bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endodontic Therapy and Surgical Excision of a Chronic Suppurative Osteomyelitic Lesion in a Horse: A Case Report
Authors: Baerg Steven D. , Russell David A. , LeVan Laura M. , Kirker-Head Carl A.
Published: January 2020

A 22 year old thoroughbred gelding was presented for evaluation and treatment of chronic dental disease. The horse had a history of quidding and abnormal bit behavior. Intraoral examination revealed signs of chronic generalized gingival inflammation and severe dental caries affecting the maxillary and mandibular incisor teeth. Treatment was provided on two separate visits over an interval of four months. The first visit consisted of the surgical extraction of three unrestorable incisor teeth and restoration of six carious maxillary incisor teeth. The second visit consisted of conventional endodontic therapy on the remaining mandibular incisor teeth and the surgical removal of a chronic suppurative osteomyelitic lesion. Immediate and long term improvements in eating habits were noted. Three month follow-up examinations following completion of treatment have shown the teeth to be in functional position, the restorations intact, and the surgical site well healed.
Surgical Removal of a Radicular Odontogenic Cyst in a Four Year Old Dalmatian Dog
Authors: French Sharon L. , Anthony James M.G.
Published: January 2020

A cystic structure was identified radiographically in a four year old dog during routine dental prophylaxis. Surgical removal of the cyst lining was achieved by exposure of the site through extraction of the right first to third maxillary incisor teeth (101, 102, 103). The cyst lining was removed en-bloc. The cavity was curetted and filled with decalcified freeze-dried bone. Histological examination revealed a radicular cyst. The proposed etiology is blunt trauma to tooth 103, pulpal necrosis, apical granuloma and resulting cyst formation. Fourteen months following surgery, there was no recurrence of the cyst.
Understanding dental plaque; biofilm dynamics
Authors: DuPont Gregg A.
Published: January 2020

A biofilm is a well organized community of cooperating microorganisms. Biofilms predictably form in nature, in artificial environments, and on medically implanted prostheses and indwelling venous catheters. They also form on tooth surfaces in the form of dental plaque. The intent of this article is to aid in the understanding of dental plaque by exploring biofilm structure, nature and dynamics. Understanding plaque facilitates its treatment and control.
Restorative Dental Treatments of Abraded Canine Teeth in a Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae)
Authors: van Foreest Andries , Roeters Joost
Published: January 2020

A Sumatran tiger had developed severely abraded canine teeth by biting on cage-bars. This resulted in weakening and marked sensitivity of the teeth. Indications for, techniques of and complications of restorative dental treatments are described. The outcome of different restorative dental treatments indicates that endodontic treatment should be carried out first if the fracture of a weakened tooth is anticipated. To improve retention, the acid-etch technique is preferred in combination with macroretentive preparations. In this case, amalgam was used successfully in combination with composite resin to restore function to a canine tooth with a large distal defect.
Anatomical Variations in the Dentition of the Domestic Cat
Authors: Verstraete Frank J.M. , Terpak Cheryl H.
Published: January 2020

Skulls (n = 155) of adult domestic cats were examined macroscopically and anatomical variations were documented. The maxillary second premolar tooth was absent in 7.9% of cases, and was found to have a single root in 27.7%, partly fused roots in 55.1% and two fully formed roots in 9.2% of cases. The maxillary first molar tooth was absent in 2.3% of cases; a single root was present in 35.0%, a partly fused root in 34.7%, and two roots in 28.0% of cases. Supernumerary roots were found on the maxillary third premolar teeth in 10.3% of cases. Other variations were found to be extremely rare.
Analysis of the service life of railway hydraulic dampers considering temperature and loading
Authors: Hu Zeyao , Song Dongli , Zeng Yuanchen , Zhang Weihua
Published: January 2020

Hydraulic dampers are mainly used to maintain high-speed trains in a stable state when running at high speed. In this paper, an equivalent method for the lifetime of dampers is proposed to establish the relationship between the long-term loading test and the mileage in service condition. The performance degradation of the damper at different temperatures is calculated using the long-term loading test carried out under the corresponding temperature conditions. Arrhenius model is applied to convert the degradation under different temperatures, and the sensitive parameter is selected for the conversion of the damper’s performance degradation under different temperatures. An energy method is proposed to solve the problem of the damper lifetime under different loads, so as to achieve the equivalent of the damper between the long-term load test and the mileage in service condition. Finally, taking the anti-yaw damper of a certain type of high-speed train in China as the research object, the lifetime equivalent method proposed in this paper is applied and the result showed that the anti-yaw damper had remaining service life after 2.4 million kilometers of service.
Development of a skeletal oxidation mechanism for Fischer–Tropsch diesel surrogate based on decoupling method and particle swarm optimization
Authors: Chen Wenkai , Fang Xiaoyuan , Zhu Cheng , Qiao Xinqi , Ju Dehao
Published: January 2020

