bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aspirations for Ethnonationalist Identities among Religious Minorities in Iraq: The Case of Yazidi Identity in the Period of Kurdish and Arab Nationalism, 1963–2003
Authors: Ali Majid Hassan
Published: July 2019

The aspirations of religious minorities in Iraq for becoming recognized ethnonationalist entities have rarely been investigated from a historical perspective, particularly in the case of the Yazidis. This article addresses changing attitudes about the Yazidi religious minority identity across different historical periods. Yazidi identity is examined as an ancillary undercurrent to the ethnonationalist identity conflict between the central government of Iraq and the Kurdish movement. This contrasts with identity as a religious minority in prior eras, when religious minorities preserved their distinct core identities based on their own social and religious customs and idiosyncrasies, making them self-defining communities bound together by coherent religious identities. In the case of the Yazidi minority, despite the multiplicity of theories and hypotheses about the origins of the Yazidi people and their national and ethnic affiliations and increasing rumors about Yazidis related to their existence as a potential sub-ethnicity or ethno-religion, the important truth is that Yazidis consider themselves religiously, culturally, and historically distinct from other ethnonationalist groups and communities in Iraq.
Marine Bivalve Feeding Strategies and Radiocarbon Ages in Northeast Atlantic Coastal Waters
Authors: Lo Giudice Cappelli Elena , Austin William E N
Published: July 2019

Marine mollusk shells have been extensively used to provide radiocarbon (14C)-based chronologies in paleoenvironmental and archaeological studies, however uncertainties in age measurements are introduced because secondary factors such as vital effects and diet may influence 14C incorporation into these shells. Deep burrowing and deposit feeding mollusks, in particular, may incorporate “old” carbon resulting in apparently older ages than their contemporary environment. In this study, we present paired 14C and stable isotope (δ13C and δ18O) measurements for nine species of known-age bivalves having different feeding strategies and collected in six localities around the NE Atlantic. We exclude potential “old” carbon contamination in these known-age mollusk shells, acquire a better understanding of local ecology and provide an improved context for the environmental interpretation of 14C ages. Our results indicate that, in the NE Atlantic, marine mollusk-derived 14C ages provide a reliable basis for environmental and archaeological investigation, independently of vital effects and differences in microhabitats, feeding strategies and sample location—all of which are apparent from stable isotopes.
Conceptions of National Identity and Ambivalence towards Immigration
Authors: Lindstam Emmy , Mader Matthias , Schoen Harald
Published: July 2019

National identities are often conceived of as factors that lend structure and stability to citizens’ political opinions on issues such as immigration. While citizens who define national membership in ethno-cultural terms are less likely to support immigration, those with a civic conception are more likely to do so. The authors propose that defining national identity along both ethno-cultural and civic lines may give rise to conflicting considerations, leading people to experience ambivalence, implying that national identities may serve less as a stabilizing force than suggested by previous research. Findings from heterogeneous choice models and a unique survey experiment show that German citizens with mixed conceptions of national identity had more variable and more malleable opinions than individuals with ideal-type conceptions during the 2015/2016 European refugee crisis. The findings point to an identity-based source of ambivalence and extend current understandings of how people form attitudes towards immigration.
Stratification of BMI categories among older adults within and across countries
Authors: Ng Carmen D
Published: July 2019

Objective:

Within- and across-country nutritional disparities were examined among older adults in six different countries at varying levels of development.

Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Participants:

Older adults (aged 50 years or over) in China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa using the Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE).

Results:

While the distribution of BMI categories varied by country, development-related characteristics were generally related to BMI category in a similar way: urban-living, educated and wealthier individuals were typically more likely to be in a higher BMI category. However, there were some exceptions that corroborate findings in more developed countries. Indeed, a pooled partial proportional odds model which included gross domestic product per capita interactions made the case for intertwining processes of development and the nutrition transition.

Conclusions:

Population segments to be targeted by nutrition policy and programme implementation might need to change over the course of development.
Supporting cancer patients quit smoking: the initial evaluation of our tobacco cessation intervention program
Authors: Osei Ernest , Kassim Rahil , Cronin Kelly A. , Maier Barbara-Anne
Published: July 2019

Background:

Tobacco is a known addictive consumer product and its use has been reported to be associated with several health problems as well as the leading cause of premature, preventable mortality worldwide. For patients undergoing cancer treatment, tobacco smoking can potentially compromise treatment effectiveness; however, there is sufficient evidence suggesting numerous health benefits of smoking cessation interventions for cancer patients.

Methods:

The Grand River Regional Cancer Centre (GRRCC) smoking cessation program began in October 2013 to provide evidence-based intensive tobacco intervention to patients. All new patients are screened for tobacco use and those identified as active smokers are advised of the benefits of cessation and offered referral to the program where a cessation nurse offers counseling. Patients’ disease site, initial cessation goal, quit date, number of quit attempts and mode of contact are collected by the cessation nurse. This study reports on the initial evaluation of the smoking cessation program activities at GRRCC.

