bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of atenolol in human urine by using HPLC
Authors: Yilmaz Bilal , Arslan Sakir
Published: January 2018

A simple high‐performance liquid chromatography method has been developed for determination of atenolol in human urine. The method was validated on Ace C18 column using fluorescence detection. The mobile phase consisted of methanol/water (50:50, v/v) containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid. Fluorescence detection was performed at 276 nm (excitation) and 296 nm (emission). The calibration curve was linear between the concentration range of 5–150 ng/mL. Intra‐ and inter‐day precision values for atenolol in human urine were less than 6.09, and accuracy (relative error) was better than 5.50%. The extraction recoveries of atenolol from human urine were between 93.0 and 98.8%. The limits of detection and quantification of atenolol were 1.5 and 5 ng/mL, respectively. Also, the method was successfully applied to a patient with hypertension who had been given an oral tablet of 50 mg atenolol.
Transient MicroRNA Expression Enhances Myogenic Potential of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Bem Joanna , Grabowska Iwona , Daniszewski Maciej , Zawada Dorota , Czerwinska Areta M. , Bugajski Lukasz , Piwocka Katarzyna , Fogtman Anna , Ciemerych Maria A.
Published: January 2018

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known regulators of various cellular processes, including pluripotency and differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). We analyzed differentiation of two ESC lines—D3 and B8, and observed significant differences in the expression of miRNAs and genes involved in pluripotency and differentiation. We also examined if transient miRNA overexpression could serve as a sufficient impulse modulating differentiation of mouse ESCs. ESCs were transfected with miRNA Mimics and differentiated in embryoid bodies and embryoid body outgrowths. miRNAs involved in differentiation of mesodermal lineages, such as miR145 and miR181, as well as miRNAs regulating myogenesis (MyomiRs)—miR1, miR133a, miR133b, and miR206 were tested. Using such approach, we proved that transient overexpression of molecules selected by us modulated differentiation of mouse ESCs. Increase in miR145 levels upregulated Pax3, Pax7, Myod1, Myog, and MyHC2, while miR181 triggered the expression of such crucial myogenic factors as Myf5 and MyHC2. As a result, the ability of ESCs to initiate myogenic differentiation and form myotubes was enhanced. Premature expression of MyomiRs had, however, an adverse effect on myogenic differentiation of ESCs.
Functional Kaolinite
Authors: Detellier Christian
Published: January 2018

The world resources of all clays are extremely large. Among the various types of clays, the world mine production of kaolin in 2016 was 37.0 Mt, the largest mined clay. Kaolin is traditionally used in ceramics, refractories and as paper coating and filling. But kaolin, as it is demonstrated in this paper, has a bright potential for use in non‐traditional, high value‐added, applications. This is particularly true for its principal component: the mineral species kaolinite which has a chemical structure allowing its functionalization, leading to a variety of potential applications. Kaolinite is a layered 1 : 1 clay mineral, the layer being made of two different sheets, a tetrahedral silica sheet and an octahedral alumina sheet. Large dipole‐dipole interactions, in addition to a network of H‐bonds, link the siloxane surface of a layer to the aluminol surface of another layer, making intercalation of guest species in kaolinite challenging. There is however a limited number of molecular units (molecules or salts) that can directly intercalate in kaolinite to form “pre‐intercalates”. Once intercalated these molecular units can be exchanged by a large number and variety of guests, providing access to the interlayer space of kaolinite, and to its reactive aluminol internal surfaces. The intercalation of molecules of pharmacological interest showed the potential of kaolinite to act as a slow‐releasing agent for drugs, and the intercalation of polymers resulted in the creation of intercalated nanocomposites. The intercalation of ionic liquids gave materials with ionic conductivity properties in the solid‐state. Intercalates are however unstable in water. One needed to make these organo‐inorgano nanohybrid materials resistant to hydrolysis and more thermally stable. The network of aluminol groups on the internal surfaces of kaolinite offers the opportunity to design and create controlled organo‐inorgano nanohybrid materials, taking advantage of their reactivity, in particular with hydroxyl groups of organic compounds, to form Al−O−C bonds. A functional, two‐dimensional, spatially restricted, environment can be created with controlled nanoarchitecture. The grafting of organic groups on the aluminol internal carpets has allowed applications in catalysis, in sensing, in heavy metals adsorption, in exfoliated nanocomposite, in luminescence, and in structural modifications to form nanoscrolls or nanorolls. This paper shows how the future of the use of kaolinite will shift from its traditional uses in ceramics, tiles and paper coating to more sophisticated, high value‐added, uses. In particular, research should amplify in the years to come to design an efficient and cost‐effective method to produce kaolinite with nanotubular morphology. One can foresee also that efficient, easy‐to‐use, electrochemical devices based on modified kaolinite, will be created to quantify selectively a variety of pollutants in waste waters.
Consensus on Training and Implementation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery: A Delphi Study
Authors: Francis Nader K. , Walker Thomas , Carter Fiona , Hübner Martin , Balfour Angela , Jakobsen Dorthe Hjort , Burch Jennie , Wasylak Tracy , Demartines Nicolas , Lobo Dileep N. , Addor Valerie , Ljungqvist Olle
Published: January 2018

Background

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is widely accepted in current surgical practice due to its positive impact on patient outcomes. The successful implementation of ERAS is challenging and compliance with protocols varies widely. Continual staff education is essential for successful ERAS programmes. Teaching modalities exist, but there remains no agreement regarding the optimal training curriculum or how its effectiveness is assessed. We aimed to draw consensus from an expert panel regarding the successful training and implementation of ERAS.

