Search

This study presents advancements in the processing of satellite remote sensing data, focusing mainly on aerosol optical depth (AOD) retrievals from the Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS). The transformation of Level-2 (L2) data, which includes atmospheric-state retrievals, into higher-quality Level-3 (L3) data is crucial in remote sensing. Our contributions lie in two novel improvements to the processing algorithm. First, we improve the inverse-distance-weighting algorithm by incorporating quality flag information into the weight calculation. By assigning weights that are inversely proportional to the number of unreliable grids, the method can provide more accurate L3 products. We validate this approach through simulation studies and apply it to GEMS AOD data across various regions and wavelengths. The use of quality flags in the algorithm can provide a more accurate analysis of remote sensing. Second, we employ a spatiotemporal merging method to address both spatial and temporal variability in AOD data, a departure from previous approaches that solely focused on spatial variability. Our method considers temporal variations spanning previous time intervals. Furthermore, the computed mean fields show similar spatiotemporal patterns to previous studies, confirming their ability to capture real-world phenomena. Lastly, utilizing this procedure, we compute the mean field estimates for GEMS AOD data, which can provide a deeper understanding of the impact of aerosols on climate change and public health.

Abstract Signal-induced transcriptional programs regulate critical biological processes through the precise spatiotemporal activation of Immediate Early Genes (IEGs); however, the mechanisms of transcription induction remain poorly understood. By combining an acute depletion system with several genomics approaches to interrogate synchronized, temporal transcription, we reveal that KAP1/TRIM28 is a first responder that fulfills the temporal and heightened transcriptional demand of IEGs. Acute KAP1 loss triggers an increase in RNA polymerase II elongation kinetics during early stimulation time points. This elongation defect derails the normal progression through the transcriptional cycle during late stimulation time points, ultimately leading to decreased recruitment of the transcription apparatus for re-initiation thereby dampening IEGs transcriptional output. Collectively, KAP1 plays a counterintuitive role by negatively regulating transcription elongation to support full activation across multiple transcription cycles of genes critical for cell physiology and organismal functions.

Seasonal variation in westward-propagating quasi-10 d waves (Q10DWs) in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere of the Southern Hemisphere (SH) high-latitude regions is investigated using meteor radar (MR) observations for the period of 2012–2016 and using the Specified Dynamics (SD) version of the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM). The phase difference in meridional winds measured by two MRs located in Antarctica gives observational estimates of the amplitude and phase of the Q10DW with zonal wavenumber 1 (W1). The amplitude of the observed Q10DW-W1 is large around equinoxes. In order to elucidate the variations in the observed Q10DW-W1 and its possible amplification mechanism, we carry out two SD-WACCM experiments nudged towards the MERRA-2 reanalysis from the surface up to ∼ 60 km (EXP60) and ∼ 75 km (EXP75). Results of the EXP75 indicate that the observed Q10DW-W1 can be amplified around regions of barotropic and/or baroclinic instability in the middle mesosphere around 60–70° S. In the EXP60 experiment, it was also found that the Q10DW-W1 is amplified around the regions of instability, but the amplitude is too large compared to MR observations. The large-scale instability in the EXP60 in the SH summer mesosphere is stronger than that in the EXP75 and Microwave Limb Sounder observations. The larger instability in the EXP60 is related to the large meridional and vertical variations in polar mesospheric zonal winds in association with gravity wave parameterization (GWP). Given uncertainties inherent in GWP, these results can suggest that it is possible for models to spuriously generate traveling planetary waves such as the Q10DW, especially in summer, due to excessively strong large-scale instability in the SH high-latitude mesosphere.

In persons with limb loss, prosthetic devices cause skin breakdown, largely because residual limb skin (nonvolar) is not intended to bear weight such as palmoplantar (volar) skin. Before evaluation of treatment efficacy to improve skin resiliency, efforts are needed to establish normative data and assess outcome metric reliability. The purpose of this study was to use optical coherence tomography to (i) characterize volar and nonvolar skin epidermal thickness and (ii) examine the reliability of optical coherence tomography. Four orientations of optical coherence tomography images were collected on 33 volunteers (6 with limb loss) at 2 time points, and the epidermis was traced to quantify thickness by 3 evaluators. Epidermal thickness was greater (P < .01) for volar skin (palm) (265.1 ± 50.9 μm, n = 33) than for both nonvolar locations: posterior thigh (89.8 ± 18.1 μm, n = 27) or residual limb (93.4 ± 27.4 μm, n = 6). The inter-rater intraclass correlation coefficient was high for volar skin (0.887–0.956) but low for nonvolar skin (thigh: 0.292–0.391, residual limb: 0.211–0.580). Correlation improved when comparing only 2 evaluators who used the same display technique (palm: 0.827–0.940, thigh: 0.633–0.877, residual limb: 0.213–0.952). Despite poor inter-rater agreement for nonvolar skin, perhaps due to challenges in identifying the dermal–epidermal junction, this study helps to support the utility of optical coherence tomography to distinguish volar from nonvolar skin.

Abstract Kondo impurities provide a nontrivial probe to unravel the character of the excitations of a quantum spin liquid. In the S = 1/2 Kitaev model on the honeycomb lattice, Kondo impurities embedded in the spin-liquid host can be screened by itinerant Majorana fermions via gauge-flux binding. Here, we report experimental signatures of metallic-like Kondo screening at intermediate temperatures in the Kitaev honeycomb material α-RuCl3 with dilute Cr3+ (S = 3/2) impurities. The static magnetic susceptibility, the muon Knight shift, and the muon spin-relaxation rate all feature logarithmic divergences, a hallmark of a metallic Kondo effect. Concurrently, the linear coefficient of the magnetic specific heat is large in the same temperature regime, indicating the presence of a host Majorana metal. This observation opens new avenues for exploring uncharted Kondo physics in insulating quantum magnets.

