bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fonksiyonel Bir Besin: Kefir
Authors: Bellikci Koyu Ezgi , Büyüktuncer Demirel Zehra
Published: January 2019

Fermente süt ürünleri arasında önemli bir yeri olan ve ülkemizde de geleneksel olarak tüketilen kefir, probiyotik özellikte birçok mikroorganizma içeren fonksiyonel bir içecektir. Kefir geleneksel olarak, bakterilerin ve mayaların simbiyotik olarak birlikte yaşadığı spesifik ve kompleks bir bileşime sahip olan kefir danelerinden üretilir. Kefirin mikrobiyal bileşimi ve besin ögesi örüntüsü kullanılan kültürün türü ve miktarı, kullanılan sütün cinsi, sütün bileşimi, kültür ortamı, fermantasyon süresi, fermantasyon sıcaklığı ve depolama koşullarına göre değişiklik göstermektedir. Bununla birlikte, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Leuconostoc cinsi bakteriler ve asetik asit bakterileri kefirde en fazla bulunan bakteriler, Saccharomyces, Kluyveromyces ve Candida cinsi mantarlar ise kefirde fazla bulunan mayalardır. Son yıllarda yapılan çalışmalar kefirin ve/veya kefirden izole edilen bakterilerin sağlık üzerine çeşitli yararları olduğuna işaret etmektedir. Çalışmalarda, kefirin antikarsinojenik, antimikrobiyal, anti-inflamatuvar ve antihipertansif etki gösterdiği, ayrıca sindirim sisteminin düzenlenmesinde, vücut ağırlığının denetiminde, lipit profilinin ve glisemik yanıtın kontrolünde yardımcı olabileceği gösterilmiştir. Bu derlemede, kefir ve kefir danesinin özellikleri, kefir üretimi, kefirin besin ögesi ve mikrobiyal bileşimi ile sağlık üzerine olan yararları ele alınmıştır.
İnsülin Direncine Etki Eden Besinler
Authors: Çetiner Özlem , Rakıcıoğlu Neslişah
Published: January 2019

İnsülin direnci, başta diyabet ve metabolik sendrom olmak üzere birçok hastalığın oluşum sürecinde rol oynayabilen önemli bir aktördür. Fiziksel aktivite ve beslenme gibi değiştirilebilir yaşam koşulları ile insülin direnci oluşumunun önüne geçilebilmektedir. Bu derleme yazının amacı, insülin direnci oluşumu ve yönetimi sürecinde etkili olduğu düşünülen besinleri incelemek ve olası yararları üzerinde durmaktır. Bu bağlamda, derleme kapsamında polifenol içeriği yüksek besinler ile posadan zengin besinler değerlendirilmiştir. İnsülin direncine etki eden ve etki ettiği düşünülen pek çok besin olmasına karşılık, tartışmalı ve zıt çalışmalar mevcuttur. Bu nedenle tek bir besin üzerinde yoğunlaşmak yerine diyetteki besin çeşitliliğini arttırıp, sözü geçen besinlerin diyete uygun miktarlarda eklenmesi daha yararlı bir yaklaşım olacaktır.
السياسة النقدية في العراق بعد 9/4/2003 (الواقع والطموح)
Authors: ابراهيم خليل اسماعيل
Published: January 2019

لا يستطيع كل كائن حي أو كيان اجتماعي أداء دوره الذي يفترض أن يقوم به ما لم يمتلك الوسائل الكافية والضرورية لأداء ذلك الدور قال سبحانه وتعالى ((قال ربنا الذي أعطى كل شيء خلقه ثم هدى – طه 50)).

والنشاط الاقتصادي كجزء من الكيان الكلي للمجتمع لا يختلف عن هذه القاعدة، إذ عندما يراد من النظام الاقتصادي أداء دور فاعل فلا غنى له عن الوسائل التي تمكنه من أداء دوره المنشود. للنظام الاقتصادي مجموعة من الوسائل تتضمنها بصورة عامة السياسة الاقتصادية ، اذ تشتمل هذه السياسة على مجموعة من السياسات منها (السياسة المالية، والسياسة النقدية والسياسة التجارية) وهناك عدد من السياسات المكملة كالسياسة الزراعية والصناعية ولكل سياسة مجموعة من الشروط الذاتية والموضوعية ، فالشروط الذاتية تتعلق بالسياسة نفسها مثل بنائها، إمكاناتها المادية والبشرية ، أما الشروط الموضوعية فتتعلق بالشروط المحيطة بها.
تقدير مصفوفة الحسابات القومية وتحديثها بإستخدام طريقة (C.E) دراسة مقارنة بين الطرق المستخدمة
Authors: فتح الله سحر
Published: January 2019

ليس جديداً القول بان هناك حاجة مستمرة ومتزايدة لاستخدام البيانات الاقتصادية المتسقة عن القطاعات المختلفة في الاقتصاد القومي لدعم وإسناد عملية التحليل الاقتصادي وتطوير النماذج الاقتصادية الكلية.

وتعرض مصفوفة الحسابات القومية Social Accounting Matrix  (SAM) اطاراً شاملاً من المعلومات الأساسية لهذا النوع من النماذج والتحليل. فهي تتضمن كلا من المستخدم- المنتج (جداول المدخلات- المخرجات) وحسابات الناتج والدخل القومي في اطار متناسق.

