bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The environmental impact of rearing crickets for live pet food in the UK, and implications of a transition to a hybrid business model combining production for live pet food with production for human consumption
Authors: Suckling J. , Druckman A. , Moore C. D. , Driscoll D.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Rearing crickets in the UK for the live pet food market is already a well-established industry. However, there is interest in also producing food for human consumption. This paper presents a life cycle assessment (LCA) of a current live pet food business. Using results from this LCA, the papers explores how current business practices could be improved to reduce environmental impacts, and discusses the potential benefits of a hybrid live pet food/human consumption business model.

Methods

An attributional, cradle-to-farm-gate life cycle assessment was conducted on rearing crickets for the live pet food market, with data collected on-site at a case study business. Results are reported in multiple impact categories from the ILCD 2011 Midpoint+ method. Comparison is made to the only other similar study: an LCA of rearing crickets in Thailand for human consumption (Halloran et al. J Clean Prod 156:83–94, 2017). The sources of the different environmental impacts between the two studies are explored and inefficiencies in the live pet food rearing process identified. Subsequently, scenarios are used to explore how the inefficiencies may be mitigated, and environmental impact of the live pet food production process reduced through adoption of a hybrid live pet food/human food production model.

Results and discussions

The environmental impact was found to be larger across all impact categories than the only known comparable study, which is for rearing crickets in Thailand for human consumption (Halloran et al. J Clean Prod 156:83–94, 2017). Some of this difference is due to the heating required for rearing crickets in a climate such as the UK, and some is due to the requirements of the live pet food market being much more demanding on resources than the human food model. The current study identifies improvements in practices that would make this contrast less stark, such as optimizing feeding practices, and the benefits of moving to a hybrid live pet food/human consumption business model.

Conclusions

This is the first LCA of crickets reared in the UK. The results highlight inefficiencies in the rearing process that are now being addressed by the case study business. The study also shows the potential co-benefits of a hybrid business model, in which crickets for human consumption are produced alongside crickets for the live pet food market.
Impact of sedimentation history for As distribution in Late Pleistocene-Holocene sediments in the Hetao Basin, China
Authors: Wang Hongyan , Eiche Elisabeth , Guo Huaming , Norra Stefan
Published: July 2020

Purpose

To understand the impact of geochemical sedimentation history for arsenic (As) distribution in the sediment profiles of the Hetao Basin, we (1) evaluated sediments provenance and variations of weathering intensities, (2) attempted to reconstruct the depositional environments, and (3) explored the As and Fe speciation in the sediments. Combining the information above, different sedimentation facies were distinguished in the vertical profiles.

Methods

Two sediments cores were drilled up to 80 m depth. Major and trace element compositions, including rare earth elements (REE), were analyzed. Carbon isotope ratios (δ13Corg) of embedded organic matter in the sediments were analyzed by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IR-MS). Arsenic and Fe speciation of the sediments were determined by sequential extractions.

Results and discussion

The similar REE geochemistry of rocks from the Lang Mountains and sediments in the Hetao Basin indicated that the sediments originated from the Lang Mountains. The C/N ratio (~ 4 to ~ 10) in combination with δ13Corg(− 27‰ to −2 4‰) suggested that sediments were mainly deposited in aquatic environments. The unconfined aquifer equaled the lacustrine deposit with less intensive weathering during last glacial maximum (LGM). Here, the As content (average, 5.4 mg kg−1) was higher than in the aquifer sediments below (average, 3.6 mg kg−1).

Conclusion

Higher content of releasable As in combination with paleolake-derived organic matter aquifer sediments probably contributes to higher groundwater As concentration in the unconfined aquifer. This study provides the first insight into the impact of sedimentation history on As distributions in sediment profiles in the Hetao Basin.
How National Institutions Shape Skilled Immigrants’ Chances of Getting Hired: Evidence from Harmonised Factorial Surveys with Employers in Germany and England
Authors: Stumpf Felix , Damelang Andreas , Abraham Martin , Ebensperger Sabine
Published: July 2020

This study provides novel insights into the institutional conditions under which skilled immigrants get hired for skilled jobs in different countries. We argue that immigrants’ hiring chances depend on the interplay between institutions in sending countries, which determine the type of education that immigrants bring, and institutions in receiving countries, which shape employers’ preferences for certain types of education. We develop a research design that considers this interplay and allows us to directly compare how education from sending countries with different institutional arrangements is rated by employers in two countries with widely divergent institutional contexts of reception, Germany and England. Using harmonised factorial surveys, we simulate hiring processes and evaluate the chances of German and English employers inviting foreign-educated immigrants to interviews for jobs commensurate with their education. The survey design makes it possible to experimentally vary the institutional settings in which immigrants acquired their education in the sending country, and isolate their effect on employers’ ratings. Our key finding is that immigrants from sending countries with highly standardised occupation-orientated education systems prevail in the hiring competition, irrespective of the education system in the receiving country.
Was determiniert Einstellungen zu den Folgen der Aufnahme von Flüchtlingen in Deutschland? Ergebnisse auf Basis des GESIS-Panels 2016
Authors: Reinhardt Peter , Frings Cornelia
Published: July 2020

