Showing papers by "University of Newcastle published in 2017"
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TL;DR: The qualitative and quantitative results prove the efficiency of SSA and MSSA and demonstrate the merits of the algorithms proposed in solving real-world problems with difficult and unknown search spaces.
3,027 citations
TL;DR: Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) has become a popular method for estimating path models with latent variables and their relationships as discussed by the authors, and a common goal of PLSSEM analyses is to identify key success factors and sources of competitive advantage for important target constructs such as customer satisfaction, customer loyalty, behavioral intentions, and user behavior.
Abstract: Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) has become a popular method for estimating path models with latent variables and their relationships. A common goal of PLS-SEM analyses is to identify key success factors and sources of competitive advantage for important target constructs such as customer satisfaction, customer loyalty, behavioral intentions, and user behavior. Building on an introduction of the fundamentals of measurement and structural theory, this chapter explains how to specify and estimate path models using PLS-SEM. Complementing the introduction of the PLS-SEM method and the description of how to evaluate analysis results, the chapter also offers an overview of complementary analytical techniques. A PLS-SEM application of the widely recognized corporate reputation model illustrates the method.
1,842 citations
Autonomous University of Madrid1, Spanish National Research Council2, University of Queensland3, Jimma University4, United Arab Emirates University5, University of Cartagena6, University of Qom7, Mekelle University8, University of Belgrade9, Stanford University10, University of São Paulo11, Debre Berhan University12, Haramaya University13, Bahir Dar University14, Debre markos University15, State University of New York System16, University System of Georgia17, Christian Medical College & Hospital18, University of Peradeniya19, Bielefeld University20, Newcastle University21, University of Newcastle22, Howard University23, University of Delhi24, University of Mazandaran25, Yokohama City University26, Juntendo University27, Albert Einstein College of Medicine28
TL;DR: The GBD study provides annual updates on estimates of deaths, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), a summary measure of fatal and non-fatal disease outcomes, for over 300 diseases and injuries, for 188 countries from 1990 to the most recent year.
1,601 citations
16 Feb 2017
TL;DR: Results of a large-scale simulation study substantiate that PLS and generalized structured component analysis are consistent estimators when the underlying population is composite model-based, and while both methods outperform sum scores regression in terms of parameter recovery, PLS achieves slightly greater statistical power.
Abstract: Composite-based structural equation modeling (SEM), and especially partial least squares path modeling (PLS), has gained increasing dissemination in marketing. To fully exploit the potential of these methods, researchers must know about their relative performance and the settings that favor each method’s use. While numerous simulation studies have aimed to evaluate the performance of composite-based SEM methods, practically all of them defined populations using common factor models, thereby assessing the methods on erroneous grounds. This study is the first to offer a comprehensive assessment of composite-based SEM techniques on the basis of composite model data, considering a broad range of model constellations. Results of a large-scale simulation study substantiate that PLS and generalized structured component analysis are consistent estimators when the underlying population is composite model-based. While both methods outperform sum scores regression in terms of parameter recovery, PLS achieves slightly greater statistical power.
1,113 citations
Kyriaki Michailidou1, Kyriaki Michailidou2, Sara Lindström3, Sara Lindström4 +393 more•Institutions (127)
TL;DR: A genome-wide association study of breast cancer in 122,977 cases and 105,974 controls of European ancestry and 14,068 cases and 13,104 controls of East Asian ancestry finds that heritability of Breast cancer due to all single-nucleotide polymorphisms in regulatory features was 2–5-fold enriched relative to the genome- wide average.