وبينما يتم اعداد جداول المستخدم – المنتج عادة مرة واحدة كل خمس سنوات او شيء من هذا القبيل، فان حسابات الناتج والدخل القومي تعد سنوياً وبتباطؤ زمني، أي لفترة زمنية سابقة. اما تحديث مصفوفة حسابات قومية لفترة لاحقة، فأنها لا تعد مسالة صعبة فحسب، وإنما تعد  مسالة تحدي.

ولتركيب مصفوفة حسابات قومية موسعة قابلة للتحليل الاقتصادي, فان البيانات المطلوبة هي من السعة بحيث يصعب توفيرها، وعند ذلك ينبغي ان تستكمل بواسطة معلومات اضافية ومن مصادر مختلفة، مثل الاحصاءات الصناعية، مسوحات العمل، البيانات الزراعية، الحسابات الحكومية، حسابات التجارة الخارجية، ومسوحات الاسر وغيرها. اما المشكلة الرئيسية في تحديث مصفوفة الحسابات القومية فانها تكمن في أيجاد طريقة كفوءة وقليلة الكلفة لدمج المعلومات المستحصلة من تلك المصادر والتوفيق بينها، بضمنها البيانات المستقاة من سنين سابقة.

ان الطريقة التقليدية لبناء مصفوفة حسابات قومية حديثة متماسكة ومتسقة، هي البدء من مصفوفة حسابات لسنة اساس معينة سابقة، ثم تحديثها لفترة لاحقة من خلال ادخال معلومات جديدة عن مجاميع الصفوف والاعمدة، لتلك المصفوفة مع بقاء المعلومات حول التدفقات الداخلية التي تتضمنها الـ ( SAM) ثابتة، وغالبا ما يتم البدء من مصفوفة حسابات غير متسقة ومعلومات غير متكاملة عن مجاميع الصفوف والاعمدة والتدفقات المختلفة في الـ (SAM).
Implementation of topsis algorithm for evaluating lecturer performance
Authors: Fatkhurrochman Fatkhurrochman , Kusrini Kusrini , Alfatta Hanif
Published: January 2019

Higher education is an education unit that able to carry out academic, professional and / or vocational programs. Lecturers are professional and scientific educators with the main task of transforming and developing, and disseminating science, technology and art through education, research and community service. The performance evaluation applies seven criterias, namely: attendance, teaching, research, dedication, loyalty, cooperation and responsibility. The problems are; the lecturersâ€™ performance evaluation is not optimal yet because there is no specific method to implement it. Therefore, it is necessary to build a decision support system by applying the Technique For Others Reference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). This system will later help us in determining the best lecturer in accordance with the regulation. The TOPSIS method uses the principle that the chosen alternative must have the longest (farthest) distance from the negative ideal solution from geometric point of view using the relative proximity of an alternative. The alternative means the lecturersâ€™ performance with predetermined criterias. This method produces a lecturers rankings based on the best performance on numerical scores and sorted by the greatest preference scores. The particular study used 5 lecturers as alternative to be tested. They were Lecturers 1, Lecturers 2, Lecturers 3, Lecturers 4, and Lecturers 5. The results showed that Lecturer 1 was the best lecturer with the biggest preference score of 0.612.
Determination of receipt of UPZ assistance using the SAW method
Authors: Listyanto Ahmad Wildan , Kusrini Kusrini , Sudarmawan Sudarmawan
Published: January 2019

Zakat has a very strategic position in giving the impact of welfare and improving the community's economy if the collection and distribution are managed in trustworthy, transparent and professional. An institution on zakat management is National Zakat Agency (BAZNAS), which an institution manages the zakat management nationally, and non-structural government institution that is independent and responsible to President through the Minister of Religion. BAZNAS is located in capital city and assisted by zakat collection unit (UPZ). Along this time, they conduct manually in determining the person who will receive the assistance, but it often occur errors in its implementation. Therefore, a decision support system is needed to assist UPZ in determining the person who will receive the assistance. The decision support system was designed using SAW (Simple Additive Weighting) method, then the administrators obtain an alternative data in the form of lists of students who receive the UPZ assistance. The SAW algorithm is an algorithms for decision making. The SAW algorithm is also known as an algorithm with additive weighting method. The method requires normalization process of decision matrix (x) into a scale and can be compared to the entire available alternative ratings. The study showed that SAW can be applied to determine the acceptance of UPZ assistance by the calculation results of 16. The result of calculation and recommendation of decision support system for person who receive the UPZ acceptance, have the same data on output, namely Astin Dwi Wulan.
Análisis para la Implementación del Sistema de Gestión de Calidad y del Sistema de Gestión Ambiental para el Laboratorio de Análisis Instrumental de la Escuela Politécnica Nacional
Authors: Delgado Mónica Susana , Cabrera Marcelo , Pérez Gabriela
Published: January 2019

El Laboratorio de Análisis Instrumental ubicado en el 5to piso del Edificio No. 17 de la Escuela Politécnica Nacional brinda servicios de análisis de gases de pozo, biogás, biocidas, solventes, vidrios laminados y templados, entre otros; no obstante, no cuenta con un sistema integrado de Gestión que incluya la ISO 9001:2015 ni ISO 14001:2015, los cuales deberían ser una base fundamental a fin de permitir una dirección basada en la optimización de procesos con una disminución de los impactos ambientales que puede generar cualquier empresa. Con estos antecedentes, el presente trabajo tiene por objetivo desarrollar un mecanismo para implementación de un SIG y que vaya acorde a la normativa ISO 17025:2015 mediante una búsqueda sistemática de bibliografía y como parte de la acreditación del mismo. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que la técnica de integración total, propuesta por Block y Marash (2000) y la técnica de alineamiento propuesta por Ferguson et al (2002), son adecuadas para este tipo de laboratorio, y replicables para laboratorios similares.
Implementation of Mitigation Measures to Reduce Phosphorus Losses: The Vestre Vansjø Pilot Catchment
Authors: Bechmann Marianne , Greipsland Inga , Øgaard Anne Falk
Published: January 2019

