bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Agricultural innovation and environmental change on the floodplains of the Congo River
Authors: Comptour Marion , Cosiaux Ariane , Coomes Oliver T. , Bader Jean‐Claude , Malaterre Pierre‐Olivier , Yoka Joseph , Caillon Sophie , McKey Doyle
Published: July 2019

Climate‐driven environmental changes bring new risks but also opportunities to populations living along the world's major rivers. Based on ethnoecological fieldwork, in this paper we examine how people living in the cuvette centrale of the Congo basin have adopted flood‐recession agriculture on islands in the Congo River, taking advantage of a secular shift since the 1980s in the hydrological regime of the Congo River. Analyses of the hydrological data reveal that this shift decreased flood risk and significantly extended the growing season on the islands, long enough to enable cultivation of fast‐maturing varieties of manioc and other crops. Flood‐recession farming on islands in the river is today not only an important source of food, but also a source of income for women, who are primarily responsible for seasonal cultivation of fields during the low‐water season. Hydrological changes alone are insufficient to explain the adoption of the new agricultural practice; adoption also arose as a result of dynamic interactions among river fishing, trading, and broader socio‐economic forces. Climate‐change models project an increased frequency of extreme floods. Our results suggest that this change may limit island cultivation in the future. More generally, our findings point to the importance of looking beyond single‐factor, solely environmental explanations in studies of climate‐change adaptation.
Social stratification in Higher Education: What it means at the micro‐level of the individual academic scientist
Authors: Kwiek Marek
Published: July 2019

The academic profession is internally divided as never before. This cross‐national comparative analysis of stratification in Higher Education is based on a sample of European academic scientists (N = 8,466) from universities in 11 countries. The analysis identifies three types of stratification: academic performance stratification, academic salary stratification, and international research stratification. This emergent stratification of the global scientific community is predominantly research‐based, and internationalisation in research is at its centre; prestige‐driven, internationally competitive, and central to academic recognition systems, research is the single most stratifying factor in Higher Education at the level of the individual scientist today. These stratification processes pull the various segments of the academic profession in different directions. The study analyses highly productive academics (‘research top performers’), highly paid academics (‘academic top earners’), and highly internationalised academics (‘research internationalists’) and explores the implications for individual scientists.
Contracting with students: Re‐thinking Higher Education as invitation to treat
Authors: Fulford Amanda
Published: July 2019

This paper takes as its starting point the idea of universities contracting with students, and of the increased consumer protections for students that such contracts afford. It begins by considering what is at stake in creating a legally binding contract. Using examples from contract law, it then argues that it is difficult to think of a university Higher Education in such terms. While contracts in relation to matters such as campus accommodation offer benefits and protections for both parties, contracting with students over their educational experience is highly problematic because of the precise stipulation of terms that is required. The paper seeks to understand what is distinctive about a Higher Education experience through a concept from contract law known as an invitation to treat. The paper argues that the notions of invitation and negotiation that are at its heart better illustrate the possibilities that a Higher Education afford.
The relevance of nurses and midwives code of conduct in Australia
Authors: Cowin L. S. , Riley T. K. , Heiler J. , Gregory L. R.
Published: July 2019

Aim

This study explores Australian clinical nurses' and midwives' familiarity with a new code of conduct and understanding in what ways the code is important for nurses as they carry out clinical practice.

Background

Codes specify the expectations of nurses' responsibilities, legal requirements, behaviour and conduct. Being familiar with the code is central to being a professional nurse or midwife. As nursing continues to advance, updating the code is crucial to maintain professional and safe practice.

Design

This project utilized a cross‐sectional descriptive design.

Methods

A survey was developed incorporating Likert‐type scale assessments of the 7 value statements from the 2018 Australian Nurses' Code of Conduct for familiarity and importance. The survey included open‐ended questions to elicit clinical nurses' experiences of conduct breaches, opinions regarding usefulness and relevance of the code for current practice. Data were collected at an acute care hospital in Sydney during January 2018.

Results

Significant differences relating to cultural and patient‐centred approaches were revealed in the study. The new value involving the role of research was least understood and ranked least important by nurses and midwives. Professional ‘integrity’ resonated with participants when considering the behaviour of nurses, and short, unambiguous values were the most popular. Additionally, a substantial number of participants had no knowledge of the code or were not aware of the recently revised version.

Conclusion and implications for nursing

A code of conduct provides structure and guidance for workplace values and principles. A respected code is important to the nursing profession to help prevent inappropriate and incompetent behaviour and as a guide for nursing performance. Nurses in this study claimed the code was highly relevant to their work as a nurse and was incorporated into their daily practice.
A meta‐ethnography of adult smokers’ exploring the meanings of tobacco dependency medications adherence behaviours during smoking cessation
Authors: Sanders Carol Jane , Lindenmeyer Antje , Marriott John
Published: July 2019

Aims

To synthesize the experiences and adherence of adult smokers’ with tobacco dependence medications.

Design

Meta‐ethnography.

Data sources

Seven bibliographic databases were systematically searched until April 2016.

