bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Percutaneous Radiofrequency Facet Rhizotomy – Experience with 118 Procedures and Reappraisal of its Value
Authors: Tzaan Wen-Ching , Tasker Ronald R.
Published: May 2019

Background:

There have been many reports of percutaneous radiofrequency facet rhizotomy, perhaps better referred to as facet denervation, usually performed under general anaesthesia, with inconsistent success rates.

Objectives:

To report the authors' outcome data using both general and local anaesthesia and to reassess the value of this controversial procedure.

Methods:

Our experience with 118 consecutive percutaneous radiofrequency facet rhizotomies performed on 90 patients in the Toronto Western Hospital was analyzed. Sixty percent of the procedures were performed under general anaesthesia, 40% under local anaesthesia. All patients had been temporarily virtually relieved of pain after local anaesthetic blockade of the subject facets by an independent radiologist.

Results:

The patients were monitored from 1 - 33 (mean 5.6) months after surgery, with complete elimination or a greater than 50% subjective reduction of pain considered the criteria for success. For the first or only procedure this was 41% overall, 37% in cases done under local anaesthesia, 46% in cases done under general anaesthesia (difference not statistically significant p=0.52). There was no statistically significant difference in success rates for procedures performed in the cervical, thoracic or lumbosacral facets, with unilateral versus bilateral denervations, when two to three as compared with more than three facets were denervated, nor for operations done in patients who had had previous spinal surgery compared with those who had not. Results were not better regardless of whether hyperextension of the spine aggravated the patient's preoperative pain or not, and when the procedures were repeated in the same patient outcomes tended to be consistent, arguing against repetition of failed facet denervations. The morbidity was low, the chief problem being sensory loss and transient neuropathic pain in the distribution of cutaneous branches of posterior rami in the cervical and thoracic areas; mortality was zero.

Conclusions:

Percutaneous radiofrequency facet denervation is simple and safe, still worth considering in patients with disabling spinal pain that fails to respond to conservative treatment. The use of general anaesthesia shortens the operating time and the patient's discomfort without impairing success rate.
Cognitive Function in Nigerians with Newly Diagnosed Epilepsy
Authors: Ogunrin Olubunmi , Adamolekun B. , Ogunniyi A. O. , Aldenkamp A. P.
Published: May 2019

Objective:

The objective of this study was to evaluate the pattern of cognitive disturbances in Nigerian Africans with newly diagnosed epilepsy, prior to onset of drug therapy.

Methods:

A total of 60 consecutive patients (mean age 31.6 ± 17.4, range 14 - 55 years) presenting with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy were recruited for the study. Sixty healthy volunteers without a history of epilepsy and who were age-, sex- and level of education matched with the epileptic patients, were recruited as controls. The administration of cognitive tests was done with the FePsy computerized neuropsychological test battery. The tests administered were the visual and auditory reaction times, the continuous performance test and the recognition memory tests to assess mental speed, attention and memory respectively. The means of the cognitive performances of the epileptic patients and controls were statistically compared.

Results:

Epileptic patients performed worse than the controls across the spectrum of cognitive tasks assessed (P = 0.00001; P < 0.025), with the exception of the β parameter (response bias) of the vigilance test (P = 0.488; P> 0.025).

Conclusions:

The cognitive impairments of short-term memory, psychomotor speed and sustained attention observed in this study are similar to those reported in the literature for patients with epilepsy. The results of this study will be useful in the counseling of patients on their educational, social and vocational needs.
The Effect of Light Projections for Wayfinding Purposes within an Airport Context
Authors: Tezcan Petek , Hiemstra-van Mastrigt Suzanne
Published: May 2019

An airport can be a stressful place for passengers. One of the reasons to get stressed might be the result of poor wayfinding. Current wayfinding signs are often static, which makes them difficult to adapt to new situations. In contrast, dynamic signs can be updated and adjusted accordingly. Light projections can be used as dynamic signs. The aim of this study is to understand if the use of animated projections onto the floor can improve the wayfinding experience. Four animations have been developed and tested within a controlled testing environment of which one animation has been tested in a real airport environment. Results indicate that animation for wayfinding purposes should show a clear vertical motion to guide towards a certain direction. Additionally, higher velocity in the animation was perceived as more positive. The observation in the airport showed that a projection in clear daylight and on the floor is not noticed by the passengers walking by.
Plasma homovanillic acid, noradrenaline and psychotic symptoms in chronically medicated schizophrenic in patients
Authors: Kaneda Y. , Fujii A.
Published: May 2019

Objective:

The authors investigated plasma homovanillic acid (HVA) levels and noradrenaline (NA) in chronically medicated schizophrenic inpatients.

Methods:

The subjects were 55 inpatients who were diagnosed according to the DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia. Nine normal subjects were compared to the patient group. Each patient gave informed consent for the research involved in this study. Psychiatric symptoms were assessed using the BPRS.

Results:

(1) The medicated schizophrenic inpatients had significantly greater plasma NA levels, and higher but nonsignificant plasma HVA levels than the normal subjects.

(2) In patients, there was a positive but nonsignificant correlation between the plasma NA levels and positive symptomatology. In contrast, plasma HVA levels were not correlated with either positive or negative symptomatology.

