bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disaster Evaluation Research
Authors: Ricci Edmund M. , Pretto, Jr. Ernesto A. , Sundnes Knut Ole
Published: October 2019

The ultimate hope and great challenge undertaken by the authors of this volume is to improve disaster preparedness and response efforts globally by providing a standardized way to conduct rigorous and comprehensive scientific evaluative studies of the medical and public health response to these horrific events. It is our strongly held belief that the framework for the conduct of evaluative studies, as developed by specialists in scientific evaluation, offers the most appropriate and comprehensive structure for such studies. Our ‘eight-step approach’ is based upon a conceptual framework that is now widely used by health organizations globally as a basis for the evaluation of community-based medical and public health programs. We contend that many more disaster-related injuries and deaths can be prevented if the concepts and methods of evaluation science are applied to disaster events.
In Part 1 of this book we describe the basic concepts and scientific methods used by program evaluation scientists to assess the structure, process, and outcomes of medical and public health interventions. In addition, a detailed description of a comprehensive medical and public health response system is described. In Part 2 we present an eight-step model for conducting an evaluative study of the response, again with a focus on the medical and public health components. Ethical issues that come into play in the conduct of disaster evaluative disaster research, and how these should be addressed, are the focus of Chapter 13. The final chapter offers a look to the future as new technology for data collection becomes available.
We are not so naïve as to believe that disaster preparedness and response will change as a direct result of the availability of scientifically conducted assessments. Change requires a double pronged commitment—leaders from both the ranks of government and of the health professions must carefully consider, fund, and adopt policy positions and programs that are based upon the findings and recommendations that emerge from scientific evaluation studies. That is the most certain pathway to a better future.
Form the Stakeholder Group (Step 1)
Authors: Ricci Edmund M. , Pretto Ernesto A. , Ole Sundnes Knut
Published: October 2019

If an evaluation study is ultimately to be used to change and improve the medical and public health response to disasters it is essential to involve those who have the strongest interest and reasons for making improvements and who have the power and resources to do so. These individuals are referred to as ‘stakeholders’. Experience has shown clearly that if the key stakeholders are involved from the beginning in the planning and implementation of the evaluation, and in the process of preparing recommendations for change in future preparedness and response efforts, the evaluation recommendations are much more likely to be adopted. The evaluation team leader, after review of source material such as governmental reports, organization charts, newspaper and agency descriptions, should select appropriate members of the group.
Construct a Sampling Plan (Step 5)
Authors: Ricci Edmund M. , Pretto Ernesto A. , Ole Sundnes Knut
Published: October 2019

In disaster studies it is necessary to obtain information from several groups of those involved and affected by the disaster and from various types of medical and administrative documents. We have suggested in Chapter 8 that information be obtained from, at a minimum, (1) survivors/victims/families; (2) professional responders and coordinators (both public safety and EMS/medical); (3) officials of governmental and non-governmental organizations; (4) medical records; and (5) administrative documents. This typically involves accessing a large number of individuals and reports. It is therefore almost always necessary to select a sample from each group and source. When possible some form of random (probability) sampling should be used; a different type of sampling called ‘purposive’ may be employed for key informants. ‘Convenience samples’ are not generally used in scientific evaluation studies due to their great potential for introducing bias into the data. Preparing and implementing a scientific sample design will prove to be one of the most challenging aspects of disaster evaluation studies. It will usually be necessary to consult with an individual who has statistical expertise when preparing the sampling plan; therefore, in this chapter we present some basic concepts in sampling and then conclude with four descriptions of sample designs used in past evaluation studies.
Conduct a Scout Survey (Step 6)
Authors: Ricci Edmund M. , Pretto Ernesto A. , Ole Sundnes Knut
Published: October 2019

We strongly recommend that a ‘scout survey’ of the disaster site be implemented prior to the initiation of the principal study, in order to obtain the types of detailed information required to prepare a research plan and a plan for working with a full research team during the data collection period. The scout survey step requires that one or two researchers go to the disaster site within two or three weeks following the disaster to prepare for a larger team visit, which would initiate work within two to three months post disaster. ‘Scout team’ visits are an essential mechanism for developing and/or revising the data collection instruments, for securing collaboration of local officials who will facilitate the study, for identifying key informants and members of the stakeholder group, and for obtaining background information needed for the sample design. We believe it is essential that the initial data collection be completed as soon as possible after the disaster event ends, in order to minimize memory loss. It is also of great importance that the primary data collection phase be conducted efficiently, within a period of approximately seven to ten days, although additional data may be added subsequent to the primary data collection period as the need for it becomes apparent. It is also likely that a data gathering effort, such as a survey involving large numbers of individuals, may continue after the main data collection team members have returned to their home institutions. The amount of thorough and detailed planning required to achieve the 7–10 day goal virtually mandates a pre-visit by a scout team.
Analyze Data and Prepare a Final Report (Step 8)
Authors: Ricci Edmund M. , Pretto Ernesto A. , Ole Sundnes Knut
Published: October 2019

