bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coral assemblages of the Serpukhovian–Bashkirian transition from Adarouch (Morocco)
Authors: Rodríguez Sergio , Said Ismail , Somerville Ian D. , Cózar Pedro , Coronado Ismael
Published: February 2022

The Carboniferous outcrops from Adarouch (central Morocco) are composed of siliciclastic and carbonate rocks, and the latter have yielded abundant fossils. The upper part of the marine succession in the Idmarrach Formation and its laterally equivalent Tirhela Formation belong to the Bashkirian. More recent investigations of poorly preserved coral assemblages from the upper part of Idmarrach 2 section and the upper part of the Tirhela Formation are here described. The assemblage from the upper Idmarrach Formation comprises several typical Mississippian taxa, such asAulophyllum fungites,Dibunophyllum bipartitum,Koninckophyllum interruptum, Siphonodendron scaleberenseandLithostrotion decipiens,and some highly evolved forms previously undescribed of Mississippian genera such asHaplolasmasp.,Arachnolasmasp.,Siphonodendronsp.,Diphyphyllumsp.,Solenodendronsp.,Clisiophyllumsp. and a new speciesCorwenia tirhelensissp. nov. In addition, an undetermined petalaxid has been also recorded. Similarly, the assemblage from near the top of the Tirhela Formation yielded some species regarded usually as Mississippian, such asPalaeosmilia murchisoniandLithostrotion decipiens. We also identified the long-ranging tabulateSyringoporasp.,Corwenia tirhelensissp. nov., and a single species of the fasciculate rugosan,Siphonodendron tindoufense,previously described from Bashkirian rocks in the Tindouf Basin (southern Morocco). The presence of the latter taxon in both the Idmarrach and Tirhela sections implies a communication between the Adarouch region and the Saharan basins. The occurrence ofS. tindoufenseat the approximately same stratigraphic level in Tindouf, Taoudenni, Reggan-Ahnet and Adarouch, demonstrates its important regional stratigraphic value in North Africa.
Mediation of arsenic mobility by organic matter in mining-impacted sediment from sub‐Arctic lakes: implications for environmental monitoring in a warming climate
Authors: Miller Clare B. , Parsons Michael B. , Jamieson Heather E. , Ardakani Omid H. , Patterson R. Timothy , Galloway Jennifer M.
Published: February 2022

Arsenic (As) is commonly sequestered at the sediment–water interface (SWI) in mining-impacted lakes through adsorption and/or co-precipitation with authigenic iron (Fe)-(oxy)hydroxides or sulfides. The results of this study demonstrate that the accumulation of organic matter (OM) in near-surface sediments also influences the mobility and fate of As in sub-Arctic lakes. Sediment gravity cores, sediment grab samples, and porewaters were collected from three lakes downstream of the former Tundra gold mine, Northwest Territories, Canada. Analysis of sediment using combined micro-X-ray fluorescence/diffraction, K-edge X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Structure (XANES), and organic petrography shows that As is associated with both aquatic (benthic and planktonic alginate) and terrestrially derived OM (e.g., cutinite, funginite). Most As is hosted by fine-grained Fe-(oxy)hydroxides or sulfide minerals (e.g., goethite, orpiment, lepidocrocite, and mackinawite); however, grain-scale synchrotron-based analysis shows that As is also associated with amorphous OM. Mixed As oxidation states in porewater (median = 62% As (V), 18% As (III); n = 20) and sediment (median = 80% As (-I) and (III), 20% As (V); n = 9) indicate the presence of variable redox conditions in the near-surface sediment and suggest that post-depositional remobilization of As has occurred. Detailed characterization of As-bearing OM at and below the SWI suggests that OM plays an important role in stabilizing redox-sensitive authigenic minerals and associated As. Based on these findings, it is expected that increased concentrations of labile OM will drive post-depositional surface enrichment of As in mining-impacted lakes and may increase or decrease As flux from sediments to overlying surface waters.
Wettability alteration process at pore-scale during engineered waterflooding using computational fluid dynamics
Authors: Chen Yongqiang , Chang Ping , Xu Guang , Xie Quan
Published: February 2022

Engineered waterflooding modifies chemistry of injected brine to efficiently and environmentally friendly enhance oil recovery. The common practice of engineered waterflooding includes low salinity waterflooding (LSW) and carbonated waterflooding. Among these oil recovery methods, wettability alteration has been perceived as a critical physicochemical process for additional oil recovery. While extensive work has been conducted to characterize the wettability alteration, the existing theory cannot explain the conflict oil recovery between secondary mode (injecting engineered water at the very beginning of flooding) and tertiary mode (injecting engineered water after conventional waterflooding), where secondary engineered waterflooding always gives a greater incremental oil recovery than tertiary mode. To explain this recovery difference, a preferential flow channel was hypothesized to be created by secondary flooding, which likely reduces sweep efficiency of tertiary flooding. To test this hypothesis, computational fluid dynamic simulations were performed with finite volume method coupled with dynamic contact angles in OpenFOAM to represent wettability characteristics (from strongly oil-wet to strongly water-wet) at pore scale to quantify the role of pre-existing flow channel in the oil recovery at different flooding modes. The simulation results showed that secondary engineered waterflooding indeed generates a preferential flow pathway, which reduces recovery efficiency of subsequent tertiary waterflooding. Streamline analysis confirms that tertiary engineered waterflooding transports faster than secondary engineered waterflooding, implying that sweep efficiency of tertiary engineered waterflooding is lower than secondary engineered waterflooding. This work provides insights for a greater oil recovery at secondary mode than tertiary mode during engineered waterflooding at pore scale.
The Anisian continental-marine transition in Sardinia (Italy): state of the art, new palynological data and regional chronostratigraphic correlation
Authors: Stori L. , Diez J. B. , Juncal M. , De la Horra R. , Borruel-Abadía V. , Martín-Chivelet J. , Barrenechea J. F. , López-Gómez J. , Ronchi A.
Published: February 2022

