bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sensitivity to change of the EORTC quality of life module measuring cancer‐related fatigue (EORTC QlQ‐Fa12): Results from the international psychometric validation
Authors: Weis Joachim , Wirtz Markus A. , Tomaszewski Krzysztof A. , Hammerlid Eva , Arraras Juan Ignacio , Conroy Thierry , Lanceley Anne , Schmidt Heike , Singer Susanne , Pinto Monica , Alm El‐Din Mohamed , Compter Inge , Holzner Bernhard , Hofmeister Dirk , Chie Wei‐Chu , Harle Amelie , Flechtner Hans‐Henning , Bottomley Andrew ,   On Behalf of the EORTC Quality of Life Group
Published: June 2019

Objective

The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Group (EORTC QLG) has developed a multidimensional instrument measuring cancer‐related fatigue, the EORTC QLQ‐FA12. The analysis of sensitivity to change is an essential part of psychometric validation. With this study, we investigated the EORTC QLQ‐FA12's sensitivity to change.

Methods

The methodology follows the EORTC guidelines of EORTC QLG for phase IV validation of modules. We included cancer patients undergoing curative and palliative treatment at t1 and followed them up prospectively over the course of their treatment (t2) and 4 weeks after completion of treatment (t3). Data were collected prospectively at 17 sites in 11 countries. Sensitivity to change was investigated using analysis of variance.

Results

A total sample of 533 patients was enrolled with various tumour types, different stages of cancer, and receiving either curative treatment (n=311) or palliative treatment (n=222). Over time all fatigue scores were significantly higher in the palliative treatment group compared with the curative group (p < .001). Physical fatigue increased with medium effect size over the course of treatment in the curative group (standardized response mean [SRM] (t1,t2) = 0.44]. After treatment physical [SRM (t2,t3) = 0.39], emotional [SRM (t2,t3)= 0.28] and cognitive fatigue (SRM [t2,t3] = 0.22) declined significantly in the curative group. In the palliative group, emotional (SRM [t2,t3] = 0.18) as well as cognitive [SRM [t2,t3] = 0.26) fatigue increases significantly.

Conclusions

The EORTC‐QLQ‐FA12 proved to identify clinically significant changes in fatigue in the course of curative and palliative cancer treatment.
Improvement of the plasma‐induced defect generation model in Si substrates and the optimization design framework
Authors: Eriguchi Koji , Hamano Takashi , Urabe Keiichiro
Published: June 2019

Defect generation in Si substrates during plasma processing—plasma‐induced physical damage (PPD)—has been principally modeled on the basis of the projection range of incident ions. In this paper, first, the ion dose (Dion) dependence of the thickness of a damaged layer (ddam) was implemented in the conventional PPD range model. An improved PPD range model was proposed to describe the dose evolution of ddam in addition to the ion energy (Eion) dependence of ddam. Then, the model prediction results were compared with the experimentally obtained ddam after Ar plasma exposure. A good agreement was found, which implied that plasma process designs should be performed by taking into account both the Dion and Eion dependences of ddam. Finally, a methodology of plasma process design based on the improved PPD range model was presented. The methodology was regarded as an optimization problem under constraints imposed by PPD criteria. Two scenarios—optimization problems—were demonstrated, where the etch rate was maximized under the following two constraints: one is by considering the acceptable ddam, and the other, the recessed Si depth and latent defect density with its trade‐off relation. The results suggested that minimizing Eion rather than lowering the flux of incident ions is essential for the above scenarios.
BABA application improves soybean resistance to aphid through activation of phenylpropanoid metabolism and callose deposition
Authors: Yao Luming , Zhong Yunpeng , Wang Biao , Yan Junhui , Wu Tianlong
Published: June 2019

BACKGROUND

Beta‐aminobutyric acid (BABA) confer plant resistance to a broad spectrum of biotic and abiotic stresses. The soybean aphid (SBA), is native to eastern Asia and is a predominant insect pest of soybean. Both isoflavone and lignin pathway are important branches of the general phenylpropanoid pathway, which would be likely associated with resistance against soybean aphid. However, little is known about the role of the phenylpropanoid pathway in defense response to SBA as induced by BABA application.

RESULTS

The application of BABA effectively enhanced soybean resistance against Aphis glycines, the soybean aphid. Consistent with significantly increased content of isoflavones, especially genistein, the related biosynthetic genes were upregulated by use of BABA. Lignin, another important defense component against arthropods, accumulated at a high level and four lignin biosynthesis related genes were also activated. Additionally, BABA application augmented the expression of callose synthase genes and increased callose deposition in SBA‐infested seedlings. In non‐caged and caged tests, SBA numbers were significantly reduced in BABA‐treated seedlings.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate that application of BABA has an obvious positive effect on soybean resistance to aphids, and this defense response partly depends on the potentiation of isoflavone biosynthesis and callose deposition. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Three‐arm, placebo‐controlled, randomized clinical trial evaluating the metabolic effect of a combined nutraceutical containing a bergamot standardized flavonoid extract in dyslipidemic overweight subjects
Authors: Cicero Arrigo Francesco Giuseppe , Fogacci Federica , Bove Marilisa , Giovannini Marina , Borghi Claudio
Published: June 2019

