bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Cohort Study of Breast Cancer Risk after 20 Years of Follow-Up of Women Treated with Fertility Drugs
Authors: Guleria Sonia , Kjær Susanne K. , Albieri Vanna , Frederiksen Kirsten , Jensen Allan
Published: September 2019

Background:

Using a nationwide cohort of Danish women, we investigated the association between use of fertility drugs and risk of breast cancer.

Methods:

The study cohort included women ages 20 to 44 years and living in Denmark between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2011. Information on fertility status, use of fertility drugs, breast cancer, covariates, and vital status was obtained from the Danish Infertility Cohort and various Danish national registers. Cox proportional hazard regression models were applied to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusted for potential confounders.

Results:

Of the 1,330,852 women included, 96,782 (7.3%) were infertile, and 20,567 (1.5%) were diagnosed with breast cancer during a median follow-up of 20.9 years. Compared with fertile women, infertile women who had used any fertility drugs did not have an increased hazard for breast cancer overall (HR = 1.02; 95% CI, 0.95–1.10), or for any of the histologic types (ductal, lobular, or mucinous) of breast cancer. Furthermore, no associations were observed between use of specific types of fertility drugs and breast cancer.

Conclusions:

No convincing associations between use of fertility drugs and breast cancer were observed after two decades of follow-up.

Impact:

Our results do not support a marked association between fertility drugs and breast cancer and are therefore reassuring for infertile women treated with fertility drugs.
A Prospective Study of Intraprostatic Inflammation, Focal Atrophy, and Progression to Lethal Prostate Cancer
Authors: Zhang Yiwen , Zhou Cindy Ke , Rencsok Emily M. , Fall Katja , Lotan Tamara L. , Loda Massimo , Giunchi Francesca , Platz Elizabeth A. , De Marzo Angelo M. , Mucci Lorelei A. , Fiorentino Michelangelo , Ebot Ericka M.
Published: September 2019

Background:

Inflammation and focal atrophy are common features adjacent to prostate tumors. Limited evidence exists on whether these features have prognostic significance.

Methods:

In the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study and Physicians' Health Study, we studied 1,035 men diagnosed with prostate cancer. A genitourinary pathologist centrally reviewed tumor and normal areas of hematoxylin and eosin slides from prostate cancer specimens for the presence of acute and chronic inflammation, and four subtypes of focal atrophy. Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for potential confounders were used to estimate HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association of these features with lethal prostate cancer, defined as development of metastatic disease or death during follow-up.

Results:

During a median of 12 years of follow-up, 153 men developed lethal prostate cancer. A total of 84% of men had histologic evidence of chronic inflammation and 30% had acute inflammation. Both chronic and acute inflammation were inversely associated with lethal prostate cancer in age- and lifestyle-adjusted models. Chronic inflammation remained inversely associated with lethal prostate cancer after additionally adjusting for prognostic clinical features (HR = 0.45; 95% CI, 0.30–0.69 for mild and HR = 0.51; 95% CI, 0.33–0.80 for moderate to severe). None of the atrophic lesions were associated with lethal prostate cancer.

Conclusions:

Our data suggest that the presence of inflammation, particularly chronic inflammation, in prostate cancer tissue is associated with better prognosis among patients with prostate cancer.

Impact:

This is the largest prospective cohort study to examine the association between inflammation, focal atrophy, and lethal prostate cancer.
Transcriptomic Profiling Identifies a DNA Repair–Related Signature as a Novel Prognostic Marker in Lower Grade Gliomas
Authors: Zeng Fan , Liu Xiu , Wang Kuanyu , Zhao Zheng , Li Guanzhang
Published: September 2019

Background:

Gliomas are the most common and malignant intracranial tumors. The standard therapy is surgical resection combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, the emergence of radioresistance and chemoresistance, which is largely due to DNA damage repair, limits the therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, we identified a high-efficiency DNA damage repair–related risk signature as a predictor for prognosis in lower grade glioma.

Methods:

The signature was developed and validated in two independent datasets of the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (172 samples) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (451 samples). The time-dependent ROC curve, Cox regression, Nomogram, and Kaplan–Meier analyses were performed to evaluate the prognostic performance of the risk signature. The Metascape and IHC staining were performed to reveal the potential biological mechanism. GraphPad prism, SPSS, and R language were used for statistical analysis and graphical work.

Results:

This signature could distinguish the prognosis of patients, and patients with high-risk scores exhibited short survival time. The time-dependent ROC curve, Cox regression, and Nomogram model indicated the independent prognostic performance and high prognostic accuracy of the signature for survival. Combined with the IDH mutation status, this risk signature could further subdivide patients with distinct survival. Functional analysis of associated genes revealed signature-related biological process of cell cycle and DNA repair. These mechanisms were confirmed in patient samples.

Conclusions:

The DNA damage repair–related signature was an independent and powerful prognostic biomarker in lower grade glioma.