Abstract: Breast cancer risk is influenced by rare coding variants in susceptibility genes, such as BRCA1, and many common, mostly non-coding variants. However, much of the genetic contribution to breast cancer risk remains unknown. Here we report the results of a genome-wide association study of breast cancer in 122,977 cases and 105,974 controls of European ancestry and 14,068 cases and 13,104 controls of East Asian ancestry. We identified 65 new loci that are associated with overall breast cancer risk at P < 5 × 10-8. The majority of credible risk single-nucleotide polymorphisms in these loci fall in distal regulatory elements, and by integrating in silico data to predict target genes in breast cells at each locus, we demonstrate a strong overlap between candidate target genes and somatic driver genes in breast tumours. We also find that heritability of breast cancer due to all single-nucleotide polymorphisms in regulatory features was 2-5-fold enriched relative to the genome-wide average, with strong enrichment for particular transcription factor binding sites. These results provide further insight into genetic susceptibility to breast cancer and will improve the use of genetic risk scores for individualized screening and prevention.
1,014 citations
TL;DR: Although the gut–lung axis is only beginning to be understood, emerging evidence indicates that there is potential for manipulation of the gut microbiota in the treatment of lung diseases.
Abstract: The microbiota is vital for the development of the immune system and homeostasis. Changes in microbial composition and function, termed dysbiosis, in the respiratory tract and the gut have recently been linked to alterations in immune responses and to disease development in the lungs. In this Opinion article, we review the microbial species that are usually found in healthy gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, their dysbiosis in disease and interactions with the gut-lung axis. Although the gut-lung axis is only beginning to be understood, emerging evidence indicates that there is potential for manipulation of the gut microbiota in the treatment of lung diseases.
830 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors consider some implications for FDIAs arising from the late 2015 Ukraine Blackout event, and propose a false data injection attack (FDIA) framework.
Abstract: In a false data injection attack (FDIA), an adversary stealthily compromises measurements from electricity grid sensors in a coordinated fashion, with a view to evading detection by the power system bad data detection module. A successful FDIA can cause the system operator to perform control actions that compromise either the physical or economic operation of the power system. In this letter, we consider some implications for FDIAs arising from the late 2015 Ukraine Blackout event.
816 citations
Christian R. Marshall, Daniel P. Howrigan1, Daniel P. Howrigan2, Daniele Merico +326 more•Institutions (98)
TL;DR: In this article, a centralized analysis pipeline was applied to a SCZ cohort of 21,094 cases and 20,227 controls, and a global enrichment of copy number variants (CNVs) was observed in cases (odds ratio (OR) = 1.11, P = 5.7 × 10-15), which persisted after excluding loci implicated in previous studies.
Abstract: Copy number variants (CNVs) have been strongly implicated in the genetic etiology of schizophrenia (SCZ). However, genome-wide investigation of the contribution of CNV to risk has been hampered by limited sample sizes. We sought to address this obstacle by applying a centralized analysis pipeline to a SCZ cohort of 21,094 cases and 20,227 controls. A global enrichment of CNV burden was observed in cases (odds ratio (OR) = 1.11, P = 5.7 × 10-15), which persisted after excluding loci implicated in previous studies (OR = 1.07, P = 1.7 × 10-6). CNV burden was enriched for genes associated with synaptic function (OR = 1.68, P = 2.8 × 10-11) and neurobehavioral phenotypes in mouse (OR = 1.18, P = 7.3 × 10-5). Genome-wide significant evidence was obtained for eight loci, including 1q21.1, 2p16.3 (NRXN1), 3q29, 7q11.2, 15q13.3, distal 16p11.2, proximal 16p11.2 and 22q11.2. Suggestive support was found for eight additional candidate susceptibility and protective loci, which consisted predominantly of CNVs mediated by nonallelic homologous recombination.
774 citations
University of Oxford1, Wellington Management Company2, University of Barcelona3, University of Melbourne4, University of Amsterdam5, Erasmus University Rotterdam6, Ghent University Hospital7, National Institutes of Health8, Imperial College London9, Université de Montréal10, University of California, San Francisco11, Boston Children's Hospital12, John Hunter Hospital13, University of Newcastle14, Queen's University Belfast15, University of Western Australia16, French Institute of Health and Medical Research17, Université Paris-Saclay18, University of New South Wales19, University of Arizona20, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich21, University of Pittsburgh22, University of Cape Town23
TL;DR: The only way to make progress in the future is to be much more clear about the meaning of the labels used for asthma and to acknowledge the assumptions associated with them, which are believed to be the most important causes of the stagnation in key clinical outcomes observed in the past 10 years.
