bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comprehensive Survey on Cloud Data Mining (CDM) Frameworks and Algorithms
Authors: Barua Hrishav Bakul , Mondal Kartick Chandra
Published: September 2019

Data mining is used for finding meaningful information out of a vast expanse of data. With the advent of Big Data concept, data mining has come to much more prominence. Discovering knowledge out of a gigantic volume of data efficiently is a major concern as the resources are limited. Cloud computing plays a major role in such a situation. Cloud data mining fuses the applicability of classical data mining with the promises of cloud computing. This allows it to perform knowledge discovery out of huge volumes of data with efficiency. This article presents the existing frameworks, services, platforms, and algorithms for cloud data mining. The frameworks and platforms are compared among each other based on similarity, data mining task support, parallelism, distribution, streaming data processing support, fault tolerance, security, memory types, storage systems, and others. Similarly, the algorithms are grouped on the basis of parallelism type, scalability, streaming data mining support, and types of data managed. We have also provided taxonomies on the basis of data mining techniques such as clustering, classification, and association rule mining. We also have attempted to discuss and identify the major applications of cloud data mining. The various taxonomies for cloud data mining frameworks, platforms, and algorithms have been identified. This article aims at gaining better insight into the present research realm and directing the future research toward efficient cloud data mining in future cloud systems.
Thymine DNA glycosylase is a key regulator of CaMKIIγ expression and vascular smooth muscle phenotype
Authors: Liu YongFeng , Sun Li-Yan , Singer Diane V. , Ginnan Roman , Zhao Wen , Jourd’heuil Frances L. , Jourd’heuil David , Long Xiaochun , Singer Harold A.
Published: September 2019

Multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is a multigene family with isoform-specific regulation of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) functions. In previous studies, we found that vascular injury resulted in VSM dedifferentiation and reduced expression of the CaMKIIγ isoform in medial wall VSM. Smooth muscle knockout of CaMKIIγ enhanced injury-induced VSM neointimal hyperplasia, whereas CaMKIIγ overexpression inhibited VSM proliferation and neointimal formation. In this study, we evaluated DNA cytosine methylation/demethylation as a mechanism for regulating CaMKII isoform expression in VSM. Inhibition of cytosine methylation with 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine significantly upregulated CaMKIIγ expression in cultured VSM cells and inhibited CaMKIIγ downregulation in organ-cultured aorta ex vivo. With the use of methylated cytosine immunoprecipitation, the rat Camk2g promoter was found hypomethylated in differentiated VSM, whereas injury- or cell culture-induced VSM dedifferentiation coincided with Camk2g promoter methylation and decreased expression. We report for the first time that VSM cell phenotype switching is accompanied by marked induction of thymine DNA glycosylase (TDG) protein and mRNA expression in injured arteries in vivo and in cultured VSM synthetic phenotype cells. Silencing Tdg in VSM promoted expression of CaMKIIγ and differentiation markers, including myocardin, and inhibited VSM cell proliferation and injury-induced neointima formation. This study indicates that CaMKIIγ expression in VSM is regulated by cytosine methylation/demethylation and that TDG is an important determinant of this process and, more broadly, VSM phenotype switching and function.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Expression of the calcium calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II-γ isoform (CaMKIIγ) is associated with differentiated vascular smooth muscle (VSM) and negatively regulates proliferation in VSM synthetic phenotype (VSMSyn) cells. This study demonstrates that thymine DNA glycosylase (TDG) plays a key role in regulating CaMKIIγ expression in VSM through promoter cytosine methylation/demethylation. TDG expression is strongly induced in VSMSyncells and plays key roles in negatively regulating CaMKIIγ expression and more broadly VSM phenotype switching.
Impaired function of aorta and perivascular adipose tissue in IL-18-deficient mice
Authors: Li Wen , Jin Denan , Takai Shinji , Hayakawa Tetsu , Ogata Jun , Yamanishi Kyosuke , Yamanishi Hiromichi , Okamura Haruki
Published: September 2019