Methods

A modified Delphi technique was used; three rounds of questionnaires were sent to 58 selected international experts from 11 countries across multiple ERAS specialities and multidisciplinary teams (MDT) between January 2016 and February 2017. We interrogated opinion regarding four topics: (1) the components of a training curriculum and the structure of training courses; (2) the optimal framework for successful implementation and audit of ERAS including a guide for data collection; (3) a framework to assess the effectiveness of training; (4) criteria to define ERAS training centres of excellence.

Results

An ERAS training course must cover the evidence‐based principles of ERAS with team‐oriented training. Successful implementation requires strong leadership, an ERAS facilitator and an effective MDT. Effectiveness of training can be measured by improved compliance. A training centre of excellence should show a willingness to teach and demonstrable team working.

Conclusions

We propose an international expert consensus providing an ERAS training curriculum, a framework for successful implementation, methods for assessing effectiveness of training and a definition of ERAS training centres of excellence.
Which Patients Require Extended Thromboprophylaxis After Colectomy? Modeling Risk and Assessing Indications for Post‐discharge Pharmacoprophylaxis
Authors: Beal Eliza W. , Tumin Dmitry , Chakedis Jeffery , Porter Erica , Moris Dimitrios , Zhang Xu‐feng , Arnold Mark , Harzman Alan , Husain Syed , Schmidt Carl R. , Pawlik Timothy M.
Published: January 2018

Background

Given the conflicting nature of reported risk factors for post‐discharge venous thromboembolism (VTE) and unclear guidelines for post‐discharge pharmacoprophylaxis, we sought to determine risk factors for 30‐day post‐discharge VTE after colectomy to predict which patients will benefit from post‐discharge pharmacoprophylaxis.

Methods

Patients who underwent colectomy in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project Participant Use Files from 2011 to 2015 were identified. Logistic regression modeling was used. Receiver‐operating characteristic curves were used and the best cut‐points were determined using Youden’s J index (sensitivity + specificity − 1). Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness‐of‐fit test was used to test model calibration. A random sample of 30% of the cohort was used as a validation set.

Results

Among 77,823 cases, the overall incidence of VTE after colectomy was 1.9%, with 0.7% of VTE events occurring in the post‐discharge setting. Factors associated with post‐discharge VTE risk including body mass index, preoperative albumin, operation time, hospital length of stay, race, smoking status, inflammatory bowel disease, return to the operating room and postoperative ileus were included in logistic regression equation model. The model demonstrated good calibration (goodness of fit P = 0.7137) and good discrimination (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.68; validation set, AUC = 0.70). A score of ≥−5.00 had the maxim sensitivity and specificity, resulting in 36.63% of patients being treated with prophylaxis for an overall VTE risk of 0.67%.

Conclusion

Approximately one‐third of post‐colectomy VTE events occurred after discharge. Patients with predicted post‐discharge VTE risk of ≥−5.00 should be recommended for extended post‐discharge VTE prophylaxis.
Anytime diagnosis for reconfiguration
Authors: Felfernig Alexander , Walter Rouven , Galindo José A. , Benavides David , Erdeniz Seda Polat , Atas Müslüm , Reiterer Stefan
Published: January 2018

Many domains require scalable algorithms that help to determine diagnoses efficiently and often within predefined time limits. Anytime diagnosis is able to determine solutions in such a way and thus is especially useful in real-time scenarios such as production scheduling, robot control, and communication networks management where diagnosis and corresponding reconfiguration capabilities play a major role. Anytime diagnosis in many cases comes along with a trade-off between diagnosis quality and the efficiency of diagnostic reasoning. In this paper we introduce and analyze FlexDiag which is an anytime direct diagnosis approach. We evaluate the algorithm with regard to performance and diagnosis quality using a configuration benchmark from the domain of feature models and an industrial configuration knowledge base from the automotive domain. Results show that FlexDiag helps to significantly increase the performance of direct diagnosis search with corresponding quality tradeoffs in terms of minimality and accuracy.
A timesaving estimation of per‐quadrat species number in grassland communities based on a Poisson‐like model
Authors: Chen Jun , Shiyomi Masae , Bai Huimin
Published: January 2018

In estimating the number of species per quadrat with a given area, we usually need much time and labor, because we have no simple ways to easily count it using hardware. We devised here a software method to estimate the mean number of species by counting them only partially in the survey, and estimating it mathematically. We classify quadrats into three classes composed of k, k + 1 and more than k + 1 species; or classify quadrats into four classes composed of k, k + 1, k + 2, and more than k + 2 (referred to as “censored sampling”), where k is the minimum number of species per quadrat. We do not need to count more than k + 2 or k + 3 species, respectively. Using only these 3 or 4 numerals we can estimate the mean of number of species per quadrat, the 95% confidence intervals for the mean and know the spatial pattern value such as aggregated, random or uniform pattern of the number of species per quadrat. Using this method, 10–20% time and labor in counting will be saved compared to the full census. The estimates are obtained through the maximum likelihood calculation. Computer programs to estimate the mean number of species per quadrat are attached as ESMs.
Reconstrução cirúrgica após excisão de extenso mixofibrossarcoma do membro superior
Authors: Batista Kátia Tôrres , Martins Valney Claudino Sampaio , Schwartzman Ulises Prieto y , Ferreira Telma Leonel
Published: January 2018