Die sogenannte Flüchtlingskrise ist eines der dominierenden Themen in Westeuropa und steht im Zusammenhang mit zunehmend erfolgreichen rechtspopulistischen Parteien und Bewegungen. Die deutsche Gesellschaft scheint gespalten zu sein in der Frage, ob die Aufnahme von Flüchtlingen für Deutschland mehr Chancen oder mehr Risiken mit sich bringt. Dieser Artikel analysiert die Frage nach den Gründen für eine optimistische bzw. pessimistische Sicht auf die Folgen der Flüchtlingsaufnahme. Anknüpfend an drei zentrale Erklärungsansätze der vergleichenden Forschung zu immigrationsbezogenen Einstellungen testen wir den Einfluss von sozioökonomischen Determinanten, kulturellen Determinanten (Ethnozentrismus und soziales Vertrauen) sowie von Kontakt mit Flüchtlingen. Datengrundlage bildet das GESIS-Panel 2016. Soziales Vertrauen, Ethnozentrismus und Kontakt erweisen sich als erklärungskräftige Determinanten. Insbesondere Ethnozentrismus hat einen starken Effekt auf die Einstellungen zu den Konsequenzen der Aufnahme von Flüchtlingen in Deutschland. Soziales Vertrauen wirkt offenbar weniger direkt, sondern eher indirekt, vermittelt über Ethnozentrismus.
Tailoring Soft Local Zones in Quenched Blanks of the Steel 22MnB5 by Partial Pre-cooling with Compressed Air
Authors: Golovko Oleksandr , Stolte Max-Henry , Wölki Kai , Hübner Sven , Behrens Bernd-Arno , Maier Hans Jürgen , Nürnberger Florian
Published: July 2020

The high-strength boron steel 22MnB5 steel is widely used for automotive lightweight constructions. A novel approach is promising to tailor strength and ductility in the hardened condition using locally pre-tempered sheets for the hot stamping process. It results in the formation of locally soft spots where mechanical joining is subsequently intended. A slow pre-cooling of the later joining zones with cooling rates below a certain critical cooling rate for obtaining a decreased strength in these regions is required. A tubular air cooling system suited for this task is presented and tested in a process where the subsequent quenching of the overall sheet is realized by rapid cooling in a water bath. Varying the air pressure and cooling duration allows controlling the size of the softened local spot in a wide range and still obtaining a bainitic microstructure. Using two-stage cooling with point jet nozzles and a subsequent hot stamping process with water-cooled dies resulted in a main sheet hardness of about 470 HV5 and of 260 HV5 in the pre-cooled spots, respectively.
Which preoperative screening tool should be applied to older patients undergoing elective surgery to predict short-term postoperative outcomes? Lessons from systematic reviews, meta-analyses and guidelines
Authors: Aitken Rachel , Harun Nur-Shirin , Maier Andrea Britta
Published: July 2020

Background

Older surgical patients have a higher risk of postoperative mortality and morbidity compared to younger patients. Timely identification of high-risk patients facilitates comprehensive preoperative evaluation, optimization, and resource allocation to help reduce this risk. This review aims to identify a preoperative screening tool for older patients undergoing elective surgery predictive of poor short-term postoperative outcomes.

Methods

A scoping review was conducted. An Ovid MEDLINE search was used to identify systematic reviews or meta-analyses comprising older elective patients in at least two different surgical settings. International guidelines were reviewed for recommendations regarding preoperative tools in this population.

Results

Over 50 screening tools were identified. The majority showed a positive association with short-term postoperative mortality and morbidity in older patients. The most commonly described tools were the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA-PS), frailty tools and domain-specific tools administered as part of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). Due to heterogeneity in outcome measures and statistical methodology the predictive capacity between tools could not be compared. International guidelines described a comprehensive preoperative approach incorporating domain-specific tools rather than recommending a screening tool.

Conclusion

Multiple tools were associated with poor short-term postoperative outcomes in older elective surgical patients. No single superior tool could be identified. Frailty, cognitive and/or functional tools were most frequently utilized.
First Epileptic Seizure and Initial Diagnosis of Juvenile Myoclonus Epilepsy (JME) in a Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Study– Ethical Analysis of a Clinical case
Authors: Sierawska Anna , Moliadze Vera , Splittgerber Maike , Rogge Annette , Siniatchkin Michael , Buyx Alena
Published: July 2020

We discuss an epileptic incident in an undiagnosed 13-year old girl participating in a clinical study investigating the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in healthy children and adolescents. This incident poses important research ethics questions with regard to study design, especially pertaining to screening and gaining informed consent. Potential benefits and problems of the incident also need to be considered. The ethical analysis of the case presented in this paper has been informed by an in-depth interview conducted after the incident with the child and the accompanying parent. We discuss the ethical implications of the epileptic incident, the need for improving screening procedures for studies with minors and for providing more effective communication. This case also underscores the problem of undetected teenage epilepsy in neuropsychological clinical studies and the necessity of raising more awareness of this issue. Since research in tDCS is an active and expanding field, we conclude with providing some recommendation that could ensure that future research on tDCS, or other therapies and neuro-interventions where there is a risk of triggering an epileptic seizure, take into account the specifics of teenage epilepsy and the need for more thorough provision of information during the process of gaining informed consent.
Modelling the Influence of Riverine Inputs on the Circulation and Flushing Times of Small Shallow Estuaries
Authors: Huggett Rebecca D. , Purdie Duncan A. , Haigh Ivan D.
Published: July 2020