The scarce evidence of paleontological records between the upper Permian and the Anisian (Middle Triassic) of Western Europe could reflect (1) large stratigraphic gaps in the continental successions and/or (2) the persistence of disturbed conditions after the Permian–Triassic Boundary extinction event and the succession of ecological crises that occurred during the Early Triassic. In this context, the study of palynological associations, integrated with the stratigraphical and sedimentological data, plays a key role in dating and correlating the successions of the Western European domain and improves our understanding of environmental and paleoclimatic conditions. In some cases, pre-Anisian paleontological evidence is lacking, as in Sardinia (Italy), where a long gap encompasses the middle Permian (pars) to late Lower Triassic successions. Although fragmented and disseminated, the continental Lower-Middle Triassic sedimentary successions (Buntsandstein) of Sardinia have proved crucial to our understanding of the evolution of the southern edge of the Paleo-Europe and the different timings of the Tethys transgression (Muschelkalk facies) in some of these areas. Various paleogeographic reconstructions were attempted in previous works, without providing any consensus on the precise position of Sardinia and its surrounding seaways in the Western Tethys domain during this time interval. At present, the configuration and distribution of the subsiding and emerging landmasses and the temporal development of the transgressions of the Western Tethys during the Middle Triassic remain unclear. This work focuses on the stratigraphical, sedimentological and palynological aspects of three Middle Triassic continental-marine sedimentary successions in Sardinia, with particular attention to the analysis of the palynological associations sampled there, and it also provides a detailed review of all previous palynological publications on the Sardinian Anisian. The studied successions are: Su Passu Malu section (Campumari, SW Sardinia), Arcu is Fronestas section and Escalaplano section (Escalaplano, Central Sardinia). These sections were also correlated to other significant sections in the SW (Scivu Is Arenas) and NW (Nurra) parts of the island.
Visualized Analysis of Global Studies on Cervical Spondylosis Surgery: A Bibliometric Study Based on Web of Science Database and VOSviewer
Authors: Huang Tianji , Zhong Weiyang , Lu Chao , Zhang Chunyang , Deng Zhongqi , Zhou Runtao , Zhao Zenghui , Luo Xiaoji
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study used multiple type of bibliometric analysis for identifying and summarizing the publications regarding cervical spondylosis surgery, for clarifying the history of this field, predicting the future hotspots of this field and improving communication among researchers.

Methods

Publications from Web of Science database between 1900 and 2019 were downloaded and analyzed by Excel 2016 and VOSviewer. Bibliometric maps of co-citations and maps of co-occurrence of keywords are constructed by VOSviewer software.

Results

A total of 2110 publications were searched from Web of Science. The total sum of times cited is 40448 with the average citation per publication of 19.17 times. USA published most papers (652, 30.9%). The most productive organizations is University of Toronto (96 publications). Spine (308 publications) published the most publications in this field. In co-citations of references analysis, four clusters of references are constructed by VOSviewer. In co-occurrence of keywords analysis, three clusters of keywords are constructed by VOSviewer. The latest keyword “degenerative cervical myelopathy” appeared in 2017 in 42 papers. Other relatively new keywords include “surgical outcomes”, “association”, “sagittal alignment”, “prognostic-factors” that appeared in 2016 in 33, 31, 34 and 37 papers respectively.

Conclusion

USA dominates the research regarding cervical spondylosis surgery. University of Toronto is the most productive organization in this field. Spine, European Spine Journal and Journal of Neurosurgery Spine are the top three productive journals on publications of cervical spondylosis surgery. “Degenerative cervical myelopathy”, “surgical outcomes”, “association”, “sagittal alignment” and “prognostic-factors” may be the new research hotspots in this field.
Revisiting the Evolutionary History of Pigs via De Novo Mutation Rate Estimation in a Three-Generation Pedigree
Authors: Zhang Mingpeng , Yang Qiang , Ai Huashui , Huang Lusheng
Published: February 2022

