bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contrasting thrust generation mechanics and energetics of flapping foil locomotory states characterized by a unified - scaling
Authors: Das Anil , Shukla Ratnesh K. , Govardhan Raghuraman N.
Published: November 2021

Self-propelled flapping foils with distinct locomotion-enabling kinematic restraints exhibit a remarkably similar Strouhal number (

$St$

)-Reynolds number (

$Re$

) dependence. This similarity has been hypothesized to pervade diverse forms of oscillatory self-propulsion and undulatory biolocomotion; however, its genesis and implications on the energetic cost of locomotion remain elusive. Here, using high-resolution simulations of translationally free and restrained foils that self-propel as they are pitched, we demonstrate that a generality in the

$St$

-

$Re$

relationship can emerge despite significant disparities in thrust generation mechanics and locomotory performance. Specifically, owing to a recoil reaction induced passive heave, the fluid's inertial response to the prescribed rotational pitch, the principal source of thrust in unidirectionally free and towed configurations, ceases to produce thrust in a bidirectionally free configuration. Rather, the thrust generated from the leading edge suction mechanics self-propels a bidirectionally free pitching foil. Owing to the foregoing distinction in the thrust generation mechanics, the

$St$

-

$Re$

relationships for the bidirectionally and unidirectionally free/towed foils are dissimilar and pitching amplitude dependent, but specifically for large reduced frequencies, converge to a previously reported unified power law. Importantly, to propel at a given mean forward speed, the bidirectionally free foil must counteract the out-of-phase passive heave through a more intense rotational pitch, resulting in an appreciably higher power consumption over the range

$10 \leq Re \leq 10^3$

. We highlight the critical role of thrust in introducing an offset in the

$St$

-

$Re$

relation, and through its amplification, being ultimately responsible for the considerable disparity in the locomotory performance of differentially constrained foils.
Vortex dynamics and hydrodynamic performance enhancement mechanism in batoid fish oscillatory swimming
Authors: Zhang Dong , Huang Qiao-Gao , Pan Guang , Yang Li-Ming , Huang Wei-Xi
Published: November 2021

The effects of chordwise deformation and the half-amplitude asymmetry on the hydrodynamic performance and vortex dynamics of batoid fish have been numerically investigated, in which the two parameters were represented by the wavenumber ($W$) and the ratio of the half-amplitude above the longitudinal axis to that below ($HAR$). Fin kinematics were prescribed based on biological data. Simulations were conducted using the immersed boundary method. It was found that moderate chordwise deformation enhances the thrust, saves the power and increases the efficiency. A large$HAR$can also increase thrust performance. By using the derivative-moment transformation theory at several subdomains to capture the local vortical structures and a force decomposition, it was shown that, at high Strouhal numbers ($St$), the tip vortex is the main source of thrust, whereas the leading-edge vortex (LEV) and trailing-edge vortex weaken the thrust generation. However, at lower$St$, the LEV would enhance the thrust. The least deformation ($W=0$) leads to the largest effective angle of attack, and thus the strongest vortices. However, moderate deformation ($W=0.4$) has an optimal balance between the performance enhancement and the opposite effect of different local structures. The performance enhancement of$HAR$was also due to the increase of the vortical contributions. This work provides a new insight into the role of vortices and the force enhancement mechanism in aquatic swimming.
Bridge to the Beloved Community: John Lewis's Interracial and Jewish Community Outreach
Authors: Frank Sherry Z.
Published: November 2021

This article captures my personal relationship with Congressman John Lewis, his wife, Lillian, and their son, John-Miles. Readers will discover Congressman Lewis's unique ties with the Jewish community and his lifelong commitment to strengthening Black-Jewish relations. It notes the issues he championed—from voting rights to Israel's security—and includes his own words marching in solidarity with the Jewish community and speaking out for freedom for Soviet Jews.
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF JURISDICTION IN PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW: THE EUROPEAN UNION, THE UNITED STATES AND ENGLAND
Authors: Hartley Trevor C
Published: November 2021

This article consists of a comparative study of the basic principles underlying the rules of jurisdiction in private international law in commercial cases in the law of the European Union, the United States and England. It considers the objectives which these rules seek to achieve (protection of the rights of the parties and respect for the interests of foreign States) and the extent to which these objectives are attained. It takes tort claims, especially in the field of products-liability, as an example and considers which system has the most exorbitant rules. It suggests explanations for the differences found.
Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the surrounding waters of Isabel Island in western-central Mexico: unveiling a little-known wintering area
Authors: Zavala-Alarcón Fabiola L. , Frisch-Jordán Astrid , Rosas-Espinoza Verónica Carolina , Rosales-Nanduca Hiram
Published: November 2021

