bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Salmonella
expresses foreign genes during infection by degrading their silencer
Authors: Choi Jeongjoon , Groisman Eduardo A.
Published: March 2020

Significance

Foreign genes confer new properties upon organisms. However, their expression often requires overcoming the silencing effects of the heat-stable nucleoid structuring (H-NS, also referred to as histone-like nucleoid structuring) protein, which binds to AT-rich foreign DNA in enteric bacteria. We establish that
Salmonella enterica
degrades H-NS when inside macrophages and that the resulting decrease in H-NS abundance de-represses foreign genes, even those not bound by antisilencing DNA-binding proteins. Conservation in the amino acid sequences of both the protease degrading H-NS and H-NS itself suggests that enteric bacteria share the uncovered strategy to express foreign genes silenced by H-NS.
The effects of communicating uncertainty on public trust in facts and numbers
Authors: van der Bles Anne Marthe , van der Linden Sander , Freeman Alexandra L. J. , Spiegelhalter David J.
Published: March 2020

Uncertainty is inherent to our knowledge about the state of the world yet often not communicated alongside scientific facts and numbers. In the “posttruth” era where facts are increasingly contested, a common assumption is that communicating uncertainty will reduce public trust. However, a lack of systematic research makes it difficult to evaluate such claims. We conducted five experiments—including one preregistered replication with a national sample and one field experiment on the
BBC News
website (total
n
= 5,780)—to examine whether communicating epistemic uncertainty about facts across different topics (e.g., global warming, immigration), formats (verbal vs. numeric), and magnitudes (high vs. low) influences public trust. Results show that whereas people do perceive greater uncertainty when it is communicated, we observed only a small decrease in trust in numbers and trustworthiness of the source, and mostly for verbal uncertainty communication. These results could help reassure all communicators of facts and science that they can be more open and transparent about the limits of human knowledge.
Scale-invariant topology and bursty branching of evolutionary trees emerge from niche construction
Authors: Xue Chi , Liu Zhiru , Goldenfeld Nigel
Published: March 2020

Phylogenetic trees describe both the evolutionary process and community diversity. Recent work has established that they exhibit scale-invariant topology, which quantifies the fact that their branching lies in between the two extreme cases of balanced binary trees and maximally unbalanced ones. In addition, the backbones of phylogenetic trees exhibit bursts of diversification on all timescales. Here, we present a simple, coarse-grained statistical model of niche construction coupled to speciation. Finite-size scaling analysis of the dynamics shows that the resultant phylogenetic tree topology is scale-invariant due to a singularity arising from large niche construction fluctuations that follow extinction events. The same model recapitulates the bursty pattern of diversification in time. These results show how dynamical scaling laws of phylogenetic trees on long timescales can reflect the indelible imprint of the interplay between ecological and evolutionary processes.
Introduced herbivores restore Late Pleistocene ecological functions
Authors: Lundgren Erick J. , Ramp Daniel , Rowan John , Middleton Owen , Schowanek Simon D. , Sanisidro Oscar , Carroll Scott P. , Davis Matt , Sandom Christopher J. , Svenning Jens-Christian , Wallach Arian D.
Published: March 2020

Significance

Humans have caused extinctions of large-bodied mammalian herbivores over the past ∼100,000 y, leading to cascading changes in ecosystems. Conversely, introductions of herbivores have, in part, numerically compensated for extinction losses. However, the net outcome of the twin anthropogenic forces of extinction and introduction on herbivore assemblages has remained unknown. We found that a primary outcome of introductions has been the reintroduction of key ecological functions, making herbivore assemblages with nonnative species more similar to preextinction ones than native-only assemblages are. Our findings support calls for renewed research on introduced herbivore ecologies in light of paleoecological change and suggest that shifting focus from eradication to landscape and predator protection may have broader biodiversity benefits.
Social and general intelligence improves collective action in a common pool resource system
Authors: Freeman Jacob , Baggio Jacopo A. , Coyle Thomas R.
Published: March 2020

On a planet experiencing global environmental change, the governance of natural resources depends on sustained collective action by diverse populations. Engaging in such collective action can only build upon the foundation of human cognition in social–ecological settings. To help understand this foundation, we assess the effect of cognitive abilities on the management of a common pool resource. We present evidence that two functionally distinct cognitive abilities, general and social intelligence, improve the ability of groups to manage a common pool resource. Groups high in both forms of intelligence engage in more effective collective action that is also more consistent, despite social or ecological change. This result provides a foundation for integrating the effects of cognitive abilities with other dimensions of cognitive diversity to explain when groups will and will not sustainably govern natural resources.
Differential fertility makes society more conservative on family values
Authors: Vogl Tom S. , Freese Jeremy
Published: March 2020

