bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Axiomatic rationality and ecological rationality
Authors: Gigerenzer Gerd
Published: July 2019

Axiomatic rationality is defined in terms of conformity to abstract axioms. Savage (The foundations of statistics, Wiley, New York, 1954) limited axiomatic rationality tosmall worlds(S,C), that is, situations in which the exhaustive and mutually exclusive set of future statesSand their consequencesCare known. Others have interpreted axiomatic rationality as a categorical norm for how human beings should reason, arguing in addition that violations would lead to real costs such as money pumps. Yet a review of the literature shows little evidence that violations are actually associated with any measurable costs. Limiting axiomatic rationality to small worlds, I propose a naturalized version of rationality for situations of intractability and uncertainty (as opposed to risk), all of which are not in (S,C). In these situations, humans can achieve their goals by relying on heuristics that may violate axiomatic rationality. The study of ecological rationality requires formal models of heuristics and an analysis of the structures of environments these can exploit. It lays the foundation of a moderate naturalism in epistemology, providing statements about heuristics weshoulduse in a given situation. Unlike axiomatic rationality, ecological rationality can explain less-is-more effects (when using less information can be expected to generate more accurate predictions), formalize when one should move from ‘is’ to ‘ought,’ and be evaluated by goals beyond coherence, such as predictive accuracy, frugality, and efficiency. Ecological rationality can be seen as a formalization of means–end instrumentalist rationality, based on Herbert Simon’s insight that rational behavior is a function of the mind and its environment.
A taste of the new ReCiPe for life cycle assessment: consequences of the updated impact assessment method on food product LCAs
Authors: Dekker Erik , Zijp Michiel C. , van de Kamp Mirjam E. , Temme Elisabeth H. M. , van Zelm Rosalie
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Recently, an update of the Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) method ReCiPe was released: ReCiPe 2016. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of using this update instead of the previous version: ReCiPe 2008. Do the absolute outcomes change significantly and if so, does this lead to different conclusions and result-based recommendations?

Methods

Life cycle assessments (LCAs) were conducted for 152 foods for which cradle-to-plate inventories were available and that together are estimated to account for 80% of the total greenhouse gas emissions, land use and fossil resource depletion of food consumption in the Netherlands. The LCIA was performed on midpoint and endpoint level, with both ReCiPe 2008 and 2016, and using the three perspectives provided by ReCiPe. Both the uses of the global-average characterisation factors (CFs) and the Dutch-specific CFs were explored.

Results and discussion

Results showed a strong correlation between LCAs performed with ReCiPe 2008 and with 2016 on midpoint and endpoint level, with Spearman’s rank correlation between 0.85 and 0.99. Ranking of foods related to their overall environmental impact did not differ significantly between methods when using the default hierarchist perspective. Differences on endpoint level were largest when using the individualist perspective. The predicted average absolute impact of the foods studied did change significantly when using the new ReCiPe, regardless of which perspective was used: a larger impact was found for climate change, freshwater eutrophication and water consumption and a lower impact for acidification and land use. The use of Dutch CFs in ReCiPe 2016 leads to significant differences in LCA results compared with the use of the global-average CFs. When looking at the average Dutch diet, ReCiPe 2016 predicted a larger impact from greenhouse gas emissions and freshwater eutrophication, and a lower impact from acidification and land use than ReCiPe 2008.

Conclusions

The update of ReCiPe leads to other LCIA results but to comparable conclusions on hotspots and ranking of food product consumption in the Netherlands. Looking at the changes per product due to the update, we recommend updating endpoint-level LCAs conducted with ReCiPe 2008, especially for products that emit large amounts of PM2.5 or consume large amounts of water within their life cycle. As new and updated methods reflect the scientific state of art better and therefore include less model uncertainty, we recommend to always use the most recent and up-to-date methodology in new LCAs.
Solving Yosida inclusion problem in Hadamard manifold
Authors: Dilshad Mohammad
Published: July 2019

We consider a Yosida inclusion problem in the setting of Hadamard manifolds. We study Korpelevich-type algorithm for computing the approximate solution of Yosida inclusion problem. The resolvent and Yosida approximation operator of a monotone vector field and their properties are used to prove that the sequence generated by the proposed algorithm converges to the solution of Yosida inclusion problem. An application to our problem and algorithm is presented to solve variational inequalities in Hadamard manifolds.
A Hegelian Logic of ‘Us’: Implicit Forms and Explicit Representations of Actions and Practices
Authors: Stekeler-Weithofer Pirmin
Published: July 2019

In order to understand Hegel's gnomic oracle according to which the ‘I’ is a ‘We’, the notion of apersonalsubject is explained by its competence to perform personal roles in a pre-given partition of roles. Explicit divisions of labour by contractual promises are special cases that presuppose the general case of an already established social practice. On the other hand, methodological individualism is right to stress that we actualize joint intentions only via corresponding instantiations. In performing our parts, we form a plural subject, a we-group. The result of what each of us does is what we do, and the generic ‘We’ turns into the generic ‘I’.
Optimal viscous damping of vibrating porous cylinders
Authors: Jafari Kang Saeed , Dehdashti Esmaeil , Vandadi Vahid , Masoud Hassan
Published: July 2019