In this chapter we present an overall approach to data analysis and the preparation of a final report. We suggest that the final report should initially be organized to address each major research question. However, as the research plan is implemented, additional questions may emerge or, even more likely, the original questions could have become more nuanced. It is necessary to involve some or all members of the stakeholder groups in the preparation of findings and recommendations. Initially, a simple straightforward presentation of findings, promptly prepared, will best serve the cause of improving medical and public health response efforts. In this chapter we describe a process which will lead to the completion of the type of report that will be useful to stakeholders and decision-makers. It is essential that the report be generated in a timely manner in order to enable decision-makers to draw upon recent public memory to gain support for change where required. Some general comments about data analyses are offered; however, it is not our intent in this book to provide a full discussion about data analysis for mixed-methods studies. It is therefore essential that a methodologist/data analyst be included within the evaluation team.
Cardiology
Authors: Banerjee Ashis , Jafar Anisa J. N. , Mukherjee Angshuman , Solomonides Christian , Witt Erik
Published: October 2019

This chapter on cardiology contains 16 clinical Short Answer Questions (SAQs) with explanations and sources for further reading. Possible causes and accompanying symptoms of heart problems that may present in the emergency department include acute coronary syndromes, atrial fibrillation, palpitations, bradycardia, chest pain, dyspnoea, and syncope. The emergency doctor has to assess, diagnose, and decide upon a treatment path for each patient. The cases described in this chapter are all situations any emergency doctor is likely to encounter at some point in his or her career. Material in this chapter will greatly aid revision for the Final FRCEM examination.
Critical Care and Anaesthesia
Authors: Banerjee Ashis , Jafar Anisa J. N. , Mukherjee Angshuman , Solomonides Christian , Witt Erik
Published: October 2019

This chapter on critical care including anaesthesia contains five clinical Short Answer Questions (SAQs) with explanations and sources for further reading. Whether local or general, anaesthetics are used in a huge number of hospital procedures, and which type is best for the patient can depend on many different factors. Rapid sequence induction and intubation, the use of anaesthetics for conscious sedation (including propofol), nerve blocks (such as fascia iliaca block), intraosseous needle use, and procedural sedation are all covered in this chapter. The cases described here are all situations any emergency doctor is likely to encounter at some point in his or her career. Material in this chapter will greatly aid revision for the Final FRCEM examination.
Environmental Medicine and Toxicology
Authors: Banerjee Ashis , Jafar Anisa J. N. , Mukherjee Angshuman , Solomonides Christian , Witt Erik
Published: October 2019

This chapter environmental/toxicology contains 19 clinical Short Answer Questions (SAQs) with explanations and sources for further reading. Possible disorders and accompanying symptoms of environmental or toxic origin that may present in the emergency department include poisoning, serotonin syndrome, burns, drug overdose, heat stroke, and alcohol withdrawal, among many others. It will be up to the emergency doctor to assess, diagnose, and decide upon a treatment path for each patient. The cases described in this chapter are all situations any emergency doctor is likely to encounter at some point in his or her career. The material in this chapter will greatly aid revision for the Final FRCEM examination.
Infectious Diseases
Authors: Banerjee Ashis , Jafar Anisa J. N. , Mukherjee Angshuman , Solomonides Christian , Witt Erik
Published: October 2019

This chapter on infectious diseases contains 16 clinical Short Answer Questions (SAQs) with explanations and sources for further reading. Possible disorders and accompanying symptoms of infectious origin that may present in the emergency department include acute epiglottitis, meningitis, Ebola virus, meningococcal septicaemia, and pneumonia, among many others. It will be up to the emergency doctor to assess, diagnose, and decide upon a treatment path for each patient. The cases described in this chapter are all situations any emergency doctor is likely to encounter at some point in his or her career. The material in this chapter will greatly aid revision for the Final FRCEM examination.
Maxillofacial Surgery
Authors: Banerjee Ashis , Jafar Anisa J. N. , Mukherjee Angshuman , Solomonides Christian , Witt Erik
Published: October 2019

This chapter on maxillofacial emergency contains five clinical Short Answer Questions (SAQs) with explanations and sources for further reading. Possible emergencies of maxillofacial origin that may present in the emergency department include fractured mandible, orbital fracture, and parotid trauma, among many others. It will be up to the emergency doctor to assess, diagnose, and decide upon a treatment path for each patient. The cases described in this chapter are all situations any emergency doctor is likely to encounter at some point in his or her career. The material in this chapter will greatly aid revision for the Final FRCEM examination.
Trauma
Authors: Banerjee Ashis , Jafar Anisa J. N. , Mukherjee Angshuman , Solomonides Christian , Witt Erik
Published: October 2019

