Showing papers by "University of Western Australia published in 2019"
Harvard University1, University of Western Australia2, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio3, McMaster University4, University of Washington5, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention6, University of Utah7, Primary Children's Hospital8, University of Pittsburgh9, University of Michigan10, Vanderbilt University11, University of Connecticut12, United States Department of Veterans Affairs13, Baylor College of Medicine14
TL;DR: Although some recommendations remain unchanged from the 2007 guideline, the availability of results from new therapeutic trials and epidemiological investigations led to revised recommendations for empiric treatment strategies and additional management decisions.
Abstract: Background: This document provides evidence-based clinical practice guidelines on the management of adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia.Methods: A multidisciplinary panel conducted pra...
1,708 citations
University of British Columbia1, University of Western Australia2, University Hospital of Lausanne3, University of Hong Kong4, National Institutes of Health5, University of Pittsburgh6, Charité7, University of Grenoble8, University of Wisconsin-Madison9, All India Institute of Medical Sciences10, Federal University of São Paulo11, University of California, San Diego12
TL;DR: This is the first study to report global prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea; with almost 1 billion people affected, and with prevalence exceeding 50% in some countries, effective diagnostic and treatment strategies are needed to minimise the negative health impacts and to maximise cost-effectiveness.
1,487 citations
Edith Cowan University1, University of Queensland2, Utah State University3, Deakin University4, Autonomous University of Barcelona5, Charles Darwin University6, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation7, University of Western Australia8, Sao Paulo State University9, Griffith University10, Southern Cross University11, University of New South Wales12, University of Wollongong13, Department of Water14, The Chinese University of Hong Kong15, Spanish National Research Council16, University of Tasmania17, University of Technology, Sydney18, National University of Malaysia19, Hasanuddin University20, University of Costa Rica21, Woods Hole Research Center22, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology23
TL;DR: This assessment, the most comprehensive for any nation to-date, demonstrates the potential of conservation and restoration of VCE to underpin national policy development for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Abstract: Policies aiming to preserve vegetated coastal ecosystems (VCE; tidal marshes, mangroves and seagrasses) to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions require national assessments of blue carbon resources. Here, we present organic carbon (C) storage in VCE across Australian climate regions and estimate potential annual CO2 emission benefits of VCE conservation and restoration. Australia contributes 5–11% of the C stored in VCE globally (70–185 Tg C in aboveground biomass, and 1,055–1,540 Tg C in the upper 1 m of soils). Potential CO2 emissions from current VCE losses are estimated at 2.1–3.1 Tg CO2-e yr-1, increasing annual CO2 emissions from land use change in Australia by 12–21%. This assessment, the most comprehensive for any nation to-date, demonstrates the potential of conservation and restoration of VCE to underpin national policy development for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Policies aiming to preserve vegetated coastal ecosystems (VCE) to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions require national assessments of blue carbon resources. Here the authors assessed organic carbon storage in VCE across Australian and the potential annual CO2 emission benefits of VCE conservation and find that Australia contributes substantially the carbon stored in VCE globally.
1,462 citations
Heidelberg University1, University of Marburg2, Queen Mary University of London3, University of Leeds4, Rutgers University5, University of New South Wales6, University of Münster7, Aarhus University8, Columbia University9, University of Chieti-Pescara10, University of Oslo11, Karolinska Institutet12, Université catholique de Louvain13, University of Sydney14, Paris Descartes University15, University of Western Australia16, Royal Perth Hospital17, University of Dundee18, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven19, Maastricht University20, Taipei Veterans General Hospital21, National Yang-Ming University22
TL;DR: In conditions such as fibromyalgia or nonspecific low-back pain, chronic pain may be conceived as a disease in its own right; in this proposal, this subgroup is called “chronic primary pain,” and in 6 other subgroups, pain is secondary to an underlying disease.
Abstract: Chronic pain is a major source of suffering. It interferes with daily functioning and often is accompanied by distress. Yet, in the International Classification of Diseases, chronic pain diagnoses are not represented systematically. The lack of appropriate codes renders accurate epidemiological investigations difficult and impedes health policy decisions regarding chronic pain such as adequate financing of access to multimodal pain management. In cooperation with the WHO, an IASP Working Group has developed a classification system that is applicable in a wide range of contexts, including pain medicine, primary care, and low-resource environments. Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists or recurs for more than 3 months. In chronic pain syndromes, pain can be the sole or a leading complaint and requires special treatment and care. In conditions such as fibromyalgia or nonspecific low-back pain, chronic pain may be conceived as a disease in its own right; in our proposal, we call this subgroup "chronic primary pain." In 6 other subgroups, pain is secondary to an underlying disease: chronic cancer-related pain, chronic neuropathic pain, chronic secondary visceral pain, chronic posttraumatic and postsurgical pain, chronic secondary headache and orofacial pain, and chronic secondary musculoskeletal pain. These conditions are summarized as "chronic secondary pain" where pain may at least initially be conceived as a symptom. Implementation of these codes in the upcoming 11th edition of International Classification of Diseases will lead to improved classification and diagnostic coding, thereby advancing the recognition of chronic pain as a health condition in its own right.
