bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutrition and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Chronic Pancreatitis Patients
Authors: Greer Julia B. , Greer Phil , Sandhu Bimaljit S. , Alkaade Samer , Wilcox C. Mel , Anderson Michelle A. , Sherman Stuart , Gardner Timothy B. , Lewis Michele D. , Guda Nalini M. , Muniraj Thiruvengadam , Conwell Darwin , Cote Gregory A. , Forsmark Christopher E. , Banks Peter A. , Tang Gong , Stello Kim , Gelrud Andres , Brand Randall E. , Slivka Adam , Whitcomb David C. , Yadav Dhiraj
Published: August 2018

Background

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients frequently experience malabsorption and maldigestion, leading to micronutrient and macronutrient deficiencies. Comorbid diabetes and lifestyle habits, such as alcohol consumption, may impact nutrition status.

Methods

We compared micronutrient antioxidant, bone metabolism, serum protein, and inflammatory marker levels in 301 CP patients and 266 controls with no known pancreatic disease. We analyzed serum prealbumin and retinol binding protein; vitamins A, D, E, and B12; osteocalcin; tumor necrosis factor‐α; and C‐reactive protein (CRP). We also evaluated biomarkers among subsets of patients, examining factors including time since diagnosis, body mass index, alcohol as primary etiology, diabetes mellitus, vitamin supplementation, and pancreatic enzyme replacement.

Results

After correcting for multiple comparisons, CP patients had significantly lower levels than controls of the following: vitamin A (40.9 vs 45.4 μg/dL) and vitamin E (α‐tocopherol [8.7 vs 10.3 mg/L] and γ‐tocopherol [1.8 vs 2.2 mg/L]), as well as osteocalcin (7.9 vs 10 ng/mL) and serum prealbumin (23 vs 27 mg/dL). Both patients and controls who took vitamin supplements had higher serum levels of vitamins than those not taking supplements. Compared with controls, in controlled analyses, CP patients had significantly lower levels of vitamins A, D, and E (both α‐tocopherol and γ‐tocopherol). CP patients also had significantly lower levels of osteocalcin, serum prealbumin, and retinol binding protein, and higher CRP.

Conclusions

CP patients demonstrated lower levels of selected nutrition and bone metabolism biomarkers than controls. Diabetes and alcohol did not impact biomarkers. Vitamin supplements and pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy improved nutrition biomarkers in CP patients.
Hypoxic environment protects cowpea bruchid (Callosobruchus maculatus) from electron beam irradiation damage
Authors: Wang Lei , Cheng Weining , Meng Jia , Speakmon Mickey , Qiu Jiangping , Pillai Suresh , Zhu‐Salzman Keyan
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND

Electron beam (eBeam) irradiation and hermetic storage are safe and effective technologies to protect stored products. Although hypoxic environment improves performance of some irradiated insects, whether hypoxia affects irradiation of storage insects and impacts pest control efficacy remains to be investigated.

RESULTS

Using cowpea bruchid (Callosobruchus maculatus) larvae, we showed that, relative to eBeam irradiation under normoxia, the adult emergence rate increased substantially if they were exposed to hypoxia prior to and during eBeam treatment. Conversely, exposure to hypoxia only after eBeam irradiation did not have this protective effect. eBeam irradiation caused an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) in normoxic larvae but not in hypoxic larvae. The activity of citrate synthase, a pace‐making enzyme in the citric acid cycle, was suppressed under hypoxia but resumed normal function within hours of reoxygenation, suggesting that reduced mitochondrial activity, and thus less ROS production under hypoxia increased insect tolerance to irradiation. Furthermore, reoxygenation accelerated eBeam‐induced glutathione‐S‐transferase activation and potentiated eBeam‐enhanced catalase activities. Faster and stronger detoxification capacity in eBeam‐irradiated, hypoxic larvae may have protected them from oxidative damage.

CONCLUSION

Hypoxic environment enhanced radiotolerance of bruchid larvae, presumably due to limited ROS production and elevated antioxidant enzymatic activities after reoxygenation. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Intriguing diaza effects on magnetic coupling characteristics in diaza‐benzo[k]tetraphene‐bridged nitroxide diradicals
Authors: Zhang Fengying , Luo Qi , Song Xiufang , Song Xinyu , Bu Yuxiang
Published: August 2018

We theoretically design four diaza‐benzo[k]tetraphene‐based diradical isomers (1, 2, 3, and 4) with two nitroxide (NO) radical groups as spin sources. The calculations at the B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) level suggest that the diaza doping can induce the aromaticity changes and the CC bond rearrangements and, thus, remarkably affect their magnetic coupling magnitudes and even characteristics (ferromagnetic vs. antiferromagnetic). More interestingly, different diaza‐doping positions can lead to distinctly different effects, and further dielectron‐oxidation can also noticeably change the magnetic coupling magnitudes from −919.9 cm−1 (1) to −158.3 cm−1 (1
2+) or from −105.1 cm−1 (3) to −918.9 cm−1 (3
2+) or induce the magnetic conversions from nonmagnetism (2) to antiferromagnetism (2
2+, −140.1 cm−1) or from ferromagnetism (4, 108.9 cm−1) to antiferromagnetism (4
2+, −462.5 cm−1). Good matching of two singly occupied molecular orbitals (SOMOs) of the NO groups with the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of the coupler (for 1), or with the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the coupler (for 3
2+ and 4
2+), available Kekulé structure (for 2), aromaticity variations are responsible to strong magnetic couplings. Besides, the HOMO‐LUMO energy gaps of the couplers also considerably affect the magnetic couplings. This work may open a new route for the rational design of the diaza‐benzo[k]tetraphene‐based magnetic molecular modulators or switches.
Adaptive anomaly‐based intrusion detection system using genetic algorithm and profiling
Authors: Resende Paulo Angelo Alves , Drummond André Costa
Published: August 2018