This chapter on trauma contains ten clinical Short Answer Questions (SAQs) with explanations and sources for further reading. Possible presentations and accompanying factors relating to trauma that may present in the emergency department include major trauma, head injuries, fractures, burns, and smoke inhalation. It will be up to the emergency doctor to assess, diagnose, and decide upon a treatment path for each patient. The cases described in this chapter are all situations any emergency doctor is likely to encounter at some point in his or her career. The material in this chapter will greatly aid revision for the Final FRCEM examination.
Vascular Emergencies
Authors: Banerjee Ashis , Jafar Anisa J. N. , Mukherjee Angshuman , Solomonides Christian , Witt Erik
Published: October 2019

This chapter on vascular emergencies contains eight clinical Short Answer Questions (SAQs) with explanations and sources for further reading. Possible disorders and accompanying symptoms of vascular origin that may present in the emergency department include pulmonary embolism, aortic dissection, ischaemia of the lower limbs, and arterial injury, among others. It will be up to the emergency doctor to assess, diagnose, and decide upon a treatment path for each patient. The cases described in this chapter are all situations any emergency doctor is likely to encounter at some point in his or her career. The material in this chapter will greatly aid revision for the Final FRCEM examination.
The globular cluster population of NGC 1052-DF2: evidence for rotation
Authors: Lewis Geraint F , Brewer Brendon J , Wan Zhen
Published: October 2019

Based upon the kinematics of 10 globular clusters, it has recently been claimed that the ultra-diffuse galaxy, NGC 1052-DF2, lacks a significant quantity of dark matter. Dynamical analyses have generally assumed that this galaxy is pressure supported, with the relatively small velocity dispersion of the globular cluster population indicating the deficit of dark matter. However, the presence of a significant rotation of the globular cluster population could substantially modify this conclusion. Here, we present the discovery of such a signature of rotation in the kinematics of NGC 1052-DF2’s globular clusters, with a velocity amplitude of ${\sim}12.44^{+4.40}_{-5.16}$ km s−1, which, through Bayesian model comparison, represents a marginally better fit to the available kinematic data; note that this rotation is distinct from, and approximately perpendicular to, the recently identified rotation of the stellar component of NGC 1052-DF2. Assuming this truly represents an underlying rotation, it is shown that the determined mass depends upon the inclination of the rotational component and, with a moderate inclination, the resultant mass-to-light ratio can exceed M/L ∼ 10.
Potent and sustained huntingtin lowering via AAV5 encoding miRNA preserves striatal volume and cognitive function in a humanized mouse model of Huntington disease
Authors: Caron Nicholas S , Southwell Amber L , Brouwers Cynthia C , Cengio Louisa Dal , Xie Yuanyun , Black Hailey Findlay , Anderson Lisa M , Ko Seunghyun , Zhu Xiang , van Deventer Sander J , Evers Melvin M , Konstantinova Pavlina , Hayden Michael R
Published: October 2019

Huntington disease (HD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by a pathogenic expansion of a CAG repeat in the huntingtin (HTT) gene. There are no disease-modifying therapies for HD. Artificial microRNAs targeting HTT transcripts for degradation have shown preclinical promise and will soon enter human clinical trials. Here, we examine the tolerability and efficacy of non-selective HTT lowering with an AAV5 encoded miRNA targeting human HTT (AAV5-miHTT) in the humanized Hu128/21 mouse model of HD. We show that intrastriatal administration of AAV5-miHTT results in potent and sustained HTT suppression for at least 7 months post-injection. Importantly, non-selective suppression of huntingtin was generally tolerated, however high dose AAV5-miHTT did induce astrogliosis. We observed an improvement of select behavioural and modest neuropathological HD-like phenotypes in Hu128/21 mice, suggesting a potential therapeutic benefit of miRNA-mediated non-selective HTT lowering. Finally, we also observed that potent reduction of wild type HTT (wtHTT) in Hu21 control mice was tolerated up to 7 months post-injection but may induce impairment of motor coordination and striatal atrophy. Taken together, our data suggests that in the context of HD, the therapeutic benefits of mHTT reduction may outweigh the potentially detrimental effects of wtHTT loss following non-selective HTT lowering.
Negotiating Damages and the Compensatory Principle
Authors: Senu Josias
Published: October 2019

The question of loss is central to the account of negotiating damages, namely whether it is correct to view the breach of a contractual right as a measurable loss to the claimant. The UK Supreme Court in One Step clarified the circumstances in which negotiating damages can be awarded. The decision aimed to explain that negotiating damages are compensatory in nature, but revealed several flaws in the Court’s reasoning. I draw on leading cases, including One Step, to show that negotiating damages can be plausibly explained by the compensatory principle. I explain that the loss suffered by the claimant is the ‘choice value’ of his infringed contractual right to performance, and that damages are awarded to the claimant equivalent to the value of his lost choice. If this new choice value approach I develop is correct, then negotiating damages can be understood as compensating the loss of the value of choice.
PUBLIC EXPOSURE TO EXTERNAL GAMMA RADIATION ON A MINE LANDFORM COVERED BY LOW URANIUM GRADE WASTE ROCK
Authors: Doering Che
Published: October 2019