Simple flushing time calculations for estuarine systems can be used as proxies for eutrophication susceptibility. However, more complex methods are required to better understand entire systems. Understanding of the hydrodynamics driving circulation and flushing times in small, eutrophic, temperate estuaries is less advanced than larger counterparts due to lack of data and difficulties in accurately modelling small-scale systems. This paper uses the microtidal Christchurch Harbour estuary in Southern UK as a case study to elucidate the physical controls on eutrophication susceptibility in small shallow basins. A depth-averaged hydrodynamic model has been configured of the estuary to investigate the physical processes driving circulation with particular emphasis on understanding the impact of riverine inputs to this system. Results indicate circulation control changes from tidally to fluvially driven as riverine inputs increase. Flushing times, calculated using a particle tracking method, indicate that the system can take as long as 132 h to flush when river flow is low, or as short as 12 h when riverine input is exceptionally high. When total river flow into the estuary is less than 30 m3 s−1, tidal flux is the dominant hydrodynamic control, which results in high flushing times during neap tides. Conversely, when riverine input is greater than 30 m3 s−1, the dominant hydrodynamic control is fluvial flux, and flushing times during spring tides are longer than at neaps. The methodology presented here shows that modelling at small spatial scales is possible but highlights the importance of particle tracking methods to determine flushing time variability across a system.
Reconstructing Arguments from Noisy Text
Authors: Dykes Natalie , Evert Stefan , Göttlinger Merlin , Heinrich Philipp , Schröder Lutz
Published: July 2020

Social media are of paramount importance to public discourse. RANT aims to contribute methods and formalisms for extracting, representing, and processing arguments from noisy text found in social media discussions, using a large corpus of pre-referendum Brexit tweets as a running case study. We identify recurring linguistic argumentation patterns in a corpus-linguistic analysis and formulate corresponding corpus queries to extract arguments automatically. Given the huge amount of social media data available, our approach aims at high precision at the possible price of low recall. Argumentation patterns are directly associated with logical patterns in a dedicated formalism and accordingly, individual arguments are directly parsed as logical formulae. The logical formalism for argument representation features a broad range of modalities capturing real-life modes of expression. We cast this formalism as a family of instance logics in the generic framework of coalgebraic logic and complement it by a flexible framework to represent relationships between arguments; including standard relations like attack and support but also relations extracted from metadata. Some relations are inferred from the logical content of individual arguments. We are in the process of developing suitable generalizations of various extension semantics for argumentation frameworks combined with corresponding algorithmic methods to allow for the automated retrieval of large-scale argumentative positions.
Experimental Assessment of Two Non-Contrast MRI Sequences Used for Computational Fluid Dynamics: Investigation of Consistency Between Techniques
Authors: MacDonald C. J. , Hellmuth R. , Priba L. , Murphy E. , Gandy S. , Matthew S. , Ross R. , Houston J. G.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Recent studies have noted a degree of variance between the geometries segmented by different groups from 3D medical images that are used in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of patient-specific cardiovascular systems. The aim of this study was to determine if the applied sequence of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) also introduced observable variance in CFD results.

Methods

Using a series of phantoms MR images of vessels of known diameter were assessed for the time-of-flight and multi-echo data image combination sequences. Following this, patient images of arterio-venous fistulas were acquired using the same sequences. Comparisons of geometry were made using the phantom and patient images, and of wall shear stress quantities using the CFD results from the patient images.

Results

Phantom images showed deviations in diameter between 0 and 15% between the sequences, depending on vessel diameter. Patient images showed different geometrical features such as narrowings that were not present on both sequences. Distributions of wall shear stress (WSS) quantities differed from simulations between the geometries obtained from the sequences.

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing different MRI sequences resulted in slightly different geometries of the same anatomy, which led to compounded errors in WSS quantities from CFD simulation.
Preparation and heat insulating capacity of Sm2Zr2O7-SiC composites based on photon thermal transport
Authors: Ma Zhuang , Zhang Qi , Liu Ling , Liu Yanbo
Published: July 2020