Review Methods

A standardized appraisal tool evaluated the quality of the selected studies.

Results

Seven studies met the eligibility criteria. Three major themes described the experiences and adherence of adult smokers’ with tobacco dependence medications; the psychosocial context, predilection for willpower and “natural” methods and a tendency to resist medications.

Conclusion

The findings of this meta‐ethnography are important to future clinical practice guideline development so health professionals contribute effectively to further reduction in smoking prevalence. Further research is needed to understand resistance to tobacco dependence medications and to inform the design of person‐tailored interventions to improve tobacco dependence medication adherence that can be incorporated into smoking cessation interventions.

Impact

Smoking causes more death and disability in the world than any other avoidable factor. Research on smoker perspectives on tobacco dependence medications is sparse. Tobacco dependency is a unique treatment context with specific adherence issues. Smokers are active decision‐makers regarding tobacco dependence medications. Inconsistent adherence to tobacco dependency medication regimens was apparent. Implications for health professionals, healthcare policy and clinical practice guidelines regard the structure of consultations with smoking patients. It is critical for all health professionals to assess the person seeking to stop smoking and foresee the possible causes of non‐adherence behaviour. Addressing non‐adherence will to lead to more effective health communications and positively contribute to quality of smoking cessation care.
Effect of neuron‐derived neurotrophic factor on rejuvenation of human adipose‐derived stem cells for cardiac repair after myocardial infarction
Authors: Yang Kun , Song Hui‐Fang , He Sheng , Yin Wen‐Juan , Fan Xue‐Mei , Ru Feng , Gong Hui , Zhai Xiao‐Yan , Zhang Jie , Peng Ze‐Xu , Xi Guang‐Xia , Xie Jun , Li Ren‐Ke
Published: July 2019

The decline of cell function caused by ageing directly impacts the therapeutic effects of autologous stem cell transplantation for heart repair. The aim of this study was to investigate whether overexpression of neuron‐derived neurotrophic factor (NDNF) can rejuvenate the adipose‐derived stem cells in the elderly and such rejuvenated stem cells can be used for cardiac repair. Human adipose‐derived stem cells (hADSCs) were obtained from donors age ranged from 17 to 92 years old. The effects of age on the biological characteristics of hADSCs and the expression of ageing‐related genes were investigated. The effects of transplantation of NDNF over‐expression stem cells on heart repair after myocardial infarction (MI) in adult mice were investigated. The proliferation, migration, adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation of hADSCs inversely correlated with age. The mRNA and protein levels of NDNF were significantly decreased in old (>60 years old) compared to young hADSCs (<40 years old). Overexpression of NDNF in old hADSCs significantly improved their proliferation and migration capacity in vitro. Transplantation of NDNF‐overexpressing old hADSCs preserved cardiac function through promoting angiogenesis on MI mice. NDNF rejuvenated the cellular function of aged hADSCs. Implantation of NDNF‐rejuvenated hADSCs improved angiogenesis and cardiac function in infarcted mouse hearts.
Evolutionary potential of a widespread clonal grass under changing climate
Authors: Stojanova Bojana , Koláříková Veronika , Šurinová Maria , Klápště Jaroslav , Hadincová Věroslava , Münzbergová Zuzana
Published: July 2019

Adaptive responses are probably the most effective long‐term responses of populations to climate change, but they require sufficient evolutionary potential upon which selection can act. This requires high genetic variance for the traits under selection and low antagonizing genetic covariances between the different traits. Evolutionary potential estimates are still scarce for long‐lived, clonal plants, although these species are predicted to dominate the landscape with climate change. We studied the evolutionary potential of a perennial grass, Festuca rubra, in western Norway, in two controlled environments corresponding to extreme environments in natural populations: cold–dry and warm–wet, the latter being consistent with the climatic predictions for the country. We estimated genetic variances, covariances, selection gradients and response to selection for a wide range of growth, resource acquisition and physiological traits, and compared their estimates between the environments. We showed that the evolutionary potential of F. rubra is high in both environments, and genetic covariances define one main direction along which selection can act with relatively few constraints to selection. The observed response to selection at present is not sufficient to produce genotypes adapted to the predicted climate change under a simple, space for time substitution model. However, the current populations contain genotypes which are pre‐adapted to the new climate, especially for growth and resource acquisition traits. Overall, these results suggest that the present populations of the long‐lived clonal plant may have sufficient evolutionary potential to withstand long‐term climate changes through adaptive responses.
Translational Geroscience: Challenges and Opportunities for Geriatric Medicine
Authors: Gill Thomas M.
Published: July 2019

This editorial comments on the article by Newman et al.
Relationships of social support, health‐promoting lifestyles, glycemic control, and bone turnover among adults with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Ha Mei , Chen Jun , Zhang Xiaojuan , Yang Hong , Liu Changjiang
Published: July 2019

Aim

There is increasing evidence that hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and the accumulation of advanced glycation end products in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) can lead to the deterioration of bone remodeling. The purpose of this study was to explore relationships of social support, health‐promoting lifestyles, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, and serum bone turnover markers (BTMs, including procollagen type I amino‐terminal propeptide [PINP] and β‐isomerised carboxy‐terminal cross‐linking telopeptide of type I collagen [β‐CTX]) among individuals with T2DM.

