bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Climate variability, water levels, and fish catch in the Upper East Region of Ghana
Authors: Issahaku Abdul‐Rahaman , Campion Benjamin Betey , Edziyie Regina
Published: June 2018

The aim of the research was to investigate the effects of climate variability on selected water bodies in the Upper East Region of Ghana using time series decomposition and simple linear regression analyses. Data on temperature and rainfall (1960–2015), annual total fish catch (1996–2016), and the recorded water levels (1987–2015) of a major reservoir, the Tono, were used. Time series decomposition analyses were performed on the rainfall, temperature, and water level data to identify their trends. While temperature was increasing, rainfall was decreasing and resulted in a decrease in the water level in the Tono Reservoir. The decreasing water level in the reservoir made fish catch easier, which led to overfishing. Out of the other 39 dugouts studied, 8 (21%) were silted. Also, rainfall was decreasing at 4.4% per decade and minimum and maximum temperatures were increasing at 2.5% and 0.03% per decade, respectively. The minimum, maximum, and mean water levels of the Tono Reservoir were 3.7, 8.0, and 4.9 meters (m), respectively. The water level of the Tono Reservoir was decreasing by −0.08 m per year. It is concluded that the water level in the Tono Reservoir was continually decreasing as a result of decreasing rainfall and increasing maximum and minimum temperatures. To maintain a much more stable microclimate and decrease the siltation rate of the reservoirs, farmers are advised to stop farming along the banks of water bodies and avoid clearing vegetation. Fishermen are also encouraged to adopt fish farming in enclosed areas within the reservoir to meet the growing protein demands in the Upper East Region of Ghana.
Trace elements in sediments in a city with agricultural development
Authors: Juchen Carlos Roberto , Boas Marcio Antônio Vilas , Poleto Cristiano , Juchen Patricia Trevisani , Hemkemeier Thiago Alex
Published: June 2018

The objective of this study was to determine the concentrations of trace elements in sediment samples taken from impermeable urban areas of a city with predominantly agroindustrial development characteristics. For this, samples were taken every month from paved streets in the city of Toledo, Paraná State (PR), Brazil. Thus, trace element levels were obtained through analysis performed by optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma. Levels of total organic carbon were also obtained through the dry combustion method. When compared to local background levels, the trace element levels were shown to be enriched in the following percentage proportions: barium (Ba) (45.4%), copper (Cu) (48.6%), chromium (Cr) (37.2%), manganese (Mn) (81.6%), nickel (Ni) (0%), lead (Pb) (40%), zinc (Zn) (283.7%), magnesium (Mg) (34.3%), and sodium (Na) (250.2%), whereas the carbon (C) percentages were around 1%. The most significant enrichment factors occurred for Ba, Cr, Pb, Zn, Mg, and Na. The highest rates occurred in geoaccumulation where the sediments were enriched by zinc. According to the principal guidelines, the concentrations obtained for cadmium (Cd), Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn can cause adverse environmental impacts.
Total Elbow Arthroplasty Gives Good Functional Outcome in Distal Humerus Fracture with Pre-existing Chronic Elbow Dislocation
Authors: Shing Chan Hing , Tung Ho Sheung
Published: June 2018

Distal humerus fracture with concomitant chronic elbow dislocation is difficult to manage by open reduction and internal fixation, while total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is an effective treatment for acute fracture or failed internal fixation of distal humerus fracture in elderly patients with osteoporosis. We present a case of an 86-year-old woman who suffered from acute distal humerus fracture in the presence of chronic elbow deformity from elbow dislocation since childhood at the age of 10 years. This was treated with TEA using Coonrad/Morrey prosthesis with long stem and long flange humerus components and cerclage wiring of humeral condyle. Postoperatively, elbow mobilization was started early within a hinged elbow brace. There was no operative complication. At the last follow-up 22 months after surgery, there was no pain and good elbow motion (20–130° flexion–extension arc, full supination and pronation to neutral) was obtained. The Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 100. There was incorporation of the bone graft at the anterior flange with no radiographic loosening of the prosthesis. This case shows that TEA can yield a gratifying clinical result and efficiently resolves two problems with one solution.
Reduced exosome miR‐425 and miR‐744 in the plasma represents the progression of fibrosis and heart failure
Authors: Wang Lu , Liu Jiao , Xu Bin , Liu Yu‐Lan , Liu Zhou
Published: June 2018

Heart failure creates a leading public health burden worldwide and cardiac fibrosis is a hallmark of pathological cardiac remodeling which was found in HF patients. In this study, we detected the expression of 9 candidate miRNAs in the plasma exosome samples from 31 HF patients, and found the level of miR‐21, miR‐425 and miR‐744 was altered. The downregulation of miR‐425 and miR‐744 was also found in angiotensin II treated cardiac fibroblasts. Through functional study, we identified that the reduction of miR‐425 and miR‐744 relates to overexpression of collagen 1 and α‐SMA, which result in fibrogenesis of cardiac fibroblasts. Conversely, overexpression of miR‐425 or miR‐744 in cultured cardiac fibroblasts significantly abrogates angiotensin induced collagen formation and fibrogenesis. Finally, we confirmed that TGFβ1 is a direct target of miR‐425 and miR‐744 by dual luciferase assay and immunoblotting. Our data demonstrate that miR‐425 and miR‐744 function as negative regulators of cardiac fibrosis by suppression TGFβ1 expression, and miR‐425 and miR‐744 level in the plasma exosomes has the potential to be a biomarker to predict cardiac fibrosis and heart failure.
Describing CCFP(EM) programs in Canada: A national survey of program directors
Authors: Nath Avik , Yadav Krishan , Perry Jeffrey J.
Published: June 2018

Objectives

Enhanced skills training in emergency medicine through the Canadian College of Family Physicians, CCFP(EM), has existed since the 1980s. Accreditation standards define what every program “must” and “should” have, yet little is known on what is currently done across Canada. Our objectives were to 1) describe major components of CCFP(EM) programs and 2) determine how curricular components are taught.