712 citations
TL;DR: A comprehensive review of state-of-the-art in FDIAs against modern power systems is given and some potential future research directions in this field are discussed.
Abstract: With rapid advances in sensor, computer, and communication networks, modern power systems have become complicated cyber-physical systems. Assessing and enhancing cyber-physical system security is, therefore, of utmost importance for the future electricity grid. In a successful false data injection attack (FDIA), an attacker compromises measurements from grid sensors in such a way that undetected errors are introduced into estimates of state variables such as bus voltage angles and magnitudes. In evading detection by commonly employed residue-based bad data detection tests, FDIAs are capable of severely threatening power system security. Since the first published research on FDIAs in 2009, research into FDIA-based cyber-attacks has been extensive. This paper gives a comprehensive review of state-of-the-art in FDIAs against modern power systems. This paper first summarizes the theoretical basis of FDIAs, and then discusses both the physical and the economic impacts of a successful FDIA. This paper presents the basic defense strategies against FDIAs and discusses some potential future research directions in this field.
692 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used mass cytometry with extensive antibody panels to perform in-depth immune profiling of samples from 73 clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) patients and five healthy controls.
University of Toronto1, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre2, Queen's University3, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven4, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre5, University of Queensland6, University of Newcastle7, Saitama Medical University8, University of Calgary9, University of Alberta10, Hamilton Health Sciences11, Pierre-and-Marie-Curie University12, Aix-Marseille University13, European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer14, Heidelberg University15, Royal North Shore Hospital16, Maastricht University17
TL;DR: In elderly patients with glioblastoma, the addition of temozolomide to short‐course radiotherapy resulted in longer survival than short‐ Course radiotherapy alone.
Abstract: BackgroundGlioblastoma is associated with a poor prognosis in the elderly. Survival has been shown to increase among patients 70 years of age or younger when temozolomide chemotherapy is added to standard radiotherapy (60 Gy over a period of 6 weeks). In elderly patients, more convenient shorter courses of radiotherapy are commonly used, but the benefit of adding temozolomide to a shorter course of radiotherapy is unknown. MethodsWe conducted a trial involving patients 65 years of age or older with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either radiotherapy alone (40 Gy in 15 fractions) or radiotherapy with concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide. ResultsA total of 562 patients underwent randomization, 281 to each group. The median age was 73 years (range, 65 to 90). The median overall survival was longer with radiotherapy plus temozolomide than with radiotherapy alone (9.3 months vs. 7.6 months; hazard ratio for death, 0.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56 to 0.80; P<0.0...
University of Queensland1, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute2, University of Glasgow3, Garvan Institute of Medical Research4, University of Padua5, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital6, Queensland University of Technology7, University of Newcastle8, Peking University9, Princess Alexandra Hospital10, St. Vincent's Health System11, Glasgow Royal Infirmary12, Baylor College of Medicine13, Human Genome Sequencing Center14, Children's Hospital at Westmead15, Children's Medical Research Institute16, Royal North Shore Hospital17, University of Sydney18, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital19, University of Western Sydney20, Fremantle Hospital21, Royal Adelaide Hospital22, St John of God Subiaco Hospital23, University of Western Australia24, University of Melbourne25
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors performed whole-genome sequencing of 102 primary pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours and defined the genomic events that characterize their pathogenesis, including a deficiency in G:C,>T:A base excision repair due to inactivation of MUTYH, which encodes a DNA glycosylase.