The humpback whales which breed in the Mexican Pacific represent an important fraction (~38%) of the estimated population of the North Pacific. Despite the importance of Mexican waters for the reproductive habits of this species, little is known about the ecology of these whales, along the continental coast of Mexico. We analysed the temporal variation of abundance, group types, and inter- and intra-annual recapture rates in the waters adjacent to Isabel Island National Park as well as intra- and inter-seasonal movements with Banderas Bay breeding areas. Inter- and intra-annual recapture rates in Isabel Island National Park were low (1.8%); while 34% of 222 individuals photo-identified in Isabel Island National Park were also recaptured in Banderas Bay. Groups with calves were uncommon (9.5%), while pairs (33.5%) and competitive groups (29.5%) were more common. Intense singing activity was detected in the waters adjacent to Isabel Island. These waters seem to function as a reproductive corridor for the so-called ‘coastal stock’ of humpback whales in the waters adjacent to the continental coast of the Mexican Pacific. Therefore, mid- and long-term studies are needed to understand the dynamics of these displacements. Our findings suggest that Isabel Island National Park is an important area for the mating ecology of the humpback whales of the continental waters of the Mexican coast, and support the initiative to incorporate a Marine Protected Area within the Isabel Island National Park.
Taxa-specific activity loss and mortality patterns in freshwater trematode cercariae under subarctic conditions
Authors: Born-Torrijos Ana , van Beest Gabrielle S. , Vyhlídalová Tereza , Knudsen Rune , Kristoffersen Roar , Amundsen Per-Arne , Thieltges David W. , Soldánová Miroslava
Published: November 2021

Cercarial activity and survival are crucial traits for the transmission of trematodes. Temperature is particularly important, as faster depletion of limited cercarial energy reserves occurs at high temperatures. Seasonal climate conditions in high latitude regions may be challenging to complete trematode life cycle during the 6-month ice-free period, but temperature effects on the activity and survival of freshwater cercariae have not been previously identified. After experimentally simulating natural subarctic conditions during warmer and colder months (13 and 6°C), a statistical approach identifying changes in the tendency of cercarial activity loss and mortality data was used to detect differences in three trematode genera, represented by four taxa (Diplostomum spp., Apatemon spp., small- and large-sized Plagiorchis spp.). A strong temperature-dependent response was identified in both activity loss and mortality in all taxa, with Diplostomum spp. cercariae showing the most gradual changes compared to other taxa. Furthermore, whilst activity loss and mortality dynamics could not be divided into ‘fish- vs invertebrate-infecting cercariae’ groups, the detected taxa-specific responses in relation to life-history traits indicate the swimming behaviour of cercariae and energy allocation among larvae individuals as the main drivers. Cercariae exploit the short transmission window that allows a stable continuance of trematodes’ life cycles in high-latitude freshwater ecosystems.
Human dominion and wild animal suffering
Authors: Crummett Dustin
Published: November 2021

It may be possible, now or in the future, for humans to technologically intervene to reduce the amount of suffering experienced by wild animals. There is a debate about whether, if humans can do this, they should. Here, I consider the implications for this debate of the theological claim that humans have been granted dominion over the other animals. I argue that it's more plausible to interpret the dominion claim as granting humans (i) the responsibility to care for the well-being of individual animals than to interpret it as giving humans either (ii) the right to do whatever they want to other animals or (iii) the responsibility to care only for the well-being of aggregates of animals (such as whole species). I then show how this understanding of dominion undermines a range of arguments against intervening to reduce wild animal suffering. These arguments claim that humans do not stand in the right sort of relationship for intervention to be obligatory (or perhaps even permissible). But if we possess such dominion, we do stand in the right sort of relationship for it to be obligatory.
Tribunal Theatre in Spain: Jauría and the La Manada Gang Rape
Authors: Antropova Svetlana , Mingo Elisa García
Published: November 2021

Jauría (2019) was the first tribunal verbatim play in Spain and it had a great impact on audiences in the context of heated debate about how national legislation had a long-standing legacy of sexism. Based on the transcripts of the legal proceedings of the La Manada gang-rape case, Jauría not only clarifies this controversial case for different types of audiences, but it also poses very important questions concerning the nature of rape and how the judicial system treats the victims of rape. This article studies the performative force of tribunal verbatim in shaping the audience’s understanding of an actual gang-rape case and indicates how a feedback loop is created in the performance itself, transforming the spectators’ attitudes. Svetlana Antropova is a lecturer at Villanueva University in Madrid. Her recent publications include ‘Filming Trauma: Bodiless Voice and Voiceless Bodies in Beckett’s Eh Joe’, in Elspeth McInnes and Danielle Schaub, eds., What Happened? Re-presenting Traumas, Uncovering Recoveries (Brill/Rodopi 2019), and ‘De/Construction of Visual Stage Image in Samuel Beckett’s Play’ (Anagnórisis: Revista de Investigación Teatral, XXII, 2020). Elisa García Mingo is an associate professor in Sociology at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid and is an associate member of the Centre for Transforming Sexualities and Gender at the University of Brighton.
The Nazi Occupation of Theaterwissenschaft
Authors: Senelick Laurence
Published: November 2021