A series of Sm2Zr2O7-SiC composites doped with different volume fraction and particle size of SiC were prepared by hot pressing at 1300 °C. The phase of the composites prepared is P-Sm2Zr2O7 and C-SiC, and no other diffraction peaks exist, which indicates that Sm2Zr2O7 has great chemical compatibility with SiC. The thermal conductivity and phonon thermal conductivity of the Sm2Zr2O7-SiC composites are measured by the laser pulse method. The photon thermal conductivity of the composites is obtained by subtracting the phonon thermal conductivity from the total thermal conductivity. The results show that the photon thermal conductivity of Sm2Zr2O7-SiC composites is lower than that of pure Sm2Zr2O7. The photon thermal conductivity of Sm2Zr2O7-SiC composites decreases first and then increases with the increase of SiC particle size. Sm2Zr2O7-(5 vol%, 10 µm)SiC composite has the lowest photon thermal conductivity.
Multiple sclerosis segmentation method in magnetic resonance imaging using fuzzy connectedness, binarization, mathematical morphology, and 3D reconstruction
Authors: de Arruda André Luiz Costa , Vital Daniel Aparecido , Kitamura Felipe Campos , Abdala Nitamar , Moraes Matheus Cardoso
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most used medical modality for diagnosis and monitoring of multiple sclerosis (MS). A segmentation process is an important task to quantify lesion and its progression. However, manual segmentation of 3D images is tedious, time-consuming, and often not reproducible. The state of the art presents results with room for improvements. Consequently, a semiautomatic segmentation process is proposed and described in this study.

Methods

The method consists on a 3D segmentation semiautomatic process for MS lesions in MRI. It initiates by firstly carrying out a preprocessing stage; thus, contrast adjustment is applied to enhance sclerosis regions from other brain information. Secondly, a feature extraction block based on fuzzy connectedness is performed so as to isolate sclerosis lesions from other brain regions. Finally, 3D brain reconstruction is executed along with sclerosis to provide a useful 3D information.

Results

The robustness of this approach is demonstrated by high correlation between the results and their corresponding gold standard. The results were also obtained by computing parameters of accuracy of image segmentation, as well as overlap Dice. The proposed method reached true positive of 75.61%, false positive of 16.37%, and DICE of 78.23%.

Conclusion

The high correlation between specialist and proposed approach outcome, a better monitoring of the disease, is provided; the specialist can understand the patient’s symptoms, thereby increasing the patient’s quality of life.
La participation sociale à l’association des paralysés de France
Authors: Gazza Clément , Marcellini Anne , Roux Nathalie Le
Published: July 2020

Dans la lignée des politiques publiques, l’Association des paralysés de France (APF) vise un objectif de participation des personnes ayant des incapacités. Celle-ci peut être entendue comme une participation aux activités ou encore comme une participation aux décisions. Cette catégorisation questionne la compatibilité entre différentes logiques d’accompagnement et les objectifs qui leur correspondent. Issu d’un travail de thèse, le présent article s’appuie sur une recherche documentaire, 11 monographies de structures de l’APF ainsi que 49 entretiens non directifs auprès de salariés, bénévoles, adhérents et usagers de l’association. Les résultats mettent en évidence une concurrence, du point de vue des accompagnants, entre participation aux activités et participation aux décisions. La nécessité d’obtenir rapidement des résultats incite ces accompagnants à construire eux-mêmes une offre d’activités et de services, solution leur semblant la plus rapide et la plus efficace pour viser la “participation.” Cependant, cette voie les inscrit dans une position complexe voire inextricable lorsqu’il s’agit d’intégrer l’objectif de “participation aux décisions” des usagers.
Aquaporin's membranes play a vital role in effectively cleaning both produced and oil and gas flow-back water
Authors: Atkinson Simon
Published: July 2020

Membranes developed by Danish water technology firm Aquaporin A/S are being used in a pilot plant, which has been set up by a company in Canada to test, on an industrial scale, a forward osmosis system that it is currently developing. As this brief article shows, Aquaporin's membranes are playing an important role in the system's ability to effectively clean both produced, and oil and gas flow-back water – some of the dirtiest water in any industry – whilst consuming very little energy.
Performance of interlayer-free pectin template silica membranes for brackish water desalination
Authors: Rahma Aulia , Elma Muthia , Pratiwi Amalia E. , Rampun Erdina L.A.
Published: July 2020

This article provides details of a study that fabricated interlayer-free pectin template silica membranes and then employed them in a series of experiments for the desalination of brackish water using pervaporation. The main objective of this research is to investigate the performance of the membranes in the desalination application and to look at ways of improving their mechanical stability.
Editorial
Authors: Barrett Steve
Published: July 2020

Pandemic or not, the fuel cell and hydrogen energy sector seems to be as busy as ever.
Defining the True Hunter: Big Game Hunting, Moral Distinction, and Virtuosity in French Colonial Indochina
Authors: Malarney Shaun Kingsley
Published: July 2020

This article examines the concept of the “true hunter” (vrai chasseur) among big game hunters in French colonial Indochina. Drawing primarily on French language texts published by highly experienced European hunters between 1910 and 1950, it first examines in detail the true hunter ethic, which required hunters to hunt and kill their prey in a “sporting” (sportif) manner. This ethic involved adherence to an expansive and complicated set of rules related to stalking, marksmanship, knowledge possession, restraint, prey selection, choice of firearms and ammunition, and others. True hunting was regarded as by definition difficult and, as is argued, the practical realization of the true hunter ideal entailed not simply engaging in hunting as an activity, but instead successfully performing a very difficult but specific type of killing. The article's second purpose is to engage a paradox associated with the texts, their authors, and the ethic. While critical of other hunters for “unnecessary slaughter,” many killed staggering numbers of animals. This paradox is accounted for by placing the true hunters in the broader social context of colonial Indochina. Both their type of sport hunting and the virtuosity of their killing distinguished them from the indigenous populations that served their hunts and other European hunters. This virtuosity also legitimized the scale of their killing and placed these hunters into a distinctive social and moral community.
POTENTIAL ALGEBRAS WITH FEW GENERATORS
Authors: IYUDU NATALIA , SHKARIN STANISLAV
Published: July 2020

