AtNPF5.5, a nitrate transporter affecting nitrogen accumulation in Arabidopsis embryo
- Leran, Sophie, Garg, Bharti, Boursiac, Yann, Corratge-Failli, Claire, Brachet, Chantal, Tillard, Pascal, Gojon, Alain, Lacombe, Benoit
- Authors: Leran, Sophie , Garg, Bharti , Boursiac, Yann , Corratge-Failli, Claire , Brachet, Chantal , Tillard, Pascal , Gojon, Alain , Lacombe, Benoit
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Scientific Reports Vol. 5, no. (2015), p. 1-7
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Dipeptide (Leu-Leu) and nitrate transport activities of 26 Arabidopsis NPF (NRT1/PTR Family) proteins were screened in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Xenopus laevis oocytes, respectively. Dipeptide transport activity has been confirmed for 2 already known dipeptide transporters (AtNPF8.1 and AtNPF8.3) but none of the other tested NPFs displays dipeptide transport. The nitrate transport screen resulted in the identification of two new nitrate transporters, AtNPF5.5 and AtNPF5.10. The localization of the mRNA coding for NPF5.5 demonstrates that it is the first NPF transporter reported to be expressed in Arabidopsis embryo. Two independent homozygous npf5.5 KO lines display reduced total nitrogen content in the embryo as compared to WT plants, demonstrating an effect of NPF5.5 function on the embryo nitrogen content. Finally, NPF5.5 gene produces two different transcripts (AtNPF5.5a and AtNPF5.5b) encoding proteins with different N-terminal ends. Both proteins are able to transport nitrate in xenopus oocytes.
- Authors: Leran, Sophie , Garg, Bharti , Boursiac, Yann , Corratge-Failli, Claire , Brachet, Chantal , Tillard, Pascal , Gojon, Alain , Lacombe, Benoit
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Scientific Reports Vol. 5, no. (2015), p. 1-7
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Dipeptide (Leu-Leu) and nitrate transport activities of 26 Arabidopsis NPF (NRT1/PTR Family) proteins were screened in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Xenopus laevis oocytes, respectively. Dipeptide transport activity has been confirmed for 2 already known dipeptide transporters (AtNPF8.1 and AtNPF8.3) but none of the other tested NPFs displays dipeptide transport. The nitrate transport screen resulted in the identification of two new nitrate transporters, AtNPF5.5 and AtNPF5.10. The localization of the mRNA coding for NPF5.5 demonstrates that it is the first NPF transporter reported to be expressed in Arabidopsis embryo. Two independent homozygous npf5.5 KO lines display reduced total nitrogen content in the embryo as compared to WT plants, demonstrating an effect of NPF5.5 function on the embryo nitrogen content. Finally, NPF5.5 gene produces two different transcripts (AtNPF5.5a and AtNPF5.5b) encoding proteins with different N-terminal ends. Both proteins are able to transport nitrate in xenopus oocytes.
Physiological and acoustic characteristics of the male music theatre voice
- Bourne, Tracy, Garnier, Maeva, Samson, Adeline
- Authors: Bourne, Tracy , Garnier, Maeva , Samson, Adeline
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of the Acoustical Society of America Vol. 140, no. 1 (2016), p. 610-621
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- Description: Six male music theatre singers were recorded in three different voice qualities: legit and two types of belt ("chesty" and "twangy"), on two vowels ([e] and [O]), at four increasing pitches in the upper limit of each singer's belt range (similar to 250-440 Hz). The audio signal, the electroglottographic (EGG) signal, and the vocal tract impedance were all measured simultaneously. Voice samples were analyzed and then evaluated perceptually by 16 expert listeners. The three qualities were produced with significant differences at the physiological, acoustical, and perceptual levels: Singers produced belt qualities with a higher EGG contact quotient (CQ(EGG)) and greater contacting speed quotient (Qcs), greater sound pressure level (SPL), and energy above 1 kHz (alpha ratio), and with higher frequencies of the first two vocal tract resonances (f(R1), f(R2)), especially in the upper pitch range when compared to legit. Singers produced the chesty belt quality with higher CQ(EGG), Qcs, and SPL values and lower alpha ratios over the whole belt range, and with higher f(R1) at the higher pitch range when compared to twangy belt. Consistent tuning of f(R1) to the second voice harmonic (2f(0)) was observed in all three qualities and for both vowels. Expert listeners tended to identify all qualities based on the same acoustical and physiological variations as those observed in the singers' intended qualities. (C) 2016 Acoustical Society of America.
- Authors: Bourne, Tracy , Garnier, Maeva , Samson, Adeline
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of the Acoustical Society of America Vol. 140, no. 1 (2016), p. 610-621
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Six male music theatre singers were recorded in three different voice qualities: legit and two types of belt ("chesty" and "twangy"), on two vowels ([e] and [O]), at four increasing pitches in the upper limit of each singer's belt range (similar to 250-440 Hz). The audio signal, the electroglottographic (EGG) signal, and the vocal tract impedance were all measured simultaneously. Voice samples were analyzed and then evaluated perceptually by 16 expert listeners. The three qualities were produced with significant differences at the physiological, acoustical, and perceptual levels: Singers produced belt qualities with a higher EGG contact quotient (CQ(EGG)) and greater contacting speed quotient (Qcs), greater sound pressure level (SPL), and energy above 1 kHz (alpha ratio), and with higher frequencies of the first two vocal tract resonances (f(R1), f(R2)), especially in the upper pitch range when compared to legit. Singers produced the chesty belt quality with higher CQ(EGG), Qcs, and SPL values and lower alpha ratios over the whole belt range, and with higher f(R1) at the higher pitch range when compared to twangy belt. Consistent tuning of f(R1) to the second voice harmonic (2f(0)) was observed in all three qualities and for both vowels. Expert listeners tended to identify all qualities based on the same acoustical and physiological variations as those observed in the singers' intended qualities. (C) 2016 Acoustical Society of America.
Trends in pediatric and adolescent anterior cruciate ligament injuries in Victoria, Australia 2005-2015
- Shaw, Louise, Finch, Caroline
- Authors: Shaw, Louise , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Vol. 14, no. 6 (2017), p. 1-10
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- Description: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in children and adolescents have been the focus of recent media attention and parental concern, given their potential for adverse long-term health outcomes and healthcare costs. However, there is limited formal evidence on trends in the incidence of ACL injuries in children. This study utilizes the Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset (VAED) to characterize epidemiologic trends of hospital-admitted ACL injuries in those aged 5 to 14 years over a period of 10 years from 2005 to 2015. There was a total of 320 cases and the overall annual rate of ACL injuries increased by 147.8% from 2.74 per 100, 000 population in 2005/2006 to 6.79 per 100, 000 in 2014/2015. The majority (96.9%) of these injuries were in 10-to 14-year-olds. The main in-hospital procedure provided to over 80% of the hospitalized cases involved ACL reconstruction. Sporting activities accounted for 56.6% of ACL injuries. For females, over half (52.4%) of ACL injuries occurred whilst playing ball sports, compared to 35.4% of males. The large increase in ACL injuries in 5-to 14-year-olds in the state of Victoria, Australia over a 10-year period indicates they are a significant and emerging health burden. Population-wide ACL prevention policies are required to halt these trends. Cost effective prevention programs that involve neuromuscular training must be implemented in schools and junior sports teams. © 2017 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
- Authors: Shaw, Louise , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Vol. 14, no. 6 (2017), p. 1-10
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in children and adolescents have been the focus of recent media attention and parental concern, given their potential for adverse long-term health outcomes and healthcare costs. However, there is limited formal evidence on trends in the incidence of ACL injuries in children. This study utilizes the Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset (VAED) to characterize epidemiologic trends of hospital-admitted ACL injuries in those aged 5 to 14 years over a period of 10 years from 2005 to 2015. There was a total of 320 cases and the overall annual rate of ACL injuries increased by 147.8% from 2.74 per 100, 000 population in 2005/2006 to 6.79 per 100, 000 in 2014/2015. The majority (96.9%) of these injuries were in 10-to 14-year-olds. The main in-hospital procedure provided to over 80% of the hospitalized cases involved ACL reconstruction. Sporting activities accounted for 56.6% of ACL injuries. For females, over half (52.4%) of ACL injuries occurred whilst playing ball sports, compared to 35.4% of males. The large increase in ACL injuries in 5-to 14-year-olds in the state of Victoria, Australia over a 10-year period indicates they are a significant and emerging health burden. Population-wide ACL prevention policies are required to halt these trends. Cost effective prevention programs that involve neuromuscular training must be implemented in schools and junior sports teams. © 2017 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
The association of Social Anxiety Disorder, Alcohol Use Disorder and reproduction: Results from four nationally representative samples of adults in the USA
- Miloyan, Beyon, Bulley, Adam, Brilot, Ben, Suddendorf, Thomas
- Authors: Miloyan, Beyon , Bulley, Adam , Brilot, Ben , Suddendorf, Thomas
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: PLoS ONE Vol. 12, no. 11 (2017), p.
