bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Postoperatively increased bioactive adrenomedullin is related to	adverse outcome after complex aortic surgery
Authors: Gombert Alexander , Doukas Panagiotis , Marx Gernot , Hartmann Oliver , Bergmann Deborah , Schulte Janin , Stoppe Christian , Jacobs Michael , Simon Tim
Published: February 2020

Summary: Background: Open and endovascular thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair is related to major complications and increased mortality rates. Up to now, specific biomarkers for adverse outcome are scarce, although routine usage of such biomarkers could enable an earlier and more appropriate treatment of complications during the postoperative course after complex aortic aneurysm repair. Patients and methods: In a prospective single-center study including 33 patients (48.5 % women, mean age 63.0 ± 16.2 years) undergoing elective complex open and endovascular aortic aneurysm repair, bioactive adrenomedullin (bio-ADM) was measured for 72 h perioperatively and an association with clinical endpoints, namely cardiogenic shock, death and the combined endpoint of the two aforementioned parameters was assessed. Furthermore, the association between bio-ADM and baseline characteristics and perioperative details including sepsis biomarkers score were assessed. Results: 51.5 % (n = 17) of patients developed postoperative acute kidney injury, 21.2 % (n = 7) pneumonia and 18.2 % (n = 6) sepsis. Cardiogenic shock was observed in 12.1 % (n = 4) patients. The in-hospital mortality rate was 18.2 % (n = 6), and 24.2 % (n = 8) of patients developed cardiogenic shock and/or died in hospital. A significant correlation of bio-ADM concentrations from all available time points was observed with leukocytes (r = 0.37, P < 0.0001), C-reactive protein (r = 0.56, P < 0.001) and serum creatinine levels (r = 0.52, P < 0.001). Increased bio-ADM at 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after admission to ICU was associated with both, in-hospital death and cardiogenic shock, with an area under the curve for the combined endpoint of 0.598, 0.720, 0.880 and 0.967. Bio-ADM concentrations at 48 h and 72 h after admission to ICU were predictive for in-hospital death and cardiogenic shock (both P < 0.01). Conclusions: Bio-ADM may serve as postoperative biomarker for cardiogenic shock and death after complex open and endovascular aortic aneurysm repair, potentially enabling an earlier and by that more adequate treatment of adverse outcome after major surgery.
Modeling Soil Porewater Salinity Response to Drought in Tidal Freshwater Forested Wetlands
Authors: Wang Hongqing , Krauss Ken W. , Noe Gregory B. , Stagg Camille L. , Swarzenski Christopher M. , Duberstein Jamie A. , Conner William H. , DeAngelis Donald L.
Published: February 2020

There is a growing concern about the adverse effects of saltwater intrusion via tidal rivers, streams, and creeks into tidal freshwater forested wetlands (TFFW) due to sea level rise (SLR) and intense and extended drought events. However, the magnitude and duration of porewater salinity in exceedance of plant salinity stress threshold (2 practical salinity units, psu) and the controlling factors remain unclear. In this study, we developed a TFFW soil porewater salinity model, in which the feedback mechanisms between soil salinity and evapotranspiration and hydraulic conductivity were incorporated. We selected sites (upper, middle, lower tidal freshwater forest sites, and oligohaline marsh site) along the coastal floodplains of two rivers, the Waccamaw River (SC, USA) and the Savannah River (GA and SC, USA), that represent landscape salinity gradients from tidal influence of the Atlantic Ocean. The model results agreed well with field measurements and revealed that with drought‐induced saltwater intrusion, the mean annual soil porewater salinity and duration of elevated soil porewater salinity (>2 psu) increased significantly compared to the normal (nondrought) condition, posing a threat to the health and ecosystem services of TFFW even in the absence of SLR. Model results also showed more severe salinity stress under drought for the lower forest sites along the two rivers, where soil salinity values have already been at or in exceedance of the 2 psu threshold.
A Global Model for Methylmercury Formation and Uptake at the Base of Marine Food Webs
Authors: Zhang Yanxu , Soerensen Anne L. , Schartup Amina T. , Sunderland Elsie M.
Published: February 2020

Monomethylmercury (CH3Hg) is the only form of mercury (Hg) known to biomagnify in food webs. Here we investigate factors driving methylated mercury [MeHg = CH3Hg + (CH3)2Hg)] production and degradation across the global ocean and uptake and trophic transfer at the base of marine food webs. We develop a new global 3‐D simulation of MeHg in seawater and phyto/zooplankton within the Massachusetts Institute of Technology general circulation model. We find that high modeled MeHg concentrations in polar regions are driven by reduced demethylation due to lower solar radiation and colder temperatures. In the eastern tropical subsurface waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the model results suggest that high MeHg concentrations are associated with enhanced microbial activity and atmospheric inputs of inorganic Hg. Global budget analysis indicates that upward advection/diffusion from subsurface ocean provides 17% of MeHg in the surface ocean. Modeled open ocean phytoplankton concentrations are relatively uniform because lowest modeled seawater MeHg concentrations occur in oligotrophic regions with the smallest size classes of phytoplankton, with relatively high uptake of MeHg and vice versa. Diatoms and synechococcus are the two most important phytoplankton categories for transferring MeHg from seawater to herbivorous zooplankton, contributing 35% and 25%, respectively. Modeled ratios of MeHg concentrations between herbivorous zooplankton and phytoplankton are 0.74–0.78 for picoplankton (i.e., no biomagnification) and 2.6–4.5 for eukaryotic phytoplankton. The spatial distribution of the trophic magnification factor is largely determined by the zooplankton concentrations. Changing ocean biogeochemistry resulting from climate change is expected to have a significant impact on marine MeHg formation and bioaccumulation.
Foreshock Bubbles at Venus: Hybrid Simulations and VEX Observations
Authors: Omidi N. , Collinson G. , Sibeck D.
Published: February 2020