IL-18 is ubiquitously produced by both hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cells. The present study examined the thoracic aorta, including the surrounding perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT), of IL-18KO mice from functional and histological perspectives. IL-18KO mice exhibited raised blood pressure compared with wild-type mice. Echocardiographic examination showed a thickened vascular wall and narrowed vascular diameter of the aorta. Examination by the Magnus test demonstrated dysfunction of endothelial cells (ECs) in the IL-18KO thoracic aorta and impairment of the anticontractile function of IL-18KO PVAT. Histological examination showed no inflammatory lesions in the aorta but indicated progressive fibrosis in the vessel and conversion of PVAT from brown adipose tissue-like features to white adipose tissue-like features. Electron microscopic observation suggested several deformed mitochondria in the aorta and vacuole-like structures in ECs from IL-18KO mice. In addition, activity of complex IV was lower and production of reactive oxygen species was augmented in the mitochondria of IL-18KO aorta. Although expression of LC3 B was higher, rapamycin-induced autophagy flux was impaired in the IL-18KO PVAT. Moreover, Western blot analysis revealed that LAMP 1/2 was increased in IL-18KO PVAT, and measurement of cathepsin-D activity indicated decreased levels in IL-18KO PVAT. The IL-18KO thoracic aorta thus showed defects in physiological functions related to histological alterations, and the inflammasome/IL-18 system was suggested to play a protective role in cardiovascular cells, probably through quality control of mitochondria via promotion of autophagosome/autophagolysosome formation.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY IL-18 deficiency caused aortic abnormalities in terms of morphology and functions in parallel with an accumulation of damaged mitochondria and anomalous turnover of protein complexes, such as PGC-1 and LAMP1 and -2 in PVAT. These findings suggested that IL-18 plays roles in maintaining the homeostasis of vessels and PVAT around the aorta, possibly by promoting autophagy.
Diminished AHR Signaling Drives Human Acute Myeloid Leukemia Stem Cell Maintenance
Authors: Ly Michelle , Rentas Stefan , Vujovic Ana , Wong Nicholas , Moreira Steven , Xu Joshua , Holzapfel Nicholas , Bhatia Sonam , Tran Damian , Minden Mark D. , Draper Jonathan S. , Hope Kristin J.
Published: September 2019

Eliminating leukemic stem cells (LSC) is a sought after therapeutic paradigm for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). While repression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) signaling has been shown to promote short-term maintenance of primitive AML cells in culture, no work to date has examined whether altered AHR signaling plays a pathologic role in human AML or whether it contributes at all to endogenous LSC function. Here, we show AHR signaling is repressed in human AML blasts and preferentially downregulated in LSC-enriched populations within leukemias. A core set of AHR targets are uniquely repressed in LSCs across diverse genetic AML subtypes. In vitro and in vivo administration of the specific AHR agonist FICZ significantly impaired leukemic growth, promoted differentiation, and repressed self-renewal. Furthermore, LSCs suppressed a set of FICZ-responsive AHR target genes that function as tumor suppressors and promoters of differentiation. FICZ stimulation did not impair normal hematopoietic stem and progenitor (HSPC) function, and failed to upregulate a prominent LSC-specific AHR target in HSPCs, suggesting that differential mechanisms govern FICZ-induced AHR signaling manifestations in HSCs versus LSCs. Altogether, this work highlights AHR signaling suppression as a key LSC-regulating control mechanism and provides proof of concept in a preclinical model that FICZ-mediated AHR pathway activation enacts unique transcriptional programs in AML that identify it as a novel chemotherapeutic approach to selectively target human LSCs.

Significance:

The AHR pathway is suppressed in leukemic stem cells (LSC), therefore activating AHR signaling is a potential therapeutic option to target LSCs and to treat acute myeloid leukemia.
Monitoring Oxygenation Levels Deep in the Tumor Core: Noninvasive Imaging of Hypoxia, Now in Real-Time 3D
Authors: Klibanov Alexander L. , Hu Song
Published: September 2019

Understanding the way hypoxia influences tumor biology is important; to study tumor hypoxia, simple and robust quantification of tissue oxygenation levels in vivo is necessary. Real-time noninvasive imaging without the use of expensive large equipment (PET or MRI) is most desirable. Photoacoustic imaging, in the form of volumetric multispectral optoacoustic tomography, as described in this issue of Cancer Research, paves the way for tumor hypoxia studies using an intrinsic optical contrast agent (hemoglobin), up to cm depth and 0.1-mm spatial resolution, in real-time 3D. This approach may find use in the clinic to assess tumor status and therapeutic efficacy.

See related article by Ron et al., p. 4767
Targeting TGFβ Pathway in Adult Granulosa Cell Tumor: Opening Pandora's Box?
Authors: Bonilla Luisa , Oza Amit M.
Published: September 2019

Adult granulosa cell tumor (AGCT) is a rare malignancy characterized by FOXL2 (C134W) mutation, an inherent component of the TGFβ pathway. Activin A, a TGFβ superfamily member, is a driver of this activity and is a potential target in AGCT.

See related article by Tao et al., p. 5458
Prevalence and Predictors of Growth Impairment and Short Stature in Pediatric-Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Rinawi Firas , Assa Amit , Almagor Tal , Ziv-Baran Tomer , Shamir Raanan
Published: September 2019

Background and Aims: Growth impairment is common in children with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). However, the magnitude of short stature at adulthood is not well characterized. We aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of growth impairment at diagnosis and adulthood in children with IBD. Methods: Height z-scores at diagnosis of IBD and at adulthood among 291 children with Crohn’s disease (CD) and 125 with ulcerative colitis (UC) were retrieved retrospectively and compared to matched controls. Growth impairment at diagnosis was defined as height z-score for age less than or equal to –1 and short stature at adulthood as less than or equal to –2. Results: Mean height z-score at adulthood in subjects with CD or UC was significantly different from controls although mean height did differ in males only (CD 172.3 cm ± 6.7, UC 172.7 cm ± 5.3, controls: 174.2 cm ± 7.3, p = 0.003 and p = 0.047, respectively). Diagnosis prior to final stage of puberty and male gender were risk factors for being short statured at adulthood in CD (mean difference [MD] 2.5, p = 0.013 and MD 6.25, p = 0.001, respectively) and UC (MD 4.9, p = 0.011 and MD 3.3, p = 0.034, respectively). Conclusion: Increased proportion of pediatric-onset IBD patients has growth impairment at adulthood. Male gender and diagnosis prior to puberty were found to impose risk for reduced adult height in both diseases.
Péptidos antimicrobianos, una alternativa prometedora para el tratamiento de enfermedades infecciosas
Authors: Olascoaga-Del Angel Kevin Samael , Sánchez-Evangelista Grecia , Carmona-Navarrete Israel , Galicia-Sanchez María del Carmen , Gómez-Luna Angélica , Islas-Arollo Susan Janneth , Castañeda-Sánchez Jorge Ismael
Published: September 2019

