bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Whole‐plant optimality predicts changes in leaf nitrogen under variable CO2 and nutrient availability
Authors: Caldararu Silvia , Thum Tea , Yu Lin , Zaehle Sönke
Published: November 2019

Vegetation nutrient limitation is essential for understanding ecosystem responses to global change. In particular, leaf nitrogen (N) is known to be plastic under changed nutrient limitation. However, models can often not capture these observed changes, leading to erroneous predictions of whole‐ecosystem stocks and fluxes.

We hypothesise that an optimality approach can improve representation of leaf N content compared to existing empirical approaches. Unlike previous optimality‐based approaches, which adjust foliar N concentrations based on canopy carbon export, we use a maximisation criterion based on whole‐plant growth, and allow for a lagged response of foliar N to this maximisation criterion to account for the limited plasticity of this plant trait. We test these model variants at a range of Free‐Air CO2 Enrichment and N fertilisation experimental sites.

We show that a model based solely on canopy carbon export fails to reproduce observed patterns and predicts decreasing leaf N content with increased N availability. However, an optimal model which maximises total plant growth can correctly reproduce the observed patterns.

The optimality model we present here is a whole‐plant approach which reproduces biologically realistic changes in leaf N and can thereby improve ecosystem‐level predictions under transient conditions.
Pluronic F‐127: An Efficient Delivery Vehicle for 3‐(1'‐hexyloxy)ethyl‐3‐devinylpyropheophorbide‐a (HPPH or Photochlor)
Authors: Cacaccio Joseph , Durrani Farukh , Cheruku Ravindra R. , Borah Ballav , Ethirajan Manivannan , Tabaczynski Walter , Pera Paula , Missert Joseph R. , Pandey Ravindra K.
Published: November 2019

To determine the impact of delivery vehicles in photosensitizing efficacy of HPPH, a hydrophobic photosensitizer was dissolved in various formulations: 1% Tween 80/5% dextrose, Pluronic P‐123 and Pluronic F‐127 in 0.5%, 1% and 2% phosphate buffer solutions (PBS). HPPH was also conjugated to Pluronic F‐127, and the resulting conjugate (PL‐20) was formulated in PBS. Among the different delivery vehicles, only Pluronic P‐123 displayed significant vehicle cytotoxicity, whereas Pluronic F127 was nontoxic. Compared to PL‐20, HPPH formulated in Tween80 and Pluronic F‐127 showed higher cell‐uptake, but lower long‐term retention in Colon26 cell compared to PL‐20. The higher retention of PL‐20 was similarly observed during in vivo uptake with BALB/c mice baring Ct26 tumors. In contrast to the in vitro uptake experiments, PL‐20 showed slightly higher uptake compared to HPPH formulated in Tween or Pluronic‐F127. A significant difference in pharmacokinetic profile was also observed between the HPPH‐Pluronic formulation and PL‐20. Under similar in vivo treatment parameters (drug dose 0.47 µmol kg−1, light dose: 135 J cm−2 at 24 h post‐injection of PS), HPPH formulated either in Tween or Pluronic F‐127 formulation showed similar in vivo PDT efficacy (20–30% tumor cure on day 60), whereas PL‐20 showed 40% tumor cure (day 60).
Evaluative conditioning affects the subsequent acquisition of differential fear conditioning as indexed by electrodermal responding and stimulus evaluations
Authors: Lipp Ottmar V. , Luck Camilla C. , Muir Alana C.
Published: November 2019

It is currently unclear whether the acquisition of negative stimulus valence in evaluative and fear conditioning paradigms is interrelated or independent. The present study used a transfer paradigm to address this question. Three groups of participants were trained in a picture‐picture evaluative conditioning paradigm before completing acquisition of differential fear conditioning using graphical shapes as conditional stimuli (CSs). In group congruent, the shape used as CS+ (paired with the US during fear conditioning) was paired with negative pictures, whereas the shape used as CS− (presented alone during fear conditioning) was paired with positive pictures. In group incongruent, the shape used as CS+ was paired with positive pictures, whereas the shape used as CS− was paired with negative pictures. In group different, different shapes were employed in evaluative and fear conditioning. Acquisition of differential electrodermal responses emerged within fewer acquisition trials in groups congruent and different than in group incongruent. Transfer of evaluative learning across paradigms was evident only after removal of participants who failed to display evaluative conditioning. The current research indicates that stimulus valence acquired during evaluative conditioning transfers to fear conditioning and will differentially affect the acquisition of fear learning as indexed by subjective evaluations and electrodermal responses. The findings suggest that evaluative and fear conditioning are not independent.
The mindful attention and awareness scale is associated with lower levels of high‐frequency heart rate variability in a laboratory context
Authors: Watford Tanya S. , O’Brien William H. , Koerten Hannah R. , Bogusch Leah M. , Moeller Mary T. , Sonia Singh R. , Sims Tracy E.
Published: November 2019

