bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neural responses in the pain matrix when observing pain of others are unaffected by testosterone administration in women
Authors: Heany Sarah J. , Terburg David , Stein Dan J. , van Honk Jack , Bos Peter A.
Published: February 2020

There is evidence of testosterone having deteriorating effects on cognitive and affective empathic behaviour in men and women under varying conditions. However, whether testosterone influences empathy for pain has not yet been investigated. Therefore, we tested neural responses to witnessing others in pain in a within-subject placebo-controlled testosterone administration study in healthy young women. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we provide affirming evidence that an empathy-inducing paradigm causes changes in the activity throughout the pain circuitry, including the bilateral insula and anterior cingulate cortex. Administration of testosterone, however, did not influence these activation patterns in the pain matrix. Testosterone has thus downregulating effects on aspects of empathic behaviour, but based on these data does not seem to influence neural responses during empathy for others’ pain. This finding gives more insight into the role of testosterone in human empathy.
Biologic monotherapy in the biologic naïve patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA): results from an observational study
Authors: Benson Rosalind , Zhao Sizheng Steven , Goodson Nicola , Abernethy Rikki , Mewar Devesh , Barnes Theresa
Published: February 2020

Approximately one-third of patients on biologic therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receive them as monotherapy. There are few head-to-head randomised control trials comparing biologics as monotherapy. Our aim was to compare the efficacy and persistence of multimodal biologic agents as monotherapy in biologic naïve patients with RA in the real-world setting. A multicentre retrospective observational study was carried out comparing TNF inhibitors (TNFi), IL6 receptor inhibitor (IL6Ri) and CTLA-4 inhibitor (CTLA-4i) monotherapy in biologic naïve RA patients. The primary study outcome was DAS28 score at 6, 12, and 18 months. 126 patients were enrolled; 98 patients (78%) were taking TNFi, 19 patients (15%) IL6Ri and 10 (8%) CTLA-4i with similar baseline characteristics of sex and age across groups. Patients in the CTLA-4i group were more often seropositive and had greater numbers of comorbidities. At 6 and 12 months, patients in the IL6Ri group had a lower DAS28 score compared to TNFi monotherapy. Those on CTLA-4i monotherapy also had a lower DAS28 score at 6 months than the TNFi group, although differences were lost by 12 months. Drug retention at 18 months was highest in the IL6Ri arm (68%) and CTLA-4i arm (80%) compared with only 55% in the TNFi group. Our findings support current guidance that IL6Ri should be considered in biologic naïve patients requiring biologic monotherapy, but also indicated that CTLA-4i could be an option.
A critical role for the inward rectifying potassium channel Kir7.1 in oligodendrocytes of the mouse optic nerve
Authors: Papanikolaou Maria , Butt Arthur M. , Lewis Anthony
Published: February 2020

Inward rectifying potassium channels (Kir) are a large family of ion channels that play key roles in ion homeostasis in oligodendrocytes, the myelinating cells of the central nervous system (CNS). Prominent expression of Kir4.1 has been indicated in oligodendrocytes, but the extent of expression of other Kir subtypes is unclear. Here, we used qRT-PCR to determine expression of Kir channel transcripts in the mouse optic nerve, a white matter tract comprising myelinated axons and the glia that support them. A novel finding was the high relative expression of Kir7.1, comparable to that of Kir4.1, the main glial Kir channel. Significantly, Kir7.1 immunofluorescence labelling in optic nerve sections and in isolated cells was localised to oligodendrocyte somata. Kir7.1 are known as a K+transporting channels and, using patch clamp electrophysiology and the Kir7.1 blocker VU590, we demonstrated Kir7.1 channels carry a significant proportion of the whole cell potassium conductance in oligodendrocytes isolated from mouse optic nerves. Notably, oligodendrocytes are highly susceptible to ischemia/hypoxia and this is due at least in part to disruption of ion homeostasis. A key finding of this study is that blockade of Kir7.1 with VU590 compromised oligodendrocyte cell integrity and compounds oligodendroglial loss in ischemia/hypoxia in the oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) model in isolated intact optic nerves. These data reveal Kir7.1 channels are molecularly and functionally expressed in oligodendrocytes and play an important role in determining oligodendrocyte survival and myelin integrity.
Chemistry of Acidic and Neutralized Alum Shale Pit Lakes 50 Years After Mine Closure, Kvarntorp, Sweden
Authors: Åhlgren Kristina , Sjöberg Viktor , Grawunder Anja , Allard Bert , Bäckström Mattias
Published: February 2020