Solar climate intervention using stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) has been proposed as a method which could offset some of the adverse effects of global warming. The Assessing Responses and Impacts of Solar climate intervention on the Earth system with Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (ARISE-SAI) set of simulations is based on a moderate-greenhouse-gas-emission scenario and employs injection of sulfur dioxide at four off-equatorial locations using a control algorithm which maintains the global-mean surface temperature at 1.5 K above pre-industrial conditions (ARISE-SAI-1.5), as well as the latitudinal gradient and inter-hemispheric difference in surface temperature. This is the first comparison between two models (CESM2 and UKESM1) applying the same multi-target SAI strategy. CESM2 is successful in reaching its temperature targets, but UKESM1 has considerable residual Arctic warming. This occurs because the pattern of temperature change in a climate with SAI is determined by both the structure of the climate forcing (mainly greenhouse gases and stratospheric aerosols) and the climate models' feedbacks, the latter of which favour a strong Arctic amplification of warming in UKESM1. Therefore, research constraining the level of future Arctic warming would also inform any hypothetical SAI deployment strategy which aims to maintain the inter-hemispheric and Equator-to-pole near-surface temperature differences. Furthermore, despite broad agreement in the precipitation response in the extratropics, precipitation changes over tropical land show important inter-model differences, even under greenhouse gas forcing only. In general, this ensemble comparison is the first step in comparing policy-relevant scenarios of SAI and will help in the design of an experimental protocol which both reduces some known negative side effects of SAI and is simple enough to encourage more climate models to participate.

The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) is an important part of our climate system. The AMOC is predicted to weaken under climate change; however, theories suggest that it may have a tipping point beyond which recovery is difficult, hence showing quasi-irreversibility (hysteresis). Although hysteresis has been seen in simple models, it has been difficult to demonstrate in comprehensive global climate models. Here, we outline a set of experiments designed to explore AMOC hysteresis and sensitivity to additional freshwater input as part of the North Atlantic Hosing Model Intercomparison Project (NAHosMIP). These experiments include adding additional freshwater (hosing) for a fixed length of time to examine the rate and mechanisms of AMOC weakening and whether the AMOC subsequently recovers once hosing stops. Initial results are shown from eight climate models participating in the Sixth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6). The AMOC weakens in all models as a result of the freshening, but once the freshening ceases, the AMOC recovers in half of the models, and in the other half it stays in a weakened state. The difference in model behaviour cannot be explained by the ocean model resolution or type nor by details of subgrid-scale parameterisations. Likewise, it cannot be explained by previously proposed properties of the mean climate state such as the strength of the salinity advection feedback. Instead, the AMOC recovery is determined by the climate state reached when hosing stops, with those experiments where the AMOC is weakest not experiencing a recovery.

Neutron is an indirectly ionizing particle without charge, which is normally measured by detecting reaction products. Neutron detection system based on measuring gadolinium-converted gamma-rays is a good way to monitor the neutron because the representative prompt gamma-rays of gadolinium have low energies (79, 89, 182, and 199 keV). Low energy gamma-rays and their high attenuation coefficient on materials allow the simple design of a detector easier to manufacture. Thus, we designed a cadmium zinc telluride detector to investigate feasibility of simultaneous detection of gamma-rays and neutrons by using the Monte-Carlo simulation, which was divided into two parts; first was gamma-detection part and second was gamma- and neutron-simultaneous detection part. Consequently, we confirmed that simultaneous detection of gamma-rays and neutrons could be feasible and valid, although further research is needed for adoption on real detection.

Objectives: PARP proteins are regulators of DNA damage repair in the cell. PARP inhibitors (PARPi) are a class of drugs used to treat ovarian cancer especially in patients with BRCA 1/2 gene mutations and homologous recombination deficiencies. These have previously been used as biomarkers to predict response to PARPi. Preclinical studies suggest that the levels of PARP-1, DDX21, and poly ADP ribosylation (PAR) are indicators of PARP activity. ADP ribosylation (PAR/ MAR) have been suggested as biomarkers to predict PARPi sensitivity. We sought to evaluate the correlation between PARP-1, DDX21, and mono-ADP ribosylation (MAR) expression with response to treatment with PARPi and survival outcomes. Methods: Tissue samples were collected from primary or metastatic sites of 49 patients with high grade serous ovarian cancer who had been prescribed a PARPi. A tumor microarray was made and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for MAR, PARP-1, and DDX21 was performed. IHC staining was graded on a 3-point scale. Clinical data collected included demographics, stage, presence of BRCA mutation, cytore-ductive status, time on PARPi, other adjuvant and salvage treatments, and survival outcomes. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression analysis were used to determine the effect of the biomarkers on survival outcomes and time on PARPi. Results: We found longer treatment with PARPi was associated with improved overall survival (p

This conference report summarizes contributed papers and discussions presented at the 10th Asia-Pacific Transport Working Group (APTWG) held at Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea from 13 to 16 June 2023. This year, technical working groups were organized under the following five topics: (A) isotope effects on the transport and physics of isotope mixture plasma, (B) turbulence spreading and coupling in the core-edge scrape-off layer, (C) interplay between MHD topology/instability and turbulent transport (covering the negative triangularity issue), (D) interactions between energetic-particle-driven instability and transport (focusing on cross-scale coupling physics), and (E) model reduction and experiments for validation. Summaries of significant progress from the presentations in the five technical working groups are given.