Data from the General Social Survey indicate that higher-fertility individuals and their children are more conservative on “family values” issues, especially regarding abortion and same-sex marriage. This pattern implies that differential fertility has increased and will continue to increase public support for conservative policies on these issues. The association of family size with conservatism is specific to traditional-family issues and can be attributed in large part to the greater religiosity and lower educational attainment of individuals from larger families. Over the 2004 to 2018 period, opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion was 3 to 4 percentage points more prevalent than it would have been were traditional-family conservatism independent of family size in the current generation. For same-sex marriage, evolutionary forces have grown in relative importance as society as a whole has liberalized. As of 2018, differential fertility raised the number of US adults opposed to same-sex marriage by 17%, from 46.9 million to 54.8 million.
Mesoscale bicontinuous networks in self-healing hydrogels delay fatigue fracture
Authors: Li Xueyu , Cui Kunpeng , Sun Tao Lin , Meng Lingpu , Yu Chengtao , Li Liangbin , Creton Costantino , Kurokawa Takayuki , Gong Jian Ping
Published: March 2020

Significance

Muscles, composed of exquisite hierarchical structures, exhibit high fatigue resistance and can resist crack propagation even after injury. The mechanism of the hierarchical structures on suppressing crack advance under reciprocating movement is poorly understood. Tough and self-healing hydrogels are good candidates as simplified model systems for studying the mechanical behaviors of load-bearing biotissues. Here, we report that polyampholyte hydrogels, having a hierarchical structure, demonstrate high fatigue resistance through a synergistic effect between different scales. Such an antifatigue mechanism based on hierarchical structure not only gives important hints to understand fatigue-resistant behavior of biotissues with complex hierarchical structures, but also provides design strategy for tough and fatigue-resistant hydrogels, by forming multiscale network structures using noncovalent bonds as building blocks.
A combination of two human monoclonal antibodies limits fetal damage by Zika virus in macaques
Authors: Van Rompay Koen K. A. , Coffey Lark L. , Kapoor Tania , Gazumyan Anna , Keesler Rebekah I. , Jurado Andrea , Peace Avery , Agudelo Marianna , Watanabe Jennifer , Usachenko Jodie , Singapuri Anil , Immareddy Ramya , Ardeshir Amir , Stuart Jackson B. , Bournazos Stylianos , Ravetch Jeffrey V. , Balderes Paul J. , Lorenz Ivo C. , Esswein Shannon R. , Keeffe Jennifer R. , Bjorkman Pamela J. , Wang Qiao , Rice Charles M. , MacDonald Margaret R. , Nussenzweig Michel C. , Robbiani Davide F.
Published: March 2020

Significance

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy can cause fetal abnormalities. Vaccines against ZIKV are under development, but because of potential safety concerns due to disease-enhancing antibodies, and the time required by active immunization to induce protective antibodies, there is a need to explore alternative strategies. Recombinant monoclonal antibodies can be modified to prevent enhancement of infection, and thus could be an efficacious and safe alternative to vaccines to confer rapid protection. We show that prophylactic administration of two engineered antibodies, Z004 and Z021, to pregnant macaques partially protects against fetal neurologic damage and limits vertical transmission of ZIKV.
Discovery of the oldest bilaterian from the Ediacaran of South Australia
Authors: Evans Scott D. , Hughes Ian V. , Gehling James G. , Droser Mary L.
Published: March 2020

Significance

The transition from simple, microscopic forms to the abundance of complex animal life that exists today is recorded within soft-bodied fossils of the Ediacara Biota (571 to 539 Ma). Perhaps most critically is the first appearance of bilaterians—animals with two openings and a through-gut—during this interval. Current understanding of the fossil record limits definitive evidence for Ediacaran bilaterians to trace fossils and enigmatic body fossils. Here, we describe the fossil
Ikaria wariootia,
one of the oldest bilaterians identified from South Australia. This organism is consistent with predictions based on modern animal phylogenetics that the last ancestor of all bilaterians was simple and small and represents a rare link between the Ediacaran and the subsequent record of animal life.
Abstinence-dependent dissociable central amygdala microcircuits control drug craving
Authors: Venniro Marco , Russell Trinity I. , Ramsey Leslie A. , Richie Christopher T. , Lesscher Heidi M. B. , Giovanetti Simone M. , Messing Robert O. , Shaham Yavin
Published: March 2020