In the absence of a global magnetic field at Venus, its ionosphere is the obstacle to the flow of the solar wind resulting in the formation of a smaller bow shock and foreshock. Spacecraft observations and global hybrid (kinetic ions, fluid electrons) simulations have demonstrated that despite its smaller size, the foreshock at Venus has properties similar to those seen at its much larger terrestrial counterpart. This study employs global hybrid simulations and Venus Express observations to demonstrate the formation of foreshock bubbles (FBs) at Venus and examine their impacts on the Venusian ionosphere. Discovered at Earth, FBs form in response to backstreaming ion beams in the foreshock interacting with solar wind rotational or tangential discontinuities. They exhibit a hot, tenuous, and low magnetic field core bounded by a fast magnetosonic shock wave and the associated plasma sheath. Their sizes scale with the width of the foreshock and they are carried by the solar wind toward the bow shock. The results of the hybrid simulations show that despite the smaller size of the Venusian foreshock, FBs should form at this planet. A preliminary examination of the Venus Express data has shown the presence of a number of FB candidates, one of which is discussed here. Using the results of hybrid simulations we examine the impacts of FBs on the ionosphere and demonstrate their global consequences which exceed those of hot flow anomalies also formed as a result of the interaction between solar wind discontinuities and the Venusian bow shock.
Turbulence Near the Venusian Bow Shock: Venus Express Observations
Authors: Xiao S.D. , Zhang T. L. , Vörös Z. , Wu M. Y. , Wang G. Q. , Chen Y. Q.
Published: February 2020

In terms of composition and size, Venus is an Earth‐like planet without a global intrinsic magnetic field. The Venusian bow shock and magnetosheath, reaching only 10% of the size of the Earth, are formed from the interaction of the solar wind with the Venusian ionosphere. Energy injection from the solar wind to the Venusian space environment can be studied at the bow shock. In this respect, we hypothesize that the spectral scaling features of magnetic fluctuations near the bow shock represent important information. Nine years (2006–2014) of Venus Express magnetic observations are used to study the spectral features of fluctuations near the bow shock over the frequency range from 0.05 to 0.3 Hz. Our results show that in terms of the spectral scaling features of magnetic fluctuations, the dayside‐nightside shock crossings exhibit a clear asymmetry. Magnetic fluctuations at the dayside shock crossings are associated with spectral indices of ~1, resembling the scaling of 1/f noise. At the nightside shock crossings, the spectral indices are closer to 3/2, resembling the magnetohydrodynamic turbulence scaling. We speculate that the noise at the dayside is the consequence of the newborn strong fluctuations near the dayside bow shock, which can mask or destroy the turbulence convected from the solar wind. The spectral scaling features of magnetic fluctuations at bow shock crossings do not exhibit solar cycle dependence. Although the fluctuations differ downstream of quasi‐parallel or quasi‐perpendicular shocks in the magnetosheath, the shock geometry has no influence on the scaling properties of fluctuations at the dayside‐nightside shocks.
Solar Wind and Interplanetary Magnetic Field Influence on Ultralow Frequency Waves and Reflected Ions Near the Moon
Authors: Howard S. K. , Halekas J. S. , Farrell W. M. , McFadden J. P. , Glassmeier K.‐H.
Published: February 2020

With no global magnetic field or atmosphere, the Moon was traditionally seen as a perfect absorber of the incoming solar wind. Recently, it has become apparent that magnetic fields with sources in the lunar crust act to reflect a significant percentage of incoming solar wind particles, which can then interact with the surrounding plasma environment and drive plasma waves. Using data collected by the Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence, and Electrodynamics of Moon's Interaction with the Sun (ARTEMIS) spacecraft, we look for simultaneous observations of reflected ions and 0.01 Hz waves to study the characteristics and conditions under which wave‐particle resonant interactions occur. Analyzing the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field during these observations reveals particular solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field conditions that favor the generation of these waves. We use an ion tracing program to produce reflected ion distributions for various ambient conditions. These distributions show that the conditions that lead to more ions crossing the equatorial region where ARTEMIS orbits are also those favored for wave observations. Low‐frequency waves, such as those generated by cyclotron resonance with ions, can be heavily Doppler shifted, making it difficult to determine their intrinsic properties. Reflected ion distributions for the same ambient conditions as the observed waves suggest that most of the waves are intrinsically right‐hand polarized.
Modulation of Whistler Mode Waves by Ion‐Scale Waves Observed in the Distant Magnetotail
Authors: Zhao Duo , Fu Suiyan , Parks George K. , Chen Lunjin , Liu Xu , Tong Yuguang , Li Jinxing , Pu Zuyin , Zong Qiugang , Sun Weijie , Li Shouxian , An JianZhu
Published: February 2020

Wave activities in tailward flows have been explored in the distant magnetotail at ~54 RE, where the coupling between whistler mode waves and ion‐scale waves was observed. The whistler mode waves periodically appeared at each cycle of the ion‐scale waves, and the electron distribution functions associated with the whistler mode waves showed enhancement in the direction parallel to background magnetic field. Wave analyses show that the field‐aligned electron components act as the energy source of the whistler mode waves. The ion‐scale waves are generated by the interaction of the hot ion beam with background ions. A likely candidate of the ion‐scale wave is the kinetic Alfven wave, which can generate the enhanced field‐aligned electron populations by the parallel electric field.
Energized Oxygen in the Magnetotail: Current Sheet Bifurcation From Speiser Motion
Authors: George Don E , Jahn Jörg‐Micha
Published: February 2020