As an alternative liquid fuel, Fischer–Tropsch (FT) diesel has received significant attentions due to its characteristics of high efficiency and low emission. In this study, a surrogate fuel containing iso-hexadecane and n-dodecane with a mole ratio of 0.16:0.84 is formulated for real FT diesel by mimicking its combustion-related physicochemical properties. Mechanisms of these two components are developed based on decoupling methodology: skeletal sub-mechanisms describing iso-hexadecane and n-dodecane cracking process are constructed and combined with a reduced C0–C4 core mechanism, and then the Arrhenius parameters of certain reactions are tuned by particle swarm optimization algorithm to improve prediction accuracy. The optimized mechanisms are validated against experimental results of ignition delays, species concentrations and laminar flame speeds for iso-hexadecane and n-dodecane, respectively. Finally, by merging all the sub-mechanisms mentioned above, a skeletal oxidation model for FT diesel surrogate including 73 species and 324 reactions is obtained and employed in 3D CFD simulations to validate the ignition behavior of FT diesel sprays in a constant-volume combustion vessel; the simulation results show good agreement with experimental data.
Acoustic performance prediction of a multilayered finite cylinder equipped with porous foam media
Authors: Darvish Gohari Hamed , Zarastvand MohamdReza , Talebitooti Roohollah
Published: January 2020

This paper presents an analytical model to embed porous materials in a finite cylindrical shell in order to obtain the sound transmission loss coefficient. Although the circumferential modes are considered only for calculating the amount of the transmitted noise through an infinitely long cylinder, the present study employs the longitudinal modes in addition to circumferential ones to analyze the vibroacoustic performance of a simply supported cylinder subjected to the porous core based on the first order shear deformation theory. To achieve this goal, the structure is immersed in a fluid and excited by an acoustic wave. In addition, the acoustic pressures and the displacements are developed in the form of double Fourier series. Since these series consist of infinite modes, it is essential to terminate this process by considering adequate modes. Hence, the convergence checking algorithm is employed in the form of some three-dimensional configurations with respect to length, frequency and radius. Afterwards, some figures are plotted to confirm the accuracy of the present formulation. In these configurations, the obtained sound transmission loss from the present study is compared with that of the infinite one. It is shown that by increasing the length of the structure, the results are approached to sound transmission loss of the infinite shells. Moreover, a new approach is proposed to show the transverse displacement of a finite poroelastic cylinder at different frequencies. Based on the outcomes, it is found that by enhancing the length of the poroelastic cylinder, the amount of the transmitted sound into the structure is reduced at the high frequency domain. However, the sound insulation property of the structure is improved at the low frequency region when the radius of the shell is decreased.
Effects of couple stresses on the in-plane vibration of micro-rotating disks
Authors: Bagheri Emadoddin , Jahangiri Mostafa , Asghari Mohsen
Published: January 2020

Micro-rotating disks are extensively used in micro-electromechanical systems such as micro-gyroscopes and micro-rotors. Because of the sensitivity of these elements, enough knowledge about the mechanical behavior of these structures is an essential matter for designers and fabricators. The small-scale effects on the in-plane free vibration of such micro-disks present an important aspect of the mechanical behavior of these elements. The small-scale effects on the in-plane free vibration of these micro-disks are investigated in this study using the modified couple stress theory. By using the Hamilton principle, the partial differential equations governing the coupled radial and tangential motion of the disk particles with their corresponding boundary conditions are derived. Then, the solution for the boundary value problem is analytically presented. The effects of the angular speed of the micro-disks and the length scale parameter of the modified couple stress theory on the steady radial and tangential displacements, and on the natural frequencies are investigated. Those results are compared with the ones previously obtained from the classical continuum mechanics analysis.
Fatherhood as a Spatial-Contextual Phenomenon: Israeli Gay Fathers through Surrogacy
Authors: Tsfati Maya , Nadan Yochay , Biton Netanel , Serdtse Yan
Published: January 2020

This study aims to explore the experiences and accounts of Israeli gay fathers through surrogacy, with regard to contextual elements in general and geographical location in particular. Fourteen Jewish-Israeli gay fathers who became parents through surrogacy abroad were interviewed. Half of the participants live in Tel Aviv, and the other half live in the country’s outlying areas in villages or relatively small towns. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted, recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed. The analysis yielded three themes: (a) between “periphery” and “center,” which reflects a spatial binary as expressed in the fathers’ accounts; (b) realms of belonging, which focuses on the challenge the fathers pose to the binary periphery/center distinction; and (c) movement toward inclusion, which explores the fathers’ constant movement toward belonging within the different spatial realms. Our findings represent fatherhood as a spatial-contextual phenomenon.
Punctuated epistemology in international marketing strategy: A Whiteheadian remedy
Authors: Poulis Konstantinos
Published: January 2020