Impact:

The signature may potentially improve risk stratification of patients and provide a more accurate assessment of personalized treatment in clinic.
PD-1/PD-L1 Immune Checkpoint Inhibition with Radiation in Bladder Cancer: In Situ and Abscopal Effects
Authors: Rompré-Brodeur Alexis , Shinde-Jadhav Surashri , Ayoub Mina , Piccirillo Ciriaco A. , Seuntjens Jan , Brimo Fadi , Mansure Jose Joao , Kassouf Wassim
Published: September 2019

The combination of radiation with immune checkpoint inhibitors was reported in some cancers to have synergic effects both locally and distally. Our aim was to assess this combined therapy on both radiated and nonradiated bladder tumors and to characterize the immune landscape within the tumor microenvironment. Murine bladder cancer cells (MB49) were injected subcutaneously in both flanks of C57BL/6 mice. Mice were randomly assigned to the following treatments: placebo, anti-PD-L1 (four intraperitoneal injections over 2 weeks), radiation to right flank (10 Gy in two fractions), or radiation+anti-PD-L1. Tumor digestion, flow cytometry, and qPCR were performed. Log-rank analysis was used for statistical significance. Radiation+anti-PD-L1 group demonstrated statistically significant slower tumor growth rate both in the radiated and nonirradiated tumors (P < 0.001). Survival curves demonstrated superior survival in the combination group compared with each treatment alone (P = 0.02). Flow cytometry showed increased infiltration of immunosuppressive cells as well as CTL in the radiation and combination groups (P = 0.04). Ratio of immunosuppressive cells to CTL shifted in favor of cytotoxic activity in the combination arm (P < 0.001). The qPCR analysis revealed downregulation of immunosuppressive genes (CCL22, IL22, and IL13), as well as upregulation of markers of CTL activation (CXCL9, GZMA, and GZMB) within both the radiated and distant tumors within the combination group. Combining radiation with immune checkpoint inhibitor provided better response in the radiated tumors and also the distant tumors along with a shift within the tumor microenvironment favoring cytotoxic activity. These findings demonstrate a possible abscopal effect in urothelial carcinoma with combination therapy.
Pharmacology of the ATM Inhibitor AZD0156: Potentiation of Irradiation and Olaparib Responses Preclinically
Authors: Riches Lucy C. , Trinidad Antonio G. , Hughes Gareth , Jones Gemma N. , Hughes Adina M. , Thomason Andrew G. , Gavine Paul , Cui Andy , Ling Stephanie , Stott Jonathan , Clark Roger , Peel Samantha , Gill Pendeep , Goodwin Louise M. , Smith Aaron , Pike Kurt G. , Barlaam Bernard , Pass Martin , O'Connor Mark J. , Smith Graeme , Cadogan Elaine B.
Published: September 2019

AZD0156 is a potent and selective, bioavailable inhibitor of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) protein, a signaling kinase involved in the DNA damage response. We present preclinical data demonstrating abrogation of irradiation-induced ATM signaling by low doses of AZD0156, as measured by phosphorylation of ATM substrates. AZD0156 is a strong radiosensitizer in vitro, and using a lung xenograft model, we show that systemic delivery of AZD0156 enhances the tumor growth inhibitory effects of radiation treatment in vivo. Because ATM deficiency contributes to PARP inhibitor sensitivity, preclinically, we evaluated the effect of combining AZD0156 with the PARP inhibitor olaparib. Using ATM isogenic FaDu cells, we demonstrate that AZD0156 impedes the repair of olaparib-induced DNA damage, resulting in elevated DNA double-strand break signaling, cell-cycle arrest, and apoptosis. Preclinically, AZD0156 potentiated the effects of olaparib across a panel of lung, gastric, and breast cancer cell lines in vitro, and improved the efficacy of olaparib in two patient-derived triple-negative breast cancer xenograft models. AZD0156 is currently being evaluated in phase I studies (NCT02588105).
ALDH1A1 Contributes to PARP Inhibitor Resistance via Enhancing DNA Repair in BRCA2−/− Ovarian Cancer Cells
Authors: Liu Lu , Cai Shurui , Han Chunhua , Banerjee Ananya , Wu Dayong , Cui Tiantian , Xie Guozhen , Zhang Junran , Zhang Xiaoli , McLaughlin Eric , Yin Ming , Backes Floor J. , Chakravarti Arnab , Zheng Yanfang , Wang Qi-En
Published: September 2019

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (PARPi) are approved to treat recurrent ovarian cancer with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, and as maintenance therapy for recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer (BRCA wild-type or mutated) after treatment with platinum. However, the acquired resistance against PARPi remains a clinical hurdle. Here, we demonstrated that PARP inhibitor (olaparib)–resistant epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells exhibited an elevated aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity, mainly contributed by increased expression of ALDH1A1 due to olaparib-induced expression of BRD4, a member of bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) family protein. We also revealed that ALDH1A1 enhanced microhomology-mediated end joining (MMEJ) activity in EOC cells with inactivated BRCA2, a key protein that promotes homologous recombination (HR) by using an intrachromosomal MMEJ reporter. Moreover, NCT-501, an ALDH1A1-selective inhibitor, can synergize with olaparib in killing EOC cells carrying BRCA2 mutation in both in vitro cell culture and the in vivo xenograft animal model. Given that MMEJ activity has been reported to be responsible for PARPi resistance in HR-deficient cells, we conclude that ALDH1A1 contributes to the resistance to PARP inhibitors via enhancing MMEJ in BRCA2−/− ovarian cancer cells. Our findings provide a novel mechanism underlying PARPi resistance in BRCA2-mutated EOC cells and suggest that inhibition of ALDH1A1 could be exploited for preventing and overcoming PARPi resistance in EOC patients carrying BRCA2 mutation.
Intermittent Dosing Regimens of Aspirin and Naproxen Inhibit Azoxymethane-Induced Colon Adenoma Progression to Adenocarcinoma and Invasive Carcinoma
Authors: Mohammed Altaf , Janakiram Naveena B. , Madka Venkateshwar , Zhang Yuting , Singh Anil , Biddick Laura , Li Qian , Lightfoot Stanley , Steele Vernon E. , Lubet Ronald A. , Suen Chen S. , Miller Mark Steven , Sei Shizuko , Rao Chinthalapally V.
Published: September 2019

