bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeting Bortezomib to Bone Increases Its Bone Anabolic Activity and Reduces Systemic Adverse Effects in Mice
Authors: Wang Hua , Zhang Hengwei , Srinivasan Venkat , Tao Jianguo , Sun Wen , Lin Xi , Wu Tao , Boyce Brendan F , Ebetino Frank H , Boeckman Robert K , Xing Lianping
Published: October 2019

Bortezomib (Btz) is a proteasome inhibitor approved by the FDA to treat multiple myeloma. It also increases bone volume by promoting osteoblast differentiation and inhibiting osteoclastogenesis in mice. However, Btz has severe systemic adverse effects, which would limit its use as a bone anabolic agent. Here, we designed and synthesized a bone-targeted form of Btz by conjugating it to a bisphosphonate (BP) with no antiresorptive activity. We report that BP-Btz inhibited osteoclast formation and bone resorption and stimulated osteoblast differentiation in vitro similar to Btz. In vivo, BP-Btz increased bone volume more effectively than Btz in three mouse models: untreated wild-type mice, mice with ovariectomy, and aged mice with tibial factures. Importantly, BP-Btz had significantly less systemic side effects than Btz, including less thymic cell death, sympathetic nerve damage, and thrombocytopenia, and it improved survival rates in aged mice. Thus, BP-Btz represents a novel anabolic agent to treat conditions, such as postmenopausal and age-related bone loss. Bone targeting is an attractive approach to repurpose approved drugs to treat skeletal diseases. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Inflammasomes in the pathophysiology of autoinflammatory syndromes
Authors: Tartey Sarang , Kanneganti Thirumala-Devi
Published: October 2019

Inflammasomes are a specialized group of intracellular sensors that are key components of the host innate immune system. Autoinflammatory diseases are disorders of the innate immune system that are characterized by recurrent inflammation and serious complications. Dysregulation of the inflammasome is associated with the onset and progression of several autoinflammatory and autoimmune diseases, including cryopyrin-associated periodic fever syndrome, familial Mediterranean fever, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. In this review, we discuss the involvement of various inflammasome components in the regulation of autoinflammatory disorders and describe the manifestations of these autoinflammatory diseases caused by inflammasome activation.
Comparative study and multiple linear regression analysis for assessment of chromatographic behavior of structurally related β‐blockers on different stationary phases
Authors: Faried Abdel Hakiem Ahmed , Khairy Hamdy Ahmed , Safwat Aboraia Ahmed
Published: October 2019

A quantitative structure–retention relationship study was performed by thin layer chromatography on a number of β‐blockers using 315 molecular descriptors of which nine were selected to be having the most important physicochemical properties. These descriptors provide good correlations with chromatographic behavior of the studied structurally related drugs. This research was completed on three pretreated silica gel plates via impregnation in urea, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and dimethylformamide, hence it possesses varying interplay mechanisms and polarities. The retention parameters were obtained by utilizing four solvent systems of two additives of variable ratios, consequently specific polarities in addition to imparted different pH values using either glacial acetic acid or liquid ammonia. Calculated theoretical approaches prove good correlations between investigated descriptors and retention factors. Some correlations show excellent predicting models, which might be critical for toning better know‐how relationships between chemical structures and retention of β‐blockers.
Electrochemical corrosion behavior of bronze materials in an acid‐containing simulated atmospheric environment
Authors: Cai Lankun , Chen Mengjie , Wang Ying , Chen Cheng , Zhang Lehua , Zhou Hao , Wu Laiming , Yan Ying
Published: October 2019

The present work investigates the corrosion behavior of bronze materials under thin electrolyte layers (TELs) in a simulated atmospheric environment containing formic and acetic acid by electrochemical measurements as well as surface characterization. The results show that the corrosion of bronze under TEL is significantly faster than that in the bulk solution, and the corrosion rate of bronze is the highest when the thickness of TEL is about 100 μm. Formic acid is observed to be more corrosive than acetic acid. Copper formate and copper acetate hydrate appear in the corrosion products formed on the surface of bronze, suggesting that the organic acid participates in the corrosion process of bronze materials in the simulated atmospheric environment.
The axiom of determinacy implies dependent choice in mice
Authors: Müller Sandra
Published: October 2019

We show that the Axiom of Dependent Choice, , holds in countably iterable, passive premice constructed over their reals which satisfy the Axiom of Determinacy, , in a background universe. This generalizes an argument of Kechris for using Steel's analysis of scales in mice. In particular, we show that for any and any countable set of reals A so that and , we have that .
How different aspects of motor dysfunction influence day‐to‐day function in huntington's disease
Authors: Carlozzi Noelle E. , Schilling Stephen G. , Boileau Nicholas R. , Chou Kelvin L. , Perlmutter Joel S. , Frank Samuel , McCormack Michael K. , Stout Julie C. , Paulsen Jane S. , Lai Jin‐Shei , Dayalu Praveen
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This study examined the relationships between different aspects of motor dysfunction (chorea, dystonia, rigidity, incoordination, oculomotor dysfunction, dysarthria, and gait difficulties) and functional status in persons with Huntington's disease.

