bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Repeasantisation in The United States
Authors: Nelson Jon , Stock Paul 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThis article adopts Van der Ploeg's theory of repeasantisation to demonstrate that, even in the largely industrialised agricultural state of Kansas, USA, there are unexpected interstices within neoliberalised agriculture where industrial farmers can exercise and produce autonomy. This study draws from interviews across a range of production strategies including conventional industrial farmers, entrepreneurial, and self‐styled organic farmers. A central claim of this article is that entrepreneurial farmers demonstrate peasant principle practices and therefore a process of repeasantisation is occurring in the USA. Most importantly, this emerging repeasantisation offers a glimpse at the kinds of sustainable agriculture that might be possible in the future. The article concludes that repesantisation strategies may offer hope for societal and ecological repair.
Sustainable management of biosolid phosphorus: a field study
Authors: Withers P. J. A. , Flynn N. J. , Warren G. P. , Taylor M. , Chambers B. J. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractStabilized wastewater biosolids are a renewable resource for improving soil and crop quality, but their regular application can rapidly elevate soil available phosphorus (P) (e.g. Olsen‐P[OP]) leading to increased transfer of soluble reactive P (SRP) in land run‐off causing eutrophication. To assess the eutrophication risk of biosolid P recycling, 143 arable fields with different biosolid P input histories, and representing different soil type and biosolid type combinations, were sampled and their P chemistry determined. Differences in soil total P between the surveyed fields were used as the best measure of net biosolid P inputs. Rates of soil OP increase (range 3–11% of soil total P, mean 7%) were lowest on a P‐fixing soil and tended to increase more on sandy soils (6–9%) and on loamy soils receiving biosolids dosed with both iron (Fe) and lime (9–11%). Potential release of SRP to run‐off was measured as water‐extractable P (WEP) and varied widely (6–52% of soil OP). WEP concentrations were lowest on clayey soils, and where biosolids containing P‐binding elements [calcium (Ca) or Fe, but not together] were applied. The relationship between OP and WEP was therefore highly dependent on both soil type and biosolid type. However, analysis of soil P sorption parameters indicated that eutrophication risk on loamy and clayey soils was significantly reduced when OP represented <20% of the soil P sorption capacity. Our results suggest that biosolids could be more sustainably managed by matching biosolid type to soil type and P fertility status.
A method‐centric ‘User Manual’ for the mitigation of diffuse water pollution from agriculture
Authors: Cuttle S. P. , Newell‐Price J. P. , Harris D. , Chadwick D. R. , Shepherd M. A. , Anthony S. G. A. , Macleod C. J. A. , Haygarth P. M. , Chambers B. J. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractWe describe the development of a manual of methods for mitigating diffuse water pollution from agriculture and its important influence on policy and practice in England and Wales. The objective of the ‘User Manual’ was to provide policy makers and those implementing policies with information about the cost, effectiveness and applicability of potential methods in a form that would be readily understood by non‐specialists. The ‘User Manual’ was based on earlier reports synthesizing available research data and, where data were unavailable, used expert elicitation. The outcome generated 44 potential methods (under the broad categories of land use, soil management, livestock management, fertilizer management, manure management and farm infrastructure) and described the simultaneous impact of applying each method on losses of nitrate, phosphorus and faecal indicator organisms relative to baseline losses. Estimates of cost and effectiveness were presented at the whole‐farm level for seven model farm types. Methods differed widely in their cost‐effectiveness and applicability to the different model farms. Advantages and limitations of the approach are discussed and subsequent developments of the original ‘User Manual’ are described, together with the opinions of catchment officers who have used the ‘User Manual’ to implement mitigation methods on farms.
