bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geochemistry and Sm‐Nd chronology of a Stannern‐group eucrite, Northwest Africa 7188
Authors: Kagami Saya , Haba Makiko K. , Yokoyama Tetsuya , Usui Tomohiro , Greenwood Richard C.
Published: August 2019

We report the results of a detailed study of the basaltic eucrite Northwest Africa (NWA) 7188, including its mineralogical and bulk geochemical characteristics, oxygen isotopic composition, and147,146Sm‐143,142Nd mineral isochron ages. The texture and chemical composition of pyroxene and plagioclase demonstrate thatNWA7188 is a monomict eucrite with a metamorphic grade of type 4. The oxygen isotopic composition and the Fe/Mn ratios of pyroxene confirmed thatNWA7188 belongs to the howardite–eucrite–diogenite meteorite suite, generally considered to originate from asteroid 4 Vesta. Whole‐rock TiO2, La, and Hf concentrations and aCIchondrite‐normalized rare earth element pattern are in good agreement with those of representative Stannern‐group eucrites. The147,146Sm‐143,142Nd isochrons forNWA7188 yielded ages of 4582 ± 190 and 4554 +17/−19 Ma, respectively. The closure temperature of the Sm‐Nd system for different fractions ofNWA7188 was estimated to be >865 °C, suggesting that the Sm‐Nd decay system has either been resistant to reheating at ~800 °C during the global metamorphism or only partially reset. Therefore, the146Sm‐142Nd age ofNWA7188 corresponds to the period of initial crystallization of basaltic magmas and/or global metamorphism on the parent body, and is unlikely to reflect Sm‐Nd disturbance by late reheating and impact events. In either case,NWA7188 is a rare Stannern‐group eucrite that preserves the chronological information regarding the initial crustal evolution of Vesta.
Individual variation in early‐life telomere length and survival in a wild mammal
Authors: van Lieshout Sil H. J. , Bretman Amanda , Newman Chris , Buesching Christina D. , Macdonald David W. , Dugdale Hannah L.
Published: August 2019

Individual variation in survival probability due to differential responses to early‐life environmental conditions is important in the evolution of life histories and senescence. A biomarker allowing quantification of such individual variation, and which links early‐life environmental conditions with survival by providing a measure of conditions experienced, is telomere length. Here, we examined telomere dynamics among 24 cohorts of European badgers (Meles meles). We found a complex cross‐sectional relationship between telomere length and age, with no apparent loss over the first 29 months, but with both decreases and increases in telomere length at older ages. Overall, we found low within‐individual consistency in telomere length across individual lifetimes. Importantly, we also observed increases in telomere length within individuals, which could not be explained by measurement error alone. We found no significant sex differences in telomere length, and provide evidence that early‐life telomere length predicts lifespan. However, while early‐life telomere length predicted survival to adulthood (≥1 year old), early‐life telomere length did not predict adult survival probability. Furthermore, adult telomere length did not predict survival to the subsequent year. These results show that the relationship between early‐life telomere length and lifespan was driven by conditions in early‐life, where early‐life telomere length varied strongly among cohorts. Our data provide evidence for associations between early‐life telomere length and individual life history, and highlight the dynamics of telomere length across individual lifetimes due to individuals experiencing different early‐life environments.
Beyond the cultural myth of medical meritocracy
Authors: Razack Saleem , Risør Torsten , Hodges Brian , Steinert Yvonne
Published: August 2019

Background

We examine the cultural myth of the medical meritocracy, whereby the “best and the brightest” are admitted and promoted within the profession. We explore how this narrative guides medical practice in ways that may no longer be adequate in the contexts of practice today.

Methods

Narrative analysis of medical students’ and physicians’ stories.

Results

Hierarchies of privilege within medicine are linked to meritocracy and the trope of the “hero's story” in literature. Gender and other forms of difference are generally excluded from narratives of excellence, which suggests operative mechanisms that may be contributory to observed differences in attainment. We discuss how the notion of diversity is formulated in medicine as a “problem” to be accommodated within merit, and posit that medical practice today requires a reformulation of the notion of merit in medicine, valorising a diversity of life experience and skills, rather than “retrofitting” diversity concerns as problems to be accommodated within current constructs of merit.

Conclusions

Three main action‐oriented outcomes for a better formulation of merit relevant to medical practice today are suggested: (a) development of assessors’ critical consciousness regarding the structural issues in merit assignment; (b) alignment of merit criteria with relevant societal outcomes, and (c) developing inclusive leadership to accommodate the greater diversity of excellence needed in today's context of medical practice. A reformulation of the stories through which medical practitioners and educators communicate and validate aspects of medical practice will be required in order for the profession to continue to have relevance to the diverse societies it serves.
Clinical implications of age‐related change of the mandibular plane angle
Authors: Hardin Anna M. , Valiathan Manish , Oh Heesoo , Knigge Ryan P. , McNulty Kieran P. , Leary Emily V. , Duren Dana L. , Sherwood Richard J.
Published: August 2019

Objective

To identify trajectories of ontogenetic change in the mandibular plane angle (MPA) and to describe the influence of sex and other factors on MPA during growth.

Setting/Sample

The data consisted of 7026 MPA measurements from lateral cephalographs representing longitudinal series from ages 6 to 21 for 728 individuals from the Craniofacial Growth Consortium Study (CGCS).

