bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Framework for Selecting Best Practices in Public Health: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Ng Eileen , De Colombani Pierpaolo
Published: November 2015

Evidence-based public health has commonly relied on findings from empirical studies, or research-based evidence. However, this paper advocates that practice-based evidence derived from programmes implemented in real-life settings is likely to be a more suitable source of evidence for inspiring and guiding public health programmes. Selection of best practices from the array of implemented programmes is one way of generating such practice-based evidence. Yet the lack of consensus on the definition and criteria for practice-based evidence and best practices has limited their application in public health so far. To address the gap in literature on practice-based evidence, this paper hence proposes measures of success for public health interventions by developing an evaluation framework for selection of best practices. The proposed framework was synthesised from a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed and grey literature on existing evaluation frameworks for public health programmes as well as processes employed by health-related organisations when selecting best practices. A best practice is firstly defined as an intervention that has shown evidence of effectiveness in a particular setting and is likely to be replicable to other situations. Regardless of the area of public health, interventions should be evaluated by their context, process and outcomes. A best practice should hence meet most, if not all, of eight identified evaluation criteria: relevance, community participation, stakeholder collaboration, ethical soundness, replicability, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability. Ultimately, a standardised framework for selection of best practices will improve the usefulness and credibility of practice-based evidence in informing evidence-based public health interventions.
An Audit of Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs in South Africa
Authors: Dube Loveness , Van den Broucke Stephan , Dhoore William , Kalweit Kerry , Housiaux Marie
Published: November 2015

Background

Diabetes is a significant contributor to the burden of disease worldwide. Since its treatment requires extensive self-care, self-management education is widely recommended, particularly in resource limited settings. This study aimed to review the current state of policies and implementation of diabetes self-management education (DSME) in South Africa, with a specific focus on cultural appropriateness.

Design and Methods

The audit involved a review of policy documents and semi-structured questionnaires with providers and experts in public and private health services. Forty-four respondents were interviewed. Documents were analysed with reference to the International Standards for Diabetes Education from the International Diabetes Federation. Data were entered and analysed in excel to give a description of the DSME programs and ad hoc interventions.

Results

Three guidelines for Type 2 diabetes and two for chronic diseases were retrieved, but none were specifically dedicated to DSME. Five structured programs and 22 ad-hoc interventions were identified. DSME is mostly provided by doctors, nurses and dieticians and not consistently linked to other initiatives such as support groups. Health education materials are mainly in English with limited availability.

Conclusions

DSME in South Africa is limited in scope, content and consistency, especially in the public services. A National curricula and materials for diabetes education need to be developed and adapted to the socio-economic context, culture and literacy levels of the target populations. It is recommended that DSME would be addressed in national policies and guidelines to guide the development and implementation of standardised programs.
MtDNA lineage diversity of a potamonautid freshwater crab in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: Gouws Gavin , Peer Nasreen , Perissinotto Renzo
Published: November 2015

Five species of freshwater crab (genus Potamonautes) are known from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, whilst a sixth (Potamonautes isimangaliso) was recently described from the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Earlier molecular studies of crab diversity in the province were largely limited in geographic scope or employed genetic markers, ill-suited for identifying intraspecific diversity. Possible species-level diversity or cryptic taxa may have thus remained undetected. In this study, lineage diversity was examined in a widespread species, Potamonautes sidneyi, using mitochondrial sequence data, to determine whether this species harbours cryptic diversity that could be of conservation importance in the province, particularly with respect to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. The taxonomic status of P. isimangaliso was also assessed. Mitochondrial sequence data were generated and analysed to identify unique lineages and to examine their distributions. Phylogenetic analyses were used to determine whether these lineages represented known or potentially novel species, using comparative data from southern African Potamonautes species. Seven independent networks were identified within P. sidneyi and substantial structure was observed amongst sampling localities. Phylogenetic analyses revealed two distinct, divergent lineages in P. sidneyi. One was positively assigned to P. sidneyi, whereas the placement of the other suggested a novel species. These results suggested possible species diversity within P. sidneyi, with one lineage occurring in the north-east of the province, around the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Potamonautes isimangaliso was clearly allied to Potamonautes lividus, but genetic divergences suggested that P. isimangaliso is a distinct taxon and that P. lividus may represent a species complex.Conservation implications: This study confirmed unique freshwater crab diversity, both within KwaZulu-Natal and associated with the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
Long-term Disease-free Survival after Hepatic Metastasectomy for Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Brooks Nathan A. , Dahmoush Laila , Brown James A.
Published: November 2015

Urothelial carcinoma of the bladder represents a significant health burden globally. Patients who present with or develop metastatic disease experience poor overall survival even with salvage chemotherapy. Metastasectomy has shown promise in prolonging survival and even cure in patients with pulmonary and lymph node metastasis. We describe the second patient in the available literature who underwent liver resection for a solitary liver metastasis after cystectomy with disease-free survival at 64 months and present a review of the existing literature describing metastasectomy.
Human and Environmental Toxicity of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): Evidence for Safe Use in Household Cleaning Products
Authors: Bondi Cara A. M. , Marks Julia L. , Wroblewski Lauren B. , Raatikainen Heidi S. , Lenox Shannon R. , Gebhardt Kay E.
Published: November 2015