Methods

A total of 527 persons with Huntington's disease completed the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale motor, total functional capacity, and functional assessments.

Results

Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that a 4‐factor model provided a better model fit than the existing 5‐factor model. Exploratory factor analysis identified the following 4 factors from the motor scale: dystonia, chorea, rigidity, and a general motor factor. Regression indicated that dystonia (β = −0.47 and −0.79) and rigidity (β = −0.28 and −0.59) had strong associations with function, whereas chorea had modest correlations (β = −0.16 and −0.15).

Conclusions

Dystonia and rigidity have stronger relationships with functional status than chorea in persons with Huntington's disease. The findings underscore the need for further research regarding the effects of dystonia and rigidity on functioning. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Research suggests online therapy to address growing gap in Hispanic MH care
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: October 2019

The Hispanic population is growing quickly, and Spanish‐speaking therapists are in short supply, according to new research published Oct. 1 by SoftwarePundit. The gap in care for this population is expected to grow even wider in 2030, researchers stated.
Research highlights need for improved schizophrenia treatment
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: October 2019

A new analyses of Medicaid beneficiaries, patients and veterans with schizophrenia have found high resource utilization and costs associated with the mental health condition and a call from researchers to rethink current treatment patterns to improve care and reduce costs.
A synthetic peptide encoded by a random DNA sequence inhibits discrete red light responses
Authors: Shuipys Tautvydas , Carvalho Raquel F. , Clancy Maureen A. , Bao Zhilong , Folta Kevin M.
Published: October 2019

We have identified a synthetic peptide that interrupts discrete aspects of seedling development under red light. Previous reports have demonstrated that plants transformed with random DNA sequences produce synthetic peptides that affect plant biology. In this report, one specific peptide is characterized that inhibits discrete aspects of red light‐mediated photomorphogenic development in Arabidopsis thaliana . Seedlings expressing the PEP6‐32 peptide presented longer hypocotyls and diminished cotyledon expansion when grown under red light. Other red light‐mediated seedling processes such as induction of Lhcb (cab) transcripts or loss of vertical growth remained unaffected. Long‐term responses to red light in PEP6‐32 expressing plants, such as repression of flowering time, did not show defects in red light signaling or integration. A synthesized peptide applied exogenously induced the long‐hypocotyl phenotype under red light in non‐transformed seedlings. The results indicate that the PEP6‐32 peptide causes discrete cell expansion abnormalities during early seedling development in red light that mimic weak phyB alleles, yet only in some aspects of seedling photomorphogenesis. The findings demonstrate that new chemistries derived from random peptide expression can modulate specific facets of plant growth and development.
Goethite Quantum Dots as Multifunctional Additives for Highly Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Chen Hui , Luo Qiang , Liu Tao , Ren Jing , Li Shuang , Tai Meiqian , Lin Hong , He Hongcai , Wang Jinshu , Wang Ning
Published: October 2019

Minimization of defects and ion migration in organic–inorganic lead halide perovskite films is desirable for obtaining photovoltaic devices with high power conversion efficiency (PCE) and long‐term stability. However, achieving this target is still a challenge due to the lack of efficient multifunctional passivators. Herein, to address this issue, n‐type goethite (FeOOH) quantum dots (QDs) are introduced into the perovskite light‐absorption layer for achieving efficient and stable perovskite solar cells (PSCs). It is found that the iron, oxygen, and hydroxyl of FeOOH QDs can interact with iodine, lead, and methylamine, respectively. As a result, the crystallization kinetics process can be retarded, thereby resulting in high quality perovskite films with large grain size. Meanwhile, the trap states of perovskite can be effectively passivated via interaction with the under‐coordinated metal (Pb) cations, halide (I) anions on the perovskite crystal surface. Consequently, the PSCs with FeOOH QDs achieve a high efficiency close to 20% with negligible hysteresis. Most strikingly, the long‐term stability of PSCs is significantly enhanced. Furthermore, compared with the CH3NH3PbI3‐based device, a higher PCE of 21.0% is achieved for the device assembled with a Cs0.05FA0.81MA0.14PbBr0.45I2.55 perovskite layer.
Cognitive training increases dendritic arborization in the dorsal hippocampal CA1 and CA3 neurons of female and male Long–Evans rats
Authors: Villanueva Espino Luis Alberto , Silva Gómez Adriana Berenice , Bravo Durán Dolores Adriana
Published: October 2019