Abstract: The diagnosis of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PanNETs) is increasing owing to more sensitive detection methods, and this increase is creating challenges for clinical management. We performed whole-genome sequencing of 102 primary PanNETs and defined the genomic events that characterize their pathogenesis. Here we describe the mutational signatures they harbour, including a deficiency in G:C > T:A base excision repair due to inactivation of MUTYH, which encodes a DNA glycosylase. Clinically sporadic PanNETs contain a larger-than-expected proportion of germline mutations, including previously unreported mutations in the DNA repair genes MUTYH, CHEK2 and BRCA2. Together with mutations in MEN1 and VHL, these mutations occur in 17% of patients. Somatic mutations, including point mutations and gene fusions, were commonly found in genes involved in four main pathways: chromatin remodelling, DNA damage repair, activation of mTOR signalling (including previously undescribed EWSR1 gene fusions), and telomere maintenance. In addition, our gene expression analyses identified a subgroup of tumours associated with hypoxia and HIF signalling.
TL;DR: There is some evidence that the teenage years, particularly high school, might be the most vulnerable time period for having persistent symptoms—with greater risk for girls than boys.
Abstract: Objective A systematic review of factors that might be associated with, or influence, clinical recovery from sport-related concussion. Clinical recovery was defined functionally as a return to normal activities, including school and sports, following injury. Design Systematic review. Data sources PubMed, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, Scopus and Web of Science. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies Studies published by June of 2016 that addressed clinical recovery from concussion. Results A total of 7617 articles were identified using the search strategy, and 101 articles were included. There are major methodological differences across the studies. Many different clinical outcomes were measured, such as symptoms, cognition, balance, return to school and return to sports, although symptom outcomes were the most frequently measured. The most consistent predictor of slower recovery from concussion is the severity of a person’s acute and subacute symptoms. The development of subacute problems with headaches or depression is likely a risk factor for persistent symptoms lasting greater than a month. Those with a preinjury history of mental health problems appear to be at greater risk for having persistent symptoms. Those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or learning disabilities do not appear to be at substantially greater risk. There is some evidence that the teenage years, particularly high school, might be the most vulnerable time period for having persistent symptoms—with greater risk for girls than boys. Conclusion The literature on clinical recovery from sport-related concussion has grown dramatically, is mostly mixed, but some factors have emerged as being related to outcome.
Cleveland Clinic1, University of Ottawa2, Duke University3, Regions Hospital4, University of Tennessee5, Baylor University Medical Center6, Emory University7, University of California, Davis8, University of California, Los Angeles9, Riverside Methodist Hospital10, Northwestern University11, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust12, University of Pittsburgh13, Yeshiva University14, University of Newcastle15, university of lille16, University of Melbourne17, University of Helsinki18, Lille University of Science and Technology19, Harvard University20, University of Maryland, Baltimore21
TL;DR: Angiotensin II effectively increased blood pressure in patients with vasodilatory shock that did not respond to high doses of conventional vasopressors.
Abstract: BackgroundVasodilatory shock that does not respond to high-dose vasopressors is associated with high mortality. We investigated the effectiveness of angiotensin II for the treatment of patients with this condition. MethodsWe randomly assigned patients with vasodilatory shock who were receiving more than 0.2 μg of norepinephrine per kilogram of body weight per minute or the equivalent dose of another vasopressor to receive infusions of either angiotensin II or placebo. The primary end point was a response with respect to mean arterial pressure at hour 3 after the start of infusion, with response defined as an increase from baseline of at least 10 mm Hg or an increase to at least 75 mm Hg, without an increase in the dose of background vasopressors. ResultsA total of 344 patients were assigned to one of the two regimens; 321 received a study intervention (163 received angiotensin II, and 158 received placebo) and were included in the analysis. The primary end point was reached by more patients in the angiote...
TL;DR: The authors propose the development of novel multifunctional green and sustainable systems like mixed cell culture system, biosurfactant flushing, transgenic approaches and nanoremediation in order to overcome the existing soil- contaminant- and microbial-associated technological limitations in tackling high molecular weight PAHs.