Chronic use of aspirin and related drugs to reduce cancer risk is limited by unwanted side effects. Thus, we assessed the efficacy associated with different dosing regimens of aspirin and naproxen. Azoxymethane (AOM)-rat colon cancer model was used to establish the pharmacodynamic efficacy of aspirin and naproxen under different dosing regimens. Colon tumors were induced in rats (36/group) by two weekly doses of AOM. At the early adenoma stage, rats were fed diets containing aspirin (700 and 1,400 ppm) or naproxen (200 and 400 ppm), either continuously, 1 week on/1 week off, or 3 weeks on/3 weeks off, or aspirin (2,800 ppm) 3 weeks on/3 weeks off. All rats were euthanized 48 weeks after AOM treatment and assessed for efficacy and biomarkers in tumor tissues. Administration of aspirin and naproxen produced no overt toxicities. Administration of different treatment regimens of both agents had significant inhibitory effects with clear dose-response effects. Aspirin suppressed colon adenocarcinoma multiplicity (both invasive and noninvasive) by 41% (P < 0.003) to 72% (P < 0.0001) and invasive colon adenocarcinomas by 67%–91% (P < 0.0001), depending on the treatment regimen. Naproxen doses of 200 and 400 ppm inhibited invasive adenocarcinoma multiplicity by 53%–88% (P < 0.0001), depending on the dosing regimen. Colonic tumor biomarker analysis revealed that proliferation (proliferating cell nuclear antigen and p21), apoptosis (p53 and Caspase-3), and proinflammatory mediators (IL1β and prostaglandin E2) were significantly correlated with the tumor inhibitory effects of aspirin and naproxen. Overall, our results suggest that intermittent dosing regimens with aspirin or naproxen demonstrated significant efficacy on the progression of adenomas to adenocarcinomas, without gastrointestinal toxicities.
The Transitional Heart: From Early Embryonic and Fetal Development to Neonatal Life
Authors: Tan Cheryl Mei Jun , Lewandowski Adam James
Published: September 2019

Formation of the human heart involves complex biological signals, interactions, specification of myocardial progenitor cells, and heart tube looping. To facilitate survival in the hypoxemic intrauterine environment, the fetus possesses structural, physiological, and functional cardiovascular adaptations that are fundamentally different from the neonate. At birth, upon separation from the placental circulation, the neonatal cardiovascular system takes over responsibility of vital processes for survival. The transition from the fetal to neonatal circulation is considered to be a period of intricate physiological, anatomical, and biochemical changes in the cardiovascular system. With a successful cardiopulmonary transition to the extrauterine environment, the fetal shunts are functionally modified or eliminated, enabling independent life. Investigations using medical imaging tools such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging have helped to define normal and abnormal patterns of cardiac remodeling both in utero and ex utero. This has not only allowed for a better understanding of how congenital cardiac malformations alter the hemodynamic transition to the extrauterine environment but also how other more common complications during pregnancy including intrauterine growth restriction, preeclampsia, and preterm delivery adversely affect offspring cardiac remodeling during this early transitional period. This review article describes key cardiac progenitors involved in embryonic heart development; the cellular, physiological, and anatomical changes during the transition from fetal to neonatal circulation; as well as the unique impact that different pregnancy complications have on cardiac remodeling.
The Role of Anterior Thalamic Deep Brain Stimulation as an Alternative Therapy in Patients with Previously Failed Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Refractory Epilepsy
Authors: Park Hea Ree , Choi Su Jung , Joo Eun Yeon , Seo Dae-Won , Hong Seung Bong , Lee Jung-Il , Hong Seung-Chyul , Lee Seunghoon , Shon Young-Min
Published: September 2019

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has provided new treatment options for refractory epilepsy; however, treatment outcomes of DBS in refractory epilepsy patients previously treated with vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) have not been clarified. Herein, treatment outcomes of DBS of the anterior nucleus of the thalamus (ANT-DBS) in patients who had previously experienced VNS failure are reported. Seven patients who had previously experienced VNS failure underwent ANT-DBS device implantation. VNS was turned off before DBS device implantation. Monthly seizure counts starting from baseline to 12–18 months after DBS were analyzed. Five (71.3%) of the 7 patients experienced a >50% reduction of seizure counts after DBS; 1 responder reached a seizure-free status after DBS therapy. Of the 2 nonresponders, 1 subject showed improvement in seizure strength and duration, which lessened the impact of the seizures on the patient’s quality of life. This is the first study in which favorable outcomes of ANT-DBS surgery were observed in individual patients with refractory epilepsy who had not responded to prior VNS. Further studies with a larger number of subjects and longer follow-up period are needed to confirm the feasibility of ANT-DBS in patients who have previously experienced VNS failure.
An Experimental Review of Optical Coherence Tomography Systems for Noninvasive Assessment of Hard Dental Tissues
Authors: Sahyoun Christine C. , Subhash Hrebesh M. , Peru Deborah , Ellwood Roger P. , Pierce Mark C.
Published: September 2019

