bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Poleward displacement of coastal upwelling‐favorable winds in the ocean's eastern boundary currents through the 21st century
Authors: Rykaczewski Ryan R. , Dunne John P. , Sydeman William J. , García‐Reyes Marisol , Black Bryan A. , Bograd Steven J.
Published: July 2015

Upwelling is critical to the biological production, acidification, and deoxygenation of the ocean's major eastern boundary current ecosystems. A leading conceptual hypothesis projects that the winds that induce coastal upwelling will intensify in response to increased land‐sea temperature differences associated with anthropogenic global warming. We examine this hypothesis using an ensemble of coupled, ocean‐atmosphere models and find limited evidence for intensification of upwelling‐favorable winds or atmospheric pressure gradients in response to increasing land‐sea temperature differences. However, our analyses reveal consistent latitudinal and seasonal dependencies of projected changes in wind intensity associated with poleward migration of major atmospheric high‐pressure cells. Summertime winds near poleward boundaries of climatological upwelling zones are projected to intensify, while winds near equatorward boundaries are projected to weaken. Developing a better understanding of future changes in upwelling winds is essential to identifying portions of the oceans susceptible to increased hypoxia, ocean acidification, and eutrophication under climate change.
The effects of geomagnetic storms on electrons in Earth's radiation belts
Authors: Turner D. L. , O'Brien T. P. , Fennell J. F. , Claudepierre S. G. , Blake J. B. , Kilpua E. K. J. , Hietala H.
Published: July 2015

We use Van Allen Probes data to investigate the responses of tens of keV to 2 MeV electrons throughout a broad range of the radiation belts (2.5 ≤ L ≤ 6.0) during 52 geomagnetic storms from the most recent solar maximum. Electron storm time responses are highly dependent on both electron energy and L shell. Tens of keV electrons typically have peak fluxes in the inner belt or near‐Earth plasma sheet and fill the inner magnetosphere during storm main phases. Approximately 100 to ~600 keV electrons are enhanced in up to 87% of cases around L~3.7, and their peak flux location moves to lower L shells during storm recovery phases. Relativistic electrons (≥~1 MeV) are nearly equally likely to produce enhancement, depletion, and no‐change events in the outer belt. We also show that the L shell of peak flux correlates to storm magnitude only for hundreds of keV electrons.
Effects of volcanism on tropical variability
Authors: Maher Nicola , McGregor Shayne , England Matthew H. , Gupta Alexander Sen
Published: July 2015

The effects of large tropical volcanic eruptions on Indo‐Pacific tropical variability are investigated using 122 historical ensemble members from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 5. Radiative forcing due to volcanic aerosols in the stratosphere is found to increase the likelihood of a model climatic response that projects onto both the El Niño–Southern Oscillation and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). Large eruptions are associated with co‐occurring El Niño and positive IOD events in the ensemble means that peak 6–12 months after the volcanic forcing peaks, marking a significant increase in the likelihood of each event occurring in the Southern Hemisphere (SH) spring/summer posteruption. There is also an ensemble mean La Niña‐like response in the third SH summer posteruption, which coincides with a significant increase in the likelihood of a La Niña occurring. Taken together with the initial cooling, this La Niña‐like response may increase the persistence of the cool global average surface temperature anomaly after an eruption.
Interseismic coupling on the main Himalayan thrust
Authors: Stevens V. L. , Avouac J. P.
Published: July 2015

We determine the slip rate and pattern of interseismic coupling on the Main Himalayan Thrust along the entire Himalayan arc based on a compilation of geodetic, interferometric synthetic aperture radar, and microseismicity data. We show that convergence is perpendicular to the arc and increases eastwards from 13.3 ± 1.7 mm/yr to 21.2 ± 2.0 mm/yr. These rates are comparable to geological and geomorphic estimates, indicating an essentially elastic geodetic surface strain. The interseismic uplift rate predicted from the coupling model closely mimics the topography, suggesting that a small percentage of the interseismic strain is permanent. We find that the fault is fully locked along its complete length over about 100 km width. We don't find any resolvable aseismic barrier that could affect the seismic segmentation of the arc and limit the along‐strike propagation of seismic ruptures. The moment deficit builds up at a rate of 15.1 ± 1 × 1019 N m/yr for the entire length of the Himalaya.
Pathways of anthropogenic carbon subduction in the global ocean
Authors: Bopp L. , Lévy M. , Resplandy L. , Sallée J. B.
Published: July 2015

The oceanic uptake of anthropogenic carbon is tightly coupled to carbon subduction, i.e., the physical carbon transfer from the well‐ventilated surface ocean to its interior. Despite their importance, pathways of anthropogenic carbon subduction are poorly understood. Here we use an ocean carbon cycle model to quantify the mechanisms controlling this subduction. Over the last decade, 90% of the oceanic anthropogenic carbon is subducted at the base of the seasonally varying mixed layer. Vertical diffusion is the primary mechanism of this subduction (contributing 65% of total subduction), despite very low local fluxes. In contrast, advection drives the spatial patterns of subduction, with high positive and negative local fluxes. Our results suggest that vertical diffusion could have a leading role in anthropogenic carbon subduction, which highlights the need for an accurate estimate of vertical diffusion intensity in the upper ocean to further constrain estimates of the future evolution of carbon uptake.
Sensitivity of the California Current nutrient supply to wind, heat, and remote ocean forcing
Authors: Jacox Michael G. , Bograd Steven J. , Hazen Elliott L. , Fiechter Jerome
Published: July 2015

