bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of a Mesoscale Eddy on Surface Turbulence at the Kuroshio Front in the East China Sea
Authors: Yang Guang‐Bing , Zheng Quanan , Yuan Yeli , Zhuang Zhanpeng , Hui Zhenli , Guo Yan‐Liang , Yu Long , Sun Jia , Ju Xia , Ma De‐Jing , Hu Xiaomin 
Published: February 2019

AbstractField observations were conducted along three west‐east transects in the East China Sea Kuroshio Front in July 2017. The microstructure observations results show that the surface turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) dissipation rates in the northern and southern transects are about 2 orders larger than those in the middle transect. The sea surface temperature, mixed layer depth, and the submesoscale motions (with horizontal scales smaller than 30 km) also suggest the surface turbulences are more active in the northern and southern transects. The current velocity data and sea level anomaly show that the middle transect was located at the northern edge of a cyclonic eddy. The eddy‐generated cross‐front geostrophic current was observed to flow toward the opposite direction of the cross‐front Ekman transport and believed to counteract the Ekman buoyancy flux (EBF)‐induced turbulence enhancement. The TKE dissipation rates can be well scaled by a scaling considering the EBF and the wind in the northern and southern transects but wind scaling only in the middle transect, suggesting the EBF does not contribute to the surface turbulence in the middle transect. An improved empirical scaling considering the cross‐front geostrophic current is defined and can scale the TKE dissipation rates better, indicating an eddy plays a key role in surface turbulent mixing in the East China Sea Kuroshio front.
Unabated Bottom Water Warming and Freshening in the South Pacific Ocean
Authors: Purkey Sarah G. , Johnson Gregory C. , Talley Lynne D. , Sloyan Bernadette M. , Wijffels Susan E. , Smethie William , Mecking Sabine , Katsumata Katsuro 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAbyssal ocean warming contributed substantially to anthropogenic ocean heat uptake and global sea level rise between 1990 and 2010. In the 2010s, several hydrographic sections crossing the South Pacific Ocean were occupied for a third or fourth time since the 1990s, allowing for an assessment of the decadal variability in the local abyssal ocean properties among the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s. These observations from three decades reveal steady to accelerated bottom water warming since the 1990s. Strong abyssal (z > 4,000 m) warming of 3.5 (±1.4) m°C/year (m°C = 10−3 °C) is observed in the Ross Sea, directly downstream from bottom water formation sites, with warming rates of 2.5 (±0.4) m°C/year to the east in the Amundsen‐Bellingshausen Basin and 1.3 (±0.2) m°C/year to the north in the Southwest Pacific Basin, all associated with a bottom‐intensified descent of the deepest isotherms. Warming is consistently found across all sections and their occupations within each basin, demonstrating that the abyssal warming is monotonic, basin‐wide, and multidecadal. In addition, bottom water freshening was strongest in the Ross Sea, with smaller amplitude in the Amundsen‐Bellingshausen Basin in the 2000s, but is discernible in portions of the Southwest Pacific Basin by the 2010s. These results indicate that bottom water freshening, stemming from strong freshening of Ross Shelf Waters, is being advected along deep isopycnals and mixed into deep basins, albeit on longer timescales than the dynamically driven, wave‐propagated warming signal. We quantify the contribution of the warming to local sea level and heat budgets.