Materials and Methods

Facial type was determined from MPA for each assessment, with the assessment closest to age 18 representing the adult facial type. The sample includes 366 males and 362 females, each with between 2 and 15 cephalographs. The mean number of cephalographs per individual is 10. Variation in childhood MPA (earliest assessment between 6 and 9 years of age) and adult MPA (closest assessment to age 18 between 15 and 21 years of age), and change in MPA from childhood to adulthood were compared by sex and adult facial type using ANOVA and post hoc t tests.

Results

Mandibular plane angle decreased from childhood to adulthood in 92% of males and 81% of females, yet increased in 36% of males and 50% of females with the hyper‐divergent adult facial type. Childhood MPA and overall change in MPA were significantly different by adult facial type.

Conclusions

Adult facial type is associated with differences in childhood MPA and change in MPA during growth. There are multiple ontogenetic pathways by which an individual can achieve a normo‐divergent adult facial type, and an individual's childhood MPA does not necessarily correspond to his or her adult facial type.
Identification of candidate genes for key fibre‐related QTLs and derivation of favourable alleles in Gossypium hirsutum recombinant inbred lines with G. barbadense introgressions
Authors: Wang Furong , Zhang Jingxia , Chen Yu , Zhang Chuanyun , Gong Juwu , Song Zhangqiang , Zhou Juan , Wang Jingjing , Zhao Chengjie , Jiao Mengjia , Liu Aiying , Du Zhaohai , Yuan Youlu , Fan Shoujin , Zhang Jun
Published: August 2019

Fine mapping QTLs and identifying candidate genes for cotton fibre‐quality and yield traits would be beneficial to cotton breeding. Here, we constructed a high‐density genetic map by specific‐locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF‐seq) to identify QTLs associated with fibre‐quality and yield traits using 239 recombinant inbred lines (RILs), which was developed from LMY22 (a high‐yield Gossypium hirsutumL. cultivar) × LY343 (a superior fibre‐quality germplasm with G. barbadenseL. introgressions). The genetic map spanned 3426.57 cM, including 3556 SLAF‐based SNPs and 199 SSR marker loci. A total of 104 QTLs, including 67 QTLs for fibre quality and 37 QTLs for yield traits, were identified with phenotypic data collected from 7 environments. Among these, 66 QTLs were co‐located in 19 QTL clusters on 12 chromosomes, and 24 QTLs were detected in three or more environments and determined to be stable. We also investigated the genomic components of LY343 and their contributions to fibre‐related traits by deep sequencing the whole genome of LY343, and we found that genomic components from G. hirsutum races (which entered LY343 via its G. barbadense parent) contributed more favourable alleles than those from G. barbadense. We further identified six putative candidate genes for stable QTLs, including Gh_A03G1147 (GhPEL6), Gh_D07G1598 (GhCSLC6) and Gh_D13G1921 (GhTBL5) for fibre‐length QTLs and Gh_D03G0919 (GhCOBL4), Gh_D09G1659 (GhMYB4) and Gh_D09G1690 (GhMYB85) for lint‐percentage QTLs. Our results provide comprehensive insight into the genetic basis of the formation of fibre‐related traits and would be helpful for cloning fibre‐development‐related genes as well as for marker‐assisted genetic improvement in cotton.
Evaluation of newly developed SSR markers and identification of quantitative trait loci for bast fibre cellulose in white jute (Corchorus capsularis)
Authors: Niyitanga Sylvain , Xu Yi , Ibrahim Aminu Kurawa , Zhang Lilan , Fang Shusheng , Qi Jianmin , Zhang Liwu
Published: August 2019

Cellulose is one of the main chemical component of bast fibre in jute. However, quantitative trait loci (QTL) for bast fibre cellulose content remains elusive. In this study, we identified 846 new SSR markers from 70,792 unigenes in the NCBI and validated them in a panel of 24 diverse jute accessions. Of 846 SSRs, 748 (88.41%) were successfully amplified, and 585 (69.14%) showed polymorphisms, implying that these are high‐quality SSRs. Furthermore, 585 SSRs along with 5,074 polymorphic SLAF (specific locus amplified fragment) and 173 InDel markers were used to reconstruct a high‐dense linkage map in a recombinant inbred population with 104 F8 lines. Totally, 835 markers were successfully mapped to a whole length of 604.5 cM with a mean distance of 2.84 cM between adjacent markers. Furthermore, five QTLs for bast fibre cellulose were identified. One major QTL (qBFC1‐1) was stable in 2 years and explained average phenotypic variance with 14.34%. These results may be useful for developing enhanced bast fibre quality in white jute through marker‐assisted selection (MAS) breeding.
Fecal calprotectin in children with familial Mediterranean fever in the attack‐free period
Authors: Demirbaş Fatma , Çaltepe Gönül , Comba Atakan , Abbasguliyev Hasan , Uyar Neval Yurttan , Kalaycı Ayhan Gazi
Published: August 2019

Background

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by recurrent episodes of fever and serosal inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate fecal calprotectin (FC) in children with FMF during the non‐attack period.

Methods

A retrospective evaluation was made of the data of a total 66 patients diagnosed with FMF in an attack‐free period and without amyloidosis or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). FC level in the FMF patients was compared with that in the patients with IBD and healthy control subjects.