O mixofibrossarcoma é um raro sarcoma de partes moles. Os autores apresentam o relato de um caso, em mulher jovem, de exerese e reconstrução de extenso mixofibrossarcoma de baixo grau localizado no antebraço, no punho e na mão. Fez-se a exerese ampla em monobloco conforme achados de ressonância magnética e estudo histopatológico transoperatório. Usaram-se a matriz dérmica e o enxerto de pele total associado a programa fisioterápico pós-operatório. Os aspectos relacionados ao diagnóstico diferencial do mixofibrossarcoma em paciente jovem, seu caráter infiltrativo, a ampla excisão, a reconstrução em dois tempos cirúrgicos (com o uso de matriz dérmica e enxerto de pele total) e o programa fisioterápico pós-operatório são relevantes.
Legal Consciousness as Viewed through the Judicial Iconography of the Madras High Court
Authors: KHORAKIWALA Rahela
Published: January 2018

The Madras High Court located in Chennai, India, was established in 1862 when India was under colonial rule. It continues to exist in post-independence India after merging into the Indian legal system. In this study, I argue that the architecture and judicial iconography of the Madras High Court building reflects a recurring historical tension between Indian and British concepts of justice. This is continually reflected in the semiotics of the legal space of this high court which in turn influences the legal consciousness of the court personnel who utilize this space. This architecture and iconography of the Madras High Court constitutes, preserves, and reinforces the ambivalent legal consciousness of those who created, occupy, and visit this space. The contemporary legal consciousness of the court personnel is thus seen to have deep historical roots.
Evaluation of Cognition and Cortical Excitability in Huntington’s Disease
Authors: Kamble Nitish , Netravathi M. , Nagaraju B.C. , Lenka Abhishek , Kumar Keshav , Sowmya V. , Jain Sanjeev , Pal Pramod Kumar
Published: January 2018

Background: Recent advances in neurophysiological techniques have contributed to our understanding of the pathophysiology of Huntington’s disease (HD). Studies of the motor cortical excitability and central motor pathways have shown variable results. Objectives: Our aims were to evaluate the cortical excitability changes in HD using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and correlate the changes with cognitive impairment. Methods: The study included 32 HD patients and 30 age- and gender-matched controls. The demographic and clinical profiles of the patients were recorded. All subjects were evaluated by TMS and resting motor threshold (RMT), central motor conduction time (CMCT), silent period (SP), short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), and intracortical facilitation were determined. A battery of neuropsychological tests was administered to all subjects. Results: The mean age of the patients was 42.1±14.1 years, and that of controls 39.4±12.4 years (p=0.61). There was no significant difference in RMT and CMCT between the two groups. There was a mild prolongation of the contralateral SP in HD, but it was not significant. SICI was significantly reduced in HD (p<0.0001). A significant impairment in attention, verbal fluency, executive function, visuospatial function, learning, and memory was observed in HD patients. However, there was no correlation between cortical excitability changes and cognitive impairment. Conclusions: TMS is a valuable method of evaluating cortical excitability changes in HD. These patients have reduced SICI and significant impairment of cognition in multiple domains.
Anxiety and Depression in Adult First Seizure Presentations
Authors: Lane Ciaran , Crocker Candice , Legg Karen , Borden Mallory , Pohlmann-Eden Bernd
Published: January 2018

Objective:To define the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients at the time of their first seizure presentation to a neurologist.Methods:Our pilot study uses a cohort approach with multimodal data (clinical, social, structural [3T magnetic resonance imaging], and functional [electroencephalogram]). We screened 105 patients referred to the Halifax First Seizure Clinic between 2014 and 2016 and 51 controls. All participants completed two screening questionnaires: Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item. After applying the exclusion criteria, the study population consisted of 57 patients with unprovoked first seizure and 31 controls. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was based on cutoff scores of >15 and >14 respectively.Results:Unprovoked first seizure patients showed higher prevalence of depression (33%) compared with control (6%) with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.75 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72-10.5). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of anxiety between control subjects (9.7%) and unprovoked first seizure patients (23%). Subcategory analysis conducted after diagnosis confirmation revealed significantly increased OR of depression in patients diagnosed with new-onset epilepsy (OR, 11.6; 95% CI, 2.1-64.0) and newly diagnosed epilepsy (OR, 20.0; 95% CI,2.2-181), but not first seizure only patients (OR, 2.2; 95% CI,0.28-17.6) compared with control.Conclusions:Our study supports a bidirectional relationship between the first seizure and depression. Prevalence rate of depression increased with duration of undiagnosed epilepsy at the time of first clinical assessment.
Solitary waves on falling liquid films in the inertia-dominated regime
Authors: Denner Fabian , Charogiannis Alexandros , Pradas Marc , Markides Christos N. , van Wachem Berend G. M. , Kalliadasis Serafim
Published: January 2018