The Effects of Tree Species on Soil Organic Carbon Content in South Korea
Authors: Cha Ji‐Yeon , Cha YoonKyung , Oh Neung‐Hwan 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe effects of tree species on soil organic carbon (SOC) content have been evaluated in many studies, but only with a relatively small number of sample plots, resulting in ambiguous conclusions. Here we used a total of 595 forest plots in South Korea to investigate the role of four grouped tree species—pines, oaks, other conifers, and other deciduous trees—in the forest SOC content in both forest floors and mineral soils. Significant differences were observed in SOC content among the groups. Pines contained 7.12 Mg C/ha of organic carbon in forest floors, whereas oaks and other deciduous trees contained 5.39 and 5.41 Mg C/ha, respectively. In contrast, oaks and other deciduous trees contained ~66 Mg C/ha of organic carbon each in mineral soils (0‐ to 30‐cm depth), whereas pines contained 49.50 Mg C/ha. The total SOC content including both forest floors and mineral soils was the largest under oaks and the smallest under other coniferous trees, due to SOC being approximately an order of magnitude higher in mineral soils than in forest floors. The effects of tree species on SOC storage became apparent for the forest stands with >20‐year‐old trees, which suggests that the observed differences in the SOC content are likely due to the current stands rather than remnants of previous stands. The decomposition rates of organic materials could be a controlling factor affecting SOC storage, rather than inputs of photosynthesized products to soils.
PreMevE: New Predictive Model for Megaelectron‐Volt Electrons Inside Earth's Outer Radiation Belt
Authors: Chen Yue , Reeves Geoffrey D. , Fu Xiangrong , Henderson Michael 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThis work designs a new model called PreMevE to predict storm time distributions of relativistic electrons within Earth's outer radiation belt. This model takes advantage of the cross‐energy, cross‐L‐shell, and cross‐pitch angle coherence associated with wave‐electron resonant interactions, ingests observations from belt boundaries—mainly by a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Polar Operational Environmental Satellite in low‐Earth orbit, and provides high‐fidelity nowcast (multiple‐hour prediction) and forecast (>~1 day) of MeV electron fluxes over L‐shells between 2.8 and 7 through linear prediction filters. PreMevE can not only reliably anticipate incoming enhancements of MeV electrons during storms with at least 1‐day forewarning time but also accurately specify the evolving event‐specific electron spatial distributions afterward. The performance of PreMevE is assessed against long‐term in situ data from one Van Allen Probe and a Los Alamos National Laboratory geosynchronous satellite. This new model enhances our preparedness for severe MeV electron events in the future and further adds new science utility to existing and next‐generation low‐Earth orbit space infrastructure.
Pesticide exposure among Bolivian farmers: associations between worker protection and exposure biomarkers
Authors: Barrón Cuenca Jessika , Tirado Noemi , Vikström Max , Lindh Christian H. , Stenius Ulla , Leander Karin , Berglund Marika , Dreij Kristian 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe use of pesticides has increased during the past decades, also increasing the risk of exposure to toxic pesticides that can cause detrimental health effects in the future. This is of special concern among farmers in low-to-middle-income countries that may lack proper training in the safe use of these chemicals. To assess the situation in Bolivia a cross-sectional study in three agricultural communities was performed (n = 297). Handling, use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and pesticide exposure were assessed by a questionnaire and measurements of urinary pesticide metabolites (UPMs). Results showed that methamidophos (65%) and paraquat (52%) were the most commonly used pesticides and that 75% of the farmers combined several pesticides while spraying. Notably, only 17% of the farmers used recommended PPEs while 84% reported to have experienced symptoms of acute pesticide poisoning after spraying. UPM measurements indicated high levels of exposure to chlorpyrifos, pyrethroids and 2,4D and that men generally were more highly exposed compared to women. Our study demonstrates that farmers who are better at following recommendations for pesticide handling and use of PPE had a significantly lower risk of having high UPM levels of most measured pesticides. Our results thus confirm the need of proper training of farmers in low-to-middle-income countries in proper protection and pesticide handling in order to reduce exposure levels and health problems.
The role of dietary sugars in health: molecular composition or just calories?
