bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental contamination by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: The effects of room type and cleaning methods
Authors: Lerner Anat Or , Abu-Hanna Jalal , Carmeli Yehuda , Schechner Vered
Published: November 2019

Objective:

We evaluated environmental contamination by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), the effectiveness of cleaning practices, the performance of aerosolized hydrogen-peroxide (aHP) technology, and the correlation between measures of cleaning and environmental contamination.

Design:

Serial testing of environmental contamination during a 7-month period.

Setting:

Single-patient rooms in intensive care units (ICUs) and multipatient step-up and regular rooms in internal medicine wards in a tertiary-care hospital with endemic CRAB.

Methods:

CRAB environmental contamination was determined semiquantitatively using sponge sampling.

Results:

In step-up rooms, 91% of patient units (56% of objects) were contaminated, and half of them were heavily contaminated. In regular rooms, only 21% of patient units (3% of objects) were contaminated. In ICUs, 76% of single-patient rooms (24% of objects) were contaminated. Cleaning did not reduce the number of contaminated objects or patient units in step-up rooms. After refresher training, cleaning reduced the proportion of contaminated objects by 2-fold (P = .001), but almost all patient units remained contaminated. Using aerosolized hydrogen peroxide (aHP) disinfection after discharge of a known CRAB-carrier decreased room contamination by 78%, similar to the reduction achieved by manual hypochloride cleaning. Measuring cleaning efficacy using fluorescent gel did not correlate with recovery of CRAB by sponge cultures.

Conclusions:

In step-up rooms, the high number of objects contaminated combined with poor efficacy of cleaning resulted in failure to eliminate CRAB in patient units. Fluorescent gel is a poor detector of CRAB contamination. The role of aHP is still unclear. However, its use in multipatient rooms is limited because it can only be used in unoccupied rooms.
Numerical Investigation of Rayleigh, Sezawa and Love Modes in C-Axis Tilted ZNO/SI for Gas and Liquid Multimode Sensor
Authors: Laidoudi F. , Boubenider F. , Caliendo C. , Hamidullah M.
Published: November 2019

Finite element analysis is carried out to investigate the characteristics of Rayleigh, Sezawa and Love surface acoustic modes travelling along c-axis tilted ZnO layer on Si (001) half-space. The phase velocity dispersion curves, electromechanical coupling, reflectivity and mass loading sensitivity are studied for different electroacoustic coupling configurations and c-axis tilt angles θ. The behavior of Rayleigh and Sezawa modes operating as gas sensor, was simulated under the hypothesis that the ZnO free surface is covered with a thin polyisobutylene (PIB) film, 0.2 μm thick, able to selectively adsorb volatile gases at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. The sensor sensitivity to gas concentration in air, i.e. the frequency shifts per unit gas concentration, is studied and compared to some common materials used in literature. The obtained results, demonstrate the feasibility of high-frequency multimode micro-sensor based on the c-axis tilted ZnO piezoelectric thin film and operating in both liquid and gaseous environments.
Does Public Support for Judicial Power Depend on Who is in Political Power? Testing a Theory of Partisan Alignment in Africa
Authors: BARTELS BRANDON L. , KRAMON ERIC
Published: November 2019

Judicial power is central to democratic consolidation and the rule of law. Public support is critical for establishing and protecting it. Conventional wisdom holds that this support is rooted in apolitical factors and not dependent on who is in political power. By contrast, we argue that support may be driven by instrumental partisan motivations and therefore linked to partisan alignment with the executive. We test the argument with survey evidence from 34 African countries. To provide causal evidence, we conduct difference-in-differences analyses leveraging Ghana’s three presidential transitions since 2000. Across Africa, support for judicial power is high, while trust in courts is lower. However, presidential co-partisans arelesssupportive of horizontal judicial power over the president andmoresupportive of vertical power over the people. The article demonstrates the importance of partisan alignment with the executive in shaping support for judicial power, with implications for judicial behavior and legitimacy.
Temporal–spatial variations in aeolian flux on the Chinese Loess Plateau during the last 150 ka
Authors: Liu Yuming , Liu Xingxing , Ma Long , Kang Shugang , Qiang Xiaoke , Guo Fei , Sun Youbin
Published: November 2019

Aeolian dust deposits from continent and ocean have been extensively investigated to reflect past changes in source aridity and atmospheric circulations. Aeolian flux (AF) as a quantitative dust proxy has been widely used in both palaeoenvironmental reconstruction and numerical simulation. However, available AF data on the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) is too limited to assess the temporal–spatial variations at glacial–interglacial timescales, and therefore cannot be used as robust input parameters in palaeoclimate models. Here we investigate eight loess profiles along two N–S-aligned transects on the CLP to quantitatively estimate the AF variations over the last glacial–interglacial cycle. We first establish a refined chronological framework based on optically stimulated luminescence chronology and pedostratigraphic correlation. AF was then estimated by multiplying the sedimentation rate and bulk density. The results show that the AF increases from 2–18 g cm−2ka−1in the southeastern CLP to 14–105 g cm−2ka−1in the northwestern CLP. At glacial–interglacial scales, the AF varies from 2–20 g cm−2ka−1during the last interglacial to 8–105 g cm−2ka−1in the last glaciation. Due to more spatial coverage and better age constraints, our AF data can be used to refine other AF datasets and to improve the proxy–model comparison.
Evidence of ‘obstetric violence’ in India: an integrative review
Authors: Shrivastava Surbhi , Sivakami Muthusamy
Published: November 2019