Results:

There are 1,210 patients who were screened, accepted a referral and counseled in the program. The referral pattern shows a modest increase every year and most of the patients (58%) indicated readiness to quit smoking. Overall, 29 and 26% of patients either quit or cut-back smoking, respectively. Among 348 patients who quit smoking, 300 (86%) were able to quit at the first attempt. The data indicated that 309 (44%) out of the 698 patients who indicated their initial intent to quit smoking were able to quit, whereas about 242 (35%) were able to cutback. A total of 15 patients out of 32 who indicated initial readiness to ‘cutback’ smoking were able to reduce tobacco use and three patients actually ended up quitting, although their initial goal was ‘ready-to-cut-back’.

Conclusions:

GRRCC smoking cessation program started in October 2013 to provide evidence-based intensive smoking cessation interventions for patients with cancer. Most patients referred to the program indicated a readiness to quit smoking affirming that if patients become aware of the various risks associated with continual smoking or if they are informed of the benefits associated with cessation with regard to their treatment, they will be more likely to decide to quit. Therefore, it is essential that patients, their partners and families are counseled on the health and treatment benefits of smoking cessation and sustainable programs should be available to support them to quit smoking. It is imperative then, that oncology programs should consistently identify and document the smoking status of cancer patients and support those who use tobacco at the time of diagnosis to quit. Evidence-based smoking cessation intervention should be sustainably integrated into the cancer care continuum in all oncology programs from prevention of cancer through diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and palliative care.
Self-rated health, lifestyle habits and risk assessment in 75-year-old persons attending preventive clinic visits with a nurse in primary health care: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Linderholm Märit , Törnvall Eva , Yngman-Uhlin Pia , Hjelm Katarina
Published: July 2019

Aim:

To describe self-rated health in relation to lifestyle and illnesses and to identify risk factors for ill health such as pressure ulcers, falls and malnutrition among 75-year-old participants in a new clinical routine involving health assessment followed by tailored one-to-one health promotion at preventive clinic visits to a nurse at primary health care centres (PHCC).

Background:

There is a rapidly growing ageing population worldwide. It is central to health policy to promote active and healthy ageing. Preventive clinic visits to a nurse in primary health care were introduced as a new clinical intervention in a region in Sweden to improve the quality of health for the older adults.

Design:

A quantitative cross-sectional population-based study.

Methods:

The sample consisted of 306 individuals in six primary health care centres in Sweden aged 75 years who attended preventive clinic visits to a nurse. Data were collected from March 2014 to May 2015 during structured conversations with a nurse based on self-administered questionnaires, clinical examinations, risk assessments and after the clinic visit existing register data were collected by the researcher.

Findings:

Participants experienced good self-rated health despite being overweight and having chronic illnesses. Daily exercise such as walking and housework was more common than aerobic physical training. The majority had no problems with mobility but reported anxiety, pain and discomfort and had increased risk of falls.

Conclusion:

It is important to encourage the older adults to live actively and independently for as long as possible. The healthy older adults may benefit from the clinical intervention described here to support the individual’s ability to maintain control over their health. Such supportive assessments might help the healthy older adult to achieve active ageing, reducing morbidity and preventing functional decline.
Hungarian general practitioners’ attitude and the role of education in dementia care
Authors: Heim Szilvia , Busa Csilla , Pozsgai Éva , Csikós Ágnes , Papp Edina , Pákáski Magdolna , Kálmán János , Hajnal Ferenc , Karádi Kázmér
Published: July 2019

Background:

Dementia in the elderly constitutes a growing challenge in healthcare worldwide, including Hungary. There is no previous report on the role of general practitioners in the management of dementia.

Aim:

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the Hungarian general practitioners’ attitude toward their patients living with dementia as well as dementia care. Our goal was also to assess their willingness and habits in assessing dementia. Additionally we wanted to explore the role of education about dementia, and its impact on their attitude in dementia management.

Methods:

As part of a large survey, a self-administered questionnaire was filled out voluntarily by 402 of general practitioners. According to our preset criteria, 277 surveys were selected for evaluation. Descriptive statistical analysis and Likert-scale analysis were performed.

Findings:

Half of the doctors (49.8%) indicated that they conducted a test to assess cognitive functions in case of suspicion. Among the respondents who did not assess, 50.0% of physicians cited lack of time as the main reason for not doing so and 14.4% of them had not proper knowledge of testing methods. The respondents most often mentioned feelings toward their patients with dementia, were regret (Likert-scale mean: 3.33), helplessness (3.28) and sadness (3.07). The majority of physicians thought the treatment of dementia was difficult (4.46). Most of the respondents (81.2%) indicated that in the past 2 years they had not participated in any training about dementia. Those practitioners who had participated in some form of education were less likely to feel helpless facing a patient with dementia, and education also determined their approach to dementia care.
How do physicians and nurses in family practice describe their care for patients with progressive life-limiting illness? A qualitative study of a ‘palliative approach’
Authors: Rewegan Alex , Danho Sharef , White Joy , Winemaker Samantha , Hansen Nicolle , MacLennan Amanda , Howard Michelle
Published: July 2019

Aim:

To explore how a palliative approach to care is operationalized in primary care, through the description of clinical practices used by primary care clinicians to identify and care for patients with progressive life-limiting illness (PLLI).

