bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rare variants contribute disproportionately to quantitative trait variation in yeast
Authors: Bloom Joshua S , Boocock James , Treusch Sebastian , Sadhu Meru J , Day Laura , Oates-Barker Holly , Kruglyak Leonid
Published: April 2019

A detailed understanding of the sources of heritable variation is a central goal of modern genetics. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in humans1 have implicated tens of thousands of DNA sequence variants in disease risk and quantitative trait variation, but these variants fail to account for the entire heritability of diseases and traits. GWAS have by design focused on common DNA sequence variants; however, recent studies underscore the likely importance of the contribution of rare variants to heritable variation2. Further, finding the genes that underlie the GWAS signals remains a major challenge. Here, we use a unique model system to disentangle the contributions of common and rare variants to a large number of quantitative traits. We generated large crosses among 16 diverse yeast strains and identified thousands of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that explain most of the heritable variation in 38 traits. We combined our results with sequencing data for 1,011 yeast isolates3 to decouple variant effect size estimation from allele frequency and showed that rare variants make a disproportionate contribution to trait variation as a consequence of their larger effect sizes. Evolutionary analyses revealed that this contribution is driven by rare variants that arose recently, that such variants are more likely to decrease fitness, and that negative selection has shaped the relationship between variant frequency and effect size. Finally, we leveraged the structure of the crosses to resolve hundreds of QTLs to single genes. These results refine our understanding of trait variation at the population level and suggest that studies of rare variants are a fertile ground for discovery of genetic effects.
Targeted expansion of Protected Areas to maximise the persistence of terrestrial mammals
Authors: Mogg Sarah , Fastre Constance , Jung Martin , Visconti Piero
Published: April 2019

Over a quarter of species assessed by the IUCN Red List are threatened with extinction. A global commitment to protect 17% of land and 10% of the oceans by 2020 is close to being achieved, but with limited ecological impacts due to its inadequacy and poor enforcement. Here, we reverse-engineer IUCN Red List criteria to generate area-based conservation targets and spatial conservation priorities to minimize the extinction risk of the world terrestrial mammals. We find that approximately 60% of the Earth’s non-Antarctic land surface would require some form of protection. Our results suggest that global conservation priority schemes, among which the Aichi targets, will be inadequate to secure the persistence of terrestrial mammals. To achieve this goal, international cooperation is required to implement a connected and comprehensive conservation area network, guided by high priority regions outlined in this study.
Functional Profiling of Single CRISPR/Cas9-Edited Human Long-Term Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Authors: Wagenblast Elvin , Azkanaz Maria , Smith Sabrina A. , Shakib Lorien , McLeod Jessica L. , Krivdova Gabriela , Shultz Leonard D. , Gan Olga I. , Dick John E. , Lechman Eric R.
Published: April 2019

In the human hematopoietic system, rare self-renewing multi-potent long-term hematopoietic stem cells (LT-HSCs) are responsible for the lifelong production of mature blood cells and are the rational target for clinical regenerative therapies. However, the heterogeneity in the hematopoietic stem cell compartment and variable outcomes of CRISPR/Cas9 editing make functional interrogation of rare LT-HSCs challenging. Here, we report high efficiency LT-HSC editing at single cell resolution using electroporation of modified synthetic gRNAs and Cas9 protein. Targeted short isoform expression of the GATA1 transcription factor elicited distinct differentiation and proliferation effects in single LT-HSC when analyzed with functional in vitro differentiation and long-term repopulation xenotransplantation assays. Our method represents a blueprint for systematic genetic analysis of complex tissue hierarchies at single cell level.
Number of days required to estimate objectively measured physical activity constructs in different age groups
Authors: Ricardo Luiza Isnardi Cardoso , Wendt Andrea , Galliano Leony Morgana , de Andrade Muller Werner , Cruz Gloria Izabel Niño , Wehrmeister Fernando , Brage Soren , Ekelund Ulf , Silva Inácio Crochemore M
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The present study aims to estimate the minimum number of accelerometer measurement days needed to estimate habitual physical activity (PA) among 6, 18 and 30 years old participants, belonging to three population-based Brazilian birth cohorts. Method: PA was assessed by triaxial wrist worn GENEActiv accelerometers for 4-7 consecutive days, including at least one weekend day. Accelerometer raw data were analyzed with R-package GGIR. Description of PA measures (overall PA, MVPA, LPA) between weekdays and weekend days were conducted, and statistical differences were tested with chi-squared and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Intraclass Reliability Coefficient (IRC) was applied through the Spearman Brown Formulae to test reliability of different number of days of accelerometer use. Results: Differences between week and weekend days regarding LPA, MVPA and Overall PA, were only observed among 30-year-olds. More MVPA (p=0.006) and Overall PA (p<0.001) were performed on week days. The IRC coefficients ranged from 0.44 to 0.83 in children and from 0.54 to 0.88 in adults. Conclusion: In conclusion, our results show that between four and six measurement days are needed to achieve good reliability in the analyzed participants, depending on the PA construct evaluated (MVPA, LPA or overall PA).
Projected climate change will reduce habitat suitability for bumble bees in the Pacific Northwest
Authors: Koch Jonathan B. , Looney Chris , Hopkins Brandon , Lichtenberg Elinor M. , Sheppard Walter S. , Strange James P.
Published: April 2019