Public exposure to external gamma radiation on the waste-rock-covered-8.5-km2-planned final landform from rehabilitation of the Ranger uranium mine was assessed. The average above-background dose rate from external gamma radiation on the planned final landform was determined to be 6.0 × 10−3 mSv d−1. This dose rate was one order of magnitude higher than that for inhalation of radon progeny and two orders of magnitude higher than that for inhalation of radionuclides in dust on the final landform. The above-background annual effective dose to the public from external gamma radiation when the envisioned land use by Aboriginal traditional owners was averaged over the entire 79 km2 Ranger Project Area was about 4.1 × 10−2 mSv. The results of this study may provide general guidance to sites elsewhere on the relative importance of the external gamma pathway and assist in the development or assessment of rehabilitation plans for uranium mining sites.
Warming waters beget smaller fish: evidence for reduced size and altered morphology in a desert fish following anthropogenic temperature change
Authors: Lema Sean C. , Bock Samantha L. , Malley Morgan M. , Elkins Emma A.
Published: October 2019

Poikilothermic organisms are predicted to show reduced body sizes as they experience warming environments under a changing global climate. Such a shrinking of size is expected under scenarios where rising temperatures increase cellular reaction rates and basal metabolic energy demands, therein requiring limited energy to be shifted from growth. Here, we provide evidence that the ecological changes associated with warming may not only lead to shrinking body size but also trigger shifts in morphology. We documented 33.4 and 39.0% declines in body mass and 7.2 and 7.6% reductions in length for males and females, respectively, in a wild population of Amargosa pupfish,
Cyprinodon nevadensis amargosae
, following an abrupt anthropogenically driven temperature increase. That reduction in size was accompanied by the partial or complete loss of paired pelvic fins in approximately 34% of the population, a morphological change concomitant with altered body dimensions including head size and body depth. These observations confirm that increasing temperatures can reduce body size under some ecological scenarios and highlight how human-induced environmental warming may also trigger morphological changes with potential relevance for fitness.
Rational time investment during collective decision making in
Temnothorax
ants
Authors: Sasaki Takao , Stott Benjamin , Pratt Stephen C.
Published: October 2019

The study of rational choice in humans and other animals typically focuses on decision outcomes, but rationality also applies to decision latencies, especially when time is scarce and valuable. For example, the smaller the difference in quality between two options, the faster a rational actor should decide between them. This is because the consequences of choosing the inferior option are less severe if the options are similar. Experiments have shown, however, that humans irrationally spend more time choosing between similar options. In this study, we assessed the rationality of time investment during nest-site choice by the rock ant,
Temnothorax albipennis
. Previous studies have shown that collective decision-making allows ant colonies to avoid certain irrational errors. Here we show that the same is true for time investment. Individual ants, like humans, irrationally took more time to complete an emigration when choosing between two similar nests than when choosing between two less similar nests. Whole colonies, by contrast, rationally made faster decisions when the options were more similar. We discuss the underlying mechanisms of decision-making in individuals and colonies and how they lead to irrational and rational time investment, respectively.
Prion-like spreading of Alzheimer’s disease within the brain’s connectome
Authors: Fornari Sveva , Schäfer Amelie , Jucker Mathias , Goriely Alain , Kuhl Ellen
Published: October 2019

The prion hypothesis states that misfolded proteins can act as infectious agents that template the misfolding and aggregation of healthy proteins to transmit a disease. Increasing evidence suggests that pathological proteins in neurodegenerative diseases adopt prion-like mechanisms and spread across the brain along anatomically connected networks. Local kinetic models of protein misfolding and global network models of protein spreading provide valuable insight into several aspects of prion-like diseases. Yet, to date, these models have not been combined to simulate how pathological proteins multiply and spread across the human brain. Here, we create an efficient and robust tool to simulate the spreading of misfolded protein using three classes of kinetic models, the Fisher–Kolmogorov model, the Heterodimer model and the Smoluchowski model. We discretize their governing equations using a human brain network model, which we represent as a weighted Laplacian graph generated from 418 brains from the Human Connectome Project. Its nodes represent the anatomic regions of interest and its edges are weighted by the mean fibre number divided by the mean fibre length between any two regions. We demonstrate that our brain network model can predict the histopathological patterns of Alzheimer’s disease and capture the key characteristic features of finite-element brain models at a fraction of their computational cost: simulating the spatio-temporal evolution of aggregate size distributions across the human brain throughout a period of 40 years takes less than 7 s on a standard laptop computer. Our model has the potential to predict biomarker curves, aggregate size distributions, infection times, and the effects of therapeutic strategies including reduced production and increased clearance of misfolded protein.
The Qinghai–Tibet Plateau: pilot site for international collaboration in geoscience during China's early period of reform and opening-up
Authors: Zhang Jiuchen , Zhang Jingfei
Published: October 2019