Results

The FMF patients consisted of 37 boys (56.1%) with a mean age of 10.1 ± 3.9 years. Mean FC was 192.5 μg/g (range, 19.5–800 μg/g) in the FMF group, 597.9 μg/g (range, 180–800 μg/g) in the IBD group, and 43.8 μg/g (range, 19.5–144 μg/g) in the control group. The FC level in the children with FMF was higher than in the control group (P < 0.001), and the FC level of the IBD patients was higher than both the FMF and the control groups (P = 0.020, P < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions

FC was higher in FMF patients compared with healthy children even in the absence of IBD/amyloidosis. Even though colonoscopy is the gold standard in identifying intestinal inflammation in FMF patients, FC, a non‐invasive and inexpensive method, can be used for screening. The presence of subclinical intestinal inflammation was also quantitatively identified in children with FMF.
Issue Ownership and Strategic Policy Choice in Multiparty Africa
Authors: Kim Eun Kyung
Published: August 2019

While it is widely believed that democratic institutions are more responsive to citizens’ policy needs and interests, there has been little effort to examine how multiparty competition in consolidating democracies affects policy choices among competing economic interests. The questions of whether and how democracy influences such policy decisions tend to be ignored because many presume constituents in developing countries are only sensitive to relatively direct exchanges of favors for votes, such as distribution of clientelistic benefits or local/club goods. In this study, I examine some nationally important economic (sub)sectors whose policies favor some parts of the economy over others, targeting investment, taxes, and subsidies, trade protections, or regulation. Applying issue ownership theory to two cases—Ghana and Kenya—I find that partisan competition leads incumbent governments to pursue policies that help ensure economic gains to their electoral supporters at the expense of the opposition backers’ interests.

Related Articles

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Pelizzo, Riccardo, and Zim Nwokora. 2016. “Bridging the Divide: Measuring Party System Change and Classifying Party Systems.” Politics & Policy 44 (6): 1017‐1052. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12188

Pelizzo, Riccardo, and Zim Nwokora. 2018. “Party System Change and the Quality of Democracy in East Africa.” Politics & Policy 46 (3): 505‐528. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12255
Capacity Planning for Networks of Stem‐Cell Donation Centers under Uncertainty
Authors: Gökalp Elvan , Gülpınar Nalan , Doan Xuan Vinh
Published: August 2019

Stem‐cell transplantation is the last chance for patients of various blood‐related diseases. Stem‐cell donation centers admit patients in need of a stem‐cell transplant and search for a perfect match between the patients and donors. The search process is time‐consuming and requires expensive advanced equipments, in particular for DNA typing. In this study, we are concerned with a capacity planning problem in a network of stem‐cell donation centers. The underlying optimization model integrates the operations for a donor search and aims to maximize the number of transplantations. A scenario‐based stochastic programming approach is introduced to investigate the effect of the demand and service time variabilities into the capacity planning problem. We consider the maximum possible waiting time during the search process to obtain robust solutions against uncertainties. For this purpose, we approximate the maximum waiting time in the advanced blood testing with a robust queuing approach. The computational experiments are designed to illustrate the performance of the capacity planning model.
Pay for Success: Diffusion of Policy Innovation for Social and Economic Stability
Authors: Fry Vanessa Crossgrove
Published: August 2019

Across the United States, communities struggle with numerous social and environmental issues, while the funding to address these issues continues to diminish. Therefore, actors inside and outside of government are seeking new policy solutions to persistent social problems. Significant hurdles to new policies exist, however, including a lack of funding and a reluctance to take on the risks inherent in implementing new programs. A recent innovation in the policy sphere, pay‐for‐success (PFS) financing, has been able to overcome these hurdles. Policy innovation does not come easily, though, and change within government is often slow and methodical. What catalyzes jurisdictions to engage with PFS? By developing an understanding of the mechanisms and processes of PFS, diffusion scholars and practitioners can facilitate innovation within jurisdictions. Such innovation, which the federal government has an opportunity to facilitate, is necessary to shift business‐as‐usual service provision and enable greater social, environmental, and economic stability.
Firm's demand for insurance: An explorative approach
Authors: Krummaker Simone
Published: August 2019

This paper addresses the question, what influences the insurance demand of companies and examines the influence of managerial risk aversion in this decision process. An explorative research approach based on qualitative data analysis is applied to explore the factors influencing the insurance related decision behavior in organizations. Using interviews and observations of firm's insurance managers, the results identify interdependencies between factors of insurance demand, such as ownership structure, managerial discretion, volatility of earning, size, services of the insurer, and business diversification which allows to propose a framework of contextual factors affecting company's insurance demand. Within this framework, the data imply managerial risk attitudes as decisive factor in the decision process about insurance demand in companies. This explorative study enriches the existing theories of firms’ insurance demand and addresses feedback from practice into theory.
Immigrants, occupations and firm export performance
Authors: Marchal Léa , Nedoncelle Clément
Published: August 2019

This paper investigates the export‐enhancing effect of immigrant workers and how this effect varies across occupations. We use a dataset made of French manufacturing firms from 1997 to 2009 and address the problem of endogenous employment choice using an instrumental variable‐two‐stage least squares (IV‐2SLS) strategy and a doubly robust estimator. Our results show that immigrants in both low‐ and high‐skilled occupations foster exports at both the intensive and the extensive margins. In addition, we show that this effect is spread across all export destinations.
Pathogenesis and management of vascular calcification in CKD and dialysis patients
Authors: Kakani Elijah , Elyamny Mohamed , Ayach Taha , El‐Husseini Amr
Published: August 2019

