Showing papers by "University of Leeds published in 2009"
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of electrical energy storage technologies for stationary applications is presented, with particular attention paid to pumped hydroelectric storage, compressed air energy storage, battery, flow battery, fuel cell, solar fuel, superconducting magnetic energy storage and thermal energy storage.
Abstract: Electrical energy storage technologies for stationary applications are reviewed. Particular attention is paid to pumped hydroelectric storage, compressed air energy storage, battery, flow battery, fuel cell, solar fuel, superconducting magnetic energy storage, flywheel, capacitor/supercapacitor, and thermal energy storage. Comparison is made among these technologies in terms of technical characteristics, applications and deployment status.
3,031 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that, similar to the manifold that tree species leaf traits cluster around the 'leaf economics spectrum', a similar 'wood economics spectrum' may be defined.
Abstract: Wood performs several essential functions in plants, including mechanically supporting aboveground tissue, storing water and other resources, and transporting sap. Woody tissues are likely to face physiological, structural and defensive trade-offs. How a plant optimizes among these competing functions can have major ecological implications, which have been under-appreciated by ecologists compared to the focus they have given to leaf function. To draw together our current understanding of wood function, we identify and collate data on the major wood functional traits, including the largest wood density database to date (8412 taxa), mechanical strength measures and anatomical features, as well as clade-specific features such as secondary chemistry. We then show how wood traits are related to one another, highlighting functional trade-offs, and to ecological and demographic plant features (growth form, growth rate, latitude, ecological setting). We suggest that, similar to the manifold that tree species leaf traits cluster around the 'leaf economics spectrum', a similar 'wood economics spectrum' may be defined. We then discuss the biogeography, evolution and biogeochemistry of the spectrum, and conclude by pointing out the major gaps in our current knowledge of wood functional traits.
2,408 citations
Book•
01 Jan 2009TL;DR: A survey of previous comparisons and theoretical work descriptions of methods dataset descriptions criteria for comparison and methodology (including validation) empirical results machine learning on machine learning can be found in this article, where the authors also discuss their own work.
Abstract: Survey of previous comparisons and theoretical work descriptions of methods dataset descriptions criteria for comparison and methodology (including validation) empirical results machine learning on machine learning.
2,325 citations
TL;DR: Although it is a low cost effective treatment, magnesium sulfate is not available in all low and middle income countries; scaling up its use for eClampsia and severe preeclampsia will contribute to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
2,152 citations
TL;DR: This paper asks how and why stakeholder analysis should be conducted for participatory natural resource management research, and proposes new tools and combinations of methods that can more effectively identify and categorise stakeholders and help understand their inter-relationships.
2,011 citations
University of East Anglia1, British Antarctic Survey2, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation3, Oak Ridge National Laboratory4, Centre national de la recherche scientifique5, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration6, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution7, Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory8, University of Bristol9, Purdue University10, University of Sheffield11, Princeton University12, Pierre-and-Marie-Curie University13, National Institute for Space Research14, University of Oslo15, University of California, Irvine16, University of Montana17, University of Leeds18, Columbia University19, VU University Amsterdam20
TL;DR: In the past 50 years, the fraction of CO2 emissions that remains in the atmosphere each year has likely increased, from about 40% to 45%, and models suggest that this trend was caused by a decrease in the uptake of CO 2 by the carbon sinks in response to climate change and variability as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Efforts to control climate change require the stabilization of atmospheric CO2 concentrations. This can only be achieved through a drastic reduction of global CO2 emissions. Yet fossil fuel emissions increased by 29% between 2000 and 2008, in conjunction with increased contributions from emerging economies, from the production and international trade of goods and services, and from the use of coal as a fuel source. In contrast, emissions from land-use changes were nearly constant. Between 1959 and 2008, 43% of each year's CO2 emissions remained in the atmosphere on average; the rest was absorbed by carbon sinks on land and in the oceans. In the past 50 years, the fraction of CO2 emissions that remains in the atmosphere each year has likely increased, from about 40% to 45%, and models suggest that this trend was caused by a decrease in the uptake of CO2 by the carbon sinks in response to climate change and variability. Changes in the CO2 sinks are highly uncertain, but they could have a significant influence on future atmospheric CO2 levels. It is therefore crucial to reduce the uncertainties.