- Full Text:
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- Description: Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) are highly prevalent and frequently co-occur. The results of population studies suggest that SAD tends to precede AUD, and the results of laboratory studies suggest that alcohol use facilitates social behaviors in socially anxious individuals. Therefore, we posited that, in a modern context, a tendency to consume alcohol may be positively selected for among socially anxious individuals by its effect on the likelihood of finding a partner and reproducing. We tested the hypothesis that a higher proportion of individuals with a lifetime diagnosis of SAD and AUD reproduce (i.e., have at least one child) relative to individuals with SAD absent AUD in an individual participant meta-analysis based on over 65,000 adults derived from four nationally representative cross-sectional samples. We then cross-validated these findings against the results of a 10-year follow up of one of these surveys. Lifetime history of SAD was not associated with reproduction whereas lifetime history of AUD was positively associated with reproduction. There was no statistically detectable difference in the proportion of individuals with a lifetime history of SAD with or without AUD who reproduced. There was considerable heterogeneity in all of the analyses involving SAD, suggesting that there are likely to be other pertinent variables relating to SAD and reproduction that should be delineated.
- Authors: Miloyan, Beyon , Bulley, Adam , Brilot, Ben , Suddendorf, Thomas
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: PLoS ONE Vol. 12, no. 11 (2017), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) are highly prevalent and frequently co-occur. The results of population studies suggest that SAD tends to precede AUD, and the results of laboratory studies suggest that alcohol use facilitates social behaviors in socially anxious individuals. Therefore, we posited that, in a modern context, a tendency to consume alcohol may be positively selected for among socially anxious individuals by its effect on the likelihood of finding a partner and reproducing. We tested the hypothesis that a higher proportion of individuals with a lifetime diagnosis of SAD and AUD reproduce (i.e., have at least one child) relative to individuals with SAD absent AUD in an individual participant meta-analysis based on over 65,000 adults derived from four nationally representative cross-sectional samples. We then cross-validated these findings against the results of a 10-year follow up of one of these surveys. Lifetime history of SAD was not associated with reproduction whereas lifetime history of AUD was positively associated with reproduction. There was no statistically detectable difference in the proportion of individuals with a lifetime history of SAD with or without AUD who reproduced. There was considerable heterogeneity in all of the analyses involving SAD, suggesting that there are likely to be other pertinent variables relating to SAD and reproduction that should be delineated.
Coupling of cellular processes and their coordinated oscillations under continuous light in Cyanothece sp. ATCC 51142, a diazotrophic unicellular cyanobacterium
- Krishnakumar, Sujatha, Gaudana, Sandeep, Vinh, Nguyen, Viswanathan, Ganesh, Chetty, Madhu, Wangikar, Pramod
- Authors: Krishnakumar, Sujatha , Gaudana, Sandeep , Vinh, Nguyen , Viswanathan, Ganesh , Chetty, Madhu , Wangikar, Pramod
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: PLoS ONE Vol. 10, no. 5 (2015), p. 1-23
- Full Text:
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- Description: Unicellular diazotrophic cyanobacteria such as Cyanothece sp. ATCC 51142 (henceforth Cyanothece), temporally separate the oxygen sensitive nitrogen fixation from oxygen evolving photosynthesis not only under diurnal cycles (LD) but also in continuous light (LL). However, recent reports demonstrate that the oscillations in LL occur with a shorter cycle time of ∼11 h. We find that indeed, majority of the genes oscillate in LL with this cycle time. Genes that are upregulated at a particular time of day under diurnal cycle also get upregulated at an equivalent metabolic phase under LL suggesting tight coupling of various cellular events with each other and with the cell's metabolic status. A number of metabolic processes get upregulated in a coordinated fashion during the respiratory phase under LL including glycogen degradation, glycolysis, oxidative pentose phosphate pathway, and tricarboxylic acid cycle. These precede nitrogen fixation apparently to ensure sufficient energy and anoxic environment needed for the nitrogenase enzyme. Photosynthetic phase sees upregulation of photosystem II, carbonate transport, carbon concentrating mechanism, RuBisCO, glycogen synthesis and light harvesting antenna pigment biosynthesis. In Synechococcus elongates PCC 7942, a non-nitrogen fixing cyanobacteria, expression of a relatively smaller fraction of genes oscillates under LL condition with the major periodicity being 24 h. In contrast, the entire cellular machinery of Cyanothece orchestrates coordinated oscillation in anticipation of the ensuing metabolic phase in both LD and LL. These results may have important implications in understanding the timing of various cellular events and in engineering cyanobacteria for biofuel production. © 2015 Krishnakumar et al.
- Authors: Krishnakumar, Sujatha , Gaudana, Sandeep , Vinh, Nguyen , Viswanathan, Ganesh , Chetty, Madhu , Wangikar, Pramod
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: PLoS ONE Vol. 10, no. 5 (2015), p. 1-23
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Unicellular diazotrophic cyanobacteria such as Cyanothece sp. ATCC 51142 (henceforth Cyanothece), temporally separate the oxygen sensitive nitrogen fixation from oxygen evolving photosynthesis not only under diurnal cycles (LD) but also in continuous light (LL). However, recent reports demonstrate that the oscillations in LL occur with a shorter cycle time of ∼11 h. We find that indeed, majority of the genes oscillate in LL with this cycle time. Genes that are upregulated at a particular time of day under diurnal cycle also get upregulated at an equivalent metabolic phase under LL suggesting tight coupling of various cellular events with each other and with the cell's metabolic status. A number of metabolic processes get upregulated in a coordinated fashion during the respiratory phase under LL including glycogen degradation, glycolysis, oxidative pentose phosphate pathway, and tricarboxylic acid cycle. These precede nitrogen fixation apparently to ensure sufficient energy and anoxic environment needed for the nitrogenase enzyme. Photosynthetic phase sees upregulation of photosystem II, carbonate transport, carbon concentrating mechanism, RuBisCO, glycogen synthesis and light harvesting antenna pigment biosynthesis. In Synechococcus elongates PCC 7942, a non-nitrogen fixing cyanobacteria, expression of a relatively smaller fraction of genes oscillates under LL condition with the major periodicity being 24 h. In contrast, the entire cellular machinery of Cyanothece orchestrates coordinated oscillation in anticipation of the ensuing metabolic phase in both LD and LL. These results may have important implications in understanding the timing of various cellular events and in engineering cyanobacteria for biofuel production. © 2015 Krishnakumar et al.
Sexual abuse as the core transgression of childhood innocence : Unintended consequences for care leavers
- Authors: Golding, Frank
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Australian Studies Vol. 42, no. 2 (2018), p. 191-203
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- Description: The decision of the Gillard government to establish a royal commission in 2012 was acclaimed by care leavers. However, they were soon disillusioned: it was not the royal commission for which they had long struggled. Its terms of reference were too broad, encompassing a range of institutions never before the subject of official inquiries, yet also too narrowly focused on sexual abuse. Care leavers who suffered other forms of abuse were excluded. This paper argues that, while care leaver advocacy contributed to the decision to establish a royal commission, the agenda was a product of other pressures fuelled by state-based inquiries about cover-ups of sexual abuse of children, particularly by clergy. Sexual abuse could no longer be regarded as a sin to be handled in-house by institutions but a crime for which the state carried superordinate responsibility. The government had to intervene to address society’s “ultimate collective shame”. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has made a massive contribution to our understanding of child sexual abuse and to reforms in child protection policy and practice. But its mandate created unintended consequences, and questions remain about the unmet needs of care leavers who suffered other forms of abuse.
- Authors: Golding, Frank
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Australian Studies Vol. 42, no. 2 (2018), p. 191-203
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The decision of the Gillard government to establish a royal commission in 2012 was acclaimed by care leavers. However, they were soon disillusioned: it was not the royal commission for which they had long struggled. Its terms of reference were too broad, encompassing a range of institutions never before the subject of official inquiries, yet also too narrowly focused on sexual abuse. Care leavers who suffered other forms of abuse were excluded. This paper argues that, while care leaver advocacy contributed to the decision to establish a royal commission, the agenda was a product of other pressures fuelled by state-based inquiries about cover-ups of sexual abuse of children, particularly by clergy. Sexual abuse could no longer be regarded as a sin to be handled in-house by institutions but a crime for which the state carried superordinate responsibility. The government had to intervene to address society’s “ultimate collective shame”. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has made a massive contribution to our understanding of child sexual abuse and to reforms in child protection policy and practice. But its mandate created unintended consequences, and questions remain about the unmet needs of care leavers who suffered other forms of abuse.
