bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Industrial Waste water Treatment and Reuses for Agricultural Purpose
Authors: Kamel Sabre Walaa , Hassan Ali Ahmed
Published: July 2019

In the present study, the treatment of industrial wastewater and reuses for agriculture purpose. The photocatalytic degradation of dyes like bismarck brown Y dye has been used as technique for treatment in a batch reactor under solar light in heterogeneous slurry utilizing various concentrations of ZnO as photocatalysts semiconductors. Parameters has been studied (catalyst type, catalyst concentration, pH of dye solution and dye concentration at the beginning). The results show that the best dose of ZnO is 0.80 g/l, and the optimum pH is 10. The percentage removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the dye solutions was higher than that of the degradation of dye for the same conditions of catalyst. Treated wastewater reuse in agriculture is a common practice in the Mediterranean countries and there is a considerable interest in the long-term effects of treated wastewater on crops intended for human consumption. This paper studies the fundamentals of agricultural irrigation using treated wastewater and the status of industrial wastewater reuse in Iraq with studies related to the effects on soils and plants.
Marshes waters sources hydrochemistryof the Bahr Al-Najaf at Najaf Province, Iraq
Authors: Badr Ghalib Hussein , Al-Hawash Adnan B. , Al-Qurnaw Wasan S. , Hameed Sultan Basim , Al-enzy Arshad W.
Published: July 2019

Bahar Al-Najaf basin is located in the western part of Al-Najaf governorate, center of Iraq. This work was aimed to determine the water sources for marshes, water discharges and factors which causing to the rise and low of the water level in these marshes.Five sources recharge for the marshes water were detected; rainwater, Al-Dammam confined aquifer flowing wells, sieve factures, water of springs and the irrigation water.The hydrochemistry analysis was investigated for all water sources of marshes using major and minor elements (Ca, Na, K, Mg, Cl, SO4, NO3, HCO3 and Br) and field measurements such as (T, pH, EC, TDS). The hydrochemical results shows that the all sources of water are not suitable for drinking water, while it’s classified as a good to permissible water for irrigation except water of marshes. Water quality standards for livestock is vary from very good water type in the irrigation streams to the can be used in a water marshes.
A comparison of Numerical Solutions for Linear Fredholm Integral Equation of the Second Kind
Authors: Talab Abdullah Jalil , Hussein Shuaa Al-Taie Ali
Published: July 2019

The aim of this paper, we offereda new numerical methodwhich is Touchard Polynomials (T-Ps) for solving Linear Fredholm Integral Equation of the Second Kind (LFIE2-K), to find approximating Numerical Solution (N-S). At the beginning, we demonstrate (T-Ps) andconstruct the operational matrix which is a matrix representation for solution. The algorithm and someexamples are given; comparing the numerical results of proposed method with the numerical results of the other numerical method which is Bernstein Polynomials (B-Ps).Wewill show the high resolution of results by proposed method.The comparison between the Exact Solution(E-S) and the results of two methods are given by calculating absolute value of error and the Least Square Error (L.S.E).The results are calculated in Matlabcode.
High prevalence of helicobacter pylori in Basra city Southern of Iraq
Authors: Hamid Dawood Alatbee Ahmed
Published: July 2019

The study aims evaluate the prevalence of H. pylori in Population Basra city southern of Iraq including all age. Methods: During February to the December 2018 a study was carried out on 500 patients (male and female) they suffer from pain in the stomach and Abdominal and discomfort. The status of H. pylori infection was determined based on two different tests (serum anti H. pylori-antibody & H.pylori Ag rapid test –cassette (fecal specimen –CTK Company)). The serum test and rapid Ag test (stool sample) showed a significantly higher positive rate than expected, Of the 500 samples, randomized samples suffering from stomach and abdominal pain 290 were found positive, with a higher male incidence rate than females. The results showed 170 males with infected by bacteria H.pylori. “While” 120 females were infected. Prevalence of H. Pylori infection is high (58%) In people who suffer from pain in the stomach and Abdominal and discomfort. Infection is more common in adults and older people. The main causes of the increase in the: infection by H pylori.in the city of Basra is due to pollution of the city water and agricultural crops.
FTIR spectroscopy of conformational probes in PVB/PEG600 blends
Authors: Kamalova D I , Abdrazakova L R
Published: July 2019

In this paper we have studied the conformational dynamics of conformationally-heterogeneous probes in the blends of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and polyethylene glycol (PEG600) with molecular weight equaled to 600. We have determined the freezing temperatures of conformational transitions and the enthalpy differences of conformations of the probes in PVB/PEG600 blends with different compositions by FTIR spectra.
The operation of combining sets for images in optical echo holography
Authors: Sakhbieva A R , Nefediev L A , Nefedyev Y A , Akhmedshina E N , Andreev A O
Published: July 2019

The paper considers the implementation of logical operations with sets presented as images in the accumulated photon echo mode. It is shown that the photon echo mode may be used to perform the operation of combining sets.
Korenblum constants for some function spaces
Authors: JunJie Wee , Khoi Le
Published: July 2019

We study the Korenblum Maximum Principle on the weighted Fock spaces and the weighted Bergman spaces with exponential weights. First, we give explicit expressions for the upper bounds of Korenblum constants for the weighted Fock spaces. Then, we obtain upper bounds of such constants for the weighted Bergman spaces. Finally, we show a failure of the Korenblum Maximum Principle for weighted Bergman spaces

