bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systematic control of α-Fe2O3 crystal growth direction for improved electrochemical performance of lithium-ion battery anodes
Authors: Shen Nan , Keppeler Miriam , Stiaszny Barbara , Hain Holger , Maglia Filippo , Srinivasan Madhavi
Published: September 2017

α-Fe2O3 nanomaterials with an elongated nanorod morphology exhibiting superior electrochemical performance were obtained through hydrothermal synthesis assisted by diamine derivatives as shape-controlling agents (SCAs) for application as anodes in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The physicochemical characteristics were investigated via XRD and FESEM, revealing well-crystallized α-Fe2O3 with adjustable nanorod lengths between 240 and 400 nm and aspect ratios in the range from 2.6 to 5.7. The electrochemical performance was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and charge–discharge measurements. A SCA test series, including ethylenediamine, 1,2-diaminopropane, 2,3-diaminobutane, and N-methylethylenediamine, was implemented in terms of the impact on the nanorod aspect ratio. Varied substituents on the vicinal diamine structure were examined towards an optimized reaction center in terms of electron density and steric hindrance. Possible interaction mechanisms of the diamine derivatives with ferric species and the correlation between the aspect ratio and electrochemical performance are discussed. Intermediate-sized α-Fe2O3 nanorods with length/aspect ratios of ≈240 nm/≈2.6 and ≈280 nm/≈3.0 were found to have excellent electrochemical characteristics with reversible discharge capacities of 1086 and 1072 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C after 50 cycles.
De la nécessité du Tianxia
Authors: Tingyang Zhao
Published: September 2017

Tianxia est une forme politique née dans l’antiquité chinoise, mais qui est adaptée à notre temps, alors que la mondialisation, notamment technologique, bat son plein, et que les formes politiques issues de la modernité marquent leurs limites. Elle comprend « tout ce qui est sous le ciel », sans rien rejeter hors d’elle, contrairement aux traditions issues du monothéisme, notamment occidental.
Is Zhao’s Tianxia system misunderstood?
Authors: Xu Bijun
Published: September 2017

Le système Tianxia de Zhao Tingyang est devenu un sujet très discuté depuis qu’il l’a évoqué dans le cadre de la Conférence de la culture de la connaissance à Goa, en Inde en 2005. Certains commentateurs ont apprécié la capacité de ce système à répondre, en tant que vision du monde, à certains problèmes posés par le développement global. D’autres se sont montrés plus critiques. Cependant, beaucoup de ses critiques ont une compréhension erronée des théories de Zhao. Cet article vise à montrer comment le système du Tianxia de Zhao a été mal compris et répond à ces incompréhensions.
Antioxidative enzymes of Cucumis sativus seeds are modulated by Leucaena leucocephala extracts
Authors: Ribeiro Vandjore De Mattos , Spiassi Ariane , Marcon Thaís Regina , Lima Gislaine Piccolo de , Corsato Jaqueline Malagutti , Fortes Andréa Maria Teixeira
Published: September 2017

This study aimed to analyze oxidative stress produced in cucumber seeds and seedlings when exposed to aqueous extract from dried leaves of leucaena, as well as its effect on the germination behavior, early growth and the antioxidant enzymes activity. It was evaluated the percentage, the speed index, the average time, the frequency and germination synchronization, the root length and shoot, as well as the catalase and peroxidase enzymes activity. There was no significant inhibitory effect of the leaf extracts on the germination percentage. However, there was delay in the seeds germination, as the extract proportion increased. A stimulatory effect of the extract compared to the shoot length was observed, however the root growth was significantly reduced. The catalase activities had a peak at 24 hours after soaking the seeds, however, the activities were reduced in seedlings. The peroxidase activity was low in the seeds and increased in the seedlings at 168 hours after immersion. The results suggest that there was oxidative stress due to allelochemicals present in the leaves extracts from leucaena, verified by germination and initial growth changes, causing alterations in the plants rootlets.
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Polypeptide A–Mediated Alternative Polyadenylation of STAT5B during Th1 Cell Differentiation
Authors: Qiu Feifei , Fu Yonggui , Lu Chan , Feng Yuchao , Wang Qiong , Huo Zhanfeng , Jia Xin , Chen Chengyong , Chen Shangwu , Xu Anlong
Published: September 2017