Los microorganismos causantes de enfermedades en humanos evolucionan constantemente, lo que representa un reto en la búsqueda de tratamientos efectivos contra estos patógenos. Aun cuando en la actualidad se cuenta con diversas alternativas farmacológicas, estas en ocasiones resultan ineficientes para el control de las enfermedades infecciosas, sobre todo porque los patógenos han generado múltiples mecanismos de resistencia. Los péptidos antimicrobianos se han descrito en muchas especies de organismos: hongos, plantas, insectos y humanos; en la actualidad se presentan como una solución terapéutica que puede ser efectiva. La ventaja de estos péptidos naturales es que llevan evolucionando casi la misma cantidad de tiempo que las especies que producen y su efecto en el control de los microorganismos es muy notable; algunas de estas moléculas son aisladas de organismos vivos y otras se comienzan a producir por métodos sintéticos, lo que permite tener acceso a un sinfín de posibles péptidos con actividades terapéuticas diversas.
Renal Injury During Preclampsia: Role of Extracellular Vesicles
Authors: Pagani Fabiola , Cantaluppi Vincenzo
Published: September 2019

Preeclampsia (PE) represents an important cause of acute kidney injury during pregnancy with a high rate of both maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. The presence of endothelial dysfunction is the main cause of PE development; however, the pathogenic mechanisms are not still fully elucidated. A plethora of harmful mediators are released in response to endothelial damage: these circulating molecules (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1, endothelin-1) can exert antiangiogenic and vasoconstrictive effects on distant organs including the kidney. In this scenario, extracellular vesicles (EVs), microparticles released by different types of activated cells and involved in intercellular communication, are produced both in normal pregnancy and PE. The aim of this review is to summarize the modern concepts of PE-associated kidney damage and the potential role of EV in these detrimental mechanisms.
The Glypican-4 Gene Polymorphism rs1048369 and Susceptibility to Epstein-Barr Virus-Positive and -Negative Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in Northern China
Authors: Liu Shuzhen , Liu Wen , Zhao Danrui , Zhang Yan , Zhao Zhenzhen , Luo Bing
Published: September 2019

Background: Gene polymorphism rs1048369 of glypican-4 (GPC4) gene has been reported to be significantly different between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated gastric carcinoma (GC) and EBV-negative GC. However, little is known about the polymorphism in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), which is a malignant tumor with a high prevalence of EBV. Objective: The distribution of GPC4 polymorphism rs1048369 was investigated in NPC patients, especially in those with EBV infection. The association between the polymorphism of GPC4 and the susceptibility to EBV-positive and EBV-negative NPC was also explored. Patients and Methods: The GPC4 gene polymorphism rs1048369 was detected in 143 cases of EBV-positive NPC and in 19 cases of EBV-negative NPC using polymerase chain reaction. One hundred and seven peripheral blood samples from healthy individuals were also measured as a control group. Results: The difference in genotype CC between EBV-positive NPC patients and healthy individuals was significant (χ2 = 15.273, p < 0.01). No significant difference was observed between EBV-positive and EBV-negative NPC cases. Between EBV-negative NPC cases and healthy individuals, there was no significant difference in GPC4 gene polymorphism in both genotypic and allelic frequencies. Conclusions: The GPC4 gene polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to EBV-positive NPC. The CC genotype of GPC4 may represent a risk factor for NPC in Northern China.
Regional Citrate Anticoagulation versus No-Anticoagulation for Continuous Venovenous Hemofiltration in Acute Severe Hypernatremia Patients with Increased Bleeding Risk: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Zhao Lijuan , Ma Feng , Yu Yan , Li Yangping , Wang Yan , He Lijie , Zhou Meilan , Tian Xiujuan , Jing Rui , Li Li , Li Lu , Huang Chen , Bai Ming , Sun Shiren
Published: September 2019

