bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Miocene to Quaternary basin evolution at the southeastern Andean Plateau (Puna) margin (ca. 24°S lat, Northwestern Argentina)
Authors: Pingel Heiko , Alonso Ricardo N. , Altenberger Uwe , Cottle John , Strecker Manfred R.
Published: February 2019

The Andean Plateau of NW Argentina is a prominent example of a high‐elevation orogenic plateau characterized by internal drainage, arid to hyper‐arid climatic conditions and a compressional basin‐and‐range morphology comprising thick sedimentary basins. However, the development of the plateau as a geomorphic entity is not well understood. Enhanced orographic rainout along the eastern, windward plateau flank causes reduced fluvial run‐off and thus subdued surface‐process rates in the arid hinterland. Despite this, many Puna basins document a complex history of fluvial processes that have transformed the landscape from aggrading basins with coalescing alluvial fans to the formation of multiple fluvial terraces that are now abandoned. Here, we present data from the San Antonio de los Cobres (SAC) area, a sub‐catchment of the Salinas Grandes Basin located on the eastern Puna Plateau bordering the externally drained Eastern Cordillera. Our data include: (a) new radiometric U‐Pb zircon data from intercalated volcanic ash layers and detrital zircons from sedimentary key horizons; (b) sedimentary and geochemical provenance indicators; (c) river profile analysis; and (d) palaeo‐landscape reconstruction to assess aggradation, incision and basin connectivity. Our results suggest that the eastern Puna margin evolved from a structurally controlled intermontane basin during the Middle Miocene, similar to intermontane basins in the Mio‐Pliocene Eastern Cordillera and the broken Andean foreland. Our refined basin stratigraphy implies that sedimentation continued during the Late Mio‐Pliocene and the Quaternary, after which the SAC area was subjected to basin incision and excavation of the sedimentary fill. Because this incision is unrelated to baselevel changes and tectonic processes, and is similar in timing to the onset of basin fill and excavation cycles of intermontane basins in the adjacent Eastern Cordillera, we suspect a regional climatic driver, triggered by the Mid‐Pleistocene Climate Transition, caused the present‐day morphology. Our observations suggest that lateral orogenic growth, aridification of orogenic interiors, and protracted plateau sedimentation are all part of a complex process chain necessary to establish and maintain geomorphic characteristics of orogenic plateaus in tectonically active mountain belts.
Clinical utility of circulating tumor DNA for colorectal cancer
Authors: Osumi Hiroki , Shinozaki Eiji , Yamaguchi Kensei , Zembutsu Hitoshi
Published: February 2019

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is currently the most common type of cancer in Japan, and its prognosis has improved because of development of diagnosis and advancement in treatments including surgery and chemotherapy. However, because of intratumor heterogeneity and clonal evolution, tumors often develop resistance to treatment. Genotyping tumor tissue in search of somatic genetic alterations for actionable information has become routine examination in clinical practice. However, the inherent molecular heterogeneity of metastatic tumors and the ability of cancer genomes to dynamically evolve are not properly captured by tissue specimens only. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) carrying tumor‐specific genetic or epigenetic alterations is released into the circulation from tumor cells undergoing apoptosis or necrosis. Analysis of ctDNA has the potential to change clinical practice by exploiting blood rather than tissue, as a source of information. Here, we provide an overview of the characteristics of ctDNA and focus on detection methods for ctDNA, and the feasibility of use of ctDNA to monitor tumor dynamics for patients with colorectal cancer.
Dedicated neck 18F‐FDG PET/CT: An additional tool for risk assessment in thyroid nodules at ultrasound intermediate risk
Authors: Trimboli Pierpaolo , Piccardo Arnoldo , Alevizaki Maria , Virili Camilla , Naseri Mehrdad , Sola Simona , Paone Gaetano , Russ Gilles , Giovanella Luca
Published: February 2019

Background

Several ultrasound (US) risk stratification systems have been proposed for the assessment of thyroid nodules, and their performance was shown as good. However, the rate of nodules assessed at intermediate risk is not negligible and whether they should be submitted or not to further examination is still under debate. The present study aimed to evaluate the reliability of 18F‐FDG PET/CT in stratifying the risk of malignancy in these lesions.

Methods

Two institutions participated to this retrospective study in which a dedicated 18F‐FDG PET/CT was proposed to patients having a thyroid nodule with US assessment of EU‐TIRADS 4 or 5. 18F‐FDG PET/CT did not influence the diagnostic and therapeutic decision. Histology was the gold standard for all patients.

Results

Ninety‐three patients were included for the study with 48 EU‐TIRADS 4 and 45 EU‐TIRADS 5 nodules. Of these, 26 underwent thyroidectomy following FNAC suspicious for or consistent with malignancy, 38 for inconclusive cytology, 27 because of large goitre and 2 for high‐risk lesion at US. At histology, 35 carcinomas and 58 benign lesions were found. Cancer prevalence was 16.7% in EU‐TIRADS 4 and 60% in EU‐TIRADS 5. Overall, 18F‐FDG PET/CT was positive in 33/35 cancers (94.5% sensitivity) and negative in 31/58 benign lesions (53.4% specificity). When considering only EU‐TIRADS 4, 18F‐FDG PET/CT was positive in 7/8 cancers and negative in 20/40 benign lesions; among these, there were 36 cases with FNAC indication according to dimensional cut‐off (ie >1.5 cm), and 18F‐FDG PET/CT showed 85.7% sensitivity and 41.4% specificity.

