simulated systems due to the dense data required to parameterize it, which are typically unobtainable in real experiments. Here we apply a novel SMM inverse model that required only breakthrough curve measurements from laboratory transport experiments in zeolite‐packed columns that are known to display anomalous transport. We introduce an experimental design that allows for simultaneous measurements of breakthrough curves at multiple sampling locations within a one‐dimensional column setup. For the first time, we apply a fully parameterized SMM to successfully predict downgradient breakthrough curves. Results show that breakthrough curve prediction accuracy significantly improves when accounting for correlation effects in these experiments, a feature that the SMM is specifically designed to capture but that most traditional anomalous transport frameworks ignore. We do so for two different Péclet numbers, providing a parsimonious framework that can potentially account for correlation statistics in different field‐scale studies.
Exploring Deep Neural Networks to Retrieve Rain and Snow in High Latitudes Using Multisensor and Reanalysis Data
Authors: Tang Guoqiang , Long Di , Behrangi Ali , Wang Cunguang , Hong Yang
Published: October 2018

Satellite remote sensing is able to provide information on global rain and snow, but challenges remain in accurate estimation of precipitation rates, particularly in snow retrieval. In this work, the deep neural network (DNN) is applied to estimate rain and snow rates in high latitudes. The reference data for DNN training are provided by two spaceborne radars onboard the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory and CloudSat. Passive microwave data from the GPM Microwave Imager (GMI), infrared data from MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer and environmental data from European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts are trained to the spaceborne radar‐based reference precipitation. The DNN estimates are compared to data from the Goddard Profiling Algorithm (GPROF), which is used to retrieve passive microwave precipitation for the GPM mission. First, the DNN‐based retrieval method performs well in both training and testing periods. Second, the DNN can reveal the advantages and disadvantages of different channels of GMI and MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer. Additionally, infrared and environmental data can improve precipitation estimation of the DNN, particularly for snowfall. Finally, based on the optimized DNN, rain and snow are estimated in 2017 from orbital GMI brightness temperatures and compared to ERA‐Interim and Modern‐Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications Version 2 reanalysis data. Evaluation results show that (1) the DNN can largely mitigate the underestimation of precipitation rates in high latitudes by GPROF; (2) the DNN‐based snowfall estimates largely outperform those of GPROF; and (3) the spatial distributions of DNN‐based precipitation are closer to reanalysis data. The method and assessment presented in this study could potentially contribute to the substantial improvement of satellite precipitation products in high latitudes.
Plasticity of a holobiont: desiccation induces fasting-like metabolism within the lichen microbiota
Authors: Cernava Tomislav , Aschenbrenner Ines Aline , Soh Jung , Sensen Christoph W , Grube Martin , Berg Gabriele
Published: October 2018

The role of host-associated microbiota in enduring dehydration and drought is largely unknown. We have used lichens to study this increasingly important problem because they are the organisms that are optimally adapted to reoccurring hydration/dehydration cycles, and they host a defined and persistent bacterial community. The analysis of metatranscriptomic datasets from bacterial communities of the lung lichen (Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm.), sampled under representative hydration stages, revealed significant structural shifts and functional specialization to host conditions. The hydrated samples showed upregulated transcription of transport systems, tRNA modification and various porins (Omp2b by Rhizobiales), whereas the desiccated samples showed different functions related to stress adaption prominently. Carbohydrate metabolism was activated under both conditions. Under dry conditions, upregulation of a specialized ketone metabolism indicated a switch to lipid-based nutrition. Several bacterial lineages were involved in a functional transition that was reminiscent of a ‘fasting metaorganism’. Similar functional adaptions were assigned to taxonomically unrelated groups, indicating hydration-related specialization of the microbiota. We were able to show that host-associated bacterial communities are well adapted to dehydration by stress protection and changes of the metabolism. Moreover, our results indicate an intense interplay in holobiont functioning under drought stress.
Bone marrow infiltrated Lnc-INSR induced suppressive immune microenvironment in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Wang Yaping , Yang Xiaoyun , Sun Xiaoyan , Rong Liucheng , Kang Meiyun , Wu Peng , Ji Xiaohui , Lin Rufeng , Huang Jie , Xue Yao , Fang Yongjun
Published: October 2018

