bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of signatures of airgun arrays using dual near‐field hydrophones
Authors: Kryvohuz Maksym , Campman Xander
Published: February 2019

Successful estimation of airgun‐array signatures from near‐field measurements depends on the accuracy of poorly controlled model parameters such as the effective sea surface reflection coefficient and source depth. We propose a method for prediction of robust source signatures, which are insensitive to fluctuations of the latter parameters. The method uses vertical pairs of near‐field hydrophones to measure near‐field pressure and its vertical gradient, combination of which eliminates sea surface reflections from the near‐field data. This excludes the uncertainty related to the fluctuating sea state and source depth from the process of inversion of the near‐field data for source signature. The method explicitly separates the recorded near‐field pressure into its up and down going components, which allows one to measure the effective frequency‐ and angle‐dependent sea surface reflection coefficient right at the source, as well as to estimate the actual source depth. Tests on synthetic and field data demonstrate robust performance of the method.
Yet another moment‐tensor parameterization
Authors: Chapman Chris
Published: February 2019

The source mechanism of a microseismic event, or any small earthquake, can be described by its moment tensor. The source type is described by a 3‐vector formed from the ordered, principal (eigen) values of the moment tensor and the source orientation from the normalized eigenvectors. The direction and magnitude of the principal‐value vector describe the source type and scalar moment, respectively. The source type can be described by the position of the principal‐value vector on the permitted lune of a unit sphere. As with any projection or cartography mapping, many parameterizations have been suggested to describe this position. Two dominate in the literature – the Riedesel–Jordan and Hudson–Pearce–Rogers parameters. All have advantages and disadvantages. In this paper, we review the most popular parameterizations, illustrating their similarities and the distortion they cause in the mapping between a uniform distribution of source types in the permitted lune and the parameter space. A new parameterization is suggested based on the solid angles formed by the principal‐value vector. This has the advantage of being simple to define geometrically in the principal‐value space (although the formulae are complicated), being naturally normalized and having a more uniform mapping than other parameterizations. However, we do not claim that this is the best or ideal parameterization, just a reasonable choice.
Florida in the Global South: How Eurocentrism Obscures Global Urban Challenges—and What We Can Do about It
Authors: Schindler Seth , Silver Jonathan
Published: February 2019

According to Richard Florida, the world is in the grip of a ‘New Urban Crisis’. In his most recent book Florida recounts a visit to Medellín that provoked an epiphany in which he realized that the New Urban Crisis is global in scope. Unfortunately, Florida's discovery of the global South is informed by a deeply Eurocentric understanding of urbanization. This leads him to conclude that Southern cities should ‘unleash’ creativity, and he proposes that the United States should develop a global urban policy that would export a version of American urbanism. In this essay we deconstruct Florida's notion of the New Urban Crisis and show that its Eurocentric assumptions obscure the very real environmental, economic and political challenges facing cities in the global South and their residents.
Sublimate rather than scream
Authors: Thorp John M.
Published: February 2019

Deputy Editor‐in‐Chief, Dr John M. Thorp, discusses his top articles from this issue in an audio podcast available at: https://soundcloud.com/bjog/march-editorial-2019
Gabapentin‐related Deaths: Patterns of Abuse and Postmortem Levels
Authors: Tharp Amy M. , Hobron Kathrin , Wright Trista
Published: February 2019

Gabapentin, a GABA analogue, is a nonopioid prescribed for seizure control and neuralgic pain. Its abuse for recreational purposes has been increasing in recent years as the number of prescriptions also increases. In our series, we review 104 cases of decedents who tested positive for gabapentin in postmortem blood samples and an additional 53 nonfatal cases of motor vehicle drivers suspected of driving under the influence. In 47.1% of the fatality cases, gabapentin was directly involved in death. Most gabapentin fatalities had several other intoxicants present (opioids, over‐the‐counter medications, antianxiety, and antidepressant medications). In cases in which gabapentin was determined to be a cause of death, the blood concentrations ranged from 1.1 to 134.0 mg/L. Persons who died of a gabapentin‐related drug death were prescribed the drug legitimately 91.4% of the time, with 84.2% of those also having a known prior history of abuse or misuse of prescription medications.
Systemic treatment of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: Chan Landon L. , Chan Stephen L.
Published: February 2019

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (pNET) are a group of heterogeneous tumours. Despite being rare, their incidence is rising. While localized lesions can be cured with surgical resection, most patients present with metastatic disease. Systemic therapy is thus integral for the management of this rare entity.

Numerous advancements have been made in the past decade in the systemic treatment of unresectable, metastatic pNET. Treatment options for pNET include somatostatin analogues, cytotoxic chemotherapy, targeted agents and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. In this Review, we present the latest evidence for these treatment options.
Diet quality in adolescents with premenstrual syndrome: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Isgin‐Atici Kubra , Kanbur Nuray , Akgül Sinem , Buyuktuncer Zehra
Published: February 2019

Aim

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a complex of symptoms that can seriously affect the quality of life in women. It has been suggested that the nutritional status of adult women may influence the presence and/or severity of PMS symptoms. However, little is known about this association in adolescents. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between diet quality and the presence/severity of PMS symptoms in adolescents.