Conclusions

18F‐FDG PET/CT may have a role in stratifying the cancer risk of thyroid nodules with an intermediate ultrasound assessment. More specifically, thyroid lesions classified as EU‐TIRADS 4 and with no 18F‐FDG uptake could be ruled out from further examination, similar to other anamnestic and clinical suspicious factors of patients. Further prospective and cost‐effectiveness studies are needed.
Should potential for climate change refugia be mainstreamed into the criteria for describing EBSAs?
Authors: Johnson David Edward , Kenchington Ellen Lorraine
Published: February 2019

The world's oceans are subject to the influence of climate change at all latitudes and depths. There is a growing body of literature on the responses of species to climate change, which has a strong deterministic component indicating that responses can be predicted. At the same time, advances in oceanographic data acquisition and modeling have facilitated the identification of potential climate change refugia. The Convention on Biological Diversity's “Voluntary Specific Workplan on Biodiversity in Cold‐Water Areas within the Jurisdictional Scope of the Convention” explicitly calls for the identification and protection of refugia in cold‐water areas. We propose adding “Climate Change Refugium” as an integral consideration for identification of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs). We provide a description of this as a potential eighth criterion. We then briefly discuss the pros and cons of introducing this eighth criterion, or an alternative strategy to develop guidelines that explicitly link refugia to the rationale of existing EBSA criteria, in the hope that this opinion piece will launch further discussion on this notion.
Emerging Role of Organ‐on‐a‐Chip Technologies in Quantitative Clinical Pharmacology Evaluation
Authors: Isoherranen Nina , Madabushi Rajanikanth , Huang Shiew‐Mei
Published: February 2019

The recently enacted Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) VI includes in its performance goals “enhancing regulatory science and expediting drug development.” The key elements in “enhancing regulatory decision tools to support drug development and review” include “advancing model‐informed drug development (MIDD).” This paper describes (i) the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Clinical Pharmacology's continuing efforts in developing quantitative clinical pharmacology models (disease, drug, and clinical trial models) to advance MIDD, (ii) how emerging novel tools, such as organ‐on‐a‐chip technologies or microphysiological systems, can provide new insights into physiology and disease mechanisms, biomarker identification and evaluation, and elucidation of mechanisms of adverse drug reactions, and (iii) how the single organ or linked organ microphysiological systems can provide critical system parameters for improved physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluations. Continuous public‐private partnerships are critical to advance this field and in the application of these new technologies in drug development and regulatory review.
Brand advertising and brand sharing of alcoholic and non‐alcoholic products, and the effects on young Thai people's attitudes towards alcohol use: A qualitative focus group study
Authors: Kaewpramkusol Ratchakorn , Senior Kate , Nanthamongkolchai Sutham , Chenhall Richard
Published: February 2019

Introduction and Aims

The dominant Thai alcohol companies have strategically employed brand advertising and brand sharing (using a very similar branding for both alcoholic and non‐alcoholic products) to circumvent restrictive alcohol advertising regulations. As empirical evidence confirms that exposure to alcohol advertisements increases youth drinking, young Thais could be at risk of constant and incidental exposure to alcohol advertising, hence leading to increased alcohol consumption. This study aims to explore young people's perceptions of these alcohol branding strategies and to examine how exposure to such advertising strategies affect their attitudes towards alcohol use.

Design and Methods

Seventy‐two university students aged 20–24 years participated in 1.5‐h semi‐structured focus groups conducted in Bangkok and a peripheral province. Logos of two domestic alcohol brands were also used as part of projective techniques to elicit information. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse data.

Results

Despite a range of alcoholic and non‐alcoholic products under the same branding, participants associated the logos primarily with beer—the flagship product. Branding strategies seemed to successfully increase young people's brand familiarity and affected their brand recognition and brand awareness. Participants had a high awareness of the alcohol companies’ commercial activities but regarded alcohol advertisements to be indifferent to advertisements of other ordinary products.

Discussion and Conclusions

Brand advertising is a dynamic tool that affects young people's attitudes towards the advertised brands and alcohol use. Due to early exposure to the brands, brand sharing increases brand familiarity and, among other factors, potentially affects drinking attitudes and purchase intentions.
A novel thin wire snare‐assisted en bloc cold snare endoscopic mucosal resection of a colonic adenoma 10–14 mm in size
Authors: Yabuuchi Yohei , Imai Kenichiro , Hotta Kinichi
Published: February 2019

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Gait analysis for individually tailored interdisciplinary interventions in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Rasmussen Helle M , Pedersen Niels W , Overgaard Søren , Hansen Lars K , Dunkhase‐Heinl Ulrike , Petkov Yanko , Engell Vilhelm , Holsgaard‐Larsen Anders
Published: February 2019

Aim

To test the hypothesis that improvements in gait and function following individualized interdisciplinary interventions consisting of physical therapy, orthotics, spasticity management, and orthopaedic surgery using instrumented gait analysis are superior to ‘usual care’ in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method

This was a prospective, single‐blind, parallel‐group, randomized controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of interventions based on the use of gait analysis. Primary outcome was gait (Gait Deviation Index) and secondary outcomes were walking and patient‐reported outcome measures of function, disability, and health‐related quality of life. Follow‐ups were done at 26 weeks (questionnaires) and at the primary end point of 52 weeks (all outcomes).