Intrusion detection systems have been playing an important role in defeating treats in the Cyberspace. In this context, researchers have been proposing anomaly‐based methods for intrusion detection, on which the “normal” behavior is defined and the deviations (anomalies) are pointed out as intrusions. In this case, profiling is a relevant procedure used to establish a baseline for the normal behavior. In this work, an adaptive approach based on genetic algorithm is used to select features for profiling and parameters for anomaly‐based intrusion detection methods. Additionally, two anomaly‐based methods are introduced to be coupled with the proposed approach. One is based on basic statistics and the other is based on a projected clustering procedure. In the presented experiments performed on the CICIDS2017 dataset, our methods achieved results as good as detection rate equals to 92.85% and false positive rate of 0.69%. The presented approach iteratively adapts to new attacks and to the environmental requirements, such as security staff's preferences and available computational resources.
Subcutaneous Phaeohyphomycosis: A Clinical Mimic of Skin and Soft Tissue Neoplasms—A Descriptive Study from India
Authors: Jinkala Sree Rekha , Basu Debdatta , Neelaiah Siddaraju , Stephen Norton , Bheemanati Hanuman Srinivas , Singh Rakesh
Published: August 2018

Background

Phaeohyphomycosis is a fungal infection caused by heterogenous group of fungi known as phaeoid or dematiaceous fungi. It manifests in four clinical forms—cutaneous, subcutaneous, systemic and cerebral phaeohyphomycosis. The subcutaneous form is the most common presentation. Clinically these subcutaneous swellings resemble benign skin and soft tissue neoplasms like lipoma, sebaceous cyst or neurofibroma. Histopathology serves as a very useful tool in diagnosing these cysts by identifying the fungal elements.

Methods

A retrospective review of all cases diagnosed as phaeohyphomycosis in the department of Pathology at a tertiary care centre in South India over 9 years (January 2009–December 2017) was done. The clinical, histopathological findings of these cases were reviewed and analysed.

Results

Sixty‐six cases of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis were reported during the 9 year period. Sixty‐two per cent of these patients were diagnosed as skin and soft tissue neoplasms. In 94% cases, the extremities were affected. Multiple cysts were seen in 11% of patients. Fine needle aspiration cytology was done in 29 cases with fungal hyphae identified in all cases on cytology.

Conclusion

Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis mimics benign skin and soft tissue neoplasms clinically. Histopathological examination along with cytology plays a major role in diagnosis of phaeohyphomycosis and thus helps in appropriate patient management.
Dark malevolent traits and everyday perceived stress
Authors: Kajonius Petri J. , Björkman Therese
Published: August 2018

Stress is a factor that greatly impacts our lives. Previous research has examined individual differences in relation to stress. However, research regarding malevolent personality traits in relation to how stress is perceived is limited. The purpose of the present study was to investigate relationships between dark malevolent personality traits; psychopathy (EPA), Machiavellianism (MACH-IV), vulnerable narcissism (HSNS), grandiose narcissism (NPI-13), and perceived stress (PSS-10) in a community sample (N = 346). The results showed a strong positive relationship between vulnerable narcissism and perceived stress, while grandiose narcissism and psychopathy showed a small negative relationship with perceived stress. The discussion centers on that narcissism should be treated as two separate traits, and that psychopathy and Machiavellianism overlap in relation to the experience of stress in everyday life.
The Effects of Diagenesis on the Reservoir Characters in Ridge sandstone of Jurassic Jumara dome, Kachchh, Western India
Authors: Khan Zuhi , Ahmad A. H. M. , Sachan H. K. , Quasim M. A.
Published: August 2018

Ridge sandstone of Jurassic Jumara dome of Kachchh was studied in an attempt to quantify the effects of diagenetic process such as compaction, cementation and dissolution on reservoir properties. The average framework composition of Ridge sandstone is Q80F17L3, medium-to coarse grained and subarkose to arkose. Syndepositional silty to clayey matrix (3% average) is also observed that occurs as pore filling. The diagenetic processes include compaction, cementation and precipitation of authigenic cements, dissolution of unstable grains and grain replacement and development of secondary porosity. The major cause of intense reduction in primary porosity of Ridge sandstone is early cementation which include silica, carbonate, iron, kaolinite, illite, smectite, mixed layer illite-smectite and chlorite, which prevents mechanical compaction. The plots of COPL versus CEPL and IGV versus total cement suggest the loss of primary porosity in Ridge sandstone is due to cementation. Cements mainly iron and carbonate occurs in intergranular pores of detrital grains and destroys porosity. The clay mineral occurs as pore filling and pore lining and deteriorates the porosity and permeability of the Ridge sandstone. The reservoir quality of the studied sandstone is reduced by clay minerals (kaolinite, illite, smectite, mixed layer illite-smectite, chlorite), carbonate, iron and silica cementation but on the other hand, it is increased by alteration and dissolution of the unstable grain, in addition to partial dissolution of carbonate cements. The potential of the studied sandstone to serve as a reservoir is strongly related to sandstone diagenesis.
Soil Erosion Susceptibility Assessment of the Lower Himachal Himalayan Watershed
Authors: Singh Omvir , Singh Jagdeep
Published: August 2018