Methods

A case‐control study of 272 female students, aged 13–18 years, was conducted in a high school. PMS was diagnosed and the symptoms were recorded using Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS)‐2006 in 2 consecutive months. Dietary intake was assessed with 24‐hour‐dietary intake recall method and Healthy Eating Index‐2010 (HEI‐2010) score was calculated as an indicator of diet quality. Anthropometric measurements, including body weight, height, waist circumference and hip circumference were taken.

Results

PMS was diagnosed in 56.9% of the study sample. The mean HEI‐2010 score was significantly lower in the PMS group (47.5 ± 23.95) when compared to the control group (53.5 ± 20.98), P = 0.034. The PMS symptoms, anxiety (P = 0.009), depressive feelings (P = 0.016) and changes in sleeping pattern (P = 0.000) were associated with lower diet quality scores in the PMS group. No significant difference in anthropometric measurements was observed between the groups.

Conclusions

The present study suggested that adolescents with a high‐quality diet might experience depressive feelings, anxiety or changes in sleeping less when compared to those with a low quality diet. Therefore, the causal relationship between diet quality and presence/severity of PMS should be investigated in further studies.
A Fluorescence‐based Method for Estimation of Oxygen Barrier Properties of Microspheres
Authors: Kak Atisheel , Bajaj Poonam R. , Bhunia Kanishka , Nitin Nitin , Sablani Shyam S.
Published: February 2019

In this study, we developed a fluorescence method to quantify oxygen barrier properties for wall materials used in microencapsulation of oxygen‐sensitive compounds. We used a reversible, oxygen quenching dye, tris (4,7‐diphenyl‐1, 10‐phenanthroline) ruthenium(II) dichloride complex, as a marker to monitor oxygen transport across spray‐dried and freeze‐dried Hi‐cap100 and maltodextrin microspheres. We fit the rate of oxygen transport to Fick's second law and extrapolated an effective oxygen diffusion coefficient Deff. Results show that the Deff for spray‐dried maltodextrin and Hi‐cap100 formulations were in the range of 6.46 × 10−15 to 7.45 × 10−15 m2/s and 16.0 × 10−15 to 22.4 × 10−15 m2/s, respectively. Results also show an increasing trend in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances reaction rate constants, with an increasing Deff for each formulation. Additionally, freeze‐dried maltodextrin formulations had significantly higher Deff (31.1 × 10−15 to 36.0 × 10−15 m2/s) compared to spray‐dried matrices due to a more porous morphology. This new method provides a framework for the in situ estimation of Deff for wall materials in microspheres. Potential applications include the design and selection of wall materials for maximum oxidative stability of encapsulated ingredients.

Practical Application

Currently, the selection of wall materials used in microencapsulation of lipids takes a trial‐and‐error approach, which can be time consuming and prone to error. In this study, we developed a new methodology to directly assess the oxygen barrier properties of wall materials in microspheres. This method can be used by food scientists to screen wall materials in order to optimize the oxidative stability of encapsulated lipids.
Who seeks physiotherapy or exercise treatment for hip and knee osteoarthritis? A cross‐sectional analysis of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing
Authors: Smith Toby , Collier Tom S. , Smith Benjamin , Mansfield Michael
Published: February 2019

Objectives

To determine the characteristics of individuals with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis who are recommended to seek physiotherapy or exercise treatment, and to explore which people are more or less likely to follow such recommendations.

Methods

All data were obtained from Wave 4 of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) cohort (2008‐2009), a prospectively collected community‐based dataset. Eligibility was justified by a patient‐reported diagnosis of hip and/or knee osteoarthritis with a visual analog scale (VAS) pain score of 1 or above. Data were collected from a self‐completed questionnaire and nurse assessment visit. Prevalence of being recommended to physiotherapy or exercise (or not) and then the actioning of this recommendation (or not) were calculated and presented as 95% confidence intervals (CI). Data on characteristics of those recommended (or not) were explored using univariate analyses and then a forward selection logistic regression model.

Results

In total, 1262 and 1877 individuals with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis pain were analyzed. This included 41% (95% CI: 0.38‐0.44) who had been recommended to seek physiotherapy or exercise treatment. Subsequently, 83% of those recommended sought these treatments. Individuals who presented with isolated knee pain, those who reported “fair” self‐reported general health and were younger had a greater chance of being recommended for physiotherapy or exercise treatment, respectively (P ≤ 0.02).

Conclusion

Encouragement should be given to formal and informal care providers of older people to highlight this inequality. This may then improve current and future access to evidence‐based treatments for this population.
The Behavioral Economics of Alcohol Demand in French and American University Students
Authors: Martinetti Margaret P. , Caughron Rebecca L. , Berman Hanna L. , André Judith , Sokolowski Michel B. C. , Wiley Shaun , Naassila Mickaël
Published: February 2019

Background

Behavioral economic approaches have revealed several characteristics of alcohol demand (e.g., intensity, elasticity, and essential value) in university students; however, these approaches have not yet examined alcohol demand among students outside of the United States. The current study examined alcohol demand among student samples in the United States and France using a hypothetical alcohol purchase task (APT) and a novel APT Choice task, in which nonalcoholic beverages were concurrently available at a fixed low price.

