bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Penalized integrative semiparametric interaction analysis for multiple genetic datasets
Authors: Li Yang , Li Rong , Lin Cunjie , Qin Yichen , Ma Shuangge
Published: April 2019

In this article, we consider a semiparametric additive partially linear interaction model for the integrative analysis of multiple genetic datasets. The goals are to identify important genetic predictors and gene‐gene interactions and to estimate the nonparametric functions that describe the environmental effects at the same time. To find the similarities and differences of the genetic effects across different datasets, we impose a group structure on the regression coefficients matrix under the homogeneity assumption, ie, models for different datasets share the same sparsity structure, but the coefficients may differ across datasets. We develop an iterative approach to estimate the parameters of main effects, interactions and nonparametric functions, where a reparametrization of interaction parameters is implemented to meet the strong hierarchy assumption. We demonstrate the advantages of the proposed method in identification, estimation, and prediction in a series of numerical studies. We also apply the proposed method to the Skin Cutaneous Melanoma data and the lung cancer data from the Cancer Genome Atlas.
Evaluation Practices and Impact: Overload?
Authors: Hansen Hanne Foss , Aarrevaara Timo , Geschwind Lars , Stensaker Bjørn
Published: April 2019

This chapter offers an analysis of evaluation practices in and around the universities in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. The analysis builds on a conceptual framework focussing on a typology of evaluation models and combines these with an actor’s perspective. The analysis shows that similar evaluation ideas and models have been implemented across the countries, but also that when looking into evaluation practices, variations are considerable. Further, the chapter explores academics’ views on evaluation and evaluation impact. This part of the analysis reveals country differences and shows that evaluation criteria in policy- and managerial-driven evaluation schemes often do not match academic views on what constitutes and supports good performance.
Rare hyperon decays with missing energy
Authors: Tandean Jusak
Published: April 2019

Abstract

We explore the strangeness-changing decays of the lightest hyperons into another baryon plus missing energy within and beyond the standard model (SM). In the SM these processes arise from the loop-induced quark transition

$$ s\to d\nu \overline{\nu} $$

s
→
d
ν

ν
¯

and their branching fractions are estimated to be less than 10−11. In the presence of new physics (NP) the rates of these hyperon decays with missing energy could increase significantly with respect to the SM expectations because of modifications to the SM process or contributions from additional modes with new invisible particles. Adopting a model-independent approach and taking into account constraints from the kaon sector, we find that the current data on

$$ K\to \pi \nu \overline{\nu} $$

K
→
π
ν

ν
¯

do not permit sizable NP impact on the hyperon decays via underlying operators having mainly parity-even quark parts. In contrast, NP operators with primarily parity-odd quark parts are much less restricted by the existing bounds on K → invisible and

$$ K\to \pi \pi \nu \overline{\nu} $$

K
→
π
π
ν

ν
¯

and consequently could produce substantially amplifying effects on the hyperon modes. Their NP-enhanced branching fractions could reach levels potentially observable in the ongoing BESIII experiment.
Four-dimensional traversable wormholes and bouncing cosmologies in vacuum
Authors: Anabalón Andrés , Oliva Julio
Published: April 2019

Abstract

In this letter we point out the existence of solutions to General Relativity with a negative cosmological constant in four dimensions, which contain solitons as well as traversable wormholes. The latter connect two asymptotically locally AdS4 spacetimes. At every constant value of the radial coordinate the spacetime is a spacelike warped AdS3. We compute the dual energy momentum tensor at each boundary showing that it yields different results. We also show that these vacuum wormholes can have more than one throat and that they are indeed traversable by computing the time it takes for a light signal to go from one boundary to the other, as seen by a geodesic observer. We generalize the wormholes to include rotation and charge. When the cosmological constant is positive we find a cosmology that is everywhere regular, has either one or two bounces and that for late and early times matches the Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker metric with spherical topology and an exponential scale factor.
The effect of alternative fuels on gaseous and particulate matter (PM) emission performance in an auxiliary power unit (APU)
Authors: Khandelwal B. , Cronly J. , Ahmed I.S. , Wijesinghe C.J. , Lewis C.
Published: April 2019

There is a growing interest in the use of alternative fuels in gas turbine engines to reduce emissions. Testing of alternative fuels is expensive when done on a large-scale gas turbine engine. In this study, a re-commissioned small gas turbine auxiliary power unit (APU) has been used to test various blends of Jet A-1, synthetic paraffinic kerosene (SPK) and diesel with as well as eight other novel fuels. A detailed analysis of performance, gaseous emissions and particulate emissions has been presented in this study. It is observed that aromatic content in general as well as the particular chemical composition of the aromatic compound plays a vital role in particulate emissions generation. SPK fuel shows substantially lower particulate emissions with respect to Jet A. However, not all the species of aromatics negatively impact particulate emissions. Gaseous emissions measured are comparable for all the fuels tested in this study.
Redefining African Regions for Linking Open-Source Data
Authors: Lovejoy Henry B. , Lovejoy Paul E. , Hawthorne Walter , Alpers Edward A. , Candido Mariana , Hopper Matthew S.
Published: April 2019