Oxygen can be a major constituent of magnetospheric plasma, yet the role of oxygen in the magnetosphere is not sufficiently understood. Observations of bifurcated current sheets (BCS) attributed to O
have been made, yet their origin is not well understood. We examine the case of a thinning current sheet prior to the onset of magnetic reconnection using three‐species, 2.5‐D particle‐in‐cell simulations. There currently is no consensus on the formation mechanism of a BCS. Our principal result is to demonstrate that a single population of energized, Speiser orbiting, heavy ions produces a BCS. Previous particle‐in‐cell simulations have studied a three‐species system with a background of thermal O
. Here we energize our O
by applying an initial duskward velocity. While this is a nonphysical initialization, it does place the O
into Speiser orbits streaming duskward, which has been observed in situ. Until now the connection between Speiser orbiting ions and a BCS has only been predicted. While there are two physical peaks in the current, we show that there is no splitting or bifurcation of the current in a BCS. Both current peaks are produced by a single population of ions. This is due to their gyromotion on either side of the current sheet turning them back toward the current sheet null. Additionally, there is no consensus whether magnetic reconnection is required to form a BCS or not. We confirm that magnetic reconnection is not required to produce a BCS.
Dynamical Properties of Peak and Time‐Integrated Geomagnetic Events Inferred From Sample Entropy
Authors: Mourenas D. , Artemyev A. V. , Zhang X.‐J.
Published: February 2020

We provide a comprehensive statistical analysis of the sample entropy of peak and time‐integrated geomagnetic events in 2001–2017, considering different measures of event strength, different geomagnetic indices, and a simplified solar wind‐magnetosphere coupling function. Our investigations reveal the existence of significant correlations between the entropies of,, and, and between such entropies and event strengths, as well as good correlations between peak levels of solar wind‐magnetosphere coupling and ring current () andentropies, suggesting a potential predictability of significantandevents on the basis of appropriate functions of. Sensibly weaker correlations are found withentropy. We further show the presence of several significant entropy correlations between geomagnetic indices, solar wind‐magnetosphere coupling, and trapped or precipitated energetic electron and ion fluxes measured by geostationary and low Earth orbit satellites in the outer radiation belt during the same periods. Entropy correlations betweenand trapped or precipitated 30‐ to 80‐keV ion fluxes at lowand betweenand trapped 40‐keV electron fluxes at geostationary orbit correspond well with ring current properties and substorm‐induced injections, respectively. Entropy correlations betweenand precipitation rates of energetic ion and electron fluxes demonstrate the sensibility ofindex entropy to both low‐energy (5–30 keV) electron injections and ring current. The stronger entropy correlation between solar wind‐magnetosphere coupling andthanlikely stems from the more stochastic behavior of electron injections and fast losses near geostationary orbit.
Characteristics of the Flank Magnetopause: MMS Results
Authors: Haaland S. , Paschmann G. , Øieroset M. , Phan T. , Hasegawa H. , Fuselier S. A. , Constantinescu V. , Eriksson S. , Trattner K. J. , Fadanelli S. , Tenfjord P. , Lavraud B. , Norgren C. , Eastwood J. P. , Hietala H. , Burch J.
Published: February 2020

We have used a large number of magnetopause crossings by the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission to investigate macroscopic properties of this current sheet, with emphasis on the flanks of the magnetopause. Macroscopic features such as thickness, location, and motion of the magnetopause were calculated as a function of local time sector. The results show that the flanks of the magnetopause are significantly thicker than the dayside magnetopause. Thicknesses vary from about 650 km near noon to over 1,000 km near the terminator. Current densities vary in a similar manner, with average current densities around noon almost twice as high as near the terminator. We also find a dawn‐dusk asymmetry in many of the macroscopic parameters; the dawn magnetopause is thicker than at dusk, while the dusk flank is more dynamic, with a higher average normal velocity.
Latitude Dependence of Interhemispheric Field‐Aligned Currents (IHFACs) as Observed by the Swarm Constellation
Authors: Park Jaeheung , Yamazaki Yosuke , Lühr Hermann
Published: February 2020

Key Points

Two clearly different systems of IHFACs exist at low and middle latitudes, respectively, with a boundary near ±35° in magnetic latitudes

The latitudinal and longitudinal structures of IHFACs depend strongly on wave forcing from the lower atmosphere, below 30 km

Midlatitude IHFACs have similar climatology in equinoxes/June solstice, while those of December solstice exhibit different behavior
Role of the Tide on the Structure of the Amazon Plume: A Numerical Modeling Approach
Authors: Ruault Valentin , Jouanno Julien , Durand Fabien , Chanut Jérôme , Benshila Rachid
Published: February 2020