1,909 citations
TL;DR: Induction of moderate hypothermia for 72 hours in infants who had perinatal asphyxia did not significantly reduce the combined rate of death or severe disability but resulted in improved neurologic outcomes in survivors.
Abstract: Background Whether hypothermic therapy improves neurodevelopmental outcomes in newborn infants with asphyxial encephalopathy is uncertain. Methods We performed a randomized trial of infants who were less than 6 hours of age and had a gestational age of at least 36 weeks and perinatal asphyxial encephalopathy. We compared intensive care plus cooling of the body to 33.5°C for 72 hours and intensive care alone. The primary outcome was death or severe disability at 18 months of age. Prespecified secondary outcomes included 12 neurologic outcomes and 14 other adverse outcomes. Results Of 325 infants enrolled, 163 underwent intensive care with cooling, and 162 underwent intensive care alone. In the cooled group, 42 infants died and 32 survived but had severe neurodevelopmental disability, whereas in the noncooled group, 44 infants died and 42 had severe disability (relative risk for either outcome, 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.68 to 1.07; P=0.17). Infants in the cooled group had an increased rate of su...
1,477 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the purchasing process for green consumers in relation to consumer technology products in the UK and developed a green consumer purchasing model and success criteria for closing the gap between green consumers' values and their behaviour.
Abstract: The ‘attitude–behaviour gap’ or ‘values–action gap’ is where 30% of consumers report that they are very concerned about environmental issues but they are struggling to translate this into purchases. For example, the market share for ethical foods remains at 5 per cent of sales. This paper investigates the purchasing process for green consumers in relation to consumer technology products in the UK. Data were collected from 81 self-declared green consumers through in depth interviews on recent purchases of technology products. A green consumer purchasing model and success criteria for closing the gap between green consumers' values and their behaviour are developed. The paper concludes that incentives and single issue labels (like the current energy rating label) would help consumers concentrate their limited efforts. More fundamentally, ‘being green’ needs time and space in people's lives that is not available in increasingly busy lifestyles. Implications for policy and business are proposed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
1,218 citations
Christopher Newton-Cheh1, Christopher Newton-Cheh2, Toby Johnson3, Toby Johnson4 +359 more•Institutions (64)
TL;DR: In this paper, the association between systolic or diastolic blood pressure and common variants in eight regions near the CYP17A1 (P = 7 × 10(-24)), CYP1A2(P = 1 × 10-23), FGF5 (P=1 × 10 -21), SH2B3(P= 3 × 10−18), MTHFR(MTHFR), c10orf107(P), ZNF652(ZNF652), PLCD3 (P,P = 5 × 10 −9),
Abstract: Elevated blood pressure is a common, heritable cause of cardiovascular disease worldwide. To date, identification of common genetic variants influencing blood pressure has proven challenging. We tested 2.5 million genotyped and imputed SNPs for association with systolic and diastolic blood pressure in 34,433 subjects of European ancestry from the Global BPgen consortium and followed up findings with direct genotyping (N ≤ 71,225 European ancestry, N ≤ 12,889 Indian Asian ancestry) and in silico comparison (CHARGE consortium, N = 29,136). We identified association between systolic or diastolic blood pressure and common variants in eight regions near the CYP17A1 (P = 7 × 10(-24)), CYP1A2 (P = 1 × 10(-23)), FGF5 (P = 1 × 10(-21)), SH2B3 (P = 3 × 10(-18)), MTHFR (P = 2 × 10(-13)), c10orf107 (P = 1 × 10(-9)), ZNF652 (P = 5 × 10(-9)) and PLCD3 (P = 1 × 10(-8)) genes. All variants associated with continuous blood pressure were associated with dichotomous hypertension. These associations between common variants and blood pressure and hypertension offer mechanistic insights into the regulation of blood pressure and may point to novel targets for interventions to prevent cardiovascular disease.
