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"Barnes, Steve"
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Monomineralic anorthosites in layered intrusions are indicators of the magma chamber replenishment by plagioclase-only-saturated melts
The formation of some Earth’s monomineralic igneous rocks appears to be prohibited by constraints imposed by liquidus phase-equilibria on evolution of mantle-derived magmas. Yet, these rocks exist as stratiform layers in many mafic-ultramafic intrusions. One conspicuous example is monomineralic anorthosites in the Bushveld Complex that occur as stratiform layers up to hundreds of kilometres in length. Such monomineralic anorthosites appear to require parental melts saturated in plagioclase only but where and how to produce these melts remains a contentious issue. Here we argue that they are likely sourced from deep-seated magma reservoirs. In response to pressure reduction, these ascending melts become first superheated and then saturated in plagioclase after stalling and cooling in shallow-level chambers. Adcumulus growth of plagioclase from such melts at the chamber floor results in the formation of monomineralic anorthosites. We propose that stratiform layers of monomineralic anorthosites in layered intrusions are products of the chamber replenishment by melts whose saturation in plagioclase as a single liquidus phase is triggered by their transcrustal ascent towards the Earth’s surface.
Journal Article
Epigenomics and bolting tolerance in sugar beet genotypes
In sugar beet (Beta vulgaris altissima), bolting tolerance is an essential agronomic trait reflecting the bolting response of genotypes after vernalization. Genes involved in induction of sugar beet bolting have now been identified, and evidence suggests that epigenetic factors are involved in their control. Indeed, the time course and amplitude of DNA methylation variations in the shoot apical meristem have been shown to be critical in inducing sugar beet bolting, and a few functional targets of DNA methylation during vernalization have been identified. However, molecular mechanisms controlling bolting tolerance levels among genotypes are still poorly understood. Here, gene expression and DNA methylation profiles were compared in shoot apical meristems of three bolting-resistant and three bolting-sensitive genotypes after vernalization. Using Cot fractionation followed by 454 sequencing of the isolated low-copy DNA, 6231 contigs were obtained that were used along with public sugar beet DNA sequences to design custom Agilent microarrays for expression (56k) and methylation (244k) analyses. A total of 169 differentially expressed genes and 111 differentially methylated regions were identified between resistant and sensitive vernalized genotypes. Fourteen sequences were both differentially expressed and differentially methylated, with a negative correlation between their methylation and expression levels. Genes involved in cold perception, phytohormone signalling, and flowering induction were over-represented and collectively represent an integrative gene network from environmental perception to bolting induction. Altogether, the data suggest that the genotype-dependent control of DNA methylation and expression of an integrative gene network participate in bolting tolerance in sugar beet, opening up perspectives for crop improvement.
Journal Article
Mortality estimates among adult patients with severe acute respiratory infections from two sentinel hospitals in southern Arizona, United States, 2010–2014
Background
From October 2010 through February 2016, Arizona conducted surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) among adults hospitalized in the Arizona-Mexico border region. There are few accurate mortality estimates in SARI patients, particularly in adults ≥ 65 years old.
The purpose of this study was to generate mortality estimates among SARI patients that include deaths occurring shortly after hospital discharge and identify risk factors for mortality.
Methods
Patients admitted to two sentinel hospitals between 2010 and 2014 who met the SARI case definition were enrolled. Demographic data were used to link SARI patients to Arizona death certificates. Mortality within 30 days after the date of admission was calculated and risk factors were identified using logistic regression models.
Results
Among 258 SARI patients, 47% were females, 51% were white, non-Hispanic and 39% were Hispanic. The median age was 63 years (range, 19 to 97 years) and 80% had one or more pre-existing health condition; 9% died in hospital. Mortality increased to 12% (30/258, 30% increase) when electronic vital records and a 30-day post-hospitalization time frame were used. Being age ≥ 65 years (OR = 4.0; 95% CI: 1.6–9.9) and having an intensive care unit admission (OR = 7.4; 95% CI: 3.0–17.9) were independently associated with mortality.
Conclusion
The use of electronic vital records increased SARI-associated mortality estimates by 30%. These findings may help guide prevention and treatment measures, particularly in high-risk persons in this highly fluid border population.
Journal Article
Structural analysis of H1N1 and H7N9 influenza A virus PA in the absence of PB1
Influenza A viruses cause the respiratory illness influenza, which can be mild to fatal depending on the strain and host immune response. The flu polymerase acidic (PA), polymerase basic 1 (PB1) and polymerase basic 2 (PB2) proteins comprise the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase complex responsible for viral genome replication. The first crystal structures of the C-terminal domain of PA (PA-CTD) in the absence of PB1-derived peptides show a number of structural changes relative to the previously reported PB1-peptide bound structures. The human A/WSN/1933 (H1N1) and avian A/Anhui1/2013 (H7N9) strain PA-CTD proteins exhibit the same global topology as other strains in the absence of PB1, but differ extensively in the PB1 binding pocket including a widening of the binding groove and the unfolding of a β-turn. Both PA-CTD proteins exhibited a significant increase in thermal stability in the presence of either a PB1-derived peptide or a previously reported inhibitor in differential scanning fluorimetry assays. These structural changes demonstrate plasticity in the PA-PB1 binding interface which may be exploited in the development of novel therapeutics.