Methods

After a rigorous development process (expert content development, cognitive reviews, and pilot testing), a survey questionnaire was administered to all 17 CCFP(EM) program directors using a modified Dillman technique.

Results

All (17/17) program directors responded. Programs are similar in core clinical rotations conducted and provide ultrasound courses for basic skills (trauma, abdominal aortic aneurysm, intrauterine pregnancy). Variation exists for offering independent ultrasound certification (77%), advanced scanning (18%), and protected time for scanning (53%). All programs utilize high fidelity simulation. Some programs use in situ simulation (18%) and carry out a simulation boot camp (41%). Most centres require an academic project, which is a quality assurance project (53%) and/or a critical appraisal of the literature (59%). Publication or national conference presentations are required by 12% of programs. Competency-based curricula include simulation for rare procedures (88%), direct observations (65%), and a “transition to practice” curriculum (24%). All programs maintain strong connections to family medicine.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the diverse structures of CCFP(EM) programs across Canada. Programs have similar clinical rotations, ultrasound, and simulation requirements. Variation exists in administrative structure and financial resources of programs, academic project requirements, and programs’ competency-based curricula.
Subjective sleep quality and its etiology in the emergency department
Authors: Chauny Jean-Marc , Paquet Jean , Carrier Julie , Lavigne Gilles , Marquis Martin , Cournoyer Alexis , Manzini Christiane , Daoust Raoul
Published: June 2018

Objective

Patient sleep quality has a significant impact on recovery. However, most hospital units do not provide an optimal environment for sleep and there are currently no data available on how well patients sleep during their emergency department stay. The main objective of this study was to assess the subjective quality of nighttime sleep and factors that affect sleep in the emergency department (ED).

Methods

A prospective sample of patients aged 18 years and older who presented to the ED from July 2015 to October 2015 was investigated. All participants were on stretcher and slept at least one night in the ED. Participants were asked to complete a sleep questionnaire adapted to the ED environment on sleep quality and its potentially modifying factors.

Results

A total of 235 patients participated in the study (mean age: 64±20 years, 51% women). Compared to the week at home prior to admission, subjective sleep quality was lower in the ED (p<0.001): almost half the participants took more than 30 minutes to fall asleep, and they reported waking up 3.5 times per night on average. Lower subjective sleep quality in the ED was associated with higher stress, noise, and pain, as well as with stretcher comfort and lower home sleep quality the week prior to admission.

Conclusions

Subjective sleep quality in the emergency department is not optimal, and is influenced by stress, noise, pain, and stretcher comfort, all potentially modifiable factors.
Genomics research in Africa and its impact on global health: insights from African researchers
Authors: Munung N. S. , Mayosi B. M. , de Vries J.
Published: June 2018

Africa may be heading for an era of genomics medicine. There are also expectations that genomics may play a role in reducing global health inequities. However, the near lack of genomics studies on African populations has led to concerns that genomics may widen, rather than close, the global health inequity gap. To prevent a possible genomics divide, the genomics ‘revolution’ has been extended to Africa. This is motivated, in part, by Africa's rich genetic diversity and high disease burden. What remains unclear, however, are the prospects of using genomics technology for healthcare in Africa. In this qualitative study, we explored the views of 17 genomics researchers in Africa on the prospects and challenges of genomics medicine in Africa. Interviewees were researchers in Africa who were involved in genomics research projects in Africa. Analysis of in-depth interviews suggest that genomics medicine may have an impact on disease surveillance, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. However, Africa's capacity for genomics medicine, current research priorities in genomics and the translation of research findings will be key defining factors impacting on the ability of genomics medicine to improve healthcare in Africa.
Developing a conceptual framework for the co-operative and mutual enterprise business model
Authors: Mazzarol Tim , Clark Delwyn , Reboud Sophie , Mamouni Limnios Elena
Published: June 2018

The co-operative and mutual enterprise business model represents a unique type of organisation that has a dual purpose focused on both economic and social goals. For nearly two centuries it has played an important role in economic development, job creation and addressing market failures. However, despite its potential importance to economic development it has been largely ignored within the mainstream economics and management literature. This paper provides an overview of the nature of the co-operative and mutual enterprise business model and also proposes a business model framework or ‘canvas’ that can be used for research, teaching and strategic analysis.
The “Other” at Home: Deportation and Transportation of Libyans to Italy During the Colonial Era (1911–1943)
Authors: Di Pasquale Francesca
Published: June 2018

