bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flow topologies in primary atomization of liquid jets: a direct numerical simulation analysis
Authors: Hasslberger Josef , Ketterl Sebastian , Klein Markus , Chakraborty Nilanjan
Published: November 2018

The local flow topology analysis of the primary atomization of liquid jets has been conducted using the invariants of the velocity-gradient tensor. All possible small-scale flow structures are categorized into two focal and two nodal topologies for incompressible flows in both liquid and gaseous phases. The underlying direct numerical simulation database was generated by the one-fluid formulation of the two-phase flow governing equations including a high-fidelity volume-of-fluid method for accurate interface propagation. The ratio of liquid-to-gas fluid properties corresponds to a diesel jet exhausting into air. Variation of the inflow-based Reynolds number as well as Weber number showed that both these non-dimensional numbers play a pivotal role in determining the nature of the jet break-up, but the flow topology behaviour appears to be dominated by the Reynolds number. Furthermore, the flow dynamics in the gaseous phase is generally less homogeneous than in the liquid phase because some flow regions resemble a laminar-to-turbulent transition state rather than fully developed turbulence. Two theoretical models are proposed to estimate the topology volume fractions and to describe the size distribution of the flow structures, respectively. In the latter case, a simple power law seems to be a reasonable approximation of the measured topology spectrum. According to that observation, only the integral turbulent length scale would be required as an input for the a priori prediction of the topology size spectrum.
Relapse of drunk driving and association with traffic accidents, alcohol-related problems and biomarkers of impulsivity
Authors: Tokko Tõnis , Eensoo Diva , Vaht Mariliis , Lesch Klaus-Peter , Reif Andreas , Harro Jaanus
Published: November 2018

Objective

Individual biological predispositions should play a role in risky driving behaviour. Platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity, dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) and neuropeptide S receptor 1 (NPSR1) gene polymorphisms have been identified as markers of impulsivity, alcohol use and excessive risk-taking. We aimed to find out how this knowledge on neurobiology of impulsivity applies to drunk driving and traffic behaviour in general.

Methods

We have longitudinally examined the behaviour of drunk drivers (n = 203) and controls (n = 211) in traffic, in association with their alcohol-related problems, personality measures and the three biomarkers. We analysed differences between the subjects based on whether they had committed driving while impaired by alcohol (DWI) violation in a 10-year time period after recruitment or not and investigated further, what kind of predictive value do the different biomarkers have in committing DWI and other traffic violations and accidents.

Results

The original drunk drivers group had lower platelet MAO activity but further DWI was not significantly associated with this measure. Being a NPSR1 T-allele carrier contributed to the risk of repeatedly committing DWI. DAT1 9R carriers in contrast were involved in more traffic accidents by their own fault (active accidents), compared to 10R homozygotes in the whole sample. All groups with DWI also had significantly more alcohol-related problems and higher scores in maladaptive impulsivity compared to controls without DWI.

Conclusions

Established biological markers of alcohol use and impulsivity can be reliably associated with everyday traffic behaviour and help in contributing to the understanding of the need for more personalized prevention activities.
British Travelers and the Armenian Question During the First Half of the 19th Century
Authors: Riegg Stephen Badalyan
Published: November 2018

Marshaling an array of travelogues from British adventurers who visited the Russian-Ottoman-Persian borderlands during the first half of the 19th century, it is clear that the Armenian Question arose in the British consciousness earlier than previously thought. Influenced by their origins and the political circumstances of the countries through which they journeyed, British travelers highlighted in their narratives the political status of the Armenians and the trends affecting them throughout the borderlands. Ethnoreligious and socioeconomic strife between Armenians and other various groups remained a persistent theme that linked the disparate accounts and authors. Frequently overlooking core religious, cultural, political, and social factors and identities that distinguished the Turks, Persians, and Kurds, British travelers issued essentialized explanations for Armenian struggles that highlighted their status as a religious minority surrounded by ostensibly hostile majorities. Well before the outbreak of the Crimean War, British adventurers contextualized Armenian misery within the British-Russian geopolitical rivalry. Thus, early British adventurers established the cultural and political groundwork for the more famous discussions of the Armenian Question during the last decades of the 1800s.
Women living with multi-morbidity in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana: a qualitative study guided by the Cumulative Complexity Model
Authors: Morgan Sara A. , Eyles Caroline , Roderick Paul J. , Adongo Philip B. , Hill Allan G.
Published: November 2018

