bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopic characterization of Neoproterozoic organic microfossils from the Fifteenmile Group in Yukon, Canada
Authors: Igisu Motoko , Komiya Tsuyoshi , Awramik Stanley M. , Ikemoto Yuka , Geng Yechuan , Uehara Hiroki , Takai Ken
Published: June 2019

Conventional and synchrotron radiation‐based (SR) Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopies (micro‐FTIR) were applied to four types of ~ 810 Ma organic‐walled microfossils together with diffuse organic matter (OM) and one irregularly shaped structure from the Fifteenmile Group, in Yukon, Canada, for their chemical characterization. The microfossils comprised one filamentous type and three coccoidal types. Micro‐FTIR mapping analysis revealed the micrometer‐scale, spatial distribution of organic components (aliphatic C‐H bonds) and carbonate in the microfossils. Based on comparisons of CH3/CH2 peak height ratios (R3/2) and morphologies of the microfossils (without the diffuse OM) to those of previously described Proterozoic microfossils, possible affinities of the microfossils are suggested, as follows. Palaeolyngbya? and Glenobotrydion belong to bacteria. Myxococcoides is not clearly characterized due to the significant mixing with diffuse OM containing abundant aliphatic C‐H groups. The irregularly shaped structure may represent a eukaryote. The diffuse OM may represent a mixture of decomposed microbial cells and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). SR micro‐FTIR measurements of two coccoid types (Glenobotrydion and Unnamed Coccoid Form D) revealed that the R3/2 values of the internal spots with wall structures are similar to those without wall structures in Glenobotrydion: those values from Unnamed Coccoid Form D were different. The results suggest that these two coccoids are different chemically as well as morphologically. Micro‐FTIR characterization of the organic‐walled microfossils together with morphological analysis provides new insight into their biological affinities.
Prevalence of C‐shaped canal morphology using cone beam computed tomography – a systematic review with meta‐analysis
Authors: Martins J. N. R. , Marques D. , Silva E. J. N. L. , Caramês J. , Mata A. , Versiani M. A.
Published: June 2019

Background and aim

To perform a systematic review of anatomical studies using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to assess the influence of demographic factors (age, gender and geographic region) on the prevalence of C‐shaped canal anatomy in maxillary molars, mandibular premolars and molars.

Data sources

A search was conducted between May and August 2018 in four electronic databases and five peer‐reviewed journals. The authors of included articles were also contacted for additional studies and the bibliographic references hand‐searched.

Study eligibility criteria, participants and interventions

The research protocol was previously registered in the International Prospective Register of Ongoing Systematic Reviews (CRD42018095201) and included defined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Prevalence studies on C‐shaped canal anatomy in maxillary molars, mandibular premolars and molars were searched.

Study appraisal and synthesis methods

The selected studies were submitted to full‐text analysis and critical appraisal by two evaluators using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tool. The final group of papers (n = 25) were pooled and forest plots with proportions and odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval performed. Meta‐regression was undertaken to evaluate possible sources of heterogeneity and funnel plot visual analysis to assess publication bias.

Results

The included studies reported data on 25 445 teeth of 13 142 patients. A significant difference in the average prevalence proportion of C‐shaped configuration was observed between mandibular first (0.3%; 0.1–0.6%) and second (12%; 10.3–13.7%) molars (P < 0.05). No significant difference in the prevalence of C‐shaped configurations was observed comparing males (13.5%; 8.8–18.3%) and females (20.5%; 13.7–27.4%) in mandibular second molars (P > 0.05), although males were associated with significantly lower odds (0.573; 0.511–0.641) (P < 0.05). The pooled proportion of C‐shaped anatomy in mandibular second molars in East Asian countries (39.6%; 36.0–43.1%) was significantly higher compared with other regions.

Limitations

Because of the limited number of studies, no statistical analysis was performed for maxillary molars and mandibular premolars.

Conclusion

Meta‐analysis revealed that gender and geographic region may act as a confounding factor for the prevalence of C‐shaped anatomy in mandibular second molars, whilst age did not influence the prevalence of C‐shaped configurations in this tooth group. Knowing these preoperative factors would help to anticipate complex morphologies in clinics.
Dermoscopy and the experienced clinicians
Authors: Conforti Claudio , Giuffrida Roberta , Vezzoni Roberta , Resende Fernanda S.S. , di Meo Nicola , Zalaudek Iris
Published: June 2019

For several decades, melanoma diagnosis was based on symptoms rather than clinical features. In fact, until the 1970s melanoma was widely not recognized and only diagnosed when presenting as a large, ulcerated, and bleeding nodule. Today it is well known that ulceration and bleeding are symptoms of an advanced stage; thus, it comes not as a surprise that the prognosis of melanoma at that time was very poor. This paper was developed to recognize dermoscopy as an integrative part of the clinical examination, bearing in mind that naked eye diagnosis can change after dermoscopy outcomes, and to help clinicians avoid the concept: “If in doubt, cut it out”.
Beyond Ramps and Rails
Authors: Fubara‐Manuel Jessie
Published: June 2019