Anxiety and Depression After a Cardiac Event: Prevalence and Predictors
- Murphy, Barbara, Le Grande, Michael, Alvarenga, Marlies, Worcester, Marian, Jackson, Alun
- Authors: Murphy, Barbara , Le Grande, Michael , Alvarenga, Marlies , Worcester, Marian , Jackson, Alun
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Psychology Vol. 10, no. (2020), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Introduction: Patients who are anxious or depressed after an acute cardiac event are at increased risk of a subsequent event and premature death. It is therefore important to identify these patients early in order to initiate supportive or even preventive measures. In the present study, we report on the prevalence of anxiety and depression during the first 12 months after an acute cardiac event, and the patient characteristics predictive of increased anxiety and depression risk in early and late convalescence. Methods: We recruited a sample of 911 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and/or unstable angina (UA), and/or undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS). Patients completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) close to the time of their event, and again during early (2–4 months post-event) and late (6–12 months post-event) convalescence. Using HADS-A and HADS-D cut-offs of 8+, prevalence rates for anxiety, depression, and comorbid anxiety and depression were determined for each timepoint. Chi-square tests and odds ratios were used to identify baseline patient characteristics associated with increased anxiety and depression risk over 12 months. Results: Anxiety rates were 43, 28, and 27% at the time of the event, early, and late convalescence. Depression rates were 22, 17, and 15%, respectively. Factors consistently associated with increased anxiety and depression risk were history of depression, financial strain, poor self-rated health, low socioeconomic status, younger age (<55 years), and smoking. Obesity, diabetes, and social isolation (living alone or being unpartnered) were identified as important albeit less significant risk factors. Neither sex nor event type were predictive of anxiety or depression. Conclusion: This large patient sample provided the opportunity to identify rates of anxiety and depression during the 12 months after a cardiac event and key patient characteristics for increased risk. These risk factors are easily identifiable at the time of the event, and could be used to guide the targeting of support programs for patients at risk. © Copyright © 2020 Murphy, Le Grande, Alvarenga, Worcester and Jackson.
- Authors: Murphy, Barbara , Le Grande, Michael , Alvarenga, Marlies , Worcester, Marian , Jackson, Alun
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Psychology Vol. 10, no. (2020), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Introduction: Patients who are anxious or depressed after an acute cardiac event are at increased risk of a subsequent event and premature death. It is therefore important to identify these patients early in order to initiate supportive or even preventive measures. In the present study, we report on the prevalence of anxiety and depression during the first 12 months after an acute cardiac event, and the patient characteristics predictive of increased anxiety and depression risk in early and late convalescence. Methods: We recruited a sample of 911 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and/or unstable angina (UA), and/or undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS). Patients completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) close to the time of their event, and again during early (2–4 months post-event) and late (6–12 months post-event) convalescence. Using HADS-A and HADS-D cut-offs of 8+, prevalence rates for anxiety, depression, and comorbid anxiety and depression were determined for each timepoint. Chi-square tests and odds ratios were used to identify baseline patient characteristics associated with increased anxiety and depression risk over 12 months. Results: Anxiety rates were 43, 28, and 27% at the time of the event, early, and late convalescence. Depression rates were 22, 17, and 15%, respectively. Factors consistently associated with increased anxiety and depression risk were history of depression, financial strain, poor self-rated health, low socioeconomic status, younger age (<55 years), and smoking. Obesity, diabetes, and social isolation (living alone or being unpartnered) were identified as important albeit less significant risk factors. Neither sex nor event type were predictive of anxiety or depression. Conclusion: This large patient sample provided the opportunity to identify rates of anxiety and depression during the 12 months after a cardiac event and key patient characteristics for increased risk. These risk factors are easily identifiable at the time of the event, and could be used to guide the targeting of support programs for patients at risk. © Copyright © 2020 Murphy, Le Grande, Alvarenga, Worcester and Jackson.
Confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory structural equation modelling of the factor structure of the depression anxiety and stress scales-21
- Gomez, Rapson, Stavropoulos, Vasileios, Griffiths, Mark
- Authors: Gomez, Rapson , Stavropoulos, Vasileios , Griffiths, Mark
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Plos One Vol. 15, no. 6 (Jun 2020), p. 16
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) involves a simple structure first-order three-factor oblique model, with factors for depression, anxiety, and stress. Recently, concerns have been raised over the value of using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for studying the factor structure of scales in general. However, such concerns can be circumvented using exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM). Consequently, the present study used CFA and ESEM with target rotation to examine the factor structure of the DASS-21 among an adult community. It compared first-order CFA, ESEM with target rotation, bi-factor CFA (BCFA), and bi-factor BESEM with target rotation models with group/specific factors for depression, anxiety, and stress. A total of 738 adults (males = 374, and females = 364; M = 25.29 years; SD = 7.61 years) completed the DASS-21. While all models examined showed good global fit values, one or more of the group/specific factors in the BCFA, ESEM with target rotation and BESEM with target rotation models were poorly defined. As the first-order CFA model was most parsimonious, with well-defined factors that were also supported in terms of their reliabilities and validities, this model was selected as the preferred DASS-21 model. The implications of the findings for use and revision of the DASS-21 are discussed.
- Authors: Gomez, Rapson , Stavropoulos, Vasileios , Griffiths, Mark
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Plos One Vol. 15, no. 6 (Jun 2020), p. 16
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) involves a simple structure first-order three-factor oblique model, with factors for depression, anxiety, and stress. Recently, concerns have been raised over the value of using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for studying the factor structure of scales in general. However, such concerns can be circumvented using exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM). Consequently, the present study used CFA and ESEM with target rotation to examine the factor structure of the DASS-21 among an adult community. It compared first-order CFA, ESEM with target rotation, bi-factor CFA (BCFA), and bi-factor BESEM with target rotation models with group/specific factors for depression, anxiety, and stress. A total of 738 adults (males = 374, and females = 364; M = 25.29 years; SD = 7.61 years) completed the DASS-21. While all models examined showed good global fit values, one or more of the group/specific factors in the BCFA, ESEM with target rotation and BESEM with target rotation models were poorly defined. As the first-order CFA model was most parsimonious, with well-defined factors that were also supported in terms of their reliabilities and validities, this model was selected as the preferred DASS-21 model. The implications of the findings for use and revision of the DASS-21 are discussed.
Genetic aetiology of self-harm ideation and behaviour
- Campos, Adrian, Verweij, Karin, Statham, Dixie, Madden, Pamela, Maciejewski, Dominique, Davis, Katrina, John, Ann, Hotopf, Matthew, Heath, Andrew, Martin, Nicholas, Rentería, Miguel
- Authors: Campos, Adrian , Verweij, Karin , Statham, Dixie , Madden, Pamela , Maciejewski, Dominique , Davis, Katrina , John, Ann , Hotopf, Matthew , Heath, Andrew , Martin, Nicholas , Rentería, Miguel
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Scientific Reports Vol. 10, no. 1 (2020), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Family studies have identified a heritable component to self-harm that is partially independent from comorbid psychiatric disorders. However, the genetic aetiology of broad sense (non-suicidal and suicidal) self-harm has not been characterised on the molecular level. In addition, controversy exists about the degree to which suicidal and non-suicidal self-harm share a common genetic aetiology. In the present study, we conduct genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on lifetime self-harm ideation and self-harm behaviour (i.e. any lifetime self-harm act regardless of suicidal intent) using data from the UK Biobank (n > 156,000). We also perform genome wide gene-based tests and characterize the SNP heritability and genetic correlations between these traits. Finally, we test whether polygenic risk scores (PRS) for self-harm ideation and self-harm behaviour predict suicide attempt, suicide thoughts and non-suicidal self-harm (NSSH) in an independent target sample of 8,703 Australian adults. Our GWAS results identified one genome-wide significant locus associated with each of the two phenotypes. SNP heritability (hsnp2) estimates were ~10%, and both traits were highly genetically correlated (LDSC rg > 0.8). Gene-based tests identified seven genes associated with self-harm ideation and four with self-harm behaviour. Furthermore, in the target sample, PRS for self-harm ideation were significantly associated with suicide thoughts and NSSH, and PRS for self-harm behaviour predicted suicide thoughts and suicide attempt. Follow up regressions identified a shared genetic aetiology between NSSH and suicide thoughts, and between suicide thoughts and suicide attempt. Evidence for shared genetic aetiology between NSSH and suicide attempt was not statistically significant. © 2020, The Author(s).
