bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Iba: The First Pure Tropical Cyclogenesis Over the Western South Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Reboita M. S. , Crespo N. M. , Dutra L. M. M. , Silva B. A. , Capucin B. C. , da Rocha R. P. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn March 2019, the tropical western South Atlantic Ocean (∼16.5°S) registered the first pure tropical cyclogenesis since the beginning of the satellite era, which the Brazilian Navy named Iba. This study presents a description of the synoptic features and meteorological mechanisms contributing to Iba's initial cyclonic vorticity as well as the anomalous synoptic patterns linked to this unprecedented tropical cyclogenesis. Moreover, a general description of Iba's lifecycle is provided. The genesis of Iba was as a pure tropical cyclone (00:00 UTC on March 22), and it underwent subtropical (18:00 UTC on March 25) and extratropical (06:00 UTC on March 29) transitions. Anomalies for a 5‐day period prior to the genesis relative to the March climatology show environmental features appropriate for tropical cyclogenesis: (a) vertical wind shear in the 850–200 hPa lower than 10 m s−1, (b) intense initial cyclonic relative vorticity at 925 hPa (−10 × 10−5 s−1), (c) latent and sensible heat fluxes near the climatological values (∼150 W m−2), (d) warmer sea surface temperature (+2°C), and (e) relative humidity at 700 hPa 20% higher than the climatology. These features were associated with an anomalous wave pattern at 500 hPa, resembling a blocking structure over the southeastern South Pacific Ocean, and an anticyclonic circulation at upper levels over southeastern Brazil. This environment propitiated a weak vertical wind shear and convective cloud organization. Near the surface, the horizontal wind shear between the postfrontal southwesterly winds and the northeasterly winds of the South Atlantic subtropical anticyclone helped to generate Iba's initial cyclonic vorticity.
Large Sensitivity of Simulated Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall (ISMR) to Global Warming: Implications of ISMR Projections
Authors: Rajesh P. V. , Goswami B. N. , Choudhury B. A. , Zahan Yasmin 
Published: December 2020

AbstractReliable projections of Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall (ISMR) to the next century by climate models is critical for policy toward sustainable development goals but depends on sensitivity of the models simulating ISMR as global mean temperature changes. Here, using observed ISMR and historical global temperature (1850–2005), we find that the mean ISMR scales as (3.95 ± 1.13%)/K, lower than the Clausius‐Clapeyron (CC) scaling (∼7%/K). However, the sensitivity of the intensity of daily rainfall extremes is (29.5 ± 3.4)%/K, four times as large as the CC scaling. We also find that the sensitivities of simulated mean ISMR by 36 CMIP5 and CMIP6 models each at 13.36%/K and 11.82%/K, respectively, are 2–3 times larger than the observed sensitivity and independent of the chosen period. Larger than simulated CC scaling of ISMR is consistent with simulated strengthening of Indian monsoon circulation in contrast to observations. Models' sensitivity appears to be due to their stronger than observed response to forcing over land resulting in stronger north‐south heating gradient and acceleration of monsoon circulation. Projected sensitivity of ISMR in models with increased greenhouse gas forcing weakens compared to the historical period approaching the CC scaling. Required to delineate the contributions of larger than observed intrinsic sensitivity of the models from projected sensitivity, our findings provide a way to correct the bias potentially improving the reliability of ensemble mean projections of ISMR.
Post‐Miocene Erosion in Central Nepal Controlled by Midcrustal Ramp Position, Duplex Growth, and Dynamically Maintained Elastic Strain
Authors: Johnston S. N. , Cannon J. M. , Copeland P. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractTo better understand what drives erosion in central Nepal, we have mapped regions of preferential erosion by comparing modern detrital muscovite 40Ar/39Ar data to bedrock data from the Narayani river catchment and two subcatchments in central Nepal. We compare our pattern of erosion to erosion patterns from previous studies. Each shows a zone of preferential erosion from 5 km south to 20 km north of the Main Central Thrust (MCT). Peak erosion occurs in a 5‐km‐wide, orogen‐parallel band, north of the MCT, overlapping proposed ramps in the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT). This location of peak erosion is consistent with the interpretation that erosion is tectonically driven. Although peak erosion is spatially coincident with the interpreted MHT ramps, the zone of enhanced erosion extends north of the ramps' downdip limits suggesting that an additional driver of rock uplift is at work. This can be explained by a duplex growing along the ramp back‐tilting and uplifting older duplex faults. This region also coincides with a dynamically supported bulge in the High Himalaya where a reservoir of elastic strain appears to be maintained over numerous seismic cycles further enhancing erosion.