Conclusion:

On the basis of these results, we hypothesize that, mainly because of their catecholaminergic dysfunction, there is an increase in plasma NA and a tendency for increased plasma HVA in patients with chronic schizophrenia, regardless of long-term neuroleptic medication.
Parsing neurodevelopmental features of irritability and anxiety: Replication and validation of a latent variable approach
Authors: Cardinale Elise M. , Kircanski Katharina , Brooks Julia , Gold Andrea L. , Towbin Kenneth E. , Pine Daniel S. , Leibenluft Ellen , Brotman Melissa A.
Published: May 2019

Irritability and anxiety are two common clinical phenotypes that involve high-arousal negative affect states (anger and fear), and that frequently co-occur. Elucidating how these two forms of emotion dysregulation relate to perturbed neurodevelopment may benefit from alternate phenotyping strategies. One such strategy applies a bifactor latent variable approach that can parse shared versus unique mechanisms of these two phenotypes. Here, we aim to replicate and extend this approach and examine associations with neural structure in a large transdiagnostic sample of youth (N= 331;M= 13.57,SD= 2.69 years old; 45.92% male). FreeSurfer was used to extract cortical thickness, cortical surface area, and subcortical volume. The current findings replicated the bifactor model and demonstrate measurement invariance as a function of youth age and sex. There were no associations of youth's factor scores with cortical thickness, surface area, or subcortical volume. However, we found strong convergent and divergent validity between parent-reported irritability and anxiety factors with clinician-rated symptoms and impairment. A general negative affectivity factor was robustly associated with overall functional impairment across symptom domains. Together, these results support the utility of the bifactor model as an alternative phenotyping strategy for irritability and anxiety, which may aid in the development of targeted treatments.
Early life stress, cortisol, frontolimbic connectivity, and depressive symptoms during puberty
Authors: Kircanski Katharina , Sisk Lucinda M. , Ho Tiffany C. , Humphreys Kathryn L. , King Lucy S. , Colich Natalie L. , Ordaz Sarah J. , Gotlib Ian H.
Published: May 2019

Early life stress (ELS) is a risk factor for the development of depression in adolescence; the mediating neurobiological mechanisms, however, are unknown. In this study, we examined in early pubertal youth the associations among ELS, cortisol stress responsivity, and white matter microstructure of the uncinate fasciculus and the fornix, two key frontolimbic tracts; we also tested whether and how these variables predicted depressive symptoms in later puberty. A total of 208 participants (117 females;Mage = 11.37 years;MTanner stage = 2.03) provided data across two or more assessment modalities: ELS; salivary cortisol levels during a psychosocial stress task; diffusion magnetic resonance imaging; and depressive symptoms. In early puberty there were significant associations between higher ELS and decreased cortisol production, and between decreased cortisol production and increased fractional anisotropy in the uncinate fasciculus. Further, increased fractional anisotropy in the uncinate fasciculus predicted higher depressive symptoms in later puberty, above and beyond earlier symptoms. In post hoc analyses, we found that sex moderated several additional associations. We discuss these findings within a broader conceptual model linking ELS, emotion dysregulation, and depression across the transition through puberty, and contend that brain circuits implicated in the control of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis function should be a focus of continued research.
Accumulation of sugars during the onset and development of desiccation tolerance in immature seeds of Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.) stored moist
Authors: Hong T.D. , Gedebo A. , Ellis R.H.
Published: May 2019

The viability of Norway maple seeds collected 21 d before mass maturity (68%moisture content, wet basis) and at mass maturity (56% moisture content) was reduced from 52–85% to 0–7% if dried rapidly (at 10–12% r.h. and 15–17°C for 3 d, then 3 d over silica gel) to 4–5% moisture content. Moist storage of the fruits at 15°C improved the ability of the seeds to tolerate rapid desiccation considerably: 10 and 21 d of moist storage enabled seeds collected at mass maturity or 21 d earlier, respectively, to attain maximum desiccation tolerance to 4–5% moisture content. Moist storage and/or subsequent desiccation affected stachyose, sucrose, and to a lesser extent raffinose, concentrations. The oligosaccharide:total sugar ratio showed a similar pattern in relation to ability to germinate after desiccation to 4–5% moisture content among seeds collected on both dates: desiccation tolerance developed from nil to maximal in these seed populations between threshold oligosaccharide:total sugar values of just less than 0.3 and about 0.4.
Beyond apologies: The Stolen Generations and the Churches
Authors: Briskman Linda
Published: May 2019

The complicity of state and church in the removal and placement of Aboriginal children in Australia has been well documented. Since the investigation by the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families, a number of churches have apologised for their participation in these practices. Alongside the apologies, churches have engaged in activities of reconciliation. This paper documents a research project, commissioned by the Minajalku Aboriginal Corporation, to explore the role of churches and church agencies in Victoria.
Evaluation of fattening performances and carcass characteristics of purebred, first and second cross lambs between Moroccan Timahdite, D’man and improved meat rams
Authors: M. El Fadili  , Michaux C. , Detilleux J. , Leroy P.L.
Published: May 2019