1,205 citations
University of Bayreuth1, Institut national de la recherche agronomique2, Canterbury of New Zealand3, Lund University4, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic5, Charles University in Prague6, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ7, University of Tartu8, University of Fribourg9, Hungarian Academy of Sciences10, ETH Zurich11, University of Leeds12, CABI13, University of Bern14, Saint Petersburg State University15, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus16, Polish Academy of Sciences17, Joseph Fourier University18, Spanish National Research Council19, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research20
TL;DR: It is emphasised that global warming has enabled alien species to expand into regions in which they previously could not survive and reproduce and management practices regarding the occurrence of 'new' species could range from complete eradication to tolerance.
Abstract: Climate change and biological invasions are key processes affecting global biodiversity, yet their effects have usually been considered separately. Here, we emphasise that global warming has enabled alien species to expand into regions in which they previously could not survive and reproduce. Based on a review of climate-mediated biological invasions of plants, invertebrates, fishes and birds, we discuss the ways in which climate change influences biological invasions. We emphasise the role of alien species in a more dynamic context of shifting species' ranges and changing communities. Under these circumstances, management practices regarding the occurrence of 'new' species could range from complete eradication to tolerance and even consideration of the 'new' species as an enrichment of local biodiversity and key elements to maintain ecosystem services.
1,138 citations
Harvard University1, Broad Institute2, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico3, McMaster University4, McGill University5, University of Leicester6, University of Lübeck7, University of Pennsylvania8, Vanderbilt University9, University of Missouri–Kansas City10, University of Münster11, University of Verona12, Queen's University Belfast13, University of Washington14, Boston University15, University of Helsinki16, National Institute for Health and Welfare17, Lund University18, University of Cambridge19, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University20, University of Ferrara21, University of Turin22, Hebrew University of Jerusalem23, University of Girona24, University of Milan25, University of Leeds26, University of Regensburg27, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich28, University of Kiel29, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute30, University of Paris31, MedStar Washington Hospital Center32, deCODE genetics33, University of Iceland34
TL;DR: SNPs at nine loci were reproducibly associated with myocardial infarction, but tests of common and rare CNVs failed to identify additional associations with my Cardiovascular Infarction risk.
Abstract: We conducted a genome-wide association study testing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and copy number variants (CNVs) for association with early-onset myocardial infarction in 2,967 cases and 3,075 controls We carried out replication in an independent sample with an effective sample size of up to 19,492 SNPs at nine loci reached genome-wide significance: three are newly identified (21q22 near MRPS6-SLC5A3-KCNE2, 6p24 in PHACTR1 and 2q33 in WDR12) and six replicated prior observations1, 2, 3, 4 (9p21, 1p13 near CELSR2-PSRC1-SORT1, 10q11 near CXCL12, 1q41 in MIA3, 19p13 near LDLR and 1p32 near PCSK9) We tested 554 common copy number polymorphisms (>1% allele frequency) and none met the pre-specified threshold for replication (P < 10-3) We identified 8,065 rare CNVs but did not detect a greater CNV burden in cases compared to controls, in genes compared to the genome as a whole, or at any individual locus SNPs at nine loci were reproducibly associated with myocardial infarction, but tests of common and rare CNVs failed to identify additional associations with myocardial infarction risk
TL;DR: In this article, the essential molecular features of hydrocolloids having the ability to act as emulsifying agents and emulsion stabilizing agents are considered, and the criteria for effectiveness in protecting newly formed droplets against flocculation and coalescence are contrasted with the requirements to maintain long-term stability against aggregation, creaming and Ostwald ripening.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology1, Illinois Institute of Technology2, Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering3, Kent State University4, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute5, Texas A&M University6, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology7, Tokyo Institute of Technology8, University of Naples Federico II9, Sasol10, University of Leeds11, University of Pittsburgh12, Indian Institute of Technology Madras13, Université libre de Bruxelles14, Silesian University of Technology15, North Carolina State University16, ETH Zurich17, IBM18, The Chinese University of Hong Kong19, Stanford University20, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez21, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology22, Korea Aerospace University23, Nanyang Technological University24, Helmut Schmidt University25, National Institute of Standards and Technology26, Korea University27, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur28, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research29, Queen Mary University of London30, Argonne National Laboratory31
TL;DR: The International Nanofluid Property Benchmark Exercise (INPBE) as mentioned in this paper was held in 1998, where the thermal conductivity of identical samples of colloidally stable dispersions of nanoparticles or "nanofluids" was measured by over 30 organizations worldwide, using a variety of experimental approaches, including the transient hot wire method, steady state methods, and optical methods.