1,311 citations
TL;DR: Current prevalence and trends of insufficient physical activity among school-going adolescents aged 11–17 years by country, region, and globally are described and urgent scaling up of implementation of known effective policies and programmes is needed.
1,293 citations
Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom1, University of Western Australia2, Australian Research Council3, Dalhousie University4, University of Tasmania5, University of Canterbury6, Aberystwyth University7, University of Tsukuba8, Scottish Association for Marine Science9, University of New South Wales10, Australian Institute of Marine Science11, Barcelona Supercomputing Center12, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation13, Hobart Corporation14, University of Washington15, Edith Cowan University16
TL;DR: In this article, the authors quantify trends and attributes of extreme regional ocean warming (marine heatwaves, MHWs) across all ocean basins and examine their biological impacts from species to ecosystems.
Abstract: The global ocean has warmed substantially over the past century, with far-reaching implications for marine ecosystems. Concurrent with long-term persistent warming, discrete periods of extreme regional ocean warming (marine heatwaves, MHWs) have increased in frequency. Here we quantify trends and attributes of MHWs across all ocean basins and examine their biological impacts from species to ecosystems. Multiple regions in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans are particularly vulnerable to MHW intensification, due to the co-existence of high levels of biodiversity, a prevalence of species found at their warm range edges or concurrent non-climatic human impacts. The physical attributes of prominent MHWs varied considerably, but all had deleterious impacts across a range of biological processes and taxa, including critical foundation species (corals, seagrasses and kelps). MHWs, which will probably intensify with anthropogenic climate change, are rapidly emerging as forceful agents of disturbance with the capacity to restructure entire ecosystems and disrupt the provision of ecological goods and services in coming decades.
731 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors improved initial estimates of the binary's properties, including component masses, spins, and tidal parameters, using the known source location, improved modeling, and recalibrated Virgo data.
Abstract: On August 17, 2017, the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo gravitational-wave detectors observed a low-mass compact binary inspiral. The initial sky localization of the source of the gravitational-wave signal, GW170817, allowed electromagnetic observatories to identify NGC 4993 as the host galaxy. In this work, we improve initial estimates of the binary's properties, including component masses, spins, and tidal parameters, using the known source location, improved modeling, and recalibrated Virgo data. We extend the range of gravitational-wave frequencies considered down to 23 Hz, compared to 30 Hz in the initial analysis. We also compare results inferred using several signal models, which are more accurate and incorporate additional physical effects as compared to the initial analysis. We improve the localization of the gravitational-wave source to a 90% credible region of 16 deg2. We find tighter constraints on the masses, spins, and tidal parameters, and continue to find no evidence for nonzero component spins. The component masses are inferred to lie between 1.00 and 1.89 M when allowing for large component spins, and to lie between 1.16 and 1.60 M (with a total mass 2.73-0.01+0.04 M) when the spins are restricted to be within the range observed in Galactic binary neutron stars. Using a precessing model and allowing for large component spins, we constrain the dimensionless spins of the components to be less than 0.50 for the primary and 0.61 for the secondary. Under minimal assumptions about the nature of the compact objects, our constraints for the tidal deformability parameter Λ are (0,630) when we allow for large component spins, and 300-230+420 (using a 90% highest posterior density interval) when restricting the magnitude of the component spins, ruling out several equation-of-state models at the 90% credible level. Finally, with LIGO and GEO600 data, we use a Bayesian analysis to place upper limits on the amplitude and spectral energy density of a possible postmerger signal.
715 citations
Nasim Mavaddat1, Kyriaki Michailidou2, Kyriaki Michailidou1, Joe Dennis1 +307 more•Institutions (105)
TL;DR: This PRS, optimized for prediction of estrogen receptor (ER)-specific disease, from the largest available genome-wide association dataset is developed and empirically validated and is a powerful and reliable predictor of breast cancer risk that may improve breast cancer prevention programs.
Abstract: Stratification of women according to their risk of breast cancer based on polygenic risk scores (PRSs) could improve screening and prevention strategies. Our aim was to develop PRSs, optimized for prediction of estrogen receptor (ER)-specific disease, from the largest available genome-wide association dataset and to empirically validate the PRSs in prospective studies. The development dataset comprised 94,075 case subjects and 75,017 control subjects of European ancestry from 69 studies, divided into training and validation sets. Samples were genotyped using genome-wide arrays, and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected by stepwise regression or lasso penalized regression. The best performing PRSs were validated in an independent test set comprising 11,428 case subjects and 18,323 control subjects from 10 prospective studies and 190,040 women from UK Biobank (3,215 incident breast cancers). For the best PRSs (313 SNPs), the odds ratio for overall disease per 1 standard deviation in ten prospective studies was 1.61 (95%CI: 1.57-1.65) with area under receiver-operator curve (AUC) = 0.630 (95%CI: 0.628-0.651). The lifetime risk of overall breast cancer in the top centile of the PRSs was 32.6%. Compared with women in the middle quintile, those in the highest 1% of risk had 4.37- and 2.78-fold risks, and those in the lowest 1% of risk had 0.16- and 0.27-fold risks, of developing ER-positive and ER-negative disease, respectively. Goodness-of-fit tests indicated that this PRS was well calibrated and predicts disease risk accurately in the tails of the distribution. This PRS is a powerful and reliable predictor of breast cancer risk that may improve breast cancer prevention programs.