The dynamical balance on the Amazon shelf and its implication on the properties of the Amazon River plume is not fully understood and poorly represented in global‐ and basin‐scale ocean models. In this study, the sensitivity of the Amazon shelf dynamics to tidal forcing is explored with a set of high‐resolution numerical simulations (1/36°) with and without the tide. A comparison of the simulations with sea surface salinity in situ measurements at 5°N (a location where the plume seasonally detaches from the coast and retroflects toward the east) revealed that the explicit resolution of the tide significantly improves the representation of the offshore spread of the river plume. This study further highlights the finding that tidal currents affect the properties of the whole Amazon plume. This sensitivity is explained by a near total collapse of the northwestward alongshore mean flow located near the river mouth, once the tidal forcing is included. This weakening of the ambient flow reduces (i) the dilution ratio between the ambient salty shelf waters and the riverine freshwaters and (ii) the constraint on the cross‐shore extension of the low‐salinity bulge. With tides, the plume is fresher near the river mouth (by up to 5 units), more extended in the cross‐shore direction, and more easily exported offshore by the North Brazil Current at the shelf break.
Variability of the Shallow Overturning Circulation in the Indian Ocean
Authors: Meng Lingsheng , Zhuang Wei , Zhang Weiwei , Yan Chi , Yan Xiao‐Hai
Published: February 2020

Variability of the Indian Ocean (IO) shallow overturning circulation during 1958–2017 was investigated, which consisted of a cross‐equator cell (CEC) and a southern subtropical cell (SSTC). Structures of these shallow cells were examined through the velocity sections and the transport steamfunction patterns based on the newly released Ocean Reanalysis System 5 data set, and the results showed that the returning flows, at the subsurface, of the shallow cells mainly presented at the western boundary while absented in the ocean interior. Strengths of the IO shallow cells were then determined according to the annual‐mean meridional streamfunction profiles. Both the CEC and the SSTC exhibited significant variability on interannual to decadal timescales during 1958–2017, and this variability mainly resulted from changes in both meridional Ekman transports and meridional geostrophic flows in the upper layer, and each component could dominate the shallow cells' variations in certain years. Contributions of the geostrophic currents to the shallow cells were likely opposite to that of the Ekman transport in the South Indian Ocean during years when the latter reached the extremes. The CEC and the SSTC were negatively correlated during the research period. The CEC exhibited a decadal weakening during 2000–2015, contributing to the decadal increasing of the IO heat content, while the SSTC only experienced very little strengthening. Here this paper presents a comprehensively study of the interannual to decadal variability of the IO shallow cells and the corresponding reasons and influences and tried to link these variations with other variations in the IO.
Estimates of Regional Source Contributions to the Asian Tropopause Aerosol Layer Using a Chemical Transport Model
Authors: Fairlie T. Duncan , Liu Hongyu , Vernier Jean‐Paul , Campuzano‐Jost Pedro , Jimenez Jose L. , Jo Duseong S. , Zhang Bo , Natarajan Murali , Avery Melody A. , Huey Gregory
Published: February 2020

The Asian Tropopause Aerosol Layer (ATAL) represents an accumulation of aerosol in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere associated with the Asian Summer Monsoon. Here we simulate the ATAL for summer 2013 with the GEOS‐Chem chemical transport model and explore the likely composition of ATAL aerosols and the relative contributions of regional anthropogenic sources versus those from farther afield. The model indicates significant contributions from organic aerosol, nitrate, sulfate, and ammonium aerosol, with regional anthropogenic precursor sources dominant. The model underestimates aerosol backscatter in the ATAL during summer 2013, compared with Cloud‐Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) satellite instrument. Tests of a more physically based treatment of wet scavenging of SO2 in convective updrafts raise sulfate, eliminating the low bias with respect to CALIPSO backscatter in the ATAL, but lead to an unacceptable high bias of sulfate compared with in situ observations from aircraft over the United States. Source apportionment of the model results indicate the dominance of regional anthropogenic emissions from China and the Indian subcontinent to aerosol concentrations in the ATAL; ~60% of sulfate in the ATAL region in August 2013 is attributable to anthropogenic sources of SO2 from China (~30%) and from the Indian subcontinent (~30%), twice as much as in previously published estimates. Nitrate aerosol is found to be a dominant component of aerosol composition on the southern flank of the Asian Summer Monsoon anticyclone. Lightning sources of NOx are found to make a significant (10–15%) contribution to nitrate in the ATAL for the case studied.
Distribution Characteristics of Dimethylated Sulfur Compounds and Turnover of Dimethylsulfide in the Northern South China Sea During Summer
Authors: Zhai Xing , Song Yu‐Chen , Li Jian‐Long , Yang Jian , Zhang Hong‐Hai , Yang Gui‐Peng
Published: February 2020

Spatial distributions of dimethylsulfide (DMS), dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in the northern South China Sea were determined in the summer of 2015. The mean concentrations of DMS, particulate DMSP (DMSPp), dissolved DMSP (DMSPd), dissolved DMSO (DMSOd), and particulate DMSO (DMSOp) in the surface seawater were 2.8 ± 1.0, 6.8 ± 1.5, 14.0 ± 3.1, 12.2 ± 3.2, and 9.2 ± 2.6 nmol L−1, respectively. The contributions of three principal removal pathways of DMS were investigated. The average biological production and consumption rates of DMS in the surface seawater were 6.15 ± 1.12 and 4.63 ± 1.32 nmol L−1 day−1. Deck incubation experiments showed that the photooxidation rates of DMS for different radiation bands followed the order: KUVB > KUVA > Kvisible light. The DMS photooxidation rates were higher in the coastal waters than in the open ocean, which might be associated with the higher concentrations of dissolved organic matter of terrigenous input. The sea‐to‐air fluxes of DMS ranged from 1.6 to 50.3 μmol m−2 day−1 with an average value of 15.6 ± 11.6 μmol m−2 day−1. Based on the respective turnover times of DMS, the contributions of biological consumption, photooxidation, and sea‐to‐air exchange to the sink of DMS were 32.6 ± 11.0%, 23.2 ± 8.9%, and 44.1 ± 19.2%, respectively, suggesting that the three removal pathways were all critical to the migration and transformation of DMS in the surface seawater during summer.
WISHE‐Moisture Mode in a Vertically Resolved Model
Authors: Fuchs‐Stone Željka
Published: February 2020