We have observed a stationary high confinement regime with a double transport barrier (DTB), including both internal and edge transport barriers (ITB and ETB) but without edge-localized modes (ELMs), in KSTAR. The ELM-free DTB phase has high thermal confinement comparable to typical H-mode operation in KSTAR. We investigated the characteristics of the DTB phase through various analyses. Transport analysis shows a reduction of ion heat diffusivity to near neoclassical level after the transition from the ELMy H-mode phase to the DTB phase. This result supports the formation of an ion ITB during the DTB phase. Furthermore, we observed that the DTB phase had an edge thermal transport barrier in the ion temperature profile, comparable to that of the H-mode, without a particle transport barrier at the edge. Peeling-ballooning stability analysis indicates that a lower pressure gradient due to density decrease in the DTB phase is mainly responsible for the ELM-free operation. Linear gyrokinetic analysis shows that the real frequency of the most unstable mode in the core region ( ${\rho _{{\text{tor}}}}$ = 0.32–0.47) is in the ion diamagnetic direction at both H-mode and DTB phases. At the DTB phase, the linear growth rate inside the ITB is reduced by 50% compared to the ITB foot, while the reduction is not shown at the H-mode phase. Further investigation including nonlinear effects will be needed to better understand the unique operation mode, which can contribute to applying the physical mechanism to fusion reactors in the future.

The galaxy cluster A746 ( z = 0.214), featuring a double radio relic system, two isolated radio relics, a possible radio halo, disturbed V-shaped X-ray emission, and intricate galaxy distributions, is a unique and complex merging system. We present a weak-lensing analysis of A746 based on wide-field imaging data from Subaru/Hyper Suprime-Cam observations. The mass distribution is characterized by a main peak, which coincides with the center of the X-ray emission. At this main peak, we detect two extensions toward the north and west tracing the cluster galaxy and X-ray distributions. Despite the ongoing merger, our estimate of the A746 global mass M _500 = 4.4 ± 1.0 × 10 ^14 M _⊙ is consistent with the previous results from Sunyaev-Zel'dovich and X-ray observations. We conclude that reconciling the distributions of mass, galaxies, and intracluster medium with the double radio relic system and other radio features remains challenging.

Intro: Typhoid fever is a major public health issue in low- and middle-income countries. It is transmitted through fecally contaminated food or water and thus improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is considered key to its control. We sought to quantify the association between WASH and typhoid fever. Methods: We updated a previous review by including new findings from the literature indexed in Web of Science, Embase, and PubMed. We kept the search terms, typhoid and case-control, consistent with the previous review. We assessed the risk of bias using the Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I). We categorized WASH exposures according to the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (JMP) classification. We conducted a Bayesian random-effects meta- analysis of odds ratios (ORs) extracted from the studies without a critical risk of bias. Findings: We identified 25 eligible articles including 19 articles from the previous review. Pooled ORs indicated limited hygiene (OR = 2.26, 95% CrI: 1.38 to 3.64), untreated water (OR = 2.21, 95% CrI: 1.53 to 3.48) and using surface water (OR = 2.16, 95% CrI: 1.24 to 3.60) increased odds of culture-confirmed typhoid fever. On the other hand, basic hygiene (OR = 0.6, 95% CrI: 0.38 to 0.97) and treated water (OR = 0.62, 95% CrI: 0.41 to 0.89) reduced odds of culture-confirmed typhoid fever. Conclusion: Our analyses updated quantitative evidence of association between WASH and typhoid fever. Our study findings will be useful to infer actionable insights on the most effective ways to control typhoid fever in low- and middle-income countries. Our analyses also offer a possibility to leverage JMP WASH data to explore potential burden of typhoid fever.

Intro: Bloodstream infections (BSIs), predominantly caused by Escherichia coli, are an increasing clinical challenge. Rapid empiric antimicrobial therapy is vital for management for BSIs, therefore understanding the genotypic basis of resistance can contribute to improving empiric choice. Methods: This study investigates the molecular epidemiology of 669 deduplicated, sequential E. coli isolated from BSI by a regional diagnostic laboratory serving a population of 1.5 million people between January and December 2020. E. coli were sequenced on the Illumina-HiSeq-2500. Sequencing data were interrogated for AMR determinants and phylogenetic relationships. Using a combination of antimicrobial susceptibility and sequencing data, the concordance of antimicrobial resistance prediction based on detection of resistant determinants and resistance was evaluated. Findings: ST131 was the predominantly identified sequence type (20%) harbouring resistance genes associated with ß-lactams, aminoglycosides and sulphonamides. Genotypic-phenotypic concordance across the antimicrobial panel was lowest and highest for amoxicillin-clavulanate and cefotaxime respectively. Phylogenetic relationships showed resistance was dispersed and intermixed with isolates from different phylogroups. Phylogroups represented were: A (5%), B1 (6%), B2 (66%) and D (16%). χ2 analysis of phylogroup B2 versus A and B1 revealed there was a strong association (p

