Showing papers by "Michigan State University published in 2013"
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TL;DR: Wilson's (1967) review of the area of subjective well-being (SWB) advanced several conclusions regarding those who report high levels of "happiness". A number of his conclusions have been overturned: youth and modest aspirations no longer are seen as prerequisites of SWB.
Abstract: W. Wilson's (1967) review of the area of subjective well-being (SWB) advanced several conclusions regarding those who report high levels of "happiness". A number of his conclusions have been overturned: youth and modest aspirations no longer are seen as prerequisites of SWB. E. Diener's (1984) review placed greater emphasis on theories that stressed psychological factors. In the current article, the authors review current evidence for Wilson's conclusions and discuss modern theories of SWB that stress dispositional influences, adaptation, goals, and coping strategies. The next steps in the evolution of the field are to comprehend the interaction of psychological factors with life circumstances in producing SWB, to understand the causal pathways leading to happiness, understand the processes underlying adaptation to events, and develop theories that explain why certain variables differentially influence the different components of SWV (life satisfaction, pleasant affect, and unpleasant affect).
9,254 citations
Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation1, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio2, Emory University3, Mayo Clinic4, Harvard University5, Boston University6, Michigan State University7, National Institutes of Health8, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center9, Health Effects Institute10, Loyola University Chicago11, University of Washington12, University of California, San Diego13, University of Pennsylvania14, Veterans Health Administration15, Beth Israel Medical Center16, Johns Hopkins University17, Imperial College London18, Carnegie Mellon University19, Howard University20, University of California, San Francisco21, Columbia University22, New York University23, Karolinska Institutet24, George Mason University25, Nova Southeastern University26, University of Miami27, Northwestern University28, Thomas Jefferson University29, China Medical Board30, Pacific Institute31, Duke University32, Brigham and Women's Hospital33, California Environmental Protection Agency34, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services35, Brigham Young University36, University of Missouri37, University of California, Los Angeles38, Vanderbilt University39, University of Maryland, College Park40, University of Alabama at Birmingham41, Brandeis University42, University of Tokyo43, The Queen's Medical Center44, Drexel University45, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center46, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health47, Brown University48, University of Melbourne49
TL;DR: To measure the burden of diseases, injuries, and leading risk factors in the United States from 1990 to 2010 and to compare these measurements with those of the 34 countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), systematic analysis of descriptive epidemiology was used.
Abstract: Importance Understanding the major health problems in the United States and how they are changing over time is critical for informing national health policy. Objectives To measure the burden of diseases, injuries, and leading risk factors in the United States from 1990 to 2010 and to compare these measurements with those of the 34 countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. Design We used the systematic analysis of descriptive epidemiology of 291 diseases and injuries, 1160 sequelae of these diseases and injuries, and 67 risk factors or clusters of risk factors from 1990 to 2010 for 187 countries developed for the Global Burden of Disease 2010 Study to describe the health status of the United States and to compare US health outcomes with those of 34 OECD countries. Years of life lost due to premature mortality (YLLs) were computed by multiplying the number of deaths at each age by a reference life expectancy at that age. Years lived with disability (YLDs) were calculated by multiplying prevalence (based on systematic reviews) by the disability weight (based on population-based surveys) for each sequela; disability in this study refers to any short- or long-term loss of health. Disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) were estimated as the sum of YLDs and YLLs. Deaths and DALYs related to risk factors were based on systematic reviews and meta-analyses of exposure data and relative risks for risk-outcome pairs. Healthy life expectancy (HALE) was used to summarize overall population health, accounting for both length of life and levels of ill health experienced at different ages. Results US life expectancy for both sexes combined increased from 75.2 years in 1990 to 78.2 years in 2010; during the same period, HALE increased from 65.8 years to 68.1 years. The diseases and injuries with the largest number of YLLs in 2010 were ischemic heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and road injury. Age-standardized YLL rates increased for Alzheimer disease, drug use disorders, chronic kidney disease, kidney cancer, and falls. The diseases with the largest number of YLDs in 2010 were low back pain, major depressive disorder, other musculoskeletal disorders, neck pain, and anxiety disorders. As the US population has aged, YLDs have comprised a larger share of DALYs than have YLLs. The leading risk factors related to DALYs were dietary risks, tobacco smoking, high body mass index, high blood pressure, high fasting plasma glucose, physical inactivity, and alcohol use. Among 34 OECD countries between 1990 and 2010, the US rank for the age-standardized death rate changed from 18th to 27th, for the age-standardized YLL rate from 23rd to 28th, for the age-standardized YLD rate from 5th to 6th, for life expectancy at birth from 20th to 27th, and for HALE from 14th to 26th. Conclusions and Relevance From 1990 to 2010, the United States made substantial progress in improving health. Life expectancy at birth and HALE increased, all-cause death rates at all ages decreased, and age-specific rates of years lived with disability remained stable. However, morbidity and chronic disability now account for nearly half of the US health burden, and improvements in population health in the United States have not kept pace with advances in population health in other wealthy nations.