Abstract: This article reports on the International Nanofluid Property Benchmark Exercise, or INPBE, in which the thermal conductivity of identical samples of colloidally stable dispersions of nanoparticles or “nanofluids,” was measured by over 30 organizations worldwide, using a variety of experimental approaches, including the transient hot wire method, steady-state methods, and optical methods. The nanofluids tested in the exercise were comprised of aqueous and nonaqueous basefluids, metal and metal oxide particles, near-spherical and elongated particles, at low and high particle concentrations. The data analysis reveals that the data from most organizations lie within a relatively narrow band (±10% or less) about the sample average with only few outliers. The thermal conductivity of the nanofluids was found to increase with particle concentration and aspect ratio, as expected from classical theory. There are (small) systematic differences in the absolute values of the nanofluid thermal conductivity among the various experimental approaches; however, such differences tend to disappear when the data are normalized to the measured thermal conductivity of the basefluid. The effective medium theory developed for dispersed particles by Maxwell in 1881 and recently generalized by Nan et al. [J. Appl. Phys. 81, 6692 (1997)], was found to be in good agreement with the experimental data, suggesting that no anomalous enhancement of thermal conductivity was achieved in the nanofluids tested in this exercise.
University of Leeds1, University of Yaoundé I2, Forestry Commission3, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad4, Mbarara University of Science and Technology5, Smithsonian Institution6, Wageningen University and Research Centre7, Salisbury University8, Wildlife Conservation Society9, University of York10, Environmental Change Institute11, University of Dar es Salaam12, University of Aberdeen13, University College Dublin14, University of Toronto15
TL;DR: Taxon-specific analyses of African inventory and other data suggest that widespread changes in resource availability, such as increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, may be the cause of the increase in carbon stocks, as some theory and models predict.
Abstract: The response of terrestrial vegetation to a globally changing environment is central to predictions of future levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The role of tropical forests is critical because they are carbon-dense and highly productive. Inventory plots across Amazonia show that old-growth forests have increased in carbon storage over recent decades, but the response of one-third of the world's tropical forests in Africa is largely unknown owing to an absence of spatially extensive observation networks. Here we report data from a ten-country network of long-term monitoring plots in African tropical forests. We find that across 79 plots (163 ha) above-ground carbon storage in live trees increased by 0.63 Mg C ha(-1) yr(-1) between 1968 and 2007 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.22-0.94; mean interval, 1987-96). Extrapolation to unmeasured forest components (live roots, small trees, necromass) and scaling to the continent implies a total increase in carbon storage in African tropical forest trees of 0.34 Pg C yr(-1) (CI, 0.15-0.43). These reported changes in carbon storage are similar to those reported for Amazonian forests per unit area, providing evidence that increasing carbon storage in old-growth forests is a pan-tropical phenomenon. Indeed, combining all standardized inventory data from this study and from tropical America and Asia together yields a comparable figure of 0.49 Mg C ha(-1) yr(-1) (n = 156; 562 ha; CI, 0.29-0.66; mean interval, 1987-97). This indicates a carbon sink of 1.3 Pg C yr(-1) (CI, 0.8-1.6) across all tropical forests during recent decades. Taxon-specific analyses of African inventory and other data suggest that widespread changes in resource availability, such as increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, may be the cause of the increase in carbon stocks, as some theory and models predict.