Architectural accessibility does not always adequately represent the disability inclusiveness of a Christian community. Oftentimes, what is needed for appreciable inclusion is something as basic as friendship. Friendship that is based on unconditional love, acceptance, and mutual interdependency can facilitate inclusion, especially disability inclusion. This article draws on a study on Mary Slessor Memorial Presbyterian Cathedral, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. It examines its disability inclusion efforts. It demonstrates that disability inclusion must go beyond ramps and rails toward enabling friendship that is affirming of individual personhood through respectful interpersonal relationships. In highlighting the challenges to friendship as a relationship that is given freely, this article wrestles with the complexities of friendship and how this basic concept can bring about acceptable inclusive community within the Cathedral and indeed the global church.
Disability, Performance, and Discrimination in the Service to Humanity
Authors: Osukwu Celine
Published: June 2019

In an age when the church is called upon to be an inclusive community, persons with disabilities in Nigeria are still grappling with exclusion. Disability is associated with multiple challenges. The challenges include degrading treatment, marginalization, and exclusion from recruitment opportunities, as well as discrimination in churches. Some people believe that disability has negative connotations and that persons with disabilities are hopeless, helpless burdens and passive “objects” meant to receive charity as well as physical and spiritual deliverance. Persons with disabilities are stereotypically seen as incapable of being productive. It is assumed that because people live with disabilities, they are not meant to occupy leadership positions or fully partake in church activities. The expectation that persons with disabilities be wholly embraced into the Christian fold is yet to be met. This article shares information on the context in which some of the challenges facing persons with disabilities are rooted. It examines the involvement and experiences of persons with disabilities in the activities of the church, church institutions, and church‐affiliated organizations in Nigeria while acknowledging the church’s mandate of inclusion. It finds that stereotyping and discrimination are challenges for persons with disabilities – individuals who are also made in the image of God. In the future, more research needs to be carried out on issues around the isolation of persons with disabilities in the body of Christ. The findings would help interested groups recognize the predicaments of persons with disabilities and find realistic strategies for a progressive inclusive church community – in this way assisting the efforts of the World Council of Churches’ programme on disability.
Mission and People with Disabilities
Authors: Buda Daniel
Published: June 2019

This article begins with a few thoughts and some historical and canonical encounters about how lay and ordained people with disabilities have been involved in Orthodox mission work in the past. It then presents two concrete contemporary situations in which people with disabilities are involved in Orthodox ordained ministry work despite the persisting tradition that disabled people not be ordained. The first example is taken from the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church, where the involvement of people with disabilities in both ordained and lay ministry provides significant support for a church that lives in a delicate situation. The second example is taken from the Romanian Orthodox Church and presents the case of Father Theophilus Părăian, one of the most prominent contemporary Romanian Orthodox monastic figures, who served as an ordained priest despite his disability. This article pleads for a deeper involvement of disabled people in both ordained and lay ministry in Orthodox churches.
Support of Theological Education in a Cross‐cultural Setting
Authors: Petersen Henrik Sonne
Published: June 2019

Based on recent reports on the global status quo of theological education, including a mapping of Danish organizations supporting theological education in a cross‐cultural setting, the paper asks how theological education is best supported. It argues that theological education, while referring to a historical heritage and sacred text, is also exposed to developments in church and society. Stretched between the historical and contemporary perspective, theological education includes a cultural component that we need to consider when discussing development and support. The paper argues further that support of theological education offered in a cross‐cultural setting is susceptible to failure if the cultural aspect is not considered, primarily through engaging in the cultural background of the supporting agencies. As a help to identifying the cultural element, the paper proposes four indicators, challenging agencies of the global North to face latent aspects of culture and secularization, presenting a global and social perspective of theological education. The cultural component visualized in cross‐cultural support reveals that we must complement the classical notion of theological education as Christian leadership training with an understanding of formation, where spiritual and cognitive aspects accompany social and cultural critique of totalitarian regimes both inside and outside churches. Critique in this setting is not a matter of giving in to secularization, but rather expresses an openness to historical and contemporary perspectives and a commitment to the sources of faith.
El, Baal, and Allah
Authors: Fuad Chelcent
Published: June 2019

This article compares the appropriations of the divine names El and Baal into the Yahwistic faith in ancient Israel with the Christian use of the word “Allah” in contemporary Indonesia. This study finds that, like El and Baal, “Allah” can function as both an appellative and personal name in contemporary Indonesia. However, the term “Allah” in Indonesia is at a crossroads to develop either to be more generic, like El, or to be more personal, like Baal. Learning from the peaceful appropriation of El as a generic name and the polemical appropriation of Baal as a personal name in ancient Israel, Indonesian Christians need to advocate the use of the name Allah as an appellative because it may prevent unnecessary conflicts in the Christian–Muslim relationship in Indonesia. Furthermore, the use of the common word “Allah” in Indonesia to refer to the supreme being is crucial for promoting interreligious dialogue between Islam and Christianity.
Al2O3 hollow nanospheres prepared by fluidized bed chemical vapor deposition and further heat treatment
Authors: Zhao Jian , Liu Malin , Chang Jiaxing , Shao Youlin , Liu Bing , Liu Rongzheng
Published: June 2019