In recent years, an increasing number of online archival databases of primary sources related to the history of the African diaspora and slavery have become freely and readily accessible for scholarly and public consumption. This proliferation of digital projects and databases presents a number of challenges related to aggregating data geographically according to the movement of people in and out of Africa across time and space. As a requirement to linking data of open-source digital projects, it has become necessary to delimit the entire continent of precolonial Africa during the era of the slave trade into broad regions and sub-regions that can allow the grouping of data effectively and meaningfully.
The combined effects of shear and buoyancy on phase boundary stability
Authors: Toppaladoddi S. , Wettlaufer J. S.
Published: April 2019

We study the effects of externally imposed shear and buoyancy driven flows on the stability of a solid–liquid interface. A linear stability analysis of shear and buoyancy-driven flow of a melt over its solid phase shows that buoyancy is the only destabilizing factor and that the regime of shear flow here, by inhibiting vertical motions and hence the upward heat flux, stabilizes the system. It is also shown that all perturbations to the solid–liquid interface decay at a very modest shear flow strength. However, at much larger shear-flow strength, where flow instabilities coupled with buoyancy might enhance vertical motions, a re-entrant instability may arise.
‘Won't get fooled again’: How personal values shape leadership purpose, behavior and legacy
Authors: Watton Emma , Lichtenstein Scott , Aitken Paul
Published: April 2019

While much has been documented about the construction of an individual's personal values, very little attention has been paid to how personal values connect with core aspects of leadership such as purpose, behavior and legacy. Through an expansion of Ken's recent work on this topic, the authors explore the impact of personal values-led leadership. A model of how personal values shape leadership purpose, behavior and legacy is introduced. These dimensions are then illuminated through interview data from senior managers from the financial services sector. The personal value impacts are examined in the context of the literature and implications for organizations and managers are drawn together.
Absolute Dating of Early Iron Objects from the Ancient Orient: Radiocarbon Dating of Luristan Iron Mask Swords
Authors: Hüls C Matthias , Petri Ingo , Föll Helmut
Published: April 2019

Luristan Iron Mask Swords have been recovered mostly from illegal diggings in the 1920s. The about 90 known objects are characterized by a disk-shaped pommel on the top of the handle with two mounted bearded heads on two sides. According to the similarity in form and radiocarbon (14C) measurements on two swords from museum collections, an overall short production period was assumed around 1000 BC (Moorey 1991; Rehder 1991). Here we present the results of metallurgical analysis and 14C measurements for three newly acquired Luristan swords, which were donated to the Royal Museums of Art & History, Brussels. Metallurgical analysis indicates an iron production via the bloomary furnace technique. Analyzed samples show large slag inclusions (Fayalite, Wüstite, glass) within a mostly ferritic and pearlitic iron. The carbon contents varied between 0.2 wt% to around 0.8 wt%). 14C measurements on thermally extracted carbon give 14C ages between 2800 BP–3360 BP (calibrated ∼1745 BC–900 BC). The reliability of the 14C measurements are discussed with respect to external (contamination during handling) and intrinsic contamination (e.g. fossil carbon sources during manufacture).
Interpreting 14C Measurements on 3rd–4th Century AD Iron Artifacts from Nydam, Denmark
Authors: Hüls C Matthias , Meadows John , Rau Andreas
Published: April 2019

Radiocarbon (14C) ages were determined for 10 iron samples from the war booty offering site in the Nydam peat bog (SE Denmark), and compared to archaeologically inferred periods of deposition. Additional 14C measurements were carried out for modern iron standards made with charcoal of known isotopic composition to evaluate possible effects of handling. Modern iron standards give depleted 14C concentrations, compared to the initial charcoal 14C composition, and may indicate carbon fractionation effects during carbon dissolution in the iron lattice. Further studies are needed to verify if this is a common effect during iron production. 14C dating of two swords and one ax head are in comparatively good agreement with expected deposition times and indicate only small old-wood effects. In contrast, 14C dating of iron rivets from the Nydam (B) oak boat proved difficult due to corrosion with siderite (FeCO3) and conservation with wax. A step-combustion procedure was applied, using a low (∼570–600°C) temperature prior to the high (∼970–1000°C) combustion temperature for carbon extraction, aiming to remove siderite and wax before collecting the original carbon dissolved in the iron lattice. Nevertheless, measured 14C ages of the iron rivets differ by about 200–300 years from the dendro-date of the Nydam (B) oak boat they belong to, indicating persisting aging effects (e.g. old-wood, contamination with fossil carbon added during iron making and/or handling prior 14C dating). Also, a possible recycling of older iron cannot be excluded.
Rhetorical Metrics Building Securities Regulation in America’s Era of Booms and Busts, 1890-1940
Authors: Pénet Pierre
Published: April 2019