Background:

Increasing numbers of people are living with PLLI but are often not recognized as needing a palliative approach to care. To meet growing needs, generalists such as family physicians will need to adopt a palliative approach to care in their own setting. Practical descriptions of a palliative approach in non-specialist settings have been lacking.

Methods:

We conducted a qualitative descriptive study design using in-depth semi-structured interviews with 11 key informant participants (6 physicians, 3 nurse practitioners, 1 registered nurse, and 1 registered practical nurse) known to be providing comprehensive care to patients with PLLI in family practices in Ontario, Canada. We asked about their approach to identifying patients with PLLI and the strategies used in their care. We employed content analysis to develop themes.

Findings:

Participants identified patients by functional decline, change in needs, increased acuity, and the specifics of a condition/diagnosis. Care strategies included concretizing commitment to care, eliciting goals of care, shifting care to the home, broadening team members including leveraging the support of family and community resources, and shifting to a ‘proactive’ approach involving increased follow-up, flexibility, and intensity.

Conclusion:

Primary care providers articulated strategies for identifying and providing care to patients with PLLI that illuminate an upstream approach tailored to their setting.
Association between access to health-promoting facilities and participation in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk screening among populations with low socioeconomic status (SES) in Singapore
Authors: Lim Ka Keat , Lim Charmaine , Kwan Yu Heng , Chan Sui Yung , Fong Warren , Low Lian Leng , Tay Hung Yong , Østbye Truls , Tan Chuen Seng
Published: July 2019

Background:

Low socioeconomic status (SES) is a barrier for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk screening and a determinant of poor CVD outcomes. This study examined the associations between access to health-promoting facilities and participation in a CVD risk screening program among populations with low SES residing in public rental flats in Singapore.

Methods:

Data from Health Mapping Exercises conducted from 2013 to 2015 were obtained, and screening participation rates of 66 blocks were calculated. Negative binomial regression was used to test for associations between distances to four nearest facilities (i.e., subsidized private clinics, healthy eateries, public polyclinics, and parks) and block participation rate in CVD screening. We also investigated potential heterogeneity in the association across regions with an interaction term between distance to each facility and region.

Results:

The analysis consisted of 2069 participants. The associations were only evident in the North/North-East region for subsidized private clinic and park. Specifically, increasing distance to the nearest subsidized private clinic and park was significantly associated with lower [incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 0.88, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.80–0.98] and higher (IRR = 1.93, 95%CI: 1.15–3.25) screening participation rates respectively.

Conclusions:

Our findings could potentially inform the planning of future door-to-door screenings in urban settings for optimal prioritization of resources. To increase participation rates in low SES populations, accessibility to subsidized private clinics and parks in a high population density region should be considered.
Conceptual framework of the nursing centre for the integration of community health nursing practice, education, and research
Authors: Juniarti Neti , Fuller Jeffrey , Zannettino Lana , Grant Julian
Published: July 2019

Aim:

To develop a conceptual framework that can be used for the integration of community health nursing (CHN) practice, education, and research within a Nursing Centre (NC) model.

Background:

New forms of training and support are needed to equip nurses to manage the complex and costly challenges facing health care systems. The NC model provides scope to address these challenges by integrating nursing practice, education, and research. However, there is little information about how these constructs are integrated or how education is constituted within the model.

Methods:

This study used an embedded single case study design across three Nursing Centres (NCs) in West Java Indonesia. Semi-structured interviews and a review of relevant documents were conducted. Interview participants were recruited purposively to select stakeholders with rich information, including clients, nurses, nursing students and lecturers who have been using the NC model, as well as the head of the co-located Community Health Centres. Data was analysed using thematic analysis, pattern matching and cross-unit synthesis.

Findings:

Four components relevant to integration in the NC were identified, namely (1) client-centred care as the shared common ground for integration in the NC; (2) nursing education using a service learning approach; (3) the NC as a model for reviving CHN services; and (4) service improvement through research and community service activities. The service learning approach was identified as appropriate because it links services with the learning process and this serves to address the interests of both practice and education institutions. The conceptual framework identified in this study can be used to improve the functionality of NCs in Indonesia and be considered for use internationally.
‘We got more than we expected.’ Older people’s experiences of falls-prevention exercise interventions and implications for practice; a qualitative study
Authors: Lafond Natasher , Maula Asiya , Iliffe Steve , Vedhara Kavita , Audsley Sarah , Kendrick Denise , Orton Elizabeth
Published: July 2019

Aim:

To explore the experiences of older adults participating in strength and balance exercise programmes and understand participants’ rationale for programme uptake and completion.

Background:

Regular physical activity, specifically strength and balance exercises, has been shown to improve health and well-being and reduce the risk of falling in older adults. With the number of people living into older age increasing, understanding older people’s experiences of strength and balance programmes and what encourages their take-up and completion is extremely important. This paper reports on the qualitative experiences of older adults that previously participated in ProAct65+, a randomised controlled trial of Falls Management Exercise (FaME) programme and Otago Exercise Programme (OEP) versus usual care.