Assessment of erosion status of a watershed is an essential prerequisite for integrated watershed management. It not only assists in chalking out suitable soil and water conservation measures to arrest erosion and conserve water but also helps in devising best management practices to enhance biomass production in watersheds. Keeping this in view, the present study has been undertaken by involving geospatial-statistical techniques to determine the critical and priority areas for soil and water conservation in Suketi watershed of the lower Himachal Himalayan region. A novel weighted sum analysis technique was used for ranking each of hydrological unit by obtaining the weightages from various morphometric parameters. This technique offers dynamic, effective and sustainable approach over traditional prioritization methods in which significance of each parameter were considered equally. Considering this approach, sub-watersheds were delineated into low, medium and high priority zones. The results illustrate that about 52 % of sub-watersheds of Suketi watershed are in moderate to high erosion and runoff susceptible zones. Therefore, these potential areas can be considered for preferential soil and water conservation planning. The results obtained from the study will be useful for various stakeholders such as agriculturists, water resource managers, conservation measures planners and decision policy makers for better management practices and decision making. The geospatial-statistical technique can be used for effective estimation of erosion status of watersheds leading to watershed prioritization for taking up soil and water conservation measures in watershed systems. Finally, this technique can be very useful in remote, rugged and inaccessible watersheds with absence of soil erosion and runoff monitoring.
Geochemistry of Paleo to Mesoproterozoic Metasedimentary Units of Chandil Formation, North Singhbhum Crustal Province: Implications for Provenance and Source Area Weathering
Authors: Singh Sahendra , Chandan Karun Kumar , Jha Vandana
Published: August 2018

The Mesoproterozoic metasedimentary units of Chandil Formation belong to the northern part of Singhbhum crustal province, eastern India. The Formation lies north of Dalma volcano-sedimentary belt and is separated from the Meso-Neoproterozoic Chhotanagpur granite gneissic complex (CGGC) by Tamar-Porapahar shear zone (TPSZ), i.e. South Purulia shear zone, (SPSZ) at its northern boundary. The metasedimentary unit comprises of quartz-mica-sericite-schist, quartzite, amphibolites and carbonaceous phyllites, which have not been studied well, so far in terms of their geochemistry, source rock and provenance characterization. In this work, the existing gaps in all those aspects are studied to infer the provenance of these meta-sedimentary sequences. The high silica contents of the Chandil Formation (∼95% for the quartzites and ∼70% for the metapelites) and low trace element concentrations indicate silica-rich source. The REE patterns of the quartzites and the metapelites exhibit LREE enrichment and HREE depletion with moderate negative Eu-anomalies which strongly favor felsic nature of the provenance. The significant enrichment of LREE, flat HREE patterns and negative Eu-anomalies of the metapelites suggest their derivation from an old upper continental crust, which is composed of felsic components and the negative Eu-anomalies indicate intra-crustal differentiation. The higher concentrations of the HFSE i.e. Zr, Hf and Ta, within the Chandil metasediments relative to those of EPC (Early Proterozoic Continental Crust), also suggests a felsic provenance. The geochemical signatures of the Chandil metasediments indicate that the sediments were derived during a prolonged period of weathering due to the slow upliftment and unroofing of the southern evolving Singhbhum granitic complex (SGC).
DRAWING DOWN RETIREMENT SAVINGS—DO PENSIONS, TAXES AND GOVERNMENT TRANSFERS MATTER MUCH FOR OPTIMAL DECISIONS?
Authors: MacDonald Bonnie-Jeanne , Morrison Richard J. , Avery Marvin , Osberg Lars
Published: August 2018

This paper examines the importance of pensions (employment and social security), taxes and government transfers for alternative retirement savings drawdown strategies (DS), compared to the conventional approach in published literature of using a gross income concept obtainable from retirement savings alone. Using a lifetime utility framework, our longitudinal dynamic micro-simulation model incorporates risk aversion, stochastic markets, stochastic mortality and the interactions among sources of retirement income within the complex Canadian tax and social benefit system, enabling us to rank commonly advocated DS and to ask whether incorporating pensions, taxes and transfers alters those rankings. Our findings show the importance of treating the evaluation of alternative DS as a comprehensive and integrated problem by including all sources of income — including pensions, taxes and government transfers. Using restricted income measures can potentially lead to simplistic, and possibly misleading, conclusions.
Influence of Agulhas forcing of Holocene climate change in South Africa’s southern Cape
Authors: Chase Brian M. , Quick Lynne J.
Published: August 2018

This paper analyses a series of high-quality continuous records from southeastern Africa to study the spatiotemporal patterning of Holocene hydroclimatic anomalies in the region. Results indicate dominant frequencies of variability at millennial time scales, and a series of anomalies broadly common to all records. Of particular interest, data from the southern Cape coast exhibit periods of wetter/drier conditions that are out of phase with the sites less than 150 km away in the adjacent interior, but in phase with sites in tropical regions over 1000 km to the northeast. To explain such spatial patterns and gradients, we propose that the Agulhas Current may be a critical vector by which tropical climatic signals are propagated along the littoral zone, exerting a dominant, highly localized influence on near-coastal environmental conditions. Limitations in the data available do not allow for a detailed examination of the climatic dynamics related to these phenomena, but this paper highlights a series of avenues for future research to clarify the spatial extent and stability of the patterns observed.
Associations of the first occurrence of pathogen-specific clinical mastitis with milk yield and milk composition in dairy cows
Authors: Kayano Mitsunori , Itoh Megumi , Kusaba Nobuyuki , Hayashiguchi Osamu , Kida Katsuya , Tanaka Yoshiharu , Kawamoto Keiko , Gröhn Yrjö T
Published: August 2018