TL;DR: Insight is provided into the properties of cardiac fibroblasts that underscores their importance in the remodeling heart, including their origin, electrophysiological properties, role in matrix metabolism, functional responses to environmental stimuli and ability to secrete bioactive molecules.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors presented updated values of aviation radiative forcing (RF) for 2005 based upon new operations data that show an increase in traffic of 22.5%, fuel use of 8.4% and total aviation RF of 14% over the period 2000-2005.
Columbia University1, University of Miami2, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill3, SUNY Downstate Medical Center4, University College London5, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust6, University of California, San Francisco7, University of California, Los Angeles8, University of Alabama at Birmingham9, Rio de Janeiro State University10, University of Guadalajara11, University of Düsseldorf12, New York University13, University of Barcelona14, Shanghai Jiao Tong University15, University of Lisbon16, Stellenbosch University17, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust18, Oregon Health & Science University19, University of Padua20, University of Leeds21, North Shore-LIJ Health System22, Northwestern University23, Medical University of South Carolina24, University of Birmingham25, Sun Yat-sen University26, Lille University of Science and Technology27, Charité28, Rutgers University29, Federal University of São Paulo30, University of Debrecen31, Imperial College London32, Emory University33, University of Liège34, University of Pittsburgh35, University of Paris36, University of the Witwatersrand37, California State University, Long Beach38, Royal Melbourne Hospital39, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center40, Autonomous University of Barcelona41, Pennsylvania State University42, Johns Hopkins University43, University of Szeged44, Duke University45, University of Colorado Denver46, Harvard University47, University of Cape Town48, University of Malaya49, Peking Union Medical College50
TL;DR: Although most patients in both treatment groups experienced clinical improvement, the study did not meet its primary objective of showing that MMF was superior to IVC as induction treatment for lupus nephritis.
Abstract: Recent studies have suggested that mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) may offer advantages over intravenous cyclophosphamide (IVC) for the treatment of lupus nephritis, but these therapies have not been compared in an international randomized, controlled trial. Here, we report the comparison of MMF and IVC as induction treatment for active lupus nephritis in a multinational, two-phase (induction and maintenance) study. We randomly assigned 370 patients with classes III through V lupus nephritis to open-label MMF (target dosage 3 g/d) or IVC (0.5 to 1.0 g/m(2) in monthly pulses) in a 24-wk induction study. Both groups received prednisone, tapered from a maximum starting dosage of 60 mg/d. The primary end point was a prespecified decrease in urine protein/creatinine ratio and stabilization or improvement in serum creatinine. Secondary end points included complete renal remission, systemic disease activity and damage, and safety. Overall, we did not detect a significantly different response rate between the two groups: 104 (56.2%) of 185 patients responded to MMF compared with 98 (53.0%) of 185 to IVC. Secondary end points were also similar between treatment groups. There were nine deaths in the MMF group and five in the IVC group. We did not detect significant differences between the MMF and IVC groups with regard to rates of adverse events, serious adverse events, or infections. Although most patients in both treatment groups experienced clinical improvement, the study did not meet its primary objective of showing that MMF was superior to IVC as induction treatment for lupus nephritis.
TL;DR: In rectal cancer, the plane of surgery achieved is an important prognostic factor for local recurrence, and both a negative circumferential resection margin and a superior plane of Surgery achieved were associated with lowLocal recurrence rates.