How do regulators regulate with metrics? This article offers a rhetorical approach to this question, using early U.S. securities regulation as a case in point, and reliance on credit ratings as empirical illustration. A rhetorical approach challenges economists’ claim that metrics are limited to providing technical guidance to policy formation: the fact is that the role of metrics in regulation can be appreciated only if technical and social aspects are considered together. A rhetorical perspective also fills an important gap in sociological studies of “co-production” that claim that procedural deliberation enhances the legitimacy of regulation but underemphasize the role of quantification when procedural rules are lacking. This article suggests that rhetoric is not suboptimal or irrational but a vital form of deliberation in contexts of uncertainty, when decision-making requires some amount of persuasion outside a procedural context. I observe that metrics can be a powerful vehicle of rhetorical change. Two components of rhetorical metrics are highlighted. First are cognitive clutches, or the capacity to shift prevailing models of attention. Second are actionable arguments, the capacity to embed cognitive deviance into a compelling argument for change. I conclude with reflections on the legacy of rhetorical decisions on current policy debates.
Provenance evolution of the northern Weihe Basin as an indicator of environmental changes during the Quaternary
Authors: Zhang XY , He MY , Wang B , Clift PD , Rits DS , Zheng Y , Zheng HB
Published: April 2019

The Weihe Basin is an intracontinental rift basin in central China that provides an ideal location for studying the interactions between regional tectonics and monsoonal climate change. In this paper, we present detrital zircon U–Pb ages from sediments from Core LYH drilled in the northern margin of the basin. We use these to illuminate changing sediment transport processes, provenance and palaeo-environments during the Quaternary. The sediments are dominated by zircon age groups of 100–400 Ma and 400–550 Ma, and three secondary age peaks at 700–1100 Ma, 1700–2100 Ma and 2400–2600 Ma. Multidimensional scaling plots support the conclusion that the Central Loess Plateau and the Luo River are the dominant sources of sediments to the core site. Before c. 1.06 Ma, the Qinling Mountains and the Wei River, as well as the Yellow River, had minor influence on the sedimentation at the core site. These results are consistent with the existence of a palaeolake prior to 1.06 Ma, which allowed sediments supplied to the south and east edge of the basin to be reworked to the northern side of the Weihe Basin. Subsequently, the Luo River has provided a steady source of sediments to the northern Weihe Basin.
Maternal half-sibling families with discordant fathers: a contrastive design assessing cross-generational paternal genetic transmission of alcohol use disorder, drug abuse and major depression
Authors: Kendler Kenneth S. , Ohlsson Henrik , Sundquist Jan , Sundquist Kristina
Published: April 2019

Background

We introduce and apply an elegant, contrastive genetic-epidemiological design – Maternal Half-Sibling Families with Discordant Fathers – to clarify cross-generational transmission of genetic risk to alcohol use disorder (AUD), drug abuse (DA) and major depression (MD).

Method

Using Swedish national registries, we identified 73 108 eligible pairs of reared together maternal half-siblings and selected those whose biological fathers were discordant for AUD, DA and MD, and had minimal contact with the affected father. We examined differences in outcome in half-siblings with an affectedv.unaffected father.

Results

For AUD, DA and MD, the HR (95% confidence intervals) for the offspring of affectedv.unaffected fathers were, respectively, 1.72 (1.61; 1.84), 1.55 (1.41; 1.70) and 1.51 (1.40; 1.64). Paternal DA and AUD, but not MD, predicted risk in offspring for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, and poor educational performance and attainment. Offspring of affectedv.unaffected fathers had poorer pregnancy outcomes, with the effect strongest for DA and weakest for MD. A range of potential biases and confounders were examined and were not found to alter these findings substantially.

Conclusion

Reared together maternal half-siblings differ in their paternal genetic endowment, sharing the same mother, family, school and community. They can help clarify the nature of paternal genetic effects and produce results consistent with other designs. Paternal genetic risk for DA and AUD have effects on offspring educational achievement, child and adult psychopathology, and possibly prenatal development. The impact of paternal genetic risk for MD is narrower in scope.
Problematizing Sexual Harassment in Residential Long-Term Care: The Need for a More Ethical Prevention Strategy
Authors: Grigorovich Alisa , Kontos Pia
Published: April 2019

La promotion des droits sexuels dans les établissements de soins de longue durée est complexe sur le plan éthique, étant donné que ce milieu est à la fois une résidence et un lieu de travail. Bien que les données empiriques démontrent que le bien-être des soignants professionnels et des résidents sont inextricablement liés, les politiques publiques au Canada ne reconnaissent généralement pas cette relation et continuent de se concentrer isolément sur le bien-être des résidents ou des travailleurs. Les conséquences problématiques de cette situation sont particulièrement mises en évidence lorsque l’on considère les défis associés à la prévention du harcèlement sexuel envers les travailleurs, dans un contexte où l’on ne veut pas restreindre indûment la liberté d’expression sexuelle des résidents atteints de démence. Nous avons utilisé l’approche « Quel est le problème représenté ? » (“What’s the Problem Represented to be?”) de Carol Bacchi pour analyser de façon critique un plan d’action canadien récent visant à prévenir la violence et le harcèlement sexuels. Notre analyse suggère que cette approche de prévention du harcèlement sexuel n’est pas une politique publique prometteuse et pourrait même contribuer à augmenter le phénomène qu’elle vise à corriger. Il est donc urgent de concentrer les efforts de prévention sur les facteurs structurels de ce phénomène afin de soutenir les droits sexuels des soignants et des résidents.
Dead space fractions in neonates following first-stage palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome
Authors: Anton-Martin Pilar , Joshi Rhucha , Rao Mounica , Pandurangi Sindhu , Wellnitz Chasity , Kang Paul , Nigro John J. , Velez Daniel , Willis Brigham C.
Published: April 2019

Purpose:

(1) To characterise changes in dead space fraction during the first 120 post-operative hours in neonates undergoing stage 1 palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome, including hybrid procedure; (2) to document whether dead space fraction varied by shunt type (Blalock–Taussig shunt and Sano) and hybrid procedure; and (3) to determine the association between dead space fraction and outcomes.