The aim of this study was to estimate the associations of the first occurrence of pathogen-specific clinical mastitis (CM) with milk yield and milk composition (somatic cell count (SCC), lactose, fat, protein content in milk and milk urea nitrogen (MUN)). We studied 3149 dairy cows in 31 Hokkaido dairy farms in Japan. Five pathogen groups were studied: Streptococcus spp.; Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus); coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS); coliforms; and fungi. Test-day milk data and clinical records were collected from June 2011 until February 2014. Mixed models with an autoregressive correlation structure were fitted to quantify the effects of CM and several other control variables (herd, calving season, parity, week of lactation, and other diseases). Primipara (first lactation) and multipara (second and later lactations) were analysed separately. All pathogens, particularly S. aureus and fungi, were associated with significant milk losses in multipara. In this study, S. aureus and CNS infections were not associated with significant milk loss in primipara. All pathogens, in particular S. aureus and fungi, significantly increased SCC in both parity groups. All pathogens, especially CNS (in primipara) and S. aureus (in multipara), decreased lactose content. All pathogen groups except for fungi were associated with significant changes in fat, protein and MUN. Some pathogens such as Streptococcus spp. and coliforms seemed to be associated with long-term fat, protein and MUN changes. These findings provide estimates that could be used to calculate precise costs of CM, and also provide better indicators of pathogen-specific mastitis.
Rhinoceros ownership and attitudes towards legalization of global horn trade within South Africa's private wildlife sector
Authors: Rubino Elena C. , Pienaar Elizabeth F.
Published: August 2018

South Africa's private sector is vital to rhino conservation yet there is a lack of research into the attitudes of current and potential rhino owners towards rhino conservation and horn trade. We surveyed 169 members of the South African private wildlife ranching industry to examine these matters. We sought to understand: (1) ranchers’ motivations for owning or not owning rhinos, (2) how rhino ownership affects ranchers’ income and operations, and (3) the attitudes of wildlife industry members towards legalization of global rhino horn trade. Our findings indicate that all respondents recognize the risks of rhino ownership and tend to distrust national and provincial environmental departments. In addition to these concerns, rhino owners have substantial monthly security and management expenditures. We found positive attitudes overall towards global rhino horn trade. Rhino owners strongly agreed that legalization would benefit rhino owners and rhino conservation. Documenting the realities of private rhino ownership and the opinions of the wildlife industry is important for policy design and for informed debate about the legalization of the rhino horn trade.
DSM outcomes of psychotic experiences and associated risk factors: 6-year follow-up study in a community-based sample
Authors: Kırlı Umut , Binbay Tolga , Drukker Marjan , Elbi Hayriye , Kayahan Bülent , Keskin Gökçelli Duygu , Özkınay Ferda , Onay Hüseyin , Alptekin Köksal , van Os Jim
Published: August 2018

Background

Psychotic experiences (PEs) may predict a range of common, non-psychotic disorders as well as psychotic disorders. In this representative, general population-based cohort study, both psychotic and non-psychotic disorder outcomes of PE were analysed, as were potential moderators.

Methods

Addresses were contacted in a multistage clustered probability sampling frame covering 11 districts and 302 neighbourhoods at baseline (n = 4011). Participants were interviewed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) both at baseline and at 6-year follow-up. Participants with PE at baseline were clinically re-interviewed with the SCID-I at follow-up. The role of socio-demographics, characteristics of PE, co-occurrence of mood disorders and family history of mental disorders were tested in the association between baseline PE and follow-up diagnosis.

Results

In the participants with baseline PE, the psychotic disorder diagnosis rate at follow up was 7.0% – much lower than the rates of DSM-IV mood disorders without psychotic features (42.8%) and other non-psychotic disorders (24.1%). Within the group with baseline PE, female sex, lower socio-economic status, co-occurrence of mood disorders, family history of a mental disorder and persistence of PE predicted any follow-up DSM diagnosis. Furthermore, onset of psychotic v. non-psychotic disorder was predicted by younger age (15–30 years), co-presence of delusional and hallucinatory PE and family history of severe mental illness.

Conclusion

The outcome of PE appears to be a consequence of baseline severity of multidimensional psychopathology and familial risk. It may be useful to consider PE as a risk indicator that has trans-diagnostic value.
Treatment outcomes for anorexia nervosa: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Murray Stuart B. , Quintana Daniel S. , Loeb Katharine L. , Griffiths Scott , Le Grange Daniel
Published: August 2018

Background

To determine the impact of specialized treatments, relative to comparator treatments, upon the weight and psychological symptoms of anorexia nervosa (AN) at end-of-treatment (EOT) and follow-up.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) between January 1980 and December 2017 that reported the effects of at least two treatments on AN were screened. Weight and psychological symptoms were analyzed separately for each study. PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were followed, and studies were assessed using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) criteria and Cochrane risk of bias tool.