Fattening performance and carcass characteristics were evaluated in 202 lambs sired by D’man (D), Timahdite (T) and terminal sires of the Ile-de-France (IF), Lacaune (L), and Mérinos Précoce (MP) breeds. Previous results had suggested that the three latter improved breeds had relatively similar growth and carcass performance in crossbreeding. They were, therefore, pooled in this study into one meat group breed (M) to facilitate comparisons between the five genotypes of interest: two purebreds (T, D), two single crosses (D ✕ T (DT), M ✕ T), and one three-breed cross (M ✕ DT). Results showed important improvements of performance in crossbred lambs especially those sired by meat breed rams. M ✕ T and M ✕ DT lambs grew fastest (238 and 256 g/day, respectively) and showed the best food conversion ratio. D purebred lambs realized the lowest fattening gains (196 g/day) while, T and D ✕ T lambs were intermediate (209 and 218 g/day, respectively). The D lambs deposited relatively more internal fat and relatively less subcutaneous backfat, and their carcasses had the lowest conformation score and smallest longissimus muscle area (11·23 cm2). The carcasses of M ✕ T and M ✕ DT crossbred lambs had larger longissimus muscle areas 13·97 and 13·88 cm2, respectively, thicker subcutaneous fat cover and better conformation scores than other genotypes. The effects of M as a terminal sire breed were favourable for the majority of fattening and carcass characteristics. The absence of differences between M ✕ T and M ✕ DT genotypes on post-weaning growth, food conversion ratio and on objective and subjective measurements of carcass conformation indicated that the infusion of 25% of D genes in M ✕ DT lambs did not affect post-weaning growth and carcass traits. The results on the use of M sires and DT dams, which have above average reproductive rates, in M ✕ DT crossbreeding indicate that a two-stage crossbreeding system could enhance the quantity and the quality of meat sheep production in Morocco.
Factors influencing beef eating quality 2. Effects of nutritional regimen and genotype on muscle fibre characteristics
Authors: Maltin C.A. , Lobley G.E. , Grant C.M. , Miller L.A. , Kyle D.J. , Horgan G.W. , Matthews K.R. , Sinclair K.D.
Published: May 2019

Eighteen purebred steers of three genotypes, Aberdeen Angus (AA), Charolais (CH) and Holstein (HO), were divided within genotype into three groups of six animals and offered one of three different levels of feeding either moderate (M/M) or high (H/H) both for 20 weeks or moderate for the first 10 weeks followed by high for the remaining 10 weeks (M/H). Growth rates during the final 10 weeks of the experimental period differed between dietary regimen (M/M = 0·87; M/H = 1·25; and H/H = 1·02 kg/day; s.e.d. = 0·08;P< 0·001). Over the entire 20 week experimental period animals offered the M/M level of feeding grew more slowly (0·97 kg/day) than those offered the M/H and H/H level of feeding (1·20 kg/day; s.e.d. = 0·06;P< 0·001). Mean growth rates for CH, HO and AA steers were 1·21, 1·13 and 1·03 kg/day (s.e.d. = 0·06;P< 0·05). The animals were all slaughtered at a fixed age of 18 months, according to the Meat and Livestock Commission Blueprint for beef and, 48 h post mortem, samples of m. longissimus lumborum (LL) and m. vastus lateralis (VL) were removed for analyses.

Muscle fibres were classified histochemically, according to their contractile and metabolic properties, and muscle fibre size was measured. Fibre type frequency was calculated and, in LL, the total fibre number of the muscle was estimated. There was little impact of feeding level, or consequentially growth rate, on muscle fibre frequency and size. The effects seen were confined mainly to LL where there were significant differences between the M/M and H/ H groups with respect to fast twitch glycolytic fibres (mean % frequency (M/M = 40·1 and H/H = 44·3; s.e.d. = 1·4;P< 0·01); mean % area (M/M = 51·9 and H/H 56·0; s.e.d. = 1·5;P< 0·05)) and apparent total fibre number (M/ M = 35·0; and H/H = 41·9 ✕ 104; s.e.d. = 1·7;P< 0·05) which were greater in H/H than in M/M groups. However, in both LL and VL the predominant differences were related to genotype; in particular, overall fibre size was smallest in CH, while slow oxidative (SO; type I) fibre area was highest in AA. For LL, analysis across all animals showed a positive relationship between SO area, % area, % frequency and overall acceptability of meat at 14 days as evaluated by a trained sensory panel. No such relationship was observed for VL. The data suggest that in this study manipulation of feeding level has only a small impact on muscle fibre characteristics and that the differences between genotype and muscle type may be more important in determining the variability of overall acceptability than growth rate.
Effect of supplemental levels of chromium picolinate on the growth performance, serum traits, carcass characteristics and lipid metabolism of growing-finishing pigs
Authors: Lien T.-F. , Wu C.-P. , Wang B.-J. , Shiao M.-S. , Shiao T.-Y. , Lin B.-H. , Lu J.-J. , Hu C.-Y.
Published: May 2019