We offer new insights and results on the hydrodynamics of solitary waves on inertia-dominated falling liquid films using a combination of experimental measurements, direct numerical simulations (DNS) and low-dimensional (LD) modelling. The DNS are shown to be in very good agreement with experimental measurements in terms of the main wave characteristics and velocity profiles over the entire range of investigated Reynolds numbers. And, surprisingly, the LD model is found to predict accurately the film height even for inertia-dominated films with high Reynolds numbers. Based on a detailed analysis of the flow field within the liquid film, the hydrodynamic mechanism responsible for a constant, or even reducing, maximum film height when the Reynolds number increases above a critical value is identified, and reasons why no flow reversal is observed underneath the wave trough above a critical Reynolds number are proposed. The saturation of the maximum film height is shown to be linked to a reduced effective inertia acting on the solitary waves as a result of flow recirculation in the main wave hump and in the moving frame of reference. Nevertheless, the velocity profile at the crest of the solitary waves remains parabolic and self-similar even after the onset of flow recirculation. The upper limit of the Reynolds number with respect to flow reversal is primarily the result of steeper solitary waves at high Reynolds numbers, which leads to larger streamwise pressure gradients that counter flow reversal. Our results should be of interest in the optimisation of the heat and mass transport characteristics of falling liquid films and can also serve as a benchmark for future model development.
Effects of green coffee extract supplementation on anthropometric indices, glycaemic control, blood pressure, lipid profile, insulin resistance and appetite in patients with the metabolic syndrome: a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Roshan Hanieh , Nikpayam Omid , Sedaghat Meghdad , Sohrab Golbon
Published: January 2018

This study was conducted to elucidate the effects of decaffeinated green coffee bean extract (GCE) on anthropometric indices, glycaemic control, blood pressure, lipid profile, insulin resistance and appetite in patients with the metabolic syndrome (Mets). Subjects were randomly allocated to consume 400 mg GCE or placebo capsules twice per d for 8 weeks. Both groups were advised to follow an energy balanced diet. After GCE supplementation, systolic blood pressure (SBP) significantly reduced compared with the placebo group (−13·76 (sd 8·48) v. −6·56 (sd 9·58) mmHg, P=0·01). Also, GCE treatment significantly reduced fasting blood glucose (FBS) (−5·15 (sd 60·22) v. 29·42 (sd 40·01) mg/dl (−0·28 (SD 3·34) v. 1·63 (SD 2·22) mmol/l); P=0·03) and homoeostatic model of assessment of insulin resistance in comparison to placebo (−1·41 (sd 3·33) v. 1·23 (sd 3·84), P=0·02). In addition, waist circumference (−2·40 (sd 2·54) v. −0·66 (sd 1·17) cm, P=0·009) and appetite score (−1·44 (sd 1·72) v. −0·2 (sd 1·32), P=0·01) of the individuals supplemented with GCE indicated a significant decline. Besides, weight and BMI reduction in the intervention group was almost twice as much as the placebo group; however, this discrepancy was marginally significant (weight: −2·08 (sd 2·11) v. −0·92 (sd 1·30) kg, P=0·05). No difference was observed in terms of glycated Hb (HbA1c) percentage and lipid profile parameters between the two groups. To sum up, GCE administration had an ameliorating effect on some of the Mets components such as high SBP, high FBS and Mets main aetiological factors including insulin resistance and abdominal obesity. Furthermore, GCE supplementation could reduce appetite level.
A Brief History of Incivility in Rural Postcolonial India: Caste, Religion, and Anthropology
Authors: Simpson Edward , Tilche Alice , Sbriccoli Tommaso , Jeffery Patricia , Otten Tina
Published: January 2018

Anthropological studies of Indian villages conducted in the 1950s and 1960s form a valuable archive of rural life soon after India's independence. We compare sections of that archive with recent fieldwork in the same villages in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha. If we trust the ethnography of the 1950s, domestic and caste spheres were the locations of village incivility. It is noteworthy that there is no reference in the early work to the Partition of the subcontinent that had occurred just a few years before. Neither is there mention of discrimination or violence carried out in the name of religion in these locations. New fieldwork reveals a different story about the rise of wholesale religious incivility in the public sphere. Caste has not vanished, but inter-caste relations have taken on new forms. We suggest that the intersection of affirmative action policies, political parties, and the systematic penetration of Hindu nationalist organizations has been crucial in the remaking of rural India.
The Quest for the “Community” of Q: Mapping Q Within the Social, Scribal, and Textual Landscape(s) of Second Temple Judaism
Authors: Joseph Simon J.
Published: January 2018

Was there a “Q community”? There are many who think that any quest for a “Q community” is a fool's errand. In this paper, I revisit this vexing question by focusing on several distinctive textual coordinates with which we can map Q's author within the social, textual, and theological landscape(s) of Second Temple Judaism. Since the author of Q was capable of crafting innovative scriptural allusions and adapting inherited Jesus traditions, I suggest that Q is not an isolated “Galilean” phenomenon but a textual production that combines Galilean Jesus traditions in conversation with contemporary Jewish apocalyptic traditions and can be located alongside the wider “Essenic” networks that pre-dated and co-existed with the Palestinian Jewish Jesus movement.
Competition of Sicklepod (Cassia obtusifolia) and Redroot Pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) with Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)
Authors: Buchanan G. A. , Crowley R. H. , Street J. E. , McGuire J. A.
Published: January 2018