Global climate change is the greatest environmental challenge of the modern era. The impacts of climate change are increasingly well understood, and have already begun to materialize across diverse ecosystems and organisms. Bumble bees (Bombus) are suspected to be highly sensitive to climate change as they are predominately adapted to temperate and alpine environments. In this study, we determine which bumble bee species are most vulnerable to climate change in the Pacific Northwest. The Pacific Northwest is a topographically complex landscape that is punctuated by two major mountain ranges and a labyrinth of offshore islands in the Salish Sea. Using standardized survey methods, our study documents the occurrence of 15 bumble bee species across 23 field sites in seven federal parks, historical sites, and monuments. Our results show that bumble bee community richness and diversity increases along an altitude gradient in these protected areas. Furthermore, NMDS analysis reveals that high altitude environments are composed of a unique group of bumble bee species relative to low altitude environments. Finally, based on an analysis of species distributions models that aggregate bioclimatic data from global circulation climate models with preserved specimen records, we discover that 80% of the bumble bee species detected in our survey are poised to undergo habitat suitability (HS) loss within the next 50 years. Species primarily found in high altitude environments namelyB. vandykei, B. sylvicola, andB. bifariusare projected to incur a mean HS loss of 63%, 59%, and 30% within the federally protected areas, respectively. While the implementation of climate change policies continue to be a significant challenge, the development of mitigation strategies to conserve the most vulnerable species may be a tractable option for land managers and stakeholders of protected areas. Our study meets this need by identifying which species and communities are most sensitive to climate change.
Oleocanthal and oleocanthal-rich olive oils induce lysosomal membrane permeabilization in cancer cells
Authors: Goren Limor , Zhang George , Kaushik Susmita , Breslin Paul , Nancy Du Yi-Chieh , Foster David A.
Published: April 2019

Oleocanthal is a phenolic compound found in varying concentrations in extra virgin olive oil Oleocanthal has been shown to be active physiologically, benefiting several diseased states by conferring anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective benefits. Recently, we and other groups have demonstrated its specific and selective toxicity toward cancer cells; however, the mechanism leading to cancer cell death is still disputed. The current study demonstrates that oleocanthal, as well as naturally oleocanthal-rich extra virgin olive oils, induced damage to cancer cells’ lysosomes leading to cellular toxicityin vitroandin vivo. Lysosomal membrane permeabilization following oleocanthal treatment in various cell lines was assayed via three complementary methods. Additionally, we found oleocanthal treatment reduced tumor burden and extended lifespan of mice engineered to develop pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Finally, following-up on numerous correlative studies demonstrating consumption of olive oil reduces cancer incidence and morbidity, we observed that extra virgin olive oils naturally rich in oleocanthal sharply reduced cancer cell viability and induced lysosomal membrane permeabilization while oleocanthal-poor oils did not. Our results are especially encouraging since tumor cells often have larger and more numerous lysosomes, making them especially vulnerable to lysosomotropic agents such as oleocanthal.
Structural analysis of Gd6FeBi2 from single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods and electronic structure calculations
Authors: Zhang Jiliang , Kang Yong-Mook , Shan Guangcun , Bobev Svilen
Published: April 2019

The crystal structure of the gadolinium iron bismuthide Gd6FeBi2 has been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction data and analyzed in detail using first-principles calculations. The structure is isotypic with the Zr6CoAl2 structure, which is a variant of the ZrNiAl structure and its binary prototype Fe2P (Pearson code hP9, Wyckoff sequence g f d a). As such, the structure is best viewed as an array of tricapped trigonal prisms of Gd atoms centered alternately by Fe and Bi. The magnetic-ordering temperature of this compound (ca 350 K) is much higher than that of other rare-earth metal-rich phases with the same or related structures. It is also higher than the ordering temperature of many other Gd-rich ternary phases, where the magnetic exchange is typically governed by Ruderman–Kittel–Kasuya–Yosida (RKKY) interactions. First-principles calculations reveal a larger than expected Gd magnetic moment, with the additional contribution arising from the Gd 5d electrons. The electronic structure analysis suggests strong Gd 5d–Fe 3d hybridization to be the cause of this effect, rather than weak interactions between Gd and Bi. These details are of importance for understanding the magnetic response and explaining the high ordering temperature in this material.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-methyl-4-phenyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine
Authors: El Hafi Mohamed , Kansiz Sevgi , Lahmidi Sanae , Boulhaoua Mohammed , Ramli Youssef , Dege Necmi , Essassi El Mokhtar , Mague Joel T.
Published: April 2019