Trait mindfulness has been associated with well‐being. A key component of trait mindfulness is intentional attention and awareness which is most commonly measured by the Mindful Attention and Awareness Scale (MAAS). This study investigated the relationship between the MAAS and cardiovascular (HF‐HRV, heart rate) reactivity to two laboratory stressors that evoked different patterns of change in heart rate (HR). One stressor (viewing a video of a surgery) evoked HR deceleration while the other stressor (mental arithmetic) evoked HR acceleration. Undergraduate students completed the MAAS and were then exposed to the two stressors while ECG (electrocardiography) was recorded. Findings support the reliability of the stressors to induce expected differential cardiovascular responses and explicate the role of parasympathetic activation. Further, a main effect for MAAS was observed indicating that across laboratory conditions, persons scoring higher on the MAAS had lower HF‐HRV relative to persons scoring lower on the MAAS. These findings suggest that higher levels of intentional attention and awareness in a laboratory context might promote parasympathetic withdrawal because these participants were more vigilant, experienced higher cognitive load, and detected more threat cues. Implications for the MAAS and cardiovascular responses to stress are discussed.
Corpus luteum vascularization during the maternal recognition of pregnancy in llamas (Lama glama)
Authors: Gallelli Maria Florencia , Bianchi Carolina , Zampini Enzo , Trasorras Virginia , Gambarotta Mariana , Miragaya Marcelo
Published: November 2019

The aim of this study was to characterize corpus luteum vascularization and its association with plasma progesterone concentration in early stages of pregnancy, when maternal recognition of pregnancy is expected to occur. In all animals, both plasma progesterone concentration and corpus luteum vascularization increased from Day 6 to Day 8 post‐mating and afterwards in non‐pregnant llamas they started to decrease to reach basal levels around Days 12 to 14 post‐mating, while in pregnant animals, both variables remained elevated until the end of the study. A lineal positive relationship between corpus luteum vascularization and plasma progesterone concentration was observed in pregnant (r2 = .46,p < .0001) and non‐pregnant llamas (r2 = .66,p < .0001). Pregnant animals showed higher plasma progesterone concentration and corpus luteum vascularization than the non‐pregnant ones from Day 12 post‐mating until the end of the study (p ˂ .05 andp ˂ .01, respectively). These results suggest that maternal recognition of pregnancy should occur before Day 12 post‐mating in order to expand luteal lifespan, maintaining corpus luteum vascularization and progesterone production. Also, the assessment of CL vascularization area could be a useful and non‐invasive method for early pregnancy diagnosis due to its association with plasma progesterone concentration.
Governance Arrangements for Transboundary Issues: Lessons from the Food Waste Programs of Italian Regions
Authors: Righettini Maria Stella , Lizzi Renata
Published: November 2019

Focusing on transboundary issues contributes to highlighting how new governance modes can emerge from increasing interdependence and complexity in public policies. This article analyzes food waste as a transboundary issue that cuts across different policy subsystems (PSs), intersects multiple levels of government, and calls into question consolidated policy making for new modes of governance. The analytical framework provides a multidimensional approach and a new typology of governance arrangements to be used in empirical research. Evidence from an Italian case study and an empirical investigation of 20 regional food waste programs shows that regions can adopt different driving ideas and can activate a variety of governance arrangements and differentiated, as well as viable, modes of integration between consolidated PSs. The article argues that different tool mixes combined with different levels of governance complexity may lead to a variety of governance arrangements and a differentiated likelihood of policy integration.
Recognizing images: The role of motivational significance, complexity, social content, age, and gender
Authors: Gomez Patrick , von Gunten Armin , Danuser Brigitta
Published: November 2019

Memory for affective events plays an important role in determining people’s behavior and well‐being. Its determinants are far from being completely understood. We investigated how recognition memory for affective pictures depends on pictures’ motivational significance (valence and arousal), complexity (figure‐ground compositions vs. scenes), and social content (pictures with people vs. without people) and on observers’ age and gender. Younger, middle‐aged, and older adults viewed 84 pictures depicting real‐life situations. After a break, the participants viewed 72 pictures, half of which had been viewed previously and half of which were novel, and were asked to endorse whether each picture was novel or had been presented previously. Hits, false alarms, and overall performance (discrimination accuracy) were our dependent variables. The main findings were that, across participants, recognition memory was better for unpleasant than pleasant pictures and for pictures depicting people than pictures without people. Low‐arousal pictures were more accurately recognized than high‐arousal pictures, and this effect was significantly larger among middle‐aged and older adults than younger adults. Recognition memory worsened across adulthood, and this decline was steeper among men than women. Middle‐aged and older women outperformed their male counterparts. This study suggests that how well we are able to successfully discriminate previously seen pictorial stimuli from novel stimuli depends on several pictures’ properties related to their motivational significance and content, and on observer’s age and gender.
Analysis of the accuracy on computing nominal stress in a biaxial test for arteries
Authors: Cilla M. , Corral A. V. , Peña J. A. , Peña E.
Published: November 2019

Biaxial tests are commonly used to investigate the mechanical behaviour of anisotropic soft biological tissues such as cardiovascular tissues. However, there is still no clear understanding of the influence that the biaxial test set‐up conditions may have on the computing material stress of the experimental results. The aim of the present study is to further investigate the accuracy of calculated material stress from measured force during biaxial tests using finite element methods (FEM). The biaxial mechanical response of ascending aorta and pulmonary artery tissue samples was obtained by FEM simulation under two different gripping methods: (a) a system with noodle clamps and (b) a clamped system with needles which leave the specimen's edges free to expand laterally.