Purpose: This study was aimed at evaluating the efficacy and safety of regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) versus no-anticoagulation continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) in acute severe hypernatremia patients with increased bleeding risk. Materials and Methods: Acute severe hypernatremia patients with high bleeding risk who underwent CVVH in our center between January 2011 and October 2017 were considered as candidates. Patients who were <18 years old, with hypovolemic hypernatremia, and had systemic anticoagulation were excluded. The included patients were divided into RCA and no-anticoagulation groups according to their anticoagulation strategy during CVVH and matched by age, sequential organ failure assessment scores, and vasopressor dependency. Results: Of the 64 included patients, no-anticoagulation and RCA were employed for CVVH in 23 and 41 patients, respectively. The serum sodium reduction rate (RRSeNa) was not significantly different between the no-anticoagulation and RCA groups (p = 0.729). Compared to no-anticoagulation, RCA significantly prolonged the circuit survival time (15 h [4.1–23.9] vs. 51 h [21.3–80.7], p = 0.001). The incidence of filter failure was 65.2% (15/23) in the no-anticoagulation group and 2.4% (1/41) in the RCA group (p < 0.001), respectively. In the matched cohort, the RRSeNas were not different between the 2 groups (p = 0.569), and the filter lifespan was significantly longer in the RCA group as well (p < 0.001). Conclusion: RCA might be safe and effective for acute severe hypernatremia patients who underwent CVVH treatment. Further prospective, randomized, control trials are warranted to obtain robust evidences.
High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Cervicocranial Artery Dissection
Authors: Wu Ye , Wu Fang , Liu Yuehong , Fan Zhaoyang , Fisher Marc , Li Debiao , Xu Weihai , Jiang Tao , Cheng Jingliang , Sun Bin , Ji Xunming , Yang Qi
Published: September 2019

Background and Purpose—

We aimed to systematically investigate the characteristics of cervicocranial artery dissection (CCAD) on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging that are associated with acute ischemic stroke.

Methods—

Patients with CCAD were recruited and divided into stroke and nonstroke groups. The lesion location, the presence of a double lumen, intimal flap, intramural hematoma, pseudoaneurysm, irregular surface, intraluminal thrombus, and other quantitative parameters of each dissected segment were reviewed. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the association between imaging features of CCAD and ischemic stroke.

Results—

A total of 145 affected vessels from 118 patients with CCAD were analyzed. Anterior circulation, intramural hematoma, irregular surface, intraluminal thrombus, and severe stenosis (>70%) on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging were more prevalent in CCAD patient with stroke (54.4% versus 36.4%;
P
=0.030, 96.2% versus 84.8%;
P
=0.017, 74.7% versus 37.9%;
P
<0.001, 44.3% versus 4.5%;
P
<0.001, and 54.4% versus 31.8%;
P
=0.008, respectively). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, the presence of irregular surface and intraluminal thrombus on imaging were independently associated with acute ischemic stroke in CCAD with odds ratios of 4.29 (95% CI, 1.61–11.46,
P
=0.004) and 7.48 (95% CI, 1.64–34.07,
P
=0.009).

Conclusions—

The current findings supported that the presence of irregular surface and intraluminal thrombus were related to stroke occurrence in patients with CCAD. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging might give insights into pathogenesis of ischemic stroke in CCAD. It may be useful for individual prediction of ischemic stroke early in CCAD.
Can morphological characters be used to identify the pond-reared offspring of wild Chinese mitten crabs, Eriocheir sinensis, from different basins?
Authors: Jiang Xiaodong , Wu Xugan , Wang Haining , Yang Yuhong , Cheng Yongxu
Published: September 2019

Although morphology is always used to distinguish wild Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) populations, whether morphology could be used to identify the pond-reared offspring of wild E. sinensis populations has remained unclear. This study was undertaken to examine the morphological difference of wild E. sinensis (G0) from the Yangtze River (YR), Huang River (HR) and Liao River (LR) as well as their pond-reared offspring (G1). The results showed that: (1) The amount of significantly different parameters of three G1 populations was evidently less than that of three G0 populations; (2) G0 and G1 individuals of each population were clearly separated by principal component analysis, furthermore, three G0 populations were clearly separated while three G1 populations were not well distinguished from each other; (3) discrimination accuracy of G1 individuals in stepwise discriminant analysis was obviously lower than that of G1 populations; (4) G0 and G1 populations were clustered into two separate clusters in the cluster analysis. In conclusion, morphological differences between wild E. sinensis populations had disappeared after one generation of artificial culture, and morphology thus probably cannot be used to distinguish the pond-reared offspring originated from three wild E. sinensis populations.
First record of the genus Ventojassa Barnard, 1970 (Amphipoda, Ischyroceridae) from Japan
Authors: Kodama Masafumi , Kawamura Tomohiko
Published: September 2019

The ischyrocerid amphipod Ventojassa dentipalma Kim & Kim, 1991 was recently collected from Otsuchi Bay, northeast Japan. The present specimens represent the second record of the species as well as the first Japanese record of the genus. Brief morphological descriptions and line drawings of diagnostic characters are provided. Details of the characters distinguishing the species from V. ventosa (Barnard, 1962) are discussed.
Les hérétiques savent-ils écrire ? Les hérésiologues « critiques littéraires » de leurs adversaires
Authors: Ribreau Mickaël
Published: September 2019