We give a complete description of quadratic twisted potential algebras on three generators as well as cubic twisted potential algebras on two generators up to graded algebra isomorphisms under the assumption that the ground field is algebraically closed and has characteristic other than 2 or 3.
Searching for Gambles: Gambling Sentiment and Stock Market Outcomes
Authors: Chen Yao , Kumar Alok , Zhang Chendi
Published: July 2020

Using Internet search volume for lottery to capture gambling sentiment shifts, we show that when the overall gambling sentiment is strong, investor demand for lottery stocks increases, these stocks earn positive short-run abnormal returns, managers are more likely to split stocks to cater to the increased demand for low-priced lottery stocks, and initial public offerings (IPOs) earn higher first day returns. Further, the sentiment-return relation is stronger among low institutional ownership firms, headquartered in regions where gambling is more acceptable and local bias is stronger. These results suggest that gambling sentiment has a spillover effect on the stock market.
Remote psychophysical evaluation of olfactory and gustatory functions in early-stage coronavirus disease 2019 patients: the Bologna experience of 300 cases
Authors: Petrocelli M , Ruggiero F , Baietti A M , Pandolfi P , Salzano G , Salzano F A , Lechien J R , Saussez S , De Riu G , Vaira L A
Published: July 2020

Background

An objective evaluation of coronavirus disease 2019 in the first days of infection is almost impossible, as affected individuals are generally in home quarantine, and there is limited accessibility for the operator who should perform the test. To overcome this limitation, a recently validated psychophysical self-administered test was used, which can be performed remotely in the assessment of early-stage coronavirus disease 2019 patients.

Methods

Olfactory and gustatory functions were objectively assessed in 300 patients in the first 7 days from coronavirus disease 2019 symptom onset.

Results

Seventy per cent of the patients presented olfactory and/or gustatory disorders. The dysfunctions detected were mainly complete anosmia (47 per cent) or ageusia (38 per cent). A significant correlation was found between taste dysfunction and female gender (odds ratio = 1.936, p = 0.014) and fever (odds ratio = 2.132, p = 0.003).

Conclusion

The psychophysical evaluation protocol proposed is an effective tool for the fast and objective evaluation of patients in the early stages of coronavirus disease 2019. Chemosensitive disorders have been confirmed to be frequent and early symptoms of the coronavirus infection, and, in a significant number of cases, they are the first or only manifestation of coronavirus disease 2019.
Perceptions and experiences of live-in carers: why acknowledging versus neglecting personal identity matters for job satisfaction and wellbeing
Authors: Vandrevala Tushna , O'Dwyer Emma
Published: July 2020

For some older people and their families, live-in care offers a way of continuing to live independently at home in their local community. While research in the care industry has consistently highlighted the effects of caring on workers, little research has specifically explored the experiences of live-in carers. The current study examines the ways in which live-in carers construct their role, the different challenges they face and the strategies they use to mitigate them. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 21 live-in carers in the United Kingdom and the data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings suggest that carers perceive their role as complex and characterised by a heavy workload and tiredness. Participants emphasised the variability which was introduced to the role as a function of the quality of agency support, the character and condition of the client, and the carer's relationships with the client's family. Participants’ accounts reflected an acknowledgement of the need to orient and respond constantly to the needs and routine of the client. While this orientation was recognised as necessary for effectively fulfilling the demands of the role, it was also linked to feelings of dislocation and loss of identity. Drawing on understandings of personal and social identity, the implications of these findings for the psychological wellbeing of live-in carers and organisational support are discussed.
‘King Sejong is crying’
Authors: Kim Eun-Young (Julia)
Published: July 2020

Korea is probably one of the few countries, if not the only one, that observes a holiday in honor of the national language's alphabet. Hangulnal, which falls on October 9, is the Korean Alphabet Day. Each year, the government hosts events to celebrate one of the most prized possessions of the country, Hangul – the writing system of the national language. Created by King Sejong and his Royal Academy Scholars in the 15th century, Hangul is recognized as one of ‘the world's most scientific writing systems ever created by man’ (Sohn, 2001: 13). To outsiders, such pride may appear somewhat overblown, but Koreans do take great pride in Hangul.
Public health interventions to improve maternal nutrition during pregnancy: a nationally representative study of iron and folic acid consumption and food supplements in India
Authors: Singh Prashant Kumar , Dubey Ritam , Singh Lucky , Kumar Chandan , Rai Rajesh Kumar , Singh Shalini
Published: July 2020

Objective:

Despite a reduction in maternal mortality in recent years, a high rate of anaemia and other nutrient inadequacies during pregnancy pose a serious threat to mothers and their children in the Global South. Using the framework of the WHO–Commission on Social Determinants of Health, this study examines the socioeconomic, programmatic and contextual factors associated with the consumption of iron and folic acid (IFA) tablets/syrup for at least 100 d (IFA100) and receiving supplementary food (SF) by pregnant women in India.

