bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Levels in the Prediction of Progression of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease
Authors: Jiménez‐Balado Joan , Riba‐Llena Iolanda , Maisterra Olga , Pizarro Jesús , Palasí Antoni , Pujadas Francesc , Mundet Xavier , Vinyoles Ernest , Delgado Pilar
Published: June 2020

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to study the value of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in predicting the global progression of cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD).

DESIGN

Longitudinal cohort study.

SETTING

Data from the population‐based Investigating Silent Strokes in Hypertensives study.

PARTICIPANTS

Individuals with hypertension who were 50 to 70 years of age and stroke free at baseline. In baseline and follow‐up visits, patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging and ABPM.

MEASUREMENTS

Ambulatory systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels were studied as continuous variables and dichotomized according to good or poor control on the basis of 125/75 (24 hours), 130/80 (day), and 110/65 (night) mm Hg cutoff values. Whole cSVD progression was qualitatively scored with 1 point when an incident lesion (incident lacunar infarcts, deep cerebral microbleeds, white matter hyperintensities, and basal ganglia enlarged perivascular spaces) was detected. The score ranged from 0 to 4.

RESULTS

We followed up 233 participants with a median age of 65 years within 4 years. A total of 61 (26.2%) and 23 (9.9%) subjects showed cSVD progression in one and two or more markers, respectively. Baseline ambulatory SBP and DBP and nighttime pulse pressure (PP) values were positively correlated with the number of incident cSVD lesions. Interestingly, patients without incident lesions showed greater differences between office and ambulatory BP, thus suggesting an increased white coat effect. Poor DBP control, nighttime PP, and DBP white coat effect were independently associated with cSVD progression. The inclusion of these metrics in a clinical model resulted in a significant increase in the prediction of incident lesions (integrated discrimination improvement = 9.09%; P value <.001).

CONCLUSION

ABPM may help assess cSVD risk of progression, especially by the identification of poor BP control, masked hypertension, and increased nighttime PP. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:2232–2239, 2020.
Predicting the rate of oxygen uptake from step counts using ActiGraph waist‐worn accelerometers in adults with Down syndrome
Authors: Bertapelli F. , Allred A. T. , Choi P. , Pitchford E. A. , Guerra‐Junior G. , Agiovlasitis S.
Published: June 2020

Background

Step rate predicts ambulatory intensity as reflected in the rate of oxygen uptake (VO2) – a measure of energy expenditure. Whether step rate as measured by an accelerometer predicts VO2 in adults with Down syndrome (DS) is unknown. We examined whether step rate predicts VO2 in adults with and without DS. We also developed an equation for predicting VO2 and examined its accuracy.

Method

Sixteen adults with DS (6 women and 10 men; age 31 ± 15 years) and 19 adults without DS (9 women and 10 men; age 25 ± 6 years) performed standing and walking at their preferred speed, 0.8 and 1.4 m·s−1. We measured VO2 with a portable spirometer and step rate with a triaxial accelerometer (wGT3X‐BT; ActiGraph) on the non‐dominant hip, using the low‐frequency extension filter. We ran multilevel regression for predicting VO2 from linear and quadratic terms for step rate, group (1 = DS; 0 = non‐DS), body mass, height, body mass index (BMI), leg length and sex. We estimated VO2 with the resultant equation and calculated the equation's absolute per cent error, which we compared between groups.

Results

VO2 was higher in persons with than without DS only at the fast walking speed (P = 0.018). DS did not predict VO2. Step rate, step rate squared and BMI were significant predictors of VO2 (P < 0.001; R2 = 0.80). Absolute error across walking speeds was 13.5–18.8% and 11.7–13.4% for adults with and without DS, respectively, and did not differ between groups or speeds.

Conclusions

Step rate, step rate squared and BMI predict VO2 in adults with and without DS. Prediction error does not differ between groups.
Hedgehog signaling promotes multidrug resistance by regulation of ABC transporters in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Lu Xiangwan , Wang Zhanghao , Huang Hongxing , Wang Hua
Published: June 2020

Background

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is one of the reasons for treatment failure in oral squamous cancer patients; however, the MDR mechanisms remain elusive.

Methods

Two human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell lines, CAL27 and SCC9, were analyzed by stepwise selection upon exposure to 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) and cisplatin (CDDP) for MDR cell line establishment, and cell viability was analyzed by CCK8 assays. Transcriptomes of the CAL27 and CAL27‐MDR cells were analyzed by RNA‐seq assay. The molecules in Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signal pathway and MDR related pathway were selected for validation by qRT‐PCR and Western blot. Human OSCC tissues were applied for immunohistochemical and clinicopathological analysis.

Results

The OSCC‐MDR cell lines with resistance to 5‐FU and CDDP were successfully established. Protein expression levels of ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporter ABCC1 and ABCG2 were increased 1.6‐fold and 2.1‐flod, respectively, in OSCC specimen from the patients with chemotherapy. The RNA‐seq assay speculated the activation of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling with the upregulation of SHH, PTCH1, and SMO in OSCC‐MDR cells as compared with OSCC cells. Furthermore, immunohistochemical studies confirmed that the high expression of SHH, PTCH1, and SMO in OSCC patients was significantly associated with chemotherapy. Overexpression of SHH increased the chemoresistance in OSCC cells, while the mRNA expression levels of PTCH1 and ABCG2 were increased in OSCC cells upon stimulation with recombinant SHH protein.

