bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing above‐ground and soil seed bank vegetation diversity at different scales in a quasi‐Mediterranean ecosystem
Authors: Chick Matthew P. , Nitschke Craig R. , Cohn Janet S. , Penman Trent D. , York Alan
Published: May 2018

Questions

Are factors influencing plant diversity in a fire‐prone Mediterranean ecosystem of southeast Australia scale‐dependent?

Location

Heathy woodland, Otways region, Victoria, southeast Australia

Methods

We measured patterns of above‐ground and soil seed bank vegetation diversity and associated them with climatic, biotic, edaphic, topographic, spatial and disturbance factors at multiple scales (macro to micro) using linear mixed effect and generalized dissimilarity modelling.

Results

At the macro‐scale, we found species richness above‐ground best described by climatic factors and in the soil seed bank by disturbance factors. At the micro‐scale we found species richness best described above‐ground and in the soil seed bank by disturbance factors, in particular time‐since‐last‐fire. We found variance in macro‐scale β‐diversity (species turnover) best explained above‐ground by climatic and disturbance factors and in the soil seed bank by climatic and biotic factors.

Conclusions

Regional climatic gradients interact with edaphic factors and fire disturbance history at small spatial scales to influence species richness and turnover in the studied ecosystem. Current fire management regimes need to incorporate key climatic–disturbance–diversity interactions to maintain floristic diversity in the studied system.
Antisocial features are not predictive of symptom exaggeration in forensic patients
Authors: van Impelen Alfons , Merckelbach Harald , Jelicic Marko , à Campo Joost
Published: May 2018

Purpose

To investigate the predictive value of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) and features of ASPD (i.e., lack of remorse, blame externalization, and deceitfulness) for symptom exaggeration.

Methods

A sample of forensic psychiatric patients (N = 57) was asked to complete several self‐report instruments (measuring symptom exaggeration, lack of remorse, blame externalization, and offense minimization) and a semi‐structured interview about their most recent offense. To quantify patients’ deceitfulness, the information collected via the semi‐structured interview was checked against the official records of patient's offenses. Additionally, patient's mental disorders and the extent to which patients denied their delinquency were determined by gathering clinician's judgement on this matter from patient records. The relation between symptom exaggeration and the potential predictors of symptom exaggeration was examined through correlational analyses and cross‐tabulation of prevalence rates of symptom exaggeration with prevalence rates of the potential predictors.

Results

Antisocial personality disorder was not a useful predicator of symptom exaggeration. Also, patients who showed little regret for their offenses, or tended to blame their offenses on external factors, or minimized their delinquency, or were inaccurate when reporting their delinquency, had similar levels of symptom exaggeration as those without these tendencies.

Conclusions

Neither ASPD nor antisocial traits, including lack of remorse, blame externalization, and deceitfulness, were meaningfully related to symptom exaggeration and therefore should have no place in the assessment of symptom validity or the detection of malingering. On the contrary; focusing on antisocial traits as indicators of symptom exaggeration is likely to result in large portions of misclassifications.
Analysis of occurrence patterns and biological factors of cetaceans based on long‐term and fine‐scale data from platforms of opportunity: Madeira Island as a case study
Authors: Alves Filipe , Ferreira Rita , Fernandes Miguel , Halicka Zofia , Dias Luís , Dinis Ana
Published: May 2018

Management and conservation issues are addressed through the identification of areas of particular importance, which requires the acquisition of baseline information on species distribution and dynamics. These types of data are particularly difficult to obtain at high resolution for large marine vertebrates like cetaceans, given that dedicated surveys are complex and logistically expensive. This study uses daily presence–absence sighting data of cetaceans collected year‐round from whale‐watching boats to support the theory that fine‐scale data obtained from platforms of opportunity can provide valuable information on species occurrence and group dynamics. Data from 7,551 (daily) sightings comprising 22 species were collected from 3,527 surveyed days over 11 years (mean of 321 days per year, SD = 17) in the pelagic environment of Madeira Island. Cetaceans were observed on 92% of the surveyed days, and a mean of 15.4 (SD = 1.5), 8.2 (SD = 2.0) and 2.1 (SD = 1.2) species were recorded per year, month, and day, respectively. There were significant differences in the number of species per month (p < .001), with the highest diversity recorded in June. At least nine species, comprising 96% of all sightings, were found to use the Madeiran waters on a regular basis, such as the Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis), the short‐beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), and others featured in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature as Endangered, Vulnerable, and Data Deficient. In addition, 10 species were found to use the Madeiran waters for travelling, feeding, resting, socializing and calving, which suggests that the southern and southeastern waters of Madeira Island constitute an area of interest for cetaceans. This study characterizes the cetaceans’ community structure (occurrence, aggregation sizes, behaviours, proportion of calves, and inter‐specific relationships) of a poorly studied region, providing important information for managers. Finally, the advantages and limitations of using fine‐scale data from a type of platform of opportunity that is increasing along coastlines globally are discussed.
Bálint's syndrome, object seeing, and spatial perception
Authors: French Craig
Published: May 2018