A
α
p

(

D

)

A^p_\alpha (\mathbb {D})

, where

0
>
p
>
1

0>p>1

,

α
>
0

\alpha >0

.
The impact of Pleistocene sea-level oscillations on plant genetic diversity: the case of the western Mediterranean endemic Carduncellus dianius (Asteraceae)
Authors: Herrando-Moraira Sonia , Massó Sergi , Zani Deborah , López-Pujol Jordi , Vilatersana Roser
Published: July 2019

To what extent Pleistocene sea-level fluctuations have affected the genetic diversity of species is one of the current topics in biogeographical research. Carduncellus dianius is a Mediterranean narrow endemic species, restricted to < 20 populations distributed along coastal areas in Alicante (mainland eastern Iberian Peninsula) and on the island of Ibiza (Balearic Islands). To get insights into its evolutionary history and its genetic diversity and structure, we combined the analysis of molecular markers (three plastid DNA regions and AFLP) with ecological niche modelling. Results from dated phylogeographical analyses revealed that this species might have originated in the continental region during the early Pleistocene. The colonization of Ibiza could have occurred by a single long-distance dispersal event, with a subsequent back-colonization from the island to the same continental area of origin. These results corroborate the role of islands as sources for mainland colonization (biodiversity reservoirs) and as refugia during glacial periods. Notably, we detected that populations located on stable landmasses (i.e. not affected by sea rising during interglacial cycles) harboured significantly higher genetic diversity than those that were periodically submerged during the periods of marine transgressions. Our results point out sea-level fluctuations as a factor to be considered in phylogeographical studies focused on species distributed along coastlines.
Caudate stimulation enhances learning
Authors: Bick Sarah K , Patel Shaun R , Katnani Husam A , Peled Noam , Widge Alik , Cash Sydney S , Eskandar Emad N
Published: July 2019

Neuromodulation offers the possibility of precise alteration of disordered neural circuits. In patients with depth electrodes implanted for seizure localization, Bick et al. show that caudate stimulation improves associative learning and modulates learning-related activity in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Caudate stimulation may be a promising treatment for memory disorders.
Maternal Interleukin-6 Is Associated With Macaque Offspring Amygdala Development and Behavior
Authors: Ramirez Julian S B , Graham Alice M , Thompson Jacqueline R , Zhu Jennifer Y , Sturgeon Darrick , Bagley Jennifer L , Thomas Elina , Papadakis Samantha , Bah Muhammed , Perrone Anders , Earl Eric , Miranda-Dominguez Oscar , Feczko Eric , Fombonne Eric J , Amaral David G , Nigg Joel T , Sullivan Elinor L , Fair Damien A
Published: July 2019

Human and animal cross-sectional studies have shown that maternal levels of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) may compromise brain phenotypes assessed at single time points. However, how maternal IL-6 associates with the trajectory of brain development remains unclear. We investigated whether maternal IL-6 levels during pregnancy relate to offspring amygdala volume development and anxiety-like behavior in Japanese macaques. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was administered to 39 Japanese macaque offspring (Female: 18), providing at least one or more time points at 4, 11, 21, and 36 months of age with a behavioral assessment at 11 months of age. Increased maternal third trimester plasma IL-6 levels were associated with offspring’s smaller left amygdala volume at 4 months, but with more rapid amygdala growth from 4 to 36 months. Maternal IL-6 predicted offspring anxiety-like behavior at 11 months, which was mediated by reduced amygdala volumes in the model’s intercept (i.e., 4 months). The results increase our understanding of the role of maternal inflammation in the development of neurobehavioral disorders by detailing the associations of a commonly examined inflammatory indicator, IL-6, on amygdala volume growth over time, and anxiety-like behavior.
Morphology and Spatial Probability Maps of the Horizontal Ascending Ramus of the Lateral Fissure
Authors: Sprung-Much Trisanna , Petrides Michael
Published: July 2019

The horizontal ascending ramus of the lateral fissure (half) is a characteristic sulcus of the ventrolateral frontal cortex that forms the morphological boundary between the pars triangularis and the pars orbitalis of the inferior frontal gyrus. The present study examined the morphology of this sulcus to provide a means of identifying it accurately with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Voxels within the half were labeled in 50 in vivo MRI volumes (1.5 T) that had been linearly registered to the Montreal Neurological Institute stereotaxic space and the morphology of the half was categorized based on relations with neighboring sulci. The spatial variability and extent of the half were then quantified across subjects using volumetric (MINC Toolkit) and surface (FreeSurfer) spatial probability maps. The half could be identified in 95% of hemispheres, and the main morphological patterns were classified into three categories: Types I, II, and III. There were no statistically significant interhemispheric differences in the frequency of the half or its morphological patterns. Understanding the details of the sulcal morphology of this ventrolateral region is critical for an accurate interpretation of the location of activation peaks generated in functional neuroimaging studies investigating language, working memory, and other cognitive processes.
Functional association of a CD40 gene single-nucleotide polymorphism with the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease
Authors: Sultan Cheryl S , Weitnauer Michael , Turinsky Martin , Kessler Thorsten , Brune Maik , Gleissner Christian A , Leuschner Florian , Wagner Andreas H , Hecker Markus
Published: July 2019

Aims

Endothelial dysfunction is a major contributor to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. CD40–CD40 ligand interactions confer a pro-inflammatory phenotype to endothelial cells (ECs). Recently, a thymine to cytosine transition (−1T>C) in the Kozak sequence of the CD40 gene (rs1883832) has been associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) in an Asian population. As there are no reports yet regarding its role in other ethnic groups, this study determines if the −1T>C single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) could be a risk factor for CHD in Caucasians by performing an association study and elucidates its functional consequence in cultured ECs.