Diffuse phosphorus loss from agricultural fields is an important contributor to the eutrophication of waterbodies. The objective of this study was to evaluate a pilot project for the implementation of mitigation measures to reduce P losses. The pilot project is situated in southwestern Norway and, covers a 14-year period (2004–2018). It included data on the implementation of mitigation measures and water quality monitoring for six small catchments. The mitigation measures consisted of no tillage in autumn, reduced P fertilizer application, grassed buffer zones, and sedimentation ponds. Extra efforts were made to reduce diffuse P losses during the period from 2008 to 2010. The project comprised economic incentives, an information campaign, and farm visits. Data from 2004 and 2010 showed that the use of P fertilizer during this period decreased by 80% and the area of no-till in autumn increased in all six catchments and covered 100% of the area in three of the six catchments in 2010. However, with decreased economic incentives after 2010, the degree to which the mitigation measures were implemented was reversed; P-fertilization increased, and no-till in autumn decreased. No significant effects of mitigation measures on total P and suspended sediment concentrations were detected. We conclude that economic incentives are necessary for the comprehensive implementation of mitigation measures and but that it is not always possible to show the effect on water quality.
Variation in the Caprine KAP24-1 Gene Affects Cashmere Fibre Diameter
Authors: Wang Jiqing , Zhou Huitong , Luo Yuzhu , Zhao Mengli , Gong Hua , Hao Zhiyun , Hu Jiang , Hickford Jon G.H.
Published: January 2019

The keratin-associated proteins (KAPs) are structural components of cashmere fibres. The gene encoding the high-sulphur (HS)-KAP24-1 (KRTAP24-1) has been identified in humans and sheep, but it has not been described in goats. In this study, we report the identification of caprine KRTAP24-1, describe variation in this gene, and investigate the effect of this variation on cashmere traits. A search for sequences orthologous to the ovine gene in the goat genome revealed a 774 bp open reading frame on chromosome 1, which could encode an HS-KAP. Based on this goat genome sequence and comparison with ovine KRTAP24-1 sequences, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers were designed to amplify an 856 bp fragment that would contain the entire coding region of the putative caprine KRTAP24-1. Use of this PCR amplification with subsequent single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of the amplicons identified four distinct patterns of DNA bands on gel electrophoresis, with these representing four different DNA sequences (A to D), in 340 Longdong cashmere goats reared in China. The variant sequences had the highest similarity to KRTAP24-1 sequences from sheep and humans, suggesting that they are variants of caprine KRTAP24-1. Nine single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected in the gene, including four non-synonymous SNPs and an SNP in proximity to the ATG start codon. Of the three common genotypes (AA, AB, and BB) found in these Longdong cashmere goats, cashmere fibres from goats of genotype AA had lower mean fibre diameter (MFD) than did those of genotype AB, and cashmere fibres from goats of genotype AB had lower MFD than did those from goats of genotype BB.
An Improved Skewness Balancing Filtering Algorithm Based on Thin Plate Spline Interpolation
Authors: Cheng Penggen , Hui Zhenyang , Xia Yuanping , Ziggah Yao Yevenyo , Hu Youjian , Wu Jing
Published: January 2019

Most filtering algorithms suffer from complex parameter settings or threshold adjusting. To solve this problem, this paper proposes an improved skewness balancing filtering algorithm based on thin plate spline (TPS) interpolation. The proposed algorithm filters the nonground points in an iterative manner. A reference surface that reflects the fluctuation of the terrain is generated using the TPS interpolation method. Accordingly, the elevation difference from each point to the surface can be calculated. By applying the skewness balancing principle to these elevation differences, nonground points can be removed automatically. To verify the validity and robustness of the proposed method, the datasets provided by the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) were adopted. The experimental results show that this presented method can adapt to complex environments and achieve a higher filtering accuracy than the traditional skewness balancing algorithm. Moreover, in comparison with the other eight filtering methods tested by the ISPRS and four improved filtering methods proposed recently, the proposed method achieved an average total error of 5.39%, which is smaller than that of most of these other methods.
Influence of Anthropogenic Factors on the Diversity and Structure of a Dry Forest in the Central Part of the Tumbesian Region (Ecuador–Perú)
Authors: Cueva Ortiz Jorge , Espinosa Carlos Iván , Quiroz Dahik Carlos , Aguirre Mendoza Zhofre , Cueva Ortiz Eduardo , Gusmán Elizabeth , Weber Michael , Hildebrandt Patrick
Published: January 2019

The dry forest of southern Ecuador and northern Perú (called the Tumbesian region) is known for its high diversity, endemism, and healthy conservation state. Nevertheless, the forest is exposed to many threats linked with human activities. To understand the effects of these threats, which have not been appropriately assessed, we pose two questions: (a) What are the diversity and structural situations of the forest? (b) Are anthropogenic activities affecting the composition and structure of the forest? The assessed factors were species richness, diversity, species similarity, abundance, and density. Forest information was obtained from 72 plots (total area 25.92 ha) randomly placed to cover a wide range of stand densities (from 200 to 1100 m a.s.l.). After constructing linear mixed models and selecting the most influential one, we determined the individual influences of 12 predictors. The human pressure index (HPI) was the most negative predictor of forest health, and annual precipitation was the most important abiotic predictor of good health conditions. Livestock grazing did not significantly change the diversity and structure of mature forest. The mean annual temperature and stoniness influenced only the basal area and number of individuals, respectively. The species composition in our study area was not affected by the HPI, but was strongly predicted by annual precipitation.
Exploring the Relationships between Key Ecological Indicators to Improve Natural Conservation Planning at Different Scales
Authors: Zhang Lu , Ouyang Zhiyun
Published: January 2019