Ordinary cases of object seeing involve the visual perception of space and spatial location. But does seeing an object require such spatial perception? An empirical challenge to the idea that it does comes from reflection upon Bálint's syndrome, for some suppose that in Bálint's syndrome subjects can see objects without seeing space or spatial location. In this article, I question whether the empirical evidence available to us adequately supports this understanding of Bálint's syndrome, and explain how the aforementioned empirical challenge can be resisted.
Linaclotide inhibits colonic and urinary bladder hypersensitivity in adult female rats following unpredictable neonatal stress
Authors: Ligon C. , Mohammadi E. , Ge P. , Hannig G. , Higgins C. , Greenwood‐Van Meerveld B.
Published: May 2018

Background

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and bladder pain syndrome (BPS) are female‐predominant, chronic functional pain disorders that are associated with early life stress (ELS) and therapeutic options for such patients remain limited. Linaclotide, a guanylate cyclase‐C (GC‐C) agonist, relieves abdominal pain and bowel symptoms in adult patients suffering from IBS with constipation. Here, we test the hypothesis that linaclotide will reverse colon and bladder hyperalgesia in a female‐specific rodent model of adverse early life experience.

Methods

Neonatal rats were exposed to an odor‐attachment learning paradigm of early life stress (ELS). In adulthood, the effect of linaclotide (3 μg kg−1 d−1, p.o.) on colonic and bladder sensitivity was assessed via quantification of the visceromotor response to colorectal distension and the frequency of withdrawal responses to the application of von Frey hairs to the suprapubic region. In another cohort of rats, the effect of linaclotide on ELS‐induced colonic and bladder permeability was investigated via measurements of transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER).

Key Results

Rats exposed to unpredictable ELS exhibited colonic and bladder hypersensitivity that was significantly reduced by linaclotide compared to vehicle‐treated controls. Colonic and bladder tissue isolated from adult rats exposed to unpredictable ELS exhibited a decrease in colonic and bladder TEER that was reversed by linaclotide.

Conclusions and Inferences

Our results demonstrate that neonatal rats exposed to unpredictable ELS develop increased sensitivity and permeability of the colon and bladder in adulthood through a mechanism involving activation of peripheral GC‐C signaling.
Below‐ground biotic interactions moderated the postglacial range dynamics of trees
Authors: Pither Jason , Pickles Brian J. , Simard Suzanne W. , Ordonez Alejandro , Williams John W.
Published: May 2018

Tree range shifts during geohistorical global change events provide a useful real‐world model for how future changes in forest biomes may proceed. In North America, during the last deglaciation, the distributions of tree taxa varied significantly as regards the rate and direction of their responses for reasons that remain unclear. Local‐scale processes such as establishment, growth, and resilience to environmental stress ultimately influence range dynamics. Despite the fact that interactions between trees and soil biota are known to influence local‐scale processes profoundly, evidence linking below‐ground interactions to distribution dynamics remains scarce.

We evaluated climate velocity and plant traits related to dispersal, environmental tolerance and below‐ground symbioses, as potential predictors of the geohistorical rates of expansion and contraction of the core distributions of tree genera between 16 and 7 ka bp.

The receptivity of host genera towards ectomycorrhizal fungi was strongly supported as a positive predictor of poleward rates of distribution expansion, and seed mass was supported as a negative predictor. Climate velocity gained support as a positive predictor of rates of distribution contraction, but not expansion.

Our findings indicate that understanding how tree distributions, and thus forest ecosystems, respond to climate change requires the simultaneous consideration of traits, biotic interactions and abiotic forcing.
Percutaneous Reduction and Internal Fixation for Monocondylar Fractures of Tibial Plateau: A Systematic Review
Authors: Chang Heng‐rui , Yu Yi‐yang , Ju Lin‐lin , Zheng Zhan‐le , Chen Wei , Zhang Ying‐ze
Published: May 2018

Instead of extensive dissection of soft tissue around the fracture site, percutaneous techniques have unique advantages in managing displaced fragments, including preservation of soft tissues, less blood loss, lower risk of complications, and earlier functional rehabilitation. However, there are few systematic reviews on the effects of percutaneous reduction and internal fixation (PRIF) for tibial plateau fractures. A systematic search of Cochrane, EMBASE, and MEDLINE databases was performed for all publicly available data in March 2017 regarding the use of PRIF in treating monocondylar tibial plateau fractures. Basic information of included articles, surgical information, clinical outcomes, and concomitant soft tissue injuries were collected for analysis. Finally, a total of 20 articles including 561 patients were retrieved. Traffic accident was the most common cause of injury. Percutaneous techniques using bone tamp reduction were described in all studies. The majority (≥85%) of patients were classified as excellent or good according to clinical and radiological Rasmussen scores. The overall complication rate was 6.6%, with loss of reduction the most frequent complication with an incidence of 2.4%. This systematic review indicated that PRIF was an optimal alternative that physicians should consider for the treatment of monocondylar tibial plateau fractures.
Grandmother's support for new mothers in Japan
Authors: Matsui Rie , Sato Yumi
Published: May 2018

Objectives

This study was designed to describe grandmothers' intentions regarding providing satisfactory infant care support for new mothers.

Design and Sample

Qualitative inductive analysis was performed using semistructured interviews conducted with 19 pairs of grandmothers and new mothers with one child aged 3–4 months old.