Our double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group, dose‐escalation, clinical trial aimed to test the effect of a combined nutraceutical containing bergamot extract (120‐mg flavonoids), phytosterols, vitamin C, and chlorogenic acid from dry artichoke extract on 90 overweight dyslipidemic subjects. Participants were randomly allocated to treatment with two pills of either active treatment or placebo, or a combination of both (a pill per treatment). After 8 weeks, all active‐treated groups experienced a significant improvement in triglycerides (TG) versus placebo and in low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) versus baseline and placebo treatments. In the high‐dose‐treated group, also total cholesterol (TC), nonhigh‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (non‐HDL‐C), γ‐glutamil transpeptidasi, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) significantly decreased. At 24‐week follow‐up, TG levels maintained lower than baseline in all groups. All patients allocated to either low‐dose or high‐dose active treatment experienced a significant decrease in TG, LDL‐C, and homeostatin model assessment of insulin resistance. In subjects taking high‐dose active treatment, adiponectin significantly increased, whereas TC, non‐HDL‐C, insulin (fasting plasma insulin), leptin, leptin/adiponectin ratio, hs‐CRP, and TNF‐α were significantly reduced. The tested nutraceutical showed to improve lipid and glucose metabolism, adipokines pattern, and systemic inflammation in dyslipidemic overweight subjects.
The influence of socio‐economic background and gender on school attainment in the United Kingdom: A systematic review
Authors: Early Erin , Miller Sarah , Dunne Laura , Thurston Allen , Filiz Mehmet
Published: June 2019

This narrative systematic review examined relationships between school attainment, socio‐economic status and gender in the United Kingdom from 2000 to 2012. The influence of socio‐economic status was considered at the individual and school level, while gender was examined at the individual level. To ensure consistency among included studies, the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) was selected as the attainment measure. Following screening and the application of inclusion/exclusion criteria, 23 studies were included in this review. The most common measures of socio‐economic status were parental occupation, parental education and individual/school mean of economic, social and cultural status. This review found that individual and school level factors of socio‐economic status were consistent in the magnitude and direction of their influence over time. Gender was also a statistically significant indicator of attainment. However, variation was evident in the effects of gender according to the PISA cycle, UK country and subject. This review also provided a critical discussion on the quality of included studies, questioning study reliability owing to variation in reporting sample sizes, data manipulation and summary statistics. The review concluded greater consistency in reporting PISA results, especially descriptive and summary statistics would improve comparability of studies within and between PISA cycles, transparency of methodological approaches and the overall reliability of studies.
Discrete SnO2 Nanoparticle‐Modified Poly(3,4‐Ethylenedioxythiophene):Poly(Styrenesulfonate) for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Jia Pengcheng , Bi Wentao , Huang Xin , Li Ling , Gong Wenwen , Tang Yang , Zhao Di , Hu Yufeng , Lou Zhidong , Teng Feng , Cui Qiuhong , Hou Yanbing
Published: June 2019

Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is the most widely used hole transport materials for perovskite solar cells (PVSCs) with a p‐i‐n structure. However, the solar cells based on PEDOT:PSS show a low photoconversion efficiency due to the poor crystallinity of a perovskite film on it. Besides, the acidity of PEDOT:PSS performance critically influences the long‐term stability of PVSCs. Herein, a layer of the discrete SnO2 nanoparticle film is deposited on the surface of PEDOT:PSS to modify the surface of the PEDOT:PSS film. This discrete SnO2 nanoparticle film acts as the buffer layer between the PEDOT:PSS and MAPbI3, which not only improves the crystallization of the quality of the perovskite film, but also provides a selective‐carrier pathway to enhance the extraction of holes and to block the diffusion of electrons. The SnO2 modified devices show a power conversion efficiency of 18.04%, with a great improvement compared with the 12.24% efficiency of PEDOT:PSS only devices. This work demonstrates that it is possible to enhance the performance of PVSCs via n‐type nanoparticle modification of hole transport layer and provides a new guidance for PVSCs interface modification engineering.
Revision of EN 1993‐1‐11 – fatigue design rules for tension components
Authors: Annan Rachid , Bechtold Martin , Friedrich Heinz , Maljaars Johan , Misiek Thomas , Paschen Michael
Published: June 2019

As part of the ongoing revision of EN 1993‐1‐11 ”Design of structures with tension components“, the current fatigue design rules have been subjected to a critical review. This has resulted in modifications and amendments, including the adjustment of several parameters. This paper provides an introduction to as well as background information on those changes.
Vegetated highway medians as foraging habitat for small mammals
Authors: Martinig April Robin , Mclaren Ashley A. D.
Published: June 2019