We recently reported that social choice-induced voluntary abstinence prevents incubation of methamphetamine craving in rats. This inhibitory effect was associated with activation of protein kinase-Cδ (PKCδ)-expressing neurons in central amygdala lateral division (CeL). In contrast, incubation of craving after forced abstinence was associated with activation of CeL-expressing somatostatin (SOM) neurons. Here we determined the causal role of CeL PKCδ and SOM in incubation using short-hairpin RNAs against PKCδ or SOM that we developed and validated. We injected two groups with shPKCδ or shCtrl
PKCδ
into CeL and trained them to lever press for social interaction (6 d) and then for methamphetamine infusions (12 d). We injected two other groups with shSOM or shCtrl
SOM
into CeL and trained them to lever press for methamphetamine infusions (12 d). We then assessed relapse to methamphetamine seeking after 1 and 15 abstinence days. Between tests, the rats underwent either social choice-induced abstinence (shPKCδ groups) or homecage forced abstinence (shSOM groups). After test day 15, we assessed PKCδ and SOM, Fos, and double-labeled expression in CeL and central amygdala medial division (CeM). shPKCδ CeL injections decreased Fos in CeL PKCδ-expressing neurons, increased Fos in CeM output neurons, and reversed the inhibitory effect of social choice-induced abstinence on incubated drug seeking on day 15. In contrast, shSOM CeL injections decreased Fos in CeL SOM-expressing neurons, decreased Fos in CeM output neurons, and decreased incubated drug seeking after 15 forced abstinence days. Our results identify dissociable central amygdala mechanisms of abstinence-dependent expression or inhibition of incubation of craving.
Accelerated image reconstruction by a combined dual-matrix dual-voxel approach
Authors: Goorden Marlies C , Kamphuis Chris , Ramakers Ruud M , Beekman Freek J
Published: March 2020

Today, versatile emission computed tomography (VECTor) technology using dedicated high-energy collimation enables simultaneous positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) down to 0.6 mm and 0.4 mm resolution in mice, respectively. We recently showed that for optimal resolution and quantitative accuracy of PET images the long tails of the 511 keV point spread functions (PSFs) need to be fully modelled during image reconstruction. This, however, leads to very time consuming reconstructions and thus significant acceleration in reconstruction speed is highly desirable. To this end we propose and validate a combined dual-matrix dual-voxel (DM-DV) approach: for the forward projection the slowly varying PSF tails are modelled on a three times rougher voxel grid than the central parts of the PSFs, while in the backprojection only parts of the PSF tails are included. DM-DV reconstruction is implemented in pixel-based ordered subsets expectation maximization (POSEM) and in a recently proposed accelerated pixel-based similarity-regulated ordered subsets expectation maximization (SROSEM). Both a visual assessment and a quantitative contrast-noise analysis confirm that images of a hot-rod phantom are practically identical when reconstructed with standard POSEM, DM-DV-POSEM or DM-DV-SROSEM. However, compared to POSEM, DM-DV-POSEM can reach the same contrast 5.0 times faster, while with DM-DV-SROSEM this acceleration factor increases to 11.5. Furthermore, mouse cardiac and bone images reconstructed with DM-DV-SROSEM are visually almost indistinguishable from POSEM reconstructed images but typically need an order of magnitude less reconstruction time.
Research on treatment of propylene oxide wastewater with high salt concentration
Authors: Han Shuang , Li Meng , Xiang Wenqi , Guo Nuowei
Published: March 2020

In this paper, experimental study had done in view of the wastewater which discharged from chlorine alkali factory propylene oxide production workshop in Zibo city of Shandong Province. The Pre-oxidation + Biological Contact Oxidation craft has proposed for the epoxy propane production wastewater treatment. In view of the characteristics of this kind of wastewater, the main research contents are three aspects: the discussion of gradually microorganism salinity endurance enhancement, the best test condition of H2O2 oxidation for per-oxidation, and the effect verification test of the Pre-oxidation + Biological Contact Oxidation craft.
Effects of Nanoparticle CeO2 on the Physiology of Chlorella pyrenoidosa
Authors: Liao Zhiqi , Wu Junhui , Chu Huaqiang , Zhang Yalei , Zhou Xuefei
Published: March 2020

Nanoparticle cerium oxide (n-CeO2) has been widely used, recently, its toxicity to the aquatic environment has received increasing attention. This study aimed to explore the effects of n-CeO2 on the physiology of Chlorella pyrenoidosa. Results showed that n-CeO2 may inhibited the growth of Chlorella pyrenoidosa, and make some influence of chla and protein contents because of the ROS. The activity of SOD and MDA contents also indicated that the high concentration of n-CeO2 may beyond the range of tolerance, which means ROS content may be a key factor in the toxic effects of n-CeO2 on Chlorella pyrenoidosa.
Preparation of double-doped Cu, N-nano-TiO2 photocatalyst and photocatalytic inactivation of Escherichia coli in ballast water
Authors: Shi Yue , Wang Yinhao , Lu Zheng , Wang Xixi , Zhang Shun , Wang Gaoshuai , Li Jianing , Zhang Kun
Published: March 2020