T cells are activated and differentiated into Th cells depending on the rapid and accurate changes in the cell transcriptome. In addition to changes in mRNA expression, the sequences of many transcripts are altered by alternative splicing and alternative polyadenylation (APA). We profiled the APA sites of human CD4+ T cell subsets with high-throughput sequencing and found that Th1 cells harbored more genes with shorter tandem 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs) than did naive T cells. We observed that STAT5B, a key regulator of Th1 differentiation, possessed three major APA sites and preferred shorter 3′ UTRs in Th1 cells. In addition, small nuclear ribonucleoprotein polypeptide A (SNRPA) was found to bind directly to STAT5B 3′ UTR and facilitate its APA switching. We also found that p65 activation triggered by TCR signaling could promote SNRPA transcription and 3′ UTR shortening of STAT5B. Thus we propose that the APA switching of STAT5B induced by TCR activation is mediated by SNRPA.
Effect of electrical stimulation on motor nerve regeneration in sciatic nerve ligated-mice
Authors: Samiee Farzaneh , Zarrindast Mohammad-Reza
Published: September 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of electrical stimulation on sciatic nerve regeneration and functional recovery of target muscles. Mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: ligated without electrical stimulation, ligated with electrical stimulation and control (non-ligated). The unilateral peripheral mononeuropathy was produced on the right hind limb. Sciatic nerve was then electrically stimulated daily for a period of 2 weeks (duration: 0.2 msec, frequency: 100Hz, amplitude: 15mA). Evoked surface EMG was recorded from biceps femoris (BF) and gluteus maximus (GM) muscles on the 3rd, 7th, 10th and 14th day after sciatic nerve ligation. Muscle force and sensitivity was determined by processing of the recorded EMG signals in time and frequency domains respectively. The results showed electrical stimulation (ES) produced a significant increase in the EMG response of BF, and muscle force significantly increased on the 14th day (p<0.001), however no significant difference was found in GM muscle force between experimental groups. This may be due to possible innervation by inferior gluteal nerve. Frequency analysis of BF signals indicates that hyperalgesia remained after 14 days in both ligated groups. On the 14th day no difference in GM muscle sensitivity was found between groups. In conclusion, the results of this study have shown that the electrical stimulation of sciatic nerve accelerates nerve repair and indirectly improves BF muscle force to a comparable level with control without effect on muscle sensitivity. However, ES had no effect on GM muscle force and sensitivity.
Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome due to DOK7 mutations in a family from Chile
Authors: Bevilacqua Jorge A. , Lara Marian , Díaz Jorge , Campero Mario , Vászquez Jessica , Maselli Ricardo A.
Published: September 2017

Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are neuromuscular transmission disorders caused by mutations in genes encoding neuromuscular junction proteins. A 61-year-old female and her older sister showed bilateral ptosis, facial and proximal limb weakness, and scoliosis since childhood. Another female sibling had milder signs, while other family members were asymptomatic. Facial nerve repetitive stimulation in the proband showed decrement of muscle responses. Single fiber EMG revealed increased jitter and blocking. Muscle biopsy showed type 2-fiber atrophy, without tubular aggregates. Mutational analysis in the three affected siblings revealed two compound heterozygous mutations in DOK7: c.1457delC, that predicts p.Pro486Argfs*13 and truncates the protein C-terminal domain, and c.473G>A, that predicts p.Arg158Gln and disruption of the dok7-MuSK interaction in the phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domain. Unaffected family members carried only one or neither mutation. Discussion. Two of the affected sisters showed marked improvement with salbutamol treatment, which illustrates the benefits of a correct diagnosis and treatment of DOK7-CMS.
Single Step Multiple Genotyping by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry, for Evaluation of Minor Histocompatibility Antigens in Patients Submitted to Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation from HLA-Matched Related and Unrelated Donor
Authors: Cattina Federica , Bernardi Simona , Mantovani Vilma , Toffoletti Eleonora , Santoro Alessandra , Pastore Domenico , Martino Bruno , Console Giuseppe , Martinelli Giovanni , Malagola Michele
Published: September 2017

The outcome of patients underwent to allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo- SCT) is closely related to graft versus host disease (GvHD) and graft versus leukemia (GvL) effects which can be mediated by mHAgs. 23 mHAgs have been identified and reported to be differently correlated with GVHD or GVL and the aim of this work was develop a method to genotype the mHAgs described so far. For this study we used MALDI-TOF iPLEX Gold Mass Array technology. We tested 46 donor/recipient matched pairs that underwent allo-SCT because of Philadelphia positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia (n = 29) or Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n =17). Our data show that sibling pairs had a lesser number of mHAgs mismatches compared to MUD pairs. Notably, donor/recipient genomic mismatch on DPH1 was correlated with an increased risk of acute GvHD and LB-ADIR-1R mismatch on graft versus host direction was correlated with a better RFS with no increase of GvHD risk. Our work provides a simple, accurate and highly automatable method for mHAgs genotyping and suggest the role of mHAgs in addressing the immune reaction between donor and host.
Therapy-related myeloid neoplasms as a concerning complication in acute promyelocytic leukemia
Authors: Vicente-Ayuso María del Carmen , García-Roa María , González-Fernández Ataúlfo , Alvarez-Carmona Ana María , Benavente-Cuesta Celina , Mateo-Morales Marta , Pérez-López Cristina , Peña-Cortijo Ascensión , Polo Zarzuela Marta , Gutiérrez Laura , Martínez-Martínez Rafael
Published: September 2017