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutumL. ‘Stoneville 213’) was grown with densities of sicklepod (Cassia obtusifoliaL.) or redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexusL.) ranging from 0 to 32 weeds/15 m of row. Regression of seed cotton yields on weed density revealed a linear decrease in yield with increasing weed densities. In the 3 yr these studies were conducted, losses in hand harvested yields of seed cotton ranged from 34 to 43 kg/ha for each sickledpod plant/15 m of row and 21 to 38 kg/ha for each redroot pigweed plant per 15 m of row. Under comparable weed densities, yields of seed cotton differed only slightly when hand harvested or mechanically harvested. Mechanical harvesting efficiencies of cotton were reduced only at higher densities of weeds. The percentage of trash in cotton generally increased with increasing density of weeds. Neither sicklepod nor redroot pigweed affected cotton grade or micronaire.
Weed Control in Field Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) in Western Nebraska
Authors: Wilson R. G. , Wicks G. A. , Fenster C. R.
Published: January 2018

In field studies conducted in 1971 through 1977 weed yields were higher in EPTC (S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate) and alachlor [2-chloro-2′,6′-diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl)acetanilide]-treated areas as compared to handweeded plots. Weeds present in EPTC-and alachlortreated areas did not result in a significant field bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. ‘Great Northern 59’) yield reduction as compared to hand-weeded plots. For every 1000 kg of dry weeds present in field beans there was a corresponding decrease in field bean yields of 208 kg/ha. Weed yields produced in plots treated with alachlor, dinitramine (N4,N4-diethyl-α,α,α-trifluoro-3,5-dinitrotoluene-2,4-diamine), EPTC, metolachlor [2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)acetamide], trifluralin (α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine), and profluralin [N-(cyclopropylmethyl)-α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N-propyl-p-toluidine] were significantly less when herbicides were incorporated with the rotary tiller as compared to incorporation with the spike-tooth harrow. Incorporation method was not as critical with butralin [4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-N-(1-methylpropyl)-2,6-dinitrobenzenamine], with spike-tooth harrow incorporation of herbicides providing similar weed control to that obtained with the rotary tiller. Weed densities and yields were higher in plots seeded with field bean determinate variety ‘Great Northern 1140’ than in plots seeded with indeterminate variety ‘Tara’, when either EPTC or alachlor were applied preplant and incorporated. Neither field bean variety competed well with weeds when no herbicide was used.
Germination of Field Dodder (Cuscuta campestris)
Authors: Hutchison J. M. , Ashton F. M.
Published: January 2018

Germination of field dodder (Cuscuta campestris Yunck.) was investigated in field and laboratory studies. Germination plots established to simulate field conditions showed a rapid decline in the number of seedlings emerging over a 5-yr period. Less than 10% of the seeds planted emerged. Time of germination was correlated with temperature. The dormancy of seeds buried at various depths was found to be broken by overwintering. Older seeds and those close to the surface germinated best. Scarified seeds did not germinate at 15 C nor at temperatures of 39 C or above. Maximum germination occurred at 30 and 33 C. Scarified seeds planted at various depths failed to emerge from 3.8, 4.0, or 7.6 cm in the three soil types evaluated; the majority emerged from 3 cm or less. Seeds stored outdoors, at 3 to 8 C, or −3 to 0 C declined in dormancy with time compared to seeds stored at 15 to 25 C.
Effect of Inorganic Salts on the Toxicity and Translocation of Glyphosate and MSMA in Purple Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus)
Authors: Wills Gene D. , McWhorter Chester G.
Published: January 2018

The effects of several inorganic salts on the toxicity and translocation of nonradiolabeled and14C-radiolabeled MSMA (monosodium salt of MAA) and the isopropylamine salt of glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] following foliar applications to purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundusL. ♯ CYPRO) were evaluated. Salts of the monovalent cations NH4+, K+, and Na+and to a lesser degree the anion PO4generally resulted in increased toxicity of these herbicides. Salts of the divalent and trivalent cations Zn++and Fe+++frequently reduced the activity of glyphosate and MSMA, whereas salts of the divalent Ca++ion caused little or no effect on activity. Salts of the anions Cl–, NO3–, CO3—-, and SO4–resulted in increased, decreased, or unchanged glyphosate toxicity as influenced by the associated cation. Translocation of the radiolabel of14C-glyphosate and14C-MSMA was increased by the addition of NH4Cl, while retention of the radiolabel within the tissue of the treated area was increased by the addition of FeCl3to the treated leaf surface.
Influence of Weed Management and Cropping Systems on Sicklepod (Cassia obtusifolia) Seed in the Soil
Authors: Bridges David C. , Walker Robert H.
Published: January 2018