The mutation rate used in the previous analyses of pig evolution and demographics was cursory and hence invited potential bias in inferring evolutionary history. Herein, we estimated the de novo mutation rate of pigs as 3.6 × 10−9 per base per generation using high-quality whole-genome sequencing data from nine individuals in a three-generation pedigree through stringent filtering and validation. Using this mutation rate, we re-investigated the evolutionary history of pigs. The estimated divergence time of ∼ 10 kiloyears ago (KYA) between European wild and domesticated pigs was consistent with the domestication time of European pigs based on archaeological evidence. However, other divergence events inferred here were not as ancient as previously described. Our estimates suggest that Sus speciation occurred ∼ 1.36 million years ago (MYA); European wild pigs split from Asian wild pigs only ∼ 219 KYA; and south and north Chinese wild pigs split ∼ 25 KYA. Meanwhile, our results showed that the most recent divergence event between Chinese wild and domesticated pigs occurred in the Hetao Plain, northern China, approximately 20 KYA, supporting the possibly independent domestication in northern China along the middle Yellow River. We also found that the maximum effective population size of pigs was ∼ 6 times larger than estimated before. An archaic migration from other Sus species originating ∼ 2 MYA to European pigs was detected during western colonization of pigs, which may affect the accuracy of previous demographic inference. Our de novo mutation rate estimation and its consequences for demographic history inference reasonably provide a new vision regarding the evolutionary history of pigs.
Disrupted Governance
Authors: Hartley Kris , Kuecker Glen David
Published: February 2022

This Element explores the uncertain future of public policy practice and scholarship in an age of radical disruption. Building on foundational ideas in policy sciences, we argue that an anachronistic instrumental rationalism underlies contemporary policy logic and limits efforts to understand new policy challenges. We consider whether the policy sciences framework can be reframed to facilitate deeper understandings of this anachronistic epistemic, in anticipation of a research agenda about epistemic destabilization and contestation. The Element applies this theoretical provocation to environmental policy and sustainability, issues about which policymaking proceeds amid unpredictable contexts and rising sociopolitical turbulence that portend a liminal state in the transition from one way of thinking to another. The Element concludes by contemplating the fate of policy's epistemic instability, anticipating what policy understandings will emerge in a new system, and questioning the degree to which either presages a seismic shift in the relationship between policy and society.
Multi-objective optimisation of spare parts allocation and level of repair analysis in performance-based logistics
Authors: Malyemez C. , Baykoç Ö.F.
Published: February 2022

In recent years, Performance Based Logistics (PBL) has been increasingly used to reduce the product lifecycle cost. As a result, the existing logistics analysis methods need to be reassessed due to the difference in PBL from the classical approach. This study considers the Spare Parts Allocation (SPA) and Level of Repair Analysis (LORA), which are the most commonly used problems within PBL, and are the subject of analysis. A comprehensive, multi-objective simulation-optimisation model is developed for a military aircraft operations case study, with the objectives of minimising total cost and maximising total flight hours. The Design of Experiment (DOE) method is used for determining simulation-optimisation parameters. Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method is used for the first time in order to select the best design points. Simulated Annealing (SA) was used for multi-objective optimisation with the SPA model being solved first. Then the LORA problem was added to this model as a decision variable and the effects of the integrated solution (SPA+LORA) were examined. The results show that the integrated solution yields remarkably better results in terms of flight hours and cost when compared to the SPA optimisation approach alone. Moreover, the proposed model provides a profit-centric approach and can be efficiently used as a decision support tool for both customers and suppliers for difficult and complex logistics support activities.
Hierarchical knowledge, or why does one reference matter and the other does not?
Authors: Brunfaut Betty , Haider Bakhtawer
Published: February 2022

‘It all started with us being fed up of hearing Marshall McLuhan's name once too often in our Visual Communication MA at the Royal College of Art. We wish we could have kept a tally of how many times his name came up.’1 This is how our book Not a Reference Yet starts. In this text we are going back to the beginning of our venture and what got us started. Simply put, we noticed a missing gap in the references we were looking for. Digging a little deeper, we started to see the mechanisms in place that stop a reference from being found or even to exist in the first place. We are both graphic designers and, in this research, we focus on our own industry, however, this problem seems to be fairly universal and applies to many industries – especially those in which representation plays a big role.
The soft-bodied biota of the Cambrian Series 2 Parker Quarry Lagerstätte of northwestern Vermont, USA
Authors: Pari Giovanni , Briggs Derek E.G. , Gaines Robert R.
Published: February 2022

A non-biomineralized arthropod,Protocaris marshi, was described from the lower Cambrian (Dyeran Series 2, Stage 4) of Parker's Cobble in northwestern Vermont in 1884. It represents the first fossil exhibiting Burgess Shale-type preservation to have been discovered. The locality was presumed to have been worked out and was not collected in a significant way for more than 100 years. Rediscovery of productive layers has yielded soft-bodied and lightly sclerotized taxa new to the locality, including the algaFuxianospora, a possible priapulid, a radiodont, and a specimen tentatively assigned toHerpetogaster. New specimens of the spongeLeptomitus zitteli, the bivalved arthropodTuzoia, and the chordateEmmonsaspis cambrensisprovide additional information on those taxa, and multiple specimens allow a bivalved arthropod,Vermontcaris montcalminew genus, new species, to be described. The primary mode of fossil preservation is as carbonaceous compressions. The Parker Quarry Lagerstätte complements the Kinzers Formation of Pennsylvania (also Series 2, Stage 4) in revealing the diversity of soft-bodied taxa on the southern margin of the paleocontinent Laurentia.