A regional ocean model is used to evaluate the roles of wind, surface heat flux, and basin‐scale climate variability in regulating the upwelled nitrate supply in the California Current. A strong positive trend in nitrate flux from 1980 to 2010 was driven almost entirely by enhanced equatorward winds, negating a weak negative trend associated with increased surface heat flux. Increased upwelling and nitrate flux are consistent with cooler surface temperatures and higher phytoplankton concentrations observed over the same period. Changes in remote ocean forcing, resulting primarily from basin‐scale climate variability (e.g., El Niño–Southern Oscillation and Pacific Decadal Oscillation), drive considerable interannual fluctuations and may dominate the ecosystem response on interannual to decadal time scales. However, comparison with previously published findings suggests that local wind intensification persists through changing basin‐scale climate regimes. Understanding the different time scales of variability in forcing mechanisms, and their interactions with each other, is necessary to distinguish transient ecosystem impacts from secular trends.
Ionospheric acoustic and gravity waves associated with midlatitude thunderstorms
Authors: Lay Erin H. , Shao Xuan‐Min , Kendrick Alexander K. , Carrano Charles S.
Published: July 2015

Acoustic waves with periods of 2–4 min and gravity waves with periods of 6–16 min have been detected at ionospheric heights (250–350 km) using GPS total electron content measurements. The area disturbed by these waves and the wave amplitudes have been associated with underlying thunderstorm activity. A statistical study comparing Next Generation Weather Radar thunderstorm measurements with ionospheric acoustic and gravity waves in the midlatitude U.S. Great Plains region was performed for the time period of May–July 2005. An increase of ionospheric acoustic wave disturbed area and amplitude is primarily associated with large thunderstorms (mesoscale convective systems). Ionospheric gravity wave disturbed area and amplitude scale with thunderstorm activity, with even small storms (i.e., individual storm cells) producing an increase of gravity waves.
Spatiotemporal characterization of land subsidence and uplift in Phoenix using InSAR time series and wavelet transforms
Authors: Miller Megan Marie , Shirzaei Manoochehr
Published: July 2015

The effects of land subsidence pose a significant hazard to the environment and infrastructure in the arid, alluvial basins of Phoenix, Arizona. Improving our understanding of the source and mechanisms of subsidence is important for planning and risk management. Here we employ multitemporal interferometric analysis of large synthetic aperture radar data sets acquired by ERS and Envisat satellites to investigate ground deformation. The ERS data sets from 1992 to 1996 and Envisat, 2003–2010, are used to generate line of sight (LOS) time series and velocities in both the ascending and descending tracks. The general deformation pattern is consistent among data sets and is characterized by three zones of subsidence and a broad zone of uplift. The multitrack Envisat LOS time series of surface deformation are inverted to obtain spatiotemporal maps of the vertical and horizontal deformation fields. We use observation wells to provide an in situ, independent data set of hydraulic head levels. Then we analyze vertical interferometric synthetic aperture radar and hydraulic head level time series using continuous wavelet transform to separate periodic signal components and the long‐term trend. The isolated signal components are used to estimate the elastic storage coefficient, the inelastic skeletal storage coefficient, and compaction time constants. Together these parameters describe the storage response of an aquifer system to changes in hydraulic head and surface elevation. Understanding aquifer parameters is useful for the ongoing management of groundwater resources.
Relational victimization and proactive versus reactive relational aggression: The moderating effects of respiratory sinus arrhythmia and skin conductance
Authors: Wagner Caitlin R. , Abaied Jamie L.
Published: July 2015

This research examined the moderating effect of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) on the associations between relational victimization and reactive and proactive relational aggression. Both branches of the ANS, the parasympathetic nervous system (indexed by respiratory sinus arrhythmia reactivity; RSA‐Reactivity) and the sympathetic nervous system (indexed by skin conductance level reactivity; SCL‐Reactivity), were examined. Emerging adults (N = 168) self‐reported on relational victimization and proactive and reactive relational aggression; RSA‐Reactivity and SCL‐Reactivity were assessed in response to a laboratory stressor. Relational victimization predicted heightened reactive relational aggression given RSA augmentation/high SCL‐Reactivity (i.e., coactivation) and RSA withdrawal/low SCL‐Reactivity (i.e., coinhibition). In addition, relational victimization predicted heightened reactive relational aggression given RSA augmentation/low SCL‐Reactivity (i.e., reciprocal parasympathetic activation). This study extends previous research on relational victimization and provides novel evidence that (a) exposure to relational victimization is associated with reactive relational aggression, but not proactive relational aggression, and (b) parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system reactivity jointly moderate the link between relational victimization and reactive relational aggression. Aggr. Behav. 41:566–579, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Improving Route Directions: The Role of Intersection Type and Visual Clutter for Spatial Reference
Authors: Baltaretu Adriana , Krahmer Emiel , Maes Alfons
Published: July 2015