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has become a highly curable malignant disease after the introduction of all transretinoic acid (ATRA) to chemotherapy treatment. However, the risk to develop therapy-related myeloid neoplasms (t-MN) has become a matter of concern, as APL patients are otherwise expected to have a good prognosis. We report a patient with APL who achieved complete remission after chemotherapy induction with anthracycline and ATRA, followed by consolidation and maintenance chemotherapy. Two years later, the patient developed t-AML, with MLL rearrangements, without any evidence of relapse of the APL original clone. The increasing incidence of t-MN in oncohematological patients is partly due to the development of safer, more efficient or targeted therapies, which allow better outcomes and lengthened survival amongst treated patients. The identification of genetic factors, mechanisms or prognostic biomarkers in t-MN might open new windows for the development of personalized targeted therapy regimes in this underserved patient population.
Evaluation of some microbiological and chemical parameters of Campania buffalo ricotta cheese
Authors: Montone Angela M.I. , De Felice Alessandra , Brunetti Roberta , Mollica Domenico , Capo Salvatore , Capuano Federico , Guarino Achille , Nava Donatella
Published: September 2017

Fresh ricotta (whey cheese), owing to its technological characteristics and intrinsic parameters (pH and aw), is an excellent substrate for the growth of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms. On 19 July 2010, Campania buffalo ricotta cheese was assigned to the register of Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) by the European Commission, with EC Reg. 634/2010. It is mainly produced in the provinces of Caserta and Salerno around the rivers Garigliano and Volturno, the plain of the river Sele and the area of Cilento. This article reports the results of a 9-month monitoring (from May 2014 to January 2015) of ricotta samples aiming at evaluate the microbial status of some cheese factories, since ricotta is considered particularly suitable to judge the hygienic level of the dairy establishments. Four dairies were selected for sampling according to their different structural characteristics and the adequacy of both their premises and equipment.
27th National Congress of the Italian Association of Veterinary Food Hygienists | Perugia, 13-15 September 2017
Authors: Editors The
Published: September 2017

This abstract book contains the abstracts presented at the 27th National Congress of the Italian Association of Veterinary Food Hygienists | Perugia, Italy, 13-15 September 2017
The management of the patient with acute pancreatitis: from evidence to clinical practice
Authors: Cenci Cristina , Restuccia Tea , Gnerre Paola , Chiti Irene , Betti Laura , Micati Milena , Tana Claudio
Published: September 2017

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory disorder of the pancreas characterized by abdominal pain and elevation of pancreatic enzymes in the blood. The pathogenesis is complex and partly unknown and the evolution is often unpredictable. Many efforts have been made to define this disease and its complications and to classify different grades of severity in order to formulate prognostic scores that could guide the physician in choosing the optimal therapeutic setting and procedures. The management of the patient with pancreatitis is not always optimal and differs among internist, gastroenterologist or surgeon. We think that a patient with clinical suspicion of acute pancreatitis is admitted to medical or surgical department depending on the availability of beds and not according to evidence-based medicine. The aim of this monograph is to identify the optimal management of patients with acute pancreatitis admitted to hospital.
Uncommon case of pericardial effusion
Authors: D'Amato Andrea , Mancusi Costantino , Carlino Maria Viviana , Lio Veronica , De Pisapia Federica , Sforza Alfonso , De Simone Giovanni
Published: September 2017

We present the case of a 59-year-old patient with severe aortic stenosis, asymptomatic mild to moderate pericardial effusion and no major risk factors for poor prognosis. He underwent four-week course of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen 600 mg TID) with no improvement of the effusion. After complete diagnostic work-up and examination, we discovered that he had a prostate cancer with bone metastasis. On the bone scintigraphy, there was particular involvement of ribs and sternum. We decided to treat our patient with an association of docetaxel and hormone therapy, after six months we observed a reduction in the pericardial effusion. Even in the presence of a patient without risk factor of poor prognosis, pericardial effusion can be the first sign of occult neoplasia.
The management of the patient with osteoporosis: from evidence to clinical practice
Authors: Ambrosino Immacolata , Riccardo Angela , Gnerre Paola , Massiah Grace , Castelnovo Laura , Muscariello Riccardo , Vacante Marco
Published: September 2017

Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease and is an important problem of public health. In fact, it represents the main cause of age-related fractures and disabilities with a consequent increasing sanitary, social and economic impact. Unfortunately, often osteoporosis is not as thoroughly investigated as it would be desirable and it is underestimated in diagnosis and therapy. The aim of this monograph is to sensitize medical internists to a careful evaluation and an efficacious treatment of osteoporosis in order to reduce the risks of this disease, in particular the fractures, with a view to improving the quality of patients’ life.
An elderly-onset rheumatic syndrome: is it RS3PE?
Authors: Oliveira Marta , Ferreira Filipa , Ferreira Erica , Jorge Rosa
Published: September 2017