Conclusions

These results revealed that the activation of Hh signaling pathway regulating ABC transporters is associated MDR in OSCC.
Socio‐Ecological Factors Associated With Students' Perceived Impact of an Evidence‐Based Sexual Health Education Curriculum
Authors: Markham Christine M. , Peskin Melissa F. , Baumler Elizabeth R. , Addy Robert C. , Thiel Melanie A. , Laris B. A. , Baker Kimberly , Hernandez Belinda , Shegog Ross , Coyle Karin , Emery Susan Tortolero
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

Although schools often implement evidence‐based sexual health education programs to address sexual and reproductive health disparities, multiple factors may influence program effectiveness.

METHODS

Using student‐reported perceived impact measures as a proxy for program effectiveness, we employed a socio‐ecological approach to examine student, teacher, school, and district factors associated with greater perceived impact of It's Your Game (IYG), an evidence‐based middle school sexual health education program. The student sample was 58.7% female, 51.8% Hispanic, mean age 13.2 years, from 73 middle schools. We assessed students' (N = 4531) perceived impact of IYG on healthy decision‐making (α = 0.75) and sexual communication (α = 0.71); satisfaction with IYG activities and teacher; and demographics. We assessed teachers' (N = 56) self‐efficacy to teach IYG, perceived administrative support, implementation barriers, and demographics. School and district data were abstracted from state records. We used multilevel logistic regression to estimate associations between independent variables and student‐reported perceived impact.

RESULTS

In final multivariate models, students' demographics (sex, β = 0.06, SE = 0.015), satisfaction with IYG (β = 0.21, SE = 0.012), and their IYG teacher (β = 0.18, SE = 0.013) (all p = .000) were significantly associated with perceived impact on healthy decision‐making. Similar findings resulted for sexual communication. No other variables were significantly associated with perceived impact.

CONCLUSIONS

Helping schools select age‐appropriate, culturally relevant programs, and facilitate supportive learning environments may enhance the perceived impact of sexual health education programs.
Female bladder neck dysfunction—A video‐urodynamic diagnosis among women with voiding dysfunction
Authors: Ong Hueih Ling , Lee Cheng‐Ling , Kuo Hann‐Chorng
Published: June 2020

Objective

To investigate bladder neck dysfunction (BND) in women with voiding dysfunction by video‐urodynamic study (VUDS) and to examine the therapeutic results of different BND subtypes.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed consecutive women who had undergone VUDS for investigation of voiding dysfunction at our institution. The diagnosis of BND was made based on a nonfunneling bladder neck with or without high voiding detrusor pressure. Patients diagnosed as BND were retrieved, and the urodynamic parameters were compared with patients with dysfunctional voiding (DV) and other bladder outlet obstructions (BOO).

Results

Among 810 women with bladder outlet dysfunction, BND was noted in 100 (12.3%), poor pelvic floor relaxation in 336 (41.5%), DV in 325 (40.1%), cystocele in 19 (2%), and urethral stricture in 30 (4%). Compared with the normal tracing group, BND patients had a significantly smaller volume of bladder filling sensation (included first sensation of filling, full sensation and cystometric bladder capaicity) and a greater BOO index (BOOI) (all P < .05). Detrusor overactivity was noted in 46 (46%) BND patients. These urodynamic parameters in BND were not significantly different from patients with DV or other BOO. High‐pressure BND had a greater BOOI, but low‐pressure BND had a lower voiding efficiency. Both alpha‐blocker therapy and transurethral incision of the bladder neck improved uroflow parameters in BND patients.

Conclusions

BND includes 12.3% of women with bladder outlet dysfunction. High‐pressure BND can cause anatomical BOO, whereas low‐pressure BND is likely to affect micturition through inhibiting detrusor contractility. VUDS is the mainstay diagnostic tool to diagnose BND in women.
Evolutionary trade‐offs of insecticide resistance — The fitness costs associated with target‐site mutations in the nAChR of Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Homem Rafael A. , Buttery Bliss , Richardson Ewan , Tan Yao , Field Linda M. , Williamson Martin S. , Emyr Davies T. G.
Published: June 2020

The evolution of resistance to drugs and pesticides poses a major threat to human health and food security. Neonicotinoids are highly effective insecticides used to control agricultural pests. They target the insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and mutations of the receptor that confer resistance have been slow to develop, with only one field‐evolved mutation being reported to date. This is an arginine‐to‐threonine substitution at position 81 of the nAChR_β1 subunit in neonicotinoid‐resistant aphids. To validate the role of R81T in neonicotinoid resistance and to test whether it may confer any significant fitness costs to insects, CRISPR/Cas9 was used to introduce an analogous mutation in the genome of Drosophila melanogaster. Flies carrying R81T showed an increased tolerance (resistance) to neonicotinoid insecticides, accompanied by a significant reduction in fitness. In comparison, flies carrying a deletion of the whole nAChR_α6 subunit, the target site of spinosyns, showed an increased tolerance to this class of insecticides but presented almost no fitness deficits.
Nest attentiveness drives nest predation in arctic sandpipers
Authors: Meyer Nicolas , Bollache Loïc , Dechaume‐Moncharmont François‐Xavier , Moreau Jérôme , Afonso Eve , Angerbjörn Anders , Bêty Joël , Ehrich Dorothée , Gilg Vladimir , Giroux Marie‐Andrée , Hansen Jannik , Lanctot Richard B. , Lang Johannes , Lecomte Nicolas , McKinnon Laura , Reneerkens Jeroen , Saalfeld Sarah T. , Sabard Brigitte , Schmidt Niels M. , Sittler Benoît , Smith Paul , Sokolov Aleksandr , Sokolov Vasiliy , Sokolova Natalia , van Bemmelen Rob , Gilg Olivier
Published: June 2020