Deconstructing one’s adversary’s image is a traditional tool of judicial rhetoric. Cicero, for example, represents adversaries as illiterate, unable to write or speak. The heresiologists, as Jerome or Augustin, could have been influenced by this strategy. They ask, Do the heretics know how to write ? Their answers vary according to which authors they have in mind and which text genre they use. In the Catalogue of Famous Men Jerome emphasizes the heretics’ literary talent, because of the genre in which he is writing, but also since they are dead. In his polemical works, influenced by judicial speech, he represents the relevant heretic as unable to write, because, as a heretic, he is unable to do anything, and because he is outside the church ; by deconstructing the heretic’s image, Jerome wants to avoid the others to be contamined by heresy. For Augustine, the heretic can write well, even too well ; and for him the problem is precisely that. Augustin emphasizes the heretic’s skill to highlight the heretic’s danger, caused by his eloquence.
Hebrews, Apostles, and Christ: Three Authorities of Jerome’s Hebraica Veritas
Authors: Kato Teppei
Published: September 2019

Against many defenders of the LXX, such as Hilary of Poitiers and Augustine, Jerome tries to prove the superiority of the Hebrew text as a source text of translation. To do so, in his Preface to the Chronicles (iuxta Hebraeos), Jerome relies on three authorities: the Hebrews, the Apostles, and Christ. The Hebrews philologically endorse Jerome’s translation, by judging whether it literally agrees with the Hebrew text. The Apostles support Jerome’s position both philologically and theologically: sometimes their Old Testament quotations literally agree with the Hebrew text; at other times they spiritually agree with the Hebrew text, even though they do not literally. Christ functions as the highest authority. Relying on these three, Jerome’s real purpose concerning Hebraica veritas is not only the philological discussion between the Hebrew text and the LXX, but also the theological discussion between these two texts and the Old Testament quotations in the New Testament.
National and International Rule of Law: Proclaimed Adherence and Real-Life Policies
Authors: Marochkin Sergey
Published: September 2019

The main purpose of this article is to analyze the correlation between ‘black letter’ law and its real-life implementation. The correlation is to be examined in light of countries’ and the international community’s proclaimed goal, namely to embed and implement the ‘rule of law’ principle domestically and internationally. Within the context of legal and political documents, as well as statements by political personalities, the rule of law has become the dominant vector for development. It is proclaimed to be one of the basic principles of legal orders in many countries and in the international community. But is the rule of law the most important characteristic of legal orders inside of states and, what is more important, between them? Is there an actual willingness on the part of states to strengthen the international rule of law?

This article observes the origins and characteristics of the rule of law in particular with respect to Russia. Both domestic and international rule of law impact each other. Some forms of this interaction and their mutual influence are characterized below.

The study also traces intent as formalized in international declarations and their de-facto stance toward the rule of law and international law.

This scrutiny enables the conclusion that ‘black letter law’ and real-life application do not currently coincide. There are clear contradictory trends relating to this basic principle at both national and international levels. The first contradiction lies in the entrenchment and implementation of the principle by regulatory means. The second contradiction reveals discrepancies between regulatory instruments and real actions and policies. The article evaluates predispositions for these opposing tendencies; it also assesses alternative prospects for the development of international law and the rule of law.
“A Fall of Snow Maintains the Warmth of the Earth”
Authors: Ben-Pazi Hanoch
Published: September 2019

This essay attempts to shed light upon the European Jewish partnership in the second half of the twentieth century, through an analysis of the persona of the philosopher Léon Brunschvicg, one of the major teachers of Emmanuel Levinas. Beyond the inherent interest in his intellectual stature and prominence as a philosopher, our study will reveal an additional aspect of the French-Jewish partnership at the turn of the century, and will reconsider the import of assimilation—as an enabler of Jewish involvement in Western civilization. The moral and intellectual appreciation that Emmanuel Levinas had for his teacher, Léon Brunschvicg, motivated him to call for a return to Jewish cultural discourse, and to honor the role models whose Judaism found expression not through their national or religious commitments, but rather through their universal concerns.
Combatting Eutrophication in the Baltic Sea: Legal Aspects of Sea-Based Engineering Measures
Authors: Ringbom Henrik , Bohman Brita , Ilvessalo Saara
Published: September 2019

The main environmental problem of the Baltic Sea is that too many nutrients are being released to the sea (eutrophication). As many of the ‘easy’ measures to reduce the load from land-based sources have been put in place, increasing attention is given to measures to reduce the release of nutrients from the seabed sediments through the use of various technologies at sea, i.e. ‘sea-based’ measures.

There is no specific legal framework available for sea-based measures, but a number of provisions set general obligations to protect and preserve the marine environment.

The analysis indicates that neither the type of measure nor the geographical location of the activity is of decisive importance for the legal rights and obligations involved. Instead, the legality of any sea-based measure depends on the risks they present balanced against their benefits. There is considerable uncertainty on all these issues, and the matter is further complicated by the fact that both the risks and the benefits of the measures relate to their environmental impact.