This article analyses the practices of deportation and transportation of colonial subjects from Libya, Italy’s former possession, to the metropole throughout the entire colonial period (1911–1943). For the most part, the other colonial powers did not transport colonial subjects to Europe. Analysing the history of the punitive relocations of Libyans, this article addresses the ways in which the Italian case may be considered peculiar. It highlights the overlapping of the penal system and military practices and emphasizes the difficult dialogue between “centre” and “periphery” concerning security issues inside the colony. Finally, it focuses on the experience of the Libyans in Italy and shows how the presence there of colonial subjects in some respects overturned the “colonial situation”, undermining the relationship of power between Italians and North Africans.
Reporting in stapes surgery: are we following the guidelines?
Authors: Watson G J , da Cruz M
Published: June 2018

Objective

This paper highlights the importance of reporting air–bone gap closure in stapes surgery according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery guidelines and reviews compliance in recent years.

Methods

A retrospective case series was conducted and the outcomes were reviewed. Closure of the air–bone gap was calculated in 204 adult patients using the aforementioned guidelines. Results were recalculated ignoring the Carhart phenomenon to determine any significant difference. Adherence to guidelines was also reported as a secondary outcome.

Results

Ignoring the Carhart phenomenon resulted in 75 per cent over-reporting of successful air–bone gap closure (p< 0.001). Over-reporting occurred in 5.9 per cent of papers, and in 11.8 per cent it was difficult to determine how the results were reached.

Conclusion

Despite the existence of clear guidelines, stapes surgery outcomes are still being over-reported as successful. This can lead to incorrect information being provided to patients during the consent process and makes comparative studies difficult.
The protympanum, protiniculum and subtensor recess: an endoscopic morphological anatomy study
Authors: Jufas N , Rubini A , Soloperto D , Alnoury M , Tarabichi M , Marchioni D , Patel N
Published: June 2018

Objectives

An anatomical study was performed to describe the endoscopic anatomy and variations of the protympanum, including classification of the protiniculum and subtensor recess.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted of video recordings of cadaveric dissections and surgical procedures, which included visualisation of the protympanum, across 4 tertiary university referral centres over a 16-month period. A total of 97 ears were used in the analysis.

Results

A quadrangular conformation of the protympanum was seen in 60 per cent of ears and a triangular conformation in 40 per cent. The protiniculum was type A (ridge) in 58 per cent, type B (bridge) in 23 per cent and type C (absent) in 19 per cent. The subtensor recess was type A (absent) in 30 per cent, type B (shallow) in 48 per cent and type C (deep) in 22 per cent.

Conclusion

The protympanum is an area that has been ignored for many years because of difficulties in visualising it with an operating microscope. However, modern endoscopic equipment has changed this, providing detailed anatomical knowledge fundamental to ensuring the safety of endoscopic surgical procedures in the region.
Memories of collective victimhood and conflict in southern Thailand
Authors: Mohamad Muhammad Arafat Bin
Published: June 2018

This article discusses the views and attitudes of the Malay-speaking Muslims of Thailand's Far South (henceforth, simply the Malays) about their collective position in Thai politics. Since 2004, the Far South, comprising the provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, and Yala, has been engulfed in political violence that has claimed several thousand lives. Consequently, the conflict is often the subject of conversations among the Malays. More importantly, the Malays sometimes evoke their collective memory of episodes of past violence involving members of the Far South Malay society and the Thai state in their discussions about contemporary incidents. Why do the Malays hark back to the past when they discuss contemporary political violence? What connections do the Malays make between past and contemporary events? In this article, I discuss Malay collective memory about the Pattani Demonstration of 1975 and the Tomb of Martyrs at the Tok Ayoh Cemetery in Pattani province. I argue that, among the Malays, historic graves in Thailand's Far South are commemorative objects that aid the circulation of stories about collective victimhood pertaining to events such as the Pattani Demonstration. Such stories are central to the maintenance of a shared sense of community among the Malays vis-à-vis the rest of Thai society.
From Fretilin to freedom: The evolution of the symbolism of Timor-Leste's national flag
Authors: Arthur Catherine
Published: June 2018

Since regaining its independence in 2002, nation-building has been the focus of much scholarly research on Timor-Leste. National identity construction is a crucial aspect of this process, yet the ways in which this identity is officially represented has been largely overlooked. This article takes the national flag of Timor-Leste as a case study to explore the ways in which a historic East Timorese national identity has been symbolically constructed and visually embodied. By considering the potency of flags in an East Timorese cultural context, and by analysing the origins of Timor-Leste's flag alongside that of the political party Fretilin (Frente Revolucionária do Timor-Leste Independente), it becomes clear that post-independence re-imaginings of its symbolism have rendered it a powerful national symbol in the contemporary nation-state.
Phylogenetic and ecological factors affecting the sharing of helminths between native and introduced rodents in Central Chile
Authors: Landaeta-Aqueveque Carlos , Robles María del Rosario , Henríquez AnaLía , Yáñez-Meza Andrea , Correa Juana Paola , González-Acuña Daniel , Cattan Pedro Eduardo
Published: June 2018