Results

We identified 35 eligible RCTs, comprising data from 2524 patients. Meta-analyses revealed a significant treatment effect on weight outcomes at EOT [g= 0.16, 95% CI (0.05–0.28),p= 0.006], but not at follow-up [g= 0.11, 95% CI (−0.04 to 0.27),p= 0.15]. There was no significant treatment effect on psychological outcomes at either EOT [g= −0.03, 95% CI (−0.14 to 0.08),p= 0.63], or follow-up [g= −0.001, 95% CI (−0.11 to 0.11),p= 0.98]. There was no strong evidence of publication bias or significant moderator effects for illness duration, mean age, year of publication, comparator group category, or risk of bias (allpvalues > 0.05).

Conclusions

Current specialized treatments are more adept than comparator interventions at imparting change in weight-based AN symptoms at EOT, but not at follow-up. Specialized treatments confer no advantage over comparator interventions in terms of psychological symptoms. Future precision treatment efforts require a specific focus on the psychological symptoms of AN.
Promoting access to fresh fruits and vegetables through a local market intervention at a subway station
Authors: Chaput Sarah , Mercille Geneviève , Drouin Louis , Kestens Yan
Published: August 2018

Objective

Alternative food sources (AFS) such as local markets in disadvantaged areas are promising strategies for preventing chronic disease and reducing health inequalities. The present study assessed how sociodemographic characteristics, physical access and fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption are associated with market use in a newly opened F&V market next to a subway station in a disadvantaged neighbourhood.

Design

Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted among adults: (i) on-site, among shoppers who had just bought F&V and (ii) a telephone-based population survey among residents living within 1 km distance from the market.

Setting

One neighbourhood in Montreal (Canada) with previously limited F&V offerings.

Subjects

Respectively, 218 shoppers and 335 residents completed the on-site and telephone-based population surveys.

Results

Among shoppers, 23 % were low-income, 56 % did not consume enough F&V and 54 % did not have access to a car. Among all participants living 1 km from the market (n472), market usage was associated (OR; 95 % CI) with adequate F&V consumption (1·86; 1·10, 3·16), living closer to the market (for distance: 0·86; 0·76, 0·97), having the market on the commute route (2·77; 1·61, 4·75) and not having access to a car (2·96; 1·67, 5·26).

Conclusions

When implemented in strategic locations such as transport hubs, AFS like F&V markets offer a promising strategy to improve F&V access among populations that may be constrained in their food acquisition practices, including low-income populations and those relying on public transportation.
Integration of farmers’ knowledge and science-based assessment of soil quality for peri-urban vegetable production in Ghana
Authors: Obour Peter Bilson , Dadzie Frederick Asankom , Arthur Emmanuel , Munkholm Lars J. , Saba Courage Kosi Setsoafia , Rubæk Gitte H. , Owusu Kwadwo
Published: August 2018

This study, based on vegetable production fields, combined soil quality assessed by three approaches (qualitatively by farmers, semi-quantitatively by a researcher and quantitatively by laboratory analyses) with the aim of improving the integration of the different approaches. We interviewed 79 peri-urban vegetable growers in two communities within the Sunyani Municipality, Ghana. Eight of the farmers were selected to participate in the farmer-based assessment of soil quality. Further, visual evaluation of soil quality was conducted by the researcher, followed by laboratory analyses of soil properties to corroborate the farmers’ assessment of good and poor soils in their fields. Results showed that the farmers used locally-defined characteristics to describe the physical, biological and crop performance indicators of soil quality. There was, in general, limited use and understanding of soil chemical properties as indicators of soil quality. The farmers’ perception on soil quality of their fields largely influenced their decision on the type of crops they cultivate, and application regimes of mineral fertilizers. Results from the visual evaluation by the researcher agreed in some respects with the farmers’ assessment of soil quality of the good and poor soils in their respective farms. Laboratory analyses did not show specific trends for the content of chemical properties for neither good nor poor soils. The study highlighted that none of the approaches of soil quality assessment is necessarily superior in and of itself. We emphasized the need for integration to capitalize on the strengths of each approach, enhance mutual learning between farmers and soil scientists, build the capacity of farmers, and improve their decision on soil use for agricultural production.
Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Short Depressive Rumination Scale in a Nonclinical Sample
Authors: Ricarte Jorge Javier , Aizpurúa Eva , Ros Laura , Latorre José Miguel , Raes Filip
Published: August 2018

Repetitive negative thinking (RNT) is considered a transdiagnostic variable underlying common symptoms (e.g., depressed mood) across various mood disorders. Depressive rumination is one typical and frequent manifestation of RNT and is a well-known vulnerability factor of depression onset, maintenance and recurrence. Due to the time-related constraints in assessment settings and the association of rumination on sadness with diagnosis of depression, the rapid identification of individuals scoring high on this construct may become a useful screening tool in non-clinical samples. The main aim of the present study was to test the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Short Depressive Rumination Scale (SDRS) in a large sample (N= 649). Confirmatory Factor Analysis supported a one-factor model accounting for 75% of variance with an excellent internal consistency (α = .93) in spite of the reduced number of items (4 items). Criterion validity results based on associations with other well-established rumination (sub)scales, age, scores in depression and gender differences, were congruent. The results suggest that the SDRS, the shortest existing scale assessing depressive rumination to our knowledge, can be a useful instrument for a rapid assessment of depressive rumination in community samples.
Mind-Body Dualism and Health Revisited
Authors: Burgmer Pascal , Forstmann Matthias
Published: August 2018