In this study, we ask whether references to paths and landmarks in route directions (RDs) are influenced by environmental complexity, zooming in on two aspects of the visual surroundings, namely intersection structure and visual clutter. Speakers are asked to produce (Experiment 1), understand (Experiment 2) and evaluate (Experiment 3) turn‐by‐turn RDs in a naturalistic setting (Google Street View panoramic pictures). We find that increased levels of visual clutter and intersections with complex structures trigger more references to landmarks and paths when participants produce RDs, longer decision times to determine what the next correct step in a route is and increased preference for landmarks. Finally, we discuss possible implications for automatic RD generation.Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Disruptive Individual Experiences Create Lifetime Periods: a Study of Autobiographical Memory in Persons with Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Uzer Tugba , Brown Norman R.
Published: July 2015

Previous research showed that transitional events causing catastrophic and long‐lasting changes in group of people's lives (e.g., wars) create autobiographical periods. We investigated whether spinal cord injury (SCI), an involuntary and externally driven disruptive event at the individual level, would also act as a temporal landmark and spawn personal periods and whether these periods have comparable functions and temporal characteristics as those generated at the group level. Thirteen volunteers with SCI recalled a cue‐related autobiographical event for each of 22 cue words. Later, participants thought aloud when dating each event. We used the prevalence of injury‐related references as an index of the degree to which spinal cord injury affects people's lives. We found frequent references to injury for the period neighboring injury event. Unexpectedly, we also found that SCI resulted in post‐injury decrease in event memory. Results imply that SCI provides a temporal landmark and creates an autobiographical period.Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Resistive Switching in Mott Insulators and Correlated Systems
Authors: Janod Etienne , Tranchant Julien , Corraze Benoit , Querré Madec , Stoliar Pablo , Rozenberg Marcelo , Cren Tristan , Roditchev Dimitri , Phuoc Vinh Ta , Besland Marie‐Paule , Cario Laurent
Published: July 2015

Resistive random access memories (ReRAM) form an emerging type of non‐volatile memories, based on an electrically driven resistive switching (RS) of an active material. This Feature Article focuses on a broad class of ReRAM where the active material is a Mott insulator or a correlated system. These materials can indeed undergo various insulator‐to‐metal transitions (IMT) in response to external perturbations such as electronic doping or temperature. These IMT explain most of resistive switching observed in correlated insulators as, for example, the Joule heating induced RS in VO2. The main part of this Feature Article is dedicated to a new mechanism of resistive switching recently unveiled in canonical Mott insulators such as (V1‐xCrx)2O3, NiS2‐xSex and AM4Q8 (A = Ga, Ge; M = V, Nb, Ta, Mo; Q = S, Se, Te). In these narrow gap Mott insulators, an electronic avalanche breakdown induces a resistive switching, first volatile above a threshold electric field of a few kV/cm and then non‐volatile at higher field. The low resistance state is related to the creation of granular conductive filaments, which, in the non‐volatile case, can be erased by means of Joule heating. ReRAM devices based on this new type of out of equilibrium Mott insulator‐to‐metal transition display promising performances.
How Does Moisture Affect the Physical Property of Memristance for Anionic–Electronic Resistive Switching Memories?
Authors: Messerschmitt Felix , Kubicek Markus , Rupp Jennifer L. M.
Published: July 2015

Memristors based on anionic–electronic resistive switches represent a promising alternative to transistor‐based memories because of their scalability and low power consumption. To date, studies on resistive switching have focused on oxygen anionic or electronic defects leaving protonic charge‐carrier contributions out of the picture despite the fact that many resistive switching oxides are well‐established materials in resistive humidity sensors. Here, the way memristance is affected by moisture for the model material strontium titanate is studied. First, characterize own‐processed Pt|SrTiO3‐δ|Pt bits via cyclic voltammetry under ambient conditions are thoroughly characterized. Based on the high stability of a non‐volatile device structures the impact of relative humidity to the current–voltage profiles is then investigated. It is found that Pt|SrTiO3‐δ|Pt strongly modifies the resistance states by up to 4 orders of magnitude as well as the device's current–voltage profile shape, number of crossings, and switching capability with the level of moisture exposure. Furthermore, a reversible transition from classic memristive behavior at ambient humidity to a capacitively dominated one in dry atmosphere for which the resistive switching completely vanishes is demonstrated for the first time. The results are discussed in relation to the changed Schottky barrier by adsorbed surface water molecules and its interplay with the charge transfer in the oxide.
Bioinspired, Stimuli‐Responsive, Multifunctional Superhydrophobic Surface with Directional Wetting, Adhesion, and Transport of Water
Authors: Liu Yang , Wang Xiaowen , Fei Bin , Hu Huawen , Lai Chuilin , Xin John H.
Published: July 2015

A novel smart stimuli responsive surface can be fabricated by the subsequent self‐assembly of the graphene monolayer and the TiO2 nanofilm on various substrates, that is, fabrics, Si wafers, and polymer thin films. Multiscale application property can be achieved from the interfacial interaction between the hierarchical graphene/TiO2 surface structure and the underlying substrate. The smart surface possesses superhydrophobic property as a result of its hierarchical micro‐ to nanoscale structural roughness. Upon manipulating the UV induced hydrophilic conversion of TiO2 on graphene/TiO2 surface, smart surface features, such as tunable adhesiveness, wettability, and directional water transport, can be easily obtained. The existence of graphene indeed enhances the electron–hole pair separation efficiency of the photo‐active TiO2, as the time required for the TiO2 superhydrophilic conversion is largely reduced. Multifunctional characteristics, such as gas sensing, droplet manipulation, and self‐cleaning, are achieved on the smart surface as a result of its robust superhydrophobicity, tunable wettability, and high photo‐catalytic activity. It is also revealed that the superhydrophilic conversion of TiO2 is possibly caused by the atomic rearrangement of TiO2 under UV radiation, as a structural transformation from {101} to {001} is observed after the UV treatment.
Functionalized Graphene Superlattice as a Single‐Sheet Solar Cell
Authors: Li Huashan , Strubbe David A. , Grossman Jeffrey C.
Published: July 2015