Methods:

Ten general practices in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, England, who participated in the ProAct65+ trial were approached to take part. Using maximum variation sampling (age, gender, falls history, fear of falling and trial arm) we recruited, via the practices, 30 people that had participated in the FaME (n = 15) or OEP (n = 15) trial arms. Participants were interviewed in their own homes. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed.

Findings:

We identified five themes: choice of exercise programme; commitment, discipline and motivation; benchmarking, feedback and monitoring; benefits of the exercise programmes and reactions to the end of the programmes. There were four sub-themes within the benefits theme: pleasure and boredom, social interaction and isolation, physical benefits, and knowledge and understanding.

This study has outlined the experiences and identified specific barriers and facilitators to uptake and completion of falls-prevention exercises by older adults. The perspective and experiences of these participants is important if programmes are to be designed to meet the needs of the target population. Insights from this study will enable commissioners to develop and provide appropriate falls-prevention exercise programmes that encourage high uptake and programme completion.
Trade and institutions: explaining urban giants
Authors: Candau Fabien , Gbandi Tchapo
Published: July 2019

By analyzing the population growth at the top of the urban hierarchy, we test two hypotheses explaining the rise of mega-cities: trade and political institutions. We find that democratic institutions are the main factor behind the concentration of a nation's urban population in the main city. Contrary to the literature, we find that extractive institutions reduce the size of the biggest city.
Effect of soybean growth stage on sensitivity to sublethal rates of dicamba and 2,4-D
Authors: Scholtes Alanna B. , Sperry Benjamin P. , Reynolds Daniel B. , Irby J. Trenton , Eubank Thomas W. , Barber L. Thomas , Dodds Darrin M.
Published: July 2019

Field experiments were conducted in 2012 and 2013 across four locations for a total of 6 site-years in the midsouthern United States to determine the effect of growth stage at exposure on soybean sensitivity to sublethal rates of dicamba (8.8 g ae ha−1) and 2,4-D (140 g ae ha−1). Regression analysis revealed that soybean was most susceptible to injury from 2,4-D when exposed between 413 and 1,391 accumulated growing degree days (GDD) from planting, approximately between V1 and R2 growth stages. In terms of terminal plant height, soybean was most susceptible to 2,4-D between 448 and 1,719 GDD, or from V1 to R4. However, maximum susceptibility to 2,4-D was only between 624 and 1,001 GDD or from V3 to V5 for yield loss. As expected, soybean was sensitive to dicamba for longer spans of time, ranging from 0 to 1,162 GDD for visible injury or from emergence to R2. Likewise, soybean height was most affected when dicamba exposure occurred between 847 and 1,276 GDD or from V4 to R2. Regarding grain yield, soybean was most susceptible to dicamba between 820 and 1,339 GDD or from V4 to R2. Consequently, these data indicate that soybean response to 2,4-D and dicamba can be variable within vegetative or reproductive growth stages; therefore, specific growth stage at the time of exposure should be considered when evaluating injury from off-target movement. In addition, application of dicamba near susceptible soybean within the V4 to R2 growth stages should be avoided because this is the time of maximum susceptibility. Research regarding soybean sensitivity to 2,4-D and dicamba should focus on multiple exposure times and also avoid generalizing growth stages to vegetative or reproductive.
Fluridone and acetochlor cause unacceptable injury to pumpkin
Authors: Ferebee J. Harrison , Cahoon Charles W. , Besançon Thierry E. , Flessner Michael L. , Langston David B. , Hines Thomas E. , Blake Hunter B. , Askew M. Carter
Published: July 2019

Residual herbicides are routinely applied to control troublesome weeds in pumpkin production. Fluridone and acetochlor, Groups 12 and 15 herbicides, respectively, provide broad-spectrum PRE weed control. Field research was conducted in Virginia and New Jersey to evaluate pumpkin tolerance and weed control to PRE herbicides. Treatments consisted of fomesafen at two rates, ethalfluralin, clomazone, halosulfuron, fluridone,S-metolachlor, acetochlor emulsifiable concentrate (EC), acetochlor microencapsulated (ME), and no herbicide. At one site, fluridone, acetochlor EC, acetochlor ME, and halosulfuron injured pumpkin 81%, 39%, 34%, and 35%, respectively, at 14 d after planting (DAP); crop injury at the second site was 40%, 8%, 19%, and 33%, respectively. Differences in injury between the two sites may have been due to the amount and timing of rainfall after herbicides were applied. Fluridone provided 91% control of ivyleaf morningglory and 100% control of common ragweed at 28 DAP. Acetochlor EC controlled redroot pigweed 100%. Pumpkin treated withS-metolachlor produced the most yield (10,764 fruits ha–1) despite broadcasting over the planted row; labeling requires a directed application to row-middles. A separate study specifically evaluated fluridone applied PRE at 42, 84, 126, 168, 252, 336, and 672 g ai ha–1. Fluridone resulted in pumpkin injury ≥95% when applied at rates of ≥168 g ai ha–1; significant yield loss was noted when the herbicide was applied at rates >42 g ai ha–1. We concluded that fluridone and acetochlor formulations are unacceptable candidates for pumpkin production.
Depletion‐Induced Seismicity at the Groningen Gas Field: Coulomb Rate‐and‐State Models Including Differential Compaction Effect
Authors: Candela Thibault , Osinga Sander , Ampuero Jean‐Paul , Wassing Brecht , Pluymaekers Maarten , Fokker Peter A. , van Wees Jan‐Diederik , de Waal Hans A. , Muntendam‐Bos Annemarie G.
Published: July 2019