UUID:http://zoobank.org/2eb3ae7c-6579-403e-a9ab-654c05af4a1b
What Role for Activation in Eco-Social Policy?
Authors: Dukelow Fiona
Published: February 2022

This article aims to bring labour market activation policy into the orbit of eco-social policy, which we can understand as sustainable welfare without growth. Activation is extensively addressed from economic and social policy perspectives; however, environmental sustainability concerns are absent. Typically, each domain, activation and sustainability, is seen as mutually exclusive. Growing debate about sustainable welfare without growth features much discussion about the effects of productivism and about re-orienting and re-valuing work and how we use our time; however, such discussion tends to leave activation and unemployment untouched. One could ask whether there is any role for activation in eco-social policy: why focus on employment and employability, or even push people into work, if postgrowth requires a downsizing of paid employment and working time in everyone’s lives? The purpose of this article is to explore this question and to consider how activation could be re-valued and re-thought as a policy tool for eco-social policy.
Pilot Study of a Brief Intervention to Treating Internet Use Disorders
Authors: Besser Bettina , Bischof Gallus , Bischof Anja , Brandt Dominique , Orlowski Svenja , Hoffmann Hannah , Rumpf Hans-Jürgen
Published: February 2022

Abstract: Aim: Studies on brief interventions for Internet use disorders (IUD) are lacking. In this pilot study we tested the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an approach applying Motivational Interviewing and elements of cognitive behavioral therapy. Methods: Clients in four job centers and the job agency in Lübeck, Germany, were approached for a proactive screening in order to identify problematic Internet use or IUD with the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS). Screening-positives were checked in a clinical interview for fulfilling three or more criteria according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Participants were randomized into intervention (personal counselling and up to three counselling sessions via telephone) and control group. A two-month follow-up was conducted. Results: Of all 3,600 clients approached, 1680 clients could be screened and 298 were screening-positive (17.7%). After a diagnostic interview 36 participants could be allocated to intervention and control group. In the two-months follow-up, decrease of problematic Internet use was higher in the intervention group, although not statistically significant (p=.216) (0.216) a small to medium effect size could be observed. Conclusion: The feasibility of this early intervention approach was evident. Larger sample sizes are needed to examine the efficacy of similar interventions. Findings of this study are promising and suggest future research. Evidence of effectiveness of such short interventions could enhance the impact and magnitude of measures and make an important contribution to preventative efforts.
Low Paleointensities and Ar/Ar Ages From Saint Helena Provide Evidence for Recurring Magnetic Field Weaknesses in the South Atlantic
Authors: Engbers Yael A. , Grappone J. Michael , Mark Darren F. , Biggin Andrew J.
Published: February 2022

The South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) is an area of geomagnetic weakness that represents the most significant anomaly in the present‐day field. Notwithstanding anomalies such as these, a long‐lived hypothesis is that, if averaged over sufficient time (104–106 years), the Earth's magnetic field approximates a geocentric axial dipole (GAD). The question of how significant the non‐GAD features are in the time‐averaged field is an important and unresolved one. The SAA has not always been visible in the historic and paleo‐field models; yet an unstable field was reported in the South Atlantic region on a multimillion‐year timescale. This study presents the first paleointensity study from Saint Helena, a volcanic island in the South Atlantic consisting primarily of lavas emplaced between 10 and 8 Ma. While paleointensity success rates were low, we were able to recover results from five independent lavas that together suggest a low field intensity of 10.5 ± 3.0 μT corresponding to a virtual axial dipole moment (VADM) of 2.4 ± 0.7 × 1022 A m2. These low paleointensity estimates suggest a field in the South Atlantic that was not only unstable in directions, but also substantially weaker than expected. We consider this to constitute further evidence that the SAA is not a single occurrence but rather, the latest in a series of recurring weaknesses in the field in this region, probably caused by Reversed Flux Patches on the Core Mantle Boundary.
A Large Subsurface Anticyclonic Eddy in the Eastern Equatorial Indian Ocean
Authors: Hu Zhentao , Ma Xiao , Peng Yingyu , Tian Di , Meng Qicheng , Zeng Dingyong , Liu Zenghong , Zhou Beifeng , Li Hongliang , Zhou Feng
Published: February 2022

Subsurface eddies are pervasive in the ocean, but those in the eastern equatorial Indian Ocean are not well understood due to the lack of in‐situ observations. Using multiple‐platform observations and reanalysis product, we investigate the characteristics, evolutionary process, origin, and underlying generation mechanism of a subsurface anticyclonic eddy (SAE) in the eastern equatorial Indian Ocean during January‒February 2020. Results show that the horizontal radius of the SAE was slightly greater than 250 km, and the SAE core was located at ∼100‐m depth near the 24.7σ0 isopycnal. This warm, saline and oxygen‐rich SAE was weakly stratified and characterized by tilted lens structures. Further water‐mass tracing analysis indicates that the SAE shifted westward along 4°N with a mean propagation speed of 0.18 m/s from the northwest coast of Sumatra Island. The hydrographic characteristics of the SAE are similar to those of the strong Equatorial Undercurrent, it is speculated that the SAE was probably generated by the north branch flow as the eastward undercurrent reached Sumatra Island. Both lateral shear of undercurrent and conservation of potential vorticity were attributed to the formation of the observed SAE.
Australian Coastal Sea Level Trends Over 16 yr of Reprocessed Jason Altimeter 20‐Hz Data Sets
Authors: Peng Fukai , Deng Xiaoli , Cheng Xiao
Published: February 2022