In this conceptual paper, I explicate the ‘punctuated epistemology’ that prevails in international marketing strategy (IMS) and I challenge the assumptions of a requisite punctuated ontology that is implied and nurtured by these epistemological commitments. I frame these assumptions under the terms ‘monochronic’ and ‘monolithic’ and articulate them through a paradigmatic case in point: the standardization versus adaptation debate. In turn, I argue that theorizing in international marketing can be enhanced through the adoption of another ontological stance. Specifically, inspired by the work of Alfred N. Whitehead, I propose an alternative commitment to a process ontology that takes account of ephemerality and mutual conditioning. By advancing the incorporation of metaphysics in international marketing research, I contribute in two broad ways: I promote a relationally embedded and time-sensitive understanding of IMS and highlight the value of philosophical considerations for theorizing purposes in our field.
If We Build It, Will They Come? Challenges of Adapting and Implementing a Smoking Cessation Program for the LGBTQ Community in Southcentral Texas
Authors: Williams Ronald D. , Housman Jeff M. , McDonald Jacquelyn D.
Published: January 2020

Studies indicate that tobacco use among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) community members is consistently higher than the general population. The Last Drag is a tobacco cessation program developed and implemented in 1991 in San Francisco, California, that has shown promise in assisting LGBTQ members with tobacco cessation. This article describes the practical challenges of adapting The Last Drag to be implemented in a southcentral Texas community. Primary challenges included short time line to expected implementation, issues with culturally insensitive language, and barriers to participant recruitment. Acknowledging and overcoming these challenges can assist public health educators who are addressing tobacco cessation in LGBTQ populations.
Interoperable Internet of Medical Things platform for e-Health applications
Authors: Rubí Jesús Noel Sárez , Gondim Paulo Roberto de Lira
Published: January 2020

The development of information and telecommunication technologies has given rise to new platforms for e-Health. However, some difficulties have been detected since each manufacturer implements its communication protocols and defines their data formats. A semantic incongruence is observed between platforms since no common healthcare domain vocabulary is shared between manufacturers and stakeholders. Despite the existence of standards for semantic and platform interoperability (e.g. openEHR for healthcare, Semantic Sensor Network for Internet of Medical Things platforms, and machine-to-machine standards), no approach has combined them for granting interoperability or considered the whole integration of legacy Electronic Health Record Systems currently used worldwide. Moreover, the heterogeneity in the large volume of health data generated by Internet of Medical Things platforms must be attenuated for the proper application of big data processing techniques. This article proposes the joint use of openEHR and Semantic Sensor Network semantics for the achievement of interoperability at the semantic level and use of a machine-to-machine architecture for the definition of an interoperable Internet of Medical Things platform.
Optimal layout of sensors in large-span cable-stayed bridges subjected to moving vehicular loads
Authors: Gao Qingfei , Cui Kemeng , Li Jun , Guo Binqiang , Liu Yang
Published: January 2020

To obtain the health status of long-span cable-stayed bridges, multiple sensors are applied to the health monitoring system for data collection. The optimal layout of sensors that aims to obtain as much structural information as possible with fewer sensors is important to ensure the effectiveness of the health monitoring system. Sensors are usually placed in typical locations where the structural response is obvious, and most studies utilize static response for the determination of sensor location. In fact, bridges primarily suffer the dynamic load, of which the response has a significant impact on the structural health. In this article, an optimal sensor layout method for a long-span cable-stayed bridge based on dynamic response is proposed under the consideration of vehicle–bridge coupled vibration. With vehicle load applied onto different lanes, the dynamic responses of different bridge members are obtained, and the number and the location of cable force sensors are determined according to the distribution of cable dynamic coefficient DC, and the number and the location of displacement and strain sensors are determined according to the distribution of DGD and DGM, which are the dynamic load allowance for girder deflection and bending moment, respectively. The results prove that this method can reduce the number of sensors effectively and obtain bridge state information more perfectly.
Affordances, remediation, and digital mourning: A comparative case study of two AIDS memorials
Authors: Cherasia Spencer P
Published: January 2020

The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt is a collaborative project that memorializes individuals who have died of AIDS-related causes. Since its inception, it has become the world’s largest public folk art project. Scholars have noted the Quilt’s materiality, scope, and cultural importance to collective memory processes related to HIV/AIDS. More recently, discussions of collective memory in the digital public sphere have attracted attention from new media theorists and memory scholars alike. @theAIDSmemorial (TAM) is an Instagram account that serves as a digital repository for a new form of connective memory. By assessing two AIDS memorials as comparative cases, this research argues that TAM’s digital affordances of interactivity and reach are evident, although in assessing the digital remediation of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, the materiality, metaphoric origins, and scope of the Quilt cannot be rendered on digital platforms, representing a loss in affective engagement.
Inclusion and Political Representation in Peace Negotiations: The Case of the Colombian Victims’ Delegations
Authors: Mendes Isa
Published: January 2020