Results

Support that satisfied the new mothers was categorized into five concepts, which included support activities such as “minding the grandchild” and “supporting family life”. Six reasons were attributed by the new mothers for their satisfaction such as “reduced anxiety toward infant care” and “lifestyle stability including infant care”. The grandmothers' intentions in providing satisfactory infant care support for new mothers were categorized into seven concepts that included “sympathizing with the hardships of motherhood upon seeing the mother's situation” and “balancing the desire to provide support and maintain their own lifestyle”.

Conclusions

Grandmothers wanted to help new mothers by supporting and empowering them. Data also showed that grandmothers could potentially benefit from research‐based information on modern infant care practices as well as reliable and up‐to‐date infant care information obtained from within the community. Supporting grandmothers in their role will ultimately benefit infants and new mothers and contribute to grandmothers' personal fulfillment.
Histopathological analysis of aggressive renal cell carcinoma harboring a unique germline mutation in fumarate hydratase
Authors: Matsumoto Kana , Udaka Naoko , Hasumi Hisashi , Nakaigawa Noboru , Nagashima Yoji , Tanaka Reiko , Kato Ikuma , Yao Masahiro , Furuya Mitsuko
Published: May 2018

Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by cutaneous and uterine leiomyomatosis with RCC. This disorder is caused by a germline mutation in the fumarate hydratase (FH) gene, which encodes an important enzyme of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. This mutation distinguishes HLRCC from sporadic RCCs. Herein, we investigated a case of HLRCC in a 32‐year‐old man who underwent nephrectomy for treatment of a solid‐cystic tumor in the left kidney. Histopathology demonstrated a variegated architecture of papillary, tubulocystic and cribriform patterns composed of high‐grade tumor cells with enlarged nuclei and eosinophilic nucleoli. Immunostaining and western blotting revealed no FH expression in the tumor. Genomic DNA sequencing identified a heterozygous mutation involving deletion of the 3’ end of exon 2 and intron 2 of the FH gene (c.251_267+7delTGACAGAACGCATGCCAGTAAGTG), and RT‐PCR confirmed exon 2 skipping in FH mRNA. The somatic FH gene status of the tumor showed only the mutated allele, indicating loss of heterozygosity as the “second hit” of tumor suppressor gene inactivation. These data support that an FH mutation involving the splice site causes exon skipping, changing the conformation of the protein and accelerating carcinogenic cascades under impaired FH functioning in the TCA cycle.
Quantitative phosphoproteomics of lectin receptor‐like kinase VI.4 dependent abscisic acid response in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Guo Xinhong , Xie Huali , Li Jinyan , Liu Xiaoqian , Zhu Baode , Liu Shucan , Li Huili , Li Meiling , He Mingqi , Chen Ping
Published: May 2018

Lectin receptor‐like kinases (LecRKs) play important roles in the responses to adverse environment stress. Abscisic acid (ABA) is a plant hormone involved in plant growth, development and adverse environmental stress responses. Although some studies of ABA response LecRK genes have been reported, the molecular mechanisms of LecRKs regulation of downstream pathways under ABA induction are not well understood. The present study showed that LecRK‐VI.4 responded to ABA and negatively regulated stomatal closure. Here, a quantitative phosphoproteomics approach based on mass spectrometry was employed to study the roles of LecRK‐VI.4 in the ABA signaling pathway. Metal oxide affinity beads and C18 chromatography were used for phosphopeptide enrichment and separation. The isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation were used for profiling the phosphoproteome of mutant lecrk‐vi.4‐1 and wild‐type Col‐0 Arabidopsis under normal growth conditions or ABA treatments. In total, 475 unique phosphopeptides were quantified, including 81 phosphopeptides related to LecRK‐VI.4 regulation. Gene ontology, protein–protein interaction and motif analysis were performed. The bioinformatics data showed that phosphorylated proteins regulated by LecRK‐VI.4 had close relations with factors of stomatal function, which included aquaporin activity, H+ pump activity and the Ca2+ concentration in the cytoplasm. These data have expanded our understanding of how LecRK‐VI.4 regulates ABA‐mediated stomatal movements.
The challenge of diagnosing seborrheic keratosis by reflectance confocal microscopy
Authors: Guo A. , Chen J. , Yang C. , Ding Y. , Zeng Q. , Tan L.
Published: May 2018

Background

Seborrheic keratosis (SK) is one of the most common skin tumors seen by dermatologists. It should be differentiated with many diseases, especially skin tumors. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) has been applied for evaluation ofSK. There are a few studies that describe theRCMofSK. The aim of the study was to find the challenge of diagnosing seborrheic keratosis by reflectance confocal microscopy.

Methods

A total of 390 patients with a clinical suspicious diagnosis of seborrheic keratosis were enrolled in this study, and lesions from each patient were imaged withRCM. Thirty‐seven of these patients performed a biopsy in order to be given a histological diagnosis. We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes ofRCMdiagnosis and histological diagnosis, and then found theRCMcharacteristics of biopsy‐proven lesions.

Results

According toRCMimages, 258 of 390 (66.2%) patients were diagnosed withSK, 97 of 390 (24.9%) patients could not be diagnosed by the dermatologist according toRCM. Of all 37 biopsied lesions, 23 wereSK, 6 were actinic keratosis, 2 were basal cell carcinoma, and 2 were squamous cell carcinoma.