In‐plane heterostructure engineering provides unique opportunities to control device properties. Here, a single‐sheet solar cell made of a graphene sheet functionalized into 1D channels is explored. Compared to vertical heterostructure architectures based on 2D materials, the single‐sheet solar cell shows potential for improved robustness against defects, enhancement of polaron dissociation, extra freedom for functionalization, and coverage of the entire solar spectrum. The partition width, device length, and functionalizations can be tuned independently to optimize the key optoelectronic properties for photovoltaic performance.
From Amorphous Macroporous Film to 3D Crystalline Nanorod Architecture: A New Approach to Obtain High‐Performance V2O5 Electrochromism
Authors: Tong Zhongqiu , Zhang Xiang , Lv Haiming , Li Na , Qu Huiying , Zhao Jiupeng , Li Yao , Liu Xiang‐Yang
Published: July 2015

A 3D crystalline V2O5 nanorod architecture on indium tin oxide substrates is prepared by simple annealing treatment of a colloidal crystal‐assisted electrodeposited amorphous three‐dimensionally ordered macroporous film at a low temperature of 350 °C. The crystalline nanorods exhibit a low length/diameter ratio with the typical width range of 80–180 nm, length range of 190–500 nm, and thickness of 30–50 nm. Colloidal sphere‐assisted heterogeneous nucleation during electrodeposition and the anisotropic bonding of the V2O5‐layered structure are two important factors for the morphological changes. Because of the large surface area, short lithium ion diffusion distance, and good electrolyte penetration, the 3D crystalline V2O5 nanorod architecture exhibits a highly reversible Li‐ion insertion/extraction process (columbic efficiency up to 96.9%) with a five‐color‐change electrochromic performance, good transmittance modulation, and acceptable response times (8.8 s for coloration and 9.3 s for bleaching), making it a promising film electrode for electrochromic devices.
Printable Dielectric Mirrors with Easily Adjustable and Well‐Defined Reflection Maxima for Semitransparent Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Bronnbauer Carina , Hornich Julian , Gasparini Nicola , Guo Fei , Hartmeier Benjamin , Luechinger Norman A. , Pflaum Christoph , Brabec Christoph J. , Forberich Karen
Published: July 2015

Building integrated semitransparent thin‐film solar cells is a strategy for future eco‐friendly power generation. Organic photovoltaics in combination with dielectric mirrors (DMs) are a potential candidate as they promise high efficiencies in parallel to the possibility to adjust the color and thus the transparency of the whole device. A fully solution processed and printable DM with an easily adjustable reflection maximum is presented that can be facilely attached to solar cells. The DM is optimized via optical simulations to the particular needs of the device with regard to photocurrent enhancement. The excellent agreement between experimental and theoretical results confirms the high optical quality of the printed layers with respect to homogeneity and surface roughness. The used inks are organic–inorganic nanocomposites with a large refractive index contrast of ≈0.7. The short‐circuit current is enhanced by up to ≈24% for a semitransparent polymer solar cell.
Electric and Magnetic Response in Dielectric Dark States for Low Loss Subwavelength Optical Meta Atoms
Authors: Jain Aditya , Moitra Parikshit , Koschny Thomas , Valentine Jason , Soukoulis Costas M.
Published: July 2015

Artificially created surfaces or metasurfaces, composed of appropriately shaped subwavelength structures, namely, meta‐atoms, control light at subwavelength scales. Historically, metasurfaces have used radiating metallic resonators as subwavelength inclusions. However, while resonant optical metasurfaces made from metal have been sufficiently subwavelength in the propagation direction, they are too lossy for many applications. Metasurfaces made out of radiating dielectric resonators have been proposed to solve the loss problem, but are marginally subwavelength at optical frequencies. Here, subwavelength resonators made out of nonradiating dielectrics are designed. The resonators are decorated with appropriately placed scatterers, resulting in a meta‐atom with an engineered electromagnetic response. As an example, a metasurface that yields an electric response is fabricated, experimentally characterized, and a method to obtain a magnetic response at optical frequencies is theoretically demonstrated. This design methodology paves the way for metasurfaces that are simultaneously subwavelength and low loss.
Black Phosphorus–Polymer Composites for Pulsed Lasers
Authors: Mu Haoran , Lin Shenghuang , Wang Zhongchi , Xiao Si , Li Pengfei , Chen Yao , Zhang Han , Bao Haifeng , Lau Shu Ping , Pan Chunxu , Fan Dianyuan , Bao Qiaoliang
Published: July 2015