Intro: Salmonella Agona is a non-typhoidal Salmonella known for biofilm production and persistence in the environment and dry food products. S. Agona has been associated with multiple outbreaks and is associated with shedding in pigs, sheep and gulls but little is known about potential carriage in humans or whether large-scale genomic rearrangements play a role in persistent infections. Methods: A review of 2,233 S. Agona isolates from infections in England and associated carriage was undertaken from 2004-2020 in which 1,155 had short read sequencing data available. A representative set of 221 isolates of varying carriage status (Acute, n=77, Convalescent carrier, n=86, Temporary carrier, n=36 and chronic carrier, n = 22) were selected for long read sequencing on the Oxford Nanopore MinION, and genomic arrangement analysis using Socru. The sequence data were also interrogated for AMR determinants, plasmid presence and phylogenetic relationships. Findings: Carriage of S. Agona was present in 6.5% of isolates received at UKHSA (n=144/2,233). Investigation into genome structures of S. Agona revealed both the conserved arrangement GS1.0 and GS25.113, an imbalanced rearrangement where the origin and terminus were much closer together than in GS1.0, producing one very short and one very long replicore. All isolates harboured genotypic resistance to at least 1 antimicrobial class, and many were deemed multi-drug resistant (genotypic resistance to at least 3 classes) with Incl1, IncX1 and colRNAI plasmids most commonly found in the most multi-drug resistant isolates. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that isolates associated with carriage were distributed across the phylogeny intermixed with isolates that caused acute infection. Conclusion: This study reveals that human carriage of S. Agona occurs over a range of timeframes and that the levels of AMR detected across the collection are of concern for treatment of persistent infection. We also identified an unusual genome arrangement using long read sequencing which is undergoing further investigation.

Students' scientific literacy may be improved by the integration of social issues into biology courses, enabling them to make informed decisions on social issues in the context of their scientific knowledge. Additionally, this may allow students to recognize the connection between science and society. Although there are a number of benefits with having students learn about social issues in biology courses, most undergraduate courses may follow a traditional curriculum, which emphasizes the scientific content without framing it in a social context. Here, we investigated whether undergraduate students have been exposed to social issues in previous biology courses and examined how their perceptions changed before and after taking a biology course that incorporated social issues. In surveys, most students reported having no exposure to social issues in biology courses. Most students, especially females and persons excluded because of their ethnicity or race (PEERs), agreed with the integration of social issues in biology courses before taking the course. Students found reflection essays to be a useful tool in allowing them to think and share their thoughts on social issues as well as relate the course content to their personal lives. These results highlight students' interest in learning about social issues from a scientific perspective and how reflection essays may be used to practice applying their knowledge to real-world issues.

Techniques such as direct sequencing and PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) are widely used to analyze the genotypes of livestock. However, these conventional methods have the disadvantage of taking a lot of time and incurring considerable cost. The allele-specific PCR method performs PCR using two primers, and a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotype can be identified through electrophoresis, saving time and cost. Highly accurate results can be obtained by designing specific primers according to the allele of the SNP under study, utilizing primer binding to a complementary matching sequence. In this study, we established a genotyping system with the AS-PCR technique, using SNPs related to the improvement of the meat quality and meat mass of Korean cattle. Using the PRIMER1 program, we designed specific primers for SNPs located at the 3′ end, with one SNP marker in the HSPB1 gene related to meat quantity and two SNP markers in the ADH1C and FASN genes related to meat quality in cattle. AS-PCR was performed on 10 Korean cattle using the primers designed with this system, and the genotypes could be identified by the size of the PCR product amplified as a result of electrophoresis. In the case of the HSPB1 g.2352T > C SNP, the T allele was amplified to 148 bp, and the C allele was amplified to 222 bp. The ADH1C c.-64T > C SNP was amplified to 492 bp at the T allele and 330 bp at the C allele. The FASN g.17924G > A SNP A allele was amplified to 377 bp and the G allele to 507 bp. The results for each SNP genotype were verified using direct sequencing, which showed that the genotypes identified by direct sequencing and the genotypes identified by the AS-PCR method matched exactly. The AS-PCR method therefore appears to be valuable for use in a genotyping system.

The treatment and evacuation of people with lower limb fractures in austere environments presents unique challenges that assistive exoskeletal devices could address. In these dangerous situations, independent mobility for the injured can preserve their vital capabilities so that they can safely evacuate and minimize the need for additional personnel to help. This expert view article discusses how different exoskeleton archetypes could provide independent mobility while satisfying the requisite needs for portability, maintainability, durability, and adaptability to be available and useful within austere environments. The authors also discuss areas of development that would enable exoskeletons to operate more effectively in these scenarios as well as preserve the health of the injured limb so that definitive treatment after evacuation will produce better outcomes.

Determining the sequence of Compton scattering and photoelectric absorption events for a Compton camera system through timing information is difficult due to the finite timing resolution of radiation detectors. The conventional method compares the energies of two sequential events and determines the order of these events. The deep learning method can estimate the sequence of Compton scattering followed by the photoelectric effect better than the conventional method because it determines the sequence based on both energy and positional information of the radiation interaction. The initial information of the deep learning models is the position and energy information, and the input data are then processed in the nodes of the hidden layers. In this study, the performance of deep learning models for Compton sequence estimation and the effect of position information on these methods were investigated. The accuracies of the deep learning method and the conventional comparison method were compared. The weights connecting each node were analyzed to evaluate the effects of position and energy information to determine the Compton sequence.

STAT1a is required for pro-inflammatory responses in macrophages. Here the authors reveal that post-translational modification of STAT1a, ADPribosylation, plays a critical role in enhancer formation and activation, thus modulating IFNγ-stimulated inflammatory responses in macrophages.

Summary: To better understand the functions of non-coding enhancer RNAs (eRNAs), we annotated the estrogen-regulated eRNA transcriptome in estrogen receptor α (ERα)-positive breast cancer cells using PRO-cap and RNA sequencing. We then cloned a subset of the eRNAs identified, fused them to single guide RNAs, and targeted them to their ERα enhancers of origin using CRISPR/dCas9. Some of the eRNAs tested modulated the expression of cognate, but not heterologous, target genes after estrogen treatment by increasing ERα recruitment and stimulating p300-catalyzed H3K27 acetylation at the enhancer. We identified a ∼40 nucleotide functional eRNA regulatory motif (FERM) present in many eRNAs that was necessary and sufficient to modulate gene expression, but not the specificity of activation, after estrogen treatment. The FERM interacted with BCAS2, an RNA-binding protein amplified in breast cancers. The ectopic expression of a targeted eRNA controlling the expression of an oncogene resulted in increased cell proliferation, demonstrating the regulatory potential of eRNAs in breast cancer.