It is recommended that a regional risk-based framework is established for assessing when and how further research on sea-based technologies can be undertaken in the Baltic Sea.
A history of the sub-order Cystonectae (Hydrozoa: Siphonophorae)
Authors: PUGH P. R.
Published: September 2019

The siphonophore sub-order Cystonectae presently comprises just five species in three genera and two families, and includes Physalia physalis, the Portuguese Man O’War. Despite the smallness of the group its history has been very chequered, particularly for P. physalis, which has been described under more than fifty different names. Haeckel (1888) was one of the worst offenders regarding the description of questionable species, but even Totton (1965) was uncertain as to the validity of some previously described cystonect species. Herein, an attempt has been made to review the history of the sub-order Cystonectae and to clarify its taxonomy. A list of synonyms for each recognised cystonect species is given in an appendix.
Polarimetric Radar Variables in the Layers of Melting and Dendritic Growth at X Band—Implications for a Nowcasting Strategy in Stratiform Rain
Authors: Trömel Silke , Ryzhkov Alexander V. , Hickman Brandon , Mühlbauer Kai , Simmer Clemens
Published: September 2019

Time series of quasi–vertical profiles (QVPs) from 52 stratiform precipitation events observed with the polarimetric X-band radar in Bonn, Germany (BoXPol), between 2013 and 2016 have been statistically analyzed to infer microphysical processes shaping the dendritic-growth-layer (DGL) and melting-layer (ML) signatures including surface rainfall. Specific differential phase KDP in the ML shows an average correlation of 0.65 with surface rainfall for these cases. Radar reflectivity decreases below the ML by about 2 dB on average while differential reflectivity ZDR is hardly affected, which suggests rain evaporation as the dominating effect. Estimated ice water content or snow water equivalent precipitation rate S in the DGL is correlated with surface rain rates with lead times of 30 min and longer, which opens a pathway for radar-based nowcasting of stratiform precipitation tendencies. Trajectories of snow generated aloft down to the surface are constructed from wind profiles derived both from the nearest radiosounding and radar-based velocity azimuth displays (VAD) to narrow down the location at which the DGL-generated snow reaches the surface as rain. The lagged correlation analysis between KDP in the DGL and reflectivity ZH at that location demonstrates the superiority of the VAD information. Correlation coefficients up to 0.80 with lead times up to 120 min provide a proof of concept for future nowcasting applications that are based on DGL monitoring. Statistical relations found in our QVP dataset provide a database for estimating intrinsic polarimetric variables from the usual azimuth and elevation scans within and in the vicinity of the ML.
The Influence of Remote Aerosol Forcing from Industrialized Economies on the Future Evolution of East and West African Rainfall
Authors: Scannell Claire , Booth Ben B. B. , Dunstone Nick J. , Rowell David P. , Bernie Dan J. , Kasoar Matthew , Voulgarakis Apostolos , Wilcox Laura J. , Acosta Navarro Juan C. , Seland Øyvind , Paynter David J.
Published: September 2019

Past changes in global industrial aerosol emissions have played a significant role in historical shifts in African rainfall, and yet assessment of the impact on African rainfall of near-term (10–40 yr) potential aerosol emission pathways remains largely unexplored. While existing literature links future aerosol declines to a northward shift of Sahel rainfall, existing climate projections rely on RCP scenarios that do not explore the range of air quality drivers. Here we present projections from two emission scenarios that better envelop the range of potential aerosol emissions. More aggressive emission cuts result in northward shifts of the tropical rainbands whose signal can emerge from expected internal variability on short, 10–20-yr time horizons. We also show for the first time that this northward shift also impacts East Africa, with evidence of delays to both onset and withdrawal of the short rains. However, comparisons of rainfall impacts across models suggest that only certain aspects of both the West and East African model responses may be robust, given model uncertainties. This work motivates the need for wider exploration of air quality scenarios in the climate science community to assess the robustness of these projected changes and to provide evidence to underpin climate adaptation in Africa. In particular, revised estimates of emission impacts of legislated measures every 5–10 years would have a value in providing near-term climate adaptation information for African stakeholders.
Predictive Skill and Predictable Patterns of the U.S. Seasonal Precipitation in CFSv2 Reforecasts of 60 Years (1958–2017)
Authors: Huang Bohua , Shin Chul-Su , Kumar Arun
Published: September 2019

Analyzing a set of ensemble seasonal reforecasts for 1958–2017 using CFSv2, we evaluate the predictive skill of the U.S. seasonal mean precipitation and examine its sources of predictability. Our analysis is for each of the three periods of 1958–78, 1979–99, and 2000–17, corresponding to the positive phase of the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) during 1979–99 and negative ones before and after. The ensemble reforecasts at two-month lead reproduce the spatial distribution of winter precipitation trends throughout the 60 years and the continental-scale increase of summer precipitation since 2000. The predicted signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio also reveals greater predictability in the post-1979 period than during 1958–78. A maximized S/N ratio EOF analysis is applied to the ensemble seasonal precipitation predictions. In winter and spring, the most predictable patterns feature a north–south dipole throughout United States. The summer and fall patterns are dominated by the anomalies in central and southern United States, respectively. In verification with observations, the winter–spring patterns are more skillful. ENSO influences on these predictable patterns are most dominant in winter and spring, but other oceanic factors also play an active role during summer and fall. The multidecadal change of the U.S. precipitation predictability is attributable to the low-frequency modulation of the ENSO predictability and the influences of other major climate modes. PDO can be a dominant factor associated with enhanced prediction skill in 1979–99 and reduced skill in 1958–78. Since the 2000s, the forcing from the SST anomalies in the tropical North Atlantic with opposite sign to those in the tropical Pacific becomes a significant factor for the U.S. summer precipitation prediction.
Enhancing PMW Satellite Precipitation Estimation: Detecting Convective Class
Authors: Petković Veljko , Orescanin Marko , Kirstetter Pierre , Kummerow Christian , Ferraro Ralph
Published: September 2019