Methods

Participants at each site (United States, n = 132; France, n = 132) were asked to complete an Internet‐based survey including the APT, APT Choice, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, Daily Drinking Questionnaire, and Drinking Motives Questionnaire‐Revised Short Form. Group demand functions were produced for each of the 2 samples in both country‐specific and standardized drink units, and the exponential demand equation was fitted to each of the APT and APT Choice demand curves. Slope analyses were performed on the Non‐Alcoholic Cross‐Price demand to assess substitutability.

Results

APT data revealed that in both samples, alcohol price and consumption were inversely related and demand measures were significantly associated with other alcohol measures. In addition, the availability of a nonalcoholic alternative reduced alcohol demand in both samples, with evidence of substitutability revealed by increases in cross‐price consumption.

Conclusions

Low‐cost alcohol is associated with increased alcohol consumption in both French and U.S. university students, and concurrent availability of a nonalcoholic beverage within the APT both reduces alcohol demand and demonstrates behavioral economic substitutability. These findings will inform future studies investigating behavioral and environmental factors underlying transcultural differences and specific prevention efforts.
Conifer responses to a stylet‐feeding invasive herbivore and induction with methyl jasmonate: impact on the expression of induced defences and a native folivore
Authors: Rigsby Chad M. , Shoemaker Emma E. , Mallinger Mary M. , Orians Colin M. , Preisser Evan L.
Published: February 2019

Trees attacked by multiple herbivores need to defend themselves against dynamic biotic challenges; appropriate responses to one stressor can elicit hormonal responses that are antagonistic to another. Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) infestation by hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA; Adelges tsugae) results in the accumulation of the defensive hormone salicylic acid.

We explored the potential for HWA infestation to interfere with anti‐folivore‐induced defence signalling and its implications for a native folivore (hemlock looper; Lambdina fiscellaria). Hemlocks were infested with HWA and/or sprayed with methyl jasmonate; foliar defences were analyzed and foliage quality for looper larvae was assessed.

Both treatments activated foliar defensive traits, including a HWA‐mediated increase in peroxidase activity and an accumulation of cell wall‐bound phenolics and lignin, as well as a methyl jasmonate‐mediated increase in lipoxygenase activity. The two treatments had an additive effect on other defensive traits and both treatments negatively affected looper performance.

These results suggest that salicylic acid and jasmonic acid are not strictly antagonistic in conifers and that both have a role in anti‐folivore defence signalling. The present study illustrates the need for a better understanding of hormone signalling, cross‐talk and induced responses in conifers.
Stock Performance and Insider Trading in Completed and Canceled Private Placements
Authors: Chen Kung‐Chi , Cheng Lee‐Young , Wu Ting‐Wen , Zhao Yan
Published: February 2019

This paper examines the impact of insider trading on completed and canceled private equity offerings. We find that insider trading has no impact on firms’ decisions to complete or cancel offerings, but it has a positive impact on the long‐run stock performance of the issuing firms. Firms complete the undervalued offerings and cancel the offerings when they no longer perceive their shares are undervalued. Firms with weaker operating performance are more likely to complete private placements because they regard private offering as the last resort for raising equity capital. Firms that complete private placements have significantly better long‐term stock performance than firms that cancel private placements.
Effect of Ocriplasmin on objectively assessed retinal function after treatment of vitreomacular diseases
Authors: Schatz Andreas , Seuthe Anna‐Maria , Januschowski Kai
Published: February 2019

Background

The scope of the study was the functional assessment of possible effects of intravitreally injected ocriplasmin using electroretinographical (ERG) examinations.

Methods

Seven subjects suffered from pathologies within the label of ocriplasmin (Jetrea®) were examined in the study. An extended international society for clinical electrophysiology of vision ERG protocol was used for baseline recordings (before treatment) and was repeated for comparison 3 months after treatment with intravitreally injected ocriplasmin. All subjects were examined using 6 steps and a 9 Hz flicker protocol as scotopic flicker response under dark‐adapted conditions. Under light‐adapted conditions, two single‐flash responses (standard flash and On/Off protocol) and a 31 Hz flicker response was used for functional assessment.

Results

A significant reduction of amplitudes was found for the lowest stimulation intensity (0.0001 cd.s/m²) under dark‐adapted conditions after treatment (p = 0.027). All other parameters were not significantly different after treatment including the scotopic flicker response. Under light‐adapted state, the a‐ and b‐wave amplitudes were not significantly altered after treatment for single‐flash and flicker responses. The On‐ and Off‐responses were not significantly different between baseline and after the treatment.

