Search

Abstract Plant breeders are generally reluctant to cross elite crop cultivars with their wild relatives to introgress novel desirable traits due to associated negative traits such as pod shattering. This results in a genetic bottleneck that could be reduced through better understanding of the genomic locations of the gene(s) controlling this trait. We integrated information on parental genomes, pod shattering data from multiple environments, and high‐density genetic linkage maps to identify pod shattering quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in three lentil interspecific recombinant inbred line populations. The broad‐sense heritability on a multi‐environment basis varied from 0.46 (in LR‐70, Lens culinaris × Lens odemensis) to 0.77 (in LR‐68, Lens orientalis × L. culinaris). Genetic linkage maps of the interspecific populations revealed reciprocal translocations of chromosomal segments that differed among the populations, and which were associated with reduced recombination. LR‐68 had a 2–5 translocation, LR‐70 had 1–5, 2–6, and 2–7 translocations, and LR‐86 had a 2–7 translocation in one parent relative to the other. Segregation distortion was also observed for clusters of single nucleotide polymorphisms on multiple chromosomes per population, further affecting introgression. Two major QTL, on chromosomes 4 and 7, were repeatedly detected in the three populations and contain several candidate genes. These findings will be of significant value for lentil breeders to strategically access novel superior alleles while minimizing the genetic impact of pod shattering from wild parents.

Detections of slow slip events (SSEs) are now common along most plate boundary fault systems at the global scale. However, no such event has been described in the south Peru - north Chile subduction zone so far, except for the early preparatory phase of the 2014 Iquique earthquake. We use geodetic template matching on GNSS-derived time series of surface motion in Northern Chile to extract SSEs hidden within the geodetic noise. We detect 33 events with durations ranging from 9 to 40 days and magnitudes from Mw 5.6 to 6.2. The moment released by these aseismic events seems to scale with the cube of their duration, suggesting a dynamic comparable to that of earthquakes. We compare the distribution of SSEs with the distribution of coupling along the megathrust derived using Bayesian inference on GNSS- and InSAR-derived interseismic velocities. From this comparison, we obtain that most SSEs occur in regions of intermediate coupling where the megathrust transitions from locked to creeping or where geometrical complexities of the interplate region have been proposed. We finally discuss the potential role of fluids as a triggering mechanism for SSEs in the area.

Geospatial data have been transformative for the monitoring of the Earth, yet, as in the case of (geo) physical monitoring, the measurements can have variable spatial and temporal sampling and may be associated with a significant level of perturbations degrading the signal quality. Denoising geospatial data is, therefore, essential, yet often challenging because the observations may comprise noise coming from different sources, including both environmental signals and instrumental artifacts, which can be spatially and temporally correlated, thus hard to disentangle. This study addresses the denoising of multivariate time series acquired by irregularly distributed networks of sensors, requiring specific methods to handle the spatiotemporal correlation of the noise and the signal of interest. Specifically, our method focuses on the denoising of geodetic position time series, used to monitor ground displacement worldwide with centimeter-to-millimeter precision. Among the signals affecting global navigation satellite system (GNSS) data, slow slip events (SSEs) are of interest to seismologists. These are transients of deformation that are weakly emerging compared to other signals. Here, we design SSEdenoiser, a multistation spatiotemporal graph-based attentive denoiser that learns latent characteristics of GNSS noise to reveal SSE-related displacement with submillimeter precision. It is based on the key combination of graph recurrent networks and spatiotemporal Transformers. The proposed method is applied to the Cascadia subduction zone, where SSEs occur along with bursts of tectonic tremors, a seismic rumbling identified from independent seismic recordings. The extracted events match the spatiotemporal evolution of tremors. This good space–time correlation of the denoised GNSS signals with the tremors validates the proposed denoising procedure.

Abstract Subduction zones are home to the world’s largest and deepest earthquakes. Recently, large-scale interactions between shallow (0-60 km) and intermediate (80-150 km) seismicity have been evidenced during the interseismic period but also before and after megathrust earthquakes along with large-scale changes in surface motion. Large-scale deformation transients following major earthquakes have also been observed possibly due to a post-seismic change in slab pull or to a bending/unbending of the plates, which suggests the existence of interactions between the deep and shallow parts of the slab. In this study, we analyze the spatio-temporal variations of the declustered seismicity in Japan from 2000 to 2011/3/11 and from 2011/3/11 to 2013/3/11. We observe that the background rate of the intermediate to deep (150-450 km) seismicity underwent a deceleration of 55% south of the rupture zone and an acceleration of 30% north of it after the Tohoku-oki earthquake, consistent with the GPS surface displacements. This shows how a megathrust earthquake can affect the stress state of the slab over a 2500 km lateral range and a large depth range, demonstrating that earthquakes interact at a much greater scale than the surrounding rupture zone usually considered.