Methods

A total of 175 subjects were recruited by convenience sampling and divided into three groups based on their HbA1c levels. Statistical strategies of Spearman's correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression were used in this cross‐sectional study.

Results

There was a positive association between PINP and β‐CTX, whereas the HbA1c level was inversely correlated with BTMs. Moreover, scores of both PINP and β‐CTX were different in genders, males having lower levels of BTMs than females after adjustment for weight. Furthermore, both social support and health‐promoting lifestyles were negatively correlated with HbA1c levels, whereas they did not significantly relate to declines in PINP and β‐CTX.

Conclusion

High HbA1c levels detrimentally influence bone formation and bone resorption, and males with T2DM might be more susceptible to osteoporosis because of their relatively lower levels of BTMs. However, social support and health‐promoting lifestyles could contribute to better glycemic control.
A survey of nursing and multidisciplinary team members' perspectives on the perceived contribution of intellectual disability clinical nurse specialists
Authors: Doody Owen , Slevin Eamonn , Taggart Laurence
Published: July 2019

Aim and objectives

To explore multidisciplinary team members' perspectives of clinical nurse specialists in intellectual disability nursing contribution in Ireland.

Background

While clinical nurse specialist roles have advanced over time, they are viewed as multifaceted and complex roles creating confusion. This confusion is reinforced by the absence of studies on multidisciplinary team members' perspectives on the activities of clinical nurse specialists.

Design

A cross‐sectional study of multidisciplinary team members (n = 262). The survey instrument was developed based on the literature and the result of a previous qualitative study and survey of intellectual disability clinical nurse specialists.

Methods

SPSS was used for data analyses and descriptive and inferential statistics. The STROBE checklist for cross‐sectional studies was used for reporting, and both a university and service providers granted ethical approval.

Findings

This study highlights that multidisciplinary team members identify the contribution and support that intellectual disability clinical nurse specialists provide across a range of practice areas. Clinical nurse specialists support the care process through supporting clients, staffs, families, organisations, communities and other agencies.

Conclusions

Overall, the study reports and acknowledges the significance and contribution of intellectual disability clinical nurse specialists, across a range of practice areas and the support they provide for all stakeholders within the care process.

Relevance to clinical practice

Clinical nurse specialists are central to the nursing profession as a lead clinical role in practice and play a key role within the multidisciplinary team. Highlighting the work of the clinical nurse specialist creates greater clarity and less role ambiguity/confusion.
Current and emerging avenues for Alzheimer's disease drug targets
Authors: Loera‐Valencia R. , Cedazo‐Minguez A. , Kenigsberg P.A. , Page G. , Duarte A.I. , Giusti P. , Zusso M. , Robert P. , Frisoni G. B. , Cattaneo Annamaria , Zille M. , Boltze J. , Cartier N. , Buee L. , Johansson G. , Winblad B.
Published: July 2019

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most frequent cause of dementia, is escalating as a global epidemic, and so far, there is neither cure nor treatment to alter its progression. The most important feature of the disease is neuronal death and loss of cognitive functions, caused probably from several pathological processes in the brain. The main neuropathological features of AD are widely described as amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles of the aggregated protein tau, which contribute to the disease. Nevertheless, AD brains suffer from a variety of alterations in function, such as energy metabolism, inflammation and synaptic activity. The latest decades have seen an explosion of genes and molecules that can be employed as targets aiming to improve brain physiology, which can result in preventive strategies for AD. Moreover, therapeutics using these targets can help AD brains to sustain function during the development of AD pathology. Here, we review broadly recent information for potential targets that can modify AD through diverse pharmacological and nonpharmacological approaches including gene therapy. We propose that AD could be tackled not only using combination therapies including Aβ and tau, but also considering insulin and cholesterol metabolism, vascular function, synaptic plasticity, epigenetics, neurovascular junction and blood–brain barrier targets that have been studied recently. We also make a case for the role of gut microbiota in AD. Our hope is to promote the continuing research of diverse targets affecting AD and promote diverse targeting as a near‐future strategy.
Perfluoroalkyls/polyfluoroalkyl substances and dental caries experience in children, ages 3–11 years, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013–2014
Authors: Wiener R. Constance , Waters Christopher
Published: July 2019

Objective

The objective of this research is to determine the association of seven perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances versus dental caries experience in US children, ages 3–11 years.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study design was used in the analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2014 serological data of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The seven perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances were: 2‐(N‐methyl‐perfluorooctane sulfonamide) acetic acid; perfluorodecanoic acid; perfluorononanoic acid; perfluorohexane sulfonic acid; linear isomers of perfluorooctanoate; linear perfluorooctane sulfonate; and monomethyl branched isomers of perfluorooctane sulfonate. Two summative variables were created: monomethyl branch isomers of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid with linear isomer of perfluorooctane and branch isomers of perfluorooctanoate with linear isomer perfluorooctonate.