Most birds incubate their eggs to allow embryo development. This behaviour limits the ability of adults to perform other activities. Hence, incubating adults trade off incubation and nest protection with foraging to meet their own needs. Parents can either cooperate to sustain this tradeoff or incubate alone. The main cause of reproductive failure at this reproductive stage is predation and adults reduce this risk by keeping the nest location secret. Arctic sandpipers are interesting biological models to investigate parental care evolution as they may use several parental care strategies. The three main incubation strategies include both parents sharing incubation duties (‘biparental’), one parent incubating alone (‘uniparental’), or a flexible strategy with both uniparental and biparental incubation within a population (‘mixed’). By monitoring the incubation behaviour in 714 nests of seven sandpiper species across 12 arctic sites, we studied the relationship between incubation strategy and nest predation. First, we described how the frequency of incubation recesses (NR), their mean duration (MDR), and the daily total duration of recesses (TDR) vary among strategies. Then, we examined how the relationship between the daily predation rate and these components of incubation behaviour varies across strategies using two complementary survival analysis. For uniparental and biparental species, the daily predation rate increased with the daily total duration of recesses and with the mean duration of recesses. In contrast, daily predation rate increased with the daily number of recesses for biparental species only. These patterns may be attributed to two independent mechanisms: cryptic incubating adults are more difficult to locate than unattended nests and adults departing the nest or feeding close to the nest can draw predators’ attention. Our results demonstrate that incubation behaviour as mediated by incubation strategy has important consequences for sandpipers’ reproductive success.
Use of dexmedetomidine and opioids as the primary anesthetic in infants and young children: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Efune Proshad N. , Longanecker John M. , Alex Gijo , Saynhalath Rita , Khan Umar , Rivera Kevin , Jerome Aveline P. , Boone Weiwei , Szmuk Peter
Published: June 2020

Background

Anesthetic regimens using dexmedetomidine and short‐acting opioids have been suggested as potential alternatives to sevoflurane‐based anesthesia in children. The primary aim of this study is to compare demographics, intraoperative characteristics, and complications of general anesthetics in which dexmedetomidine and opioids were used without sevoflurane, or in combination with a low sevoflurane concentration, in children 36 months old and younger. The secondary aim is to evaluate intraoperative bispectral index (BIS) values when available in these patients.

Methods

General anesthetics performed between January 1, 2017, and May 1, 2018, in children 2 years and younger who received dexmedetomidine and remifentanil, with or without sevoflurane, were identified. Additional anesthetics performed during this time in children 36 months and younger who received dexmedetomidine and opioids and had BIS monitoring were also identified. Charts were reviewed for demographic and intraoperative variables, including drug administration and hemodynamic data.

Results

A total of 244 patients were identified. All but 22 patients received remifentanil. Ninety‐two patients received sevoflurane with a mean end‐tidal concentration of 0.84% (SD 0.43). Compared to the sevoflurane group, the nonsevoflurane group received more remifentanil (median dose 0.4 μg/kg/min vs 0.2 μg/kg/min, difference of 0.1 μg/kg/min, 95% CI 0.1‐0.3, P < .001) and more dexmedetomidine (median dose 0.9 μg/kg/h vs 0.3 μg/kg/h, difference of 0.6 μg/kg/h, 95% CI 0.4‐0.8, P < .001), and had a higher mean arterial pressure (median 53 mm Hg vs 42 mm Hg, difference of 11 mm Hg, 95% CI 8.1‐14.8, P < .001). Complications between the two groups were comparable. The median percent intraoperative time with BIS reading <60 was 71.6% (95% CI: 63.3%‐79.8%).

Conclusion

Dexmedetomidine and opioids can effectively be used in young children as an alternative total intravenous anesthesia technique with or without <1 minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane. Bispectral index monitoring reveals a likely sufficient depth of hypnosis.
No need for pedestals: Idealization does not predict better relationships among Asians
Authors: Wu Karen , Chen Chuansheng , Greenberger Ellen , Wang Yunxin , Xiu Daiming , Liu Bin , Chen Chunhui , Li Jin , Chen Wen , Dong Qi
Published: June 2020

The authors tested whether partner idealization was positively associated with relationship quality among 105 intraracially dating Asian American couples (Study 1) and 98 Chinese couples (Study 2) through two methods. The commonly used residual‐based approach found, in both samples, the positive associations between idealizing a partner and relationship quality previously documented among European/European Americans. In contrast, the piece‐wise regression analysis, which distinguished between idealization and derogation, found few positive associations between idealizing a partner and relationship quality. Similarly, being the object of idealization rarely predicted greater relationship quality for either sample, even when perceived idealization was tested. Derogation, however, predicted relationship outcomes. Therefore, future studies should focus on negative behaviors or attitudes (or the lack thereof) in understanding relationship outcomes.
Inter‐method reliability between automatic region of interest analytic application with multi‐atlas segmentation and FreeSurfer
Authors: Utsumi Tomohiro , Kodaka Fumitoshi , Maikusa Norihide , Yamazaki Ryuichi , Shigeta Masahiro
Published: June 2020