Documenting the interplay between slow deformation and seismic ruptures is essential to understand the physics of earthquakes nucleation. However, slow deformation is often difficult to detect and characterize. The most pervasive seismic markers of slow slip are low-frequency earthquakes (LFEs) that allow resolving deformation at minute-scale. Detecting LFEs is hard, due to their emergent onsets and low signal-to-noise ratios, usually requiring region-specific template matching approaches. These approaches suffer from low flexibility and might miss LFEs as they are constrained to sources identified a priori. Here, we develop a deep learning-based workflow for LFE detection and location, modeled after classical earthquake detection with phase picking, phase association, and location. Across three regions with known LFE activity, we detect LFEs from both previously cataloged sources and newly identified sources. Furthermore, the approach is transferable across regions, enabling systematic studies of LFEs in regions without known LFE activity.

Abstract Slow slip events (SSEs) originate from a slow slippage on faults that lasts from a few days to years. A systematic and complete mapping of SSEs is key to characterizing the slip spectrum and understanding its link with coeval seismological signals. Yet, SSE catalogues are sparse and usually remain limited to the largest events, because the deformation transients are often concealed in the noise of the geodetic data. Here we present a multi-station deep learning SSE detector applied blindly to multiple raw (non-post-processed) geodetic time series. Its power lies in an ultra-realistic synthetic training set, and in the combination of convolutional and attention-based neural networks. Applied to real data in Cascadia over the period 2007–2022, it detects 78 SSEs, that compare well to existing independent benchmarks: 87.5% of previously catalogued SSEs are retrieved, each detection falling within a peak of tremor activity. Our method also provides useful proxies on the SSE duration and may help illuminate relationships between tremor chatter and the nucleation of the slow rupture. We find an average day-long time lag between the slow deformation and the tremor chatter both at a global- and local-temporal scale, suggesting that slow slip may drive the rupture of nearby small asperities.

Abstract Various earthquake models predict that aseismic slip modulates the seismic rupture process but actual observations of such seismic‐aseismic interaction are scarce. We analyze seismic and aseismic processes during the 2014 Iquique earthquake sequence. High‐rate Global Positioning System displacements demonstrate that most of the early afterslip is located downdip of the M 8.1 mainshock and is accompanied by decaying aftershock activity. An intriguing secondary afterslip peak is located ∼120 km south of the mainshock epicenter. The area of this secondary afterslip peak likely acted as a barrier to the propagating mainshock rupture and delayed the M 7.6 largest aftershock, which occurred 27 hr later. Interevent seismicity in this secondary afterslip area ended with a M 6.1 near the largest aftershock epicenter, kicking the largest aftershock rupture in the same area. Hence, the interevent afterslip likely promoted the largest aftershock nucleation by destabilizing its source area, favoring a rate‐dependent cascade‐up model.

We analyze at a broad spatial scale the slab seismicity during one of the longest and best recorded foreshock sequence of a subduction earthquake to date: the M8.1 2014 Iquique earthquake in Chile. We observe the synchronisation of this sequence with seismic events occurring in the deep slab (depth ~100km). This synchronisation supports the existence of long-range seismic bursts already observed in the Japan Trench subduction. It suggests that, like for the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, the deep slab was involved in the nucleation process of the Iquique earthquake. We interpret these observations by the presence of pressure pulses propagating in transient fluid channels linking the deep slab where dehydration occurs to the shallow seismogenic zone before the earthquake. These observations may seem surprising but they are in line with the short-lived pulse-like channelized water escape from the dehydration zone predicted by recent studies in slab mineralogy and geochemistry.

Abstract We deployed a dense geodetic and seismological network in the Atacama seismic gap in Chile. We derive a microseismicity catalog of >30,000 events, time series from 70 GNSS stations, and utilize a transdimensional Bayesian inversion to estimate interplate locking. We identify two highly locked regions of different sizes whose geometries appear to control seismicity patterns. Interface seismicity concentrates beneath the coastline, just downdip of the highest locking. A region with lower locking (27.5°S–27.7°S) coincides with higher seismicity levels, a high number of repeating earthquakes and events extending toward the trench. This area is situated where the Copiapó Ridge is subducted and has shown previous indications of both seismic and aseismic slip, including an earthquake sequence in 2020. While these findings suggest that the structure of the downgoing oceanic plate prescribes patterns of interplate locking and seismicity, we note that the Taltal Ridge further north lacks a similar signature.

Cryptic faults concern earthquake scientists, since they pose a hidden seismic potential which is hard to identify. To address this, the authors here study off-fault deformed geomorphic markers such as marine terraces using high-resolution LiDAR topography, optical dating of sediments and space geodetic observations.