Results

Sixty participants with CP (39 males, 21 females, mean age 6y 10mo, standard deviation 1y 3mo, range 5y–9y 1mo) in Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I or II, were randomized to interventions with or without gait analysis. No significant or clinically relevant between‐group differences in change scores of the primary or secondary outcomes were found. The recommended categories of interventions were dominated by non‐surgical interventions and were applied in 36% to 86% of the participants.

Interpretation

Interventions using gait analysis were not superior to ‘usual care’ on gait, walking, or patient‐reported outcomes in a sample of relatively young and independently walking children with CP not expected to need surgery.

What this paper adds

Gait analysis in children with cerebral palsy in Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I or II recommends interdisciplinary interventions.

Compliance to interventions recommended after gait analysis was low.

No statistically significant advantages were identified for the intervention group versus the control group.
Intranasal glucagon acutely increases energy expenditure without inducing hyperglycaemia in overweight/obese adults
Authors: Stahel Priska , Lee So Jeong , Sud Shawn K. , Floh Alejandro , Dash Satya
Published: February 2019

Aim

To assess the acute effects of 0.7 mg intranasal glucagon (ING) vs intranasal placebo (INP) on food intake and resting energy expenditure (REE).

Methods

A single‐blind, crossover study was conducted in 19 overweight/obese adults (15 men, 4 women). REE was assessed by indirect calorimetry over 90 minutes, after which appetite was assessed using a visual analogue scale, and ad libitum caloric intake was assessed. Plasma samples were obtained at baseline and at 15‐minute intervals post‐treatment up to 90 minutes.

Results

ING increased total REE (INP 61.5 ± 1.2 kcal vs ING 69.4 ± 1.2 kcal; P = 0.027). There were no between‐treatment differences in blood glucose, food intake and appetite. There were no adverse effects.

Conclusion

ING acutely increases REE without increasing plasma glucose. Longer term studies with multiple daily dosing will establish whether this affects body weight.
Neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio and its relation with pro‐inflammatory mediators, visceral adiposity and carotid intima‐media thickness in population with obesity
Authors: Suárez‐Cuenca Juan Antonio , Ruíz‐Hernández Atzin S. , Mendoza‐Castañeda Ana A. , Domínguez‐Pérez Gabriela A. , Hernández‐Patricio Alejandro , Vera‐Gómez Eduardo , De la Peña‐Sosa Gustavo , Banderas-Lares Diana Z. , Montoya‐Ramírez Jesus , Blas‐Azotla Ricardo , Ortíz‐Fernández Moises , Salamanca‐García Moises , Melchor‐López Alberto , Mondragón‐Terán Paul , Contreras‐Ramos Alejandra , Alcaráz-Estrada Sofia L.
Published: February 2019

Background

Atherosclerosis represents a cardiovascular risk. Chronic inflammation is a key factor for atherogenic progression. Neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been proposed as a novel biomarker for cardiovascular risks. We aimed to explore whether NLR was related to surrogate pro‐atherogenic promoters driving atherogenic progression, as measured by carotid intima‐media thickness (CIMT).

Study Design

Thirty‐one patients with obesity candidates for bariatric surgery were recruited from Centro Médico Nacional “20 de Noviembre”, ISSSTE, Mexico City. The results are part of the “CROP” study (NCT03561987). NLR was calculated from routine complete blood count, and its relation with plasma pro‐inflammatory mediators (hsCRP, TNF‐α and IL‐1β), adipokines (adiponectin and leptin), adiposity markers (visceral adipose tissue [VAT] determined from CT scan image and VAT individual adipocyte area at histological sample) and CIMT were determined.

Results

Neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio correlated with hsCRP (Spearman's r = 0.70 [95% CI 0.46 to 0.85], P < 0.01), TNF‐α (r = 0.69 [0.44 to 0.84], P < 0.0001) and adiponectin (r = −0.69 [−0.84 to −0.45], P < 0.03), as well as with VAT individual adipocyte area (r = 0.64 [0.37 to 0.81], P < 0.0001) and with VAT area (r = 0.43; [0.07 to 0.68], P < 0.01). Leptin and adiponectin showed further independent association with higher NLR (multivariate regression analysis OR 7.9 [95% CI 1.1 to 56.2] P = 0.03 and 0.1 [0.01 to 1.0] P = 0.05, respectively). Moreover, NLR distribution significantly varied between subgroups divided according to progressive CIMT (P = 0.05); whereas adiponectin and VAT adipocyte area associated with CIMT > 0.9 mm (univariate analysis OR 0.1 [0.01 to 1.0] P = 0.05 and 13.1 [1.4 to 126.3] P = 0.03, respectively).