Conclusion

It is challenge to diagnose seborrheic keratosis by reflectance confocal microscopy. It may due to the variable clinical andRCMappearances ofSK, and limited depth ofRCM.
The effect of anti‐thymocyte globulin and everolimus on the kinetics of cytomegalovirus viral load in seropositive kidney transplant recipients without prophylaxis
Authors: Basso Geovana , Felipe Claudia Rosso , Cristelli Marina Pontello , Mansur Siliano Juliana , Viana Laila , Ferreira Brigido Alexandra Nicolau , Stopa Martins Suelen Bianca , de Castro Lima Santos Daniel Wagner , Aguiar Wilson Ferreira , Tedesco‐Silva Junior Helio , Medina‐Pestana Jose Osmar
Published: May 2018

Background

The use of mTOR inhibitors is associated with lower incidence of CMV infections but its effect on viral load has not been investigated.

Aims, Materials and Methods

This post‐hoc analysis included data from 273 CMV seropositive kidney transplant recipients randomized to receive anti‐thymocyte globulin and everolimus (rAGT/TAC/EVR, n = 81), basiliximab and everolimus (BAS/TAC/EVR, n = 97) or basiliximab and mycophenolate (BAS/TAC/MPS, n = 95). All patients received tacrolimus (TAC) and corticosteroids. Preemptive CMV therapy based on weekly pp65 antigenemia test was used during the first 6 months. Blinded weekly CMV DNAemia was compared among the groups.

Results

The proportion of patients with undetectable CMV DNAemia (23.4% vs 56.7% vs 22.1%, P < .001) was higher in the BAS/TAC/EVR. The median number of study visits with positive CMV DNAemia (2.0 vs 0.0 vs 4.6, rATG/EVR vs BAS/MPS, P = .354; BAS/EVR vs BAS/MPS, P < .0001; rATG/EVR vs BAS/EVR, P < .001) were lower in the BAS/TAC/EVR. The proportion of patients with positive CMV DNAemia who were not treat for CMV infection/disease based on pp65 antigenemia was higher in rATG/TAC/EVR group (74.1% vs 36.1% vs 44.2%, P < .001) but mean CMV DNAemia was comparable to BAS/TAC/EVR and lower than BAS/TAC/MPS (8536 ± 15 899 vs 7975 ± 17 935 vs 16 965 ± 37 694 copies/mL, P < .05), respectively. The proportion of patients with CMV DNAemia below 5000 copies/mL was higher in patients receiving EVR (74.1% vs 83.5% vs 50.0%, P = .000), respectively.

Discussion and Conclusion

These data suggest that mTOR inhibitors reduce the incidence of CMV infection by limiting CMV viral replication.
Severe hematuria in a hematopoietic cell transplant recipient caused by Ureaplasma urealyticum not by BK virus or adenovirus infection
Authors: Choi Gwang‐Jun , Kim Sun‐Ja , Kang Ji‐Man , Choi Sae Rom , Yoo Keon Hee , Kim Yae‐Jean
Published: May 2018

A 17‐year‐old male with acute lymphoblastic leukemia developed severe hematuria and scrotal swelling after haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Urine culture was negative. BK virus and adenovirus were negative. However, Ureaplasma urealyticum was detected. He showed dramatic improvement after doxycycline treatment. This is the first report in the literature of hemorrhagic cystitis caused by U. urealyticum in a HCT recipient. In HCT recipients with hemorrhagic cystitis, U. urealyticum should be considered as a potential cause.
Seeing Patterns in Randomness: A Computational Model of Surprise
Authors: Maguire Phil , Moser Philippe , Maguire Rebecca , Keane Mark T.
Published: May 2018

While seemingly a ubiquitous cognitive process, the precise definition and function of surprise remains elusive. Surprise is often conceptualized as being related to improbability or to contrasts with higher probability expectations. In contrast to this probabilistic view, we argue that surprising observations are those that undermine an existing model, implying an alternative causal origin. Surprises are not merely improbable events; instead, they indicate a breakdown in the model being used to quantify probability. We suggest that the heuristic people rely on to detect such anomalous events is randomness deficiency. Specifically, people experience surprise when they identify patterns where their model implies there should only be random noise. Using algorithmic information theory, we present a novel computational theory which formalizes this notion of surprise as randomness deficiency. We also present empirical evidence that people respond to randomness deficiency in their environment and use it to adjust their beliefs about the causal origins of events. The connection between this pattern‐detection view of surprise and the literature on learning and interestingness is discussed.
SCFSNIPER4 controls the turnover of two redundant TRAF proteins in plant immunity
Authors: Huang Jianhua , Zhu Chipan , Li Xin
Published: May 2018

In mammals, tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factors (TRAFs) are signaling adaptors that regulate diverse physiological processes, including immunity and stress responses. In Arabidopsis, MUSE13 and MUSE14 are redundant TRAF proteins serving as adaptors in the SCFCRP1 complex to facilitate the turnover of nucleotide‐binding domain and leucine‐rich repeats (NLR) immune receptors. Degradation of MUSE13 is inhibited by proteasome inhibitor, suggesting that the MUSE13 stability is controlled by the 26S proteasome. However, the E3 ligase that regulates MUSE13 level is unknown. Here we report the identification of an F‐box protein, SNIPER4 that regulates the turnover of MUSE13 and MUSE14. Protein levels of MUSE13 and MUSE14 are reduced by SNIPER4 overexpression, while higher accumulation of MUSE13 and MUSE14 is observed when dominant‐negative SNIPER4 is expressed. Furthermore, SNIPER4 associates with MUSE13 or MUSE14. Taken together, the SCFSNIPER4 complex controls the turnover of TRAF proteins for an optimum immune output.
Evaluation of microbial contamination of canine plasma eyedropper bottles following clinical use in canine patients
Authors: Strauss Rachel A. , Genschel Ulrike , Allbaugh Rachel A. , Sebbag Lionel , Ben‐Shlomo Gil
Published: May 2018

Objective

To investigate microbial contamination of canine plasma eye drops when used clinically and to compare the effect of two different eyedropper bottles on contamination rate.