Hollow‐structured Al2O3 nanospheres were prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and further heat‐treatment process. For the CVD process, a unique cooling gas loop was designed in the precursor delivery system and amorphous Al2O3 nanospheres with incomplete pyrolysis intermediated products were obtained in a vertical fluidized bed at 500℃. The microstructure of the nanospheres tended to hollow after subsequent heat treatment at 1300℃ in air. It was found that the obtained Al2O3 hollow nanospheres showed a size of 100‐450 nm in diameter and 20‐80 nm in shell thickness. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed that the Al2O3 hollow nanospheres were α‐Al2O3. The possible formation mechanism was proposed based on the results of the thermal gravimetric (TG) measurement connected with a Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR). The novel method to prepare Al2O3 hollow nanospheres can inspire ideas for the design and synthesis of other hollow‐structured nanospheres.
Movement of aHeliconiushybrid zone over 30 years: A Bayesian approach
Authors: Thurman Timothy J. , Szejner‐Sigal Andre , McMillan W. Owen
Published: June 2019

Hybrid zones have long been of interest to biologists as natural laboratories where we can gain insight into the processes of adaptation and speciation. Repeated sampling of individual hybrid zones has been particularly useful in elucidating the dynamic balance between selection and dispersal that maintains most hybrid zones. Here, we revisit a hybrid zone betweenHeliconius eratobutterflies in Panamá for a third time over more than 30 years. We combine a novel Bayesian extension of stepped‐cline hybrid zone models with environmental data to understand the genetic and environmental causes of cline dynamics in this species. The cline has continued to move west, likely due to dominance drive, but has slowed and broadened. Environmental analyses suggest that widespread deforestation in Panamá could be leading to decreased avian predation and relaxed selection, causing the observed changes in cline dynamics.
An evaluation of WHO emergency guidelines for Zika virus disease
Authors: Norris Susan L , Louis Henry , Sawin Veronica I , Porgo Teegwendé V , Lau Yuk Hei Agnes , Wang Qi , Ferri Mauricio
Published: June 2019

Background

In the face of an unclear causal association between Zika virus in utero exposure and congenital abnormalities and urgent demand for guidance, the World Health Organization (WHO) had to produce timely and trustworthy guidelines during the 2016 Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

Methods

This is a cross‐sectional evaluation of WHO emergency guidelines produced during the Zika virus disease PHEIC from 1 February to 18 November 2016. We assessed adherence to WHO publication requirements and the reporting of guideline development processes associated with trustworthiness. In the absence of quality appraisal tools for guidelines developed under compressed timeframes, we applied the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) tool.

Results

We included 21 guidelines (13 de novo and 8 updates). Six guidelines used a formal evidence review process. Most guidelines involved external experts in the development process and collected declarations of interest. Peer review was reported in six documents. Most emergency guidelines included updating plans. The highest scoring AGREE II domain was clarity of presentation (median score 78%); the lowest scoring domain was applicability (median score 18%).

Conclusion

WHO developed moderate‐ to high‐quality emergency guidelines in the challenging context of a PHEIC. We found improvement opportunities for WHO guideline development teams in the use of evidence to formulate recommendations, the collection of declarations of interest, reporting of conflicts of interest, and the use of existing WHO organizational quality assurance processes.
Effect of ball‐mill process on some quality parameters of chocolate and compound chocolate: A modeling approach
Authors: Konar Nevzat , Bingol Ipek
Published: June 2019

The long processing time is among the reasons for low efficiency in the implementation of conventional conching and ball‐mill techniques. In this study, the time‐dependent variation of the moisture, particle size, and water activity of dark, milk, white, and compound chocolate (cocolin) samples were modeled using polynomial regression analysis. For this aim, analyzes were performed in chocolate samples taken at 10‐min intervals. The total processing time was 150 min. It was determined that the particle size, water activity, and moisture contents of all the samples decreased with time, but these decreases varied depending on the chocolate variety. Time‐dependent particle size (D90), water activity (aw), and moisture variation models were modeled and R2 values were found in the range of .984–.996, .872–.988, and .805–.905, respectively. For all types of chocolate, the quadratic relationship for “time × particle size” and cubic relationship for “time × water activity” were determined. For dark chocolate, the quadratic relationship was detected between time and moisture content. It was seen that this relationship was cubic for other types of chocolates. The results of the study reveal that the ball‐mill technique is possible to be modeled successfully for the particle size change and moisture removal in the main chocolate varieties.