TL;DR: The results demonstrated that the rice straw biochar can effectively immobilize heavy metals, thereby reducing their mobility and bioavailability in contaminated soils.
TL;DR: Current evidence suggests that ST-HIIT and LT- HIIT can increase VO2 max and improve some cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight/obese populations, and indicates that HIIT demonstrated no effect on insulin, lipid profile, C reactive protein or interleukin 6 in obese populations.
Abstract: The current review clarifies the cardiometabolic health effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in adults. A systematic search (PubMed) examining HIIT and cardiometabolic health markers was completed on 15 October 2015. Sixty-five intervention studies were included for review and the methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Downs and Black score. Studies were classified by intervention duration and body mass index classification. Outcomes with at least 5 effect sizes were synthesised using a random-effects meta-analysis of the standardised mean difference (SMD) in cardiometabolic health markers (baseline to postintervention) using Review Manager 5.3. Short-term (ST) HIIT (<12 weeks) significantly improved maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max; SMD 0.74, 95% CI 0.36 to 1.12; p<0.001), diastolic blood pressure (DBP; SMD −0.52, 95% CI −0.89 to −0.16; p<0.01) and fasting glucose (SMD −0.35, 95% CI −0.62 to −0.09; p<0.01) in overweight/obese populations. Long-term (LT) HIIT (≥12 weeks) significantly improved waist circumference (SMD −0.20, 95% CI −0.38 to −0.01; p<0.05), % body fat (SMD −0.40, 95% CI −0.74 to −0.06; p<0.05), VO2 max (SMD 1.20, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.83; p<0.001), resting heart rate (SMD −0.33, 95% CI −0.56 to −0.09; p<0.01), systolic blood pressure (SMD −0.35, 95% CI −0.60 to −0.09; p<0.01) and DBP (SMD −0.38, 95% CI −0.65 to −0.10; p<0.01) in overweight/obese populations. HIIT demonstrated no effect on insulin, lipid profile, C reactive protein or interleukin 6 in overweight/obese populations. In normal weight populations, ST-HIIT and LT-HIIT significantly improved VO2 max, but no other significant effects were observed. Current evidence suggests that ST-HIIT and LT-HIIT can increase VO2 max and improve some cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight/obese populations.
University of Newcastle1, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research2, University of Queensland3, Princess Alexandra Hospital4, Royal Adelaide Hospital5, University of Adelaide6, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital7, University of Western Australia8, The George Institute for Global Health9, Macquarie University10, University of New South Wales11, Flinders University12
TL;DR: Children and adults with persistent symptomatic asthma experience fewer asthma exacerbations and improved quality of life when treated with oral azithromycin for 48 weeks, suggesting it might be a useful add-on therapy in persistent asthma.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors use the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) to improve and expand the quantification of personal health-care access and quality for 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2015.
VU University Medical Center1, University of Alberta2, Edith Cowan University3, Netherlands Cancer Institute4, University of South Florida5, Utrecht University6, German Cancer Research Center7, Yale University8, Queensland University of Technology9, University of Maryland, Baltimore10, European University of Madrid11, Maastricht University12, University of Groningen13, University of Amsterdam14, University of Edinburgh15, University of Birmingham16, University of Glasgow17, University of Antwerp18, University of Oslo19, University of Hamburg20, University of Adelaide21, University of Newcastle22, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust23, University Hospital Heidelberg24, King's College London25, Pennsylvania State University26, Oregon Health & Science University27, Johns Hopkins University28
TL;DR: In conclusion, exercise, and particularly supervised exercise, effectively improves QoL and PF in patients with cancer with different demographic and clinical characteristics during and following treatment.
TL;DR: This review brings together all compositional studies of snake venom proteomes published in the last decade, allowing rapid assimilation and evaluation of evolutionary trends, geographical variation, and possible medical implications.