Several large pits were left after alum shale was mined from 1942 to 1966 in the Kvarntorp area of Sweden. Of these, the pit lakes Pölen and Norrtorpssjön are the focus of this study. They have elevated levels of Na, K, Mg, Ca, Al, Mn, Fe, and sulphate, as well as trace elements, from weathering of the exposed shale. Both lakes had a stable pH below 4 until 1996 when the pH in Norrtorpssjön started to increase, exceeding 8 in 2010, due to inflow of leachates from alkaline waste dumped in an adjacent waste deposit, similar to a large scale anoxic limestone drain (ALD). Iron and Al concentrations decreased as the pH increased, indicating formation of particulate species which accumulate as sediments. The Co, Ni, and Zn concentrations also decreased, probably due to association with the solid phases, while Cu was less affected by the increase in pH, possibly due to formation of complexes with dissolved organic matter. Vanadium concentrations show limited solubility, while Mo concentrations increased at higher pH. Uranium concentrations decreased from above 80 μg/L to below 10 μg/L before rising to 30–35 μg/L due to the formation of soluble carbonate complexes at higher pH levels. The elevated levels of Li, Sr, and U indicate that weathering has continued despite the pH change. Both pit lakes are stratified, but no seasonal overturn has been observed. Long-term behaviour of this large-scale ALD and its implications are also discussed.
The development of dynamic perceptual simulations during sentence comprehension
Authors: Hauf Juliane E. K. , Nieding Gerhild , Seger Benedikt T.
Published: February 2020

Based on an embodied account of language comprehension, this study investigated the dynamic characteristics of children and adults’ perceptual simulations during sentence comprehension, using a novel paradigm to assess the perceptual simulation of objects moving up and down a vertical axis. The participants comprised adults (N = 40) and 6-, 8-, and 10-year-old children (N = 116). After listening in experimental trials to sentences implying that objects moved upward or downward, the participants were shown pictures and had to decide as quickly as possible whether the objects depicted had been mentioned in the sentences. The target pictures moved either up or down and then stopped in the middle of the screen. All age groups’ reaction times were found to be shorter when the objects moved in the directions that the sentences implied. Age exerted no developmental effect on reaction times. The findings suggest that dynamic perceptual simulations are fundamental to language comprehension in text recipients aged 6 and older.
Comparing Fidelity Outcomes of Paraprofessional and Professional Delivery of a Perinatal Depression Preventive Intervention
Authors: Diebold Alicia , Ciolino Jody D. , Johnson Jessica K. , Yeh Chen , Gollan Jackie K. , Tandon S. Darius
Published: February 2020

Mothers and Babies (MB), a perinatal depression preventive intervention, has proven effective in decreasing depressive symptoms and preventing onset of major depression. An ongoing cluster-randomized trial is comparing the effectiveness of the six-session MB group intervention led by paraprofessionals versus mental health professionals. Twenty percent of all audio-recorded intervention sessions were randomly selected for fidelity checks. Analyses assessed mean facilitator adherence and competency overall, by study arm, and by session; and, examined site, facilitator, and client-specific effects. There were no significant differences found between study arms. Findings show paraprofessionals can deliver MB with similar fidelity as mental health professionals.
Using ultrasound to improve the sequential post-synthesis modification method for making mesoporous Y zeolites
Authors: Zhang Rongxin , Zhong Peinan , Arandiyan Hamidreza , Guan Yanan , Liu Jinmin , Wang Na , Jiao Yilai , Fan Xiaolei
Published: February 2020

Mesoporous Y zeolites were prepared by the sequential chemical dealumination (using chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, H4EDTA, and citric acid aqueous solutions) and alkaline desilication (using sodium hydroxide, NaOH, aqueous solutions) treatments. Specifically, the ultrasound-assisted alkaline treatment (i.e., ultrasonic treatment) was proposed as the alternative to conventional alkaline treatments which are performed under hydrothermal conditions. In comparison with the hydrothermal alkaline treatment, the ultrasonic treatment showed the comparatively enhanced efficiency (with the reduced treatment time, i.e., 5 min vs. 30 min, all with 0.2 mol·L−1 NaOH at 65°C) in treating the deal-uminated Y zeolites for creating mesoporosity. For example, after the treatment of a dealuminated zeolite Y (using 0.1 mol·L−1 H4EDTA at 100°C for 6 h), the ultrasonic treatment produced the mesoporous zeolite Y with the specific external surface area (Sexternal) of 160 m2·g·−1and mesopore volume (Vmeso) of 0.22 cm3·g−1, being slightly higher than that by the conventional method (i.e., Sextemal= 128 m2·g−1 and Vmeso = 0.19 cm3·g−1). The acidic property and catalytic activity (in catalytic cracking of n-octane) of mesoporous Y zeolites obtained by the two methods were comparable. The ultrasonic desilication treatment was found to be generic, also being effective to treat the dealuminated Y zeolites by citric acid. Additionally, the first step of chemical dealumination treatment was crucial to enable the effective creation of mesopores in the parent Y zeolite (with a silicon-to-aluminium ratio, Si/Al = 2.6) regardless of the subsequent alkaline desilication treatment (i.e., ultrasonic or hydrothermal). Therefore, appropriate selection of the condition of the chemical dealumination treatment based on the property of parent zeolites, such as Si/Al ratio and crystallinity, is important for making mesoporous zeolites effectively.
Visual impact evaluation of mines and quarries: the updated Lvi method
Authors: Dentoni V. , Grosso B. , Massacci G. , Soddu G. P.
Published: February 2020