Theaterwissenschaft was first developed as an academic field in Germany. In Berlin, Max Herrmann pursued a sociological and iconological approach; in Cologne and in Munich, Carl Niessen and Artur Kutscher followed an ethnographic and mythological direction, respectively. With the Nazi takeover in 1933, Herrmann was dismissed and replaced by a non-scholar, Hans Knudsen. Niessen’s open-air Thingspiel was co-opted to support Nazi ideas of Volkstum. Kutscher renounced his liberal background and joined the Party. In Vienna, Josef Gregor got the local Gauleiter to found a Central Institute for Theatre Studies that disseminated anti-Semitic propaganda. The most egregious case is that of Heinz Kindermann, who rose to be the most influential aesthetician of National Socialism, proposing a biological foundation to theatre studies and offering a racial-eugenic approach to theatre history. As this article demonstrates, in the post-war period, theatre studies sedulously avoided dealing with the Nazi interlude, where official denazification permitted these men and others to carry on teaching and publishing, winning honours and titles. It was not until the 1980s that attempts were made to confront this past. Laurence Senelick is Fletcher Professor Emeritus of Drama and Oratory at Tufts University, a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a member of the Advisory Board of the Conference on Transglobal Theatre. His most recent books include Jacques Offenbach and the Making of Modern Culture (Cambridge University Press, 2018); Stanislavsky: A Life in Letters (Routledge, 2013); and (with Sergei Ostrovsky) The Soviet Theatre: A Documentary History (Yale University Press, 2014).
How do people in the “Land of Hornbills” perceive Hornbills?
Authors: PHILOVENNY PENGIRAN , MOHD-AZLAN JAYASILAN
Published: November 2021

Sarawak is known as the “Land of Hornbills”, having the Rhinoceros Hornbill as the state emblem and with hornbills also being closely associated with important cultural symbols and beliefs among various local communities. However, up to date there is limited understanding on the perception, awareness, and beliefs of local communities towards hornbills. This paper aims to describe the aforementioned factors in western Sarawak, in hope of acquiring the socio-cultural information needed to fill the gap, and to clarify misconceptions towards hornbill conservation efforts in Sarawak. Data collection was accomplished using Open Data Kit (ODK). A total of 500 respondents were approached in five administrative divisions in western Sarawak, namely Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman, and Betong. The questionnaire was carefully formulated to control acquiescence bias that might arise. Boosted Regression Tree (BRT) modelling was conducted to evaluate the strongest demographic predictor variables influencing the answers and word clouds were used to visualise hornbill species by the local community. Sarawakians acknowledge the importance of hornbills as a cultural symbol (95%) despite hornbills being used for food, medicine, and decoration. Whilst this study describes the perceptions of hornbills in local communities, a comprehensive assessment throughout Sarawak is recommended for better understanding of hornbill importance in other communities. Such socio-cultural information is vital to ensure the success of conservation efforts and for effective management strategies of hornbills within Sarawak.
Housing choices and their implications for consumption heterogeneity
Authors: de Francisco Eva
Published: November 2021

This paper proposes a model to jointly explain two stylized facts observed in the recent empirical literature—the existence of a significant size of wealthy hand-to-mouth consumers and negative marginal propensities to consume associated with housing upgrades. The key ingredients of the model are a realistic set of housing choices, sizable down payment requirements, transaction costs, and endogenous borrowing constraints. Moreover, in the presence of unanticipated income shocks, this richness in marginal propensities to consume has significant implications for aggregate consumption and helps explain the puzzling increase in savings by low net worth households observed during the Great Recession as well as the consumption responses to recent tax rebates.
Equilibrium dynamics in a model of growth and spatial agglomeration
Authors: Fujishima Shota , Oyama Daisuke
Published: November 2021

We present a multiregional endogenous growth model in which forward-looking agents choose their regions to live in, in addition to consumption and capital accumulation paths. The spatial distribution of economic activity is determined by the interplay between production spillover effects and urban congestion effects. We characterize the global stability of the spatial equilibrium states in terms of economic primitives such as agents’ time preference and intra- and interregional spillovers. We also study how macroeconomic variables at the stable equilibrium state behave according to the structure of the spillover network.
How diabolic is the sovereign-bank loop? The effects of post-default fiscal policies
Authors: Diniz André , Guimaraes Bernardo
Published: November 2021

The deleterious effect of debt restructuring on banks’ balance sheets and, consequently, on the economy as a whole has been a key policy issue. This paper studies how post-default fiscal policy interacts with this sovereign-bank loop and shape the response of a model economy. Calibration of the model matches characteristics of the Greek economy at the time of the bond exchange. Debt restructuring in place of higher lump-sum taxation or lower nonproductive government spending harms the economy even if no other cost of default is considered. However, the sovereign-debt loop is less costly to the economy than increases in labor or capital taxes to service debt. Even so, if fiscal policy is too responsive, a crowding-out effect inhibits the recovery of capital markets, hence a more conservative fiscal stance is desirable. Thus, how diabolic the post-default sovereign-bank loop is depends to a large extent on the way fiscal policy responds.
A Psycholinguistic Investigation into Diminutive Strategies in the East Franconian NP: Little Schnitzels Stay Big, but Little Crooks Become Nicer
Authors: Wittenberg Eva , Trotzke Andreas
Published: November 2021