Biodiversity, regulating ecosystem services (RES), and vegetation productivity are key indicators to instruct natural conservation planning. Decision makers often hope that ecosystems can be protected by focusing on certain key indicators, which requires an understanding of the relationships between the indicators. Using individual case studies, many have argued that these indicators commonly have significant relationships. However, these relationships at different spatial scales are unclear. Therefore, in this study, biodiversity and ecosystem services are modelled by the ecological niche model, the universal soil loss equation, and the equation of water balance in two study areas at different scales. The influence of vegetation productivity on the spatial pattern of other ecological indicators in the two areas is examined by a spatial lag model. The contributions of the driving factors on biodiversity distribution at both scales are identified by a boosted regression tree (BRT) model. The results showed that at the fine scale, the spatial correlations were strongest for species richness, especially mammalian species richness, and water retention. However, biodiversity had no significant relationship with vegetation productivity. In contrast, at a coarser scale, the correlation was stronger between plant diversity and regulating ecosystem services. In addition, plant diversity was significantly correlated with vegetation productivity. These differences between scales were controlled by various explanatory variables. At the fine scale, biophysical and climatic factors had the strongest effects on biodiversity distribution, while Net Primary Productivity (NPP) and ecoregion also had relatively high influences on biodiversity at the coarse scale. This demonstrates the critical importance of spatial scale in selecting conservation indicators. We suggest that rare mammalian species richness or flagship mammal species are suitable as conservation surrogates in fine-scale conservation planning. However, at a coarser scale, selecting vegetation patches with more rare plant species and high productivity for each ecoregion is a workable alternative method for conservation planning.
Diversity Estimation and Antimicrobial Activity of Culturable Endophytic Fungi from Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. in China
Authors: Wu Fei , Yang Dingchao , Zhang Linping , Chen Yanliu , Hu Xiaokang , Li Lei , Liang Junsheng
Published: January 2019

Endophytes are important components of forest ecosystems, and have potential use in the development of medical drugs and the conservation of wild medicinal plants. This study aimed to examine the diversity and antimicrobial activities of endophytic fungi from a medicinal plant, Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. The results showed that a total of 970 isolates were obtained from root, stem, leaf, and fruit segments of L. cubeba. All the fungal endophytes belonged to the phylum Ascomycota and could be classified into three taxonomic classes, nine orders, twelve families, and seventeen genera. SF15 (Colletotrichum boninense) was the dominant species in L. cubeba. Leaves harbored a greater number of fungal endophytes but lower diversity, while roots harbored the maximum species diversity of endophytic fungi. For the antimicrobial activities, seventeen isolates could inhibit the growth of plant pathogenic fungi, while the extracts of six endophytes showed antimicrobial activity to all the tested pathogenic fungi. Among these endophytes, SF22 (Chaetomium globosum) and SF14 (Penicillium minioluteum) were particularly effective in inhibiting seven plant pathogenic fungi growths and could be further explored for their potential use in biotechnology, medicine, and agriculture.
Estimating Fine Root Production from Ingrowth Cores and Decomposed Roots in a Bornean Tropical Rainforest
Authors: Katayama Ayumi , Kho Lip Khoon , Makita Naoki , Kume Tomonori , Matsumoto Kazuho , Ohashi Mizue
Published: January 2019

Research highlights: Estimates of fine root production using ingrowth cores are strongly influenced by decomposed roots in the cores during the incubation period and should be accounted for when calculating fine root production (FRP). Background and Objectives: The ingrowth core method is often used to estimate fine root production; however, decomposed roots are often overlooked in estimates of FRP. Uncertainty remains on how long ingrowth cores should be installed and how FRP should be calculated in tropical forests. Here, we aimed to estimate FRP by taking decomposed fine roots into consideration. Specifically, we compared FRP estimates at different sampling intervals and using different calculation methods in a tropical rainforest in Borneo. Materials and Methods: Ingrowth cores were installed with root litter bags and collected after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. FRP was estimated based on (1) the difference in biomass at different sampling times (differential method) and (2) sampled biomass at just one sampling time (simple method). Results: Using the differential method, FRP was estimated at 447.4 ± 67.4 g m−2 year−1 after 12 months, with decomposed fine roots accounting for 25% of FRP. Using the simple method, FRP was slightly higher than that in the differential method after 12 months (516.3 ± 45.0 g m−2 year−1). FRP estimates for both calculation methods using data obtained in the first half of the year were much higher than those using data after 12-months of installation, because of the rapid increase in fine root biomass and necromass after installation. Conclusions: Therefore, FRP estimates vary with the timing of sampling, calculation method and presence of decomposed roots. Overall, the ratio of net primary production (NPP) of fine roots to total NPP in this study was higher than that previously reported in the Neotropics, indicating high belowground carbon allocation in this forest.
RNA-Seq Analyses Identify Additivity as the Predominant Gene Expression Pattern in F1 Chicken Embryonic Brain and Liver
Authors: Zhuo Zhu , Lamont Susan J. , Abasht Behnam
Published: January 2019