Conclusion

Neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio was related to pro‐inflammatory, adiposity biomarkers and progressive subclinical atherogenesis.
Colonisation dynamics during range expansion is poorly predicted by dispersal in the core range
Authors: Morgan William H. , Cornulier Thomas , Lambin Xavier
Published: February 2019

The potential ranges of many species are shifting due to changing ecological conditions. Where populations become patchy towards the range edge, the realised distribution emerges from colonisation–persistence dynamics. Therefore, a greater understanding of the drivers of these processes, and the spatial scales over which they operate, presents an opportunity to improve predictions of species range expansion under environmental change.

Species reintroductions offer an ideal opportunity to investigate the drivers and spatial scale of colonisation dynamics at the range edge. To this effect, we performed and monitored experimental translocations of water voles to quantify how colonisation and local persistence were influenced by habitat quality and occupancy. We used a novel statistical method to simultaneously consider effects across a range of spatial scales.

Densely occupied neighbourhoods were highly persistent and frequently colonised. Persistence was more likely in high quality habitat, whereas the influence of habitat quality on colonisation was less clear. Colonisation of suitable habitat in distant, sparsely occupied areas was much less frequent than expected from the well documented high dispersal ability of the species. Persistence of these distant populations was also low, which we attribute to the absence of a rescue effect in sparsely populated neighbourhoods.

Our results illustrate a mismatch between the spatial scales of colonisation dynamics in the core and edge of a species’ range, suggesting that recolonisation dynamics in established populations may be a poor predictor of colonisation dynamics at the range edge.

Such a mismatch leads to predictions of long lags between the emergence and colonisation of new habitat, with detrimental consequences for a species’ realised distribution, conservation status and contribution to ecosystem function. Conservation translocations that also reinforce existing populations at the range edge might stimulate the rescue effect and mitigate lags in expansion.
Indirect effects on fitness between individuals that have never met via an extended phenotype
Authors: Fisher David N. , Haines Jessica A. , Boutin Stan , Dantzer Ben , Lane Jeffrey E. , Coltman David W. , McAdam Andrew G.
Published: February 2019

Interactions between organisms are ubiquitous and have important consequences for phenotypes and fitness. Individuals can even influence those they never meet, if they have extended phenotypes that alter the environments others experience. North American red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) guard food hoards, an extended phenotype that typically outlives the individual and is usually subsequently acquired by non‐relatives. Hoarding by previous owners can, therefore, influence subsequent owners. We found that red squirrels breed earlier and had higher lifetime fitness if the previous hoard owner was a male. This was driven by hoarding behaviour, as males and mid‐aged squirrels had the largest hoards, and these effects persisted across owners, such that if the previous owner was male or died in mid‐age, subsequent occupants had larger hoards. Individuals can, therefore, influence each other's resource‐dependent traits and fitness without ever meeting, such that the past can influence contemporary population dynamics through extended phenotypes.
fMRI prediction of naming change after adult temporal lobe epilepsy surgery: Activation matters
Authors: You Xiaozhen , Zachery Ashley N. , Fanto Eleanor J. , Norato Gina , Germeyan Sierra C. , Emery Eric J. , Sepeta Leigh N. , Berl Madison M. , Black Chelsea L. , Wiggs Edythe , Zaghloul Kareem , Inati Sara K. , Gaillard William D. , Theodore William H.
Published: February 2019

Objective

We aimed to predict language deficits after epilepsy surgery. In addition to evaluating surgical factors examined previously, we determined the impact of the extent of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) activation that was resected on naming ability.

Method

Thirty‐five adults (mean age 37.5 ± 10.9 years, 13 male) with temporal lobe epilepsy completed a preoperative fMRI auditory description decision task, which reliably activates frontal and temporal language networks. Patients underwent temporal lobe resections (20 left resection). The Boston Naming Test (BNT) was used to determine language functioning before and after surgery. Language dominance was determined for Broca and Wernicke area (WA) by calculating a laterality index following statistical parametric mapping processing. We used an innovative method to generate anatomic resection masks automatically from pre‐ and postoperative MRI tissue map comparison. This mask provided the following: (a) resection volume; (b) overlap between resection and preoperative activation; and (c) overlap between resection and WA. We examined postoperative language change predictors using stepwise linear regression. Predictors included parameters described above as well as age at seizure onset (ASO), preoperative BNT score, and resection side and its relationship to language dominance.

Results

Seven of 35 adults had significant naming decline (6 dominant‐side resections). The final regression model predicted 38% of the naming score change variance (adjusted r2 = 0.28, P = 0.012). The percentage of top 10% fMRI activation resected (P = 0.017) was the most significant contributor. Other factors in the model included WA LI, ASO, volume of WA resected, and WA LI absolute value (extent of laterality).