Experiences influence the development of the central nervous system. Cognitive training promotes changes in the structure of the brain, such as in its weight and number of cells, as well as ability to perform dendritic remodeling. The present study was designed to detect possible differences in the neuronal morphology of the dorsal hippocampus between female and male Long–Evans rats after cognitive training (CT). CT was promoted through three learning and memory tests: the Morris water maze, the Barnes circular maze, and Novel object recognition tests. Our data revealed no differences in learning or memory capacities between female and male rats; rats of the two sexes solved the behavioral test with equal efficiency. CT caused an increase in the basilar and apical dendritic arborization of CA1 neurons in male rats, whereas female rats that underwent CT presented only remodeling in the apical arbors of CA1 neurons. The basilar arbors of CA3 neurons of female rats showed an increase in arborization, but their apical arbors were not modified; the arbors of CA3 neurons of male rats submitted to CT were not modified. Total dendritic length was modified by CT in the apical arbors of CA1 neurons of female and male rats and in the basilar CA1 arbors of male rats. There was a significant increase in dendritic spine density in all arbors of CA1 and CA3 neurons of females and males subjected to CT. These results suggest that dendritic remodeling after CT is similar between female and male rats.
Synthesis of Organic Chloride Nitrate (C6H8N)2ClNO3, Molecular Structure, and Impact of Anion Disorder on Theoretical Studies
Authors: Harchani Ali , Kaminsky Werner , Haddad Amor
Published: October 2019

A new organic chloride nitrate compound, (C6H8N)2ClNO3 (1) was obtained from reacting Bi(NO3)3·2H2O with aniline and HCl. Crystals of X‐ray diffraction quality were grown from aqueous solution. The molecular structure [space group P1; unit cell constants: a = 8.4176(14) Å, b = 9.6482(18) Å, c = 10.0363(16) Å, α = 62.993(7)°, β = 86.798(7)°, γ = 72.999(8)°], derived by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, comprises of two aniline protonated cations, one chlorine anion, and one disordered nitrate anion. The study of intermolecular interactions using Hirshfeld Surface analysis confirmed that the hydrogen bonds: Cl···H, O···H/O···H, O···O and H···H contacts play dominant role in the formation of the crystal structure. The analysis of electronic structure and the molecular modelling of four different disorder configurations classify this compound as semiconductors and confirms its good nucleophilic reactivity.
M-theoretic Lichnerowicz formula and supersymmetry
Authors: Coimbra André , Minasian Ruben
Published: October 2019

Abstract

A suitable generalisation of the Lichnerowicz formula can relate the squares of supersymmetric operators to the effective action, the Bianchi identities for fluxes, and some equations of motion. Recently, such formulae have also been shown to underlie the (generalised) geometry of supersymmetric theories. In this paper, we derive an M-theoretic Lichnerowicz formula that describes eleven-dimensional supergravity together with its higherderivative couplings. The first corrections to the action appear at eight-derivative level, and the construction yields two different supersymmetric invariants, each with a free coefficient. We discuss the restriction of our construction to seven-dimensional internal spaces, and implications for compactifications on manifolds of G
2 holonomy. Inclusion of fluxes and computation of contributions with higher than eight derivatives are also discussed.
Damage-associated molecular patterns in trauma
Authors: Relja Borna , Land Walter Gottlieb
Published: October 2019

In 1994, the “danger model” argued that adaptive immune responses are driven rather by molecules released upon tissue damage than by the recognition of “strange” molecules. Thus, an alternative to the “self versus non-self recognition model” has been provided. The model, which suggests that the immune system discriminates dangerous from safe molecules, has established the basis for the future designation of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), a term that was coined by Walter G. Land, Seong, and Matzinger. The pathological importance of DAMPs is barely somewhere else evident as in the posttraumatic or post-surgical inflammation and regeneration. Since DAMPs have been identified to trigger specific immune responses and inflammation, which is not necessarily detrimental but also regenerative, it still remains difficult to describe their “friend or foe” role in the posttraumatic immunogenicity and healing process. DAMPs can be used as biomarkers to indicate and/or to monitor a disease or injury severity, but they also may serve as clinically applicable parameters for optimized indication of the timing for, i.e., secondary surgeries. While experimental studies allow the detection of these biomarkers on different levels including cellular, tissue, and circulatory milieu, this is not always easily transferable to the human situation. Thus, in this review, we focus on the recent literature dealing with the pathophysiological importance of DAMPs after traumatic injury. Since dysregulated inflammation in traumatized patients always implies disturbed resolution of inflammation, so-called model of suppressing/inhibiting inducible DAMPs (SAMPs) will be very briefly introduced. Thus, an update on this topic in the field of trauma will be provided.
Rigid body dynamics using equimomental systems of point-masses
Authors: Laus L. P. , Selig J. M.
Published: October 2019

The inertia matrix of any rigid body is the same as the inertia matrix of some system of four point-masses. In this work, the possible disposition of these point-masses is investigated. It is found that every system of possible point-masses with the same inertia matrix can be parameterised by the elements of the orthogonal group in four-dimensional modulo-permutation of the points. It is shown that given a fixed inertia matrix, it is possible to find a system of point-masses with the same inertia matrix but where one of the points is located at some arbitrary point. It is also possible to place two point-masses on an arbitrary line or three of the points on an arbitrary plane. The possibility of placing some of the point-masses at infinity is also investigated. Applications of these ideas to rigid body dynamics are considered. The equation of motion for a rigid body is derived in terms of a system of four point-masses. These turn out to be very simple when written in a 6-vector notation.
Overall Bone Structure as Assessed by Slice-by-Slice Profile
Authors: Amson Eli
Published: October 2019