Abstract. Does a sound mind require a sound body? Whether or not lay people subscribe to this notion depends on their belief in mind-body dualism and critically shapes their health-related behaviors. Six studies (N = 1,710) revisit the relation between dualism and health. We replicate the negative correlation between belief in dualism and health behavior (Study 1) and extend it to behavior in the field (Study 2). Studies 3a and 3b investigate how belief in dualism shapes intuitions about the material origin of psychological well-being, while Studies 4a and 4b examine how these intuitions determine health-related outcomes. In sum, construing minds as different from bodies entails the intuition that mental well-being has little material substrate which in turn attenuates health-sustaining behaviors.
You Just Don’t Get Us!
Authors: Vázquez Alexandra , Gómez Ángel , Swann William B.
Published: August 2018

Abstract. Researchers have assumed that self-enhancement strivings motivate compensatory prejudice against minorities. We ask if self-verification strivings might explain compensatory prejudice more parsimoniously. Three studies tested whether receiving overly positive evaluations from outgroup members (immigrants) amplifies prejudice and discrimination against them. In Experiment 1 participants who received excessively positive evaluations from immigrants expressed less liking for them and donated less to them than those who received negative verifying feedback. Experiment 2 replicated these findings only when participants had sufficient time to reflect on the feedback. Experiment 3 indicated that diminished perceptions of being understood mediated the impact of overly positive evaluations on prejudicial reactions. These results suggest that self-verification theory offers a more parsimonious account of compensatory prejudice than self-enhancement theory.
Influence of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation on the Tropical Climate Response to CO2 Forcing
Authors: Vial Jessica , Cassou Christophe , Codron Francis , Bony Sandrine , Ruprich‐Robert Yohan
Published: August 2018

The increase of atmospheric greenhouse gases is expected to affect the hydrological cycle and large‐scale precipitation patterns. In parallel, unforced natural variability on decadal‐to‐multidecadal timescales can also modulate forced changes at the regional scales. Based on multimember ensembles from a coupled General Circulation Model, we investigate the sensitivity of CO2‐forced changes in tropical precipitation and atmospheric circulation to fluctuations of the Atlantic Multidecadal Overturning Circulation (AMOC). We show that contrasted AMOC states yield considerable differences in equatorial Pacific precipitation forced changes, by impacting the direct (within a year) CO2‐induced weakening of the Walker circulation. We use global atmospheric energetics, as a theoretical backdrop, to explain the relationship between the tropical atmospheric circulation and the AMOC state. A physical mechanism is then proposed, relating the direct CO2‐forced weakening of the atmospheric tropical circulation to its climatological strength in unperturbed climate and indirectly to the AMOC state.
Biased Estimates of Changes in Climate Extremes From Prescribed SST Simulations
Authors: Fischer E. M. , Beyerle U. , Schleussner C. F. , King A. D. , Knutti R.
Published: August 2018

Large climate model ensembles are widely used to quantify changes in climate extremes. Here we demonstrate that model‐based estimates of changes in the probability of temperature extremes at 1.5 °C global warming regionally differ if quantified using prescribed sea surface temperatures (SSTs) instead of using a fully coupled climate model. Based on the identical climate model used in two experimental setups, we demonstrate that particularly over the tropics and Australia estimates of the changes in the odds of annual temperature extremes can be up to more than a factor of 5 to 10 larger using prescribed SSTs rather than a fully coupled model configuration. The two experimental designs imply a different perspective on framing projections. If experiments conditional on prescribed observed SSTs are interpreted as unconditional real‐world projections, they project changes in extremes that are systematically biased high and overconfident. Our results illustrate the importance of carefully considering experimental design when interpreting projections of extremes.
Coincident Observations by the Kharkiv IS Radar and Ionosonde, DMSP and Arase (ERG) Satellites, and FLIP Model Simulations: Implications for the NRLMSISE‐00 Hydrogen Density, Plasmasphere, and Ionosphere
Authors: Kotov D. V. , Richards P. G. , Truhlík V. , Bogomaz O. V. , Shulha M. O. , Maruyama N. , Hairston M. , Miyoshi Y. , Kasahara Y. , Kumamoto A. , Tsuchiya F. , Matsuoka A. , Shinohara I. , Hernández‐Pajares M. , Domnin I. F. , Zhivolup T. G. , Emelyanov L. Ya. , Chepurnyy Ya. M.
Published: August 2018

This paper reports the results of ionosphere and plasmasphere observations with the Kharkiv incoherent scatter radar and ionosonde, Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, and Arase (ERG) satellites and simulations with field line interhemispheric plasma model during the equinoxes and solstices of solar minimum 24. The results reveal the need to increase NRLMSISE‐00 thermospheric hydrogen density by a factor of ~2. For the first time, it is shown that the measured plasmaspheric density can be reproduced with doubled NRLMSISE‐00 hydrogen density only. A factor of ~2 decrease of plasmaspheric density in deep inner magnetosphere (L ≈ 2.1) caused by very weak magnetic disturbance (Dst > −22 nT) of 24 December 2017 was observed in the morning of 25 December 2017. During the next night, prominent effects of partially depleted flux tube were observed in the topside ionosphere (~50% reduced H+ ion density) and at the F2‐layer peak (~50% decreased electron density). The likely physical mechanisms are discussed.
Cretaceous Intraplate Contraction in Southern Patagonia: A Far‐Field Response to Changing Subduction Dynamics?
Authors: Gianni G. M. , Navarrete C. , Liendo I. , Díaz M. , Giménez M. E. , Encinas A. , Folguera A.
Published: August 2018