The results show that the clamped method whose joints allow free movement in the lateral direction produces stresses closer to the universally accepted formulation of biaxial material stress in the central region. However, the system with noodle clamps, commonly used to grip the sample, produces an alteration of the measurement stresses. Our simulations show results giving an inaccurate estimation of the stress at the centre of the sample. In some cases, the stresses are overestimated and in others underestimated depending on the anisotropy of the sample. We can conclude that the clamped system with needles which leave the specimen's edges free to expand laterally should be used as an efficient methodology to other commonly used gripping methods for biological tissues with anisotropic materials.
Don't know, don't care: Harnessing the power of prior knowledge and motivation to create an effective assignment in an introductory religious studies course
Authors: Schwarz Sarah L.
Published: November 2019

One of three short companion essays to Terry Shoemaker's “World Religion and Fake News: A Pedagogical Response in an Age of Post‐Truth,” published in this issue of the journal.
Discovery of salicyl benzoate UDP‐glycosyltransferase, a central enzyme in poplar salicinoid phenolic glycoside biosynthesis
Authors: Fellenberg Christin , Corea Oliver , Yan Lok‐Hang , Archinuk Finn , Piirtola Eerik‐Mikael , Gordon Harley , Reichelt Michael , Brandt Wolfgang , Wulff Jeremy , Ehlting Jürgen , Peter Constabel C.
Published: November 2019

The salicinoids are anti‐herbivore phenolic glycosides unique to the Salicaceae (Populus and Salix). They consist of a salicyl alcohol glucoside core, which is usually further acylated with benzoic, cinnamic or phenolic acids. While salicinoid structures are well known, their biosynthesis remains enigmatic. Recently, two enzymes from poplar, salicyl alcohol benzoyl transferase and benzyl alcohol benzoyl transferase, were shown to catalyze the production of salicyl benzoate, a predicted potential intermediate in salicinoid biosynthesis. Here, we used transcriptomics and co‐expression analysis with these two genes to identify two UDP‐glucose‐dependent glycosyltransferases (UGT71L1 and UGT78M1) as candidate enzymes in this pathway. Both recombinant enzymes accepted only salicyl benzoate, salicylaldehyde and 2‐hydroxycinnamic acid as glucose acceptors. Knocking out the UGT71L1 gene by CRISPR/Cas9 in poplar hairy root cultures led to the complete loss of salicortin, tremulacin and tremuloidin, and a partial reduction of salicin content. This demonstrated that UGT71L1 is required for synthesis of the major salicinoids, and suggested that an additional route can lead to salicin. CRISPR/Cas9 knockouts for UGT78M1 were not successful, and its in vivo role thus remains to be determined. Although it has a similar substrate preference and predicted structure as UGT71L1, it appears not to contribute to the synthesis of salicortin, tremulacin and tremuloidin, at least in roots. The demonstration of UGT71L1 as an enzyme of salicinoid biosynthesis will open up new avenues for the elucidation of this pathway.
The hybrid protein interactome contributes to rice heterosis as epistatic effects
Authors: Li Hong , Jiang Shuqin , Li Chen , Liu Lei , Lin Zechuan , He Hang , Deng Xing‐Wang , Zhang Ziding , Wang Xiangfeng
Published: November 2019

Heterosis is the phenomenon in which hybrid progeny exhibits superior traits in comparison with those of their parents. Genomic variations between the two parental genomes may generate epistasis interactions, which is one of the genetic hypotheses explaining heterosis. We postulate that protein−protein interactions specific to F1 hybrids (F1‐specific PPIs) may occur when two parental genomes combine, as the proteome of each parent may supply novel interacting partners. To test our assumption, an inter‐subspecies hybrid interactome was simulated by in silico PPI prediction between rice japonica (cultivar Nipponbare) and indica (cultivar 9311). Four‐thousand, six‐hundred and twelve F1‐specific PPIs accounting for 20.5% of total PPIs in the hybrid interactome were found. Genes participating in F1‐specific PPIs tend to encode metabolic enzymes and are generally localized in genomic regions harboring metabolic gene clusters. To test the genetic effect of F1‐specific PPIs in heterosis, genomic selection analysis was performed for trait prediction with additive, dominant and epistatic effects separately considered in the model. We found that the removal of single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with F1‐specific PPIs reduced prediction accuracy when epistatic effects were considered in the model, but no significant changes were observed when additive or dominant effects were considered. In summary, genomic divergence widely dispersed between japonica and indica rice may generate F1‐specific PPIs, part of which may accumulatively contribute to heterosis according to our computational analysis. These candidate F1‐specific PPIs, especially for those involved in metabolic biosynthesis pathways, are worthy of experimental validation when large‐scale protein interactome datasets are generated in hybrid rice in the future.
Investigation and optimization of reactive ion etching of Si3N4 and polyphthalaldehyde for two-step gray scale fabrication of diffractive optics
Authors: Aminzadeh Alaleh , Bose Manjith , Smith Dan , Uddin Md Hemayet , Peele Andrew G. , van Riessen Grant
Published: November 2019