Wildlife passages are intended to facilitate movement of animals across roads while mitigating barrier effects. A less appreciated aspect of mitigation is how such wildlife passages may be used for reasons that are supplementary to their intended purpose of facilitating movement over or under roads, particularly when a vegetated median is present and safely accessible. We documented 97 instances of mammals <5 kg foraging in vegetated highway medians within the highway corridor during wildlife passage crossings. From 2012 to 2015, we monitored 6 wildlife passages using infrared cameras in Quebec, Canada, along a divided, 4‐lane highway with a vegetated median. Weasels (Mustela spp.) were the most likely species to forage in the vegetated median after accessing it using a wildlife passage, followed by North American red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus), micromammals (shrews, mice, voles, and moles), and American mink (Neovison vison). Foraging duration did not differ among species groups. Our observations demonstrate that wildlife passages that include natural habitat in their design, such as by maintaining safe access to a vegetated median within the highway corridor, provide foraging opportunities for some mammal species. We encourage further studies evaluating how variations in structure design may affect movement across or along roads. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
Captive parturition and neonatal growth of the dwarf ornate wobbegong (Orectolobus ornatus de Vis, 1883)
Authors: Otway Nicholas M. , Ellis Megan T. , Housefield Graham
Published: June 2019

Neonatal predation in multispecies aquarium exhibits can prevent detection of captive breeding by wobbegong sharks. We used ultrasonography and isolation strategies to prevent neonatal predation and maximize survival/growth of the dwarf ornate wobbegong (Orectolobus ornatus de Vis, 1883). We captured seven free‐living wobbegongs (two males and five females) and subjected each animal to a health assessment which led to the euthanasia of one female with a retained hook. Ultrasonography showed that females were pregnant, one was preovulatory, and one was in a resting phase. Two females (one pregnant) and one male were placed in isolation in each of two tanks. In October 2006, 25 neonates were born overnight with the two litters placed into separate neonate tanks. Over the ∼6.5‐month monitoring period, four neonates with reduced body condition died without premonitory signs resulting in a 63.0% annual survival rate. Finite growth rates did not differ between sexes or litters and averaged (±SE) 12.2 (1.5) cm/year and 156.4 (26.4) g/year. At the cessation of monitoring, total length had increased by ∼30%, whereas total weight had almost doubled with neonatal body condition in line with free‐living wobbegongs. Our efficacious, six‐step manipulative, the approach should be applicable with all wobbegongs given their reproductive similarities, but we recommend that efforts focus on the dwarf ornate, tasselled and Japanese wobbegongs because all are small in size and have bred in aquaria. Ultimately, this approach should produce self‐sustaining aquarium populations, place less reliance on the wild acquisition and provide animals for other aquaria, population restocking, or scientific research.
Aquaponics: Alternative Types and Approaches
Authors: Kotzen Benz , Emerenciano Maurício Gustavo Coelho , Moheimani Navid , Burnell Gavin M.
Published: June 2019

Whilst aquaponics may be considered in the mid-stage of development, there are a number of allied, novel methods of food production that are aligning alongside aquaponics and also which can be merged with aquaponics to deliver food efficiently and productively. These technologies include algaeponics, aeroponics, aeroaquaponics, maraponics, haloponics, biofloc technology and vertical aquaponics. Although some of these systems have undergone many years of trials and research, in most cases, much more scientific research is required to understand intrinsic processes within the systems, efficiency, design aspects, etc., apart from the capacity, capabilities and benefits of conjoining these systems with aquaponics.
Aquaponics: The Ugly Duckling in Organic Regulation
Authors: Kledal Paul Rye , König Bettina , Matulić Daniel
Published: June 2019

Due to the cyclic or systemic nature of both aquaponics and organic production, organic certification appears to be a natural step for a researcher, system designer or commercial-oriented aquaponics producer to engage in. However, the underlying principles and justifications of aquaponics and organic production differ considerably between respectively a technological- and a soil-based understanding of nutrient cycles and long-term sustainability in food production. These principles are confirmed in both the organic regulation regime of the EU and USA, and presently leave the question ambiguously open as to whether aquaponics as a food production system can be recognized and certified as organic. Despite an openness in the organic regulation for new knowledge, adaptations and innovations, the organic sector itself has shown a reluctance to recognize more knowledge-based intensive speciality crops and technologies. This is particularly difficult with respect to small organic sub-sectors such as horticulture and aquaculture production. Both are very specific subsystems of the agricultural sector, where aquaponics potentially would belong at the intersection between organic greenhouse horticulture and organic aquaculture. Organically certified aquaponics would therefore need to establish a niche within the organic sector. So in order to move forward, there is a great need for a more serious but open-minded exchange and discussion among the aquaponics and organic sub-sectors themselves to explore the potential but also limitations of their respective production models. However, between the two food production systems, there should be room for debate with a view to finding new and feasible roles for aquaponics in the organic community.
Bacterial Relationships in Aquaponics: New Research Directions
Authors: Joyce Alyssa , Timmons Mike , Goddek Simon , Pentz Timea
Published: June 2019