A decades-long effort in observing precipitation from space has led to continuous improvements of satellite-derived passive microwave (PMW) large-scale precipitation products. However, due to a limited ability to relate observed radiometric signatures to precipitation type (convective and stratiform) and associated precipitation rate variability, PMW retrievals are prone to large systematic errors at instantaneous scales. The present study explores the use of deep learning approach in extracting the information content from PMW observation vectors to help identify precipitation types. A deep learning neural network model (DNN) is developed to retrieve the convective type in precipitating systems from PMW observations. A 12-month period of Global Precipitation Measurement mission Microwave Imager (GMI) observations is used as a dataset for model development and verification. The proposed DNN model is shown to accurately predict precipitation types for 85% of total precipitation volume. The model reduces precipitation rate bias associated with convective and stratiform precipitation in the GPM operational algorithm by a factor of 2 while preserving the correlation with reference precipitation rates, and is insensitive to surface type variability. Based on comparisons against currently used convective schemes, it is concluded that the neural network approach has the potential to address regime-specific PMW satellite precipitation biases affecting GPM operations.
The Role of Gravity Wave Breaking in a Case of Upper-Level Near-Cloud Turbulence
Authors: Zovko-Rajak Dragana , Lane Todd P. , Sharman Robert D. , Trier Stanley B.
Published: September 2019

An observed turbulence encounter that occurred outside a mesoscale convective system over the central United States on 3 June 2005 is investigated using observations and high-resolution numerical modeling. Here, the mechanisms associated with the observed moderate-to-severe turbulence during the evolution of this convective system are examined. Comparison between aircraft-observed eddy dissipation rate data with satellite and radar shows that a majority of turbulence reports are located on the south side and outside of a nocturnal mesoscale convective system (MCS), relatively large distances from the active convective regions. Simulations show that divergent storm-induced upper-level outflow reduces the environmental flow on the south side of the MCS, while on the north and northwest side it enhances the environmental flow. This upper-level storm outflow enhances the vertical shear near the flight levels and contributes to mesoscale reductions in Richardson number to values that support turbulence. In addition to the role of the MCS-induced outflow, high-resolution simulations (1.1-km horizontal grid spacing) show that turbulence is largely associated with a large-amplitude gravity wave generated by the convective system, which propagates away from it. As the wave propagates in the region with enhanced vertical shear caused by the storm-induced upper-level outflow, it amplifies, overturns, and breaks down into turbulence. The location of the simulated turbulence relative to the storm agrees with the observations and the analysis herein provides insight into the key processes underlying this event.
Simulation of Vacuum Ultraviolet Absorption Spectra: Paraffin, Isoparaffin, Olefin, Naphthene, and Aromatic Hydrocarbon Class Compounds
Authors: Mao James X. , Walsh Phillip , Kroll Peter , Schug Kevin A.
Published: September 2019

The advent of a new vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) spectroscopic absorption detector for gas chromatography has enabled applications in many areas. Theoretical simulations of VUV spectra using computational chemistry can aid the new technique in situations where experimental spectra are unavailable. In this study, VUV spectral simulations of paraffin, isoparaffin, olefin, naphthene, and aromatic (PIONA) compounds using time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) methods were investigated. Important factors for the simulations, such as functionals/basis sets and formalism of oscillator strength calculations, were examined and parameters for future PIONA compound simulations were obtained by fitting computational results to experimental spectra. The simulations produced satisfactory correlations between experimental observations and theoretical calculations, and enabled potential analysis applications for complex higher distillate fuels, such as diesel fuel. Further improvement of the methods was proposed.
Remote Raman Detection of Chemicals from 1752 m During Afternoon Daylight
Authors: Misra Anupam K. , Acosta-Maeda Tayro E. , Porter John N. , Egan Miles J. , Sandford Macey W. , Oyama Tamra , Zhou Jie
Published: September 2019

The detection and identification of materials from a distance is highly desirable for applications where accessibility is limited or there are safety concerns. Raman spectroscopy can be performed remotely and provides a very high level of confidence in detection of chemicals through vibrational modes. However, the remote Raman detection of chemicals is challenging because of the very weak nature of Raman signals. Using a remote Raman system, we performed fast remote detection of various solid and liquid chemicals from 1752 m during afternoon hours on a sunny day in Hawaii. Remote Raman systems with kilometer target range could be useful for chemical detection of volcanic gases, methane clathrate icebergs or fire ice, toxic gas clouds and toxic waste, explosives, and hazardous chemicals. With this successful test, we demonstrate the feasibility of developing future mid-size remote Raman systems suitable for long range chemical detection using helicopters and light airplanes.
Media Coverage of Climate Change and Sustainable Product Consumption: Evidence from the Hybrid Vehicle Market
Authors: Chen Yubo , Ghosh Mrinal , Liu Yong , Zhao Liang
Published: September 2019