- Description: This research was conducted using data from the UK Biobank resource under application number 25331. AC-G is supported by a UQ Research Training Scholarship from The University of Queensland (UQ). MER thanks the support of the NHMRC and Australian Research Council (ARC), and National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) through a Research Fellowship (GNT1102821) and NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Suicide Prevention (GNT1042580). This research was made possible thanks to support from the US National Institutes of Health (grants AA013326, AA07535, AA0758O, AA07728, AA10249, AA13320, AA13321, AA14041, AA11998, AA17688, DA00272, DA012854, DA07261, DA018267, DA018660, DA23668 and DA019951); the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (241944, 339462, 389927, 389875, 389891, 389892, 389938, 442915, 442981, 496739, 552485, 552498, 628911 1047956); the Australian Research Council (A7960034, A79906588, A79801419, DP0770096, DP0212016 and DP0343921).
- Authors: Campos, Adrian , Verweij, Karin , Statham, Dixie , Madden, Pamela , Maciejewski, Dominique , Davis, Katrina , John, Ann , Hotopf, Matthew , Heath, Andrew , Martin, Nicholas , Rentería, Miguel
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Scientific Reports Vol. 10, no. 1 (2020), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Family studies have identified a heritable component to self-harm that is partially independent from comorbid psychiatric disorders. However, the genetic aetiology of broad sense (non-suicidal and suicidal) self-harm has not been characterised on the molecular level. In addition, controversy exists about the degree to which suicidal and non-suicidal self-harm share a common genetic aetiology. In the present study, we conduct genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on lifetime self-harm ideation and self-harm behaviour (i.e. any lifetime self-harm act regardless of suicidal intent) using data from the UK Biobank (n > 156,000). We also perform genome wide gene-based tests and characterize the SNP heritability and genetic correlations between these traits. Finally, we test whether polygenic risk scores (PRS) for self-harm ideation and self-harm behaviour predict suicide attempt, suicide thoughts and non-suicidal self-harm (NSSH) in an independent target sample of 8,703 Australian adults. Our GWAS results identified one genome-wide significant locus associated with each of the two phenotypes. SNP heritability (hsnp2) estimates were ~10%, and both traits were highly genetically correlated (LDSC rg > 0.8). Gene-based tests identified seven genes associated with self-harm ideation and four with self-harm behaviour. Furthermore, in the target sample, PRS for self-harm ideation were significantly associated with suicide thoughts and NSSH, and PRS for self-harm behaviour predicted suicide thoughts and suicide attempt. Follow up regressions identified a shared genetic aetiology between NSSH and suicide thoughts, and between suicide thoughts and suicide attempt. Evidence for shared genetic aetiology between NSSH and suicide attempt was not statistically significant. © 2020, The Author(s).
- Description: This research was conducted using data from the UK Biobank resource under application number 25331. AC-G is supported by a UQ Research Training Scholarship from The University of Queensland (UQ). MER thanks the support of the NHMRC and Australian Research Council (ARC), and National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) through a Research Fellowship (GNT1102821) and NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Suicide Prevention (GNT1042580). This research was made possible thanks to support from the US National Institutes of Health (grants AA013326, AA07535, AA0758O, AA07728, AA10249, AA13320, AA13321, AA14041, AA11998, AA17688, DA00272, DA012854, DA07261, DA018267, DA018660, DA23668 and DA019951); the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (241944, 339462, 389927, 389875, 389891, 389892, 389938, 442915, 442981, 496739, 552485, 552498, 628911 1047956); the Australian Research Council (A7960034, A79906588, A79801419, DP0770096, DP0212016 and DP0343921).
Designing multi-agent system organisations for flexible runtime behaviour
- Keogh, Kathleen, Sonenberg, Liz
- Authors: Keogh, Kathleen , Sonenberg, Liz
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Applied Sciences (Switzerland) Vol. 10, no. 15 (2020), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: We address the challenge of multi-agent system (MAS) design for organisations of agents acting in dynamic and uncertain environments where runtime flexibility is required to enable improvisation through sharing knowledge and adapting behaviour. We identify behavioural features that correspond to runtime improvisation by agents in a MAS organisation and from this analysis describe the OJAzzIC meta-model and an associated design method. We present results from simulation scenarios, varying both problem complexity and the level of organisational support provided in the design, to show that increasing design time guidance in the organisation specification can enable runtime flexibility afforded to agents and improve performance. Hence the results demonstrate the usefulness of the constructs captured in the OJAzzIC meta-model. © 2020 by the authors.
- Authors: Keogh, Kathleen , Sonenberg, Liz
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Applied Sciences (Switzerland) Vol. 10, no. 15 (2020), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: We address the challenge of multi-agent system (MAS) design for organisations of agents acting in dynamic and uncertain environments where runtime flexibility is required to enable improvisation through sharing knowledge and adapting behaviour. We identify behavioural features that correspond to runtime improvisation by agents in a MAS organisation and from this analysis describe the OJAzzIC meta-model and an associated design method. We present results from simulation scenarios, varying both problem complexity and the level of organisational support provided in the design, to show that increasing design time guidance in the organisation specification can enable runtime flexibility afforded to agents and improve performance. Hence the results demonstrate the usefulness of the constructs captured in the OJAzzIC meta-model. © 2020 by the authors.
Learning large margin multiple granularity features with an improved siamese network for person re-identification
- Li, Da-Xiang, Fei, Gy, Teng, Shyh
- Authors: Li, Da-Xiang , Fei, Gy , Teng, Shyh
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Symmetry-Basel Vol. 12, no. 1 (Jan 2020), p. 16
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Person re-identification (Re-ID) is a non-overlapping multi-camera retrieval task to match different images of the same person, and it has become a hot research topic in many fields, such as surveillance security, criminal investigation, and video analysis. As one kind of important architecture for person re-identification, Siamese networks usually adopt standard softmax loss function, and they can only obtain the global features of person images, ignoring the local features and the large margin for classification. In this paper, we design a novel symmetric Siamese network model named Siamese Multiple Granularity Network (SMGN), which can jointly learn the large margin multiple granularity features and similarity metrics for person re-identification. Firstly, two branches for global and local feature extraction are designed in the backbone of the proposed SMGN model, and the extracted features are concatenated together as multiple granularity features of person images. Then, to enhance their discriminating ability, the multiple channel weighted fusion (MCWF) loss function is constructed for the SMGN model, which includes the verification loss and identification loss of the training image pair. Extensive comparative experiments on four benchmark datasets (CUHK01, CUHK03, Market-1501 and DukeMTMC-reID) show the effectiveness of our proposed method and its performance outperforms many state-of-the-art methods.
- Authors: Li, Da-Xiang , Fei, Gy , Teng, Shyh
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Symmetry-Basel Vol. 12, no. 1 (Jan 2020), p. 16
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Person re-identification (Re-ID) is a non-overlapping multi-camera retrieval task to match different images of the same person, and it has become a hot research topic in many fields, such as surveillance security, criminal investigation, and video analysis. As one kind of important architecture for person re-identification, Siamese networks usually adopt standard softmax loss function, and they can only obtain the global features of person images, ignoring the local features and the large margin for classification. In this paper, we design a novel symmetric Siamese network model named Siamese Multiple Granularity Network (SMGN), which can jointly learn the large margin multiple granularity features and similarity metrics for person re-identification. Firstly, two branches for global and local feature extraction are designed in the backbone of the proposed SMGN model, and the extracted features are concatenated together as multiple granularity features of person images. Then, to enhance their discriminating ability, the multiple channel weighted fusion (MCWF) loss function is constructed for the SMGN model, which includes the verification loss and identification loss of the training image pair. Extensive comparative experiments on four benchmark datasets (CUHK01, CUHK03, Market-1501 and DukeMTMC-reID) show the effectiveness of our proposed method and its performance outperforms many state-of-the-art methods.