Defined as the co-occurrence of more than two chronic conditions, multi-morbidity has been described as a significant health care problem: a trend linked to a rise in non-communicable disease and an ageing population. Evidence on the experiences of living with multi-morbidity in middle-income countries (MICs) is limited. In high-income countries (HICs), multi-morbidity has a complex impact on health outcomes, including functional status, disability and quality of life, complexity of health care and burden of treatment. Previous evidence also shows that multi-morbidity is consistently higher amongst women. This study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of women living with multi-morbidity in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana: to understand the complexity of their health needs due to multi-morbidity, and to document how the health system has responded. Guided by the Cumulative Complexity Model, and using stratified purposive sampling, 20 in-depth interviews were conducted between May and September 2015 across three polyclinics in the Greater Accra Region. The data were analysed using the six phases of Thematic Analysis. Overall four themes emerged: 1) the influences on patients’ health experience; 2) seeking care and the responsiveness of the health care system; 3) how patients manage health care demands; and 4) outcomes due to health. Spirituality and the stigmatization caused by specific conditions, such as HIV, impacted their overall health experience. Women depended on the care and treatment provided through the health care system despite inconsistent coverage and a lack of choice thereof, although their experiences varied by chronic condition. Women depended on their family and community to offset the financial burden of treatment costs, which was exacerbated by having many conditions. The implications are that integrated health and social support, such as streamlining procedures and professional training on managing complexity, would benefit and reduce the burden of multi-morbidity experienced by women with multi-morbidity in Ghana.
Morphological and molecular data for species of Lecithaster Lühe, 1901 and Hysterolecithoides Yamaguti, 1934 (Digenea: Lecithasteridae) from fish of East Asia and phylogenetic relationships within the Hemiuroidea Looss, 1899
Authors: Atopkin D.M. , Nakao M. , Besprozvannykh V.V. , Ha N.D. , Nguyen H.V. , Sasaki M.
Published: November 2018

Four representatives of the genus Lecithaster and one representative of the genus Hysterolecithoides were found during investigation of the trematode fauna of fish species in Vietnamese, Japanese and eastern coastal waters of the Russian Far East. Based on morphometric data, adult trematodes from Vietnamese Strongylura strongylura and Russian Acanthogobius flavimanus were identified as Lecithaster confusus, trematodes from Vietnamese Hemirhamphus marginatus as L. sayori and from osmerid fishes as L. salmonis. Further, a single specimen of Lecithaster sp. and representatives of Hysterolecithoides epinepheli were found in Vietnamese Siganus fuscescens. Morphological and molecular data, including 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) V4 fragment, 28S rDNA D1-D3 fragment, internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and a mitochondrial COI gene fragment were analysed for Lecithaster spp. The results revealed that L. sayori and L. salmonis are not synonyms of L. stellatus and L. gibbosus, respectively, but that Hysterolecithoides frontilatus and H. guangdongensis are junior synonyms of H. epinepheli. The 28S-rDNA-based phylogenetic tree of Hemiuroidea showed a distinct position for the genus Lecithaster with internal differentiation into three subclades, including L. confusus, L. sayori and Lecithaster sp. within the first subclade, L. mugilis and L. sudzuhensis within the second subclade and L. salmonis and L. gibbosus within the third subclade. Bayesian phylogenetic reconstructions of Hemiuroidea showed four clades for members of Hemiuridae and Lecithasteridae. The first clade consisted of Hemiuridae representatives and the second clade represented the genus Lecithaster. The third clade included genera Aponurus and Lecithophyllum (Lecithasteridae) and the fourth clade combined members of lecithasterid Quadrifoliovariinae and Hysterolecithinae and hemiurid Opisthadeninae and Bunocotylidae with high statistical support.
Under the Black Flag in Borno: experiences of foot soldiers and civilians in Boko Haram's ‘caliphate’
Authors: Pieri Zacharias P. , Zenn Jacob
Published: November 2018

Boko Haram's operations and ideology have been the subject of increasing research in recent years. This article, in contrast, explores the culture of Boko Haram through an ethnographic analysis of the group's internal videos that were not intended for public release. The authors find that in their everyday lives Boko Haram foot soldiers are different from the image the group presents to the world in propaganda videos. While unmistakably a violent movement, in territories under the group's control that it attempted to administer, foot soldiers participated in conflict resolution with elders, explained the group's position on external alliances to villagers, engaged in recreation to pass time off the battlefield and created bonds of solidarity with other members of the group. Using insights from anthropology and the examination of ‘Jihadi Culture’, this article's insights help us understand how and why Boko Haram foot soldiers fight beyond the group's public ideology or stated goals: for many of them, it is simply a lifestyle.
The African Union and coercive diplomacy: the case of Burundi
Authors: Wilén Nina , Williams Paul D.
Published: November 2018

In December 2015, the African Union (AU) took the unprecedented step of threatening to use military force against the government of Burundi's wishes in order to protect civilians caught up in the country's intensifying domestic crisis. This article traces the background to this decision and analyses the effectiveness and credibility of the AU's use of coercive diplomacy as a tool of conflict management. After its usual range of conflict management tools failed to stem the Burundian crisis, the AU Commission and Peace and Security Council tried a new type of military compellence by invoking Article 4(h) of the Union's Constitutive Act. We argue that the threatened intervention never materialised because of (1) the Burundian government's astute diplomacy and (2) several African autocrats’ resistance to setting a precedent for future interventions where concerns about civilian protection might override state sovereignty.
Africa's role in the progression of international criminal justice: a moral and political argument
Authors: Fisher Kirsten J.
Published: November 2018

Given the history of the International Criminal Court in Africa, the relationship between African states and the Court is particularly significant to its legitimacy. If the power of the Court is grounded in international political support and the perception that it transcends international and national politics to deny impunity for ‘atrocity’ crimes, the Court's perceived legitimacy and normative legitimacy are so intertwined that charges of illegitimacy from significant regional stakeholders hold particular weight. More importantly, criticisms voiced by African actors point to a valid challenge to the Court's legitimate moral standing as an arbiter of global justice: the international power imbalance that seems to be becoming more entrenched and apparent in the Court's work. Tactics adopted by some African leaders of prioritising the issue of heads-of-state immunity, however, minimise the broader issue of power differentials and reduce the chance that African states will find allies in their cause to challenge the Court's operations.
The Bennett pinch for non-relativistic electrons
Authors: Allen J. E. , Simons L.
Published: November 2018