2,159 citations
National University of Río Negro1, University of Würzburg2, Rutgers University3, National University of Comahue4, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences5, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation6, University of California, Berkeley7, Naturalis8, University of Leeds9, University of Calgary10, Hebrew University of Jerusalem11, Lüneburg University12, ETH Zurich13, National University of Tucumán14, Federal University of Ceará15, Federal University of Bahia16, Plant & Food Research17, Michigan State University18, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada19, The Nature Conservancy20, University of Göttingen21, University of Queensland22, Cornell University23, University of Reading24, Stockholm University25, University of Vermont26, Lund University27, University of Bern28, University of Koblenz and Landau29, Jagiellonian University30, Universidad de las Américas Puebla31, University of California, Davis32
TL;DR: Overall, wild insects pollinated crops more effectively; an increase in wild insect visitation enhanced fruit set by twice as much as an equivalent increase in honey bee visitation.
Abstract: The diversity and abundance of wild insect pollinators have declined in many agricultural landscapes. Whether such declines reduce crop yields, or are mitigated by managed pollinators such as honey bees, is unclear. We found universally positive associations of fruit set with flower visitation by wild insects in 41 crop systems worldwide. In contrast, fruit set increased significantly with flower visitation by honey bees in only 14% of the systems surveyed. Overall, wild insects pollinated crops more effectively; an increase in wild insect visitation enhanced fruit set by twice as much as an equivalent increase in honey bee visitation. Visitation by wild insects and honey bees promoted fruit set independently, so pollination by managed honey bees supplemented, rather than substituted for, pollination by wild insects. Our results suggest that new practices for integrated management of both honey bees and diverse wild insect assemblages will enhance global crop yields.
1,881 citations
TL;DR: Diverse, abundant, and potentially mobile ARGs in farm samples suggest that unmonitored use of antibiotics and metals is causing the emergence and release of ARGs to the environment.
Abstract: Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are emerging contaminants posing a potential worldwide human health risk. Intensive animal husbandry is believed to be a major contributor to the increased environmental burden of ARGs. Despite the volume of antibiotics used in China, little information is available regarding the corresponding ARGs associated with animal farms. We assessed type and concentrations of ARGs at three stages of manure processing to land disposal at three large-scale (10,000 animals per year) commercial swine farms in China. In-feed or therapeutic antibiotics used on these farms include all major classes of antibiotics except vancomycins. High-capacity quantitative PCR arrays detected 149 unique resistance genes among all of the farm samples, the top 63 ARGs being enriched 192-fold (median) up to 28,000-fold (maximum) compared with their respective antibiotic-free manure or soil controls. Antibiotics and heavy metals used as feed supplements were elevated in the manures, suggesting the potential for coselection of resistance traits. The potential for horizontal transfer of ARGs because of transposon-specific ARGs is implicated by the enrichment of transposases—the top six alleles being enriched 189-fold (median) up to 90,000-fold in manure—as well as the high correlation (r2 = 0.96) between ARG and transposase abundance. In addition, abundance of ARGs correlated directly with antibiotic and metal concentrations, indicating their importance in selection of resistance genes. Diverse, abundant, and potentially mobile ARGs in farm samples suggest that unmonitored use of antibiotics and metals is causing the emergence and release of ARGs to the environment.
1,836 citations
University of St Andrews1, University of Oldenburg2, Natural History Museum3, Naturalis4, Centre national de la recherche scientifique5, Michigan State University6, University of Lausanne7, University of Wyoming8, Queen Mary University of London9, University of Sheffield10, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis11, University of Oslo12, University of Vienna13, University of Vermont14, University of East Anglia15, Spanish National Research Council16, University of Cambridge17, University of Konstanz18, University of Zurich19, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh20, Harvard University21, Autonomous University of Madrid22, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology23, Boston University24, Max Planck Society25, University of Neuchâtel26, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill27, Lehigh University28, American Museum of Natural History29, University of Montpellier30, University of Liverpool31, Jagiellonian University32, Uppsala University33, German Primate Center34
TL;DR: A perspective on the context and evolutionary significance of hybridization during speciation is offered, highlighting issues of current interest and debate and suggesting that the Dobzhansky–Muller model of hybrid incompatibilities requires a broader interpretation.
Abstract: Hybridization has many and varied impacts on the process of speciation. Hybridization may slow or reverse differentiation by allowing gene flow and recombination. It may accelerate speciation via adaptive introgression or cause near-instantaneous speciation by allopolyploidization. It may have multiple effects at different stages and in different spatial contexts within a single speciation event. We offer a perspective on the context and evolutionary significance of hybridization during speciation, highlighting issues of current interest and debate. In secondary contact zones, it is uncertain if barriers to gene flow will be strengthened or broken down due to recombination and gene flow. Theory and empirical evidence suggest the latter is more likely, except within and around strongly selected genomic regions. Hybridization may contribute to speciation through the formation of new hybrid taxa, whereas introgression of a few loci may promote adaptive divergence and so facilitate speciation. Gene regulatory networks, epigenetic effects and the evolution of selfish genetic material in the genome suggest that the Dobzhansky-Muller model of hybrid incompatibilities requires a broader interpretation. Finally, although the incidence of reinforcement remains uncertain, this and other interactions in areas of sympatry may have knock-on effects on speciation both within and outside regions of hybridization.