In the title molecule, C19H16N4O, the planar pyrazolopyrimidine moiety is inclined to the attached phenyl rings by 35.42 (4) and 54.51 (6)°. In the crystal, adjacent molecules are linked into chains parallel to [110] and [1\overline{1}0] by C—H...O and C—H...N hydrogen bonds. Additional C—H...π(ring) interactions lead to the formation of the final three-dimensional network structure. The Hirshfeld surface analysis of the title compound suggests that the most significant contributions to the crystal packing are from H...H (48.2%), C...H/H...C (23.9%) and N...H/H...N (17.4%) contacts.
Budget implementation in a risky environment: evidence from the Indonesian public sector
Authors: Rakhman Fuad
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate factors affecting budget implementation among local governments in Indonesia, where rules are relatively strict and risks of facing corruption charges are high.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs regression analyses using a sample of 1,151 local government-years.

Findings

This study finds that the level of budget implementation is affected by the leadership factors (i.e. mayors’ term, tenure and age) and the proportion of capital expenditures. The level of budget implementation is relatively lower when the mayor is in the second term, is in the early years of the five-year tenure and is over 60 years old. Higher proportion of capital expenditures also reduces the level of budget implementation.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by presenting empirical evidence as to what factors explain the variations in the level of budget implementation among local governments especially under strict rules and a risky environment.
Leading change for success: embracing resistance
Authors: Nadim Abbas , Singh Parbudyal
Published: April 2019

Purpose

Organizational change is one of the most researched issues in management and leadership. Change is generally viewed as necessary, with positive outcomes for all stakeholders. Resistance is consequently seen as a surprising outcome. However, much of the management literature focuses on change as organizational dynamics-driven, especially by those at the top, in the interests of those at the top, often with scant attention to the role of employees. The purpose of this paper is to take a different perspective, grounded in the systems theory.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper. The authors critically examine theoretical explanations of resistance to change in organizations and offer an alternative perspective.

Findings

Systems theorists have addressed change, and its necessity in organizational survival, using an open systems model. The open systems theory posits that organizations are social systems that have purposes of their own and is made of parts (employees) that are purposeful and operate within a purposeful larger system – the environment (stakeholders). Change that ignores a key part – employees – will be resisted.

Originality/value

Using the systems theory, the authors propose several suggestions for organizational leaders and managers to implement sustainable change. These include, among others, recommendations on circular organizational designs, the need for more democratic organizations, purposeful leadership styles and how to include employees in proactive organizational change processes.
Evidence of transactional capability in two different countries
Authors: Hernani-Merino Martin , Tello-Gamarra Jorge
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The aim of this study is to identify and analyze empirical evidence, which verifies the existence of the transactional capability construct in firms of financial systems in two different countries.

Design/methodology/approach

This study investigates how the dimensions, and sub dimensions, of the transactional capability construct are reflected in the design of contracts. When analyzing the information from personal consumption loan contracts of nine Spanish firms and ten Peruvian firms in the financial system of each country, generalizable evidence of the transactional capability can be identified.

Findings

The main result of this study is the identification of empirical evidence that proves the existence of transactional capability in financial markets with different characteristics.

Research limitations/implications

This study was limited by a lack of similar research, which hampered the task of identifying and defining the dimensions that form the transactional capability construct.

Originality/value

The identification of transactional capability was based on the analysis of contracts of personal credit consumption in the Peruvian and Spanish financial systems.
Worlds apart: an investigation of South Africa’s established and emerging middle class consumers
Authors: Lappeman James , Ferreira Caitlin , Robertson Jeandri , Chikweche Tendai
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to investigate the nature of variations among established and emerging middle class consumers in South Africa in response to the institution context factors associated with emerging markets that are established in international business studies.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory research approach using semi-structured expert interviews was used to collect data.

Findings

Key findings indicate distinct approaches in dealing with factors such as different fallback positions, asset ownership, education, language, family responsibility, career aspirations and risk protection in the middle class process of attaining and sustaining middle class status.

Research limitations/implications

The focus on one country has the potential to minimize the generalizability of findings from the study, however, South Africa has a significantly high proportion of sub-Saharan middle class consumers. This provides a basis for further a basis for further research into other sub-Saharan African countries.

Practical implications

Findings from the study provide practical insights on risk profiling of middle-class consumers for marketing practitioners.

Social implications

The study provides insights into the distinct variations between emerging and established middle class consumers in areas such as language and education. These insights have potential implications on the implementation of government policies such as the Empowerment Policy and consumer protection.

Originality/value

The paper expands the research agenda in the area of middle class consumer behavior in emerging markets. By concentrating on South Africa, the research expands existing knowledge beyond emerging giants like China and India, which are often a focus in literature.
Clinical decision rule for non‐traumatic computed tomography of the brain
Authors: Scott‐King Joshua M , Tieu Samuel , Chiew Angela L , Lui Jeffrey , Kirby Katharine A , Chan Betty S
Published: April 2019

Objective

The aims of the present study were to derive and validate a clinical decision rule (CDR) to rule out the need for computed tomography of the brain (CTB) in non‐traumatic patients who present to the ED.