The superior performance of hybrids to parents, termed heterosis, has been widely utilized in animal and plant breeding programs, but the molecular mechanism underlying heterosis remains an enigma. RNA-Seq provides a novel way to investigate heterosis at the transcriptome-wide level, because gene expression functions as an intermediate phenotype that contributes to observable traits. Here we compared embryonic gene expression between chicken hybrids and their inbred parental lines to identify inheritance patterns of gene expression. Inbred Fayoumi and Leghorn were crossed reciprocally to obtain F1 fertile eggs. RNA-Seq was carried out using 24 brain and liver samples taken from day 12 embryos, and the differentially expressed (DE) genes were identified by pairwise comparison among the hybrids, parental lines, and mid-parent expression values. Our results indicated the expression levels of the majority of the genes in the F1 cross are not significantly different from the mid-parental values, suggesting additivity as the predominant gene expression pattern in the F1. The second and third prevalent gene expression patterns are dominance and over-dominance. Additionally, we found only 7–20% of the DE genes exhibit allele-specific expression in the F1, suggesting that trans regulation is the main driver for differential gene expression and thus contributes to heterosis effect in the F1 crosses.
m6A-Dependent RNA Dynamics in T Cell Differentiation
Authors: Furlan Mattia , Galeota Eugenia , De Pretis Stefano , Caselle Michele , Pelizzola Mattia
Published: January 2019

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant RNA modification. It has been involved in the regulation of RNA metabolism, including degradation and translation, in both physiological and disease conditions. A recent study showed that m6A-mediated degradation of key transcripts also plays a role in the control of T cells homeostasis and IL-7 induced differentiation. We re-analyzed the omics data from that study and, through the integrative analysis of total and nascent RNA-seq data, we were able to comprehensively quantify T cells RNA dynamics and how these are affected by m6A depletion. In addition to the expected impact on RNA degradation, we revealed a broader effect of m6A on RNA dynamics, which included the alteration of RNA synthesis and processing. Altogether, the combined action of m6A on all major steps of the RNA life-cycle closely re-capitulated the observed changes in the abundance of premature and mature RNA species. Ultimately, our re-analysis extended the findings of the initial study, focused on RNA stability, and proposed a yet unappreciated role for m6A in RNA synthesis and processing dynamics.
Determinants of Spatial Heterogeneity of Functional Illiteracy among School-Aged Children in the Philippines: An Ecological Study
Authors: Owada Kei , Nielsen Mark , Lau Colleen L. , Yakob Laith , Clements Archie C.A. , Leonardo Lydia , Soares Magalhães Ricardo J.
Published: January 2019

Functional literacy is one of the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. Functional literacy indicators are likely to vary between locations given the geographical variability of its major determinants. This property poses a challenge to decisions around efficient allocation of population services and resources to mitigate the impact of functional literacy in populations most in need. Using functional literacy indicators of 11,313 school-aged children collected in 2008 during the nationwide survey, the current study examined the association between functional literacy and geographical disparities in socioeconomic status (SES), water supply, sanitation and hygiene, household education stimuli, and environmental variables in all three regions of the Philippines (Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao). Three nested fixed-effects multinomial regression models were built to determine associations between functional literacy and a wide array of variables. Our results showed the general prevalence rate of functional illiteracy as being 4.7%, with the highest prevalence rate in the Visayas, followed by Mindanao and Luzon (7.5%, 6.9%, and 3.0%, respectively. Our results indicated that in Luzon prevalence of functional illiteracy was explained by variation in household education stimuli scores, sources of drinking water, and type of toilet facility. In Mindanao and the Visayas prevalence of functional illiteracy was primarily explained by geographical variation in SES, and natural environmental conditions. Our study highlights region-specific determinants of functional literacy and the need for geographically targeted, integrated interventions.
Resistance Exercise Intensity is Correlated with Attenuation of HbA1c and Insulin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liu Yubo , Ye Weibing , Chen Qian , Zhang Yong , Kuo Chia-Hua , Korivi Mallikarjuna
Published: January 2019

We investigated the influence of resistance exercise (RE) with different intensities on HbA1c, insulin and blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Diabetes trials that compared RE group with a control were included in meta-analysis. Exercise intensities were categorized into low-to-moderate-intensity and high-intensity subgroups. Intensity effect on glycemic control was determined by meta-regression analysis, and risk-of-bias was assessed using Cochrane Collaboration tool. 24 trials met the inclusion criteria, comprised of 962 patients of exercise (n = 491) and control (n = 471). Meta-regression analysis showed decreased HbA1c (p = 0.006) and insulin (p = 0.015) after RE was correlated with intensity. Subgroup analysis revealed decreased HbA1c was greater with high intensity (−0.61; 95% CI −0.90, −0.33) than low-to-moderate intensity (−0.23; 95% CI −0.41, −0.05). Insulin levels were significantly decreased only with high intensity (−4.60; 95% CI −7.53, −1.67), not with low-to-moderate intensity (0.07; 95% CI −3.28, 3.42). Notably, values between the subgroups were statistically significant for both HbA1c (p = 0.03) and insulin (p = 0.04), indicative of profound benefits of high-intensity RE. Pooled outcomes of 15 trials showed only a decreased trend in blood glucose with RE (p = 0.09), and this tendency was not associated with intensity. Our meta-analysis provides additional evidence that high-intensity RE has greater beneficial effects than low-to-moderate-intensity in attenuation of HbA1c and insulin in T2D patients.
Assessing the Impact of Vehicle Speed Limits and Fleet Composition on Air Quality Near a School
Authors: Tang Jiayi , McNabola Aonghus , Misstear Bruce , Pilla Francesco , Alam Md Saniul
Published: January 2019