Aim

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the aggregation of amyloid‐β and phosphorylated tau proteins. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a useful means of detecting hippocampal atrophy. However, instead of visual inspection, objective and time‐saving tools for automated region of interest (ROI) analysis are needed. Advances in MRI segmentation techniques have enabled a multi‐atlas approach with fewer errors than a conventional single‐atlas approach. To support the clinical application of multi‐atlas segmentation, an automated ROI analytic application consisting of multi‐atlas segmentation with joint label fusion and corrective learning was developed: T‐Proto. In the present study, we evaluated the inter‐method reliability between T‐Proto and a reference ROI analytic software, FreeSurfer.

Methods

This was a database study. MRI data from 30 patients with AD were selected, and the inter‐method reliability was assessed in terms of the intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC). A post‐hoc comparison according to the severity of AD was also performed.

Results

Almost all the regional volumes estimated with T‐Proto were smaller than those estimated with FreeSurfer. The regional ICC values between the two methods showed moderate to excellent reliability. A post‐hoc comparison revealed a similar t‐value and effect size between both methods for the hippocampus.

Conclusion

In the present study, we showed that automated regional analysis using T‐Proto was reliable in the hippocampus in terms of ICC, compared with FreeSurfer.
Co‐culture of shrimp with commercially important plants: a review
Authors: Fierro‐Sañudo Juan Francisco , Rodríguez‐Montes de Oca Gustavo Alejandro , Páez‐Osuna Federico
Published: June 2020

Shrimp farming is one of the most important worldwide developed sectors; however, this development has induced a series of negative environmental impacts. One strategy to reduce these impacts is the integration or co‐culture of shrimp farming with agriculture. The integration of shrimp farming with commercial plants has been carried out with the objective of minimizing the environmental impact through the use of biosolids and effluents enriched with nutrients, taking advantage of available resources and generating greater income for producers. The aim of this review was to present the state of the art of integrated shrimp–vascular plant culture, focus on those plants with commercial interest and describe the different forms of integration. We reviewed over 158 studies dealing with integrated shrimp–plant cultures at different salinities, as well as the influence of salinity in the performance of both biological components. Plants suitable for the integration with shrimp farming are also examined, including advantages and disadvantages. Finally, several features that require further research are identified.
Epidemiology and risk factors for invasive fungal disease in liver transplant recipients in a tertiary transplant center
Authors: Lum Lionel , Lee Andie , Vu Monica , Strasser Simone , Davis Rebecca
Published: June 2020

Background

Invasive fungal disease (IFD) in liver transplant recipients causes significant morbidity and mortality. We aim to describe institutional epidemiology and risk factors for IFD in the liver transplant population.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all adult liver transplant recipients in our institution from 2005 to October 2015 to describe the epidemiology of patients with proven and probable IFD according to the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group criteria. To determine risk factors for IFD, a case‐control study was also conducted. Cases were defined as liver transplant recipients with proven or probable IFD, and controls were defined as liver transplant recipients without IFD. Each case was matched to two controls by age (±10 years of age), gender, and time of transplant (within one year of the case).

Results

28/554 (5.1%) patients developed IFD. Candidiasis (n = 11; 39.3%), Aspergillosis (n = 10; 35.7%), and Cryptococcosis (n = 3; 10.7%) were the most common fungal infections in the proven and probable IFD groups. Mold infections occurred in 13 (46.4%) cases. Reoperation, roux‐en‐y anastomosis, and massive intraoperative transfusion of ≥40 units of cellular blood products were major risk factors for IFD in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

Candida and Aspergillus are the most common causes of IFD in liver transplantation in our center. There is significant overlap in risk factors for such infections post‐transplantation. In our cohort, critically ill patients with complicated perioperative course seem to predispose them to mold infections post‐transplantation, but larger studies are required to better delineate risk factors for mold infection as well as determine the efficacy and optimal duration of mold prophylaxis in liver transplantation. With increasing echinocandin use for antifungal prophylaxis, it is also important to monitor for emerging antifungal resistance.
Optimizing blood bank resources when implementing a low‐titer group O+ whole blood program: an in silico study
Authors: Seheult Jansen N. , Tysarczyk Michele , Kaplan Alesia , Triulzi Darrell J. , Yazer Mark H.
Published: June 2020

INTRODUCTION

Low‐titer group O+ whole blood (LTOWB) is becoming commonly used in massive bleeding resuscitation, but the impact on blood center O+ RBCs has not been studied. This in silico model simulated a variety of different LTOWB production and utilization patterns.

METHODS

Collections and distributions data from a large blood collector were scaled to vary the total number of O+ red blood cell (RBC) collections, the O+ RBC collection: import ratio, and the O+ RBC apheresis: whole blood (WB) collection ratio. Daily LTOWB demand was determined by the daily number of LTOWB recipients, average number of LTOWB units transfused per patient, maximum number of LTOWB units a single patient can receive, and seasonality of LTOWB use. LTOWB program factors included the high‐titer exclusion %, the LTOWB expiry, and whether LTOWB units were reclaimed as O+ RBC units on the date of expiry. Simulations using unique combinations of the above input parameters were performed.