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive, high-resolution, cross-sectional imaging technique. To date, OCT has been demonstrated in several areas of dentistry, primarily using wavelengths around 1,300 nm, low numerical aperture (NA) imaging lenses, and detectors insensitive to the polarization of light. The objective of this study is to compare the performance of three commercially available OCT systems operating with alternative wavelengths, imaging lenses, and detectors for OCT imaging of dental enamel. Spectral-domain (SD) OCT systems with (i) 840 nm (Lumedica, OQ LabScope 1.0), (ii) 1,300 nm (Thorlabs, Tel320) center wavelengths, and (iii) a swept-source (SS) OCT system (Thorlabs OCS1300SS) centered at 1,325 nm with optional polarization-sensitive detection were used. Low NA (0.04) and high NA (0.15) imaging lenses were used with system (iii). Healthy in vivo and in vitrohuman enamel and eroded in vitro bovine enamel specimens were imaged. The Tel320 system achieved greater imaging depth than the OQ LabScope 1.0, on average imaging 2.6 times deeper into the tooth (n = 10). The low NA lens provided a larger field of view and depth of focus, while the high NA lens provided higher lateral resolution and greater contrast. Polarization-sensitive imaging eliminated birefringent banding artifacts that can appear in conventional OCT scans. In summary, this study illustrates the performance of three commercially available OCT systems, objective lenses, and imaging modes and how these can affect imaging depth, resolution, field of view, and contrast in enamel. Users investigating OCT for dental applications should consider these factors when selecting an OCT system for clinical or basic science studies.
Comprehensive Assessment of Kidney Health in Acute Kidney Injury: Can It Be Achieved?
Authors: Macedo Etienne , Lima Camila
Published: September 2019

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent event in hospitalized patients, with an incidence that continues to rise, reaching as high as 70–80% in intensive care settings. The need for dialysis and progression to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) after an episode of AKI is relatively low, from 5 to 20%. However, it is now recognized that patients with AKI may have very different kidney outcomes, varying from complete recovery, incipient chronic kidney disease (CKD), to progression to ESKD. Recent studies have shown that even mild AKI episodes can be associated with a 90% increased risk of developing CKD during long-term follow-up. There is a significant need to focus our efforts on factors that could mitigate the progression of kidney dysfunction and ultimately improve outcomes from AKI. The first step toward this goal encompasses a better understanding of tubular and glomerular alterations during and following an AKI episode. Our current approach, based solely on glomerular filtration rate (GFR), is flawed, since the loss of kidney function does not correspond to the degree of decline in estimated GFR (eGFR), and eGFR does not reflect tubular function. Changes in tubular concentration, reabsorptive and secretory capacity are recognized in AKI; however, they have not been incorporated in clinical assessments of overall kidney function. Here we review a few candidates to assess glomerular filtration/permeability, tubular dysfunction, and injury and how we expect these markers to alter during the development and recovery phase of AKI.
Effects of 7-Methylxanthine on Deprivation Myopia and Retinal Dopamine Release in Chickens
Authors: Liu Hong , Schaeffel Frank , Trier Klaus , Feldkaemper Marita
Published: September 2019

Introduction: Intake of 7-methylxanthine (7-MX), an adenosine receptor (AR) antagonist, has been shown to inhibit school myopia in children and deprivation myopia in rhesus monkeys, but the underlying mechanisms are not known. Also retinal dopamine seems to be involved in the control of eye growth, and in the brain, ARs and dopamine receptors interact widely by heteromerization. We have studied whether 7-MX can inhibit deprivation myopia also in chickens and whether inhibition may involve the retinal dopamine system. Methods: 7-MX was applied by either tube-feeding (100 µg/g body weight, twice a day) or intravitreal injection (12.5 µg, every other day). Forty-eight 2-week-old chicks wore unilateral diffusers and were randomly assigned to either the tube-feeding group (involving 7-MX, vehicle [xanthan gum], or no feeding, for 13 days) or the intravitreal injection group (involving 7-MX, vehicle, or DMSO, for 8 days). Refractions (REs), ocular biometry (AL, VCD), and scleral and choroidal thickness (ChT) were measured before and after treatment. Dopamine and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) content were determined in retina and vitreous by HPLC at the end of the experiments. Results: No matter how 7-MX was applied, it did not inhibit deprivation myopia in chicks. No significant differences were observed in RE, VCD, AL, and scleral fibrous layer thickness. Feeding 7-MX produced more choroidal thinning in the open contralateral eye compared to control eyes in the vehicle-fed group (–40 ± 14 vs. –1 ± 7 µm, unpaired t test, p < 0.05). DOPAC and dopamine concentration in vitreous and DOPAC concentration in retina did not change with 7-MX. Vitreal dopamine content was significantly decreased in deprived eyes in the groups fed with the vehicle xanthan gum (paired t test, p < 0.01) but not in 7-MX-treated eyes, perhaps indicating a small effect of 7-MX on dopamine. Conclusions: In our study, 7-MX had no effect on DM in chicks and only minor effects on ChT and retinal dopamine. It remains unclear whether 7-MX inhibits myopia through a retinal mechanism or whether it acts directly on choroid and sclera. In the latter case, the finding that myopia is suppressed in mammals but not birds might be explained by differences in scleral structure.
Cytology in Anal Cancer Screening: Practical Review for Clinicians
Authors: Albuquerque Andreia
Published: September 2019