With more and more international economic exchanges, ship transport becomes more and more frequent, which further increases the exchange capacity of ship ballast water in different sea areas, thus causing more and more serious marine problems of alien microbial invasion. Therefore, in this paper, on the basis of microbial inactivation of ship ballast water treated by uv irradiation, the influencing factors of its catalytic activity were explored by adding photocatalyst TiO2 into the bacterial suspension, That is to change the catalytic activity of titanium dioxide noble metal and other modified substances and doping amount. Firstly, the UV-sterilization was used as a control, and the modified photocatalyst nano-TiO2 was added. It was found that the sterilization rate increased greatly, indicating that the photocatalyst-modified nano-TiO2 has a very strong reinforcing effect on ultraviolet sterilization. Secondly, the photocatalyst itself was changed. It was found that the amount of photocatalyst nano-TiO2 had a great influence on UV sterilization. Within a certain range, the more the photocatalyst nano-TiO2 is, the better the sterilization effect is. Finally, changing the external conditions of the photocatalyst, it was found that the photocatalyst nano-TiO2 had the best activity at higher temperature (33 °C), alkaline (pH=8.5) or neutral (pH=7.5) and long-wave ultraviolet radiation.
Research on Intelligent System Architecture of Urban Domestic Sewage Treatment
Authors: Hao Xiaodong , Li Bin
Published: March 2020

This paper studies and constructs an intelligent system of urban domestic sewage treatment, which consists of five modules, namely, 3d visualization simulation module based on data twin, key system operation and maintenance management platform, mobile data management platform; energy management module, security and warning module. The digitalization, networking and intelligence of municipal wastewater treatment have been realized, which improved the management level of urban domestic sewage treatment enterprises and reduced operating costs.
Study on Characteristics of Emissions of Air Pollutants in Ships in the Yangtze River Delta and Countermeasures
Authors: Wang Zheng , Qin Cuihong , Zhang Wei
Published: March 2020

In order to analyze the characteristics of air pollutant emission in ships in the Yangtze River Delta, this paperestablishes the air pollutant discharge list of ships in the Yangtze River Delta in 2017 based on the dynamic method of AIS data, and analyzes the emission characteristics of air pollutants in ships under different working conditions. The effect of its emission reduction measures and the spatial distribution of annual emissions of air pollutants from ships in the study area. The results showed: Among the atmospheric pollutants emitted by ships in the Yangtze River Delta in 2017, the emissions of SO2, NOx, PM10, HC and CO were 339,900 tons, 527,700 tons, 45,400 tons, 14,500 tons and 34,300 tons respectively. Low-speed navigation has the largest proportion of emissions. The use of shore power for ship berthing is an effective measure to reduce emissions from coastal areas in the region.
Research on Mathematical Model of Environmental Assessment
Authors: Han Yunna
Published: March 2020

The assessment methods are important contents in environmental quality assessment; each assessment method is based on one mathematical model. Through the analysis of various mathematical models, it is found that the selection of assessment methods in environmental assessment has very important guiding significance. By introducing four types of common mathematical models in current environmental assessment, this paper discusses the principles, features and applicable scope of various models, and briefly describes the application conditions of assessment methods in various models in environmental assessment.
Study on the adsorption property for Cu2+ of Chitosan/Ploy (SSS- HEMA-AA) hydrogel
Authors: Zhou Jiangang , Zhang Yong
Published: March 2020

Chitosan hydrogel, as a new type of macromolecule adsorbent material, has dual advantages of gel and various functional groups. It is easy to introduce functional groups which can chelate with heavy metal ions or electrostatic adsorption. It has large specific surface area and fast adsorption rate for heavy metal ions. It has quickly become a research hotspot in separation field. Based on this, the hydrogels of different components were prepared by integrating different proportions of copolymer monomers into chitosan hydrogels. The hydrogels of the same components were separately taken from aqueous solutions with different concentrations of Cu2+ for adsorption experiments. The heavy metal Cu2+ could be adsorbed and captured by a large number of functional groups such as sulfonic group, hydroxyl group, carboxyl group and amino group in the chemical structure. The effect of the same component on the hydrogel properties was also investigated. The molecular structure and internal morphology of the hydrogel and the effect of the amount of sodium styrene sulfonate (SSS) on the adsorption capacity of Cu2+ and the amount of glutaraldehyde on the water swelling rate were also investigated. The results show that the chitosan-P (SSS-HEMA-AA) hydrogel has a three-dimensional cross-linked network structure and has a high adsorption and removal efficiency for Cu2+. Its adsorption capacity for Cu2+ increases with the increase of the amount of sodium styrene sulfonate (SSS) in the preparation process, and the water absorption and swelling rate decreases with the increase of the amount of glutaraldehyde.
Design of Air Purification Device Based on Efficient Photocatalysis
Authors: Wei Wenqi , Zhao Lida , Jing Zhongxiang
Published: March 2020

In order to solve the problem that the existing photocatalyst recovery efficiency and photocatalytic efficiency cannot be obtained at the same time, the inner cavity structure of the inner cavity designed according to the Kangda effect has excellent fluid performance, and the light-shielding and breathable structure designed to imitate the louver structure can prevent the damage caused by ultraviolet radiation overflow, the inner surface reflective layer can reduce the waste of light energy. This high-efficiency photocatalytic air purification device has been designed, the overall structure is simple and efficient, and easy to clean and maintain. The whole is small and compact, and the placement is not limited, adapt to a variety of more closed space, adapt to all kinds of people.
Effect of freezing and thawing on available phosphorus content of soil
Authors: Shi Lei
Published: March 2020