Trans-ethnic kidney function association study reveals putative causal genes and effects on kidney-specific disease aetiologies
- Morris, Andrew, Le, Thu, Wu, Haojia, Akbarov, Artur, van der Most, Peter, Hemani, Gibran, Smith, George, Mahajan, Anubha, Gaulton, Kyle, Nadkarni, Girish, Valladares-Salgado, Adan, Wacher-Rodarte, Niels, Mychaleckyj, Josyf, Dueker, Nicole, Guo, Xiuqing, Hai, Yang, Haessler, Jeffrey, Kamatani, Yoichiro, Stilp, Adrienne, Zhu, Gu, Cook, James, Arnlov, Johan, Blanton, Susan, de Borst, Martin, Bottinger, Erwin, Buchanan, Thomas, Cechova, Sylvia, Charchar, Fadi, Chu, Pei-Lun, Damman, Jeffrey, Eales, James, Gharavi, Ali, Giedraitis, Vilmantas, Heath, Andrew, Ipp, Eli, Kiryluk, Krzysztof, Kramer, Holly, Kubo, Michiaki, Larsson, Anders, Lindgren, Cecilia, Lu, Yingchang, Madden, Pamela, Montgomery, Grant, Papanicolaou, George, Raffel, Leslie, Sacco, Ralph, Sanchez, Elena, Stark, Holger, Sundstrom, Johan, Taylor, Kent, Xiang, Anny, Zivkovic, Aleksandra, Lind, Lars, Ingelsson, Erik, Martin, Nicholas, Whitfield, John, Cai, Jianwen, Laurie, Cathy, Okada, Yukinori, Matsuda, Koichi, Kooperberg, Charles, Chen, Yii-Der, Rundek, Tatjana, Rich, Stephen, Loos, Ruth, Parra, Esteban, Cruz, Miguel, Rotter, Jerome, Snieder, Harold, Tomaszewski, Maciej, Humphreys, Benjamin, Franceschini, Nora
- Authors: Morris, Andrew , Le, Thu , Wu, Haojia , Akbarov, Artur , van der Most, Peter , Hemani, Gibran , Smith, George , Mahajan, Anubha , Gaulton, Kyle , Nadkarni, Girish , Valladares-Salgado, Adan , Wacher-Rodarte, Niels , Mychaleckyj, Josyf , Dueker, Nicole , Guo, Xiuqing , Hai, Yang , Haessler, Jeffrey , Kamatani, Yoichiro , Stilp, Adrienne , Zhu, Gu , Cook, James , Arnlov, Johan , Blanton, Susan , de Borst, Martin , Bottinger, Erwin , Buchanan, Thomas , Cechova, Sylvia , Charchar, Fadi , Chu, Pei-Lun , Damman, Jeffrey , Eales, James , Gharavi, Ali , Giedraitis, Vilmantas , Heath, Andrew , Ipp, Eli , Kiryluk, Krzysztof , Kramer, Holly , Kubo, Michiaki , Larsson, Anders , Lindgren, Cecilia , Lu, Yingchang , Madden, Pamela , Montgomery, Grant , Papanicolaou, George , Raffel, Leslie , Sacco, Ralph , Sanchez, Elena , Stark, Holger , Sundstrom, Johan , Taylor, Kent , Xiang, Anny , Zivkovic, Aleksandra , Lind, Lars , Ingelsson, Erik , Martin, Nicholas , Whitfield, John , Cai, Jianwen , Laurie, Cathy , Okada, Yukinori , Matsuda, Koichi , Kooperberg, Charles , Chen, Yii-Der , Rundek, Tatjana , Rich, Stephen , Loos, Ruth , Parra, Esteban , Cruz, Miguel , Rotter, Jerome , Snieder, Harold , Tomaszewski, Maciej , Humphreys, Benjamin , Franceschini, Nora
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Nature Communications Vol. 10, no. 1 (2019), p. 1-14
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects ~10% of the global population, with considerable ethnic differences in prevalence and aetiology. We assemble genome-wide association studies of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a measure of kidney function that defines CKD, in 312,468 individuals of diverse ancestry. We identify 127 distinct association signals with homogeneous effects on eGFR across ancestries and enrichment in genomic annotations including kidney-specific histone modifications. Fine-mapping reveals 40 high-confidence variants driving eGFR associations and highlights putative causal genes with cell-type specific expression in glomerulus, and in proximal and distal nephron. Mendelian randomisation supports causal effects of eGFR on overall and cause-specific CKD, kidney stone formation, diastolic blood pressure and hypertension. These results define novel molecular mechanisms and putative causal genes for eGFR, offering insight into clinical outcomes and routes to CKD treatment development.
- Authors: Morris, Andrew , Le, Thu , Wu, Haojia , Akbarov, Artur , van der Most, Peter , Hemani, Gibran , Smith, George , Mahajan, Anubha , Gaulton, Kyle , Nadkarni, Girish , Valladares-Salgado, Adan , Wacher-Rodarte, Niels , Mychaleckyj, Josyf , Dueker, Nicole , Guo, Xiuqing , Hai, Yang , Haessler, Jeffrey , Kamatani, Yoichiro , Stilp, Adrienne , Zhu, Gu , Cook, James , Arnlov, Johan , Blanton, Susan , de Borst, Martin , Bottinger, Erwin , Buchanan, Thomas , Cechova, Sylvia , Charchar, Fadi , Chu, Pei-Lun , Damman, Jeffrey , Eales, James , Gharavi, Ali , Giedraitis, Vilmantas , Heath, Andrew , Ipp, Eli , Kiryluk, Krzysztof , Kramer, Holly , Kubo, Michiaki , Larsson, Anders , Lindgren, Cecilia , Lu, Yingchang , Madden, Pamela , Montgomery, Grant , Papanicolaou, George , Raffel, Leslie , Sacco, Ralph , Sanchez, Elena , Stark, Holger , Sundstrom, Johan , Taylor, Kent , Xiang, Anny , Zivkovic, Aleksandra , Lind, Lars , Ingelsson, Erik , Martin, Nicholas , Whitfield, John , Cai, Jianwen , Laurie, Cathy , Okada, Yukinori , Matsuda, Koichi , Kooperberg, Charles , Chen, Yii-Der , Rundek, Tatjana , Rich, Stephen , Loos, Ruth , Parra, Esteban , Cruz, Miguel , Rotter, Jerome , Snieder, Harold , Tomaszewski, Maciej , Humphreys, Benjamin , Franceschini, Nora
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Nature Communications Vol. 10, no. 1 (2019), p. 1-14
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects ~10% of the global population, with considerable ethnic differences in prevalence and aetiology. We assemble genome-wide association studies of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a measure of kidney function that defines CKD, in 312,468 individuals of diverse ancestry. We identify 127 distinct association signals with homogeneous effects on eGFR across ancestries and enrichment in genomic annotations including kidney-specific histone modifications. Fine-mapping reveals 40 high-confidence variants driving eGFR associations and highlights putative causal genes with cell-type specific expression in glomerulus, and in proximal and distal nephron. Mendelian randomisation supports causal effects of eGFR on overall and cause-specific CKD, kidney stone formation, diastolic blood pressure and hypertension. These results define novel molecular mechanisms and putative causal genes for eGFR, offering insight into clinical outcomes and routes to CKD treatment development.
Molecular phylogeny of Burkholderia pseudomallei from a remote region of Papua New Guinea
- Baker, Anthony, Pearson, Talima, Price, Erin, Dale, Julia, Keim, Paul, Hornstra, Heidie, Greenhill, Andrew, Padilla, Gabriel, Warner, Jeffrey
- Authors: Baker, Anthony , Pearson, Talima , Price, Erin , Dale, Julia , Keim, Paul , Hornstra, Heidie , Greenhill, Andrew , Padilla, Gabriel , Warner, Jeffrey
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: PLoS ONE Vol. 6, no. 3 (2011), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: The island of New Guinea is located midway between the world's two major melioidosis endemic regions of Australia and Southeast Asia. Previous studies in Papua New Guinea have demonstrated autochthonous melioidosis in Balimo, Western province. In contrast to other regions of endemicity, isolates recovered from both environmental and clinical sources demonstrate narrow genetic diversity over large spatial and temporal scales. Methodology/Principal Findings: We employed molecular typing techniques to determine the phylogenetic relationships of these isolates to each other and to others worldwide to aid in understanding the origins of the Papua New Guinean isolates. Multi-locus sequence typing of the 39 isolates resolved three unique sequence types. Phylogenetic reconstruction and Structure analysis determined that all isolates were genetically closer to those from Australia than those from Southeast Asia. Gene cluster analysis however, identified a Yersinia-like fimbrial gene cluster predominantly found among Burkholderia pseudomallei derived from Southeast Asia. Higher resolution VNTR typing and phylogenetic reconstruction of the Balimo isolates resolved 24 genotypes with long branch lengths. These findings are congruent with long term persistence in the region and a high level of environmental stability. Conclusions/Significance: Given that anthropogenic influence has been hypothesized as a mechanism for the dispersal of B. pseudomallei, these findings correlate with limited movement of the indigenous people in the region. The palaeogeographical and anthropogenic history of Australasia and the results from this study indicate that New Guinea is an important region for the further study of B. pseudomallei origins and dissemination.