The article deals with the evaluation of the visual impact arising from quarrying, mining and civil engineering works that involve extensive surface excavation. An indirect method has been formerly proposed to quantify the level of visual impact (Lvi) based on the two physical variables that define the magnitude of change in a natural landscape: the solid angle subtended by the visible alteration from a given viewpoint (Ωv) and the chromatic contrast between the alteration and the surrounding landscape (ΔEμ). These two objective variables are determined by elaborating the digital images of the landscape under investigation, taken from the most representative viewpoints. The Lvi indicator has proven to be highly correlated with the judgement values expressed by potential observers and thus may represent a valuable operative tool in the environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedures, both for the proponent of new projects and for the governmental authorities in charge of decision-making. This article describes a further development of the Lvi method, which aims at improving the repeatability of the impact evaluation by eliminating some critical issues related to the definition of both the excavation limits and the natural comparison surfaces representing the natural landscape. To that end, the original calculation code has been implemented with two image segmentation algorithms, which objectively designate the areas within the picture to be used for the automatic calculation of the impact level Lvi. The updated code has been validated against the original Lvi method, thus confirming the suitability of the revised methodology to represent the perception of potential observers.
Inter-brain Synchronization in the Practice of Tibetan Monastic Debate
Authors: van Vugt Marieke K. , Pollock Joshua , Johnson Bryce , Gyatso Kalden , Norbu Ngawang , Lodroe Thabkhe , Gyaltsen Thupten , Phuntsok Lobsang , Thakchoe Jampa , Khechok Jampa , Lobsang Jampa , Tenzin Lobsang , Gyaltsen Jampa , Moye Amir , Fresco David M.
Published: February 2020

Objectives

Although mindfulness meditation is the familiar and researched form of mental training derived from Buddhism, it represents but one form of practice. Monastic debate is an interactive and dyadic analytical meditation practice that originates from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition where monastics seek to jointly deepen their understanding of complicated philosophical issues. To date, monastic debate and analytic meditation have yet to be examined in the context of scientific investigation.

Methods

In the current study, we examined the neural correlates of this analytical meditation practice by means of hyperscanning electroencephalography, a method well-suited for examining social interactions.

Results

Consistent with the idea that analytical meditation helps to train concentration, we observed that over the course of the debate, mid-frontal theta oscillations—a correlate of absorption—increased significantly. This increase was stronger for more experienced monks as compared with monks at the beginning of their education. In addition, we found evidence for increases in synchrony in frontal alpha oscillations between paired debaters during moments of agreement as compared with disagreement on a set of premises.

Conclusions

Together, these findings provide an initial understanding of Tibetan monastic debate and analytical meditation using neuroscientific methods.
State of groundwater resource: relationship between its depth and sewage contamination in Leh town of Union Territory of Ladakh
Authors: Dolma Konchok , Rishi Madhuri S. , Lata Renu
Published: February 2020

Groundwater as a resource of wide-spectrum use, especially in the tourism sector, has evolved as the prime most source of water in Leh town in recent years. Unfortunately, the regulation on groundwater use and monitoring as well as scientific management of this resource is almost zero so the resource is over-exploited as well as ill managed. The skewed balance of technology required versus that already available in order to manage this fast urbanizing town is massive, and the place is already showing initial signs of management issues of waste, traffic, air and water pollution. The town is in dire need of innovative and cost-effective solutions for keeping alive its environmental sustainability quotient as it is undergoing a paradigm shift from an agricultural society into a class III urban agglomeration as per Indian Census. In the absence of constant monitoring of this resource, there is a wide data gap related with groundwater resources in Leh town, and so it is very difficult to derive an exact estimation of the water table all over the town. This paper thus gives an elaborate description of the status of groundwater resources in Leh town in dearth of baseline data. Further the risks posed by various factors which are threatening the proper management of this resource are mentioned, and the way forward for sustainable management of Leh town keeping groundwater as a focal point is rightly covered.
An interdisciplinary assessment of private conservation areas in the Western United States
Authors: Quintas-Soriano Cristina , Gibson Dainee M. , Brandt Jodi S. , López-Rodríguez María D. , Cabello Javier , Aguilera Pedro A. , Castro Antonio J.
Published: February 2020

Conservation easements are the fastest growing private conservation strategy in the United States. However, mechanisms to assess private land conservation as well as their support by the general public are not well understood. This study uses the ecosystem services framework for assessing existing private lands in Idaho and identifies areas for future conservation easements. Using conservation targets of the land trust as a guide for selecting ecosystem services, we (a) mapped the spatial delivery of conservation targets across public and private lands, (b) explored public awareness in terms of social importance and vulnerability, and (c) mapped future priority areas by characterizing conservation bundles. We found that public lands provided the highest levels of conservation targets, and we found no difference in conservation target provision between private areas and conservation easements. The spatial characterization of conservation target bundles identified potential future priority areas for conservation easements, which can guide planning of land trust conservation efforts.
Vertex rough graphs
Authors: Mathew Bibin , John Sunil Jacob , Garg Harish
Published: February 2020