1,715 citations
Alternatives1, John Innes Centre2, University of Bonn3, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill4, University of Wisconsin-Madison5, University of Utah6, University of Southern California7, University of Edinburgh8, University of Warwick9, Harvard University10, University College Cork11, University of Queensland12, University of Hertfordshire13, University of Potsdam14, University of California, San Diego15, Goethe University Frankfurt16, University of California, San Francisco17, University of Delaware18, Uppsala University19, Medical University of Vienna20, J. Craig Venter Institute21, University of Hawaii at Manoa22, Leibniz Association23, University of Iowa24, University of Aberdeen25, Georgia Institute of Technology26, University of California, Berkeley27, University of Groningen28, Princeton University29, University of Marburg30, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign31, Saarland University32, Norwegian University of Life Sciences33, Massey University34, Toyama Prefectural University35, ETH Zurich36, University of Saskatchewan37, Rutgers University38, Scripps Research Institute39, University of Helsinki40, Texas A&M University41, National Institutes of Health42, Technical University of Berlin43, University of Otago44, University of Cambridge45, University of Alberta46, Michigan State University47, Hofstra University48
TL;DR: This review presents recommended nomenclature for the biosynthesis of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs), a rapidly growing class of natural products.
1,560 citations
TL;DR: A revised, error-corrected, and validated assembly of the Nipponbare cultivar of rice was generated using optical map data, re-sequencing data, and manual curation that will facilitate on-going and future research in rice.
Abstract: Rice research has been enabled by access to the high quality reference genome sequence generated in 2005 by the International Rice Genome Sequencing Project (IRGSP). To further facilitate genomic-enabled research, we have updated and validated the genome assembly and sequence for the Nipponbare cultivar of Oryza sativa (japonica group). The Nipponbare genome assembly was updated by revising and validating the minimal tiling path of clones with the optical map for rice. Sequencing errors in the revised genome assembly were identified by re-sequencing the genome of two different Nipponbare individuals using the Illumina Genome Analyzer II/IIx platform. A total of 4,886 sequencing errors were identified in 321 Mb of the assembled genome indicating an error rate in the original IRGSP assembly of only 0.15 per 10,000 nucleotides. A small number (five) of insertions/deletions were identified using longer reads generated using the Roche 454 pyrosequencing platform. As the re-sequencing data were generated from two different individuals, we were able to identify a number of allelic differences between the original individual used in the IRGSP effort and the two individuals used in the re-sequencing effort. The revised assembly, termed Os-Nipponbare-Reference-IRGSP-1.0, is now being used in updated releases of the Rice Annotation Project and the Michigan State University Rice Genome Annotation Project, thereby providing a unified set of pseudomolecules for the rice community. A revised, error-corrected, and validated assembly of the Nipponbare cultivar of rice was generated using optical map data, re-sequencing data, and manual curation that will facilitate on-going and future research in rice. Detection of polymorphisms between three different Nipponbare individuals highlights that allelic differences between individuals should be considered in diversity studies.
1,551 citations
TL;DR: The most promising nanoscale fillers are layered silicate nanoclays such as montmorillonite and kaolinite as mentioned in this paper, which can provide active and/or smart properties to food packaging systems.
1,461 citations
University of Florida1, University of Bonn2, Goddard Institute for Space Studies3, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation4, Institut national de la recherche agronomique5, Agro ParisTech6, Michigan State University7, Blaise Pascal University8, International Water Management Institute9, University of Leeds10, CGIAR11, Counterintelligence Field Activity12, University of Tübingen13, University of Alberta14, International Atomic Energy Agency15, University of Reading16, University of Guelph17, University of Hohenheim18, Joint Global Change Research Institute19, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research20, Indian Agricultural Research Institute21, Aarhus University22, Rothamsted Research23, Washington State University24, Wageningen University and Research Centre25, Chinese Academy of Sciences26, International Trademark Association27, Texas A&M University28
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the largest standardized model intercomparison for climate change impacts so far, finding that individual crop models are able to simulate measured wheat grain yields accurately under a range of environments, particularly if the input information is sufficient.
Abstract: Projections of climate change impacts on crop yields are inherently uncertain(1). Uncertainty is often quantified when projecting future greenhouse gas emissions and their influence on climate(2). However, multi-model uncertainty analysis of crop responses to climate change is rare because systematic and objective comparisons among process-based crop simulation models(1,3) are difficult(4). Here we present the largest standardized model intercomparison for climate change impacts so far. We found that individual crop models are able to simulate measured wheat grain yields accurately under a range of environments, particularly if the input information is sufficient. However, simulated climate change impacts vary across models owing to differences in model structures and parameter values. A greater proportion of the uncertainty in climate change impact projections was due to variations among crop models than to variations among downscaled general circulation models. Uncertainties in simulated impacts increased with CO2 concentrations and associated warming. These impact uncertainties can be reduced by improving temperature and CO2 relationships in models and better quantified through use of multi-model ensembles. Less uncertainty in describing how climate change may affect agricultural productivity will aid adaptation strategy development and policymaking.
