bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regional characteristics of flash droughts across the United States
Authors: Christian Jordan I , Basara Jeffrey B , Otkin Jason A , Hunt Eric D
Published: October 2019

Rapid intensification toward drought, also known as flash drought, is a subseasonal feature of the climate system whereby the persistence of extreme atmospheric anomalies for several weeks can quickly deplete soil moisture and dramatically increase evaporative stress on the environment. These events can lead to significant impacts on agricultural production during the growing season. This study performs a climatological regional analysis across the United States to explore geographic differences that exist in the rapid onset and development of drought. The Standardized Evaporative Stress Ratio (SESR) is applied to a reanalysis dataset to quantify regional flash drought characteristics across nine climate regions in the United States. May and June had a higher frequency of flash drought events in the western United States, while a climatological peak in flash drought frequency was found in July and August for the eastern United States. For all climate regions, flash drought intensity was found to increase throughout the beginning of the growing season, then decrease in the latter portion of the growing season. Analysis of preceding moisture conditions revealed that antecedent dry conditions increased flash drought risk for all regions. Lastly, less than half of all flash droughts persisted to hydrological drought across the United States.
Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Woji Creek, in the Niger Delta
Authors: Ihunwo Owhonda Chikeru , Shahabinia Amir Reza , Udo Kufre Solomon , Bonnail Estefanía , Onyema Mark Obinna , Dibofori-Orji Amalo Ndu , Mmom Prince Chinedu
Published: October 2019

This is the first study related to PAHs distribution in the Woji Creek (Nigeria), that points out potential contaminant sources. The study involved sampling of water and sediment from five stations along the creek monthly (from August to October in 2018). Samples collected were analysed for the concentration of sixteen Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) using an Agilent 7890B Gas Chromatograph (GC-MS). Eleven (11) PAHs were identified in the water samples with five (5) below detectable limits (Naphthalene, Phenanthrene, Pyrene, Indeno (1, 2, 3, -cd) pyrene and Benzo [(g), (h), (i)] perylene). Results from the surface water showed that in the month of September, the concentration ranged from 6.029 ppm in S4 to 28.331 ppm in S5. October recorded a PAHs concentration ranging between 6.094 ppm at S1 and 29.257 ppm at S5. In the sediment highest concentration of PAHs was recorded in S5; 1809.08 ppm in August, 1810.05 ppm in September and 1821.5 ppm in October. The concentrations of PAHs in sediment were significantly greater than those in the water. In both sediment and water samples, the highest concentrations of total PAHs were recorded in station 5 and the lowest in station 4. The composition of PAH in water identified the dominance of 2 and 3 rings (Low Molecular Weight (LMW) PAHs) over 4, 5 and 6 rings (High Molecular Weight (HMW) PAHs). In the sediment samples analysed, LMW PAHs (2–3 rings) made up about 30% of the composition, while HMW PAHs (4–6 rings) made up about 70% of PAHs member groups. Cross plots showed that the PAHs could have come from petroleum and combustion.
Effect of topological imperfections on the electro‐mechanical properties of structured piezoelectric particulate composites
Authors: van Kempen S E , Khanbareh H , Groen Pim , Hol J M A M , van der Zwaag S
Published: October 2019

A novel method based on the Virtual Particle Mori–Tanaka (VPMT) is developed to predict the effective electro‐elastic properties, d
33 and g
33, of structured piezoelectric particulate composites with improved accuracy by means of a single parameter related to the spatial distribution of imperfectly aligned rod‐like PZT particles. The VPMT method is found to have excellent prediction capabilities for idealized particle configurations. Several new correction functions are presented to capture the drop in piezoelectric composite’s electro‐elastic properties as a function of topological imperfections. These imperfections are related to longitudinal and lateral inter‐particle spacings and the topology of the chain like structures themselves. The functions are evaluated in detail and show physically consistent behaviour.
Psychopathy: A Very Short Introduction
Authors: Viding Essi
Published: October 2019

Psychopathy is a personality disorder that has long captured the public imagination, but there is often a very limited understanding of the condition. For example, people commonly assume that psychopaths are sadistic serial killers or that all violent and antisocial individuals are psychopaths. Yet, research shows that this is not the case. Psychopathy: A Very Short Introduction gives an overview of how we can identify individuals with or at risk of developing psychopathy, and how they differ from other people who display antisocial behaviour. It also explores the latest scientific evidence in order to illuminate why psychopaths behave and develop the way they do, and considers whether it is possible to prevent or even treat psychopathy.
Domain-specific introduction to machine learning terminology, pitfalls and opportunities in CRISPR-based gene editing
Authors: O’Brien Aidan R , Burgio Gaetan , Bauer Denis C
Published: October 2019

The use of machine learning (ML) has become prevalent in the genome engineering space, with applications ranging from predicting target site efficiency to forecasting the outcome of repair events. However, jargon and ML-specific accuracy measures have made it hard to assess the validity of individual approaches, potentially leading to misinterpretation of ML results. This review aims to close the gap by discussing ML approaches and pitfalls in the context of CRISPR gene-editing applications. Specifically, we address common considerations, such as algorithm choice, as well as problems, such as overestimating accuracy and data interoperability, by providing tangible examples from the genome-engineering domain. Equipping researchers with the knowledge to effectively use ML to better design gene-editing experiments and predict experimental outcomes will help advance the field more rapidly.
Kalign 3: multiple sequence alignment of large datasets
Authors: Lassmann Timo
Published: October 2019

Motivation

Kalign is an efficient multiple sequence alignment (MSA) program capable of aligning thousands of protein or nucleotide sequences. However, current alignment problems involving large numbers of sequences are exceeding Kalign’s original design specifications. Here we present a completely re-written and updated version to meet current and future alignment challenges.