Environmental chemical exposure is a major concern for consumers of packaged goods. The complexity of chemical nomenclature and wide availability of scientific research provide detailed information but lends itself to misinterpretation by the lay person. For the surfactant sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), this has resulted in a misunderstanding of the environmental health impact of the chemical and statements in the media that are not scientifically supported. This review demonstrates how scientific works can be misinterpreted and used in a manner that was not intended by the authors, while simultaneously providing insight into the true environmental health impact of SLS. SLS is an anionic surfactant commonly used in consumer household cleaning products. For decades, this chemical has been developing a negative reputation with consumers because of inaccurate interpretations of the scientific literature and confusion between SLS and chemicals with similar names. Here, we review the human and environmental toxicity profiles of SLS and demonstrate that it is safe for use in consumer household cleaning products.
Direct radiative effect by brown carbon over the Indo-Gangetic Plain
Authors: Arola A. , Schuster G. L. , Pitkänen M. R. A. , Dubovik O. , Kokkola H. , Lindfors A. V. , Mielonen T. , Raatikainen T. , Romakkaniemi S. , Tripathi S. N. , Lihavainen H.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. The importance of light-absorbing organic aerosols, often called brown carbon (BrC), has become evident in recent years. However, there have been relatively few measurement-based estimates for the direct radiative effect of BrC so far. In earlier studies, the AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET)-measured aerosol absorption optical depth (AAOD) and absorption Angstrom exponent (AAE) were exploited. However, these two pieces of information are clearly not sufficient to separate properly carbonaceous aerosols from dust, while imaginary indices of refraction would contain more and better justified information for this purpose. This is first time that the direct radiative effect (DRE) of BrC is estimated by exploiting the AERONET-retrieved imaginary indices. We estimated it for four sites in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), Karachi, Lahore, Kanpur and Gandhi College. We found a distinct seasonality, which was generally similar among all the sites, but with slightly different strengths. The monthly warming effect up to 0.5 W m−2 takes place during the spring season. On the other hand, BrC results in an overall cooling effect in the winter season, which can reach levels close to −1 W m−2. We then estimated similarly also the DRE of black carbon and total aerosol, in order to assess the relative significance of the BrC radiative effect in the radiative effects of other components. Even though BrC impact seems minor in this context, we demonstrated that it is not insignificant. Moreover, we demonstrated that it is crucial to perform spectrally resolved radiative transfer calculations to obtain good estimates for the DRE of BrC.
Temporal variations in CO2 and CO at Ahmedabad in western India
Authors: Chandra N. , Lal S. , Venkataramani S. , Patra P. K. , Sheel V.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. About 70 % of the anthropogenic CO2 is emitted from the megacities and urban areas of the world. In-situ simultaneous measurements of carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) have been made using a state-of-the-art laser based cavity ring down spectroscopy technique at Ahmedabad, an urban site in western India, from November 2013 to May 2015 with a break during March to June 2014. Annual average concentrations of CO2 and CO have been found to be 413.0 ± 13.7 ppm and 0.50 ± 0.37 ppm respectively. Both the species show strong seasonality, with lower concentrations of 400.3 ± 6.8 ppm and 0.19 ± 0.13 ppm, respectively during the south-west monsoon, and higher values of 419.6 ± 22.8 ppm and 0.72 ± 0.68 ppm, respectively in autumn (SON). Strong diurnal variations are also observed for both the species. The common factors for diurnal cycles of CO2 and CO are the vertical mixing and rush hour traffic, while the influence of biospheric fluxes is also seen in CO2 diurnal cycle. Using CO and CO2 covariation, we differentiate the anthropogenic and biospheric components of CO2 and found that significant contributions of biospheric respiration and anthropogenic emission in the late night (00:00–05:00 IST) and evening rush hours (18:00–22:00 IST) respectively. We compute total yearly emission of CO to be 69.2 ± 0.07 Gg for the study region using the observed CO : CO2 correlation slope and bottom-up CO2 emission inventory. This calculated emission of CO is 52 % larger than the estimated emission of CO by the EDGAR inventory. The observations of CO2 have been compared with an atmospheric chemistry transport model (i.e., ACTM), which incorporates various components of CO2 fluxes. ACTM is able to capture the basic variabilities, but both diurnal and seasonal amplitudes are largely underestimated compared to the observations. We attribute this underestimation by model to uncertainties in terrestrial biosphere fluxes and coarse model resolution. The fossil fuel signal from the model shows fairly good correlation with observed CO2 variations, which supports the overall dominance of fossil fuel emissions over the biospheric fluxes in this urban region.
Ground-based remote sensing scheme for monitoring aerosol–cloud interactions