We theoretically study small-amplitude oscillations of permeable cylinders immersed in an unbounded fluid. Specifically, we examine the effects of oscillation frequency, permeability and shape on the effective mass and damping coefficients, the latter of which is proportional to the power required to sustain the vibrations. Cylinders of circular and elliptical cross-sections undergoing transverse and rotational vibrations are considered. The dynamics of the fluid flow through porous cylinders is assumed to obey the unsteady Brinkman–Debye–Bueche equations. We use a singularity method to analytically calculate the flow field within and around circular cylinders, whereas we introduce a Fourier-pseudospectral method to numerically solve the governing equations for elliptical cylinders. We find that, if rescaled properly, the analytical results for circular cylinders provide very good estimates for the behaviour of elliptical ones over a wide range of conditions. More importantly, our calculations indicate that, at sufficiently high frequencies, the damping coefficient of oscillations varies non-monotonically with the permeability, in which case it maximizes when the diffusion length scale for the vorticity is comparable to the penetration length scale for the flow within the porous material. Depending on the oscillation period, the maximum damping of a permeable cylinder can be many times greater than that of an otherwise impermeable one. This might seem counter-intuitive at first, since generally the power it takes to steadily drag a permeable object through a fluid is less than the power needed to drive the steady motion of the same, but impermeable, object. However, the driving power (or damping coefficient) for oscillating bodies is determined not only by the amplitude of the cyclic fluid load experienced by them but also by the phase shift between the load and their periodic motion. An increase in the latter is responsible for the excess damping coefficient of vibrating porous cylinders.
A southern and northern control on speleothem-based Asian summer monsoon variability during MIS 4
Authors: Liu Dianbing , Liu Shushuang , Fang Yifan
Published: July 2019

A 20-year-resolution speleothem δ18O record from southern China reveals a detailed Asian summer monsoon (ASM) history between 73.6 and 62.3 ka. ASM changes during Interstadial 19 and late MIS 4 matched Greenland temperature variations but were antiphased with Antarctic temperatures. However, long-term strengthening of the ASM in early MIS 4 agrees well with the gradual Antarctic warming, when Greenland remained in a stable cold state. More specifically, the ASM was less variable during peak interstadials in contrast to striking instabilities during stadials. These observations suggest that the factors dominating ASM variability change through time. During early MIS 4, negligible freshwater perturbations occurred in the North Atlantic, and sea-surface temperatures in the low- to midlatitude Pacific Ocean reached the modern level. Thus, an expansion of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) was likely important for the long-term ASM rise. In late MIS 4, the antiphase correlation between ASM and Antarctic temperature could be attributed to freshwater inputs into the North Atlantic and a southerly positioned ITCZ. Consequently, meridional ITCZ shifts, although within a limited latitudinal band, would result in an antiphase relationship between interhemispheric climate changes. Otherwise, an in-phase correlation could be expected if the centroid of ITCZ is stable along the equator.
THE PARIS COMMUNE IN LONDON AND THE SPATIAL HISTORY OF IDEAS, 1871–1900
Authors: FORSTER LAURA C.
Published: July 2019

Following the Paris Commune of 1871, around 3,500 Communard refugees and their families arrived in Britain, with the majority settling in the capital. This article is an exploration of these exiled Communards within the geography of London. The spatial configurations of London's radical and exile communities, and the ways in which Communards interacted with those they crossed paths with, is vital in understanding how some of the ideas that came out of the Commune permeated London's radical scene. Too often British political movements, particularly British socialism, have been presented as being wilfully impervious to developments on the continent. Instead, this article argues that in order to find these often more affective and ancillary foreign influences, it is important to think spatially and trace how the exile map of London corresponded with, extended, and redrew parts of the existing radical mapping of the city. In carving out spaces for intellectual exchange, Communard refugees moved within and across various communities and physical places. The social and spatial context in which British sympathizers absorbed and appropriated ideas from the Commune is key to understanding how the exiles of the Paris Commune left their mark on the landscape, and mindscape, of London.
Social Media Learning as a Pedagogical Tool: Twitter and Engagement in Civic Dialogue and Public Policy
Authors: Sweet-Cushman Jennie
Published: July 2019

Both social media use and the civic disengagement of college students continue to be on the rise, posing instruction challenges around how and what students are interested in learning in their college classrooms. This pedagogical case study examines the effectiveness of using Twitter to develop a Personal Learning Environment (PLE) that incorporates the use of social media learning—specifically using social media to expose students to a greater depth and breadth of contemporary topics—as a tool of instruction in a political science curriculum. I assess whether social media learning equips students with media literacy skills that aid them in engaging in civic dialogue, understanding public policy, and identifying stakeholders on all sides and aspects of an issue—potential precursors to deeper civic engagement. I find that students seem to overestimate their ability to learn about political issues and are skeptical of social media. However, the use of social media as a component of a PLE (1) provides a pathway for enhanced media literacy and deeper learning, (2) makes learning about an issue more appealing, and (3) engages students who are less interested in a traditional classroom delivery.
Upper Crustal Structure and Magmatism in Southwest Washington: Vp, Vs, and Vp/Vs Results From the iMUSH Active‐Source Seismic Experiment
Authors: Kiser E. , Levander A. , Zelt C. , Schmandt B. , Hansen S.
Published: July 2019