Practical Applications

The results obtained from the study show that ball‐mill process can be successfully modeled in the main chocolate varieties for the particle size change and moisture removal which are among the main objectives of the use of this processing step. Therefore, they have potential to use in the relevant production areas. As a result of this use, there is a potential to contribute to capacity development as a result of the reduction in product and energy costs, as well as the potential to provide a higher quantity of product with the same equipment per unit time.
Thermophysical properties of camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz) seeds fertilized with nitrogen
Authors: Ropelewska Ewa , Jankowski Krzysztof J.
Published: June 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen fertilization (0, 40, 80, 120, 160 kg N ha−1) on changes in selected physical, thermal, and geometric parameters of camelina seeds. Samples 0 kg N ha−1 and 40 kg N ha−1 formed a homogenous group with lower values of 1,000 seed weight and differed significantly from the second homogeneous group of samples 80, 120, and 160 kg N ha−1 with higher 1,000 seed weight. Nitrogen fertilization did not exert a significant effect on bulk density, true density, or porosity. Fertilization had no significant effect on the thermal properties of camelina seeds. Based on all linear dimensions and shape factors, samples 0 and 40 kg N ha−1 formed one homogenous group and were significantly different from the remaining samples. Samples 0 and 40 kg N ha−1 were characterized by the lowest values of linear dimensions, including length, width, surface area, profile specific perimeter, and convex perimeter, the lowest values of selected shape factors, including diameter range, standard deviation of all radii, Blair‐Bliss coefficient, and Danielsson coefficient, as well as the highest values of the radius ratio and roundness.

Practical Applications

Nitrogen fertilization strongly influences the properties of camelina seeds. Camelina seeds subjected to 120 kg N ha−1 were characterized by the highest dimensions, such as: length, width, surface area, and high values of 1,000 seed weight and they may be most desirable to be used in practice.
Peasant agency in Ghana's oil palm sector: The impact of multiple markets on food sovereignty
Authors: Manley Ruth , Van Leynseele Yves
Published: June 2019

This paper contributes to the debate on peasant differentiation and market integration in the food sovereignty literature by examining the smallholder‐oriented oil palm sector in Ghana's eastern region. Against the background of loosening entry barriers in global value chains, and through an analysis of farmers' different positions in palm oil's multiple markets, we witness peasant‐like patterning of production and strategic market participation among well‐situated non‐contract farmers. We propose that such interface settings where commodity relations are present, but do not penetrate fully offer valuable entry points for revisiting the role of global markets in peasant reproduction in the Global South. We consequently argue the need to replace the idealized category of “peasant” with an analytical category that can recognize social differentiation and reproduction through partial engagement with commodity markets.
Interprofessional collaboration within fluid teams: Community nurses' experiences with palliative home care
Authors: Mertens Fien , De Gendt Anneleen , Deveugele Myriam , Van Hecke Ann , Pype Peter
Published: June 2019

Aims and objectives

To explore how community nurses experience the collaboration with general practitioners and specialist palliative home care team nurses in palliative home care and the perceived factors influencing this collaboration.

Background

The complexity of, and the demand for, palliative home care is increasing. Primary palliative care is provided by community nurses and general practitioners, often in collaboration with palliative home care team nurses. Although these professionals may each individually be part of a fixed team, a new temporary team is often composed for every new palliative patient. These membership changes, referred to as team membership fluidity, challenge professionals to work effectively.

Design and methods

A qualitative research design, using semi‐structured interviews with community nurses. Participant selection happened through regional palliative care networks in Belgium. The network's palliative home care team nurses selected community nurses with whom they recently collaborated. Twenty interviews were conducted. A constant comparative analysis approach was used. Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research guidelines were followed.

Results

Formal interprofessional team meetings were not common practice. The other's approachability and knowing each other positively influenced the collaboration. Time constraints, the general practitioners' lack of expertise, communication style, hierarchy perception and income dependency negatively influenced the collaboration with general practitioners and determined palliative home care team nurses' involvement. The coping strategies of community nurses balanced between a behaviour focused to the patient and to the professional relationship. Specialist palliative home care team nurses were relied upon for their expertise but also to mediate when community nurses disagreed with general practitioners.

Conclusion

Community nurses showed to be highly adaptable within the fluid team. Strikingly, dynamics described in the doctor–nurse game 50 years ago are still present today and affect the interprofessional communication. Interprofessional education interventions can contribute to improved interprofessional collaboration.

Relevance to clinical practice

The study findings uncovered critical knowledge gaps in interprofessional collaboration in palliative home care. Insights are relevant for and related to professional well‐being and workplace learning.
The effect of low body mass index on the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and mortality
Authors: Park H. J. , Cho J. H. , Kim H. J. , Park J.‐Y. , Lee H. S. , Byun M. K.
Published: June 2019

Background

Sarcopenia may worsen disease progression and lead to poor outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Objectives

We aimed to determine the effect of BMI on the development of COPD and mortality.