In order to analyse the effect of hosts’ relationships and the helminthic load on the switching of parasites between native and introduced hosts, we sampled rodents belonging to two suborders from Central Chile. We compared the number of helminthic species shared between murids (introduced) and cricetid (native, same suborder) rodents to those shared between murids and hystricomorphs (native, different suborder), and we assessed the association between parasitic presence, abundance and geographical dispersion in source hosts to the presence and abundance in recipient hosts. Introduced rodent species shared more helminth species with cricetid rodents than with non-cricetids. Presence and abundance in recipient hosts was not associated with the prevalence and mean abundance in source hosts’ population. The mean abundance of parasites in source hosts throughout the territory and wider dispersion was positively associated with the likelihood of being shared with a recipient host. Closer relationships between native and introduced hosts and high parasitic abundance and dispersion could facilitate host switching of helminths between native and introduced rodents. This work provides the first documentation of the importance of parasitic abundance and dispersion on the switching of parasites between native and introduced hosts.
Marteilia refringens and Marteilia pararefringens sp. nov. are distinct parasites of bivalves and have different European distributions
Authors: Kerr R. , Ward G. M. , Stentiford G. D. , Alfjorden A. , Mortensen S. , Bignell J. P. , Feist S. W. , Villalba A. , Carballal M. J. , Cao A. , Arzul I. , Ryder D. , Bass D.
Published: June 2018

Marteilia refringens causes marteiliosis in oysters, mussels and other bivalve molluscs. This parasite previously comprised two species, M. refringens and Marteilia maurini, which were synonymized in 2007 and subsequently referred to as M. refringens ‘O-type’ and ‘M-type’. O-type has caused mass mortalities of the flat oyster Ostrea edulis. We used high throughput sequencing and histology to intensively screen flat oysters and mussels (Mytilus edulis) from the UK, Sweden and Norway for infection by both types and to generate multi-gene datasets to clarify their genetic distinctiveness. Mussels from the UK, Norway and Sweden were more frequently polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive for M-type (75/849) than oysters (11/542). We did not detect O-type in any northern European samples, and no histology-confirmed Marteilia-infected oysters were found in the UK, Norway and Sweden, even where co-habiting mussels were infected by the M-type. The two genetic lineages within ‘M. refringens’ are robustly distinguishable at species level. We therefore formally define them as separate species: M. refringens (previously O-type) and Marteilia pararefringens sp. nov. (M-type). We designed and tested new Marteilia-specific PCR primers amplifying from the 3’ end of the 18S rRNA gene through to the 5.8S gene, which specifically amplified the target region from both tissue and environmental samples.
Aggressive behaviour in childhood and adolescence: the role of smoking during pregnancy, evidence from four twin cohorts in the EU-ACTION consortium
Authors: Malanchini Margherita , Smith-Woolley Emily , Ayorech Ziada , Rimfeld Kaili , Krapohl Eva , Vuoksimaa Eero , Korhonen Tellervo , Bartels Meike , van Beijsterveldt Toos C.E.M. , Rose Richard J. , Lundström Sebastian , Anckarsäter Henrik , Kaprio Jaakko , Lichtenstein Paul , Boomsma Dorret I. , Plomin Robert
Published: June 2018

Background

Maternal smoking during pregnancy (MSDP) has been linked to offspring's externalizing problems. It has been argued that socio-demographic factors (e.g. maternal age and education), co-occurring environmental risk factors, or pleiotropic genetic effects may account for the association between MSDP and later outcomes. This study provides a comprehensive investigation of the association between MSDP and a single harmonized component of externalizing: aggressive behaviour, measured throughout childhood and adolescence.

Methods

Data came from four prospective twin cohorts – Twins Early Development Study, Netherlands Twin Register, Childhood and Adolescent Twin Study of Sweden, and FinnTwin12 study – who collaborate in the EU-ACTION consortium. Data from 30 708 unrelated individuals were analysed. Based on item level data, a harmonized measure of aggression was created at ages 9–10; 12; 14–15 and 16–18.

Results

MSDP predicted aggression in childhood and adolescence. A meta-analysis across the four samples found the independent effect of MSDP to be 0.4% (r = 0.066), this remained consistent when analyses were performed separately by sex. All other perinatal factors combined explained 1.1% of the variance in aggression across all ages and samples (r = 0.112). Paternal smoking and aggressive parenting strategies did not account for the MSDP-aggression association, consistent with the hypothesis of a small direct link between MSDP and aggression.

Conclusions

Perinatal factors, including MSDP, account for a small portion of the variance in aggression in childhood and adolescence. Later experiences may play a greater role in shaping adolescents’ aggressive behaviour.
‘They Handle Negroes Just Like Us’: German Colonialism in Cameroon in the Eyes of Poles (1885–1914)
Authors: Daheur Jawad
Published: June 2018

This paper explores the Polish opinion about German colonialism in Africa in connection with the perception of Prussian rule ‘at home’. In late Imperial Germany, Prussian Poles tended to look at the German ventures in Africa with a very critical eye. Their interest in Cameroonian issues was due to the fact that both Poles and Cameroonians were facing the same difficulties at the same time, namely German attempts to eliminate local languages in schools and to take control of the lands. By establishing a link between Polish and Cameroonian suffering, Polish patriots wanted to make Poles aware of their political, economic and cultural subjection within a global context. In a certain way, this counter-hegemonic narration was supposed to deprovincialise the ‘Polish issue’ and make it part of the broader struggle against German imperial power. The Poles, however, did not support independence for Cameroon. They used the Cameroonian issues mainly polemically in order to advance their own cause in imperial Germany.
Assessment of body weight, maternal dietary knowledge and lifestyle practices among children and adolescents in north Jordan
Authors: Subih Hadil S , Abu-Shquier Yaqeen , Bawadi Hiba , Al-Bayyari Nahla
Published: June 2018

Objective

To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in north Jordan and to evaluate the dietary knowledge of their mothers.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Settings

Schools, Irbid, Jordan.