Nanofabrication of x-ray diffractive optics using electron beam lithography requires a complex process of electron exposure optimization and resist development. Thermal scanning probe lithography (TSPL) offers a high resolution, maskless, gray scale patterning method with reduced complexity. Thin diffractive optics with high efficiency for the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and soft x-ray (SXR) photon range could be fabricated by combining TSPL with a single etching step if the TSPL resist, polyphthalaldehyde (PPA), can be used as an etch mask to direct-etch the pattern into a substrate using reactive ion etching. This condition critically depends on high etch selectivity between the substrate and the PPA, because TSPL resolution deteriorates as the PPA patterning depth increases beyond tens of nanometers. In this work, the authors have evaluated the etch selectivity for PPA and Si3N4 using SF6/C4F8 gases and the influence of process parameters, including gas flow rate, vacuum pressure, radio frequency bias power, and inductively coupled plasma power. The experimental results indicate that an etch selectivity of 7 (Si3N4:PPA) is achievable, and the authors demonstrate that diffractive optics for EUV/SXR can be fabricated in only two steps.
Retirement and Physical Activity: The Opportunity of a Lifetime or the Beginning of the End?
Authors: Rai Rajni , Jongenelis Michelle I. , Jackson Ben , Newton Robert U. , Pettigrew Simone
Published: November 2019

Retirement has been identified as a life transition that is important in determining older adults’ physical activity levels. The present study examined the factors associated with retirement that affect physical activity participation among older adults. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 425 retired Australians aged 60 years and older. Physical activity was assessed objectively, using accelerometers. Two categories of factors affecting physical activity participation following retirement were identified: the various physical and psychological changes in later life that can encourage or discourage physical activity and the adaptation processes undertaken by older people in response to these changes. The adoption of either a gain or loss approach to retirement and aging appeared to be the most influential adaptation factor affecting physical activity participation. The results suggest that intervention approaches should aim to foster more positive attitudes to aging and retirement and promote physical activity at all stages in life.
Nutrition for Master Athletes: Is There a Need for Specific Recommendations?
Authors: Louis Julien , Vercruyssen Fabrice , Dupuy Olivier , Bernard Thierry
Published: November 2019

Master athletes are often considered exemplars of successful aging, thanks to their capacity to maintain a high sports performance during their entire life. A high training capacity, regular participation in sporting competitions, and delayed alterations in body composition and physiological capacities have been listed among the main factors contributing to impressive master athletes’ performances. However, there is a paucity of data on the metabolism and dietary habits of master athletes, and the question of whether they need to adapt their nutrition to the aging process remains open. Herein, the authors presented a contemporary overview of the metabolic challenges associated with aging, including the risk of low energy availability, anabolic resistance, and periods of metabolic crisis due to forced immobilization. After assembling scientific evidence to show that master athletes must adapt their dietary intake, the authors proposed a summary of nutritional recommendations for master athletes and suggested the next stage of research.
Activity of Potential Alternative Treatment Agents for Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Isolates Nonsusceptible to Levofloxacin and/or Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole
Authors: Biagi M. , Tan X. , Wu T. , Jurkovic M. , Vialichka A. , Meyer K. , Mendes R. E. , Wenzler E.
Published: November 2019

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
is difficult to treat due to the production of multiple intrinsic and acquired mechanisms of resistance. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) and the fluoroquinolones have traditionally been considered the drugs of choice but are plagued by increasing resistance and adverse drug effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the
in vitro
activities of 12 clinically relevant antimicrobials against clinical
S. maltophilia
isolates nonsusceptible to levofloxacin and/or TMP-SMZ.
Glutaminolysis and Glycolysis Are Essential for Optimal Replication of Marek’s Disease Virus
Authors: Boodhoo Nitish , Kamble Nitin , Sharif Shayan , Behboudi Shahriar
Published: November 2019

Viruses can manipulate host cellular metabolism to provide energy and essential biosynthetic requirements for efficient replication. Marek’s disease virus (MDV), an avian alphaherpesvirus, causes a deadly lymphoma in chickens and hijacks host cell metabolism. This study provides evidence for the importance of glycolysis and glutaminolysis, but not fatty acid β-oxidation, as an essential energy source for the replication and spread of MDV. Moreover, it suggests that in MDV infection, as in many tumor cells, glutamine is used for generation of energetic and biosynthetic requirements of the MDV infection, while glucose is used biosynthetically.
The C Protein Is Recruited to Measles Virus Ribonucleocapsids by the Phosphoprotein
Authors: Pfaller Christian K. , Bloyet Louis-Marie , Donohue Ryan C. , Huff Amanda L. , Bartemes William P. , Yousaf Iris , Urzua Erica , Clavière Mathieu , Zachary Marie , de Masson d’Autume Valentin , Carson Sandra , Schieferecke Adam J. , Meyer Alyssa J. , Gerlier Denis , Cattaneo Roberto
Published: November 2019