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a predisposition to develop vascular calcification due to dysregulated homeostatic mechanisms, which lead to an imbalance in the circulatory promoters and inhibitors of vascular calcification, leading to a net calcification stress. These factors promote ectopic calcification and induce vascular smooth muscle cells to undergo osteogenic differentiation and actively calcify the vascular media. The article summarizes clinically relevant pathogenic mechanisms of vascular calcification in patients with CKD and in dialysis patients and summarizes novel therapeutic interventions. In addition to the management of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, patients with CKD‐mineral and bone disorder need close attention in the management of the mineral metabolism to prevent adverse effects on the bone and vascular compartments. This article reviews current evidence and therapeutic guidelines in the management of mineral metabolism in CKD and dialysis.
Consequences of restricting antimalarial drugs to rapid diagnostic test‐positive febrile children in south‐west Nigeria
Authors: Falade Catherine Olufunke , Orimadegun Adebola Emanuel , Michael Obaro Stanley , Dada‐Adegbola Hannah Odunola , Ogunkunle Oluwatoyin Oluwafunmilayo , Badejo Joseph Ayotunde , Funwei Roland Ibenipere , Ajayi IkeOluwapo Oyeneye , Jegede Ayodele Samuel , Ojurongbe Olusola Daniel , Ssekitooleko James , Baba Ebenezer , Hamade Prudence , Webster Jayne , Chandramohan Daniel
Published: August 2019

Objectives

To investigate the consequence of restricting antimalarial treatment to febrile children that test positive to a malaria rapid diagnostic test (MRDT) only in an area of intense malaria transmission.

Methods

Febrile children aged 3–59 months were screened with an MRDT at health facilities in south‐west Nigeria. MRDT‐positive children received artesunate–amodiaquine (ASAQ), while MRDT‐negative children were treated based on the clinical diagnosis of non‐malaria febrile illness. The primary endpoint was the risk of developing microscopy‐positive malaria within 28 days post‐treatment.

Results

309 (60.5%) of 511 children were MRDT‐positive while 202 (39.5%) were MRDT‐negative at enrolment. 18.5% (50/275) of MRDT‐positive children and 7.6% (14/184) of MRDT‐negative children developed microscopy‐positive malaria by day 28 post‐treatment (ρ = 0.001). The risk of developing clinical malaria by day 28 post‐treatment was higher among the MRDT‐positive group than the MRDT‐negative group (adjusted OR 2.74; 95% CI, 1.4, 5.4). A higher proportion of children who were MRDT‐positive at enrolment were anaemic on day 28 compared with the MRDT‐negative group (12.6% vs. 3.1%; ρ = 0.001). Children in the MRDT‐negative group made more unscheduled visits because of febrile illness than those in MRDT‐positive group (23.2% vs. 12.0%; ρ = 0.001).

Conclusion

Restricting ACT treatment to MRDT‐positive febrile children only did not result in significant adverse outcomes. However, the risk of re‐infection within 28 days was significantly higher among MRDT‐positive children despite ASAQ treatment. A longer‐acting ACT may be needed as the first‐line drug of choice for treating uncomplicated malaria in high‐transmission settings to prevent frequent re‐infections.
Vitreous degeneration and associated ocular abnormalities in the dog
Authors: Krishnan Harathi , Diehl Kathryn , Stefanovski Darko , Aguirre Gustavo D.
Published: August 2019

Objective

To identify the frequency of vitreous degeneration and its association with ocular comorbidities including cataracts, lens luxation, glaucoma, and retinal detachment.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of 4217 dogs from the Companion Animal Eye Registry (CAER) that underwent breed screening ophthalmic examinations between 2013 and 2016. The breeds analyzed included the Italian Greyhound, Shih Tzu, Affenpinscher, Bichon Frise, Brussels Griffon, Whippets, and Greyhound. Data collected from CAER included age, gender, number of examinations, and whether vitreous degeneration, along with cataracts, lens luxation, glaucoma and/or retinal detachment were present in either or both eyes.

Results

The study found that breed and age are significant drivers for developing VD. Italian Greyhounds, Brussels Griffons, and Shih Tzus have a significantly higher likelihood of VD compared to the negative control breed, the Greyhound. Additionally, with every 1‐year age increase, there is a 24% higher likelihood of developing VD. However, no association was identified between vitreous degeneration and cataracts, lens luxation, glaucoma, or retinal detachment.

Conclusions

While the study found that breed and age were significant drivers for developing VD, no association was found between VD and the other ocular comorbidities examined.
Automated mononuclear cell collection: a feasibility study employing a new software for extracorporeal photopheresis
Authors: Del Fante Claudia , Scudeller Luigia , Mortellaro Cristina , Viarengo Gianluca , Martinasso Alberto , Perotti Cesare
Published: August 2019

Background and objectives

Very recently, Fresenius Kabi, improved the software (autoMNC lymphocytes, SW 04.03.08) for mononuclear cells (MNCs) collection with the aim to ameliorate the quality of harvest, employing the automated autoMNC lymphocytes software SW 04.03.09. Herein, we report the results of an observational study evaluating the feasibility of MNCs collection in patients undergoing extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) at our centre, using the new COM.TEC software 04.03.08c for MNC collection, afterwards integrated in the software 04.03.09, available on the market since November 2018.

