bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimating density and detection of bobcats in fragmented midwestern landscapes using spatial capture–recapture data from camera traps
Authors: Jacques Christopher N. , Klaver Robert W. , Swearingen Tim C. , Davis Edward D. , Anderson Charles R. , Jenks Jonathan A. , Deperno Christopher S. , Bluett Robert D.
Published: June 2019

Camera‐trapping data analyzed with spatially explicit capture–recapture (SCR) models can provide a rigorous method for estimating density of small populations of elusive carnivore species. We sought to develop and evaluate the efficacy of SCR models for estimating density of a presumed low‐density bobcat (Lynx rufus) population in fragmented landscapes of west‐central Illinois, USA. We analyzed camera‐trapping data from 49 camera stations in a 1,458‐km2 area deployed over a 77‐day period from 1 February to 18 April 2017. Mean operational time of cameras was 52 days (range = 32–67 days). We captured 23 uniquely identifiable bobcats 113 times and recaptured these same individuals 90 times; 15 of 23 (65.2%) individuals were recaptured at ≥2 camera traps. Total number of bobcat capture events was 139, of which 26 (18.7%) were discarded from analyses because of poor image quality or capture of only a part of an animal in photographs. Of 113 capture events used in analyses, 106 (93.8%) and 7 (6.2%) were classified as positive and tentative identifications, respectively; agreement on tentative identifications of bobcats was high (71.4%) among 3 observers. We photographed bobcats at 36 of 49 (73.5%) camera stations, of which 34 stations were used in analyses. We estimated bobcat density at 1.40 individuals (range = 1.00–2.02)/100 km 2. Our modeled bobcat density estimates are considerably below previously reported densities (30.5 individuals/100 km 2) within the state, and among the lowest yet recorded for the species. Nevertheless, use of remote cameras and SCR models was a viable technique for reliably estimating bobcat density across west‐central Illinois. Our research establishes ecological benchmarks for understanding potential effects of colonization, habitat fragmentation, and exploitation on future assessments of bobcat density using standardized methodologies that can be compared directly over time. Further application of SCR models that quantify specific costs of animal movements (i.e., least‐cost path models) while accounting for landscape connectivity has great utility and relevance for conservation and management of bobcat populations across fragmented Midwestern landscapes. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
An evaluation of population indices for northern bobwhite
Authors: Kubečka Bradley W. , Edwards John T. , LaCoste Lloyd M. , Rollins Dale , Hernández Fidel , Perotto‐Baldivieso Humberto L.
Published: June 2019

Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) populations are monitored using 2 general approaches—population indices and abundance estimators. Due to their convenient sampling designs, indices are commonly used by land managers and researchers to predict or estimate hunting‐season populations. We evaluated the efficacy of 4 bobwhite indices (spring cock [adult male] call‐counts, autumn covey call‐counts, roadside surveys, and helicopter surveys) to predict hunting‐season population size by relating them to abundance estimators (minimum known population [no. unique trapped individuals each year], mark–recapture, helicopter‐based distance sampling). Data were collected at the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch in Fisher County, Texas, USA, during 2009–2018. Spring cock call‐counts and autumn covey call‐counts were analyzed at 2 spatial scales: ranch scale (1,781 ha) and point scale (i.e., within the presumed radius of audibility of listening points; 600 m or 113 ha). Roadside and helicopter surveys were conducted at the ranch scale along 31‐ and 90‐km transects, respectively. At the ranch scale, mean spring cock call‐counts were a modest predictor of minimum known populations (r2 = 0.54) and good predictor of mark–recapture estimates (r2 = 0.80). At the point scale, the mean number of cocks heard was a poor predictor of densities surrounding points (r2 = 0.0003) as estimated by distance sampling. The mean number of coveys heard during autumn counts was a significant predictor of both minimum known populations (r2 = 0.88) and mark–recapture estimates (r2 = 0.85) at the ranch scale but was a weak predictor of densities immediately surrounding listening points (r2 = 0.22). Helicopter surveys during November (individuals/km) were a significant predictor of minimum known populations (r2 = 0.98) and mark–recapture (r2 = 0.93). Overall, roadside surveys (individuals/km) conducted during September was the best index for predicting minimum known populations (r2 = 0.99) and mark–recapture estimates (r2 = 0.97). Our results suggest the linear relationship between indices and autumn–winter populations for bobwhite are stronger when conducted closer in time to hunting season and at larger scales. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
Population of the states in collisions of mixed‐state (1s21S,1s2s3S) B3+ and C4+ ion beams with He and H2 targets
Authors: Benis Emmanouil P. , Madesis Ioannis , Laoutaris Angelos , Nikolaou Sofoklis , Dubois Alain , Gorczyca Tom W. , Zouros Theo J. M.
Published: June 2019