Structural details of the crust play an important role in controlling the distribution of volcanic activity in arc systems. In southwest Washington, several different regional structures associated with accretion and magmatism have been invoked to explain the broad distribution of Cascade volcanism in this region. In order to image these regional structures in the upper crust, Pg and Sg travel times from the imaging Magma Under St. Helens (iMUSH) active‐source seismic experiment are inverted for Vp, Vs, and Vp/Vs models in the region surrounding Mount St. Helens. Several features of these models provide new insights into the regional structure of the upper crust. A large section of the Southern Washington Cascades Conductor is imaged as a low Vp/Vs anomaly that is inferred to represent a broad sedimentary/metasedimentary sequence that composes the upper crust in this region. The accreted terrane Siletzia is imaged west of Mount St. Helens as north/south trending high Vp and Vp/Vs bodies. The Vp/Vs model shows relatively high Vp/Vs regions near Mount St. Helens and the Indian Heaven Volcanic Field, which could be related to the presence of magmatic fluids. Separating these two volcanic regions below 6‐km depth is a northeast trending series of high Vp and Vs bodies. These bodies have the same orientation as several volcanic/magmatic features at the surface, including Mount St. Helens and Mount Rainier, and it is argued that these high‐velocity features are a regional‐scale group of intrusive bodies associated with a crustal weak zone that focuses magma ascent.
Impact of Radar Data Sampling on the Accuracy of Atmospheric Refractivity Inversions Over Marine Surfaces
Authors: Matsko I. J. , Hackett E. E.
Published: July 2019

The turbulent nature of the marine atmospheric boundary layer and interactions across the air‐sea interface cause ever‐changing environmental conditions, including atmospheric properties that affect the index of refraction, or atmospheric refractivity. Variations in atmospheric refractivity lead to many types of anomalous propagation phenomena of electromagnetic (EM) signals; thus, improving performance of EM systems requires in situ knowledge of the refractivity. Inversion approaches to estimate refractivity rely on measured EM data; however, despite its importance, few studies have examined the influence of data density on the accuracy of refractivity inversions. This study applies a bistatic radar data inversion process to estimate atmospheric refractivity parameters in evaporative ducting conditions and examines the impacts of the sampling density of radar propagation loss data, and its source location, on accuracy of refractivity inversions. Genetic algorithms and a radar propagation model are used to perform the inversions. Numerical experiments examine various randomly distributed amounts of synthetic data from a 100‐m (altitude) by 60‐km (range) area. Three domains within this area are examined from which data were sourced. A data density of approximately 1% of the prediction domain yielded the smallest errors of refractivity parameters, and root mean square errors of refractivity and propagation loss. These error reductions are attributed to avoidance of nonunique solutions that likely impact lower data densities, supported by their classification as a misleading or difficult inverse problem. Generally, data sourced from long range result in lower refractivity and propagation loss root mean square errors compared to data sourced from other domains.
Analytical Solution of Gas Flow in Rough‐Walled Microfracture at In Situ Conditions
Authors: Wang Junjian , Tang Dazhen , Jing Yu
Published: July 2019

The development of the unconventional gas and CO2 sequestration is moving to deep formations. Because of the small flow pathways in the matrix, the Knudsen number might be high even though the gas is dense. In fact, due to the relatively high pressure at in situ conditions, gas flow in microfractures usually manifests a strong slip and nonideal gas effects. Therefore, understanding the coupling mechanism of these two on gas flow in rough‐walled microfractures is required to accurately model subsurface flow behavior. In this study, pressure‐driven gas flow in rough‐walled microfracture is analyzed in depth. Starting from the local governing equations for gas flow, a local flow model that includes gas slip and nonideal gas effects is derived by solving the Stokes equation with a first‐order slip boundary condition. Focusing at the representative elementary volume scale, the upscaled solutions to gas flow in a fracture with sinusoidal surface are derived to obtain the apparent permeability. The impact of nonideal gas effects, fracture roughness and aperture, and the tangential momentum accommodation coefficient on CH4 and CO2 flow is analyzed. The results show that fracture roughness introduces a high degree of heterogeneity in gas flow. At in situ conditions effects of gas slip, fracture roughness and tangential momentum accommodation coefficient on gas flow are reduced. The ideal gas law is capable of estimating CH4 flow to some extent. However, it fails to estimate CO2 flow in microfractures.
Predictability of Weather and Climate
Authors: Krishnamurthy V.
Published: July 2019

The past developments in the predictability of weather and climate are discussed from the point of view of nonlinear dynamical systems. The problems ahead for long‐range predictability extending into the climate time scale are also presented. The sensitive dependence of chaos on initial conditions and the imperfections in the models limit reliable predictability of the instantaneous state of the weather to less than 10 days in present‐day operational forecasts. The existence of slowly varying components such as the sea surface temperature, soil moisture, snow cover, and sea ice may provide basis for predicting certain aspects of climate at long range. The regularly varying nonlinear oscillations, such as the Madden‐Julian Oscillation, monsoon intraseasonal oscillations, and El Niño‐Southern Oscillation, are also possible sources of extended‐range predictability at the climate time scale. A prediction model based on phase space reconstruction has demonstrated that monsoon intraseasonal oscillation can be better predicted at long leads.
An Evolutionary Leap in How We Teach Geosciences
Authors: St. John Kristen , Bitting Kelsey , Cervato Cinzia , Kastens Kim , Macdonald R. , McDaris John , McNeal Karen , Petcovic Heather , Pyle Eric , Riggs Eric , Ryker Katherine , Semken Steven , Teasdale Rachel
Published: July 2019