A theory of the Bennett pinch is presented for the case of non-relativistic electrons. In this way the basic physics of the phenomenon can be clearly demonstrated. The magnetic force acting on the electrons is transmitted to the positive ions via an electrostatic field.
The current practice and care of paediatric patients post cardiac catheterisation
Authors: Brown Loren , Hinsley Karen , Hurtig Michelle , Porter Courtney L , Connor Jean A
Published: November 2018

Background

Literature is lacking to guide standardised care and assessment practices for paediatric patients post cardiac catheterisation. In response to this gap, we sought to describe the current state of practice in cardiology programmes performing paediatric cardiac catheterisations procedures in the United States of America.

Materials and methods

A web-based survey was distributed to the Congenital Cardiovascular Interventional Study Consortium Listserv, with representation from 113 identified institutions. A 36-question survey, including fixed-choice and open-ended questions, was developed and piloted for reliability and validity before distribution. Data were summarised descriptively with count and frequency or median and range.

Results

Of the 113 identified institutions, 52% (n=59) responded to the survey. Manual pressure is used to achieve haemostasis by 94.9% of the respondents. Pressure dressings are used by a majority of the facilities and the length of time for bed rest is variable, with the majority using 6 hours for arterial access and 4 hours for venous access. Predominantly, respondents use the time of haemostasis as the start time of bed rest while a third of respondents reported using the time the sheath was removed.

Conclusion

In this study, variation in a number of post catheterisation care and assessment practices for paediatric patients was noted across cardiology programmes. Information from this assessment identifies key opportunities to collaborate in developing standardised practices for the care and assessment of the paediatric patients post catheterisation.
Reward systems and cognitions in Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Cléry-Melin Marie-Laure , Jollant Fabrice , Gorwood Philip
Published: November 2018

A lack of motivation and anhedonia represent frequent and pervasive symptoms in depression, although with poor specificity. Historically described as a response bias, reward-related impairments in depression may account for the important aspects of the cognitive impairments associated with diagnosis of major depressive disorder. Reward processing is a broad psychological construct that can be parsed into 3 distinct components known as “reinforcement learning” (learning), “reward responsiveness” (liking), and “motivation to obtain a reward” (wanting). Depressed patients respond hyposensitively to reward and maladaptively to punishment: this pattern is related to a dysfunction in the frontostriatal systems modulated by the monoamine systems; seems to be observed in medicated and unmedicated patients with depression and in healthy individuals with high levels of anhedonia; and could be observed in patients with a history of depression, even when in full remission. Considered to be cognitive impairments, reward-related-impairments may also constitute part of an underlying neurobiological vulnerability to major depressive disorder (MDD). For example, the reward-related impairment is state dependent and, more or less, correlated with symptom severity in some studies but has also been proposed as being trait like, with endophenotype characteristics, possibly contributing to the persistence of the disease or treatment resistance. The 3 core aspects of reward processing have specific neurobiological correlates that involve the ventral and dorsal striatum, lateral habenula, ventral tegmental area, orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and ventromedial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. These structures underline the important role of the dopaminergic mesolimbic pathway, but glutamate and serotonin could also have an important role, at least in some aspects of reward-related impairments.
Changes in socio-economic status and lipoproteins in Chilean adolescents: a 16-year longitudinal study
Authors: Madewell Zachary J , Blanco Estela , Burrows Raquel , Lozoff Betsy , Gahagan Sheila
Published: November 2018

Objective

The present longitudinal study assessed whether changes in socio-economic status (SES) from infancy to adolescence were associated with plasma lipoprotein concentrations in adolescence, of which low HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and high LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), TAG and total cholesterol (TC) concentrations are associated with higher cardiovascular risk.

Design

SES, assessed using the modified Graffar Index, was calculated at 1, 5, 10 and 16 years. Principal components factor analysis with varimax rotation extracted two orthogonal SES factors, termed ‘environmental capital’ and ‘social capital’. Generalized linear models were used to analyse associations between environmental and social capital at 1 and 16 years and outcomes (HDL-C, LDL-C, TAG, TC) at 16 years, as well as changes in environmental and social capital from 1–5, 5–10, 10–16 and 1–16 years, and outcomes at 16 years.

Setting

Santiago, Chile.

Participants

We evaluated 665 participants from the Santiago Longitudinal Study enrolled at infancy in Fe-deficiency anaemia studies and examined every 5 years to age 16 years.

Results

Social capital in infancy was associated with higher HDL-C in adolescence. Environmental capital in adolescence was associated with higher LDL-C and TC during adolescence. Changing environmental capital from 1–16 years was associated with higher LDL-C. Changing environmental capital from 1–5 and 1–16 years was associated with higher TC.

Conclusions

Improvements in environmental capital throughout childhood were associated with less healthy LDL-C and TC concentrations in adolescence. We found no evidence of associations between changing environmental capital and HDL-C or TAG, or changing social capital and HDL-C, LDL-C, TAG or TC.
Dietary sources of salt intake in adults and older people: a population-based study in a Brazilian town
Authors: Perin Milena Sia , Cornélio Marilia Estevam , Oliveira Henrique Ceretta , São-João Thais Moreira , Rhéaume Caroline , Gallani Maria-Cecília Bueno Jayme
Published: November 2018

Objective

To assess salt intake and its dietary sources using biochemical and self-report methods and to characterize salt intake according to sociodemographic and disease-related variables in a sample of the Brazilian population.