The term ‘obstetric violence’ has been used to describe the mistreatment, disrespect and abuse or dehumanized care of women during childbirth by health care providers. This is a review of the existing literature in India on violence against women during childbirth. The review used the typology of Bohren et al. (2015). An internet search of PubMed, Google Scholar and JSTOR was conducted using the terms ‘obstetric violence’, ‘mistreatment’, ‘disrespect and abuse’ and ‘dehumanized care’. Studies based on empirical research on women’s experiences during childbirth in health facilities in India were included in the review. The search yielded sixteen studies: one case study, two ethnographic studies, two mixed-methods studies, three cross-sectional qualitative studies, seven cross-sectional quantitative studies and one longitudinal quantitative study. The studies were analysed using the seven categories of mistreatment outlined by Bohren et al. (2015): 1) physical abuse, (2) sexual abuse, (3) verbal abuse, (4) stigma and discrimination, (5) failure to meet professional standards of care, (6) poor rapport between women and providers, and (7) health system conditions and constraints. An additional category of ‘harmful traditional practices and beliefs’ emerged from the Indian literature, which was also included in the review. Although geographically limited, the selected research highlighted varying prevalences of the different forms of ‘obstetric violence’ in both public and private birth facilities in India. ‘Obstetric violence’ in India was found to be associated with socio-demographic factors, with women of lower social standing experiencing greater levels of mistreatment. In response to this normalized public health issue, a multi-pronged, rights-based framework is proposed that addresses the social, political and structural contexts of ‘obstetric violence’ in India.
Influence of treatment and refrigeration time on antimicrobial activity of goat and sheep colostrum
Authors: Ruiz-Diaz Maria D. , Argüello Anastasio , Padilla Daniel , Earley Bernadette , Castro Noemi
Published: November 2019

The aim of the studies presented in this research communication was to compare species of origin (goat and sheep) and the effect of treatment (pasteurization at 56, 63 and 72 °C, skimming and curding) and refrigeration time on colostrum antimicrobial activity (AnAc). Two experiments were performed. In experiment 1, twenty-four first milking colostrum samples were obtained (12 goats, 12 sheep) and an aliquot of each sample was subjected to 6 different treatments, control (untreated), pasteurization at 56, 63 and 72 °C, skimming and curding. Colostrum AnAc was tested directly against E. coli using disks in a Petri dish and Enrofloxacin (antibiotic) and saline serum as positive and negative control, respectively. Species had no effect (P > 0.05) on colostrum AnAc, and neither did pasteurization at different temperatures or skimming. However, curding showed the lowest colostrum AnAc (P < 0.05) in both species. In the second experiment, four treatments were assayed, control, pasteurization at 56 and 63 °C and skimming. An aliquot of twelve goat colostrum samples were refrigerated after treatments for 10 d at 4 °C. Colostrum AnAc was measured at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 d. A reduction in colostrum AnAc was observed due to refrigeration time. The results suggest that if farmers use frozen colostrum for neonates, the process of curding colostrum or refrigeration at 4 °C longer than 4 d is not recommended.
Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of udder pathogens isolated from dairy cows in Slovakia
Authors: Holko Ivan , Tančin Vladimír , Vršková Martina , Tvarožková Kristína
Published: November 2019

The data presented in this research communication represent the first comprehensive report on the prevalence of udder pathogens and their resistance in Slovak dairy cattle breeds. A total of 633 milk samples from 42 herds were tested. The most frequently isolated pathogens were coagulase negative staphylococci CNS or non-aureus staphylococci (NAS) followed by Escherichia (E.) coli, Staphylococcus (S.) aureus, Streptococcus (Str.) uberis and Streptococcus (Str.) agalactiae. Generally, isolated pathogens showed common resistance to aminoglycosides (streptomycin, neomycin), which are the most commonly used antibiotics to treat mastitis in Slovakia.
Effect of modified atmosphere packaging on physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of Graviera Agraphon cheese during refrigerated storage
Authors: Solomakos Nikolaos , Govari Maria , Botsoglou Evropi , Pexara Andreana
Published: November 2019

The aim of this work was to examine the effect of modified atmosphere packaging on the physicochemical and microbiological changes of Graviera Agraphon cheese during refrigerated storage. Blocks of Graviera Agraphon cheese weighing around 200 g were packaged under natural (control) or modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) conditions (50% N2– 50% CO2) and stored at 4 °C or 10 °C for up to 85 d. Prior to packaging, groups of cheese blocks were inoculated with one each of the following foodborne pathogens at around 104log cfu/g:Listeria monocytogenes, SalmonellaTyphimurium,Escherichia coliO157:H7 orStaphylococcus aureus,whilst further groups of cheese blocks were not inoculated. The protein, fat, moisture and salt contents as well as the pH of control and MAP cheese samples did not change significantly (P> 0.05) throughout 4 °C storage, while the pH values of control and MAP cheese samples were significantly (P< 0.05) reduced at 10 °C storage. At 10 °C storage, yeasts and molds, psychrotrophs and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were significantly higher (P< 0.05) for the normal atmosphere than the MAP cheese samples after the 4th, 8thand 4thdays, respectively. At 4 °C storage, the yeasts and molds or psychrotrophs were significantly higher (P< 0.05) than those of control after the 6thand 15thdays, respectively at 4 °C storage. All foodborne pathogens showed a higher decrease (P< 0.05) at 10 °C than 4 °C storage.S. aureusproved more sensitive in inactivation in the MAP conditions than atmospheric conditions.L. monocytogenesandS.aureuspresented a higher decrease than that ofE. coliO157:H7 andS.Typhimurium. In conclusion, MAP proved efficient in retarding the growth of yeasts, molds, psychrotrophs andE. coliO157:H7,L. monocytogenes,S. TyphimuriumandS. aureusin Graviera Agraphon cheese during refrigerated storage at 4 and 10 °C.
Cultivation media for lactic acid bacteria used in dairy products
Authors: Hayek Saeed A. , Gyawali Rabin , Aljaloud Sulaiman O. , Krastanov Albert , Ibrahim Salam A.
Published: November 2019