Quantifying the inner structure of bones is central to various analyses dealing with the phenotypic evolution of animals with an ossified skeleton. Computed tomography allows to assess the repartition of bone tissue within an entire skeletal element. Two parameters of importance for such analyses are the global compactness (Cg) and total cross-sectional area (Tt.Ar). However, no open-source, time-efficient methods are available to acquire these parameters for whole bones. A methodology to assess the variation of these parameters along a profile following one of the studied bone’s anatomical axes is also wanting. Here I present an ImageJ macro and associated R script to automatically acquire Cg and Tt.Ar along an axis of the skeletal element of interest using a slice-by-slice approach. No manual segmentation is required and several bones can be present on the analysed scan, as long as the bone of interest is isolated and the largest element on each slice. While some bias might be involved by the automatic acquisition, semi-automatic slice exclusion and correction procedures can be used to efficiently account for it. As a test case, µCT-data was gathered for the mid-lumbar vertebra of over 70 mammals. The two evaluated correction procedures proved to perform equally well, with a slight advantage for the one relying on the exclusion of local outliers. The presented macro allows to efficiently build a dataset concerned with the quantification of bone inner structure. The code being readily available, further improvement of the methodology and adjustment to particular needs can be easily performed.
The Sant Pau Initiative on Neurodegeneration (SPIN) cohort: A data set for biomarker discovery and validation in neurodegenerative disorders
Authors: Alcolea Daniel , Clarimón Jordi , Carmona‐Iragui María , Illán‐Gala Ignacio , Morenas‐Rodríguez Estrella , Barroeta Isabel , Ribosa‐Nogué Roser , Sala Isabel , Sánchez‐Saudinós M. Belén , Videla Laura , Subirana Andrea , Benejam Bessy , Valldeneu Sílvia , Fernández Susana , Estellés Teresa , Altuna Miren , Santos‐Santos Miguel , García‐Losada Lídia , Bejanin Alexandre , Pegueroles Jordi , Montal Víctor , Vilaplana Eduard , Belbin Olivia , Dols‐Icardo Oriol , Sirisi Sònia , Querol‐Vilaseca Marta , Cervera‐Carles Laura , Muñoz Laia , Núñez Raúl , Torres Soraya , Camacho M. Valle , Carrió Ignasi , Giménez Sandra , Delaby Constance , Rojas‐Garcia Ricard , Turon‐Sans Janina , Pagonabarraga Javier , Jiménez Amanda , Blesa Rafael , Fortea Juan , Lleó Alberto
Published: October 2019

Introduction

The SPIN (Sant Pau Initiative on Neurodegeneration) cohort is a multimodal biomarker platform designed for neurodegenerative disease research following an integrative approach.

Methods

Participants of the SPIN cohort provide informed consent to donate blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples, receive detailed neurological and neuropsychological evaluations, and undergo a structural 3T brain MRI scan. A subset also undergoes other functional or imaging studies (video‐polysomnogram, 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose PET, amyloid PET, Tau PET). Participants are followed annually for a minimum of 4 years, with repeated cerebrospinal fluid collection and imaging studies performed every other year, and brain donation is encouraged.

Results

The integration of clinical, neuropsychological, genetic, biochemical, imaging, and neuropathological information and the harmonization of protocols under the same umbrella allows the discovery and validation of key biomarkers across several neurodegenerative diseases.

Discussion

We describe our particular 10‐year experience and how different research projects were unified under an umbrella biomarker program, which might be of help to other research teams pursuing similar approaches.
State Capture through Corruption: Can Human Rights Help?
Authors: Reyes Jimena
Published: October 2019

Until recently, the United Nations and regional systems of human rights protection had shown considerable reluctance to address human rights violations resulting from corruption. Instead, these actors would underline the negative impacts of corruption on human rights without identifying corruption itself as a violation of human rights. Since 2017, however, this has begun to shift. The UN, regional human rights institutions, and civil society have begun to devise concrete ways for human rights institutions and instruments to better contribute to the fight against corruption. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights (“the Court”), in particular, has taken preliminary steps to establish a legal link between corruption and human rights violations.
Predictors of Work Ability in Individuals With a Common Mental Disorder: Is There an Effect of Metacognitive Beliefs Among Poor Physical Health and Emotional Distress?
Authors: Nordahl Henrik , Wells Adrian
Published: October 2019