Abstract: Advances in the last decade combining transcriptomics with established proteomics methods have made possible rapid identification and quantification of protein families in snake venoms. Although over 100 studies have been published, the value of this information is increased when it is collated, allowing rapid assimilation and evaluation of evolutionary trends, geographical variation, and possible medical implications. This review brings together all compositional studies of snake venom proteomes published in the last decade. Compositional studies were identified for 132 snake species: 42 from 360 (12%) Elapidae (elapids), 20 from 101 (20%) Viperinae (true vipers), 65 from 239 (27%) Crotalinae (pit vipers), and five species of non-front-fanged snakes. Approximately 90% of their total venom composition consisted of eight protein families for elapids, 11 protein families for viperines and ten protein families for crotalines. There were four dominant protein families: phospholipase A2s (the most common across all front-fanged snakes), metalloproteases, serine proteases and three-finger toxins. There were six secondary protein families: cysteine-rich secretory proteins, l-amino acid oxidases, kunitz peptides, C-type lectins/snaclecs, disintegrins and natriuretic peptides. Elapid venoms contained mostly three-finger toxins and phospholipase A2s and viper venoms metalloproteases, phospholipase A2s and serine proteases. Although 63 protein families were identified, more than half were present in <5% of snake species studied and always in low abundance. The importance of these minor component proteins remains unknown.
TL;DR: Findings indicate that aetiological heterogeneity, variable penetrance and genetic pleiotropy are pervasive characteristics of autism genetics.
Abstract: Genetic studies have revealed the involvement of hundreds of gene variants in autism. Their risk effects are highly variable, and they are frequently related to other conditions besides autism. However, many different variants converge on common biological pathways. These findings indicate that aetiological heterogeneity, variable penetrance and genetic pleiotropy are pervasive characteristics of autism genetics. Although this advancing insight should improve clinical care, at present there is a substantial discrepancy between research knowledge and its clinical application. In this Review, we discuss the current challenges and opportunities for the translation of autism genetics knowledge into clinical practice.
TL;DR: Extensive evaluation of antioxidants that protect the spermatozoa against oxidative stress while permitting the normal reduction‐oxidation regulation of sperm capacitation is therefore currently being undertaken, and has already proven efficacious in animal models.
Abstract: Oxidative stress plays a major role in the life and death of mammalian spermatozoa. These gametes are professional generators of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which appear to derive from three potential sources: sperm mitochondria, cytosolic L-amino acid oxidases, and plasma membrane Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases. The oxidative stress created via these sources appears to play a significant role in driving the physiological changes associated with sperm capacitation through the stimulation of a cyclic adenosine monophosphate/Protein kinase A phosphorylation cascade, including the activation of Extracellular signal regulated kinase-like proteins, massive up-regulation of tyrosine phosphorylation in the sperm tail, as well as the induction of sterol oxidation. When generated in excess, however, ROS can induce lipid peroxidation that, in turn, disrupts membrane characteristics that are critical for the maintenance of sperm function, including the capacity to fertilize an egg. Furthermore, the lipid aldehydes generated as a consequence of lipid peroxidation bind to proteins in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, triggering yet more ROS generation in a self-perpetuating cycle. The high levels of oxidative stress created as a result of this process ultimately damage the DNA in the sperm nucleus; indeed, DNA damage in the male germ line appears to be predominantly induced oxidatively, reflecting the vulnerability of these cells to such stress. Extensive evaluation of antioxidants that protect the spermatozoa against oxidative stress while permitting the normal reduction-oxidation regulation of sperm capacitation is therefore currently being undertaken, and has already proven efficacious in animal models.
TL;DR: The domain in which physical activity occurs influences the relationship between physical activity and mental health and should, therefore, be considered when developing interventions, treatment programs, and policy guidelines.