The process of freeze-thaw not only directly affects the phosphorus cycle in non growing season, but also shows that the impact of cold winter and frequent freeze-thaw on the ecosystem will continue to the following growing season. This effect is closely related to soil properties, microbial activity and community structure, climate conditions, vegetation composition and management methods. However, due to the differences in research methods, many results about the effects of freeze-thaw on soil nitrogen and phosphorus cycle are quite different. After the freeze-thaw cycle, the content of available phosphorus in the two soils decreased, and the decreasing trend was Lou soil > arsenic sandstone.
Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks derived nitrogen doped porous carbon for electrochemical reduction of CO2
Authors: Zhong Xi , Zhong Heng , Jin Fangming
Published: March 2020

The development of high-performance electrochemical materials plays an important role in CO2reduction efficiency and cost effectiveness. In this work, nitrogen doped porous carbon matrix was designed and fabricated from zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-8). Pyrolysis temperature was investigated to achieve the best performance to convert CO2into CO. The suitable temperature is 700 °C which could make the catalyst containing good conductivity and activity. The highest Faradaic efficiency of CO is close to 25% at potential of -1.0 V.
An underground pipeline leakage monitoring and precise positioning method based on multi-point signal compensation
Authors: Li Yulong , Yang Fan , Guo Huijie
Published: March 2020

Underground pipelines are an important infrastructure for cities and an important basis for ensuring the normal operation of urban production and life. As the earliest types of pipelines built in the urban underground pipe network, the water supply network and the heat pipe network of many cities have already experienced aging phenomena. Pipeline leakage and pipe burst accidents frequently occur, resulting in serious waste of water resources and greatly increasing operating costs [1]. At the same time, there are major security risks. Pipeline leak detection is an important task. There are many kinds of pipeline leakage detection methods [2], and the best one is the water leakage detection correlator, which can locate the location of the leakage point. However, the correlation instrument can not eliminate the environmental noise interference well during the leak detection process, and the positioning result sometimes has a large deviation. In order to solve this problem, an underground pipeline leakage monitoring and precise positioning method based on multi-point signal compensation is proposed. The method increases the third acquisition point of the noise signal, and compensates for the positioning deviation caused by the environmental noise through the signal of the third point, achieving accurate positioning of leak points.
Research on the Benefits of Conservation of Soil and Water and Sediment Reduction
Authors: Min Zhihua
Published: March 2020

With continuous development of economy, human beings are increasingly destroying the environment. Therefore, attention must be paid to conservation of soil and water. The environmental issues in China are very serious currently, which are mainly reflected in soil erosion and water shortage, moreover, the phenomenon of soil desertification has become very serious in our country, and the ecological environment has been destroyed, flood or soil desertification both cause damage to the environment. Therefore, the work of conservation of soil and water and sediment reduction is of great significance. This paper mainly studies the benefits of conservation of soil and water and sediment reduction in China.
Discussion on Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology Work under the View of Sustainable Development
Authors: Deng Zhongmin , Zhang Yanqi
Published: March 2020

At this stage, the ecological environment has been severely destroyed in our country; this situation is becoming more and more serious. Under the influence of the complex and severe situation mentioned above, in order to effectively solve the abovementioned bad development trends, the country proposes the sustainable development strategy, it is expected that through the implementation of this strategy, the previous extensive management mode will gradually be transformed into harmonious development mode between man and nature. This article mainly elaborates on the influence the sustainable development view on current hydrogeological and environmental geological work, this paper deeply explores current status of hydrogeological and environmental geological work, as well as some issues needing attention in China, and put forward some targeted suggestions and measures, through the explanation of this paper, It is hoped that environmental geology and hydrogeology will be better developed on the basis of the view of sustainable development.
“We should be addressing whiteness less, and affirming blackness more”:Random Acts of Flyness, Afrosurrealism, and Quality Programming
Authors: Forthun Eric
Published: March 2020

Premiering on Saturday nights in summer of 2018, the barely-promoted Random Acts of Flyness (RAOF) was buried in HBO’s schedule. The highly experimental series combines many forms, including late night talk show, documentary, claymation, and sketch show, amongst many others. With stylistic techniques such as Afrosurrealism and self-reflexivity alongside discursive tools that heighten the series’ claim to “quality,” I argue that RAOF utilizes its surreal and distinctly black creative production to critically examine representations of blackness and whiteness in the media and American culture. I further contend that, for HBO, independent filmmaker and series creator Terence Nance’s pedigree fits the channel’s long-standing association with “higher” art forms, even as the series does not fit into historically white and affluent notions of “quality.” As the television landscape becomes broader and markers of “quality” become harder to pin down, the series’ incisive look at blackness proves to be an exceptional case study.
Risk Factors for Adverse Events in Household Contacts Prescribed Preventive Treatment for Drug-resistant Tuberculosis Exposure
Authors: Malik Amyn A , Becerra Mercedes C , Lash Timothy L , Cranmer Lisa M , Omer Saad B , Fuad Junaid , Siddiqui Sara , Amanullah Farhana , Jaswal Maria , Salahuddin Naseem , Keshavjee Salmaan , Hussain Hamidah , Gandhi Neel R
Published: March 2020