Design:

We analysed a nationally representative cross-sectional survey of over 190 898 ever-married women aged 15–49 years who were interviewed as part of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) conducted during 2015–16, who had at least one live birth preceding 5 years of the survey.

Setting:

All twenty-nine states and seven union territories of India.

Participants:

Ever-married women aged 15–49 years.

Results:

Less than one-third of women were found to be consuming IFA100, and a little over half received SF during their last pregnancy. The consumption of IFA100 was likely to improve with women’s education, household wealth, early and more prenatal visits, and in a community with high pregnancy registration. Higher parity, early and more prenatal visits, contact with community health workers during pregnancy, belonging to a poor household and living in an aggregated poor community and rural area positively determine whether a woman might receive SF during pregnancy.

Conclusions:

Continuous monitoring and evaluation of provisioning IFA and SF in targeted groups and communities is a key to expanding the coverage and reducing the burden of undernutrition during pregnancy.
Cross-cultural validation of the Cancer Stigma Scale in the general Japanese population
Authors: Takeuchi Emi , Fujisawa Daisuke , Miyawaki Rina , Yako-Suketomo Hiroko , Oka Koichiro , Mimura Masaru , Takahashi Miyako
Published: July 2020

Background

The stigma associated with cancer has negative impacts on cancer patients as well as the general public, who have a potential risk of cancer. To the best of our knowledge, a validated measure to assess cancer stigma among the general Japanese population does not exist.

Method

We translated the Cancer Stigma Scale (CASS) — a 25-item self-administered scale to evaluate stigma related to cancer — into Japanese and examined its psychometric properties. The Japanese version of CASS (J-CASS) was validated among a sample of the general Japanese population through an online survey to validate its test–retest reliability, internal consistency, and concurrent validity.

Results

A total of 319 responses were included in the analysis. An exploratory factor analysis eliminated two original items but showed a six-factor model (Awkwardness, Severity, Avoidance, Policy Opposition, Personal Responsibility, and Financial Discrimination), which was similar to the original scale. Cronbach's alpha for each factor was satisfactory, ranging from 0.81 to 0.91. The internal correlation coefficients were above 0.70, except for Policy Opposition. The total and subtotal scores of each factor of the J-CASS were significantly associated with respondents’ age, gender, familiarity with cancer patients, and social desirability, demonstrating the scales’ good concurrent validity. A substantial proportion of the participants selected “unsure” for some items of the scale, suggesting a further need for refining the scale.

Significance of results

This study demonstrated that J-CASS is a reliable and valid measure for evaluating misconceptions and stigma toward cancer in the general Japanese population.
Reliability and Validity of a Questionnaire for Assessing Self-Perceived Health-Related Fitness in Spanish Children
Authors: Ayán Carlos , Fernández-Villa Tania , Duro Antía , Molina de la Torre Antonio
Published: July 2020

There is a need for developing tools aimed at assessing fitness in children, due to its relationship with health. This study is aimed at testing the reliability and the validity of a questionnaire designed for assessing self-perceived health-related fitness in Spanish children. The questionnaire was created based on the model of physical self-concept developed by Fox and Corbin (1989) who conceived four sub-domains: Sport competence, attractive body, strength and physical condition. A total of 283 children (mean age: 10.80 ± 0.69 years; 45.6% girls) answered the questionnaire twice, in order to determine its test-retest reliability. The results obtained in the International Fitness Scale (IFIS) and on a fitness battery were used to determine its validity evidence based on relations to other variables. Exploratory and factorial analyses were performed to check its validity evidence based on internal structure. The obtained results indicated that the questionnaire showed an accurate validity evidence based on internal structure and a very good test-retest reliability, Intraclass correlation coefficient: .88; 95% CI [.84, .90]. The questionnaire established moderate correlations with the IFIS questionnaire (ρ = –.51 to –.68) and the fitness level showed by the children (ρ = –.53). These findings indicate that the questionnaire can be a useful research tool for assessing self-perceived health-related fitness in children.
Discourses of climate delay
Authors: Lamb William F. , Mattioli Giulio , Levi Sebastian , Roberts J. Timmons , Capstick Stuart , Creutzig Felix , Minx Jan C. , Müller-Hansen Finn , Culhane Trevor , Steinberger Julia K.
Published: July 2020

Non-technical summary

‘Discourses of climate delay’ pervade current debates on climate action. These discourses accept the existence of climate change, but justify inaction or inadequate efforts. In contemporary discussions on what actions should be taken, by whom and how fast, proponents of climate delay would argue for minimal action or action taken by others. They focus attention on the negative social effects of climate policies and raise doubt that mitigation is possible. Here, we outline the common features of climate delay discourses and provide a guide to identifying them.
Global Warming Threshold and Mechanisms for Accelerated Greenland Ice Sheet Surface Mass Loss
Authors: Sellevold Raymond , Vizcaíno Miren
Published: July 2020