Significance

Resection of fMRI activation during a word‐definition decision task is an important factor for postoperative change in naming ability, along with other previously reported predictors. Currently, many centers establish language dominance using fMRI. Our results suggest that the amount of the top 10% of language fMRI activation in the intended resection area provides additional predictive power and should be considered when planning surgical resection.
Peripheral caries and disease of the periodontium in Western Australian horses: An epidemiological, anatomical and histopathological assessment
Authors: Jackson K. , Kelty E. , Staszyk C. , Tennant M.
Published: February 2019

Background

Peripheral caries may cause significant oral pain and pathology and is very prevalent within the Western Australia horse population. Associations with periodontal disease have been indicated; however, further work is needed to assess the anatomical and histological aspects of the conditions, to better understand the pathophysiology.

Objectives

To assess the anatomical and histopathological changes associated with equine cheek teeth peripheral caries and disease of the periodontium to better understand the pathogenesis and any association between the conditions.

Study design

Cross‐sectional epidemiological and histological study.

Methods

A survey of 500 Western Australia horses was performed to assess the prevalence of peripheral caries and associations with other dental pathologies within the Western Australia horse population. Histopathological assessment was also performed on four extracted cheek teeth affected by peripheral caries and on three interdental areas from an abattoir specimen affected by peripheral caries and interdental feed accumulation.

Results

There was a significant association between peripheral caries and cheek teeth interdental feed accumulation and gingival recession. This association was significantly stronger in the mandibular cheek teeth than the maxillary cheek teeth and also in horses with moderate or severe peripheral caries compared to horses with mild peripheral caries. Histopathological examination found caries lesions consistent with those found in humans above the gingival margin. Sub‐gingivally, however, the cementum and periodontal structures were normal. In the samples with concurrent peripheral caries and deep feed‐pocketing, there was significant gingival recession; however, only mild or no histopathological changes occurred in the gingiva.

Main limitations

Small sample size for histopathological assessment.

Conclusion

Horses with peripheral caries, and in particular, horses with mandibular cheek teeth with peripheral caries are significantly more likely to also be affected by disease of the periodontium than horses without peripheral caries.
Valuation of ecosystem services in alternative bioenergy landscape scenarios
Authors: Mishra Shruti K. , Negri Maria Cristina , Kozak Justin , Cacho Julian F. , Quinn John , Secchi Silvia , Ssegane Herbert
Published: February 2019

Agricultural land in the Midwest is a source of food and fuel, as well as biodiversity. It is also a cause of excess nutrients that make their way to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. To address unsustainable changes to biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem functions, a multidisciplinary approach involving social science, natural science, and engineering is often effective. Given the potential of second‐generation biofuels, and capitalizing on the deep‐rooted perennial bioenergy crops capable of thriving in poor soils, we demonstrated an integrated socio‐environmental analysis of the impacts of growing switchgrass within row‐crop landscapes in Illinois. In this study, we model land use scenarios that incorporate switchgrass as a biofuel crop in a Midwest corn‐belt watershed using the Soil Water Assessment Tool coupled with an economic analysis for the Vermilion Basin in Illinois. We estimated the values of ecosystem services under an alternative bioenergy landscape, including commodity and bioenergy crops, changes in biogeochemistry, and recreational services. The estimated annual values of nitrate and sediment reduction attributed to bioenergy crops range from $38 million to $97 million and $16,000 to $197,000, respectively. The annual value of carbon dioxide emission reduction ranges from $1.8 million to $6.1 million based on the initial crop rotation pattern. Estimated average annual values for wildlife viewing, water‐based recreation, and pheasant hunting are $1.24 million, $0.17 million, and $0.3 million, respectively. To our knowledge, this study represents the first effort to comprehensively quantify ecosystem services using a process‐based model, and estimate their value in an alternative bioenergy landscape. The information we generate could aid in understanding the potential for biomass production from marginal land and the total economic value of the landscape at various spatial scales. The framework is useful in fostering alternative bioenergy landscapes with synergies in a food, energy, and conservation nexus.
Niche conservatism drives a global discrepancy in palm species richness between seasonally dry and moist habitats
Authors: Cássia‐Silva Cibele , Freitas Cíntia G. , Alves Davi M. C. C. , Bacon Christine D. , Collevatti Rosane G.
Published: February 2019

Aim

Rapid global environmental change predicts increasingly seasonal climate in the tropics, causing expansion of seasonally dry habitats and leading to shifts in species distribution and potential extinction. Here, we use a macroevolutionary framework to understand the processes driving palm diversity patterns between moist and seasonally dry tropical habitats. We hypothesize that the discrepancy in species richness between habitats is explained by higher speciation rates in moist habitat and that niche conservatism prevents frequent shifts between habitats.

Location

Global.

Time period

Last 100 Ma.

Major taxa studied

Arecaceae.

Methods

We used trait‐dependent diversification models to test whether different habitats affect palm speciation rates. Furthermore, palm assemblages were divided into three regions (Africa, Australasia and Neotropics) to test for niche conservatism and evaluate phylogenetic dissimilarity.

Results

We found no relationship between speciation rate and habitat type. We detected phylogenetic signal for habitats at both global and continental scales, indicating that closely related species were more similar than expected by chance. Colonization of seasonally dry habitats occurred c. 60 Ma, yet most clades only diversified after c. 30 Ma. The high phylogenetic dissimilarity between habitat types at both global and continental scales was driven by high lineage turnover, at least for Africa and the Neotropics.