Journal Article
Sales promotion decision making
Sales promotions are a fact of life for the majority of retailers, suppliers, and FMGC stakeholders commanding up to 75 percent of total marketing budgets. From straightforward discounts on products to more complex omni-channel consumer competitions and contests, sales promotions play a vital role as both strategic and tactical marketing tools. Those responsible for sales promotions must deliver real results in cut-throat competitive trading environments. However, with limited understanding of the options, principles, and practices that underpin effective sales promotion planning, managers often rely on past experience or preferences to guide their decision making. Not surprisingly, many sales promotions fail to achieve their potential. This book serves as a vital resource for practitioners. Distilled from over 700 articles and cases, it presents the findings of comprehensive global research which explores the DNA of sales promotions including their role, nature, and function, the critical decision-making processes and campaign evaluation. This is supported with case studies of sales promotion planning in practice based on research conducted in FMCG and retail organizations. The book offers the reader a deeper, more comprehensive, and critical expert appreciation of the core concepts that define sales promotions. This will empower decision makers, consultants, and stakeholders to make more confident, informed, and effective campaign decisions.
eBook
An Open‐Source First‐Generation Molecular Genetic Map from a Sugarbeet × Table Beet Cross and Its Extension to Physical Mapping
In sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris), many linkage maps have been constructed, but the availability of markers continues to limit utility of genetic maps in public domain programs. Here a framework genetic map is presented that is expandable and transferable to research programs interested in locating their markers on a consensus map. In its current framework, the primary markers used were amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) that were anchored to Butterfass chromosome‐nomenclature linkage groups using linkage group specific markers validated in other populations. Thus, a common framework has been established that anchors 331 markers, including 23 newly mapped simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, having a combined total of 526.3 cM among the nine beet linkage groups. The source of the mapping population was a sugarbeet × table beet population, and this is the first report of a map constructed with a relatively wide cross in B. vulgaris Segregation distortion was common (22% of loci), particularly extreme for Butterfass Chromosome 5, and predominantly favored the sugarbeet (seed parent) allele. Physical segments of the beet genome that carry mapped markers have been identified, demonstrating that physical and genetic mapping are facile and complementary applications for beet improvement.
Journal Article
Sales Promotion Decision Making
Sales promotions are a fact of life for the majority of retailers, suppliers, and FMGC stakeholders commanding up to 75 percent of total marketing budgets. From straightforward discounts on products to more complex omni-channel consumer competitions and contests, sales promotions play a vital role as both strategic and tactical marketing tools. Those responsible for sales promotions must deliver real results in cut-throat competitive trading environments. However, with limited understanding of the options, principles, and practices that underpin effective sales promotion planning, managers often rely on past experience or preferences to guide their decision making. Not surprisingly, many sales promotions fail to achieve their potential. Sales Promotion Decision Making serves as a vital resource for practitioners. Distilled from over 700 articles and cases, it presents the findings of comprehensive global research which explores the DNA of sales promotions, including their role, nature, and function, the critical decision-making processes, and campaign evaluation. This is supported with case studies of sales promotion planning in practice based on research conducted in FMCG and retail organizations. The book offers the reader a deeper, more comprehensive and critical expert appreciation of the core concepts that define sales promotions. This will empower decision makers, consultants, and stakeholders to make more confident, informed, and effective campaign decisions.
eBook
The effect of heat stress on sugar beet recombination
Meiotic recombination plays a crucial role in plant breeding through the creation of new allelic combinations. Therefore, lack of recombination in some genomic regions constitutes a constraint for breeding programmes. In sugar beet, one of the major crops in Europe, recombination occurs mainly in the distal portions of the chromosomes, and so the development of simple approaches to change this pattern is of considerable interest for future breeding and genetics. In the present study, the effect of heat stress on recombination in sugar beet was studied by treating F1 plants at 28 °C/25 °C (day/night) and genotyping the progeny. F1 plants were reciprocally backcrossed allowing the study of male and female meiosis separately. Genotypic data indicated an overall increase in crossover frequency of approximately one extra crossover per meiosis, with an associated increase in pericentromeric recombination under heat treatment. Our data indicate that the changes were mainly induced by alterations in female meiosis only, showing that heterochiasmy in sugar beet is reduced under heat stress. Overall, despite the associated decrease in fertility, these data support the potential use of heat stress to foster recombination in sugar beet breeding programmes.
Journal Article
Recognition and Treatment of Nerve Agent Casualties: Evidence of Reduced Learner Engagement During Video-based Training
Changes in electrodermal activity (EDA) correlate with arousal and stress during stimulating experiences. We hypothesized that associations exist between short-term performance gains and changes in EDA. A total of 187 combat medics were randomly assigned to simulation (S), live tissue (L), or video (V) based training in the recognition and treatment of nerve agent casualties. Change in EDA from baseline to training was quantified for tonic and phasic responses and was categorized as positive (>+10%), no change (±10%), or negative (<-10%). Cognitive and psychomotor skills assessments were applied before and after the baseline/training period to quantify short-term performance changes. Statistically significant differences in both EDA arousal measures between training modalities (p < 0.001 with L > S ∼ V) were observed. Notably, larger proportions of trainees experienced negative changes in tonic (67%) and phasic (21%) EDA measures in the V group when compared to the L and S groups. Regardless of training modality, negative tonic and phasic EDA responses were associated with lower psychomotor performance gains and this finding approached statistical significance (tonic: p = 0.056, phasic: p = 0.08). No significant differences were noted in pre- to post-training cognitive performance between EDA response categories. As quantified by EDA response to training, reduced arousal was associated with lower short-term psychomotor, but not cognitive, performance gains.
Journal Article