Methods

Forty‐six bottles containing plasma were randomly dispensed for use on 42 dogs with ulcerative keratitis. Of these, 23 were standard eyedropper bottles and 23 were Novelia® bottles designed to prevent contamination. After use for up to 2 weeks, samples for bacterial culture were obtained from a drop of plasma, the bottle tip, the plasma inside the bottle, and the corneal surface. Fungal culture was performed from a drop of plasma.

Results

The overall microbial contamination rate was 17.4% (8/46 bottles); however, only one bottle had growth from the plasma inside the bottle. There was a lower contamination rate of Novelia® bottles (3/23 = 13.0%) compared to standard bottles (5/23 = 21.7%), but this difference was not statistically significant (P = .57). There were also no significant differences in contamination rate of bottles used greater than 7 days compared to less than or equal to 7 days, or in bottles used greater than 4 times daily compared to 4 times daily or less. Three corneal samples (6.5%) had bacterial growth, but none matched contamination from the bottles.

Conclusions

Novelia® bottles may decrease contamination of plasma eye drops used clinically. However, while microbial contamination of plasma bottles was documented, no clinically relevant complications were observed. This study supports safe use of plasma eye drops for up to 2 weeks when refrigerated and dispensed from either Novelia® or standard eyedropper bottles.
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Howard Nina
Published: May 2018

International Journal of English and Cultural Studies (IJECS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether IJECS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 1, Number 1 Ali Dabbagh, Gonbad Kavous University, IranLeo H. Aberion, Niversity Of San Joserecoletos, PhilippinesMałgorzata Podolak, Maria CurieSkłodowska University in Lublin, PolandMariam Nemsadze, Akaki Tsereteli State University, GeorgiaScott Edward Freer, University of Leicester, UKShaban Darakchi, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, BulgariaVesselina Anastasova Laskova, University of Udine, Italy Nina HowardEditorial AssistantInternational Journal of English and Cultural StudiesRedfame Publishing--------------------------------------------9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97006-6018, USATel: 1-503-828-0536 ext. 510Fax: 1-503-828-0537Email: ijecs@redfame.comWebsite: http://ijecs.redfame.com
Geoacoustic inversion on the New England Mud Patch using warping and dispersion curves of high-order modes
Authors: Bonnel Julien , Lin Ying-Tsong , Eleftherakis Dimitrios , Goff John A. , Dosso Stan , Chapman Ross , Miller James H. , Potty Gopu R.
Published: May 2018

This paper presents single receiver geoacoustic inversion of a combustive sound source signal, recorded during the 2017 Seabed Characterization Experiment on the New England Mud Patch, in an area where water depth is around 70 m. There are two important features in this study. First, it is shown that high-order modes can be resolved and estimated using warping (up to mode number 18 over the frequency band 20–440 Hz). However, it is not possible to determine mode numbers from the data, so that classical inversion methods that require mode identification cannot be applied. To solve this issue, an inversion algorithm that jointly estimates geoacoustic properties and identifies mode number is proposed. It is successfully applied on a range-dependent track, and provides a reliable range-average estimation of geoacoustic properties of the mud layer, an important feature of the seabed on the experimental area.
Drilling threatens ancient Chaco landscape
Authors: Reese April
Published: May 2018

Lidar technology reveals ceremonial roads on land up for oil and gas development.
Hadza on the brink
Authors: Gibbons Ann
Published: May 2018

Farmers, tourists, and cattle threaten some of the world's last hunter-gatherers, long a magnet for researchers.
Worldwide emergence of resistance to antifungal drugs challenges human health and food security
Authors: Fisher Matthew C. , Hawkins Nichola J. , Sanglard Dominique , Gurr Sarah J.
Published: May 2018

The recent rate of emergence of pathogenic fungi that are resistant to the limited number of commonly used antifungal agents is unprecedented. The azoles, for example, are used not only for human and animal health care and crop protection but also in antifouling coatings and timber preservation. The ubiquity and multiple uses of azoles have hastened the independent evolution of resistance in many environments. One consequence is an increasing risk in human health care from naturally occurring opportunistic fungal pathogens that have acquired resistance to this broad class of chemicals. To avoid a global collapse in our ability to control fungal infections and to avoid critical failures in medicine and food security, we must improve our stewardship of extant chemicals, promote new antifungal discovery, and leverage emerging technologies for alternative solutions.
Postimpact earliest Paleogene warming shown by fish debris oxygen isotopes (El Kef, Tunisia)
Authors: MacLeod K. G. , Quinton P. C. , Sepúlveda J. , Negra M. H.
Published: May 2018

Warming after the big one

The Chicxulub impact 65 million years ago, which caused the mass extinction at the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary, also initiated a long period of strong global warming. Using data from phosphatic microfossils, including fish teeth, scales, and bone, MacLeod
et al.
estimated global average temperature. Immediately after the asteroid strike, temperatures increased by ∼5°C and remained high for about 100,000 years (see the Perspective by Lécuyer). These results are relevant to current climate projections, because the Chicxulub impact perturbed Earth systems on time scales even shorter than the current rate of change.