Results

In unadjusted logistic regression, in which the comparison was between the less than 75th percentile reference group and the 75th and above percentile group, higher perfluorodecanoic acid was associated with dental caries experience [unadjusted odds ratio: 1.79 (95% CI: 1.19, 2.46; P = 0.0069); adjusted odds ratio: 1.54 (95% CI: 1.03, 2.30; P = 0.0385)].

Conclusions

Of the seven examined perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, only perfluorodecanoic acid had an association with dental caries experience in an unadjusted model and adjusted logistic regression model.
Melatonin is a potential drug for the prevention of bone loss during space flight
Authors: Ikegame Mika , Hattori Atsuhiko , Tabata Makoto J. , Kitamura Kei‐ichiro , Tabuchi Yoshiaki , Furusawa Yukihiro , Maruyama Yusuke , Yamamoto Tatsuki , Sekiguchi Toshio , Matsuoka Risa , Hanmoto Taizo , Ikari Takahiro , Endo Masato , Omori Katsunori , Nakano Masaki , Yashima Sayaka , Ejiri Sadakazu , Taya Toshiki , Nakashima Hiroshi , Shimizu Nobuaki , Nakamura Masahisa , Kondo Takashi , Hayakawa Kazuichi , Takasaki Ichiro , Kaminishi Atsushi , Akatsuka Ryosuke , Sasayama Yuichi , Nishiuchi Takumi , Nara Masayuki , Iseki Hachiro , Chowdhury Vishwajit S. , Wada Shigehito , Ijiri Kenichi , Takeuchi Toshio , Suzuki Tohru , Ando Hironori , Matsuda Kouhei , Somei Masanori , Mishima Hiroyuki , Mikuni‐Takagaki Yuko , Funahashi Hisayuki , Takahashi Akihisa , Watanabe Yoshinari , Maeda Masahiro , Uchida Hideaki , Hayashi Akio , Kambegawa Akira , Seki Azusa , Yano Sachiko , Shimazu Toru , Suzuki Hiromi , Hirayama Jun , Suzuki Nobuo
Published: July 2019

Astronauts experience osteoporosis‐like loss of bone mass because of microgravity conditions during space flight. To prevent bone loss, they need a riskless and antiresorptive drug. Melatonin is reported to suppress osteoclast function. However, no studies have examined the effects of melatonin on bone metabolism under microgravity conditions. We used goldfish scales as a bone model of coexisting osteoclasts and osteoblasts and demonstrated that mRNA expression level of acetylserotonin O‐methyltransferase, an enzyme essential for melatonin synthesis, decreased significantly under microgravity. During space flight, microgravity stimulated osteoclastic activity and significantly increased gene expression for osteoclast differentiation and activation. Melatonin treatment significantly stimulated Calcitonin (an osteoclast‐inhibiting hormone) mRNA expression and decreased the mRNA expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (a promoter of osteoclastogenesis), which coincided with suppressed gene expression levels for osteoclast functions. This is the first study to report the inhibitory effect of melatonin on osteoclastic activation by microgravity. We also observed a novel action pathway of melatonin on osteoclasts via an increase in CALCITONIN secretion. Melatonin could be the source of a potential novel drug to prevent bone loss during space flight.
The effect of modified starches on the gel properties and protein conformation of Nemipterus virgatus surimi
Authors: Mi Hongbo , Wang Cong , Su Qing , Li Xuepeng , Yi Shumin , Li Jianrong
Published: July 2019

The study investigated the effect of native cassava starch (NCS), hydroxypropylated starch, acetic acid esterification starch (AAES), acetylated distarch phosphate on gel properties and protein conformation of Nemipterus virgatus surimi. Addition of 10 g kg−1 NCS or 20 g kg−1 AAES could significantly promote the gel strength and textural profiles of the surimi gels (p < .05). The water holding ability and whiteness of surimi were remarkably increased when the four types of starch were added at all concentrations (p < .05). In rheological test, the lower G′ was observed in surimi samples added with starch at low temperature, suggesting starch played an inactive filler role in surimi. Along with the increase of starch additive amount, ionic bond and hydrophobic interaction first increased and then decreased, while hydrogen bond first decrease and then increased. According to Raman spectroscopy data, small content of starch promoted the heat‐induced conformational transition of surimi protein from α‐helix to β‐sheet, leading to the change in gel properties of surimi gels. Scanning electron microscopy photographs showed surimi gels added with 20 g kg−1 starch had the finer and denser network structure. Therefore, 20 g kg−1 AAES or 10 g kg−1 NCS or 10 g kg−1 HS could be proposed to a potential modifier to effectively improve the quality of surimi products.
Short gradient, but distinct plant strategies: The CSR scheme applied to subtropical forests
Authors: Rosenfield Milena Fermina , Müller Sandra Cristina , Overbeck Gerhard Ernst
Published: July 2019

Questions

Plant communities in transitional zones between ecosystem types have potentially a large range of ecological strategies, even along short gradients. Exploring these regional differences and the drivers of variation is important to understand plant adaptations and changes in ecological processes between distinct ecosystems. Here, we ask whether distinct forest types in the subtropical region present plant communities with distinct ecological strategies and, if so, if these differences are driven by climatic variables.