Methods and results

Molecular and biochemical techniques, cell adhesion assays were used for genotype-stratified human EC characterization. SNP distribution in Caucasians was examined in a hospital-based case–control CHD study and serum levels of soluble CD40 (sCD40) were quantified by ELISA. The SNP in the CD40 gene affected baseline CD40 protein abundance on ECs. There was a genotype-dependent difference in CD40-mediated expression of pro-inflammatory genes. Monocyte adhesion was highest on the surface of cells homozygous for the C allele. Homozygosity for the C allele was associated with significant 2.32-fold higher odds of developing CHD as compared to TT genotype carriers. sCD40 plasma levels were genotype-dependently elevated in CHD patients, indicating a possible prognostic value.

Conclusion

The C allele of the CD40 SNP provokes a pro-inflammatory EC phenotype, compensated by an enhanced CD40 shedding to neutralize excess CD40 ligand. Homozygosity for the C allele is the cause for a genetic susceptibility to atherosclerosis and its sequelae.
Improved Barrett's neoplasia detection using computer-assisted multiframe analysis of volumetric laser endomicroscopy
Authors: Struyvenberg M R , van der Sommen F , Swager A F , de Groof A J , Rikos A , Schoon E J , Bergman J J , de With P H N , Curvers W L
Published: July 2019

Volumetric laser endomicroscopy (VLE) is a balloon-based technique, which provides a circumferential near-microscopic scan of the esophageal wall layers, and has potential to improve Barrett's neoplasia detection. Interpretation of VLE imagery in Barrett's esophagus (BE) however is time-consuming and complex, due to a large amount of visual information and numerous subtle gray-shaded VLE images. Computer-aided detection (CAD), analyzing multiple neighboring VLE frames, might improve BE neoplasia detection compared to automated single-frame analyses. This study is to evaluate feasibility of automatic data extraction followed by CAD using a multiframe approach for detection of BE neoplasia. Prospectively collected ex-vivo VLE images from 29 BE-patients with and without early neoplasia were retrospectively analyzed. Sixty histopathology-correlated regions of interest (30 nondysplastic vs. 30 neoplastic) were assessed using different CAD systems. Multiple neighboring VLE frames, corresponding to 1.25 millimeter proximal and distal to each region of interest, were evaluated. In total, 3060 VLE frames were analyzed via the CAD multiframe analysis. Multiframe analysis resulted in a significantly higher median AUC (median level = 0.91) compared to single-frame (median level = 0.83) with a median difference of 0.08 (95% CI, 0.06–0.10), P < 0.001. A maximum AUC of 0.94 was reached when including 22 frames on each side using a multiframe approach. In total, 3060 VLE frames were automatically extracted and analyzed by CAD in 3.9 seconds. Multiframe VLE image analysis shows improved BE neoplasia detection compared to single-frame analysis. CAD with multiframe analysis allows for fast and accurate VLE interpretation, thereby showing feasibility of automatic full scan assessment in a real-time setting during endoscopy.
Diversity and Neighbourhood Satisfaction
Authors: Langella Monica , Manning Alan
Published: July 2019

This article investigates the impact of ethnic diversity on individuals’ satisfaction with their neighbourhoods. It uses panel data and a variety of empirical methods to control for potential endogeneity of diversity and of location choices. We find that a higher white share raises overall satisfaction with the neighbourhood in our (overwhelming white) sample, but has no significant impact on generalised trust or other commonly used measures of social capital. We suggest that part of the impact of diversity on overall neighbourhood satisfaction may be through an effect on fear of crime, though we find no effect on actual crime.
The relation between systemic inflammation and incident cancer in patients with stable cardiovascular disease: a cohort study
Authors: van’t Klooster Cilie C , Ridker Paul M , Hjortnaes Jesper , van der Graaf Yolanda , Asselbergs Folkert W , Westerink Jan , Aerts Joachim G J V , Visseren Frank L J
Published: July 2019

Aims

Low-grade inflammation, measured by elevated plasma concentrations of high-sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP), is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). There is evidence that low-grade inflammation is also related to a higher risk of cancer. The present prospective cohort study evaluates the relation between low-grade systemic inflammation and risk of cancer in patients with stable CVD.

Methods and results

In total, 7178 patients with stable CVD and plasma CRP levels ≤10 mg/L were included. Data were linked to the Dutch national cancer registry. Cox regression models were fitted to study the relation between CRP and incident CVD and cancer. After a median follow-up time of 8.3 years (interquartile range 4.6–12.3) 1072 incident cancer diagnoses were observed. C-reactive protein concentration was related to total cancer [hazard ratio (HR) 1.35; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10–1.65] comparing last quintile to first quintile of CRP. Especially lung cancer, independent of histopathological subtype, was related to CRP (HR 3.39; 95% CI 2.02–5.69 comparing last to first quintile of CRP). Incidence of epithelial neoplasms and especially squamous cell neoplasms were related to CRP concentration, irrespective of anatomical location. Sensitivity analyses after excluding patients with a cancer diagnosis within 1, 2, and 5 years of follow-up showed similar results. No effect modification was observed by smoking status or time since smoking cessation (P-values for interaction > 0.05).