653 citations
Missouri Botanical Garden1, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources2, University of Montana3, University of Western Australia4, Oregon State University5, Center for International Forestry Research6, Southern University of Science and Technology7, Peking University8, University of Cambridge9, University of Concepción10, Parks Canada11, United States Forest Service12, Research Institute for Nature and Forest13, Curtin University14
TL;DR: The second edition of the International Principles and Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration (the Standards) presents a robust framework for restoration projects to achieve intended goals, while addressing challenges including effective design and implementation, accounting for complex ecosystem dynamics (especially in the context of climate change), and navigating trade-offs associated with land management priorities and decisions as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Ecological restoration, when implemented effectively and sustainably, contributes to protecting biodiversity; improving human health and wellbeing; increasing food and water security; delivering goods, services, and economic prosperity; and supporting climate change mitigation, resilience, and adaptation. It is a solutions-based approach that engages communities, scientists, policymakers, and land managers to repair ecological damage and rebuild a healthier relationship between people and the rest of nature. When combined with conservation and sustainable use, ecological restoration is the link needed to move local, regional, and global environmental conditions from a state of continued degradation, to one of net positive improvement. The second edition of the International Principles and Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration (the Standards) presents a robust framework for restoration projects to achieve intended goals, while addressing challenges including effective design and implementation, accounting for complex ecosystem dynamics (especially in the context of climate change), and navigating trade-offs associated with land management priorities and decisions.
567 citations
TL;DR: Although deficiencies in polyphenol intake do not result in specific deficiency diseases, adequate intake of polyphenols could confer health benefits, especially with regard to chronic diseases, because tea, cocoa, fruits, and berries, as well as vegetables, are rich inpolyphenols.
Abstract: Although deficiencies in polyphenol intake do not result in specific deficiency diseases, adequate intake of polyphenols could confer health benefits, especially with regard to chronic diseases. Tea, cocoa, fruits, and berries, as well as vegetables, are rich in polyphenols. Flavan-3-ols from cocoa have been found to be associated with a reduced risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, and diabetes, as well as improvements in lipids, endothelial-dependent blood flow and blood pressure, insulin resistance, and systemic inflammation. The flavonoid quercetin and the stilbene resveratrol have also been associated with cardiometabolic health. Although polyphenols have been associated with improved cerebral blood flow, evidence of an impact on cognition is more limited. The ability of dietary polyphenols to produce clinical effects may be due, at least in part, to a bi-directional relationship with the gut microbiota. Polyphenols can impact the composition of the gut microbiota (which are independently associated with health benefits), and gut bacteria metabolize polyphenols into bioactive compounds that produce clinical benefits. Another critical interaction is that of polyphenols with other phytochemicals, which could be relevant to interpreting the health parameter effects of polyphenols assayed as purified extracts, whole foods, or whole food extracts.
552 citations
TL;DR: The genetic architecture of anorexia nervosa mirrors its clinical presentation, showing significant genetic correlations with psychiatric disorders, physical activity, and metabolic (including glycemic), lipid and anthropometric traits, independent of the effects of common variants associated with body-mass index.
Abstract: Characterized primarily by a low body-mass index, anorexia nervosa is a complex and serious illness1, affecting 0.9-4% of women and 0.3% of men2-4, with twin-based heritability estimates of 50-60%5. Mortality rates are higher than those in other psychiatric disorders6, and outcomes are unacceptably poor7. Here we combine data from the Anorexia Nervosa Genetics Initiative (ANGI)8,9 and the Eating Disorders Working Group of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC-ED) and conduct a genome-wide association study of 16,992 cases of anorexia nervosa and 55,525 controls, identifying eight significant loci. The genetic architecture of anorexia nervosa mirrors its clinical presentation, showing significant genetic correlations with psychiatric disorders, physical activity, and metabolic (including glycemic), lipid and anthropometric traits, independent of the effects of common variants associated with body-mass index. These results further encourage a reconceptualization of anorexia nervosa as a metabo-psychiatric disorder. Elucidating the metabolic component is a critical direction for future research, and paying attention to both psychiatric and metabolic components may be key to improving outcomes.
TL;DR: In insights into the coordinated control of Alzheimer’s disease risk genes and their cell-type-specific contribution to disease susceptibility, single-nucleus RNA sequencing is applied to entorhinal cortex samples from control and Alzheimer's disease brains and identified transcription factor networks predicted to control disease progression in a cell-sub type-specific way.