Immune escape due to immunosuppressive microenvironments, such as those associated with regulatory T (Treg) cells is highly associated with initial occurrence and development of solid tumors or hematologic malignancies. Here, we employed high-throughput transcriptome screening to demonstrate immunosuppression-associated increases in the long noncoding (lnc) RNA lnc-insulin receptor precursor (INSR), which was corrected with INSR expression in CD4+ T cells extracted from the bone marrow of patients with childhood acute T lymphoblastic leukemia. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function assays in vitro and in vivo revealed that membrane-localized and cytoplasm-localized lnc-INSR promoted Treg distribution and decreased the percentage of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, which induced tumor growth. Through direct binding with INSR, lnc-INSR blocked the INSR ubiquitination site, causing abnormal activation of INSR and the phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase/AKT-signaling pathway. These results indicated that lnc-INSR might promote immune suppression by enhancing Treg-cell differentiation and serve as valuable therapeutic targets in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.
One-step synthesis of Fe3PtPd(OH)2[Picolinic acid]8(H2O)4 hybrid nanorods: efficient and stable electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline solution
Authors: Asiabi Hamid , Yamini Yadollah , Shamsayei Maryam , Saievar-Iranizad Esmaiel , Bayat Amir , kaverlavani Saeid Kamari
Published: October 2018

Design and synthesis of effective electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline environments is critical to reduce energy losses in alkaline fuel cells. We have systematically evaluated new approaches for reducing the Pt content while retaining the activity of a Pt-based catalyst with hydrolytic phases containing hydroxide moieties in addition to metal ions and ligands. We report for the first time architectured organic-inorganic hybrid nanorod catalyst, which is fabricated by solvothermal reaction of K2MCl4 (M = Pd, Pt) with picolinic acid (PA) (chelating agent) in the presence of FeCl2. Excess base produces isostructural coordination M-PA complex to Fe-OH chains. A generic formula can be written as Fe3PtPd(OH)2[PA]8(H2O)4. The electrocatalytic activities of the hybrid nanorods are explored for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline medium. The onset potential of ORR is significantly reduced with a positive shift of about 109 mV and twice the reduction current density is observed in comparison with Pt/C with the same mass loading. We believe that this work may lead towards the development of heterodoped organic- inorganic hybrid materials with greatly enhanced activity and durability for applications in catalysis and energy conversion.
Replication of results from a cervical cancer genome-wide association study in Taiwanese women
Authors: Yang Yuh-Cheng , Chang Tzu-Yang , Chen Tze-Chien , Lin Wen-Shan , Lin Chiung-Ling , Lee Yann-Jinn
Published: October 2018

Genetic epidemiological studies show that genetic factors contribute significantly to cervical cancer carcinogenesis. Several genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed novel genetic variants associated with cervical cancer susceptibility. We aim to replicate 4 GWAS-identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which were associated with invasive cervical cancer in Chinese women, in a Taiwanese population. The rs13117307 C/T, rs8067378 A/G, rs4282438 G/T, and rs9277952 A/G SNPs were genotyped in 507 women with cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) and 432 age/sex matched healthy controls by using TaqMan PCR Assay. Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA test and typing were performed in CSCC patients. Only the rs4282438 SNP was found to be significantly associated (G allele, odds ratio [OR] = 0.67, P = 1.5 × 10−5). This protective association remained in HPV-16 positive CSCC subgroup (G allele, OR = 0.60, P = 1.2 × 10−5). In conclusion, our study confirms the association of rs4282438 SNP with CSCC in a Taiwanese population. However, larger sample sets of other ethnic groups are required to confirm these findings.
Relationships Between Neuromuscular Function and Functional Balance Performance in Firefighters
Authors: Mota Jacob A. , Barnette Timothy J. , Gerstner Gena R. , Giuliani Hayden K. , Tweedell Andrew J. , Kleinberg Craig R. , Thompson Brennan J. , Pietrosimone Brian , Ryan Eric D.
Published: October 2018