Conclusion

Chronic systemic low-grade inflammation, measured by CRP levels ≤10 mg/L, is a risk factor for incident cancer, markedly lung cancer, in patients with stable CVD. The relation between inflammation and incident cancer is seen in former and current smokers and is uncertain in never smokers.
The safety of discontinuation of oral anticoagulation therapy after apparently successful atrial fibrillation ablation: a report from the Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry study
Authors: Yang Wang-Yang , Du Xin , Jiang Chao , He Liu , Fawzy Ameenathul M , Wang Lu , Liu Chang , Xia Shi-Jun , Chang San-Shuai , Guo Xue-Yuan , Li Song-Nan , Tang Ri-Bo , Liu Nian , Bai Rong , Sang Cai-Hua , Jiang Chen-Xi , Yu Rong-Hui , Long De-Yong , Dong Jian-Zeng , Lip Gregory Y H , Ma Chang-Sheng
Published: July 2019

Aims

We aimed to investigate the safety of discontinuing oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy after apparently successful atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, using data from the Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry study.

Methods and results

We identified 4512 consecutive patients who underwent successful AF ablation between August 2011 and December 2017. Of them, 3149 discontinued OAC 3 months post-ablation (Off-OAC group) and 1363 continued OAC beyond this period (On-OAC group). Regular follow-up examinations were undertaken to detect AF recurrence, monitor OAC therapy, and measure clinical outcomes. Primary outcomes included thromboembolic and major bleeding (MB) events experienced beyond 3 months after ablation. Low thromboembolic and MB event rates were noted in the on-treatment analysis. The incidence rates for thromboembolism were 0.54 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.39–0.76] and 0.86 (95% CI 0.56–1.30) per 100 patient-years, and that for MB events were 0.19 (95% CI 0.11–0.34) and 0.35 (95% CI 0.18–0.67) per 100 patient-years, for the Off-OAC and On-OAC groups over mean follow-up periods of 24.2 ± 14.7 and 23.0 ± 13.6 months, respectively. Similar results were observed in the intention-to-treat analysis. Previous history of ischaemic stroke (IS)/transient ischaemic attack (TIA)/systemic embolism (SE) [hazard ratio (HR) 3.40, 95% CI 1.92–6.02; P < 0.01] and diabetes mellitus (HR 2.06, 95% CI 1.20–3.55, P = 0.01) were independently associated with thromboembolic events, while OAC discontinuation (HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.41–1.23, P = 0.21) remained insignificant in multivariable analysis.

Conclusions

This study suggests that it may be safe to discontinue OAC in post-ablation patients under diligent monitoring, in the absence of AF recurrence, history of IS/TIA/SE, and diabetes mellitus. However, further large-scale randomized trials are required to confirm this.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-OCH-13003729. URL: http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=5831.
Waist-to-height ratio is a useful indicator of cardio-metabolic risk in South Africa
Authors: Peer Nasheeta , Lombard Carl , Steyn Krisela , Levitt Naomi
Published: July 2019

Background

The use of waist-to-height ratio has been suggested as a better proxy indicator of central obesity.

Objective

To compare the utility of waist-to-height ratio with commonly used adiposity indices of body mass index, waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio to identify cardio-metabolic diseases in 25-74-year-old black residents of Cape Town.

Methods

This cross-sectional study, stratified for age and gender, determined cardio-metabolic abnormalities by administered questionnaires, clinical measurements and biochemical analyses, including oral glucose tolerance tests. Correlations between adiposity indices with cardio-metabolic components were examined. Age- and gender-adjusted logistic regression analyses determined the associations of obesity by these adiposity indices with cardio-metabolic abnormalities.

Results

The study comprised 392 men and 707 women. Compared with other adiposity indices, waist-to-height ratio in men correlated most closely with fasting (0.360) and 2-hour (0.388) glucose levels, total cholesterol (0.267), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (0.351) and triglycerides (0.400). In women, waist-to-height ratio correlated the best with systolic blood pressure (0.254) and diastolic blood pressure (0.287). Of the adiposity indices, waist circumference was most strongly associated with diabetes (odds ratio 4.27, 95% confidence interval: 2.39–7.62), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (2.84, 1.90–4.26) and hypertriglyceridaemia (3.60, 2.03–6.40), whereas raised waist-to-height ratio was most closely related to hypertension (1.61, 1.07–2.42), hypercholesterolaemia (1.72, 1.04–2.83) and raised low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (2.46, 1.70–3.55).