Location

Subtropical forests in southern Brazil.

Methods

We compiled species lists from 112 sites distributed across rainforests, seasonal forests, Araucaria forests and Pampean forests. We used Grime's CSR scheme and calculated, for each species, CSR values based on information of three leaf traits: leaf area, specific leaf area and leaf dry matter content. Species CSR values were used to calculate the mean value for each community. We selected four climatic variables related to temperate and precipitation and analyzed their influence on plant strategies by linear mixed models.

Results

Our results showed a strong CS component for all subtropical forests studied, with a small contribution from component R. We found clear differences in ecological strategies between forest types: rainforest showed the highest values of component C, and Araucaria and Pampean forests presented the highest values of component S. We found a strong influence of temperature variables on ecological strategies.

Conclusions

Even along a short latitudinal gradient, we found differences in ecological strategies across forest types. Araucaria and Pampean forests were strongly associated with the stress‐tolerant strategy, as they face lower minimum temperatures and/or a larger temperature range, whereas rainforests, which face warmer temperatures and a lower range of variation, presented a strategy where competition is of higher importance. This highlights that regional environmental conditions in this transitional zone influence ecological strategies of tree communities.
Effects of Bacillus aquimaris T16 on growth, enzyme activity, and disease resistance of the Yesso scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis
Authors: Ma Yue‐Xin , Li Ming , Liu Ji‐Chen , Tao Wei , Yu Zi‐Chao , Liu Yu‐Bin
Published: July 2019

A 49‐day rearing trial was conducted to investigate the effects of Bacillus aquimaris T16 on growth, survival, and digestive and immune‐related enzyme activities in larval and juvenile Yesso scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis. Veliger larvae (Day 2 postfertilization [d2 PF]) were split into three treatments: control (provided with a diet only of microalgae), low T16 supplementation (1 × 104 cells/mL at final concentration), and high T16 supplementation (1 × 106 cells/mL at final concentration). Results showed that specific growth rates; survivals; and pepsin, amylase, and/or cellulase activities of umbo larvae (d13 PF), crawling–pediveliger larvae (d28 PF), and juveniles (d51 PF) in the low and/or high T16 supplementation treatments were significantly higher than those in the control group. Larvae and juveniles fed diets containing low and/or high T16 supplementations had significantly increased lysozyme, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities compared with those fed the diet of microalgae. In addition, T16 protected juveniles against challenge by Vibrio splendidus. These data suggest that the addition of T16 can improve growth, enhance digestive enzyme activity, and stimulate the innate immune system of scallop larvae and juveniles and enhance the resistance of juveniles against V. splendidus.
Extracellular vesicles: Future diagnostic and therapeutic tools for liver disease and regeneration
Authors: Balaphas Alexandre , Meyer Jeremy , Sadoul Rémy , Morel Philippe , Gonelle‐Gispert Carmen , Bühler Leo Hans
Published: July 2019

Extracellular vesicles are membrane fragments that can be produced by all cell types. Interactions between extracellular vesicles and various liver cells constitute an emerging field in hepatology and recent evidences have established a role for extracellular vesicles in various liver diseases and physiological processes. Extracellular vesicles originating from liver cells are implicated in intercellular communication and fluctuations of specific circulating extracellular vesicles could constitute new diagnostic tools. In contrast, extracellular vesicles derived from progenitor cells interact with hepatocytes or non‐parenchymal cells, thereby protecting the liver from various injuries and promoting liver regeneration. Our review focuses on recent developments investigating the role of various types of extracellular vesicles in acute and chronic liver diseases as well as their potential use as biomarkers and therapeutic tools.
Cognitive interviewing to improve women's empowerment questions in surveys: Application to the health and nutrition and intrahousehold relationships modules for the project‐level Women's Empowerment in Agriculture Index
Authors: Hannan Anika , Heckert Jessica , James‐Hawkins Laurie , Yount Kathryn M.
Published: July 2019

In 2015, the United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals, which include fostering gender equality and women's empowerment and ending hunger and malnutrition. To monitor progress and evaluate programmes that aim to achieve these goals, survey instruments are needed that can accurately assess related indicators. The project‐level Women's Empowerment in Agriculture Index (pro‐WEAI) is being developed to address the need for an instrument that is sensitive to changes in empowerment over the duration of an intervention. The pro‐WEAI includes new modules with previously untested survey questions, including a health and nutrition module (focused on women's agency in this area) and an intrahousehold relationships module. This study uses cognitive interviewing to identify how new survey questions might be misinterpreted and to understand what experiences women are referencing when they respond to these questions. This was undertaken with the goal of informing revision to the modules. The study was conducted in Bangladesh with women from nuclear, extended, and migrant‐sending households and from two regions of the country to identify difficulties with interpretation and response formulation across these groups. Findings revealed that questions were generally understood, but participants occasionally responded to the wrong part of the question, did not understand key phrases, or were uncomfortable with questions. The findings also suggested ways to revise the modules and strengthen the pro‐WEAI. The revised pro‐WEAI health and nutrition and intrahousehold relationships modules will advance the ability to measure changes in these domains and their relationship with the health and nutritional status of women and their children.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the common bile duct: A case report with genomic profiling
Authors: Knudsen Kirsten Nguyen , Mortensen Michael Bau , Detlefsen Sönke
Published: July 2019