The growth rates and welfare of fish and the quality of plant production in aquaponics system rely on the composition and health of the system’s microbiota. The overall productivity depends on technical specifications for water quality and its movement amongst components of the system, including a wide range of parameters  including factors such as pH and flow rates which ensure that microbial components can act effectively in nitrification and remineralization processes. In this chapter, we explore current research examining the role of microbial communities in three units of an aquaponics system: (1) the recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) for fish production which includes biofiltration systems for denitrification; (2) the hydroponics units for plant production; and (3) biofilters and bioreactors, including sludge digester systems (SDS) involved in microbial decomposition and recovery/remineralization of solid wastes. In the various sub-disciplines related to each of these components, there is existing literature about microbial communities and their importance within each system (e.g. recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), hydroponics, biofilters and digesters), but there is currently limited work examining interactions between these components in aquaponics system, thus making it an important area for further research.
Introduction
Authors: Atkin Lara , Comyn Sarah , Fermanis Porscha , Garvey Nathan
Published: June 2019

This introduction outlines the primary arguments and methodologies of the book, including new imperial history models, networked conceptualisations of empire, and comparative and transnational history. It argues both for the existence of transnational institutional connections and reading audiences across the colonial southern hemisphere, and for the importance of local and regional variations in the reproduction of the British public library model. It concludes by outlining the book’s primary sources, as well as introducing its six case study libraries from colonial Australia, South Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Knowing the ‘Native Mind’: Ethnological and Philological Collections
Authors: Atkin Lara , Comyn Sarah , Fermanis Porscha , Garvey Nathan
Published: June 2019

This chapter examines the role that the major research libraries of the southern colonies played in the collection, classification, and transmission of ethnological and philological knowledge about Indigenous populations. It argues that the transnational scientific networks, useful knowledge societies, and periodicals cultivated by public libraries enabled colonial cities such as Melbourne, Singapore, and Cape Town to become regional centres of scientific knowledge creation as well as collection, influencing both British governmental policy and broader cultural attitudes amongst Europeans towards the Indigenous peoples of the expanding British Empire.
Conclusion
Authors: Atkin Lara , Comyn Sarah , Fermanis Porscha , Garvey Nathan
Published: June 2019

This conclusion considers the roles that colonial public libraries played in a wider imperial context, focusing on their contribution to a global ‘civilising’ process and to the emergence of an economic world system of goods, capital, and people. Looking also at the role of public libraries in educating the working classes and the youth of the colonies, it argues that these libraries were part of a larger programme of civic education that sought to define a new type of egalitarian colonial citizenry. It ends by providing a comparative summary of the case study libraries under discussion, as well as contextualising these libraries within developments relating to library provision in nineteenth-century America, Britain, and British India.
Two-mediator dark matter models and cosmic electron excess
Authors: Liu Xuewen , Liu Zuowei , Su Yushan
Published: June 2019

Abstract

The cosmic electron energy spectrum recently observed by the DAMPE experiment exhibits two interesting features, including a break around 0.9 TeV and a sharp resonance near 1.4 TeV. In this analysis, we propose a dark matter explanation to both exotic features seen by DAMPE. In our model, dark matter annihilates in the galaxy via two different channels that lead to both a narrow resonance spectrum near 1.4 TeV and electron excess events over an extended energy range thus generating the break structure around TeV. The two annihilation channels are mediated by two gauge bosons that interact both with dark matter and with the standard model fermions. Dark matter annihilations through the s-channel process mediated by the heavier boson produce monoen-ergetic electron-positron pairs leading to the resonance excess. The lighter boson has a mass smaller than the dark matter such that they can be on-shell produced in dark matter annihilations in the galaxy; the lighter bosons in the final state subsequently decay to generate the extended excess events due to the smeared electron energy spectrum in this process. We further analyze constraints from various experiments, including HESS, Fermi, AMS, and LHC, to the parameter space of the model where both excess events can be accounted for. In order to interpret the two new features in the DAMPE data, dark matter annihilation cross sections in the current galaxy are typically much larger than the canonical thermal cross section needed for the correct dark matter relic abundance. This discrepancy, however, is remedied by the nonperturbative Sommerfeld enhancement because of the existence of a lighter mediator in the model.
Coset cosmology
Authors: Di Luzio Luca , Redi Michele , Strumia Alessandro , Teresi Daniele
Published: June 2019

Abstract

We show that the potential of Nambu-Goldstone bosons can have two or more local minima e.g. at antipodal positions in the vacuum manifold. This happens in many models of composite Higgs and of composite Dark Matter. Trigonometric potentials lead to unusual features, such as symmetry non-restoration at high temperature. In some models, such as the minimal SO(5)/SO(4) composite Higgs with fermions in the fundamental representation, the two minima are degenerate giving cosmological domain-wall problems. Otherwise, an unusual cosmology arises, that can lead to supermassive primordial black holes; to vacuum or thermal decays; to a high-temperature phase of broken SU(2)
L
, possibly interesting for baryogenesis.
The variable and evolving nature of ‘cuckooing’ as a form of criminal exploitation in street level drug markets
Authors: Spicer Jack , Moyle Leah , Coomber Ross
Published: June 2019