Auger KLn lines are observed in high‐resolution electron spectra obtained in collisions of mixed‐state (1s21S,1s2s3S) He‐like beams of 4 MeV B3+ with H2 and 6 MeV C4+ with He targets. Supporting atomic structure calculations show these lines to correspond to
doubly excited states, which can be readily populated by electron transfer to the
component of the mixed‐state beam. They thus provide indirect evidence for the existence of the corresponding
KLn quartet states, similarly produced, even though their weak Auger decay does not allow for their direct observation in the electron spectra. These KLn quartet states mostly decay in a cascade chain of strong radiative E1 transitions, eventually terminating at the
state, which is thus additionally enhanced. An upper limit on the
state population due to cascades is obtained by assuming a statistical production of KLn quartet to doublet states followed by a 100% cascade feeding of the
state. Our estimated upper limit is supported by our absolute cross section measurements and corresponding three‐electron atomic orbital close coupling calculations in progress. Results to date are presented and discussed.
Aerobic and Anaerobic Treatments for Aquaponic Sludge Reduction and Mineralisation
Authors: Delaide Boris , Monsees Hendrik , Gross Amit , Goddek Simon
Published: June 2019

Recirculating aquaculture systems, as part of aquaponic units, are effective in producing aquatic animals with a minimal water consumption through effective treatment stages. Nevertheless, the concentrated sludge produced after the solid filtration stage, comprising organic matter and valuable nutrients, is most often discarded. One of the latest developments in aquaponic technology aims to reduce this potential negative environmental impact and to increase the nutrient recycling by treating the sludge on-site. For this purpose, microbial aerobic and anaerobic treatments, dealt with either individually or in a combined approach, provide very promising opportunities to simultaneously reduce the organic waste as well as to recover valuable nutrients such as phosphorus. Anaerobic sludge treatments additionally offer the possibility of energy production since a by-product of this process is biogas, i.e. mainly methane. By applying these additional treatment steps in aquaponic units, the water and nutrient recycling efficiency is improved and the dependency on external fertiliser can be reduced, thereby enhancing the sustainability of the system in terms of resource utilisation. Overall, this can pave the way for the economic improvement of aquaponic systems because costs for waste disposal and fertiliser acquisition are decreased.
Smarthoods: Aquaponics Integrated Microgrids
Authors: de Graaf Florijn , Goddek Simon
Published: June 2019

With the pressure to transition towards a fully renewable energy system increasing, a new type of power system architecture is emerging: the microgrid. A microgrid integrates a multitude of decentralised renewable energy technologies using smart energy management systems, in order to efficiently balance the local production and consumption of renewable energy, resulting in a high degree of flexibility and resilience. Generally, the performance of a microgrid increases with the number of technologies present, although it remains difficult to create a fully autonomous microgrid within economic reason (de Graaf F, New strategies for smart integrated decentralised energy systems, 2018). In order to improve the self-sufficiency and flexibility of these microgrids, this research proposes integrating a neighbourhood microgrid with an urban agriculture facility that houses a decoupled multi-loop aquaponics facility. This new concept is called Smarthood, where all Food–Water–Energy flows are circularly connected. In doing so, the performance of the microgrid greatly improves, due to the high flexibility present within the thermal mass, pumps and lighting systems. As a result, it is possible to achieve 95.38% power and 100% heat self-sufficiency. This result is promising, as it could pave the way towards realising these fully circular, decentralised Food–Water–Energy systems.
Aquaponics for the Anthropocene: Towards a ‘Sustainability First’ Agenda
Authors: Gott James , Morgenstern Rolf , Turnšek Maja
Published: June 2019

‘The Anthropocene’ has emerged as a unique moment in earth history where humanity recognises its devastating capacity to destabilise the planetary processes upon which it depends. Modern agriculture plays a central role in this problematic. Food production innovations are needed that exceed traditional paradigms of the Green Revolution whilst at the same time are able to acknowledge the complexity arising from the sustainability and food security issues that mark our times. Aquaponics is one technological innovation that promises to contribute much towards these imperatives. But this emergent field is in an early stage that is characterised by limited resources, market uncertainty, institutional resistance and high risks of failure—a developmental environment where hype prevails over demonstrated outcomes. Given this situation, the aquaponics research community potentially holds an important place in the development path of this technology. But the field needs to craft a coherent and viable vision for this technology that can move beyond misplaced techno-optimist accounts. Turning to sustainability science and STS research, we discuss the urgent need to develop what we call a ‘critical sustainability knowledge’ for aquaponics, giving pointers for possible ways forward, which include (1) expanding aquaponic research into an interdisciplinary research domain, (2) opening research up to participatory approaches in real-world contexts and (3) pursuing a solution-oriented approach for sustainability and food security outcomes.
Insight into Risks in Aquatic Animal Health in Aquaponics
Authors: Yavuzcan Yildiz Hijran , Radosavljevic Vladimir , Parisi Giuliana , Cvetkovikj Aleksandar
Published: June 2019