The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationships between neuromuscular function and functional balance performance in firefighters. Fifty career firefighters (35.1 ± 7.5 yr) performed isometric leg extension and flexion muscle actions to examine peak torque (PT), and absolute (aTQ) and normalized (nTQ; %PT) rapid torque variables at 50, 100, 150, and 200 ms. A performance index (PI) was determined from the functional balance assessment completion time. Partial correlations were used to examine the relationship between the PI and the maximal and rapid TQ variables for each muscle and the composite value, while controlling for demographic data related to the PI. Multiple regression analyses examined the relative contributions of the maximal and rapid aTQ variables, and demographic data on the PI. After controlling for age and %BF, the majority of the later aTQ and nTQ variables (100–200 ms) and PT were associated with the PI (r = −0.501–−0.315). Age, %BF, and aTQ100 explained 42–50% of the variance in the PI. Lower rapid strength, increased age, and poorer body composition were related to worse performance during the functional balance assessment. Strategies to improve rapid strength and %BF, especially in aging firefighters may impact dynamic balance abilities in firefighters.
Identification and characterization of two zebrafish Twik related potassium channels, Kcnk2a and Kcnk2b
Authors: Nasr Nathalie , Faucherre Adèle , Borsotto Marc , Heurteaux Catherine , Mazella Jean , Jopling Chris , Moha ou Maati Hamid
Published: October 2018

KCNK2 is a 2 pore domain potassium channel involved in maintaining cellular membrane resting potentials. Although KCNK2 is regarded as a mechanosensitive ion channel, it can also be gated chemically. Previous research indicates that KCNK2 expression is particularly enriched in neuronal and cardiac tissues. In this respect, KCNK2 plays an important role in neuroprotection and has also been linked to cardiac arrhythmias. KCNK2 has subsequently become an attractive pharmacologic target for developing preventative/curative strategies for neuro/cardio pathophysiological conditions. Zebrafish represent an important in vivo model for rapidly analysing pharmacological compounds. We therefore sought to identify and characterise zebrafish kcnk2 to allow this model system to be incorporated into therapeutic research. Our data indicates that zebrafish possess two kcnk2 orthologs, kcnk2a and kcnk2b. Electrophysiological analysis of both zebrafish Kcnk2 orthologs shows that, like their human counterparts, they are activated by different physiological stimuli such as mechanical stretch, polyunsaturated fatty acids and intracellular acidification. Furthermore, both zebrafish Kcnk2 channels are inhibited by the human KCNK2 inhibitory peptide spadin. Taken together, our results demonstrate that both Kcnk2a and Kcnk2b share similar biophysiological and pharmacological properties to human KCNK2 and indicate that the zebrafish will be a useful model for developing KCNK2 targeting strategies.
Unexpected surface interactions between fluorocarbons and hybrid organic inorganic perovskites evidenced by PM-IRRAS and their application towards tuning the surface potential
Authors: Sadhu Subha , Aqueche Kyler , Buffeteau Thierry , Vincent Jean-Marc , Hirsch Lionel , Bassani Dario M.
Published: October 2018

Sticky perovskites! PM-IRRAS evidences that even simple fluorocarbons stick flat to methylammonium lead iodide hybrid perovskites and modify their properties.
Jolly green MOF: confinement and photoactivation of photosystem I in a metal–organic framework
Authors: Bennett Tyler H. , Vaughn Michael D. , Davari Seyyed Ali , Park Kiman , Mukherjee Dibyendu , Khomami Bamin
Published: October 2018

Photosystem I (PSI) is a ∼1000 kDa transmembrane protein that enables photoactivated charge separation with ∼1 V driving potential and ∼100% quantum efficiency during the photosynthetic process.
Synthesis and properties of a lysosome-targeting fluorescent ionophore based on coumarins and squaramides
Authors: Hong Xiao-Qiao , Yu Xi-Hui , Zhang Kun , Chen Wen-Hua
Published: October 2018

A squaramide derivative bearing a coumarin fluorophore and a morpholinyl group was synthesized and found to be able to target and efficiently deacidify lysosomes.
Benzyl and fluorinated benzyl side chains for perylene diimide non-fullerene acceptors
Authors: Nazari Maryam , Martell Mark , Welsh Thomas A. , Melville Owen , Li Zhe , Cann Jonathan , Cieplechowicz Edward , Zou Yingping , Lessard Benoit H. , Welch Gregory C.
Published: October 2018

The synthesis, characterization, and photovoltaic performance of three N-annulated perylene diimide dimers with benzyl based side-chains is reported.
Conforming nanoparticle sheets to surfaces with Gaussian curvature
Authors: Mitchell Noah P. , Carey Remington L. , Hannah Jelani , Wang Yifan , Cortes Ruiz Maria , McBride Sean P. , Lin Xiao-Min , Jaeger Heinrich M.
Published: October 2018

