Micrometre-scale deformation observations reveal fundamental controls on geological rifting

Many of the world’s largest volcanic eruptions are associated with geological rifting where major fractures open at the Earth’s surface, yet fundamental controls on the near-surface response to the rifting process are lacking. New high resolution observations gleaned from seismometer data during the 2014 Bárðarbunga basaltic dyke intrusion in Iceland allow us unprecedented access to the associated graben formation process on both sub-second and micrometre scales. We find that what appears as quasi steady-state near-surface rifting on lower resolution GPS observation comprises discrete staccatolike deformation steps as the upper crust unzips through repetitive low magnitude (MW < 0) failures on fracture patches estimated between 300 m2 and 1200 m2 in size. Stress drops for these events are one to two orders of magnitude smaller than expected for tectonic earthquakes, demonstrating that the uppermost crust in the rift zone is exceptionally weak

Knockout of the Bcmo1 gene results in an inflammatory response in female lung, which is suppressed by dietary beta-carotene

Beta-carotene 15,15′-monooxygenase 1 knockout (Bcmo1−/−) mice accumulate beta-carotene (BC) similarly to humans, whereas wild-type (Bcmo1+/+) mice efficiently cleave BC. Bcmo1−/− mice are therefore suitable to investigate BC-induced alterations in gene expression in lung, assessed by microarray analysis. Bcmo1−/− mice receiving control diet had increased expression of inflammatory genes as compared to BC-supplemented Bcmo1−/− mice and Bcmo1+/+ mice that received either control or BC-supplemented diets. Differential gene expression in Bcmo1−/− mice was confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR. Histochemical analysis indeed showed an increase in inflammatory cells in lungs of control Bcmo1−/− mice. Supported by metabolite and gene-expression data, we hypothesize that the increased inflammatory response is due to an altered BC metabolism, resulting in an increased vitamin A requirement in Bcmo1−/− mice. This suggests that effects of BC may depend on inter-individual variations in BC-metabolizing enzymes, such as the frequently occurring human polymorphisms in BCMO1

New genetic loci link adipose and insulin biology to body fat distribution.

Body fat distribution is a heritable trait and a well-established predictor of adverse metabolic outcomes, independent of overall adiposity. To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of body fat distribution and its molecular links to cardiometabolic traits, here we conduct genome-wide association meta-analyses of traits related to waist and hip circumferences in up to 224,459 individuals. We identify 49 loci (33 new) associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and an additional 19 loci newly associated with related waist and hip circumference measures (P < 5 × 10(-8)). In total, 20 of the 49 waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI loci show significant sexual dimorphism, 19 of which display a stronger effect in women. The identified loci were enriched for genes expressed in adipose tissue and for putative regulatory elements in adipocytes. Pathway analyses implicated adipogenesis, angiogenesis, transcriptional regulation and insulin resistance as processes affecting fat distribution, providing insight into potential pathophysiological mechanisms

Genetic associations at 53 loci highlight cell types and biological pathways relevant for kidney function.

Reduced glomerular filtration rate defines chronic kidney disease and is associated with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. We conducted a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), combining data across 133,413 individuals with replication in up to 42,166 individuals. We identify 24 new and confirm 29 previously identified loci. Of these 53 loci, 19 associate with eGFR among individuals with diabetes. Using bioinformatics, we show that identified genes at eGFR loci are enriched for expression in kidney tissues and in pathways relevant for kidney development and transmembrane transporter activity, kidney structure, and regulation of glucose metabolism. Chromatin state mapping and DNase I hypersensitivity analyses across adult tissues demonstrate preferential mapping of associated variants to regulatory regions in kidney but not extra-renal tissues. These findings suggest that genetic determinants of eGFR are mediated largely through direct effects within the kidney and highlight important cell types and biological pathways

Relating gas ascent to eruption triggering for the April 27, 2016, White Island (Whakaari), New Zealand eruption sequence