Use of farm survey returns from the Demonstration Test Catchments to update modelled predictions of sediment and total phosphorus loadings from subsurface drains across England and Wales
Authors: Zhang Y. , Collins A. L. , Hodgkinson R. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBoth experimental and monitoring studies have underscored the importance of the agricultural subsurface drain delivery pathway for sediment and phosphorus in England and Wales. Modelling studies to date using the Phosphorus and Sediment Yield CHaracterisation In Catchments (PSYCHIC) model have included a default drain connectivity coefficient of 0.9. Recent telephone and field‐based surveys in three Demonstration Test Catchments of farmer attitudes towards field drains and their maintenance have provided new data on the presence of permeable backfill, the frequency of subsoiling, mole draining and maintenance of the freeboard at drain outfalls. These survey returns have therefore been used to revise the default drain connectivity coefficient in PSYCHIC. Revised subsurface drain connectivity at the Water Management Catchment scale ranges from 0.52 to 0.89 with a median of 0.75. Relative to modelled baseline (2010) data using the default drain connectivity of 0.9, the revised estimates of connectivity resulted in a reduction in the prediction of relative contributions from the subsurface drain pathway at national scale of 8.1% for sediment and 6.8% for total phosphorus.
Late‐onset severe pneumonia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: prognostic factors and treatments
Authors: Mo X.‐D. , Zhang X.‐H. , Xu L.‐P. , Wang Y. , Yan C.‐H. , Chen H. , Chen Y.‐H. , Han W. , Wang F.‐R. , Wang J.‐Z. , Liu K.‐Y. , Huang X.‐J. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBackgroundIn this study, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic factors associated with and treatments for late‐onset severe pneumonia (LOSP) in patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT).MethodsFifty consecutive patients who underwent non‐T‐cell‐depleted allo‐HSCT at the Peking University Institute of Hematology and met the criterion of LOSP after allo‐HSCT were enrolled.ResultsThe median time from allo‐HSCT to the occurrence of LOSP was 231 (90–1487) days. Twenty‐eight patients harbored 1 or more pathogens (infectious LOSP, I‐LOSP), whereas 22 did not harbor any pathogens (non‐infectious LOSP, NI‐LOSP). The 100‐day survival rate of LOSP patients was 31.1%. Patients smoking before allo‐HSCT (0% vs. 35.4%, P = 0.002) and male gender (20.0% vs. 61.9%, P = 0.026) had lower 100‐day survival rate. Patients with a lower bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) neutrophil percentage had higher 100‐day survival rate relative to those with higher BALF neutrophil percentage (45.5% vs. 16.7%, P = 0.012). The 100‐day survival rate of patients with I‐LOSP was lower than that of patients with NI‐LOSP (19.1% vs. 46.9%, P = 0.043). Patients given late (≥1 week after LOSP diagnosis) and low‐dose methylprednisolone (MP) therapy (≤2 mg/kg/day) had the best 100‐day survival rate. In the multivariate analysis, nonsmoking before allo‐HSCT and late and low‐dose MP therapy were significantly associated with a better survival after LOSP.ConclusionLOSP is a severe complication after allo‐HSCT. The correct timing and corticosteroid dosage in the context of broad‐spectrum antimicrobial therapy might further improve the outcomes of patients with LOSP.
Clinical use of blood and blood components in post‐abortion care in Botswana
Authors: Tsima B. M. , Melese T. , Mogobe K. D. , Chabaesele K. , Rankgoane G. , Nassali M. , Habte D. 
Published: May 2016

SUMMARYBackgroundUnderstanding the pattern and gaps in blood product utilisation in post‐abortion care is crucial for evidence‐based planning and priority setting.ObjectiveTo describe the current use of blood and blood components in post‐abortion care in Botswana.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cross‐sectional study across four hospitals in Botswana using routine patients' records. We included all patients admitted for an abortion between January and August 2014. Descriptive statistics are used to report the results.ResultsWhole blood and red cell concentrates were used in 59/619 (9·5%) of patients. Plasma and platelet use was 1·3 and 0·7%, respectively. The mean admission haemoglobin level was 10·07 g dL−1 (SD 2·69) and differed significantly between referral and district hospitals. The mean number of blood units transfused per patient was 2·23 (standard deviation (SD) 1·23), with 15/55 (27·3%) receiving a single unit. A total of 43/288 (14·9%) of the patients had haemoglobin levels below 7 g dL−1 but did not receive any transfusion. There was a moderate positive correlation between admission haemoglobin level and time to transfusion (Spearman's rho = 0·37, P = 0·01). The number of blood units given increased with decreasing admission haemoglobin level. The strength of this association was moderate (Spearman's rho = −0·48, P < 0·001).ConclusionThere is a relatively low utilisation of blood and blood components in post‐abortion care in Botswana despite an apparent clinical need in some instances. The reason for this shortfall, as well as its impact on morbidity and mortality, needs to be explored and be a focus of health systems research in Botswana.