Work ability is a prospective predictor of sick leave, disability pension and unemployment, and has been defined as the balance between human resources and the demands of work, taking into consideration that illness is not equivalent to work disability. In the present study we set out to explore predictors of work ability in a sample of individuals with common mental disorders. In particular, we were interested in exploring metacognitive beliefs as a potential predictor of work ability, as Wells’ (2009) metacognitive model of psychological disorder suggests that metacognitions may be an underlying factor in psychological vulnerability generally, and they have been associated with work status in previous studies. One hundred and seventy-seven individuals participated in an online survey and completed a battery of self-report questionnaires. Several factors correlated with reduced work ability: physical disorders, emotional distress symptoms and metacognitive beliefs. We found that confidence in memory predicted work ability even when controlling for gender/age, number of physical disorders, and levels of anxiety and depression symptoms. This finding suggest that metacognitions of poor memory performance are associated with low work ability among those with common mental disorders, and implies that these should be targeted in treatment with a view to increasing work ability and thus potentially facilitate return to work.
Enhancing welfare without a theory of welfare
Authors: HAUSMAN DANIEL M.
Published: October 2019

By identifying well-being with preference satisfaction, mainstream normative economists were able to leave the determination of which specific things make people better or worse off to the individuals themselves. The findings of behavioral economics undermine the possibility of deferring in this way to individual preference. One response to this challenge to welfare economics is to distinguish the true preferences of individuals from their manifest preferences and to take true preferences to guide policy. InThe Community of Advantage, Robert Sugden criticizes this strategy and proposes that economists appraise policies, institutions and outcomes by the opportunities they provide rather than by their contributions to welfare. This paper criticizes Sugden's view and argues for a modest solution that makes cautious use of preferences as indicators of well-being.
Breaching confidentiality to report students’ risk-taking behaviours to school administrators
Authors: Sivis-Cetinkaya Rahsan
Published: October 2019

This study examined Turkish school counsellors’ (SCs) ratings of the importance of factors in deciding to report students’ risk-taking behaviours to school administrators (SAs). A sample of Turkish SCs ( N = 252) were surveyed. Most and least important factors were determined. Group differences in terms of gender, school level of employment, and attending mandatory counselling ethics training were investigated. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests were used in group comparisons. ‘Protecting the student’ was rated as the most important factor, and ‘Gender of the student’ was the least important factor. Statistically significant group differences with respect to gender, school level of employment, and attending mandatory counselling ethics training were identified. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Embedding Indigenous epistemologies and ontologies whilst interacting with academic norms
Authors: Gilbert Stephanie
Published: October 2019

Abstract Working in an Institute that centres Indigenous epistemologies and ontologies provides a challenge for the ongoing development of our understandings of Indigeneity and how we embed and embody these understandings. It also creates the opportunity for reflection and development both of pedagogical principles, as well as construction. Trends within the Institute to move to a new degree offering, led the University of Newcastle and the Wollotuka Institute to revisit questions of how to have these conversations together, how to create shared ideas about appropriate approaches and how to translate these shared understandings into real-time outcomes for students studying our courses. These processes are observed here with some examples provided to illuminate the challenging processes taken by experts involved with embodying Indigenous ontologies and epistemologies in this area through all processes of an indigenous centred unit in an Australian university.
A vindicatory approach to tortious liability for mistakes in assisted human reproduction
Authors: Mulligan Andrea
Published: October 2019

Mistakes in assisted human reproduction procedures such as IVF, egg, sperm and embryo donation are surprisingly common, but tortious liability for such mistakes has not been addressed in the courts of England and Wales, or Ireland. This paper presents an argument in favour of a vindicatory approach to tortious claims arising from mistakes, where the claimants are the parents of the resulting, healthy, child. Drawing on the analogous tort of wrongful pregnancy, the paper provides a vindicatory account of the case ofRees v Darlington Memorial Hospital, and argues thatReessignposts the correct approach for tortious claims arising from mistakes in assisted human reproduction. It is argued that while the law should not compensate ‘loss’ flowing from the birth of a child, parents should be entitled to an award of damages to vindicate their right to reproductive autonomy. The paper explores vindication of the right to reproductive autonomy through the tort of negligence, but argues that vindication may be more effectively achieved through the creation of a separate tort which is actionable per se, strict liability, and expressly focused on vindication rather than compensation.
Radiocarbon dating of textile Components from Historical silk costumes and other cloth products in the Ryukyu Islands, Japan
Authors: Nakamura Toshio , Terada Takako , Ueki Chikako , Minami Masayo
Published: October 2019

In our research on traditional clothing and accessories in the Ryukyu Islands of Japan, we have collected cloth fragments from traditional Ryukyuan costumes and other fabric products for radiocarbon (14C) dating. In this study, the cloth samples from historical costumes of noro priestesses (two samples), men and women from high-status families (five samples), and non-costume cloth products (seven samples), belonging to the traditional hereditary religious system of the ancient Ryukyu Kingdom, which lasted from approximately the 14th century AD to 1829 were analyzed. One extra sample originated from a silk shawl known as a Manila shawl. The oldest among the 15 samples dates back to the mid-15th century, but some newer ones belong to the unclear calibrated age range of AD 1650–1950. The measured dates are very consistent with the historical record, suggesting that acetone and acid-alkali-acid treatments are an adequate cleaning method for radiocarbon dating of silk and cotton samples produced in the late Middle Age and later.
Reflecting on the 60th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty
Authors: Dodds Klaus
Published: October 2019