This review aims to familiarize the reader with research efforts on the cultivation media of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). We have also included a brief discussion on standard ingredients used in LAB media and chemically defined media as related to bacterial growth requirements. Recent research has focused on modifying standard media for the enumeration, differentiation, isolation, and identification of starter cultures and probiotics. Even though large numbers of these media have been developed to serve dairy microbial control, they have failed to provide consistent results. The research consequently points to the need to develop a reliable lactobacilli growth medium for the dairy industry.
Kinetic infernal modes for Wendelstein 7-X-like -profiles
Authors: Zocco Alessandro , Mishchenko Alexey , Könies Axel
Published: November 2019

We show analytically that for

$\unicode[STIX]{x1D704}$

-profiles similar to the one of the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator, where

$\unicode[STIX]{x1D704}$

is the rotational transform of the equilibrium magnetic field, a highly conducting toroidal plasma is unstable to kinetically mediated pressure-driven long-wavelength reconnecting modes, of the infernal type. The modes are destabilized either by the electron temperature gradient or by a small amount of current, depending on how far from unity the average value of

$\unicode[STIX]{x1D704}$

is, which is assumed to be slowly varying. We argue that, for W7-X, a broad mode with toroidal and poloidal mode numbers

$(n,m)=(1,1)$

can be destabilized due to the strong geometric side-band coupling of the resonant kinetic electron response at locations where

$\unicode[STIX]{x1D704}$

is rational for harmonics that belong to the mode family of the

$(n,m)=(1,1)$

mode itself. In many regimes, the growth rate is insensitive to the plasma density, thus it is likely to persist in high performance W7-X discharges. For a peaked electron temperature, with a maximum of

$T_{e}=5~\text{keV}$

, larger than the ion temperature,

$T_{i}=2.5~\text{keV}$

, and a density

$n_{0}=10^{19}~\text{m}^{-3}$

, instability is found in regimes which show plasma sawtooth activity, with growth rates of the order of tens of kiloHertz. Frequencies are either electron diamagnetic or of the ideal magnetohydrodynamic type, but sub-Alfvénic. The kinetic infernal mode is thus a good candidate for the explanation of sawtooth oscillations in present-day stellarators and poses a new challenge to the problem of stellarator reactor optimization.
Human–elephant interactions in areas surrounding the Rungwa, Kizigo, and Muhesi Game Reserves, central Tanzania
Authors: Hariohay Kwaslema Malle , Munuo Wilbright Abraham , Røskaft Eivin
Published: November 2019

This study assesses the patterns of crop damage by elephants Loxodonta africana in areas adjacent to the Rungwa, Kizigo and Muhesi Game Reserves in Tanzania. We used a questionnaire survey to collect data from a total of 210 household heads from seven villages, with 30 household heads in each village, during June–August 2015. Proximity was a significant factor influencing losses, with crop farms within < 1 km from the reserves having higher losses, followed by those 1–5 km and > 5 km distant. Most households (81.0%) < 1 km from a reserve reported crop damage whereas those within 1–5 km (65.9%) and > 5 km (20.0%) reported less damage. Most of the losses (79.8%) occurred in the first half of the year (the wet season). Immigrants reported higher average losses to crops than Indigenous respondents. Noise making, flashlights, setting fire around fields and disturbance by shooting were the methods used to deter elephants from entering crop fields. We recommend that communities around these game reserves avoid areas that are < 1 km from the reserve boundary, plant crops such as chilli, use honeybee Apis mellifera fences to deter elephants from their crops, and receive education on available mitigation methods, to help minimize crop losses to elephants.
Korean-speaking children's perceptual development in multidimensional acoustic space
Authors: SON Gayeon
Published: November 2019

This study investigated how Korean toddlers’ perception of stop categories develops in the acoustic dimensions of VOT and F0. To examine the developmental trajectory of VOT and F0 in toddlers’ perceptual space, a perceptual identification test with natural and synthesized sound stimuli was conducted with 58 Korean monolingual children (aged 2–4 years). The results revealed that toddlers’ perceptual mapping functions on VOT mainly in the high-pitch environment, resulting in more successful perceptual accuracy in fortis or aspirated stops than in lenis stops. F0 development is correlated with the perceptual distinction of lenis from aspirated stops, but no consistent categorical perception for F0 was found before four years of age. The findings suggest that multi-parametric control in perceptual development guides an acquisition ordering of Korean stop phonemes and that tonal development is significantly related to the acquisition of Korean phonemic contrasts.
Moult intensity in blue petrels and a key moult site off West Antarctica
Authors: Ryan Peter G. , Lee Jasmine R. , Bouard Fabrice Le
Published: November 2019