This study investigated the effect of chromium picolinate supplementation on growth performance, carcass characteristics and lipid metabolism of growing-finishing pigs. Sixty Landrace ✕ Yorkshire ✕ Duroc (LYD) pigs with a mean initial body weight of 46·65 (s.e. 6·72) kg were randomly allocated into three groups with two replicates. They were supplemented with 0 , 200, or 400 μg/kg (ppb) chromium in the organic form of chromium picolinate for 90 days. Supplementation with chromium picolinate in the pigs’ ration improved their growth performance, enhanced average daily gain (P< 0·05), and increased their food consumption, especially in the 200 ppb group (P> 0·05). Chromium picolinate supplementation also improved carcass characteristics, as the average back fat thickness was reduced and the loin-eye area was enhanced (P< 0·05). The serum chromium concentration in the chromium picolinate supplemented groups was approximately twice that of the controls (P< 0·05). Supplementation with chromium also markedly reduced serum total cholesterol, triacylglycerol (TG) and urea concentrations in the pig serum (P< 0·05). Serum insulin was significantly decreased in the 400 ppb group, while serum glucose was decreased in the 200 ppb group (P< 0·05). Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) was reduced and low density lipoprotein (LDL) was increased in the chromium supplementation group. Meanwhile, the high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and VLDL-cholesterol were markedly increased, while LDL-cholesterol was significantly diminished (P< 0·05) in the 200 ppb group. The adipocyte diameter and volume in the chromium-supplemented groups tended to be larger than in the control (P= 0·07). In vitro studies indicated that incorporation of [u,14C]glucose into total lipids (P< 0·05) was increased by chromium supplementation. However, there were no lipolysis differences among the groups (P> 0·05). The carcasses of the pigs that received the chromium supplemented ration contained less oleic acid (C18 : 1) and total unsaturated fatty acids (P< 0·05). On the other hand, the total saturated fatty acid content was higher than that of the controls (P< 0·05). Results in this study demonstrate that chromium picolinate supplementation in pigs has several beneficial effects.
Blood leptin concentrations in Japanese Black cattle
Authors: Tokuda T. , Yano H.
Published: May 2019

The objective of this study was to examine the changes of serum leptin levels in heifers and steers during fattening. Seven steers and seven heifers at 14 months of age were used in the experiment. Live weight and serum leptin levels were determined at 2-month intervals. Initial live weight was greater in steers than heifers and a similar trend of growth was recorded during the experiment. As a result, live weight was higher in the steers than in the heifers during the experiment. Serum leptin concentration in both groups increased during the experiment and reached optimum level at 22 months of age and did not change thereafter. The increase in serum leptin level was more marked in heifers and leptin level was higher (P < 0·05) in heifers than steers between 18 and 26 months of age. The results suggest that serum leptin level increases during fattening in cattle and the trend is possibly affected by gender.
Physiological and behavioural responses in blue foxes (Alopex lagopus) : comparisons between space quantity and floor material
Authors: Korhonen H. , Jauhiainen L. , Niemelä P. , Harri M. , R. Sauna-aho
Published: May 2019

Welfare-related physiological and behavioural responses were studied in farmbred blue foxes (Alopex lagopus). Comparisons in space quantity were made between two different-sized shed cages (50 cm long (W50) and 120 cm long (W120); each 105 cm wide ✕ 70 cm high) and for one out-of-shed pen (5 m long ✕ 3 m wide ✕ 1·8 m high; W500). Each option had a wire-mesh floor. Furthermore, we tested how floor material affects responses by comparing the W500 foxes in wire-mesh floor pens with foxes housed in earthen floor pens (E500: 5 m long ✕ 3 m wide ✕ 1·8 m high). Each test group comprised 20 juvenile males maintained in pairs. The experiments lasted from weaning in July to pelting in December. Final body weights of the W500 foxes were significantly lower than those of the W50 or W120 foxes. Claw length of back foot was longer for E500 than for W500 foxes. Posture of front feet was the most folded for W50 and the least folded for E500 foxes. Breaking strength of tibia was highest for foxes housed on the earthen floor (E500). Gastrocnemius muscle succinate dehydrogenase activity tended to decrease and the number of leucocytes tended to increase with cage size. Alanine-aminotransferase and aspartate-amino transferase activities were significantly higher in foxes housed in shed cages (W50, W120) than in enclosures (W500, E500). Creatine-kinase activity tended to decline with increasing cage size. Highest and lowest open field activity was found for E500 and W50 foxes in both wire-mesh and earthen floor test arenas. Some differences were found in body weight-related organ sizes between groups. Heart weight was significantly higher in W500 than in W50 or W120 foxes. Brain weight was significantly lower in W50 than in W500 foxes. Liver weight increased with increasing cage size. Capture time was significantly lower for W50 and W120 foxes than for W500 or E500 foxes. Cortisol levels after capture were significantly higher in foxes from enclosures (W500, E500) than in those from shed cages (W50, W120), but after ACTH stimulation the levels were similar in each group. Rectal temperatures after restraint were highest in foxes from W500. Fur properties of W500 and E500 foxes were poorer than those of W50 or W120 foxes.
A genetic analysis of maternal behaviour score in Scottish Blackface sheep
Authors: Lambe N. R. , Conington J. , Bishop S. C. , Waterhouse A. , Simm G.
Published: May 2019

Under field conditions, ewe behaviour was quantified by maternal behaviour score (MBS)-a six-point scale which assesses ewe flight distance when lambs are handled for the first time, within 24 h of birth (adapted from O’Connor et al., 1985). MBS was measured on 847 Scottish Blackface ewes on two experimental hill farms, over a maximum of four parities. Live weights of lambs born to these ewes were measured at birth, marking (average age of 42 days) and weaning (average age of 120 days).

MBS was significantly higher ( P < 0·05) for ewes with more lambing experience (multiparous ewes), for older ewes and for twin-bearing ewes compared with ewes with single lambs. MBS was under genetic control ( h2 = 0·13, permanent environmental effect = 0·19, when analysed as the same trait across parities) and the repeatability was 0·32.