Subjects

Male and female participants (n516) aged 6–18 years.

Results

Thirty per cent of our sample population was overweight or obese, and about 11 % was underweight. Males tend to have a higher BMI and waist circumference than females except in the age group ≥15 years. Children who ate in front of the television tended to have higher BMI and waist circumference. Forty per cent of the mothers answered four or more questions correctly out of six, which indicated a sufficient level of nutritional knowledge.

Conclusions

The study revealed that obesity is a growing health problem in children and adolescents in north Jordan. This finding is considered a serious concern for public health and calls for the creation of new prevention programmes at the individual, family and community level.
‘The Court, it is I’? Individual judicial powers in the Brazilian Supreme Court and their implications for constitutional theory
Authors: WERNECK ARGUELHES DIEGO , MOLHANO RIBEIRO LEANDRO
Published: June 2018

Collective decision-making is often taken as an ‘institutional fact’ when it comes to supreme and constitutional courts. In this article, we focus on the example of the Brazilian Supreme Court (Supremo Tribunal Federal, or STF) to argue that this feature should not be assumed from the outset, as it does not necessarily hold, across countries, for all relevant powers that courts may have. As this example illustrates, the assignment to individual Justices of three distinct powers, namely agenda setting, position taking, and decision making, can have profound effects on the legislative status quo outside the court, amounting in some circumstances to a form of individual judicial review. This expanded typology of court powers both points to an underexplored spectrum for comparing different courts and makes it necessary to discuss if and how particular distributions of such powers within multi-member courts are normatively justified. In the specific case of the STF, we argue that the specific combination of individual allocations of agenda setting and decision-making powers, which gives rise in practice to the possibility of individual judicial review, cannot be reconciled with basic tenets of constitutional theory.
Transnational militant democracy
Authors: WAGRANDL ULRICH
Published: June 2018

Ordinarily, militant democracy is about restricting the rights of those who threaten to overthrow the very democracy that guarantees these rights. Hence, militant democracy permits the defence of democracy by disarming its opponents. Turkey’s recent constitutional reform, which arguably is a move away from liberal democracy, forces militant democracy to face up to its transnational application. Can we use militant democracy’s tools to defend not our own, but another democracy? Maybe we can and even should. This article examines the two transnational manifestations of militant democracy. The first is ‘transnational democracy gone militant’, epitomised by the European Union (EU)’s power to enforce liberal democratic standards in its Member States. The second is ‘militant democracy gone transnational’. This manifestation permits treating people rallying in the EU to attack democracy abroad in the same manner in which we are permitted to treat opponents of ‘our own’ democracy. As long as we are dealing with members of the Council of Europe (CoE), the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) gives us the instruments we need. Generally, militant democracy is a militant liberal democracy, which is not neutral towards itself, but is also an opponent of every system that is antithetical to it.
Dynamics of Nonplanar Thrust Faults Governed by Various Friction Laws
Authors: Luo Bin , Duan Benchun
Published: June 2018

Large‐scale irregular geometry of a fault surface, such as seamounts and subducted oceanic plateaus, is a prevailing factor that introduces stress heterogeneity and affects rupture dynamics. However, dynamic ruptures are also controlled by the constitutive laws that describe how fault friction evolves. In this study, we explicitly incorporate nonplanar thrust fault geometry into a three‐dimensional finite element model to numerically simulate spontaneous dynamic rupture and explore how dynamic ruptures would behave on a nonplanar fault surface under the influence of different friction laws. Our results show that a subducted oceanic relief (a bump) could act as a rupture barrier with its high strength area being unfavorable for rupture propagation, and such a geometrical effect varies with the dimension of a bump. When a bump is too high, the dynamic rupture is completely arrested. When the bump is too low, the rupture is barely affected. When the bump is of an intermediate height, the rupture is obstructed by the bump and splits into two parts, which circumvent the high strength area of the bump and then converge on the other side, triggering a strong slip velocity pulse. The relation between these rupture behaviors and bump geometry under a given prestress condition varies with the specific forms of friction law, which determines how fast a rupture releases energy and how strong a bump can be as a barrier.
Lateral Marsh Edge Erosion as a Source of Sediments for Vertical Marsh Accretion
Authors: Hopkinson Charles S. , Morris James T. , Fagherazzi Sergio , Wollheim Wilfred M. , Raymond Peter A.
Published: June 2018