Black phosphorus (BP) is a very promising material for telecommunication due to its direct bandgap and strong resonant absorption in near‐infrared wavelength range. However, ultrafast nonlinear photonic applications relying on the ultrafast photocarrier dynamics as well as optical nonlinearity in black phosphorus remain unexplored. In this work, nonlinear optical properties of solution exfoliated BP are investigated and the usage of BP as a new saturable absorber for high energy pulse generation in fiber laser is demonstrated. In order to avoid the oxidization and degradation, BP is encapsulated by polymer matrix which is optically transparent in the spectrum range of interest to form a composite. Two fabrication approaches are demonstrated to produce BP‐polymer composite films which are further incorporated into fiber laser cavity as nonlinear media. BP shows very fast carrier dynamics and BP‐polymer composite has a modulation depth of 10.6%. A highly stable Q‐switched pulse generation is achieved and the single pulse energy of 194 nJ is demonstrated. The ease of handling of such black phosphorus‐polymer composite thin films affords new opportunities for wider applications such as optical sensing, signal processing, and light modulation.
Polymer‐Coated Metal‐Oxide Nanoparticles Inhibit IgE Receptor Binding, Cellular Signaling, and Degranulation in a Mast Cell‐like Cell Line
Authors: Ortega Van A. , Ede James D. , Boyle David , Stafford James L. , Goss Greg G.
Published: July 2015

Previous reports have shown that nanoparticles (NPs) can both enhance and suppress immune effector functions; however the mechanisms that dictate these responses are still unclear. Here, the effects of polyacrylic acid (PAA) functionalized metal‐oxide NP are investigated on RBL‐2H3 (representative mammalian granulocyte‐like cell line) cell viability, cellular degranulation, immunoglobulin E (IgE) receptor binding, and cell signaling pathways related to immune function. The increasing development of PAA‐NPs as pesticide dispersants and as drug carriers in therapeutics necessitates their investigation for safe production. Using two in vitro experimental approaches, this study demonstrates that pre‐exposing RBL‐2H3 cells, or IgE antibodies, to PAA‐NPs (TiO2, CeO2, ZnO, Fe2O3, and PAA‐Capsules (NP coating control) over 24 h, significantly decrease the binding capacity of IgE for Fcε receptors, inhibit the phosphorylation of intracellular signaling proteins (e.g., MAPK ERK) that mediate degranulation, and inhibited RBL‐2H3 cell degranulation. In addition, and unlike the other NPs tested, PAA‐TiO2 significantly reduced RBL‐2H3 viability, in a time (4–24 h) and dose‐dependent manner (>50 μg mL−1). Together, these data demonstrate that PAA‐NPs at sub‐lethal doses can interact with cell surface structures, such as receptors, to suppress various stages of the RBL‐2H3 degranulatory response to external stimuli, and modify immune cell functions that can impact host‐immunity.
Control of Charge Dynamics via Use of Nonionic Phosphonate Chains and Their Effectiveness for Inverted Structure Solar Cells
Authors: Kim Gyoungsik , Song Seyeong , Lee Jungho , Kim Taehyo , Lee Tack Ho , Walker Bright , Kim Jin Young , Yang Changduk
Published: July 2015

Considering that a high compatibility at hybrid organic/inorganic interfaces can be achieved using polar and hydrophilic functionalities, this approach is used to improve inverted polymer solar cell performance by introducing nonionic phosphonate side chains (at 0%, 5%, 15%, and 30% substitution levels) into a series of isoindigo‐based polymers (PIIGDT‐Pn). This approach led to ≈20% improvement in power conversion efficiency compared to a nonmodified control polymer, via an increased short‐circuit current (J
SC). This enhancement is believed to stem from reduced nongerminate recombination and improved charge carried extraction when the level of phosphonate substitution is optimized. These results are substantiated by a combination of detailed electrical measurements including space‐charged limited current modeling, light intensity–dependent photocurrent (J
ph) analysis, and morphological studies (grazing‐incidence wide‐angle X‐ray scattering and atomic force microscopy). This is the first practical report demonstrating the use of nonionic polar side chains to control charge carrier dynamics in an existing photovoltaic polymer structure. It is envisioned that this simple strategy may be applied to other material systems and yield new materials with the potential for even higher performance.
Smoking patterns, quit behaviors, and smoking environment of workers in small manufacturing companies
Authors: Pinsker Erika A. , Hennrikus Deborah J. , Hannan Peter J. , Lando Harry A. , Brosseau Lisa M.
Published: July 2015

Background

This study describes smokers employed at 47 small manufacturing companies in Minnesota, USA.

Methods

Smokers (n = 713) participating in a group‐randomized trial completed a baseline survey on their smoking patterns, quit behaviors, smoking environment, workplace attitudes about smoking, and correlates of smoking. These characteristics were examined by job type and a latent class analysis (LCA) was performed to group workers with similar characteristics.

Results

Production workers had the highest prevalence of daily smoking (88% vs. 68% among managers), and addiction (61% vs. 26% among managers), and the highest mean level of perceived stress (6.4 vs. 4.9 among managers). The LCA identified three subgroups of smokers that differed in levels of barriers to cessation. Production workers were most likely to be in the group with greater barriers (P = 0.01).

Conclusions

These results underscore the importance of targeting interventions to production workers and those who exhibit the greatest barriers to cessation. Am. J. Ind. Med. 58:996–1007, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
EV@LUTIL: An open access database on occupational exposures to asbestos and man‐made mineral fibres
Authors: Orlowski Ewa , Audignon‐Durand Sabyne , Goldberg Marcel , Imbernon Ellen , Brochard Patrick
Published: July 2015

Objectives

The aim of Evalutil is to document occupational exposure to asbestos and man‐made mineral fibers.

Methods

These databases provide grouped descriptive and metrological data from observed situations of occupational exposure, collected through the analysis of scientific articles and technical reports by industrial hygienists.