Main conclusions

We found a lack of differential speciation rates in setting the seasonally dry and moist palm‐richness discrepancy. However, over evolutionary history most palm lineages fail to colonize seasonally dry habitats owing to a tendency to retain ancestral habitat. Indeed, seasonally dry palm assemblages are the result of the diversification of particular lineages. Likewise, long‐term dry periods appear to induce shifts in taxonomic and functional diversity, and we emphasize that the expansion of dry habitats might also imply a loss of palm clades, hence a reduction in phylogenetic diversity.
Predictors of happiness among older Korean women living alone
Authors: Kim Jongim , Song Youngshin , Kim Taehee , Park Keumok
Published: February 2019

Aim

The level of happiness of older adults is associated with their psychosocial and physical health. Currently, little is known about the predictors of happiness among older women living alone in the community. The present study aimed to identify these predictors.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional descriptive study of older women who were living alone and were registered with a social welfare center in an old urban area in South Korea. We designated various demographic factors along with health‐related information, perceived self‐esteem and depressive symptoms as independent variables predicting happiness. Descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis were carried out.

Results

In total, 154 participants were recruited. They showed a moderate level of happiness. Furthermore, happiness was negatively correlated with the number of comorbidities, presence of pain and depressive symptoms, but positively correlated with self‐esteem. The final model in hierarchical regression showed that depressive symptoms were powerful predictors of happiness after controlling the covariates and accounted for approximately 76.7% of the total variances.

Conclusions

The happiness of older women living alone was associated with their self‐esteem and depressive symptoms. Interventions aimed at reducing depressive symptoms and improving self‐esteem should be developed and applied to this population. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 352–356.
How street‐level bureaucrats become policy entrepreneurs: The case of urban renewal
Authors: Lavee Einat , Cohen Nissim
Published: February 2019

Under what conditions will street‐level bureaucrats act as policy entrepreneurs? Drawing on the case of social workers working with disadvantaged populations in the context of urban renewal in Israel, we suggest a framework for addressing this question. The research contributes to the literature of public administration and policy both by analyzing the strategies these entrepreneurs adopt to increase their influence on policy design and by proposing that the combination of perceptions of an acute crisis situation, lack of effective knowledge in the area, and the demand for innovation and activism leads street‐level bureaucrats to adopt innovative strategies aimed at influencing policy.
Precarity, gender and care in the neoliberal academy
Authors: Ivancheva Mariya , Lynch Kathleen , Keating Kathryn
Published: February 2019

This article examines the rise in precarious academic employment in Ireland as an outcome of the higher education restructuring following OECD (Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development), government initiatives and post‐crisis austerity. Presenting the narratives of academic women at different career stages, we claim that a focus on care sheds new light on the debate on precarity. A more complete understanding of precarity should take account not only of the contractual security but also affective relational security in the lives of employees. The intersectionality of paid work and care work lives was a dominant theme in our interviews among academic women. In a globalized academic market, premised on the care‐free masculinized ideals of competitive performance, 24/7 work and geographical mobility, women who opt out of these norms, suffer labour‐led contractual precarity and are over‐represented in part‐time and fixed‐term positions. Women who comply with these organizational commands need to peripheralize their relational lives and experience care‐led affective precarity.
Is fatherhood allowed? Media discourses of fatherhood in organizational life
Authors: Kangas Emilia , Lämsä Anna‐Maija , Jyrkinen Marjut
Published: February 2019

It has been claimed that in the context of organizations and management, fathers are invisible. One source of tension for fathers who work and who want to participate in family life is that even though involved fatherhood is emerging in many western societies, a family‐oriented male identity is likely to be problematic for men in organizations. This article aims to contribute to a better understanding of a professional and managerial men's work–family relationship using discourse analysis on data from three different media sources in Finland, published during 1990–2015. We identified two competing discourses: one of stasis, the other of change. The stasis discourse is constructed around traditionally masculine management and fatherhood roles, while the changing discourse embodies more diverse masculinities and fatherhood. We conclude that although the discourse on fatherhood in the organizational context is moving towards gender equality, at the same time a strong discourse is putting a brake on such development, especially regarding management.
Development of a Composite Hydrologic Index for Semi‐Arid Region of India
Authors: Jeet Pawan , Singh D. K. , Sarangi A.
Published: February 2019

Rainfall is the major source for groundwater recharge in basins areas of central region of India. Now a day, the river basins are experiencing acute shortage of water which has resulted in lowering of groundwater level and drying up of water bodies. In order to maintain water sustainability; a composite hydrologic index was developed in the Betwa basin of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh states, India. The index was developed using principal component analysis through hydrologic, topographic as well as geographic parameters derived from the Soil and Water Assessment Tool and MODFLOW model. The geomorphological parameters were categorized, on the basis of groundwater recharge potential and weight ranged from 1 to 4. The geomorphologic parameters, that is, soil type (T), slope (S), runoff ratio (R), and evapotranspiration (ET) were integrated into a single indicator of composite hydrologic index. Soil type and ET were the major factors that directly affected the groundwater recharge. These two parameters together explained 86% of total variability in the data. Based on the analysis of the four parameters that affected groundwater recharge, composite hydrologic index (CHI) was classified into very good, good, moderate, and low grade. The CHI was statistically validated using standardization methods. The index was developed as a water management tool to measure a sustainability state relative to a groundwater recharge potential, which allows for spatial and temporal comparison. This index will be helpful in natural resource management and will improve socioeconomic status of human population inhibiting in the semi‐arid region.
A visage of early Paleozoic Japan: Geotectonic and paleobiogeographical significance of Greater South China
Authors: Isozaki Yukio
Published: February 2019