Serine and threonine residues of plant STN7 kinase are differentially phosphorylated upon changing light conditions and specifically influence the activity and stability of the kinase
Authors: Trotta Andrea , Suorsa Marjaana , Rantala Marjaana , Lundin Björn , Aro Eva‐Mari 
Published: May 2016

SummarySTN7 kinase catalyzes the phosphorylation of the globally most common membrane proteins, the light‐harvesting complex II (LHCII) in plant chloroplasts. STN7 itself possesses one serine (Ser) and two threonine (Thr) phosphosites. We show that phosphorylation of the Thr residues protects STN7 against degradation in darkness, low light and red light, whereas increasing light intensity and far red illumination decrease phosphorylation and induce STN7 degradation. Ser phosphorylation, in turn, occurs under red and low intensity white light, coinciding with the client protein (LHCII) phosphorylation. Through analysis of the counteracting LHCII phosphatase mutant tap38/pph1, we show that Ser phosphorylation and activation of the STN7 kinase for subsequent LHCII phosphorylation are heavily affected by pre‐illumination conditions. Transitions between the three activity states of the STN7 kinase (deactivated in darkness and far red light, activated in low and red light, inhibited in high light) are shown to modulate the phosphorylation of the STN7 Ser and Thr residues independently of each other. Such dynamic regulation of STN7 kinase phosphorylation is crucial for plant growth and environmental acclimation.
Low Occurrence of Extended‐Spectrum β‐lactamase‐Producing Escherichia coli in Finnish Food‐Producing Animals
Authors: Päivärinta M. , Pohjola L. , Fredriksson‐Ahomaa M. , Heikinheimo A. 
Published: May 2016

SummaryESBL/AmpC‐producing Escherichia coli is increasingly isolated from humans and animals worldwide. The occurrence of ESBL/AmpC‐producing E. coli was studied in food‐producing animals in Finland, a country with a low and controlled use of antimicrobials in meat production chain. A total of 648 cattle, 531 pig, 495 broiler and 35 turkey faecal samples were collected from four Finnish slaughterhouses to determine the presence of extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase (ESBL/AmpC)‐producing E. coli. In addition, 260 broiler and 15 turkey samples were screened for carbapenemase‐producing E. coli. Susceptibility to different class of cephalosporins and meropenem was determined with disc diffusion tests according to the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST). Determination of ESBL/AmpC production was performed with a combination disc diffusion test according to the recommendations of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Plasmidic blaESBL/AmpC genes were characterized by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. A collection of isolates producing AmpC enzyme but not carrying plasmidic blaAmpC was analysed by PCR and sequencing for possible chromosomal ampC promoter area mutations. Altogether ESBL/AmpC‐producing E. coli was recovered from five cattle (0.8%), eight pig (1.5%) and 40 broiler samples (8.1%). No ESBL/AmpC‐producing E. coli was found in turkey samples. Carbapenem resistance was not detected. Altogether ESBL/AmpC‐producing E. coli was found on 4 (2.0%), 3 (4.5%) and 14 (25%) cattle, pig and broiler farms, respectively. From cattle samples 3 (27%) blaCTX‐M‐1 and from broiler samples 13 (33%) blaCTX‐M‐1 and 22 (55%) blaCMY‐2 gene‐carrying isolates were detected. In pigs, no plasmidic blaESBL/AmpC gene‐carrying isolates were found. In all analysed isolates, the same mutations in the promoter region of chromosomal ampC were detected. The results showed low occurrence of ESBL/AmpC‐producing E. coli in Finnish food‐producing animals. In pigs, plasmidic blaESBL/AmpC‐carrying E. coli was not detected at all.