Traffic is a major source of urban air pollution that affects health, especially among children. As lower speed limits are commonly applied near schools in many cities, and different governments have different policies on vehicle fleet composition, this research estimated how different speed limits and fleet emissions affect air quality near a primary school. Based on data of traffic, weather, and background air quality records in Dublin from 2013, traffic, emission, and dispersion models were developed to assess the impact of different speed limits and fleet composition changes against current conditions. Outside the school, hypothetical speed limit changes from 30 km/h to 50 km/h could reduce the concentration of NO2 and PM10 by 3% and 2%; shifts in the fleet from diesel to petrol vehicles could reduce these pollutants by 4% and 3% but would increase the traffic-induced concentrations of CO and Benzene by 63% and 35%. These changes had significantly larger impacts on air quality on streets with higher pollutant concentrations. Findings suggest that both road safety and air quality should be considered when determining speed limits. Furthermore, fleet composition has different impacts on different pollutants and there are no clear benefits associated with incentivising either diesel or petrol engine vehicles.
Trends in the Incidence and Mortality of Diabetes in China from 1990 to 2017: A Joinpoint and Age-Period-Cohort Analysis
Authors: Liu Xiaoxue , Yu Chuanhua , Wang Yongbo , Bi Yongyi , Liu Yu , Zhang Zhi-Jiang
Published: January 2019

Background: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is rapidly increasing in China, but the secular trends in incidence and mortality remain unknown. This study aims to examine time trends from 1990 to 2017 and the net age, period, and cohort effects on diabetes incidence and mortality. Methods: Incidence and mortality rates of diabetes (1990–2017) were collected for each 5-year age group (from 5–9 to 80–84 age group) stratified by gender from the Global Burden of Disease 2017 Study. The average annual percentage changes in incidence and mortality were analyzed by joinpoint regression analysis; the net age, period, and cohort effects on the incidence and mortality were estimated by age-period-cohort analysis. Results: The joinpoint regression analysis showed that age-standardized incidence significantly rose by 0.92% (95% CI: 0.6%, 1.3%) in men and 0.69% in women (95% CI: 0.3%, 1.0%) from 1990 to 2017; age-standardized mortality rates rose by 0.78% (95% CI: 0.6%, 1.0%) in men and decreased by 0.12% (95% CI: −0.4%, 0.1%) in women. For age-specific rates, incidence increased in most age groups, with exception of 30–34, 60–64, 65–69 and 70–74 age groups in men and 25–29, 30–34, 35–39 and 70–74 age groups in women; mortality in men decreased in the younger age groups (from 20–24 to 45–49 age group) while increased in the older age groups (from 50–54 to 80–84 age group), and mortality in women decreased for all age groups with exception of the age group 75–79 and 80–84. The age effect on incidence showed no obvious changes with advancing age while mortality significantly increased with advancing age; period effect showed that both incidence and mortality increased with advancing time period while the period trend on incidence began to decrease since 2007; cohort effect on incidence and mortality decreased from earlier birth cohorts to more recent birth cohorts while incidence showed no material changes from 1982–1986 to 2012–2016 birth cohort. Conclusions: Mortality decreased in younger age groups but increased in older age groups. Incidence increased in most age groups. The net age or period effect showed an unfavorable trend while the net cohort effect presented a favorable trend. Aging likely drives a continued increase in the mortality of diabetes. Timely population-level interventions aiming for obesity prevention, healthy diet and regular physical activity should be conducted, especially for men and earlier birth cohorts at high risk of diabetes.
Comparing the Through-Thickness Gradient of the Deformed and Recrystallized Microstructure in Tantalum with Unidirectional and Clock Rolling
Authors: Zhu Jialin , Liu Shifeng , Yuan Xiaoli , Liu Qing
Published: January 2019

Controlling the microstructure homogeneity is crucial in achieving high quality tantalum (Ta) sputtering targets used in integrated circuit fabrication. Unluckily, traditional rolling easily generates a microstructure gradient along the thickness direction in Ta sheets. The deformation and recrystallization behavior of unidirectional and clock rolled Ta with an 87% strain were therefore systematically compared to investigate whether the change of strain-pass can effectively ameliorate the microstructure gradient along the thickness. Electron backscatter diffraction was used to analyze the misorientation characteristics of the deformed grains. A strong microstructure gradient exists in the unidirectional rolled (UR) sheets. Many microshear bands and well-defined microbands occurred in {111} deformed grains in the UR sheets, especially in the center region, while the grain fragmentation with {111} and {100} orientation in the clock rolled (CR) sheets was more homogenous along the thickness. The kernel average misorientation (KAM) and grain reference orientation deviation-hyper (GROD-Hyper) further confirmed these differences. X-ray line profile analysis (XLPA) indicated that the stored energy distribution was more inhomogeneous in the UR sheets. Schmid factor analysis suggested that the strain path changes due to clock rolling promoted the activation of multiple slip systems in {111} oriented grains. Upon static annealing, homogeneous nucleation combined with a slower grain growth rate resulted in finer and more uniform grain size for the CR sheet. In contrast, a strong recrystallization microstructure-gradient along the thickness formed in the UR sheets, which is attributed to the fact that the higher stored energy and more preferential nucleation sites led to faster recrystallization in the center region, as compared with the surface region. Thus, clock rolling can effectively improve the homogeneity of the through-thickness recrystallization microstructure of Ta sheets.
Synthesis of diN-Substituted Glycyl-Phenylalanine Derivatives by Using Ugi Four Component Reaction and Their Potential as Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors
Authors: Prent-Peñaloza Luis , De la Torre Alexander F. , Velázquez-Libera José L. , Gutiérrez Margarita , Caballero Julio
Published: January 2019