Abstract A breathing pyrochlore system is predicted to host a variety of quantum spin liquids. Despite tremendous experimental and theoretical efforts, such sought-after states remain elusive as perturbation terms and lattice distortions lead to magnetic order. Here, we utilize bond alternation and disorder to tune a magnetic ground state in the Cr-based breathing pyrochlore LiGa1−x In x Cr4O8. By combining thermodynamic and magnetic resonance techniques, we provide experimental signatures of a spin-liquid-like state in x = 0.8, namely, a nearly T 2-dependent magnetic specific heat and persistent spin dynamics by muon spin relaxation (μSR). Moreover, 7Li NMR, ZF-μSR, and ESR unveil the temporal and thermal dichotomy of spin correlations: a tetramer singlet on a slow time scale vs. a spin-liquid-like state on a fast time scale. Our results showcase that a bond disorder in the breathing pyrochlore offers a promising route to disclose exotic magnetic phases.

Abstract Background Human wastewater biosolids, hereafter referred to as biosolids, are produced in significant quantities around the world and often applied to an extensive land mass including agricultural fields, forests, mine lands, and urban areas. Land-application of biosolids has been reported in peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed work to change soil organic carbon stocks in varying amounts. Determining the potential of soil organic carbon (SOC) stock change and sequestration from biosolids land application is critical for biosolids producers and users to gain access to carbon credit markets. Our review question is, "what is the impact of biosolids application on long-term soil carbon sequestration rates?” We look to explore this main question with the follow-up, "does biosolids processing methods and characteristics, application method, soil properties, land management and other modifiers affect rates of carbon accumulation from land-applied biosolids?" Methods Searches will be conducted using online databases (i.e., Web of Science Core Collection, CAB Abstracts, Scopus, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global), search engines (Google Scholar and Microsoft Academic), and specialist websites to find primary field studies and grey literature of biosolids land-application effects on soil organic carbon stocks. We will use English search terms and predefined inclusion criteria of: (1) a field study of at least 24 months that reports soil organic carbon/matter (SOC/SOM) concentrations/stocks; (2) has two types of treatments: (i) a control (non-intervention AND/OR synthetic fertilizer) AND (ii) a biosolids-based amendment; and (3) information of amendment properties and application dates and rates to estimate the relative contribution of the applied materials to SOC changes. We will screen results in two stages: (1) title and abstract and (2) full text. A 10% subset will be screened by two reviewers for inclusion at the title and abstract level and use a kappa analysis to ensure agreement of at least 0.61. All results in the full text stage will be dual screened. Data will be extracted by one person and reviewed by a second person. Critical appraisal will be used to assess studies’ potential bias and done by two reviewers. A meta-analysis using random effects models will be conducted if sufficient data of high enough quality are extracted.

Extremity injuries occur frequently during warfare. While traditionally treated in definitive clinics, the future battlefield is projected to be different in a variety of ways, and there will likely be a shift towards prolonged field care (PFC) for treating extremity traumas. PFC is defined as field medical care that is applied beyond “doctrinal planning time-lines” by a tactical medical practitioner in order to decrease patient mortality and morbidity. At present, there is an urgent need to develop biologically focused technologies for treating extremity injuries in the PFC setting. Herein, the case is made for why rapid advancements in PFC is critical to achieve optimal care for injured Service members in the future, and important design criteria for developing next-generation biologically focused technologies. Finally, a case example—i.e., Gustilo Type III fracture—is presented to illustrate how these biologically focused technologies could be utilized to treat an extremity injury within a PFC environment.

In this study we explore the seasonal variability of the mean winds and diurnal and semidiurnal tidal amplitude and phases, as well as the Reynolds stress components during 2019, utilizing meteor radars at six Southern Hemisphere locations ranging from midlatitudes to polar latitudes. These include Tierra del Fuego, King Edward Point on South Georgia island, King Sejong Station, Rothera, Davis, and McMurdo stations. The year 2019 was exceptional in the Southern Hemisphere, due to the occurrence of a rare minor stratospheric warming in September. Our results show a substantial longitudinal and latitudinal seasonal variability of mean winds and tides, pointing towards a wobbling and asymmetric polar vortex. Furthermore, the derived momentum fluxes and wind variances, utilizing a recently developed algorithm, reveal a characteristic seasonal pattern at each location included in this study. The longitudinal and latitudinal variability of vertical flux of zonal and meridional momentum is discussed in the context of polar vortex asymmetry, spatial and temporal variability, and the longitude and latitude dependence of the vertical propagation conditions of gravity waves. The horizontal momentum fluxes exhibit a rather consistent seasonal structure between the stations, while the wind variances indicate a clear seasonal behavior and altitude dependence, showing the largest values at higher altitudes during the hemispheric winter and two variance minima during the equinoxes. Also the hemispheric summer mesopause and the zonal wind reversal can be identified in the wind variances.

Abstract The structural and mechanical properties of tissue and the interplay between them play a critical role in tissue function. We introduce the optomechanogram, a combined quantitative and qualitative visualization of spatially co-registered measurements of the microstructural and micromechanical properties of any tissue. Our approach relies on the co-registration of two independent platforms, second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy for quantitative assessment of 3D collagen-fiber microstructural organization, and nanoindentation (NI) for local micromechanical properties. We experimentally validate our method by applying to uterine cervix tissue, which exhibits structural and mechanical complexity. We find statistically significant agreement between the micromechanical and microstructural data, and confirm that the distinct tissue regions are distinguishable using either the SHG or NI measurements. Our method could potentially be used for research in pregnancy maintenance, mechanobiological studies of tissues and their constitutive modeling and more generally for the optomechanical metrology of materials.