Training improves the oxidative phenotype of muscle during the transition from cardiac hypertrophy to heart failure without altering MyoD and myogenin
Authors: Pacagnelli Francis Lopes , Aguiar Andreo Fernando , Campos Dijon Henrique S. , Castan Eduardo Paulino , de Souza Rodrigo Wagner Alves , de Almeida Fernanda Losi Alves , Carani Fernanda , Carvalho Robson Francisco , Cicogna Antonio Carlos , Silva Maeli Dal Pai 
Published: May 2016

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?
We investigated the effects of physical training on phenotypic (fibre‐type content) and myogenic features (MyoD and myogenin expression) in skeletal muscle during the transition from cardiac hypertrophy to heart failure.

What is the main finding and its importance?
We provide new insight into skeletal muscle adaptations by showing that physical training increases the type I fibre content during the transition from cardiac hypertrophy to heart failure, without altering MyoD and myogenin expression. These results have important clinical implications for patients with heart failure, because this population has reduced muscle oxidative capacity.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of physical training (PT) on phenotypic features (fibre‐type content) and myogenic regulatory factors (MyoD and myogenin) in rat skeletal muscle during the transition from cardiac hypertrophy to heart failure. We used the model of ascending aortic stenosis (AS) to induce heart failure in male Wistar rats. Sham‐operated animals were used as age‐matched controls. At 18 weeks after surgery, rats with ventricular dysfunction were randomized into the following four groups: sham‐operated, untrained (Sham‐U; n = 8); sham‐operated, trained (Sham‐T; n = 6); aortic stenosis, untrained (AS‐U; n = 6); and aortic stenosis, trained (AS‐T; n = 8). The AS‐T and Sham‐T groups were submitted to a 10 week aerobic PT programme, while the AS‐U and Sham‐U groups remained untrained for the same period of time. After the PT programme, the animals were killed and the soleus muscles collected for phenotypic and molecular analyses. Physical training promoted type IIa‐to‐I fibre conversion in the trained groups (Sham‐T and AS‐T) compared with the untrained groups (Sham‐U and AS‐U). No significant (P > 0.05) differences were found in type I or IIa fibre content in the AS‐U group compared with the Sham‐U group. Additionally, there were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in the myogenic regulatory factors MyoD and myogenin (gene and protein) expression between the groups. Therefore, our results indicate that PT may be a suitable strategy to improve the oxidative phenotype in skeletal muscle during the transition from cardiac hypertrophy to heart failure, without altering MyoD and myogenin.
Error signals driving locomotor adaptation: cutaneous feedback from the foot is used to adapt movement during perturbed walking
Authors: Choi Julia T. , Jensen Peter , Nielsen Jens Bo , Bouyer Laurent J. 
Published: May 2016

Key points
Sensory input from peripheral receptors are important for the regulation of walking patterns.
Cutaneous input mediates muscle responses to deal with immediate external perturbations.
In this study we focused on the role of cutaneous feedback in locomotor adaptation that takes place over minutes of training.
We show that interfering with cutaneous feedback reduced adaptation to ankle perturbations during walking.
These results help us understand the neural mechanisms underlying walking adaptation, and have clinical implications for treating walking impairments after neurological injuries.
AbstractLocomotor patterns must be adapted to external forces encountered during daily activities. The contribution of different sensory inputs to detecting perturbations and adapting movements during walking is unclear. In the present study, we examined the role of cutaneous feedback in adapting walking patterns to force perturbations. Forces were applied to the ankle joint during the early swing phase using an electrohydraulic ankle–foot orthosis. Repetitive 80 Hz electrical stimulation was applied to disrupt cutaneous feedback from the superficial peroneal nerve (foot dorsum) and medial plantar nerve (foot sole) during walking (Choi et al. 2013). Sensory tests were performed to measure the cutaneous touch threshold and perceptual threshold of force perturbations. Ankle movement were measured when the subjects walked on the treadmill over three periods: baseline (1 min), adaptation (1 min) and post‐adaptation (3 min). Subjects (n = 10) showed increased touch thresholds measured with Von Frey monofilaments and increased force perception thresholds with stimulation. Stimulation reduced the magnitude of walking adaptation to force perturbation. In addition, we compared the effects of interrupting cutaneous feedback using anaesthesia (n = 5) instead of repetitive nerve stimulation. Foot anaesthesia reduced ankle adaptation to external force perturbations during walking. The results of the present study suggest that cutaneous input plays a role in force perception, and may contribute to the ‘error’ signal involved in driving walking adaptation when there is a mismatch between expected and actual force.