Abstract: There is currently little information available about how individual cell types contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. Here we applied single-nucleus RNA sequencing to entorhinal cortex samples from control and Alzheimer’s disease brains (n = 6 per group), yielding a total of 13,214 high-quality nuclei. We detail cell-type-specific gene expression patterns, unveiling how transcriptional changes in specific cell subpopulations are associated with Alzheimer’s disease. We report that the Alzheimer’s disease risk gene APOE is specifically repressed in Alzheimer’s disease oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and astrocyte subpopulations and upregulated in an Alzheimer’s disease-specific microglial subopulation. Integrating transcription factor regulatory modules with Alzheimer’s disease risk loci revealed drivers of cell-type-specific state transitions towards Alzheimer’s disease. For example, transcription factor EB, a master regulator of lysosomal function, regulates multiple disease genes in a specific Alzheimer’s disease astrocyte subpopulation. These results provide insights into the coordinated control of Alzheimer’s disease risk genes and their cell-type-specific contribution to disease susceptibility. These results are available at http://adsn.ddnetbio.com. Grubman et al. generated a single-cell transcriptomic atlas of the entorhinal cortex from patients with Alzheimer’s disease and identified transcription factor networks predicted to control disease progression in a cell-subtype-specific way.
TL;DR: Age standardised mortality rates for suicide have greatly reduced since 1990, but suicide remains an important contributor to mortality worldwide and can be targeted towards vulnerable populations if they are informed by variations in mortality rates.
Abstract: Objectives To use the estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016 to describe patterns of suicide mortality globally, regionally, and for 195 countries and territories by age, sex, and Socio-demographic index, and to describe temporal trends between 1990 and 2016. Design Systematic analysis. Main outcome measures Crude and age standardised rates from suicide mortality and years of life lost were compared across regions and countries, and by age, sex, and Socio-demographic index (a composite measure of fertility, income, and education). Results The total number of deaths from suicide increased by 6.7% (95% uncertainty interval 0.4% to 15.6%) globally over the 27 year study period to 817 000 (762 000 to 884 000) deaths in 2016. However, the age standardised mortality rate for suicide decreased by 32.7% (27.2% to 36.6%) worldwide between 1990 and 2016, similar to the decline in the global age standardised mortality rate of 30.6%. Suicide was the leading cause of age standardised years of life lost in the Global Burden of Disease region of high income Asia Pacific and was among the top 10 leading causes in eastern Europe, central Europe, western Europe, central Asia, Australasia, southern Latin America, and high income North America. Rates for men were higher than for women across regions, countries, and age groups, except for the 15 to 19 age group. There was variation in the female to male ratio, with higher ratios at lower levels of Socio-demographic index. Women experienced greater decreases in mortality rates (49.0%, 95% uncertainty interval 42.6% to 54.6%) than men (23.8%, 15.6% to 32.7%). Conclusions Age standardised mortality rates for suicide have greatly reduced since 1990, but suicide remains an important contributor to mortality worldwide. Suicide mortality was variable across locations, between sexes, and between age groups. Suicide prevention strategies can be targeted towards vulnerable populations if they are informed by variations in mortality rates.
Günter Blöschl1, Marc F. P. Bierkens2, António Chambel3, Christophe Cudennec4 +209 more•Institutions (124)
TL;DR: In this article, a community initiative to identify major unsolved scientific problems in hydrology motivated by a need for stronger harmonisation of research efforts is described. But despite the diversity of the participants (230 scientists in total), the process revealed much about community priorities and the state of our science: a preference for continuity in research questions rather than radical departures or redirections from past and current work.
Abstract: This paper is the outcome of a community initiative to identify major unsolved scientific problems in hydrology motivated by a need for stronger harmonisation of research efforts. The procedure involved a public consultation through online media, followed by two workshops through which a large number of potential science questions were collated, prioritised, and synthesised. In spite of the diversity of the participants (230 scientists in total), the process revealed much about community priorities and the state of our science: a preference for continuity in research questions rather than radical departures or redirections from past and current work. Questions remain focused on the process-based understanding of hydrological variability and causality at all space and time scales. Increased attention to environmental change drives a new emphasis on understanding how change propagates across interfaces within the hydrological system and across disciplinary boundaries. In particular, the expansion of the human footprint raises a new set of questions related to human interactions with nature and water cycle feedbacks in the context of complex water management problems. We hope that this reflection and synthesis of the 23 unsolved problems in hydrology will help guide research efforts for some years to come.
TL;DR: In this paper, the mass, spin, and redshift distributions of binary black hole (BBH) mergers with LIGO and Advanced Virgo observations were analyzed using phenomenological population models.