Increased public interest in aquaponics necessitates a greater need to monitor fish health to minimize risk of infectious and non-infectious disease outbreaks which result from problematic biosecurity. Fish losses due to health and disease, as well as reporting of poor management practices and quality in produce, which could in a worst-case scenario affect human health, can lead to serious economic and reputational vulnerability for the aquaponics industry. The complexity of aquaponic systems prevents using many antimicrobial/antiparasitic agents or disinfectants to eradicate diseases or parasites. In this chapter, we provide an overview of potential hazards in terms of risks related to aquatic animal health and describe preventive approaches specific to aquaponic systems.
Food, Sustainability, and Science Literacy in One Package? Opportunities and Challenges in Using Aquaponics Among Young People at School, a Danish Perspective
Authors: Mikkelsen Bent Egberg , Bosire Collins Momanyi
Published: June 2019

The call for sustainable food production and consumption has led to an increased interest and new policy measures to support the circular economy and climate-smart farming practices. The merits of aquaponics and closed-loop nutrient cycling systems are increasingly being examined in terms of sustainable productivity in various settings including urban environments. Aquaponics also has the potential to be applied as a learning tool for people of all ages but especially for young people at school. This chapter studies the potential of aquaponics to teach food and science literacy and the use of the technology as an educational tool in primary school. The chapter draws on data from the Growing Blue & Green (GBG) program carried out in cooperation among Aalborg University, Copenhagen, municipal schools and their teachers and a private aquaponic enterprise. The chapter draws on three empirical studies including an exploratory study on the educational opportunities at school, a feasibility study carried out among teachers, as well as the educational Growing Blue & Green (eGBG) study, in which a digital-based regulation component was added. The conclusion is that low-cost versions of aquaponics have considerable potential for supportive learning in elementary school. Preliminary findings furthermore suggest that fitting the setup with easy-to-install intelligent sensors and devices offers the opportunity to provide learning about food, sustainability, and a basic understanding of the control and management of biological systems in one package.
Recirculating Aquaculture Technologies
Authors: Espinal Carlos A. , Matulić Daniel
Published: June 2019

Recirculating aquaculture technology, which includes aquaponics, has been under development for the past 40 years from a combination of technologies derived from the wastewater treatment and aquaculture sectors. Until recently, recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) farms have been relatively small compared with other types of modern aquaculture production. The last two decades have seen a significant increase in the development of this technology, with increased market acceptance and scale. This chapter provides a brief overview of the history, water quality control processes, new developments and ongoing challenges of RAS.
Nutrient Cycling in Aquaponics Systems
Authors: Eck Mathilde , Körner Oliver , Jijakli M. Haïssam
Published: June 2019

In aquaponics, nutrients originate mainly from the fish feed and water inputs in the system. A substantial part of the feed is ingested by the fish and either used for growth and metabolism or excreted as soluble and solid faeces, while the rest of any uneaten feed decays in the tanks. While the soluble excretions are readily available for the plants, the solid faeces need to be mineralised by microorganisms in order for its nutrient content to be available for plant uptake. It is thus more challenging to control the available nutrient concentrations in aquaponics than in hydroponics. Furthermore, many factors, amongst others pH, temperature and light intensity, influence the nutrient availability and plant uptake. Until today, most studies have focused on the nitrogen and phosphorus cycles. However, to ensure good crop yields, it is necessary to provide the plants with sufficient levels of all key nutrients. It is therefore essential to better understand and control nutrient cycles in aquaponics.
Cultivating Public Readers: Citizens, Classes, and Types
Authors: Atkin Lara , Comyn Sarah , Fermanis Porscha , Garvey Nathan
Published: June 2019

This chapter considers readers in the southern colonies, from various constructions of reader types to the class, gender, and racial composition of colonial reading publics. Locating the users of colonial public libraries within discourses that include sexuality, morality, citizenship, race, and class, the chapter looks at the ways in which public libraries contributed both to expanded understandings of the term ‘public’ and to the management of colonial class and race relations, thereby reflecting and redefining the boundaries of citizenship in emerging colonial polities.
A string dual for partially topological Chern-Simons-matter theories
Authors: Aharony Ofer , Feldman Andrey , Honda Masazumi
Published: June 2019

Abstract

We consider a string dual of a partially topological U(N) Chern-Simons-matter (PTCSM) theory recently introduced by Aganagic, Costello, McNamara and Vafa. In this theory, fundamental matter fields are coupled to the Chern-Simons theory in a way that depends only on a transverse holomorphic structure on a manifold; they are not fully dynamical, but the theory is also not fully topological. One description of this theory arises from topological strings on the deformed conifold T
∗
S
3 with N Lagrangian 3-branes and additional coisotropic ‘flavor’ 5-branes. Applying the idea of the Gopakumar-Vafa duality to this setup, we suggest that this has a dual description as a topological string on the resolved conifold

$$ \mathcal{O}\left(-1\right)\oplus \mathcal{O}\left(-1\right)\to \mathbb{C}{\mathrm{\mathbb{P}}}^1 $$