Research was conducted from 1979 through 1982 in east-central Alabama to monitor changes in sicklepod (Cassia obtusifoliaL. ♯ CASOB) seed numbers in the soil under various cropping and weed management systems in soybeans [Glycine max(L.) Merr.]. Significant declines in sicklepod seed numbers were attained only when mechanical summer fallow each year prevented replenishment of seed in soil. Repeated disking favored germination and emergence of sicklepod seed and thus caused a reduction in seed numbers. Chemical summer fallow, which relied on postemergence control of emerged sicklepod, did not result in a disturbed seedbed and was less effective in reducing seed numbers. Permitting subcompetitive densities of sicklepod, 0.45 and 0.90 plants/m2, to reach maturity each year resulted in increases in seed numbers in the soil. Increases were more dramatic in conventionally planted soybeans than in no-till culture. Sicklepod produced more pods per plant in tilled culture than in no-till. Sicklepod seed distribution in the upper 30 cm of the soil was not affected by the type of primary tillage.
Chlorsulfuron for Weed Control in Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius)
Authors: Anderson Randy L.
Published: January 2018

Chlorsulfuron {2-chloro-N-[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]benzenesulfonamide} was nontoxic to safflower (Carthamus tinctoriusL.) when applied postemergence in 1983 and 1984 at 0.018 and 0.035 kg ai/ha. Trifluralin [2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzenamine] at 1.1 and 1.7 kg ai/ha and pronamide [3,5-dichloro(N-1,1-dimethyl-2-propynyl)benzamide] at 0.8 and 1.1 kg ai/ha were applied previously as preplant soil-incorporated treatments. In both years, safflower was relatively free of weeds where trifluralin was applied alone or in sequential treatments with chlorsulfuron. Pronamide, with or without chlorsulfuron, failed to completely control witchgrass (Panicum capillareL. ♯ PANCA) in 1 yr; thus safflower grain yields were reduced 21 to 35% when compared to weed-free safflower. Chlorsulfuron controlled redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexusL. ♯ AMARE), puncturevine (Tribulus terrestrisL. ♯ TRBTE), and common sunflower (Helianthus annuusL. ♯ HELAN).
The Political Mobility of China's Central State-Owned Enterprise Leaders
Authors: Leutert Wendy
Published: January 2018

Extensive research on the political mobility of Chinese officials at central, provincial, municipal and county levels has yet to fully consider an important group of elites – the leaders of China's core central state-owned enterprises (SOEs). This paper presents the first systematic analysis of their political mobility between 2003 and 2012 using an original biographical dataset with 864 leader-year observations. Under the Hu Jintao administration, these leaders emerged as a distinctive group within China's top political elite: increasingly well-educated but lacking experience beyond state-owned industry, with both lengthening leadership tenures and years of previous work in their companies. Instead of a “revolving door” through which these individuals rotate routinely between state-owned business and the Party-state to positions of successively higher rank, a top executive posting was most often a “one-way exit” to retirement. Of those who advanced politically, virtually all were transferred laterally along three career pathways with little overlap: to other core central SOEs; provinces; and the centre. This paper underscores the theoretical importance of disaggregating types of lateral transfer to research on Chinese officials’ political mobility and the cadre management system.
Absorption and Translocation of14C-Imazapyr and14C-Glyphosate in AlligatorweedAlternanthera philoxeroides
Authors: Tucker T. A. , Langeland K. A. , Corbin F. T.
Published: January 2018

The absorption and translocation of the isopropylamine salts of14C-glyphosate and14C-imazapyr were compared in established terrestrial alligatorweed. Results indicated that more than twice as much imazapyr as glyphosate was absorbed by treated leaves of alligatorweed. In addition, more imazapyr was translocated to the underground storage tissues in alligatorweed than was glyphosate. This difference in translocation to roots and subterranean storage tissues is proposed as a mechanism for tolerance of alligatorweed to glyphosate and susceptibility to imazapyr.
Early Broadleaf Weed Control in Potato (Solanum tuberosum) with Herbicides
Authors: Murray Martina W. , Arnold Richard N. , Gregory Eddie J. , Smeal Dan
Published: January 2018

Ten herbicide treatments were evaluated for early season control of three broadleaf weeds and effects on marketable potato yields in low-organic, coarse-textured soil. All treatments controlled prostrate pigweed 100%. Trifluralin with metolachlor or with EPTC did not control kochia well. Pendimethalin alone or with EPTC controlled Russian thistle poorly, and produced the lowest marketable tuber yields. Fluorochloridone at 0.6 kg ai/ha caused chlorosis and reduced potato yield 11%. Treatments with metribuzin tended to have high potato yields.
Warmer weather as a risk factor for hospitalisations due to urinary tract infections
Authors: Simmering J. E. , Cavanaugh J. E. , Polgreen L. A. , Polgreen P. M.
Published: January 2018

The incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) is seasonal, and this seasonality may be explained by changes in weather, specifically, temperature. Using data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, we identified the geographic location for 581 813 hospital admissions with the primary diagnosis of a UTI and 56 630 773 non-UTI hospitalisations in the United States. Next, we used data from the National Climatic Data Center to estimate the monthly average temperature for each location. Using a case–control design, we modelled the odds of a hospital admission having a primary diagnosis of UTI as a function of demographics, payer, location, patient severity, admission month, year and the average temperature for the admission month. We found, after controlling for patient factors and month of admission, the odds of a UTI diagnosis increased with higher temperatures in a dose-dependent manner. For example, relative to months with average temperatures of 5–7.5 °C, an admission in a month with an average temperature of 27.5–30 °C has 20% higher odds of a primary diagnosis of UTI. However, in months with extremely high average temperatures (above 30 °C), the odds of a UTI admissions decrease, perhaps due to changes in behaviour. Thus, at a population level, UTI-related hospitalisations are associated with warmer weather.
Dosimetric evaluation of electron beams on scalp using EBT2 films and rando phantom
Authors: Hasoomi Nafise , Naderi Mansour , Sarabi Asl Akbar
Published: January 2018