Blue petrels (Halobaena caeruleaGmelin) rapidly moult their flight feathers in Antarctic waters in February–April, immediately following the breeding season, yet the behaviour of moulting birds at sea has not been described. We observed large numbers of moulting blue petrels off West Antarctica from 67–71°S and 78–119°W in mid-February 2017. Most of these birds probably breed at the Diego Ramirez archipelago, southwest of Cape Horn, which is the closest colony to this area. Moulting petrels often sit on the water in dense flocks, just outside the marginal ice zone, at sea temperatures of -0.7 to 0.9°C. Wing moult is intense, with 7–8 inner primaries (62–75% of primary length and 55–69% of primary mass), their corresponding primary coverts and all greater secondary coverts being grown at the same time. Moulting petrels need a reliable food source during this energetically demanding period, so the waters off West Antarctica are probably crucial for the Diego Ramirez population, which makes up more than half of the world's blue petrels.
Doctor Atomicor: How John Adams Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Sound Design
Authors: Ebright Ryan
Published: November 2019

In his autobiography, John Adams mused that his 2005 opera,Doctor Atomic, challenges directors and conductors owing to its ‘abstracted treatment’ of time and space. This abstraction also challenges scholars. In this article, I bring the cross-disciplinary field of sound studies into the opera house to demonstrate that Adams's obfuscation of operatic space–time is achieved primarily through the use of a spatialised electroacoustic sound design. Drawing on archival materials and new interviews with director Peter Sellars and sound designer Mark Grey, I outline the dramaturgical, epistemological and hermeneutic ramifications of sound design for opera studies and advocate for disciplinary engagement with the spatial dimensions of electroacoustic music generally, and within opera specifically.
Evaluation of nest habitat, site preferences and architecture of the critically endangered White-bellied HeronArdea insignisin Bhutan
Authors: ACHARJA INDRA PRASAD
Published: November 2019

This research evaluated the nesting habitat, nest-site preferences, and nest architecture of the critically endangered White-bellied HeronArdea insignisin Bhutan. There are fewer than 60 wild birds left in the world, distributed in Bhutan, India, and Myanmar with fewer than five active breeding pairs in Bhutan. From 2003 to 2018, 20 successful and two unsuccessful nests were located from which at least 76 juveniles were expected to have fledged. The population in Bhutan has remained at 22–30 individuals for the last decade. Site-specific data were collected from 22 nests, and additional vegetation and environmental data were collected from 14 nests and random sites. We used 20-m diameter circular plots to evaluate the site preferences. Ground vegetation, litter and rock cover were evaluated using four 1-m2quadrats in both nest and random sites. Nesting habitat was analysed to compare characteristics of nesting sites to random sites. Our results suggest that the White-bellied Heron builds a simple platform nest within average distance of 74 m from water bodies on the tallest isolated trees at an average height of 18.3 m on an elevated site with a clear overview of surroundings and are sensitive to even slight disturbance. Our results also suggest that the bird has a preference for an east-facing aspect at an average slope of approximately 40° between the altitudes of 400–1,450 m. Our observations also suggest that the bird has abandoned all nesting sites used prior to 2015, and the frequency of nest re-use has decreased. Protecting each nest site from hazards, avoiding disturbance, maintaining safe feeding habitats and flight routes are essential to ensure continued breeding in current sites and survival of this population. Further research to better understand the habitat requirements for the White-bellied Heron is vital.
Increased nitrogen retention by cover crops: implications of planting date on soil and plant nitrogen dynamics
Authors: Zhou Yangxue , Roosendaal Lindsey , Van Eerd Laura L.
Published: November 2019

Cover crops are frequently adopted to immobilize residual nitrogen post-harvest, thereby reducing potential N losses. However, the effectiveness of a cover crop depends on the species planting date, and other management practices. Limited information on N dynamics in cover crop systems is available specially in short-season vegetable rotations under temperate climate. From 2008 to 2010, a split-plot field experiment was carried out in a humid, temperate climate with cover crop treatment as the main plot factor [no cover crop control (NoCC), cereal rye, hairy vetch, oat, forage pea, oilseed radish (OSR) and a control with fertilizer N to the cucumber crop (NoCC + N)], and cover crop planting date as the split factor (early and late) to evaluate their impacts on cover crop biomass and N dynamics over the fall and following cucumber crop. All cover crop treatments significantly lowered soil mineral nitrogen (SMN) by 39–87% compared to the NoCC control, which was concomitant with cover crop growth and N accumulation. In the fall, SMN (0–90 cm depth) was less under the early-planted cover crops (avg. 78 kg N ha−1) compared to the late-planted (avg. 100 kg N ha−1). In April, greater plant available nitrogen (PAN, sum of SMN to 60 cm depth and plant N) with cover crops than without demonstrated N conservation over the winter and into the cucumber crop. Crop yield was equal to or better with a cover crop compared with the NoCC in both years; moreover, compared to the NoCC + N control yields were equivalent with OSR and pea. Oat, vetch and pea cover crops benefited the most by having an earlier planting date, while OSR and rye are recommended if the planting date is delayed. Although an early August planting date significantly increased plant N accumulation and SMN by November, this species-dependent interaction did not persist into the following season in yield and N accounted for in the system.
Alzheimer's disease medication and outcomes of hospitalisation among patients with dementia
Authors: Möllers T. , Perna L. , Stocker H. , Ihle P. , Schubert I. , Schöttker B. , Frölich L. , Bauer J. , Brenner H.
Published: November 2019

Aims

The use of Alzheimer disease medication for the treatment of dementia symptoms has shown significant benefits with regards to functional and cognitive outcomes as well as nursing home placement (NHP) and mortality. Hospitalisations in these patient groups are characterised by extended length of stays (LOS), frequent readmissions, frequent NHP and high-mortality rates. The impact of Alzheimer disease medication on the aforementioned outcomes remains still unknown. This study assessed the association of Alzheimer disease medication with outcomes of hospitalisation among patients with Alzheimer disease and other forms of dementia.