Upper German dialects make heavy use of diminutive strategies, but little is known about the actual conceptual effects of those devices. This paper is the first to present two large-scale psycholinguistic experiments that investigate this issue in East Franconian, a dialect spoken in Bavaria. Franconian uses both the diminutive suffix-laand the quantifying constructiona weng alit. ‘a little bit a’ to modify noun phrases. Our first experiment shows that diminutization has no effect on conceptualization of magnitude: People do not think of a smaller/weaker/shorter etc. referent when the NP is modified by the morphological diminutive, the quantifying construction, or their combination. The second experiment involves gradable NPs and shows that, again, the morphological diminutive has no effect on how people conceptualize the degree to which a gradable nominal predicate holds; in contrast,a weng areduces it significantly. These experiments suggest that diminutization does not have uniform effects across semantic domains, and our results act as a successful example of extending the avenue of cognitive psychology into dialectology with the active participation of a speaker community.*
Still Not Important Enough? COVID-19 Policy Views and Vote Choice
Authors: Guntermann Eric , Lenz Gabriel
Published: November 2021

Scholars have long been skeptical of citizens’ ability to vote on the basis of their policy views. Voters lack incentives to pay attention to politics and so are often unaware of the policy stances adopted by presidential candidates and parties. However, some scholars have suggested that voter attention may increase when policy issues become important to them, such as when a crisis disrupts their lives. The coronavirus pandemic provides an opportunity to test this proposition. It is one of the most severe crises the United States has faced. It has disrupted almost everyone’s lives, and many people know someone who has tested positive or died from the virus. It is thus salient and important to many—if not most—voters. Despite this context, we find that many voters remain unaware of the 2020 US Presidential candidates’ stances on coronavirus policies. Their levels of knowledge are about typical for other policies, which is middling. In the absence of knowledge, voters cannot connect their policy views on the virus with their presidential voting decisions.
Behind the legal curtain: Social, cultural and religious practices and their impact on missing persons and the dead in Colombia
Authors: Nuñez Pastor Mayra
Published: November 2021

This paper examines social, cultural and religious factors that affect the implementation of international humanitarian law concerning dead and missing persons in non-international armed conflicts. To this end, the behaviour of both armed groups and civil society is studied. The argument made in the paper is that in some cases endogenous and exogenous systems of value (social, religious and cultural understandings), operating within the logic of armed non-State actors and within local communities, should be considered by policies concerning the search for missing persons. The Colombian armed conflict is used as case study; the social, cultural and religious practices of the National Liberation Army and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People's Army are analyzed as examples. Likewise, social and cultural values within affected populations can impact on post-conflict mechanisms agreed upon by the parties concerning the search for missing persons, and vice versa. Consequently, customs and traditions such as the “adoption” of unidentified buried people by local communities (social resignification of the dead) and the practices of indigenous communities are reviewed in order to establish a holistic framework.
Bottom‐Up and Top‐Down Control on Hydrothermal Resources in the Great Basin: An Example From Gabbs Valley, Nevada
Authors: Peacock J. R. , Siler D. L.
Published: November 2021

The Great Basin in the western United States hosts various hydrothermal systems, including both active geothermal systems and ancient systems preserved as mineral deposits. New magnetotelluric and structural geologic data were collected in the Gabbs Valley area of western Nevada to demonstrate the advantage of imaging the full crustal column below known hydrothermal systems. Three‐dimensional models are developed and jointly interpreted where the key findings are bottom‐up and top‐down controls on hydrothermal systems. Bottom‐up control is dictated by weaknesses in the brittle‐ductile transition that allow hydrothermal fluids to propagate into the crust; these are often collocated with Miocene volcanic structures. Top‐down control is dominated by modern Walker Lane and Basin and Range tectonics that control fluid transport through the middle and upper crust. This study demonstrates that the characterization of regional mineral and geothermal resources is better informed by imaging lower crustal structures and preferential pathways to the surface.
On Recent Large Antarctic Ozone Holes and Ozone Recovery Metrics
Authors: Stone K. A. , Solomon S. , Kinnison D. E. , Mills Michael J.
Published: November 2021

The 2015 and 2020 ozone holes set record sizes in October–December. We show that these years, as well as other recent large ozone holes, still adhere to a fundamental recovery metric: the later onset of early spring ozone depletion as chlorine and bromine diminishes. This behavior is also captured in the Whole Atmosphere Chemistry Climate Model. We quantify observed recovery trends of the onset of the ozone hole and in the size of the September ozone hole, with good model agreement. A substantial reduction in ozone hole depth during September over the past decade is also seen. Our results indicate that, due to dynamical phenomena, it is likely that large ozone holes will continue to occur intermittently in October–December, but ozone recovery will still be detectable through the later onset, smaller, and less deep September ozone holes: metrics that are governed more by chemical processes.
Lunar Megaregolith Structure Revealed by GRAIL Gravity Data
Authors: Izquierdo Kristel , Sori Michael M. , Soderblom Jason M. , Johnson Brandon C. , Wiggins Sean E.
Published: November 2021

We use gravity data from NASA's GRAIL mission to characterize the porosity structure of the upper lunar crust. We analyze the gravitational anomalies produced by the porosity of craters with diameters D between 10 and 30 km. We find that the gravitational signature of craters changes significantly at km, which is related to a discrete change in porosity at a depth ∼3–5 km. We propose that this discrete porosity change reveals the location of the boundary between large‐scale basin ejecta and the deeper less porous portion of the megaregolith, known as the structurally disturbed crust. The ejecta thickness can help constrain models of material transport and mixing on the Moon and, because the ejecta layer acts as an insulating blanket, models of heat flow and magmatism.
Plasma Waves in the Distant Martian Environment: Implications for Mars' Sphere of Influence
Authors: Esman T. M. , Espley J. , Gruesbeck J. , Klein K. G. , Giacalone J.
Published: November 2021