Replication of negative-strand RNA viruses relies on two components: a helical ribonucleocapsid and an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase composed of a catalytic subunit, the L protein, and a cofactor, the P protein. We show that the measles virus (MeV) C protein is an additional component of the replication complex. We provide evidence that the C protein is recruited to the ribonucleocapsid by the P protein and map the interacting segments of both C and P proteins. We conclude that the primary function of MeV C is to improve polymerase processivity and accuracy, rather than uniquely to antagonize the type I interferon response. Since most viruses of the
Paramyxoviridae
family express C proteins, their primary function may be conserved.
Gene Regulation Shifts Shed Light on Fungal Adaption in Plant Biomass Decomposers
Authors: Zhang Jiwei , Silverstein Kevin A. T. , Castaño Jesus David , Figueroa Melania , Schilling Jonathan S.
Published: November 2019

Fungi dominate the turnover of wood, Earth’s largest pool of aboveground terrestrial carbon. Fungi first evolved this capacity by degrading lignin to access and hydrolyze embedded carbohydrates (white rot). Multiple lineages, however, adapted faster reactive oxygen species (ROS) pretreatments to loosen lignocellulose and selectively extract sugars (brown rot). This brown rot “shortcut” often coincided with losses (>60%) of conventional lignocellulolytic genes, implying that ROS adaptations supplanted conventional pathways. We used comparative transcriptomics to further pursue brown rot adaptations, which illuminated the clear temporal expression shift of ROS genes, as well as the shift toward synthesizing more GHs in brown rot relative to white rot. These imply that gene regulatory shifts, not simply ROS innovations, were key to brown rot fungal evolution. These results not only reveal an important biological shift among these unique fungi, but they may also illuminate a trait that restricts brown rot fungi to certain ecological niches.
Cell-to-Cell Spreading of HIV-1 in Myeloid Target Cells Escapes SAMHD1 Restriction
Authors: Xie Maorong , Leroy Héloïse , Mascarau Rémi , Woottum Marie , Dupont Maeva , Ciccone Camille , Schmitt Alain , Raynaud-Messina Brigitte , Vérollet Christel , Bouchet Jérôme , Bracq Lucie , Benichou Serge
Published: November 2019

We demonstrate that HIV-1 uses a common two-step cell-to-cell fusion mechanism for massive virus transfer from infected T lymphocytes and dissemination to myeloid target cells, including dendritic cells and macrophages as well as osteoclasts. This cell-to-cell infection process bypasses the restriction imposed by the SAMHD1 host cell restriction factor for HIV-1 replication, leading to the formation of highly virus-productive multinucleated giant cells as observed
in vivo
in lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues of HIV-1-infected patients. Since myeloid cells are emerging as important target cells of HIV-1, these results contribute to a better understanding of the role of these myeloid cells in pathogenesis, including cell-associated virus sexual transmission, cell-to-cell virus spreading, and establishment of long-lived viral tissue reservoirs.
Enterococcus faecalis Enhances Expression and Activity of the Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli Type III Secretion System
Authors: Cameron Elizabeth A. , Sperandio Vanessa , Dunny Gary M.
Published: November 2019

This work reveals a complex and multifaceted interaction between a human gut commensal,
Enterococcus faecalis
, and a pathogen, enterohemorrhagic
E. coli
. We demonstrate that
E. faecalis
enhances expression of the enterohemorrhagic
E. coli
type III secretion system and that this effect likely depends on cell contact between the commensal and the pathogen. Additionally, the GelE protease secreted by
E. faecalis
cleaves a critical structural component of the EHEC type III secretion system. In agreement with previous studies, we find that this cleavage actually increases effector protein delivery into host cells by the secretion system. This work demonstrates that commensal bacteria can significantly shape expression and activity of pathogen virulence factors, which may ultimately shape the progression of disease.
The Cyclic AMP Receptor Protein Regulates Quorum Sensing and Global Gene Expression in Yersinia pestis during Planktonic Growth and Growth in Biofilms
Authors: Ritzert Jeremy T. , Minasov George , Embry Ryan , Schipma Matthew J. , Satchell Karla J. F.
Published: November 2019

Bacterial pathogens have evolved extensive signaling pathways to translate environmental signals into changes in gene expression. While Crp has long been appreciated for its role in regulating metabolism of carbon sources in many bacterial species, transcriptional profiling has revealed that this protein regulates many other aspects of bacterial physiology. The plague pathogen
Y. pestis
requires this global regulator to survive in blood, skin, and lungs. During disease progression, this organism adapts to changes within these niches. In addition to regulating genes for metabolism of nonglucose sugars, we found that Crp regulates genes for virulence, metal acquisition, and quorum sensing by direct or indirect mechanisms. Thus, this single transcriptional regulator, which responds to changes in available carbon sources, can regulate multiple critical behaviors for causing disease.
Tectonic transition from oceanic subduction to continental collision: New geochemical evidence from Early-Middle Triassic mafic igneous rocks in southern Liaodong Peninsula, east-central China
Authors: Fang Wei , Dai Li-Qun , Zheng Yong-Fei , Zhao Zi-Fu , Ma Li-Tao
Published: November 2019