A Rating Curve Model Accounting for Cyclic Stage‐Discharge Shifts due to Seasonal Aquatic Vegetation
Authors: Perret E. , Renard B. , Le Coz J. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractManaging stage‐discharge relations at hydrometric stations affected by seasonal aquatic vegetation is challenging. Their ratings vary continuously in time so that establishing the streamflow time series is difficult. To the best of our knowledge, no rating curve model exists to deal with a vegetated channel control, only manual adjustment methods. To address this issue, a temporal rating curve model accounting for transient changes due to vegetation is developed. The model is built on basic concepts from open‐channel hydraulics and plant physiology. In the model, the flow resistance varies through time as a function of the plant development (growth and decay) and of the plant ability to reconfigure. Model parameters and uncertainty are estimated through Bayesian inference combining prior knowledge on the hydraulic controls at the station and observational data. In addition to the traditionally used stage‐discharge gaugings, the model allows the use of qualitative observations on the plant development state (e.g., no plant, growth, and decay). The model is tested and validated for a French hydrometric station where frequent gaugings (twice a month) and written comments about vegetation are available over more than 20 years. Relative errors between the simulated discharges and the observed discharges mostly range between ±20% for the temporal rating curve. In contrast, they are higher than ±50% with a standard model with no vegetation module. This case study highlights the importance of using observations about plant development to predict water discharge. We finally discuss some possible improvements and extensions of the model and recommend methods for data collection.
Microstructure and domain engineering of lithium niobate crystal films for integrated photonic applications
Authors: Sun Dehui , Zhang Yunwu , Wang Dongzhou , Song Wei , Liu Xiaoyan , Pang Jinbo , Geng Deqiang , Sang Yuanhua , Liu Hong 
Published: December 2020

AbstractRecently, integrated photonics has attracted considerable interest owing to its wide application in optical communication and quantum technologies. Among the numerous photonic materials, lithium niobate film on insulator (LNOI) has become a promising photonic platform owing to its electro-optic and nonlinear optical properties along with ultralow-loss and high-confinement nanophotonic lithium niobate waveguides fabricated by the complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible microstructure engineering of LNOI. Furthermore, ferroelectric domain engineering in combination with nanophotonic waveguides on LNOI is gradually accelerating the development of integrated nonlinear photonics, which will play an important role in quantum technologies because of its ability to be integrated with the generation, processing, and auxiliary detection of the quantum states of light. Herein, we review the recent progress in CMOS-compatible microstructure engineering and domain engineering of LNOI for integrated lithium niobate photonics involving photonic modulation and nonlinear photonics. We believe that the great progress in integrated photonics on LNOI will lead to a new generation of techniques. Thus, there remains an urgent need for efficient methods for the preparation of LNOI that are suitable for large-scale and low-cost manufacturing of integrated photonic devices and systems.
Whole-genome sequencing analysis of the cardiometabolic proteome
Authors: Gilly Arthur , Park Young-Chan , Png Grace , Barysenka Andrei , Fischer Iris , Bjørnland Thea , Southam Lorraine , Suveges Daniel , Neumeyer Sonja , Rayner N. William , Tsafantakis Emmanouil , Karaleftheri Maria , Dedoussis George , Zeggini Eleftheria 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe human proteome is a crucial intermediate between complex diseases and their genetic and environmental components, and an important source of drug development targets and biomarkers. Here, we comprehensively assess the genetic architecture of 257 circulating protein biomarkers of cardiometabolic relevance through high-depth (22.5×) whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in 1328 individuals. We discover 131 independent sequence variant associations (P < 7.45 × 10−11) across the allele frequency spectrum, all of which replicate in an independent cohort (n = 1605, 18.4x WGS). We identify for the first time replicating evidence for rare-variant cis-acting protein quantitative trait loci for five genes, involving both coding and noncoding variation. We construct and validate polygenic scores that explain up to 45% of protein level variation. We find causal links between protein levels and disease risk, identifying high-value biomarkers and drug development targets.
