Sentence completion plz help!!

1. People of intelligence and achievement can nonetheless be so ------
and lacking in ------ that they gamble their reputations by breaking
the law to
  further their own ends.
  (A) devious...propensity
  (B) culpable...prosperity
  (C) obsequious...deference
  (D) truculent... independence
I don't understand the structure with "nonetheless" (=however)" in the
middle of the sentence like the obove.
Can you pleaze explain the meaning of the sentence and does
"nonetheless" mean "however"?


2A number of scientists have published articles ------- global
warming, stating ------- that there is no solid scientific evidence to
support the
theory that the Earth is warming because of increases in greenhouse
gases.
  (A) debunking...categorically
  (B) rejecting...paradoxically
  (C) deploring...optimistically 
  (D) dismissing...hesitantly
  (E) proving...candidly


Thanks