Results

Kalign now uses a SIMD (single instruction, multiple data) accelerated version of the bit-parallel Gene Myers algorithm to estimate pairwise distances, adopts a sequence embedding strategy and the bi-secting K-means algorithm to rapidly construct guide trees for thousands of sequences. The new version maintains high alignment accuracy on both protein and nucleotide alignments and scales better than other MSA tools.

Availability and implementation

The source code of Kalign and code to reproduce the results are found here: https://github.com/timolassmann/kalign.
A conditional density estimation partition model using logistic Gaussian processes
Authors: Payne R D , Guha N , Ding Y , Mallick B K
Published: October 2019

Conditional density estimation seeks to model the distribution of a response variable conditional on covariates. We propose a Bayesian partition model using logistic Gaussian processes to perform conditional density estimation. The partition takes the form of a Voronoi tessellation and is learned from the data using a reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm. The methodology models data in which the density changes sharply throughout the covariate space, and can be used to determine where important changes in the density occur. The Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm involves a Laplace approximation on the latent variables of the logistic Gaussian process model which marginalizes the parameters in each partition element, allowing an efficient search of the approximate posterior distribution of the tessellation. The method is consistent when the density is piecewise constant in the covariate space or when the density is Lipschitz continuous with respect to the covariates. In simulation and application to wind turbine data, the model successfully estimates the partition structure and conditional distribution.
Conscientious Objection in Social Work and Healthcare: A Philosophical Analysis
Authors: Cowley Christopher
Published: October 2019

Healthcare and social work would seem to have a lot in common. Both of them involve professional care, even if the methods and the targeted needs are different. However, they differ strikingly in the place accorded to conscientious objection (CO). The right of healthcare professionals to refuse to perform or authorise certain lawful services is well protected by the law of most Western jurisdictions. In addition, these conscience rights have been subject to a good deal of discussion in the medical ethics and medical law literature. In contrast, there seems to be very little scope for CO among social workers and very little discussion about CO in the social work literature. I examine the possible reasons for this difference, and then investigate the sort of things that a social worker might plausibly object to. In the end, I defend the position that social workers should not be permitted to express a CO, although I accept that they have other avenues for expressing legitimate dissent.
Liver abscess: diagnostic and management issues found in the low resource setting
Authors: Khim Gaetan , Em Sokhom , Mo Satdin , Townell Nicola
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Liver abscesses are mainly caused by parasitic or bacterial infection and are an important cause of hospitalization in low-middle income countries (LMIC). The pathophysiology of abscesses is different depending on the etiology and requires different strategies for diagnosis and management. This paper discusses pathophysiology and epidemiology, the current diagnostic approach and its limitations and management of liver abscess in low resource settings.

Sources of data

We searched PubMed for relevant reviews by typing the following keywords: ‘amoebic liver abscess’ and ‘pyogenic liver abscess’.

Areas of agreement

Amoebic liver abscess can be treated medically while pyogenic liver abscess usually needs to be percutaneously drained and treated with effective antibiotics.

Areas of controversy

In an LMIC setting, where misuse of antibiotics is a recognized issue, liver abscesses are a therapeutic conundrum, leaving little choices for treatment for physicians in low capacity settings.

Growing points

As antimicrobial resistance awareness and antibiotic stewardship programs are put into place, liver abscess management will likely improve in LMICs provided that systematic adapted guidelines are established and practiced.

Areas timely for developing research

The lack of a quick and reliable diagnostic strategy in the majority of LMIC makes selection of appropriate treatment challenging.
Impaired Fixation-Related Theta Modulation Predicts Reduced Visual Span and Guided Search Deficits in Schizophrenia
Authors: Dias Elisa C , Van Voorhis Abraham C , Braga Filipe , Todd Julianne , Lopez-Calderon Javier , Martinez Antigona , Javitt Daniel C
Published: October 2019