The April 27, 2016 eruption sequence at White Island was comprised of 6 discrete eruptive events that occurred over a 35-min period. Seismicity included three episodes of VLP activity: the first occurring ~ 2 h and a second occurring 10 min prior to the first eruption. A third larger VLP event occurred just prior to the fourth eruption. A VLP source depth of 800–1000 m below the vent is obtained from an analysis of the waveform semblance, and a volumetric source is obtained from waveform inversion of the largest VLP event. Lag times between VLP occurrence and eruption onsets provide an opportunity to examine gas migration and stress transfer models as potential triggers to the eruptive activity. Plausible lag times for a deep gas pulse to the surface are obtained by application of a TOUGH2 computational model which suggests propagation times of 0.25–1.9 m/s and are informed by previously measured White Island rock porosities and permeabilities. Results suggest that pre-eruption VLP may be plausibly linked to advection of gas from the VLP source at a magmatic carapace located ~ 800–1000 m depth. Alternatively, the large VLP that occurred just prior to the fourth eruption may be linked to a quasi-dynamic or quasi-static stress perturbation.European Commission - Seventh Framework Programme (FP7)Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Ltd. (GNS Science)New Zealand Strategic Science Investment Funding (SSIF) from the New Zealand Ministry of Business and Innovation (MBIE

Nanostructured Black Silicon as a Stable and Surface-Sensitive Platform for Time-Resolved In Situ Electrochemical Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy.

Attenuated total reflection surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (ATR-SEIRAS) is a powerful method for probing interfacial chemical processes. However, SEIRAS-active nanostructured metallic thin films for the in situ analysis of electrochemical phenomena are often unstable under biased aqueous conditions. In this work, we present a surface-enhancing structure based on etched black Si internal reflection elements with Au-coatings for in situ electrochemical ATR-SEIRAS. Using electrochemical potential-dependent adsorption and desorption of 4-methoxypyridine on Au, we demonstrate that black Si-based substrates offer advantages over commonly used structures, such as electroless-deposited Au on Si and electrodeposited Au on ITO-coated Si, due to the combination of high stability, sensitivity, and conductivity. These characteristics are especially valuable for time-resolved measurements where stable substrates are required over extended times. Furthermore, the low sheet resistance of Au layers on black Si reduces the RC time constant of the electrochemical cell, enabling a significantly higher time resolution compared to that of traditional substrates. Thus, we employ black Si-based substrates in conjunction with rapid- and step-scan Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to investigate the adsorption and desorption kinetics of 4-methoxypyridine during in situ electrochemical potential steps. Adsorption is shown to be diffusion-limited, which allows for the determination of the mean molecular area in a fully established monolayer. Moreover, no significant changes in the peak ratios of vibrational modes with different orientations relative to the molecular axis are observed, suggesting a single adsorption mode and no alteration of the average molecular orientation during the adsorption process. Overall, this study highlights the enhanced performance of black Si-based substrates for both steady-state and time-resolved in situ electrochemical ATR-SEIRAS, providing a powerful platform for kinetic and mechanistic investigations of electrochemical interfaces

Insights into fluid transport mechanisms at White Island from analysis of coupled very long-period (VLP), long-period (LP) and high-frequency (HF) earthquakes

The August 2012 to October 2013 White Island unrest sequence included 5 explosive volcanic eruptions and emplacement of a small dome. These events were linked to an overall increase in SO2 and H2S gas flux and RSAM seismic tremor which began in late 2011. Prior to this unrest, a small swarm of 25 events was observed on 19–21 August 2011 and captured on a temporary seismic array including 14 broadband sensors. Each event comprised coupled pulses having distinct high frequency (HF = 2–5 Hz), long-period (LP = 0.5–1.1 Hz) and very long period (VLP = 0.03–0.125 Hz or 8–30 s) earthquakes. For each coupled event, we compute the source locations, origin times and related uncertainties by application of standard arrival time locations for the HF earthquakes and waveform semblance for the LP and VLP earthquakes. Results suggest that the events are centred beneath the active vent at depths generally < 1.5 km. The HF and LP earthquakes have shallow depths (< 1 km), while VLP have slightly deeper source locations (0.8–1.5 km). Emergent onsets for LP and VLP sources make an analysis of the absolute origin times problematic but waveform matching of VLP to LP and HF components suggests that the main VLP pulse precedes the HF and LP source processes. Waveform inversion for the VLP source is consistent with the rupture of a high angle East-West oriented crack opening either in a purely tensile or shear-tensile manner. The moment of the isotropic component is estimated at 1.2 × 1012 Nm and the corresponding volumetric change is in the range 145–450 m3. Results are interpreted as an upward migration of fluids which first excite the VLP from a high angle crack in the magma carapace followed by the excitation of LP and HF source processes in the overlying hydrothermal systemEuropean Commission - Seventh Framework Programme (FP7)Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)Earthquake Commission (EQC