Methods

This is a retrospective review of non‐traumatic patients who presented to the EDs in two urban hospitals and received CTB from January 2014 to December 2016. Data from one hospital were used to develop a CDR for clinically significant CTB findings. Clinically significant CTB findings were defined as acute infarction, intracranial neoplasm, intracranial haemorrhage, acute hydrocephalus, cerebral oedema and intracranial infection. Patients from another hospital were used as a validation cohort to evaluate the CDR and compare it to four previously derived CDRs.

Results

There were 5296 cases in the derivation cohort, with 345 (6.5%) clinically significant CTB findings. Identified risk factors were: focal neurological deficit (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.6–4.4), Glasgow Coma Scale <15 (adjusted OR 3.5, 95% CI 2.6–4.6), history of malignancy (adjusted OR 3.2, 95% CI 2.4–4.2), nausea and/or vomiting (adjusted OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.1), headache (adjusted OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.9–1.5) and coagulopathy (adjusted OR 9.2, 95% CI 2.1–41.5). These criteria and four pre‐existing CDRs were applied to the validation cohort of 5098 patients from the second hospital, which had 338 (6.6%) clinically significant CTB findings. Our criteria were found to have a sensitivity of 99.7% (95% CI 99.1–100.0) and a specificity of 11.0% (95% CI 10.1–11.9). The risk of having a clinically significant CTB finding is 0.3% if patients do not meet any of the criteria.

Conclusion

The CDR derived in the present study achieved the highest sensitivity and a moderate specificity when compared with four other pre‐existing CDRs for non‐traumatic brain injury patients.
Circle of life: the common hamster (Cricetus cricetus) adaptations to the urban environment
Authors: SUROV Alexey V. , ZAYTSEVA Elena A. , KUPTSOV Alexandr V. , KATZMAN Elena A. , BOGOMOLOV Pavel L. , SAYAN Alexandra S. , POTASHNIKOVA Ekaterina V. , TOVPINETZ Nikolay N. , KUZNETSOVA Ekaterina V. , TSELLARIUS Alexey Y. , FEOKTISTOVA Natalia Y.
Published: April 2019

Traditionally, urbanization has been seen as a negative phenomenon for biota. However, changes in the environmental parameters induced by urbanization might be favorable for some species. Over the past half‐century, the common hamster has actively populated cities, establishing populations in some European, Russian and Kazakhstan cities. Based on integrative methods, we investigated free‐range common hamsters inhabiting Simferopol from 2015 to 2018 to reveal possible adaptations to the urbanized environment across several parameters, including lifespan, hibernation period, reproductive activity and body mass. Results show that in urban areas, the common hamster demonstrates an extremely short hibernation period compared to other localities, possibly due to enhanced food resources from urban forestry (walnuts, locus and hazelnut), allowing the species to start breeding very early (February) and finish as late as October. We present the first evidence of polyandry for this species: mating of receptive females with several males and subsequent confirmation of multiple paternity. Despite high reproductive potential, the lifespan of the common hamster in urban conditions is generally very short (less than 1 year). We speculate that in the process of synurbization, the common hamster's innate plasticity across many life history traits permits it to successfully colonize throughout a wide range of habitats, with the ability to form novel adaptations to urban environments.
Impact of climate change on the small mammal community of the Yukon boreal forest
Authors: KREBS Charles J. , BOONSTRA Rudy , GILBERT B. Scott , KENNEY Alice J. , BOUTIN Stan
Published: April 2019

Long‐term monitoring is critical to determine the stability and sustainability of wildlife populations, and if change has occurred, why. We have followed population density changes in the small mammal community in the boreal forest of the southern Yukon for 46 years with density estimates by live trapping on 3–5 unmanipulated grids in spring and autumn. This community consists of 10 species and was responsible for 9% of the energy flow in the herbivore component of this ecosystem from 1986 to 1996, but this increased to 38% from 2003 to 2014. Small mammals, although small in size, are large in the transfer of energy from plants to predators and decomposers. Four species form the bulk of the biomass. There was a shift in the dominant species from the 1970s to the 2000s, withMyodes rutilusincreasing in relative abundance by 22% andPeromyscus maniculatusdecreasing by 22%. From 2007 to 2018,Myodescomprised 63% of the catch,Peromyscus20%, andMicrotusspecies 17%. Possible causes of these changes involve climate change, which is increasing primary production in this boreal forest, and an associated increase in the abundance of 3 rodent predators, marten (Martes americana), ermine (Mustela ermine) and coyotes (Canis latrans). Following and understanding these and potential future changes will require long‐term monitoring studies on a large scale to measure metapopulation dynamics. The small mammal community in northern Canada is being affected by climate change and cannot remain stable. Changes will be critically dependent on food–web interactions that are species‐specific.
Hypoglycemia in diabetes: The dark side of diabetes treatment. A patient‐centered review
Authors: Johnson‐Rabbett Brianna , Seaquist Elizabeth R.
Published: April 2019