Design

Population-based cross-sectional survey.

Setting

Salt intake was assessed by biochemical (24 h urinary Na excretion) and self-report methods (sodium FFQ, 24 h dietary recall, seasoned-salt questionnaire, discretionary-salt questionnaire and total reported salt intake).

Participants

Adults and older people (n 517) aged 20–80 years, living in Artur Nogueira, São Paulo, Brazil.

Results

Mean salt intake based on 24 h urinary Na excretion and total reported salt intake was 10·5 and 11·0 g/d, respectively; both measures were significantly correlated. Discretionary salt and seasoned salt were the most important sources of salt intake (68·2 %). Men in the study consumed more salt than women as estimated by 24 h urinary Na excretion (11·7 v. 9·6 g salt/d; P<0·0001). Participants known to be hypertensive added more salt to their meals but consumed less salty ultra-processed foods. Waist circumference in both sexes and BMI were positively correlated with salt intake estimated by 24 h urinary Na excretion. In addition, regression analysis revealed that being a young male or having a high waist circumference was a predictor of higher salt intake.

Conclusions

Salt intake in this population was well above the recommended amount. The main source of salt intake came from salt added during cooking. Salt intake varied according to sex and waist circumference.
Estimation of Vent Radii From Video Recordings and Infrasound Data Analysis: Implications for Vulcanian Eruptions From Sakurajima Volcano, Japan
Authors: Muramatsu Dan , Aizawa Koki , Yokoo Akihiko , Iguchi Masato , Tameguri Takeshi
Published: November 2018

We estimated the vent radius within Showa Crater of Sakurajima volcano from ejection velocity and flow rate of gas‐particle mixtures. The ejection velocity was calculated from video recordings, and the flow rate and volume from infrasound data. Based on the assumption that the vent shape does not change during an explosion, the vent radius was estimated from 201 impulsive Vulcanian eruptions at Showa Crater, yielding values of 6.4–42.3 m (median 23.8 m), which is comparable with the width of fresh lava capping the vent, as photographed from a helicopter. Long‐term changes in vent radius (i.e., over several months) show a relationship with magma accumulation within a reservoir 2–5 km beneath the crater. If the top of the conduit is assumed to be cylindrical, then the vertical extent of the gas‐rich zone is estimated to be 120 m, which may reflect the depth of gas accumulation and buildup of significant overpressure.
Normal Faults on Ceres: Insights Into the Mechanical Properties and Thermal History of Nar Sulcus
Authors: Hughson Kynan H. G. , Russell C. T. , Schmidt B. E. , Travis B. , Preusker F. , Neesemann A. , Sizemore H. G. , Schenk P. M. , Buczkowski D. L. , Castillo‐Rogez J. C. , Raymond C. A.
Published: November 2018

We characterized two sets of extensional faults that comprise the Nar Sulcus region of Ceres by applying a cantilever model for fault related flexure and derived flexural rigidity values for Nar Sulcus between 2.0 · 1015 and 1.8 · 1016 N·m. This range of flexural rigidity makes Nar Sulcus mechanically akin to extensional structures on Ganymede, Europa, and Enceladus. We combine these observations with an inferred strength profile for the upper mechanical layer of Ceres and estimate its thickness to be 2.9–9.5 km. Surface heat fluxes at Nar Sulcus during its formation were likely ≥10 mW/m2 for estimated strain rates of 10−17–10−14 s−1, which is at least one order of magnitude larger than the current estimated global average. For geologically plausible heat fluxes between 10 and 100 mW/m2, we estimate an upper bound of ~30 vol.% mechanically silicate‐like phases in the near surface at Nar Sulcus, neglecting the effects of porosity.
Nitrogen Content in the Earth's Outer Core
Authors: Bajgain Suraj K. , Mookherjee Mainak , Dasgupta Rajdeep , Ghosh Dipta B. , Karki Bijaya B.
Published: November 2018

Using first principles molecular dynamic simulations, we explore the effects of nitrogen (N) on the density and sound velocity of liquid iron and evaluate its potential as a light element in the Earth's outer core. Our results suggest that Fe‐N melt cannot simultaneously explain the density and seismic velocity of the Earth's outer core. Although ~2.0 wt.% N can explain the bulk sound velocity of the outer core, such N content only lowers the density of liquid Fe by ~3%. Matching both the velocity and density by the other light elements limits the N in the core to ≪2.0 wt.%. Our finding suggests that nitrogen is a minor to trace element in the Earth's core and is consistent with the geochemical mass balance with terrestrial abundance of N and alloy‐silicate partitioning data, which suggest that there cannot be significant N in the core.
Magmatic Triggering of Earthquakes on Distal Faults as a Potential Medium‐Term Warning Signal From Ruapehu Volcano
Authors: Hurst Tony , Kilgour Geoff , Hamling Ian
Published: November 2018