Nanoparticle monolayer sheets readily conform to highly curved surfaces, with plastic deformation patterns determined by the substrate curvature.
Carbon dot aggregates as an alternative to gold nanoparticles for the laser-induced opening of microchamber arrays
Authors: Sindeeva Olga A. , Prikhozhdenko Ekaterina S. , Bratashov Daniil N. , Vostrikova Anna M. , Atkin Vsevolod S. , Ermakov Aleksey V. , Khlebtsov Boris N. , Sapelkin Andrei V. , Goryacheva Irina Yu. , Sukhorukov Gleb B.
Published: October 2018

Carbon dot aggregates have been proposed for harvesting light energy, which results in the opening of polymer-based containers with cargo.
Ultra-fast pyrolysis of ferrocene to form Fe/C heterostructures as robust oxygen evolution electrocatalysts
Authors: Gao Taotao , Zhou Caixia , Zhang Yajie , Jin Zhaoyu , Yuan Hongyan , Xiao Dan
Published: October 2018

Fe/C heterostructures obtained via microwave-assisted and CNT-inducted ultra-fast pyrolysis of ferrocene show robust catalytic performance for the oxygen evolution reaction.
Polymeric nanovesicles as simultaneous delivery platforms with doxorubicin conjugation and elacridar encapsulation for enhanced treatment of multidrug-resistant breast cancer
Authors: Xiao Hong , He Jin , Li Xiaoxia , Li Bo , Zhang Lu , Wang Yong , Cheng Du , Shuai Xintao
Published: October 2018

A novel acid-liable DOX-conjugated polymeric nanovesicle with elacridar encapsulated in the aqueous lumen was synthesized for multidrug-resistant breast cancer treatment.
The central region of CNOT1 and CNOT9 stimulates deadenylation by the Ccr4–Not nuclease module
Authors: Pavanello Lorenzo , Hall Benjamin , Airhihen Blessing , Winkler Gerlof Sebastiaan
Published: October 2018

Regulated degradation of cytoplasmic mRNA is important for the accurate execution of gene expression programmes in eukaryotic cells. A key step in this process is the shortening and removal of the mRNA poly(A) tail, which can be achieved by the recruitment of the multi-subunit Ccr4–Not nuclease complex via sequence-specific RNA-binding proteins or the microRNA machinery. The Ccr4–Not complex contains several modules that are attached to its large subunit CNOT1. Modules include the nuclease module, which associates with the MIF4G domain of CNOT1 and contains the catalytic subunits Caf1 and Ccr4, as well as the module containing the non-catalytic CNOT9 subunit, which binds to the DUF3819 domain of CNOT1. To understand the contributions of the individual modules to the activity of the complex, we have started to reconstitute sub-complexes of the human Ccr4–Not complex containing one or several functional modules. Here, we report the reconstitution of a pentameric complex including a BTG2–Caf1–Ccr4 nuclease module, CNOT9 and the central region of CNOT1 encompassing the MIF4G and DUF3819 domains. By comparing the biochemical activities of the pentameric complex and the nuclease module, we conclude that the CNOT1–CNOT9 components stimulate deadenylation by the nuclease module. In addition, we show that a pentameric complex containing the melanoma-associated CNOT9 P131L variant is able to support deadenylation similar to a complex containing the wild-type CNOT9 protein.
Prevention of perinatal nicotine-induced bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell myofibroblast differentiation by augmenting the lipofibroblast phenotype
Authors: Sakurai Reiko , Liu Jie , Wang Ying , Torday John S. , Rehan Virender K.
Published: October 2018