This article introduces the notion of vertex rough graph and discusses certain basic graph theoretic definitions and examples. Adjacency of vertices is used to create a matrix corresponding to a vertex rough graph. Also, the membership function of a vertex rough graph is introduced with the help of Pawlak’s Rough set theory, and using this certain results are obtained. The concepts of rough precision and rough similarity degree are extended to vertex rough graphs.
Rechargeable Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries in MgSO4/ZnSO4 Hybrid Electrolytes
Authors: Zhang Yingmeng , Li Henan , Huang Shaozhuan , Fan Shuang , Sun Lingna , Tian Bingbing , Chen Fuming , Wang Ye , Shi Yumeng , Yang Hui Ying
Published: February 2020

MgSO4 is chosen as an additive to address the capacity fading issue in the rechargeable zinc-ion battery system of MgxV2O5·nH2O//ZnSO4//zinc. Electrolytes with different concentration ratios of ZnSO4 and MgSO4 are investigated. The batteries measured in the 1 M ZnSO4−1 M MgSO4 electrolyte outplay other competitors, which deliver a high specific capacity of 374 mAh g−1 at a current density of 100 mA g−1 and exhibit a competitive rate performance with the reversible capacity of 175 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1. This study provides a promising route to improve the performance of vanadium-based cathodes for aqueous zinc-ion batteries with electrolyte optimization in cost-effective electrolytes.
Objective and Subjective Measures of Premature Ejaculation: How Closely Do They Correspond and How Well Are the Subjective Measures Recalled?
Authors: Althof Stanley , Rosen Raymond , Harty Brian , Osterloh Ian H. , Muirhead Gary J. , McMahon Christopher
Published: February 2020

Background

Clinical trials evaluating new treatments for premature ejaculation (PE) should ideally include both objective end points and patient reported outcomes (PROs), but there is no consensus currently over the optimal measures or combination of outcomes. In addition, many PROs use a 1-month recall period, despite concerns about potential recall bias.

Aims

Data from a clinical trial of men with lifelong PE were used to examine the consistency of 2 core items of the Premature Ejaculation Profile (PEP), a widely used PRO for assessing subjective aspects of PE. The specific aim was to assess the level of agreement between the original 1-month recall version compared with a new event-based version of the scale in men meeting current definitions of lifelong PE. A further aim was to investigate the convergent validity between an objective end point of intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT), subjective PEP responses, and a patient's Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGIC) measure.

Methods

For assessment of consistency of PEP responses (short-term [ie, sexual event driven] vs 1-month recall), descriptive statistics, correlation coefficients (Pearson and Spearman), and Bland-Altman plots are presented for each time interval. For assessment of convergent validity, descriptive statistics and correlation coefficients (Pearson and Spearman) are presented for each assessment with geometric mean IELT values. Results are also depicted graphically. Geometric mean IELT over the last 4 weeks of treatment and change from baseline (absolute and fold change) were estimated via a general linear model for each category of change in PEP and CGIC, adjusting for baseline IELT.

Outcomes

PEP items administered via 1-month recall and short-term event-driven responses gave virtually identical results. There was a strong correlation (very good convergent validity) between IELT and responses to PEP and the CGIC.

Clinical translation

Men with lifelong PE can accurately recall their level of sexual functioning over the previous month. The PEP and CGIC are appropriate instruments to measure the subjective response of men with PE to new treatments.

Strengths and limitations

Our analyses address gaps in previously published research on PE assessment methodology. Men with acquired PE, men without partners, and men in homosexual relationships were not studied.

Conclusions

In a clinical trial setting, PEP and CGIC are appropriate end points and are likely the optimal combination of PROs for use with IELT to enable a global assessment of patient response to new PE treatments.
French Wine Exports to China: Evidence from Intra-French Regional Diversification and Competition
Authors: Bargain Olivier
Published: February 2020

While France leads the way in the Chinese import market of wine, China is France's third largest wine export market by value. In this article, I analyze the determinants of France's wine exports to China, differentiated by French wine growing regions. I estimate a simple demand using a dataset on wine shipments of 100 different types of French bottled wines to China between 1998 and 2015. I find a wide range of income and price effects across French regions—a range not unlike those found by studies spanning multiple countries. Bordeaux wines exhibit the largest Chinese income elasticity. However, other French regions appear to catch up. Price elasticity, meanwhile, is particularly low for highly reputable wines, but quite high for wines targeting middle-class customers and wines from regions traditionally known for white wines. (JEL Classifications: F10, F14, L66, Q17)
Oncological and functional outcomes after repeat transoral laser microsurgery for the treatment of recurrent early glottic cancer
Authors: Forner D , Rigby M H , Corsten M , Trites J R , Pyne J , Taylor S M
Published: February 2020

Background

Transoral laser microsurgery for glottic squamous cell carcinoma is the standard of care at many institutions. Repeat transoral laser microsurgery for recurrence may avoid the need for radiotherapy and total laryngectomy. This study aimed to identify oncological and functional outcomes in a cohort of patients who had undergone repeat transoral laser microsurgery procedures.

Method

A retrospective review of prospectively collected data of patients treated with transoral laser microsurgery for carcinoma in situ or tumour stages T1 or T2 glottic cancer, from 2003 to 2018.

Results

Twenty patients were identified. Additional treatment was not needed in 45 per cent of patients. The five-year overall survival rate was 90 per cent. The disease-specific survival rate was 100 per cent. The laryngeal preservation rate was 85 per cent. There was improvement in mean Voice Handicap Index-10 scores following repeat transoral laser microsurgery treatment, when comparing the pre- and post-operative periods (mean scores = 15.5 vs 11.5, p = 0.373).