Materials and methods

Thirty adult patients (21 males and 9 females) with GvHD, Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction or renal rejection, were consecutively enrolled to undergo 1 ECP procedure by the offline technique, according to our internal protocol, processing 1·5 blood volumes. Feasibility of collection was defined as: Hct in collection bag ≤5%, MNCs purity (percentage of MNCs/bag) ≥80%, MNCs collection efficiency (CE2) ≥60%, patient's platelet depletion ≤50%.

Results

Thirty ECP procedures were evaluated. Feasibility (defined by the four parameters previously described) of MNCs collection was observed in 1 out of the 30 harvests analysed. Median Hct in the product was 3·45% (IQR: 2·6–5·0), and median MNCs purity was 97·2% (IQR 89·1–98·6). Median CE2 for MNCs was 21·4% (IQR: 11·9–41·2), and median patient's platelet depletion was 36·2% (IQR 21·9–51·4).

Conclusion

The autoMNC lymphocytes software SW 04.03.08c for MNCs collection in ECP setting demonstrated to collect a good quality product in terms of purity and RBC contamination even if the collection efficiency and platelet contamination must be improved.
World Englishes and cross‐cultural advertising
Authors: Bhatia Tej K. , Kathpalia Sujata S.
Published: August 2019

Globalization, along with emerging new media forms, is responsible for the spread of bilingualism and multilingualism in advertising. As English represents the common core of advertising, advertisers view it as the most suitable linguistic vehicle for the globalized world, mixing it with local language(s) in innovative and unique ways in their advertisements depending upon whether they originate from the Inner, Outer or Expanding Circles of English use. This introduction explores the multidimensional characteristics and dynamics of language mixing in advertisements in relation to the papers in this volume, ranging from the perspectives of structural to functional, monolingual to plurilingual, monocultural to cross‐cultural, and rational to emotional.
Colloquial Singapore English in advertisements
Authors: Hiramoto Mie
Published: August 2019

Throughout the history of Singapore, Colloquial Singapore English (CSE) has been treated as an obstacle to Singaporeans’ acquisition of standardized English. The Speak Good English Movement (SGEM) was launched in 2000 to promote standardized English while discouraging the use of CSE. Nonetheless, CSE is increasingly used in local commercial advertisements by private companies. Recently, the state has also changed its firm anti‐CSE position, and begun to recognize CSE as part of the unique identity that ties Singaporeans together. Rather surprisingly, government advertisements have begun employing CSE expressions, particularly since the state's 50th anniversary in 2015. This study investigates how the use of CSE is semioticized in both government and private‐company advertisements that have appeared in recent years. The findings suggest that CSE is integrated into government advertisements as an invocation of a pan‐Singaporean identity in order to naturalize the state's larger political discourses.
English and other languages in Italian advertising
Authors: Vettorel Paola , Franceschi Valeria
Published: August 2019

The presence of plurilingual practices involving the mixing of local and other languages is widely attested in advertising, mainly with English but also with other languages. Globalization processes have contributed to the global spread of English, but also to the blurring of linguistic and cultural boundaries, with translanguaging and transcultural practices becoming increasingly common. This study provides an investigation of print advertisements from a corpus collected from 2011 to 2018 from Italian magazines. We look at the presence of English and other languages across the dataset, focusing above all on processes of cross‐linguistic creativity exploiting English, English and Italian, as well as other languages.
Bergeyella zoohelcum isolated from oral cavities of therapy dogs
Authors: Muramatsu Yasukazu , Haraya Nami , Horie Kazuki , Uchida Leo , Kooriyama Takanori , Suzuki Akio , Horiuchi Motohiro
Published: August 2019

Bergeyella zoohelcum causes rare but severe human clinical diseases, which mostly arise from animal bites. Notably, Bergeyella infections can also occur in older people after prolonged exposure to dogs or cats without biting. We detected B. zoohelcum in oral cavities of therapy dogs in close contact with older people residing in nursing homes. Twenty‐two bacterial isolates were identified as B. zoohelcum by using matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Our results showed that MALDI‐TOF MS is an effective tool for rapid identification of rarely isolated, difficult‐to‐identify microorganisms, such as B. zoohelcum, derived from not only human clinical samples but also animal samples. To our knowledge, this is the first report on detection of B. zoohelcum from therapy dogs. We have provided information on dog‐assisted therapy to improve the relationship between humans and animals in ageing societies, particularly for preventive healthcare of older people living in nursing care facilities.
An Analysis on Bullying Behaviors of the Sports Spectator Students of Faculty of Sports Sciences
Authors: Doğar Yahya , Karaca Yasin
Published: August 2019