This article discusses the issue of inclusion in peace negotiations, in particular the Colombian peace process with the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionárias de Colombia, with special emphasis to a perceived tension between “direct” and “indirect” inclusive initiatives. It argues that, as currently discussed by the Peace and Conflict literature, inclusion tends to be seen as neutral and benign, which leaves little room for critical discussions about the political contention behind peace negotiations deemed “inclusive.” It thus proposes to discuss inclusion through the theoretical lens of political representation and apply such reflections to the specific case of the Colombian victims’ delegations that travelled to Havana in 2014 in order to take part in the table’s discussions on the victims and transitional justice topic. Ultimately, I will argue there was simultaneous utilisation and rejection of the language of representation.
Collective Resources as a Precursor for Educating Children Toward a Sustainable Global World
Authors: Larsson Jonna , Samuelsson Ingrid Pramling
Published: January 2020

Purpose:

Preserving and caring for nature in a sustainable way has long been part of Swedish preschool practice. However, recently has it been explicitly referenced in the Swedish preschool curriculum with the goal of incorporating sustainability holistically and coherently in all areas of children’s daily preschool experiences through play, care, and education. Research has revealed a potential roadblock to achieving this goal; the difficulty connecting the three inextricably linked dimensions of sustainability: ecological, social–cultural, and economic. The purpose is to generate knowledge about preschool teachers’ professional understanding of education for sustainable development (ESD) in early childhood education (ECE) by implementing and enhancing the operationalization of such work in four Swedish preschools.

Design/Approach/Methods:

The design of the study rests on the involvement of teachers in work where they created sustainability activities supported by the Environmental Rating Scale for Sustainable Development in Early Childhood (ERS-SDEC). The data consist of teachers’ narratives and interviews, and a qualitative content analysis is used from which a number of themes emerged.

Findings:

The initial interviews foregrounded three themes: the value of collective resources, the wonders of nature, and a global world. At the end of the project, the teachers’ expressions of their practice revealed three qualitatively transformed themes: broadened awareness of sustainability, ecology embracing culture, and expanded perspectives, as factors of ESD.

Originality/Value:

Teachers did increase their awareness of working with children and expressed a strength in using each other as collective resources. By that, their professional understandings of ESD in preschool developed.
Early Childhood Education for Sustainability Through Contradicting and Overlapping Dimensions
Authors: Grindheim Liv Torunn , Bakken Yvonne , Hauge Kjellrun Hiis , Heggen Marianne Presthus
Published: January 2020

Purpose:

The article investigates how to make a broader understanding of sustainability relevant for early childhood education (ECE) guided by the four dimensions suggested by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization: ecological, economic and social/cultural sustainability, and good governance.

Design/Approach/Methods:

Previous research on ECE on sustainability is discussed in relation to the four dimensions and to Biesta’s concepts of socialization, qualification, and subjectification.

Findings:

The investigation finds that all four dimensions are necessary in ECE for sustainability, and it suggests how the dimensions can be understood, how they may overlap, and how they can be contradictive.

Originality/Value:

The article depicts how children’s opportunities to engage and to disturb established ways of thinking can be facilitated through all dimensions.
“My Story Is My Activism!”: (Re-)Definitions of Social Justice Activism Among Collegiate Athlete Activists
Authors: Kluch Yannick
Published: January 2020

Despite the recent re-emergence of the athlete activist into public consciousness, activism among athletes continues to be viewed as nonnormative behavior. Drawing from interviews with 31 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I collegiate athlete activists from across the United States, this study examined contemporary definitions of collegiate athlete activism for advancing social justice efforts. Five different conceptualizations of social justice activism emerged during the interviews: activism as social justice action, mentorship, authenticity, intervention, and public acts of resistance. Findings document changing notions of athlete activism and reveal nuanced forms of situational activism that do not rely on public expressions of resistance but rather are woven carefully into the fabric that makes up the athletes’ everyday lives. For these athletes, the image of an activist is not so much that of one walking in the streets but rather that of one using the social power they have as an athlete to promote strategic change in everyday situations. Limitations, directions for future research, and implications for praxis are discussed.
Evaluating Single-Surgeon Bias Toward Recommending Corrective Procedures for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Based on Demographic Factors and Comorbidities in a 484-Patient Cohort
Authors: Anastasio Albert T. , Niu Shuo , Kim Elliott J. , Rhee John M.
Published: January 2020

Study Design:

Retrospective case series.

Objectives:

An increasing focus has been placed on removing implicit (unconscious) bias from the surgical selection process. In spine surgery, there is the potential for implicit bias to affect the decision to either operate on a patient or not, given lack of definitive surgical indications for many elective procedures. The objective of this study was to analyze the surgical decision making of a single spine surgeon in an effort to understand surgical decision-making trends based on certain demographic factors.

Methods:

This was a retrospective study of 484 patients who had undergone a corrective procedure for cervical myelopathy by an orthopedic spine surgeon at our institution. The preoperative modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association score served as the metric of severity of disease for cervical myelopathy. The factors that have been associated with implicit bias that were evaluated were smoking status, narcotic use status, gender, body mass index, and age.