TL;DR: In this article, a review of the international research literature on mentoring beginning teachers is presented, which identifies a range of potential benefits and costs associated with mentoring, and suggests that the key to maximising the former and minimising the latter lies in the realization of a number of conditions for successful mentoring.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a case study from the Peak District National Park in the United Kingdom, where they used social network analysis to inform stakeholder analysis, which helped them identify which individuals and categories of stakeholder played more central roles in the network and which were more peripheral.
Abstract: The increasing use of stakeholder analysis in natural resource management reflects a growing recognition that stakeholders can and should influence environmental decision making. Stakeholder analysis can be used to avoid inflaming conflicts, ensure that the marginalization of certain groups is not reinforced, and fairly represent diverse interests. We present a case study from the Peak District National Park in the United Kingdom, where we used social network analysis to inform stakeholder analysis. This information helped us identify which individuals and categories of stakeholder played more central roles in the network and which were more peripheral. This information guided our next steps for stakeholder selection. The article ends with a discussion on the strengths and limitations of combining social network analysis with stakeholder analysis.
Queen Mary University of London1, Pompeu Fabra University2, Spanish National Research Council3, University of Würzburg4, University of Leeds5, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ6, University of Birmingham7, Temuco Catholic University8, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research9, University of York10, Aarhus University11, Imperial College London12, University of Sheffield13
TL;DR: A number of 'dead ends' and 'fruitful avenues' are suggested for future research into ecological networks by suggesting a new catalogue of evermore complete, taxonomically resolved, and quantitative data.
Abstract: Summary 1. A fundamental goal of ecological network research is to understand how the complexity observed in nature can persist and how this affects ecosystem functioning. This is essential for us to be able to predict, and eventually mitigate, the consequences of increasing environmental perturbations such as habitat loss, climate change, and invasions of exotic species. 2. Ecological networks can be subdivided into three broad types: ‘traditional’ food webs, mutualistic networks and host‐parasitoid networks. There is a recent trend towards cross-comparisons among network types and also to take a more mechanistic, as opposed to phenomenological, perspective. For example, analysis of network configurations, such as compartments, allows us to explore the role of co-evolution in structuring mutualistic networks and host‐parasitoid networks, and of body size in food webs. 3. Research into ecological networks has recently undergone a renaissance, leading to the production of a new catalogue of evermore complete, taxonomically resolved, and quantitative data. Novel topological patterns have been unearthed and it is increasingly evident that it is the distribution of interaction strengths and the configuration of complexity, rather than just its magnitude, that governs network stability and structure. 4. Another significant advance is the growing recognition of the importance of individual traits and behaviour: interactions, after all, occur between individuals. The new generation of high-quality networks is now enabling us to move away from describing networks based on species-averaged data and to start exploring patterns based on individuals. Such refinements will enable us to address more general ecological questions relating to foraging theory and the recent metabolic theory of ecology. 5. We conclude by suggesting a number of ‘dead ends’ and ‘fruitful avenues’ for future research into ecological networks.
TL;DR: This critical review is concerned with the recent advances in graft polymerisation techniques involving cellulose and its derivatives and highlights the recent developments in polymer synthesis that allow increased control over the grafting process and permit the production of functional celluloses that possess improved physical properties and chemical properties.
Abstract: This critical review is concerned with the recent advances in graft polymerisation techniques involving cellulose and its derivatives. It summarises some of the features of cellulose structure and cellulose reactivity. Also described are the various techniques for grafting synthetic polymers from the cellulosic substrate. In addition to the traditional grafting techniques, we highlight the recent developments in polymer synthesis that allow increased control over the grafting process and permit the production of functional celluloses that possess improved physical properties and chemical properties (189 references).
TL;DR: There is little research evidence to suggest that reflection improves quality of care but the process of care can be enhanced, and guided reflection, with supportive challenge from a mentor or facilitator, is important.
Abstract: Reflection is a metacognitive process that creates a greater understanding of both the self and the situation so that future actions can be informed by this understanding. Self-regulated and lifelo...