In 1978, China ended a decade-long ‘Cultural Revolution’ and began its Reform and Opening-up process. At the same time, China's scientific community also ended its long-term closed state and began to seek ways to integrate into the world. In this study, we take the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau as a pilot site to illustrate the international geoscience collaboration during this time. We first introduce the International Symposium on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, the delegation from the United States and the collaboration between China and France on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Then we examine the successful cooperation between the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society of London by focusing on their interactions in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau Project in detail, on the basis of the archives of these two organizations. Since national policies and systems lagged behind the pace of international cooperation then, there were contradictions between national policies and the needs of specific research projects. We attempt to understand the flexible manner in which Chinese scholars solved these contradictions. We will also explore some of the reasons and contextual factors that shaped such Sino–foreign scientific exchanges early in the Reform era. This study also reflects the opportunities and challenges faced by China's scientific community during the process of social transformation.
Assessing the recovery of an Antarctic predator from historical exploitation
Authors: Zerbini Alexandre N. , Adams Grant , Best John , Clapham Phillip J. , Jackson Jennifer A. , Punt Andre E.
Published: October 2019

The recovery of whale populations from centuries of exploitation will have important management and ecological implications due to greater exposure to anthropogenic activities and increasing prey consumption. Here, a Bayesian population model integrates catch data, estimates of abundance, and information on genetics and biology to assess the recovery of western South Atlantic (WSA) humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). Modelling scenarios evaluated the sensitivity of model outputs resulting from the use of different data, different model assumptions and uncertainty in catch allocation and in accounting for whales killed but not landed. A long period of exploitation drove WSA humpback whales to the brink of extinction. They declined from nearly 27 000 (95% PI = 22 800–33 000) individuals in 1830 to only 450 (95% PI = 200–1400) whales in the mid-1950s. Protection led to a strong recovery and the current population is estimated to be at 93% (95% PI = 73–100%) of its pre-exploitation size. The recovery of WSA humpback whales may result in large removals of their primary prey, the Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), and has the potential to modify the community structure in their feeding grounds. Continued monitoring is needed to understand how these whales will respond to modern threats and to climate-driven changes to their habitats.
Exponential model for analysis of heart rate responses and autonomic cardiac modulation during different intensities of physical exercise
Authors: Silva Lucas Raphael Bento , Gentil Paulo Roberto Viana , Beltrame Thomas , Basso Filho Marco Antônio , Alves Fagner Medeiros , Silva Maria Sebastiana , Pedrino Gustavo Rodrigues , Ramirez-Campillo Rodrigo , Coswig Victor , Rebelo Ana Cristina Silva
Published: October 2019

The aim of this study was to compare the heart rate (HR) dynamics and variability before and after high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) protocols with workloads based on treadmill workload at which maximal oxygen uptake was achieved

(
WL

V
˙

O
2

max
)

. Ten participants performed cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) to obtain oxygen uptake

(
WL

V
˙

O
2

max
)

. All training protocols were performed on a treadmill, with 0% grade, and had similar total distance. The MICT was composed by 21 min at 70% of

WL

V
˙

O
2

max

. The first HIIT protocol (HIIT-30 : 30) was composed by 29 repetitions of 30 s at 100% of

s

V
˙

O
2

max

and the second HIIT protocol (HIIT-4 : 3) was composed by three repetitions of 4 min at 90% of

WL

V
˙

O
2

max

. Before, during and after each training protocol, HR dynamics and variability (HRV) were analysed by standard kinetics and linear (time and frequency domains). The repeated measures analysis of variance indicated that the HR dynamics, which characterizes the speed of HR during the rest to exercise transition, was statistically (
p
< 0.05) slower during MICT in comparison to both HIIT protocols. The HRV analysis, which characterizes the cardiac autonomic modulation during the exercise recovery, was statistically higher in HIIT-4 : 3 in comparison to MICT and HIIT-30 : 30 protocols (
p
< 0.005 and
p
= 0.012, respectively), suggesting that the HIIT-4 : 3 induced higher sympathetic and lower parasympathetic modulation during exercise in comparison to the other training protocols. In conclusion, HIIT-4 : 3 demonstrated post-exercise sympathetic hyperactivity and a higher HRpeak, while the HIIT-30 : 30 and MICT resulted in better HRV and HR in the exercise-recovery transition. The cardiac autonomic balance increased in HIIT-30 : 30 while HIIT-4 : 3 induced sympathetic hyperactivity and cardiac overload.
Hydrodynamics of metachronal paddling: effects of varying Reynolds number and phase lag
Authors: Ford Mitchell P. , Lai Hong Kuan , Samaee Milad , Santhanakrishnan Arvind
Published: October 2019