The Community Earth System Model version 2.1 (CESM2.1) is used to investigate the evolution of the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS) surface mass balance (SMB) under an idealized CO2 forcing scenario of 1% increase until stabilization at 4× pre‐industrial at model year 140. In this simulation, the SMB calculation is coupled with the atmospheric model, using a physically based surface energy balance scheme for melt, explicit calculation of snow albedo, and a realistic treatment of polar snow and firn compaction. By the end of the simulation (years 131–150), the SMB decreases with 994 Gt yr−1 with respect to the pre‐industrial SMB, which represents a sea‐level rise contribution of 2.8 mm yr−1. For a threshold of 2.7‐K global temperature increase with respect to pre‐industrial, the rate of expansion of the ablation area increases, the mass loss accelerates due to loss of refreezing capacity and accelerated melt, and the SMB becomes negative 6 years later. Before acceleration, longwave radiation is the most important contributor to increasing energy for melt. After acceleration, the large expansion of the ablation area strongly reduces surface albedo. This and much increased turbulent heat fluxes as the GrIS‐integrated summer surface temperature approaches melt point become the major sources of energy for melt.
Dynamics of the Cross‐Layer Exchange for the Layered Circulation in the South China Sea
Authors: Cai Zhongya , Gan Jianping
Published: July 2020

The cyclonic‐anticyclonic‐cyclonic (CAC) circulation in the upper (<750 m)‐middle (750–1,500 m)‐deep (>1,500 m) layers of South China Sea (SCS) is mainly driven by the extrinsic lateral vorticity flux due to inflow‐outflow‐inflow through the Luzon Strait (LS) and the associated intrinsic vertical exchange (VE) in the basin. The contribution of spatiotemporal structure of the VE through vortex stretching and squeezing to CAC circulation, which was unknown, mainly occurs in the semi‐closed middle and deep layers and has a strong seasonality. During summer, the vorticity flux induced by net upward VEs crossing the upper (750 m) and lower (1,500 m) interfaces of CAC circulation is equivalent to ~40% of the lateral vorticity flux for strengthening the anticyclonic and cyclonic circulation in the middle and deep layers, respectively. During winter, the net downward VE crossing the upper interface squeezes the middle layer and strengthens its anticyclonic circulation, while the net VE crossing the lower interface is too small to affect the circulation. The VE and its seasonality in the basin are largely governed by the cross‐isobath geostrophic transport (CGTb) due to interaction between along‐isobath circular currents and rugged slope topography. The CGTb is formed by the along‐isobath bottom pressure gradient associated with surface wind stress curl, nonlinear advection, and beta effect over the meandering slope topography. Our study revealed how important VE between the layers is to the CAC circulation itself, and our work advanced the understanding of the intrinsic‐extrinsic dynamic coupling that forms, develops, and sustains the CAC circulation in the SCS.
Maximum Carboxylation Rate Estimation With Chlorophyll Content as a Proxy of Rubisco Content
Authors: Lu Xuehe , Ju Weimin , Li Jing , Croft Holly , Chen Jing M. , Luo Yiqi , Yu Hua , Hu Haijing
Published: July 2020

The maximum carboxylation rate (Vcmax) is a key parameter in determining the plant photosynthesis rate per unit leaf area. However, most terrestrial biosphere models currently treat Vcmax as constants changing only with plant functional types, leading to large uncertainties in modeled carbon fluxes. Vcmax is tightly linked with Ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco). Here we investigated the relationship between leaf chlorophyll and Rubisco (Chl‐Rub) contents within a winter wheat paddock. With chlorophyll as a proxy of Rubisco, a semimechanistic model was developed to model Vcmax25 (Vcmax normalized to 25°C). The Chl‐Rub relationship was validated using measurements in a temperate mixed deciduous forest in Canada. The results showed that Rubisco was strongly correlated with chlorophyll (R2 = 0.96, p < 0.001) for winter wheat since the absorption of light energy by chlorophyll and the amount of CO2 catalyzed by Rubisco are tightly coupled. Incorporating the Chl‐Rub relationship into the semimechanistic model, the root mean square error of modeled Vcmax25 was the lowest among all estimation models. The slopes of Chl‐Rub relations were almost consistent in the winter wheat and temperate forest, demonstrating the potential for using leaf chlorophyll content as a proxy of leaf Rubisco in modeling Vcmax25 at large spatial scales. We anticipate that improving Vcmax25 estimates over time and space will reduce uncertainties in global carbon budgets simulated by terrestrial biosphere models.
Functional Representation of Biological Components in Methane‐Cycling Processes in Wetlands Improves Modeling Predictions
Authors: Villa Jorge A.
Published: July 2020