Results:

Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that even after controlling for comorbidities and confounders, the only variable which predicted likelihood to operate on a patient of a milder symptomology was age (odds ratio [OR] = −0.138; (confidence interval [CI] = −0.034 to −0.006). The other factors (smoking status, narcotic use status, gender, and body mass index) were not associated with surgical decision making.

Conclusions:

Our study demonstrates absence of association between commonly studied areas of implicit bias and the decision to operate on a patient with milder symptomology at initial presentation of cervical spondylotic myelopathy.
Stigmatization among People Living with HIV/AIDS at the Kumba Health District, Cameroon
Authors: Egbe Thomas Obinchemti , Nge Cynthia Adanze , Ngouekam Hermann , Asonganyi Etienne , Nsagha Dickson Shey
Published: January 2020

We determined the level, type of stigma, and risk factors associated with stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) by conducting a cross-sectional study from April to June 2018 in 3 HIV treatment centers in the Kumba Health District (KHD), Cameroon. We reviewed hospital registers, conducted focus group discussions, and administered structured questionnaires. For data analysis, we used the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0. We recorded a total stigma index score of 59.1. Internal stigma (odds ratio [OR] 2.91; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.74-4.98) was common in PLWHA. Also, younger age <30 years (adjusted OR [AOR]: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.17-0.94) was linked with stigma reduction while low level of education (AOR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.02-2.97) increased the stigma level. HIV-related stigma is pervasive in the lives of PLWHA, with most of them having internal stigmatization. Appropriate health education on HIV will be crucial in reducing stigmatization in the KHD.
Do Carbon Prices Limit Economic Growth?
Authors: Driscoll Daniel
Published: January 2020

The most common counterargument to taxing carbon emissions is that the policy has a negative impact on economic growth. The author tests the validity of this argument by visualizing the enactment of carbon prices on gross domestic product per capita from 1979 to 2018 and presenting a formal fixed-effects regression analysis of panel data. No connection is found between carbon price implementation and diminished economic growth. This outcome is primarily due to policy design and the general nature of economic growth. The author concludes that this counterargument to enacting carbon prices exists only because of misunderstandings of economic growth and ideology.
Maternal effects on offspring growth indicate post-weaning juvenile dependence in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus)
Authors: Samuni Liran , Tkaczynski Patrick , Deschner Tobias , Löhrrich Therese , Wittig Roman M. , Crockford Catherine
Published: January 2020

Background

In animals with altricial offspring, most growth occurs after birth and may be optimized by post-natal maternal care. Maternal effects on growth may be influenced by individual characteristics of the mothers, such as social status, individual investment strategies and the length of association with offspring. The prolonged juvenile dependence seen in humans is a distinctive life history adaptation, which may have evolved to facilitate sustained somatic and brain growth.

In chimpanzees, offspring are typically weaned at approximately 4 years old, yet immature individuals continue to associate with their mothers for up to 10 years beyond weaning. Whether this lengthy association or the individual characteristics of mothers influences growth patterns in this species is not clear.

The relationship between urinary creatinine and specific gravity is an established non-invasive measure of muscle mass in humans and chimpanzees. We analysed the urinary creatinine and specific gravity of 1318 urine samples from 70 wild chimpanzees from the Taï Forest, Ivory Coast aged 4 to 15 years.

Results

We showed a clear increase in urinary creatinine levels with age in both males and females, replicating established growth curves in this species and reaffirming this measure as a reliable proxy for lean body mass. Comparing those who experience maternal loss (orphans) with non-orphan chimpanzees, maternal presence beyond weaning age and into late juvenility positively influenced offspring muscle mass throughout ontogeny such that orphans had significantly less muscle mass than age-matched non-orphans. In age-matched offspring with mothers, those with high-ranking mothers had greater muscle mass. Accounting for variation in muscle mass attributable to maternal presence, we found no effect of maternal investment (length of inter birth interval, from own birth to birth of following sibling) on offspring muscle mass.

Conclusion

Chimpanzee mothers have an extended and multi-faceted influence on offspring phenotypes. Our results suggest that maternal investment extends beyond lactation and into early adulthood and has clear benefits to offspring physical development. Therefore, prolonged juvenile dependence, although unique in its form in human societies, may be a trait with deeper evolutionary origins.
Genetic disruption of slc4a10 alters the capacity for cellular metabolism and vectorial ion transport in the choroid plexus epithelium
Authors: Christensen Inga Baasch , Wu Qi , Bohlbro Anders Solitander , Skals Marianne Gerberg , Damkier Helle Hasager , Hübner Christian Andreas , Fenton Robert Andrew , Praetorius Jeppe
Published: January 2020

Background

Genetic disruption ofslc4a10, which encodes the sodium-dependent chloride/bicarbonate exchanger Ncbe, leads to a major decrease in Na+-dependent HCO3−import into choroid plexus epithelial cells in mice and to a marked reduction in brain intraventricular fluid volume. This suggests that Ncbe functionally is a key element in vectorial Na+transport and thereby for cerebrospinal fluid secretion in the choroid plexus. However,slc4a10disruption results in severe changes in expression of Na+,K+-ATPase complexes and other major transport proteins, indicating that profound cellular changes accompany the genetic manipulation.