O

−
1

⊕
O

−
1

→
ℂ

ℙ
1

, in the presence of coisotropic 5-branes. We test this duality by computing the annulus amplitude on the deformed conifold and the disc amplitude on the resolved conifold via equivariant localization, and we find an agreement between the two. We find a small discrepancy between the topological string results and the large N limit of the partition function of the PTCSM theory arising from the deformed conifold, computed via field theory localization by a method proposed by Aganagic et al. We discuss possible origins of the mismatch.
Argon-seeded plasma exposure and oxidation performance of tungsten-chromium-yttrium smart alloys
Authors: Schmitz Janina , Litnovsky Andrey M. , Klein Felix , Tan Xiaoyue , Breuer Uwe , Rasinski Marcin , Ertmer Stephan , Kreter Arkadi , Gonzalez-Julian Jesus , Bram Martin , Coenen Jan Willem , Linsmeier Christian
Published: June 2019

Tungsten-chromium-yttrium (WCrY) smart alloys are foreseen as the first wall material for future fusion devices such as Demonstration Power Plant (DEMO). While suppressing W oxidation during accidental conditions, they should behave like pure W during plasma operation due to preferential sputtering of the lighter alloying elements Cr, Y, and W enrichment of the surface. In this paper, the erosion performance of WCrY and W samples simultaneously exposed to deuterium (D) plasma with the addition of 1% of the projectile ions being argon (Ar) ions at an ion energy of 120 eV is compared. With reference to the previous experiments at 120 eV in pure D plasma, the erosion for both WCrY and W is enhanced by a factor of ~ 7. Adding Ar to the D plasma suppresses significant W enrichment previously found for pure D plasma. To investigate the impact of the plasma exposure onto the oxidation performance, plasma-exposed and non-exposed reference samples were oxidised in a dry atmosphere. Results show, on the one hand, that the oxidation suppression of WCrY in comparison to pure W is preserved during the plasma performance. On the other hand, it becomes evident that edge effects imposed by the geometry of the samples used in plasma experiments play a significant role for the oxidation behaviour.
Explorative Prospective Evaluation of Short-Term Subjective Effects of Hormonal Treatment in Trans People—Results from the European Network for the Investigation of Gender Incongruence
Authors: van Dijk Dennis , Dekker Marieke J.H.J. , Conemans Elfi B. , Wiepjes Chantal M. , de Goeij Eva G.M. , Overbeek Kasper A. , Fisher Alessandra D. , den Heijer Martin , T’Sjoen Guy
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Although many studies on the short- and long-term effects of hormonal treatment (HT) in trans people focus on objective changes such as body composition or bone density, few studies have evaluated self-reported effects of HT.

Aim

To evaluate self-reported symptoms during the first year of HT in trans people.

Methods

This study is part of the European Network for the Investigation of Gender Incongruence, a multicenter prospective cohort study. For this study, 205 trans women and 193 trans men from the gender clinics of Amsterdam, Ghent, and Florence, who were >18 years of age and started hormonal treatment were included. Questionnaires, self-developed based on the Menopause Rating scale and clinical experiences, were completed, and changes in symptom scores were analyzed using linear mixed models.

Main Outcome Measures

Self-reported psycho vegetative symptoms, as well as physical, cognitive, emotional, sexual and genital complaints, and pain were evaluated at baseline and after 3, 6, and 12 months of HT using a 4-point Likert scale (no, mild, moderate, or severe complaints).

Results

In trans men, with a median age of 23, transient increases were reported in night sweats, weight gain, and clitoral pain. Persistent increases were reported for hot flashes, balding, voice instability, acne, and increase in sexual desire, whereas emotional instability, fear, and menses decreased. For trans women, with a median age of 29, hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, weight gain, changes in olfactory sense, brittle nails, emotional instability, mood swings, and breast tenderness increased persistently during 12 months of HT, whereas a decrease was observed for balding and sexual desire. Sleeping difficulties decreased temporarily. No changes were observed in palpitations, dizziness, abdominal complaints, anxiety, panic attacks, cognition, and pain, except for clitoral and breast pain.

Clinical Implications

Knowledge on the occurrence of these self-reported, subjective effects and their course over time may help physicians informing trans people starting with and during HT.

Strengths & Limitations

This study was performed in a large cohort of trans people. The follow-up period was limited to 12 months.

Conclusion

Changes in self-reported symptoms were mentioned in all investigated areas, except cognition. Most symptoms were as expected and even desired, whereas others may be considered unpleasant by some trans people.
Anatomic and Functional Outcome Following Distal Shunt and Tunneling for Treatment İschemic Priapism: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Ortaç Mazhar , Çevik Gökhan , Akdere Hakan , Ermeç Bahadır , Kadıoğlu Ateş
Published: June 2019

Background

Ischemic priapism (IP) is a urologic emergency that requires early intervention. The main aim of IP treatment is to relieve the cavernosal pressure and provide erectile function.

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between preoperative risk factors (patient’s age, duration of priapism, preoperative erectile function) and postoperative erectile dysfunction (ED).

Methods

This retrospective study consisted of 25 patients diagnosed with refractory IP between 2009–2017. The diagnosis of IP was confirmed by medical history, physical examination, and cavernosal blood gas analysis. All of the patients underwent the T-shunt procedure ± tunneling after a failed initial intervention.