The Madden‐Julian oscillation is a global phenomenon, a wave with the wavelength of the circumference of the Earth. A theoretical model presented by Fuchs and Raymond (2007, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0870.2007.00230.x) obtained a mode called the eastward propagating wind‐induced surface heat exchange (WISHE)‐moisture mode that had its largest instability for the longest wavelengths. That model imposed the first baroclinic mode vertical structure. This paper expands the Fuchs and Raymond model by developing a vertically resolved model, a model in which all the variables except the heating vertical profile are calculated. The heating profile is assumed to have a vertical structure of the first baroclinic mode. The model uses the upper boundary radiation condition and thus includes the effects of the stratosphere. The convective parametrization includes wind‐induced surface heat exchange, cloud‐radiation interactions, and moisture closure. The vertically resolved model produces one unstable mode whose dispersion relation characteristics closely resemble the eastward propagating WISHE‐moisture mode. For the longest wavelengths it is more unstable and its phase speed is slightly larger than in the Fuchs and Raymond model. The calculated vertical structure reveals a similar vertical structure to the first baroclinic mode with small differences that to some extent agree with observations.
Fast and Accurate Computation of Vertical Modes
Authors: Early Jeffrey J. , Lelong M. Pascale , Smith K. Shafer
Published: February 2020

The vertical modes of linearized equations of motion are widely used by the oceanographic community in numerous theoretical and observational contexts. However, the standard approach for solving the generalized eigenvalue problem using second‐order finite difference matrices produces
errors for all but the few lowest modes, and increasing resolution quickly becomes too slow as the computational complexity of eigenvalue algorithms increases as
. Existing methods are therefore inadequate for computing a full spectrum of internal waves, such as needed for initializing a numerical model with a full internal wave spectrum. Here we show that rewriting the eigenvalue problem in stretched coordinates and projecting onto Chebyshev polynomials results in substantially more accurate modes than finite differencing at a fraction of the computational cost. We also compute the surface quasigeostrophic modes using the same methods. All spectral and finite difference algorithms are made available in a suite of Matlab classes that have been validated against known analytical solutions in constant and exponential stratification.
Analog Forecasting of Extreme‐Causing Weather Patterns Using Deep Learning
Authors: Chattopadhyay Ashesh , Nabizadeh Ebrahim , Hassanzadeh Pedram
Published: February 2020

Numerical weather prediction models require ever‐growing computing time and resources but, still, have sometimes difficulties with predicting weather extremes. We introduce a data‐driven framework that is based on analog forecasting (prediction using past similar patterns) and employs a novel deep learning pattern‐recognition technique (capsule neural networks, CapsNets) and an impact‐based autolabeling strategy. Using data from a large‐ensemble fully coupled Earth system model, CapsNets are trained on midtropospheric large‐scale circulation patterns (Z500) labeled 0–4 depending on the existence and geographical region of surface temperature extremes over North America several days ahead. The trained networks predict the occurrence/region of cold or heat waves, only using Z500, with accuracies (recalls) of 69–45% (77–48%) or 62–41% (73–47%) 1–5 days ahead. Using both surface temperature and Z500, accuracies (recalls) with CapsNets increase to
80% (88%). In both cases, CapsNets outperform simpler techniques such as convolutional neural networks and logistic regression, and their accuracy is least affected as the size of the training set is reduced. The results show the promises of multivariate data‐driven frameworks for accurate and fast extreme weather predictions, which can potentially augment numerical weather prediction efforts in providing early warnings.
A Regionally Evolving Transpressional Duplex Along the Northern Margin of the Altyn Tagh Fault: New Kinematic and Timing Constraints From the Sanweishan and Nanjieshan, China
Authors: Yang Haibo , Yang Xiaoping , Cunningham Dickson , Hu Zongkai , Huang Xiongnan , Huang Weiliang , Yang Huili , Miao Shuqing , Zhang Ling
Published: February 2020

In this study, we document the kinematics and Late Quaternary slip rates of actively developing faults and folds on the northern side of the Altyn Tagh Fault (ATF) that accommodate uplift and lateral expansion of the northern Tibetan Plateau. Field observations and detailed measurements using Unmanned‐Aerial‐Vehicle Structure‐from‐Motion high‐resolution imagery of offset fan surfaces, gullies, and channel risers coupled with optically stimulated luminescence and 10Be ages constrain the timing and slip rates of the Sanweishan Fault (SWSF) and Nanjieshan Fault (NJSF) systems. The NE striking SWSF is characterized by sinistral strike slip with a top‐to‐the‐NW thrusting component. Offset geomorphic markers and dating results yield Pleistocene strike slip and vertical uplift rates of 0.06–1.25 mm/a and 0.05–0.08 mm/a, respectively. The E‐W trending NJSF is dominated by north and south directed thrusting and km‐scale folding with variable components of sinistral strike slip. The calculated total N‐S shortening rate across the NJSF is ~0.3 mm/a. Low rates of deformation for the SWSF and NJSF account for less than 10% of the total intraplate strain accommodated along the northeasternmost ATF system. Over a 1,000‐km length, the northward expansion of the Tibetan Plateau occurs by progressive northeastward growth of a transpressional duplex rooted SE into the ATF. An assumed crustal strength discontinuity along the northeast trending southern margin of the Tarim Craton focuses oblique convergence along the ATF. Oblique‐slip thrusting and sinistral strike slip along the ATF and to the north accommodate the oblique convergence, consistent with the ENE directed geodetically derived crustal velocity field driven by India's continued indentation 1,500 km to the south.
Dual disruption of aldehyde dehydrogenases 1 and 3 promotes functional changes in the glutathione redox system and enhances chemosensitivity in nonsmall cell lung cancer
Authors: Rebollido-Rios Rocio , Venton Geoffroy , Sánchez-Redondo Sara , Iglesias i Felip Carmela , Fournet Guy , González Elena , Romero Fernández Wilber , Borroto Escuela Dasiel Oscar , Di Stefano Barbara , Penarroche-Díaz Reinier , Martin Guillaume , Ceylan Ismail , Costello Regis , Perez-Alea Mileidys
Published: February 2020

Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) are multifunctional enzymes that oxidize diverse endogenous and exogenous aldehydes. We conducted a meta-analysis based on The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus data and detected genetic alterations in ALDH1A1, ALDH1A3, or ALDH3A1, 86% of which were gene amplification or mRNA upregulation, in 31% of nonsmall cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). The expression of these isoenzymes impacted chemoresistance and shortened survival times in patients. We hypothesized that these enzymes provide an oxidative advantage for the persistence of NSCLC. To test this hypothesis, we used genetic and pharmacological approaches with DIMATE, an irreversible inhibitor of ALDH1/3. DIMATE showed cytotoxicity in 73% of NSCLC cell lines tested and demonstrated antitumor activity in orthotopic xenografts via hydroxynonenal-protein adduct accumulation, GSTO1-mediated depletion of glutathione and increased H2O2. Consistent with this result, ALDH1/3 disruption synergized with ROS-inducing agents or glutathione synthesis inhibitors to trigger cell death. In lung cancer xenografts with high to moderate cisplatin resistance, combination treatment with DIMATE promoted strong synergistic responses with tumor regression. These results indicate that NSCLCs with increased expression of ALDH1A1, ALDH1A3, or ALDH3A1 may be targeted by strategies involving inhibitors of these isoenzymes as monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy to overcome patient-specific drug resistance.
Anti-thyroid antibodies and thyroid echo pattern at baseline as risk factors for thyroid dysfunction induced by anti-programmed cell death-1 antibodies: a prospective study
Authors: Okada Norio , Iwama Shintaro , Okuji Takayuki , Kobayashi Tomoko , Yasuda Yoshinori , Wada Eri , Onoue Takeshi , Goto Motomitsu , Sugiyama Mariko , Tsunekawa Taku , Takagi Hiroshi , Hagiwara Daisuke , Ito Yoshihiro , Suga Hidetaka , Banno Ryoichi , Hase Tetsunari , Morise Masahiro , Kanda Mitsuro , Yokota Kenji , Hashimoto Naozumi , Ando Masahiko , Fujimoto Yasushi , Nagino Masato , Kodera Yasuhiro , Fujishiro Mitsuhiro , Hibi Hideharu , Sone Michihiko , Kiyoi Hitoshi , Gotoh Momokazu , Ando Yuichi , Akiyama Masashi , Hasegawa Yoshinori , Arima Hiroshi
Published: February 2020

Background

Anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) antibodies can cause thyroid dysfunction. However, no predictive biomarkers enabling stratification of thyroid dysfunction risk have been identified.

Methods

A total of 209 patients treated with an anti-PD-1 antibody were evaluated for anti-thyroid antibodies at baseline and prospectively for thyroid function every 6 weeks for 24 weeks after treatment initiation, and then observed until the visits stopped. Thyroid ultrasonography was performed if the patient was positive for anti-thyroid antibodies at baseline.

Results

Of the 209 patients, 19 (9.1%) developed thyroid dysfunction (destructive thyroiditis or hypothyroidism). The cumulative incidence of thyroid dysfunction was significantly higher in patients who were positive vs. negative for anti-thyroid antibodies (15/44 [34.1%] vs. 4/165 [2.4%], p < 0.001). Forty-two patients positive for anti-thyroid antibodies at baseline were divided into two groups according to the presence of an irregular echo pattern. The cumulative incidence of thyroid dysfunction was significantly higher in those with an irregular vs. a regular echo pattern (13/23 [56.5%] vs. 1/19 [5.3%], p = 0.001). None of the patients developed thyroid dysfunction after the initial 24-week period.

Conclusions

The risk of thyroid dysfunction induced by anti-PD-1 antibodies can be predicted by evaluation of anti-thyroid antibodies and the thyroid echo pattern at baseline.

Trial registration

UMIN000019024.
A20 targets PFKL and glycolysis to inhibit the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Feng Yilu , Zhang Ye , Cai Yi , Liu Ruijie , Lu Miaolong , Li Tangzhiming , Fu Ying , Guo Ming , Huang Huichao , Ou Yifu , Chen Yongheng
Published: February 2020