Methods:

Retrospective chart review in neonates undergoing stage 1 palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome in a cardiac intensive care unit over a consecutive 30-month period. A linear mixed model was used to determine the differences in dead space over time. Multivariable linear regression and a multivariable linear mixed model were used to assess the association between dead space and outcomes at different time points and over time, respectively.

Results:

Thirty-four neonates received either a Blalock–Taussig shunt (20.5%), Sano shunt (59%), or hybrid procedure (20.5%). Hospital mortality was 8.8%. Dead space fractions in patients undergoing the hybrid procedure were significantly lower on day 1 (p = 0.01) and day 2 (p = 0.02) and increased over time. A dead space fraction >0.6 on post-operative days 3–5 was significantly associated with decreased duration of mechanical ventilation in all surgical groups (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Dead space fraction >0.6 on post-operative days 3–5 was associated with lower duration of mechanical ventilation in all surgical groups. A more comprehensive, prospective assessment of dead space in this delicate patient population would likely be beneficial in improving outcomes.
Gamma-glutamyl transferase as a risk factor for mortality and	cardiovascular events in older adults – results from a prospective cohort	study in a primary care setting (getABI)
Authors: Kreutzer Florian , Krause Dietmar , Klaassen-Mielke Renate , Trampisch Hans-Joachim , Diehm Curt , Rudolf Henrik
Published: April 2019

Summary. Background: In primary care, the gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity is used for assessing hepatobiliary dysfunction, but is also known to be associated with the risk of cardiovascular events as well as overall mortality. As this knowledge is mainly based on cohorts with middle-aged participants, we aim to assess these associations in elderly patients in a primary care setting. Patients and methods: 6,880 unselected primary care patients, aged 65 years or older, were enrolled by 344 general practitioners all over Germany (getABI study). During seven years of follow-up, coronary heart disease (CHD) events (myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization), cerebrovascular events (stroke or carotid revascularization) and deaths were recorded. Event rates were calculated and Cox regression analysis with adjustment for age, gender, GGT, classical and other risk factors (e.g. education, homocysteine, C-reactive protein, vitamin D) was performed. Results: 1,243 patients died. 27.8 deaths per 1,000 patient years (0.95 confidence interval [0.95 CI]: 26.2–29.3) occurred in the whole cohort. 605 participants had a CHD event, i.e. 16.1 per 1,000 patient years (0.95 CI: 14.8–17.4). 296 cerebrovascular events were observed, i.e. 7.7 per 1,000 patient years (0.95 CI: 6.9–8.6). Cox regression analysis with adjustment for the above-mentioned risk factors showed a significant impact of baseline elevation of GGT above the 3rd quartile (women > 18 U/L, men > 26 U/L) compared to the rest on mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.38, 95% CI 1.22–1.56, p < 0.001) and cerebrovascular events (1.39, 95% CI: 1.08–1.79), p = 0.010), whereas the association with CHD events (HR: 1.16, 95% CI: 0.97–1.39, p = 0.103) showed no significance. Conclusions: In a primary care setting, GGT values have a significant association with overall mortality and cerebrovascular events, but not with CHD events in elderly patients.
Paradoxical Knowing
Authors: Gollwitzer Anton , Oettingen Gabriele
Published: April 2019

Abstract. To avoid uncertainty, people may take a shortcut to knowledge. They recognize something as unknowable, but claim to know it nonetheless (e.g., whether I will find true love is unknowable, but I know I will). In Study-set 1, such paradoxical knowledge was common and spanned across valence and content. Study-set 2 revealed an antecedent of paradoxical knowing. High (vs. low) goal-incentives incited paradoxical knowledge – participants felt certain about attaining important future life goals despite acknowledging such goal attainment as unknowable. As a shortcut to knowledge, however, paradoxical knowing may have its costs. In Study-set 3, paradoxical knowing related to aggression (fight), determined ignorance (flight), and a willingness to join and adhere to extreme groups (befriend).
Eroticism Versus Nurturance
Authors: Balzarini Rhonda N. , Dharma Christoffer , Muise Amy , Kohut Taylor
Published: April 2019

Abstract. Romantic partners provide both erotic and nurturing experiences, though these may emerge more strongly in different phases of a relationship. Unlike individuals in monogamous relationships, those in polyamorous relationships can pursue multiple romantic relationships simultaneously, potentially allowing them to experience higher levels of eroticism and nurturance. This research examined eroticism and nurturance among individuals in polyamorous and monogamous relationships. As expected, polyamorous participants experienced less eroticism but more nurturance in their relationships with their primary partner compared to secondary. Furthermore, people in polyamorous relationships reported more nurturance with primary partners and eroticism with secondary partners compared to people in monogamous relationships. These findings suggest that polyamory may provide a unique opportunity for individuals to experience both eroticism and nurturance simultaneously.
Permeability Profiling of Rock Cores Using a Novel Spatially Resolved NMR Relaxometry Method: Preliminary Results From Sandstone and Limestone
Authors: Liu Huabing , Xiao Lizhi , Zong Fangrong , d'Eurydice Marcel Nogueira , Galvosas Petrik
Published: April 2019