We identify magnetic waves in the initial insertion orbits of the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission spacecraft far upstream of the Martian bow shock. Overall, the majority of the observed magnetic waves are elliptically polarized and more perpendicular than parallel relative to the mean magnetic field. We find and analyze numerous waves near 1 Hz. The handedness of these 1 Hz waves tends toward left‐handed as the angle between the solar wind velocity and the magnetic field decrease. Similar waves are not seen in the Juno cruise data when it passed Mars' orbit (while Mars was more than 1 AU away). The presence of these waves out to distances of 14 Mars radii as observed by MAVEN and their absence in the Juno cruise data suggests the 1 Hz waves are amplified and/or created by the Martian environment. We also find a second, separate class of intermittent waves with frequencies near the proton cyclotron gyrofrequency. These waves are primarily right‐handed polarized in the spacecraft frame. The spatial distribution of the waves suggests no clear association with the well‐known plume of escaping ions that flows in the direction of the solar wind electric field. There are no obvious correlations between the wave amplitudes and the direction of the local interplanetary magnetic field or on their proximity to Mars. These characteristics lead us to conclude that the majority of these near‐proton cyclotron gyrofrequency waves are likely whistler‐mode waves that are not directly associated with Mars.
Distinct Ocean Responses to Greenland's Liquid Runoff and Iceberg Melt
Authors: Marson Juliana M. , Gillard Laura C. , Myers Paul G.
Published: November 2021

While Greenland discharge has been increasing in the last decades, its impact on the Meridional Overturning Circulation (MOC) is not clearly established. Because of that, the accuracy of this discharge representation in ocean models has not been a priority in large‐scale circulation studies. Many models prescribe Greenland discharge solely as liquid runoff from the coast—even though around half of this mass loss is attributed to solid discharge. In this study, we use sensitivity experiments carried out with the Nucleus for European Modeling of the Ocean general circulation model to show the most relevant impacts that different Greenland solid discharge parameterizations (transforming it to liquid runoff or explicitly representing it through an iceberg model) have on the western subpolar Atlantic. We find that icebergs act as freshwater reservoirs that affect how much, when, and where freshwater is delivered to the ocean. They carry large amounts of freshwater away from boundary currents, releasing it in the interior of the subpolar gyre. Moreover, the amount and variability of freshwater delivered to the ocean depend not only on the characteristics of Greenland discharge itself but also on the environmental conditions icebergs are subjected to. We also find a large difference in subsurface temperatures in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, which suggests that different Greenland discharge parameterizations might have far reaching implications beyond the MOC. Although differences in ocean fields between the simulations are usually small and within their interannual variability, they might be relevant as Greenland calving rates increase with global warming.
Carbon Emissions From the Edge of the Greenland Ice Sheet Reveal Subglacial Processes of Methane and Carbon Dioxide Turnover
Authors: Christiansen Jesper R. , Röckmann Thomas , Popa Maria E. , Sapart Celia J. , Jørgensen Christian J.
Published: November 2021

Direct gaseous emissions of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) from the subglacial environment under Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) were only recently discovered and it is yet to be determined how important it is for the panarctic carbon budget. We measured in situ net gaseous emissions of subglacial CH4 and CO2, dissolved concentrations and isotopic composition of gases (13C and 2H) at the onset, near maximum, and at the end of the melt season in 2018 and 2019. We found a tight relation between gaseous and dissolved CH4 and CO2, respectively, indicating that degassing from the subglacial meltwater is the main source of these gases in the subglacial air. The diurnal variability of in situ mole fractions of CH4 and CO2 in subglacial air was related to meltwater runoff showing that the net emission magnitude is directly related to glacial hydrology. We observed that maximum in situ mole fractions of CH4 and CO2 appeared at the onset of the melt season and decreased over the melt season. The isotopic signature of CH4 in the subglacial air indicated that it likely originated from microbial methanogenesis which remained constant during the season. Isotopic signatures of subglacial CO2 indicate mixed sources from microbial oxidation of CH4, remineralization of sedimentary organic carbon, and possibly influenced by removal of CO2 by weathering. Our study indicate large emissions of both CO2 and CH4, but continuous studies over entire melt seasons are needed to determine the origin and emission magnitudes and their relation to the glacial dynamics.
Delaying carbon dioxide removal in the European Union puts climate targets at risk
Authors: Galán-Martín Ángel , Vázquez Daniel , Cobo Selene , Mac Dowell Niall , Caballero José Antonio , Guillén-Gosálbez Gonzalo
Published: November 2021

Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) will be essential to meet the climate targets, so enabling its deployment at the right time will be decisive. Here, we investigate the still poorly understood implications of delaying CDR actions, focusing on integrating direct air capture and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (DACCS and BECCS) into the European Union power mix. Under an indicative target of −50 Gt of net CO2 by 2100, delayed CDR would cost an extra of 0.12−0.19 trillion EUR per year of inaction. Moreover, postponing CDR beyond mid-century would substantially reduce the removal potential to almost half (−35.60 Gt CO2) due to the underused biomass and land resources and the maximum technology diffusion speed. The effective design of BECCS and DACCS systems calls for long-term planning starting from now and aligned with the evolving power systems. Our quantitative analysis of the consequences of inaction on CDR﻿—with climate targets at risk and fair CDR contributions at stake—should help to break the current impasse and incentivize early actions worldwide.
A very likely weakening of Pacific Walker Circulation in constrained near-future projections
Authors: Wu Mingna , Zhou Tianjun , Li Chao , Li Hongmei , Chen Xiaolong , Wu Bo , Zhang Wenxia , Zhang Lixia
Published: November 2021

The observational records have shown a strengthening of the Pacific Walker circulation (PWC) since 1979. However, whether the observed change is forced by external forcing or internal variability remains inconclusive, a solid answer to more societal relevantly question of how the PWC will change in the near future is still a challenge. Here we perform a quantitative estimation on the contributions of external forcing and internal variability to the recent observed PWC strengthening using large ensemble simulations from six state-of-the-art Earth system models. We find the phase transition of the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO), which is an internal variability mode related to the Pacific, accounts for approximately 63% (~51–72%) of the observed PWC strengthening. Models with sufficient ensemble members can reasonably capture the observed PWC and IPO changes. We further constrain the projection of PWC change by using climate models’ credit in reproducing the historical phase of IPO. The result shows a high probability of a weakened PWC in the near future.
Periaqueductal gray neurons encode the sequential motor program in hunting behavior of mice
Authors: Yu Hong , Xiang Xinkuan , Chen Zongming , Wang Xu , Dai Jiaqi , Wang Xinxin , Huang Pengcheng , Zhao Zheng-dong , Shen Wei L. , Li Haohong
Published: November 2021

Sequential encoding of motor programs is essential for behavior generation. However, whether it is critical for instinctive behavior is still largely unknown. Mouse hunting behavior typically contains a sequential motor program, including the prey search, chase, attack, and consumption. Here, we reveal that the neuronal activity in the lateral periaqueductal gray (LPAG) follows a sequential pattern and is time-locked to different hunting actions. Optrode recordings and photoinhibition demonstrate that LPAGVgat neurons are required for the prey detection, chase and attack, while LPAGVglut2 neurons are selectively required for the attack. Ablation of inputs that could trigger hunting, including the central amygdala, the lateral hypothalamus, and the zona incerta, interrupts the activity sequence pattern and substantially impairs hunting actions. Therefore, our findings reveal that periaqueductal gray neuronal ensembles encode the sequential hunting motor program, which might provide a framework for decoding complex instinctive behaviors.
Cluster magnetic octupole induced out-of-plane spin polarization in antiperovskite antiferromagnet
Authors: You Yunfeng , Bai Hua , Feng Xiaoyu , Fan Xiaolong , Han Lei , Zhou Xiaofeng , Zhou Yongjian , Zhang Ruiqi , Chen Tongjin , Pan Feng , Song Cheng
Published: November 2021

Out-of-plane spin polarization σz has attracted increasing interests of researchers recently, due to its potential in high-density and low-power spintronic devices. Noncollinear antiferromagnet (AFM), which has unique 120° triangular spin configuration, has been discovered to possess σz. However, the physical origin of σz in noncollinear AFM is still not clear, and the external magnetic field-free switching of perpendicular magnetic layer using the corresponding σz has not been reported yet. Here, we use the cluster magnetic octupole in antiperovskite AFM Mn3SnN to demonstrate the generation of σz. σz is induced by the precession of carrier spins when currents flow through the cluster magnetic octupole, which also relies on the direction of the cluster magnetic octupole in conjunction with the applied current. With the aid of σz, current induced spin-orbit torque (SOT) switching of adjacent perpendicular ferromagnet is realized without external magnetic field. Our findings present a new perspective to the generation of out-of-plane spin polarizations via noncollinear AFM spin structure, and provide a potential path to realize ultrafast high-density applications.
Towards inferring nanopore sequencing ionic currents from nucleotide chemical structures
Authors: Ding Hongxu , Anastopoulos Ioannis , Bailey Andrew D. , Stuart Joshua , Paten Benedict
Published: November 2021

The characteristic ionic currents of nucleotide kmers are commonly used in analyzing nanopore sequencing readouts. We present a graph convolutional network-based deep learning framework for predicting kmer characteristic ionic currents from corresponding chemical structures. We show such a framework can generalize the chemical information of the 5-methyl group from thymine to cytosine by correctly predicting 5-methylcytosine-containing DNA 6mers, thus shedding light on the de novo detection of nucleotide modifications.
Biallelic truncation variants in ATP9A are associated with a novel autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental disorder
Authors: Mattioli Francesca , Darvish Hossein , Paracha Sohail Aziz , Tafakhori Abbas , Firouzabadi Saghar Ghasemi , Chapi Marjan , Baig Hafiz Muhammad Azhar , Reymond Alexandre , Antonarakis Stylianos E. , Ansar Muhammad
Published: November 2021