We implement a Coulomb rate‐and‐state approach to explore the nonlinear relation between stressing rate and seismicity rate in the Groningen gas field. Coulomb stress rates are calculated, taking into account the 3‐D structural complexity of the field and including the poroelastic effect of the differential compaction due to fault offsets. The spatiotemporal evolution of the Groningen seismicity must be attributed to a combination of both (i) spatial variability in the induced stressing rate history and (ii) spatial heterogeneities in the rate‐and‐state model parameters. Focusing on two subareas of the Groningen field where the observed event rates are very contrasted even though the modeled seismicity rates are of similar magnitudes, we show that the rate‐and‐state model parameters are spatially heterogeneous. For these two subareas, the very low background seismicity rate of the Groningen gas field can explain the long delay in the seismicity response relative to the onset of reservoir depletion. The characteristic periods of stress perturbations, due to gas production fluctuations, are much shorter than the inferred intrinsic time delay of the earthquake nucleation process. In this regime the modeled seismicity rate is in phase with the stress changes. However, since the start of production and for two subareas of our analysis, the Groningen fault system is unsteady and it is gradually becoming more sensitive to the stressing rate.
Competition Between Atmospheric and Surface Parameterizations for the Control of Air‐Sea Latent Heat Fluxes in Two Single‐Column Models
Authors: Torres Olivier , Braconnot Pascale , Hourdin Frédéric , Roehrig Romain , Marti Olivier , Belamari Sophie , Lefebvre Marie‐Pierre
Published: July 2019

A single‐column model approach conducted in the context of the Madden–Julian Oscillation through the CINDY2011/Dynamics of the Madden–Julian Oscillation field campaign is used to disentangle the respective role of the parameterizations of surface turbulent fluxes and of model atmospheric physics in controlling the surface latent heat flux. The major differences between the models used in this study occur during the suppressed phases of deep convection. They are attributed to differences in model atmospheric physics which is shown to control the near‐surface relative humidity and thereby the surface latent heat flux. In contrast, during active phases of deep convection, turbulent air‐sea flux parameterizations impact the latent heat flux through the drag coefficient and can represent two thirds of the divergence caused by the different atmospheric physics. The combined effects need to be accounted for to improve both the representation of latent heat flux and the atmospheric variables used to compute it.
Observational Evidence of Horizontal Transport‐Driven Dehydration in the TTL
Authors: Pan Laura L. , Honomichl Shown B. , Thornberry Troy , Rollins Andrew , Bui T. Paul , Pfister Leonhard , Jensen Eric E.
Published: July 2019

A recent airborne study obtained extensive measurements in the tropical tropopause layer (TTL) over the western Pacific and provided the first opportunity to examine the relationship between water vapor and temperature in the coldest region and season of the TTL using high‐resolution in situ data. Analysis of this data set verifies key hypotheses in Lagrangian simulations of TTL transport and freeze drying. Furthermore, the observations provide a number of new insights into the transport process: In the layer below the lapse rate tropopause, vertical transport from upward motion dominates the relative humidity structure; final dehydration, dominated by large‐scale horizontal advection, occurs in the layer transacting the cold point tropopause that is often above the lapse rate tropopause, resulting in water vapor mixing ratios with corresponding frost points consistent with the coldest temperatures of the region, lower than the temperatures of the local cold points.
Observed Transport Decline at 47°N, Western Atlantic
Authors: Rhein Monika , Mertens Christian , Roessler Achim
Published: July 2019

Despite the importance of the large‐scale Atlantic circulation for the climate system and sea level, most of the interior flow field is only known qualitatively, and neither the mean nor the variability and trends are quantified. We investigate the meridional flow field in the western Atlantic at 47°N between 44°W and 31°W, combining moored pressure inverted echo sounders and current meter moorings with lowered acoustic Doppler current profiler and Argo data. Correlations with altimetry are used to extend each of the transport time series back to 1993. At the Canadian continental margin the boundary current exports −23.1 ± 1.5 Sv to the south. Nearby, the northward flowing North Atlantic Current (NAC) imports 105.9 ± 3.4 Sv into the subpolar gyre. Constrained mainly by topography, about half of that flow recirculates in close proximity to the NAC (−58.8 ± 3.9 Sv). NAC and recirculation are significantly anticorrelated. The flow east of 37°W (−27.8 ± 2.1 Sv) has no permanent regional features and is not correlated to the NAC. The sum of the interior components (19.3 ± 3.3 Sv) shows a significant trend in the time period 1993–2018 of −0.60 Sv/year. This decline is dominated by the significant increase of the southward flow east of 37°W (−0.44 Sv/year). The trends of the other individual components are not significant, but the sum of the interior and boundary current transport is (−0.71Sv/year). The trends are most likely caused by regionally different warming.
Leaf Area Rather Than Photosynthetic Rate Determines the Response of Ecosystem Productivity to Experimental Warming in an Alpine Steppe
Authors: Li Fei , Peng Yunfeng , Zhang Dianye , Yang Guibiao , Fang Kai , Wang Guanqin , Wang Jun , Yu Jianchun , Zhou Guoying , Yang Yuanhe
Published: July 2019