Authors: Prinz Philip 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThis review will focus on the question of whether dietary sugars are a relevant determinant in the global rise of overweight and obesity in adults, adolescents, and children. Initially, the review describes the current definitions for sugars in the diet and makes reference to them while analyzing their role in overweight and obesity as well as diet-related diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cancer. Second, it will focus particularly on sucrose and the question of whether it is the molecular composition of sucrose (glucose and fructose) or its energy content that promotes body weight gain and diet-related diseases. Finally, the review will clarify the molecular characteristics of sucrose regarding the release of the gastrointestinal glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) compared to other energy-providing nutrients and its relevance in metabolic diseases. Current data indicates that dietary sugars are only associated with an increase in obesity when consumed as an excess source of calories and with that an increase in the risk of diet-related diseases. Furthermore, it was shown that a diet rich in fat will stimulate GIP secretion more than a diet rich in sucrose. Taken together, current scientific evidence does not support the conclusion that dietary sugars per se are detrimental to human health.
Cytosolic lipid droplets as engineered organelles for production and accumulation of terpenoid biomaterials in leaves
Authors: Sadre Radin , Kuo Peiyen , Chen Jiaxing , Yang Yang , Banerjee Aparajita , Benning Christoph , Hamberger Bjoern 
Published: February 2019

AbstractCytosolic lipid droplets are endoplasmic reticulum-derived organelles typically found in seeds as reservoirs for physiological energy and carbon to fuel germination. Here, we report synthetic biology approaches to co-produce high-value sesqui- or diterpenoids together with lipid droplets in plant leaves. The formation of cytosolic lipid droplets is enhanced in the transient Nicotiana benthamiana system through ectopic production of WRINKLED1, a key regulator of plastid fatty acid biosynthesis, and a microalgal lipid droplet surface protein. Engineering of the pathways providing the universal C5-building blocks for terpenoids and installation of terpenoid biosynthetic pathways through direction of the enzymes to native and non-native compartments boost the production of target terpenoids. We show that anchoring of distinct biosynthetic steps onto the surface of lipid droplets leads to efficient production of terpenoid scaffolds and functionalized terpenoids. The co-produced lipid droplets “trap” the terpenoids in the cells.
The importance of cognitive diversity for sustaining the commons
Authors: Baggio Jacopo A. , Freeman Jacob , Coyle Thomas R. , Nguyen Tam The , Hancock Dale , Elpers Karrie E. , Nabity Samantha , Dengah II H. J. Francois , Pillow David 
Published: February 2019

AbstractCognitive abilities underpin the capacity of individuals to build models of their environment and make decisions about how to govern resources. Here, we test the functional intelligences proposition that functionally diverse cognitive abilities within a group are critical to govern common pool resources. We assess the effect of two cognitive abilities, social and general intelligence, on group performance on a resource harvesting and management game involving either a negative or a positive disturbance to the resource base. Our results indicate that under improving conditions (positive disturbance) groups with higher general intelligence perform better. However, when conditions deteriorate (negative disturbance) groups with high competency in both general and social intelligence are less likely to deplete resources and harvest more. Thus, we propose that a functional diversity of cognitive abilities improves how effectively social groups govern common pool resources, especially when conditions deteriorate and groups need to re-evaluate and change their behaviors.
Low temperature self-densification of high strength bulk hexagonal boron nitride
Authors: Yang Haotian , Fang Hailiang , Yu Hui , Chen Yongjun , Wang Lianjun , Jiang Wan , Wu Yiquan , Li Jianlin 
Published: February 2019

AbstractHexagonal boron nitride (hBN) ceramics are expected to have wide applications at high temperatures as both a structural and functional material. However, because of its flake structure and general inertness, it is currently impossible to sinter hBN powder to a dense bulk (with a relative density of above 96%) even at 2000 °C. Here, we report dense bulk hBN with 97.6% theoretical density achieved at a lower preparation temperature (1700 °C) via a self-densifying mechanism without sintering additives. During the sintering process, cubic boron nitride particles incorporated into the hBN flake powders transform into BN onions with a significant volume increase, thus filling in voids among the hBN flakes and highly densifying the hBN bulks. The resulting dense hBN ceramics possess 2–3 times the strength of traditional hBN ceramics. This phase-transition-induced volume expansion strategy could lead to dense sintered compacts with high performance in other ceramic systems.