Intellectual disability (ID) is a highly heterogeneous disorder with hundreds of associated genes. Despite progress in the identification of the genetic causes of ID following the introduction of high-throughput sequencing, about half of affected individuals still remain without a molecular diagnosis. Consanguineous families with affected individuals provide a unique opportunity to identify novel recessive causative genes. In this report, we describe a novel autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental disorder. We identified two consanguineous families with homozygous variants predicted to alter the splicing of ATP9A which encodes a transmembrane lipid flippase of the class II P4-ATPases. The three individuals homozygous for these putatively truncating variants presented with severe ID, motor and speech impairment, and behavioral anomalies. Consistent with a causative role of ATP9A in these patients, a previously described Atp9a−/− mouse model showed behavioral changes.
A novel principle to localize the sensitivity of waveform tomography using wave interferences at the observation boundary
Authors: Minato Shohei , Ghose Ranajit
Published: November 2021

When using waveform tomography to perform high-resolution imaging of a medium, it is vital to calculate the sensitivity in order to describe how well a model fits a given set of data and how the sensitivity changes with the spatial distribution of the heterogeneities. The traditional principle behind calculating the sensitivity—for detecting small changes—suffers from an inherent limitation in case other structures, not of interest, are present along the wave propagation path. We propose a novel principle that leads to enhanced localization of the sensitivity of the waveform tomography, without having to know the intermediate structures. This new principle emerges from a boundary integral representation which utilizes wave interferences observed at multiple points. When tested on geophysical acoustic wave data, this new principle leads to much better sensitivity localization and detection of small changes in seismic velocities, which were otherwise impossible. Overcoming the insensitivity to a target area, it offers new possibilities for imaging and monitoring small changes in properties, which is critical in a wide range of disciplines and scales.
A meta-analysis of the effects of glucagon-like-peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP1-RA) in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with type 2 diabetes (T2D)
Authors: Ghosal Samit , Datta Debasis , Sinha Binayak
Published: November 2021

Treatment options for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), two conditions which coexist, are limited though weight loss is an important strategy to improve outcomes in either disease. Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP1-RA) present a novel option to treat this dual disease by their salutary effects on glycaemic control and weight reduction. Eight randomized controlled trials on T2D and NAFLD from the Cochrane Library, Embase, and PubMed were included in this meta-analysis. The Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software version 3 was used to calculate the effect size. In a pooled population of 615 patients—297 on GLP1-RA and 318 in the control arm, GLP1-RA produced a significant improvement in alanine aminotransferase [standardised mean difference (SDM), − 0.56, 95% CI − 0.88 to − 0.25, P < 0.01], aspartate aminotransferase (SDM, − 0.44, SE, 95% CI − 0.64 to − 0.24, P < 0.01), gamma glutaryl transaminase (SDM, − 0.60, 95% CI − 0.86 to − 0.34, P < 0.01) and reduction in liver fat content (LFC) (SDM, − 0.43, 95% CI − 0.74 to − 0.12, P < 0.01), as well as glycosylated haemoglobin (SDM, − 0.40, 95% CI, − 0.61 to − 0.19, P < 0.01) and weight (SDM, − 0.66, 95% CI, − 0.88 to − 0.44, P < 0.01), in comparison to standard of care or placebo. Significant improvement in biopsy resolution was also seen in the GLP1-RA arm (Rate Ratio, 6.60, 95% CI 2.67 to 16.29, P < 0.01). This is possibly the first meta-analysis conducted exclusively in patients with T2D and NAFLD which presents a strong signal that GLP1-RA, improve liver function and histology by improving glycaemia, reducing body weight and hepatic fat, which in turn reduces hepatic inflammation.

Trial Registration: PROSPERO (ID: CRD42021228824).
The quest for a unified theory on biomechanical palm risk assessment through theoretical analysis and observation
Authors: Sterken Peter
Published: November 2021

Several methodologies related to the biomechanical risk assessment and the uprooting and breaking potential of palms are reviewed and evaluated in this study. Also a simple mathematical model was designed, to simulate the results of critical wind speed predictions for a tall coconut palm by using classic beam theory and Brazier buckling. First, the review presents arguments that assess the applicability of some influential claims and tree and palm risk assessment methods that have been amply marketed in the last 20 years. Then, the analysis goes beyond the classical procedures and theories that have influenced the arboricultural industry and related press so far. And afterwards, rationale behind several postulated ideas are presented, that are hoped to be fruitful in the path towards a new biomechanical theory for the biomechanical risk assessment of palms. The postulated model envisages the palm stem as a viscoelastic and hollow cylinder that is not only prone to buckling, ovalization and kinking, but also fatigue, shear, splitting and crack propagation. This envisaging was also the main reason why simple Brazier buckling formulation was experimentally applied to simulate the breaking risk of a cocostem. This study also enables a better understanding of the wide range of factors that may influence the mechanical behaviour of trees and palms under (wind) loading.
PET/CT background noise and its effect on speech recognition
Authors: Speck Iva , Rottmayer Valentin , Wiebe Konstantin , Aschendorff Antje , Thurow Johannes , Frings Lars , Meyer Philipp T. , Wesarg Thomas , Arndt Susan
Published: November 2021