In contrast to the widespread occurrence of mafic arc magmatism during oceanic subduction, there is a general lack of such magmatism during continental subduction. This paradigm is challenged by the discovery of Early-Middle Triassic mafic igneous rocks from the southeastern margin of the North China Block (NCB), which was subducted by the South China Block (SCB) during the Triassic. Zircon U-Pb dating for these mafic rocks yields 247 ± 2–244 ± 5 Ma for their emplacement, coeval with the initial collision between the two continental blocks. These Triassic mafic rocks generally exhibit ocean island basalt (OIB)-like trace element distribution patterns, intermediate (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios of 0.7057–0.7091, weakly negative εNd(t) values of –1.2 to –3.8, and εHf(t) values of –1.3 to –3.2. Such geochemical features indicate origination from a metasomatic mantle source with involvement of felsic melts derived from dehydration melting of the previously subducting Paleo-Tethyan oceanic crust. The syn-magmatic zircons of Triassic age show variable Hf-O isotopic compositions, indicating that the crustal component was composed of both altered basaltic oceanic crust and terrigenous sediment. High Fe/Mn and Zn/Fe ratios suggest that the mantle source would mainly consist of ultramafic pyroxenites. The melt-mobile incompatible trace elements were further fractionated relative to melt-immobile trace elements during partial melting of these pyroxenites, giving rise to basaltic melts with OIB-like geochemical signatures. The mafic magmatism may be caused by tectonic extension due to rollback of the subducting Paleo-Tethyan oceanic slab in response to the initial collision of the NCB and SCB in the Early Triassic. Therefore, the syn-subduction mafic magmatism provides new geochemical evidence for tectonic transition from oceanic subduction to continental collision in east-central China.
Changes in rates of early exclusive breast feeding in South Africa from 2010 to 2013: data from three national surveys before and during implementation of a change in national breastfeeding policy
Authors: Jackson Debra , Swanevelder Sonja , Doherty Tanya , Lombard Carl , Bhardwaj Sanjana , Goga Ameena
Published: November 2019

Objective

Between 1998 and 2009 reported exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rates in South African infants, aged 0–6 months, ranged from 6.2% to 25.7%. In 2011, the National Minister of Health shifted policy to promote ‘exclusive’ breast feeding for all women in South Africa irrespective of HIV status (Tshwane Declaration of Support for Breastfeeding in South Africa). This analysis examines early EBF prior to and through implementation of the declaration.

Setting

Data from the three South Africa national, cross-sectional, facility-based surveys, conducted in 2010, 2011–12 and 2012–13, were analysed. Primary health facilities (n=580) were randomly selected after a stratified multistage probability proportional-to-size sampling to provide valid national and provincial estimates.

Participants

A national sample of all infants attending their 6 weeks vaccination at selected facilities. The number of caregiver-infant pairs enrolled were 10 182, 10 106 and 9120 in 2010, 2011–12, and 2012–13, respectively.

Primary outcome measure

Exclusive breast feeding as measured using structured 24 hours recall plus prior 7 days (8 days inclusive prior to day interview) and WHO definition.

Results

The adjusted OR comparing EBF prevalence in 2011–12 and 2012–13 with 2010 were 2.08 and 5.51, respectively. Mothers with generally higher socioeconomic status, HIV-positive, unplanned pregnancy, primipara, postcaesarean delivery, resided in certain provinces and women who did not receive breastfeeding counselling had significantly lower odds of EBF.

Conclusion

With what seemed to be an intransigently low EBF rate since 1998, South Africa saw an increase in early EBF for infants aged 4–8 weeks from 2010 to 2013, coinciding with a major national breastfeeding policy change. These increases were seen across all provinces and subgroups, suggesting a population-wide effect, rather than an increase in certain subgroups or locations. While these increases in EBF were significant, the 59.1% prevalence is still below desired levels of early EBF. Further improvements in EBF programmes are needed.
Modifiable risk factors related to burnout levels in the medical workplace in Taiwan: cross-sectional study
Authors: Lin Yu-Li , Chen Cing-Hua , Chu Wei-Min , Hu Sung-Yuan , Liou Yi-Sheng , Yang Yi-Chien , Tsan Yu-Tse
Published: November 2019

Objectives

To detect the combined effects of lifestyle factors on work-related burnout (WB) and to analyse the impact of the number of weekend catch-up sleep hours on burnout risk in a medical workplace.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Hospital-based survey in Taiwan.

Participants

In total, 2746 participants completed the hospital’s Overload Health Control System questionnaire for the period from the first day of January 2016 to the end of December 2016, with a response rate of 70.5%. The voluntary participants included 358 physicians, 1406 nurses, 367 medical technicians and 615 administrative staff.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

All factors that correlated significantly with WB were entered into a multinomial logistic regression after adjustment for other factors. The dose–response relationship of combined lifestyle factors and catch-up sleep hours associated with WB was explored by logistic regression.

Results

Abnormal meal time (adjusted OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.85 to 3.15), frequently eating out (adjusted OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.97), lack of sleep (adjusted OR 5.13, 95% CI 3.94 to 6.69), no exercise (adjusted OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.81) and >40 work hours (adjusted OR 2.72, 95% CI 2.08–3.57) were independently associated with WB (for high level compared with low level). As the number of risk factors increased (1–5), so did the proportion of high severity of WB (adjusted OR 1.39, 95% CI 0.45 to 4.27, to adjusted OR 32.98, 95% CI 10.78 to 100.87). For those with more than 7 hours’ sleep on workdays, weekend catch-up sleep (≤0/>0 and ≤2/>2 hours) was found to be related to an increase of burnout risk (adjusted OR 4.91, 95% CI 2.24 to 10.75/adjusted OR 4.94, 95% CI 2.54 to 9.63/adjusted OR 6.74, 95% CI 2.94 to 15.46).