Gross primary productivity (GPP) plays an important role in mediating the feedback between land carbon (C) cycle and climate warming. However, knowledge about the mechanisms regulating the response of GPP to warming is still limited. Based on a four‐year field manipulative experiment, we examined the warming effects on GPP and the potential mechanisms in a typical alpine steppe on the Tibetan Plateau. Our results revealed that elevated temperature significantly increased GPP over the study period. The warming‐induced increase in GPP was driven by the increased leaf area index, which was derived from the increase in aboveground biomass of forb. By contrast, warming had no significant effects on photosynthesis per leaf area, likely due to the offset of warming‐induced increase in leaf nitrogen concentration and decrease in soil moisture. These results demonstrate that leaf area rather than leaf photosynthetic rate determines the response of ecosystem productivity to climate warming in this alpine steppe. More studies in other ecosystems are called for to test the observed mechanisms responsible for warming effects on GPP, so as to improve predictions of terrestrial C cycle under changing environment.
Hypoxia-induced ZEB1 promotes cervical cancer progression via CCL8-dependent tumour-associated macrophage recruitment
Authors: Chen Xiao-Jing , Deng Yuan-Run , Wang Zi-Ci , Wei Wen-Fei , Zhou Chen-Fei , Zhang Yan-Mei , Yan Rui-Ming , Liang Luo-Jiao , Zhong Mei , Liang Li , Wu Sha , Wang Wei
Published: July 2019

The accumulation of tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the hypoxic tumour microenvironment (TME) is associated with malignant progression in cancer. However, the mechanisms by which the hypoxic TME facilitates TAM infiltration are not fully understood. This study showed that high ZEB1 expression in hypoxic cervical cancer cell islets was positively correlated with CD163+ TAM accumulation. ZEB1 in hypoxic cancer cells promoted the migration of TAMs in vitro and altered the expression of multiple chemokines, especially CCL8. Mechanistically, hypoxia-induced ZEB1 activated the transcription of CCL8, which attracted macrophages via the CCR2–NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, ZEB1 and CCL8 were independent prognostic factors in cervical cancer patients based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data analysis. In conclusion, hypoxia-induced ZEB1 exerts unexpected functions in cancer progression by fostering a prometastatic environment through increased CCL8 secretion and TAM recruitment; thus, ZEB1 may serve as a candidate biomarker of tumour progression and provide a potential target for disrupting hypoxia-mediated TME remodelling.
Author Correction: A framework to identify contributing genes in patients with Phelan-McDermid syndrome
Authors: Tabet Anne-Claude , Rolland Thomas , Ducloy Marie , Lévy Jonathan , Buratti Julien , Mathieu Alexandre , Haye Damien , Perrin Laurence , Dupont Céline , Passemard Sandrine , Capri Yline , Verloes Alain , Drunat Séverine , Keren Boris , Mignot Cyril , Marey Isabelle , Jacquette Aurélia , Whalen Sandra , Pipiras Eva , Benzacken Brigitte , Chantot-Bastaraud Sandra , Afenjar Alexandra , Héron Delphine , Le Caignec Cédric , Beneteau Claire , Pichon Olivier , Isidor Bertrand , David Albert , El Khattabi Laila , Kemeny Stephan , Gouas Laetitia , Vago Philippe , Mosca-Boidron Anne-Laure , Faivre Laurence , Missirian Chantal , Philip Nicole , Sanlaville Damien , Edery Patrick , Satre Véronique , Coutton Charles , Devillard Françoise , Dieterich Klaus , Vuillaume Marie-Laure , Rooryck Caroline , Lacombe Didier , Pinson Lucile , Gatinois Vincent , Puechberty Jacques , Chiesa Jean , Lespinasse James , Dubourg Christèle , Quelin Chloé , Fradin Mélanie , Journel Hubert , Toutain Annick , Martin Dominique , Benmansour Abdelamdjid , Leblond Claire S. , Toro Roberto , Amsellem Frédérique , Delorme Richard , Bourgeron Thomas
Published: July 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
An enzymatically controlled mucoadhesive system for enhancing flavour during food oral processing
Authors: Dinu Vlad , Gadon Arthur , Hurst Katherine , Lim Mui , Ayed Charfedinne , Gillis Richard B. , Adams Gary G. , Harding Stephen E. , Fisk Ian D.
Published: July 2019

