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Massive landslides can generate large tsunamis and endanger human lives and properties. While a number of laboratory experiments on either subaerial or submarine landslide‐tsunamis have been conducted, few studies have focused on partially submerged events. The present study aimed to investigate the characteristics of partially submerged landslide‐tsunamis and to develop a predictive equation that can estimate their heights through three‐dimensional laboratory experiments that used 114 different conditions. The experimental results showed that, while waves generated in the landslide sliding direction had around 1.7 times higher amplitude than those propagating laterally in the near‐field region, the wave period, celerity, and wavelength did not alter significantly according to the propagation angles. The effects of wave dispersion were also shown to be significant during the propagation process. Such wave characteristics were consistent with those reported in existing subaerial landslide tsunami experiments conducted by other researchers. Based on the data set obtained, the authors also derived a predictive equation which was confirmed to be able to estimate the results of other experimental studies on partially submerged landslide‐tsunamis with an error of around ±30%, and thus can be helpful for a rapid tsunami hazard assessment. The developed equation indicated that the volume of a landslide could have more than twice the impact on the height of a partially submerged landslide‐tsunami than other parameters. The effects of the landslide size were also shown to be more significant than in the case of a subaerial landslide‐tsunami, though the wave attenuation process was similar in both types. Plain Language Summary: Massive landslides can generate large tsunamis and endanger human lives and properties. While many laboratory experiments on landslide‐generated tsunamis have been conducted, few studies have investigated on partially submerged landslide‐tsunamis. The present study conducted three‐dimensional laboratory experiments on partially submerged landslide‐tsunamis to investigate the characteristics of such waves and to develop a predictive equation of their likely height. The results showed that waves generated in the landslide sliding direction were higher than those generated in the lateral direction, though other wave properties did not change greatly (which is similar to that reported by other researchers for other types of landslide tsunamis). In addition, the results show that partially submerged landslide tsunamis have similar wave propagation properties as those of other types of landslide tsunamis. Based on the experimental results, the authors also derived a predictive equation and confirmed that it can accurately estimate the heights of partially submerged landslide‐tsunamis. The derived equation can be helpful when conducting a rapid tsunami hazard assessment. It was also found that whereas the generation process of a partially submerged landslide‐tsunami is different from a subaerial landslide‐tsunami, the propagation process is similar in both types. Key Points: Three‐dimensional laboratory experiments were conducted on partially submerged landslide‐tsunamisWhile the amplitudes of the generated waves differed according to the propagation angles, other wave properties were not clearly differentThe derived predictive equation is able to estimate the height of the partially submerged landslide‐tsunamis well [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic reprogramming, hallmarked by enhanced glycolysis and reduced mitochondrial activity, is a key event in the early phase of somatic cell reprogramming. Although extensive work has been conducted to identify the mechanisms of mitochondrial remodeling in reprogramming, many questions remain. In this regard, different laboratories have proposed a role in this process for either canonical (ATG5‐dependent) autophagy‐mediated mitochondrial degradation (mitophagy), noncanonical (ULK1‐dependent, ATG5‐independent) mitophagy, mitochondrial fission or reduced biogenesis due to mTORC1 suppression. Clarifying these discrepancies is important for providing a comprehensive picture of metabolic changes in reprogramming. Yet, the comparison among these studies is difficult because they use different reprogramming conditions and mitophagy detection/quantification methods. Here, we have systematically explored mitochondrial remodeling in reprogramming using different culture media and reprogramming factor cocktails, together with appropriate quantification methods and thorough statistical analysis. Our experiments show lack of evidence for mitophagy in mitochondrial remodeling in reprogramming, and further confirm that the suppression of the mTORC1‐PGC1 pathway drives this process. Our work helps to clarify the complex interplay between metabolic changes and nutrient sensing pathways in reprogramming, which may also shed light on other contexts such as development, aging and cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adopting a policy of migration can be one possible adaptation strategy against climate change. It has been forecasted that if the worst predictions regarding climate change and sea level rise become reality atolls around the world could become submerged in the future. This would render them uninhabitable and could lead to questions about whether Atoll Island States could still be considered as States. The international community has been avoiding any commitment to create a convention that would protect people displaced by climate change. In order to solve such potential problems, the authors will argue that a framework of bilateral agreements, initiatives, and national policies could constitute a viable solution for the various interested parties. The article will discuss the characteristics of Atoll Island States, touching on possible solutions for climate change displacement which have been discussed by the governments and civil society of the affected States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transcription factor E2F1 has both oncogenic and tumour suppressor properties, depending on the context. Clarifying the function of E2F1 in different types of cancer is relevant because in those situations in which it acts as an oncogene there may be a route for therapeutic interference. Renal cell carcinoma is the most frequent form of kidney cancer in adults and inactivation of the von Hippel-Lindau ( VHL) gene underlies most cases. This malignancy represents a challenge for standard therapies due to drug- and radio-resistance, effects that fit well within the scope of functions of E2F1. A new report by Mans et al postulates that up-regulation of E2F1 in VHL-defective renal cell carcinoma induces cell senescence and can thus be considered a good prognostic factor. Here we discuss these findings in a wider context and propose that E2F1 may actually not play a uniform role in renal cell carcinoma but rather an ambiguous one whose deeper understanding could have practical implications. Copyright © 2013 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of scientists have recently conducted research that shows that tropical cyclone intensity is likely to increase in the future. This would result in an increase in the damage along with a decrease in economic productivity due to precautionary cessation of the economic activity of the affected areas during the passage of the cyclone. The economic effect of this stop in economic activity is a phenomenon that has not received much attention in the past, and the cumulative effect that it can have on the Japanese economy over the next 75 years has never been evaluated. The starting point for the evaluation of the economic risks is the change in the patterns of tropical cyclone intensity suggested by Knutson and Tuleya. The results obtained show how a significant decrease in the overall productivity of the country could be expected, which could lower GDP by between 6% and 13% by 2085. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, three independent laboratories reported the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from pig (Sus scrofa). This finding sums to the growing list of species (mouse, human, monkey, and rat, in this order) for which successful reprogramming using exogenous factors has been achieved, and multiple others are possibly forthcoming. But apart from demonstrating the universality of the network identified by Shinya Yamanaka, what makes the porcine model so special? On one side, pigs are an agricultural commodity and have an easy and affordable maintenance compared with nonhuman primates that normally need to be imported. On the other side, resemblance (for example, size of organs) of porcine and human physiology is striking and because pigs are a regular source of food the ethical concerns that still remain in monkeys are not applicable. Besides, the prolonged lifespan of pigs compared with other domestic species can allow exhaustive follow up of side effects after transplantation. Porcine iPSCs may thus fill the gap between the mouse model, which due to its ease is preferred for mechanistic studies, and the first clinical trials using iPSCs in humans. However, although these studies are relevant and have created significant interest they face analogous problems that we discuss herein together with potential new directions. © 2010 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 62(4): 277–282, 2010 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]