Results

The mean age at the time of the IP diagnosis was 46.84 years (range 23–77). The average follow-up time of the study population was 40.4 months (range 3–114), and the median time from the occurrence of IP to surgery was 58 hours (range 24–240). In all cases, rapid resolution of the erection was achieved with the T-shunt ± tunneling procedure. In 1 patient, priapism recurred after 12 hours. Postoperative ED was reported by 16 (84.21%) patients, with degrees of mild, mild to moderate, and severe in 6, 1, and 9 of these cases, respectively. During the follow-up, the mean International Index of Erectile Function–5 (IIEF-5) score was 12.68 (range 5–23). Only 3 (15.78%) patients achieved successful sexual intercourse without any treatment. 6 (31.5%) patients required the aid of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, and 1 (5.26%) patient required the aid of a vacuum erection device. The 9 (47.36%) patients with severe ED failed to respond to medical treatment and were considered candidates for a penile implant. According to Kendall’s tau-b correlation coefficient analysis, there was a positive correlation between the preoperative and postoperative IIEF-5 scores (P = .005), whereas the patient’s age and duration of priapism were negatively correlated with the postoperative IIEF-5 score (P = .016 and P = .046, respectively).

Clinical Implications

Treatment options of IP should be discussed with patients in terms of both preoperative erectile function and the duration of priapism.

Strengths & Limitations

The small sample size and retrospective nature of this study were the main limitations.

Conclusions

Despite high success and low complication rates of T-shunt surgery, the rate of undisturbed erectile function is only 14.6%. The patient’s age, the existence of preoperative ED, and the duration of priapism are associated with postoperative IIEF-5 scores.
Effect of scramjet inlet vortices on fuel plume elongation and mixing rate
Authors: Llobet J. R. , Gollan R. J. , Jahn I. H.
Published: June 2019

Hypersonic air-breathing propulsion can improve cost and flexibility of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite launch missions. However, at the high flight Mach numbers required for access-to-space, performance margins are extremely tight. Techniques to improve mixing efficiency can push this technology forward. However, these are required to produce a minimal increase in losses and heat loads to be viable. The use of inlet-generated vortices in scramjets for mixing enhancement was previously studied. These vortices interact with the injected fuel plume, stretching it and increasing its effective surface for mixing. Moreover, these vortices are intrinsic to the flowfield. Therefore, contrary to other methods, when using inlet vortices mixing is enhanced without producing additional heat loads or losses. This work studies the vortex-injection interaction through numerical RANS simulations. A non-dimensional variable defining the quality of the plume shape for mixing purposes is proposed. This parameter is used to assess the effect of vortex intensity and injector location on fuel plume shape. The results show the ability of inlet vortices to modify fuel plume shape significantly increasing fuel mixing rate with minimal impact on losses.
The neglected victims: what (little) we know about child survivors of domestic homicide
Authors: Mertin Peter
Published: June 2019

The murder of a child’s mother in the context of domestic violence is a traumatic experience which results in multiple stresses affecting the child’s emotional, behavioural and educational functioning. In effect, children lose both parents – their mother as victim and their father in jail or also dead from a murder-suicide – as well as their home, neighbourhood and school as they are relocated, either with extended family members or placed into foster care. In addition, extended family members must cope with their own grief and anger as they attempt to parent these troubled children. Evidence from the papers reviewed indicate that there are no guidelines for determining who is best placed for caring for the children and for providing the safety and stability necessary for recovery, nor for ensuring the provision of therapeutic support for child survivors and their families. There is also evidence to indicate that, left untreated, effects can become long-lasting and carry on into adulthood. Policy implications are considered with a focus on multi-agency family-centred advocacy approaches.
Analysis of multisite intervention studies using generalized linear mixed models
Authors: White Nicole M. , Barnett Adrian G.
Published: June 2019

Multisite intervention studies have become increasingly common in infection control, for example, looking for a change in hospital infection rates after a regional policy change. The design of these studies can take various forms, from pre–post observational studies to randomized trials, in which sites are randomly assigned to the intervention or in which the intervention is sequentially introduced to different sites over time. Data collected under these settings are clustered by hospital and/or ward, consist of repeated measurements and, in some cases, exhibit temporal and/or seasonal patterns. Failure to account for these features in data analysis could well result in biased estimates of intervention effectiveness and impact on the generalizability of model results.
Length of stay and odds of MRSA acquisition: a dose–response relationship?
Authors: Loke H. Y. , Kyaw W. M. , Chen M. I. C. , Lim J. W. , Ang B. , Chow A.
Published: June 2019

The association between methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonisation and/or infection with increased morbidity and mortality among hospital patients has long been recognised. We sought to build on previous studies to identify modifiable risk factors associated with the acquisition of MRSA colonisation and infection by conducting a retrospective cohort study on patients admitted through the Emergency Department of an acute tertiary-care general hospital in Singapore which implemented universal on-admission MRSA screening. Patients were assigned to the acquisition or non-acquisition group depending on whether they acquired MRSA during their admission. We used logistic regression models with a patient being in the acquisition group as the binary outcome to identify factors associated with MRSA acquisition. A total of 1302 acquisition and 37 949 non-acquisition group patients were analysed. Fifteen variables were included in the multivariate model. A dose–response relationship between length of stay and odds of MRSA acquisition was observed, with a length of stay 3 weeks or more (Adj OR 11.78–57.36, all P < 0.001) being the single biggest predictor of MRSA acquisition. Other variables significantly associated with MRSA acquisition were: male gender, age 65 or greater, previous MRSA colonisation or infection, exposure to certain antibiotics and surgery, and history of diabetes.
Congenital absence of coronary ostia in a single/common coronary system
Authors: Wein Courtney E. , Weinberg Paul M. , Guleserian Kristine J.
Published: June 2019