This article analyzes the variation of sea level trends along the Australian coast zone (0–100 km) using 16 yr (2002–2018) of tide gauge records, reprocessed Jason data and European Space Agency (ESA) Climate Change Initiative (CCI) sea level product. The reprocessed Jason data are first compared with tide gauge and 3‐yr Sentinel‐3A data. Then the empirical orthogonal function analysis demonstrates that local sea levels are not only significantly affected by the El Niño Southern Oscillation‐related signals, but also moderately correlated with the Indian Ocean Dipole. A multivariate linear regression model with optimized noise model is thus built to reduce the impact of natural variability on the trend estimation. The results show that the geographical pattern of sea level rise from reprocessed Jason data and ESA CCI sea level product are highly consistent, with the rates decreasing from the northeast coast (6–8 mm yr−1) anticlockwise to the southeast coast (2–4 mm yr−1). The sea level trends from reprocessed Jason data are in good agreement with those from tide gauge records, though they are ∼1.5 mm yr−1 higher than those from the ESA CCI data product. The discrepancy between two altimeter datasets is acceptable considering the trend uncertainty (i.e., one standard deviation) from 20‐Hz along‐track points is at the level of 1–2 mm yr−1. It is also found that sea level trends decrease significantly from 5.8 ± 1.5 mm yr−1 offshore to 3.4 ± 1.2 mm yr−1 toward the southeast coasts. This may be because the continental slope precludes the propagation of sea levels from the East Australian Current dominated oceans to the coast.
Aircraft Study of Secondary Aerosols in Long‐Range Transported Air Masses From the North China Plain by a Mid‐Latitude Cyclone
Authors: Sun Peng , Nie Wei , Chi Xuguang , Huang Xin , Ren Chuanhua , Xue Likun , Shan Ye , Wen Liang , Li Hongyong , Chen Tianshu , Qi Yanbin , Gao Jian , Zhang Qi , Ding Aijun
Published: February 2022

Regional transport has been identified as an important contributor to air pollution. Yet, understanding the evolution of aerosol components associated with synoptic systems remains limited, particularly in China, where most of the measurement studies were conducted at the ground surface. In this study, an intensive campaign was designed with aircraft measurements in Northeast China together with ground‐surface measurements in the North China Plain (NCP) to investigate the role that the mid‐latitude cyclone plays in transporting air pollution, specifically in changing aerosol components during transport. During a flight on 30 July 2018, high concentrations of aerosols dominated by sulfate were observed in the free troposphere, despite low aerosol loadings dominated by organics in the planetary boundary layer. Model simulations indicated that pollution in the lower free troposphere was transported directly from North Hebei by warm and moist air masses, while pollution in the higher free troposphere (HFT) was influenced by the warm conveyor belt (WCB), which transported aerosols from the (NCP) and lifted them into the HFT. Both particulate nitrate and sulfate were formed productively due to strong emissions and high atmospheric oxidizing capacity in the NCP. During transport, sulfate concentrations remained relatively constant, while nitrate decreased readily due to evaporation losses, resulting in an increasing contribution of sulfate but a decreasing contribution of nitrate to secondary aerosols along the transport path.
Glacier Ice Surface Properties in South‐West Greenland Ice Sheet: First Estimates From PRISMA Imaging Spectroscopy Data
Authors: Bohn Niklas , Di Mauro Biagio , Colombo Roberto , Thompson David R. , Susiluoto Jouni , Carmon Nimrod , Turmon Michael J. , Guanter Luis
Published: February 2022

Snow and ice melt processes on the Greenland Ice Sheet are a key in Earth's energy balance and are acutely sensitive to climate change. Melting dynamics are directly related to a decrease in surface albedo, amongst others caused by the accumulation of light‐absorbing particles (LAPs). Featuring unique spectral patterns, these accumulations can be mapped and quantified by imaging spectroscopy. We present first results for the retrieval of glacier ice properties from the spaceborne PRISMA imaging spectrometer by applying a recently developed simultaneous inversion of atmospheric and surface state using optimal estimation. The image analyzed in this study was acquired over the South‐West margin of the Greenland Ice Sheet in late August 2020. The area is characterized by patterns of both clean and dark ice associated with a high amount of LAPs deposited on the surface. We present retrieval maps and uncertainties for grain size, liquid water, and algae concentration, as well as estimated reflectance spectra for different surface properties. We then show the feasibility of using imaging spectroscopy to interpret multiband sensor data to achieve high accuracy, frequently repeated observations of changing snow and ice conditions. For example, the impurity index calculated from multiband Sentinel‐3 Ocean and Land Colour Instrument measurements is dependent on dust particles, but we show that algae concentration alone can be predicted from this data with less than 20% uncertainty. Our study evidences that present and upcoming orbital imaging spectroscopy missions such as PRISMA, Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program, Copernicus Hyperspectral Imaging Mission, and the Surface Biology and Geology designated observable, can significantly support research of melting ice sheets.
Online Nonlinear Bias Correction in Ensemble Kalman Filter to Assimilate GOES‐R All‐Sky Radiances for the Analysis and Prediction of Rapidly Developing Supercells
Authors: Chandramouli Krishnamoorthy , Wang Xuguang , Johnson Aaron , Otkin Jason
Published: February 2022