On-surface light-induced generation of higher acenes and elucidation of their open-shell character
Authors: Urgel José I. , Mishra Shantanu , Hayashi Hironobu , Wilhelm Jan , Pignedoli Carlo A. , Di Giovannantonio Marco , Widmer Roland , Yamashita Masataka , Hieda Nao , Ruffieux Pascal , Yamada Hiroko , Fasel Roman 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAcenes are an important class of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which have recently gained exceptional attention due to their potential as functional organic semiconductors. Fundamentally, they are important systems to study the convergence of physico-chemical properties of all-carbon sp2-frameworks in the one-dimensional limit; and by virtue of having a zigzag edge topology they also provide a fertile playground to explore magnetism in graphenic nanostructures. The study of larger acenes is thus imperative from both a fundamental and applied perspective, but their synthesis via traditional solution-chemistry route is hindered by their poor solubility and high reactivity. Here, we demonstrate the on-surface formation of heptacene and nonacene, via visible-light-induced photo-dissociation of α-bisdiketone precursors on an Au(111) substrate under ultra-high vacuum conditions. Through combined scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy and non-contact atomic force microscopy investigations, together with state-of-the-art first principles calculations, we provide insight into the chemical and electronic structure of these elusive compounds.
The indirect health effects of malaria estimated from health advantages of the sickle cell trait
Authors: Uyoga Sophie , Macharia Alex W. , Ndila Carolyne M. , Nyutu Gideon , Shebe Mohammed , Awuondo Kennedy O. , Mturi Neema , Peshu Norbert , Tsofa Benjamin , Scott J. Anthony G. , Maitland Kathryn , Williams Thomas N. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractMost estimates of the burden of malaria are based on its direct impacts; however, its true burden is likely to be greater because of its wider effects on overall health. Here we estimate the indirect impact of malaria on children’s health in a case-control study, using the sickle cell trait (HbAS), a condition associated with a high degree of specific malaria resistance, as a proxy indicator for an effective intervention. We estimate the odds ratios for HbAS among cases (all children admitted to Kilifi County Hospital during 2000–2004) versus community controls. As expected, HbAS protects strongly against malaria admissions (aOR 0.26; 95%CI 0.22–0.31), but it also protects against other syndromes, including neonatal conditions (aOR 0.79; 0.67–0.93), bacteraemia (aOR 0.69; 0.54–0.88) and severe malnutrition (aOR 0.67; 0.55–0.83). The wider health impacts of malaria should be considered when estimating the potential added benefits of effective malaria interventions.
Measuring luteinising hormone pulsatility with a robotic aptamer-enabled electrochemical reader
Authors: Liang Shaolin , Kinghorn Andrew B. , Voliotis Margaritis , Prague Julia K. , Veldhuis Johannes D. , Tsaneva-Atanasova Krasimira , McArdle Craig A. , Li Raymond H. W. , Cass Anthony E. G. , Dhillo Waljit S. , Tanner Julian A. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractNormal reproductive functioning is critically dependent on pulsatile secretion of luteinising hormone (LH). Assessment of LH pulsatility is important for the clinical diagnosis of reproductive disorders, but current methods are hampered by frequent blood sampling coupled to expensive serial immunochemical analysis. Here, we report the development and application of a Robotic APTamer-enabled Electrochemical Reader (RAPTER) electrochemical analysis system to determine LH pulsatility. Through selective evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX), we identify DNA aptamers that bind specifically to LH and not to related hormones. The aptamers are integrated into electrochemical aptamer-based (E-AB) sensors on a robotic platform. E-AB enables rapid, sensitive and repeatable determination of LH concentration profiles. Bayesian Spectrum Analysis is applied to determine LH pulsatility in three distinct patient cohorts. This technology has the potential to transform the clinical care of patients with reproductive disorders and could be developed to allow real-time in vivo hormone monitoring.