We apply a template matching method on GNSS data for stations located in Honshu, Japan, to detect slow slip events associated with the subducting Philippine Sea and Pacific plates during the period from 1997 to 2020. A measure of the minimum detectable moment magnitude is proposed, from which we infer that the method could potentially detect SSEs as small as Mw 5.2 on the westernmost part of the Philippine Sea plate and Mw 6 on the Pacific plate below Honshu eastern coastline. We find 12 slow slip events on the Philippine Sea plate, among which eight are located on the known Boso slow slip event asperity and the four others are located offshore north‐east relative to the Boso SSEs, at the transition with the Pacific plate. We find 9 SSEs on the Pacific plate, mainly on the northern section, offshore Iwate prefecture. A clear gap with no SSEs coincides with the main asperity that broke during the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. Most event locations correlate with low locking areas. We do not find any clear temporal pattern apart from the regular occurrence of the largest Boso SSEs. Plain Language Summary: Slow earthquakes are known to occur in northern Japan, especially off the Boso Peninsula. They are however harder to detect on the Pacific plate, likely due to their small sizes and/or their remoteness. We here apply a method that search for such slow ruptures, that process all the GNSS stations at once so to improve the signal‐to‐noise ratio. We find 21 such events, 13 of them being so far unrecognized. A clear lack of slow slip events is observed for the asperity that broke during the 2011 Tohoku‐Oki earthquake. The absence of any regular pattern, outside the well‐known Boso slow ruptures, is noticed, implying that the role of these events in the overall seismic cycle is still unclear for the Pacific plate subduction zone. Key Points: We search for slow slip events along the northern Japan subduction zones using a template matching approach on GNSS time series (1997–2020)We find 12 slow slip events on the Philippine Sea plate and 9 on the Pacific plate, coinciding with low locking areasA large gap devoid of any SSE correlates with the locked asperity of the 2011 M9 Tohoku‐Oki earthquake [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The (re)attribution of place names plays a significant yet subtle role in the production of spatial and national identity. Since 1948, the Israeli administration has endeavoured to Hebraize (therefore Judaize) the space in the Israel Palestine region. Yet, Arabic names of major neighbourhoods within Jerusalem have survived while their Palestinian residents have not been allowed to return since they fled or were expelled in 1948. This article explores this toponymic paradox. After delving into the Israeli efforts to create and maintain an (almost) exclusive Hebraized landscape and the variety of ensuing toponymic clashes, this paper examines different reasons that might explain the ‘resistance’ of Arabic names in areas of Israel’s proclaimed capital city. Using concepts such as toponymic attachment and place identity, this paper reveals much about the strength of traditional naming practices versus imposed policies, including in contexts of disputed territories where the Other’s toponyms tend to represent a threat to One’s narrative of the land.

On November 11, 2019, a M$_{\mathrm{w}}$ 4.9 earthquake hit the region close to Montelimar (lower Rhône Valley, France), on the eastern margin of the Massif Central close to the external part of the Alps. Occuring in a moderate seismicity area, this earthquake is remarkable for its very shallow focal depth (between 1 and 3 km), its magnitude, and the moderate to large damages it produced in several villages. InSAR interferograms indicated a shallow rupture about 4 km long reaching the surface and the reactivation of the ancient NE–SW La Rouvière normal fault in reverse faulting in agreement with the present-day E–W compressional tectonics. The peculiarity of this earthquake together with a poor coverage of the epicentral region by permanent seismological and geodetic stations triggered the mobilisation of the French post-seismic unit and the broad French scientific community from various institutions, with the deployment of geophysical instruments (seismological and geodesic stations), geological field surveys, and field evaluation of the intensity of the earthquake. Within 7 days after the mainshock, 47 seismological stations were deployed in the epicentral area to improve the Le Teil aftershocks locations relative to the French permanent seismological network (RESIF), monitor the temporal and spatial evolution of microearthquakes close to the fault plane and temporal evolution of the seismic response of 3 damaged historical buildings, and to study suspected site effects and their influence in the distribution of seismic damage. This seismological dataset, completed by data owned by different institutions, was integrated in a homogeneous archive and distributed through FDSN web services by the RESIF data center. This dataset, together with observations of surface rupture evidences, geologic, geodetic and satellite data, will help to unravel the causes and rupture mechanism of this earthquake, and contribute to account in seismic hazard assessment for earthquakes along the major regional Cévenne fault system in a context of present-day compressional tectonics.