Conclusion

WB in the medical workplace was affected by five unhealthy lifestyle factors, and combinations of these factors were associated with greater severity of WB. Weekend catch-up sleep was correlated with lower burnout risk in those with a short workday sleep duration (less than 7 hours). Clinicians should pay particular attention to medical staff with short sleep duration without weekend catch-up sleep.
Improving the geographical precision of rural chronic disease surveillance by using emergency claims data: a cross-sectional comparison of survey versus claims data in Sullivan County, New York
Authors: Lee David C , Feldman Justin M , Osorio Marcela , Koziatek Christian A , Nguyen Michael V , Nagappan Ashwini , Shim Christopher J , Vinson Andrew J , Thorpe Lorna E , McGraw Nancy A
Published: November 2019

Objectives

Some of the most pressing health problems are found in rural America. However, the surveillance needed to track and prevent disease in these regions is lacking. Our objective was to perform a comprehensive health survey of a single rural county to assess the validity of using emergency claims data to estimate rural disease prevalence at a sub-county level.

Design

We performed a cross-sectional study of chronic disease prevalence estimates using emergency department (ED) claims data versus mailed health surveys designed to capture a substantial proportion of residents in New York’s rural Sullivan County.

Setting

Sullivan County, a rural county ranked second-to-last for health outcomes in New York State.

Participants

Adult residents of Sullivan County aged 25 years and older who responded to the health survey in 2017–2018 or had at least one ED visit in 2011–2015.

Outcome measures

We compared age and gender-adjusted prevalence of hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, cancer, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/emphysema among nine sub-county areas.

Results

Our county-wide mailed survey obtained 6675 completed responses for a response rate of 30.4%. This sample represented more than 12% of the estimated 53 020 adults in Sullivan County. Using emergency claims data, we identified 34 576 adults from Sullivan County who visited an ED at least once during 2011–2015. At a sub-county level, prevalence estimates from mailed surveys and emergency claims data correlated especially well for diabetes (r=0.90) and asthma (r=0.85). Other conditions were not well correlated (range: 0.23–0.46). Using emergency claims data, we created more geographically detailed maps of disease prevalence using geocoded addresses.

Conclusions

For select conditions, emergency claims data may be useful for tracking disease prevalence in rural areas and providing more geographically detailed estimates. For rural regions lacking robust health surveillance, emergency claims data can inform how to geographically target efforts to prevent chronic disease.
Effects of e-aid cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (eCBTI) to prevent the transition from episodic insomnia to persistent insomnia: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Yang Yuan , Luo Xian , Paudel Dhirendra , Zhang Jihui , Li Shirley Xin , Zhang Bin
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Previous evidence suggested that online self-guided sleep intervention is efficacious in improving treatment outcomes in patients with persistent insomnia. However, research on online sleep interventions targeting episodic insomnia has been scarce. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of brief e-aid cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (eCBTI) in preventing transition from episodic insomnia to persistent insomnia.

Methods and analysis

This is a pragmatic two-arm multicentre, randomised controlled trial comparing eCBTI with treatment as usual (TAU) in outpatients. Two hundred patients with episodic insomnia (as defined by DSM-5) will be recruited. Patients will be randomly assigned to receive 1 week eCBTI via a Smartphone application, or to receive TAU. Treatment effects will be assessed at 1 week and 3 months after intervention. The primary outcome of the study, whether the eCBTI program is sufficient in preventing transition from short-term to persistent insomnia, is measured by the Insomnia Severity Index. Secondary outcome measurements include the Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep Scale, Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test, Sleep Hygiene and Practices Scale, Pre-sleep Arousal Scale and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Additionally, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Short-Form 12-Item Health Survey will be used for measurement of mood symptoms and quality of life.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval for the study has been obtained from the Ethics Committee of Southern Medical University (reference number: NFEC-2017–131). The results of the investigation will be published in scientific papers. The data from the investigation will be made available online if necessary.

Trial registration

NCT03302455 (clinicaltrials.gov). Date of registration: October 5, 2017.
The neglected millions: the global state of aquaculture workers’ occupational safety, health and well-being
Authors: Watterson Andrew , Jeebhay Mohamed Fareed , Neis Barbara , Mitchell Rebecca , Cavalli Lissandra
Published: November 2019