Previous climate modeling studies demonstrate the ability of feedback-regulated, stratospheric aerosol geoengineering with injection at multiple independent latitudes to meet multiple simultaneous temperature-based objectives in the presence of anthropogenic climate change. However, the impacts of climate change are not limited to rising temperatures but also include changes in precipitation, loss of sea ice, and many more; knowing how a given geoengineering strategy will affect each of these climate metrics is vital to understanding the limits and trade-offs of geoengineering. In this study, we first introduce a new method of visualizing the design space in which desired climate outcomes are represented by 2-D surfaces on a 3-D graph. Surface orientations represent how different injection choices influence that objective, and intersecting surfaces represent objectives which can be met simultaneously. Using this representation as a guide, we present simulations of two new strategies for feedback-regulated aerosol injection, using the Community Earth System Model with the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model – CESM1(WACCM). The first simultaneously manages global mean temperature, tropical precipitation centroid, and Arctic sea ice extent, while the second manages global mean precipitation, tropical precipitation centroid, and Arctic sea ice extent. Both simulations control the tropical precipitation centroid to within 5 % of the goal, and the latter controls global mean precipitation to within 1 % of the goal. Additionally, the first simulation overcompensates sea ice, while the second undercompensates sea ice; all of these results are consistent with the expectations of our design space model. In addition to showing that precipitation-based climate metrics can be managed using feedback alongside other goals, our simulations validate the utility of our design space visualization in predicting our climate model behavior under a given geoengineering strategy, and together they help illustrate the fundamental limits and trade-offs of stratospheric aerosol geoengineering.

Implementation of Principles of Green Chemistry in teaching chemistry can become an essential approach to enhance students’ awareness of the environmental problem. In contrast with the goal of sustainability, chemistry practicum normally deals with chemicals and waste management which contribute to environmental problem. A shift toward more sustainable and economical experiments is essential to maintain the existence of the practicum in the senior high curriculum. Small Scale Chemistry (SSC) practicum is one of the approaches to promote sustainability in chemistry practicum by using smaller scale and safer apparatus. It is expected to produce less waste. It is also safer and more economical chemistry experiment. This research aims to study the integration of principles of green chemistry in chemistry practicum by using SSC experiment. This study investigates two main topics in senior high school chemistry subject: electrochemistry and acid-base indicator. This study has shown the practice of integration of the principles of green chemistry approach into senior high school chemistry practicum through SSC. The experiments demonstrated in this study enable us to integrate Principles of Green Chemistry in terms of preventing waste, using less hazardous chemical, and conducting safer experiments which can be implemented in senior high school chemistry practicum.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have great potential as biomarkers since their composition and concentration in biofluids are disease state dependent and their cargo can contain disease-related information. Large tumor-derived EVs (tdEVs, >1 μm) in blood from cancer patients are associated with poor outcome, and changes in their number can be used to monitor therapy effectiveness. Whereas, small tumor-derived EVs (

We developed an integrated magnetic robot (IMR) that can selectively separate and assemble tethered and untethered magnetic robots. The proposed IMR is composed of a flexible-legged untethered magnetic robot (FLUMR) and a delivery catheter. Assembled magnets (AMs) with zero net magnetic moment are placed at the distal tip of the catheter and the rear part of the FLUMR. A selective separating and assembling (SSA) mechanism was proposed that can control the separating and assembling motion by an external magnetic field (EMF) to generate relative rotational movements between the catheter and FLUMR by selectively producing the attractive and repulsive forces between AMs. Finally, the IMR was prototyped to verify the SSA mechanism, and the separation, mobility, drilling, and retrieval of the developed IMR using SSA mechanism was verified in in vitro experiments.

We developed a magnetic catheter with enhanced steering ability of the distal end by utilizing magnets with optimized magnetization directions. The proposed magnetic catheter is composed of a flexible tube and three-ring magnets that enable the magnetic catheter to be steered by controlling external magnetic fields. We analyzed the curvature of the magnetic catheter’s distal end and the vertical displacement of the magnetic catheter’s proximal end with a mathematical model using the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory, and then determined the optimal magnetization direction of each magnet. Finally, we prototyped the magnetic catheter with optimized magnetization directions and conducted several experiments to verify its effectiveness.

We have proposed a novel image-based feedback control method to enhance the path-following capability for position and orientation of a magnetic catheter at its distal part. The proposed control method uses only a navigation status of the magnetic catheter for manipulation without utilizing complex analytical models. By comparing the positions of two markers of the magnetic catheter relative to a predefined path, we classify the navigation status of the magnetic catheter into four cases and determine the external magnetic field and feeding velocity according to a proposed control algorithm. Finally, we conduct a path-following experiment in an environment with multiple branches to verify the improved position and minimization of the orientation error regarding the path-following capability of the proposed control method.

Abstract Background Epigenetic regulators are frequently mutated or aberrantly expressed in a variety of cancers, leading to altered transcription states that result in changes in cell identity, behavior, and response to therapy. Results To define alterations in epigenetic landscapes in breast cancers, we profiled the distributions of 8 key histone modifications by ChIP-Seq, as well as primary (GRO-seq) and steady state (RNA-Seq) transcriptomes, across 13 distinct cell lines that represent 5 molecular subtypes of breast cancer and immortalized human mammary epithelial cells. Discussion Using combinatorial patterns of distinct histone modification signals, we defined subtype-specific chromatin signatures to nominate potential biomarkers. This approach identified AFAP1-AS1 as a triple negative breast cancer-specific gene associated with cell proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal-transition. In addition, our chromatin mapping data in basal TNBC cell lines are consistent with gene expression patterns in TCGA that indicate decreased activity of the androgen receptor pathway but increased activity of the vitamin D biosynthesis pathway. Conclusions Together, these datasets provide a comprehensive resource for histone modification profiles that define epigenetic landscapes and reveal key chromatin signatures in breast cancer cell line subtypes with potential to identify novel and actionable targets for treatment.