New research into the ways that students learn and apply their knowledge is changing teaching methods and undergraduate geoscience course content.
University of Alaska Faces Budget Crisis
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: July 2019

The state decides this week whether to override the governor’s $130 million cuts that could devastate the university and its world-class research.
Stepwise Weakening of the Pliocene Leeuwin Current
Authors: De Vleeschouwer David , Petrick Benjamin F. , Martínez‐García Alfredo
Published: July 2019

The Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) operates as an important link in global thermohaline circulation, and ITF variability probably modulated Pliocene climate change. Yet, whether ITF variability accounted for oceanographic change south of Northwest Cape remains controversial. Here, we present a multiproxy oceanographic reconstruction from the Perth Basin and reconstruct the Pliocene history of the Leeuwin Current (LC). We show that the LC was active throughout the Pliocene, albeit with fluctuations in intensity and scope. Three main factors controlled LC strength. First, a tectonic ITF reorganization caused an abrupt and permanent LC reduction at 3.7 Ma. On shorter timescales, eustatic sea level and direct orbital forcing of wind patterns hampered or promoted the LC. At 3.3 Ma, for instance, LC intensity plunged in response to a eustatic ITF restriction. Site U1459 then fell outside the extent of a weakened LC, and the latitudinal sea surface temperature gradient along West Australia doubled its steepness.
Effects of Preexisting Structures on the Seismicity of the Charlevoix Seismic Zone
Authors: Fadugba Oluwaseun Idowu , Choi Eunseo , Powell Christine A.
Published: July 2019

The Charlevoix Seismic Zone (CSZ) is located along the early Paleozoic St. Lawrence rift zone in southeastern Quebec at the location of a major Devonian impact structure. The impact structure superimposed major, steeply dipping basement faults trending approximately N35°E. Approximately 250 earthquakes are recorded each year and are concentrated within and beneath the impact structure. Most M4+ earthquakes associated with the rift faults occurred outside the impact structure. Apart from the unique distribution of earthquakes, stress inversion of focal mechanisms shows stress rotations within the CSZ, and in the CSZ relative to the stress orientation determined from borehole breakouts. The primary goal of this research is to investigate the combined effects of the preexisting structures and regional stresses on earthquake activity and stress rotations in the CSZ. We approach this using PyLith, a finite‐element code for simulations of crustal deformation. Adopting the results from recent hypocenter relocation and 3‐D tomography studies, we modify the locations and dips of the rift faults and assess the effect of the new fault geometries on stress distributions. We also discuss the effects of resolved velocity anomalies. We find that the observed stress rotation is due to the combined effect of the rift faults and the impact structure. One‐dimensional velocity models of the CSZ with an embedded impact structure and a combination of 65°‐40°‐40° and constant 70° fault dip models with a very low friction coefficient of 0.3 and cohesion of 0 MPa can explain the observed seismicity and more than 50% of the stress rotations.
On the High‐Energy Spectral Component and Fine Time Structure of Terrestrial Gamma Ray Flashes
Authors: Marisaldi M. , Galli M. , Labanti C. , Østgaard N. , Sarria D. , Cummer S. A. , Lyu F. , Lindanger A. , Campana R. , Ursi A. , Tavani M. , Fuschino F. , Argan A. , Trois A. , Pittori C. , Verrecchia F.
Published: July 2019

Terrestrial gamma ray flashes (TGFs) are very short bursts of gamma radiation associated to thunderstorm activity and are the manifestation of the highest‐energy natural particle acceleration phenomena occurring on Earth. Photon energies up to several tens of megaelectronvolts are expected, but the actual upper limit and high‐energy spectral shape are still open questions. Results published in 2011 by the AGILE team proposed a high‐energy component in TGF spectra extended up to ≈100 MeV, which is difficult to reconcile with the predictions from the Relativistic Runaway Electron Avalanche (RREA) mechanism at the basis of many TGF production models. Here we present a new set of TGFs detected by the AGILE satellite and associated to lightning measurements capable to solve this controversy. Detailed end‐to‐end Monte Carlo simulations and an improved understanding of the instrument performance under high‐flux conditions show that it is possible to explain the observed high‐energy counts by a standard RREA spectrum at the source, provided that the TGF is sufficiently bright and short. We investigate the possibility that single high‐energy counts may be the signature of a fine‐pulsed time structure of TGFs on time scales ≈4 μs, but we find no clear evidence for this. The presented data set and modeling results allow also for explaining the observed TGF distribution in the (Fluence × duration) parameter space and suggest that the AGILE TGF detection rate can almost be doubled.
Introduction to the Special Issue: Ice on Ceres
Authors: Sizemore H. G. , Schmidt B. E. , Castillo‐Rogez J. C.
Published: July 2019