Conclusions

One single significant difference of all examined parameters mirrors a difference due to chance, even if a negative effect of proteolytic enzymes on laminin and fibronectin of retinal cells cannot be entirely excluded. Nevertheless, this result should be respected in order to ensure a safe use of ocriplasmin for patients with vitreoretinal disorders.
Population pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic modelling of the relationship between testosterone and prostate specific antigen in patients with prostate cancer during treatment with leuprorelin
Authors: Snelder Nelleke , Drenth Henk‐Jan , Riber Bergmann Kirsten , Wood Nolan David , Hibberd Mark , Scott Graham
Published: February 2019

Aims

This investigation aimed to quantitatively characterize the relationship between the gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonist leuprorelin, testosterone (T) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) concentrations over time, to aid identification of a target T concentration that optimises the balance of the benefits of T suppression whilst reducing the risk of side effects related to futile over‐suppression.

Methods

Data from a single dose study to investigate the effect of leuprorelin in a 6‐month depot formulation on T and PSA in prostate cancer patients were analysed using a population pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic modelling approach. The developed model was qualified using external data from 3 studies, in which the effect of different formulations of leuprorelin on T and PSA was evaluated in prostate cancer patients.

Results

The effect of leuprorelin on the relationship between T and PSA was adequately characterized by the Romero model with minor modifications, combined with a turnover model to describe the delay in response between T and PSA. The data were significantly better described when assuming a minimum PSA level that is independent on the treatment‐related reduction in T, as compared to a model with a proportional reduction in PSA and T.

Conclusions

The model‐based analysis suggests that on a population level, reducing T concentrations below 35 ng/dL does not result in a further decrease in PSA levels (>95% of the minimal PSA level is reached). More data are required to support this relationship in the lower T and PSA range.
Childhood, adolescent and young adult non‐Hodgkin lymphoma: current perspectives
Authors: Cairo Mitchell S. , Beishuizen Auke
Published: February 2019

The 6th International Symposium on Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult (CAYA) Non‐Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) was held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, 26–29 September, 2018. This summary manuscript is a perspective on the presentations from the plenary scientific sessions, including wellness and survivorship, B‐cell NHL, AYA lymphoma, translational NHL biology, lymphoma immunology, bone marrow transplantation and cell therapy, T/Natural Killer cell lymphoma, anaplastic large cell lymphoma, lymphoblastic lymphoma, novel lymphoma therapeutics and Hodgkin lymphoma. The symposium was attended by over 260 registrants from 42 different countries and included young, middle and senior investigators. Finally, the Angelo Rosolen, MD, Memorial Lecture was delivered by Alfred Reiter, MD.
Epidemiology, outcome, targeted agents and immunotherapy in adolescent and young adult non‐Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Metzger Monika L. , Mauz‐Körholz Christine
Published: February 2019

The epidemiology, outcome and targeted immunotherapy in adolescent and young adult non‐Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma were discussed during the 6th International Symposium on Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult Non‐Hodgkin Lymphoma September 26th–29th 2018 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. This review summarizes some of those presentations, as well as other current and novel antibody therapy, immune check‐point inhibitors, chimeric antigen receptor T cells, cancer vaccines and cytotoxic T lymphocyte therapy.
Mast cells participate in regulation of lung‐gut axis during Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia
Authors: Liu Chao , Yang Liping , Han Yu , Ouyang Wei , Yin Wei , Xu Feng
Published: February 2019

Objectives

The lung‐gut axis is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We examined the role of pulmonary mast cells (MCs) in the regulation of the lung‐gut axis during S. aureus pneumonia.

Materials and Methods

We created a mouse model of S. aureus pneumonia using MC‐deficient mice (KitW‐sh/W‐sh) and examined the level of inflammation, bacterial burden, expression of cathelicidin‐related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP) and composition of the gut microbiota. We further evaluated anti‐bacterial immunity by administering bone marrow MCs (BMMCs) or CRAMP into the lungs of KitW‐sh/W‐sh mice.

Results

After S. aureus challenge, the MC‐deficient mice, compared with wild‐type (WT) mice, displayed attenuated lung inflammation, decreased expression of CRAMP, higher bacterial lung load and disturbance of the intestinal microbiota. Adoptive transfer of BMMCs into the lung effectively reconstituted the host defence against S. aureus in KitW‐sh/W‐sh mice, thus resulting in recovery of S. aureus pneumonia‐induced intestinal dysfunction. Similarly, exogenous administration of CRAMP significantly enhanced anti‐bacterial immunity in the lungs of MC‐deficient mice.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence for the involvement of MCs in the regulation of the lung‐gut axis during S. aureus pneumonia.
Predicting range shifts of Asian elephants under global change
Authors: Kanagaraj Rajapandian , Araujo Miguel B. , Barman Rathin , Davidar Priya , De Rahul , Digal Dinesh K. , Gopi G. V. , Johnsingh A. J. T. , Kakati Kashmira , Kramer‐Schadt Stephanie , Lamichhane Babu R. , Lyngdoh Salvador , Madhusudan M. D. , Ul Islam Najar Muneer , Parida Jyotirmayee , Pradhan Narendra M. B. , Puyravaud Jean‐Philippe , Raghunath R. , Rahim P. P. Abdul , Muthamizh Selvan K. , Subedi Naresh , Trabucco Antonio , Udayraj Swati , Wiegand Thorsten , Williams Amirtharaj C. , Goyal Surendra P.
Published: February 2019

Aim

Climate change alters the water cycle, potentially affecting the distribution of species. Using an ensemble of species distribution models (SDMs), we predicted changes in distribution of the Asian elephant in South Asia due to increasing climatic variability under warming climate and human pressures.