Results

Over 5,000 measurements were collected. We describe the occupations, economic activities, fiber‐containing products, and operations on them that have been documented most often. Graphical measurement syntheses of these data show that the situations presented for asbestos and RCF, except mineral wools, report fiber concentrations mainly above historical occupational exposure limits.

Conclusion

Free access to these data in French and in English on the Internet (https://ssl2.isped.u-bordeaux2.fr/eva_003/) helps public health and prevention professionals to identify and characterize occupational exposures to fibers. Extended recently to nanoscale particles, Evalutil continues to contribute to the improvement of knowledge about exposure to inhaled particles and the health risks associated with them. Am. J. Ind. Med. 58:1059–1074, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Is VACTERL a laterality defect?
Authors: Sadler Thomas W.
Published: July 2015

To date the etiology of the association called VACTERL remains a mystery. Interestingly, clues as to the origin of this collection of defects may reside in an old hypothesis concerning the midline as a developmental field as postulated by Dr. John Opitz. This theory suggested that the midline was not a separate entity, but could be influenced by other developmental signals. With new information concerning the origin of the left–right axis (laterality) and the importance of communications between this axis and the cranio–caudal (anterior–posterior) axis for normal development, it has become clear that coordination of the molecular signals responsible for specification of these domains is essential for normal development. In fact, if the signals regulating laterality are disrupted, then midline and other defects can occur as has been observed in cases of heterotaxy, presumably because of a disruption in this coordinated signaling effort. Thus, the origins of the defects commonly observed in the VACTERL association may be due to altered signaling responsible for establishing the left–right axis. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Epistatic and gene wide effects in YWHA and aromatic amino hydroxylase genes across ADHD and other common neuropsychiatric disorders: Association with YWHAE
Authors: Jacobsen Kaya K. , Kleppe Rune , Johansson Stefan , Zayats Tetyana , Haavik Jan
Published: July 2015

Monoamines critically modulate neurophysiological functions affected in several neuropsychiatric disorders. We therefore examined genes encoding key enzymes of catecholamine and serotonin biosynthesis (tyrosine and tryptophan hydroxylases—TH and TPH1/2) as well as their regulatory 14‐3‐3 proteins (encoded byYWHA‐genes). Previous studies have focused mainly on the individual genes, but no analysis spanning this regulatory network has been reported. We explored interactions between these genes in Norwegian patients with adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (aADHD), followed by gene‐complex association tests in four major neuropsychiatric conditions; childhood ADHD (cADHD), bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder. For interaction analyses, we evaluated 55 SNPs across these genes in a sample of 583 aADHD patients and 637 controls. For the gene‐complex tests, we utilized the data from large‐scale studies of The Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC). The four major neuropsychiatric disorders were examined for association with each of the genes individually as well as in three complexes as follows: (1)TPH1andYWHA‐genes; (2)TH,TPH2andYWHA‐genes; and (3) all genes together. The results show suggestive epistasis betweenYWHAEand two other 14‐3‐3‐genes ‐YWHAZ, YWHAQ ‐in aADHD (nominalP‐value of 0.0005 and 0.0008, respectively). In PGC data, association betweenYWHAEand schizophrenia was noted (P = 1.00E‐05), whereas the combination ofTPH1andYWHA‐genes revealed signs of association in cADHD, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. In conclusion, polymorphisms in theYWHA‐genes and their targets may exert a cumulative effect in ADHD and related neuropsychiatric conditions, warranting the need for further investigation of these gene‐complexes. © 2015 The Authors.American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B: Neuropsychiatric GeneticsPublished by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diet and gender in the Tiwanaku colonies: Stable isotope analysis of human bone collagen and apatite from Moquegua, Peru
Authors: Somerville Andrew D. , Goldstein Paul S. , Baitzel Sarah I. , Bruwelheide Karin L. , Dahlstedt Allisen C. , Yzurdiaga Linda , Raubenheimer Sarah , Knudson Kelly J. , Schoeninger Margaret J.
Published: July 2015

Objectives:

Gender and other facets of social identity play important roles in the organization of complex societies. This study reconstructs dietary practices within the Middle Horizon (AD 500–1000) Tiwanaku colonies in southern Peru to increase our knowledge of gendered patterns of consumption within this early expansive state.

Methods:

We use stable isotope analysis of 43 human bone samples representing 14 females, 20 males, 8 juveniles, and 1 indeterminate individual recovered from burial excavations at the sites of Rio Muerto and Omo in the Moquegua Valley. Data are contextualized by comparisons with previously published Tiwanaku isotope data from the period.

Results:

Our results find mean values of δ13Capatite = −7.3 ± 1.6% (N = 36, 1SD), δ13Ccollagen = −12.3 ± 1.5% (N = 43, 1SD), and δ15Ncollagen = 8.4 ± 1.6% (N = 43, 1SD). Between the sexes, Mann‐Whitney U tests demonstrate significant differences in δ13Ccollagen (U = 74, P = 0.021), but no differences in δ13Capatite (U = 58, P = 0.095) or δ15Ncollagen (U = 116, P = 0.755) values.