The incidence and mortality of anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are expected to continue to increase in the next 20 years. High-risk groups for anal SCC, i.e., human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients, men who have sex with men (MSM), women with previous genital neoplasia, and solid-organ transplant recipients, have been identified. HIV-positive MSM have the highest risk, and some societies have advocated for anal cancer screening to be done in this population. Screening for anal SCC follows the same principles as that for cervical cancer since there are similarities between the two types of cancers. Anal cytology has been recommended as an initial screening method for high-risk groups, e.g., HIV-positive MSM. Normally, the cytology is liquid based and collected blindly by a clinician using a Dacron swab and it is especially used for internal lesions detection. The sensitivity to predict anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions is higher in immunosuppressed patients with a high burden of the disease. The report should include the classification, normally according to the Bethesda terminology and the sample adequacy, in a manner similar to that for cervical cytology. In cases involving unsatisfactory samples, it is important to repeat the procedure given the prevalence of anal squamous cytological abnormalities in follow-up cytology procedures. The absence of transformation zone cells in anal cytology seems to increase the risk of false-negative results.
Agroecologia e soberania alimentar na Amazônia: para além das trincheiras do modelo de desenvolvimento agrário/ agrícola
Authors: Dourado José Aparecido Lima
Published: September 2019

Esse artigo tem como objetivo refletir sobre a ligação entre a agroecologia e a soberania alimentar, a partir da realidade amazônica, com vista a problematizar as particularidades regionais a serem consideradas ao se tratar da temática, visto que, no Brasil, o fortalecimento do debate sobre o assunto dá-se no contexto da transição agroecológica, principalmente nas regiões/locais onde os movimentos sociais de luta pela terra (MST e Via Campesina, entre outros) têm atuação marcante.
(In)segurança hídrica e o desafio de produzir sem acesso à água em assentamentos de reforma agrária do município de Uberlândia -MG
Authors: Garcia Jéssica Cristina , Cleps Júnior João
Published: September 2019

Na atualidade, a questão da água vem ganhando destaque, não apenas nas mídias, mas também no que diz respeito à regulamentação de políticas públicas. É notório que os debates em torno da sustentabilidade ambiental são de suma importância, sobretudo, quando se leva em consideração a produção agrícola e a qualidade de vida dos agricultores e da população que consome o que é produzido no campo. No entanto, as políticas públicas destinadas ao espaço rural comumente priorizam o agronegócio, em detrimento da agricultura camponesa, que atualmente se afirma nos movimentos sociais de luta pela terra e para sua permanência nela. Com documentos que regulam e legitimam a exploração da natureza em áreas demarcadas pelo Estado (assentamentos rurais), os camponeses muitas vezes não conseguem extrair da terra o necessário para seu próprio sustento, pois o aspecto ambiental acaba sendo priorizado, em detrimento da produção agrícola dos assentados. Dessa forma, é importante atentar para o Plano de Desenvolvimento de Assentamento (PDA), pois é nele que estão as alternativas para a consolidação ou não de um projeto de assentamento de reforma agrária, assim como a questão do uso e acesso à água, que tem se tornado um entrave à produção agrícola e à qualidade de vida da população dos assentamentos rurais, visto que a falta de água para a produção agrícola constitui uma das maiores barreiras para consolidação desses assentamentos. É caso de quatro projetos de assentamentos rurais do município de Uberlândia-MG.
Financial Constraints & Collegiate Student Learning: A Behavioral Economics Perspective
Authors: Castleman Benjamin , Meyer Katharine
Published: September 2019

Gaps in college completion persist between low- and high-income students. These disparities can be attributed in large part to a lack of college affordability and information asymmetries about the process of accessing financial assistance as well as other campus-based resources and supports. While substantial policy investments have been made to address these inequalities, such as expanded financial aid programs and increased investments in college advising, these programs are not always fully utilized by students who might benefit from them. In this essay, we apply a behavioral economics perspective to examine how financial constraints affect students' navigation of the complex processes–financial, academic, and otherwise–required to succeed in American higher education. We conclude with a discussion of evidence-based behavioral strategies that policy-makers and educators can draw on to proactively mitigate these behavioral obstacles and improve student success.
Investigating the role of life-history traits in mammalian genomes
Authors: Tang Yun , Mai Chun Lan , Yu Jian Ping , Li Da Yong
Published: September 2019

Genome size evolution has intrigued many evolutionary biologists. Ultimately, the reasons that genomes have become large are proliferation of non-coding elements and/or duplication events. The proximate causes are related to phylogeny, life-history traits and environmental factors. Genome size in mammals exhibits little interspecific variation compared with other taxa. The proximate causes and the evolutionary patterns shaped by phylogeny or life-history traits are largely unknown for mammals. Here, with a dataset of 121 species of mammals, we studied the variations of genome size associated with life history using a comparative quantitative analysis. The results showed that the genome size was positively associated with body size, but not with four other life-history traits (i.e., gestation period, weaning age, litter size, and longevity) in these species. For Primates, Rodentia and Chiroptera, the genome size was not correlated with life-history traits. Our results suggest that evolution of a large genome may result from increased cell size and thus facilitate the evolution of large bodies.
The Role of the Non-state Film Industry in Promoting China’s Soft Power
Authors: Yang Yanling
Published: September 2019