Permeability characterizes how saturating fluids penetrate and flow through porous rocks. It is an important quantity that can be used to model the behavior of reservoir rocks and to optimize underground resource exploration. Permeability can be characterized via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry techniques by utilizing the yielded pore volume and pore length scales. However, for heterogeneous rocks a simple estimation of a permeability value based on the existing models may be inadequate. In this work, a new relaxation technique is applied to rock cores in conjunction with magnetic resonance imaging schemes. This allows the interior structures of studied rock cores to be recorded along a chosen sample axis. Based on the spatially resolved relaxation maps obtained, a factor of local connectivity was introduced for the first time and calculated by using the correlation degree between adjacent relaxation time distributions originating from neighboring image slices. Consequently, a permeability profile was estimated by consecutively considering the local porosity, the spatially resolved relaxation time distribution, and the connectivity factor. Experimental results prove that permeability profiles trace the heterogeneity of rock samples. Furthermore, averaged permeabilities of rock cores were calculated while taking into account local connectivity. The values obtained approach better to brine‐permeability measurements as compared to data processing disregarding connectivity.
Domain State Diagnosis in Rock Magnetism: Evaluation of Potential Alternatives to the Day Diagram
Authors: Roberts Andrew P. , Hu Pengxiang , Harrison Richard J. , Heslop David , Muxworthy Adrian R. , Oda Hirokuni , Sato Tetsuro , Tauxe Lisa , Zhao Xiang
Published: April 2019

The Day diagram is used extensively in rock magnetism for domain state diagnosis. It has been shown recently to be fundamentally ambiguous for 10 sets of reasons. This ambiguity highlights the urgency for adopting suitable alternative approaches to identify the domain state of magnetic mineral components in rock magnetic studies. We evaluate 10 potential alternative approaches here and conclude that four have value for identifying data trends, but, like the Day diagram, they are affected by use of bulk parameters that compromise domain state diagnosis in complex samples. Three approaches based on remanence curve and hysteresis loop unmixing, when supervised by independent data to avoid nonuniqueness of solutions, provide valuable component‐specific information that can be linked by inference to domain state. Three further approaches based on first‐order reversal curve diagrams provide direct domain state diagnosis with varying effectiveness. Environmentally important high‐coercivity hematite and goethite are represented with variable effectiveness in the evaluated candidate approaches. These minerals occur predominantly in noninteracting single‐domain particle assemblages in paleomagnetic contexts, so domain state diagnosis is more critical for ferrimagnetic minerals. Treating the high‐coercivity component separately following normal rock magnetic procedures allows focus on the more vexing problem of diagnosing domain state in ferrimagnetic mineral assemblages. We suggest a move away from nondiagnostic methods based on bulk parameters and adoption of approaches that provide unambiguous component‐specific domain state identification, among which various first‐order reversal curve‐based approaches provide diagnostic information.
VHF Scintillation and Drift Studied Using Spaced Receivers in Southern Taiwan
Authors: Joshi L. M. , Tsai L.‐C. , Su S.‐Y. , Caton Ronald G. , Lu C.‐H. , Groves K. M.
Published: April 2019

A statistical study of the occurrence and drift characteristics of Very High Frequency (VHF) amplitude scintillations during 2015–2017 based on the observations of recently installed spaced receiver system at Pingtung in Southern Taiwan is presented in this paper. Drift characteristics during quiet periods have been examined in details and compared with the drift recorded during 08 September 2017 geomagnetic storm. Analysis of the recorded observations indicated a strong dependence of VHF scintillation on the solar activity level. Equinoctial asymmetry in the occurrence of VHF scintillation was seen in 2015 and 2016. However, such asymmetry was not apparent in 2017 (low solar flux). Quiet period spaced receiver drift indicated a gradual reduction in the zonal drift of irregularities between postsunset and postmidnight period. Intriguingly, the average quiet period drift of irregularities was found to be independent of solar activity level. A few investigations in recent past have already reported similar observations and can be generally attributed to the polarization process inside equatorial plasma bubbles; however, a definite explanation for this behavior is not available. During the active phase of the 08 September 2017 geomagnetic storm, a complex interplay of disturbance dynamo and prompt penetration electric field was observed in the spaced receiver derived drift velocity of ionospheric irregularities. Approximately −200% deviation from quiet period drift was observed during this moderate storm. A significant enhancement to the spaced receiver derived characteristic random velocity, Vc, was also seen during the active phase of storm, which indicates that the drift of irregularities was highly turbulent.
Soil Wet Spots Drive Agricultural Nitrogen Gas Emissions
Authors: Sidder Aaron
Published: April 2019

A new study offers novel insights into the mechanisms driving gas releases in agricultural regions.
East Asian Monsoon Variability Since the Sixteenth Century
Authors: Goodkin N. F. , Bolton A. , Hughen K. A. , Karnauskas K. B. , Griffin S. , Phan K. H. , Vo S. T. , Ong M. R. , Druffel E. R. M.
Published: April 2019