Authors: Sarna K. , Russchenberg H. W. J.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. A method for continuous observation of aerosol–cloud interactions with ground-based remote sensing instruments is presented. The main goal of this method is to enable the monitoring of cloud microphysical changes due to the changing aerosol concentration. We use high resolution measurements from lidar, radar and radiometer which allow to collect and compare data continuously. This method is based on a standardised data format from Cloudnet and can be implemented at any observatory where the Cloudnet data set is available. Two example study cases were chosen from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program deployment at Graciosa Island, Azores, Portugal in 2009 to present the method. We show the Pearson Product–Moment Correlation Coefficient, r, and the Coefficient of Determination, r2 for data divided into bins of LWP, each of 10 g m−2. We explain why the commonly used way of quantity aerosol cloud interactions by use of an ACI index (ACIr,τ = dln re,τ/dlnα) is not the best way of quantifying aerosol–cloud interactions.
Organic carbon burial efficiency in a large tropical hydroelectric reservoir
Authors: Mendonça R. , Kosten S. , Sobek S. , Cardoso S. J. , Figueiredo-Barros M. P. , Estrada C. H. D. , Roland F.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. Hydroelectric reservoirs bury significant amounts of organic carbon (OC) in their sediments. Many reservoirs are characterized by high sedimentation rates, low oxygen concentrations in bottom water, and a high share of terrestrially derived OC, and all of these factors have been linked to a high efficiency of OC burial. However, investigations of OC burial efficiency (OCBE, i.e. the ratio between OC buried and deposited) in reservoirs is limited to a few studies, none of which include spatially resolved analyses. In this study we determined the spatial variation in OCBE in a large tropical reservoir and related it to sediment characteristics. Our results show that the sediment accumulation rate explains up to 92 % of the spatial variability in OCBE, outweighing the effect of other variables, such as OC source and oxygen exposure time. OCBE at the pelagic sites varied from 48 to 86 % (mean 67 %) and decreased towards the dam. At the margins, OCBE was lower (9 to 17 %) due to the low sediment accumulation in shallow areas. Our data show that the variability in OCBE both along the rivers-dam and the margin-pelagic axes must be considered in whole-reservoir assessments. Combining these results with a spatially resolved assessment of sediment accumulation and OC burial in the studied reservoir, we estimated a whole-basin OC burial efficiency of 57 %. Being the first whole-basin assessment of OCBE in a reservoir, these results suggest that reservoirs may bury OC more efficiently than natural lakes.
Impact of Holocene climate variability on lacustrine records and human settlements in South Greenland
Authors: Guillemot T. , Bichet V. , Simonneau A. , Rius D. , Massa C. , Gauthier E. , Richard H. , Magny M.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. Due to its sensitivity to climate changes, south Greenland is a particularly suitable area to study past global climate changes and their influence on locale Human settlements. A paleohydrological investigation was therefore carried out on two river-fed lakes: Lake Qallimiut and Little Kangerluluup, both located close to the Labrador Sea in the historic farming center of Greenland. Two sediment cores (QAL-2011 and LKG-2011), spanning the last four millennia, were retrieved and showed similar thin laminae, described by high magnetic susceptibility and density, high titanium and TOC / TN atomic ratio, and coarse grain size. They are also characterized either by inverse grading followed by normal grading or by normal grading only and a prevalence of red amorphous particles and lignocellulosic fragments, typical of flood deposits. Flood events showed similar trend in both records: they mainly occurred during cooler and wetter periods characterized by weaker Greenlandic paleo-temperatures, substantial glacier advances, and a high precipitation on the Greenlandic Ice Sheet and North Atlantic ice-rafting events. They can therefore be interpreted as a result of ice and snow-melting episodes. They occurred especially during rapid climate changes (RCC) such as the Middle to Late Holocene transition around 2250 BC, the Sub-boreal/Sub-atlantic transition around 700 BC and the Little Ice Age (LIA) between AD 1300 and AD 1900, separated by cycles of 1500 years and driven by solar forcing. These global RCC revealed by QAL-2011 and LKG-2011 flood events may have influenced Human settlements in south Greenland, especially the paleo-Eskimo cultures and the Norse settlement, and have been mainly responsible for their demise.
A comprehensive one-dimensional numerical model for solute transport in rivers
Authors: Barati Moghaddam M. , Mazaheri M. , Samani J. M. V.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. Interactions between physical and chemical mechanisms involved in pollutant transport in rivers occur with varying degrees, depending on flow discharge and physical conditions. One of the issues that greatly affect the transport, especially in small mountain streams, is transient storage zones. The main effects include temporary retention of pollutants and reduce its concentration at the downstream and indirect impact on sorption process in the streambed. This paper proposes a one-dimensional model to simulate the pollutant transport in rivers with irregular cross-sections under unsteady flow with transient storage zones. The proposed model verified with analytical solution and comparison with 2-D model. The model application shown by two hypothetical examples and four set of real data that covers different processes governing on transport, cross-section types and flow regimes. Comparing results of the model with two common contaminant transport models show good accuracy and numerical stability of the model than other ones.
Factores socioculturales vinculados al comportamiento proambiental en jóvenes
Authors: Palacios Jorge Raúl , Bustos Marcos , Soler Leonardo
Published: November 2015