Ceres is the largest body in the asteroid belt, and the most water‐rich inner solar system body after Earth. Its exploration by the Dawn spacecraft has been long anticipated, in large part because it was expected to be an ice‐rich world. A variety of ice‐ and volatile‐related physical processes were expected to occur on Ceres, including possible cryovolcanism. A major goal of the Dawn mission at Ceres was to understand the abundance, distribution, and phase partitioning of water in the subsurface. Coordinated investigations of subsurface ice during the Dawn mission benefited from the decades‐long effort to inventory and characterize subsurface ice on Mars. Specifically, morphological analysis was leveraged to bridge a length‐scale gap between geophysical remote sensing data sets that provide quantitative constraints on the abundance of subsurface ice at very shallow depths (<1 m; neutron spectroscopy) and data sets that provide quantitative constraints on composition at much longer length scales (tens of kilometers; gravity science). This morphological analysis underscores that Ceres shares geophysical characteristics with terrestrial planets, icy moons, comets, and asteroids, and blurs some of the conventional boundaries between these terms. Grappling with this ambiguity stands to benefit investigations of interior evolution and volatile‐related processes on all solid planetary bodies.
Connecting Fluvial Levee Deposition to Flood‐Basin Hydrology
Authors: Johnston G. H. , David S. R. , Edmonds D. A.
Published: July 2019

Levees are commonly found along every kind of river system, yet there are no widely accepted models for where along the channel they form and what controls their shape. In this study, we investigated whether levee growth is driven by sediment transfer from the channel adjacent to the levee or by inundation dynamics in the flood basin. To test these ideas, we conducted empirical analyses and numerical modeling of levees on the fine‐grained, meandering Muscatatuck River, IN. Using LiDAR data, we found no statistical relationship between the levee and the adjacent channel planform, which suggests levees are not genetically related to their adjacent channel. On the contrary, modeling experiments of a simplified Muscatatuck River show that levee initiation can be genetically related to the adjacent channel because bed shear stress on the floodplain is low where channel curvature is high. But after levees initiate, the genetic connection to the adjacent channel is obscured because levee shape is modified by inundation dynamics. For instance, tall mature levees are not inundated regularly and instead obstruct floodplain flow, creating flow shadows on the downstream side. Sediment is preferentially deposited in the flow shadow, which moves the location of maximum deposition from the levee crest to the toe. This causes levees to prograde down‐valley, which reshapes the levee and genetically disconnects it from the channel. We propose that this morphodynamic mechanism of levee growth is characteristic of fine‐grained rivers in narrow floodplains where flood basins can act as conveyance channels that transport sediment down‐valley before deposition.
Footwall Rotation in a Regional Detachment Fault System: Evidence for Horizontal‐Axis Rotational Flow in the Miocene Searchlight Pluton, NV
Authors: Zuza Andrew V. , Cao Wenrong , Hinz Nicholas H. , DesOrmeau Joel W. , Odlum Margaret L. , Stockli Daniel F.
Published: July 2019

The Miocene Searchlight pluton, exposed in the Colorado River Extensional Corridor of southern Nevada, tilted up to 90° on its side in the footwall of the east‐directed Dupont Mountain detachment fault system. Rapid extension and rotation occurred immediately after the ca. 17–16‐Ma emplacement of this 10 × 10‐km granite‐monzogranite body. To constrain the mechanism and timing of rapid footwall exhumation, we conducted detailed field, microstructural, electron backscatter diffraction, and zircon (U‐Th)/He (ZHe) and40Ar/39Ar hornblende thermochronological analyses. Steeply dipping fabrics across this pluton formed over a range of temperature conditions, from magmatic to high‐ to low‐temperature subsolidus strain, and display distributed eastside‐up shear. ZHe cooling ages are consistent with constraints from tilted volcanic strata and crosscutting dikes that suggest initial rapid rotation (~75°/Myr) at 16.2–15.7 Ma followed by more modest exhumation rates until ca. 13 Ma. Our observations are used to test tilting models for the Searchlight pluton, including rigid‐body rotation, antithetic imbrication, or flow‐like rotation. Available observations are most consistent with a flow‐like tilting mechanism. We present scaling analyses that highlight how footwall tilting‐dominated extension more effectively cools the upper crust than pure‐shear extension because the hottest deep materials exhumed rapidly toward the cooler surface. This extensional mechanism efficiently cools the upper crust, causing a negative feedback whereby the rapidly cooled crust becomes strong enough to halt further fast simple‐shear extension. This may explain why rapid extension was transient and further extension is mostly accommodated by high‐angle low‐offset magnitude normal faults that developed in a colder stronger crust.
Neurons in primary auditory cortex represent sound source location in a cue-invariant manner
Authors: Wood Katherine C. , Town Stephen M. , Bizley Jennifer K.
Published: July 2019

Auditory cortex is required for sound localisation, but how neural firing in auditory cortex underlies our perception of sound sources in space remains unclear. Specifically, whether neurons in auditory cortex represent spatial cues or an integrated representation of auditory space across cues is not known. Here, we measured the spatial receptive fields of neurons in primary auditory cortex (A1) while ferrets performed a relative localisation task. Manipulating the availability of binaural and spectral localisation cues had little impact on ferrets’ performance, or on neural spatial tuning. A subpopulation of neurons encoded spatial position consistently across localisation cue type. Furthermore, neural firing pattern decoders outperformed two-channel model decoders using population activity. Together, these observations suggest that A1 encodes the location of sound sources, as opposed to spatial cue values.
A metal–organic framework for efficient water-based ultra-low-temperature-driven cooling
Authors: Lenzen Dirk , Zhao Jingjing , Ernst Sebastian-Johannes , Wahiduzzaman Mohammad , Ken Inge A. , Fröhlich Dominik , Xu Hongyi , Bart Hans-Jörg , Janiak Christoph , Henninger Stefan , Maurin Guillaume , Zou Xiaodong , Stock Norbert
Published: July 2019