The current state of knowledge on the early Paleozoic evolution of Japan is reviewed. Although early Paleozoic Japan marked the foundation of long‐lasting subduction‐related orogenic growth throughout the Phanerozoic, details of this have not been fully revealed. Nevertheless, U‐Pb dating of zircons both in Paleozoic granitoids and sandstones is revealing several new aspects of early Paleozoic Japan. The timing of the major tectonic change, from a passive continental margin setting (Stage I) to an active one (Stage II), was constrained to the Cambrian by identifying the oldest arc granitoid, high‐P/T blueschist, and terrigenous clastics of arc‐related basins. Ages of recycled zircons in granitoids and sandstones provided critical information on the homeland of Japan, i.e. the continental margin along which proto‐Japan began to grow. The early Paleozoic continental margin that hosted the development of an arc‐trench system in proto‐Japan had cratonic basement composed mostly of Proterozoic crust with a minor Archean component. The predominant occurrence of Neoproterozoic zircons in Paleozoic rocks, as xenocrysts in arc granitoids and also as detrital grains in terrigenous clastics, indicates that the relevant continental block was a part of South China, probably forming a northeastern segment of Greater South China (GSC) together with the Khanka/Jiamsi/Bureya mega‐block in Far East Asia. GSC was probably twice as large as the present conterminous South China on mainland Asia. Paleozoic Japan formed a segment of a mature arc‐trench system along the Pacific side of GSC, where the N–S‐trending Pacific‐rim orogenic belt (Nipponides) developed with an almost perpendicular relationship with the E–W‐trending Central Asian orogenic belt. The faunal characteristics of the Permian marine fauna in Japan, both with the Tethyan and Boreal elements, can be better explained than before in good accordance with the relative position of GSC with respect to the North China block during the late Paleozoic.
Olive oil inhibits ageing signs induced by chronic stress in ex vivo human skin via inhibition of extracellular‐signal‐related kinase 1/2 and c‐JUN pathways
Authors: Romana‐Souza B. , Monte‐Alto‐Costa A.
Published: February 2019

Objective

Chronic stress‐induced oxidative damage and protease synthesis cause a loss of extracellular matrix components promoting human skin ageing. The administration of antioxidant compounds, such as those observed in olive oil, may attenuate stress‐induced ageing signs in human skin. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of olive oil administration in ex vivo stressed human skin.

Methods

Explants of human skin were treated with high levels of epinephrine (as observed in stressed patients) and olive oil in medium for 13 days. Cultures treated with medium alone were used as controls.

Results

Olive oil reversed the high epinephrine level‐induced reduction in epidermis and dermis thickness and collagen fibre content in ex vivo human skin. The increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde levels (an index of lipid peroxidation) promoted by high levels of epinephrine were also attenuated by olive oil in ex vivo human skin. Moreover, olive oil was able to reverse the high epinephrine level‐induced increase in extracellular signal‐related kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2) and c‐JUN (a major component of transcription factor AP‐1) phosphorylation and protein matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2) expression in ex vivo human skin.

Conclusion

Olive oil attenuates stress‐induced ageing signs (thinner dermis and collagen fibre loss) in ex vivo human skin by reducing MMP‐2 expression, ROS production, and ERK 1/2 and c‐JUN phosphorylation.
Heat transfer from glass melt to cold cap: Effect of heating rate
Authors: Lee Seung Min , Hrma Pavel , Pokorny Richard , Traverso Joseph J. , Klouzek Jaroslav , Schweiger Michael J. , Kruger Albert A.
Published: February 2019

Conversion of melter feed to glass occurs in the cold cap that floats on the melt pool in a nuclear waste glass melter. The conversion rate (the melting rate or the glass production rate) is controlled by the heat flux delivered to the cold cap from the molten glass. In an attempt to analyze the intricate relationship between the rate of heating, the feed foaming response, and the rate of melting, we measured the change in feed volume at different heating rates by using several melter feeds known to exhibit a wide range of melting rates under identical melter operating conditions. As expected, the maximum foam porosity increased as the heating rate increased. However, contrary to expectation, the temperature at which the foam reached maximum volume either decreased or increased with the heating rate, depending on the feed composition. A change in maximum foam temperature from the feed volume expansion test indicates a similar change of the cold‐cap bottom temperature, which influences the heat flow to the cold cap, and thus the rate of melting.
Evaluation of the detection of blasts by Sysmex hematology instruments, CellaVision DM96, and manual microscopy using flow cytometry as the confirmatory method
Authors: Eilertsen Heidi , Sæther Per Christian , Henriksson Carola E. , Petersen Anne‐Sofie , Hagve Tor‐Arne
Published: February 2019

Introduction

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic ability of blast flags generated by Sysmex instruments (XE/XN) by comparing with immunophenotyping by flow cytometry (IFCM). Additionally, the ability of manual microscopy and CellaVision DM96 (pre‐ and reclassification) to predict the presence of “true” blasts was investigated.