Coronary ostial atresia seen with pulmonary atresia and coronary-cameral fistulae or, more rarely, in isolation manifested as left main coronary artery atresia, is well described. We describe the clinical course and post-mortem findings in a neonate who suffered a fatal cardiac arrest and was found to have congenital absence of both coronary ostia in a single/common coronary system.
Cross-sectoral pollution externalities and multiple equilibria
Authors: Karp Larry , Paul Thierry
Published: June 2019

In familiar models, a decrease in the friction facing mobile factors (e.g., lowering their adjustment costs) increases a coordination problem, leading to more circumstances where there are multiple equilibria. We show that a decrease in friction can decrease coordination problems when a production externality arises from a changing stock, e.g. of pollution or knowledge. In general, the relation between the amount of friction that mobile factors face and the likelihood of multiple equilibria is non-monotonic.
Eine pragmatische Anleitung zur Exploration von Resilienz und Handlungsressourcen in klinischen Fragebögen
Authors: Flückiger Christoph , Znoj Hansjörg , Vîslă Andreea
Published: June 2019

Zusammenfassung. Resilienz beschäftigt sich mit der Frage, was es ausmacht, dass einige Personen trotz widrigster Umstände psychisch relativ gesund bleiben, auch wenn sie unter starken psychosozialen Belastungen leiden. Die folgende Arbeit bietet eine pragmatische Anleitung, wie Resilienz möglichst früh in die psychodiagnostische Besprechung klinischer Fragebögen einfließen und in das Patient_innenverständnis der behandelnden Personen integriert werden kann, ohne die problematischen Aspekte zu tabuisieren. Die Anleitung einer balancierten psychodiagnostischen Fragebogenbesprechung umfasst folgende vier therapeutische Strategien: (1) Validierung der Belastungsfaktoren, (2) Isolierung der Belastungsfaktoren, (3) Validierung der individuellen Resilienz und der Handlungsressourcen, (4) erstes Durchbrechen des Schwarzweiß-Denkens.
Arctic Ocean Freshwater Dynamics: Transient Response to Increasing River Runoff and Precipitation
Authors: Brown Nicola Jane , Nilsson Johan , Pemberton Per
Published: June 2019

Simulations from a coupled ice‐ocean general circulation model are used to assess the effects on Arctic Ocean freshwater storage of changes in freshwater input through river runoff and precipitation. We employ the climate response function framework to examine responses of freshwater content to abrupt changes in freshwater input. To the lowest order, the response of ocean freshwater content is linear, with an adjustment time scale of approximately 10 years, indicating that anomalies in Arctic Ocean freshwater export are proportional to anomalies in freshwater content. However, the details of the transient response of the ocean depend on the source of freshwater input. An increase in river runoff results in a fairly smooth response in freshwater storage consistent with an essentially linear relation between total freshwater content and discharge of excess freshwater through the main export straits. However, the response to a change in precipitation is subject to greater complexity, which can be explained by the localized formation and subsequent export of salinity anomalies which introduce additional response time scales. The results presented here suggest that future increases in Arctic Ocean freshwater input in the form of precipitation are more likely to be associated with variability in the storage and release of excess freshwater than are increases in freshwater input from river runoff.
Global Patterns in Net Primary Production Allocation Regulated by Environmental Conditions and Forest Stand Age: A Model‐Data Comparison
Authors: Xia Jiangzhou , Yuan Wenping , Lienert Sebastian , Joos Fortunat , Ciais Philippe , Viovy Nicolas , Wang Ying‐ping , Wang Xufeng , Zhang Haicheng , Chen Yang , Tian Xiangjun
Published: June 2019

The allocation of net primary production (NPP) to different plant structures, such as leaves, wood, and fine roots, plays an important role in the terrestrial carbon cycle. However, the biogeographical patterns of NPP allocation are not well understood. We constructed a global database of forest NPP to investigate the observed spatial patterns of forest NPP allocation, as influenced by environmental drivers and forest stand age. We then examined whether dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs) could capture these allocation patterns. The NPP allocation response to variations in temperature or precipitation was often opposite in leaves and fine roots, a finding consistent with the functional balance theory for allocation. The observed allocation to fine roots decreased with increasing temperature and precipitation. The observed allocation to wood and leaves decreased with forest stand age. The simulated allocation with five DGVMs was compared with the observations. The five models captured the spatial gradient of lower allocation to fine roots with increasing temperature and precipitation but did not capture coincident gradients in allocation to wood and leaves. None of the five models adequately represented the changes in allocation with forest stand age. Specifically, the models did not reproduce the decrease in allocation to wood and leaves and the increase in allocation to fine roots with increasing forest stand age. An accurate simulation of NPP allocation requires more realistic representation of multiple processes that are closely related to allocation. The NPP allocation database can be used to develop DGVMs.
Relationships Between Methane and Carbon Dioxide Fluxes in a Temperate Cattail‐Dominated Freshwater Wetland
Authors: Villa Jorge A. , Ju Yang , Vines Chante , Rey‐Sanchez Camilo , Morin Timothy H. , Wrighton Kelly C. , Bohrer Gil
Published: June 2019