Efficient use of energy for cooling applications is a very important and challenging field in science. Ultra-low temperature actuated (Tdriving < 80 °C) adsorption-driven chillers (ADCs) with water as the cooling agent are one environmentally benign option. The nanoscale metal-organic framework [Al(OH)(C6H2O4S)] denoted CAU-23 was discovered that possess favorable properties, including water adsorption capacity of 0.37 gH2O/gsorbent around p/p0 = 0.3 and cycling stability of at least 5000 cycles. Most importantly the material has a driving temperature down to 60 °C, which allows for the exploitation of yet mostly unused temperature sources and a more efficient use of energy. These exceptional properties are due to its unique crystal structure, which was unequivocally elucidated by single crystal electron diffraction. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to reveal the water adsorption mechanism at the atomic level. With its green synthesis, CAU-23 is an ideal material to realize ultra-low temperature driven ADC devices.
A genome-wide scan statistic framework for whole-genome sequence data analysis
Authors: He Zihuai , Xu Bin , Buxbaum Joseph , Ionita-Laza Iuliana
Published: July 2019

The analysis of whole-genome sequencing studies is challenging due to the large number of noncoding rare variants, our limited understanding of their functional effects, and the lack of natural units for testing. Here we propose a scan statistic framework, WGScan, to simultaneously detect the existence, and estimate the locations of association signals at genome-wide scale. WGScan can analytically estimate the significance threshold for a whole-genome scan; utilize summary statistics for a meta-analysis; incorporate functional annotations for enhanced discoveries in noncoding regions; and enable enrichment analyses using genome-wide summary statistics. Based on the analysis of whole genomes of 1,786 phenotypically discordant sibling pairs from the Simons Simplex Collection study for autism spectrum disorders, we derive genome-wide significance thresholds for whole genome sequencing studies and detect significant enrichments of regions showing associations with autism in promoter regions, functional categories related to autism, and enhancers predicted to regulate expression of autism associated genes.
Use of syngeneic cells expressing membrane-bound GM-CSF as an adjuvant to induce antibodies against native multi-pass transmembrane protein
Authors: Huang Chien-Chiao , Cheng Kai-Wen , Hsieh Yuan-Chin , Lin Wen-Wei , Cheng Chiu-Min , Yuan Shyng-Shiou F. , Chen I-Ju , Cheng Yi-An , Lu Yun-Chi , Huang Bo-Cheng , Tung Yi-Ching , Cheng Tian-Lu
Published: July 2019

Membrane antigens (mAgs) are important targets for the development of antibody (Ab) drugs. However, native mAgs are not easily prepared, causing difficulties in acquiring functional Abs. In this study, we present a platform in which human mAgs were expressed in native form on cell adjuvants made with membrane-bound cytokines that were then used immunize syngeneic mice directly. The membrane-bound cytokines were used as immune stimulators to enhance specific Ab responses against the desired mAgs. Then, mAgs-expressing xenogeneic cells were used for Ab characterization to reduce non-specific binding. We established cell adjuvants by expressing membrane-bound cytokines (mIL-2, mIL-18, or mGM-CSF) on BALB/3T3 cells, which were effective in stimulating splenocyte proliferation in vitro. We then transiently expressed ecotropic viral integration site 2B (EVI2B) on the adjuvants and used them to directly immunize BALB/c mice. We found that 3T3/mGM-CSF cells stimulated higher specific anti-EVI2B Ab response in the immunized mice than the other cell adjuvants. A G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR), CXCR2, was then transiently expressed on 3T3/mGM-CSF cell adjuvant to immunize mice. The immune serum exhibited relatively higher binding to xenogeneic 293 A/CXCR2 cells than 293 A cells (~3.5-fold). Several hybridoma clones also exhibited selective binding to 293 A/CXCR2 cells. Therefore, the cell adjuvant could preserve the native conformation of mAgs and exhibit anti-mAg Ab stimulatory ability, providing a more convenient and effective method to generate functional Abs, thus possibly accelerating Ab drug development.
Author Correction: Behavior of mice aboard the International Space Station
Authors: Ronca April E. , Moyer Eric L. , Talyansky Yuli , Lowe Moniece , Padmanabhan Shreejit , Choi Sungshin , Gong Cynthia , Cadena Samuel M. , Stodieck Louis , Globus Ruth K.
Published: July 2019

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
α-Rank: Multi-Agent Evaluation by Evolution
Authors: Omidshafiei Shayegan , Papadimitriou Christos , Piliouras Georgios , Tuyls Karl , Rowland Mark , Lespiau Jean-Baptiste , Czarnecki Wojciech M. , Lanctot Marc , Perolat Julien , Munos Remi
Published: July 2019