Negatively buoyant freely swimming crustaceans such as krill must generate downward momentum in order to maintain their position in the water column. These animals use a drag-based propulsion strategy, where pairs of closely spaced swimming limbs are oscillated rhythmically from the tail to head. Each pair is oscillated with a phase delay relative to the neighbouring pair, resulting in a metachronal wave travelling in the direction of animal motion. It remains unclear how oscillations of limbs in the horizontal plane can generate vertical momentum. Using particle image velocimetry measurements on a robotic model, we observed that metachronal paddling with non-zero phase lag created geometries of adjacent paddles that promote the formation of counter-rotating vortices. The interaction of these vortices resulted in generating large-scale angled downward jets. Increasing phase lag resulted in more vertical orientation of the jet, and phase lags in the range used by Antarctic krill produced the most total momentum. Synchronous paddling produced lower total momentum when compared with metachronal paddling. Lowering Reynolds number by an order of magnitude below the range of adult krill (250–1000) showed diminished downward propagation of the jet and lower vertical momentum. Our findings show that metachronal paddling is capable of producing flows that can generate both lift (vertical) and thrust (horizontal) forces needed for fast forward swimming and hovering.
On an integrable multi-dimensionally consistent 2
n
+ 2
n
-dimensional heavenly-type equation
Authors: Konopelchenko B. G. , Schief W. K.
Published: October 2019

Based on the commutativity of scalar vector fields, an algebraic scheme is developed which leads to a privileged multi-dimensionally consistent 2
n
 + 2
n
-dimensional integrable partial differential equation with the associated eigenfunction constituting an infinitesimal symmetry. The ‘universal’ character of this novel equation of vanishing Pfaffian type is demonstrated by retrieving and generalizing to higher dimensions a great variety of well-known integrable equations such as the dispersionless Kadomtsev–Petviashvili and Hirota equations and various avatars of the heavenly equation governing self-dual Einstein spaces.
Onsager's conjecture in bounded domains for the conservation of entropy and other companion laws
Authors: Bardos C. , Gwiazda P. , Świerczewska-Gwiazda A. , Titi E. S. , Wiedemann E.
Published: October 2019

We show that weak solutions of general conservation laws in bounded domains conserve their generalized entropy, and other respective companion laws, if they possess a certain fractional differentiability of order one-third in the interior of the domain, and if the normal component of the corresponding fluxes tend to zero as one approaches the boundary. This extends various recent results of the authors.
Differential female sociality is linked with the fine-scale structure of sexual interactions in replicate groups of red junglefowl,
Gallus gallus
Authors: McDonald Grant C. , Spurgin Lewis G. , Fairfield Eleanor A. , Richardson David S. , Pizzari Tommaso
Published: October 2019

Recent work indicates that social structure has extensive implications for patterns of sexual selection and sexual conflict. However, little is known about the individual variation in social behaviours linking social structure to sexual interactions. Here, we use network analysis of replicate polygynandrous groups of red junglefowl (
Gallus gallus
) to show that the association between social structure and sexual interactions is underpinned by differential female sociality. Sexual dynamics are largely explained by a core group of highly social, younger females, which are more fecund and more polyandrous, and thus associated with more intense postcopulatory competition for males. By contrast, less fecund females from older cohorts, which tend to be socially dominant, avoid male sexual attention by clustering together and perching on branches, and preferentially reproduce with dominant males by more exclusively associating and mating with them. Collectively, these results indicate that individual females occupy subtly different social niches and demonstrate that female sociality can be an important factor underpinning the landscape of intrasexual competition and the emergent structure of animal societies.
Genomic differences among carriage and invasive nontypeable pneumococci circulating in South Africa
Authors: Mohale Thabo , Wolter Nicole , Allam Mushal , Nzenze Susan A. , Madhi Shabir A. , du Plessis Mignon , von Gottberg Anne
Published: October 2019

Most pneumococci express a polysaccharide capsule, a key virulence factor and target for pneumococcal vaccines. However, pneumococci showing no serological evidence of capsule expression [nontypeable pneumococci (NTPn)] are more frequently isolated from carriage studies than in invasive disease. Limited data exist about the population structure of carriage NTPn from the African continent. We aimed to characterize carriage NTPn and compare them to previously described invasive NTPn. Carriage and invasive NTPn isolates were obtained from South African cross-sectional studies (2009 and 2012) and laboratory-based surveillance for invasive pneumococcal disease (2003–2013), respectively. Isolates were characterized by capsular locus sequence analysis, multilocus sequence typing, antimicrobial non-susceptibility patterns and phylogenetic analysis. NTPn represented 3.7 % (137/3721) of carriage isolates compared to 0.1 % (39/32 824) of invasive isolates (P<0.001), and 24 % (33/137) of individuals were co-colonized with encapsulated pneumococci. Non-susceptibility to cotrimoxazole [84 % (112/133) vs 44 % (17/39)], penicillin [77 % (102/133) vs 36 % (14/39)], erythromycin [53 % (70/133) vs 31 % (12/39)] and clindamycin [36 % (48/133) vs 18 % (7/39)] was higher (P=0.03) among carriage than invasive NTPn. Ninety-one per cent (124/137) of carriage NTPn had complete deletion of the capsular locus and 9 % (13/137) had capsule genes, compared to 44 % (17/39) and 56 % (22/39) of invasive NTPn, respectively. Carriage NTPn were slightly less diverse [Simpson’s diversity index (D)=0.92] compared to invasive NTPn [D=0.97]. Sixty-seven per cent (92/137) of carriage NTPn belonged to a lineage exclusive to NTPn strains compared to 23 % (9/39) of invasive NTPn. We identified 293 and 275 genes that were significantly associated with carriage and invasive NTPn, respectively. NTPn isolates detected in carriage differed from those causing invasive disease, which may explain their success in colonisation or in causing invasive disease.
Analysis of the FBXO7 promoter reveals overlapping Pax5 and c-Myb binding sites functioning in B cells
Authors: Randle Suzanne , Laman Heike
Published: October 2019