This essay serves as an introduction to the special issue recognising the 60th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty. It provides the geopolitical and scientific context informing the creation of the negotiations for a new treaty between October and December 1959. Thereafter, it identifies some of the challenges facing the contemporary Antarctic Treaty System. While none are thought to be threatening to the collaborative spirit that informs the legal and political status quo, there is no room for complacency either. Finally, the contributors and their essays are introduced for the reader. Taken together, it showcases the diversity of work being undertaken by scholars in the humanities and social sciences.
Internationalists, sovereigntists, nativists: Contending visions of world order in Pan-Africanism
Authors: Abrahamsen Rita
Published: October 2019

Contrary to common assumptions that the liberal world order was ‘made in the West’, this article argues that it was produced in interaction with Pan-African ideology and actors. Developing a morphological analysis, it identifies three contending visions of world order within Pan-Africanism: a world of continental unity and transnational solidarity; a world of national sovereignty; and a world of racially defined units. It concludes that Pan-Africanism contains intellectual and political resources for the defence, reinvigoration, and invention of a more just, equal and rule-bound multilateral world, but that this cannot be taken for granted. Pan-Africanism is neither inherently progressive, nor reactionary, and can support multilateralism and sovereigntism in equal measure. Pan-Africanism's nativism also carries particular risks at a time when similar identitarian viewpoints are promoted by Radical Right movements. Understanding the manner in which Pan-Africanism informs and legitimises diverse political agendas is thus of crucial importance for IR, for Pan-Africanists, and for the future of world order.
Current Crises and Potential Conflicts in Asia and the Pacific: Challenges Facing Global Health or Global Public Health by a Different Name
Authors: Burkle Frederick M.
Published: October 2019

Since 1945, the reasons for major crises and how the world responds to them have changed every 10-15 years or sooner. Whereas these crises vary greatly across global regions, their economic, environmental, ecological, social, and disease aspects are increasingly under the influence of widely integrated global changes and forces arising primarily from: climate extremes; rapid unsustainable urbanization; critical biodiversity losses; and emergencies of scarcity in water, food, and energy. These slow-moving but increasingly severe crises affect larger populations across many borders and lead to the emergence of increasing population-based, preventable public health emergencies related to water, sanitation, food, shelter, energy, and related health illnesses, and ultimately global health security. This report explores the impact of these crises on Asia and the Pacific region, and their potential for regional conflict.
Health benefits and costs of weight-loss dietary counselling by nurses in primary care: a cost-effectiveness analysis
Authors: Cleghorn Christine L , Wilson Nick , Nair Nisha , Kvizhinadze Giorgi , Nghiem Nhung , McLeod Melissa , Blakely Tony
Published: October 2019

Objective:

We aimed to estimate the cost-effectiveness of brief weight-loss counselling by dietitian-trained practice nurses, in a high-income-country case study.

Design:

A literature search of the impact of dietary counselling on BMI was performed to source the ‘best’ effect size for use in modelling. This was combined with multiple other input parameters (e.g. epidemiological and cost parameters for obesity-related diseases, likely uptake of counselling) in an established multistate life-table model with fourteen parallel BMI-related disease life tables using a 3 % discount rate.

Setting:

New Zealand (NZ).

Participants:

We calculated quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) gained and health-system costs over the remainder of the lifespan of the NZ population alive in 2011 (n4·4 million).

Results:

Counselling was estimated to result in an increase of 250 QALY (95 % uncertainty interval −70, 560 QALY) over the population’s lifetime. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was 2011 $NZ 138 200 per QALY gained (2018 $US 102 700). Per capita QALY gains were higher for Māori (Indigenous population) than for non-Māori, but were still not cost-effective. If willingness-to-pay was set to the level of gross domestic product per capita per QALY gained (i.e. 2011 $NZ 45 000 or 2018 $US 33 400), the probability that the intervention would be cost-effective was 2 %.

Conclusions:

The study provides modelling-level evidence that brief dietary counselling for weight loss in primary care generates relatively small health gains at the population level and is unlikely to be cost-effective.
Norm internalisation revisited: Norm contestation and the life of norms at the extreme of the norm cascade
Authors: GARCÍA IOMMI LUCRECIA
Published: October 2019

Finnemore and Sikkink’s norms life cycle model (NLCM) is a powerful heuristic device that continues to be a mandatory point of reference for theoretical and empirical scholarship on norm change. Yet the internalisation stage as conceptualised in the NLCM is problematic. Drawing from Wiener’s Theory of Contestation, this article proposes to reconceptualise the norm internalisation stage as the phase at the extreme of the norm cascade in which inherently contested norms simultaneously enjoy formal validity, social recognition, and cultural validation among stakeholders. Unlike Finnemore and Sikkink’s, this conceptualisation focuses solely on norm validity and does not assume ‘almost automatic’ compliance. While Finnemore and Sikkink emphasise habit and institutionalisation as mechanisms of internalisation, the proposed conceptualisation highlights the role of applicatory contestation under conditions of high contestedness. Furthermore, I argue that internalised norms continue to be contested. Finally, my conceptualisation explicitly incorporates norm regression as the fourth stage of the NLCM. Norms might regress because they become obsolete, they change, or they are replaced. To assess the descriptive power of the proposed conceptualisation vis-à-vis Finnemore and Sikkink’s, the article applies them to the analysis of the norm that prohibits torture.
Variation atDENND1Band Asthma on the Island of Tristan da Cunha
Authors: Duffy David L. , Siminovitch Katherine A. , Zamel Ricardo , Chapman Kenneth R. , Martin Nicholas G. , Zamel Noe
Published: October 2019