We introduceα-Rank, a principled evolutionary dynamics methodology, for theevaluationandrankingof agents in large-scale multi-agent interactions, grounded in a novel dynamical game-theoretic solution concept calledMarkov-Conley chains(MCCs). The approach leverages continuous-time and discrete-time evolutionary dynamical systems applied to empirical games, and scales tractably in the number of agents, in the type of interactions (beyond dyadic), and the type of empirical games (symmetric and asymmetric). Current models are fundamentally limited in one or more of these dimensions, and are not guaranteed to converge to the desired game-theoretic solution concept (typically the Nash equilibrium).α-Rank automatically provides a ranking over the set of agents under evaluation and provides insights into their strengths, weaknesses, and long-term dynamics in terms of basins of attraction and sink components. This is a direct consequence of the correspondence we establish to the dynamical MCC solution concept when the underlying evolutionary model’s ranking-intensity parameter,α, is chosen to be large, which exactly forms the basis ofα-Rank. In contrast to the Nash equilibrium, which is a static solution concept based solely on fixed points, MCCs are a dynamical solution concept based on the Markov chain formalism, Conley’s Fundamental Theorem of Dynamical Systems, and the core ingredients of dynamical systems: fixed points, recurrent sets, periodic orbits, and limit cycles. Ourα-Rank method runs in polynomial time with respect to the total number of pure strategy profiles, whereas computing a Nash equilibrium for a general-sum game is known to be intractable. We introduce mathematical proofs that not only provide an overarching and unifying perspective of existing continuous- and discrete-time evolutionary evaluation models, but also reveal the formal underpinnings of theα-Rank methodology. We illustrate the method in canonical games and empirically validate it in several domains, including AlphaGo, AlphaZero, MuJoCo Soccer, and Poker.
A mathematical model to predict mean time to delivery following cervical ripening with dinoprostone vaginal insert
Authors: Levast Fanny , Legendre Guillaume , Hachem Hady El , Saulnier Patrick , Descamps Philippe , Gillard Philippe , Bouet Pierre-Emmanuel
Published: July 2019

The main objective of our study was to analyze the mean time to delivery following cervical ripening with a 10 mg dinoprostone vaginal insert. We performed a retrospective observational study at the level III maternity ward of Angers university hospital. We included all women who had cervical ripening with dinoprostone between January 1st, 2015 and September 30th, 2016. Overall, 405 patients were included, and 59.3% (240/405) were nulliparous. The mean time to delivery was 20h39 min ± 10h49 min. 21% of deliveries (86/405) occurred between midnight and 6 h a.m., and the cesarean section rate was 33% (132/405). Multiple regression analysis showed that nulliparity, overweight (BMI ≥ 25), a closed cervix on initial examination and the absence of premature rupture of membranes (PRM) all significantly increased the mean time to delivery. We developed a mathematical model integrating the aforementioned factors and their impact to help predict the mean time to delivery following cervical ripening with dinoprostone vaginal insert: Y = 961.188–80.346 × parity + 21.437 × BMI–165.263 × cervical dilation–241.759 × PRM. This equation allows obstetricians to calculate a personalized time to delivery for each patient, allowing a precise scheduling of dinoprostone insert placement, and thus improving the organization in busy maternity wards.
Plan Quality and Secondary Cancer Risk Assessment in Patients with Benign Intracranial Lesions after Radiosurgery using the CyberKnife M6 Robotic Radiosurgery System
Authors: Lan Jen-Hong , Shieh Chin-Shiuh , Liu Chao-Hong , Cho I-Chun , Tsai I-Hsing , Chen Long-Chun , Chao Pei-Ju , Lee Hsiao-Fei , Huang Yu-Jie , Lee Tsair-Fwu
Published: July 2019

This study was performed to examine the quality of planning and treatment modality using a CyberKnife (CK) robotic radiosurgery system with multileaf collimator (MLC)-based plans and IRIS (variable aperture collimator system)-based plans in relation to the dose–response of secondary cancer risk (SCR) in patients with benign intracranial tumors. The study population consisted of 15 patients with benign intracranial lesions after curative treatment using a CyberKnife M6 robotic radiosurgery system. Each patient had a single tumor with a median volume of 6.43 cm3 (range, 0.33–29.72 cm3). The IRIS-based plan quality and MLC-based plan quality were evaluated by comparing the dosimetric indices, taking into account the planning target volume (PTV) coverage, the conformity index (CI), and the dose gradient (R10% and R50%). The dose–response SCR with sarcoma/carcinoma induction was calculated using the concept of the organ equivalent dose (OED). Analyses of sarcoma/carcinoma induction were performed using excess absolute risk (EAR) and various OED models of dose–response type/lifetime attributable risk (LAR). Moreover, analyses were performed using the BEIR VII model. PTV coverage using both IRIS-based plans and MLC-based plans was identical, although the CI values obtained using the MLC-based plans showed greater statistical significance. In comparison with the IRIS-based plans, the MLC-based plans showed better dose falloff for R10% and R50% evaluation. The estimated difference between Schneider’s model and BEIR VII in linear-no-threshold (Lnt) cumulative EAR was about twofold. The average values of LAR/EAR for carcinoma, for the IRIS-based plans, were 25% higher than those for the MLC-based plans using four SCR models; for sarcoma, they were 15% better in Schneider’s SCR models. MLC-based plans showed slightly better conformity, dose gradients, and SCR reduction. There was a slight increase in SCR with IRIS-based plans in comparison with MLC-based plans. EAR analyses did not show any significant difference between PTV and brainstem analyses, regardless of the tumor volume. Nevertheless, an increase in target volume led to an increase in the probability of SCR. EAR showed statistically significant differences in the soft tissue according to tumor volume (1–10 cc and ≥10 cc).
Reversine exhibits antineoplastic activity in JAK2V617F-positive myeloproliferative neoplasms
Authors: Lima Keli , Carlos Jorge Antonio Elias Godoy , Alves-Paiva Raquel de Melo , Vicari Hugo Passos , Souza Santos Fábio Pires de , Hamerschlak Nelson , Costa-Lotufo Leticia Veras , Traina Fabiola , Machado-Neto João Agostinho
Published: July 2019