- Authors: Baker, Anthony , Pearson, Talima , Price, Erin , Dale, Julia , Keim, Paul , Hornstra, Heidie , Greenhill, Andrew , Padilla, Gabriel , Warner, Jeffrey
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: PLoS ONE Vol. 6, no. 3 (2011), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: The island of New Guinea is located midway between the world's two major melioidosis endemic regions of Australia and Southeast Asia. Previous studies in Papua New Guinea have demonstrated autochthonous melioidosis in Balimo, Western province. In contrast to other regions of endemicity, isolates recovered from both environmental and clinical sources demonstrate narrow genetic diversity over large spatial and temporal scales. Methodology/Principal Findings: We employed molecular typing techniques to determine the phylogenetic relationships of these isolates to each other and to others worldwide to aid in understanding the origins of the Papua New Guinean isolates. Multi-locus sequence typing of the 39 isolates resolved three unique sequence types. Phylogenetic reconstruction and Structure analysis determined that all isolates were genetically closer to those from Australia than those from Southeast Asia. Gene cluster analysis however, identified a Yersinia-like fimbrial gene cluster predominantly found among Burkholderia pseudomallei derived from Southeast Asia. Higher resolution VNTR typing and phylogenetic reconstruction of the Balimo isolates resolved 24 genotypes with long branch lengths. These findings are congruent with long term persistence in the region and a high level of environmental stability. Conclusions/Significance: Given that anthropogenic influence has been hypothesized as a mechanism for the dispersal of B. pseudomallei, these findings correlate with limited movement of the indigenous people in the region. The palaeogeographical and anthropogenic history of Australasia and the results from this study indicate that New Guinea is an important region for the further study of B. pseudomallei origins and dissemination.
A review of practical tools for rapid monitoring of membrane bioreactors
- Scholes, Emily, Verheyen, Vincent, Brook-Carter, Phillip
- Authors: Scholes, Emily , Verheyen, Vincent , Brook-Carter, Phillip
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Water Research Vol. 102, no. (2016), p. 252-262
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The production of high quality effluent from membrane bioreactors (MBRs) arguably requires less supervision than conventional activated sludge (CAS) processes. Nevertheless, the use of membranes brings additional issues of activated sludge filterability, cake layer formation and membrane fouling. From a practical standpoint, process engineers and operators require simple tools which offer timely information about the biological health and filterability of the mixed liquor as well as risks of membrane fouling. To this end, a range of analytical tools and biological assays are critically reviewed from this perspective. This review recommends that Capillary Suction Time (CST) analysis along with Total Suspended and Volatile Solids (TSS/VSS) analysis is used daily. For broad characterisation, total carbon and nitrogen analysis offer significant advantages over the commonly used chemical and biological oxygen demand (COD/BOD) analyses. Of the technologies for determining the vitality of the microbial biomass the most robust and reproducible, are the second generation adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) test kits. Extracellular polymer concentrations are best monitored by measurement of turbidity after centrifugation. Taken collectively these tools can be used routinely to ensure timely intervention and smoother operation of MBR systems. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd.
- Authors: Scholes, Emily , Verheyen, Vincent , Brook-Carter, Phillip
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Water Research Vol. 102, no. (2016), p. 252-262
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The production of high quality effluent from membrane bioreactors (MBRs) arguably requires less supervision than conventional activated sludge (CAS) processes. Nevertheless, the use of membranes brings additional issues of activated sludge filterability, cake layer formation and membrane fouling. From a practical standpoint, process engineers and operators require simple tools which offer timely information about the biological health and filterability of the mixed liquor as well as risks of membrane fouling. To this end, a range of analytical tools and biological assays are critically reviewed from this perspective. This review recommends that Capillary Suction Time (CST) analysis along with Total Suspended and Volatile Solids (TSS/VSS) analysis is used daily. For broad characterisation, total carbon and nitrogen analysis offer significant advantages over the commonly used chemical and biological oxygen demand (COD/BOD) analyses. Of the technologies for determining the vitality of the microbial biomass the most robust and reproducible, are the second generation adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) test kits. Extracellular polymer concentrations are best monitored by measurement of turbidity after centrifugation. Taken collectively these tools can be used routinely to ensure timely intervention and smoother operation of MBR systems. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd.
Accuracy of heart rate watches: Implications for weight management
- Wallen, Matthew, Gomersall, Sjaan, Keating, Shelley, Wisløff, Og Ulrik, Coombes, Jeff
- Authors: Wallen, Matthew , Gomersall, Sjaan , Keating, Shelley , Wisløff, Og Ulrik , Coombes, Jeff
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: PLoS ONE Vol. 11, no. 5 (2016), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Wrist-worn monitors claim to provide accurate measures of heart rate and energy expenditure. People wishing to lose weight use these devices to monitor energy balance, however the accuracy of these devices to measure such parameters has not been established. Aim: To determine the accuracy of four wrist-worn devices (Apple Watch, Fitbit Charge HR, Samsung Gear S and Mio Alpha) to measure heart rate and energy expenditure at rest and during exercise. Methods: Twenty-two healthy volunteers (50% female; aged 24 ± 5.6 years) completed ∼1-hr protocols involving supine and seated rest, walking and running on a treadmill and cycling on an ergometer. Data from the devices collected during the protocol were compared with reference methods: electrocardiography (heart rate) and indirect calorimetry (energy expenditure). Results: None of the devices performed significantly better overall, however heart rate was consistently more accurate than energy expenditure across all four devices. Correlations between the devices and reference methods were moderate to strong for heart rate (0.67-0.95 [0.35 to 0.98]) and weak to strong for energy expenditure (0.16-0.86 [-0.25 to 0.95]). All devices underestimated both outcomes compared to reference methods. The percentage error for heart rate was small across the devices (range: 1-9%) but greater for energy expenditure (9-43%). Similarly, limits of agreement were considerably narrower for heart rate (ranging from -27.3 to 13.1 bpm) than energy expenditure (ranging from -266.7 to 65.7 kcals) across devices. Conclusion: These devices accurately measure heart rate. However, estimates of energy expenditure are poor and would have implications for people using these devices for weight loss. © 2016 Wallen et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
- Authors: Wallen, Matthew , Gomersall, Sjaan , Keating, Shelley , Wisløff, Og Ulrik , Coombes, Jeff
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: PLoS ONE Vol. 11, no. 5 (2016), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Wrist-worn monitors claim to provide accurate measures of heart rate and energy expenditure. People wishing to lose weight use these devices to monitor energy balance, however the accuracy of these devices to measure such parameters has not been established. Aim: To determine the accuracy of four wrist-worn devices (Apple Watch, Fitbit Charge HR, Samsung Gear S and Mio Alpha) to measure heart rate and energy expenditure at rest and during exercise. Methods: Twenty-two healthy volunteers (50% female; aged 24 ± 5.6 years) completed ∼1-hr protocols involving supine and seated rest, walking and running on a treadmill and cycling on an ergometer. Data from the devices collected during the protocol were compared with reference methods: electrocardiography (heart rate) and indirect calorimetry (energy expenditure). Results: None of the devices performed significantly better overall, however heart rate was consistently more accurate than energy expenditure across all four devices. Correlations between the devices and reference methods were moderate to strong for heart rate (0.67-0.95 [0.35 to 0.98]) and weak to strong for energy expenditure (0.16-0.86 [-0.25 to 0.95]). All devices underestimated both outcomes compared to reference methods. The percentage error for heart rate was small across the devices (range: 1-9%) but greater for energy expenditure (9-43%). Similarly, limits of agreement were considerably narrower for heart rate (ranging from -27.3 to 13.1 bpm) than energy expenditure (ranging from -266.7 to 65.7 kcals) across devices. Conclusion: These devices accurately measure heart rate. However, estimates of energy expenditure are poor and would have implications for people using these devices for weight loss. © 2016 Wallen et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Altered populations of unconventional T Cell lineages in patients with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis
- Mitchell, Jenée, Kvedaraite, Egle, von Bahr Greenwood, Tatiana, Henter, Jan-Inge, Pellicci, Daniel, Berzins, Stuart, Kannourakis, George
- Authors: Mitchell, Jenée , Kvedaraite, Egle , von Bahr Greenwood, Tatiana , Henter, Jan-Inge , Pellicci, Daniel , Berzins, Stuart , Kannourakis, George
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Scientific Reports Vol. 8, no. 1 (2018), p. 1-13
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) lesions are defined by the presence of CD1a+/CD207+ myeloid cells, but many other immune cells are present including unconventional T cells, which have powerful immunoregulatory functions. Unconventional T cell lineages include mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, type I natural killer T (NKT) cells and gamma-delta (γδ) T cells, which are associated with many inflammatory conditions, although their importance has not been studied in LCH. We characterized their phenotype and function in blood and lesions from patients with LCH, and identified a deficiency in MAIT cell frequency and abnormalities in the subset distributions of γδ T cells and NKT cells. Such abnormalities are associated with immune dysregulation in other disease settings and are therefore potentially important in LCH. Our study is the first to recognize alterations to MAIT cell proportions in patients with LCH. This finding along with other abnormalities identified amongst unconventional T cells could potentially influence the onset and progression of LCH, thereby highlighting potential targets for new immune based therapies.