While a good mucoadhesive biopolymer must adhere to a mucus membrane, it must also have a good unloading ability. Here, we demonstrate that the biopolymer pullulan is partially digested by human salivary α-amylase, thus acting as a controlled release system, in which the enzyme triggers an increased release of flavour. Our oral processing simulations have confirmed an increase in the bioavailability of aroma and salt compounds as a function of oral pullulan degradation, although the release kinetics suggest a rather slow process. One of the greatest challenges in flavour science is to retain and rapidly unload the bioactive aroma and taste compounds in the oral cavity before they are ingested. By developing a cationic pullulan analogue we have, in theory, addressed the “loss through ingestion” issue by facilitating the adhesion of the modified polymer to the oral mucus, to retain more of the flavour in the oral cavity. Dimethylaminoethyl pullulan (DMAE-pullulan) was synthesised for the first time, and shown to bind submaxillary mucin, while still retaining its susceptibility to α-amylase hydrolysis. Although DMAE-pullulan is not currently food grade, we suggest that the synthesis of a sustainable food grade alternative would be a next generation mucoadhesive targeted for the oral cavity.
Open data on health-related neighbourhood features in Great Britain
Authors: Daras Konstantinos , Green Mark A. , Davies Alec , Barr Benjamin , Singleton Alex
Published: July 2019

Our study details the creation of a series of national open source low-level geographical measures of accessibility to health-related features for Great Britain. We create 14 measures across three domains: retail environment (fast food outlets, gambling outlets, pubs/bars/nightclubs, off-licences, tobacconists), health services (General Practitioners, pharmacies, dentists, hospitals, leisure centres) and the physical environment (green space and air quality). Using the network analysis process of Routino, postcode accessibility (km) to each of these features were calculated for the whole of Great Britain. An average score for each domain was calculated and subsequently combined to form an overall Index highlighting ‘Access to Healthy Assets and Hazards’. We find the most accessible healthy areas are concentrated in the periphery of the urban cores, whilst the least accessible healthy areas are located in the urban cores and the rural areas. The open data resource is important for researchers and policy makers alike with an interest in measuring the role of spatial features on health.
Volcanically Triggered Ocean Warming Near the Antarctic Peninsula
Authors: Verona L. S. , Wainer I. , Stevenson S.
Published: July 2019

Explosive volcanic eruptions are the largest non-anthropogenic perturbations for Earth’s climate, because of the injection of sulfate aerosols into the stratosphere. This causes significant radiation imbalances, resulting in surface cooling for most of the globe. However, despite its crucial importance for Antarctic ice sheet mass balance, the response of the Southern Ocean to eruptions has yet to be understood. After the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991, much of the Southern Ocean cooled; however, off the Antarctic Peninsula a warming of up to 0.8 °C is found in the observations. To understand the physical mechanisms associated with this counter-intuitive response, we combine observational analysis from the Mt. Pinatubo eruption with the Last Millennium Ensemble (850–1850) conducted with the Community Earth System Model. These results show not only that the observed warming off the Peninsula following the Mt. Pinatubo eruption is consistent with the forced response to low-latitude eruptions but further, that this warming is a response to roughly 16% weakening of subsurface Weddell Gyre outflow. These changes are triggered by a southward shift of the Southern Hemisphere polar westerlies (∼2°latitude). Our results suggest that warming induced by future volcanic eruptions may further enhance the vulnerability of the ice shelves off the Antarctic Peninsula.
The type VI secretion system protein AsaA in Acinetobacter baumannii is a periplasmic protein physically interacting with TssM and required for T6SS assembly
Authors: Li Lei , Wang Yi-Nuo , Jia Hong-Bing , Wang Ping , Dong Jun-Fang , Deng Juan , Lu Feng-Min , Zou Qing-Hua
Published: July 2019

Type VI secretion system (T6SS) is described as a macromolecular secretion machine that is utilized for bacterial competition. The gene clusters encoding T6SS are composed of core tss genes and tag genes. However, the clusters differ greatly in different pathogens due to the great changes accumulated during the long-term evolution. In this work, we identified a novel hypothetical periplasmic protein designated as AsaA which is encoded by the first gene of the T6SS cluster in the genus Acinetobacter. By constructing asaA mutant, we delineated its relative contributions to bacterial competition and secretion of T6SS effector Hcp. Subsequently, we studied the localization of AsaA and potential proteins that may have interactions with AsaA. Our results showed that AsaA in Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) localized in the bacterial periplasmic space. Results based on bacterial two-hybrid system and protein pull-down assays indicated that it was most likely to affect the assembly or stability of T6SS by interacting with the T6SS core protein TssM. Collectively, our findings of AsaA is most likely a key step in understanding of the T6SS functions in A. baumannii.
Development of a novel method for the purification of C-phycocyanin pigment from a local cyanobacterial strain Limnothrix sp. NS01 and evaluation of its anticancer properties
Authors: Safaei Mahdieh , Maleki Hadi , Soleimanpour Hamidreza , Norouzy Amir , Zahiri Hossein Shahbani , Vali Hojatollah , Noghabi Kambiz Akbari
Published: July 2019