El objetivo de la presente investigación fue determinar, en un modelo de trayectorias, la influencia de los factores socioculturales sobre el comportamiento proambiental en una muestra de jóvenes mexicanos. Se plantea que los factores socioculturales tienen un efecto significativo en la conducta proambiental (CPA). Se midieron los factores socioculturales con tres escalas diferentes en una muestra no probabilística de 700 jóvenes mexicanos de entre 13 y 24 años (M= 16.48; DE = 2.7). Los resultados mostraron un ajuste adecuado de los datos con el modelo planteado en la muestra. Consistente con la hipótesis postulada, el análisis del modelo de senderos sugiere que la adaptación sociocultural y el colectivismo tienen un efecto directo en la conservación ambiental y en las acciones prosociales e indirecto sobre acciones prosociales para conservar el ambiente. La discusión analiza la utilidad de los resultados para la evaluación de la conducta ambiental en los jóvenes, así como las implicaciones prácticas para los programas de educación ambiental.
The Human Being as a Unity in Aesthetic Perception and Its Possible Meaning for Aesthetic Education in the Global Age
Authors: Lenehan Katia
Published: November 2015

This paper attempts to provide perspective in understanding the human being’s aesthetic perception by synthesizing Thomas Aquinas’s thoughts on aesthetic perception, Thomist Jacques Maritain’s philosophy of art, and Umberto Eco’s analysis and expansion of the aesthetics of Aquinas. Based on this understanding, I reflect on the union of body and spirit as a whole and its possible meaning for aesthetic education in our global age. Reflections will proceed along the following three directions: 1) How is the human being as a whole open to the artifact through which he or she encounters the other (the author/the artist) in aesthetic perception? 2) How can this openness in aesthetic perception help one to accept others and enrich oneself through others? 3) What can we do in aesthetic education to cultivate this openness, which plays a meaningful role in our global age?
Translating Nature to Nurture: Back to the Future for “New” Epilepsy Therapies
Authors: Schachter Steven C.
Published: November 2015

An emerging strategy for finding new epilepsy therapies is focused on botanicals (as illustrated by recent attention to medical marijuana), given their centuries-old traditions of use in treatment of convulsive seizures, contemporary anecdotal reports of efficacy in persons with epilepsy, and identification of underlying mechanisms of action that are relevant to epilepsy. Hundreds of plant extracts have been found to block seizures in acute animal seizure models, with actions that include effects on GABA receptors and voltage-gated ion channels as well as anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. While existing published clinical studies of botanicals and seizure control are generally of inadequate quality to determine safety and efficacy, recent developments at the FDA may encourage sponsors to develop and commercialize botanicals for epilepsy.
The human ARF tumor suppressor senses blastema activity and suppresses epimorphic tissue regeneration
Authors: Hesse Robert G , Kouklis Gayle K , Ahituv Nadav , Pomerantz Jason H
Published: November 2015

The control of proliferation and differentiation by tumor suppressor genes suggests that evolution of divergent tumor suppressor repertoires could influence species’ regenerative capacity. To directly test that premise, we humanized the zebrafish p53 pathway by introducing regulatory and coding sequences of the human tumor suppressor ARF into the zebrafish genome. ARF was dormant during development, in uninjured adult fins, and during wound healing, but was highly expressed in the blastema during epimorphic fin regeneration after amputation. Regenerative, but not developmental signals resulted in binding of zebrafish E2f to the human ARF promoter and activated conserved ARF-dependent Tp53 functions. The context-dependent activation of ARF did not affect growth and development but inhibited regeneration, an unexpected distinct tumor suppressor response to regenerative versus developmental environments. The antagonistic pleiotropic characteristics of ARF as both tumor and regeneration suppressor imply that inducing epimorphic regeneration clinically would require modulation of ARF –p53 axis activation.
Pulverização de glyphosate associado a diferentes concentrações de resíduo não-purificado da produção de biodiesel
Authors: Carvalho Saul Jorge Pinto de , Machado Edisom Carlos Ribeiro , Lima Rodrigo Sanini de Oliveira , Silva Alan Pratezi Penha , Marques Bruno Da Silva , Gonçalves Marcelo Ferri
Published: November 2015

A busca por fontes energéticas renováveis tem estimulado a implantação de unidades de produção de biodiesel no Brasil. Porém, para que o biodiesel seja considerado plenamente sustentável, deve-se encontrar destinos adequados para os resíduos de sua produção, com destaque para a glicerina bruta. Assim sendo, este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar a eficácia do herbicida glyphosate no controle de plantas daninhas quando associado a diferentes concentrações de resíduo não purificados da produção de biodiesel. Dois experimentos foram realizados, um em viveiro experimental, utilizando o capim-amargoso (Digitaris insularis) como bioindicador; e outro em campo, avaliando a comunidade natural de plantas daninhas. A adição de resíduo da produção de biodiesel à calda de pulverização não elevou a eficácia do herbicida glyphosate no controle do capim-amargoso. Ainda, foi observada redução na eficácia do glyphosate após adição de resíduo à calda de pulverização em doses iguais ou superiores a 0,6% v/v. Não foram encontrados resultados que justifiquem a adoção de resíduo da produção de biodiesel como adjuvante agrícola. Os pontos positivos observados foram mínimos, sem consistência entre espécies ou momentos de aplicação, permanecendo o glyphosate puro como a melhor opção de aplicação e recomendação.
Variability in fluence and spectrum of high‐energy photon bursts produced by lightning leaders
Authors: Celestin Sebastien , Xu Wei , Pasko Victor P.
Published: November 2015