MBS had no significant effects on weight gain of lambs. However, a moderate, positive genetic correlation was estimated between MBS and the average weight gained by lambs from birth to marking ( rg = 0·4, s.e. 0·22), although the genetic correlation estimated between MBS and weight gained to weaning was close to zero ( rg = 0·02, s.e. 0·16). Ewes with a MBS of 1 (ewe flees and does not return to her lambs) had significantly more lambs dying before marking and weaning than ewes with a higher maternal behaviour score. Selection to reduce the proportion of ewes in this category may therefore be beneficial.
A multilayer substrate integrated filter using dual dielectric modes
Authors: Yuan Xiao-Xiao , Zhou Li-Heng , Chen Jian-Xin
Published: May 2019

In this paper, a novel multilayer substrate integrated dual-mode dielectric resonator (DR) filter is proposed. The square dual-mode DR is made of the high permittivity substrate by removing the undesired portions and the surface coppers so that the relatively high unloaded quality factor of the dominate TM11 pair can be obtained which compared to these fully dielectric-filled substrate integrated waveguides. Meanwhile, it can be easily integrated in an equivalent cavity implemented by multilayer printed circuit boards for filter design, showcasing low in-band loss, light weight, and compact size. For demonstration, a multilayer substrate integrated DR bandpass filter centered at X-band is designed and measured. Good agreement between the simulated and measured results can be observed, and the measured insertion loss at the passband center frequency (8.38 GHz) is 1.1 dB.
The discovery of beri-beri and scurvy vitamins – two hundred and two years from its discovery
Authors: Piro Anna , Tagarell Antonio , Quattrone Aldo
Published: May 2019

Abstract. The history of the discovery of vitamins was the history of their deficiency disorders. Casimir Funk, the father of vitaminic therapy, studied the interrelationships in the human body of those elements that Christiaan Eijkman demonstrated in animals, particularly birds. In 1911, he designated these factors vitamins (vita = life and amine, a nitrogenous substance essential for life); this name was accepted by the scientific community in 1912. Here, we intend to give an illustrative view on the early days of vitamin research as carried out by Casimir Funk.
Factors Associated With Increased Dissemination of Positive Mental Health Messaging On Social Media
Authors: Sumner Steven A. , Bowen Daniel A. , Bartholow Brad
Published: May 2019

Abstract. Background: The dissemination of positive messages about mental health is a key goal of organizations and individuals. Aims: Our aim was to examine factors that predict increased dissemination of such messages. Method: We analyzed 10,998 positive messages authored on Twitter and studied factors associated with messages that are shared (re-tweeted) using logistic regression. Characteristics of the account, message, linguistic style, sentiment, and topic were examined. Results: Less than one third of positive messages (31.7%) were shared at least once. In adjusted models, accounts that posted a greater number of messages were less likely to have any single message shared. Messages about military-related topics were 60% more likely to be shared (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.6, 95% CI [1.1, 2.1]) as well as messages containing achievement-related keywords (AOR = 1.6, 95% CI [1.3, 1.9]). Conversely, positive messages explicitly addressing eating/food, appearance, and sad affective states were less likely to be shared. Multiple other message characteristics influenced sharing. Limitations: Only messages on a single platform and over a focused period of time were analyzed. Conclusion: A knowledge of factors affecting dissemination of positive mental health messages may aid organizations and individuals seeking to promote such messages online.
Fault Initiation in Serpentinite
Authors: Melosh Benjamin L.
Published: May 2019

Serpentinite fault rheology is fundamental to tectonic and earthquake processes, yet links between deformation textures and strength evolution during fault initiation are poorly constrained. Here I present field and petrographic microstructural observations of unsheared and sheared serpentinite that demonstrate a progression of fault development. I compliment observations with a clast‐size distribution analysis to investigate the evolution of fault rigidity and a numerical model to query the stress distribution of a clast‐in‐matrix geometry. Unsheared microstructures reveal well‐aligned, elongate serpentine in the matrix and short, randomly oriented serpentine in clasts. Sheared matrix displays cataclastic textures, discrete brittle surfaces, dissolution bands, and ductile textures defined by anastomosing networks of well‐aligned, fine‐grained serpentine. During fault initiation, matrix serpentine anisotropy promotes slip on basal planes or fiber aggregates, and clast‐on‐clast interactions drive a high bulk viscosity prone to stick‐slip behavior. As deformation progresses, clast fracturing is focused at clast tips, and smaller clasts are preferentially removed by dissolution‐precipitation processes, increasing the relative abundance of matrix and promoting fault creep. Strain is continually focused in the matrix and as clast content reduces the bulk viscosity drops. This study reveals that viscosity contrasts formed by primary serpentinization textures are a major driver for the development and strength evolution of faults. On a continental‐scale, similar processes may govern earthquake distributions, fault growth, and segmentation patterns on young, serpentinite‐hosted faults.
Impulsive Source of the 2017 MW=7.3 Ezgeleh, Iran, Earthquake
Authors: Gombert B. , Duputel Z. , Shabani E. , Rivera L. , Jolivet R. , Hollingsworth J.
Published: May 2019