The present study introduces the online non‐linear bias correction for the assimilation of all‐sky GOES‐16 Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) channel 9 (6.9 μm) radiances in a rapidly cycled EnKF for convective scale data assimilation (DA). This study is the first to explore the use of the radar reflectivity as the anchoring observation for ABI all sky radiance assimilation. The online and offline nonlinear bias correction methods are compared and evaluated for a case of rapidly developing supercells over Oklahoma and Texas. The analysis and background of the online bias correction perform better than the offline approach during the suppression of spurious clouds and the establishment of non‐precipitating and precipitating regions when the supercell storms are observed to develop. The online approach not only improves the analysis and background over the radar anchored region but also the unanchored non‐precipitating regions compared to the offline approach. Both quantitative and subjective verification of the deterministic forecasts showed consistent superior performance from the online bias correction over the offline approach. Diagnostics reveal that the online bias correction retains useful information in the innovation, which in turn improves subsequent analysis, background and background ensemble spread for both the thermodynamic and dynamic fields. The effect is accumulated during the DA cycling that is responsible for the superior analysis and forecast of the supercells.
Heparanase promotes endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in diabetic glomerular endothelial cells through mediating ERK signaling
Authors: Chang Kaili , Xie Qiyuan , Niu Jianying , Gu Yong , Zhao Zhonghua , Li Fengxia , Qin Qiaojing , Liu Xueguang
Published: February 2022

Glomerular endothelial cells (GEnCs) dysfunction occurs at the early stage of diabetic nephropathy (DN). One of its characteristics is endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). Heparanase (HPSE) is the only known mammalian endoglycosidase capable of degrading heparin sulfates and has a prominent role in DN pathogenesis. However, whether HPSE induces EndMT of GEnCs remains unknown. This study aimed to determine the effect and potential mechanism of HPSE on GEnCs phenotype under high-glucose conditions. In the early development of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice, HPSE overexpression was positively correlated with renal injury and the number of GEnCs undergoing EndMT, which was characterized by loss of endothelial marker CD31 and gain of mesenchymal markers including α-SMA and Snail1/2 by double immunofluorescence staining. Bioinformatics analysis revealed a positive correlation between HPSE and ERK. The counts of double positive staining of CD31 and p-ERK1/2 was significantly increased in the glomeruli of STZ-induced diabetic mice compared with sham mice. In cultured GEnCs, high glucose dramatically upregulated the expressions of HPSE and p-ERK1/2, both of which were markedly blocked by HPSE siRNA. Furthermore, recombinant mouse HPSE (rmHPSE) promoted the expressions of mesenchymal markers and p-ERK1/2 in a dosage- and time-dependent manner. U0126, a specific MEK/ERK inhibitor, significantly inhibited either high glucose or rmHPSE-induced EndMT of GEnCs. These data indicate that high glucose induces EndMT of GEnCs at least partially through upregulating HPSE and that HPSE promotes EndMT of GEnCs via activating ERK signaling. This study improves understanding the crucial role of HPSE in DN development and progression.
Circ-AFAP1 promote clear cell renal cell carcinoma growth and angiogenesis by the Circ-AFAP1/miR-374b-3p/VEGFA signaling axis
Authors: Ou Yuxi , Dai Xiyu , Chen Xinan , Chen Yiling , Wu Siqi , Zhou Quan , Yang Chen , Jiang Haowen
Published: February 2022

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is one of the most common urogenital tumors with high mortality. Circular RNA (circRNA), as an emerging endogenous RNA, has been proved to play a crucial role in the clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) progression. In this study, we obtained circAFAP1 upregulated in ccRCC by high-sequencing and verified by qRT-PCR in several renal cancer cell lines. In situ hybridization (ISH) assays and Kaplan–Meier plot showed a higher level of circAFAP1 was linked to shorter overall survival. Moreover, CCK8, colony formation, and EdU experiments showed circAFAP1 promoted ccRCC growth while tube formation displayed circAFAP1 contributed to ccRCC angiogenesis. We predicted the downstream miR-374b-3p and VEGFA by bioinformatic analysis and validated further by qRT-PCR, RNA pull-down, RIP, and dual-luciferase. Downregulation miR-374b-3p or overexpression VEGFA could restore proliferation, vascular formation after circAFAP1 silencing. Consistently with the results in vitro, silencing circAFAP1 suppressed ccRCC growth in vivo. In conclusion, the circAFAP1/miR-374b-3p/VEGFA axis played a critical role in the progression and development of ccRCC which might be novel biological marks and therapeutical targets.
Lin28B-high breast cancer cells promote immune suppression in the lung pre-metastatic niche via exosomes and support cancer progression
Authors: Qi Meiyan , Xia Yun , Wu Yanjun , Zhang Zhuo , Wang Xinyu , Lu Liying , Dai Cheng , Song Yanan , Xu Keying , Ji Weiwei , Zhan Lixing
Published: February 2022