The aim of the study is to assess the effects of various variables of the relationship among bullying behaviors of students who are sports spectators studying in the Faculty of Sports Sciences. Quantitative method and survey model have been used in order to define and explain the existing cases in the study. Descriptive method has been used to determine the bullying behavior levels of 311 male and 117 female students studying in the Faculties of Sports Sciences of Ataturk and Inonu Universities in 2018-2019 academic year. In order to analyze the relationship between both variables in the research on the other hand, a relational method has been used. “Bullying Scale of Sports Spectators” has also been used in the research as a data collection tool (Karaca, 2019). The type of scale is one-dimensional five point Likert scale and it comprises 15 questions. Both survey and relational models have been used in the study. There are significant differences found with respect to the variables: Gender, department of study, family income and education statuses, places to spectate the matches and their frequency, attending away matches and lastly memberships to fan clubs. On the other hand, there is no significant difference found between bullying behavior and the ages of students, their social media account ownerships, their social media usage purposes and the devices they use for their social media accounts.
ATP transients accompany spontaneous contractions in isolated guinea‐pig detrusor smooth muscle
Authors: McCarthy Carly J. , Marangos Christos , Fry Christopher H. , Ikeda Youko
Published: August 2019

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Overactive bladder is associated with enhanced spontaneous contractions, but their origins are unclear. The aim of this study was to characterize the accompanying ATP transients.

What is the main finding and its importance?

Spontaneous detrusor contractions were accompanied by transient increases of ATP, and their appearance was delayed by previous activation of efferent nerves to the detrusor. This indicates that spontaneous ATP release from nerve terminals supports spontaneous contractions. ATP is a functional excitatory neurotransmitter in human bladder only in pathologies such as overactive bladder. A potential drug target is revealed to manage this condition.

Spontaneous contractions are characteristic of the bladder wall, but their origins remain unclear. Activity is reduced if the mucosa is removed but does not disappear, suggesting that a fraction arises from the detrusor. We tested the hypothesis that spontaneous detrusor contractions arise from spontaneous ATP release. Guinea‐pig detrusor strips, without mucosa, were superfused with Tyrode solution at 36°C. Preparations were subjected to electrical field stimulation (EFS; 3 s trains at 90 s intervals) to produce nerve‐mediated contractions, abolished by 1 µm TTX. Amperometric ATP electrodes on the preparation surface recorded any ATP released. Spontaneous contractions and ATP transients were recorded between EFS trains. Nerve‐mediated contractions were attenuated by atropine and α,β‐methylene ATP; in combination, they nearly abolished contractions, as did nifedipine. Contractions were accompanied by ATP transients that were unaffected by atropine but inhibited by TTX and greatly attenuated by nifedipine. Spontaneous contractions were accompanied by ATP transients, with a close correlation between the magnitudes of both transients. ATP and contractile transients persisted with TTX, atropine and nifedipine. Immediately after a nerve‐mediated contraction and ATP transient, there was a longer interval than normal before spontaneous activity resumed. Spontaneous contractions and ATP transients are proposed to arise from ATP leakage from nerve terminals innervating the detrusor. Extracellular ATP has a greater functional significance in humans who suffer from detrusor overactivity (spontaneous bladder contractions associated with incontinence) owing to its reduced hydrolysis at the nerve–muscle interface. This study shows the origin of spontaneous activity that might be exploited to develop a therapeutic management of this condition.
No microbiome is an island, survey reveals
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: August 2019

Sampling in Hawaiian valley shows wider environment shapes each organism's microbial community.
Amazon fires clearly linked to deforestation, scientists say
Authors: Escobar Herton
Published: August 2019

Brazilian government deflects blame for rise in fire activity.
Validation of the protein kinase
Pf
CLK3 as a multistage cross-species malarial drug target
Authors: Alam Mahmood M. , Sanchez-Azqueta Ana , Janha Omar , Flannery Erika L. , Mahindra Amit , Mapesa Kopano , Char Aditya B. , Sriranganadane Dev , Brancucci Nicolas M. B. , Antonova-Koch Yevgeniya , Crouch Kathryn , Simwela Nelson Victor , Millar Scott B. , Akinwale Jude , Mitcheson Deborah , Solyakov Lev , Dudek Kate , Jones Carolyn , Zapatero Cleofé , Doerig Christian , Nwakanma Davis C. , Vázquez Maria Jesús , Colmenarejo Gonzalo , Lafuente-Monasterio Maria Jose , Leon Maria Luisa , Godoi Paulo H. C. , Elkins Jon M. , Waters Andrew P. , Jamieson Andrew G. , Álvaro Elena Fernández , Ranford-Cartwright Lisa C. , Marti Matthias , Winzeler Elizabeth A. , Gamo Francisco Javier , Tobin Andrew B.
Published: August 2019

Targeting parasite's protein kinase

Malaria elimination goals are constantly eroded by the challenge of emerging drug and insecticide resistance. Alam
et al.
have taken established drug targets—CLK protein kinases involved in regulation of RNA splicing—and investigated how inhibition of the parasite's enzymes blocks completion of its complex life cycle. They identified an inhibitor of the parasite's CLK protein kinase that was 100-fold less active against the most closely related human protein kinase and effective at clearing rodent malaria parasites. Not only does this compound halt the development of sexual stages but it also limits transmission to the mosquito vector of the parasite, a key requirement for malaria drugs.