Conclusions:

These data indicate relatively high C4 plant consumption among the Tiwanaku colonies, and support paleobotanical and archaeological evidence that maize (Zea mays) was the staple crop. Dietary values are similar overall between the sexes, but significantly higher δ13Ccollagen values in males is consistent with a model of gendered norms of consumption similar to that of the later Inca (AD 1438–1533), where males consumed more maize than females, often in the form of beer (chicha). Results provide new insights on social dynamics within the Tiwanaku colonies and suggest the increased importance maize consumption for males during the Tiwanaku expansion. Am J Phys Anthropol 158:408–422, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The adaptive value of secondary males in the polygynous multi‐level society of hamadryas baboons
Authors: Chowdhury Shahrina , Pines Mathew , Saunders Julian , Swedell Larissa
Published: July 2015

Objectives

One‐male social systems are usually characterized by polygyny and reproductive exclusion by a single resident male. Sometimes, however, secondary males join these groups, and this may carry fitness costs and/or benefits to the resident male. In hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas hamadryas), which live in one‐male units (OMUs) with female defense polygyny within a multi‐level social system, secondary “follower” males often reside in OMUs. Our aim here is to examine possible benefits of these secondary males to hamadryas resident males.

Materials and Methods

Using 6 years of data from 65 OMUs in a band of wild hamadryas baboons in Ethiopia, we compared demographic and reproductive parameters of OMUs with and without secondary “follower” males to assess whether their presence conferred any reproductive benefits to resident “leader” males.

Results

Leaders with followers had tenure lengths almost twice as long, acquired more than twice as many females, retained females longer, and had three times as many infants during their tenure compared to leaders without followers.

Discussion

Hamadryas follower males enabled leaders to retain females for longer periods of time—likely through unit defense, social relationships with OMU members, and/or infant protection. Hamadryas leaders appear to be able to monopolize access to females despite the presence of followers, and as such any enhanced reproduction derived from the presence of followers likely increases the fitness of the leader rather than the follower. Thus the relationship between leaders and followers in hamadryas society appears to be a mutually beneficial one and tolerance of secondary males may be an adaptive reproductive strategy characterizing hamadryas leader males. Am J Phys Anthropol 158:501–513, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Energetic responses to variation in food availability in the two mountain gorilla populations (Gorilla beringei beringei)
Authors: Wright Edward , Grueter Cyril C. , Seiler Nicole , Abavandimwe Didier , Stoinski Tara S. , Ortmann Sylvia , Robbins Martha M.
Published: July 2015

Objective

Here, we compare food availability and relate this to differences in energy intake rates, time spent feeding, and daily travel distance of gorillas in the two populations.

Comparative intraspecific studies investigating spatiotemporal variation in food availability can help us understand the complex relationships between ecology, behavior, and life history in primates and are relevant to understanding hominin evolution. Differences in several variables have been documented between the two mountain gorilla populations in the Virunga Massif and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, but few direct comparisons that link ecological conditions to feeding behavior have been made.

Materials and Methods

Using similar data collection protocols we conducted vegetation sampling and nutritional analysis on important foods to estimate food availability. Detailed observations of feeding behavior were used to compute energy intake rates and daily travel distance was estimated through GPS readings.

Results

Food availability was overall lower and had greater temporal variability in Bwindi than in the Virungas. Energy intake rates and time spent feeding were similar in both populations, but energy intake rates were significantly higher in Bwindi during the period of high fruit consumption. Daily travel distances were significantly shorter in the Virungas.

Conclusions

Overall, despite the differences in food availability, we did not find large differences in the energetics of gorillas in the two populations, although further work is needed to more precisely quantify energy expenditure and energy balance. These results emphasize that even species with high food availability can exhibit behavioral and energetic responses to variable ecological conditions, which are likely to affect growth, reproduction, and survival. Am J Phys Anthropol 158:487–500, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Craniomandibular signals of diet in adapids
Authors: Perry Jonathan M.G. , St Clair Elizabeth M. , Hartstone‐Rose Adam
Published: July 2015

Objectives

The craniomandibular morphology of the adapid primates of Europe, especially Adapis and Leptadapis (sensu lato), suggests that they possessed enormous jaw adductor muscles. The goal of this study is to estimate jaw adductor muscle mass, physiological cross‐sectional area (PCSA), and fiber length in adapid primates from the Eocene of Europe. We also estimated muscle leverage, bite force, and gape parameters.

Materials and Methods

We use bony morphology and osteological correlates of soft tissues in a sample of extant strepsirrhines to estimate these soft‐tissue and performance variables in Adapis and Leptadapis.

Results

Our results suggest that, compared to a broad sample of extant strepsirrhines, Adapis and Leptadapis had relatively great jaw adductor muscle mass, PCSA, and bite force. They had moderately great jaw adductor leverage but no sign of adaptation for wide gapes. There is no support for the hypothesis that either adapid was a gouger.

Discussion

Our estimates support the inference that Adapis and Leptadapis were primarily folivorous, perhaps also consuming small to medium‐sized tough fruits, nuts, and seeds. Explanations for the likely extreme development of the jaw adductor muscles in adapids remain speculative. These include (1) foods that were generally tougher and/or of higher yield strength than those eaten by strepsirrhines today, (2) using the muscles “in shifts” to avoid muscle fatigue in the context of an obdurate diet, and (3) potential constraints on reshaping of the skull for more efficient food processing. Am J Phys Anthropol 158:646–662, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Isoform‐specific antibodies reveal distinct subcellular localizations of C9orf72 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Xiao Shangxi , MacNair Laura , McGoldrick Philip , McKeever Paul M. , McLean Jesse R. , Zhang Ming , Keith Julia , Zinman Lorne , Rogaeva Ekaterina , Robertson Janice
Published: July 2015

Objective

A noncoding hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9orf72 is the most common cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). It has been reported that the repeat expansion causes a downregulation of C9orf72 transcripts, suggesting that haploinsufficiency may contribute to disease pathogenesis. Two protein isoforms are generated from three alternatively spliced transcripts of C9orf72; a long form (C9‐L) and a short form (C9‐S), and their function(s) are largely unknown owing to lack of specific antibodies.