A scoping project was funded by the Food and Agriculture Organization in 2017 on the health and safety of aquaculture workers. This project developed a template covering basic types of aquaculture production, health and safety hazards and risks, and related data on injuries and occupational ill health, regulations, social welfare conditions, and labour and industry activity in the sector. Profiles using the template were then produced for key aquaculture regions and nations across the globe where information could be obtained. These revealed both the scale and depth of occupational safety and health (OSH) challenges in terms of data gaps, a lack of or poor risk assessment and management, inadequate monitoring and regulation, and limited information generally about aquaculture OSH. Risks are especially high for offshore/marine aquaculture workers. Good practice as well as barriers to improving aquaculture OSH were noted. The findings from the profiles were brought together in an analysis of current knowledge on injury and work-related ill health, standards and regulation, non-work socioeconomic factors affecting aquaculture OSH, and the role of labour and industry in dealing with aquaculture OSH challenges. Some examples of governmental and labour, industry and non-governmental organisation good practice were identified. Some databases on injury and disease in the sector and research initiatives that solved problems were noted. However, there are many challenges especially in rural and remote areas across Asia but also in the northern hemisphere that need to be addressed. Action now is possible based on the knowledge available, with further research an important but secondary objective.
Prediction modelling of 1-year outcomes to a personalized lifestyle intervention for Canadians with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Lowry Dana E. , Feng Zeny , Jeejeebhoy Khursheed , Dhaliwal Rupinder , Brauer Paula , Royall Dawna , Tremblay Angelo , Klein Doug , Mutch David M.
Published: November 2019

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) comprises a cluster of risk factors that includes central obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and impaired glucose homeostasis. Although lifestyle interventions reduce MetS risk, not everyone responds to the same extent. The primary objective of this study was to identify variables that could predict 1-year changes in MetS risk in individuals participating in the Canadian Health Advanced by Nutrition and Graded Exercise (CHANGE) program. Participants were allocated into training (n = 157) and test (n = 29) datasets by availability of genetic data. A linear mixed-effect model revealed that age, medication, fasting glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, and fibre intake were associated with continuous MetS (cMetS) score across all time points. Multiple linear regressions were then used to build 2 prediction models using 1-year cMetS score as the outcome variable. Model 1 included only baseline variables and was 38% accurate for predicting cMetS score. Model 2 included both baseline variables and the 3-month change in cMetS score and was 86% accurate. As a secondary objective, we also examined if we could build a model to predict a person’s categorical response bin (i.e., positive responder, nonresponder, or adverse responder) at 1 year using the same variables. We found 72% concordance between predicted and observed outcomes. These various prediction models need to be further tested in independent cohorts but provide a potentially promising new tool to project patient outcomes during lifestyle interventions for MetS.

Novelty Short-term changes in cMetS score improve prediction model performance compared with only baseline variables. Predictive models could potentially facilitate clinical decision-making for personalized treatment plans.
Appreciation of A.M. Celâl Şengör
Authors: Dewey John F.
Published: November 2019

Celâl Şengör is one of the leading and most influential geologists of our time. He has made many significant contributions to the understanding of the evolution of our planet in many areas, including continental growth, Phanerozoic orogenic belts, continental rifts, transform faults, and mantle plumes.
High-energy resummation in heavy-quark pair hadroproduction
Authors: Bolognino A. D. , Celiberto Francesco Giovanni , Fucilla M. , Ivanov D. Yu. , Papa A.
Published: November 2019

The inclusive hadroproduction of two heavy quarks, featuring a large separation in rapidity, is proposed as a novel probe channel of the Balitsky–Fadin–Kuraev–Lipatov (BFKL) approach. In a theoretical setup which includes full resummation of leading logarithms in the center-of-mass energy and partial resummation of the next-to-leading ones, predictions for the cross section and azimuthal coefficients are presented for kinematic configurations typical of current and possible future experimental analyses at the LHC.
Well-order as a construction principle for physical theories
Authors: Schust Peter
Published: November 2019

Physics has up to now missed to express in mathematical terms the fundamental idea of events of a path in time and space uniquely succeeding one another. An appropriate mathematical concept that reflects this idea is a well-ordered set. In such a set every subset has a least element. Thus every element of a well-ordered set has as its definite successor the least element of the subset of all elements larger than itself. This is apparently contradictory to the densely ordered real number lines which conventionally constitute the coordinate axes in any representation of time and space and in which between any two numbers exists always another number. In this article it is shown how decomposing this disaccord in favour of well-ordered sets causes spacetime to be discontinuous.
Speaker Classification with Support Vector Machine and Crossover-Based Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Kaur Rupinderdeep , Sharma R. K. , Kumar Parteek
Published: November 2019

It has been observed from the literature that speech is the most natural means of communication between humans. Human beings start speaking without any tool or any explicit education. The environment surrounding them helps them to learn the art of speaking. From the existing literature, it is found that the existing speaker classification techniques suffer from over-fitting and parameter tuning issues. An efficient tuning of machine learning techniques can improve the classification accuracy of speaker classification. To overcome this issue, in this paper, an efficient particle swarm optimization-based support vector machine is proposed. The proposed and the competitive speaker classification techniques are tested on the speaker classification data of Punjabi persons. The comparative analysis of the proposed technique reveals that it outperforms existing techniques in terms of accuracy, [Formula: see text]-measure, specificity and sensitivity.
Distributive biracks and solutions of the Yang–Baxter equation
Authors: Jedlička Přemysl , Pilitowska Agata , Zamojska-Dzienio Anna
Published: November 2019

We investigate a class of non-involutive solutions of the Yang–Baxter equation which generalize derived (self-distributive) solutions. In particular, we study generalized multipermutation solutions in this class. We show that the Yang–Baxter (permutation) groups of such solutions are nilpotent. We formulate the results in the language of biracks which allows us to apply universal algebra tools.