Explore the vast range of titles available.

Multiple processes transport carbon into the deep ocean as part of the biological carbon pump, leading to long-term carbon sequestration. However, our ability to predict future changes in these processes is hampered by the absence of studies that have simultaneously quantified all carbon pump pathways. Here, we quantify carbon export and sequestration in the California Current Ecosystem resulting from (1) sinking particles, (2) active transport by diel vertical migration, and (3) the physical pump (subduction + vertical mixing of particles). We find that sinking particles are the most important and export 9.0 mmol C m −2 d −1 across 100-m depth while sequestering 3.9 Pg C. The physical pump exports more carbon from the shallow ocean than active transport (3.8 vs. 2.9 mmol C m −2 d −1 ), although active transport sequesters more carbon (1.0 vs. 0.8 Pg C) because of deeper remineralization depths. We discuss the implications of these results for understanding biological carbon pump responses to climate change. Biological carbon pump pathways combine to transport organic carbon into the deep ocean. This study shows that sinking particles sequester 4 Pg C, active transport sequesters 1 Pg C, and subduction sequesters 0.8 Pg C in the California Current Ecosystem.

The high rate of antigenic drift in seasonal influenza viruses necessitates frequent changes in vaccine composition. Recent seasonal H3 vaccines do not protect against swine-origin H3N2 variant (H3N2v) strains that recently have caused severe human infections. Here, we report a human V H 1-69 gene-encoded monoclonal antibody (mAb) designated H3v-47 that exhibits potent cross-reactive neutralization activity against human and swine H3N2 viruses that circulated since 1989. The crystal structure and electron microscopy reconstruction of H3v-47 Fab with the H3N2v hemagglutinin (HA) identify a unique epitope spanning the vestigial esterase and receptor-binding subdomains that is distinct from that of any known neutralizing antibody for influenza A H3 viruses. MAb H3v-47 functions largely by blocking viral egress from infected cells. Interestingly, H3v-47 also engages Fcγ receptor and mediates antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). This newly identified conserved epitope can be used in design of novel immunogens for development of broadly protective H3 vaccines. Broadly neutralizing antibodies are potential therapeutics and can aid rational vaccine development. Here, the authors show that the human monoclonal antibody H3v-47 recognizes a highly conserved epitope in HA of H3N2 viruses, inhibits virus replication by blocking egress and other mechanisms, and protects mice from disease.

The prevalence of new psychoactive substances (NPSs) in forensic casework has increased prominently in recent years. This has given rise to significant legal and analytical challenges in the identification of these substances. The requirement for validated, robust and rapid testing methodologies for these compounds is obvious. This study details the analysis of 13 synthesised diphenidine derivatives encountered in casework using presumptive testing, thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Specifically, the validated GC-MS method provides, for the first time, both a general screening method and quantification of the active components for seized solid samples, both in their pure form and in the presence of common adulterants. Graphical Abstract Chemical synthesis and forensic analysis of 13 diphenidine-derived new psychoactive substance(s)

Although research into the determinants of service provider switching has grown in recent years, the focus has been predominantly on transactional, not relational, variables. In this research, the authors address the role of consumer commitment on consumers' intentions to switch. Drawing from the organizational behavior literature, they build on previous service switching research by developing a switching model that includes a three-component conceptualization of customer commitment. Structural equation modeling is used to test the model based on data from a survey of 356 auto repair service customers. The authors' results support the notion that customer commitment affects intentions to switch service providers and that the psychological states underlying that commitment may differ. As such, future marketing research should consider these different forms of commitment in understanding customer retention. The implications of this model for theory and practice are discussed. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Abstract A Product-Service System (PSS) is an integrated combination of products and services. This Western concept embraces a service-led competitive strategy, environmental sustainability, and the basis to differentiate from competitors who simply offer lower priced products. This paper aims to report the state-of-the-art of PSS research by presenting a clinical review of literature currently available on this topic. The literature is classified and the major outcomes of each study are addressed and analysed. On this basis, this paper defines the PSS concept, reports on its origin and features, gives examples of applications along with potential benefits and barriers to adoption, summarizes available tools and methodologies, and identifies future research challenges.

Oil spill responders require information on the absolute and relative toxicities of chemical dispersants to relevant receptor species to assess their use in spill response. However, little toxicity data are available for tropical marine species including reef-building corals. In this study, we experimentally assessed the sub-lethal toxicity of five dispersants to larvae of the coral Acropora millepora over three short exposure periods (2, 6 and 24 h) reflecting real-world spill response scenario durations. Inhibition of larval settlement increased rapidly between 2 and 6 h, and was highest at 24 h: EC 50 Corexit EC9500A = 4.0 mg l −1 ; Ardrox 6120 = 4.0 mg l −1 ; Slickgone LTSW = 2.6 mg L −1 ; Slickgone NS = 11.1 mg L −1 and Finasol OSR52 = 3.4 mg L −1 . Coral larvae were more sensitive to dispersants than most other coral life stages and marine taxa, but the toxic thresholds (EC 10 s) exceeded most realistic environmental dispersant concentrations. Estimating toxic threshold values for effects of dispersants on coral should benefit the decision-making of oil spill responders by contributing to the development of species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) for dispersant toxicity, and by informing net environmental benefit assessment (NEBA) for dispersant use.

The response of charge to externally applied electric fields is an important basic property of any material system, as well as one critical for many applications. Here, we examine the behaviour and dynamics of charges fully confined on the nanometre length scale. This is accomplished using CdSe nanocrystals 1 , 2 , 3 of controlled radius (1–2.5 nm) as prototype quantum systems. Individual electron–hole pairs are created at room temperature within these structures by photoexcitation and are probed by terahertz (THz) electromagnetic pulses 4 . The electronic response is found to be instantaneous even for THz frequencies, in contrast to the behaviour reported in related measurements for larger nanocrystals 5 and nanocrystal assemblies 6 , 7 . The measured polarizability of an electron–hole pair (exciton) amounts to ∼10 4  Å 3 and scales approximately as the fourth power of the nanocrystal radius. This size dependence and the instantaneous response reflect the presence of well-separated electronic energy levels induced in the system by strong quantum-confinement effects.

H7N9 avian influenza virus is a zoonotic influenza virus of public health concern, with a 39% mortality rate in humans. H7N9-specific prevention or treatments for humans have not been approved. We previously isolated a human monoclonal antibody (mAb) designated H7-235 that broadly reacts to diverse H7 viruses and neutralizes H7N9 viruses in vitro. Here, we report the crystal structure of H7 HA1 bound to the fragment antigen-binding region (Fab) of recombinant H7-235 (rH7-235). The crystal structure revealed that rH7-235 recognizes residues near but outside of the receptor binding site (RBS). Nevertheless, the rH7-235 IgG potently inhibits hemagglutination mediated by H7N9 viruses due to avidity effect and Fc steric hindrance. This mAb prophylactically protects mice against weight loss and death caused by challenge with lethal H7N9 viruses in vivo. rH7-235 mAb neutralizing activity alone is sufficient for protection when used at a high dose in a prophylactic setting. This study provides insights into mechanisms of viral neutralization by protective, broadly reactive anti-H7 antibodies, informing the rational design of therapeutics and vaccines against H7N9 influenza virus.