Wetlands are the most important natural source of methane (CH4) to the atmosphere, and there is still considerable uncertainty of CH4 flux and net carbon budgets of wetlands. This uncertainty is due in part to the complex role of wetland vegetation in controlling methane production, oxidation and transport, which challenge the modeling and forecast of CH4 fluxes. We combined CH4 and carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes measured by the eddy covariance technique during two consecutive growing seasons with continuous measurements of water levels and water temperature in a Typha angustifolia L patch of a temperate wetland. We seek to evaluate the role of vegetation in CH4 flux processes. To this end, we determined the relationship between CH4 and CO2 fluxes, directly and indirectly linked to plant activity. Our results indicated significant but opposing relationships between CH4 and CO2 fluxes during the daytime and nighttime. Consequently, when analyzed on a diel timescale, this relationship was not significant. Both CH4 and CO2 fluxes were highly dependent on environmental drivers, and thus, the correlations observed at both the nighttime and daytime were likely the result of a shared response to environmental variables. Focusing on water temperature (the most commonly observed environmental variable in wetlands) and water level (the most commonly controlled one) as operational control variables for wetlands, we identified “hot” condition combinations when CH4 flux and net ecosystem CO2 uptake are maximized at half hourly and diel scales.
Satellite Observations of the Recovery of Forests and Grasslands in Western China
Authors: Gang Chengcheng , Gao Xuerui , Peng Shouzhang , Chen Mingxun , Guo Liang , Jin Jingwei
Published: June 2019

The “Grain for Green” Program (GGP), which combats and reverses the landscape‐scale habitat degradation by converting agricultural lands to forests and grasslands, was launched in 1999 in western China. An assessment of the extent to which the GGP has altered the vegetation cover and ecological functions in these regions is much needed. The present study initially analyzed land use and cover change of forests and grasslands over western China between 2000 and 2015. A variety of satellite‐based ecological indicators, including net primary productivity, normalized difference vegetation index, leaf area index, carbon use efficiency, and water use efficiency, were used to reflect the biophysical consequences of the GGP in western China. Results indicated that the spatial extent of forests and grasslands increased by 13.97 × 103 and 11.13 × 103 km2, respectively, which were mainly converted from deserts and croplands. The ecosystem functions of forests and grasslands showed an asymmetric response in northwestern and southwestern China. The normalized difference vegetation index and water use efficiency of forests, as well as the net primary productivity and water use efficiency of grasslands, increased significantly over this period. The GGP also has led to an increase in leaf area index and carbon use efficiency of forests and grasslands. The Loess Plateau and the Three Rivers Source area represent the most effectively recovered regions in western China. Rising precipitation rates have contributed to vegetation recovery to some extent, especially in northwestern China, whereas the GGP was the prominent reason for the improvement of ecosystem functions across the entire region of western China.
Microbial transformation of virus-induced dissolved organic matter from picocyanobacteria: coupling of bacterial diversity and DOM chemodiversity
Authors: Zhao Zhao , Gonsior Michael , Schmitt-Kopplin Philippe , Zhan Yuanchao , Zhang Rui , Jiao Nianzhi , Chen Feng
Published: June 2019

Picocyanobacteria make up half of the ocean’s primary production, and they are subjected to frequent viral infection. Viral lysis of picocyanobacteria is a major driving force converting biologically fixed carbon into dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Viral-induced dissolved organic matter (vDOM) released from picocyanobacteria provides complex organic matter to bacterioplankton in the marine ecosystem. In order to understand how picocyanobacterial vDOM are transformed by bacteria and the impact of this process on bacterial community structure, viral lysate of picocyanobacteria was incubated with coastal seawater for 90 days. The transformation of vDOM was analyzed by ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry and the shift of bacterial populations analyzed using high-throughput sequencing technology. Addition of picocyanobacterial vDOM introduced abundant nitrogen components into the coastal water, which were largely degraded during the 90 days’ incubation period. However, some DOM signatures were accumulated and the total assigned formulae number increased over time. In contrast to the control (no addition of vDOM), bacterial community enriched with vDOM changed markedly with increased biodiversity indices. The network analysis showed that key bacterial species formed complex relationship with vDOM components, suggesting the potential correspondence between bacterial populations and DOM molecules. We demonstrate that coastal bacterioplankton are able to quickly utilize and transform lysis products of picocyanobacteria, meanwhile, bacterial community varies with changing chemodiverisity of DOM. vDOM released from picocyanobacteria generated a complex labile DOM pool, which was converted to a rather stable DOM pool after microbial processing in the time frame of days to weeks.
Sulfate-reducing bacteria and methanogens are involved in arsenic methylation and demethylation in paddy soils
Authors: Chen Chuan , Li Lingyan , Huang Ke , Zhang Jun , Xie Wan-Ying , Lu Yahai , Dong Xiuzhu , Zhao Fang-Jie
Published: June 2019