Ugi four component reaction (Ugi-4CR) isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions were used to synthesize diN-substituted glycyl-phenylalanine (diNsGF) derivatives. All of the synthesized compounds were characterized by spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques. In order to evaluate potential biological applications, the synthesized compounds were tested in computational models that predict the bioactivity of organic molecules by using only bi-dimensional molecular information. The diNsGF derivatives were predicted as cholinesterase inhibitors. Experimentally, all of the synthesized diNsGF derivatives showed moderate inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and poor activities against butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). Compound 7a has significant activity and selectivity against AChE, which reveals that the diNsGF scaffold could be improved to reach novel candidates by combining other chemical components of the Ugi-4CR in a high-throughput combinatorial screening experiment. Molecular docking experiments of diNsGF derivatives inside AChE suggest that these compounds placed the phenylalanine group at the peripheral site of AChE. The orientations and chemical interactions of diNsGF derivatives were analyzed, and the changeable groups were identified for future exploration of novel candidates that could lead to the improvement of diNsGF derivative inhibitory activities.
Effects of Hydrogen Sulfide on Carbohydrate Metabolism in Obese Type 2 Diabetic Rats
Authors: Gheibi Sevda , Jeddi Sajad , Kashfi Khosrow , Ghasemi Asghar
Published: January 2019

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is involved in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes. Inhibition and stimulation of H2S synthesis has been suggested to be a potential therapeutic approach for type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the effects of long-term sodium hydrosulfide (NaSH) administration as a H2S releasing agent on carbohydrate metabolism in type 2 diabetic rats. Type 2 diabetes was established using high fat-low dose streptozotocin. Rats were treated for 9 weeks with intraperitoneal injections of NaSH (0.28, 0.56, 1.6, 2.8, and 5.6 mg/kg). Serum glucose was measured weekly for one month and then at the end of the study. Serum insulin was measured before and after the treatment. At the end of the study, glucose tolerance, pyruvate tolerance and insulin secretion were determined and blood pressure was measured. In diabetic rats NaSH at 1.6–5.6 mg/kg increased serum glucose (11%, 28%, and 51%, respectively) and decreased serum insulin, glucose tolerance, pyruvate tolerance and in vivo insulin secretion. In controls, NaSH only at 5.6 mg/kg increased serum glucose and decreased glucose tolerance, pyruvate tolerance and insulin secretion. Chronic administration of NaSH in particular at high doses impaired carbohydrate metabolism in type 2 diabetic rats.
Thiophene Derivatives as Anticancer Agents and Their Delivery to Tumor Cells Using Albumin Nanoparticles
Authors: Cai Guangsheng , Wang Simiao , Zhao Lang , Sun Yating , Yang Dongsheng , Lee Robert J. , Zhao Menghui , Zhang Huan , Zhou Yulin
Published: January 2019

A series of thiophene derivatives (TPs) were synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxicity in HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cell lines by MTT assay. TP 5 was identified as a potential anticancer agent based on its ability to inhibit tumor cell growth. Drawbacks of TPs, including poor solubility and high toxicity, were overcome through delivery using self-assembling HSA nanoparticles (NPs). The optimum conditions for TP 5-NPs synthesis obtained by adjusting the temperature and concentration of TP 5. The NPs had an encapsulation efficiency of 99.59% and drug-loading capacity of 3.70%. TP 5 was slowly released from TP 5-NPs in vitro over 120 h. HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cell lines were employed to study cytotoxicity of TP 5-NPs, which exhibited high potency. ROS levels were elevated and mitochondrial membrane potentials reversed when the two cell lines were treated with TP 5-NPs for 12 h. Cellular uptake of fluorescence-labeled TP 5-NPs in vitro was analyzed by flow cytometry and laser confocal scanning microscopy. Fluorescence intensity increased over time, suggesting that TP 5-NPs were efficiently taken up by tumor cells. In conclusion, TP 5-NPs showed great promise as an anticancer therapeutic agent.
Protective Effect of Phenolic Compounds Isolated from Mugwort (Artemisia argyi) against Contrast-Induced Apoptosis in Kidney Epithelium Cell Line LLC-PK1
Authors: Kim Kem Ok , Lee Dahae , Hiep Nguyen Tuan , Song Ji Hoon , Lee Hae-Jeung , Lee Dongho , Kang Ki Sung
Published: January 2019

We investigated whether 14 phenolic compounds isolated from Artemisia argyi could prevent the apoptotic damage caused by iodixanol, an iodinated contrast agent, on LLC-PK1 cells. Iodixanol was used to induce cytotoxicity in LLC-PK1 cells. Apoptotic cell death was observed as the fluorescence intensity emitted by annexin V and Hoechst 33342 stains. Western blotting was used to detect specific proteins. Seven phenolic compounds protected against iodixanol-induced LLC-PK1 cell death in a concentration-dependent manner. Among them, methyl caffeate exerted the strongest protective effect, and co-treatment with 50 and 100 μM methyl caffeate decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species elevated by 25 mg/mL iodixanol. In addition, the treatment of LLC-PK1 cells with iodixanol resulted in an increase in apoptotic cell death, which decreased by co-treatment with methyl caffeate. Iodixanol caused a cytotoxicity-related increase in the phosphorylation of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and P38; and a similar increase in the expression levels of kidney injury molecule-1 and cleaved caspase-3. However, the up-regulation of these proteins was reversed by co-treatment with methyl caffeate. These findings suggest that phenolic compounds isolated from A. argyi play an important role in protecting kidney epithelium cells against apoptotic damage caused by iodixanol.
Effects of Population Dynamics on Establishment of a Restriction-Modification System in a Bacterial Host
Authors: Graovac Stefan , Rodic Andjela , Djordjevic Magdalena , Severinov Konstantin , Djordjevic Marko
Published: January 2019