Conclusions

Compared with other adiposity indices, the better correlation of waist-to-height ratio with many cardio-metabolic components, particularly in men, and the stronger association of raised waist-to-height ratio with hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and raised low-density lipoprotein cholesterol support the utility of waist-to-height ratio in routine assessments of adiposity in this population, which may improve the identification of cardio-metabolic risk.
Multifunctional comparison of different management strategies in boreal forests
Authors: Díaz-Yáñez O , Pukkala T , Packalen P , Peltola H
Published: July 2019

In sustainable forestry, forests should produce multiple ecosystem services for society, such as timber, carbon sequestration and biodiversity. Therefore, in the evaluation of forest management strategies, we have to consider the impacts of management on several ecosystem services. In this study, we compared the effects of five different forest management strategies on timber drain, carbon stocks, carbon balance and biodiversity indicators, while maximizing economic revenues from timber production. The assessment was carried out in a boreal landscape of 43 000 ha over a 100-year calculation period. The five management strategies were rotation forest management (with thinning from below or above), continuous cover forestry, a combination of rotation forest management and continuous cover forestry and any-aged forestry. Rotation forest management with thinning from below was less profitable than the other strategies, which were close to each other in economic profitability. Rotation forest management with thinning from below was also the poorest in terms of carbon stocks, carbon balance and biodiversity indicators. Any-aged and continuous cover forestry were the best in terms of carbon sequestration and biodiversity indicators. In general, management strategies that used thinning from above and that were not restricted to rotation forest management as the only option provided more ecosystem services and were also economically profitable. Such management strategies may help to satisfy the increasing demand for diverse uses of forests.
Balancing unevenly distributed data in seismic tomography: a global adjoint tomography example
Authors: Ruan Youyi , Lei Wenjie , Modrak Ryan , Örsvuran Rıdvan , Bozdağ Ebru , Tromp Jeroen
Published: July 2019

The uneven distribution of earthquakes and stations in seismic tomography leads to slower convergence of nonlinear inversions and spatial bias in inversion results. Including dense regional arrays, such as USArray or Hi-Net, in global tomography causes severe convergence and spatial bias problems, against which conventional pre-conditioning schemes are ineffective. To save computational cost and reduce model bias, we propose a new strategy based on a geographical weighting of sources and receivers. Unlike approaches based on ray density or the Voronoi tessellation, this method scales to large full-waveform inversion problems and avoids instabilities at the edges of dense receiver or source clusters. We validate our strategy using a 2-D global waveform inversion test and show that the new weighting scheme leads to a nearly twofold reduction in model error and much faster convergence relative to a conventionally pre-conditioned inversion. We implement this geographical weighting strategy for global adjoint tomography.
Cover thickness uncertainty mapping using Bayesian estimate fusion: leveraging domain knowledge
Authors: Visser Gerhard , Markov Jelena
Published: July 2019

Thickness of cover over crystalline basement is an important consideration for mineral exploration in covered regions. It can be estimated from a variety of geophysical data types using a variety of inference methods. A robust method for combining such estimates to map the cover–basement interface over a region of interest is needed. Due to the large uncertainties involved, these need to be probabilistic maps. Predominantly, interpolation methods are used for this purpose, but these are built on simplifying assumptions about the inputs which are often inappropriate. The Bayesian estimate fusion is an alternative capable of addressing that issue by enabling more extensive use of domain knowledge about all inputs. This study is intended as a first step towards making the Bayesian estimate fusion a practical tool for cover thickness uncertainty mapping. The main contribution is to identify the types of data assumptions that are important for this problem, to demonstrate their importance using synthetic tests and to design a method that enables their use without introducing excessive tedium. We argue that interpolation methods like kriging often cannot achieve this goal and demonstrate that Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling can. This paper focuses on the development of statistical methodology and presents synthetic data tests designed to reflect realistic exploration scenarios on an abstract level. Intended application is for the early stages of exploration where some geophysical data are available while drill hole coverage is poor.
Men’s health literacy: a review and recommendations
Authors: Oliffe John L , Rossnagel Emma , Kelly Mary T , Bottorff Joan L , Seaton Cherisse , Darroch Francine
Published: July 2019

Although men’s health promotion efforts have attracted programmatic and evaluative research, conspicuously absent are gendered insights to men’s health literacy. The current scoping review article shares the findings drawn from 12 published articles addressing men’s health literacy in a range of health and illness contexts. Evident was consensus that approaches tailored to men’s everyday language and delivered in familiar community-based spaces were central to advancing men’s health literacy, and, by extension, the effectiveness of men’s health promotion programs. However, most men’s health literacy studies focussed on medical knowledge of disease contexts including prostate and colon cancers, while diversity was evident regards conceptual frameworks and/or methods and measures for evaluating men’s health literacy. Despite evidence that low levels of health literacy fuel stigma and men’s reticence for health help-seeking, and that tailoring programs to health literacy levels is requisite to effective men’s health promotion efforts, the field of men’s health literacy remains underdeveloped. Based on the scoping review findings, recommendations for future research include integrating men’s health literacy research as a needs analysis to more effectively design and evaluate targeted men’s health promotion programs.
Time-variant productivity in biomass dynamic models on seasonal and long-term scales
Authors: Mildenberger Tobias K , Berg Casper W , Pedersen Martin W , Kokkalis Alexandros , Nielsen J Rasmus
Published: July 2019

The productivity of fish populations varies naturally over time, dependent on integrated effects of abundance, ecological factors, and environmental conditions. These changes can be expressed as gradual or abrupt shifts in productivity as well as fluctuations on any time scale from seasonal oscillations to long-term changes. This study considers three extensions to biomass dynamic models that accommodate time-variant productivity in fish populations. Simulation results reveal that neglecting seasonal changes in productivity can bias derived stock sustainability reference levels and, thus, fisheries management advice. Results highlight the importance of biannual biomass indices and their timing relative to the peaks of the seasonal processes (i.e. recruitment, growth, mortality) for the estimation of seasonally time-variant productivity. The application to real-world data of the eastern Baltic cod (Gadus morhua) stock shows that the model is able to disentangle differences in seasonal fishing mortality as well as seasonal and long-term changes in productivity. The combined model with long-term and seasonally varying productivity performs significantly better than models that neglect time-variant productivity. The model extensions proposed here allow to account for time-variant productivity of fish populations leading to increased reliability of derived reference levels.
Evaluating effort regulation in mixed fisheries: a Monte Carlo approach
Authors: Liu Xiaozi , Heino Mikko
Published: July 2019