Background

Completion of tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment is important to optimize efficacy; treatment-related adverse events (AEs) sometimes result in discontinuation. This study describes the occurrence of AEs and their risk factors during a 6-month, 2-drug, fluoroquinolone-based preventive treatment for household contacts of patients with drug-resistant TB in Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods

The primary outcome was development of any clinical AE during preventive treatment. Adverse events were categorized using the AE grading tables of the National Institutes of Health. Time-to-event analysis with Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards models accounting for recurrence were used to analyze associated risk factors.

Results

Of the 172 household contacts on preventive treatment, 36 (21%) developed 64 AEs during 813 months of treatment. The incidence of AEs over 6 months of treatment was 7.9 per 100 person-months; 16 per 100 person-months with a fluoroquinolone and ethionamide, and 4.4 per 100 person-months with a fluoroquinolone and ethambutol. There were 53 (83%) grade 1 and 11 grade 2 AEs, with no grade 3 or 4 AEs. In multivariable analysis, the risk of AEs was higher in contacts prescribed ethionamide as compared to ethambutol adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.1 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.2–3.6]). Overall, there was no notable difference in treatment completion among the contacts who experienced an AE and those who did not (crude odds ratio, 1.1 [95% CI, .52–2.5]).

Conclusions

A fluoroquinolone-based preventive treatment regimen for drug-resistant TB exposure is well tolerated. Regimens with ethionamide are more likely to result in AEs.
Childhood overweight and obesity and timing of puberty in boys and girls: cohort and sibling-matched analyses
Authors: Brix Nis , Ernst Andreas , Lauridsen Lea Lykke Braskhøj , Parner Erik Thorlund , Arah Onyebuchi A , Olsen Jørn , Henriksen Tine Brink , Ramlau-Hansen Cecilia Høst
Published: March 2020

Background

Early puberty is a risk indicator for adult diseases. Identification of modifiable causes of earlier puberty is, therefore, warranted. We estimate the association between childhood body mass index (BMI) and pubertal timing in a cohort study and in a sibling-matched study to adjust for unobserved time-stable confounders shared within families.

Methods

For the cohort study, 11 046 of 22 439 (49%) invited children, born 2000–203, from the Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC) had information on childhood BMI at 7 years and self-reported, half-yearly puberty information from 11 years on Tanner stages, menarche, voice break, first ejaculation, acne, and axillary hair. For the sibling-matched study, 1700 brothers and sisters were included among 86 820 live-born singletons from the DNBC.

Results

Childhood overweight (85th ≤ BMI < 95th percentile) and obesity (BMI ≥ 95th percentile) were associated with earlier age attaining the pubertal milestones in a dose-dependent manner in boys and girls. When modelling all pubertal milestones simultaneously, the pubertal milestones were attained earlier in: overweight boys: −3.1 [95% confidence interval (CI): −4.5, −1.7] months, overweight girls: −5.5 (95% CI: −7.1, −3.9) months, obese boys: −3.5 (95% CI: −5.1, −2.0) months, obese girls: −5.2 (95% CI: −7.1, −3.4) months compared with normal weight (BMI  < 85th percentile) children. In the sibling-matched study, higher BMI was associated with earlier age at attaining most pubertal milestones in girls, but only a tendency toward earlier pubertal timing was observed in boys.

Conclusions

Childhood overweight and obesity were associated with earlier pubertal timing even after adjustment for unobserved time-stable confounders shared within families.
Implementing and measuring person-centredness using an APP for knowledge transfer: the iMPAKT app
Authors: McCance Tanya , Lynch Brighide M , Boomer Christine , Brown Donna , Nugent Christopher , Ennis Andrew , Garcia-Constantino Matias , Clelland Ian , Edgar Denise , Radbron Emma , Wilson Valerie
Published: March 2020

Objective

The aim of the study was to evaluate a technological solution in the form of an App to implement and measure person-centredness in nursing. The focus was to enhance the knowledge transfer of a set of person-centred key performance indicators and the corresponding measurement framework used to inform improvements in the experience of care.

Design

The study used an evaluation approach derived from the work of the Medical Research Council to assess the feasibility of the App and establish the degree to which the App was meeting the aims set out in the development phase. Evaluation data were collected using focus groups (n = 7) and semi-structured interviews (n = 7) to capture the impact of processes experienced by participating sites.

Setting

The study was conducted in the UK and Australia in two organizations, across 11 participating sites.

Participants

22 nurses from 11 sites in two large health care organizations were recruited on a voluntary basis.

Intervention

Implementing the KPIs and measurement framework via the APP through two cycles of data collection.