Methods

A dynamic retrospective cohort study from 2004 to 2015 was conducted which claims data from a German health insurance company. People with dementia (PWD) were identified using ICD-10 codes and diagnostic measures. The main predictor of interest was the use of Alzheimer disease medication. Hospitalisation outcomes included LOS, readmissions, NHP and mortality during and after hospitalisation across four hospitalisations. Confounding was addressed using a propensity score throughout all analyses.

Results

A total of 1380 users of Alzheimer disease medication and 6730 non-users were identified. The use of Alzheimer disease medication was associated with significantly shorter LOS during the first hospitalisations with estimates for the second, third and fourth showed a tendency towards shorter hospital stays. In addition, current users of Alzheimer disease medication had a lower risk of hospital readmission after the first two hospitalisations. These associations were not significant for the third and fourth hospitalisations. Post-hospitalisation NHP and mortality rates also tended to be lower among current users than among non-users but differences did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that Alzheimer disease medication might contribute to a reduction of the LOS and the number of readmissions in PWD.
Weed control by 2,4-D dimethylamine depends on mixture water hardness and adjuvant inclusion but not spray solution storage time
Authors: Schortgen Geoffrey P. , Patton Aaron J.
Published: November 2019

Herbicides are an important tool in managing weeds in turf and agricultural production. One of the earliest selective herbicides, 2,4-D, is a weak acid herbicide used to control broadleaf weeds. Water-quality parameters, such as pH and hardness, influence the efficacy of weak acid herbicides. Greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate how varying water hardness level, spray solution storage time, and adjuvant inclusion affected broadleaf weed control by 2,4-D dimethylamine. The first experiment evaluated a range of water-hardness levels (from 0 to 600 mg calcium carbonate [CaCO3] L−1) on efficacy of 2,4-D dimethylamine applied at 1.60 kg ae ha−1 for dandelion and horseweed control. A second experiment evaluated dandelion control from spray solutions prepared 0, 1, 4, 24, and 72 h before application. Dandelion and horseweed control by 2,4-D dimethylamine was reduced when the CaCO3 level in water was at least 422 or at least 390 mg L−1, respectively. Hard-water antagonism was overcome by the addition of 20 g L−1 ammonium sulfate (AMS) into the mixture. When AMS was included in spray mixtures, no differences were observed at 600 mg CaCO3 L−1, compared with distilled water. Spray solution storage time did not influence dandelion control, regardless of water-hardness level or adjuvant inclusion. To prevent antagonism, applicators should use a water-conditioning agent such as AMS when applying 2,4-D dimethylamine in hard water.
Future Time Perspective and Real-Life Utterances About the Future in Young and Older Adults
Authors: Brianza Eliana , Demiray Burcu
Published: November 2019

Abstract. Future time perspective (FTP) refers to an individual’s global perception of the future. It has been found to be positively related to life satisfaction. FTP is traditionally assessed via self-report, but recently a few studies have used observable behaviors for assessing FTP. We focused on two real-life behaviors (frequency and qualities of talking about the personal future) and explored whether they could be used as behavior-based measures of FTP. We examined the association between these behaviors and self-reported FTP, and their relationships with life satisfaction. The sample included 55 young (aged 18–31) and 47 older adults (aged 62–83) who completed questionnaires on future time perspective and life satisfaction. Over 4 days, participants carried an electronically activated recorder, which randomly captured 30-second sound snippets from their daily lives – a total of 30,656 sound snippets were collected. Participants’ utterances were coded for temporal orientation. Linguistic inquiry word count was used to analyze the qualities of future-oriented utterances. Structural equation models showed that self-reported FTP was not associated with the two real-life behaviors. It was positively associated with life satisfaction for the whole sample. The frequency of future-oriented utterances and family-related words were positively related to young adults’ life satisfaction. Achievement-related words were positively related to older adults’ life satisfaction.
Sensitivity of Global Pasturelands to Climate Variation
Authors: Stanimirova Radost , Arévalo Paulo , Kaufmann Robert K. , Maus Victor , Lesiv Myroslava , Havlík Petr , Friedl Mark A.
Published: November 2019