Abstract: We present results on the mass, spin, and redshift distributions with phenomenological population models using the 10 binary black hole (BBH) mergers detected in the first and second observing runs completed by Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo. We constrain properties of the BBH mass spectrum using models with a range of parameterizations of the BBH mass and spin distributions. We find that the mass distribution of the more massive BH in such binaries is well approximated by models with no more than 1% of BHs more massive than 45 M and a power-law index of (90% credibility). We also show that BBHs are unlikely to be composed of BHs with large spins aligned to the orbital angular momentum. Modeling the evolution of the BBH merger rate with redshift, we show that it is flat or increasing with redshift with 93% probability. Marginalizing over uncertainties in the BBH population, we find robust estimates of the BBH merger rate density of R= (90% credibility). As the BBH catalog grows in future observing runs, we expect that uncertainties in the population model parameters will shrink, potentially providing insights into the formation of BHs via supernovae, binary interactions of massive stars, stellar cluster dynamics, and the formation history of BHs across cosmic time.
TL;DR: The flow-mediated dilation (FMD) technique as mentioned in this paper represents an endothelium-dependent, largely nitric oxide (NO)-mediated dilatation of conduit arteries in response to an imposed increase in blood flow and shear stress.
Abstract: Endothelial dysfunction is involved in the development of atherosclerosis, which precedes asymptomatic structural vascular alterations as well as clinical manifestations of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Endothelial function can be assessed non-invasively using the flow-mediated dilation (FMD) technique. Flow-mediated dilation represents an endothelium-dependent, largely nitric oxide (NO)-mediated dilatation of conduit arteries in response to an imposed increase in blood flow and shear stress. Flow-mediated dilation is affected by cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, relates to coronary artery endothelial function, and independently predicts CVD outcome. Accordingly, FMD is a tool for examining the pathophysiology of CVD and possibly identifying subjects at increased risk for future CV events. Moreover, it has merit in examining the acute and long-term impact of physiological and pharmacological interventions in humans. Despite concerns about its reproducibility, the available evidence shows that highly reliable FMD measurements can be achieved when specialized laboratories follow standardized protocols. For this purpose, updated expert consensus guidelines for the performance of FMD are presented, which are based on critical appraisal of novel technical approaches, development of analysis software, and studies exploring the physiological principles underlying the technique. Uniformity in FMD performance will (i) improve comparability between studies, (ii) contribute to construction of reference values, and (iii) offer an easy accessible and early marker of atherosclerosis that could complement clinical symptoms of structural arterial disease and facilitate early diagnosis and prediction of CVD outcomes.
TL;DR: Bilby as discussed by the authors is a Bayesian inference library for gravitational-wave astronomy, which provides expert-level parameter estimation infrastructure with straightforward syntax and tools that facilitate use by beginners, allowing users to perform accurate and reliable gravitationalwave parameter estimation on both real, freely available data from LIGO/Virgo and simulated data.
Abstract: Bayesian parameter estimation is fast becoming the language of gravitational-wave astronomy. It is the method by which gravitational-wave data is used to infer the sources' astrophysical properties. We introduce a user-friendly Bayesian inference library for gravitational-wave astronomy, Bilby. This Python code provides expert-level parameter estimation infrastructure with straightforward syntax and tools that facilitate use by beginners. It allows users to perform accurate and reliable gravitational-wave parameter estimation on both real, freely available data from LIGO/Virgo and simulated data. We provide a suite of examples for the analysis of compact binary mergers and other types of signal models, including supernovae and the remnants of binary neutron star mergers. These examples illustrate how to change the signal model, implement new likelihood functions, and add new detectors. Bilby has additional functionality to do population studies using hierarchical Bayesian modeling. We provide an example in which we infer the shape of the black hole mass distribution from an ensemble of observations of binary black hole mergers.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors place constraints on the dipole radiation and possible deviations from GR in the post-Newtonian coefficients that govern the inspiral regime of a binary neutron star inspiral.
Abstract: The recent discovery by Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo of a gravitational wave signal from a binary neutron star inspiral has enabled tests of general relativity (GR) with this new type of source. This source, for the first time, permits tests of strong-field dynamics of compact binaries in the presence of matter. In this Letter, we place constraints on the dipole radiation and possible deviations from GR in the post-Newtonian coefficients that govern the inspiral regime. Bounds on modified dispersion of gravitational waves are obtained; in combination with information from the observed electromagnetic counterpart we can also constrain effects due to large extra dimensions. Finally, the polarization content of the gravitational wave signal is studied. The results of all tests performed here show good agreement with GR.
Deakin University1, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology2, James Hutton Institute3, University of Technology, Sydney4, University of Western Australia5, Plymouth Marine Laboratory6, Griffith University7, National University of Singapore8, University of Wollongong9, Bangor University10, Edith Cowan University11, University of Queensland12, Utah State University13, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation14, University of Florida15, McGill University16, Southern Cross University17, Florida International University18, University of Plymouth19, University of Tsukuba20, University of Edinburgh21, Spanish National Research Council22, Aarhus University23, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources24, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science25, Autonomous University of Barcelona26, University of Virginia27, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center28, Center for International Forestry Research29, Bogor Agricultural University30, University of Hong Kong31, University of the Algarve32, Duke University33
TL;DR: The authors identify the top-ten unresolved questions in the field and find that most questions relate to the precise role blue carbon can play in mitigating climate change and the most effective management actions in maximising this.