Hypoglycemia is a frequent occurrence in patients with diabetes who are treated with insulin and insulin secretagogues. Hypoglycemia is the limiting factor that prevents patients from achieving the glycemic control known to reduce the microvascular complications of diabetes. Recurrent episodes of hypoglycemia can lead to impaired awareness of hypoglycemia where the first symptom of a low blood sugar is unconsciousness. The fear of hypoglycemia has a significant effect on the quality of life of patients and their families. In the acute setting, hypoglycemia can kill, and clinical trials have demonstrated that a single episode of severe hypoglycemia increases the risk of subsequent mortality and cardiovascular events. Clinicians must make efforts to recognize and prevent hypoglycemia in order to prevent the adverse events associated with this event. Patient education is central to these efforts. Recent developments in glucose monitoring and drug development have provided more approaches that can be used to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes.
From totalitarianism to capitalism – the case of IFRS adoption in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Lisa‐Uyen , Rahman Asheq
Published: April 2019

We investigate the strategic process of contextualisation of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in an economy transitioning from totalitarianism to capitalism – Vietnam – paying attention to tensions between actors involved in the process. This study employs the framework suggested by Puxty et al. to analyse the behaviour of actors of the State, Market, and Profession. We find that Market's needs trigger the IFRS contextualisation, which is institutionalised by the state. IFRS‐oriented rules undergo ‘reality tests’ and are tailored to fit the local context. Despite active interactions between the actors, the dominant role of the State results in some tensions.
Preference for Appearance over Substance and Corporate Investment
Authors: Jung Boochun , Lee Woo‐Jong , Li Xiao , Zhou Jing
Published: April 2019

Preference for appearance over substance (AOS) refers to people's desire to look better than their actual appearance. In this paper, we explore the economic implications of AOS on corporate investment. Using novel country‐level proxies for AOS based on the prevalence of plastic surgery and cosmetic industry concentration, we first document that AOS is negatively (positively) associated with investment sensitivity to growth opportunities (cash flows). Second, external financing is less (more) affected by growth opportunities (cash flows) in stronger AOS countries than in weaker AOS countries. We conclude that people's preference for AOS leads firms to suboptimal investment.
Benzo(a)pyrene facilitates dermatophagoides group 1 (Der f 1)‐induced epithelial cytokine release through aryl hydrocarbon receptor in asthma
Authors: Wang Eryi , Liu Xiaoyu , Tu Wei , Do Danh C. , Yu Haiqiong , Yang Liteng , Zhou Yufeng , Xu Damo , Huang Shau‐Ku , Yang Pingchang , Ran Pixin , Gao Pei‐Song , Liu Zhigang
Published: April 2019

Background

Environmental pollutants, which coexist with allergens, have been associated with the exacerbation of asthma. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. We sought to determine whether benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) co‐exposure with dermatophagoides group 1 allergen (Der f 1) can potentiate Der f 1‐induced asthma and its underlying mechanisms.

Methods

The effect of BaP was investigated in Der f 1‐induced mouse model of asthma, including airway hyper‐responsiveness, allergic inflammation, and epithelial‐derived cytokines. The impact of BaP on Der f 1‐induced airway epithelial cell oxidative stress (ROS) and cytokine release was further analyzed. The role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling in BaP‐promoted Der f 1‐induced ROS, cytokine production, and allergic inflammation was also investigated.

Results

Compared with Der f 1, BaP co‐exposure with Der f 1 led to airway hyper‐responsiveness and increased lung inflammation in mouse model of asthma. Increased expression of TSLP, IL‐33, and IL‐25 was also found in the airways of these mice. Moreover, BaP co‐exposure with Der f 1 activated AhR signaling with increased expression of AhR and CYP1A1 and promoted airway epithelial ROS generation and TSLP and IL‐33, but not IL‐25, expression. Interestingly, AhR antagonist CH223191 or cells with AhR knockdown abrogated the increased expression of ROS, TSLP, and IL‐33. Furthermore, ROS inhibitor N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine (NAC) also suppressed BaP co‐exposure‐induced expression of epithelial TSLP, IL‐33, and IL‐25. Finally, AhR antagonist CH223191 and NAC inhibited BaP co‐exposure with Der f 1‐induced lung inflammation.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that BaP facilitates Der f 1‐induced epithelial cytokine release through the AhR‐ROS axis.
New Frontiers of Philanthro‐capitalism: Digital Technologies and Humanitarianism
Authors: Burns Ryan
Published: April 2019

Digital technologies that allow large numbers of laypeople to contribute to humanitarian action facilitate the deepening adoption and adaptation of private‐sector logics and rationalities in humanitarianism. This is increasingly taking place through philanthro‐capitalism, a process in which philanthropy and humanitarianism are made central to business models. Key to this transformation is the way private businesses find supporting “digital humanitarian” organisations such as Standby Task Force to be amenable to their capital accumulation imperatives. Private‐sector institutions channel feelings of closeness to aid recipients that digital humanitarian technologies enable, in order to legitimise their claims to “help” the recipients. This has ultimately led to humanitarian and state institutions re‐articulating capitalist logics in ways that reflect the new digital humanitarian avenues of entry.