Main Outcome Measures

The main outcome was to establish feasibility in the use of the App.

Results

The majority of nurse/midwife participants found the App easy to use. There was broad consensus that the App was an effective method to measure the patient experience and generated clear, concise reports in real time.

Conclusions

The implementation of the person-centred key performance indicators using the App enhanced the generation of meaningful data to evidence patient experience across a range of different clinical settings.
In situ 13CO2 labelling of rubber trees reveals a seasonal shift in the contribution of the carbon sources involved in latex regeneration
Authors: Duangngam Ornuma , Desalme Dorine , Thaler Philippe , Kasemsap Poonpipope , Sathornkich Jate , Satakhun Duangrat , Chayawat Chompunut , Angeli Nicolas , Chantuma Pisamai , Epron Daniel
Published: March 2020

Rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) are the main source of natural rubber, extracted from latex, which exudes from the trunk after tapping. Tapped trees require large amounts of carbon (C) to regenerate the latex after its collection. Knowing the contribution of C sources involved in latex biosynthesis will help in understanding how rubber trees face this additional C demand. Whole crown 13CO2 pulse labelling was performed on 4-year-old rubber trees in June, when latex production was low, and in October, when it was high. 13C content was quantified in the foliage, phloem sap, wood, and latex. In both labelling periods, 13C was recovered in latex just after labelling, indicating that part of the carbohydrate was directly allocated to latex. However, significant amounts of 13C were still recovered in latex after 100 d and the peak was reached significantly later than in phloem sap, demonstrating the contribution of a reserve pool as a source of latex C. The contribution of new photosynthates to latex regeneration was faster and higher when latex metabolism was well established, in October, than in June. An improved understanding of C dynamics and the source–sink relationship in rubber tree is crucial to adapt tapping system practices and ensure sustainable latex production.
Limitations imposed by optical turbulence profile structure and evolution on tomographic reconstruction for the ELT
Authors: Farley O J D , Osborn J , Morris T , Fusco T , Neichel B , Correia C , Wilson R W
Published: March 2020

The performance of tomographic adaptive optics (AO) systems is intrinsically linked to the vertical profile of optical turbulence. First, a sufficient number of discrete turbulent layers must be reconstructed to model the true continuous turbulence profile. Secondly over the course of an observation, the profile as seen by the telescope changes and the tomographic reconstructor must be updated. These changes can be due to the unpredictable evolution of turbulent layers on meteorological time-scales as short as minutes. Here, we investigate the effect of changing atmospheric conditions on the quality of tomographic reconstruction by coupling fast analytical AO simulation to a large data base of 10 691 high-resolution turbulence profiles measured over two years by the Stereo-SCIDAR instrument at ESO Paranal, Chile. This work represents the first investigation of these effects with a large, statistically significant sample of turbulence profiles. The statistical nature of the study allows us to assess not only the degradation and variability in tomographic error with a set of system parameters (e.g. number of layers and temporal update period), but also the required parameters to meet some error threshold. In the most challenging conditions where the profile is rapidly changing, these parameters must be far more tightly constrained in order to meet this threshold. By providing estimates of these constraints for a wide range of system geometries as well as the impact of different temporal optimization strategies we may assist the designers of tomographic AO for the extremely large telescope to dimension their systems.
The H i mass function of group galaxies in the ALFALFA survey
Authors: Jones Michael G , Hess Kelley M , Adams Elizabeth A K , Verdes-Montenegro Lourdes
Published: March 2020

We estimate the H i mass function (HIMF) of galaxies in groups based on thousands of ALFALFA (Arecibo Legacy Fast ALFA survey) H i detections within the galaxy groups of four widely used SDSS (Sloan Digital Sky Survey) group catalogues. Although differences between the catalogues mean that there is no one definitive group galaxy HIMF, in general we find that the low-mass slope is flat, in agreement with studies based on small samples of individual groups, and that the ‘knee’ mass is slightly higher than that of the global HIMF of the full ALFALFA sample. We find that the observed fraction of ALFALFA galaxies in groups is approximately 22 per cent. These group galaxies were removed from the full ALFALFA source catalogue to calculate the field HIMF using the remaining galaxies. Comparison between the field and group HIMFs reveals that group galaxies make only a small contribution to the global HIMF as most ALFALFA galaxies are in the field, but beyond the HIMF ‘knee’ group galaxies dominate. Finally, we attempt to separate the group galaxy HIMF into bins of group halo mass, but find that too few low-mass galaxies are detected in the most massive groups to tightly constrain the slope, owing to the rarity of such groups in the nearby Universe where low-mass galaxies are detectable with existing H i surveys.
Corporate R&D intensity decomposition: different data, different results?
Authors: Moncada-Paternò-Castello Pietro , Amoroso Sara , Cincera Michele
Published: March 2020