1,049 citations
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TL;DR: Three distinct weighting motives are discussed: to achieve precise estimates by correcting for heteroskedasticity; to achieve consistent estimates by corrected for endogenous sampling; and to identify average partial effects in the presence of unmodeled heterogeneity of effects.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to help empirical economists think through when and how to weight the data used in estimation. We start by distinguishing two purposes of estimation: to estimate population descriptive statistics and to estimate causal effects. In the former type of research, weighting is called for when it is needed to make the analysis sample representative of the target population. In the latter type, the weighting issue is more nuanced. We discuss three distinct potential motives for weighting when estimating causal effects: (1) to achieve precise estimates by correcting for heteroskedasticity, (2) to achieve consistent estimates by correcting for endogenous sampling, and (3) to identify average partial effects in the presence of unmodeled heterogeneity of effects. In each case, we find that the motive sometimes does not apply in situations where practitioners often assume it does. We recommend diagnostics for assessing the advisability of weighting, and we suggest methods for appropriate inference.
1,006 citations
TL;DR: The results showed that justice-performance relationships were mediated by positive and negative affect, with the relevant affect dimension varying across justice and performance variables, and the merit in integrating the social exchange and affect lenses in future research is discussed.
Abstract: Although a flurry of meta-analyses summarized the justice literature at the turn of the millennium, interest in the topic has surged in the decade since. In particular, the past decade has witnessed the rise of social exchange theory as the dominant lens for examining reactions to justice, and the emergence of affect as a complementary lens for understanding such reactions. The purpose of this meta-analytic review was to test direct, mediating, and moderating hypotheses that were inspired by those 2 perspectives, to gauge their adequacy as theoretical guides for justice research. Drawing on a review of 493 independent samples, our findings revealed a number of insights that were not included in prior meta-analyses. With respect to social exchange theory, our results revealed that the significant relationships between justice and both task performance and citizenship behavior were mediated by indicators of social exchange quality (trust, organizational commitment, perceived organizational support, and leader‐member exchange), though such mediation was not apparent for counterproductive behavior. The strength of those relationships did not vary according to whether the focus of the justice matched the target of the performance behavior, contrary to popular assumptions in the literature, or according to whether justice was referenced to a specific event or a more general entity. With respect to affect, our results showed that justice‐performance relationships were mediated by positive and negative affect, with the relevant affect dimension varying across justice and performance variables. Our discussion of these findings focuses on the merit in integrating the social exchange and affect lenses in future research.
Lincoln Park Zoo1, University of Maryland, College Park2, University of California, Davis3, University of Vermont4, Rutgers University5, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences6, Lüneburg University7, University of Queensland8, University of Pretoria9, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation10, Cornell University11, University of Göttingen12, Simon Fraser University13, University of Wisconsin-Madison14, National Scientific and Technical Research Council15, University of Würzburg16, Michigan State University17, University of Texas at Austin18, Hebrew University of Jerusalem19, University of Reading20, Lund University21, Federal University of Bahia22, University of California, Berkeley23
TL;DR: This synthesis reveals that pollinator persistence will depend on both the maintenance of high-quality habitats around farms and on local management practices that may offset impacts of intensive monoculture agriculture.
Abstract: Bees provide essential pollination services that are potentially affected both by local farm management and the surrounding landscape. To better understand these different factors, we modelled the relative effects of landscape composition (nesting and floral resources within foraging distances), landscape configuration (patch shape, interpatch connectivity and habitat aggregation) and farm management (organic vs. conventional and local-scale field diversity), and their interactions, on wild bee abundance and richness for 39 crop systems globally. Bee abundance and richness were higher in diversified and organic fields and in landscapes comprising more high-quality habitats; bee richness on conventional fields with low diversity benefited most from high-quality surrounding land cover. Landscape configuration effects were weak. Bee responses varied slightly by biome. Our synthesis reveals that pollinator persistence will depend on both the maintenance of high-quality habitats around farms and on local management practices that may offset impacts of intensive monoculture agriculture.
TL;DR: In this paper, a teacher knowledge framework for technology integration called technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPCK) is described, which is based on the concept of technology, pedagogy and content knowledge.
Abstract: This paper describes a teacher knowledge framework for technology integration called technological pedagogical content knowledge (originally TPCK, now known as TPACK, or technology, pedagogy, and c...
Columbia University1, Goddard Institute for Space Studies2, University of Florida3, United States Department of Agriculture4, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation5, Oregon State University6, International Food Policy Research Institute7, Wageningen University and Research Centre8, Michigan State University9, University of Bonn10, Institut national de la recherche agronomique11, University of Nebraska–Lincoln12
TL;DR: The Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project (AgMIP) as mentioned in this paper is a major international effort linking the climate, crop, and economic modeling communities with cutting-edge information technology to produce improved crop and economic models and the next generation of climate impact projections for the agricultural sector.