Conclusion

Repeat transoral laser microsurgery can be an oncologically safe alternative to other salvage therapies for glottic squamous cell carcinoma recurrence, without sacrificing functional outcomes.
Co-occurrence of autistic and psychotic traits: implications for depression, self-harm and suicidality
Authors: Sampson Katie N. , Upthegrove Rachel , Abu-Akel Ahmad , Haque Sayeed , Wood Stephen J. , Reniers Renate
Published: February 2020

Background

There is increasing interest in the clinical and aetiological overlap between autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia spectrum disorders, reported to co-occur at both diagnostic and trait levels. Individually, sub-clinical autistic and psychotic traits are associated with poor clinical outcomes, including increased depressive symptomatology, self-harming behaviour and suicidality. However, the implications when both traits co-occur remain poorly understood. The study aimed to (1) examine the relationship between autistic and psychotic traits and (2) determine if their co-occurrence increases depressive symptomatology, self-harm and suicidality.

Methods

Cross-sectional data from a self-selecting (online and poster advertising) sample of the adult UK population (n = 653) were collected using an online survey. Validated self-report measures were used to assess sub-clinical autistic and psychotic traits, depressive symptomatology, self-harming behaviour and suicidality. Correlation and regression analyses were performed.

Results

A positive correlation between sub-clinical autistic and positive psychotic traits was confirmed (rs = 0.509, p < 0.001). Overall, autistic traits and psychotic traits were, independently, significant predictors of depression, self-harm and suicidality. Intriguingly, however, depression was associated with a negative interaction between the autistic domain attention to detail and psychotic traits.

Conclusions

This study supports previous findings that sub-clinical autistic and psychotic traits are largely independently associated with depression, self-harm and suicidality, and is novel in finding that their combined presence has no additional effect on depression, self-harm or suicidality. These findings highlight the importance of considering both autistic and psychotic traits and their symptom domains in research and when developing population-based depression prevention and intervention strategies.
The challenges of commissioning home care for older people in England: commissioners’ perspectives
Authors: Davies Karen , Dalgarno Elizabeth , Davies Susan , Roberts Amy , Hughes Jane , Chester Helen , Jasper Rowan , Wilson David , Challis David
Published: February 2020

Home care for older people in England is commissioned through local authorities working predominantly with independent providers of care. Commissioners operate in a market model, planning and procuring home care services for local populations. Their role involves ‘managing’ and ‘shaping’ the market to ensure an adequate supply of care providers. Another imperative, emerging from the principles of personalisation, is the drive to achieve user outcomes rather than ‘time and task’ objectives. Little formal research has investigated the way commissioners reconcile these different requirements and organise commissioning. This study investigated commissioning approaches using qualitative telephone interviews with ten commissioners from different local authorities in England. The characteristics of commissioning were analysed thematically. Findings indicated (a) commissioning involved complex systems and processes, uniquely shaped for the local context, but frequently changed, suggesting a constant need for reframing commissioning arrangements; (b) partnerships with providers were mainly transactional, with occasional examples of collaborative models, that were considered to facilitate flexible services more appropriate for commissioning for personalised outcomes; and (c) only a small number of commissioners had attempted to reconcile the competing and incompatible goals of tightly prescribed contracting and working collaboratively with providers. A better understanding of flexible contracting arrangements and the hallmarks of a trusting collaboration is required to move beyond the procedural elements of contracting and commissioning.
Retrospective assessment of rapid outbreak investigation for gastrointestinal diseases using only cases and background exposure data
Authors: Kafatos G. , Mook P. , Charlett A. , Rees E. , Elson R. , Inns T. , Kanagarajah S. , Andrews N. J.
Published: February 2020

For outbreaks of gastrointestinal disease, rapid identification of the source is crucial to enable public health intervention and prevent further cases. Outbreak investigation comprises analyses of exposure information from cases and, if required, undertaking analytical epidemiological studies. Hypothesis generation has been reliant on empirical knowledge of exposures historically associated with a given pathogen. Epidemiology studies are resource-intensive and prone to bias, one of the reasons being the difficulties in recruiting appropriate controls. For this paper, the information from cases was compared against pre-defined background exposure information. As exemplars, three past outbreaks were used, one of common and two of rare exposures. Information from historical case trawling questionnaires was used to define background exposure having removed any exposures implicated with the outbreak. The case-background approach showed good sensitivity and specificity, identifying correctly all outbreak-related exposures. One additional exposure related to a retailer was identified and four food items where all cases had been exposed. In conclusion, the case-background method, a development of the case-case design, can be used to assist with hypothesis generation or when a case-control study may not be possible to carry out.
Seasonality in carriage of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in the general population: a pooled analysis of nationwide cross-sectional studies
Authors: Wielders C. C. H. , Van Duijkeren E. , Van Den Bunt G. , Meijs A. P. , Dierikx C. M. , Bonten M. J. M. , Van Pelt W. , Franz E. , De Greeff S. C.
Published: February 2020