It is presented a case of a 75-year-old Caucasian male patient who was admitted to hospital with a history of painful swollen hands and feet, associated with worsening mobility. Examination revealed bilateral pitting edema of dorsum of hands and feet. Initial blood test showed 10.7 g/L hemoglobin with normochromic and normocytic anemia, raised inflammatory markers (erythrocyte sedimentation rate 60 mm, C-reactive protein 16.73 mg/dL) and normal white blood cells count. Autoantibody screen and rheumatoid factor were negative, with positive HLA-B27. Radiological findings of hands and feet did not show any erosions. The patient was also screened and investigated for associated malignancies; the tumor markers and the computed tomography thorax/abdomen were reported as normal. The patient responded extremely well to low dose prednisolone at 20 mg daily dosage. Further follow up 5 weeks later on tapering dose of prednisolone showed complete resolution of signs and symptoms without any further flare-ups. Remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema is a definite syndrome, a rare subset of polyarthritis with favorable outcome and has a good prognosis in older patients. This case illustrates the interesting diagnosis exercise that is needed, once the multiple conditions that may be related with the disease support that this is a syndrome with potentially heterogeneous etiologies. Looking for underlying malignancy is recommended.
Pregnancy and heart disease: what Internists should know
Authors: Gerloni Riccardo , Panuccio Domenico
Published: September 2017

Pregnant women with heart disease are increasing due to medical and surgical progress and, nowadays, congenital heart disease is the most frequent heart disease affecting these women. Pregnancy represents a considerable effort for an altered heart with negative consequences for life quality, disease progression and mortality. Risk differs a lot among patients and depends not only on the type of heart disease. Clinician should stratify risk and offer patients a correct pre-counselling and accurate follow- up. At the same time Clinician should be able to diagnose rapidly heart failure as some cardiopathies, such as peripartum cardiomyopathy, are related to pregnancy and produce symptoms that can be confused with normal pregnancy progression. This brief review gives the opportunity to Internists to revise the most important aspects of management according to the recent literature. After having analyzed the pathophysiological mechanism of pregnancy, risk stratification and the salient elements of counselling, this review depicts the most important features of different heart diseases during pregnancy, giving warnings to Clinician about the fragile aspects to consider. Finally, it offers suggestions on therapy. General recommendations do not change during pregnancy, but some drugs are prohibited and dosage can sometimes be greater.
Knowledge and cultural beliefs of mothers regarding the risk factors of infant hearing loss and awareness of audiology services
Authors: Govender Samantha M. , Khan Nasim Banu
Published: September 2017

The aim of the paper is to describe the knowledge of mothers in Durban, South Africa, regarding risk factors of hearing loss in infants and their awareness of audiology services, and to describe their cultural beliefs about the risk factors for hearing loss in infants. A descriptive survey design with quantitative methods of analysis were used. Conveniently sampled mothers (n=102) receiving postnatal care for their infants from eight provincial clinics within Durban consented to participate, yielding a response rate of 48%. A questionnaire was used to collect the data and the Cronbach α was calculated yielding a score of 0.835, indicating good internal consistency and reliability of the questionnaire. Sixty percent of the mothers were aware of risk factors, such as middle ear infections, ototoxic medication and consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. Seventy percent were unaware that NICU/mechanical ventilation for more than 5 days, prematurity, rubella and jaundice are considered risk factors for hearing loss, implying a need to create awareness amongst mothers regarding such risk factors. Sixty percent (n=62) believed that bewitchment and ancestral curses can cause hearing loss. Cultural beliefs were associated with hearing loss, therefore, health professionals need to demonstrate cultural competence when providing audiology services, especially in a culturally and linguistically diverse countries such as South Africa. Although the mothers had an average knowledge about risk factors, two thirds did not know which professional to seek help from. There is a need to create awareness amongst mothers regarding the risk factors of infant hearing loss as well as audiology services in order to facilitate early detection and intervention. There is a need for health professionals to demonstrate cultural competence when working with their patients.
The mortality of ill infants with false tooth extraction in a rural Ugandan emergency department
Authors: Husain Amyna , Baker M. Douglas , Bisanzo Mark C. , Stevens Martha W.
Published: September 2017

False tooth extraction (FTE), a cultural practice in East Africa used to treat fever and diarrhea in infants, has been thought to increase infant mortality. The mortality of clinically similar infants with and without false tooth extraction has not previously been examined. The objective of our retrospective cohort study was to examine the mortality, clinical presentation, and treatment of infants with and without false tooth extraction. We conducted a retrospective chart review of records of infants with diarrhea, sepsis, dehydration, and fever in a rural Ugandan emergency department. Univariate analysis was used to test statistical significance. We found the mortality of infants with false tooth extraction (FTE+) was 18% and without false tooth extraction (FTE−) was 14% (P=0.22). The FTE+ study group, and FTE− comparison group, had similar proportions of infants with abnormal heart rate and with hypoxia. There was a significant difference in the portion of infants that received antibiotics (P=0.001), and fluid bolus (P=0.002). Although FTE+ infants had clinically similar ED presentations to FTE− infants, the FTE+ infants were significantly more likely to receive emergency department interventions, and had a higher mortality than FTE− infants.
Assessing the impact of a waiting time survey on reducing waiting times in urban primary care clinics in Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Daniels Johann , Zweigenthal Virginia , Reagon Gavin
Published: September 2017