This article explores the role of non-state actors from the film industry in promoting China’s soft power. Much research on non-state actors has emphasised the Anglophone world, while little research has been undertaken in the context of non-democratic regimes such as China. Therefore, following scholarly reviews on soft power and the role of its key actors, this article analyses China’s approach to soft power, based on semi-structured interviews conducted with film experts to explore the role of non-state actors in generating soft power. The study reveals that although China has consistently privileged state-owned actors over non-state actors, non-state actors have actually played an increasingly important role in disseminating soft power. The article argues that the more powerfully the Chinese authorities emphasise China’s state actors, the less likely it is that China will win hearts and minds — because of China’s domestic political ideology and censorship mechanism in the field.
A review of Caribbean Copepoda associated with reef-dwelling cnidarians, echinoderms and sponges
Authors: Korzhavina Oksana A. , Hoeksema Bert W. , Ivanenko Viatcheslav N.
Published: September 2019

This review of copepod crustaceans associated with reef-dwelling cnidarians, sponges and echinoderms of the Greater Caribbean is based on published records, systematically arranged by the classification of symbiotic copepods and their hosts, sampling sites, coordinates, depth and date of sampling, literature sources, and three recent surveys (Cuba, St. Eustatius in the Eastern Caribbean and Curaçao in the Southern Caribbean). This resulted in totals of 532 records of 115 species of symbiotic copepods (47 genera, 17 families, three orders) hosted by 80 species of invertebrates, representing scleractinians (47%), octocorals (9%), echinoderms (3%), and sponges (1%). Among ten Caribbean ecoregions, the Greater Antilles (with 64 species of symbiotic copepods) as well as the Southern and Eastern Caribbean (with 46 and 17 species of copepods, respectively) are the most studied and best represented, whereas only six species of copepods are known from Bermuda, one from Southwestern Caribbean and none from the Gulf of Mexico. The absence of poecilostomatoid copepods (Anchimolgidae, Rhynchomolgidae and Xarifidae) on Caribbean stony corals as noted by Stock (1988) is confirmed. The results indicate that the diversity and ecology of Caribbean symbiotic copepods are still poorly investigated.
Germany’s Excessive Agricultural Nitrogen Emissions and the Need for Improving Existing Regulatory Concepts
Authors: Möckel Stefan
Published: September 2019

For decades, German agriculture has been responsible for high nitrogen inputs into the environment. Recent reductions in nitrogen surpluses that were originally caused by fertilization are not sufficient to meet European requirements. In the case of ammonia emissions, there has even been an upward trend despite contradicting national emission targets due to the expansion of animal husbandry. Both developments are not surprising, since German agricultural policy has for years been unable to adopt stricter measures that would reduce nitrogen surpluses and ammonia emissions and modernise existing regulatory concepts in line with European requirements. This paper presents the state of current emissions in section 1. Subsequently, sections 2 to 4 present the regulatory concepts for livestock facilities, agricultural fertilisation as well as the protection of Natura 2000 areas from agricultural intervention and identify their shortcomings in the light of recent rulings by the European Court of Justice. The paper offers a summary assessment that includes the most important areas for improvement.
NGOs and West European Migration Governance (1860s until Present): Introduction to a Special Issue
Authors: Schrover Marlou , Vosters Teuntje , Glynn Irial
Published: September 2019

Social and political scientists are involved in an extensive but inconclusive debate about the role of international nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) in European migration governance. The European Union (EU) and NGOs work under the assumption that NGOs are crucial to migration governance and yet the role of NGOs is not clear. The EU has invested time and money in its attempts to involve NGOs more actively in migration governance, but it does so without much knowledge of how ngos in the past have influenced migration governance, and thus with no idea if the current investments are worthwhile. In this article, which is the introduction to the special issue on this subject, we take a closer look at the NGOs involved in West European migration in the period from the 1860s until the present day in order to understand the changing role of NGOs in migration governance in Europe. Providing moral, logistical and expert authority in a purportedly impartial way, NGOs have added a dimension to migration governance that states cannot replicate. As a result, the number of NGOs has gradually increased and at times their influence has become significant. However, in providing a chronology of the involvement of NGOs in migration governance, we show that their influence on migration governance policies and practices has not been linear. During some windows of opportunity (e.g. in the immediate years following the First and Second World Wars and the Cold War), NGOs became more prominent and effective, while at other times (e.g. the 1930s), their importance waned. The presence and capacity of NGOs to contribute to migration governance depended on whether states, and increasingly after 1945, intergovernmental organisations such as the UN, needed them to further their own interests or to fulfil a role that they could not play.
Regulating Human Mobility through Networking and Outsourcing: icem, IOs and NGOs during the 1950s
Authors: Parsanoglou Dimitris , Papadopoulos Yannis
Published: September 2019

The Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration (icem) was founded in 1952 to manage the migration of migrants and refugees of European origin to overseas countries. Its foundation was part of the effort during the Post-war period to find supranational solutions to global problems and can be considered as the first to achieve ‘migration management’. icem was also part of the US propaganda mechanism during the Cold War aiming at proving the superiority of the ‘Free World’ to allocate human resources and streamlining the movement of refugees from Eastern Europe. To achieve this task icem collaborated closely with international organisations such as the ilo. At the same time, since its foundation it outsourced the process from registration to placement of immigrants and refugees to a series of national, international or religious voluntary organisations. The article tries to assess the process and the results of this collaboration during the first decade of icem’s operation.
Revision of Hyalopale (Chrysopetalidae; Phyllodocida; Annelida): an amphi-Atlantic Hyalopale bispinosa species complex and five new species from reefs of the Caribbean Sea and Indo-Pacific Oceans
Authors: WATSON CHARLOTTE , TILIC EKIN , ROUSE GREG W.
Published: September 2019

The formerly monotypic taxon, Hyalopale bispinosa Perkins 1985 (Chrysopetalinae), is comprised of a cryptic species complex from predominantly tropical embayments and island reefs of the Western Atlantic and Indo-Pacific Oceans. Hyalopale species are of meiofaunal size (length: 1−2.8mm), but considered non-interstitial, with the majority of species inhabiting a singular habitat of shallow littoral zones among algae and epifauna overlying sediments in rubble. Hyalopale adults exhibit notochaetal fans characterized by the presence of lateral and midline notochaetal spines. Species of Hyalopale can be distinguished by the shape of glass-like notochaetal paleae and the number of densely stacked ribs. Hyalopale bispinosa forms a western and eastern Atlantic species complex, comprising the type species, Hyalopale bispinosa s.s., a comparatively larger form with the highest number of notochaetal paleael ribs from Florida, and Hyalopale cf. bispinosa, from the western and eastern Mediterranean, a smaller form with a similar notochaetal morphology to the latter. Unfortunately, no molecular sequence data is available for Hyalopale bispinosa s.s. Five new species are described, with molecular sequence data provided for three: Hyalopale leslieae sp. nov., a small form with a comparatively low number of paleal ribs, found from the Florida Keys to Belize, Caribbean Sea, H. zerofskii sp. nov. from southern California and Mexico, eastern Pacific and H. sapphiriglancyorum sp. nov., a distinctive species with the lowest number of paleael ribs, from Raja Ampat, Indonesia and the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, western Pacific. Two other species are described from morphology alone: H. angeliensis sp. nov. from Dampier, Western Australia and Seychelle Islands, eastern Indian Ocean and H. furfuricula sp. nov. from the Red Sea and Mozambique, western Indian Ocean, possessing a unique paleal brow shape. While well supported as a clade, support for relationships within Hyalopale is low. Hyalopale cf. bispinosa (Mediterranean) was recovered as sister group to the remaining Hyalopale, with H. leslieae sp. nov. as sister to the Hyalopale Pacific clade, comprising H. zerofskii sp. nov. (eastern Pacific) and H. sapphiriglancyorum sp. nov. (western Pacific). Within Chrysopetalinae, Hyalopale and Paleanotus formed a clade that was the sister group to the other paleate chrysopetalids under maximum likelihood, though Paleanotus grouped with the other paleate forms under maximum parsimony. The adult morphology of Hyalopale species is compared with that exhibited in the larvae of Paleanotus species; based on these results, including possession of a shared notochaetal character, Hyalopale is considered to contain paedomorphic taxa.
Bracon planitibiae sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a new parasitoid of Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis)
Authors: CAO LIANG-MING , WANG XIAO-YI , GOULD JULI-RUTH , LI FEI , ZHANG YAN-LONG , YANG ZHONG-QI
Published: September 2019

Bracon planitibiae sp. nov. (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), a new species parasitizing first instar larvae of Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky), (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), is described. Its host is a serious wood boring pest in China, North America and Europe, where it causes severe damages to plantations of Acer spp., Populus spp., Salix spp., Ulmus spp., and many other ornamental and forest tree species. We obtained a variety of parasitoid species by using Asian longhorned beetle–infested sentinel logs to attract natural parasitoids, of which B. planitibiae sp. nov. is one. Detailed photographs of the new species are provided.
A Region-Dependent Seasonal Forecasting Framework for Tropical Cyclone Genesis Frequency in the Western North Pacific
Authors: Wang Chao , Wang Bin , Wu Liguang
Published: September 2019

It has been a common practice to predict total tropical cyclone (TC) genesis frequency over the entire western North Pacific (WNP). Here we show that TC genesis (TCG) exhibits distinct regional variability and sources of predictability. Therefore, we divide the WNP into four quadrants with 140°E and 17°N being dividing lines plus the South China Sea (SCS) to predict five subregional TCG frequencies as well as the entire WNP TCG frequency. Besides the well-known ENSO-induced seesaw relationship between the TCGs in the southeast and northwest quadrants, we found that 1) an enhanced TCG in the northeast WNP is associated with a pronounced anomalous cyclonic circulation, which is maintained through its interaction with the underlying sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies; 2) an active TCG in the southwest WNP is accompanied by a zonally elongated positive vorticity anomaly and SST warming over the equatorial eastern Pacific; and 3) the SCS TCG is influenced by the upper-level South Asia high through modulating large-scale environmental parameters. Physically meaningful predictors are identified and a set of empirical prediction models for TCG frequency is established for each subregion. Both the cross-validated reforecast for 1965–2000 and independent forecast for 2001–16 show significant temporal correlation skills. Moreover, the sum of the predicted TCG frequency in five subregions yields a basinwide TCG frequency prediction with a temporal correlation skill of 0.76 for the independent forecast period of 2001–16. The results indicate its potential utility to improve the TC forecasting in the WNP.
Mesoscale Air–Sea Interaction and Its Role in Eddy Energy Dissipation in the Kuroshio Extension
Authors: Yang Haiyuan , Chang Ping , Qiu Bo , Zhang Qiuying , Wu Lixin , Chen Zhaohui , Wang Hong
Published: September 2019