A form of criminal exploitation rarely mentioned in the academic literature has recently emerged, evolved and taken meaningful hold in the UK. Hundreds of cases of ‘cuckooing’ have been reported, where heroin and crack cocaine dealers associated with the so-called ‘County Lines’ supply methodology have taken over the homes of local residents and created outposts to facilitate their supply operations in satellite locations. Dominant narratives surrounding this practice have stressed its exploitative nature and the vulnerabilities of those involved. Combining qualitative data from two studies, this paper critically analyses the model of cuckooing and the experiences of those affected. In turn it explores the impact of County Lines on affected areas and local populations, a topic that has received little academic scrutiny. Four typologies of cuckooing are constructed, highlighting its variance and complexity. Findings also suggest it to be a growing method of criminal exploitation beyond drug supply with a possible burgeoning presence being realised internationally.
Role of TUI in First Trimester Evaluation of Palate
Authors: Lakshmy Selvaraj Ravi , Rose Nity , Masilamani Praveenkumar , Umapathy Shobana , Ziyaulla Thasleem
Published: June 2019

The purpose of the study is to report on the application of tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI) in prenatal sonographic study of fetal palate in 11–14 week scan. TUI is a technology that allows the examiner to obtain a volume data set that allows the display of numerous 2D slices from a given volume on any of the three orthogonal planes. It allows automatic slicing of the volume datasets displaying multiple parallel images. The fetal palate was examined with TUI in thirteen abnormal volumes and in ninety-four normal volumes. The appearance of maxillary line in sagittal sections and the base of the retronasal triangle in coronal sections serve as key landmarks in evaluating palatine clefts. The intact palatal line in sagittal sections was observed in all the ninety-four normal volumes. The midline anatomy of the palate has been described in the study emphasising that the vomer can mimic palate in midsagittal section in secondary palatine clefts. The parasagittal sections truly reflects the presence or absence of the palate without the confounding factor of the vomer bone which was demonstrated in the abnormal volumes with TUI. The potential advantage of TUI in evaluating palate is that it allows the display of both midsagittal and parasagittal sections simultaneously. The different types of cleft have a constant reproducible pattern in TUI imaging which can be used to diagnose palatine clefts including isolated cleft of palate. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these promising results.
How to Specify, Estimate, and Validate Higher-Order Constructs in PLS-SEM
Authors: Sarstedt Marko , Hair Joseph F. , Cheah Jun-Hwa , Becker Jan-Michael , Ringle Christian M.
Published: June 2019

Higher-order constructs, which facilitate modeling a construct on a more abstract higher-level dimension and its more concrete lower-order subdimensions, have become an increasingly visible trend in applications of partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Unfortunately, researchers frequently confuse the specification, estimation, and validation of higher-order constructs, for example, when it comes to assessing their reliability and validity. Addressing this concern, this paper explains how to evaluate the results of higher-order constructs in PLS-SEM using the repeated indicators and the two-stage approaches, which feature prominently in applied social sciences research. Focusing on the reflective-reflective and reflective-formative types of higher-order constructs, we use the well-known corporate reputation model example to illustrate their specification, estimation, and validation. Thereby, we provide the guidance that scholars, marketing researchers, and practitioners need when using higher-order constructs in their studies.
Chronic Food Antigen-Specific IgG-Mediated Hypersensitivity Reaction as A Risk Factor for Adolescent Depressive Disorder
Authors: Tao Ran , Fu Zhicheng , Xiao Lijun
Published: June 2019

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most common nonfatal disease burden worldwide. Systemic chronic low-grade inflammation has been reported to be associated with MDD progression by affecting monoaminergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission. However, whether various proinflammatory cytokines are abnormally elevated before the first episode of depression is still largely unclear. Here, we evaluated 184 adolescent patients who were experiencing their first episode of depressive disorder, and the same number of healthy individuals was included as controls. We tested the serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IgE, 14 different types of food antigen-specific IgG, histamine, homocysteine, S100 calcium-binding protein B, and diamine oxidase. We were not able to find any significant differences in the serum levels of hs-CRP or TNF-α between the two groups. However, the histamine level of the patients (12.35 μM) was significantly higher than that of the controls (9.73 μM, P < 0.001, Mann–Whitney U test). Moreover, significantly higher serum food antigen-specific IgG positive rates were also found in the patient group. Furthermore, over 80% of patients exhibited prolonged food intolerance with elevated levels of serum histamine, leading to hyperpermeability of the blood–brain barrier, which has previously been implicated in the pathogenesis of MDD. Hence, prolonged high levels of serum histamine could be a risk factor for depressive disorders, and antihistamine release might represent a novel therapeutic strategy for depression treatment.
Five years after Carmody: practitioners’ views of changes, challenges and research in child protection
Authors: Zuchowski Ines
Published: June 2019

Child protection work is a complex and difficult area of practice, one that is closely scrutinised and criticised, and impacts on the lives of many children. In Australia, child protection systems are overloaded, and increasing numbers of children and families receive child protection interventions each year. This study explored the views of North Queensland practitioners who work in the child protection field, examining changes and challenges in this field of practice, and their suggestions for the future research that is needed in child protection. The study took place 5 years after the 2013 Queensland Carmody inquiry into child protection intervention, which recommended sweeping changes to the child protection system. Twenty-two practitioners participated in this study. Respondents reported an increase in the complexity of cases, a gap in legislation change/practice frameworks and practice, and the application of trauma-informed practice. They highlighted the intersection of child protection, domestic violence and family law and observed that women and children continue to be exposed to violence because of Family Law Court orders. Respondents identified a number of areas where research is needed.
Clozapine-induced interstitial nephritis in a patient with schizoaffective disorder in the forensic setting: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: McLoughlin C. , Cooney C. , Mullaney R.
Published: June 2019