A waiting time survey (WTS) conducted in several clinics in Cape Town, South Africa provided recommendations on how to shorten waiting times (WT). A follow-up study was conducted to assess whether WT had reduced. Using a stratified sample of 22 clinics, a before and after study design assessed changes in WT. The WT was measured and perceptions of clinic managers were elicited, about the previous survey’s recommendations. The overall median WT decreased by 21 minutes (95%CI: 11.77- 30.23), a 28% decrease from the previous WTS. Although no specific factor was associated with decreases in WT, implementation of recommendations to reduce WT was 2.67 times (95%CI: 1.33-5.40) more likely amongst those who received written recommendations and 2.3 times (95%CI: 1.28- 4.19) more likely amongst managers with 5 or more years’ experience. The decrease in WT found demonstrates the utility of a WTS in busy urban clinics in developing country contexts. Experienced facility managers who timeously receive customised reports of their clinic’s performance are more likely to implement changes that positively impact on reducing WT.
Sociodemographic, lifestyle and therapeutic predictors of 2-year survival in HIV-infected persons receiving antiretroviral therapy in Benin
Authors: Sossa Jerome Charles , Agonnoudé Maurice , Sopoh Ghislain Emmanuel , Bah-Chabi Ali Imorou , De Souza Amédée , Bachabi Moussa , Gbetowenonmon Gratien , Agueh Victoire , Ouendo Edgard-Marius , Ouédraogo Laurent
Published: September 2017

The benefits of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have been well described. The objective of this study was to identify the predictors of two-year survival in persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Benin. This retrospective transversal study included all patients from 46 HIV/AIDS therapy sites across Benin who started ART between July 1st, 2011 and June 30th, 2012. The independent variables were patients’ sociodemographic, clinical, biological and therapeutic characteristics and their ART regimen. The main dependent variable was the time of death. Data were collected from medical records, using documentary review. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to investigate factors associated with survival. Among the 771 PLWHA participants of the study, 18 (2.3%) died within the two-year period. The estimated mortality of the 771 PLWHA was 3% at 24 months. Among the sociodemographic, lifestyle and therapeutic characteristics studied, the main predictor of two-year mortality was poor adherence [odds ratio = 4.15, 95% confidence interval (1.55- 11.28)]. This study confirms that improving the survival of PLWHA receiving ART requires enhanced adherence.
Miller Fisher syndrome with sinus arrest
Authors: Shiraiwa Nobuko , Umesawa Mitsumasa , Hoshino Sachiko , Enomoto Tsuyoshi , Kusunoki Susumu , Tamaoka Akira , Ohkoshi Norio
Published: September 2017

Dysautonomia in Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) rarely causes serious cardiovascular complications, such as sinus arrest. Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) is recognized as a variant of GBS. There have been few reports regarding the association between MFS and dysautonomia. We describe a case of a 68-year-old man with ophthalmoplegia, bulbar palsy, truncal ataxia, and areflexia. He was diagnosed with MFS because he exhibited the classical clinical triad and had elevated serum anti- GQ1b immunoglobulin G levels. A magnetic resonance imaging scan of his head was normal. His 24-hour Holter recording showed sinus arrest. He was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin, whereupon his symptoms gradually improved. This included the sinus arrest, which was considered a symptom of dysautonomia in MFS. Therefore, clinicians should be mindful of dysautonomia not only in GBS patients, but also in cases of MFS.
Competing with Christ? A critical Christological analysis of the reliance on Pentecostal prophets in Zimbabwe
Authors: Magezi Vhumani , Banda Collium
Published: September 2017

How can we make Christological sense of the Zimbabwean Pentecostal prophets’ mediatory role? This article analyses the domineering and mediatory role of the Pentecostal prophets from a Christological perspective. The mediatory role of the Pentecostal prophets is riddled with competition against the mediatory role of Christ between God and humanity (1 Tm 2:5) as it tends to usurp Christ’s role over the church. Instead of being channels that lead people to depend only on Christ for their spiritual security, prosperity Pentecostal prophets present themselves as super spiritual authorities who must be relied upon by the believers in addition to Christ. Prosperity Pentecostalism, also known as the gospel of wealth and health, emphasises that prosperity in material wealth and good health is an integral component of the Christian faith. As super spiritual authorities, Pentecostal prophets project themselves as uniquely anointed by God. This places them closer to God than other people and, in turn, they receive spiritual power and authority over other believers. The prophets mediate their presence in the lives of their followers through anointed objects such as their personal pictures, anointed oil and armbands. This article analyses the distorted views about Christ created by the reliance on the prophets. The article concludes by proposing steps that should be taken to empower Christians to dissuade themselves from reliance on such prophets.
Energy balance and body reserves in rabbit females selected for longevity
Authors: Garreau H. , Larzul C. , Tudela F. , Ruesche J. , Ducrocq V. , Fortun-Lamothe L.
Published: September 2017