Squamous cell carcinoma of the extrahepatic bile ducts is a very rare type of cancer with a virtually unknown pathogenesis. We present the case of a 66‐year‐old woman who underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy with the postoperative diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the common bile duct. Microscopically, the entire common bile duct showed squamous metaplasia. Besides, an invasive squamous cell carcinoma was found, stage pT3pN0. A next generation sequencing assay covering 315 tumor‐related genes revealed genomic alterations in seven genes: FBXW7, CREBBP, CTCF, FAT1, MAGI2, MLL2, and NOTCH1.
Quantifying Community Resilience Using Hierarchical Bayesian Kernel Methods: A Case Study on Recovery from Power Outages
Authors: Yu Jin‐Zhu , Baroud Hiba
Published: July 2019

The ability to accurately measure recovery rate of infrastructure systems and communities impacted by disasters is vital to ensure effective response and resource allocation before, during, and after a disruption. However, a challenge in quantifying such measures resides in the lack of data as community recovery information is seldom recorded. To provide accurate community recovery measures, a hierarchical Bayesian kernel model (HBKM) is developed to predict the recovery rate of communities experiencing power outages during storms. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated using cross‐validation and compared with two models, the hierarchical Bayesian regression model and the Poisson generalized linear model. A case study focusing on the recovery of communities in Shelby County, Tennessee after severe storms between 2007 and 2017 is presented to illustrate the proposed approach. The predictive accuracy of the models is evaluated using the log‐likelihood and root mean squared error. The HBKM yields on average the highest out‐of‐sample predictive accuracy. This approach can help assess the recoverability of a community when data are scarce and inform decision making in the aftermath of a disaster. An illustrative example is presented demonstrating how accurate measures of community resilience can help reduce the cost of infrastructure restoration.
Cachexia/Protein energy wasting syndrome in CKD: Causation and treatment
Authors: Oliveira Eduardo A. , Zheng Ronghao , Carter Caitlin E. , Mak Robert H.
Published: July 2019

Cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome defined by significant body weight loss, fat and muscle mass reduction, and increased protein catabolism. Protein energy wasting (PEW) is characterized as a syndrome of adverse changes in nutrition and body composition being highly prevalent in patients with CKD, especially in those undergoing dialysis, and it is associated with high morbidity and mortality in this population. Multiple mechanisms are involved in the genesis of these adverse nutritional changes in CKD patients. There is no obvious distinction between PEW and cachexia from a pathophysiologic standpoint and should be considered as part of the spectrum of the same nutritional disorder in CKD with similar management approaches for prevention and treatment based on current understanding. A plethora of factors can affect the nutritional status of CKD patients requiring a combination of therapeutic approaches to prevent or reverse protein and energy depletion. At present, there is no effective pharmacologic intervention that prevents or attenuates muscle atrophy in catabolic conditions like CKD. Prevention and treatment of uremic muscle wasting involve optimal nutritional support, correction of acidosis, and physical exercise. There has been emerging consistent evidence that active treatment, perhaps by combining nutritional interventions and resistance exercise, may be able to improve but not totally reverse or prevent the supervening muscle wasting and weakness. Active research into more direct pharmacological treatment based on basic mechanistic research is much needed for this unmet medical need in patients with CKD.
World Englishes in professional communication
Authors: Bhatia Vijay K.
Published: July 2019

Communication in international professional contexts, whether in spoken, written, or digital form, often involves participants from a variety of contexts in terms of variations in their use of language and cultural norms, discourse strategies, and expectations of participating members of specific professional communities, and as such, invariably reflects a multi‐norm rather than a mono‐norm native model of language use. However, very little attention has been paid either in world Englishes (WE) or discourse analytical studies to communication in professional practice, in particular with a focus on text‐external contextual factors. The major emphasis has so far been on the analysis of textualisation of discourse. Drawing on recent insights from critical genre analysis (Bhatia, 2017), I would like to argue that discursive data from professional practice provides additional support and convincing argument in favour of Kachru's (1985, p. 30) call for multi‐norm standards in international communication and for a need to consider ‘new paradigms and perspectives for linguistics and pedagogical research’ in national as well as international contexts.
Language and thought disorder in multilingual schizophrenia
Authors: Bhatia Tej K.
Published: July 2019