In this paper, we model the production and acceleration of thermal runaway electrons during negative corona flash stages of stepping lightning leaders and the corresponding terrestrial gamma ray flashes (TGFs) or negative cloud‐to‐ground (−CG) lightning‐produced X‐ray bursts in a unified fashion. We show how the source photon spectrum and fluence depend on the potential drop formed in the lightning leader tip region during corona flash and how the X‐ray burst spectrum progressively converges toward typical TGF spectrum as the potential drop increases. Additionally, we show that the number of streamers produced in a negative corona flash, the source electron energy distribution function, the corresponding number of photons, and the photon energy distribution and transport through the atmosphere up to low‐orbit satellite altitudes exhibit a very strong dependence on this potential drop. This leads to a threshold effect causing X‐rays produced by leaders with potentials lower than those producing typical TGFs extremely unlikely to be detected by low‐orbit satellites. Moreover, from the number of photons in X‐ray bursts produced by −CGs estimated from ground observations, we show that the proportionality between the number of thermal runaway electrons and the square of the potential drop in the leader tip region during negative corona flash proposed earlier leads to typical photon fluences on the order of 1 ph/cm2 at an altitude of 500 km and a radial distance of 200 km for intracloud lightning discharges producing 300 MV potential drops, which is consistent with observations of TGF fluences and spectra from satellites.
Substorm simulation: Formation of westward traveling surge
Authors: Ebihara Y. , Tanaka T.
Published: November 2015

Auroral substorm expansion is characterized by initial brightening of aurora, followed by a bulge expanding in all directions, and a westward traveling surge (WTS). On the basis of the result obtained by a global magnetohydrodynamic simulation, we propose a scenario for the onset and the subsequent formation of WTS. (1) Near‐Earth neutral line releases magnetic tension in the near‐Earth plasma sheet to compress plasma and accelerate it earthward. (2) Earthward, perpendicular flow is converted to parallel flow in the near‐Earth tail region. (3) Plasma moves earthward parallel to a field line. The plasma pressure is additionally enhanced at off‐equator with an expanding slow‐mode variation. (4) Flow vorticities coexist near the off‐equatorial high‐pressure region. Resultant field‐aligned current (FAC) is connected to the ionosphere, which may manifest initial brightening. (5) Due to continued earthward flow, the high‐plasma pressure region continues to expand to the east and west. (6) The ionospheric conductivity continues to increase in the upward FAC region, and the conductivity gradient becomes steeper. (7) The convergence of the Hall current gives rise to divergent electric field near the steep gradient of the conductivity. (8) Due to the divergent electric field, magnetospheric plasma moves counterclockwise at low altitude (in the Northern Hemisphere). (9) The additional flow vorticity generates a localized upward FAC at low altitudes, which may manifest WTS, and redistributes the ionospheric current and conductivity. Thus, WTS may be maintained in a self‐consistent manner, and be a natural consequence of the overflow of the Hall current.
Multifrequency compressional magnetic field oscillations and their relation to multiharmonic toroidal mode standing Alfvén waves
Authors: Takahashi Kazue , Waters Colin , Glassmeier Karl‐Heinz , Kletzing Craig A. , Kurth William S. , Smith Charles W.
Published: November 2015

The power spectrum of the compressional component of magnetic fields observed by the Van Allen Probes spacecraft near the magnetospheric equator in the dayside plasmasphere sometimes exhibits regularly spaced multiple peaks at frequencies below 50 mHz. We show by detailed analysis of events observed on two separate days in early 2014 that the frequencies change smoothly with the radial distance of the spacecraft and appear at or very near the frequencies of the odd harmonics of mutiharmonic toroidal mode standing Alfvén waves seen in the azimuthal component of the magnetic field. Even though the compressional component had a low amplitude on one of the selected days, its spectral properties are highlighted by computing the ratio of the spectral powers of time series data obtained from two spatially separated Van Allen Probes spacecraft. The spectral similarity of the compressional and azimuthal components suggests that the compressional component contains field line resonance characteristics.
Electron trapping and acceleration by kinetic Alfven waves in the inner magnetosphere
Authors: Artemyev A. V. , Rankin R. , Blanco M.
Published: November 2015