During normal visual behavior, individuals scan the environment through a series of saccades and fixations. At each fixation, the phase of ongoing rhythmic neural oscillations is reset, thereby increasing efficiency of subsequent visual processing. This phase-reset is reflected in the generation of a fixation-related potential (FRP). Here, we evaluate the integrity of theta phase-reset/FRP generation and Guided Visual Search task in schizophrenia. Subjects performed serial and parallel versions of the task. An initial study (15 healthy controls (HC)/15 schizophrenia patients (SCZ)) investigated behavioral performance parametrically across stimulus features and set-sizes. A subsequent study (25-HC/25-SCZ) evaluated integrity of search-related FRP generation relative to search performance and evaluated visual span size as an index of parafoveal processing. Search times were significantly increased for patients versus controls across all conditions. Furthermore, significantly, deficits were observed for fixation-related theta phase-reset across conditions, that fully predicted impaired reduced visual span and search performance and correlated with impaired visual components of neurocognitive processing. By contrast, overall search strategy was similar between groups. Deficits in theta phase-reset mechanisms are increasingly documented across sensory modalities in schizophrenia. Here, we demonstrate that deficits in fixation-related theta phase-reset during naturalistic visual processing underlie impaired efficiency of early visual function in schizophrenia.
Model-Based Meta-analysis of Rifampicin Exposure and Mortality in Indonesian Tuberculous Meningitis Trials
Authors: Svensson Elin M , Dian Sofiati , Te Brake Lindsey , Ganiem Ahmad Rizal , Yunivita Vycke , van Laarhoven Arjan , Van Crevel Reinout , Ruslami Rovina , Aarnoutse Rob E
Published: October 2019

Background

Intensified antimicrobial treatment with higher rifampicin doses may improve outcome of tuberculous meningitis, but the desirable exposure and necessary dose are unknown. Our objective was to characterize the relationship between rifampicin exposures and mortality in order to identify optimal dosing for tuberculous meningitis.

Methods

An individual patient meta-analysis was performed on data from 3 Indonesian randomized controlled phase 2 trials comparing oral rifampicin 450 mg (~10 mg/kg) to intensified regimens including 750–1350 mg orally, or a 600-mg intravenous infusion. Pharmacokinetic data from plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were analyzed with nonlinear mixed-effects modeling. Six-month survival was described with parametric time-to-event models.

Results

Pharmacokinetic analyses included 133 individuals (1150 concentration measurements, 170 from CSF). The final model featured 2 disposition compartments, saturable clearance, and autoinduction. Rifampicin CSF concentrations were described by a partition coefficient (5.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.5%–6.4%) and half-life for distribution plasma to CSF (2.1 hours; 95% CI, 1.3–2.9 hours). Higher CSF protein concentration increased the partition coefficient. Survival of 148 individuals (58 died, 15 dropouts) was well described by an exponentially declining hazard, with lower age, higher baseline Glasgow Coma Scale score, and higher individual rifampicin plasma exposure reducing the hazard. Simulations predicted an increase in 6-month survival from approximately 50% to approximately 70% upon increasing the oral rifampicin dose from 10 to 30 mg/kg, and predicted that even higher doses would further improve survival.

Conclusions

Higher rifampicin exposure substantially decreased the risk of death, and the maximal effect was not reached within the studied range. We suggest a rifampicin dose of at least 30 mg/kg to be investigated in phase 3 clinical trials.
Treatment of severe aortic stenosis and left ventricular outflow tract mass with transcutaneous aortic valve implantation: a case report
Authors: Naeim Hesham A , Saeed Waleed , Alharbi Ibraheem , Abuelatta Reda
Published: October 2019

Background

Percutaneous implantation of aortic valve for severe aortic stenosis (AS) in the presence of pedunculated mobile left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) mass not reported before. In this case report, we address the feasibility of this procedure.

Case summary

An 80-year-old patient who presented with presyncope, transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE), and transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) revealed severe calcific AS and LVOT mass measuring 2.1*1.5 cm. The patient was turned down for surgery. It was decided that transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) be performed because the valve compresses the mass against the proximal part of the interventricular septum. The mass peduncle was 1.4 cm, and it was 4 mm away from the annulus. This meant the valve was needed to be deployed 18 mm below the annulus to cover the mass completely. Gentle manipulation and direct valve deployment without preballoon dilation to decrease the possibility of fragment embolization were necessary. Self-expandable core valve deployed as low as possible, after initial deployment, the distance of LVOT covered by the valve measured by TOE 1.66 cm, the whole mass was covered, then the valve was fully deployed. The patient was extubated in the catheterization room; there was no clinical evidence of embolization. The patient was discharged home after 2 days. A follow-up TTE after 6 months showed a well-functioning valve and the LVOT mass then disappeared.

Discussion

Pedunculated LVOT mass should be resected surgically. In high-risk surgical patients, direct TAVI to compress the mass is feasible in experienced canters. The safety issues need more research and more cases to judge. Transoesophageal echocardiography during the procedure is mandatory to guide the valve position.
An efficient algorithm based on electrograms characteristics to identify ventricular tachycardia isthmus entrance in post-infarct patients
Authors: Battaglia Alberto , Odille Freddy , Magnin-Poull Isabelle , Sellal Jean-Marc , Hoyland Philip , Hooks Darren , Voilliot Damien , Felblinger Jacques , de Chillou Christian
Published: October 2019

Aims

Our study assesses the value of electrograms (EGMs) characteristics to identify a ventricular tachycardia (VT) isthmus entrance in patients with post-infarct VT. Post-infarct VTs are mostly due to a re-entrant circuit. A pacemapping (PM) approach is able to localize the VT isthmus during sinus rhythm. Limited data are available about the role of local EGMs in defining VT isthmus location.