Methods

We enrolled 437 584 participants registered in the physical health check‐up cohort database of the Korean National Health Interview Survey from 2002 to 2003, and we defined COPD diagnosis based on the ICD‐10 code and prescribed medication. BMI (kg m−2) classified them to five groups (low BMI < 18.5, normal BMI 18.5–23, overweight 23–25, obesity 25–30, severe obesity ≥30) at baseline.

Results

Participants in the low BMI group had a significantly higher rate of COPD development for 13 years (7.6%) than those in other groups (3.4–4.1%, P < 0.0001). Amongst never or light smokers, COPD development in the low BMI group (5.6–6.7%) was significantly higher than that in other groups (2.8–4.7%). Similarly, amongst participants with a smoking history of ≥30 years, COPD development in the low BMI group (20.1%) was higher than those in other groups (8.4–12.4%). On multivariable analysis, normal or higher than normal body weight was significantly protective against the development of COPD (hazard ratio [HR], 0.609–0.739,) compared to low BMI. COPD‐free‐survival (HR, 0.491–0.622) and overall survival (HR, 0.440–0.585) were also better in them compared to those with low BMI (all P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Low BMI is an important risk factor for COPD development and mortality. Maintaining adequate body weight may reduce the risk for COPD development and mortality.
Cationic antimicrobial peptides and periodontal physiopathology: A systematic review
Authors: Jourdain Marie‐Laure , Velard Frédéric , Pierrard Loïc , Sergheraert Johan , Gangloff Sophie C. , Braux Julien
Published: June 2019

The purpose of this systematic review was to establish if patients suffering from periodontal diseases present differences in the expression or production of cationic antimicrobial peptides in saliva, gingival fluid, and periodontal tissues. Periodontal diseases are among the most common chronic diseases worldwide and share similar etiological or risk factors (genetic and/or environmental) with other systemic disorders. Over the last decade, an increasing number of publications have suggested the implication of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in periodontal and oral tissues conditions. Literature searches were conducted through MEDLINE‐PubMed and EMBASE databases which identified 1267 publications. Only clinical studies that focused on assays of the expression and/or production of AMPs in human adult oral fluids (gingival crevicular fluid or saliva) or in oral tissues were retained and finally seventy‐four publications meeting inclusion criteria were included. Cathelicidin, α‐ and β‐defensins 1‐3 are the most documented AMPs regarding periodontal status. Significant correlations between clinical periodontal indexes (PD, CAL) and/or bacteriological index and LL37 level were retrieved. Data remain inconsistent between the studies for hBDs mainly due to heterogeneity of the results, periodontal disease diagnostic criteria and assaying technique employed. Given their role in innate immunity and their antimicrobial functions, LL‐37 and α‐defensins may be eligible as periodontal clinical biomarkers and could be an interesting way for therapeutic development.
A preliminary theory of managerialism as an ideology
Authors: Klikauer Thomas
Published: June 2019

While many know or have used the term Managerialism, the development of a theory about Managerialism remains largely non‐existent. When management becomes an ideology we speak of Managerialism reaching beyond the simple administration of a business organisation. Like many “‐isms”, Managerialism carries connotations to ideology, thereby leading to the question: what would the development of a theory of Managerialism's ideology look like? Since Managerialism has been largely been clarified (Klikauer, 2013 & 2015), this paper builds on these ideas to examine the question of a theory of Managerialism ideology. This is tackled in three steps: the paper discusses what an ideology is; this is followed by a brief outline of twelve characteristics of ideology delivering a threefold definition of ideology and leading to two schools of thoughts; finally, the paper shows how ideology and Managerialism are linked. The paper's key argument is that any theory development on Managerialism cannot avoid the issue of ideology.
Pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of premalignant and malignant stages of cholangiocarcinoma in primary sclerosing cholangitis
Authors: Grimsrud Marit M. , Folseraas Trine
Published: June 2019

Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) confer a high risk of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). The molecular mechanisms of CCA development in PSC are incompletely understood, but pro‐oncogenic processes resulting from chronic biliary inflammation are presumably of central importance. Distinguishing benign from malignant biliary strictures in PSC patients is challenging and accurately diagnosing CCA in PSC often requires a multifaceted approach involving imaging, serological testing, biliary brush cytology and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Lack of early detection tools leads to a late diagnosis in the majority of cases. Surgical resection or liver transplantation represent the only curative intent treatments in PSC‐CCA, but is only an option for the small subset of patients where CCA is detected at an early stage. Current palliative treatment modalities result in only a modest increase in survival. Overall, PSC‐CCA carries a dismal prognosis with a 5‐year survival less than 20%. Advances aiming at improving strategies for early detection, treatment and surveillance of CCA will be essential to provide better future patient care for PSC patients. Herein, we review the pathogenetic mechanisms for PSC‐CCA as well as strategies for diagnosing and managing premalignant and malignant stages of CCA in PSC.
Pilot implementation of a monitoring and enforcement system for the International Code of Marketing of Breast‐milk Substitutes in Cambodia
Authors: Hou Kroeun , Green Mackenzie , Chum Senveasna , Kim Christine , Stormer Ame , Mundy Gary
Published: June 2019