A major eruption sequence of Ruapehu volcano began on 17 September 1995, with only hours of local precursory seismicity. However, from about 10 to 5 months prior to the eruption, an unusually high number of tectonic earthquakes occurred between 15 and 20 km west of Ruapehu. Diffusion chronometry of zoned crystals within erupted scoria from the 1995 eruptions of Ruapehu provide a petrological timescale of magmatic processes before the eruption. This timescale coincides with the seismicity to the west of Ruapehu. Stress modeling shows that stress changes due to movement of newly mixed magma from a sill under Ruapehu would have significantly added to the stress on preexisting faults, thereby providing a mechanism to explain the observed pre‐eruption seismicity. This shows that tectonic earthquakes in the vicinity of an active volcano may be an indication of magma movement and should be viewed as a possible eruption precursor.
Construction of the 500‐m Resolution Daily Global Surface Water Change Database (2001–2016)
Authors: Ji Luyan , Gong Peng , Wang Jie , Shi Jiancheng , Zhu Zhiliang
Published: November 2018

Surface water is the most dynamic land‐cover type. Transitions between water and nonwater types (such as vegetation and ice) can happen momentarily. More frequent mapping is necessary to study the changing patterns of water. However, monitoring of long‐term global water changes at high spatial resolution and in high temporal frequency is challenging. Here we report the generation of a daily global water map data set at 500‐m resolution from 2001 to 2016 based on the daily reflectance time series from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer. Each single‐date image is classified into three types: water, ice/snow, and land. Following temporal consistency check and spatial‐temporal interpolation for missing data, we conducted a series of validation of the water data set. The producer's accuracy and user's accuracy are 94.61% and 93.57%, respectively, when checked with classification results derived from 30‐m resolution Landsat images. Both the producer's accuracy and user's accuracy reached better than 90% when compared with manually interpreted large‐sized sample units (≥1,000 m × 1,000 m) collected in a previous global land cover mapping project. Generally, the global inland water area reaches its maximum (~3.80 × 106 km2) in September and minimum (~1.50 × 106 km2) in February during an annual cycle. Short‐duration water bodies, sea level rise effects, different types of rice field use can be detected from the daily water maps. The size distribution of global water bodies is also discussed from the perspective of the number of water bodies and the corresponding water area. In addition, the daily water maps can precisely reflect water freezing and help correct water areas with inconsistent cloud flags in the MOD09GA quality assessment layer.
Determining and Modeling Dominant Processes of Interrill Soil Erosion
Authors: Zhang X. C.
Published: November 2018

Understanding the dominant process of interrill soil erosion is imperative to better modeling interrill sediment delivery rates. The objectives are to (1) determine the limiting erosion process (detachment vs. transport) that controls interrill erosion under the study conditions, (2) quantify the effects of water and/or sediment influxes from upslope on downslope sediment transport and interrill erosion, and (3) evaluate the ability of commonly used hydraulic parameters for simulating interrill sediment delivery. Runoff, sediment delivery, and raindrop splash were simultaneously collected from two flumes (1.8 m × 0.5 m) and a 2.5‐cm slot between the flumes for three intensities of 60, 90, and 120 mm/hr at three slopes of 9%, 18%, and 27% under two cover treatments. Results showed that slot splash rates were consistently greater than flume wash rates, indicating that sediment transport capacity limited interrill sediment delivery under the study conditions. Soil detachment by raindrop impact was more influenced by surface water depth, while sediment transport capacity by flow velocity. The former played a bigger role in determining interill sediment delivery under detachment‐limited cases while the latter under transport‐limited conditions. Linear correlation coefficients between sediment delivery rates and hydraulic predictors were 0.545 for shear stress, 0.946 for stream power, 0.867 for unit stream power, and 0.948 for an empirical lumped model that includes a rainfall intensity term. Stream power and the empirical model were better predictors for interrill sediment delivery. However, their predictive abilities need to be assessed more rigorously at various impact levels of rainfall kinetic energy.
Key Factors Affecting Temporal Variability in Stream Water Quality
Authors: Guo D. , Lintern A. , Webb J. A. , Ryu D. , Liu S. , Bende‐Michl U. , Leahy P. , Wilson P. , Western A. W.
Published: November 2018

Understanding the factors that influence temporal variability in water quality is critical for designing water quality management strategies. In this study, we explore the key factors that affect temporal variability in stream water quality across multiple catchments using a Bayesian hierarchical model. We apply this model to a case study data set consisting of monthly water quality measurements obtained over a 20‐year period from 102 water quality monitoring sites in the state of Victoria (Southeast Australia). We investigate six water quality constituents: total suspended solids, total phosphorus, filterable reactive phosphorus, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, nitrate‐nitrite (NOx), and electrical conductivity. We find that same‐day streamflow has the greatest effect on water quality variability for all constituents. Additional important predictors include soil moisture, antecedent streamflow, vegetation cover, and water temperature. Overall, the models do not explain a large proportion of temporal variation in water quality, with Nash‐Sutcliffe coefficients lower than 0.49. However, when considering performance on a site‐by‐site basis, we see high model performance in some locations, with Nash‐Sutcliffe coefficients of up to 0.8 for NOx and electrical conductivity. The effect of the temporal predictors on water quality varies between sites, which should be explored further for potential spatial patterns in future studies. There is also potential for further extension of these temporal variability models into a predictive spatiotemporal model of riverine constituent concentrations, which will be a useful tool to inform decision making for catchment water quality management.
Spatial Variability of Groundwater Arsenic Concentration as Controlled by Hydrogeology: Conceptual Analysis Using 2‐D Reactive Transport Modeling
Authors: Jakobsen Rasmus , Kazmierczak Jolanta , Sø Helle Ugilt , Postma Dieke
Published: November 2018