With sea level rise accelerating and sediment inputs to the coast declining worldwide, there is concern that tidal wetlands will drown. To better understand this concern, sources of sediment contributing to marsh elevation gain were computed for Plum Island Sound estuary, MA, USA. We quantified input of sediment from rivers and erosion of marsh edges. Maintaining elevation relative to the recent sea level rise rate of 2.8 mm yr−1 requires input of 32,299 MT yr−1 of sediment. The input from watersheds is only 3,210 MT yr−1. Marsh edge erosion, based on a comparison of 2005 and 2011 LiDAR data, provides 10,032 MT yr−1. This level of erosion is met by <0.1% of total marsh area eroded annually. Mass balance suggests that 19,070 MT yr−1 should be of tidal flat or oceanic origin. The estuarine distribution of 14C and 13C isotopes of suspended particulate organic carbon confirms the resuspension of ancient marsh peat from marsh edge erosion, and the vertical distribution of 14C‐humin material in marsh sediment is indicative of the deposition of ancient organic carbon on the marsh platform. High resuspension rates in the estuarine water column are sufficient to meet marsh accretionary needs. Marsh edge erosion provides an important fraction of the material needed for marsh accretion. Because of limited sediment supply and sea level rise, the marsh platform maintains elevation at the expense of total marsh area.
Electron Distributions in Kinetic Scale Field Line Resonances: A Comparison of Simulations and Observations
Authors: Damiano P.A. , Chaston C.C. , Hull A.J. , Johnson J.R.
Published: June 2018

Observations in kinetic scale field line resonances, or eigenmodes of the geomagnetic field, reveal highly field‐aligned plateaued electron distributions. By combining observations from the Van Allen Probes and Cluster spacecraft with a hybrid kinetic gyrofluid simulation we show how these distributions arise from the nonlocal self‐consistent interaction of electrons with the wavefield. This interaction is manifested as electron trapping in the standing wave potential. The process operates along most of the field line and qualitatively accounts for electron observations near the equatorial plane and at higher latitudes. In conjunction with the highly field‐aligned plateaus, loss cone features are also evident, which result from the action of the upward‐directed wave parallel electric field on the untrapped electron populations.
Particle Crushing of a Filled Fracture During Compression and Its Effect on Stress Wave Propagation
Authors: Huang Xiaolin , Qi Shengwen , Xia Kaiwen , Shi Xiaoshan
Published: June 2018

Filled fractures commonly exist in the earth medium and occur at all scales, such as filled joints and gouge‐filled faults. The compression behavior of a filled fracture is important for understanding its seismic response, although this has rarely been studied. In this study, laboratory tests were conducted to investigate the compression behavior of a simulated filled fracture under different stress states. It was found that the simulated fracture was compacted and experienced strain‐hardening deformation under low compressive stress. Its compression behavior was described by the Bandis‐Barton (B‐B) model. When the compressive stress was high, numerous particles in the fillings were crushed and the filled fracture weakened, while its stiffness abruptly decreased. This process was related to the strain‐softening deformation. As the compressive stress increased further, fillings were compacted again and some particles were crushed. The unloading deformation of a filled fracture had an obvious hysteresis characteristic. A modified B‐B model was proposed to characterize the deformation behavior of the filled fracture under high stress states. It was proven that the modified B‐B model can characterize the effect of the particle crushing on the deformation behavior of the filled fracture and also has the capability to capture the seismic response of the filled fracture under high‐amplitude stress waves. The results of this study indicate a new and attractive form of dynamic weakening of the granular gouge, which resulted from particle crushing. They can be used to understand the dynamic weakening mechanisms of a gouge‐filled fault under high‐amplitude stress waves.
A Unique Combination of Aerodynamic and Surface Properties Contribute to Surface Cooling in Restored Wetlands of the Sacramento‐San Joaquin Delta, California
Authors: Hemes Kyle S. , Eichelmann Elke , Chamberlain Samuel D. , Knox Sara H. , Oikawa Patricia Y. , Sturtevant Cove , Verfaillie Joseph , Szutu Daphne , Baldocchi Dennis D.
Published: June 2018

Land use change and management affect climate by altering both the biogeochemical and biophysical interactions between the land and atmosphere. Whereas climate policy often emphasizes the biogeochemical impact of land use change, biophysical impacts, including changes in reflectance, energy partitioning among sensible and latent heat exchange, and surface roughness, can attenuate or enhance biogeochemical effects at local to regional scales. This study analyzes 3 years (2015–2017) of turbulent flux and meteorological data across three contrasting wetland restoration sites and one agricultural site, colocated in the Sacramento‐San Joaquin Delta, California, USA, to understand if the biophysical impacts of freshwater wetland restoration can be expected to attenuate or enhance the potential biogeochemical benefits. We show that despite absorbing more net radiation, restored wetlands have the potential to cool daytime surface temperature by up to 5.1 °C, as compared to a dominant drained agricultural land use. Wetland canopy structure largely determines the magnitude of surface temperature cooling, with wetlands that contain areas of open water leading to enhanced nighttime latent heat flux and reduced diurnal temperate range. Daytime surface cooling could be important in ameliorating physiological stress associated with hotter and drier conditions and could also promote boundary layer feedbacks at the local to regional scale. With a renewed focus on the mitigation and adaptation potential of natural and working lands, we must better understand the role of biophysical changes, especially in novel land use transitions like wetland restoration.
Publisher Correction: Elementary steps in electrical doping of organic semiconductors
Authors: Tietze Max L. , Benduhn Johannes , Pahner Paul , Nell Bernhard , Schwarze Martin , Kleemann Hans , Krammer Markus , Zojer Karin , Vandewal Koen , Leo Karl
Published: June 2018