Location

India and Nepal.

Methods

We compiled a comprehensive geodatabase of 115 predictor variables, which included climatic, topographic, human pressures and land use, at a resolution of 1 km2, and an extensive database on current distribution of elephants. For variable selection, we first developed 14 candidate models based on different hypotheses on elephant habitat selection. For each candidate model, a series of 240 individual models were evaluated using several metrics. Using three climatic and one land use change datasets for two greenhouse gas scenarios, ensemble SDMs were used to predict future projections.

Results

Nine predictor variables were selected for ensemble SDMs. Elephant distribution is driven predominantly by changes in climatic water balance (>60%), followed by changes in temperature and human‐induced disturbance. The results suggest that around 41.8% of the 256,518 km2 of habitat available at present will be lost by the end of this century due to combined effects of climate change and human pressure. Projected habitat loss will be higher in human‐dominated sites at lower elevations due to intensifying droughts, leading elephants to seek refuge at higher elevations along valleys with greater water availability in the Himalayan Mountains.

Main conclusions

Changes in climatic water balance could play a crucial role in driving species distributions in regions with monsoonal climates. In response, species would shift their range upwards along gradients of water availability and seasonal droughts. Conservation and management of elephant populations under global change should include design of movement corridors to enable dispersal of the elephant and other associated species to more conducive environments.
High cycle fatigue life estimation of materials processed by laser powder bed fusion
Authors: Hovig Even W. , Azar Amin S. , Sunding Martin F. , Andreassen Erik , Sørby Knut
Published: February 2019

The fatigue life of metal components is known to depend on the surface topography. For components made by laser powder bed fusion, the roughness of the as‐built surfaces depends on the orientation of the component surface with respect to the build plate. Surface topographies of AlSi10Mg and Inconel 718 specimens built at 0° to 90° inclination, with 15° increments, were characterised by white light interferometry. Two methods for calculating the stress concentration factor using the surface roughness data are proposed, and the results of each approach are presented and compared. Moreover, a finite element model was developed, in order to analyse the stress field when subsurface porosity is present. The fatigue lifetime estimates suggest that the lifetime of components may differ up to two orders of magnitude, depending on the build orientation.
How “The Blob” affected groundfish distributions in the Gulf of Alaska
Authors: Yang Qiong , Cokelet Edward D. , Stabeno Phyllis J. , Li Lingbo , Hollowed Anne B. , Palsson Wayne A. , Bond Nicholas A. , Barbeaux Steven J.
Published: February 2019

We investigated the distributional shifts of groundfish in response to anomalous ocean conditions, particularly the recent anomalously warm period (2014–2016; “The Blob”), based on data from ten Gulf of Alaska bottom trawl surveys conducted by the Alaska Fisheries Science Center during 1996–2015. Six groundfish species were considered: Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus), arrowtooth flounder (Atheresthes stomias), walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus), Pacific ocean perch (Sebastes alutus), northern rock sole (Lepidopsetta polyxystra), and southern rock sole (Lepidopsetta bilineata). Ontogenetic differences were examined by dividing data for each fish species into size classes. Our study demonstrated that after accounting for size‐specific depth preferences, the spatial responses of groundfish to anomalous ocean conditions differed by species and foraging guild in the central Gulf of Alaska. Pacific cod and arrowtooth flounder showed similar responses to ocean warming, but different responses to cooling. In general, Pacific cod moved to deeper depths in warmer years and moved to shallower depths in colder years. Arrowtooth flounder also moved deeper in warmer years. However, in colder years, large arrowtooth flounder (>40 cm) shifted toward shallower depths while smaller‐sized fish shifted toward deeper depths. In warmer years, large pollock (>30 cm) moved to deeper waters while smaller pollock (10–20 cm) moved to shallower waters. Pacific ocean perch exhibited an opposite response to thermal changes in habitat compared with Pacific cod and arrowtooth flounder. They moved deeper in colder years, but there was no clear change in depth as a function of size in response to warmer habitat.
Evidence for the development of local anoxia during the Cambrian SPICE event in eastern North America
Authors: LeRoy Matthew A. , Gill Benjamin C.
Published: February 2019