Methods

A tandem mass tag labeling strategy was chosen for quantitative mass spectrometry. Alterations in the broader patterns of protein expression in the choroid plexus in response to genetic disruption of Ncbe was validated by semi-quantitative immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry and morphometry.

Results

The abundance of 601 proteins were found significantly altered in the choroid plexus from Ncbe ko mice relative to Ncbe wt. In addition to a variety of transport proteins, particularly large changes in the abundance of proteins involved in cellular energy metabolism were detected in the Ncbe ko mice. In general, the abundance of rate limiting glycolytic enzymes and several mitochondrial enzymes were reduced followingslc4a10disruption. Surprisingly, this was accompanied by increased ATP levels in choroid plexus cells, indicating that the reduction in capacity for energy metabolism was adaptive to high ATP rather than causal for a decreased capacity for ion and water transport. Ncbe-deficient cells also had a reduced cell area and decreased K+content.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that the lack of effective Na+-entry into the epithelial cells of the choroid plexus leads to a profound change in the cellular phenotype, shifting from a high-rate secretory function towards a more dormant state; similar to what is observed during ageing or Alzheimer’s disease.
The effects of if-then plans on weight loss: results of the 24-month follow-up of the McGill CHIP Healthy Weight Program randomized controlled trial
Authors:   McGill CHIP Healthy Weight Program Investigators, Knäuper Bärbel , Shireen Huma , Carrière Kimberly , Frayn Mallory , Ivanova Elena , Xu Zhen , Lowensteyn Ilka , Sadikaj Gentiana , Luszczynska Aleksandra , Grover Steven
Published: January 2020

Background

Current evidence suggests that some of the most effective weight loss approaches are changes in dietary and physical activity behaviors through lifestyle modification programs. The Group Lifestyle Balance (GLB) program is a group-based behavior modification program aimed at changing diet and physical activity for weight loss. It was developed to be more cost-effective and easier to disseminate than its individually administered parent program, the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). However, the average weight loss following participation in the GLB is only approximately 3.5%, with low long-term weight loss maintenance.

Purpose

We aimed to optimize the weight loss outcomes of the GLB to increase the efficacy already afforded by its cost-effectiveness and ease of dissemination. We did this by integrating the habit formation tool of if-then plans into the program. This program is called the enriched GLB or the McGill Comprehensive Health Improvement (CHIP) Healthy Weight Program. Results at 3 and 12 months of participation have already been published elsewhere. They showed no between-group differences between the standard and enriched GLB but higher weight loss in both groups compared to the DPP. This paper reports the long-term weight loss maintenance data following participation in the program.

Methods

Of the 172 participants enrolled at the beginning of the study, data from 110 participants were available and analyzed at 24 months, i.e., 12 months after the end of the 12-month intervention.

Results

No between-group difference in weight loss maintenance was observed. Pooled results showed a significant weight regain from 12 to 24 months, i.e., an average of 7.85 lbs. of the 20.36 lbs. lost. However, participants from both groups were still 12.51lbs or 6.13% lighter at 24 months than at baseline.

Conclusion

If-then plans did not result in a higher percentage of weight loss at 24-month follow-up compared to the standard GLB. However, at 24 months, both groups did show a maintenance of a significant portion of the weight lost at the end of intervention.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02008435, registered 6 December 2013.
Real-world flash glucose monitoring in Brazil: can sensors make a difference in diabetes management in developing countries?
Authors: Calliari Luis Eduardo P. , Krakauer Marcio , Vianna Andre Gustavo Daher , Ram Yashesvini , Barbieri Douglas Eugenio , Xu Yongjin , Dunn Timothy C.
Published: January 2020

Background

New technologies are changing diabetes treatment and contributing better outcomes in developed countries. To our knowledge, no previous studies have investigated the comparative effect of sensor-based monitoring on glycemic markers in developing countries like Brazil. The present study aims to evaluate the use of intermittent Continuous Glucose Measurements (iCGM) in a developing country, Brazil, regarding (i) frequency of glucose scans, (ii) its association with glycemic markers and (iii) comparison with these findings to those observed in global population data.

Methods

Glucose results were de-identified and uploaded to a dedicated database when Freestyle Libre™ readers were connected to an internet-ready computer. Data between September 2014 and Dec 2018, comprising 688,640 readers and 7,329,052 sensors worldwide, were analysed (including 17,691 readers and 147,166 sensors from Brazil). Scan rate per reader was determined and each reader was sorted into 20 equally-sized rank ordered groups, categorised by scan frequency. Glucose parameters were calculated for each group, including estimated A1c, time above, below and within range identified as 70–180 mg/dL.