Globally, monitoring and enforcement mechanisms for the World Health Organization's International Code of Marketing of Breast‐milk Substitutes are often lacking. The Cambodian government adopted the Code as the national standard in Sub‐Decree 133 on Marketing of Products for Infant and Young Child Feeding. Following the formation of a multisectoral Oversight Board and development of detailed guidance documents for the implementation and enforcement of Sub‐Decree 133, a 7‐month pilot was conducted in 2017 to trial a monitoring system in four urban areas of Cambodia. The pilot included training of monitors from the Ministries of Health and Commerce, screening for violations at retail locations and health facilities, testing reporting mechanisms, and taking actions against violators. During the pilot, 85 national‐ and subnational‐level monitors were trained, 392 site visits were made, 2,377 monitoring checklists were completed, and 11 warning letters were issued to violators. Half of the completed checklists (52.9%) indicated Code violations, yet monitors submitted zero violation reports. The pilot revealed modifications needed to the monitoring system: integrate monitor trainings into existing ministry training curricula for sustainability; enhance targeting of monitors for Sub‐Decree training; delineate clear roles and responsibilities for the national and subnational levels; simplify monitoring checklists and violation reports; and improve integration of monitoring activities into routine ministry operations. Before the Sub‐Decree 133 monitoring and enforcement system is implemented throughout Cambodia, revisions must be made to ensure the viability of this system. Challenges and lessons learned can also guide Code monitoring efforts being undertaken by other countries.
Association of birth outcomes and postnatal growth with adult leukocyte telomere length: Data from New Delhi Birth Cohort
Authors: Tarik Mohamad , Ramakrishnan Lakshmy , Sinha Sikha , Sachdev Harsh Pal Singh , Tandon Nikhil , Roy Ambuj , Bhargava Santosh Kumar
Published: June 2019

Born small for gestational age due to undernutrition in utero and subsequent catch‐up growth is associated with risk of developing chronic diseases in adulthood. Telomere length has been shown to be a predictor of these age‐related diseases and may be a link between birth size, a surrogate for foetal undernutrition, and adult chronic diseases. We assessed the relationship of leukocyte telomere length in adult life with birth outcomes and serial change in body mass index (BMI) from birth to adulthood. Leukocyte relative telomere length (RTL) was measured by MMqPCR in 1,309 subjects from New Delhi Birth Cohort who participated in two phases of the study between 2006–2009 (Phase 6) and 2012–2015 (Phase 7) at a mean age of 39.08 (±3.29), and its association with birth outcomes and conditional BMI gain at 2, 11, and 29 years was assessed in a mixed regression model. We did not find any significant association of RTL with body size at birth including birthweight, birth length, and birth BMI. Gestational age was positively associated with RTL (P = .017, multivariate model: P = .039). Conditional BMI gain at 2 and 11 years was not associated with RTL. BMI gain at 29 year was negatively associated with RTL in multivariate model (P = .015). Born small for gestational age was not associated with RTL in adulthood. Leukocyte telomere attrition was observed in those born before 37 weeks of gestational age as well as in those who gained weight as adults, which may predispose to chronic diseases.
Opening the black box of plant nutrient uptake under warming predicts global patterns in community biomass and biological carbon storage
Authors: Marx Jori M. , Rall Björn C. , Phillips Helen R. P. , Brose Ulrich
Published: June 2019

The effect of climate change on the amount of carbon stored in the different biological compartments of complex natural communities is relevant for a range of ecosystem functions and services. Temperature‐dependency of many physiological and ecological processes drives this storage capacity. As opposed to other physiological rates, the temperature‐dependence of nutrient uptake by plants has, to date, not been thoroughly investigated and therefore was not explicitly included in food web models. In a meta‐study, we extracted experimental data to establish the temperature‐dependence of the parameters determining plant nutrient uptake. Overall, we found an increase in the maximum uptake rate, as well as the half‐saturation density. As the respiration rates of plants (biomass loss) increase more strongly than the nutrient uptake rates (driving biomass gain under nutrient limitation), our results suggest that warming should decrease plant biomass. We applied these temperature‐dependent nutrient uptake rates by plants to a model of a three‐level food‐chain composed of two nutrients, a plant pool, and an herbivore pool. Having established plant nutrient uptake rates based on real data to replace the previously used assumption of logistic growth, we were able to use realistic natural nutrient deposition rates as the input variables in this model. This mechanistic model approach allowed us to show the quantitative responses of natural communities to realistic fertilization rates for the first time. We ran the model under realistic nutrient supply scenarios based on deposition data from the literature, adding a scenario of anthropogenic fertilization. We found decreases in overall community biomass with increasing temperature, but the intensity of this decrease varied strongly depending on the nutrient supply scenario. Our findings highlight the importance of including other global change drivers besides warming, as they can mediate the temperature impact on changes in global carbon storage and thus biomass‐related ecosystem services.
Disentangling evolutionary, environmental and morphological drivers of plant anatomical adaptations to drought and cold in Himalayan graminoids
Authors: Dolezal Jiri , Klimes Adam , Dvorsky Miroslav , Riha Pavel , Klimesova Jitka , Schweingruber Fritz
Published: June 2019