Combined geological, hydrogeological, and geochemical controls on the arsenic concentration of contaminated aquifers in SE Asia were explored by two‐dimensional (2‐D) reactive transport modeling of data sets from Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Vietnam. For each site, the field data are summarized and used to create a conceptual 2‐D reactive transport model that elucidates characteristic features influencing the groundwater arsenic concentration. Comparison of models for Bangladesh and Vietnam indicates that fine‐grained layers overlying young sandy aquifers generate shallow high arsenic groundwater because low vertical groundwater velocities allow sufficient time for kinetic As release from the sediment. The low vertical groundwater velocity below major river channels, predicted by the model, also creates long groundwater residence times, leading to high arsenic groundwater. Young aquifer sediments release more arsenic than older sediments, and alternating young and older sediments create complex patterns of high and low arsenic groundwater. Over time, floodplain basins will subside, and river channels migrate, causing sedimentation and erosion on the floodplain while creating local environments with evolving hydrogeology and groundwater geochemistry. We have developed a three‐step model for the evolution of the Red River floodplain with sedimentation and shifting channels over the last 6000 years. The results show comparable timescales between the dynamics of arsenic release and of river migration, causing complex groundwater As distributions, comprising geochemical palinopsia of long vanished rivers.
Simulating Climate Change Impacts on Surface Water Resources Within a Lake‐Affected Region Using Regional Climate Projections
Authors: Erler Andre R. , Frey Steven K. , Khader Omar , d'Orgeville Marc , Park Young‐Jin , Hwang Hyoun‐Tae , Lapen David R. , Richard Peltier W. , Sudicky Edward A.
Published: November 2018

This study aims to assess the impact of climate change on water resources in a large watershed within the Laurentian Great Lakes region, using the fully integrated surface‐subsurface model HydroGeoSphere. The hydrologic model is forced with an ensemble of high‐resolution climate projections from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. The latter has been extended with an interactive lake model (FLake) to capture the effect of the Great Lakes on the regional climate. The WRF ensemble encompasses two different moist physics configurations at resolutions of 90, 30, and 10 km, as well as four different initial and boundary conditions, so as to control for natural climate variability. The integrated hydrologic model is run with a representative seasonal cycle, which effectively controls natural climate variability, while remaining computationally tractable with a large integrated model. However, the range of natural variability is also investigated, as are the impacts of climate model resolution and bias correction. The two WRF configurations show opposite climate change responses in summer precipitation, but similar responses otherwise. The hydrologic simulations generally follow the climate forcing; however, due to the memory of the subsurface, the differences in summer propagate throughout the entire seasonal cycle. This results in a set of dry scenarios with reduced streamflow and water availability year‐round and a set of wet scenarios with increased streamflow for all times excluding the spring peak, which does not increase. Most of the analysis focuses on streamflow, but changes in the seasonal cycle of baseflow and groundwater recharge are also analyzed.
CBX2 identified as driver of anoikis escape and dissemination in high grade serous ovarian cancer
Authors: Wheeler Lindsay J. , Watson Zachary L. , Qamar Lubna , Yamamoto Tomomi M. , Post Miriam D. , Berning Amber A. , Spillman Monique A. , Behbakht Kian , Bitler Benjamin G.
Published: November 2018

High grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Chromobox 2 (CBX2), a polycomb repressor complex subunit, plays an oncogenic role in other cancers, but little is known about its role in HGSOC. We hypothesize that CBX2 upregulation promotes HGSOC via induction of a stem-like transcriptional profile and inhibition of anoikis. Examination of Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) established that increased CBX2 expression conveyed chemoresistance and worse disease-free and overall survival. In primary HGSOC tumors, we observed CBX2 expression was significantly elevated compared to benign counterparts. In HGSOC cell lines, forced suspension promoted CBX2 expression. Subsequently, CBX2 knockdown inhibited anchorage-independent proliferation and potentiated anoikis-dependent apoptosis. Furthermore, CBX2 knockdown re-sensitized cells to platinum-based chemotherapy. Forced suspension promoted increased ALDH activity and ALDH3A1 expression and CBX2 knockdown led to a decrease in both ALDH activity and ALDH3A1 expression. Investigation of CBX2 expression on a HGSOC tissue microarray revealed CBX2 expression was apparent in both primary and metastatic tissues. CBX2 is an important regulator of stem-ness, anoikis escape, HGSOC dissemination, and chemoresistance and potentially serves as a novel therapeutic target.
IKKβ activates p53 to promote cancer cell adaptation to glutamine deprivation
Authors: Ishak Gabra Mari B. , Yang Ying , Lowman Xazmin H. , Reid Michael A. , Tran Thai Q. , Kong Mei
Published: November 2018