This paper evaluates whether effort regulation could achieve the goal of protecting low-abundance species in mixed fisheries. We construct a two-species bio-economic model and compare the stock abundance ratio in the end of the fishing season with the ratio prior to the fishing. Fishers’ profit maximization problem is governed by three key factors: (i) the overall efficiency of catching different species (catchability), (ii) the price of different species, and (iii) their ability to catch the favoured species separately from the less-favoured species (separability). Using a Monte Carlo sampling of feasible parameters space, we show that effort regulation has good chances (87% of the cases) of maintaining the end stock ratio near equal levels (1/2< stock ratio <2) when the initial stock ratio is equal. If the initial stock ratio is not equal, however, there is a high risk (about 50% of the cases) that effort control increases differences in the relative species abundances, rather than diminishing them. The effects depend on whether the key factors determining fishing profitability are counteracting or reinforcing each other, and their relative strength. Our results warn against placing too much faith on the ability of effort regulation to protect species at low abundances from excessive exploitation.
What Would Satisfy Us? Taking Stock of Critical Approaches to Transitional Justice
Authors: Sharp Dustin N
Published: July 2019

Abstract∞

In recent years, a distinct critical turn in transitional justice scholarship has emerged, seeking to question the naturalness and inevitability of mainstream transitional justice theory and practice and to envision a broader and more holistic project. While in many ways a positive development, this newfound critical enthusiasm risks producing an unwarranted sense of pessimism and failure. This points to the need to better manage expectations as to what ‘success’ looks like even as we try to reimagine what transitional justice could become. To these ends, I draw upon and propose revisions to Robert Cox’s famous distinction between problem-solving and critical theory. To better maintain balance and perspective, I argue for the adoption of an ‘integrated’ approach to transitional justice critique that does more to engage with the difficult tradeoffs, policy choices and contextual realities that would inevitably be associated with efforts to implement an alternative vision of transitional justice.
Natural Human Infections With Plasmodium cynomolgi and Other Malaria Species in an Elimination Setting in Sabah, Malaysia
Authors: Grignard Lynn , Shah Sonal , Chua Tock H , William Timothy , Drakeley Chris J , Fornace Kimberly M
Published: July 2019

To determine the presence and species composition of malaria infections, we screened a subset of samples collected during a cross-sectional survey in Northern Sabah, Malaysia using highly sensitive molecular techniques. Results identified 54 asymptomatic submicroscopic malaria infections, including a large cluster of Plasmodium falciparum and 3 P. knowlesi infections. We additionally identified 2 monoinfections with the zoonotic malaria Plasmodium cynomolgi, both in individuals reporting no history of forest activities or contact with macaques. Results highlight the need for improved surveillance strategies to detect these infections and determine public health impacts.
Can phenotypic data complement our understanding of antimycobacterial effects for drug combinations?
Authors: Kloprogge Frank , Hammond Robert , Copas Andrew , Gillespie Stephen H , Della Pasqua Oscar
Published: July 2019

Objectives

To demonstrate how phenotypic cell viability data can provide insight into antimycobacterial effects for the isoniazid/rifampicin treatment backbone.

Methods

Data from a Mycobacterium komossense hollow-fibre infection model comprising a growth control group, rifampicin at three different exposures (Cmax = 0.14, 0.4 and 1.47 mg/L with t½ = 1.57 h and τ = 8 h) and rifampicin plus isoniazid (Cmax rifampicin = 0.4 mg/L and Cmax isoniazid = 1.2 mg/L with t½ = 1.57 h and τ = 8 h) were used for this investigation. A non-linear mixed-effects modelling approach was used to fit conventional cfu data, quantified using solid-agar plating. Phenotypic proportions of respiring (alive), respiring but with damaged cell membrane (injured) and ‘not respiring’ (dead) cells data were quantified using flow cytometry and Sytox Green™ (Sigma–Aldrich, UK) and resazurin sodium salt staining and fitted using a multinomial logistic regression model.

Results

Isoniazid/rifampicin combination therapy displayed a decreasing overall antimicrobial effect with time (θTime1/2 = 438 h) on cfu data, in contrast to rifampicin monotherapy where this trend was absent. In the presence of isoniazid a phenotype associated with cell injury was displayed, whereas with rifampicin monotherapy a pattern of phenotypic cell death was observed. Bacterial killing onset time on cfu data correlated negatively (θTime50 = 28.9 h, θLAGRIF50 = 0.132 mg/L) with rifampicin concentration up to 0.165 mg/L and this coincided with a positive relationship between rifampicin concentration and the probability of phenotypic cell death.