Understanding what determine plants ability to survive drought and cold is crucial for predicting how plants may respond to ongoing climate change. Plant survival strategies are usually characterized by morphological and physiological adaptations, while their underlying anatomical settings are largely unknown. Woody angiosperms and herbaceous dicots have repeatedly evolved small water transporting conduits and large storage parenchyma tissues at colder or drier places to cope with freezing‐ and drought‐induced damages. However, whether these adaptations are also valid for graminoids remains unclear. Here we show that stem anatomical variations in grasses, sedges and rushes dominating in western Himalayan grasslands are driven by elevation and soil moisture via control over aboveground plant stature and belowground clonal growth, while phylogenetic constraints have only a weak effect. Phylogenetic comparative analyses controlling for confounding factors showed that the elevation‐related cooling controls the conductive system through reduced vessel diameter and extended assimilatory and storage tissues with more chlorenchyma and less sclerenchyma around vessels. The soil moisture deficit, on the other hand, determines stabilization structures by promoting short‐rhizomatous turf graminoids with hollow stems, thicker epidermis and deep adventitious roots in dry steppes and semi‐deserts. Saline wetlands and moist alpine pastures promote long‐rhizomatous short‐stature plants with lower need for mechanical support (absence of hollow stem) and exposure to high evaporative forcing (thinner epidermis). Observed trends of decreasing vessel sizes and lignification rate with elevation supports the existing knowledge that narrower vessels and extensive parenchyma assist plants to grow in cold environments by avoiding freezing‐induced cavitation. Our results bring novel information on ecological drivers influencing the evolution of anatomical adaptations in high mountain graminoids. Distinct grassland types, covering elevations from 2650 to 6150 m, harbor unrelated species with different evolutionary histories that have converged towards similar anatomical structures.
The virtues and limitations of exploring the eco‐evolutionary dynamics of sexually selected traits
Authors: Alpedrinha João , R. Rodrigues Leonor , Magalhães Sara , Abbott Jessica
Published: June 2019

Most studies on eco‐evolutionary feedbacks concern the influence of abiotic factors, or predator–prey and host–parasite interactions, while studies involving sexual interactions are lagging behind. This is at odds with the potential of these interactions to engage in such processes. Indeed, there is now ample evidence that sexual selection is affected by ecological change and that sexually selected traits can evolve rapidly, which may modify the ecological context of populations, and thus the selection pressures they will be exposed to. Here we review evidence for such eco‐evolutionary processes. We discuss examples of eco‐evolutionary change in an attempt to understand the challenges related with identifying and characterizing such processes. In particular, we focus on the challenges associated with accurately identifying the components of the feedback as well as their causal relation. Finally, we evaluate scenarios where understanding eco‐evolutionary feedbacks of sexual selection may help us appreciate the effects of sexual selection in shaping evolutionary processes.
Trait Sensitivity, Anxiety, and Personality Are Predictive of Central Sensitization Symptoms in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain
Authors: Clark Jacqui R. , Nijs Jo , Yeowell Gillian , Holmes Paul , Goodwin Peter C.
Published: June 2019

Background

Sensitivity‐related trait characteristics involving physical and emotional sensitivities and high trait anxiety personality types have been observed in individuals with nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). High trait sensitivity to sensory stimulation combined with interpretation biases based on personality type may contribute to the development of central sensitization (CS) symptoms. To date, there is limited research that has considered both sensitivity levels and personality type in NSCLBP with CS. The purpose of this study was to investigate (1) relationships between trait sensory profiles, trait anxiety, and CS symptoms, and (2) the predictive capacity of sensory profiles, trait anxiety, and personality types on CS symptoms in people with NSCLBP.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional observational study using 4 self‐report measures on adults (N = 165, mean age = 45 ± 12 [standard deviation] years) from physiotherapy clinics in England, Ireland, and New Zealand. Inclusion: NSCLBP > 6 months, age 18 to 64 years, predominant CS pain presentation, no other pathology. Parametric and nonparametric correlation statistics and regression analyses were used.

Results

Positive correlations were found between central sensitization inventory (CSI) scores and sensory hypersensitivity profiles and trait anxiety. CSI score increases could be predicted by sensory‐sensitive, low‐registration profiles; trait anxiety scores; and extreme defensive high anxious personality type.