The later Cambrian Steptoean Positive Carbon Isotope Excursion (SPICE) event was an episode marked by pronounced changes to the global biogeochemical cycles of carbon and sulfur and significant extinctions on several paleocontinents including Laurentia (North America). While the exact cause(s) of these events remains debated, various lines of evidence suggest an increase in the areal extent of anoxia at the seafloor was a likely feature. Here, we explore whether changes in local oxygenation accompanied the onset of the SPICE in southern Laurentia using cores of the Nolichucky and Eau Claire Formations from Ohio and Kentucky, USA, that represent a transect into the Rome Trough/Conasauga intrashelf basin. At our study locations, the initial positive δ13C shift of the SPICE occurs in conjunction with increases in the abundance and δ34S of sedimentary pyrite. Further local redox conditions, tracked using iron speciation analysis, indicate anoxic conditions developed at the two proximal locations after the start of the paired isotopic excursions. However, the location near the basin center shows no indication for anoxia before or during the onset of the SPICE. While this signal may reflect the structure of local redox conditions within the basin, with the development of anoxia limited to the basin margins, we argue that authigenic iron enrichments were muted by sedimentary dilution and/or the enhanced authigenesis of iron‐bearing sheet silicates near the basin center, masking the signal for anoxia there. Regardless of the areal extent of anoxia within the basin, in either scenario the timing of the development of anoxic bottom waters was concurrent with local faunal turnover, features broadly consistent with a global expansion of anoxia playing a role in driving the isotopic trends and extinctions observed during the event.
Scholarships versus training for happiness gained from an education in creativity: A dynamic analytical model
Authors: Zagonari Fabio
Published: February 2019

This paper presents a mathematical model of the dynamic interrelationships between education, creativity and happiness based on both theoretical insights and evidence from recent empirical neurological studies. In this context, the results are conditional on an individual’s learning effort and risk‐aversion. Specifically, I focus on two main determinants of creativity (divergent and convergent thinking) and compare two main educational policies (scholarships versus unstructured training) with regard to their impacts on the happiness gained from creativity in the general and healthy population. A test is provided by matching the model’s predictions with the results of recent neuroscience research. Numerical simulations suggested that improving convergent thinking is more important than improving divergent thinking for creativity to generate happiness throughout an individual’s life, provided that both divergent and convergent thinking have been achieved to a sufficiently large degree, and that unstructured training (i.e., extra‐curricular activities) in divergent thinking (e.g., in accounting schools) is necessary to reach wealthier students who have more difficulty learning. In contrast, scholarships or unstructured training in convergent thinking (e.g., in art schools) are necessary to reach students who learn easily but who are less wealthy.
Agricultural intensification drives butterfly decline
Authors: Habel Jan Christian , Ulrich Werner , Biburger Nina , Seibold Sebastian , Schmitt Thomas
Published: February 2019

Severe losses of insects have taken place over major parts of Europe. This negative trend is assumed to be largely the result of agricultural intensification.

To analyse potential factors causing this loss of species, we assessed butterfly communities at 21 grassland patches. Seventeen of these were distributed across an agricultural landscape dominated by crop fields; four were embedded in two adjoining managed semi‐natural grassland areas. We assessed environmental parameters such as patch size and habitat quality for each grassland patch. We further incorporated the surrounding land‐cover considering different degrees of land‐use intensity. We classified butterfly species into generalists and specialists according their ecological and behavioural characteristics.

As in the managed semi‐natural reference grasslands, species richness and abundance were higher in patches surrounded by extensively used grasslands and unsprayed crop fields, and lower in patches surrounded by sprayed crop fields. Furthermore, blossom density positively affected butterfly occurrence.

Our data revealed that specialised butterfly species mainly occur in managed semi‐natural grassland sites, and are largely absent from other grassland plots embedded in the agricultural matrix.

Our study underlines the negative impacts of intense conventional agriculture on butterfly species richness and abundance and reveals the urgent need for more nature‐friendly cultivation methods. In situ experiments may help to understand and disentangle single drivers causing this negative trend.
Chondroprotection of PPARα activation by WY14643 via autophagy involving Akt and ERK in LPS‐treated mouse chondrocytes and osteoarthritis model
Authors: Zhou Yang , Chen Xiaolei , Qu Ning , Zhang Bing , Xia Chun
Published: February 2019

Autophagy maintains cellular homoeostasis. The enhancement of autophagy in chondrocytes could prevent osteoarthritis (OA) progression in articular cartilage. Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α (PPARα) activation may also protect articular chondrocytes against cartilage degradation in OA. However, whether the protective effect of activated PPARα is associated with autophagy induction in chondrocytes is not determined. In this study, we investigated the effect of PPARα activation by its agonist, WY14643, on the protein expression level of Aggrecan and ADAMTS5, and the protein expression level of autophagy biomarkers, including LC3B and P62, using Western blotting analysis in isolated mouse chondrocytes pre‐treated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS, mimicking OA chondrocytes) with or without the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine diphosphate salt. Furthermore, Akt and ERK phosphorylation was detected in LPS‐treated chondrocytes in response to WY14643. In addition, the effect of intra‐articularly injected WY14643 on articular cartilage in a mouse OA model established by the destabilization of the medial meniscus was assessed using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) histopathology assessment system, along with the detection of Aggrecan, ADAMTS5, LC3B and P62 protein levels using immunohistochemistry assay. The results indicated that PPARα activation by WY14643 promoted proteoglycan synthesis by autophagy enhancement in OA chondrocytes in vivo and in vitro concomitant with the elevation of Akt and ERK phosphorylation. Therefore, autophagy could contribute to the chondroprotection of PPARα activation by WY14643, with the implication that PPARα activation by WY14643 may be a potential approach for OA therapy.
Serum semaphorin 7A is associated with the risk of acute atherothrombotic stroke
Authors: You Tao , Zhu Zhengbao , Zheng Xiaowei , Zeng Nimei , Hu Shuhong , Liu Yifei , Ren Lijie , Lu Qiongyu , Tang Chaojun , Ruan Changgeng , Zhang Yonghong , Zhu Li
Published: February 2019