In this paper we study the interaction of kinetic Alfven waves generated near the equatorial plane of the magnetosphere with electrons having initial energies up to ∼100 eV. Wave‐particle interactions are investigated using a theoretical model of trapping into an effective potential generated by the wave parallel electric field and the mirror force acting along geomagnetic field lines. It is demonstrated that waves with an effective potential amplitude on the order of ∼100–400 V and with perpendicular wavelengths on the order of the ion gyroradius can trap and efficiently accelerate electrons up to energies of several keV. Trapping acceleration corresponds to conservation of the electron magnetic moment and, thus, results in a significant decrease of the electron equatorial pitch angle with time. Analytical and numerical estimates of the maximum energy and probability of trapping are presented, and the application of the proposed model is discussed.
Evidence for a long‐lived accommodation/transfer zone beneath the Snake River Plain: A possible influence on Neogene magmatism?
Authors: Konstantinou Alexandros , Miller Elizabeth
Published: November 2015

Geochronologic data compiled from 12 metamorphic core complexes and their flanking regions outline important differences in tectonic and magmatic histories north and south of the Snake River Plain‐Yellowstone Province (SRP‐Y). Magmatism, crustal flow, metamorphism, and extensional exhumation of core complexes north of the SRP occurred mostly between 55 and 42 Ma as compared to 42–25 Ma south of the SRP, with final exhumation of the southern complexes occurring only during younger Miocene (20–0 Ma) Basin and Range faulting. These significant differences in the timing of events suggest that the now lava‐covered SRP, which is at a high angle to Cordilleran trends, may have at times operated as a steep shear or transfer zone accommodating difference in strain to the north and south. Following previous suggestions, we infer that this proposed accommodation or transfer zone developed above an important lithospheric boundary localized above a tear in the subducting slab (shallower slab angle to the south) used to explain both the locus of Late Cretaceous‐Paleocene magmatism and the different ages and mechanisms of slab reconfiguration and removal north and south of the SRP during the Cenozoic. The details of these different histories help outline the complex evolution of this zone and also suggest that this zone of lithospheric weakness may have subsequently focused Miocene SRP‐Y hot spot magmatism.
Rates and kinematics of active shortening along the eastern Qilian Shan, China, inferred from deformed fluvial terraces
Authors: Hu Xiaofei , Pan Baotian , Kirby Eric , Gao Hongshan , Hu Zhenbo , Cao Bo , Geng Haopeng , Li Qingyang , Zhang Guoliang
Published: November 2015

In the eastern Qilian Shan, a flight of fluvial terraces developed along the Jinta River valley are deformed across the Nanying anticline. Four individual fluvial terraces are preserved at different elevations above the river, and higher terrace treads are draped by systematically thicker aeolian loess. Optically stimulated luminescence dating of deposits at the base of the loess provides constraints on the timing of surface abandonment; terraces were abandoned at 69 ± 4 ka B.P. (T4), 57 ± 4 ka B.P. (T3), and between 34 ± 3 ka B.P. (T2), respectively. Differential GPS measurement of the terrace profile across the anticline allows reconstruction of subsurface fault geometry; we model terrace deformation above a listric thrust fault with a tip line at 2.2 ± 0.1 km depth and whose dip shallows systematically to 23 ± 3° at depth of 5.8 ± 1.1 km. Combining terrace ages with this model of fault geometry, we estimate a shortening rate of 0.8 ± 0.2 mm/a across the Nanying fold and a shortening rate of ~0.1 mm/a across the mountain front fault since ~70 ka B.P. This rate suggests that the frontal fault system along the eastern Qilian Shan accomplishes crustal shortening at rates of approximately 0.9 ± 0.3 mm/a during late Pleistocene time.
Incremental View on Intelligence and High Intrinsic Motivation Increase Working Memory Training Compliance
Authors: Appelgren Alva , Bengtsson Sara L. , Söderqvist Stina
Published: November 2015

Working memory (WM) training is demanding both regarding time and cognitive endurance. Many participants who could benefit from completing the training lose their motivation to do so. Hence, it is valuable to address compliance with the training protocol from a motivational angle. Studies have shown that subjective views on intelligence influence motivation, where individuals believing that intelligence can increase with training, that is, an incremental mind‐set, tend to try harder after setbacks and that high‐intrinsic motivation relates to higher academic performance. We used questionnaires to measure the extent to which mind‐set and intrinsic motivation influenced compliance to complete a WM training program of a minimum of 20 sessions of WM training. Only 53 out of 112 recruited participants, (13 years old (SD = .61)) completed the training. Our results showed that mind‐set and motivation significantly predicted compliance to training, with high motivation and incremental mind‐set being associated with more completed sessions.Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The dissipation rate of news in online mass media evaluated by chemical engineering and process control tools
Authors: Grass Robert N. , Stark Wendelin J.
Published: November 2015

Basic chemical engineering and processes control tools were utilized to describe the flow of news information in the Internet. Data on the news coverage of scientific articles provided by Altmetric were analyzed for six chemistry journals. The timecourse of the news was modeled using linear system dynamics, resulting in an interpretable description of the timescales involved. The model was additionally tested by applying it to the flow of nonscientific news information. An investigation on the distribution of news items per scientific article further identified online news generation as a preferential growth process. The model results allowed a discussion on scientific impact in public media and an analysis on how this impact can be influenced by authors and journals. In respect to the field of engineering, the work shows that traditional ChemE and process control tools developed for the abstraction of physical and chemical systems can also be utilized to describe social and information related processes. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 1104–1111, 2016
Gas‐liquid mass transfer behavior in a surface‐aerated vessel stirred by a novel long‐short blades agitator
Authors: Luo Peicheng , Wu Jun , Pan Xiang , Zhang Yueqiao , Wu Hua
Published: November 2015