JAK2/STAT signaling participates in the Ph-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) pathophysiology and has been targeted by ruxolitinib, a JAK1/2 inhibitor. In the present study, the impact of ruxolitinib treatment on cytoskeleton-related genes expression was explored. In SET2 cells, AURKA and AURKB expression/activity were downregulated in a dose- and time-dependent manner by ruxolitinib. Reversine, a multikinase inhibitor selective for aurora kinases, reduced cell viability in a dose- and/or time-dependent manner in JAK2V617Fcells. Reversine significantly increased apoptosis and mitotic catastrophe, and reduced cell proliferation and clonogenic capacity in SET2 and HEL cells. In the molecular scenario, reversine induced DNA damage and apoptosis markers, as well as, reduced AURKA and AURKB expression/activity. In SET2 cells, reversine modulated the expression of 32 out of 84 apoptosis-related genes investigated, including downregulation of antiapoptotic (BCL2,BCL2L1, andBIRC5) and upregulation of proapoptotic (BIK,BINP3, andBNIP3L) genes. Synergism experiments indicated that low dose of reversine had a potentiating effect under ruxolitinib treatment at low doses in SET2 cells. In summary, our exploratory study establishes new targets, related to the regulation of the cellular cytoskeleton, for potential pharmacological intervention in MPN. These findings indicate that AURKA and AURKB participate in the JAK2/STAT signaling pathway and contribute to the MPN phenotype.
Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Biometer as Screening Strategy for Macular Disease in Patients Scheduled for Cataract Surgery
Authors: Tognetto Daniele , Pastore Marco R. , De Giacinto Chiara , Merli Riccardo , Franzon Marco , D’Aloisio Rossella , Belfanti Lorenzo , Giglio Rosa , Cirigliano Gabriella
Published: July 2019

The aim of this study was to assess the central macular imaging captured with an optical biometer based on full-eye-length Swept-Source OCT (SS-OCT) scan as a screening strategy for identifying macular diseases in patients scheduled for cataract surgery. 1,114 eyes of 749 consecutive patients underwent a biometrical examination with IOLMaster 700 SS-OCT technology (Carl Zeiss) and conventional Spectral-Domain OCT (SD-OCT) (Spectralis OCT, Heidelberg) device analysis on the same day. Seven examiners graded the scans individually in a full-masked mode. Twenty-five eyes were excluded for media opacities. Among the 1,089 included eyes, statistical analysis revealed a mean Kendall’s Coefficient of 0.83 (range 0.76–0.89). A logistic regression model demonstrated a highly significant correlation (p < 0.001) between the coefficient of concordance and SD-OCT imaging. Intraobserver reproducibility was 0.89 (range 0.86–0.91). Optical biometer SS-OCT scans showed a mean sensitivity of 0.81 and a mean specificity of 0.84. The positive and negative predictive value detected was 0.78 and 0.86, respectively. In order to predict the risk of reduced visual recovery, especially in cases of retinal pathology, optical biometer with SS-OCT scan has proven to be a useful modality for detecting macular structural abnormalities in patients undergoing cataract surgery. Conventional SD-OCT remains mandatory to confirm the presumed diagnosis.
Origins of Negative Differential Resistance in N-doped ZnO Nano-ribbons: Ab-initio Investigation
Authors: Shaheen Alaa , Ali Muhammad , Othman Wael , Tit Nacir
Published: July 2019

The electronic transport in low-dimensional materials is controlled by quantum coherence and non-equilibrium statistics. The scope of the present investigation is to search for the origins of negative-differential resistance (NDR) behavior in N-doped ultra-narrow zigzag-edge ZnO nano-ribbons (ZnO-NRs). A state-of-the-art technique, based on a combination of density-functional theory (DFT) and non-equilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) formalism, is employed to probe the electronic and transport properties. The effect of location of N dopant, with respect to the NR edges, on IV-curve and NDR is tested and three different positions for N-atom are considered: (i) at the oxygen-rich edge; (ii) at the center; and (iii) at the Zn-rich edge. The results show that both resistance and top-to-valley current ratio (TVCR) reduce when N-atom is displaced from O-rich edge to center to Zn-rich edge, respectively. After an analysis based on the calculations of transmission coefficient versus bias, band structures, and charge-density plots of HOMO/LUMO states, one is able to draw a conclusion about the origins of NDR. The unpaired electron of N dopant is causing the curdling/localization of wave-function, which in turn causes strong back-scattering and suppression of conductive channels. These effects manifest themselves in the drawback of electric current (or so called NDR). The relevance of NDR for applications in nano-electronic devices (e.g., switches, rectifiers, amplifiers, gas sensing) is further discussed.