University of Tübingen1, Nanjing Agricultural University2, University of Newcastle3, University of New South Wales4, Ithaka Harbors5, Colorado State University6, University of New Hampshire7, Florida State University8, Cooperative Research Centre9, University of Bayreuth10, University of Palermo11, Technical University of Berlin12, University of Minnesota13
TL;DR: This work identifies a complex, nutrient-rich organic coating on co-composted biochar that covers the outer and inner (pore) surfaces of biochar particles using high-resolution spectro(micro)scopy and mass spectrometry, which strengthens biochar-water interactions and thus enhances nutrient retention.
Abstract: Amending soil with biochar (pyrolized biomass) is suggested as a globally applicable approach to address climate change and soil degradation by carbon sequestration, reducing soil-borne greenhouse-gas emissions and increasing soil nutrient retention. Biochar was shown to promote plant growth, especially when combined with nutrient-rich organic matter, e.g., co-composted biochar. Plant growth promotion was explained by slow release of nutrients, although a mechanistic understanding of nutrient storage in biochar is missing. Here we identify a complex, nutrient-rich organic coating on co-composted biochar that covers the outer and inner (pore) surfaces of biochar particles using high-resolution spectro(micro)scopy and mass spectrometry. Fast field cycling nuclear magnetic resonance, electrochemical analysis and gas adsorption demonstrated that this coating adds hydrophilicity, redox-active moieties, and additional mesoporosity, which strengthens biochar-water interactions and thus enhances nutrient retention. This implies that the functioning of biochar in soil is determined by the formation of an organic coating, rather than biochar surface oxidation, as previously suggested. Biochar promotes plant growth via a slow release of nutrients; however, a mechanistic understanding of nutrient storage in biochar is lacking. Here, using high-resolution spectromicroscopy and mass spectrometry, the authors identify an organic coating on co-composted particles that enhances nutrient retention.
TL;DR: In the space of two centuries of industrial development, human civilization has changed the chemistry of the atmosphere and oce... as discussed by the authors, the challenge of climate change represents the grandest challenge facing humanity.
Abstract: Climate change represents the grandest of challenges facing humanity. In the space of two centuries of industrial development, human civilization has changed the chemistry of the atmosphere and oce...
TL;DR: The abiotic and microbial applications of biochars as electron donors, electron acceptors, or electron shuttles for pollutant degradation, metal(loid)s (im)mobilization, nutrient transformation, and discuss the underlying mechanisms are reviewed.
University College London1, Imperial College London2, University of Oxford3, Clinical Trial Service Unit4, St Bartholomew's Hospital5, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics6, University of Glasgow7, Universidade Federal de Pelotas8, UCL Institute of Child Health9, University of South Australia10, European Bioinformatics Institute11, Charité12, University of Lübeck13, Max Planck Society14, Innsbruck Medical University15, Bradford Royal Infirmary16, University of Bristol17, St George's, University of London18, University of Edinburgh19, University of Lausanne20, University of Nicosia21, Cyprus University of Technology22, Utrecht University23, University of Turin24, Cancer Epidemiology Unit25, University of Cambridge26, Russian Academy27, Jagiellonian University28, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences29, University of Copenhagen30, Marshfield Clinic31, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia32, Group Health Research Institute33, Mayo Clinic34, Vanderbilt University35, George Washington University36, University of Newcastle37, Population Health Research Institute38, University Medical Center Groningen39, Leiden University Medical Center40, Uppsala University41, Science for Life Laboratory42, Stanford University43, Erasmus University Medical Center44, Greifswald University Hospital45, University of Regensburg46, University of London47, Robertson Centre for Biostatistics48, university of lille49, French Institute of Health and Medical Research50, University of Nantes51, University of Essex52, Brigham and Women's Hospital53, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center54, University of Colorado Denver55, Geisinger Health System56, Pennsylvania State University57, University of Pennsylvania58
TL;DR: PCSK9 variants associated with lower LDL cholesterol were also associated with circulating higher fasting glucose concentration, bodyweight, and waist-to-hip ratio, and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
TL;DR: Global data for adults reflects a consistent pattern of participation in running and walking, and among all age groups and regions soccer was popular, in children and adolescents, preferences were variable between regions.