Abstract: The term Blue Carbon (BC) was first coined a decade ago to describe the disproportionately large contribution of coastal vegetated ecosystems to global carbon sequestration. The role of BC in climate change mitigation and adaptation has now reached international prominence. To help prioritise future research, we assembled leading experts in the field to agree upon the top-ten pending questions in BC science. Understanding how climate change affects carbon accumulation in mature BC ecosystems and during their restoration was a high priority. Controversial questions included the role of carbonate and macroalgae in BC cycling, and the degree to which greenhouse gases are released following disturbance of BC ecosystems. Scientists seek improved precision of the extent of BC ecosystems; techniques to determine BC provenance; understanding of the factors that influence sequestration in BC ecosystems, with the corresponding value of BC; and the management actions that are effective in enhancing this value. Overall this overview provides a comprehensive road map for the coming decades on future research in BC science.
TL;DR: During the ongoing O3 observation run, squeezed states are improving the sensitivity of the LIGO interferometers to signals above 50 Hz by up to 3 dB, thereby increasing the expected detection rate by 40% and 50% respectively.
Abstract: The Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) has been directly detecting gravitational waves from compact binary mergers since 2015. We report on the first use of squeezed vacuum states in the direct measurement of gravitational waves with the Advanced LIGO H1 and L1 detectors. This achievement is the culmination of decades of research to implement squeezed states in gravitational-wave detectors. During the ongoing O3 observation run, squeezed states are improving the sensitivity of the LIGO interferometers to signals above 50 Hz by up to 3 dB, thereby increasing the expected detection rate by 40% (H1) and 50% (L1).
TL;DR: The genetic basis of ALS is reviewed, highlighting factors that have contributed to the elusiveness of genetic heritability and future directions for research that may lead to effective treatment strategies outlined.
Abstract: The scientific landscape surrounding amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) continues to shift as the number of genes associated with the disease risk and pathogenesis, and the cellular processes involved, continues to grow. Despite decades of intense research and over 50 potentially causative or disease-modifying genes identified, etiology remains unexplained and treatment options remain limited for the majority of ALS patients. Various factors have contributed to the slow progress in understanding and developing therapeutics for this disease. Here, we review the genetic basis of ALS, highlighting factors that have contributed to the elusiveness of genetic heritability. The most commonly mutated ALS-linked genes are reviewed with an emphasis on disease-causing mechanisms. The cellular processes involved in ALS pathogenesis are discussed, with evidence implicating their involvement in ALS summarized. Past and present therapeutic strategies and the benefits and limitations of the model systems available to ALS researchers are discussed with future directions for research that may lead to effective treatment strategies outlined.
Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute1, Saint Louis University2, University of Alberta3, Columbia University4, The Chinese University of Hong Kong5, Memorial Hospital of South Bend6, King's College London7, Heidelberg University8, National Institutes of Health9, National University of Singapore10, Sichuan University11, University of Amsterdam12, Kyung Hee University13, Uppsala University14, University of Helsinki15, University of Oulu16, University of Western Australia17, Harvard University18, Université du Québec à Montréal19, University of Zurich20, University of Maryland, Baltimore21, Queen's University22, University of Florida23, University of Miami24, McMaster University25, King Saud University26, University of Otago27, French Institute of Health and Medical Research28
TL;DR: The task force of the International Conference of Frailty and Sarcopenia Research developed these clinical practice guidelines to overview the current evidence-base and provide recommendations for the identification and management of frailty in older adults using the GRADE approach.
Abstract: Objective: The task force of the International Conference of Frailty and Sarcopenia Research (ICFSR) developed these clinical practice guidelines to overview the current evidence-base and to provide recommendations for the identification and management of frailty in older adults. Methods: These recommendations were formed using the GRADE approach, which ranked the strength and certainty (quality) of the supporting evidence behind each recommendation. Where the evidence-base was limited or of low quality, Consensus Based Recommendations (CBRs) were formulated. The recommendations focus on the clinical and practical aspects of care for older people with frailty, and promote person-centred care. Recommendations for Screening and Assessment: The task force recommends that health practitioners case identify/screen all older adults for frailty using a validated instrument suitable for the specific setting or context (strong recommendation). Ideally, the screening instrument should exclude disability as part of the screening process. For individuals screened as positive for frailty, a more comprehensive clinical assessment should be performed to identify signs and underlying mechanisms of frailty (strong recommendation). Recommendations for Management: A comprehensive care plan for frailty should address polypharmacy (whether rational or nonrational), the management of sarcopenia, the treatable causes of weight loss, and the causes of exhaustion (depression, anaemia, hypotension, hypothyroidism, and B12 deficiency) (strong recommendation). All persons with frailty should receive social support as needed to address unmet needs and encourage adherence to a comprehensive care plan (strong recommendation). First-line therapy for the management of frailty should include a multi-component physical activity programme with a resistance-based training component (strong recommendation). Protein/caloric supplementation is recommended when weight loss or undernutrition are present (conditional recommendation). No recommendation was given for systematic additional therapies such as cognitive therapy, problem-solving therapy, vitamin D supplementation, and hormone-based treatment. Pharmacological treatment as presently available is not recommended therapy for the treatment of frailty.