As sustainable consumption becomes increasingly important, firms must better understand the drivers behind the consumption of these products. This article examines the effects of mass media in the context of the U.S. hybrid vehicle market. Drawing on monthly sales data, the authors provide evidence that the general coverage of climate change or global warming by major media outlets exerts an overall positive impact on the sales of hybrid vehicles. This impact mainly comes from the media reports that assert that climate change is occurring. In contrast, media coverage that either denies climate change or holds a neutral stance on the issue has little impact. The authors provide preliminary evidence that a social norm advocating for environmentally friendly consumption plays an important role in how media coverage affects consumer purchase. They provide implications for theory and practice and call for future research that examines the causal impact of media in general on consumer decisions, especially in domains that are crucial for the society.
Liberal Individualism and the Globalization of Education as a Human Right: The Worldwide Decline of Early Tracking, 1960–2010
Authors: Furuta Jared
Published: September 2019

This article examines global changes in tracking policies over the post–World War II period. Using a newly constructed quantitative panel data set of 139 countries from 1960 to 2010, I show that a majority of countries around the world have shifted away from sharply tracked institutions at the junior secondary level toward more formally “open” and “comprehensive” ones. To explain this trend, I argue that worldwide shifts away from more stratified and corporatist conceptions of the polity toward more liberal models led to the construction of norms of individual egalitarianism in the educational process, and this process delegitimated tracking at early ages. Findings from a series of panel regression models indicate that countries that are more formally committed to individual rights and universalistic conceptions of the educational process are less likely to track students at the junior secondary level; some nation-specific characteristics, such as levels of economic development, also shape tracking at lower levels of schooling. Most countries, however, continue to track students at the senior secondary level. The persistence of tracking at this level suggests a tension between existing conceptions of education as a mechanism for both propagating equality and allocating individuals to unequal opportunities.
Coercive gifts: Ritual and electoral transactions and political value in village Tamil Nadu1
Authors: Arumugam Indira
Published: September 2019

This article considers the gift as a medium of politics in two parallel domains, namely the electoral and the ritual. Juxtaposing the material transactions during a rural election campaign and the distribution of meat after a sacrifice in a vernacular polity, it traces the continuing interpenetrations between philanthropy and politics in lubricating political associations. The properties of the political gift and the proprieties of its giving are what create political value. The right to govern is premised upon the prerogative to give. The right to give, however, is premised on the obligation to receive. The coercive gift—which one is not allowed to reciprocate but more importantly does not want and is forced to receive—is the animus of a politics that is premised upon caste and class hierarchies that also reverberate through democratic governance. What compels the political gift’s receiving, and deliberately negates its reciprocity—its spirit or force—is the implicit threat of violence that it harbours.
Biometrics and citizenship: Measuring diabetes in the United States in the interwar years
Authors: Tuchman Arleen Marcia
Published: September 2019

In 1936, the journalist Hannah Lees published “Two Million Tightrope Walkers,” drawing attention to the significant number of people in the United States estimated to have diabetes. Focusing on how people with diabetes should live, she emphasized the importance of recording the exact values of everything they ate and avoiding all “riotous living” lest they be unable to keep careful measurements of calories, insulin, and sleep. Employing two meanings of measured – as counted and as moderate – Lees was doing more than communicating how someone might control their disease; she was also calling for a “controlled and self-reliant citizenry.” Indeed, Lees insisted that diabetics who followed a regime of measurement “make a good deal better citizens than the average.” Drawing on the writings of Lees and other social commentators, I explore the link between biometrics, citizenship, and diabetes in the United States in the interwar years. In particular, I look at how this disease came to symbolize both the regimes of discipline thought to be necessary in a society moving to consumption as its economic motor, and the fears of what could happen if consumption ran amok. Biometrics, I argue, offered clinicians and patients a potent tool for measuring deviance and, potentially, for restoring a person to the “norm.”
Social Participation and Self-Perception of Being Old in China
Authors: Liu Huijun , Wu Bei , Feng Zhixin
Published: September 2019

Longer life expectancy means that chronological age is no longer a useful indicator of defining old age. This study included 6,452 participants aged 60 years and older from the 2014 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey to investigate the relationships between different types of social participation and self-perception of being old in China. Ordinary least square regression was applied. Results show that respondents who engaged in political participation or community participation reported higher self-perception of being old than those who did not engage in these social participations. Respondents who provided more care for grandchildren reported self-perception of being old at younger age. In the context of delaying retirement in China, obligatory participation was associated with an earlier start of the self-perception of being old. Elimination of mandatory retirement and separating that from pension eligibility may be good choices for promoting active aging.