Infections due to extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) are often preceded by asymptomatic carriage. Higher incidences in enteric infectious diseases during summer have been reported. Here, we assessed whether the presence of seasonality in intestinal ESBL-Escherichia coli/Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-E/K) carriage in the general Dutch population exists. From 2014 to 2017, the faecal carriage of ESBL-E/K in healthy individuals was determined in three cross-sectional studies in the Netherlands, including 5985 subjects. Results were pooled to identify seasonal trends in prevalence (by month of sampling). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to calculate pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results were adjusted for age, sex, antibiotic use and travel. Overall prevalence of ESBL-E/K carriage was 4.3% (n = 260 ESBL-E/K-positive), with differences between months ranging from 2.6% to 7.4%. Compared to January, the monthly prevalence of ESBL-E carriage was highest in August (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.02–3.49) and September (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.30–3.89). The observed monthly differences in ESBL-E/K carriage rates suggest that there is seasonal variation in exposure to ESBL-E/K other than due to travelling and antibiotic use. This should be taken into account in designing future ESBL-E prevalence studies in temperate regions.
Low temperature stimulates spatial molecular reprogramming of theArabidopsisseed germination programme
Authors: Mitchell Jack , Mukhtar Nur K. , Bassel George W.
Published: February 2020

The timing of the germination of seeds is highly responsive to inputs from the environment. Temperature plays a key role in the control of germination, with low temperatures acting to stimulate this developmental transition in many species. InArabidopsis, extensive gene expression changes have been reported at the whole seed level in response to cold, while much less is known about their spatial distribution across the diverse cell types of the embryo. In this study we examined the spatiotemporal patterns of promoter activity and protein abundance for key gibberellic acid (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA) factors which regulate the decision to germinate both during a time course of germination and in response to cold. Low temperature stimulated the spatial relocalization of these factors to the vasculature. The response of these seeds to dormancy-breaking stratification treatments therefore stimulates the distribution of both positive (GA) and negatively acting (ABA) components to this same cell type. This altered spatial pattern persisted following the transfer of seeds to 22°C, as well as after their rehydration, indicating that this alteration is persistent. These observations suggest that the vasculature plays a role in the low temperature-mediated stimulation of germination in this species, while novel cell types are recruited to promote germination in response to stratification.
Comparative efficacy of antimicrobial treatments in dairy cows at dry-off to prevent new intramammary infections during the dry period or clinical mastitis during early lactation: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Winder C. B. , Sargeant J. M. , Hu D. , Wang C. , Kelton D. F. , Leblanc S. J. , Duffield T. F. , Glanville J. , Wood H. , Churchill K. J. , Dunn J. , Bergevin M. D. , Dawkins K. , Meadows S. , Deb B. , Reist M. , Moody C. , O'Connor A. M.
Published: February 2020

A systematic review and network meta-analysis were conducted to assess the relative efficacy of antimicrobial therapy given to dairy cows at dry-off. Eligible studies were controlled trials assessing the use of antimicrobials compared to no treatment or an alternative treatment, and assessed one or more of the following outcomes: incidence of intramammary infection (IMI) at calving, incidence of IMI during the first 30 days in milk (DIM), or incidence of clinical mastitis during the first 30 DIM. Databases and conference proceedings were searched for relevant articles. The potential for bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 algorithm. From 3480 initially identified records, 45 trials had data extracted for one or more outcomes. Network meta-analysis was conducted for IMI at calving. The use of cephalosporins, cloxacillin, or penicillin with aminoglycoside significantly reduced the risk of new IMI at calving compared to non-treated controls (cephalosporins, RR = 0.37, 95% CI 0.23–0.65; cloxacillin, RR = 0.55, 95% CI 0.38–0.79; penicillin with aminoglycoside, RR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.26–0.72). Synthesis revealed challenges with a comparability of outcomes, replication of interventions, definitions of outcomes, and quality of reporting. The use of reporting guidelines, replication among interventions, and standardization of outcome definitions would increase the utility of primary research in this area.
The efficacy of antibiotics to control colibacillosis in broiler poultry: a systematic review
Authors: Sargeant Jan M. , Bergevin Michele D. , Churchill Katheryn , Dawkins Kaitlyn , Deb Bhumika , Dunn Jennifer , Logue Catherine M. , Novy Anastasia , O'Connor Annette M. , Reist Mark , Winder Charlotte B.
Published: February 2020

The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the efficacy of antibiotics to prevent or control colibacillosis in broilers. Studies found eligible were conducted controlled trials in broilers that evaluated an antibiotic intervention, with at least one of the following outcomes: mortality, feed conversion ratio (FCR), condemnations at slaughter, or total antibiotic use. Four electronic databases plus the gray literature were searched. Abstracts were screened for eligibility and data were extracted from eligible trials. Risk of bias was evaluated.

Seven trials reported eligible outcomes in a format that allowed data extraction; all reported results for FCR and one also reported mortality. Due to the heterogeneity in the interventions and outcomes evaluated, it was not feasible to conduct meta-analysis.