RESULTS

For the 1,224,720 unique combinations of input parameters simulated, the average increase in the fraction of additional O+ RBC units required to meet hospital demand was only 0.02%. Higher daily LTOWB demand resulted in more LTOWB shortages. Increasing the minimum LTOWB inventory threshold reduced LTOWB shortages without increasing the number of required additional RBC units. LTOWB wastage was minimal but was lower with longer LTOWB shelf life or manufacture of RBC units from unused LTOWB on Day 14.

CONCLUSION

Implementing an LTOWB program does not have a major impact on the blood collectors' needs for additional RBC units to meet hospital demands.
Conceptualizing the Vertebrate Sterolbiome
Authors: Ridlon Jason M.
Published: June 2020

Vertebrates synthesize a diverse set of steroids and bile acids that undergo bacterial biotransformations. The endocrine literature has principally focused on the biochemistry and molecular biology of host synthesis and tissue-specific metabolism of steroids. Host-associated microbiota possess a coevolved set of steroid and bile acid modifying enzymes that match the majority of host peripheral biotransformations in addition to unique capabilities. The set of host-associated microbial genes encoding enzymes involved in steroid transformations is known as the sterolbiome.
Alteromonas
Myovirus V22 Represents a New Genus of Marine Bacteriophages Requiring a Tail Fiber Chaperone for Host Recognition
Authors: Gonzalez-Serrano Rafael , Dunne Matthew , Rosselli Riccardo , Martin-Cuadrado Ana-Belen , Grosboillot Virginie , Zinsli Léa V. , Roda-Garcia Juan J. , Loessner Martin J. , Rodriguez-Valera Francisco
Published: June 2020

Host recognition by phage-encoded receptor binding proteins (RBPs) constitutes the first step in all phage infections and the most critical determinant of host specificity. By characterizing new types of RBPs and identifying their essential chaperones, we hope to expand the repertoire of known phage-host recognition machineries. Due to their genetic plasticity, studying RBPs and their associated chaperones can shed new light onto viral evolution affecting phage-host interactions, which is essential for fields such as phage therapy or biotechnology. In addition, since marine phages constitute one of the most important reservoirs of noncharacterized genetic diversity on the planet, their genomic and functional characterization may be of paramount importance for the discovery of novel genes with potential applications.
Has Earth ever been ice-free? Implications for glacio-eustasy in the Cretaceous greenhouse age using high-resolution sequence stratigraphy
Authors: Lin Wen , Bhattacharya Janok P. , Jicha Brian R. , Singer Brad S. , Matthews William
Published: June 2020

Controls on high-frequency sequences formed during super-greenhouse conditions in the Late Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway remain equivocal because of the active foreland basin tectonic setting and the lack of direct evidence of polar glaciations to support a glacio-eustatic origin. This paper quantifies eustatic sea-level changes based on high-resolution sequence stratigraphic analysis and improved chronometry of shallow marine deposits of the Late Cretaceous Gallup Sandstone in New Mexico, USA. Backstripping techniques remove tectonic and compactional subsidence and enable quantification of the magnitude of eustatic sea-level change, that allow evaluation of the dominant controls on the high-frequency sequences to resolve the role of orbitally controlled, climate-driven eustasy versus tectonics. Sixty-five parasequences, constituting 29 parasequence sets and 12 sequences are identified in the ∼1.2 m.y. duration of the Late Cretaceous Gallup system. New 40Ar/39Ar dating of bentonites constrains the durations of the individual parasequences, parasequence sets, and sequences, and that these match Milankovitch periodicity, indicating an orbital climate control. The magnitudes of sea-level changes between parasequences range between −28 m and +22 m, which are compatible with hypotheses of both aquifer and glacio-eustasy. Aquifer-eustasy predicts a reciprocal relationship between floodplain cycles and shallow marine sequences, such that aquifer drawdown and falling water tables should correlate to rising sea levels (highstands), whereas increased aquifer storage and rising water tables should correlate to falling sea levels (lowstands). Our preliminary observations show synchronous, versus reciprocal, relationships that may be more compatible with a glacio-eustatic origin. The results of this study support the hypothesis that the Cretaceous greenhouse was marked by high-frequency, low-amplitude glaciations driven by orbital climate cycles, but further work is required to evaluate the contribution of aquifer-eustasy.
How to design a complex behaviour change intervention: experiences from a nutrition-sensitive agriculture trial in rural India
Authors: Harris-Fry Helen , O"Hearn Meghan , Pradhan Ronali , Krishnan Sneha , Nair Nirmala , Rath Suchitra , Rath Shibanand , Koniz-Booher Peggy , Danton Heather , Aakesson Ashley , Pradhan Shibananth , Mishra Naba Kishore , Kumar Abhinav , Upadhay Avinash , Prost Audrey , Kadiyala Suneetha
Published: June 2020