The original version of this Article contained an error in Equation 1. A factor of ‘c’ was included in the right-hand term. This has been corrected in the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Transmission-clearance trade-offs indicate that dengue virulence evolution depends on epidemiological context
Authors: Ben-Shachar Rotem , Koelle Katia
Published: June 2018

An extensive body of theory addresses the topic of pathogen virulence evolution, yet few studies have empirically demonstrated the presence of fitness trade-offs that would select for intermediate virulence. Here we show the presence of transmission-clearance trade-offs in dengue virus using viremia measurements. By fitting a within-host model to these data, we further find that the interaction between dengue and the host immune response can account for the observed trade-offs. Finally, we consider dengue virulence evolution when selection acts on the virus’s production rate. By combining within-host model simulations with empirical findings on how host viral load affects human-to-mosquito transmission success, we show that the virus’s transmission potential is maximized at production rates associated with intermediate virulence and that the optimal production rate critically depends on dengue’s epidemiological context. These results indicate that long-term changes in dengue’s global distribution impact the invasion and spread of virulent dengue virus genotypes.
Dual-functional peptide with defective interfering genes effectively protects mice against avian and seasonal influenza
Authors: Zhao Hanjun , To Kelvin K. W. , Chu Hin , Ding Qiulu , Zhao Xiaoyu , Li Cun , Shuai Huiping , Yuan Shuofeng , Zhou Jie , Kok Kin-Hang , Jiang Shibo , Yuen Kwok-Yung
Published: June 2018

Limited efficacy of current antivirals and antiviral-resistant mutations impairs anti-influenza treatment. Here, we evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antiviral effect of three defective interfering genes (DIG-3) of influenza virus. Viral replication is significantly reduced in cell lines transfected with DIG-3. Mice treated with DIG-3 encoded by jetPEI-vector, as prophylaxis and therapeutics against A(H7N7) virus, respectively, have significantly better survivals (80% and 50%) than control mice (0%). We further develop a dual-functional peptide TAT-P1, which delivers DIG-3 with high efficiency and concomitantly exerts antiviral activity by preventing endosomal acidification. TAT-P1/DIG-3 is more effective than jetPEI/DIG-3 in treating A(H7N7) or A(H1N1)pdm09-infected mice and shows potent prophylactic protection on A(H7N7) or A(H1N1)pdm09-infected mice. The addition of P1 peptide, which prevents endosomal acidification, can enhance the protection of TAT-P1/DIG-3 on A(H1N1)pdm09-infected mice. Dual-functional TAT-P1 with DIG-3 can effectively protect or treat mice infected by avian and seasonal influenza virus.
Sociality does not drive the evolution of large brains in eusocial African mole-rats
Authors: Kverková Kristina , Bělíková Tereza , Olkowicz Seweryn , Pavelková Zuzana , O’Riain M. Justin , Šumbera Radim , Burda Hynek , Bennett Nigel C. , Němec Pavel
Published: June 2018

The social brain hypothesis (SBH) posits that the demands imposed on individuals by living in cohesive social groups exert a selection pressure favouring the evolution of large brains and complex cognitive abilities. Using volumetry and the isotropic fractionator to determine the size of and numbers of neurons in specific brain regions, here we test this hypothesis in African mole-rats (Bathyergidae). These subterranean rodents exhibit a broad spectrum of social complexity, ranging from strictly solitary through to eusocial cooperative breeders, but feature similar ecologies and life history traits. We found no positive association between sociality and neuroanatomical correlates of information-processing capacity. Solitary species are larger, tend to have greater absolute brain size and have more neurons in the forebrain than social species. The neocortex ratio and neuronal counts correlate negatively with social group size. These results are clearly inconsistent with the SBH and show that the challenges coupled with sociality in this group of rodents do not require brain enlargement or fundamental reorganization. These findings suggest that group living or pair bonding per se does not select strongly for brain enlargement unless coupled with Machiavellian interactions affecting individual fitness.
Neural Injuries Induced by Hydrostatic Pressure Associated With Mass Effect after Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Guo Tingwang , Ren Peng , Li Xiaofei , Luo Tiantian , Gong Yuhua , Hao Shilei , Wang Bochu
Published: June 2018

Mass effect induced by growing hematoma is one of the mechanisms by which intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) may result in brain injuries. Our goal was to investigate the damage mechanism of hydrostatic pressure associated with mass effect and the cooperative effect of hydrostatic pressure plus hemoglobin on neural injuries. Loading hydrostatic pressure on neurons and injecting agarose gel in the right striatum of rats was performed to establish the in vitro and vivo ICH models, respectively. The elevated hydrostatic pressure associated with ICH suppressed neurons and neural tissues viability, and disturbed the axons and dendrites in vitro and vivo. Moreover, hydrostatic pressure could upregulate the expression of cleaved-caspase-3 and BAX, and downregulate Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. Meanwhile, the toxicity of hemoglobin would be enhanced when conducted with hydrostatic pressure together. Furthermore, the exclusive hydrostatic pressure could upregulate the Piezo-2 expression, which reached a plateau at 8 h after ICH. And hemoglobin increased Piezo-2 expression significantly in vivo, and that was also promoted significantly by the elevated volume of Gel in the cooperative groups. Results indicated that hydrostatic pressure induced by mass effect not only gave rise to brain injuries directly, but also increased the toxicity of hemoglobin in the progress of secondary brain injury after ICH.
Optical imaging featuring both long working distance and high spatial resolution by correcting the aberration of a large aperture lens
Authors: Choi Changsoon , Song Kyung-Deok , Kang Sungsam , Park Jin-Sung , Choi Wonshik
Published: June 2018