Methods and results

Twenty consecutive patients (70% male) referred for post-infarct VT catheter ablation were included in the present study. The VT isthmus was defined according to the PM method. At each recording site, 10 characteristics of the local EGM were assessed to predict the location of the VT isthmus entrance. In total, 924 EGMs were acquired, of which 127 were located in the VT isthmus entrance. Logistic regression analysis showed that bipolar voltage, number of EGM positive peaks, and sQRS interval were independently associated with VT isthmus entrance location. The ROC curve best fitted the model at the cut-off 0.1641 (sensitivity 72%, specificity 75.2%, positive predictive value 31.3%, negative predictive value 94.4%, area under the curve 0.78, P < 0.001). Based upon these results, we developed an algorithm implemented in an automatic calculator to determine the likelihood that an EGM is located at a VT isthmus entrance.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that three EGM characteristics: bipolar voltage, number of positive peaks, and sQRS interval can successfully identify a VT isthmus entrance in post-infarct patients.
Green infrastructure and atmospheric pollution shape diversity and composition of phyllosphere bacterial communities in an urban landscape
Authors: Wuyts Karen , Smets Wenke , Lebeer Sarah , Samson Roeland
Published: October 2019

The microbial habitat on leaf surfaces, also called the phyllosphere, is a selective environment for bacteria, harbouring specific phyllosphere bacterial communities (PBCs). These communities influence plant health, plant-community diversity, ecosystem functioning and ecosystem services. Host plants in an urban environment accommodate different PBCs than those in non-urban environments, but previous studies did not address individual urban factors. In this study, the PBC composition and diversity of 55 London plane (Platanus x acerifolia) trees throughout an urban landscape (Antwerp, Belgium) was determined using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. An increasing proportion of green infrastructure in the surrounding of the trees, and subsequently decreasing proportion of anthropogenic land use, was linked with taxa loss, expressed in lower phyllosphere alpha diversity and higher abundances of typical phyllosphere bacteria such as Hymenobacter, Pseudomonas and Beijerinckia. Although air pollution exposure, as assessed by leaf magnetic analysis, did not link with alpha diversity, it correlated with shifts in PBC composition in form of turnover, an equilibrium of taxa gain and taxa loss. We found that both urban landscape composition and air pollution exposure—each in their own unique way—influence bacterial communities in the urban tree phyllosphere.
A European questionnaire-based study on population awareness and risk perception of antimicrobial resistance
Authors: Alexa (Oniciuc) Elena-Alexandra , Likotrafiti Eleni , Garre Alberto , Ruiz Lorena , Prieto Miguel , Alvarez-Ordóñez Avelino
Published: October 2019

To tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is of outmost importance for the general population to understand the severity and the relevance of different routes of transmission. Respondents of different age groups, educational and occupational backgrounds, area of living, diet and household composition participated in an online survey with questions concerning socio-demographics, personal use of antibiotics, awareness, general knowledge, sources of information, behavior and attitude toward antibiotics, and risk perception on antibiotics and AMR. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were carried out. A total of 1252 respondents, mainly from EU, participated in the survey. About 57.7% declared they consumed antibiotics in the last year and some misguided behaviors were identified, especially for those not having a food- or health-related background, who more frequently failed in giving the right answer to uncontroversial true/false questions (ANOVA, P < 0.05). The youngest respondents were less confident on the information received from traditional media (OR = 0.425), the national government (OR = 0.462), and consumer organizations (OR = 0.497), while they frequently obtained information from social networks and online media, which could therefore be exploited as a channel for educational campaigns targeting this population group. New measures, strategies and policy agenda at a European level aimed at improving awareness on AMR among targeted community groups must be taken into consideration.
Developing Silvicultural Tools for Managing Mixed Forest Structures in Patagonia
Authors: Caselli Marina , Loguercio Gabriel Ángel , Urretavizcaya María Florencia , Defossé Guillermo Emilio
Published: October 2019

Leaf area is an important ecophysiological and silvicultural variable for quantifying the potential production of trees, since it can represent growing space occupancy. At the stand level in mixed forests, productivity is conditioned on how growing space is distributed among different components structure, such as species and strata. In complex structures, traditional forest variables (i.e., basal area) do not allow a good representation of the occupied growing space, whereas leaf area appears as a better indicator. Andean cypress and coihue beech are species of the Andean-Patagonian forests that grow in either pure or mixed stands, presenting high productive potential. The aim of this study was to develop, for each species, leaf area prediction functions through allometric relations and to evaluate the relation between leaf area, volume increment and growing space occupancy. For this purpose, we carried out destructive sampling of individuals of both species in mixed Andean cypress-coihue forests. Results for these species show that leaf area can be reliably estimated by using the models developed in this study. These models, based on sapwood area, tree diameter, and/or height measurements, explain at least 90 percent of variation in leaf area. The functions fitted are a fundamental tool to study the distribution of growth and to formulate management guidelines for mixed forests through the control of growing space occupancy using leaf area index.
The Amount of RNA Editing Sites in Liverwort Organellar Genes Is Correlated with GC Content and Nuclear PPR Protein Diversity
Authors: Dong Shanshan , Zhao Chaoxian , Zhang Shouzhou , Wu Hong , Mu Weixue , Wei Tong , Li Na , Wan Tao , Liu Huan , Cui Jie , Zhu Ruiliang , Goffinet Bernard , Liu Yang
Published: October 2019

