Quantifying the legacy of the Chinese Neolithic on the maternal genetic heritage of Taiwan and Island Southeast Asia

There has been a long-standing debate concerning the extent to which the spread of Neolithic ceramics and Malay-Polynesian languages in Island Southeast Asia (ISEA) were coupled to an agriculturally driven demic dispersal out of Taiwan 4000 years ago (4 ka). We previously addressed this question using founder analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control-region sequences to identify major lineage clusters most likely to have dispersed from Taiwan into ISEA, proposing that the dispersal had a relatively minor impact on the extant genetic structure of ISEA, and that the role of agriculture in the expansion of the Austronesian languages was therefore likely to have been correspondingly minor. Here we test these conclusions by sequencing whole mtDNAs from across Taiwan and ISEA, using their higher chronological precision to resolve the overall proportion that participated in the “out-of-Taiwan” mid-Holocene dispersal as opposed to earlier, postglacial expansions in the Early Holocene. We show that, in total, about 20 % of mtDNA lineages in the modern ISEA pool result from the “out-of-Taiwan” dispersal, with most of the remainder signifying earlier processes, mainly due to sea-level rises after the Last Glacial Maximum. Notably, we show that every one of these founder clusters previously entered Taiwan from China, 6–7 ka, where rice-farming originated, and remained distinct from the indigenous Taiwanese population until after the subsequent dispersal into ISEA

Resolving the ancestry of Austronesian-speaking populations

There are two very different interpretations of the prehistory of Island Southeast Asia (ISEA), with genetic evidence invoked in support of both. The “out-of-Taiwan” model proposes a major Late Holocene expansion of Neolithic Austronesian speakers from Taiwan. An alternative, proposing that Late Glacial/postglacial sea-level rises triggered largely autochthonous dispersals, accounts for some otherwise enigmatic genetic patterns, but fails to explain the Austronesian language dispersal. Combining mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), Y-chromosome and genome-wide data, we performed the most comprehensive analysis of the region to date, obtaining highly consistent results across all three systems and allowing us to reconcile the models. We infer a primarily common ancestry for Taiwan/ISEA populations established before the Neolithic, but also detected clear signals of two minor Late Holocene migrations, probably representing Neolithic input from both Mainland Southeast Asia and South China, via Taiwan. This latter may therefore have mediated the Austronesian language dispersal, implying small-scale migration and language shift rather than large-scale expansion

Nursing diagnosis sedentary lifestyle in individuals with hypertension: an analysis of accuracy

Objective Assessing the accuracy of the defining characteristics (DC) of the nursing diagnosis Sedentary Lifestyle (SL) in people with hypertension. Method A cross-sectional study carried out in a referral center in the outpatient care of people with hypertension and diabetes, with a sample of 285 individuals. The form used in the study was designed from operational definitions constructed for each DC of the diagnosis. Four nurses with training to carry out diagnostic inferences did the clinical assessment for the presence of SL. Results The prevalence of SL was 55.8%. Regarding measures of accuracy, the main DC for SL was chooses a daily routine lacking physical exercise, with sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 84.13%. Two DC stood out in the logistic regression, namely: reports preference for activities low in physical activity and poor performance in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Conclusion The results allowed identifying the best clinical indicators for SL in hypertensive adults

Wetlands for wastewater treatment and subsequent recycling of treated effluent : a review

Due to water scarcity challenges around the world, it is essential to think about non-conventional water resources to address the increased demand in clean freshwater. Environmental and public health problems may result from insufficient provision of sanitation and wastewater disposal facilities. Because of this, wastewater treatment and recycling methods will be vital to provide sufficient freshwater in the coming decades, since water resources are limited and more than 70% of water are consumed for irrigation purposes. Therefore, the application of treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation has much potential, especially when incorporating the reuse of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous, which are essential for plant production. Among the current treatment technologies applied in urban wastewater reuse for irrigation, wetlands were concluded to be the one of the most suitable ones in terms of pollutant removal and have advantages due to both low maintenance costs and required energy. Wetland behavior and efficiency concerning wastewater treatment is mainly linked to macrophyte composition, substrate, hydrology, surface loading rate, influent feeding mode, microorganism availability, and temperature. Constructed wetlands are very effective in removing organics and suspended solids, whereas the removal of nitrogen is relatively low, but could be improved by using a combination of various types of constructed wetlands meeting the irrigation reuse standards. The removal of phosphorus is usually low, unless special media with high sorption capacity are used. Pathogen removal from wetland effluent to meet irrigation reuse standards is a challenge unless supplementary lagoons or hybrid wetland systems are used

Diagnóstico do parto pré-termo pela medida ultrassonográfica do comprimento do colo uterino Preterm labor diagnosis by sonographic measurement of the uterine cervical length

OBJETIVO: Medir o comprimento do colo uterino, utilizando a ultrassonografia transvaginal, em pacientes com quadro clínico compatível com ameaça de parto pré-termo, e correlacionar a medida do colo uterino, em cada caso, com a interrupção espontânea da gravidez dentro de sete dias. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram realizados exames ultrassonográficos em 72 pacientes com quadro clínico compatível com ameaça de parto pré-termo. RESULTADOS: A sensibilidade do exame foi de 90,5%, a especificidade, de 98%, o valor preditivo positivo, de 95%, e o valor preditivo negativo, de 96%. A análise foi realizada utilizando-se a medida de 15 mm de comprimento do colo uterino como valor preditivo do parto pré-termo. CONCLUSÃO: Parece ser possível prever o parto pré-termo em pacientes com colo uterino menor que 15 mm. Tal observação poderá trazer contribuição para a administração mais oportuna de corticoides, com o intuito de acelerar a maturidade pulmonar fetal.<br>OBJECTIVE: To measure the uterine cervical length by using transvaginal ultrasonography in patients with clinical signs compatible with preterm labor threat, and correlating each individual measurement with spontaneous pregnancy interruption within seven days. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sonographic examinations were performed in 72 patients with clinical signs compatible with preterm labor threat. RESULTS: Sensitivity was 90.5%, specificity, 98%, positive predictive value, 95%, and negative predictive value, 96%. A standard uterine cervix length of 15 mm was considered as a predictive value for preterm labor. CONCLUSION: It seems to be possible to foresee preterm delivery in patients whose cervical length is < 15 mm. Such observation could contribute to a timely corticosteroid administration to accelerate fetal lung maturity