Performance characteristics of dedicated molecular breast imaging systems at low doses
Authors: Long Zaiyang , Conners Amy L. , Hunt Katie N. , Hruska Carrie B. , O'Connor Michael K. 
Published: May 2016

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to compare the system performance characteristics and lesion detection capability of two molecular breast imaging (MBI) systems: a multicrystal sodium iodide (NaI)‐based single‐head system and a cadmium zinc telluride (CZT)‐based dual‐head system at low administered doses (150–300 MBq) of Tc‐99m sestamibi.Methods:System performance characteristics including count sensitivity, uniformity, energy resolution, and spatial resolution were measured using standard NEMA methods, or a modified version thereof in cases where the standard NEMA protocol could not be applied. A contrast‐detail phantom with 48 lesions at varying depths from the collimator surface was used to assess lesion contrast‐to‐noise‐ratio (CNR) using background count densities comparable to those observed in patient studies performed with administered doses of 150 MBq Tc‐99m sestamibi. Lesions with CNR >3 were deemed to be detectable. Thirty patients undergoing MBI examinations with administered doses of 150–300 MBq were scanned for an additional view on the pixelated NaI system. CNR was calculated for lesions observed on patient images. Background count densities of patient images were measured and compared between the two systems.Results:Over the central field of view, integral and differential uniformity were 6.1% and 4.2%, respectively, for the pixelated NaI system, and 3.8% and 2.7%, respectively, for the CZT system. Count sensitivity was 10.8 kcts/min/MBq for the NaI system and 32.9 kcts/min/MBq for the CZT system. Energy resolution was 13.5% on the pixelated NaI system and 4.5% on the CZT system. Spatial resolution (full‐width at half‐maximum) for the pixelated NaI detector was 4.2 mm at a distance of 1.2 cm from the collimator and 5.2 mm at 3.1 cm. Spatial resolution of a single CZT detector was 2.9 mm at a distance of 1.2 cm from the collimator and 4.7 mm at 3.1 cm. Effective spatial resolution obtained with dual‐head CZT was below 4.7 mm throughout a simulated breast thickness of 6 cm. From contrast‐detail phantom images of lesions at distances of 1.5–4.5 cm from the collimator face, the CZT system detected 124 of 144 (86%) of lesions compared to 97 of 144 (67%) with the NaI system. In patient studies, from comparison of the same view with both systems, a total of 7 breast lesions were identified on CZT system in seven patients, and 4 of 7 (57%) were detected on NaI system. Patient image background count densities on the CZT system were on average 3.4 times higher than those on the NaI system.Conclusions:The CZT system demonstrated better uniformity, count sensitivity, spatial resolution, energy resolution, and lesion detection in phantom and patient studies compared to the NaI system. At administered doses of 150–300 MBq Tc‐99m sestamibi, patient results obtained with CZT systems may not be directly translatable to NaI systems.
Modeling Meropenem Treatment, Alone and in Combination with Daptomycin, for KPC-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Strains with Unusually Low Carbapenem MICs
Authors: Gagetti P. , Pasteran F. , Martinez M. P. , Fatouraei M. , Gu J. , Fernandez R. , Paz L. , Rose W. E. , Corso A. , Rosato A. E. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACT

Klebsiella pneumoniae
strains producing
K. pneumoniae
carbapenemase (KPC) cause serious infections in debilitated and immunocompromised patients and are associated with prolonged hospital stays and increased mortality rates. Daptomycin is a lipopeptide used against
Staphylococcus aureus
infection and considered inactive against Gram-negative bacteria. We investigated the effectiveness of a daptomycin-meropenem combination by synergy kill curve and a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model. The combination may represent a novel therapeutic strategy against infections caused by KPC-producing
K. pneumoniae
strains.