On 12 November 2017, a MW=7.3 earthquake struck near the Iranian town of Ezgeleh, at the Iran‐Iraq border. This event was located within the Zagros fold and thrust belt which delimits the continental collision between the Arabian and Eurasian Plates. Despite a high seismic risk, the seismogenic behavior of the complex network of active faults is not well documented in this area due to the long recurrence interval of large earthquakes. In this study, we jointly invert interferometric synthetic aperture radar and near‐field strong motions to infer a kinematic slip model of the rupture. The incorporation of these near‐field observations enables a fine resolution of the kinematic rupture process. It reveals an impulsive seismic source with a strong southward rupture directivity, consistent with significant damage south of the epicenter. We also show that the slip direction does not match plate convergence, implying that some of the accumulated strain must be partitioned onto other faults.
Viscoelastic Modeling of Nocturnal Thermal Fracturing in a Himalayan Debris‐Covered Glacier
Authors: Podolskiy Evgeny A. , Fujita Koji , Sunako Sojiro , Sato Yota
Published: May 2019

Recent observations suggest that the nocturnal thermal fracturing of ice occurs at relatively warm temperatures (above −15 °C) at a high‐altitude Himalayan glacier system unless the ice is shielded by a debris mantle. Here we estimate the stresses induced by diurnal temperature variations using viscous, elastic, and two viscoelastic models, and various thicknesses of the debris mantle. Only the elastic and visco‐elastic models are in agreement with the observations. The timing and amplitudes of the stresses in the upper 15 cm of the glacier are different among the models despite the ability of each approach to predict a diurnal increase in tension exceeding the critical threshold proposed for crevasse formation. For example, the elastic stress is several times larger than the viscous stress at the ice surface (650 vs. 250 kPa) and reaches its peak up to 5–6 hr later in the night. The time lag is in line with the seismic records, suggesting that the viscous model is not appropriate. Furthermore, a debris layer of ≥50 cm in thickness suppresses the diurnal fluctuations in thermal stress and therefore protects the ice from mechanical damage. We suggest that high‐amplitude diurnal cooling and weak ice properties due to weathering are essential factors that influence thermal fracturing in the Himalayan environment. The ongoing expansion of seismic networks into cryospheric regions, which will be capable of detecting local thermal‐contraction‐induced cracks, in combination with the fact that such cracks can erode and weaken the ice, and thereby serve as meltwater and heat channels, warrants further research to better understand these near‐surface processes and to monitor ice properties.
Nitrogen Cycle Patterns During Forest Regrowth in an African Miombo woodland Landscape
Authors: Mayes Marc , Melillo Jerry , Neill Christopher , Palm Cheryl , Mustard Jack , Nyadzi Gerson
Published: May 2019

Tropical dry forests in eastern and southern Africa cover 2.5 × 106 km2, support wildlife habitat and livelihoods of more than 150 million people, and face threats from land use and climate change. To inform conservation, we need better understanding of ecosystem processes like nutrient cycling that regulate forest productivity and biomass accumulation. Here we report on patterns in nitrogen (N) cycling across a 100‐year forest regrowth chronosequence in the Tanzanian Miombo woodlands. Soil and vegetation indicators showed that low ecosystem N availability for trees persisted across young to mature forests. Ammonium dominated soil mineral N pools from 0‐ to 15‐cm depth. Laboratory‐measured soil N mineralization rates across 3‐ to 40‐year regrowth sites showed no significant trends and were lower than mature forest rates. Aboveground tree N pools increased at 6 to 7 kg N·ha−1·yr−1, accounting for the majority of ecosystem N accumulation. Foliar δ15N <0‰ in an N‐fixing canopy tree across all sites suggested that N fixation may contribute to ecosystem N cycle recovery. These results contrast N cycling in wetter tropical and Neotropical dry forests, where indicators of N scarcity diminish after several decades of regrowth. Our findings suggest that minimizing woody biomass removal, litter layer, and topsoil disturbance may be important to promote N cycle recovery and natural regeneration in Miombo woodlands. Higher rates of N mineralization in the wet season indicated a potential that climate change‐altered rainfall leading to extended dry periods may lower N availability through soil moisture‐dependent N mineralization pathways, particularly for mature forests.
Warm Water Is Rapidly Eroding Antarctica’s Ross Ice Shelf
Authors: Kornei Katherine
Published: May 2019

The underside of the world’s largest ice shelf is melting—by meters per year in some places—because of the seasonal inflow of water heated by the Sun, observations of the White Continent reveal.�
Pattern Extraction of Topsoil and Subsoil Heterogeneity and Soil‐Crop Interaction Using Unsupervised Bayesian Machine Learning: An Application to Satellite‐Derived NDVI Time Series and Electromagnetic Induction Measurements
Authors: Wang Hui , Wellmann Florian , Zhang Tianqi , Schaaf Alexander , Kanig Robin Maximilian , Verweij Elizabeth , von Hebel Christian , van der Kruk Jan
Published: May 2019