Pasturelands are globally extensive, sensitive to climate, and support livestock production systems that provide an essential source of food in many parts of the world. In this paper, we integrate information from remote sensing, global climate, and land use databases to improve understanding of the resilience and resistance of this ecologically vulnerable and societally critical land use. To characterize the effect of climate on pastureland productivity at global scale, we analyze the relationship between satellite‐derived enhanced vegetation index data from MODIS and gridded precipitation data from CHIRPS at 3‐ and 6‐month time lags. To account for the effects of different production systems, we stratify our analysis by agroecological zones and by rangeland versus mixed crop‐livestock systems. Results show that 14.5% of global pasturelands experienced statistically significant greening or browning trends over the 15‐year study period, with the majority of these locations showing greening. In arid ecosystems, precipitation and lagged vegetation index anomalies explain up to 69% of variation in vegetation productivity in both crop‐livestock and rangeland‐based production systems. Livestock production systems in Australia are least resistant to contemporaneous and short‐term precipitation anomalies, while arid livestock production systems in Latin America are least resilient to short‐term vegetation greenness anomalies. Because many arid regions of the world are projected to experience decreased total precipitation and increased precipitation variability in the coming decades, improved understanding regarding the sensitivity of pasturelands to the joint effects of climate change and livestock production systems is required to support sustainable land management in global pasturelands.
Toxic Algal Blooms Are Worsening with Climate Change
Authors: Wheeling Kate
Published: November 2019

Researchers use remote sensing technology to carry out a global survey of large freshwater lakes.
Thermal Conductivity of Snow, Firn, and Porous Ice From 3‐D Image‐Based Computations
Authors: Calonne Neige , Milliancourt Lucas , Burr Alexis , Philip Armelle , Martin Christophe L. , Flin Frederic , Geindreau Christian
Published: November 2019

Estimating thermal conductivity of snow, firn, and porous ice is key for modeling the thermal regime of alpine and polar glaciers. Whereas thermal conductivity of snow was widely investigated, studies on firn and porous ice are very scarce. This study presents the effective thermal conductivity tensor computed from 64 3‐D images of microstructures of snow, antarctic firn, and porous ice at −3, −20, and −60°C. We show that, in contrast with snow, conductivity of firn and porous ice correlates linearly with density, is approximately isotropic, and is largely impacted by temperature. We report that performances of commonly used estimates of thermal conductivity vary largely with density. In particular, formulas designed for snow lead to significant underestimations when applied to denser ice structures. We present a new formulation to accurately estimate the thermal conductivity throughout the whole density range, from fresh snow to bubbly ice, and for any temperature conditions encountered in glaciers.
Towards Global Hydrological Drought Monitoring Using Remotely Sensed Reservoir Surface Area
Authors: Zhao Gang , Gao Huilin
Published: November 2019

Hydrological drought quantification using surface water information has been lacking at a large scale due to limited in situ data. We introduce a framework for monitoring hydrological droughts using a global, long‐term, monthly, remotely sensed reservoir surface area dataset. At regional scales, a new index—the reservoir area drought index (RADI)—is defined as the monthly normalized reservoir area time series. RADI was validated using an in situ reservoir storage based index (average R2 = 0.83). RADI not only helps to characterize drought propagation from meteorological and agricultural droughts to hydrological droughts but also fills the information gap between streamflow/runoff based and groundwater based drought indices. The surface area dataset was further used to characterize the recovery rate (and to estimate the recovery time) at the individual reservoir scale during droughts. This across‐scale drought monitoring framework can help mitigate drought impacts and increase water use efficiency among multi‐reservoir systems.
Asian Winter Monsoon Imprint on Holocene SST Changes at the Northern Coast of the South China Sea
Authors: Zhang Yancheng , Zhu Kai , Huang Chao , Kong Deming , He Yuxin , Wang Huanye , Liu Weiguo , Xie Zhouqing , Wei Gangjian , Liu Zhonghui
Published: November 2019

Independent inference of the Asian winter monsoon (AWM), albeit achieved at several sparse sites, has reached no consensus for its variability through the Holocene. A sediment core from the northern coast of the South China Sea (SCS) was utilized to analyze organic biomarkers at (bi‐)decadal resolution, unveiling how SCS oceanic conditions fingerprint the AWM signal. Generally, alkenone sea surface temperature (SST) record, resembling the temporal structures of integrated tropical SST over the past 7,500 years, shows abnormal cool temperatures (up to ~4 °C) during the Little Ice Age and between ~1,200 and 2,500 years BP, when windborne terrigenous hopane compounds experienced considerable increases superimposed on a general increasing trend. Our results, together with augmented SST gradient between the SCS coast and open ocean, consistently suggest AWM strengthening toward the late Holocene. An intensified AWM during cold intervals like the Little Ice Age would have provided strong positive feedback to enhance coastal cooling.
Toward an Integrated View of Ionospheric Plasma Instabilities: 4. Behavior in the Transitional Valley Region
Authors: Makarevich Roman A.
Published: November 2019

Behavior of unstable plasma waves generated by the Farley‐Buneman instability (FBI) and the gradient drift instability (GDI) is analyzed in the transitional valley region near 120 km in altitude. The analysis is based on the expression for the FBI/GDI growth rate γ that has been recently generalized to include ion inertia effects for arbitrary altitude and wavelength, within the limits imposed by the fluid and local approaches. It is found that the ion inertia leads to a different instability behavior when the convection component is between the two critical values determined by the ion acoustic speed Cs and the ratio ri between the ion collision and gyrofrequency. The most interesting case occurs near 120 km, just below where ri=1. From analysis of electron density gradients G=∇n/n that result in marginal instability condition γ=0 (i.e., critical gradients G0), there exists a critical scale where G0=0 and below which all waves are unstable to FBI. Above this scale, G0>0 and gradients need to be sufficiently strong G>G0 for the plasma to become unstable through GDI. There also exists a maximum in dependence
, which refers to the least unstable scale and gradient. For convection outside of the specified range, no critical or least unstable scale exists, which is a typical situation outside of the transitional valley region. Overall, this analysis shows that the FBI convection thresholds and the GDI critical gradients are modified by the ion inertia and that the effects are most pronounced in the transitional valley region near 120 km.
Magmatic‐Hydrothermal Alteration Mechanism for Late Mesozoic Remagnetization in the South China Block
Authors: Gao Liang , Wang Qingfei , Deng Jun , Chen Fangge , Zhang Shihong , Yang Zhenyu
Published: November 2019