The main goal of this article is fourfold: (1) to give an overview of the Multilingual Schizophrenia Project (MSP) together with the salient features of the language organization in the multilingual brain/mind; (2) to document and identify the speech traits of a female schizophrenic multilingual patient afflicted with a sub‐type of auditory schizophrenia in which the patient hears body‐internal voices; (3) to compare and contrast schizophrenic speech patterns with normal multilingual verbal behavior; and (4) to use language organization in the multilingual brain/mind as a source of evidence to decode language and thinking disturbance in schizophrenic subjects. This paper is a first‐of‐its kind analysis, exploring and documenting the linguistic nature of multilingual schizophrenia in Indian English, Hindi and Urdu. Although the analysis presented here is based on a single in‐depth case study, the generalizations drawn may be valid for other schizophrenic subjects.
Braj B. Kachru's scholarly publications: A bibliography
Authors: Bolton Kingsley , Davis Daniel R. , Sridhar S. N.
Published: July 2019

Although best known for his work on world Englishes, Braj Kachru was a truly original thinker, whose academic writings included influential publications on English linguistics, Indian languages, but much else besides, including applied linguistics, bilingualism and multilingualism, code‐mixing and switching, cross‐cultural communication, language policy, linguistic variation, literary creativity, sociolinguistics, and the politics of language. Braj B. Kachru was a renaissance scholar of immense stature, whose work brought together Indian and English linguistics with the cultural perspectives of both Asia and the West, and inspired scholars worldwide to adopt fresh perspectives on so many language issues.
In vivokinetic study of materno‐fetal fatty acid transfer in obese and normal weight pregnant women
Authors: Gázquez Antonio , Prieto‐Sánchez María T. , Blanco‐Carnero José E. , van Harskamp Dewi , Perazzolo Simone , Oosterink J. Efraim , Demmelmair Hans , Schierbeek Henk , Sengers Bram G , Lewis Rohan M , van Goudoever Johannes B. , Koletzko Berthold , Larqué Elvira
Published: July 2019

Key points

Placental structure and function can be modified as a result of maternal obesity affecting materno‐fetal fatty acids (FA) transport.

We report for the first time, in humans andin vivo, the kinetics of placental FA transfer in normo‐weight and in normolipemic obese pregnant women using stable isotopes.

The administration of different tracer FA with similar behaviour to the mother at different time points allows the collection of kinetic information on materno‐fetal transfer of FA despite only one sample of placenta and cord can be collected per subject.

Computational modelling showed a good fit to the data when considering all maternal plasma lipid classes but not when based only on non‐esterified FA.

The novel approach using multiple tracer FA administration combined with computational modelling shows a consistent time course of placental tracer FA and predicted total FA accumulation.

We analyse for the first time thein vivomaterno‐fetal kinetic transfer of fatty acids (FA) labelled with stable isotopes in control and obese (OB) pregnant women. Labelled FA with a similar metabolism (stearic acid:13C‐SA; palmitic acid:13C‐PA; oleic acid:13C‐OA) were orally administered at −4 h, −8 h and −12 h, respectively prior to elective caesarean section to 10 pregnant women with a body mass index >30 (OB) and 10 with a body mass index in the range 20–25 (NW). Placenta, venous and arterial cord blood were collected obtaining a wide range of FA enrichments. A combined experimental and computational modelling analysis was applied. FA fractional synthesis rate (FSR) in placenta was 11–12% h–1. No differences were observed between NW and normo‐lipidemic OB. It was not possible to estimate FA FSR in cord blood with this oral bolus dose approach. Computational modelling demonstrated a good fit to the data when all maternal plasma lipid classes were included but not with modelling based only on the non‐esterified FA fraction. The estimated materno‐fetal13C‐FA transfer was ∼1%. In conclusion, our approach using multiple13C‐FA tracers allowed us to estimated FSR in placental/maternal plasma but not in fetal/maternal compartments. Computational modelling showed a consistent time course of placental13C‐FA transfer and predicted total fetal FA accumulation during the experiment. We conclude that, in addition to non‐esterified FA fraction in the maternal circulation, maternal plasma very low‐density lipoprotein and other lipoproteins are important contributors to placental FA transfer to the fetus.
Kinetics of Gaseous Species Formation During Steam Gasification of Municipal Solid Waste in a Fixed Bed Reactor
Authors: Sirirermrux N. , Laohalidanond K. , Kerdsuwan S.
Published: July 2019