In this article, I characterise this process by drawing out three capitalist logics that humanitarian and state institutions re‐articulate in the context of digital humanitarianism, in an emergent form of philanthro‐capitalism. Specifically, I argue that branding, efficiency, and bottom lines take altered forms in this context, in part being de‐politicised as a necessary condition for their adoption. This de‐politicisation involves normalising these logics by framing social and political problems as technical in nature and thus both beyond critique and amenable to digital humanitarian “solutions”. I take this line of argumentation to then re‐politicise each of these logics and the capitalist relations that they entail.
Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells induce regulatory T cells in chronically HBV infected patients with high levels of hepatitis B surface antigen and persist after antiviral therapy
Authors: Pal Sourina , Nandi Madhuparna , Dey Debangana , Chakraborty Bidhan Chandra , Shil Achintya , Ghosh Saurabh , Banerjee Soma , Santra Amal , Ahammed S. K. Mahiuddin , Chowdhury Abhijit , Datta Simanti
Published: April 2019

Background

CD4+ regulatory T‐cells (Tregs) expand during chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and inhibit antiviral immunity, although the underlying mechanism remains largely elusive. Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSC) have been linked with T‐cell dysfunction but questions remain regarding their persistence/profile/function in chronically HBV infected patients.

Aim

To characterise MDSC in different phases of chronic HBV infection namely, immune‐tolerant (IT), hepatitis B e‐antigen‐positive chronic hepatitis B (EP‐CHB), inactive carriers (IC) and hepatitis B e‐antigen‐negative chronic hepatitis B (EN‐CHB), to investigate their role in Treg induction and evaluate the effect of anti‐viral therapy on these cells.

Methods

Multiparametric flow cytometry, cell‐sorting and co‐culture assays were performed along with longitudinal immune monitoring of CHB patients receiving tenofovir.

Results

HLA‐DR‐CD11b+CD33hi‐Monocytic‐MDSC (M‐MDSC) were enhanced in IT, EP‐CHB and EN‐CHB compared with IC, and this was related to increasing hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) concentration. IT and EP‐/EN‐CHB displayed elevated frequency of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+Treg that positively correlated with that of M‐MDSC. However, both M‐MDSC and HLA‐DR‐CD11b+CD33low‐granulocytic‐MDSC from IT and EP‐/EN‐CHB expressed high transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β) and interleukin‐10 (IL‐10). Co‐culture of sorted HLA‐DR‐CD33+‐MDSC with autologous MDSC depleted‐PBMC from IT and CHB but not from IC, increased CD4+CD25+FOXP3+‐iTreg and CD4+FOXP3‐IL‐10+‐Tr1‐cells through a cell‐contact independent mechanism. While MDSC‐derived TGF‐β and IL‐10 promoted development of iTreg, only IL‐10 appeared to be crucial for Tr1 induction. One year of tenofovir treatment failed to normalise MDSC frequency/function or reduce Treg percentage and serum HBsAg levels, despite reduction in viral load.

Conclusions

We established a previously unrecognised role of MDSC in Treg development in IT and EP‐/EN‐CHB via TGF‐β/IL‐10‐dependent pathways and both cell‐types persisted after anti‐viral therapy. Hence, therapeutic targeting of MDSC or reducing circulating HBsAg level together with tenofovir‐therapy might be more effective in restricting HBV persistence and disease progression.
Long‐term recovery of the functional community assembly and carbon pools in an African tropical forest succession
Authors: Bauters Marijn , Vercleyen Oscar , Vanlauwe Bernard , Six Johan , Bonyoma Bernard , Badjoko Henri , Hubau Wannes , Hoyt Alison , Boudin Mathieu , Verbeeck Hans , Boeckx Pascal
Published: April 2019

On the African continent, the population is expected to expand fourfold in the next century, which will increasingly impact the global carbon cycle and biodiversity conservation. Therefore, it is of vital importance to understand how carbon stocks and community assembly recover after slash‐and‐burn events in tropical second growth forests. We inventoried a chronosequence of 15 1‐ha plots in lowland tropical forest of the central Congo Basin and evaluated changes in aboveground and soil organic carbon stocks and in tree species diversity, functional composition, and community‐weighted functional traits with succession. We aimed to track long‐term recovery trajectories of species and carbon stocks in secondary forests, comparing 5 to 200 + year old secondary forest with reference primary forest. Along the successional gradient, the functional composition followed a trajectory from resource acquisition to resource conservation, except for nitrogen‐related leaf traits. Despite a fast, initial recovery of species diversity and functional composition, there were still important structural and carbon stock differences between old growth secondary and pristine forest, which suggests that a full recovery of secondary forests might take much longer than currently shown. As such, the aboveground carbon stocks of 200 + year old forest were only 57% of those in the pristine reference forest, which suggests a slow recovery of aboveground carbon stocks, although more research is needed to confirm this observation. The results of this study highlight the need for more in‐depth studies on forest recovery in Central Africa, to gain insight into the processes that control biodiversity and carbon stock recovery.
Dutch disease and the oil boom and bust
Authors: Smith Brock
Published: April 2019