The East Asian Monsoon (EAM) impacts storms, freshwater availability, wind energy production, coal consumption, and subsequent air quality for billions of people across Asia. Despite its importance, the EAM's long‐term behavior is poorly understood. Here we present an annually resolved record of EAM variance from 1584 to 1950 based on radiocarbon content in a coral from the coast of Vietnam. The coral record reveals previously undocumented centennial scale changes in EAM variance during both the summer and winter seasons, with an overall decline from 1600 to the present. Such long‐term variations in monsoon variance appear to reflect independent seasonal mechanisms that are a combination of changes in continental temperature, the strength of the Siberian High, and El Niño–Southern Oscillation behavior. We conclude that the EAM is an important conduit for propagating climate signals from the tropics to higher latitudes.
ENSO Bimodality and Extremes
Authors: Rodrigues Regina R. , Subramanian Aneesh , Zanna Laure , Berner Judith
Published: April 2019

Tropical sea surface temperature (SST) and winds vary on a wide range of timescales and have a substantial impact on weather and climate across the globe. Here we study the variability of SST and zonal wind during El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) between 1982 and 2014. We focus on changes in extreme statistics using higher‐order moments of SST and zonal winds. We find that ENSO characteristics exhibit bimodal distributions and fat tails with extreme warm and cold temperatures in 1982–1999, but not during 2000–2014. The changes in the distributions coincide with changes in the intensity of ENSO events and the phase of the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation. We also find that the strongest Easterly Wind Bursts occur during extreme El Niños and not during La Niñas. Maps of SST kurtosis can serve as a diagnostic for the thermocline feedback mechanism responsible for the differences in ENSO diversity between the two periods.
Large‐Scale Drainage of a Complex Magmatic System: Observations From the 2018 Eruption of Ambrym Volcano, Vanuatu
Authors: Hamling Ian J , Cevuard Sandrine , Garaebiti Esline
Published: April 2019

In late 2018, Ambrym volcano, Vanuatu, erupted for the first time in 3 years. We show that the eruption was the result of a 6.5‐m‐wide, ∼0.7‐km3 dike intrusion which propagated for more than 20 km into the eastern rift zone. The eruptive sequence began with a small shallow dike within the main caldera but ultimately triggered a much larger intrusion, draining both the shallow (1–2 km) and deeper (∼5 km) magmatic systems. Extension of ∼3 m is estimated across the eastern rift zone with more than 2 m of subsidence within the caldera. Modeling suggests that the stress changes induced by the initial dike emplacement helped trigger and guide the propagation of the flank intrusion. Despite the large volume of material removed from beneath the caldera (∼0.7 km3), limited slip is observed along bounding faults supporting the hypothesis that the long‐term formation of the caldera at Ambrym is a result of repeated moderate‐sized events.
Restoration of FVIII expression by targeted gene insertion in the FVIII locus in hemophilia A patient-derived iPSCs
Authors: Sung Jin Jea , Park Chul-Yong , Leem Joong Woo , Cho Myung Soo , Kim Dong-Wook
Published: April 2019

Target-specific genome editing, using engineered nucleases zinc finger nuclease (ZFN), transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN), and type II clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9), is considered a promising approach to correct disease-causing mutations in various human diseases. In particular, hemophilia A can be considered an ideal target for gene modification via engineered nucleases because it is a monogenic disease caused by a mutation in coagulation factor VIII (FVIII), and a mild restoration of FVIII levels in plasma can prevent disease symptoms in patients with severe hemophilia A. In this study, we describe a universal genome correction strategy to restore FVIII expression in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from a patient with hemophilia A by the human elongation factor 1 alpha (EF1α)-mediated normal FVIII gene expression in the FVIII locus of the patient. We used the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homology-directed repair (HDR) system to insert the B-domain deleted from the FVIII gene with the human EF1α promoter. After gene targeting, the FVIII gene was correctly inserted into iPSC lines at a high frequency (81.81%), and these cell lines retained pluripotency after knock-in and neomycin resistance cassette removal. More importantly, we confirmed that endothelial cells from the gene-corrected iPSCs could generate functionally active FVIII protein from the inserted FVIII gene. This is the first demonstration that the FVIII locus is a suitable site for integration of the normal FVIII gene and can restore FVIII expression by the EF1α promoter in endothelial cells differentiated from the hemophilia A patient-derived gene-corrected iPSCs.
Macaque dorsal premotor cortex exhibits decision-related activity only when specific stimulus–response associations are known
Authors: Wang Megan , Montanède Christéva , Chandrasekaran Chandramouli , Peixoto Diogo , Shenoy Krishna V. , Kalaska John F.
Published: April 2019

How deliberation on sensory cues and action selection interact in decision-related brain areas is still not well understood. Here, monkeys reached to one of two targets, whose colors alternated randomly between trials, by discriminating the dominant color of a checkerboard cue composed of different numbers of squares of the two target colors in different trials. In a Targets First task the colored targets appeared first, followed by the checkerboard; in a Checkerboard First task, this order was reversed. After both cues appeared in both tasks, responses of dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) units covaried with action choices, strength of evidence for action choices, and RTs— hallmarks of decision-related activity. However, very few units were modulated by checkerboard color composition or the color of the chosen target, even during the checkerboard deliberation epoch of the Checkerboard First task. These findings implicate PMd in the action-selection but not the perceptual components of the decision-making process in these tasks.
Geographic separation and genetic differentiation of populations are not coupled with niche differentiation in threatened Kaiser’s spotted newt (Neurergus kaiseri)
Authors: Goudarzi Forough , Hemami Mahmoud-Reza , Rancilhac Loïs , Malekian Mansoureh , Fakheran Sima , Elmer Kathryn R. , Steinfartz Sebastian
Published: April 2019