Microbial arsenic (As) methylation and demethylation are important components of the As biogeochemical cycle. Arsenic methylation is enhanced under flooded conditions in paddy soils, producing mainly phytotoxic dimethylarsenate (DMAs) that can cause rice straighthead disease, a physiological disorder occurring widely in some rice growing regions. The key microbial groups responsible for As methylation and demethylation in paddy soils are unknown. Three paddy soils were incubated under flooded conditions. DMAs initially accumulated in the soil porewater, followed by a rapid disappearance coinciding with the production of methane. The soil from a rice straighthead disease paddy field produced a much larger amount of DMAs than the other two soils. Using metabolic inhibition, quantification of functional gene transcripts, microbial enrichment cultures and 13C-labeled DMAs, we show that sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and methanogenic archaea are involved in As methylation and demethylation, respectively, controlling the dynamics of DMAs in paddy soils. We present a model of As biogeochemical cycle in paddy soils, linking the dynamics of changing soil redox potential with arsenite mobilization, arsenite methylation and subsequent demethylation driven by different microbial groups. The model provides a basis for controlling DMAs accumulation and incidence of straighthead disease in rice.
α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor upregulation by anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins
Authors: Dawe G. Brent , Yu Hong , Gu Shenyan , Blackler Alissa N. , Matta Jose A. , Siuda Edward R. , Rex Elizabeth B. , Bredt David S.
Published: June 2019

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) mediate and modulate synaptic transmission throughout the brain, and contribute to learning, memory, and behavior. Dysregulation of α7-type nAChRs in neuropsychiatric as well as immunological and oncological diseases makes them attractive targets for pharmaceutical development. Recently, we identified NACHO as an essential chaperone for α7 nAChRs. Leveraging the robust recombinant expression of α7 nAChRs with NACHO, we utilized genome-wide cDNA library screening and discovered that several anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins further upregulate receptor assembly and cell surface expression. These effects are mediated by an intracellular motif on α7 that resembles the BH3 binding domain of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins, and can be blocked by BH3 mimetic Bcl-2 inhibitors. Overexpression of Bcl-2 member Mcl-1 in neurons enhanced surface expression of endogenous α7 nAChRs, while a combination of chemotherapeutic Bcl2-inhibitors suppressed neuronal α7 receptor assembly. These results demonstrate that Bcl-2 proteins link α7 nAChR assembly to cell survival pathways.
Integrative inference of subclonal tumour evolution from single-cell and bulk sequencing data
Authors: Malikic Salem , Jahn Katharina , Kuipers Jack , Sahinalp S. Cenk , Beerenwinkel Niko
Published: June 2019

Understanding the clonal architecture and evolutionary history of a tumour poses one of the key challenges to overcome treatment failure due to resistant cell populations. Previously, studies on subclonal tumour evolution have been primarily based on bulk sequencing and in some recent cases on single-cell sequencing data. Either data type alone has shortcomings with regard to this task, but methods integrating both data types have been lacking. Here, we present B-SCITE, the first computational approach that infers tumour phylogenies from combined single-cell and bulk sequencing data. Using a comprehensive set of simulated data, we show that B-SCITE systematically outperforms existing methods with respect to tree reconstruction accuracy and subclone identification. B-SCITE provides high-fidelity reconstructions even with a modest number of single cells and in cases where bulk allele frequencies are affected by copy number changes. On real tumour data, B-SCITE generated mutation histories show high concordance with expert generated trees.
A fast and specific fluorescent probe for thioredoxin reductase that works via disulphide bond cleavage
Authors: Li Xinming , Zhang Baoxin , Yan Chaoxian , Li Jin , Wang Song , Wei Xiangxu , Jiang Xiaoyan , Zhou Panpan , Fang Jianguo
Published: June 2019

Small molecule probes are indispensable tools to explore diverse cellular events. However, finding a specific probe of a target remains a high challenge. Here we report the discovery of Fast-TRFS, a specific and superfast fluorogenic probe of mammalian thioredoxin reductase, a ubiquitous enzyme involved in regulation of diverse cellular redox signaling pathways. By systematically examining the processes of fluorophore release and reduction of cyclic disulfides/diselenides by the enzyme, structural factors that determine the response rate and specificity of the probe are disclosed. Mechanistic studies reveal that the fluorescence signal is switched on by a simple reduction of the disulfide bond within the probe, which is in stark contrast to the sensing mechanism of published probes. The favorable properties of Fast-TRFS enable development of a high-throughput screening assay to discover inhibitors of thioredoxin reductase by using crude tissue extracts as a source of the enzyme.