Methods

Blood samples (n = 240) with suspect pathology flags reported by the XE were collected from the daily workload and examined by the XN, by manual microscopy, by CellaVision DM96 and by IFCM (CytoDiff Panel).

Results

The ROC analysis for blasts showed an area under the curve of 0.64 (“Blasts?”) (XE), 0.57 (“Blasts/Abn Lympho?”) (XN), 0.75 (CellaVision preclassification procedure), 0.78 (CellaVision reclassification procedure), and 0.81 (manual microscopy). The sensitivity of blast detection varied between the methods from 0.41 (XE) to 0.90 (XN), and the specificity varied from 0.17 (XN) to 0.95 (CellaVision reclassification).

Conclusions

The CellaVision reclassification procedure has a diagnostic ability for predicting blasts close to that of manual microscopy. The blood smear methods show a notable number of false negative results. The Sysmex XN reported a higher rate of true positive blast flags than the XE. Taken together, the CytoDiff method could be a useful alternative to smear examination to correctly identify blasts.
Registered Nurses (RNs)’ knowledge sharing and decision‐making: the mediating role of organizational trust
Authors: Yoo K.H. , Zhang Y.A. , Yun E.K.
Published: February 2019

Aim

This study study aimed to investigate the effects of explicit and tacit knowledge sharing on clinical decision‐making abilities and the mediating role of trust among registered nurses at Korean hospitals.

Background

Decision‐making abilities comprise a key area of nursing practice and link nurses’ perceptions with behaviours.

Introduction

Tacit knowledge is embedded within an individual and cannot be expressed or transmitted to other people in a specific form. Over time, new nurses gradually gain experience and tacit knowledge and become experts. Trust, an organizational characteristic, may serve as a potential mediator in the association between knowledge sharing and decision‐making abilities among nurses. However, few studies have investigated the mediatory role of trust in this association.

Method

The data were collected from 210 nurses selected via random sampling. The research instrument in the model included Knowledge‐Sharing Behavior, Trust, and Clinical Decision‐Making in Nursing Scale. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse the collected data.

Findings

The study findings showed that explicit knowledge sharing directly affects decision‐making abilities, whereas tacit knowledge sharing is only associated with decision‐making abilities when trust plays a mediating role.

Discussion

A higher level of organizational trust can improve clinical decision‐making abilities via tacit knowledge sharing.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that unlike explicit knowledge, which is shared more easily, tacit knowledge sharing does not directly lead to clinical decision‐making abilities. A higher level of organizational trust leads to a stronger beneficial effect of tacit knowledge sharing on clinical decision‐making abilities.

Implications for nursing and health policy

These findings concerning the mediatory role of trust on the association between knowledge sharing and clinical decision‐making abilities provide new knowledge that will allow nurses, managers, and researchers to support the clinical decision‐making abilities of nurses.
Mobilising for equality? Understanding the impact of grass roots agency and third party representation
Authors: Beirne Martin , Hurrell Scott , Wilson Fiona
Published: February 2019

Does mobilisation theory provide telling insights into the collective expression of gendered grievances? By analysing the dynamics of activism on pay inequality in the British local authority sector, this article offers a negative evaluation, calling for a deeper understanding of grass roots agency and third‐party representation beyond the workplace.
A comparison of scheduling, work hours, overtime, and work preferences across four cohorts of newly licensed Registered Nurses
Authors: Stimpfel Amy Witkoski , Fletcher Jason , Kovner Christine T.
Published: February 2019

Aims

To conduct a comparative analysis of four cohorts of newly licensed Registered Nurses and their work schedule, daily shift length, weekly work hours, second job, and weekly overtime hours. Nurses also reported their preferences regarding work schedule and daily shift length.

Design

We used a retrospective, comparative design analysing four cross‐sectional surveys from new nurses first licensed between 2004–2015.

Methods

Using state licensure lists, nurses who were first licensed between 1 August 2004 and 31 July 2005 were randomly sampled using a nested design in 23 geographical areas in 13 states and Washington, DC. The same sampling strategy was conducted for subsequent cohorts in January 2009, 2012, and 2016. We sent a mailed survey measuring demographics, education, work attributes, and attitudes to participants with a $5 incentive, following methods by Dillman.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences in average weekly work hours (39.4 hrs) or holding more than one job for pay (11.6–14.6% across all cohorts). There were statistically significant differences in overtime across cohorts and shift length by unit type. The preferred shift length was 12 hrs and day shift was the preferred work schedule.

Conclusion

New nurses are predominantly scheduled for 12‐hrs shifts and nearly half work weekly overtime, trends that have remained relatively stable over the past 10 years. Nurse managers, policy‐makers, and researchers should pay attention to new nurses’ schedule and shift preferences and guard against mandatory overtime hours.