The combination of niche modelling and landscape genetics (genomics) helps to disentangle processes that have shaped population structure in the evolutionary past and presence of species. Herein, we integrate a comprehensive genomic dataset with ecological parameters and niche modelling for the threatened Kaiser’s newt, a newt species adapted to mountain spring-ponds in Iran. Genomic analysis suggests the existence of two highly differentiated clades North and South of the Dez River. Genetic variation between the two clades (76.62%) was much greater than within clades (16.25%), suggesting that the Dez River prevented gene flow. River disconnectivity, followed by geographic distance, contributed mostly to genetic differentiation between populations. Environmental niche and landscape resistance had no significant influence. Though a significant difference between climatic niches occupied by each clade at the landscape-scale, habitat niches at the local-scale were equivalent. ‘Niche similarity analysis’ supported niche conservatism between the two clades despite the southward shift in the climatic niche of the Southern clade. Accordingly, populations of different clades may occupy different climatic niches within their ancestral niche. Our results indicate that the change of climatic conditions of geographically and genetically separated populations does not necessarily result in the shift of an ecological niche.
Characterization of Infections with Vancomycin-Intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) and Staphylococcus aureus with Reduced Vancomycin Susceptibility in South Korea
Authors: Park Jung Wan , Lee Hyungmin , Kim Jung Wook , Kim Bongyoung
Published: April 2019

The aim of the present study was to describe the characteristics of infections with Staphylococcus aureus with reduced vancomycin susceptibility (SARVS) including vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA) in South Korea, using data from the national sentinel surveillance system during 2014–2016. A total of 66 patients infected or colonized with SA-RVS were reported using the sentinel surveillance system. Among them, VISA was confirmed in 14 isolates (21.2%) and no vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA) was detected. Most of patients had any kind of indwelling devices (81.8%, 54/66) and underwent surgical procedures in the previous 6 months (84.8%, 56/66). Patients who admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) in the previous 3 months were 68.2% (45/66). Furthermore, patients who used vancomycin or had MRSA in the previous 1 month were 54.5% (36/66) and 59.1% (39/66), respectively. Upon review of the medical records, 54.5% (36/66) of patients were classified as having SA-RVSassociated infection and 30-day mortality was 19.4% (7/36). Our findings revealed that there was no VRSA in South Korea. SA-RVS including VISA existed particularly in patients who had indwelling devices, history of surgical procedure, and history of ICU admission.
Conformational plasticity in the KcsA potassium channel pore helix revealed by homo-FRET studies
Authors: Renart M. Lourdes , Giudici A. Marcela , Poveda José A. , Fedorov Aleksander , Berberan-Santos Mário N. , Prieto Manuel , Díaz-García Clara , González-Ros José M. , Coutinho Ana
Published: April 2019

Potassium channels selectivity filter (SF) conformation is modulated by several factors, including ion-protein and protein-protein interactions. Here, we investigate the SF dynamics of a single Trp mutant of the potassium channel KcsA (W67) using polarized time-resolved fluorescence measurements. For the first time, an analytical framework is reported to analyze the homo-Förster resonance energy transfer (homo-FRET) within a symmetric tetrameric protein with a square geometry. We found that in the closed state (pH 7), the W67-W67 intersubunit distances become shorter as the average ion occupancy of the SF increases according to cation type and concentration. The hypothesis that the inactivated SF at pH 4 is structurally similar to its collapsed state, detected at low K+, pH 7, was ruled out, emphasizing the critical role played by the S2 binding site in the inactivation process of KcsA. This homo-FRET approach provides complementary information to X-ray crystallography in which the protein conformational dynamics is usually compromised.
NDV-3A vaccination prevents C. albicans colonization of jugular vein catheters in mice
Authors: Alqarihi Abdullah , Singh Shakti , Edwards John E. , Ibrahim Ashraf S. , Uppuluri Priya
Published: April 2019

NDV-3A, a novel fungal vaccine undergoing clinical trials, contains a recombinant version of the Candida albicans rAls3 N-terminus protein (rAls3p-N) in aluminum hydroxide. In a Phase 1b/2a clinical trial, NDV-3A protected women from recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. Here, we reveal that active immunization in mice with NDV-3A induces high titers of anti-rAls3p-N antibodies that interfere with C. albicans ability to adhere to and invade endothelial cells, and form biofilm in vitro. Anti-rAls3p-N antibodies also significantly inhibit yeast dispersal from the hyphal layers of biofilms. Compared to placebo, NDV-3A vaccination inhibited C. albicans dissemination to kidneys and prevented colonization of central venous catheters in mice. Overall, these preclinical studies suggest that NDV-3A may serve as an immunotherapeutic strategy for prevention of infections on indwelling medical devices.
Impact of slow breathing on the blood pressure and subarachnoid space width oscillations in humans
Authors: Nuckowska Magdalena K. , Gruszecki Marcin , Kot Jacek , Wolf Jacek , Guminski Wojciech , Frydrychowski Andrzej F. , Wtorek Jerzy , Narkiewicz Krzysztof , Winklewski Pawel J.
Published: April 2019