Abnormal expression of the E3 ubiquitin ligase A20 has been found in some malignant cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we discovered that A20 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase for phosphofructokinase, liver type (PFKL) in HCC A20 interacts with PFKL and promotes its degradation, therefore inhibiting glycolysis in HCC cell lines. Downregulation of A20 in HCC cells promotes proliferation, migration, and glycolysis, all of which can be inhibited by targeting PFKL with RNA interference. Importantly, A20 is downregulated in advanced HCC tissues and inversely correlated with PFKL expression. Thus, our findings establish A20 as a critical regulator of glycolysis and reveal a novel mechanism for A20 in tumor suppression and PFKL regulation. Given that an increased level of glycolysis is linked with HCC, this study also identifies potential therapeutic targets for HCC treatment.
SIVA-1 regulates apoptosis and synaptic function by modulating XIAP interaction with the death receptor antagonist FAIM-L
Authors: Coccia Elena , Planells-Ferrer Laura , Badillos-Rodríguez Raquel , Pascual Marta , Segura Miguel F. , Fernández-Hernández Rita , López-Soriano Joaquin , Garí Eloi , Soriano Eduardo , Barneda-Zahonero Bruna , Moubarak Rana S. , Pérez-García M. Jose , Comella Joan X.
Published: February 2020

The long isoform of Fas apoptosis inhibitory molecule (FAIM-L) is a neuron-specific death receptor antagonist that modulates apoptotic cell death and mechanisms of neuronal plasticity. FAIM-L exerts its antiapoptotic action by binding to X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), an inhibitor of caspases, which are the main effectors of apoptosis. XIAP levels are regulated by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. FAIM-L interaction with XIAP prevents the ubiquitination and degradation of the latter, thereby allowing it to inhibit caspase activation. This interaction also modulates non-apoptotic functions of caspases, such as the endocytosis of AMPA receptor (AMPAR) in hippocampal long-term depression (LTD). The molecular mechanism of action exerted by FAIM-L is unclear since the consensus binding motifs are still unknown. Here, we performed a two-hybrid screening to discover novel FAIM-L-interacting proteins. We found a functional interaction of SIVA-1 with FAIM-L. SIVA-1 is a proapoptotic protein that has the capacity to interact with XIAP. We describe how SIVA-1 regulates FAIM-L function by disrupting the interaction of FAIM-L with XIAP, thereby promoting XIAP ubiquitination, caspase-3 activation and neuronal death. Furthermore, we report that SIVA-1 plays a role in receptor internalization in synapses. SIVA-1 is upregulated upon chemical LTD induction, and it modulates AMPAR internalization via non-apoptotic activation of caspases. In summary, our findings uncover SIVA-1 as new functional partner of FAIM-L and demonstrate its role as a regulator of caspase activity in synaptic function.
Hepatocyte apoptosis is tumor promoting in murine nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Hirsova Petra , Bohm Friederike , Dohnalkova Ester , Nozickova Barbora , Heikenwalder Mathias , Gores Gregory J. , Weber Achim
Published: February 2020

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common chronic liver disease and may progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The molecular determinants of this pathogenic progression, however, remain largely undefined. Since liver tumorigenesis is driven by apoptosis, we examined the effect of overt hepatocyte apoptosis in a mouse model of NASH using mice lacking myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl1), a pro-survival member of the BCL-2 protein family. Hepatocyte-specific Mcl1 knockout (Mcl1∆hep) mice and control littermates were fed chow or FFC (high saturated fat, fructose, and cholesterol) diet, which induces NASH, for 4 and 10 months. Thereafter, liver injury, inflammation, fibrosis, and tumor development were evaluated biochemically and histologically. Mcl1∆hep mice fed with the FFC diet for 4 months displayed a marked increase in liver injury, hepatocyte apoptosis, hepatocyte proliferation, macrophage-associated liver inflammation, and pericellular fibrosis in contrast to chow-fed Mcl1∆hep and FFC diet-fed Mcl1-expressing littermates. After 10 months of feeding, 78% of FFC diet-fed Mcl1∆hep mice developed liver tumors compared to 38% of chow-fed mice of the same genotype. Tumors in FFC diet-fed Mcl1∆hep mice were characterized by cytologic atypia, altered liver architecture, immunopositivity for glutamine synthetase, and histologically qualified as HCC. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that excessive hepatocyte apoptosis exacerbates the NASH phenotype with enhancement of tumorigenesis in mice.
A new coronavirus associated with human respiratory disease in China
Authors: Wu Fan , Zhao Su , Yu Bin , Chen Yan-Mei , Wang Wen , Song Zhi-Gang , Hu Yi , Tao Zhao-Wu , Tian Jun-Hua , Pei Yuan-Yuan , Yuan Ming-Li , Zhang Yu-Ling , Dai Fa-Hui , Liu Yi , Wang Qi-Min , Zheng Jiao-Jiao , Xu Lin , Holmes Edward C. , Zhang Yong-Zhen
Published: February 2020

Emerging infectious diseases, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Zika virus disease, present a major threat to public health1–3. Despite intense research efforts, how, when and where new diseases appear are still a source of considerable uncertainty. A severe respiratory disease was recently reported in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. As of 25 January 2020, at least 1,975 cases had been reported since the first patient was hospitalized on 12 December 2019. Epidemiological investigations have suggested that the outbreak was associated with a seafood market in Wuhan. Here we study a single patient who was a worker at the market and who was admitted to the Central Hospital of Wuhan on 26 December 2019 while experiencing a severe respiratory syndrome that included fever, dizziness and a cough. Metagenomic RNA sequencing4 of a sample of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from the patient identified a new RNA virus strain from the family Coronaviridae, which is designated here ‘WH-Human 1’ coronavirus (and has also been referred to as ‘2019-nCoV’). Phylogenetic analysis of the complete viral genome (29,903 nucleotides) revealed that the virus was most closely related (89.1% nucleotide similarity) to a group of SARS-like coronaviruses (genus Betacoronavirus, subgenus Sarbecovirus) that had previously been found in bats in China5. This outbreak highlights the ongoing ability of viral spill-over from animals to cause severe disease in humans.
A pneumonia outbreak associated with a new coronavirus of probable bat origin
Authors: Zhou Peng , Yang Xing-Lou , Wang Xian-Guang , Hu Ben , Zhang Lei , Zhang Wei , Si Hao-Rui , Zhu Yan , Li Bei , Huang Chao-Lin , Chen Hui-Dong , Chen Jing , Luo Yun , Guo Hua , Jiang Ren-Di , Liu Mei-Qin , Chen Ying , Shen Xu-Rui , Wang Xi , Zheng Xiao-Shuang , Zhao Kai , Chen Quan-Jiao , Deng Fei , Liu Lin-Lin , Yan Bing , Zhan Fa-Xian , Wang Yan-Yi , Xiao Geng-Fu , Shi Zheng-Li
Published: February 2020