The link between remotely sensed surface vegetation performances with the heterogeneity of subsurface physical properties is investigated by means of a Bayesian unsupervised learning approach. This question has considerable relevance and practical implications for precision agriculture as visible spatial differences in crop development and yield are often directly related to horizontal and vertical variations in soil texture caused by, for example, complex deposition/erosion processes. In addition, active and relict geomorphological settings, such as floodplains and buried paleochannels, can cast significant complexity into surface hydrology and crop modeling. This also requires a better approach to detect, quantify, and analyze topsoil and subsoil heterogeneity and soil‐crop interaction. In this work, we introduce a novel unsupervised Bayesian pattern recognition framework to address the extraction of these complex patterns. The proposed approach is first validated using two synthetic data sets and then applied to real‐world data sets of three test fields, which consists of satellite‐derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) time series and proximal soil measurement data acquired by a multireceiver electromagnetic induction geophysical system. We show, for the first time, how the similarity and joint spatial patterns between crop NDVI time series and soil electromagnetic induction information can be extracted in a statistically rigorous means, and the associated heterogeneity and correlation can be analyzed in a quantitative manner. Some preliminary results from this study improve our understanding the link of above surface crop performance with the heterogeneous subsurface. Additional investigations have been planned for further testing the validity and generalization of these findings.
Longitudinal Gradients in Tree Stem Greenhouse Gas Concentrations Across Six Pacific Northwest Coastal Forests
Authors: Ward N.D. , Indivero J. , Gunn C. , Wang W. , Bailey V. , McDowell N.G.
Published: May 2019

The aim of this study was to examine the magnitude of greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in tree stems of Pacific Northwest, USA coastal forests and evaluate various tree and site characteristics along river‐to‐sea gradients as possible drivers of tree stem GHG variation. We measured the concentration of CH4, CO2, and N2O during summer and winter in live and dead tree stems of five species from six coastal watersheds and related this to soil porewater GHG concentrations, porewater salinity, and tree characteristics. Overall, average pCO2 and pCH4 were elevated above atmospheric concentration, and average pN2O was slightly below atmospheric concentration. Stem pCO2 was higher in the summer than the winter and was higher in angiosperm trees compared to gymnosperm trees, whereas pCH4 was significantly higher in fresh upstream compared to salt‐influenced reaches. Stem pCH4 was also positively correlated with porewater pCH4 in contrast to other GHGs. The above results suggest that tree stem pCH4 in these coastal settings was primarily controlled by soil linkages, pCO2 was primarily regulated by tree physiology, and factors controlling pN2O remain unclear.
The impact of human health co-benefits on evaluations of global climate policy
Authors: Scovronick Noah , Budolfson Mark , Dennig Francis , Errickson Frank , Fleurbaey Marc , Peng Wei , Socolow Robert H. , Spears Dean , Wagner Fabian
Published: May 2019

The health co-benefits of CO2 mitigation can provide a strong incentive for climate policy through reductions in air pollutant emissions that occur when targeting shared sources. However, reducing air pollutant emissions may also have an important co-harm, as the aerosols they form produce net cooling overall. Nevertheless, aerosol impacts have not been fully incorporated into cost-benefit modeling that estimates how much the world should optimally mitigate. Here we find that when both co-benefits and co-harms are taken fully into account, optimal climate policy results in immediate net benefits globally, overturning previous findings from cost-benefit models that omit these effects. The global health benefits from climate policy could reach trillions of dollars annually, but will importantly depend on the air quality policies that nations adopt independently of climate change. Depending on how society values better health, economically optimal levels of mitigation may be consistent with a target of 2 °C or lower.
Twisted magnon beams carrying orbital angular momentum
Authors: Jia Chenglong , Ma Decheng , Schäffer Alexander F. , Berakdar Jamal
Published: May 2019

Low-energy eigenmode excitations of ferromagnets are spin waves or magnons that can be triggered and guided in magnonic circuits without Ohmic losses and hence are attractive for communicating and processing information. Here we present new types of spin waves that carry a definite and electrically controllable orbital angular momentum (OAM) constituting twisted magnon beams. We show how twisted beams emerge in magnonic waveguides and how to topologically quantify and steer them. A key finding is that the topological charge associated with OAM of a particular beam is tunable externally and protected against magnetic damping. Coupling to an applied electric field via the Aharanov-Casher effect allows for varying the topological charge. This renders possible OAM-based robust, low-energy consuming multiplex magnonic computing, analogously to using photonic OAM in optical communications, and high OAM-based entanglement studies, but here at shorter wavelengths, lower energy consumption, and ready integration in magnonic circuits.
Resonance-enhanced three-photon luminesce via lead halide perovskite metasurfaces for optical encoding
Authors: Fan Yubin , Wang Yuhan , Zhang Nan , Sun Wenzhao , Gao Yisheng , Qiu Cheng-Wei , Song Qinghai , Xiao Shumin
Published: May 2019

Lead halide perovskites have emerged as promising materials for photovoltaic and optoelectronic devices. However, their exceptional nonlinear properties have not been fully exploited in nanophotonics yet. Herein we fabricate methyl ammonium lead tri-bromide perovskite metasurfaces and explore their internal nonlinear processes. While both of third-order harmonic generation and three-photon luminescence are generated, the latter one is less affected by the material loss and has been significantly enhanced by a factor of 60. The corresponding simulation reveals that the improvement is caused by the resonant enhancement of incident laser. Interestingly, such kind of resonance-enhanced three-photon luminescence holds true for metasurfaces with a small period number of 4, enabling promising applications of perovskite metasurface in high-resolution nonlinear color nanoprinting and optical encoding. The encoded information ‘NANO’ is visible only when the incident laser is on-resonance. The off-resonance pumping and the single-photon excitation just produce a uniform dark or photoluminescence background.
Publisher Correction: N-terminal syndecan-2 domain selectively enhances 6-O heparan sulfate chains sulfation and promotes VEGFA165-dependent neovascularization
Authors: Corti Federico , Wang Yingdi , Rhodes John M. , Atri Deepak , Archer-Hartmann Stephanie , Zhang Jiasheng , Zhuang Zhen W. , Chen Dongying , Wang Tianyun , Wang Zhirui , Azadi Parastoo , Simons Michael
Published: May 2019