Michigan State University1, Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária2, Columbia University3, Massachusetts Institute of Technology4, Purdue University5, University of Maryland, College Park6, Stanford University7, University of São Paulo8, Chinese Academy of Sciences9, University of Copenhagen10, Federal University of Pará11, VU University Amsterdam12, China Agricultural University13, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources14
TL;DR: In this article, an integrated framework based on telecoupling, an umbrella concept that refers to socioeconomic and environmental interactions over distances, is proposed to understand and integrate various distant interactions better.
Abstract: Interactions between distant places are increasingly widespread and influential, often leading to unexpected outcomes with profound implications for sustainability. Numerous sustainability studies have been conducted within a particular place with little attention to the impacts of distant interactions on sustainability in multiple places. Although distant forces have been studied, they are usually treated as exogenous variables and feedbacks have rarely been considered. To understand and integrate various distant interactions better, we propose an integrated framework based on telecoupling, an umbrella concept that refers to socioeconomic and environmental interactions over distances. The concept of telecoupling is a logical extension of research on coupled human and natural systems, in which interactions occur within particular geographic locations. The telecoupling framework contains five major interrelated components, i.e., coupled human and natural systems, flows, agents, causes, and effects. We illustrate the framework using two examples of distant interactions associated with trade of agricultural commodities and invasive species, highlight the implications of the framework, and discuss research needs and approaches to move research on telecouplings forward. The framework can help to analyze system components and their interrelationships, identify research gaps, detect hidden costs and untapped benefits, provide a useful means to incorporate feedbacks as well as trade-offs and synergies across multiple systems (sending, receiving, and spillover systems), and improve the understanding of distant interactions and the effectiveness of policies for socioeconomic and environmental sustainability from local to global levels.
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TL;DR: A definition of enterprise social media is offered and a rough historical account of the various avenues through which these technologies have entered and continue to enter the workplace is provided.
Abstract: Social media are increasingly implemented in work organizations as tools for communication among employees. As these technologies begin to proliferate across the enterprise, it is important that we develop an understanding of how they enable and constrain the communicative activities through which work is accomplished because it is these very dynamics that constitute and perpetuate organizations. We begin by offering a definition of enterprise social media and providing a rough historical account of the various avenues through which these technologies have entered and continue to enter the workplace. We also review areas of research covered by papers in this special issue and papers on enterprise social media published elsewhere to take stock of the current state of out knowledge and to propose directions for future research.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide a definition of enterprise social media and provide a rough historical account of the various avenues through which these technologies have entered and continue to enter the workplace.
Abstract: Social media are increasingly implemented in work organizations as tools for communication among employees. It is important that we develop an understanding of how they enable and constrain the communicative activities through which work is accomplished because it is these very dynamics that constitute and perpetuate organizations. We begin by offering a definition of enterprise social media and providing a rough historical account of the various avenues through which these technologies have entered and continue to enter the workplace. We also review areas of research covered by papers in this special issue and papers on enterprise social media published elsewhere to take stock of the current state of out knowledge and to propose directions for future research.
TL;DR: A comprehensive review of reliability assessment and improvement of power electronic systems from three levels: 1) metrics and methodologies of reliability assess of existing system; 2) reliability improvement of existing systems by means of algorithmic solutions without change of the hardware; and 3) reliability-oriented design solutions that are based on fault-tolerant operation of the overall systems.
Abstract: With wide-spread application of power electronic systems across many different industries, their reliability is being studied extensively. This paper presents a comprehensive review of reliability assessment and improvement of power electronic systems from three levels: 1) metrics and methodologies of reliability assessment of existing system; 2) reliability improvement of existing system by means of algorithmic solutions without change of the hardware; and 3) reliability-oriented design solutions that are based on fault-tolerant operation of the overall systems. The intent of this review is to provide a clear picture of the landscape of reliability research in power electronics. The limitations of the current research have been identified and the direction for future research is suggested.
TL;DR: In a registry representing US clinical practice, earlier thrombolytic treatment was associated with reduced mortality and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and higher rates of independent ambulation at discharge and discharge to home following acute ischemic stroke.