Using the high-resolution Community Earth System Model (CESM) output, this study investigates air–sea interaction and its role in eddy energy dissipation in the Kuroshio Extension (KE) region. Based on an eddy energetics analysis, it is found that the baroclinic pathway associated with temperature variability is the main eddy energy source in this region. Both the air–sea heat flux and wind stress act as eddy killers that remove energy from oceanic eddies. Heat exchange between atmosphere and oceanic eddies dominates the dissipation of eddy temperature variance within the surface layer and accounts for 36% of the total dissipation in the upper 350-m layer. Compared to the heat exchange, the role of wind power in damping the eddy kinetic energy (EKE) is relatively small. Only 18% of EKE dissipation in the upper 350 m is attributed to eddy wind power. Misrepresentation of the damping role of mesoscale ocean–atmosphere interaction can result in an incorrect vertical structure of eddy energy dissipation, leading to an erroneous representation of vertical mixing in the interior ocean.
The Protestant Ethic Reexamined: Calvinism and Industrialization
Authors: Spater Jeremy , Tranvik Isak
Published: September 2019

Can cultural differences affect economic change? Max Weber famously argued that ascetic Protestants’ religious commitments—specifically their work ethic—inspired them to develop capitalist economic systems conducive to rapid economic change. Yet today, scholars continue to debate the empirical validity of Weber’s claims, which address a vibrant literature in political economy on the relationship between culture and economic change. We revisit the link between religion and economic change in Reformed Europe. To do so, we leverage a quasi-experiment in Western Switzerland, where certain regions had Reformed Protestant beliefs imposed on them by local authorities during the Swiss Reformation, while other regions remained Catholic. Using 19th-century Swiss census data, we perform a fuzzy spatial regression discontinuity design to test Weber’s hypothesis and find that the Swiss Protestants in the Canton of Vaud industrialized faster than their Catholic neighbors in Fribourg.
Nautical Collision Avoidance
Authors: Wickens Christopher D. , Williams Adam , Clegg Benjamin A. , Smith C. A. P.
Published: September 2019

Objective

Experimentally investigate maneuver decision preferences in navigating ships to avoid a collision. How is safety (collision avoidance) balanced against efficiency (deviation from path and delay) and rules of the road under conditions of both trajectory certainty and uncertainty.

Background

Human decision error is a prominent factor in nautical collisions, but the multiple factors of geometry of collisions and role of uncertainty have been little studied in empirical human factors literature.

Approach

Eighty-seven Mechanical Turk participants performed in a lower fidelity ship control simulation, depicting ownship and a cargo ship hazard on collision or near-collision trajectories of various conflict geometries, while controlling heading and speed with the sluggish relative dynamics. Experiment 1 involved the hazard on a straight trajectory. In Experiment 2, the hazard could turn on unpredictable trials. Participants were rewarded for efficiency and penalized for collisions or close passes.

Results

Participants made few collisions, but did so more often when on a collision path. They sometimes violated the instructed rules of the road by maneuvering in front of the hazard ship’s path. They preferred speed control to heading control. Performance degraded in conditions of uncertainty.

Conclusion

Data reveal an understanding of maneuver decisions and conditions that affect the balance between safety and efficiency.

Application

The simulation and data highlight the degrading role of uncertainty and provide a foundation upon which more complex questions can be asked, asked of more trained navigators, and decision support tools examined.
Predicting Design-Induced Error on the Flight Deck
Authors: Parnell Katie J. , Banks Victoria A. , Plant Katherine L. , Griffin Thomas G. C. , Beecroft Peter , Stanton Neville A.
Published: September 2019

Objective

To explore the types of errors that commercial pilots may make when trying to resolve a suspected engine oil leak using the interfaces currently available.

Background

The decisions that pilots make often have to be made quickly and under time pressure, with the emphasis on avoiding critical situations from arising. To make the correct decisions, it is vital that pilots have accurate and up-to-date information available. However, interaction with flight deck interfaces may lead to error if they are not effectively designed.

Method

A hierarchical task analysis was conducted using evidence from pilot interview data to understand the pilots’ typical response to a suspected engine oil leak scenario. This was used as the primary input into the Systematic Human Error Reduction and Prediction Approach (SHERPA).

Results

A total of 108 possible errors were identified. The most common error type was a retrieval error, in which flight crews may retrieve the wrong information about the engine. A number of remedial measures are proposed to try and overcome such issues.

Conclusion

This analysis provides an initial starting point for identifying potential future design ideas that can assist the pilots in dealing with oil leaks.

Application

This work has identified the value of applying human error identification methodologies to the assessment of current flight deck processes surrounding engine oil leaks. The method presented permits the operational analysis of possible errors on the flight deck and facilitates the proposition of remedial measures to implement technological innovations that can mitigate error.