Positron emission tomography (PET) has been successfully used to investigate central nervous processes, including the central auditory pathway. Unlike early water-cooled PET-scanners, novel PET/CT scanners employ air cooling and include a CT system, both of which result in higher background noise levels. In the present study, we describe the background noise generated by two state-of-the-art air-cooled PET/CT scanners. We measured speech recognition in background noise: recorded PET noise and a speech-shaped noise applied in clinical routine to subjects with normal hearing. Background noise produced by air-cooled PET/CT is considerable: 75.1 dB SPL (64.5 dB(A)) for the Philips Gemini TF64 and 76.9 dB SPL (68.4 dB(A)) for the Philips Vereos PET/CT (Philips Healthcare, The Netherlands). Subjects with normal hearing exhibited better speech recognition in recorded PET background noise compared with clinically applied speech-shaped noise. Speech recognition in both background noises correlated significantly. Background noise generated by PET/CT scanners should be considered when PET is used for the investigation of the central auditory pathway. Speech in PET noise is better than in speech-shaped noise because of the minor masking effect of the background noise of the PET/CT.
Association between low density lipoprotein cholesterol and all-cause mortality: results from the NHANES 1999–2014
Authors: Liu Ya , Liu Fubin , Zhang Liwen , Li Junxian , Kang Wenjuan , Cao Mingli , Song Fangfang , Song Fengju
Published: November 2021

The association between low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and all-cause mortality has been examined in many studies. However, inconsistent results and limitations still exist. We used the 1999–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data with 19,034 people to assess the association between LDL-C level and all-cause mortality. All participants were followed up until 2015 except those younger than 18 years old, after excluding those who died within three years of follow-up, a total of 1619 deaths among 19,034 people were included in the analysis. In the age-adjusted model (model 1), it was found that the lowest LDL-C group had a higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR 1.708 [1.432–2.037]) than LDL-C 100–129 mg/dL as a reference group. The crude-adjusted model (model 2) suggests that people with the lowest level of LDL-C had 1.600 (95% CI [1.325–1.932]) times the odds compared with the reference group, after adjusting for age, sex, race, marital status, education level, smoking status, body mass index (BMI). In the fully-adjusted model (model 3), people with the lowest level of LDL-C had 1.373 (95% CI [1.130–1.668]) times the odds compared with the reference group, after additionally adjusting for hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer based on model 2. The results from restricted cubic spine (RCS) curve showed that when the LDL-C concentration (130 mg/dL) was used as the reference, there is a U-shaped relationship between LDL-C level and all-cause mortality. In conclusion, we found that low level of LDL-C is associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality. The observed association persisted after adjusting for potential confounders. Further studies are warranted to determine the causal relationship between LDL-C level and all-cause mortality.
A rapid simple point-of-care assay for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies
Authors: Kongsuphol Patthara , Jia Huan , Cheng Hoi Lok , Gu Yue , Shunmuganathan Bhuvaneshwari D/O , Chen Ming Wei , Lim Sing Mei , Ng Say Yong , Tambyah Paul Ananth , Nasir Haziq , Gao Xiaohong , Tay Dousabel , Kim Seunghyeon , Gupta Rashi , Qian Xinlei , Kozma Mary M. , Purushotorman Kiren , McBee Megan E. , MacAry Paul A. , Sikes Hadley D. , Preiser Peter R.
Published: November 2021

Background

Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) prevent pathogens from infecting host cells. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 NAbs is critical to evaluate herd immunity and monitor vaccine efficacy against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. All currently available NAb tests are lab-based and time-intensive.

Method

We develop a 10 min cellulose pull-down test to detect NAbs against SARS-CoV-2 from human plasma. The test evaluates the ability of antibodies to disrupt ACE2 receptor—RBD complex formation. The simple, portable, and rapid testing process relies on two key technologies: (i) the vertical-flow paper-based assay format and (ii) the rapid interaction of cellulose binding domain to cellulose paper.

Results

Here we show the construction of a cellulose-based vertical-flow test. The developed test gives above 80% sensitivity and specificity and up to 93% accuracy as compared to two current lab-based methods using COVID-19 convalescent plasma.

Conclusions

A rapid 10 min cellulose based test has been developed for detection of NAb against SARS-CoV-2. The test demonstrates comparable performance to the lab-based tests and can be used at Point-of-Care. Importantly, the approach used for this test can be easily extended to test RBD variants or to evaluate NAbs against other pathogens.
Coordination polymers of 5-substituted 1,2,3,4-tetracyanocyclopentadienides: structural and electrochemical properties of complex compounds of 5-amino- and 5-nitro-tetracyanocyclopentadienide
Authors: Nimax Patrick R. , Rotthowe Nils , Zoller Florian , Blockhaus Tobias , Wagner Fritz , Fattakhova Dina , Sünkel Karlheinz
Published: November 2021

Two electron-deficient polycyanated cyclopentadienides, utilized as ligands in coordination polymers with transition- and alkaline metals, show a reductive behavior to yield their neutral radicals when subjected to UV-light.