Science
, this issue p.
1467
; see also p.
1400
The projected effect on insects, vertebrates, and plants of limiting global warming to 1.5°C rather than 2°C
Authors: Warren R. , Price J. , Graham E. , Forstenhaeusler N. , VanDerWal J.
Published: May 2018

One and a half degrees on biodiversity

Insects are the most diverse group of animals on Earth and are ubiquitous in terrestrial food webs. We have little information about their fate in a changing climate; data are scant for insects compared with other groups of organisms. Warren
et al.
performed a global-scale analysis of the effects of climate change on insect distribution (see the Perspective by Midgley). For vertebrates and plants, the number of species losing more than half their geographic range by 2100 is halved when warming is limited to 1.5°C, compared with projected losses at 2°C. But for insects, the number is reduced by two-thirds.

Science
, this issue p.
791
; see also p.
714
Response to Comment on “Plant diversity increases with the strength of negative density dependence at the global scale”
Authors: LaManna Joseph A. , Mangan Scott A. , Alonso Alfonso , Bourg Norman A. , Brockelman Warren Y. , Bunyavejchewin Sarayudh , Chang Li-Wan , Chiang Jyh-Min , Chuyong George B. , Clay Keith , Cordell Susan , Davies Stuart J. , Furniss Tucker J. , Giardina Christian P. , Gunatilleke I. A. U. Nimal , Gunatilleke C. V. Savitri , He Fangliang , Howe Robert W. , Hubbell Stephen P. , Hsieh Chang-Fu , Inman-Narahari Faith M. , Janík David , Johnson Daniel J. , Kenfack David , Korte Lisa , Král Kamil , Larson Andrew J. , Lutz James A. , McMahon Sean M. , McShea William J. , Memiaghe Hervé R. , Nathalang Anuttara , Novotny Vojtech , Ong Perry S. , Orwig David A. , Ostertag Rebecca , Parker Geoffrey G. , Phillips Richard P. , Sack Lawren , Sun I-Fang , Tello J. Sebastián , Thomas Duncan W. , Turner Benjamin L. , Vela Díaz Dilys M. , Vrška Tomáš , Weiblen George D. , Wolf Amy , Yap Sandra , Myers Jonathan A.
Published: May 2018

Chisholm and Fung claim that our method of estimating conspecific negative density dependence (CNDD) in recruitment is systematically biased, and present an alternative method that shows no latitudinal pattern in CNDD. We demonstrate that their approach produces strongly biased estimates of CNDD, explaining why they do not detect a latitudinal pattern. We also address their methodological concerns using an alternative distance-weighted approach, which supports our original findings of a latitudinal gradient in CNDD and a latitudinal shift in the relationship between CNDD and species abundance.
Long-range exciton transport in conjugated polymer nanofibers prepared by seeded growth
Authors: Jin Xu-Hui , Price Michael B. , Finnegan John R. , Boott Charlotte E. , Richter Johannes M. , Rao Akshay , Menke S. Matthew , Friend Richard H. , Whittell George R. , Manners Ian
Published: May 2018

A longer exciton pathway

Organic semiconductors typically exhibit exciton diffusion lengths on the order of tens of nanometers. Jin
et al.
prepared nanofibers from block polymers consisting of emissive polyfluorene cores surrounded by coronas of polyethylene glycol and polythiophene (see the Perspective by Holmes). Excitons generated in the polyfluorene cannot enter the polyethylene glycol layer and so diffuse more than 200 nm. This distance can be tuned by varying the length of the polyethylene glycol—a feature that could potentially be exploited in the development of organic devices such as photovoltaics.

Science
, this issue p.
897
; see also p.
854
Atmospheric blocking as a traffic jam in the jet stream
Authors: Nakamura Noboru , Huang Clare S. Y.
Published: May 2018

A traffic jam of air

Persistent meandering of the jet stream can cause atmospheric blocking of prevailing eastward winds and result in weather extremes such as heat waves in the midlatitudes. Nakamura and Huang interpret the poorly understood origins of these systems as the meteorological equivalents of traffic congestion on a highway and show how they can be described by analogous mathematical theory. Climate change may affect the frequency of blocking as well as its geographic distribution, reflecting a simultaneous shift in the structure of the stationary atmospheric waves and the regional capacity of the jet stream.