For a recently developed long‐short blades (LSB) agitator, its critical rotational speed for the onset of gas entrainment, power number, and gas‐liquid mass transfer behavior in the case of surface aeration is investigated. The effect of the LSB configurations and the liquid level on the agitator performance has been studied in details. The obtained results clearly show several advantages of the LSB agitator in gas‐liquid mass transfer with respect to the agitators in the literature. It is found that its gas‐liquid volumetric mass‐transfer coefficient at a given specific power can be several times larger than those shown in the literature. It can also avoid decrease in the gas‐liquid mass transfer rate as the liquid level increases. In addition, the bubble distribution in the system is more uniform with respect to conventional agitators, resulting from better distribution of the dissipated energy for the LSB agitator. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 1322–1330, 2016
Accelerometer‐measured physical activity among older adults in urban India: Results of a study on global AGEing and adult health substudy
Authors: Snodgrass J. Josh , Liebert Melissa A. , Cepon‐Robins Tara J. , Barrett Tyler M. , Mathur Arvind , Chatterji Somnath , Kowal Paul
Published: November 2015

Objectives

Accelerometry provides researchers with a powerful tool to measure physical activity in population‐based studies, yet this technology has been underutilized in cross‐cultural studies of older adults. The present study was conducted among older adults in an urban setting in India with the following three objectives: (1) to compare average activity levels obtained through different durations of monitoring (1, 3, and 7 days); (2) to document differences in physical activity patterns by sex and age; and (3) to evaluate links between measures of physical activity and anthropometrics, as well as between activity parameters and measures of household size, work status, and social cohesion.

Methods

The present study uses data from a physical activity substudy of the World Health Organization's Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE‐PA). This study of 200 older adults (49–90 years old; 72 males, 128 females) in urban India combines 7 continuous days of ActiGraph GT3X accelerometry with anthropometric and sociodemographic data.

Results

Results reveal overall low activity levels, with significantly lower activity energy expenditure (AEE) among females (P < 0.05). No significant differences were documented in activity level by monitoring duration. Age was negatively correlated with AEE in men (P < 0.01) and women (P < 0.001). AEE was positively correlated with BMI in men (P < 0.01) and women (P < 0.05). Finally, women who were more socially integrated had greater AEE (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

This study illustrates the utility of accelerometry for quantifying activity levels in aging populations in non‐Western nations. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:412–420, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Craniosynostosis in 10q26 deletion patients: A consequence of brain underdevelopment or altered suture biology?
Authors: Faria Ágatha Cristhina , Rabbi‐Bortolini Eliete , Rebouças Maria R. G. O. , de S. Thiago Pereira Andréia L. A. , Frasson Milena G. Tonini , Atique Rodrigo , Lourenço Naila Cristina V. , Rosenberg Carla , Kobayashi Gerson S. , Passos‐Bueno Maria Rita , Errera Flávia Imbroisi Valle
Published: November 2015

Approximately a hundred patients with terminal 10q deletions have been described. They present with a wide range of clinical features always accompanied by delayed development, intellectual disability and craniofacial dysmorphisms. Here, we report a girl and a boy with craniosynostosis, developmental delay and other congenital anomalies. Karyotyping and molecular analysis including Multiplex Ligation dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization (aCGH) were performed in both patients. We detected a 13.1 Mb pure deletion at 10q26.12‐q26.3 in the girl and a 10.9 Mb pure deletion at 10q26.13‐q26.3 in the boy, both encompassing about 100 genes. The clinical and molecular findings in these patients reinforce the importance of the DOCK1 smallest region of overlap I (SRO I), previously suggested to explain the clinical signs, and together with a review of the literature suggest a second 3.5 Mb region important for the phenotype (SRO II). Genotype‐phenotype correlations and literature data suggest that the craniosynostosis is not directly related to dysregulated signaling in suture development, but may be secondary to alterations in brain development instead. Further, genes at 10q26 may be involved in the molecular crosstalk between brain and cranial vault. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Acromesomelic dysplasia, type maroteaux caused by novel loss‐of‐function mutations of the NPR2 gene: Three case reports
Authors: Wang Wei , Song Mi Hyun , Miura Kohji , Fujiwara Makoto , Nawa Nobutoshi , Ohata Yasuhisa , Kitaoka Taichi , Kubota Takuo , Namba Noriyuki , Jin Dong Kyu , Kim Ok Hwa , Ozono Keiichi , Cho Tae‐Joon
Published: November 2015