Charité1, Maastricht University2, Leiden University3, Ruhr University Bochum4, National Autonomous University of Mexico5, University of Córdoba (Spain)6, University of California, San Francisco7, VU University Amsterdam8, University of Paris9, University of Leeds10, University of Toronto11, University of Helsinki12, University of Alberta13, Ghent University14, Glasgow Royal Infirmary15, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven16
TL;DR: The ASAS group has developed candidate criteria for the classification of axial SpA that include patients without radiographic sacroiliitis, and the candidate criteria need to be validated in an independent international study.
Abstract: Objective: Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) is characterised by a lack of definitive radiographic sacroiliitis and is considered an early stage of ankylosing spondylitis. The objective of this study was to develop candidate classification criteria for axial SpA that include patients with but also without radiographic sacroiliitis. Methods: Seventy-one patients with possible axial SpA, most of whom were lacking definite radiographic sacroiliitis, were reviewed as “paper patients” by 20 experts from the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS). Unequivocally classifiable patients were identified based on the aggregate expert opinion in conjunction with the expert-reported level of certainty of their judgement. Draft criteria for axial SpA were formulated and tested using classifiable patients. Results: Active sacroiliitis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (odds ratio 45, 95% CI 5.3 to 383; p x rays in conjunction with one SpA feature or, if sacroilitiis is absent, in the presence of at least three SpA features. In a second set of candidate criteria, inflammatory back pain is obligatory in the clinical arm (sensitivity 86.1%; specificity 94.7%). Conclusion: The ASAS group has developed candidate criteria for the classification of axial SpA that include patients without radiographic sacroiliitis. The candidate criteria need to be validated in an independent international study.
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center1, French Institute of Health and Medical Research2, Umeå University3, University of Bonn4, Karolinska Institutet5, University of Zurich6, German Cancer Research Center7, University of Leeds8, Baylor College of Medicine9, University of Nottingham10, Council on Education for Public Health11
TL;DR: Meta-analysis of two genome-wide association studies by genotyping 550K tagging SNPs shows that common low-penetrance susceptibility alleles contribute to the risk of developing glioma and provide insight into disease causation of this primary brain tumor.
Abstract: To identify risk variants for glioma, we conducted a meta-analysis of two genome-wide association studies by genotyping 550K tagging SNPs in a total of 1,878 cases and 3,670 controls, with validation in three additional independent series totaling 2,545 cases and 2,953 controls. We identified five risk loci for glioma at 5p15.33 (rs2736100, TERT; P = 1.50 x 10(-17)), 8q24.21 (rs4295627, CCDC26; P = 2.34 x 10(-18)), 9p21.3 (rs4977756, CDKN2A-CDKN2B; P = 7.24 x 10(-15)), 20q13.33 (rs6010620, RTEL1; P = 2.52 x 10(-12)) and 11q23.3 (rs498872, PHLDB1; P = 1.07 x 10(-8)). These data show that common low-penetrance susceptibility alleles contribute to the risk of developing glioma and provide insight into disease causation of this primary brain tumor.
University of Leicester1, Earth System Research Laboratory2, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences3, Centre national de la recherche scientifique4, Norwegian Institute for Air Research5, United Kingdom Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs6, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology7, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis8, Danish Meteorological Institute9, Paul Scherrer Institute10, ETH Zurich11, University of California, Irvine12, University of Leeds13, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki14, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne15, Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory16, National Center for Atmospheric Research17, Stockholm University18, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology19, Forschungszentrum Jülich20, University of Oslo21, Max Planck Society22, University of Helsinki23, Joseph Fourier University24, Blaise Pascal University25, University of York26, University of Toulouse27, University of Urbino28, University of Manchester29, National University of Ireland, Galway30, University of Edinburgh31, Heidelberg University32, University of East Anglia33, Weizmann Institute of Science34, Chalmers University of Technology35, Norwegian Meteorological Institute36, Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands37, University of Stuttgart38, VU University Amsterdam39
TL;DR: A review of the state of scientific understanding in relation to global and regional air quality is outlined in this article, in terms of emissions, processing and transport of trace gases and aerosols.