Many public health interventions aim to promote healthful behaviours, with varying degrees of success. With a lack of existing empirical evidence on the optimal number or combination of behaviours to promote to achieve a given health outcome, a key challenge in intervention design lies in deciding what behaviours to prioritise, and how best to promote them. We describe how key behaviours were selected and promoted within a multisectoral nutrition-sensitive agriculture intervention that aimed to address maternal and child undernutrition in rural India. First, we formulated a Theory of Change, which outlined our hypothesised impact pathways. To do this, we used the following inputs: existing conceptual frameworks, published empirical evidence, a feasibility study, formative research and the intervention team’s local knowledge. Then, we selected specific behaviours to address within each impact pathway, based on our formative research, behaviour change models, local knowledge and community feedback. As the intervention progressed, we mapped each of the behaviours against our impact pathways and the transtheoretical model of behaviour change, to monitor the balance of behaviours across pathways and along stages of behaviour change. By collectively agreeing on definitions of complex concepts and hypothesised impact pathways, implementing partners were able to communicate clearly between each other and with intervention participants. Our intervention was iteratively informed by continuous review, by monitoring implementation against targets and by integrating community feedback. Impact and process evaluations will reveal whether these approaches are effective for improving maternal and child nutrition, and what the effects are on each hypothesised impact pathway.
Sleep disturbance as a moderator of the association between physical activity and later pain onset among American adults aged 50 and over: evidence from the Health and Retirement Study
Authors: Whibley Daniel , Guyer Heidi M , Swanson Leslie M , Braley Tiffany J , Kratz Anna L , Dunietz Galit Levi
Published: June 2020

Objective

To examine whether sleep disturbance modifies the association between physical activity and incident pain.

Design

Prospective population-based study.

Setting

Health and Retirement Study.

Participants

American adults aged ≥50 years who reported no troublesome pain in 2014 were re-assessed for pain in 2016. Of 9828 eligible baseline respondents, 8036 (82%) had complete follow-up data for adjusted analyses (weighted analysis population N=42 407 222).

Exposures

Physical activity was assessed via interview with questions about time spent in moderate and vigorous physical activity. Sleep disturbance, assessed using a modified form of the Jenkins Sleep Scale, was examined as a potential moderator.

Main outcome measure

Troublesome pain.

Results

In weighted analyses, 37.9% of the 2014 baseline pain-free sample participated in moderate or vigorous physical activity once a week or less, with an overall mean Physical Activity Index Score of 9.0 (SE=0.12). 18.6% went on to report troublesome pain in 2016. Each one-point higher on the Physical Activity Index Score was associated with a reduced odds ratio (OR) of incident pain for those who endorsed sleep disturbance never/rarely (OR=0.97, 95% CI 0.94 to 0.99), but not for those who endorsed sleep disturbance sometimes (OR=0.99, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.01) or most of the time (OR=1.01, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.03). The analysis of possible interaction demonstrated that frequency of sleep disturbance moderated the physical activity and incident pain association (Wald test: p=0.02).

Conclusions

The beneficial association of physical activity on reduced likelihood of later pain was only observed in persons who endorsed low levels of sleep disturbance.
Atypical case of parietal fibrinous peritonitis in a Belgian Blue heifer without a history of laparotomy
Authors: Djebala Salem , Evrard Julien , Moula Nassim , Sartelet Arnaud , Bossaert Philippe
Published: June 2020

A 19‐month‐old Belgian Blue heifer was referred to the Veterinary Clinic of Liege University. The heifer was 2 months pregnant by insemination and presented hyperthermia, anorexia and weight loss. Rectal palpation revealed a large, depressible abdominal mass. Diagnosis of parietal fibrinous peritonitis (PFP) was made by ultrasound, revealing a liquid and fibrin filled cavity attached to the abdominal wall. Blood analysis indicated an inflammatory status. Analysis of a PFP fluid sample confirmed bacterial contamination. Treatment, apart from fluids, antibiotics and non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, consisted of surgical drainage and repeated flushing of the cavity. Complete resorption of the cavity was observed after 5 weeks. The heifer remained pregnant but died 7 months later, after elective caesarean section, due to generalised peritonitis. This is the first report of PFP in an animal without a history of laparotomy. The PFP may have been caused by an insemination‐induced trauma.
Effectiveness of using a hybrid rye cultivar in feeding broiler chickens
Authors: Milczarek Anna , Osek Maria , Skrzypek Alicja
Published: June 2020

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of hybrid rye in rations for broiler chickens. The study covered 160 chickens split into four equal groups [I (control), II, III, IV] and kept for 42 d. Rye was introduced into the above-mentioned diets as a partial substitute for maize in the following quantities: (I), no rye; (II), 5% rye in starter feed and 10% rye in grower and finisher feed; (III), 10% rye in starter feed and 20% rye in grower and finisher feed; (IV), 15% rye in starter feed and 30% rye in grower and finisher feed. During the 42 d rearing period, the most favourable body weight gain (P ≤ 0.05) and feed conversion ratio (P ≤ 0.01) were observed in chickens fed with rations containing the highest share of hybrid rye (group IV). The rye did not affect the dressing percentage and muscularity but diversified the fatness of birds. The muscles of chickens from group IV showed higher (P ≤ 0.01) red saturation and lower (P ≤ 0.01) yellow saturation and hue compared with the muscle of birds receiving diets with the lowest rye content (group I). The results of the study show that the inclusion of hybrid rye can be recommended in broiler chicken diets at a share of 15% in starter feed and 30% in grower and finisher feed, respectively.
Upper Ordovician (Sandbian–Katian) carbonate outliers in the northern Ottawa–Bonnechere graben (central Canada): records of transgressions and sedimentation patterns in the Laurentian platform interior
Authors: Kang He , Dix George R.
Published: June 2020