Although the late Mesozoic remagnetization of the South China Block (SCB) is well recognized, the mechanism is unclear due to poor constraints on the genesis of secondary magnetic minerals. This issue is addressed via the study of the world's largest Paleozoic Mn deposit, in which both early Paleozoic sedimentation of manganese carbonate minerals and undated hydrothermal overprinting manifested by the presence of Mn silicate minerals with associated magnetite. Laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry in situ element analyses and paleomagnetic studies are applied to determine the age of hydrothermal alteration, and the results shed new light on the remagnetization mechanism of the SCB. Laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry in situ analyses show that the secondary magnetites have high values of (Ca + Al + Mn) and low values of (Ti + V) and (Ni/Cr)/Ti. This, together with coexisting skarn formation, supports a hydrothermal origin. The postfolding remagnetization is characterized by a stable component and a systematic normal polarity, carried by magnetite. The mean direction has a declination of 22.9° and an inclination of 56.1°, with a statistical parameter α95 of 4.1°. Comparison with previously reported paleopoles indicates that the remagnetization was mostly acquired during the Late Cretaceous. Therefore, our results confirm that the hydrothermal magnetite carries a chemical remanent magnetization as a result of Late Cretaceous skarn formation. From a regional perspective, hydrothermal alteration from the Middle Jurassic to the Late Cretaceous, covering most parts of SCB, is proposed to be one of the important mechanisms for the ubiquitous late Mesozoic remagnetization.
The Large‐Scale Circulation Patterns Responsible for Extreme Precipitation Over the North China Plain in Midsummer
Authors: Zhao Yang , Xu Xiangde , Li Jiao , Zhang Rong , Kang Yanzhen , Huang Wubin , Xia Yu , Liu Di , Sun Xiaoyun
Published: November 2019

Extreme precipitation events over the North China Plain (NCP) in midsummer during 1979–2016 are classified into two types using objective cluster analysis: a northern pattern with heavy precipitation and a central–southern pattern with relatively moderate precipitation. The large‐scale circulation patterns responsible for the midsummer extreme precipitation are then determined. In the northern NCP type, extreme precipitation accompanies a zonal gradient between an anomalous low‐pressure system at high latitudes and the westward‐ and northward‐extended western North Pacific subtropical high (WNPSH). Anomalous southwesterlies flow is driven by a trough that extended from the high latitudes to the northern NCP, where it encounters southeasterly wind flow induced by an anomalously northward‐extended WNPSH and a southern low‐pressure anomaly at low latitudes. Anomalous amounts of moisture are mainly transported from the tropical western Pacific by southeasterlies. In the central–southern NCP type, remarkable anomalous low‐pressure systems control all of northern China with centers over the Sichuan Basin and northeast China. The westward‐extended WNPSH occupies further south than that of the northern NCP type. The southwesterly low‐level jet (LLJ) is more prevalent in the central–southern NCP type than in the northern NCP type. This southwesterly LLJ plays an important role in extreme precipitation over the central–southern NCP by transporting moisture primarily from the Bay of Bengal and the South China Sea and generating convergence. In addition, the upper‐level anomalous strong divergence that is anchored over the right entrance of the westerly jet makes a greater contribution to extreme precipitation in the northern type than in the central–southern type.
Polar Cap Patch Prediction in the Expanding Contracting Polar Cap Paradigm
Authors: Fæhn Follestad A. , Clausen L. B. N. , Thomas E. G. , Jin Y. , Coster A.
Published: November 2019

Space weather can cause serious disturbances of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) used for positioning and navigation purposes. This paper describes a new method to forecast space weather disturbances on GNSS at high latitudes, in which we describe the formation and propagation of polar cap patches and predict their arrival at the nightside auroral oval. The space weather prediction model builds on the expanding/contracting polar cap (ECPC) paradigm and total electron content (TEC) observations from the Global Positioning System (GPS) network. The input parameter is satellite observations of the interplanetary magnetic field at the first Lagrange point. To validate our prediction model, we perform a case study in which we compare the results from our prediction model to observations from the GPS TEC data from the MIT's Madrigal database, convection data from Super Dual Auroral radar network, and scintillation data from Svalbard. Our results show that the ECPC paradigm describes the polar cap patch motion well and can be used to predict scintillations of GPS signals at high latitudes.
The Alichur Dome, South Pamir, Western India–Asia Collisional Zone: Detailing the Neogene Shakhdara–Alichur Syn‐collisional Gneiss‐Dome Complex and Connection to Lithospheric Processes
Authors: Worthington James R. , Ratschbacher Lothar , Stübner Konstanze , Khan Jahanzeb , Malz Nicole , Schneider Susanne , Kapp Paul , Chapman James B. , Stevens Goddard Andrea , Brooks Hanna L. , Lamadrid Hector M. , Steele‐MacInnis Matthew , Rutte Daniel , Jonckheere Raymond , Pfänder Jörg , Hacker Bradley R. , Oimahmadov Ilhomjon , Gadoev Mustafo
Published: November 2019