Perinatal nicotine exposure drives the differentiation of alveolar lipofibroblasts (LIFs), which are critical for lung injury repair, to myofibroblasts (MYFs), which are the hallmark of chronic lung disease. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are important players in lung injury repair; however, how these cells are affected with perinatal nicotine exposure and whether these can be preferentially driven to a lipofibroblastic phenotype are not known. We hypothesized that perinatal nicotine exposure would block offspring BMSCs lipogenic differentiation, driving these cells toward a MYF phenotype. Since peroxisome proliferator activated-receptor γ (PPARγ) agonists can prevent nicotine-induced MYF differentiation of LIFs, we further hypothesized that the modulation of PPARγ expression would inhibit nicotine’s myogenic effect on BMSCs. Sprague Dawley dams were perinatally administered nicotine (1 mg/kg bodyweight) with or without the potent PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone (RGZ), both administered subcutaneously. At postnatal day 21, BMSCs were isolated and characterized morphologically, molecularly, and functionally for their lipogenic and myogenic potentials. Perinatal nicotine exposure resulted in decreased oil red O staining, triolein uptake, expression of PPARγ, and its downstream target gene adipocyte differentiation-related protein by BMSCs, but enhanced α-smooth muscle actin and fibronectin expression, and activated Wnt signaling, all features indicative of their inhibited lipogenic, but enhanced myogenic potential. Importantly, concomitant treatment with RGZ virtually blocked all of these nicotine-induced morphologic, molecular, and functional changes. Based on these data, we conclude that BMSCs can be directionally induced to differentiate into the lipofibroblastic phenotype, and PPARγ agonists can effectively block perinatal nicotine-induced MYF transdifferentiation, suggesting a possible molecular therapeutic approach to augment BMSC’s lung injury/repair potential.
Generalised moment generating function‐based secrecy performance analysis over Fisher–Snedecor composite fading channels
Authors: Gong J. , Lee H. , Kang J.
Published: October 2018

In this Letter, the authors derive the closed‐form formulas for the generalised moment generating function of the Fisher–Snedecor (F–S ) distribution, which enable us to effectively evaluate the probability of successful secure transmission over F–S composite fading channels. Extensive numerical results are presented to validate the accuracy of their analytical framework.
High gain SIW cavity backed differential slot antenna for X‐band applications
Authors: Srivastava G. , Mohan A.
Published: October 2018

A new differential substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) antenna with good common‐mode (CM) suppression and high gain is presented. The designed antenna uses an H‐shaped slot backed by SIW cavity and is differentially excited by two microstrip feedlines from two opposite sides of the cavity. The measured differential impedance bandwidth of the proposed antenna is 10.19–11.03 GHz with CM suppression below 2 dB. The designed differential antenna exhibits a high gain of 8.7 dBi with a good front‐to‐back ratio of 21 dB.
Experimental demonstration and analysis of cognitive spectrum sensing and notching for radar
Authors: Ravenscroft Brandon , Owen Jonathan W. , Jakabosky John , Blunt Shannon D. , Martone Anthony F. , Sherbondy Kelly D.
Published: October 2018

Spectrum sensing and transmit notching is a form of cognitive radar that seeks to reduce mutual interference with other spectrum users in the same band. This concept is examined for the case where another spectrum user moves in frequency during the radar's CPI. The physical radar emission is based on a recent FM noise waveform possessing attributes that are inherently robust to sidelobes that otherwise arise for spectral notching. Due to increasing spectrum sharing with cellular communications, the interference considered takes the form of in‐band OFDM signals that hop around the band. The interference is measured each PRI and a fast spectrum sensing algorithm determines where notches are required, thus facilitating a rapid response to dynamic interference. To demonstrate the practical feasibility and to understand the trade‐space such a scheme entails, free‐space experimental measurements based on notched radar waveforms are collected and synthetically combined with separately measured hopping interference under a variety of conditions to assess the efficacy of such an approach, including the impact of interference hopping during the radar CPI, latency in the spectrum sensing/waveform design process, notch tapering to reduce sidelobes, notch width modulation due to spectrum sensing, and the impact of digital up‐sampling on notch depth.
Elektrohypersensitivität
Authors: Ohnsorge Peter
Published: October 2018

Elektrische, magnetische oder elektromagnetische Felder können zu einem erhöhten Einstrom von Kalzium in die Zelle führen mit diversen Folgen, die eine Elektrohypersensitivität auslösen können. Bei dieser komplexen Multisystemerkrankung sind zur Diagnose sämtliche Trigger / Stressoren aufzuspüren und diese in der Therapie zu eliminieren. Wichtiger Bestandteil der Behandlung ist neben einer Kontaktunterbrechung die Orthomolekularmedizin. Eine Kasuistik veranschaulicht die Komplexität in Wahrnehmung, Diagnostik und Therapie der Elektrohypersensitivität.