Small Ordovician sedimentary outliers, including Brent Crater, within the northern Ottawa–Bonnechere graben are remnants of a once expansive Upper Ordovician sedimentary cover extending across the southern Canadian Shield. Facies successions along with updated macrofossil and conodont biostratigraphy, and isotope (C, O, Sr) chemostratigraphy provide additional insights into the terrestrial-to-marine transformation, carbonate-platform development, and oceanographic communication across the southern Laurentian platform. Four of the outliers document Sandbian shoreline-to-nearshore deposition: near Deux Rivières, Manitou Islands, the upper part of the Brent Crater sedimentary fill, and at nearby Cedar Lake. Marine transgression initially reworked local fine-grained to boulder-rich regolith within high-energy shoreface siliciclastic environments that gave way to low- to high-energy inner carbonate-ramp setting. Continued transgression resulted in more offshore rhythmic and diverse lithofacies successions defining mixed heterozoan, photozoan, and microbial productivity and marine isotope (C, Sr) signatures, but δ13C excursions suggest periods of greater mixing of terrestrial and marine carbon reservoirs. Lower Katian strata are preserved near Lake Nipissing and characterize deepening from high-energy ooid-heterozoan skeletal shoals to deeper water mid-ramp siliciclastics and skeletal carbonates, host to a Cruziana ichnofacies. An upsection decline in δ13C values through this succession may identify deposition during the post-peak decline of the global Guttenberg δ13C excursion. This lithic succession fits well with contemporary expansion of heterozoan skeletal lithofacies across the Laurentian platform, yet the presence of ooids identifies prevailing warm waters within the platform interior during early stages of transgression.
Variation in isotopic niche, digestive tract morphology, and mercury concentrations in two sympatric waterfowl species wintering in Atlantic Canada
Authors: English Matthew D. , Robertson Gregory J. , O’Driscoll Nelson J. , Klapstein Sara J. , Peck Liam E. , Mallory Mark L.
Published: June 2020

Sympatric communities of organisms may exploit different ecological niches to avoid intra- and interspecific competition. We examined the isotopic niches of American black ducks ( Anas rubripes) and mallards ( A. platyrhynchos) wintering in coastal and urban areas of Atlantic Canada and compared isotopic niche with digestive tract morphologies and blood mercury (Hg) concentrations. Isotopic niche width (for δ13C and δ15N) varied between the three groups of ducks studied, with coastally foraging black ducks exhibiting the widest isotopic niche, followed by coastal mallards, while urban feeding black ducks had a narrow isotopic niche. These niche differences had physical and chemical consequences: coastal black ducks had longer digestive tracts, a larger range in gizzard sizes, and higher and more variable Hg concentrations than urban black ducks and coastal mallards. This plasticity in ecological niche may reduce competition among and within species, and subsequently explain why winter numbers of black ducks and mallards have increased in Atlantic Canada.
The Trouble with Water: Condensation, Circulation and Climate
Authors: Vallis Geoffrey K.
Published: June 2020

This article discusses at a basic level a few of the problems that arise in geophysical fluid dynamics and climate that are associated with the presence of moisture in the air, its condensation and release of latent heat. Our main focus is Earth’s atmosphere, but we also discuss how these problems might manifest themselves on other planetary bodies, with particular attention to Titan where methane takes on the role of water. Geophysical fluid dynamics has traditionally been concerned with understanding the very basic problems that lie at the foundation of dynamical meteorology and oceanography. Conventionally, and a little ironically, the subject mainly considers ‘dry’ fluids, meaning it does not concern itself overly much with phase changes. The subject is often regarded as dry in another way, because it does not consider problems perceived as relevant to the real world, such as clouds or rainfall, which have typically been the province of complicated numerical models. Those models often rely on parameterizations of unresolved processes, parameterizations that may work very well but that often have a semiempirical basis. The consequent dichotomy between the foundations and the applications prevents progress being made that has both a secure basis in scientific understanding and a relevance to the Earth’s climate, especially where moisture is concerned. The dichotomy also inhibits progress in understanding the climate of other planets, where observations are insufficient to tune the parameterizations that weather and climate models for Earth rely upon, and a more fundamental approach is called for. Here, we discuss four diverse examples of the problems with moisture: the determination of relative humidity and cloudiness; the transport of water vapor and its possible change under global warming; the moist shallow water equations and the Madden–Julian Oscillation; and the hydrology cycle on other planetary bodies.
Global Dynamics of a Vector-Borne Disease Model with Two Transmission Routes
Authors: Nadim Sk Shahid , Ghosh Indrajit , Chattopadhyay Joydev
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we study the dynamics of a vector-borne disease model with two transmission paths: direct transmission through contact and indirect transmission through vector. The direct transmission is considered to be a nonmonotone incidence function to describe the psychological effect of some severe diseases among the population when the number of infected hosts is large and/or the disease possesses high case fatality rate. The system has a disease-free equilibrium which is locally asymptotically stable when the basic reproduction number ([Formula: see text]) is less than unity and may have up to four endemic equilibria. Analytical expression representing the epidemic growth rate is obtained for the system. Sensitivity of the two transmission pathways were compared with respect to the epidemic growth rate. We numerically find that the direct transmission coefficient is more sensitive than the indirect transmission coefficient with respect to [Formula: see text] and the epidemic growth rate. Local stability of endemic equilibrium is studied. Further, the global asymptotic stability of the endemic equilibrium is proved using Li and Muldowney geometric approach. The explicit condition for which the system undergoes backward bifurcation is obtained. The basic model also exhibits the hysteresis phenomenon which implies diseases will persist even when [Formula: see text] although the system undergoes a forward bifurcation and this phenomenon is rarely observed in disease models. Consequently, our analysis suggests that the diseases with multiple transmission routes exhibit bistable dynamics. However, efficient application of temporary control in bistable regions will curb the disease to lower endemicity. Additionally, numerical simulations reveal that the equilibrium level of infected hosts decreases as psychological effect increases.
Dynamic Response of a Cantilevered Beam Under Combined Moving Moment, Torque and Force
Authors: Chawda Denil , Murugan Senthil
Published: June 2020