Background

In radiotherapy, electron beam irradiation is an effective modality for superficial tumours. Electron beams have good coverage of tumours which involve the skin, however there is an issue about electron scattering and tissue heterogeneity. This subsequently demands dosimetric analysis of electron beam behaviour, particularly in the treatment of lesions on the scalp requiring the application of treatment to scalp curvatures. There are various methods which are used to treat scalp malignancies including photons and electrons, but, the later needs precise dosimetry before each session of treatment. The purpose of the study was to undertake a detailed analysis of the dosimetry of electron beams when applied to the curved surface of the scalp using Gafchromic® EBT2 films.

Methods and materials

A rando phantom and Gafchromic® EBT2 films were used for dosimetric analysis. A gafchromic calibration curve was plotted and an in-treatment beam dosimetric analysis was carried out using dosimetry films placed on the scalp. Electron behaviour was assessed by introducing five electron fields in particular curvature regions of scalp.

Result

There was an acceptable dose range through all five fields and hotspots occurred in the curved borders. In our study, skin doses and doses at the field junctions, with no gaps, were between 78–97% and 80–97%, respectively.

Conclusions

Electron beams are a good modality for treating one flat field, but in the special topography of the scalp, whole scalp treatment requires precise field matching and dosimetry. In undertaking this detailed dosimetric analysis using a rando phantom and Gafchromic® EBT2 films, it is concluded that this method requires further detailed analysis before using in clinics.
EU Social and Gender Policy beyond Brexit: Towards the European Pillar of Social Rights
Authors: Plomien Ania
Published: January 2018

The analysis of EU level social and gender policies highlights uneven developments and concerns over the EU as not (always) beneficial to social progress and gender equality. The EU, although primarily market driven, has developed a range of social policies, with gender equality enjoying a long-standing status as EU's founding value, dating back to the 1957 principle of equal pay for equal work. Yet, sixty years later, social justice objectives and equality between women and men remain to be realised. Social and gender themes have been revived by the proposal to develop the European Pillar of Social Rights, the shaping and implementing of which post-Brexit UK will not take part in. This initiative entails some meaningful developments for social and gender progress. However, its current form and content represents an adjustment to, rather than a transformation of, the unequal European economy and society.
Report of an Italian family carrying a typical Indian variant of the Nilgiris tribal groups resulting from a de novo occurrence
Authors: Canu Giulia , Mazzuccato Giorgia , Urbani Andrea , Minucci Angelo
Published: January 2018

G6PD deficiency is quite common in Italy where it is characterized by extreme molecular and biochemical heterogeneity. We report a 15-year-old Italian boy with G6PD Nilgiri (c.593G>A, p.Arg198His), a typical Indian variant of the Nilgiris tribal groups. Further, this variant was biochemically characterized, and the molecular screening of the family highlighted a de novo mutational event. To date, this family is the first Caucasian family carrying the G6PD Nilgiri variant.
Effect of puerarin in promoting fatty acid oxidation by increasing mitochondrial oxidative capacity and biogenesis in skeletal muscle in diabetic rats
Authors: Chen Xiu-fang , Wang Lei , Wu Yong-zheng , Song Shi-yu , Min Hai-yan , Yang Yan , He Xuan , Liang Qiao , Yi Long , Wang Yong , Gao Qian
Published: January 2018

Background

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by dyslipidemia and the accumulation of lipids in non-adipose tissue, including skeletal muscle. Puerarin, which is a natural isoflavonoid isolated from the root of the plant Pueraria lobata, has been shown to have antidiabetic activity. However, the lipid-reducing effect of puerarin, in particular in skeletal muscle, has not yet been addressed.

Methods

We examined the effect of puerarin on mitochondrial function and the oxidation of fatty acids in the skeletal muscle of high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Results

Puerarin effectively alleviated dyslipidemia and decreased the accumulation of intramyocellular lipids by upregulating the expression of a range of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis, oxidative phosphorylation, the detoxification of reactive oxygen species, and the oxidation of fatty acids in the muscle of diabetic rats. Also, the effect of puerarin on mitochondrial biogenesis might partially involve the function of the μ-opioid receptor. In addition, puerarin decreased the trafficking of fatty acid translocase/CD36 to the plasma membrane to reduce the uptake of fatty acids by myocytes. In vitro studies confirmed that puerarin acted directly on muscle cells to promote the oxidation of fatty acids in insulin-resistant myotubes treated with palmitate.