We present a rare case of Acute Interstitial Nephritis (AIN) that occurred following a re-trial of clozapine in a 56-year-old lady with schizoaffective disorder. On initial trial of clozapine, this patient felt generally unwell with respiratory symptoms. Her inflammatory markers were raised and her renal function showed a mild, transient deterioration which normalised on the day of cessation of clozapine. Two years later, clozapine was re-trialled due the refractory nature of her psychiatric symptoms. She subsequently developed renal failure and AIN was confirmed by renal biopsy. Renal function improved after cessation of clozapine; however, she never fully regained normal renal function.
Effects of animacy and linguistic construction on the interpretation of spatial descriptions in English and Spanish
Authors: OLLOQUI-REDONDO JAVIER , TENBRINK THORA , FOLTZ ANOUSCHKA
Published: June 2019

abstract

The languages of the world differ in their use of intrinsic, relative, and absolute reference frames to describe spatial relationships, but factors guiding reference frame choices are not yet well understood. This paper addresses the role of animacy and linguistic construction in reference frame choices in English and Spanish. During each trial of two experiments, adult participants saw a spatial scene along with a sentence describing the location of an object (locatum) relative to another object (relatum) that was animate or human(-like) to varying degrees. The scene presented two possible referents for the locatum, and participants decided which referent the description referred to, revealing which reference frame they used to interpret the sentence. Results showed that reference frame choices differed systematically between languages. In English, the non-possessive construction (X is to the left of Y) was consistently associated with the relative reference frame, and the possessive construction (X is on Y’s left) was associated with the intrinsic reference frame. In Spanish, the intrinsic interpretation was dominant throughout, except for the non-possessive construction with relata that were not anthropomorphic, animate, or human. We discuss the results with respect to the languages’ syntactic repertory, and the notion of inalienable possession.
Tephritidae bacterial symbionts: potentials for pest management
Authors: Noman M.S. , Liu L. , Bai Z. , Li Z.
Published: June 2019

Tephritidae is a large family that includes several fruit and vegetable pests. These organisms usually harbor a variegated bacterial community in their digestive systems. Symbiotic associations of bacteria and fruit flies have been well-studied in the generaAnastrepha, Bactrocera, Ceratitis,andRhagoletis.Molecular and culture-based techniques indicate that many genera of the Enterobacteriaceae family, especially the genera ofKlebsiella, Enterobacter, Pectobacterium, Citrobacter, Erwinia,andProvidenciaconstitute the most prevalent populations in the gut of fruit flies. The function of symbiotic bacteria provides a promising strategy for the biological control of insect pests. Gut bacteria can be used for controlling fruit fly through many ways, including attracting as odors, enhancing the success of sterile insect technique, declining the pesticide resistance, mass rearing of parasitoids and so on. New technology and recent research improved our knowledge of the gut bacteria diversity and function, which increased their potential for pest management. In this review, we discussed the diversity of bacteria in the economically important fruit fly and the use of these bacteria for controlling fruit fly populations. All the information is important for strengthening the future research of new strategies developed for insect pest control by the understanding of symbiotic relationships and multitrophic interactions between host plant and insects.
The syntax of variable behavior verbs: Experimental evidence from the accusative–oblique alternations in Japanese
Authors: FUKUDA SHIN
Published: June 2019

Japanese has two types of two-place motion verbs whose ‘objects’ can be marked as either accusative or oblique (accusative–oblique alternations). Theaccusative–goal verbsmark their objects with accusative case -oor the goal marker -ni, and theaccusative–source verbsmark their objects with accusative-oor the source marker -kara. Previous studies describe systematic differences in the interpretation of the arguments of these verbs and the events they denote between the two structures. This study argues that these alternating verbs are variable behavior verbs that are linked to two distinct syntactic structures. The core evidence for this claim comes from the results of two acceptability judgment experiments with Japanese native speakers that examined: (i) selectional restrictions on the subjects of the alternating verbs and (ii) the ability of their subjects to license ‘floating’ numeral quantifiers. The results of the experiments demonstrate that the accusative–source verbs alternate between the transitive and unaccusative structures, whereas the accusative–goal verbs consistently behave like transitive verbs but assign two different structural cases to their objects. Thus, the study shows that there are multiple ways in which two-place motion verbs are mapped onto distinctive syntactic structures, whereby the core meaning of the verbs and their syntactic structures together determine their interpretation.
Congo Grey ParrotPsittacus erithacusdensities in oil palm plantation, agroforestry mosaic and protected forest in Southwest Cameroon*
Authors: DUEKER SASCHA , KUPSCH DENIS , BOBO SERGE KADIRI , HEYMANN ECKHARD W. , WALTERT MATTHIAS
Published: June 2019