In vivo dynamics of protein levels in bacterial cells depend on both intracellular regulation and relevant population dynamics. Such population dynamics effects, e.g., interplay between cell and plasmid division rates, are, however, often neglected in modeling gene expression regulation. Including them in a model introduces additional parameters shared by the dynamical equations, which can significantly increase dimensionality of the parameter inference. We here analyse the importance of these effects, on a case of bacterial restriction-modification (R-M) system. We redevelop our earlier minimal model of this system gene expression regulation, based on a thermodynamic and dynamic system modeling framework, to include the population dynamics effects. To resolve the problem of effective coupling of the dynamical equations, we propose a “mean-field-like” procedure, which allows determining only part of the parameters at a time, by separately fitting them to expression dynamics data of individual molecular species. We show that including the interplay between kinetics of cell division and plasmid replication is necessary to explain the experimental measurements. Moreover, neglecting population dynamics effects can lead to falsely identifying non-existent regulatory mechanisms. Our results call for advanced methods to reverse-engineer intracellular regulation from dynamical data, which would also take into account the population dynamics effects.
Biological Activities and Chemical Composition of Santolina africana Jord. et Fourr. Aerial Part Essential Oil from Algeria: Occurrence of Polyacetylene Derivatives
Authors: Malti Charaf Eddine Watheq , Baccati Clémentine , Mariani Magali , Hassani Faiçal , Babali Brahim , Atik-Bekkara Fewzia , Paoli Mathieu , Maury Jacques , Tomi Félix , Bekhechi Chahrazed
Published: January 2019

The chemical composition of 18 oil samples of Santolina africana isolated from aerial parts at full flowering, collected in three locations in eastern Algeria was determined by GC(RI), GC/MS and 13C-NMR analysis. The major components were: germacrene D, myrcene, spathulenol, α-bisabolol, β-pinene, 1,8-cineole, cis-chrysanthenol, capillene, santolina alcohol, camphor, terpinen-4-ol and lyratol. The chemical composition appeared homogeneous and characterized by the occurrence of four derivatives which exhibited a conjugated alkene dialkyne moiety. They were identified for the first time in an essential oil from S. africana. The collective oil sample exhibited moderate antimicrobial and antioxidant activities whereas the anti-inflammatory activity presented a real potential. IC50 value of Santolina africana essential oil (0.065 ± 0.004 mg/mL) is 5-fold higher than IC50 value of NDGA used as positive control.
Corrosion Resistance of Aluminum against Acid Activation: Impact of Benzothiazole-Substituted Gallium Phthalocyanine
Authors: Nnaji Nnaemeka , Nwaji Njemuwa , Mack John , Nyokong Tebello
Published: January 2019

This study describes the adsorption behavior of organic inhibitors at the aluminum-HCl solution interface and their corrosion inhibition performance. The organic inhibitors employed are: 4-(benzo [d]thiazol-2ylthio)phthalonitrile (BTThio) and tetrakis[(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl-thio)phthalo- cyaninato]gallium(III) chloride (ClGaBTThioPc). The corrosion behavior of these inhibitors is investigated using electrochemical and computational techniques. Open circuit potential results reveal predominant cathodic character for the mechanism of aluminum corrosion inhibition by the inhibitors. Inhibition efficiency values from potentiodynamic polarization measurements increase from 46.9 to 70.8% for BTThio and 59.7 to 81.0% for ClGaBTThioPc within the concentration range of 2 to 10 μM. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements reveal protection of the metal surface from acid attack, in the presence of the inhibitors and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) measurements show that the most probable way by which the inhibitors protect the metal surface would be by shielding it from the corrosion attacks of Cl− from the acid. Quantum chemical parameters corroborate well with experimental findings.
Monitoring Antifungal Agents of Artemisia annua against Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium solani, Associated with Panax notoginseng Root-Rot Disease
Authors: Ma Yu-Nan , Chen Chuan-Jiao , Li Qing-Qing , Xu Fu-Rong , Cheng Yong-Xian , Dong Xian
Published: January 2019

Root rot of Panax notoginseng has received great attention due to its threat on the plantation and sustainable utilization of P. notoginseng. To suppress the root-rot disease, natural ingredients are of great importance because of their environment friendly properties. In this study, we found that the methanol extract from Artemisia annua leaves has strong antifungal effects on the growth of Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium solani resulting into root-rot disease. Essential oil (EO) thereof was found to be the most active. GC-MS analysis revealed 58 ingredients and camphor, camphene, β-caryophyllene, and germacrene D were identified as the major ingredients. Further antifungal assays showed that the main compounds exhibit various degrees of inhibition against all the fungi tested. In addition, synergistic effects between A. annua EO and chemical fungicides were examined. Finally, in vivo experiments were conducted and disclosed that P. notoginseng root rot could be largely inhibited by the petroleum ether extract from A. annua, indicating that A. annua could be a good source for controlling P. notoginseng root-rot.