The aim of this study was to compare the energy balance and dynamic of body reserves in rabbit females divergently selected for longevity. One hundred and twenty-nine females from a high longevity line (HL) and 131 females of a low longevity line (LL) were studied from the 1st to the 3rd kindling. Litter size and weight and female body weight were measured at kindling (1st, 2nd and 3rd), insemination (2nd and 3rd) and at weaning (1st and 2nd). The total body electric conductivity (TOBEC) method was used to estimate the body reserves in all females at artificial insemination and at weaning, and at kindling in females that achieved parturition. Energy balance between the 11th and the 21th d of lactation was also calculated for these females. No significant difference was found for fertility or for the number of offspring born alive and weaned. However, the total number of offspring born was higher in the LL line than in the HL line at the 2nd parturition (+1.12±0.46 g; P<0.05). Consequently, the number of stillborn offspring was higher in the LL line. LL females were 4% heavier than HL females at the first parturition (P<0.05), but then HL females had a higher live weight gain than LL females from the 1st parturition to the 2nd artificial insemination (+107.0±29 g; P=0.049), leading to a similar weight between the lines at the 2nd artificial insemination. There was no significant difference between lines for estimated energy used for growth between the 11th and the 21th d of lactation, or for estimated milk production (2365±30 g in HL line vs. 2398±30 g in LL line), estimated using the weight gain of the kits between the 11th and 21st d of lactation, for feed intake measured during this period (351±5 g/d in HL line vs. 359±5 g/d in LL line) or for energy balance (–6.11±0.3 MJ in HL line vs. –6.30±0.3 MJ in LL line). However, body energy content was higher in HL females than in LL (+2.72±0.64 MJ; P=0.001). In conclusion, selection for higher functional longevity results in a better ability of females to use body reserves in their early reproductive life.
Effects of a short-term feed restriction on growth performance, blood metabolites and hepatic IGF-1 levels in growing rabbits
Authors: Lu J. , Shen Y. , He Z. , Dai X. , Wang D. , Zhang J. , Li H.
Published: September 2017

A total of 144 weaned hybrid HYLA rabbits (40-day-old) were randomly divided into 4 groups, to investigate the effects of the intensity of one week’s feed restriction on short- and medium-term growth performance, blood metabolites and hepatic IGF-1 in growing rabbits. Restricted groups were fed with 30% (Group L30), 50% (Group L50) 70% (Group L70) of ad libitum feeding for 1 wk and then fed ad libitum until the end of the experiment (75 d of age). The control group (Group AL) was fed ad libitum throughout the experiment. Total feed intake (–15.8%) and feed conversion ratio (–13.2%) were lower in the L50 than in the AL group (P<0.05), but no difference was found between the L30, L70 and AL groups (P>0.05) for these parameters. Total weight gain did not significantly differ among the 4 experimental groups (38.5 g/d; P>0.05). At the end of the feed restriction period, the total serum protein level (P=0.01) was higher in restricted rabbits than AL rabbits (P<0.01), while the hepatic IGF-1 level was lower in L30 and L50 groups than in the 2 other groups (P<0.001). However, no difference remained between groups at the end of the experiment. In contrast, calcium, triglycerides, alkaline phosphatase, urea nitrogen and total cholesterol levels were similar between groups (P>0.05) throughout the experiment. In conclusion, a short-term feed restriction improves feed conversion ratio in a lasting way, transiently alters serum protein and IFG-1 levels and leads to compensatory growth in growing rabbits.
Italy
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. European Dept.
Published: September 2017

The economy continues to recover, unemployment and nonperforming loans
have declined somewhat from their crisis peaks, and public debt appears to be
stabilizing. Growth remains moderate, however, despite exceptional monetary
accommodation and fiscal easing, and Italy continues to underperform its euro area
peers, owing to persistent structural weaknesses, imbalances, and financial fragilities.
Thin policy buffers leave the economy exposed, including to the start of withdrawal of
monetary accommodation. Meanwhile, real disposable incomes per capita have fallen
below pre-euro accession levels and the distribution of the burden of adjustment has
been uneven, potentially contributing to public discontent.
United States
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept.
Published: September 2017

The U.S. is in its third longest expansion since 1850, job growth has been
persistently strong, inflation is subdued, and the economy is effectively at full
employment. However, like many other advanced economies, the U.S. is confronting
secular shifts on multiple fronts. These include technological change that is reshaping
labor and product markets, low productivity growth, rising skills premia, and an aging
population. Even with high per capita income and one of the most flexible, competitive,
and innovative economies in the world, the U.S. model appears to be having difficulties
adapting to these changes. Most critically, relative to historical performance, growth has
been too low and too unequal. The challenge for the U.S. administration is to realign
policies to raise productivity and labor force participation, reduce poverty and income
polarization, and help restore the economy’s adaptability and dynamism.
Singapore
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. Asia and Pacific Dept
Published: September 2017