Methods

To investigate C9orf72 protein properties, we developed novel antibodies that recognize either C9‐L or C9‐S. Multiple techniques, including Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and coimmunoprecipitation, were used to determine the expression levels and subcellular localizations of C9‐L and C9‐S.

Results

Investigation of expression of C9‐L and C9‐S demonstrated distinct biochemical profiles, region‐specific changes, and distinct subcellular localizations in ALS tissues. In particular, C9‐L antibody exhibited a diffuse cytoplasmic staining in neurons and labeled large speckles in cerebellar Purkinje cells. In contrast, C9‐S antibody gave very specific labeling of the nuclear membrane in healthy neurons, with apparent relocalization to the plasma membrane of diseased motor neurons in ALS. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments revealed an interaction of the C9‐isoforms with both Importin β1 and Ran‐GTPase, components of the nuclear pore complex.

Interpretation

Using these antibodies, we have shown that C9orf72 may be involved in nucleocytoplasmic shuttling and this may have relevance to pathophysiology of ALS/FTLD. Our antibodies have provided improved detection of C9orf72 protein isoforms, which will help elucidate its physiological function and role in ALS/FTLD. Ann Neurol 2015;78:568–583
Bioinduzierte Methanolreformierung
Authors: Heim Leo E. , Thiel Daniel , Gedig Christian , Deska Jan , Prechtl Martin H. G.
Published: July 2015

Für die Nachahmung des natürlichen Prozesses der durch Nukleophile aktivierten Formaldehyddehydrierung haben sich luftstabile Rutheniumkomplexe als exzellente Katalysatoren hervorgetan, welche bereits bei Beladungen von 0.5 Mol‐% sowohl die Dehydrierung von Formaldehydhydrat als auch die Transferhydrierung auf ungesättigte organische Substrate effizient unterhalten. Durch die Verknüpfung der chemischen Wasserstofffixierung mit einer oxidasevermittelten Methanolaktivierung gelang der Aufbau eines künstlichen methylotrophen In‐vitro‐Stoffwechsels, bei dem die aus Methanol gewonnen Reduktionsäquivalente für synthetische Prozesse genutzt werden können. Darüber hinaus wurde auf Grundlage dieses enzymgekoppelten Dehydriersystems erstmalig wässrige Methanollösung bei Raumtemperatur im Sinne einer Reformierung zu Wasserstoffgas zersetzt.
Durch sichtbares Licht induzierte Klick‐Chemie
Authors: Mueller Jan O. , Schmidt Friedrich G. , Blinco James P. , Barner‐Kowollik Christopher
Published: July 2015

Wir berichten über eine schnelle und katalysatorfreie Cycloaddition, die die Grundlage für lichtinduzierte Klick‐Chemie bildet. Hierfür wurde eine leicht zugängliche, photoaktive und auf 2H‐Azirinen basierende Spezies entwickelt, die Licht jenseits der Wellenlänge von 400 nm absorbiert. Die Bestrahlung mit einer niederenergetischen Lichtquelle ermöglicht daher die effiziente Synthese kleiner Moleküle durch Umsetzung einer Vielfalt an Mehrfachbindungskomponenten. Um die Effizienz des hier vorgestellten Ansatzes zu demonstrieren, wurde der photoaktivierbare Chromophor mit funktionalisierten polymeren Substraten umgesetzt, wobei bei Raumtemperatur vollständige Ligation in nur einer Minute Bestrahlungszeit erreicht wurde. Wir stellen somit eine höchst effiziente Methode vor, die sich für Anwendungen eignet, bei denen eine selektive Cycloaddition an Materialien mit elektronenarmen Mehrfachbindungen gefordert ist.
Deep oxidative desulfurization of benzothiophene and dibenzothiophene with a peroxophosphotungstate–ionic liquid brush assembly
Authors: Shi Xian‐Ying , Sun Man , Fan Juan , Wang Peng‐Min , Ma Wen‐Juan , Wei Jun‐Fa
Published: July 2015

A novel, efficient and reusable heterogeneous catalytic assembly of peroxophosphotungstate held in an ionic liquid brush was synthesized and an extraction and catalytic oxidative desulfurization (ECODS) procedure was developed for a model oil of benzothiophene (BT) and dibenzothiophene (DBT) using 30 wt% hydrogen peroxide as terminal oxidant and methanol as solvent under mild conditions. Several factors that affect sulfur removal were investigated in detail. The highest sulfur removal can reach 100% for BT in 7 h at 70 °C when the molar ratio of H2O2, S and catalyst is 10:1:0.025. The sulfur removal for DBT can also reach 100% in 4 h at 50 °C with the same molar ratio of H2O2, S and catalyst. The experimental results demonstrate that this ECODS process has no apparent scale‐up effect. The catalyst can be easily recovered (via simple filtration) and recycled five times without a significant decrease in activity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.