A high prevalence of asthma has been documented among the inhabitants of Tristan da Cunha, an isolated island in the South Atlantic. The population derives from just 28 founders. We performed lung function testing, including methacholine inhalation challenge, allergen skin prick testing, and collected DNA from essentially all of the current island population (269 individuals), and genotyped a panel of 43 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) reported as associated with asthma and atopy. We carried out a mixed-model association analysis using the known pedigree. There were 96 individuals diagnosed as asthmatic (36%), and heritability estimates were similar to those from nonisolated population samples (multifactorial threshold model,h2= 48%). The first component from a genetic principal components analysis using the entire SNP panel was nonlinearly associated with asthma, with the maximum risk to those intermediate to reference (Human Genome Diversity Project) European and African samples means. The single most strongly associated SNP was rs2786098 (p= 5.5 × 10−5), known to regulate the geneDENND1B. This explained approximately one-third of the trait heritability, with an allelic odds ratio for the A allele of 2.6. Among A/A carriers, 10 out of 12 individuals were asthmatic. The rs2786098*A variant was initially reported to decrease the risk of childhood (atopic) asthma in European but slightly increase the risk in African-descended populations, and does significantly alter Th2 cell function. Despite an absence of overall association with this variant in recent asthma genome wide association studies meta-analyses, an effect may exist on the particular genetic background of the Tristan da Cunha population.
Linking Faults, Fractures, and Clay Mineral Occurrence With Fluid Transport in the Accretionary Prism of the Nankai Trough, Japan
Authors: Schleicher Anja M. , Jurado Maria‐Jose
Published: October 2019

The interpretation of logging while drilling resistivity oriented images and geophysical logs from Hole C0002 drilled during the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expeditions 338 and 348 of the Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment (NanTroSEIZE) project revealed a complex structure of the accretionary prism characterized by steep bedding and abundant folds and fault zones, indicative of specific areas of deformation within the clay‐dominated prism sediments. Local faults were undoubtedly interpreted on images from Hole C0002P (2,162.5–3,058.4 m below seafloor), whereas folds were identified in both Holes C0002P and C0002F (860–2,005.5 m below seafloor). The clay mineral analysis of rock samples (cuttings) shows that clay mineralization occurs within the range of the faulted and fractured zones. This linkage between local deformation and clay mineralization can have implications for enhanced fluid flow and localized fluid‐rock interaction within the highly fractured areas of the accretionary prism. We conclude that dissolution and neomineralization of illitic and smectitic phases within fractures and faults is a process that probably continues during active creep and fault reactivation and plays a key role in influencing weak fault and creep behavior within the Nankai Trough, and likely in shallow fault systems elsewhere.
Rutile (U‐Th)/He Thermochronology: Temperature Sensitivity and Radiation Damage Effects
Authors: Robinson Katherine H. , Flowers Rebecca M. , Metcalf James R.
Published: October 2019

Rutile (TiO2) is a common U‐Th‐bearing accessory mineral in metamorphic and, to a lesser extent, igneous rocks. Its development as a (U‐Th)/He thermochronometer would diversify the lithologies dateable with the (U‐Th)/He technique. We report (U‐Th)/He dates for rutile with crystallization ages that vary from Cretaceous to Proterozoic from eight samples with independent constraints on their thermal history to empirically calibrate the temperature sensitivity of the rutile (U‐Th)/He (RHe) system. The results document an analytical challenge for the Proterozoic rutile, where degassing at laser powers typical for zircon volatilized the parent isotopes while lower laser powers failed to consistently and completely extract all 4He from the crystals. In contrast, the six Phanerozoic samples were easily degassed without U‐Th loss. RHe dates for five of these samples are fairly reproducible (6–22% dispersion) or yield positive RHe date‐eU correlations. RHe dates are older than or overlap with apatite (U‐Th)/He dates available for four of these samples and are younger than zircon (U‐Th)/He dates available for two of these samples. This implies that the He closure temperature (Tc) for these Phanerozoic rutile is between apatite (~70 °C) and lower damage zircon (~200 °C). We also conducted two 4He diffusion experiments. These data are consistent with anisotropic He diffusion and yield Tc estimates of ~155–159 °C for diffusion parallel to the c axis (at a 10 °C/Ma cooling rate). These diffusion experiment results, the degassing patterns for Phanerozoic versus Proterozoic rutile, and the positive RHe date‐eU correlations in two samples imply that radiation damage increases rutile He retentivity.
A Novel Method for the Extraction, Purification, and Characterization of Noble Gases in Produced Fluids
Authors: Tyne R. L. , Barry P. H. , Hillegonds D. J. , Hunt A. G . , Kulongoski J. T. , Stephens M. J. , Byrne D. J. , Ballentine C. J.
Published: October 2019