The C‐type natriuretic peptide (CNP)–natriuretic peptide receptor 2 (NPR2) signaling pathway plays an important role in chondrocyte development. Homozygous loss‐of‐function mutations of the NPR2 gene cause acromesomelic dysplasia, type Maroteaux (AMDM). The aim of this study was to identify and characterize NPR2 loss‐of‐function mutations in patients with AMDM. The NPR2 gene was sequenced in three Korean patients with AMDM and functional analysis of the mutated proteins was performed in vitro. Five novel NPR2 mutations were found in the three patients: two compound heterozygous mutations [c.1231T>C (Tyr411His) and c.2761C>T (Arg921X) in Patient 1 and c.1663A>T (Lys555X) and c.1711‐1G>C (M571VfsX12) in Patient 3] and a homozygous mutation [c.2762G>A (Arg921Gln) in Patient 2]. Serum NT‐proCNP concentration was significantly increased in each patient compared to control subjects. Cells transfected with the expression vector of each mutant except those found in Patient 3 showed a negligible or a markedly low cGMP response after treatment with CNP. HA‐tagged wild‐type (wt) and HA‐mutant NPR2 were expressed at comparable levels: there were two bands of ∼130 and ∼120 kDa in wt and Arg921Gln, a single ∼120 kDa band in Tyr411His, and a single ∼110 kDa in the nonsense mutant. With respect to subcellular localization, Arg921Gln as well as wt‐NPR2 reached the cell surface, whereas Tyr411His and Arg921X mutants did not. The Tyr411His and Arg921X NPR2 proteins were co‐localized with an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) marker and failed to traffic from the ER to the Golgi apparatus. These results are consistent with deglycosylation experiments. Tyr411His and Arg921X NPR2 are complete loss‐of‐function mutations, whereas Arg921Gln behaves as a receptor for CNP with limited function. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
What every clinical geneticist should know about testing for osteogenesis imperfecta in suspected child abuse cases
Authors: Pepin Melanie G. , Byers Peter H.
Published: November 2015

Non‐accidental injury (NAI) is a major medical concern in the United States. One of the challenges in evaluation of children with unexplained fractures is that genetic forms of bone fragility are one of the differential diagnoses. Infants who present with fractures with mild forms of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) (OI type I or OI type IV), the most common genetic form of bone disease leading to fractures might be missed if clinical evaluation alone is used to make the diagnosis. Diagnostic clinical features (blue sclera, dentinogenesis imperfecta, Wormian bones on X‐rays or positive family history) may not be present or apparent at the age of evaluation. The evaluating clinician faces the decision about whether genetic testing is necessary in certain NAI cases. In this review, we outline clinical presentations of mild OI and review the history of genetic testing for OI in the NAI versus OI setting. We summarize our data of molecular testing in the Collagen Diagnostic Laboratory (CDL) from 2008 to 2014 where NAI was noted on the request for DNA sequencing of COL1A1 and COL1A2. We provide recommendations for molecular testing in the NAI versus OI setting. First, DNA sequencing of COL1A1, COL1A2, and IFITM5 simultaneously and duplication/deletion testing is recommended. If a causative variant is not identified, in the absence of a pathologic clinical phenotype, no additional gene testing is indicated. If a VUS is found, parental segregation studies are recommended. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bayesian analyses of Yemeni mitochondrial genomes suggest multiple migration events with Africa and Western Eurasia
Authors: Vyas Deven N. , Kitchen Andrew , Miró‐Herrans Aida T. , Pearson Laurel N. , Al‐Meeri Ali , Mulligan Connie J.
Published: November 2015

Objectives

Anatomically, modern humans are thought to have migrated out of Africa ∼60,000 years ago in the first successful global dispersal. This initial migration may have passed through Yemen, a region that has experienced multiple migrations events with Africa and Eurasia throughout human history. We use Bayesian phylogenetics to determine how ancient and recent migrations have shaped Yemeni mitogenomic variation.

Materials and Methods

We sequenced 113 mitogenomes from multiple Yemeni regions with a focus on haplogroups M, N, and L3(xM,N) as these groups have the oldest evolutionary history outside of Africa. We performed Bayesian evolutionary analyses to generate time‐measured phylogenies calibrated by Neanderthal and Denisovan mitogenomes in order to determine the age of Yemeni‐specific clades.

Results

As defined by Yemeni monophyly, Yemeni in situ evolution is limited to the Holocene or latest Pleistocene (ages of clades in subhaplogroups L3b1a1a, L3h2, L3x1, M1a1f, M1a5, N1a1a3, and N1a3 range from 2 to 14 kya) and is often situated within broader Horn of Africa/southern Arabia in situ evolution (L3h2, L3x1, M1a1f, M1a5, and N1a1a3 ages range from 7 to 29 kya). Five subhaplogroups show no monophyly and are candidates for Holocene migration into Yemen (L0a2a2a, L3d1a1a, L3i2, M1a1b, and N1b1a).

Discussion

Yemeni mitogenomes are largely the product of Holocene migration, and subsequent in situ evolution, from Africa and western Eurasia. However, we hypothesize that recent population movements may obscure the genetic signature of more ancient migrations. Additional research, e.g., analyses of Yemeni nuclear genetic data, is needed to better reconstruct the complex population and migration histories associated with Out of Africa. Am J Phys Anthropol 159:382–393, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.