One of the hallmarks of cancer is the ability to reprogram cellular metabolism to increase the uptake of necessary nutrients such as glucose and glutamine. Driven by oncogenes, cancer cells have increased glutamine uptake to support their highly proliferative nature. However, as cancer cells continue to replicate and grow, they lose access to vascular tissues and deplete local supply of nutrients and oxygen. We previously showed that many tumor cells situate in a low glutamine microenvironment in vivo, yet the mechanisms of how they are able to adapt to this metabolic stress are still not fully understood. Here, we report that IκB-kinase β (IKKβ) is needed to promote survival and its activation is accompanied by phosphorylation of the metabolic sensor, p53, in response to glutamine deprivation. Knockdown of IKKβ decreases the level of wild-type and mutant p53 phosphorylation and its transcriptional activity, indicating a novel relationship between IKKβ and p53 in mediating cancer cell survival in response to glutamine withdrawal. Phosphopeptide mass spectrometry analysis further reveals that IKKβ phosphorylates p53 on Ser392 to facilitate its activation upon glutamine deprivation, independent of the NF-κB pathway. The results of this study offer an insight into the metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells that is dependent on a previously unidentified IKKβ–p53 signaling axis in response to glutamine depletion. More importantly, this study highlights a new therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment and advances our understanding of adaptive mechanisms that could lead to resistance to current glutamine targeting therapies.
Biocatalytic production of adiponitrile and related aliphatic linear α,ω-dinitriles
Authors: Betke Tobias , Maier Manuel , Gruber-Wölfler Heidrun , Gröger Harald
Published: November 2018

Linear α,ω-dinitriles are important precursors for the polymer industry. Most prominently, adiponitrile is produced on an annual scale of ca. 1 million tons. However, a drawback of today’s dominating process is the need for large amounts of highly toxic hydrogen cyanide. In this contribution, an alternative approach towards such linear dinitriles is presented based on dehydration of readily available α,ω-dialdoximes at ambient conditions by means of aldoxime dehydratases. In contrast to existing production routes this biocatalytic route enables a highly regio- and chemoselective approach towards dinitriles without the use of hydrogen cyanide or harsh reaction conditions. In addition, a selective synthesis of adiponitrile with substrate loadings of up to 100 g/L and high yields of up to 80% was achieved. Furthermore, a lab scale process on liter scale leading to > 99% conversion at 50 g/L underlines the potential and robustness of this method for technical applicability.
Genome-wide association meta-analysis yields 20 loci associated with gallstone disease
Authors: Ferkingstad Egil , Oddsson Asmundur , Gretarsdottir Solveig , Benonisdottir Stefania , Thorleifsson Gudmar , Deaton Aimee M. , Jonsson Stefan , Stefansson Olafur A. , Norddahl Gudmundur L. , Zink Florian , Arnadottir Gudny A. , Gunnarsson Bjarni , Halldorsson Gisli H. , Helgadottir Anna , Jensson Brynjar O. , Kristjansson Ragnar P. , Sveinbjornsson Gardar , Sverrisson David A. , Masson Gisli , Olafsson Isleifur , Eyjolfsson Gudmundur I. , Sigurdardottir Olof , Holm Hilma , Jonsdottir Ingileif , Olafsson Sigurdur , Steingrimsdottir Thora , Rafnar Thorunn , Bjornsson Einar S. , Thorsteinsdottir Unnur , Gudbjartsson Daniel F. , Sulem Patrick , Stefansson Kari
Published: November 2018

Gallstones are responsible for one of the most common diseases in the Western world and are commonly treated with cholecystectomy. We perform a meta-analysis of two genome-wide association studies of gallstone disease in Iceland and the UK, totaling 27,174 cases and 736,838 controls, uncovering 21 novel gallstone-associated variants at 20 loci. Two distinct low frequency missense variants in SLC10A2, encoding the apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT), associate with an increased risk of gallstone disease (Pro290Ser: OR = 1.36 [1.25–1.49], P = 2.1 × 10–12, MAF = 1%; Val98Ile: OR = 1.15 [1.10–1.20], P = 1.8 × 10–10, MAF = 4%). We demonstrate that lower bile acid transport by ASBT is accompanied by greater risk of gallstone disease and highlight the role of the intestinal compartment of the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids in gallstone disease susceptibility. Additionally, two low frequency missense variants in SERPINA1 and HNF4A and 17 common variants represent novel associations with gallstone disease.
Adipocyte OGT governs diet-induced hyperphagia and obesity
Authors: Li Min-Dian , Vera Nicholas B. , Yang Yunfan , Zhang Bichen , Ni Weiming , Ziso-Qejvanaj Enida , Ding Sheng , Zhang Kaisi , Yin Ruonan , Wang Simeng , Zhou Xu , Fang Ethan X. , Xu Tian , Erion Derek M. , Yang Xiaoyong
Published: November 2018

Palatable foods (fat and sweet) induce hyperphagia, and facilitate the development of obesity. Whether and how overnutrition increases appetite through the adipose-to-brain axis is unclear. O-linked beta-D-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) transferase (OGT) couples nutrient cues to O-GlcNAcylation of intracellular proteins at serine/threonine residues. Chronic dysregulation of O-GlcNAc signaling contributes to metabolic diseases. Here we show that adipocyte OGT is essential for high fat diet-induced hyperphagia, but is dispensable for baseline food intake. Adipocyte OGT stimulates hyperphagia by transcriptional activation of de novo lipid desaturation and accumulation of N-arachidonyl ethanolamine (AEA), an endogenous appetite-inducing cannabinoid (CB). Pharmacological manipulation of peripheral CB1 signaling regulates hyperphagia in an adipocyte OGT-dependent manner. These findings define adipocyte OGT as a fat sensor that regulates peripheral lipid signals, and uncover an unexpected adipose-to-brain axis to induce hyperphagia and obesity.
Force-dependent allostery of the α-catenin actin-binding domain controls adherens junction dynamics and functions
Authors: Ishiyama Noboru , Sarpal Ritu , Wood Megan N. , Barrick Samantha K. , Nishikawa Tadateru , Hayashi Hanako , Kobb Anna B. , Flozak Annette S. , Yemelyanov Alex , Fernandez-Gonzalez Rodrigo , Yonemura Shigenobu , Leckband Deborah E. , Gottardi Cara J. , Tepass Ulrich , Ikura Mitsuhiko
Published: November 2018