Abstract: Importance Randomized clinical trials suggest the benefit of intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) in acute ischemic stroke is time dependent. However, modest sample sizes have limited characterization of the extent to which onset to treatment (OTT) time influences outcome; and the generalizability of findings to clinical practice is uncertain. Objective To evaluate the degree to which OTT time is associated with outcome among patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with intraveneous tPA. Design, Setting, and Patients Data were analyzed from 58 353 patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with tPA within 4.5 hours of symptom onset in 1395 hospitals participating in the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Program, April 2003 to March 2012. Main Outcomes and Measures Relationship between OTT time and in-hospital mortality, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, ambulatory status at discharge, and discharge destination. Results Among the 58 353 tPA-treated patients, median age was 72 years, 50.3% were women, median OTT time was 144 minutes (interquartile range, 115-170), 9.3% (5404) had OTT time of 0 to 90 minutes, 77.2% (45 029) had OTT time of 91 to 180 minutes, and 13.6% (7920) had OTT time of 181 to 270 minutes. Median pretreatment National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale documented in 87.7% of patients was 11 (interquartile range, 6-17). Patient factors most strongly associated with shorter OTT included greater stroke severity (odds ratio [OR], 2.8; 95% CI, 2.5-3.1 per 5-point increase), arrival by ambulance (OR, 5.9; 95% CI, 4.5-7.3), and arrival during regular hours (OR, 4.6; 95% CI, 3.8-5.4). Overall, there were 5142 (8.8%) in-hospital deaths, 2873 (4.9%) patients had intracranial hemorrhage, 19 491 (33.4%) patients achieved independent ambulation at hospital discharge, and 22 541 (38.6%) patients were discharged to home. Faster OTT, in 15-minute increments, was associated with reduced in-hospital mortality (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.95-0.98; P Conclusions and Relevance In a registry representing US clinical practice, earlier thrombolytic treatment was associated with reduced mortality and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and higher rates of independent ambulation at discharge and discharge to home following acute ischemic stroke. These findings support intensive efforts to accelerate hospital presentation and thrombolytic treatment in patients with stroke.
University of Pittsburgh1, University of Colorado Denver2, University of Michigan3, University of Washington4, Veterans Health Administration5, University of California, San Francisco6, George Washington University7, University of California, Los Angeles8, Washington University in St. Louis9, Indiana University10, Michigan State University11
TL;DR: This study is the largest to examine composition of the lower respiratory tract microbiome in healthy individuals and the first to use the neutral model to compare the lung to the mouth, demonstrating that the lung microbiome does not derive entirely from the mouth.
Abstract: Rationale: Results from 16S rDNA-encoding gene sequence–based, culture-independent techniques have led to conflicting conclusions about the composition of the lower respiratory tract microbiome. Objectives: To compare the microbiome of the upper and lower respiratory tract in healthy HIV-uninfected nonsmokers and smokers in a multicenter cohort. Methods: Participants were nonsmokers and smokers without significantcomorbidities.Oralwashesandbronchoscopicalveolarlavages were collected in a standardized manner. Sequence analysis of bacterial 16S rRNA-encoding genes was performed, and the neutral modelincommunityecologywasusedtoidentifybacteriathatwere the most plausible members of a lung microbiome. Measurements and Main Results: Sixty-four participants were enrolled. Mostbacteriaidentifiedinthelungwerealsointhemouth,butspecific bacteria such as Enterobacteriaceae, Haemophilus, Methylobacterium, and Ralstonia species were disproportionally represented in the lungs compared with values predicted by the neutral model. Tropheryma was
TL;DR: The potential for marginal lands in ten Midwestern US states to produce sizeable amounts of biomass and concurrently mitigate greenhouse gas emissions is evaluated, finding that successional herbaceous vegetation, once well established, has a direct GHG emissions mitigation capacity that rivals that of purpose-grown crops.
Abstract: A comparative assessment of six alternative cropping systems over 20 years shows that, once well established, successional herbaceous vegetation grown on marginal lands has a direct greenhouse gas emissions mitigation capacity that rivals that of purpose-grown crops. Productive agricultural land that could otherwise be used to produce much-needed food crops is being diverted towards grain-based ethanol production in both Europe and the United States, partly in response to government legislation. An alternative is to grow cellulosic crops on so-called marginal lands. An evaluation of the potential of marginal lands in the Midwestern United States to produce biofuel while mitigating direct greenhouse gas emissions now finds that they have the capacity to produce a significant amount of biofuel energy without the initial carbon debt and indirect land-use costs associated with food-based biofuels. Legislation on biofuels production in the USA1 and Europe2,3 is directing food crops towards the production of grain-based ethanol2,3, which can have detrimental consequences for soil carbon sequestration4, nitrous oxide emissions5, nitrate pollution6, biodiversity7 and human health8. An alternative is to grow lignocellulosic (cellulosic) crops on ‘marginal’ lands9. Cellulosic feedstocks can have positive environmental outcomes10,11 and could make up a substantial proportion of future energy portfolios12,13. However, the availability of marginal lands for cellulosic feedstock production, and the resulting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, remains uncertain. Here we evaluate the potential for marginal lands in ten Midwestern US states to produce sizeable amounts of biomass and concurrently mitigate GHG emissions. In a comparative assessment of six alternative cropping systems over 20 years, we found that successional herbaceous vegetation, once well established, has a direct GHG emissions mitigation capacity that rivals that of purpose-grown crops (−851 ± 46 grams of CO2 equivalent emissions per square metre per year (gCO2e m−2 yr−1)). If fertilized, these communities have the capacity to produce about 63 ± 5 gigajoules of ethanol energy per hectare per year. By contrast, an adjacent, no-till corn–soybean–wheat rotation produces on average 41 ± 1 gigajoules of biofuel energy per hectare per year and has a net direct mitigation capacity of −397 ± 32 gCO2e m−2 yr−1; a continuous corn rotation would probably produce about 62 ± 7 gigajoules of biofuel energy per hectare per year, with 13% less mitigation. We also perform quantitative modelling of successional vegetation on marginal lands in the region at a resolution of 0.4 hectares, constrained by the requirement that each modelled location be within 80 kilometres of a potential biorefinery. Our results suggest that such vegetation could produce about 21 gigalitres of ethanol per year from around 11 million hectares, or approximately 25 per cent of the 2022 target for cellulosic biofuel mandated by the US Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, with no initial carbon debt nor the indirect land-use costs associated with food-based biofuels. Other regional-scale aspects of biofuel sustainability2, such as water quality11,14 and biodiversity15, await future study.