The origin, extent, and timing of intraplate contraction in Patagonia are among the least understood geological processes of southern South America. Particularly, the intraplate Deseado fold‐thrust belt (FTB), located in the Patagonian broken foreland (47°–48°30′S), is one of the most enigmatic areas. In this belt, time constraints on tectonic events are limited and synorogenic deposits have not been documented so far. Furthermore, the driving mechanism for intraplate contraction remains unknown. In this study, we carried out a structural and sedimentological analysis. We report the first syntectonic deposits in this area in the Baqueró (Aptian) and Chubut (Cenomanian/Campanian) groups and a newly found unit referred to as the Albian beds (109.9 ± 1.5 Ma). Thus, several contractional stages in late Aptian, Albian, and Cenomanian‐Campanian are then inferred. We suggest that the Deseado FTB constituted the southernmost expression of the early Patagonian broken foreland in Cretaceous times. Additionally, we analyzed the spatiotemporal magmatic arc behavior as a proxy of dynamic changes in the Andean subduction during determined stages of intraplate contraction. We observe a significant arc broadening from ~121 to 82 Myr and magmatic quiescence after ~67 Ma. This is interpreted as a slab shallowing to flattening process. Far‐field tectonic forces would have been produced by increased plate coupling linked to the slab flattening as indirectly indicated by the correlation between Cretaceous arc expansion and intraplate contraction. Finally, the tectonic evolution of the Deseado FTB favors studies supporting inception of Andean shortening since Cretaceous times.
Strange Floods: The Upper Tail of Flood Peaks in the United States
Authors: Smith James A. , Cox Alexander A. , Baeck Mary Lynn , Yang Long , Bates Paul
Published: August 2018

We examine the upper tail of flood peak distributions through analyses of annual peak observations from more than 8,000 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) stream gaging stations and through hydrometeorological analyses of the storms that produce the most extreme floods. We focus on the distribution of the upper tail ratio, which is defined as the peak discharge for the flood of record at a stream gaging station divided by the sample 10‐year flood magnitude. The 14 June 1903 Heppner storm, which produced an upper tail ratio of 200, was the product of a hailstorm that formed along the Blue Mountains in eastern Oregon, a region dominated by snowmelt flooding. A striking contrast between record flood peaks and the larger distribution of annual flood peaks in the United States is in the seasonality of flood occurrence, with record floods reflecting a much stronger contribution from warm season thunderstorm systems. Mountainous terrain and intense convective rainfall are important elements of the geography and hydrometeorology of extreme upper tail ratio flood peaks. The distribution of upper tail ratio values for USGS stream gaging stations does not depend on basin area, a result which is consistent with scaling results based on extreme value theory. Downscaling simulations with the Weather Research and Forecasting model are used to examine the storm environment of the 1903 Heppner storm, along with two other record flood peaks near the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon from the USGS miscellaneous flood record, the July 1956 Meyers Canyon flood and the July 1965 Lane Canyon flood.
Sex-specific impact of prenatal androgens on social brain default mode subsystems
Authors: Lombardo Michael V. , Auyeung Bonnie , Pramparo Tiziano , Quartier Angélique , Courraud Jérémie , Holt Rosemary J. , Waldman Jack , Ruigrok Amber N. V. , Mooney Natasha , Bethlehem Richard A. I. , Lai Meng-Chuan , Kundu Prantik , Bullmore Edward T. , Mandel Jean-Louis , Piton Amélie , Baron-Cohen Simon
Published: August 2018

Early-onset neurodevelopmental conditions (e.g., autism) affect males more frequently than females. Androgens may play a role in this male-bias by sex-differentially impacting early prenatal brain development, particularly neural circuits that later develop specialized roles in social cognition. Here, we find that increasing prenatal testosterone in humans is associated with later reduction of functional connectivity between social brain default mode (DMN) subsystems in adolescent males, but has no effect in females. Since testosterone can work directly via the androgen receptor (AR) or indirectly via the estrogen receptor through aromatase conversion to estradiol, we further examined how a potent non-aromatizable androgen, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), acts via the AR to influence gene expression in human neural stem cells (hNSC)—particularly for genes of high-relevance for DMN circuitry. DHT dysregulates a number of genes enriched for syndromic causes of autism and intellectual disability and for genes that in later development are expressed in anatomical patterns that highly correspond to the cortical midline DMN subsystem. DMN-related and DHT-affected genes (e.g., MEF2C) are involved in a number of synaptic processes, many of which impact excitation-inhibition balance. Androgens have male-specific prenatal influence over social brain circuitry in humans and may be relevant towards explaining some component of male-bias in early-onset neurodevelopmental conditions.
A peptide containing the receptor binding site of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 enhances bone mass in ovariectomized rats
Authors: Xi Gang , Wai Christine , Rosen Clifford J. , Clemmons David R.
Published: August 2018