Singapore: Selected Issues
Central African Republic
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Published: September 2017

The three-year arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) was
approved on July 20, 2016 in an amount of SDR 83.55 million (75 percent of quota). The
ECF arrangement provides balance of payments support for the government’s reform
agenda to restore macroeconomic stability, boost economic growth and job creation,
reduce poverty, and build resilience towards exiting fragility. The first review was
completed on December 21, 2016, bringing total disbursements under the arrangement
to SDR 25.05 million (22.5 percent of quota).
Iraq
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept.
Published: September 2017

This Selected Issues paper discusses the need to reduce Iraq’s current expenditure to create fiscal space for inclusive growth. Iraq’s public spending is high in international comparison and is driven by its two largest components: compensation of public employees and social transfers. The reform of social welfare cash transfer programs promises to improve their large targeting errors and result in greater capacity to address poverty at a lower fiscal cost. The government also needs to introduce further amendments to the draft pension bill and critically review programs benefiting victims of war and political persecution to improve their targeting and limit their potential for abuse and a negative impact on the labor supply.
IMF Research Bulletin, Summer 2017
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. Research Dept.
Published: September 2017

The Summer 2017 issue of the IMF Research Bulletin highlights new research such as recent IMF Working Papers and Staff Discussion Notes. The Research Summaries are “Structural Reform Packages, Sequencing, and the Informal Economy (by Zsuzsa Munkacsi and Magnus Saxegaard) and “A Broken Social Contract, Not High Inequality Led to the Arab Spring” (by Shantayanan Devarajan and Elena Ianchovichina). The Q&A section features “Seven Questions on Fintech” (by Tommaso Mancini-Griffoli). The Bulletin also includes information on recommended titles from IMF Publications and the latest articles from the IMF Economic Review.
Dominican Republic
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept.
Published: September 2017

This 2017 Article IV Consultation highlights the Dominican economy’s strong growth momentum over the past three years, which is now beginning to taper off toward potential. Growth has averaged 7 percent since 2014, outperforming most emerging market economies and all economies in the Americas, buoyed by domestic demand. Real GDP expanded by 6.6 percent in 2016. The economic outlook is favorable. Growth is expected to slow toward the potential rate of about 5 percent from 2017 onward, while the recent rise in fuel prices will push inflation to target and will widen the current account deficit moderately from 2017 onward. Risks around this baseline outlook are balanced.
Finance and Development, September 2017
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. External Relations Dept.
Published: September 2017

Finance and Development, September 2017
Luxembourg
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
Published: September 2017

This Technical Note discusses the findings and recommendations made in the 2017 Financial Sector Assessment Program for Luxembourg in areas of regulation, supervision, and systemic risk monitoring of fund management. Certain structural elements of the Luxembourg fund management industry, particularly the extensive use of delegation and concentration of fund directorships, merit increased supervisory analysis and attention beyond the current activities. The Luxembourg framework for liquidity management tools compares favorably with its peers at both the EU and international level. Information on leverage of funds is of potential relevance from a systemic risk perspective. The Luxembourg authorities have also been actively monitoring and contributing to discussions on the EU money market funds regulation.
Luxembourg
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
Published: September 2017

This report assesses the risk management practices of Clearstream Banking Luxembourg (CBL) based on the Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems–International Organization of Securities Commissions (CPSS-IOSCO) Principles for Financial Market Infrastructures. The findings reveal that a range of principles are in broad observance. A key priority is to reduce CBL dependence on commercial banks in its daily operations. There is significant dependence on a limited number of depository and cash correspondent banks, in particular for the US and UK markets. This dependence could be actively mitigated through an increase in the number of contracted banks or, where possible, the establishment of direct links with local central securities depositories and central banks.
Luxembourg
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
Published: September 2017

This Technical Note reviews the stability of Luxembourg’s financial system. The financial soundness indicators for Luxembourg’s financial system, which plays a key role in the intermediation of financial capital, have remained relatively robust in recent years. Household stress test results suggest that households’ solvency would be significantly affected by a drop in income and housing prices and a rise in unemployment. Bank liquidity displays broad resilience, but would be weakened should wholesale funding dry up or funding stress emerge in foreign currencies. Banks were found to be less vulnerable to direct contagion risk through bilateral exposure; however, most banks have considerable cross-border exposure.
Republic of Serbia
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. European Dept.
Published: September 2017

Serbia continues to make good progress in addressing macroeconomic
imbalances, supported by the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA), contributing to improved
confidence and stronger growth. However, structural challenges remain, and it is
important to continue the reform momentum, taking advantage of synergies with the
EU accession process.
Morocco
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept.
Published: September 2017