Altered populations of unconventional T Cell lineages in patients with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis
- Authors: Mitchell, Jenée , Kvedaraite, Egle , von Bahr Greenwood, Tatiana , Henter, Jan-Inge , Pellicci, Daniel , Berzins, Stuart , Kannourakis, George
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Scientific Reports Vol. 8, no. 1 (2018), p. 1-13
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) lesions are defined by the presence of CD1a+/CD207+ myeloid cells, but many other immune cells are present including unconventional T cells, which have powerful immunoregulatory functions. Unconventional T cell lineages include mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, type I natural killer T (NKT) cells and gamma-delta (γδ) T cells, which are associated with many inflammatory conditions, although their importance has not been studied in LCH. We characterized their phenotype and function in blood and lesions from patients with LCH, and identified a deficiency in MAIT cell frequency and abnormalities in the subset distributions of γδ T cells and NKT cells. Such abnormalities are associated with immune dysregulation in other disease settings and are therefore potentially important in LCH. Our study is the first to recognize alterations to MAIT cell proportions in patients with LCH. This finding along with other abnormalities identified amongst unconventional T cells could potentially influence the onset and progression of LCH, thereby highlighting potential targets for new immune based therapies.
Ecological response to hydrological variability and catchment development : Insights from a shallow oxbow lake in Lower Mississippi Valley, Arkansas
- Bhattacharya, Ruchi, Hausmann, Sonja, Hubeny, J. Bradford, Gell, Peter, Black, Jessica
- Authors: Bhattacharya, Ruchi , Hausmann, Sonja , Hubeny, J. Bradford , Gell, Peter , Black, Jessica
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Science of the Total Environment Vol. 569-570, no. (2016), p. 1087-1097
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The ecological response of shallow oxbow lakes to variability in hydrology and catchment development in large river floodplain ecosystems (RFE) in Arkansas remains largely unknown. Investigating these responses will advance our understanding of ecological evolution of oxbow lakes in response to the major environmental drivers, which will establish baseline conditions required to develop effective management practices for RFE. In this pilot study, we examined the potential of using a dated surface sediment core from Adams Bayou, a floodplain lake located within the Cache-Lower White River Ramsar site in SE Arkansas. Stratigraphic records of diatoms and sediment geochemistry were used to ascertain variation in Adams Bayou's ecological condition. During 1968–2008, in response to hydrological and anthropogenic changes, Adams Bayou's diatom assemblages progressed from predominantly benthic (Gomphonema parvulum and Meridion circulare) to primarily planktonic assemblage (Aulacoseira granulata and Cyclotella meneghiniana), along with a decrease in magnetic susceptibility (k) and % silt. Statistical analyses reveled that during 1968–2000, higher hydrological connectivity and catchment alterations drove Adams Bayou's ecosystem. After 2000, lower hydrological connectivity and increase in cultivation were the major drivers. The potential impact of increasing air temperature was also noted. The shift in Adams Bayou from a connected, clear, mesotrophic state to a relatively isolated, turbid and nutrient enriched state is consistent with regime shift models and highlights its sensitivity to a combination of environmental stresses prevalent in the catchment. Although fluvial systems pose challenges in establishing clear chronologies, oxbow lake sediments can be a effective paleoecological archives. Our work provides clear evidence for the change in the ecological character of this wetland of international significance and flags the need for a wider assessment of water bodies across this site under obligations to the Ramsar Convention.
- Description: The ecological response of shallow oxbow lakes to variability in hydrology and catchment development in large river floodplain ecosystems (RFE) in Arkansas remains largely unknown. Investigating these responses will advance our understanding of ecological evolution of oxbow lakes in response to the major environmental drivers, which will establish baseline conditions required to develop effective management practices for RFE. In this pilot study, we examined the potential of using a dated surface sediment core from Adams Bayou, a floodplain lake located within the Cache-Lower White River Ramsar site in SE Arkansas. Stratigraphic records of diatoms and sediment geochemistry were used to ascertain variation in Adams Bayou's ecological condition. During 1968–2008, in response to hydrological and anthropogenic changes, Adams Bayou's diatom assemblages progressed from predominantly benthic (Gomphonema parvulum and Meridion circulare) to primarily planktonic assemblage (Aulacoseira granulata and Cyclotella meneghiniana), along with a decrease in magnetic susceptibility (k) and % silt. Statistical analyses reveled that during 1968–2000, higher hydrological connectivity and catchment alterations drove Adams Bayou's ecosystem. After 2000, lower hydrological connectivity and increase in cultivation were the major drivers. The potential impact of increasing air temperature was also noted. The shift in Adams Bayou from a connected, clear, mesotrophic state to a relatively isolated, turbid and nutrient enriched state is consistent with regime shift models and highlights its sensitivity to a combination of environmental stresses prevalent in the catchment. Although fluvial systems pose challenges in establishing clear chronologies, oxbow lake sediments can be a effective paleoecological archives. Our work provides clear evidence for the change in the ecological character of this wetland of international significance and flags the need for a wider assessment of water bodies across this site under obligations to the Ramsar Convention. © 2016 Elsevier B.V.
- Authors: Bhattacharya, Ruchi , Hausmann, Sonja , Hubeny, J. Bradford , Gell, Peter , Black, Jessica
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Science of the Total Environment Vol. 569-570, no. (2016), p. 1087-1097
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The ecological response of shallow oxbow lakes to variability in hydrology and catchment development in large river floodplain ecosystems (RFE) in Arkansas remains largely unknown. Investigating these responses will advance our understanding of ecological evolution of oxbow lakes in response to the major environmental drivers, which will establish baseline conditions required to develop effective management practices for RFE. In this pilot study, we examined the potential of using a dated surface sediment core from Adams Bayou, a floodplain lake located within the Cache-Lower White River Ramsar site in SE Arkansas. Stratigraphic records of diatoms and sediment geochemistry were used to ascertain variation in Adams Bayou's ecological condition. During 1968–2008, in response to hydrological and anthropogenic changes, Adams Bayou's diatom assemblages progressed from predominantly benthic (Gomphonema parvulum and Meridion circulare) to primarily planktonic assemblage (Aulacoseira granulata and Cyclotella meneghiniana), along with a decrease in magnetic susceptibility (k) and % silt. Statistical analyses reveled that during 1968–2000, higher hydrological connectivity and catchment alterations drove Adams Bayou's ecosystem. After 2000, lower hydrological connectivity and increase in cultivation were the major drivers. The potential impact of increasing air temperature was also noted. The shift in Adams Bayou from a connected, clear, mesotrophic state to a relatively isolated, turbid and nutrient enriched state is consistent with regime shift models and highlights its sensitivity to a combination of environmental stresses prevalent in the catchment. Although fluvial systems pose challenges in establishing clear chronologies, oxbow lake sediments can be a effective paleoecological archives. Our work provides clear evidence for the change in the ecological character of this wetland of international significance and flags the need for a wider assessment of water bodies across this site under obligations to the Ramsar Convention.
- Description: The ecological response of shallow oxbow lakes to variability in hydrology and catchment development in large river floodplain ecosystems (RFE) in Arkansas remains largely unknown. Investigating these responses will advance our understanding of ecological evolution of oxbow lakes in response to the major environmental drivers, which will establish baseline conditions required to develop effective management practices for RFE. In this pilot study, we examined the potential of using a dated surface sediment core from Adams Bayou, a floodplain lake located within the Cache-Lower White River Ramsar site in SE Arkansas. Stratigraphic records of diatoms and sediment geochemistry were used to ascertain variation in Adams Bayou's ecological condition. During 1968–2008, in response to hydrological and anthropogenic changes, Adams Bayou's diatom assemblages progressed from predominantly benthic (Gomphonema parvulum and Meridion circulare) to primarily planktonic assemblage (Aulacoseira granulata and Cyclotella meneghiniana), along with a decrease in magnetic susceptibility (k) and % silt. Statistical analyses reveled that during 1968–2000, higher hydrological connectivity and catchment alterations drove Adams Bayou's ecosystem. After 2000, lower hydrological connectivity and increase in cultivation were the major drivers. The potential impact of increasing air temperature was also noted. The shift in Adams Bayou from a connected, clear, mesotrophic state to a relatively isolated, turbid and nutrient enriched state is consistent with regime shift models and highlights its sensitivity to a combination of environmental stresses prevalent in the catchment. Although fluvial systems pose challenges in establishing clear chronologies, oxbow lake sediments can be a effective paleoecological archives. Our work provides clear evidence for the change in the ecological character of this wetland of international significance and flags the need for a wider assessment of water bodies across this site under obligations to the Ramsar Convention. © 2016 Elsevier B.V.