RNA editing occurs in the organellar mRNAs of all land plants but the marchantioid liverworts, making liverworts a perfect group for studying the evolution of RNA editing. Here, we profiled the RNA editing of 42 exemplars spanning the ordinal phylogenetic diversity of liverworts, and screened for the nuclear-encoded pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins in the transcriptome assemblies of these taxa. We identified 7,428 RNA editing sites in 128 organellar genes from 31 non-marchantioid liverwort species, and characterized 25,059 PPR protein sequences. The abundance of organellar RNA editing sites varies greatly among liverwort lineages, genes, and codon positions, and shows strong positive correlations with the GC content of protein-coding genes, and the diversity of the PLS class of nuclear PPR proteins.
The consequences of increased 4E-BP1 in polycystic kidney disease
Authors: Holditch Sara J , Brown Carolyn N , Atwood Daniel J , Pokhrel Deepak , Brown Sara E , Lombardi Andrew M , Nguyen Khoa N , Hill Ryan C , Lanaspa Miguel , Hopp Katharina , Weiser-Evans Mary C M , Edelstein Charles L
Published: October 2019

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common hereditary renal disease, characterized by cyst formation and growth. Hyperproliferation is a major contributor to cyst growth. At the nexus of regulating proliferation, is 4E-BP1. We demonstrate that ADPKD mouse and rat models, ADPKD patient renal biopsies and PKD1−/− cells exhibited hyperphosphorylated 4E-BP1, a biomarker of increased translation and proliferation. We hypothesized that expression of constitutively active 4E-BP1 constructs (4E-BP1F113A and 4E-BP1R13AF113A) would decrease proliferation and reduce cyst expansion. Utilizing the Pkd1RC/RC mouse, we determined the effect of 4E-BP1F113A on PKD. Unexpectedly, 4E-BP1F113A resulted in increased cyst burden and suppressed apoptosis markers, increased anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein and increased mitochondrial proteins. Exogenous 4E-BP1 enhanced proliferation, decreased apoptosis, increased anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein, impaired NADPH oxidoreductase activity, increased mitochondrial proteins and increased superoxide production in PKD patient-derived renal epithelial cells. Reduced 4E-BP1 expression suppressed proliferation, restored apoptosis and improved cellular metabolism. These findings provide insight into how cyst-lining cells respond to 4E-BP1.
A non-coding genetic variant associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm alters ERG gene regulation
Authors: Marsman Judith , Gimenez Gregory , Day Robert C , Horsfield Julia A , Jones Gregory T
Published: October 2019

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a major cause of sudden death in the elderly. While AAA has some overlapping genetic and environmental risk factors with atherosclerosis, there are substantial differences, and AAA-specific medication is lacking. A recent meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies has identified four novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) specifically associated with AAA. Here, we investigated the gene regulatory function for one of four non-coding SNPs associated with AAA, rs2836411, which is located in an intron of the ERG gene. Rs2836411 resides within a >70 kb super-enhancer that has high levels of H3K27ac and H3K4me1 in vascular endothelial and haematopoietic cell types. Enhancer luciferase assays in cell lines showed that the risk allele significantly alters enhancer activity. The risk allele also correlates with reduced ERG expression in aortic and other vascular tissues. To identify whether rs2836411 directly contacts the promoters of ERG and/or of genes further away, we performed allele-specific circular chromosome conformation capture sequencing. In vascular endothelial cells, which express ERG, the SNP region interacts highly within the super-enhancer, while in vascular smooth muscle cells, which do not express ERG, the interactions are distributed across a wider region that includes neighbouring genes. Furthermore, the risk allele has fewer interactions within the super-enhancer compared to the protective allele. In conclusion, our results indicate that rs2836411 likely affects ERG expression by altering enhancer activity and changing local chromatin interactions. ERG is involved in vascular development, angiogenesis, and inflammation in atherosclerosis; therefore mechanistically, rs2836411 could contribute to AAA by modulating ERG levels.
Ecological impact of watershed water pollution control on coastal tourist scenic spots
Authors: Sun Qiong , Wang Xiaofang , Wang Li
Published: October 2019