University of Lorraine1, University of Toulouse2, Joint Genome Institute3, University of Freiburg4, University of Marburg5, University of Ottawa6, Max Planck Society7, University of Burgundy8, National Institute for Basic Biology, Japan9, Université de Montréal10, New Mexico State University11, University of Lausanne12, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology13, Shinshu University14, University of Cambridge15, Michigan State University16, Oak Ridge National Laboratory17, University of York18, Aix-Marseille University19, University of Copenhagen20
TL;DR: The genome of Rhizophagus irregularis provides insight into genes involved in obligate biotrophy and mycorrhizal symbioses and the evolution of an ancient asexual organism, and is of fundamental importance to the field of genome evolution.
Abstract: The mutualistic symbiosis involving Glomeromycota, a distinctive phylum of early diverging Fungi, is widely hypothesized to have promoted the evolution of land plants during the middle Paleozoic. These arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) perform vital functions in the phosphorus cycle that are fundamental to sustainable crop plant productivity. The unusual biological features of AMF have long fascinated evolutionary biologists. The coenocytic hyphae host a community of hundreds of nuclei and reproduce clonally through large multinucleated spores. It has been suggested that the AMF maintain a stable assemblage of several different genomes during the life cycle, but this genomic organization has been questioned. Here we introduce the 153-Mb haploid genome of Rhizophagus irregularis and its repertoire of 28,232 genes. The observed low level of genome polymorphism (0.43 SNP per kb) is not consistent with the occurrence of multiple, highly diverged genomes. The expansion of mating-related genes suggests the existence of cryptic sex-related processes. A comparison of gene categories confirms that R. irregularis is close to the Mucoromycotina. The AMF obligate biotrophy is not explained by genome erosion or any related loss of metabolic complexity in central metabolism, but is marked by a lack of genes encoding plant cell wall-degrading enzymes and of genes involved in toxin and thiamine synthesis. A battery of mycorrhiza-induced secreted proteins is expressed in symbiotic tissues. The present comprehensive repertoire of R. irregularis genes provides a basis for future research on symbiosis-related mechanisms in Glomeromycota.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reported a high ZT of ∼2.0 at 823 K for 2% Na-doped PbTe with 6% MgTe with excellent thermal stability.
Abstract: We report a high ZT of ∼2.0 at 823 K for 2% Na-doped PbTe with 6% MgTe with excellent thermal stability. We attribute the high thermoelectric performance to a synergistic combination of enhanced power factor, reduction of the lattice thermal conductivity and simultaneous suppression of bipolar thermal conductivity. MgTe inclusion in PbTe owns triple functions: the Mg alloying within the solubility limit in PbTe modifies the valence band structure by pushing the two valence bands (L and Σ bands) closer in energy, thereby facilitating charge carrier injection. When the solubility limit of Mg is exceeded, ubiquitous endotaxial nanostructures form, which when coupled with mesoscale microstructuring results in a very low (lattice) thermal conductivity through all-scaled length phonon scattering. Meanwhile, most significantly, the Mg alloying enlarges the energy gap of conduction band (C band) and light valence band (L band), thereby suppresses the bipolar thermal conductivity through an increase in band gap.
TL;DR: In this paper, the spin and parity quantum numbers of the Higgs boson were studied based on the collision data collected by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC, and the results showed that the standard model spin-parity J(...
Virginia Mason Medical Center1, University of Konstanz2, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research3, University of Oxford4, Michigan State University5, University of Utah6, Hofstra University7, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research8, Marine Biological Laboratory9, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai10, Stowers Institute for Medical Research11, University of Kansas12, University of New Hampshire13, University of Washington14, University of Toronto15, Emory University16, Harvard University17, Medical Research Council18, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute19, California Institute of Technology20, University of Oklahoma21, Kalamazoo College22, University of Maryland, Baltimore23, University of Iowa24, Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute25, Washington University in St. Louis26
TL;DR: Analyses of the assembly indicate that two whole-genome duplications likely occurred before the divergence of ancestral lamprey and gnathostome lineages, and help define key evolutionary events within vertebrate lineages.