Semaphorin 7A (Sema7A), a neural guidance cue, was recently identified to regulate atherosclerosis in mice. However, the clinical relevance of Sema7A with atherosclerotic diseases remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between serum Sema7A and the risk of acute atherothrombotic stroke (AAS). We measured serum concentrations of Sema7A in 105 newly onset AAS cases and 105 age‐ and sex‐matched controls, showing that median Sema7A level in AAS cases was over three times of that in controls (5.86 vs 1.66 ng/mL). Adjusted for hypertension, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL)‐cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein (LDL)‐cholesterol, current smoking and alcohol consumption, multivariate logistic regression showed that higher Sema7A was independently associated with the odds of AAS (OR = 6.40, 95% CI: 2.88‐14.25). Each 1‐standard deviation increase in Sema7A was associated with a threefold higher odds of AAS (OR = 3.42, 95% CI: 1.84‐6.35). Importantly, adding Sema7A to a multivariate logistic model containing conventional cardiovascular risk factors improved the area under receiver operating characteristic curves from 0.831 to 0.891 for the association with AAS. In conclusion, elevated serum Sema7A is independently associated with the risk of AAS, suggesting that it may play a potential role in AAS.
MiR‐802 causes nephropathy by suppressing NF‐κB‐repressing factor in obese mice and human
Authors: Sun Da , Chen Jia , Wu Wei , Tang Ju , Luo Li , Zhang Kun , Jin Libo , Lin Sue , Gao Yitian , Yan Xiaoqing , Zhang Chi
Published: February 2019

Obesity is associated with significant microvascular complications including renal injuries and may induce end‐stage renal disease. Emerging studies have demonstrated microRNAs (miRNAs) are potential mediators in the pathophysiological process of nephropathy. The present study aimed to investigate the role of miR‐802 in obesity‐related nephropathy and potential molecular mechanisms. Through utilizing obese mouse model and human subjects, we explored the therapeutic benefits and clinical application of miR‐802 in protecting against nephropathy. Renal miR‐802 level was positively correlated with functional parameters, including blood urea nitrogen and creatinine in obese mice. Specific silencing of renal miR‐802 improved high fat diet (HFD)‐induced renal dysfunction, structural disorders and fibrosis. The up‐regulated inflammatory response and infiltrated macrophages were also significantly decreased in miR‐802 inhibitor‐treated obese mice. Mechanistically, miR‐802 directly bond to 3ʹ‐UTR of NF‐κB‐repressing factor (NRF) and suppressed its expression. In clinical study, the circulating miR‐802 level was significantly increased in obese subjects, and positively correlated with plasma creatinine level but negatively correlated with creatinine clearance. Taken together, our findings provided evidence that miR‐802/NRF signalling was an important pathway in mediating obesity‐related nephropathy. It is a possible useful clinical approach of treating miR‐802 inhibitor to combat nephropathy.
Maternal and Child Health During Forced Displacement
Authors: Hirani Shela Akbar Ali , Richter Solina
Published: February 2019

Purpose

To discuss the effects of forced displacement on maternal and child health, highlight the major pitfalls in delivering humanitarian services to this vulnerable group, and underscore the need for multilayered interventions to improve health, protect rights, and reduce vulnerabilities during forced displacements.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was undertaken from databases including Medline, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL),EBSCOhost, Google Scholar, Scopus, and ProQuest. No restrictions were placed on geographical region, type, and year of publication. The key words used were displacement, children, women, health, challenges, disaster response, emergency medicine, terrorism, maladjustment, morbidity, disaster response, cultural sensitivity, and interventions.

Conclusions

Forced displacement negatively affects maternal and child health. The key challenges during forced displacement include food insecurity, lack of shelter, unavailability of clean water and sanitation, poor infrastructure of healthcare services, unavailability of birth attendants and healthcare professionals to manage medical emergencies, inaccessibility to educational and training facilities, and lack of cultural sensitivity of humanitarian workers. The ultimate outcome of forced displacement is a sudden rise in maternal and child mortality and morbidity, maladjustment, psychological issues, altered familial roles, displaced parenting, and vulnerability to exploitation. In view of Bronfenbrenner's socio‐ecological framework, multilayered interventions are proposed to improve maternal and child health during forced displacements.