The aim of the study was to assess cardiac and respiratory blood pressure (BP) and subarachnoid space (SAS) width oscillations during the resting state for slow and fast breathing and breathing against inspiratory resistance. Experiments were performed on a group of 20 healthy volunteers (8 males and 12 females; age 25.3 ± 7.9 years; BMI = 22.1 ± 3.2 kg/m2). BP and heart rate (HR) were measured using continuous finger-pulse photoplethysmography. SAS signals were recorded using an SAS monitor. Oxyhaemoglobin saturation (SaO2) and end-tidal CO2(EtCO2) were measured using a medical monitoring system. Procedure 1 consisted of breathing spontaneously and at controlled rates of 6 breaths/minute and 6 breaths/minute with inspiratory resistance for 10 minutes. Procedure 2 consisted of breathing spontaneously and at controlled rates of 6, 12 and 18 breaths/minute for 5 minutes. Wavelet analysis with the Morlet mother wavelet was applied for delineation of BP and SAS signals cardiac and respiratory components. Slow breathing diminishes amplitude of cardiac BP and SAS oscillations. The overall increase in BP and SAS oscillations during slow breathing is driven by the respiratory component. Drop in cardiac component of BP amplitude evoked by slow-breathing may be perceived as a cardiovascular protective mechanism to avoid target organ damage. Further studies are warranted to assess long-term effects of slow breathing.
De Novo Transcriptome Assembly and Functional Annotation in Five Species of Bats
Authors: Moreno-Santillán Diana D. , Machain-Williams Carlos , Hernández-Montes Georgina , Ortega Jorge
Published: April 2019

High-throughput RNA sequencing is a powerful tool that allows us to perform gene prediction and analyze tissue-specific overexpression of genes, but also at species level comparisons can be performed, although in a more restricted manner. In the present study complete liver transcriptomes of five tropical bat species wereDe novoassembled and annotated. Highly expressed genes in the five species were involved in glycolysis and lipid metabolism pathways. Cross-species differential expression analysis was conducted using single copy orthologues shared across the five species. Between 22 and 29 orthologs were upregulated for each species. We detected upregulated expression inArtibeus jamaicensisgenes related to fructose metabolism pathway. Such findings can be correlated withA. jamaicensisdietary habits, as it was the unique frugivorous species included. This is the first report of transcriptome assembly by RNA-seq in these species, except forA. jamaicensisand as far as our knowledge is the first cross-species comparisons of transcriptomes and gene expression in tropical bats.
Author Correction: TGF-β1-induced miR-503 controls cell growth and apoptosis by targeting PDCD4 in glioblastoma cells
Authors: Guo Pin , Yu Yanan , Li Huanting , Zhang Daoxiang , Gong Anjing , Li Shifang , Liu Wei , Cheng Lei , Qiu Yongming , Yao Weicheng , Li Luo , Feng Yugong
Published: April 2019

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Low serum C3 level, high neutrophil-lymphocyte-ratio, and high platelet-lymphocyte-ratio all predicted poor long-term renal survivals in biopsy-confirmed idiopathic membranous nephropathy
Authors: Tsai Shang-Feng , Wu Ming-Ju , Chen Cheng-Hsu
Published: April 2019

Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (iMN) is the major cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Recent guidelines suggest limiting immunosuppressants only to high risk patients for ESRD. The present study is aimed at identifying new predictors for the renal outcome of iMN patients. We conducted a retrospective cohort study covering a period from January 2003 to December 2013. We enrolled participants who had received their first renal biopsy at our medical center in Taiwan with the diagnosis of iMN. Clinical, pathological and laboratory data were collected from medical records. Analyses with Mann–Whitney U test was used for continuous variables and Chi-square test for categorical variables. The Kaplan-Meier curve was used for the analyses of patient survival and renal survival. Youden index was used for evaluating the performance of a dichotomous diagnostic test for renal and patient outcomes. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to determine factors affecting renal survival.A total of 99 patients with renal biopsy-confirmed idiopathic iMNs were enrolled. C3 level ≤114 mg/dl predicted patient outcome (p < 0.001) with good predictive power (AUC = 0.736). The univariate analysis showed that risk factors for poor renal outcome were older age (HR = 1.04, p = 0.002), high BUN (HR = 1.03, p < 0.001), poor baseline renal function (HR = 1.30 and p < 0.001 for higher serum creatinine; HR = 0.97 and p < 0.001 for higher eGFR; HR = 1.06 and p < 0.001 for urine PCR), C3 ≤ 93.4 mg/dl (HR = 2.15, p = 0.017), NLR > 3.34 (HR = 3.30, p < 0.001) and PLR > 14.48 (HR = 2.54, p = 0.003). Stage of iMN did not fully account for the risk of ESRD. This is the first evidence that serum levels of C3 ≤ 93.4 mg/dl predicted poor renal outcomes with good predictive power. Easily obtained markers, NLR > 3.34 also predicted poor renal outcomes.