In recent years, the rapid development of coastal areas has polluted the watershed water, affecting the ecological environment of wetland scenic spots. This paper briefly introduced the constructed wetland, a means of watershed water pollution control, and briefly explained its mechanism of water pollution control. Then, an example of Yancheng Coastal Wetland Natural Reserve in Jiangsu Province was analyzed to analyze water quality ecological changes in the basin before and after the construction of constructed wetland. The results showed that the basin of the natural reserve changed from acidic to alkaline, and ammonia nitrogen, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and chemical oxygen demand decreased significantly and maintained at a relatively low level after the constructed wetland controlled the water pollution in the basin; subsurface constructed wetland had a better effect on reducing ammonia nitrogen, total nitrogen and total phosphorus; surface constructed wetland had a better effect on reducing chemical oxygen demand. In conclusion, constructed wetlands as a means of water pollution control in the watershed can effectively improve the water quality ecology of coastal wetland natural reserves.
Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection of Primary Human Spinal Astrocytes Produces Intracellular Amylin, Amyloid-β, and an Amyloidogenic Extracellular Environment
Authors: Bubak Andrew N , Como Christina N , Coughlan Christina M , Johnson Noah R , Hassell James E , Mescher Teresa , Niemeyer Christy S , Mahalingam Ravi , Cohrs Randall J , Boyd Timothy D , Potter Huntington , Russ Holger A , Nagel Maria A
Published: October 2019

Background

Herpes zoster is linked to amyloid-associated diseases, including dementia, macular degeneration, and diabetes mellitus, in epidemiological studies. Thus, we examined whether varicella-zoster virus (VZV)-infected cells produce amyloid.

Methods

Production of intracellular amyloidogenic proteins (amylin, amyloid precursor protein [APP], and amyloid-β [Aβ]) and amyloid, as well as extracellular amylin, Aβ, and amyloid, was compared between mock- and VZV-infected quiescent primary human spinal astrocytes (qHA-sps). The ability of supernatant from infected cells to induce amylin or Aβ42 aggregation was quantitated. Finally, the amyloidogenic activity of viral peptides was examined.

Results

VZV-infected qHA-sps, but not mock-infected qHA-sps, contained intracellular amylin, APP, and/or Aβ, and amyloid. No differences in extracellular amylin, Aβ40, or Aβ42 were detected, yet only supernatant from VZV-infected cells induced amylin aggregation and, to a lesser extent, Aβ42 aggregation into amyloid fibrils. VZV glycoprotein B (gB) peptides assembled into fibrils and catalyzed amylin and Aβ42 aggregation.

Conclusions

VZV-infected qHA-sps produced intracellular amyloid and their extracellular environment promoted aggregation of cellular peptides into amyloid fibrils that may be due, in part, to VZV gB peptides. These findings suggest that together with host and other environmental factors, VZV infection may increase the toxic amyloid burden and contribute to amyloid-associated disease progression.
Influence of publicly funded conditional cash transfer programms on utilization patterns of healthcare services for acute childhood illness
Authors: Srinivasan Rajan , Ganesan Santhosh K , Premkumar Prasanna S , Kang Gagandeep
Published: October 2019

Background

Conditional cash transfers are widespread and effective for utilization of targeted health services, but there is little evidence of their influence on the utilization of non-targeted or extended general healthcare services. Using data from a population-based health utilization survey, we evaluated the influence of conditional cash transfers for maternal and immunization services on the utilization of healthcare services for acute childhood illnesses.

Methods

Participants included mothers or primary caretakers of children <2 y of age residing in 2407 households in urban Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India. Mothers of children with illness in the preceding month were interviewed on presenting symptoms, provider choice and beneficiary status of maternal and immunization-based conditional cash transfer programs.

Results

Of 2407 children <2 y of age, about 48% reported being beneficiaries of maternal and immunization-based conditional cash transfers. Beneficiary status was associated with an increased use of public services (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 3.14 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.96 – 5.02]) but not the use of private services (aRR 1.42 [95% CI 0.97 – 2.08]) relative to home or informal care.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate financial incentives for use of maternal and immunization services could have an indirect, non-targeted effect on utilization of formal healthcare for acute childhood illnesses.
Validity of PROMIS physical function in patients with hip dysplasia treated with periacetabular osteotomy
Authors: Wynn Malynda , Shamrock Alan , Khazi Zain , Westermann Robert , Willey Michael
Published: October 2019

Hip dysplasia is known to lead to pain, disability, depression and eventually secondary hip osteoarthritis in young adults. Performance of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function (PF) Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) in hip dysplasia patients indicated for periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is unknown. The aim of this investigation was to validate the use of PROMIS PF CAT with currently accepted patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments in young adults with hip dysplasia indicated for PAO. Individuals indicated for PAO to treat symptomatic hip dysplasia were identified and consented to complete the PROMIS PF CAT, Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Physical Function Shortform (HOOS-PS), modified Harris hip score (mHHS) and International Hip Outcome Tool-12 (iHOT-12) questionnaires during their pre-operative visit to test correlations between instruments as part of the validation of PROMIS PF CAT. The relationship between PRO instruments was compared using Spearman correlation coefficients. Correlation between PRO instruments were defined as high (>0.7), high-moderate (0.61–0.69), moderate (0.4–0.6), moderate-weak (0.31–0.39) and weak (≤0.3). Forty-one individuals to undergo PAO were enrolled. The PROMIS PF CAT correlated moderate to high and demonstrated construct validity with traditionally used hip PRO instruments. Additionally, the question burden was decreased with no floor or ceiling effects observed. In conclusion, PROMIS PF CAT is an efficient and valid tool for pre-operative clinical assessment of pain and disability hip dysplasia patients undergoing PAO.
Time-gated confocal microscopy reveals accumulation of exocyst subunits at the plant-pathogen interface
Authors: Overdijk Elysa J R , Tang Han , Borst Jan Willem , Govers Francine , Ketelaar Tijs
Published: October 2019