Fbxo7 is a key player in the differentiation and function of numerous blood cell types, and in neurons, oligodendrocytes and spermatocytes. In an effort to gain insight into the physiological and pathological settings where Fbxo7 is likely to play a key role, we sought to define the transcription factors which direct FBXO7 expression. Using sequence alignments across 28 species, we defined the human FBXO7 promoter and found that it contains two conserved regions enriched for multiple transcription factor binding sites. Many of these have roles in either neuronal or haematopoietic development. Using various FBXO7 promoter reporters, we found ELF4, Pax5 and c-Myb have functional binding sites that activate transcription. Overlap of Pax5 and c-Myb binding sites suggest that these factors bind cooperatively to transactivate the FBXO7 promoter. Although endogenous Pax5 is bound to the FBXO7 promoter in B cells, c-Myb is also required for FBXO7 expression. Our data suggest the interplay of multiple transcription factors regulate the FBXO7 promoter.
Scientific societies advancing STEM workforce diversity: Lessons and Outcomes from the Minorities Affairs Committee of the American Society for Cell Biology
Authors: Segarra Verónica A. , Blatch Sydella , Boyce Michael , Carrero-Martinez Franklin , Aguilera Renato J. , Leibowitz Michael J. , Zavala MariaElena , Hammonds-Odie Latanya , Edwards Ashanti
Published: October 2019

Promoting diversity and inclusiveness in the STEM academic workforce remains a key challenge and national priority. Scientific societies can play a significant role in this process through the creation and implementation of programs to foster STEM academic workforce diversification, and by providing mentoring and skills development training that empower scientists from under-represented minority (URM) backgrounds to succeed in their communities of practice. In this article, we provide examples of challenges met by scientific societies in these areas and present data from the American Society for Cell Biology, highlighting the benefits received by trainees through long-term engagement with its programs. The success of these initiatives illustrates the impact of discipline-specific programming by scientific societies in supporting the development of URM scientists and an increasingly diverse and inclusive academic STEM community.
Astrocyte-selective AAV-ADAMTS4 gene therapy combined with hindlimb rehabilitation promotes functional recovery after spinal cord injury
Authors: Griffin Jarred M. , Fackelmeier Barbara , Clemett Connor A. , Fong Dahna M. , Mouravlev Alexandre , Young Deborah , O’Carroll Simon J.
Published: October 2019

Chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs) are inhibitors to axon regeneration and plasticity. Bacterial chondroitinase ABC degrades CSPGs and has been extensively reported to be therapeutic after SCI but there remain concerns for its clinical translation. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-4 (ADAMTS4) is a human enzyme that catalyses the proteolysis of CSPG protein cores. Infusion of ADAMTS4 into the damaged spinal cord was previously shown to improve functional recovery after SCI, however, this therapy is limited in its enzyme form. Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector gene therapy has emerged as the vector of choice for safe, robust and long-term transgene expression in the central nervous system. Here, an AAV expression cassette containing ADAMTS4 under the control of the astrocytic GfaABC1D promoter was packaged into an AAV5 vector. Sustained expression of ADAMTS4 was achieved in vitro and in vivo, leading to widespread degradation of CSPGs. AAV-ADAMTS4 resulted in significantly decreased lesion size, increased sprouting of hindlimb corticospinal tract axons, increased serotonergic fiber density caudal to the injury, and improved functional recovery after moderate contusive SCI. Hindlimb-specific exercise rehabilitation was used to drive neuroplasticity towards improving functional connections. The combination of hindlimb rehabilitation with AAV-ADAMTS4 led to enhanced functional recovery after SCI. Thus, widespread and long-term degradation of CSPGs through AAV-ADAMTS4 gene therapy in a combinational approach with rehabilitation represents a promising candidate for further preclinical development.
Parallel evolution of multiple mechanisms for demethylase inhibitor fungicide resistance in the barley pathogenPyrenophora teresf. sp.maculata
Authors: Mair Wesley J. , Thomas Geoffrey J. , Dodhia Kejal , Hills Andrea L. , Jayasena Kithsiri W. , Ellwood Simon R. , Oliver Richard P. , Lopez-Ruiz Francisco J.
Published: October 2019