Intradermal delivery of modified mRNA encoding VEGF-A in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Gan Li-Ming , Lagerström-Fermér Maria , Carlsson Leif G. , Arfvidsson Cecilia , Egnell Ann-Charlotte , Rudvik Anna , Kjaer Magnus , Collén Anna , Thompson James D. , Joyal John , Chialda Ligia , Koernicke Thomas , Fuhr Rainard , Chien Kenneth R. , Fritsche-Danielson Regina 
Published: February 2019

AbstractChemically modified mRNA is an efficient, biocompatible modality for therapeutic protein expression. We report a first-time-in-human study of this modality, aiming to evaluate safety and potential therapeutic effects. Men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) received intradermal injections of modified mRNA encoding vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) or buffered saline placebo (ethical obligations precluded use of a non-translatable mRNA control) at randomized sites on the forearm. The only causally treatment-related adverse events were mild injection-site reactions. Skin microdialysis revealed elevated VEGF-A protein levels at mRNA-treated sites versus placebo-treated sites from about 4–24 hours post-administration. Enhancements in basal skin blood flow at 4 hours and 7 days post-administration were detected using laser Doppler fluximetry and imaging. Intradermal VEGF-A mRNA was well tolerated and led to local functional VEGF-A protein expression and transient skin blood flow enhancement in men with T2DM. VEGF-A mRNA may have therapeutic potential for regenerative angiogenesis.
Spontaneous Selective Preconcentration Leveraged by Ion Exchange and Imbibition through Nanoporous Medium
Authors: Lee Dokeun , Lee Jung A. , Lee Hyomin , Kim Sung Jae 
Published: February 2019

AbstractManipulating mechanism of particle’s motion has been extensively studied for the sample preparation in microfluidic applications including diagnostics, food industries, biological analyses and environmental monitoring. However, most of conventional methods need additional external forces such as electric field or pressure and complicated channel designs, which demand highly complex fabrication processes and operation strategies. In addition, these methods have inherent limitations of dilution or mixing during separation or preconcentration step, respectively, so that a number of studies have reported an efficient selective preconcentration process, i.e. conducting the separation and preconcentration simultaneously. In this work, a power-free spontaneous selective preconcentration method was suggested based on leveraging convective flow over diffusiophoresis near the water-absorbing nanoporous ion exchange medium, which was verified both by simulation and experiment. Especially, the velocity of the convective flow by an imbibition deviated from the original tendency of t−1/2 due to non-uniformly patterned nanoporous medium that has multiple cross-sectional areas. As a result, the direction of particle’s motion was controlled at one’s discretion, which led to the spontaneous selective preconcentration of particles having different diffusiophoretic constant. Also, design rule for maximizing the efficiency was recommended. Thus, this selective preconcentration method would play as a key mechanism for power-free lab on a chip applications.
Internal embryonic development in a non-copulatory, egg-laying teleost, the three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus
Authors: Dean Laura L. , Robertson Shaun , Mahmud Muayad , MacColl Andrew D. C. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe switch from egg-laying to retaining and giving birth to live young is a major transition in the history of life. Despite its repeated evolution across the fishes, records of intermediate phenotypes are vanishingly rare, with only two known cases in existence of normally egg-laying fish species retaining embryos within the ovaries. We report the discovery of a third occurrence, in which well-developed embryos were found in the ovaries of a three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), a non-copulatory, normally oviparous species. Extracted from the parent fish, these embryos hatched and grew to adulthood. Genetic and physiological examination of the parent fish and offspring ruled out development by parthenogenesis and hermaphroditism, therefore implicating internal fertilisation by a male stickleback. This extremely rare phenomenon may have been facilitated in this population by an unusual tendency for females to become egg-bound, and suggests that some major transitions may arise almost spontaneously.