Science
, this issue p.
42
Comment on “Maxima in the thermodynamic response and correlation functions of deeply supercooled water”
Authors: Caupin Frédéric , Holten Vincent , Qiu Chen , Guillerm Emmanuel , Wilke Max , Frenz Martin , Teixeira José , Soper Alan K.
Published: May 2018

Kim
et al
. recently measured the structure factor of deeply supercooled water droplets (Reports, 22 December 2017, p. 1589). We raise several concerns about their data analysis and interpretation. In our opinion, the reported data do not lead to clear conclusions about the origins of water’s anomalies.
Phylogenomics reveals multiple losses of nitrogen-fixing root nodule symbiosis
Authors: Griesmann Maximilian , Chang Yue , Liu Xin , Song Yue , Haberer Georg , Crook Matthew B. , Billault-Penneteau Benjamin , Lauressergues Dominique , Keller Jean , Imanishi Leandro , Roswanjaya Yuda Purwana , Kohlen Wouter , Pujic Petar , Battenberg Kai , Alloisio Nicole , Liang Yuhu , Hilhorst Henk , Salgado Marco G. , Hocher Valerie , Gherbi Hassen , Svistoonoff Sergio , Doyle Jeff J. , He Shixu , Xu Yan , Xu Shanyun , Qu Jing , Gao Qiang , Fang Xiaodong , Fu Yuan , Normand Philippe , Berry Alison M. , Wall Luis G. , Ané Jean-Michel , Pawlowski Katharina , Xu Xun , Yang Huanming , Spannagl Manuel , Mayer Klaus F. X. , Wong Gane Ka-Shu , Parniske Martin , Delaux Pierre-Marc , Cheng Shifeng
Published: May 2018

Genomic traces of symbiosis loss

A symbiosis between certain bacteria and their plant hosts delivers fixed nitrogen to the plants. Griesmann
et al.
sequenced several plant genomes to analyze why nitrogen-fixing symbiosis is irregularly scattered through the evolutionary tree (see the Perspective by Nagy). Various genomes carried traces of lost pathways that could have supported nitrogen-fixing symbiosis. It seems that this symbiosis, which relies on multiple pathways and complex interorganismal signaling, is susceptible to selection and prone to being lost over evolutionary time.

Science
, this issue p.
eaat1743
; see also p.
125
Ancient genomes document multiple waves of migration in Southeast Asian prehistory
Authors: Lipson Mark , Cheronet Olivia , Mallick Swapan , Rohland Nadin , Oxenham Marc , Pietrusewsky Michael , Pryce Thomas Oliver , Willis Anna , Matsumura Hirofumi , Buckley Hallie , Domett Kate , Nguyen Giang Hai , Trinh Hoang Hiep , Kyaw Aung Aung , Win Tin Tin , Pradier Baptiste , Broomandkhoshbacht Nasreen , Candilio Francesca , Changmai Piya , Fernandes Daniel , Ferry Matthew , Gamarra Beatriz , Harney Eadaoin , Kampuansai Jatupol , Kutanan Wibhu , Michel Megan , Novak Mario , Oppenheimer Jonas , Sirak Kendra , Stewardson Kristin , Zhang Zhao , Flegontov Pavel , Pinhasi Ron , Reich David
Published: May 2018

Ancient migrations in Southeast Asia

The past movements and peopling of Southeast Asia have been poorly represented in ancient DNA studies (see the Perspective by Bellwood). Lipson
et al.
generated sequences from people inhabiting Southeast Asia from about 1700 to 4100 years ago. Screening of more than a hundred individuals from five sites yielded ancient DNA from 18 individuals. Comparisons with present-day populations suggest two waves of mixing between resident populations. The first mix was between local hunter-gatherers and incoming farmers associated with the Neolithic spreading from South China. A second event resulted in an additional pulse of genetic material from China to Southeast Asia associated with a Bronze Age migration. McColl
et al.
sequenced 26 ancient genomes from Southeast Asia and Japan spanning from the late Neolithic to the Iron Age. They found that present-day populations are the result of mixing among four ancient populations, including multiple waves of genetic material from more northern East Asian populations.

Science
, this issue p.
92
, p.
88
; see also p.
31
BRD4 and MYC—clarifying regulatory specificity
Authors: Sabò Arianna , Amati Bruno
Published: May 2018

A study dissects the primary function of cancer-associated transcription factors
NextGen postdocs
Authors: Costello Tracy J.
Published: May 2018

Postdoctoral scholars have been in the public eye of late. Less than a week after the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) annual meeting last month, the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) released its report, “The Next Generation of Biomedical and Behavioral Sciences Researchers: Breaking Through.” The NPA's meeting agenda covered major challenges for improving the postdoc experience. The NASEM report introduced bold recommendations that address challenges inherent in the postdoc experience. There is obviously more to be done to ensure the transition of postdocs to successful careers.
Chromosomally Encoded
mcr-5
in Colistin-Nonsusceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Snesrud Erik , Maybank Rosslyn , Kwak Yoon I. , Jones Anthony R. , Hinkle Mary K. , McGann Patrick
Published: May 2018

Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of historical
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
clinical isolates identified a chromosomal copy of
mcr-5
within a Tn
3
-like transposon in
P. aeruginosa
MRSN 12280. The isolate was nonsusceptible to colistin by broth microdilution, and genome analysis revealed no mutations known to confer colistin resistance. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of
mcr
in colistin-nonsusceptible
P. aeruginosa
.
Accelerating Kenya’s progress to 2030: understanding the determinants of under-five mortality from 1990 to 2015
Authors: Keats Emily C , Macharia William , Singh Neha S , Akseer Nadia , Ravishankar Nirmala , Ngugi Anthony K , Rizvi Arjumand , Khaemba Emma Nelima , Tole John , Bhutta Zulfiqar A
Published: May 2018

Introduction

Despite recent gains, Kenya did not achieve its Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target for reducing under-five mortality. To accelerate progress to 2030, we must understand what impacted mortality throughout the MDG period.