This paper examines the impact of the oil price boom in the 1970s and the subsequent bust on non‐oil economic activity in oil‐dependent countries. During the boom, manufacturing exports and output increased significantly relative to non‐oil countries. These measures decreased gradually during the bust and subsequent period of low prices, displaying a positive relationship with oil prices. However, exports of agricultural products sharply decreased during the boom. Imports of all types of goods displayed strong pro‐cyclicality with respect to oil prices. The results suggest that increased local demand and investment spillovers from the windfall resulted in increased manufacturing activity.
Chronicity of mental comorbidity in children with new‐onset physical illness
Authors: Reaume Shannon V. , Ferro Mark A.
Published: April 2019

Background

Evidence suggests that physical and mental illnesses are strongly correlated in children. This study examined patterns of the chronicity of multimorbidity (co‐occurring physical and mental illness); estimated homotypic continuity; and modelled factors associated with chronicity in children newly diagnosed with a chronic physical illness.

Methods

Children aged 6–16 years diagnosed with one of asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, food allergy, or juvenile arthritis were recruited from two children's hospitals and followed for 6 months. Child mental illness was measured using the parent‐reported Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview and Ontario Child Health Study Emotional Behavioural Scales at baseline and 6 months later. Children were stratified into three groups: no multimorbidity, acute (multimorbidity at only one assessment), and persistent (multimorbidity at both assessments).

Results

Forty‐nine children were available for analysis: no multimorbidity (n = 18), acute (n = 13), and persistent (n = 18). Homotypic continuity was highest for conduct disorder (67.5%) and lowest for major depression (16.7%). Unadjusted analyses showed positive associations between child and parent behavioural symptoms, as well as family functioning with persistent multimorbidity. These associations remained after adjustment, ranging from odds ratio (OR) = 1.29 [1.01, 1.64] for depression to OR = 1.61 [1.11, 2.33] and OR = 1.61 [1.10, 2.35] for attention‐deficit hyperactivity and oppositional defiant, respectively, in child models. In parent models, associations remained for parental anxiety (OR = 1.18 [1.04, 1.34]) and stress (OR = 1.15 [1.02, 1.31]).

Conclusions

Multimorbidity is persistent in children newly diagnosed with physical illnesses, regardless of the mental comorbidity experienced. Integrating family‐centred mental health services soon after the diagnosis of a physical illness should be prioritized in pediatric settings.
Difference in the frequency of pouchitis between ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis: is the explanation in peripouch fat?
Authors: Gao X. H. , Li J. Q. , Khan F. , Chouhan H. , Yu G. Y. , Remer E. , Stocchi L. , Hull T. L. , Shen B.
Published: April 2019

Aim

Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) have an unexplained higher incidence of pouchitis and a greater amount of peripouch fat compared with patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). The aims of this study were to compare the peripouch fat areas between patients with UC and patients with FAP, and to explore relationship between peripouch fat and pouchitis or chronic antibiotic‐refractory pouchitis (CARP).

Method

Patients with an abdominal CT image from our prospectively maintained Pouch Database were included. Abdominal fat and peripouch fat were measured on CT images at different levels or planes. Comparisons of peripouch fat and CARP were performed before and after propensity score matching.

Results

A total of 277 patients with UC and 40 patients with FAP were included. Compared with patients with FAP, patients with UC were found to have a higher incidence of pouchitis (58.5% vs 15.0%, P < 0.001) and CARP (24.5% vs 2.5%, P = 0.002) and a higher total peripouch fat area (P = 0.030) and mesenteric peripouch fat area (P = 0.022) at Level‐3. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that diagnosis (UC vs FAP) and peripouch fat areas at Level‐3 and Level‐5 were independent risk factors for CARP. With propensity score matching, 38 pairs of patients with UC and FAP were matched successfully. After matching, patients with UC were found to have higher total peripouch fat area and higher mesenteric peripouch fat area at Level‐3, and a higher incidence of pouchitis (57.9% vs 13.2%, P < 0.001) and CARP (23.7% vs 2.6%, P = 0.007).