Abstract: Lampreys are representatives of an ancient vertebrate lineage that diverged from our own ∼500 million years ago. By virtue of this deeply shared ancestry, the sea lamprey (P. marinus) genome is uniquely poised to provide insight into the ancestry of vertebrate genomes and the underlying principles of vertebrate biology. Here, we present the first lamprey whole-genome sequence and assembly. We note challenges faced owing to its high content of repetitive elements and GC bases, as well as the absence of broad-scale sequence information from closely related species. Analyses of the assembly indicate that two whole-genome duplications likely occurred before the divergence of ancestral lamprey and gnathostome lineages. Moreover, the results help define key evolutionary events within vertebrate lineages, including the origin of myelin-associated proteins and the development of appendages. The lamprey genome provides an important resource for reconstructing vertebrate origins and the evolutionary events that have shaped the genomes of extant organisms.
TL;DR: This study compared young adults who received 20 sessions of practice on an adaptive dual n-back program or an adaptive visual search program with a no-contact control group that received no practice, and found no positive transfer to any of the cognitive ability tests.
Abstract: Numerous recent studies seem to provide evidence for the general intellectual benefits of working memory training. In reviews of the training literature, Shipstead, Redick, and Engle (2010, 2012) argued that the field should treat recent results with a critical eye. Many published working memory training studies suffer from design limitations (no-contact control groups, single measures of cognitive constructs), mixed results (transfer of training gains to some tasks but not others, inconsistent transfer to the same tasks across studies), and lack of theoretical grounding (identifying the mechanisms responsible for observed transfer). The current study compared young adults who received 20 sessions of practice on an adaptive dual n-back program (working memory training group) or an adaptive visual search program (active placebo-control group) with a no-contact control group that received no practice. In addition, all subjects completed pretest, midtest, and posttest sessions comprising multiple measures of fluid intelligence, multitasking, working memory capacity, crystallized intelligence, and perceptual speed. Despite improvements on both the dual n-back and visual search tasks with practice, and despite a high level of statistical power, there was no positive transfer to any of the cognitive ability tests. We discuss these results in the context of previous working memory training research and address issues for future working memory training studies.
TL;DR: The evolutionary forces and ecological processes that govern genome dynamics in various laboratory systems are discussed in the context of relevant population genetic theory, and these findings are related to evolution in natural populations.
Abstract: Evolutionary changes in organismal traits may occur either gradually or suddenly. However, until recently, there has been little direct information about how phenotypic changes are related to the rate and the nature of the underlying genotypic changes. Technological advances that facilitate whole-genome and whole-population sequencing, coupled with experiments that 'watch' evolution in action, have brought new precision to and insights into studies of mutation rates and genome evolution. In this Review, we discuss the evolutionary forces and ecological processes that govern genome dynamics in various laboratory systems in the context of relevant population genetic theory, and we relate these findings to evolution in natural populations.
University of Bologna1, Newcastle University2, Baylor College of Medicine3, Michigan State University4, University of Toronto5, Peking Union Medical College6, Vienna General Hospital7, Mayo Clinic8, University of Michigan9, Tufts University10, University of California, San Diego11, Max Planck Society12, St. Vincent's Health System13
TL;DR: The current treatment algorithm may be divided into 3 main areas: 1) general measures, supportive therapy, referral strategy, acute vasoreactivity testing and chronic treatment with calcium channel blockers; 2) initial therapy with approved PAH drugs; and 3) clinical response to the initial therapy, combination therapy, balloon atrial septostomy, and lung transplantation.
TL;DR: This article surveys the latest progresses in WSN MAC protocol designs over the period 2002-2011 in four categories: asynchronous, synchronous, frame-slotted, and multichannel.
Abstract: Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have become a leading solution in many important applications such as intrusion detection, target tracking, industrial automation, smart building and so on. Typically, a WSN consists of a large number of small, low-cost sensor nodes that are distributed in the target area for collecting data of interest. For a WSN to provide high throughput in an energy-efficient way, designing an efficient Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol is of paramount importance because the MAC layer coordinates nodes' access to the shared wireless medium. To show the evolution of WSN MAC protocols, this article surveys the latest progresses in WSN MAC protocol designs over the period 2002-2011. In the early development stages, designers were mostly concerned with energy efficiency because sensor nodes are usually limited in power supply. Recently, new protocols are being developed to provide multi-task support and efficient delivery of bursty traffic. Therefore, research attention has turned back to throughput and delay. This article details the evolution of WSN MAC protocols in four categories: asynchronous, synchronous, frame-slotted, and multichannel. These designs are evaluated in terms of energy efficiency, data delivery performance, and overhead needed to maintain a protocol's mechanisms. With extensive analysis of the protocols many future directions are stated at the end of this survey. The performance of different classes of protocols could be substantially improved in future designs by taking into consideration the recent advances in technologies and application demands.
TL;DR: The theoretical work done by Lyndon Hicks and Mildred Dresselhaus 20 years ago on the effect of reduced dimensionality on thermoelectric efficiency has had deep implications beyond the initial expectations.
Abstract: The theoretical work done by Lyndon Hicks and Mildred Dresselhaus 20 years ago on the effect of reduced dimensionality on thermoelectric efficiency has had deep implications beyond the initial expectations.