Conclusions

Puerarin improved the performance of mitochondria in muscle and promoted the oxidation of fatty acids, which thus prevented the accumulation of intramyocellular lipids in diabetic rats. Our findings will be beneficial both for elucidating the mechanism of the antidiabetic activity of puerarin and for promoting the therapeutic potential of puerarin in the treatment of diabetes.
Comparing olive oil and C4-dietary oil, a prodrug for the GPR119 agonist, 2-oleoyl glycerol, less energy intake of the latter is needed to stimulate incretin hormone secretion in overweight subjects with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Mandøe Mette Johannsen , Hansen Katrine Bagge , Windeløv Johanne Agerlin , Knop Filip Krag , Rehfeld Jens Frederik , Rosenkilde Mette Marie , Holst Jens Juul , Hansen Harald Severin
Published: January 2018

Background/objective

After digestion, dietary triacylglycerol stimulates incretin release in humans, mainly through generation of 2-monoacylglycerol, an agonist for the intestinal G protein-coupled receptor 119 (GPR119). Enhanced incretin release may have beneficial metabolic effects. However, dietary fat may promote weight gain and should therefore be restricted in obesity. We designed C4-dietary oil (1,3-di-butyryl-2-oleoyl glycerol) as a 2-oleoyl glycerol (2-OG)-generating fat type, which would stimulate incretin release to the same extent while providing less calories than equimolar amounts of common triglycerides, e.g., olive oil.

Subjects and methods

We studied the effect over 180 min of (a) 19 g olive oil plus 200 g carrot, (b) 10.7 g C4 dietary oil plus 200 g carrot and (c) 200 g carrot, respectively, on plasma responses of gut and pancreatic hormones in 13 overweight patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Theoretically, both oil meals result in formation of 7.7 g 2-OG during digestion.

Results

Both olive oil and C4-dietary oil resulted in greater postprandial (P ≤ 0.01) glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) responses (incremental area under curve (iAUC)): iAUCGLP−1: 645 ± 194 and 702 ± 97 pM × min; iAUCGIP: 4,338 ± 764 and 2,894 ± 601 pM × min) compared to the carrot meal (iAUCGLP−1: 7 ± 103 pM × min; iAUCGIP: 266 ± 234 pM × min). iAUC for GLP-1 and GIP were similar for C4-dietary oil and olive oil, although olive oil resulted in a higher peak value for GIP than C4-dietary oil.

Conclusion

C4-dietary oil enhanced secretion of GLP-1 and GIP to almost the same extent as olive oil, in spite of liberation of both 2-OG and oleic acid, which also may stimulate incretin secretion, from olive oil. Thus, C4-dietary oil is more effective as incretin releaser than olive oil per unit of energy and may be useful for dietary intervention.
Soil contamination alters the willow root and rhizosphere metatranscriptome and the root–rhizosphere interactome
Authors: Yergeau Etienne , Tremblay Julien , Joly Simon , Labrecque Michel , Maynard Christine , Pitre Frederic E , St-Arnaud Marc , Greer Charles W
Published: January 2018

Phytoremediation using willows is thought to be a sustainable alternative to traditional remediation techniques involving excavation, transport, and landfilling. However, the complexity of the interaction between the willow and its associated highly diverse microbial communities makes the optimization of phytoremediation very difficult. Here, we have sequenced the rhizosphere metatranscriptome of four willow species and the plant root metatranscriptome for two willow species growing in petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated and non-contaminated soils on a former petroleum refinery site. Significant differences in the abundance of transcripts related to different bacterial and fungal taxa were observed between willow species, mostly in contaminated soils. When comparing transcript abundance in contaminated vs. non-contaminated soil for each willow species individually, transcripts for many microbial taxa and functions were significantly more abundant in contaminated rhizosphere soil for Salix eriocephala, S. miyabeana and S. purpurea, in contrast to what was observed in the rhizosphere of S. caprea. This agrees with the previously reported sensitivity of S. caprea to contamination, and the superior tolerance of S. miyabeana and S. purpurea to soil contamination at that site. The root metatranscriptomes of two species were compared and revealed that plants transcripts are mainly influenced by willow species, while microbial transcripts mainly responded to contamination. A comparison of the rhizosphere and root metatranscriptomes in the S. purpurea species revealed a complete reorganization of the linkages between root and rhizosphere pathways when comparing willows growing in contaminated and non-contaminated soils, mainly because of large shifts in the rhizosphere metatranscriptome.
Methanobactin from Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b inhibits N2O reduction in denitrifiers
Authors: Chang Jin , Gu Wenyu , Park Doyoung , Semrau Jeremy D , DiSpirito Alan A , Yoon Sukhwan
Published: January 2018

Methanotrophs synthesize methanobactin, a secondary metabolite that binds copper with an unprecedentedly high affinity. Such a strategy may provide methanotrophs a “copper monopoly” that can inhibit the activity of copper-containing enzymes of other microbes, e.g., copper-dependent N2O reductases. Here, we show that methanobactin from Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b inhibited N2O reduction in denitrifiers. When Pseudomonas stutzeri DCP-Ps1 was incubated in cocultures with M. trichosporium OB3b or with purified methanobactin from M. trichosporium OB3b, stoichiometric N2O production was observed from NO3− reduction, whereas no significant N2O accumulation was observed in cocultures with a mutant defective in methanobactin production. Copper uptake by P. stutzeri DCP-Ps1 was inhibited by the presence of purified methanobactin, leading to a significant downregulation of nosZ transcription. Similar findings were observed with three other denitrifier strains. These results suggest that in situ stimulation of methanotrophs can inadvertently increase N2O emissions, with the potential for increasing net greenhouse gas emissions.