This paper studies the dynamic response of a cantilevered beam subjected to a moving moment and torque, and combination of them with a moving force. The moving loads are considered to traverse along the length of the beam either from fixed-to-free end or free-to-fixed end. The beam is considered to have constant material and geometric properties. The beam is modeled using the Rayleigh beam theory considering the rotary inertia effects. The Dirac-delta function used to model the moving loads in the governing partial differential equations (PDEs) has complicated the solution of the problem. The Eigenfunction expansions coupled with the Laplace transformation method is used to find the semi-analytical solution for the resulting governing PDEs. The effects of moving loads on the dynamic response are studied. The dynamic effects are quantified based on the number of oscillations per unit travel time of the moving load and the Dynamic Amplification Factor (DAF) of the beam’s tip response. Numerical results are also analyzed for the two-speed regimes, namely high-speed and low-speed regimes, defined with respect to the critical speed of the moving loads. The accuracy of the analytical solutions are verified by the finite element analysis. The numerical results show that the loads moving with low speeds have significant impact on the dynamic response compared to high speeds. Also, the moving moment has significant impact on the amplitude of dynamic response compared with the moving force case.
NLP Questions Answering Using DBpedia and YAGO
Authors: Boiński Tomasz , Szymański Julian , Dudek Bartłomiej , Zalewski Paweł , Dompke Szymon , Czarnecka Maria
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we present results of employing DBpedia and YAGO as lexical databases for answering questions formulated in the natural language. The proposed solution has been evaluated for answering class 1 and class 2 questions (out of 5 classes defined by Moldovan for TREC conference). Our method uses dependency trees generated from the user query. The trees are browsed for paths leading from the root of the tree to the question subject. We call those paths fibers and they represent the user intention. The question analysis consists of three stages: query analysis, query breakdown and information retrieval. The aim of those stages is the detection of the entities of interest and its attributes, indicating the users’ domain of interest. The user query is then converted into a SPARQL query and sent to the DBpedia and YAGO databases. The baseline and the extended methods are presented and the quality of the solution is evaluated and discussed.
CERN Beamline for Schools 2017 Student Experiment: Search for Isolated Fractionally Charged Particles
Authors: McKarris Paul , Mourcos Andrew , Billiau Colin , Carli Ina , Ferron Lucas , Gilmour Mathieu , Ibrahim Mariam , Jacques Denis , Joos Markus , Lehmann Jacob Taylor , Logojan Denisa , Loke Emily Jean , Morrison Dominique , Mourcos Caitlyn , Poirot Mélanie , Ristic Branislav , Robin Marina
Published: June 2020

This article was mainly written by a team of high school students that have won the CERN Beamline for Schools (BL4S) competition in 2017. They had some help from professional scientists, in particular Branislav Ristic. The team had proposed to set up an experiment to search for elementary particles with a fractional electric charge. This paper describes the preparation of their proposal, experimental setup, detectors and data analysis throughout the search for such particles using a 10[Formula: see text]GeV[Formula: see text][Formula: see text] proton beam with a fixed iron target. It was clear to the team that the chance for finding such particles in a relatively simple experiment was minimal but that by doing this experiment they would learn a lot about experimental physics. Due to large amounts of noise, the result of the experiment is inconclusive. Further experimentation to search for these hypothesized particle is encouraged.
Solar Eclipses as a Teaching Opportunity in Relativity
Authors: Overduin James , Glazer Kelsey , McClelland Keri , Genus Amelia , Miskiewicz Chris
Published: June 2020

Total solar eclipses represent a challenging but spectacular opportunity to introduce curious students to the wonders of general relativity through the phenomenon of light deflection (gravitational lensing). During the Great American Eclipse of 2017, we were among a small number of teams attempting to repeat Eddington’s iconic observations of 1919, which played a pivotal role in establishing Einstein’s theory as the governing theory of gravity. We were not quite successful on the observational front, but acquired an excellent composite image from a fellow astronomer. Analysis of this image allowed us to obtain a result consistent with Einstein’s theory. It is remarkable that such an experiment, which once required the resources of the British government, can now be attempted with reasonable hope of success by teachers and their students. We look forward to our next chance in 2024.