Male Igfbp2−/− mice have a significant reduction in bone mass and administration of a peptide that contains the insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2(IGFBP-2) receptor-binding domain stimulates bone formation in these animals. Female Igfbp2−/− mice do not have this phenotype but following ovariectomy (OVX) lose more bone than OVX wild-type mice. This suggests that in the absence of estrogen, IGFBP-2 is required to maintain bone mass. Therefore these studies were undertaken to determine if this peptide could stimulate bone acquisition in OVX rats. OVX rats were divided into seven treatment groups: sham animals, OVX animals, OVX animals receiving a control scrambled peptide, or one of three doses of the active peptide termed PEG-HBD-1 (0.7, 2, and 6 mg·kg-1) and an OVX group receiving parathyroid hormone (PTH) (50 µg·kg-1 per day). The peptides were administered for 8 weeks. DXA revealed a significant reduction in femoral and tibial areal bone mineral density (aBMD) after OVX, whereas treatment with the high-dose peptide increased aBMD by 6.2% ± 2.4% (P < 0.01) compared to control peptide; similar to the increase noted with PTH (5.6% ± 3.0%, P < 0.01). Similar increases were noted with two lower doses of the peptide (3.8% ± 1.5%, P < 0.05 for low dose; 3.1% ± 1.6%, P = 0.07 for middle dose). Micro CT showed that the OVX control peptide animals had reductions of 41% and 64% in femoral trabecular BV/TV and trabecular number, respectively. All three doses of the peptide increased bone volume/total volume (BV/TV) significantly, while the low and middle doses increased trabecular number. Cortical BV/TV and thickness at the midshaft increased significantly with each dose of peptide (18.9% ± 9.8%, P < 0.01 and 14.2% ± 7.9%, P < 0.01 for low dose; 23.7% ± 10.7%, P < 0.001 and 15.8% ± 6.1%, P < 0.001 for middle dose; 19.0% ± 6.9%, P < 0.01 and 16.2% ± 9.7%, P < 0.001 for high dose) and with PTH (25.8% ± 9.2%, P < 0.001 and 19.4% ± 8.8%, P < 0.001). Histomorphometry showed that the lowest dose of peptide stimulated BV/TV, trabecular thickness, mineral apposition rate (MAR), bone formation rate/bone surface (BFR/BS), number of osteoblasts/bone perimeter (N.ob/B.pm), and decreased osteoclast surface/bone perimeter (Oc.S/B.Pm). The highest dose stimulated each of these parameters except MAR and BFR/BS. Thus, the heparin-binding domain receptor region of IGFBP-2 accounts for its anabolic activity in bone. Importantly, this peptide enhances bone mass in estrogen-deficient animals.
Regulation of the small GTPase Rab1 function by a bacterial glucosyltransferase
Authors: Wang Zhen , McCloskey Alix , Cheng Sen , Wu Mei , Xue Chenyu , Yu Zhengyou , Fu Jiaqi , Liu Yanhua , Luo Zhao-Qing , Liu Xiaoyun
Published: August 2018

Posttranslational modification of key host proteins by virulence factors is an important theme in bacterial pathogenesis. A remarkable example is the reversible modifications of the small GTPase Rab1 by multiple effectors of the bacterial pathogen Legionella pneumophila. Previous studies have shown that the effector SetA, dependent on a functional glucosyltransferase domain, interferes with host secretory pathways. However, the enzymatic substrate(s) of SetA in host cells remains unknown. Here, by using cross-linking mass spectrometry we uncovered Rab1 as the target of SetA during L. pneumophila infection. Biochemical studies establish that SetA covalently attaches a glucose moiety to Thr75 within the switch II region of Rab1, inhibiting its intrinsic GTPase activity. Moreover, we found that SetA preferentially modifies the GDP-bound form of Rab1 over its GTP-associated state and the modification of Rab1 inhibits its interaction with the GDP dissociation inhibitor GDI1, allowing for Rab1 activation. Our results thus add an extra layer of regulation on Rab1 activity and provide a mechanistic understanding of its inhibition of the host secretory pathways as well as cellular toxicity.
Axoneme polyglutamylation regulated by Joubert syndrome protein ARL13B controls ciliary targeting of signaling molecules
Authors: He Kai , Ma Xiaoyu , Xu Tao , Li Yan , Hodge Allen , Zhang Qing , Torline Julia , Huang Yan , Zhao Jian , Ling Kun , Hu Jinghua
Published: August 2018

Tubulin polyglutamylation is a predominant axonemal post-translational modification. However, if and how axoneme polyglutamylation is essential for primary cilia and contribute to ciliopathies are unknown. Here, we report that Joubert syndrome protein ARL13B controls axoneme polyglutamylation, which is marginally required for cilia stability but essential for cilia signaling. ARL13B interacts with RAB11 effector FIP5 to promote cilia import of glutamylase TTLL5 and TTLL6. Hypoglutamylation caused by a deficient ARL13B-RAB11-FIP5 trafficking pathway shows no effect on ciliogenesis, but promotes cilia disassembly and, importantly, impairs cilia signaling by disrupting the proper anchoring of sensory receptors and trafficking of signaling molecules. Remarkably, depletion of deglutamylase CCP5, the predominant cilia deglutamylase, effectively restores hypoglutamylation-induced cilia defects. Our study reveals a paradigm that tubulin polyglutamylation is a major contributor for cilia signaling and suggests a potential therapeutic strategy by targeting polyglutamylation machinery to promote ciliary targeting of signaling machineries and correct signaling defects in ciliopathies.