Long-distance spin-transport across the Morin phase transition up to room temperature in ultra-low damping single crystals of the antiferromagnet α-Fe2O3
Authors: Lebrun R. , Ross A. , Gomonay O. , Baltz V. , Ebels U. , Barra A.-L. , Qaiumzadeh A. , Brataas A. , Sinova J. , Kläui M. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAntiferromagnetic materials can host spin-waves with polarizations ranging from circular to linear depending on their magnetic anisotropies. Until now, only easy-axis anisotropy antiferromagnets with circularly polarized spin-waves were reported to carry spin-information over long distances of micrometers. In this article, we report long-distance spin-transport in the easy-plane canted antiferromagnetic phase of hematite and at room temperature, where the linearly polarized magnons are not intuitively expected to carry spin. We demonstrate that the spin-transport signal decreases continuously through the easy-axis to easy-plane Morin transition, and persists in the easy-plane phase through current induced pairs of linearly polarized magnons with dephasing lengths in the micrometer range. We explain the long transport distance as a result of the low magnetic damping, which we measure to be ≤ 10−5 as in the best ferromagnets. All of this together demonstrates that long-distance transport can be achieved across a range of anisotropies and temperatures, up to room temperature, highlighting the promising potential of this insulating antiferromagnet for magnon-based devices.
The corona of a surface bubble promotes electrochemical reactions
Authors: Vogel Yan B. , Evans Cameron W. , Belotti Mattia , Xu Longkun , Russell Isabella C. , Yu Li-Juan , Fung Alfred K. K. , Hill Nicholas S. , Darwish Nadim , Gonçales Vinicius R. , Coote Michelle L. , Swaminathan Iyer K. , Ciampi Simone 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe evolution of gaseous products is a feature common to several electrochemical processes, often resulting in bubbles adhering to the electrode’s surface. Adherent bubbles reduce the electrode active area, and are therefore generally treated as electrochemically inert entities. Here, we show that this general assumption does not hold for gas bubbles masking anodes operating in water. By means of imaging electrochemiluminescent systems, and by studying the anisotropy of polymer growth around bubbles, we demonstrate that gas cavities adhering to an electrode surface initiate the oxidation of water-soluble species more effectively than electrode areas free of bubbles. The corona of a bubble accumulates hydroxide anions, unbalanced by cations, a phenomenon which causes the oxidation of hydroxide ions to hydroxyl radicals to occur at potentials at least 0.7 V below redox tabled values. The downhill shift of the hydroxide oxidation at the corona of the bubble is likely to be a general mechanism involved in the initiation of heterogeneous electrochemical reactions in water, and could be harnessed in chemical synthesis.
Security analysis and improvement of source independent quantum random number generators with imperfect devices
Authors: Lin Xing , Wang Shuang , Yin Zhen-Qiang , Fan-Yuan Guan-Jie , Wang Rong , Chen Wei , He De-Yong , Zhou Zheng , Guo Guang-Can , Han Zheng-Fu 
Published: December 2020

AbstractA quantum random number generator (QRNG) as a genuine source of randomness is essential in many applications, such as number simulation and cryptography. Recently, a source-independent quantum random number generator (SI-QRNG), which can generate secure random numbers with untrusted sources, has been realized. However, the measurement loopholes of the trusted but imperfect devices used in SI-QRNGs have not yet been fully explored, which will cause security problems, especially in high-speed systems. Here, we point out and evaluate the security loopholes of practical imperfect measurement devices in SI-QRNGs. We also provide corresponding countermeasures to prevent these information leakages by recalculating the conditional minimum entropy and adding a monitor. Furthermore, by taking into account the finite-size effect, we show that the influence of the afterpulse can exceed that of the finite-size effect with the large number of sampled rounds. Our protocol is simple and effective, and it promotes the security of SI-QRNG in practice as well as the compatibility with high-speed measurement devices, thus paving the way for constructing ultrafast and security-certified commercial SI-QRNG systems.