Wetlands are important natural sources of methane. However, methane predictions are unconstrained due in part to simplified representations in biogeochemical models of complex interactions between biological components and biophysical drivers. Chang et al. (2019, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JG005355) demonstrate how mechanistic descriptions of processes mediated by biological components and their drivers help improve methane prediction in the thawing permafrost peatlands, where biological components are shifting as a response to current climate change. These findings underscore the need for accounting for the different methanogenic pathways in biogeochemical models to predict methane cycling under a changing climate scenario. This comment presents some implications of considering the methanogenic pathways when simulating different wetland ecosystems and discusses the relevance of including other processes mediated by biological components in the methane cycle in models.
Aging and menopause reprogram osteoclast precursors for aggressive bone resorption
Authors: Møller Anaïs Marie Julie , Delaissé Jean-Marie , Olesen Jacob Bastholm , Madsen Jonna Skov , Canto Luisa Matos , Bechmann Troels , Rogatto Silvia Regina , Søe Kent
Published: July 2020

Women gradually lose bone from the age of ~35 years, but around menopause, the rate of bone loss escalates due to increasing bone resorption and decreasing bone formation levels, rendering these individuals more prone to developing osteoporosis. The increased osteoclast activity has been linked to a reduced estrogen level and other hormonal changes. However, it is unclear whether intrinsic changes in osteoclast precursors around menopause can also explain the increased osteoclast activity. Therefore, we set up a protocol in which CD14+blood monocytes were isolated from 49 female donors (40–66 years old). Cells were differentiated into osteoclasts, and data on differentiation and resorption activity were collected. Using multiple linear regression analyses combining in vitro and in vivo data, we found the following: (1) age and menopausal status correlate with aggressive osteoclastic bone resorption in vitro; (2) the type I procollagen N-terminal propeptide level in vivo inversely correlates with osteoclast resorption activity in vitro; (3) the protein level of mature cathepsin K in osteoclasts in vitro increases with age and menopause; and (4) the promoter of the gene encoding the dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein is less methylated with age. We conclude that monocytes are “reprogrammed” in vivo, allowing them to “remember” age, the menopausal status, and the bone formation status in vitro, resulting in more aggressive osteoclasts. Our discovery suggests that this may be mediated through DNA methylation. We suggest that this may have clinical implications and could contribute to understanding individual differences in age- and menopause-induced bone loss.
Chondroitin polymerizing factor (CHPF) promotes development of malignant melanoma through regulation of CDK1
Authors: Sun Wei , Zhao Fang , Xu Yu , Huang Kai , Guo Xianling , Zheng Biqiang , Liu Xin , Luo Zhiguo , Kong Yunyi , Xu Midie , Schadendorf Dirk , Chen Yong
Published: July 2020

Chondroitin polymerizing factor (CHPF) is an important member of glycosyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of chondroitin sulfate (CS). However, the relationship between CHPF and malignant melanoma (MM) is still unknown. In this study, it was demonstrated that CHPF was up-regulated in MM tissues compared with the adjacent normal skin tissues and its high expression was correlated with more advanced T stage. Further investigations indicated that the over-expression/knockdown of CHPF could promote/inhibit proliferation, colony formation and migration of MM cells, while inhibiting/promoting cell apoptosis. Moreover, knockdown of CHPF could also suppress tumorigenicity of MM cells in vivo. RNA-sequencing followed by Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) was performed for exploring downstream of CHPF and identified CDK1 as the potential target. Furthermore, our study revealed that knockdown of CDK1 could inhibit development of MM in vitro, and alleviate the CHPF over-expression induced promotion of MM. In conclusion, our study showed, as the first time, CHPF as a tumor promotor for MM, whose function was carried out probably through the regulation of CDK1.
Reduced replication origin licensing selectively kills KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer cells via mitotic catastrophe
Authors: Gastl Bastian , Klotz-Noack Kathleen , Klinger Bertram , Ispasanie Sylvia , Salib Krenoula Hani Fouad , Zuber Johannes , Mamlouk Soulafa , Bublitz Natalie , Blüthgen Nils , Horst David , Morkel Markus , Schäfer Reinhold , Sers Christine
Published: July 2020

To unravel vulnerabilities of KRAS-mutant CRC cells, a shRNA-based screen specifically inhibiting MAPK pathway components and targets was performed in CaCo2 cells harboring conditional oncogenic KRASG12V. The custom-designed shRNA library comprised 121 selected genes, which were previously identified to be strongly regulated in response to MEK inhibition. The screen showed that CaCo2 cells expressing KRASG12V were sensitive to the suppression of the DNA replication licensing factor minichromosome maintenance complex component 7 (MCM7), whereas KRASwt CaCo2 cells were largely resistant to MCM7 suppression. Similar results were obtained in an isogenic DLD-1 cell culture model. Knockdown of MCM7 in a KRAS-mutant background led to replication stress as indicated by increased nuclear RPA focalization. Further investigation showed a significant increase in mitotic cells after simultaneous MCM7 knockdown and KRASG12V expression. The increased percentage of mitotic cells coincided with strongly increased DNA damage in mitosis. Taken together, the accumulation of DNA damage in mitotic cells is due to replication stress that remained unresolved, which results in mitotic catastrophe and cell death. In summary, the data show a vulnerability of KRAS-mutant cells towards suppression of MCM7 and suggest that inhibiting DNA replication licensing might be a viable strategy to target KRAS-mutant cancers.