Polarized exocytosis is essential for plant development and defence. The exocyst, an octameric protein complex that tethers exocytotic vesicles to the plasma membrane, targets exocytosis. Upon pathogen attack, secreted materials form papillae to halt pathogen penetration. To determine if the exocyst is directly involved in targeting exocytosis to infection sites, information about its localization is instrumental. Here, we investigated exocyst subunit localization in the moss Physcomitrella patens upon pathogen attack and infection by Phytophthora capsici. Time-gated confocal microscopy was used to eliminate autofluorescence of deposited material around infection sites allowing the visualization of the subcellular localization of exocyst subunits and of v-SNARE Vamp72A1-labeled exocytotic vesicles during infection. This showed that exocyst subunits Sec3a, Sec5b, Sec5d and Sec6 accumulated at sites of attempted pathogen penetration. Upon pathogen invasion, the exocyst subunits accumulated on the membrane surrounding papilla-like structures and hyphal encasements. Vamp72A1-labeled vesicles were found to localize in the cytoplasm around infection sites. The re-localization of exocyst subunits to infection sites suggests that the exocyst is directly involved in facilitating polarized exocytosis during pathogenesis.
Qualitative and quantitative change of the tolerance to liposomal amphotericin B triggered by biofilm maturation in C. parapsilosis
Authors: Casagrande Pierantoni D , Roscini L , Corte L , Bernardo M , Bassetti M , Tascini C , Cardinali G
Published: October 2019

Candida parapsilosis is an emerging opportunistic pathogen present in both clinical and natural environment, with a strong frequency of biofilm forming strains. While the drugs active against biofilm are rare, liposomal amphotericin B is credited with an antibiofilm activity in some opportunistic species of the genus Candida. Using freshly isolated strains from hospital environment, in this paper we could show the prevalence of biofilm forming vs. nonbiofilm forming strains. The former displayed a large variability in terms of biofilm biomass and metabolic activity. Liposomal amphotericin B minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of planktonic cells was below the breakpoint, whereas the sessile cells MIC (SMIC) was 1 or 2 orders of magnitude above the planktonic MIC. When the drug was applied to freshly attached cells, that is, biofilm in formation, the MIC (called SDMIC) was even below the MIC value. All resistance metrics (MIC, SMIC, and SDMIC) were quite variable although no correlation could be detected between them and the metrics used to quantify biofilm activity and biomass production. These findings demonstrate that young biofilm cells are even more susceptible than planktonic cells and that early treatments with this drug can be beneficial in cases of prosthesis implantation or especially when there is the necessity of a CVC reimplantation during a sepsis.
Effect of isotropic collisions with neutral hydrogen on the polarization of the CN solar molecule
Authors: Qutub S , Derouich M , Kalugina Y N , Asiri H , Lique F
Published: October 2019

In this work, we study the solar molecule CN, which presents conspicuous profiles of scattering polarization. We start by calculating accurate potential energy surfaces for the singlet and triplet electronic ground states in order to characterize the collisions between the CN molecule in its X 2Σ state and the hydrogen in its ground state 2S. The potential energy surfaces are included in the Schrödinger equation to obtain the scattering matrix and the probabilities of collisions. Depolarizing collisional rate coefficients are computed in the framework of the infinite order sudden approximation for temperatures ranging from T = 2000 K to T= 15 000 K. We give an interpretation of the results and compare the singlet and triplet collisional rate coefficients. We show that, for typical photospheric hydrogen density (nH = 1015−1016 cm−3), the X 2Σ state of CN is partially or completely depolarized by isotropic collisions.
To Trust the Liar: Løgstrup and Levinas on Ethics, War, and Openness
Authors: Stokes Patrick
Published: October 2019

Despite their many similarities, one apparent difference between the ethics of K.E. Løgstrup and Emmanuel Levinas concerns trust: Levinas does not analyse trust as a morally significant phenomenon, whereas Løgstrup makes it a central component of his moral phenomenology. This paper argues that an analysis of Løgstrupian trust nonetheless reveals at least three important commonalities between Levinas and Løgstrup’s moral projects: an understanding of war and ethics as metaphysical opposites; an emphasis on openness to the other as something that transcends the prudential order of norms and laws; and a view of the ethical as that which breaks into and disrupts the order of human instrumental calculation.
Disagreement, Deference, and Religious Commitment
Authors: Pittard John
Published: October 2019