The formation of pre-metastatic niche is a key step in the metastatic burden. The pluripotent factor Lin28B is frequently expressed in breast tumors and is particularly upregulated in the triple negative breast cancer subtype. Here, we demonstrate that Lin28B promotes lung metastasis of breast cancer by building an immune-suppressive pre-metastatic niche. Lin28B enables neutrophil recruitment and N2 conversion. The N2 neutrophils are then essential for immune suppression in pre-metastatic lung by PD-L2 up-regulation and a dysregulated cytokine milieu. We also identify that breast cancer-released exosomes with low let-7s are a prerequisite for Lin28B-induced immune suppression. Moreover, Lin28B-induced breast cancer stem cells are the main sources of low-let-7s exosomes. Clinical data further verify that high Lin28B and low let-7s in tumors are both indicators for poor prognosis and lung metastasis in breast cancer patients. Together, these data reveal a mechanism by which Lin28B directs the formation of an immune-suppressive pre-metastatic niche.
Spatially resolved fluorescence of caesium lead halide perovskite supercrystals reveals quasi-atomic behavior of nanocrystals
Authors: Lapkin Dmitry , Kirsch Christopher , Hiller Jonas , Andrienko Denis , Assalauova Dameli , Braun Kai , Carnis Jerome , Kim Young Yong , Mandal Mukunda , Maier Andre , Meixner Alfred J. , Mukharamova Nastasia , Scheele Marcus , Schreiber Frank , Sprung Michael , Wahl Jan , Westendorf Sophia , Zaluzhnyy Ivan A. , Vartanyants Ivan A.
Published: February 2022

We correlate spatially resolved fluorescence (-lifetime) measurements with X-ray nanodiffraction to reveal surface defects in supercrystals of self-assembled cesium lead halide perovskite nanocrystals and study their effect on the fluorescence properties. Upon comparison with density functional modeling, we show that a loss in structural coherence, an increasing atomic misalignment between adjacent nanocrystals, and growing compressive strain near the surface of the supercrystal are responsible for the observed fluorescence blueshift and decreased fluorescence lifetimes. Such surface defect-related optical properties extend the frequently assumed analogy between atoms and nanocrystals as so-called quasi-atoms. Our results emphasize the importance of minimizing strain during the self-assembly of perovskite nanocrystals into supercrystals for lighting application such as superfluorescent emitters.
Proteomic analysis of archival breast cancer clinical specimens identifies biological subtypes with distinct survival outcomes
Authors: Asleh Karama , Negri Gian Luca , Spencer Miko Sandra E. , Colborne Shane , Hughes Christopher S. , Wang Xiu Q. , Gao Dongxia , Gilks C. Blake , Chia Stephen K. L. , Nielsen Torsten O. , Morin Gregg B.
Published: February 2022

Despite advances in genomic classification of breast cancer, current clinical tests and treatment decisions are commonly based on protein level information. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue specimens with extended clinical outcomes are widely available. Here, we perform comprehensive proteomic profiling of 300 FFPE breast cancer surgical specimens, 75 of each PAM50 subtype, from patients diagnosed in 2008-2013 (n = 178) and 1986-1992 (n = 122) with linked clinical outcomes. These two cohorts are analyzed separately, and we quantify 4214 proteins across all 300 samples. Within the aggressive PAM50-classified basal-like cases, proteomic profiling reveals two groups with one having characteristic immune hot expression features and highly favorable survival. Her2-Enriched cases separate into heterogeneous groups differing by extracellular matrix, lipid metabolism, and immune-response features. Within 88 triple-negative breast cancers, four proteomic clusters display features of basal-immune hot, basal-immune cold, mesenchymal, and luminal with disparate survival outcomes. Our proteomic analysis characterizes the heterogeneity of breast cancer in a clinically-applicable manner, identifies potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets, and provides a resource for clinical breast cancer classification.
Xrn1 is a deNADding enzyme modulating mitochondrial NAD-capped RNA
Authors: Sharma Sunny , Yang Jun , Grudzien-Nogalska Ewa , Shivas Jessica , Kwan Kelvin Y. , Kiledjian Megerditch
Published: February 2022

The existence of non-canonical nicotinamide adenine diphosphate (NAD) 5′-end capped RNAs is now well established. Nevertheless, the biological function of this nucleotide metabolite cap remains elusive. Here, we show that the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae cytoplasmic 5′-end exoribonuclease Xrn1 is also a NAD cap decapping (deNADding) enzyme that releases intact NAD and subsequently degrades the RNA. The significance of Xrn1 deNADding is evident in a deNADding deficient Xrn1 mutant that predominantly still retains its 5′-monophosphate exonuclease activity. This mutant reveals Xrn1 deNADding is necessary for normal growth on non-fermenting sugar and is involved in modulating mitochondrial NAD-capped RNA levels and may influence intramitochondrial NAD levels. Our findings uncover a contribution of mitochondrial NAD-capped RNAs in overall NAD regulation with the deNADding activity of Xrn1 fulfilling a central role.
Impact of charge noise on electron exchange interactions in semiconductors
Authors: Keith D. , Gorman S. K. , He Y. , Kranz L. , Simmons M. Y.
Published: February 2022

The electron exchange interaction is a promising medium for the entanglement of single-spin qubits in semiconductors as it results in high-speed two-qubit gates. The quality of such entangling gates is reduced by the presence of noise caused by nearby defects acting as two-level fluctuators. To date, the effect of charge noise has been calculated assuming a Gaussian distribution of exchange interaction frequencies between the qubits equivalent to a linear coupling of charge noise with the exchange interaction. In reality the coupling can differ significantly from this linear-coupling approximation depending on the inter-qubit tunnel coupling, detuning of the qubit system, and the magnitude of charge noise. We derive analytical expressions for the frequency spectra of exchange oscillations that encompasses both linear and non-linear coupling to charge-noise. The resulting decoherence times and decay profiles of the exchange oscillations vary considerably. When compared with recent experiments our model shows that non-linear charge-noise coupling is significant and requires consideration to characterise and optimise exchange-based entangling gates.
Stabilizing multiple topological fermions on a quantum computer
Authors: Koh Jin Ming , Tai Tommy , Phee Yong Han , Ng Wei En , Lee Ching Hua
Published: February 2022