A review of the scaled boundary finite element method for two-dimensional linear elastic fracture mechanics
- Song, Chongmin, Ooi, Ean Tat, Natarajan, Sundararajan
- Authors: Song, Chongmin , Ooi, Ean Tat , Natarajan, Sundararajan
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Engineering Fracture Mechanics Vol. 187, no. (2018), p. 45-73
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The development and the application of the scaled boundary finite element method for fracture analysis is reviewed. In this method, polygonal elements (referred to as subdomains) of arbitrary number of edges are constructed, with the only limitation that the whole boundary is directly visible from the scaling centre. The element solution is semi-analytical. When applied to two-dimensional linear fracture mechanics, any kinds of stress singularities are represented analytically without local refinement, special elements and enrichment functions. The flexibility of polygons to represent arbitrary geometric shapes leads to simple yet efficient remeshing algorithms to model crack propagation. Coupling procedures with the extended finite element method, meshless method and boundary element method to handle changes in the crack morphology have been established. These developments result in an efficient framework for fracture modelling. Examples of applications are provided to demonstrate their feasibility. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd
- Authors: Song, Chongmin , Ooi, Ean Tat , Natarajan, Sundararajan
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Engineering Fracture Mechanics Vol. 187, no. (2018), p. 45-73
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The development and the application of the scaled boundary finite element method for fracture analysis is reviewed. In this method, polygonal elements (referred to as subdomains) of arbitrary number of edges are constructed, with the only limitation that the whole boundary is directly visible from the scaling centre. The element solution is semi-analytical. When applied to two-dimensional linear fracture mechanics, any kinds of stress singularities are represented analytically without local refinement, special elements and enrichment functions. The flexibility of polygons to represent arbitrary geometric shapes leads to simple yet efficient remeshing algorithms to model crack propagation. Coupling procedures with the extended finite element method, meshless method and boundary element method to handle changes in the crack morphology have been established. These developments result in an efficient framework for fracture modelling. Examples of applications are provided to demonstrate their feasibility. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd
Groundwater seeps facilitate exposure to Burkholderia pseudomallei
- Baker, Anthony, Tahani, Donald, Gardiner, Christopher, Bristow, Keith, Greenhill, Andrew, Warner, Jeffrey
- Authors: Baker, Anthony , Tahani, Donald , Gardiner, Christopher , Bristow, Keith , Greenhill, Andrew , Warner, Jeffrey
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Applied and Environmental Microbiology Vol. 77, no. 20 (2011), p. 7243-7246
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Burkholderia pseudomallei is a saprophytic bacterium which is the causative agent of melioidosis, a common cause of fatal bacterial pneumonia and sepsis in the tropics. The incidence of melioidosis is clustered spatially and temporally and is heavily linked to rainfall and extreme weather events. Clinical case clustering has recently been reported in Townsville, Australia, and has implicated Castle Hill, a granite monolith in the city center, as a potential reservoir of infection. Topsoil and water from seasonal groundwater seeps were collected around the base of Castle Hill and analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR targeting the type III secretion system genes for the presence of B. pseudomallei. The organism was identified in 65% (95% confidence interval [CI], 49.5 to 80.4) of soil samples (n =40) and 92.5% (95% CI, 83.9 to 100) of seasonal groundwater samples (n =40). Further sampling of water collected from roads and gutters in nearby residential areas after an intense rainfall event found that 88.2% (95% CI, 72.9 to 100) of samples (n =16) contained viable B. pseudomallei at concentrations up to 113 CFU/ml. Comparison of isolates using multilocus sequence typing demonstrated clinical matches and close associations between environmental isolates and isolates derived from clinical samples from patients in Townsville. This study demonstrated that waterborne B. pseudomallei from groundwater seeps around Castle Hill may facilitate exposure to B. pseudomallei and contribute to the clinical clustering at this site. Access to this type of information will advise the development and implementation of public health measures to reduce the incidence of melioidosis. © 2011, American Society for Microbiology.
- Authors: Baker, Anthony , Tahani, Donald , Gardiner, Christopher , Bristow, Keith , Greenhill, Andrew , Warner, Jeffrey
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Applied and Environmental Microbiology Vol. 77, no. 20 (2011), p. 7243-7246
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Burkholderia pseudomallei is a saprophytic bacterium which is the causative agent of melioidosis, a common cause of fatal bacterial pneumonia and sepsis in the tropics. The incidence of melioidosis is clustered spatially and temporally and is heavily linked to rainfall and extreme weather events. Clinical case clustering has recently been reported in Townsville, Australia, and has implicated Castle Hill, a granite monolith in the city center, as a potential reservoir of infection. Topsoil and water from seasonal groundwater seeps were collected around the base of Castle Hill and analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR targeting the type III secretion system genes for the presence of B. pseudomallei. The organism was identified in 65% (95% confidence interval [CI], 49.5 to 80.4) of soil samples (n =40) and 92.5% (95% CI, 83.9 to 100) of seasonal groundwater samples (n =40). Further sampling of water collected from roads and gutters in nearby residential areas after an intense rainfall event found that 88.2% (95% CI, 72.9 to 100) of samples (n =16) contained viable B. pseudomallei at concentrations up to 113 CFU/ml. Comparison of isolates using multilocus sequence typing demonstrated clinical matches and close associations between environmental isolates and isolates derived from clinical samples from patients in Townsville. This study demonstrated that waterborne B. pseudomallei from groundwater seeps around Castle Hill may facilitate exposure to B. pseudomallei and contribute to the clinical clustering at this site. Access to this type of information will advise the development and implementation of public health measures to reduce the incidence of melioidosis. © 2011, American Society for Microbiology.
Investigating cumulative effects of preperformance routine interventions in beach volleyball serving
- Wergin, Vanessa, Beckmann, Jurgen, Gröpel, Peter, Mesagno, Christopher
- Authors: Wergin, Vanessa , Beckmann, Jurgen , Gröpel, Peter , Mesagno, Christopher
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: PLoS ONE Vol. 15, no. 1 (2020), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Pre-performance routines (PPRs) can be used in certain sports to minimize the effects of choking under pressure. This study aimed to investigate the cumulative effectiveness of PPR interventions on the accuracy of beach volleyball serves. Fifty-four beach volleyball players were randomly assigned to one of three PPR intervention groups or a control group. Participants performed 10 serves at a target on the opposite side of the beach volleyball court (pretest), were educated on a PPR intervention, and then completed 10 serves at the target under pressure that was induced through videotaping and ego-relevant instructions (posttest). The results indicated no difference in post-test serving accuracy among the intervention groups and the wait-list control group and no difference in effectiveness between cumulative and isolated PPR use. A possible explanation may be the inefficiency of the pressure manipulation. However, the null results related to isolated and cumulative PPR use under general (i.e., no pressure) conditions are still an important research finding. Future research should investigate the effectiveness of cumulative and other PPRs in other sports in general and under pressure. © 2020 Wergin et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Investigating cumulative effects of preperformance routine interventions in beach volleyball serving
- Authors: Wergin, Vanessa , Beckmann, Jurgen , Gröpel, Peter , Mesagno, Christopher
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: PLoS ONE Vol. 15, no. 1 (2020), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Pre-performance routines (PPRs) can be used in certain sports to minimize the effects of choking under pressure. This study aimed to investigate the cumulative effectiveness of PPR interventions on the accuracy of beach volleyball serves. Fifty-four beach volleyball players were randomly assigned to one of three PPR intervention groups or a control group. Participants performed 10 serves at a target on the opposite side of the beach volleyball court (pretest), were educated on a PPR intervention, and then completed 10 serves at the target under pressure that was induced through videotaping and ego-relevant instructions (posttest). The results indicated no difference in post-test serving accuracy among the intervention groups and the wait-list control group and no difference in effectiveness between cumulative and isolated PPR use. A possible explanation may be the inefficiency of the pressure manipulation. However, the null results related to isolated and cumulative PPR use under general (i.e., no pressure) conditions are still an important research finding. Future research should investigate the effectiveness of cumulative and other PPRs in other sports in general and under pressure. © 2020 Wergin et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.