Kenya is highly dependent on precipitation for both food and water security. Farmers and pastoralists rely on rain to provide water for crops and vegetation to feed herds. As such, precipitation forecasts can be useful tools to inform decision makers and potentially allow the preparation for such events as drought. This study assessed the predictability of a seasonal forecast (CFSv2) and a short-term precipitation forecast (CHIRPS-GEFS) over Kenya. The short-term forecast was assessed on its ability to predict the onset date of the rainy season, and the skill of the seasonal forecast in predicting abnormal precipitation patterns. CHIRPS-GEFS provided a useful starting point to estimate the onset date, but during the long rains in the southwest, where agriculture is concentrated, differences between the predicted and actual onset dates were large (over 20 days). Assessments for CFSv2 generally displayed lower forecast skill over highlands and coastal regions at a seasonal scale. The CFSv2 forecast skill varied widely over individual months and lead times, but over whole rainy seasons, CFSv2 was more skillful than a random forecast at all lead times in the major agricultural areas of Kenya. This research fills a critical research and application gap in understanding the forecast precipitation skill for onset and sub-seasonal prediction.

We present the results of analysis of sheath-connected blob dynamics in magnetic field with arbitrary geometry. For the case of magnetic configurations with small curvature of the field lines it is demonstrated that motion of a plasma filament can be described by a single time-independent effective potential. Dynamics of blobs in magnetic fields with non-zero curvature of the field lines is also analyzed and we show that depending on filament dimensions and geometry of the magnetic field blobs can demonstrate different propagation patterns. The qualitative results of the presented analysis are supplied with results of simulations of filament dynamics in sheared and non-sheared tokamak-like magnetic configurations. Keywords: Plasma filaments, Blob dynamics, Magnetic field with arbitrary geometry, Magnetic shear

Tethys Platform is an open source framework for developing web-based applications for Earth Observation data. Our experience shows that Tethys significantly lowers the barrier for cloud-based app development, simplifies the process of accessing scalable distributed cloud computing resources and leverages additional software for data and computationally intensive modeling. The Tethys software development kit allows users to create web apps for visualizing, analyzing, and modeling Earth Observation data. Tethys platform provides a collaborative environment for scientists to develop and deploy several Earth Observation web applications across multiple Tethys portals. We work in partnership with leading regional organizations world-wide to help developing countries use information provided by earth-observing satellites and geospatial technologies for managing climate risks and land use. This paper highlights the several Tethys portals and web applications that were developed as part of this effort. Implementation of the Tethys framework has significantly improved the Application Readiness Level metric for several NASA projects and the potential impact of Tethys to replicate and scale other applied science programs.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the ability of soil physical characteristics (i.e., texture and moisture conditions) to better understand the breeding conditions of desert locust (DL). Though soil moisture and texture are well-known and necessary environmental conditions for DL breeding, in this study, we highlight the ability of model-derived soil moisture estimates to contribute towards broader desert locust monitoring activities. We focus on the recent DL upsurge in East Africa from October 2019 though June 2020, utilizing known locust observations from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). We compare this information to results from the current literature and combine the two datasets to create “optimal thresholds” of breeding conditions. When considering the most optimal conditions (all thresholds met), the soil texture combined with modeled soil moisture content predicted the estimated DL egg-laying period 62.5% of the time. Accounting for the data errors and uncertainties, a 3 × 3 pixel buffer increased this to 85.2%. By including soil moisture, the areas of optimal egg laying conditions decreased from 33% to less than 20% on average.

Mono(ADP-ribosyl)ation (MARylation) is a regulatory post-translational modification of proteins that controls their functions through a variety of mechanisms. MARylation is catalyzed by mono(ADP-ribosyl) transferase (MART) enzymes, a subclass of the poly(ADP-ribosyl) polymerase (PARP) family of enzymes. Although the role of PARPs and poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation) in cellular pathways, such as DNA repair and transcription, is well studied, the role of MARylation and MARTs (i.e., the PARP ‘monoenzymes’) are not well understood. Moreover, compared to PARPs, the development of MART-targeted therapeutics is in its infancy. Recent studies are beginning to shed light on the structural features, catalytic targets, and biological functions of MARTs. The development of new technologies to study MARTs have uncovered essential roles for these enzymes in the regulation of cellular processes, such as RNA metabolism, cellular transport, focal adhesion, and stress responses. These insights have increased our understanding of the biological functions of MARTs in cancers, neuronal development, and immune responses. Furthermore, several novel inhibitors of MARTs have been developed and are nearing clinical utility. In this review, we summarize the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of MARTs and MARylation, as well as recent advances in technology that have enabled detection and inhibition of their activity. We emphasize PARP-7, which is at the forefront of the MART subfamily with respect to understanding its biological roles and the development of therapeutically useful inhibitors. Collectively, the available studies reveal a growing understanding of the biochemistry, chemical biology, physiology, and pathology of MARTs.