Qualitatively, for FCR, comparisons between an antibiotic and an alternative product did not show a significant benefit for either. Some of the comparisons between an antibiotic and a no-treatment placebo showed a numerical benefit to antibiotics, but with wide confidence intervals. The risk-of-bias assessment revealed concerns with reporting of key trial features.

The results of this review do not provide compelling evidence for or against the efficacy of antibiotics for the control of colibacillosis.
Comparative efficacy of antimicrobials for treatment of clinical mastitis in lactating dairy cattle: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Winder C. B. , Sargeant J. M. , Hu D. , Wang C. , Kelton D. F. , Godkin M. A. , Churchill K. J. , O'Connor A. M.
Published: February 2020

A systematic review and network meta-analysis were conducted to assess the relative efficacy of antimicrobial therapy for clinical mastitis in lactating dairy cattle. Controlled trials in lactating dairy cattle with natural disease exposure were eligible if they compared an antimicrobial treatment to a non-treated control, placebo, or a different antimicrobial, for the treatment of clinical mastitis, and assessed clinical or bacteriologic cure. Potential for bias was assessed using a modified Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. From 14775 initially identified records, 54 trials were assessed as eligible. Networks were established for bacteriologic cure by bacterial species group, and clinical cure. Disparate networks among bacteriologic cures precluded meta-analysis. Network meta-analysis was conducted for trials assessing clinical cure, but lack of precision of point estimates resulted in wide credibility intervals for all treatments, with no definitive conclusions regarding relative efficacy. Consideration of network geometry can inform future research to increase the utility of current and previous work. Replication of intervention arms and consideration of connection to existing networks would improve the future ability to determine relative efficacy. Challenges in the evaluation of bias in primary research stemmed from a lack of reporting. Consideration of reporting guidelines would also improve the utility of future research.
Demography and the Future of Democracy
Authors: Goldstone Jack A. , Diamond Larry
Published: February 2020

The world is in the midst of a demographic recession. This counters what should be a long-term trend toward greater democracy. Recent research has shown that progress toward stable democracy is strongly associated with progress in the demographic transition. Since most of the world is rapidly dropping in fertility as more countries complete this transition, democracy should be spreading. However, a resurgence of anxiety, nationalism, and support for strong-man governance is associated with sudden waves of immigration from unfamiliar sources. Because certain parts of the world—mainly Central America, sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East—still have very young and rapidly growing populations who suffer from poor economic prospects, adverse climate change, and bad governance, those regions are sending waves of migrants seeking asylum to Europe and the United States, raising anxieties that undermine liberal democratic governance. Global democracy is thus being tugged in opposing directions by current demographic trends. Improving governance in poorer countries to cope with the negative impact of climate change and to create better economic prospects, as well as efforts to reduce fertility, are essential to diminish the surges of migrants and restore the impetus toward democracy that should prevail in mature societies.
Use your power for good: plural valuation of nature – the Oaxaca statement
Authors: Jacobs Sander , Zafra-Calvo Noelia , Gonzalez-Jimenez David , Guibrunet Louise , Benessaiah Karina , Berghöfer Augustin , Chaves-Chaparro Juliana , Díaz Sandra , Gomez-Baggethun Erik , Lele Sharachchandra , Martín-López Berta , Masterson Vanessa Anne , Merçon Juliana , Moersberger Hannah , Muraca Barbara , Norström Albert , O'Farrell Patrick , Ordonez Jenny C. , Prieur-Richard Anne-Hélène , Rincón-Ruiz Alexander , Sitas Nadia , Subramanian Suneetha M. , Tadesse Wubalem , van Noordwijk Meine , Pascual Unai , Balvanera Patricia
Published: February 2020

Non-technical abstract

Decisions on the use of nature reflect the values and rights of individuals, communities and society at large. The values of nature are expressed through cultural norms, rules and legislation, and they can be elicited using a wide range of tools, including those of economics. None of the approaches to elicit peoples’ values are neutral. Unequal power relations influence valuation and decision-making and are at the core of most environmental conflicts. As actors in sustainability thinking, environmental scientists and practitioners are becoming more aware of their own posture, normative stance, responsibility and relative power in society. Based on a transdisciplinary workshop, our perspective paper provides a normative basis for this new community of scientists and practitioners engaged in the plural valuation of nature.
High‐Resolution Numerical Modeling of Heat and Volatile Transfer from Basalt to Wall Rock: Application to the Crustal Column beneath Long Valley Caldera, CA
Authors: Calogero M. A. , Hetland E. A. , Lange R. A.
Published: February 2020