Since the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) 18 years ago, a large number of SARS-related coronaviruses (SARSr-CoVs) have been discovered in their natural reservoir host, bats1–4. Previous studies have shown that some bat SARSr-CoVs have the potential to infect humans5–7. Here we report the identification and characterization of a new coronavirus (2019-nCoV), which caused an epidemic of acute respiratory syndrome in humans in Wuhan, China. The epidemic, which started on 12 December 2019, had caused 2,794 laboratory-confirmed infections including 80 deaths by 26 January 2020. Full-length genome sequences were obtained from five patients at an early stage of the outbreak. The sequences are almost identical and share 79.6% sequence identity to SARS-CoV. Furthermore, we show that 2019-nCoV is 96% identical at the whole-genome level to a bat coronavirus. Pairwise protein sequence analysis of seven conserved non-structural proteins domains show that this virus belongs to the species of . In addition, 2019-nCoV virus isolated from the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of a critically ill patient could be neutralized by sera from several patients. Notably, we confirmed that 2019-nCoV uses the same cell entry receptor—angiotensin converting enzyme II (ACE2)—as SARS-CoV.
LiB13: A New Member of Tetrahedral-Typed B13 Ligand Half-Surround Cluster
Authors: Shi Hongxiao , Kuang Xiaoyu , Lu Cheng
Published: February 2020

It will get entirely unusual derivatives with gratifying chemical bonding schemes for boron clusters by doping with lithium, the lightest alkalis. The geometric structures and electronic properties of the LiBn0/− (n = 10−20) clusters have been studied through Crystal structure AnaLYsis by Particle Swarm Optimization (CALYPSO) structural search approach along with the density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The low-lying candidates of LiBn0/− (n = 10–20) are reoptimized at the B3LYP functional in conjunction with 6–311 + G(d) basis set. Three forms of geometric configurations are identified for the ground-state structures of LiBn0/− clusters: half-sandwich-type, quasi-planar and drum-type structures. The photoelectron spectra (PES) of the LiBn− clusters have been calculated through time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT). A promising LiB13 with tetrahedral-typed B13 ligand half-surround cluster and robust stability is uncovered. The molecular orbital and adaptive natural density partitioning (AdNDP) analysis show that B-B bonds in the B13 moiety combined with the interaction between the B13 shell and Li atom stabilize the C2v LiB13 cluster. Our results advance the fundamental understanding about the alkali metal doped boron clusters.
Emergence of life in an inflationary universe
Authors: Totani Tomonori
Published: February 2020

Abiotic emergence of ordered information stored in the form of RNA is an important unresolved problem concerning the origin of life. A polymer longer than 40–100 nucleotides is necessary to expect a self-replicating activity, but the formation of such a long polymer having a correct nucleotide sequence by random reactions seems statistically unlikely. However, our universe, created by a single inflation event, likely includes more than 10100 Sun-like stars. If life can emerge at least once in such a large volume, it is not in contradiction with our observations of life on Earth, even if the expected number of abiogenesis events is negligibly small within the observable universe that contains only 1022 stars. Here, a quantitative relation is derived between the minimum RNA length lmin required to be the first biological polymer, and the universe size necessary to expect the formation of such a long and active RNA by randomly adding monomers. It is then shown that an active RNA can indeed be produced somewhere in an inflationary universe, giving a solution to the abiotic polymerization problem. On the other hand, lmin must be shorter than ~20 nucleotides for the abiogenesis probability close to unity on a terrestrial planet, but a self-replicating activity is not expected for such a short RNA. Therefore, if extraterrestrial organisms of a different origin from those on Earth are discovered in the future, it would imply an unknown mechanism at work to polymerize nucleotides much faster than random statistical processes.
Controlled edge dependent stacking of WS2-WS2 Homo- and WS2-WSe2 Hetero-structures: A Computational Study
Authors: Ghatak Kamalika , Kang Kyung Nam , Yang Eui-Hyeok , Datta Dibakar
Published: February 2020

Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (TMDs) are one of the most studied two-dimensional materials in the last 5–10 years due to their extremely interesting layer dependent properties. Despite the presence of vast research work on TMDs, the complex relation between the electro-chemical and physical properties make them the subject of further research. Our main objective is to provide a better insight into the electronic structure of TMDs. This will help us better understand the stability of the bilayer post growth homo/hetero products based on the various edge-termination, and different stacking of the two layers. In this regard, two Tungsten (W) based non-periodic chalcogenide flakes (sulfides and selenides) were considered. An in-depth analysis of their different edge termination and stacking arrangement was performed via Density Functional Theory method using VASP software. Our finding indicates the preference of chalcogenide (c-) terminated structures over the metal (m-) terminated structures for both homo and heterobilayers, and thus strongly suggests the nonexistence of the m-terminated TMDs bilayer products.