Ravens parallel great apes in physical and social cognitive skills
Authors: Pika Simone , Sima Miriam Jennifer , Blum Christian R. , Herrmann Esther , Mundry Roger 
Published: December 2020

AbstractHuman children show unique cognitive skills for dealing with the social world but their cognitive performance is paralleled by great apes in many tasks dealing with the physical world. Recent studies suggested that members of a songbird family—corvids—also evolved complex cognitive skills but a detailed understanding of the full scope of their cognition was, until now, not existent. Furthermore, relatively little is known about their cognitive development. Here, we conducted the first systematic, quantitative large-scale assessment of physical and social cognitive performance of common ravens with a special focus on development. To do so, we fine-tuned one of the most comprehensive experimental test-batteries, the Primate Cognition Test Battery (PCTB), to raven features enabling also a direct, quantitative comparison with the cognitive performance of two great ape species. Full-blown cognitive skills were already present at the age of four months with subadult ravens’ cognitive performance appearing very similar to that of adult apes in tasks of physical (quantities, and causality) and social cognition (social learning, communication, and theory of mind). These unprecedented findings strengthen recent assessments of ravens’ general intelligence, and aid to the growing evidence that the lack of a specific cortical architecture does not hinder advanced cognitive skills. Difficulties in certain cognitive scales further emphasize the quest to develop comparative test batteries that tap into true species rather than human specific cognitive skills, and suggest that socialization of test individuals may play a crucial role. We conclude to pay more attention to the impact of personality on cognitive output, and a currently neglected topic in Animal Cognition—the linkage between ontogeny and cognitive performance.
Probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum strain JDFM216 improves cognitive behavior and modulates immune response with gut microbiota
Authors: Park Mi Ri , Shin Minhye , Mun Daye , Jeong Seong-Yeop , Jeong Do-Youn , Song Minho , Ko Gwangpyo , Unno Tatsuya , Kim Younghoon , Oh Sangnam 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIncreasing evidence indicates that alterations in gut microbiota are associated with mammalian development and physiology. The gut microbiota has been proposed as an essential player in metabolic diseases including brain health. This study aimed to determine the impact of probiotics on degenerative changes in the gut microbiota and cognitive behavior. Assessment of various behavioral and physiological functions was performed using Y-maze tests, wheel running tests, accelerated rotarod tests, balance beam tests, and forced swimming tests (FSTs), using adult mice after 50 weeks of administering living probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus fermentum strain JDFM216 or a vehicle. Immunomodulatory function was investigated using immune organs, immune cells and immune molecules in the mice, and gut microbiota was also evaluated in their feces. Notably, the L. fermentum JDFM216-treated group showed significantly better performance in the behavior tests (P < 0.05) as well as improved phagocytic activity of macrophages, enhanced sIgA production, and stimulated immune cells (P < 0.05). In aged mice, we observed decreases in species belonging to the Porphyromonadaceae family and the Lactobacillus genus when compared to young mice. While administering the supplementation of L. fermentum JDFM216 to aged mice did not shift the whole gut microbiota, the abundance of Lactobacillus species was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Our findings suggested that L. fermentum JDFM216 also provided beneficial effects on the regulation of immune responses, which has promising implications for functional foods. Taken together, L. fermentum JDFM216 could confer the benefit of improving health with enhanced cognition, physiological behavior, and immunity by modulating the gut microbiota.
Chaotic genetic structure and past demographic expansion of the invasive gastropod Tritia neritea in its native range, the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Boissin Emilie , Neglia Valentina , Baksay Sandra , Micu Dragos , Bat Levent , Topaloglu Bulent , Todorova Valentina , Panayotova Marina , Kruschel Claudia , Milchakova Nataliya , Voutsinas Emanuela , Beqiraj Sajmir , Nasto Ina , Aglieri Giorgio , Taviani Marco , Zane Lorenzo , Planes Serge 
Published: December 2020

AbstractTo better predict population evolution of invasive species in introduced areas it is critical to identify and understand the mechanisms driving genetic diversity and structure in their native range. Here, we combined analyses of the mitochondrial COI gene and 11 microsatellite markers to investigate both past demographic history and contemporaneous genetic structure in the native area of the gastropodTritia neritea, using Bayesian skyline plots (BSP), multivariate analyses and Bayesian clustering. The BSP framework revealed population expansions, dated after the last glacial maximum. The haplotype network revealed a strong geographic clustering. Multivariate analyses and Bayesian clustering highlighted the strong genetic structure at all scales, between the Black Sea and the Adriatic Sea, but also within basins. Within basins, a random pattern of genetic patchiness was observed, suggesting a superimposition of processes involving natural biological effects (no larval phase and thus limited larval dispersal) and putative anthropogenic transport of specimens. Contrary to the introduced area, no isolation-by-distance patterns were recovered in the Mediterranean or the Black Seas, highlighting different mechanisms at play on both native and introduced areas, triggering unknown consequences for species’ evolutionary trajectories. These results ofTritia neriteapopulations on its native range highlight a mixture of ancient and recent processes, with the effects of paleoclimates and life history traits likely tangled with the effects of human-mediated dispersal.