Results

In Brazil, reader users performed an average of 14 scans per day, while around the world, reader users performed an average of 12 scans per day (p < 0.01). In Brazil dataset, those in the lowest and in the highest groups scanned on average 3.6 and 43.1 times per day had an estimated A1c of 7.56% (59 mmol/mol) and 6.71% (50 mmol/mol), respectively (p < 0.01). Worldwide, the lowest group and the highest groups scanned 3.4 times/day and 37.8 times/day and had an eA1c of 8.14% (65 mmol/mol) and 6.70% (50 mmol/mol), respectively (p < 0.01). For the scan groups in both populations, the time spent above 180 mg/dL decreased as the scan frequency increased. In both Brazil and around the world, as scan frequency increased, time in range (TIR) increased. In Brazil, TIR increased from 14.15 to 16.62 h/day (p < 0.01). Worldwide, TIR increased from 12.06 to 16.97 h/day (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

We conclude that Brazilian users have a high frequency of scans, more frequent than global data. Similarly to the world findings, increased scan frequency is associated with better glycemic control.
Patterns of spon1b:GFP expression during early zebrafish brain development
Authors: Agudelo-Dueñas Nathalie , Forero-Shelton Manu , Zhdanova Irina V. , Akle Veronica
Published: January 2020

Objective

F-spondin is part of a group of evolutionarily conserved extracellular matrix proteins in vertebrates. It is highly expressed in the embryonic floor plate, and it can bind to the ECM and promote neuronal outgrowth. A characterization of F-spondin expression patterns in the adult zebrafish brain was previously reported by our group. However, given its importance during development, we aimed to obtain a detailed description of green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression driven by thespon1bpromotor, in the developing zebrafish brain of the transgenicTg(spon1b:GFP)line, using light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM).

Results

Images obtained in live embryos from 22 to 96 h post fertilization confirmed our earlier reports on the presence ofspon1b:GFPexpressing cells in the telencephalon and diencephalon (olfactory bulbs, habenula, optic tectum, nuclei of the medial longitudinal fasciculus), and revealed newspon1b:GFPpopulations in the pituitary anlage, dorso-rostral cluster, and ventro-rostral cluster. LSFM made it possible to follow the dynamics of cellular migration patterns during development.

Conclusions

spon1b:GFPlarval expression patterns starts in early development in specific neuronal structures of the developing brain associated with sensory-motor modulation. LSFM evaluation of the transgenicTg(spon1b:GFP)line provides an effective approach to characterize GFP expression patterns in vivo.
Epigenetic regulation of IFITM1 expression in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human mesenchymal stromal cells
Authors: Kim Sun Hwa , In Choi Hae , Choi Mi Ran , An Ga Yeong , Binas Bert , Jung Kyoung Hwa , Chai Young Gyu
Published: January 2020

Background

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) ligands such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activate immunomodulatory functions and the migration of human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs). Here, we study the migration-related gene expression of LPS-stimulated hMSCs and the role and regulation of one of the upregulated genes, encoding the interferon-induced transmembrane protein 1 (IFITM1).

Methods

Gene expression profiles were determined by whole-transcriptome analysis (RNA-seq) and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Bioinformatics approaches were used to perform network and pathway analyses. The cell migration-related genes were identified with an in vitro wound healing assay. RNA interference (RNAi) was used to suppress the IFITM1 gene expression. The IFITM1 gene enhancer was analyzed by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) sequencing, ChIP-to-PCR, luciferase reporter assays, and qRT-PCR for enhancer RNAs (eRNAs).

Results

RNA-seq confirmed IFITM1 as an LPS-stimulated gene, and RNAi demonstrated its importance for the LPS-stimulated migration. LPS treatment increased the eRNA expression in enhancer region R2 (2 kb upstream) of the IFITM1 gene and enriched R2 for H3K27ac. Bioinformatics implicated the transcription factors NF-κB and IRF1, ChIP assays revealed their binding to R2, and chemical inhibition of NF-κB and RNAi directed against IRF1 prevented R2 eRNA and IFITM1 gene expression.

Conclusions

Increased expression of the IFITM1 gene is required for LPS-stimulated hMSC migration. We described several underlying changes in the IFITM1 gene enhancer, most notably the NF-κB-mediated activation of enhancer region R2.
A new high-order compact finite difference scheme based on precise integration method for the numerical simulation of parabolic equations
Authors: Chen Changkai , Zhang Xiaohua , Liu Zhang , Zhang Yage
Published: January 2020