The Executive Board approved a two-year Precautionary and Liquidity Line (PLL)
arrangement with Morocco in July 2014. The arrangement followed the 2012–14
PLL arrangement, and sought to build on the progress made in the previous two years.
The authorities kept their objective of strengthening macroeconomic stability and
promoting stronger and more job-rich growth. They committed to use the backstop
provided by the PLL-supported program to help continue reducing vulnerabilities in the
fiscal and external sectors, notably by reducing the fiscal and current account deficits.
Per the authorities’ request, access was lower than under the previous PLL arrangement,
equivalent to 550 percent of quota (about SDR 3.24billion).
Impacts of large-scale circulation on urban ambient concentrations of gaseous elemental mercury in New York, USA
Authors: Mao Huiting , Hall Dolly , Ye Zhuyun , Zhou Ying , Felton Dirk , Zhang Leiming
Published: September 2017

Abstract. The impact of large-scale circulation on urban gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) was investigated through analysis of 2008–2015 measurement data from an urban site in New York City (NYC), New York, USA. Distinct annual cycles were observed in 2009–2010 with mixing ratios in warm seasons (i.e., spring–summer) 10–20 ppqv ( ∼  10–25 %) higher than in cool seasons (i.e., fall–winter). This annual cycle was disrupted in 2011 by an anomalously strong influence of the US East Coast trough in that warm season and was reproduced in 2014 associated with a particularly strong Bermuda High. The US East Coast trough axis index (TAI) and intensity index (TII) were used to characterize the effect of the US East Coast trough on NYC GEM, especially in winter and summer. The intensity and position of the Bermuda High appeared to have a significant impact on GEM in warm seasons. Regional influence on NYC GEM was supported by the GEM–carbon monoxide (CO) correlation with r of 0.17–0.69 (p ∼  0) in most seasons. Simulated regional and local anthropogenic contributions to wintertime NYC anthropogenically induced GEM concentrations were averaged at  ∼  75 % and 25 %, with interannual variation ranging over 67 %–83 % and 17 %–33 %, respectively. Results from this study suggest the possibility that the increasingly strong Bermuda High over the past decades could dominate over anthropogenic mercury emission control in affecting ambient concentrations of mercury via regional buildup and possibly enhancing natural and legacy emissions.
Role of atmospheric circulations in haze pollution in December 2016
Authors: Yin Zhicong , Wang Huijun
Published: September 2017

Abstract. In the east of China, recent haze pollution has been severe and damaging. In addition to anthropogenic emissions, atmospheric circulations and local meteorological conditions were conducive factors. The number of December haze days over North China and the Huanghuai area has increased sharply since 2010 and was greatest in 2016. During 2016, the most aggressive control measures for anthropogenic emissions were implemented from 16 to 21 December, but the most severe haze pollution still occurred, covering approximately 25 % of the land area of China and lasting for 6 days. The atmospheric circulations must play critical roles in the sub-seasonal haze events. Actually, the positive phase of the East Atlantic–West Russia pattern in the middle troposphere strengthened the anomalous anti-cyclone over the NH area that confined vertical motion below. The associated southerly anomalies made the cold air and surface wind speed weaker, but enhanced the humid flow. Thus, the horizontal and vertical dispersion of atmospheric particulates was suppressed and the pollutants gathered within a narrow space. In December 2016, these key indices were strongly beneficial for haze occurrence and combined to result in the severest haze pollution. The influences of the preceding autumn sea surface temperature near the Gulf of Alaska and the subtropical eastern Pacific, October–November snow cover in western Siberia, and associated physical processes on haze pollution are also discussed.
The BErkeley Atmospheric CO2 Observation Network: Field Calibration and Evaluation of Low-cost Air Quality Sensors
Authors: Kim Jinsol , Shusterman Alexis A. , Lieschke Kaitlyn J. , Newman Catherine , Cohen Ronald C.
Published: September 2017

Abstract. The newest generation of air quality sensors is small, low cost, and easy to deploy. These sensors are an attractive option for developing dense observation networks in support of regulatory activities and scientific research. They are also of interest for use by individuals to characterize their home environment and for citizen science. However, these sensors are difficult to interpret. Although some have an approximately linear response to the target analyte, that response may vary with time, temperature, and/or humidity, and the cross-sensitivity to non-target analytes can be large enough to be confounding. Standard approaches to calibration that are sufficient to account for these variations require a quantity of equipment and labor that negates the attractiveness of the sensors’ low cost. Here we describe a novel calibration strategy for a set of sensors including CO, NO, NO2, and O3 that makes use of multiple co-located sensors, a priori knowledge about the chemistry of NO, NO2, and O3, as well as an estimate of mean emission factors for CO and the global background of CO. The strategy requires one or more well calibrated anchor points within the network domain, but it does not require direct calibration of any of the individual low-cost sensors. The procedure nonetheless accounts for temperature and drift, in both the sensitivity and zero offset. We demonstrate this calibration on a subset of the sensors comprising BEACO2N, a distributed network of approximately 50 sensor “nodes,” each measuring CO2, CO, NO, NO2, O3 and particle matter at 10 second time resolution at approximately 2 km spacing in locations surrounding the San Francisco Bay Area.