Conclusions

Trait sensory hyper‐ and/or hyposensitivity and high trait anxiety–related personality type characteristics predict the extent of CS symptoms in people with NSCLBP. Further investigation is required to establish causality between these characteristics and CS symptoms.
Wide hybridization and introgression breeding in safflower: Effectiveness of different selection methods
Authors: Espanani Soheila , Majidi Mohammad Mahdi , Saeidi Ghodratollah , Alaei Hossein , Rezaei Vahid
Published: June 2019

Possibility of using interspecific hybridization to increase genetic diversity of drought tolerance in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) and effectiveness of different selection methods is poorly understood. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of (a) interspecific hybridization to expand genetic diversity in safflower for agronomic traits and drought tolerance in advance generations and (b) different selection methods (direct vs. indirect) for improving seed yield. Interspecific hybridizations were performed between species of C. tinctorius × C. palaestinus (TP), C. palaestinus × C. oxyacantha (PO) and C. tinctorius × C. oxyacantha (TO). Based on the field screening of genotypes in F3 generation, four groups of selected genotypes (derived from combination of direct and indirect selection under both drought and normal environments along with selection based on drought tolerance index (STI)) were evaluated in F4 and F5 generations. Indirect selection for seed yield was significantly more efficient than direct selection. Selection in stress environment resulted to more efficiency than selection in normal environment. No significant difference was observed between direct selection and selection based on STI. The result showed that TP was the best population to combine high seed yield and drought tolerance in safflower.
Plasticity of dendritic spines: Molecular function and dysfunction in neurodevelopmental disorders
Authors: Nishiyama Jun
Published: June 2019

Dendritic spines are tiny postsynaptic protrusions from a dendrite that receive most of the excitatory synaptic input in the brain. Functional and structural changes in dendritic spines are critical for synaptic plasticity, a cellular model of learning and memory. Conversely, altered spine morphology and plasticity are common hallmarks of human neurodevelopmental disorders, such as intellectual disability and autism. The advances in molecular and optical techniques have allowed for exploration of dynamic changes in structure and signal transduction at single‐spine resolution, providing significant insights into the molecular regulation underlying spine structural plasticity. Here, I review recent findings on: how synaptic stimulation leads to diverse forms of spine structural plasticity; how the associated biochemical signals are initiated and transmitted into neuronal compartments; and how disruption of single genes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders can lead to abnormal spine structure in human and mouse brains. In particular, I discuss the functions of the Ras superfamily of small GTPases in spatiotemporal regulation of the actin cytoskeleton and protein synthesis in dendritic spines. Multiple lines of evidence implicate disrupted Ras signaling pathways in the spine structural abnormalities observed in neurodevelopmental disorders. Both deficient and excessive Ras activities lead to disrupted spine structure and deficits in learning and memory. Dysregulation of spine Ras signaling, therefore, may play a key role in the pathogenesis of multiple neurodevelopmental disorders with distinct etiologies.
A Low‐Sulfidation Epithermal Mineralization in the River Reef Zone, the Poboya Prospect, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia: Vein Textures, Ore Mineralogy, and Fluid Inclusions
Authors: Rivai Tomy Alvin , Yonezu Kotaro , Syafrizal  , Sanematsu Kenzo , Kusumanto Damar , Imai Akira , Watanabe Koichiro
Published: June 2019

The Poboya Prospect lies along the North Northwest ‐ South Southeast Palu‐Koro Fault Zone in the central part of the West Sulawesi Arc. The geology of the area consists of the Palu Metamorphic Complex overlain by the Paleogene‐Neogene Tinombo Formation of volcanosedimentary rocks, the Celebes Molasse sediment, and Late Cenozoic granitic rocks. Petrography, scanning electron microscope with energy‐dispersive spectrometry (SEM‐EDS), electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA), and fluid inclusion microthermometry were carried out to examine vein textures, ore mineralogy, and characteristics of the ore‐forming fluid responsible for mineralization in the River Reef Zone, the Poboya Prospect. Textures of quartz‐carbonate veins in the River Reef Zone include massive micro‐comb, moss, colloform, crustiform, mosaic, feathery, flamboyant, lattice bladed, ghost bladed, parallel bladed, and saccharoidal textures representing primary growth, recrystallization, and replacement. The homogenization temperature and fluid salinity are 240–250°C and 0.3–0.7 wt% NaCl eq., respectively. Ore minerals precipitated in the early stage consist of electrum, naumannite‐aguilarite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, marcasite, sphalerite, and pyrrhotite. Apart from pyrrhotite, these ore minerals were also precipitated in the late stage along with selenopolybasite, freibergite, argyrodite, pyrargyrite, and galena. Selenium more preferably occurs as the crystallographic replacement of sulfur in naumannite‐aguilarite, argyrodite, pyrargyrite, selenopolybasite, and freibergite instead of as independent selenide minerals. The low‐sulfidation epithermal deposit in the River Reef Zone, the Poboya Prospect, illustrates the potential of the West Sulawesi Arc, particularly along the Palu‐Koro Fault Zone, to host epithermal gold mineralization.