TL;DR: There is now overwhelming evidence to support lowering LDL-c (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and an urgent need to identify those at increased risk of developing side effects as well as provide alternative treatment strategies.
Abstract: There is now overwhelming evidence to support lowering LDL-c (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Statins are a class of drugs frequently prescribed to lower cholesterol. However, in spite of their wide-spread use, discontinuation and nonadherence remains a major gap in both the primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The major reason for statin discontinuation is because of the development of statin-associated muscle symptoms, but a range of other statin-induced side effects also exist. Although the mechanisms behind these side effects have not been fully elucidated, there is an urgent need to identify those at increased risk of developing side effects as well as provide alternative treatment strategies. In this article, we review the mechanisms and clinical importance of statin toxicity and focus on the evaluation and management of statin-associated muscle symptoms.
Shanghai Jiao Tong University1, Harvard University2, Broad Institute3, Karolinska Institutet4, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology5, King's College London6, Fujita Health University7, University of Queensland8, University of South Australia9, Columbia University10, Peking University11, University of Tokyo12, Chonnam National University13, University of Indonesia14, National Taiwan University15, Utrecht University16, Xi'an Jiaotong University17, State University of New York System18, State University of New York Upstate Medical University19, Jinan University20, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai21, University of Western Australia22, Cardiff University23, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill24, Charité25, Jining Medical University26, University of Hong Kong27, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong28, Samsung Medical Center29, Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute30, University of Wollongong31, University of California, San Diego32, National University of Singapore33, Genome Institute of Singapore34
TL;DR: The largest study to date of East Asian participants is reported, identifying 21 genome-wide-significant associations in 19 genetic loci associated with schizophrenia and highlighting the importance of including sufficient samples of major ancestral groups to ensure their generalizability across populations.
Abstract: Schizophrenia is a debilitating psychiatric disorder with approximately 1% lifetime risk globally. Large-scale schizophrenia genetic studies have reported primarily on European ancestry samples, potentially missing important biological insights. Here, we report the largest study to date of East Asian participants (22,778 schizophrenia cases and 35,362 controls), identifying 21 genome-wide-significant associations in 19 genetic loci. Common genetic variants that confer risk for schizophrenia have highly similar effects between East Asian and European ancestries (genetic correlation = 0.98 ± 0.03), indicating that the genetic basis of schizophrenia and its biology are broadly shared across populations. A fixed-effect meta-analysis including individuals from East Asian and European ancestries identified 208 significant associations in 176 genetic loci (53 novel). Trans-ancestry fine-mapping reduced the sets of candidate causal variants in 44 loci. Polygenic risk scores had reduced performance when transferred across ancestries, highlighting the importance of including sufficient samples of major ancestral groups to ensure their generalizability across populations.
Australia Telescope National Facility1, Swinburne University of Technology2, Curtin University3, Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe4, University of California, Santa Cruz5, Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso6, Macquarie University7, University of Sydney8, University of Washington9, California Polytechnic State University10, University of Western Australia11, United States Naval Research Laboratory12, W.M. Keck Observatory13, University of California, Los Angeles14, Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics15, Australian National University16, ASTRON17
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reported the interferometric localization of the single-pulse fast radio burst (FRB 180924) to a position 4 kiloparsecs from the center of a luminous galaxy at redshift 0.3214.
Abstract: Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are brief radio emissions from distant astronomical sources. Some are known to repeat, but most are single bursts. Nonrepeating FRB observations have had insufficient positional accuracy to localize them to an individual host galaxy. We report the interferometric localization of the single-pulse FRB 180924 to a position 4 kiloparsecs from the center of a luminous galaxy at redshift 0.3214. The burst has not been observed to repeat. The properties of the burst and its host are markedly different from those of the only other accurately localized FRB source. The integrated electron column density along the line of sight closely matches models of the intergalactic medium, indicating that some FRBs are clean probes of the baryonic component of the cosmic web.
TL;DR: The first line of defense provided by a plant is to reduce the uptake of metals when stimulated with toxicity of heavy metals and includes the help offered by cellular and root exudates that restricts metals from entering the cell as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Heavy metals such as Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, Co, Cd, Zn, Hg and arsenic are for long being accumulated in soils through industrial waste and sewage disposal. Although some of these metals are essential micronutrients responsible for many regular processes in plants, their excess, however, can have detrimental effects and can directly influence the plant growth, metabolism, physiology and senescence. Plants have different mechanisms to fight stress, and they are responsible to maintain homeostasis of essential metals required by plants. These mechanisms also focus on prevention of plants exposure to heavy metals present in the soil or providing tolerance to the plant by detoxifying the metals. Other mechanisms are specific and are initiated when the respective stress is encountered. The first line of defense provided by a plant is to reduce the uptake of metals when stimulated with toxicity of heavy metals and includes the help offered by cellular and root exudates that restricts metals from entering the cell. Many plants have exclusive mechanisms for individual metal ions and are involved in sequestering these ions in compartments avoiding their exposure to sensitive components of the cells. As a second line of defense, other mechanisms for detoxification of these metals are introduced that chelates, transports, sequesters and detoxifies these metal ions in the plant’s vacuole. During the time of metal toxicity, oxidative stress is pronounced in the cells and production of stress-related proteins and hormones, antioxidants, signaling molecules including heat-shock proteins synthesis is initiated.