Conclusions

Cell viability data provide structured information on the pharmacodynamic interaction between isoniazid and rifampicin that complements the understanding of the antibacillary effects of this mycobacterial treatment backbone.
The 2019 Garrod Lecture: MDR efflux in Gram-negative bacteria—how understanding resistance led to a new tool for drug discovery
Authors: Piddock Laura J V
Published: July 2019

The AcrAB-TolC MDR efflux system confers intrinsic MDR and overproduction confers clinically relevant resistance to some antibiotics active against Gram-negative bacteria. The system is made up of three components, namely AcrA, AcrB and TolC, otherwise known as the AcrAB-TolC tripartite system. Inactivation or deletion of a gene encoding one of the constituent proteins, or substitution of a single amino acid in the efflux pump component AcrB that results in loss of efflux function, confers increased antibiotic susceptibility. Clinically relevant resistance can be mediated by a mutation in acrB that changes the way AcrB substrates are transported. However, it is more common that resistant clinical and veterinary isolates overproduce the AcrAB-TolC MDR efflux system. This is due to mutations in genes such as marR and ramR that encode repressors of transcription factors (MarA and RamA, respectively) that when produced activate expression of the acrAB and tolC genes thereby increasing efflux. The Lon protease degrades MarA and RamA to return the level of efflux to that of the WT. Furthermore, the levels of AcrAB-TolC are regulated by CsrA. Studies with fluorescent reporters that report levels of acrAB and regulatory factors allowed the development of a new tool for discovering efflux inhibitors. Screens of the Prestwick Chemical Library and a large library from a collaborating pharmaceutical company have generated a number of candidate compounds for further research.
A 9-h CV with one outburst in 4 yr of Kepler data
Authors: Yu Zhifei , Thorstensen J R , Rappaport S , Mann A , Jacobs T , Nelson L , Gänsicke B T , LaCourse D , Borkovits T , Aiken J , Steeghs D , Toloza O , Vanderburg A , Lin D N C
Published: July 2019

During a visual search through the Kepler main-field light curves, we have discovered a cataclysmic variable (CV) that experienced only a single 4-d long outburst over four years, rising to three times the quiescent flux. During the four years of non-outburst data the Kepler photometry of KIC 5608384 exhibits ellipsoidal light variations (‘ELVs’) with a ∼12 per cent amplitude and period of 8.7 h. Follow-up ground-based spectral observations have yielded a high-quality radial velocity curve and the associated mass function. Additionally, H α emission lines were present in the spectra even though these were taken while the source was presumably in quiescence. These emission lines are at least partially eclipsed by the companion K star. We utilize the available constraints of the mass function, the ELV amplitude, Roche lobe filling condition, and inferred radius of the K star to derive the system masses and orbital inclination angle: $M_{\rm wd} \simeq 0.46 \pm 0.02 \, \mathrm{M}_\odot$, $M_{\rm K} \simeq 0.41 \pm 0.03 \, \mathrm{M}_\odot$, and i ≳ 70°. The value of Mwd is the lowest reported for any accreting WD in a CV. We have also run binary evolution models using mesa to infer the most likely parameters of the pre-cataclysmic binary. Using the mass-transfer rates from the model evolution tracks we conclude that although the rates are close to the critical value for accretion disc stability, we expect KIC 5608384 to exhibit dwarf nova outbursts. We also conclude that the accreting white dwarf most likely descended from a hot subdwarf and, most notably, that this binary is one of the first bona fide examples of a progenitor of AM CVn binaries to have evolved through the CV channel.
The haloes and environments of nearby galaxies (HERON) – I. Imaging, sample characteristics, and envelope diameters
Authors: Rich R Michael , Mosenkov Aleksandr , Lee-Saunders Henry , Koch Andreas , Kormendy John , Kennefick Julia , Brosch Noah , Sales Laura , Bullock James , Burkert Andreas , Collins Michelle , Cooper Michael , Fusco Michael , Reitzel David , Thilker David , Milewski Dave G , Elias Lydia , Saade M L , De Groot Laura
Published: July 2019

We use a dedicated 0.7-m telescope to image the haloes of 119 galaxies in the Local Volume to μr ∼ 28–30 mag arcsec−2. The sample is primarily from the Two Micron All Sky Survey Large Galaxy Atlas (Jarrett et al. 2003) and extended to include nearby dwarf galaxies and more distant giant ellipticals, and spans fully the galaxy colour–magnitude diagram including the blue cloud and red sequence. We present an initial overview, including deep images of our galaxies. Our observations reproduce previously reported low surface brightness structures, including extended plumes in M 51, and a newly discovered tidally extended dwarf galaxy in NGC 7331. Low surface brightness structures, or ‘envelopes’, exceeding 50 kpc in diameter are found mostly in galaxies with MV < −20.5, and classic interaction signatures are infrequent. Defining a halo diameter at the surface brightness 28 mag arcsec−2, we find that halo diameter is correlated with total galaxy luminosity. Extended signatures of interaction are found throughout the galaxy colour–magnitude diagram without preference for the red or blue sequences, or the green valley. Large envelopes may be found throughout the colour–magnitude diagram with some preference for the bright end of the red sequence. Spiral and S0 galaxies have broadly similar sizes, but ellipticals extend to notably greater diameters, reaching 150 kpc. We propose that the extended envelopes of disc galaxies are dominated by an extension of the disc population rather than by a classical Population II halo.
Recoiling supermassive black holes in analytical and numerical galaxy potential
Authors: Smole Majda , Micic Miroslav , Mitrašinović Ana
Published: July 2019