The original version of this Article contained errors in Figures 1, 3 and 4. In panels b and d of Figure 1, the labels ‘Sdc4-/-’ were inadvertently replaced by ‘Sdc4+/+‘. In panels c and d of Figure 3, the labels ‘Sdc4-/-’ were replaced by ‘Sdc2-/-’. In panel f of Figure 3, the labels ‘FGF2’ were replaced by ‘VEGFA165’. In panel e of Figure 6, a ‘Sdc2-/-‘ label was inadvertently included. This has now been corrected in the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
High-throughput screening of the Plasmodium falciparum cGMP-dependent protein kinase identified a thiazole scaffold which kills erythrocytic and sexual stage parasites
Authors: Penzo Maria , de las Heras-Dueña Laura , Mata-Cantero Lydia , Diaz-Hernandez Beatriz , Vazquez-Muñiz Maria-Jesus , Ghidelli-Disse Sonja , Drewes Gerard , Fernandez-Alvaro Elena , Baker David A.
Published: May 2019

Antimalarial drug resistance compels the quest for new compounds that target alternative pathways to current drugs. The Plasmodium cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) has essential functions in all of the major life cycle developmental stages. An imidazopyridine PKG inhibitor scaffold was previously shown to clear P. falciparum infection in a rodent model in vivo and blocked transmission to mosquitoes providing proof of concept for this target. To find new classes of PKG inhibitors to serve as alternative chemical starting points, we performed a high-throughput screen of the GSK Full Diversity Collection using recombinant P. falciparum PKG. We developed a robust enzymatic assay in a 1536-well plate format. Promising compounds were then tested for activity against P. falciparum asexual blood stage growth, selectivity and cytotoxicity. By using a scoring system we selected the 66 most promising PKG inhibitors (comprising nine clusters and seven singletons). Among these, thiazoles were the most potent scaffold with mid-nanomolar activity on P. falciparum blood stage and gamete development. Using Kinobeads profiling we identified additional P. falciparum protein kinases targeted by the thiazoles that mediate a faster speed of the kill than PKG-selective compounds. This scaffold represents a promising starting point to develop a new antimalarial.
Changes in Pectoral Muscle Volume During Subacute Period after Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer: A Retrospective up to 4-year Follow-up Study
Authors: Seo Anna , Hwang Jong-Moon , Lee Jong-Min , Jung Tae-Du
Published: May 2019

Radiotherapy (RT) is an effective treatment for managing breast cancer patients with breast conserving surgery, but patients may experience radiation-induced shoulder problems. Even though the course of shoulder morbidity is unknown, pectoral muscle changes after radiotherapy can be a major cause of shoulder problems. Twenty-two patients treated with RT for unilateral breast cancer were included in the study. All patients underwent serial computed tomography (CT) imaging before and immediately after RT, as well as 2 months, 6 months, 2 years, and 3–4 years after RT. These CT scans were used to compare muscle volume changes. The pectoral muscle volume and muscle volume surrounding the scapular measurement was performed using 3D modelling after segmentation of the CT scans. In all patients, the pectoral muscle volume increased during the 2 months after RT, and there was continuous volume reduction from 2–48 months after RT. Changes in muscle volume ratio over time were analysed by repeated measure ANOVA and it was found that there was a significant change in the pectoral muscle volume (p < 0.001) from Just before RT and Immediately after RT at 2 month after RT. On the other hand, the changes in the muscle volume of the surrounding scapular were not significant.
Phylogenetics and species delimitations of the operculated land snail Cyclophorus volvulus (Gastropoda: Cyclophoridae) reveal cryptic diversity and new species in Thailand
Authors: Nantarat Nattawadee , Sutcharit Chirasak , Tongkerd Piyoros , Wade Christopher M. , Naggs Fred , Panha Somsak
Published: May 2019

Recent conceptual and practical advances in phylogenetic species delimitation have enabled progressively robust biodiversity studies. Delimiting species in widespread taxa is an intriguing problem; the edible operculated land snailCyclophorus volvulus(Müller, 1774) is a good example since it shows a high degree of shell and color variation along with a widespread distribution throughout Thailand. Taxonomic boundaries forC.volvuluswere examined and clarified using a combined morphological and phylogenetic approach, the latter of which was based on both nuclear and mitochondrial gene sequences. Moreover, three species delimitation analyses were applied: Poisson tree processes (PTP), automatic barcode gap discovery (ABGD), and generalized mixed Yule-coalescent (GMYC). All phylogenetic trees revealed thatC.volvuluswas polyphyletic and comprised of three clades that coincided with their geographic distribution. The three species delimitation analyses concurred with the phylogenies and formed at least three groups. According to the results,C.volvuluss.l., as currently recognized, consists of three distinct species in Thailand:C.volvuluss.s.,C.occultussp. nov., andC.borealissp. nov., which are described herein. Moreover, several of these highly distinctC.volvulusevolutionarily significant units (ESU) are likely to require urgent conservation attention.