The demethylase inhibitor (DMI) or group 3 fungicides are the most important class of compounds for the control both of plant and human fungal pathogens. The necrotrophic fungal pathogenPyrenophora teresf. sp.maculata(Ptm), responsible for spot form of net blotch (SFNB), is currently the most significant disease of barley in Australia, and a disease of increasing concern worldwide. The main basis for management of SFNB is by fungicide application, and in Australia the DMIs predominate. Although reduced sensitivity to DMI fungicides has recently been described in the closely related pathogenP. teresf. sp.teres(Ptt), the mechanisms of DMI resistance have not thus far been described forPtm. In this study, several different levels of sensitivity to DMI fungicides were identified in Western Australian strains ofPtmfrom 2016 onwards, and reduced sensitivity phenotypes were correlated with a number of distinct mutations in both the promoter region and coding sequence of the DMI target gene encoding cytochrome P450 sterol 14α-demethylase (Cyp51A). Five insertions elements of 134-base pairs in length were found at different positions within the upstream regulatory region ofCyp51Ain both highly DMI-resistant (HR) and select moderately DMI-resistant (MR1)Ptmisolates. The five insertion elements had at least 95% sequence identity and were determined to be Solo-LTR (Long Terminal Repeat) elements, all deriving fromTy1/Copia-family LTR Retrotransposons. The 134-bp elements contained a predicted promoter sequence and several predicted transcription factor binding sites, and the presence of an insertion element was correlated with constitutive overexpression ofCyp51A. The substitution of phenylalanine by leucine at position 489 of the predicted amino acid sequence of CYP51A was found in both HR and select moderately DMI-resistant (MR2)Ptmisolates. The same F489L amino acid substitution has been previously reported in Western Australian strains ofPtt, where it has also been associated with reduced sensitivity to DMI fungicides. InPtm, the F489L amino acid change was associated with either of three different single nucleotide polymorphisms in codon 489. This suggests that, in contrast toPtt, inPtmthe F489L mutation has emerged as a result of three distinct mutational events. Moderately DMI-resistant isolates had one or the other of the F489L substitution or a promoter insertion mutation, whereas highly DMI-resistant isolates were found to have combinations of both mechanisms together. Therefore, multiple mechanisms acting both alone and in concert were found to contribute to the observed phenomena of DMI fungicide resistance inPtm. Moreover, these mutations have apparently emerged repeatedly and independently in Western AustralianPtmpopulations, by a process of convergent or parallel evolution.
CLICK-enabled analogues reveal pregnenolone interactomes in cancer and immune cells
Authors: Roy Sougata , Sipthorp James , Mahata Bidesh , Pramanik Jhuma , Hennrich Marco L. , Gavin Anne-Claude , Ley Steven V. , Teichmann Sarah A.
Published: October 2019

Pregnenolone (P5) promotes prostate cancer cell growth, and de novo synthesis of intratumoural P5 is a potential cause of development of castration-resistance. Immune cells can also synthesize P5 de novo. Despite its biological importance, little is known about P5’s mode of actions, which appears to be context-dependent and pleiotropic. A comprehensive proteome-wide spectrum of P5-binding proteins that are involved in its trafficking and functionality remains unknown. Here, we describe an approach that integrates chemical biology for probe synthesis with chemoproteomics to map P5-protein interactions in live prostate cancer cells and murine CD8+ T cells. We subsequently identified P5-binding proteins potentially involved in P5-trafficking, and in P5’s non-genomic action that may drive the promotion of castrate-resistance prostate cancer and regulate CD8+ T cell function. We envisage that this methodology could be employed for other steroids to map their interactomes directly in a broad range of living cells, tissues and organisms.
The two extinctions of the Carolina parakeet
Authors: Burgio Kevin R. , Carlson Colin J. , Bond Alexander L. , Rubega Margaret A. , Tingley Morgan W.
Published: October 2019

Due to climate change and habitat conversion, estimates of the number of species extinctions over the next century are alarming. Coming up with solutions for conservation will require many different approaches, including exploring the extinction processes of recently extinct species. Given that parrots are the most threatened group of birds, information regarding parrot extinction is especially pressing. While most recent parrot extinctions have been island endemics, the Carolina parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis) had an 18th-century range covering nearly half of the present-day United States, despite which, they went extinct in the 20th century. The major cause of their extinction remains unknown. As a first step to determining what caused their extinction, we used a newly published, extensive dataset of Carolina parakeet observations combined with a Bayesian extinction estimating model to determine the most likely date of their extinction. By considering each of the two subspecies independently, we found that they went extinct ~30 years apart: the western subspecies (C. c. ludovicianus) around 1914 and the eastern subspecies (C. c. carolinensis) either in the late 1930s or mid-1940s. Had we only considered all observations together, this pattern would have been obscured, missing a major clue to the Carolina parakeet’s extinction. Since the Carolina parakeet was a wide-ranging species that went extinct during a period of rapid agricultural and industrial expansion, conditions that mirror those presently occurring in many parts of the world where parrot diversity is highest, any lessons we can glean from their disappearance may be vital to modern parrot conservation efforts.