Surrogate municipal solid waste (MSW) has been prepared to represent high plastic content waste with low fixed carbon in order to be utilized for feedstock for the gasification and pyrolysis. The major components are plastic (PE and PP), food and kitchen waste, and paper, whereas the minor components are textile, rubber, and biomass. Reactions were conducted in small drop tube fixed bed reactor with isothermal reaction temperature at 700, 800, and 900 °C. Steam was supplied as the gasifying agent for the main purpose of producing hydrogen-rich gas. Pyrolysis was also conducted at the same condition to observe the characteristic differences. Producer gas, including H2, CH4, and CO, of both the reactions was a function of the temperature, whereas CO2 showed a reversed trend when the reaction temperature was increased. Simple kinetic models of those gaseous formations were studied for describing the related parameters. It is challenging to determine the kinetics of the individual gas generation while most kinetic studies have focused on mass deterioration. The commonly used kinetic model of nucleation of Avrami–Erofe'ev (A2) could well predict the mechanism of the gas formation of gasification. In parallel, the pyrolysis conformed to the A3 model due to the slower rate of char and tar decomposition when the gasifying agent was absent. The activation energy of each gaseous species and the fitting of experimental data with the selected models are examined in this study.
Efficient Robust Design for Thermoacoustic Instability Analysis: A Gaussian Process Approach
Authors: Guo Shuai , Silva Camilo F. , Polifke Wolfgang
Published: July 2019

In the preliminary phase of analyzing the thermoacoustic characteristics of a gas turbine combustor, implementing robust design principles is essential to minimize detrimental variations of its thermoacoustic performance under various sources of uncertainties. In this study, we systematically explore different aspects of robust design in thermoacoustic instability analysis, including risk analysis, control design, and inverse tolerance design. We simultaneously take into account multiple thermoacoustic modes and uncertainty sources from both the flame and acoustic boundary parameters. In addition, we introduce the concept of a “risk diagram” based on specific statistical descriptions of the underlying uncertain parameters, which allows practitioners to conveniently visualize the distribution of the modal instability risk over the entire parameter space. Throughout this study, a machine learning method called “Gaussian process” (GP) modeling approach is employed to efficiently tackle the challenge posed by the large parameter variational ranges, various statistical descriptions of the parameters, as well as the multifaceted nature of robust design analysis. For each of the investigated robust design tasks, we propose an efficient solution strategy and benchmark the accuracy of the results delivered by GP models. We demonstrate that GP models can be flexibly adjusted to various tasks while only requiring one-time training. Their adaptability and efficiency make this modeling approach very appealing for industrial practices.
Perspectives on the role of Wnt biology in cancer
Authors: Mirabelli Christopher K. , Nusse Roel , Tuveson David A. , Williams Bart O.
Published: July 2019

A conference was focused on how to target Wnt signaling pathways for therapeutic benefit.
An Undergraduate Research Project Utilizing CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing Technology to Study Gene Function in
Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Ruppel Nicholas J. , Estell Lauren E. , Jackson Robert I. , Wolyniak Michael J.
Published: July 2019

The CRISPR-Cas9 system functions in microbial viral pathogen recognition pathways by identifying and targeting foreign DNA for degradation. Recently, biotechnological advances have allowed scientists to use CRISPR-Cas9-based elements as a molecular tool to selectively modify DNA in a wide variety of other living systems. Given the emerging need to bring engaging CRISPR-Cas9 laboratory experiences to an undergraduate audience, we incorporated a CRISPR-based research project into our
Genetics
class laboratories, emphasizing its use in plants. Our genetic manipulations were designed for
Arabidopsis thaliana
, which despite serving as a plant research model, has traditionally been difficult to use in a classroom setting. For this project, students transformed plasmid DNA containing the essential CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing elements into
A. thaliana
. Expression of these elements in the plant genome was expected to create a deletion at one of six targeted genes. The genes we chose had a known seedling and/or juvenile loss-of-function phenotype, which made genetic analysis by students with a limited background possible. It also allowed the project to reach completion in a typical undergraduate semester timeframe. Assessment efforts demonstrated several learning gains, including students’ understanding of CRISPR-Cas9 content, their ability to apply CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing tools using bioinformatics and genetics, their ability to employ elements of experimental design, and improved science communication skills. They also felt a stronger connection to their scientific education and were more likely to continue on a STEM career path. Overall, this project can be used to introduce CRISPR-Cas9 technology to undergraduates using plants in a single-semester laboratory course.
Rho-Associated Coiled-Coil Kinase 1 Translocates to the Nucleus and Inhibits Human Cytomegalovirus Propagation
Authors: Eliyahu Erez , Tirosh Osnat , Dobesova Martina , Nachshon Aharon , Schwartz Michal , Stern-Ginossar Noam
Published: July 2019

ROCK is a central kinase in cells that regulates numerous cellular functions, including cellular polarity, motility, proliferation, and apoptosis. Here we reveal a novel antiviral activity of ROCK during infection with HCMV, a prevalent pathogen infecting most of the population worldwide. We reveal ROCK1 is translocated to the nucleus, where it mainly localizes to the nucleolus. Our findings suggest that ROCK’s antiviral activity may be related to activation of the actomyosin network and inhibition of capsid egress out of the nucleus.
Об одном методе численного решения уравнения Шредингера
Authors: Плохотников К Э , Plokhotnikov K E
Published: July 2019

Рассмотрен метод численного решения уравнения Шредингера, который, отчасти, можно отнести к классу методов Монте-Карло. Метод излагается и одновременно иллюстрируется на примерах решения одномерного и многомерного уравнения Шредингера в задачах: линейного одномерного осциллятора, атома водорода и бензола.