Hydrocarbon systems with declining or viscous oil production are often stimulated using enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques, such as the injection of water, steam, and CO2, in order to increase oil and gas production. As EOR and other methods of enhancing production such as hydraulic fracturing have become more prevalent, environmental concerns about the impact of both new and historical hydrocarbon production on overlying shallow aquifers have increased. Noble gas isotopes are powerful tracers of subsurface fluid provenance and can be used to understand the impact of EOR on hydrocarbon systems and potentially overlying aquifers. In oil systems, produced fluids can consist of a mixture of oil, water and gas. Noble gases are typically measured in the gas phase; however, it is not always possible to collect gases and therefore produced fluids (which are water, oil, and gas mixtures) must be analyzed. We outline a new technique to separate and analyze noble gases in multiphase hydrocarbon‐associated fluid samples. An offline double capillary method has been developed to quantitatively isolate noble gases into a transfer vessel, while effectively removing all water, oil, and less volatile hydrocarbons. The gases are then cleaned and analyzed using standard techniques. Air‐saturated water reference materials (n = 24) were analyzed and results show a method reproducibility of 2.9% for 4He, 3.8% for 20Ne, 4.5% for 36Ar, 5 .3% for 84Kr, and 5.7% for 132Xe. This new technique was used to measure the noble gas isotopic compositions in six produced fluid samples from the Fruitvale Oil Field, Bakersfield, California.
Stormquakes
Authors: Fan Wenyuan , McGuire Jeffrey J. , de Groot‐Hedlin Catherine D. , Hedlin Michael A. H. , Coats Sloan , Fiedler Julia W.
Published: October 2019

Seismic signals from ocean‐solid Earth interactions are ubiquitously recorded on our planet. However, these wavefields are typically incoherent in the time domain limiting their utilization for understanding ocean dynamics or solid Earth properties. In contrast, we find that during large storms such as hurricanes and Nor'easters the interaction of long‐period ocean waves with shallow seafloor features located near the edge of continental shelves, known as ocean banks, excites coherent transcontinental Rayleigh wave packets in the 20‐ to 50‐s period band. These “stormquakes” migrate coincident with the storms but are effectively spatiotemporally focused seismic point sources with equivalent earthquake magnitudes that can be greater than 3.5. Stormquakes thus provide new coherent sources to investigate Earth structure in locations that typically lack both seismic instrumentation and earthquakes. Moreover, they provide a new geophysical observable with high spatial and temporal resolution with which to investigate ocean wave dynamics during large storms.
Plasmapause, Convection, and Reconnection
Authors: Nishida A.
Published: October 2019

Being one of the first generation of space scientists who entered this field right after the space became accessible to in situ observations, I had good luck of addressing some of the basic questions in this field from the early years of my carrier. These are development of global convection in the magnetosphere when the interplanetary magnetic field has the southward polarity, changes in the structure of the magnetotail leading to the onset of substorm expansion phase, and physics of the plasmapause formation. My career culminated with promotion and implementation of the Geotail spacecraft mission. In this article I shall present my personal recollections on these efforts including interactions with colleagues worldwide who shared the common interest.
Improving Absolute Earthquake Location in West Texas Using Probabilistic, Proxy Ground‐Truth Station Corrections
Authors: Lomax Anthony , Savvaidis Alexandros
Published: October 2019

An increase in induced seismicity in the central United States since 2009 led to establishment of TexNet seismic‐monitoring in Texas. Accurate, absolute seismic‐event location is critical to TexNet, allowing quantitative evaluation of possible association of seismicity with human activity. For the Delaware Basin, western Texas, relocation using different velocity models and TexNet station subsets shows absolute location error up to 4–5 km. The preferred method to reduce absolute error, ground‐truth calibration, is not available in this area. Alternatively, we used industrial well activity as proxy, ground‐truth for developing probabilistic, proxy ground‐truth (PPGT) station corrections for relocation. Assuming well activity causes seismicity, we defined a distance–time probability associating events and well activity. We used these associations and other evidence to show some seismicity in the Delaware Basin is more likely due to hydraulic‐fracturing than saltwater disposal. We then probabilistically accumulated PPGT station corrections using event hypocenters constrained to associated fracturing‐well locations. We applied this procedure within 12 km of TexNet station PB02, optimizing the procedure through comparison of rates of causal and acausal associations. Relative to the initial locations, final PPGT relocations show smaller residuals and shifts in epicenter as much as 3 km, predominantly toward the north and northwest. PPGT residuals are similar to those from relocation with standard station corrections. The initial hypocenters showed an unreasonable deepening with distance from station PB02, whereas PPGT relocations produced an overall flattening of event depths. These results are consistent with PPGT corrections giving real improvement in absolute location accuracy.