Regarding spatial location positioning, indoor location positioning theories based on wireless communication techniques such as Wi-Fi, beacon, UWB and Bluetooth has widely been developing across the world. These techniques are mainly focusing on spatial location detection of customers using fixed wireless APs and unique Tags in the indoor environment. Besides, since existing detection equipment and techniques using ultrasound or sound etc. to detect buried persons and identify survival status for them cause 2nd damages on the collapsed debris for rescuers. In addition, it might take time to check the buried persons. However, the collapsed disaster sites should consider both outdoor and indoor environments because empty spaces under collapsed debris exists. In order to detect buried persons from the empty spaces, we should collect wireless signals with Wi-Fi from their mobile phone. Basically, the Wi-Fi signal measure 2-D location. However, since the buried persons have Z value with burial depth, we also should collect barometer sensor data from their mobile phones in order to measure Z values according to weather conditions. Specially, for quick accessibility to the disaster area, a drone (UAV; Unmanned Arial Vehicle) system, which is equipped with a wireless detection module, was introduced. Using these framework, this study aims to provide the rescuers with effective rescue information by calculating 3-D location for buried persons based on the wireless and barometer sensor fusion.

In arid and semi-arid regions of Eastern and Southern Africa, drought can be devastating to pastoralists who depend on healthy vegetation for their herds. The Kenya Livestock Insurance Program (KLIP) addresses this challenge through its insurance program that relies on a vegetation index product derived from eMODIS NDVI (enhanced Normalized Difference Vegetation Index). Insurance payouts are triggered when index values fall below a certain threshold for a Unit Area of Insurance (UAI). The objective of this study is to produce an updated, cloud-based NDVI product, potentially allowing for earlier payouts that may help herders to prevent, minimize, or offset drought-induced losses. The new product, named reNDVI (rapid enhanced NDVI), provides an updated cloud filtering algorithm and brings the entire processing chain to the cloud. Access to the scripts used for the processing described and resulting data is openly available. To test the performance of the new product, we provide a robust evaluation of reNDVI and eMODIS NDVI and their derived payout indices against historical drought, payouts provided, and mortality data. The implications of potential payout differences are also discussed. The products show good comparability; the monthly average NDVI per UAI has correlation values over 0.95 and MAPD under 5% for most UAIs. However, there are moderate differences when assessing year-to-year payout amounts triggered. Because the payouts are currently calculated based on the 20th and first percentile of index values from 2003–2016, payouts are very sensitive to even small changes in NDVI. Where livestock mortality was available, payouts for reNDVI and eMODIS had similar correlations (r = 0.453 and r = 0.478, respectively) with mortality rates. Therefore, with the potential reduced latency and updated cloud filtering, the reNDVI product could be a suitable replacement for eMODIS in the Kenya Livestock Insurance Program. The updated reNDVI product shows promise as a vegetation index that could address a pressing drought insurance challenge.

We developed a novel magnetic catheter structure that can selectively generate steering and unclogging motions. The proposed magnetic catheter is composed of a flexible tube and two modules with ring magnets that can axially rotate in a way that enables the catheter to independently steer and unclog blood clots by controlling external magnetic fields. We mathematically modeled the deflection of the catheter using the large deflection Euler-Bernoulli beam model and developed a design method to determine the optimal distance between magnets in order to maximize steering performance. Finally, we prototyped the proposed magnetic catheter and conducted several experiments to verify the theoretical model and assess its steering and unclogging capabilities.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a clinically diagnosed, heterogeneous, neurodevelopmental condition, whose underlying causes have yet to be fully determined. A variety of studies have investigated either cortical, subcortical, or cerebellar anatomy in ASD, but none have conducted a complete examination of all neuroanatomical parameters on a single, large cohort. The current study provides a comprehensive examination of brain development of children with ASD between the ages of 4 and 18 years who are carefully matched for age and sex with typically developing controls at a ratio of one-to-two. Two hundred and ten magnetic resonance images were examined from 138 Control (116 males and 22 females) and 72 participants with ASD (61 males and 11 females). Cortical segmentation into 78 brain-regions and 81,924 vertices was conducted with CIVET which facilitated a region-of-interest- (ROI-) and vertex-based analysis, respectively. Volumes for the cerebellum, hippocampus, striatum, pallidum, and thalamus and many associated subregions were derived using the MAGeT Brain algorithm. The study reveals cortical, subcortical and cerebellar differences between ASD and Control group participants. Diagnosis, diagnosis-by-age, and diagnosis-by-sex interaction effects were found to significantly impact total brain volume but not total surface area or mean cortical thickness of the ASD participants. Localized (vertex-based) analysis of cortical thickness revealed no significant group differences, even when age, age-range, and sex were used as covariates. Nonetheless, the region-based cortical thickness analysis did reveal regional changes in the left orbitofrontal cortex and left posterior cingulate gyrus, both of which showed reduced age-related cortical thinning in ASD. Our finding of region-based differences without significant vertex-based results likely indicates non-focal effects spanning the entirety of these regions. The hippocampi, thalamus, and globus pallidus, were smaller in volume relative to total cerebrum in the ASD participants. Various sub-structures showed an interaction of diagnosis-by-age, diagnosis-by-sex, and diagnosis-by-age-range, in the case where age was divided into childhood (age

To rescue peoples in the disaster site in time, information acquisition of current feature of collapsed buildings and terrain is quite important for disaster site rescue manager. Based on information about disaster site, they can accurately plan the rescue process and remove collapsed buildings or other facilities. However, due to the harsh condition of disaster areas, rapid and accurate acquisition of disaster site information is not an easy task. There are possibilities of further damages in the collapse and there are also difficulties in acquiring information about current disaster situation due to large disaster site and limited rescue resources. To overcome these circumstances of disaster sites, an unmanned aerial vehicle, commonly known as a drone is used to rapidly and effectively acquire current image data of the large disaster areas. Then, the procedure of drone-based 3D model reconstruction visualization function of developed system is presented.