A horizontally acquired expansin gene increases virulence of the emerging plant pathogen Erwinia tracheiphila
Authors: Rocha Jorge , Shapiro Lori R. , Kolter Roberto 
Published: December 2020

AbstractErwinia tracheiphila is a bacterial plant pathogen that causes a fatal wilt infection in some cucurbit crop plants. Wilt symptoms are thought to be caused by systemic bacterial colonization through xylem that impedes sap flow. However, the genetic determinants of within-plant movement are unknown for this pathogen species. Here, we find that E. tracheiphila has horizontally acquired an operon with a microbial expansin (exlx) gene adjacent to a glycoside hydrolase family 5 (gh5) gene. Plant inoculation experiments with deletion mutants in the individual genes (Δexlx and Δgh5) and the full operon (Δexlx–gh5) resulted in decreased severity of wilt symptoms, decreased mortality rate, and impaired systemic colonization compared to the Wt strain. Co-inoculation experiments with Wt and Δexlx–gh5 rescued the movement defect of the mutant strain, suggesting that expansin and GH5 function extracellularly. Together, these results show that expansin–GH5 contributes to systemic movement through xylem, leading to rapid wilt symptom development and higher rates of plant death. The presence of expansin genes in diverse species of bacterial and fungal wilt-inducing pathogens suggests that microbial expansin proteins may be an under-appreciated virulence factor for many pathogen species.
Facile synthesis and defect optimization of 2D-layered MoS2 on TiO2 heterostructure for industrial effluent, wastewater treatments
Authors: Gopal Ramalingam , Chinnapan Maria Magdalane , Bojarajan Arjun Kumar , Rotte Naresh Kumar , Ponraj Joice Sophia , Ganesan Ravi , Atanas Ivanov , Nadarajah Manivannan , Manavalan Rajesh Kumar , Gaspar Joao 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCurrent research is paying much attention to heterojunction nanostructures. Owing to its versatile characteristics such as stimulating morphology, affluent surface-oxygen-vacancies and chemical compositions for enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species. Herein, we report the hydrothermally synthesized TiO2@MoS2 heterojunction nanostructure for the effective production of photoinduced charge carriers to enhance the photocatalytic capability. XRD analysis illustrated the crystalline size of CTAB capped TiO2, MoS2@TiO2 and L-Cysteine capped MoS2@TiO2 as 12.6, 11.7 and 10.2 nm, respectively. The bandgap of the samples analyzed by UV–Visible spectroscopy are 3.57, 3.66 and 3.94 eV. PL spectra of anatase phase titania shows the peaks present at and above 400 nm are ascribed to the defects in the crystalline structure in the form of oxygen vacancies. HRTEM reveals the existence of hexagonal layered MoS2 formation on the spherical shaped TiO2 nanoparticles at the interface. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy recommends the chemical interactions between MoS2 and TiO2, specifically, oxygen vacancies. In addition, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies observed that L-MT sample performed low charge transfer resistance (336.7 Ω cm2) that promotes the migration of electrons and interfacial charge separation. The photocatalytic performance is evaluated by quantifying the rate of Congo red dye degradation under visible light irradiation, and the decomposition efficiency was found to be 97%. The electron trapping recombination and plausible photocatalytic mechanism are also explored, and the reported work could be an excellent complement for industrial wastewater treatment.