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that patients with UC have more peripouch fat than those with FAP, which may explain the difference in the frequency of pouchitis and CARP between these groups of patients.
A concise guide to developing and using quantitative models in conservation management
Authors: García‐Díaz Pablo , Prowse Thomas A.A. , Anderson Dean P. , Lurgi Miguel , Binny Rachelle N. , Cassey Phillip
Published: April 2019

Quantitative models are powerful tools for informing conservation management and decision‐making. As applied modeling is increasingly used to address conservation problems, guidelines are required to clarify the scope of modeling applications and to facilitate the impact and acceptance of models by practitioners. We identify three key roles for quantitative models in conservation management: (a) to assess the extent of a conservation problem; (b) to provide insights into the dynamics of complex social and ecological systems; and, (c) to evaluate the efficacy of proposed conservation interventions. We describe 10 recommendations to facilitate the acceptance of quantitative models in conservation management, providing a basis for good practice to guide their development and evaluation in conservation applications. We structure these recommendations within four established phases of model construction, enabling their integration within existing workflows: (a) design (two recommendations); (b) specification (two); (c) evaluation (one); and (d) inference (five). Quantitative modeling can support effective conservation management provided that both managers and modelers understand and agree on the place for models in conservation. Our concise review and recommendations will assist conservation managers and modelers to collaborate in the development of quantitative models that are fit‐for‐purpose, and to trust and use these models appropriately while understanding key drivers of uncertainty.
Managers' perceptions of protected area outcomes in Madagascar highlight the need for species monitoring and knowledge transfer
Authors: Pyhälä Aili , Eklund Johanna , McBride Marissa F. , Rakotoarijaona Mamy A. , Cabeza Mar
Published: April 2019

Considerable effort has gone into assessing the effectiveness of protected areas (PAs) in preventing biodiversity loss, and PA impacts on local communities. However, little is known about how pressures are being perceived and dealt with by local PA managers and what perceptions managers have of biodiversity trends and human‐induced pressures in the PAs they manage. We surveyed and convened a workshop with PA managers in Madagascar asking about the impacts of PA establishment. The managers reported that PAs have been successful in reducing threats. However, managers lacked specific knowledge of trends in species abundance, reporting the need for more species monitoring and knowledge transfer from scientific researchers. We argue that greater collaboration and exchange of knowledge between researchers, managers, and local communities is necessary to ensure that PA effectiveness research is of practical value and contributes to improved PA outcomes.
Experimental evaluation of the impact of a payment for environmental services program on deforestation
Authors: Wiik Emma , d'Annunzio Rémi , Pynegar Edwin , Crespo David , Asquith Nigel , Jones Julia P. G.
Published: April 2019

Despite calls for greater use of randomized control trials (RCTs) to evaluate the impact of conservation interventions; such experimental evaluations remain extremely rare. Payments for environmental services (PES) are widely used to slow tropical deforestation but there is widespread recognition of the need for better evidence of effectiveness. A Bolivian nongovernmental organization took the unusual step of randomizing the communities where its conservation incentive program (Watershared) was offered. We explore the impact of the program on deforestation over 5 years by applying generalized additive models to Global Forest Change (GFC) data. The “intention‐to‐treat” model (where units are analyzed as randomized regardless of whether the intervention was delivered as planned) shows no effect; deforestation did not differ between the control and treatment communities. However, uptake of the intervention varied across communities so we also explored whether higher uptake might reduce deforestation. We found evidence of a small effect at high uptake but the result should be treated with caution. RCTs will not always be appropriate for evaluating conservation interventions due to ethical and practical considerations. Despite these challenges, randomization can improve causal inference and deserves more attention from those interested in improving the evidence base for conservation.
Plants on small islands revisited: the effects of spatial scale and habitat quality on the species–area relationship
Authors: Schrader Julian , Moeljono Soetjipto , Keppel Gunnar , Kreft Holger
Published: April 2019

Understanding how species diversity is related to sampling area and spatial scale is central to ecology and biogeography. Small islands and small sampling units support fewer species than larger ones. However, the factors influencing species richness may not be consistent across scales. Richness at local scales is primarily affected by small‐scale environmental factors, stochasticity and the richness at the island scale. Richness at whole‐island scale, however, is usually strongly related to island area, isolation and habitat diversity. Despite these contrasting drivers at local and island scales, island species–area relationships (SARs) are often constructed based on richness sampled at the local scale. Whether local scale samples adequately predict richness at the island scale and how local scale samples influence the island SAR remains poorly understood. We investigated the effects of different sampling scales on the SAR of trees on 60 small islands in the Raja Ampat archipelago (Indonesia) using standardised transects and a hierarchically nested sampling design. We compared species richness at different grain sizes ranging from single (sub)transects to whole islands and tested whether the shape of the SAR changed with sampling scale. We then determined the importance of island area, isolation, shape and habitat quality at each scale on species richness. We found strong support for scale dependency of the SAR. The SAR changed from exponential shape at local sampling scales to sigmoidal shape at the island scale indicating variation of species richness independent of area for small islands and hence the presence of a small‐island effect. Island area was the most important variable explaining species richness at all scales, but habitat quality was also important at local scales. We conclude that the SAR and drivers of species richness are influenced by sampling scale, and that the sampling design for assessing the island SARs therefore requires careful consideration.