We follow trajectories of recoiling supermassive black holes (SMBHs) in analytical and numerical models of galaxy merger remnants with masses of 1011 M⊙ and 1012 M⊙. We construct various merger remnant galaxies in order to investigate how the central SMBH mass and the mass ratio of progenitor galaxies influence escape velocities of recoiling SMBHs. Our results show that static analytical models of major merger remnant galaxies overestimate the SMBHs escape velocities. During major mergers violent relaxation leads to the decrease of galaxy mass and lower potential at large remnant radii. This process is not depicted in static analytical potential but clearly seen in our numerical models. Thus, the evolving numerical model is a more realistic description of dynamical processes in galaxies with merging SMBHs. We find that SMBH escape velocities in numerical major merger remnant galaxies can be up to 25 per cent lower compared to those in analytical models. Consequently, SMBHs in numerical models generally reach greater galactocentric distances and spend more time on bound orbits outside of the galactic nuclei. Thus, numerical models predict a greater number of spatially offset active galactic nuclei (AGNs).
A high signal-to-noise HST spectrum towards J1009+0713: precise absorption measurements in the CGM of two galaxies
Authors: Lochhaas Cassandra , Mathur Smita , Frank Stephan , Som Debopam , Krongold Yair , Kulkarni Varsha , Weinberg David H , Nicastro Fabrizio , Gupta Anjali
Published: July 2019

High signal-to-noise spectra towards background quasars are crucial for uncovering weak absorption in the circumgalactic medium (CGM) of intervening galaxies, such as the diagnostic lines of N v that provide insight to the ionization process of warm gas but typically have low equivalent widths. We present a new spectrum from the Hubble Space Telescope with a signal-to-noise ratio of ∼20–35 towards the quasar SDSS J1009+0713 and analyse absorption systems in the CGM of two L⋆ galaxies close to the line of sight. We identify additional absorption in the CGM of these galaxies that was not reported by the previous lower signal-to-noise spectrum, as well as Milky Way absorbers and quasar outflows from J1009+0713. We measure log (NN v/NO vi) ∼ −1.1 for two CGM absorbers, inconsistent with gas in collisional ionization equilibrium and consistent with a radiatively cooling bulk flow of ∼50–150 km s−1, which could be produced by galactic winds. These column density ratios are also consistent with those found for other L⋆ galaxies and for some gas in the Milky Way’s halo. We place upper limits of log (NN v/NO vi) < −1.8 to −1.2 for other O vi absorbers in the same haloes, which suggests that O vi is produced by different processes in different parts of the CGM, even within the same galactic halo. Together with the kinematically different structure of high- and low-ionization lines, these results indicate there are many components to a single galaxy’s gaseous halo. We find the redshift number density of Ly α forest absorbers and broad Ly α absorbers are consistent with expectations at this redshift.
Candidates for non-pulsating stars located in the Cepheid instability strip in the Large Magellanic Cloud based on Strömgren photometry
Authors: Narloch Weronika , Pietrzyński G , Kołaczkowski Z , Smolec R , Górski M , Kubiak M , Udalski A , Soszyński I , Graczyk D , Gieren W , Karczmarek P , Zgirski B , Wielgórski P , Suchomska K , Pilecki B , Taormina M , Kałuszyński M
Published: July 2019

We present candidates for non-pulsating stars lying in the classical Cepheid instability strip based on the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE) photometric maps combined with Strömgren photometry obtained with the 4.1-m Southern Astrophysical Research (SOAR) telescope, and Gaia Data Release 2 data in four fields in the Large Magellanic Cloud. We selected 19 candidates in total. After analysis of their light curves from OGLE surveys we found that all these stars appear to be photometrically stable at the level of a few mmag. Our results show that non-pulsating stars might constitute to about $21\!-\!30\, {\rm per\, cent}$ of the whole sample of giant stars located in the classical instability strip. Furthermore, we identified potential candidates for classical Cepheids with hot companions based on their Strömgren colours.
Resolved scaling relations and metallicity gradients on sub-kiloparsec scales at z ≈ 1
Authors: Patrício V , Richard J , Carton D , Péroux C , Contini T , Brinchmann J , Schaye J , Weilbacher P M , Nanayakkara T , Maseda M , Mahler G , Wisotzki L
Published: July 2019

The existence of a spatially resolved star-forming main sequence (rSFMS) and a spatially resolved mass–metallicity relation (rMZR) is now well established for local galaxies. Moreover, gradients with metallicity decreasing with radius seem to be common in local disc galaxies. These observations suggest that galaxy formation is a self-regulating process, and provide constraints for galaxy evolution models. Studying the evolution of these relations at higher redshifts is still, however, very challenging. In this paper, we analyse three gravitationally lensed galaxies at z = 0.6, 0.7, and 1, observed with MUSE and SINFONI. These galaxies are highly magnified by galaxy clusters, which allow us to observe resolved scaling relations and metallicity gradients on physical scales of a couple of hundred parsecs, comparable to studies of local galaxies. We confirm that the rSFMS is already in place at these redshifts on sub-kpc scales, and establish, for the first time, the existence of the rMZR at higher redshifts. We develop a forward-modelling approach to fit 2D metallicity gradients of multiply imaged lensed galaxies in the image plane, and derive gradients of −0.027 ± 0.003, −0.019 ± 0.003, and −0.039 ± 0.060 dex kpc−1. Despite the fact that these are clumpy galaxies, typical of high-redshift discs, the metallicity variations in the galaxies are well described by global linear gradients, and we do not see any difference in metallicity associated with the star-forming clumps.