The Congo Grey ParrotPsittacus erithacushas experienced a severe population breakdown in recent decades. The rainforests of the Korup region in Southwest Cameroon may harbour a large population of this species, but density and population estimates from this area remain controversial. Before the 2016 breeding season, we surveyed Grey Parrots along transects (621.1 km survey effort) in three adjacent landscape types: primary forest in Korup National Park (KNP), smallholder agroforestry matrix (AFM), and industrial oil palm plantation (OPP). We also collected information on the trees used for nesting, feeding and roosting. Using Distance analysis, we estimated relatively low densities of stationary flocks, ranging from 0.30 ind./km2in KNP, over 0.82 ind./km2in OPP to 2.70 ind./km2in the AFM. Parrots were observed feeding or roosting in 17 tree species, of which 15 were located in AFM alone. Feeding was most often observed on cultivatedElaeis guineensisandDacryodes edulis, but never in maize. The detected parrot densities probably reflect declines within the period 2008–2016, suggesting that the species’ recent IUCN uplisting to ‘Endangered’ and transfer to CITES Appendix I was indeed justified. Our results also suggest that traditional smallholder agroforestry may play a role in habitat conservation strategies, since these forms of cultivation may maintain important breeding and feeding opportunities for Congo Grey Parrots.
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER: INHERITANCE SYSTEMS AND THE DYNAMICS OF STATE CAPACITY
Authors: Roca Fernández Èric
Published: June 2019

This paper examines how the degree of gender-egalitarianism embedded in inheritance rules impacts state capacity at its early stages during medieval times. We present a theoretical model in which building state capacity enables nobles to raise taxes and overcome rivals. The model addresses the use of inheritance to consolidate landholding dynasties, also accommodating interstate marriages between landed heirs. On the one hand, dynastic continuity—of utmost importance to medieval lords—directly encourages state-building. Male-biased inheritance rules historically maximize the likelihood of dynastic continuity. We weigh this effect against the indirect impact of the more frequent land-merging marriages under gender-egalitarian rules. Contrary to the literature, our results suggest that gender-egalitarian norms—offering a low probability of dynastic continuity—promote state capacity in the short run more than gender-biased norms. In the long run, results are reversed, providing a rationale for the pervasive European tradition of preference for men as heirs.
Eating habits and weight status in Finnish adolescents
Authors: Viljakainen Jannina , Figueiredo Rejane Augusta de Oliveira , Viljakainen Heli , Roos Eva , Weiderpass Elisabete , Rounge Trine B
Published: June 2019

Objective:

To investigate the association between eating habits and weight status in adolescents in Finland.

Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Setting:

The Finnish Health in Teens (Fin-HIT) study is a cohort study conducted in adolescents attending third to sixth grade in 496 schools in forty-four municipalities in Southern, Middle and Northern Finland in 2011–2014.

Participants:

Analyses included 10 569 adolescents from the Fin-HIT study aged 9–14 years (5005 boys and 5564 girls). Adolescents were categorized by their eating habits: healthy eaters (44·1 %; n 4661), unhealthy eaters (12·3 %; n 1298), and fruit and vegetable avoiders (43·6 %; n 4610); and they were grouped into weight status: underweight (11·1 %), normal weight (73·6 %) and excess weight (15·3 %).

Results:

We found an increased risk of underweight in fruit and vegetable avoiders (OR = 1·28; 95 % CI 1·12, 1·46). An irregular breakfast pattern showed an inverse association with underweight (OR = 0·70; 95 % CI 0·59, 0·84) and an increased risk of excess weight (OR = 1·56; 95 % CI 1·37, 1·77) compared with a regular breakfast pattern. An irregular dinner pattern was inversely associated with underweight (OR = 0·83; 95 % CI 0·69, 0·99) compared with a regular dinner pattern.

Conclusions:

Avoiding fruits and vegetables and following irregular breakfast and dinner patterns were associated with underweight and excess weight in adolescents.
Using Trials of Improved Practices to identify practices to address the double burden of malnutrition among Rwandan children
Authors: Williams Pamela A , Schnefke Courtney H , Flax Valerie L , Nyirampeta Solange , Stobaugh Heather , Routte Jesse , Musanabaganwa Clarisse , Ndayisaba Gilles , Sayinzoga Felix , Muth Mary K
Published: June 2019

Objective:

Low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) are increasingly experiencing the double burden of malnutrition. Studies to identify ‘double-duty’ actions that address both undernutrition and overweight in sub-Saharan Africa are needed. We aimed to identify acceptable behaviours to achieve more optimal feeding and physical activity practices among both under- and overweight children in Rwanda, a sub-Saharan LMIC with one of the largest recent increases in child overweight.

Design:

We used the Trials of Improved Practices (TIPs) method. During three household visits over 1·5 weeks, we used structured interviews and unstructured observations to collect data on infant and young child feeding practices and caregivers’ experiences with testing recommended practices.

Setting:

An urban district and a rural district in Rwanda.