Methods

Trends in the under-five mortality rate (U5MR) were analysed using data from nationally representative Demographic and Health Surveys (1989–2014). Comprehensive, mixed-methods analyses of health policies and systems, workforce and health financing were conducted using relevant surveys, government documents and key informant interviews with country experts. A hierarchical multivariable linear regression analysis was undertaken to better understand the proximal determinants of change in U5MR over the MDG period.

Results

U5MR declined by 50% from 1993 to 2014. However, mortality increased between 1990 and 2000, following the introduction of facility user fees and declining coverage of essential interventions. The MDGs, together with Kenya’s political changes in 2003, ushered in a new era of policymaking with a strong focus on children under 5 years of age. External aid for child health quadrupled from 40 million in 2002 to 180 million in 2012, contributing to the dramatic improvement in U5MR throughout the latter half of the MDG period. Our multivariable analysis explained 44% of the decline in U5MR from 2003 to 2014, highlighting maternal literacy, household wealth, sexual and reproductive health and maternal and infant nutrition as important contributing factors. Children living in Nairobi had higher odds of child mortality relative to children living in other regions of Kenya.

Conclusions

To attain the Sustainable Development Goal targets for child health, Kenya must uphold its current momentum. For equitable access to health services, user fees must not be reintroduced in public facilities. Support for maternal nutrition and reproductive health should be prioritised, and Kenya should acknowledge its changing demographics in order to effectively manage the escalating burden of poor health among the urban poor.
Second-generation antipsychotic medications and risk of chronic kidney disease in schizophrenia: population-based nested case–control study
Authors: Wang Hsien-Yi , Huang Charles Lung-Cheng , Feng I Jung , Tsuang Hui-Chun
Published: May 2018

Objectives

The study aims to compare the risk of chronic kidney diseases (CKDs) between patients with schizophrenia using first and second-generation antipsychotics.

Setting

Datasets of 2000–2013 National Health Insurance in Taiwan were used.

Participants

The National Health Insurance reimbursement claims data have been transferred to and managed by the National Health Research Institute in Taiwan since 1996. We used the Psychiatric Inpatient Medical Claims database, a subset of the National Health Insurance Research Database, comprising a cohort of patients hospitalised for psychiatric disorders between 2000 and 2013 (n=2 67 807). The database included patients with at least one psychiatric inpatient record and one discharge diagnosis of mental disorders coded by the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes 290–319. The age of patients at first admission was restricted to 18–65 years.

Primary outcome

CKD (ICD-9 code 582, 583, 585, 586, 588) requiring hospitalisation or three outpatient visits. The diagnosis of CKD follows the criteria of ‘Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes’ in Taiwan. CKD is defined as a kidney damage as albumin-to-creatinine ratio >30 mg/g in two of three spot urine specimens or glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2for 3 months or more.

Results

We found that the risks for CKD were higher for those who used second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) longer cumulatively than those who did not. Using non-users, patients did not have any SGA records, as reference group, the risks for CKD comparing those using SGAs for 90 to 180 days with non-users and those using SGAs for more than 1000 days were 1.42 (1.06–1.91) and 1.30 (1.13–1.51), respectively.

Conclusions

The current study suggests the relationship between using SGAs and risk of CKD.
Cardiac auscultation poorly predicts the presence of valvular heart disease in asymptomatic primary care patients
Authors: Gardezi Syed K M , Myerson Saul G , Chambers John , Coffey Sean , d’Arcy Joanna , Hobbs F D Richard , Holt Jonathan , Kennedy Andrew , Loudon Margaret , Prendergast Anne , Prothero Anthony , Wilson Joanna , Prendergast Bernard D
Published: May 2018

Objective

Cardiac auscultation is a key clinical skill, particularly for the diagnosis of valvular heart disease (VHD). However, its utility has declined due to the widespread availability of echocardiography and diminishing emphasis on the importance of clinical examination. We aim to determine the contemporary accuracy of auscultation for diagnosing VHD in primary care.

Methods

Cardiac auscultation was undertaken by one of two experienced general practitioners (primary care/family doctors) in a subset of 251 asymptomatic participants aged >65 years undergoing echocardiography within a large community-based screening study of subjects with no known VHD. Investigators were blinded to the echocardiographic findings. Newly detected VHD was classified as mild (mild regurgitation of any valve or aortic sclerosis) or significant (at least moderate regurgitation or mild stenosis of any valve).

Results

Newly identified VHD was common, with mild disease in 170/251 participants (68%) and significant disease in 36/251 (14%). The sensitivity of auscultation was low for the diagnosis of mild VHD (32%) but slightly higher for significant VHD (44%), with specificities of 67% and 69%, respectively. Likelihood ratios were not statistically significant for the diagnosis of either mild or significant VHD in the overall cohort, but showed possible value for auscultation in non-overweight subjects (body mass index <25 kg/m2).

Conclusion

Cardiac auscultation has limited accuracy for the detection of VHD in asymptomatic patients and is a poor diagnostic screening tool in primary care, particularly for overweight subjects. Ensuring easy access to echocardiography in patients with symptoms suggesting VHD is likely to represent a better diagnostic strategy.