The striking extent of religious disagreement suggests that religious conviction is very often the result of processes that do not reliably produce true beliefs. For this reason, many have argued that the only rational response to religious disagreement is to adopt a religious skepticism that eschews confident religious belief. This book contests this conclusion, explaining how it could be rational to maintain confident religious (or irreligious) belief even in the face of persistent disagreement. Part I argues against the commitment to rigorous epistemic impartiality that underlies the case for disagreement-motivated religious skepticism, while also critiquing highly sanguine approaches to disagreement that allow for an unproblematic privileging of one’s first-person perspective. According to the position defended in part I, justified confidence in the face of religious disagreement is likely to require that one have rational insight into reasons that favor one’s outlook. It is argued that many of the rational insights that are crucial to assessing religious outlooks are not achievable through analytical reasoning but only through having the right sort of emotional experiences. Part II considers the implications for religious commitment of accepting the impartiality requirement favored by “disagreement skeptics.” Challenges are raised to the assumption that a commitment to rigorous epistemic impartiality rules out confident religious belief. But it is further argued that such a commitment would likely make it irrational to pursue one’s favored form of religious life and might lead to normative uncertainty that would prevent rational engagement in any religious or irreligious way of life whatsoever.
Institutional Genesis
Authors: Belvadi Anilkumar
Published: October 2019

Chapter 4 traces the logic American missionaries employed in advocating Sunday schools as a suitable answer to their problem of finding audiences for their message. Bazaar-preaching did not produce many converts. Missionaries tried to expand the notion of itinerant preaching: rather than merely present Christianity as a personal path to a secure afterlife, they attempted holding out prospects for a better standard of living for all in this world if they accepted Christianity. The responses usually were those of admiration for the material facts they presented about “Christian countries,” but accompanied by an assertive rejection of any notion of Christian causality. The recalcitrance of their ill-educated adult interlocutors frustrated missionaries and their attention thence turned to children. However, thanks to the availability of government grants-in-aid after 1854, there was increased competition in education from non-Christian groups wanting to set up government-approved secular schools. It was in this context that missionaries felt that Sunday schools, being independent of government funds, could teach Christian doctrine without fear of interference. Further, they expected thousands of non-Christians, eager for any education in English, to attend Sunday Schools, disregarding the evangelical intent of the schools’ sponsors. The India Sunday School Union was formed in 1876 following extensive pan-denominational missionary discussions on the need for a formal organization patterned after “modern” Western bureaucracies, educational systems, armies, and so forth. The chapter details the methods, including the use of advertising, small bribes, and favor-seeking with influential, Christian-minded colonial officials, by which missionaries assembled students. The chapter ends with a statistical review of Sunday school attendance in the last two decades of the nineteenth century.
The Finger of the Scribe
Authors: Schniedewind William M.
Published: October 2019

The Finger of the Scribe shows how ancient Israelite scribes learned to read and write. It demonstrates that early alphabetic curriculum developed at the end of the second millennium, while Egypt still ruled over Canaan and scribes used cuneiform as a lingua franca. This political and social context provides the background for the emergence of early alphabetic literacy in Israel. Using comparisons from Mesopotamia and Egypt, archaeological evidence, and fresh interpretations of old and new Hebrew inscriptions, this book pieces together the early Israelite scribal education. A basic principle in scribal literacy was the adaptation of their education for doing their day-to-day work as well as for the emergence of new literary genres. In this way, The Finger of the Scribe illustrates the many ways in which scribal education shaped the writing of the Hebrew Bible itself.
The Emergence of Scribal Education in Ancient Israel
Authors: Schniedewind William M.
Published: October 2019

This chapter first sketches out the history of scholarship on scribal education. The chapter summarizes new archaeological discoveries that point to the overlap between the Late Bronze Age cuneiform scribal culture and the emergence of early alphabetic writing in Canaan/Israel. This overlap provides a vector of transmission from cuneiform to early alphabetic education. Tangible evidence of this vector of transmission is found in cuneiform school texts dating to the Late Bronze Age, which is the only time such school texts are known in the southern Levant. Thus, scribal training in cuneiform overlaps the emergence of the alphabet in the southern Levant. Parallels of the borrowing from cuneiform and development of alphabetic school curriculum can also be adduced from the Ugaritic alphabetic tradition.
Scribal Curriculum at Kuntillet ʿAjrud
Authors: Schniedewind William M.
Published: October 2019

This chapter offers a new interpretation of the Kuntillet ʿAjrud inscriptions as a variety of scribal exercises that parallel the basic outlines of the early cuneiform school curriculum. Using the framework of cuneiform school curriculum, this chapter analyzes the evidence from Kuntillet ʿAjrud. Elementary curriculum was found on two large jars that show evidence of students writing, erasing, and repeating practice texts. Evidence of elementary curriculum includes abecedaries, vocabulary lists, model texts, and proverbial sayings. Inscriptions on the plastered walls of the fortress may have served as advanced texts, taken from liturgy, which students memorized and recited. This evidence can be supplemented from fragmentary evidence from other sites as well as comparative evidence from Ugaritic.