Participants:

Caregivers with an under- or overweight child from 6 to 59 months of age (n 136).

Results:

We identified twenty-five specific recommended practices that caregivers of both under- and overweight children agreed to try. The most frequently recommended practices were related to dietary diversity, food quantity, and hygiene and food handling. The most commonly cited reason for trying a new practice was its benefits to the child’s health and growth. Financial constraints and limited food availability were common barriers. Nearly all caregivers said they were willing to continue the practices and recommend them to others.

Conclusions:

These practices show potential for addressing the double burden as part of a broader intervention. Still, further research is needed to determine whether caregivers can maintain the behaviours and their direct impact on both under- and overweight.
The regional consequences of authoritarian power-sharing: Politburo representation and fiscal redistribution in China
Authors: Sheng Yumin
Published: June 2019

Much political economy research examines how higher-level political representation of the constituent jurisdictions affects resource redistribution among the lower-level units in democracies, but little work has probed the redistributive consequences of regional political representation under dictatorship. This study investigates the effect of membership for provincial officials in the Politburo of the single-ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on fiscal resource flows between the central government and provincial governments in reform-era China. I find robust evidence that the provinces overseen by CCP Politburo members tended to remit more budgetary revenues to the center but did not receive larger central budgetary subsidies. This is consistent with a territorial logic of authoritarian power-sharing in single-party states, which suggests that the regionally selective presence at a collective ruling-party decision-making forum for subnational officials aims at tighter political control to help induce greater policy compliance from below.
Sulfur metabolites that facilitate oceanic phytoplankton–bacteria carbon flux
Authors: Landa Marine , Burns Andrew S , Durham Bryndan P , Esson Kaitlin , Nowinski Brent , Sharma Shalabh , Vorobev Alexey , Nielsen Torben , Kiene Ronald P , Moran Mary Ann
Published: June 2019

Unlike biologically available nitrogen and phosphorus, which are often at limiting concentrations in surface seawater, sulfur in the form of sulfate is plentiful and not considered to constrain marine microbial activity. Nonetheless, in a model system in which a marine bacterium obtains all of its carbon from co-cultured phytoplankton, bacterial gene expression suggests that at least seven dissolved organic sulfur (DOS) metabolites support bacterial heterotrophy. These labile exometabolites of marine dinoflagellates and diatoms include taurine, N-acetyltaurine, isethionate, choline-O-sulfate, cysteate, 2,3-dihydroxypropane-1-sulfonate (DHPS), and dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP). Leveraging from the compounds identified in this model system, we assessed the role of sulfur metabolites in the ocean carbon cycle by mining the Tara Oceans dataset for diagnostic genes. In the 1.4 million bacterial genome equivalents surveyed, estimates of the frequency of genomes harboring the capability for DOS metabolite utilization ranged broadly, from only 1 out of every 190 genomes (for the C2 sulfonate isethionate) to 1 out of every 5 (for the sulfonium compound DMSP). Bacteria able to participate in DOS transformations are dominated by Alphaproteobacteria in the surface ocean, but by SAR324, Acidimicrobiia, and Gammaproteobacteria at mesopelagic depths, where the capability for utilization occurs in higher frequency than in surface bacteria for more than half the sulfur metabolites. The discovery of an abundant and diverse suite of marine bacteria with the genetic capacity for DOS transformation argues for an important role for sulfur metabolites in the pelagic ocean carbon cycle.
Indications for enzymatic denitrification to N2O at low pH in an ammonia-oxidizing archaeon
Authors: Jung Man-Young , Gwak Joo-Han , Rohe Lena , Giesemann Anette , Kim Jong-Geol , Well Reinhard , Madsen Eugene L , Herbold Craig W , Wagner Michael , Rhee Sung-Keun
Published: June 2019

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a key climate change gas and nitrifying microbes living in terrestrial ecosystems contribute significantly to its formation. Many soils are acidic and global change will cause acidification of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, but the effect of decreasing pH on N2O formation by nitrifiers is poorly understood. Here, we used isotope-ratio mass spectrometry to investigate the effect of acidification on production of N2O by pure cultures of two ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA; Nitrosocosmicus oleophilus and Nitrosotenuis chungbukensis) and an ammonia-oxidizing bacterium (AOB; Nitrosomonas europaea). For all three strains acidification led to increased emission of N2O. However, changes of 15N site preference (SP) values within the N2O molecule (as indicators of pathways for N2O formation), caused by decreasing pH, were highly different between the tested AOA and AOB. While acidification decreased the SP value in the AOB strain, SP values increased to a maximum value of 29‰ in N. oleophilus. In addition, 15N-nitrite tracer experiments showed that acidification boosted nitrite transformation into N2O in all strains, but the incorporation rate was different for each ammonia oxidizer. Unexpectedly, for N. oleophilus more than 50% of the N2O produced at pH 5.5 had both nitrogen atoms from nitrite and we demonstrated that under these conditions expression of a putative cytochrome P450 NO reductase is strongly upregulated. Collectively, our results indicate that N. oleophilus might be able to enzymatically denitrify nitrite to N2O at low pH.