C-phycocyanin (C-PC) pigment, as a natural blue dye, has particular applications in various fields. It is a water-soluble protein which has anticancer, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Here, we introduce an efficient procedure for the purification of C-PC pigment, followed by conducting a comprehensive investigation of its cytotoxic effects on human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells and the underlying mechanisms. A novel four-step purification procedure including the adsorption of impurities with chitosan, activated charcoal, ammonium sulfate precipitation, and ion exchange chromatography was employed, achieving a high purity form of C-PC with purity index (PI) of 5.26. SDS-PAGE analysis showed the purified C-PC with two discrete bands, subunit α (17 kD) and β (20 kD), as confirmed its identity by Native-PAGE. A highly purified C-PC was employed to evaluate its anticancer activity and underlying molecular mechanisms of action. The inhibitory effects of highly purified C-PC on the proliferation of human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) have detected by MTT assay. The IC50 values for 24, 48, and 72 hours of exposure to C-PC were determined to be 5.92, 5.66, and 4.52 μg/μl, respectively. Flow cytometric analysis of cells treated with C-PC, by Annexin V/PI double staining, demonstrated to induce MCF-7 cells apoptosis. Also, the results obtained from propidium iodide (PI) staining showed that MCF-7 cells treated with 5.92 μg/μl C-PC for 24 h would arrest at the G2 phase and 5.66 and 4.52 μg/μl C-PC for 48 and 72 h could induce cell cycle arrest at both G2 and S phases. The oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction were evaluated to determine the possible pathways involved in C-PC-induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. Our findings clearly indicated that the treatment of MCF-7 cells with C-PC (IC50 for 24 h) increased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Consequently, an increase in the lipid peroxidation (LPO) level and a reduction in the ATP level, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), glutathione (GSH) and its oxidized form (GSSG), occurred over time. The reduced expression levels of anti-apoptotic proteins, Bcl2 and Stat3, plus cell cycle regulator protein, Cyclin D1, using Real-Time PCR confirm that the C-PC-induced death of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells occurred through the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. Collectively, the analyses presented here suggest that C-PC has the potential so that to develop it as a chemotherapeutic anticancer drug.
Amphibian and Reptilian Chorotypes in the Arid Land of Central Asia and Their Determinants
Authors: Zhou Lu , Liang Tao , Shi Lei
Published: July 2019

The analysis of the biogeographic distribution of species is the basis for establishing a strategy for land management and responding to climatic change, but research on the distribution of amphibians and reptiles in the arid land in the middle of Asia is extremely limited. After classifying the chorotypes of amphibians and reptiles in the arid land of Central Asia using a clustering analysis, we delineated their distribution characteristics and discovered the ecological determinants for the chorotypes in terms of feature selection and the Akaike information criterion (AIC). We identified 6 chorotypes at the higher level and 16 sub-chorotypes at the lower level. Compared to small-scale or subjective research, which produces unstable results, research characterized by both large scale and clustering methods yields more consistent and stable results. Our results show that the Mean Altitude (MA), Mean Annual Temperature (MAT), and Mean Temperature in the Wettest Quarter (MTWE) are the critical variables determining the higher-level chorotypes. Furthermore, geographical factors appear to have a stronger influence on chorotypes than climatic factors. Several climatic variables and MA were identified as the best fit in the AIC model at the lower level, while the sub-chorotypes are determined more by multiple climatic factors with complex relationships. The research on amphibian and reptilian distribution patterns will shed light on the overall distribution of other species in the same understudied area. Widespread species in the study area are not clearly distinguished due to the cluster analysis computing process. This problem however, appears in studies of the distribution of other organisms thus warrants further research. Our methodology based on the selection of multiple models is effective to explore how the environment determines the distributions of different animal groups.
The impact of primary location and age at orchiopexy on testicular atrophy for congenital undescended testis
Authors: Tseng Chi-Shin , Huang Kuo-How , Kuo Ming-Chieh , Hong Chung-Hung , Chen Chung-Hsin , Lu Yu-Chuan , Huang Chao-Yuan , Pu Yeong-Shiau , Chang Hong-Chiang , Chiang I-Ni
Published: July 2019

In this study, we investigated post-orchiopexy testicular growth of undescended testes (UDTs) at different primary locations and determined the risk factors for testicular atrophy (TA). We conducted a retrospective chart review of boys who had undergone orchiopexy for UDTs during January 2001–December 2013. Patient profile, age at operation, primary UDT location, and testicular volume were noted. TA was defined as ≥50% loss of volume after orchiopexy. The primary endpoints were testicular growth and TA after orchiopexy. The secondary endpoint was risk factors for TA. In total, 182 boys had undergone regular ultrasonography; the median follow-up period was 34 months. Among 230 UDTs, 18 (7.8%) atrophic testicles were identified within a median interval of 13 months after orchiopexy. TA rates were 3.3% (1/30), 6.9% (12/173), and 18.5% (5/27) in primary suprascrotal, canalicular, and above-inguinal UDTs, respectively. The survival probability of UDT was 91%, 92% and 100% when orchiopexy was performed in age ≤1 year, 1 < age ≤2 years, and 100% in age >2 years, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that inguinal and above-inguinal UDTs (hazard ratio [HR] 11.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.55–89.33, p = 0.017) and genetic or endocrine disorders (HR 3.19, 95% CI 1.19–8.56, p = 0.021) were the risk factors for TA, but not age at operation, premature birth, and laterality. Thus, TA incidence was higher when patients had high primary testicular locations. Early orchiopexy before two years of age may be associated with higher TA risk, while most testicles have promising growth after orchiopexy.