This paper presents two high-order exponential time differencing precise integration methods (PIMs) in combination with a spatially global sixth-order compact finite difference scheme (CFDS) for solving parabolic equations with high accuracy. One scheme is a modification of the compact finite difference scheme of precise integration method (CFDS-PIM) based on the fourth-order Taylor approximation and the other is a modification of the CFDS-PIM based on a $(4,4)$(4,4)-Padé approximation. Moreover, on coupling with the Strang splitting method, these schemes are extended to multi-dimensional problems, which also have fast computational efficiency and high computational accuracy. Several numerical examples are carried out in order to demonstrate the performance and ability of the proposed schemes. Numerical results indicate that the proposed schemes improve remarkably the computational accuracy rather than the empirical finite difference scheme. Moreover, these examples show that the CFDS-PIM based on the fourth-order Taylor approximation yields more accurate results than the CFDS-PIM based on the $(4,4)$(4,4)-Padé approximation.
Effects of dietary fibers and prebiotics in adiposity regulation via modulation of gut microbiota
Authors: Rivera-Piza Adriana , Lee Sung-Joon
Published: January 2020

The microbiota is indispensable for human health and the regulation of various body functions, including energy metabolism. The harmonic crosstalk between the microbiota and the intestinal epithelial barrier determines gut homeostasis and health status in the healthy subject. Obesity and type 2 diabetes risk are, to some extent, explained by alterations in the microbiota. Since recent data indicate that the population of gut microorganisms can influence nutrient absorption and energy storage thus prevalence on obesity and metabolic disorders. Moreover, metabolic disease conditions, such as obesity, may be stimulated by genetic, environmental factors and by pathways that link metabolism with the immune system. On the basis of the above considerations, this review compiles the current results obtained in recent studies indicating the gut microbiota contribution to obesity development.
Application of Frictional Bond-Slip Model to Large-Scale FRP-Strengthened T-Beams with U-wraps
Authors: Lee Jaeha , Lopez Maria
Published: January 2020

Studies on U-wraps generally focus on the experimental results and mechanisms of the shear strengthening effect. Only a few studies have focused on the anchoring effect of the longitudinal FRP due to addition of the U-wrap. Lee and Lopez (Constr Build Mater 194:226–237, 2016) have found experimentally from pull-out tests that incremental changes occur in the debonding strain at the concrete-FRP interface depending on the various type of U-wraps. The proposed numerical method using the Frictional Bond-Slip (FBS) model has been validated by comparing the pull-out test results (Lee and Lopez Constr Build Mater 194:226–237, 2016). In the present study, the FBS model was applied to characterize the behavior of a large scale FRP strengthened T-beam with multiple U-wraps. First, the 2-dimensional (2D) model for pull-out test was developed. Debonding load and behavior of the model were compared with both the experimental results (Lee and Lopez Constr Build Mater 194:226–237, 2016) and the simulation results of a 3-dimensional (3D) model from a previous study (Lee and Lopez Constr Build Mater 194:226–237, 2016). Next, the 2D model was applied to model the behavior of a large scale FRP strengthened T-beam with multiple U-wraps. The conducted 2D simulation using the proposed FBS model predicted well the strains at various locations on the FRP sheet, the flexural capacity and complex failure mode of the FRP strengthened beam with several U-wraps. The proposed FBS model was also applied to other comparable studies, and debonding strains were successfully predicted within an margin of error of 7%. Using the validated model, a parametric study of the FRP strengthened T-beam was conducted with various key parameters of the U-wrap, such as the angle of U-wrap and the number of U-wrap.
A combined framework for the life cycle assessment and costing of food waste prevention and valorization: an application to school canteens
Authors: De Menna Fabio , Davis Jennifer , Östergren Karin , Unger Nicole , Loubiere Marion , Vittuari Matteo
Published: January 2020

About one third of global edible food is lost or wasted along the supply chain, causing the wastage of embedded natural and economic resources. Life cycle methodologies can be applied to identify sustainable and viable prevention and valorization routes needed to prevent such inefficiencies. However, no systemic approach has been developed so far to guide practitioners and stakeholders. Specifically, the goal and scoping phase (e.g. problem assessed or system function) can be characterized by a large flexibility, and the comparability between food waste scenarios could be not ensured. Within the Horizon2020 project Resource Efficient Food and dRink for the Entire Supply cHain, this study aimed to provide practitioners with guidance on how to combine life cycle assessment and environmental life cycle costing in the context of food waste. Recent literature was reviewed to identify relevant methodological aspects, possible commonly adopted approaches, main differences among studies and standards and protocols, main challenges, and knowledge gaps. Basing on this review, an analytical framework with a set of recommendations was developed encompassing different assessment situations. The framework intends to provide a step by step guidance for food waste practitioners, and it is composed of a preliminary section on study purpose definition, three decision trees—respectively on assessment situation(s), costing approach, and type of study (footprint vs. intervention)—and two sets of recommendations. Recommendations can be applied to all levels of the food waste hierarchy, stating a generic order of preference for handling food chain side flows. This consistent and integrated life cycle approach should ensure a better understanding of the impact of specific interventions, thus supporting informed private and public decision making and promoting the design of sustainable and cost-efficient interventions and a more efficient food supply chains.