Science
, this issue p.
eaau1682
Dynamical charge density fluctuations pervading the phase diagram of a Cu-based high-
T
c
superconductor
Authors: Arpaia R. , Caprara S. , Fumagalli R. , De Vecchi G. , Peng Y. Y. , Andersson E. , Betto D. , De Luca G. M. , Brookes N. B. , Lombardi F. , Salluzzo M. , Braicovich L. , Di Castro C. , Grilli M. , Ghiringhelli G.
Published: August 2019

Pervasive fluctuations

Among the many intertwined phases in the cuprate superconductor phase diagram is the charge density wave (CDW) order, which has been detected in all major cuprate families. It is thought that CDW competes with superconductivity, but whether it has bearing on the mechanism of superconductivity remains unclear. Arpaia
et al.
undertook a comprehensive study of charge density fluctuations in a cuprate family, varying doping and temperature. They found that short-range dynamic charge fluctuations were present in a large portion of the phase diagram, at temperatures considerably higher than those at which the CDW order disappears.

Science
, this issue p.
906
Cell migration and axon guidance at the border between central and peripheral nervous system
Authors: Suter Tracey A. C. S. , Jaworski Alexander
Published: August 2019

Neurons negotiating boundaries

Barriers around the brain and spinal cord separate central from peripheral nervous systems, yet the two systems are interlinked. Suter and Jaworski review what is known about how cells, axons, and signals negotiate the boundary zone. Understanding what goes wrong in boundary transgressions reveals the inner workings of multiple, partially redundant mechanisms built during development that separate the two compartments in adulthood.

Science, this issue p.eaaw8231
Protecting elections from social media manipulation
Authors: Aral Sinan , Eckles Dean
Published: August 2019

Rigorous causal analysis could help harden democracy against future attacks
Solar System chaos and the Paleocene–Eocene boundary age constrained by geology and astronomy
Authors: Zeebe Richard E. , Lourens Lucas J.
Published: August 2019

Filling a dating hole

The periodic nature of Earth's orbit around the Sun produces cycles of insolation reflected in climate records. Conversely, these climate records can be used to infer changes in the dynamics of the Solar System, which is inherently chaotic and not always similarly periodic. A particular obstacle is the lack of well-defined planetary orbital constraints between 50 and 60 million years ago. Zeebe and Lourens found an astronomical solution for that interval showing that the Solar System experienced a specific resonance transition pattern. These data provide a measure of the duration of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum.

Science
, this issue p.
926
Late Upper Paleolithic occupation at Cooper’s Ferry, Idaho, USA, ~16,000 years ago
Authors: Davis Loren G. , Madsen David B. , Becerra-Valdivia Lorena , Higham Thomas , Sisson David A. , Skinner Sarah M. , Stueber Daniel , Nyers Alexander J. , Keen-Zebert Amanda , Neudorf Christina , Cheyney Melissa , Izuho Masami , Iizuka Fumie , Burns Samuel R. , Epps Clinton W. , Willis Samuel C. , Buvit Ian
Published: August 2019

The early occupation of America

The Cooper's Ferry archaeological site in western North America has provided evidence for the pattern and time course of the early peopling of the Americas. Davis
et al.
describe new evidence of human activity from this site, including stemmed projectile points. Radiocarbon dating and Bayesian analysis indicate an age between 16,560 and 15,280 years before present. Humans therefore arrived in the Americas before an inland ice-free corridor had opened, so a Pacific coastal route was the probable entry route. The stemmed projectile points closely resemble those found in Upper Paleolithic Japan, also supporting the hypothesis of a coastal route.

Science
, this issue p.
891
Bacteria send messages to colonize plant roots
Authors: Baldrich Patricia , Meyers Blake C.
Published: August 2019

Bacteria-derived RNA fragments target host plant genes to promote root colonization
AI surpasses humans at six-player poker
Authors: Blair Alan , Saffidine Abdallah
Published: August 2019

Self-learning Pluribus beats five humans in Texas hold'em showdown
Exploring Listeria monocytogenes Transcriptomes in Correlation with Divergence of Lineages and Virulence as Measured in Galleria mellonella
Authors: Lee Bo-Hyung , Garmyn Dominique , Gal Laurent , Guérin Cyprien , Guillier Laurent , Rico Alain , Rotter Björn , Nicolas Pierre , Piveteau Pascal
Published: August 2019

Listeria monocytogenes
is a multifaceted bacterium able to proliferate in a wide range of environments from soil to mammalian host cells. The accumulated genomic data underscore the contribution of intraspecies variations in gene repertoire to differential adaptation strategies between strains, including infection and stress resistance. It seems very likely that the fine-tuning of the transcriptional regulatory network is also a key component of the phenotypic diversity, albeit more difficult to investigate than genome content. Some studies reported incongruity in the basal transcriptome between isolates, suggesting a putative relationship with phenotypes, but small isolate numbers hampered proper correlation analyses with respect to their characteristics. The present study is the embodiment of the promising approach that consists of analyzing correlations between transcriptomes and various isolate characteristics. Statistically significant correlations were found with phylogenetic groups, epidemiological evidence of virulence potential, and virulence in
Galleria mellonella
larvae used as an
in vivo
model.
Immunomodulatory Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum on Inflammatory Response Induced by Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Vareille-Delarbre Marjolaine , Miquel Sylvie , Garcin Sophie , Bertran Thomas , Balestrino Damien , Evrard Bertrand , Forestier Christiane
Published: August 2019