High-resolution optical imaging within thick objects has been a challenging task due to the short working distance of conventional high numerical aperture (NA) objective lenses. Lenses with a large physical diameter and thus a large aperture, such as microscope condenser lenses, can feature both a large NA and a long working distance. However, such lenses suffer from strong aberrations. To overcome this problem, we present a method to correct the aberrations of a transmission-mode imaging system that is composed of two condensers. The proposed method separately identifies and corrects aberrations of illumination and collection lenses of up to 1.2 NA by iteratively optimizing the total intensity of the synthetic aperture images in the forward and phase-conjugation processes. At a source wavelength of 785 nm, we demonstrated a spatial resolution of 372 nm at extremely long working distances of up to 1.6 mm, an order of magnitude improvement in comparison to conventional objective lenses. Our method of converting microscope condensers to high-quality objectives may facilitate increases in the imaging depths of super-resolution and expansion microscopes.
A Novel Metamaterial-Inspired RF-coil for Preclinical Dual-Nuclei MRI
Authors: Hurshkainen Anna , Nikulin Anton , Georget Elodie , Larrat Benoit , Berrahou Djamel , Neves Ana Luisa , Sabouroux Pierre , Enoch Stefan , Melchakova Irina , Belov Pavel , Glybovski Stanislav , Abdeddaim Redha
Published: June 2018

In this paper, we propose, design and test a new dual-nuclei RF-coil inspired by wire metamaterial structures. The coil operates as a result of resonant excitation of hybridized eigenmodes in multimode flat periodic structures comprising several coupled thin metal strips. It was shown that the field distribution of the coil (i.e. penetration depth) can be controlled independently at two different Larmor frequencies by selecting a proper eigenmode in each of two mutually orthogonal periodic structures. The proposed coil requires no lumped capacitors to be tuned and matched. In order to demonstrate the performance of the new design, an experimental preclinical coil for 19F/1H imaging of small animals at 7.05T was engineered and tested on a homogeneous liquid phantom and in-vivo. The results demonstrate that the coil was both well tuned and matched at two Larmor frequencies and allowed image acquisition at both nuclei. In an in-vivo experiment, it was shown that without retuning the setup it was subsequently possible to obtain anatomical 1H images of a mouse under anesthesia with 19F images of a tiny tube filled with a fluorine-containing liquid and attached to the body of the mouse.
Alterations of mTOR signaling impact metabolic stress resistance in colorectal carcinomas with BRAF and KRAS mutations
Authors: Fritsche-Guenther Raphaela , Zasada Christin , Mastrobuoni Guido , Royla Nadine , Rainer Roman , Roßner Florian , Pietzke Matthias , Klipp Edda , Sers Christine , Kempa Stefan
Published: June 2018

Metabolic reprogramming is as a hallmark of cancer, and several studies have reported that BRAF and KRAS tumors may be accompanied by a deregulation of cellular metabolism. We investigated how BRAFV600E and KRASG12V affect cell metabolism, stress resistance and signaling in colorectal carcinoma cells driven by these mutations. KRASG12V expressing cells are characterized by the induction of glycolysis, accumulation of lactic acid and sensitivity to glycolytic inhibition. Notably mathematical modelling confirmed the critical role of MCT1 designating the survival of KRASG12V cells. Carcinoma cells harboring BRAFV600E remain resistant towards alterations of glucose supply or application of signaling or metabolic inhibitors. Altogether these data demonstrate that an oncogene-specific decoupling of mTOR from AMPK or AKT signaling accounts for alterations of resistance mechanisms and metabolic phenotypes. Indeed the inhibition of mTOR in BRAFV600E cells counteracts the metabolic predisposition and demonstrates mTOR as a potential target in BRAFV600E-driven colorectal carcinomas.
Super-resolution three-dimensional fluorescence and optical diffraction tomography of live cells using structured illumination generated by a digital micromirror device
Authors: Shin Seungwoo , Kim Doyeon , Kim Kyoohyun , Park YongKeun
Published: June 2018

We present a multimodal approach for measuring the three-dimensional (3D) refractive index (RI) and fluorescence distributions of live cells by combining optical diffraction tomography (ODT) and 3D structured illumination microscopy (SIM). A digital micromirror device is utilized to generate structured illumination patterns for both ODT and SIM, which enables fast and stable measurements. To verify its feasibility and applicability, the proposed method is used to measure the 3D RI distribution and 3D fluorescence image of various samples, including a cluster of fluorescent beads, and the time-lapse 3D RI dynamics of fluorescent beads inside a HeLa cell, from which the trajectory of the beads in the HeLa cell is analyzed using spatiotemporal correlations.