Research and Development (R&D) indicators are used to facilitate international comparisons and as targets for research and innovation policy. An example of such an indicator is R&D intensity. The decomposition of the aggregate corporate R&D intensity is able to explain the differences in R&D intensity between countries by determining whether is the result of firms’ underinvestment in R&D or of the differences across sectors. Despite its importance, the literature of corporate R&D intensity decomposition has been developed only recently. This article reviews for the first time the different methodological frameworks of corporate R&D intensity decomposition and how they are used in practice, shedding light on why sometimes empirical results seem to be contradictory. It inspects how the use of different data sources and analytical methods affect R&D intensity decomposition results, and what the analytical and policy implications are. The article also provides methodological and analytical guidance to analysts and policymakers.
Screening for diabetic kidney disease in primary care
Authors: Deem Michelle , Rice Jennifer , Valentine Kathleen , Zavertnik Jean Ellen , Lakra Manju
Published: March 2020

Gaps in care currently exist between diabetic kidney disease (DKD) guidelines and diabetes management in primary care settings. Implementation of quality improvement (QI) initiatives often improves these gaps in care. This article outlines a QI initiative exploring whether a local Federally Qualified Health Center could improve rates of screening for microalbuminuria, diagnosis of DKD, and treatment of the disorder in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
MRI Evaluation of the Posterior Pelvic Bony and Soft Tissue Injuries With Tile C Displaced Pelvic Fractures in Young Children
Authors: Kenawey Mohamed
Published: March 2020

Background:

Disruption through the weak iliac apophysis growth plate is characteristic in unstable pediatric posterior pelvic injuries. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans would help in the assessment of bony injuries in addition to the trunk and abdominal wall muscles and the posterior sacroiliac and pelvic floor ligaments.

Methods:

All children with displaced pelvic fractures Tile C and open triradiate cartilage between September 2010 and December 2017 who had computed tomography evidence of iliac apophysis avulsion and available MRI scans were reviewed. The paravertebral, anterior abdominal wall and iliacus muscles, and the sacroiliac and pelvic floor ligaments were evaluated.

Results:

Eight patients had pelvic MRI scans in addition to the standard computed tomography. All were males and the average age was 7.5 years (4 to 14 y). The iliac apophysis was attached posteriorly to the quadratus lumborum and erector spinae muscles and to the posterior sacroiliac complex. The bony iliac wing lost its connection to the axial skeleton and its muscular attachment to the erector spinae and quadratus lumborum. The iliacus muscle was elevated of the iliac fossa in all cases. The anterior sacroiliac ligaments were disrupted in all while the pelvic floor ligaments were disrupted in 5 patients, intact in 2 and could not be clearly visualized in 1 patient. In 2 patients, anterior abdominal wall muscles were split in 2 layers, the external oblique attached to the displaced bony ilium and the internal oblique and transversus abdominis attached to the iliac crest apophysis. This deep layer was continuous distally with the iliacus muscle. This could be explained by the anatomic arrangement of the thoracolumbar fascia and its middle layer.

Conclusions:

The posterior pelvic ring would be disrupted through the weak chondro-osseous connection between the bony ilium and its well-fixed iliac crest apophysis which is attached to the posterior sacroiliac complex, paravertebral muscles, and the posterior and middle layers of the thoracolumbar fascia. This is central to our understanding for the pathomechanics of those injuries and for operative fixation.
The Economic and Social Burden of Low Back Pain in Spain
Authors: Alonso-García Marcos , Sarría-Santamera Antonio
Published: March 2020

Study Design.

Economic evaluation of the costs of low back pain (LBP) in Spain from a societal perspective, including direct and indirect costs, based on a national representative sample of the general population, the National Health Survey of 2017 (NHS 2017).

Objective.

To estimate the costs attributable to LBP in Spain.

Summary of Background Data.

LBP has a high prevalence and is associated with lower quality of life, functional status, and increased use of health services. Studies that assess the socio-economic burden of LBP from a general population perspective have not been published yet in Spain.

Methods.

Data from NHS 2017 were used. Direct costs (consultations—general practitioner, specialist and emergency departments-, diagnostic tests, hospitalizations, physiotherapy, psychologist, and medication consumption) and indirect costs (absenteeism and presenteeism) were assessed. Multivariate models were obtained to determine the independent attributable effect of LBP in each variable. Costs were determined through existing regional healthcare services public data.

Results.

Prevalence of LBP was 17.1% for men and 24.5% for women, and increased with age, low educational status, higher body mass index, and was associated with less physical activity, and lower self-perceived health. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that LBP was independently associated with a significant increase both in the utilization of all health services and on work day losses. Attributable costs of LBP were 8945.6 million euros, of which 74.5% implied indirect costs, representing overall 0.68% of Spanish Gross Domestic Product.

Conclusion.

Spain is paying a heavy price for LBP, mostly associated with its significant impact on absenteeism and presenteeism, as well as a noteworthy effect on excess health services utilization. These findings underscore the need to address this considerable public health and social problem through interventions that address widely LBP and that have demonstrated to be cost-effective.

Level of Evidence: 3