α-catenin is a key mechanosensor that forms force-dependent interactions with F-actin, thereby coupling the cadherin-catenin complex to the actin cytoskeleton at adherens junctions (AJs). However, the molecular mechanisms by which α-catenin engages F-actin under tension remained elusive. Here we show that the α1-helix of the α-catenin actin-binding domain (αcat-ABD) is a mechanosensing motif that regulates tension-dependent F-actin binding and bundling. αcat-ABD containing an α1-helix-unfolding mutation (H1) shows enhanced binding to F-actin in vitro. Although full-length α-catenin-H1 can generate epithelial monolayers that resist mechanical disruption, it fails to support normal AJ regulation in vivo. Structural and simulation analyses suggest that α1-helix allosterically controls the actin-binding residue V796 dynamics. Crystal structures of αcat-ABD-H1 homodimer suggest that α-catenin can facilitate actin bundling while it remains bound to E-cadherin. We propose that force-dependent allosteric regulation of αcat-ABD promotes dynamic interactions with F-actin involved in actin bundling, cadherin clustering, and AJ remodeling during tissue morphogenesis.
Comprehensive correlation analysis for super-resolution dynamic fingerprinting of cellular compartments using the Zeiss Airyscan detector
Authors: Scipioni L. , Lanzanó L. , Diaspro A. , Gratton E.
Published: November 2018

The availability of the Airyscan detector in the Zeiss LSM 880 has made possible the development of a new concept in fluctuation correlation spectroscopy using super-resolution. The Airyscan unit acquires data simultaneously on 32 detectors arranged in a hexagonal array. This detector opens up the possibility to use fluctuation methods based on time correlation at single points or at a number of points simultaneously, as well as methods based on spatial correlation in the area covered by the detector. Given the frame rate of this detector, millions of frames can be acquired in seconds, providing a robust statistical basis for fluctuation data. We apply the comprehensive analysis to the molecular fluctuations of free GFP diffusing in live cells at different subcellular compartments to show that at the nanoscale different cell environments can be distinguished by the comprehensive fluctuation analysis.
Dissymmetry enhancement in enantioselective synthesis of helical polydiacetylene by application of superchiral light
Authors: He Chenlu , Yang Guang , Kuai Yan , Shan Sizhen , Yang Lin , Hu Jingang , Zhang Douguo , Zhang Qijin , Zou Gang
Published: November 2018

Superchiral light, generated by the interference of two counter-propagating circularly polarized light (CPL) with same frequency, opposite handedness and different intensity, exhibits enhanced dissymmetry in its interaction with chiral molecules, and has the potential for ultrasensitive detection and characterization of chiral molecules. It is anticipated that the enhanced optical dissymmetry in superchiral light (SCL) field may be utilized to promote asymmetric photochemical reactions efficiency. Herein we reported SCL impart greater chiral bias to trigger asymmetric photo-polymerization reaction from initially achiral diacetylene (DA) monomer, and the enhanced optical dissymmetry for whole polydiacetylene (PDA) films could be achieved. An explanation based on the chiral transfer and amplification of chiral bias from SCL during the polymerization process has been proposed. Moreover, thus formed chiral PDA films polymerized by SCL exhibited enhanced enantioselective recognition ability, and can serve as a direct visual probe for the discrimination of some specific enantiomers.
Shavenbaby and Yorkie mediate Hippo signaling to protect adult stem cells from apoptosis
Authors: Bohère Jérôme , Mancheno-Ferris Alexandra , Al Hayek Sandy , Zanet Jennifer , Valenti Philippe , Akino Kohsuke , Yamabe Yuya , Inagaki Sachi , Chanut-Delalande Hélène , Plaza Serge , Kageyama Yuji , Osman Dani , Polesello Cédric , Payre François
Published: November 2018

To compensate for accumulating damages and cell death, adult homeostasis (e.g., body fluids and secretion) requires organ regeneration, operated by long-lived stem cells. How stem cells can survive throughout the animal life remains poorly understood. Here we show that the transcription factor Shavenbaby (Svb, OvoL in vertebrates) is expressed in renal/nephric stem cells (RNSCs) of Drosophila and required for their maintenance during adulthood. As recently shown in embryos, Svb function in adult RNSCs further needs a post-translational processing mediated by the Polished rice (Pri) smORF peptides and impairing Svb function leads to RNSC apoptosis. We show that Svb interacts both genetically and physically with Yorkie (YAP/TAZ in vertebrates), a nuclear effector of the Hippo pathway, to activate the expression of the inhibitor of apoptosis DIAP1. These data therefore identify Svb as a nuclear effector in the Hippo pathway, critical for the survival of adult somatic stem cells.