Nicole M. Warrington1, Robin N Beaumont2, Momoko Horikoshi3, Felix R. Day4 +242 more•Institutions (79)
TL;DR: An expanded GWAS of birth weight and subsequent analysis using structural equation modeling and Mendelian randomization decomposes maternal and fetal genetic contributions and causal links between birth weight, blood pressure and glycemic traits.
Abstract: Birth weight variation is influenced by fetal and maternal genetic and non-genetic factors, and has been reproducibly associated with future cardio-metabolic health outcomes. In expanded genome-wide association analyses of own birth weight (n = 321,223) and offspring birth weight (n = 230,069 mothers), we identified 190 independent association signals (129 of which are novel). We used structural equation modeling to decompose the contributions of direct fetal and indirect maternal genetic effects, then applied Mendelian randomization to illuminate causal pathways. For example, both indirect maternal and direct fetal genetic effects drive the observational relationship between lower birth weight and higher later blood pressure: maternal blood pressure-raising alleles reduce offspring birth weight, but only direct fetal effects of these alleles, once inherited, increase later offspring blood pressure. Using maternal birth weight-lowering genotypes to proxy for an adverse intrauterine environment provided no evidence that it causally raises offspring blood pressure, indicating that the inverse birth weight-blood pressure association is attributable to genetic effects, and not to intrauterine programming.
Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University1, University of Florida2, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics3, National Cheng Kung University4, North China University of Science and Technology5, University of Western Australia6, Agricultural Research Service7, Crops Research Institute8, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering9, Tsinghua University10, Shenzhen University11, Tuskegee University12, Osmania University13, National Tsing Hua University14, Plant Genome Mapping Laboratory15, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign16
TL;DR: High-quality genome sequence of cultivated peanut provides insights into genome evolution and the genetic mechanisms underlying seed size and leaf resistance in peanut, providing a cornerstone for functional genomics and peanut improvement.
Abstract: High oil and protein content make tetraploid peanut a leading oil and food legume. Here we report a high-quality peanut genome sequence, comprising 2.54 Gb with 20 pseudomolecules and 83,709 protein-coding gene models. We characterize gene functional groups implicated in seed size evolution, seed oil content, disease resistance and symbiotic nitrogen fixation. The peanut B subgenome has more genes and general expression dominance, temporally associated with long-terminal-repeat expansion in the A subgenome that also raises questions about the A-genome progenitor. The polyploid genome provided insights into the evolution of Arachis hypogaea and other legume chromosomes. Resequencing of 52 accessions suggests that independent domestications formed peanut ecotypes. Whereas 0.42–0.47 million years ago (Ma) polyploidy constrained genetic variation, the peanut genome sequence aids mapping and candidate-gene discovery for traits such as seed size and color, foliar disease resistance and others, also providing a cornerstone for functional genomics and peanut improvement.
TL;DR: The representation of chronic postsurgical and posttraumatic pain in ICD-11 is expected to make the diagnosis of chronic posttraumatic or postsurgical pain statistically visible and, it is hoped, stimulate research into these pain syndromes.
Abstract: Chronic pain after tissue trauma is frequent and may have a lasting impact on the functioning and quality of life of the affected person. Despite this, chronic postsurgical and posttraumatic pain is underrecognised and, consequently, undertreated. It is not represented in the current Interna
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TL;DR: A comprehensive review of federated learning systems can be found in this paper, where the authors provide a thorough categorization of the existing systems according to six different aspects, including data distribution, machine learning model, privacy mechanism, communication architecture, scale of federation and motivation of federation.
Abstract: Federated learning has been a hot research topic in enabling the collaborative training of machine learning models among different organizations under the privacy restrictions. As researchers try to support more machine learning models with different privacy-preserving approaches, there is a requirement in developing systems and infrastructures to ease the development of various federated learning algorithms. Similar to deep learning systems such as PyTorch and TensorFlow that boost the development of deep learning, federated learning systems (FLSs) are equivalently important, and face challenges from various aspects such as effectiveness, efficiency, and privacy. In this survey, we conduct a comprehensive review on federated learning systems. To achieve smooth flow and guide future research, we introduce the definition of federated learning systems and analyze the system components. Moreover, we provide a thorough categorization for federated learning systems according to six different aspects, including data distribution, machine learning model, privacy mechanism, communication architecture, scale of federation and motivation of federation. The categorization can help the design of federated learning systems as shown in our case studies. By systematically summarizing the existing federated learning systems, we present the design factors, case studies, and future research opportunities.