Abstract Background Quantitative and qualitative assessment of visual and morphological traits of seed is slow and imprecise with potential for bias to be introduced when gathered with handheld tools. Colour, size and shape traits can be acquired from properly calibrated seed images. New automated tools were requested to improve data acquisition efficacy with an emphasis on developing research workflows. Results A portable imaging system (BELT) supported by image acquisition and analysis software (phenoSEED) was created for small-seed optical analysis. Lentil (Lens culinaris L.) phenotyping was used as the primary test case. Seeds were loaded into the system and all seeds in a sample were automatically individually imaged to acquire top and side views as they passed through an imaging chamber. A Python analysis script applied a colour calibration and extracted quantifiable traits of seed colour, size and shape. Extraction of lentil seed coat patterning was implemented to further describe the seed coat. The use of this device was forecasted to eliminate operator biases, increase the rate of acquisition of traits, and capture qualitative information about traits that have been historically analyzed by eye. Conclusions Increased precision and higher rates of data acquisition compared to traditional techniques will help to extract larger datasets and explore more research questions. The system presented is available as an open-source project for academic and non-commercial use.

Abstract Background Concern about intoxication by e-liquid is growing as calls to poison control centers have increased since their introduction. Only three cases of intoxication by injection have been reported worldwide. Our case is unique because of the precise follow-up of a patient who survived a lethal dose of self-injected e-liquid, without other co-intoxication. Case presentation A 51-year-old male presented to the Emergency Department after injecting himself intravenously (IV) in the forearm with 10 mL of e-liquid (1000 mg of nicotine diluted in propylene glycol). An agitation phase was followed by coma and bradypnoea requiring mechanical ventilation. The patient developed a transitory neurological impairment with the appearance of tetraparesis, gaze palsy and myoclonus due to nicotinic syndrome. The arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis confirmed uncompensated lactic acidosis with an elevated anion gap, which is an expected effect of propylene glycol. The toxicology screen indicated the presence of nicotine and cotinine in the blood and excluded the presence of concomitant intoxication. The patient recovered without sequelae. Conclusion Even a small quantity of intravenous (IV) e-liquid can lead to an acute intoxication and fatal outcomes due to the toxic effects of nicotine. This case might help emergency doctors cope with acute intoxication by injection of e-liquid and increase their comprehension of the two main substances, nicotine and propylene glycol with overview of their pharmacodynamics and kinetic effects.

This study was a phase III, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a seasonal trivalent split, inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) in healthy Serbian adults between the ages of 18 and 65 years. This egg-based vaccine was manufactured by the Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera, Torlak, Belgrade, Serbia. A total of 480 participants were assigned randomly in a ratio of 2:1 to receive a single intramuscular dose (0.5 ml) of the vaccine (15 µg of hemagglutinin per strain) or placebo (phosphate-buffered saline). Participants were monitored for safety, including solicited and unsolicited adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs). No SAEs related to vaccination were reported. Injection site pain (51.3%), injection site tenderness (40.4%), tiredness (17.0%), and headache (15.1%) were the most commonly reported solicited events in the vaccine group. Incidence of related unsolicited AEs was low (1.3%) among vaccinees. Hemagglutinin inhibition (HAI) titers were measured before and 21 days after vaccination in 151 participants. Overall, HAI seroconversion rates to H1 and H3 were observed in 90.1% and 76.2% of vaccinees, respectively. For B antigen, it was 51.5%, likely due to high pre-vaccination titers. Post-vaccination seroprotection rates were in the range of 78.2–95.0% for the three antigens. Post-vaccination geometric mean titers (GMT) were at least 3.8 times higher than baseline levels for all the three strains among vaccinees. Overall, the study showed that the vaccine was safe and well tolerated, and induced a robust immune response against all three vaccine strains. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02935192, October 17, 2016

This study was a phase I double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a Serbian-produced seasonal trivalent split, inactivated influenza vaccine in healthy adults. The vaccine was manufactured in eggs by the Torlak Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera, Belgrade, Serbia and contained A/H1N1, A/H3N2 and B viruses. The clinical trial took place at the Clinical Center of Serbia in Belgrade. Sixty healthy volunteers, aged 18–45 years, were enrolled in the trial. On the day of immunization, volunteers were randomly assigned to receive either a single dose of the trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine (15 μg of hemagglutinin per strain) or placebo (phosphate-buffered saline). Subjects were monitored for adverse events through a clinical history and physical examination, and blood was taken for testing at screening and on day 8 to assess vaccine safety. Serum samples obtained before and 21 days after immunization were tested for influenza antibody titers using hemagglutination-inhibition (HAI) and microneutralization (MN) tests. No serious adverse events were reported. Pain and tenderness at the injection site were the most commonly reported symptoms in both vaccine and placebo groups. Overall, serum HAI responses of fourfold or greater magnitude were observed to H1, H3, and B antigen in 80%, 75%, and 70% of subjects, respectively. Seroprotection rates as measured by HAI were also high (100%, 100% and 86.67%, respectively, for H1, H3 and B). Thus, Torlak's seasonal trivalent influenza vaccine was not associated with adverse events, was well-tolerated and immunogenic. It should be further evaluated in clinical trials to provide sufficient safety and immunogenicity data for licensing in Serbia.