We present a high‐resolution numerical model of the thermal evolution of the crustal column beneath Long Valley caldera, California, from which >800 km3 rhyolite erupted over the last 2.2 Myr. We examine how randomly emplaced basaltic sills of variable thickness (10, 50, or 100 m) at various depth intervals (10–25 km) and at variable emplacement rates (5–50 m/kyr) gradually heat the crust and lead to a variably mixed crustal lithology (solidified mafic sills and preexisting granitoid). We additionally explore the time scales over which dissolved water (~3 wt%) in a newly emplaced basaltic sill exsolves during crystallization and is transferred to adjacent wall rock that is undergoing partial melting. We employ a finite‐difference‐based technique, with variable spatial (≥1 m to ≥10 km) and temporal (<100 and > 106 years) resolution, that enables dense analysis within and directly adjacent to a newly emplaced sill. Our results show that once ambient crustal temperatures reach ~500–600 °C, subsequent injections of basaltic sills lead to significant partial melting of adjacent wall rock (granitoid and solidified mafic sills) on time scales (101–102 years) that match those of exsolution of H2O‐rich fluid from basaltic sills. Large volumes of fusion (>10%) during fluid‐undersaturated partial melting, combined with the preexisting occurrence of aplite dikes, facilitates the development of melt‐filled fractures that exceed the critical length for self‐propagation. The advection of wall‐rock partial melts (with a combined mantle‐derived and crustal geochemical signature) to shallower depths will alter both the thermal and compositional profile of the middle‐upper crust.
The Complex Vertical Motion of Intraplate Oceanic Islands Assessed in Santiago Island, Cape Verde
Authors: Marques F. O. , Hildenbrand A. , Zeyen H. , Cunha C. , Victória S. S.
Published: February 2020

Dated paleosea level markers and eustatic sea level changes are necessary but not sufficient information to calculate vertical motion rates on oceanic islands. Therefore, we use a procedure in which we work progressively back in time to incorporate the more recent vertical motion rates implied by the youngest paleoshorelines into the vertical motion history of all older shorelines. Specifically, we calculate the time‐averaged vertical motion rates required to explain the present‐day elevations of the dated sequence of paleoshorelines on Santiago volcanic island (Cape Verde). We thus obtain a vertical motion history consisting of time‐averaged vertical motion rates spanning the five intervening periods between paleoshoreline formation and the present day: (1) 5.06 to 3.29 Ma—seamount growth or island subsidence because all the rocks in this period are submarine; (2) fast uplift (approximately 0.96 mm/a) from 3.29 to 2.87 Ma, mostly responsible for putting submarine lavas currently close to 410 m altitude; (3) relatively fast subsidence (approximately −0.11 mm/a) between 2.87 and 2.18 Ma; (4) stagnation from 2.18 to 0.811 Ma; and (5) relatively fast uplift (approximately 0.14 mm/a) between 0.811 and 0 Ma. We numerically tested top‐down (volcanic loading) and bottom‐up (lithosphere thinning, underplating, and mantle plume) mechanisms to explain the inferred vertical movements, and we conclude that volcanic loading and crustal underplating are capable of producing the observed subsidence and uplift, respectively.
Eddy‐Driven Cross‐Shelf Transport in the East Australian Current Separation Zone
Authors: Malan Neil , Archer Matthew , Roughan Moninya , Cetina‐Heredia Paulina , Hemming Michael , Rocha Carlos , Schaeffer Amandine , Suthers Iain , Queiroz Eduardo
Published: February 2020

In western boundary current systems, sharp velocity gradients between the poleward flowing jet and coastal waters generally act to inhibit cross‐shelf exchange. Downstream of jet separation, dynamic mesoscale eddies dominate the flow. In the East Australian Current System, counter‐rotating eddy dipoles are often present which, in the appropriate configuration, have potential to drive cross‐shelf transport. However, this eddy dipole mode is poorly understood in the framework of cross‐shelf exchange and the effect of these structures on shelf waters is uncertain. Using 25 years of satellite altimetry, as well as in situ sampling of a typical dipole event, we investigate the characteristics of eddy‐driven cross‐shelf exchange. We show that the maximum onshore velocity is driven by an eddy dipole structure and occurs in a defined latitudinal band between 33°S and 34°S more than 50% of the time. We sample a typical eddy dipole and find a strong onshore jet, 37 km wide, with velocities up to 1.78 m s
and a transport of at least 16 Sv. Hydrographic data from an autonomous underwater glider show that this jet manifests on the shelf as a subsurface intrusion of warm salty water extending from offshore up onto the midshelf. In the light of climatic changes in western boundary current transport and the increase in their eddy kinetic energy, understanding eddy‐driven cross‐shelf exchange is important to predict future changes to the shelf water mass.
Time Scale Dependence of the Meridional Coherence of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation
Authors: Gu Sifan , Liu Zhengyu , Wu Lixin
Published: February 2020

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) variability is suggested to be incoherent between the subpolar and subtropical gyres in the Atlantic on interannual and even decadal time scales, questioning the representativeness of AMOC variability at a single latitude in modern observation and paleoreconstruction. Paleoreconstructions of the Florida Current transport suggest that Florida Current variability is associated with the AMOC on the millennial time scale, but the Rapid Climate Change (RAPID) mooring array suggests a weak correlation between the Florida Current and the AMOC. In this study, we investigate the meridional coherence of AMOC variability and the relationship between the Florida Current variability and the AMOC variability on different time scales in a transient 20,000‐year simulation. We find that with the increase of time scales, the meridional coherence of the AMOC increases. On decadal and longer time scales, the coherent subtropical and subpolar AMOC is caused by the coherent buoyancy forcing in the subpolar gyre. Also, the Florida Current transport is highly correlated with AMOC variability on decadal and longer time scales, suggesting that observations of the Florida Current can be used to indicate AMOC variability on long time scales.