TL;DR: The data identify polyP as a new class of mediator having fundamental roles in platelet-driven proinflammatory and procoagulant disorders, including Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome patients, who lack platelet polyP.
TL;DR: A short 7 item version of WEMWBS was found to satisfy the strict unidimensionality expectations of the Rasch model, and be largely free of bias, and is preferable to the full 14 item version at present for monitoring mental well-being in populations.
Abstract: Background
The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS) was developed to meet demand for instruments to measure mental well-being. It comprises 14 positively phrased Likert-style items and fulfils classic criteria for scale development. We report here the internal construct validity of WEMWBS from the perspective of the Rasch measurement model.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used a global aerosol microphysics model to quantify the contribution of primary and nucleated particles to global cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and showed that boundary layer nucleated CCN are strongly suppressed by both primary emissions and entrainment of particles nucleated in the free troposphere.
Abstract: . Cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) are derived from particles emitted directly into the atmosphere (primary emissions) or from the growth of nanometer-sized particles nucleated in the atmosphere. It is important to separate these two sources because they respond in different ways to gas and particle emission control strategies and environmental changes. Here, we use a global aerosol microphysics model to quantify the contribution of primary and nucleated particles to global CCN. The model considers primary emissions of sea spray, sulfate and carbonaceous particles, and nucleation processes appropriate for the free troposphere and boundary layer. We estimate that 45% of global low-level cloud CCN at 0.2% supersaturation are secondary aerosol derived from nucleation (ranging between 31–49% taking into account uncertainties in primary emissions and nucleation rates), with the remainder from primary emissions. The model suggests that 35% of CCN (0.2%) in global low-level clouds were created in the free and upper troposphere. In the marine boundary layer 55% of CCN (0.2%) are from nucleation, with 45% entrained from the free troposphere and 10% nucleated directly in the boundary layer. Combinations of model runs show that primary and nucleated CCN are non-linearly coupled. In particular, boundary layer nucleated CCN are strongly suppressed by both primary emissions and entrainment of particles nucleated in the free troposphere. Elimination of all primary emissions reduces global CCN (0.2%) by only 20% and elimination of upper tropospheric nucleation reduces CCN (0.2%) by only 12% because of the increased contribution from boundary layer nucleation.
TL;DR: A modest effect of purifying selection on the mtDNA coding region is confirmed and an improved molecular clock for dating human mtDNA is proposed, based on a worldwide phylogeny of > 2000 complete mtDNA genomes and calibrating against recent evidence for the divergence time of humans and chimpanzees.
Abstract: There is currently no calibration available for the whole human mtDNA genome, incorporating both coding and control regions. Furthermore, as several authors have pointed out recently, linear molecular clocks that incorporate selectable characters are in any case problematic. We here confirm a modest effect of purifying selection on the mtDNA coding region and propose an improved molecular clock for dating human mtDNA, based on a worldwide phylogeny of > 2000 complete mtDNA genomes and calibrating against recent evidence for the divergence time of humans and chimpanzees. We focus on a time-dependent mutation rate based on the entire mtDNA genome and supported by a neutral clock based on synonymous mutations alone. We show that the corrected rate is further corroborated by archaeological dating for the settlement of the Canary Islands and Remote Oceania and also, given certain phylogeographic assumptions, by the timing of the first modern human settlement of Europe and resettlement after the Last Glacial Maximum. The corrected rate yields an age of modern human expansion in the Americas at ∼15 kya that—unlike the uncorrected clock—matches the archaeological evidence, but continues to indicate an out-of-Africa dispersal at around 55–70 kya, 5–20 ky before any clear archaeological record, suggesting the need for archaeological research efforts focusing on this time window. We also present improved rates for the mtDNA control region, and the first comprehensive estimates of positional mutation rates for human mtDNA, which are essential for defining mutation models in phylogenetic analyses.