Clinical Relevance

In view of the effects of forced displacement on maternal and child health and considering the major pitfalls in the delivery of humanitarian services to this vulnerable group, the proposed multilayered interventions can improve health, protect rights, and reduce vulnerabilities surrounding maternal and child health during forced displacements.
Use of Implant‐Supported Custom Milled Impression Copings to Capture Soft‐Tissue Contours and Incisal Guidance
Authors: Bukhari Sarah A. , Proussaefs Periklis , AlHelal Abdulaziz , Garbacea Antoanela , AlBader Bader , Kattadiyil Mathew T.
Published: February 2019

A technique is presented where a custom milled impression coping is used to replicate the clinically established anterior incisal guidance to the definitive prosthesis when multiple implants are restored in the esthetic zone. A conventional impression is initially made, then the stone cast is scanned, and a digitally designed custom screw‐retained, implant‐supported interim prosthesis is milled from a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) billet. This is aimed to digitally design the pontic areas, contour the gingival soft tissue, and establish an anterior incisal guidance. A custom milled impression coping (CMIC) is then fabricated. The CMIC has contours similar to the contours of the interim prosthesis and is fabricated from a PMMA billet. Titanium inserts are placed in the interim prosthesis and the CMIC. The CMIC is inserted intraorally and used for the final impression by using a custom tray and by following the open tray impression protocol. With the proposed technique, the exact contours of the digitally designed and clinically verified interim prosthesis are used to fabricate the definitive restoration.
A future vision for disease control in shrimp aquaculture
Authors: Flegel Timothy W.
Published: February 2019

Aquaculture is the fastest‐growing animal production sector, and shrimp production already exceeds that of the capture fishery. Viruses and bacteria account for the majority of disease losses for shrimp farmers. Viral pandemics in the mid 1990s and, more recently, a bacterial pandemic from 2009 to 2015 have led to the conclusion that future, sustainable shrimp aquaculture will depend on the development of more efficient, biosecure production facilities that cultivate specific pathogen‐free (SPF) shrimp, genetically improved for growth and disease tolerance or resistance. Major requirements for development, maintenance, and use of SPF stocks in aquaculture are effective pathogen surveillance and disease prevention methods. When protective measures fail and diseases occur in production ponds, there are currently only a few approved and practical therapeutic methods available for use with bacterial pathogens and none so far for viral pathogens. To improve existing methods of prevention and therapy and to develop new ones, research is being carried out on the nature of shrimp–pathogen interactions. Promising results have been obtained at the laboratory level for possible applications involving the use of immunostimulants for “immune priming” or “trained immunity” of RNA interference and of endogenous viral elements. Some of these promising new directions are discussed.
Peer Effects on Weight Status, Dietary Behaviour and Physical Activity among Adolescents in Europe: Findings from the I.Family Study
Authors: Gwozdz Wencke , Nie Peng , Sousa‐Poza Alfonso , DeHenauw Stefaan , Felső Regina , Hebestreit Antje , Iguacel Isabel , Lissner Lauren , Lauria Fabio , Page Angie , Reisch Lucia A. , Tornaritis Michael , Veidebaum Toomas , Williams Garrath , Foraita Ronja ,   on behalf of the I.Family Consortium
Published: February 2019

This study uses survey data from the I.Family Study to investigate the association between adolescent and peer overweight in a sample of adolescents aged 12–16 from six European countries. We find clear evidence of peer effects on body mass index, waist circumference, and body fat, which are stronger among adolescents at the upper end of overweight distribution. We also provide evidence that both consumption of less healthy foods and time spent in leisure time physical activity and audio‐visual media are positively associated with similar behaviours among friends. These observations may suggest that peer effects on adolescent overweight operate by influencing friends’ behaviour patterns, especially unhealthy food consumption and physical (in)activity.
Occurrence of Borrelia and Borreliella species in Ixodes ricinus collected from roe deer in northwestern Spain
Authors: Díaz P. , Remesar S. , Venzal J. M. , Vázquez‐López M. E. , Fernández G. , López C. , Díez‐Baños P. , Morrondo P. , Panadero R.
Published: February 2019

Ixodes ricinus, comprising the predominant tick species in Europe, can transmit important human pathogens, including Borreliella spp., the causal agent of Lyme borreliosis. One hundred and seventy five roe deer hunted in two areas (plateau and mountain) of Galicia (northwest Spain) were examined for the presence of ticks; all roe deer were infested by I. ricinus. Nymphs (n = 1000), males (n = 1449) and females (n = 1000) of I. ricinus were analysed in pools of up to 10 ticks to detect both Borreliella and Borrelia DNA. The average number of I. ricinus per roe deer was similar in both areas, regardless of the life stage; although the percentage of Borreliella and Borrelia positive pools was higher in ticks collected from roe deer hunted in the plateau area, no significant differences were detected. Sequence analysis at the flagellin gene allowed the identification of four Borreliella species (Borreliella afzelii, Borreliella garinii, Borreliella lusitaniae and Borreliella valaisiana) and Borrelia miyamotoi in adult males; only B. valaisiana and B. miyamotoi were detected in nymphs and all females were negative. All Borreliella and Borrelia species found in roe deer were previously identified in questing I. ricinus collected in the same study area, although the prevalence was lower in the present study. The analysis of male I. ricinus ticks collected from roe deer gives a good estimation of Borreliella diversity in questing ticks.