Some respiratory infections have been associated with dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota. The underlying mechanism is incompletely understood, but cross talk between the intestinal microbiota and local immune cells could influence the immune response at distal mucosal sites. This has led to the concept of enhancing respiratory defenses by modulating the intestinal microbiota with exogenous supplementation of beneficial strains.
Pilot Evaluation of a Fully Automated Bioinformatics System for Analysis of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Genomes and Detection of Outbreaks
Authors: Brown Nicholas M. , Blane Beth , Raven Kathy E. , Kumar Narender , Leek Danielle , Bragin Eugene , Rhodes Paul A. , Enoch David A. , Thaxter Rachel , Parkhill Julian , Peacock Sharon J.
Published: August 2019

Genomic surveillance that combines bacterial sequencing and epidemiological information will become the gold standard for outbreak detection, but its clinical translation is hampered by the lack of automated interpretation tools. We performed a prospective pilot study to evaluate the analysis of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) genomes using the Next Gen Diagnostics (NGD) automated bioinformatics system.
Mixed deformation styles observed on a shallow subduction thrust, Hikurangi margin, New Zealand
Authors: Fagereng Å. , Savage H.M. , Morgan J.K. , Wang M. , Meneghini F. , Barnes P.M. , Bell R. , Kitajima H. , McNamara D.D. , Saffer D.M. , Wallace L.M. , Petronotis K. , LeVay L. ,   the IODP Expedition 372/375 Scientists
Published: August 2019

Geophysical observations show spatial and temporal variations in fault slip style on shallow subduction thrust faults, but geological signatures and underlying deformation processes remain poorly understood. International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expeditions 372 and 375 investigated New Zealand’s Hikurangi margin in a region that has experienced both tsunami earthquakes and repeated slow-slip events. We report direct observations from cores that sampled the active Pāpaku splay fault at 304 m below the seafloor. This fault roots into the plate interface and comprises an 18-m-thick main fault underlain by ∼30 m of less intensely deformed footwall and an ∼10-m-thick subsidiary fault above undeformed footwall. Fault zone structures include breccias, folds, and asymmetric clasts within transposed and/or dismembered, relatively homogeneous, silty hemipelagic sediments. The data demonstrate that the fault has experienced both ductile and brittle deformation. This structural variation indicates that a range of local slip speeds can occur along shallow faults, and they are controlled by temporal, potentially far-field, changes in strain rate or effective stress.
Journal club: old tricks and fresh approaches
Authors: McGlacken-Byrne Sinead Mary , O"Rahelly Mark , Cantillon Peter , Allen Nicholas M
Published: August 2019

Journal club is a long-standing pedagogy within clinical practice and education. While journal clubs throughout the world traditionally follow an established format, new approaches have emerged in recent times, including learner-centred and digital approaches. Key factors to journal club success include an awareness of the learning goals of the target audience, judicious article selection and emphasis on promoting the engagement of participant learners. This article reviews the role that journal club plays in modern clinical education and considers how to optimise its benefit for contemporary learners.
Haemolytic anaemia precipitated by dengue fever
Authors: Abdullah Nurul Huda , Mohammad Nurashikin , Ramli Marini , Wan Ghazali Wan Syamimee
Published: August 2019

We reported a case of a woman with no past medical illness who presented with a few days’ history of fever, myalgia, arthralgia, hypochromic microcytic anaemia and thrombocytopaenia and who was nonstructural protein 1 antigen (NS1Ag)-positive. Haemolytic anaemia including full blood picture work-up revealed high reticulocyte count and haemolysis with positive direct Coombs test. She was started on prednisolone and was discharged well.
Association of Sjögren’s syndrome with myotonic dystrophy type 1
Authors: Kitsis Elizabeth A , Napier Fabreena , Juthani Viral , Geyer Howard L
Published: August 2019

A 47-year-old woman presented with sicca symptoms, polyarthralgias, polymyalgias and dysphagia. She was found to have positive antinuclear, anti-SSA-Ro and anti-SSB-La antibodies. Slit lamp exam confirmed the presence of keratoconjunctivitis sicca, and the patient was diagnosed with Sjögren’s syndrome. Three years later, she was referred for evaluation of gait instability associated with recent falls. On physical examination, the patient was found to have bilateral ptosis, percussion myotonia, distal upper and lower extremity weakness, and a steppage gait. Electromyography demonstrated electrical myotonia. Genetic testing revealed expanded CTG repeats (733 and 533) in the myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) protein kinase gene, confirming the diagnosis of DM1. Dysphagia, pain and eye discomfort may occur in both Sjögren’s syndrome and DM1, and in this case, may have delayed the diagnosis of muscular dystrophy.
Forgotten pathogen: tetanus after gastrointestinal surgery
Authors: Strypstein Sébastien , Claeys Simon , Smet Bart , Pattyn Paul
Published: August 2019

A previously healthy 79-year-old woman underwent an urgent laparotomy and resection of a strangulated loop of small bowel. On the second postoperative day, she developed symptoms suspicious for postoperative tetanus. A transfer to the intensive care unit was necessary for aggressive supportive therapy. The patient required 5 months of intensive physiotherapy and rehabilitation and was successfully discharged home. New cases of tetanus have become rare in developed countries. This potentially lethal disease affects both non-immunised and inadequately immunised patients. The occurrence of tetanus after gastrointestinal surgery is extremely rare. Prevention is key and can be achieved with correct immunoprophylaxis. Older patients are often inadequately immunised. Should tetanus immunoprophylaxis routinely be checked for elderly patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery? Or can we limit the immunisation to severe cases of ischaemic bowel injury with necrosis and/or soiling of the abdominal cavity?