In classical and single-particle settings, non-trivial band topology always gives rise to robust boundary modes. For quantum many-body systems, however, multiple topological fermions are not always able to coexist, since Pauli exclusion prevents additional fermions from occupying the limited number of available topological modes. In this work, we show, through IBM quantum computers, how one can robustly stabilize more fermions than the number of topological modes through specially designed 2-fermion interactions. Our demonstration hinges on the realization of BDI- and D-class topological Hamiltonians on transmon-based quantum hardware, and relied on a tensor network-aided circuit recompilation approach. We also achieved the full reconstruction of multiple-fermion topological band structures through iterative quantum phase estimation (IQPE). All in all, our work showcases how advances in quantum algorithm implementation enable noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices to be exploited for topological stabilization beyond the context of single-particle topological invariants.
A database of common vampire bat reports
Authors: Van de Vuurst Paige , Díaz M. Mónica , Rodríguez-San Pedro Annia , Allendes Juan Luis , Brown Natalie , Gutiérrez Juan David , Zarza Heliot , de Oliveira Stefan V. , Cárdenas-Canales Elsa , Barquez Rubén M. , Escobar Luis E.
Published: February 2022

The common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus) is a sanguivorous (i.e., blood-eating) bat species distributed in the Americas from northern Mexico southwards to central Chile and Argentina. Desmodus rotundus is one of only three mammal species known to feed exclusively on blood, mainly from domestic mammals, although large wildlife and occasionally humans can also serve as a food source. Blood feeding makes D. rotundus an effective transmissor of pathogens to its prey. Consequently, this species is a common target of culling efforts by various individuals and organizations. Nevertheless, little is known about the historical distribution of D. rotundus. Detailed occurrence data are critical for the accurate assessment of past and current distributions of D. rotundus as part of ecological, biogeographical, and epidemiological research. This article presents a dataset of D. rotundus historical occurrence reports, including >39,000 locality reports across the Americas to facilitate the development of spatiotemporal studies of the species. Data are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.15025296.
Carbon fibres as potential bone implants with controlled doxorubicin release
Authors: Chudoba Dorota , Łudzik Katarzyna , Jażdżewska Monika
Published: February 2022

This work presents the structural characterisation of carbon fibres obtained from the carbonization of flax tow at 400°C (CFs400°C) and 1000°C (CFs1000°C) and the thermodynamic and kinetic studies of adsorption of Doxorubicin (Dox) on the fibres. The characteristic of carbon fibres and their drug adsorption and removal mechanism were investigated and compared with that of natural flax tow. All fibres were fully characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), specific surface area analysis and Boehm titration. The results demonstrated the highest adsorption properties of CFs400°C at 323 K (qmax = 275 mg g−1). The kinetic data followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model more closely, whereas the Dubinin–Radushkevich model suitably described isotherms for all fibres. Calculated parameters revealed that the adsorption process of Dox ions is spontaneous and mainly followed by physisorption and a pore-filling mechanism. The removal efficiency for carbon fibres is low due to the effect of pore-blocking and hydrophobic hydration. However, presented fibres can be treated with a base for further chemical surface modification, increasing the adsorption capacity and controlling the release tendency.
Using publicly available transcriptomic data to identify mechanistic and diagnostic biomarkers in azoospermia and overall male infertility
Authors: Omolaoye Temidayo S. , Hachim Mahmood Yaseen , du Plessis Stefan S.
Published: February 2022

Azoospermia, which is the absence of spermatozoa in an ejaculate occurring due to defects in sperm production, or the obstruction of the reproductive tract, affects about 1% of all men and is prevalent in up to 10–15% of infertile males. Conventional semen analysis remains the gold standard for diagnosing and treating male infertility; however, advances in molecular biology and bioinformatics now highlight the insufficiency thereof. Hence, the need to widen the scope of investigating the aetiology of male infertility stands pertinent. The current study aimed to identify common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that might serve as potential biomarkers for non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and overall male infertility. DEGs across different datasets of transcriptomic profiling of testis from human patients with different causes of infertility/ impaired spermatogenesis and/or azoospermia were explored using the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. Following the search using the GEOquery, 30 datasets were available, with 5 meeting the inclusion criteria. The DEGs for datasets were identified using limma R packages through the GEO2R tool. The annotated genes of the probes in each dataset were intersected with DEGs from all other datasets. Enriched Ontology Clustering for the identified genes was performed using Metascape to explore the possible connection or interaction between the genes. Twenty-five DEGs were shared between most of the datasets, which might indicate their role in the pathogenesis of male infertility. Of the 25 DEGs, eight genes (THEG, SPATA20, ROPN1L, GSTF1, TSSK1B, CABS1, ADAD1, RIMBP3) are either involved in the overall spermatogenic processes or at specific phases of spermatogenesis. We hypothesize that alteration in the expression of these genes leads to impaired spermatogenesis and, ultimately, male infertility. Thus, these genes can be used as potential biomarkers for the early detection of NOA.