Neogene, syn‐collisional extensional exhumation of Asian lower–middle crust produced the Shakhdara–Alichur gneiss‐dome complex in the South Pamir. The <1 km‐thick, mylonitic–brittle, top‐NNE, normal‐sense Alichur shear zone (ASZ) bounds the 125 × 25 km Alichur dome to the north. The Shakhdara dome is bounded by the <4 km‐thick, mylonitic–brittle, top‐SSE South Pamir normal‐sense shear zone (SPSZ) to the south, and the dextral Gunt wrench zone to its north. The Alichur dome comprises Cretaceous granitoids/gneisses cut by early Miocene leucogranites; its hanging wall contains non/weakly metamorphosed rocks. The 22–17 Ma Alichur‐dome‐injection‐complex leucogranites transition from foliation‐parallel, centimeter‐ to meter‐thick sheets within the ASZ into discordant intrusions that may comprise half the volume of the dome core. Secondary fluid inclusions in mylonites and mylonitization‐temperature constraints suggest Alichur‐dome exhumation from 10–15 km depth. Thermochronologic dates bracket footwall cooling between ~410–130 °C from ~16–4 Ma; tectonic cooling/exhumation rates (~42 °C/Myr, ~1.1 km/Myr) contrast with erosion‐dominated rates in the hanging wall (~2 °C/Myr, <0.1 km/Myr). Dome‐scale boudinage, oblique divergence of the ASZ and SPSZ hanging walls, and dextral wrenching reflect minor approximately E–W material flow out of the orogen. We attribute broadly southward younging extensional exhumation across the central South Pamir between ~20–4 Ma to: (i) Mostly northward, foreland‐directed flow of hot crust into a cold foreland during the growth of the Pamir orocline; and (ii) Contrasting effects of basal shear related to underthrusting Indian lithosphere, enhancing extension in the underthrust South Pamir and inhibiting extension in the non‐underthrust Central Pamir.
Elevated Hedgehog activity contributes to attenuated DNA damage responses in aged hematopoietic cells
Authors: Scheffold Annika , Baig Ali H. , Chen Zhiyang , von Löhneysen Sarah E. , Becker Friedrich , Morita Yohei , Avila Alush I. , Groth Marco , Lechel André , Schmid Florian , Kraus Johann M. , Kestler Hans A. , Stilgenbauer Stephan , Philipp Melanie , Burkhalter Martin D.
Published: November 2019

Accumulation of DNA damage and myeloid-skewed differentiation characterize aging of the hematopoietic system, yet underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here, we show that aging hematopoietic progenitor cells particularly of the myeloid branch exhibit enhanced resistance to bulky DNA lesions—a relevant type of DNA damage induced by toxins such as cancer drugs or endogenous aldehydes. We identified aging-associated activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway to be connected to this phenotype. Inhibition of Hh signaling reverts DNA damage tolerance and DNA damage-resistant proliferation in aged hematopoietic progenitors. Vice versa, elevating Hh activity in young hematopoietic progenitors is sufficient to impair DNA damage responses. Altogether, these findings provide experimental evidence for aging-associated increases in Hh activity driving DNA damage tolerance in myeloid progenitors and myeloid-skewed differentiation. Modulation of Hh activity could thus be explored as a therapeutic strategy to prevent DNA damage tolerance, myeloid skewing, and disease development in the aging hematopoietic system.
Metabolic programming determines the lineage-differentiation fate of murine bone marrow stromal progenitor cells
Authors: Tencerova Michaela , Rendina-Ruedy Elizabeth , Neess Ditte , Færgeman Nils , Figeac Florence , Ali Dalia , Danielsen Morten , Haakonsson Anders , Rosen Clifford J. , Kassem Moustapha
Published: November 2019

Enhanced bone marrow adipogenesis and impaired osteoblastogenesis have been observed in obesity, suggesting that the metabolic microenvironment regulates bone marrow adipocyte and osteoblast progenitor differentiation fate. To determine the molecular mechanisms, we studied two immortalized murine cell lines of adipocyte or osteoblast progenitors (BMSCsadipo and BMSCsosteo, respectively) under basal and adipogenic culture conditions. At baseline, BMSCsadipo, and BMSCsosteo exhibit a distinct metabolic program evidenced by the presence of specific global gene expression, cellular bioenergetics, and metabolomic signatures that are dependent on insulin signaling and glycolysis in BMSCsosteo versus oxidative phosphorylation in BMSCsadipo. To test the flexibility of the metabolic program, we treated BMSCsadipo with parathyroid hormone, S961 (an inhibitor of insulin signaling) and oligomycin (an inhibitor of oxidative phosphorylation). The treatment induced significant changes in cellular bioenergetics that were associated with decreased adipocytic differentiation. Similarly, 12 weeks of a high-fat diet in mice led to the expansion of adipocyte progenitors, enhanced adipocyte differentiation and insulin signaling in cultured BMSCs. Our data demonstrate that BMSC progenitors possess a distinct metabolic program and are poised to respond to exogenous metabolic cues that regulate their differentiation fate.